Visitng Old Friends: Getting to Know Plant Spirits

In the last few weeks I have felt a swell of anxiety begin to stir. This isn't a new feeling to me. In fact, my struggle with anxiety almost two years ago is exactly what turned me to herbalism in the first place. I was trying conventional medications, but I just didn't feel myself nor was I feeling much better. I was struggling with some intense anxiety and needed something in my life to shift.

That's when I found herbalism or perhaps the plants found me. I began preparing quarts of tea every day. My room started to fill with jars of milky oats, lemon balm, kava kava, skullcap, tulsi, borage, wood betony, st.john's wort, reishi, and rose. After a few months of regular teas, tinctures, and flower essences, I began to slowly and subtly feel myself again. It didn't happen overnight, but it did happen. And in a very powerful way. The plants cleared my anxiety and also cleared a path so that I could do the personal work I needed to do. While I was grateful to have the medications available to control my anxiety when I felt it was at an unmanageable level, I also felt that the medication numbed not only my anxiety, but also my whole self. When I began turning to herbal healing, I felt much more aware of my life and able to actively nurture the person I wanted to become. And I was able to do so safely, naturally, and with no unwanted side-effects.

I have been fortunate enough to feel that my struggle with acute anxiety has passed. After a few months I stopped taking the herbs and have had some downs and lots of ups in the last two years and have felt emotionally balanced and grounded through these experiences. However, in the last couple of weeks I have felt an increase in anxiety due to a few changes in my personal and professional life. In particular, I have had a hard time letting go, relaxing, getting to sleep, and returning to balance after a moment of stress. It was time to go back to my old herb friends that had helped me before.

But this time it was different. When I started drinking a daily tea of milky oats, wood betony, and tulsi it was as if I was being welcomed into a good friend's home. We had built a relationship before, so we just took up where we left off. I felt significant changes in my mood very quickly. I felt very strongly how much these herbs are not just a means to an end. Rather, these herbs are living spirits in a very real and palpable way. In addition to feeling less anxious, I also made some quick changes in my life which immediately became obvious were choices that were best for my health and happiness. Drinking my tea each day didn't feel like just drinking some helpful herbs. I felt much more like I was visiting with a comforting and wise grandmother. Having spent time nurturing a relationship in the past with these plants, they were now my allies. They were capable of strong healing. Their spirits immediately reached out to my spirit. When that happens its hard to tell if what occurs is healing or transformation.

Defining Diagnostics: Listening to Cues from the Body for Deeper Health

When I talk about offering consultations to clients I often use the term “diagnostics.” This doesn't mean that I as an herbalist can actually diagnose someone. This is definitely where modern allopathic (aka conventional) medicine is a wonderful thing. However, allopathic medicine often detects problems when they have become a very serious, acute problem. A benefit of more “alternative” diagnostics is that it can be possible to detect an imbalance early. This means you can prevent larger problems and disease down the road. When I talk about diagnostics, I mean reading the body for cues of what might be happening on a deeper level. Areas of the face, tongue, and eye correspond to different organ systems and parts of the body. Likewise, different pulses in the wrist also correspond to organ systems. Lines, patterns, color, and quality of pulse are all indications of what is going on in those organ systems. A trained eye can observe food allergies, stressed adrenals, liver exhaustion, lung issues, digestive imbalances, etc. For example, the second pulses on both hands, the forehead and chin, the middle of the tongue, and the bottom section of the whites of the eyes are all places I look for cues about digestive health. To check out heart health I look to the tip of the tongue, the first pulse on the left hand, the nose, and the left side of the left eye.

Some of these things I can learn from a client sharing their experiences and health history. However, sometimes to a client it seems as though anxiety is the main issue, but the underlying cause of that issue is imbalance in the digestive system which can be observed in facial diagnostic observations. As an herbalist I aim to create a formula that both addresses the client's main concern, in this example it would be anxiety, while also addressing what I am observing as the root cause of the issue, such as digestive imbalance. Therefore the herbal formula might include an herb like wood betony which is beneficial in cases of anxiety since it is an herb that helps one feel grounded. It is also a slightly bitter herb which activates the liver and assists in the process of digestion.

I once did a consultation with someone who was experiencing occasional panic attacks and anxiety. When I did a diagnostic assessment of her it was clear in the facial and eye diagnostics that there was an imbalance in the lungs. However, she said she did not have any sort of experience with asthma, allergies, pneumonia, or any other kind of lung issues. I recommended some herbs that improve lung health but also help quell anxiety, such as tulsi and mullein. But she was unable to get the herbs at that time. About a year later she was diagnosed with acute asthma. Perhaps if she was able to get the herbs she would have been able to prevent a slight imbalance from becoming a problem.

The benefit of these sorts of diagnostic techniques is that they allow slight imbalances to be detected which can be preventative of bigger problems. It also allows the source of an issue to shine through, so that the source of the problem can be dealt with and not just the symptoms. For example, someone dealing with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) who sought out allopathic medicine would most likely receive birth control pills to reduce the symptoms of PCOS. However, this sort of hormonal imbalance will only be worsened over time with the use of birth control. When I have seen clients with PCOS I have observed hormonal and reproductive issues as well as liver and digestive imbalance through the facial, eye, and tongue diagnostics. It was clear that the problem could not be isolated to the reproductive system. So when I created a formula I included herbs that are detoxing to the liver, assist digestion, and also balance hormones. I included herbs such as sarsaparilla, vitex, and dandelion.

Hopefully this gives a snapshot of what I mean by the term “diagnostics” and why I feel it is important to incorporate this process into my consultations. It is amazing how much the surface of our bodies can reveal about what is going on deeper within. Part of this process of diagnostics is about knowing the techniques and applying them. However, a larger part of this is just about being still, taking time to connect, and see what observations rise to the surface.

When the 99% Drinks Some Herbal Tea: Herbalism and The Occupy Movement

The Occupy Wall Street Movement has certainly been a moving presence in our nation. Who has power? What structures are in place that have encouraged this distribution of power? How do we create a reality that reflects our values and ethics? These are all questions that are brought up by the Occupy Movement. And no matter what your position on the movement, I think these are important questions for all to ask. As an herbalist, I can't help but think about how herbalism is such a key in creating a world that reflects so many of the values held by the Occupy Movement.

