DOCTA KITCHEN'S JAMAICAN SPICE TEA RECIPE

When I think of tea, I remember my Granny, pouring the tea back and forth between two cups to cool it.  The smell of the fresh, sweet mint she picked outside slowly filling up the kitchen...It reminds me of first-day-of-school, stirring the big crystals of brown sugar in the cup, that quickly melt into the piping hot beverage. I can totally relate to old British actors drinking tea all day... inhale ~hhm..mmmm!
Here is a recent combination I can't get enough of:

DOCTA KITCHEN'S JAMAICAN SPICE TEA RECIPE

In a medium-size cooking pot,
Fill 3/4 with water and add:
~3 large Cinnamon leaves
~A few blades of Fevergrass/Lemongrass
~1 cup (stuffed, not chopped) of Cullen Mint, or any Garden Mint, fresh or air-dried (use your own judgement, the more the better)

Bring to a boil, turn off flame and let steep, and cool a bit

Pour through a strainer.  Sweeten with stevia, honey, maple syrup, agave, cane syrup or brown sugar.  Also delicious unsweetened!
Do have a good morning! (in my terrible British accent)
Love
Docta Kitchen

BABY-FRIENDLY, NATURAL COLD/FLU REMEDIES

For all the caring people who want to help the little ones through cold/flu seasons (since there seems to be more than one cold/flu season), or relieve common cold symptoms, here are a few remedies that I (or Mom) have been using and discovering through years of avoiding the dreaded doctor's office.  Not to be selfish to the BIG babies, I will have another article with a few remedies for the grown-ups and the brave kids that some of us are raising.

WHAT TO GIVE BABY FOR A COLD?

Some of the remedies we use for our own illnesses as grown-ups may be too strong, spicy, or bitter to get babies to take.  But there are a few beneficial all-natural solutions that are mild enough for babies.  For nursing mothers, consider yourselves lucky, because anything you take, the baby gets too, so you can take that 'hard' stuff and make it easy for the little one.  I find that it is easier to get liquid into children's mouth by using a dropper (like tincture bottle caps) than a spoon; more control, less mess, straight down=no spit up.

The most easy-to-take remedies I have found are:

IRISH MOSS

Breaks up mucus, clears out the lungs of phlegm buildup, and sends it all out. Rich in vitamins A, B, C,  D, E, calcium, potassium, iodine(natural), and sulfur.

~Boil the seaweed in water until it turns into a thick syrup that cools into a gel.  Keep in the refrigerator and add to tea, juice, porridge, soup, or fruit shakes, or sweeten and flavor before refrigerating and serve as a gelatin snack.

EXTRA VIRGIN COCONUT OIL

 High in lauric acid which kills bacteria, and medium-chain fatty acids which are quickly absorbed into the body  to boost the immune system. An excellent anti-viral.

~Cook with this oil and/ or administer 1-2 teaspoons up to 3x a day

(I find that when I have that 'funny feeling' in my throat and take some extra virgin coconut oil, it doesn't go any further)

Regular consumption of coconut oil helps to keep viruses at bay.

~Also massaging coconut oil onto the chest, neck, bottom of feet, back or all over baby's body absorbs into the system and works just as well. (it's good to add a drop of eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, or chamomile essential oil to make a rub)

LIME LEAF, CINNAMON LEAF, LEAF-OF-LIFE, FEVERGRASS/LEMONGRASS, CULLEN MINT, CHAMOMILE TEAS

Warm beverages, especially lightly-sweetened tea will help soothe and calm a sick, fussy baby. (You can also mix in some coconut oil here).  Most herb teas are also antiviral and support the immune system in fighting off infections  For babies under 1 year, DO NOT use honey to sweeten.  For a natural sweetener you may use MAPLE SYRUP (rich in B vitamins), AGAVE, CANE SYRUP, or if you must use sugar, use brown sugar. (sugar weakens the immune system) You can also add lime juice and refrigerate.

~Add leaves and stems, bring water to a boil then turn off fire and let steep.

MORINGA LEAF POWDER or TEA

Boosts immune system, and provides nourishment to the body which can feel weak and depleted when fighting the cold/flu.  Rich in vitamins A, C, Calcium, Potassium, and Protein

~Add powder to juice, or soup.  

~Add leaves to water, bring to a boil then turn off fire and let steep. 

BLACK SEED OIL

Rich in Omega 3 and Omega 6 EFA's.  It is anti-viral and excellent in treating respiratory infections.

~Massage onto chest, neck, back, top of head, and bottom of feet.  Absorbs quickly into the respiratory tract.

CANNABIS TINCTURE and TEA(Warning: this may be illegal based on where you live.  Check your country or state laws, or make at your own risk) :)

This old-fashion Jamaican remedy I learned from my grandmother and my Dad 

Excellent for respiratory infections.

~Steep some cannabis flowers (buds) and stems in a bottle of white rum.  Leave to soak into a tincture. At the onset of any flu-like symptoms, splash and rub chest, back, neck, top of head, bottom of feet with this solution.  Keep bottle tightly closed.  Becomes more potent with time. Will last until it's used up.

~To make tea, boil cannabis stems in water.

If you can get your little one to drink plenty of WATER this is a big plus, as water helps flush the system of the toxins released during recovery.   Avoid all WHITE PRODUCTS: sugar, bread, milk, (even soy as it creates mucus buildup) which challenge the immune system and slows recovery. Choose instead, fresh COCONUT MILK, which is better over all.  COCONUT WATER is full of electrolytes and great for replenishing the body when there is a loss of appetite.  SUNSHINE is also great for healing, full of good ol' Vitamin D.  It's usually easier to just stay in bed, but going outdoors will improve the mood as well as help speed up healing.  Make fun fruit salads, fruit smoothies, vegetable soups, teas, and gelatin instead of heavy carb-sy meals like we're used to.  

