GLOW

After spending two days in the darkroom this week playing with chemistry, I found myself with a strong headache and a feeling of uncertainty as to whether or not I might remain on my feet. I meant to make this blend last night before going to bed, but didn't have the energy for it before falling into bed and passing out for 12 hours. I woke up without the headache, but still a bit light-headed, so I grabbed my bin of herbs and my herb guide, and brewed some detox tea. I've been brewing my teas in the french press lately rather than in a pot, as it requires less attention.

1 TSP SHEEP SORREL

1/2 TSP BURDOCK ROOT

1/2 TSP SKULLCAP

1/2 TSP MEADOWSWEET

1/4 TSP MUGWORT

1 ANISE STAR (OPTIONAL)

FILL FRENCH PRESS WITH WATER, AND POUR INTO KETTLE TO BOIL. POUR HERBS IN THE PITCHER, AND ONCE WATER IS BOILING, POUR WATER INTO THE PITCHER. COVER TO STEEP, BUT DO NOT PUSH DOWN STRAINER UNTIL DONE. AFTER ABOUT A 5 MINUTE STEEP, PUSH DOWN STRAINER AND SERVE.

ABOUT THESE HERBS:

SHEEP SORREL: A strong detoxifying herb, most commonly known in herbalism as part of the Essiac anti-cancer tea blend. It helps to cleanse the liver, bring oxygen to the blood, reduce inflammation and maintain a healthy nervous system. I feel a great relief from a number of my symptoms after consuming this herb.

BURDOCK ROOT: Aids in purifying the liver and kidney, neutralizing and eliminating poisons, promotes digestion, and is a diuretic. If you have fructose malabsorption, you typically should avoid burdock, but in small doses like this it may be tolerable.

SKULLCAP: Soothes the nervous system and is a diuretic.

MEADOWSWEET: Diaphoretic and diuretic, it helps to purify the kidney and liver, and also soothes the nervous system.

MUGWORT: Aids in the production and secretion of bile, mild purgative, helps to purify the kidney and liver, diuretic. Also known as the "dream herb". (The addition of Mugwort into this blend might not have been the wisest decision given my altered state, but I thought it's benefits trumped that concern.)

There are many books and online guides that further elaborate on the benefits of these herbs. I most frequently reference this book. I also find helpful information online here and here, to name only two. 

*Please remember that I am not a certified herbalist, and so I am only sharing recipes that have helped me in my own healing. Herbs are potent medicine, and can react differently with each individual. Listen to your own body, and consult a professional if you are able. 

As noted in my last post, I've been introducing some ingredients into my diet lately that I've avoided for quite some time. That paired with the glorious autumn season and the sugary root vegetables that accompany it has left me with a few flare-ups of symptoms that I could do without. Besides the usual stomach upsets, the inulin I've been ingesting (burdock root! sun chokes!) has seemed to affect my serotonin levels, and has brought on a few days of ye olde depression, anxiety, excessive and confusing fits of tears. Pretty awesome. The positive side of it, is that after a year of carefully monitoring my food, I have perspective and know that it's a result of food and brain chemistry, not a result of any lasting concern for my quality of life or being. Words can not properly express how freeing that knowledge is after years of very truly being in the dark! In the meantime, though, what to do to help accelerate my recovery? Never underestimate the power of herbs. I like to make a big pot of tea that I can drink over a day or two, allowing them to work their magic and clear my body of the offending substances. If you have indulged in some forbidden dairy products, I would suggest adding rosehips to the blend, as it really helps to soothe the joint pain that often accompanies it. Here is this week's prescription:

PUT DRIED HERBS IN A TEA BALL, AND PLACE IT IN A LARGE COVERED POT WITH THE WATER. BRING TO A RAPID BOIL, REDUCE THE HEAT, AND BOIL ON LOW FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. TURN OFF HEAT AND ALLOW TO STEEP FOR 5-10 MINUTES, DEPENDING ON HOW STRONG YOU WANT IT, OR HOW DISTRACTED YOU ARE. POUR INTO A 1 GALLON MASON JAR*, AND THE EXCESS INTO MUGS TO ENJOY. PLACE JAR IN THE REFRIGERATOR TO CHILL. DRINK COLD OR REHEAT AS DESIRED.

ABOUT THESE HERBS:

LEMON BALM (AKA balm mint, bee balm, blue balm, cure-all, dropsy plant, garden balm, melissa, sweet balm) is a favorite of mine, as it takes care of a number of my symptoms. It is soothing to the nerves and digestive system, reduces inflammation, cramping, headaches, flatulence and melancholy, and on top of that has a wonderful almost milky flavor to it that compliments just about any tea blend.

LICORICE ROOT (AKA sweet licorice, sweet wood) is somewhat mucilaginous, so it helps to coat and soothe the digestive system as well as the throat. It also helps fight nerve inflammation, and soothes the nervous system in general. It is also recommended as an herb to help fight candida overgrowth; I find it particularly helpful in this regard simply because it is so sweet that drinking it can help curb my intense cravings for sugary indulgences.

SKULLCAP (AKA blue skullcap, blue pimpernel, helmet flower, hoodwort, mad-dog-weed, side-flowering skullcap) is another go-to herb for soothing the nervous system. It is also anti-spasmodic and diuretic.

CATNIP (AKA catmint, catnep, catrup, catswort, field balm) is the herb that I get the most cocked eyebrows about. It is a godsend for both us and our feline friends, although it seems to have a bit of a different effect on the nerves of humans than cats. Herb books will tell you that it is helpful for upset stomachs, spasms, flatulency, acid and diarrhea. In my experience, it also helps to bring a feeling of peaceful euphoria, settling the nervous system, curbing migraines and anxiety attacks, and generally just making my body all kinds of happy. For those reasons it is my favorite in my basket of medicinal herbs.

Herbs can be purchased in bulk online; I get mine in bulk from my local co-op in Cambridge.

There are many useful books on herbalism out there. The one I reference the most is here. There are also many online guides; I recently turned on to one here.