There are so many things as an herbalist that I could say about the medical industry. But, I think we can all agree that a system that is supposed to care for people when they are sick, vulnerable, and unwell and yet are driven by profits and growth thereby requiring a never ending supply of sick people reliant upon an expensive medical system...well I think we can all say that there are lots of things wrong with that picture. And I know it's not that simple. I know that there are lots of good people and good work being done within the medical industry. But there is also motivation for profit over people, growth over sustaining health, and numbers over people's experience that all motivate and maintain the industry. The thought of how much the FDA is responsible for is astounding, since it is one organization responsible for monitoring every product, food or medicine, that we might take into our bodies to nourish, heal digestive issues, get a flu shot, add smoky flavor to smoked mozzarella without having to smoke it, approve of new cancer treatments, deal with a snack attack, deal with depression, and color Halloween M&Ms. A strange world, indeed.

So, what is the alternative. Herbalism, mindful and informed nutrition, accessible and well planned exercise, and alternative healing practices are all possible modalities that could play a larger role in people's experience of healing and wellness. Some people feel that allopathic medicine is never needed. Some people feel herbalism and other alternative forms of medicine are too “woo-woo.” I, however, feel that both allopathic and alternative forms of medicine can work together for the optimum good of a person, working together to prevent and treat disease and encourage wellness and balance.

The medical system and the media, have taught us that our bodies are not our own. We do not know what they should look like, we don't know what is good for them, and we can't heal them when we are ill. For that we need experts. But, deep down we all know none of this is true. We know our bodies. We can nurture a healing path for ourselves. We can help each other by sharing herbal and healing knowledge and supporting each other in our healing processes. And isn't this what Occupy Wall Street is all about? Claiming our own agency as people, standing within our power, and creating a reality for ourselves that is from yourself and your community rather than a large entity that is motivated by profit and growth at the expense of the wellness of the earth and all the beings that live upon it.

If we are thinking about how to bolster the power of the 99%, how to give people more choices and agency over their lives. If we are talking about supporting local and small businesses. If we are talking about how to provide options that are not toxic to the earth or to ourselves when there are plenty of healthier alternatives (the pharmaceutical industry is incredibly toxic to our environment). If we are talking about local foods and small economies. Then what better way than to go to your backyard, go to your local herbalist, go to your grandmother. Gather some plants, say thank you, and make a tea.

Soak Your Troubles Away: Luxurious Herbal Baths!

It's here! There was a snow storm so it is official! It is time for bath season! One of my favorite ways to take in herbs is through a healing hot bath. Who doesn't love that? Sometimes we forget that our skin is the largest porous organ we have. When we take a bath in herbs we are drawing that medicine into our body through our skin so it pervades every part of our bodies.

It is such an act of self-care to take a bath. It's not just about the herbs, but about taking time out just for yourself, enjoying a nice hot soak, and feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

My favorite way to take a bath is to use a cheesecloth or piece of muslin and place the herbs I want for a bath into the muslin and tying the herbs in place in the center of the cloth. You can also use a tea ball, muslin bag, or a bunch of tea bags. You can also brew a large cup of tea and just pour that into your bath water. I also like to add essential oils with a little cream, milk, or almond milk. I use milk or almond milk so the essential oils will have a fat to bind to and this prevents you from the rather intense contact with an essential oil. Sometimes I add some clay, sea salt, and baking powder for some extra cleansing and detoxing. I often add flower essences. This makes the bath especially emotionally and spiritually healing.

There are so many wonderful herbs that are great to use for a bath. When I was struggling with very frequent panic attacks I took a relaxing bath about once a week. Taking those baths allowed me the space to finally let go of some of that anxiety I was holding onto. One time I had a case of the flu with a high fever and very intense chills. I took a medicinal bath and within 20 minutes of the bath my fever had broken and I was on the mend. Baths can be powerful medicine.

Here are some ideas for herbs to use in a bath. Feel free to mix herbs you feel drawn to as you wish.

For a relaxing bath:

lemon balm, skullcap, milky oats, lavender, rose petal, borage, passionflower, linden

lavender essential oil – calming

aspen flower essence – helps clear out anxiety

cedar flower essence – cleansing of any negative energy

For a bath for sore muscles, pain, injury:

comfrey, solomon's seal, st. john's wort, ginger, mullein

rosemary essential oil – circulatory stimulant which helps bring fresh, nourishing blood to any affected area

lavender essential oil – helps rebuild cells

For a bath for the flu:

yarrow, peppermint, elder – this is an ancient combination of herbs against the flu. Add some boneset or comfrey to combat achyness.

rosemary essential oil – anti-microbial

lemongrass essential oil – very powerful anti-microbial

Play around with different herbs! Have fun...and don't forget the rubber ducky.

Success on the Healing Path: A Lesson From My Dog

Today I took my dog, Emmett, for a stroll around the West End. Our routine is to head out after his breakfast around mid-morning for a walk around the neighborhood. Usually he is easy on the leash. Maybe he pulls a little or jumps to meet a dog, but he understands when he is corrected. Today he was just awful. Pulling constantly and not paying any attention to the commands and cues I was giving him. When we returned home I didn't give him his usual treat after the walk.

About an hour later I decided he needed another chance. I knew that after getting his need to walk and sniff satisfied from the previous walk, that he would definitely be better behaved if I took him for another walk. So, I just took him for a very short stroll around the block. He needed to experience success in order to know he could reach my expectations for a walk that day. We needed to walk again so he could achieve the goal of a good walk. And, he was wonderful. I praised him as we walked and when we returned home I gave him a treat. He could enjoy a sense of accomplishment.

It occurred to me that this is much like many of our experiences on our own individual healing paths. We have a bad day and it seems as though we do nothing right: we skip exercising, we don't eat right, we forget to take our herbs, we just don't take care of ourselves. We just don't “heel” to our health plans. It can be so easy to get down on yourself when this happens. To feel as though you have failed. But there will be another walk. You can get back on track. The next day, or even the next hour is fresh and new and ripe for success! When you have a bad moment or day when you are off track, do something simple that will put you back on the right path. Just go around the block, rather than around the whole neighborhood. Eat an apple, or brew some dandelion tea, or do a breathing exercise, or strike a yoga pose. Set yourself up for success and recognize your victory, no matter how small it is. And determine a way to treat yourself after being successful. Perhaps a nice hot bath, a Saturday night movie, an extra hour in bed with a book, a glass of wine with your friends, etc. Do something to recognize your good work.

