Nathaniel Whitmore
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Holiday Herbs

12/31/2015

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Frankincense & Myrrh
Frankincense and Myrrh were brought to the birth of Jesus Christ. These resins are potent herbal medicines, just as with the resinous conifers, with anti-microbial and antifungal properties.
Myrrh is a specific remedy for toothaches. A species of the genus (Commiphora) is processed into Guggul, which has been receiving a lot of attention as an anti-cholesterol herb.  (Myrrh in its unproccessed state is quite resinous, making it hard to absorb internally and harmful for the kidneys.)  It is great for external use or incense.  Both Myrrh and Guggul have many medicinal uses.
Frankincense and Myrrh are both used to relieve pain. Frankincense especially is marketed (often under its latin name, Boswellia) for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. 
Both Frankincense and Myrrh are associated with spirituality and are available in essential oil form.    ...
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Herbs & The Spleen Meridian

12/31/2015

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Two main diagnostic points on the spleen meridian are Spleen 6 and Spleen 9.  Spleen 6 is the Triple Yin Meeting point and is an important point for all three yin ("solid organ") channels of the leg: Liver, Spleen, and Kidney, and for imbalances related to menstruation.  Spleen 9 is the Yin Mound Spring and is related to dampness in the body.   

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Warming Herbs for Winter

12/30/2015

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In the wintertime it is important to preserve one's vital energy (chi/ki) and avoid drawing too much from one's energy reserves (jing/essence).  For this reason it is good to focus on the use of tonic herbs like Ginseng, Licorice, and Astragalus in addition to the warming circulatory herbs like Cinnamon, Ginger, and other aromatics.  

It should be noted that warming herbs may have a tendency to produce dryness by overheating the fluids.  This in addition to the dryness produced by winter (both from the cold outside and from heating inside one's house) makes attention to yin tonics important.  Herbs like Slippery Elm, Solomon's Seal, and American Ginseng can help generate and protect fluids.  

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Herbs & Astrology

12/19/2015

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“A physician without knowledge of astrology has no right to call himself a physician.”
- Hippocrates   (460BC - 370BC)

“Each person is a sun and a moon, and a heaven filled with stars.”
- Paracelsus   (1493 - 1541)

“…physic without astrology being like a lamp without oil…”
- Culpepper  (1616 - 1654)

“We are in the Age of Aquarius and have a new paradigm for healing.”
- Ellis Peterson (Ragnar Storyteller)   (1937 - 2013)

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Herbs to Treat Arthritis

12/19/2015

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WARM / COOL – for cold people/conditions, use warm herbs (circulatory stimulants) 
                          for hot people/conditions, use cool herbs (antiinflammatories)

DRY / DAMP –  
for dry people/conditions, use moistening herbs (yin tonics)
                        for damp people/conditions, use dry herbs (bitters, aromatics)

EXCESS / DEFICIENT – for excess, use cleansing herbs (diuretics, diaphoretics, laxatives)

                                    for deficient people/conditions, use nourishing herbs (sweet tonics)

WIND – for conditions of wind, use cholagogues and antispasmodics

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BLACK COHOSH

12/19/2015

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Black Cohosh taxonomy is described by Wikipedia.  It is one of the ten best selling herbal supplements in the U.S. (see "10 Top Best Selling Botanicals"), a placement mostly based on its use to alleviate menopausal symptoms.  It is also used in Chinese medicine, usually being classified as a diaphoretic ("Exterior-Releasing Herb"), or an herb the induces sweating to treat fever (see Yin-Yang House).  It is on the Year One Materia Medica for at ArborVitae School of Traditional Herbalism.

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Domestic Production of Chinese Herbs

12/17/2015

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An article by Jean Giblette.

www.localherbs.org

more links on Chinese herbs grown in America...

Mountain Gardens - "Mountain Gardens is a botanical garden featuring the largest collection of native Appalachian and Chinese medicinal herbs in the Eastern US, organically grown at the foot of the Black Mountains in Western North Carolina."

Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm - seeds for Chinese medicinal herbs
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    Nathaniel Whitmore, herbalist

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