Herb of The Month
Shiitake mushrooms are a highly regarded herbal remedy in
Traditional Chinese and Japanese medicine. Once called the
Elixir of Life and reserved only for emperors, now these healing
mushrooms are delivered to your doorstep!
Did you know that mushrooms contain amino acids and are a protein
rich food? If you are trying to reduce your meat consumption,
add more mushrooms for protein.
Shiitake are also rich in B vitamins, helping you to manage
stress and mood swings. Shiitake are anti-inflammatory and used
in treating the inflammation contributing to cardio vascular
disease, allergies and arthritis. If you have arthritis, consider
making shiitake a regular part of your diet. If you have high
blood pressure, eat more mushrooms!
Shiitake mushrooms are anti-viral, anti-bacterial and help to
keep your immune system strong. They enhance immunity and are
the perfect food for cold and flu season. With the current crisis
in bacteria anti-biotic resistance, building your immune system
is a good thing. Use your food to stay well and stay off
anti-biotics. If someone around you is coughing add shiitake to
your meal or drink shiitake tea.
If you are prone to allergies, continue eating shiitake as spring
approaches. They help reduce the inflammatory response that is
so miserable with spring allergies. Eat them in your food and
also start making shiitake tea a couple times a week.
The Japanese have been studying the anti-tumor effects of shiitake
since the 1960's. Shiitake mushrooms are shown to have
multiple nutrients that help slow, stop or reverse the pathological
process of cancer development.
One of the best selling anti-cancer drugs in Europe and Japan is
derived from shiitake. Less than half of cancer patients in
Japan receive chemotherapy and radiation. They use mushrooms
extensively in cancer treatments. We are a little behind in this
country in incorporating mushrooms into our protocols for
cancer treatment.
Shiitake is one of many medicinal mushrooms that are being used
extensively in working with cancer and other chronic diseases.
Shiitake is more readily available and is less expensive than
some of the other medicinal mushrooms, so take advantage of it.
By the way they also taste great. They store best in a brown
paper bag in the fridge.
Herb of the Month by Kami McBride
Kami is a sixth generation resident of the Putah Creek bio-region and a deep relationship with the Earth is at the heart of her herbal practice. Her love for the plants was inspired by her Grandfather John McBride who was Vacaville’s first Parks and Recreation Director. Before it was popular he worked to save open space and preserve the creeks and trees. Growing up in the passion of his life’s work Kami learned a deep love and respect for the earth.
Kami McBride has taught herbal medicine and women’s health since 1988. Through her classes and personal wellness consultations with clients, Kami helps people understand how whole food and herbal medicine is an important aspect of everyone’s preventive health care plan. Your food is your first medicine. With her extensive knowledge of whole foods and healing plants Kami has helped thousands of people learn to use food and herbs in their daily lives in ways that are healthy, safe and fun.
Kami teaches experiential earth awareness and herbal studies classes at her school and herb gardens in Vacaville, California.
For a schedule of classes and workshops, Kami can be reached at 707-446-1290 or
www.livingawareness.com
P.O. Box 5381
Vacaville, CA 95696
707 -446-1290