Health and Healing
Traditional native Indian remedies.

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>>>> Big Birch Tree Medicine <<<<  

An Ojibway legend says!  

Long ago, an old hollow birch log protected and spared a young spirit boy named Winabojo.  In gratitude Winabojo blessed the birch tree.  He told the Chippewa people “as long as the world stands, this tree will be a protection and benefit to the two-leggeds.  If they wish to preserve anything, they must wrap it with birch bark, so it will not decay.  The bark of this tree will be useful to them in many ways.  Once the bark has been taken - one must offer tobacco in thanks.” 

It is said that the birch tree is never struck by the lightening beings.  People, can stand safely under its protective branches during a storm.  It is interesting to note, the bark of this tree is the last part of it to decay.  

The Ojibway people have cured a headache, by binding their head with the bark peeled from the birch tree.  

Boiled birch twigs, or root bark, will improve the flavour of many herbal tea mixtures.   

Ingesting the sap from the birch tree in early spring temperatures, serves as a tonic for anemia, arthritis.  Birch medicine, can also ward off scurvy.  It is also a diuretic and laxative.  

Some have claimed the taste of birch syrup is more like molasses, rather than the wonderful sweetness found in maple sap.  

Others, prefer to produce a birch beer or wine, by allowing the sap to ferment.  Now, I not big on either beer or wine, so I have never tried this recipe myself.  

The birch tree gives birth to flowers and catkins which are both edible.  

Below the white bark is a thick inner bark.  This bark, is reported to be a good source of food and big medicine, which can be ingested raw.  It has been known to save many lives from hunger.  

Other Uses of Birch:

-added to soups and stews

-gargled for mouth or canker sores

-reduces fevers

-aids in healing cuts, bruises, scalds

-acts as a sedative, laxative, blood-cleaner

-helps to dissolve kidney and bladder stones

-used as a wash or poultice

-added to a bath for skin problems

-storage containers, spoons, decorations and birch bark canoes.

Before closing, I would just like to stress the importance of being able to correctly identify and plant life before working with it.  

Health & Happiness,
White Sparrow

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Tea Tree Treatments

With the promise of summer just up the path, I thought this would be a good time to introduce to you a marvelous mosquito repellent.  No, I am not talking about Skin-so-Soft, although that is a pretty good one too!  I’m referring to tea-tree oil.  Try using it in a diffuser or you might also make up a spray bottle of (10 drops of tea-tree oil to 4 quarts of water).  To tone down the smell, try adding other aromatic fragrances like 2 drops of lavender (my favourite) or 3 drops of bergamot oil.  Tea-tree oil is also known as “melaleuka oil.  

Caution:  Tea-tree oil is safe to use undiluted on the skin, but please never use this near the eye area.  Also, please note, it is not recommended for use on pets, the elderly, small children or babies!  

Feature Tip: Mix it with lavender oil and apply undiluted (neat) to the skin to help take care of those nasty cabin spider bites.  If you receive one of those famed notes from school regarding head lice, just add a few drops of tea-tree oil on a fine comb and work it thoroughly through the children’s hair.  Now, for any interested gardeners out there, they tell me this is also a good cure for aphids, ants and mildew.  Add 15 drops of the oil to 1 cup of water and then spray those project plants!  

Tea-tree oil is a great healer of cracked skin, muscle aches, and works wonders for relieving dry skin.  For those of you who get cold sores, mix this oil with 10 times its volume of base oil, such as jojoba or calendula, and dab the affected area.  For your basic sore throat pain try gargling a solution of 3-6 drops of this wonder oil in one glass of water.  

Want to know more?  With all the hiking and biking that takes place in the summer, there is almost certain to be at least minor accidents that accompany these adventures.  First aid in the bush is often accompanied by creative and resourceful thinking.  If you have a small amount of tea-tree oil in your backpack it makes a good disinfectant for your hands, prior to administering treatment.  Wash away any contamination from the casualty.  

For any of you ladies camping or boating far from a pharmacy, relieve your body and mind of a yeast infection.  Simply moisten a tampon with 10-15 drops of tea-tree oil.  This treatment should be repeated for 7 days.

This wonder oil is highly antiseptic for athlete’s foot.  Wash and dry feet thoroughly.  Then drop a couple of drops of this oil on to the affected areas.   It’s important to mention, only wear socks made of natural materials, such as cotton or even wool.  

By mixing up a batch of tea-tree essential oil with sweet almond oil and warming it, you can apply this directly to irritated skin or even shingles 2-3 times per day.  It will help.

Put 5 drops of this oil on a damp, warm cloth and place over the chest with a dry hand towel covering it and you can climb on top of that aggravating bronchitis!  

