Food Color and Nutrition

 Acupuncture
Mar 022020
 

In Chinese medical theory, food is considered medicine. Food has qualities and functions biochemically and energetically that target specific organs. Not only that, but the action a particular food takes to benefit that organ in terms of taste, color and temperature is what is included in Five Element theory. Food has a relationship to both the natural elements as well as the organs in the body and balances the elements of fire, earth, metal, water and wood to healthy, generating cycles.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) everything is thought of in terms of yin and yang theory. Yin is often dark, cooling, moist, still, and internal where are Yang is bright, hot, moving, dry, and outward; Our bodies are constantly trying to achieve a balance between these two forces. There are even some foods that are considered a force of yin and some food is considered more yang. Depending on one’s constitution, some foods might exacerbate a hotter constitution while others would promote a cooling effect. Each person realistically needs a unique approach to food intake, as not all foods deemed “healthy” are good for everyone across the board. It is not recommended to self-diagnose, so see your Chinese medical provider to get a proper diagnosis of your particular constitution and advice on foods that may be right for you according to this theory.

Color is one way to determine which organ a food will target. Ideally, one eats what is in season and includes a wide variety of flavors and colors. Colors in vegetables have beneficial antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents as well as phytonutrients:

Green: Green goes to the liver channel, a wood element. Foods that are green are spinach, lettuce, green beans, broccoli and avocado. Generally, these foods are more cooling and contain sulforaphane, an anti-cancer compound, as well as important vitamins like beta-carotene, iron, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B complex, vitamins C, A and K.

Red: Red food tends to benefit the heart, a fire element. Red foods include tomatoes, carrots, strawberries, peppers and apples. Hawthorne berries and goji berries have been shown to benefit the heart and prevent heart disease, and vegetables with red color often have lycopene, a substance shown to help prevent cancer. Orange vegetables like carrots have carotenoids and lutein, powerful phytonutrients.

Yellow: Yellow benefits the spleen/stomach, the earth element, involved with digestion. Yellow foods include soy, barley, egg yolks, yellow peppers, lemons, summer squash and cantaloupe. Yellow foods boost your mood and contain bioflavonoids, carotenoids and vitamin C.

White: White benefits the lungs, a metal element. These foods moisten the lung and include white beans, radish, wild rice, garlic, cauliflower, potatoes, mushrooms and jicama. These are packed with potassium, magnesium, fiber, and antioxidants. Garlic contains allicin, which when crushed or chopped is anti-fungal and an antibiotic.

Black: Black benefits the kidneys, the water element. Examples of these beneficial foods are seaweed, black beans, black sesame seeds, kelp and black rice. These foods are loaded with vitamins and minerals that strengthen bones, benefit the thyroid, and promote longevity.

The next time you create your meal, include a combination of colors and flavors to not only delight your palate but also to keep your organs happy and balanced. Eat what’s in season, cook your vegetables, as cold, raw vegetables are harder to digest, eat slowly and include some kind of exercise during the day.

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Two Years in a Row! Oakland’s Best Acupuncturists.

 Acupuncture
Feb 252020
 

I am truly grateful for all the recognition I have received over the years, but to be awarded top OAKLAND acupuncturists two years in a row after such a short time is absolutely amazing!

With gratitude,

Dr. Devon

https://www.expertise.com/ca/oakland/acupuncture

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Violet Springtime Fairy Vinegar: A Mineral-Rich Spring Tonic

 Uncategorized
Feb 242020
 

Violet Springtime Fairy Vinegar:
A Mineral-Rich Spring Tonic

Written by Juliet Blankespoor with Meghan Gemma
Photography by Juliet Blankespoor

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When violets begin to pop up in the spring landscape, it’s our cue that a vernal promenade of mineral-rich, cleansing herbs is in full swing. Violet keeps excellent company—look for herbs like chickweed, cleavers, dandelion, plantain, and stinging nettles when violet’s heart-shaped leaves and purple blooms appear on the scene.

These nourishing spring beauties all fall into the category of tonic alterative herbs. Many herbalists call them “blood cleansers” and indeed they can help to optimize the quality of the blood by affecting cellular metabolism. They also work their magic by supporting the elimination of wastes by improving liver, kidney, digestive, and lymphatic function.

 Alterative herbs can be helpful for:

  • Spring fasting and cleansing
  • Low immunity
  • Skin conditions like acne and eczema
  • Cancer prevention
  • Autoimmune conditions
  • Rheumatic conditions*

Violet is one of my choice herbal alteratives as its tender young leaves are optimally delicious for infused vinegars, spring salads, and pestos. In addition to being a classic cleansing herb, violet is rich in soluble fiber and is a traditional lymphatic and respiratory remedy; helping to bolster us through the last weeks of cold-season coughs and colds. You can read more about violet’s medicinal uses here.  

*Please consult with an experienced herbalist before using herbs for any of these conditions or for cleansing.

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Early spring foraging for springtime fairy vinegar ingredients

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Mineral-Rich Springtime Vinegars

My daughter and I like to celebrate springtime by gathering up our baskets, greeting the sunshine, and picking fresh wild and garden herbs for “fairy vinegar.” The lawn and gardens are filled with medicinal herbs during this time. I call it fairy vinegar because all the plants are so little and darling this time of year, and because a pinch of this and a pinch of that, topped off with wee blossoms, has a magical feeling.

Vinegars made from high-mineral herbs are a great way to sneak some extra medicine and nutrition into the diet! When you add vinegar to foods that are high in minerals—such as dark leafy greens—the acidity helps the body assimilate those minerals (in addition to all the minerals packed into the herbs themselves)!

Herbal vinegars have a steadfast place in the medicine cabinet, but they’re also widely popular both as a condiment and an ingredient in homemade salad dressings. In fact, many plants that are traditionally prepared as herbal vinegars easily straddle the divide between medicine and spice.

Apple cider vinegar is the most popular for medicinal preparations, but I prefer balsamic vinegar, as our family enjoys its flavor. Most any type of natural vinegar will be serviceable, but note that distilled white vinegar can be highly processed and is sometimes made from genetically modified corn.

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Girl harvesting violet flowers (Viola sororia)

Harvesting violet flowers (Viola sororia)

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Materials List

  • Canning jar of appropriate size for your recipe with a plastic lid, or a metal lid lined with a piece of natural wax paper
  • Fresh herbs (see below for suggestions)
  • Vinegar of choice
  • Labeling materials
  • Straining cloth; either muslin cloth, tighter-weave cheesecloth, cotton gauze fabric, or a clean old T-shirt
  • Flip-top bottle or used glass vinegar bottle to store your finished vinegar

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Ingredients for Springtime Fairy Vinegar

Ingredients for Springtime Fairy Vinegar

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Springtime Fairy Vinegar Recipe

This recipe is a celebration of spring! Therefore, I encourage you to gather whatever seasonal herbs feel most exciting to you. I’ve listed a number of possibilities below; you can combine them in any proportions you desire—just be sure to pick enough to loosely pack a Mason jar of your choice. One suggestion is to gather a handful of each or any of the following herbs, freshly picked and not dried. Or try making your own version from whatever darlings are springing up in your garden and fields. 

  • Violet, leaf and flowers (Viola spp.)
  • Dandelion, leaf and flowers (Taraxacum officinale)
  • Stinging nettles, leaf (Urtica dioica)
  • Cleavers, leaf and stem (Galium aparine)
  • Chickweed, herb (Stellaria media)
  • Plantain, leaf (Plantago spp.)
  • Purple dead nettle, leaf and flowers (Lamium purpureum)
  • Mint, leaf (Mentha sp.)
  • Garlic mustard, leaf (Alliaria petiolata)
  • Creasy greens, leaf (Barbarea verna)

Please be 150% sure of your identification before gathering any plants. Need a field guide? Check out our foraging and plant identification book list.

If you aren’t familiar with any of these wild herbs, you can buy dandelion greens and burdock root from the grocery store or farmers market, and include emerging herbs from your garden, like lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and bee balm (Monarda didyma).

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Pouring vinegar into the jar full of herbs

Adding the vinegar to the herbs

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  • Wash  your fresh herbs, chop them coarsely, and combine them in a sterilized glass jar (choose any size based on how much vinegar you’d like to make). Note that the proportions are not exact; the tighter you pack the herbs, the stronger the vinegar will be flavored.
  • Top off with your vinegar of choice—completely cover the herbs with vinegar. It may be helpful to tamp them down with a sterilized kitchen instrument.
  • Cap with a plastic lid or a regular mason jar lid lined with natural wax paper (to avoid corrosion of the lid by the vinegar).
  • Label the jar with the name of the herb(s), date, and type of vinegar. Cover the label with clear packing tape.
  • Place in a dark cabinet for four to six weeks.
  • Strain through a cloth—either muslin cloth, tighter-weave cheesecloth, cotton gauze fabric, or a clean old T-shirt. Be sure to press out all the vinegar when you strain by either wringing out the herbs in the cloth or pressing out the plant material with a potato ricer or similar press.
  • Pour the strained vinegar into a sterilized jar with a plastic lid, and label with the ingredients and date.
  • Store in the refrigerator and use within six months to one year.
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Dosage is 1-3 Tablespoons (15– 45 ml) daily.

I recommend taking herbal vinegars with food, as they will be better assimilated, and the acid will be less likely to aggravate digestion or cause issues with tooth enamel. Integrating them into salad dressings and condiments is a perfect way to easefully eat your mineral-rich spring herbs!

Safety & Contraindications: For the most part, the herbs mentioned in this lesson are quite safe for general use. But there are a few exceptions to note:

  • Violet: Avoid the internal use with individuals who have the rare inherited disorder G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency, because it can aggravate hemolytic anemia.
  • Dandelion: Because dandelion leaf is a powerful diuretic, it will compound the effects of pharmaceutical diuretics. People who are allergic to bee pollen or honey have a high likelihood of reacting to dandelion pollen, and therefore should avoid ingesting the flower or any preparation from the flower that would contain pollen (i.e., the infusion).
  • Stinging nettles: Nettles are diuretic and astringent, and can be very drying as a tonic herb for folks who already have dry skin and dry mucous membranes. Additionally, its diuretic effects may compound pharmaceuticals with the same action. Nettles may potentially alter blood sugar levels—diabetics should monitor blood sugar levels closely when ingesting the plant as food or medicine.
  • Chickweed: Avoid use if you are prone to kidney stones, as this plant contains dietary oxalates, which can increase the formation of kidney stones.

