Healing Wise

December 24, 2011 in bone health, Wise Woman Q&A | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 05, 2011

Herbal Allies for Neuropathy

Ms. Weed,

I was searching the web last night and came across your site. My simple question is where do you purchase the herbs at in such quantities?...

My second, and more important question, my wife has recently be diagnosed with neuropathy of the feet (there are a couple of other terms in front of the neuropathy, but neither of us remember what they are - basically, it means they don't know what is causing the condition. That is, it is not diabetes related or any of the other triggers.) The doctors have put her on Lyerica, of which neither of us is really excited about.

The side effects of these drugs seems to be worse than the particular illness. In any event, she has been on the Lyerica for 3 weeks now and the pain has not subsided. However, I am sure that the side effects are piling up. Do you have any recommendations for a natural treatment to ease the pain and more importantly cure the neuropathy?

Hello,

First off, if you cannot find herbs in bulk at a local health food store, you can purchase in bulk online. A couple of places that we suggest would be Mountain Rose Herbs, Red Moon Herbs and Frontier Herbs.

Neuropathy is a very broad diagnosis and can be caused by a multitude of things, so some general things I would suggest would be: starting your wife off right away with oatstraw infusions which are nourishing for the nervous system and helpful with the pain. She could also soak her feet in foot baths with oatstraw infusion added to the water as well. Many often find relief by massaging with St. Joan's (St. John's) Wort oil and also taking the tincture internally. I would also investigate scullcap tincture as another possibility for helping with the neuropathy. Along with daily herbal infusions, make sure to eat plenty of protein and whole grains, fatty fish, seaweed... Acupuncture has shown to be helpful in managing the pain as well.

...She will also be available for private phone consultations starting around mid-November as well. We also have an active forum where you might want to ask your question or search previous threads to see other suggestions. www.healingwiseforum.com

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

December 05, 2011 in Food and Drink, Health Concerns, Herbal Allies, Wise Woman Q&A | Permalink | Comments (1)

December 04, 2011

Wise Woman Wisdom on Yoga

Hi Susun,

I wondered what type of yoga you do? There are almost 20 different kinds of yoga out there, I am learning about each different style and wondered what you have chosen to do, have you tried many different ones? Is there a style that you do not recommend?

Thank you so much for your advice...

Hello,

Susun suggests that you only practice yoga once or twice per week, as more is stressful for the body..

Practice the kind of yoga that resonates with you personally, go at your own pace

Avoid hot yoga..

Always practice gentle yoga

Example here http://www.wholeliving.com/article/gentle-yoga-poses

Never let anyone push you harder than you are comfortable with ..

Its your practice for you.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

December 04, 2011 in Wise Woman Q&A, Wise Woman Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 09, 2011

Shelf Life of Herbs

I have a question for Susun.

I bought a pound of stinging nettle and comfrey. What is the shelf life for these items stored in the plastic bag they came in. Do you recommend vacuum sealing them in a jar? I also, have dried chickweed. Can I do a tea with it or vinegar?

...Thank you.

Hello,

Once the bag is open, it would be best to simply put them in a brown paper bag, kept away from temperature fluctuations, light and heat. Dark and cool is best - back of cupboard, etc. Hard to say exactly how long they would last as for ones purchased, most likely, you will not know how old they were when packaged. I would just periodically check them, making sure that the smell is not off. Remember that a herb dried should be the same as what they looked like alive, so red clover should be pink, not dark brown and so forth.

I have certainly used ones that were stored for over a year and still were good.

Dried chickweed would be good for teas and infusions, saving fresh plant material for vinegars and tinctures, if possible.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trd4lZiBn-8

November 09, 2011 in Weeds, Wise Woman Q&A | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 30, 2011

Healing Candida the Wise Woman Way

Good morning Susun,

I deeply appreciate your work and refer to your books often. I am currently struggling with candida, primarily in my gut and even with a careful diet am not winning against the yeast overgrowth. Would you be available for a health consultation by phone? or do you have anyone who may be available that you would recommend who has experience with candida?

