Did you know dehydration causes water retention . . . what??
You read that right - Dehydration may cause water retention. Seems counterintuitive, but if the body isn’t getting enough water than the response is to store water. Under your eyes is one of the places water gets stored.
Not a fan of storing water under your delicate eyes? The answer is to drink lots of water and avoid foods that cause water retention.
Here are ten common reasons why you may have red and puffy eyes.
Here are a list of reasons why you
1) Lack of sleep
2) Water retention
3) Dehydration
4) Eye strain due to working long periods on computers
5) Allergies, dust, pollution, smoking
6) Over exposure to air conditioning, heat,
7) UV exposure or other weather related elements (wind, dust)
8) Diet - especially salt and artificial sweeteners
9) Anemia
10) Thyroid issues
When to Use Whole Parts Verses Essential Oils
By Coco Pile
There are a variety of ways to use plants for health promotion and body care. You have the option of using the plant’s whole parts, such as the leaves, roots, flowers, and berries; or you can use plant extractions such as essential oils and absolutes.
When considering making herbal remedies or products for ingestion, such as tinctures, teas, or honey infusions, it is safest to use whole plant parts. In lavender’s case, you would most likely use the flowers. This practice is more beneficial because the infusion will be more balanced, and offer a wider spectrum of compounds. Using the whole plant may take more time to process and be less powerful as essentials oils but they still have a medicinal affect and a more stable shelf life. Whole parts are also used for oil infusions for this same reason.
Ingesting herbs is typically done for its stronger influence on the body, so taking proper precautions to practice botanical medicine safely is necessary. Our bodies manage thousands of chemical reactions every second of every day to maintain internal balance. If you were to add too much of anything into your body, you would disrupt the balance of the chemical environment and could potentially really hurt yourself. This is the main reason by consuming essential oils or absolutes are contraindicated for ingestion.
The concentration of herbal constituents in essential oils is drastically more potent than its whole parts. For example, it takes 100 pounds of lavender flowers to make one pound of lavender essential oil. That is why essential oils are safest to be used as additives to enhance your recipe. If you wanted to make a cream, salve, oil, etc. for topical uses, you would want to use the proper dilution ratio of 3% essential oils for your product. This is approximately 15-18 drops of essential oil per ounce of whatever medium you are adding the essential oils to.
It is extremely important to note that more is not better when it comes to using essential oils. Although Lavender essential oils are known to be safe in topical application without a carrier, there are incidents where people have adverse side effects. Essential oils do have greater potential to hurt you because of their high concentrations, so use them wisely and start small. Rule of thumb when using essential oils is to always dilute them in a carrier (vegetable or nut oil, salts, or butters) before using them on your body.
As always, when in doubt, ask for help. There are countless botanical resources out there to educate you on how to use plants safely with the greatest success!
By Coco Pile
This was one of the very first herbs I learned about in Tonja’s Herb Craft Class. At first I was taken back by her dusty dirt-esque flavor. But as I started spending more time and working with burdock, I have fallen in love with her earthy sweetness!
Burdock is a fantastic cleanser. That is why it is used soo much for internal “spring cleaning”. It contains properties that strengthen your liver and immune system, as well as support proper digestion and elimination of your urinary tract.
All of these body systems contain functions to remove used waste materials or unusable resources from your body. These removed or eliminated substances are most commonly referred to as “toxins”. You might have heard of Burdock as a blood purifier. It does this by simply supporting the organs that filter or add to our blood circulation.
When I feel boggled down, heavy, and discouraged, I think burdock! Removing the weight of water retention and toxins always makes me feel more light, motivated, and clear!
Kava Kava
by Monique Meadows
Release. Surrender. Relaxation. 
The central intoxicating ingredient in Kava Kava or Kava Root is Kavalactone. Kavalactone is a compound primarily found in the root of this relative of the pepper plant. The compound is understood to have effects on chemicals that transmit signals from nerve cells to other neurotransmitters in blood such as GABA, dopamine, and norepinephrine. As an example, the interaction of Kavalactone with the neurotransmitter GABA is known to birth the sleep-inducing and anti-anxiety sensations associated with Kava Kava consumption. Kava Kava is also known for its neuroprotective effects, which has been observed (in a small amount of studies) to be beneficial for degenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s) and nervous system conditions.
It is clear that Kava Kava is a supreme homeopathic solution and alternative to prescription drugs for individuals with anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and/or stress. Although Kava Kava is generally a safe and gentle herb, it is important to note that idiosyncratic and rare instances have occurred where Kava Kava has been linked to liver damage. Therefore, it is important to always consult your local herbalist when seeking to use Kava habitually.
By Monique Meadows
Kava Roo
t is a sacred, unifying herb of the South Pacific Islands. Particularly in Fiji, Kava Root is an integral thread of daily life and the cloak of culture. Typically multiple times a day, tribes o
f the heart (friends, family, new friends) will sit together to embrace one another and add a sense of pause to the day.
The root (in powder form) is strained with water into a large communal bowl. The bowl serves as the centerpiece of a circle of individuals sitting upon the Earth as they drink the earthy and slightly peppery Kava drink out of coconut shells. It is custom to drink the entire shell in one sitting rather than taking slow sips.
Within a few moments, the effects will begin to arise. At first a mildly numb tongue, t
hen a gently numb face, and then unalloyed relief. The sensation is similar to the state of sunbathing on a beach that is just the perfect temperature with a gentle breeze kissing your body as the ocean tides lap up to the sand in a balanced rhythm. Melting into the bliss. The mind is a blank canvas and the body feels completely free of tension. Entirely present and fully grounded, Kava brings you down to Earth. Although a relaxant and reliever, Kava does not rob an individual of full control over mind and body.
