Nearly-lost ‘Christmas tree trick’ sends sore, stiff muscles PACKING
Merry Christmas.
I hope you’ve had a safe and joyous holiday season after this doozy of a year.
You deserve it!
If you’re like many Americans, 2020 has got you tied up in knots.
You don’t want to dope yourself up on muscle relaxant drugs… and spend the rest of the year “zoned out”… just to relieve the pain.
So, you grin and bear it for as long as you can.
But you shouldn’t HAVE to suffer through the holidays.
Fortunately, there’s another way to help RELIEVE sore muscles.
It’s part of a tradition that may have been handed down from our European ancestors – one that’s becoming EXTINCT.
A Norwegian forest secret
The Norway spruce tree (Picea abies) is a conifer that THRIVES in the woodlands of Northern and Central Europe, where it’s cultivated as a Christmas tree.
But it’s also a CRUCIAL component of the traditional medicinal practices of:
- Nordic countries like Finland, Sweden,
- Austria
- Bosnia, Slovenia, and other Balkan states, and
- Russia.
In remote parts of Europe, babushkas venture into the forest to forage for it!
The oral traditions of each of these European regions mention the Norway spruce for its ability to support the respiratory and musculoskeletal systems.
Unfortunately, contemporary scientists have BARELY explored the folk medicines from Western countries.
They’ve DISMISSED these practices as “wives’ tales”…
And IGNORED the evidence that they WORK.
But there’s plenty of traditional use that shows how Norway spruce can EASE muscle aches and stiffness…
And the key to its healing power is in its ability to BANISH inflammation.
The essential oil (a.k.a. pine oil) from fresh spruce tips contain powerful anti-inflammatory compounds known as monoterpenes (notably, bornyl acetate, pinene, phellandrene and camphene).
Now, the inflammatory process can be pretty complex…
But it appears as though Norway spruce beats back inflammation by inhibiting two factors:
- the nuclear factor NF-κB pathway, which is involved in the induction of a variety of pro-inflammatory genes
- the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α.
You can find Norway spruce essential oil on its own to include in your own ointments or creams. Be sure to dilute it with a carrier oil to avoid skin irritation.
It’s also included as an ingredient in a Bosnian balm called “Mehlem,” which you might be able to find online.
Note that Norway spruce is for external use only. Don’t try to ingest it!
To preserving the traditions of our forefathers,
Melissa Young
P.S. Last month, I shared with you right here in eAlert how Norwegian spruce trees ALSO contain a type of antioxidant compound that can help beat back prostate cancer.
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