​This is a very special time in the Caribbean! A Caribbean Christmas is all about SORREL! Sorrel with a shot of liquor (wine or rum), or sorrel straight up (cold, over ice or sipped ceremoniously as a hot tea). 

Now I’m not taking about your run-of-the-mill garden vegetable – leafy green sorrel – aka ‘common sorrell’, ‘Rumex acetosa’ or ‘spinach dock’ which is a perennial herb and can be cooked or eaten like any regular leafy green vegetable. No my Friend! We must not confuse common sorrel (no disrespect intended with the descriptive ‘common’) with the Darling of the Caribbean: Jamaican sorrel which – specifically - we are referring to the flowering petals (calyx) of the woody Roselle plant, Hibiscus sabdariffa aka ‘Roselle hibiscus’ aka ‘Flor de Jamaica’, aka ‘Florida cranberry’. Interestingly enough, “Jamaican Sorrel” is not indigenous to Jamaica or only used in Jamaica. It has its origins in Central and West Africa but is grown all around the world including Asia. Pretty much most, if not all, of the Caribbean/West Indies drink sorrel or use its parts (leaves, calyces, seeds) in some recipe or herbal remedy. Matter of fact, I was on a medical mission trip to Guatemala, staying in the old town of La Antigua, and part of the ritual of a holistic spa retreat I afforded myself involved the ritual of drinking hot sorrel (and they actually called it ‘Flor de Jamaica’) after a Mayan massage and healing session. Let me tell you, I was EUPHORIC!

Pretty much all parts of sorrel can be used for its varied benefits.  You can roast the seeds, brew it like coffee, or grind it up and sprinkle over salads or in soup. You can pick the young leaves off the twiggy stem and steam them as you would any regular greens, or cook with chicken and fish, and – my favorite: use the red calyces to make your sorrel drink, simmered down to make preserves/chutney, or blended in to your Christmas cake batter for a yummy Christmas ‘black cake’ (another Caribbean atradition).

I am known for repurposing plant parts, believing in giving back to Mother Earth, so – true story: I went to the local flea market and bought some fresh bundles of sorrel bush with the intent to make a Vietnamese soup with the leaves, and randomly decided to stick the stems back into my veggie garden bed to see if I could propagate them that way instead of buying dried sorrel flowers at the store or online. Let me tell you, I had a jungle of a sorrel bush that year, because it took off and flourished like a weed, giving me pounds of fresh sorrel petals to the delight of my family and friends as well as the BasTurd squirrels that also binged on the petals (I have videos to prove the day they became my arch-enemy!).

Culturally, sorrel has widespread use, including here in the US where it is drunk as a beverage at Juneteenth celebrations to pay homage to our African ancestry. In Chinese Medicine, Roselle hibiscus is known as Luo Shen Hua and is also drunk as a tea for all its health benefits (laobanniang.com) with properties that “Resolve Phlegm and Food Stagnation and Regulate the Liver”. The petals are used to make red food coloring or dyes, the root has been used as a laxative/purgative, and fibers from the stem of the plant are used to make twine, netting or sacks. Below are few of the reported health benefits found in sorrel, but again – the caveat is: This does not constitute medical advice and information provided is for educational purposes only.

Health Benefits:
º Helps with weight loss, boosts red blood cells and prevents anemia;
º Contains anthocyanins, anti-inflammatories and antioxidants that help fight cancer;
º Lowers blood pressure, reduces cholesterol and helps prevent heart disease;
º Loaded with Vitamin C so helps fight colds;
º Hot tea brewed from the leaves relieves menstrual cramps.

