Do you have any herbal gift ideas for the holidays, both homemade and commerce? I would love to share the gift of herbalism with my loved ones this year. I also think it could be an affordable way to give gifts to my extended circle.
This is such a fun consideration! And there are soooo many ideas. Let's see, for brands, my favorites are Wooden Spoon Herbs, Anima Mundi Herbals, Rowse beauty, Flamingo Estate, Sun Potion and anything in our shop of course. Herb Pharm and Gaia are great, and so is Mountain Rose Herbs for supplies to make your own products (they also have lots of recipes). Enfleurage is amazing for essential oils. For homemade, I would consider tea blends the easiest to make. Tinctures are a bit more complex and not everyone's, well, cup of tea. Let me know how far that gets you and/or what you find! xR
Almost never do I take anything OTC. If I have a migraine that I cannot handle then I'll take 1 - 2 ibuprofen and I'd say that happens a few times a year. I took Tylenol during my multi-day COVID fever of 104 but only because it wasn't breaking (otherwise I really believe in letting it break). I never take stuff for suppressing our body's symptoms if sick (stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, etc.). I think antibiotics are important but should be used extremely sparingly (can't recall the last time I had them — maybe a bad gut bug after Mexico about 10 years ago) and the metaphor I've always liked for OTC remedies is that where antibiotics are like a nuclear bomb to our gut health, OTC meds are like grenades. They are also often only treating symptoms, so getting to the cause is much more productive long term. All that said, medication is important and necessary for many people (e.g. for mental health) and I don't fault anyone for using it. Health is a spectrum. Full transparency: I used prescription meds for anxiety and depression when I was young and if things ever got that bad again, I'd restart it.
We sure can! I actually have a whole class on magnesium launching i December (you heard it here first!) but am happy to take us through the details sooner. I've added it to the agenda. Thanks for asking!
Would be excited to dive into lemon balm. I see it so often added to blends, but somewhere heard it's not great for those with under-active thyroid. Is there truth to that?
Oo yes, I love the suggestion to dive into a single herb, especially since we spend so much time talking about blends and many ingredients. In terms of its affect on thyroid, yes there is truth to it being not great for those with an under-active thyroid. A cup of tea a day wouldn't be an issue for most people but in higher doses for longer periods of time, it's contraindicated as it has mild suppressive activity.
Thanks for expanding on this distinction between an occasional serving vs extended use. It makes sense and makes me think about the long term usage of ashwaganda or Hawthorne :)
I hope you're thinking about the long-term use of those two as a good thing, because it definitely is. Ashwagandha especially is meant for daily use for several weeks *at least* for effects to set in. I use it most of the year and only take a couple of months off if/when life calms down. Hawthorne too, like so many herbs, works its magic with commitment and proper dosing!
Do you have any recommendations for herbal supplements to help the body rid itself of a recurring HPV infection? I know there is no absolute cure, and most of the time it’s not active for me and doesn’t show up in my system or on my PAP tests (I’ve had it for over 15 years). But the past 2 years it’s been “active.” Just want to know if there is anything natural I can take to help my body put it to rest again cause the longer it stays active the more harm it does to cervical cells. :(
Are there any herbs that provide calcium and/or support bone strength/health? My mom has osteoporosis and has been warning my sister and I about the importance of calcium, so I’m wondering about herbal ways to get it.
Oo, yes! There are SO many. Immediately I think of this blend from my favorite teacher: https://www.herbalist-alchemist.com/shop-products-osteoherb-capsules He has been using it for a long time with great success. All of the herbs listed there (Stinging Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica), Alfalfa herb (Medicago sativa), Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale), Horsetail herb (Equisetum arvense), Oat straw (Avena sativa), Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) are great to look into, and I will talk about this more in a future session! Thanks for asking.
After a necessary bout with antibiotics, I developed a mild case of psoriasis. I've been treating scaly skin patches with calendula oil externally and Big Bold Health's Skin & Eye health internally. Any additional recommendations for supplement/herbal use to remedy psoriasis?
