Welcome to the “Dragonflies & Lilies” Spring 2010 newsletter.

At last, spring is just around the corner with the promise of warmer months and spring herbs and flowers. The Herbal Clinic & Dispensary is going to celebrate spring with a month long workshop series beginning Saturday March 6th. Each Saturday the clinic practitioners will host a special workshop. A practitioners ‘coupon book’ will also be available. This special booklet will offer discounts for dispensary products and practitioners services.

News Flash! The Herbal Clinic & Dispensary is thrilled to be included in the new CRAVE Toronto book which will be launched May 2010. CRAVE is an artful, inspiring, and fun city guide which highlights small, unique businesses run by women. The CRAVE Toronto book will be available for sale in the dispensary.

To all of our wonderful customers, thanks so much for all of your support. See you soon!

Celina

Our new hours are:

Monday to Saturday: 11-7 pm
Sundays: 12-5 pm

1) Roncesvalles Community Acupuncture Clinic

2) Silverowl’s Healing Tree

Both web sites were developed and built by Interzone Design, the designer of The Herbal Clinic & Dispensary web site and this newsletter.

Coltsfoot has a soothing expectorant and antispasmodic action. This common herb has a long history of use for the treatment of acute or chronic bronchitis, irritating coughs, and asthma. The plant’s botanical name means ‘cough dispeller’. Coltsfoot is the first flower to appear in early spring and is often mistaken for dandelion. Interestingly, the hoof-shaped leaves only appear when the flowers have died down, giving rise to the plant’s old name, filius ante patrem (son before father). In Paris, the flowers used to be painted on the doorposts of apothecaries shops.

The palm and may make country houses gay,
Lambs frisk and play, the shepherds pipe all day,
And we hear aye birds tune this merry lay:

The fields breathe sweet, the daisies kiss our feet,
Young lovers meet, old wives a-sunning sit,
In every street these tunes our ears do greet:

from, Summer’s Last Will and Testament, (1600)

My motion sickness remedy enjoys great success for those unable to travel due to nausea/anxiety. The combination of valerian root, chamomile, rose hips, ginger and catnip produce a calm, relaxed state.

Properties:

Valerian Root: anti-anxiety
Chamomile: nervine (calming), carminative (soothes the stomach)
Rose Hips: anti-stress
Ginger: anti-nausea
Catnip: nervine (calming)
Lemon balm: anti-anxiety, nervine (calming)

Silver Owl, thank you for the motion sickness tea for my mother. Since she has started drinking it prior to our car rides she has not experienced her motion sickness anymore. It works great and has given us our freedom to travel back. I can’t thank-you enough–what a wonderful remedy.
—Katie P.

Visit Silverowl’s web site

Important: There are certain times when it is not recommended to do a cleanse.

1) If you are pregnant or breast feeding.
2) If you have very high or very low blood pressure.
3) If you have severe bouts of hypo-glycaemia (low blood sugar).
4) If you have diabetes type 1.

Days 1 and 2
Important: Your herbal teas can be enjoyed throughout the cleanse.
Before beginning the cleanse itself it is a good idea to eliminate all foods which are considered to be ‘junk’ foods such as candy, soft drinks, chips, and greasy or fried foods.
For two days the diet should consist primarily of whole grains, vegetables, legumes (beans), fruits, nuts, seeds and fish.

Recommended foods:

Grains—buckwheat, brown rice, millet, kamut, spelt, quinoa, barley, oats.
All vegetables—lightly steamed, juiced, or eaten raw.
Legumes—beans, peas, chick peas, lentils, mung beans etc. note- these should be home prepared, ie purchased dry, then soaked (discard soaking water) and cooked in fresh water.
Fruits—apples, pears, grapes, blueberries, melons, pineapple (fresh)
Nuts/seeds—fresh, not roasted or salted!
Fish —especially cold water fish like wild trout and salmon (steamed or grilled).
Plenty of pure water should be consumed throughout the day.

Tip: To facilitate the bodies natural tendency to eliminate waste products out of the system try wet saunas, massage, and skin brushing (brush skin with dry loofa, or jute brush).

