We are so excited to be planting our gardens and watching the young seeds take sprout! Growing your own herbs, greens and vegetables is greatly nourishing to the spirit and the body. Even if not growing your own, it’s wise to use a wide variety of herbs to heal and harmonize your whole being.

In this issue we share valuable insights on the healing power of herbs, give you 10 easy steps to grow your own wheatgrass, and link to our new recipe for Herbal Gomasio (sesame salt). Also learn about the sustainable practices of Mountain Rose Herbs – and why they are THE best source for organic herbs and many other ingredients we recommend.

Healthy Blessings, Cindy and Jo

In this Edition

1. How to Use Herbs for Healing and Cleansing
2. 10 Steps to Growing Wheatgrass
3. Herbal Gomasio Recipe
4. Why We Use Mountain Rose Herbs
5. Kate's Detox Testimony

How to Use Herbs for Healing and Cleansing

Nature provides what your body needs to thrive. For every ailment or imbalance you can experience there is a remedy in nature’s pharmacopoeia. Natural herbal remedies heal your body, restore your organs and correct imbalances without leaving behind toxic residue. Most synthetic medications are highly toxic and are designed to suppress symptoms rather than cure conditions.

Plants are Medicine

People on every continent have used medicinal plants to treat their ailments since prehistoric times. Animals also make use of the healing properties of plants. Sick animals intuitively seek out antimicrobial plants rich in tannins and alkaloids. Out of this natural universal relationship between plants and animals, many sophisticated herbal systems have developed.

Thousands of years of research and experience are the foundations of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda and Western Herbalism. Each of these systems uses the most common healing plants in their region.

Culinary herbs and spices are used not simply as flavoring but also as powerful healing or protective components of food. Many traditional dishes include herbs to enhance digestion and metabolism (like ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, fennel, mint, cumin, and coriander).

Cultures in tropical climates, where food born pathogens are most prevalent, heavily flavor their dishes with antimicrobial ingredients like garlic, cayenne, ginger and lime.

Support Your Organs and Reduce Symptoms

Cleansing herbs in your food will lessen digestive and other diet related symptoms while restoring health to your vital systems. Use nature’s gifts to supplement your diet. The concentrated chlorophyll, vitamins and minerals in supplements like kelp capsules, chlorella, spirulina powder, or wheatgrass, can be taken to increase cleansing energy and vitality during your detox or at any time.

Making our herbal Detox Tea from medicinal quality cleansing herbs is a great way to support your liver and kidneys so they can do their best work for you during your seasonal detox or as an occasional detox aid throughout the year. Digestive herbs, natural digestive enzymes, and probiotics ensure complete digestion and elimination. If you need a little extra help eliminating use psyllium husk or flax meal to move things along.

For every ailment or imbalance you encounter there is a natural solution available. Check out our page on Cleansing Herbs for a list of herbs and natural supplements tailored to address your specific symptoms and cleansing needs.

You may choose to use make your own herbal preparations or to purchase commercial supplements. Look for supplements and herbal blends that are made directly from natural ingredients. When choosing supplements make sure they are 100% natural and contain NO synthetic additives or other unnecessary ingredients.

For high quality, organic bulk herbs and other superfoods, shipped direct to your home, we recommend Mountain Rose Herbs. Read our article below for the guiding principles of this socially, environmentally and ethically sustainable company.

Special Detox Tip: 10 Steps to Grow Wheatgrass

Full of enzymes, it is also highly cleansing of the intestines, a natural body deodorizer and a great energy booster. Read our page on Super Greens to learn more.

This is a simple technique that requires only a little soil, seed and sunlight! There are many sprouting kits and fancy instructions available, but here are simple instructions to growing your own fresh wheatgrass:

1. Use ¼ cup of hard wheat (like hard red winter wheat) for sprouting seeds. You can order wheatgrass sprouting seeds from Mountain Rose Herbs.
2. Soak the seeds by covering with ½ to 1 cup of cool water (in a bowl or jar) and let sit for 8-12 hours.
3. Rinse and drain the seed thoroughly, then set out of direct sunlight, at room temperature.
4. In another 12 hours, check for tiny sprouts. If not yet sprouted, rinse and drain again and set out for another 8-12 hours.
5. Give seeds a final rinse then spread them evenly but densely across moistened potting soil in a 5-inch square tray or similar sized vessel. The seeds will be overlapping each other and do not need to be covered by the soil. The tray or pot should ideally have drainage (the empty packaging from strawberries or alfalfa sprouts can work).
6. Place in a low-light, room temperature location and cover the tray to keep light out and moisture in. Water once or twice daily.
7. In 3-4 days the grass will be 1-2 inches high but not yet green. Discard cover and move to a well-lit or direct sunlight location for photosynthesis to begin.
8. Continue to water well and in 8-9 days it will be nearly 6 inches high and bright green!
9. At any point after greening, harvest by cutting just above the soil… right before juicing or adding to your green smoothie! Freshly cut is best, but it can also be stored in a sealed container in the refrigerator. Dry it well before storing and use within 5 days.
10. Continue to water your growing grass to get a 2nd and maybe even a 3rd crop!

Feature Recipe: Herbal Gomasio Reduces Sodium

Gomasio helps to cleanse the body by alkalizing the blood and reducing sodium intake. Our herbal recipe also increases urine output, cleanses excess sodium from the body, and reduces blood pressure. It’s a delicious way to season your foods, adding zest and flavor, while reducing your use of table salt.

Click here to check out our herbal gomasio recipe and find out how easy it is to make your own zesty spice blend with some of the best cleansing herbs!

Mountain Rose for the Freshest Organic Herbs

While traditional wholesale herbal suppliers will stock herbal supplies for one, two or even more years, Mountain Rose Herbs guarantees that all of their products and ingredients are sold only a few months from harvest.

This means herbal products that are fresh, fragrant, colorful and of the most potent therapeutic and medicinal quality. They manage to do this while maintaining very affordable prices – some items up to HALF the price of health food stores!

Ethical stewardship is a guiding principle of Mountain Rose Herbs – they are a “zero waste” company and they lead the industry in social and environmental campaigns for sustainable practices.

They have received numerous awards for sustainability and green business practices. Click here to read more about the guiding principles, the people, and the grassroots history of Mountain Rose Herbs.

Click here for details on guided detox programs or holistic health counseling with Jo.

“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat…”

~Genesis 1:29-30

Kate's Detox Testimony

... I have found the shopping preparation beforehand and the meal menu planning to be great supports. Part of my problem has been with not planning ahead, and then after work at the end of the day, being too tired and unmotivated to want to cook something nutritious. I like the graphic format of your 7-day menu planner...

Also the journal was just the support I needed this morning when I woke up head-achy and unmotivated and slightly anxious. I sat outside in the sun with my breakfast and journal and felt through your questions and my answers that my momentum was returning and more clarity as to why I wanted this for myself.

Last year I downloaded your free kit, but didn't go ahead with the detox until I received your invitation to do it with the group. I will share this with others, as I feel your program's philosophy is intelligent, safe, and supportive.

~ Kate, Massachusetts

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