Spices and Herbs by Elaynn

 

Many times we come across herbs that share part of the same name. Golden Seal and Golden Rod are two such herbs. Are these herbs interchangeble? Do they grow at the same time and same area? Do they look alike or grow near each other? This time, I'm going to present the information that I have on both herbs and you will be better able to determine the answers.

( I had pictures, but, they aren't showing!)

ENJOY!

GOLDEN SEAL

Goldenseal (Orange-root, Orangeroot; Hydrastis canadensis) is a perennial herb in the buttercup family Ranunculaceae, native to southeastern Canada and the northeastern United States.

Golden seal is low growing hardy perennial woodand wildflower about 1 foot tall. The stem is purplish and hairy above ground and yellow below ground where it connects to the yellow rhizome. Its' rootstock is thick, yellow knotted . Each upright stalk holds two palmate, hairy leaves with 5–7 double-toothed lobes and right in the center is a tuft of small , inconspicuous flowers with greenish white stamens (flowers) in the late spring. It bears a single berry like a large raspberry with 10–30 seeds in the summer. . Zone 3. There are only 2 species; one from eastern North America and the other from eastern Asia.

Goldenseal contains the isoquinoline alkaloids: hydrastine, berberine, berberastine, hydrastinine, tetrahydroberberastine, canadine, and canalidine. Goldenseal has the following herbal properties (whole herb): bitter tonic , hepatic, alterative, anti-catarrhal, anticatarrhal, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent ,antimicrobial, laxative, emmenagogue,muscular stimulant. and oxytocic

This is one of the most over harvested herbs and many herbalists urge caution in choosing products containing goldenseal, as they may have been harvested in an unsustainable manner as opposed to having been organically cultivated

Traditional usage of golden-seal arises from American Indian usage. The Cherokee used the roots as a cancer treatment also as a wash for local inflammations, a decoction for general debility, dyspepsia, and to improve appetite. The Iroquois used a decoction of the root for whooping cough, diarrhea, liver disease, fever, sour stomach, flatulence, pneumonia, and, with whiskey, for heart trouble.

CAUTIONS OF USING GOLDEN SEAL:

While goldenseal, like all alkaloid-rich herbs including coffee and tobacco should be avoided during pregnancy and given to very young children with care, it appears that goldenseal is unlikely to be toxic in normal doses. Interactions with drugs like warfarin, ciclosporin, protease inhibitors and cardiac glycosides are potential concerns. Goldenseal has an affinity for mucosa, and is cooling so should not be used if an infection is at an early stage or there are more chills than fever. Goldenseal should be used with caution only while sick with illnesses that respond to hydrastine and berberine. It should generally not be taken for an early stage Upper Respiratory Infection (URI), but reserved for illnesses in which there is yellow or green phlegm. Generally a two-week maximum dosage is suggested. Taking goldenseal over a long period of time can reduce absorption of B vitamins. Avoid goldenseal during pregnancy and lactation, with gastrointestinal inflammation, and with proinflammatory disorders.

GOLDEN ROD

GOLDEN ROD ( Solidago odora) of the Daisy family. (a/k/a Aaron's rod; European goldenrod; Solidago canadensis; Solidago virguarea) There are at the least 75 recognized species of which 20 may be found in the Great Smokies region alone, and many hybrids in between.

Goldenrod is found along roadsides and open fields .

The true, fragrant goldenrod is one which grows with a somewhat inconspicuours head on a solitary stem tall, and grow to heights of 3 to 7 feet, with narrow leaves gently scented like anise. Each flower head has about 6 to 8 flowers . Its yellow flowers, generally appear in August or September. The leaves are harvested in the summer, dried, and prepared as a tea.

All golden rods, except the white flowerd species (S. Bicolor) have yellow flowers. The leaves are alternate, starting with a large basal rosette. Some species begin to flower in early summer, and a number continue to bloom until frost. They grow in a wide variety of habitats.

Since there are so many species here is what we run into: They have stems that can be decumbent to ascending or erect, ranging in height from 5 to 100 or more centimeters. Some species have stems that branch near the top. Some Solidago species are hairless others have strigose, strigillose, hispid, or short-villous hairs. The basal leaves in some species remain persistent through flowering, while in others the basal leaves are shed before flowering. The leaf margins are often serrate, and leaf faces may be hairless or densely hairy; the distal leaves are sometimes 3-nerved, and hairless or sparsely to densely hairy with scabrous, strigillose, or villous hairs. In some species the upper leaves are stipitate-glandular or sometimes resinous. The flowering heads usually radiate.

Propagation is by wind-disseminated seeds or by spreading underground rhizomes which can form colonies of vegetative clones of a single plant. Goldenrod is often unfairly blamed for causing hay fever in humans. The pollen causing these allergy problems is mainly produced by Ragweed (Ambrosia sp.), blooming at the same time as the goldenrod, but is wind-pollinated. Goldenrod pollen is too heavy and sticky to be blown far from the flowers, and is thus mainly pollinated by insects.

The Traditional use for goldenrod has been to treat tuberculosis, diabetes, enlargement of the liver, gout, hemorrhoids, internal bleeding, asthma, and arthritis. Topically, goldenrod is used in folk medicine to treat inflammation of the mouth and throat, as well as slow healing wounds. Goldenrod may also help reduce inflammation, relieve muscle spasms, fight infection and lower blood pressure. It has diuretic properties and is used in Europe to treat urinary tract inflammation and to prevent or treat kidney stones.

Solidago virgaurea is used to counter inflammation and irritation caused of bacterial infections or kidney stones. Goldenrod has also been used as a tincture to aid in cleansing of the kidney/bladder

Solidago virguarea is used for wound healing.

Solidago odora is is used for mucus, kidney/bladder cleansing and stones, colds, digestion, and a tea is made from the leaves . The flowers were used for sore throat, snake bite, fever, kidney and bladder problems, cramps, colic, colds, diarrhea, measles, and asthma.

A poultice is used for boils, burns, headache, toothache, wounds.

Native Americans chewed the leaves to relieve sore throats and chewed the roots to relieve toothaches.

DO NOT TAKE if pregnant, breastfeeding, have heart or kidney disease.

The goldenrod is the state flower of Kentucky (adopted March 16, 1926) and Nebraska (adopted April 4, 1895). It used to be the state flower of Alabama, being adopted as such on September 6, 1927, but was later rejected in favour of the camellia. Goldenrod was recently named the state wildflower for South Carolina.

