Is Your House a Smoke House?

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 Is Your House a Smoke House?
​​Burning herbs can eliminate bacteria and provide a quick way to administer herbal medicines. This practice has been around for a thousand years and has recently seen a comeback due to scientific evidence.  Hospitals in Eastern Europe use smoldering Bearberry to rid hospital rooms of harmful bacteria, which has reduced the infection rate among their patience’s. The idea is not to burn the herbs but let them smolder to give off the smoke which contains the medicinal benefits. It only takes a little bit of smoke not a lot.  Research shows that burning herbs for just 60 minutes cleans the air for 24 hours and reduces bacteria for up to 30 days.
There are three ways to do this in your own home. Use loose herbs, smudge sticks and herbal incense. I recommend herbal incense or smudge sticks.  Loose herbs do not stay smoldering and require constant attention.
Here is one of our recipes for an herbal incense cone, that we use for getting rid of harmful germs that cause us to get sick during the cold and flu season.

• ¾ teaspoon Makko powder
• 1 teaspoon bearberry powder
• 1 teaspoon silver sage powder
• ¼ teaspoon sandalwood

 

1. Combine all powders in a small mixing bowl. 
2. Add small amounts of water to the mix until the powders can be formed into a paste. I do this using an eye dropper so that I can add water very slowly to avoid adding too much.
3. Mix until it becomes the consistency of dough
4. Using a teaspoon of mixture, shape into cones and place on parchment paper, let dry 2-3 days.
5. Once they are completely dried they can be stored in an air-tight container until ready to use.
6. To use, place cone on a fire safe surface and light with a match or lighter. Blow flame out so only a smoldering ember is left.

      There are many combinations of herbs that can be used in incense form that will help with common health concerns, like; anxiety, stress, high blood pressure and others.

Smudging (burning herbs and plant resins for medicinal and spiritual use) has been used since ancient times, by cultures all over the world for healing and to clear the buildup of emotional or spiritual negativity. Smudging is often viewed as some sort of magical practice, however recent studies at the National Botanical Research Institute have shown that there is scientific evidence that medicinal smoke is a powerful antiseptic that can purify the air of 94% of harmful bacteria for up to 24 hours and drastically decreased pathogenic bacteria for more than 30 days. These bacteria include those responsible for urinary tract infections, septic arthritis, sepsis and staph infections.
            The authors of a 2006 study called “Medicinal Smokes” have concluded that smudging indeed has the ability to purify the air and that this practice is very efficient in delivering the medicinal substances to the brain promptly. When they are released through smoke, these substances are also absorbed by our organism faster and more effectively than through other methods. This analysis can be found in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
Although smudging and similar practices have been classed as “new age” or dismissed as fantasy or spiritual nonsense by those attempting to discredit them, research is scientifically proving that there are great benefits to the rituals that the Native Americans (along with many other indigenous groups) have inherently known of and practiced with faith throughout time.
 
Here are some herbs used in smudging.

White Sage (Artemisia ludoviciana) is effectively used in smudging as is other members of the Artemisia family. White sage is most commonly associated with this practice, very good as an antibacterial. White sage is one of the 4 sacred herbs of the Native Americans. It has 3 active constituens: Santonin, Artemisinin, and Thujone.  Santonin is a drug which was widely used in the past as an anthelminthic, a drug that expels parasitic worms by paralyzing them, which allows 
them to be passed out of the body. Artemisinin, also known as qinghao su by the Chinese is used against Plasmodium falciparum malaria. It was discovered by Tu Youyou, a Chinese scientist, who was awarded half of the 2015 Nobel Prize in Medicine for her discovery. Treatments containing an artemisinin derivative are now standard treatment worldwide for P. falciparum malaria.

​Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis) has been used for a long time to prevent common colds and flu. The bay leaf contains a compound called linalool. A study by the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists found that linalool decreases anxiety and enhances social interaction. Bay leaves contain mycrene and eugenol. Both of these compounds possess great anti-inflammatory properties and are, in fact, used heavily in stress reduction therapy. When you burn a bay leaf, these compounds become airborne. Once inhaled, they will reduce any respiratory inflammation. This can work wonders if you suffer from allergies or have a bad cold.

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​Bearberry (Uva ursi) is a very good antimicrobial.  Its active constituents include glycosides including arbutin and ericolin, Tannins, flavonoids, and resin. While uva ursi’s medicine may help to heal a urinary tract infection, Native Americans used it to clear the mind, as well as to help bring visions and guidance.
Cedar smudge has a very powerful cleansing ability. It contains over 20 different constituents. The major constituents in cedar smoke are acetic acid, limonene, elemol, α-cadinol, hexadecanoic acid, and kaur-16-ene. The cedar tree has been revered for its spiritual significance for thousands of years. Its wood was used for the doors of sacred temples and burned in cleansing ceremonies for purification. Cedar has a long history of use in indigenous sweat lodge ceremonies and the tree was thought to house important gods and to be an entrance to higher spiritual realms.
 
Sweetgrass contains coumarins which are antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and antioxidant. It is especially among the native tribes of North American that there are traditions of using this herb not only for religious ceremonies but also to a certain extent for medicinal purposes. The smoke of burning sweet grass was inhaled to treat colds and also used to keep insects at bay.
 
