Yarrow: "Much More Than A Weed Found In Ditches"

I've been spending time periodically reading Matthew Wood's book: "The Book Of Herbal Wisdom". Matthew Wood is a renowned American herbalist, author and lecturer, offering much wisdom to the world on traditional western herbalism. Over the past couple of days, I've been learning about Yarrow, and I'd like to share some of that with you here.

The Latin name for Yarrow (Latin names commonly being used in the practice of herbology) is Achillea millefolium. Yarrow is anything but a weed found in ditches: it has a myriad of physiological applications as well as being a part of most flower essence repertoires, including the one that I work with both personally and professionally. One of Yarrow's most important applications is as a styptic, meaning that it stops bleeding, even bleeding from severe, deep cuts and internal hemorrhaging. Yarrow certainly has an affinity for the blood. Matthew Wood says that "Yarrow is suited to deep cuts which penetrate to the arteries, resulting in profuse hemorrhage of bright red blood. The idea also applies to fevers. The Yarrow fever cuts deeply, past the superficial level of defense, penetrating to the deep vasculature." This is invaluable in the application of herbal medicine.

As an wilderness herb, think of Yarrow when you're camping and you or any of your companions manage to cut themselves deeply, either with an axe or utensil - not that I want this to happen to you, but in the instance that it does, Yarrow may be your saving grace! Chew the leaves and/or roots of Yarrow and apply it to the wound, changing the dressing every few minutes. According to Matthew Wood's accounts, this will effectively staunch the bleeding and result in a very slight mark the following day. Further, Yarrow has been called the "nosebleed plant". Those who suffer from persistent nosebleeds can chew the root of Yarrow or take dosages of tincture every few minutes to stop the bleeding.

Studying Yarrow has made me think of a client I worked with at Prana who initially came in having had a less than pleasant experience at the hospital where she lost a great deal of blood from her colon. Medical practitioners were stumped. At this rate, I really wish I had been so versed on Yarrow and near to her in the acute stages of her experience! Surely, consistent dosages of Yarrow tincture would have done the job. Having said that, and like all herbs, Yarrow seems to have a "type" that it most effectively applies to. Matthew Wood describes this Yarrow "type" as having "a ruddy, robust, sanguine complexion even in health." Further, Yarrow is best applied when the pulse is "full, rapid and nonresistant, the tongue is red, drier towards the center, wetter towards the outside, seldom coated [and] the face is often flushed." 
  
Finally, Yarrow is also helpful as a digestive tonic, meaning that it tones the whole of the digestive tract. Yarrow has been successfully applied in cases of dysentry, diarrhea, diverticulitis and colitis. It has been found useful in cases of adult onset diabetes, angina, absent menstrual periods, heavy periods, uterine fibroids, prolapsed uterus, menopausal transition and blood blisters.

Energetically, Yarrow is applied as a flower essence to impart healthy boundaries. It it excellent for those that have a tendency of being overly-absorbent of other's energies. For example, in the past, I had somewhat of an incapacity to go home from an intensely emotional session with a client and feel "normal" - like myself. I would typically take on the client's feelings as described to me in session and then be really confused as to why I felt that way - I had absorbed the client's energy.

If you are interested in pursuing the application of herbs and/or flower essences to what ails you or if you have further questions about how either or both of these modalities work, please contact me. I would be happy to offer more information and especially to facilitate an experience for you towards better health and wellness through the use of herbs and/or flower essences.

Roberta Shepherd for Prana Holistic
roberta@pranaholistic.ca
780.454.5299

Flu Season

Not to rush the seasons, but the flu season is approaching again. Before that happens, I would like to get an early jump on helping my followers make the best decisions about their health.

I have been watching an amazing interview with Dr. Mercola and Barbara Loe Fisher, founder of the National Vaccine Information Center. 

The most shocking and enlightening comment in this fantastic interview, was this.

Products containing mercury, like any vaccine containing Thirmesol, CANNOT BE DISPOSED OF in a regular manner as they are considered HAZARDOUS WASTE! And yet we are encouraged to have them injected into our bodies?

Please watch the video at http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/08/21/barbara-loe-fisher-on-flu-vaccine-changes.aspx 

I also wanted to point out this comment from Dr. Mercola on the vaccines effectiveness on the elderly, one of the main targets for these vaccines:

Flu Vaccine Does Not Prevent Death in Elderly, CDC Director Admits

Clearly, what the pharmaceutical industry would love for you to believe is that the flu vaccine is going to somehow magically protect you from dying from the flu, when in fact the evidence couldn't be more clear -- It doesn't work at all in the elderly! And the data is flimsy at best when it comes to children and adults.
In fact, in April, Michael Osterholm, director of the national Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), publicly admitted that flu shots don't work in the elderly.
We also know the flu vaccine is fraught with side effects and health complications, so many people are literally receiving zero benefit and all risk when getting this vaccine!       ~ Dr. Mercola, MD

Educate you and your family before making your flu vaccine decisions this fall. I trust you to make the best decision for you, but I just want to make sure you see all sides of this story.

