8/28/2020 0 Comments Herbal Support During Fire Season Unfortunately, the fire season is upon many of us in the Western United States, and you may be experiencing poor air quality where you live, play, and work. Smoke and ash, along with warm, dry, and windy weather, can wreak havoc on our eyes, sinuses and lungs. Fortunately, we have readily available herbs and healthy practices that support the body and mind during this difficult time. Herbal Teas, Infusions, and Extracts I think one of the best herbs for dry and smoky conditions is Mullein leaf (Verbascum thapsus). Mullein leaf loves the lungs and has demulcent/mucilaginous qualities that help moisten and soothe irritated tissue. It is also a gentle expectorant that can help move mucus up and out of the lungs. Drink it as a tea but make sure that you strain it well (coffee filter or cotton cloth works well), as the leaves contain little hairs that can be very irritating. You can mix it with other moistening herbs like Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) or Slippery Elm bark (Ulmus fulva) to make a cooling, soothing tea to help ease irritated tissues in the throat and bronchials. Make this tea as a cold infusion (see instructions at the bottom of this page) to get all of that slippery, gooey goodness from these plants. Also, make sure to use Slippery Elm bark that is grown and harvested in a sustainable manner, as it is one of our more endangered plants. Here are some other helpful and supportive herbs that can be taken as teas or extracts/tinctures. All of the herbs discussed in this article are safe for most individuals, but it is always good to check them for possible allergies and contraindications with medications you take. Notice that they are not just respiratory herbs – they also support other body systems that can be adversely affected when our bodies and minds are stressed from wildfire conditions.
rbal Steams Herbal steams can also be helpful, as they are a great way to moisten and clean dry eyes, sinus passages and lungs. For the eyes, warm steam by itself is perfect. For the lungs and sinuses, you can add soothing, antimicrobial essential oils or put fresh plant material into boiling water and inhale the infused steam. Essential oils or plants that can be used are Lavender, Eucalyptus (my favorite), Thyme, and Rosemary. Be cautious with hot steam though – keep your face far enough away from the hot water/steam so as not to burn it. Other Protective Measures Other protective measures, used in conjunction with herbs, can help keep you and your family comfortable.
My thoughts and prayers are with those that have been greatly affected by the wildfires, and we are thankful for all of the safety personnel who are battling and managing these situations to keep us safe.
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This is a very challenging time and for many of us, a scary time too. While not a fatal illness for the vast majority who contract it, the Coronavirus/Covid-19 outbreak has created worry, fear, panic, and confusion. These things in themselves can affect the very thing that needs to be extra healthy during this time – the immune system. They stress and tax our bodies and minds, which in turn affects our ability to launch the proper immune response to fight this pathogen should we contract it. And if we do contract the virus, the body is further stressed as it tries to fight it.
Herbs that Support the Body and Mind Herbal support can be most helpful in maintaining or improving immune function and reducing illness symptoms should you get sick. BUT–they should not be used in lieu of proper medication prescribed by your physician. If your symptoms are serious, or you are considered part of our at-risk population (elderly or have significant health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, or immune disorders), you should seek medical attention when symptoms appear. Here are some key herbs/plants to consider.
Practice Proper Hygiene and Distancing As the CDC and other health experts tell us, proper hygiene and using social distancing and self-isolation practices will go a long way in helping contain or eliminate the spread of the virus.
