Healing Hills

Delight in the goodness of herbal tea and ideas encompassing holistic healing, Kalimpong 📍🇮🇳

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Read the benefits of cleaning and organizing, listed below in detail : As this is the last post on this topic, do let us know your thoughts on all the 9 posts related to the same. And if you do ever try it, we would love to hear your experience... ▶️ Gain Control of Your Environment When people feel like their life is out of control or they are struggling with some uncertainties, cleaning can be a way to assert some control in their life. Cleaning gives people a sense of mastery and control over their environment. ▶️ Cleaning Can Benefit Physical Health A clean home also impacts your physical health. According to a study by NiCole Keith, PhD, a research scientist and professor at Indiana University, people with clean houses tend to be healthier than those with messy or cluttered homes.4 In fact, cleanliness was even more a predictor of good health than the walkability of a neighborhood. ▶️ Improve Your Mood Aside from the benefits of having a cleaner home, the relationship between a clean house and mental health can help you reduce your anxiety. ▶️ Increase Your Focus When your home is cluttered, messy, or exceptionally dirty, the chaos that the mess creates can impact your ability to focus. The clutter also limits your brain's ability to process information. In fact, researchers have discovered that people are less irritable, less distracted, more productive, and better able to process information with an uncluttered and organized work area #healingspaces #healinghills (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/ClVe5TMD9Om/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Many of us cannot bring ourselves to clean or tidy when looking at a pile of mess. This method will help us get over that mental blockage and create the space that we want for ourselves. Quoting the words of Marie Kondo as spoken by her, "Before you begin tidying, take a moment to imagine the life you want to lead. The question of how you want to live your life. Be as specific as possible. What does the beginning and end of your day look like? Picture yourself living your ideal life. Having a clear image as you tidy will help you stay motivated and you will begin to create the life you've always longed for." #healingspaces #healinghills (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkxjdLbyOhK/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Giving a thing a designated space in home, teaches and allows us to be grateful for that particular thing we own. It also helps our mind stay clutter free as we know exactly where something is and where anything goes. When we are grateful about the things we own, it gets easier to give time to it "by making space for it." #healingspaces #healinghills (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjj-R05ri3X/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Sideritis, commonly known as ironwort, got its name from the Greek word for iron, sideros. In ancient times, the herb was used to heal wounds caused by iron weapons during battles. The ancient Greek shepherds high up in the mountains were on to something when they started to brew this unique plant to keep warm and protect them from getting sick.  Mountain tea is a naturally caffeine-free herbal tea made from a single variety of the sideritis plant. Also known as "Shepherd's Tea" or "Greek Mountain Tea," it is referred to in Greece as Tsai tou vounou, translating directly to "Tea of the mountain." It is brewed using the dried flowers, leaves, and stems of the sideritis plant, found in the Mediterranean mountain regions of Greece, which is the largest consumer of mountain tea, as well as in Albania, Bulgaria, and Macedonia. #herbaltea #healinghills (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cg3iXK4Ln8O/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Burdock root is a vegetable native to Northern Asia and Europe, though it now grows in the United States. Burdock root has been used for centuries in holistic medicine to treat a variety of different conditions. Burdock root is often eaten, yet, can also be dried and steeped into tea. Researchers have discovered numerous potential uses and health benefits for burdock root. These benefits may be extensive enough to warrant using burdock root as a complementary treatment for certain conditions. 📌 It's a powerhouse of antioxidants 📌 One of the most common uses for burdock root has been to purify the blood. Recent evidence has found that burdock root contains active ingredients in its root system that can remove toxins from the bloodstream. 📌 It can help treat skin issues like acne and eczema Note : Burdock is considered to be safe to eat, but you should only buy it from reputable sellers and should never collect it in the wild. The burdock plant resembles belladonna nightshade plants, which are highly toxic. They often grow together. Pregnant women or women trying to become pregnant shouldn’t take burdock root or supplements. If you’re allergic to chrysanthemums or daisies, you may be at an increased risk of having an allergic reaction to burdock root and should avoid it. #herbaltea #healinghills (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cglk6B1rg7m/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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From footbath to wound spray, here are 10 ways to use calendula tea : 1. Calendula’s antioxidants and SPF may reduce skin damage, combat skin aging, and treat diaper rash. 2. Use as a gargle for sore throat. 3. Use as a mouth rinse to help relieve blisters, inflamed gums, or thrush. 4. Dip small cloths or clean rags into the tea and apply as a compress to scraped, itchy, scratched, or otherwise inflamed skin conditions. 5. Drinking calendula tea is reported to help heal gastric ulcers, congested lymph nodes and sore throat. It can potentially help break a fever by causing a sweat. Dosage is no more than 2 to 3 cups per day. 6. Wash your face with calendula tea nightly, if prone to acne and breakouts. 7. Pour some in a foot bath, for fungal conditions such as athlete’s foot. 8. Add some to your regular bath to help soothe and heal inflamed skin or rashes. 9. Use as a hair rinse, after shampooing, to alleviate itchy scalp conditions. 10. Pour into a small spray bottle to make a disinfecting wound spray. Note : Not for pregnant women as it can stimulate menstruation and people taking sedatives or medications to lower blood pressure. (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CgEESsyrfWV/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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As we are talking about bamboo backed up with a total of 9 valuable posts to share with you all, tamba/bamboo shoots is one of the many interesting one's as it is very commonly used in the hills to make pickles. It tastes amazing but should be avoided by people who suffer from joint pains as it falls under cold foods. Benefits Bamboo shoots are highly nutritious and contain a good amount of fiber, copper, and vitamins B6 and E in each serving. Downside Bamboo shoots contain toxic cyanide taxiphyllin compounds. However, different processing methods greatly reduce their taxiphyllin content, making them generally safe for consumption. To reduce the amount of taxiphyllin, the shoots must be boiled or soaked and dried prior to consumption. Bamboo shoots are also considered goitrogenic. Goitrogens are substances found in certain foods. When consumed in excess, they can interfere with the function of the thyroid gland. Fortunately, cooking them first allows you to enjoy them in moderation as part of a balanced diet. #biophilia #healinghills (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ccw-1tMLvkw/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Bamboo can grow upto one meter a day and is perfectly suitable for reforesting degraded lands, even on eroded slopes? One hectare of bamboo planted captures a thousand tons of CO2 in the soil, in the roots, in the stems, and the durable products made out of it, and as a bonus, you got each year, again, in a sustainable way without deforestation, 20 cubic meters of building material or material to make furniture compared to pine that take 30 years to grow and oak that might take almost 80 years to grow whereas Iron, PVC and Aluminum being a non renewable material that will get depleted over time. In Frame: Aura House in Bali designed by @ibukubali #biophilia #healinghills (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CcKVNCPrzSX/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

