Last night, I came across an amazing and “old” video that has sparked me to share it with you all. The Kogi, an ancient tribe of Earth-centered caretakers of the planet came out of their isolated existence in the late 80′s to send us “younger brothers” a message about our destructive ways and to gently remind us to find our way back to nature, caring for her, rather than raping and destroying her. This video is called “From the Heart of the World” and is almost an hour in duration. Please find the time to listen to their message. This is the truth, it is time to truly change our ways and it has been since we began this pilaging from Mother Earth. The next movie, “Aluna” will be out in early 2012, as they have come forward with another message. Here is a LINK to the most recent site regarding “Aluna.”
The message from the Earth is loud and clear and what a gift these men and women are to this world- to carry on the traditional Earth-loving ways that we humans were intended to live.
If you have 30 minutes, take the time for yourself to do this guided meditation by Kelly Howell. Healing can really take place when we can let go of our egos and schemas and simply “be.” Do this meditation every day for a week and experience a centering transformation. Meditation can be challenging for many of us, so having a guide can really assist us in the transition.
Overweight? Stressed out? Tired? Struggling with losing weight the conventional ways? Do you find it difficult to make it to the gym on top of your 9-5? Looking for a way to feel vibrant and full of health? Want to get lean and clean? Tired of the fad-diets and looking for a sustainable lifestyle change?
Less than a year ago, I was answering “yes” to all of these questions. Being well-educated in the field of health and nutrition, I followed all of the conventional nutrition advice, took a multitude of supplements, removed “gluten” from my diet and found myself with little to no improvement. I began investigating the possibility of insulin resistance as a factor and blood work confirmed this to be true. I was headed down the path to metabolic syndrome x.
I was overweight and under-energized and ready to change. After my son was born I was more eager than ever to find the missing piece to my metabolic puzzle… and then I began my own journey with ancestral nutrition–eating the way our bodies can really thrive–eating the foods we evolved to eat.
The transformative powers and simplicity of ancestral eating has improved me in such a way that I am compelled to share this information with you! After losing over 30 lbs and 6 sizes I am on my way to true health. Please join me Saturday, April 9th for an informative and self-empowering primer on how to eat lean and clean in this modern world and gain the tools and understanding to move forward on your own journey to wellness!
When: April 9th, 2011 @ 2:00-5:00 pm
Where: Just for Health School 3501 S. Corona St. Ste #1 Englewood, Co 80113 Click Here For Directions
Cost: $40 which includes a sampling of ancestral takes on some modern dishes to get you on your way!
Sign up now! Class open to 12 individuals!
To Sign up, simply email me through the contact page or at Trysta@integrativeherbalism.com and provide your phone, address and email. You can pay the day of the class with cash or check or through paypal if you need to use a card. Thank-you so much!
“If you make a regular effort at praying–by thinking good thoughts–and you live in an environment that makes you happy, then You will soon find that many of the things you do in your daily life give you good thoughts and can, thus, add strength to your prayers. Your prayers can involve more and more of daily life–by spending more and more of your time doing those things that are good enough to pray about…and then all the goodness will make Your Life a Prayer.” Adolf Hungry Wolf, A Good Medicine Collection: Life in Harmony with Nature; quoted in Honoring the Medicine: The Essential Guide to Native American Healing by Kenneth Cohen.
There is so much to learn, so many wonderful concepts, frameworks, ideas flowing in this world. I can’t get enough! In 2009 I took a “Reorganizational Healing/Living” seminar while working for an integrative chiropractor and Naturopathic Doctor and the experience was transformational (Thank-you, Carney’s!). Although I cannot utilize the methods of Network Spinal Analysis (must have a D.C), anyone, including myself can utilize the fundamental knowledge of ROH.
The information in this video is only the tip of the iceberg. Donny Epstein, the founder of Network Spinal Analysis (if you don’t know what it is you should visit www.wiseworldseminars.com)has eloquently verbalized concepts into a workable framework for all healers and practitioners, clients and patients. It is not new information, the concept is so basic and obvious that it is profound.
Reorganizing your perception, behavior and structures in your life–those that define and support your lifestyle, can bring about a higher awareness and move you closer to self-actualization. I am reminded constantly that medicine comes in many forms–sometimes it comes to us in the form of an uncomfortable situation, perhaps a difficult person, a physical challenge, the food we eat, an injury or disease, herbal remedies, being with nature–all experiences act as mirrors to teach us something, to transform us, to heal us. If you are interested in transformation…watch/listen to this video. This philosophy supports my herbal practice and has been more than transformational for my own personal healing and continues to integrate itself into my life. Much love!
There are many powerful-herbal remedies that are useful this time of year. Echinacea is well known, elderberry and flower, eupatorium, thyme, peppermint, ginger…. warming and yet heat clearing and so beneficial during respiratory challenges. One herb in particular; however, truly is the warrior of them all.
Ligusticum porteri-Osha root.
