Healing Wise

January 13, 2012 in Health Concerns, Herbal Allies | Permalink | Comments (1)

January 10, 2012

Dried Nettles Best for Infusions

Hello!

I've been using nettle infusion for over 2 years now and I love it. I'm very grateful I discovered you Susun. Thank you.

My question: Can I make nettle infusion from FRESH nettle leaves? If so, what is the proportion of fresh leaves needed to 4 cups of water? Thank you very much.

Hello,

Eat the fresh nettles - save the dried for the infusions. From Susun: "Since the minerals and other phytochemicals in nourishing herbs are made more accessible by drying, dried herbs are considered best for infusions."

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Wild_Food1.htm

January 10, 2012 in Nourishing Herbal Infusions, Weeds | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 31, 2011

Herbal Allies for Weight Control

I struggle to maintain my weight. Is there any natural herb that I can take to help keep my weight under control?

Hello,

Some herbs that are often used to help with losing weight would be chickweed - drink the infusions and/or you can use tincture as well. Eat the fresh plant whenever it is available. If you are unfamiliar with making infusions, Susun's site, Nourishing Infusions, can help. http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/

Drink bladderwrack tea:

Gently simmer a handful of fucus (Bladderwrack) for 15 minutes in enough water to cover. OR, fill a quart jar only full with dried bladderwrack; add boiling water to completely fill the jar.

Cap and let steep overnight.

Next morning, strain (give the seaweed to the nearest patch of earth), warm and enjoy, seasoned to your taste!

Try taking dandelion root tincture before each meal to aid with proper digestion and absorption...

Here is one article that was in our newsletter: http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/September06/goddess.htm

Of course, one needs to focus on healthy foods, whole grains, vegetables - try to include seaweeds, mushrooms and wild foods. Drink nourishing infusions daily.... move as often and as best as you can. Eat healthy fats from organic sources if possible, full-fat yogurt, nuts, avocados, fatty fish. Going low-fat or no fat may cause you to lose weight but can also cause further poor health.

Some other articles on diet, wild foods, etc. that you may enjoy:

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Wild_Food2.htm

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Nutrition.htm

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

December 31, 2011 in Nutrition | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 30, 2011

Herbal Apprenticeship for Men

Dear Susun,

I am very interested in being a live-in apprentice. I have been involved in herbal and natural healing since I was a small child. I found out about you from my mother, and I did some research on your website to see what you offered. I would love nothing more than to participate in your Shamanic apprenticeship program, but unfortunately I cannot due to the fact I am male. So, my question to you is: Do you know of anyone that provides a similar service for men? What is the longest live-in program you offer for males? Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Peace and love...

Hello,

Many thanks for writing. Susun offers a couple of opportunities for men - you are able to participate in Susun's live-out apprenticeship. You can read more about what it offers here: http://www.susunweed.com/apprentice_wisewoman.htm

You can also take any of Susun's correspondence courses:
http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/store_results.asp?Category=3&SubCat=1005&Section=Correspondence+Course

These courses include mentorship with Susun via postal mail and three hours of phone talk time along with a 50% discount on three of her one day workshops. You could also organize a weekend for her to come to your hometown - cost is $1000 per day including travel days.

I would also check out Anima Center for possiblities for men as well. Their website is here:http://animacenter.org/

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Anthrax.htm

December 30, 2011 in Studies with Susun Weed | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 29, 2011

Healing Foot Fungus

Dear Susun,

Please, can you help me?

I have a terrible fungal infection on the instep of my foot (called bullous tinea pedis). I am breastfeeding and I don't want to use doctor's drugs anyway.

You wrote that apple cider vinegar is one of your favourite antifungal remedies. How do I apply it? Should I soak my foot in it? Please can you help. I am quite frightened and don't want to lose my foot.

Thank you for sharing your wisdom.

Hello,

Yes, you can soak your foot in the ACV, usually diluted anywhere from 1 part vinegar to 4 parts water to 1/2 and 1/2, twice a day, at least 15-20 minutes. Can use plain ACV or have the vinegar infused with either red clover or yarrow... Some people use vinegar straight, applying with a cotton ball over affected areas. I would also try yarrow tincture spray on feet as well.

