​Herb of the Month - Wild Chile (Capsicum annuum var. aviculare)

It seems appropriate at this time of year to talk about all things pungent/spicy particularly in the Land of Enchantment or Land of Chile!  What has fascinated me for years are the wild chiles, a distant cousin of our common cultivar. Chiltepins, as they are called by desert natives, are small round chile peppers that grow on bushes in south-central Arizona, south Texas and deep into northern Mexico.  Our senses know it as hot on the tongue but the sensory experience also signals a much deeper log of information about chiltepins, or its near cousin Cayenne.
Native desert people such as the Tahono Odham of southwest Arizona often eat spicy native peppers to assist in digestion, relieve arthritis pain, and to ward off witchcraft. It is known as a counter-irritant topically, helping to bring blood and circulation to sore muscles and damaged nerves. 

We all know that a good plate of green chile enchiladas will have us sweating at the table, that same diaphoretic action helps us to detoxify via the skin and cool us down quicker than a swamp cooler.  In the hot, summer desert people found it invaluable as a food and preservative of food, when eaten the release of water through the skin provides much needed relief from sweltering temperatures. 

The main isolated constituent know as capsaicin is similar in chemistry to vanillin, and is widely used in products that relieve congested pain such as creams and lotions for stiff joints. Dr. Christopher, the well known herbalist from Utah swore by cayenne as a reliable remedy for heart congestion and during heart attacks, taken as a half teaspoon in warm water. We are still finding practical and novel uses for capsaicin in chiles due to its high levels of vitamin A and B, beta carotene, magnesium, iron, and calcium. Some of the ones I have documented so far are:
- Anti-aging in creams to stimulate collagen and elastin growth for skin regeneration, moisturizing, and cellular metabolism.
- Acne control in topicals to reduce breakouts and repair blemishes. 
- Detoxification as it removes metabolic wastes via the liver and through the skin via perspiration, It boosts nutrient uptake in the skin and improves oxygen distribution as it moves blood evenly throughout the whole body.
- It is widely used in cellulite removing products as it moves oxygen and removes waste products while boosting metabolism at the cellular level.
- As a pain reliever it is highly regarded for its ability to reduce the signals to the brain known as substance P which helps to relieve nervous system distress.
- To treat psoriasis it has qualities to reduce skin inflammation and encourage cell renewal.

At Milagro Herbs we formulate products with fresh cayenne extracts such as Miracle Muscle Balm with Arnica, Hot Lava Balm for sore muscles, and our classic Immune System formulation to boost white blood cell counts and fight bacterial infections.  These 3 items are now on sale this December!

Herbal Medicine Classes                           
                 
Staying Bright during the Darker Months: Uplifting Herbs for Winter - Jan. 7th, 10-noon.
It's always helpful to have some calming and uplifting herbs around, whether they’re in the form of your favorite aromatic tea, a tincture in your backpack, or a nourishing winter soup. We will focus primarily on two categories of herbs: nervines and adaptogens. $25. Instructor: Emily Rose

Herbal Allies for Bladder Infections - Jan. 14th, 10-noon.
In this class we will look at herbs that are commonly used to ease bladder infections. We will talk about when it is appropriate to use home remedies, and when it is important to seek proper medical attention. We will talk about herbal actions and energetics (hot, cold, dry, damp) and how these concepts fit into creating an effective formula for bladder infection relief. $25. Instructor: Emily Rose
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To register contact Milagro Herbs (505) 820-6321 or email Emily at emilyrose.deck @gmail.com                                                    

A Statement About Product Quality at Milagro Herbs:

When I founded Milagro Herbs in 1990 as a budding herbalist in Gila, New Mexico my vision was to blend the rich traditions of herbal medicine in the Southwest with the best of pure, natural ingredients now available from reliable sources. I spent many years gathering wild medicinal plants and formulating products such as face creams and lotions from them.  The idea was to use what we have in our backyards in producing highly effective products for a wide variety of health conditions.  We do not support vivisection in any way.  That is, we are against the use of animals for scientific experiments and product development, particularly in the cosmetic trade.  We do not use animal-based ingredients in Milagro Herbs formulations.  We strive to use local plants and natural ingredients that are not harmful to humans and the environment.  I think you will notice the difference from many mass produced herbal and cosmetic products; many people say they feel the difference and are relieved to know who produced their herbal products and the sources. ​

