Imagine yourself as a carpenter, looking at the first blueprints to build your home. You study the drawings to know what materials and supplies you’ll need. You examine the land to see how you will proceed with a foundation and you assemble the right tools to help you build the structure. These plans take effort and attention to minute detail. You have to work slowly and steadily to fulfill your goal. And in the end, it should pay off as you move into a beautiful, well-structured and carefully-built home.

When we look at our health, we can talk in similar ways. With slow and deliberate care, the right materials and tools, we can develop and nourish optimal well-being. When we look at astrology, we find a planet that is essential for developing these same traits in ourselves. Saturn has long been known as a restrictive and limiting force, but it is also powerful as a slow and deliberate energy, helping us to steadily build up strength and wisdom as well as a solid foundation of good health.

Building the Foundation

In the previous article I discussed how Saturn is related to the foundational parts of the body—the skin, bones and teeth. I also discussed how we could nourish those parts of the body through proper lifestyle choices. In this article, I will be looking more in depth at using certain herbs and nutrition for augmenting our health and stability.  

There are a number of herbs connected to Saturn that can help strengthen the body. Saturnian herbs should help promote the building of tissue, bones, teeth and protect the skin. Saturnian herbs are often rich in minerals such as calcium and potassium.

Horsetail: This ancient herb has been around since prehistoric times and is a strong depository for minerals such as silica, manganese and potassium. The silica encourages the absorption of calcium in the body, which in turn helps strengthen one’s nails and bones.  

Sarsaparilla: The root of this herb is highly effective as an alterative, or blood purifier. Alteratives help cleanse the blood of toxins, which in turn promotes healthy and clean skin. Sarsaparilla can be used for complaints of eczema and psoriasis. Other good alteratives include red clover, burdock and yellow dock. Sarsparilla also is known as a powerful anti-rheumatic. For those with joint pain and arthritis, a tea of this herb can help soothe the symptoms.

Comfrey: Comfrey has long been known to heal injuries and build tissue. One of comfrey’s main constituents is allantoin, which helps promote the growth of cartilage, bone and connective tissue. It also contains high levels of calcium and magnesium, which help restore bones that have been fractured or damaged.

Wintergreen: Wintergreen is known primarily in its oil form, which is rich in methyl salicylate. This chemical is related to aspirin and explains why it is helpful for reducing pain and swelling associated with rheumatic and sciatic illnesses. It is also helpful for skeletal troubles like lumbago (lower back pain).

Borage: Borage can be helpful for those going through a Saturnian spell of melancholy. Borage brightens the disposition and acts as a mild anti-depressive.  The ancient Roman physician Pliny says of it, “borage always brings courage.” It is known as a restorative agent for the adrenal system, which in turn reduces stress and increases contentment.

Diet: What to Avoid

When choosing a Saturnian diet that helps build up strength and avoid bone, joint and skin problems, it’s smart to avoid food that causes an acidic reaction and accumulation of toxins and waste in the tissues. Acidic reactions are caused by red meats, dairy products, eggs, vinegar, pickles, refined carbohydrates and refined sugar.

Foods rich in oxalic acid should also be avoided, including spinach, rhubarb, currants and gooseberries. Although it is not essential to eliminate these foods, they should be used sparingly. Finally, the use of coffee, black tea, alcohol and an excessive consumption of salt should be minimized, because these products detrimentally impact the body and lead to degenerative diseases.

Diet: What to Incude

A Saturnian diet is one that helps us to ground and center, while providing bone-building nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus and sulfur. Calcium and phosphorus are minerals that are essential for the proper growth and maintenance of the bones, teeth and joints. Sulfur is essential for the development of keratin, a protein that helps build and strengthen hair, skin and nails. Dark leafy greens, carrots and seaweeds all carry a fair amount of calcium and foods such as whole grains, nuts and fish carry a high content of phosphorus. There are a number of foods high in sulfur content including broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, fish and organic meats.

By choosing a diet rich in these minerals and high in good quality, organic, whole foods, the body can establish a strong foundation and fight off illness and disease more readily. 

For any good carpenter, building a house requires good blue prints, good materials and good tools. Likewise with our health, we need to develop a plan, acquire the best food and herbs and practice discipline and patience for developing a strong constitution. The planet Saturn teaches us the importance of developing these skills and taking the time to build a good foundation. When our skin, bones and teeth are strong and healthy, we create a solid framework for the rest of the body to function optimally. Although it is known more for its’ restrictive qualities, Saturn is actually a wise and steady instructor who has much wisdom to teach. Good health to you!

Recent studies suggest that ingesting large amounts of comfrey and borage can cause liver damage. Consult a professional doctor, naturopath or herbalist before using these herbs.

Editor’s note: The health information given in this article is not meant as a substitute for care from a qualified physician. This information is given for educational purposes only, and is not intended to diagnose or prescribe. StarIQ.com is not responsible for any mishaps that occur as a result of using this information.