 

Most of us know that Hippocrates is known as the Father of Medicine. But, did you know that Hippocrates is the one person who has had the greatest impact on the development of natural healing disciplines in Europe and as a result, in China and India as well as now here in the US? That's true.

Hippocrates is the one who first realized and put on paper that diet, environment and activities all correspond to each other. He also used foods and herbs as a general formula for healing. Something else he noticed was that certain foods should be eaten at certain times to help our bodies stay well. For instance; in winter when it is very cold and wet outside, we should eat foods that are dry and warming. Conversely, in the summer, foods should be lighter, cooling and with more fluid, to counteract the heat and dryness of that season. Because of its simplicity and commonsense approach, this system found widespread application among early European herbalists back then and today, we consider this information a no-brainer.

According to Hippocrates, there are two ways to approach sickness. One is to eliminate the symptoms of disease in the patient, and the other is to restore the patient to health. Hippocrates thus distinguished partial or symptomatic healing from holistic healing. He believed that treating disease as a set of symptoms merely stops the progression of the illness. Even though the “disease” has been treated, a low level of sickness remains in the person because the underlying causes are still there.

Hippocrates goes on to say that the body goes through a healing crisis in which the body goes back through the development of the illness, one stage at a time. This process is a returning back to health as the original condition.

He also taught that the healing crisis should be respected as positive and natural, rather than something to be eliminated through treatment.

Much of herbalists knowledge today comes from Hippocrates and through the centuries, he has still proved to be correct in his findings of how the body works and responds to illness and disease.

 

The warm days that most of us throughout the US have been experiencing, is like a fever for many of us to want to go out and buy plants for our gardens.

Most of us purchase our herb and vegetable plants at a nursery or garden centers, maybe even at places like Walmart, Lowes, HomeDepot. They all have good quality plants that we can usually buy with confidence.

The plants we purchase will be either annuals or perennials. Usually there is a little marker in the plant pot that tells us if the plant is annual or perennial; weather it likes lots of sun or shade or part sun/shade. Even the amount of water that it likes. Don't throw them away, pay attention to this as you decide where you will plant in your garden. Incidentally, the way you tell the difference between annual and perennial is to think annual is once or one season or year and perennial plural years.

When we bring our plants home, the biggest mistake we usually make is to start planting them in our garden right away, especially now (April) . Herb plants and most vegetable plants need to go through what is called a hardening off period.

We really don't know if where we purchased the plant if it has been hardened off or not ( and for that matter, the workers at the store may not either) . Most likely, they haven't. So, here is my suggestion for when you buy plants and bring them home. Now, I'm talking about vegetable and herb plants only. Also, bear in mind that I live in NC and we will get frost into May. If you live north of NC, use this as a guide. However, if you live in a warmer part than NC, you can cut days off my suggestion; ie where I mention 4 to 5 days, you could do in 3 to 4 days; where I mention introducing to your garden, you could do this in 2 to 3 days. The term hardening off is simply introducing your plants to outside temperatures so as not to “shock” them and thus cause your plants to die.

I'm going to cover buying plants now and then buying plants later in the summer or last minute.

A couple of things before we begin:

1. To start with, get some type of plastic (or other material) container that you can set your plants in and can carry to other parts of your property. I use 22” long by 16 “ wide by 6 “ deep containers that work well for me. You can also use a simple dish pan that you can pick up in a dollar store for $2 to $3.

2. Keep your plants in their pots, that you purchased them in and don't take them out. Put the pots in the containers (1) and don't take them out.

 

FOR YOUR PLANTS NOW: ( March, April, early part of May)

If you bring your plants home early in the morning or afternoon, you could put them right in the containers (1) and pour about 1 ½ “ of water in the container. Remember to keep water in the container at all times. Put your plants in a shady location for just 3 to 4 hours. Then bring your plants into the house where they will be warm for the night (2).

The next day, put your plants (following ( 1) and ( 2), back out side in the morning in the sun for just a couple of hours. If it is cold or quite cool (60 degrees or less) wait and don't put your plants out.

For 4 to 5 days, you can leave your plants out in the morning sun and some shade in the afternoon, then back in the late afternoon sun. Bring them in at night.

It is very important not to leave your plants out at night for the first week and half, no matter how nice it is.

After a week of moving from sun to shade and back again, you can start leaving them out and not bother too much with them. Start with putting your plants where they will get the morning sun. They should be fine during the day, as long as the weather is not below 60 and this includes the wind chill factor. Remember to bring them in at night. (These past couple of days here in N.C I've had to take my plants in, and these have been hardening off for over a month. )

After about a month of bringing in your plants at night, you can start leaving them out in a protective area at night if the temperature is 55 or above. Check the temp for the night every day and don't leave your plants out if it will be below 40 degrees; cover your plants or bring them in. Leave your plants out all day and all night for 10 days before you plant them. Leave your plants out on rainy days and nights, but, of course, if a wind storm or hail is in the making, then by all means, bring your plants in.

After you have hardened off your plants as I suggest above, and you are getting close to planting them in the ground,  do one more thing: take your new plants and just place them without planting them ( keep them in their pots and containers) and just set them near where they are going to be planted. This is a sort of introduction to where their new home is going to be. Do this for 4 to 5 days. But, bring them back up to where your were hardening them off for the night ( I say “up” b/c my garden is down from the house). After about 5 days, then you can leave them 24 hours near the area where you want to permanently plant them.( I suggest at least three 24 hour days) Then you can plant your herbs and vegetables.

It seems to be the rule of thumb, and a good one at that, don't do your planting of new plants until after Mother's Day, May 13.   If we do have a frost after that, you will need to cover your new plants, because if they get hit by frost, they're dead.

 

FOR LATER IN THE SEASON OR AS I SAY “LAST MINUTE” ( mid May and throughout the summer)

Follow (1) and (2) above.

The first 3 days put your plants in dabbled sunshine. Bring them in at night. Then by the 4th & 5th day early morning sun and afternoon shade. Bring them in at night. For another 3 days, let your plants stay out all day. Then after that, all day and all night for about 2 to 4 days. Then, place your plants near where they will be planted for 2 days, bring them back up to where they were being hardened off, at the end of the day. Then for the next 2 days, leave them near the area all day and all night. By then your plants should be ready to join your garden.

