Dive into the complete episode list for Herbal Womb Wisdom. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
And how do you reconnect to the innate wisdom of your womb?
If you've ever asked these questions, or are asking them right now, then this episode is for you.
And let's just clear this up right now. Even when your womb is removed, as in with a hysterectomy, or once you're beyond cycling years, as in menopause, your connection with your womb space is no less present.
Womb connection is for anyone who currently has a womb or used to have one. The power, creative potential, and wisdom housed in this part of your body is available to you.
In this episode you'll learn:
where the womb space is located
all about the relationship of the womb to the first and second chakras
how your womb connects you to your ancestral lineage and future generations
how your wombspace and cycles act as indicators of overall health
ways to start to connect or deepen your relationship to your own womb
Are you curious about how to make simple changes in your life to support your hormonal health?
Have you been wondering about Ayurveda?
In this episode, Ayurvedic educator and health coach Kimberly Kubicke shares about how the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda can support your day-to-day life and make a big difference in your hormonal balance, whether you’re experiencing blood sugar challenges, thyroid issues, cycle weirdness, or in your transition into menopause.
You’ll learn:
Daily routines that can dramatically improve your body’s balance
Food and lifestyle changes that can make a big difference
How not resting enough might contribute to hormonal imbalances
Ideas for personalizing these suggestions into what will work best for you
A simple breathing exercise to enhance your hormonal health
Be sure to subscribe, rate and review the podcast if you feel it! And if you loved this episode, share it with a friend or your community.
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Whether you’re new to herbs or an herbalist in the making, you’re probably still in the process of understanding what the difference between using herbs and actually practicing herbalism is. Or maybe you’re just wondering what people mean when they talk about “energetics.” Or maybe you’re wondering where to start, or how to deepen your knowledge.
If any of this sounds like you, then you’re in the right place.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Some of the history of “western” herbalism and medicine in the US
Why asking “what herb is good for…” is a very limited perspective
How herbal commerce perpetuates a superficial view of what herbalism is
Why it’s important to know if your herbs are at-risk or endangered
Ways to start looking at herbs from a more nuanced lens
How practicing herbal medicine requires deeper knowledge of both herbs and people
Ways to start to think through individualizing herbs for yourself and others
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Holy basil, sacred basil, tulsi, the incomparable one... all common names for a well-loved medicinal plant originally from tropical regions like India and Africa.
Today, we're going to cover many aspects of tulsi, from personal stories to ancient wisdom to modern clinical use backed by scientific research.
In this episode, you'll learn:
where and how tulsi is traditionally grown and revered
why the plant has been commonly named "holy" and "sacred"
the energetics and actions of tulsi as a medicinal plant
when and how you might incorporate tulsi into your life
scientifically-backed uses of tulsi on a clinical level
Be sure to subscribe, rate and review the podcast if you feel it! And if you loved this episode, share it with a friend or your community.
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Ovulation is a superpower. Learn to listen to the signs of your cycle to enhance your life.
Do you ever wonder whether or not your cycle is "normal"? Or sometimes think maybe you'd prefer a natural form of contraception, but don't know where to start...
Maybe you've heard about cycle synching and want to deepen your relationship with your cycle so that you can really explore these concepts.
Maybe you aren't even sure why you should be interested in tracking your cycle or whether you're ovulating in the first place. I mean, what's the point if you already use an app?
Or you've been hearing about fertility awareness for a while and are ready to take the steps to start practicing it yourself...
If any of these sound like you, you're in the right place, my beautiful friend.
Listen to the episode to find out about:
what ovulation is (the basics)
the inherent superpowers of the ovulatory phase of your cycle
how ovulation benefits you beyond just fertility
the magic of progesterone
how to know if your lack of ovulation may be due to low estrogen
why most apps are not the best choice for tracking your cycle
how to track your own cycle using the Fertility Awareness Method (including what you need to know about checking your basal body temperature, cervical fluid and cervical position) for contraception, fertility or general health awareness
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal and integrative health educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
In these tender hearted times, one of the most hopeful things we can do is dream into seeding future possibilities. Maybe for you that includes growing your own medicine.
If that's you, take a listen and grab the guide below to get started with your own personalized womb medicine garden!
Whether you've got a sunny balcony, a small raised bed, or a whole farm, you can start to grow your own medicine... even if you've never grown a plant before.
Cultivating relationships with the medicine plants can be a powerful part of the healing path.
And while it doesn't always have to happen in the garden, growing your own medicine can help you experience them as more than just an herb in a jar, or tincture bottle... and instead as whole living beings, as friends.
So, if you're curious about medicinal herb gardening basics, or wanna know which easy-to-grow herbs you could add to your garden this year (or next) to support your own personal womb health, give this a listen!
In this episode, you'll learn about:
the most basic things you need to start your medicine garden (even if you're just growing your plants in pots)
why many medicinal plants don't need to be pampered
13 easy-to-grow plants to add to your menstrual & hormonal health garden
the essentials on how and where those plants like to grow
the essentials on how they can ease your menstrual cramps, curb heavy periods or menopausal flooding, support your mood if you experience PMS or menopausal mood swings, or balance your hormones no matter what season of life you're in
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
And, leave a ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ rating & review, I'd love to hear from you!
Or if social is more your thing, come over and connect on... IG: @herbalwombwisdom FB: @herbalwombwisdom Let me know your questions, what you're most curious about, and what your dream topics for me to cover on the podcast are!
Have you ever wondered about natural forms of birth control?
Or if herbal contraception actually works?
Maybe you’ve even heard about wild carrot seed but just weren’t totally sure HOW to work with it...
Or who the heck you could trust to provide clinically-sound information on dosage and timing to ensure the best results...
If any of this is resonating, this episode is perfect for you.
Listen to this conversation with clinical herbalist Mischa Schuler to learn:
The basics on Wild Carrot, which is also known as Queen Anne’s Lace
How to identify this plant friend and differentiate from poisonous look-alikes (see details on show notes page)
How Wild Carrot is helpful for both conception AND contraception (what!? It’s true)
The nitty-gritty on the Wild Carrot seed contraception study that Robin Rose Bennet and Mischa worked on together
Everything you need to know to incorporate Wild Carrot into your life as a contraceptive ally
Why Wild Carrot seed sometimes doesn’t work, and who should definitely NOT use it
The exact time and dosage that will ensure best results for contraception
Why tracking the signs of your ovulation (as described in Episode 5) is essential practice for calculating appropriate timing of your wild carrot seed doses
How to make Wild Carrot seed tincture for best effects
And so much more!!
This episode gets a little nerdy and detailed at times so if it ever feels like too much, you can always return to it, listen again, or check out the show notes for all the most essential info.
The earth is stirring, the seeds are sprouting, the plants are poking their little heads out of the soil, the snow is melting and the waters are flowing. Depending on where you live, you may already have lots of spring edibles and medicinals emerging.
These transitional times, the between-season times, and especially the shifting forward and back between what feels like winter and what is clearly spring, are an opportunity to listen to our bodies, to really feel into what we're needing, and give ourselves some extra support.
This episode shares all about listening to the cycles of the earth through our bodies, and how you can incorporate wild plants (many that are probably growing as weeds in your yard or a nearby park) into springtime tonics that support the releasing of the heavier, duller, denser energy of winter, and support your detoxification and elimination pathways in your body, so you can feel lighter, brighter and more vital as the spring really sets in.
Our wombs directly connect us to the cycles of the earth, so learning to live a more seasonal lifestyle helps us cultivate healthy foundations in our bodies, including in support of more balanced menstrual & hormonal health.
Listen to this episode to learn:
two ways the cycles of our own lives as folks with wombs connect us to the earth
how the energy of the wild weeds of spring are perfect antidotes to the heaviness we may be carrying after a deep winter
the story behind how I started incorporating spring edibles into my life (spoiler alert: it involves living with a hermit, having no money, no car, and not enough food)
ways to prepare these wild weeds in your foods or teas
what these plants are actually doing in your body, including how they're supporting your liver, kidneys, and digestive system and why that's also helpful for your hormones
why ramps are a controversial topic
a deeper look into nettles, chickweed, garlic mustard, dandelion, burdock, & yellow dock
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Have you ever been curious about what's going on "down there"? Or wonder what's even normal? Or how to prevent infections? Or how the heck to deal with recurrent ones?
Your vagina (yep, I'm going there) is seriously amazing.
And cultivating a healthy vaginal microbiome can make a world of difference to the integrity of your vaginal lining, which can reduce transmission of STI's, decrease dryness or irritation, and keep recurrent infections at bay.
This is essential info for anyone with a vagina (or yoni, if that's more your vibe).
Listen to this episode to learn:
the basics of your vaginal ecology, what's normal and what's not
signs of imbalance that you can look out for
how an imbalanced vaginal microbiome relates to other conditions or challenges
potential causes of these imbalances, why is this happening?
why lactobacillus is so important!
how to live a preventative lifestyle that encourages a healthy vagina
a whole bunch of specific tips on how to restore your robust and healthy vaginal microbiome when you've got an imbalance going on
Connect more deeply with your body. Start by getting to know your cycle, whether it's regular or not with TRACK YOUR CYCLE THE NATURAL WAY (free step-by-step guide): https://www.herbalwomb.com/trackyourcycle
DISCLAIMER: This podcast and blog is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Have you ever been curious about how to clear out emotional trauma from your womb?
Or wonder about that lingering feeling of connection to past sexual partners, and how that might be impacting your day-to-day life?
Today's conversation with mystic herbalist and Ayurvedic health counselor Sondra Hamilton covers a variety of traditional practices that can support you to bring healing into your womb.
From simple herbal bathing rituals she learned from her curandera teachers, to womb connection practices she's found to be powerful in her own life, to certain Ayurvedic herbal formulas that support uterine function... there's a lot we explore here.
In this episode you'll learn:
about the importance of honoring our teachers and lineages
some possible sources of womb trauma or imbalances
why we might want to focus on womb healing work
how to intentionally clear energetic cords and womb trauma through temezcal ceremonies, yoni steaming, plant baths and Kundulini kriyas
some specific herbs to encourage soft and nurturing womb healing energy
Ayurvedic herbal formulas that may support physical and emotional womb healing
Isn't it interesting how some plants are just famous?
Like, everyone knows about them for one reason or another... maybe because they grow pretty much everywhere, or maybe because you played with them as a child, or maybe because they're a persistent weed in your yard or garden...
Dandelion is one of these extraordinarily famous plants. Basically a celebrity in the plant world.
So you probably know a thing or two about dandelion already.
You may even be aware that the root is a wonderful bitter and liver tonic, or the leaves are a nutrient rich diuretic. Or maybe that the entire plant is edible AND medicinal.
And maybe you even know that this wild weed can enhance your womb health, too?
Whether you're new to herbs, an herbalist-in-the-making or a seasoned herbalist, this episode will offer something new.
In this herbal spotlight episode, you'll learn:
who dandelion is in the story of your life
the background basics on dandelion
how long this plant has been worked with as medicine
some theories about how dandelion's scientific name came about
best times to harvest
about the energetics of dandelion
some ways you can prepare dandelion roots, leaves and flowers into food & medicine
all about medicinal (and edible) benefits of dandelion
when you might consider incorporating dandelion in your life
why dandelion is an indispensable ally for menstrual, hormonal, & pregnancy health
NOTE: In the episode I mention that dandelion may not be found in the southern hemisphere because I read this in multiple sources, however after doing some post-recording research I've learned that dandelion is actually weedy in Australia as well, so basically, I'm not well-versed in southern hemisphere plants and you absolutely always know best about the place you live in! This is essentially my attempt at a correction. ;) I can only really speak to what I know and where I've spent the most time which is primarily temperate, northern hemisphere places, with little stints in tropical spots too.
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
If you loved this episode, leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and share the episode with a friend you think would dig it, too! Thank you!!!
What's more comforting than a cup of tea? The scent, the taste, the warmth in your hands. A simple act of presence as you wait for the herbs to steep. A moment of solace in a mug.
We all know what tea is, and many of us drink it in some form daily.
But there's more to tea than just a simple beverage we enjoy for taste or the caffeine boost. And this episode dives into a few different ways you can incorporate medicinal herbal teas into your life, and some specific examples of tea blends you can start out with to enhance your hormonal, menstrual and sexual health.
Listen to this episode to learn:
some insights on how tea is the oldest form of herbal medicine
how tea is probably a part of your daily life even if you don't think you drink tea ;)
why tea is a wonderful entryway into starting to formulate your own custom formulas
the difference between a beverage tea and a medicinal infusion
all about cold infusions, nourishing infusions and decoctions
five herbal tea blends that can support your menstrual, hormonal and sexual health!
SHOWNOTES where you can review all the basics from today's episode
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
If you loved this episode, leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and share the episode with a friend you think would dig it, too! Thank you!!
What does hormone balancing even mean? It's a term that's thrown around all over the internet without a whole lot of specifics.
People might be talking about hot flashes or heavy bleeding, PCOS or endometriosis, mood swings or menstrual cramps. Or even thyroid imbalances.
It's pretty much a catch-all phrase that relates to anything that could go wrong with the magical symphony of chemical messengers in your body that are... hormones.
And while it can be helpful to know specifically what your symptoms are to explore ways to address those with a a more individualized approach, clinical herbalist and nutritionist Heather Luna shares all about her very whole-body, whole life-perspective based in the therapeutic paradigm of vitalism, which is the foundation of her longstanding clinical practice.
