Cumin Coriander Fennel Tea: An Antiinflammatory Drink

From an energy science view painful IC flares and bladder pain are a result of inflammation in the urinary channel(UT)  since too much of hot produces inflammation.  Interesting isn’t it that the words burning and flare are used to describe what is physically going on?  I wrote a while ago about the use of the antiinflammatory cocktail using pomegranite juice and aloe vera gel and several of you have contacted me to tell me how helpful this has been.

So here’s another antiinflammatory drink!   This time a tea made from cumin coriander and fennel(CCF) seeds   Due to the cold energy of these herbs they also can be benefiicial in dealing with excess hot in the UT   Create a stash of seeds by placing equal amounts of cumin, coriander and fennel into a ziploc bag and shake it so it’s well mixed   From your stash you can draw one teaspoon and steep in cup of hot water   Or if making a thermos to carry with you during the day placing enough in the thermos for the amount of hot water that will be placed   The tea may need diluting if it gets too strong at the end of the day

Spices = Herbs = Medicinal Effects

Your kitchen’s spice drawer is a medicine cabinet and using spices skillfully over time can produce positive medicinal and physiologic effects  But the converse is also true   If you are using spices randomly and for flavor alone there can be adverse consequences   For example, most spices are heating so they can be provoking if you have IC   Or another example is the use of salt – too much leads to water retention

In general the value of spices is that they buck up our digestive fire or enzyme system responsible for digestion, absorption, and elimination  This is why for us in the northern hemisphere at this time of year the use of spices is important because our digestive strength gets diminished

Cumin coriander and fennel uniquely have an energetically cold effect to the physiology when using them and so are particularly useful in dis-eases with lots of inflammation with poor or impaired digestive strength   Cumin(not to be confused with curcumin from tumeric) is a unique digestant in that it bucks up digestive strength but brings balance to the GI tract   Coriander seeds come from the plant we get cilantro   The use of the fennel bulbs in the fresh vegetable section can give you a double whammy if you cook with it as a vegetable

Another interesting aspect of CCF is that all 3 herbs resonate with the UT   They are specific to the UT channel and therefore bring their cold quality to the UT mucosa

What’s Hot and What’s Not?

Of course not all spices are created equally   For the easiest way to find which spices are safe to use go to icdiet.com   There are grades or shades of hot within each herb so within the Favor list there are those asterisked    These are spices that should be used in moderation

Notice the positioning of fresh basil and fresh ginger   These are both beautiful spices to use on a consistent basis to bring about balance in the GI tract and improve digestion

Lifestyle Behaviors to Reduce Inflammation

From an energy science view the symptoms of interstitial cystitis(IC) are related to the hot quality among others   The burning on urination that feels like razor blades, the suprapubic or vaginal pain, the perineal pain of prostatitis are all related to this energetic quality that is in excess

At this blog I have discussed extensively how the nutritional format is fundamental in clearing symptoms   From my research 91% of patients doing aloe and a nutritional format that reduces this hot quality get 50% relief of symptoms in 6 weeks

But what else can you do from an energy science view to reduce symptoms?  This is one of many unique contributions of Ayurveda in helping us not only understand disease but also how to ameliorate symptoms

The Lifestyle of Over the Top and Inflammation

Let’s feel ourselves next to the stove and feeling the hot quality from the stove top   The hot quality is intense and you can’t stand it for very long without having to pull away  What would it look like if you live an intense lifestyle, that is, the energy pattern of Pitta is in excess and has localized somewhere in your body, let’s say the bladder?   You would be focused, driven and have a tendency for overworking, overeating, overexercising, and overachieving   And have a painful bladder that flares every so often or the bladder is always painful

There is no rest for the weary when Pitta is in excess   And this also becomes stressful for the body maintaining the symptoms of IC

Now for some this driven lifestyle doesn’t fit    Your Pitta excess as seen in the hot quality may have come in other legitimate ways such as types of foods eaten but one thing I can say is that if you have IC with burning on urination then the you have found some way to accumulate this quality

It is now known that DNA is very malleable and changes with our choice making   Inflammation is a phenomenon of DNA and so you can change inflammation and hence your IC by changing your behavior patterns that produce inflammation

Some Observations About Over

A friend once said to me, “The work will always be there tomorrow”   So avoiding burning the midnight oils for deadlines is an important step in helping control overwork   But this business of overworking is at times difficult in the corporate world   Setting times for bed is helpful:  Vata needs the most rest so in bed by 10p and up 630-7a; Pitta 1030p and up 6a; Kapha in bed by 11p and up 5 to 530a   If you don’t know your energy pattern you can do a questionnaire here

There is a  tendency for Pitta to overeat due to hot quality and what it does to the appetite   If you don’t eat your biggest meal of the day at noon you risk having an appetite that can get out of control due to the hot quality

Exercising in the hot midday sun is very provoking to Pitta   Not only are you not taking advantage of the metabolic fire ready to digest your foods but you’re overheating the body in the hottest part of the day

Finally you’re familiar with the hot mental patterns of behavior such as anger, hostility, judgement, criticism, and impatience   Interestingly if you do the nutritional work and pay attention to the behavioral guidelines these mental patterns will subside   That is, if you find yourself being critical and judgmental it will lessen with time

