Lavender, Spearmint & Wood Betony for a Bad Headache Today

I'm trying out Wood Betony today for my headache. Despite the fact that I've studied herbal medicine, well.. am still studying since I think it takes a lifetime of learning and then you are hopefully never truly done.. I haven't tried each and every herb out there, even of the ones that I have studies.. well, there are a lot, and that takes time, and sometimes you are just waiting for a symptom to appear where it necessitates the use of that herb once and for all. So, I don't get headaches often, you can imagine, since it's not something that I had yet tried. But today... oh wow. I don't know what happened in the night, but I woke up with a neck that felt like it had been strangled in my sleep like in a wrestling match or something and it had been twisted this way and that and now I had it halfway on upside down and backwards. Which caused this throbbing, gnawing, painful headache, replete with a nice dose of dizziness and lightheadedness, thank you very much. Headaches are often a result of neck and shoulder pain, tension and injuries, but can even be a result of referred pain, or "shooting pains" from as far down as your hips, thighs, buttocks, even your feet. Everything is connected, it's pretty amazing actually. But also frustrating, since an injury in one place can cause a great deal of pain somewhere else in your body. So, today, my hips are out of alignment, which happens sometimes since I hyper-extend since my joints are just uber flexible and unstable.. yeah I know I need pilates, yoga and just basic strengthening.. working on it. But my hips being out makes my shoulders out and my neck out and voila, my head is a mess, because my tendons, ligaments, muscles are not aligned and are putting pressure on my nerves and my veins are all constricted. That's my self diagnosis. So.. I'm making a tea, surprise surprise. I've been experimenting with teas since my boyfriend has frequent headaches, and that's his main super serious issue in his life, and so I've been trying different things on him. But the tea that I made him the other day.. that seemed to make him feel pretty good, made me feel really jumpy and nervous, so that's not the tea for me. The tea I made him, by the way, had Skullcap, St. John's Wort (which a lot of people don't know is also used as a pain killer, both when taken internally and when applied externally), Chamomile, Lavender and Mint. I think it's the Skullcap that affects me kind of badly. I don't know why.. it's my chemistry, because there really is no "why" about it.. it just makes me feel loony tunes and not in a good fun happy way.. I'm not that sure about St. John's Wort because I haven't experimented with it enough. But I know that Chamomile, Mint and Lavender are amazing for my body so it was one of those two, or both of them that I don't tolerate very well. He was chipper and feeling great afterwards.. so that's proof for you right there how two people can have such different reactions to the same herb. Ayurveda addresses this concept, in the foundation of how they treat patients, they assess various areas of a persons constitution to determine what medicines will have which effect on you. Based on aspects of your disposition (there are several factors, it is not something like a personality test).. an Ayurvedic practitioner will determine which herbs will be useful and which would be harmful. That is the way they begin a treatment, with a consultation and assessment this way. So you can see how much "how you are" will make a difference in what your body needs to heal, in this case it's about creating balance. With Western Herbalism, there is not such diagnostic tools that are directly used, however one can use Chinese or Ayurvedic diagnostic tools to assess a patient's needs and still treat them with Western Herbs. This, in my opinion is optimal, since perhaps less time might be wasted trying one thing out or the other. But no system is flawless. Even within those diagnostic codes, there are errors. Because every person is unique, period. So back to the tea I made tonight. It had Lavender flowers, Spearmint Leaves and Wood Betony in it. I boiled it for quite a while, forgot about it on the stove while i was writing, and when I came back it had been boiled down to quite a strong decoction. I added some cold filtered water and raw honey, and I have to say, it was SO INCREDIBLY SOOTHING the first sip I took. The taste is super duper pleasant (yay!! - even some of my favorite herbs are not the friendliest to your taste buds), and I just felt this sort of exhale come out of me that I so much needed. I've drunk half a cup, while I've been doing all this writing, and my headache has come down about 5 or 6 notches. And now that I think about it, I'd have to say that a mold allergy, caffeine and not enough food, and dehydration have also contributed to this horrid headache of mine today. I am not a perfect person. I just study herbs and health and try to help myself and others while I'm at it. But wow, this makes a delicious tea, and I think I am possibly putting an A+ next to Wood Betony for the headache. It is known to be a good medicine for headaches, and I'd say that, it's definitely not hurting at all.. so I'm gonna give it a high grade. The next step just to make sure, would really be to take it on it's own or give it to someone else with a headache just to see if it isn't the Spearmint and Lavender doing all the work. However, since I'm a very sensitive person, if Wood Betony had any sort of aspect to it that would be working against the curing of a headache, I would be feeling it right now. So I'm pretty satisfied, plus, it's not bad tasting at all. 

Herbs For Headaches and Migraines

This is a tough one. Herbal Medicine in general is so complicated. And the reason for this, is that we are all complex individuals who have various different and often conflicting reactions to the same medicine. Also, as we are complex individuals, there is the issue of cause and effect. If you don't know what is causing a symptom then you don't know what to treat it with. 
With headaches, it's a lot like insomnia, in the sense that you are dealing with something that you can't know for sure what is causing it, how someone will react to the various herbs that may or may not help, so in essence, what is going to work. Headaches and migraines can be the result of numerous things, and finding an herb or a combination of herbs that will work for one individual can require some trial and error. 
There are 3 different classes of herbs that can be useful in treating a headache/migraine, and then you have to figure out which ones within those classes will be helpful. There are the basic pain killers, there are anti-tension, relaxants, and there are vasodilators/vasoconstrictors. The vasodilators & vasocontrictors have to do with opening up the veins so that blood can flow more easily, or constricting the flow of blood through the veins by narrowing them. This is an interesting theory of how to treat headaches by controlling the blood flow to the brain, and many headache/migraine treatments employ components that either do one or the other. Some people find vasoconstrictors to help with migraines, and some people find vasodilators to be more useful. Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, and is used in several mainstream over the counter migraine treatments. 
When you reduce the amount of bloodflow, and therefore oxygen that gets to the brain, it helps to calm some headaches. Other people, who may have a headache as a result of vasoconstriction, would require the opposite to remedy the problem. 
Anxiety, stress, insomnia.. these things i'm sure we can all agree on, can cause headaches. There are herbs called nervines that help with that, and I do think that it makes sense to add at least one to most migraine formulas. Kava Kava, Motherwort, Vervain, Lavender, Chamomile, Hops, Linden, Passionflower are some examples of helpful herbs to curb stress, and just basically calm someone's mind. Some are stronger than others, and depending on how severe the headache and whether or not the person is about to go to sleep, one or more of these herbs would be recommended. 
As far as vasodilators and vasoconstrictors are concerned, there are three that I will mention which are used often for this purpose. Two excellent vasodilators are ginger root and rosemary, and the most commonly used vasoconstrictor used to treat headaches/migraines is peppermint. Many people have been known to have been helped by dabbing a bit of peppermint essential oil on their heads near the most painful area or at the base of the head, however, if a vasoconstrictor is not what you need, ginger or rosemary essential oil are good options. Both peppermint and ginger essential oils are extremely potent, so be very careful about how much you use and I would recommend that you use them diluted in some sort of carrier oil, or put a few drops in hot water and use a washcloth to apply. But drinking them in herb form can be effective as well. Rosemary might sting a bit too if applied directly, but I find it a little less intense than the other two in terms of potential for skin irritation when used alone. 
Then there is the issue of muscle tension, that is a huge cause of headaches. Many of the nervines also act as muscle relaxants. A good one for this is wild lettuce, however due to it's comparison to opiates, it is a hard one to find. California poppy is also worth mentioning.
Then there is the issue of dealing with pain. There are some popular herbs that are often compared to aspirin, as they contain the same active pain killing constituents as aspirin. Some herbs used most commonly for pain are Meadowsweet and White Willow Bark. Then there are the herbs that are just recommended most for headaches or migraines simply because they have a history and track record of helping most with this issue. They include: Jamaican Dogwood, Feverfew and Wood Betony. 
The reason I make the comments in the beginning about it being complicated, is because what works for one person may not work for another, more often with things that affect mood and for medical issues where the cause is uncertain. But what I'd recommend to anyone out there who wants to "go herbal" is not to give up if one thing you try does not have the desired effect. Try something else. And even blends are hard, because you can have a blend of 5 or 6 herbs, for example, and you might have an undesired reaction to only one of them. When I say undesired, I don't mean that you will end up in the ER necessarily, just that it might not produce the outcome you are looking for. For example, in the class of nervines, which are supposed to calm you down, or ease you into sleep, there are a few, like Damiana and Valerian, that do the opposite to me, and absolutely spazz me out. So, after some experimentation, I've settled on the ones that work best for me. My favorite herb for just taking it down a notch is Motherwort. And for sleep, my go-to herbs are Hops, Passionflower and Linden. Also, for example, herbs for depression. People become disillusioned because there is oftentimes one herb that becomes super well known for treating a certain symptom. Like, St John's Wort for depression. And when it doesn't work, people don't always know where else to turn. I'm not saying it won't work for you, but all people are different and have different personalities, brain chemistry and more.. so St John's Wort just might not be the one for you. There are several herbs that can help with depression. Some that are just calming, some that are uplifting, some that help circulation or balance hormones or are nutrient dense. Again, depression can be caused by several different factors. It can even just be a result of a vitamin deficiency. So you might want to try some different options, that's all I'm trying to say!! I can just make recommendations, and then you do the experimenting!