The bottom line here friends, to take the time to harden off your plants before planting them in the ground, and don't plant new plants until all danger of frost has passed. 

 

I know that this may seem like a hassle and maybe a bit prolonging, but, if you're going to spend your money and go through the work of planting, there is no sense is wasting either time nor money.

 

Here is the list of herbs that I will have for sale this year. I am selling just the herbs, not the roots or seeds or plants. I don't have an endless supply, so, as you keep checking every week, and you see any that you want, that's the time to order. Remember, all herbs are harvested this spring and summer and freshly dried.

ALFALFA

APPLE MINT

BEE BALM, BERGAMOT

BURDOCK ROOT

CALENDULA

CATNIP

CHAMOMILE

CHOCOLATE MINT

DANDELION BOTH ROOTS AND LEAVES

EUCALYPTUS

FEVERFEW

LEMON BALM

LEMON THYME

LEMON VERBENA

MUGWORT

MULLEN

NETTLE LEAF

ORANGE MINT

OREGANO GREEK AND ITALIAN

 

 

PEPPERMINT

RED CLOVER TOPS

ROSE HIPS

SAGE

ST JOHN'S WORT

SPEARMINT

YARROW, this is a red yarrow called DESERT ROSE

There may be a few more that are already in my store.

OF THE OILS THAT I AM DISTILLING:

BERGAMOT

CATNIP

CLARY SAGE

EUCALYPTUS

JASMINE

LEMON VERBENA

MAGNOLIA

PEPPERMINT

ROSE

ROSEMARY

SAGE

SPEARMINT

To look at what I am selling here on LOCAL HARVEST and to email me, simply go to the top of this blog and position the cursor under SPICES AND HERBS BY ELAYNN,  that will take you right into my store. I sell lots of herb teas, bath herb teas, repellants for bed bugs, other bugs, fleas and ticks, and moths, dryer sachets, clothes scenting sachets and some culinary herb mixes. So, take a look and enjoy browsing!

 

I have started harvesting and drying some herbs for 2012. Since I don't sell a whole lot of my herbs, I don't have an endless supply. So, if you are interested in purchasing my 100% natural and non milled herbs email me and as the herbs are ready to sell, I will contact you. The following herbs will be available by themselves for sale during the spring, summer and fall. There may be more that I will have available, if so, I will put up another blog.

These are the herbs that will be available :

BERGAMOT

FEVERFEW

LEMON BALM

LEMON THYME

LEMON VERBENA

PEPPERMINT

SPEARMINT

CHOCOLATE MINT

SAGE

TANSY

YARROW

I am selling just the herbs, not the roots or seeds or plants.

 

To look at what I am selling here on LOCAL HARVEST and to email me, simply go to the top of this blog and position the cursor under SPICES AND HERBS BY ELAYNN.  That will take you right into my store.

 

We are seeing record numbers in beautiful early spring weather this year, and many of us want to get out and see the wonders of the different trees, shrubs and flowers that are blooming early. As a reminder to you friends, some plants, trees or shrubs are potential killers of man. Some part of the ornamental plants or flowers in your yard may contain deadly poison. Many poisonous plants are so common and seemingly innocuous you do not suspect their toxic qualities. So, once again, I am writing up a list a trees, shrubs, flowers and whatnot that grow in our gardens, fields and woods, that you need to be aware of to stay clear. Especially is this important if you have children around.

I have tried to break this down to each PLANT, what part is TOXIC and SYMPTOMS

I have also tried to state where the plant grows

PLANT: AUTUMN CROCUS, STAR OF BETHLEHEM

TOXIC PART: Bulbs

SYMPTOMS: Vomiting and nervous excitement.

PLANT: BLEEDING HEART

TOXIC PART: Foliage, roots

SYMPTOMS: May be poisonous in large amounts. Has proved fatal to cattle.

PLANT: DAFFODIL HYACINTH, NARCISSUS

TOXIC PART: Bulbs

SYMPTOMS: Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. May be fatal.

PLANT: DUSTY MILLER

 

TOXIC PART: all parts

SYMPTOMS: highly toxic; can cause liver damage and cancer

PLANT: FOXGLOVE

TOXIC PART: Leaves

SYMPTOMS: Large amounts cause dangerously irregular heartbeat and pulse, usually digestive upset and mental confusion. May be fatal.

PLANT: IRIS

TOXIC PART underground stems

SYMPTOMS: Severe-but not usually serious-digestive upset.

PLANT: LARKSPUR

TOXIC PART Young plant, seeds

SYMPTOMS: Digestive upset, nervous excitement, depression. May be fatal.

PLANT: LILY-OF-THE-VALLEY

TOXIC PART Leaves, flowers

SYMPTOMS: Irregular heart beat and pulse, usually accompanied by digestive upset and mental confusion.

PLANT: MONKSHOOD

TOXIC PART Fleshy roots

SYMPTOMS: Digestive upset and nervous excitement.

PLANT: RHUBARB

TOXIC PART Leaf blade

SYMPTOMS: Fatal. Large amounts of raw or cooked leaves can convulsions, coma, followed rapidly by death.

ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

PLANT: DAPHNE

TOXIC PART Berries

SYMPTOMS: Fatal. A few berries can kill a child.

PLANT: GOLDEN CHAIN

TOXIC PART Bean-like capsules in which the seeds are suspended

SYMPTOMS: Severe poisoning. Excitement, staggering, convulsions and coma. May be fatal.

PLANT: JASMINE

TOXIC PART Berries

SYMPTOMS: Fatal. Digestive disturbance and nervous symptoms.

PLANT: LAURELS, RHODODENDRONS, AZALEA

 

TOXIC PART All parts

 

SYMPTOMS: Fatal. Produces nausea and vomiting, depression, difficult breathing, prostration and coma.

PLANT: LANTANA CAMARA (RED SAGE)

TOXIC PART Green berries

SYMPTOMS: Fatal. Affects lungs, kidneys, heart and nervous system. Grows in the southern U.S. and in moderate climates.

PLANT: YEW

TOXIC PART Berries, foliage

SYMPTOMS: Fatal. Foliage more toxic than berries. Death is usually sudden without warning symptoms.

PLANT: WISTERIA

TOXIC PART Seeds, pods

SYMPTOMS: Mild to severe digestive upset. Many children are poisoned by this plant.

