Herbs for the festive season
December 23rd 2009 10:11
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During the festive season, those of us who lack a little self discipline can tend to overindulge. Fortunately nature does provide us with herbs for extra support.
With the frequency of parties and the temptation to consume alcohol amounts you may not normally, your liver needs to be supported and protected. St Marys Thistle (Silybum marinanum) but in the Northern Hemisphere commonly known as Milk Thistle. This herb is not one for long term use, but if you know there is the likelihood of drinking alcohol to excess or the possibility of a hangover, a dose before leaving for the party, and have a further dose on return. This may reduce the symptoms of a possible hangover.
Another complaint suffered during this time of indulgence is the tendency to enjoy culinary delights that add extra padding. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) has been labelled as the dieters herb for many centuries. This time of year is not the time to be policing our intake and missing out when everyone else is enjoying the feast, so adding a cup of fennel tea to your day will assist with the digestion of rich food your gut is not used to breaking down and utilising.
It is the herb in teaspoon doses helps cresty ponies when they need to shed an excess kilo or two or need to be confined to the bare paddock or a muzzle to help limit the calorie intake.
The Christmas break is also a time for rejuvenation and regeneration. It’s a time for relaxation and a good opportunity to assist your joint health while exercise is not high on the social calendar. A joint supplement containing glucosamine is worth putting on the shopping list, or for the horse who is having a break from his training routine a blend of herbs including ones that feed the muscles and joints such as frankincense (Boswelia carterii), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and celery seeds (Apium graveolens). It is good practice to maintain athletic ability by nourishing the muscles and joints when the body routine is resting or in a low impact phase of training.
With the festive season being a time of excess, keep your herbal approach simple. To help your digestion after an overindulge or to cool down on a hot day have a cup of peppermint (Mentha piperita) or lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) tea. With Christmas eve excitement, a cup of chamomile (Matricaria recutita) tea will help sleep if opening presents in the morning is on young minds. If you have a household that is not receptive to a cup of herbal tea during the festivities, you can diffuse digestive essential oils in the background – basil, orange, fennel and peppermint- these will keep the mood at a family occasion light and make it easy to fill tummies with all the delights on offer.
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