Tis the Season for Tisanes (and Relaxation)

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Tisanes are herbal teas. Also called herbal infusions, these drinks are not technically “tea” because they do not contain Camellia sinensis– the plant used to make true teas like black, green and white tea.
Tisanes can be made from dried leaves, flowers, fruits, barks, roots and seeds–like chamomile, lemon balm, rose petal, mint and ginger. Flavors vary from sweet, sour, aromatic, bitter and astringent Many herbal tisanes have a relaxing effect and are loaded with antioxidants. They do not contain caffeine.

Speaking of caffeine, I am currently on day 4 of a no-sugar, no caffeine detox and am boy am I dragging! But that just goes to show how much I have been relying on these two substances to give me instant energy to get through my busy life.  I knew about the dangers of sugar and caffeine. I regularly teach classes about the physiological impact of these substances, and here I am, witnessing how exhausted my body really feels beneath the surface of the constant go, go, go. The Chinese say that coffee steals energy from tomorrow to use today. It depletes one’s kidney qi, or vital energy reserves. I knew this, but like so many of us I didn’t feel that I had a choice if I was to keep going to make money and try to maintain improve my life for me and my children.

This solstice I am making it a priority to stay out of fight-or-flight mode (stress mode). Stress can be subtle, especially when it is so normalized. Even a “normal” amount of daily worry about money, chores, or getting ready for the holidays depletes our vital energy reserves.

As we enter the darkest time of the year, we are invited to surrender to the unknown. Lay down our burdens. Trust in a greater power to take care of what is most important and let the rest go so that you can rest and replenish. ‘Tis the Season for Replenishment. And relaxing herbal tisanes can help!

Here are a few of my favorite relaxing brews for snuggling up on a wintry day:

Chamomile-Spice Hot Toddy

Heart-Warming Tea

Happy Hour Tea

Hibiscus Berry Tea

Herbal Allies to Support relaxation, replenishment and surrender:

 

Tulsi – also called Holy Basil. This aromatic adaptogen is relaxing, uplifting, warming and antiviral. It also strengthens our adrenal glands and helps to keep our bodies in parasympathetic (“rest & digest”) mode. It is a beloved herb in Ayurvedic medicine where it is considered a nervous system tonic. It is a great tasting tea on its own, and it pairs well with the other herbs listed below.
Hawthorn – a calming nervine & cardiovascular tonic in the rose family. Rose and hawthorn have a lot of  similarities.  Hawthorn and rose are both gentle, relaxing, heart-opening and taste lovely. The berries yield a sweet and sour flavor while the leaves and flowers are light and aromatic. Flowers should only be steeped for 5-10 minutes or they will become bitter.  Read more about Hawthorn here
chamomile-tea Chamomile – this well-known flower is tiny but mighty. Its is soothing and mildly sedating action helps to relieve teething pain, irritation, sleep troubles, tension headaches, stomach aches and general crankiness. It soothes the nerves and the GI tract. Its aromatic and bitter qualities improve digestion and strengthen the enteric nervous system (i.e. the nerves in our abdomens). It is also antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory.
Oats – yes, the common oat that makes oatmeal can be used to make a deliciously sweet & delicate tea that is loaded with essential nutrients like silica, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, calcium, vitamins B & A. Oats are a nervous system tonic capable of repairing damage to the myelin sheath which covers the nerve fibers. They have a reputation for strengthening the nervous system and can be used to treat depressed or anxious states of mind. The minerals they provide offer a grounding effect while strengthening the hair, nails & bones. Use either the straw or the immature dried tops for tea and be sure to steep them for several hours to extract all of the minerals.
Passiflora Passionflower – Passionflower calms the nervous system, improves mood and relieves anxiety. It is one of our favorite herbs for supporting sleep. As a sedative and hypnotic, it helps with the transition into sleep. It quiets a racing mind and helps to break circular and repetitive thought patterns that may be keeping you up at night. Its ability to tone down mental chatter makes it an ally for those who are incessant thinkers and chronic worriers. Read more about passionflower here.
Lemon Balm – a cheerful aromatic plant from the mint family, lemon balm is mildly sedating but also uplifting. It won’t put you to sleep in the middle of the day or aggravate depression. In fact, it can help lift depressed states of mind, especially seasonal depression during this dark time of year. Lemon balm is indicated for stress, anxiety and hyperthyroidism & hyperactivity of any kind. It is also antiviral and its can be used topically to relieve cold sores. Lemon balm makes a great tasting tea that anyone in the family will love. Just avoid drinking lots of lemon balm if you have a hypothyroid condition.
Want to Study Herbal Medicine? 
Sacred Garden School is starting waitlist for next year’s Foundations in Herbal Medicine Program. Learn more about the program here.