Trial & Error: An essential, yet unfortunate reality of learning Herbalism. Part 1: Making an herbal Cough & Flu Syrup

Cough Syrup: Expectorants & Antispasmodics +  Diaphoretics & Refrigerants

What we are dealing with here is finding a mixture of herbs to address fever, cough, congestion & infection (viral & bacterial) in order to create a perfectly balanced blend, that doesn't lean to the extreme in rectifying the problem. 

Did you ever look through the isle of cold & flu remedies just to feel completely overwhelmed as to the many options that are available to address your symptoms. One that particularly baffled me in the past was which one do I chose when I have chest congestion.. do I look for an expectorant.. that will provoke the coughing up of phlegm, or an antispasmodic, which will halt the cough. These two things are contrary in nature, but they are both helpful in the case of cough & congestion, depending on what the actual issue is. If there is a productive cough, where you are producing phlegm, an expectorant is helpful (especially if the mucous feels stuck and is not coming out easily), but if it is just a painful, dry cough, you just want it to stop before you hack your lungs out and end up with achy lungs and a dry, painful throat. However, a little bit of one and a a little bit of the other can go a long way. That's where the combining comes into play. 

There are herbs that specifically are expectorant. But it's good, in my opinion, to combine those with soothing, calming (anti-spasmodic) and soothing, coating herbs (mucilaginous) so that you aren't going too far in one direction and suffering more because of it. 

Sometimes when you are starting out, and trying to grasp the many many different and unique characteristics of each herb, it's easy to overlook some of the "side effects" when you just want to add something that is "anti-viral" or "anti-bacterial" or something that is just known to be "good for coughs". I made that mistake this time around, and I learned so much. 

