Plant allies for winter health
Enhancing immune activity
Why: Herbal allies to combat respiratory infection as it begins.
Echinacea, Andrographis, Elderberry, Hyssop, Garlic, Osha
These agents provide an immediate “boost” to immune function, particularly the body’s ability to produce antibodies against viral infections. Will shorten the duration of common winter infections, and can also be used longer-term as preventative agents particularly for those more at risk.
Plant medicine heals more than just people
We often discuss how effective plants can be at supporting and gently bringing human beings back to a state of "wellness" (meaning that resiliency, vibrancy, passion are maximized). I've spent a lot of time exploring how this happens, reading through the historical record and perusing modern research, and on balance it seems pretty clear that medicinal herbs, trees, mushrooms and more are good at helping folks in need. But that's not what I want to discuss today.Joyful herbs for the darker days
All of us feel the loss of daylight to a certain extent. For some, it may be occasional sluggishness, less motivation to get outside and exercise, or less of a desire to spend time with friends and family. Others may feel even deeper withdrawal, or experience less control over anxiety and the sometimes overwhelming responsibilities of daily life. To a certain extent, the culture has tried to address this by consistently packing in times of remembrance, celebration, and family during the darkest months of the year – but by the time it’s all over (or even during the often stressful holidays), there are still many months of darker days left and it is usually at this time that folks express the desire for more fun, more joy, more light.
The bitter flavor and the bitter herbs - trust and embrace
The opportunity recently to spend some time talking with Jovial, whom I've known for a while but who recently started the excellent herbal bitters company Urban Moonshine. The focus was often on the bitter extracts themselves (the tincture blend she makes is actually pretty tasty and mellow compared to some of the wormwood / artichoke / mahonia combinations I've made up for clients in the past), but we ranged off into more philosophical realms pretty quickly.
Herbs for Athletes
Lots of folks are getting back outside and becoming more active as Spring (finally!) moves forward. When we stop to consider how much our physical frame and physiological systems endure for even a moderate walk around town (coordination, tendon stretching, impact buffering, blood sugar changes, and more), it’s remarkable that human beings perform so well when engaged in physical activity! Good pre- and post-workout nutrition is crucial, as quality fuels provide a lot more than just energy to our bodies, but beyond eating well, herbal support can address three key areas that are important for athletic types and for anyone who is even moderately active: preventing problems, enhancing stamina and endurance, and treating any injuries that might sideline us. Usually herbs are used internally for the first two areas of focus, and in treating injuries external and internal therapies can play a role.
Some sping tonic formulas for extraction
You can reference these herbs in a previous entry, which goes in to Spring roots, leaves, tonics and cleansing at length. Below are just some ideas on combinations.
Love, Fertility and Reproductive Health
The traditional strategies for enhancing libido and improving lovemaking usually involve two components: stimulate circulation and good blood flow to the erogenous zones of the body, and relax the mind so it can shed the cares of the day. Many of the traditional aphrodisiac plants hit either one or both of these bases!
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