Wellness Works!

Healing From your Garden!

As South Asians, we've known for centuries the benefits of herbs and spices. If you're like me, my mom and grandmother gave me 'home-made remedies' using a variety of medicinal spices - many often used in our daily Indian diet.

Here are a few common herbs that also have medicinal properties that I wanted to share this week:

1. Cardamom

Of course! Who doesn't love their chai with a clove of Cardamom, a Cinnamon stick! (Although I'm not a dairy lover, I will have my good ol' fashioned chai a few times a week!) Well, in addition to us Indian folk loving our cardamom, it helps treat tooth and throat infections as well as coughs and colds. Also, it has been known to help with constipation.

2. Sage

A great herb which helps cool down the symptoms of menopause, such as night sweats and hot flashes. Many often drink cold sage tea to cool their system. It is has anti-septic properties and is great to fight infection. Of note, women breastfeeding should know it may decrease milk production though.

3. Celery Seed

Also an anti-septic, it aids in the healing of urinary tract infections. Its also an anti-inflammatory and thus, can reduce the symptoms of arthritis and gout. It also aids digestion and alleviates gas.

Of course with all herbal remedies and natural products - although 'from the earth' they are potent substances which can have drug or nutrient interactions. As always, please consult with your physician or qualified natural health practitioner before using any herbal remedy.

The wisdom of ancient medicine from the East - be it the Orient or India - understood the healing properties of foods, herbs and spices. Remember, there are many natural and effective alternatives that can be used to support the body to heal. You're only given one each - so treat your mind, body and spirit with great care!

Catch of the Day!

This week I've forgotten to buy my nitrate-free sandwich meat, which found me going to the cupboard today to make a sandwich for lunch, as change from the salad with chicken I usually have.

So I cracked open a can of salmon as an alternative to the traditional tuna sandwich. In doing so, I thought about my blog and figured this is a perfect topic for this week!

Few people realize that salmon sandwiches are a healthy sandwich option! Although the salmon cans cost more than tuna, they have far less mercury and a lot more healthy omega-3 fats vs. tuna. And, canned salmon is almost always wild! (No, these fish aren't crazy! - I mean wild vs. farmed!) (I wonder how well corny jokes get translated on a blog!) This is a huge advantage, as farmed fish are known to have contaminants that should not be in the human body, in any amounts! Thus, wild is a good thing - that means they are 'free roaming' so-to-speak and are not fed 'fish feed'.

Now, here is the caveat with salmon cans - they usually come with skin and bones. I don't know about you, but I just can't handle crunching on bones (I'm a chiropractor after all - I can't imagine eating them!) But, there's good news! Many of the brand name canned fish companies (ie. Clover Leaf, Gold Seal, Ocean's, President's Choice and Raincoast Trading) - now have boneless, skinless salmon cans! So, all you have to do is drain, add some low-fat mayo (or for the health geeks like myself - some plain yogurt instead of mayo!) and some seasonings, slap it on two slices of whole grain bread (or open-faced if you're watching your waistline!) and you're set!

Now, I know some people are thinking - but what about the whole issue with canned foods - the  chemicals and preservatives. Absolutely you're right. Of course, having fresh, wild salmon steaks are the gold standard, BUT the benefits of having canned salmon, in my opinion, outweigh the risks involved - when used in moderation. Generally, once or twice a month is absolutely fine - and literally every organ and cell will thank you for the healthy dose of Omega-3s!

So next time you're out getting your groceries, don't forget to pick up a can or two of salmon for quick and easy lunch ideas! :)