Healing Wise

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

October 21, 2011

Wise Woman Wisdom for Breast Cancer

Hi Susun,

One of the ladies in our church has been diagnosed with carcinoid cancer. Could you recommend an herbal treatment regimen for this kind of cancer? I will appreciate your comments.

Best wishes...

Hello,

At this time, Susun's schedule is such that she is no longer able to offer consultations. They may start up again in the future, but I do not know when that may be. You may wish to look over some of the articles that Susun has on her site here: http://www.breasthealthcancerprevention.com and perhaps check out her book Breast Cancer? Breast Health! The Wise Woman Way

Although the focus is on breast cancer, she covers options that are useful for all types of cancer. We also have a large health forum here: www.healingwiseforum.com that contains a lot of information in general on health and also has a room devoted to working with cancer.

We would not be able to come up with a protocol for treatment, but if you have a specific question or concern, we may be able to give you a good starting point for assistance.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

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

October 21, 2011 in Breast Health, Health Concerns, Wise Woman Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZo4uU3J0Rs&feature=related

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)

July 06, 2011

First Steps in the Wise Woman Tradition

Hello Susun! I am a newbie to the wise-woman way---very new. This is my first summer experimenting with herbal teas. I want to start making infusions and here is one question to you: I see in your videos the infusions sitting on your kitchen counter (oatstraw, comfrey, etc.) and am wondering if you drink gallons of these wonderful things a day?

I have three big (getting bigger...)comfrey plants and a ton of lovely plantain on my property. I'd like to start making infusions from these, but need to learn how to start drying these beefy plants. Can I do this in the oven??

I am a 22-year "terminal" cancer survivor, deep into a never ending menopause, and struggle with fatigue and memory loss and thinning bones. How many infusions should I be making/drinking a day? It looks a bit complicated.... :>)

Hello,

Welcome to the Wise Woman Tradition! Have you seen Susun's latest videos in regards to drying herbs? Links included here:

Best to hang herbs in a dry place without direct sunlight and make sure that the plants do not touch one another.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7uwNwz6pQg

When you drink infusions such as Susun, yes, you can easily go through 1-3 quarts a day.... I personally drink little else. Just remember that most of the time you don't mix them, so one day oatstraw, the next day nettles, etc. For your questions about thinning bones, etc. I would check out the articles Susun has at her site:

http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/ and would recommend her book:
Menopausal Years as well. Don't let it overwhelm you as it doesn't have to be complicated - one herb at a time and starting with the infusions is the best place to begin.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

http://www.wisewomanuniversity.org/weed/

You can get your health questions answered by Susun in one of two ways. Call our free herbal/health hot line (845-246-8081) Tuesday evenings, 7:30-9:30 pm EST, dates are April through October. Or you may register for a private telephone consultation. You can also join the free women's health forum where hundreds of wise woman can help you. Sign up for the free herbal healing ezine, filled with wise woman wit and wisdom. Visit the Wise Woman Bookshop for online university, gift shop, bookshop, digital downloads, and more. Go to www.susunweed.com for a complete list of offerings including radio show and free videos.

July 06, 2011 in Weblogs, Wise Woman Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

July 01, 2011

Wise Woman Wisdom for HPV

Hello,

I was recently told that HPV showed up on my pap smear. I am obviously not please with this news. And I was hoping that you might have some information about how to release this virus from the body--or at least how to boost the immune system so that it is less likely to cause trouble.

Any help you can give me in this regard will be appreciated.

Thank you.

Here are words of wisdom and links from Susun Weed for you. love, Justine

Learn how to maintain and regain a healthy cervix; prevent and treat cervical problems including cervicitis, cervical erosion, cervical eversion, genital warts (HPV), cervical dysplasia, and cervical cancer; what to do about your Pap smear results.

This course will familiarize you with your cervix. It will help you prevent or treat any problems that may arise there. You will learn how to use with complementary, integrative medicines, the Wise Woman Way, with confidence. This course includes all modalities of health care – such as homeopathy, herbal medicine, drugs, surgery, energy medicine, lifestyle changes, diet and exercise. It is suitable for those primarily concerned with self-care as well as for those interested in helping others.

If you are one of the several million women a year who are told there might be a problem – or there is a problem – with your cervix, this course will help you decide what to do to regain or maintain health. If you are a woman who helps other women stay healthy and return to health, this course will familiarize you with a variety of complementary, integrative health care options for cervical problems. If you are a woman interested in staying healthy, this course is for you.