Stay calm and be well! 3/6/2018 0 Comments How to Clean Cooked-on Gunk From your Stainless Pots and Pans - with Little Effort and No Harsh ChemicalsTired of scrubbing cooked-on, crispy, and burnt food out of your pans, often without complete success? There is an easy and chemical-free way to do this. Read on.... I recently purchased new stainless steel pots for cooking. It has been a while since I've used new stainless steel pots - almost everything that I have been cooking since unpackaging these babies has been burning on the bottom or sticking to the pan. I'm not sure how much of the issue is that the pans are brand new and how much is OE ("operator error"), but it has been incredibly frustrating getting into a good cooking rhythm with my new cookware. This picture illustrates what was happening - crusty, hard, burnt stuff coating the bottom of the pan that when scraped away, leaves black, stuck pieces. Nasty. I went online to find solutions. First off, let me say that I'm used to cooking with higher heat than I think these pots and pans like. So I have dropped the heat, and have taken to seasoning the pans before using them, and this has helped with some of the sticking, especially in the frying pans when I cook eggs. But as you can see in the picture above, I'm still having a bit of trouble with food burning on the bottom. So I tried a few solutions that I found on the Internet. The one solution that has worked every time and perfectly is... Vinegar. Just Vinegar (well, and some water too). Putting vinegar into a stainless steel pan with hot water and boiling it for about five minutes makes the burnt gunk lift off with minimal scrubbing and wiping. The gunk basically just peels off of the pan. It also seems to work well for food that is just kind of crusted onto the pan - not necessarily burnt, but just really hard to scrub off. And it works for that white, calcification-like layer of gunk too. I do believe that you can do this without boiling the water and vinegar on the stove, as I have twice just left the pan soaking with the solution in it and about 15-20 minutes later, I was able to clean it easily and completely. I added about 1/2 cup of vinegar to about 3 cups of water - you don't need much vinegar to make this work. In my travels around the Internet on this topic, I found contradictory information about using vinegar as a cleaning solvent on other surfaces like aluminum, cast iron, or teflon. Due to its highly acidic profile, it seems like it can cause a reaction with some metals or corrode them over time, so if you are using something other than stainless steel, do your homework first before using it on your pots and pans to make sure that it is safe for your application. Here are the before and after pictures from last night's cleaning of the chili pot: So simple. So easy. Try this solution out, and let me know how it works for you! Bon Appetit and Happy Dish Washing! Here is proof that eating well doesn’t have to be painful or difficult. In mid-January of this year, I paid a visit to my massage therapist, Denise Kennedy. I love getting massages from Denise – she is pretty darn good at what she does! At this visit, she seemed much more chipper and happier than usual. I asked her how her holidays had been and how she was doing. She proceeded to tell me that she was feeling absolutely great because of this diet that she had started after the first of the year called AdvoCare. “AdvoCare is a program that teaches you portion control, how to eat less but more often and makes you pay attention to what you're putting into your body”, Denise explains. “A huge part of that is eating organic and staying away from preservatives and packaged food.” She considered the program upon the advice of her sister who had been on it herself. Denise gave it a try, and had already dropped about five pounds a week or two into the program – she was cooking and eating her own meals, and felt fabulous. In subsequent conversations with her, she reported that she continued to feel great (and it was obvious in her demeanor), was enjoying the cooking aspect, wasn’t having any cravings, and had lost more weight. By the end of the 24 Day Challenge that is the jump-start component of the program, Denise had lost about 11 pounds and continued to lose weight, dropping another five pounds in the week after finishing the program. She looks great and says she feels fantastic. Two weeks ago, she told me that she has lost a total of 21 pounds! Denise also said that she didn’t feel as tired and sore during and after massages – that her stamina had improved. And in just this short period of time, her body had developed a