It's easy to think that your healing path is made up of exercising, meditation, healthy eating, healing herbs, energy work, etc. And that is definitely a huge part of the path. But, there is also attitude. Being accepting, understanding, and gentle towards yourself as you shift your life. On the walk when Emmett was not behaving well, I didn't tell him “No, bad dog” because it wouldn't have been helpful. He just would have felt bad, but without a clear idea of the way he needed to behave. Instead, giving him a small, but fresh start and praising him for something I knew he'd be successful at made much more sense. Your attitude and view of yourself on your healing path is just as much a part of your healing as anything else. If one day you falter, give yourself another chance. Walk your healing path with compassion for yourself. And don't forget to give yourself a treat!

Fighting Colds and Flu!

Last week I talked about good ways to nourish and build the immune system. This might reduce illness, but there is still a likely chance that you will get sick at some point this cold and flu season. So, here are some of my favorite herbs that will help you become healthy again quickly!

When I feel sickness coming on, the first thing I do is prepare a tincture with a formula of several herbs in a ½ ounce sized dropper bottle so that I can easily have it in my pocket at all times. I will take this formula up to once every 20 minutes and at least 3 times a day. I will take the formula from when I feel my illness coming on until I feel I am well over the sickness. My colds tend to have lots of congestion and post nasal drip which causes lots of sinus pressure and throat discomfort. So, I use a lot of herbs that will help reduce congestion.

Osha is one of my favorites against upper respiratory/sinus congestion, sore throat, and coughing. It is anti-microbial and stimulates the immune system. This herb is in nearly every formula I make against colds. It is also a warming herb which is perfect for those fall and winter colds.

Plantain is a great herb for drawing out congestion while soothing any irritation in the throat or upper respiratory tract. This is a great herb for thickly congested sinuses.

Sage is a great herb that helps with throat pain and is strongly anti-microbial. In general I look at this herb as a powerful harbinger wellness and health on many levels.

Mullein is one of my top favorite herbs. It helps move mucus and heal the lungs. This is a very gentle yet powerful herb suitable for when you are congested and also for when you have a deep cough that is really affecting the lungs.

Elecampane is wonderful for balancing mucus in the upper respiratory system. If you are dry and experiencing irritation or if you are super congested, elecampane will help balance your system to health.

I often add a very small amount of thyme to my tincture formulas because it is a very powerful anti-microbial. It's the herb I use to kill whatever microbes might be causing an illness.

I often add something a little soothing, such as anise, chamomile, or licorice to soothe an irritated throat.

When I feel illness coming on I also begin taking a tincture of echinacea. I take it separately from the other formula because I will take echinacea for three days in a row, and then I take a day off. This is a good practice because echinacea is a very powerful immune system stimulant. I want to stimulate my immune system enough to fight disease, but I don't want to over work it to the point that it tires out and becomes stressed. I take echinacea very frequently when sick, taking a dropperful up to every 20 minutes. I will also put echinacea in a ½ ounce dropper bottle to ensure I can always have it with me.

And, of course I take many of these herbs as hot teas. Nothing beats a wonderful cup of healing tea when sick. The tinctures are wonderful because it is easy to take the herbs frequently even while at work or going about your day. However, when you are getting sick what your body might be telling you is that you need to take time out, lay in bed, and take the time to make a nice cup of tea.

When I have difficulty sleeping due to congestion, I will take a tissue and add a few drops of some combination of eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, balsam fir, clove, and lemongrass to the tissue. I will place the tissue on or near my pillow so I can enjoy the wonderful mucus clearing effects of those herbs while sleeping.

When you have a flu then it is important to add some good herbs to deal with fever and body aches. Boneset is a wonderful herb that helps reduce fever and body aches. Definitely a favorite of mine. I would also recommend the combination of peppermint, yarrow, and elder flower. This is a very traditional herbal blend that is very effective against the flu. Last year I had a bad case of the flu and I prepared a bath with these herbs by placing them in a muslin drawstring bag. My fever broke within two hours of the bath! It was amazing how effective it was!

Finally, I always take doses of elderberry cordial when a cold or flu is setting in. Elderberry stimulates the immune system and is very anti-microbial. Also it is very tasty medicine! You can take elderberry as a tea or tincture, but I always prepare a cordial with a healthy dose of honey and brandy! Very yummy and very healing.

There are so many other herbs to take for colds and flus, but I have given you some of my favorites. May these herbs help nurse you back to total health!

I often feel that the experience of our bodies and the imbalances and or health issues we may experience are in fact messages to ourselves, our physical selves speaking to our spirit self. Getting a cold or flu is often a way of our physical body telling us we have taken on too much, we are in need of some self love and care. Everything else can go on hold. Perhaps we can view sick time as a time to practice self care. See if you can continue that practice even as you are well again.

Nourishing a Balanced Immune System

That lovely chill is in the air! Autumn is officially here. I have bust out the fingerless gloves, started putting away t-shirts, and am pulling out flannel plaid button-ups. I just love this season. It is also the time to start pulling some of those immunity-building herbs from the shelf and start brewing some teas!

We tend to think that people that work with other germ-sharers in close quarters are the ones that should really get their immune systems up and running. Pre-school teachers, cashiers, etc. But people that work in indoor environments where fresh air is limited should also be sure to get those immune systems strong! Office workers need to get their tea on just as much as the rest of us.

There are those of you out there who might think you don't need to build your immune system because you just never get sick. While this may seem healthy at first glance, it is actually a vital function of a good immune system to get rid of toxins from our bodies via a runny nose, fever, or some sort of symptom of sickness. If you never get sick it means you are never fully ridding your body of toxins. Nourishing your immune system will help it work more effectively at flushing your system of pathogens and toxins.

Nourishing your immune system is about balancing your system so it will effectively rid your body of any pathogens or toxins but not be too sensitive to everything it encounters. You can take immune building throughout cold and flu season.