7 Guidelines To Curb the OVER and Resultant Inflammation

1  Get proper rest as noted above according to the time schedules  It’s common for the Pitta energy pattern to demand too much of the Vata pattern which is delicate like a flower and needs rest

2 Eat the biggest meal between 11a and 2p and make this a important part of the day for yourself

3  Eat a alkalinizing nutritional format(google misra and green composite recipe)

4 Use churans in your cooking to improve digestion(see foodsheal.com)

5  lf overheating in your environment, stop and figure out how to cool off

6  A  harried lifestyle of Vata with the above makes the hot quality worse since the movement fans the intensity and heat of Pitta so slowing down by doing contemplative practices such as yoga for exercise or meditation can be helpful

7   Use the evening to wind down but try reducing the alcohol because this provokes the hot quality

In summary it’s not just one thing that you do that will bring your IC symptoms under control but it’s building on top of things  It’s a cumulative effect that pays dividends in reducing symptoms over time   The key is to be aware of the things that can provoke the hot quality to lifestyle behavior choices

Four Ways to Alkalinize Acidity of Pitta

The chronic pain from the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia)  seeks a solution but you are told that the “dis-ease is treatable  not curable”

But what would it be like if there was a solution?  Is it possible?  We are led to believe a lie, when we give up hope  And obviously there is no quick fix or IC wouldn’t be a problem  But what would it be like to have your life back?  Too hard to believe?  Well read on

The experience amongst IC patients is that the diet promoted by ICA or ICN may work for some, not for others  Sometimes works for awhile then seems to not work  What gives?  Anecdotal experience at best would be the first thing that comes to mind from such diet recommendations

The Quality of Hot and the Acidity of IC

The energy science views foods as qualities not molecules  This is a complete divergence from mainstream medical thinking  And it stems from how we view the human biology  If we see the mindbody as a group of molecules as well as the food we consume then are limiting ourselves  We know from E=mc2 that matter and energy are interchangeable at a constant  So what is matter is energy and what is energy is matter  We are simultaneously both a particle and a wave form  The current medical model sees only the human biology as  a matter field

And so the dietary recommendations that you follow are molecular based   So the matter science states that it’s the molecule of acid in the urine brings about the symptoms of IC  Eliminate acid provoking foods and the IC is cleared  Ah, if it were that simple!

From an energy perspective the IC pain comes from too much of the hot quality and the frequency of urination comes from too much of the mobile quality  When we eat foods that contain these qualities in abundance you get out of balance and dis-ease occurs

Four Steps to Energy Science Nutrition

The first thing to do is to find out who you are from an energy science point of view  Although not perfect this quiz will help you determine who you are from an energy science view  This is very important because for some a particular food may be balancing for some and completely imbalancing for someone else  A good example of this is the tomato  For PV completely unacceptable and for PK  ok in moderation

The second thing to do is to follow the nutritional format based on the results of the quiz  There are clear instructions as to how to do that at the site foodsheal.com

The third is to begin CCF tea(cumin coriander and fennel seeds in equal proportions together in a plastic bag) by taking a bunch and steeping it in hot water and then sipping on this tea all day  CCF is energetically medicinal to the urinary tract and you guessed it, they all are overall cooling to the urinary channel!

The fourth thing is an alkalinizing diet using green composite protein intake  This clearly will alkalinize the GIT and reduce symptoms

Oil Pulling and IC

As I’ve talked about in the past the pelvic bladder pain of the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromyalgia) is related to the hot and mobile qualities being stuck in the pelvis  But why do some 60% of IC patients not go on to severe chronic symptoms?  The answer in short form is toxic load in the urinary system that prevents the qualities from naturally being released

Matter Science Skepticism

An Energy Science Explanation

Many Ways to Detoxify

IC and Rejuvenative Herbs

I think it’s pretty much consensus that pharmaceuticals are not the panacea for IC and bladder pain.  At least that was my experience with the IC patients who I worked with.  Herbs offer an alternative to pharmaceuticals and we have discussed a number of them for use such as CCF tea, the use of turmeric in cooking, as well as aloe vera gel.

Herbs fall into 3 categories when looking at their functional effects.  Unlike pharmaceucals one herb category enhances digestive strength in all its various aspects of function, for example turmeric. A second category is composed of therapeutic herbs that solve very specific problems, such as aloe vera gel. Taken alone they are not as effective, but done with nutritional work they can be highly effiective. Aloe vera when combined with a Pitta-reducing nutritional format can have an almost immediate (one to two weeks) impact on flares.

The third category is a special group of herbs that are rejuvenative. These herbs restore youthful vigor and vitality and are the topic of this post.

Herbs can offer immediate relief in some situations and support the nutrition and metabolic lifestyle behaviors in the long term. But herbs, unlike pharmaceuticals, are not primary but secondary in management. This is a clear departure from current thinking about disease management, but is tantamount to success in dealing with chronic disease. Having said that herbs can help jumpstart a system that is under stress as in cases of patients who have long standing IC and are debilitated.