Listen to this episode to learn:
what vitalism is and how it differs from other approaches
the basic foundational building blocks that can encourage optimal hormonal health
how deficient most of us are in nutrients like magnesium, healthy fats, & vitamin D
why sleep is essential to hormonal health, and how to make yours better
how protein can help you deal with stress more effectively
some herbal allies for painful menstrual cramps (both for immediate use and longer term preventative support)
Gardening for Your Menstrual Health Guide(free) to get started with 13 easy-to-grow herbs for your hormonal health (including black cohosh, raspberry leaf and nettles, which Heather mentioned in the episode)
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend or on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom. Or leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review! Thank you! ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
"What could you possibly mean by a genderless womb?" "Aren't wombs inherently located in female bodies?" "Oh, no, are we getting into the topic of gender, now?" "In what universe do men have wombs?"
Well, my friends, this podcast episode dives into all of these topics and more.
And it doesn't just cover the gender spectrum (though that's super important), but also some of what science has uncovered about the myth of biological sexes, too.
At the most basic level, wombs are wombs. Women, non-binary and trans folks all have them. And everyone is welcome here.
This is my imperfect attempt to express that.
Listen to this episode to learn:
why what words we use matters, and how exclusive the word "women" can feel exclusive
how gender is based on cultural conditioning, not a cross-cultural fact
a little about the normalized "third gender" in Oaxaca, Mexico
that biological sex is NOT as simple as we were taught it was
about how relatively common (as in not actually rare) intersex folks are
that our cells can actually be different genders from each other and how that impacts things like sex hormones in our bodies
how folks with wombs exist across the gender (and sex) spectrum
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend or on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom. And leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating & write a review! Thank you! ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Have you ever heard of the concept of a plant ally?
If so, you may wondering, 'how the heck do I find one'? Or if this idea is new to you, you may be sitting there curiously asking what this could even mean.
The truth is, people use this term in different ways.
And while you can say something like 'dandelion is a plant ally for the liver, or the urinary track,' that's NOT the kind of ally I'm talking about here.
In this podcast episode, I'm sharing all about how to cultivate a deeper relationship with one particular plant over the course of a season, or even a whole year. Really getting to know that one plant on many levels, inside and out, as a sort of plant study focus, if you will.
But cultivating your relationship with your plant ally is more than just studying the plant, it's also about connecting with it regularly - getting to know it through observation, journaling, tasting, meditation, making medicines with it, and of course, also learning about it through classes or research, too.
It's a multi-layered, deep dive kind of experience. Almost like getting to know a new lover, or at least a new friend. You don't just read a paragraph about them and assume you know them already. Or ask them what they do and assume that's all there is to them, right?
Plants are no different. And this episode guides you through the process of learning what a plant ally is, how to find yours, and what you can do to deepen your relationship with them.
Listen to this episode to learn:
what a plant ally is, and why it's helpful to have one
a variety of different ways to help you find yours
what you can do to cultivate a deeper relationship with your ally
how you may have already had plant allies without even knowing it
a story about a couple of my first plant allies (when I didn't even know what plant allies were)
how plant allies can change your life (and how one unquestionably changed mine)
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend or on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom. And leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating & write a review! Thank you! ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Our wombs are a center of our sense of groundedness and safety in our lives, especially when it comes to our sexuality and relationships.
So what happens when we experience destabilization from trauma or relationship abuse?
How does that chronic, gradual wearing down of our sense of self impact us?
And what are effective ways to remove ourselves from those situations and re-establish our safety, and even renew ourselves to a strong and vibrant version of who we are now?
Clinical herbalist, Ayurvedic Practitioner and Founder of the Northern California School of Botanical Studies shares her own person journey with narcissistic relationship abuse and her whole life approach on the path to healing from it.
She brings her own personal experience and her clinical experience together to offer embodied wisdom on where to start, how to get the support you need, and all the levels of healing that are involved in recovering your vitality after traumatic or abusive situations of all kinds, and specifically she dives deeply into narcissistic abuse.
This is one of those 'things we don't talk about' and that's exactly why we're talking about it here.
If you're personally in an abusive relationship or you know someone who is, this episode is for you. It's here to support all of us in growing awareness and compassion, too.
Tune into the episode to learn:
how to tell if you're in an abusive relationship (and why it's not always obvious)
all about narcissistic personality disorder
common signs of narcissistic abuse
how to gain the strength you need to leave the abusive situation
how the intensity of this kind of situation can lead to hormonal imbalance (in Amy's case, hyperthyroidism)
what resources are helpful in the transition process
herbal support (and practical support) for the initial transition
how to regain your strength and vitality after leaving
herbal remedies and other healing modalities for the ongoing recovery process
inspiration on becoming a vibrant version of yourself again
Resources from this episode:
Links to all of Amy's classes, clinic, and her socials on the SHOWNOTES
If you need immediate help or are in an unsafe situation, seek support. Here's a link to the National Domestic Violence HOTLINE
Offering for you:
If you're feeling like you could use a guided meditation to support your connection to your womb-centered intuition, download this free WOMB EMBODIMENT & CONNECTION MEDITATION
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend or on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating & write a review! Thank you! ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Have you ever wondered how stress impacts your cycle or your hormones?
Maybe you've even had an experience of a missed period, increased cramping, worse PMS symptoms, or fertility challenges after traveling to a new place, being sick, or going through some major stress in your life.
The truth is that stress has a tremendous impact on your hormones, and this episode goes into all you could possibly want to know about how it all goes down.
Listen to the episode to learn:
what the stress response actually is
the difference between a healthy and unhealthy stress response
stories about how stress causes irregular cycles
the physiology behind how stress causes hormonal imbalances
what allostatic load is and why it matters
how your stress response might be linked to your time in your mother's womb
how chronic stress can suppress ovulation and fertility
some nerdy research that talks about what kind of stress is linked to everything from short cycles to hirsutism to PCOS to lower fertility to amenorrhea
some quick lifestyle, dietary and herbal tips on modulating your stress response
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating & write a review! Thank you! ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Did you know that there are herbs that are generally strengthening, toning, nourishing and supportive for your womb?
Like, herbs that might be helpful overall for reproductive or generative health, versus for specific conditions?
Well, my friend, uterine tonics are just that.
This episode covers what makes these herbs supportive overall for womb health and how they've been used over the course of hundreds, if not thousands, of years.
Plus, you'll get a brief overview of six of my favorites.
Listen to the episode to learn:
what a uterine tonic is
the difference between emmenagogues and uterine tonics
why the word 'tonic' is sometimes confusing
how uterine tonics can be worked with as overall caretakers of your womb and/or for specific conditions
some examples of uterine tonic herbs and a little about each of them
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Your pelvis is a centerpiece of your body. A place of creation, elimination and pleasure. But in our modern society, almost everything we do has the potential to cause imbalances there.
Incontinence. Prolapse. Painful sex. Inability to orgasm. Chronic pelvic pain. All the things we don't talk about. Or at least not regularly, and not publicly.
In this interview, Chaya Leia Aronson touches on all of these and more, including some first steps you can take to address them in your own body (hint: the answer is NOT kegels).
Even if you're not experiencing any of these, you'll learn ways you can prevent them from showing up in the future.
For real, this episode is a must-listen. We all deserve to have this basic body knowledge.
In this episode, you'll learn:
why it's important to start paying attention to your pelvis
how to tell if you might have some imbalances going on
some potential causes of things like incontinence, prolapse, painful sex, etc
why softening is the first step to healing (+ why kegels can make it all worse)
how to tell if your vaginal wall muscles are toned in a balanced way
how to begin to relax your psoas muscle, and what that has to do with pelvic health
some practical steps you can take to start enhancing your pelvic health
RESOURCES:
Find links to learn more from Chaya, get her barefoot shoe company recommendations + Liz Koch's article on the psoas: Episode Shownotes
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
In times that feel tumultuous, confusing, and sometimes even hopeless, it can feel challenging to know how to hold it all or how to process the emotions flowing through us.
In this episode, I invite you to explore how your relationship with the earth, the plants and the seeds can inform your relationship with your own womb. And how that might help you to find meaning and connection, even when things feel hard.
The stories we tell have a deep impact on how we see the world, and what we believe is possible. This episode is an offering of stories that showcase the immense power inherent in our wombs and the seeds.
Listen to the episode to learn:
how your relationship with your womb can be deepened by your relationship with the earth around you (and vice versa)
how disconnection from the earth may be a cause of 'disease'
what cesarean rates in the US might have to do with connection to nature
how our bodies mirror our landscapes
how important it is to allow our emotions to flow through us
traditional ways of honoring menstruation and gathering with others
what I mean when I say 'seeds are wombs of the earth'
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
What do parasites have to do with menstrual cycles and disordered eating?
EVERYTHING.
Well, at least that's the reality in this week's podcast with holistic nutritionist, herbalist and health coach, Lisa Masé.
Lisa spent years living with chronic parasites wreaking havoc on her gut, leading her to truly fear food, and ultimately not be getting the nourishment her body deeply needed.
In this time, she lost 40 pounds, didn't menstruate for six whole years (!), and was told by well-meaning doctors that she'd never get pregnant.
She was in her 20's at the time.
But she kept seeking, and eventually found a path to healing from the parasites, cultivating a healthy relationship to food, and calling her cycle back in. And she now has TWO healthy children, and works as a practitioner supporting other folks on their health journeys.
Listen to the episode to learn:
how digestive distress led Lisa to discover chronic parasites
why fear of food (or obsession around food) can lead to many health issues
how hormones and ovulation are impacted by chronic illness
what a truly integrative healing path can look like
herbs and foods that can be supportive for intense anxiety around food
how traditional ceremonies or rituals might be helpful
how mindful eating practices and meditation can be transformational
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Ahhhh, nettles. Urtica dioica. Stinging nettles. Very possibly one of the most beloved medicinal plants in western herbalism. And for good reason.
As one of the most mineral and nutrient-rich plants in the western herbal materia medica, nettles bring deep nutrition and restoration to the whole body, and have a lovely affinity for the wombspace, too.
Listen to this episode to learn:
why nettles is an indispensible herb for your apothecary (and diet)
the energetics and overall character of nettles
what I mean when I say nettles is a "gateway plant"
ways to start working with nettles in your own body or clinically
traditional actions and uses of nettles throughout history
explorations into current scientific research on nettle leaf, root, and seed
specific reasons to incorporate nettles into pregnancy, postpartum, endometriosis, PCOS and overall support during menopause
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
One of the most empowering things in life is choice.
Choice allows us to tune into our values and decide what's right for us at any given time.
Birth control is one of many areas of our lives that we are fortunate enough to have many options, whether we're talking the pill, shots, IUD's, condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps, herbal contraceptive allies, vasectomies, fertility awareness, and more!
So many choices. And honestly, most of us don't even know about all of them.
But one of the most common forms of contraception prescribed and used worldwide is "the pill" (the birth control pill).
And that's what herbalist and fertility awareness educator Gabrielle Claire Jansen shares all about on this week's podcast.
Listen to the episode to learn:
how the birth control pill actually works
why ovulation is important for our overall health
a bit on the history of "the pill"
how the pill actually doesn't resolve underlying symptoms
when and why you might want to choose the pill (or not)
why pill shaming is NOT helpful
nutrients you can support yourself with if you're on the pill
ways to support yourself when you're transitioning off the pill
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Oh my friends, these times are very alive with change, aren't they?
And somehow, change often brings up divisions and perspectives that feel very rooted in one way or another, as if somehow there are only two paths forward.
But in reality, there are many paths. And ideally, we each have the opportunity to make choices about what feels true and right for us.
What am I talking about? Well, I'm talking about access to abortion, I'm talking about herbal approaches, and I'm talking about getting more of the whole picture so you can make truly informed choices that aren't swayed by the waves of social media influence.
We don't have to agree (I don't agree with all of my colleagues or teachers and I believe that's healthy), but I think it's worth having a conversation and telling our own stories, especially in this time, so that we can learn from each other.
The more we know, the better choices we can make.
Listen to this episode to learn:
why I think black and white perspectives on herbal approaches are too limited
how "rights" are actually an external concept, and you ALWAYS have choice
simple ways to incorporate pregnancy prevention + natural contraception into your life
why I don't personally think DIY herbal abortion is the best option
what herbal categories are involved in herbal approaches + how they impact the body
a quick overview of medication and clinical abortion methods
my personal story of an herbal abortion + some other stories I've heard
how herbal approaches are SO MUCH more complicated than medicated approaches
my personal idealistic view of reproductive sovereignty
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
What comes up when you think about the days and weeks after birth?
Probably not a sore pelvic floor, feeling like you just ran a marathon, and engorgement.
While those moments and weeks after birth are some of the most tender, sweetest, and magical feeling, they are also often fraught with unexpected challenges and twists and turns both physically and emotionally.
Today's podcast guest, clinical herbalist and nutritionist Liz Philbrick, shares a wealth of embodied knowledge about herbal approaches to many of these less-than-desirable things that can come up.
This episode is perfect for you if you're currently pregnant, very newly postpartum, ever plan on becoming a parent, or have friends, family, or clients who'll be giving birth soon.
And really, there's some good info in here for anyone who experiences mood swings, anxiety, mild depression, constipation, muscle soreness, etc -- in other words ya don't have to have a baby or be expecting one to get lots of useful info from this episode.
This week's episode is SO jam packed with practical, step-by-step remedy suggestions that I've actually created timestamps for you to be able to navigate to the topics you are most curious about, if you're short on time. Or for when you want to return to it in the future, as needed (you probably will!).
