Welcome to The Hopsack
HARVESTING FROM THE WILD - fruits
September 6th, 2010Some years I have to watch the plums and apples fall off the trees in my garden, simply because I don’t always have the time to deal with the fruit. Not that the trees are cared for. They aren’t. Some of them have been here, apparently, since around 1850. All I do is an annual prune. Otherwise | leave them to do their own thing. Some years the fruit has tumbled off them, while other years (like last year) they have borne hardly any fruit at all. Neglect sometimes works well!
This year is amazing for all fruits, so I determined to make something of any I could find in my Churchtown garden. Last weekend I foraged in my own patch. I picked about one kilo of rosehips and nearly 2 kg of blackberries. So glad I hadn’t, as I had meant to, dig out all the brambles earlier this year. With a gale forecast for last night (the forecast was right for once!), I picked both damsons and Victoria plums, which weren’t quite ripe, but better under ripe than bruised and battered by the wind. Altogether, I gathered about 8 kg of plums – the best crop ever in my 23 years here.
I had the best fun ever checking out websites for good and unusual recipes and now have a larder full of rosehip+apple jelly, bramble jelly, mixed plum jam and plum+vanilla jam. Some Christmas prezzies sorted.
First up, rosehip+apple jelly. Searching for an appealing recipe, I came across www.cottagesmallholder.com. This site is a treat for anyone wanting to do their own thing, or even for those of us who nibble at the edges of self-sufficiency. Fiona inspires and encourages all the way. Her easy-to-follow recipe can be found at http://www.cottagesmallholder.com/rosehip-and-apple-jelly-recipe-60. Do make sure to use sweet eating apples in this recipe. I was lucky enough to have been given some Worcester Pearmain windfalls by a cousin.
Next up, I made bramble jelly, or blackberry and apple jelly to some. Another foolproof recipe from Fiona, which can be found at http://www.cottagesmallholder.com/recipe-blackberry-and-apple-jelly-30. It’s worth making this for the smell alone when cooking. Do use cooking apples for this, because of their tartness. Fiona also has a recipe for a seedless blackberry and apple jam, for those who are bedevilled by seeds sticking between their teeth.
Finally, I made some straightforward damson and Victoria plum jam. Nothing unusual about this one. Then I made some plum +vanilla jam, the recipe for which I found at http://appleandspice.blogspot.com/2007/08/victoria-plum-and-vanilla-jam.html. Made with Victoria plums and fairly-traded Ndali vanilla pods (available at The Hopsack), this jam is to die for - if you like vanilla that is. A surprise awaits people when they open the jar to find half a vanilla pod dunked in the jam. These vanilla pods are like no other I have ever found: moist and full of the tasty paste.
Before the end of September I hope to experiment with elderberry+apple jam (if the pigeons spare the berries) and maybe some hawthorn jelly too. So much food is available for free and this autumn our hedgerows are yielding a wonderfully rich harvest. Just a little bit of time and effort is all that’s required. Kids love being involved in harvesting too and it’s a great way of teaching them that some of the best things in life are free!
For those who might be interested, The Organic Centre in Leitrim (www.organiccentre.ie) is running a one-day outreach course in Glenealy, Co. Wicklow on Wednesday 15th September on ‘Organic food growing for beginners’.
ab
Erica Murray is a Master Medical Herbalist and Iridologist. She practises both in Castlewood Clinic, Rathmines and in Churchtown, Dublin. ericamurrayherbalist@gmail.com. Tel. 086-3384752.
Harvest time
August 23rd, 2010The fields are golden now. The harvest has been cut. Straw is baled in enormous round bales which decorate the countryside in late August. An artist’s dream, as the golden light of autumn creates a feast for the eyes. Silage has been cut and wrapped (those enormous ugly black plastic bales to be seen stacked in farmyards).
This silage is, of course, the vital fodder for livestock in winter. It combines grasses and herbs in a tasty and nutritious mix for animals. We don’t often think of herbs as being nutritious, but they provide vital additional nutrients for livestock. In fact, they are a powerhouse of minerals and trace elements. Nettles contain high amounts of iron. Valerian is a rich source of magnesium. Horsetail is an excellent supplier of silica. Of course, they also contain other vital constituents, which are both nourishing and protective of health.
It has always struck me as decidedly odd that farmers and vets recognise the importance of micronutrients for animals, while for some strange reason their importance for humans is generally dismissed as nonsense. Think of the ads for ’salt licks’ for animals, which supply a wide range of minerals and trace elements. Most of us first became aware of selenium from ads for veterinary supplements. How peculiar that we only hear about the ‘dangers’ of supplements for humans! One wonders why…
The benefits of eating a healthy plant-based diet is irrefutable. Lots of veggies, sprouted grains and pulses and some fruit ensures that we get a wide variety of essential nutrients and health-building elements into our bodies. The logical extension of this is that, since so much disease is caused by dietary deficiencies nowadays, the same diseases can be largely rectified by supplementing appropriately. The real risk has to be deficiency, rather than excess, as some people would have us believe.
