Tag: Food and Drug Administration

Herb of the Day for February 3rd – Stevia

Herb of the Day for February 3rd

 

Stevia – Sweet Herb

The Herbal Sugar Substitute

Stevia Sweet Herb Plant – Source: Reader’s Digest, Magic and Medicine of Plants

  • 30 times sweeter than sugar
  • Helps to keep the body’s blood sugar in balance
  • Placed directly in cuts and wounds, more rapid healing, without scarring, is observed
  • Low caloric, aids weight management
  • Improved digestion
  • Effective results applied to acne, seborrhea, dermatitis, eczema, etc.
  • Beneficial for hypoglycemics
  • Increases energy levels and mental activity
  • Reduces desire for tobacco and alcoholic beverages

FDA’s Position on Stevia

In December 2008 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Stevia product rebaudioside A (rebiana) as a general purpose sweetener. Rebiana is an ingredient derived from the leaf of the stevia plant.

Stevia Zero-Calorie Products

Companies are marketing products featuring zero-calorie sweetener made from rebiana. Trademarked stevia sweetners are Truvia™ (Coca Cola and Cargill) PureVia™ (Whole Earth Sweetener Company LLC and PepsiCo).
Sources: Marketwatch.com, npr.org

Previous FDA Reports

In 1995, the FDA revised an earlier 1991 import alert to allow Stevia and its extracts to be imported as a food supplement but not as a sweetener. Yet, it defines Stevia as an unapproved food additive, not affirmed as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) in the United States. The following is a portion of this revised alert:

If stevia is to be used in a dietary supplement for a technical effect, such as use as a sweetener or flavoring agent, and is labeled as such, it is considered an unsafe food additive. However, in the absence of labeling specifying that stevia is being or will be used for technical effect, use of stevia as a dietary ingredient in a dietary supplement is not subject to the food additive provisions of FD & C ACT.

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Wiccan Book of Days for January 26th – Efficacions Eucalyptus

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Efficacions Eucalyptus

This day’s element is Air, which promotes clear thinking. But it is difficult to breathe, let alone think straight, if your sinuses are painful and your chest is congested with catarrh. So if you are suffering from a cold, turn to eucallyptus for help:  many commercial inhalanats and chest rubs contain this natural decongestant, but a home-made steam inhalation usually provides longer-lasting relief. Simply add 2 to 4 drops of the essential oil to a bowl of hot water, then lean over the bowl, cover your head with a towel, and start breathing in and out slowly and deeply; do this for up to five minutes.

“A Mystical Message”

Air is an agent of communication, for sounds are carried on the airwaves. Practice chanting a mantra, such as the Sanskrit Om, the mystical sound of creation in hindu belief, and you may find that this resonant repetition aids your meditation or trance-work.

The Wicca Book of Days

Daily Feng Shui Tip for Jan. 11

These next tips are smoking hot and entirely apropos for ‘Cigarettes Are Hazardous To Your Health Day.’ Some holistic smoking remedies recommend drinking a concoction of a half-teaspoon of cream of tartar and eight ounces of orange juice before bed. The cream of tarter offers invaluable assistance in cleansing the nicotine out of your system. The orange juice replaces the vitamin C that cigarettes rob from your body. Be dedicated and persistent in your quitting efforts, as consistently taking this drink every night will soon see you having less and less cravings. Here are some other tried and true remedies to help you kick the habit. Switch to a brand of cigarettes you don’t like. Doing so will reduce the pleasure of smoking, making it easier to break the habit. Lastly, cut the urge to light up by pressing the acupressure point located in the center of your breastbone, directly between your nipples. Tap it gently seven to twelve times in a row for nine consecutive times. Each time you tap affirm that you are now a non-smoker and before long that prediction will come true!

By Ellen Whitehurst for Astrology.com

Herb of the Day for August 10th is Valerian

Valerian

Valerian was named for the physician Valerius, one of the first to use the plant medicinally. Around the eleventh century, Anglo-Saxon leeches recommend its use in battling menstrual cramps. It was called Amantilla during the middle ages, and there is a recipe which recommends the use of a tea made from “the juice of Amantilla id est Valeriana,” to bring about peace between warring factions. Chaucer refers to the plant as Setwall.

Traditionally, valerian was used more often for medicine than magic, but there are still some uses for it in spellwork.

Valerian may smell raunchy, but it’s also known as a plant of love and protection. Hang it in your home to protect against natural disasters, such as lightning strikes or fire. If you’re a woman, pin a sprig to your shirt to attract men your way. Quarrels can be resolved in a home by placing valerian leaves around the perimeter of the house.

If you are fighting with a family member, try putting a sprig of valerian in each corner of your home. Putting it over each door will prevent strife and discontent from entering — but be warned – some people find that the smell of valerian reminds them of cat urine.

Other Names: All-heal, Heliotrope, St. George’s herb, Amantilla, Setwall
Gender: Feminine
Element: Water
Deity Connection: Aphrodite, Venus
Planetary Connection: Venus

If you’re a gardener, valerian tends to attract earthworms, which are great for your soil. This has to do with the levels of phosphorus produced by the plant’s roots, so if you need wormy dirt, plant some valerian.

 

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