<11:20> What is the postpartum period? <17:00> Why use herbs in this time? <21:15> Herbal safety postpartum + while nursing <28:20> Herbal medicine making 101 overview <37:00> How to support perineal/pelvic floor healing (tears, episiotomy, etc) <43:55> How to ease afterpains (uterine contractions after birth) <51:30> How to ease sore muscles <55:10> How to ease the emotional rollercoaster (anxiety, baby blues, weepiness, etc) <1:06:40> Herbal approaches to constipation <1:12:35> Herbs to support strength + recovery <1:22:15> Increasing milk supply with herbs <1:31:25> Ways to soothe engorgement <1:33:05> How to soothe sore, cracked + painful nipples
Resources:
Get the recipes Liz mentions in the podcast + links to her work - Today's shownotes
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Do any of these words remind you of how your breasts (or chest) feel the days, or weeks, leading up to your period?
Probably one of the most common PMS symptoms, fibrocystic breasts or chest conditions can range from mild and barely noticeable all the way to extremely painful making it hard to exercise, be sexual, wear certain clothes, or even feel like moving.
This cyclic tenderness and enlargement of your breasts or chest is so common that it's basically considered to be a variation of normal.
But for those who get more extreme symptoms, they can be a major issue.
Thankfully, there is SO much you can do to ease your symptoms.
Listen to this episode to learn:
how changing your perception of your breasts (or chest) can change your whole relationship with this part of your body
why a self-love practice of some kind is important
how to tell if you have a cyclic fibrocystic condition and when you need to go get checked out for cysts or lumps you're noticing
possible causes, including both scientific research + natural therapeutic perspectives
nutritional, herbal + lifestyle strategies to support different systems of your body to ease your symptoms (including your lymphatic system, detoxification, elimination, hormone balancing, and more)
the reasons I believe self-massage is essential
Resources:
Grab the FREE step-by-step guide + fillable chart: Track Your Cycle
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Pleasure. Sexual wholeness. Relationships. Psychedelics.
Taboo topics? Yes, and... the world is changing.
It's an interesting time right now, especially in the US, as psychedelics gain a respect and acceptance in the mainstream that's been long-deserved.
And conversations around pleasure and sexuality are becoming more commonplace, too.
So, what happens when we combine them?
Somatic sex educator and psychedelic integration coach Juliana Goldstone sees psychedelics as a tool to unlock hidden potential in our sexuality and relationships.
And she shares all about what she's discovered on both her personal journey as well as work with clients on this week's episode.
It's a fascinating conversation that I hope will add insight and intrigue into what's possible in your own body and life, whether or not you feel like this particular path is for you.
Listen to the episode to learn:
how Juliana went from a "tangled mess" to healthy + empowered in her sexuality
ways to explore what sexual or erotic wholeness can mean for you
how synthetic psychedelics were originally derived from plants
what somatic sex education is, and where it all started
what psychedelic integration means, and how it can be helpful
how psychedelics can enhance your ideas of what's possible in your personal pleasure, sexuality or relationships
some basics on how our brains work and try to keep us safe, and why it's important to soften those fear responses in order to explore new things
ways our societal perception of rites of passage in relationships is limited
resources for you to explore these things in your own life
Further resources:
Get links to resources Juliana shared + work with her - Episode shownotes
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
When the abundant harvests start rolling in; when the heat beckons us to oceansides, rivers and lakes; when traveling and camping and friends and family visiting are upon us; and when everything feels like it's happening all at once.
Plus, we have to keep up with our daily life responsibilities, our chores, our families, and our work.
It's a time that feels over-full, and like it's happening so fast it's hard to keep up.
Which is exactly the right time to prioritize slowing down. Especially in these moments that feel beyond busy, taking what I like to call "time out of time" is essential medicine.
In this week's episode, I invite you to explore how you might deepen your connection to your own womb's innate rhythms in order to access some of this time out of time.
Listen to the episode to learn:
what I mean by "time out of time"
how we can learn from ancestral traditions and intact cultures about making the space to celebrate and connect with self and community even in the busiest seasons
what your innate womb rhythms are, and how to explore them as access points to altered states of consciousness or presence that allow you to enjoy more
how your womb rhythms extend beyond your cycling years
brief physiology of the menstrual cycle, arousal, ovulation + fertilization, childbearing rhythms, and life phases associated with your womb to help you visualize your rhythms
some simple ideas for ways to connect with the womb rhythms you most resonate with
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
What's possible when we take a wider lens view of fertility?
Both for those trying to conceive a babe and those who are in the conception process of a project, a creative vision, or just seeking a deeper connection with the potent source of wisdom and power that is your womb.
What if cultivating a fertile environment for conception in your body included not only the practical side of nutrition, cycle tracking and hormone testing, but also brought in less tangible practices like ritual, womb connection, and changing your perception of time?
As with everything really, conception is a physical AND energetic process.
And there is so much healing and possibility when these worlds are brought together.
In this week's podcast, acupuncturist and holistic fertility coach Caroline Grace Ashurst shares her years of clinical experience supporting folks on their fertility journeys from a whole being perspective.
Even if you're never planning to have a babe, you'll still get so much out of this conversation.
Listen to the episode to learn:
how to understand your fertility journey beyond numbers and doctors offices
how to connect with your womb wisdom, even if you feel like your womb has failed you
what ritual is, and how to incorporate it into your fertility (or creation) process
some examples of womb connection practices
the meaning of the womb in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and why it's extraordinary
how to re-orient yourself to a non-linear version of time + why that matters
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
From menarche to menopause (and even sometimes beyond), we live in the cyclic flow of reproductive and generative hormones like estrogen, progesterone, LH, FSH, prolactin, and more.
Our ovaries and brains are involved, and not surprisingly, our hormones are impacted by almost everything we do, including our stress, our sleep, our activity levels, our food, and even our exposures to environmental toxins.
There's really nothing in our lives that doesn't somehow impact our hormonal health. Which is what makes it so fascinating, and also sometimes complicated.
That said, from an herbal perspective there are some foundational pillars that can support overall hormonal well-being, which I prefer NOT to call balance, and instead to think of as a vibrant and healthy "dynamic flow."
Listen to this episode to learn:
why I don't like to refer to hormonal health as "balance"
how preventative herbal approaches are essential in hormonal health
5 foundational keys to supporting your hormones
why I consider softening to be an essential component and what this means
what Ayurveda teaches us about nourishing our sexual + reproductive organs
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Okay, I know vaginal infections are probably not your favorite topic.
But let's be real, they're a thing, and most of us deal with them at some point in our lives.
And BV is among the most common. And is also one of the most likely to be recurrent.
So, if you've had BV, and then you've had it again, and then again, you're not alone.
On today's episode, Certified Nurse-Midwife Sofia Lorelle Campbell shares all about what the heck BV is, ways to know you have it, what the conventional treatments are and why she's ended up seeking out a variety of more integrative, whole-being approaches to it.
Listen to this episode to learn:
what BV actually is + risk factors
how to know if you've got BV (without clinical testing)
what the conventional treatment methods are
some alternative approaches that may be helpful
what else might be going on or underlying if BV is recurrent
how your mindset or life circumstances may be playing a role
how this might all apply to other health challenges in your life
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Oh, motherwort! Such an indispensable herb for those of us with wombs.
Motherwort. Leonorus cardiaca.
No matter what phase of life you're in, there's likely some way motherwort can support you... and I'm really not exaggerating.
Motherwort is specific for everything from anxiety + stress (which can often be exacerbated by hormonal shifts), to easing menstrual cramps, to supporting a mama or parent postpartum to calming a racing heart which is common in perimenopause.
Truly, an herb for all seasons of our wombs.
Listen to the episode to learn:
why I turn to motherwort often in my life
basics about plant identification and growing
similarities between western motherwort and Chinese motherwort
historical understandings of working with motherwort
modern actions and clinical applications in your own body
updates on recent research on motherwort's actions
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Okay, so real talk... how much do you know about menopause?
If you aren't in the midst of peri-menopause, or already through menopause, my guess is not much.
For some reason, our western culture is fairly obsessed with preparing us for fertility and childbirth, but completely neglects to acknowledge the massive transition that is menopause.
I mean, most of us have heard of hot flashes, and we know that our cycles will eventually stop, but that's almost the entirety of common knowledge around this time of our lives.
And unfortunately most medical doctors don't have much to offer us than hormone replacement, and really, that's even become less common because of some potential risks.
It's like we all just don't know what to do.
Enter natural remedies. Whether it's herbs, acupuncture, nutrition or homeopathy, there are actually lots of potential ways to both relieve your symptoms and prevent future ones.
In this week's episode, homeopath Ruth Hull shares how homeopathy (which is a very subtle but powerful natural therapy you'll learn all about) can be helpful specifically for hot flashes, and for other common symptoms of menopause.
Listen to this episode to learn:
what homeopathy is (believe me, it's commonly misunderstood)
how to determine what remedy is specific for your condition
resources to support you in choosing your own remedies
a little about hot flashes and the menopausal transition
all about three different kinds of hot flashes and which remedies are perfect for each
how homeopathy can support you with the burn out, fatigue and depletion you may experience in menopause
why changing your perception of this time of your life may help
Resources:
Get links to the books Ruth mentioned and her free guide to help you cope with stress on this week's shownotes page
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
How would your experience change if you actually treated your womb like an altar?
I know, this concept may seem strange at first, but the reality is that your womb is arguably the most powerful place in your body, and truly a sacred space.
Sure, our hearts, our brains, and our lungs are significant, too. But our wombs are a place of creation. A place where the spark of life is possible.
What's more sacred than that?
(and remember, this energy is still available to you if you've had a hysterectomy)
Listen to this episode to hear:
why our wombs are just as sacred as any altar or place of worship
how our pelvis holds our wombs as a kind of temenos (and what that means)
why having a physical altar may be helpful but also distract you from your womb
six ways you can interact meaningfully with the altar of your womb
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
And how do our societal narratives limit what's possible for us when we're trying to conceive?
Nutritionist + herbalist Sarah Shapiro shares all about her personal four year journey to cultivating optimal fertility in her body that started at 36.
And in contrast to conventional medical wisdom which says that 35 is some kind of fertility cliff, she was healthier than ever when she finally conceived at 40 years old.
Along the way, she discovered that the extremely painful periods she had been experiencing her *entire* life were actually NOT normal, and likely pointed to endometriosis which seems to have been the primary reason she experienced fertility challenges to begin with.
The truth is that she flipped the script on what we're told about fertility, avoided surgery that was offered to her to remove endometriosis lesions, and conceived a healthy babe with the support of nutrition, supplements, herbs, mindset + more.
Listen in to hear:
how fertility is not just about being a certain age
why learning the signs + symptoms of endometriosis is important even if you're not TTC
Sarah's path to fertility through nutrition, lifestyle, herbs, mindset work and more
the importance of listening to YOUR inner guidance (whether TTC or not)
understanding fertility as a whole health issue
how impactful healing your relationship with your cycle + womb can be
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Have you ever thought about the importance of having well-nourished blood?
I think it's one of those elements of our bodies that we neglect to think about often enough. We're always talking about our livers, our digestion, our hormones, our brain.
But what about that absolutely essential viscous liquid that carries essential nutrients everywhere in our bodies, our blood?
I think maybe it's because our blood moves, and isn't defined as one organ, that it can be easy to overlook and just take for granted.
But if you've experienced anemia of any kind (like true symptomatic anemia) or a significant blood loss through hemorrhage or menstrual flooding for instance, you'll be well aware of how important this life force liquid actually is.
Without our blood bringing oxygen, nutrients, hormones, immune cells and more to all the nooks and crannies of our bodies, we'd basically start to wither away.
Our blood matters. And the quality of it does, too.
Listen to this episode to learn:
what the somewhat vague concept of blood building entails
why I believe blood building is a lost ancestral art
how traditional cultures approach building the blood
ways to tell if you need to nourish your blood
why your blood may be depleted
specific herbs and foods that are especially helpful
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Most of us think of the menopausal transition as something that happens later in life.
...in our 40's or 50's. After our childbearing years are completely over. As our fertility wanes.
And while that's partly true, there's another part of the story.
The reality is that our bodies are always changing, from the time of menarche (first period) all the way through menopause (12 months after our last period).
And instead of looking at these times as defined phases, acupuncturist Dana LaVoie speaks about the gradual shift of hormones that begins as early as our twenties and continues into our forties and fifties until they stabilize post-menopause.
And there is SO much we can do along the way, no matter how young we are, to support a gentle transition.
Listen to today's episode to learn:
how to know if you're approaching the menopausal transition
why you might want to start preparing your body (and mind) for the menopausal transition as early as your 20's
how traditional Chinese medicine differs from common conventional medical in treating peri-menopause
ways that herbs, foods, and lifestyle can support the menopausal transition no matter how old you are
basics on the traditional art + practice of incorporating tonic herbs into your life
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Just like breathing, heart rate, temperature and blood pressure, your menstrual cycle is an essential function that offers clues and insights into how your body is doing.
A vital sign.
And what’s especially interesting is that our menstrual cycles are not just a momentary look at overall health and wellness, they’re actually a barometer of the past few weeks, or months, or even years of our lives.
They’re a glimpse into how we’re doing OVER TIME.
And when we learn to listen to the intricacies of our cycles, we not only cultivate a deeper relationship with the wisdom of our own bodies, but we can then use the knowledge we gather to more effectively tend our hormonal, cyclical and whole body health.
Listen to the episode to learn:
what it means for your menstrual cycle to be a vital sign
why medical professionals have also incorporated this into their practice
how to start listening to your own cycle
how your cycle can tell you about your overall health
what key things to look for as indicators of health imbalances
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
I'm talking your personal pleasure... not what you think you should like, not just orgasms, not just what you do out of habit or routine or to please others.