Over the past couple of weeks I have Meadowsweet tincture on the brew. Its frothy cream flowers can be seen all over the countryside at the moment, particularly in damp areas. Meadowsweet is a natural source of salicylic acid (think aspirin), so is a natural painkiller. It is a great herb for the digestive system, particularly where acid reflux is a problem. In fact, it is nature’s antacid, so consider using it in place of those nasty proton pump inhibitors (nexium being the most common), which aren’t lifesaving drugs and which can leave you vulnerable to infection or at increased risk of osteoporosis.
Harvesting and preparing Meadowsweet (Filipendula Ulmaria) This is a really easy plant to harvest. Pick the leafy stalks. To dry, place on natural fibre cloth laid in baskets or similar. Leave in a warm place for about 3 days. Remove the leaves and store in containers in a dry environment. These can then be lightly crushed by hand and used as a tea.
A tincture can either be made from the fresh or dried leaves (I use fresh). Remove the leaves from the stalks and chop coarsely. Some flower may be included, but the majority of the ‘marc’ should be made up of leaf. Fill a jar and cover to the very top with vodka. Dib the marc with a chopstick to remove air bubbles. Cover and leave in a dark place for at least two weeks. Then strain through muslin or calico. Bottle the liquid. Cover, label and store in a cool place, away from direct light. Bottling on a full moon enhances its energetic properties, so I’ll be bottling mine tomorrow (Tuesday 24th August). The marc can be composted.
As with all herbal preparations, don’t combine with pharmaceutical medicines. If in doubt, consult a professional herbalist.
Hey, Monkey Face!
August 7th, 2010We’ve been going coconutty on Hopsack Island! Not quite swinging from beam to beam but our trusty ship-shop has scoured the Southern Seas and returned with coconut bounty just for you (OK … and for us! We have been looting the spoils, but shhh!)
So what is the coconut? And whence does it hail? In spite of its name, the coconut is not a nut; it is the fruit of the Cocos nucifera, a large palm that grows up to 30m tall and is cultivated in tropical coastal regions. The coconut palm starts bearing fruit after 6 to 9 years and can live from 40 to 100. It produces, on average, 50 fruits annually, though some supermamas can manage 300.
The coconut fruit is buoyant and water-resistant. It evolved to span the tropics via marine currents. Thanks to its make-up (and a little help from its seafaring friends) it is now ubiquitous between 26°N and 26°S, excepting the South American and African interiors. Whole populations have grown on the back of the coconut palm, relying on it for – among other things – food, juice, milk, oil, soap, fuel, booze, bowls, buttons, medicine, praying, playing tunes and caning the coco out of wrongdoers…!
When a coconut is young, its hard smooth shell hides soft white flesh and copious coconut water. As it matures, its flesh hardens, the water starts to dry and the outer husk grows brown and hairy (O the Ageing Process 
). The mature coconut’s appearance is thought to have inspired the name ‘coconut’, or ‘monkey face’, coined by sixteenth century Spanish and Portuguese sailors who playfully equated the word ‘coco’ (Sp. and Pg.: ‘grinning face’ or ‘grimace’) with the monkey-like look of the base of the fruit where the three indentations meet.
Given the height of coconut palms, some people in the business train monkeys to pick the fruit. In Malaya, macaques are often employed (to use the term loosely) to gather coconuts. A skilled monkey can, on a good day, gather seven coconuts in two minutes, or up to 500 a day. If left to ripen fully, a coconut can reach 1-2kg in weight. At that point, it is likely to fall. If you find yourself beneath (a) a nice ripe coconut or (b) a disaffected simian you should leg it, as you seriously risk being dispatched to the coconut grove in the sky.
Now, our mirror-image outlet in New Ireland might be a risky place to shop but the real Hopsack has contrived to bring our esteemed customers the cream of coconut glory without the dangers. Coconut oil, milk, cream, water and flour; dried and flaked coconut; and coconut treats that smell divine but are destined to nourish the skin are all worthy of training an eyeglass in our direction.
Before you visit, you may want to know why we are so nutty about coconuts. For over half a century, the coconut was maligned in the western world. Coconut oil is roughly 96 per cent saturated fat. Lumped together with dripping, lard and other goodies, it was viewed as heart-unfriendly and systematically replaced in farming and cooking by unsaturated seed oils. Seed oils were reputed to be rich in fats that did not clog the arteries. However, no one mentioned that they had immune-suppressing tendencies and were often highly processed to mask rancidity. They were also hydrogenated to create butter-like spreads, a process that created dangerous trans fats. Irony of ironies, both the seed oils’ inherent qualities and the manufacturing processes they underwent rendered them exceptionally toxic to the body, including the heart.
The coconut is the opposite and its rep has finally been restored. It is now classed as a functional food, in recognition of its nutritional and healing properties. While the whole fruit possesses many health benefits due to its fibre and nutrient content, coconut oil – once vilified – is the nutritional and medicinal star. The saturated fat it contains is comprised of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are metabolised differently from other saturated and unsaturated fats. MCTs do not encourage weight gain, as they are processed directly by the liver and are not stored. They do not negatively impact upon cholesterol but they do help to lower the risk of heart disease. Very few dietary sources of MCTs exist. Coconut oil is one of the best. It is also rich in antioxidants and contains lauric acid, found in abundance in human breast milk, which helps to fight unfriendly bacteria, viruses and fungi in the body. For a long list detailing the benefits of coconut and its oil, click here.