There are a few herbs that are great at nourishing the immune system without overstimulating it. Astragalus root is one of the best herbs for building the immune system. It is super effective at building up a strong and balanced immune system. You can take this herb everyday as a tincture, tea, or capsule. However, this is not an herb to take when you have a fever since it will make it difficult for your body to naturally try to lower your fever. I often throw astragalus into soup broths and add it into rice or quinoa as I cook it. I tend not to eat the root after it is cooked, but I know of people that do. It has a pleasant, slightly sweet taste.

All of the adaptogen herbs also help build immunity. Eleuthero, tulsi, schisandra, ginseng, and ashwagandha are all great at gently nourishing the immune system. The medicinal mushrooms are also great immune system builders: reishi, maitake, shiitake. All are wonderful herbs to take as a tincture, tea, or capsule. The medicinal mushrooms make wonderful soup broth. Add shiitake or maitake to your dishes and you have a savory, tasty, and healing dinner!

Healing Soup Broth:

Throughout the summer I tend to freeze the scraps of veggies I don't use in gallon freezer bags. Carrot greens, kale stalks, garlic and onion peels all go into the freezer. When I am ready for soup season, I take a bunch of these veggie scraps and put them in a soup pot along with a spoonful of astragalus root, a few slices of reishi and maitake mushrooms, a few garlic cloves, burdock root, and a little ginger root. I add a piece of kelp for extra mineral and vitamin richness and for some thyrid support. It is also a nice substitute for lots of salt. For some extra nourishment I might add some organic meat bones to the mix. I simmer all of this on the stove for about an hour. I then strain out the veggies and herbs and have a wonderful, tasty, and nourishing broth ready to make all kinds of awesome soups! For some extra healing and scrumptiousness, when you have finished cooking the soup and are about to serve it, add a spoonful of miso paste per bowl of soup. Slurp to your health!

5 Reasons to Seek Herbal Healing

Why herbs? Why is using plant medicines of value? If current medical technology and innovation can cure it, then what is the point? Here are a few reasons to seek herbal healing:

1) We are nature. Despite the paradigm of our current modern culture, we are in fact part of the fabric of the natural world. The richness of our blood, the air that fills our lungs, the particles of our bone marrow. All of these are gifts from the earth and when we pass we give them back to the earth. By seeking healing from the natural world we are acknowledging and honoring this connection. The plants are here as our allies and healers. So many of the weeds we tread on everyday are in fact powerful healing plants. We just need to learn how to incorporate these things back into our life. Dandelion is not just for tying into children's necklaces, but is a plant meant to continue with us through our lives to ensure our health and vitality, as are so many plants.

2) Prevention of disease. We have a health care system that operates in response to medical crisis or acute medical conditions that have built up over time. Allopathic medicine responds to health issues that have become painful, difficult, inconvenient, and burdensome. It is helpful to have this level medicine there, however wouldn't it seem advantageous to respond to slight health imbalances before they build into larger problems. Herbal medicine can address those acute, painful, built up health problems but it can also address daily health maintenance and prevention. Herbs can help release gallstones but also can nurture a healthier digestive system to prevent such a problem. Herbs also nourish better overall health and vitality. Drinking herbal teas or taking in herbs in other forms creates a feeling of nourishment, health, and sense of being alive. Drinking an herbal tea, such as nettles, everyday will make you feel vibrant and full or health! What a wonderful and truly sustaining gift!

3) Healing without negative side effects. Some people simply dislike medication. Others have had bad experiences with the side-effects of medications. One of my teachers always says “there are no side-effects of medications, there are only effects. Some of the effects you want and some you don't want.” Some feel if there is an herbal alternative to a medication (which there almost always is) then why not seek that rather than take a pill. Medications can be hard of the body to process and detox. Antibiotics are very rough on the digestive system. There are so many wonderful herbal treatments that are antibacterial, antiviral, and healing to the issues we seek medications for. Why not use something that is only healing to the body and has no negative side-effects.

4) Medicine with spirit. Herbs provide medicine not only for the body, but also for the spirit. We are creatures that need balancing and sustenance not only on the physical level, but on the spiritual and emotional levels as well. Each plant, like all life, has a particular energy and spirit which is unique unto itself. When you drink an herbal tea, take drops of a tincture, or take an herbal capsule you are taking in the physical and energetic properties of that plant. While taking bitter herbs for digestion, you also might find you are calmer and less edgy. While taking herbs for asthma you might find you become less sad about an emotional upset. Herbs work subtly on several levels of the body, interacting with the energetics of our organs, as well as our emotional and spiritual lives.

5) Love yourself. No matter how we seek to incorporate herbal healing into our lives it is a rewarding and health sustaining step. Most importantly it is a joyful step. Stepping into your healthy and balanced body in a way that is connected to the earth and the fullness of your existence is truly a loving and joyful process. Begin today.

Namaste.

4 Herbs to Help You Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking is an incredibly challenging process. Many people are quite hard on themselves while trying to quit, feeling as though if they don't manage to kick the habit they have “failed.” A former smoker once shared a slightly different way to look at it. She said that each time she tried to quit but went back to smoking, that she was just practicing, getting a little closer each time to her goal. It wasn;t that she had failed at quitting, but that she was just getting good practice in and getting better and better at quitting each time. Eventually the practice of quitting became the new habit. She succeeded in fully kicking the habit and hasn't smoked in about 7 years.

My partner went through a period where she was a smoker. When she quit she decided that she just wouldn't smoke today. Who knows what happens tomorrow, but from now until bedtime she wouldn't smoke. She took quitting in day by day. This felt more do-able and also allowed her to celebrate getting through a day without smoking, allowing for little victories in the midst of the process of quitting. It didn't feel as limiting or restricting.

There are lots of ways to approach quitting smoking. It can be very helpful to have the support of herbal healing while quitting smoking. Incorporating herbs into your quitting process can help deal with nicotine cravings, encourage an aversion to smoking, and restore lung health.

Mullein

Mullein is an amazing herb and is by far one of my favorites. It is a wonderful herb at restoring lung health, moving mucus, and encouraging movement of the lymph. All of these things are helpful at repairing the damage from smoking by healing the lungs and moving congestion. It is also a very quieting herb, a wonderful help for soothing your way through tense times when you'd usually want a cigarette. It is a simple, yet super powerfully healing herb. You could also grind up the leaves and flower in with tobacco and smoke it along with your cigarettes. Eventually you can replace mullein entirely with the tobacco. Also, there is a recipe for an herbal cigarette at the end of this article.

