Happy New Year!
This time last year I went through some major changes. I made the decision to close down my practice in Dunoon village and relocate the clinic, herbal dispensary and massage business to Lismore, closing down my physical retail shop and completely moving it online!
The series of events that led to these massive changes were unexpected; not in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that the last week of an already challenging year would be spent packing, cleaning and moving my entire life (work and home) into a storage shed. It was BIG, and it left me completely exhausted and wiped out!
I have settled into my new business premises now, and have the herbs to thank for getting me through that period with my sanity (nearly lost!) and good health still in tact.
Let me speak a little about some of the herbs that offered their aid during my stressful month. I took Siberian Ginseng, Schisandra, Withania, Gotu kola and St John’s Wort through the day for strength, endurance and emotional support, and Chamomile and Passionfruit at night to help calm my nervous system and give me a good night’s sleep. In my daily formula I focused on strong nervine tonics, with
some endurance aspects, liver support and connective tissue benefits (for all my sore achy muscles!).
It is important not to overlook the role that the liver plays (in all aspects of life); the liver processes absolutely everything... everything we eat, drink, breathe, touch, feel, and also all of our thoughts and emotions. It needs as much support ALL OF THE TIME as we can give it. I chose Schisandra as my key liver herb in this formula because it is also an adaptogenic herb with strong nervine tonic properties...like a big giant mama hug!
Siberian Ginseng was chosen mainly because it feels really good in my body and helps fight fatigue and lethargy. Of the three ginsengs I use in clinic, Siberian (Eleutherococcus senticosus) suits me best; American Ginseng I find is too mild for me and Korean Ginseng revs me up so high that I want to fight everyone! The dosage is important too. Sometimes I need a little revving up and a small amount of the Korean variety will be just enough to bring me out of an energy funk.
Withania (an Ayurvedic herb otherwise known as Ashwaghanda) is a wonderful all round adaptogenic and nervine tonic, with loads of other benefits and uses too. For me personally a small dose works best; it's really important to know what works best for you, as an incorrect dose might produce the opposite of a
desired outcome.
The first words that spring to mind when I think of the herb Gotu kola, are connective tissue king. It is my absolute go-to for all things connective tissue related; whether it be musculoskeletal, endothelial, cartilage, adipose, bone, blood or areolar, dense, elastic, reticular, hyaline or fibro. Aside from being a connective tissue regenerator, it is also a wonderful adaptogenic stress buster of a herb. It grows really well here in our sub-tropical climate. I like to eat a few leaves whilst I’m out in the garden or add them to a salad.
The final herb in my daily formula was St John’s Wort, Hypericum perforatum, an excellent addition to further address the needs of the nervous system, helping to reduce the myriad of emotions that arise when one is under extreme duress. It is also a specific remedy for sciatica, which I have experienced from time to time when my lower back gets a bit cranky due to me pushing beyond my physical limits. Who me?!!
The flower essences that I took during this transition phase were: Bauhinia, Bottlebrush, Autumn leaves, Macrocarpa and Paw Paw. I really love how they enhance and uplift the herbs. The first three, Bauhinia, Bottlebrush and Autumn leaves, were selected to help accept the changes that were occurring; to let go of the past and embrace the new way forward. Bauhinia helps us to process and absorb the goodness in life. Its essence is often used to address the emotional component of leaky gut and issues with the ileocecal valve (between the small and large intestines), which plays a major role in maintaining proper pH levels and also helps in the absorption of nutrients from food. Macrocarpa and Paw Paw essence are really helpful with burnout, exhaustion and overwhelm. Together they support energy, vitality and endurance in the body and assuage overwhelm by guiding us to use our inner voice of wisdom and reason. On their own the flowers are medicine enough, however I find other-worldly super powers in the combining of the herbs and flowers together. Absolute magic!
It is important to note that the herbs I chose for myself are not necessarily suited to everyone; I highly recommend that you consult with a qualified Herbalist or Naturopath, as opposed to self-administering herbal medicines and supplements. Just because a substance is natural doesn’t mean that is can’t have the ability to harm us.
Although nothing could quite compare to this past year that we have just experienced, I do believe that we’ll be seeing yet more instability and wild transformation on the planet in the year/s to come. The way I see it is that we have two choices: we can either be the driver or the passenger of life; careening out of control and at the mercy of whatever gifts and curveballs life throws at us, or hands on the wheel, feet on the pedals and a steady gaze upon the road ahead. Which seat will you choose?
If you would like some herbal help, such as what I have described above, please do not hesitate calling me 0466 469 228 or emailing me fiona.blessedbotanicals@gmail.com
Blessed Be!