Fake BlooD REcipe!!!!

FaKe BlooD the earthen WAY.

Parasitic paradigms? Hidden agendas? Celebrities that never age? Demagogues? Monopolies? Yes. No. Maybe. But….

Toxic Halloween make-up. These corporate hyped products are typically ladened with harmful chemicals, many of which we cannot even pronounce. It's time to substitute those old perverse ingredients with some good ol' herbal DIY. We use an organic arrowroot powder, which is extracted without the use of high heat or harsh chemicals, as our thickening agent in this "blood" recipe. Switch up that corn starchy and syrupy sadness for a real concoction. Make your own bloody magick! 

This fake blood is rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, bioflavonoids, iron, fiber, and b vitamins. "Tis a late night goddess of goodness.

Hollywood Halloween Horror Scene:

• 1 1/2 cups purified water

• 1oz dried hibiscus flowers

• 3 teaspoons cocoa powder (add more for desired darkness)

• 1/4 oz arrowroot powder dissolved in 1/4 cup cold water

• 4 tablespoons molasses (add more for darker blood)

Pour one and a half cups of the well’s water into your favorite cauldron. Relinquish one ounce of dried hibiscus flowers into the newly effervescent waters. Levitate the lid back to the cauldron while maintaining your intention. Let the flowers simmer for 20 minutes, making sure to agitate the stirring stick from time to time. Strain the tea, calling only the liquid back to the cauldron. Save the leftover flowers in a jar for later. Sprinkle the cocoa powder atop the fluid until all is blended. While still on the heat, stir in the arrowroot water mixture until reaching your desired thickness. Then let the mixture cool. After two shakes of a lamb’s tail…transfer your liquid to a wide mouthed vessel.  Whip in the molasses while invoking wisdom. Leave your concoction out so she can breathe and let her thicken overnight.

*Place this fusion underneath the moon’s pale luminance for an extra ghoulish gore. Add scraps of paper for guts. Enlarge the recipe and fill a whole bath tub galore. Add strawberries for an interesting texture. There are endless possibilities to explore.

Note: You can save the leftover hibiscus/cacao for a second brew, strain and drink as a tea or even as a hair rinse for imbuing redder hues. Afterwards, you can offer it back to the earth to be rebirthed.

Ethnobotany bits on Morning Glory Seed:

A deified agent of psychoactive co-existence.

In old way shamanism, the shaman and the plant were God, or represented a pantheon of non-religious Gods. The concept of religion re-organized the socio-economic systems all over the Americas from Mexico to the Andes to Amazonia. Plants of the Gods were Amerindian tools of psychoactive co-existence with the elements and their ancestors without a reference to monotheism. 

The lysergic acid derivatives of ololiohqui were used ceremoniously before Jesus Christo had a hold on Mexico. This Nahuatl word, colloquially shortened to ololuc, translates to “little round thing” as a reference to the shape of precious little seeds of Ipomea violacea, or morning glory (Schultz 1979.) In Pre-Hispanic Mexico, ololiohqui was known to deprive the being who uses it of their reason in times of trouble. This separation of one with their own ego or reason, violence, or machisimo (a later coined Hispanic term), can be helpful in times of trouble or facing death. Embedded into the Nahuatl word ololiohqui, a hard-to-translate concept is carried in that there is a deity contained in the seeds of this plant. That idea supports this umbrella term of “Plants of the Gods,” but also co-exists and bridges the terms hallucinogen and entheogen, as plants like Ipomea and P. cubensis are dancing in both of those realms. Personally, when I write about drugs and substances, I use the term hallucinogen to term substances that have been isolated from their whole-plant content like LSD, LSA, or psilocybin. When I speak of or refer to the whole plant or process of shamanic application, I refer to the plant as an entheogen. As an aphrodisiac and hallucinogenic, I argue that ololiohqui is both as well as medicine due to its anti-syphilis and digestive effect. Another layer of this herb of the green snake or coatxoxouhqui, is that it was used as a communication tool and offered to one of the many Aztec gods, named Xochipilli, or the Prince of Flowers. This further refines the specificity of psychedelic use of Ipomea violacea in a certain regional environment. In contrast to peyote or mushrooms, another reference to little black seed, or Tlitliltzin in Nahuatl, was administered in the dark, to one patient, in a quiet secluded place where the delirium could unfold rather than be guided in a group or shamanic setting. Perhaps this is why morning glory is often spoken about in a more hallucinogenic context rather than entheogenic? With Zapotec, who call these seeds Badoh Negro, and Chatin people of Oaxaca, the black seeds of Ipomea violacea are used by males (macho) and the brown seeds of Turbina corymbosa (hembra) are used by females. With both of these seeds, they are ground and drank with water out of a gourd. From there, an emergence of intermediaries, often two little girls in white, appear to serve or aim for intactness with the divination of recovery from illness or dis-ease. There is a tradition of one curandera or brujo sitting with the patient in total silence while the little girls or little spirits assist in the recovery of lost health, or lost objects. Now with globalized modernity, there is syncretism with the use of these seeds with current names like “Semilla de la Virgen.” Although there are parts of the rituals that have been diluted, or transformed, or eradicated over time due to the washing through of religion, it is undeniably that the fusion of essentially pagan, or shaman-centric belief systems and Christian scripts both hold these seeds as gifts from the Gods, or to be of the Gods. The set, the setting, the shaman, the dose, the intention, the journey did not vary so dramatically with traditional use of medicines or drugs when they were administered traditionally or tribally. This is another way to discern or separate the concepts of hallucinogen and entheogen. When plants or drugs are taken as a party tool or mind-altering substance in various self-made settings with variable intentions, perhaps this crosses into a hallucinogenic use in modern time. When plants are taken as sacrament for vision quest or ancestral communication as deified agents of healing, perhaps they remain more intact in the entheogenic realm.

By Chloe Bee  

ephedra, one love.

There’s this plant that moves a certain way when the Arizona winds move through it. It’s not a dance, or a sway, but a shake, a vibratory yet rooted shake and shimmy often crowned with clusters of little cones that taste like medicine. Not bitter, not sweet, but just right. I munch these little cones to open airways, relieve nasal congestion, and help with stamina while hiking or wandering in the desert. Ephedra viridis is found throughout Northern Arizona and has been used by the Apache, the Navajo (who are speakers of a Na-Diné Southern Athabaskan language they call Diné bizaad), Zuni, and Hopi peoples as a stimulant tea and therapeutic medicine. I became aware of it by walking through lands that were sprinkled in it and chewed the cones out of curiosity and sure enough, my feelings supported and backed up the reported tonic effects of bronchial-dilation and enhanced energy. It is also a decongestant and affects the central nervous system. Digging into some E. viridis relatives, there is evidence that this medicine has also been used as a visionary tool. Ma Huang, yellow hemp, or Ephedra Sinica is well known throughout Traditional Chinese Medicine and contains ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, N-methylephedrine, N-methylpseudoephedrine, norephedrine, and norpseudoephedrine. These alkaloids form in an arid environment. Northern Arizona and northern Eurasia behold archaeobotanical evidence and thus insight into how traditional ways of ethnopharmacology administers this medicine. Over 60 species of Ephedra are in dry areas of Eurasia. When I say Eurasia, I specifically mean from Spain, to France into Northern Italy, to Switzerland, to Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Russia, Mongolia, and to China. This joint-fir family of Ephedraceae can grow in coastal dunes as well as high desert, and can also burst right out of stone walls and rocky, icy earthen landscapes. 

In Western Siberia and China, species like E. equisetina, E. nebrodensis, and E. shennungiana grow in arid high mountainous regions and are also cultivated for ephedrine production. In the Himalayas, a relative of Ma Huang, E. gerardiana, grew in high-mountain valleys and was used for folk medicine as a respiratory assisting bronchodilator and tool for stamina. Relatively nearby, E. kardangensis grows in the Western Himalayas in the Himachal Pradesh region in India at an elevation of 3,000m amongst pines and dry gravelly soil.*

A gorgeous and beautifully potent site of archaeo-botanical evidence of ancient use of Ephedra spp. emerged from the finding of the Shanidar cave in the 1950’s, which is in the modern village of Zawi Chemi on the Zab River in Northern Iraq. This river feeds into the Tigris river and at the time, the area was very inhabitable, rocky yet fertile, and apparently booming with humans who used plants. This cave contained the remains of eight adult and two infant Neanderthals dating from 65,000 to 45,000 years ago and were found with animal, plant, and stone tool remains. There are also two later photo-Neolithic cemeteries in the area from about 10,000 years ago that contain thirty five people. The fourth Neanderthal body that was (re)discovered in 1960, called Shanidar 4, was an adult male who was buried amongst flowers that were detected and identified via soil sample and pollen analysis. The heads of these flowering plants were placed all around his body, which was curled up in the fetal position. The pollen came from Yarrow, cornflower, horsetail, hollyhock, thistle, ragwort, grape hyacinth, and ephedra. All of these are used as anti-inflammatories, astringents, diuretics, and some as stimulants. Perhaps he was the community medicine man? 

Later on in the Bronze Age civilization of Central Asia, there is more paleobotanical evidence of ephedra being used as a brew along with cannabis and poppy. 

In China, many ancient burial sites have been found to contain Ma Huang. Which carries and supports that this plant is more than an anti-asthmatic. It is so revered, it needs to be taken to the afterlife. Specifically, in the Gumugou cemetery in the Lop Nor region of China, there was a custom of burying a cluster of twigs on the right side of the chest of the dead in burying rituals. Perhaps the other heart? Maybe this provided symmetry between the right and left side of the chest, one plant heart and one human heart. Just an idea.. 

Currently, pseudoephedrine is used as a decongestant while other extracts are used for weight loss and performance enhancement. As this plant continues to be manipulated and controlled, access to and thus cultivation of Ma Huang is becoming increasingly limited and less often prescribed in TCM. Making methamphetamine from pseudoephedrine is not a behavior with a positionality of honor for this therapeutic agent, but I also do not support laws to ban any substances. 

In early September 2020, I traveled to Northeastern Arizona for a rock climbing trip. Along a deep canyon, the earth is covered in the highest density of bright & brilliant green Ephedra I’ve ever seen. Although this high desert has had a dry monsoon season, this plant thrives and maintains flexibility and intense vibrancy. Through offerings, listening, discernment and selection, I was able to harvest a gorgeous bundle of medicine to bring back down to Happy Healthy High Horny Herbs in Tempe to spread to the community with reverence as a tonic and respiratory ally. 

*Information with an asterisk behind it was supported by the lecture titled “Ancient use of Ephedra species in Central and Eastern Eurasia” composed by Mark Merlin at the University of Hawai’i at Mānoa. 

This photo below is south of Winslow, Arizona. In full respect and love to the Hopi people, I show this hear to recognize the land this medicine thrives in. The ephedra bushes are not the big bright green ones your eyes first settle on, but rather the smaller ones that densely cover the ground in patches all amongst the rocky soil. Arizona is truly special and needs protection in all ways. Please steward these lands, please spread awareness against mining operations, please education others about waste management..

Tropical mind-altering Botanical beloveds.

Here I briefly describe the major similarities and differences in the botany, ecology, geographical distribution, psychoactive substances, culture history and modern use of two beloved tropical plants. 

Piper methysticum is (one of) the kava shrubs in the pepper tree family of Piperaceae. The botanical ancestry of this plant is not crystal clear. Wind pollination is not likely, but morphotypes and genetically interspecific hybridization of P.wichmannii and P. gibbilimbum could have yielded P.methysticum.  The aforementioned variants of the Piper genus have been found endemically in northern Melanesia, including the Solomon Islands and northern Vanuatu. From Melanesia (as far as New Guinea) to the far-out isolated piko of Polynesia, the Hawaiian islands, this plant’s active constituents have been enjoyed as a traditional tool for camaraderie and social ceremony. Kavalactones are the science behind the folk medicine and why this plant assists in social, religious, ritual, and political processes. Further research in the 1970’s into the genetic relationships of Piperaceae presents the idea that P.gibbilimbum does not produce kavalactones, which fortifies the ties between the Melanesian (P.wichmanii) and the shade-loving, dioecious shrub of Hawaiian kava (P.methysticum). 

Kavalactones are carried from fresh and dried roots through the psycho-active resins of kavalactones. Fresh roots can have up to 15% kavalactones and when mashed, pounded into water, filtered and consumed in a coconut shell, this brew can affect the nervous system through a “reduction of spinal (rather than cerebral) activity followed by muscular stimulation and then paralysis that affects the lower limbs.” (Merlin 59) Pulling from research, this is very different from alcohol because although they both slow cardiac rhythm and slow respiration, kava is not a cerebral intoxicant and can actually enhance clarity, night vision, and sense of one’s being. Other compounds that have been isolated from kava kava, ‘awa, waka waka or kavahine (various Polynesian names) are kavain, methysticin, dihydromethysticin, yangonin, and hydroxykavain amongst others. These all have varying chemical structures and are all in the class of kavalactones, which molecularly consist of thirteen carbon atoms, six of which form a benzene ring attached by a double bond to an unsaturated lactone. (Merlin 67) They are found in the highest concentrations in the lateral roots, and are (somewhat rapidly) absorbed in the body through the gastrointestinal tract. When consumed, kava can be an analgesic, sedative, anti-convulsive, muscle-relaxant, antimycotic (active against yeasts or fungi), and an overall mood enhancer. The claim of “mood enhancement” enters into the field of neurophysiology and can be supported by long-flowing oral traditions of kava being used to “extinguish chiefs'' in times of debate and problem solving. Peace, sociability, tolerance, and camaraderie are all reported reactions to the consumption around kava as well as singing, joking and being lively as Fijians would say. Throughout Polynesia, there is a tradition around clapping when in ceremony with kava. “Bula bula” is something often said in Fiji when drinking, and they believe that the claps performed before and after consuming the brew awaken the awareness of the supernatural. However, it seems the further into Melanesia and Micronesia that oral traditions are still passed on, that as sakau (as kava is called in Pohnpei) is consumed, the more quiet the community or circle of family becomes as photo-sensitivity increases as well. Perhaps this is related to how the kava is prepared, or the long-standing pacifying traditions in place. Rather than dancing and bustling around, in Pohnpei, the drinking of sakau is normally quite mellow, quiet, dimly-lit, and nearly silent….other than the voices of the ancestors that are said to come through at these times. This drug, or medicine perhaps serves as a channel to ancestral communication. Some island peoples translate that channel into movement and noise-making as celebration, and some sit in silence for wisdom and guidance to come forth. Either way, this plant is used to upholding values, village protocols, rites of passage, as political exchange. Currently, kava is used as a tool or offering for forgiveness in New Guinea and also Hawai’i. Currently, kava is illegal in Australia, Europe, Canada, and Poland while alcohol is readily accessible. 

