As a budding herbalist, over the past few years I’ve been working with herbal medicines, remedies, and other natural approaches to healing, and while I’ve learned a great deal about the body and how it can be treated in this way, I’ve also come to realize that our connection with Nature is the underlying truth that permeates everything in our world. And when that understanding is felt in the mind, body and soul, you come to think about reality and the nature of humanity and all living things as a mosaic, where one thing relies on another thing, and so on the circle goes.
I’ve come to realize that it is this connection that so many people have lost touch with over the past centuries, which may be one of the major factors attributable to why so many humans are depressed, full of anxiety, sick and riddled with cancers. Our connection to the planet that which we evolved from is as important as the air we breathe, and when we lose that connection, it seems that the fire in our souls dies and turns to a flickering ember, and when that ember goes out, the animate life that burns within us, or as some Native Americans call the wind that moves through all things, fades and we are left with shells of ourselves who don’t understand how we got where we are now or where we came from, and a distinct mental illness and variety of body illnesses seem to rear their ugly heads.
While I could never use this understanding as a sort of diagnosis, I do believe it could be true, and if it is, then there are many ways to reignite the fire and reestablish that connection. One of the biggest ways to do that is to take a good, long and hard look at our lifestyles, because we are living like aliens on our own planet. It’s easy to lose yourself in the chaos of the everyday to-do list of responsibilities, but without proper time spent with ourselves, with the correct point-of-view, then we become fractured, and for me, the only thing that’s fit all the pieces of modern life’s uncertainties is this truth.
In working with herbal medicines, I’ve had the astounding pleasure to help others who have tried countless modern medications loaded with side effects, surgeries and other unintended yet still harmful procedures, and where many have found no help, and have often made their conditions worse. Quality of life is the goal, but in the medical industry, some of the more nobler objectives get lost and it becomes a business. The problem for many is the harmful side effects. I remember I was diagnosed with ADHD and was given a non-stimulant and it had the exact opposite effect of what the doctor was intending; it had me sick, weak, tired like death, and sweating and shivering for the first couple of hours and yet had no effect on my ability to focus during work.
Modern medicine has been around for around 200 years, while herbal medicine has been around since the dawn of time itself. Truth is, many of our modern medications started from herbs, roots, barks, and flowers. For example, the active ingredient found in Aspirin comes from the bark of the willow tree, and you can indeed drink a tea made of that bark, or create a topical salve that can act as relief for pain. It is in herbal medicine where you can find a myriad of medicinal properties that can help a myriad of ailments. And sure, that’s the most important detail here, but the runner up to that is that herbal medicines tend to be much gentler, sometimes not as concentrated and powerful, but can often achieve the same healing effects, often better, without all of the horrible side effects of modern medications that tend to be worse than the originally intended issue.
While I could never use this understanding as a sort of diagnosis, I do believe it could be true, and if it is, then there are many ways to reignite the fire and reestablish that connection. One of the biggest ways to do that is to take a good, long and hard look at our lifestyles, because we are living like aliens on our own planet. It’s easy to lose yourself in the chaos of the everyday to-do list of responsibilities, but without proper time spent with ourselves, with the correct point-of-view, then we become fractured, and for me, the only thing that’s fit all the pieces of modern life’s uncertainties is this truth.
In working with herbal medicines, I’ve had the astounding pleasure to help others who have tried countless modern medications loaded with side effects, surgeries and other unintended yet still harmful procedures, and where many have found no help, and have often made their conditions worse. Quality of life is the goal, but in the medical industry, some of the more nobler objectives get lost and it becomes a business. The problem for many is the harmful side effects. I remember I was diagnosed with ADHD and was given a non-stimulant and it had the exact opposite effect of what the doctor was intending; it had me sick, weak, tired like death, and sweating and shivering for the first couple of hours and yet had no effect on my ability to focus during work.
