Nervines....

I am learning the ways of anatomy and physiology and how they relate to plant medicines, it seems a vast and far ranging task that is a case of the more you know the more there is to learn. Yet I remember, when I first drank a cup of Skullcap tea, the words 'protects the nerve sheath', came to me loud and clear. This was before I had any knowledge of the fatty myelin sheath that surrounds or insulates every nerve fibre, enabling messages to travel along nerves, without 'wires getting crossed'. So, I hold that experienece close when it feels overwhelming, that teachings come if we listen. That there are many ways to absorb and gain information.

The nervous system has drawn me in because of its direct links to mental health, which is my focus, however a recent journey with back pain reminded of its furthur relationships, unity of, with and to the body. That there is no nice tidy line betwixt, and that I may have artificially created one. Thanks for that pain, at least some good came of it. That and learning to listen for when to pause, or stop to rest.

As herbalist Dorothy Hall put it...
"Many and varied disease symptoms arise from prolonged overloads. Its common today to call the overloads 'stress'. Depending on whether the brain end or the body end is the 'overheated' zone, you can experience almost any symptom at all, from mental irritability to nervous breakdown (at the brain end) and from ordinary fatigue to pain and limitation of use, swelling, inflammation and tissue damage.

When your body says rest, then rest! If you can not or your head over rides your body's plea for mercy, be aware that you've started an illness pattern as well as that larger bank account or whatever special goal you hope to achieve."

Dorothy never minced words eh.

Rest as called for, and strengthening the nervous system are a pretty deadly combo. That and connecting with and to nature in a way youre comfortable with. Doesnt have to be extreme sports, although it may be. A simple walk is a great way to start, as has been shown in the charity Mind UK's research in conjunction with Stanford University. Also by the Japanese phenomena of 'Forest Bathing', which is now recognised as a health treatment by insurance companies there. The weird world of insurance meets the Trees and Ents, or rather Japanese folks do. Ha!

When it comes to strengthening the nervous system the 'nervines' are who we can call upon in the world of herbs. To be combined with medicical model treatments, or other modalities to create a full picture of nourishment for the nervous system. Nervines are divided up into furthur tribes, the examples of which i give from my experiences n experiments....

Nervine Tonics:
These plants feed and strengthen the tissues directly. Time spent with these herbs over a longer period can help rebuild frazzled nervous systems, aswell as having gentle but potent results in a cuppa or short term imbibing. Includes Oats (Avena sativa), which can be made part of the diet easily as porridge, as 'green milky tops' tincture, or Oatstraw infusions. Skullcap (Scutellaria longiflora) is here, for those myelin sheaths I drink a tea, and I find her shy nature belies her value (also as a Nerve Sedative). Then there's Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), who can also relieve cramping and spasms with her touch ('nerve relaxant', as you can see, these descriptions are just that, and the herbs themselves may cross language). We are about to do some experimentings with Ashwaganda, so Ill let you know how that goes. The preparing of the root in a milky base with Cinnamon and Honey sounds delicous!

Nerve Relaxants:
Rather than 'blocking' nerve signals with sedation, these herbs relax, ease and soothe the intrinsically linked physical, emotional and soul states. They can indeed result in sensations of calm where distress existed, or even sleepiness where anxiety or worry. Motherwort (Leonuris cardiaca) tincture I use with people in states of crisis like distress.

She won't 'stop' crying or sounds, but she will ease their flowing through and on, into a more peacefull state of process. I have found that her tea is an excellent bedtime accompaniment for those who have trouble getting to sleep, or on waking if sleeping through is an issue. If a form of 'immunity' to her effects builds up, you can alternate with another herb like Passionflower (Passiflora incarta). Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) is often thought of a Grandmothers plant, well need I say more? You don't reach Grandmothering age without knowing a few tricks. Sipping on and gazing into a tinted cup o Lavender tea can be enough to ease anxious thoughts and body sensations, during, or after a surge.  I suppose each herbalist has their reach for nerve relaxants. I also find Rose (Rosa centifolia)  a gift for lifes heart breaks or aches, and at times I add a little of her to the mix with the other green folk mentioned here.

