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Recently I saw a program on public television about the development of flowering plants: When the first flower appeared according to fossil records, and thoughts on how it developed and from whence it came.  The from whence part was referred to by Charles Darwin (no less!) as "an abominable mystery." ( Naturally I loved that. ) It seems as though flowers sprang up much like Athena did, out of the head of Zeus, fully formed.  One minute there were no flowering plants in the historical record.  The next, there they were.  This was quite a development.  Consider the fact: Without flowering plants life as we know it now, with its animals and humans and fish and insects and atmosphere, wouldn't be here.   Something else might be, but not THIS.

Flowers came into being representing a dynamic kind of life force, manifesting sexual attributes (and thus a division of sorts, a kind of duality)  that were required for their continuing creation. They contained the wisdom of the plant world up to that time.  

They brought into being a new way of life for every being on this planet, due to their food bearing and nourishing qualities. (Think nuts and berries, think humminbgirds and bees, all pollinators, honey and bears, corn, foraging plant eating animals like deer and buffalo-- not to mention the dinosaurs!)

This struck a big chord with me, because it bears out everything I've always thought about the power of flowers.  They sustain us, they contain ancient wisdom, they are willing to give themselves to share it: and they are an ineffable mystery.  They contain beauty and truth, which they show us, and which we must be willing to accept on its face in order to receive their gifts.  I mean by this, say you are looking at a rose or an orchid, a daisy or a redwood tree, or mustard or an asparagus.  It is THERE, and it is providing beauty, scent, nourishment, healing... whether or not you know taxonomy or botanical names or what anybody thought about it at any particular time.  Or what YOU think about it, for that matter.  The idea that these incredible beings more or less "appeared intact" is...well, it is mind boggling to me anyway.  There are many other things about flowers, of course- they show us a kind of eternal life.  The seeds, the propagation, winter leading to spring, death leading to fruition.   There is  power and majesty in all this, and it can help us regain harmony and a true sense of place and well being.

I was thinking the other evening that one of the big points of any spiritual practice is to relieve us of our constant opinions and judging. ( That little person inside who may or may not have a megaphone.)  To help us be where and who we actually are at any given time without so much distortion.   This can help us find freedom and peace, can help us make a better place for everyone.  Flowers and herbs help us do this in many ways if we are willing, and in times such as these I think it is truly worth considering the lilies of the field.

I was thinking about the last post and how I hoped it didn't seem as though I was discussing some kind of woo woo panacea.  Because of course I wasn't.  The flowers especially are quite powerful but like everything else, don't work for everyone all the time in every case. In situations such as combat related PTSD, a person is probably quite unlikely to think: Oh, wonderful.  Flowers.  Why didn't I think of that. Soooooo relevant!  However, along with all the brain retraining and medical assistance that will help people regain their physical lives, the flowers and plants can help people regain their inner lives, their peace, focus and understanding.  Without those things, nothing else can really begin to heal. 

Healing and curing of course are two different things.  I have thought a long time about Fools Crow's statement: everyone can be healed but not everyone can be cured.  Part of what is almost insurmountably difficult about trauma, serious illness, life changes- is that on top of the event itself, which would be challenging enough to address, there IS even more change on every other level.  Each change is like a little death of something we knew and perhaps depended on, and that is another topic people are not anxious to ponder.  We are all, I think, afraid of death whether we are aware of it or not. Each time we face a change in our lives, we are also facing a sort of death which adds perhaps another level of fear?  We have to step into a new paradigm, a new place that may be dry, may be unfamiliar.  It may be fine, too, and generally it IS fine in the end.  I have always liked the saying: When one door closes,  a window opens somewhere else.   That is where the healing commences.  Then we, in the healing process, must allow ourselves to go through that window.  Without knowing exactly where we are,  or what is on the other side. 

Another part of what this is all about, for me, is the surrounding community of the individual who is making this kind of journey.  The parent, spouse, child, relative, friend, or even caretaker, of someone who is struggling with PTSD or cancer or fibromyalgia or alcoholism or unemployment--all have their own windows to go through.  The same plants and flowers can offer their aid to someone on this end as well.  Everyone has to feel better, after all,  so that everyone CAN feel better.   We don't function in isolation: Our minds and hearts and bodies are connected, and we are ALL connected to each other.  The flowers and herbs offer, I think, a marvelous way to work with all these issues.   They are supremely non-judgmental, and can very often help a person put down the things that hurt them, be they thoughts or germs.  One part of going through that window!