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Bamboo is a very fast growing, renewable and easy-to-grow resource. It is an extremely versatile material with countless uses including construction, clothes, food and fuel. Some facts about the sustainability of bamboo are: - It requires no pesticides or chemical fertilisers - It grows rapidly and can be harvested in 3-5 years - It rarely needs replanting - It produces more oxygen than trees - It plays an important role in the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere - It sequesters carbon dioxide and is carbon neutral - It requires no irrigation - It is excellent for inhibiting soil erosion - It grows in a wide range of environments - Its production into fibres has lower environmental impact than other forms of fibre, especially synthetic ones. #biophilia #healinghills (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb1n4jCLdvF/?utm_medium=tumblr

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People in olden days drank herbal tea to provide nourishment to the body and to keep several ailments at bay. The rose family has over 130 species and thousands of cultivars. All roses are edible and can be used in tea, but some varieties are sweet while others are more bitter. It is a caffeine-free and a great hot drink option for those wanting or needing to avoid caffeine. Rose tea is primarily made up of water. For this reason, drinking one or more cups per day can significantly contribute to your total water intake. Rose tea can be prepared by steeping fresh or dried petals or flower buds in hot water. If using fresh flowers, ensure they’re free of pesticides. #herbaltea #healinghills (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZOVOjjvX5s/?utm_medium=tumblr

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How to make lemon balm tea? ☕ Chop the lemon balm leaves to release their oils. Set aside.  Heat the water in a cup in the microwave or on the stove until boiling.  Mix the leaves and water in a mug and allow to stand 10 minutes to steep.  Stir in honey and strain if desired. Drink warm.  Lemon balm is also used for mental disorders, including hysteria, melancholia, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and Alzheimer's disease. Many people believe lemon balm has calming effects so they take it for anxiety, stress, sleep problems, and restlessness. Note- You should avoid lemon balm if if you have a hypothyroid because it can negatively effect your thyroid medications. #herbaltea #healinghills (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CY5hzYXL2ql/?utm_medium=tumblr

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The most important point to remember when drinking this tea is to strain this tea thoroughly before drinking it. To make the tea with dried leaves, simply add a small handful of them to 240-ml cup of boiling water, then steep them for 15–30 minutes. It's better to buy this tea from a trusted source and the recommended dosage is 2-3 grams (i.e. the amount that fits into one tea bag = one cup) in one day according to traditional usage. Sipping this elixir once in a while is great for a lung detox specially for people living in areas with a bad air quality index. #herbaltea #healinghills (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYqHNlPva0w/?utm_medium=tumblr