Quality is vital and virgin grade is a must. It may seem crazy to fork out diamonds for oil you could buy for shells at the Asia market but ultra-cheap coconut oil is made from copra – the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut - and has had the goodness refined, bleached and deodorised right out of it. My favourite brand is Barlean’s Extra-Virgin Coconut Oil. It has the cleanest taste. I have tried lots of brands. Even some of the better ones smell and taste metallic. Biona does a good-quality virgin coconut oil too; I’m not mad about the taste but it is cheaper.
Coconut is the best oil for cooking. Being a healthy saturated fat, it is less vulnerable to oxidation than mono- and polyunsaturated oils. Heat damages fats. The free radicals created wreak havoc in the body. Polyunsaturated fats, such as vegetable and seed oils (e.g. soya, rapeseed, sunflower, safflower, etc.), are especially vulnerable to damage. Saturated fats, such as coconut oil, are less so and stay healthier at higher temperatures. Vegetables stir-fried in coconut oil remain bright and crisp and cakes last longer when made with coconut oil.
Coconut foods make delightful ingredients, their applications limited only by the imagination. Coconut milk and cream, which are derived from the flesh of the coconut, are tasty alternatives to their cow-nterparts in everything from ethnic dishes to pancakes, porridge, ice-cream, smoothies and cocktails. (A parrot told me a Hopsack Lovely made exquisite raw chocolates using coconut cream. Maybe you could find the maid wot did it and ask her nicely for the recipe…?)
Coconuts are also a godsend for bakers of the vegan persuasion who need creative substitutes for butter, milk, cream and eggs to ensure their cookies and cupcakes take over the world! Tiana Organic Gluten-Free Coconut Flour is another gift from the gods for gluten-free, low-carb, high-fibre, mega-yum cake magic. In addition to manifold health benefits, it is economical to use (in spite of the price tag) and can increase the yield of baked goods. Desiccated coconut and flaked coconut also work well in treat-making. The Internet is a treasure trove of coconut-based recipes for cooks and un-cooks of all faiths and none.
For me, because I like drinking (this is sounding all wrong…!), the most exciting new products I’ve discovered are Kara Dairy Free Milk Original and Calcium and Vita Coco coconut waters. Kara is the best vegan substitute for milk I have ever tasted. Most coconut milks separate in the tin into liquid and solid components. Kara does not. Packaged in cartons, it stays fluid and creamy until the very last drop. (Just shake its banana now and then!) Made with freshly pressed coconut milk, it tastes and acts like milk. It doesn’t curdle in coffee; it’s nice over cereal; and it even makes a pleasant drink. If you are trying to chuck dairy and soya, this is the way to go. Just one thing: it doesn’t cut the bitterness of black tea very well but if you make your cuppa weaker it’s just dandy.
I also love Vita Coco. Slightly sweet and slightly sour (though pleasantly so), the plain flavour is a refreshing, isotonic, electrolyte-rich drink that’s great for rehydrating tennis stars! It is available in 1l and 250ml cartons. The smaller size also comes in a variety of natural flavours, such as pineapple and passion fruit, for a totally tropical taste. Vita Coco makes a great green smoothie when blended with mild, organic greens, such as summer purslane or lamb’s lettuce. Green smoothies typically contain leaves and fruit but the combo makes some people bloat. Coconut water shines in the place of fruit. The Hopsack also sells cans of Cocofina Natural Coconut Juice. I haven’t tried it yet but a little parrot tells me it’s delish!
In addition to cooking up a storm, La Noix de Coco is the queen of natural beauty. (Did Chanel plunder it for her name?) A mild-scented oil like Barlean’s makes a lovely massage balm when used alone or paired with Atlantic Aromatics essential oils. You don’t need to buy a carrier oil if you have coconut oil in the kitchen. You can also use it to remove make-up; moisturise; protect skin against viral, bacterial and fungal infection; reduce skin inflammation; remove scars over time; condition hair (either by scrunching a tiny amount through damp hair or making a hot oil treatment); and as a luscious lip balm.
If your skin is very dry, Brown Earth’s Coconut Butter, Shea and Cocoa Butter Body Cream can provide extra protection against the elements. Brown Earth’s Tea Tree, Coconut Oil and Shea Butter Cleansing Soap is also a treat for skin. Tea tree is highly effective against bacteria; shea butter moisturises; and the natural antioxidant properties of coconut oil protect the skin from free radical damage. If you need a shower after a sweaty day in the tropics, Desert Essence does a nice Body Wash in Coconut. And if your hands are aching from picking coconuts, try Desert Essence’s award-winning Coconut Hand and Body Lotion to ease the pain.
If Lady Luck is with you, you might catch the Hopsack Lovelies in full island regalia, so skip down to the shop if you’re in the grove. Should you, perchance, miss that fine spectacle, console your soul with some tasty tropical treats. (NB: Since the advent of the new tills, The Hopsack can no longer accept Guineas and Pieces of Eight.)
Did you know?
