Day 179/365 – On ambition
6/29/17 This project of daily blogging is proving too ambitious for me! I’ve been posting late and pretending that I’ve been disciplined in writing on consecutive days. So I’ve decided to cut it short and just do exactly half of my goal: 182 days. Technically it’s 182.5 so maybe I’ll round up to 183! Hopefully […]
Day 178/365 – On yin yang
6/28/17 I had a revelation. Most people that I know believe in a right and wrong, a black and white, a positive and negative, a good and evil. We are trained to think in this definitive linear pattern by our parents and our society, our judicial systems, school teachers, and disciplinarians. Sure, that system has […]
Day 177/365 – On Margi Flint
6/27/17 Browsing around the mini-library my boss Chris, owner of Radicle Herb Shop, keeps at the shop, my eye landed on the elaborate hardcover beautiful dark blue text titled “The Practicing Herbalist.” I started flipping through it looking for interesting content, as I often do, but I couldn’t help but turn back and start from […]
Day 176/365 – On Vervain
6/26/17 Last but definitely not least in my go-to stress busting herbs, are two species of the same genus: Vervain (Verbena officinalis) or Blue vervain (Verbena hastata). Vervain is native to Europe, while Blue vervain American – it’s a bit stronger, more bitter, and has more of a downward cooling energy. *Contraindicated in pregnancy Expels […]
Day 175/365 – On Skullcap
6/25/17 An interesting herb in the mint family, aptly called Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), acts by ‘putting cap on your skull.’ In other words, it quiets the restless mind that has constant whirring thoughts, which is often the reason for insomnia. Abundant in North America, gathered while in flower, whole herb used Cooling Tonic, nervine, antispasmodic, […]
Day 174/365 – On California poppy
6/24/17 Another herb that’s very helpful in calming tension down and is often used for insomnia is called California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica). Cooling Treats nervous headache, ADHD Pain: muscle; GB and intestinal pain spasmodic cough Higher doses: sedative → insomnia For people who feeling fragile or vulnerable Fearful anxiety Relaxes body and mind into each […]
Day 174/365 – On Passionflower
6/23/17 Today I’m focusing on the herb Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata), which is actually a misnomer: “it keeps peace in home” by keeping the passions at bay. Cooling Mild sedative, nervine, antispasmodic, anxiolytic Anxiety, insomnia, nervous or occipital headache Teething children Mental chatter/repetitive thoughts – insomnia Physical restlessness – muscle spasm/tightness, tics Nerve pain Drug Interactions: […]
Day 173/365 – On Rose
6/22/17 One of the most famous flowers, in the Rose family like Hawthorn, is the Rose itself. Rose (Rosa spp – centifolia) has long served as a symbol of love and affection among many cultures. Ask forgiveness Opens heart, comforts Grief, PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), broken hearts As a drink (tea, brandy, wine, elixir), aromatherapy, […]
Day 172/365 – On Hawthorn
6/21/17 Continuing the theme of heart-oriented stress herbs, today’s herb is Hawthorn (Crataegus spp – monogyna). It’s usually indicated for heart weakness, hypertension and all kinds of circulatory issues (especially the leaf). Berries – also used for anxiety, grief, ‘nervous heart’ ADHD – when mind wanders Middle age when no longer enjoying life Heart opening […]
Day 171/365 – On Motherwort
6/20/17 Today I’m talking about the herb Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), which in latin means ‘Lion heart.’ Aptly name, it has been traditionally used to strengthen one’s heart, and is also a nervine indicated for many phases of a woman’s life. Helps heart function – for anxiety when your heart squeezes, chest feels tight Hypertension, palpitations […]