A Haitian Treasure Profile: Fey Lang Chat (Catnip)

Catnip or catmint, Nepata cataria, is a mint plant native to Asia and Europe, but is found all over the world.  It is probably one of the only plants that can be instantly associated with cats (it is a "recreational substance" containing a feline attractant that affects 2/3 of all cats), can treat a wide variety of ailments, and is a mild hallucinogen.  Humans typically consume catnip as a tea, juice, tincture, or infusion. In Haiti, catnip is called fey lang chat, and is considered to be a powerful herb with many uses, like for treating colds and coughs.

Catnip is most commonly consumed as a tea, made from crushing the leaves, to treat colds and the flu, to calm colic in babies, to eliminate gas and upset stomach, to stop convulsions and most importantly, to "cleanse the blood". Haitians believe that giving babies catnip tea can remove the impurities from their blood.

Constituents:

• nepetalactone (mild haluciinagen)
• acetic acid
• citronella

Some benefits and uses:

• natural sedative, antiseptic, antispasmodic
• cures indigestion and nausea
• natural astringent
• reduces fever
• natural insect repellant
• can treat insomnia, anxiety, and nervousness

In health,

Dr. Naika

The "Haitian Treasures" series was created by Dr. Naika in 2012. This series explores the magnificent benefits and uses of Haiti's natural resources, which Dr. Naika calls "Haitian Treasures". In this series, Dr. Naika explores the tie between Haiti's natural resources and natural, traditional, and holistic healing.

This blog post was originally posted on Dr. Naika's lifestyle blog, Naika in Balance. Dr. Naika's work is copyrighted. Please do not copy or repost Dr. Naika's work without citing her content as the original source. 

Buy in Season! Summer Fruits & Vegetables

Summer summer summer time! I love eating fresh produce in the summer and I look forward to some delicious seasonal treats.  Due to the popularity of this post, I wanted to create a new list of some of the fruits and vegetables that are currently in season. Remember, eating in season is good for the environment and good for your wallet, ya dig?
These fruits and veggies shouldn't be a surprise because they are such popular summer food staples. Think picnics, barbecues, and refreshing snacks. Mmmmhmmm. *runs to farmers market*

Fruits
Watermelon:

Peach:

Avocado (yes, avocado is a FRUIT):

Blueberries:

Strawberries:

Cantaloupe:

Lime:

Vegetables
Basil:

Sweet/Bell Peppers:

Beets (I'm obsessed with beets):

Cucumber:

Eggplant:

Okra (#Caribbean):

Tomato:

Eat healthy and eat well!

Stay engaged,

N

A Haitian Treasure: Lalwa (Aloe Vera)

Cultivated and respected all over the world, aloe vera treats everything from minor burns and skin irritations, to inflammation and arthritis, to diabetes, herpes and constipation. Each part of the aloe vera plant actually has its own distinct use.  Traditionally, the yellow sap that comes out of the skin is used to treat gastrointestinal issues, while the gel from the center is used topically, for skin and hair issues. 

Aloe plants do best in warm tropical climates, so it should be no surprise that the plant grows abundantly in Haiti!  In Haiti, aloe is called lalwa. Aloe is the epitome of a Haitian treasure. You can find this beautiful plant in homes and public spaces all over the country, where it serves both ornamental and medicinal purposes.

In Haiti, aloe is commonly used to treat burns, cuts, and most notably, indigestion.  Many of my friends and family members tell me of the time when their female elders gave them a spoon of aloe vera to "improve their digestion", and they've all commented on the striking bitterness of the plant, which I personally can attest to. Additionally, I have heard of compresses being made with the plant to rid people of headaches and fevers. You just peel the skin of the aloe, place it on a hot towel, and place the towel on your head for a while, and voila, sweet relief.

Haiti isn't the world's largest producer of aloe vera, but the plant definitely grows in abundance in the country and is a popular home remedy. You'd better believe I have my own aloe vera plant in my house. They're huge and they're everywhere and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Key Constituents:

• Aloectin B- stimulates immune system
• Anthraquinones- stimulates digestive system
• Aloin- potentially anti-carcinogenic
• Chrysophanic acid- heals abrasions and wounds

Some Benefits:

• Regulates Digestive Health and Immune system health
• Anti-asthmatic, antiseptic, cathartic
• Natural laxative and purgative
• Has "cooling" properties according to Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda
• Promotes healthy skin; hydrates dry skin, restores softness, contains anti-aging properties
• Natural hair moisturizer that restores pH balance and prevents hair loss; best in juice form
• Can increase your metabolism,
• Source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E. Contains folic acid and Niacin

Suggested Uses:

• Apply topically to treat minor burns and inflammation
• As a hair treatment
• As a wellness beverage

In health,

Dr. Naika

The "Haitian Treasures" series was created by Dr. Naika in 2012. This series explores the magnificent benefits and uses of Haiti's natural resources, which Dr. Naika calls "Haitian Treasures". In this series, Dr. Naika explores the tie between Haiti's natural resources and natural, traditional, and holistic healing.

This blog post was originally posted on Dr. Naika's lifestyle blog, Naika in Balance. Dr. Naika's work is copyrighted. Please do not copy or repost Dr. Naika's work without citing her content as the original source. 