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder has been with us for a long time:  Homer wrote about it in the ODYSSEY.   Now, in the United States, it is fast becoming one of the most important public health concerns we face.  A large percentage of returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan are suffering with this condition; a tragic aspect is the fact that many in the military do not ask for help because of institutionalized strictures against such action. It is not only those who have been in combat, however, who develop PTSD: anyone who has been the victim of a violent crime, of abuse, of displacement (homelessness, foster care) can have similar reactions and symptoms.   Therefore it is most important that EVERYONE feel it possible for them to seek help and improvement, whether they are a combat veteran or a victim of domestic violence.  Fear of being judged by one's peers or community cannot be allowed to prevent people from seeking aid, especially when dealing with PTSD, where social ramifications such as violence and maladaptive behavior can be the frequent result.

Currently there are several treatment models being tried; one element that is crucial is community.  The individual must feel safe and understood by those around him or her in order to relax, however briefly, the hyper-vigilance PTSD often generates.  Intrusive thoughts and feelings can make daily functioning as much of a nightmare as sleeping and dreaming often are.   It also seems as though many modalities must be coordinated to promote the best possible healing outcome.  What can a person do when initially trying to work through not only the enormous problems of the disorder, but the maze of information about its treatment? 

My personal experience is that, in fact, flower essences can be of enormous help.  There aren't any quick fixes or cure-alls when a person's brain and vital soul have been injured in such a manner.  It can take a long time to regroup, to recognize what is in the actual now and what is a memory putting itself forth as reality.  While many in the mainstream medical community completely dismiss the possible effectiveness of flower essences, practitioners report modest and continuing successes with them.  While we may not- and don't- know the ins and outs of how the brain truly functions, with abilities to repattern and heal itself, retrain and regain function, the research and literature is out there showing us what is possible and where we may be able to go in the future.  In the meantime, the flowers are powerful, non-invasive, non-chemical aids to regaining emotional balance and the ability to RESPOND to situations and not simply REACT. So, for a very simple example I have seen myself over time, a backfiring car or similar loud noise can be returned to its original annoying self, and not automatically switch the body into survival mode.  The more gains of this nature an individual can make, the more potential to heal the deep and unimaginable wounds that lie buried far below, and the better chance for a range of other therapies to take root and help.  The energetic repatterning and cleaning that the flower essences, and essential oils, work with, can be an inestimable and gentle aid to any person who is enduring this very painful burden.  We may never be able to go back to where we were before such an experience affects us.  We are, though, able to integrate it and learn from it and move on as our wiser selves.

In my work I have seen that, in addition to the more common oral dosage, topical applications of the essences, and using them in baths, can be quite effective with deeply pained and troubled individuals in a variety of difficult situations, and I often wonder why more people don't take advantage of this simple and beautiful offering from nature. 

Today is election day here in the United States, as we all all know.  It has been tremendously divisive in many ways, with family members set against family members in some cases, and a great deal of what the revered Jin Shin Jyutsu teacher, Mary Burmeister, referred to as FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real. 

It made me  think about the importance of the blood for basic health and clear thinking.  The blood carries information and nutrients throughout the body constantly.  The immune system contributes to this flow by adding "memories", if you will, of events against which the body needs to defend itself, or  just simply remember.  A wonderful book about the immune system is FAITH, MADNESS AND SPONTANEOUS HUMAN COMBUSTION: What Immunology Can Teach us About Self Perception, by Gerald N. Callahan, Ph.D.  Greatly oversimplified here,  it means the immune system, among its myriad activities, connects with the blood stream and contributes "memories" of events.  Over time, these "memories" can influence behavior and overall health.  This is easily understood in terms of germs causing disease.  The body "remembers" that flu or cold or germ from the scraped knee and is prepared to deal with it next time round.  The same principle applies to attitudes and thinking which influence potential dis-ease.  Hereditary issues, early training in life, traumatic events, information of all sorts, and things that cause irritation, all enter the system and if not processed out, remain in the body.  One can then be functioning at less than one's best, to say the least.

Herbs can be enormously helpful in maintaining a proper balance in the blood.  Red clover is just one example:  As an herb tea, it helps clean the blood of impurities.  As a flower essence, it promotes calmness and clarity, and lessens hysteria and susceptibility to unwanted outside influences.  The clover flower essences are all excellent sleep helpers,not coincidentally.