And I will end this with some recipe suggestions for you to consider if you want to include sorrel in your diet:
a) Steep the red petals with warming spices of your choice: ginger, cloves, allspice berries, orange peel, cinnamon, nutmeg and star anise; strain and sweeten to taste then serve hot or cold; with or without your liquor of choice (Caribbean rum or red wine preferably :-)
b) After steeping your sorrel, don’t throw those petals away! Pick out all the spices you added then drain liquids off the petals, add a little sugar &/or jazz it up with a few dashes of hot pepper and simmer slowly over very low heat until it thickens up and you have the consistency of a chutney or preserves (I never add pectin as pectin is found in the flower itself).
c) If you can get the fresh plant, get ones with young tender leaves and cook down as an Asian/Indian/African stew with chicken or fish or toss fresh in your salads.
And as we say in Jamaica: “Christmas a nuh Christmas unless yuh drink some sorrel!” (“Christmas is not Christmas until you drink some sorrel!”). Cheers and a very good holiday to you!
In good health,
Dr. A
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com
​
References:
JamaicanFoodAndRecipes.com; 10/22/2020
Michelle Blackwood: HealthierSteps.com, 6/26/2022
ifas.ufl.edu; Gardening Solutions
Cardiovascular health: Lucy Elis; Nutrition Reviews, Volume 80, Issue 6, June 2022, Pages 1723–1737
Cooking with Roselle: James H. Beattie; UNT Digital Library
Cancers: BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019; 19: 98. Christopher Ngyuen et al.
Weight loss: Food Function. 2014 Apr; 5(4):734-9. Hong Chou-Chang.  
​
​Disclaimer: 
This information is educational in nature only, and is NOT intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.​

I guess I really should have written this back in July when we celebrated National Watermelon Month, but as we speak, I am totally enjoying some cold watermelon slices here in hot Florida (still) so I gotta honor it!  Summer is officially over but before She goes, let’s talk about the healing benefits of 1 of my favorite Summer fruits: watermelon! It’s certainly not a weed, but I’ve included it here in The Garden of Weed’n section, as we will be talking about the rind and the seeds that we usually discard. I cannot sing its praises enough as EVERY SINGLE PART OF IT CAN BE USED AS MEDICINE!  For starters, did you know that watermelon is thought to have originated in Africa then shortly thereafter ‘migrated’ to Egypt, India and China? China takes 1st place in watermelon production (USA is 7th,  majority of which is grown in Georgia). And obviously it’s called watermelon for a reason as it’s made up of 92% water.  Aside from the fact that we all know how thirst-quenchingly refreshing watermelon fruit and juice can be, here are a few other fun facts about how we use the various parts of watermelon in Chinese Medicine:
 
