“Our
bodies are mirrors of mother nature.
Mother nature is the mirror of our inner nature.
In that way each of us are our own best doctors.”
Mother nature is the mirror of our inner nature.
In that way each of us are our own best doctors.”
–
Roman Hanis, Medicine Man
When I was a
young girl I lived in the last house on a dead end street next to a ball field
and large wooded area. There were no
other kids my age in the neighborhood and I would amuse myself by walking in
the woods alone any time of year, all hours of the day and sometimes even into
the evening. This would be unheard of
today. My mother said that I would leave
early and come home late. When she washed my clothes, bugs and sticks and
various yucky things would float to the surface.
Not only did I feel at home in the forest, I felt protected there. I learned a lot about nature and animals and myself. Once I cut my hand and was bleeding. I didn’t want to cut short my wanderings by returning home for a band aid. I turned instead to what I could find. There was a plant with long narrow leaves. I broke off one wrapped it around my hand like a bandage and continued exploring. The bleeding stopped in a short while and after a few hours I looked at my hand. Not only had my bleeding stopped, the cut had started to scab. As young as I was, I knew then that the forest held many remedies. No one told me and I would have to find them for myself.
Not only did I feel at home in the forest, I felt protected there. I learned a lot about nature and animals and myself. Once I cut my hand and was bleeding. I didn’t want to cut short my wanderings by returning home for a band aid. I turned instead to what I could find. There was a plant with long narrow leaves. I broke off one wrapped it around my hand like a bandage and continued exploring. The bleeding stopped in a short while and after a few hours I looked at my hand. Not only had my bleeding stopped, the cut had started to scab. As young as I was, I knew then that the forest held many remedies. No one told me and I would have to find them for myself.
Fast forward to
now, some 58 years later, and we are well aware that the rain forests, often
referred to as Nature’s Medicine Cabinet, contain plants from which medicines
are derived. Some 120 prescription drugs sold worldwide
today are known to contain ingredients derived directly from rain forest plants.
According to the U.S. National Cancer Institute, more than two-thirds of
all medicines found to have cancer-fighting properties come from rain forest
plants. Examples abound. Ingredients obtained and synthesized from a
now-extinct periwinkle plant found only in Madagascar (until deforestation
wiped it out) have increased the chances of survival for children with leukemia
from 20 percent to 80 percent.
Since I've retired, I
have immersed myself in learning various energy healing techniques and I apply
them to others and to myself. I use stones, crystals and oils in my healing work.
I have stopped my twice daily asthma inhaler (I still keep my emergency
inhaler, just in case, but don't use it) and also my blood pressure
medicine. As I told my cardiologist, “If
I am going to talk the talk, I should walk the walk.”
At age 67 my blood pressure is normal and besides an occasional Claritin, I feel pretty healthy. My doctor says I look great on paper. Though I am plagued by several back and hip issues that incapacitate me at times, I am trying now to apply natural healing techniques to those also. There are herbs that are anti-inflammatory and relieve pain.
During a shamanic journey to the Upper World
to find out how I could lessen my pain, I found my Teacher and asked for pain
relief. She led me to a garden. I knew I was shown that pain relief was
contained in that garden. I searched for
flower essences that would help me. It
turns out that essence of the flower “impatiens” was used in the 1930’s in the
place of morphine. I use it myself. Turmeric is also a natural anti-inflammatory.
I am weaning myself off my regular meds as we speak after receiving 2 shots in my spine. I am involved in physical therapy and discovered the pain I thought required a joint replacement can be ameliorated with stretching and exercise. Over the long range, I hope to regain most of the mobility I have lost. I am on the way there.
At age 67 my blood pressure is normal and besides an occasional Claritin, I feel pretty healthy. My doctor says I look great on paper. Though I am plagued by several back and hip issues that incapacitate me at times, I am trying now to apply natural healing techniques to those also. There are herbs that are anti-inflammatory and relieve pain.
During a shamanic journey to the Upper World
to find out how I could lessen my pain, I found my Teacher and asked for pain
relief. She led me to a garden. I knew I was shown that pain relief was
contained in that garden. I searched for
flower essences that would help me. It
turns out that essence of the flower “impatiens” was used in the 1930’s in the
place of morphine. I use it myself. Turmeric is also a natural anti-inflammatory. I am weaning myself off my regular meds as we speak after receiving 2 shots in my spine. I am involved in physical therapy and discovered the pain I thought required a joint replacement can be ameliorated with stretching and exercise. Over the long range, I hope to regain most of the mobility I have lost. I am on the way there.
I have used
various herbs to encourage dreaming, a shamanic practitioner's window to the future.
That practice has led me to want to learn more about herbs. I attended a
class taught by a local herbalist named Nathaniel Whitmore. His knowledge is impressive. I would recommend his writings and classes on
using natural herbs to cure all sorts of illness. He is local to me and I can attend these
classes easily, but he is not the only herbalist out there. A Google search can turn up similar persons
local to your area.
I recommend
attending a class. He has started a
trend here called “forest bathing”.
Known as Shinrin-yoku, it was recognized in Japan in 1982 as
a way to counter stress and fight degenerative illnesses such as heart disease.
It’s like sunbathing. All you need to do
is find a forest or a park with some trees and wander around enjoying “sensory
experiences”. Views of a stream, the
sounds of birds, the changing smells, textures and tastes all comprise the
experience. Two-hour sessions are
suggested.
Concrete benefits of forest bathing are still being researched, but a study by Japan's Nippon Medical School and Chiba University explains that trees emit organic compounds called phytoncides, which may have a profound impact on your immune system markers long after a forest bathing session. More positive effects could include lowering blood pressure and cortisol levels. When I practiced law, I looked forward to my weekend trail rides in the Ramapo Mountains on my black horse. I detoxed during those rides in the mountains and returned to work ready for another grueling work week. I knew those all day trail rides on my horse, did both my body and mind good.
Concrete benefits of forest bathing are still being researched, but a study by Japan's Nippon Medical School and Chiba University explains that trees emit organic compounds called phytoncides, which may have a profound impact on your immune system markers long after a forest bathing session. More positive effects could include lowering blood pressure and cortisol levels. When I practiced law, I looked forward to my weekend trail rides in the Ramapo Mountains on my black horse. I detoxed during those rides in the mountains and returned to work ready for another grueling work week. I knew those all day trail rides on my horse, did both my body and mind good.
For anyone that wishes to follow up on
the nature/healing nexus, there is an online course that you can take called Secrets ofthe Ancient Healers. Nick Polizzi and Shannon
Kring traveled the Americas to bring you indigenous plant medicine traditions,
sacred foodstuffs, and herbal remedies that bridge ancient wisdom and the
modern world. The course includes a video
that tracks 8 people afflicted with a variety of serious ailments seeking shamanic
cures in the jungles of South America.
Very interesting and with a twist in the end. Hint: 8 people go into the
jungle and 7 return. There is a cookbook
and a reference book concerning many herbs and their uses.
My monthly drum circles around an open bonfire are also great for relaxation. We meditate make a lot of noise, chant and sing. Good company and the natural surroundings make it an inexpensive foray into Forest Bathing. The list of dates can be found on my website:
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