I had just found a local store that sells bulk herbs, and bought a few that I had never worked with before, but that I knew were commonly used in herbal cough remedies. These were: Elecampane and Horehound. I remember a woman in my herb class that wanted to help me with some allergies I was having at the time, and she made me a syrup with elecampane. I was very new to herbalism, so I had no idea what that herb was, but she was familiar, and boasted that the formula had elecampane, and should be quite effective. I didn't end up taking it, since I was a bit skeptical, especially since the issue was that there was something that her dog was trailing into the classroom that was causing an allergic reaction, and it was irritating me quite a bit since I really wished that she would leave the dog at home, as a classroom is really no place for people's pets in the first place. I know she had the best of intentions, although mostly so that she could continue to bring her dog to the classroom without me complaining about it.. but I just didn't feel like I wanted to take her syrup. More than anything, I didn't know enough about it, and so I just tossed it aside. Maybe there was a bit of resentment there... just maybe. Then my introduction to horehound was when a man in our class made horehound cough drops. It wasn't an herb that we had specifically studied in the program, so I wasn't familiar with it either, but I will always remember it, since horehound is just such a strange name for an herb (well there are plenty of strange names to go around, but this one stuck out to me)... and I remembered that this was an herb for coughs. 
So with that knowledge and none else, well I had checked one of my herb books just to confirm these were recommended for coughs but hadn't looked into each and every property (as considered, could translate to "side effect") and eagerly threw those two into the pot, excited to try something new, along with clove, lemon balm, echinacea and anise, let it simmer down to a reduction, added honey and a bit of maple syrup and agave (as the honey ran out) and then let it simmer a bit longer, and strained it through a cheesecloth into a small bottle and proudly presented it to my boyfriend, who had clear symptoms of cold and flu, with the hopes that this would be the miracle blend for his aching body. It wouldn't be the first time that something I made was almost like a miracle cure, making his symptoms disappear overnight. But this is not what happened. Unfortunately. 
Although he initially really liked the taste of the syrup, either that or he just liked it for some other reason (sometimes our body is just attracted to, and compelled to consume things that our body just needs at the moment, regardless of whether or not it is the tastiest thing.. as to me, horehound is very difficult on the taste buds), but he gravitated to it, and started chugging it like it was vodka at a club. That gave me an immediate boost of the ego, but the problem was, he started coughing more and more, and then started to sweat profusely. This made me nervous, as it didn't seem like he was getting better. It also didn't seem like a normal progression of the illness, as the symptoms were way too extreme. His coughs sounded painful, and the syrup wasn't doing anything to make it go away, and he was just hacking and hacking, and we all know that that leads to soreness. He was also sweating bullets, and I mean, sweat just pouring down his face, for no apparent reason, and he kept complaining about how hot it was. I freaked out because I really thought that he was just insanely ill. Like not even normal flu symptom ill, but like something way more serious. I have never seen him sweat like that before ever, and I have certainly seen him sick and with the flu, etc. I started to wonder if it was pneumonia. 
Even though he really liked it, and seemed to want even more and more of the syrup, which after the second day, he started drinking as a strong tea since he didn't want to wait for me to make it into a syrup, his symptoms were absolutely insane!! I wondered what was going on with the herbs. It wasn't working, not the way I wanted. In the past, he'd started out with similar flu-like symptoms and had been better the next day after giving him (different) herbs that worked mostly on immune boosting (not specifically for coughs). Then the next morning, this morning, he woke up coughing and I thought... enough is enough. This is NOT working. Plus, he told me that he had been sweating so much that his sheets and pillows were completely SOAKED from the previous nights sleep. 
Oh lord, I had to re-examine this approach. I went back and looked at one of my herb books, and not to my surprise, four out of the six herbs I had used were classified as DIAPHORETICS. That means, they induce sweat. Well, well. Although it is said that it's good to "sweat out" a fever, I'm not even sure that he had much of a fever, and being drenched like that could possibly aggravate and elongate the healing process. He had even proposed that he got sick precisely for going outside with wet hair into the cold. And since our apartment can get quite drafty, walking around even INSIDE all drenched like that is NOT GOOD. 
So, even though I had the best of intentions, I had provoked a problem that didn't have to be there. There is no reason why he had to be pouring water out of his body over the past few days. It was too much, and quite unbearable to watch. 
Then I searched for how many of the herbs were expectorants: both horehound and elecampane, which I was so excited to experiment with, have expectorant qualities. That means I doubled up on expectorants and actually didn't add any antispasmodics (to help control lung spasm) or any lubricating herbs, known as mucilagenous, such as licorice, mullein and marshmallow, that coat the lining of the mucous membranes... which helps with sore throat, and pain from coughs. So basically, I created a formula that made him almost cough his lungs out and sweat to the point of near dehydration (I'm speculating, and being a bit melodramatic). Two days after taking the formula, he was a sweaty, drenched cough monster. And although he said he felt better, he certainly didn't look or sound any better. And plus, he had to call in sick to work another day. 
He would never blame me, because he knows I do what I can only to help him, and if I screw it up, well .. hey, it will happen once in a while. As he jokes... yeah well you have to make mistakes sometimes, and if I die.. well then you will know... 
Of course, nobody is going to die from herbs put into a cough syrup, of course unless they have some unknown fatal allergy, or major contraindication with a pharmaceutical, even over the counter medication (one must always be conscientious of things like this, seriously.. very seriously)
But then there is a case of just being a dumbshit. Which, one might say that I am hard on myself, but it is important to look at not just one, but ALL of the properties on any herb to make sure you are not going to create some crazy side effects while you are trying to help someone to get better. 
Today, I dumped that formula. We had been leaving it in the pot on the stove and just re-using it over the course of a few days.. it was time to say goodbye. 
I felt terrible. But it was time to clean up the mess I made. 
I made a whole new formula, that will help to stop that spastic cough that I helped create by the surplus of expectorant herbs I used, soothing, cooling (refrigerant) and coating herbs (mucilaginous), antispasmodic herbs, and herbs to open up the lungs and soothe them rather than force them to convulse. The only herb I used that has diaphoretic properties this time is lemon balm, which on it's own, should be alright, since I use it in most cold and flu blends and it doesn't seem to cause much of a reaction in that sense. The anti-viral benefits outweigh the sweat inducing effect. 
This time I used marshmallow and licorice to coat his throat and cool down his system. Licorice is great for coating and soothing the throat, as is marshmallow, which is also an extremely cooling herb. And after all of the sweating, it was time to just cool things down A LOT. I also used the lemon balm, as this seems like a viral infection and not so much bacterial, just from observation. I used lungwort and mullein, which are specifically good for soothing, clearing and strengthening the lungs. Mullein is also antispasmodic, as is marshmallow. I used rose hips for vitamin C, because in any cold/flu formula, I have to use something that is just purely for the purpose of adding vitamin C. And although he lamented that this tea tasted like "dog pee"... which is one of his default descriptions of anything that tastes bad.. I haven't heard him cough even once since he drank the first cup... and it's been a few hours.. so I think.. this time... I've done something right. 
Nothing sucks like watching a loved one suffer.. and to address that issue, I want to focus on a few other things that can be done to prevent someone you care about (including yourself) from getting sick, getting sick-er once you are sick, getting other people sick who are around you.. and to help the process along of getting well again. There are so many things that I can add to this part, but I'm just going to mention the things that came up this time around when dealing with cold & flu. 
Number one: If you or someone you love is showing signs of cough/cold/flu... especially if they are already coughing a bit, or have scratchy, sore throat... STAY AWAY FROM DAIRY. Consuming dairy encourages the production of mucous. In retrospect, I made another error that I honestly know better than to do, which is giving my babe mozzarella cheese on some eggs I made for him when he was already not feeling too hot. Bad move. And watching him lay on the couch in agony with barely any energy to move around is enough to make me think back on that.. maybe seemingly small thing, and think ... God, I wish I hadn't done that. That was ridiculously irresponsible, bordering on negligent. What was I thinking. 
Number two: Aromatherapy is an indispensable tool in dealing with germs and infections. If you can get a diffuser, and pick up some tea tree and eucalyptus.. you have your sick kit in tact. When either of us is feeling a bug coming on, and this might seem ridiculous.. but IT WORKS!! I take a q-tip, dip it in eucalyptus or tea tree, and swipe it around inside of the nostrils. Once you are congested, the eucalyptus oil is incredible at opening up those nasal passages. If you are not sick yet, or your partner is sick.. or whomever you live with is sick, do the same, but with tea tree oil. It acts as a filter, and helps to keep the germs from entering your system. Then: use tea tree in a diffuser in any room that the sick person is in. It will purify the air, kill bacteria, and also help fight the infection in the persons body who has it. So it's a win-win. It helps the sick person heal, and it helps the non-sick person to keep from getting sick. Eucalyptus in the diffuser is amazing for anyone with cold/flu.. it just helps them breathe and it opens their lungs/nose.. it's sooo soothing. So if it's just one person who is sick (or both of you).. Eucalyptus in the diffuser. If one person is sick and the other is not, I'd recommend a combination of eucalyptus (for the sick one) and tea tree (for the not sick one). It's AMAZING. 
So, with that, I'll close this post regarding the never-ending learning process that is natural medicine and herbalism. I'm happy to be able to post these lessons, because they might help someone else, and also because if I'm documenting it, I'm still learning, and the more you know, the better you can be as a health advocate. Thank you, and until next time...

Frankincense Essential Oil; Cultural, Religious & Medicinal History, Facts & Benefits

Frankincense Essential Oil

Final Paper for Aromatherapy Certification Course @ Wisdom of The Earth 

Frankincense has played a pretty big role in my life this past year, and this is one among several reasons that I chose to do my paper on this amazing oil. What I have found, from several hours, months and years of research, is that frankincense is among one of the top oils recommended for so many different health and emotional issues, and have heard one on one testimonials about it doing things as amazing as making a cancerous tumor disappear from a woman’s breast, and how Frankincense (most commonly known by Latin names: Boswellia Serrata Carteri, Sacra) is recommended for everything from tissue regeneration to autoimmune disorders. It is also commonly recommended for: inflammation, Chron's disease & colitis, asthma, arthritis, menstrual abnormalities, among others. The essential oil of Frankincense can be applied externally or consumed internally to treat these conditions and more.

The history of Frankincense is honestly one of the most interesting and vast of the oils imaginable. There is so much to tell that it could take a book to cover all of the biblical and ancient mentions and uses of the plant and then throughout history up until modern times. According to biblical writings, Frankincense was given to Jesus as a gift when he was born. As far back as 3000 B.C, it was of such immense value, more valuable than gold, and was commonly referred to as “liquid gold”. Because of it’s history as a component of religious text and practice, it is found in blends for “anointing”. It is also considered holy in several areas of the Middle East. It has been used throughout time in the practice of Ayurvedic medicine, naturally because the trees from which the gum resin from which the oils are made are located in India, as well as Oman, Somalia, Yemen and other parts of North Africa.  

The cultural history of Frankincense is prolific This resin has been used and documented from biblical times and is a part of stories from the past all the way through modern times. It's played a role in medicine, culture and society throughout history. It’s been a signature hippie scent from 60’s culture, in my experience, many people can identify the scent in a heartbeat. It is grounding, it is seductive, but yet there is so much more to it. The amazing thing about oils in general, is how many different roles they play for various people, and cultures, and generations throughout society and throughout time and space.

And then there's the science: Among the main medically relevant elements of Frankincense are the compounds called sesquiterpenes, which have stimulating effects on the limbic system, the emotional center of the brain, and vital glands. It is for this reason that it is known to be calming, centering, and why one sees it so often combined with Myrrh, in blends for relaxation and meditation. Sesquiterpenes are among the most beneficial compounds that can be found in essential oils. Because they are high in hydrogen content, which alkalizes the body by delivering oxygen to the body at a cellular level, they can help to erase or de-program miswritten codes in DNA (damaged DNA) and create an alkalize (oxidized) environment that cancer cells cannot survive in. Some of the oldest medical texts that have been recovered reveal the use of Frankincense to treat various medical conditions, as it is especially powerful when it comes to healing at a cellular level and regenerating tissue.

