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Practices to honor wintertime in your body + beyond [episode medley w Jade Alicandro + myself]
Ahh, solstice has passed and winter has officially arrived - into the landscape and into our bodies.
While this holiday time can feel like a lovely time to connect with family and community, it can also be a time of a lot of conflicting emotions.
But when we tune into the energy of this season, the impending wintertime, the wombspace of the year,
it's actually so much more about quiet, reflection, inner listening than it is about outward connection like the holidays ask of us.
On today's medley episode, you'll find snippets from three previous episodes oriented to the winter season, and ways to engage with the energy of it:
First I share some ideas about practices, and even some self-reflection prompts to explore in the weeks surrounding solstice, or the yin time of the year (right now).
Then, herbalist Jade Alicandro speaks to the qualities of winter from a western and Chinese medicine perspective, and some foods and herbs you can incorporate aligned with this season.
And finally I share about ways to honor not only the rite of passage in the wheel of the year, but also the rites of passage in the wheel of our lives, and particularly the major transitions that occur in our womb phases.
I hope these glimpses into some wintertime practices, including embodied seasonal herbalism and how to engage more intentionally with the season offer you ideas of how to find meaning in this potent time of the year.
A time that so many turn away from... and instead encourage you to consider turning towards it.
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.
How often do we hear the term “integrative medicine” and what people are really practicing is symptom suppression medicine with more natural, herbal or supplement methods?
I think it’s very hard to break away from that “treat the symptom” approach when you’ve been indoctrinated into it, and when so many patients are familiar with it.
But occasionally I’ll have a client who says they want to get to the root of what’s going on, and when faced with some of the lifestyle and dietary changes they may have to make, they’d rather not go there.
Which is totally fair. But there’s only so much bandaid approaches can do.
Like yeah, you can reduce the severity of your menstrual cramps in the moment, but if you don’t explore you circulation, the tension you may be holding in your pelvis, some of your ongoing stressors, your sleep, your nutrition, triggers for inflammation etc… well, it’s likely just going to keep being there cycle after cycle.
Which doesn’t mean it has to be hard, sometimes very simple shifts can make a huge difference, but they DO have to be made in order to make the difference.
Which is what I love about this conversation with NP and Ayurvedic Practitioner, Amy Eldredge.
She shares about how some of the simplest changes can be profoundly impactful and in some cases even clear up a condition entirely.
She also talks about the wisdom of samprapti, which is essentially an understanding of HOW disease manifests in the body (or mind) and how identifying it when it’s in the earlier stages (before it sets in) is true preventative medicine.
She speaks to how the western paradigm doesn’t even recognize disease until it’s in the fourth stage.
Annnnd we speak to her journey from conventional medicine into Ayurveda, her visions of what could be possible if primary care providers worked alongside Ayurvedic practitioners to help reduce the onset of disease in the first place.
Her visions (and her on the ground work) is inspiring, and I hope it helps you to feel a little more hope in what sometimes feels like a broken healthcare system.
Another world is possible. We just have to create it.
Listen to learn:
where Ayurveda and western medicine overlap and where they differ
How Amy went from 7 years as a Primary Care Provider seeing 700+ patients to her private Ayurvedic practice
What her insider vision is on how true integrative care could look
About the phases of disease from the Ayurvedic lens (they’re subtler than you might think)
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensu
If you're newer to body literacy, cyclical living and cycle tracking, you might be wondering what the heck FAM (Fertility Awareness Method) is.
Or maybe you've read about it and kind of know, but you haven't started practicing it. Or maybe you are already practicing it but you're not sure how to tell what your personal cycle rhythms are telling you about your hormones.
Wherever you're at on your cycle tracking journey, this episode is an introductory glimpse at what FAM entails (tracking BBT, cervical mucus and the optional sign of cervical position) *and* what those signs are telling you about your hormonal health.
Every person is unique, and your cycle and your signs will be unique to YOU. Which is why it's so important to start tracking earlier in your life and watch the changes over time.
When you know how to confirm your own ovulation, you can use this method for contraception, conception AND to better understand your irregular cycle or *when* you're going to bleed in what can otherwise feel like the unknown times of perimenopause or postpartum.
Understanding what your cervical mucus is telling you about your estrogen, and why your temperature rise and pattern throughout your luteal phase is an important indicator of progesterone levels is empowering to say the least.
What if you didn't have to invest in expensive hormonal testing in order to understand what kinds of imbalances you're working with?
FAM is a perfect place to start. You can always incorporate other methods in for conception, contraception or your hormonal health goals, but it's a foundation that all of these other methods can build on.
Learn why in this week's episode.
Listen to learn:
what FAM (Fertility Awareness Method) is
why FAM is foundational for TTC, natural contraception or hormonal imbalances
the two required signs and the optional sign to practice FAM effectively
how your cervical mucus and BBT relate to estrogen and progesterone
insights into what your cycle is telling you about your hormones
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.
Let's be honest, there's a gaping hole in our society around caretaking ourselves after loss of any kind. But most especially around pregnancy loss, and even more so around the experience of abortion.
It's interesting to consider how quick we are to express our opinions about abortion rights (no matter where you are on the spectrum of choice), but how very rarely we ever talk about what it really means to choose to end a pregnancy.
I know this is a tender topic. It's not something we're used to openly talking about.
Which is exactly why I invited India Elyn, author of the book 'Honouring the Loss: A holistic guide to healing with ritual and herbal medicine' to come and share about her embodied experience and professional offerings supporting folks to navigate the abortion journey.
From the contemplation phase, through the active abortion process (medication or otherwise), and healing afterwards (even many years later), herbs and rituals can offer beautiful adjunct support.
This conversation is honest and explores the depths of emotions that can show up on this journey that most of us keep hidden from the world. May this interview be a gift to your heart and your womb.
Listen to the episode to learn:
how India came to write her book (her personal story)
why it can be helpful to honor your loss, even if it was decades ago
about the lack of support and healing resources around abortion
how to begin to engage with your own healing + grief
some herbal allies that may be especially supportive for you
the importance of ritual + some ideas of simple rituals to explore
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Aphrodisiacs. A term you've probably heard countless times in your life, most of us have at least, in popular culture, media, movies, books and maybe even classes.
The thing is, the term aphrodisiac is too general to really give us much insight into how the herbs or foods are even working in our bodies.
Really, all 'aphrodisiac' means is that at some point in human history, that substance has encouraged libido, arousal and/or enhanced pleasure. It doesn't tell us how or when we might choose one over another.
And there are a multitude of herbs that fall into this category. So, how do you decide which ones are right for you?
Well, instead of just glossing over a list of herbs, today's episode covers 5 core areas that are keys to enhancing your pleasure, and examples of herbs in each.
This way, you can reflect on your own personal experience of pleasure and your body's individualized needs to narrow down which herbs may be most helpful for YOU on your personal pleasure path.
Listen to the episode to learn:
why not all aphrodisiacs are the same
how to begin exploring your individual needs and why that matters
5 core areas to enhance pleasure from an herbal perspective
brief descriptions of herbs in each of these categories
some ways to work with these herbs you may not expect
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Your cycle is a vital sign. A clear signal that can help you understand the map of optimal health (or not) in your body.
When you see symptoms coming up, anything from PMS to irregular cycles to menstrual pain to fertility challenges, that’s your body saying ‘it’s time to make a change.’
