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THIS MONTH'S MUSE...
We have all had that night, or stretch of nights, where sleep has been illusive. You have tried counting backwards from 100, listening to soft music, or saying Hail Mary's repeatedly (yes, I have done this). Nothing seems to bring about helping you drift off, falling asleep or staying asleep. In the herb world, we have a group of plants in the nervine family which can support restful sleep. More specifically they are referred to as sedatives and soporifics.
Sedatives help to relax, calm, reduce stress and tension. They are calming to the nervous system. Soporifics help you fall asleep faster, wake up less often, and go into a deeper sleep, thus enhancing REM. Some of the herbs in these categories actually overlap (California poppy, passionflower, valerian, hops) but others do not such as lavender, motherwort, chamomile, skullcap, kava (sedatives). Here is a bit more info about the herbs.
Personally, I choose not to drink my sleepy herbs in tea (it's that old I-don't-want-to-get-up-in-the middle-of-the-night thing) so tinctures or capsules suit my needs. But, given that we are all not of that mind, here is a blend for tea (or making into a tincture) that would be helpful:
Down for the Count
Passionflower 1 part*
Skullcap 1 part
Hops 1/2 part
Linden 1/2 part
Oat seed 1/2 part
Lemon Balm 1/4 part
*a part can be any measurement of your choosing, i.e. tsp, tbsp, cup, etc
In this formulation, additionally the hops would benefit digestion following a late meal (which can impact restful sleep as well).
Don't want to make your own formulation? Herb Pharm makes a great tincture, Relaxing Sleep. Additional note about
tinctures: because they are the most bio available way to ingest herbs, they are absorbed very quickly into the body, generally being able to reap their benefit within 30 minutes. When sleep is elusive, this is a sweet deal!
So, here's to a good night sleep zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
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Valentine's Day is Coming
Chocolate - stimulates the brain's production of
endorphins.
Maca - lifts the libido
Roses - the flower of the heart, it is a heart opener and lifts the love vibration
Here is a quick recipe for my favorite massage oil...
coconut oil 1/2 cup
1 vanilla bean
1/4 cup of sunflower, almond, or apricot oils (choose one)
Place coconut oil in glass measuring cup. Create a double boiler effect by putting measuring cup in pan of water. Bring heat up to melt coconut oil, then place the
vanilla bean in coconut oil (make sure bean is sliced up length wise to expose the inside). Allow the bean to sit in warm liquified coconut oil until it takes on the vanilla scent. The longer you let it sit, the deeper the scent. (In the summer I do this outdoors in the sun for a few days.) Make sure if you keep the heat on low under the pan that you have enough water. When scent is to your liking, strain out vanilla bean, and add your liquid oil. Don't forget, in colder weather the coconut oil will drift back to being a solid. If this happens gently place bottle with oils in bit of warm water. Now go enjoy with your Valentine!
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2017 Herbal Allies Intensive
with
Susan Clements
April-October, one Sunday per month, 10-4:30
For more detailed information,
program emphasis, and other
particulars, please click here.
The
Earth & Ocean website
also has a page devoted to this program where you will find pictures and testimonials from former students. This year's program will dedicate a portion of every weekend to the wild plants growing in our area which are at peak for the month. Sustainable wildcrafting, medicine making, wild food (if appropriate for the plant), and energetics will be embraced as a major part of our studies.
This is a program suitable for beginners, or those wanting to approach learning from another perspective. A certificate of completion is awarded if program requirements are met.
There is still room available for April. Because the program is kept at a limited number of students, early registration is encouraged.
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MARCH
REJUVENATE WITH A SEASONAL DETOX
MARCH 4
12:00-1:00
IT'S MY HEALTH
1099 MENDON RD
CUMBERLAND, RI
401-305-3588
THIS IS A FREE TALK
THESE FREE TALKS WILL BE OFFERED EACH MONTH IN THIS LOCATION
I WILL OFFER FOUR WEEK DETOX PROGRAM IN THIS LOCATION BEGINNING
MARCH 30
PLEASE CONTACT IT'S MY HEALTH TO REGISTER AND FOR PROGRAM COST ETC.
SKIN INTENSIVE
WITH
SUSAN CLEMENTS
TWO PARTS
MARCH 8, 7-9 PM
MARCH 11, 10-4:30
PLEASE GO TO WEBSITE FOR ALL INFORMATION
THIS PROGRAM WILL FOCUS ON FACIAL AND BODY SKIN, PHYSIOLOGY, INGREDIENTS TO USE, NUTRITION, FORMULATING FOR DIFFERENT SKIN TYPES, RECIPES AND LOTS OF HANDS ON
SPRING'S COMING...GET READY TO DETOX!
MARCH 10
6 PM
GENESIS FITNESS FOR WOMEN
1882 FALL RIVER AVE.
SEEKONK, MA
508-557-0077
ALSO COMING IN SPRING
FORAGING INTENSIVES
(BEGINNING MAY)
BRIDGING HERBS AND SPIRIT
(BEGINNING JUNE)
CHECK FB
FOR UPDATES AND ADDITIONS
SERVICES
WELLNESS CONSULTATIONS
HOLISTIC SKIN CARE
REFLEXOLOGY
CALL 401-369-4297 FOR APPOINTMENT
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