Reference to citations above:

Kava: The Pacific Elixir by Mark Merlin, Vincent Lebot, and Lamont Lindstrom

• Published February 1997 by Yale University Press

Grown in a very similar climate, but much more vast of a bioregion than kava, is Betel nut.  Areca catechu is the fruit of the Betel nut palm that grows throughout tropical Asia and some parts of Western Oceania. Traditionally and currently, the common way to ingest the active stimulant constituents in this nut is via quid. A quid is like a spit poultice that you pack into your bottom lip or in between your teeth and cheeks. In this quid, pieces of the seed or betel nut are wrapped up in a leaf of betel vine with slaked lime, or calcium carbonate to activate and deliver the active betel nut properties. This plant is widely used, and widely able to grow throughout Micronesia, Melanesia, Southwest Asia and East Africa. This quid is the fourth most commonly consumed psychoactive substance in the world with only nicotine, caffeine, and alcohol surpassing it in use and distribution globally. Beyond 600 million people chew betel daily throughout the South Indian, Asian and into Pacific regions of the tropical world. Originating in Southeast Asia and traveling into Micronesia some three or four thousand years ago, this betel quid has been and still is used by the working class peoples as a stimulant, mood lifter, phlegm dissolver, and germicide. Unfortunately, studies in Southeast Asia and the Solomon Islands have shown that Areca catechu quids do indeed cause cancers of the mouth and esophagus. In addition to that it has reported negative effects on the endocrine system, causing an underachieve thyroid, which is counter-intuitive as it is a stimulant and should increase thyroid function. However, this suppression of the endocrine also feeds into suppressed immunity and reduced T-cell proliferation as well as a decreased release of cytokines. 

This is why I don’t understand why there is such an attack on Kratom leaf and also kava root, which are way less harmful substances originating from similar places that actually have measurable therapeutic potential, when betel nut is over-consumed and out-of-control in many places throughout many cultures. Although both kava and betel are used socially and for camaraderie and conversation, it seems that the ceremonial aspect of kava has remained intact through practices of tatau in Samoa and through quiet ancestral channeling in Pohnpei, whereas the use of betel seems more along the lines of substance abuse. The habit forming compound of betel nut is arecoline, which is found in the endosperm of the fruit. This is the same compound that contributes to and forms oral cancers like leukoplakia. Arecoline is the prime reason why the stimulating release of adrenaline is said to occur, which is the prized effect in heavy industrial places like Taiwan where the suppression of hunger and increased work stamina is valuable. Resistance to this plant drug has been forming in the Marshall Islands as more and more agencies try to ban the importation of it.

Saturate us in Roses : Samhain Session

A personal journal entry shared with you on this Samhain eve to honor the dead. Perhaps you can relate.

“A dead person is my butoh teacher..”-  Hijikata Tatsumi

When i got to the graveyard, he taught me things. He emerged, I emerged. I was floored, we were ripped from, he was ripped away. He is ashes and we can’t reach his body. No laughter, void of him. Void of our shared future. Things will never be normal again. The ocean waves are now where he resides.

The last time I saw him was October, persimmon time. Full of persimmons, full of rhetoric talk. Such a brilliant mind, I couldn’t keep up. So much energy, he lifted an entire room, an entire space, he vibrated. He is now a hummingbird. The sun continues to shine. Every day the birds sing whether I’m dead or not. Whether he is dead or not. Whether my sisters are hurting or not. Death continuum.

Waves of grief, waves and waves of sobbing so wildly I thought my neighbors would call the cops. Weeping for the imagined pain his blood relations could feel. Being held by Lila. Grieving for the future, for all the times that he should be there. Next to us. With us. Arguing and debating climate change mitigation strategies with us. Being the change he and we wish to see.. with us. But he won’t be. Hollowed out, he’s limp. He’s ashes. Decay. Legacy. Saturate us in roses. 

To see the 2 part video work on this concept, go to:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4JXj8Lhs9Q/

AND

Grave Transfer on Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WkbxXlsWUIg

Grave Transfer 

“He’s been lifeless for five days, picked up off the floor, out of the haze.

No one is equipped to grieve, or be proper. 

Taste this whole dose, then fill up the dropper. 

Condolences. Condor lessons 

From full moon to crescent, 

From here on and forward, I’ll flow in sweet sessions. 

Movement, it cools me and writings my essence. 

One breathe after one, then seven after seven. 

I’m returning to innocence like an adolescent. 

But complexity meets weight and there’s no room for guessing.

Now I meet me to deliver one message, 

You, yes you, deserve to receive and be in the present.

Like metal feeding water transforming in seconds, 

Super earth siblings, our time here is limited. 

Red ties our bonds, our blood glows hot cinnamon, 

From initiative to initiative, thank you for being inquisitive. 

A capacity to describe, your tongue paints images, 

Words of love fuse my pleasure and pain

To know that I’m hurting and lose value in blame. 

The more I refresh upon my soul composition, 

The closer to center i sit in my traditions

To honor life, sweat, make love & to weep in lotus position, 

Is exactly the remedy, core catalyst, for this here auspicion.”    - C.Groom

Kratom Kola KoKo Krispies!

Ok, this one’s an original! So, you’re heading back to school? Summers over, its time to grind / train / re-assess some goals you made a while back. Maybe your schedule just got loaded up with some more shifts or some classes, or maybe you’ve gotten super into caffeine and want to chill out on that with an alternative. Welllll I’ve crafted a KrispY treat and I would like to share with you my findings!!

It did take some Research and Development, it was sooo rough ; ) 

Ingredients:

4 cups puffed amaranth 

1 & 1/4 cup creamy almond butter

2 tablespoons coconut oil

2 tablespoons MCT oil

2 tablespoons hemp protein powder (optional of you like more firm + added protein)

3/4 cup maple syrup - the real deal! Can sub for local honey if ya diggg

1-2 tablespoons cacao powder

2 - 3 tablespoons White Jong Kong Kratom leaf powder (depends on how potent ((and bitter)) you desire) 

1 tablespoon Kola nut powder (can substitute for Astragalus powder, or Maca root powder - feel into it!) 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

Dash of sea salt & cinnamon 

MMmmk!

This is flexible, add Mucuna if you please instead of Kola Nut, sub collagen powder for hemp protein, sub peanut butter or cashew butter for almond.. sub organic Rice Krispies for amaranth.. bee creative, use what you have - these are helpful ratios and ideas for you and your capable hands. 

PROcess:

1. Combine everything but the amaranth in a sauce pan on low heat and stir together with love and affection. You can add some chia and flax if you want to put some Omegas in the mix. Groovy.

2. Once everything is married together and creamy smooth, pour it over the krispies in a big mixing bowl and stir stir stir, integrating the medicinal warm mix with the puffz.

3. When things are looking even and every lil puff nugget amaranth is covered in brown gooey goodness, MASH the mixture into a glass baking dish (9x9 or something of that nature should do).

***IF you want to be complex & get fancy, add a bottom layer BEFORE mashing the krispie mix on top. For example; cacao nibs, banana chips, cranberries, goji berries… use what you have and make a bottom layer. It will stick and integrate. 

4. Whether you took it up a notch or remained simply potent and pure; Mash the mix into a flat & tightly packed bar into the pan. I like to use the back of my hand, but you can use a wooden spoon or your palm to mash it in there. Get all the edges tight, you are making many pieces into one whole.

5. Place in refrigerator for 30 minutes, let cool. Then slice yourself a square, rectangle or trapezoid. Enjoy! I love this with a glass of cold hemp milk, jus sayin.

Best in morning or afternoon. Pre-workout for sure, radical. Pre-class, yes! Pre-bedtime, no! Pre love-making, yes! 

Why?

• Amaranth is a gluten-free, high-protein grain that is RICH in manganese, magnesium, selenium, iron, phosphorus, copper and anti-oxidants. Yes!

• You can add the tonic adaptogen of your choice: another level of integrating ways to gracefully combat oxidative stress and support resilience.

• Kratom is wonderful as a fatigue alleviater, mood lifter, pain-reducer and also a glorious anti-oxidant.

• Fair-trade cacao, always.

Epic. Thanks for tuning in and enjoy these bars of love. For real, get creative.. Make em with Muira Pauma, Damiana, and Tribulus. Why not?! Yes, there will be a bitter taste, but they are herbal, and you can add more maple too if you want to make a stellar aphrodisiac.… Not all herbs are bitter, Kratom is though.. so yea, that’s a part of it. I dig it, in this recipe, you can taste it, but its gentle and feels nice to be able to taste and connect with the plant while nourishing your body and powering up for an intellectual class experience, or a Muay Thai class, or a dance party, or an Acro Thai yoga extravaganza, Sure.  enjoy!!!! Stay hydrated. 

One more thing!!

You can drizzle the top with cacao syrup and local bee pollen!!! If you dare… 

integrated goodness.

chilled and ready to boogie. Any by boogie, I mean, ready to get eaten with gratitude and love!

Wound HealinG : Hemostatics and their WonderS

Comparative uses and effects of a few hemostatics: making note of their similarities and differences. 

..perhaps there is a broader connection between external wound healing and emotional / psycho-spiritual healing.. Up to you if you choose to entertain that. Freeform thoughts and stories on wound healing, here you go!

Mugwort: Where to begin with this dreamy, multi-dimensional plant ally. Ai Ye or Artemisia vulgaris, is a bitter friend for womb healing wonders. As an emmenagogue and mild narcotic, this herb is not to be used during pregnancy but holds healing powers for infertility caused by Cold trapped in the Womb (1), or what Western medicine calls endometriosis. By bringing energy, life force and circulation to the uterus, this magiKal herb disperses chronic cramping and can alleviate feelings of trapped negative energy in the sacral and root chakra. Mugwort is used internally as a vermifuge and tool against Salmonella and parasites. Less commonly known are its uses externally. As a hemostatic, I feel that ashes of mugwort are great to pack wounds or ulcers with. This is purely folkloric, as I have not referenced any published articles with that statement, but this plant of innocent mastery can work from the outside to draw together wounded flesh back into a sealed & effective organ barrier much like how it draws storylines and imagery from dreams together into a cohesive manner. Many times, I've been protected by Mugwort; from cramps, from anxiety, and from dreamless nights. It's been more then a few times that I've harvested  Artemisia douglasiana and had it drying on my dashboard while road-tripping and have had the most intense, significant, colorful dreams while car camping. As a smoke, it's very calming for the mind and a great alternative to cannabis. As a smudge, it works well on its own, or with wild sage, copal, or cedar.

Like Mugwort, Thuja occidentalis or Cedar Tree Leaf is an emmenagogue and hemostatic. Thuja is cooler in nature than Mugwort and also has astringent and antipyretic properties. For clearing Viral heat, mix equal parts Lomatium and Thuja tincture to take orally 3-4xs a day to reduce symptoms of herpes virus or molescum contagiousum.  Multiple teachers have directly expressed that Cedar leaf is a more active anti-viral than Echinacea and Indigo root combined. This widely used herb can also be infused into a hot bath for arthritic pain and fascinatingly, thujone is a cannabinol receptor agonist. Thuja  is also a sacred tool for smudging, connecting to ancestors, and as a channel and purification technology in sweat lodge ceremony. Cedar is the most relied upon ancestral tool use by in North America for transmuting prayers into results and speaking directly with stone people and sky beings. (4-5) 

Thuja and Mugwort are both bitter mucilitics and can both be applied externally as well. Mugworts topical uses on warts interests me to explore what external application of Thuja poultice or ash would do to someone experiecing a herpes outbreak as I am currently guiding a client with Type 1 Herpes simplex. She has heart miscommunication symptoms energetically, so I prescribed Thuja and Lomatium for her to clear heat, but perhaps I should suggest burning the twigs and leafs over coals then rubbing the cooled ash on her skin during outbreaks?... More thoughts on that to be developed… 

Thuja and Mugwort can also both be applied topically in the form of Moxa or powder for aches and pains and moving Bi pain, also known as rheumatism or cold-damp arthritis. 