TREES AND SHRUBS

TREES: BLACK LOCUST

TOXIC PART Bark, sprouts, foliage

SYMPTOMS: Children have suffered nausea, weakness and depression after chewing the bark and seeds.

TREES: ELDERBERRY

TOXIC PART especially roots

SYMPTOMS: Children have been poisoned by using pieces of the pithy stems for blowguns. Nausea and digestive upset.

TREES: HEMLOCK

 

TOXIC PART entire tree

SYMPTOMS: contains a powerful poison that causes rapid paralysis and death.

 

TREES: OAKS

TOXIC PART Foliage, acorns

 

SYMPTOMS: Affects kidneys gradually. Symptoms appear only after several days or weeks. Takes a large amount for poisoning.

TREES: WILD AND CULTIVATED CHERRIES

TOXIC PART Twigs, foliage

SYMPTOMS: Fatal. Contains a compound that releases cyanide when eaten. Gasping, excitement and prostration are common symptoms.

PLANTS IN WOODED AREAS

PLANTS ACONITE

TOXIC PART entire plant

SYMPTOMS: deadly poison. Even small amounts are highly toxic

PLANTS AGA

TOXIC PART mushroom

SYMPTOMS: highly toxic and hallucinogenic

PLANTS ASARUM

TOXIC PART root

SYMPTOMS: uterine bleeding

PLANTS BELLADONNA

TOXIC PART entire plant

SYMPTOMS: highly poisonous

PLANTS BUTTERCUPS

TOXIC PART All parts

SYMPTOMS: Irritant juices may severely injure the digestive system.

PLANTS CHAPARRAL

TOXIC PART all of the plant

SYMPTOMS: highly toxic; can cause liver and kidney damage

PLANTS JACK-IN-THE-PULPIT

TOXIC PART All parts, especially roots

SYMPTOMS: Like Dumb Cane, contains small needle-like crystals of calcium oxalate that cause intense irritation and burning of the mouth and tongue.

PLANTS JIMSON WEED (THORN APPLE)

TOXIC PART All parts

SYMPTOMS: Abnormal thirst, distorted sight, delirium, incoherence and coma. Common cause of poisoning. Has proved fatal.

PLANTS MANDRAKE

TOXIC PART root

SYMPTOMS: causes hallucinations, delirium and death

 

PLANTS MAYAPPLEAPPLE,

TOXIC PART foliage, roots

 

SYMPTOMS: Contains at least 16 active toxic principles, primarily in the roots. Children often eat the apple with no ill effects, but several apples may cause diarrhea.

PLANTS MISTLETOE

TOXIC PART Berries

SYMPTOMS: Fatal. Both children and adults have died from eating the berries.

PLANTS MOONSEED

TOXIC PART berries blue, purple color, resembling wild grapes.

SYMPTOMS: May be fatal.

PLANTS NIGHTSHADE

TOXIC PART All parts, especially the unripened berry

SYMPTOMS: Fatal. Intense digestive disturbance and nervous symptoms.

PLANTS POKE WEED

TOXIC PART the entire plant

SYMPTOMS: highly toxic and extremely irritating to mucous membranes

PLANTS POISON HEMLOCK

TOXIC PART All parts

SYMPTOMS: Fatal. Resembles a large wild carrot.

PLANTS RAG WORT

SYMPTOMS: poisonous can cause liver damage and cancer

PLANTS VIRGINIAN SNAKEROOT

TOXIC PART entire plant

SYMPTOMS: can cause severe vomiting, abdominal cramps, dizziness and respiratory failure

PLANTS WAHOO

TOXIC PART bark, berries

SYMPTOMS: toxic, damage to the heart, can cause death even in small amounts

PLANTS WATER HEMLOCK

TOXIC PART All parts

SYMPTOMS: Fatal. Violent and painful convulsions. A number of people have died from hemlock.

PLANTS WORMWOOD

TOXIC PART entire plant

SYMPTOMS: contains poisonous substance thujone. Can damage central nervous system , cause dizziness, abdominal cramp, vomiting

 

Many of you have emailed me regarding where I sell at the farmers market. I was selling at the Waynesville , N.C farmers market, but, this year I will be looking for another place to expand my business and possibly in another state. So, for those of you who are waiting til this summer before you purchase from me at the farmers market, I won't be there and you are better off buying from me here on LOCAL HARVEST.

My reasons for leaving the Waynesville farmers market are personal. But, I will say that the market was excellent for me to sell my herbs at and I found everyone there very easy to work with. I hope to find another farmers market that will be able to accommodate my needs as well as the Waynesville one did. However, it may take quite a while before I find one that suits my fancy. Since I dislike having to pay money to sell; being assigned a spot (because it's never where I would get the business for what I'm selling); no bathroom facilities in many of these places; being told the number of tables that I can bring/have and color of canape to use; and the amount of space that I'm allowed ; not to mention being at some of these places at 6 am and then being given the first come, first serve nonsense, so, that I'm never sure from one week to the next if I can sell at the same place. And, the stupid hours. I also dislike entertainment at the farmers market and food chefs, as I feel that it detracts from my business. Oh yes, and throw in the CSA's, because those people walk right past my table and get their box of goodies and go home.

I guess many of you think that I sound very unrealistic, but, do you know that when farmers markets first started out, there was none of the stipulations and other nonsense that I just mentioned. Farmers were welcome to come to a certain parking lot or other area that was commonly known to people, and they came around 7 or 8 am and just found a spot that they liked and set up and were in business. Now, it's all changing, and farmers markets seem to be business for everyone else, much to my dismay.

Since I am looking into purchasing another place, I just may decide to run my own show, which is just what I want to do anyway. If you look at my store, here on LOCAL HARVEST, you will see that I have 22 pages (my last count), and I'm constantly adding more products to my store. But, I also sell culinary mixes, which I don't sell here on LOCAL HARVEST. I have 4 tables that are 4 feet long , loaded with my culinary, teas, bath herbs, moth repellants, sleep jars and black walnuts, that I man all by myself at the farmers market and it is really getting to be too much. I really need my own little store. But, it will be a business, not a teaching center. I'm an old fashioned herbalist and plan on staying that way. The things that I've learned about herbalism took years and a whole lotta research. So, I'm not into holding classes or giving out info on what and how I do things. The best you going to do in that department is to read my blogs here on LOCAL HARVEST.

