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Energy
& Stamina the Wise Woman Way
an article by Susun S. Weed
If
having enough energy to earn your daily bread and
to get all your chores done is a struggle for you.
If you go to bed tired, but wake up even more tired.
If you can't get up and go without coffee, or can't
slow down and relax without alcohol. If your fatigue
is ruining your mood and your friendships. Then
it's time to build energy and stamina the Wise Woman
Way.
The Wise Woman Tradition nourishes optimum energy,
and optimum health, by using safe simple nourishing
herbal infusions, eating whole grains, and avoiding
stimulants.
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is my favorite energizing
infusion. It gives me the energy to work 14-15 hours
a day on my dairy goat farm, train my apprentices,
write books, run a publishing company and a workshop
center, and fly all over the world to teach. I don't
know how I could do so much otherwise.
I buy dried stinging nettle and prepare it like
this:
Put one ounce by weight in a quart canning
jar.
Fill the jar with boiling water, cap well,
and allow to steep for four hours or overnight.
Strain and enjoy.
Refrigerate the remainder.
Drink within 36 hours.
Because stinging nettle strengthens the kidneys
and adrenals, it builds powerful energy from the
inside out, and gives one amazing stamina. If you
drink 4-5 quarts of nettle infusion weekly, you
can expect to see results within 3-6 weeks.
There are no contraindications to the use of stinging
nettle infusion. Side effects may include: thicker
hair, softer skin, stronger veins, and greater delight
in life.
Nourishing herbal infusions can be made with other
herbs too. I like red clover blossoms, lots of anticancer
protection there, as well as lots of phytoestrogens.
And oatstraw, such a mellow brew, and it's so great
for easing and nourishing the nerves. I also use
chickweed, comfrey leaf, linden blossoms, and mullein
as infusion herbs, depending on my need.
All nourishing herbal infusions are made as instructed
above.
Whole grains are the backbone of a whole food diet.
Because they break down much more slowly than refined
(white) flour products, whole grains provide a "time
release" capsule that allows you to work and
work and work (or play and play and play, as you
will). For more energy, eat more whole grains.
Notice which white flour products you currently
use, and replace them with whole grain versions
as you run out. Soon you'll be eating: whole wheat
pasta, whole wheat bagels, whole wheat English muffins,
whole wheat crackers (read boxes carefully), whole
wheat pretzels, whole wheat cookies, whole wheat
bread, brown rice, kasha, millet and more. The tastes
and textures will bring new delights to your dining
pleasure as well as lots of energy for you to do
with as you will.
Avoid stimulants. For powerful stamina and lots
of energy, we are well advised to avoid stimulants.
Not just drug stimulants like cocaine or "speed,"
but herb and food stimulants too.
It is tempting to try to get more energy by using
stimulants. But stimulants actually decrease overall
energy. They provide fast fuel, but no steady flow
of energy. Stimulants push us beyond our innate
capacity. In effect, they make us work harder than
we truly have the energy for, and thus deplete us
at deep levels.
The energy-depleting effects of coffee, soft drinks,
and white sugar products are cumulative. The more
you try to get energy from these sources, the more
tired you make yourself. The long-term consequences
often include a profound fatigue.
Black pepper and spices such as cinnamon and cloves
are acknowledged stimulants too, and, if overused
(as in drinking chai daily) can also weaken the
internal fires that give us energy.
Herbal stimulants such as ephedra (ma hang or Mormon
tea), cayenne, ginseng, and guarana are also unlikely
to help build real energy and stamina unless used
sparingly and wisely. Herbal stimulants may even
be quite dangerous, especially when powdered and
taken in gelatin caps. Water-based preparations
of stimulating herbs (teas and soups) are usually
the safest, and tinctures are next safest, unless
standardized. Small amounts of these herbs taken
occasionally are harmless enough. It is long-term
use of stimulants that erodes healthy energy.
White sugar is one of the most common stimulants
in the fast-food culture. We consume it in dozens
of forms: corn syrup, cane sugar, "raw"
sugar, fructose. I find that when the diet is rich
in minerals, especially those in nourishing herbal
infusions, whole grains, and yogurt, the desire
for sweets is lessened and more easily satisfied
with far less.
For energy and stamina everyday, plus the extra
you need to deal with everyday emergencies, follow
the Wise Woman Way: drink nourishing herbal infusions,
such as stinging nettle, red clover, oatstraw, and
chickweed.
For energy and stamina at home and on the road,
plus the extra you need to deal with the constant
stress, follow the Wise Woman Way: eat only whole
grains: brown rice, wild rice, spelt, cornmeal,
amaranth, quinoa, and edible wild seeds including
lamb's quarter, nettle, and yellow dock.
For energy and stamina, the Wise Woman Way, rely
on your own power, trust in your own bodyís
wisdom if it needs to say "no," and don't
force the issue with stimulants (except on those
very rare occasions when nothing else will do).
Energy and stamina the Wise Woman Way is simple,
safe, successful, and fun. Congratulations for taking
your health into your own hands.
Susun Weed
PO Box 64
Woodstock,
NY 12498
Fax: 1-845-246-8081
Visit
Susun Weed at: www.susunweed.com and www.ashtreepublishing.com
For permission to reprint this article, contact
: susunweed@herbshealing.com
Vibrant, passionate,
and involved, Susun Weed has garnered an international
reputation for her groundbreaking lectures, teachings,
and writings on health and nutrition. She challenges
conventional medical approaches with humor, insight,
and her vast encyclopedic knowledge of herbal medicine.
Unabashedly pro-woman, her animated and enthusiastic
lectures are engaging and often profoundly provocative.
Susun is one
of America's best-known authorities on herbal medicine
and natural approaches to women's health. Her four
best-selling books are recommended by expert herbalists
and well-known physicians and are used and cherished
by millions of women around the world. Learn more
at www.susunweed.com
This
article is © copyright Susun
S. Weed 2006 - Republished here with kind permission.
Legal
Disclaimer: This content is not intended
to replace conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions
made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition or
symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided
by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare
practitioner with a specific formula for you. All
material on this website/email is provided for general
information purposes only and should not be considered
medical advice or consultation. Contact a reputable
healthcare practitioner if you are in need of medical
care. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second
opinion. |
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