With the arrival of fall, my body is telling me that it is time to slow down. The summer can leave us feeling a little drained, with our heads in the clouds and our nervous systems a bit frazzled. We should take a cue from nature. The days are getting shorter, which traditionally would mean that we, as humans, should slow down. Instead, the modern age that we live in makes it quite hard to do so. Instead of doing less and going to bed a little earlier, we often find ourselves doing more. Driving the kids to all of their activities, hosting or going to social gatherings, working late hours, so on and so forth. It is important to take some time out to love ourselves up. That way, we can make sure that we have the energy to do all of the wonderful things that this season has in store for us. Here are some ways to nourish yourself this time of year:
- Eliminate or reduce caffeine intake. Caffeine can wreek havoc on our
adrenal glands, which in turn can make our nervous systems run haywire. - Practice self care like getting a massage, do yoga or some kind of stretching, taking a bath, meditate, sing or listen to music.
- Go to bed early and try to get deep, restful sleep.
- Eat three balanced meals a day.
- Drink lots of water.
- Spend time outside.
- Spend time with people who bring you joy.
One of my favorite ways to practice self care is to enjoy a nice hot cup of tea a couple of times a day. I work it into both my morning and evening routines. In the morning it warms me up and sets a nice tone for the day. It also reminds me to take a few moments in stillness and gratitude before I get busy. At night, I like to sip on a warm cup of tea to help aid in digestion and also to wind me down after a crazy day. It is the perfect bed time ritual. When I sit down with my evening cup, my body knows it is time to start getting mentally and physically ready for sleep. One of my favorite herbs for fall is Oat Straw. Oat straw is beneficial for you in so many ways. It is high in calcium and magnesium, which helps with bone loss due to osteoporosis, and muscle spasms and quivering. It is a wonderful nervine tonic – which means it helps to strengthen the nervous system, which helps to calm anxiety. It also helps to create emotional balance. It’s like it lengthens your emotional fuse. Oat straw tea also helps to lower your cholesterol, can help with withdrawals from drugs and nicotine, it nourishes your pancreas and liver and improves digestion. It has a warming effect, so it’s great to use to knock out those fall chills that can set in.
The best way to prepare Oat Straw tea is to make an infusion or decoction out of fresh, good quality, organic herbs. I purchase mine through Jean’s Greens. They are a small, family owned business out of upstate New York. Making an infusion or decoction, instead of simply using a tea bag, ensures that you will get the most micro and macro nutrients out of the herb.
To make an infusion, place 2 tablespoons of oat straw into a glass jar. Pour two cups of boiling, filtered or well water over the herbs. Cover with a tightly fitted lid and let it steep for 6-8 hours or overnight.
If you are short on time, you can make a decoction. To do this, place 2 tablespoons of the herb in a small sauce pan. Pour two cups of filtered or well water over the herbs. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and steep for 20 minutes.
Drink the two cups throughout the day. You can reheat it if needed. The best way to get the most effect from drinking oat straw tea is to drink it regularly. The effects come on slowly, but have longevity when consumed routinely.
Happy Fall!
Yours in health,
Renee Koczkodan
Certified Holistic Health Coach
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