But what changes do you make?
Especially if your symptoms are vague or “subclinical” (meaning not quite at the level of diagnosable), you may feel lost and confused on what steps to take first.
But if you’re living in the modern world (how are you reading this if you’re not?), then it’s quite likely that chronic underlying stress is a part of the picture, so that’s a great place to start.
But when we talk about stress, what do we mean?
The reality is that stress is NOT just having to rush your kids to school or get a project done by a deadline. You may also be living with chronic internal stressors like blood sugar imbalance, chronic inflammation, or digestive issues.
It’s not just external stress that messes with your hormones, it’s also internal stress.
And holistic nutritionist and menstrual health coach Pirita Hilton shares all about her personal embodied experience of reaching a level of stress that felt like burnout, which included completely losing her menstrual cycle for a whole year, intense migraines, horrible acne and just feeling completely exhausted. And how she found her way back to vitality and menstrual cycle wellness.
She also lays out some basic lifestyle habits that have replenished her and her clients, and a couple specific ideas you can get started with today.
Listen to this episode to learn:
How chronic stress, perfectionism, over-exercising + “clean” eating can lead to menstrual health problems
Why it’s so important to pay attention to that inner voice of wisdom inside you
All about internal and external stressors and how those impact your hormones
A 5 pillared approach to encouraging optimal hormonal health
2 simple practices to nourish your nervous system you can start today
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Unless you’ve been hiding out in the woods with no media over the past decade, my guess is you’ve heard of adaptogens. And at some point you may have tried some.
This herbal action has basically reached celebrity status, as far as herbs go. And for good reason.
They support us in states of chronic stress, support our blood sugar regulation, enhance our stamina and some even encourage better sleep.
But contrary to popular belief, adaptogens are NOT right for everyone. And not all adaptogens are the same.
Understanding the basics behind how they work and which ones might be most appropriate for you (or not) at this time in your life is foundational.
Most of us have no idea when to choose one or another one, and what affinities certain adaptogens have for different times of life, symptom pictures, or constitutions.
Not to mention which ones might be most helpful for various hormonal imbalances.
So tune into today’s episode to learn all about how adaptogens work and ways they might be supportive for your individual hormonal health - and why you might want to add some other herbs in to get even better results.
Listen to this episode to learn:
What adaptogens are and how they work (beyond the hype)
Why some plants you might think are adaptogens may not be
When to avoid adaptogens
Why not all adaptogens are the same and how to determine which is right for you
How adaptogens can support your hormonal health (in more ways than one)
Some of my favorites and a beirf snapshot on each of them
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
What could it look like to experience deep nourishment and caretaking during major transitions in our lives?
For those of us with wombs, we travel through multiple significant transitions purely because we have menstural cycles. Everything from our first period (menarche), to becoming a parent, to pregnancy loss or release, to menopause, and beyond.
And we go through massive changes throughout our lives unrelated to our wombs, too. Times when our identities are turned over completely and we have to find our way from who we once were to who we are now.
Whether it’s wombcycle changes or grief from loss of a loved one, embracing a chronic illness, navigating a recovery process, finding ground after a break-up or divorce, or changing careers, we are all familiar with transition. We may not like it, but we know what it feels like.
The truth is *most* of us in the modern world have no support for these transitions beyond some well-meaning “congratulations” or “I’m so sorry” from people who love us. We may even be lucky enough to have someone create a “meal train” to help feed us for the first weeks or months after the change, but more likely than not, we navigate this terrain primarily alone.
But we as humans are social creatures. We are not meant to navigate these massive transitions alone, and there is SO much that ancestral wisdom can teach us about how to care for these shaky times on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.
And Ayurvedic practitioner Ashlee Sakaishi Wilkin is here to share all about how we can create what is called “a sacred window” to nurture and replenish ourselves on all levels in these times of change, and how our community is an essential part of that.
Listen to the episode to learn:
how Ayurveda perceives times of transition
what “a sacred window” means and how to create one in your life
why a sacred window is not limited to postpartum care
ways to incorporate your personal ancestral lineage into your care
why it’s not too late to create a sacred window even if your transition was years ago
what Vata is, and why it's essential to understand in times of change
specific foods and practices to nourish your body, mind + spirit for optimal whole being health through these transitions
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
The longest night of the year is upon us. The energies of quiet, receptivity and stillness are palpable (if you listen beyond the frenzy of holiday preparations) and our bodies are attuned to this darkness in ways we might not realize.
How are you honoring this time in your body and your life?
So many of us have lost touch with the ancestral seasonal traditions that commonly harnessed the energy of the season to enrich our lives, that evoked meaning and depth from something that often is glossed over as just "the first day of winter" in modern times.
But there is a power and a potency in this time of the year that we all have access to.
And today's episode is an invitation to explore how you might be able to engage with this energy intentionally in 9 simple ways, with a dash of womb wisdom thrown in.
Listen to this episode to learn:
what winter solstice is (beyond the first day of winter)
how winter solstice connects to the moon and your womb
the energetic qualities of winter solstice
how to engage meaningfully with this time of the year
9 simple ways you can explore honoring the solstice (from self-reflection prompts to ideas for rituals to the importance of rest and beyond)
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
So many of us are told it's "normal" to feel depressed, anxious or irritable premenstrually. As if we should just accept it and move on.
And even when the symptoms are significant, maybe even debilitating, we're told to either just push through them or to medicate them away.
But the thing is, there are some people who experience symptoms that are far beyond the weepiness, mood swings and bloating for a few days that PMS brings.
And most of us have no idea it even exists. It's called PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).
And it can be so debilitating that people can feel totally incapacitated for the entire second half of their cycle, and it can lead to depression so significant that it's hard to do daily tasks, show up for relationships, get to work, or even get out of bed.
We're talking PMS on steroids. For weeks. And then as if by magic, it all disappears around menstruation.
Today's guest, Jes (from Her Mood Mentor) shares all about her personal embodied experience of 17 years with PMDD and the integrative approach she developed to help herself and others find ease and comfort in their bodies and cycles after years of suffering.
Listen to the episode to learn:
what the difference between PMS and PMDD is
how PMDD impacted Jes' relationships, jobs, school, etc
examples of how PMDD can look in different people's lives
why conventional treatments often don't help those with PMDD
the difference between symptom relief and root cause approaches
why a multi-faceted approach is best (+ what might be included in that)
some of Jes' favorite herbs to support folks with PMDD
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Okay, so let's be honest... vaginal fluids are not everyone's favorite topic.
In fact, so often we avoid talking about the fluids, smells or colors we see "down there," especially with friends, family members, and even healthcare practitioners.
It's a sensitive topic, I know. But your fluids (and yes, by fluids I mean discharge, mucus, arousal fluids, etc) offer a lens into the health of not only your vagina, but also your whole body health.
We can tell everything from whether we're ovulating, to hints at how our hormones are doing, to signs of vaginal infections or imbalances, all through paying attention to the timing, texture, color and smell of our fluids.
What if you changed your perspective of vaginal fluids from being just a thing you mark down on your cycle tracking chart (or barely notice) to something that is a treasured library of knowledge about what's going on in your body?
How would that change your experience?
