Have you heard about seed cycling yet?

Funnily enough, I haven’t seen very much about this powerful yet gentle way to balance your hormones on social media. I first heard about this nutritional therapy via one of my professors in medical school, Dr. Dickson Thom. Since then, I’ve used it successfully for myself and many patients. Those who use this method of balancing their hormones will enthusiastically defend it against nay-sayers and tell me about it afterwards. When you have struggled with irregular periods, low libido, PMS, and painful periods; anything that helps is very appreciated. Knowing what we do about flax seeds and fiber in general, we can see that seed cycling holds a whole host of benefits in addition to influencing our hormones. Let’s explore more shall we?

One thing that can really take the pep out of our step is constipation. The weighed down, bloated, dragging feeling can follow us for days, weeks, or longer. Before you jump for the laxative aisle at the pharmacy, you may want to consider a few natural remedies. Additionally, if you have tried the below remedies and you are still having issues with constipation, you may want to consult with your doctor to see if there is a larger issue that needs to be addressed. For chronic issues, my go-to window is 4-6 weeks of consistent treatment before I seek pharmaceutical interventions. If it’s an acute or intense issue, my window narrows to 24 hours if things are getting worse or 48 hours if there is no change.

We begin our journey with herbs this year with the humble flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum).

This plant was one of the first domesticated by humans and has been used since the stone age (1). The fibers have long been spun into linen and the seeds have been used both as food and for the oil which makes up about 33% of the seed’s mass (2). Aged flaxseed oil is also known as linseed oil. One might assume that there isn’t much to write about this humble little seed, but you would be mistaken.

You want me to rub what on my face?  Tallow, yep tallow.

Beef fat rendered into tallow is fantastic for skin issues.  I’ve heard stories of it being the only thing to stop acne in its tracks.  I love it for the relief I get from my skin psoriasis and the dewy youth it returns to my face.  I’ve never had it irritate my skin or contribute to acne like coconut oil has, and it doesn’t trap in heat and redness like products with beeswax tend to.  It’s 100% natural, it’s easy to obtain once you look for it, and it honors the sacrifice of the animals we use for food, as we use more of the animal than we might otherwise.

Does it smell like beef fat?  Well yes, as that’s what it is, but once it is absorbed into your skin, the smell disappears.  Some people like to add essential oils to cover the smell, but I don’t find this necessary.  In fact, I prefer to infuse the oil with dried herbs – this decreases the environmental impact of overusing essential oils, decreases the likelihood that there will be an adverse skin reaction, and helps the medicine maker feel a stronger connection to the plants themselves.

Herbal medicine making can seem complex at times, but I hope to convince you otherwise. Herbal medicine is people’s medicine, and you can make gentle and effective remedies for yourself from plants growing voluntarily in your yard, plants you find at the grocery store, and plants that you choose to grow in your garden whether that is on a farm or in your window sill. You are probably already familiar with herbs such as garlic, cinnamon, basil, and ginger. Your kitchen collection of herbs and spices is rich with medicinal benefits!

There is so much we dislike about ourselves, and we struggle with personal obstacles we wish we could overcome.  Unfortunately, it is much easier to ignore or resent our needs which are a part of what makes us unique.  This is a huge problem we must all face.

Love is the answer.  It really is.

When you feel ungrounded, stress seems to have a larger sway on your emotions and ability to cope. It is hard to get started on taking action, and your thoughts and energy seem to race all over the place without giving you insight into how to handle each situation that arises. If you find yourself in a state where it almost feels as if all your focus is on your thoughts and you feel detached from your physical body, this is another sign of being ungrounded. Practicing grounding techniques is a great way to rebalance and refocus, it also has wonderful and measurable benefits for our immune systems, nervous systems, and overall health.

Here in the Portland area, I've already encountered a few different cold strains this year.  I have yet to see any cases of the flu, but it's only a matter of time.  While I love seeing patients, sometimes staying home and resting is your best strategy with the simple forms of these illnesses.  Below you will find a few tips on how to care for yourself should illness strike your house.

Pumpkin spice everything is everywhere.  You may not be a fan, but someone you love is - even if they won't confess to it out loud.

If you struggle with an autoimmune condition such as Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis like I do, all these sugar filled treats are not only tempting, but potentially triggering.  With colds and the flu on the prowl, changes in barometric pressure, and colder weather creeping in, my joints are already showing just how ready they are to act up.

What am I to do?  Miss out and feel down?  Indulge and feel down?  There's gotta be a better way!

Lucky I enjoy getting crafty in the kitchen.  I share with you my guilt-free pumpkin pie indulgence:

The longer I dedicate myself to the art of healing, the softer I become.  My hands, my words, the herbs I work with – all are softer.

In medical school, I was trained in osseous manipulation (cracking backs), but due to my arthritis this was never accessible.  I thought I would remain in the realm of biochemistry, diagnostic testing, and juggling complex medical cases – primary care.

Then three years in, reality hit.

I live with a chronic pain condition. It is magnified by stress and demands a level of self care previously unknown to me.  Even the act of receiving a massage or chiropractic adjustment could put me in bed for days.  I began to question whether I would be able to continue being a doctor or even work as the pain and fatigue were so severe.  Then, I found Craniosacral Therapy.

Nutrition focuses on what we put in our bodies. Nourishment expands this focus to our relationships with food, our cultural and personal traditions, how food can bring us pleasure, and how we feel about eating.

Meeting Elder:

Sambucus nigrans also known as elder is my favorite medicine to use as an immune tonic.  The berries are rich in antioxidants and balance your immune system particularly against viruses.  I think of elderberry syrup as my flu shot especially in years when the shot has lower effectiveness. 

Besides the berries, the flowers also have many benefits.  Used as a tea or tincture, they are great for nasal irritation, sinusitis, and fevers with hot/dry skin (1).  Used as a flower essence, elder flower is for “Integration of the shadow side.  Elderflower can help us come to terms with the dark side that is within us all.  It gives a sense of protection as we face this fearful challenge and promotes a deeper understanding and acceptance of the self” (2).  The plant as a whole is cooling and drying with sour berries and bitter flowers.