This powerful root grows between 7 and 10,000 feet in elevation and is in the same family as water hemlock (tells you something of its potency). Utilized for thousands of years by local indegenous peoples specifically for the lungs and illnesses related to the lungs. Apache warriors used this herb to ehance their stamina and Arapahoe runners to increase lung capacity. It has also been used to “ward off” rattlesnakes… Topically, it is said to be drawing and anti-microbial.
The Aztecs called this medicine Chuchupate, meaning “Bear Medicine” because of its use by the local bear population. It is said that after hybernation and upon wakening, bears search this plant out and eat it up! It has also been a bargaining tool during bear-courtship Bear catnip anyone? It has also been called Singer’s root by the Dine, as it is used commonly by singers during drum circles and various ceremonies to sooth and moisten the throat.
(so I guess one chooses, rattlesnake, or bear? ha ha)
Osha can be used in many different forms. Chewing the dried root, as an infusion, fresh/dry root tincture and my favorite–in honey (MM). This strong root is useful during viral infections–specifically respiratory but also digestive as well. It is slightly numbing and particularly helpful when you have a sore throat. In a state where visitors have to adapt to altitude, this root can come in handy as support as well. I find that it gives me a zest of energy, most likely due to the increased qi from increased lung capacity.
Osha is described by Brigitte Mars as having the following energetic correspondences:
Flavor: Pungent, Bitter
Temp: warm
Moisture: dry (although I find it to be moisturizing)
Polarity: Yang
Planet: Sun/Mars/Jupiter
Element: Fire
Definitely the Warrior of Respiratory Herbs!
As far as safety or medication interactions, this herbs is generally considered safe. If pregnant, I would err on the safe side and either use miniscule doses or avoid the fresh root completely during the first trimester. (Although there have been no reports of any negative issues related to pregnancy). If you have blood or Yin deficiency (yin can mean many things, specifically lack of body-fluids such as during menopause), you may want to avoid this herb in tincture form; however, the honey seems to be well tolerated.
It is not often that I write poetry, as I once did on such a regular occasion; however, the autum truly inspires me. I have found that each year, this time of year, I am filled with a new energy–one which I witness many others experiencing as well. Our ancestral pasts were filled with a similar energy, although it was much more productive in a tangible sense. This is the time of year when we harvest, prepare for winter and celebrate the people and things we are thankful for. In our not-so ancient past, most of us were gathering wood, harvesting crops, nuts, berries and any other food stuffs we could in anticipation of the long, cold winter nights. We were celebrating abundance if there was and accepting the lack-of , if there wasn’t. We were gathering together to thank Mother-Earth for her blessings and ask for a return the next spring. Our men were hunting– a truly divine expression of manhood. We were preparing for detachment from the outside world.
I was talking with my husband the other day about how this time of year brings up some mixed emotions for me. As a wild-youth this was the time of year I would “reap what I sow,” I would continuously find myself in a state of detachment, trouble and ultimately a deep sadness. My husband relayed similar experiences to me, as we sat sipping coffee at our warm kitchen table. We witness it even with our own children–seeminly reacting to a shift in energies that until recently I had not given much thought. This awareness, for me, has brought about a shift within my own household–that of tolerance and acceptance. The truth is, if we harness this energy, these emotions, the sensations–a lot of change can occur for the better.
It is so important to accept the seasons. The seasons of our worldly location, the seasons of our bodies, the seasons of our lives. I pose this question to you:
What will you do, in your season, in this season, to make this transition something that invites a positive change? What is it in your life that you are harvesting for the winter?
With that, I would like to share my little piece–straight from my heart.
Reveling in the autumnal sensations
Brings abundance
A distinctly reflective joy
A uniquely inspiring relaxation
The crisp sensation of inhalation
The crunch of my feats as I meander
Gold and rusty reds reveal themselves
As the trees exhale in release
A tangible expression of the divine circle
The feminine simmering in quiet harmony now
Masculinity throughout the forest
Life transitioning into its roots
Brings internal awareness
A distinct shift
A uniquely somber invigoration
Revealing indeed.
Please leave comments, poems, anything you like. I invite you to share your abundance!
My recent adventure with nursing my newborn son has been a first class education for me–not only as a mother and woman, but also as an herbalist and health care provider. I entered into the world of my newborn with high hopes and sheer will to nourish him with what nature had intended–my breastmilk.
I have girlfriends for whom breast feeding came completely natural- by this I mean they had no issues, needed no instruction and really never experienced any pain. Good for them! I have also had girlfriends who struggled furiously at the beginning only to end up with severe mastitis and a lack of desire to continue. For me, this time around, I found it to be a mostly intuitive experience that needed some professional tweaking (so to speak).
Archer and I worked very hard in those first few weeks and yet he continued to remain the same weight. After many furious feeding marathons and quite a few visits to the pediatrician, I blended some herbs for a yummy lactogenic tea, I encapsulated some organic Fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum) , I drank green leafy drinks daily and I visited a wonderful Lactation Consultant at Littleton Hospital–where I delivered– named Mary. She was so helpful!
I DEFINITELY recommend Fenugreek seed capsules, rather than tea or tincture, for every nursing mother simply for ease of use. I took 3 size O caps 3 times a day for more than a month and found my breast milk supply to increase and maintain after discontinuing to take it. I also keep some on hand for days that I feel I could use a bit of increase.