Nerve Stimulants:
The aforementioned Coffee (Coffea Arabica) comes to mind almost instantaneously, yet a gentler herb like Spearmint (Mentha spicata)  brings blood to the nerves and stimulates alertness. The scent of a crushed Spearmint leaf goes straight to the brain and says hello focus and clarity!
A cuppa can do similar first thing in the morning or between study spurts. Spearmint has also told me an infused oil of her leaves will stimulate circulation, although her cousin Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is better known for this, aswell as being a nerve stimulant. In the same family Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) has that similar 'awakening' mint scent, that places her with this tribe along with on a roast. These herbs are for the person in a depressed state of debility and fatigue who doesnt necessarily want to have so many cups of Coffee that they end up anxious on top of that, or drain their systems longer term.

References:

"Herbs for Stress & Anxiety: How to Make and Use Herbal Remedies to Strengthen the Nervous System" by Rosemary Gladstar 2014

"The New Holistic Herbal" by David Hoffman 1990

"Terms of the Trade: Nervine" by Kiva Rose 2009
http://bearmedicineherbals.com/terms-of-the-trade-nervine.html

"Whats Wrong With You? How Natural Therapies Can Help." by Dorothy Hall 1986

"Ecotherapy:The Green Agenda for Mental Health: Mind"

https://www.mind.org.uk/media/273470/ecotherapy.pdf

"Stanford Researchers Find Prescription for Mental Health: Nature"
 http://news.stanford.edu/2015/06/30/hiking-mental-health-063015/

Restfull cups o tea 12/28/2016

Sleep is as much a part of our lives as waking hours, yet many have challenges to restfull sleep for periods in their life. Sometimes it's beneficial, as in creative all nighters of those touched by their particular muses. Sometimes not, as in tossing and turning to nightmarish visions, anxious wide awakes at 3am, or racing thoughts leading to an inability to get off to sleep. There are herbal allies who can be worthy travelling companions in the search for a good nights rest.

My beloved has been pained regularly by insomnia this last year or so, and despite pharma support, is often awake long before sunrise in the mornings including 2.30am. If he can later arise to face the day, watch the sun coming up on our local easterly facing beach, have a swim, perhaps do some yoga, it is a starting of the day that sets up what follows. Despite the challenges of hauling ass there after a night lacking in sleep. Here's a photo he took on one of those rattled mornings....

At the opposite end of the day he is best eased into a state of preparation for a hopefull nights sleep by a blend of more gentle yoga postures to apt music, drinking some Motherwort (Leonuris cardiaca) tea and /or taking tincture. His ways of working with sleep distubance show this as being a process requiring adjustments, kindness to self and a toolbox of approachs. That and sheer determination.


I have taken tranquilisers in periods when sleep evaded me to the point of psychic distress, and reduced them again. I admit theres a place and time for them, Reducing and coming off them takes time and they should be tapered slowly. Whilst these medications can be addictive in action, I believe few people wouldn't trade them in for the capacity to have a peacefull nights sleep without them. Tasting cup o tea allys like Motherwort, Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) and Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia, formerly officinales) can support this. There's comfort in a cup o tea. Medicine ways too.As dried plant teas brew for about 10 minutes, one teaspooon of herb to a cup.

Motherwort tea, (5-10 drops fresh flowering and spiking plant tincture may be added) for getting off to sleep, or to assist returning to it if one wakes during the night, for those transitioning off or on pharma, gives strong results in a warm sense of relaxation (and at times mumbling).Motherwort is like a protective mothers embrace, asking you to tell her all about it, and then listening with an open heart. You know she has your best interests at her centre. She will sit by your bedside and smooth that furrowed brow away, tell you a tale of dreams to come...

