Ending of Blog Block

I caught the blog block and I’m coming out of it today! I’ve had trouble lately honing in the direction I wanted my blog to go, causing me to ignore it entirely. I noticed the irony in this while camping on the Willamette River this last weekend. I was wandering our little camping island checking out what herbs were growing and it dawned on me that I am also in the process of determining my direction as a naturopath. As I begin my last year of medical school, I sense the closing of something soon to come and the beginning of something new right behind. Something I would like to give a focused direction to. Why not share my exploration of this with the world (or at least you - my cherished reader)?  

My next few blogs will be about exploring naturopathic treatment modalities. What I love about them and what they mean to me. What I have learned from them so far that I hope to share with my patients in the future.

First up…HERBS! There are so many wonderful things about using herbs as medicine. If you subscribe to the belief that you ‘are what you eat’, you can hop on the herb band-wagon when you recognize that herbs are food. They grow out of the ground just like our beloved vegetables. Furthermore, this medicine is right outside your door with equal access for everyone!

We just have to put in the work. I was recently honored by giving my first herb walk, sharing what I have learned so far about local edible and medicinal herbs. It was wonderful to help others connect to their environment and learn how plants around them can be used.  Kids especially love it. One young man told me he was making a pocket salad (stuffing his pockets with every cleaver, miner’s lettuce, and violet he could find). Watch out it might be the next big thing.  

Herbs have the ability to work on many levels. They can feed your soul as well as your body. Let’s take one magical mysterious herb for example.

MUGWORT - - - (Artemisia vulgaris)

One interesting tid-bit about this herb is its known effect on dreams and dreamers. Don’t forget non-dreamers too. Mugwort has been touted to help non-dreamers remember dreams and dreamers have better control of dreams. To test this historical information, a close non-dreamer friend of mine slept with a mugwort dream pillow to see what happened. He soon after called me sharing detailed report of flying, angels, ghosts, conversations, and more.

Oh the power of herbs. It’s never too late. Get connected with your local herbs today! Get a book from the library, look for a local herb walk, check out your local parks, get in touch with nature and heal your body and soul! Don’t forget to look for your local naturopath to help show you the way.