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!

Burn /Scar Massage Class April 5 Licensed Massage Therapists and Physical Therapists

Earn 8 CEUs

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.