Days 3 and 4
After a couple of days of adjusting to a more wholesome, natural diet you can focus on eliminating foods which are a little harder to digest. These include protein rich foods such as meats, nuts, seeds, fish, and legumes. By the end of day 4 only whole grains, vegetables (raw or steamed), fruits and juices should be eaten. Focus should also be made on reducing the amount of food eaten as this will optimize the cleansing process and give the digestive system a break. Remember to chew food properly!

Fresh pressed Juices

Vegetable—A very cleansing and alkaline juice combination is 1/2 a litre of organic carrot juice, and 1/2 litre of a combination of celery, parsley and beet. Drink throughout the day with plain water.
Apple & Ginger—A combination of apples and a small amount of fresh ginger root makes a delicious warming juice combo.

Vegetable Broth
A nutritious broth can be made with a variety of organic vegetable which have been washed, sliced and added to spring water. Simmer for 1 hour and strain. Add a pinch of cayenne to gently stimulate the circulation and warm the body.

Important: Do not discontinue prescription medication without specific instructions to do so.

Day 5
Day 5 should be the ‘juicing’ part of the cleanse. Only freshly juiced vegetables, herbal teas and spring water should be taken at this time. Thicken by adding back the firerous material from the juicer or adding in flax seed powder, slippery elm powder or psyllium powder.

Day 6
If we assume that you have done 1 day of pure vegetable juices, day 6 is the day you break the fast. Choose one or a combination of the following foods:

Grapes—These should be organic.
Apples & Pears—These may be red or green.
Melons—Cantaloupe, honeydew, watermelon.

Note: During colder months break your fast with steamed veggies and whole grains.

Days 7
At this point you can introduce fresh raw vegetables, steamed vegetables and grains and light proteins such as fish. The point is to gradually re-introduce healthy, easy to digest foods.

The end of the cleanse
By the end of the 7 day cleanse you should be feeling good, with more energy and a feeling of increased vitality. Now that you have cleaned out your system a little and have focused on better nutrition it is important to make the effort not to slip back into old habits.

For your custom formula please contact:

The Herbal Clinic & Dispensary storefront
409 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto.
(Across from the Revue Theater) (416) 537-5303

1) Herbal Cleanse Tea Blend. A tasty and nourishing blend of Nettles, Cleavers, Red Clover tops, Peppermint and Dandelion leaf. These herbs have a history of use for cleansing the blood by enhancing the elimination of metabolic waste from the body and by supporting liver and kidney function. $12.95

2) Herbal Bitters. Bitters are traditionally used to encourage digestive power and assimilation by stimulating the natural production of digestive enzymes and acids and by supporting liver and gallbladder function. $9.95 60 mls

3) Custom tea and custom tincture blending is available. The dispensary staff will help you to make a special formula for your health and wellness needs this spring.

4) We have a selection of high quality loose green teas, black teas and white teas as well as Rooibos (red bush) teas. Tea Party Special: During the month of March all of these teas are 10% off.

This was Ganoderma applanatum, also known as ‘Artist’s conk’, and although inedible due to its hard, wood-like texture, Ganoderma is one of many medicinal polypore (many pored) mushrooms commonly encountered throughout the North American woodlands.

Long used as a medicine by First Nation peoples, this species of Ganoderma has proven anti-biotic, anti-tumor and immune modulating action. The extract has demonstrated inhibition against several types of bacteria including Bacillis cereus, S. aureus, E-coli, and P. aeruginosa [1]. Other species of Ganoderma including G. sinense, G. lucidum, and G. tsugae have demonstrated anti-tumor activity against breast cancer cells [6].

Later during my hike, I spotted another fungi; the strange, loaf-shaped Fomitopsis officinalis or, ‘ghost bread’ which is still considered to be powerful medicine by Haida shaman of the Queen Charlotte islands. F. officinalis also has a long history of use in Europe. The ancient Greeks named it Agarikon, and the physician Dioscorides (65 C.E) mentioned it in his De Materia Medica as a treatment for coughing and consumption (tuberculosis) [2].

Throughout history, people from many cultures have used mushrooms for food, as medicine, and for a wide range of other practical purposes.

Ice Man Polypore

In 1991, hikers in the Italian Alps stumbled upon the 5,300 year old naturally mummified remains of a Copper Age man. Archaeologists discovered that ‘Otzi’ was carrying two different types of polypore mushrooms, carefully threaded on leather cord. Researchers believe that one, a birch fungus (Piptoporus betulinus), was likely used for its antibiotic properties and the other, Tinder Conk (Fomes fomentaris), now also referred to as ‘Ice Man polypore’, was most certainly used as tinder to start fires [3].