One of our Hopo sackiens does a monkey impression worthy of any macaque. Guess who…?!
Calcium Kills!!???
August 3rd, 2010Excuse the punctuation overkill…no don’t, because in the world of meta-analyses they seem to be forgiven most of the time anyway. Most especially when the handpicking of certain studies leads to big headlines, not just nationwide, but worldwide. But that is the big story of the day (last Friday at least) when the results of a meta-analysis looking at safety and efficacy of calcium supplementation were unleashed into the media circus.
Calcium supplementation causes an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. By 30%. Big numbers. Big headlines. Much creedence paid by western medical profession. Interesting, because those are exactly the guys who have up until now, been recommending this sort of silver bullet approach to bone health. You would be hard pressed (I hope) to find someone in the natural health industry recommending 1000mg daily of calcium carbonate to save you from osteoporosis. What we get that the “conventional” medical wisdom misses (by a mile) is the intricate and delicate interplay between many nutrients in our bodies that come together to form strong, healthy bones.
On Radio One that day, the head of Osteoporosis Ireland showed some smarts when she mentioned the need for vitamin D to be taken in conjunction with calcium to ensure its absorption in our small intestine. Another mineral notable only for its absence from this shocking study was magnesium, another mineral found in its greatest proportions in our bones, and also involved in the regulation of calcium uptake in our bodies, as many studies have shown. Add to this list boron, strontium, vanadium, zinc, vitamin C, essential fats and vitamin K, and you begin to get the picture that this is indeed a complex story, and one that this study (purpose unknown) has greatly mis-interpretted.
You should give creedence though, to the point that this study illustrated that those taking food-form calcium did not submit to the same characteristic increase in stroke/heart attack. Our body understands foods, and where we can, we should exclusively take our nutrients from our diet. Where supplements are concerned, however- yes, you should stop taking calcium on its own, and instead opt for a: some sound advice in your local healthstore as to what you need to do with your diet and lifestyle to avoid thinning bones, and b: some smarter supplements, containing the spectrum of nutrients outlined above.
Finlough Farm - The Hopsack puts its hands in the earth
July 18th, 2010For many years we in The Hopsack have been encouraging our customers and friends to get closer to the origins of their food, to ask questions about production and to use their power as consumers to make food choices that ensure the health of their families and those close to them. Now you may have heard that The Hopsack has for the last few years been building something in the country…
In 2000, the Murrays bought a 46 acre site outside Strokestown, County Roscommon and Jimmy went to work revitalising this neglected piece of land. Over the next few years he started to keep cattle, a small herd of 9 Aberdeen Angus cows, converted the land to full organic status and set to work getting the land back in order. He laid hedgerows, re-seeded the meadows and re-furbished the near tumble down farmhouse and its outbuildings, giving the farm a new lease of life.
In August 2008, as you most likely heard, Jimmy suddenly passed away and the farm looked set to take a nose dive. With nobody else around to mind the farm, the remaining Murray clan committed ourselves to keeping this amazing legacy going but with no real idea of how to do so. I found that I really took to farm life (or at least 1 day a week of it) and two years on we are engaging a major shift in the farm’s activities….and we want you to join in!
Every January The Hopsack receives a brace of catalogues for a fantastic range of courses staged in the Organic Centre. ’GREAT!’ we say and we get really enthusiastic about learning to forage for wild foods, and make our own herbal tinctures, and we tell all our lovely customers about it. And when they ask where it is…..well then we get a bit bashful and mutter something about a four and a half hour drive whilst staring at our shoes….and we think ‘Wouldn’t it be just great if we could have all those courses somewhere just a little closer by with somewhere to stay on-site?’
Well that’s exactly what we want to offer. Finlough Farm (a mere 2 hours drive from Dublin) is branching out. This autumn we are going to give you guys the chance to get out into the wilds of Ireland and discover/develop some new skills. So register your interest now!!
Schedule of exciting events!
At the end of August (dates T.B.C.) we will host a Nature Awareness Day with Erik Van Lennep. This day will involve some time spent cultivating inner awareness which will open us up for our farm walk in the afternoon during which we hope to engage nature in a more meaningful way. This day will help us to open our eyes to the wonderful rhythm of rural life and to enjoy sharing it with each other.
At the beginning of October (2-3) we are really excited to be hosting an Introduction to Permaculture Weekend with Hannah Mole and Erik Van Lennep. This weekend will be truly engaging for anyone interested in living with sensitivity to the earth and taking up sustainable living practices. Some of the theory of permaculture will be de-mistified but the bulk of the weekend will see us acting out live projects on the land using these principles and developing skills that we can take home and put into practice. You might find yourself designing and building a compost toilet or planning and preparing the site for a polytunnel. This weekend will residential so spaces will be quite limited (12-15) and all food over the weekend will be catered for and will be organic locally sourced, with fresh baked bread and scones each morning!! Sounds nice, no?
We are also planning a Harvest Festival for Halloween Weekend! We hope this will bring together the best of local produce and producers, and we hope to get as many of you loyal Hopsackers down to share the fun (and food).
