kava

What’s In My Cup? Snow Day Edition!

What's In My Cup?

I moved out to the ranch about 2 weeks ago now and have just been dying for a good snow day. Well, my wishes have come true! I’m wrapped in a blanket with a good movie and a challenging puzzle while my orange kitten snuggles next to me. In the next couple of hours we’ll be decorating the house for the holidays and building a snow friend outside. I figured such a marvelous occasion called for the right cup of tea. This blend is perfect to keep you happy, healthy and snug for your snow day in (or out).

Ranch SnowThis blend will assist with:

  • Immune System Boosting
  • Relaxation
  • Digestive Relief

Simply Mix Together:

1 tsp dried spearmint

1 tsp dried kava kava root

1 tsp dried dandelion root

2 tsp purple echinacea

Put this mixture of herbs into your tea ball or muslin bag and place in your favorite mug. Pour 6-8 oz of boiling water over the tea ball into the mug. Steep for 15-20 minutes. Nestle into a blanket in your comfortable, relaxation place with your warm mug. The mixture of herbs was carefully selected to both facilitate a relaxing snow day inside while still boost your immune system so that the barometric pressure change of the storefront doesn’t give you a cold.

Sit there snuggled up nice and warm and inhale the aromas wafting off of your cup. Meditate on nothingness, just as the snow creates outside. Think about white light.

Namaste.

Advertisements

Herb Spotlight: Kava Kava

Herb Spotlight

I am so sorry it has been so long since an herb spotlight on the blog. I have been very caught up in waking life, so much so that I feel my whimsy slowly seeping out of me. I pray that I will find my light again and rise out of these depths, my mood suffers so much that it is beginning to bring down those around me.

So let’s pick it up by learning how to bring it down! Kava is a natural relaxation herb that can have intoxicating effects at high intake levels. The flavor profile is earthy with aftertastes of sweetness, the consistency brewed with tea is thick and syrupy in a pleasant way.

Breakdown of Kava

Scientific Name: Piper methysticum [aka: ava, awa]

Parts Used: Dried Root

Magickal Stats: Water Element, Ruled by Neptune and Saturn

Improves Function of: 

  • Central Nervous System
  • Urinary system

Aides in Relieving Symptoms of:

  • Stress and Anxiety
  • Nervousness
  • Depression
  • Insomnia
  • PMS
  • UTI
  • Lack of Appetite
  • Muscle tension
  • Neuralgia

Assists Spiritually With:

  • Communing with the Gods and Goddesses
  • Protection and Restoration for the ill
  • Facilitating psychic visions

How Does It Work?

For a documented 3000 years the people of the South Pacific have been using kava as a natural anti-depressant and a means to relax the conscious mind. South Pacific cultures even use Kava to facilitate reconciliations within groups of people. The kavalactones found in the kava shrub interact with the Central Nervous System to give the sedative and relaxing effects. Beware that kavalactones inhibit quite a bit of hepatic enzymes and interact poorly with certain medications. Consult a physician before using kava medicinally.

What Do I Do With It?

Root Elixir:

The root is dried and can be found in powder, capsule or dried whole form. Create a decoction by combining 6 TB of dried powder root in 2 cups of boiling water, let sit with lid on for 5 minutes. Strain and let sit in fridge 24-36 hours and then enjoy. I like to also make tea and drink it immediately, the longer it sits the thicker and more syrupy the philtre will be. Drink to help calm the mind and nerves, this will help psychic thought flow through you. Also drink to connect to others, the gods and the universal energy. Also have a harmed or sick patient chew a bit of the root to use in a right of protection for them.

If using a tincture take 30-40 drops 2-5 times per day. Taking one dose is sometimes available at 150ml per dose.

Root Topical:

A topical balm can be created to be applied as an anti fungal cream. Has been found effective in athletes foot and even vaginitis.

WARNING: Kava can damage an already harmed liver and can be dangerous in large amounts. PLEASE consult a physician before using it at all.

Do not take kava if:

  • You are pregnant or breast-feeding.

  • You have been told by your healthcare professional that you are depressed.

  • You have a liver disease such as hepatitis.

  • You have Parkinson’s disease.

  • You are scheduled for surgery in the next two weeks. Kava might cause excessive sedation if combined with medications used during and after surgery.

What’s In My Cup?

What's In My Cup?

This week’s blend goes out the the ladies who have a visit from Aunt Flo. Obviously the health benefits are worthwhile for everyone but I needed some relief from my PMS and I turned to my herb friends.

Definitely a big helper with anyone dealing with stomach cramps or issue, a sassy mood, body pain and more. Brew this one up hot, it is much better in a warm decoction.

This Specific Blend Will Aid In:

-IBS, stomach cramping, digestion

-Menstrual cramps and body pain

-Uplifting mood

-Awakening the senses

Simply Mix Together:

1.5 TB Spearmint

0.5 tsp Kava Kava

0.5 tsp Angelica Root

Place herbs into tea ball or tea bag. Pour hot water into mug over herbs, let steep 10-15 minutes or until desired decoction is achieved. Use any time of the day, works best in the afternoon or whenever you may have unnerving pain in the body.

Beware of Kava Kava root if you have any issues with your liver. Consult a doctor if you have a history of health problems related to your liver.

Hold your freshly brewed cup of happy and meditate on the mantra: Happiness resides within. 

What’s In My Cup?

Recipes, What's In My Cup?

Tea!! Playing with herbs in nightly tea is a wonderful tradition because you can pay attention to your medicinal needs that day. I am having a couple of naggy issues at the moment with my health.

I quit smoking cigarettes about 5 weeks ago and my throat has been really suffering, I believe it’s a healing crisis but the crisis is real. My mood has also been extremely messed, I’m constantly hard on myself and in turn on the ones around me. I snap at people and have a very short temper right now. Today’s mixture combines these two needs, and is dang tasty!

This Specific Blend Will Aid In:

  • Anxiety and Depression Relief
  • Uplifting and refreshing
  • Expectorant
  • Throat soothing

Simply Mix Together:

1 tsp Chamomile

1/2 tsp Licorice Root

1 tsp Spearmint

1 tsp Kava

Boil 6 oz water, pour over herbs in tea ball or bag. Let steep for 5-15 minutes or until you have acquired the desired decoction. I really appreciated the mellowing effects with a tinge of the uplifting quality of Spearmint. Although I used this as a night time tea, the Spearmint felt necessary for its amazing ability to draw happiness in to the one who blesses it. The licorice will not only help the throat soothe but it also works as an anti-inflammatory, specifically in the liver. Get a little detox along with the other great healing that will take place.

These herbs work together nicely to get me exactly where I needed to be: happy, healthy and with some soothing throat qualities.

Hold your cup as you let the tea’s aroma seep into your senses and meditate on the mantra: My Best Is Wonderful