Diet and Herbs interweave to create the absolute foundation for physical, mental, emotional and spiritual balance, stability and vitality. Dietary Healing is mostly commitment and consistence in applying common sense in the use of a variety of whole foods- in my approach, there is generally no need for manufactured , expensive supplements. The real work goes into evaluating what I call "diet templates" - the essential framework of your meal choices - and into opening the door for clients to nutrient dense choices which will fit into different lifestyles. A few foods which are not generally part of a mainstream diet - such as spirulina, chlorella, sea vegetables, nutritional yeast, flaxmeal - are often suggested, with instructions as to how to incorporate them in whole foods form into recipes and meal planning. These foods, which are very reasonably priced and not exotic, provide the protein, essential fatty acids, minerals and vitamins our diets may lack , and are particularly helpful for regeneration, rehabilitation, and rejuvenation within the context of a fresh whole foods diet. I have learned over 25 years in working with people , their health and diets, previous to, and since my years in a nutrition and dietetics program in college, that there are really no mysteries, nor is there is need for outlandish special diets . The need lies in exploring and incorporating delicious, fresh whole foods in variety into our diets, and in choosing healthy beverages and snacks- my job is to flesh out the many ways to do this , and to inspire and support my clients in the process. Herbal Therapeutics perform optimally in connection with a supportive diet. I discuss the herbal protocols with my clients in detail, as to dosage, method of preparation, and action of the herb or herbs. Herbs provide nutritive as well as therapeutic qualities to build body tissues, rebalance body functions, as well as tone, cleanse, and support body systems. They often accomplish this much better than any drugs, without the many side effects of drugs, while balancing the system in the process, rather than creating the addictive body tissue dependency that many common drugs - drugs for "cholesterol", attention "deficit" disorder, blood pressure, thyroid, and nervous system disorders - are designed to create. There is absolutely no need for exotic herbs, from exotic countries- our native lands provide everything we need for health and vitality. Many of the herbal formulas used here at Gaia Center have been either organically grown or carefully wild gathered , and are of the highest quality possible. That, combined with the fact that I make many of the formulas myself, insures a potent, nutritive, and superior herbal experience- without the costs of middle men, transcontinental transport, advertising budgets, and so on. I also make every effort to offer independence and empowerment to my clients by teaching them ways to begin using herbs within their own homes, and learning more about incorporating herbal use within their families through excellent resources. I seek to offer pathways for long term health and vitality, not simply a gimmick which may make someone think they feel better for a short time, only to be faced once again with the same set of problems- a scenario I see over and over . I will continue to revisit this page to update , and provide news and tips- please come back! Below are insightful stories about our local herbs, and the salves, tonics, elixirs and preparations which can be made from them, and the results. Water based botanical formulas- we often think of these as "teas", and since they are brewed - " infused" is the term used in the herbal world, and often drunk warm from a cup, they are comforting and tea-like. Water is often the best agent for extracting therapeutic qualities from herbs, so that we can take those qualities into our systems. Example: Brewing a pot of astragalus root , according to the simple directions from the Herbalist, will allow you to take qualities into your system which will support and strengthen your immune system. Another example: mixing mullein, hyssop, coltsfoot and wild cherry bark in a water brew results in a tasty tea which will soothe the throat, ease spasmodic coughing, thin out thick mucus which contributes to labored , unproductive coughing, all while strengthening lung tissue, including bronchial tissue into minute pathways. When an herbalist gives you an herbal blend to prepare into a water based medicinal, a well thought out strategy for your health goals accompanies the recommendation. Salves - how can they help us? Well, first let us examine what a salve IS. Topical ointments from the drugstore, often made primarily of petroleum products (vaseline, vicks) and we do not often think of them as being truly agents of healing. An herbal salve brings botanical material with numerous healing actions directly to tissue , where it stays and becomes absorbed into the tissue matrix, providing nourishment and strength on a cellular level. It is an agent of transport of botanical medicinal healing. Salves contribute to a measurable, remarkable degree in the healing of tissue. Abrasions, wounds, healing incisions, hemorrhoids, bites, bruises, eczema, and other conditions are indicated for the use of salves, once they are past their immediately acute stage, cleaned, and receptive to light touch. Salves deliver therapeutic constituents - healing agents- from plant material. this means they bring them to, and keep them on, the tissues which need them. A salve with yarrow, for example, is useful for hemorrhoids because of its' astringent and hemostatic quality. Yarrow benefits vascular tissue (blood vessels and capillaries). That same salve may also contain calendula, which is a proven "cell proliferant" (regenerating new cells). Other herbs of a useful therapeutic nature, which we harvest and use in our salves, include violet leaves, plantain, comfrey, thyme, rosemary, marshmallow, rose, St. Johns' Wort, and hyssop. Each plant contributes one or several healing actions to a salve formulation. St. Johns Wort, for example, is one of many anti inflammatory agents- bringing down redness, swelling, and also pain. Thyme is antibacterial. Rosemary leaves are also anti bacterial , and, they increase circulation when needed. Each herb offers several actions- not just one- isn't nature amazing?
Salves will reduce or eradicate scar tissue formation. This is good news in cases of acne, as well as incision scars. I would use, among other herbs, gotu kola, plantain, and violet for this purpose. There is really nothing like an herbal salve to achieve certain very important goals in healing - particularly since they are transparent on the skin (unlike poultices), easy to apply, and economical. Good news ! |
