Ayurveda

The following herb formulas are some of the blends that I have used with good success over the years. They are shared here in the hope you find them helpful also. 1. Catnip Leaf (Nepeta cataria) + Fennel Seed (Foeniculum vulgare)Use equal parts whole fennel seed and catnip leaf. I prefer to store the fennel seed whole and lightly grind just before using to better preserve the aromatic quality of the seeds. This blend is soothing and calming to an upset stomach yet the aromatics of fennel support the digestive process without being too hot. Add one healing teaspoon to […] See More

It is well known that being stressed causes dis-ease. But the fact that disease causes stress is often overlooked. This is why supporting the nervous system is helpful in many (most, all?) health conditions even if the Chief Complaint is not directly related to nerves. The engagement of the nervous system in long term health care is seen in multiple ways: 1. Stress from ongoing, long term, chronic issues. This happens in many degenerative diseases such as pain, arthritis, cancer, Lyme, decreased mobility, decreased cognition, and autoimmune. Having the condition for a long time and knowing it may never be […] See More

This article provides resources for promoting health-balance-support during the pregnancy, birth and nursing stages of life for the baby, mother and father/co-parent. It is most definitely *not* meant as a complete substitute for healthcare from a certified medical provider. One of my mentors, Dr Aviva Romm, says it best - “When in doubt, check it out”. Get proper medical care when you need it. **Huge gratitude to the dedicated and loving mothers who freely shared their advice, wisdom, knowledge and recommendations with me.** Birth Control & Conception ~ “Taking Charge of your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, […] See More

I recently completed guiding a week-long trip to the bottom of the Grand Canyon for our local university. As we happened to be hiking during the wettest and stormiest weather of the past several months, Water quickly became the theme of our trip. It got me thinking about how this all relates to the Element of Water in the Ayurvedic view. Ayurveda recognizes the 5 Elements as Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth. Each has an essential role to play in our lives and our health. Too much or not enough of any element creates imbalance and eventually disease. During […] See More

Common Name: Shatavari in Ayurveda Tien Men Dong in TCM Botanical Name: Asparagus racemosa - Shatavari Asparagus cochinchinensis - Tien Men Dong Energy & Taste: Cool, moist Traditional Uses: Increases breast milk Reproductive tonic, it is best known for women but works well with men also Supports endocrine system which helps to balance hormones Moisturizes tissues throughout the body so it is especially good for Vata or any systemic dry condition Yin tonic One of the primary herbs in the Ayurvedic tradition for menopausal hot flashes Quality & Cost: Good quality powdered herb is affordable and available from Ayurvedic suppliers […] See More

These links have been gathered to assist people in accessing more information on a variety of topics related to the Cardiovascular Health class that is part of the Advanced Topics in Herbal Medicine program. 1. A heart health-based E book from the blog of Chris Kresser. This is one of the better health blogs out there. It is not specifically geared to herbal medicine but gives quality heart-based information in many areas including saturated fat, cholesterol, low fat, metabolic syndrome and chronic inflammation. 2. Good heart healthy info from Rosalee. She has one of the best herb-based blogs and this […] See More

Coffee has long been a controversial drink, both in the alternative health community and in mainstream medicine. Some see it as an elixir, instant energy and the only way to begin the day. Others see it as liquid evil and a cause for many health problems. Actually, coffee is a mixed bag. It has many health promoting chemicals including the antioxidant chlorogenic acid. Yet for some, its stimulating and drying energy can be too strong. The final verdict on coffee? Whether it is helpful or harmful depends on the type of roast, what else is added to the cup, the […] See More

This Plant Profile is longer than usual for a few reasons: 1. Turmeric is a polycrest herb, meaning it has multiple uses. 2. The traditional and complete uses of turmeric have largely been lost as it has gained popularity in the inflammation supplement market in the US. 3. Much of the information available in the mainstream health food community is either incomplete or incorrect so I decided to write a longer monograph in the hope that it shows both the breadth and depth of this amazing plant. There is still more to share and this article will be revised as […] See More

Many traditional views of healing from around the world view the digestive system as a key to overall health. This includes Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda and Western Herbalism. One way to support complete and thorough digestion of our food is through the use of spices. These aromatic seeds and roots are seen as more energetic than nutritive. They are included in the diet for their ability to positively influence the warming - cooling and moistening - drying continuums used in energetic medicine. They are not considered nutritive due to the fact that they do not contain significant amounts of […] See More