Last but not least we are finalising plans for a Yoga Weekend down on the farm!! This could be seriously cool as we could practice on the front lawn overlooking the lake. Given Mother Nature’s mood swings on the weather front we are developing a beautiful indoor space that could accomodate us if necessary.
And finally…WE NEED HELP! Whilst we have some of the skills in-house to develop and run this sort of thing, we by no means have the time necessary at our disposal to make it on our own. If you have skills in marketing, fundraising, accounting, or just about anything you feel could be relevant to what you’ve read above then please get in touch with us! If you have time to spare and feel like you want to be part of this there will be lots to do and there will be rewards in all sorts of forms for those willing to muck in with us and help to build something to enrich our community.
If you have any suggestions for skills you would like to learn or if you would like to run a workshop on our farm, or if you just want to rent the cottage for a week, drop us a line!! New email address for the farm is…. finloughfarm@gmail.com
Alo Alo, what’s that? A cactus?
July 18th, 2010Actually no, it’s a lily, but that’s not the point. Quite apart from the stunning yellow bloom that aloe vera puts up to attract pollenators, it has usefulness far beyond the proliferation of its own species (unlike some mammals I know). Since times immemorial (1553BC to be precise), aloe has been prized for its ability to help humanity cope with the various nefarious ailments that have been thrown in our path whilst we’ve been around.
The Egyptians, obsessed as they seem to have been with their looks, got the hang 0f aloe at the cosmetics counter and Cleopatra (more name-checking to come) considered it her beauty secret. At least that’s what we’re told, and if it’s true then the queen was no slouch, because Aloe’s usefulness has progressed into acceptedness by modern western medicine far ahead of many other traditional remedies.
The aloe family contains about 300 varietals but most attention has focused on the brightest child - aloe barbadensis, for a number of reasons. Whilst most of the members of the aloe clan lay claim to some wound healing properties, aloe barbadensis has a formidable arsenal at its disposal which affords it the capability to assist our bodies in dealing with some of the uglier illnesses that plague our race. Aloe barbadensis contains gzillions of active components for healing and helping our bodies (more of these later) but by for the most interesting of these have to be the polysaccharides acemannan and aloeverose. These are essentially long-chain sugar molecules or pre-biotic fibres - code for: extremely helpful things to eat alot of. Their main functions in the human body are the nourishing of beneficial bacteria in our gut and, possibly more importantly, boosting our immune systems by stimulating the production of killer T cells and macrophages (types of white blood cells). It is for this reason that the US Department of Agriculture have approved the use of an extract of aloe vera in the treatment of canine and feline fibrosarcoma, and type of cancer heretofore with no effective treatment protocol. On exposure to acemannan, tumours of this type are reportedly encapsulated and killed, facilitating their removal through surgery. As yet this type of treatment is not officially approved for use in humans although in-vitro testing of aloe extracts on human cancer cells has shown some convincing results. A folk remedy (traditionally used to fight cancer) involving a combination of aloe vera mixed in equal weights with raw honey in a whiskey or rum base (what a cocktail!) has its origins amongst indigenous Brazilian peoples and has spread around the world. The specific combination of these two nutritional powerhouses, although without any double-blind placebo controlled hi-tech studies to back them up, certainly has the potential to improve our well-being and support your immunity whether it be impaired to begin with or if you are simply interested in giving your body better odds in this virus and bacteria ridden planet we like to call home.
The use of aloe vera internally is most common in cases of ulcerative colitis, IBD (inflammatory bowel disease), and other conditions that involve inflammation of the lining of the gut wall. Aloe has a powerful ability to soothe such conditions, providing relief and aiding healing. One interesting study looked at the ability of aloe to reduce the putrefaction of proteins in the lower gut. An inability to break down and fully excrete proteins from the gut has strong associations with the development of bowel cancer due to the enzymes produced by bacteria that feed on undigested proteins in the gut. The study showed after only seven days that bowel habits were normalised significantly in both frequency and consistency (I’ll leave fuller explanation to your imaginations). Aloe’s anti-inflammatory action is coupled with a mild stimulant laxative component - one that you should be careful of if you suffer from sensitivity to compounds such as coffee or chilli. But as long as you are taking the whole aloe, not a concentrated extract, this effect is usually masked by aloe’s other components and forms part of the synergistic benefits that of whole leaf aloe vera. Also a quick note on aloe vera and candida albicans - studies are ongoing and somewhat inconclusive, but it seems at high doses and over longer periods, aloe vera displays an inhibitory action on yeasts such as candida and as such could be included in an anti-candida dietary protocol as an aid to gut healing. With that all explained it’s possibly not necessary to tell you about aloe’s use as part of a detox, except to say that it’s a bloody useful. There you go, we told you after all. So it’s clear now, right?
So after all that weirdness on to the least esoteric use of aloe. Pretty much the whole world is now familiar with what to reach for when they knock a kettle of boiling water over their friends leg in a rush to get to the Rich Teas. Aloe has amazing properties to stop the hurt(it contains salicylic acid which is what aspirin is derived from), whilst its anti-inflammatory compounds get to work on reducing the welt and its amino acids (it contains all the essential ones and some extra just to be showy) help repair the damaged tissue. For all these reasons, aloe is helpful for myriad skin conditions - psoriasis, eczema, impetigo…the list goes on and on. Just one note of caution, the mucilage (jelly-like substance) that is so helpful in most cases, doesn’t really allow the skin to breath, so in conditions such as eczema when the skin is trying to release excess heat from the body (that’s another day’s blog) a good idea is to apply aloe to the affected area and then wash it off after an hour or so. This should prevent any irritation from occurring.