P.S. If you enjoy herbal vinegars, take a peek at my Hibiscus Pomegranate Fire Cider Recipe. This spicy, ruby-red vinegar is ideal for boosting the immune and circulatory systems during the cold winter moons.

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Hibiscus Pomegranate Orange Fire Cider

Hibiscus Pomegranate Orange Fire Cider

Meet Our Contributors:

Juliet Blankespoor

JULIET BLANKESPOOR founded the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine in 2007 and serves as the school’s primary instructor and Creative Director. She's been a professional plant-human matchmaker for close to three decades. Juliet caught the plant bug when she was nineteen and went on to earn a degree in Botany. She's owned just about every type of herbal business you can imagine: an herbal nursery, a medicinal products business, a clinical practice, and now, an herbal school.

These days, she channels her botanical obsession with her writing and photography in her online programs and here on her personal blog, Castanea. She's writing her first book: Cultivating Medicinal Herbs: Grow, Harvest, and Prepare Handcrafted Remedies from Your Home Garden. Juliet and her houseplants share a home with her family and herb books in Asheville, North Carolina.

Meghan Gemma

MEGHAN GEMMA is one of the Chestnut School’s primary instructors through her written lessons, and is the principal pollinator of the school’s social media community—sharing herbal and wild foods wisdom from the flowery heart of the school to an ever-wider field of herbalists, gardeners, healers, and plant lovers.

She has been in a steady relationship with the Chestnut School since 2010—as an intern and manager at the Chestnut Herb Nursery; as a plant-smitten student “back in the day” when the school’s programs were taught in the field; and later as a part the school’s woman-powered professional team. Meghan lives in the Ivy Creek watershed, just north of Asheville, North Carolina.

Want to take a deeper dive into medicinal herbs and their uses?

Our 1,000-hour Herbal Immersion Program is the most comprehensive handcrafted online herbal course available, covering botany, foraging, herb cultivation, medicine making, and therapeutics.

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Ayurveda – An Answer To Every Chronic Pain

 Ayurvedic
Feb 192020
 

What is arthritis or chronic joint pain?

Arthritis is a condition that affects the joints and surrounding tissues. It can be your knees, shoulders, spine, wrist or even fingers. It includes pain and stiffness in muscles that may worsen at a growing age. Two common types of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. These conditions affect the joints, wherein an inflammation can occur resulting in immobility and severe pain.

Ayurvedic Treatment For Chronic Knee Pain

Chronic knee pain or osteoarthritis is a condition that is not just faced by the elderly but also by today’s generation. It is developing into a serious problem due to our lifestyle, food, and a lack of exercise. It is the most common form of arthritis, affecting about 237 million (3.3% of the total population of our country), amongst these about 10% of males and 18% of females affected are over 60 years old.

In reality, arthritis isn’t one but almost 200 different rheumatoid diseases that affect the joints. The biggest downside of having arthritis is that it can severely impede a person’s ability to perform routine tasks. The few most common forms of arthritis include inflammatory arthritis, degenerative or mechanical arthritis, metabolic arthritis, infectious arthritis, connective tissue disease, septic arthritis, childhood arthritis, gout, and fibromyalgia. Therefore, it is important to chart out a proper plan for treating this condition.

How Ayurveda is the answer?

Ayurveda is an ancient form of medication, which uses nutrients, exercise & meditation altogether to encourage good health. Combining certain nutrients and other supplements with modern medicine may be beneficial in treating arthritis.

Ayurvedic Treatment For Chronic Joint Pain

According to Ayurveda, excess air and hyperactive immune system cause inflammation and pain. But when you balance excess air and immune system, inflammation and pain normally mitigate. Hence, it is necessary to balance the doshas in order to get complete relief from this condition. Doshas are predominantly made of 5 elements – Earth, Water, Air, Space & Fire. These doshas are essential vital energies behind every bodily function and structure.

Panchakarma – a complete solution

Ayushakti Ayurved has been serving people worldwide with its proven herbal remedies and authentic ancient treatment methods. Ayushakti & treatment fundamentals for chronic problems include:

  • Activating Agni (metabolism & digestion)
  • Removing toxins (Aama) & imbalances (Doshas), thereby creating a balance
  • Healing the affected tissues
  • Relieving the chronic symptoms through herbs

Ayushakti suggests the use of Panchakarma in relieving chronic pain, caused by knee arthritis. According to a study conducted by Ayushakti, there was a 60% definite chronic pain reduction, for those who were undergoing the treatment. Panchakarma therapies like Vamana, Virechana, Basti (Anuvasana+Niruha), Nasya, and Raktmokshana, are really beneficial for a successful treatment.

Summary of a 6-months clinical study on the efficacy of Ayushakti herbal remedies vs Ayushkati’s Arthrox Panchkarma in the treatment of Osteoarthritis:

REDUCTION IN SYMPTOMS GROUP I PAINKILLER DEPENDENT– PAINMUKTI MJ, SANDHICAL & PAINMUKTI CREAM GROUP II AYUSHAKTI HERBS AND ARTHROX TREATMENT
Reduction in Knee pain 60.93% 77.95%
Relief in crepitus sound 66.7% 87.76%
Reduction in overall joint pain 65.71% 76.92%
Improved range of movements – sitting, walking, standing 60.78% 78.57%
Reduction in joint stiffness and improved knee mobility 70.45% 95.83%
Reduction in joint swelling, joint effusion 74.35% 95.74%
Able to climb stairs 46.94% 76%

Panchakarma & Ayushakti’s Herbal Medicines are a perfect combo for tackling Arthritis as a problem. After the age of 45-50, your body should receive a minimum intake of 1000mg Calcium through your food, to maintain a healthy bone density & prevent degeneration. Painmukti MJ Tablet & Painmukti Sandhi-cal are an excellent mixture of Ayurvedic herbal extracts and natural calcium. It effectively reduces osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, joint pain & swelling of knees and ankles. The final aspect of Panchakarma treatment is lubrication therapies, which restores flexibility to the dried up muscles and joints.

Joint Pain Ayurvedic Medicines By Ayushakti Ayurved

This arthritis treatment in India has benefitted hundreds of people over the last 28 years. The research that backs up this treatment method proves that the removal of deep-rooted toxins and blockages from the joints and muscles is the key aspect of Panchakarma & Arthrox. It promotes healthy, strong and flexible joints naturally.

Vaidya Smita Naram, the founder of Ayushakti Ayurved and world-renowned Ayurveda expert shared, “Panchakarma is a complete solution for reducing chronic pain in knee osteoarthritis and the increasing knee joint pain as well.” She has to her credit 200+ formulations for different ailments. Ayushakti’s products are clinically proven and published in peer-reviewed international journals for its effectiveness in the treatment of pain management and bronchial Asthma.

Home remedies to get relief from joint pain

Apart from the treatment, Ayurveda’s principles also imply that – Food is medicine and an important source of our life. How you eat is as important as what you eat, because the quality of digestion is affected by the condition of the mind, the emotion, and the environment.

If you are suffering from chronic pain, stop consuming dairy products, meat, wheat, fermented food etc. Calcium supplements or bone nourishing foods are the ideal options for treating this condition. Take any of the two from the below list daily, which provides 600 to 800 mg calcium naturally:

  • Spinach – 1 cup
  • Sesame seeds 2 tablespoons of tahini
  • Flax seeds powder – 1 tablespoon
  • Amaranth/nachni – 100gm made in porridge form
  • 10 almonds or 2 tablespoons almond paste
  • 1 cup milk

Another simple remedy that you can try at your home:

  • 1 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp Coriander seed powder
  • 1/2 tsp Fenugreek powder
  • 1/2 tsp Dry Ginger Powder
  • 1/4 tsp Carom (Again) seed powder
  • 1/4 tsp Garlic paste

Mix all together in a half glass of water & have it twice a day. This will help in reducing chronic pain & inflammation.

Overall, Ayurveda has a different approach to pain relief. The lifestyle elements of Ayurveda such as positive relations, nurturing emotions, massage therapy, rest, and diet are some of the means to rebalance, rejuvenate, and purify the mind/body variables that lower our pain sensitivity. Ayushakti’s authentic powerful herbal treatments have successfully helped lakhs of people, around 108 countries for the past 32 years. Visit http://bit.ly/2ymARan to book your appointment online.

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Moxibustion and Dysmenorrhea

 Acupuncture
Feb 172020
 

A study conducted by Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has determined that the use of moxibustion at specific days during a woman’s menstrual cycle can decrease pain associated with menstruation. Dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation is a big problem for many women. This study used moxibustion, an accessory modality of TCM, to treat the pain associated with menstruation. The study and its systematic review showed moxibustion treatments were more effective at relieving pain only when the moxibustion began prior to the onset of actual menstruation. This is also the theory behind Traditional Chinese Medicine, that it should be used as preventive care. The efficacy of using moxibustion during the premenstrual time period holds great promise for those who are debilitated by dysmenorrhea.

Dysmenorrhea, or painful menstruation, is experienced by more than half the menstruating women in the world. It is one of the most commonly encountered gynecologic disorders and for those suffering from severe dysmenorrhea, it can mean they are incapacitated for up to three days or more every month. The main cause of dysmenorrhea is increased or abnormal uterine prostanoid production and release, which then gives rise to abnormal uterine contractions and pain. The treatment of dysmenorrhea usually involves some sort of pain medication and rest, but there are alternatives.

TCM is a medical system that incorporates numerous methods for treating disease and illness. One of the tools found in the toolbox of the Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner is known as moxibustion.

Moxibustion is a technique that involves the burning of mugwort, known as moxa, which is an herb that facilitates healing. The purpose of moxibustion is to stimulate the flow of blood and energy throughout the body. Moxibustion creates a pleasant heating sensation that penetrates deeply into the skin, but does not create a scar or any pain. To perform moxibustion, a practitioner lights one end of a stick of moxa and holds it close to the acupuncture point for several minutes until the area turns red. There are also adhesive cones of moxa that can be applied to the skin. These are then lit and allowed to burn until the fire reaches the base, which is when they are removed to prevent scars.

Moxibustion is used to help people with cold or stagnant conditions. Burning moxa is believed to expel cold and warm the body, which creates a smooth flow of energy and blood. Moxibustion can be used to treat dysmenorrhea because it stimulates the flow and release of the hormones that cause uterine contractions. By stimulating the release of these hormones, the body can then expel them which leads to decreased pain. Moxibustion is also great for women who suffer from fibroids, which is a stagnation and buildup of blood in the uterus. The warmth from the burning mugwort actually increases blood flow and this can help decrease the size of the fibroids over time.