While Kava is a magic choice for anxiety relief, pain relief, tension relief, mental chatter relief, and more it is not something to over-indulge in. The Fijians acknowledge this and rather, prepare and consume Kava in a ritualistic and ceremonial fashion. There is an unspoken idea that the Kava would not have similar effects if prepared and enjoyed alone, which is something that is never done in Fiji. Rather, it is about gathering together and letting go of the worries. It is no wonder that the Fijian people operate on “Fijian Time” where 10:00am means 3:00pm and emanate with a kindness that is unparalleled. There is a local saying “Senga na lenga” which literally means no worries and that is exactly what bubbles up to the surface when Kava is ritualistically enjoyed.
Ritual. What about the practice holds such sanctity? What is the distinction between routine and ritual? Perhaps the sanctity of ritual lies within full, intentional engagement and life perceived as celebration. You are invited to relish in the healing gifts of Kava and share the experience with your loved ones. Herbs and ritual go hand-in-hand; two things that certainly lessen the worries of life.
All information on the MoonDance Botanicals website is meant for educational and informational purposes only. The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products and/or information are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease. Readers are advised to do their own research and make decisions in partnership with their health care provider. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition or are taking any medication, please consult your physician
Berry to the Rescue
By Coco Pile
Elder berries are famous for their use in colds and flus, especially for nasal congestion. The use of this herb for helping relieve symptoms and overcoming the infection has been documented for over 2,000 years. The berry not only activates the immune system, but it directly impedes virus’ mechanisms to invade cells. If that wasn’t enough, elder berries are also excellent for their releasing properties. They are considered as diaphoretic and diuretic. Meaning they allow perspiration and urination to release toxins and metabolic waste from the body. This is key for feeling more energetic, recovering from the tissue damage and releasing waste from the immune system defending the body.
Elder Berry Harvesting Tip
By Coco Pile
When it comes to harvesting wild elder berries, it is common practice for the herbalist to ask the tree for permission to harvest before gathering any parts of the plant. Harvesting responsibly is of the upmost importance to respect the plant and the job it plays in the ecosystem, but also to protect the herbalist. Elder berries are poisonous to consume when they are still green. It is best to harvest them when the berries have developed and matured into their rich black color.
Practical Uses of Lavender
By Coco Pile
One of the best ways that you can benefit from lavender is simply having it around and smelling its f
ragrance.
People around the world recognize the significance lavender’s aroma. That is why it is one of the most popular perfumes for self-care products at home like soaps, cleaners and skin care products. By merely inhaling lavender’s sof
t yet bold aroma, your body’s nervous system is gently sedated to promote balance from excessive stimulation. It has been used historically to improve mental well-being by calming the nervous system in behavior patterns of anxiety, insomnia, restlessness, and depression.
Not only is Lavender calming to the mind, but it is also calming for the skin and soft tissues. That is why lavender is commonl
y used as an analgesic, or anti-pain ingredient, in body care products. Responsibly harvested lavender can have high concentrations of the ester functional group, or anti-inflammatory compounds. Using lavender infused oil or carriers with lavender essential oil over
muscles and joints can relieve aching pain and soreness. Whole parts, extractions, or topical products with proper essential oil concentrations can be used on skin to reduce irritation or inflammation of the skin. One great herbal product to have at home is a lavender spray. A few spritz over burns will ease the pain, cool the heat, and promote rapid healing of the tissue.
Lavender is also effective at easing digestive pains. Its gentle tonifying effects in combination with its strong anti-inflammatory properties are great for topical application over the abdomen.
It doesn’t end there! Lavender is known for its benefits for circulation, glucose regulation, insect bite relief and repulsion, skin rejuvenation, and its strong antiseptic properties. There are endless herbal creations that you can make with lavender to improve your health and wellness.
Have fun discovering what lavender can do for you!!!
Best Place to Source Lavender
By Coco Pile
Although lavender typically prefers mediterranean climates for its regularity in available water and moderate temperature changes, it can still be found in extreme climates like Colorado. Unfortunately, no two climates are created equally. Influencing factors such as access to water, nutrients, foot traffic, pollution, altitude, climate, predators, etc. all affect the way the plants look and what constituents they create. This is why there is so many species of the “same” plant and why sourcing your herbs appropriately can make or break an herbal recipe.
The most renowned region in the world to source your lavender from is France. This is due to the fact that the harvest fields in France have a climate that doesn’t get too cold to disturb the ester compound formulation. They also have the advantage of altitude, which allows them to distill lavender at lower temperatures. Because of these factors, the Lavandula Angustifolia essential oil from France has the highest constituent content of esters compared to majority of other Lavender farmers/plants around the world. For those of you who are not familiar with functional groups, esters are compounds that have an anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal effect on the body. The esters also contribute to the potency of the plant’s aroma. Making French Lavender one of the greatest sources for perfumes and medicines.
Lavender is extensively cultivated around the world for varies reasons depending on the climate and the farmer’s intentions. It is not uncommon for lavender farms and distilleries to add synthetic constituents to their crops and essential oils to boost their medicinal value. Be cautious when purchasing your lavender to make sure it is pure, organic, and unaltered. These adaptations may cause undocumented side effects and/or change the way your lavender acts in the recipe or on your body.