Even though it will be late summer or fall, before I make a move, I will still be selling here on LOCAL HARVEST , just not at the farmers market, that's all. It will take time to find a place that will have enough land and I will have to make sure that the soil doesn't have pesticides and other poisons in it; and also find out if I can set up a store; not to mention whether that area would have the clientele that I cater to. I still have to continue with my gardens here and the move will have to be after harvesting.

The items that I sell here on LOCAL HARVEST is more in quantity and selection that what I can sell at any farmers market. So, if you are wanting to purchase my items, your best bet is here on LOCAL HARVEST.

And thanks to all of you who have been purchasing and enjoying my items here on LOCAL HARVEST!

 

 

Getting rid of toxic poisons in our body helps us to feel healthy. Toxins can drag down our system and a good cleansing can help every organ in the body, but especially the liver, which stores a great deal of the toxins that we come in contact with every day.

Who needs to worry about toxins? Smokers or those that are around smokers; alcoholics; those of us that eat fast foods, fried foods, meat; and chemically treated foods; if you've worked in factories or with chemicals, plastics, rubber ( this includes hair salon workers; even medical personnel); if you worked in coal mines; being exposed to dry cleaning fluids; carpet adhesives; lead and other types of paint; bleaches; exposure to pollution in the water, soil, or air; if you've worked on commercial farms and orchards. So, basically, all of us. These poisons can build up and lead to later problems in the form of minor illnesses or life threatening diseases. They particularly affect our liver and brain.

Blood purifying herbs and foods cleanse toxins from the body. Cleansing the body of toxic material built up inside is perhaps the most important thing we can do. Cleansing is a must for degenerative diseases like cancer and AIDS. It is possible to lock toxins within our bodies, so it is important to detoxify. Therefore, it is important to cleanse our liver a few times each year.

As just mentioned, there are certain herbs and foods that clean the blood. Each of these herbs has phytochemicals which cause the herb to wash out the toxins from our bodies. However, one should not use a cleansing tonic more than 3 days in a row. What is better, is just plain ol' prevention by taking an herbal tonic tea for one day, several times a year.

What are some herbs and foods? You might be surprised:

APPLE PECTIN is one. No kidding. Apples are the most important of the blood cleansers. Apples contain high amounts of vitamin C and pectin. Pectin can block receptors on the surface of cancer cells; remove unwanted metals and toxins, which makes it valuable in radiation therapy. It will also help lower cholesterol, and reduces risk of heart disease and gallstones.

OATMEAL is another good food that cleanses the body and helps rid of toxins

Artichokes, garlic, citrus peels, pomegranate, and even cocoa; broccoli, kale, collards, brocollini, broccoli rabe, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, bok choy, Chinese cabbage, Chinese broccoli, watercress, cilantro are some other good foods we can use.

Green tea and water.

Vitamin C is especially a good toxin cleaner.

Of the Herbs, I would suggest:

CHICORY (Cichorium intybus) is a very safe, very mild tonic. As a blood cleanser it has laxative and diuretic properties, but it is especially associated with protecting the liver from excessive caffeine consumption. It also is used to increase bile flow, decrease inflammations, aid in jaundice and lower cholesterol and blood sugar.

CLARY SAGE (salvia sclarea) is also a cleansing herb tonic.

BURDOCK ROOT, ( arctium lappa) a common herb that contains anti tumor properties, it can also reduce cell mutation.

YELLOW DOCK (rumex crispus) Yellow dock is one of the best cleansing tonics around. It is a detoxifer and also contains rumicin, a liver decongestant. Since liver disorders are often related to skin problems, it is effective in treating skin discolorations related to liver disease. It stimulates the liver to produce bile and strengthens the colon.

Yellow Dock was used as a vegetable during the Great Depression because of its high vitamin and mineral content.

DANDELION (Taraxacum officinale) GREENS. This is my favorite! Everyone knows what dandelion looks like. This weed that everyone hates is high in beta carotene, iron, calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and magnesium, as well as vitamins B,D,C,and E. .

Dandelion strengthen the whole system as well as the liver and gallbladder. Dandelion promotes the flow of bile, reduces inflammation of the bile duct and helps eliminate gallstones. Dandelion adsorbs toxins from the body, regulating intestinal bacteria and could prevent cancer.

So, add some dandelion greens to your next salad.

FENNEL (foeniculum vulgare) helps to inhibit kidney stones, and clears the liver and lungs. ( and, using a pepper grinder, grind some fennel seed over your salad to go with the dandelions)

LICRICE ROOT (Glycyrrhiza glabra) Licorice root is a very good detoxifier and also aids in urinary and bowel disorders, and reduces arthritis inflammation by ridding the body of toxins. Licorice root protects the liver from such diseases as cirrhosis and hepatitis; reduces cancer tumors and can even kill off HIV cells before they turn into full blown AIDS.

MILK THISTLE if you are a heavy user of alcohol; take pharmaceutical drugs ; are a cancer patient undergoing chemo, milk thistle is an herb worth considering.

OREGON GRAPE (Mahonia aquifolium) has always been considered an excellent blood purifier and is important to liver health, by stimulating bile production, enhancing liver function and getting rid of system sluggishness. However, for those that have been overeating or eating rich food, they should use a gentler blood cleanser, like dandelion or apple pectin.

SWEET WOODRUFF (Galium odoratum) Sweet woodruff is good for liver disorders, and regulates heart activity. This herb is also used as a blood purifier and tonic; it cleanses kidney and bladder obstructions, particularly stones and relieves liver congestion and gallbladder difficulties.

OTHER:

take a hike; go for a walk , every day. You don't have to act like you in a marathon, just walk.

Swimming. If you like swimming, try to take a swim every day, but, stay away from places that add chlorine to the water.

Play sports; such as softball, basket ball or football; even a game of volley ball or bad-mitten.

AVOID TOXIC FOODS like hydrogenated or trans fats and high-fructose corn syrup, sugar, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine. Getting off of these toxins for just one week is powerful enough to totally change your health and your mind.

 

EAT ORGANIC when you can and avoid mercury-containing big fish like tuna and swordfish.

