Raspberry leaf
Susun talks about raspberry leaf on blogtalkradio. She talks about how raspberry plants grow, how to harvest the leaves and how to dry them. As well as other info
This audio is just over 3:00 minutes long.
Join Susun Weed on blogtalkradio, Tuesday nights 7:30-9:30 pm EST. Call in with your questions or email ahead of time to [email protected].
Visit the link for more info:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed
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Hi Susun,
I am 4 months pregnant and have been taking a prenatal packet of 5 pills that includes fish oil, vitamin E and a prenatal mix. I am about to run out of these and am writing to see if you recommend a particular brand of prenatals or if you recommend vitamins at all. I am also drinking a rasberry leaf and nettle tea mixture on an almost daly basis.
Thank you...
Hello,
Susun doesn't recommend prenatal vitamins .... I would say it is better if you can eat/drink your vitamins and minerals - a well-rounded diet with plenty of veggies, whole grains, seaweeds, healthy fats and daily infusions - there are lots of minerals in the infusions and they are easier for your body to assimilate as opposed to pills. You will get a lot more of these minerals with the infusions that are steeped overnight.
A good article by Susun can be found here: http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Pregnancy_Problems.htm
blessings,
Kim
Wise Woman Team
Join Susun Weed on blogtalkradio, Tuesday nights 7:30-9:30 pm EST. Call in with your questions or email ahead of time to [email protected].
Visit the link for more info:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed
If you're ready to go deeper with your herbal studies, join Susun on her new Mentorship website. Get new content weekly such as the expanded herbal ezine, replays of teleseminars, videos, audio of Susuns past lectures, many articles by Susun, and even personal one on one mentorship from Susun.
www.wisewomanmentor.com
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Soothing Sitz Bath, Healing Bath
Soothes inflamed and tender tissues, heals trauma, lubricates
Soak 2 ounces/60g dried or 8 ounces/250g fresh mallow (pictured)
or comfrey roots, leaves, and/or flowers in 2 quarts/liters of cold water in a pot overnight.
Then bring to a boil.
Cover, remove from heat, and steep for 4–6 hours.
Strain.
Warm the liquid, pour it into a small tub and sitz in it.
Alternately, pour it into a hot bath.
Or refrigerate and drink it. A dose is a cup or more a day —heated or iced, sweetened or not — daily for at least ten days.
Excerpt from: Down There: Sexual and Reproductive Health the Wise Woman Way
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Red Raspberry Infusion with Susun Weed
Susun Weed and her granddaughter, Monica Jean discusses the benefits of red raspberry leaf and demonstrates how to make a nourishing herbal infusion.
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Severe pregnancy nausea
An email question is read from a woman who is nauseous and unable to keep food down. She asks Susuns advice.
Susun suggests nourishing herbal infusions as well as other suggestions.
Join Susun Weed on blogtalkradio, Tuesday nights 7:30-9:30 pm EST. Call or Skype in: 1-646-929-2463, with your questions or email ahead of time to [email protected].
Visit the link for more info:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed
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Hello!
I hope everything is going wonderfully at the Wise Woman Center!!
I'm 4 months pregnant, and have a few questions that I was hoping Susun might choose to address on Blogtalk Radio. I have read and relied upon her fantastic book, Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Years, but I'm seeking further clarification on a few specifics!
Is it safe to use St. Joan's wort tincture for depression during pregnancy? If so, what dose is appropriate? I want to uplift my spirits! (It is very rainy where I live!)
Is it really safe to use the tincture of Motherwort for anxiety during pregnancy? When I am not pregnant, Motherwort provides me relief from acute anxiety. My midwives and the internet insist that Motherwort is an unsafe herb during pregnancy. I'm not sure they are aware of differences between preparations of Motherwort (tincture vs. infusion and so forth) but I didn't want to risk it without consulting an experienced herbalist.
Another question! Surprisingly, (to me) marijuana seems to be considered a safer remedy for anxiety during pregnancy than does motherwort tincture. Any illumination on this that you can offer would be appreciated! Perhaps it is misinformation? I always thought that marijuana during pregnancy could impact fetal development, but it is legal in my state and the belief that it is perfectly safe for use by pregnant women is widespread.
And finally, can one drink lemon balm infusion safely during pregnancy?
Thank you so very much!!
All the best,
Lily
Hello Lily,
I believe St.Joan's wort to be very safe. I used it throughout three pregnancies and also have given to my young children. In fact when I was in labor I slatthered hypericum oil on my belly several times to help with the pain from contractions. I consider this herb very safe as long as it is used only in the from of infused oil topically and the tincture used internally made from the fresh flowering herb. If you do not make your own a good place to purchase from is http://www.catskillmountainherbals.com/
Drinking Nourishing herbal infusions will help to stabilize your moods and increase your energy as well. If you are not making these on a regular basis, here are some youtubes to check out on how to make them. They are all safe nourishing herbs considered to be foods.