Rejuvenative Science

Herbs that are rejuvenative in nature are useful because they have the capability of strengthening the fatigued low energy body that has been under the stress of chronic disease such as IC,  while at the same time dealing with the imbalance that is going on.

The interesting thing about rejuvenative herbs is that they have an impact on mind. This can be very helpful for those who are depressed and feeling helpless. It is this particular aspect of rejuvenative therapy that can be quite helpful in creating more space for lifestyle changes.

So the special place that rejuvenatives have is that they impact or shift our DNA which in turn affect our choices in selection of various alternatives presented to us so that you make better choices with respect to the management of IC.  They also help to modify our lifestyle behavioral choices so that old habits that are not supportive of healing IC are easier to get out of.

5 Rejuvenative Herbs

 Aloe vera      I have mentioned this herb numerous times in the past because not only does it offer cooling to the hot urinary tract system but on top of this it is a rejuvenative.  That is, it has the capability of helping you morph lifestyle changes in choice of all kinds.  So for example when making choices about foods that may be not such good choices and choice about foods that are better choices, eg coffee habits. Also choice around lifestyle behaviors that are not conducive to healing and those that are.

Gokshura   Also known as Caltrops this herb targets the water or urinary tract channel and is effective in reducing inflammation but is also good at reducing the incidence of stone formation. It is this latter effect that suggests that gokshura is an important herb in facilitating glycosoaminoglycan (GAG) layer formation. Its best use is in formula, but it could be used in basti (below) due to the GAG-formation enhancement.

Purnarnava    Translated as “that which renews us” this herb also like gokshura has affinity to the urinary channel.  It strengthens the kidneys and in doing so aids in our overall health and vitality.  Its action is more tonifying to the kidney than to the urinary bladder and therefore would be a second line herb in dealing with straightforward IC.

Guduchi   An important rejuvenative for Pitta and nutritive herb to take during recovery periods.  It is a potent detoxifier, buring ama without aggravating Pitta.  It is a great tonic for the immune system .  Taken with ghee it reduces Vata, with sugar reduces Pitta, and with honey it reduces Kapha.

Shatavari  This is one of the more important herbs in reducing Pitta and used for women’s Pitta imbalances around menstruation but in the IC condition is unique in its application, particularly around tea decoctions for bladder therapy below.  It is a rejuvenative as well.  It is useful in treating dry and inflamed mucous membranes.  In addition to its Pitta pacifying use, it also soothes calms Vata.

The basis of selection of which herb to use is based on the individual not on the disease.  So the evaluation of the individual to use targeted therapy is based on who needs it.

Sir William Osler, said to be the father of Modern Medicine wrote, “A good physician treats the disease, the great physician treats the patient who has the disease.”

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IC and Healing Time

How long does it take to heal IC using an energy science approach?  Obviously this is a common question posed by those doing energy science work for clearance of their IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD and fibromyalgia)

As a child you may have asked, “Are we there yet?” and “Now are we there yet?”  So when will this IC be over?   The short answer is, “It’s over when it’s over.”  But to be more specific, in general it takes 2 months of release for every year of imbalance   So if you have had symptoms of IC for 10 years it will take 20 months of work to clear the energy qualities that have accumulated

This would make sense wouldn’t it?  The longer the imbalance the more work is required to get resolution   This doesn’t mean that there will not be improvement of symptoms   The flare intensity get less as the months go by and then the frequency lessens   But real healing takes time!

Are You Particle(Molecule) or Wave?

The body is simultaneously a matter field and an energy field.  The former expresses itself as molecules or particles and the latter as waves of energy   So this is how the energy field expresses dis-ease    In waves

Sound familiar?  The waves are flares that occur in the body.  And they continue to express themselves until you do something about it.  Until you decide to intervene   Otherwise the expression of the excess qualities will continue to occur

Because the matter field is a gross expression of the more subtle energy field, you now can see why dis-ease begins with qualities that then eventually become manifest as particles or molecules in the matter field   This is why I can say with certainty that the matter science will never be able to heal IC with its molecular approach to dis-ease

The Concept of Release

Once the urinary tract is involved with the energy patterns of Vata and Pitta, the symptoms of Vata presence begin episodic expression of light, cold, rough, dry, and mobile which lead to urgency, frequency and a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder   Pitta’s presence of inflammation lead to burning on urination, burning pain in the pelvis, vagina, and even rectum due to the sharp, hot, liquid and spreading qualities

These qualities lodge in the urinary tract and express as energy or wave   So the intermittent flares that occur in the body are waves of energetic expression

But what happens when you decide to do things to differently?  You begin paying attention to your day and how you live it   Energy science nutrition becomes important and you start seeing food as medicine   You choose certain herbs that can help with IC and use them regularly

When you no longer support the overexpression of these qualities in the body by the foods that you eat, the body naturally begins letting go of these excess qualities of light, cold, rough, dry, mobile, sharp, hot, liquid and spreading   This takes time but by and by there is lessening of the symptoms that the qualities brought and healing begins to occur

What you see is gradual regression of the symptoms   They do not stop all at once   There is a receding of the complex of symptoms much like the outgoing tide on the beach