Kelly's Confection

 These yummy treats are actually bowel aids first created by John Christopher, a Master Herbalist and founder of the School of Natural Healing, where I currently am enrolled. I gave them a little twist to appeal to my tastes and that of my children's and to my pantry's contents. All these ingredients can be found at your local health food store. Here's the recipe!

1/2 ounce slippery elm bark

1/2 ounce licorice root

1 ounce ground flaxseed

2 c. dried fruit ( I used dates and apples)

2 t. cocoa powder

1/2 t. cinnamon

1/4 t. ginger

2 T. molasses

2 T. honey

1/2 c. unsweetened coconut flakes

Add all the ingredients minus the honey, molasses and coconut flakes. Grind these up into a coarse and crumble powder in your food processor. If you don't have one, try your blender. The mixture should not be wet. It should be loose and the dried fruit should be into small bits. After, add the molasses and honey only. If you are using your blender, put everything in a bowl and stir by hand. If not, place the honey and molasses in the food processor and mix until it is equally distributed and it is all clumped together. Spoon a tablespoon size piece in your hands and roll into a ball. Drop this ball into the 1/2 of coconut flakes and cover. Then remove and flatten. Whalla! They are ready. They have a chocolate, gingersnap, black licorice flavor and are very dense. It is a tasty and fun way to help move and heal our bowels.
You may alter the ingredients as you wish. You can use any dried fruits you choose and remove the chocolate, ginger, etc. I will explain the significance of a few ingredients though.
Slippery Elm Bark- It is very soothing to tissue, removes inflammation and mucous, draws out impurities and helps strengthen and heal affected areas rapidly.
Licorice Root- Very healing to the stomach and digestive tract, soothing, lubricating, and nourishing the intestinal tract, mild laxative, helps in healing ulcers, blood cleanser and detoxifier.
Flaxseed-Soothes mucous membranes in the respiratory, digestive, and urinary tracts; also for renal and vesical irritation. It is a laxative, helping to expel gravel and stones in the glands.
Ginger - Great for nausea and improves digestion by preventing fermentation and the formation of gas.
There are plenty of over the counter things to take for the bowels, but, none that truly help to cleanse and feed the body so that it can return to it's healthy state. Here we are working on cleaning and nourishing the bowels that will help work on the problem rather than just the symptom.
You may wonder how much to eat. Well, we all have different plumbing, so I would say eat about 4-6 confections, then drink a few glasses of water  a little while after. See how things are in about 8 hours or so. If you don't see any affect, eat more.  They will help to soften, not liquidate you. They are foods for the body. However, you may want to back off if you are looser than you want. These treats are delicious too remember, not just a medicine. You don't even half to tell people they are medicinal. Enjoy!