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.

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!

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.

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

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!