The first time I saw Dragons Blood was in a Mercado de las Brujas in Trujillo, Peru in 2012. I asked what is was and she asked if I had any open wounds. I had a broken toe with a deep abrasion on it from surfing, so I sat on the ground next to a big pile of candles and San Pedro cactus cuttings and she rubbed the resinous Sangre de Drago on my toe. It turned a foamy white before sealing into this film, like a liquid bandage. Marvelous! My skin healed within 3 days (much faster than most extremity wounds for me) and I bought some more to explore and play with. Internally, this liquid can be taken for bleeding ulcers and to protect the stomach, but not frequently or excessively as I believe it contains a bit of latex. Dragons blood is salty and neutral and also an anti-fungal, astringent, vulnerary, and alterative. It astringes tissues internally to bind and tone internal traumatic injuries and weeping ulcers. I've seen it in an alcohol extract as well for taking as tincture or using as a First Aid remedy for broken skin, blisters, lacerations, and sores. 

Both Sangre de Drago and Cattail Pollen are botanical byproducts of plants used in native cultures for ages. Cattail pollen and Sangre De Drago are both neutral, astringent, emmenagogues that stop bleeding when applied externally, and affect the Heart and Liver meridian. Cattail pollen is a fatty, nutritive oil that can be mixed into a paste with honey or molasses and smeared onto painful swellings, abscesses, bleeding injuries from blunt force trauma or accidents, or skin sores. 

Cattail pollen can be drank as a mashed and filtered tea to move blood and encourage circulation and removal of obstructed blood flow. Together, Cattail pollen and Dragons Blood can be paired to generate recovery from long-term ulcers that continue to weep. I have not had a chance to play with Cattail pollen yet, but now that I know, I will be lurking in riverbanks (where Nelumbo grows too!) to see if I can spot any pollen. 

Other herbs to explore for packing into wounds, reef cuts, open blisters, closing openings: 

Plantain: A sweet, easy-to-grow juicy green leaf that can be chewed up fresh and applied to insect bites to draw out the venom and itch. As a dried leaf powder, I have used this for open / weeping reef cuts from surfing in shallow water as well. Unlike ointment or propolis that seal off aeration and dampen the area, the plantain powder helped to form a protective herbal crust that truly seemed to slowly draw in the edges of the abrasions and cuts and assist in speedy healing. 

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) mellows allergies and cuts off colds before they progress while being heart tonifying. I find this plant great to use before public speaking for strengthening words and staying heart-centered. Yarrow contains salicylic acid, which aids in inflammation and pain relief while you pack your bloody wound with it! Yarrow has so many uses, its nearly a panacea (in my opinion), but for the purpose of this mental flow state on hemostatics, I must express how resinous it is! Wow, sticky and sealing and astringent all in one. The alkaloids achillin, achillicin, and matricin are precursor compounds to chamazulene, what makes the essential oil bright blue (6). These three alkaloids are the active hemostatic (wound-healing) agents! To actually use Yarrow on a wound, powder the dried leaf and pack right onto the open wound. A hefty scab will form and underneath, the wound will be slowly & securely closing. 

Creosote: (Larrea tridentata) native to the Sonoran and Mojave Desert : bathing with it as a wound wash, grinding leaves for sprinkling powders on wounds, mixing sifted clay dirt and creosote powder into a mud to make a body clay mask for drawing out pain, sorrow, inflammation, cancer, infection, virus. Closing open wounds with simply the powdered leaf sprinkled on top the cut or abrasion 2xs/day then left on to form a crust. Let it fall off naturally. These are some of the native ways I have been shown to work with creosote for healing. It is also a completely wondrous, aromatic, purifying smudge that bridges the smoky fire element with the resonance of Arizona monsoons; our precious water element. All four elements present with Creosote (3). While working with other entheogens in the desert, horney toads have helped me to work through past trauma, but only after monsoons when the soil could soften and they could come out of their burrows with ease (5). 

Tepezchoiute (Mimosa tenuiflora): native to the Chiapas, Veracruz, Oaxaca, Quintana Roo - This root bark can be shredded and ground into a chunky medium or blended into a powder. If you can find it in a market or from an herbalist who works with it, this material is a wound-healing wonder. The Maya have been using it since before recorded time for skin lesions and infections. I started working with it for its anti-parasitic action while living in Mexico.. and my former partner has been working with it for years to extract ceremonial alkaloids from it. He looked at my damp-heat facial acne and thought, let’s make a tea with this for a facial poultice. That was so effective and lovely for reducing redness and infection in the skin, but what impressed me profoundly was applying the powered root bark as spot treatment for skin eruptions (2). After three treatments three days in a row like this, my skin overall was less inflamed, eruptive spots were soothed and closed, and there was this glowing elasticity in texture throughout my face. I could literally witness a closing action on any weeping spots. When my partner had his gauged ripped out by police forces (an act of systemic racism against indigenous in Chiapas), I packed his ear with powdered Tepez, and it closed / sealed in a day and a half. Amazing. This can be used for burns, eczema, aging or fragile skin, and for making internal purgative medicine. 

Intellectual property of:

1. Leseley Tierra

2. Jesus Alberto Foñseca Perez

3. Delmar Boni

4. Maynard Jackson

5. Archie Williams

6. Lisa Ganoura

Lactation Station!

For the NeW Mamas in this beautiful world ~ This is a collection of notes and recipes. I have made them all, many times...and witnessed the success in increasing breast milk production. Happy boobies, happy babies. Don't forget to cacao butter your everything! 

Love this, Love you. 

“The luminous woman remains sensually embodied throughout her life enjoying the sights, smells, sounds, tastes and sensations of life on earth. The energy of eternal spring and the bounty of summer is experienced and expressed in all her creative endeavors, whether they be in the kitchen, garden, art, lovemaking, or in a passionate commitment to a chosen life work. The luminous woman inhabits, enjoys, and cares for her body with appreciation all the days of her life. She relinquishes her attachment to the body of her youth as the years pass and grows more deeply beautiful with age because she has cultivated her depths and continues to experience the greening power of the soul.” Chelsea Wakefield 

Mama’s Milky Tea 

1 part red raspberry leaf (Rubus ideaeus) 1⁄2 part fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) 

1⁄2 part anise (Pimpinella anisum) (increases milk flow) 

1⁄4 part caraway (Carum carvi) (increases milk flow) - take away if this is too savory of a taste, or put in a salad dressing instead 

Crush seeds and mix with red raspberry leaf. Prepare as an infusion.  

**Following a pump-after feed 3xs/day and taking advantage of night pumping when Prolactin hormone is highest in combination with cookies, moringa, golden milk, hydration and milk teas - a mama can double, even triple her milk production. For example, my close friend went from 45ml in the first week to 6 oz per feed (for twins) at 2 weeks!!! 

This can reduce or eliminate formula-feeding and mega increase infant nutrition and immunity. 

• Begin pro-biotics in third trimester and take all through breast-feeding - new research is coming out that breastmilk enhanced with pro-biotics is epic for all whom are involved. 

MORINGA can really boost nutrition and energy levels as well - and it tastes great on everything: savory or sweet, on top of fruit salads, on top of fried eggs, in smoothies, in lemonade…endless

Other herbs that have consistently shown to be galactogouges:

Goats Rue

Blessed Thistle 

Fenugreek 

Yep its a lot of information, but keep up with it and stick to it, herbs really do work! There are so many levels of important factors here, like: 

• Feeding on the breast shapes the airways and the palate. The babies mouth shape is not the set shape - it is shaped by its environment - the constant pressure of the nipple shapes the roof of mouth and widens airways - mechanics of suction 
• additional pumping is additional stimuli - pump following a feeding deepens the stimuli and can increase volume production
• Your body is producing milk for what the babies need TODAY - give it all to them 

Mama’s Breastmilk Tea 

2 parts nettle (Urtica dioica). Nettles are super stinging stars! They strengthen & support the whole body, are used as a spring tonic. Rich in chlorophyll, iron and calcium, nettles increase breastmilk and energy and are also used to cleanse the kidneys, lymphs, and blood. 

2 parts red raspberry leaf (Rubus ideaeus). Rich in calcium, magnesium and iron. 

2 parts moringa leaf - powerhouse of goodness

1 part fennel seed (Foeniculum vulgare). Fennel seed increases the flow of milk. 

1⁄4 part fenugreek (Trigonella foenum‐graecum). “Fenugreek is an adjunct milk increaser. The chemical components of fenugreek seed include iron, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin C, phosphates, flavonoids, saponins, trigonelline and other alkaloids. This wonderful seed is also high in fiber and protein.” (Taken from AHG notes 

Crush the fenugreek and fennel seeds. Mix ingredients and add 2 teaspoons to a cup of gently simmering water. Simmer for 10 minutes because of the leaf matter that is present. 

Dash of ginger and licorice if you’re feeling it. 

LACTATION STATION!

SuPa HeaLTHy Da KiNe: NO BAKE  VeGaN Lactation CookieZ    

• Ingredients:
• 3 Large, ripe mashed bananas OR equivalent size baked sweet potato or pumpkin for a bit more savory 
• 1 -2 tbsp moringa powder 
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 4 - 5oz coconut oil 
• 3 tbsp  of peanut butter
• 4 - 5 tbsp local honey 
• Handful of pumpkin seeds (or 2)
• 4 tbsp ground flax seeds
• 3 cups of raw organic oats
• ⅔ cup of almond flour
• 3 tbsp brewers yeast 
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp baking soda 

Directions:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F  or 180 Celsius 
• Mix the mashed bananas with the vanilla extract, honey, warmed coconut oil and peanut butter (can substitute almond butter or walnut butter — up to you) 
• In another bowl mix together the dry ingredients and moringa - other powdered herbs  can be mixed in here… like  Stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
• Form balls of dough. Place onto an oiled baking sheet — you can flatten a bit with a spatula. 
• Bake for 11-13 minutes… they are soft, if you like chewier you can flip them over and bake for another 5 minutes. 

*There’s no egg or dairy in here, so you can leave them raw and add a bit more oats and roll them into balls then roll them in anything you want (bee pollen, cacao powder, cacao nibs, shredded coconut!) yummmmmm. - keep em in the fridge and eat like cookie dough. 

Lactation COoOoKieZ

Ingredients

• 1 cup grass-fed butter or Ghee - soft
• 1 cup coconut sugar
• 1/2 cup brown sugar OR 2 tablespoons local honey OR 2 tablespoons blackstrap molasses 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 large (free-range, please!) eggs
• 4 tablespoons brewers yeast (I've tried up to 6 tablespoons, no prob)
• 3 tablespoons flax seed meal (I've gone up to 4 tablespoons)
• 2 tablespoons water 
• 1 cup almond flour
• 1 cup rice or cassava flour 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened carob chips
• 3 tbsp grass-fed collagen or odorless marine collagen 
• 2 tbsp Cordyceps mushroom powder
• dash of cinnamon 

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. In a small bowl, mix together water and flax meal.. let it sit aside. 
3. In a large bowl, beat/mash together butter, sugar, brown sugar/honey, vanilla and eggs. Add flax meal & water mixture, collagen, and brewers yeast. 
4. Add flours, baking soda and salt to butter mixture and stir until combined. Stir in raw whole oats and carob chips.
5. Place on buttered cookie pan and bake at 350°F for 11-12 minutes, or until the melting carob chips and golden surface are too irresistible to wait any longer. 

Postpartum Pick me Up Bars!  —

  Gluten-Free because inflammation is the last thing you need! 

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons ground flax seed
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1 1/2 cup coconut oil 
• 1 cup organic brown or palm sugar 
• 2 eggs - free-range please! 
• 1/3 cup blackstrap molasses
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 2 1/4 cups gluten-free flour (cassava, almond, rice) 
• 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut shreds 
• 1/2 cup hemp hearts or 1/3 cup chia seeds 
• 4 tablespoons gluten-free brewers yeast 
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 2 cups raw steel-cut oats - can make grain-free by using cassava flour and/or almond flour as substitute for this quantity 
• 1 cup dark carob chips
• 1-2 tbsp matcha powder 
• 1-2 tbsp nettle or moringa or suma powder 
• Dash of cinnamon? 
• Can add raisins or goji if ya feeling it. 

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350F.
2. Combine the flax seeds and water in a small bowl and set aside.
3. Melt the coconut oil and mix in and sugars - whip and whisk - can beat until fluffy if you have a mixer. 
4. Add the soaked flax seeds, eggs, molasses, and vanilla extract - mix until blended.
5. Whisk together the dries: flours, seeds, brewer’s yeast, salt, & baking soda
6. Add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients bowl slowly. Mix thoroughly, with love. 
7. Add the oats and chocolate chips in on a slow speed. Mix until just combined.
8. Oil a 10″ x 15″ inch ishhh baking dish —  Drop the cookie dough into the dish and smear all around until it looks even. 
9. Bake the bars for about 40 minutes or until the bottom of the bars are deep golden brown and the middle of the pan tests positive for clean fork. 
10. Remove the dish from the oven and allow the bars to cool for one hour before slicing them into bars. 

Top with yogurt or drink with flax milk, these can be on-the-go, frozen for later, or indulged while warm with green tea ice cream on top for breakfast, or dinner…before the nightshift of pumping milk..anything you want mama! 

This one below is fabulous too!

https://theprogressiveparent.org/2012/04/06/boobfood-lactation-cookies/

BOOBFOOD!

You will need: (in order of use, according to which bowl it goes into- I’m strange like that. If I was more on top of it, I would have taken more pictures. But I’m not. So there.)