 

kudzu

Invasive Plant Medicine

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Did you know that many “invasive” species are highly medicinal?

Invasive species have been getting a bad rap, with most of the contempt coming from environmentalists who want to protect “native” species from the “invasive” ones. But our well-meaning comrades are operating under the assumptions that 1) the plants that were on our continent before the arrival of Columbus did not also migrate to or from distant lands and 2) that plants that threaten the existing ecological status quo are “bad”.

kudzu

Kudzu

But who are we to say what plants are good and what plants are bad? I certainly don’t feel qualified to make those kind of judgments. Our perspective is so limited. We assume that because certain foreign plants are out-competing other more familiar plants or creating disturbance in certain areas that they are harmful. That is what appears to be happening when you adopt a human-centric timescale. Now take a moment to consider the long-term view, centuries down the road. What if these plants created different but more resilient ecosystems well-adapted to climate change? What if we stopped fearing that which is different and truly trusted in the intelligence of Nature?

The mentality that prioritizes the familiar over the foreign, that resists change and tries to control the outcome at any cost is part of the dominant paradigm that we are in the process of shedding. We need to shift our point of view and learn to trust in a higher power, surrender our egoic ideals, and be comfortable with not always knowing the answer (aka relishing in the mystery of life).

What if you just entertained the possibility that invasive plants, those relatively new immigrants to our soil, are here to help us restore balance to ecosystems- both external and internal. Whether you agree with this premise or not, it’s time we started using them instead of condemning them. Can we all agree that eating or making medicine with them is better than spraying them toxic chemicals?

Japanese Knotweed

Japanese Knotweed

I have had an interest in Invasive Plant Medicine for the past 10 years, since first learning about the value of Japanese Knotweed and what it offers those who are suffering from Lyme. Stephen Harrod Buhner was the firs to notice the correlation between the spread of Lyme and the spread of Knotweed across the United States. Knotweed follows Lyme; turns out it is a most valuable remedy for Lyme as it is both antispirochetal and anti-inflammatory and protective of the heart, nervous system and connective tissue. Then I read a book called “Invasive Plant Medicine” by Timothy Lee Scott and was excited to learn about how the ways that these plants effect humans parallel their effects on the environment.

I do love my native medicinal plants too, and I’m not advocating that we start planting Knotweed in our gardens, but if I found Knotweed growing in my garden or in a place where I did not want it, I would either transplant it to a different location, or lovingly harvest it and use the root rather than scornfully “weed” it from the garden.

“What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered” – Emerson

This year, my research on immune supporting herbs has strengthened my trust in the intelligence of Nature, as I see how perfectly aligned the medicinal virtues of invasive plants are for supporting humans with in the context of viral infections.

This led me to create a formula composed of 100% invasive plants. Many of these plants are mentioned in a recent article by Stephen Harrod Buhner.  (If you would like to review his articles you can find them at his website here). Others are included for their traditional use. Together, they check all of the boxes and offer antiviral activity combined with lymphatic support, heart protection, anti-coagulant properties, and immunoregulating properties (inhibit inflammatory cytokines).

Here is a BRIEF explanation of what each of the herbs in this formula can do:

Japanese Honeysuckle

Japanese Honeysuckle

Japanese Honeysuckle– a potent anti-viral herb. Honeysuckle has been traditionally used in Chinese Medicine to treat flu, colds, sinusitis, sore throat, dysentery and other infections. It is a part of a classic formula called Shuang huang lian that was used with great success in the early 2000s when SARS swept the Asian continent. It is also a component of a classic Chinese formula called Yin Qiao San which is commonly used for influenza with wind-heat patterns.