a) Watermelon Flesh:
Let’s start with the fruit (pulp) itself as you are all probably mostly familiar with that. In Chinese Medicine, that fleshy part of the watermelon is known as Xi Gua, and when eaten or drunk is an excellent, easy and economical way to rehydrate and clear ‘SummerHeat’ when you’re hot, thirsty, and have scant, dark urine indicating you’ve not had enough to drink. If you’re feeling particularly irritable, cool refreshing slices of watermelon can soothe the Savage Beast, and help relax and calm the mind (Shen). Probably everyone can relate to feeling good after eating a cold slice of watermelon on a hot Summer’s day. It’s also included as an ingredient in herbal formulas to help treat jaundice and promote urination.
b) Watermelon Rind:
Watermelon rind in Chinese Medicine is called Xi Gua Pi, whereas the outermost layer of the rind is called Xi Gua Cui Yi, and both are used in combo with other herbs to diurese or to treat jaundice, not necessarily to quench thirst.
º Another example of how watermelon can be beneficial, the rind is used in a popular Chinese herbal formula, Xi Gua Shuang (aka “Watermelon Frost” or “Sanjin Watermelon Frost Spray” (or lozenges). This is made from the stem end of the watermelon rind which has been allowed to sit for about 10 days with another Chinese herb in a cool dark place until a ‘frost’ develops on the skin, and then used to make a formula to help treat sore throat and toothaches amongst other things.
º And finally, this precious ripe watermelon rind/peel that so many of us discard, when placed outside in the sun to dry naturally, now becomes Dong Gua Pi, loaded with vitamins and used to treat edema and diarrhea.
c) Watermelon Seed:
But wait, there’s more! Watermelon seed, aka Xi Gua Zi Ke, believe it or not, is used to treat tapeworms, roundworms, urinary tract infection and bed-wetting. Yup, you heard me right! The dried seeds can also be boiled as a tea and used to promote urination and lower blood pressure (thanks to amino acid, L-citrulline) and the seed cover is used to stop bleeding (upper or lower GI bleed). Try roasting the seeds and mix with other seeds like pistachios, pepitas or almonds, add a little sea-salt and you have a perfect savory snack loaded in zinc, magnesium and iron.
d) Watermelon Recipe Suggestions:
I know summer is over but if you are hankering for watermelon and haven’t dabbled yet in something new and different, try some recipes that incorporate watermelon such as:
º For your charcuterie board all year long, alternate watermelon and cucumber squares with rolled up slices of turkey/ham and mini mozzarella balls on wooden skewers and drizzle with balsamic glaze for a nice sweet/savory appetizer. Try watermelon salsa as a side with your Thanksgiving ham or turkey – how’s that for a change? And cheers to everyone after dinner with some watermelon mojitos!
º Pickled watermelon rinds are readily available in grocery stores and online as well as in local Farmer’s Markets, but you can very easily make your own ‘PWR’ by taking the white part of the rind and adding apple cider vinegar, salt, ginger, and other spices and boiling for about 30 minutes then bottling in sterile jars and refrigerating once cooled.
º Whenever I’m working in the garden (or if I’ve exercised up a storm) and I’m bored with drinking water or lemonade, I just blend chunks of watermelon (with or without any additional fruit) until it’s thin enough to drink. I never strain it since I love the pulp for added fiber. You can certainly throw in some fresh greens in there as well like spinach or kale and make a healthy smoothie, as watermelon is loaded with vitamins and electrolytes.
º For a refreshing summer salad that’s pretty to boot, try bite-sized cubes of watermelon & seedless cucumber mixed in with feta cheese crumbles and a sprinkle of chopped fresh herbs like mint, cilantro or parsley leaves and a couple hits of thinly sliced red onions. Drizzle a little vinaigrette and you’ve clearly got a hit!
º Too lazy to do all that? Wanna go paint the town red (no pun intended)?  Pop on over to your nearest Bonefish Grill(R) and sip on my personal favorite: watermelon martini!
So there you have it! Next year when Summer rolls around and watermelon is back in season, think back on all the wonderful properties of this delightful fruit (‘vegetable’ to some) and vow to partake some more. Here’s to your health! 
Happy weeding; Happy eating!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac
Acupuncture Physician
www.Acupuncture4YourHeath.com
“If people have time and patience, they will be able to count the number of seeds in a watermelon. But not one person can tell you how many watermelons will grow by planting one seed.” (Evelyn Murray Drayton)
References:  
º chinesenutrition.org
º Murray M. The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods. New York, NY: Atria Books; 2005
º Erhirhie EO, Ekene NE. Medicinal values on Citrullus lanatus (Watermelon): Pharmacological Review. International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences. 2013;4(4):1305-1312.
º Besnky, D., Clavey, S. & Stöger, E. Chinese herbal Medicine Materia Medica. USA: Eastland Press; 2004
 Disclaimer: This information is educational in nature only, and is NOT intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
​

Cuban Oregano aka “Plectranthus amboinicus”…. Try saying that fast 3 times! :-)

I write about this plant today, not because it’s a weed, but because it has so many wonderful properties that few people take advantage of. You may know it as Mexican Mint, Mexican Thyme, Broad Leaf Thyme; French or Cuban Thyme, Indian Borage, and a bunch of other names depending on what part of the world you hail from. My personal favourite:  Oregano Brujo! (*If you know, you know!)

In Chinese Medicine, it is known as Dao Shou Xiang, and used in formulas to help soothe digestion and relax spasms, and - as a tea - steeped with garlic to help soothe a cough and  reduce fever. Some countries like Indonesia use it to treat malaria or epilepsy, and help with milk production in lactating mothers. Others use it for its laxative effects, to expel kidney stones or relieve headache.