Plantain

Plantain is a wonderful herb at moving congestion from the upper respiratory tract. It will move mucus from the nose and sinus cavities with its drawing action. It also encourages an aversion to smoking. You might find yourself skipping a cigarette or feeling unsatisfied after you smoke one.

Lobelia

Lobelia is a very powerful herb, so do use this herb sparingly. When I incorporate it into a tincture formula in a one ounce bottle I put in just enough to cover the bottom of the bottle, then I pour the rest of the tinctures in. This herb relaxes mucus membranes and allows congestion and mucus to move along and be rid from the body. This is very healing to the respiratory tract. The true benefit of lobelia to the smoker lies in the fact that it is related to tobacco and it fits in the the brain receptor that would usually be matched by nicotine. Therefore it quells that feeling of “needing” a cigarette. It is also so powerfully cleansing to the respiratory tract that you will feel the negative effects of smoking, feeling nauseous and tight in your lungs when you do smoke. It is a very relaxing herb which is helpful as you deal with the stress of quitting smoking.

Skullcap

Skullcap is an incredible herb for calming anxiety and releasing stress. Since cigarette smoking often evolves as a practice to deal with stress, it is very important to have relaxing herbs as part of the healing strategy for quitting smoking. Skullcap in particular is very helpful at kicking bad habits and addictions, such as smoking, drinking, or drugs. It is also a detoxing herb, which is helpful to cleanse and heal the body in the process of quitting smoking.

Herbal Cigarette Recipe:

1 part Mullein

1 part Skullcap

1 part Plantain

½ part Catnip

½ part Sage

¼ part Mint

¼ part Lobelia

finely chop or grind the dried herbs to a somewhat fine consistency. Pinch the mixture into a cigarette paper and roll and smoke just as you would a regular rolled cigarette. You can also roll a cigarette partially with tobacco and partially with this herbal formulation.

You can continue smoking these herbal cigarettes after you have quit smoking. All of the herbs are healing to the respiratory tract and relaxing.

Taking the Healing Path to Work: Herbs for the Workplace

Many of us find our jobs having residual effects on our health, well-being, and sense of balance. Sometimes it can be hard to maintain a boundary between work life and our private life. At times we simply feel zapped after a day at work and feel we can only sit and watch TV after a long, hard day. Wouldn't it be nice if this weren't so! Perhaps herbs can help.

Adaptogens are wonderful herbs for someone feeling a little zapped by work. The adaptogen herbs help you deal with stress, nourish your adrenals, boost focus and alertness, help increase stamina to get through the day, and build the immune system. They are perfect herbs for people that are working hard and are missing the play in their lives! Eleuthero, American ginseng, schizandra, nettles, reishi, and maca are all wonderful and gently stimulating adaptogens. Eleuthero, American ginseng, schizandra, reishi, and nettles can all be taken as a tincture. You can take maca or reishi as a powder and just sprinkle it into your morning smoothie, stir it into tea, or sprinkle it on food.

If you work a physical job where you are on your feet or moving around a lot, it might be nice to include some herbs that will help the body deal with aches and long periods of standing. Solomon's Seal is a wonderful herb if you have any sort of injury where there is damage or strain to connective tissue. For those of you who stand and walk a lot, you might have heel spurs or achy knees (I know I do!) and Solomon's Seal oil applied externally is a wonderful remedy! Using herbal medicines that increase circulation is a great idea to be sure to nourish your body with fresh blood flow, especially if you stand a lot. Use ginger, yarrow, or rosemary as an oil, compress, or foot soak externally.

Sometimes work can cause anxiety. If you are the kind of person that when you leave the office you just can't turn off your brain and you just keep cycling the same thoughts, making to-do lists, and tossing and turning about what is coming up the next day at work then passionflower is the herb for you! It makes a tasty tea or can be taken as a tincture. Blue vervain is another excellent remedy taken as a tincture or flower essence. Blue vervain is for type A personalities who are over-driven work-aholics. Taking blue vervain can help you determine what is truly important in life, let go of work for a while, and have relax.

It can be very difficult to maintain healthy boundaries with work. Either the worries of work enter our home lives or perhaps we take on the challenges of the power plays and tough personalities we may have to deal with in our professional lives. The flower essences of Yarrow and St. John's Wort can be helpful in helping us maintain healthy boundaries. Cedar is another great herb for simply clearing out negativity. Taking these flower essences on the tongue, in a glass of water, or create a spray to spray around your office space are all wonderful ways to incorporate the transformational powers of flower essences into your life.

Finally, it pays off to examine your life. Do you feel what you are doing is truly your calling in life? It can be very hard to find truly satisfying work. Take time to meditate, go for quiet walks, do breathing exercises and yoga. All of this will cultivate a knowledge of your inner life and you will be able to determine your path. Perhaps you may realize a change is needed, perhaps you may realize that you want to continue down the same path but simply change the pace or style with which you travel down that path. Allow your deep, inner self to be the path maker and you will find peace and contentment are your rewards.

Healing Herbs for Trans Folks

Herbs have this uncanny gift to balance and release in spaces where you didn't even know there was imbalance or tension. I have found this gift most appreciated in my experience as a trans person. For those that aren't familiar with the term, someone that identifies as transgender doesn't fit into the gender binary of male/female sexes. Transsexual tends to refer to someone who seeks hormones or some sort of altering process or treatment to appear as the gender he/she/they/ze feels. Transgender or trans is a broad term to refer to the great umbrella of gender diversity/deviation. Herbs can be such a great presence to feel more like present in your personal power and identity.

I have spent a lot of time researching this topic as it is near and dear to my heart. I have lots of information that I want to pass on, but perhaps too much for one blog post. I encourage you to email or contact me in some way if you have any questions!

There are a few great herbs that I have found very helpful through my own experience as a trans person. I will share these, but there are many more that are helpful and are safe to use while on hormones.

