When we look at the health of the digestive system holistically we can see the importance of the interaction between a person’s state of mind and digestion. Emotions profoundly influence both the functioning and structure of tissue in the stomach and intestines. There is an immediate response to anger, anxiety, fear and all form of stress and worry. Most of the digestive problems that commonly occur are easily avoidable by changes of lifestyle and habits.

The term indigestion is used for a wide range of symptoms including pain, flatulence, heartburn and other distress. Most are caused by a functional problem in the stomach stemming from inappropriate eating habits. Some common causes of indigestion include:

• Irregular eating: the functioning of the body is characterized by rhythms and in the digestive systems is no exception. If meals are eaten irregularly these rhythms are disturbed and functional problems may result.
• Overeating and eating too quickly: if too much food goes into the stomach, either at one time or in total over the day the stomach will be overloaded and not work properly. Overloading causes problems in the stomach which may affect the whole system. Obesity is one common result. Also when food is eaten too quickly and not chewed thoroughly it causes problems as the food may not be digested properly and may pass through the system in an undigested state.
• Nervous tension: the whole digestive system is easily effected by stress and anxiety.

You can see how lifestyle is a big factor in indigestion and changes to those habits can influence your overall health. There are herbs that can be helpful in dealing with the symptoms of indigestion. For flatulence a good carminative can be a friend to you and those around you. Herbs to try are Aniseed, Fennel and Peppermint. Now you understand the popularity of those after dinner mints!

If you are asking that question then the answer is yes. Menopause comes on gradually; you don’t just wake up one day and say wow I have arrived. It is a process that takes time and is a different experience for each woman.

It is estimated that by the year 2015 about 50% of all women in America will be menopausal. Think about that for a minute…think about how much of your everyday life will be controlled by women having power surges and mood swings! What a great time to be on this planet!

In the wise woman tradition there are 3 phases to a woman’s life, that of the maiden, the mother and the crone. Each phase is a time to be honored and lived fully. Unfortunately the word crone has been linked to many negative images. We’ve been lead to believe that once we become a crone death is just around the corner. Becoming a crone does require some amount of death and rebirth. Just like death and birth, menopause takes time, is different for everyone and it always brings about a profound change.

Women are beginning to realize that we are more than the sum of our parts. We are the givers of life, the gatherers, the ones who most readily feel the stirrings of mother earth and attune to her cycles. We are relearning how to trust our instincts and give voice to our needs and desires. Women are joyously embracing that time in their life when the chores of raising a family are behind them and they are stepping fully into their crone years with pride and a sense of freedom. We are no longer afraid of menopause; in fact some of us embrace it!

For more information listen to my internet radio show. Aunt Mel’s Herbs & Insights Radio on the VoiceAmerica Health & Wellness Channel! http://www.voiceamerica.com/voiceamerica/vshow.aspx?sid=1699

Humans have forever been in search of the perfect aphrodisiac.  From ancient to modern times almost no culture, primitive or civilized, has been without its cornucopia of love foods and potions.

The term aphrodisiac comes from Aphrodite, the goddess of love and sexuality.

Aphrodisiacs are substances that excite sexual desire or enhance sexual performance. They include not only substances taken internally but also visual, auditory, tactile and olfactory stimulants…in short anything that inspires sensuality is an aphrodisiac. In fact if you work to combine what is seen, heard, felt and make it smell good you may not even need an internal stimulant. Create the right atmosphere, with the right person and love blooms!

For most people there is nothing more stimulating than a partner who is warm, nurturing and willing to explore options that work for both partners. Every person is different in his or her needs and desires. Communication is really key.

In today’s society aphrodisiacs mean different things to different people. The most potent aphrodisiac known to man is the human brain. We can use all the tricks to create the right atmosphere but if our mind is busy thinking about other things we are not present and we diminish the experience. Sensuality is definitely a place for the combining of mind, body and spirit.