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/November08/grandmother.htm

“… for women who exhibit the earliest signs of HPV infection, the best prescription may be no treatment at all,” according to Karyn Herndon at Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago. “Three out of four women in the observation-only group lost their flat warts - a finding that suggests that the body’s immune system can drive the virus into a dormant state.”[1] Women treated with laser removal of cervical warts were twice as likely as untreated women to have precancerous and cancerous changes occur in the following years.

Having an HPV infection is “like having the sniffles,” says Anna-Barbara Moscicki, MD. “It’s an infection your body can usually handle … and get rid of.”[2] In a study of 600 sexually active women aged 13 to 21, half became infected with HPV over a 10 year period; 70% of those women did not develop lesions or warts at all, and only 10% of those who did have lesions were diagnosed with cervical cancer.[3]

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Poaceae-family.htm

If your smear does show HPV-DNA, remember, surgery only removes the abnormal cells, not the HPV which remains able to initiate cervical cancer.

A diet rich in carotenes, folic acid, and protein is the best remedy I know for preventing cancer and reversing dysplasia. I get carotenes from cooked sweet potatoes, winter squash, pumpkin, leafy greens, and tomato sauce. I get folic acid from nettle infusion, leafy greens, lentils, beans, seeds, whole grains and nuts. I get protein from organic meat, especially liver, organic milk, yogurt, and cheese, and nourishing herbal infusions such as nettle, oatstraw, red clover..

And, I avoid soy; it may encourage abnormal cell growth by disrupting thyroid functioning. And I let the anti-cancer trio -- red clover, dandelion, and burdock -- as infusions or in tinctures, power up my immunity and help chase away cancer. Chinese herbalists remind us that abnormal cells are overheated and we do well to avoid peppers and hot spices like ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg when we have dysplasia.

I repeat, in all likelihood you are fine and your next Pap smear will be normal. Envision it so.

http://www.healing-wise.com/Breast-Care-Womens-Health-Issues.htm

HPV does not always lead to cervical cancer. You can prevent cancer from starting by drinking red clover infusion. A quart or more a week is good. Burdock root tincture also seems to help. You can use them alternately.

As for your immune system: remember that white sugar zaps it. See if you can do without it completely for at least six weeks.

Green Blessings, Susun Weed

July 01, 2011 in Health Concerns, Weblogs, Wise Woman Q&A, Wise Woman Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

June 21, 2011

St. John's/Joan's Wort Safety

Hi,

I believe I read in one of your books that taking St. John’s wort internally as a tincture and externally in oil, there was no risk of photo sensitivity but if taken as dried powder in capsules, it could be photosensitive. Is this correct?...

What is your position on this? Thanks..

Hello,

Yes, Susun's thoughts are that St. John's (St. Joan's) Wort works wonderfully as an external oil and as tincture internally. She, along with many of us, have used it in these forms with no issues. The problems lies with the teas and supplements that people so often use. Not only has she found them not to be as effective but to also produce unwanted side effects such as the sun sensitivity.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

Genital Warts; Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) by Susun Weed

June 21, 2011 in Herbal Allies, Tinctures, Weblogs, Wise Woman Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (2)

June 16, 2011

Wise Woman Wisdom for HPV and HSV

Hello Susun,

A little background.... I was just recently diagnosed with HSV2, I have had it for 3 years now. I actually contracted it while pregnant with my son, I got it from my husband.

My difficulty is that it breaks out on my arm, inner thigh, buttocks as well as vaginally, they are fairly small spots thankfully but painful, also they happen at least every month if not more. I know the normal thing to do is to get an anti-viral prescription and then just stay on that for the rest of my life but I do not think that is a good option, I don't want to be putting that kind of stuff in to my body.

I have tried using tea tree oil topically, I have taken L-Lysine along with vitamin C and have tried the "herpes diet", I have also tried burdock root and echinacea. I am at the end of my rope and don't know what I can try or do next. Do you have any suggestions?

Thank you.

Hello,

Have you tried St. Joan's (St. John's) wort? This is Susun's number #1 defense in regards to HSV 1 & 2. Wonderful herbal anti-viral. (Use internally and topically) You can do both - If it were me, I would definitely start with the St. Joan's (St. John's) tincture right away. You can take a dropperful in some water - if you are in the middle of a breakout, take 1-2 dropperfuls every couple of hours until symptoms abate and then you can lower the dosage until you feel you no longer need it.

You need to make sure it is the tincture - no tea, no capsules. Infused hypericum oil can be applied to breakouts - also Melissa (Lemon Balm) infused oil would be helpful. I am including a link to an article of Susun's speaking directly about HPV. Just let us know if you need anything else.

Blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/June06/anti-cancer.htm

June 16, 2011 in Health Concerns, Weblogs, Wise Woman Q&A, Wise Woman Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (3)

June 12, 2011

Organ Cell Regeneration

I'm wondering if you can help me it’s a bit of a long shot I know but here goes....

I heard Susun Weed talking about how cleanses were bad for you and she talked a bit about organ cell regeneration and I can’t find

Where I heard that and it was very interesting and would love to hear it again...any ideas???

Thanks!!

Hello,

Certainly that is something that Susun has talked about a number of times. Here is one article which has some details about regeneration: http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/An_Excerpt-119_that_filthy_colon.htm

One about the liver, an organ everyone seems to be so eager to "cleanse" :

A good article by Susun here: http://www.aspiremag.net/home/spring-cleaning-the-soul-%E2%80%93-don%E2%80%99t

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

June 12, 2011 in Health Concerns, Weblogs, Wise Woman Q&A, Wise Woman Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 21, 2011

Wise Woman Wisdom for Food Allergies

Hello,

I just ordered some of susun's audios cds. I am really enjoying them and trying to change my heroic ways. I just finished listened to optimum nutrition and I just had a follow up question I was hoping Susun or one of her appretices could answer for me. A few months ago my son with asthma saw a naturopathic physician that did food sensititivity testing via blood work. The results came back that he was allergic to everything.

I won't even bore you with the long list. His allergist doesn't believe in this testing and thinks it would be very dangerous to eliminate all those foods. My feeling is that it would be dangerous as well and I don't even think I could afford all the specialized food he would need and not to mention the impact on him socially. I didn't hear Susun discuss this type of allergy and was wondering what her opinion was. I also couldn't find anything on the website.

I am curious whether she views food elimination as heroic. If anyone has the time I would greatly appreciate it:)

By the way the tapes are wonderful. I am learning so much and I can't wait to get more! I absolutely love Susun - she has changed my life! Any chance she will write another book? I must have read her others a million times already!!

Susun is very much against food elimination. She is in favor of nourishment. If you want you can call her any Tuesday evening through the spring and summer months, for her free hotline, 7:30-9:30pm EST. the number is 845-246-8081. Call only during those times, on Tuesday evenings. Alternately, you might prefer a paid consultation, at a time that works better for you, register at www.wisewomanbookshop.com

Have you explored other options for what might be going on with your son, including environmental problems such as mold, harsh cleaning chemicals, air fresheners, essential oils in body products, scented laundry soap, and the like. And other causes might be emotional distress due to some situation that is intolerable, such as abuse by care giver, recent divorce, persecution from older siblings or classmates, and the like? There are a very many things that can contribute to the illness of a person….if you and he sit and ask the universe to tell you want is wrong, and YOU LISTEN, you might be surprised at what you learn.

Love,

Justine

May 21, 2011 in Food and Drink, Weblogs, Wise Woman Q&A, Wise Woman Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 13, 2011

Wise Woman Advice for Gall Bladder Health

I am having galll bladder problems any suggestions? Trying to avoid surgery.

Hello,

I can certainly understand trying to avoid surgery and it seems that we have a real epidemic with doctors eager to cut out gall bladders. How is your diet? Avoiding too much sugar, processed foods; eating smaller meals - making sure that your fats come from healthy sources such as avocado is a good place to start.

Gall bladder works together with your liver, so supporting your liver is important. First things I would reach for would be burdock root, dandelion root and milk thistle tinctures; also adding bitter greens to your diet if you haven't already. This all helps with bile production and digestion of fat.

To ease pain, Susun recommends in her book, Healing Wise, using chickweed poultices and since chickweed is a great fat dissolver, I would be eating fresh if available and perhaps trying the tincture as well. Wild yam tincture and turmeric are also recommended as working with pain relief.

We also have a course at Wise Woman University, Love Your Liver, which goes into great detail on supporting your liver and gall bladder. The class started on April 2nd, but people are still registering. It is twelve weeks long, so still a lot of time left. This comes with lessons, live classes (which are recorded so you can listen to the first one that's already happened) via web and/or phone and personal mentorship with Thea Summer Deer. Definitely a good opportunity to explore further options.

You can also talk with Susun during her free health hotline that she runs on Tuesday evenings from 7:30-9:30pm EST or schedule a private phone consultation here: http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/store_results.asp?Category=3&SubCat=1034&Section=Consultations

I would also suggest searching on our forum at www.healingwiseforum.com as certainly gall bladder issues have been discussed on numerous threads as well.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

You can get your health questions answered by Susun in one of two ways. Join the health hotline teleseminar on Monday and Thursday evenings 8pm EST, through the winter months. Or you may register for a private telephone consultation. You can also join the free women's health forum where hundreds of wise woman can help you. Sign up for the free herbal healing ezine, filled with wise woman wit and wisdom. Visit the Wise Woman Bookshop for online university, gift shop, bookshop, digital downloads, and more. Go to www.susunweed.com for a complete list of offerings including radio show and free videos.