sense of what food was good for it and what was not, as her first “celebratory meal” ended up not feeling as good in her system as the food that she had been eating on the program. Denise says that her favorite part of this entire experience is “ getting me back… and I've only just begun.” So I asked her if I could interview her and share her success with others… to let other people know that it is possible to lose weight and feel great by adjusting what you eat. She agreed, and I have written this article to do just that. Now, The point of this story is not to endorse AdvoCare, or to do an advertisement for it, but to illustrate Denise’s success and the power of a balanced and nutritious diet of whole foods. AdvoCare’s program does include supplementation along with its diet plan, and it is likely that these supplements added to Denise’s success with the program. But she gained so much more from just learning to eat well. LM: What made you feel that you needed a program like AdvoCare? What or who led you to decide to do this? D: Genetics first and foremost. I lost my mom at 46. She had a heart attack. My father is diabetic. As I approach my 40s, I've really been looking at my health and it's not good. My sister told me about this program she was on and she loved how she felt and wanted the same for me. With some coaxing, I did it. I'm so glad I did. I feel amazing!! LM: What were your goals or desired outcomes for following the program? What did you initially want to get from it? D: My goal was not just to lose weight and increase my energy but to make a lifestyle change - one that would keep me healthy so I can enjoy my life not sitting on my butt and watch it pass me by. LM: How were you feeling both physically and mentally before you started the program? Did you have any doubts about whether or not it would work, or that you would be able to stay with it? D: I was tired of being tired. Tired of feeling bloated and uncomfortable. I used to have this energy and positivity that I no longer had. It's one of the reasons Mariah encouraged me to make some changes. I wanted to feel like myself again. I doubted myself, not the program. I saw it working with my sister and knew if it didn't work with me, it was because I failed - that I didn't want to change badly enough. LM: What was the most difficult part of starting the program? D: The hardest part was just starting the program. I did put it off for a while but once I started it, I didn't want to stop. LM: What was the easiest part? And did you experience any significant challenges during the program? D: Easiest: Meal prepping. Everything is ready. I'd cook once every three days. Come home...heat it up and serve. Challenges were remembering the supplements. I'd forget but the more into the program I got...it became second nature. So nothing significant. LM: Did you experience any cravings, and if so, when did they come on and how did you manage them? Did you have any “cheat days” where you ate something you weren’t supposed to eat, and how did you feel physically after doing that? D: I really thought it was going to be hard to cut out chocolate, but it wasn't. I didn't and still don't crave it like I used to. Funny thing I found out- I craved all the good food I was putting into my body. I couldn't wait to have my apples with peanut butter, or my cashews with dried cranberries. Couldn't wait to get home to make my turkey taco boats!! So the cravings were very manageable. No cheat days, but after the initial 24 day challenge is over you get to have a celebratory meal. Chicken. Fried. Steak. It was so delicious but I didn't like how I felt after. I felt...gross and heavy. Nothing I ate in those first 24 days made me feel that way. LM: Were you very strict with yourself on the program, following it exactly as it was laid out? Or did you modify the program at all? D: I followed it almost to the 'T' but I did have a cocktail now and again. You're not supposed to have any alcohol for the first 24 days but I'd have a vodka/soda water with lemon once a week. LM: At what point in the program did you start to feel better – where you knew that the nutritional program was making a difference in how you felt? Did you feel both physically and mentally healthier? How do you feel now? D: Within the first 5 days I noticed I had more energy. Mornings were no longer my enemy! The bloated feeling was all but gone. I felt more focused. I had a little pep in my step and a smile on my face. I feel absolutely amazing!! LM: What are the top three health benefits that you have received from participating in the AdvoCare program? What was your favorite part about the program?