Also from Susun: "In order to kill the fungus in those places, wipe out shoes with vinegar and place in the sun to dry. For socks, sheets, towels, rugs (yes the fungus hides in all those places and can stay alive there for years), wash well, wipe or rinse with vinegar and dry in the sun if at all possible. A few days of "hysterical hygiene" should insure that the fungus will get gone and stay gone."

Internally, I would try dandelion root and/or burdock root tinctures, make sure to keep your immune system strong, incorporating mushrooms, seaweed, etc. into diet. Here is some of Susun's thoughts on that:

http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Strengthen_Your_Immune_System.htm

You may also wish to check out our forum at www.healingwiseforum.com in case there are some other suggestions there as well. Susun will be finishing up her free health hotline for the season, but you can still call this Tuesday between the hours of 7:30pm - 9:30pm EST at 845-246-8081 if you'd like to discuss it further with her.

Again, I would do the soaks a couple times a day if possible, and try to let go of the fear. Be patient, keep your immune system strong, foot treated, clean and dry and you should see improvement.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

December 29, 2011 in Health Concerns, vinegars | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 27, 2011

Herbal Allies for Lung Cancer

Hi Susun

My sister has Lung Cancer a tumor that can not be operated on and I was wondering if there were any herbs that can she can take or make a tea out of?

...I love everything you talk about you are reason I started a few years ago to study the herbs. Thank you very much.

Hello,

Susun mentions that mistletoe has made dramatic improvements in general health, especially for those with late-stage cancers. It is usually administered by injection, but can also be taken as an infusion. As one needs to be cautious when using mistletoe, it would be best if you can find someone in your area to monitor your sister. Some other allies to investigate would be for lungs: mullein leaf infusions, elecampne root tincture, horsetail tea, nettle infusions, yarrow flower tincture. For the brain: gingko leaf tincture, oatstraw infusions, rosemary tea, lavendar tea, red clover blossom infusions. I would suggest that you go to our forum at www.healingwiseforum.com. You may be able to find someone in your area to work with your sister and also for further suggestions. Susun goes into a lot of detail for various approaches in her book, Breast Cancer? Breast Health!

Susun does also offer phone consultations as well and may be something that your sister would consider. These are in twenty minute and 1 hour sessions and all pertinent information is sent in advance so that all of the time can be used with Susun talking.

These are booked through our bookshop here: http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/store_results.asp?Category=3&SubCat=1034&Section=Consultations

Note: Susun will spend one hour on the phone with you and 30 minutes reading your question and preparing for consultation, another 20 minutes will be spent formatting your mp3 and sending it to you, and another 20 minutes for an assistant to schedule your consultation time and other logistics, so the fee covers 130 minutes including three people’s service (Susun and two assistants).

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/

December 27, 2011 in cancer, Herbal Allies | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 26, 2011

Free Course ~ Nourishing Herbal Infusions

Hi I heard you on Gary Null recently, thanks for all the advice, I love to drink teas and infusions, I will look into your recipes etc....

Glad you enjoyed the interview. If you are interested in learning more about the infusions that Susun drinks daily, check out her website here:

She also offers an online course free of charge that not only discusses infusions but making tinctures, medicinal vinegars, etc. :

http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1000456

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

December 26, 2011 in Nourishing Herbal Infusions | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 25, 2011

Fig Leaf Tea

Can you tell me if the stories on the internet about fig leaf tea balancing blood sugar and reducing the need for insulin for diabetics are true and if it is safe particularly during pregnancy.

Hello,

I don't have any first hand experience with using fig leaf. I would recommend asking your question at our forum: www.healingwiseforum.com and see if someone there may have used it. Some things that Susun recommends for stablizing blood sugar would be dandelion root, burdock root and cinnamon. Lady's mantle is another herb to use and drinking herbal infusions such as nettles and oat straw. I would feel fine using any of the above during pregnancy, except for the cinnamon, which I would use sparingly.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

December 25, 2011 in Herbal Safety | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 24, 2011

Good Sources of Soy for Bone Health

...As a lover of miso and tahini, making a mixture to spread on bread and I would imagine that this qualifies, (for soy intake when dealing with osteoperosis) but wondering if tofu (firm and raw) is to be avoided, or used sparingly?

I try to avoid tamari given the high salt content and instead use a substitute.