May 13, 2011 in Weblogs, Wise Woman Q&A, Wise Woman Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

May 06, 2011

Wise Woman Wisdom and Cellulite

blessings,

I would like to hear susun's take on cellulite. Are there any herbs, activities or massages that she has experimented with and has found can reduce or eliminate hard cellulite? I have had some on my buttocks and legs since my teenage years. nothing has really put a dent, no matter how active I am. I follow a weston price inspired diet for the most part, do not eat any processed foods, and drink nourishing herbal infusions daily.

I have been taking whole plant dandelion tincture and chickweed tincture in hopes that it might help move fluids and begin to chip away at the celullite. So far no big differences.

Any input would be much appreciated!

Hello,

Cellulite effects most women, as you probably know. Doesn't necessary mean that it is a health issue, or that one is overweight, as certainly many skinny woman have it as well. All the things that you mentioned are recommended. Most important is to exercise, massage and dry brushing. I do know of some women who have used clary sage infused oil or English ivy (hedera helix) infused oil when massaging and found that to help - I also think swimming and yoga are especially helpful.

Really most of us have it and I don't know if one is ever able to get rid of it completely and since you've had it since you were a teenager, sounds like you simply are prone to it. Certainly your diet sounds fine as does your activity level. As hokey as it sounds, do your best to honor it, as we need to do with all our perceived faults. It is never healthy or productive for us to hate parts of ourselves. Many people will probably talk about detoxing and cleansing, but that simply is not part of the Wise Woman Tradition. As long as you are eating healthy and staying active, you are doing the right thing. I would look into perhaps adding massage with one of the infused oils mentioned above. You should be able to find some recipes at our forum at www.healingwiseforum.com

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

May 06, 2011 in Food and Drink, Weblogs, Weight, Wise Woman Q&A, Wise Woman Wisdom | Permalink | Comments (0)

March 23, 2011

Nutrition the Wise Woman Way

Hi,

I'm curious about Susun's perspective of the blood type diet. It is confusing because I'm a B blood type and the guide says that they don't generally benefit from herbal teas, with a few exceptions. As "unbeneficial" they list Red Clover and of course they leave out so many available herbs. What do you think about the testing of the blood type in general and the beneficial nutirition of herbal infusions?

I'm so tired of being confused and I have a fairly narrow field of resources I select from ...

Hello,

No doubt it is confusing trying to navigate all the different approaches to health and diet - blood type diet, low-carb, macrobiotic, raw food, juicing, fasting.... and on and on. These types of specialized diets have been around through the ages. I can tell you that Susun follows The Nourishing Traditions diet put forth by Weston A. Price. The emphasis is on whole unprocessed foods, full-fat dairy, fermented foods, whole grains with vegetables and some meat. This diet along with daily use of herbal infusions is the foundation for her approach to health and diet. This is a simple way of eating as close to the source as you can without following complicated lists of do's and don't's. I can't say that I am familiar with all the guidelines put forth by the blood type diet, but one that is telling you to avoid most healing herbs is not in line with the Wise Woman Tradition.

Susun is a firm believer in the nutritional value of herbal infusions as a way to maintain health and help supply your body with all of the needed vitamins and minerals. And you need to understand that when it comes to using herbs in this manner - as a powerful supplier of these minerals and vitamins, you do need to do infusions. Teas won't be beneficial as you are talking about a very small amount of herb that is usually steeped for 10 minutes. Here is a further breakdown of what you will find in these infusions:

http://medherb.com/Materia_Medica/The_Mineral_Content_of_Herbal_Decoctions_.htm

Certainly, we are not a one size fits all and there are times when people do need more specialized diets. You have to decide what works for you. That is also part of the Wise Woman Tradition - listening to your body's intuition. If you are following this diet, how do you feel? How were you eating before? Any diet that has caused you to cut out processed foods, white flour, white sugar, etc. will most likely be beneficial to you, but I certainly wouldn't agree with avoiding herbs. Herbs has been something that humans have used since the dawn of time for health and healing; in fact, that was all we had for ages as our medicine - so I certainly do believe that they are beneficial, no matter your blood type.

Susun offers phone consultations if you have a desire to discuss this in further detail with her.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team