Medicinal mushrooms found in the North America forest include:

Artist’s Conk (Ganoderma applanatum)
Other names: Shelf fungus, tree tongue. Therapeutic actions: anti-tumor, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, lung tonic.

Ice Man polypore (Fomitopsis officinalis)
Other names: Agarikon, larch bracket mushroom, tree biscuit, ghost bread. Therapeutic actions: anti-biotic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic.

Maitake (Grifola frondosa)
Other names: Cloud mushroom, hen-of-the-woods. Therapeutic actions: anti-bacterial, anti-candida, anti-tumor, immune enhancer, lowers cholesterol, lowers high blood sugar.

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
Other names: Cinder conk, clinker fungus, black mass. Therapeutic actions: anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, lowers high blood sugar, immune enhancer, liver tonic.

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)
Therapeutic actions: anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, anti-viral, immune enhancer, liver and kidney tonic.

Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)
Therapeutic actions: lowers cholesterol, anti-viral, anti-tumor [4].

Until recently, North American consumption of mushrooms has been limited to the familiar cultivated ‘button-mushroom’ variety. The opposite is true in South America, Asia, Russia and Europe, where a wide variety of mushrooms have been used both as food and for medicinal purposes.

In some cases, the culinary and medicinal uses of edible mushrooms overlaps; in China, for example, Wei-Chi soup, which translates to ‘Protective Chi soup’ or, ‘Immune-Vitality soup’, is prepared with reishi mushroom, shitaki mushroom, astragalus root, spouted beans and seasonal vegetables.

Reishi—Mushroom of Immortality

Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), which is indigenous to the sub-tropical forests of America and Asia has been used by Tibetian monks, shaman and sages, for over two thousand years. Reishi was so revered as a panacea, or heal-all that it was considered to be sacred and was referred to as ‘ Mushroom of Immortality’. As well as being used to prevent altitude sickness, Reishi was, and still is, widely used for its calming effects, as topical wound healer, and as a treatment for infection. In TCM, reishi is considered to be one of the greatest longevity tonics and fortifiers of the mind.

As is the case for a number of medicinal mushroom species today, rather than being harvested from the wild, reishi is now widely cultivated. This fact is significant in that it demonstrates that medicinal mushrooms are highly sustainable.

Modern research

During the past 45 years, hundreds of studies have been conducted into the medicinal properties of mushrooms traditionally used for healing. Much of the research has focused on the immune modulating water soluble polysaccharides including the beta-glucans, and alcohol soluble triterpenoids [7]. These compounds appear to act as biological response modifiers. When consumed either as heated whole mushroom extracts or commercially grown mycelial extracts, these compounds have shown to enhance the immune response, support the ability of the body to adapt to stress, and support other major body systems including the nervous system, and hormonal systems [5].

The anti-tumor, immune modulating actions of reishi and other medical mushrooms, including Shiitake (Lentinus edoedes), Royal Sun Agaricus (Agaricus blazei) and Turkey tail (Trametes versicolor), is due to their ability to activate immunological receptor sites and augment natural immune defense. Reishi has proven to stimulate macrophage activity, activate natural killer cells and increase tumor necrosis factor [8].

The extract has also shown to reduce oxidative stress, reduce high cholesterol levels, decrease candida yeast infection, reduce high blood sugar levels, and reduce inflammatory and allergic response [8, 9].

Most of the research into medicinal mushrooms has involved hot water extracts from the fruiting body (the above surface ‘mushroom’) and secretions from the mushroom mycelium, the thread-like mass found below the surface of cultivated or wild mushrooms. Heating mushrooms or mushroom mycelium in water ensures that the cell walls release chitin-bound active constituents including the polysaccharides, in particular the beta-glucans.

Conclusion

Medicinal mushrooms have been used for thousands of years by many cultures throughout the world. They are among the most valued medicines known. Many species of medicinal mushrooms and quality medicinal mushroom products are now widely cultivated and available to consumers. They are considered to be highly a sustainable area of natural medicine. Medicinal mushrooms are generally safe and without side effects which has made them increasingly popular as immune enhancing tonics which can be used for a wide range of conditions including immune-protection, cancer therapy and prevention, candida infection, skin infections, bacterial and viral infections, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and the treatment of inflammation and allergy.