Japanese Knotweed-antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating, anti-coagulant, antipyretic, analgesic, cardioprotective, central nervous system protectant and more. Knotweed has so much to offer! It is known among herbalists as one of the best remedies for Lyme-induced joint pain. It also has the potential to balance inflammatory cytokines and protect the endothelial cells, reducing many of the complications that this particular virus can induce. Stephen Buhner says that Knotweed is “highly protective of lymphatic endothelial cells”, and “specific for protecting endothelial cells from inflammatory damage and/or stopping clotting” (Buhner’s article can be found here on his website)

Forsythia

Forsythia

Forsythia Fruit– another antiviral herb with a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It is often combined with honeysuckle for treatment of respiratory infections

Kudzu– the ‘vine that swallowed the South’ also has numerous health benefits. Traditionally it has been used for migraines and alcoholism. It is also a heart protectant, antiviral, antioxidant and can block viral attachment to ACE-2 linkages. And, like Knotweed, it is a powerful regulator of inflammatory cytokines. Between Knotweed and Kudzu alone, every damaging mechanism of the active infection described in Buhner’s article can be addressed.

Sweet Annie

Sweet Annie– traditionally used for fevers, parasites and fungal infections. Sweet Annie is indicated for “heat in the blood” and recently has received a lot of positive attention for its effectiveness in treating tropical blood-borne pathogens. Chances are you have this sweetly aromatic herb growing in your backyard.

Barberry– this thorny shrub covers the new-growth forests in our area. Its roots are highly antimicrobial, and antioxidant. Barberry has been shown to inhibit certain inflammatory cytokines and improve T-cell immunity.

ailanthus

Ailanthus

Ailanthus – another valuable herb from the far East, “Tree of Heaven” is strongly antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory. It has been used historically to treat diarrhea, dysentery, asthma ad malaria. We included a small amount of ailanthus in this formula to help with possible digestive symptoms and overall bodily tension that often accompanies acute viral infection.

Other “Invasive” plants with medicinal value include dandelion, burdock, plantain, thistle, blackberry, garlic mustard, English ivy, Autumn olive, wild rose, purple loosestrife and bindweed. I do not know of medicinal uses for Japanese stiltgrass or Johnson grass, but I am sure that there are other ways that they could be utilized. Johnson grass, for example, could be used for roof thatching or cordage. Let’s use what is abundant and free. If you are going to be pulling out the grass anyway, why not use it and give it an honorable death?

What other ways do you use unwanted weeds? Please comment to this post if you have a favorite use or an idea for a potential use.

Disclaimer: this information has not been reviewed by the FDA. This article is for informational purposes and is not meant to prevent, diagnose, treat or cure any disease or illness. 

Dandelion

Dandelion

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Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Parts Used: Root, leaf, flower

Actions: Diuretic, hepatic, cholagogue, antirheumatic, laxative, tonic bitter

Energetics: Cooling, drying

Indications: All parts of Dandelion have long historical uses but here we will talk about the leaves and the roots. Do keep in mind that many of the qualities of both root and leaf are interchangeable. Starting with the root, there is direct action on the liver and gallbladder. Dandelion aids these organs in their job of detoxifying the body. When there is fluid retention in the body, such as edema, gout or rheumatism, we know the kidneys need support and the diuretic action of Dandelion will assist. In this case we look to Dandelion leaf.

Signs of liver and gallbladder disturbance, such as skin eruptions and skin with a yellowish hue, point to Dandelion root. Keep this in mind for chronic complaints of acne and eczema. Dandelion also contains high amounts of calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorous and vitmains A, B, C and D. This “weed” was, and still is, one of our most popular wild foods with uses ranging from coffee substitute, delicious salad green to being used in brewing beer and wine.

This plant is so resilient and strong it grows up through city sidewalks and survives extreme chemical assault from pristine lawn keepers. It helps us to be more resilient as well. As a bitter, Dandelion aids the digestive system by increasing digestive enzymes and enhancing absorption. In early spring pick your Dandelion greens and eat them in salads. The bitter greens will help detoxify your body from a rich and heavy winter diet. Dandelion is a beloved herbal ally that is often overlooked. Yet it is one of the first herbs we learn to identify as children and one of the most commonly known plants to humans across the world.

Preparation: Chop and eat young roots and leaves in a variety of dishes. Make a decoction of the root by using 2-3 tsp of dried root per 1 cup of water, bring to a boil and then simmer for 10-15 mins, drink freely. Tincture root in 100 P. vodka if fresh or 80 P. brandy if dried, dose is 2.5 – 5 ml, 3x day.