More on Infusions here:
Motherwort is one of my most trusted allies. She is in the mint family, if you feel safe drinking mint tea then you can feel safe taking motherwort tincture while pregnant. Motherwort actually strengthens the capillaries in uterus and the heart. Best if taken in tincture form made from the fresh flowering plant in small frequent doses.
Best if you ask Susun directly about marijuana consumption during pregnancy. My personal thought is whatever works best for you. I do not think it is unsafe unless it is being habitually used/abused, but using it medicinally, no problem.
Please do not make any infusions from aromatic herbs for internal consumption. I'm not sure what you are wanting to use lemon balm for, anxiety? I personally do not like the way lemon balm makes me feel when I drink tea from it or tincture of it. But it is a very useful herb and some people that need it tolerate it just fine.
If you have the opportunity to call tomorrow evening or any Tuesday evening please do so. Susun answers 90 minutes of health questions from 7:30-9:00 pm EST. Call 1-646-929-2463
Thank you for writing in and please let me know if you have anymore questions for me.
blessings,
Kim
Wise Woman Team
www.wisewomanweb.com
www.wisewomanbookshop.com
www.wisewomanuniversity.org
www.wisewomanmentor.com
Join Susun Weed on blogtalkradio, Tuesday nights 7:30-9:30 pm EST. Call in with your questions or email ahead of time to [email protected].
Visit the link for more info:
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/susunweed
If you're ready to go deeper with your herbal studies, join Susun on her Mentorship website. Get new content weekly such as the expanded herbal ezine, replays of teleseminars, videos, audio of Susuns past lectures, many articles by Susun, and even personal one on one mentorship from Susun.
www.wisewomanmentor.com
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Ecstatic Birth Sheila Kamara Hay.
Susun interviews Sheila Kamara Hay.
Sheila Kamara hay is a leading visionary, advocate and coach devoted to unveiling the ecstasy available in each moment at the intersection of sensuality, life and birth. Founder of the global ecstatic birth movement, a Yale and Columbia trained cultural sociologist and longtime sister goddesses, sheila empowers women to honor their feminine flow and locate their fierce feminine power while they birth their most sacred creations and re-birth themselves in pleasure. Sheila trains birth practitioners and expectant moms to integrate the most holistic birthing tool, pleasure, in birth preparation and support. Sheila is a sought after speaker and teacher guest teacher at mama gena's school of womanly arts and orgasmic birth pain to power childbirth education program, and has taught at the en*theos online academy, the birth institute, choices in childbirth, and numerous virtual conferences.
this episode Q&A includes:
• difficulty eliminating and urinating- cumin seed, yellow dock, lavender..
• pain- what's not working- it's ok to be in pain- take enough pain reliever to relieve the pain..
• oregano oil- lots of other mint preparations to experiment with that are not essential oils
• what defines healthy fats- omega 3:6 ratio..
• there are not any right answers left- doing the best we can..
• cervical health, hpv, cervical dysplasia..
• high blood pressure- drugs and herbs working together..
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Making Infused Oils
by Susun Weed
Excerpt from: Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year
In your herbal pharmacy you transform fresh and dried plants into herbal medicines. Learning to identify and use the common plants around you is easy and exciting, beneficial and safe. Making your own medicines saves you money if you follow the Wise Woman tradition of using local herbs, free for the taking.
Even one day's work in field, forest, and kitchen can provide you with many years' worth of medicines. When you make your own, you know for sure what's in it, where it came from, when and how it was harvested, and how fresh and potent it is.
Dried herbs are best for the infusions recommended in this book. Stock your herbal pharmacy with your own foraged or cultivated dried herbs; expand your resources and experiment with new herbs by buying dried herbs from reputable sources.
Fresh herbs are best for the tinctures and oils recommended in this book. If you can't make your own, buy from sources who wildcraft or grow their own herbs to use fresh in preparations.
Whether you buy or make your own medicines, remember, herbal remedies may not work or may work incorrectly if they aren't prepared correctly. Read this chapter carefully; it contains easy to follow instructions for every remedy and preparation mentioned in this book [Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year].
Oil Bases
There are two very different types of oil-based herbal medicines. They are known as essential oils and infused oils.