So there you have it aloe vera - a magic plant. But then most plants are magic, just not so famous as aloe vera. If you are interested in learning more about aloe or the use of other easily sourced, inexpensive natural remedies, why not pop into us in The Hopsack where we are keen to help you explore the world of natural healthcare to keep you and your family and friends in good health for the years to come.
Sinister commercial undertone: The Hopsack also stocks aloe vera in many shapes and sizes for use on or in the body and in conjunction with many other helpful nutrients and herbal components. The best recent additions to our aloe lineup are most definitely Pukka’s Clean Greens, a superb detoxifying, alkalising wonder-supplement, and Lilly of the Desert Organic Aloe Vera Juice, a juice containing whole leaf aloe vera with patented extract they call ‘Aloesorb’ which sort of does what it say on the tin - aids absorption of other nutrients…such as vitamin C…by up to 40%!! Wow.
Now of course any of you looking to cure some of the serious ailments mentioned in this article must surely be attending a consultant or physician of some sort and anything you take from this article is not designed in anyway to replace or override his/her sagely advice. We are merely here to report information that we hope you will find a thoroughly interesting read and perhaps fuel a bit more research on your part, some conversation or even a full blown argument…hopefully not the latter.
Nutrient Therapy and Depression
July 17th, 2010Dr Bill Walsh was on Pat Kenny’s Today programme on RTE Radio1 yesterday to talk about his research into the link between bio-chemical imbalances in the brain that cause depression and other mental disorders. His studies have focused on the use of nutrients to affect these abnormalities. He has amassed the worlds largest database of research (over 26,000 subjects) into disorders such as schizophrenia and post-natal depression. This is conclusive and convincing research - listen to the podcast here! He has made real inroads into curing these disorders using nutrient therapy and his work has the potential to help millions of people the world over. The remedies he uses are un-patentable nutrients and so costs are €€€ less than the conventional pharmaceutical options (though he does not condone stopping medication, rather he works alongside prescribing psychiatrists to accurately and gently adjust the delicately poised chemical reactions taking place in the brain). Roughly 85% of his patients report improvement of their situation. Spread the word!
Oh Baby! Natural Solutions to Infertility: Part 2: Acupuncture, Herbs and Reflexology
July 11th, 2010Following on from our last newsletter on fertility and nutrition, today we look at acupuncture, herbal medicine and reflexology, all of which enjoy an excellent reputation for helping couples conceive longed-for babies.
According to a UK National Fertility Survey from 2007, fertility has declined dramatically over the past 50 years (see here). Acupuncture, herbs and reflexology counteract the trend towards infertility. While some couples genuinely are unable to conceive, many couples actually belong in the ’sub-fertile’ zone, where the magic toolbox of natural intervention can work wonders to boost overall health and retune the body to reproduce.
Acupuncturist John McLoughlin, Master Medical Herbalist and Iridologist Erica Murray and Reflexologist Ruth Wallace agree that cleansing and nourishing the body and relieving emotional stress are key to restoring reproduction. The reproductive system is a subset of the wider body-mind. Bringing the body and psyche into balance in the three to four months prior to conception can optimise fertility, enhance the health of the child, ensure a more comfortable pregnancy and reduce the risk of miscarriage.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a component of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). According to TCM, living beings possess vital energy (Qi) that flows through 12 invisible energy lines (meridians) on the body. Each meridian is linked to specific organs and hormonal secretions. Disease begins when the flow of Qi is unbalanced due to stress, chemicals, lack of exercise, bad food, or emotional excess. Inserting acupuncture needles into specific points along the meridians brings harmony to the flow of Qi and thus to organs and glands. Dietary and lifestyle changes are key too. By balancing body and mind, good functioning is restored to all bodily systems.
Dublin-based acupuncturist John McLoughlin has been practising TCM for over 30 years. He has long experience of helping couples conceive. It is vital to get professional help when trying for a baby, as reasons for sub-fertility are highly person-specific. According to John, physical and emotional factors must be addressed. We each inherit a complex pattern of being from our ancestors and respond differently to the challenges of the world, so we need to be treated as individuals.
John sees both potential parents, not only because it takes two to tango and mutual support is crucial but also because sperm defects can account for 35-40 per cent of infertility. It goes some way to explaining why a one-night-stand with a new man can do the trick, while years of nights with a long-term love have not. In a trial published in Fertility and Sterility (2005), acupuncture treatment increased normal sperm formation, reduced structural defects and improved sperm motility … all of which win the love of a good egg.