*Dandelion is a diuretic and will increase urination.

You can find Dandelion root in our Carob Cafe and Liver Tonic Tea

Ayurvedic Detox Tips

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You may have noticed your cravings for fats & sweets already subsiding as we begin to transition from the Vata season to Kapha season this month. Kapha season is a time of cold & dampness. We bring balance to these energetics by choosing warm and light foods like:

broths, radishes, beans, quinoa, brown rice, millet, buckwheat & cooked green vegetables.

You will want to cut back on heavy and cold foods such as:

dairy, wheat, oats, bananas, coconut, avocado, sugar and red meats.

Warming spices greatly support us this time of year by keeping the digestive system warm & clear of mucus (Cardamom, Fennel, Ginger, Turmeric, Mustard, Cinnamon, Pepper)

 

Herbal Formulas:

Trikatu– a classic formula containing equal parts ginger, black pepper and Pippali long pepper. Used to overcome mucus, aid a sluggish digestion, improve circulation and warm the interior. Indicated for clear damp discharges and anyone living in cold, damp climates.

Triphala– another classic formula comprised of 3 fruits. Triphala is a very balanced and gentle formula that can be used daily to promote good digestion and support elimination. It is a mild laxative that helps with bowel regulation. Because it is balanced, tonifying, and food-grade, it is non-habit forming and a great choice for anyone wanting to keep their channels clear of toxic accumulation.

Guggula– a relative of myrrh, Guggul is the resin from the salai tree. It is considered the be most potent in countering ama (toxic accumulation including cholesterol and thickened mucus). Think of ama as anything that gunks up the works of a body flowing efficiently. It has a reputation for reducing kapha and therefore reducing fat in the body. It is often combined with triphala to counter obesity.

You can find the above products on our shelves. Remember, good blood begins with good digestion. If you keep your digestive fire strong, your system clear of mucus, your bowels regular and your diet in harmony with the seasons, then you will digest your food efficiently without creating excess ama.

**This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease**

Elecampane

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Botanical Name: Inula helenium

Other Names: Elf Dock, Scabwort, Elf wort, Yellow Starwort

Part Used: Root

Taste: Bitter, Pungent, Acrid

Energetics: Warming, Moving, Drying

Actions: expectorant, antimicrobial, digestive bitter,

Uses: Elecampane decongests stagnant fluids in the body. It is one of the strongest antibacterial herbs that we have (according to herbalist Matthew Wood, even diluted elecampane (1 to 10,000) will kill bacteria, especially tuberculosis). Elecampane has a strong affinity for the respiratory tract and most herbalists think of it as a respiratory herb for bronchial infections including bronchitis, tuberculosis, and pneumonia. It is indicated whenever there is heavy, thick, green or yellow mucus (a sign of bacterial infection) as well as a non-productive or persistent cough. Elecampane will promote expectoration from the deepest layers of the lungs, when the cough is not strong enough to bring up the mucus.

Elecampane is also used to help heal wounds that will not scab (“proud flesh”). It is being studied for its ability to kill MRSA (especially hospital acquired respiratory infections (Katja Swift).

As a warming bitter, elecampane also warms the fires of digestion, breaks up mucus in the digestive tract, and stimulates digestive secretion. It can clear overly damp conditions of the intestines and support absprption of nutrients by improving lymphatic flow around the intestinal tract. It can also  balance the microbiome of the gut by killing unehalthy bacteria, and by supporting beneficial bacterial through its high content of inulin. Inulin is a starch that provides food for probiotics. Inulin composes up to 45% of the root of elecampane, which is why the plant is named Inula helenium.

A lesser known virtue of elecampane is its effect on the heart. It is considered a heart remedy in the Ayurvedic tradition. Matthew Wood writes about elecampane being a remedy for heartache (specifically heartache due to being “torn away from one’s home”). He also writes about a client who used elecampane for a respiratory infection and had the pleasant side effect of healing her ventricular fibrillation. She had a dream about mucus being cleared from her heart area. I don’t have much evidence to support elecampane being used as a heart remedy, but from a holistic perspective, I can see how elecampane could indirectly strengthen and support the heart by helping to clear the channels of elimination. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the bitter flavor is said to nourish the heart/fire element. And the pungent/spicy flavor is said to increase the fire element. The combination of bitter and pungent tastes present in elecampane do support the claim as herb that can help strengthen the heart.