In the Caribbean, this can be found growing in pretty much EVERYBODY’S garden as we use it to season our meats, salsas and stews. Nutritionally, it is a great source of vitamin A, C and E  plus additional minerals and phosphates.

The fragrance is like a combo of oregano, thyme & sage, and some say camphor (hence the other common name for the genus, Plectranthus tomentosa: “Vicks Salve Plant”). The leaves have a very distinct, fragrant yet pungent smell, and contain 2 chemical compounds reportedly used in Listerine(R) mouthwash and Gold Bond Powder(R) for their antibacterial and antifungal properties. And for all my Homesteaders out there: You can even crush the leaves & mix in the water bowl for your chickens to help boost their immunity as well.

Topically, try bruising the leaves and rubbing it on your skin, and the smell will repel mosquitoes, or inhale the aroma to help relieve chest congestion just as if you had rubbed Vicks on your chest. When I was a kid growing up, I had frequent attacks of bronchitis, and so my Granny always had a bottle of her homemade remedy that included this plant, or she would send me to pick some leaves from the flower-pot on the steps, and so every time I smell it, I am transported back in time to my formative years growing up at the feet of Grandmother-Nature. Especially now in COVID times, I always have a fat leaf in my pocket at work or when I travel, and I take a whiff throughout the day to ‘cleanse my lungs’ (my personal upbringing; Please note this does not constitute medical advice).

In our spiritual practice we use it to attract helpful Fairies, cleanse  and protect our space much like how you would sage yourself, your home or objects, or even wear it like an amulet. There is a really great article ("10 Magical Properties of Oregano" by Carla Greenwood) that makes for delightful reading if you'd like some additionall suggestions on how to use not only Cuban Oregano, but oregano in general. 

This is a very easy herb to propagate as it needs little care, does not like wet feet, and much like other succulents, it thrives in the Florida sun. If you’re local and you’d like a plant, let me know and I’ll start one for ya! This is the perfect plant to have now that we’re going into cold and flu season!  Comment below if you use/like Cuban Oregano too!
Here’s to your health!  Happy weeding; Happy eating!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac
Acupuncture Physician
www.Acupuncture4YourHeath.com

 Disclaimer: This information is educational in nature only, and is NOT intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.
​
REFERENCES:
HolisticLivingSchool.org
SpeciatyProduce.com
LateChef.com

Chayote is a tropical pear-shaped “fruit” (although its bland, mild flavor makes its use more like a vegetable) that has been and continues to be a staple in Aztec, Mayan, Caribbean & Latin-American diets.  Growing up in Jamaica, this was always present on the dinner table, quartered & boiled as a vegetable (similar to our winter squashes), cooked down in soups, or stuffed as a holiday dish.  I was used to the smooth pale-greenish skin and white meat on the inside, until a recent visit to my favorite local flea market. At 1 of the produce stands I came across the spiny version (common in Mexican cultures) which caught me by surprise and posed a serious challenge when it came time for me to peel & cook it.   By itself, the fruit/flesh is crispy yet bland, very mild and easily takes on the flavor of whatever it is cooked with, but I love the simple and crisp flavor boiled by itself or with other squashes (like pumpkin) & served as a side vegetable.  If you’re trying to cut carbs in your diet, this makes a delicious alternative to the typical starchy carbs you would serve with your meal – it’s filling without causing bloat.

Nutritional Benefits:
◦ Chayote has a high water content & great diuretic properties so it works well with detox/cleansing diets or to assist with weight loss (low in calories and high in fiber). 
◦ Rich in copper, potassium, zinc, magnesium, folate & other vitamins/minerals so beneficial in fertility issues, cancer prevention, and bone, muscle & nerve health.  
◦ Loaded with amino acids (building blocks of proteins).