Hello,

Susun is not available for private consultations at this time, but she does offer a free health hotline on Tuesday evenings from 7:30pm - 9:30pm EST at 845-246-8081. She will be starting back up on Sept. 13th. You can give her a call during that time and you may also wish to check out our health forum here: www.healingwiseforum.com. I imagine there is probably a good deal of information there on candida.

Not sure what you are doing in regards to your diet, however, Susun's recommendations are quite different than the usual protocol. Susun believes in incorporating fermented foods, herbal vinegars, which of course, others say to avoid.

From Susun: "Some people worry that eating vinegar will upset the balance of gut flora and contribute to an overgrowth of candida yeast in the intestines. Some people have been told to avoid vinegar altogether. My experience has led me to believe that herbal vinegars help health those with candida overgrowth, perhaps because they're so mineral rich. I've worked with women who have suffered for years and kept to a strict "anti-candida" diet with little improvement and seen them get better fast when they add nourishing herbal vinegars (and fermented foods such as sauerkraut, miso, and yogurt) to their diets."

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/Weed_letter_Mar-02.htm#q2

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/Weed_letter_Dec-01.htm#q1

Susun also goes into deeper detail about food and diets in her CD set Optimal Nutrition.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

http://www.ashtreepublishing.com/Book_Breast_Cancer_Anti-cancer-lifestyle.htm

October 30, 2011 in Healing Recipes, Health Concerns, Intestinal Health, Wise Woman Q&A | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 29, 2011

Breast Cancer and Nutrition

Hello!

I was just referred by a girl at work. It sounds very healthy! I read your good article on breast cancer. Currently i'm on an 'eating program' to keep my breast cancer at bay, going well now for 6 years ... but
one really important thing I'm missing reading in the article ... SUGAR! My nutritionist working on her master's says that cancer LIVES in sugar, and I don't hear even my surgeon or providers telling their patients to cut down or eliminate sugar.

Even the Endocrinology doctors in the office don't much emphasize how very much eliminating sugar does definitely eliminate high blood sugars ... a friend, for one example, began my eating program -NO SUGAR - and went off her insulin after only one week! So much to learn. Well, thank you for listening.

Hello,

Many thanks for writing us about your personal story. No doubt limited amounts of white sugar is a very important part of not only preventing and working through cancer but of vibrant health in general. For many of us, we follow the guidelines of the Nourishing Traditions diet, along with avoiding white sugar, white flour, and drinking daily herbal infusions as part of maintaining good health. I don't know what articles you've read as Susun has quite a few on breast cancer and nutrition, but I'll include a few links if you wish to follow them.

So very glad that things are going well and that you have been able to work with your own body to find what it needs.

http://www.susunweed.com/How_to_make_Infusions.htm

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Nutrition.htm

October 29, 2011 in Breast Health, Nourishing Herbal Infusions, Nourishing Traditions, Nutrition, Wise Woman Q&A | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 27, 2011

Creating Better Health the Wise Woman Way

Dear Wise Woman,

I have finaly reached the point in my life where I am realizing I am not immortal. I am in my mid thirties and want to start repairing and preparing my body for years to come. I was a typical wild girl in my hay day. Probably drank too much and smoked way to many cigarettes. I now want to cleanse and repair all the tissues and cells I damaged in my careless youth.

My very amazing soul sister friend has been following your advice and I have been very curious myself of all the knowledge you have. I guess my question is with infusions. Can you mix the dried herbs together in one quart jar? Do you have to separate them? Or is it best to infuse one herb at a time (oat
straw, nettle,and comfrey )then rotate each herbal infusion? Also, I live in south east MN and our growing season is over, can you recommend a business that mail me bulk herbs?

Thank you and can't wait to hear from you.

Hello,

Do not worry - our bodies are amazingly resilient and designed to in such a way that they work to repair themselves. Most tissues and cells from your youth have long been regenerated.

"Nourish the new cells, optimally, says the Wise Woman tradition, and the old cells and other waste will be cleared away easily. The liver is replaced, every cell of it, in six weeks. Nourish each new liver cell optimally, and the liver will clean the blood. The kidneys are replaced, every cell, in a month. Nourish each new cell optimally, let the kidneys clean the blood. The blood volume itself is replaced, every cell, in three weeks. What cleaner blood than new and optimally nourished cells?" Complete article here...

