Dangerous Dioxins

Excerpt- from Dr. Khalsa's The Natural Dog.

"Store food in glass containers. If you must cook in a microwave, use only glass containers. When you heat food in the microwave in plastic containers or cover the food with plastic wrap, the heat in the microwave oven causes the poisonous substance dioxin, a carcinogen, to melt out of the plastic and into the food. Restaurants are moving away from plastic and foam containers to paper ones.

Dioxins can leach into water that is stored in a plastic bottle or container and left in the sun or in a hot car. Use a canteen or glass bottle for your dog's ( and your own) water if you can. Do not freeze water in plastic either."

Calendula Tip

Marigolds have value far above the bright splash of color they create in your garden. Its medicine properties, which were recognized as far back as ancient Roman times, are far reaching. The Romans dubbed what we call the common Pot Marigold Calendula Officinalis. The Romans chose the name Calendula because of the herb's blooming schedule, for it would flower on the calends, or new moon, of every month. Officinalis refers to its ‘official' medicinal value.

You can purchase calendula as an ointment in most health food stores, and as a tincture at homeopathic pharmacies. You can also dry the flowers and brew them as a tea. This flower has an almost magical effect in healing wounds. Calendula has a more powerful ability to hinder bacteria than many antibiotics, but it also has the benefit of having an anti-inflammatory effect while promoting new healthy cell growth. It is ideal for first aid treatment and works almost miraculously as an antiseptic lotion. In can also be given orally as a homeopathic remedy to help with the healing of wounds.

I use the tincture diluted in saline or water to flush and clean new wounds and as they heal I follow up with calendula ointment or creme. Calendula is something that all should have in a holistic first aid kit!

Oil Tip

Olive oil is the healthiest oil to cook with. Just about all other oils are changed by heat and lose many, if not all, of their health giving properties. Olive oil is unique in the respect that it stays healthy, even when heated. Placing some springs of rosemary and raw garlic cloves into a bottle of olive oil and storing it with these wonderful ingredients in it makes it healthier to use and also pretty to look at!

Baking Soda Poultice Tip

Make up a paste of Baking Soda and water, adding just enough water to make it the consistency of a facial mask. Place a light coating on the irritated and itchy area and let it sit for at least 10 minutes. It is safe to leave it on for hours or all day if you wish. Rinse the area with plain water and dry.

Calming Tip

Chamomile has a sedating and calming effect. It also calms and helps the pain of teething when prepared as a tea. It works wonderfully as a homeopathic remedy for teething in dogs as well as human babies. A dose of homeopathic Chamomile can soothe an irritable crying baby- sometimes in seconds! Chamomile can also be helpful promoting sleep with elderly animals who pace around at night. The older animal would take it just before bedtime. A chamomile tea added to some food may be just the thing needed for a full nights sleep.