Olive Leaf and its Uses

     Traditionally, the olive branch symbolized peace between opposing people or countries.  It subsequently became part of the United Nations logo in concert with its mission of peace.  The olive tree is among the oldest living plant species.  Related to the ash, jasmine and lilac, olive trees have symbolic as well as practical value.  Many think of olives and olive oil in only terms of culinary ingredients.  But the by-products from olive trees have had countless other uses throughout history.  Olive oil illuminated Mediterranean houses.  It was used as axle grease by Roman legions and lubricated machines during the Industrial Revolution.  The highly prized wood was and is used in fine cabinetry.

     Olive's usefulness extends beyond culinary, industrial and household applications.  It has powerful medicinal properties, as well.  Although the knowledge of olive leaf's benefits dates back to the 1800s, it was not until 1995 that the therapeutic component was discovered.  This discovery showed the remarkable value of the powered extract to inhibit or kill viruses and almost every other kind of micro-organisms.  It is by far the most useful, wide-spectrum anti-microbial herb available today.

     Virus bacteria, yeast and other fungi and parasites, all of which tax the immune system, are more prevalent than ever, and increasingly harder to combat.  As the price of antibiotics decreases, so does their effectiveness.  It is most disturbing that bacterium's resistance to antibiotics  has alarmingly increased, in part due to overuse and misuse of drugs.  The cost of newer antibiotics has skyrocketed,
leaving the purse lighter and the immune system weaker than ever.  That is why the use of olive leaf is so important.  And happily, it is relatively inexpensive, highly effective alternative for certain types of conditions.
 
     It is an excellent remedy to lower high blood pressure and cholesterol.  It is also useful for heart arrhythmia.  Some other conditions that favorably respond to olive leaf are:

• Blood sluggishness
• Chronic fatigue
• Colds
• Hemorrhoid pain
• Hiatal hernia
• HIV
• Insulin dependence
• Internal parasites and ringworm
• Malaria and other exotic diseases
• Skin ailments, such as athlete's foot and psoriasis
• Ticks and mites
• Ulcers
• Yeast infections

Love to all

Stage 1 Lyme's Recipes

A Few Recipes for Stage 1 of Lyme's New Eating Plan More to Follow in A Few Days
 Sauteed Asparagus/Broccoli Omelet 2 Servings
 2 T extra virgin olive oil 6 asparagus spears ( 5 oz..) cut into 1 inch pieces ( discard tough ends please) 1/2 sm. onion, chopped 1 clove crushed garlic 3 eggs beaten 1 t freshly chopped herbs of your choice see list 1/4 t sea salt Heat 2 T oil in med size frying pan until hot, add asparagus and saute’ for 3 mins or so until tender. Add onion and cook for 2 mins until brown add garlic and cook 1 min more. Pour the beaten eggs over the veggies, combine the herbs and salt and sprinkle over mixture and allow to set for 1/2 a min. Lift the edges of the omelet and tilt the skillet, allowing any uncooked egg mixture to flow underneath. Cook for about 2 mins or until the eggs are set

 Carrot Almond Pancakes Makes 4 pancakes
 1 c. peeled and grated carrots 1/4 c almonds 1 sl fresh ginger about 1/8 thick 1 t ground flaxseed 2 T unsweetened shredded coconut 1/2 t ground cinnamon 1 egg 1/4 t sea salt 1/2 t vanilla extract 1 - 2 T coconut oil 1 t raw honey Blueberries on a fruit day for you Place grated carrots in a med sz bowl. Place almonds, ginger and flax seed in the food processor and pulse 5 -6 times until the almonds are finely ground. Add the almond mixture and all the remaining ingreds. except ( for coconut oil, honey and blueberries, to the grated carrots. Heat the coconut oil in a small frying pan over med heat pour 1/4 c of pancake batter into frying pan, cook for about 3 mins per side, or until lightly brown. Top with honey and blueberries if desired.

Coconut Berry Smoothie Makes 2 drinks
1 1/2 c each 1 c Coconut Milk 1/2 c unsweetend pomegranate blueberry juice 1/2 c blueberries 1/2 c raspberries 1 t raw honey 1/2 c ice Place all ingreds in blender on high or on frozen drink until the ice is crushed and the fruit blended.

 Cherry Vanilla Almond Blast Makes 1 drink
 1 c frozen cherries 1 t ground flaxseed 3/4 c Almond milk 1/2 t vanilla extract 1/8 t almond extract 1 t raw honey 1/2 c ice cubes Blend until smooth.