Hi,

Your spread sounds divine and would certainly qualify and of course avoid the tamari if need be. Yes, I would use tofu sparingly. There seems to be a great deal of misunderstanding in how tofu was used traditionally in Asia - it was often fermented and always used as a side dish with the emphasis on other parts of the meal such as whole grains and vegetables.

In the West, we latched onto it and quickly there was a monstrous proliferation of soy products - soy milk, soy ice cream, soy cheese, soy sandwich meat, soy turkey, and on and on. So a person gets up in the morning and can easily have every piece of food they put in their mouth be a soy product. This simply was not the manner in which it was used. I prefer to eat it in the traditional way and avoid all other soy products.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

December 24, 2011 in bone health, Wise Woman Q&A | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 23, 2011

Nourishing Herbal Infusions for Bone Health

...I have been diagnosed with Osteoporosis and my intuition is that infusions of Oatstraw, Nettle, and Red Clover, all brewed separately, will do wonders....

Thanks again and again...

Hello,

Sounds like your intuition is spot on. :)

When dealing with osteoporosis, you may also want to look into horsetail herb as well and make sure to avoid soy, unless fermented such as miso and tamari. Here is one of Susun's articles: http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/An_Excerpt-103-better_bones.htm

Although some of it is geared towards women, the article would certainly apply to men as well.

Something that I think would be beneficial for you would be Susun's free course, Nourishing Herbal Infusions. This is completely free and self-paced and is a great introduction to the infusions and other aspects of herbal healing, such as medicinal vinegars, tinctures, etc. You have PDF lessons you can download, assignments to do if you wish, an herb chart and three lectures, including one on bone health. This also has life-time access to class forum as well.

You can sign up through our bookshop at this link: http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1000456

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

December 23, 2011 in bone health, Nourishing Herbal Infusions | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 22, 2011

Oat Straw for Carpal Tunnel

Afer listenging to your brillant lecture yesterday re Osteoporosis. I am preparing to make 3 herbal infusions: Nettles, oatstraw, and Red Clover.

I would love to make an infusion for my hands. I have what appears to be damage in both hands, first three fingers, and much like Carpal Tunnel. Is there an herb that I can use in a herbal infusion that might aid in the regeneration of nerves in my hand? If you have a name, or names, I will try it sooner than soon....Thank you and blessings

Hello,

Oatstraw infusions for nerve pain and regeneration, nettle infusions for large amounts of needed minerals ... I would also do some comfrey leaf infusions. St. Joan's (St. John's) Wort oil and/or Solomon's Seal oil for massaging the area - you can also take the tincture of both internally as well.

Nourishing bone broths with barley and other whole grains, good organic fats, and eggs in your diet, as b12 has been shown to offer help. You may want to check out our forum at www.healingwiseforum.com. A search there should bring up a number of posts in relation to carpal tunnel.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

December 22, 2011 in Health Concerns, Herbal Allies | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 21, 2011

Too Much of a Good Thing?

Hi,

I love to drink large quantities of Nettles, Alfalfa and dandelion teas. I am 48 and feel I'm in good shape, I do tend to have breast cysts more in one breast. I nursed for 7 years on one breast and the one I didn't nurse on seems to be a problem. I only take Evening primrose oil along with the teas. I had been taking vitex for a few years and have recently found that I may have been taking to much (may have caused adverse reactions?). Anyways is drinking about 48 ounces of the teas a good thing or bad?

Hi,

If we are talking about the herbal infusions made with nourishing herbs, you should have no problem with drinking 48 ounces. I drink on average 2 quarts daily, so that is 64 ounces right there. I would focus on the main herbs such as nettle, red clover, oatstraw, comfrey leaf and then add in here and there others such as dandelion, alfalfa. You can read more about the infusions here: http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/

You may also wish to check out Susun's free online course, Nourishing Herbal Infusions: Drink your way to Health. This goes into greater detail of not only the infusions but tinctures, medicinal vinegars, etc. - all cost effective and able to be made at home by the lay-person. The course is self-paced and has a lot of resources. You can read more about it here: http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1000456

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

December 21, 2011 in Nourishing Herbal Infusions | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 20, 2011

Burdock Root, Cinnamon, and Dandelion for Diabetes

I heard your interview in Garry Noll show where he asked you about herbs for the prostate. I am very interested in that.