Essential oils cannot be made easily at home. They are the pure plant oil, usually extracted by chemicals or hot steam. Hundreds of pounds of fresh plant material may produce only ounces of essential oil. Essential oils are readily available commercially. They are used in aroma therapy, as insect repellents, and to increase local circulation.
Essential oils are intended for external use. They can be fatally poisonous if taken internally in quantity. They are also highly irritating to the mucus surfaces of the body (genitals, mouth, eyes, etc.) and may cause allergic skin reactions in some people. Be certain to keep all essential oils well out of the reach of children.
Infused oils can be made at home. They are usually reserved for external uses, but could be taken internally without disastrous results. Infused oils are much less potent than essential oils and have none of the associated side effects. Infused oils can only be made from fresh plants, with the exception of some roots which can be coaxed into an oil base if baked in the oven for many hours.
Infuse herbs in any type of oil: olive, safflower, apricot, coconut, etc. The lighter, clearer oils are expensive; they produce delicate and beautiful infused oils. Olive oil is my personal choice; it rarely turns rancid, is absorbed easily into the skin, adds its own healing benefits to the preparation, and is available inexpensively.
Making Infused Oils
° Pick the plant on a dry, sunny day.
° Discard any diseased or soiled parts. Do not wash any part of the plant. If there is dirt on the plant, scrub it off with a stiff, dry brush.
° Chop the plant coarsely.
° Completely fill a clean, very dry jar with the chopped herb.
° Slowly pour oil into the jar, poking with a chopstick or knife to release air and make sure the oil penetrates into all layers of the herb.
° add enough oil to thoroughly cover all the plant material and fill the jar to the very rim. (As with preparing a tincture, it is really possible to fill that jar twice: once with herb and then again with the vehicle.)
° Cork the jar or screw on a lid.
° Label the jar with he name of the plant, the plant part used, the kind of oil used, and the date. Example: St. Joan's Wort, leaf and flower, olive oil, 21 June 1985.
° Keep the jar of infused oil at normal room temperature and on a surface that will not be ruined by seeping oil.
° Decant the infused oil in six weeks. The plants can be left in the oil longer, but have a tendency to mold and spoil if not kept very cool.
° Oil held in the plant material after the decanting can be extracted. Put small handfuls into a clean kitchen towel or cotton cloth; squeeze and wring out the oil.
° Allow the decanted oil to sit for several days while the water in it (from the fresh plant material) settles to the bottom of the jar. Then carefully siphon or pour off the oil, leaving the water behind.
° Store at cool room temperature or refrigerate.
Trouble Shooting Infused Oils
Mold grows readily in infused oils. the presence of any moisture on the herb or in the jar encourages mold growth.
° If the jar is not filled to the top, mold will grow in the air space left. To save your preparation, completely remove the mold and fill the jar to the top with fresh oil.
° If the jar was not totally dry when you filled it, mold will grow along the inside of the jar. Save your preparation by carefully pouring the oil and the plant material into a dry jar. Jars dried in the oven for five minutes immediately prior to use prevent this problem.
° If the jar is put in the sun or left near a heat source, the warmth will cause condensation inside the jar, providing the moisture necessary for colonies of mold. Remove the mold and pour oil and plant material into a fresh jar to save this.
° If the plant material was wet when combined with the oil, mold will grow throughout the oil. Saving it is impossible. Start again.
Some herbs release gas as they infuse. You may notice bubbles moving in the oil; this is not a problem and does not indicate spoilage. Chickweed, Comfrey, and Yellow Dock are notable in their gas production when infused in oil. The gas will force some of the oil out of the jar (yes, even if tightly capped). Corked jars go pop! Rancidity occurs when there is plenty of heat and oxygen.
Infused oils in an olive oil base resist rancidity at cool room temperature for several years. In very warm climates, adding the contents of a capsule or two of vitamin E to the decanted oil helps prevent rancidity. Tincture of Myrrh or Benzoin added to ointments also checks rancidity; use about ten drops of either per ounce of oil.
Making Ointments
Ointments and salves are easily made from infused oils.
° Pour one ounce of infused oil into a very small pan.
° Grate a tablespoon of beeswax and add it to the oil. (Buy beeswax from a local beekeeper, craft supply shop, or marine supply store.)
° Place the pan on low heat; a candle flame will suffice.
° Stir constantly until the beeswax is totally melted. This rarely takes more than a minute or two.
° Pour the liquid into your ointment jar and allow to cool and solidify.
° If the consistency is too hard, remelt and add more infused oil.
° If the consistency is too soft, remelt and add more beeswax.