Add a few drops to a cotton swab and dab any affected bleeding gum areas for healing relief.

Other uses include arthritis, rheumatism, constipation, eczema and coughs.  Seek out more information on your own via your most trusted health food store or via the internet.  

Regardless of where you find the information, do consider being able to find it in your own medicine cabinet or backpack.  Just a little goes a long way!  Here in Canada, there are many beautiful places to explore, just remember, “it’s better to be safe than sorry!”  

Until next time, - health and happiness, White Sparrow

The Spirit of Sleep

The Spirit of Sleep, is the only one that can lead us into the dreamtime!  I believe our dreams to be extremely important!  Someone once wrote – A dream uninterpreted is like a letter that is unopened!  Dreams and the fertile grounds of sleep have always been a highly mystical state of being!  

It is most unfortunate, for those who are robbed of this state of being.  Sleep can readily heal our body and mind.  The lack of it can equally destroy the health of our body and mind.  The Sleep Spirit should never be ignored!  

There are four basic patterns of sleep disorders.  The first one is difficulty in falling asleep.  The second one is walking up in the middle of the night.   The third one is awakening too early in the morning.   The fourth one of course, is a combination of any of the others I just mentioned.  

If your sleep disruption continues over an extended period of time, one’s concentration and performance of physical and mental tasks will quickly become apparent.  A good sound sleep is absolutely vital.  

The causes of sleep disorder are many.  Sometimes it is caused by alcohol, anxiety or stress, meals that are taken in too much or too fast.  Bright lighting or the obvious enemy - noises that are too loud or too irritating are not good bed companions either!  One must learn to conquer these restless monsters!  

Hormone imbalances to one’s brain can sometimes be at fault.  Our pituitary gland is a totem player in the regulation of brain hormones.  Something called melatonin is made by our pineal gland and is the chief regulator of our sleeping and our waking cycles.  Its levels rise in the evening, which guides us to feel drowsy and also to have a lower heart rate.  As our physical bodies get older, these levels of melatonin peter off on down the path, where it is sure to meet up with the ugly face of insomnia.

Another culprit of lack of sleep is : Our life style.  Food and diet!  Also, too little sunlight during the day, and too much artificial light in the evening can stomp on our melatonin levels so much that they will wake us up to tell us.  Be wise.  Avoid falling asleep before your regular scheduled sleep time.  Over sleeping isn’t helpful either.   

Personally, I have kept a small pouch (or herb pillow) of lavender on my own pillow for about the last year now.  It works wonders for me.  They tell me that lemon balm and valerian root also assist in your sleeping.  However, I have also heard the down side to valerian root as well.  Generally, there is no need to run off to the nearest pharmacy and load up on prescription drugs.  I encourage you to reach for natural methods first.  Ask your elders what has worked for them.  

Before crawling into my bed, I often like to relax in a warm evening bath.  A good bath or hot tub temperature is about 104 degrees F.  Then, I like to add an aromatherapy fragrance.  The fragrance changes frequently!  (Note, avoid the citrus or fruity ones, they are much better suited for your morning pick me up shower).  I have to admit lavender and honey is one of my all time favourite bath solutions to battling stress.  But, that’s just me!  

Work to create special sleeping quarters!  Mine contains fresh linens on the bed and fluffed pillows.  The more moons I live to see - the more this has seemingly become important to me.  Bedding of cotton, silk or feathers generally work best.  

Then, I have a radio that I can reach at arms length to turn the volume down or completely off when I am in my bedroom to sleep.  Many nights, I have been known to leave the radio on all night, but very softly can it be heard.   Experts do not all agree with this.  They will tell you that the television, radio etc. should be removed completely from the bedroom.  I have no trouble getting rid of the television, because I don’t watch it anyway, but the radio stays.  What can I say - I’m a songwriter!  

Another sure bet for me is to read a book that I find interesting, but only a page or two.  Weather permitting, one of the cures I admire greatly is going for a nice quiet walk in the evening before retiring.  Actually, this is something that I don’t do nearly enough of.  Couples or pet owners, this is ideal for you.  

Always try to avoid foods and drinks with caffeine at bedtime.  Truthfully, you should avoid eating anything just before bed anyway.  With the exception of perhaps, soy nuts or something that enhances melatonin.  I’m not a big fan of soy myself, but some of you might be!  

For what it’s worth, over the past two years I have finally learned the art of meditation.  Mind you, mine is heavily filled with Native techniques, but I’m sure there is an appropriate style or method that will work best for you.  

There always have been many soothing teas that you can make and enjoy earlier in the evening to help you unwind from  daily pressures.  But please, readers, do NOT mix melatonin supplements with other sleeping products!  Always, be certain to ask questions from a qualified source if you are ever in doubt about anything that you put into your body.  This is good medicine all on its own.  