At their most basic, many people really just don’t know that that these oils are good for anything more than how they smell. So let’s see what people and companies that produce Frankincense have to say about the scent, for starters. Some of the companies with the widest distribution of essential oils are: Aura Cacia, NOW, Wyndmere, Young Living, DoTerra & Simplers. I'll just notate what it is that these companies say on either their bottles or their websites about how it smells:

Aura Cacia: Sweet, Balsamic, Middle Base Note

NOW: Deep, Fresh, Subtle hints of Citrus & Camphor

Wyndmere: Earthy, Spicy

Young Living: Sweet, Warm, Balsamic

DoTerra: Rich, aromatic

Simplers: Rich, Sweet, Complex

Some suggestions from these highly marketed brands regarding blending consider good oils to blend with Frankincense are:

(Simplers) Geranium, Neroli, Pine, Spruce, Vetiver, Petitgrain, Myrrh, Bergamot, Cinnamon

(NOW Foods) Balsam Fir Needle, Myrrh, Orange, Sandalwood

(Wyndmere) Geranium, Lavender, Neroli, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Citruses, Spices.

The suggestions are not only just based on how these smell good together, but also often as to the mental/emotional effects of the oils as a blend. For example, as Frankincense is often considered grounding, so are oils derived from wood & trees such as Pine, Spruce, Balsam Fir; The calming, meditative oils that blend well with Frankincense would be Vetiver, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Lavender, Geranium; The anti-depressant, mood lifting aspects of Frankincense would lend itself well to blending with citruses, including Neroli, Petitgrain, Bergamot & Orange.

Then the blends that isolate the physical: A sample antibiotic blend with might include Myrrh, Cinnamon, Spices, and the woody Pine, Spruce & Balsam Fir. For Immune Boosting, Citruses & Spices. Anti-Spasmodic: Geranium, Lavender. Just to name a few.

But then there is the phytochemical benefits. So people like essential oils sometimes just because they like the smell. Other people look a little more into therapeutic benefits and think about how it makes them feel emotionally. And then there is the actual physical reality of how this plant/herb/oil affects your body if applied topically, inhaled and ingested.

Medicines in general have their classifications based on what they are used for. Frankincense is classified as an: analgesic, anti-depressant, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, diuretic and sedative. So here are my ideas of what it can be blended with for each of these uses. Analgesic: camphor or wintergreen. Anti-depressant: Orange, lime, rose, vanilla, lemongrass. Anti-fungal: Tea tree, Pine, Rosemary. Anti-inflammatory: chamomile, sandalwood, lavender, helichrysum. Antiseptic: Tea Tree, Rosemary, Pine. Astringent: Tea Tree, Rose. Diuretic: Juniper, lemongrass. Sedative: Lavender, Chamomile, Geranium.

Even though I had loved essential oils since as far back as I could remember, I wasn't too sure about taking them internally, or as a substitute for other manifestations of herbal medicine intended specifically for internal use, with the exception of a drop of tea tree that I had been doing for quite some time. Then we had a guest speaker come to visit our herbal medicine class in Santa Fe. She spoke of being unafraid to ingest these oils, to which I excitedly remarked that I had been ingesting Tea Tree for years but kept it kind of low profile since the labels on most essential oil brands I had ever been exposed to warned: “not for internal use”. But yeah, I did it anyway. And I understood why it worked. It is a powerful antibacterial, I used it incredibly sparingly, just a tiny drop in water, and then flushed it down with another 8 ounce (at least) glass or bottle of water. I knew that it was said that it could be dangerous to one’s liver, as they were supposedly hard for the liver to process, but the benefits, in my mind, outweighed the risks, as the power that it had to heal my body in a matter of minutes was miraculous, and i had struggled so much for so long with recurrent bladder infections. This was the main use for it. But then also, for other infections, colds, flu, respiratory complaints. And that is just internal.

There was a point where in class, one our teachers asked, if there is one essential oil that you could pick, that you would only have to use for the rest of your life, as if you are on a desert island, what would it be? My answer was tea tree. It has so many uses, honestly! So why aren’t I writing about tea tree?

The focus of my life this past year led me to Frankincense, and I can’t say that I’m the most happy about it, since it’s pretty darn expensive. But you have to pay what you have to pay to make sure that your body is going to be okay, and so then I delved into the world of Frankincense, something that I never really loved the smell of. No, not really at all. And sometimes, when I am wearing it, either that, or Patchouli or Myrrh (which are combined often in blends with Frankincense) people will make a remark, and then say something like “oh my god, I love frankincense so much” and I would be a bit terrified, thinking that they are hoping that we would have some amazing bond, when the actuality is that I am not wearing it for the smell, no, not at all. And I didn’t follow the Grateful Dead for 15 years before I got a real job and entered “mainstream society”. Frankincense has this cultural implication, this sub-culture indication, the suggestion that you are a “hippie”, which in all honestly I can say for what i believe to be the definition of hippie, in some ways I may be, ideologically, but in some ways I am definitely so completely not. I don’t smoke weed, never have, don’t follow bands around the country, I do wear bras and shave my armpits, and I am not a vegetarian (which absolutely shocks people regularly, which makes me feel kind of baffled… the reason people giving is that i just “seem like” a vegetarian) That’s OK. I like things that are practical, I’m not given to magical thinking. I don’t know what people mean when they talk about faeries, there is a part of me that is much like a believer in science. If science can’t prove it, then it isn’t real. But not 100%. If something makes you feel good, then that’s important, as long as you aren’t hurting anybody.

History: In August of 2013 I was put through a cervical & uterine biopsy that resulted in intense and constant abdominal swelling, cramping, severe pain, nausea, constant exhaustion (from the constant throbbing pain in my belly), inability to have sex (since the pain after was intolerable), constant infections, dark urine, inability to walk, do things and enjoy life the way I had up until the moment this surgeon stuck this cold metal instrument into my reproductive system and snipped pieces out of it. There was something that went wrong in the procedure, the doctor or the nurse would not return my repeated phone calls, during which I left messages complaining of severe (abnormal) pain and cramping, and demanding to know what it was that went wrong in that room that day. I was in Chicago, and I had a flight back to Santa Fe, and I had no answers, and my belly was swollen, I was scared, in pain, and didn’t know what to do, or what was wrong.

I did a lot of research. Well, let me tell you that first, I went to a lot of doctors. Ob/Gyn’s in Santa Fe. One after the other they looked at me with blank eyes and said they had no idea what was wrong with me, what could possibly be wrong with me and said sorry, and sent me on my way. I had an ultrasound done, that showed that I had 2 fibroids in my uterus that hadn’t been there just 6 months prior. I started to think that the fibroids were a result of the trauma and resulting scar tissue. They took 2 samples of my tissue, there were ALL OF A SUDDEN 2 fibroids. So here goes the fibroid research. Frankincense, Frankincense, and…. Frankincense. Women are talking about taking it internally… in a capsule, one after another after another.

I didn’t know much about Frankincense. It was time to learn. The first thing that I learned: Frankincense is not cheap. First, you have to find a brand that says it’s okay for internal consumption, and those brands are NOT CHEAP. I started to think that maybe if it’s organic, that would make it okay for internal consumption since it would be more pure, as long as it wasn’t cut with anything, extracted with any chemicals, or mixed with any carrier oils (obviously).

One day my live-in boyfriend’s sister came to visit. She told me about a friend of hers who had some tests done that showed there was a tumor in her breast. The doctors wanted to operate but she said no, she was determined to find another way. She told me that, after much research, she decided to embark upon a regimen of taking frankincense and lemon essential oil, both internally and rubbed it on her breast several times a day for several months, and that the next time she had the scans done (not sure if it was MRI or ultrasound or what kind of test, but there were films taken), the tumor was gone. Between this story (and his sister was a big proponent of natural medicine, and had taken several programs over the course of her lifetime to certify her in various aspects of herbal and naturopathic healing), and the big FRANKINCENSE presence on the internet regarding this oil’s ability to heal tissue, and shrink unwanted growths/abnormal tissue, I decided it was time to jump on the bandwagon. Anything is worth a try.

