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Plant Allies for the Seasons of Your Cycle

2/18/2020

 
by: Gabrielle Jansen BNat
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Photo by Anderson Rian on Unsplash

Our bodies reflect the shifting seasons, linking us
​ever more closely with the natural world.
I didn’t grow up knowing my cycle mirrored those of the earth so closely. Like many of us, my early reproductive education was fairly limited and cloaked in both secrecy and shame.

It would take more than a decade of study and practice before I began to appreciate how little I knew about how my body worked. Even then, it would be some years before I understood that having a cycle meant going around, like the seasons. 

The menstrual cycle mirrors all other cycles in nature. 

Just like the tide that rises and falls, the seasons that bloom and decay, the moon that waxes and wanes, our cycles embody the life-death-life cycles of nature.

And so…

The menstrual cycle can be broken into four seasons, that reflect our shifting fertility:
Winter - the menstrual phase, Spring - the pre-ovulatory phase, Summer - the ovulatory phase and Fall - the post-ovulatory phase.

Understanding the energetic seasons of the menstrual cycle gives us a language with which we can understand and explore our own fertility and physiology. Equipped with words, we begin to appreciate the menstrual cycle as a powerful teacher. One that constantly offers us insights into our health and well-being, and gives us the opportunity to develop a deep relationship with ourselves.
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Winter // Menstruation // Mugwort 

A new cycle begins on the first day of heavy menstrual bleeding and we call it Day One. 

It is time for us to turn inward, to rest, to be still and silent as snowfall. It’s here in the dark that we return home to ourselves, shaking off the world outside, we land deeply in our bodies. 

Here in the winter-time we are most connected to our needs, our path and intuitive self. 
Without the distraction of the light, everything is clear. 

Menstruation brings us deep clarity, if only we can sit still long enough to listen.

Mugwort, Artemisia vulgaris, helps us to dream our visions, reconnect with our subconscious and move through the underworld, making this plant a wonderful ally to call upon during menstruation. Many of you will be familiar with Mugwort's ability to ease cramping and bring on light or scanty flow. Mugwort also connects us with our dreams and deeper visioning and feels oh so aligned, to these inner-winter nights. 

Note: Mugwort - Artemisia vulgaris is an emmenagogue - avoid in pregnancy.
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Photo by Paul M on Unsplash
Spring // Pre-ovulation // Nettle

A few days have passed and bleeding begins to slow. There is a distinct shift in our energy. We no longer feel cocooned to the inner world, but refreshed, renewed and restored. Awake once more from winter's restful slumber. 

The energy of spring, as all herbalists know, is exciting, inspiring and motivating. If left without direction, or grounding however, spring has the potential to become erratic, and before we know it we’ve planted a garden bigger than we can possibly tend.

It’s in our inner-spring, as estrogen rises, that we are fresh with new ideas, excitement and the motivation to get out there. We must remember, though, to thin the rows, focus our energy, lest our garden becomes overcrowded.

Nettles, Urtica dioca, pop up everywhere, and are here to tonify the blood and support the kidneys. A great mover of water, Nettles move fluid through the body, like the streams now running in the woods, that gently cleanse winter's stagnation.
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Photo by K. Mitch Hodge on Unsplash
Summer // Ovulation // Rose

Around the middle of our cycle, Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) stimulate ovulation and an ‘egg’ or ovum is released from the ovary.  We feel energised, empowered and capable. If menstruation pulls us inward, then ovulation sends us spiraling, radiant, into the outer world.

Ovulation is the power to create. 

This is the fertile phase of our cycle and we now hold the capacity to create that which we wish to see manifest in our lives. 

The beauty of the cycle is here, in it’s balance - during menstruation we turn inward, we find deep communion with self and truth. During ovulation we have the energy to bring that truth into the light. 

While summer is a joyful season, it is also incredibly busy. 

During the long hot days we can feel both uncentered and distracted, forgetting the important work we wished to complete. Who better to keep us aligned with our heart's truth than Rose?
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Photo by Charlie Solorzano on Unsplash

​Fall // Post-ovulation // Dandelion

With the headiness of summer behind us, and the leaves shifting colors in the forest, it’s time to dig up roots and gather the last of the harvest.

Fall is both a joyful season of abundance, of harvest, and of celebration as it is a time of preparation, and looking ahead. If we did not achieve what we set out to do, there is a little time left before the winter comes to finish up the projects we have started. 

