What a lovely set of posts for this month's herbal challenge, based around the theme of 'detox'. You can read all the Week 1 entries here - thanks @umirais, @traisto, @tydynrain, @blackberryskunk and @hindavi for your great entries.
Let's have a look at a few things that were discussed in Week 2. It's always a pleasure learning from you all. I was listening to a podcast the other day where the herbalist was talking about studying in Kenya and in China, as well as in America, and concluded 'well, these days it's all world medicine'. I think that is definitely true on HIVE - it's a real pleasure reading about plants from India to South Africa and everything in between.
Get a load of this spiky thistle going into a detox shot with apple, dandelion and by @buckaroobaby! Milk thistle is always my go to for liver support so I am rather envious it grows wild on her property.
If you'd like a few extra tips for detoxing, check out this detailed post by @kirlos. Probiotics, water, a healthy diet - all of these things can help prevent the toxicities that creep into our bodies when we aren't paying attenion.
@melyxaluna too wrote a 'complete guide', although I'm wary of that term! We must be careful to think any guide to our health is complete as we're so diverse in our bodies and how they respond to treatment. However, as they say, it's an important consideration in a toxic age:
In this day and age, we are bombarded with environmental toxins which could disrupt an array of physiological processes that are vital for a healthy body and mind. This is why detox may be an important practice to keep your body functioning at peak performance.
Like @buckaroobaby, they mention milk thistle, as well as a few ways to prepare it such as a tincture! Check out their post here as it's really worth seeing a scientists perspective on detoxification. They also mention quite a few other plants such as yellow dock. It's always worthwhile seeing what is growing in your area, that's for sure.
This is something that @ligayagardener reminds us:
Folks who know me in person or have read much of my writing, will know that I'm not big on using the latest big name herb from the southern Amazon or any products made from labs. I'm much more homely (in looks as well as my herbalism) and prefer to use plants that grow locally. I'm especially fond of using local weeds as remedies wherever I can. And why not? They're free and by using them you're doing someone else a favour too by tidying up their garden.
He mentions one of my favourites, cleavers, which, if you're in the northern hemisphere, should be coming out now just in time for a spring detox. He mentioned dandelion, too, and fumitory, a plant which I know, but didn't realise was medicinal. Then, what plant isn't, really?
@kyleana looked at herbs for detoxing the skin - for a clean complexion, looking to what we eat is better than fixing it from the outside! However, nature does have it's solutions to help keep the skin clean and clear too - calendula is always a favourite!
From the Indian continent, @sanjeevm reminds us that:
Nature has given us all the means to keep ourselves healthy, unfortunately, we go for medicine that gives us quick relief. The important aspect of natural medicine is that they persist - that means the impact will stay for long term - consuming medicine is going to provide short term relief only.
He refers to cummin seeds but also to aloe vera, dates and milk - this was a fascinating recipe and worth checking out here!
Winners This Month
3 HIVE each to @sanjeevm, @buckaroobaby, @melyxaluna and @hindavi. Thanks so much to everyone that entered and we'll see you soon with another challenge!
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