Nursing mothers: In addition to these remedies, should eat a clove of GARLIC a day (for only a few days), MORINGA seeds 3 nuts a day, ECHINACEA 3 x a day, and plenty of water.

Mother Earth provides many remedies for colds, flu, and other respiratory infections.  Take advantage of them, and save yourself the hassle and those terrible fluorescent hospital lights.

Love

Docta Kitchen

DOCTA KITCHEN'S AVOCADO SALSA (Vegan)

If you are allergic to Avocados...too bad. I'm Joking! You can leave it out and up the tomatoes.
This recipe is perfect for parties, lunch boxes, or regular snacking!

You will need:
A nice-size bowl
a knife
a grater
a spoon to mix it all up!

~1/2 large Avocado/Jamaican 'pear' (4 oz.), or 1 regular size dark-skinned avocado
~2 tomatoes (4oz.) 4 tomatoes if not using avocado
~1/4 large plantain (2 oz.)
~1 teaspoon finely chopped Eskallion or onion or 1 peg garlic
~1/2 teaspoon grated ginger
~1 okra (optional) I like the consistency it adds
~1 teaspoon Olive Oil or Virgin Coconut Oil
~Sprinkle thyme leaves, basil leaves, rosemary(fresh or dried herbs) for added flavor
~ A dash of Bragg's Liquid Aminos or soy sauce or kelp/dulse or sea salt to taste (not iodized salt, that stuff is bad for you)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, trying to retain the firmness of the ingredients.
Eat with any chips, crackers, bread, rice or in Nori rolls
Then,
Feel good about what you just put in your body!

*if you add okra, be sure to consume immediately. Not as attractive when refrigerated. :)
*1/2 means 'one half', 1/4 'one quarter' etc.
Love,
Docta Kitchen

Papaya (Paw Paw) for Dengue Fever

Good Day Earthlings!
If you're like me, you shudder at the term 'outbreak', because of the fear that at any moment you or the people you care about can 'break out' with some dreaded virus.  So I will try to avoid using the term.  There has been a recent rise in the reported cases of DENGUE FEVER in tropical areas, such as my native Jamaica. Symptons include severe flu-like illness with excruciating headaches, joint, and muscle pain. 
"Dengue is caused by a virus, and the virus is spread by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. It lives in urban areas, likes to breed in flowerpots and similar containers, and bites during the day, when people are out and about. There's no vaccine to prevent dengue. The best way to avoid it is to avoid getting bitten by a mosquito." says Nancy Shute in an article about Dengue Fever.  The question is, how do you "avoid" getting bitten by a mosquito?....
A friend of mine has a young son who recently contracted the virus in an urban area (Portmore, St. Catherine), which led to my mother and I researching the illness to find many sources to confirm this remedy.  It has also been researched in Malaysia for decades where it has been a proven remedy. Wait for it...... Papaya.
I learned that (believe it or not) eating alot of papaya, what we call 'pawpaw' in Jamaica, is an excellent preventative for those who can't "avoid" being bitten by infectious mosquitos.  Further, papaya leaves made into a juice is a curative for those who have already contracted the virus, and is a stronger medicine than the fruit.  Now, it doesn't taste delicious, it's rather bitter, but I think it's worth a couple minutes of palate-discomfort.  Speaking of palate, this reminds me that papaya leaf juice has also been proven by medical professionals in Asia, to increase the body's production of platelets (thembrocytes).  Once the virus is contracted, the body stops producing platelets during the period of infection.  If the platelet count gets too low, this can be fatal. Not good.
So if you live in a third-world country where medical attention, supplies, and equipment are not that great unless you really can afford it (and papaya trees are at your reach), you may want to do all you can (or be armed with the right information) to prevent or quickly treat the virus.
Always do your own research as well.
Love,
Docta Kitchen

WELCOME TO DOCTA KITCHEN'S BLOG!  You are here because you know that your health is your wealth.  There's nothing like having a headache, toothache, or 'gas', to make you appreciate physical ease.  Anything but physical ease is dis-ease, discomfort, and in the worse cases, hospital bills and pills.  For the people who already live this reality of a 'medicated lifestyle', you may still find hope and comfort in all-natural remedies that are simple, easy to find, and very often right there in your kitchen (or local grocery store/market).  If you're as lucky as I am to live in a country where many remedies grow wild, and you don't have to get them in supplement form, please take advantage of the riches in your gardens.  Out of convenience (unfortunately) some of us would rather steep a peppermint tea-bag for 3 minutes while priceless fresh mint grows out-of-control against the side fence.  The reality is, when natural foods are processed and packaged, they lose much of the enzymes that are present when they are fresh.  Some supplements are stronger, because the active ingredients are extracted.  However, some of us fail to realize that many times one nutrient may need another for support, so there's no help in isolating them.  THERE'S NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING, BABY! We just need some guidance in finding out what the "real things" are.  So...through my never-ending research, personal experience with natural remedies, and witnessing other successful breakthroughs from tapping into Earth's wealth, I can help you help yourselves in becoming Healthy, Wealthy earthlings!
I will also keep you posted with recipes for healthy delicious meals, vegan, vegetarian, and otherwise!

oh and that disclaimer thing : Statements on this blog have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration. None of the products / services offered in this blog are intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.