As with acupuncture, only a licensed practitioner should be called upon for treatments such as moxibustion. If you believe moxibustion may be helpful with your dysmenorrhea, contact us to learn more.

SOURCE: https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2016/6706901/

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Acupuncture for Boosting Your Circulation

 Acupuncture
Feb 032020
 
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Healthy blood circulation is a vital component of life for human beings. Without proper blood flow, life would cease to exist. Blood isn’t the only thing that’s important, it’s what the blood is carrying that makes circulation so important. Blood carries fresh oxygen, hormones and nutrients that we absorb from our food. Without these components, the organs and tissues of the body become depleted, weakened and eventually stop functioning. Any blockages in the veins and arteries can deprive the brain and the rest of the body from the needed oxygen, which can then lead to a plethora of other medical issues.

A Blood Flow Overview

Poor circulation is a problem that affects thousands of people around the world, and  decreased circulation is frequently referred to as a silent killer. Many people assume that blood circulation issues aren’t a worry that needs to be prioritized until it’s too late and gets overlooked for years. Poor blood flow can cause pain, numbness, tingling, cold hands/feet and even heart rhythm irregularities.

Another complication of poor circulation is the possibility of blood clots. Blood clots can be very dangerous. They can dislodge and travel to the heart, lungs or brain and block major blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack or a stroke.

There are many causes of poor circulation including excessive cholesterol buildup in the arteries, obesity, diabetes, poor lifestyle choices, improper diet, smoking, alcoholism, pinched nerves, bacterial and viral infections and even excessive stress. The symptoms of poor circulation include weakness of the limbs, loss of sensation, extreme sensitivity, tingling, numbness, burning sensation and pain. If circulation issues are left untreated, it can eventually lead to the tissues turning black and dying, which is then a case for amputation.

Modern medicine treats poor circulation using prescription medications, angioplasty, surgical placement of stents and even amputation. All of these treatments can have serious side effects and any time surgery is done, there will be down time for recovery that may be extensive. But there are alternatives too.

TCM and Circulation

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is an ancient medical system that has been around for thousands of years. TCM uses modalities like acupuncture, acupressure and herbal formulations to treat the effects of poor circulation, while actually addressing the root cause too.

Acupuncture in particular is great for increasing blood circulation because the use of acupuncture needles stimulate nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide is a key regulator of localized circulation. Therefore, the more nitric oxide, the greater the blood flow and circulation to the tissues.

Acupuncture treatments have also been shown to stimulate the release of compounds like leukotrienes and antihistamines that both dilate the blood vessels, while also reducing swelling of tissues. This leads to increases in blood flow to the areas of the body deprived of oxygenated blood.

Another element of TCM is the use of herbs and herbal formulations. Foods, such as garlic, ginger, turmeric and cayenne pepper can be very beneficial for those suffering from poor circulation. However, we advise that adding these herbs needs to be discussed with a physician if you are already taking blood thinners for a circulatory problem.

Poor circulation can be painful and can even be deadly in some cases, but it doesn’t have to be. Ask me to find out how TCM and acupuncture can help you with your circulation problems.

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Foods And Remedies To Improve Your Child’s Memory And Concentration

 Ayurvedic
Feb 032020
 

Concentration refers to a skill that helps you to focus all your attention on one particular aspect of your environment. Since there are so many distractions around you, such as noise, color, and novelty, concentrating on one thing is a major challenge. Find what the benefits of concentration for children are.

  • They can make quicker decisions.
  • They will score better results because of enhanced short-term and long-term memory.
  • It will reduce day-dreaming.
  • The mind will remain free of negative thoughts.

Best Brain Boosting Foods For Children

Common concentration problems children face

Some of the most common concentration problems in children are-

  • Restlessness: This leads to a state where the child cannot still. Fidgeting with items on the desk, shaking of the legs, and constant hand-movements are signs of restless behavior.
  • Day-dreaming: This is a condition where the child is physically present in the classroom, but mentally he is in another zone. A drifted look is the first key to identify a child who is day-dreaming and lost in thoughts.
  • Hyperactivity: Last but not least, a child who wishes to engage in too many class tasks cannot concentrate fully on anything.

Food that children should avoid for better concentration

The food items that can affect concentration are-

  • Processed food items: Processed dishes are high in sugar, salt, and fats. Thus, they lead to lower mental capacities and increase brain-blood barriers.
  • Sugary drinks: Since sugary beverages can lead to diabetes, the child is exposed to a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s later in life. It can also cause dementia in those who do not have diabetes.
  • Food with a high level of trans fats: While natural trans-fat is not a topic of concern, artificial trans-fat found in instant cakes, snacks, and frosting can lead to poorer memory.

Food that children should eat for better concentration

The best memory boosting foods are-

  • Blueberries: Blueberries have antioxidants that improve the blood flow and oxygen supply to the brain.
  • Green tea: The top two ingredients of green tea that help you concentrate better are caffeine and L-Theanine. Green tea is a memory booster contributing to both speed and accuracy.
  • Green and leafy vegetables: While vitamin B is the best way to improve memory and concentration; folic acid plays a major role in developing mental clarity.

What is Ayushakti’s Sumedha Syrup?

Ayushakti’s Sumedha Syrup is a safe and natural ayurvedic brain tonic for children to help them enhance their brainpower. Herbs like Brahmi, Neer Brahmi, Kushmand, Shankhapushpi, Mundi, etc. in Sumedha Syrup are proven to increase IQ by 20% in 3 months. These herbs also help improve concentration, awareness, memory, and cognition. It is available online & at all the Ayushakti clinics.

Ayushakti Sumedha Syrup | Ayurvedic Memory Booster Tonic For Good Memory & Concentration

Ayushakti has more than 32 years of excellence in treating child health and memory problems such as Low Memory, Low Immunity, Poor Concentration, Slow Body Growth, Slow Mental Growth, Restlessness, Stress, and Depression. Visit http://bit.ly/37Gaf3K to know more and to book an appointment online.

Find the nearest Ayushakti Clinic simply by searching ‘Ayushakti’ on Google! You may contact us on our toll-free numbers 18002663001 (India) & +18002800906 (Global) or email us at info@ayushakti.com for more details.

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Recent Acupuncture Research In the News

 Acupuncture
Jan 282020
 

By Justine Myers, Lic. Ac.

3 recent studies of cancer patients showed acupuncture to be effective in various ways. The first study showed that acupuncture reduces cancer pain and painkiller use. A second study showed that acupuncture lessens chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, and a third study showed that acupuncture reduces radiation-induced dry mouth.

Although these studies were specific to cancer patients and side-effects of cancer treatments, we’d like to elaborate on these findings. Acupuncture is helpful for all types of pain, peripheral neuropathy and dry mouth. We have first-hand experience treating these conditions in our own patients, and it would be beneficial for you and others to know about this as well.

When it comes to pain, acupuncture is effective for all types: musculoskeletal pain, arthritic pain, headaches and migraines, menstrual pain, abdominal pain, fibromyalgia, complex regional pain syndrome and more. Many of our patients try acupuncture with the goal of pain relief and many are able to reduce or eliminate the need for painkillers/over the counter pain relief medicine. Acupuncture is always worth a try for pain.

In terms of peripheral neuropathy (pain/tingling/numbness in hands/fingers and feet/toes), we have patients who have experienced a substantial reduction in severity of neuropathy related to chemotherapy and diabetes, as well as neuropathy without any specific underlying condition. Our patients are pleased when they have less discomfort and greater function (i.e. walking more easily, using their fingers/hands with fine motor skills more easily/comfortably). Although acupuncture is helpful for all types of neuropathy, we do want to point out that when there is an underlying condition such as diabetes, it is extremely important to effectively address that condition (i.e. working with a physician/dietician to ensure blood sugar levels are healthy/stable) in addition to the use of acupuncture for the neuropathy.

Finally, acupuncture is helpful for dry mouth and also for other symptoms of dryness such as dry eyes. Certain points are useful for stimulating the salivary glands and tear ducts, and for overall dryness in the body. We have seen this in patients with conditions such as blepharitis, Sjogren’s syndrome and dry mouth related to the use of medications.

We are pleased to see many cancer centers offering acupuncture for their patients to help manage their symptoms, and it is also fantastic that research is being done in these settings. Acupuncture is gaining in popularity due to its efficacy in a wide variety of health conditions.

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The Folklore and Medicine of Witch Hazel

 Uncategorized
Jan 222020
 

The Folklore and Medicine of Witch Hazel

Written by Mary Plantwalker
Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor

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Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana, Hamamelidaceae) is our kinky, golden-star flower shrub or small tree that blooms in cold weather when all other flowers are absent from the landscape. These flowers are long-lived, as they patiently wait for weather warm enough to wake up an array of possible pollinators, from gnats to flies to moths. The witch hazel flowers know they gotta get it while they can, and still, only one percent of the flowers will ever develop into seeds. 

In this article, Juliet shares a humorously explosive story about the seed’s clever dispersal methods. Another name for the witch hazel tree is bead wood because its tiny seeds make a beautiful, hard and shiny, black nugget that can be used as jewelry.1

More of the Lore Behind Witch Hazel’s Name 

John-Manual Andriote wrote that witch hazel is “one of the few products that’s both FDA-approved and endorsed by real witches.”2Now that is a special plant! But which witch is witch hazel? 

I suppose once a medicinal plant has the name witch in it, it’s bound to be seen as magical in some way. Witch as we use it today, comes from the old English word wicca, or wizard. It is said, though, that the “witch” in witch hazel originated instead from the Middle English word wiche, which means “to bend.” Think about wicker, which comes from the same root word, meaning “pliable branches that bend.”3

Another interpretation is that the name derives from the use of witch hazel’s branches for dowsing, also called “water witching.” Yet another idea is that it stems (pun intended) from the Middle English word wicke, meaning “lively,” which describes how the stems become alive and move when water is detected below. 

Still others believe its name comes from the shape of a gall that’s sometimes found on the leaf, caused by an aphid, that looks like a witch’s hat.4And one last reason for the name witch that I have come across over the years is that the witch hazel plant flowers near Samhain (Halloween), evidently from a witch’s spell. Well, which witch do you believe?

The hazel part of witch hazel’s name is derived from the resemblance of its leaves to those of the hazelnut (Corylus americana) tree, both being broadly oval and scalloped. They are distantly related, but one way they are different is that witch hazel leaves are asymmetrical at the base. There is also a white bottlebrush flower cousin in the Hamamelidaceae family called witch alder, of the Fothergilla genus, so witchy-ness indeed spreads! 