Folklore: You might be wondering what elecampane has to do with elves…well, some say that this plant was used to treat “elfshot,” which is a condition of wasting and preoccupation supposedly caused from being shot by an elf’s arrow. Elecampane also helps us to connect with the world of the elves. Elves are said to live under the plant. And anyone who has experience communing with devas, faeries, angels and other beings beyond the veil knows that such communion begins from the heart. We must be present from a heart-centered place (as opposed to a mental place). The heart is the middle chakra, the mid-point between our root and our crown. When we have emotional/energetic blockages around our hearts, the flow of divine source energy cannot flow freely through our central channel it is difficult for us to receive guidance from the heavens. And one look at the elecampane plant in full form, from is thick taproot to its tall radiant flower at its crown, suggests that it is a channel between heaven and earth. I would venture a guess that as elecampane can clear stagnation and open the channels of the physical body, so can it clear stagnation/blockages from the emotional and spiritual bodies, opening us to the mysteries beyond the veil, including elves & feaires. (Precaution: communing beyond the veil does require safety measures & discernment. Please do not attempt to do this on your own without guidance from someone experienced in these realms).

The species name helenium comes from the Greek legend of Helen of Troy who was abducted from her homeland of Sparta and taken to Troy. In the places where her tears hit the earth, elecampane is said to have sprouted. Based on this, elecampane is used in energetic preparations to treat heartache and grief due to being torn from one’s home.

Specific Indications: weak appetite, poor assimilation, swollen tongue (indicating a cold & damp digestive environment), wounds that do not form a scab, acute bronchitis, respiratory infections, chronic postnasal drip, yellow to green mucus.

Cautions: Not recommended during pregnancy or lactation

References: The Earthwise Herbal by Matthew Wood (Old World)

*This information is for eductional purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.

Native Herbs for Cold & Flu Season

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Echinacea (echinacea spp.) Probably one of the most famous “cold & flu herbs”, echinacea does stimulate white blood cell production and can help with any sort of infection. But it truly excels at combating infections of the blood, septicemia, abcesses and poisoning. One of its main traditional Native American uses was to treat snake bites.There are dozesn of species of ehinacea, native to the Great Plains. If you are using Echinacea for help with a viral infection, it’s best to take it upfront at the first signs of illness, and in large doses. Once you’re officially sick, it would be better to try one of the other remedies below.
Osha: (lingusticum porteri). This medicinal root comes is native to the Rocky Mountains, belonging to a tall, feathery herb from the parsley family. Osha is warming, stimulating and strengthening to the adrenal cortex. It is anti-inflammatory (due to its influence over cortisol production), and is useful for adrenal burnout. Its warming, spicy quality promotes digestion, eases gas and helps to break up mucus and congestion in the GI tract. Similarly, it can support expectoration in the lungs and break up sinus congestion.
Elder (sambucus canadensis) Elder is an incredible medicine chest, with all parts of the tree being useful. Sambucus canadensis is the North American species, and it is used interchangeably with the European Sambucus nigra. The flowers and berries are both diaphoretic, opening the pores, and bringing blood to the periphery. The flowers are more decongesting while the berries are more tonic and blood-building. Elder opens all hollow tubes in the body, including the pores, lungs, colon, kidneys and blood vessels, improving blood flow, perspiration and elimination. The berries have been shown to inhibit viral replication, making it a go-to for viral infections such as influenza. Taken regularly, it can both prevent and shorten the duration of the flu.
Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) Also known as sweet leaf and bee balm, this species of mint resembles European oregano. Like oregano, it is spicy and diffusive. It is a stimulating diaphoretic, supporting the body’s fever response, reducing internal heat by driving it to the surface. It is indicated when someone feels hot, but the skin is cool & clammy. It’s also an excellent remedy for burns when used topically. And internally it can be used to balance candida overgrowths.

**This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease**

Ashwagandha

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Botanical Name: withania somnifera

Other Names: Winter cherry, Indian ginseng

Description: a small woody shrub resembling eggplant. It has yellow/green flowers yielding small orange/red berries in the fall. The leaves are dull green and oval-shaped. Native to Africa, India and the Mediterranean, ashwagandha prefers dry, subtropical climates.  Ashwa means horse and gandha means smell. Its Sanskrit name loosely translates to “horse essence, suggesting strength & stamina.

