MMMMMM, TASTY!

This month we’re looking at Energetics and how herbalists use them to determine the best ways to help you deal with your particular health issues. I discussed how herbal energetics match herbs to PEOPLE, rather than diseases. First, we looked at your unique constitution. Last week we introduced the plant energetics and this week, we will break that down to discover the specific constitutions of the plants and the actions that go along with them.

            The best way to understand the energetics of herbs is by tasting them. By developing these skills, you can instantly get a sense of how a plant might be used, especially with regard to its warming, cooling, drying and moistening actions or properties. There are 5 tastes within herbalism – pungent, salty, sour, bitter, and sweet.

PUNGENT GARLIC

            Let’s start with the pungent herbs. They are warming and spicy and are used to awaken the senses and get things moving. Think about chopping an onion. When we do this, for most of us, it causes our eyes to run and our sinuses to unclog. They are often aromatic and are strong in essential oils. They get our internal fires going. We use pungent herbs when we want to move something that’s stuck or stagnant. They increase circulation and bring warmth to the extremities.  Turmeric is a great example of a pungent herb. They are also great for promoting healthy digestion – think garlic, sage, rosemary, and black pepper.

Now - the salty herbs. They don’t always taste salty. More often they have a rich mineral taste, like Kale. They are high in minerals and often affect the balance of fluids in the body. Examples of salty herbs are stinging nettle, chickweed, oatstraw and violets.

Moving on, let’s look at the sour herbs. What happens when you taste something sour? If you bite into a lemon, your mouth starts to water, your eyes open up, sometimes it sends a shiver down your spine! Sour herbs wake up our senses. They are often full of antioxidants and flavonoids which help with digestion issues and inflammation. They tend to be cooling and drying. So for all of you Hot/Damp constitutions, sour herbs may be the direction to look when you need assistance because they complement your natural constitutional bent. We also use the sours as protectors. Elderberries, bilberries, hawthorn berries, blueberries, schisandra and rose are examples of sour herbs.

Next are the bitter herbs. Not many people like the bitter taste, me included! So we tend to avoid them. But they are so necessary for our bodies to maintain good health. So I usually hold my nose and gack them down! They have a cooling effect and help to stimulate digestion. Side note – Are you noticing how many of the herbs assist us with digestion? That should drive home to you, just how important what we put in our bodies and the proper assimilation of it really is. Bitters also enhance our Immune system and can soothe our nervous system. Most bitter herbs are cooling and best for symptoms of heat. Chamomile, artichoke leaf, dandelion root and Oregon grape root are examples of bitter herbs.

I saved the best for last, sweet herbs! They nourish and build and are used to restore energy levels and modulate the immune system. They are moistening and warming and normally are taken for longer periods of time. Adaptogens and immunomodulating herbs are often classified as sweet herbs. Astragalus and ashwagandha are examples of sweet herbs.

Next week we will put it all together and talk about the Herbal Sweet Spot. This week I’d like you to go out there and taste some of the herbs in your garden. Really concentrate and see how they make you feel when you chew on them.

            This month I have a new survival Pack for you – the Cold and Flu Survival Pak. It has a diffuser blend, an inhaler and a hand gel to get you through these coming months when colds and flu seem to appear from nowhere! This is the last month for the Back to School Survival Pak, so get those before they’re gone. Lastly, One of the OTC meds most often sought out during this season is Elderberry Syrup or Sambuco. The stuff in the drug store has all kinds of additives and sugar. But you can make 3 cups of your own with my Elderberry Syrup in a Bag. It’s in the apothecary on the website and will be available through the winter. But don’t wait! Stock up now and keep your loved ones healthy and strong through the coming months. That’s it for this week! Now go out there and Let’s Get Better!!

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