Amazing Plantain - and I'm not talking bananas!

Those pesky backyard weeds ruining an otherwise perfect lawn!

Common plantain, or Plantago Major grows close to the ground and is so common in grassy areas that it is easily overlooked. It is found in lawns, pastures, meadows, even cracks in sidewalks.

Interestingly enough, Plantain's common name comes from the Latin word planta, which means sole (as in sole of a shoe). Native peoples associated the plant with the Europeans who seemed to leave a trail of the alien weed wherever they went.
Plantain, like dandelion, is a ubiquitous weed that left to its own device, can quickly overtake an area.

But here's the good part: Plantain has some extremely practical uses, especially in the summer. Its juice, when rubbed on an insect bite or bee sting, immediately sooths the area and begins the healing process. Plantain may also stop poison ivy from blistering and itching if applied to the skin immediately after contact.

Here's how:
Pick a leaf or two of plantain and put it in your mouth. Chew it until it is slightly pulpy and then apply this paste to the affected area.
Pick one more leaf and place that overtop of the paste you created to 'seal' it on the skin.

Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes (depending on the size of the bite!) and voila - itch gone - bite healed!

Plantain - here's to you!

In good health,

Dr. Stacey Welton, ND

DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner

As you may have already noticed, I'm a fan of a good DIY project. With Summer upon us those hot sweaty yoga classes and make your mat start to smell - well - a little less than fresh!

There are different kinds of mat cleaners that you can invest in, or you can just DIY in 5 minutes or less. Honestly!

Here's what you'll need:

1 spray bottle - about 1 L in size

Lavender Essential Oil

Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Fill the spray bottle 2/3 full with filtered water

Add 15 drops of Lavender essential Oil

Add 15 drops of Eucalyptus essential Oil

Give it a shake

That's all there is to it folks!

Lavender has calming properties as well as antiseptic and antifungal properties - and it also smells fabulous!

Eucalyptus is anti-bacterial and is a great decongestant.

Spray liberally on your mat after your hot yoga class and then give it a wipe down with a towel.

An eco-friendly nice smelling cleaning product!

In good health,

Dr. Stacey Welton, ND

Mindfulness

While at work today I came across a book called 'The Miracle of Mindfulness' by Thich Nhat Hanh. It seemed kind of apropos for me today. Lately I've been feeling run ragged, sun scorched with commitments that seem to take me across town and back, never really being in one place.
I find myself rushing from place to place from person to person, so much so that even time spent with loved ones sometimes feels like hours blocked off in my schedule rather than time spent really enjoying and listening and being.
Mindfulness: to be present; to be awake and aware.

If you've done any reading on meditation or mindfulness or read any of the Shambhala books, perhaps you are aware of this practice. The teachings involve the practice of being mindful while doing ordinary tasks. Mindful while you do the dishes, mindful when you are folding laundry, mindful when you are walking down the street.

The premise is that this mindfulness, this calm, extends through the entire life and permeates all tasks.

In this particular book, there are some practical exercises and approaches to mindfulness and meditation. He describes them as the foundations on which everything else is built.

Here are a few that made me smile:

Half-smile when you first wake up

Half-smile during your free moments

Half-smile while listening to music

Half-smile when irritated (use caution with this technique, especially if the other is also irritated!) ; )

Follow the breath

Let go

Everyone needs a gentle reminder now and then.

In good health,

Dr. Stacey Welton, ND

Brown Rice - Delicious and Nutritious!

After wheat, rice is definitely one of the most eaten grains.

Rice contains tons of nutrients - but they are all lost during milling it into white rice.

The refining of grains, and the eating of them, is a well known contributor to blood sugar imbalances. These foods are 'empty' and lack the minerals and other nutrients necessary to regulate your blood sugar.

Brown rice, due to its coating and unrefined nature, in addition to being able to reduce blood sugar, is extremely nutrient dense. It has tons of antioxidants that protect against free radical damage and actually has a unique form of Vitamin E. This form of Vitamin E actually lowers excess fat and cholesterol in the body and provides better anti-tumor protection than any previously known form of Vitamin E!

The complex carbohydrate nature of brown rice is the perfect type for stimulating the immune system and controlling high blood sugar.

Another great aspect of brown rice is its calming effect.

It is also high in B vitamins and trace minerals.

Eat up!

In good health,

Dr. Stacey Welton, ND