MAY 1 - 2, 2010
"A mistake is only ignorant if you refuse to learn from it...or if you allow it to redefine yourself as something less than."
"Discouragement always comes at the beginning when progress seems slow. " pf
Two different quotes which I utilize often, sometimes on a daily basis. Read them again carefully. I have made many mistakes - who hasn't? Maybe they were regrets, but I made them. I have truly learned from them, and do not regard myself as ‘less than’ at this time in my life. I am sure of that. Life is full of these examples.
The second quote is quite interesting. I was discouraged when first writing this blog. It was slow for me. Once I got the format and 'knack of it', I felt much less discouraged. Learning a new hobby can be discouraging. Strive not to be discouraged. Be happy and notice your accomplishments.
This weekend was an aphrodisiac weekend. The weather was intoxicating. It can be described as humid, hot and unforgiving. But when you remember our winter, you will change your mind. We will continue discussing the herbal aphrodisiacs that must be taken before love-making (sex) but these are taken for emotional effects. The past two days were about those herbs taken for physical effects (ex: erectile difficulties).
You have heard, “Not tonight dear, I have a headache.” Commonly used in the theatre and movies as a great one-liner. If this is a recurring problem at bedtime, you can do something about it if you want. Try angelica (Angelica archangelica) as a bedtime tea. Angelica also brings on the menses, therefore not to be used by pregnant females. Another herb is Gota kola (Centella asiatica), which stimulates the sex drive, decreases depression and decreases fatigue. It must be taken, not as a one-time dose, but daily to achieve a cumulative effect.
Ancient Chinese proverb: Two leaves of gota kola a day keeps old age away. It does have a calming effect and promote mental clarity. It has been used in autistic children with beneficial results. Herbalists have used it to treat high blood pressure, hepatitis and urinary tract infections.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a type of a mint plant. It is very soothing. It relaxes the nervous system. I have used it in conjunction with the amino acid glutamine and probiotics (the good bacteria) to calm the nervous stomach. I have used it with other cardiac tonics like hawthorne, night blooming cactus and motherwort for palpitations, specifically atrial fibrillation.
Try buying the herb and making tea with it! It is tasty and gentle upon the lips. No, it is not an erotic herb but helps put you in a loving emotional state.
Vervain (Verbena officinalis) is an herb that was sacred to the Druids and others. It was once used to sweep their altars. It has been written that washing your hands in a verbena infusion will engender love in the one you touch. Wow--that is tempting. Its aphrodisiac properties are based on its ability to dispel nervousness and promote relaxation. It has other uses like relief of headache (dilates brain vessels), regulating the menstrual cycle and relieving cough and flu-like symptoms. It can even promote milk production.
Everyone wants an herb for long lasting sexual vigor. Some are said to increase energy levels and one's life span. Could these herbs be the fountain of youth? I think not! I think changing one's lifestyle to be attentive to diet, exercise, addictions, meditation, self esteem, anger/resentment and self love will achieve longer lasting effects, but adding one or two of these herbs could add to that benefit. These herbs stimulate the body's reproductive/hormonal systems. Some of these herbs-- Astragalus, Black Cohash, Burdock, Dong quai and fenugreek will be discussed in the coming blogs.
This weekend, Rick and I planted our herbal garden in pots on the terrace. Many are types of mints--spearmint, apple and peppermint. The others are basil, thyme, rosemary and parsley, which we love to use when cooking. I would recommend everyone start an herbal garden. Think of the second quote--it can be discouraging at the first, but progress will make you feel better.
The needlepoint above is my 'modern version' of Irises. Did you think of the painting called Irises? Irises is a painting by the artist Vincent Van Gogh. It was painted while Vincent Van Gogh was living at the asylum at Saint Paul-de-Mausole in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France, in the last year before his death in 1890. It was painted before his first attack at the asylum.
Iris the flower is a genus of 260 species of flowering plants with showy flowers. It takes its name from the Greek word for a rainbow, referring to the wide variety of flower colors found among the many species. Along with being the scientific name, Iris is also very widely used as a common name. In North America, a common name for Irises is 'flags', while the plants of the subgenus Scorpiris are widely known as 'junos', particularly in horticulture. It is a popular garden flower in the United States and one of Rick's favorite flowers. I think that is because they grow in front of Gaga's home in Fieldale, VA.
Rick and I gave this to Dale on a significant birthday. I will have to do another type of my 'modern' Iris for Rick.
Photo credit: Rick Byrd
Until tomorrow...
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