Post on 24-Feb-2020
reduce depression. Both fo-
late and carotenoids help low-
er homocysteine which is an
amino acid that is linked to
cognitive impairment. The
carotenoids are found mainly
in the yellow, orange and red
veggies such as yams, carrots,
bell peppers, watermelon,
cantaloupe, and tomatoes, but
are also found in kale and
spinach.
Foods that are high in antioxi-
dants will benefit the brain.
Blueberries, blackberries,
strawberries, raspberries, and
dark chocolate. Cook with
coconut oil or olive oil, in
fact a Mediterranean diet is
beneficial. Whole grains, qui-
noa, kammut, soy beans, and
oatmeal work well to prevent
brain damage. Avocados,
asparagus, tomatoes, carrots,
beets, celery, oranges, eggs
and broccoli are also benefi-
We all forget things occasional-
ly. Perhaps we walked into the
kitchen, stopped, and thought,
“Now what did I come in here
for?” And sometimes with age it
might even develop into demen-
tia or Alzheimer’s. There are
however, some great foods,
herbs and other alternative ap-
proaches for preventative
maintenance and power boost-
ing the brain.
Neuroprotective herbs and foods
are what to look for when trying
to protect the integrity of the
brain. Neuroprotection is “the
process to prevent the neuronal
cell death by intervening and
inhibiting the pathogenic cas-
cade that results in cell dysfunc-
tion and eventual death” as de-
fined by Blue Book of Neurolo-
gy. Since food is our medicine,
let’s explore some of the foods
that benefit the brain.
Walnuts, they even look like a
brain! In fact almonds, cashews,
walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts and
pecans are full of omega 3s,
omega 6s, vitamin E, folate,
vitamin B6 and magnesium.
The omega 3s and 6s are es-
sential fatty acids which bene-
fit the brain, heart, eyes and
joints. Folate is a B vitamin
(B9) that is found in many
foods which is essential for
your body’s cells to divide and
beneficial for the heart. Sun-
flower and pumpkin seeds are
also good for the brain as they
are high in zinc, choline and
vitamin E. Choline is related to
the B vitamins, as it helps
transmit nerve impulses and
maintain the cell’s membrane.
It is key in the synthesis of a
major neurotransmitter called
acetylocholine, an organic
chemical that functions in the
brain.
Leafy greens are also chock
full of folate and vitamin B9.
Greens such as kale, spinach,
collards and mustard greens
may improve cognition and
Brain Power BRAIN POWER
1
SUPERB HERB ~ PASQUE FLOWER 2
FOOD AS MEDICINE ~ SEAWEED 2
BRAIN POWER …. CONTINUTED 3
MUSCLE OF THE MONTH ~ FLEXOR POLLICIS LONGUS
4
MARCH 11 ~ RACHEL PAYNE AT CAFÉ CALYPSO—5:30 PM MARCH 15 ~ AWAKENMERS SPRING LUNCHEON AT 11 AM MARCH 16 ~ FENG SHUI CLASS—2410 CAPITAN DR. 2-5 PM MARCH 30 ~ BEGINNER’S FARMSCAP-
ING & NATURE’S PEST CONTROL ` 2-4 PM MARCH 30 ~ SPRING PSYCHIC FAIR AT WATER STREET VILLAGE 3-7 PM APRIL 5 BURN/SCAR WORKSHOP MAY 31-JUNE 2 BOTANICAL CONFER-
ENCE IN BLACK MOUNTAIN, NC FARMER’S MARKET ~ EVERY WEDNESDAY AT THE CENTER FOR THE ARTS DOWNTOWN CORPUS CHRISTI 5-8 PM EVERY SATURDAY AT EVERHART & HOLLY CORPUS CHRISTI 9-12
March 2019
~ T H E R A P E U T I C M A S S A G E & H E R B A L H E A L T H ~
Superb Herb ~ Pasque flower (Pulsatilla patens)
Inside This Issue:
Upcoming Events:
This newsletter is pub-
lished by Chiron Holistic,
LLC. The information in
this newsletter is meant
for educational purposes.
Our passion is bringing
therapeutic massage, herb-
al health and well being to
you. Call or text (361) 877
-6900 for an appointment
today!
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Learn the different types of scars and how to release scars, massage burn survivors and much more!
Register at www.handlewithcaremassage.com
Continued on page 3 ….
Page 2
Superb Herb ~ Pasque flower (Pulsatilla patens)
The moment one came upon a
pasque flower after a Colora-
do winter, spring was here.