LM: How long have you been on the program, and how long do you think you will continue on with it? D: I started the program right after the first of the year. The knowledge I have gained by doing this will stay with me always. I will continue to put healthy, organic food into my body. I'm addicted to how I feel...it's such a huge change in such a short amount of time that I would be an imbecile to go back to where I was. LM: What would be your advice to anyone who has the same health goals as you and who may want to embark upon a nutritional program/plan like AdvoCare? D: Do your research. Find a program that works for you. Advocare happens to fit for me and my life. I'm excited about my future...I haven't felt that way in a while. I was disenchanted with life. If that's something you identify with, then stop making excuses like I did and start making some better choices. Once you make these changes, I promise you, you will feel amazing!! If you fall off, dust yourself off and get back to it. Thank you, Denise, for sharing your experiences and success on the AdvoCare program! This article is for educational purposes only. It is not an endorsement of AdvoCare. You can check out the AdvoCare program here. 4/4/2017 1 Comment An Easier Way to DietLet’s face it, sometimes dieting sucks. We have to eat things we don’t like, and don’t get to eat the things that we want. We count calories. The cravings drive us crazy. But we persevere, at least at first…and then after a short while (maybe a few months) the diet starts to peter out. We don’t want to be restricted every day. It’s too hard to think about following the diet, and we don’t have enough time to plan our meals appropriately. We are tired of the food. And we start to give into the cravings. We start the slippery slope of cheating. Pretty soon, we are back to square one and looking for the next diet that we can try. But what if I told you it didn’t have to be this way? That you could lose weight and feel better with just a little effort? I think we sometimes focus too much on weight loss only, when just eating right will not only yield weight loss results, but will also help us feel so much healthier. We can have more energy. We can get rid of digestive issues. We won’t feel so stressed out. We can lower our cholesterol and stabilize our blood sugars. We can say goodbye to chronic headaches and other aches and pains. We won’t get sick as often - or at all. AND… we’ll lose weight. So what’s the secret? A balanced and nutritious diet of whole foods. Okay, so you read that and think “Uh, that is vague and tells me nothing. What the heck does this mean?” So here it is broken down:
That’s really it. It’s pretty easy. “But it isn’t that easy”, you say… “eating like this is complicated, and difficult, and impossible. I don’t know what to cook. I’m not a meal planner. I work long hours, I have kids at home, and I don’t have the time nor the inclination to cook all of my meals.” I get it – it can seem daunting at first. But trust me when I say that when you work out the rhythm and structure of eating well, you’ll find that it wasn’t that difficult after all – and you will feel so much better. Your wellbeing (and the health of your family) is worth it. Plus, it is a more cost effective way of eating. And you don’t have to be super strict with yourself – the aim is to eat this way at least 80% of the time. Whether you are making your own meals or eating out, a critical first step is to think and plan before you eat: Am I eating meals a few times a day? Do I have a protein, a fat, and a carbohydrate on my plate? Are all the ingredients known and nutritious? Are they fresh – were they freshly made? You probably can’t say “yes” to these questions for any meal that you get from a fast food restaurant, for meals at many other types of restaurants, or for packaged and processed foods. But even if you are eating out, picking restaurant and meal options where most of the answers are “yes” can go a long way. With this type of dietary approach, you don’t have to calorie count – just watch portions. You don’t have to eat foods that don’t taste good to you (unless you just hate vegetables, in which case I’m sorry, but you’ll need to eat at least some of them). You don’t have to do any weird diet dance of vinegar, maple syrup, and lemon juice as a meal to drop weight. You just need to think before you eat and answer “yes” to the questions above– and you will not only feel physically and mentally better, but you will likely lose weight because the body can shed unnecessary weight when it is balanced and fortified adequately. Many cravings for salty, sweet, or fat-laden foods are signs of imbalance, and will diminish or disappear on their own when the body is getting the proper nutrients that it needs from protein, fats, and carbohydrates. Now for some people, it can be a little more complicated because they may need to eliminate certain foods that cause them distress when eaten – for instance, people who have true food allergies, are gluten-sensitive or intolerant, are diabetic (or close to becoming so), or have a great deal of inflammation in the body may need to limit or avoid certain foods that cause physical and mental reactions to them. But the premise is the same – they should eat balanced and nutritious whole foods too, just without the “offenders”. You can feel better, look great, lose weight, and keep the weight off by eating right. Why not give it a try? Here are some ways to start:
Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post titled “Eating Right=Feeling Great AND Losing Weight” which is about one of these structured types of diets called the AdvoCare Program, whose balanced approach includes nutritious, whole foods. The article is an interview with my massage therapist who has had some recent success with the program. 3/14/2017 Avoid the Hangover: Use Milk ThistleIf you are one of the many people planning to celebrate St Patrick’s Day by filling up on Guinness, green beer, or another libation of your choice, then you need to know about an herb that might improve your recovery chances from a night of debauchery. While the only sure fire way of avoiding a hangover is to say "no" to alcoholic beverages (what fun is that though?), using Milk Thistle may help reduce the severity of a hangover– or eliminate the possibility of one all together. I did test this theory; but first, a little about Milk Thistle and the mechanics of a hangover... Silybum marianum (its Latin name) is a thistle found throughout North America whose seeds are used to support the liver’s functions. The liver plays a lot of important metabolic roles, one of which is to assist the body in converting toxins into substances that the body can eliminate. This organ can usually handle large toxic loads, as we encounter plenty of toxins frequently and every day and without ever taking a sip of alcohol (think smog, cleaning supplies, artificial fragrances, and pesticides). While your green beer may taste great and not at all like a chemical, the reality is that alcohol is toxic to the liver (not a revelation to you, I’m sure). This toxicity comes from the buildup of Acetaldehyde, which is an enzyme used along with Glutathione (an antioxidant) to break down alcohol into acetate (a harmless substance) which can then be eliminated from the body. When you drink too much, your Glutathione levels decrease and you don’t have enough for this important breakdown process to occur. Too much Acetaldehyde builds up, and along with increased urination and dehydration, is responsible for those hangover symptoms. If you drink a little, the liver can probably sufficiently process the alcohol out. If you drink a lot, this becomes more difficult for the liver to do. If you drink a lot AND do it frequently, you are likely doing some damage to your liver. Overdoing the amount of toxins you ingest or are exposed to – coupled with insufficient protection of the liver – can lead to liver diseases such as fatty liver, cirrhosis, or cancer. In order to protect the liver, herbalists often recommend plants with hepatoprotective actions (“hepatics”). One way that hepatics protect the liver is by altering its outer cell membranes sufficiently to disallow the entrance of toxins into these cells. Hepatics also inhibit free radicals from oxidizing necessary fatty acids, and aid in synthesizing proteins. They can also stimulate liver cell regeneration. A hepatic basically helps to keep liver damage at bay. Milk Thistle is a premier hepatic/hepatoprotective plant that has been extensively studied by both Western herbalism and Western medicine. Milk Thistle has other important herbal actions besides being hepatoprotective – it is also considered a bitter which can stimulate the creation of bile by the liver, and a cholagogue which means it helps the gallbladder release bile that is stored there when it is needed for digestion. Good digestive function is a cornerstone of good health. Now for testing the hangover theory: I have had various clients use Milk Thistle for liver support, with some of them intentionally taking it before bed on nights when they have had quite a bit to drink. All of these drinkers have reported that the hangovers were either less severe or non-existent the next morning. Now, these individuals also drank a lot of water before bed which probably helped with any effects from dehydration. They probably didn’t drink the same alcohol on the various nights either, so we didn’t have any true control factors and therefore can’t really credit everything to the Milk Thistle. BUT... these individuals did not report the same findings (i.e. minimal or no hangover symptoms) when they didn’t take the Milk Thistle, so I’d say the plant could very likely have contributed to their “morning-after wellness” when they did take it. Curious about it, I tried it a couple of times myself to see just how much the Milk Thistle could help... and I too can report that I felt pretty good the next morning despite having had more wine than I should have. This certainly wasn’t a formal, well-constructed clinical trial by any means, but when multiple people all experience something similar, you’ve got to think there might be something to it. Even though I’m in touch with my Irish roots and can appreciate a good party, I’m certainly not condoning getting wasted this St Patrick’s day and causing unnecessary harm to your liver…nor am I saying that Milk Thistle is the be-all, end-all cure for hangovers. But if you think you might lose sight of sobriety and imbibe too much, consider having your Milk Thistle at the ready. Sláinte! Cautions/Safety and Healing Leaves Disclaimer Before taking any herb/plant therapeutically, check to make sure that there are no contraindications with any medications you are taking, and that it can be ingested safely. Milk Thistle may cause minor gastrointestinal disturbance or allergic reactions (especially for those sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family - e.g. daisies and ragweed), and should not be taken if pregnant or breastfeeding. This article is for educational purposes only. I am not a doctor and this information should not be considered medical advice. It is not meant to diagnose or treat disease, and it does not replace the relationship that you have with your physicians or their treatment protocols and advice. References Review of natural products with hepatoprotective effects, World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Oct 28; 20(40): 14787–14804. Published online 2014 Oct 28. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i40.14787 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4209543/ Hangover Hacks You Can Hang Your Hat On, Dr. Joseph Mercola, published online Dec 31, 2013; http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/12/31/hangover.aspx How does the liver work? https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072577/ You are powering through your day, feeling maybe a little bit more tired than usual, but totally able to function…and then after lunch it is as though someone pulled your proverbial electrical plug right out of the socket – you feel absolutely drained. When you stop long enough to consider this change in your health, you start to feel other things that are happening, like a scratchy throat, a slight headache, kind of general achiness, and brain fog… oh, and you feel really cold all of a sudden and need to put your coat on to quiet the shivers you are experiencing in a 72°F room. What the heck is going on?