"Motherwort is especially valuable in female weakness and disorders (hence the name) allaying nervous irritability and inducing quiet and passivity of the whole nervous system." (pretty old school language Maude but the cores there)
                          
                           Maude Grieves, in 'A Modern Herbal', 1931

I have found Passionflower tea to work similarly, as a relaxing brew, perhaps for different individuals, shes less bitter in flavour, sweeter, with more of an Oatstraw flavour (an excellent nervous system nourisher drunk as an infusion). Perhaps a step along in tranquiliser withdrawel when remaining asleep can be difficult. A slower and deepener of states of ease, to settle with in hand, when waking during the night.

"Passionflower is an old wives remedy for women with nervous insomnia, hysteria, restlessness and headaches."(Susun recommends the fresh flowering plant tincture before bed each evening but I have also found the tea of dried leaves and stems effective)
                           Susun Weed, in 'New Menopausal Years the Wisewoman Way', 2002

Lavender is more floral in taste, and scent, she will ease you gently into dreams with recall of swaying flower spikes. The blue colour of her brew can lift the mood in the wee hours, and is a soul soother to ponder sipping to aid one drifting off.

"Lavendar...These flowers are also burned or smouldered to induce sleep and rest, and are scattered about the home to maintain its peacefulness."

                           Scott Cunningham, in 'Cunninghams Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs', 1985

Living in a coastal area where soils are sandy, I grow my herbs in raised beds and pots. This has allowed me to make Motherwort tincture from the fresh flowering plant. I buy in dried herbs for some teas, and infusions, but all the tinctures I use are from fresh plants. So I'm singing to my six Motherworts as we head into January's upcoming harvest time, as they have risen from a rosette of leaves upon the ground into waving stems!

Nightmares can disturb sleep, causing one to awake distressed or confused. I have found journalling helps, keeping a  book and pen by the bed. Somehow writing them out diffuses their hold on you and can show you themes which are repeating, if you actually need a reminder and therefore to locate a key. The other strategy i use is 'reentering' scenarios and rewriting their endings, which may begin as visualisation and end up as sleep.

 If your night of wakefullness is caused by a desire to create, like this blogpost (ok so it aint high art!), then why not? Late nights, or even greeting the sun after an all nighter by choice are a luxury!

Working out the tools we can utilise to aid sleep creates a self reliance, especially if we are transitioning from or working to reduce drugs, by learning our personal ways to create a relaxed and peacefull state. Please do not jump off tranquilisers sharply but go gently with yourself and allow beings like the herbs to build up your systems nourishment first and as travelling companions.

 As always, this is written from my experiences, keep what works for you and discard what don't.         

                             

Lavender's blue dilly dilly, um well actually, it seems pretty purple but the bee's dont mind! 8/13/2016

Lavender ( Lavendula angustifolia) is a plant with lore long associated with wholth. This variety more so with others mayhaps grown for specific forms or colours rather than medicinal properties.  Her softly blue violet couloured flowers and velvety silver foliage soothing to the eye and fingers echo her effects. I love to run my hands along her stems and inhale deeply the scent which touchs them. The above picture taken by Miles is of one of our Lavender plants we were hanging out with one sunny morningk, as you do.

Previously I had had no luck growing her despite my best efforts. I had thought as we are by the ocean and shes a native to Mediterranean climate all would be well, but alas! The breakthrough came when I bought tubestock (Im unsure of the species name) who had time to acclimatise and then proceeded to take off, as you can see. I have since planted several more, all babies doing well!!

 The sight of her flowers bobbing in the breeze rocks. Her softness can  bring a smile to hearts worn by grief or loss, writes herbalist Judith Berger and I can second that motion. Both magically and physically. For myself I have begun to make a massage oil combining her flowers infused in almond oil, bllended with Rosa centifolia petals prepared in the same way, and a lil Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) essential oil.

When one of the characters in the English series 'Black Books' swallows 'The Little Book of Calm' and begins espousing its virtuous advice with more than a small touch of messianic piss take, 'Try a little Lavender oil in the bath' is one of the sardonic gems, which may well hold more truth than the situation allows!!