Recipes:
◦ Shred as you would cabbage & include in your slaw recipes
◦ Boil (the skin of the smooth-skinned variety is edible) & eat as a vegetable
◦ Add to your smoothies (include the flat inner ‘seed’ as they are loaded with protein!)
◦ Bake as is or stuff as you would a winter squash
◦ Cube/slice and cook in your favorite Indian, Thai, Vietnamese or Caribbean sauce or stew (thanks Mum, for the recipes ;-D)

Medicinal Uses:
The entire plant can be used for its healing benefits including anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties such as:
◦ Fruit itself used to treat urinary tract problems such as kidney stones, cystitis, nephritis.
◦ Leaves: infusion of the dried leaves can help treat arteriosclerosis & high blood pressure as well as colds or bronchitis.
◦ Use the juice of the fruit to bleach freckles or skin blemishes.
◦ Apply the flesh as a poultice on inflammations and wounds.
◦ Research studies showed extracts of Chayote had great antibacterial (inhibit Gram negative bacteria) antifungal (2 yeasts: Cryptococcus neoformans and Issatchenkia orientalis had sensitivity to its extracts) and antimicrobial properties (Chayote’s extract & tincture had very good antimicrobial efficacy against all strains of multi-resistant Staphylococci and Enterococci) *Source: See reference below.

And there ya have it!  Although the chayote is not a weed, I had to include it here because I unfortunately see too many people who turn their noses up at foods that are unfamiliar to them or outside of their culture.  Be open to the wonderful world of all of God’s creations.  Next time you’re at the produce stand, keep an eye out for this healthy addition to your family meals – your body & your taste buds will love you for it.  
Until next time, Happy weed’n, Happy eating, Happy healing!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac.
Acupuncture Physician

References:
- Noumedem, Jaurès AK et al.  (2013). “Antibacterial activities of the methanol extracts of ten Cameroonian vegetables against Gram-negative multidrug-resistant bacteria”.   BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 13:26. 
- Ordoñez, A.A. L. et al.   (2003).  “Antimicrobial Activity of Nine Extracts of Sechium edule”.   Microbial Ecology in Health and Disease, 15(1): 33-39.  
- Dire, G.F. et al.  (2010).  Comparative Analysis of the Biological Effects Related to a Natural Extract Processed from the Bark of Chayote (Sechium Edule). Global Veterinaria 4 (3): 225-229.
- Pei Shing, Gwee, et al.  (2013).  “Antifungal and antibacterial properties of three medicinal plants from Malaysia”.   Pharmacognosy Communications, 3(2): 75-81.
- Gordon, E.A. et al. (2000).  “The Anti-Hypertensive Effects of the Jamaican Cho-Cho/Sechium Edule”.  West Indian Med Journal. 49(1):27-31

I love spirals and see them wherever I go, so I was very excited to see the spiral rosette of this Bull Thistle plant on a recent walk.  There are many varieties of thistle and they’re pretty easy to spot because of their prickly, thorny leaves, gorgeous flowering blooms, and fuzzy poofballs that blow off with the slightest puff of wind.  

Truth be told, this is is a very difficult plant to harvest for a meal because of all the prickly spines that cover the plant (bring thick garden gloves with you when you go “weeding”), and once you’re done peeling off the spiny outer layer of the leaves, you’re not left with much to make a substantial salad so it’s best to include it with your other field greens.

Culinary Use:
- If you’re brave enough to risk being pricked by the spines, you can harvest the young leaves, cut the prickles off then soak the leaves overnight in  a little salted water & steam them the next day as you would any greens.  This – needless to say – is a labor of love and not an easy task.
- The young flower buds can also be cooked & used as a vegetable. 
- The roots are a little bland; they taste like a cross between celery and artichoke so probably best mixed in/cooked up with other with other veggies. 

Reported Medicinal Uses:
- As a poultice for sore jaw or bleeding hemorrhoids;
- Steam the entire plant & use the warm infusion to steam/soak achy, rheumatic joints;
- Decoct the flower head to help treat viral infections.

Caution:
Large doses may cause vomiting and this herb is not recommended during pregnancy.