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Hamamelis virginiana

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Water Witching 

Dowsing is an ancient art that has yielded successful results for centuries for locating both water and precious metals underground. Dowsing has been referred to as far back as Homer, when he writes in The Odyssey about the divining rod called the Caduceus that ended up in the hands of Asclepius, the old Greek God of Healing. That divining rod, with its head of entwined serpents, is what eventually became the well-known symbol of medicine.5

The Mohegan Tribe, in what is now called Connecticut, is believed to have been the first to show settlers how to use witch hazel sticks for dowsing by taking a branch and cutting it into the shape of a “Y” then walking with the end of the Y in front, hovering it over the earth. In A Natural History of Trees, author Donald Peattie says folks would use witch hazel branches that were naturally forked, “whose points grew north and south so that they had the influence of the sun at its rising and setting, and you carried it with a point in each hand, the stem pointing forward. Any downward tug of the stem was caused by the flow of hidden water.”6

When a dowser uses metal rods, they are “L” shaped. Regardless of the tool, it is the dowser who must be sensitive to almost imperceptible changes in movement, whether the device be L or Y shaped, metal or wood. Witch hazel has been given the most attention over the years as the preferred wood for successful water witching, but if you live in an area where witch hazel does not grow, Lee Barnes, President of Appalachian Dowsers, says other springy-type branches can be used. Another local dowser agreed that any forked branch from a flexible tree would work fine, including willow (Salix spp.), maple (Acer spp.), or apple (Malus spp.). 

Witch Hazel’s Benefits in Folk Medicine

Itching? Got varicose veins? Sore muscles? Hemorrhoids? What does witch hazel do that helps relieve all of these things? It has an affinity for blood flow health—I think of it as a plant being that can tell what the blood vessels’ needs are. Too much blood in an area? Too little? Witch hazel balances out the flow with innate intelligence. 

The late James Duke was so enamored with the benefits of witch hazel that he assumed the “H” in Preparation H (an over-the-counter hemorrhoid product) stood for Hamamelis (the genus of witch hazel)!7The buds, leaves, twigs, and bark have long been used by both indigenous peoples and early settlers wherever it grew. In Appalachian folklore, witch hazel is one of the more widely used medicines. Grandma was almost always sure to have some witch hazel in her apothecary, ready to fix whatever was ailing you.

Witch hazel extract is used for countless ails: poison ivy rash, burns, acne, eczema, gum inflammation, sunburn, tired and achy muscles, eye strain, bruises, sprains, insect bites, and so on.8Ritually, it has been used to keep away evil and heal broken hearts. 

Witch hazel is also a vulnerary herb, and I have heard it referred to as the “wound healer.” I can speak from experience that it is most certainly a “wound reliever.” What a nice tingling sensation it leaves on the skin after using it as a poultice, a compress, or just as a splash. Most of its uses are for topical applications but it can be used internally as well. It has even been recorded to help with internal bleeding.

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Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

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Indigenous Uses of Witch Hazel

In upstate New York, the Iroquois use an infusion of dried witch hazel leaves for sore throats, colds, and diarrhea. Hot water is poured over fresh leaves to make poultices for sprains and swellings, which simultaneously eases pain and promotes healing, and the leaves are then crushed to place on bruises. 

On the western edge of Hamamelis virginiana’s range, the Osage make medicine from the bark to treat skin ulcers and sores. A lame back can be helped with compresses of witch hazel. The species most likely in use is Hamamelis vernalis—which blooms in late winter/ early spring, as its species name indicates—another medicinal witch hazel native to North America. 

The Potawatomi, originally from what is currently known as the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, have a tradition of using witch hazel in their sweat lodges. By placing the young branches on top of the hot rocks inside the lodge, sore muscles can be eased. Perhaps there is an energetic quality that comes from the witch hazel steam as well.

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Preparations and Properties of Witch Hazel Medicine 

Parts Used: Bark, twigs, leaves, and buds

Medicinal Preparations: Tincture, infusion (leaves and buds), decoction (bark and twigs), liniment, compress, poultice, steam, wash, distillate*

Tincture ratios and dosage: Fresh bark and twigs 1:2 80%; dry bark and twigs 1:5 40%.

Infusion ratios and dosage: 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) of the dried leaves or green buds per 1 cup (240 ml) of water three times a day.

Decoction ratios and dosage: 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) of the dried bark or twigs per 1 cup (240 ml) of water three times a day.

*Note: Witch hazel preparations sold in drugstores are made from a steam distillation of the twigs, preserved with alcohol. They are much less potent than a standard tincture or tea.

Herbal Actions:

  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antiseptic
  • Astringent
  • Hemostatic

Energetics:

  • Cooling
  • Drying

Active Compounds:

  • Flavonoids
  • Tannins (hamamelitannin, catechols, and proanthocyanidins)
  • Volatile oils

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Relaxing in the Sitz Bath

One beneficial way to use witch hazel is in a sitz bath. Sitz baths are a shallow bath used to direct healing and blood flow to the genital area and/or anus. During my pregnancies and in postpartum, I used sitz baths to protect, tone, and strengthen my perineum and anal tissue. Blood supply to the area of concern is increased while soaking in a sitz bath of witch hazel by toning the blood vessels, tightening membranes, and repairing inflamed and sore skin.

 

Sitz Bath Recipe

Ingredients

  • Minimum 1 quart (1 liter) extract of chopped plant material—more is great!
  • 1 to 2 gallons (3.5 to 7 liters) of water
  • Bathtub

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Directions

Harvest witch hazel’s branches and bark any time of year, or the fresh leaves and new bud growth in spring. Always make certain if gathering bark from the trunk to only take it from one side of the tree. Removing bark from the entire circumference of a tree or shrub will kill it. I prefer to strip the bark from small limbs or branches in order to limit the harm to the tree. See this article on ethical wildcrafting for guidance if you are new to foraging. 

Take any of the woody plant material, bring it to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes, covered. Turn off heat, add the tender leaves/buds, and cover. Steep for an hour or more (the more plant material you add and the longer it steeps, the stronger the sitz bath brew will be). 

Fill a bath with enough warm water to completely cover your pelvic floor. Now strain the witch hazel extract and add the liquid to the bath. Soak in the tub for 20 minutes. Whatever the issue is that you are addressing with the sitz bath—hemorrhoids, postpartum tears and soreness, rash—send positive energy to that area and take deep belly breaths while soaking. Visualize the witch hazel and your body doing a marvelous healing dance together!

 

Witch Hazel Compress Recipe

The same astringent action of witch hazel that helps stop bleeding can tighten the pores of troubled skin and strengthen the muscle fibers of veins, making witch hazel a fantastic candidate for compresses. Applying it as a hot or cold compress (a cloth soaked in witch hazel decoction) can help increase blood flow to sore or injured areas. Compresses bring comfort.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (240 ml) extract of chopped witch hazel bark, twigs, leaves and/or green buds
  • 1 quart (1 liter) water
  • Cotton cloth

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Directions

Take any of the woody plant material, bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes, covered. Turn off heat and add the tender leaves/buds and keep covered. Let steep for an hour or more. Strain and bring the witch hazel extract back up to a very warm temperature but do not boil. 

Soak the cotton in the infusion/decoction, fold and ring out over the pot so you can reuse that liquid. Make it as hot as you can comfortably tolerate. Apply compress to the area of concern. Cover the compress with another towel (and hot water bottle if you have it).

Leave compress on for five minutes then consecutively repeat so that the heat can work along with the witch hazel medicine. Do this at least three times in a row, and, depending on the severity of the issue, even several times a day.

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Sore Muscles Liniment Recipe

This easy recipe brings relief to feet, calves, arms, neck—anywhere you feel just tuckered out. Shake your liniment before each use, then pour some on a light cloth or directly onto the sore muscle, and massage in. You may want to put some in a spray bottle for easier application.

To begin, follow this recipe for tincturing witch hazel by harvesting the twigs, leaves, and buds in spring and adding it to 190-proof organic (if possible) grain alcohol. If it is not spring, you can still make a good witch hazel tincture by harvesting twigs, leaves, or the outer bark if you know of a big healthy stand. Make at least a quart of the tincture so you can use it for a myriad of recipes. See this article for even more medicinal recipes that use witch hazel tincture. 

Ingredients

  • ½ cup (120 ml) witch hazel tincture
  • 7 drops Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oil
  • 7 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
  • 7 drops Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) essential oil
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) distilled water

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Directions

Once the witch hazel tincture is complete, strain, measure out ½ cup (120 ml) of it and add the essential oils and distilled water. If stored in a cool, dry place, this liniment can last a year or more (if you have not already used it up by then). Make sure to use a rubber or plastic lid, as metal will corrode and make it almost impossible to open the container.

 

Baba’s Aftershave Recipe

My husband grew up in Lebanon where he recalls his father (called Baba) using witch hazel as an aftershave. Maybe his father used it because he was from the United States, or maybe witch hazel products had reached the far corners of the globe way back then. In any case, we have adapted Baba’s original aftershave which was the drugstore distillation, to a more potent one you can make right at home. The antioxidant qualities of witch hazel can prevent wrinkles, so this aftershave serves not only as a comforting splash to prevent infection or irritation, but as an anti-aging boost to skin too!

Ingredients

Note: This recipe needs to be made in small batches since you will want to keep it in the bathroom for convenience—where its shelf life is no more than a month. 

  • 2 cups water
  • 1 cup (240 ml) witch hazel extract of chopped witch hazel bark, twigs, leaves, and/or green buds
  • ¼ cup (59 ml) witch hazel tincture
  • 5 drops of essential oil of choice (the aftershave smell you like most)

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 Directions

Make your decoction by bringing to a boil almost two cups of water with the woody plant material then simmer for 20 minutes, covered. Turn off heat and add any tender leaves/buds and then cover again. Let steep for 10 to 30 minutes. 

Strain one cup (240 ml). Once this has cooled completely, add the tincture and your essential oil of choice. Make sure you have researched that the essential oil you choose is safe for facial skin.

Please don’t let the time of year or availability of bark (or no bark) stop you from experimenting with your own witch hazel medicine making! If you have access to just witch hazel twigs, or perhaps only have permission to harvest the leaves—whatever part of the witch hazel tree it may be—make your extract or tincture with that. Witch hazel is strong, and all of these parts of the plant at any time of year will yield medicine more potent than any distillation you could buy at the pharmacy. 