I have many good teas and bath herbs that will help with ridding the body of toxins, if you care to look at what I sell, just scroll back up to the very top of the page here and click on the name SPICES AND HERBS BY ELAYNN. It will take you into my store. Click on VISIT MY STORE. If you have problems and/or questions contact me by email elaynn@yahoo.com or the webmaster here on Local Harvest

 

When you hear or see the word TONIC what comes to mind? For some, it is spring tonics that we have heard the old timers talk about. For others, a good way to rid your body of serious illnesses, such as cancer. Still others, think of quackery. Actually, all three are correct.

My research goes back to the days of the Middle Ages when a group of religious hermits, who shut themselves away from society, and were called monks, grew herbs to use for medicinal uses to keep themselves from contracting plaques and other disease that were rampant during that period of time. The first medicinal gardens of the battered medieval Europe were sown in early monasteries. These monks not only grew herbs, but they studied how to use them. They formulated many herbal tonics that worked very well and people came to trust the monks.

Around the 1700's, the Shakers, originally known as the Society of Followers, had a successful manufacturing of herbal products and medicines and were similar to the monks. From around 1784 until after the civil war, the Shakers enjoyed growing, formulating and selling all over the United States and other countries, tonics and other herbal medicines. They had an excellent reputation of taking great pains to ensure that their products were always of the highest quality.

Somewhere around the mid 1800's, other imitation herbalist decided to get on the bandwagon and, being unable to extract from the Shakers the exact formula, and perhaps not being able to obtain the correct herbs, made up bogus tonics and started selling their wares to the general public. Today's soft drinks were originally linked with tonics. Drinks like root beer, sarsaparilla, and sassafras were created from an array of herbs reported to boost health. Mixed with soda water, they were served at pharmacies advertised as “pick-me-ups”. Coca-Cola, originally included traces of cocaine. Many fakes endured at that time. Fake medicines were advertised far and wide with flyers and medicine shows. They were packaged in appealing containers with bright labels that announced miraculous cures. Just as today, many hucksters back then, were quite skillful at pushing their products.

There were some honest herbalist during that time, such as Lydia E. Pinkham of Massachusetts, who around 1875 made up and sold her own herbal tonics. There were other people who truly wanted to help themselves, families, and friends to get well from various illnesses and diseases. These people made a sincere effort, just as the monks, and the Shakers of years ago, to use the proper herbs for each illness and disease in order to get the desired results.

So, what exactly are tonics? A tonic is a medicinal preparation used to restore tone and vigor to the body for people suffering from a deficiency. A tonic is a healthful brew designed to invigorate the body so that it can fight disease. Tonics are herbal extracts that contain high vitamin and mineral content designed to strengthen and purify the body and to improve the immune system. Tonics have been known to cure devastating illnesses and can fight diseases. They can break up toxins in our bodies and flush them from body tissues, tone organs and restore balance.

When one first starts taking a tonic, they may notice that they feel worse than they did before they started the tonic. This is actually a good sign because what we are really feeling is the body working to throw off toxins and wastes. Some of the “worse” symptoms may be vomiting and diarrhea. But, how else do toxins leave? Toxins are what? Poisons. They don't belong in your body and it is your body's way of kicking these out! Tonics can take anywhere from one month to a year to complete their “job”. Tonics work slowly through our bodies. Figure one month for every year of sickness, and, that includes the time that one didn't even know they were sick!

So, what type of tonics would we use and why? Spring tonics come first to my mind. These tonics go back in America to the colonial days. After a long winter of nothing much more than root vegetables, deer and rabbit meat, it was nice to finally see dandelion greens, asparagus, early cresses, thistles, pursalane, lamb's quarters, etc growing. Many a housewife, if not all, made up their spring tonics using these ingredients to help purge the family's digestive system and help in cleaning the rest of the organs. A sort of renewing effect. Dandelion especially , was used. Dandelion greens detoxify the liver, kidneys, blood and tissues as well as fight gallbladder infections. Dandelion today is also used after cancer treatments and other extreme drug therapies. It can be used for treatment of alcoholism as well.

Other tonics were used during the Civil War to restore the spirits, cure coughs and increase morale. Both the Union and Confederates used these tonics. Even doctors back in the eighteen and early nineteen hundreds used tonics.

If we use real tonics, which contain good-quality herbs and ingredients, we will begin to feel better and to recover from illnesses.

What herbs are used in tonics? Dandelion ( cleansing, stimulating efficient removal of waste products) ; echinacea ( immune system stimulant); goldenseal, ( antibiotic, checks hemorrhages or secretions by coagulation of proteins on the soft surface); nettle ( same qualities as dandelion and goldenseal); ginseng ( energizes) ; hawthorn ( good for the heart and blood circulation); garlic, (antibiotic); milk thistle ( good for the liver) ; licorice ( energizes, good for respiratory and digestive systems); burdock ( used for tumors, skin disorders, liver); clary sage ( general cleansing of the body); yellow dock ( also a cleansing tonic) ; fennel ( kidney stones, gout, liver, lungs); Oregon grape ( kidney disorders, heart burn, skin problems); sweet woodruff ( liver disorders, blood purifier, kidney and bladder obstructions, gallbladder ). There are hundreds of herbs that can be used as tonics. Generally, two to five herbs are used .

How can one purchase tonics? As a liquid ( tincture) , in tea bags, or in bath herbs.

I sell tonics as drinking teas and bath teas. I will be introducing more tonic herbal blends in the very near future and I invite you to try them!

To look at what I sell, just scroll back up to the very top of the page here and click on the name SPICES AND HERBS BY ELAYNN. It will take you into my store. Click on VISIT MY STORE. If you have problems and/or questions contact me by email elaynn@yahoo.com or the webmaster here on Local Harvest

 

The herb Chaparral refers to three herb species: Larrea tridentata, Larrea divaricata and Larrea mexicana, a/k/a creosote bush, greasewood, or hediondilla

Scientific/medical name(s): Larrea divaricata coville, Larrea tridentata (DC) coville

The Chaparral shrub grows in the Western United States and parts of Mexico and is used traditionally by the indigenous people of these regions to treat such conditions as rheumatism, arthritis, stomach pain, cancer, tuberculosis, bowel cramps, venereal disease, HIV, colds and bronchitis.

Proponents claim that Chaparral can help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, aid congestion, increase urine elimination, and slow the aging process. It is also promoted as an anti-cancer agent and an antioxidant (a compound that blocks the action of free radicals, activated oxygen molecules that can damage cells). Some promoters call it a “cleanser” or detox herb. A bitter and unpleasant-tasting tea or a tincture, Chaparral is also sometimes used with other herbs in “anti-cancer tea”.