So, now you just need to nourish and support your body. The infusions are the first step and they are easy and inexpensive as well. Susun recommends using one herb at a time, rotating them from day to day... Read about the infusions at our website here: http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/

You can usually find the dried herbs in the bulk section of your local health/herb store or online at sources such as Mountain Rose Herbs and Red Moon Herbs. Even better, when they are in season, harvest your own and dry for future use.

Eat whole grains, organic full-fat yogurt, raw milk, wild foods such as dandelion greens, nettles, chickweed, lamb's quarters, add seaweed to your diet... Here is more on how the Wise Woman Tradition approaches nutrition:

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Wild_Food1.htm

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Wild_Food2.htm

You may also wish to check out our forum at www.healingwiseforum.com

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Herbal_Vinegar.htm

October 27, 2011 in Nourishing Herbal Infusions, Nourishing Traditions, Wise Woman Q&A | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 22, 2011

Herbal Vinegars - Support Good Health

Hello,

I am very confused and concerned about the role of apple cider vinegar in a healthy diet and I am hoping that you will respond

It seems that vinegars are used to draw minerals from animals bones to make stocks.

What do vinegars do in our bodies?

Some suggest taking some apple cider vinegar at each meal ( 1/2tsp in 2 oz water) to help digest fats- but what about one's bones?

Some suggest soaking beans and grains in apple cider vinegar if one does not eat dairy. Again, I ask, how does this affect the minerals in our bones?

Is it really wise to consume so much apple cider vinegar on a daily basis?

Thank you in advance for your response.

Hello,

Susun recommends regular use of herbal vinegars. Most of us take ACV and steep various herbs in it to create an especially mineral rich vinegar excellent for bone health, digestion and various other issues. One doesn't need a lot - a spoonful tossed on greens, beans - perhaps mixed in water, but we view it as a wonderful way to help support good health. Rather than taking minerals away, herbal vinegars enhance absorption, making bones stronger, not brittle.

Here are some of our articles in regards to vinegar: http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/October08/anti-cancer.htm

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

October 22, 2011 in vinegars, Wise Woman Q&A | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 20, 2011

Are Antibiotics Useful in Treating Lyme Disease?

I have just completed my week of intense fever from acute Lyme. I am extremely sensitive to antibiotics, they make me severely ill, and do not want to take them. I saw somewhere that you suggested st. john's wort tincture for Lyme, is this for acute or later? Also, is there anything else you would recommend in the acute phase for killing off the bacteria so this doesn't become chronic? Thank you.

Brightest Blessings...

Hello,

Actually with Lyme, Susun does recommend antibiotics, especially in the acute, first few months. Sometimes, just like going to the hospital to set a broken leg, it is best to use the resources of the scientific tradition.

Once chronic, St. joan's can be used - many have found teasel tincture to be very good for dealing with Lyme. Stephen Buhner's book, Healing Lyme, also goes into many different ways to help, but again, in beginning stages, she suggests antibiotics.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

October 20, 2011 in Health Concerns, Herbal Allies, Wise Woman Q&A | Permalink | Comments (0)

October 19, 2011

Is There a Cure for Herpes?

Have you ever seen anyone completely cured of herpes? In other words, do you have a way of clearing this from the system?

Hello,

I am not familiar with anyone being completely cured of herpes. As Susun states in her book, Down There, "There is no cure for genital herpes or Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2). Once you have it, you have it." So, of course, treatment is centered around minimizing symptoms, reducing outbreaks and so forth. St Joan's wort is the first thing I'd reach for with herpes, applying the infused oil to the sores and taking the tincture internally, anywhere from 4-8 dropperfuls a day as needed. Keeping the immune system strong is essential, drinking daily infusions, eating a good diet, including mushrooms, seaweed, nettles, burdock...