Milk Thistle Seed: If you are taking hormones as a trans guy or gal, milk thistle seed is a great herb to be taking. Milk Thistle protects liver cells from toxins and helps repair damaged liver tissue, which is helpful since being on hormones can be hard on the liver. It is not too over-detoxing and will not interfere with hormones in any way.

Dandelion Root and Blessed Thistle: Both of these are great liver herbs. Some people are cautious when on hormones about taking detoxifying liver herbs since there is some concern that it will lessen the effect of the hormones. I personally have not found this to be so, but it is important to do what feels right to you. Dandelion and Blessed Thistle are both wonderful as a detoxifiers, but in particular they are helpful in helping the body get rid of excess hormones, in particular excess estrogens that do not act as estrogen in the body but rather the estrogens that are toxic and the body aims to get rid of. When on hormones, either estrogen or testosterone, if there is an excess of hormones they often become toxic estrogens in the body. Dandelion and Blessed Thistle help flush these toxins from the liver. I have definitely felt healthier and more in balance when on either Dandelion or Blessed Thistle. I would not recommend being on both at the same time.

Burdock: Another herb that is helpful to the liver, it is also great at clearing up any skin issues including acne. If acne has become a problem since beginning hormones, than burdock may be a great help.

Sarsaparilla: As a liver herb and blood cleanser, this herb also helps the body flush excess toxic estrogens from the body. While Dandelion and Blessed Thistle focus on the liver, Sarsaparilla has a more dispersing nature. It combines well with liver herbs.

Red Clover: Red Clover is a great gently detoxifying herb that is full of nourishing vitamins and minerals. It will also benefit the skin if you are experiencing acne as a result of hormone treatment. It is very supportive to the lymphatic system, cleansing and detoxing your body. It encourages testosterone as it is an estrogen blocker. A wonderful hormone balancer whether you are on hormones or not. It is a very power anti-cancer herb. A great herb for everyday.

Nettles: It is hard to think of a situation where nettles wouldn't be healthy. As an herb that is full of tons of vitamins and minerals, this is a great herb to take everyday to nourish your body to enable it to function in the healthiest way possible. It benefits the kidneys and thyroid which can be taxed when taking hormones. Nettles also encourage healthy skin and hair.

Raspberry leaf: As someone that is female bodied and on hormones, I have loved using raspberry leaf. Raspberry leaf is super nourishing to all of the reproductive organs. This is really important especially if you are a trans guy on hormones. It does not interfere with hormones nor will it bring on your cycle. Even if you are not on hormones, it nourishes the lower belly chakra which is likely a place of tension in many trans people. I have definitely felt healthier and more in balance when consistently taking this herb.

Ashwagandha: This herb is part of a sort of unofficial class of herbs called adaptogens. Adaptogens across the board help you deal with stress, enhance your immune system, nourish your adrenals, and often assist digestion. Ashwagandha in particular is very nourishing to the thyroid and helps balance hormones. Other adaptogens include eleuthero (siberian ginseng), tulsi (holy basil), schizandra, reishi, maca, and ginseng.

Nervines: Anyone who is trans may also experience stress or anxiety around being deviant from gender norms. Herbs such as milky oats, passionflower, skullcap, california poppy, motherwort, rose petals, linden, and lemon balm.

Herbs to avoid

Emmenagogues are herbs which bring on your period. If you are on hormones and would like to discontinue your period then I would recommend not taking these herbs. However if you are not on hormones but dislike your monthly cycle, I actually would recommend taking emmenagogues since they can help balance your cycle and reduce PMS symptoms.

Emmenagogues include: Dong quai, mugwort, angelica, black cohash, blue cohash.

Kava Kava

St. John's Wort – If you are taking hormones then you should avoid taking St. John's Wort internally. It is such a powerful liver cleanser that it will cleanse any hormones you might be on. It is fine to use St. John's Wort oil externally.

Flower Essences

Flower essences are the energetic footprint of the spirit of the plant. They do not include the physical properties of the herb so there is absolutely no concern about combining them with hormones if you are on them. Here are a few flower essences I have found especially helpful.

Larch: encourages self love and self care. Helps boost self confidence.

St John's Wort: helpful when feeling anxious, unsafe. Strengthens one's boundaries and allows your inner light and strength to radiate. Very protective.

Yarrow: great for ensuring strong boundaries. Helps ground you in your inner strength.

Aspen: Calms and alleviates fear in the face of the unknown.

Eastern Hemlock: Helps guide you through transformation.

Calla Lilly: Helpful in clarifying sexual identity, balancing to male and female energies.

Upcoming Event: Drink Your Way to Better Health!

Come participate in a workshop!

Drink Your Way to Better Health!

Live longer! Fight Disease! Throw out your vitamin supplements! There are dozens of super herbs that grow all around us. Drinking a cup of these herbs everyday can help us build deep health, detox, heal free radical damage, prevent cancer, and nourish our body with all of the vitamins and minerals it needs. You will feel more vibrant and alive!

Herbal Teas will be available!

Tuesday, September 20th
5:30pm - 7pm
at The Awake Collective
509 Forest Avenue
Portland, Maine
$10 - $20 sliding scale

Herbalist at Your Service!

The main focus of my business is doing one on one consultations with clients, however there are many other ways to utilize a local herbalist such as myself!

Here are a few examples of ailments or issues that I can easily whip up a tincture, tea, oil, or salve.

PMS/Cramp Reliever

Wound Healer

Natural Gas-X (we all need it sometimes)

Anxiety Ease

Stress Buster

Muscle Ache Relief

Headache Relief

Upset Tummy Soother

Sleep Time

Arthritis/Achy Joints Relief

Injury Healer

Cold and Flu Fixer

Allergy Relief

Skin Irritation Ease

Weight Loss

Etc! Etc!

I also make personalized Flower Essences. If you feel the need for a more spiritual/emotional healing presence in your life, than having a customized flower essence formula is just the thing. If you haven't worked with Flower Essences, they operate on a more energetic level. They are created by taking the energetic footprint of a flower and capturing that healing essence. Flower Essences are wonderful for healing anxiety, depression, upset, anger, and other emotional or spiritual troubles.

Just email me or call me for whatever you might need! I can also mail remedies to you or you can pick them up here in Portland, Maine.