Acupuncture calms stress. When stress hormones are released, blood is diverted away from the reproductive organs towards the stress-causing adrenal glands, a detour that, in women, can cause irregular cycles, lack of ovulation and infertility. Acupuncture releases Mother Nature’s morphine, beta-endorphins, which reduce stress and anxiety. Blood then flows back to the ovaries and uterus, which enhances fertility and regulates the cycle. Beta-endorphins also influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and control hormones that regulate ovulation and fertility. As ovarian function improves, more follicles are created, leading to better egg production. Egg quality is enhanced too, especially if the woman eats an optimum diet tailored to her needs.
Acupuncture and diet in tandem increase the probability of conception and decrease the risk of miscarriage, as Ma Nature is a wily old bird who plays Survival of the Fittest to the max and healthy genes are her currency. Acupuncture also increases blood flow to the uterus, warming and relaxing it; this – along with immune enhancement, hormone regulation and stress reduction – lessens the chance of miscarriage.
Many TCM practitioners use herbs but John uses diet as a form of herbal remedy. In general, he encourages both partners to bin junk food, dairy, smoking, caffeine and alcohol and adopt a diet based on grains, beans, veggies, some hormone-free meat and an abundance of greens. Spinach and members of the cabbage family, such as broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts, support the secretion of oestrogen and regulate the menstrual cycle. He may also suggest supplements, depending on individual needs.
Apparent infertility can be caused by odd things. One of John’s clients was doing everything right, or so they thought. But no bundle of joy. When John reviewed her diet, he found the culprit: her dreams were being dashed by daily orange juice! The insidious citrus, fine for some women, unbalanced her particular system. Once John put it on the list of banned substances she fell pregnant easily, highlighting both the force of individuality and the need to work with a practitioner who is alert to subtle influences.
Herbal medicine
Herbal medicine also enjoys a long tradition of helping couples conceive; it is, after all, the original medicine. Master Medical Herbalist and Iridologist Erica Murray (sounds familiar … do we know her from somewhere?!) emphasises the importance of building general health before trying for a baby. Superior health means healthy eggs and sperm. Cleansing and nourishing the body and de-stressing the mind are key.
Erica adopts a commonsensical, hands-on approach to healing. She also treats both men and women. When a couple attends her practice, she goes through diet, lifestyle, medication, the woman’s cycle and her mother’s childbirth history, looking for factors that might tip the balance. (Past use of the Pill can be a huge factor in sub-fertility.) She then uses iris diagnosis to identify inherited physical and emotional hotspots (e.g. a predisposition to stress, or to prolapsed organs, etc.) Iridology allows her to fine-tune herbal, dietary and lifestyle recommendations to the individual.
It is important that couples partner each other, says Erica, but do not develop obsessive hang-ups about infertility, as the stress of over-focus can make things worse. Their expectations and circumstances must be judged individually. The strain of caring for an elderly parent or falling out with a sister, for example, can have a negative bearing on fertility, as can resentment and rigidity. Helping people develop insight into their own lives, however, can lead to positive change.
Physically, decongesting the pelvic area by bowel cleansing with herbs, diet and castor oil packs is the first step on the road to restoring balance. Cleansing frees up energy for healing. Erica then prescribes nervine herbs (e.g. passion flower, motherwort and many others too numerous to mention here) to ease the anxiety that can climb into bed with you; nutrient herbs (e.g. nettle or raspberry leaf) to nourish body and mind; and herbs specific to the reproductive system (e.g. partridge berry). Herbal bottles are based on individual assessment. Don’t try mixing herbs at home; professional help is vital to get it right for you.
A good diet is also crucial. Erica advocates a mucusless diet as recommended by Master Herbalist Dr John Christopher. It is essentially vegan: rich in greens, sprouted foods, veggies, nuts, seeds and whole grains; a small amount of fruit; and no (or very little) flesh and dairy food. Animal products are too acid-forming to ensure healthy blood and contain unfriendly chemicals. Farmed chicken is particularly foul; the poor birds are stuffed full of hormones that disturb human ovulation, so chucking chicken is a must unless it is organically certified.
A vegan diet, brimming with nutrient-dense sprouted plant foods, lays the basis of good health. Optimum health optimises hormone production. Uncooked living foods are rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, oxygen, enzymes and life-force and impart energy to all who feed on them. Raw greens cleanse and nourish the blood. Pukka Clean Greens powder is a good place to start. It is convenient and can be stirred into water or juice. Chlorella is also excellent. It oxygenates the blood and ensures the good distribution of nutrients, as well as hormones.
Good sperm quality depends on good nutrition too, so men need to eat well and say bye-bye to caffeine, alcohol and tobacco. Herbs such as saw palmetto, false unicorn, ginseng and sarsaparilla can help jog healthier sperm production. Again, herbal remedies need to be tailored to individual needs to be effective and safe.
Once a woman is pregnant, herbs can be helpful to nourish the baby in the womb and prevent threatened miscarriage. Some herbs are supportive in pregnancy and some are dangerous to the foetus; likewise, some forms of herbs are safe and others are not, so professional guidance is mandatory.
‘The body has an extraordinary innate ability to heal itself and find its own balance,’ says Erica. ‘Herbs help to re-establish the body’s natural balance. [They] have an innate intelligence.’