Listen to the episode to learn:
all the kinds of vaginal fluids you might experience
how your fluids may change depending on your phase of life
what's considered "normal" and what's not
how to figure out what's normal for you
the difference between cervical fluids, arousal fluids, healthy vs unhealthy vaginal secretions and mucus, lochia, and more
why you might experience more fluids (and infections) in pregnancy
when to seek out more support (eg textures, colors, smells) and the basics on what "abnormal" vaginal fluids might be telling you
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
How do you relate to the winter season? What are the ways that you naturally support your body through this time of colder, darker days?
These aren't questions we often ask, at least not in the dominant western worldview.
But traditional wisdom from around the world teaches us that winter is a time for quieting down, for reflection, for introspection and for deeply nourishing ourselves.
For supporting our inner resilience. For cultivating our capacity to withstand stressors.
Which as you might imagine, is especially important for our hormonal health, too.
And today's guest, community herbalist Jade Alicandro, weaves the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine together with her embodied practice of bioregional herbalism to offer simple and accessible steps we can take right now to encourage optimal health this winter and beyond.
Listen to the episode to learn:
what it means to live a seasonal lifestyle
some of the basic energetics and elements of each season
the importance of acknowledging late summer
how the seasons are reflected in the phases of our wombs
why winter is connected to the water element
simple ways we can harness the energy of winter
foods and herbs that are especially supportive for us in this time
why astragalus, maitake, and nettles are winter essentials in Jade's kitchen
a couple culinary herbs to help ease menstrual cramps
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
It's true. Almost everything we ever hear about bitters is about how they stimulate our appetite, encourage digestive juices to flow and enhance our bowel movement.
Like, literally, that's what most people say, on repeat, every time they talk about bitters.
But there is SO MUCH MORE to these herbs and foods than just supporting our digestive function (though that's obviously important too).
Did you know there are "bitter taste receptors" outside of the digestive tract?
Well there are. And they're everywhere... from your heart, your respiratory tract to your uterus.
This awareness as only been really coming to light in recent years, but it explains a lot about why some herbs may have affinity for some organ systems.
So in this episode I cover all of this and more, exploring the specific ways that bitters enhance our digestion and how many of those actually impact our hormonal health (for real!) as well as our emotional and mental health, too.
Listen to this episode to learn:
what the bitter taste is and how it works in the body
what bitters actually do to enhance your digestion
why you may not have to taste bitters to achieve the medicinal effect you're seeking
some examples of my favorite bitters and which organ systems they have affinities for
what to consider when adding bitters into your protocol from a constitutional and energetic perspective
why I wouldn't want to be without bitters when working on hormonal health challenges
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
So many of us have all but lost connection with our ancestral lineage traditions.
Especially those of us living in westernized, industrialized cultures...
and even more so if we live in the United States (or somewhere far from our lineage homelands) where so many of us have been cut off from the threads of deep relationship to land, place, community and family story for generations.
But even those of us who feel entirely lost from our ancestral folk traditions can begin to weave our way back in with a little effort.
Today's guest, herbal brewess, myth-teller and musician Heather Wolf, shares about ways she's explored the history of folk traditions like herbal brewing, music and song, and ritual both in her own ancestry and around the world.
She speaks of how many of the folk traditions (and even herbal brewing!) as well as ancient initiatory rituals were often held in the hands of women...
often post-menopausal elder women in their crone years.
And how these potent traditions were systematically taken away from women (herbalism included) and placed into the expanding power structures that embraced capitalism over commerce, Christianity over earth-based rituals, and professional arts and music over folk traditions.
Heather's way of weaving myth into history and a commitment to reclaiming our throne as the powerful leaders we have the potential to be - true creators in all senses of the word - is deeply inspiring.
In the end, it really is all about the resurgence of folk culture, meaning that each and every one of us has a place in creating it.
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.
Whatever name you use for this practice, it's likely you've heard of it, and maybe even tried it. Or... maybe this concept is totally new to you.
At the most basic level, it's like making a strong tea and sitting over it with a bare pelvic floor. Almost as simple as it can get.
And really, it's ancient. Steam itself is one of the easiest ways to receive benefits from herbs (especially aromatic ones). And in my mind is an underused form of hydrotherapy that was likely practiced by MOST of our ancestral lineages.
But over the past few years, there's been a bit of a vaginal steaming revolution.
And I think for good reason. It's a deeply healing practice that has many benefits, and certified vaginal steam facilitator Julia Demillones Moore shares all about it.
Listen to this week's episode to learn:
basics on how to steam + some simple herbal combinations to try
what kinds of conditions benefit from steaming (hint: A LOT)
when you definitely want to avoid steaming
what the best times of your cycle are to steam
some reasons you may want to be cautious or work with a practitioner
3 common myths + misconceptions about steaming
a simple tip on how to steam when you're traveling!
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
It's the first day of your period, your moon, your bleeding time. What do you do?
If you're like many, it's probably just a day like many others with the added need to make sure your have menstrual products to capture your blood, and possibly something to medicate the pain away or deal with other symptoms.
Or maybe you honor this time in some way already. Maybe it's a time of rest, a day out of time, a time you embrace as something more meaningful than just "a period."
Our cycles are powerful, and the days we bleed hold a special quality.
Even if we experience challenging symptoms, these days offer connection to an altered state that allows us to connect more deeply to our inner womb wisdom.
But in order to experience the power of this time more completely, we have to intentionally offer ourselves the space, time and presence to do so.
Listen to this episode to learn:
why your period is far more than just "that time of the month"
how to engage meaningfully with your menstruation
how our cultural misunderstanding of menstruation leads to our perceptions
practical ideas to incorporate rest into your menstruation
suggestions of various rituals you can explore during this time
specific foods and some herbs that are key for replenishing your body
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Sun exposure. Bare feet on earth. Time with trees.
All of these practices may seem simple (and they are), but they also have the potential to affect your body, your mind, and your spirit profoundly.
And today, functional medicine health coach Efan Hsieh shares all about not only some nature connection practices that may be beneficial to ease stress and burnout, but also the science behind how they do what they do.
Chronic stress (and burnout) can have a tremendous impact on your hormonal health and in this modern world, almost all of us are faced with these at some point in our lives (if not constantly!). So having tools to reduce or ease our stress is essential.
Nature connection is one of those tools.
Listen to today's podcast to learn:
what nature connection is and how it can support a healthier stress response
how stress and burnout mess with your overall health
some specific practices you can start with that are easy and accessible
the physiology behind how sunlight impacts your sleep rhythms
the science of "earthing" and how barefoot walking supports you
how electromagnetic frequencies impact your health
ways to practice nature connection in cities or rural places
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
I know, not as popular as say, dandelion or nettles, but to me, schisandra is just as essential for our apothecaries.
Perhaps you're familiar with this plant already, maybe you think of schisandra as an adaptogen, or as a lung tonic, or even as an herb to contain and replenish fluids in the body... or maybe you're completely new to this beautiful herb.
Either way, this episode will help you to get to know this plant - which is not commonly thought of as a hormonal or sexual health herb - in a new light.
Truly, an herbal ally for transitions in our cycling years, and beyond.
Listen to this episode to learn:
why schisandra is one of my favorite herbs
how Schisandra's taste tells us about the medicinal properties
schisandra's traditional and modern energetics and actions
how schisandra is viewed from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective
modern applications of schisandra for whole body health
some updates on recent research and clinical trials on schisandra
when you might incorporate schisandra into your hormonal health protocols
how schisandra is especially supportive for perimenopause + post-menopause
Learn how to track your cycle + symptoms so you can understand what's going on in your body with this free guide
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
I'm talking your personal pleasure... not what you think you should like, not just orgasms, not just what you do out of habit or routine or to please others.