This season is about re-drawing our boundaries, saying "no" to what's un-important and focusing our energy on what we must. Towards the end of Fall, it’s time to prepare, rearrange our commitments and plan our slow days so that we can fully step into rest and silence, once winter arrives.

Dandelion roots, Taraxacum officinale, support the liver and assist estrogen clearance by encouraging bowel movements. Dandelion helps us to let go of the things that are not really important. Some of us find that high levels of progesterone in the post-ovulatory phase can be constipating, and so Dandelion is a beautifully poised ally for our inner-fall. 

As the days grow darker, and the air gets colder, soon we welcome back the clarity of our winter nights and our cycle begins once more.

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Gabrielle Jansen BNat is an Australian Herbalist and Fertility Educator out of Rockland, Maine. Her practice combines her clinical foundation with a deep desire to empower others to understand their bodies. She offers classes, consultations and informative blog posts on herbalism, fertility education and cyclical wisdom at www.witchmountainherbal.com and on instagram @witchmountainherbal

Bitters

3/16/2017

 
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by Patrice Green

Herbalists always say that everything starts with the gut, meaning that if your digestive system is working optimally, so too will everything else.  

This past fall I became obsessed with making bitters.  Bitters help stimulate the digestive system to optimize the body’s ability to process food and absorb nutrients.  It is amazing to me how much of a difference just a few drops of a balanced bitters formula can make to one’s digestive health. 

A perfect example of when bitters are helpful is either before or after a large meal, like Thanksgiving dinner.   Bitters are also great to use during the winter months, when our systems are bogged down for a variety of reasons.  Often weather precludes us from being as active as we’d like.  We also don’t have the same variety of fresh greens and vegetables in our diets, and we’re more inclined to eat heavier stews and foods during the winter months.  Bitters help stimulate one’s metabolism, helping with weight loss.  They are prized in Ayurvedic medicine as a way to manage a sweet tooth.

Here are some of my favorite bitters: 

Gentian Root: Gentian is the premier bitter herb.   It can take anywhere from 7-10 years for the root to mature for harvesting.  It grows in high altitudes and was used as the chief flavoring for America’s first soft drink, Moxie soda.  Its distinctive flavor is not for the faint of heart.  It also should be used with caution by anyone with ulcers.  It is also an emmenagogue, anti-parasitic and has been used to balance high blood pressure.   

Cacao: Think chocolate – raw, pure, unsweetened and minimally processed and you have cacao, the source from which chocolate is derived.  Very high in antioxidants and minerals, cacao is a natural bitter that adds a wonderful “finish” to any bitters formula. 

Dandelion Root: Dandelion greens are wonderful in spring salads or steamed as a side dish, but why not use the root year round?  In addition to using it in liver teas, the root can be added to bitters formulas with great results.  

Artichoke: Artichoke stimulates the flow of bile from the liver.  It’s been used to stabilize blood sugar and blood pressure, as well as treating nausea, arthritis and liver issues.  

There are several other foods and herbs that can be used in bitters formulas, such as the dried peel of citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, or dried lavender and vanilla bean.  You can use rose hips, apricots, cherries, cranberries, cloves, cinnamon, mace or nutmeg.   The only limit is your imagination.  I encourage you to think about making your own bitters formula.  Experiment!   Your body will thank you!

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Patrice Green is an Herbal Educator, Certified Aromatherapist, Energy Medicine and Reiki Practitioner and founder of Green Aromatics. She is also the Assistant Director at the Boston School of Herbal Studies. She received her herbal training at the Boston School of Herbal Studies, and shamanic training from Isa Gucciardi, Ph. D. at the Sacred Stream in Berkley, CA. Inspired by time spent among the coastal Redwoods of Muir Woods and its beach, Green Aromatics strives to imbue its products and services with the same resilience, joy and equanimity of these majestic beings. Patrice may be reached through the Green Aromatics website.

4 Herbs to Beat the Summer Heat

8/15/2016

 
by Steph Zabel
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Despite the plant abundance, beauty and delight that is apparent during summer, I must confess.... this is not my favorite season. Is that a surprise?

I tend to have a hard time with heat (and this year we've had a lot!) and constant glaring, bright, sunny days. It may sound counter-intuitive (especially for someone who is an herbalist!), but summer has always been the season I struggle the most with. I can't be the only one who feels this way, right?!...  

Perhaps it has something to do with growing up in extreme hot weather climates for so many years. I spent the majority of my life living in South Carolina AND in Texas, where most of the year is very bright, hot and sweaty.