• one small (ramekin-size) bowl, one medium & one large mixing bowl
• to preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Combine in small bowl & set aside to be added into wet mixture:

• 4 tablespoons water
• 2 tablespoons milled flaxseed (or flaxseed meal)

Beat together, one at a time into large bowl:

• 1 cup (two sticks) of butter (If you need dietary justification for this, click here and read where it suggests breastfeeding mothers, “get regular and substantial amounts of butter.” Seriously.)
• 1 cup of (packed) brown sugar
• 2 eggs (I use cage & antibiotic free)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons of molasses (or to taste, if that’s not you’re thing)
• the flax & water mixture you just made

Stir together dry ingredients one at a time in medium bowl :

• 2 cups flour (I use half whole wheat, half pastry flour)
• 4 tablespoons (this is the good stuff, ladies!) of Brewer’s Yeast
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of sea salt
• 1 teaspoon (l5 shakes-ish) of cinnamon.
• Then combine everything into the large bowl and stir in:
• 3 cups rolled (thick cut) oats
• 1 cup (or up to a whole package if you’e not adding nuts) of semisweet chocolate chips (if you need a dark chocolate disclaimer, click here 
• 1 cup of chopped macadamia nuts, cashews or almonds or PEANUT BUTTER~~

I used a soup spoon and scooped balls (Wads, really. Let’s not be pretentious.) about 3 tablespoons big into onto wax paper. (I use wax or parchment paper because I’m lazy- you can use more butter or whatever you’d like to line the bottom of the pan to prevent sticking)

Bake for 8-10 minutes, until the edges are golden brown and let them cool before moving so they don’t get crumbly.

(more) Productive Pumping is just 3 cookies away. 

hemp seeds, yea!

matcha and moringa moring cookies - No BaKe 

MorinGa MaGiK PeSto

Moringa is a joy to grow - truly a wonderous and generous tree. When I discovered that this humble healing tree is a blood, bone marrow, & tissue cleanser AND simultaneously a nourishing tonic, I was stoked! 

The name comes from the Tamil word “murungai,” meaning drumstick. (1) If you see its strong and robust seedpods, you can understand why the drumstick name. If you would like to see the copious global and ethnic names for drumstick tree or Moringa, check out this link: http://www.ayurvedacollege.com/articles/students/MagicalMoringa

Native to tropical and subtropical Africa & India, this tree is now naturalized in many places like Indonesia, coastal Mexico, Hawaii and other equatorial tropics and sub-tropics. With care and attention, this drought-hearty tree can be cultivated in more arid & temperate environments as well. In fact, the tree has been traced back to use in indigenous cultures at the base of the super dry Himalayan foothills. There are many varieties of this tree, but when using for food / medicine and when referred to as an herb, almost always people are referring to and using the species Moringa oleifera. 

Six years ago, I was introduced to Moringa in Costa Rica and fell in love with the way the leaves came off the branch. You can wrap your thumb and fingers around the leaves and gently pull towards you...and the leaves sweetly come right off into your hand (or salad bowl). The spicy taste worked great with my fruit bowl, on top of papaya halves, with pineapple, on yogurt, on shredded coconut with tamari, in soups..diverse is an understatement. I have since grown Moringa in Arizona, included it in my Nutritive Tea blend, brought seeds to a community in Mexico, encouraged herbalists to grow it in California, and played with it in countless sweet and savory recipes. Here in Oahu where I currently reside, Moringa grows superbly and is super available at farmers markets and easy to cultivate.

In western terminology, as a food & medicine, Moringa packs this terminology: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, hepatoprotective (liver-protecting), hypotensive, cancer preventative and antitumor, cardiac tonic, urinary tract tonic, thyroid tonic, immunostimulant, immundomodulator, antirheumatic, astringent...YES, all of that!!!! I have also heard word from conversations that flow after leading Wise Woman Womb Botanicals courses that is has been used as an emmenogougue and abortifacient by women as well. Please note,  Moringa leaves, root bark and flowers are not indicated as safe during pregnancy, but the fruits are. 

I am a believer in folk medicine and word-of-mouth herbal traditions… but with such epic claims, we want to know the answers to the whys?, yea? NUTRITIVE PROFILE, yummmm and tasty too, 

• B vitamins, and vitamins K, E, D, C and A, the minerals manganese, copper, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, iron, potassium, sodium and calcium, and a striking amount of some more common, but necessary compounds like protein and amino acids are all present in Mooring leaf. Vitamin C is lost in the drying process, but rich when fresh  (1, 2)
• Relative nutritional value of moringa compared to common foods: gram for gram, fresh moringa leaf contains about 4 times the calcium of milk, about 7 times the vitamin C of oranges, twice the protein of yogurt, 4 times the vitamin A found in carrots, and almost as much iron as spinach. And that’s just for fresh leaf. When the leaf is dried, and the weight of the water is no longer a factor, the leaf material can be considered concentrated, and the numbers are way more impressive. The dried leaf contains about 15 times the amount of potassium found in a banana, about 10 times the amount of vitamin A as a carrot, 9 times the protein of yogurt, 17 times the calcium found in milk, and 25 times the amount of iron in spinach! (1)

Geek out on the nutrient profiles with source (4) if you’re feeling it. This extensive, rich & exciting article shows the amino acid content as well as case specific information of Moringa’s effect on H.pylori, Cancer, gastric ulcers, atherosclerotic plaques, kidney stones, and diabetes. 

From an Ayurvedic perspective, Mooring leaf is pungent (rasa = katu), heating (virya = ushna), light / dry / sharp / fluid (Guna = laghu / ruksha / tikshana / sara ) 

From The Magical Moringa By: Vanita Agarwal (4), these are the actions of M.oleifera:

• Liver cleanser (yakrit sodhana)

• Purifies Blood (rakta sodhaka)

• enhances spleen/pliha 

• Removes worms (krmi), acidic toxins from the blood (amavishagni)

• Relieves from tumor (gulma)

• Strengthens heart/ hridya, fat metabolism and weight loss/Medovishahara and regulates cholesterol

The Ayurvedic traditions with Moringa are rich and fascinating.. truly delicious — traditionally used as panacea for headaches to wound healing to igniting digestive power. 

I could try and make chutneys and sambars….and I do attempt..but Indian cookbooks and Ayurvedic food blogs would be a better source for you to scope those details. However, I can make a thrilling pesto with fresh leaves and pretty much incorporate dry powder into many creations from banana bread to babaganoush and tahini to tamales. 

Here is a savory, detoxifying delight recipe for you! 

AlkaLine DiViNe Moringa PestO:

2 cups fresh moringa leaves - just shake the branches over the bowl and say a beautiful thing…and see what happens, you might shake off the perfect amount - u can use 2 tablespoons mooring powder as substitute for fresh 

2 cups fresh basil (wash and de-stem)

1/2 cup - 1 cup fresh Thai Basil (optional) - can sub fresh parsley or cilantro 

Juice of 2 limes 

Juice of 1 lemon

4 cloves of fresh garlic 

1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds* (I use soaked and dehydrated pumpkin seeds from Wilderness Family Naturals) 

**can use piñon nuts, toasted walnuts or whatever creamy luscious nut you have avaliable — pistachio is niiiiiiiice too

2 tablespoons hemp seeds 

4-5 tbsp E.V. olive oil 

2/3 cup grated parmesan cheese* (optional — honestly, I usually don’t put this in there..its rich enough without it…but if you’re a cheese-lover, go for it!) 

• Can use toasted cashews paste and/or nutritional yeast as vegan alternative 

Local as possible sea salt to taste 

Directions:

1. Place half the basil & thai basil leaves along with the garlic cloves, cheese, pumpkin seeds & hemp seeds into a high speed blender or food processor. Blend until evenly dispersed.
2. Add remaining basil leaves in addition to the fresh Moringa leaves. Blend, scraping down sides of the blender to get all the fresh leaves
3. Slowly and lovingly, drizzle in EVOO while blending. Adjust to desired consistency whether its for spreading or for pasta sauce — if you want to make zucchini noodle pasta - add more olive oil to thin out and make saucy.
4. Squeeze in lime and lemon juice - keep seeds out (Can use a mesh strainer to filter) - adjust ingredients to taste.     

Sources: 

(1) https://www.herbrally.com/monographs/moringa/

(2) Gopalan, C., B.V. Rama Sastri, and S.C. Balasubramanian. Nutritive value of Indian foods. Hyderabad, India: (National Institute of Nutrition), 1971 (revised and updated by B.S. Narasinga Rao, Y.G. Deosthale, and K.C. Pant, 1989).

(3)  Fuglie, Lowell J., ed. The Miracle Tree—Moringa oleifera: Natural Nutrition for the Tropics. Training Manual. 2001. Church World Service, Dakar, Senegal. May 2002.

(4) The Magical Moringa By: Vanita Agarwal.    http://www.ayurvedacollege.com/articles/students/MagicalMoringa

Tonify, tone, center, amplify, love.

Taoism and TCM have a highly developed understanding and application of specific herbs for longevity. With an expansively sophisticated materia medica, this system has over 4,000 years of practice and we are blessed to have access to this astounding information. As Ron Teeguarden would say, "Tonics are a protective form of herbalism costumed to support glowing health, support functionality, and promote radiant adaptability." Therapeutically, Western herbalism is a bit linear in diagnosis patterns and non-specific with organs and vital life force energy (or lack of) as causative factors for disease. Without the navigational tool of the 5 elements, 8 evils, Yin and Yang, and Superior herbs, Western herbalism uses many simples to address what they see, rather than comprehending larger patterns. A critical factor in TCM tonic herbalism is the acknowledgement of constitutional tendencies and temperatures. Western herbalists are not always trained to understating Excess/Deficient, Hot/Cold, Damp/Dry, Internal/External. With tonic herbalism as Western herbalism simply views it, certain building, heating, cooling, eliminating, drying, dampening herbs can be mis-prescribed and drive a pattern deeper, overheat a system, or deplete a person further. Basically, Chinese Tonics have indications and contraindications, so the season and the individual condition must be calculated wisely. Also, there are few tonics that are traditionally taken daily for long periods of time, and this should be taken into consideration. Schizandra, Reishi, Goji, Cordyceps, Astragalus and Jujube can be taken from childhood to Elder years with no proven depletion, whereas tonics like Ren Shen can burn out the body by liberating stored Qi. Another factor is to differentiate if a tonic is accessing stored Qi or acting as a truly nutritive tonic. This can differ from case to case and proper prescription is provided through therapeutic practice, sharing of wisdom and monitoring of the individuals condition. 

Chinese tonics are classified as Yin, Yang, Qi, or Blood and go beyond simples in western herbalism in that they carry, perform, and supply the micronutrients to harmonize a body into a state of balanced physiological energy, vitality, and regeneration. Taken from EastWest course work, this paragraph impresses any herbalist: "Modern Chinese research on the effect of Qi tonics has shown that they not only stimulate digestive secretions, but increase intracellular mitochondria through their involvement with protein synthesis and lipid metabolism. Blood tonics supply easily assimilated minerals (like iron) essential for healthy blood. Yin tonics supply vital nourishing components to aid formation of bodily secretions and substances. Yang tonics provide hormonal precursors the body uses  to reassemble into hormones, neural transmitters, and other substances for healthy endocrine and reproductive functions." BAM!!     - AmaZing! 

Through increasing bioavailability of nutrients and metabolic efficiency in a system, longevity, vitality, Jing, Qi, and Shen are all supported! Jing is our primal power source that comes from Earth, where our inner power and adaptability reside. Qi is our vitality, our breath, our day to day metabolism of the nectars and obstacles of life. Shen is the divine flame, our light supported by Jing and Qi. The three treasures are a foundational principle in Tonic herbalism as they help us understand the energetic location we are therapeutically nourishing, building, and balancing. An example of how complex and sophisticated this can get is: "with Yin deficiency, the Yin can't control Yang, so the heat of Yang becomes more apparent because Water is lacking to control Fire...leading to Empty Heat (when heat is not truly from an excess Yang condition) and heat becomes a sign without the strength of Yang." Anything that depletes the Kidneys, like excessive work, also depletes the root of Yin and Yang and can burn out the Yin. This stream of thought example is from looking at my notes for the indications for Liu Wei Di Huang - Rehmannia 6, which is a tonic formula for nourishing Blood and Yin and Water Yin deficiency. This kind of analysis and poetic navigation is not practiced is Western herbalism, and I find it fascinating to be trained in TCM and begin to understand the dance of it all. With the application of Chinese tonics, we are preventing leakages of Qi, preserving essence, and harmonizing the internal with the external. This is profound. 

Through the unity of opposites, and integrated approach to Chinese Tonics can assist with illuminating the positive aspects of life and longevity, and eradicate the noxious. Personally, the use of Reishi and Schizandra have helped me to be more present, spiritually stable, and have helped my immune system flourish rather than decay.

Iron Maiden : DIY Blood Building Syrup~

Iron Maiden Syrup:

Blood is the primary substance by which the body stores memories and communicates. The three major pathologies of the Blood are Blood deficiency, Blood heat, and Blood congealing due to temperature, trauma, or stagnation. Blood stagnation is a key player in painful menses and Shen disturbances, and can easily be treated with medicine from the Earth.  Emmenagogues totally rock for blood-stagnation! Although the Traditional Chinese Medicine view applies emmenagogues for much broader and deeper symptomatology than menstrual disorders, this classification of plants is rich in botanical miracles for exactly that. Through improving the circulation of the existing blood, the application of herbal therapeutic emmenagogues for menstrual pain, endometriosis, dysmenorrhea, and post-childbirth care is effective and often life-changing for women with and PMS and PCOS. Pain does not belong in our sacred cycle! 