But actually what you want, what feels good to you, in your body, in your life.
How much do you prioritize *that* kind of pleasure in your life?
If you're like most of us, it's probably rare.
We live in a world that glamorizes productivity and minimizes taking the time to be present with ourselves. Which leads to much of the 'pleasure' we experience being by default, or based on what other people want.
As sacred sexuality educator Usha Rose says in this week's podcast, "most of us are people pleasers." It's how we're socialized. It's not your fault that you might not even know what you want, or even think to consider it on a deeper level.
But pleasure is your birthright, and in this episode we explore everything from how to begin noticing what you like, to what might be standing in the way of your own pleasure (hint: SO many things), to specifically how a jade egg practice is a tool you can try to enhance your personal embodied, orgasmic pleasure.
It's packed with wisdom and practical steps to support your pleasure. And you deserve it. We all do.
Listen to this episode to learn:
why pleasure matters in your life (it's not just sexual)
some practical ways you can explore + enhance your own pleasure
how our sense of safety + security can play a role in our access to pleasure
what a personal pleasure practice is + why you need one
the basics on working with jade eggs + how to get started
the sensual, sexual + health benefits of a jade egg practice
contraindications and considerations around jade eggs
how sensuality, sexuality and spirituality are all related
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Just like breathing, heart rate, temperature and blood pressure, your menstrual cycle is an essential function that offers clues and insights into how your body is doing.
A vital sign.
And what’s especially interesting is that our menstrual cycles are not just a momentary look at overall health and wellness, they’re actually a barometer of the past few weeks, or months, or even years of our lives.
They’re a glimpse into how we’re doing OVER TIME.
And when we learn to listen to the intricacies of our cycles, we not only cultivate a deeper relationship with the wisdom of our own bodies, but we can then use the knowledge we gather to more effectively tend our hormonal, cyclical and whole body health.
Listen to the episode to learn:
what it means for your menstrual cycle to be a vital sign
why medical professionals have also incorporated this into their practice
how to start listening to your own cycle
how your cycle can tell you about your overall health
what key things to look for as indicators of health imbalances
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Most of us think of the menopausal transition as something that happens later in life.
...in our 40's or 50's. After our childbearing years are completely over. As our fertility wanes.
And while that's partly true, there's another part of the story.
The reality is that our bodies are always changing, from the time of menarche (first period) all the way through menopause (12 months after our last period).
And instead of looking at these times as defined phases, acupuncturist Dana LaVoie speaks about the gradual shift of hormones that begins as early as our twenties and continues into our forties and fifties until they stabilize post-menopause.
And there is SO much we can do along the way, no matter how young we are, to support a gentle transition.
Listen to today's episode to learn:
how to know if you're approaching the menopausal transition
why you might want to start preparing your body (and mind) for the menopausal transition as early as your 20's
how traditional Chinese medicine differs from common conventional medical in treating peri-menopause
ways that herbs, foods, and lifestyle can support the menopausal transition no matter how old you are
basics on the traditional art + practice of incorporating tonic herbs into your life
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Have you ever thought about the importance of having well-nourished blood?
I think it's one of those elements of our bodies that we neglect to think about often enough. We're always talking about our livers, our digestion, our hormones, our brain.
But what about that absolutely essential viscous liquid that carries essential nutrients everywhere in our bodies, our blood?
I think maybe it's because our blood moves, and isn't defined as one organ, that it can be easy to overlook and just take for granted.
But if you've experienced anemia of any kind (like true symptomatic anemia) or a significant blood loss through hemorrhage or menstrual flooding for instance, you'll be well aware of how important this life force liquid actually is.
Without our blood bringing oxygen, nutrients, hormones, immune cells and more to all the nooks and crannies of our bodies, we'd basically start to wither away.
Our blood matters. And the quality of it does, too.
Listen to this episode to learn:
what the somewhat vague concept of blood building entails
why I believe blood building is a lost ancestral art
how traditional cultures approach building the blood
ways to tell if you need to nourish your blood
why your blood may be depleted
specific herbs and foods that are especially helpful
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
And how do our societal narratives limit what's possible for us when we're trying to conceive?
Nutritionist + herbalist Sarah Shapiro shares all about her personal four year journey to cultivating optimal fertility in her body that started at 36.
And in contrast to conventional medical wisdom which says that 35 is some kind of fertility cliff, she was healthier than ever when she finally conceived at 40 years old.
Along the way, she discovered that the extremely painful periods she had been experiencing her *entire* life were actually NOT normal, and likely pointed to endometriosis which seems to have been the primary reason she experienced fertility challenges to begin with.
The truth is that she flipped the script on what we're told about fertility, avoided surgery that was offered to her to remove endometriosis lesions, and conceived a healthy babe with the support of nutrition, supplements, herbs, mindset + more.
Listen in to hear:
how fertility is not just about being a certain age
why learning the signs + symptoms of endometriosis is important even if you're not TTC
Sarah's path to fertility through nutrition, lifestyle, herbs, mindset work and more
the importance of listening to YOUR inner guidance (whether TTC or not)
understanding fertility as a whole health issue
how impactful healing your relationship with your cycle + womb can be
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
How would your experience change if you actually treated your womb like an altar?
I know, this concept may seem strange at first, but the reality is that your womb is arguably the most powerful place in your body, and truly a sacred space.
Sure, our hearts, our brains, and our lungs are significant, too. But our wombs are a place of creation. A place where the spark of life is possible.
What's more sacred than that?
(and remember, this energy is still available to you if you've had a hysterectomy)
Listen to this episode to hear:
why our wombs are just as sacred as any altar or place of worship
how our pelvis holds our wombs as a kind of temenos (and what that means)
why having a physical altar may be helpful but also distract you from your womb
six ways you can interact meaningfully with the altar of your womb
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Stories, trauma, imprints, births, losses, past sexual experiences, and even more energetic qualities like our creative energy or feelings of safety.
So, even if we aren't experiencing any issues "down there" we could still benefit from some regular caretaking just to tend our tissues.
But if you *are* someone (like many of us) who's got anything from menstrual cramps to fertility challenges to trauma history to endometriosis or PCOS or irregular cycles or bladder pain or even creative blocks...
it's likely that some extra presence and care would be a powerful option for you.
Naturopathic physician, herbalist and bodyworker, Dr Kathryn Kloos has synthesized many years of working hands-on and clinically with thousands of patients and has developed her own practice of supporting multi-layered healing in the wombspace with a variety of techniques, including something she calls "uterine unwinding."
Combining hands-on presence in the pelvic bowl with somatic dialogue, uterine unwinding is a practice that encourages a client to listen deeply to what's present in the pelvic bowl and invites both awareness and possibility to change the imprints or stories that are alive there.
Unwinding and retelling the stories in those tissues.
We talk about all of this and much more, including some actual cases from Kathryn's practice in this week's episode.
Listen to learn:
why Kathryn finds bodywork to be a key to pelvic care
how her own personal cancer journey exemplifies her somatic dialogue technique
what uterine unwinding is and how you might explore some of this practice in your own body either solo or with a practitioner
some inspiring and hopeful stories of womb, fertility and trauma healing
about the possibility of generational trauma getting stuck in our tissues
one simple practice to ground you in your body and pelvis
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.