Herbal Intensives 

Introduction to Herbal Actions and Energetics: We will begin this class exploring some basic herbal energetics, classifying herbs (with our senses) in terms of their qualities of hot, cold, dry, or damp. We will also talk about our own energetics as individuals (“I always run hot”… "My skin is super dry all year”…), and think about appropriate herbal compliments for individual constitutions and imbalances. In the second part of this class we will introduce some principle herbal actions, give herbal examples, and discuss how these actions are relevant to common ailments. This class goes beyond a “this herb for that illness” approach and presents a much more dynamic, personalized, and effective way to match herbs to individuals. A great place to begin your herbal journey or to dive deeper. $25. Thursday, November 7th, 10 am-Noon. Instructor: Emily Rose

Easing Tense Bellies with Bitters, Aromatics and Nervines: It is no secret that our nervous and digestive systems are directly connected. When you have had a stressful day, even the most simple meal can cause indigestion. In this class we will discuss herbs that act on both of these systems. We will talk about the use of bitters, aromatics, and nervines to support healthy digestion and a calm state of emotional and mental well being. $25. Thursday, November 14th, 10 am-Noon. Instructor: Emily Rose

Topical & Internal Remedies for Muscles, Nerves, Joints and Bones: In this class we will focus on herbs and lifestyle choices that support a healthy musculoskeletal system. We will talk about common complaints such as back and neck pain, sciatica, tendonitis, and osteoporosis. We will discuss both internal and topical remedies. $25. Thursday, November 21st, 10 am-Noon. Instructor: Emily Rose

Call us at 505-820-6321 or email us at info@milagroherbs.com or Emilyrose.deck@gmail.com to sign up for the classes. Look for more classes in December and January.
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Early Spring Greens (pictured above Sisymbrium altissimum)
​Despite our erratic weather spring is here! Nature wants to thrive and a short walk around the neighborhood reveals that it is! Our early Spring plants grow in cracks, sidewalks, along fences, in the most inhospitable corners of backyards, basically where sun, gravel and protection meet.  I walked around the Milagro Store building on 5th St. and found numerous early Spring edibles and medicinals.  Mostly dominated by Mustard family plants (Brassicaceae) this is a typical scenario.  Fern leaf and wide leaf, they are standard native growers. And the strong, spicy and bitter flavor in the leaves fits our Spring need for clearing the Liver, while removing toxins accumulated over the last 6-12 months. Mustard greens are eaten throughout the world when the leaves are young and tender, raw or lightly steamed. Throughout the Mediterranean mustard greens are a staple to bring out flavor and bring in nutrition. You might know the Mustard family for many of our cultivars such as arugula, cabbage, and many vegetables used in Chinese cuisine. ​

Late Winter Viruses
"The present period of unprecedented ecological change and the growing economic and social crises that are driving vast movements of hosts are together contributing to the resurgence of old pests and the appearance of new ones. Important components in this rapid evolution are the vulnerabilities of ecosystems and the instabilities in climate."
     -Paul Epstein - Emerging Diseases and Ecosystem Instability: New Threats to Public Health

We are seeing unprecedented climate change and environmental degradation as the corporate industrial economic model ramps up natural resource extraction and ignores associated waste pollution. Ask anyone age 60 and older about the environmental changes they have seen just in their lifetime. The pristine streams and oceans I played in as a child are now toxic and to be avoided. On the surface it appears the same as before, nothing looks different but the changes are on a micro and macro scale. This is not just about species extinction, which does occur naturally, but about short-term irreversible pollution of our Mother Earth. 

Couple those massive changes with degradation of our food and drinking water, wholesale ingestion of pharmaceutical drugs, mass human migration across large geographic areas,and human caused climate change and we are presented with serious day to day health challenges. We can look no further than this winter's influenza outbreak that has resulted in numerous deaths and weaknesses. ​​