Rosemary activates and refreshes the body and soul and dispels negative forms of energy with its sharp aromatic vapor. It also boosts one’s self-confidence. Rosemary smoke has antioxidant, anti-infection properties. Rosemary constituents include About 1% volatile oil, camphor, camphene and cineole, diosmin, apigenin, diosmetin, genkwanin, 6-methoxygenkwanin, hispidulin, sinensetin, luteolin and derivatives, rosmarinic acid, carnosilic acid, carnosol, rosmariquinone; ursolic acid, oleanic acids, and carnosic acid (rosmaricine). 

​Juniper leaves emit warm, fragrant and spicy vapor that is thought to have a strong protective activity. The principal constituent is the volatile oil, with resin.  Juniper has rubefacient, astringent, antiseptic, carminative, analgesic, stimulant, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, anti-rheumatic, diuretic, expectorant, anti-catarrhal, antispasmodic, neurotonic and sudorific properties.

Mullien smoke has been considered as an effective remedy for a wounded soul. Its fragrance has a very relaxing effect on the nervous system. It has also been used extensively for lung issues including bronchitis. Mullein constituents include hesperidin, verbascoside and aucubin. Verbascoside has an antimicrobial activity notably against Staphylococcus aureus. It can also have anti-inflammatory properties and has 
​demostrated wide antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Acubin has been reported in the Journal Of Toxicology as a powerful anti-toxin and is used to protect against liver damage.
 
The evergreen leaves of pine, fir and sprucepossess an especially potent cleansing ability. The pine has been revered and used all over the world. It was used as a traditional remedy by the Native American Indians, and there is a Taoist practice of surviving only on pine needles to gain supernatural powers that has its roots in the pine tree’s symbolism of integrity and honour. The Scandinavians used pine branches in saunas, and many cultures stuffed mattresses with pine needles to repel lice, fleas, and other insects. In fact, pine-needle mattresses are still used today in the Swiss Alps, as a remedy for rheumatism. Studies in both China and Russia have also found it to be Anti-Fungal, Anti-Bacterial & Anti-Viral, AntiOxidant & Anti-Aging, Helpful for Weight, Cholesterol & High blood pressure, Relieves Sore, Aching 
Muscles, Stimulating to the Liver, Astringent for the Bladder, Relaxing to the Mind and Stress Relieving, AND Helpful in Restoring Overall Balance to The Body!
 
A word of caution
Smudge sticks and incense should never be left unattended. Also, the idea of smudging is not to produce huge amounts of smoke and to inhale it. This can result in respiratory problem, which would completely ruin its goal. Furthermore, smudging should not be practiced in a room where there are pregnant persons, children, and people who suffer from allergies, asthma or respiratory diseases.
 
Reference:
 
C. S. Nautiyal, P. S. (2007, December 3). Medicinal smoke reduces airborne bacteria. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 114(3), 446-451. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2007.08.038

G. P. P .Kamatoua, M. V. (2010). Chemical composition of the wood and leaf oils from the “Clanwilliam Cedar”. South African Journal of Botany, 652-654. doi:10.1016/j.sajb.2010.04.002
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Ji, S. (n.d.). Medicinal smoke can completely eliminate diverse plant and human pathogenic bacteria of the air within confined space. Retrieved from GreenMedinfo: http://www.greenmedinfo.com/article/medicinal-smoke-can-completely-eliminate-diverse-plant-and-human-pathogenic-bacteria-air

0 CommentsCold and Flu Relief1/20/2018
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 Combat the Cold and Flu
​Its 2018 and the Cold and Flu Season is the worst I can remember.  It seems that the vaccines are only partially helpful.  The good news is there are other ways, Natural Ways, to boost our immune systems and help prevent and or shorten the illness.  While there are many herbs that can help, my favorite is Elderberry Syrup. The flowers and berries of the Elderberry plant are nutritious, rich in flavonoids, and high in vitamin C, vitamin A, bioflavonoids, betacarotene, iron, and potassium. Elderberries are known to be effective against eight strains of influenza. This suggests that elderberries are superior to vaccines in preventing flu, because flu vaccines are only effective against known strains of flu, whereas the virus is continually mutating to new strains.” Elderberry has demonstrated its ability to prevent flu and colds when taken before infection. Taken after infection, it prevents spread of the virus through the respiratory tract. In a clinical trial, 20% of study subjects reported significant improvement within 24 hours, 70% by 48 hours, and 90% claimed complete cure in three days. In contrast, subjects receiving the placebo required 6 days to recover.”
To read about other herbs that can help go to http://www.bearberryessentials.com/holistic-blog/archives/09-2016
​Here is my Elderberry Syrup Recipe.

​Makes 1 Quart. 

1 cup Dried Organic Elderberries
1/2 cup Dried Organic Elderflowers
4 Tbsp. Dried Organic Rosehips
4 Tbsp. Dried Organic Echinacea Root
4 cups Distilled Water
3 Tbsp. Organic Cinnamon Chips
3 tsp. Dried Organic Ginger
1 Cup of Local Honey
Instructions
In an Insta pot combine all dry ingredients and 4 cups of distilled water, close top and on Manuel cook for 12 minutes then Quick Release and change to saute' mode for 10 minutes (Water should be reduced by 1/2)(In  slow cooker cook until dried Herbs have softened then reduce water by 1/2.)  smash, strain, and when cooled add  about 1 cup of raw honey. ​
Bearberry Essentials has put together a Elderberry Syrup Kit that has all the ingredients except water and honey.  Click the link below to order the kit. 

Bearberry Essentials also has an Immune Boost Tincture.  

Elderberry syrup kit

Kick Start Immune Booster