Okay, so real talk... how much do you know about menopause?
If you aren't in the midst of peri-menopause, or already through menopause, my guess is not much.
For some reason, our western culture is fairly obsessed with preparing us for fertility and childbirth, but completely neglects to acknowledge the massive transition that is menopause.
I mean, most of us have heard of hot flashes, and we know that our cycles will eventually stop, but that's almost the entirety of common knowledge around this time of our lives.
And unfortunately most medical doctors don't have much to offer us than hormone replacement, and really, that's even become less common because of some potential risks.
It's like we all just don't know what to do.
Enter natural remedies. Whether it's herbs, acupuncture, nutrition or homeopathy, there are actually lots of potential ways to both relieve your symptoms and prevent future ones.
In this week's episode, homeopath Ruth Hull shares how homeopathy (which is a very subtle but powerful natural therapy you'll learn all about) can be helpful specifically for hot flashes, and for other common symptoms of menopause.
Listen to this episode to learn:
what homeopathy is (believe me, it's commonly misunderstood)
how to determine what remedy is specific for your condition
resources to support you in choosing your own remedies
a little about hot flashes and the menopausal transition
all about three different kinds of hot flashes and which remedies are perfect for each
how homeopathy can support you with the burn out, fatigue and depletion you may experience in menopause
why changing your perception of this time of your life may help
Resources:
Get links to the books Ruth mentioned and her free guide to help you cope with stress on this week's shownotes page
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Oh, motherwort! Such an indispensable herb for those of us with wombs.
Motherwort. Leonorus cardiaca.
No matter what phase of life you're in, there's likely some way motherwort can support you... and I'm really not exaggerating.
Motherwort is specific for everything from anxiety + stress (which can often be exacerbated by hormonal shifts), to easing menstrual cramps, to supporting a mama or parent postpartum to calming a racing heart which is common in perimenopause.
Truly, an herb for all seasons of our wombs.
Listen to the episode to learn:
why I turn to motherwort often in my life
basics about plant identification and growing
similarities between western motherwort and Chinese motherwort
historical understandings of working with motherwort
modern actions and clinical applications in your own body
updates on recent research on motherwort's actions
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Okay, I know vaginal infections are probably not your favorite topic.
But let's be real, they're a thing, and most of us deal with them at some point in our lives.
And BV is among the most common. And is also one of the most likely to be recurrent.
So, if you've had BV, and then you've had it again, and then again, you're not alone.
On today's episode, Certified Nurse-Midwife Sofia Lorelle Campbell shares all about what the heck BV is, ways to know you have it, what the conventional treatments are and why she's ended up seeking out a variety of more integrative, whole-being approaches to it.
Listen to this episode to learn:
what BV actually is + risk factors
how to know if you've got BV (without clinical testing)
what the conventional treatment methods are
some alternative approaches that may be helpful
what else might be going on or underlying if BV is recurrent
how your mindset or life circumstances may be playing a role
how this might all apply to other health challenges in your life
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
From menarche to menopause (and even sometimes beyond), we live in the cyclic flow of reproductive and generative hormones like estrogen, progesterone, LH, FSH, prolactin, and more.
Our ovaries and brains are involved, and not surprisingly, our hormones are impacted by almost everything we do, including our stress, our sleep, our activity levels, our food, and even our exposures to environmental toxins.
There's really nothing in our lives that doesn't somehow impact our hormonal health. Which is what makes it so fascinating, and also sometimes complicated.
That said, from an herbal perspective there are some foundational pillars that can support overall hormonal well-being, which I prefer NOT to call balance, and instead to think of as a vibrant and healthy "dynamic flow."
Listen to this episode to learn:
why I don't like to refer to hormonal health as "balance"
how preventative herbal approaches are essential in hormonal health
5 foundational keys to supporting your hormones
why I consider softening to be an essential component and what this means
what Ayurveda teaches us about nourishing our sexual + reproductive organs
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
What's possible when we take a wider lens view of fertility?
Both for those trying to conceive a babe and those who are in the conception process of a project, a creative vision, or just seeking a deeper connection with the potent source of wisdom and power that is your womb.
What if cultivating a fertile environment for conception in your body included not only the practical side of nutrition, cycle tracking and hormone testing, but also brought in less tangible practices like ritual, womb connection, and changing your perception of time?
As with everything really, conception is a physical AND energetic process.
And there is so much healing and possibility when these worlds are brought together.
In this week's podcast, acupuncturist and holistic fertility coach Caroline Grace Ashurst shares her years of clinical experience supporting folks on their fertility journeys from a whole being perspective.
Even if you're never planning to have a babe, you'll still get so much out of this conversation.
Listen to the episode to learn:
how to understand your fertility journey beyond numbers and doctors offices
how to connect with your womb wisdom, even if you feel like your womb has failed you
what ritual is, and how to incorporate it into your fertility (or creation) process
some examples of womb connection practices
the meaning of the womb in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and why it's extraordinary
how to re-orient yourself to a non-linear version of time + why that matters
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
When the abundant harvests start rolling in; when the heat beckons us to oceansides, rivers and lakes; when traveling and camping and friends and family visiting are upon us; and when everything feels like it's happening all at once.
Plus, we have to keep up with our daily life responsibilities, our chores, our families, and our work.
It's a time that feels over-full, and like it's happening so fast it's hard to keep up.
Which is exactly the right time to prioritize slowing down. Especially in these moments that feel beyond busy, taking what I like to call "time out of time" is essential medicine.
In this week's episode, I invite you to explore how you might deepen your connection to your own womb's innate rhythms in order to access some of this time out of time.
Listen to the episode to learn:
what I mean by "time out of time"
how we can learn from ancestral traditions and intact cultures about making the space to celebrate and connect with self and community even in the busiest seasons
what your innate womb rhythms are, and how to explore them as access points to altered states of consciousness or presence that allow you to enjoy more
how your womb rhythms extend beyond your cycling years
brief physiology of the menstrual cycle, arousal, ovulation + fertilization, childbearing rhythms, and life phases associated with your womb to help you visualize your rhythms
some simple ideas for ways to connect with the womb rhythms you most resonate with
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Pleasure. Sexual wholeness. Relationships. Psychedelics.
Taboo topics? Yes, and... the world is changing.
It's an interesting time right now, especially in the US, as psychedelics gain a respect and acceptance in the mainstream that's been long-deserved.
And conversations around pleasure and sexuality are becoming more commonplace, too.
So, what happens when we combine them?
Somatic sex educator and psychedelic integration coach Juliana Goldstone sees psychedelics as a tool to unlock hidden potential in our sexuality and relationships.
And she shares all about what she's discovered on both her personal journey as well as work with clients on this week's episode.
It's a fascinating conversation that I hope will add insight and intrigue into what's possible in your own body and life, whether or not you feel like this particular path is for you.
Listen to the episode to learn:
how Juliana went from a "tangled mess" to healthy + empowered in her sexuality
ways to explore what sexual or erotic wholeness can mean for you
how synthetic psychedelics were originally derived from plants
what somatic sex education is, and where it all started
what psychedelic integration means, and how it can be helpful
how psychedelics can enhance your ideas of what's possible in your personal pleasure, sexuality or relationships
some basics on how our brains work and try to keep us safe, and why it's important to soften those fear responses in order to explore new things
ways our societal perception of rites of passage in relationships is limited
resources for you to explore these things in your own life
Further resources:
Get links to resources Juliana shared + work with her - Episode shownotes
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Do any of these words remind you of how your breasts (or chest) feel the days, or weeks, leading up to your period?