Chinese Medicinal Use:
In Chinese Medicine, different types of thistles are used to treat inflammation, stop bleed or promote urination.  Japanese Thistle (Cirsium japonicum or “Da Ji”) and Field Thistle (“Xiao Ji” aka Cirsium setosum) are both used to treat chaotic bleeds such as uterine/nosebleed, vomiting blood, blood in urine or stool as well as jaundice and hypertension. The fresh herb is used topically for carbuncles, sores and swellings.  You may also have heard of another type of thistle:  Holy Thistle (Carbenia benedicta - yellow flowers) which is used to treat all kinds of fevers, purify the blood, treat stomach ailments and promote lactation in nursing moms.  And perhaps the most easily recognized medicinal thistle  is Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum), the most common medicinal thistle product found OTC/in health food stores.  Milk Thistle contains a bioflavonoid complex “Silymarin” & is used to treat jaundice and other liver/spleen diseases, as well as pleurisy, snakebites, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar.  This is readily available as a tea.  

Well, there ya have it!  Next time you’re out on your nature walk and you see this beautiful rosette or spiny plant with a gorgeous mop of purple flower heads, don’t be afraid to harvest a couple plants – just be careful. Until next time, happy Weed'n, happy Healing!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com
“Die when I may, I want it said by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow” (Abraham Lincoln)

Our Garden of Weed’n blog has been on hiatus for the last 2 months as I recently moved and have been roaming the fields & parks checking out the area’s  “weeds”.   The neighborhood is new but this month’s remedy isn’t, and I particularly love the name – Elderberry – because it incorporates 1 of my favorite words:  “elder”.    Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has been around for eons, having been used by our ancestors as a diaphoretic, laxative and diuretic and immune-booster.  Some of you may be familiar with it from the anise-flavored Italian liqueur, Sambuca, which includes the flowers from the elderberry plant.  Others of you may remember seeing it on the shelves in the anti-viral, immune-booster, anti-oxidant section of health food stores.

Uses & Benefits:
◦ Available as a liquid, tincture, syrup, tea, capsules, and lozenges;
◦ Expectorant & anti-catarrhal - Used to treat common cold, sinus congestion, sore throat, fever, coughs, flu, tonsillitis;
◦ There is an awesome recipe for an Elderberry syrup to “fight flu-like symptoms”  that includes elderberries, cinnamon, ginger cloves & honey – see www.wellnessmama.com (thank you, WellnessMama!)
◦ Rich in carotenoids, flavanoids (contains anti-oxidant properties) and vitamins A, B, C and amino acids to help keep you healthy;
◦ Used topically to treat wounds on the skin;
◦ Reportedly used to treat rheumatism;
◦ Assist in weight loss & lower cholesterol;
◦ Improve vision;
◦ The berries can be used in making jams, pies, jellies and wines.  Matter of fact, a trip to Kentucky last year brought me to a quaint little Amish store where I found a product called “TOE Jam” consisting of tangerine, orange & elderberries, but unfortunately they confiscated it at the airport, leaving me upset indeed (I’ve since created my own version :-)   
Caution:
● There are different species of Sambucus, and you do have to be careful to not just pick any random ‘elderberry’ plant berries you come across as the uncooked fruit  and other parts of several of the species are poisonous (e.g.  Sambucus ebulus or Dwarf Elder), as they contain a compound similar to cyanide.  This particular elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is okay for consumption, but I would still caution you to cook the berries first to enhance their digestion.
● Don’t self-prescribe if you are on chemotherapeutic agents, immune-suppressants, steroids, diuretics, anti-diabetic agents, respiratory drugs, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.  Please speak with your physician first!  And again, I will reiterate:  this blog does not constitute medical advice and is intended for educational purposes only. 
Here’s to your health!  Happy weeding, Happy healing!

