Cloves -- Nature's tiny hero.

About a week ago I came down with a strange little virus.  I had a very sore throat, along with a number of canker sores in my mouth.  Yuk, not pleasant.  I was weak, tired, and I felt like I could sleep for-ever. But, because it was the day before my daughter Rosalie’s 16^th birthday,  I was determined to get better FAST.

So, I loaded myself up with Kombu-Shiitake Stock, EmergenC,  and Umeboshi  Plum –  anything to boost my immunity.  Unfortunately, none of this was helping my throat — or my mouth.    And that’s when I remembered   –   CLOVES.

Back in the old days, before ibuprofen and novocaine, cloves were used to soothe tooth aches.  They are very effective at numbing pain.  I knew this, so I decided to try some clove tea, a remedy I’ve used before as an afternoon pick-me-up.

It worked!  After a couple of cups, my throat and mouth felt much better.   I kept it up, got lots of rest and drank quarts of Kombu stock.  And I got better  –  just in time for Rosalie’s birthday celebration.

Clove tea is super easy to make.  Put a pinch of whole cloves, approx. 5 or 6, in a tea ball or filter.  Put the tea ball in a cup, fill with boiling water, and steep for 3-4 minutes.  You can add honey to taste, although it tastes good without.

As I said, I’ve also used Clove Tea as a pick-me-up.  I got the idea from my friend and teacher,  Herbalist  Letha Hadady, www.asianhealthsecrets.com.  Cloves are fabulous for boosting energy.  They warm and energize the adrenal glands, enabling them to provide you with more energy.

According to Ancient Chinese Medicine, cloves also relieve nausea, hiccups, and even impotency.  Who knew something so tiny could have so much power?

So next time you need a rescue, go for the cloves.

Feel free to share this with anyone who might appreciate a kindly recue right about now.  And, tell me about your own home remedies.  I’d love to know what works for you!

To learn more about foods to boost your energy and your mood, come to Good Mood Foods on October 28.

Be Well and Energized,

Marian

I just got back from a trip to  Vermont with my husband Tom, and  two daughters, Annika and Rosalie.  Vermont, land of green mountains, is truly vibrant and green – with lush green fields, and lots of happily grazing cows.  I love cows, happy cows especially.

We stayed in Burlington, (home of the irresistible health food store City Market).  On our last day, Annika, our 19-year-old tea-lover, brought us to the Dobra Tea Room http://www.dobratea.com.  After a couple of cups of delicious Assam Brahmaputra, an Indian tea perfect for long journeys , we left with a box of Extra Gunpowder Green Tea.  I’m drinking a glass of it right now, from sun tea I made earlier this morning.

As a recovering coffee addict, I switched over to green tea about 5 years ago.  (Okay, I confess, I cheat.  Mostly on weekends.  )  Coffee, sad to say, is very hard on the adrenal glands, and mine were shot.

Green tea has much less caffeine than coffee (30-60mg compared to 100 mg in coffee).  This means less stress on the adrenals, and in the end, MORE ENERGY.  Adrenal glands pump out the hormones responsible for lifting energy.  When they’re overworked by coffee and other stimulants, they eventually give up.   After a while, those daily cups of coffee will just make you tired and wired.

Tea has theanine, an amino acid which actually helps to counteract the adrenal-whipping effects of caffeine.  Theanine helps you relax by increasing alpha waves in your brain.  It also increases GABA, the neurotransmitter responsible for relieving stress and anxiety.  Don’t worry, tea won’t relax you enough to make you fall  asleep.  Theanine works synergistically with caffeine to boost your focus and cognition.

Bottom line, the more relaxed you are, the less energy you’ll waste on stress and anxiety.  Tea, especially green tea, is kinder to your adrenals.  Just like happy grass-fed cows give better milk, happy adrenals give better energy.

To learn more about foods to make you feel great, come to Good Mood Foods on October 28.

Stay tuned for effervescent tips to slay your slump and bust your funk.

Be Well!

Marian