Probably one of the most common PMS symptoms, fibrocystic breasts or chest conditions can range from mild and barely noticeable all the way to extremely painful making it hard to exercise, be sexual, wear certain clothes, or even feel like moving.
This cyclic tenderness and enlargement of your breasts or chest is so common that it's basically considered to be a variation of normal.
But for those who get more extreme symptoms, they can be a major issue.
Thankfully, there is SO much you can do to ease your symptoms.
Listen to this episode to learn:
how changing your perception of your breasts (or chest) can change your whole relationship with this part of your body
why a self-love practice of some kind is important
how to tell if you have a cyclic fibrocystic condition and when you need to go get checked out for cysts or lumps you're noticing
possible causes, including both scientific research + natural therapeutic perspectives
nutritional, herbal + lifestyle strategies to support different systems of your body to ease your symptoms (including your lymphatic system, detoxification, elimination, hormone balancing, and more)
the reasons I believe self-massage is essential
Resources:
Grab the FREE step-by-step guide + fillable chart: Track Your Cycle
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
What comes up when you think about the days and weeks after birth?
Probably not a sore pelvic floor, feeling like you just ran a marathon, and engorgement.
While those moments and weeks after birth are some of the most tender, sweetest, and magical feeling, they are also often fraught with unexpected challenges and twists and turns both physically and emotionally.
Today's podcast guest, clinical herbalist and nutritionist Liz Philbrick, shares a wealth of embodied knowledge about herbal approaches to many of these less-than-desirable things that can come up.
This episode is perfect for you if you're currently pregnant, very newly postpartum, ever plan on becoming a parent, or have friends, family, or clients who'll be giving birth soon.
And really, there's some good info in here for anyone who experiences mood swings, anxiety, mild depression, constipation, muscle soreness, etc -- in other words ya don't have to have a baby or be expecting one to get lots of useful info from this episode.
This week's episode is SO jam packed with practical, step-by-step remedy suggestions that I've actually created timestamps for you to be able to navigate to the topics you are most curious about, if you're short on time. Or for when you want to return to it in the future, as needed (you probably will!).
<11:20> What is the postpartum period? <17:00> Why use herbs in this time? <21:15> Herbal safety postpartum + while nursing <28:20> Herbal medicine making 101 overview <37:00> How to support perineal/pelvic floor healing (tears, episiotomy, etc) <43:55> How to ease afterpains (uterine contractions after birth) <51:30> How to ease sore muscles <55:10> How to ease the emotional rollercoaster (anxiety, baby blues, weepiness, etc) <1:06:40> Herbal approaches to constipation <1:12:35> Herbs to support strength + recovery <1:22:15> Increasing milk supply with herbs <1:31:25> Ways to soothe engorgement <1:33:05> How to soothe sore, cracked + painful nipples
Resources:
Get the recipes Liz mentions in the podcast + links to her work - Today's shownotes
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Oh my friends, these times are very alive with change, aren't they?
And somehow, change often brings up divisions and perspectives that feel very rooted in one way or another, as if somehow there are only two paths forward.
But in reality, there are many paths. And ideally, we each have the opportunity to make choices about what feels true and right for us.
What am I talking about? Well, I'm talking about access to abortion, I'm talking about herbal approaches, and I'm talking about getting more of the whole picture so you can make truly informed choices that aren't swayed by the waves of social media influence.
We don't have to agree (I don't agree with all of my colleagues or teachers and I believe that's healthy), but I think it's worth having a conversation and telling our own stories, especially in this time, so that we can learn from each other.
The more we know, the better choices we can make.
Listen to this episode to learn:
why I think black and white perspectives on herbal approaches are too limited
how "rights" are actually an external concept, and you ALWAYS have choice
simple ways to incorporate pregnancy prevention + natural contraception into your life
why I don't personally think DIY herbal abortion is the best option
what herbal categories are involved in herbal approaches + how they impact the body
a quick overview of medication and clinical abortion methods
my personal story of an herbal abortion + some other stories I've heard
how herbal approaches are SO MUCH more complicated than medicated approaches
my personal idealistic view of reproductive sovereignty
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
If you've heard of mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), I bet the primary action you've heard about it is that it can enhance dreams.
And mayyyyybe that it has an affinity to bring on menstruation?
But this herb is so much more dynamic than that.
I've often heard of people adding mugwort to sleep blends (with names like "good night's sleep" or "sleep well") and I'm just like, "wait are they talking about the same mugwort as me?"
Because for me, mugwort has been incredibly powerful, and produced such vivid and lucid dreams that I would never ever consider adding it to a calming sleep blend. It's a FAR cry from passionflower, chamomile or California poppy energy!
While yes, it has some relaxing nervine and uplifting actions, it's also a strong dream-inducing plant that has potential to create a wakeful dreaming state that's so active someone might not feel rested when they wake up, even if they slept all night.
For me, I did feel rested, but I started sleeping less and less.
I don't recommend it for that unless you're intentionally wanting to activate your dream life in some way or another.
I mean, mugwort was the plant that initiated me into the path of herbal medicine, but in no way was that a gentle process.
Instead I think of mugwort as an aromatic bitter to support enhancing your digestion, a warming circulatory stimulant to your pelvic region to help move stagnation and bring on bleeding "down there," and an herb that supports gentle relaxation and a brighter, clearer mood and mind.
How do you experience mugwort? Any stories to share?
Listen to learn:
the basics on mugwort's actions, energetics and uses
how mugwort was my initiation into the path of plant medicine
multiple ways of working with mugwort
why mugwort is an essential herb for your natural contraception apothecary
cautions around dosing and constituents in mugwort
some interesting recent research on mugwort's actions
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.
One of the most empowering things in life is choice.
Choice allows us to tune into our values and decide what's right for us at any given time.
Birth control is one of many areas of our lives that we are fortunate enough to have many options, whether we're talking the pill, shots, IUD's, condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, herbal contraceptive allies, vasectomies, fertility awareness, and more!
So many choices. And honestly, most of us don't even know about all of them.
But one of the most common forms of contraception prescribed and used worldwide is "the pill" (the birth control pill).
And that's what herbalist and fertility awareness educator Gabrielle Claire Jansen shares all about on this week's podcast.
Listen to the episode to learn:
how the birth control pill actually works
why ovulation is important for our overall health
a bit on the history of "the pill"
how the pill actually doesn't resolve underlying symptoms
when and why you might want to choose the pill (or not)
why pill shaming is NOT helpful
nutrients you can support yourself with if you're on the pill
ways to support yourself when you're transitioning off the pill
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Ahhhh, nettles. Urtica dioica. Stinging nettles. Very possibly one of the most beloved medicinal plants in western herbalism. And for good reason.
As one of the most mineral and nutrient-rich plants in the western herbal materia medica, nettles bring deep nutrition and restoration to the whole body, and have a lovely affinity for the wombspace, too.
Listen to this episode to learn:
why nettles is an indispensible herb for your apothecary (and diet)
the energetics and overall character of nettles
what I mean when I say nettles is a "gateway plant"
ways to start working with nettles in your own body or clinically
traditional actions and uses of nettles throughout history
explorations into current scientific research on nettle leaf, root, and seed
specific reasons to incorporate nettles into pregnancy, postpartum, endometriosis, PCOS and overall support during menopause
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
What do parasites have to do with menstrual cycles and disordered eating?
