Horsetail

[Carol Anne Kincaid~Paradis]

May God grant you always...
A sunbeam to warm you,
a moonbeam to charm you,
a sheltering Angel so nothing can harm you.
Laughter to you.
Faithful friends near you.
And whenever you pray,
Heaven to hear you.
- Irish Blessing

Horsetail, also known as shavegrass, is a wonderful medicinal herb that grows wild throughout much of the world. It is packed with vitamin C & B-complex as well as minerals such as silica, calcium, magnesium, iron, and manganese. Horsetail contains powerful antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and astringent properties that are known to benefit multiple health concerns. It is excellent for strengthening brittle bones, teeth, hair, and nails and it can improve bone density, enhance bone flexibility, and heal fractured bones, pulled hamstrings, and dislocated joints. It has also been shown to aid those with type 2 diabetes by significantly lowering their blood glucose levels within 1.5-2 hours. Horsetail contains natural diuretic properties that can reduce edema, bloat, swelling, water retention, and kidney stones. It is a great source of silica which has been shown to strengthen the connective tissues of the brain, nerve cells, and spinal cord thereby improving memory and helping to prevent memory loss. Horsetail has also been shown to be effective against incontinence, bladder weakness, and urinary tract infections. It is also well known for its anti-aging, anti-wrinkle properties due to its ability to help form collagen and repair damaged skin to produce a more youthful glow. Horsetail is commonly used as a mouthwash as a natural remedy for tonsillitis, gingivitis, canker sores, and bleeding gums. It also works incredibly well to help heal foot infections such as athlete’s foot and to help treat frostbite, boils, carbuncles, cracked and blistered feet. Horsetail tea is a delicious medicinal tea that can be made by adding 2 teaspoons of dried herb to 1 cup of boiling water and allowed to steep for at least 15 minutes or more. This tea can also be cooled and then soaked with a cloth and applied to skin for a gentle and effective compress or used as a hair rinse, mouthwash, or foot soak. Horsetail can be found in tincture, capsule, tea, extract, and cream form online or at your local health food store.

The Snake was crawling on the ground...

The Snake was crawling on the ground. The Eagle flew to her and said:

– How unfortunate you are, doomed to crawl all your life. Not like me – I am destined to fly.

The Snake looked at the Eagle and said:

– You are right Eagle, I can’t fly. But only I know what it means to fly.

– How can you know that? – The Eagle smiled, – you don’t have wing!

– Thoughts are my wings, – said the Snake proudly, – Dreams are my heaven. While crawling on the ground I close my eyes and I see the heaven. I imagine that I’m crawling in heaven not on the ground. Yes, it’s impossible to crawl in heaven, you can only fly. It means that in those moments I am flying. In my free thoughts I am learning to fly, Eagle. With my soul I am arising to the high heaven, so when my time comes and my life as a snake comes to an end, I could ascend into the blue heaven, into the endless heaven and fly, to fly and not think about anything, enjoying my freedom. And I won’t be afraid to fly, because it won’t be a new thing for me. For you Eagle, the wings were given as you were born, but not for me. But the heaven will make us equal. We will be flying together one day, Eagle, under the clouds. Only I will be stronger and freer than you, because I have learned how to fly without having wings, simply crawling on the ground. Both things are available for me. I am not afraid to lose my wings because I know how to crawl, and I am not afraid to gain wings because I know how to fly. And what will you do, Eagle, if you lose your wings?

HAPPY TRAILS.....