Chinese Red Sage Root (Dan Shen) is an antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, blood-moving emmenagogue herb that works to relieve swelling, congealed blood, delayed menses, and painful cramping before/during/after menstruation. In its nature, Salvia miltiorrhiza is mildly cold, bitter and directs to the Heart, Pericardium, and Liver. This beautiful herb relieves complex cases of insomnia where Heat has invaded and entered the Yin / nutritive level, thus causing irritability and tension. This is the women's herb for "cool, calm, and collected," as it doesn't heat up the system and also increases peripheral blood flow to nourish the body (3).  The dosage of this herb is a decoction of 6-15 grams dried root, or in a syrup. For older women with cholesterol concerns, this herb can be taken daily to remove the accumulation of cholesterol and blood lipids. This herb is viewed as a “complete” Blood tonic because this alterative aids to heal excessive and obstructive menstruation and abdominal distention (1, pg.235)  

Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis): The women's ginseng! This sweet, warm, tonic root is native to China and has over 4,000 years of empirical evidence of use for menstrual disorders and promoting the health and liberty of women's blood. Micheal Tierra states, "To maintain normal quantities of erythrocytes, the body must produce new mature cells at the astonishing rate of two million per second." For women who bleed or have recently birthed new life, herbs that nourish and rebuild blood, like Dang Gui, are an excellent longevity tonic. Dang Gui goes to the Liver, Heart and Spleen meridians and also acts as a laxative, demulcent, and anti-inflammatory. Dang Gui lubricates the intestines and is indicated for constipation and Bi Pain associated with Blood deficiency. “Two biochemical constituents have been found in Dang Gui. One is a water-soluable and nonvolatile constituent that stimulates the uterus while the other is alcohol soluble and consists of an essential oil that has an opposite relaxing effect on the uterus as well as increases DNA synthesis and the growth of uterine tissue. (4, pg.193). Dang Gui is used as an extract or decoction and is also formulated in the famous TCM Dang Gui Four teapills. 

Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus): This bitter, sweet, cool and golden gift from Earth frees iron stored in the liver into a more bioavailable flow for nutrient metabolism. Due to this ability, Rumex is applied for iron deficiency in the blood (anemia), and also commonly used for skin disorders and inflammatory liver disorders. As a hepatic, Yellow dock tones, strengthens, and increases bile flow to liver…overall improving liver function and health of tissues. (5, pg 60) By decongesting the liver, Rumex optimizes the metabolism of hormones, aids the functions of the endocrine system, and can help clear acne-causing liver & blood pollution. Yellow dock is a hemostatic, astringent, alterative (blood purifier), and blood tonic. 

Cramp Bark (Viburnum opulus): An analgesic, anti-spasmodic, nervine, and mild sedative that relieves pain by reducing cramping in muscles, especially cramping associated with menstrual pain. Cramp bark is bitter and neutral, directs to the liver, lungs, heart, and small intestine and is also astringent. (1, pg.124)  In this formula, cramp bark is used for easing PMS discomfort and for healing pain associated with reproductive disorders. It has a tonic effect on the uterus and also aids in regulating the menstrual cycle. (1, pg.125) 

***Licorice or Gan Cao (Glycyrrhizae uralensis) : Its tempting to use licorice to harmonize this formula, and it is a great delivery idea for its ability to enter all 12 meridians. However, licorice can be contra-indicated with those who retain water (4, pg. 190) Since this is a formula for women who might be experiencing swelling and edema around menses, I am keeping the licorice out of the formula, but it is recommended to add licorice tincture or honey stir-fried licorice to a decoction of these herbs IF the person ingesting has no history of edema or dampness. 

Blackstrap Molasses is a warm and sweet concentrated extract of sugar cane juice. Rich in iron, potassium, B vitamins, zinc, chromium, copper, and calcium, this powerhouse of thick deliciousness brings nutrients and energy through the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney meridians. As a Blood tonic and digestive aid, this medicine makes a great base for other medicines or as a supplement for malnourished people, women with anemia after menses, degenerative diseases, and any form of iron deficiency.

Preparation:

Weigh herbs - they can be whole or powdered, but know that with powdered, you will have to filter with cheese cloth twice to get all the sediment out. I like working with powders as I feel the capacity for extraction is greater with more surface area of dried herbs. 

Yellow Dock: 3 oz

Dang Gui root: 3 oz

Dan Shen: 2.5 oz 

Distilled water: 4 L

Cold infuse in distilled water for 2 hours, then add heat. 

Making a strong decoction, I like to use 2-2.5 oz of dried herb per pint of distilled water. This ratio can change depending on desired strength, but 1-2 ounces of dried herb per pint of water is wonderful and effective. 

Simmer for 5 hours and strain.

Simmer wet herbs for 2 more hours and strain. Combine fluids and heat slowly until the entire liquid is reduced to half. 

Per 1/2 cup of liquid, one ounce of blackstrap molasses is needed to preserve and supplement. 

Example: If you yield 8 cups (2 Liters) liquid, add 16oz unsulphured blackstrap molasses. 

Tincture can be added at 1:4 ratio - one part tincture per four part syrup. (2) This extends shelf life significantly. 

For this preparation, I am making a larger batch:

Total liquid extraction: 8.5 cups

Molasses: 20 oz  +  Raw Desert Bloom Honey: 1 cup for taste 

*Stir in Molasses & Honey as liquid cools

*Add Cramp Bark tincture when liquid has cooled to room temperature :  1.5 cups of Cramp Bark tincture with 75% alcohol content. 

*Bottle and label!

Overall, this balanced formula promotes blood circulation, tonifies blood, and regulates menstruation. It contains herbs in intentional ratios to balance warm and cool energetics as well as dampening and astringent properties. 

Keep refrigerated. 

Suggested Dose: 2-3 TBSP twice daily the week leading up to menses, OR

 1 TBSP twice daily for 3-5 months to re-establish menses, prevent pain, rebuild after childbirth. 

Sources:

1. The Way of Herbs - Michael Tierra L.Ac, O.M.D.
2. The Medicine Makers Handbook by James Green 
3. Webinar with Miles Coleman 
4. Chinese Traditional Herbal Medicine Vol II by Dr. Michael Tierra L.Ac, OMD, AHG, and Lesley Tierra L.Ac., AHG
5. The Complete Herbs SourceBook by David Hoffman

Expel Parasites Right Meow!

In cases of Qi, Kidney, Yin, Yang, or Essence deficiency (broadly diagnosed as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), the body has increased susceptibility to manifesting parasites. Intestinal parasites, pinworms, tapeworms, hookworms, liver flukes, and roundworms can all be treated through a thorough and dedicated application of healing foods and herbs. Fatigue with a distended abdomen, peri-umbilical pain and a deranged appetite are three major pointers to the presence of parasites. Parasites also enter and affect the bodies of Excess (Excess Yang, Excess Qi, etc.) conditions, but in this case, they are easier to expel because the strength of the body supports the removal along with bitter, detoxifying, and eliminative herbs.  Overall, the infestation of parasites is contracted externally from contaminated water, foods, stagnant lakes, etc, but also are the result of a disharmonious or imbalanced internal body chemistry. After parasites are detected, immediately shift a diet to eliminate foods that directly feed parasites, like sugars, sweet fruits, white flour, white sugar, alcohol, greasy foods, and juices (parasite starvation diet). After these are cut out completely for a 2-4 days, a light fast begins and herbs step in to expel. These herbs are called anthelmintics, or more specifically: herbs that kill parasites are vermicides, and herbs that repel or expel worms are called vermifuges. 

If the body is not emaciated or deficient, an herbal protocol can begin to kill and expel formulas. After modifying diet strictly for 2-4 days, a simple folk remedy is to eat two to three uncooked tablespoons of rice upon awakening for a two weeks with water. Wait 3-4 hours after to eat anything else, and with anything you eat, add a teaspoon of papaya seeds then fast on a fresh, chopped garlic salad with pumpkin seeds, greens, pomegranate seeds, cayenne pepper, and lemon juice for 2 days. If tea is a desired substitute or addition, follow the uncooked rice protocol, then drink a 15-20 gram decoction of Betel nut (Areca catechu) around noon then a tea of wormwood, crushed wild carrot seeds (Daucus carota AKA Queen Anne’s Lace), and fresh ginger in the evening. Bufo toad secretion can also be added to this procedure (Chan Su in PinYIn or Bufo gargarizans) if extreme toxicity, mouth sores, abdominal pain, severe swelling, mouth abscesses and sore throat are present as a result of a parasitic infection. This is taken at a dose of .015 -0.3 grams of dried toad venom in a pill or powder, which is available at Chinese apothecaries. Throughout these protocols, it is super beneficial to perform herbal enemas of mugwort, garlic, yerba mansa, barberry, and/or wormseed. If one rejects strongly to herbal enemas, get over it, or consume herbal purgatives instead to assist in expulsion. Triphala, cascara bark, aloe, or rhubarb are excellent choices. Stay hydrated throughout the process, bathe in chaparral baths, observe stools, and remain strictly on the parasite-starvation diet until parasites are gone. This procedure is not safe during pregnancy. 

If the Qi is deficient, the body and immune system must be strengthened through the use of herbal Qi tonic broths, protein, complex carbohydrates, and fresh air. Kicharee with black grain rice, organic mung beans, greens, and garlic with cumin is a great way to strengthen the body, provide fiber, provide protein, and nourish the stomach before a parasite cleanse. in addition to kicharee, or other simple and nutritive dishes that are Qi building in nature, herbal tonic broths of american ginseng, astragalus, codonopsis, white atractylodes, reishi mushroom, jujube dates, Chinese wild yam, eleuthro, and chaga mushroom are fantastic! Crockpot or decoct any or all of these herbs and drink for two weeks before an intensive cleanse using anthelmintics herbs. This will increase internal strength and energy as well as support the immune system while cleansing, but also prevent re-occurances of infestations if done regularly. 

In general, anthelmintics cannot be used during pregnancy due to their downward action and flavors. The spicy or pungent flavor is composed of fire and air. Cayenne pepper, garlic, peppers, and asafoetida are all spicy and pungent, which have the potential to overheat a high-pitta constitution and burn out their nourishing kapha or water Yin. When Blood disorders, eruptive skin disorders, and semen disorders are present, avoid use of fire-based anthelmintics. However, these are very helpful for kapha constitution, or to treat indigestion, loss of appetite, colds, asthma, obesity, and coughs. The bitter flavor anthelmintics are composed of air and ether. These are drying, cooling, clearing, and dominate over all other flavors on the palate. Beneficial for skin disorders, blood toxicity, and anorexia, the bitter herbs of gentian, barberry, boldo, and oregon grape are cleansing and also clear fevers. Bitter anthelmintics are strongly contraindicated in cases of nervous exhaustion or nervous disorders because they would further derange Vata and unground Shen. 

Anthelmintics can be safely used for a parasite cleanse as long as the body-mind constitution is in awareness. Black walnut, neem, noni fruit, cinchona bark, rue, epazote, and elecampane are other anti-parasitical allies for a lovely spring-thyme cleanse. 

Resources: Planetary Herbology by Michael Tierra C.A., N.D. 

Familia Rosaceae: Astringents

The family Rosaceae holds beaming and beautiful healing powers for the heart, skin, and guts. The lusciousness of fuzzy Agrinomy tops, blackberry leaves and roots, hawthorn hips, rosa woodsii, rose hips and raspberry leaves promote external beauty and internal cleansing. This family boasts many tonic herbs, astringents, emmenagogues, uterine tonics, stomachics, and a few refrigerants. Rosaceae plant medicines are applied as tea, tincture, delectable cordials, or glycerites, and also topically in the form of a poultice or herbal bath to express their soothing qualities. 

Due to the common presence of tannins in their vegetation, the actions of Rosaceae herbs tone tissue through binding and astringing. For example, Agrimony (Agrimonia eupatoria) influences mucous membranes to secrete just enough, rather than copious amounts of mucous and fluids. This is a tonic quality produced by an astringent action. Agrimony (and other Rosaceae astringents) also resolve dampness of spleen and stomach, treat acute diarrhea, cool the liver, and tone the urinary and female reproductive tissues. When essence or fluids are leaking, Rosaceae medicines like Cinquefoil (Potentilla canadensis) and Agrimony can bind and fix the phenomenon of "oozing." Thus, Agrimony is fantastic for leaky gut with heat in the liver.  To direct Agrimony to the liver for hepatic healing action, pair with dandelion and to direct the astringent action to the urinary tract, pair with uva ursi leaf. In cases of hepatitis, the circulation to the gallbladder, liver, and gastrointestinal tract "are so off" that the hepatic cells don't receive the life-giving arterial blood when they receive the more toxic blood from the portal vein and intestines.*** Matthew Wood describes this phenomenon along with diarrhea and floating stoolswith oil and irregular or spontaneous expulsion of bile as "tension and relaxation combining to cause incorrect timing of functions." Since the tonic property of Agrimony promotes normal activity of fluids, it can be applied to conditions of internal misfiring, acid indigestion, cirrhosis of the liver, and kidney deficiency. The dynamic components of this particular Rosaceae herb combine well with nervines and also Solomon's seal as an astringent for toning tissue and resolving tension. 

In Greek and European folklore, Agrimony has been used for warding off goblins, healing wounds, curing snakebites, and was once a tool for alleviating back pain in a mixture of smashed toads, Mugwort, and human blood.* It is still applied topically for wounds, throat gargles, and skin conditions today. In terms of meridians and organ systems, Agrimony and black mume plum both direct to the lungs. Agrimony, raspberry, Chinese rose hips, and Chinese raspberry all direct to the Kidneys. 