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The last and the fourth kind of flower arrangement in Ikebana is the Contemporary Ikebana. The concept and style of classic flower arrangements – such as Rikka and Seika – continue to be fundamental, but modern tastes have led to the use of a variety of materials not previously used in Ikebana. If plant materials were not used, this arrangement could be considered a contemporary sculpture. Floral designers are reviving the ancient Japanese art — and with it, an appreciation for the life force of a flower. According to one of Japan’s most influential modern ikebana practitioners, the reclusive 69-year-old artist Toshiro Kawase, that is precisely the point: to see that “the whole universe is contained within a single flower” — for one small thing to open our minds to so much more. Ikebana artist: Emily Sogetsu #biophilia #healinghills (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CYV8Jp8lZNP/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Moribana (盛り花, 盛花) is one of the expressions of Japanese flower arrangement Ikebana. The word Moribana means "piled up flowers", a style of arranging in which naturalistic landscapes are constructed in low dishlike vases. Developed by Ohara Unshin, founder of the Ohara school of floral art, moribana breaks with the rigid structural rules of classical floral art; it sometimes incorporates flowers imported from Western countries and uses the basic triangular principle of floral art in a three-dimensional (foreground, middle ground, and distance) way. Creating an arrangement is supposed to be done in silence to allow the designer to observe and meditate on the beauty of nature and gain inner peace. Seasoned designers realize not only the importance of silence, but also the importance of space, which is not meant to be filled, but created and preserved through the arrangements. This ties into other principles of Ikebana including minimalism, shape and line, form, humanity, aesthetics, and balance. #biophilia #healinghills (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/healinghills.in/p/CYA9G98v-Lp/?utm_medium=tumblr

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After reading this post one will be able to tell if an ikebana arrangement is seika or one of the other three. Previously in our feed we had talked about the rikka arrangement that had nine essential positions. The seika arrangement consists of three essentials positions. In a Seika arrangement, which is placed in the tokonoma alcove, the active empty space both within the arrangement and within the frame of the tokonoma are vitally important. Historically, Seika arrangements were composed of one material – the exception being the more sumptuous arrangements created for the New Year’s celebrations. Today the rule has been relaxed, and arrangements made of one, two or three materials are common. #biophilia #healinghills (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/CX22q68vQnl/?utm_medium=tumblr

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In Japan, a number of time-honored everyday activities (such as making tea, arranging flowers, and writing) have traditionally been deeply examined by their proponents. Students study how to make tea, perform martial arts, or write with a brush in the most skillful way possible to express themselves with maximum efficiency and minimum strain. Through this efficient, adroit, and creative performance, they arrive at art. But if they continue to delve even more deeply into their art, they discover principles that are truly universal, principles relating to life itself. Then, the art of brush writing becomes shodo—the “Way of the brush”—while the art of arranging flowers is elevated to the status of kado—the “Way of flowers.” Through these Ways or Do forms, the Japanese have sought to realize the Way of living itself. They have approached the universal through the particular. H.E. Davey, Japanese Yoga: The Way of Dynamic Meditation #biophilia #healinghills (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/healinghills.in/p/CXVMiorFQ-3/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Ikebana is one of the representative aspects of Japanese traditional culture, and ikebana began with Ikenobo. The Rokkakudo Temple is said to have been founded by Prince Shotoku about 1400 years ago. Priests who made floral offerings at the Buddhist altar of this temple lived near a pond (the Japanese word “ike”), in a small hut (called “bo”). For this reason people began to call the priests by the name “Ikenobo.” The Ikenobō (literally, “priest’s residence by a pond”) school was founded in the early 7th century by Ono no Imoko, a former Japanese envoy to China. After becoming a Buddhist priest, Ono no Imoko took up residence at Rokkaku-dō, a small temple in what was to become Kyōto. There, as part of Buddhist ritual, he began formulating the rules of arrangement for the rikka style of flower arrangement, a formal, vertically oriented style using a tall or tallish, narrow-mouthed vase. From its basic tristructure of branches representing heaven, man, and Earth, the freer, shōka style evolved. Not only beautiful flowers but also buds and withered flowers have life, and each has its own beauty. By arranging flowers with reverence, one refines oneself. Arranging flowers and finding beauty in flowers - these are linked to a heart that values nature and cares for other people. This is the spirit of Ikenobo Ikebana. #biophilia #healinghills (at Kalimpong, India) https://www.instagram.com/healinghills.in/p/CXK4A2VvaTz/?utm_medium=tumblr