EVERYTHING.
Well, at least that's the reality in this week's podcast with holistic nutritionist, herbalist and health coach, Lisa Masé.
Lisa spent years living with chronic parasites wreaking havoc on her gut, leading her to truly fear food, and ultimately not be getting the nourishment her body deeply needed.
In this time, she lost 40 pounds, didn't menstruate for six whole years (!), and was told by well-meaning doctors that she'd never get pregnant.
She was in her 20's at the time.
But she kept seeking, and eventually found a path to healing from the parasites, cultivating a healthy relationship to food, and calling her cycle back in. And she now has TWO healthy children, and works as a practitioner supporting other folks on their health journeys.
Listen to the episode to learn:
how digestive distress led Lisa to discover chronic parasites
why fear of food (or obsession around food) can lead to many health issues
how hormones and ovulation are impacted by chronic illness
what a truly integrative healing path can look like
herbs and foods that can be supportive for intense anxiety around food
how traditional ceremonies or rituals might be helpful
how mindful eating practices and meditation can be transformational
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
In times that feel tumultuous, confusing, and sometimes even hopeless, it can feel challenging to know how to hold it all or how to process the emotions flowing through us.
In this episode, I invite you to explore how your relationship with the earth, the plants and the seeds can inform your relationship with your own womb. And how that might help you to find meaning and connection, even when things feel hard.
The stories we tell have a deep impact on how we see the world, and what we believe is possible. This episode is an offering of stories that showcase the immense power inherent in our wombs and the seeds.
Listen to the episode to learn:
how your relationship with your womb can be deepened by your relationship with the earth around you (and vice versa)
how disconnection from the earth may be a cause of 'disease'
what cesarean rates in the US might have to do with connection to nature
how our bodies mirror our landscapes
how important it is to allow our emotions to flow through us
traditional ways of honoring menstruation and gathering with others
what I mean when I say 'seeds are wombs of the earth'
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Your pelvis is a centerpiece of your body. A place of creation, elimination and pleasure. But in our modern society, almost everything we do has the potential to cause imbalances there.
Incontinence. Prolapse. Painful sex. Inability to orgasm. Chronic pelvic pain. All the things we don't talk about. Or at least not regularly, and not publicly.
In this interview, Chaya Leia Aronson touches on all of these and more, including some first steps you can take to address them in your own body (hint: the answer is NOT kegels).
Even if you're not experiencing any of these, you'll learn ways you can prevent them from showing up in the future.
For real, this episode is a must-listen. We all deserve to have this basic body knowledge.
In this episode, you'll learn:
why it's important to start paying attention to your pelvis
how to tell if you might have some imbalances going on
some potential causes of things like incontinence, prolapse, painful sex, etc
why softening is the first step to healing (+ why kegels can make it all worse)
how to tell if your vaginal wall muscles are toned in a balanced way
how to begin to relax your psoas muscle, and what that has to do with pelvic health
some practical steps you can take to start enhancing your pelvic health
RESOURCES:
Find links to learn more from Chaya, get her barefoot shoe company recommendations + Liz Koch's article on the psoas: Episode Shownotes
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Did you know that there are herbs that are generally strengthening, toning, nourishing and supportive for your womb?
Like, herbs that might be helpful overall for reproductive or generative health, versus for specific conditions?
Well, my friend, uterine tonics are just that.
This episode covers what makes these herbs supportive overall for womb health and how they've been used over the course of hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
Plus, you'll get a brief overview of six of my favorites.
Listen to the episode to learn:
what a uterine tonic is
the difference between emmenagogues and uterine tonics
why the word 'tonic' is sometimes confusing
how uterine tonics can be worked with as overall caretakers of your womb and/or for specific conditions
some examples of uterine tonic herbs and a little about each of them
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Have you ever wondered how stress impacts your cycle or your hormones?
Maybe you've even had an experience of a missed period, increased cramping, worse PMS symptoms, or fertility challenges after traveling to a new place, being sick, or going through some major stress in your life.
The truth is that stress has a tremendous impact on your hormones, and this episode goes into all you could possibly want to know about how it all goes down.
Listen to the episode to learn:
what the stress response actually is
the difference between a healthy and unhealthy stress response
stories about how stress causes irregular cycles
the physiology behind how stress causes hormonal imbalances
what allostatic load is and why it matters
how your stress response might be linked to your time in your mother's womb
how chronic stress can suppress ovulation and fertility
some nerdy research that talks about what kind of stress is linked to everything from short cycles to hirsutism to PCOS to lower fertility to amenorrhea
some quick lifestyle, dietary and herbal tips on modulating your stress response
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating & write a review! Thank you! ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Our wombs are a center of our sense of groundedness and safety in our lives, especially when it comes to our sexuality and relationships.
So what happens when we experience destabilization from trauma or relationship abuse?
How does that chronic, gradual wearing down of our sense of self impact us?
And what are effective ways to remove ourselves from those situations and re-establish our safety, and even renew ourselves to a strong and vibrant version of who we are now?
Clinical herbalist, Ayurvedic Practitioner and Founder of the Northern California School of Botanical Studies shares her own person journey with narcissistic relationship abuse and her whole life approach on the path to healing from it.
She brings her own personal experience and her clinical experience together to offer embodied wisdom on where to start, how to get the support you need, and all the levels of healing that are involved in recovering your vitality after traumatic or abusive situations of all kinds, and specifically she dives deeply into narcissistic abuse.
This is one of those 'things we don't talk about' and that's exactly why we're talking about it here.
If you're personally in an abusive relationship or you know someone who is, this episode is for you. It's here to support all of us in growing awareness and compassion, too.
Tune into the episode to learn:
how to tell if you're in an abusive relationship (and why it's not always obvious)
all about narcissistic personality disorder
common signs of narcissistic abuse
how to gain the strength you need to leave the abusive situation
how the intensity of this kind of situation can lead to hormonal imbalance (in Amy's case, hyperthyroidism)
what resources are helpful in the transition process
herbal support (and practical support) for the initial transition
how to regain your strength and vitality after leaving
herbal remedies and other healing modalities for the ongoing recovery process
inspiration on becoming a vibrant version of yourself again
Resources from this episode:
Links to all of Amy's classes, clinic, and her socials on the SHOWNOTES
If you need immediate help or are in an unsafe situation, seek support. Here's a link to the National Domestic Violence HOTLINE
Offering for you:
If you're feeling like you could use a guided meditation to support your connection to your womb-centered intuition, download this free WOMB EMBODIMENT & CONNECTION MEDITATION
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend or on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating & write a review! Thank you! ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Have you ever heard of the concept of a plant ally?
If so, you may wondering, 'how the heck do I find one'? Or if this idea is new to you, you may be sitting there curiously asking what this could even mean.
The truth is, people use this term in different ways.
And while you can say something like 'dandelion is a plant ally for the liver, or the urinary track,' that's NOT the kind of ally I'm talking about here.
In this podcast episode, I'm sharing all about how to cultivate a deeper relationship with one particular plant over the course of a season, or even a whole year. Really getting to know that one plant on many levels, inside and out, as a sort of plant study focus, if you will.
