I have found some herbs that work great for uterine health (Chinese peony, raspberry) and acupuncture with moxa has also been quite useful personally.  These are just the beginning of a plethora of natural options to support women now, excess bleeding is, after-all, exhausting and depleting. Thanks to my herbalist program, my compendium of plants that strengthen the female system has greatly expanded, so I’m all ready to support women in re-establishing hormonal balance.

It’s a good practice to take the time to tune into our bodies during the change of season for optimal health and even prevention.  How are we digesting and sleeping? How are our moods/motivation?  To say we have had an extremely difficult year plus is an understatement.  I think the fear-based, wait and isolate approach to the pandemic has forced our bodies into a state of compartmentalization.  Because the liver in Chinese medicine stores the emotions of anger and frustration (and there’s just a tad to feel frustrated about), it’s safe to say that most of our livers could use some TLC these days.

Lemons have been a staple in many cultures for cooking, home remedies, and even beauty. Yes, I have seen age spots clear up by regularly drinking lemon water! Did you know that lemon water has numerous physiologic benefits as well?

The benchmark for optimal hydration is half your body weight of water in ounces. For example, if you weigh 200 pounds, drink 100 ounces of water daily. Then add an additional cup for every cup of coffee or glass of wine you consume. To make things more difficult, we actually lose our thirst when we become dehydrated!

All of us have made sudden and massive shifts in our home/work lives, a very large sector of our population is weathering prolonged financial stress, there are those with compromised immunity who are fatigued from extended vigilance, and lastly, those of us who are typically nourished by travel, connection, and creative pursuits – we’re feeling lackluster and even depressed from the extended isolation. I am appreciative of the eternal optimists and those who can hold onto a brighter ‘big picture’ for the future- this has been something I’ve been finding challenging lately.

Anyone is susceptible to stress, but some primary components leading to adrenal fatigue are: lack of restorative sleep, living through periods of intense emotional stress (current times!), over working, poor food choices, using food and drinks as stimulants when tired, lack of proper rest and rejuvenation. 

Our adrenals are the two walnut-sized glands that sit like little hats on top of both kidneys. Our energy, stamina, immunity, and even sex drive depends upon the proper functioning of our body’s adrenal glands. The adrenals have an outer layer or cortex that produces cortisol and an inner medulla that produces the fight or flight hormones: epinephrine and norepinephrine.

As rates of infection are on the rise, it feels like an appropriate time to continue sharing immune-supportive tips for you to have at the ready.  This week I’m highlighting the ‘Warming Socks Treatment’ – be forewarned – when you read the instructions, you may think this is the last thing you want to do on a cold winter night! However, I swear, this is a safe, simple, inexpensive, AND highly effective hydrotherapy technique  – it’s a staple in naturopathic practice

One of the most important aspects of staying well in the winter is being in tune with your body enough to know when you’re feeling run down and on the verge of catching a cold/flu … because how you care for yourself in the first 24-72 hours determines how you will fare during the course of your illness.

The warming socks treatment is my favorite old-school hydrotherapy treatment. I recommend it at the first sign of any congestion in the ears, eyes, sinuses, throat, and/or lungs.  This treatment is helpful for speeding up the recovery from sore throats, ear infections, headaches, migraines, upper respiratory infections, coughs, bronchitis, and sinus infections. It’s even helpful to mitigate the brain fog that results from a night of over-indulgence!

I imagine your sleep may be impacted by all the stressful events. I am hearing more people suffering from middle of the night wakings and a general sense of unrest. As a former insomniac myself, these symptoms are not unfamiliar for me.

Our ancestors retired at sunset and slept for a few hours, only to wake up again for a couple of hours to stoke the fire, feed the livestock, or do other caretaking. They then ultimately retired for another 4 hours or so of sleep before waking again at dawn. Our 8 hour night of solid sleep is a newer pattern that is a byproduct of industrialization.

Dreaming is one of my favorite aspects of life as a human being on planet earth, so I felt like exploring this while we’re on the topic of sleep.

There is no shortcut or replacement for sleep – after all, we are mammals subject to a circadian rhythm.  We need sleep to repair the daily wear and tear in our cellular machinery, to replenish energy supplies, and to remove wastes effectively. We also require it for a process called ‘synaptic pruning’ – whereby we let go of accumulated information stored up during the day.  It’s a cleaning house of sorts.