Healing Wise

Best Oils for Massage

Q: Dear Susan

I was just reading the article in this newsletter with Devra Jacobs.  I loved it and a Question came to mind.  YOu are talking about nut oils and inflammation.  I am a massage therapist and have always used Almond oil. One  I love the texture and I know it is good for the skin.  I am conscous of all my choices with my clients and wonder if this is the best medium to use.  Can you enlighten me as to what may be the best medium to use during Massage.  Thank you for your time.

A: Hello, we are so glad you enjoyed the interview article with Susun. 

I understand the concern.  I believe the issue is primarily with ingesting them.  I do not ingest these oils - only animal oils, extra virgin olive oil and sometimes unrefined coconut oil (which perhaps is a nut oil).

I was a massage therapist before I changed my diet, so myself would rethink the oils I used if I went back.  However I would look at traditional cultures and the oils they used naturally on their skins, like sesame seed, coconut, cocoa and olive, and trust these as safe and healthful.  I am not sure about almond oil. 

I always used to go by how the oil felt in my hands, as you know it is not just the kind of oil but the maker and how they were kept that can affect whether it feels healthy to use in a massage.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
[email protected]
http://www.wisewomanweb.com

Comparing the Green Allies and ABC's of Herbalism Courses

Q: Greetings Sister Weed, How is nature treating you. I was very impressed when I saw that you offer a correspondence course for herbology. Please, send me more information on your ABC Herb course. What is the difference between that course and the Green ally course. Do you learn how to make tinctures, poultices, etc. in the ABC Course? If you can send me the required information and registration forms, I would appreciate it. What type of certificate do you recieve upon completion?

A: Hello, thank you for writing with your interest in Susun's correspondence courses!

The difference between the ABC course and the Green Allies course is in focus. Of course there is a similar thread running through all the courses - love of and alliance with the plants and learning the Wise Woman Tradition.

In Green Allies, this connection with the plants is focused on choosing and working intimately with one green ally, though you will also work with some other plants.

In the ABC course you will work with 52 herbs and learn moreso about how to harvest, prepare and use them as medicines and foods. Have you seen this web page on the course?

When you are done with the course you get a certificate of completion for that particular course.

You can order online here. If you prefer to register for the course through mail, send a letter to Susun at PO Box 64, Woodstock, NY 12498, stating which course you are interested in, and giving your address and phone number. Then you include either the full fee or the first $50 payment as you choose.

Please let me know if I can help further; I am so happy to!

Blessings,
Karen Joy
[email protected]
www.wisewomanweb.com

Allergic Reactions to Nourishing Herbs?

Q: Good afternoon.

I recently attended Susun's seminar in Cincinnati at Shine yoga and I have a question for Susun.

I have added the nettle, oatstraw, comfrey and red clover infusions to my diet. About two weeks ago I started experiencing joint discomfort (all my joints - wrist, hands, hips, knees, feet, ankles).

My question is, could I be experiencing some type of an allergic reaction to one of the herbs?

Should I eliminate one at a time and see if there is any change?

Sometimes I make the infusions in the evening and don't get around to straining them until the next morning - are my infusions too strong?

Thank you.

A: Hello, I am a long-time student of Susun's and help with her correspondence since it is difficult for her to respond to email. 

It is rare that there are allergic reactions to the nourishing herbal infusions that you mention, which is why Susun recommends them so highly.  The one I have heard concern for is Nettles, simply because of harvesting practices.  It should be harvested before it flowers.  If the nettle you are getting has seeds in it, it was harvested too late.  I have not heard of this causing joint pain though, just headache. 

If you feel it might be one of the infusion herbs I would follow that.  As a student, one of our practices to help us know in our body the herbs, is to use one only for a whole month, then another for a whole month, etc.  I invite you to do that to help you feel more sure of what you are taking.

As far as leaving them overnight, this is what many of us do.  We put up the infusion in the evening and strain in the morning.  This is no problem. 

Please also be sure you have a good source of the herbs, no chemical sprays on them that could cause the problem.  Please let me know if I can help any further :)

Blessings,
Karen Joy
[email protected]
www.wisewomanweb.com

Q: Thank you.

I will just eliminate one at a time, starting with the nettle, and see if anything changes.

My source for herbs is Frontier and they are labeled organic, so I don't think that would be the problem.

If you are unsure of that vendor, please let me know. I can get another batch from someone you recommend.

A: I think they are a great vendor and whom Susun often buys from to supply the great number of visitors to the Wise Woman Center with infusions.  I do hope you find the answer!

Blessings,
Karen Joy

Benefits of Nettle Seeds

Q: Hi my nettles plants were picked for fresh greens all spring but now they are about 8ft. tall and going to seed ..can the greens still be picked to dry and are the seed of any benefit ? I was confused by the CAUTION written in the newsletter regarding the use of nettle while in flower Thanks for any info.

A: Hello, yes we are often warned against taking Nettles internally once it has gone to flower because some have adverse allergic like reactions. 

There are uses for nettle seeds however.  Susun has a whole section on Nettle in her book Healing Wise.  The seeds can be used in cooked foods, such as muffns or porridge.  In the book, Susun writes:

Nettle seed nourishs the endocrine glands, antidotes poisons internally and externally, and provides a curative, unique wine.  Hair and skin are strongly influenced by nettle seeds.

A teaspoon of seeds can be eaten daily, or an infusion of them can be made in water as a skin or hair rinse.  As well, they can be ground and mixed with honey to apply to the skin.

I hope some of these ideas help.  I hear you enjoy your nettle, so it would be nice to find ways to continue to utilize her!

Blessings,
Karen Joy
[email protected]
www.wisewomanweb.com