Spring critters
As is the case for spring, year after year, while we look forward to our colorful array of flowers to appear, breaking the soil instead are allergies, colds and the flu. The radical changes in weather, combined with lack of sunshine, a more sedentary lifestyle and other factors seem to weaken the immune system and leave us "exposed to the elements."
While we are getting restless to get our gardens in and enjoy the benefits of spring and summer to come, we also know that if we move too early, and not build up and work the soil before we plant, we will end up with sick plants.
We frequently care for our plants better than we do our own bodies. For instance, when a plant is not doing well, we don't just leave it to chance. We analyze it. Did we give it enough water? Did we over-water? Did we harden our plants off properly before planting? Is the soil the correct pH, or did we amend the soil with the proper nutrients? Did we feed it correctly during the growing period? Are there critters out there playing havoc on it?
How does this apply to our human system? They are amazingly similar. Many symptoms, such as a headache or a sugar craving, is simply the body's cry for water. Since the body doesn't store much water, it has to be supplied daily. Water is needed by the body for many reasons: to regulate body temperature, lubricate and cushion joints, help the body eliminate by-products of normal metabolism, keep the blood fluid, and maintain the health and integrity of every cell in the body, to mention only a few. Without enough water, diseases related to these things could develop. Likewise, like a plant, excess water can be damaging, too. Excess water can deplete minerals essential to function of many tissues in the body. That is rarely the case with humans, however.
Soil. Ahhh, so much like the body. Our human "soil" needs nourishment and frequent amendments to keep it healthy. Good healthy fats such as olive oil, coconut oil, and butter; good proteins such as pasture-raised livestock or chickens (without growth and other hormones and antibiotics); lots of vegetables, especially what you grow yourself, pick up at a local farmers market or share with a neighbor that has an abundance - that's real soil nourishment!
Just as we would compost to give our plants the best of the best nourishment around, we too could use some "pre-digested" organic matter. That comes in the form of yogurt (organic, unsweetened), or cultured foods such as sauerkraut. These foods (aka probiotics) feed the normal gut "soil," so we have a healthy foundation for health.
We have as much control over our body's "soil" as we do the health of the soil in which we plant our flowers and vegetables. In taking care of our body, like we do our plants, we resist the flu bugs and other "critters" that hamper our enjoyment of the spring season!
Holly Carling is a Doctor of Oriental Medicine, Licensed Acupuncturist, Doctor of Naturopathy, Clinical Nutritionist and Master Herbologist with more than 32 years of experience. She is currently accepting new patients, and offers natural health-care services and whole food nutritional supplements in her Coeur d'Alene clinic. Visit Carling's website at www.vitalhealthandfitness.com to learn more about Carling, view a list of upcoming health classes and read other informative articles. Carling can be reached at (208) 765-1994 and would be happy to answer any questions regarding this topic.