I had always been in a mode of rushing to the finish line and needed to take time to readjust and to develop a virtue I had always lacked - patience. I chose to focus on learning about myself and things that interested me that weren't work-related...herbalism, Ethnobotany and shamanism being amongst my new interests.
I seized an opportunity to visit Alaska, where I lived in an RV in a remote area for a month. There, I started learning about local folk remedies and herbal cures and began recording my adventures on the this website, calling it Around the World in 80 Cures.
I have since traveled several times in search of new treatments and for the sake of understanding different cultures' uses of their ethnobotanicals. It has been challenging and fun at the same time and I have really enjoyed logging my findings on this website.
There are now officially 26 cures in the 80 cures collection, more coming soon. At this pace, I don't know when I will finish this not-so-little project of mine...I hope I never do. :)
Lately it seems, I have been posting more on music, art and recipes, than cures and travel. But, I anticipate that it will continue to be a general mix of natural healing and earth-based spirituality, served up with the occasional sass and smileys. Lots of smileys. :)
Enjoy! :)
I seized an opportunity to visit Alaska, where I lived in an RV in a remote area for a month. There, I started learning about local folk remedies and herbal cures and began recording my adventures on the this website, calling it Around the World in 80 Cures.
I have since traveled several times in search of new treatments and for the sake of understanding different cultures' uses of their ethnobotanicals. It has been challenging and fun at the same time and I have really enjoyed logging my findings on this website.
There are now officially 26 cures in the 80 cures collection, more coming soon. At this pace, I don't know when I will finish this not-so-little project of mine...I hope I never do. :)
Lately it seems, I have been posting more on music, art and recipes, than cures and travel. But, I anticipate that it will continue to be a general mix of natural healing and earth-based spirituality, served up with the occasional sass and smileys. Lots of smileys. :)
Enjoy! :)
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 CURES
Remedy #1: Kudzu Oil
Origin: Southeastern US
Kudzu, the invasive vine seen everywhere in the South, is proven to reduce alcohol consumption in binge drinkers and alcoholics. Research has also shown that it also improves the health of the liver and can reduce, if not eliminate altogether, migraine headaches and vertigo.
Kudzu is often prescribed as a cure for a hangover and tinnitus. As with any supplement, you should check with your doctor before adding kudzu to your diet and watch for any signs of skin rash or breathing problems when you initially begin taking it.
Dosage: 2 capsules 3 times per day.
Remedy #2: Devil's Club Oil & Salve
For the relief of arthritis.
Origin: Alaska
Remedies # 3 - 5: Skin Care
FACIAL CLEANSER:
The honey has antibacterial properties, the oats soften the skin, the ACV keeps the skins ph in balance and removes dead skin cells and the linden & cinnamon combination treats acne, blemishes, dry patches, freckles and wrinkles.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE: Gently massage onto your face. Rinse with cool water.
CONTENTS: water, apple cider vinegar, organic oats, honey, linden leaves, cinnamon
FACIAL TONER:
Apple cider vinegar tones the skin and restores its natural ph balance. It also removes dead skin cells, leaving your face refreshed and vibrant. The linden & cinnamon combination also treats acne, blemishes, dry patches, freckles and wrinkles.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE: Gently dab on your face and neck area after cleansing.
CONTENTS: water, apple cider vinegar, linden leaves, cinnamon
***Beauty Spells***
ELIMINATING A PIMPLE:
To eliminate a pimple or breakout, recite the following as you are cleansing your face:
"Sacred Mother, heal the pimple that brought me shame. I banish this zit in your name."
FOR BEAUTIFUL SKIN:
To bring overall beautiful skin, recite the following after cleansing and applying toner to your skin:
Wood and Wind, Ember and Mist
Grant your blessed child's wish
Sacred Mother charge this mirror
Let your light make beauty clearer
Wrap it in your gentle glow
So that tis all it ever shows.
Look into the mirror and visualize the way you wish to look, and how you want others to see and react to you. Repeat the following:
As a blossom in your glade
Let my beauty never fade.
Remedy #6: Aroma - Chocolate/Peanut Butter Chip Cookie Bars
Used for: Reducing anxiety and depression.
Dose: Smell and eat to your heart's content.
Something stood out to me in a recent episode of Dr. Oz. The healing power of smell.
The doctor suggested that the smell of fresh flowers can reduce anxiety and depression. Now, I like roses and lilies as much as the next girl, but if flowers do the trick, then wouldn't chocolate chip cookies also work? I figured it was a noble experiment, so I set out to create some cocoa goodness - something sweet and rich, with an aroma that could heal a blind man! :)
I came up with a cookie bar that is definitely to "live for" (die for seemed stupid given my purpose here.). Here's the recipe I came up with that was as good for my tummy, as it was for my soul.
