Re:Candied Ginger/refined sugar/Roman

[Guest guest]

<<<<You said a little sugar would contribute to the positive medicinal

 

affect of the ginger. Does sugar really contribute or does ginger

 

produces its effect despite sugar?

 

Roman>>>>>>

 

Roman, I see what you mean about the sugar, but I believe theres more to it.

You will live your life the way you believe, of that there is no doubt.

However, I'd like to point out to you that there are times when refined

sugar is used. I notice that in the directions for making Rooibos tea, only

refined sugar is used. I notice that when there is a wound, that refined

sugar is welcome there. I notice that chinese medicine is not afraid of

refined sugar. SEE HOW HERBAL SYRUPS ARE MADE.....you can spit in the eye of

herbal tradition, but I don't think we need to do that. (see below) Elaine

 

Syrups

 

ALTERING SYRUPS

 

Culpeper : Reader, before we being with the particular Syrups, I think good

to advertise thee of these few things, which concern the nature, making, and

use of Syrups in general. 1. A Syrup is a medicine of a liquid body,

compounded of Decoction, Infusion, or Juice, with Sugar or Honey, and

brought by the heat of the fire, into the thickness of Honey. 2. Because all

Honey is not of a thickness, understand new Honey, which of all other is

thinnest. 3. The reason why Decoctions, Infusions, Juices, are thus used, is

Because thereby, First, They will keep the longer. Secondly, They will

taste the better. 4. In boiling Syrups have a great care of their just

consistence, for if you boil them too much they will candy, if too little,

they will sour.

 

All simple Syrups have the virtues of the simples they are made of, and are

far more convenient for weak people, and delicate stomachs.

 

Syrupus de Absinthio simplex

 

Or Syrup of Wormwood simple

 

College : Take of the clarified Juice of common Wormwood, clarified Sugar,

of each four pounds, make it into a Syrup according to art. After the same

manner, are prepared simple Syrups of Betony, Borrage, Bugloss, Carduus,

Chamomel, Succory, Endive, Hedge-mustard, Strawberries, Fumitory, Ground Ivy

St. John's Wort, Hops, Mercury, Mousear, Plantain, Apples, Purslain,

Rasberries, Sage, Scabious, Scordium, Houseleek, Colt's-foot, Paul's Bettony

and other Juices not sour.

 

Culpeper : See the simples, and then you may easily know both their virtues,

and also that they are pleasanter and fitter for delicate stomachs when they

are made into Syrups.

 

Syrupus de Absinthio Compositus

 

Or Syrup of Wormwood compound

 

College : Take of common Wormwood meanly dry, half a pound, red Roses two

ounces, Indian Spikenard three drams, old white Wine, juice of Quinces, of

each two pounds and an half, steep them a whole day in an earthen vessel,

then boil them gently, and strain it, and by adding two pounds of sugar,

boil it into a Syrup according to art.

 

Culpeper : Mesue is followed verbatim in this; and the receipt is

appropriated to cold and flegmatic stomachs, and it is an admirable remedy

for it, for it strengthens both stomach and liver, as also the instruments

of concoction, a spoonful taken in the morning, is admirable for such as

have a weak digestion, it provokes an appetite to one's victuals, it

prevails against the yellow jaundice, breaks wind, purges humours by urine.

 

Syrupus de Acetosus simplex

 

Or Syrup of Vinegar simple

 

College : Take of clear Water four pounds, white Sugar five pounds, boil

them in a glazed vessel over a gentle fire, scumming it till half the water

be consumed, then by putting in two pounds of white Wine Vinegar by degrees,

perfect the Syrup.

 

Culpeper : That is, only melt the Sugar with the Vinegar over the fire, scum

it, but boil it not.

 

Syrupus Acetosus simplicior

 

Or Syrup of Vinegar more simple

 

College : Take of white Sugar five pounds, white Wine Vinegar two pounds, by

melting it in a bath, make it into a Syrup.

 

Culpeper : Of these two Syrups let every one use which he finds by experience to

be best; the difference is but little. They both of them cut flegm, as also

tough, hard viscous humours in the stomach; they cool the body, quench thirst,

provoke urine, and prepare the stomach before the taking of a vomit. If you take

it as a preparative for an emetic, take half an ounce of it when you go to bed

the night before you intend it to operate, it will work the easier, but if for

any of the foregoing occasions, take it with a liquorice stick.

[Guest guest]

Elaine Davis wrote:

>

> <<<<You said a little sugar would contribute to the positive medicinal

>

> affect of the ginger. Does sugar really contribute or does ginger

>

> produces its effect despite sugar?

>

> Roman>>>>>>

>

> Roman, I see what you mean about the sugar, but I believe theres more to it.

> You will live your life the way you believe, of that there is no doubt.

> However, I'd like to point out to you that there are times when refined

> sugar is used. I notice that in the directions for making Rooibos tea, only

> refined sugar is used. I notice that when there is a wound, that refined

> sugar is welcome there. I notice that chinese medicine is not afraid of

> refined sugar. SEE HOW HERBAL SYRUPS ARE MADE.....you can spit in the eye of

> herbal tradition, but I don't think we need to do that. (see below) Elaine

 

 

I certainly admit a possibility that life is more complex. But I haven't

seen yet a proof that white sugar is good for anyone. It is thought to

have been first produced in early 1700s in China, so it is a relatively

new thing. And according to the recipes you posted, sugar is used in

them because the preparations " will keep... longer... and taste

....better. " They don't say sugar contributes to health.

I understand that there are times when you might need to compromise with

quality of your food and medicine to get at least some benefits from it.

It would not do any good if it soiled. So, some preservation may be

needed sometimes. But is it needed now when we can obtain pretty much

any herb and other foods we want in dry, if not fresh, form and avoid

the need to use preservatives?

 

In their chase of better taste and longer shelf life, humans have

creating a lot of bad foods.

 

That sugar will feed candida and disrupt balance in intestinal

microflora. At least, it is thought to do that, and many people have

confirmed that by their experiences. Why would one want to do that is

beyond my understanding. Sure, one small ginger candy a week will not

produce much harm... for a relatively healthy individual, but we weren't

talking about healthy individuals, right? They had IBS, nausea, and what

not. It would seem wise for them to stay away from stressful substances

as much as possible. Is keeping symptoms under control that is key goal

or restoring vibrant health in all aspects? My personal goal is the

latter.

 

And no, I don't spit in the eye of herbal tradition. I just select from

what I think is best. Most herbal preparations I've encountered are made

as teas or taken in a powder form. Yes, herbal syrups are made with

sugar. That is their definition. But is syrup the best kind of herbal

preparation?

 

Roman

[Guest guest]

<<<But is syrup the best kind of herbalpreparation?Roman>>>>

Nope, Roman I really don't believe syrup is the best kind of herbal preparation. I haven't had to use it----ever, and have not been to a doctor in about three years. But then I am willing to use fresh wild herbs, which really taste nasty as teas. Neem is awful tasting, but I learned to look forward to drinking it-especially when I had abcessed teeth...I soaked my gums with the tea as hot as I could stand, and soon the abcess was ready to pop and drain...sounds gross, but it got well.

Getting herbs down children and people who hate the taste probably is good to use some kind of sweetner. I'm the only one in my whole family and even my friends say NO WAY to plain herb tea or decoctions.

I guess I really was just wanting to point out to those who don't know, that sugar is used and the different ways it is indeed used. Everyone doesn't know that, and they would never think to ask either. I appreciate it when ones far more knowledgable than I point out goodies unknown to me. Don't really know much, just believe in wild herbs and whatever I can grow to be what I should use.

Elaine