To a healthy season, now and in the future!

Kristi Shmyr

Prana Holistic

Fleeting Summer Days

I love Edmonton in the summer.

There. I said it.

It seems to me that's not a particularly popular opinion - to actually enjoy where you currently live. But I have always been a bit of a rebel.

The Fringe Festival is on right now, it's still sunny and warm, but the nights have cooled significantly. You can eat outside or in, and ice cream still feels like a totally reasonable "I need to cool down" purchase. I love it. 

I have been happily enjoying our short summer season, blissfully unaware that fall has been silently slipping in and touching the trees already. Yes, saw my first yellow leaves on the trees. Blerg.

So today's post isn't particularly relevant to my business, but simply a Happiness Call to Action. Enjoy the last days of summer. I truly believe how you do anything is how you do everything, so if you are waiting for the kids to be out of the house, or retirement, or whatever, to actually get out there and enjoy summer, know that you will ALWAYS be in a state of waiting. Seize the day and enjoy the sun. It doesn't last forever. 

Do you get that I am not just talking about summer here? 

Kristi Shmyr

Prana Holistic

Stress: Your Mental Perceptions. So How Can You Cope?

Stress: BLAH! For the most part, not many of us can claim to be non-stressed. Perhaps in a single moment, your perception of the world and yourself does not include an overpowering feeling of stress, but surely, as your day proceeds, you can notice at least some experience of stress. Some people proceed through their days in a constant state of feeling "stressed out". Even "good" things can create an experience of stress that perhaps we consider to be "good" stress. I don't suppose "good" stress is something worth trying to change. Rather, it's our experience of "bad" stress that we all need help coping with. Stress inevitably leads to ill-health that can manifest as minor aches and pains, colds and flu (since stress depletes the immune system), chronic conditions and even degenerative illnesses. It is estimated that 90 per cent of illnesses and disease are related to stress - no kidding!

So where does stress start? Stress is a mental perception, so I do believe that it starts within our mental faculties of being. For example, when Caleb (my son) throws his food on the floor, I perceive stress, which I feel physically and that sometimes gives me a feeling as though I'm going to explode in anger (as embarrassing as that is for me to admit, let's be honest here). Meanwhile, I see how Caleb's dad interacts with him, and he is very laid back and non-reactive while Caleb throws his food around and makes a mess: he simply lets Caleb know that that's not okay, and proceeds with life. In reality, nothing is being altered to the point of negatively affecting my life nor is anyone being hurt when Caleb throws his food on the floor, so why do I perceive stress? Well, my mom keeps a very clean house and has always spent lots of time and energy maintaining that and clearly perceiving stress when it's not that way. Now, before proceeding, let me clarify that I adored my childhood, I love my mother dearly and I know damn well that we, as parents, do the very best that we can with the resources that are available to us in each passing moment. I say all that in order that it doesn't seem that I'm placing blame when I say that surely, that's where my mental perception of: messy house = stress, is coming from.

Now, I realize that changing the mental belief that a messy house is stressful is what is really necessary in order that this not ride me like it does. I mean, Caleb's a toddler and I best be getting used to messes if I want to proceed through his childhood with ease and minimal stress. In the meantime, I need to focus on how I can cope with my perception of stress in response to Caleb's creating messes. There are many ways of coping with stress to the best of your ability. At the end of the day, the fact that stress is a part of daily living is not going to change, it's OUR way of coping, thinking and behaving that is subject to change. I'm going to encourage you to start with deep abdominal breathing. For a more in depth explanation, please check out my most recent column: Take A Deep Breath... for SEE Magazine. For a video on how to do deep abdominal breathing and for more tips and ideas on how to reduce your stress, please check out The Ultimate Stress Seminar: this also offers you the opportunity to sign up for Kristi and I's upcoming FREE teleseminar dedicated to helping you live an easy and stress-free life. Finally, for help with changing your thoughts and beliefs that are keeping you stressed out (ie: messy house = stress), please check out Goal Ninjas: Kristi's passionate pursuit to lead you on a journey towards the life you crave!

What are your most regular perceptions of stress? What are your best ways of coping with perceived stress? Your comments are really important to us, so do us a favour and leave one...or two...or more! We want to hear from you!

Roberta Shepherd for Prana Holistic

Constipated? Just poop!