 Ginger Hopper
 1/4 inch slice ginger root 4 - 5 carrots 1/2 green apple Put thru juicer

 Immune Builder
 Handful of parsley 1 garlic clove 5 carrots 3 stalks of celery Put thru juicer

 Garden Salad
3 broccoli flowerets 1 garlic clove 4 - 5 carrots 2 stalks celery Put thru juicer

 Mineral Tonic
 Handful of parsley 2 Brussels Sprouts 1 kale leaf 4 - 5 carrots Put thru juicer

 Steamed Veggie and Brown and Wild Rice with Fresh Herb Vinaigrette Serves 4 ?
 2 c cooked brown rice 3 oz. steamed green beans 1 c steamed bok choy 1 c steamed julienned carrots Fresh Vinaigrette 1/4 c apple cider vinegar 1 t each chopped basil and parsley 1/2 t tarragon or thyme 1/2 t dry mustard 1/4 t garlic powder and onion powder 1 t raw honey 1/4 t sea salt 1/3 c extra virgin olive oil All herbs are fresh Place cooked rice on plate and top with green beans, bok choy, and carrots. Combine all of the ingreds for the vinaigrette. Spoon a sm. amt of the vinaigrette over the veggies and serve.

 Shredded Carrot Salad Serves 4
 2 c shredded carrots 1/4 vegan mayo found in the cold section of the health store ( use sparingly) 1 1/2 t raw honey 1 t fresh chopped chives 1/2 t lemon thyme 2 t raw apple cider vinegar 2 T chopped walnuts Combine all ingreds in bowl and stir well. Refrig for at least 1 hr or more

 Green Beans with Shiitake Mushrooms and Almonds Serves 4
 1/2 lb. green beans 2 T extra virgin olive oil 1/4 chopped onion 4 oz.. shiitake mushrooms caps only sliced 1/2 t sea salt 1/2 t thyme leaves and chopped basil 1 t raw apple cider vinegar 2 T sliced almonds Steam green beans 5 - 6 mins Heat frying pan add oil saute’ onion and garlic for about 1 min add the green beans and mushrooms saute’ for about 2 mins sprinkle almonds and serve.

 Stir Fried Cabbage, Leeks and Pine Nuts Serves 4
 3 T Extra virgin olive oil 2 leeks cut into 1/4 inch rounds 1 clove garlic 1 head chinese cabbage cut 1/2 inch slices 1/2 t sea salt 3 T pine nuts Heat 1 T oil in frying pan add leeks and cook for 2 mins add garlic and cook 1/2 min add remaining oil and cabbage and stir fry for 3 mins stir in sea salt and pine nuts cook for 1 more min Carrots and Leeks 2 cups 2 T extra virgin olive oil 2 leeks 1 clove garlic cruched 3 carrots julienned 1/2 t thyme leaves 1 t chopped parsley 1 t chopped basil 1/2 t sea salt dash black pepper Heat oil cook leeks for 3 mins add garlic cook for 1/2 min add carrots and cook 5 mins stir in herbs, salt pepper cook for 1 min.

 Artichoke Leek Soup Serves 4
 1 T extra virgin olive oil 2 leeks 1 inch rounds 3 cloves garlic 1 can 14 oz artichoke hearts chopped 1 1/2 c veggie broth 1/2 c almond milk 1/2 t sea salt 1 t each chopped parsley, and oregano Heat oil in saucepot over med heat 2 mins Cook leeks for 3 mins add garlic cook about 1 min more add remaining ingreds. and bring soup to boil over high heat. Lower to med and simmer for about 20 mins.

 Grilled Salmon over Assorted Greens with fres herb vinaigrette Serves 2
 Fresh Vinaigrette 1/4 c apple cider vinegar 1 t each chopped basil and parsley 1/2 t tarragon or thyme 1/2 t dry mustard 1/4 t garlic powder and onion powder 1 t raw honey 1/4 t sea salt 1/3 c extra virgin olive oil All herbs are fresh

Alittle knowledge about HERBS and DRUGS

                                                           Herbs for Common Ailments


Recently I have read several articles about herbs and drugs and so I am sharing some of the infor with all of you  Read and enjoy.  Yes it will make you think, do some research and than decide for yourself.


I have been into holistic living  for over 30 years in some way, shape, or form. During this time I have taken a few baby steps backward which I am not happy about but I seem to always come back to what I know works.  In my medicine cabinet I try to stock herbs that can be used for more than one thing and yes we do use a few drugs if necessary.  When we catch colds, I give echinacea and andrographis (immune-boosting herbs proven to speed recovery) ginseng, licorice root ( sore throats), tea or coffee (caffeine helps relieve stuffed noses and chest congestion), and eucalyptus lozenges (cough).