Modern medicine has been around for around 200 years, while herbal medicine has been around since the dawn of time itself. Truth is, many of our modern medications started from herbs, roots, barks, and flowers. For example, the active ingredient found in Aspirin comes from the bark of the willow tree, and you can indeed drink a tea made of that bark, or create a topical salve that can act as relief for pain. It is in herbal medicine where you can find a myriad of medicinal properties that can help a myriad of ailments. And sure, that’s the most important detail here, but the runner up to that is that herbal medicines tend to be much gentler, sometimes not as concentrated and powerful, but can often achieve the same healing effects, often better, without all of the horrible side effects of modern medications that tend to be worse than the originally intended issue.
That’s why I recently reached out to Dairyland Management for their premium American Ginseng, an American herb that has gained exotic prominence in its own land, due to its powerful effects on the body and due to its modern rarity. Ginseng has become a quick supplement available in most grocers and natural dietary stores, yet is always associated with a high price as it is indeed rare and hard to come by just about anywhere else. Where it used to grow wild in the old growth forests, ginseng is now mainly a cultivated plant in North America.
Ginseng is renown for its aromatic taste, rich flavor and medicinal health benefits, and while it can be used for its culinary pallet, it is best known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can lower blood sugar, and has been shown to benefit brain function and help erectile dysfunction, while boosting the immune system and energy levels, and can potentially fight cancer; and that’s not all.
I reached out to Dairyland Management to test American Ginseng for use as a herbal remedy, and they were kind enough to send a bag of roots and a bag of powdered root, and after much playing around I created a topical recipe that can be used as a facial balm which can be rubbed into the skin and left in overnight, without the trouble of having to wash it off. Ginseng has anti-aging properties on the skin, which helps to tone and brighten the skin, which is why its such a prized ingredient for high end natural face care products. I hope you have fun with this recipe and will continue to research, test and try out other herbal remedies, too.
If you would like to learn more about Dairyland Management, click here.
Ginseng is renown for its aromatic taste, rich flavor and medicinal health benefits, and while it can be used for its culinary pallet, it is best known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and can lower blood sugar, and has been shown to benefit brain function and help erectile dysfunction, while boosting the immune system and energy levels, and can potentially fight cancer; and that’s not all.
I reached out to Dairyland Management to test American Ginseng for use as a herbal remedy, and they were kind enough to send a bag of roots and a bag of powdered root, and after much playing around I created a topical recipe that can be used as a facial balm which can be rubbed into the skin and left in overnight, without the trouble of having to wash it off. Ginseng has anti-aging properties on the skin, which helps to tone and brighten the skin, which is why its such a prized ingredient for high end natural face care products. I hope you have fun with this recipe and will continue to research, test and try out other herbal remedies, too.
If you would like to learn more about Dairyland Management, click here.
AMERICAN GINSENG BEAUTY BALM RECIPE-
-3oz of American Ginseng infused oil.
-1oz of Beeswax
-Essential oils: Lavender (20 drops), Frankincense (10 drops), Rose Hips Seed (5 drops).
-3oz of American Ginseng infused oil.
-1oz of Beeswax
-Essential oils: Lavender (20 drops), Frankincense (10 drops), Rose Hips Seed (5 drops).
- Infused American Ginseng root (chopped/ground) in organic Avocado oil. For additional skin benefits, pour a little extra oil of Argan, Jojoba and Tamanu, if you have it. Using a double boiler, infuse for 1-2 hours until oil has turned a dark color and the aroma has increased. Then, let cool, strain with cheesecloth.
- Combine oil and wax ingredients in a clean double boiler. Heat on medium heat until wax has melted into oil. Remove from heat, let cool for one minute, then stir in essential oils. Pour mixture into glass jar or metal tin with tight fitting lid. Recipe volume is 4oz total.
*This article is for entertainment use, and should not replace the diagnoses of any disease or the subscribing of any medication. Always consult with your doctor or a medical professional for any and all health-related advice.
(Photo by centralasian via Flickr)
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