Fall Herb Classes - Pam Leahy News and Views - Health News and Information

“What a wonderful class – filled with useful information, and hands-on enjoyment of the herbs. You’re a great teacher” - Melissa W.

Saturday, October 23rd
At Gilbertie’s Herb Store, Westport CT
1:30 p.m.

Culinary herbs are easy to grow and use to improve the flavor of food and they make an ordinary meal – extraordinary! In addition, they have many health benefits and medinical uses ranging from easing headaches and indigestion to acute infections. Our kitchen spice shelf can be thought of as containing safe and natural alternatives to many of the synthetic drugs found in the medicine cabinet. Discover the health and culinary delights of these garden favorites, how to grow them and how to store them.

BONUS: We will prepare an herbal spice mix that is both healthy and delicious.
No Admission Fee Material Fee: $10.00 payable to instructor
Call early to reserve your place 203 227-4175 Limited to 15 participants

DRINK MILK? ..... THINK TWICE Advertisers would have us believe that milk and milk products are the best way to get the calcium our bodies need to strengthen bones and stave off osteoporosis. Think twice and consider this: The Harvard School of Public Health analyzed dietary information gathered from nearly 80, 000 women, ages 30 to 55, over a 12-year period. They found no evidence that the women who consumed one to three servings of milk or other milk products (cheese, yogurt, etc.) reduced their risk of hip fractures, the standard measure for osteoporosis. In fact there was a 45% increase in hip fractures among women who drank at least two glasses of milk per day compared to those who rarely drank milk. This certainly suggests that the nutritional benefits of milk are overrated!

Try adding some healthy sources of calcium to your diet including kale and other green vegetables, nettles (among the highest food sources), beans, seaweeds, almonds, the herb Astragalus, blackstrap molasses, figs, amaranth, oranges, watercress and sardines with bones. The calcium in food is easier to assimilate than most supplements. Make up some Traditional Bone Broth to use as a base in soups and gravies. It will enrich your food and your bones! You can find the recipe linked on my website:www.elementalsherbs.com Most of the milk and milk products available in our supermarkets are processed foods. Seek out minimally processed milk and artisan cheeses at Farmer’s Markets and Natural Food Stores.

Ref: Harvard School of Public Health: Feskanich D. et al. Milk, dietary calcium and bone fractures in women: A 12 year prospective study. Am. J. Public Health 87: 992-997. 1997

DON’T BE FOOLED BY THE NEW NAME - The Corn Refiners Association (CRA) has petitioned the FDA to allow manufacturers the option of using the term “corn sugar” instead of “high fructose corn syrup.” They claim that the name is “confusing to consumers” and blame “inaccurate media accounts and faulty scientific reports” for the stigma associated with their product. They also claim that HFCS is not much different than sugar and is perfectly safe.
Simply not so. HFCS is metabolized in the body as fat not sugar. It is the number one source of calories in the U.S and is considered to be a major factor in our obesity, diabetes and heart disease epidemics. HFCS is found in sweetened soft drinks and many processed foods such as salad dressings, ketchup, jams, jellies, ice cream and lots more. Read food labels carefully. It doesn’t matter what they call it, we don’t want it in our food.

HERBAL RELIEF FOR CHEMO PATIENTS – In a recent study conducted at Yale University, an ancient Chinese herb formula was found to provide measurable relief from the gastro-intestinal side effects caused by chemo therapy and enhanced the anti- tumor effects of the medication. The ancient formula is known as Huang Qin Tang and contains Scutellaria, Huang qin, Peony, Shao Yao, Licorice, Gan Cao, and Jujube, Da Zao. It was first used 1,800 years ago. Other proven treatments that help reduce chemo side effects include: acupuncture, the herbs astragalus and ganoderma and glutamine supplements.

Dr. Yug-Chi Cheng: Journal of Science Translation Medicine August 18th
The formula is referred to as PHY906 in the study

The physical sensation of taste is important in nutrition guidelines for Chinese Medicine. Food is categorized according to 5 flavors – bitter, sour, spicy/pungent, salt and sweet. A balance of these flavors each day is recommended for optimum health. Adding sour, bitter and spicy foods will help you cut back on cravings for salty foods and sweet treats.

Watch a 10 minute preview on www.numenfilm.com
“The filmmakers captured the magic, mystery, and the beauty of plants and their importance as herbal medicine in our contemporary health care system. Inspiring and educational, Numen has a place in the library of anyone interested in medicine, plants, gardening and earth ecology. It’s a powerful film that I’ll recommend that everyone see”
- Rosemary Gladstar

Left-Handed Advantage Recorded in an old herbal: "A traditional rule for harvesting herbs to be used in rituals insist that herbs be gathered with the left hand. It was believed that a vein in the left hand went directly to the heart, and the left hand was wiser in ways of the heart than then right" - Susan Whitig Albert

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Pam Leahy, RH (AHG) HHC
Health consultations by appointment
Offices in Norwalk and Ridgefield, CT
(203) 438 1848 www.elementalsherbs.com

This newsletter is for general health information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of disease. Questions regarding your own health should be addressed to your physician or other health care provider. Each person is different: the way one person reacts to a product may be significantly different from another. Any statements about products contained in this web site have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (unless otherwise indicated). Information is provided for the sole use of discussing options with your health care provider. Please check with your health care professional before taking any dietary, nutritional or herbal supplement

Elementals Herbs Pam Leahy, RH HHC Medical Herbs & Nutrition

Elementals Herbs

Pam Leahy, RH HHC

Medical Herbs & Nutrition