I’m going to be honest. I don’t really have any special affection for the smell of frankincense. That’s not why i like it. It does tend to mellow ones mood somewhat. Anyway, I started to think that it was doing something good. I ordered 5 ml from a company called Organic Infusions, who’s oils I came to love and respect and have absolutely no fear of taking internally. The most annoying thing about Frankincense is that it’s expensive, and that sucks. I joined DoTerra, almost by accident, since I got a link from someone on Instagram and they said that if I join I get a discount and promised other things that I was too late to take advantage of, such as getting $100 of free oils by ordering $100 of oils. That was last month. Then there was the promise that I get a free bottle of something… I actually think it was Frankincense with my first order. That didn’t happen either. I just didn’t have the discipline to read all of the literature to figure out how all of that worked, but I did end up ordering some oils from them, and I liked them. No complaints. I took the lavender internally and I really liked it. But their Frankincense is nearly $100. OH. MY. GOD. I’ve never bought a $100 bottle of essential oil. I just think I would be constantly terrified of losing it and then be a nervous wreck all of the time just for owning one. Plus, my habit of wanting more variety and less focus on just one thing prevented me from taking that leap. $100 for one bottle of essential oil? Ugh. I spent a lot of money on helichrysum, and rose, but still not anything close to $100… so I didn’t go for DoTerra. 

But I did get the 5 ml of Organic Infusions Frankincense, and I really couldn’t get enough of it. I used it internally with gelatin caps, I rubbed it on my lower abdomen, and I really felt it’s power. In the end, I started using it regularly on a tampon, which I soaked with Frankincense, Sage and Lavender Oil, and inserted after sex and/or before bed. The horrible stinging and cramping I had felt before after sex calmed down a lot. It became a ritual. When I ran out of the essential oil .. I also had a 15 ml bottle that was mixed with jojoba that I used externally.. I started taking the Boswellia capsules that I had left over from a supplement shopping spree that I had gone on at Natural Grocers in my quest to find a solution to the fibroid problem. I’m not one to waste anything, if I can prevent it. But in the end, if I can take an essential oil internally, I would rather do so, than take herbs in capsule form, or in any form other than the oil.. it’s just easier, less messy and kind of tastes good, usually too. So, now back to what rocks about Frankincense:

I did a paper, a final paper that we all had to do for my herbal medicine program on acid/alkaline balance in the body, how it affects our health, and how to alkalize (which is what most people need for balance) with herbs. Among the large amount of information and facts pertaining to this biological reality is the fact that a body that is too acidic is going to have problems with inflammation. And inflammation is the underlying cause for countless forms of disease and bodily pain and dysfunction. One of the best anti-inflammatories, Frankincense. This is one of the most important functions as I see it of Frankincense as a way of reversing the disease process of the body.

Reduce inflammation = reduce pain, swelling, all kinds of diseases and disorders. That along with being anti-microbial, Frankincense is a perfect supplement to be taken on a regular basis.

I made friends with an Ayurvedic practitioner in Santa Fe while I was there, one of the many wonderful, amazing friends that I made while I was there, who shared amazing, important nuggets of knowledge based on their studies and practices. What he told me was that one of the most important things to do, on a regular, daily basis in the practice of Ayurveda, is to give yourself a daily body massage with oils. I read a book on Ayurveda that confirmed this, and the importance of self-care when it comes to just massaging yourself: and he recommended a combination of sesame, almond and safflower oils with a drop or two of eucalyptus. But he added that it doesn’t have to be eucalyptus oil that is added, that others can be good as well. And to heat the oil so that it is warm, add the essential oil after you remove it from the heat (of course) and then apply to your body while still warm. I am not the most disciplined person in the world, which is sad because the only person who suffers is me, it’s this kind of ADD that I have, that I get so easily caught up in whatever is going on in the moment, I’m not very good at distracting myself from that, and doing the thing that I need to do as a habit. A good habit. But the times I did it, I felt amazing, and I started to add frankincense and lavender and sage. Then I made a bottle, and carried it around with me everywhere.

Applying this to my body every night, even if I was traveling (such as to Arizona, for example), even without the ability to heat it, made a huge difference in the pain and swelling in my belly, and I started to feel that there was hope for me. I found the combination. It was going to be okay.

Despite the fact that I am not entirely back to the level of health and pain-free status that I was before the biopsy, I am much better, and the pain is so much less, often unnoticeable, and my life is more manageable. I will always thank Frankincense, and keep it on the forefront of my medical repertoire for as long as I can foresee.

Aside from it’s appeal for emotional, mental and spiritual reasons, this oil is incredibly appealing for it’s scientifically proven biological benefits. There are so many reasons to love Frankincense, I will always consider it one of the best oils to use in the case of so many medical circumstances, plus I’ve learned to love it for it’s yummy, musky, hippie like smell. In the end, if you erase this association, it is just warming to the body, and grounding to the mind and soul. Thanks Frankincense, whether in my bottle of NOW mixed with jojoba, my delicious bottle of Organic Infusions or $100 bottle from some other high end companies… which I have yet to purchase, but one must never say never.

Acid Alkaline Balance In Your Body, And Why It Matters

        Our body is a complex organism, to say the least. With regards to the acid/alkaline balance in our bodies, you have to incorporate various formats of mathematics, as well as several aspects of chemistry, along with biology, physiology and anatomy. Despite my desire to say, “I'm going to keep this simple”, it's simply not possible. So I'm going to delve into the anatomy, basic chemical principals, biochemistry, organic chemistry and several other elements what it is going to take to really explain what is PH, what creates acid & alkaline environments in our bodies, how it affects our internal health, and what we can do as herbalists to help keep this alkaline/acid balance at an optimal level for body function.

        PH levels are discussed all the time, and we discuss them as if we understand that, yeah, we have to keep those PH levels balanced, or something is going to go wrong.. Well if you think about it, what are we dealing with when our bodies force us to examine if our PH levels are in check? Most likely, bodily discomfort, and oftentimes, some kind of infection. A yeast infection, bacterial infection, but some sort of pain or discomfort. But what is PH? How many hands are up in the room when that question is posed... out of all of the people who have at some point, talked about PH balance and how important it is, or how much damage it can do if it's out of whack? I'd say.. not a lot. And it takes a thinking cap to really get a grasp on it, it's potential for hydrogen (PH). So.. please tell me how this works. (deep breath)

        Let me just start by telling a little story. I was at Natural Grocers some time ago, and I picked up a book called Alkalize or Die. It featured a photo of a waterfall on the top, and of a dried up stump of what was once a tree, it's dead roots almost peeking up above the ground, saying “help me, I'm thirsty.... I'm... dying here!!”. This was all I needed to know. I love water, am a water baby. Here I am in the desert, feeling a little bit like that tree, and I said “I have to buy this book”. I had known a bit about acid/alkaline in the past, for example I knew that drinking coffee was slowly drying up the minerals in my bones (so I had read and/or been told) and that I would most likely have to pay for it eventually. Although denial is easy when you are physically in good condition, and coffee is a sick twisted addiction I have had since I can remember. My awareness of this impending reality was looming over me, as I am getting older, and oh, yeesh, yeah I am talking like one of those adults to younger people, warning them “hey, take care of yourself now, stop thinking you are going to live forever”, yadda yadda. Yeah, I have become one of those people. So it was inevitable that the reality would slide right under me, and I would end up in some serious pain if I didn't approach this with a serious mind-set. My joints were kind of aching, I was holding onto weight much more than I ever had in the past, I was serioulsy moving more slowly. Hanging out with a bunch of classmates in their 20s didn't help keep me in denial about all of this. What in the world? Ahhh, the indulgence of your youth. They know not why it takes me 2 days to recover from a night if I stay out past 12. I am at the check-out line and the cashier takes one look at my book and started a conversation with me about it. “You know, they have PH strips here, you can test your PH levels with those.”