Family: Solanaceae

Parts Used: primarily the root, but leaves, seeds and fruit also have history of topical use

Energetics: warming, dry, sweet, bitter, pungent

Actions: calming adaptogen, reproductive tonic, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, immunomodulatory, thermogenic, antitussive, galactagogue, sedative, stimulant

Uses: In Ayurveda, ashwagandha is a Rasayana, or a rejuvenative tonic that promotes longevity and overall wellness. Ashwagandha promotes memory and cognition, protects against neurodegenerative disorders, and boosts GABA, promoting neural growth and repair. It is high in iron and can build blood when there is deficiency. It nourishes ojas, increasing sperm count and libido. And it directly nourishes the thyroid gland, making it useful for hypo-thyroid conditions. It calms you down while giving you more energy, helpful for when people have insomnia due to adrenal fatigue. It regulates sleep cycles over time and facilitates a more restful sleep in the long-term. As an immunomodulatory, it can strengthen a weak immune response or calm down a hyper immune response.

Indications: general debility, low libido & fertility, nervous exhaustion, convalescence, arthritis, anxiety, insomnia, neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis), loss of memory, loss of muscle, tissue deficiency, autoimmune conditions effecting the muscles & joints (rheumatoid arthritis), iron-deficiency, hypothyroid, general tonic for graceful aging.

Contraindications: Ashwagandha is generally safe when used as recommended, though large doses have been known to cause gastrointestinal upset and have abortifacient effects. Ashwagandha can be stimulating to some; do not try it for the first time before bedtime. Because of its heavy & anabolic properties, it is contraindicated for states of high ama/severe congestion.

Preparation & Dosage:  Traditional Ayurvedic preparations combine the powdered root with ghee, warm milk or honey. Standard dosage is 3-6 grams/day of powder. KP Khalsa recommends 10 g a day to promote a restful sleep. As a tincture, 2 ml , 2-4 times a day. 1 tsp twice daily of herbal ghee or honey.

Bitters

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Calendula

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(Calendula officinalis)

With Spring in the air, it feels appropriate to celebrate calendula, also known as Herbal Sunshine. Calendula is a great herb for spring detoxification as well as warm-weather skin conditions & first aid.

Family: Asteraceae

Names: pot marigold

Parts Used: whole flowering head

Energetics: primarily bitter, subtly sweet & pungent, warming, drying

Actions: lymphagogue, alterative, vulnerary, bitter tonic/cholagogue, antiseptic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue

Properties & Uses: Calendula brings warmth & light to cold & stagnant places in the body, for the “places where the sun don’t shine” (Chris Hafner, acupuncturist). As a lymphatic herb, Calendula maintains balance in fluid metabolism by clearing stagnation, keeping the channels of elimination open and detoxifying. This helps to keep pathogenic bacteria at bay. Calendula is also antiseptic and vulnerary (speeds tissue repair), making it especially useful in purulent wounds, slow-to-heal wounds, and “swollen, hot, painful, pus-filled tissue” (Matthew Wood). All of these are conditions of damp heat, usually the result of stagnation or coldness in the tissue. Calendula has a soothing, anti-inflammatory quality, reducing itchiness and irritation. It is a valuable remedy for inflammations external and internal in the GI tract. As an alterative, it supports immune function by cleansing the blood of lymphatic congestion & lingering infections. Its warming qualities promote sweating, thin fluids and warm the stomach/solar plexus (Matthew Wood). Calendula is best suited for cold, damp, Kapha conditions & constitutions.

Indications: swollen glands, lingering, unresolved infections (look for swollen tongue with red papillae), sunburn, burns, sores, ulcers, insect bites, swollen, painful, pus-filled tissue, hard-to-cure wounds, candida, gum disease, diaper rash, GI inflammation, leaky gut, painful menstruation, Seasonal Affective Disorder, psychological melancholy, immunological deficiency, symptoms worse in cold/damp weather

Contraindications: avoid large amounts during pregnancy due to emmenagogue action; not appropriate for signs of excess heat/ for hot/fiery constitutions.