For some people -- for some constitutions, that is -- the heat is simply too aggrevating. And I am no exception. This is why some people prefer cold foods over hot foods, or why some people wear tank tops in an air-conditioned room while others must wear a sweater. We are all so unique in our constitutions and what we crave, need or gravitate towards. This has always fascinated me.

But back to the heat: if you're like me and are having trouble with the current season there are plenty of things you can do to make yourself more comfortable until that first gentle whisper of autumn arrives.... Here are some of my favorite hot weather herbs and strategies:

1. Hibiscus
Hibiscus sabdariffa

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Photo credit: Thomas Schoch via WikiCommons
Hibiscus is my go-to summer herb. As soon as the temperature starts to rise above 80 degrees, I break out my stash. There is no other herb that I have experienced that is so well-suited to the dog days of summer. Hibiscus is tremendously cooling, and helps to bring the body temperature down.

Also, perhaps due in part to its tart flavor, it's very thirst-quenching and helps to keep us hydrated while we are sweating away in the summer heat. The taste is refreshing and flavorful, a bit sour and energizing, and many people find that it is almost addictive.

In my home as soon as one batch of hibiscus tea has disappeared I’ll make another one right away so that there is always plenty to gulp down when needed. You can also freeze the tea into ice cubes (or popsicles!) for a really refreshing treat. 

​Read more about hibiscus here....

2. Rose
Rosa spp.

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The queen of flowers, rose is an astringent, cooling and anti-inflammatory herb. You don't need to use a lot of rose because it can end up tasting bitter in teas. However, it is a lovely addition to summertime blends, and has a wonderful affinity for the heart, imparting an uplifting effect on the emotions.

​Rose adds its gentle cooling touch and helps to bring aggravation or frustration down a notch. One of my favorite ways to use rose is by spritzing rose water on my body. Get a good quality, organic rose water and place it in a spray bottle and you have an instant magic potion that I find is indispensable for hot, humid days.

​It feels so refreshing and makes everything seem just a little bit better.

3. Mint
Mentha spicata and ​Mentha x piperita 

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Everyone knows mint -- it is one of our most ubiquitous herbs. And so sometimes we forget how powerful it can be. This little herb has traditionally been used for everything from digestive upset to headaches to muscle spasms.... And you guessed it -- it's also super cooling for the human body.

Mint is full of menthol which is an essential oil that gives the plant its active, cooling, anti-inflammatory properties. Just drinking iced mint tea is immensely refreshing.

However, there is a difference to note amongst the mints: we have peppermint, which is much more powerful and higher in menthol, and we also have spearmint, which is a bit more mellow. I tend to use spearmint more often because it blends nicely with other herbs, without overpowering the whole blend.

​See which one you like best.

4. Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale

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In traditional herbalism dandelion leaf is called a "refrigerant" because it has such an amazing cooling effect on the body. In fact it is so cooling that it might be too much for some people, so don't use huge quantities of this herb. 

​It is also a little bit bitter tasting, so it is nice to add some of the other herbs above to even out the flavor. As an extra benefit, dandelion is one of our most important herbs for liver health, so you are also doing this most vital organ a favor by drinking your dandy leaves.

Hibiscus, Rose & Mint Sun Tea

This tea is wonderfully cooling, refreshing and hydrating on hot summer days. And you don't have to make your kitchen hotter than it already is by heating up water-- this recipe calls for a cold water infusion.

4 tablespoons dried hibiscus
2 tablespoons dried rose petals
1/2 - 1 tablespoon dried spearmint


Directions:
  • Add all herbs to a quart-sized glass jar and cover completely with cold water. Give it a stir and then cap tightly.
  • Place the jar in a sunny window and let it infuse for 3 to 6 hours until the desired flavor is reached.
  • Strain out the herbs and enjoy iced! (The remaining herbs can be steeped again, but will be weaker the second time around.)
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Steph Zabel, MSc, is a practicing herbalist and the founder of Herbstalk. For over a decade she has combined her passions for herbalism, education, and community outreach. She holds a Master’s degree in ethnobotany and began her professional career working in the botanical collections of the Harvard University Herbaria. Her current work focuses on teaching practical & inspiring herbal classes and offering dynamic wellness sessions through her business Flowerfolk Herbs. As the founder of Herbstalk she helps create accessible educational opportunities for all plant enthusiasts in the Boston area.