 

References 

  1. Munroe D. The Trees of Ashe County, North Carolina. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers; 2017. 
  2. Andriote J.M. The Atlantic, “The Mysterious Past and Present of Witch Hazel.” https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/11/the-mysterious-past-and-present-of-witch-hazel/264553/ November 6, 2012. 
  3. Durant M. Who Named the Daisy? Who Named the Rose? A Roving Dictionary of Wild Flowers. Congdon & Weed, Inc.; 1976.
  4. Spira T. Wildflowers and Plant Communities of the Southern Appalachian Mountains & Piedmont. The Univ. of North Carolina Press; 2011.
  5. The American Society of Dowsers, “Dowsing History” https://dowsers.org/dowsing-history/ accessed November 29, 2019.
  6. Peattie D.C. The Natural History of Trees. University of Nebraska Press; 1980.
  7. Duke J., Ph.D. The Green Pharmacy. Rodale Press; 1997.
  8. Gibbons E. Stalking the Healthful Herbs. McKay Co.; 1966.

 

Meet Our Contributors

MARY PLANTWALKER (Mary Morgaine Squire) has been practicing yoga and meditation while steeping herself in the plant world for the past 27 years. She is a writer, mother, avid gardener, yoga teacher, and plant ambassador. In the 1990s, she earned her BA in Journalism and Sustainable Living from Fairhaven College, and has since traveled the world meeting and learning from as many plants and indigenous healers as possible. As an active earth steward, Mary is called to protect and care for Herb Mountain Farm, the incredible land she stewards in western North Carolina, while encouraging others to do the same wherever they are. Mary is gifted in facilitating ceremony and enticing mindfulness into the everyday, and is passionate about welcoming people into the walk of embracing plants as allies while living in harmony with all beings. You can follow Mary's plant escapades on Instagram.

JULIET BLANKESPOOR founded the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine in 2007 and serves as the school’s primary instructor and Creative Director. She's been a professional plant-human matchmaker for close to three decades. Juliet caught the plant bug when she was nineteen and went on to earn a degree in Botany. She's owned just about every type of herbal business you can imagine: an herbal nursery, a medicinal products business, a clinical practice, and now, an herbal school.

These days, she channels her botanical obsession with her writing and photography in her online programs and here on her personal blog, Castanea. She's writing her first book: Cultivating Medicinal Herbs: Grow, Harvest, and Prepare Handcrafted Remedies from Your Home Garden. Juliet and her houseplants share a home with her family and herb books in Asheville, North Carolina.

Want to take a deeper dive into medicinal herbs and their uses?

Our 1,000-hour Herbal Immersion Program is the most comprehensive handcrafted online herbal course available, covering botany, foraging, herb cultivation, medicine making, and therapeutics.

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5 Acupoints to Help You Navigate Your Stress This Winter

 Acupuncture
Jan 202020
 
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There are several acupressure points that are known to treat stress and stress related symptoms. It’s important to understand that acupressure is not the only form of treatment and having a balanced diet, exercise regime and lifestyle will also decrease the chances of stress being a factor in your life.

ACUPOINTS

The following five acupoints are known to help alleviate stress and other related symptoms.
LU 1—Zhong Fu
GV 24.5—Yin Tang
KI 1—Yong Quan
LI 4—He Gu
S 36- Zu San Li

THE BREAKDOWN

Lu 1, Zhong Fu– This point is often used to treat vomiting, stops coughing, disperses fullness in the chest, stops pain and regulates Lung Qi. It’s located in the upper chest in the space below the first rib, six cun from the midline. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Lu 1 regulates Lung Qi and stimulates the Lung Qi to descend. It also disperses fullness in the chest and stops coughing.

KI 1, Yongquan, Bubbling Spring– This acupoint is located on the sole of the foot approximately at the junction of the second and third toes. Indications that this acupoint will aid you are if you’re experiencing headaches, dizziness, loss of voice, blurring of vision and so on. In TCM, this acupoint is known to subdue wind and empty-heat, clear up the brain, and tonifies yin.

LI 4, Hegu, Joining (Union) Valley– The LI 4 is known to treat swelling and pain of the eye, nasal obstruction, toothache, facial swelling, deafness, sore throat and much more. In TCM, it’s said to dispel exterior wind, stimulate the dispersing function of the lungs, removes pain, and harmonizing descending and ascending functions. This point is located on the back of the hand at the apex of the webbed triangle between the thumb and the index finger.

ST 36, Zu San Li– This acupoint is often used to treat vomiting, stress and fatigue and gastrointestinal discomfort. This point is located along the outside of your shin bone about 4 finger lengths from the knee cap. You will know you’re in the right location because a muscle will mom out as you move your foot up and down. In TCM, this point is stimulated frequently to promote health and longevity.

GV 24.5, Yin Tang, Third Eye– This point is located about one finger above the point between the eyebrows and will be almost directly in the middle of the forehead. Working this point is said to calm the mind, clarify ideas and intuition as well as strengthen mental projection. It can be used to alleviate dizziness, stress, vertigo, sinusitis and headaches.

TREATMENT

Each of the above points can be used to aid in relieving stress and/or other symptoms that can cause stress. It’s helpful to bring a list to your Acupuncturist of any symptoms you may have or are looking to treat, any information will be helpful in curating your individualized treatment plan. Please communicate with your Acupuncturist if you are pregnant or looking to become pregnant as some pressure points may affect you.

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Ayurvedic herbs that control stress and keep the mind calm | Ayushakti Ayurved

 Ayurvedic
Jan 172020
 

What is stress?

In the simplest of terms, stress refers to a process of adjustment that your body needs to follow when there is an abrupt change. These changes can be physical, mental, or emotional, and accordingly, your body needs to learn its responses. One of the most common misconceptions is that you will undergo stress only when there is an unpleasant event in your life, such as job loss, the death of a loved one, or an accident. However, real-life events such as a promotion at work, a loan, or childbirth can also lead to stress.

Ayurvedic herbs to control stress and keep the mind calm

How does stress impact your mental and physical well-being?

While a little stress is considered normal in your life, prolonged stress can lead to distress. Some of the most common outcomes of an adverse stress reaction are headaches, irregular bowel movements and lack of urge to eat, high or low blood pressure, loss of interest in sexual activities, and chest pain. Moreover, it also has adverse effects on your sleeping patterns.

Some other outcomes of stress are depression, panic attacks, and periods of anxiety and overthinking. Your bodily organs can never escape the ill-effects of stress, and you can develop cancer, heart disease, or lung ailments, too. Suicide is the last resort.

Herbs that can control stress

While many antibiotics can help you to deal with stress, you are always recommended to ayurvedic stress relief herbs. Thus, it would be best if you learned about some of the best tips for stress relief that can help you to keep a calm mind.

  • Ginger: Ginger, an aromatic herb, contains an antioxidant known as gingerol. Since important stomach acids can get affected during stress, ginger helps to stimulate the acid production system. There are innumerable ways in which you can eat this Ayurvedic stress medicine.
  • Tulsi: While Tulsi is used in religious offerings, it can also help to combat the inflammation and free radicals that are caused due to chronic stress. Consuming Tulsi regularly can help you strengthen your immune system.
  • Brahmi: Brahmi is a natural herb that has anti-anxiety properties. For the uninitiated, it plays a major role in increasing your body’s level of serotonin. Serotonin is a brain chemical for relaxation.

What is Ayushakti’s stress relief ayurvedic treatment?

Ayushakti’s ayurvedic treatment for stress is a complete package where you get ayurvedic therapies such as Steam, Heart Dhara, Shiro Dhara, Marma, Body Massage, Head Massage, and Foot Massage.

Ayushakti proven ayurvedic therapy for stress helps you to combat stress by:

  • Facilitating better blood circulation
  • Improving heart functioning
  • Relieving pain
  • Opening the energy channels of the body

Ayurvedic Treatment For Stress | Ayushakti Ayurved

Visit Ayushakti’s website to know more about Ayushakti’s ayurvedic treatments for stress and ayurvedic medicines for stress. Visit the link http://bit.ly/2ymcDwY to know more about the treatment and to book an appointment online. You may contact us on our toll-free numbers 18002663001 (India) & +18002800906 (Global) or email us at info@ayushakti.com for more details.

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Finding Balance in the New Year and in the Long Run

 Acupuncture
Jan 092020
 

by Justine Myers, Lic. Ac.

The new year is often a time of introspection and self-reflection. This process may bring up the desire to make changes or improvements in our lives. We think about habits we may want to change, aspects of our physical and/or mental health that we’d like to improve and goals for the new year and/or the future.

One thing that is great to remember is that even though the new year may be a motivating factor for change, we are all capable of making changes in our lives at any given moment. It doesn’t have to be the new year. It doesn’t have to be a Monday. It doesn’t have to be dictated by an event, deadline or date on the calendar. It’s great to realize that we ultimately have the ability to make conscious decisions about our actions at any time.

Speaking for myself, my biggest overarching goal for many years has been to achieve a sense of balance as well as I reasonably can, and this year is no different. For me this includes a balance of work, time with my family and friends, physical activity/exercise, rest and relaxation, getting to bed at a reasonable hour, outdoor time, the types and amounts of foods I eat, time spent reading/learning, time spent volunteering and giving of myself in various organizations, etc. to the best of my abilities. I have learned through experience not to over-commit myself and to set limits so that I don’t exhaust myself from overdoing it or stress myself out. I notice that I am sensitive to imbalances. As an acupuncturist, a small business owner and a mother of 2 young children I have a lot on my plate. Sometimes the to-do list is long or unexpected problems arise and I feel overwhelmed; it’s normal. We can’t control the unexpected problems that make our lives difficult. Fortunately when I do my best to do the things that help me achieve balance most days, I am better able to weather the challenging situations that come up from time to time.

For me, receiving an acupuncture treatment is an excellent way to feel more relaxed and more energized; essentially, more balanced. I use acupuncture in times when I need it (for example when I’m feeling stressed or anxious, experiencing insomnia, feeling exhausted and/or something hurts) and also as prevention/maintenance at times when I don’t necessarily feel like I need it at that moment, because I know it will help me continue to feel energetic and relaxed and to have good quality sleep. I use acupuncture as a tool in my toolbox of ways to maintain balance.

This year in addition to continuing to strive for balance my goals are to spend a little more time reading and learning, and less time on social media. In 2019 I didn’t start the year with any particular resolution or goal, but early in the year I decided I wanted to challenge myself by reading a variety of books about topics that I wanted to learn more about. That challenge was very rewarding to me and now I seem to have an unquenchable thirst to read many, many more books! Years ago (maybe 2010?) I set a goal to have more fun, and I had one of the best years of my life! Setting attainable goals is a great vessel for lasting change. Taking small actions leads to positive change in time, and it is interesting to see where our goals take us.