The pasque flower’s story
evolved from a Greek myth
that the
flower
sprang from
the tears of
Venus as she
wandered
through the
woodlands,
weeping
upon the
death of
Adonis.
This is a
wild, peren-
nial crocus with hairy stems,
basal leaves and bluish pink to
lavender petals and always
blooms around Easter, there-
fore the name Easter flower. It
is also commonly called the
windflower, because as legend
has it that the flower never
opens unless the wind blows.
because of its actions relating to
problems associated with nervous
tension and spasms related to the
reproductive system. It can be
used to reduce tension headaches
and help in cases
of insomnia. It has
antimicrobial ac-
tions to treat infec-
tions of the skin or
respiratory infec-
tions.
Even though this a
one beautiful
flower there are
many precautions.
The fresh plant is
toxic, and can
cause skin irrita-
tions and stomach upsets. How-
ever the homeopathic remedy
called Pulsatilla is safe and rec-
ommended for asthma, chicken
pox, measles, mumps, flu, fever,
colds, coughs, ear infections, si-
nus, conjunctivitis, styles and
gastrointestinal issues.
Spring is sprung!
So when the flowers have
bloomed, they metamorphasize
into these long, wispy things.
As the wind blows the wisps, it
looks like smoke, thus yet an-
other common name of prairie
smoke.
Pasque flowers have diaphoret-
ic, diuretic, antispasmodic, anti-
microbial properties, as well as
act as a rubefacient and nervine
relaxant. It has been suggested
as a nervine relaxant for women
Food as Medicine ~ Seaweed
“TELL ME,
WHAT IS IT
YOU PLAN TO
DO WITH YOUR
ONE WILD AND
PRECIOUS
LIFE.”
- MARY OLIVER
It’s green and slimy and it
comes from the ocean. It is
seaweed, a marine macroal-
gae and a powerful super-
food. There are so many
varieties of seaweed such as
dulse, nori, wakame, kombu,
kelp, spirulena and chlorella.
Once we looked at these like
“ewwwww”, but now we
find seaweed products sold
all over in sushi, soups,
roasted snacks and salads.
Seaweeds are known for the
benefits to the thyroid gland.
Two amino acids, tyrosine
and iodine help release two
hormones in the thyroid,
thyroxine and triiodothyro-
nine, which are in charge of
energy production, growth,
reproduction and cell repair.
Seaweeds are chock full of
vitamins and minerals, carbs,
fiber, thiamin, riboflavin, iron,
manganese, copper, folate,
zinc, calcium, magnesium, so-
dium, vitamins A, B12, C, E,
K, flavonoids, polysaccharides,
carontenoids, omega 3, iodine,
tyrosine with a little fat and
protein.
A high antioxidant content pro-
tects the cells from free radical
damage and the polysaccha-
rides protect the gut by increas-
ing the good bacteria. They
may also help with weight loss,
by decreasing appetite. Sea-
weeds decrease heart risk by
lowering cholesterol levels, and
reduce risk of Type 2 diabetes,
by improving blood sugar con-
trol.
Cautions are advised as to
where your source is gathered
from. For example, one would
not want to purchase or gather
seaweeds from Japan near the
Fukushima nuclear disaster.
Seaweeds tend to accumulate
heavy metals, therefore we
don’t wish to ingest these.
There is also a caution in taking
too much iodine, as too much is
not good for the thyroid.
I know they are green and
slimy, but a great superfood!
Page 3
“ GRATITUDE
BESTOWS
REVERENCE,
ALLOWING US TO
ENCOUNTER
EVERYDAY
EPIPHANIES,
THOSE
TRANSCENDANT
MOMENTS OF
AWE THAT
CHANGE
FOREVER HOW WE
EXPERIENCE LIFE
AND THE WORLD.”
— JOHN MILTON
cial foods for the brain.
Red wine is also even ben-
eficial because it is high in
resveratrol, which protects
the body against any free
radical damage. Other
foods high in resveratrol
are red grapes, blueberries,
raspberries and peanuts.
Salmon is very high in
fatty acids, omega 3 and
omega 6, helping to protect
the integrity of brain cells.
Foods to avoid are fried
foods, alcohol, drugs, sug-
ar and white processed
foods. Do not give anyone
with dementia any ibu-
profen, Benadryl or such
medicines because they
seem to exacerbate the
problem, making the pa-
tient even more agitated.
A popular herb researched
for its brain boosting and
memory capabilities is gingko
biloba, however, this herb
should be used with caution
because it can raise high
blood pressure. Gota Kola is
another brain boosting herb.