Ref:
J Alt Compl Mod 1995: 1:361-69 2. Youdim KA, Martin A, Joseph JA. Incorporation of the elderberry anthocyanins by endothelial cells increases protection against oxidative stress. Free Radic

This month we’re going to pause for a bit on our walk through the Garden of Weed’n, head back indoors, and rummage through the garbage can in the kitchen.  Better yet, let’s take a proactive approach and NOT throw stuff in the dumpster just yet….  Starting with piths, peels and seeds:  Tangerines, oranges and lemons to be specific.  In Chinese Medicine, we use all of the above for their nutritional and medicinal values rather than throwing them away, and the medicinal properties vary slightly based on the type and age of the peel. As a matter of fact, many of our Chinese herbal formulas contain citrus peel of some sort.  Examples of the various citrus peels that can be used instead of discarded include:   Citrus sinensis (sweet orange), Citrus aurantium (bitter orange), Citri reticulatae pericarpium (aged ripe tangerine peel or peel of the Mandarin orange), Citri reticulataea viride pericarpium (green immature citrus peel), and Citrus limonum (lovely little lemon peel).  Let’s look at 2 citrus peels in particular from a Chinese Medicine perspective.   *I’m emphasizing again here that the information being shared here or in any of this blog series does not constitute medical advice so talk to your doctor for any disconcerting symptoms.
 
º Chen Pi (aged ripe tangerine peel) aka Citri reticulatae pericarpium:
- Properties:   acrid, bitter, warm, aromatic
- Channels: Lung, Spleen, Stomach
- Functions:  regulate Qi, dry Damp, dissolve Phlegm, prevent Stagnation.  Aged, ripe tangerine peel would be awesome if you had a little stomach bloat, nausea or vomiting, or any phlegmy-type, cold-like symptoms. 

º Qing Pi (dried immature/green tangerine peel) aka Citri reticulatae viride pericarpium:
- Temperature:  warm
- Channels: Liver, Gall Bladder, Stomach
- Taste:  bitter, spicy
- Functions:  spread Liver Qi, break up stagnation (think about using your green peel discards if you have food stagnation or find yourself getting more & more irritable, sighing a lot, tense & uptight, PMS-ish, usually signs of “Liver Qi stagnation”).

Some Interesting Facts About Citrus Peel: 
*The older the peel, the more potent  (“Traditionally the newly collected peels are considered spicy & acrid with a violently drying quality; the aged peels are therefore preferred” – Bensky, Materia Medica). 
* In Chinese Medicine formulas, we have variations of aged peel – some formulas require a dry fried version (Zhi Chen Pi) versus a charred version (Chen Pi tan).  Using the white part of the peel now makes it Citri reticulatae exocarpium album, or Ju Bai, and modifies its healing properties to make it less drying and more harmonizing to the Stomach channel.  Ju Luo is the pith part of the fruit and is great for phlegmy conditions that make you cough so much your ribs hurt.  One fruit, many uses…..How awesome is that!
* Citrus peel is actually higher in Vitamin C, flavonoids & enzymes than the pulpy fruit itself;
* Lemon peel has been used to reduce cholesterol and is known to contain potassium which can help lower blood pressure.  Research has also shown that it contains limonene & salve sterol Q40, 2 compounds that help fight cancer.
* Citrus seed (Ju He) has been reported to have analgesic & carminative (anti-gas J) properties and to also treat lumbago because of its properties (“bitter & neutral to move Qi, dissolve clumps & stop pain”).  It’s usually crushed before use & maybe stir-fried with salt to enhance its ability to work on the Kidney & Bladder channels.
* Yup, even the leaf of the tangerine plant (Citri reticulatae folium aka JuYe) have medicinal benefits, and is used in our medicine to help treat breast issues as it targets the Liver channel ….Liver you say?.... What does “Liver channel” have to do with the breast you ask?  Ah hah!  That’s where you ask your Acupuncturist about the beauty of Chinese medicine on your next visit J.
* Although citrus peel is relatively safe, you do have to be careful if you have dry cough or Heat conditions.