Whether you’re staying the course you’ve been on, are still thinking of ways you might like to change, or you’ve just enthusiastically embarked on attaining a goal this year, I hope you will find the journey fulfilling and experience a sense of balance.

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Ayurveda and its benefits

 Ayurvedic
Jan 092020
 

by Indian Vaidyas

January 9, 2020

Topics: Ayurveda

As per various sources, Ayurveda was started around 6000 BCE; however, according to other concepts, Ayurveda has existing since Indus valley civilization. In Indian Vedas, Ayurveda has been recorded a medical text as a health care tradition.

Ayurveda is one of the worlds’ ancient holistic medical therapy for the whole body. Which has a deep belief that a healthy body and wellness depend on a balance between body, mind, and soul? Ayurveda believes that all things are composed of five basic elements: — earth, fire, space, water, and air, which are known as “doshas.”

According to the Vedas, the human body has been divided between three-part:

  1. Vata doshas: A combination of air and space
  2. Pitta doshas: A combination of fire and water.
  3. Kapha dosha: A combination of water and earth.

Read full article here: https://indianvaidyas.com/articles_details/what-is-ayurveda

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Yoga TTC in Rishikesh India

 Ayurvedic
Jan 092020
 

by Sanskar Yogashala

January 9, 2020

Topics: Ayurveda

Vedas need no introduction and the whole world recognizes it as the first testimony of mankind. But what is in the Vedas largely remains a mystery. Here in this short text I would try and make it simpler what Vedas actually mean. The word VEDA is derived from the root word in Sanskrit known as VID which translates into knowledge. In simpler terms, the Vedas are the texts or ancient most tradition of knowledge passed on from generation to generations. The historicity of Vedic knowledge is hard to trace since time immemorial they were passed on by recitation and memorizing in a guru –shishya tradition. Hence the Vedas were completely preserved and carried on within the memories of the ancient sages and their disciples which came to be known as SHRUTI ( = which is spoken and heard). It was around not less than 5000 years back when the Vedic scriptures were written down and compiled by a group of sages in various books and scriptures. The necessity of writing down the Vedas was due to the fact that as time progressed the enormous memorizing potential of mankind slowly started to diminish. It is believed that the Vedic scriptures are of divine agency and have been passed on through divine intervention directly into the minds of enlightened souls of antiquity. The traditions and scripture tradition sing, recite and glorify the Vedas at each and every point owing to their enormous potential of almost all streams of knowledge mankind has journeyed so far.

The Vedas which were finally written down was known as SMRITI ( = from the memory) and finally, we have four distinct Vedas which are also known as CHATURVEDA. The four Vedas in the sequence are:

1. RIG VEDA ( = RIG means to praise or glorify)
2. YAJUR VEDA ( = YAJUR means to worship)
3. SAMA VEDA ( = SAM means song and melody)
4. ATHARVA VEDA (ATHARVA = means ATHARVAN class of sagesThe four Vedas are the fountain-head of physical, spiritual and eternal wisdom and is the treasure house of all forms of knowledge if one can comprehend.

Sanskar Yogashala is one of the Traditional Yoga School in Rishikesh India which masters in certified courses of 100 Hours Yoga Teacher Training Course in Rishikesh India, 200 Hours Yoga Teacher Training Course in Rishikesh India, 300 hours Yoga Teacher Training Course in Rishikesh India and 500 hours Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh India.
Sanskar Yogashala offers certified Traditional Hatha Yoga TTC in Rishikesh India, Ashtanga Yoga TTC in Rishikesh and Kundalini Yoga Teacher Training Course in Rishikesh India.
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Yoga in Goa – A Center of Yoga Art & Meditation

 Ayurvedic
Jan 092020
 

by Mahendra Pardeshi

January 9, 2020

Topics: Ayurveda

Yoga in Goa – A Center of Yoga Art & Meditation

The art of yoga comes with a couple of health benefits and enables you to ease both the bodies & mind as you drift apart into a meditative journey. In Goa, there are numbers of training centers that are providing training for yoga meditation. The yoga training provided by these centers fits all yoga levels from novice to intermediate yoga experts. Finding a reliable yoga meditation training institute in Goa can be a daunting task. However, there are some institutes that will help you avail complete benefits of yoga at highly reasonable prices.

Mentioned below are some of the instructions that will help you carry out yoga meditation in a professional way:

1. Just keep in mind that always start with the most simple yoga exercise, after sitting in a comfortable cross-legged position on the floor. Put the upper of your pelvic bones ahead, allowing your backbone to increase and enable your shoulders to roll back. One may keep his or her arms either palm up or palm down on the uppers of your knees. Several people think that taking the help of thumb and index finger assist in enhancing the flow of energy.

2. Once you have done with the basic yoga poses, it’s time to pass on to a more difficult yoga meditation pose. To carry out the challenging yoga poses like half lotus, a person should put his right foot under his left thigh and spot the upper of his left foot on top of his right thigh. He or she may change leg places with every yoga practice. While practicing a yoga pose like this, take the help of a pillow or folded blanket and place under sitz bone if you are feeling difficult to make your back straight.

3. Carry out the complete lotus pose once you are comfortable in doing the half lotus yoga pose. Easily discharge your lower leg and put the upper of your foot on the reverse thigh so that your ankles are intersecting with the singles of your feet pushing in towards your pelvic arch. In order to assist maintain your body erect, it is suggested to leave your hands at rest on your knees and pressure your hand into the floor at your sides.

4. Go for the effective yoga meditation pose any time you want, but under the supervision of experienced yoga instructors. Before getting into any yoga exercise, draw your hands softly in your lap and then start with your meditation.

Yoga Teacher
www.yogaschoolgoa.com

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Stay Healthy This Winter with a Balanced Qi

 Acupuncture
Jan 062020
 
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Winter’s element is water and is associated with the kidneys, which in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is considered the source of all qi and energy within the body. Winter is also associated with the bladder and adrenal glands.

Focusing on inner reflection, rest, energy conservation and storage during the winter months is when it’s most important as it helps us to properly nourish our Kidney Qi.

Below are a few methods you can learn about and apply during this season in order to maintain a balanced qi.

Balancing your lifestyle

For most people, a reduction in activity is common during the winter months whether it’s due to the frigid temperatures, damp weather, or lack of activities available in the area where you reside.

Given that reduced activity is likely a factor for many, it’s important to also consume less food this time of year to avoid unnecessary weight gain. Food that should be gravitated towards would be warmer foods such as beans, ginger or garlic, and even soups and stews.

Rest & Relaxation

Although the days are shorter during the winter, it’s important to stay in line with our circadian rhythm. This can be done by having an earlier bedtime and waking up after the sun has had time to warm the earth in the morning. Not only does getting more sleep helps with balancing our Yang Qi, it helps give our body the necessary rest we need in order to prevent common winter illnesses such as the flu, colds, and general aches and pains. Not only that, but according to TCM, unresolved anger, stress and frustration can throw your immune system thus off allowing pathogens to affect the body.

Relaxation is also a way to stay balanced during this time of year.

Drink Plenty of Water

We’re all aware that drinking water is extremely important to our survival, but it does more than simply keeping us alive.

Drinking water has many benefits including the fact that it’s essential for proper kidney function and can even prevent kidney stones. It’s also known for lubricating the joints, delivers oxygen through the body, regulates body temperature, and maintaining blood pressure.

If you have a hard time drinking water, try adding lemon to it to amplify the taste, drinking tea, or adding a vitamin flavor enhancer.

Wash your hands

Winter time is the time of year where we are in close proximity with others because we tend to stay indoors more. That being said, we are more likely to spread our germs to others and vice versa.

Washing your hands often can help prevent the spread of germs and keep you healthy. Other ways to avoid coming in contact with germs is to keep a container of sanitizing cloths with you so you can wipe down door knobs, grocery cart handles, and even condiment containers at restaurants before handling them.

Acupuncture Points

The acupuncture point that we suggest catering to is Du 14. It helps regulate blood circulation and can also strengthen the outer defense layers of the skin and muscle to prevent the intrusion and duration of germs and viruses.

Du 14 is a crucial point that is used to release the Exterior and treat Wind-Heat.

Applying Traditional Chinese Medicine to your active lifestyle is beneficial for your health and should be made a priority.

https://www.centredaily.com/living/liv-columns-blogs/article189158219.html
 https://www.acufinder.com/Acupuncture+Information/Detail/Chinese+Medicine+and+Winter+Season
 http://www.acupuncture.com/education/points/du/du14.htm

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Our Favorite Herbal Blogs, Podcasts & YouTube Channels

 Uncategorized
Dec 172019
 

Our Favorite Herbal Blogs, Podcasts & YouTube Channels

Written by Meghan Gemma
Photography by Juliet Blankespoor

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The internet can be a fantastic place to learn about herbs—with a significant caveat: anyone can share any sort of information that they want, free of qualifications or checks and balances. That’s why we’ve coralled our most-trusted online herbal resources for you to peruse. Materia medica, plant identification, recipes, research articles—it’s all here.

Granted, we had to draw the line somewhere, and plenty of high-quality sites probably didn’t make it onto our list. If you have a favorite that we neglected to mention, feel free to leave a link in the comments at the end of this article! You can also check out the original herbal roll call compiled by Rosalee de la Forêt—it’s the most comprehensive directory of herbal blogs that I know of.

By the way, if you feel equally compelled by wild foods and foraging, we’ve got another bumping list ready to go: take a peek at our Top Herbal and Foraging Blogs, Podcasts, and YouTube Channels.

(Note: some of these sites are the work of our friends, but we’re not being paid to promote a single one—we simply think they’re stellar.)

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woman mixing tinctures on a table
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Herbal Medicine Blogs

A Modern Herbal Online

The online, searchable text of Maude Grieve’s classic book: A Modern Herbal. I love this resource, which features loads of European physiomedical and folk wisdom, and herbal history. 

Avena Botanicals Blog

The personal blog of Deb Soule—the founder of Avena Botanicals, a handcrafted herbal remedies company that grows nearly all of their own herbs on a certified biodynamic farm in Midcoast Maine. Deb is also the author of How to Move Like a Gardener: Planting and Preparing Medicines from Plants.

Aviva Romm, MD

Dr. Aviva Romm—an MD, herbalist, and midwife—writes specifically about women’s and children’s health. Topics include hormonal health, vaccines, stress, supplements, and sexuality. If you’re looking for a blog that straddles western medicine and holistic health, this is highly recommended.