But actually what you want, what feels good to you, in your body, in your life.
How much do you prioritize *that* kind of pleasure in your life?
If you're like most of us, it's probably rare.
We live in a world that glamorizes productivity and minimizes taking the time to be present with ourselves. Which leads to much of the 'pleasure' we experience being by default, or based on what other people want.
As sacred sexuality educator Usha Rose says in this week's podcast, "most of us are people pleasers." It's how we're socialized. It's not your fault that you might not even know what you want, or even think to consider it on a deeper level.
But pleasure is your birthright, and in this episode we explore everything from how to begin noticing what you like, to what might be standing in the way of your own pleasure (hint: SO many things), to specifically how a jade egg practice is a tool you can try to enhance your personal embodied, orgasmic pleasure.
It's packed with wisdom and practical steps to support your pleasure. And you deserve it. We all do.
Listen to this episode to learn:
why pleasure matters in your life (it's not just sexual)
some practical ways you can explore + enhance your own pleasure
how our sense of safety + security can play a role in our access to pleasure
what a personal pleasure practice is + why you need one
the basics on working with jade eggs + how to get started
the sensual, sexual + health benefits of a jade egg practice
contraindications and considerations around jade eggs
how sensuality, sexuality and spirituality are all related
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
I know, not as popular as say, dandelion or nettles, but to me, schisandra is just as essential for our apothecaries.
Perhaps you're familiar with this plant already, maybe you think of schisandra as an adaptogen, or as a lung tonic, or even as an herb to contain and replenish fluids in the body... or maybe you're completely new to this beautiful herb.
Either way, this episode will help you to get to know this plant - which is not commonly thought of as a hormonal or sexual health herb - in a new light.
Truly, an herbal ally for transitions in our cycling years, and beyond.
Listen to this episode to learn:
why schisandra is one of my favorite herbs
how Schisandra's taste tells us about the medicinal properties
schisandra's traditional and modern energetics and actions
how schisandra is viewed from a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective
modern applications of schisandra for whole body health
some updates on recent research and clinical trials on schisandra
when you might incorporate schisandra into your hormonal health protocols
how schisandra is especially supportive for perimenopause + post-menopause
Learn how to track your cycle + symptoms so you can understand what's going on in your body with this free guide
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Sun exposure. Bare feet on earth. Time with trees.
All of these practices may seem simple (and they are), but they also have the potential to affect your body, your mind, and your spirit profoundly.
And today, functional medicine health coach Efan Hsieh shares all about not only some nature connection practices that may be beneficial to ease stress and burnout, but also the science behind how they do what they do.
Chronic stress (and burnout) can have a tremendous impact on your hormonal health and in this modern world, almost all of us are faced with these at some point in our lives (if not constantly!). So having tools to reduce or ease our stress is essential.
Nature connection is one of those tools.
Listen to today's podcast to learn:
what nature connection is and how it can support a healthier stress response
how stress and burnout mess with your overall health
some specific practices you can start with that are easy and accessible
the physiology behind how sunlight impacts your sleep rhythms
the science of "earthing" and how barefoot walking supports you
how electromagnetic frequencies impact your health
ways to practice nature connection in cities or rural places
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
It's the first day of your period, your moon, your bleeding time. What do you do?
If you're like many, it's probably just a day like many others with the added need to make sure your have menstrual products to capture your blood, and possibly something to medicate the pain away or deal with other symptoms.
Or maybe you honor this time in some way already. Maybe it's a time of rest, a day out of time, a time you embrace as something more meaningful than just "a period."
Our cycles are powerful, and the days we bleed hold a special quality.
Even if we experience challenging symptoms, these days offer connection to an altered state that allows us to connect more deeply to our inner womb wisdom.
But in order to experience the power of this time more completely, we have to intentionally offer ourselves the space, time and presence to do so.
Listen to this episode to learn:
why your period is far more than just "that time of the month"
how to engage meaningfully with your menstruation
how our cultural misunderstanding of menstruation leads to our perceptions
practical ideas to incorporate rest into your menstruation
suggestions of various rituals you can explore during this time
specific foods and some herbs that are key for replenishing your body
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Whatever name you use for this practice, it's likely you've heard of it, and maybe even tried it. Or... maybe this concept is totally new to you.
At the most basic level, it's like making a strong tea and sitting over it with a bare pelvic floor. Almost as simple as it can get.
And really, it's ancient. Steam itself is one of the easiest ways to receive benefits from herbs (especially aromatic ones). And in my mind is an underused form of hydrotherapy that was likely practiced by MOST of our ancestral lineages.
But over the past few years, there's been a bit of a vaginal steaming revolution.
And I think for good reason. It's a deeply healing practice that has many benefits, and certified vaginal steam facilitator Julia Demillones Moore shares all about it.
Listen to this week's episode to learn:
basics on how to steam + some simple herbal combinations to try
what kinds of conditions benefit from steaming (hint: A LOT)
when you definitely want to avoid steaming
what the best times of your cycle are to steam
some reasons you may want to be cautious or work with a practitioner
3 common myths + misconceptions about steaming
a simple tip on how to steam when you're traveling!
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
It's true. Almost everything we ever hear about bitters is about how they stimulate our appetite, encourage digestive juices to flow and enhance our bowel movement.
Like, literally, that's what most people say, on repeat, every time they talk about bitters.
But there is SO MUCH MORE to these herbs and foods than just supporting our digestive function (though that's obviously important too).
Did you know there are "bitter taste receptors" outside of the digestive tract?
Well there are. And they're everywhere... from your heart, your respiratory tract to your uterus.
This awareness as only been really coming to light in recent years, but it explains a lot about why some herbs may have affinity for some organ systems.
So in this episode I cover all of this and more, exploring the specific ways that bitters enhance our digestion and how many of those actually impact our hormonal health (for real!) as well as our emotional and mental health, too.
Listen to this episode to learn:
what the bitter taste is and how it works in the body
what bitters actually do to enhance your digestion
why you may not have to taste bitters to achieve the medicinal effect you're seeking
some examples of my favorite bitters and which organ systems they have affinities for
what to consider when adding bitters into your protocol from a constitutional and energetic perspective
why I wouldn't want to be without bitters when working on hormonal health challenges
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
How do you relate to the winter season? What are the ways that you naturally support your body through this time of colder, darker days?
These aren't questions we often ask, at least not in the dominant western worldview.
But traditional wisdom from around the world teaches us that winter is a time for quieting down, for reflection, for introspection and for deeply nourishing ourselves.
For supporting our inner resilience. For cultivating our capacity to withstand stressors.
Which as you might imagine, is especially important for our hormonal health, too.
And today's guest, community herbalist Jade Alicandro, weaves the wisdom of Traditional Chinese Medicine together with her embodied practice of bioregional herbalism to offer simple and accessible steps we can take right now to encourage optimal health this winter and beyond.
Listen to the episode to learn:
what it means to live a seasonal lifestyle
some of the basic energetics and elements of each season
the importance of acknowledging late summer
how the seasons are reflected in the phases of our wombs
why winter is connected to the water element
simple ways we can harness the energy of winter
foods and herbs that are especially supportive for us in this time
why astragalus, maitake, and nettles are winter essentials in Jade's kitchen
a couple culinary herbs to help ease menstrual cramps
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Okay, so let's be honest... vaginal fluids are not everyone's favorite topic.
In fact, so often we avoid talking about the fluids, smells or colors we see "down there," especially with friends, family members, and even healthcare practitioners.
It's a sensitive topic, I know. But your fluids (and yes, by fluids I mean discharge, mucus, arousal fluids, etc) offer a lens into the health of not only your vagina, but also your whole body health.
We can tell everything from whether we're ovulating, to hints at how our hormones are doing, to signs of vaginal infections or imbalances, all through paying attention to the timing, texture, color and smell of our fluids.
What if you changed your perspective of vaginal fluids from being just a thing you mark down on your cycle tracking chart (or barely notice) to something that is a treasured library of knowledge about what's going on in your body?
How would that change your experience?
Listen to the episode to learn:
all the kinds of vaginal fluids you might experience
how your fluids may change depending on your phase of life
what's considered "normal" and what's not
how to figure out what's normal for you
the difference between cervical fluids, arousal fluids, healthy vs unhealthy vaginal secretions and mucus, lochia, and more
why you might experience more fluids (and infections) in pregnancy
when to seek out more support (eg textures, colors, smells) and the basics on what "abnormal" vaginal fluids might be telling you
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
So many of us are told it's "normal" to feel depressed, anxious or irritable premenstrually. As if we should just accept it and move on.
And even when the symptoms are significant, maybe even debilitating, we're told to either just push through them or to medicate them away.
But the thing is, there are some people who experience symptoms that are far beyond the weepiness, mood swings and bloating for a few days that PMS brings.
And most of us have no idea it even exists. It's called PMDD (premenstrual dysphoric disorder).
And it can be so debilitating that people can feel totally incapacitated for the entire second half of their cycle, and it can lead to depression so significant that it's hard to do daily tasks, show up for relationships, get to work, or even get out of bed.
We're talking PMS on steroids. For weeks. And then as if by magic, it all disappears around menstruation.
Today's guest, Jes (from Her Mood Mentor) shares all about her personal embodied experience of 17 years with PMDD and the integrative approach she developed to help herself and others find ease and comfort in their bodies and cycles after years of suffering.
Listen to the episode to learn:
what the difference between PMS and PMDD is
how PMDD impacted Jes' relationships, jobs, school, etc
examples of how PMDD can look in different people's lives
why conventional treatments often don't help those with PMDD
the difference between symptom relief and root cause approaches
why a multi-faceted approach is best (+ what might be included in that)
some of Jes' favorite herbs to support folks with PMDD
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
The longest night of the year is upon us. The energies of quiet, receptivity and stillness are palpable (if you listen beyond the frenzy of holiday preparations) and our bodies are attuned to this darkness in ways we might not realize.
How are you honoring this time in your body and your life?
So many of us have lost touch with the ancestral seasonal traditions that commonly harnessed the energy of the season to enrich our lives, that evoked meaning and depth from something that often is glossed over as just "the first day of winter" in modern times.
But there is a power and a potency in this time of the year that we all have access to.
And today's episode is an invitation to explore how you might be able to engage with this energy intentionally in 9 simple ways, with a dash of womb wisdom thrown in.
Listen to this episode to learn:
what winter solstice is (beyond the first day of winter)
how winter solstice connects to the moon and your womb
the energetic qualities of winter solstice
how to engage meaningfully with this time of the year
9 simple ways you can explore honoring the solstice (from self-reflection prompts to ideas for rituals to the importance of rest and beyond)
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
What could it look like to experience deep nourishment and caretaking during major transitions in our lives?
For those of us with wombs, we travel through multiple significant transitions purely because we have menstural cycles. Everything from our first period (menarche), to becoming a parent, to pregnancy loss or release, to menopause, and beyond.
And we go through massive changes throughout our lives unrelated to our wombs, too. Times when our identities are turned over completely and we have to find our way from who we once were to who we are now.
Whether it’s wombcycle changes or grief from loss of a loved one, embracing a chronic illness, navigating a recovery process, finding ground after a break-up or divorce, or changing careers, we are all familiar with transition. We may not like it, but we know what it feels like.
The truth is *most* of us in the modern world have no support for these transitions beyond some well-meaning “congratulations” or “I’m so sorry” from people who love us. We may even be lucky enough to have someone create a “meal train” to help feed us for the first weeks or months after the change, but more likely than not, we navigate this terrain primarily alone.
But we as humans are social creatures. We are not meant to navigate these massive transitions alone, and there is SO much that ancestral wisdom can teach us about how to care for these shaky times on a physical, emotional and spiritual level.
And Ayurvedic practitioner Ashlee Sakaishi Wilkin is here to share all about how we can create what is called “a sacred window” to nurture and replenish ourselves on all levels in these times of change, and how our community is an essential part of that.
Listen to the episode to learn:
how Ayurveda perceives times of transition
what “a sacred window” means and how to create one in your life
why a sacred window is not limited to postpartum care
ways to incorporate your personal ancestral lineage into your care
why it’s not too late to create a sacred window even if your transition was years ago
what Vata is, and why it's essential to understand in times of change
specific foods and practices to nourish your body, mind + spirit for optimal whole being health through these transitions
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Unless you’ve been hiding out in the woods with no media over the past decade, my guess is you’ve heard of adaptogens. And at some point you may have tried some.
This herbal action has basically reached celebrity status, as far as herbs go. And for good reason.
They support us in states of chronic stress, support our blood sugar regulation, enhance our stamina and some even encourage better sleep.
But contrary to popular belief, adaptogens are NOT right for everyone. And not all adaptogens are the same.
Understanding the basics behind how they work and which ones might be most appropriate for you (or not) at this time in your life is foundational.
Most of us have no idea when to choose one or another one, and what affinities certain adaptogens have for different times of life, symptom pictures, or constitutions.
Not to mention which ones might be most helpful for various hormonal imbalances.
So tune into today’s episode to learn all about how adaptogens work and ways they might be supportive for your individual hormonal health - and why you might want to add some other herbs in to get even better results.
Listen to this episode to learn:
What adaptogens are and how they work (beyond the hype)
Why some plants you might think are adaptogens may not be
When to avoid adaptogens
Why not all adaptogens are the same and how to determine which is right for you
How adaptogens can support your hormonal health (in more ways than one)
Some of my favorites and a beirf snapshot on each of them
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Your cycle is a vital sign. A clear signal that can help you understand the map of optimal health (or not) in your body.
When you see symptoms coming up, anything from PMS to irregular cycles to menstrual pain to fertility challenges, that’s your body saying ‘it’s time to make a change.’
