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.

Dealing with Allergies Naturally

The flowers and leafy trees are finally here! However, for some people the growing green means the arrival of allergy season.

Two herbs that are wonderful for dealing with the symptoms of allergies are Nettle and Goldenrod. Nettle is a super plant which many mistakenly just view as a common weed with a bit of a bite because of its stingers. Nettle helps you deal with allergies, nourishes your kidneys, helps with arthritis, provides tons of vitamins, minerals, and chlorophyll to your body, and is even a source of protein. It's a wonder herb that is super nourishing. When I drink a cup of nettle tea I feel as though every cell in my body is just being rejuvenated. I most enjoy taking the dried leaves of nettles as a tea.

Goldenrod is a beautiful herb that grows everywhere where there might be a decent plot of dirt. Goldenrod tends to bloom at the same time as ragweed so there is a false belief that goldenrod is partially responsible for hay fever. However, it is just the opposite. Goldenrod is a wonderful herb that helps deal with symptoms of allergies and helps balance any other upper respiratory issues.

A number of other herbs might be helpful for the symptoms of allergies. Osha root taken as a tincture is one of my favorites to clear out congestion. Eyebright could help with itchy eyes. Just prepare a tea and then use the tea as an eyewash.

Incorporating raw local honey into your diet also helps you deal with allergies. By eating local raw honey you are bringing into your body all the naturally occurring pollens in your environment in a way that allows your body to acclimate. Bee pollen is also helpful, either sprinkled into a smoothie or food or taken as a capsule.

Allergies also mean that your immune system is in overdrive, treating particles in the environment like attackers. It is important to nourish and revive your immune system during allergy season to ensure you don't tucker it out! Reishi, Maitake, and Shiitake are all wonderful mushrooms that will nourish the immune system and also have some anti-inflammatory properties, so they will also alleviate some allergy symptoms. Astragalus root is another powerful immune system helper. Mushrooms are easy to include in your diet either by directly adding them to dishes or by using them to make a soup stock.. If you buy mushrooms dehydrated they are much cheaper. You can also take medicinal mushrooms and astragalus as a tincture. The medicinal mushrooms can also be purchased as a powder to sprinkle in your food or smoothies.

Finally, make sure to take care of yourself. Use a neti pot frequently. Avoid foods that cause mucus build up, such as dairy, wheat, and meat. Eat lots of vegetables and drink lots of water to flush your body.

Allergies can create a bit of a war between ourselves and the beautiful world we are living in. The outdoors with all of its greenery and wild growth becomes an enemy that must be either suffered or conquered. What better way to create a bridge into the natural world than by incorporating natural healing into your path.