Plant Allies for Indigestion

3/2/2016

 
by Melanie Brown

Indigestion is an uncomfortable and painful experience often associated with symptoms of heartburn, bloating, gas, and constipation. To top off this misery we often don’t understand the underlying cause, so in a desperate desire for relief many of us turn to over-the-counter antacids to put a stop to the symptoms. However, over-use and abuse of medications is not healing the underlying problem, but only masking it and creating further damage to our bodies. There is another path we can walk on with our green allies, that which nourishes, heals and protects. 
    
A major research study led by an epidemiologist of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Health revealed that long term use of PPI’s (proton-pump inhibitors) significantly increases the chances of developing chronic kidney disease, dementia, bone fractures, infections, and heart problems. Antacids are not addressing what is truly going on inside of our stomachs. The majority of the time acid reflux occurs because our stomachs are deficient in hydrochloric acid (HCL).  A powerful digestive agent, HCL is incredibly important for maintaining proper assimilation of proteins into the essential amino acids and nutrients our bodies need to stay healthy. HCL also prevents disease by eliminating pathogenic bacteria and yeast.
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Marshmallow leaf and flower

So now that we have a better understanding of how important stomach acid is to our health it becomes apparent that antacids (PPI’s) are creating a vicious cycle that we are unable to break free of. They neutralize the already low acid in our stomachs, and when we try to come off of them the pain is unbearable and further damage is caused to the esophagus from food remaining undigested, sustaining a dependency on these medications that are now proven unsafe. 

After becoming educated to what was going on I became concerned for family members who I knew were going through this exact issue -- one being on antacids for over a year and the other experiencing painful heartburn almost daily. So I threw on my green cape (insert super herb healing hero here), gathered my most trusted nourishing plants, and flew on over to my open minded family members. On top of healing with plants we must often look at our diets and lifestyle patterns as well. Indigestion and everything that accompanies it is often manifested by processed foods, refined sugar, over consumption of alcohol and coffee, and unhealthy stress. It is also not wise to run over to your medicine cabinet and throw out your medications cold turkey. Over time, with some small yet important changes, you will find yourself no longer turning to drugs for relief. I have witnessed and experienced the following three herbs providing profound healing on the entire digestive system.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officnale): If I were to guess, most people know about this sweet, generous, yellow-sunshine faced flower. On top of being a supreme liver tonic, dandelion replenishes healthy levels and maintains production of HCL and bile. All parts of dandelion may be harvested and used at any time of the year, with the root being the best choice for medicine here. I highly recommend making your own tincture or vinegar, for there is nothing more satisfying and joyful than making and taking your own lovingly gathered plant medicine. 10-20 drops of tincture before each meal is an excellent regimen. 

Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra) and Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis): Both of these plants contain mucilage. These complex carbohydrates have a lubricating quality so that in the body they produce an effect similar to mucus, coating and soothing raw, exposed, irritated, dried membranes. Taking both plants will address the damage done by acid reflux and medications. Slippery elm bark is incredibly nourishing, especially for the digestive system. I like to make a cold water infusion by weighing out a half ounce of cut and sifted herb in a quart sized mason jar, letting it steep for 2-4 hours, then straining it and sipping it throughout the day. I also learned from herbalist Susun Weed that rolling powdered slippery elm together with honey to form into small bite-sized balls can be taken as often as needed. Slippery elm has never failed me in instantly relieving heart burn. Marshmallow is cooling, moistening and sweet and all parts may be used, but the root contains the highest amount of mucilage with the cold water method of infusing working best in this application as well. 

Incorporating all three of these plants into your life -- while also making necessary lifestyle changes -- will bring great and lasting positive results. Break the cycle and heal with whole plants and whole foods for whole health. 

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References: 
 
​
http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/01/11/462423759/popular-acid-reflux-drugs-are-linked-to-kidney-disease-risk

http://staugustine.com/living/health/2016-02-03/long-term-use-antacids-can-cause-more-harm-good#.VsyYtfkrLIU


Wise Woman Herbal, Healing Wise, by Susun S. Weed

The Book of Herbal Wisdom by Matthew Wood

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Melanie Brown is a native New Englander who has had an early connection to nature and the outdoors. Together with her four year old son she gathers the ingredients to make small batch plant based body care products which you can find at her herbal apothecary, FIR&ELM. She is a graduate of Boston School of Herbal Studies and currently attending The Gaia School of Healing and Earth Education in Vermont. Her passion is to share and spread the message of community herbalism that lies right outside in our own backyards.

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