When we talk about letting go, in terms of health, often it can mean letting go of more than just emotions. Constipation is one of the most common chronic conditions in the western world, and as funny as this baby makes it look, anyone who knows the heaviness, bloating and lethargy that accompanies constipation knows it ain't no joke! So what do you do to relieve constipation? I have some ideas! Ask a reflexologist to show you where you colon is on your feet, or check online (or even better, get a session - it's very therapeutic, and worse case scenario - you get a fantastic foot rub!). Reflexology is AMAZING for relieving a "back up in your back end". Babies and young children especially respond quickly. My 2 year old niece's feet were congested in the colon area, so I rubbed them for 5 minutes. Within 10 minutes she had a bowel movement so large it could pass for an adult's. Too much information, you say? Get over it - it's natural! Avoid harsh herbs like cascara sagrada and senna, as well as laxatives. They can intensify the very symptoms they are meant to treat, cause cramping, and with overuse can even cause liver problems. Instead, opt for peppermint and ginger teas to gently promote digestion and ease tension. Eat more raw, living foods, and take digestive enzymes. Raw fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts and even meat have enzymes that are critical to your digestion; without them, especially as you age, you won't be able to process your meals as easily and constipation (as well as fatigue, weight gain and headaches, just to name a few symptoms) will result. After age 35, it is also recommended that you supplement with Betaine (from beet root) that mimics your stomachs hydrochloric acid, which lowers significantly as you age. In the morning, as soon as you wake up, drink 1-2 glasses of tepid to warm water, pace around while rubbing your entire abdomen area in a clockwise fashion, paying special attention to any tender or tight areas. Then, regardless of the need or not, sit on the toilet for a minute with your knees elevated (use a low stool or stack of magazines). Do this everyday for a week and you will train your body to have a morning bowel movement. Get a massage therapist trained in abdominal massages (we have Leila for this!) to work out tension in your abdomen and help your system restore its natural elimination. Often, organs can become "stuck" and releasing them will also help you release your poop! If you're constipated, its time to let go. Start with these 5 tips and you are well on your way to a happier tummy!

Some Au Natural Solutions for Skeeter Season

For a little while there, I thought we might get away with NOT being bombarded with mosquitoes this year. I suppose I was being silly: it was a little bit of wishful thinking on my part. Alas, I got bit more than four times on my way from my car to my front door yesterday! I'm not a big fan of air conditioning, but I used it yesterday because there was no way I was opening my car windows since every time I did, anywhere from 3 - 5 buzzy bestits would get in!

Anyway, there's really no use moaning about it as that certainly won't make the annoying problem go away. Rather, I have looked up a few natural mosquito repellents and bite remedies that I hope will be helpful for everyone.

Let's start with a few ideas for natural repellents. First of all, I'd like to say that I really like the Rocky Mountain Soap Company's insect repellent cream. It's safe for kids and actually smells quite good. You can get their products at Planet Organic market or, alternatively, there's a Rocky Mountain Soap Company store in Southgate Mall. Here are some other suggestions:

- lemon, geranium, clove, fennel, tea tree, rosemary and/or eucalyptus oils
- citronella that can be obtained in oil or many different repellent lotions
- garlic: it is suggested that ingesting garlic will repel insects by coming out the pores of the skin. I imagine raw garlic would have to be ingested quite regularly for this to be effective. I'd say about 2-3 cloves per day, cut up into small enough pieces to be swallowed with water.
- SMOKE! You can get citronella candles or, if you have a fire pit, have a fire if you're going to be outside at night - that'll definitely keep them off you.
- during the day, avoid wearing dark clothing as that attracts the buggers

It's pretty much inevitable that you'll get some bites considering how massive the mosquito population seems to be at this rate. One of our excellent massage therapists, Ryan, has about 15 bites all in one area below the knee on the back of his calf. It's like a big ol' cluster of itchy. At work this past Saturday, he applied peppermint oil to the bites, which he said, and I can imagine, was helpful. I'm sure tea tree oil or any other oil with a similar bite to it would be effective, like rosemary or spearmint oils. Here are some other suggestions of what to apply to the bites to help kill the insatiable itchy-ness:

- vinegar - apparently white or apple cider vinegar are effective. You could also put about 1/2 a cup of vinegar in your bath water.
- rub a bar of soap on the bites
- a hot compress or ice cubes
- a mixture of baking soda and water
- toothpaste or underarm deodorant

I imagine and hope that at least one - and probably more - of these suggestions will be helpful to you. God knows the damn itchy bites can be a bit of a distraction - I HATE the ones just below the ankle bone!

Happy August everyone and here's to hoping we'll be successful in our pursuits to dodge the skeeters for the rest of mosquito season.

Roberta Shepherd for Prana Holistic