But what changes do you make?
Especially if your symptoms are vague or “subclinical” (meaning not quite at the level of diagnosable), you may feel lost and confused on what steps to take first.
But if you’re living in the modern world (how are you reading this if you’re not?), then it’s quite likely that chronic underlying stress is a part of the picture, so that’s a great place to start.
But when we talk about stress, what do we mean?
The reality is that stress is NOT just having to rush your kids to school or get a project done by a deadline. You may also be living with chronic internal stressors like blood sugar imbalance, chronic inflammation, or digestive issues.
It’s not just external stress that messes with your hormones, it’s also internal stress.
And holistic nutritionist and menstrual health coach Pirita Hilton shares all about her personal embodied experience of reaching a level of stress that felt like burnout, which included completely losing her menstrual cycle for a whole year, intense migraines, horrible acne and just feeling completely exhausted. And how she found her way back to vitality and menstrual cycle wellness.
She also lays out some basic lifestyle habits that have replenished her and her clients, and a couple specific ideas you can get started with today.
Listen to this episode to learn:
How chronic stress, perfectionism, over-exercising + “clean” eating can lead to menstrual health problems
Why it’s so important to pay attention to that inner voice of wisdom inside you
All about internal and external stressors and how those impact your hormones
A 5 pillared approach to encouraging optimal hormonal health
2 simple practices to nourish your nervous system you can start today
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Aphrodisiacs. A term you've probably heard countless times in your life, most of us have at least, in popular culture, media, movies, books and maybe even classes.
The thing is, the term aphrodisiac is too general to really give us much insight into how the herbs or foods are even working in our bodies.
Really, all 'aphrodisiac' means is that at some point in human history, that substance has encouraged libido, arousal and/or enhanced pleasure. It doesn't tell us how or when we might choose one over another.
And there are a multitude of herbs that fall into this category. So, how do you decide which ones are right for you?
Well, instead of just glossing over a list of herbs, today's episode covers 5 core areas that are keys to enhancing your pleasure, and examples of herbs in each.
This way, you can reflect on your own personal experience of pleasure and your body's individualized needs to narrow down which herbs may be most helpful for YOU on your personal pleasure path.
Listen to the episode to learn:
why not all aphrodisiacs are the same
how to begin exploring your individual needs and why that matters
5 core areas to enhance pleasure from an herbal perspective
brief descriptions of herbs in each of these categories
some ways to work with these herbs you may not expect
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Let's be honest, there's a gaping hole in our society around caretaking ourselves after loss of any kind. But most especially around pregnancy loss, and even more so around the experience of abortion.
It's interesting to consider how quick we are to express our opinions about abortion rights (no matter where you are on the spectrum of choice), but how very rarely we ever talk about what it really means to choose to end a pregnancy.
I know this is a tender topic. It's not something we're used to openly talking about.
Which is exactly why I invited India Elyn, author of the book 'Honouring the Loss: A holistic guide to healing with ritual and herbal medicine' to come and share about her embodied experience and professional offerings supporting folks to navigate the abortion journey.
From the contemplation phase, through the active abortion process (medication or otherwise), and healing afterwards (even many years later), herbs and rituals can offer beautiful adjunct support.
This conversation is honest and explores the depths of emotions that can show up on this journey that most of us keep hidden from the world. May this interview be a gift to your heart and your womb.
Listen to the episode to learn:
how India came to write her book (her personal story)
why it can be helpful to honor your loss, even if it was decades ago
about the lack of support and healing resources around abortion
how to begin to engage with your own healing + grief
some herbal allies that may be especially supportive for you
the importance of ritual + some ideas of simple rituals to explore
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Is vitex really "the great hormone balancer" of herbs?
If you’ve ever googled “hormone balancing herbs” I bet you’ve found a list of herbs including vitex (or chaste tree berry).
It’s probably one of the most well-known herbs for hormonal regulation in modern practice. And for good reason.
People work with vitex for fertility, irregular cycles, irregular bleeding, estrogen dominant conditions, PCOS, psychological and physical PMS and PMDD, and to reduce things like hot flashes and support vaginal tissues perimenopausally.
But is vitex good for everyone?
The answer is more complicated, and really depends on the specific picture that’s showing up in your own body. It’s not about the condition, it’s really about what’s causing that condition.
Put simply, vitex is an incredibly effective herb for some people, and not the right one for others.
So, can vitex help you? Listen in to find out.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why vitex has been a staple herb for gynecologic conditions for over 2500 years
How to grow this herb and what it looks like and tastes like
Medicinal actions and indication for vitex
Why some historical uses are perplexing for this herb
The many times and places you might consider vitex
When you might want to think again before choosing vitex
How I like to think about working with vitex
Recent updates on clinical studies and scientific research
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Diastasis what? I know, this is not the most common topic of conversation for most of us.
But Diastasis recti (aka the separation of your visible abdominal muscles) is actually not that rare. Especially postpartum.
And you may not even know you have it!
While it’s not a condition that has major consequences initially, it’s something that impacts the integrity of your entire core so it’s helpful to address it, even if it’s years after it started.
The thing is, most of us probably consider this an abdominal issue, and think of the need to rehab from just a strengthening and exercise perspective.
But the truth is it’s easy to rehab this incorrectly in a way that may lead to future challenges if you’re not also incorporating your pelvic floor and what Dr Christine Klein talks about as “internal pressure regulation.”
In other words, your abdominal health is intimately intertwined with your pelvic health and we cover how it all relates and so much more in this week’s episode.
Even if you don’t think you’ve got abdominal separation, there are gems for you in here.
Listen to the episode to learn:
How pelvic floor physical therapy can support everything from digestive challenges to painful sex to postpartum recovery and more
What Diastasis recti is and how to tell if you have it (simple ways to check at home)
The difference between diastasis recti and hernias
Ways to prevent Diastasis recti during pregnancy
A specific breathing practice that can help you regulate internal pressure, calm your nervous system and help your healing process
Exercises to avoid and exercises to include in your rehab process
A few additional drops of pelvic health wisdom from Christine sprinkled throughout
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Have you ever heard anything about the connection between your womb and your heart?
It may sound strange, like they are so different in their structure and function that it doesn't make sense, but in both traditional teachings from Chinese medicine and in current scientific research we see they are more linked than you may think.
Modern western biomedicine tends to separate and isolate body parts as if they don't have anything to do with each other. As if the cardiovascular system is completely disconnected from our generative or reproductive organs.
But in reality, this just isn't the case.
From my own embodied experience, I've seen how both our hearts and our wombs are powerful centers of intuitive knowing and also are both places where strong emotions show up.
When we look to the traditional paradigm of Chinese medicine, we see that this is not just a fanciful myth, but has a real basis in how imbalances arise in our wombs.
And in modern science, we're also starting to see an actual physiologic connection between these two organs, particularly in the menstrual years, that may be a reason that cardiovascular risk is lower pre-menopausally.
It's fascinating stuff, and worthy of all of our attention.
Listen to the episode to learn:
3 different perspectives on the heart-womb connection
how to start to connect to both of these powerful centers in your body
some basics on Chinese medicine theory and how the Heart is protected by its relationship with the Womb
why it's so important to work on healing your trauma and process your grief and some ideas on how to start doing so
simple first steps you can take to encourage womb clearing and healing
some of the emerging science around how our wombs may actually help to physically heal heart damage!
Dedicating this podcast episode to the beautiful life of womb wisdom keeper, Ayah Buonaugurio. Thank you Ayah, for all you offered to this world.
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health
Cesarean births are on the rise globally. And though the numbers are staying pretty stable in the US, they account for about 1/3 of all births here.
Regardless of where you live, the healing process afterwards is something we absolutely do NOT talk about enough. It's multifaceted and different for everyone.
For some, cesareans are a chosen form of birth. But for many, they're a completely unexpected direction for a birth to go, and they are sometimes very rushed.
While you might have been preparing for the birth process (homebirth or hospital, natural or otherwise), you probably weren't anticipating a cesarean birth, so you probably didn't learn everything you would want to know about them.
And even beyond that, you probably weren't considering the much more intensive postpartum healing journey that takes place after major abdominal surgery.
Needless to say, there's a lot to this. And whether or not the cesarean was desired, there's often some kind of trauma, whether physical or emotional, that comes along with it.
This is what we dive into in today's episode with abdominal massage therapist and holistic womb coach, Lilliana Rivera.
She shares all about her own cesarean births and womb story, and how she healed her chronic pain and numbness in her lower belly, and also worked on integrating her emotional trauma that was held in that place for years after her second cesarean.
It's a beautiful conversation about the depth of healing possible when you offer yourself self-care and therapeutic practices to support your healing process.
Listen to the episode to learn:
different modalities to support your healing after cesarean birth
how abdominal massage therapy can help with scar tissue, pain, numbness
why your womb may be holding emotional trauma (from birth or otherwise)
that healing is possible whether your cesarean was last year or 40 years ago
how cultivating a relationship with your womb is deeply healing in itself
ways to navigate body image issues and self-acceptance post-cesarean
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
It’s easy to think that our systems are separate. We don’t typically think - “oh, I have a hormonal imbalance, I wonder if my food sensitivities or bloating are related to that."
But the truth is, your gut is intricately related to your hormonal health in a variety of ways.
And most especially through your miraculous microbiome, including a specialized part called “the estrobolome.”
Whether you have PCOS, endometriosis, estrogen dominance or even if you have perimenopausal or other hormonal imbalance symptoms, the composition of your microbiome is likely a part of the picture.
Our endocrine system is complex. And finding that dynamic dance of optimal hormonal health we’re seeking is often a multi-facted path.
Whether it’s stress, inflammation, detoxification, elimination, microbiome health, or even sleep, every single one of these factors impacts your gut. And also your hormones.
This episode gets nerdy in good ways, especially if you’re curious about how all of this works.
Listen in to learn:
how your hormones affect your gut, and how your gut affects your hormones
what the metabolome and estrobolome are and why they matter
specifics on the microbiome and PCOS, endometriosis, menopause and thyroid imbalance
how oxytocin ("the love hormone") affects your gut
specific ways you can restore a healthy microbiome and gut (herbs, diet, lifestyle, etc)
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Let's just be real and acknowledge this is an edgy topic.
It's one of those things we don't talk about and often stays tucked in the dark and under the table, so much so that most clinically trained herbalists (and even midwives) have little to no training on this topic AT ALL.
So most of us just avoid the topic. We assume that herbal abortifacients are unsafe and inappropriate and other abortion techniques (like medication, aspiration or clinical) are a better option.
But is there a place for herbal abortions, and if so what would that look like?
Midwife Molly Dutton-Kenny gives a glimpse into an answer that may surprise you.
As a full spectrum midwife, she's been offering abortion care in various forms for her entire career, and even chose the path of midwifery to become a better abortion provider!
Honestly, I'm not sure there's anyone better suited to speak on this topic than she is.
Plus, she's been part of a collective of folks who've gathered and recorded data on herbal abortion care that has recently been published into an article, which we also cover.
It's a fascinating exploration into what's safe and effective, what's not, and so much more.
Listen to the episode to learn:
the difference between self-managed abortions + at-home abortion care
stories of Molly's first experiences offering herbal abortion care
how she wove together many trainings to become an abortion provider
basics on pregnancy prevention the herbal way
how encouraging menstruation differs from abortion
some examples of herbs that may be incorporated into this care
what's normal and what's not in the abortion experience (+ safety)
details about the published article and their findings on efficacy
why dosing low and slow is better than high and fast
how diverse different practitioners' protocols are
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my r
If you're familiar with my style, you know I'm not a this-for-that kind of herbalist so when I was asked the question a couple weeks ago, "what herbs do you recommend for hormonal health?" My answer was unsurprisingly, "it depends."
But I wanted to create something to answer that question that also incorporates the concept of WHY we would choose each of these herbs.
Not just what the herbs are, not just their actions, but how they support hormonal health from a more wide-lens perspective.
So I referred back to the 5 herbal pillars of hormonal health that I covered last summer, and chose a range of some of my favorite herbs that cover each of those, so you have a few herbs you can begin to explore depending on what symptoms and patterns you see showing up in your body hormonally.
No matter what menstrual challenge or peri-menopausal weirdness you've got going on, it's likely at least one of these herbs may be an ally for you.
In the end, it's less about the exact symptoms and more about what's underlying your imbalances that matters.
And you'll hear all about that and more in this episode.
Listen to learn:
why hormonal health is more complex than just addressing symptoms
review the 5 herbal pillars of hormonal health
10 of my favorite herbs to incorporate into hormonal health formulas
specific indications, energetics and insights on each herb
how tracking your symptom patterns helps you choose herbs
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Who isn't living with some form of trauma in our current world?
It's just part of our lives, and whether you've got something lingering from childhood, a more recent experience, or even chronic underlying patterns that carve out longer term less-overt forms of trauma, we've all got something to heal from.
And as you may already know, trauma commonly settles into the pelvis - whether it's sexual or not.
Today's interview with pelvic floor physical therapist Dr Emily Wilson explores a variety of different practices specifically focused on your pelvis, womb and cervix that may be helpful for you to begin your personal trauma healing journey.
You'll learn about how the position of your womb may carry a certain meaning, why your psoas (a muscle spanning from your mid-back to your groin) may be holding tension, and how your cervix may be trying to tell you something - all through deeply listening to patterns of imbalance in your body.
Emily really bridges her knowledge of physical therapy techniques with more intuitive healing work, which helps make this work accessible for pretty much all of us.