“Do they work?” I asked.

“Yeah they are really good, and they aren't that expensive”. It made me kind of uncomfortable, since I always feel that it is so rude if an employee tells you something will be of use to you, and you just say, “cool, thanks for your advice,” but  you're an idiot and I don't find your advice helpful. I'll just ignore it, thanks... “. Maybe not rational, but I just hate to say, I choose to ignore your advice, even though you work here, took the time to recommend something, and really know your products well. So, on to his story. One day, he woke up with burns all over his body, and he had no idea what they were from. He went to the doctor, and found out that it was his own sweat that had burned his skin. His sweat was SO ACIDIC, that it burned his own skin. Wow, that is how powerful it is when your body is too acidic. It can wreak havoc on your body in so many ways, and this seemingly "X-File" like story is just one of those ways. He had to get on an alkalizing regimen pronto.. and he did so, and it saved his life, so he knows, there is something very important that I am going to discover while reading this book.

        PH is potential for hydrogen. Hydrogen creates an acid-forming reaction in the body. The PH levels are a measure of how much acid is in the body, with regards to how much alkaline is available in the body, to neutralize the acid. Here's where it gets a bit confusing. The lower the the number on the PH scale, the MORE acidic your body is, and the higher the number, the more alkaline. The reason for this is the way the PH is calculated, and how Danish chemist Soren Peder Lauritz Sorensen, decided to modify the number to create the scale. Concentrations of hydrogen ions are measured in moles per liter (moles = measurment of molecular weight). Because hydrogen is one of the lightest substances known to man, the resulting measurement is almost always a fraction, and thus is measured in tenths. Water, in it's purest state (distilled, without any positive or negative ions, meaning, without any molecule structures altering it's purity) is going to be a 7 on the acid/alkaline scale. 7 is neutral, neither acid nor alkaline. The way this is written is 0.0000001. 1/7. or 10 to the negative seventh. To make the acid/alkaline scale, scientists decided to remove the 10 and the negative, since it is always a negative number, and it is understood that each measurement is a tenth from one whole number to the next. Because of this, even though the concentration of hydrogen is higher in acid conditions, the number is lower. And from a PH level of 6 to 7 it is ten times the level of acidity or alkalinity. A 7 is ten times as alkaline as a 6. The scale is from 0 (most acid) to 14 (most alkaline). I have seen extremely acid forming substances with a rating as low as 0.5 but most common foods, herbs and beverages  rate no higher than a 7.5. 

        So what is hydrogen and why is it so damaging? Well, hydrogen is the 3^rd most abundant element found on the earth's surface, making up 75% of normal matter by mass and over 90% by number of atoms. When combined with other elements, it forms a compound, such as water, when it is combined with oxygen (H20), two hydrogen atoms combined with 1 oxygen atom. Hydrogen is acid in nature, and in the body, is acid producing. Bicorbonate is the alkaline counter-part that neutralizes the acid that hydrogen creates, and they are constantly working within the body in various ways to keep the body's PH at a healthy level. To get a little deeper, hydrogen is a positive ion (acid-producing) and bicarbonate is a negative ion (alkaline). The alkaline elements, also known as the “base” are distributed in the body at various stages throughout the metabolic process, in order to balance the acidity created during other stages. The base elements (alkaloids), or “negative ions” receive the acid elements “positive ions” and neutralize them. However, the problem arises when the alkaloid reserves are getting over-used.

        Our diets are more acid producing than alkaline. The PH balance in our blood is self-stabilized by the process I just outlined, at a range between 7.365 and 7.45. If our blood PH levels were anywhere outside of this small range, our bodies would be too acid or alkaline to sustain itself and the organism (we, the people) would die. But within this small range, being on the side of acid, rather than the side of alkaline, can be of enormous consequence. It's what we eat, what we drink, how we think, how much we exercise, how much positive vs. negative “energy” we have in our mind/body and around us.. several factors that contribute to how alkaline or acid our bodies are.

        Here's why it matters: every single thing we put into our bodies (even on our bodies: makeup, skin & bath products) on a daily basis, creates either an acid or alkaline reaction in our bodies. Most of the American diet (and the diets of other Westernized countries, that follow our lead as a nation) is acid-forming. After food or drinks go into our mouth, immediately the process of acid/alkaline balancing goes into effect. Certain enzymes in our saliva, aside from breaking down the food and making it digestible, also alkalize whatever we have in our mouths, even before it gets down our throats. The stomach must maintain a very acidic environment in order to break down the foods we eat. Gastric juices containing hydrochloric acid can have a PH as low as 2.5 (highly acidic). Bile is then excreted by the liver into the duodenum, to help break down fats, and that's when the bicarbonate comes in, to counterbalance all of this acid. A hormone called secretin stimulates the secretion of bicarbonate and water by the ductal epithellial cells, and then the remaining matter is alkaline enough to enter the small intestines. While the body's waste is on the way out, the kidneys excrete even more bicarbonate into the system, to alkalize the uric and sulfuric acid prior to urination. But did you ever feel like your urine was stinging you or “hot”? That's too much acid. Even the kidneys couldn't excrete enough alkaline into the system to counterbalance the over-acidity. Perfect example of why YOU have to be a part of it all, and not just leave it to your body to “take care of things”.

        But when you don't make an effort to keep your intake alkaline-forming, the body has to work overtime to neutralize the acids. Keep in mind, the majority of what you eat and drink are acid-forming, and inevitably the alkaline reserves start to run out. Your body can only neutralize the over-acidity for so long without getting the proper amount of alkaline forming ingested matter before it starts weakening, and that is what causes acid build-up. The acids begin to building up in your body tissue, beginning the process of degeneration (and inflammation). Also, an overly acidic state creates free radicals, that begin to attack your body on a cellular level. Scared yet? This is why researchers are linking over-acidity to all kinds of degenerative diseases and acute conditions. In an acid state, your body is more vulnerable, more prone to infection, disease, and disorder. As a result, the consensus of pro-acid/alkaline balance reasoning is that: one must be constantly contributing to the alkaline balance in your body in order to maintain good health. Alkalize or die.

        The state of over-acidity in the body has a term: Chronic low-grade Metabolic Acidosis. Basically, the lower your PH is, the more trouble you are in. Anything over a 7 is alkaline, and anything under a 7 is acid. Most people in a Western society are somewhere between a 5-6. This measurement is not a blood alkaline level, of course. If this were a measurement of your blood PH levels, everyone within this range would be dead, scientifically speaking. According to The Acid Alkaline Food Guide, by Dr. Susan E. Brown and Larry Trivieri, Jr, Your ideal PH balance, measured by testing urine with PH strips first thing in the morning, would be between 6.5-7.5. The PH tests that you can buy from health food stores, and other specialty stores or websites, are measuring the PH in urine or saliva. This is the PH level of our bodily secretions. This tells us if our body is too alkaline or acid (within the range that our blood maintains in order to keep us alive). How do you know if your body is too acid or alkaline? PH strips are an excellent indicator, but have to be used to exact the most accurate measurement available, and that would be simply to use them first thing in the morning, over the course of several weeks. The reasoning for this is that while you are asleep, the kidneys are doing their daily work of neutralizing the acid in your body fluids, so that the first urination of the day, prior to eating or drinking anything that might change the PH of your bodily excretions (saliva, sweat & urine) will be the most accurate. Then, over the course of two weeks, you can see an average, or see that it is the same each day.. and be quite sure that this is the PH that your body is working with. If you are below a 7, which the vast majority of people will be, your body condition is too acid. That means your body is storing acid tissue waste, your immune system is in a compromised state, and it may be affecting your muscle tissue.

