2.3.4 Supporting Evidence Herbal Allies

This page is designed to share some of my perspectives on herbal medicine.  I offer an herbal first aid kit with necessary and optional items.  I emphasize the importance of relationship with plants and even having plant allies (tonics/adaptogens) that are a regular part of our life to enhance optimal health rather than solely "fight" disease.

Tonics “enhance physiological function rather than directly treating disease.”  (i.e. tonics make us humans stronger rather than focusing upon attacking highly adaptable micro-organisms))  Tonics are often taken daily as opposed to indicated for a specific condition.  They enhance one's constitution.  Tonics work because when we regularly consume bio-flavonoids, (medicinal constituents of plant life), we are ingesting chemicals that have learned adaptive strategies for the ecosystem in which they exist, including air water and soil.  Find your own personal “ecosystem whisperer.” that assists your personal constitution in your particular ecosystem.


ADAPTOGENS —
Adaptogens are single herbs that often function as daily tonics.  Everybody can benefit from some adaptogen or another.
Adaptogens bring the body into greater homeostasis: relieve stress, raise energy levels and improve mental clarity.
All adaptogens have specific actions regarding warming vs. cooling or mind vs. body vs. sexual energy enhancement but in reality, all of these are safe to be used by just about anybody.  I encourage you to read about and experiment with different adaptogens to find one that is right for you.  Other commonalities among adaptogens:

• elevate the body's enzyme synthesis by means of general endocrine stimulation
• enhance mental work capacity
• uplift physical work capacity along with performance and endurance
• quench free radicals so as to prevent oxidizing pathology
• improve eyesight, color perception, hearing, and vestibular functions
• offer beneficial effects in cardiovascular and respiratory systems
• promote longevity
• heighten the body's nonspecific resistance to various stressors such as toxins, excess cooling, overheating, altered barometric pressure, ultraviolet, ionizing, and cosmic radiation, and too much motor activity 

The reason we use small amounts of herbs and spices culinarily is because they are potent, highly bio-active plants (more micronutrients than macronutrients.)  Here is a list of common culinary herbs and spices that contain potent medicinal properties as well.  You should almost never worry about using too much of any of these plants (except for the right flavor).
Garlic — antibiotic, antiviral, antiseptic, general immune support, cardiovascular system, antioxidant (try honey with garlic and lemon at the onset of colds and flus)
Ginger — warming,   GI support, immune support, anti-inflammatory, nausea, reflux, circulatory stimulant, breaks fever
Turmeric — anti-inflammatory, pain reliever, antiseptic antibacterial,  one of the few common astringent herbs,
Cayenne —  warming, circulatory stimulant. immune boosting by increasing circulation and warming, can break a fever
Rosemary-- GI support, good for headaches
Oregano -- respiratory support, anti-microbial, diaphoretic (induces sweating)
Thyme  -- respiratory support, colds, coughs, congestion
Parsley -- carminative (GI support), emmenagogue (brings menses) diuretic -- cleansing (especially to urinary tract)
Peppermint -- GI support, good for headaches
Warming spices — cumin, cardamom, cinnamon, black pepper, clove, nutmeg, fennel, mustard — good bioactive, digestive, warming, libido

Aromatics help us
    1.    Reduce tension
    2.    Rebalance mood
    3.    Engage with life

Many Essential oils are antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, nervines (affect nervous system) and anti-spasmodic (especially of smooth muscles)

Anti-spasmodic function of aromatics reduces tension in smooth muscles:
    1.    stress
    2.    high blood pressure (smooth muscles surround arterial walls)
    3.    menstrual cramps (uterus basically one BIG mass of smooth muscles)
    4.    GI muscles irritation = aids digestion (intestines are very long smooth muscle)

Olfaction goes straight to the limbic system;whereas, the rest of our senses go through the thalamus.  (this limbic shortcu offers direct impact on emotional field):
Essential oils from plants often soothe and calm us, helping us arrive in the present moment
Animal smells (musk, urine, sweat and sexual fluids) often get us in the mood to fight or copulate.

"The Essences of the Flowers reflect our own Essence, the source of all that is, and in so doing, they are able to remind us of our truth, the love that we have within, so that they offer us an inconceivable support system when confronted with difficulties. When we are confronted with trying times, we lose energy to those situations...our mind doesn't rest, it goes over and over it again..trying to find a way out..or a resolution...this becomes very difficult. . How can we facilitate a shift?
Integrating Flower Essences into our life reveals the source of discomfort and reharmonizes our entire being."  -- Debby Lenz, founder EnergyBalancing

       Quintessence is the fifth element: this space we create through awareness and concentration, points toward and is the ethereal void embracing the animated energy of earth, water, fire and air.   Encompassing all other elements in its emptiness, ether allows an object or being to express its complete nature, its holistic vibration.  These vibes, of all beings and flowers, of all life, resonate in the space of ether expressing each being's quintessence.  My lifelong fascination with wizardry is blossoming anew; as a child, I dreamed of channeling the unseen energies of the world into healing forces.  Energy flows in webs of interdependence: within our bodies as the nadi system of Ayurveda or the meridian system of Traditional Chinese Medicine; within our watersheds, the cycle of water falling on mountains carving patterns as droplets rediscover their connection to the oneness of the ocean. I viscerally feel the effects of unseen energy in a myriad of ways including laying on of hands with universal Qi and setting up altars with bouquets and crystals.  There is an entire world of healing with unseen energy that includes shamanism, magnetism, breathwork, yoga, Reiki, crystal healing and Qi Gong.  Right now, my primary interest is utilizing the vibrational resonance of flowers which are representing the stage of life where beauty and energy blossom in the name of creation.
       In the garden of life, I recognize that time spent with flowers nourishes my mind, body, spirit and soul on many levels.   In an attempt to carry with me the energy I feel in the presence of different flowers,  I aspire to bottle some of the resonance of the flower in water that I have gathered from the flower's watershed and charge with prayers and crystals. I sit with the flower, and  I capture words, and photographs and allow the flower to infuse its unique expression and healing potential into this water.  I feel especially blessed when there is still dew on the flowers at dawn or the rains kiss the petals during the process.