Chocolate/Peanut Butter Chip Cookie Bars
1/2 cup Butter
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Sugar
2 Eggs
1 tsp Vanilla
Beat well for 2 minutes.
Stir in:
2 cups Flour
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt
Fold in:
1 cup Chocolate Chips
1 cup Peanut Butter Chips
1 cup Chopped Walnuts or Pecans
Spread in a buttered 9" x 13" pan and bake at 375 degrees for about 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool, then remove from pan and slice into 1" x 2" bars.
Excellent served warm with vanilla ice cream. You can also whip up some fresh heavy cream (a necessity in your fridge!), add some vanilla and sugar and enjoy it with your sundae. But, if you really wanna indulge, make a homemade butterscotch sauce. Here's my quick recipe for this topping that keeps well in the fridge for about a week...
Butterscotch Sauce
1/2 cup Butter
1/2 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Heavy Cream (I'm telling you, you gotta keep this stuff on hand if you wanna enjoy life!)
Melt the sugar and water in a double boiler (a saucepan sitting inside of another pan of boiling water). Cook at a low rolling boil until the sugar starts to brown. Do not let it scorch or burn. Whisk in the heavy cream slowly and continue to boil over medium heat until the sauce thickens.
Remove from the heat and stir in 1 oz. scotch.
Remedy #7: Herbal FTM Hormone Therapy
I am lucky to have had the experience of knowing a few FTM individuals in my life, all of which have been completely incredible people! I have been interested in learning how to create an herbal medicine for these fantastic people and have finally come up with a tincture for FTM hormone therapy. It can be taken alone, or in conjunction with traditional hormone therapy, but only at the advice of your doctor.
The ingredients are listed here, so please show this to your doctor before beginning any herbal supplements. Below is some additional information on the remedy.
FTM Herbal Remedy contains:
Saw Palmetto, Damiana, Yohimbe bark extract, Tribestan
Dose: 1 oz twice daily. Can be mixed in water, taken straight (has a slightly bitter taste) or mixed in a smoothie (recipes included).
If you want to talk about receiving this cure, please email me at 80cures.blogspot.com. It is a daily supplement taken alone or in a glass of water or smoothie (yum!) - I even include a few great recipes for a nutritional smoothie. :)
A 2-week supply of the refrigerated remedy costs $45 + shipping.
Remedies #8 - 18: Pet Care Remedies
Anxiety
Arthritis
Bad Odor on your pet
Pet Odor Eliminator
Ear Infections
First Aid - Wound Care
Hyperactivity
Itchy Skin and Allergies
Mosquitoes
Motion Sickness
Sinus Infection
-Email me if you want individual recipes for any of these items for your dogs.
Remedy #19: Relieving the symptoms of a yeast infection.
Take a hot bath with a cup of apple cider vinegar. Dry off very well. Insert a whole clove of peeled garlic into your vagina. Leave it in place overnight. Repeat at least 3 or 4 days in a row.
Remedy #20: Male Libido Enhancer
This is an herbal remedy I combined and put in capsules. I use equal parts horny goat weed, tibulus, saw palmetto, yohimbe bark powder and damiana.
Take 2 about an hour prior to intercourse.
Remedy #21: Bronchitis
Use a combination of extract from pine, eucalyptus and a citrus oil to help alleviate common symptoms associated with a respiratory condition.
Remedy #22: Rosacea
Green tea, oatmeal and licorice.
Steep licorice root in green tea. Make 1 cup oatmeal, using green tea in place of water. Blend well. Add a tablespoon of honey for softer skin. Keep refrigerated. Cleanse and rinse well daily.
Remedy #23: Ant Bite Relief
Mix together 4 parts baking soda, 2 parts salt, 2 parts meat tenderizer & 1 part crushed aspirin. Add enough water to form a paste & store this in a dark, airtight container.
Can be rubbed on an ant bite to relieve the pain and swelling.
Remedy #24: Spanish Moss Treatment for Hemorrhoids
Collect and sterilize Spanish moss by boiling it. Dry the plant and crush it. Apply directly to hemorrhoids to relieve swelling and pain.
Remedy #25: Spanish Moss Treatment for Sprains & Sore Muscles
Collect and sterilize Spanish moss by boiling it. Crush several handfuls of moss, cover with water & bring to a boil, let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, place a towel directly into the pan and let it cool down enough for you to touch it. Wrap the hot towel around your sprain or sore muscle and cover with plastic wrap. Leave the compress on until it has cooled. Repeat up to 4 times each day to reduce swelling and pain.
Remedy #26: Spanish Moss Treatment for Tired, Sore & Swollen Feet
Collect and sterilize Spanish moss by boiling it. Crush several handfuls of moss, cover with water & bring to a boil, let simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat, and let it cool down enough for you to touch it. Pour into a foot bath and add enough warm water to cover & soak your feet .