Susun has a number of treatment options in her new book, Down There: Sexual and Reproductive Health the Wise Woman Way. Also you will find a number of threads dealing with the subject at our forum: www.healingwiseforum.com. Susun's free health hotline will be drawing to a close, mid October, but that gives you a couple more opportunities to call her as well. These are on Tuesdays from 7:30pm - 9:30pm EST at 845-246-8081. Just let us know if you need any further assistance.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

October 19, 2011 in Health Concerns, Wise Woman Q&A | Permalink | Comments (1)

October 14, 2011

Herbal Allies for Adrenal Support

Hi,

I've been slowly learning that herbs can help with adrenal fatigue. I've purchased a few with the idea of mixing a bit in water and drinking but I don know how much to use or how often. Could you suggest a
book or other resource that could teach me the proper way to take these?

Thanks so much.

Hello,

As we don't know what herbs you are referencing to, we can't really give information on them. Susun relies on stinging nettle infusions for adrenal support. "Stinging nettle infusion strengthens the adrenals: relieving anxiety and building focused energy."

You can read more here: http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/Nettle.html

Using all of the infusions, rotating on a daily basis is helping in maintaining energy and good health.

Also if you have access to live nettle plants, harvesting the seed and adding them to foods helps with adrenal fatigue. Eat only whole grains: brown rice, wild rice, spelt, cornmeal, amaranth, quinoa, and edible wild seeds including lamb's quarter, nettle, and yellow dock, full fat dairy, fish and small amounts of organic meat.

You can search our forum at www.healingwiseforum.com for more suggestions.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

October 14, 2011 in Nourishing Herbal Infusions, Wise Woman Q&A | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 27, 2011

Aromatase Inhibitors

Dear Susun,

Thank you (again) for all of your work. I am nearly 3 years out from breast cancer and drinking red clover infusion daily in lieu of the Tamoxifen which was prescribed. Is red clover also the answer to aromotase inhibitors? (a dear friend who is post menopausal was recently diagnosed.) I've searched my Breast Cancer? Breast Health! book but could not find the answer.
Thank you...

p.s.I'm sure you hear this all the time, but WOW! all of the yummy phyto estrogen has really made me feel wonderful. i keep thinking about the silly children's rhyme, sugar and spice and everything nice... thank you thank you thank you.

Hello,

Many congratulations to you! So very glad to hear how the red clover and phyto-estrogens are helping. Susun does not have email, but can be reached during her free health hotline. She will be running them every Tuesday through October from 7:30pm - 9:30pm EST at 845-246-8081.

Red clover, button mushrooms, passionflower and grape seeds are all items that are often listed as aromatase inhibitors... Perhaps your friend can call during the hotline times for Susun's thoughts on the matter. Also check out our forum at www.healingwiseforum.com in case someone there can be of assistance.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

September 27, 2011 in Breast Health, Wise Woman Q&A | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 19, 2011

Where to Find Nettle Seeds

Hi,

Thank you for your newsletter. The question about nettle plants raised this question for me....where can I buy nettle seeds. They are difficult to find.

Hello,

No nettle seeds are not easy to find and is one of those things you usually have to harvest on your own. I do know that Ryan Drum carries them. You may also want to check with Mountain Rose Herbs. Sometimes easier to find tincture...

Susun mentions a source in her book, New Menopausal Years: Carla Jo Laramore, Waldron Island WA 98297 (no telephone number) No idea if this is still current however.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/August09/empower.htm

September 19, 2011 in Weeds, Wise Woman Q&A | Permalink | Comments (1)

September 09, 2011

Herbal Allies for Chronic Pain and Fatigue

Hello! I've recently purchased a couple of your books "Healing Wise, Childbearing year." and am so excited to start my journey and exploration of herbs and the ancient ways. But, I do have a somewhat serious question/s to ask...

My boyfriend of two years is addicted to opiates. He buys painkillers all the time and takes them everyday. He bought some kratom and was taking that every other day, hoping to find an 'natural alternative'. But even that isn't good for you after a period time, and he still took pain pills. Now he hardly takes the kratom. His excuses are that he has (and he was diagnosed) chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia. So it's hard for me to deny him a pain free day when his body always aches.

I just want to know what I can do for him internally, to nourish his body so he can let go of the pills. He knows he has a problem and doesn't like it. So I'm hoping if I have some details on herbs or infusions or whatever it takes to heal his pain, energize himself, and get through the day without taking something terrible, that would be such a blessing. He also drinks energy drinks daily...Can you help? Thanks so much for everything!