Both Agrimony and Roses are held as "longevity tonics" due to their suggested cellular health promoting, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Rosa canina, or rosehip seeds are a valued anti-inflammatory (topically or internally) and also support the immune system and hormonal balance.** Mamas and teenagers, and pretty much anyone with stretch-marks, acne scars, or sun-exposed skin can benefit from the topical application of rosehip oil as it has shown to smoothe the skin, tighten wrinkles, astringe loose tissues, and repair scars. 

Roses and Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata) have a profound common ground of heart healing, ceremonial, spiritual, and Shen nourishing benefits. Emotionally and physically, these plants support cardiovascular function and tonify the heart. Hawthorn's magical history dates back to famously housing fairies in the ancient times of Druids and is still revered to be a blessing in marriage ceremony, resembling love, much like roses. All parts of hawthorn are used, but the berries and leaves hold the mildly warm astringent action. Both roses and hawthorn can be made into jams and cordials. Personally, both of these herbs are transformational in their nature, as they have both helped me heal nervous tension and aid in my spiritual journey as constant bringers of light, truth, and compassion. 

Rosaceae for Women's Health: 

Raspberry leaf (Rubus ideaus) is a tonic, and widely valued by midwifes and mamas-to-be as a traditional uterus toning remedy that contains an alkaloid called fragine, which fortifies the uterus.** This can be taken as an infusion or glycerite during pregnancy to strengthen uterine health and prepare the body for birth. 

Agrimony is administered to relieve heavy menstrual bleeding due to its coagulant properties, whereas Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) is more of a pain-relieving herb that can be applied internally as a tea for lower back pain. Both of these are women's allies in times of menstrual or hormonal stress along with abundant, intentional mistings of a rose hydrosol. Agrimony and Lady's Mantle can be applied topically for cuts and wounds and are also both emmenagogues. For excessive menstrual bleeding, Sheperd´s purse, potentilla, raspberry leaf, and dogwood berry can be applied as a tea or herbal bath. 

Physically, the Rosaceae herbs share common botanical characteristics. According to Elpel's Botany in a Day, shared qualities include serrated leaves, five separate petals with similar styles, open flowers, multiple stamens, and many produce delicious edible fruits. Many Rosaceae flowers come together with various styles of pistils to form a fuzzy center with many outward reaching stamens. 

Compiled with passion for Lesson 22 in my coursework with EastWest Planetary Herb School with Michael and Lesley Tierra.

Sources:

*www.botanical.com - Agrimony

A modern Herbal by Grieve

** Herbal Adventures with Susan Weed - The Rosaceae family

***Matthew Wood - Agrimony : The indispensable relaxant

www.matthewwoodherbs.com 

Kanna LovE <3

Kanna: its a precious little succulent from South Africa, beautiful to grow...I have had a few plants but they have a hard time surviving in the Arizona summer..their growth is a bit stunted..But I have had continued sustainable access due to botanical babe friends.. The vibrant, green flesh of the Sceletium tortuosum is fermented, dried, and powdered before use. Traditionally, Kanna is snuffed or smoked (with wild dagga!) at a dosage of around 100-150mg. This process can be uneasy or super mild at first, then increases in euphoria, like a priming effect, with continued use at the same dosage. It is also traditionally chewed (like a gum, or mixed with natural gum or chewy fruit tree like Xakuxaku) or held under the tongue sublingually until the alkaloids are absorbed by the body, at a dosage of 200-400mg and upwards to a gram. This is fantastic. As a capsule or tea, more product is needed for a less effective experience (in my opinion).

Effects of Kanna with the traditional method of snuff is euphoria, precise vision, enhanced senses, a goofy, giggly feeling of elation, a centered and calm sense of happiness and peace. This comes on quickly and lasts for an hour or two, then smoothly relaxes the mind into mild sedation.

When smoked, Kanna produces a more body and mind sense of elevation, weightlessness, floaty euphoria, grinning like a cheshire cat..slightly analgesic. This effect takes around 40 minutes to take effect and last upwards of 2 hours. A fantastic alternative to potent cannabis smoke! Or a wonderful, peaceful pair to blend with cannabis to reduce intake of THC and provide and smoother, more balanced and peaceful landing from the "high"of THC versus the crash that some card-holders feel after medication via combustion. During this time of heavily medicated people using Cannabis a tad too much, I see Kanna as a major blessing because it potentiates the desirable effects of Cannabis, meaning less is needed of the substance to get the same results. Or better yet, the Cannabis can be substituted completely with Wild Dagga flowers (Leonotus leonurus), also coming from Africa. Wild Dagga grows superbly in dryer regions of California and Arizona.

Sublingual use of Kanna produces an analgesic, euphoric, happy, sense of well-being and elevation. This can be used in smaller doses for entering trance states of dance & drumming, creating art and social ease of beautiful conversation, enhanced intuition and feelings of mellow ecstasy. In larger doses (above 500mg), Kanna can become a stronger analgesic, more of a sedative, a more melty, sensual experience.

Efficacy is wonderful, smooth and happy. The powder is valuable for people coping with depression. Noted effects that need to be considered is that it does suppress appetite...not indicated for emaciated, aneorexic patients.. Kanna does need to be taken on an empty stomach in order for it to take effect. This may be hard for some patients? Also, it can disrupt sleep cycles depending on the time of day taken...If low doses are taken in the evening, people can be wide-eyed for hours.

Rather than the powder, which can be hard for some people to weigh out...I suggest tincture as a form of application for patients dealing with PTSD, anxiety, & depression, who benefit from a regular & consistent application. Tincture in warm water on an empty stomach can also be easier to digest (for people with sensitive bellies) and more consistent to control effect and dose.

IMPORTANT: taken from http://kanna-info.com/how-to-use-kanna   - Sceletium tortuosum is a Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SRI). It should not be combined with other (S)SRI’s or Mono Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOi’s). (S)SRI’s are mainly found in antidepressant prescription medicines like Seroxat, Prozac, Cipramil, Fevarin and Zoloft. MAOi’s can be found in certain antidepressants and in plants like Syrian Rue (Peganum harmala), Banisteriopsis Caapi, Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) and Yohimbe.

Quest with Calamus: Free-write Pt 1

Calamus root has this way of giving me eyes outside the dream..I was just vouguing with bundles of arugula in one hand and mustard greens in the other hand..but there was a dual omnipresence of me being the invisible watcher - an existence outside the dream to make aware that the dream was a dream. I continue to have these long, brilliantly colored and relevant dreams with calamus, usually about dance and elements of my previous OR upcoming day that make this seeing-of-dream reasonably rational and colorfully relevant. Chewing on a 2 finger pinch of soft chopped root before bed every night for a month....

There's a dialogue happening, a silent nodding between my dream self and sleeping self...in fact during one journey where I was dancing in an accordion and violin-lined street in Italy, I was brought into awakeness/awareness not by an alarm, but by my asleep consciousness tapping on the window of my dreaming selfs dreAm...another time I was nudging the shoulder of myself to encourage and remind awakeness..these times have brought me out of a sleep cycle that tends to make me late to class or work...perhaps calamus has something to do with the phenomenon of me waking up, softly & comfortably at 8:45am every morning without an alarm..this gentle and functional invisible relationship between my "asleep" mind and dream realm that unifies gracefully and sometimes seamlessly with my everyday functionality.. At the Same time, sometimes these dreams are so functional that often I am already present with myself for breakfast and morning ritual that when I wake up I feel the fullness of fresh fruit and the freshness of a scraped tongue, but I have just "awoken"...three times I have dreamed of cutting papaya and eating it with friends then joined friends so late for breakfast in "reality" when I swear, I was actually there..in a cloak of invisibility.

I am continuing to explore this relationship, one thing is personally certain..after 2 days without calamus, my dreams on a waning moon became darker, more fustrating, more quests with snags and trials and unsatisfactory or unclear results before waking. This is typical for me when the moon wanes from quarter to a sliver; facing challenges, insecurities, abstract phenomena of irritation or reflections of how I can navigate towards increased clarity. Then the new moon comes and it gets a bit more sparkly, playful, often in complete dreamy solitude..but surely more glimmer, magiK, wonder, intention and clarity...not always relevance (whatever that means?!), which is what is so deeply fascinating about the calamus. For example, 2 nights ago, moon at 11%, I was dreaming of brain-mapping out a gift for my family of a trip to somewhere special that I connect with deeply...and it wasn't well received or appreciated..full of forceful explanation and hurt feelings and convincing, traffic etc. I woke up like, wham! These are elements that could easily arise, and emotions that could potentially be expressed of worry, inclusion, discomfort, language barriers and so on. So I feel as if the cloak of calamus was in this experience and relevant aid to seeing (before living) the potential paths a situation could unfold. Three days later, on the new moon..still with calamus..I was wrapped in a warm tortilla blanket of abuelitas love and woven tapestries of ancient times smiling on a windy mountain top in Oaxaca - simple, present, mystical, sensory, divine.

A fascinating element of Calamus that parallels this way I am experiencing assistance with dream awareness, patterns, and relevance is its ability to help digest. It's a bitter! A lovely, woody bitter that helps us create digestive secretions and get the oven of Agni gently going while supporting the transformation and transportation of food. Ever wake up after a night of munching out on peanut butter and dried mango or pesto and rye bread...or something heavy that you ate too late..and feel this sluggishness in our guts or slightly foggy mind? This slowness, this misty congested feeling is so well addressed with a pinch of calamus in warm water with some fresh ginger and lemon. Even a pinch of calamus alone in the morning is so helpful with moving along this stagnant Qi and progressing towards simple morning clarity. Clarity is what we are aiming for yea? As opposed to fumbling around and guessing what are daily experiences mean. Although I love sister Cannabis as an ally and powerful healing tool with massive potential, I do see the fog it generates in the mind over time with chronic use, or even after a day of use considering that many strains on the market contain pesticides and super ridiculous levels of psycho-active components. This is another avenue of where Calamus is such a great friend and agent of clarity. It has the ability to assist in digesting / processing THC onward and outward from the mind!

Nervines and Antispasmodics

Nervines can fail to take action when the liver is congested and blood is stagnant. When prescribing nervines, it is recommended to first move blood because emotions, stories, and fears are held in the blood and thus in the heart. Also, in the case of heavy liver stagnation, nervines struggle to find an effective metabolic pathway to flow through. By clearing liver heat and potentially related phlegm, the actions and effectiveness of nervines are increased. It is also important to work with the individuals constitution. Why are you suggesting nervines? Where do they feel the anxiety? When do they feel wired? What are the stress levels and how do they feel when tension arises? These can help the practitioner better assess a formula or single appropriate for the individual. Also, consideration of constitution is necessary for nervine prescription with special regard to the heating or cooling quality of herbs. Balance occurs when opposite quality herbs to constitution are given to warm a cold situation or cool heat. This prevents exacerbating an existing imbalance. 

Overall, nervines are nourishing to the nervous system and have a variety of actions, including increased mental relaxation and potential sedation. Antispasmodics promote physical muscle relaxation, reduce cramping and ease muscle spasms without necessarily being sedating. These two categories can become interwoven because some antispasmodics are also nervines, some nervines are also antispasmodics, and both of these categories contain herbs that can be sedating to the mind, heart pacifying, liver cooling, muscle relaxing. The actions of some nervines are to soothe the mind, ease physical tension, aid in reducing circular thoughts and excessive worry, and restore healthy nerve function. Nervines can be seen as sattvic (coming from Boddisattvah), which can help us to feel at peace, feel centered, and be present with self and the universe. These are beneficial for wired, exhausted, constantly mobilized, and stressed humans. 

The actions of antispasmodics include the suppression of spasms and physically reduced muscular tension.  Antispasmodics are also used for psychological tension and can be directed to different muscle groups, like the stomach, lungs, and abdomen. Tarragon, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Ginger are excellent culinary antispasmodics that are not sedating, whereas Jamaican Dogwood is a great example of an effective antispasmodic that is also a nervine and sedative. 

Nervines and antispasmodics are given well with medicated wines and in many formats such as decoction, tincture, powders into paste, or capsules. The herbs that gracefully fall into both categories are appropriate to provide when a client has nervous excitability (valerian and passionflower) or nervous insomnia (hops and pedicularis racemosa). 

A handful of healing herbs are both nervine and antispasmodic, like the beloved California Poppy. Eschscholzia californica is used for spasms (specifically of the gallbladder), menstrual cramps, pain management, headaches, and also as a narcotic. It's sedating quality is derived from its action of clearing heat from the liver. Due to the more sedating and potentially narcotic effect of certain nervines  like mulungu, California poppy, valerian, pedicularis densiflora, cannabis sativa and other powerful plants, they can create lethargy and interfere with daily activities that require full attention. 