Oof, I'm sorry to hear that Jessica. An unfortunate example of the gut-skin relationship indeed! I'll add this to the agenda but so that you don't have to wait too long, here are some initial supports: Aloe (topical & internal), chickweed, echinacea (internal), Goldenseal root or other Berberine containing herbs (Oregon Grape root, Barberry root, Chinese Coptis, Goldthread, Yellow root) — internal. Gotu Kola for sure. Any skin that is red, hot and inflamed wants this herb. Also burdock seed if you can find it. And Vitamin D. I hope that helps!
I have just completed my western herbal medicine degree and fell so very chuffed! However I am not feeling quite anxious how I start putting myself out there to create a business. Could you give some fellow herbalist advice ? did you find someone to help you with all the beautiful designs for your posts and products or did you create it all yourself. Peace out ! All my friends in the UK are obsessed with you and your knowledge!!!!
Congrats Jemma!! I'm excited for you! This path is SO rewarding, and just endlessly inspiring, refreshing, and variable, which means you can make it what you want, need, dream of. I'm adding your questions to our queue and will be looking forward to sharing a bit more about the business side of things soon. Meanwhile two things: 1. You might enjoy this podcast/interview I did recently, which is the most intimate look at my businesses to-date https://www.ursupernatural.com/topics/episode-188-building-a-diversified-wellness-business-with-rachelle-robinett
I would love your tips for hydrating ourselves at a cellular level.
Oo this is a juicy one. Thanks for asking! I've added it to our agenda.
Awesome. Thank you!
Do you have any herbal gift ideas for the holidays, both homemade and commerce? I would love to share the gift of herbalism with my loved ones this year. I also think it could be an affordable way to give gifts to my extended circle.
This is such a fun consideration! And there are soooo many ideas. Let's see, for brands, my favorites are Wooden Spoon Herbs, Anima Mundi Herbals, Rowse beauty, Flamingo Estate, Sun Potion and anything in our shop of course. Herb Pharm and Gaia are great, and so is Mountain Rose Herbs for supplies to make your own products (they also have lots of recipes). Enfleurage is amazing for essential oils. For homemade, I would consider tea blends the easiest to make. Tinctures are a bit more complex and not everyone's, well, cup of tea. Let me know how far that gets you and/or what you find! xR
This is such an amazing recommendations list. I used a few of these companies to purchase gifts for loved ones this year. Thank you, Rachelle!
Yee! I'm glad to hear it. You're so welcome, Eve.
Oh, and I would also LOVE to know: Do you take everyday pharmaceuticals, like aspirin, tylenol, etc? Or do you always use herbal medicine instead?
Almost never do I take anything OTC. If I have a migraine that I cannot handle then I'll take 1 - 2 ibuprofen and I'd say that happens a few times a year. I took Tylenol during my multi-day COVID fever of 104 but only because it wasn't breaking (otherwise I really believe in letting it break). I never take stuff for suppressing our body's symptoms if sick (stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, etc.). I think antibiotics are important but should be used extremely sparingly (can't recall the last time I had them — maybe a bad gut bug after Mexico about 10 years ago) and the metaphor I've always liked for OTC remedies is that where antibiotics are like a nuclear bomb to our gut health, OTC meds are like grenades. They are also often only treating symptoms, so getting to the cause is much more productive long term. All that said, medication is important and necessary for many people (e.g. for mental health) and I don't fault anyone for using it. Health is a spectrum. Full transparency: I used prescription meds for anxiety and depression when I was young and if things ever got that bad again, I'd restart it.
Thank you for responding! I’ve been following your work for a month or so now and was so curious about this!
Can we do a deep dive about magnesium? Is it good for winding down for sleep? Thanks :)
We sure can! I actually have a whole class on magnesium launching i December (you heard it here first!) but am happy to take us through the details sooner. I've added it to the agenda. Thanks for asking!
All things histamine intolerance.