        Chronic low grade acidosis, even in the mildest form, can lead to the break down of muscle tissue, and this is why: in order to rescue the body from an acid state, muscle tissue begins to break down in order to obtain glutamine. Glutamine is an amino acid that the body uses to produce ammonia, an alklaine base that can help restore the body's acid/alkaline balance. Losing muscle? Just one of the effects of your body being too acidic. Some others? Here's how having too much acid in your body and not enough alkaline through consumption, and your body simply cannot compensate for this enough.. Because this acid state can lead to all kinds of health problems, creating weaknesses at the cellular level and exposing the body to toxins, and making it more vulnerable to disease, the possibilities are countless. It is similar to not getting enough sleep, or enough exercise, or drinking too much alcohol.. the possibilities are endless with regards to what can go wrong when you don't take care of what you have .. But here are some of the most common:

        Loss of calcium in the urine, the dissolution of bone, and as a result, osteoporosis, increased levels of the blood parathyroid hormone, that can cause bones to become brittle and to fracture, loss of potassium and magnesium, and resulting hypertension and inflammation, breakdown of proteins that cause muscle wasting and hastening of age-related muscle mass loss, lowers the body's ability to metabolize proteins, causing the body to be unable to repair cells, tissues and organs, irritation of urinary tract and bladder, which, along with the body's inability to repair tissue effectively, can lead to painful and frequent urination, suppression of growth hormone, insulin like growth factor, and other pituitary hormones, resulting again in limited capacity to restore damaged tissue and hormone dysfunction, accelerated aging, increased risk of kidney stones, increased production of free radicals (unstable molecules that cause cellular damage), greater oxidation of free radicals and impaired activity of antioxidants, weakening of connective tissue from free radical damage, disrupted balance of intestinal bacteria, causing digestive dysfunction, encouragement of growth & spread of naturally occurring yeast and fungi, which thrive in an acid environment, creates fertile breeding ground for viruses, including HIV which can only live in an acidic environment that is low in antioxidants, weakened mental capacity, increased acidity in the mouth, leading to high levels of bacteria in the mouth & increased dental decay and gum disease, low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) and chronic overproduction of cortisol (a stress hormone), impaired liver function, resulting in a build-up of toxins in the body and low blood phosphorous levels, leading to conditions such as anemia, muscle weakness and loss of appetite.

        Impaired cellular function is one your body's biggest dangers. This, and the production of free radicals, and making the body less able to protect itself against those disease causing free radicals, make us susceptible to anything and everything. But there is a lot of research being done and books being published linking cancer to acidosis. Cancer, along with so many other diseases, it is argued, cannot live in or thrive in an alkaline environment. Furthermore, free radical damage being so clearly linked to cancer, it is impossible not to see the connection. Prevention first.

        So, what can you do to make your body more alkaline? As the saying goes, you are what you eat. So we start with what we decide to put in our mouths. As an herbalist, I am going to discuss, what herbs we can take to alkalize our system as well, as drinking herbal teas, or cooking with herbs that are alkalizing can be of great use when trying to create.. and then maintain a proper acid/alkaline balance.

        The rule is.. 80/20. Try to consume 80% alkalizing foods/beverages throughout the course of your day, and 20% acid forming. Oh, how we despise those strict rules. But it's really not that hard. You would be surprised as to what foods are on the list of alkaline forming foods. First, let me just say what minerals are alkalizing, because that will help anyone to understand, and become familiar with what foods are alkalizing and how it works. Alkalizing minerals: Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Iron and Manganese. On the contrary, minerals that cause an acid reaction in the body are: Phosphorous, Sulphur, Chlorine, Iodine, Bromine, Flourine, Copper, and Silicon. So it stands to reason, that food/drinks that contain high quantities of alkalizing minerals are alkalizing to the body, and on the flip side, acid forming minerals are acid-forming.

         Most average people do not think that much about what minerals are in which foods, but to become familiar with these qualities would be helpful. That way, you not only know, but understand why what you are consuming is creating this bodily response. The same would apply to herbs: alkalizing herbs are plants that contain high amounts of the trace minerals that alkalize the body, therefore, any herbs that are high in Calcium, Magnesium, Sodium, Potassium, Iron or Manganese will have an alkalizing effect. The ones that contain more than one, or even several of the above-mentioned minerals are going to be your alkaline powerhouse herbs. Sea Vegetables and herbs high in Chlorophyll contain extremely high levels of alkalizing minerals, and that can be another way to identify what will work best to alkalize your system, and reverse acidosis. Chlorophyll and blood are have an almost identical chemical makeup, the only difference between the two being the center of the molecule. Therefore, anything that contains high amounts of chlorophyll will be fortifying to the blood and alkalizing to the body. Such herbs include: Cleavers, Chickweed, Alfalfa, Nettles, Oregano, Sage, Tulsi, Dandelion leaf, Red Clover, Chives, Cilantro, Mint, Bay Leaves, Dill, and pretty much any other green (especially dark green) aerial parts. It is no coincidence that most of these herbs are also high in several of the alkalizing minerals. Also important for an alkaline environment are vitamins A (beta-carotene), B vitamins and vitamin C. Herbs that are high in these vitamins will also alkalize the body. Cleavers in particular is indicated in the book “Making Plant Medicine” By herbalist Richo Cech, specifically for the condition of “hyperacidity” of the diet.

        When you take these herbs, you contribute to the alkaline reserves in your body, and begin to build them back up, and in the process, the body rids itself of acid waste that has built up in the tissues, and toxins come pouring out of your body. You are strengthening your system, and herbs should be used from everything from cooking, to making teas, creams, lotions, soaps and anything you put in your body or on your skin, not only to treat conditions that have already arisen & caused from inflammation, pain & discomfort to severe malfunctions of body systems.. but for PREVENTION. The key to good health and balance and the thought behind acid/alkaline balance is prevention and/or reversal of disease once it has already set in.

        According to diet and nutrition writer David Wolfe, alkalizing super-herbs include: Reishi, ginseing, shizandra berry, tulsi, ashwaganda, pau d' arco, shatavari, cats claw, nettle, passionflower, and all seaweeds.

Aside from greens high in alkaline trace minerals and containing chlorophyll, roots are another source of alkaline forming plant matter. Burdock Root seems to be the staple root that one encounters while researching how to alkalize using herbs. Why is this so? It contains high amounts of alkalizing vitamins A (beta carotene), C and B vitamins, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, Manganese and Selenium. Burdock also helps rid the body of acids through stimulating the flow of urine (diuretic) and sweat (diaphoretic). Additionally, it is known to counter the process of oxidation (free radical damage) to cellular structures, which is one of the detriments of acid overload. Here is a list of other roots that are known for their alkalizing effect on the system are ginger, dandelion, turmeric, licorice, and rhodiola.