These herbs increase the
blood circulation to the brain.
Herbs that help break up brain
plaque are cinnamon, black
cumin, thyme, sage, saffron
and turmeric. These herbs also
have anti-inflammatory prop-
erties, but are beneficial to
add to all kinds of cooking.
However, remember, the more
one cooks and heats them up,
they may lose their potency,
therefore add them at the end.
Lemon balm, ashwangha and
bacopa are plants that may be
beneficial for the brain,
memory and improving cogni-
tion.
Other supplements that may
benefit the brain are antioxi-
dants, CoQ10, B vitamins,
zinc, L-arginine, omega 3s,
melatonin and phosphatidyl-
serine. Phosphatidylserine is a
fatty substance that protects
the integrity of the cell mem-
brane and is used for Alzhei-
mer’s disease and age related
decline in mental functions.
Must be used with caution
and should not be used when
taking blood thinners.
Our memory and forgetful-
ness happens, yet may get
worse as we grow older. Get-
ting older is inevitable, but
improving our memory by
choosing foods and herbs that
are beneficial for our brain’s
health is smart preventative
medicine.
Susan ‘Sparky’ Sparks, LMT
is owner of Chiron Holistic, a
Therapeutic Massage Studio
and Herbal Apothecary
Brain Power …. Continued
CBDs for Pets
Helps with Pain
Reduces Inflammation
Helps with Joint Aches
Promotes good Skin & Hair
Calms the Nervous System
Helps Alleviates Anxiety
Call Chiron Holistic for
More Info
(361) 877-6900
Sissy Hankshaw stuck out
her big thumbs along the
highway to hitch a ride. She
was the finest hitchhiker
around with those huge pha-
langes in Tom Robbins book
“Even Cowgirls Get the
Blues.”
The ‘flexor’ in Latin means
‘bender’, ‘pollicis’ means
‘thumb’ and ‘longus’ means
‘long’, so the Flexor Pollicis
Longus is the Bender
Thumb Longus in Latin. It is
located in the lower part of
the arm, the forearm, and
sits between two muscles,
the flexor pollicis brevis and
abductor pollicis. It is inner-
vated by nerves along C8
and T1. It originates on the
anterior surface of the radius
on a broad, interosseous
tissue and inserts at the dis-
tal phalanx of the thumb or
the tip of the thumb. It actu-
ally turns into tendon as it
runs through the carpal tun-
Muscle of the Month ~ Flexor Pollicis Longus
505 South Water Street
Suite 501 B
Corpus Christi, TX 78401
Phone: 361-877-6900
E-mail:
chironholistic@yahoo.com
Website:
www.chironholistic.com
Check us out on Facebook Sparky’s Spa
Chiron Holistic, LLC is an herbal apothecary and therapeutic massage studio. Susan ‘Sparky’
Sparks began studying medicinal plants some 30+ years ago. She incorporated massage into
her practice in 2001 after studying with Dr. Rosita Arvigo, who developed special massage
techniques from Don Elijio Panti, a famous shaman from Belize. She makes herbal products
with certified organic herbs or they are ethically wildcrafted with love and prayers. Sparky
combines 18 years of massage experience in Swedish, Deep Tissue, Sports, Shiatsu, Jin Shin
Do, Tsubo, Foot Reflexology, Aromatherapy, Myofascial Release, Myoskeletal, Maya Ab-
dominal, Maternity, Burn/Scar, Onocology and Medical Massage. She is a member American
Bodywork & Massage Professionals, American Botanical Council, American Herbalist Guild,
South Texas Botanical Gardens and serves on the Advisory Board for the Texas Department
of Licensing and Regulation for Massage Therapists. She is a Qi Gong Level I Instructor and
Master Gardener. Chiron Holistic is dedicated to providing a pathway towards holistic
health. We are here to assist you on your journey towards wellness.
C H I R O N H O L I S T I C ~ S P A R K Y ’ S S P A
nel and inserts on the palm side
of the thumb.
This muscle is used to flex the
thumb, as in hitchhiking. It is
also used in gripping things,
such as a golf club, tools, ten-
nis racket and other objects.
Problems with the flexor polli-
cis longus may be pain in the
thumb, tip of the thumb, lock-
ing or popping in the thumb,
difficulty in gripping, tying
shoes, buttoning buttons,
holding objects or gardening.
If the flexor pollicis longus
is injuried, recovery time
takes longer due to there is
not much blood circulation
in the tendons.
Even though the seaweed family is green and slimy, they can be cooked up different ways and ingested to give you a superfood boost.