Page 260 - Lost Book Remedies
P. 260

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

        Osteoporosis: The sap from the sugar maple tree is      that help the body deal with the effects of stress and
        rich in minerals that are necessary for bone health, in-  calm the nervous system to reduce depression.
        cluding calcium, potassium, and magnesium.
                                                                Fights  Chronic  Inflammatory  and  Degen-
        Gastric Ulcers and Gastric Cancer: Gastric ul-          erative Diseases: Inflammatory diseases such as
        cers caused by injury to the stomach lining and infec-  arthritis,  inflammatory  bowel  disease,  heart  disease,
        tion by  Helicobacter  pylori  bacteria  sometimes  pro-  and  many  autoimmune  diseases  are  calmed  by  the
        gress to gastric cancer. Both the ulcer and cancer can   anti-inflammatory and antioxidant contents of maple
        be prevented by regular consumption of sugar maple      sap.  It  protects  the  brain  and  body  from  oxidative
        sap and the sap can heal existing gastric ulcers.       stress, chronic inflammation, and the effects of aging.

        Blood Pressure: The high mineral content in ma-         Increases  the  Effects  of  Antibiotics:  When
        ple sap is beneficial for keeping blood pressure levels   taken with antibiotics, maple sap enhances the effects
        regulated.                                              and seemingly makes the antibiotics more potent. The
                                                                combination of antibiotics and maple sap works better
        Protects the Heart: Zinc, potassium, magnesium,         and faster than antibiotics alone.
        and other minerals that are necessary for healthy heart
        function are present in the sap. In addition, maple sap  Harvesting Maple:  The maple tree makes  sugar
        helps control high blood pressure.                      during the summer and stores it in the tree roots in the
                                                                form  of  starch.  During  the  winter,  the  tree  uses  the
        Helps  Prevent  Diabetes  and  Regulate                 stored sap to provide energy for the tree. We can “tap”
        Blood  Sugar:  Maple  syrup  and  maple  sap  are       the  tree  to  gather  that  energy  for  ourselves.  In  the
        healthy for blood sugar control. They do not raise the
        blood sugar as much as other sweeteners and they ac-
        tually prevent type 2 diabetes when used in moderate
        amounts.  Ascorbic  acid  present  in  the  sap  helps  in-
        crease insulin sensitivity and stimulates the pancreas
        to produce more insulin.

        Immune System Support: Regular use of maple
        sap stimulates the immune system and helps the body
        eliminate harmful microbes. It can also be used when
        fighting  an  infection  or  when  exposed  to  infectious
        agents.
        Acne and Skin Blemishes: Maple sap and maple            spring, drill a tap hole and insert a spout with a bucket
        syrup  contain  antioxidants  and  anti-inflammatory    below  for  catching  the sap.  As the weather  becomes
        properties that help heal acne blemishes and prevent    warmer the sap will  flow  from the tap  hole  into  the
        new ones from forming. Apply maple syrup directly to    bucket via the spout. The best time to collect the sap is
        the infected blemish and leave it in place for 10 to 20   from March through April. The sap can be used fresh
        minutes. Rinse it away with lukewarm water.             as it is or boiled down to make syrup. It takes about 10

        Reducing Stress and Depression: Maple sap               gallons (37 Liters) of sap to make a quart (liter) of ma-
        and  maple  syrup  contain  minerals  and  antioxidants   ple syrup.


        Western Red Cedar,                                      and its bark for basketry, clothing, and rope. At 200
                                                                feet  (60  meters)  tall,  there  is  a  lot  to  admire  in  the
        Thuja plicata                                           Western Red Cedar.

                                                                I always take note when I see one. It is in the Cupres-
        Western Red Cedar is an incredibly useful and spiritual   saceae  (Cypress)  Family.  It  prefers  moist  soil  and
        tree with a rich history as a building material. Many   cooler climates.
        people value the tree for its beautiful and useful wood,

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