Whenever possible, try to bring in fresh air by letting a soft breeze blow in!  I’m not talking about collecting snowdrifts on the windowsill or anything!  Proper, room temperature usually sits above 58 degrees F. - but not too hot either.  You don’t want your room too dry.   

A great oldie but goodie sleep medicine is sex!  Unfortunately, this one doesn’t get as much attention sometimes, as it should.    (Too many over use or under use this particular medicine).   

Water jet therapy works nicely, as does the homeopathy favourite, Passionflower!  Add 5-10 drops of the tincture to one glass of warm water and drink this slowly shortly before bedtime!  

Last, but not least, try to give thanks for the good things in ones life!  Surround yourself with things you love.  For some, this might typically mean pictures of loved ones, or even specially selected flowers.  (Flower power is a whole other topic to cover later).  

Meanwhile, it is very important that your sleep environment speaks to you!  For someone like myself, the sound of thunder, water, or the baying of wolves is a very relaxing environment.  

However, I don’t imagine that most of you would find a wolf’s tail, or a turtle claw hanging from your bedroom walls very comforting!  I’m guessing that a giant eagle watching over you in the middle of the night or a cluster of wild turkey feathers above the head of your bed wouldn't be very calming to you either!   If you think this is a bit on the wild and unusual side, I won’t even begin to touch on my Native dreams!  What can I say, the Spirit of Sleep rocks different cradles!  

The bottom line dear readers, is this: don’t allow your sleep to be robbed from you!  If none of the above serves as helpful, please seek out other healthy alternatives!  

Health sleep and happy dreams,
White Sparrow

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Honest to Goodness Honey

Honey, in Hebrew means, “enchant”.  Treatment with honey is referred to apitherapy!  Honey is known for a multitude of goodness! 

Honey can calm your mind, rejuvenate sleep, relieve indigestion and treat cardiovascular disease as well as ease respiratory complaints!  Honey helps to dissolve mucus.  How about that - you cold sufferers! 

Try a little on your lips to heal chapped lips or disinfect and heal minor wounds with this great little healer! 

Honey Trivia: Honey contains only slight traces of residues from industrial emissions, car exhaust and agricultural chemicals.  The reason for this is because, bees act as a biological filter; meaning that they die if they come into contact with toxins and therefore, they do not deliver such pollutants into the hive!  Now that’s healthy living to the max!

Bees predigest glucose and fructose in honey!  Quickly and easily, enabling us to absorb the honey into our digestive system.  Word of calorie warning!  One tbsp. of this golden sunshine has 64 calories, compared to 46 calories in the same amount of granulated sugar. 

How does one choose the best honey?  Well, it gets confusing doesn’t it!  Basically, here it is in a spoonful.  The consistency, fragrance and taste depend on the types of ‘flowers’ from which bees collect the nectar!  So, look for honey that has been produced by beekeepers that do not feed their bees refined sugars or use harmful pesticides.  

IMPORTANT MEDICAL ALERT!
TWO DANGEROUS “NOTS IN HONEY”!  Honey that has NOT been pasteurized should NOT be given to infants!  I have learned the reason for this is because it contains a type of bacteria that, though harmless to older children and we adults, it can be [very] dangerous to children under the age of a year old!  Use common sense as well.  If your little one is a very tiny framed one year old, I strongly suggest you hold off serving them up non-pasteurized honey as well! 

Now for those wanting to try getting into hot water of a different kind, try this sweet relaxing bath!  Simply, take 2 ounces of honey and add it to 5 drops of lavender oil.  Then, add 1or 2 tbsp. of this homemade batch of honey and lavender mixture to your bath water.  This is a great recipe to help battle the impossible insomnia that so many suffer from!  (Especially Virgo born babies)!  Or those with strong Virgo in their astrological birth charts!  Yes, Sagittarius this works for you too! 

For those of you who are prone to hay fever, try adding some honey to your life.  Honey contains grains of pollen that over time have a desensitizing effect, making it useful for allergy relief!  For my asthma, bronchitis and sensitive breathing brothers and sisters; mix 1 tsp. of finely chopped (fresh) thyme in a little bit of honey!  Take this orally as needed.  It will soothe inflamed lungs and airways!  

Now as far as the birds and the bees go, honey can also be used to sweeten things up after dark!  You just add some imagination and see how sticky things can get!  Afterwards, would be a perfect time to consider that honey and lavender bath I mentioned earlier! 

CAUTION, during the summer months; if you happen to be  allergic to bees - you might not wish to try this ritual while on an outdoor picnic! 