Excerpt from:
Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year
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Red clover
One of the most cherished of the fertility-increasing plants is red clover (Trifolium pratense). Common in fields and along roadsides, it has bright pink (not really red) blossoms from mid-summer into the chilly days of fall. A favorite flower of the honeybees, the tops (blossoms and appending leaves) are harvested on bright sunny days and eaten as is, or dried for medicinal use. The raw blossoms are delicious in salads and nutritious when cooked with grains such as rice or millet.
To make a fertility-enhancing infusion, I take one ounce by weight of the dried blossoms (fresh won't work for this application) and put them in a quart size canning jar. I fill the jar with boiling water, screw on a tight lid, and let it steep at room temperature overnight (or for at least four hours). Dozens of women have told me that they had successful pregnancies after drinking a cup or more (up to four cups) a day of red clover infusion.
It is especially helpful if there is scaring of the fallopian tubes, irregular menses, abnormal cells in the reproductive tract, or "unexplained" infertility. It may take several months for the full effect of this herb to come on and pregnancy may not occurs until you have used it for a year or two. You can improve the taste by including some dried peppermint (a spoonful or two) along with the dried clover blossoms when making your infusion. Treat the father of the child-to-be to some red clover infusion, too!
Easy Online Courses!
Join Susun Weed with her new easy video based courses.
Learn how to be happy, healthy, and empowered.
No testing, no effort, just watch, listen and learn.
Click for more information.
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Herbal Pharmacy – Meeting the Plants
by Susun Weed
In your herbal pharmacy you transform fresh and dried plants into herbal medicines. Learning to identify and use the common plants around you is easy and exciting, beneficial and safe. Making your own medicines saves you money if you follow the Wise Woman tradition of using local herbs, free for the taking.
Even one day's work in field, forest, and kitchen can provide you with many years' worth of medicines. When you make your own, you know for sure what's in it, where it came from, when and how it was harvested, and how fresh and potent it is.
Dried herbs are best for the infusions recommended in this book. Stock your herbal pharmacy with your own foraged or cultivated dried herbs; expand your resources and experiment with new herbs by buying dried herbs from reputable sources.
Fresh herbs are best for the tinctures and oils recommended in this book. If you can't make your own, buy from sources who wildcraft or grow their own herbs to use fresh in preparations.
Whether you buy or make your own medicines, remember, herbal remedies may not work or may work incorrectly if they aren't prepared correctly. Read this chapter carefully; it contains easy to follow instructions for every remedy and preparation mentioned in this book [Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year].
Meeting the Plants
Start by noticing the plants that live with you, along your driveway or sidewalk. Don't assume that medicinal plants are hard to find. Fennel, Pepper Grass, Dandelion, Plantain, and Mugwort (to name a few) are as common in cities and suburbs as in the country.
Learn more about the weeds around you directly from the plants, from a personal guide, and from field guides and herbals.
When we open all our senses, including the psychic ones, to the green world, we learn to hear and understand plant language. Through shape, color, location, scent, texture, taste, and energy, plants tell us how they will affect our bodies, which plant parts we can use, and how we prepare them.
Some Wise Women converse with the plant fairies and the devas. Some hear the song that each plant sings. Some feel the dances of the leaves, breezes, and insects. All are means of learning the ways of herbs. Though the scientific tradition scoffs at such knowledge, the Wise Woman tradition honors the plant as the ultimate authority on its uses.
A personal guide into the plant world will show you plant features which ensure positive identification, such as the hairs on Wild Carrot which safely distinguish it from Poison Hemlock. A personal guide will introduce you to the foods, medicines, dyes, fibers, decorations, and delights hidden in common plants, and instruct you in wise harvesting and preparation. Check local garden clubs, botanical gardens, and nature centers for contacts with personal guides.
Field guides are indispensable references once your taste for herbal identification is whetted. I find the line drawings in the Petersen guides more helpful than color photographs when I have to distinguish between similar looking plants.
Herbals concentrate on the specifics of using plants as medicines and are rarely illustrated well enough to serve as a guide to identification. Field guides hardly ever include information on medicinal value. The link between your field guide and your herbal is the botanical binomial, or Latin name, of each plant.
The binomial is (usually) consistent in all references, unlike common names which overlap and vary from region to region. Once you have identified a new plant, you can look it up by finding the binomial in herbals and other references. This can increase your confidence and ability to find and use safe herbal medicines.
My years of leading Weed Walks and helping people identify wild plants have shown me that learning to recognize herbs in the field is far easier, and much less fraught with danger, than most people realize. As Euell Gibbons is quoted as saying: "You don't learn all the plants at once; you learn them one at a time."
Even if you never pick your own herbs, knowing how the live plants look will be a great asset when you go out to buy them.
Excerpt from Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year
Green Blessings.
Susun Weed
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