Friday, December 14, 2012

summer : notes from my naturopath

At the beginning of every season I drive over the hill to visit my naturopath. She lives in a country cottage that borders a small river; chooks, ducks and geese call the garden home. I usually spend an hour with her, sipping chamomile tea while she talks about a seasonal diet and nature's medicine.

Summer, she told me, is all about the heart - strengthening and protecting this vital organ. It's the season for laughter, the time where we dance to music and celebrate outdoors. Imbued with happiness, it's the season of love (no wonder so many babies are born in spring!). 

The sun is vibrant in summer, incredibly energising, but we must be wary of its bite. Our diet should include bitter foods to cool the blood and to ultimately cool our body. These include:
  • cucumbers, lettuce, pears, grapefruit, celery
  • dairy - especially fetta and yoghurt
  • coconut, in all its forms
Other seasonal suggestions for a delicious and healthy diet include:
  • stone fruits in their rich shades of crimson and orange - peaches, nectarines and apricots are tonics for the heart
  • a fresh fruit and vegie juice is always a good thing (I'm currently drinking cucumber, carrot, ginger, apple and celery)
  • meat eaters should gravitate towards more seafood in summer (there's a lovely recipe for wild snapper here)
  • to aid digestion at night I drink a pineapple, ginger and mint juice just before dinner - strong, sweet and spicy 
  • lemon tea is perfect for summer to refresh and to cool -  try lemon myrtle, lemongrass or lemon verbena. 
Of course, with the warm weather comes the mozzies and I'm all for using a natural repellent. Burning lavender, or even rubbing some lavender oil around your window frames, keeps the mozzies and flies away. But be mindful that rosemary attracts them. Did you know that rosemary should always be planted on the hottest side of the house? - when the sun hits the leaves an oil is released which produces a vapour that ultimately cools the area. A trick the Ancient Egyptians used, apparently.

For bug bites try a little calendula oil dabbed on the skin or ice and aloe vera gel to cool and soothe. 

spring : notes from my naturopath

posted by: Jodi

19 COMMENTS

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  1. hello milkyDecember 14, 2012 at 10:01 AM

    Pineapple, ginger and mint juice - YUM. So need to buy one of those juicers... xx

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  2. natalieDecember 14, 2012 at 10:24 AM

    Great tips Jodi! I'm always happily surprised at how well lavender works for mozzies. Looking forward to a heart warming Summer x

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  3. KateDecember 14, 2012 at 10:25 AM

    Ah, I love your comment about summertime love... so true! We're expecting our spring baby and I couldn't help but chuckle to myself ;) I will definitely bookmark this as summer comes around, just thinking about it makes me excited . xo

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  4. kirstyrosaDecember 14, 2012 at 11:23 AM

    Lavender for mossies and flies? Wonderful - I've always loved lavender oil. And the pineapple drink sounds divine!

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  5. tea with lucyDecember 14, 2012 at 11:44 AM

    Just this week I planted a rosemary hedge right along the north side of our house. Without even knowing what you've shared here about the ancient egyptians!

    A good friend of mine is a naturopath and homeopath and is always dropping little tips and insights into our conversation. I love that!

    rachel xo

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  6. Jemima LongstockingDecember 14, 2012 at 12:05 PM

    Thank you for the Summery tips Jodi- I always keep a bottle of Lavender on hand for sleepless nights and mozzie bites- it's such a versatile oil. Oh and that digestion juice sounds delicious x

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  7. Natalie @ the little gnomes homeDecember 14, 2012 at 12:42 PM

    Lovely suggestions Jodi. I love them all! Fresh aloe vera from the garden (broken open) is wonderful :)

    Oh and the snapper looks yum yes :) thanks so much for the link.

    Wishing you lots of summer love xx

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  8. AnonymousDecember 14, 2012 at 1:09 PM

    I never knew lavender kept mozzies away! I'll get some today for outside- thankyou!

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  9. Nikki FisherDecember 14, 2012 at 1:59 PM

    Lovely post Jodi. I only wish it felt like summer here today! After two days of 30+ we are back to rain and cardigans, and chicken broth for lunch. I find lavendar oil on mozzie bites to be effective and smells great too! x

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  10. dear mollyDecember 14, 2012 at 4:07 PM

    Jodi, thank you for these tips especially about rosemary attracting flies/mozzies..we have a huge hedge of out the front of our place and have a chronic problem with flies at this time of the year.
    Must plant some lavender :)
    x

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  11. Imogen EveDecember 14, 2012 at 5:46 PM

    I love that you share your naturopaths knowledge here. Thank you Jodi. I never knew that about lavender oil – will be investing in some tomorrow.

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  12. Brenda @ 13 AcresDecember 14, 2012 at 8:47 PM

    love all these suggestions! I must try that lemon tea - do you think cold would be just as beneficial?? and lavender for the mozzie repellent - genius! Thanks Jodi x

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  13. BrookDecember 15, 2012 at 10:08 AM

    I bookmarked this for 6 months from now. Any suggestions for preparing for winter? love this series and love your blog. one of my absolute favorites!

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    Replies
    1. JodiDecember 16, 2012 at 10:25 AM

      I did see her last winter but I didn't take notes! In 6 months time I'll have wonderful advice for all four seasons ;) x

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  14. UnknownDecember 15, 2012 at 1:05 PM

    Lovely tips Jodi. :)

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  15. mon_and_miaDecember 15, 2012 at 2:39 PM

    Our house is infested with mozzies. Our back door is always wide open so our dogs can come & go as they please so there is no way of stopping the mozzies from coming in. I'll have to buy some lavender oil to burn to scare them away!

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  16. heidiDecember 15, 2012 at 5:44 PM

    thanks for sharing-- I would love to have a naturopath, so nice to get tips from yours!

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  17. UnknownDecember 15, 2012 at 7:34 PM

    This all sounds lovely to me! Thanks Jodi :)

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  18. jodyDecember 18, 2012 at 12:24 AM

    I love your seasonal tips, thank you Jodi. xo

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