Listen to the episode to learn:
why healing trauma using conventional physical therapy may not be enough
how to begin connecting with your womb wisdom simply and gently
some ideas of what the position of your womb in your pelvis may mean
about the cervix as a guardian
why the psoas is essential to consider when healing trauma
how the "witch wound" may be showing up in your life
about the womb as a powerful seat of embodied wisdom
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
And that means... it's time to clear out the gunk accumulated over the winter (inside and out). Especially if you've been eating lots of rich foods, hibernating indoors, or feeling stagnant and sedentary at all.
The earth is coming alive and inviting us to come alive with it.
So, what are some simple ways you can engage with the spring season to encourage optimal health?
From an Ayurvedic perspective, the spring season is associated with the Kapha dosha, which encompasses the elements of earth and water. In other words, mud.
Which is sometimes what our bodies feel like in springtime, especially if we have a tendency towards congestion or sluggishness.
So working with herbs, foods and lifestyle habits can have a tremendous impact on whether we clear out the heaviness or become burdened by it.
And once we've cleared out the gunk, we can start to focus on cultivating healthy "soil" in our bodies and embodying the real magic of the spring season (eg fertility, sensuality and sexuality).
You'll hear all about all of this and more in this week's episode.
Listen to learn:
how we can sense the season in our bodies
what foods and herbs can be helpful to balance out Kapha dosa
which wild weeds are perfect choices for balancing out Spring
about spring tonics from a western herbal perspective
a few options for gentle spring "cleanses"
what to do after you clear the gunk out (hint: nourish)
why spring is the perfect time to re-engage your sexuality
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
In fact, up to 5% of all people in the US may be faced with this autoimmune disorder, which often shows up between the ages of 30 and 50 and is significantly more common in women and folks with wombs.
But the reality is that Hashimoto's itself doesn't have to mean you end up with hypothyroidism, especially if you catch it earlier and implement a variety of nutritional and lifestyle approaches that can even reverse the condition altogether.
That said, every person is unique, and your tiggers may be completely different from someone else with Hashimoto's.
Understanding your unique triggers can give you incredible power in being able to keep yourself in a state of remission, particularly once you start to experience more noticeable symptoms.
Today's guest, nutritionist Kamila Veljkovic, shares all about different root causes that may be at the core of Hashimoto's, and nutritional or lifestyle suggestions to support you in reducing symptoms and possibly even heading towards remission.
She's got both personal embodied and clinical expertise in this area, and this conversation is full of gems you'll walk away with.
Listen to the episode to learn:
what Hashimoto's is and how it differs from hypothyroidism
the tests that can help you to determine if you have Hashimoto's
a few of the major root causes of Hashimoto's
some of Kamila's favorite supplements for her clients
a holistic lifestyle approach to address Hashimoto's and autoimmunity
how an integrative plan may be exactly what you need
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Ahh, the vagus nerve. It's funny how this nerve has basically become its own kind of celebrity.
I mean, who would have ever thought that a nerve could gain such popularity and trending hashtags? But it has, and for good reason.
Not only does the vagus nerve comprise 75% of our parasympathetic nervous systems*, but it's also the longest cranial nerve (meaning the longest nerve that travels from the brain into the body).
And this nerve impacts everything from our breathing to our heart rate to our digestion to our arousal!
But there are also some risks and concerns we should consider before we go all in on vagal toning, some of which may surprise you.
Listen to the episode to learn:
basics on the vagus nerve (anatomy, relationship to organs)
why vagal response is not always a good thing
simple ways to enhance your vagal tone
which pelvic organs the vagus nerve innervates
why heart rate variability is important to track
how the vagus nerve relates to sexual function and arousal
why you want both sympathetic + parasympathetic activity for sex
specific ways to enhance your pleasure using vagal toning
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Have you ever noticed yourself becoming more aware of your senses when you're in the depths of grief or loss?
It's an interesting thing that feeling such grief can remind us of what we love, to paraphrase a Martin Prechtel quote that this week's guest Stacey Ramsower shared.
Somehow, dropping into what sometimes feels like emptiness, helplessness, or lostness, can actually help us feel what matters most.
Which seems counter-intuitive but is often true.
Whether it's the often-unspoken grief we experience postpartum when our identities change or grief after another loss or immense life transition, pleasure is commonly part of our healing path.
And we talk all about this, and so much more, in this weeks episode.
Listen to learn:
about the intersection of grief and pleasure
how inner listening may help you connect with your own pleasure
ways that your simple senses might help you remember what you love
why it's important to acknowledge your grief postpartum
pelvic pain and pain with sex postpartum and some tips to navigate it
how any kind of immense loss can lead to grief and how pleasure heals
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Irregular cycles. Are they something to just shrug off, or is it important to pay attention to them?
The answer is, it depends. But almost always, they are giving you some kind of information that will be helpful for you to understand not only your hormonal health, but also you whole body health.
After all, your cycle is a vital sign.
So if you're noticing cycles longer than 35 days on a regular basis, or you're missing cycles regularly, or you're noticing shorter then longer cycles, or it seems like they've completely vanished, your body is telling you something.
During our primary cycling years (which include decades of our lives), healthy menstrual cycles between 26 and 34 days are ideal. They tell us we're on the right track, that we're not too stressed or undernourished or that something else is out of whack.
They give us basic reassurance, and when our rhythms get wonky, we can start paying attention to our symptoms to get a picture of what might be going on and how to restore our healthy rhythms.
It's a gift to have these cycles to give us so much information.
Listen to today's episode to learn:
why irregular cycles are something to pay attention to
what your cycle might be telling you
3 common causes of irregular cycles
a few less common causes of irregular cycles
implications of irregular cycles over the long term
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Okay, let's be real. 1 out of every 3 births in the United States is a cesarean. So, if you've experienced a C-section birth, you're far from alone.
That said, many people wish to achieve a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) and possibly even want to try that at home.
And while there's certainly risk involved, there's also a very high success rate.
So what can you do to prepare yourself for a successful VBAC?
So much! And today's guest, naturopath and clinical herbalist Jahwei Chen-Graf shares all about her personal embodied experience of her home birth-turned-cesarean and her TWO subsequent vaginal births at home.
She reveals all the holistic ways she prepared for her VBAC, including homeopathic remedies, herbs, finding the right care provider, movement, mindset, book recommendations, and more.
And she gives tips gleaned from her clinical practice, too.
Her stories are insightful and inspiring, and the truth is we need to hear more positive birth stories, and especially stories that challenge what we've been told and help us to trust our bodies innate wisdom.
Whether or not you've had a cesarean, if you're preparing for a natural birth, this episode is perfect for you.
Listen to learn:
Jahwei's embodied insights and birth stories (home birth-turned-cesarean followed by two vaginal births at home)
how to prepare your body and mind for a VBAC
specific practices Jahwei found especially helpful
a list of books and resources to help you prepare for natural birth
why it's important to find a birth provider who believes in you
homeopathics and herbs that may be helpful in pregnancy and labor
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Could it be possible for the humble oat plant to have a transformational impact on your sexual, sensual and hormonal health?
The answer is a resounding YES.
Between the oats you eat for breakfast, the oatstraw you drink in nourishing infusions, and the milky oats extract from the unripe seed heads that contain a luscious nourishing "milky sap" that is a true nervous system tonic, the unassuming oat plant is actually a bit of a wonder.
It's essentially a "food for your nervous system," especially when you're burnt out, frazzled, or just plain depleted. Which is, of course, not uncommon in this world that asks so much of us all the time.
And it's partly because of the deep nervous system restoration that milky oats is perfectly suited to supporting your arousal, your libido, your cycle health and more.
When we think about sex, we're unlikely to think of oatmeal. But let me tell you, there's a reason to, and I share all about it in this week's episode.
Listen to the episode to learn:
the different medicinal actions between the oats you eat, oatstraw and milky oats (hint: they are each completely different)
why I now consider oats to be an ESSENTIAL herb for hormonal health
actions and traditional uses of the oat plant in all its forms
ways to work with oats to nourish your sensual, sexual + hormonal health
some interesting scientific research both validating traditional uses of oats and adding some new insights
how to tell when milky oats are ripe and why I recommend growing them
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
At this point, the concept of the seasons of our menstrual cycles has become familiar to many of us. In other words, considering our inner winter as menstruation, inner spring as follicular, inner summer as ovulatory, and inner fall as luteal.
And if you haven't yet heard that description, there's a quick introduction to it.
But there's a difference between speaking these words, or seeing them written, and actually embodying them.
There's more to these archetypes than just the seasons themselves.
And as today's guest, herbalist and menstrual health coach Em Dewey shares, learning to familiarize herself with these seasons as they show up uniquely in her own cycle (vs what the picture perfect version looks like) completely changed her relationship with her body.
Her initiation into cyclic living and embracing her own patterns opened up an entirely new world for her. One in which she dove deeply into archetypal energies beyond the seasons, and explored the lunar cycle, animals, plants, the tarot and more as they related to her own cycling body.
She was so taken by this journey that she started an herbal company based on cycle wellness AND co-authored a divinatory oracle deck (Sacred Cycles) that helps you to more deeply understand some of these archetypal energies and your own body rhythms on a deeper level.
Listen in to hear all about:
what an archetype is
how to deepen your cycle awareness with archetypal energies
what we both consider to be missing from the "maiden, mother, crone" trifecta
ways not only the seasons, but lunar rhythms, plants and even tarot can relate to your cycle
a couple simple ways to start cycle tracking for self awareness
how Em's relationship to her body changed through cycle connection
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Can we just talk about how wholly unprepared most of us are for this massive transitional time in our lives?
It's one of those things we often don't talk about until it starts happening.
And even while it's happening you might feel shame about having symptoms like insomnia, mood swings, hot flashes, changes in libido, skin, metabolism or your cycles.
You're expected to just keep working, tending to your kids and life responsibilities, while also feeling unsure about whether what you're experiencing is normal.
And are these even symptoms of the menopausal transition? What else might be going on in your late 30's, 40's and early 50's that may be at the root of some of your hormonal imbalances?
There's a lot to unpack here. And instead of seeing this time as a complete mystery, I'm here to offer basic information about what perimenopause actually is and how it can be a time of powerful reclamation of yourself rather than a total shitshow.
Listen in to learn:
what the difference between menopause, perimenopause, early menopause, premature menopause and post-menopause are
when your symptoms might NOT be perimenopause
a new paradigm of thought around the perimenopausal time
ways to help prepare for a more easeful transition whether you have symptoms or not (and no matter what age you are)
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Have you ever noticed that you feel turned on by certain scents? Or even just noticed a relaxation response from lavender, or a stimulating energy from rosemary?
Aromatherapy is both a simple practice accessible to all of us and a more advanced therapeutic modality that can take a lifetime to study.
But the basic concept is that the volatile oils of plants (also called essential oils) can be captured through the process of distillation. The production of these oils can take anywhere from hundreds to thousands of pounds of plant material to create one pound of essential oil.
In other words, they are precious, highly concentrated medicinal plant extracts and are best worked with sparingly.
That said, these volatile oils (which you can smell) can be profoundly therapeutic, and can be worked with one drop at a time.
Their scents can transport us. Get us into our bodies. Relax us. Tune us in. Turn us on.
And that's exactly what we explore in today's episode.
Clinical aromatherapist Amy Anthony shares all about how to work with essential oils in a sophisticated and intentional way to enhance libido, sensuality and sexuality from a personalized-to-you lens.
Listen in to learn:
what aromatherapy is from a professional perspective
how essentials oils work in the body
why more is not better when it comes to essential oils
safety concerns and basics on working with essential oils
how plants communicate to us through their scents
how to look for quality essential oil sources
how aromatherapy can enhance your sensuality and sexuality
some "insider" tips on blending essential oils for best effect
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Have you explored the herbal lineages of your ancestral lines?
Most of us come to plant medicine learning either the plants around us (which is a wonderful way to begin!) or studying a particular tradition (western, Chinese, Ayurveda, or a specific regional medicinal practice).
But at this point in history, most of us have become pretty disconnected from our ancestral homelands, especially if we live in industrialized countries full or immigrants, colonists, or a history of forced migration.
Because of this, many of us have lost our relationship to our personal ancestral plant traditions, and in that process, completely lost connection to the wisdom from our womb lineages as well.
Before the individualized, industrialized, global-centric world we live in today, all of our ancestors had a relationship with plants as both food and medicine.
And especially those in our womb lineage would have carried and passed on much of the home and family herbalist traditions, and midwives would have been carrying the wisdom of cycles and seasons of our lives.
In simpler words, we all have womb lineages. And those lineages were often medicine carriers. Your cells hold this memory, and your wombspace does, too.
Today's episode offers a glimpse into how you can begin to explore reconnecting to these lost parts of yourself, with your womb and the plants at the center.
Listen to learn:
why I think herbal medicine is your birthright
about the co-evolution of plants and people
how your womb lineage may have carried plant wisdom
simple ways to learn more about your personal womb lineage
ideas for connecting with the herbal traditions of your ancestral lands
first steps on forming a plant ally from your womb lineage landscape
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Have you explored the world of cycle synching at all?
It's a concept that's been developed and popularized really over the past decade or so by some menstrual health influencers, but the truth is they were just tuning in to what our bodies already tell us.
The basics are that each phase of our cycles (menstrual, follicular, ovulatory and luteal) are characterized by different hormonal fluctuations and this impacts everything from our energy, to our sleep, to our appetite, to our attention and focus, to our facial features.
In other words, our cyclical hormones have a whole body, whole life impact and this also includes our ability to engage in different kinds of physical activity (yep, exercise).
So many of us try to stick to the same movement routine day after day or week after week, especially when we're actively training or trying hard to reach fitness goals.
