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.

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!

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.