Hello,

So very sorry to hear about your boyfriend. Serious chronic pain really wears one down and it is easy to understand how he wants to reach for the pain medication.

With everything that he has going on, you certainly need to start looking at the very basics. How is his diet? You mention energy drinks so we know that part is not so good. Is he drinking any infusions at all? If not, your first step is to get him to start. They can help to build up his energy naturally and gently, while also supplying much needed vitamins and minerals. Nettles provides lots of calcium which can help if he can't sleep at night; oatstraw soothes nerves, eases anxiety and rebuilds Like women, men benefit from all the herbs that we use for our daily infusions. You (and your boyfriend) can read up on them here: http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/

A couple of articles that deal with fatigue in general and fibromyalgia:

http://www.susunweed.com/An_Article_Fatigue_AW3.htm

http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/An_Excerpt-107-fibromyalgia.htm

I would also make sure to include linden blossom infusion along with the others. It is calming and highly anti-inflammatory. Linden is made a bit differently than the other infusions: Instead of one ounce of herb, you use 1/2 oz of dried linden to a quart of water - infuse for 4 hours or overnite; strain, take left over plant material and put into a pot, cover with 2 cups of cold water, bring to boil and turn off. You will now let this infuse with lid on for 4 hours or overnite. You can then mix the two infusions together. Boiling helps in bringing out the mucilage which is so anti-inflammatory...

He may find using homeopathic remedies such as Rhus toxicodendron or arnica helpful with pain - also motherwort tincture. From Susun: "Whatever your pain--lower back pain, gas pain, tooth pain, almost any pain--motherwort can relieve it. I start with 10-20 drops, and repeat it every 15 minutes until I get relief. Women with chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia respond strongly to motherwort, with pain relief evident in a few hours to a few days"

I know it says women, but motherwort works for men as well. Certainly eat nourishing foods, as little processed foods as possible, whole grains, plenty of greens, including dandelion greens, organic yogurt, fatty fish such as salmon and sardines ... make sure he sleeps in a completely darkened room. If possible, look into reiki or massage, maybe someone can be willing to trade or if you have a school nearby lots of times they have students do sessions at greatly reduced rates. If it were me, I would also look into St. Joan's (St. John's) tincture. This can help with the emotional toll all of this is taking on him.

Susun will be starting her free health hotline back up beginning on Sept 13th. These run every Tuesday from 7:30pm - 9:30pm EST at 845-246-8081 so you are most welcome to call her during those times. We also have an active forum here: www.healingwiseforum.com where you can ask others for their suggestions.

These are a few places to start at least. Certainly it is a complex condition and can seem overwhelming. Perhaps trying to focus on one situation at a time, the thing that causes the most problems and then work from there, making sure to get a strong foundation built with daily herbal infusions and a good diet.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

September 09, 2011 in Food and Drink, Health Concerns, Herbal Allies, Nourishing Herbal Infusions, Weblogs, Wise Woman Q&A, Wise Woman Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

September 06, 2011

Wise Woman Wisdom for Men's Health

Wondering if you have or could refer me to any pages for mens health preferably. I have a couple of imbalances including bones/joints, hair, low testosterone and get tired easily.

Any help would help thank you...

Hello,

Susun's teachings are definitely important to men's health as well. The main piece is daily use of nourishing herbal infusions and all of the herbs mentioned are as vital for men's overall health as it is for women's. You can read more about them here: http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/

Drinking nettles infusions is Susun's favorite for increased energy and vibrancy, healthy full hair; comfrey leaf for bones and joints; oatstraw for bone health, heart health and increased libido; red clover for cancer prevention...

Diet is important. Many of us follow the Nourishing Traditions Diet which focuses on whole foods, complex carbs, raw dairy, protein, good fats, etc. Making sure to incorporate these foods helps to balance out many health issues. Good bone broths are wonderful for your joints and bones: http://www.westonaprice.org/food-features/broth-is-beautiful

You can search our health forum: www.healingwiseforum.com as well for further suggestions or to ask your own questions. Just let us know if you need any further assistance.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team