Lunar digestive healing
What is lunar digestive healing?
Put simply it is caring for your digestive health using the lunar cycle. This isn’t a blog on the physiology of your digestive tract or how parasites and bacteria affect your gut or the in’s and outs of a “leaky gut” – but another concept. Most of you already know that the monthly moon/lunar cycle impacts our hormonal rhythm and fertility, the element of water, and the change of seasons. But did you know that she also controls parasite and bacteria growth, which includes the ecology within your digestive tract? If your digestive ecology is imbalanced then there is a high chance that immunity cytokines will be raised. With 90% of the population estimated to be infected with some form of parasite (intestinal, liver flukes, worms, lyme disease etc) and considering that 70% of the lymphatic system/immune system is located in the intestines this could explain why you may be feeling “out of sorts”. Basically, if your digestive system is imbalanced so will you be! According to the August 2000 issue of Discover magazine, most people have multiple parasites inhabiting their bodies. Recent research has shown that parasites are much more powerful than scientists believed. In fact, parasites far outnumber any other living creatures. Our bodies are systems whose functions depend on communication between cells but parasites are able to inhibit this communication, and seriously harm our bodily systems.They can deprive us of vitamins, nutrients, and amino acids, alter our natural pH levels, decrease energy levels and create an acidic environment in the body. Symptoms include recurrent digestive disturbance, bloating, an itchy bottom and anus, diarrhoea or constipation, acne, increased food sensitivities and high histamine levels/allergic response. Maybe you are suffering with aching joints or a “chronic” complaint that you just can’t put your finger on. Possibly your precious hormones are being affected – increased emotional swings, headaches; sub fertility issues and much more.
So how does broth, stewed apples and digestive health connect with the lunar/ moon?
Well, within nature many insects, crustaceans, birds, bacteria and parasites lay their eggs monthly – usually around the new moon and then hatch them around the full moon. Parasites are often found in animal feces, water and within natural foods (such as fish/meat/poultry and plants). If we have a strong digestive tract we will be able to kill many of these organisms off but parasites live and feed off the host; (that’s us) and can cause ill-health or worse disease. Ranging in size from tiny, single-celled organisms to worms visible to the naked eye, parasites are more and more frequently being identified within my clinic as causes of poor chronic health. So, now I have provided you with some background information I invite you to connect with lunar energy during the autumn season and take a few months to gently break the more challenging life cycle of eggs/bacteria/parasites and gently repair your intestinal health using natural foods and remedies.
Lunar Digestive Healing Recipes
Stewed Apples or Pears for lunar digestive healing
6 ORGANIC apples or pears
half a cup of water
2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
optional: natural yogurt or soy/coconut equivalent, small handful blackberries, 4-5 almonds, walnuts or Brazils, local honey or Manuka honey, teaspoon of ground flaxseeds or chia seeds or a teaspoon of larch arabinogalactans
Peel (optional, personally I like the additional fibre from the skin) and core the apples. Chop into small pieces. Place ingredients in a covered, heavy-bottomed pan and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring regularly. Cook until soft, and russet brown in colour . These may be eaten warm, or cold. I suggest you share into ramekins and eat one daily or twice-3 times per week.
Apples protect the intestinal tissues from inflammatory damage and cytokine activity. They also support the brain by improving beta-adrenergic receptors . Apples are natural pre-biotics. These have a direct impact on bacterial colonisation whilst apple pectin improves general bowel environment . Not everyone can tolerate apples so choose pears. They improve digestion too, re high in fibre, rich in important antioxidants and flavonoids and a great constipation remedy!
Cinnamon – has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-tumour, cardiovascular, cholesterol-lowering and immunomodulatory effects PLUS it plays an important insulin modulating role. Fab stuff!!
Yoghurt: Research suggests that cow yogurt and soy yoghurt lowers pro-inflammatory cytokines and other immunomodulating properties depending on the cultures using during fermentation.
Arabinogalactans: Larch arabinogalactans are water-soluble polysaccharides providing sweetness; mucosal immune activation and encourage change to the balance of bacteria in the gut.