Reflexology
Reflexology is a variant of acupressure. It feels like (and is!) a relaxing foot massage but it can also relieve pain and stimulate healing. The therapist applies controlled pressure to pre-defined points on the feet. Each point is connected to an organ or gland via the nervous system. Problems in specific body parts are felt as crystals in the corresponding point on the foot. Breaking up the crystals helps to balance the organ or gland and stimulate it to function correctly.
Performed properly, reflexology alleviates stress, pain, chronic fatigue and other conditions. It can also help couples conceive by diminishing stress, balancing male and female hormones and indicating when a woman is ovulating. Like acupuncture and herbal medicine, reflexology has a high success rate in treating sub-fertility.
Reflexologist Ruth Wallace works on every aspect of body and mind to help couples conceive. Initially, she ensures that both partners get a good night’s sleep to relax physically and mentally. She then works on balancing the female hormone cycle and releasing energy blocks.
Ruth works with the pituitary, the master gland that controls all hormones. Balancing the pituitary harmonises reproductive and adrenal hormones. She gets to know the woman’s cycle and normalises it by working on points that connect to the reproductive organs. She also works on the spinal nerve points on the feet, which link to every organ and gland. Clearing this area helps to clear the reproductive system too. A balanced female cycle is vital (a) to determine fertile days and (b) because it produces stronger, more viable, eggs.
Like John and Erica, Ruth prefers to see both partners. ‘It’s a relationship,’ she says, ‘and it’s too much for one person to hold and too much responsibility for one person to carry.’ Balancing both bodies is important. She advocates lifestyle changes for men and women that include stress reduction; regular exercise; quitting caffeine, alcohol and tobacco; and dietary improvement.
Men should also avoid steaming hot baths before making love, as heat lessens sperm count in the semen. Too much sex weakens sperm count too, so making enough love to make a baby but not enough to imperil its paternal component is crucial…!
Reflexology aids relaxation, always good for bringing babies into the world! Once a woman is pregnant, says Ruth, it is important to stay with the treatment that brought her to that point to help her hold the pregnancy and reduce or avoid morning sickness, sciatica, shortness of breath, heartburn and water retention. (NB: Swollen fingers and/or ankles can indicate hypertension and require medical attention.) Reflexology during pregnancy is comforting and helps the body find its new ‘pregnant’ balance. It is good around the due date too, or if the little one is luxuriating in the floatation tank and ignoring the bell to get out!
Practitioners
Acupuncture
John McLoughlin Lic.Ac. Member of Acupuncture Council of Ireland T.C.M.C.I Ltd
Insurance: Members of the TCMCI are approved by Hibernian Aviva Health, VHI, Quinn Healthcare and HSA for Out-Patient insurance purposes.
M: 087 2461938
Addresses: 46 Elmwood Avenue, Lower Ranelagh, Dublin 6 until the end of July 2010, when his practice is moving to 22 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin 4.
Fees/Duration: €80 per session. Duration 90 mins. Initial session may last longer.
Herbal medicine
Erica Murray B.Soc.Sc., CQSW, MH, Ir. Member of The Irish Association of Master Medical Herbalists
M: 086 3384752
E: EricaMurrayHerbalist@gmail.com
W: www.castlewoodclinic.ie, www.iammh.com and www.NationalHerbalCouncil.com
Address: Castlewood Clinic, 19 Castlewood Terrace, Rathmines, Dublin 6
Fees/Duration: First consultation (90 mins) is €80 + herbs, which run to approximately €55. Total €135 approx. Subsequent consultations (60 mins) are €60 + herbs ditto. Total varies, depending on herbs required, but less than above.
Reflexology
Ruth Wallace MIRIL ITEC Member of the Irish Reflexologists’ Institute Limited
Insurance: Registered Reflexologist with Aviva, Quinn Healthcare and VHI
M: 086 4000997
Address: 411 Orwell Park Drive, Templeogue, Dublin 6W
Fees/Duration: Present fees (June 2010) are €60 per consultation. Duration usually 60 mins. However, first consultation usually takes about 90 mins.
Get those coconuts off Court 18!
June 27th, 2010Given it’s recent rise to fame, I suppose we shouldn’t have been so surprised to learn that the longest tennis match in history was fuelled by none other than Vitacoco coconut water. John Isner, victorious in 11 hours and 5 minutes over Nicholas Mahut at Wimbledon last week was drinking copious amounts of this super-refreshing naturally isotonic drink.
It’s high elecrolyte content (it is especially rich in potassium salts) helps prevent the cramping and dehydration that are the enemy of anyone accidentally caught up in 3 day long racquet sports. What’s more you don’t have to hold your nose and think of roses as it goes down- coconut water is pretty delicious stuff. But if over time you tire of its gentle sweetness Vitacoco have injected the magic, subtle overtones of pineapple, passionfruit, pomegranate and acai into their range to afford us a little variety in our pre/post match thirst quenching.
Next month in The Hopsack we will be getting eeeeeveryone onto the coconut train, with tastings and ideas for utilizing this humble and versatile little gem of a foodstuff. From vegan coconut macaroons to coconut and rose water lassi, there will be something for each and every mother’s son. So as you settle into your 138th game this set, look at that glint in your opponent’s eye- what’s he got up his sleeve….is that a….oh god the man’s a COCO-NUT!!!
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