But the reality is that if you start to listen more deeply to what you body is telling you in different phases, you'll probably start noticing that some weeks you just have less energy and you may want to be doing more floor-based or slow-but-strong exercises, whereas other weeks you're all in for cardio like running or dancing or a big hike.
While we're all unique (so it's always important to listen to your own body's signals), today's guest Tara Lynn Steele is a functional mobility coach who bridges the worlds of exercise and cyclical living into her practice.
She shares all about what she's learned and uncovered in both her own and her clients' bodies about the most effective ways to "unleash your [cycle] superpowers" by aligning your movement to your cycle.
And since she's a joint mobility expert, she shares some tips on how to work *with* your hormones to enhance your joint stability, too.
Listen to learn:
how to optimize your exercise based on the four phases of your menstrual cycle
why cardio and weight lifting may feel more natural sometimes and restorative yoga might be calling to you other times
when the best time to engage in social dancing, group exercise classes or community hikes is
how your joint stability changes throughout your cycle
when your body is primed to try new things and take risks
some basics on how to stabilize your joints if you're hypermobile
Summer solstice is upon us and the heat is kicking in. Have you ever noticed how your body responds to the summer heat?
For those of us with more fire physically and mentally, the heat can aggravate some of our symptoms or create new ones altogether. For others, the summer heat can be very balanced and welcome.
But either way, the heat can sometimes be too much.
From exacerbating inflammation, sparking fiery emotions, catalyzing quick digestion or painful spasms, or drying up our tissues and more, heat has an impact on us.
So to stay harmonized with the season, learning to cool the summer heat in our bodies can help us feel better in our menstrual cycles, hormonally, and overall.
In today's episode, you'll learn about 10 herbs as well as some lifestyle and dietary practices you can incorporate into your daily routine to cool and calm your body and mind - in this season and beyond.
Tune in to find out:
how the summer heat messes with your body and mind
the qualities of pitta dosa and how that corresponds with summer
why some of us are more impacted than others by the heat
ten herbs to help calm and cool you this summer
some easy + accessible cooling food and drink options
a quick cooling breath practice and other simple cooling ideas
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal heal
How can such a simple, unassuming practice that happens automatically every few seconds be such a powerful ally in changing our body, our mind, our emotions, and more?
I'm sure you've experienced it. You've noticed how your breath quickens and seems to be bursting out of your chest when you're in a panic moment. Or you've noticed that deep belly sigh that can happen when you finally relax after a long, exhausting day.
Indeed, breath is both an indicator of how we are in a moment, and also a tool we can work with to CHANGE how we are in that moment.
When we intentionally, strategically work with deepening and slowing our breathing, or changing the breathing patterns, or breathing through nose or mouth or even quickening our breath for periods of time, we have access to far more than just our lungs.
According to Pause breathwork practitioner Liz Harris, some of these intentional breathing patterns can actually be harnessed to move beyond our conscious mind to access our subconscious in a safely held way, especially when we repeat breathing patterns for more than eight minutes straight.
And for Liz, this intentional breathwork practice has been profoundly supportive in her recovery from disordered eating patterns and restoring a healthier body image.
Which is something probably most of us could use some support with.
Listen in to learn:
how breathwork helped Liz go from disconnected to loving her body
what intentional breathwork practice can look like
ways breathwork can help us release stuck emotions and trauma
why having a facilitator holding space can be a key to pattern change
a couple of very simple breathing practices you can start with now
benefits and contraindications with intense breathwork practice
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal heal
What are they? How do they work? Are they helpful or harmful?
Honestly, these questions are more complicated to answer than they seem, even though researchers have been diving into this topic for decades.
In the end, the basics are that phytoestrogens are plant-derived compounds that act similarly to estrogens in our bodies.
But they're milder acting than our natural estrogens so on the one hand they can reduce the effect of estrogen in our bodies when they bind to receptors (so can be helpful in excess estrogen conditions for example) but they can also encourage a mild estrogenic activity when we are in an estrogen deficient state (like say, perimenopause or post-menopause).
That said, not all phytoestrogens are equal, and actually there's even some new research showing that the makeup of our gut microbiome may have some effect on whether or not phytoestrogenic compounds have any benefit in our bodies.
They're even being researched in estrogen-dependent cancer situations to act potentially as SERMs (or selective estrogen receptor modulator) type compounds.
But all the current research aside, what benefits might they have in your body?
And what kinds of plants are even included in this category?
Listen in to learn:
what phytoestrogens are
how phytoestrogens work
what makes these plant compounds a bit complicated
how phytoestrogens help to modulate estrogen levels
how phytoestrogens can reduce menopausal symptoms
the latest on phytoestrogens and cancer
when you might want to avoid taking phytoestrogens
a few phytoestrogenic herbs and simple ways to work with them
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal heal
It's become a bit of a trending topic, but in case it's new to you, just know that it's a form of connective tissue that connects everything to everything in your body.
I'm actually not exaggerating. It's basically the matrix that covers every organ, bone, muscle, and tissue and connects them to each other.
And in living bodies, it's actually ever-changing and dynamic, responding to movements, traumas, impact - whether physical or emotional.
It can become tense and tight or fluid and relaxed, according to today's guest - myofascial release therapist Lindsay Courcelle.
And if you've been listening for a while, you'll probably know that our pelvic bowls and our breasts/chest are two places in our bodies that have a tendency to store trauma and emotions more than others.
So much of our sense of safety, sensuality, sexuality, creativity, nourishment and relationship can show up in these power centers of our bodies.
Which is why something as simple as a gentle, slow and deeply listening touch like myofascial release can have profound therapeutic benefit for those who are holding any emotions in our tissues (hint: that includes almost all of us).
Listen in to learn:
what fascia is and why it's dynamic and ever-changing
how your fascia responds to emotions and trauma
why touching your body IS touching the earth + vice versa
what myofascial release (MFR) is and how it's different from other massage + craniosacral work
how the slow, gentle, patient approach of MFR encourages lasting change
ways to support your pelvic bowl + breasts/chest through MFR
a simple guided breast/chest myofascial release practice you can do now
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal heal
Have you ever paid attention to how your energy, desires, symptoms, even feeling of mental capacity or self-confidence changes throughout your menstrual cycle?
Well, this IS a thing and it's not just you.
The hormonal fluctuations throughout the waves of our menstrual cycle have four fairly distinct phases - menstrual, follicular, ovulatory and luteal.
And each of those phases can be characterized as having certain qualities.
It is tremendously empowering for folks to start not only tracking their cycles but also get to know what patterns and strengths or weaknesses they notice in each of them.
To see the strengths, the weaknesses, the tendencies - and start to come to expect them, accept some of the harder parts and really harness the strengths of each phase as superpowers.
This entire way of perceiving our bodies and our cycles has been a trending topic over these past few years, and is commonly known as cycle awareness or cycle synching.
But I wanted to jump in and throw my own version of this beautiful practice into the mix, including probably most importantly not being to strict about it, and above all else, listening to YOUR body to learn what's true and right for YOU.
Not just attach to some idealized version you read about in a book or saw on TikTok.
Listen in to learn:
how to identify each phase of your menstrual cycle
what the gifts of your menstrual phase are
ways to harness the strengths of your follicular phase
why your ovulatory phase in not just ovulation
about the delineation of the luteal phase into two phases, not one
why listening to your unique body is most important
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal heal
"Communicating with plants" can feel mysterious, especially if you're new to it.
And really, what does it mean to connect with them? How do you cultivate a relationship beyond knowing their name and potential ways to work with them?
What happens when we start to weave ourselves back into the story of the landscape, and recognize that plants are actually always sensing and communicating with us and the entire ecology around them?
Plants are beings just like humans. They may be more stationary, but they are absolutely sentient and when we learn to tune into their subtle language (whether that's physical, chemical or intuitive), there's so much we can receive.
Like today's guest herbalist and author Liz Neves shares, even just being around plants can offer healing once we expand our perception of what's possible and open up to receiving their wisdom.
She shares stories of developing her own relationships with plants, partly through relationship with place, even though she's primarily lived in the urban world of NYC for the past 20 years.
With tools like meditative states, presence, creative expression and just noticing who shows up, we can begin to make connecting and communicating with plants into a daily practice that helps us experience more meaning and healing throughout.
Listen to learn:
what meeting a plant wherever you are means
how to begin to connect with the plants and landscape around you
simple practices you can start with to cultivate these relationships
stories that give glimpses into what plant connection can look like
ways to connect with plants whether you're in a city or live rurally
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal heal
What is receptivity? And how does it relate to our wombspace?
In the world of gynecologic health, the concept of a receptive womb is all but left to the scientific research articles talking about encouraging an optimal uterine lining so potential implantation can occur.
And while that is absolutely important (of course having a robust and nutrient-rich uterine lining is a sign of not just uterine health but also overall health), there is more to the story than just the physical components.
In my perspective, cultivating the *energy* of receptivity is JUST as important as having the physical building blocks we need for womb health.
In fact, I would go so far as to say that supporting the reproductive and generative organs in our womb with everything from visualizations and loving self-touch all the way to herbs and grief and trauma work can ALL encourage more optimal receptivity.
The truth is, we are not just physical bodies.
We have emotions, we have traumas, we have grief, we have patterns and we need tools and strategies to support us on multiple layers as we work to enhance our receptive energy - whether for fertility, sensuality or hormonal health overall.
Which is exactly what I get into in this week's episode.
Listen to learn:
what receptivity is and how it relates to the wombspace
examples of nature representing the soft and yin qualities
how security, safety, trauma, grief + creativity are all connected to the womb
why it's important to offer yourself loving attention and "no agenda" touch
simple practices and ideas for you to cultivate receptivity in your body
some herbal allies for nourishing your receptive wombspace
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal heal
So many of us spend days, weeks, months researching and taking classes, preparing ourselves for the event of childbirth.
Because it feels mysterious and miraculous and like something we need to train for.
And that makes sense. It's a huge milestone unlike any other in our lives.
But what about the tremendous transformation that occurs the moment you become a parent (for the first or second or third time)?
How do you prepare for not only the baby arriving, but also the physical, mental and emotional recovery that's often much more intensive than we expect?
Most of us don't. At least not in the US.
Deeply restorative, nourishing postpartum care is all but a thing of the past. But thankfully there is also a resurgence.
More and more birthworkers are looking to various cultural traditions to glean the wisdom of thousands of years of supporting birthing parents after birth.
And postpartum doulas like today's guest Rachael Hollinger are inspiring a whole new generation of postpartum care providers to honor the fourth trimester as a time when not only baby needs attention and care, but also the mother (or birthing parent).
So, what can that look like?
Everything from nourishing food to herbal remedies to steams and baths to rest to warmth and so much more. It's a paradigm shift, not just more "things to do."
You'll hear all about how important all of this is, *especially* when pregnancy or birth is hard, in this week's episode.
Listen to learn:
what nourishing, deeply restorative postpartum care means
how Rachael came to this work from her own childbearing challenges
how Hyperemesis gravidarum can affect pregnancy, birth and postartum
why it's important to tell REAL birth and postpartum stories
5 essential elements of truly restorative postpartum care
a simple recipe that's perfect in the immediate postpartum period
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal heal
Late summer has arrived, and with it a sense of fall coming soon. In the earth, in our bodies.
As folks with wombs, we're intimately connected with the seasons outside of us.
And it's in this late summer season we can start to feel an urgency or desire to both relish in the abundance and joy of summer in all its glory, and also store and preserve our foods and medicines for the coming winter.
Herbal vinegars are a form of preservation that brings it all together.
We can make everything from strongly medicinal vinegars we are working with intensively for a clear purpose all the way to fun and lighthearted shrubs or oxymels we can prepare with the intention to uplift and/or enjoy with friends in a social setting.
Herbal vinegars are versatile, accessible, and also - unsurprisingly - a remnant of our ancestral womb lineages. A form of medicine that's been around as long as written records have been, and likely a lot longer than that.
But what are the *actual* benefits of medicinal vinegars?
When would we choose them over other preparations, and why?
What do they extract better than other methods?
I cover all of this (and more, of course), in this week's episode.
Listen to learn:
what herbal vinegars are
a little on the history of herbal vinegars (hint: they're ancient)
different medicinal preparation methods from around the world
some of the modern research on health benefits of vinegar
why we might want to incorporate herbal vinegars for hormonal health
some herbs that may be especially helpful in the form of vinegar
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal heal
How does herbalism relate to astrology? I mean, what can the stars possibly have to do with the plants? Aren't they totally different disciplines?
These are such good questions. And honestly, I didn't even hear about the ancient practice of astro-herbalism until about ten years ago when I took a course on it.
Turns out western herbalism was actually deeply rooted in astrological practice hundreds of years ago.
Blending the two was a way to differentiate and understand the energetics of the plants. To match them more effectively with the people and the ailments as they were presenting.
It's actually not as esoteric and out there as it sounds at first.
Today's guest Andrea Webb offers a detailed glimpse into how bringing astrology and herbalism together helped her to understand the plants (and the planets) more fully.
She gives a general overview and then dives into a couple specific examples of how adding astrology into the picture can help to provide a more dynamic perception of the herbs she works with in her practice.
And then we go deep into mugwort, one of my dearest plant allies, and Andi shares about how her relationship with that plant completely changed her relationship with her womb.
She went from having a debilitating, sometimes emergency-level menstrual phase (that had her considering the possibility of a hysterectomy) to relatively easeful cycles.
It sounds miraculous, AND it's real. A story worth telling, indeed.