        Some books offer actual PH level measurements of certain herbs. The ones I have encountered, and are considered alkalizing (despite some of their lower numbers) are listed below:Cayenne, Agar Agar (sea vegetable): 7.0, Alfalfa: 6.5, Garlic, Agave, Chives, Cilantro, Marjoram, Red Clover, Mint, Sage, Spearmint, Bay Leaves, Rosemary: 6.0

Basil, Celery Seed, Dill, Sage, Tarragon, Caraway Seed: 5.5, Comfrey, Ginger Root: 5.5

Oregano, Ginseng, Cloves, Coriander, Cumin, Curry powder, Fennel seed, paprika: 5.0

Anise, cinnamon: 4.5

        I would like to also address other various issues with regards to making medicines and their relation to acid/alkaline balance. We make herbal products to use externally using several substances, from oils to emulsifiers, and internally from glycerin to alcohol to vinegar (aside from water). It would take a long time to address the acid/alkaline properties of everything that we can and do use to make all of these products, so I will discuss the most common. For almost everything we make for skin care, we use various oils. Like foods, every oil has its own rating in terms of how acid or alkaline-forming it is. The majority of oils are either mildly alkalizing (an a scale from mild/medium/high) or mildly acidic. Mildly alkalizing oils include: Ghee, Avocado, Coconut, Cod Liver, Flaxseed, Macadamia Nut, Olive and Evening Primrose. , Mildly acid-forming include Safflower, Sesame, Sunflower, and most vegetable oils. Not every oil that we commonly use is covered here, these are the ones I have seen statistics about. Moderately acid-forming oils include: peanut oil & soybean oil. And extremely acid-forming includes cottonseed oil. Your skin does absorb the oils and will make a slight contribution to your acid/alkaline balance, or course depending on quantity used and how often. However, what is absorbed through your skin, cannot compare with what you swallow. So, regarding what we swallow, our forms of internal medicine: namely tinctures, considering this is the most common way to take herbs internally other than in tea or capsule form. And with regards to capsules, the vegetarian gelatin capsules you can buy at the herb or health-food store, are extremely alkalizing. Who would have known? So that takes care of that. 
        So.. tinctures. Alcohol is one of the most acid-forming substances that a person can ingest. But my opinion on this, is that the quantity of alcohol you are ingesting when taking a tincture is not enough to make a huge difference to your acid/alkaline equation. Especially if the tincture is of a very alkalizing herb, it is not something worth concerning oneself about. That said, apple cider vinegar is extremely alkalizing (umemboshi vinegar being the only vinegar more alkalzing), so making an acetum, when trying to alkalize your system, is optimal. Honey is mildly acidic, not extremely, but considering that an acid state opens you up to all kinds of yeast and fungal infections, which feed on sugar, I would avoid using oxymels. Glycerin has a neutral PH, averaging 7 on the scale, and so is perfectly okay to use in bath & body products, as well as glycerin tinctures. I would avoid anything honey based in general; syrups, electuaries, etc. and if you want to sweeten anything, instead I would advise using molasses, which is quite alkalizing and extremely high in Iron, and preserves well without refrigeration, or stevia, which is highly alkalizing as well.

        It is also important to know what external factors play into our bodies being more acid or alkaline. Even when it comes to what we consume, there are factors that influence those things that occur when being grown or raised for consumption. Factors such as GMOs, pesticides, exposure to electromagnetic toxicity. For example, when one consumes meat, they are not just eating the flesh of an animal, what they are also taking into the body are things such as hormones and other unhealthy substances that are given to animals raised for slaughter, in order to speed up their growth, make them fatter, and other ways to alter animals in order to make them tastier to us, and maximize profits. Add to that all sorts of vaccinations or various substances that are poisonous to the human body in order to prevent them from getting sick. Then consider the fear and anxiety hormones that are released on a regular basis, especially prior to slaughter.. which not only create an acid-state in the animal, but is then passed on to the consumer & integrated into our bodies through consumption. Meats are also commonly artificially colored with acid-forming chemicals. Red meat is dyed with sodium nitrate, which gives it it's red hue. 

        The fear and anxiety of animals we eat is not the only thing causing us harm; In similar fashion, our own emotions can influence acid/alkaline production in the body. It is known, that hormones secreted when one feels fear, are acid-producing. Same with anger, and “hot emotions” such as jealousy, or any strong negative emotions. If you look at acidic as being a hot condition, such as it would be in Ayurveda or TCM, think of anger, and how people will describe it as “my blood was boiling”. Those stress related hormones released from the adrenal glands, like cortisol, and pituitary gland, like corticotropin, or ACTH, all cause acidic reactions in the body, sometimes so strong that normally alkalizing things we ingest, simply cannot fight the acid enough to contribute to a more alkaline environment. Fear, anger, and all insecurities (anxiety, jealousy) must be controlled to some degree if one is to maintain an alkaline environment. There are several psychological and environmental factors that also contribute to one's acid/alkaline balance, too many to mention at this time, but meditation, yoga, moderate exercise (not to the point of overextending oneself.. “pushing yourself” makes it acid), breathing exercises (the lungs are one of the most important contributors to maintaining alkalinity, breathing in oxygen that feeds the cells, and breathing out carbon dioxide, which is it's acidic waste product), and anything that calms the mind and calms the body will contribute to a more alkaline state.

        So, aside from herbs that are inherently alkalizing, herbs that could be useful to maintaining an alkaline state would be nervines, and herbs that provide lung support.

Kidneys are also a vital organ in maintaining acid/alkaline balance. In the final stages of digestion and elimination, the kidneys impart bicarbonate and other alkalizing compounds to neutralize “fixed” acids (uric and sulfuric acid) before they are excreted via urination. This is why the kidneys are so important, and kidney health so vital, because too much acidity in the body creates kidney disease, and kidney stones, which is solely a result of acid build-up (that is not being neutralized or excreted). Doesn't this make you want to give your body a break? It does such wonderful things for us, and we don't even have to ask. But we do need to do what is best for it, in order for it to keep on working for us.

To support kidney function as well as alkalize our body, the best herbs would be: juniper berries, nettles, marshmallow, cleavers, uva ursi, and fenugreek.

        When feeling nervous, angry or any of those acidizing “hot emotions”, herbs that offer adrenal support and are calming and/or sedating would be the best. These include: milky oats, rhodiola, passionflower, st john's wort, kava kava, motherwort, skullcap, oatstraw and linden, and hops. Oatstraw is extremely mineral dense and highly alkalizing, as well as passionflower and skullcap. Bach Flower Remedies might be helpful as well.

        To encourage acid waste through urination, a few diuretic herbs that are also alkalizing would be red raspberry leaf, celery seed, cleavers and parsley.

        To promote sweating, another way to for the body to excrete acid waste, diaphoretic herbs such as cayenne, garlic, fennel and ginger.

        To promote salivation sialagogues would be helpful in order to bring out the alkalizing enzyme ptyalin (secreted in the saliva), spilanthes, gentian, blue Flag and bloodroot are good options.

        One question that I want to answer before I finish here, is one of the biggest questions that I had after going through this list of acid/alkaline substances, which is, “why can't we just use sodium bicarbonate to alkalize our systems?” Wouldn't it just be easier to take a small amount of baking soda every day? I searched for the answer and this is why NOT. Sodium bicarbonate is used by our bodies in the course of neutralizing acids, but it is not as effective to use as a dietary measure simply because it does not contain any alkalizing minerals that our bodies need, such as calcium and magnesium. As a result, it can create problems in the body if taken regularly or in too large quantities. For one, it can begin to neutralize stomach acids, which are needed in order to create chyle (the liquid form of food that is carried through the rest of our digestive system). If the stomach acids (HCL, or hydrochloric acid) is neutralized by sodium bicarbonate, it will simply react by producing more, in order to do it's job. Then you are actually creating a situation where you are getting the reverse reaction than what you are looking for. Plus, too much sodium can create high blood pressure. It's best to use any sodium based product in moderation, including sodium itself, and instead use mineral dense foods that may contain sodium, such as seaweeds, but also iron, iodine, and numerous other health promoting sources, plus herbs, edible flowers, and unprocessed, raw, unrefined, non-GMO alkalizing foods.

        In order keep our bodies in a state of optimal health, there are so many things that we have to keep in mind. Our body is such a unique and intricate machine, that has so many things happening at every moment to keep us alive it is truly incredible. And it is also resilient, but fragile. Kind of like a romantic relationship. If you nurture it, it will stay strong, if you don't give it the proper attention it will fall apart. But if you are in love with yourself and have a loving relationship with your body, you can with some time and effort, keep it together for years to come.