Here are just a few of the foods that have been called aphrodisiacs:

• Almond: the aroma can ignite passion
• Arugula: documented as an aphrodisiac since the first century AD
• Basil: stimulates the sex drive and boosts fertility
• Chocolate: contains chemicals effecting neurotransmitters in the brain
• Ginger: stimulant to the circulatory system
• Mustard: increases desire
• Onions: restores sexual vigor
• Oysters: very nutritious and high in protein

Here are some food recipes to spice up your love life!

From Botanica Erotica, by Diana De Luca

Chocolate Spiced Butter

• 1 stick softened butter
• 3 tablespoons cocoa
• 2-3 tablespoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground aniseed

Thoroughly mix ingredients together. Spread generously!

Candied Citrus

• Citrus fruits of choice
• 3 cups sugar
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 3 tablespoons light corn syrup

Peel the citrus or slice and pull out the fruit. Put the peels in a large pot of water, bring to a boil, and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Drain the water and let the peels cool down enough to handle. Use a spoon and scrape away the white pith. Slice or cut the peels into narrow strips.

Stir together the water, sugar and corn syrup in a pan, stirring until it boils. When the syrup is clear add the peels, lower the heat, and slowly cook for about 1 hour until they look translucent. With a slotted spoon scoop out the peels and drain on a rack. Store in the refrigerator if you are using them for baking. To serve as a sweetmeat, first drain and then roll the peels in a little sugar. Let them dry for 2 hours. The candied peels may also be dipped in chocolate.

Chocolate Cordial

• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1 cup chocolate syrup
• 2-3 drops almond extract or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Bottle the ingredients and shake well. Let sit for 2 days to 1 week. It will get smoother and silkier the longer it sits. It is tantalizing served over ice cream and fresh fruit such as fresh peaches with toasted almonds.

Flower essences are used to treat the emotional and spiritual imbalances that cause disease. Flower essence therapy is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any illness or disease, rather it offers a simple technique of alleviating behavioral negativities. By eliminatiing negativities you are able to become emotionally balanced therby supporting the whole person as you move forward toward healing.

Flower essences are the blossoms of plants prepared from a sun infusion in a bowl of water, then further diluted and preserved with brandy. These preparations embody the distinct imprint or energetic pattern of each flower species.

Flower essence therapy is a form of vibrational medicine. Vibrational medicine incorporates the use of chi energies within living organisms such as plants, gemstones and crystals, water, sunlight and even the foods we eat.

Anyone can make their own flower essences. Here’s how:

Tools and Supplies: Scissors, long tweezers, 2 quart glass bowl, glass saucer, distilled water, quart canning jars and lids, brandy.

Best time for collecting flowers: 8 – 10 am

A sunny day is a must in preparing flower essences.

Choose flowers a day a head of being fully open.

1. Sterilize your equipment by washing with hot soapy water. Be sure not to touch the inside surface of the bowl and jars after washing to insure the purity of the essence.

2. Decide how many flower heads are to be collected, generally 1-5.

3. Give thanks to the plant before you begin.

4. Collect the flower head by snipping them onto the glass saucer while being careful not to handle them. Touching them or sniffing them will alter the flower’s energy.

5. Remove the petals using scissors or tweezers. Allow the petals to fall onto the glass saucer without handling them with your hands.

6. Lift the petals one by one and place them in the bowl of water so that each petal touches the water surface. The petals will float. Shake loose all the stamen before hand.

7. Place the bowl in direct sunlight outdoors.

8. Give a request to the nature spirits for the healing properties of the flowers to be treated by the sunlight. This begins the process of releasing the flower’s energy into the water.

9. Allow the grounding process to take place by leaving the bowl in sunlight for approximately 3 hours.

10. Fill two quart canning jars with about 1/2 brandy. This ratio can be adjusted to your liking but no more than 50% brandy.

11. Fill the remainder of the jars with the solarized flower solution.

12. Secure the jar with a clean lid and label with the name of the flower and the date.

This makes a mother tincture bottle. You can further dilute this to dosage bottles as needed.