Many indigenous healers and shamans use a practice referred to as negotiation, in which the negative elements of a client's condition are communicated with and treated in accordance with that communication.  This may indeed sound way out, however  current modern medical research shows that there is a crucial connection between the mind and the body, and the communication with all elements therein is critical to the patient's well being, no matter what the condition.  In short, one must LISTEN.  Maintaining the stability of one's immune system is not only a matter of washing hands and not touching the face during flu season (both of which are essential of course).  It is also a matter of communicating with one's own body, seeing  and hearing what has come in to it, and what should be invited to leave.  Germs and negativity are things that should not remain in one's system unexamined- the system may be sturdy enough to perform its own negotiations and work, or it may need help.  The plants and energy medicine work are both powerful adjuncts to maintaining proper functioning and well being and are always available to help us, if we but ask. 

Breathing is, of course, essential to life.  It's funny how often, though, one can stop and realize one is holding one's breath or breathing shallowly.  Congestion enters in too, and pretty soon the body is not properly oxygenated and we don't feel very well.

Lately my allergies have been on High Alert and I was reminded of how wonderful all my old friends the Essential OIls are for clearing out congestion and restoring the breath.  A combination of eucalyptus, rosemary, peppermint, and hyssop oils diffused in a space can clean the air as well as the blood and restore proper breathing in fairly short order.  No side effects on the liver or kidneys or heart, and a detoxifying effect to boot, especially if thyme oil is included.  A combination of basil and mugwort (NOT for pregnant or nursing women or very young children) oils is extremely helpful for headaches induced by allergies and sinus congestion, and also migraines.  The combination of peppermint, rosemary and thyme works magic on sinus infections. These are all completely external applications, of course.  Taking essential oils by mouth is something that should only be done under the direction of a qualified practitioner.

Congestion can occur in any area of the body, and can be aided by essential oils topically applied.  Clotting disorders that lead to leg problems, leg swelling due to heart problems, neuropathy and diabetic complications, can all be helped by the application of essential oils in a soothing cream base.  Rosemary is especially outstanding for all these things,

Stress can also stop proper breathing, and this too can be aided by the use of oils, either in the air or topically. 

Breathing correctly is one of the most important things a person can do for their basic health, and I invite you to explore the simple and wonderful ways it can be aided by the use of essential oils.  There are many products on my website that aid oxygenation in the body, and customized products are always an excellent option and only an email away!

I have always loved plants; learning how to propagate them was one of my most exciting experiences.  The botanical world offers an enormous amount of help to us once we become aware.  Now, of course, this awareness is vital to the survival of the planet.  In keeping with the shifts in politics and economics, adjustments will be ongoing on every level, and this includes choices about self care and health, and how our money is spent on those things.

Indigenous and traditional medicine has used plants and flowers throughout time.  While it may be the paradigm of today to say that earlier healing work was not as effective as today's modern medicine, that is not altogether true.  The task of today's practitioner is to bridge the gap between the old knowledge and the new, and to use that long history of knowledge to enhance all healing work.  Inclusive awareness is critical.

A product that I think demonstrates this in a simple way is our Wrinkle Cream.  Aging is inevitable although our society attempts to deny that.  Part of what makes this process even more difficult is the prevailing attitude that it is almost..WRONG to age, to look one's age, to live within the natural cycles.  Incredible amounts of money are spent on treatments and surgery and things like botox, for example, which isn't a particularly healthy choice.  I made the Wrinkle Cream really just thinking about myself, to be honest.  I wasn't happy either about the crow's feet and furrowed brow!  What I saw afterward was the elegance and strength of the plants that came together in the ingredients.  Lots of nourishment from the (traditionally used, like fennel) essential oils, hormonal mediation and skin mantle balance, which alone would be enough to make a good product.  The flower essences give an extra layer of action however.  Mentally contributing to better self concept, less negative and fearful thought processes (again, with  traditional flower remedies, the Bach essences of Crab Apple and Star of Bethlehem among others), they affect the physical aspect of the skin by calming it, and thus, YOU.  The feeding and calming of the skin really does improve appearance markedly.  You feel better, and you look better.  There aren't any ingredients that will cause side effects or damage, just things that address the skin's actual needs. Not to mention that this is not only an affordable approach but a sustainable one, which can be applied to many, many situations.  Food for thought as well as the skin!