Click here for more reasoning for Honey (Manuka); garlic, green tea and many other autumn traditional remedies
Nuts: excellent form of protein, healthy fats and nutrients. Almonds in their skins provide protein and immune modulating effects althoug those wit the oral Birch allergy may not tolerate them well. Brazils contain the nutrient selenium for thyroid support and walnuts are an excellent source of anti-inflammatory omega-3 essential fatty acids, rich in antioxidants, a source of manganese, copper, molybdenum and the B vitamin biotin. Chestnuts and hazlenuts offer likewise benefits too!
For more recipes enjoy my Let’s eat blog
Bone Broth for Lunar Digestive Healing
Yes, I agree bone broth recipes are everywhere! Just by slow-cooking bones and waste material (head/feet etc) from animals/fish with vegetables and water it is possible to extract the nutrients, gelatine, hyaluronic acid, amino acids and collagen from the bones and waste materials to support your digestive and hormone well being. If you are interested in this theory but not prepared to cook your own then plenty of restaurants, on-line health stores and farms plus supermarkets are selling healing bone broth. Just remember to buy organic. This ancient traditional form of healing broth helps to
HEAL A POROUS GUT (“LEAKY”) . Simply by eating bone broth regularly it is possible to reduce the permeability in the intestinal walls. It is a natural way to replenish the lining of your gut and helps to restore digestive well being.
PROVIDES NUTRIENTS GALORE. Through gentle cooking the nutrients in bone broth are easy to absorb and have been proven to heal; rejuvenate and boost our overall health. Clients tell me that it has helped improve sleep quality, revitalise them, reduce bloating, lessen bowel irregularities, reduce fatigue, joint aches and pain and stimulate cartilage production.
ENCOURAGES HORMONE HAPPY SKIN. Healthy fats and collagen found in bone broth are proven to reduce the signs of ageing. That has got to be worth trying!
REDUCE JOINT PAIN AND ENCOURAGE FLEXIBILITY. Broth contains glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate and anti inflammatory amino acids. whilst collagen found in bone broth helps strengthen the cartilage between joints, muscles and connective tissue including within the intestinal tract. .
BOOSTS IMMUNITY. I am always encouraging clients to use bone broth post viral, after surgery, during assisted conception procedures, when trying to conceive, when studying and during pregnancy. Bone broth really helps to nurture and nourish from the inside out.
How to make healing broth
Simply toss your ingredients into a slow cooker and voila! Bone broth for the week. Add to gravies and meals or drink a cup full daily. Traditionally broths are made from red meat bones but as I am not a red meat eater I have found that broths made from chicken/turkey carcasses or fish bones and trimmings support digestive health too.
Begin by choosing the type of broth you want to make. These can be bones from an animal with or without meat on; previously cooked or raw (whole chicken, chicken wings, fish bones, heads and trimmings, “soup bones”, ribs, bones from previously eaten roasts chickens, etc. You can also ask at the meat counter for bones).
Add water – you will need enough to cover the contents of your pan.
Prepare organic clean veggies,. Classic soup/stock veggies are onion, carrot, and celery but I often add bay leaves, peppercorns, garlic, fennel, fresh parsley and a tablespoon of “mother organic apple cyder vinegar but feel free to add anything you have laying around. Onion peel gives chicken stock its nice yellow color.
Let it sit for an hour or so before heating the contents. Once it starts simmering skim off the foam. Put the lid on and gently cook for at least 30 minutes (fish), 12 to 48 hours for chicken, up to 72 hours for beef, lamb,or pork. (this is why a slow cooker is so helpful). Check it periodically to see if it needs more water. When your time is up turn it off and get out your strainer. If the bones have marrow you can remove the marrow and add that to the broth or not bother. The liquid you have left is broth. Add some salt (this is a to taste issue). The liquid should be pretty clear, depending on how fine your strainer is.
Please read through more of my blogs for more suggestions as to how you can work with the moon using Castor oils packs ; vagi-steams and autumn recipes to support your hormone health
Disclaimer: These musings, considerations and dietary thoughts do not take into account your personal health, allergies or illnesses. I always recommend you receive professional healthcare guidance specific to your personal circumstance before making changes to your diet.