5 DIY Natural Facial Exfoliators

So, summer time is here! Sure, this means lots of festivals and concerts, barbeques and swimming, travel and fun. But, for some us, like me, it also means more humidity, sweat, and overall yuckiness.  Even though I adore summer, I actually detest the heat because I sweat so much.  Consequently, my skin usually goes crazy on me!  (Is this TMI?....*shrugs*). I find that I have to give my skin some extra TLC during these challenging months, so I resort to a wonderful mixture of natural DIY (Do it Yourself) exfoliation masks! All of the ingredients are natural, yummy, and multi-purpose, and could be found in grocery stores or health stores in your area. Below, I share 5 simple natural facial exfoliation treatments you can incorporate into your skin regimen to keep your skin clean, smooth, and radiant.

Image source: Pinterest

The procedure is pretty standard for all of my DIY natural facial exfoliators.  I usually pour equal small amounts of each ingredient in a small plastic or wooden bowl then mix with a plastic or wooden spoon (please avoid metal utensils). Then, I rinse my face with warm water to open my pores, then I apply the mixture to my face using my hands, then I scrub lightly with a facial brush (I use this one from Sally's) OR with a facial towel.  I then rinse off the mixture with cool water to close my pores. An optional additional step is to spritz my face with my all natural home-made toner mixture (will do a post on that soon). That's it! I don't use facial lotion in the summer because all of my exfoliation masks contain natural moisturizers and because the natural humidity in the air provides enough moisture for me.

Image source: Natural Home Remedies

5 DIY Natural Facial Exfoliators:

1. Honey + Tea Tree Oil- gently cleanses skin and provides moisture (can be used daily and is really good for oily skin)

2. Baking Soda + Water- gently clarifies skin and removes excess dirt (can be a little drying)

3. Brown Sugar + Oil-makes skin soft and moisturized (good for dry skin)

4. Egg Yolk + Lemon Juice-removes redness and irritants

5. Oatmeal + Greek yogurt- provides moisture and gives your skin some extra brightness

I hope you enjoy these simple recipes! If you try them, make sure to let me know.

Stay Engaged,

N

Connect with me!

Medical Disclaimer: Naika, the writer of this blog, is Naturopathic Doctor and Acupuncturist. Please do not take this as medical advice, without consulting your health care practitioner. Also remember, knowledge is power and your health is your wealth!

A Haitian Treasure: Senna

Senna is a large genus of flowering plants native to the tropics. Senna is a low-branching shrub with oval-shaped dark green leaves and lovely yellow flowers which bloom in the spring and summer. The Senna domingensis species is specifically found in Haiti, where it unfortunately is a threatened species. Senna has many names in Haitian Kreyol and French, including Bentamaré, Café bâtard, Casse-puante, & Dartrier. Senna serves as a beautiful ornamental plant, but it also is used as a thickening agent, as neutral henna, and in traditional medicine.  The power is in the pods and the fruits of the senna plant, which have similar effects to that of aloe (also found in Haiti).

In Haiti, it is really common to take senna tea as an effective laxative. It is superb at relieving constipation. Senna is also known in Haiti for its excellent ability to expel stomach worms. Lastly, senna tea is often given to women right after childbirth as a way to relieve them of stress and tension.  Senna is commonly found in liquid, powder, and tea forms.

Again, Senna is a threatened species in Haiti, but that doesn't mean that we can't reverse the damage and protect the species. Senna is incredibly valuable in the modern health market today. What people may not know is that Senna is the main ingredient in many common laxatives sold all over the world, especially in all of those "dieter's teas".  It acts as a stimulant to reduce the dieter's appetite and its laxative properties cause food to move through the system quicker than the food from the calories can be absorbed.

Image Source: Verboga

Key Constituents:

• Anthroquinones
• Sennasides
• Rhenins

Some benefits:

• anti-fungal, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory
• decreases fever
• natural purgative
• natural laxative
• cleanses the intestines

Suggested uses:

• as a tea
• as a hair treatment

In health,

Dr. Naika

The "Haitian Treasures" series was created by Dr. Naika in 2012. This series explores the magnificent benefits and uses of Haiti's natural resources, which Dr. Naika calls "Haitian Treasures". In this series, Dr. Naika explores the tie between Haiti's natural resources and natural, traditional, and holistic healing.

This blog post was originally posted on Dr. Naika's lifestyle blog, Naika in Balance. Dr. Naika's work is copyrighted. Please do not copy or repost Dr. Naika's work without citing her content as the original source. 

Juicing Recipe #1

I've really enjoyed juicing for the past few months.  At first, I started off by only drinking these fruit and vegetable juices all day as a fast because I really needed it.  But now I've successfully incorporated these deliciously healthy juices into a regular diet and they fill me with lots of nutrients and energy! I am now currently trying to actively lose weight (for the first time since starting this blog), so I drink this as a small meal every single day. #Winning.  As a first reminder, even though juicing removes the fiber from the fruits and vegetables, it allows you to consume them in large quantities and allows your body to absorb an abundance of vitamins and minerals into the bloodstream very VERY quickly. As a second reminder, try to buy produce in season to save some money!

Here is one of my favorite recipes!

Image source: Google search

Ingredients:

2 carrots

1 cucumber

1 beet root

1 stalk of celery

1 bunch of spinach

1/2 pear

small piece of ginger root or a few drops of lemon for a boost

This mixture is packed with anti-oxidants, immune boosters, blood cleansers.  The ingredients are anti-carginogenic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-hypertensive. This drink will improve your blood circulation and digestion, decrease cholesterol, cleanse your intestines, strengthen your bones, encourage cell reproduction, and prevent heart disease.

If you like this post, make sure to check out my popular green smoothie post!

Stay Engaged,

N

Connect with me!

Medical Disclaimer: Naika, the writer of this blog, is Naturopathic Doctor and Acupuncturist. Please do not take this as medical advice, without consulting your health care practitioner. Also remember, knowledge is power and your health is your wealth!