An Invitation to Dream: A Message from Mugwort

There are no accidental weeds. We tend to think of weeds as inevitable nuisance that mucks up our efforts to garden and have a pure grassy lawn. However, I happen to think that certain weeds intentionally grace our spaces. On several occasions I have given someone an herb which I feel is best for their condition and then later learn that that particular plant is growing all over their backyard. We should pay attention to the weeds that surround us. Notice even the plants in the cracks of your driveway...there is a purpose to their presence.

I happen to find invasive weeds somewhat interesting. I know that most people cringe at this because it means a loss of native plants and habitat. However, lots of the invasive plants we have in the U.S. now are also incredible medicine for some of our most noxious diseases, including lyme disease and cancer (japanese knotweed is a good example). One of my teachers often says that it takes an invasive plant to counter an invasive disease.

One plant that I am particularly drawn to is mugwort. It is commonly viewed as an invasive plant. You certainly see it everywhere: lining the highway, growing in between the cracks of sidewalks, taking over abandoned city lots, spreading through open meadow areas. However, I feel that mugwort has some purpose to its wild proliferation.

Mugwort is most used as a women's herb. It's silvery underside is a signature that mimics the light of the moon, indicating it's importance to women. It is an emmenagogue so it can help bring on a delayed or irregular period. It can alleviate cramps and other symptoms of PMS.

One of the most common uses of mugwort is as a sleeping herb. It is known to bring on dreams and help you remember them. Sometimes when mugwort is growing I will harvest a little and place it under my pillow when I sleep. I always have the most vivid and memorable dreams! Mugwort can also be used as a rather magical smudge. There is something quite other-worldly about this plant.

We live in a very literal, and rather yang/masculine society. Perhaps mugwort is here to simply ask us to step out of that. Mugwort is inviting us to let go and allow a more yin side to flourish. Mugwort wants us to dream, to step into our subconscious selves, and to remember that journey when we awake.

Receiving Healing: How to Begin Taking in Herbs

So, all of these herbs are sounding pretty good, right? Skullcap, nettle, dandelion, milky oats, rose petals, etc, etc! There are just hundreds of herbs out there that are so wonderful and awesome to include in your life! But...how to actually do that. Perhaps you have read on this blog or read somewhere else about an herb that sounds like it might be good for you. Here is a basic guide for different ways to take an herb.

Herbal Teas: Infusion and Decoction

I love taking herbs as a tea! Who doesn't love drinking a nice mug of hot tea? Taking herbs as a tea allows your body to slowly absorb the medicine from the herb. If you are preparing a tea from herbs you will either prepare an infusion or decoction, or some combination of both. If you are preparing a tea using leaves or flowers, than you would make an infusion by pouring gently boiling water over the herb material. I typically prepare a quart of herbal tea in a quart Ball jar, so I cover the bottom of the jar with about a 1/4” on herb material. If I were making a mug of tea then I use about 1 tsp – 1 t of herb material. I then place something on top, perhaps a lid or plate (if I use the jar lid I don't screw it on or else it will seal and be somewhat difficult to remove) and let it sit for at least 20 minutes and up to overnight. Placing a lid or plate on top keeps the essential oils of the herbs in the tea.

If you are making a tea that is using bark, roots, or tough berries or seeds then you would make a decoction by placing the herbal material in a pot, pouring room temperature water over the material, slowly bringing the pot to a boil and then allow to slowly simmer for at least 20 minutes and up to several hours (depending on how much water you have added). Simmering the herbal material will ensure that the woody material will be broken down to release the medicinal qualities of the herb.

At a workshop with Phyllis Light, an awesome Southern Appalachian folk herbalist, I learned that a folk way of preparing any herbal tea is to simmer the herbal material on the stove with the lid off, using about 1 tsp – 1 t of herbal material per quart of tea. In the folk tradition you would do this even if you are preparing a leaf or flower tea. When I first began dabbling in herbalism, this is how I prepared all of my herbal teas, mostly because I hadn't read the typical way to prepare an infusion, but also I think that is what my intuition led me to do. When I learned about how to make an infusion, I began preparing herbal teas that were leaves or flowers in that manner. Since my workshop with Phyllis Light I have gone back to simmering all of my herbal teas. I do this partially because this is what I had the hunch to do when I first began making herbal teas. I feel compelled to follow my initial intuition. Also, simmering the herbal material will make the tea rich in all of the minerals within the plant. I feel as though this preparation of an herbal tea creates a deeper, more complex medicine.

I encourage you to experiment and see what you prefer. The only thing I would recommend sticking by is to be sure to decoct roots and woody material. There is a definite different in allowing the roots to simmer on the stove than than just steep.

Tincture

A tincture is another way to take in the deep medicine from an herb. A tincture is a very concentrated extraction of an herb typically using alcohol (though vinegar and glycerin are also used at times), often vodka, brandy, or grain alcohol. Though some herbalists say grain alcohol is the best at extracting the medicinal properties of the plant, I find grain alcohol tinctures too harsh. I prefer using vodka. At times I use 100 proof vodka, at other times I use 80 proof. For herbs that I feel act subtly I use brandy (some adaptogens and rose come to mind). The alcohol extracts the medicinal properties of the plant in a very concentrated and powerful form. When you take a tincture you often only take a few drops of the medicine. Because it is alcohol the medicine goes right into your bloodstream, so it is very fast acting. However, it does not travel through your whole digestive system, so if you want to take an herb for digestive or kidney issues, you want the medicine to travel slower through your system so a tea or capsule would be better. Tinctures are however really great for when you are on the go since they are so convenient. It is also great if you have an issue that has flare ups, such as panic attacks, sudden pain, etc, since alcohol tinctures are so fast acting

At times a tincture is made using raw apple cider vinegar or glycerin. Unlike alcohol tinctures, vinegar extractions are really great at deriving the minerals from an herb. For example, making a vinegar extraction of yellow dock and nettle is an amazing way to raise iron levels. Also, since raw apple cider vinegar can be so beneficial to the digestive system, adding some dandelion, burdock, and yellow dock infused raw apple cider vinegar to water can be a wonderful digestive aid. Glycerin tinctures can be a nice alternative for someone who is really cautious with alcohol and wants to avoid it entirely. It is good to know that the amount of alcohol you get from a few drops of alcohol tincture is about equivalent to the amount of alcoholic fermentation in a ripe banana. I personally find the sweetness of a glycerin tincture to be a little overwhelming and takes away from the taste of the herb. However, glycerin is a great option for children since the taste is so much more appealing that an alcohol tincture.