Battle Ground Healing Arts Blog

The smart and well-researched blog of Dr. Jillian Stansbury, an MD who specializes in natural medicine. If you like academic discussions that still retain the folksy roots of herbalism, you’ll like Dr. Stansbury’s writings. She discusses herbs for common ailments, cancer, and heart health—plus she takes on the more esoteric topic of plant intelligence. 

Bevin Clare’s Blog

Bevin Clare is an herbalist, nutritionist, and professor at the Maryland University of Integrative Health. She’s an herbal traveler whose writing blends her knowledge of traditional uses of plants with modern science and contemporary healthcare strategies.

Blog Castanea

Our own personal blog! Come join Chestnut School queen bee, Juliet Blankespoor and friends, for a hearty dose of botanical beauty and wisdom. Our blog is brimming with herbal anecdotes, plant monographs, gorgeous photography, and wild food recipes—all written with cheeky humor and true plant passion. Juliet is a writer, teacher, forager, photographer, and plant-human matchmaker who lives in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. You can also connect with her on Instagram for daily doses of herbal wit and cheer.

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cat with book

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Foraging & Feasting

One of my favorite herbal and wild food blogs, impeccably written by Dina Falconi and illustrated by Wendy Hollender. Dina shares seasonal recipes for herbal beverages, greens, savory dishes, and desserts, along with engaging writing on gathering and preparing wild foods. She frequently includes excerpts and master recipes from her book, Foraging & Feasting: A Field Guide and Wild Food Cookbook (which is highly recommended and can be purchased directly from the author here). I use recipes from Dina’s blog and cookbook more than any other! Dina is also a recipe contributor in our Online Foraging Course.

Gather

An absolutely fabulous blog on herbal food, magical cookery, and seasonal celebration. You’ll be treated to recipes for wild foods and drinks that range from simple to decadent, and there’s always an accompanying story. This is home-style, creative wild foods cooking with a mythic twist. The blog is written by Danielle Prohom Olson and Jennifer Aikman, who live and gather in British Columbia, Canada. Their recipes and writings are applicable to the temperate world and will soon have you taking part in wild, nourishing, and enchanting food traditions.

Ginger Tonic Botanicals

Penned by clinical herbalist and licensed nutritionist, Lindsay Kluge, this blog is a sweet steep in legit herbal miscellany: medicine making, plant profiles,  holistic nutrition, wildcrafting, organic gardening, and botanical beauty. Her Botanical-Infused Hair Oil for Long Strong Locks is a personal favorite.

Gingertooth & Twine

You’ll want to feast your eyes on this herbal recipe blog written by Spencer L.R. McGowan, featuring fantastic seasonal treats—ghee and nettle crackers, anyone? Or how about adaptogenic banana pancakes, backyard herbal shakshuka, or coconut rose petal ice cream? If you’re on the fence about culinary herbalism, this blog will convert you faster than you can say “floral spring rolls”.

Gold Roots and Threads

Writings on the triangulation of herbal medicine, theory, art, and praxis in the wildlands of Cascadia by Renee Adele Davis—a clinical herbalist, educator, and board member of the American Herbalists Guild. 

Green Path Herb School Blog

Elaine Sheff’s blog—the clinical herbalist and co-director at Green Path Herb School—featuring lots of herbal articles and herbal and body care recipes.

Henriette’s Herbal

Henriette Kress is an herbalist and writer who grew up in Germany and Swedish-speaking Finland and who now practices herbal medicine in Helsinki. Her blog is a wealth of brief but useful herbal monographs that include information on plant identification and medicinal use, plus occasional recipes. Because her blog features a mix of English, Swedish, and Finnish entries, use the search engine in the upper right corner of her page to find information on specific plants.

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Assorted herbs

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Herb Geek

An educational resource for natural healing featuring articles on wellness and alternative medicine with a strong focus on herbal medicine.

Herb Society of America Blog

A blog written by members and staff of the Herb Society of America—an organization dedicated to “promoting the knowledge, use, and delight of herbs”. How lovely! You’ll find plant profiles, recipes, cultivation tips, and research on all things herbal. 

Herbal Academy Blog

This is a diverse and easy-to-read blog written by a number of contributors via the Herbal Academy, an online school of herbal medicine. Excited about DIY herbal projects? Wanting to expand your herbal recipe index? Ready to learn a bit about dozens of medicinal plants? This is for you.

Herbal Roots Zine

A delightful herbal e-magazine for children, whose charm won’t be lost on adults. Each issue focuses on a single herb and includes medicinal info, plant characteristics, recipes, and activities. Plant a seed of knowledge for a lifetime of herbal wisdom!

Herbaria: A Plant Healer Newsletter

A free monthly newsletter published by Kiva Rose and Jesse Wolf Hardin, who live in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico. Every issue varies, but frequent features include herbalist interviews, plant profiles, recipes, and herbal editorials. Kiva and Jesse are the same incredible folks who publish the quarterly Plant Healer Magazine and host the annual Good Medicine Confluence—one of the most enchanting herbal gatherings in North America.

Herbcraft

The online home base for jim mcdonald, a self-taught Michigan herbalist who has an utterly charming and humorous approach to writing and teaching about herbs. jim shares some excellent herbal monographs on his website (occasionally accompanied by videos) that frequently include material you just won’t find anywhere else. He’s also compiled a fantastic Master Herbal Article Index, which features a gold mine of selected writings from herbalists on all kinds of topics. Highly recommended.

Herbs with Rosalee

One of my favorite blogs to share with herbal newcomers. Rosalee de la Forêt is a heartwarming online presence, and she writes extensively about herbs for health and food-as-medicine. Her articles are conveniently arranged in alphabetical order, and she has an index featuring her recipes—which are typically easy to prepare and ultra nourishing. Rosalee also shares a list of Sustainable Herb Farms and Ethical Wildcrafters in the United States and Canada, if you’re looking to purchase high-quality herbs. Rosalee is the author of Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients into Foods and Remedies that Heal and a recipe contributor in our Online Foraging Course.

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Woman with black walnuts and garment dyed with walnuts
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The Enchanter's Green

The wild and weedy blog of Kiva Rose, a splendid writer and folk herbalist who has published a phenomenal number of articles on traditional herbalism, wild foods, foraging, and weedivory. You’ll find fantastic herbal monographs, personal stories, clinical wisdom, wild musings, and wonderfully creative recipes on her site. Kiva lives in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico and is a recipe contributor in our Online Foraging Course—sharing her rambunctious take on wild, herbal soul food.

Mountain Rose Herbs Blog

One of our favorite herbal suppliers also has a wonderful blog—featuring medicine making and natural body care recipes, herb harvesting tips, plant profiles, DIY herbal projects, and so much more.

Of Sedge + Salt

This blog is a treasure! Herbal writer, artist, and photographer Kelly Moody offers unusually in-depth profiles on a number of precious medicinal plants. This is a great place to nerd out on ecology, ethnobotany, wild edibles, herbs, and botanical musings. Kelly is a former student of the Chestnut School and we continue to be deeply impressed by her knowledge of and passion for plants!

Plants For A Future

An extensive online database featuring more than 7,000 edible and medicinal plants, many of which can be found growing wild throughout the temperate world. To make the most of this site, you really need to use the Search tool to find specific plants. Profiles include identification, medicinal use, edibility, cultivation, and information on related species. A charitable organization, Plants For A Future was originally founded by Ken and Addy Fern in Cornwall, UK.

Michael Moore’s Southwest School of Botanical Medicine

Michael Moore was one of the herbal greats of our time (and one of Juliet’s primary herbal teachers), and he’s left behind a wonderful online legacy, where many of his tongue-in-cheek teachings are now available for free. If you’re a serious student and can handle the screen time, his Materia Medica (available through this link) is highly recommended. He’s also the author of a number of books that are invaluable for herbalists and foragers in the Southwest, Pacific Northwest, and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States.

Northeast School of Botanical Medicine

The blog of dear friend, teacher, botanist, herbalist, and comedian 7Song. This generous guy shares his teaching handouts online, which include spring and fall wildcrafting lists for the northeastern United States, plus a review of botanical field guides for much of the country by region. His blog features detailed plant monographs (with identification tips), tales of his travels, and lots of writings on first-aid herbalism. 7Song is the director of the Northeast School for Botanical Medicine and the Ithaca Free Clinic in Ithaca, New York. He hosts an apprenticeship program through his school and takes students on service-based trips throughout the country and abroad.

Old Ways Herbal

This home-style blog features “farmcraft” wisdom from Juliette Abigail Carr, a clinical herbalist and gardener in Newfane, Vermont. Juliette’s writing zeroes in on herbal gardening tips and medicine making tutorials.

Queering Herbalism

An essential resource for links to queer, trans, and POC healers compiled by herbalist Toi Scott. This is also a great place to find resources on race, gender, and sexuality—including books, articles, and blogs.

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Floral infusion with elder, bergamot, calendula and passionflower-

Seed & Thistle

A series of monographs, recipes, and interviews by Lara Pecheco, a Taíno Boricua Latinx herbalist and mamita who dials in on ancestral medicine, BIPOC herbalism, and traditional cultures. 

Sistah of the Yam

The blog of Taylor Johnson-Gordon, a plant food educator, vegan mama, herbalist, and home cook whose mission is to help Black mothers nourish themselves and their families through real plant-based foods and herbal remedies. You’ll find loads of recipes, plus a 28-part feature on traditional Pan-African foods. 

Sustainable Herbs Program

Created by writer, plant-lover, and anthropologist Ann Armbrecht, the Sustainable Herbs Program shares the stories of the people and plants behind herbal products. Their goal is to create a movement supporting high quality herbal remedies, sustainable and ethical sourcing, and greater transparency in the herbal supply chain. You can read more about their work here.

Take Care Herbals

Herbalist Rae Swersey’s blog, whose focus is radical health care and community clinical herbalism that supports LGBTQQIA and underserved populations. You can expect to find lots of goodness along these lines on their blog.

The Plant Path

A blog/podcast from the School of Evolutionary Herbalism that touches on the fascinating topics of traditional alchemy, medical astrology, clinical herbalism, and Ayurveda. The founders of the school, Sajah and Whitney Popham, describe their niche as “ancient teachings for the new paradigm of plant medicine”. I find their work to be captivating!

Tieraona Low Dog's Blog

Dr. Tieraona Low Dog is an award-winning author, herbalist, and integrative medicine practitioner who writes an accessible blog that highlights herbs and supplements for natural health. 

Todd Caldecott's Blog

Todd’s writings blend herbalism, Ayurveda, and nutrition for a big-picture look at how we can address health concerns. Todd is a medical herbalist, practitioner of Ayurveda, and Executive Director of the Dogwood School of Botanical Medicine.