When I began my adventure many moons ago with experimenting with herbs doctors did not agree but today there are some doctors that are open to non drug alternatives if we show them reasonable evidence of safety and effectiveness.


It is unfortunate that many medical authorities still disparage medicinal herbs.  Critics make 4 accusation:  herbs are ineffective, unsafe, unregulated, and when they work, they are not strong enough like drugs.


Are they ineffective, hardly.  There are thousands of studies confirming the effectiveness of medicinal herbs for hundreds of conditions.


Are they unsafe?  Like drugs, medicinal herbs can cause harm.  Remember anything that is pharmacologically active can.  To ensure safety, consult your physician, find an holistic heal practitioner, naturopath and purchase a guide that emphasizes safety.


Anyone who calls herbs hazardous is totally misinformed.  The American Assoc of Poison Control compiles statistics on accidental deaths from drugs, herbs, vitamins, and other supplements almost every year .  Can you guess how many have been attributed to herbs???? ZERO imagine that  and this is as of 2008.  In every accidental death caused by a pharmacological agent, the culprit was pharmaceutical and yes it has been that way for many years.  It show me that herbs are safer than drugs.


The university of Toronto researches combed 30 yrs of medical literature (1966 to 1996) for reports of drug side effects in hospital patients.  Extrapolating from 39 most rigorous studies, they estimated that drug side effects kill 106,000 U.S. hospital patients per year and cause 2.2 million serious non-fatal problems.  This makes drug side effects our nation's 4th leading cause of death.  This study focused solely on hospital patients, not the pub.  Please note;  These deaths did not result from medical errors;  they occurred when drugs were administered as approved by the FDA.


Unregulated what's that.  The FDA requires drug makers to prove them safe and effective before approving new drugs.  These tests are not required of herbs, which leads to claims that herbs are unregulated and implying unsafe.  Buy as you and I have seen, the regulations of drugs has not kept them  from causing a lot of harm.






Preapproved  studies typically involve only a few 1000 people.  Many side, some serious only turn up in 1 user in 10,000 to 50,000, or even more.  These problems do not emerge until the drug is widely used by we the people (welcome to the world of guinea pigs).  Since so many side effects turn up during the 5 years after approval, the FDA requires dressmakers to rewrite the warning labels of 1/2 of the new drugs.  I will agree that drugs are more regulated than herbs, but it seems that regulation does not guarantee safety.  Numerous studies show that, compared apple to apple with herbs, drugs almost always cause more side effects.  The vast majority of medicinal herbs have been used for centuries, standing the test of time.


No herbs are not as strong dose for dose.  Willow Bark contains a natural form of aspirin, but the standard dose does not relieve pain as well as a standard does of over the counter aspirin or something else like it.  As a result, critics say herbs are medicinal wimps.  


Herbs are not weak, may drugs are to strong, causing side effects ranging from annoying to insufferable.  Do no harm is the 1st axiom of medicine.  What this means is that treatment should begin at the lowest possible effective dose.  Why use a tractor trailer when a little VW will do.  Herbs should be described 1st.  The people who need stronger medicine should use drugs, which costs more and has a greater risk of side effects.  Unfortunately, here in American we do the opposite.  Drugs are being prescribed first, and only when someone cannot handle the drugs do some physicians suggest herbs.  For many common illnesses we can use herbs.


Here are a few herbs to try instead of drugs.  I included these herbs because of the strong clinical evidence of the efficacy.


Again remember to ensure safety, consult your physician, find an holistic heal practitioner, naturopath and purchase a guide that emphasizes safety.




Acne - Aloe, calendula, tea tree
Allergy - Chamomile
Angina - Garlic, green tea, hawthorn, willow
Anxiety and stress - Chamomile, hops, kava, lavender, passionflower, Valerian
Arthritis - Capsicum, cat's claw, devil's claw,ginger, turmeric
Athlete's foot - Topical tea tree oil
Bab breath - parsley
Burns - Aloe
Constipation - Apples, psyllium husk, senna
Cough - Eucalyptus
Diarrhea -bilberry, raspberry
Gas - Dill, fennel
Hay Fever - Butter bur, stinging nettle
Indigestion - Chamomile, ginger, pwppermint
There are so many more I wanted to just name a few.  If you would like yo reach me please do and I will help in anyway I can
Love to all

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