When hysteria, tension, and cramping spasms are present, I do not hesitate to give acute nervine/antispasmodic combinations, especially in the evening time and as an alternative to recreational/prescription drugs and/or alcohol. However, if the nerves are strengthened and nourished by blood moving and  'non-drowsy' herbal tonic nervines everyday, this can overall reduce the experience of anxiety and hysteria. Blood tonics are also appropriate for creating a solution for anxiety relief, like Dong Quai. Most blood tonics are not considered nervines, but they can alleviate stagnant emotional feelings stored in the memories of our blood. Anxiety is a massive topic with this question of antispasmodics versus nervines because both can be beneficial for raising the resilience and effectiveness of the coping mechanisms we default to when experiencing sympathetic nervous system and/or limbic system stimuli and stress. Weakness of the nervous system can be a vicious cycle if the amygdala continues to search for fear and release adrenaline and other stress hormones. In this case, tonic nervines often nourish Qi and Shen, making them a wonderful choice to provide for clients with a strong expression of perpetual over-analysis and a sense of constant danger. When a client expresses daily anxiety, rigidity, or jittery nerves, I suggest the lovely ally nervines of scullcap, blue vervain, avena sativa seed or milky top, catnip, motherwort, or lavender. Other tonics that are beautifully combined with these nervines would be ashwagandha and Reishi mushroom. These are appropriate to use throughout the day and do not impair ones ability to drive or analyze text (for example). When more severe cases of restlessness, insomnia, and startled conditions are present, I reccomend nervines that ground the Shen while tonifying the nerves. These can be given in higher doses in the evening time if needed without having to consider mental / physical sharpness and agility. A classic combination would be scullcap and kava kava , or scullcap, valerian, and hops. In the case of an acute anxiety attack, a low dose (1-5 drops tincture) of anemone tuberosa or anemone canedensis can settle the mind back into the body as an acute nervine. 

*When a client is experiencing a anatomically-particular spasm, like a triggered cough in the lungs; this is when specifically antispasmodic herbs come into the picture, like Elencampane. 

Some rad facts:

*Passiflora is an anti-spasmodic and nervine that goes to heart and liver channels, which makes it valuable for clearing specifically mental heat, obsessive thinking, and disturbed Shen. Passionflower combines nicely with hops and valerian for a potentiated evening medicine. 

*St. John's Wort and Lobelia work wonderfully together as an anti-spasmodic topically. St John's Wort is also anti-viral internally due to an action of clearing the liver heat that has been trapped due to long-term pathologies. This heat clearing quality acts as a nervine as well because the Hun (Liver) is then calmed. 

*Scullcap is a cooling bitter nervine that clears heat, cools & calms the liver and aids in digestion. This acts  as a strongly Shen-calming anti-spasmodic because it can pacify internal Wind, or a range of nuerological disorders. Scullcap is effective for soothing 'stuck' thoughts, emotional dwelling, lack of expression, and irritability. 

*Dragon bone an Oyeter shell are shen grounding, mineral rich herbs useful for bringing a worried, frenzied state of being back down to Earth.

*Chamomile is a carminative nervine that soothes digestion and colic, is great for children, and wonderful to add into relaxing & nourishing formulas.

*Ashwagandha is not in the nervine or antispasmodic classification, rather in the anxiolytic and adaptogenic realm. I mention this here because it is such a gorgeous medicine that acts as a bi-directional tonic. Withania somnifera (somnifera being opposite of insomnia) can help provide more vital energy and also increase quality of sleep. Warm ashwagndha milk in the evening is a beautiful ritual and a warm blanket to hug the nerves and is great to combine with milky oats. 

Information derived from:

*Miles Coleman American Herbalist Guild Webinar: TCM for Mental Health

*In-person lectures with Candis Cantin

*Corey-Pine Shane American Herbalists Guild Weibnar: Treating Anxiety with Herbalism

*Personal experience and application

Diuretics and Formulas

Diuretics express the main functions of increasing the frequency of urination and volume of urination. Overall, this increased release of fluid is called diuresis.

Dandelion leaf is a classically valued diuretic used in TCM and Ayurveda that actually contains and provides more potassium than is lost with most diuretics. This makes Taraxacum (and other diuretics) a valuable alternative or adjunct to pharmaceutical diuretics and has not shown to irritate the bladder. Some widely used diuretics in the realm of Western Herbalism are Goldenrod, Nettle leaf, Yarrow, Cornsilk, and Cleavers.  Pipsisewa is also a very useful diuretic with a more anti-infective action that clears heat and cleanses the urinary track.

In most diuretic plant medicines, metabolite constituent groups of terpenes, phenolics, or alkaloids are found. These navigate diuresis pathways along with potential secondary metabolites to increase urinary secretions and thus increase metabolic wastes from the body.
The Urinary system is composed of the kidneys, urethra, ureters, and bladder all which serve a function in fluid and waste elimination. The kidneys refine the blood by removing water-soluable wastes and stabilizing electrolytes, balancing pH, and red blood-cell formation. The bladder receives that waste in the form of urine via the ureters and stores it until released into and out via the urethra.

In general, herbal medicine uptake is a water soluable process, or hydrophilic equation, making herbal diuretics valuable and effective. On a deeper level, the use of herbal diuretics can act as alteratives, promoting greater metabolic function and the removal of toxins from the body. When the right combination of herbal diuretics (and plenty of water intake) is utilized, this process benefits the kidneys, cleansing bacteria from the ureters,  resolving edema, excess water retention, swelling, overall detox, detox from addictive substances, ridding of infections, and assisting in effective lymphatic drainage.  Diuretics are also useful for cystitis because they move fluid and toxins through the body, which prevents stagnation and infection of trapped fluids.

According to Professional Herbalist Krist Shapla, "There are a few different ways that diuretics work. Some actually irritate the nephrons in the kidneys.  Some increase heart rate.  This induces diuresis because the kidneys are responsible for maintaining blood pressure.  When the heart rate increases, the kidneys respond by lowering the volume of water in the blood and thus lowering the overall pressure within the blood vessels."

Herbal Therapy: I have used diuretics personally and with clients to assist in water retention and ridding of Urinary Tract Infections and/or bladder infections and have created two formats of UTI herbal medicine that I would like to share.
This tincture, extracted with organic cane alcohol at 1:4 herb:menstruum ratios,  I call Urine Luck. The main function is to increase diuresis and remove harmful bacteria (like e.coli) from the urinary tract:
2 parts Sticky, summer harvested Grindelia buds -
* kills e.Coli, anti-infective
2 parts WC Horsetail -
* diuretic, nutritive, soothing
1 part Uva Ursi -
* tonic diuretic
1 part WC Usnea moss - antiseptic
1 part WC Chapparal - antiseptic
1/2 part Bilberry - anti-oxidant
1/2 part fresh ginger root - moving
*with 5 drops Grapefruit seed extract per dose

This tea blend is a more 'planetary' formula including a few wild-crafted plants as well.
Directions for use - Simmer 1 oz herbs in 1 L of water for 20 min and drink a full liter / day when infection is present. As maintenance and for cleansing, drink 2 cups daily.

Urinary Support Tea:
2 part WC Horsetail (Equisetum variegatum) *soothing, diuretic, mineral rich
2 part WC Plantain leaf (Plantago major) *soothing
2 part Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis)  - *stimulant diuretic
2 part Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale) - potassium-rich diuretic
1 part Oatstraw - soothing / cooling
2 part Indian sarsaparilla root (Hemidesmus indicus) - diuretic
2 part Marshmallow leaf (Althea officinalis) - soothe tissues
2 part Nettle leaf - tonic diuretic
2 part Cornsilk (Zea mays) *soothing and cooling
1 part Creosote leaf WC (Larrea tridentata) - antiseptic
1 part Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) - *antiseptic, warm & stimulating
1 part Gardenia fruit - cooling
1 part Violet Leaf (Viola tricolor)
1 Part Yarrow - WC - nourish urinary tissues - tonic
1 part Ginger - circulating
1 part Chinese motherwort (Leonarus japonicus)
1/2 part Boneset leaf - antiseptic

Tongue diagnosis with dampness include:
*wet/slippery coat - accumulation of fluids
*swollen shape - accumulation of fluids, heaviness, edema, loose stools
*scalloped - dampness
*white - dampness
*with these, diuretics drain damp and aromatic stomachtics can also be used


In the case of detected spleen dampness, edema, nephritic edema, cardiac edema, urinary retention with a slippery, floating, and rapid pulse: Hoelen Five Herbs Formula (Wu Ling san) can be prescribed. This formula (in grams):
Fu ling (Poria cocos)  6-9
Ze xie(Alisma)           9-12
Zhu ling (Polyporus)   6-9
Bai zhu (Atractylodes) 6-9
Gui Zhi (Cinnamon twig) 6-9
*made into a decoction to drink twice daily or taken in teapills

*This information is composed from: lecture notes from East West Seminar, East West Guidebook: compiled by Micheal Tierra & personal studies / application.

TCM concepts : Phlegm and the Lungs

Mucus is generated in the body by the intake of diary, flour, sugar, and soy and can also be produced by allergies related to the liver. Raw diets (especially in cool, humid, cold climates) can also be a main factor in mucus formation. When digestion is weak and digestive Agni (fire) is dampened by poor food combining, mucus forms. The accumulation of improperly digested foods typically results in illness and toxic build-up which often further contributes to excess mucus, sluggish liver, and a variety of other debilities. With practice and application, it is becomes more physically visible when Excess Yin or other dietary/constitutional imbalances present a phlegmatic appearance. 

Phlegm is a diagnostic concept in TCM that is indicated by congealed fluids, fibroids, nodules, cysts, and a situation called, "phlegm misting the mind." Unreasonable, manic, anxious behavior paired with a fat, greasy tongue and slippery pulse are strong pointers towards phlegm in the system.

When the spleen generates mucus, it connected to and stored in the Lungs. When phlegm reaches the lungs, it negatively affects its neighbor, the heart, which can cause further blood stagnation and foggy thinking. With thin or watery mucus, a pattern of Invasion of the Lungs by Wind-Cold occurs. In cases of darker, yellow mucus an Invasion of the Lungs by Wind-Heat occurs which often results in a cough. The Lungs control vital energy, Wei Qi (immune system) and are responsible for the function of the skin. When they are filled with mucus, external invasions can occur more easily and result in pneumonia and/or a sub-health state of heavy fatigue. This potentially allows a suppressed immunity to create degenerative disease and depletion. Digestive bitters and tonics are great to give with coughs due to this spleen-lung connection. 

Physically, phlegm manifests as varying levels of laziness and heaviness, which can look like swollen/pudgy body, often a distended abdomen, and overall fatigue. Mentally, excess pathogenic mucus presents itself by blocking the function of the mind and preventing expression of the Shen. 

Different levels of tongue diagnosis can be used to assess pathogenic mucus: generally, the thicker the coat; the more present and advanced the phlegm.

**When a wet tongue is present: this can indicate dampness, deficient Qi and accumulation of fluids. This can represent excess Yin, whereas with deficient Yin, the toungue has little or no coat because the dry body heat has consumed all the Fluids. 

**When a greasy, white tongue coat becomes yellow: this indicates phlegm heat in stomach which can be treated by bitter tonics that clear damp heat : gentiana, barberry, Chapparal, greater celandine, or goldenseal. 

**A cheesy or furry coat indicates more extreme damp heat or phlegm heat, which can grow into candida. This can be treated with bitter tonics or digestives like hawthorn and radish seed. 

**When the tongue shape appears swollen or scalloped (when the swelling of the tongue causes pressure on teeth and creates dents on outer rim), this indicates Internal phlegm. This situation benefits from Spleen Qi tonics along with Phlegm clearing formulas.

Herbal Treatment:  Citrus & Pinelia (Er Chen Wan) is one of the Chinese mother formulas to transform phlegm and dry dampness. This can be modified for application to Hot or Cold conditions. In the case of a greasy tongue with with thick yellow or greenish phlegm representing Heat; coptis, honeysuckle, poke, forsynthia, and echinacea can all be added to Two Cured Decoction (Er chen wan). Coldness, Dampness, and Deficiency are indicated with watery, thin, clear mucus. For this, Ayurvedic Trikatu warms the interior and can be combined with garlic to fight infection. 

**Recipe for Trikatu: powder equal parts pippili long pepper, black pepper and ginger with a dash of anise and mix into a paste with honey - 1 teaspoon per dose to warm the body. Sito Paladi Churna, composed of inner bamboo bark, cardamom, cinnamon, and pippali, is an Ayurvedic formula also used for thin mucus and watery Kapha phlegm coughs. 

When mucus secretions become thick, yellow or white, possibly blood tinged, this Damp Heat situation calls for cholagogues that stimulate the liver to discharge bile. Gentiana Combination (Long Dan xie gan tang), singles containing berberine, yellow dock, dandelion root, and fringe tree bark can be applied here. 

Although it might seem that water and earth are the rulers or creators of mucus because together they make mud (like what is seen in Kapha excess), metal is the element of primary correspondence to the bodily secretion of mucus. Metal embodies the Powers of elimination, letting go, and the physical conduction of energy. When the metal element becomes imbalanced, vital energy and the sense of flowing with destiny and purpose can become blocked. Often metal blockages can manifest as a clinging onto of phenomena of the past, whether they be traumatic or joyful, which can give rise to an inability to release emotions and habits. With this comes coughs, sinus congestion, stiffness, fatigue and weakness, holding grief in the lungs, and a major tendency towards mucus. When pathogenic mucus 'mists the mind' a inability to detach and process can arise as the supremely spiritual element of metal becomes dimmed and stifled from transmuting the refined nectar of Water, Wood, Fire, and Earth into gold. When I think of metal, I think of alchemy and breath..and there is no room for phlegm in alchemy. Often, I look around a room of muggles eating dairy, sneezing, grasping onto the comparison of material nonsense, and acting with a complete inability to problem solve and think critically...and I see this societal cloak of phlegm draped around the mainstream culture in our nation of America. To add onto this, I see grief saturating them/us through the waves of media mind-control, which gets lodged in the suppressed immunities of the Lungs to be driven deeper into internal and collective illness. This is a lack of alchemy, and the lapse of true breath. Without breath and alchemy, it becomes opaque as to how we receive the cosmic energy that has the power to connect our spirits. I am learning through shedding phlegm and balancing metal, that focus is what strengthens our rhythm, and rhythm is what feeds our spirit.  When the house (Lungs) of our Corporeal Soul (Po) is clouded in attachment, it is nearly impossible to truly feel into the grief that resides and sit with our discomforts enough to find the clarity to shed it all and continue to authentically feel. 

