Wapi’ Yechi :: Tonic Herbs for Balance + Harmony

pejuta win (herb woman) via sodahead

In the wise way of the Native American people, the concept of wapi’ yechi, or bringing a person back to balance, is deeply rooted in the way of medicine. The herb woman (pejuta win) administered herbs and contacted animal or ancestral spirits to heal a sick person.  It’s amazing that curing is equated with balance. The concept of restoring balance is inherent to herbalism, while modern allopathic medicine unfortunately has forgotten this wisdom.

We hear and talk about STRESS all the time, but really when you stop to think about what it actually means, it becomes a little less … stressful. Stress is whatever causes the body to be pulled away from balance. The nature of life is change and therefore no one can escape stress. When stress gets the best of us illness (imbalance) occurs. However, there are herbs that help us cope with stress and restore balance … wapi’ yechi.

Tonic herbs are masters of balance, like Libra. The secret to their gift is that they are dual-natured, like gemini; they contain opposite groups of constituents that each carry opposite signals to the body. The body then chooses based on “specific hunger” which action it needs, based on the situation at hand. For example … echinacea is a tonic herb that has the ability to BOTH lower white blood cell count or raise white blood cell count. If a person has LOW white blood cell count, their body would interpret the echinacea as a white blood cell ENHANCER, and vise versa!! (Specific hunger is the idea that the body is wise and knows what is best for it, such as a child with a fever craving a cucumber…knowingly or not the cucumber cools and reduces fever! This happens all the time, but the important thing is to listen to your own body. Cravings are a whole other story….) This is an amazing interaction between plant and body that reflects our oneness with all of nature…they have this unspoken understanding that transcends the need for specific drugs or “instructions” from us!

Our bodies and the plants are truly partners in healing and harmony.

It is somewhat hard for us to understand that many herbs can have two opposite effects on the body, depending on what is needed at the time. Perhaps that is because modern medicine focuses on solving one problem in the body at a time. Not surprisingly, this approach always causes many side effects, because this method only furthers the IMBALANCE in the body.  A people’s medicine reveals much about the way of life and beliefs that govern daily living and perception of life. It seems that modern medicine ignores the concept of balance and makes it foreign to us. Using tonic herbal formulas daily is a proactive way to “fill in the gaps” of our current medical model.

Tonic herbs are always non-toxic, dual-natured, suitable for long-term use, and restore balance to body systems that are under stress. They don’t need any instructions, just take them and they will work WITH your body to fix what needs fixing. Here are some tonic herbs:

echinacea

ginseng

licorice root

rosemary

motherwort

chamomile

passion flower

milk thistle

horsetail

ginger

sarsaparilla

yerba mate …. these are just a few! as always feel free to message me with questions or help finding the right tonic herbs!

Trust the inherent wisdom of your body and the plants! Tonic herbs are like tune-ups for your body. Even if you don’t feel sick or imbalanced, or you aren’t sure which systems are off balance in your body, you can revive the age-old practice of taking tonic herbs everyday for optimal health.

The Herbs of Libra, the Scales that Bring Balance

Libra’s are one of my favorite signs of the zodiac. In my experience, they are Creative, Wise, Peaceful, Charming, Witty, and FUN people. Being the scales, they have an inherent ability to see both sides of a given situation and make balanced decisions this way. It is always a gift to befriend a Libra, and they usually have many good friends because they are such good company. They are of the AIR element group, along with Gemini and Aquarius, and this allows for their free-spirited and usually laid-back way of walking this earth. As we enter into the Autumn, the time of Libra, this time of high energy and change in the winds, we honor the Libra’s and give thanks for their many gifts…

libra by hello baby via days in my wonderland

Libra rules the KIDNEYS, which by no coincidence are ultimately the organs which provide the water BALANCE in our bodies. Healthy kidney function is vital to maintain proper acid/alkaline balance in the body. Hence, potential health concerns for Libra’s revolve around kidney dysfunction. Fortunately, Mother Nature bestowed many herbs that benefit the kidney and bladder directly. While these are the herbs of Libra, any of us can be afflicted with Libra-type kidney imbalances, and these herbs will benefit any person in need of restoring balance to the body:

Violet: this sweet little purple-flowered plant, also known as hearts-ease, is a soothing treatment for the kidneys and can aid headaches and dizziness. The Greeks used it regularly in love potions because it was considered a symbol of love and fertility. It can be used as a tea (leaves) and the flowers can be eaten raw in salads, deserts, or jellies.

violet syrup via life’s a lasagna

Thyme: An overall healing herb that is “excellent for healing headaches and giddiness arriving from nervous kidneys,” according to Ada Muir. Thyme is the courage-giving mint. Thyme contains powerful antibacterial and antiseptic properties that fight off coughs, colds, and gum disease. Drink it as a tea and/or use it in the kitchen to add taste to any dish.

Pennyroyal: Another mint, this herb is soothing and warming. It has traditionally been used for painful menstruation, stomach aches, colds/fevers/chills, and as an insect repellant. Can be used topically in olive oil as a rub for the stomach or drank as a tea sparingly. **Pregnant women should NOT use this herb as it is an abortifacient.**

Feverfew: Known also as Flirtwort (Libra’s are sometimes referred to as the flirts of the zodiac) it’s gained its notoriety as a headache healing herb throughout the world. Ada Muir states that it strengthens and cleanses the kidneys. It is also used for colic, toothache, and vertigo. Take as a tincture to relieve migraine headaches.

Burdock Root: Also called Love-Leaves and Happy Major, this root is a revered kidney and liver tonic herb. Its high antioxidant count aids the liver in detoxification, and also helps the kidneys maintain proper hormonal balance. These actions positively effect the whole body; a flowing, happy digestive system, radiant, clear skin, and healthy, balanced reproductive organs. Take as a tea by boiling the root in water over a low flame for 15-20 minutes.

♥ Blessings for a balanced, peaceful, and lovely Autumn ♥

Beloved Trend: Zodiac + Sun Signs in Fashion

Finally, the zodiac is going noticed in fashion, makeup, jewelry, and the like. Each time I spy a sun-sign inspired piece, I am reminded of when I was 17 years old, making tee shirts with iron-on zodiac decals that I ordered on e-Bay. In fact, I own a substantial collection of zodiac jewelry, including a gold Gemini bracelet from Free People and a 1970’s wooden block with a pair of “love is…” comic strip twins painted on it. Nowadays, I’ve noticed a rising trend in zodiac paraphernalia. I think there is something very appealing about showing off your sign– it’s a chance to express your individuality and give people a tiny glimpse into what’s underneath the clothing. I love how M.A.C. Cosmetics has used the zodiac as inspiration for 12 color palettes, tailored to each sign, which you can find on this fun Facebook app, and how Free People has tapped into the sun-sign energy to create an interactive e-catalog based on travel and the zodiac. Here are some of my favorite manifestations of this new starry trend. (please follow the links below the images to visit shops.)

“I learned, in short, that love is not a condition of the spirit but a sign of the zodiac.”
— Gabriel Garcí­a Márquez (Memories of My Melancholy Whores)

this post was written while listening to: Jane’s Addiction – Ocean Size/Mountain Song/Up the Beach/Then She Did/Summertime Rolls/I would For You/Slow Divers/Jane Says