Chaparral tea was used widely in the United States from the late 1950s to the 1970s as an alternative anti-cancer agent. Experimental studies in the 1960s showed that Chaparral could cause problems with kidney and liver function.

The FDA has recommended since 1968 that Chaparral not be swallowed or taken internally by any other route. Chaparral can be highly toxic and has been reported to cause severe and permanent liver disease that can be fatal.

The growth of interest in alternative medicine led to increased use of Chaparral in the 1980s. By the early 1990s, there had been many reports of Chaparral-linked illnesses, and the FDA issued a warning. This resulted in sellers voluntarily removing many Chaparral products from stores. Despite many concerns and warnings, Chaparral has become available again, and is advertised and sold from Internet sites, but, not mine!

Since February 2006 - Health Canada has warned consumers not to ingest the herb Chaparral in the form of loose leaves, teas, capsules or bulk herbal products because of the risk of liver and kidney problems.

Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), the principal ingredient in Chaparral is a potent antioxidant. At one time it was thought to be potentially useful in the treatment of cancer. However, studies were done on rats, not humans. NDGA possesses considerable toxicity.

Chaparral is considered a dangerous herb that can cause irreversible, life-threatening liver damage and kidney damage, including cysts in the kidney and kidney failure. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cautioned against the internal use of Chaparral

I personally would even caution against using Chaparral as a topical, since herbs go right into the body even quicker through the skin than even ingesting.

Chaparral very toxic and can cause serious and permanent kidney and liver damage and possibly death. It can also cause:

• Stomach pain

• Diarrhea

• Weight loss

• Fever

• Skin rash and itching

• Tiredness

• Acute inflammation of the liver (hepatitis)

• Kidney cysts

• Kidney cancer

   

^{Chaparral contains compounds that can both increase the risk of sunburn and cause skin irritation to parts of the body not exposed to sun.}

The herb has also been associated with severe hepatotoxicity, with some cases requiring liver transplantation .

Chaparral may cause dangerous interactions and interfere with how some drugs work, especially those that may also affect your liver and kidneys. Blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants); diabetic drugs; some antibiotics, and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (for example, pain medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and others). Chaparral can also interfere with a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI).

It is important that we test each active ingredient in the plant. When you take a complete plant as a medicine, it can be a bit ‘hit or miss’ because you take hundreds of different chemicals together. Any of these could affect you, the cancer, or other medicines you are taking.

^{Be very cautious about believing the information on websites. Also, don't believe them when they say that Chaparral is ok to use. It isn't.}

 

There seems to be a lot of information on the web regarding using Henna for coloring hair red. I too, use Henna.

Most of us know that Henna is of Egyptian origin and is an integral part of the Eastern culture.

The quality of the Henna and the color it imparts to the hair depends on its source and country of origin;

Persian Henna is the finest, producing a deep rich red;

Egyptian Henna gives more orange results

and Chinese is the cheapest, being of inferior quality.

Henna can be mixed with other organic substances to modify the color: such as, coffee, wine, eggs, lemon juice and onion skins. Indigo shoots and Betel nut may also be added.

I have seen Black English Walnuts hulls also be suggested to bring a darkening reddish hues, although I personally wouldn't suggest anyone to use Black English walnut hulls for dark hair color. I had some experience with hulling walnuts by hand and the hulls literally burned the skin on my hands a crispy black! Talk about hurt and sting! The skin peeled and after about a month, my “new skin” came in. However, my nails had a moon on them that was much darker and it took almost 4 months before that cleared up.

Some people like to use a combination of Henna and indigo to get the color they desire, such as a darker brunette, black or light brown. Indigo is a very deeply pigmented blue plant. When mixed with Henna, it can produce lovely shades of color for those with darker hair.

Often times Henna and indigo dyes are mixed with something acidic to help the color take, such as lemon juice or apple cider vinegar. While the process is a bit more time consuming than traditional commercial hair colors, it is usually well worth it. Many who use natural dyes feel that it makes their hair look shinier and healthier.

I have and do use Henna in my hair, as I like the reddish tones. I have found that when I bought red hair coloring products in the store, they didn't last very long and the color would change every week. Not only that, we all know that there is a possibility of the commercial hair dye products being dangerous to those of us who like to dye our hair quite frequently.

My natural hair color is blond and it does depend on your skin color how Henna will turn out for you. For instance I'm very fair skin and if I don't mix the Henna properly, it will turn my hair orange or yellow. So, the darker a person's skin is, the easier, in my opinion, it is to get the desired results.

Here's my formula that I fiddaggled around with and finally seem happy with:

( before you get started: don't make the dumb mistake like I did the first time I did this of using coffee grounds! What mess that was to get out of my hair!)

OK, here we go:

½ coffee scoop of coffee. Make the coffee like you make your morning coffee. When the coffee is ready, keep about 1 ½ cups hot.

1 coffee scoop of Henna (or 1/8 cup)

1 egg

½ teaspoon of ground cloves

1 tablespoon lemon juice

( you can also add ¼ cup of red wine)

Take a small saucepan that is non aluminum, and put in the Henna and pour the coffee in. Mix real well. Add the egg and ground cloves, mix again. Add the lemon juice, and red wine if you're using it. Mix again.

It's a puke color and should be similar to looking at fresh cow poop.

Heat this mess in the small saucepan til hot, but, not boiling.

On your hands rub cooking oil or olive oil and rub it all thro your hair and scalp.

Put on rubber gloves, and rub the mess you just made in the saucepan all through your hair. Bring it through from the scalp to the ends of your hair. ( this is a whole lotta fun!) Work fast, this mess has to stay very warm.

Pile your hair up on top of your head, and put a shower cap over your hair. Wrap a towel over that, turban style.

You need to keep your head warm, so, sit in the sun (but, not outside) or near a wood stove. Maybe under a full hair dryer, put on low.

After about 1 ½ to 2 hours it should start turning blondish. Wait another 15 minutes more. It needs to stait turning reddish. You can only tell how it's doing by looking at the edges of your hair. ( kinda, sorta) The longer it stays on, the redder it gets. However, be careful that it doesn't start to turn orange.

Rinse out,very well. Then shampoo. Towel dry your hair, enough so that it is not dripping wet and add a conditioner and leave on for 45 minutes. Then rinse that out. You really can't tell what the color will be til your hair is dried. Don't worry, it won't be green.