With a rise in emphysema and asthma in our culture... we are losing our breath. Spiritual breathlessness inhibits our ability to cultivate superpowers, protect ourselves from viruses, and be in harmony. Through refinement of our breath and release of negative tendencies including withdrawal from the dangers of media and sugar, I believe our society or conscious sub-cultures within it, can slowly create harmony in the Metal element. 

When recognizing Metal imbalance in a client, it's important to keep the nature of this element in mind as well the (very common) increased vulnerability to External diseases due to compromised Wei Qi. In addition to herbal diagnostics and formulas, cultivating rhythm through breathwork & Qi Gong and strengthening the Lungs though rituals of release are highly beneficial in re-entering the realm of alchemy. 

This information is composed from personal studies, education & seminars at East West Planetary Herbs and Chinese Traditional Herbal Medicine - Vol I. DIagnosis and Treatment by Dr. Michael and Lesley Tierra

IntervieW with a bright light from Southwest Institute of Healing Arts

Savannah Clark of SWIHA's Urban Farming program asked me for an interview...in case you would like to know more about me, here it is:

1.) When did you discover that this path you have taken was your passion?
A sequence of divine and challenging events have led me to the path of herbalism and holistic healing. I am a dancer, sister, daughter, friend, teacher…we all need healers in our lives and I just happen to be the one (alongside many others in our community) to step forth and bring us back down to Earth. From having a life-threatening illness due to environmental contamination, a near-death experience, having friends fall into opiate addiction, watching cancer rates rise, and studying ecology & factory farming, many doors have opened for me to find a solution rather than simmer in disdain for our dysfunctional society. A fusion of business savvy actions and never-ending passion have generated a path for me to be in the position of offering people natural medicine in a ‘mainstream’ location of downtown Tempe, AZ. I am blessed and I’ve worked harrrrrrd.

2.) Did you ever see yourself in the positionyou are today?
Yes! I didn’t quite know what it would look like…At some phases in my life, I thought I would be a professional dancer at this age (I’m 26), or an organic chef, or a high school teacher…but none of those quite fit anymore. It doesn’t surprise me that I am a successful business owner and on the path to becoming a certified professional herbalist. I am a natural born leader and have always loved the Earth, its creatures & helping people. I am saturated in gratitude for the alchemy of my choices and opportunities.

3.) Do you grow and package all your herbs/apothecary needs yourself?
I currently craft 100% of Rainbow Bliss Botanicals products, from infusion to salve to syrup…I make all of that. All the ingredients are either wild-crafted by me (usually on new moons), certified organic from various farms in the USA West Coast, Fair-trade certified from Central/South America (like cacao, maca, lucuma, cardamom etc.), or homegrown. I currently grow and use Vitex, Calendula, Tulsi Basil, Lemon Balm, Artichoke leaf, Aloe Vera, Peppermint, Borage, Ashitaba, Lemongrass, Spilanthes, 2 varieties of chamomile…..you get the idea…I grow what herbs I can in addition to seasonal food, of course!

4.) If so, could you tell me about some experiences you have had growing in the desert?
Planting in succesion for the bees is so important! Feeding the bees and generating food security for them by always providing blossoms also generates food security for us: pollination and nectar creation. The bees LOVE borage and Monarda, basils, calendula, clovers, and Vitex (i know your beautiful school has vitex trees all around:). They love drought-tolerant blossoms like cats claw, mesquite, and ocotillo as well. I could go on all day about the bees, but other tips would be starting a compost right away so you can start generating soil! Trial and error is great as well; go to seed exchanges or plan them with friends and see what works well for you with the soil, sun & space that you have. I also talk to my plants all the time and love to feed my brassicas spring water diluted urine everyday….that will put some nitrogen in the soil for sure...Native Seed Search in Tucson and the Urban Farm in Phoenix are great resources for more information about Sonoran desert gardening. The Desert Botanical Gardens bi-annual plant sale is rad as well. There’s a beautiful network of farmers here in the Phoenix area!!

5.) How long did it take you to master your blends? (herbal blends,aromatherapy blends etc)
I am a novice who listens to elders but also tunes deeply into intuition. Knowing the action of each plant and/or oil is key, but also using whats available, sustainable, in season, or INSPIRING can lead to greatness. For example, I wouldn’t make an immune boosting or anti-bacterial medicine with elderberries from Washington if I was able to harvest fresh yerba mansa here in AZ…Local is powerful, but I’m down with it all..I’m studying Advanced Traditional Chinese Medicine Formulations and also Ayurveda…so tough finding most of those herbs local, but I still want to learn with them and use them in Planetary formulas. In the realm of all the medicinal mushrooms I dual extract, I craft formulas that combine beneficial fungi and herbs…these are inspired by a focus of WHY would someone want to take this. There’s one called Protect-SHen that I am in love with, completely inspired by a lingering sore throat I experienced. Fungal Wonder is sexy! It’s a blend that lubricates the soul…that is the intention. Amethyst Blessing is a “take-the-edge-off” kinda thang, and it works..There’s so many people pacing around with “anxiety” these days, that I love to formulate medicines to calm the Shen, Open the Heart, build Qi, and nourish the nerves.

6.) If and when you have failed; what did you do?
Wellll…..I’ve been trying to ferment a few thangs here and there. That’s been exciting…sometimes things turn out incredible…and sometimes I get too excited and combine a grip of ingredients together and it turns out FunKayy….like FYI never ferment maitake mushrooms..ew.. I mean I like weird tastes, but don’t go there. Hmmm what else….welll I also overbook myself. I think I can do it all with only 1 breath in between. I’m learning to do less, bee more, and always deliver with balance. For example, at Gem and Jam Festival last year I was booked for 3 workshops plus vending..that was ridiculous. Crowds of people were at the workshops and by the 3rd one I was magically in the ethers and had a hard thyme staying present…learning to pace myself. You could say I’m a work-a-holic, but when you’re work is play its hard to draw the line. For example, I’m booked to vend an event in California every weekend (SpiritWeavers, Women’s Visionary Congress, San Fransisco PRIDE…etc) and also a weekly Wednesday event in June as well as working free clinics for veterans, homeless, and mental health patients on Thursdays in Santa Cruz with East West. I’m also in full time school…so biting off less wouldn’t hurt occasionally.

7.) What is driving and inspiring you each day?
1 in 2 humans need to be a healer. We are so much more powerful than we know and with LOVE we can be guided towards a regenerative society whom LISTENS to the needs of Mother Earth and gives back to her as she does to us. It will be reallllly difficult to reach this if we are not all clearing susto (trauma & conditioning) from one another and healing each other…bringing each other back to our roots. That is what I am a catalyst for.

8.) If any, who are your mentors/inspiration?
Kathleen Harrison of Botanical Dimensions, Phyllis Hogan of Winter Sun Trading Co in Flagstaff, Micheal & Leslie Tierra (my teachers!), all the teachers at East West Planetary Herb School,  my chief/uncle and great friend Delmar Bonnie who taught me how to pray with the plants, ask for blessings, and walk in harmony. My parents have worked their a%* off to keep a roof over my head and provide an adventurous & meaningful life for me and my sister, and I am forever inspired by their love for each other and us. I used to have to clean out their cabinets of foods with MSG and corn syrup and now my dad is composting & growing food! In another 5 years of me nagging (with forceful smiles) maybe my family will be healed of anxiety, insomnia…making sun tea and harvesting prickly pear, making jelly, and making alters for the moon?! ….it’s good to have goals & visions. ; )

9.) Do you accept others products in your own store?
Absolutely! The physical brick n mortar shop is a retail space to support ethical medicines, clothes, local jewelry etc. Yes yes yes bring it on creatresses and creators. My gorgeous staff make smoking blends and teas that we have formulated, I make all the syrups, tinctures, glycerites, salves….aroma therapeutics (misters, synergies, chakra oils) are made by my mom and I. Most of the bliss squad employees also consign their hand-crafted medicines and ritual tools in there. From flower essences to pendulums to lip balms, the staff in Happy Healthy High Horny Herbs are extra-ordinary beings with many talents.

10.) If so, what are you looking for from the supplier and when a product is chosen is it based off of commission,space rental or do you buy the product in bulk and re-sale?
I consign the medicines made by staff, and cosign some sexy high-quality clothes from local designers, and the rest is wholesale. ALWAYS organic, certified GMO-free, local-as-possible, and Fair-trade forever. I used to have a hodgepodge of local arts covering all the walls…it got a lil crazy and hard to focus & keep track of, so now I have rotating artists set up a seasonal gallery on the walls..so we have 1-2 featured artists at a time and double as a gallery.

11.) Do you have any record keeping tips or advice?
HHmmmmmmm……I’m pretty old school..moving to digital slowly, but don’t ask me about record-keeping…i finally just got my first own laptop…i’m loowwww-tech. But keep your receipts, and honestly I like old-school. I have all invoices filed, receipts stacked, everything is physical and transparent. Keep it clean.

12.) Who made your website?
My sister and I made my website! I am a photographer, so I did all the photos and she did the graphics. My rad sister is the main graphic designer for the Heard Museum and Western Spirit Museum..she’s a classy & talented lady.
www.rbbotanicals.com

13.) what is your favorite marketing technique?
Vending small festivals where I can really connect with the customer is the best~ Meaningful & generates repeat happy customers. Also positive word-of-mouth is powerful. I don’t know anything about online marketing or search engine optimization…maybe someone who reads this can teach me? Xoxo

14.)What advice would you give someone like me who is interested in the same field?
Don’t wait until you are “qualified” or “certified” to experiment with business ideas. Experience is everything, start now. Craft a vision and be flexible. Fu%* beliefs and know your greatness. Practice kindness. Stay humble & diligent. For the sake of all creatures; Plant love.

A note on Purgative Therapy

After years of digestive distress due to eating grains & gluten, hot/dry foods, living in the desert, and a lack of awareness for my own intestinal anatomy and diet triggers, I discovered colon hydro-therapy....and have fallen deeply in love with this powerful healing modality. This work provided to me by a dear friend, Mariana, has changed my life in terms of how I see my overall health and where trauma and disease reside within my temple.

Through studying enema therapy as a part of learning Ayurvedic Bastis, a vital element of Panchakarma, I have administered medicines in new ways and experienced such beautiful, soothing therapy! This topic may be strange to some who are new to the realm of alternative & traditional healing practices, regardless, I would like to share my new-found love for Bastis as well as TCM purgatives. As a background for what purgatives are (which are different than enemas), here is a note on purgative therapy I composed for an assignment with East West Planetary Herb School. Stay tuned for bowel tonic recipes and enema therapy suggestions. 

The three modes of purgative therapy include: Attacking, Lubricating, and Cathartic applications.

    The Lubricating demulcents are what I have the most experience with and overall, they attract water in the colon, thus re-hydrating the dry walls of the colon. Due to their demulcent properties, like flax, they create a slippery environment for waste to move down and out through. This therapy is ideal for de-hydrated bowels and dry constipation due to a hot, dry environment, but also due to diet and lack of water intake. Demulcent herbs are mucilaginous by nature and because they absorb water, the matter swells over ten times its size than when dry. This seems like it would create a gentle, yet forceful & effective action in the colon to work with the combination of gravity, volume and moisture to evacuate waste. Plenty of water must be consumed while using these herbs as purgatives or else an unhelpful paste will form in the stomach and colon and potentially cause more discomfort. These are effective towards relieving chronic constipation, but are not recommended for people with damp conditions. Lubricating, moist, oily laxatives include psyllium, flax seeds, marijuana seeds, slippery elm, triphala and castor oil. From a diagnostic perspective, when chronic constipation is present, look deeper to the root of potential underlying blood or yin deficiency. 

    Cathartic herbal purgatives are strong-acting diuretics and laxatives that treat stagnation of the bowels…more specifically, stagnation of the fluids in the abdomen. These herbs are more harsh than lubricating herbs and purge fecal matter as well as water from the body in a forceful and usually quick way. Generally, Western medicine views cathartic herbs like euphorbiae, mandrake, poke root and croton as toxic, although they can be successfully applied to people suffering from water and fecal immobility in the abdomen. Cathartic and attacking herbal therapy is contra-indicated with cold, weak conditions and are not suitable for long-term use. 

    Another downward draining purgative mode is “Attacking.” These quickly dispel toxins in the body downward and out. These are appropriate when the abdomen is uncomfortably full, for acute constipation, and for severe constipation that causes toxic build-up (Heat), and possibly fevers. Attacking purgatives have a bitter taste, which stimulates bile production and then peristaltic action soon after. In Leslie’s book, Healing with the Herbs of Life, she states thats the cold energy herbs of rhubarb, aloe, cascara sagrada, and walnut bark should be paired with a mildly warm carminative herbs that warm the Interior like fennel or ginger, to prevent griping pains. 

For more information, check out Chapter 12: Eight Methods of Herbal Treatment in Chinese Traditional Herbal Medicine Volume 1: Diagnosis and Treatment by Michael Tierra L.Ac, OMD, A.H.G and Lesley Tierra L.Ac, A.H.G.