This health tip is, shall I say, ‘short and sweet’, but oh so good and tasty! 

Readers, if you have learned of any other uses for honey, please buzz me up by email, or add them when you sign my Guest Book! 

Health and happiness,
White Sparrow

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HICKORY    Indian name: Onenoga

The medicine and uses of the hickory tree are varied.  Like many trees, it has great healing powers.  Aboriginal tribes and clans recognize it for various purposes.  Some as a tea, by steeping the inner bark and using it as a laxative.  Others have boiled the bark and applied it as a poultice for sore joints. 

Hickory has long been known for its healing comfort in arthritis suffers among the native people. I have learned that by boiling the bark and inhaling it, hickory can serve to cure headaches.  When mixed with sugar or honey and sipped in small amounts it will rid worms.  

The nuts of a hickory tree can be roasted and eaten, or added as flavouring to vegetable dishes. The hickory is a member of the walnut clan.  Here in Canada, it can be found growing in southern Ontario as well as Quebec.  

Hickory has a great reputation for being the ‘hottest’ burning wood fuel.  Its extreme hardness and resilience made it highly sought after by the Ojibway for their fighting sticks or war clubs.  It was also used to make their hunting bows.  Others have utilized it in manufacturing of baseball bats, golf clubs, drumsticks, and in many heavy-duty tools.  Perhaps you have held it when holding an axe handle or hammer.  Hickory furniture and flooring is beautiful and long lasting. 

What I love best about hickory is its smoky flavour!  I personally use it instead of ketchup!  Nothing goes better on bacon, ham or a hotdog.  It makes a wonderful companion for stovetop home fries, eggs, and in homemade soups.  No, I don’t eat these particular foods everyday, but I will tell you I use spicy hickory on every food excuse that comes along.  If you haven’t tried it, go for it.   

Most grocery stores carry it in a glass jar found among the spices.  A little goes a long way and it makes a great steak sauce if you’re not a vegetarian.  Well, we each have our own favourite flavours, but I have always been drawn to hickory.   So, I openly confess you're apt to catch me with my hand in a bag of hickory sticks instead of potato chips.

That’s it for this month, but I hope you return for many other nature remedies at this wigwam. In closing, I would like to leave you for now with a quote that my mother ‘strongly’ believes in: 

“The doctor of the future will need no medicine, but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease.”
- Thomas Edison

(To all my readers, be sure you are correctly identifying your plants and trees, and always seek advice before taking anything that you are unsure of!) 

Health and happiness,
-White Sparrow 

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Animal Power, Healing, and Medicine 

When you call upon the power of an animal you become one with it’s harmony, strength, and essence.  A clever student can learn from them if they are willing to allow our animal family to teach them.  Once these lessons are applied, they will keep you walking safely on the Good Red Road!

The pathway to your own unique power lies in the wisdom and understanding of your individual role in the Great Mystery.  When walking this path recognize that every living thing can be your teacher.  Therefore, always carry an open mind on your journeys!

The great secret to this new learning is practice.  Come each new moon, practice using and working out all of your senses.  Be aware that these new clues may come to you by light of day, during the night, or even visit you during the dream- time!  You may notice them while out walking, driving the car, or when you least expect them.

When you encounter an animal, take time to learn about its habits, strengths, and weaknesses.  Your answer to why it has come to you lies somewhere in there.  The stronger the encounter the stronger I believe the lesson or message is.

Animals may appear to you through repetition!  They may speak to you by means of pictures or stories.  They do not have to present themselves in real life to you.  Some animals may live many countries away from you, or just down the road.  Most times, they will make you pause or hesitate in the beginning.  Later, they may stop you completely in your tracks to question the purpose of the encounter.

Try to remember how many you saw or heard!  Does their colour play a role in your message?  Study the meaning of the number as well.  More truths came be learned by this method.  This may sound like a lot of work, but if you are a true student, you will find your own way to follow up on your encounters.     

Ask others about the animal’s history and folklore.  Research them on the web.  Read books and magazines or source out other available means.  Always pass your own knowledge and experiences on to others if you are asked.  A great student grows into a great teacher!

In time, this new medicine will empower you and help to heal and strengthen your body, mind and your spirit.  In time, you will learn to witness many new things you would have previously missed.  In time, new powers will come to you!  You do not need to shout these observations and lessons to others.  A good point, that I myself must still work on!  Once you start receiving messages, you naturally want to immediately alert others.  Don’t.  This will only weaken the energy between you and it.  Keep the power of your new signal or message of old ways to yourself! 

Each one of us will come to hold our own relationship with them.  Like any relationship, no two develop and grow exactly the same, especially the one we seek with ourselves!   

Health and happiness,
White Sparrow

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