FW:More about Okinawa (and some herbs

[Guest guest]

hi all: I'm resending this from Eddie (our resident Okinawan) with the

proper subject heading for the sake of the archives......

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From: Eddie <vlad_storm@...

Hi Ben,

I`ve written a bit about the diet here on Okinawa - if you have any

questions thatthe archives don`t answer then feel free to ask.

Since you are interested in Chinese medicine and are studying it you may be

interested that some people here eat chinese wolfberries(lycium chinensis -

gou-ji-dzu) as part of their diet(my mother-in-law does). Shitake mushrooms

are commonly used in stir fry. Okinawa has it`s own indigenous herbs that

have not been studied much also. Turmeric is commonly used.

There is a plant here (Tora no o) `Tiger Tail` that supposedly makes

negative ions and creates a field of good chi. It is used indoors and

outdoors for `luck` (i.e. remove stagnant chi).

I have made an alcohol (sake) based herbal infusion tonic was made here by

an okinawan herb shop for longevity. Some of the herbs in it (that I have

translated) are as follows:

Reishi Mushroom-purify the blood, lower cholesterol, support immune

function.

Monkey`s Chair Mushroom- treat arteriosclerosis, improve constitution, lower

cholesterol.

Rose Hips

Turmeric- liver support, blood pressure support, diabetes and stomach ulcer

treatment.

Wolf Berries- skin support, treat fatigue and tired eyes, skin support.

Sarakacha- a kind of orange- for allergies, cough, asthma, colds.

Ousei-a root of a type of lily- for diabetes.

Licorice

Kuubi- a type of oleaster - for allergies, cough and asthma.

Fruit of Gardenia- for menopause, feminine problems, digestion/intestinal

disorders, lower back pain.

Elf Clover- diabetes and kidney trouble.

This is a translation of the shops literature that my wife made. I make no

claims for the above herbs etc etc ad naseum. (There is my disclaimer).

Thought that might interest you since you are undoubtedly studying herbs in

you TCM classes.

The following is simple - it is Chinese and not Okinawan - but it may

interest you:

Wolfberry Wine

Lycium chinensis - 10 grams

Rehmannia glutinosa - 10 grams

Polygonum multiflorum - 10 grams

Builds the blood - improves sexual function. Nourishes vital fluids, boosts

kidney yin, prevents premature aging.May be used by men and women and is

suitable for long term therapy.

Steep herbs in one litre of spirits for 2 months. Take one fluid ounce

twice daily on an empty stomach. For long term use, increase the quantities

to 60 grams each and use 6 litres of spirits..

(That`s from `The Complete Book of Chinese Health and Healing` by

Reid. A pretty decent book even though he says it is mostly Taoist but is

actually a mixture of Chinese and Western holistic health strategies.)..

Note to list members: It`s best to consult a Traditional Chinese Medicine

practitioner for an evaluation before you take any Chinese herbs. Depending

on your condition taking herbs of one type may increase health problems that

you have.. I would HIGHLY suggest that anyone interested in longevity

(which on this list in all of us) do some research on what the Chinese say

helps you live longer...

Interestingly enough the Okinawan lifestyle has a lot of what the Chinese

consider good for longevity.. Not worrying.. Being in nature (gardening and

eating food that is home grown in common here).. Plus there is a lot of

sunlight here and the ocean is everywhere.. Eating modest amounts of food

without a large portion of it being meat.. Community bonds.. Respect for

elders.. The people here are very `Taoist` in thinking without ever having

studied Taoism...

Ed

Message: 2

Date: Thu, 27 Jun 2002 00:52:05 -0000

From: " benjinsl "

Subject: Okinawan Diet and Hi

Hi All,

I recently joined the crsociety group and among other topics asked

if anyone had information about the diet of the famed long-lived

Okinawans. I was told that someone's wife on this list is from

there and would like to get some/any information about their diet.

As I mentioned in my original post I am studying Chinese Medicine

and have an understanding of Macrobiotics, so I'm not totally new to

Asian diet/nutrition/foods.

I've included the link to my original post below.

crsociety/message/21544

Cheers,

Ben

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Message: 3

Date: Wed, 26 Jun 2002 21:04:37 -0400

From: Francesca Skelton

Subject: Re: Okinawan Diet and Hi

Ben: start with the archives. Eddie is our resident Okinawan.

Search his name in the archives to bring yourself up to speed on all that

he's posted so far. Then if you have any new questions, just ask 'cause

Eddie's very nice about answering all of them

on 6/26/2002 8:52 PM, benjinsl at benjinsl@... wrote:

> Hi All,

> I recently joined the crsociety group and among other topics asked

> if anyone had information about the diet of the famed long-lived

> Okinawans. I was told that someone's wife on this list is from

> there and would like to get some/any information about their diet.

> As I mentioned in my original post I am studying Chinese Medicine

> and have an understanding of Macrobiotics, so I'm not totally new to

> Asian diet/nutrition/foods.

> I've included the link to my original post below.

>

> crsociety/message/21544

>

> Cheers,

> Ben