Way of the Wild Heart

The beautifully written blog of Gail Faith Edwards, an elder community herbalist and founder of the Blessed Maine Herb Farm. Gail’s writings weave together myth, history, and plant-based wisdom—they seem to come from a dreamier era. She is the author of Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs.

United Plant Savers

The mission of United Plant Savers is to protect the native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada (and their native habitat) while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come. They contribute an incredible body of research and education and tend a botanical sanctuary that is open to the public in Rutland, Ohio. Check out their Species At-Risk List before wildcrafting any native plants!

WiseWoman Healing Ways

The blog of Robin Rose Bennett, an elder herbalist and writer whose teachings are infused with earth-based spirituality and intuitive wisdom. She writes about many temperate-climate wild herbs, but you won’t find a great deal on identification, so be sure to reference a reliable field guide when foraging. You’ll also want to check out her Plant Medicine Series on video. Robin lives in New Jersey, is the author of The Gift of Healing Herbs: Plant Medicines and Home Remedies for a Vibrantly Healthy Life (one of my favorite herbals), and is a recipe contributor to our Online Foraging Course.

Woolgathering & Wildcrafting

Get ready to be charmed by this herbal blogger—Asia Suler is simply one of the most enchanting, tuned-in medicine women I know. Her blog is a treasury of herbal musings, recipes, earth magic, beautiful writing, and photography. I promise you will find a rare depth in her teachings. You can also connect with Asia on YouTube and by subscribing to her newsletter, which delivers heart medicine and herbal offerings to your inbox every month. Asia is the herbal concoctress at One Willow Apothecaries and is one of the primary instructors in our Online Herbal Immersion.

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pouring herbal tea

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Herbal Podcasts & YouTube Channels

Deb Soule of Avena Botanicals on YouTube

The videos on Deb Soule’s YouTube channel are a joy to behold, as she truly loves and connects with plants. She shares real wisdom on both garden-grown and wild herbs, including medicinal uses, harvesting, and preparation suggestions. Deb is the founder of Avena Botanicals, a handcrafted herbal remedies company that grows nearly all of their own herbs on a certified biodynamic farm in Midcoast Maine. She also writes a fantastic blog and is the author of How to Move Like a Gardener.

Herbal Radio

A series of intelligent and interesting herbal podcasts hosted by Mountain Rose Herbs that features some of today’s most iconic herbalists. The episodes are all free and can be streamed through iTunes.

HerbMentor Radio and HerbMentor on YouTube

A wonderful radio podcast (the real gem here) featuring interviews with a fantastic collection of herbalists, naturalists, and foragers including Doug Elliott, Rosemary Gladstar, Jon Young, Thomas Elpel, Dina Falconi, James Duke, Emily Ruff, and Wildman Steve Brill. The YouTube channel is also worth checking out and includes a modest selection of videos on identifying, gathering, and preparing wild plants. HerbMentor is part of an online herbal learning community cofounded by John and Kimberly Gallagher, who also facilitate LearningHerbs.

Medicine Stories Podcast

An intriguing herbal podcast hosted by Amber Magnolia Hill that can quickly plumb some significant depths. Each episode features an interview with a compelling herbal voice and addresses hearty topics like motherhood, birth, ancestral healing, plant magic, and psychedelics. 

Mountain Gardens

Joe Hollis’s YouTube channel shares an incredible collection of videos on wild woodland and meadow medicinals alongside other Western and Chinese herbs that can be cultivated in the garden. Mountain Gardens is Joe’s home and a botanical paradise featuring the largest collection of native Appalachian and Chinese medicinal herbs in the eastern United States. Joe sells plants and seeds, shares a self-serve library and herbal apothecary, and offers plenty of incredible classes, which you can check out here.

Mountain Rose Herbs on YouTube

An excellent collection of videos on medicine making, herbal materia medica, aromatherapy, plant walks, herbal folklore, and recipes. Features some noteworthy guest speakers.

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Natural MD Radio

A weekly women’s health podcast hosted by Dr. Aviva Romm—an MD, herbalist, and midwife. Topics include children’s health, vaccines, stress, supplements, and sexuality—but the focus is on a wide range of women’s health issues and how to address them with natural therapies. Highly recommended.

Real Herbalism Radio

A weekly herbal radio show hostessed by Candace Hunter and Sue Sierralupé. Topics range from current herbal news to herbal first aid to medicinal mushrooms—it’s easy to find something you’ll enjoy with this one! You can also check out their blog.

The Herbal Highway Podcast

A compelling herbal podcast to keep you company in the car. Hosted by Karyn Sanders, who discusses important topics like grief, Indigenous land rights, and Native American traditions alongside contemporary herbal medicine.

The Plant Path

A blog/podcast from the School of Evolutionary Herbalism that touches on the fascinating topics of traditional alchemy, medical astrology, clinical herbalism, and Ayurveda. The founders of the school, Sajah and Whitney Popham, describe their niche as “ancient teachings for the new paradigm of plant medicine”.

We know there are plenty more fantastic herbal resources on the web.

If you have a personal favorite, we’d love to hear about it (especially from our friends in Australia and New Zealand)! And if you enjoy following herbal writers online, check out the blog roll of Rosalee de la Forêt: A Complete List of Herbal Blogs.

Meet Our Contributors

Meghan Gemma

MEGHAN GEMMA is one of the Chestnut School’s primary instructors through her written lessons, and is the principal pollinator of the school’s social media community—sharing herbal and wild foods wisdom from the flowery heart of the school to an ever-wider field of herbalists, gardeners, healers, and plant lovers.

She has been in a steady relationship with the Chestnut School since 2010—as an intern and manager at the Chestnut Herb Nursery; as a plant-smitten student “back in the day” when the school’s programs were taught in the field; and later as a part the school’s woman-powered professional team. Meghan lives in the Ivy Creek watershed, just north of Asheville, North Carolina.

JULIET BLANKESPOOR founded the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine in 2007 and serves as the school’s primary instructor and Creative Director. She's been a professional plant-human matchmaker for close to three decades. Juliet caught the plant bug when she was nineteen and went on to earn a degree in Botany. She's owned just about every type of herbal business you can imagine: an herbal nursery, a medicinal products business, a clinical practice, and now, an herbal school.

These days, she channels her botanical obsession with her writing and photography in her online programs and here on her personal blog, Castanea. She's writing her first book: Cultivating Medicinal Herbs: Grow, Harvest, and Prepare Handcrafted Remedies from Your Home Garden. Juliet and her houseplants share a home with her family and herb books in Asheville, North Carolina.

Want to take a deeper dive into medicinal herbs and their uses?

Our 1,000-hour Herbal Immersion Program is the most comprehensive handcrafted online herbal course available, covering botany, foraging, herb cultivation, medicine making, and therapeutics.

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Winter Acupuncture: Governing Vessel 14

 Acupuncture
Dec 162019
 
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Governing Vessel 14 is called The Great Hammer. This point is located below C 7 on the spine. C 7, the seventh cervical vertebrae is the one which is the most prominent. Traditionally the vertebrae were referred to as hammers because of their resemblance to the tool. This point is great because it is the intersecting point for all of the Yang meridians in the body. In winter time, this point is often used to treat colds and other illnesses that are common this time of year.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine there are six types of evils that can afflict the body. Wind, cold, heat, dryness, dampness, summer heat are the six evils, or excesses. Governing Vessel 14 is good at expelling pathogens in the body, including invasions of wind and cold, as well as summer heat. Wind cold can enter the body through the area between Governing Vessel 14 and Bladder 12. This is why it is important to wear a scarf in the winter. You want to protect your body from an invasion of wind cold. If you do become afflicted you may get a cold, fever, flu and experience coughing. In the summer, excess heat can cause high fevers and GV 14 is effective in reducing them. GV 14 can also be needled to keep the wei qi (the protective qi, akin to the immune system) strong, thus protecting the body from external pathogens.

Due to its location on the neck, GV 14 can be used for neck pain or stiff neck, pain along the spine, headaches, toothache and sore throats. As you can see, Governing Vessel 14 is not only a great point in general, but a critical point during the winter months when cold and flu season are upon us and the threat of evil wind and cold is all around us.

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Ayurveda’s take on the concept of eating raw food

 Ayurvedic
Dec 162019
 

Incurred more than 3,000 years ago, the essence of Ayurveda is based on the ancient thinking & the true meaning of health. Ayurveda has the capability of relieving the symptoms of certain diseases. It is the herbal remedy that balances the wellness between mind & body.

Why Does Ayurveda Suggest Avoid Eating Raw Food | Raw Food Diet Guide

Ayurveda has its set norms that one should follow to have an active & healthy life. Ayurveda practices and home remedies have many beneficial properties, but it is a necessity to follow the diet as well. Nowadays, many people are following a trend of eating raw veggies as a part of their diet plan.

What is the concept of raw food diet?

The raw food is ideally completely uncooked, to preserve the nutrients & enzymes in its natural form. According to experts, uncooked food incorporates healthy nutrients & natural enzymes that are lost if the food gets cooked. It is said that raw food helps in losing weight and to stay fit. Cooked food makes detoxification harder than that of raw food, which helps in relieving headaches, allergies, etc.

What does Ayurveda say about eating raw food?

As per Ayurveda, eating raw food can cause problems like improper digestive functioning, food poisoning, kidney issues, bowel movement issues and many more. Ayurveda advises to eat cooked or at least partially cooked food for maintaining good health. Food like fruits, nuts and some selective vegetables like cucumber, carrots, and radishes can be eaten raw, but some need to be cooked.

What are the benefits of cooked food?

  • Cooked food gives us multiple benefits such as:
  • Cooked food is easy to digest
  • Warm food helps with smooth blood flow to your gut
  • Cooked food breaks down easily and aids in proper nutrients absorption
  • A cooked food kills bacteria that prevent food poisoning

Ayushakti suggests eating cooked or partially cooked food for better health and also to avoid certain digestive issues, nutrient deficiencies, etc. along with incorporating healthy food habits like including salads in a daily diet, washing leafy vegetables properly, having small meals at alternate hours, etc. Ayushakti also recommends detoxification once every six months, which will help in rejuvenating the body.

Visit the nearest Ayushakti clinic to get the best diet plan as per your body needs. Ayushakti has a team of Ayurveda experts who will guide you with the best suitable diet plans that will help you to stay fit and healthy. Contact us on our toll-free numbers 18002663001 (India) & +18002800906 (Global) or email us at info@ayushakti.com for more details.

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