Fortunately, you won't have to do this for another 2 or 3 months.

You will have to experiment to get the right color that you want. I suggest writing down everything that you do, so, that when you finally get it right, you can follow your written instructions. If you are fair skinned, give my instructions a try first, then, you will be able to get an idea about tweaking things to get the color you like.

 

Well, this is way off herbalism and I thought I'd give you all a rest!

Do you know where the military “taps” that we hear at funerals for those who at one time served in the military, came from or what the words are? Many people don't, and I would like to share with you what I read , about twenty years ago, in a local newspaper ,written by a local historian.

The “taps” song came out of the Civil War. In 1862, a Captain in the Union forces ,heard during the night, the moans of a person. He had no idea if the person was of the Confederate or Union army, but, he crawled over and pulled the man over out of danger, only to find the man died. Also, the man was of the Confederate army and when the captain shined a light on the man's face, he discovered that the man was his own son!

The young man had been studying music in the south when war broke out and without telling his father, had enlisted in the Confederate army. On his person was a piece of paper with musical notes. Heartbroken, the father asked for permission from his superiors to give his son a military burial despite his enemy status and asked that the musical notes be played. Thus, what we know today as the “taps”. Here are the words:

Day is done/Gone the sun/From the lakes/From the hills/From the skies/All is well/Safely rest/God is nigh.

Fading light/Dims the sight/And a star/Gems the sky/Gleaming bright/From afar/Drawing nigh/Falls the night.

Thanks and praise/ For our days/Neath the sun/Neath the stars/Neath the sky/As we go/This we know/God is nigh.

The words were nothing like what I had thought they would be. Glad to share them with you!

 

I have made three blogs on medication vs herbs. My last blog had to do with taking herbs AND vitamins before a known surgery date. In that blog, I suggested that if you are scheduled for surgery to NOT take ANY herbs or vitamins for two weeks before your surgery date. One month would be even better. I would like to take this just a little bit further.

For the most part, we can do just fine taking a regular supply of herbs and vitamins to keep ourselves generally healthy. I've done it for myself and my family, by doing my own research .

When we have a medical condition, however, that is beyond our knowledge to “fix” ourselves, such as in my recent case, a hernia, then we need the expertise of the medical establishment. When we go to a surgeon and ask that person to remedy this situation, we are putting ourselves in their care. I have not met one doctor, nurse, anesthesiologist, or emergency personal say that they love losing patients. I've never gone to medical school, never even been a CNA but, I do know that all of these people in whatever medical fields they have trained in, want their patients to get well .

WHEN WE DON'T TELL OR WE LIE, about the herbs and vitamins that we are taking prior to surgery, we are tying these peoples' hands behind their backs, without their knowledge. When we ask a surgeon to do an operation for us, it is not our place to tell that surgeon how he/she will perform the operation. The nurses in the operating room know their jobs; the anesthesiologist is the person keeping us alive.

For most of us, when we have surgery we are “out”. However, while we are out  we are putting our lives in their hands. When these folks are done with the operation, they need to be able to bring us back up into wakefulness. Stop and think about this a minute.

There are herbs and vitamins that what I call “fight” the medications that these folks use to help us. Some complications from taking herbs and vitamins are ; lowering or increasing the blood pressure; creating a rapid heartbeat, slowing the heart down; seizures; blood clotting, breathing problems, vomiting; and even death.

Imagine the scene in the operating room, if as soon as the surgery gets underway, your blood pressure plummets alarmingly or you can't breathe! If this wasn't suppose to happen or wasn't foreseen previously, you have added an emergency situation to what was supposed to be a routine operation! You could also die.

The medical professionals NEED to know if you are taking any herbs and vitamins so that they can work around them or even delay surgery. That's why I suggest that if you are taking vitamins and herbs to please do NOT lie about them and please stop taking them two weeks to one month before your surgery. Your life depends on it.

 

A lot of people like to make bath teas or bath herbs for themselves. Some of the recipes that I've seen however, are way too much for a single bath. It seems that people think the same way with herbs as they do with medicine. If a little works good, a lot should work even better! This is a dangerous attitude to have. Herbs are potent, just as medicine is potent. Whenever I make up a formula it is just the right amount for a certain amount of small bath teas. 

If a large (5 x 7) bath tea is just tossed into a tub full of water, the very first bath is dangerous for you to take! Look at the color of your bath water! Is it a rust, or bright green or can you see bright color at all? If you can, there are TOO MUCH herbs in your bath! And, you should not get in that tub!

A small tea bag or muslin bag (3 x 5) is all you need for one ½ to ¾ full bath tub. And that same tea bag can be used one more time! You will see a very light color in your bath water,such as; light green or light yellow, but, your bath water color shouldn't change dramatically. You also should not spend more than 20 minutes in your herbal bath. Nor, should you be using other soaps, bubble bath products or what have you. When you step out of the tub, take a rough towel and dry yourself. Do not use lotions, otherwise you have just destroyed the good of the herbs.

The only time a large tea bag can be used is if you make it in a concentrate form; using 2 gallons of water, heat the water til boiling; drop ONE large tea bag in and let it steep NO MORE THAN 5 MINUTES. Take the bag out of the water. Let the water cool and pour the water into 2 glass gallon containers. When you want to take a bath, use NOT MORE THAN 1 cup of the concentrate that you just made, in a tub full of water.

That is the correct way to use a large (5 x 7) bath tea.

 

If you are taking herbs and vitamins, in any form, and you are scheduled for surgery, here is something you might want to consider.

For those of you who are taking vitamin supplements or herbal extracts ( this includes all herbal teas and baths) on a regular basis, if you know that you are going to have surgery, try very hard to not take your vitamins or herbs at least 2 weeks before your surgery date.

It is amazing how long certain vitamins, such as E can stay in the system. The same with herbs, many herbs can still be in your system for weeks, even if you are not taking them all the time and even if you are not taking a lot of any one herb or vitamin.

In any surgery, you are going to have antibiotics and pain medication, and the last thing you need is more trouble. The herbs and vitamins will fight the antibiotics and pain medication.

Use this same timing after surgery, as well. In fact, Don't go back on your schedule of vitamins and herbs after your surgery until two weeks AFTER your very last dose of pain medication and /or your last dose of antibiotics.