YES. Great one, and lots of herbal support here to dive into. I've added it to our agenda!
Would be excited to dive into lemon balm. I see it so often added to blends, but somewhere heard it's not great for those with under-active thyroid. Is there truth to that?
Oo yes, I love the suggestion to dive into a single herb, especially since we spend so much time talking about blends and many ingredients. In terms of its affect on thyroid, yes there is truth to it being not great for those with an under-active thyroid. A cup of tea a day wouldn't be an issue for most people but in higher doses for longer periods of time, it's contraindicated as it has mild suppressive activity.
Thanks for expanding on this distinction between an occasional serving vs extended use. It makes sense and makes me think about the long term usage of ashwaganda or Hawthorne :)
I hope you're thinking about the long-term use of those two as a good thing, because it definitely is. Ashwagandha especially is meant for daily use for several weeks *at least* for effects to set in. I use it most of the year and only take a couple of months off if/when life calms down. Hawthorne too, like so many herbs, works its magic with commitment and proper dosing!
Do you have any recommendations for herbal supplements to help the body rid itself of a recurring HPV infection? I know there is no absolute cure, and most of the time it’s not active for me and doesn’t show up in my system or on my PAP tests (I’ve had it for over 15 years). But the past 2 years it’s been “active.” Just want to know if there is anything natural I can take to help my body put it to rest again cause the longer it stays active the more harm it does to cervical cells. :(
Hey Lauren, I'm going to add this one to our queue. There are definitely herbs that can assist here and I'll aim to get into them for you asap!
Awesome thank you! Can’t wait to hear it.
Are there any herbs that provide calcium and/or support bone strength/health? My mom has osteoporosis and has been warning my sister and I about the importance of calcium, so I’m wondering about herbal ways to get it.
Oo, yes! There are SO many. Immediately I think of this blend from my favorite teacher: https://www.herbalist-alchemist.com/shop-products-osteoherb-capsules He has been using it for a long time with great success. All of the herbs listed there (Stinging Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica), Alfalfa herb (Medicago sativa), Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale), Horsetail herb (Equisetum arvense), Oat straw (Avena sativa), Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) are great to look into, and I will talk about this more in a future session! Thanks for asking.
After a necessary bout with antibiotics, I developed a mild case of psoriasis. I've been treating scaly skin patches with calendula oil externally and Big Bold Health's Skin & Eye health internally. Any additional recommendations for supplement/herbal use to remedy psoriasis?
Oof, I'm sorry to hear that Jessica. An unfortunate example of the gut-skin relationship indeed! I'll add this to the agenda but so that you don't have to wait too long, here are some initial supports: Aloe (topical & internal), chickweed, echinacea (internal), Goldenseal root or other Berberine containing herbs (Oregon Grape root, Barberry root, Chinese Coptis, Goldthread, Yellow root) — internal. Gotu Kola for sure. Any skin that is red, hot and inflamed wants this herb. Also burdock seed if you can find it. And Vitamin D. I hope that helps!
Thanks Rachelle. These are great suggestions!
I have just completed my western herbal medicine degree and fell so very chuffed! However I am not feeling quite anxious how I start putting myself out there to create a business. Could you give some fellow herbalist advice ? did you find someone to help you with all the beautiful designs for your posts and products or did you create it all yourself. Peace out ! All my friends in the UK are obsessed with you and your knowledge!!!!
Congrats Jemma!! I'm excited for you! This path is SO rewarding, and just endlessly inspiring, refreshing, and variable, which means you can make it what you want, need, dream of. I'm adding your questions to our queue and will be looking forward to sharing a bit more about the business side of things soon. Meanwhile two things: 1. You might enjoy this podcast/interview I did recently, which is the most intimate look at my businesses to-date https://www.ursupernatural.com/topics/episode-188-building-a-diversified-wellness-business-with-rachelle-robinett
and 2. HI to your UK friends. :D
XOR
Herbs for libido ☺️
Added to the queue!