Celina Ainsworth owns and operates the Herbal Clinic & Dispensary.

References

1. http://www.newchapter.com/public/pdf/articles/132/antimicrobials_reprint.pdf
2. Paul Stamets: Mycomedicinals – An Informational Treatise on Medicinal Mushrooms.
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polypore.
4. Paul Stamets: Mycomedicinals – An Informational Treatise on Medicinal Mushrooms.
5. Herbal Gram , Solomon P. Wasser,
6.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17034284
7. Herbal Gram , Solomon P. Wasser,
8. Paul Stamets, Mycomedicinals: An Informational Treatise on Medicinal Mushrooms
9. Hobbs, Christopher. Medicinal Mushrooms.

In order to make sure you’re getting the most out of your food, your body needs the right conditions. Once you’ve finished eating, take 60 seconds, sit down, and do nothing; just count to 60. It will take at most 5 minutes out of your day, and it will do wonders in preventing things like gas, bloating, heartburn, and indigestion.
—Chris Pickrell, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

Try making catnip popsicles for their soothing, cooling action. These herbal popsicles will keep kids calm and hydrated when ill. Catnip also helps to lower fevers.
—Alexis Touyz, Homeopathic Physician

A nasal irrigation and oral rinse with salt water once a day makes the virus go away.
—Anna Sienicka, Homeopathic Physician

In the Spring, we need to eat foods that can reawaken our energy, which has been hibernating all Winter long. Look for fresh, seasonal foods such as sprouts, asparagus, rhubarb, fiddle heads, radishes, new potatoes and maple syrup.
—Brenna Enright Acupuncture, Herbalist

Stretch into Spring! Raise your arms and stretch slowly to each side, then stand in a neutral position with knees slightly bent and swing your arms left and right whilst doing gentle spinal twists. This helps your Liver energy to flow freely.
—Naomi Frank, Chinese Medicine

A 20 minute speed walk in the park and two cups of nettle tea a day is a great tonic!
Celina Ainsworth, Herbalist

Please visit our Practitioners Page for more information about the practitioners, their services and contact information.

When you balance your chakras, the adjustment affects not only the energy coming in and going out, but also the hormones associated with each, and in turn, all our cells.
—Janis Silverowl Young, Reconnective Healing Practitioner

Spring signals the awakening of new life and growth. This may also serve as a metaphor for our own period of renewal. Choose to embrace the coming season with clear perspective and less clutter from baggage of years past. Each day brings another opportunity for health and well-being, so allow this day and each successive one, to be an enriching experience.
—Sherry Holt, Psychotherapy

Close your hands into a relaxed fist and tap your body from head to toe to promote Qi, or energy, flow.
—Carlotta Trenholm, Shiatsu Therapist

One way to cleanse and re-energize this spring is by eating lots of leafy green vegetables. A favourite recipe of mine is kale chips. Wash and dry 1 bunch of kale and lay out on a cookie sheet. Sprinkle with olive oil and a little salt, and bake in the oven at 300F for 20-30 min, turn them midway, and enjoy!
—Dr. Ruchira Sudd, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

To help transition the body, add these key ingredients when making stock for soup. ‘Change of Season’ soup calls for adding 2-3 oz of Codonopsis root, Astragalus root, Chinese yam root, and Chinese Lycii berries and simmering for 4-6 hours. Have one cup, two times per day for 2 weeks.
—Dr. Yolanda Strzelec, Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine

Put your health as the number 1 priority in your life. Emphasize proper sleep, exercise and consuming healthy, natural wholesome foods. Always, remember that you are your most important asset.
—Irene Dzerowicz, Holistic Nutritionist

Please visit our Practitioners Page for more information about the practitioners, their services and contact information.

New hours:

Saturday 12 to 5

Sunday 12 to 5

Monday 12 to 5

Tuesday 10 to 6

Wednesday 10 to 7

Thursday 10 to 7

Friday 10 to 7

Time: Saturday, June 13th
3:00 to 4:00 pm

Location: The Herbal Clinic and Dispensary
409 Roncesvalles Ave, Toronto