Taken internally her violet tinted tea, only needing brewing for a short time with her potent volatile oils, can deepen stillness and relax agitation or shakyness. Although as a wise friend pointed out, she's a little astringent and may ask for a touch of honey or maple syrup :).

"The difficulty with anxiety responses is that the strong emotions they produce often paralyze us or cause us to take ill-timed or ill-placed actions. The life preserving emotions which accompany hysteria must be calmed before we can look deeply into the causes underlying anxiety and concieve of a fitting response. The scent and rich purple hue of Lavenders blossoms inspire our sensuality, reminding us of beauty where there has been devastation. Lavender melts numbness, nourishing and keening our senses, the antenae of our instinctual knowing."
                                                Judith Berger in 'Herbal Rituals'

This herb can clear the  air of a sickroom of infection and can be used as a 'smudge' or incense. For these reasons I have added infused Lavendar oil to Calendula salve, or creams.. One of my teachers always adds a few drops of the essential oil to her Calendula salve. Ive also heard it spoken its a fine thing to add a little Lavendar to Comfrey salves just in case infections present when and where its applied to surface wounds.

 I suffer from Eczema on my face at times. When its in the 'dry' phase I use herbalist Rosemary Gladstars 'Miracle Grains' scrub recipe, based on oats, white clay, blended with Lavender and Rose flowers all finely ground, to gently remove some of the dead skin cells. Its a wonderfully pampering mix at a time when the eczema makes one feel vulnerable, rawly exposed and a little like the creature from the black lagoon! It can be used at any time for a softening of skin and you could eat it if the pantry ran out! Lavender porridge! Infact her leaves go well sprinkled over potatoes and chicken for roasting, with salt, and lemon juice, now we're on the subject of food (again).

No wonder Lavender's  been planted out as a hedge in gardens and the wilder species invited in for centuries!

Pictured below: A glamourous cousin of Lavendular angustifolia

 

Calendula, Rose and Lavendar Cream brew up 3/19/2016

The arts of nourishing, sustain and support systems, tis the way of things. Herbal teacher Susun Weed retaught me this in allying to the green, rememberance. Ive not long been introduced to the realms of doing so through our largest organ, the skin, and it kinda happened organically (uncertified but certifiable). I was reacting to most store bought moisturisers and sunscreens, living in a hot, humid climate, and copping mild eczema like blistering and stress rashes that had me reaching for steroidal creams for some relief.

Then I met Calendula, her petals more specifically, as an infused oil. Liquid sunshine. Admittedly at first the neat oil was slower to heal my face then the steroidal creams, taking more like a week than ta da overnight, but results came, I became determined, and fascinated. After double infusing my own Calendula (Calendula officinales), Rose (Rosa centifolia) and Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia) oils, the experimentation with Rosemary Gladstar's (thanks lovely) preservative free moisturiser recipe began. Nowadays the rashes clear quickly (I have also found cool Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) infusions really helpfull) and The Nook's face cream has evolved. Not bad for an ungirly girl, so far!

It all began with a face to face weekend workshop with a lovely and generous local herbalist who mentored me in such ways of caretaking. Lotions and potions, a magical lineage. As is women sharing such knowledge...

I add in small amounts of essential oils of Grandfather Sage (Salvia apiana) for assisting to clear stagnant energy or entitys in need of healing, and Australian Sandalwood (Santalum spicatum) for a touch of similar vibe plus the physicality of skin inflammation easing. 

There's also soothing aloe vera gel and rose water. Rose has charmed me with her capacity to gently touch grief, heart break and injury. So there's the infused oil and the floral water included, life requires it at times. Rosehip and Shea butter, I know, fancy eh but noice. When you stop smoking ciggies and drinking booze you need some treats aside from sugar :)

The flash from the camera makes these look like real whiteys, but in actuality these babies are dyed by the infused oils they contain....

Calendula petals straight from the flower

Dried petals

Infusing oils n the billy on to celebrate