You’ve probably got the flu. Colds and flus run rampant during the winter months. I’m not sure that I know anyone who hasn’t recently been hit by the latest bug that we’ve all been passing around to each other. And for some people, it has been really hard to kick, sometimes with the illness reappearing for a “round 2” bout. Because colds and flus are viral, there generally isn’t much that your physician can do to help you get over them. However, there are herbs that can be used to help support the immune and respiratory systems, which are usually the body systems most affected by colds and flus. What is the difference Between a Cold and a Flu? The common cold and influenza ("flu") are both considered acute viral infections that mostly affect the immune and respiratory systems, and they both make you feel terrible - but they have some unique qualities too.
Most colds and flus are viral, not bacterial. Antibiotics are used to treat bacterial infections, not viruses. Therefore, antibiotics are of no use with viral colds and flus. Taking antibiotics when you have a viral infection may do you more harm than good, because not only do they kill off any “bad” bacteria that you may have in your body, but they also kill the “good” bacteria that we need for a healthy digestive system. Herbal Actions to Help Support the Body During a Cold of Flu Plants can support our bodies to do what they are meant to do naturally – heal and be healthy. Therefore, they are great allies during a cold or flu. We typically look for herbs that have some of the following actions – actions being what effect they have on us, or how they act in the body: antiviral, immuno-stimulating, expectorant, moisturizing, drying, anti-cough/anti-catarrhal, anti-inflammatory, and diaphoretic. Antiviral and Immuno-Stimulating Herbs These are just a few of the herbs that have antiviral and immuno-stimulating properties. They can be used preventatively if you’ve been around sick people and you are trying to avoid getting sick yourself, or they can also be used at the onset of or during a cold or flu to help reduce the duration and severity.
Herbs to Support the Respiratory Tract Below are just some of the herbs that support the respiratory tract and have expectorant, moisturizing, anti-catarrhal, or astringent (drying) properties. Many also are anti-inflammatory herbs as well, so they help decrease inflammation and swelling. You will see these in many commercially available herbal formulas. And while these herbs can be used to support either the upper or lower respiratory systems, I tend to group them into the area of the respiratory system where they have the best effect. Upper Respiratory Tract - eyes, ears, nose, throat
Lower Respiratory Tract – lungs
Anti-inflammatory and Diaphoretic Herbs Many of the herbs already mentioned also have anti-inflammatory actions in the body – Echinacea, Elder flower, and Goldenseal are just three. Taking these herbs for their other actions allows you to also reap their anti-inflammatory benefits as well. But there are a few more that are not only anti-inflammatory, but diaphoretic too and therefore are very useful when a fever is present (diaphoretic herbs make you sweat, which helps cool the body). Taking these in tea or extract form work best, I think.
Commercial/Retail Products I have some favorite commercially available/retail products for immune and respiratory support.
Other Things You Can Do Herbs are great to help you deal with a cold or flu, but they aren’t the only way to get back on a healthy tract. Here are some other self-care ideas for things to do when you’ve been hit by a bug.