But cultivating your relationship with your plant ally is more than just studying the plant, it's also about connecting with it regularly - getting to know it through observation, journaling, tasting, meditation, making medicines with it, and of course, also learning about it through classes or research, too.
It's a multi-layered, deep dive kind of experience. Almost like getting to know a new lover, or at least a new friend. You don't just read a paragraph about them and assume you know them already. Or ask them what they do and assume that's all there is to them, right?
Plants are no different. And this episode guides you through the process of learning what a plant ally is, how to find yours, and what you can do to deepen your relationship with them.
Listen to this episode to learn:
what a plant ally is, and why it's helpful to have one
a variety of different ways to help you find yours
what you can do to cultivate a deeper relationship with your ally
how you may have already had plant allies without even knowing it
a story about a couple of my first plant allies (when I didn't even know what plant allies were)
how plant allies can change your life (and how one unquestionably changed mine)
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend or on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom. And leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating & write a review! Thank you! ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
"What could you possibly mean by a genderless womb?" "Aren't wombs inherently located in female bodies?" "Oh, no, are we getting into the topic of gender, now?" "In what universe do men have wombs?"
Well, my friends, this podcast episode dives into all of these topics and more.
And it doesn't just cover the gender spectrum (though that's super important), but also some of what science has uncovered about the myth of biological sexes, too.
At the most basic level, wombs are wombs. Women, non-binary and trans folks all have them. And everyone is welcome here.
This is my imperfect attempt to express that.
Listen to this episode to learn:
why what words we use matters, and how exclusive the word "women" can feel exclusive
how gender is based on cultural conditioning, not a cross-cultural fact
a little about the normalized "third gender" in Oaxaca, Mexico
that biological sex is NOT as simple as we were taught it was
about how relatively common (as in not actually rare) intersex folks are
that our cells can actually be different genders from each other and how that impacts things like sex hormones in our bodies
how folks with wombs exist across the gender (and sex) spectrum
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend or on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom. And leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating & write a review! Thank you! ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
It's Autumn equinox time! Well, almost. Technically, it's this weekend (Sunday, 8:47 am eastern time).
So, it feels fitting to offer an episode on how to align with the season through foods, herbs and lifestyle practices that can support the transition into Fall.
And from the lens of Ayurveda, this seasonal change is particularly significant on the body, mind and spirit, partly because it's the transition from Pitta season (summer) into Vata season (Fall/early winter).
Vata is the most unstable, light, rough, dry and mobile of the doshas, so it's especially easy to go out of balance as we transition from the vitality and heat of the summer into the chilly, crisp autumn.
Have you ever noticed that your immunity starts getting quirky in this seasonal transition? That you perhaps sleep a little lighter, have some digestive weirdness, maybe even some cycle irregularity, anxiety, or even a tendency towards reflective meditation, inspired creativity or spirituality?
According to Ayurvedic practitioner Molly McConnell, Vata season is a perfect time to first cleanse and then replenish to cultivate resilience and capacity for the months to come.
We talk about all of this, how you can tell if your resilience might be low, and some initial ways you can begin to work on building your resilience in your daily life to help you ease into and through this season.
Listen to learn:
the basics on how Ayurveda perceives seasons, particularly Autumn
why you may want to consider cutting down coffee in this season
how a slow but steady pace is essential for longevity
some nuances on how your unique body may respond to different seasons
a few simple ways you can begin to tend to Vata in your daily life this Fall
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.
What does hormone balancing even mean? It's a term that's thrown around all over the internet without a whole lot of specifics.
People might be talking about hot flashes or heavy bleeding, PCOS or endometriosis, mood swings or menstrual cramps. Or even thyroid imbalances.
It's pretty much a catch-all phrase that relates to anything that could go wrong with the magical symphony of chemical messengers in your body that are... hormones.
And while it can be helpful to know specifically what your symptoms are to explore ways to address those with a a more individualized approach, clinical herbalist and nutritionist Heather Luna shares all about her very whole-body, whole life-perspective based in the therapeutic paradigm of vitalism, which is the foundation of her longstanding clinical practice.
Listen to this episode to learn:
what vitalism is and how it differs from other approaches
the basic foundational building blocks that can encourage optimal hormonal health
how deficient most of us are in nutrients like magnesium, healthy fats, & vitamin D
why sleep is essential to hormonal health, and how to make yours better
how protein can help you deal with stress more effectively
some herbal allies for painful menstrual cramps (both for immediate use and longer term preventative support)
Gardening for Your Menstrual Health Guide (free) to get started with 13 easy-to-grow herbs for your hormonal health (including black cohosh, raspberry leaf and nettles, which Heather mentioned in the episode)
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend or on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom. Or leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review! Thank you! ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
What's more comforting than a cup of tea? The scent, the taste, the warmth in your hands. A simple act of presence as you wait for the herbs to steep. A moment of solace in a mug.
We all know what tea is, and many of us drink it in some form daily.
But there's more to tea than just a simple beverage we enjoy for taste or the caffeine boost. And this episode dives into a few different ways you can incorporate medicinal herbal teas into your life, and some specific examples of tea blends you can start out with to enhance your hormonal, menstrual and sexual health.
Listen to this episode to learn:
some insights on how tea is the oldest form of herbal medicine
how tea is probably a part of your daily life even if you don't think you drink tea ;)
why tea is a wonderful entryway into starting to formulate your own custom formulas
the difference between a beverage tea and a medicinal infusion
all about cold infusions, nourishing infusions and decoctions
five herbal tea blends that can support your menstrual, hormonal and sexual health!
SHOWNOTES where you can review all the basics from today's episode
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
If you loved this episode, leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and share the episode with a friend you think would dig it, too! Thank you!!
Isn't it interesting how some plants are just famous?
Like, everyone knows about them for one reason or another... maybe because they grow pretty much everywhere, or maybe because you played with them as a child, or maybe because they're a persistent weed in your yard or garden...
Dandelion is one of these extraordinarily famous plants. Basically a celebrity in the plant world.
So you probably know a thing or two about dandelion already.
You may even be aware that the root is a wonderful bitter and liver tonic, or the leaves are a nutrient rich diuretic. Or maybe that the entire plant is edible AND medicinal.
And maybe you even know that this wild weed can enhance your womb health, too?
Whether you're new to herbs, an herbalist-in-the-making or a seasoned herbalist, this episode will offer something new.
In this herbal spotlight episode, you'll learn:
who dandelion is in the story of your life
the background basics on dandelion
how long this plant has been worked with as medicine
some theories about how dandelion's scientific name came about
best times to harvest
about the energetics of dandelion
some ways you can prepare dandelion roots, leaves and flowers into food & medicine
all about medicinal (and edible) benefits of dandelion
when you might consider incorporating dandelion in your life
why dandelion is an indispensable ally for menstrual, hormonal, & pregnancy health
NOTE: In the episode I mention that dandelion may not be found in the southern hemisphere because I read this in multiple sources, however after doing some post-recording research I've learned that dandelion is actually weedy in Australia as well, so basically, I'm not well-versed in southern hemisphere plants and you absolutely always know best about the place you live in! This is essentially my attempt at a correction. ;) I can only really speak to what I know and where I've spent the most time which is primarily temperate, northern hemisphere places, with little stints in tropical spots too.
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
If you loved this episode, leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and share the episode with a friend you think would dig it, too! Thank you!!!