Common Household Uses:
- Recipes:
Add a strip or 2 of citrus peel to chicken or beef dishes; grate the peel (zest) & add to cakes & custards; chop up & make some marmalade (my favorite homemade summer recipe includes grapefruit, orange & lemon peels with basil leaves – check out the picture below), or steep your peel with lemongrass, mint &/or ginger for a soothing and aromatic herbal tea.
- Health remedies:
For a quick and easy “Immune Tonic”, boil orange peel, a cinnamon stick or 2, a piece of ginger root, some  elderberries & a few cardamom seeds then strain & drink a couple shots of this concoction during cold & flu season.  Because citrus peel is loaded with vitamin C, which enhances the action of Calcium, you could consider including it when you take your calcium supplement (synergistic effect) to help improve the health of your bones and to prevent gum/dental problems. 
- And here’s an absolutely awesome facial treatment:  to help treat acne, pimples or dark spots:  mix the chopped up peels with the juice of the fruit & a teaspoon of honey, apply to your face for about 5 minutes then rinse -  voila!  Beautiful, clear, supple skin!

Caveat:
* Always go organic if you're eating peels
* If you're susceptible to kidney/gallstones, avoid eating lemon peels as they contain high amounts of oxalate.

Other "Throwaways" to Consider:
- Pineapple &/or ginger peels:  boil separately or together, strain & sweeten then serve over ice to make your own "ade" or ginger "beer ".
- Grape seeds: forget seedless grapes; go for the original God-made version instead & chew or blend your seeded grapes in your next smoothie for their wonderful antioxidant properties. I have friends who spend beau-coup bucks buying grape/grapefruit seed extract (granted it’s in its concentrated form), but when Mother Nature supplies you with her healing properties through the seeds for free/cheap, I’m all for that!   So, how do you use citrus peel/seed in your household?   Do you have a particular cleaning formula or beauty tip you’d like to share with fellow readers?  Please feel free to add this in the comment section below.  Until next time, happy weed’n, happy healing!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac.
Acupuncture Physician
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com
When life gives you lemons, don’t make lemonade!  Use the seeds to plant a whole orchard…. Or you could just stay on the Destiny Bus & drink lemonade someone else made – FROM A CAN!”  :-) (Anthoy St. Maarten).

You've seen these purple beauties on your walk around the neighborhood, and the riper they are, the purplerrrrrr ("more purple") they get, especially around
November.  It's lumped in the category of flowering weeds here in Florida
(albeit a gorgeous shrub when the berries are in abundance) because birds &
wildlife drop the seeds after feasting, and the plants tend to spring up all over the garden.  Some may know this plant as "Spanish mulberry" or "Bermuda
mulberry", but there's no denying it's a beautiful plant!

Nutritional Benefits:
Supposedly the berries have minor amounts of vitamins & carbohydrates, and my cardinals & bluejays I'm sure would attest to their yumminess.  On a recent walk around my neighborhood, I even caught a squirrel who had the most purple lips & hands from gorging himself silly with the plump fruits. I would be a little hesitant though in eating too much as there are anecdotal reports of upset
stomach after eating them, and I would definitely wait until they're fully mature (you can't miss the gorgeous magenta color) before sampling.  If you're into canning your produce, you can try making jelly out of these beauts, and use as a topping for cheesecake, pancakes or biscuits. And if you feel particularly
adventurous, combine with dark Concorde grapes to make a delightful wine!

Medicinal Benefits:
Recent studies on the leaves of the American Beautyberry have isolated several molecules that have mosquito repellant properties (like DEET), but since word is still out on toxic effects on humans, it might be wiser to rub the crushed leaves on your clothes instead of your skin. Some resources also list the leaves as beneficial in treating dropsy, using the roots to make a tea for stomachache, fever, dysentery & rheumatic muscle aches,  and the inner bark to treat cuts, wounds & rashes (soak then pulverize). And there you have it: an American beauty in ways more than one. 
Until next time, happy Weed'n! happy eating!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac
Licensed Acupuncturist (FL)
www.Acupuncture4YourHealth.com