Sunday, January 22, 2012

Chamomile + Honey = A Bowl of Soul

  The lovely and talented Maggie is hosting this month’s “Go Ahead Honey.”  When I saw her theme I thought, whoa, this is right up my alley.
One of my favorite herbs immediately came to mind: chamomile.  I will share for a moment that during both my pregnancies, chamomile somehow instantly calmed my painful Crohn’s flare-ups.  I love chamomile for so many reasons, I could go on and on, but let me just say that if you come over for a visit, I will offer you some chamomile tea and probably keep asking until you say yes. The next healing food that came to mind was honey.  I use honey all the time in baking, smoothies, homemade facial masks, and holistic healing remedies (such as cough syrup).  So below you will find the health benefits of chamomile and honey, as well as some easy, practical uses.  But first, how about a warm Bowl of Soul
What’s that you ask?  Well it’s a fabulous, comforting warm drink made with chamomile and honey.  Years ago my friend, Heather, took me out for a birthday dinner.  And for a nightcap, a delicious drink she raved about from a local indie coffee house.  It was called A Bowl of Soul: chamomile steeped in warm soy milk and sweetened with honey.  It. Was. Delicious.  I don’t drink soy milk anymore, but I make my own version of Soul  here at home with homemade almond milk (or any nut milk).  And I wanted to share it with you today.
Ingredients
2 tablespoons loose-leaf chamomile
Honey to taste
 
How To
1.  In a small sauce pan over medium low heat, bring almond milk and chamomile to a gentle simmer.  Immediately remove from heat and cover for about 10 minutes.
2.  Strain milk into large cup through a nut milk bag.
3.  Add honey to taste.
4. Turn on some jazzy soul music and enjoy this warm, calming drink on a cold winter evening.
Notes:
*This is a great beverage for children in the evening (as a calming agent).  Chamomile naturally calms nerves and is super relaxing.  *You can use any dairy alternative milk, I happen to like the way almond milk works with the other flavors.  *Take care to not boil, burn, or scald the milk.
Chamomile Health Benefits
*Check out this study linking health benefits
*Chamomile can be used topically or orally to treat a number of everyday ailments, such as:
  • -Insomnia and other sleep disorders
  • –Anxiety and Panic Attacks
  • -Muscle twitches
  • -Wounds, burns, and scrapes
  • -Skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, chickenpox, and diaper rash
  • -Stomach problems such as menstrual cramps, stomach flu, and ulcers  *See more from this site
*Take caution with chamomile if you have an allergy to ragweed
{Please always consult before taking herbs if taking prescription medications.}
Some Practical Uses
*Chamomile can be used in baking, such as muffins, cookies or cakes.  Chamomile has a very pleasing taste/aroma and makes a wonderful tea (1 tbsp to 8 oz boiling water).
*Chamomile can also be used as an ingredient in beauty products, such as homemade lotion for dry skin/eczema, or as a facial toner.
*And here’s a fun idea, use it as a natural hair highlighter.
Honey Health Benefits
*Interesting reads: world of honey & this site.
*Honey can be used topically or orally to treat a number of everyday ailments, such as:
    • -It may help fight cancer

 

  • -Used to heal minor cuts and burns
  • -Eases coughs
  • -May help with allergies
  • -Contains antioxidants
  • -Raw honey: anti bacterial, anti viral, anti fungal
  • -More easily assimilated by the body than refined cane-sugar

 

 

Some Practical Uses
*Honey is obviously a great substitute for refined cane-sugar in baking and cooking.  Please take caution if you have digestive issues, as raw honey is difficult to digest and may irritate the digestive tract.
*Honey is a great ingredient in homemade beauty products, such as facial masks, as a dry skin moisturizer, or for your hair!
*Due to its anti-bacterial properties, honey can be used as an acne remedy.

*I use honey as a cough syrup for my children (and often mix in herbs, such as thyme).

*
Salud – Be Well
*
Shared on: Traditional Tuesdays, Fat Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays & Allergy-Friendly Friday, & Whole Food Wednesdays, Allergy-Free Wednesdays,
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Posted by Amber at

Labels: cane sugar free, dairy free, drinks, go ahead honey, Holistic healing.

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