We all have alot of choices to make every day; sometimes it seems that we don't "have" a choice, and sometimes there are too many choices and not enough time.  For health related concerns, a tremendous amount of research must be done to make informed choices about care, and it seems at times easier to simply go to a "professional" and be told what to do.  Additionally, the scientific research model most common at this time forms thinking into a rather dualistic mode, linear and exclusive of anything that doesn't conform, such as the experience based wealth of information that an herbalist or energy practitioner will use.  A blending of both approaches, of course, is what brings the most success.   The individual must also cultivate their own awareness of what is happening in and to them.  The body and the mind are, of course, interwoven and communicate, and this communication can provide insight and direction to an individual in terms of choices about healing.

The model my practice offers is experientially based, as well as grounded in research.  It is one where the individual is in the position of making choices and taking decisions, based on their own functioning, so that they are in present time with themselves, not thinking about how it "was before this happened" or how it might be "if".   A real choice can then be made, which includes all relevant service options.  Perhaps this is a bit garbled, so, an example.  One client had ongoing tennis elbow.  This was a big problem since he was a professional tennis player.  He was taking anti-inflammatories, having steroid injections, and contemplating surgery.  A neighbor of mine at the time was an Olympic coach, friends with the tennis player, and knew about my work.  I made up a cream for the tennis player, who used it with  reluctance apparently; after all, how could a little jar of cream with plants in it do ANYTHING?  However, the results convinced him when his elbow was no longer painful, he could move it normally, and was not taking any medication.  In his case, the tendonitis was not so deeply entrenched that it could not be aided by the balancing of the energy flow in the arm, essentially.  Some of the ingredients in this cream helped the processing of excess calcium and acid in the system, others topically aided with pain, and others helped the energy in the affected area un-clench itself, removing the main blockage and restoring balance.

Other instances, of course, have not been as successful.  People who keep driving on despite pain and dysfunction will ultimately come to the point when nothing will really help except complete cessation of their activities, and often, medical intervention.   However, someone with a very demanding set of requirements or physical conditions can be aided by energy and botanical practices just as well as someone at the outset of a problem,  precisely because such work can assist a person in  seeing their situation with clarity, seeing possibilities for shift where they didn't before.  Behaviors and thinking change, and physical condition changes.

Recently a scientific talk was presented in the Bay Area regarding cellular research.  The gist of it was that it appears that all the cells in the body have "eyes", and can see each other.  It is already known how the immune system communicates with the entire body, and how the heart and brain interact.  One very important point, for me, was this example.  Modern cancer treatment consists largely of extirpation of the offending cells, and although tremendous strides have been made it is not 100% successful, and it can have  a very negative impact on the patient.   Since cells appear to be "sentient", wouldn't an approach of communication and not attack be worth exploring?  Energy and botanical medicines can perform in this manner- does this seem interesting to you? It does to me! My practice endeavors to work in this manner to get people and their systems back on the same page again.  Please contact me to see how this can be of assistance to you.  Meanwhile, next blog, probably more philosophy!

Since this is the First Blog Ever, please bear with me!
 
 Energy medicine is a huge and expanding field, and includes the practices of using flower essences, and essential oils.  The human body functions at certain electrical frequencies, or in other words: energy levels.  Botanicals, flower essences, and essential oils also function at their own specific frequencies.  It is the meeting and interaction of these frequencies that can restore balance and harmony to the system.

 There are, of course, many modalities that work in this way, but for the moment, think about  flower essences and the essential oils.  Both work on the body's energetic system, and topical applications are very effective as the skin, being the largest organ in the body, allows the distribution of ingredients throughout the system in a swift but gentle way.  Essential oils can penetrate cellular walls and the blood/brain barrier quickly and can thus bring a great deal of relief.  Flower essences work on the electrical field of the body, clearing it of discordant levels of energy.  With the electrical field functioning more cleanly, less "static" comes in to the body and the mind.

 A basic premise of my practice has been that what a client's thinking process is can be just as relevant as their presenting symptoms, in terms of developing an approach.  The way one thinks influences the way one feels and ultimately can become solidified into specific conditions.  This is why the botanicals can be of so much help:  their frequencies influence the energy of the body and the brain, and can actually raise levels where they are stagnant.  This can mean relief from anything from a bruise or sore knee, which is a physical stagnation, to improved functioning during crises and upsets, where a person may be mentally and/or emotionally stuck.  

Another aspect of this type of treatment is that it empowers you, as the receiver.  YOU are journeying with yourself to a state of improved function and feeling, as the botanical ingredients tone and support the system overall.   It isn't a matter of treating a symptom, having it go away only to reoccur or occur in another manner, or even possibly exacerbate the whole situation.  This mode of practice is really about coming into awareness of what your body is telling you, and doing, and how you really feel.  Then you can move into the best state possible for you at the time.