I am also concerned about my wife. She is 52 years young and she suffers from arthritis, high blood
pressure and diabetics. Please let me know if you can help.

Hello,

For overall health, we recommend herbal infusions on a daily basis. They work gently but can help even with conditions such as arthritis, high blood pressure and more. You would want to start out with the main ones - nettles, red clover, oatstraw and comfrey leaf. These are usually drank each day and you rotate the herbs from day to day. You can find out more at Susun's site here:
http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/

If you take this on a daily basis, you most likely will find other health issues being reduced in severity. A few things to look into for high blood pressure would be hawthorne or motherwort tincture.

Burdock root, cinnamon, dandelion, for diabetes. Make sure to incorporate wild foods into your diet - dandelion greens, purslane, lamb's quarters, chickweed, mushrooms, seaweeds. Eat unprocessed foods, good fats. Some more on general nutrition here: http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Nutrition.htm and http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Optimum_Nutrition.htm

Another article that might interest you: http://www.menopause-metamorphosis.com/An_Excerpt-118-heart_healthy.htm

For prostate health, look at nettle root tincture, saw palmetto tincture, red clover infusions, flax seeds - eat plenty of green and yellow foods. Here is a link to an excerpt of Susun's book Down There: http://www.wisewomantradition.com/wisewomanweb/2011/02/your-healthy-prostate.html

Full lecture can be ordered here: http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1000551 and the Book can be ordered through our bookshop here: http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1000578

Susun's books Healing Wise and The New Menopausal Years would be good overall resources as well. We also have a large active forum where you will find many threads on topics such as you are interested in: www.healingwiseforum.com

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

December 20, 2011 in Health Concerns, Herbal Allies | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 15, 2011

Ratio of Herbs to Water for Nourishing Herbal Infusions

Hi,

I have visited your site and read about stinging nettle infusions for adrenal fatigue. Based on my symptoms I believe I have it. Here is my question: How much of the cut version of the stinging nettle would I need to drink 4-5 quarts a week? I have ordered some online, but can only order them in 1-pound quantities. It sounds like I would need a lot of it, which frankly could get expensive. Any suggestions?

Hello,

The ratio is 1 ounce of herb per quart of water for the infusions. Taking a look at Mountain Rose Herbs, they currently are offering a pound of organic nettle leaf for $9.50, so roughly .59 cents per quart of infusion. This is usually less than many supplements that you find on the market, and we find it to be better absorbed by your body and superior in mineral content to capsules.

Of course, the best way is to pick nettle yourself. It grows about anywhere, so if you can find it, harvest it or start your own patch. This way you can also be guaranteed a high quality harvest.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

Hello Kim,

Thanks so much for getting back to me. I thought I had read something about 8 ounces and then straining out the leaves after they have steeped a few hours. So can I use a regular tea infuser or would that not be holding enough of the herb?

Hi,

It is the 1 ounce not 8. However, you will see that one ounce of herb by weight turns out to be a rather large amount by volume as most of the time you are dealing with leaves and blossoms which weigh very little - takes a lot to make one ounce. You would never be able to put it all in a tea infuser - instead you leave the plant material loose in the jar with the water, straining out afterwards. Susun has a site that includes directions, youtube video and details on the nourishing herbs used most regularly. If you haven't seen it, I would check it out: http://nourishingherbalinfusions.com/

Susun also offers a free, self-paced online course that has a lot of resources on infusions along with making your own tinctures, medicinal vinegars, lectures from Susun, classroom forum, etc. Here is more info on that: http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1000456

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

December 15, 2011 in Nourishing Herbal Infusions | Permalink | Comments (0)

December 08, 2011

Using Aromatics to Flavor Infusions

Hi Susun,

Just wondering: is it necessary to do the infusions one at a time or could I do a mix of red clover, red raspberry, mint etc. Thanks...

Hello,

Susun recommends using one herb per infusion, not mixing them up. So drink a quart of red clover, then a quart of oatstraw and so forth. Aromatic herbs such as mint are not considered a nourishing herb and not used regularly other than perhaps using a pinch in your other infusions such as red clover for a bit of flavoring.

More on infusions here: http://www.nourishingherbalinfusions.com/

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team