Each O capsule contains roughly 680 mg of material= 6120 mg (5000 mg is a teaspoon).
From what I can find in my plethora of resources, the mode of action is that it encourages lactation by stimulating breast tissue to grow. In addition, it slows the rate of break down in the liver of estrogen, allowing levels to be a bit higher to support lactation. It both promotes, and supports lactation.
Fenugreek has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicineto decrease Vata and Kapha and increase Pitta– warm the body. It is said to affect plasma, blood, marrow and nerve tissues and reproductive tissues (The Yoga of Herbs, Lad and Frawley). It is contraindicated in pregnancy–so don’t take it in anticipation of nursing, wait until post-partum!
Fenugreek is also used commonly to support stabilization of blood sugar and correct imbalances in cholesterol (LDL vs HDL).
Fenugreek is a nursing Mother’s best-friend. If you have a breast-pump available, add in several sessions of pumping in between feedings or when the little one is sleeping to multiply its effect as well as its nice to SEE that you are succeeding.
So with all of the minor changes, his latch improved, my confidence soared and my stress levels dropped dramatically. We were in the milk-making business! I now nurse him with ease and am so proud and happy that I did not give up. I perservered. I pumped, nursed and nursed some more and although it was truly challenging at times, it was all worth it. Fenugreek Seed was such a simple thing that I could do for myself, and you can too!
One side effect– you smell like maple syrup! So to all you nursing mamas out there, don’t give up! Feed the masses!
Any information contained in this website is not intended as medical advice nor to diagnose and/or treat any illness. If you have any concerns about this information, please contact your provider and/or certified Herbalist.
As the cleanse is ending, I must say that I am happy with the results. I chose not to weigh in and weigh out but my body definitely feels healthier and happier. Day 7 you can begin to reincorporate proteins and in the days and weeks following, continue to reincorporate a variety of foods including fats.
Colorado had a huge blizzard and so I am taking the approach of staying home. This means the grocery store is not available to go to and stock up on the essentials for a Mediterranean diet; however, I am continuing forward with whole-grain and organic choices low in fat and high in nutrition.
The key to eating right and maintaining a healthy diet is truly moderation. That is what it comes down to. A little protein, a little fat, roughly 30% of your diet should be healthy and complex carbohydrates, some red wine or beer if that is your taste, a piece of chocolate here and there, a bit of this a bit of that. It is quite unhealthy to go to one extreme or the other right away. You may be more likely to fail if you try to do everything all at once.
If you feel like you are in need of a refocusing of sorts with respects to your nutrition, try this cleanse. And then slowly, one thing at a time, change your food choices and purchases. Something as simple as switching out butter for organic olive oil in certain recipes is a great way to start. Even a simple switch of white bread to whole grain (watch for corn syrup) can do wonders.
It really begins on the small scale, and allows you to gauge your comfort level and adjust your own habits according to your desires. Make this your new-found common sense: the closer a food is to nature, the better equipped your body is to utilize its nutritive content. Follow your instincts when possible to make the best choices for you. Have the occasional slice of birthday cake–but enjoy it and don’t feel guilty about it.
Food and herbs alike are information for our bodies. Sometimes we get rundown and tired and wonder why? Take a look at what type of information you are uploading into the vast complex network that is your body. When necessary, take a break and “reboot” your system in a manner that does not shut down homeostasis. Herbal teas and supplements can definitely assist in the attainment of balanced health. Like 1s and 0s for your computer, a healthful diet is necessary!
The teas in this metabolic detox are specific to the functioning of your bodily systems for the morning and day and the evening/night. Consider utilizing these teas on a regular basis up to 10 days at a time with breaks in between. As with any other aspect of integrative herbalism, if you find that you have different needs to support, a variety of herbs can also be utilized–specifically and holistically for YOU. If you are interested in finding out more information about an herbal program for your health, contact me via the contact page or email at Trysta@IntegrativeHerbalism.com and we can set up a consultation by phone or in person. I am here to help!
Please, if you are on Day 7 let me know how you did! Leave me a comment through the link at the bottom of the page or contact me as stated above. This cleanse can be done several times throughout the year, and is a wonderful way to start your spring and end your fall.
Loading ...
“The primary contribution of 20th century thinking, if you will, is to have understood, finally, that information is primary. That this world, this cosmos, this universe, this body and soul are all made of information. …” Terence McKenna
Hello! I am excited to announce Integrative Herbalism LLC is now an official business! Any and all herbal formulas found in my posts can be purchased! All herbs are Organic.
I will keep updating as it progresses with additional information. For now simply contact me via the contact page located on this site, or email at Trysta@IntegrativeHerbalism.com. For those of you who know me personally, you may also call my cell-phone. At some point in the near future I will have a number for general use as well.
Loading ...
![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](http://img.zemanta.com/reblog_e.png?x-id=01dc6acb-8f5c-4f5e-950e-6407c977a5a0)
Recent Comments