Preparation & Dosage: Infusion- 1 ounce of flowers to 1 quart of boiling water; drink 2 cups a day or use externally as a local application. Tincture- 1-4 ml three times a day. Topical preparations include fresh plant poultices or infused oil. Infused oil can be used neat or turned into lotions & salves.

Click Here for a Recipe for Calendula Cream

**This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease**

Shatavari

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(Asparagus racemosus)

Shatavari is an herb from the Ayurvedic tradition. In Hindi, its name means “one who possesses a hundred husbands,” a hint that this herb has been used traditionally as a fertility tonic. Like all herbs, it has dozens of uses. Read on to learn more about some of its applications.

Family: Schisandraceae
 
Names: Indian asparagus, Shatamuli
 
Parts Used: stems, root

Energetics: sweet, bitter, cooling, moistening

Actions: adaptogen, immunomodulator, yin tonic, antitussive, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac, galactogogue, diuretic, haemostatic

Chemistry: contains steroidal saponins, isoflavones, polysaccharides and mucilage.

Uses: Traditional use in the Ayurvedic traditions lists dozens of conditions where Shatavari may be helpful. These include rheumatism, cough, diarrhea, dysentery, gastric irritation, infertility, threat of miscarriage, menopausal symptoms, bleeding disorders, chronic fever and any other signs of internal heat or irritation. It is considered to be a nutritive and rejuvenative tonic, especially to pitta constitutions. 

In recent studies, shatavari has been shown to increase both the weight of mammary lobulo-aveolar tissue and the total volume of milk produced. It was found to inhibit oxytocin-induced contractions in vivo. It has shown significant antitussive activity in mice, and in vitro, has proven effective against E. coli, Shigella, Salmonella and Staph. All of this supports the traditional use in treating cough, dysentery, diarrhea, and as a support during pregnancy & breast-feeding. 

Probably the most common use of shatavari is among menopausal women suffering from hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats and vaginal dryness. Again, traditional use of shatavari for menopausal health and as an overall female reproductive tonic has been validated. One study found that over 80% of participants experienced better sleep and reduced hot flashes from using shatavari (Shrestha et. al, 2003). 

Shatavari is thought to strengthen the reproductive organs in both men and women by nourishing the ojas, or the highly refined and nourishing substance that resides in the reproductive tissues of the body. The steroidal saponins in shatavari support the production of reproductive hormones.  

As a nutritive tonic, shatavari enriches the body’s fluids, plasma and white blood cells, strengthening the immune system and providing lubrication and nutrition for the entire body.  This is what makes it a yin tonic in Chinese Medicine. 

Its cooling and demulcent properties soothe all forms of heat and irritation in the urinary, respiratory and GI tracts. Shatavari may be useful for any form of excess heat in the body such as chronic fever, ulcers, and bleeding disorders such as menorrhagia. Bleeding is actually considered to be a heat condition. The cooling quality of shatavari causes blood vessels to constrict which is why it’s used as a haemostatic. 

Indications: infertility, vaginal dryness, low libido, dry, achy joints, anemia, low immunity, inflammation of the GI tract (IBS, gastritis), GI irritation to alcohol consumption, gastric ulcers, menorrhagia, chronic fever, hot flashes, night sweats, insomnia due to yin deficiency, food poisoning, dysentery, diarrhea due to heat or infection, dry, ticklish coughs, threat of miscarriage, insufficient milk flow, postpartum weakness, irritation of the urinary tract (cystitis, urethritis)  and any other sign by heat or dryness (even dry skin)–especially when accompanied by chronic stress or adrenal fatigue.

Contraindications: because of its cooling and moistening properties, avoid in cases of sluggish digestion with watery diarrhea, or excessive mucus production. This can be balanced in a formula with warming & drying herbs. 

Dosage:  40-80 drops tincture (1:5), 2 tsp/ 20 g dried powdered root per day, either mixed into food or decodted for 10-15 minutes in 8 oz of water. 

**This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease**

Resources:
Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief by David Winston; Healing Arts Press 2007
Herbal Therapeutics: Specific Indications for Herbs and Herbal Formulas by David Winston; Herbal Therapeutics Research Library (2014)
Planetary Herbology by Michael Tierra. Twin Lakes, Wis.: Lotus Press (1992)