Capsule

Capsules are very convenient since a powder form of the herb is encapsulated in an easy to swallow capsule. It can be harder to control quantity and formulation with a capsule. Also, if you have any lower digestive issues (which many people who eat typical American diets do) than taking a capsule is not the best option since it will be challenging for your system to break it down enough to get the benefit of the medicine. However some herbs, such as slippery elm, are a nice herb to take in capsule form if you don't have time to prepare the tea since slippery elm will be able to get to the belly and provide soothing and balance to the stomach. I personally rarely using encapsulated herbs, but it is a nice option to have if time is an issue.

Oil/Salve

If you are struggling with a site specific injury, bite, sprain, broken bone, etc. then having an herbal infused oil or salve is helpful to apply topically. Some great herbal infused oils to use for injuries are St. John's Wort, yarrow, solomon's seal, and comfrey root. An herbal oil can easily be rubbed into the afflicted area. A salve is simply an herbal infused oil that has had beeswax added to it to create a more lotion-like texture which can be a little more user-friendly than oil.

There are so many ways to include herbs in your life! Later I plan on doing a post about incorporating herbs into your food and daily diet, so that you can easily create healing foods. Stay tuned and feel free to email me with any questions about herbs at underroothealing@gmail.com! :)

Namaste

Food for the Heart: Rose Elixir

Tonight I just decanted a wonderful rose elixir. It's totally magical! I picked wild roses from along the beach in my new home in Portland, Maine. The roses are full of ocean air, and the memory of the lovely time at sunset when I gathered them with my partner. I combined the roses with raw Maine honey and brandy. Such wonderful and delicious medicine!

Roses have this wonderful affect on the heart. Rose petals seems to just melt tension that is held in the heart chakra as well as the lower belly/reproductive area. The chakra in the low belly is the center of where we connect to our emotions. Rose is a powerful spirit medicine. An elixir (an herbal extraction prepared with brandy and honey or other sweetener) with rose creates a wonderfully nourishing medicine that feeds the heart space and source of our emotional lives. It's wonderful medicine to encourage self love, heart healing, and connection to our emotions.

Rose has many physically healing properties. Rose helps alleviate congestion, fights infection, benefits the kidneys, improves circulation, increases naturally occurring bacteria in the gut, and is helpful against diarrhea. It is mildly detoxing and helpful to the liver. Taking rose will also have a relaxing and uplifting effect. Overall, excellent medicine!

Taking rose elixir is a wonderful and tasty way to introduce some sweetness back into your life. The aroma creeps up from the bottle and there is this awesome subtle, but full taste of roses! It is very comforting, as if someone wrapped a cozy blanket around your heart. Taking a dropper full of this elixir feels much like providing deep and nourishing food to your heart. I can't wait to share this awesome medicine!

Contact me at underroothealing@gmail.com if you are interesting in receiving a bottle! $10 for an ounce bottle, or let's chat about bartering! I could mail it to you as well!

Super Teas for Every Day!

A number of people have asked me what are some good herbs that I would recommend for nurturing general health and vitality. There are so many that it is hard to choose! However, there are a few herbs that are just so nourishing and beneficial, that they are perfect for a daily tonic.

Nettles. I have a hard time not jumping up and down when talking about nettles. It's such a wonderful herb! When I drink a cup of nettle tea I feel as though every cell in my body is being deeply nourished. Nettles are definitely one of the most over looked superfoods...perhaps because they are viewed as such a common weed! Nettles are PACKED with vitamins, minerals,chlorophyll, and proteins which nourish the body and empower all the functions of the body. Nettles have loads of iron, calcium, phosphorous, potassium, silicon, copper, sulphur, Vitamins C, D, and K. Nettles benefit the kidneys, help with any bone issues such as arthritis, alleviate allergies, discourage anemia, and encourage healthy skin and hair. Nettles also help nourish burnt out adrenals. In our high paced lives we certainly need to give our adrenals a little help. Nettles are a wonderful way to heal that feeling of being burnt out and frayed. And they are so delicious! And when I drink a cup of nettles I feel so full of energy and totally ready for the day! Although, a little warning, they are a diuretic so you may be visiting the restroom more often! Be sure to drink some extra water when you have nettle tea. With so many healing affects, and the ability to nourish our adrenals, it is clear why nettles would make a great daily tonic.

Red Clover. This is a wonderfully nourishing tea full of vitamins and minerals. It is very powerfully anti-cancer, particularly in preventing breast cancer and prostate cancer. Red clover helps alleviate any issues with swollen lymph nodes, mysterious lumps, tumors, etc. It is most well known as a great tonic for women, particularly for those going through menopause since it balances hormones and alleviates hot flashes like no other herb. However, red clover is beneficial to everyone. Part of the power of red clover is attributed to the fact that it blocks damaging estrogen-like endocrine disruptors that we encounter throughout our food, water, plastics, chemicals, and other toxins in our environment. As a blood cleanser, it is also a wonderful detoxifying herb, having a nice gentle cleansing affect on the liver. Living in a world with so many endocrine disruptors and toxins it is easy to see how such a wonderful cleansing herb would be a perfect daily tonic.

Milky Oats (aka Oat Seed, Oat Tops). We live in a world where we are constantly inundated with images, noise, demands, and information. We are always on the move. All of this takes a huge toll on the nervous system. Milky Oats is a great herb for totally nourishing the nervous system. It is perhaps the best food for the nervous system. It is very calming and tastes wonderful! An awesome daily tonic!

Some other good herbs! Add Oatsraw and/or Horsetail to a blend with any of the above herbs. Oatstraw is a rich source of calcium and horsetail is full of silicon. If you're a nail biter, be sure to add horsetail! Biting nails and frequent hangnails are signs of silicon deficiency. Raspberry leaf is another great tonic tea. It is fill of vitamins and minerals, and is a great women's herb which nourishes the entire reproductive area.

Feel free to blend all the above herbs together! Making a tea of 1 part Nettles, 1 part Red Clover, and 1 part Milky Oats would be a delicious and super nourishing tea!