Take care of yourself and get healthy!! 2/1/2017 0 Comments What is Western Herbalism?When you hear the word “herbalist”, what comes to mind? When most people hear this word, they think of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with its complicated and strong-tasting herbal formulas with super long names, or they think of Ayuerveda with its richly colored and flavored spices and herbs. But as anyone who has used one of these long-standing, traditional forms of healing knows, it is about way more than the herbs – an herbalist in one of these practices assesses a person’s constitution (the physical and mental make up of this person) and assigns particular constitutional types based upon what the herbalist sees: examples are a Metal or Wood constitutional type in TCM, or Vata, Pitta, or Kapha in Ayurveda. These types, along with signs and symptoms of health, then help to determine which herbs are best suited for the individual that will bring healing, good health, and vitality to the person. It is a holistic approach to health. These traditional forms of herbalism have been around for thousands of years and are still are the preferred health care systems for many of the peoples of Asia. So what about us in the Western world – do we have an ancient tradition of healing? You bet we do! We may not have thousands of years of “documented” use of herbs for health, but the history is there. Western Herbalism is a healing modality of Europe and the Americas that emphasizes the study and use of native herbs and plants for health and wellness. Thousands of years ago, Indigenous peoples of these continents used herbs for various medicinal needs, such as to treat illness, to assist a mother in childbirth, to ease pain, and to improve libido and vitality. And these plants weren’t only used for these types of purposes – they also had nutritional and spiritual uses as well. This plant knowledge was handed down orally from one generation to another, and ultimately became the foundational element in Western medicine and the development of pharmaceuticals. Some plants ended up being transplanted from one continent to another when exploration and settlement occurred, and have become somewhat “native” to their growing regions now. Did you know that the dandelion is not a true native plant of North America? It was likely brought over by European settlers. But we see them everywhere now! What is great about Western Herbalism is that we can often use the herbs or weeds that are right outside our backdoor – we have many, many wonderful medicinal herbs and plants that grow in our gardens, along roadways and rivers, in meadows, and on hills and mountains. We don’t have to go very far to harvest health! Also, because our constitutional practices align with Western medicine, the language and healing methods we use with our clients are familiar to them and their physicians – there is no need to translate another tradition’s lingo and practice into the western equivalent. In my herbal training, I was taught to assess a person’s constitution using Michael Moore’s principles of constitutional physiology. This method aligns more closely with Western medicine in that it assesses the functioning of actual body systems to determine health. It differs from most Western medical practices in that we identify excesses or deficiencies of the whole body (a holistic view) not just the health of targeted body system (like cardiologists who predominantly focus on the cardiovascular system). We then identify ways to reduce or eliminate those excesses or deficiencies and balance the body (and mind) through herbs, diet, and lifestyle techniques. This balance brings health and vitality to the person. Like TCM and Ayuveda, we too have constitutional types that help us identify the best wellness strategies for our clients. Some Western Herbalists use the tools of the other healing traditions in working with clients. I often use TCM’s tongue and pulse assessment practices as they offer windows into the general health of the client. And while Western Herbalism traditionally focused on the herbs and plants native to our continents, we often employ the use of herbs from other parts of the world that are excellent remedies and so readily available to us now (Turmeric from India and Ginseng from China are two examples). With this integration of herbal knowledge from other traditions, perhaps Western Herbalists are on their way to being World Herbalists!! So if you are looking for a way to improve your health, increase vitality, decrease stress, or support your body and mind while under medical/physician care, consider seeing a Western Herbalist. You will be happy that you did! |
AuthorLisa-Marie Maryott is a clinical herbalist trained in Western and Constitutional Herbalism. She uses herbs along with nutrition and lifestyle techniques to help her clients feel healthier, happier, less stressed, and vibrant. Archives
August 2020
CategoriesAll Colds Echinacea Flus Hangover Health Hepatic Herbalism Herbs Milk Thistle Wellness Western Herbalism |
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Email us at gethealthy@healing-leaves.com
By Appointment
See our Contact page for locations and availability
925-364-4336
Email us at gethealthy@healing-leaves.com