(plus she adds in her astro-herbalism perspectives on mugwort to bring it all together)
Listen to learn:
what astro-herbalism is
how to understand plants in relationships to planets and vice-versa
the way herbal energetics show up in astrology
the life-changing way mugwort showed up for Andi's menstrual health
some of mugwort's medicinal actions
an astroherbal perspective on mugwort
how birth charts can be helpful in choosing herbs for a formula
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal heal
Have you ever wondered what herbs may be supportive for the transition from hormonal birth control to natural cycles again?
It's actually not something that's talked about much.
But herbs can be wonderful allies to help cultivate an optimal foundation for our sex hormones to begin circulating naturally again, both for overall system support and symptomatic relief.
And they can also help further along the way if your cycle doesn't return or you notice they're irregular or have other symptoms coming up.
The truth is, up to 80% of people will begin menstruating again with no extra effort within 3 months after coming off birth control.
So really, the point is not "what can you do to bring your cycles back?" but instead it's more " how can you nourish and support your body to adapt and adjust to these changes so it has what it needs to encourage optimal hormonal health?"
That's the first step.
So focusing on optimal nutrition, nourishing herbs, herbs that help when adapting to change, liver support and making sure you're eliminating every day are most helpful.
I share all about what this means and many examples for you to get started with (and so much more - as usual!) in today's episode.
Listen to learn:
why you might choose to go off hormonal birth control
the first steps to take (hint: this involves cycle tracking!)
what nutrition and supplements are essential when coming off hormonal birth control
the four primary categories of herbs to focus on to support the transition
herbs for common symptoms when discontinuing hormonal birth control
how long to wait and what to do when your cycles don't come back or are irregular
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own resear
I think most of us know that acupuncture has a lot of potential benefit, and perhaps you've heard of how supportive it is for enhancing fertility and/or as an adjunct to fertility treatments like IVF or IUI.
But something less well known is that acupressure is a modality unto itself, which at times can be as effective if not more effective than acupuncture, and can be an incredible ally during the childbearing years.
And it's something that you can practice yourself or on a loved one, without needles.
That said, there are safety considerations you need to be aware of (especially in pregnancy!), and knowing which points to work with and how to do so effectively is a whole art and practice that can take years to master.
But you can start with one point at a time, and today's guest Sarah Tewhey gives a beautiful introduction to not only a few points that may be helpful in pregnancy, birth and postpartum, but also the philosophy behind this healing practice overall.
She's an acupuncturist, herbalist and doula and weaves these together in her clinical practice and as an educator. Really, I might call her one of the foremost experts (in the west) on this topic, and I don't think I'm exaggerating.
So curl up with a cup of tea and listen in to learn the basics on how acupressure can support you in your childbearing journey and beyond.
Listen in to learn:
what acupressure is and how it's different from acupuncture
specific points for common challenges in pregnancy, birth + postpartum
safety considerations and contraindications and why this matters so much
how to choose a great perinatal acupuncturist (hint: they aren't all the same)
ways that acupressure gives you more options, and how empowering that is
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Oh, Ashwagandha. An herb that almost every single one of us have heard of - at least by name, if not because we've used it at some point along the way.
A real celebrity of the plant world. And a true favorite among herbalists, too.
Before I share more, just take a moment to think about what you already know about this plant.
My guess is you probably think of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) as an adaptogen, and maybe as an ally for anxiety, or perhaps also to encourage more optimal sleep.
And yes, yes, and yes. These are all lovely uses for this easy-to-grow, rather unassuming plant.
But as you know, plants are complex, and cannot be pigeonholed into just a handful of "uses."
The truth is, ashwagandha has been worked with medicinally for thousands of years - not only in Ayurveda (which is what most of us think of), but also in the Middle East, and Africa too.
And the range of uses embodied in these traditions has included everything from easing back pain to reducing coughs to tending gastric ulcers all the way to promoting longevity and recovering after giving birth.
It's one of the most revered herbs in all of Ayurveda.
It's even a potent (and I might say indispensible) ally for every phase of our hormonal health - from menarche to fertility to postpartum to peri-menopause to post-menopause.
And I go into all of this - and more - in this week's episode.
Listen in to learn:
the basics on Ashwagandha's medicinal actions, energetics + uses
why ashwagandha is so highly respected in Ayurveda
what a rasayana is + when you might consider using one
the best ways to take ashwagandha for sexual + hormonal health
safety considerations around taking ashwagandha
about some clinical studies showing support for hormonal health
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
What happens when the goal is not just to reduce pain or remedy a pelvic health "disorder", but actually to prioritize pleasure?
What if it was possible to actually feel safe in your body, to listen to yourself, to gently ease into what authentically feels good for you... one step at a time.
It's tremendously easy to feel shame around any kind of health challenge, but somehow even easier to feel shame around the pain or dysfunction that shows up in our pelvis.
I mean, who wants to talk about not being able to hold their pee in, or how they haven't been able to have sex without pain (or a trauma response) for years - maybe ever.
It's not the kind of stuff we share freely with our friends, and may not even share it with our partners.
Pelvic health OT Laura Rowan helps clients to feel less pain and more pleasure in their pelvis and throughout their lives. It's not just about the pelvic organs, or sex, or pain.
Through manual therapies, vagus nerve stimulation practices, breathwork, vocalization, educating her clients on their own anatomy and more, she integrates a diverse tapestry of modalities to create a truly integrative approach to sexual and pelvic health.
You'll hear all about these and more in today's episode.
Listen to learn:
how occupational therapists approach pelvic "dysfunction" differently
what pelvic health imbalances can feel and look like
why the root cause may have nothing to do with your pelvis
the importance of the nervous system in pelvic health
how breathing & vocalization can pay a role in pelvic healing
why reducing pain should not be the ONLY goal
how to enhance your sexual pleasure (one step at a time)
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Have you noticed how many people acknowledge the seasonal transition from summer to autumn? It's one of the most talked about events-of-the-year.
Maybe that's because it's such a dramatic change. The vibrant heat and buoyancy of summer give way to the brilliant display of color and shedding of leaves on trees, and the return to the earth of many annual and perennial plants.
It's a small death, every year. And while we get used to it, and we trust that spring will come again, we also have to reckon with the diminishing light and the oncoming cold.
That said, most of us live in very protected environments shielded from the elements and are not subject to the "danger" of winter that our ancestors used to be.
Still, we feel it, and our bodies feel it too. Seasonal change is inherently destabilizing.
And from an Ayurvedic perspective, when we go from summer to fall, it's actually common to have over-accumulated heat from the summer that peaks in symptoms in early fall.
So instead of diving immediately into the spicy chai (and even pumpkin spice drinks) that are easy to desire as the cool weather sets in, it's actually important to cool and calm the heat, to simplify your diet a bit, and give your body a little support as it adjusts.
I dive into how all of this can look and more in this week's episode.
Listen in to learn:
what NOT to do right after autumn equinox
why you might actually need to focus on cooling rather than warming
how Ayurveda views seasonal transitions
a few signs and symptoms to look out for as the cooler weather sets in
some herbs and foods that can be helpful for the shift from summer to fall
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
What does it mean to become fully yourself? And how can the plants and your womb help with that?
These are questions that are not as straightforward as they seem. Really, each of us carries our own unique blueprint and gifts that we can offer to the world.
And beginning to connect with that inner knowing, the place inside you that whispers that you are more than just a cog in the wheel of societal expectations, can take time.
But my guess is that, if you're here and reading this, you've already gotten a glimpse into this reality, and have begun relating with the plants, the earth or your body in a way that helps you feel more whole and connected.
That said, it's a process. And often feels a bit like a spiral, doesn't it?
In this week's episode, writer, herbalist and green witch Robin Rose Bennett brings together 35+ years of herbalism and a deep reverence for the magic of life itself to offer a generous dose of the wisdom she's gathered over time.
She shares about her own spiral of growth and becoming, her personal womb story throughout all of her phases, and what it can mean to be an elder in the world.
And she brings the plants in, too.
Listen in to learn:
how herbalism can be an antidote to loneliness
why Robin Rose Bennett chose to embrace the term "green witch"
what a lifetime of herbal medicine can offer to your sense of belonging
about Robin Rose's new book, and some bibliomancy readings from it
how our relationships to our wombs can change dramatically over time
thoughts on the womb-heart connection
some herbs and recipes including motherwort, rosemary, mugwort + ginger
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Okay, so why does it seem like hormonal birth control has become front and center as "the most effective" contraception?
Somehow it seems like in the last few decades, non-hormonal birth control has fallen out of favor. Maybe because it's too simple? Maybe because there isn't enough money in it?
It can feel scary to transition off of hormonal birth control if you've been on it for a while, but let me tell you that the benefits of cycling naturally are extensive.
Whether it's receiving the gifts of progesterone in your luteal phase or having your natural menstrual cycle as a guide to help you listen more effectively to your body, there are may reasons to choose non-hormonal contraception.
And I don't think we hear enough about all of our options.
So today I dive into some of these, including benefits, risks, side effects and more.
And I also share about my absolute favorite, which I consider to be true natural contraception - fertility awareness + herbs when needed.
This is all really just an overview to give you a sense of what's possible so you can craft a personalized path to effective non-hormonal contraception that works best for you (and your partner/s).
It's pretty information-heavy, but hopefully will be a great resource for you to build your foundation from as you explore your personalized path to empowered birth control.
One informed choice at a time.
Listen in to learn:
some basics on non-hormonal birth control
why most non-hormonal birth control requires commitment (but is worth it)
about a few options of barrier methods (condoms, diaphragm, cervical cap, sponge) + how to use them effectively
some basics on copper IUD's (why you might love em or hate em)
how withdrawal is actually a viable option in some cases
an overview of fertility awareness and cycle tracking methods
why fertility awareness is even better when combined with an additional non-hormonal method
some herbal categories that may also be helpful to incorporate to prevent pregnancy
what I consider to be the ultimate "natural contraception"
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
We hear a lot about the gifts and benefits of each of our cycle phases, but what we don't commonly explore are the shadow sides of those times.
And whether it's our menstrual cycles or even our womb phases we travel through during our lives, it's helpful to know what to look out for that might be a sign of imbalance.
Not so much physically, but from a psycho-emotional perspective.
Today's guest Bri Martinez shares her view on cyclical archetypes both in relationship with our menstrual cycles and also as guidance for us to consider our habits and behavioral patterns beyond our cycles, too.
There is power in self-awareness, and this episode offers an invitation to explore your own personal version of cyclical archetypes (which may or may not be the same as others) from a reflective and curious lens.
And Bri also offers some nature connection practices you can engage in both to respond to these archetypal qualities as well as deep your relationship with them.
It's a neat blend of cycle awareness meets earth wisdom and I'm excited for you to hear it!
Listen to learn:
what archetypes are in general
how archetypes have been essential to understanding ourselves throughout human history
the gifts and shadows of each of our cyclical archetypes
how to identify the virgin/warrior, mother/creator, wild woman/enchantress, and crone/wise woman in your cycle and yourself
real-life examples of how these archetypes can show up
how nature connection can help us relate to these parts of ourselves
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
How do you navigate uncertainty - in your body, in your mind, in your life?
I think it's easy to fall into patterns of avoidance or not facing what's hard, especially when that requires us to feel big emotions or actually respond to what we're feeling with some kind of action.
This is just as true with worldly events like we're witnessing now as it is with information our body is telling us about our health.
When it's confusing or intense, we often want to escape in some way, to feel better as quickly as possible so we don't have to actually look at what's underlying.
Or to choose a quick fix rather than something that might take a little more effort.
But the problem with that is if we ignore the smaller signs and symptoms telling us that something is imbalanced for too long, we tend to end up with more significant imbalances that are harder to relieve.
And if you add on to that the shifts and changes we go through hormonally throughout our lives, it can feel like a very dynamic and confusing situation in our bodies.
But when we start to actually listen to (and respond to) to what the body is telling us, everything changes.
When we pay attention, we begin to cultivate a trusting relationship with the ebbs and flows, the cycles and patterns, the rhythms and even the unknown.
And especially when we connect to our wombspace with intention, care and presence, we are able to deepen that trust in a way that also feels held and nurtured by our relationship to the earth and those who came before us.
It's no small thing to form a trusting relationship with your body, including when things feel like they're falling apart.
I talk all about what this can look and feel like, and some practices for you to explore, in this week's episode.
Listen in to learn:
how those of us with wombs are primed for uncertainty and change
what vitalism is, and why the vital force matters for your overall health
why it's essential for you to find ways to feel and release your emotions
practices for emotional and somatic release
ideas to help you cultivate a more trusting relationship with your body
how connecting with your pelvis can help you ground in tumultuous times
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
What the heck is the mesentery? And why does it matter to you, anyway?
Okay, so I know not all of us are anatomy nerds, and we don't commonly get excited to hear about anatomical structures, but this one... well, it's worth checking out.
Partly because it's deeply intertwined with all of your belly organs, partly because it has an intimate relationship with your wombspace, and part of because it is the embryological origin of the uterus...
...but mostly because it has SO MUCH to teach us.
And today's guest, somatic facilitator and author Abigail Rose Clarke offers an in-depth glimpse at the magic and mystery of this"queer" organ - not from the lens of sexual orientation or gender, but from the lens of hard-to-define as one or the other.
It's an organ that is both soft and strong, both holding all of our belly organs in and also allowing them to have the ease of adapting to shape and size as needed (for instance in pregnancy).
She shares about how to locate this organ inside your body, as well as what it's made of, and why it took until 2016 for people to even realize it even was an organ!
We also talk earth connection, ecology, phases of our lives and how embodiment can support us in navigating what's hard in our lives, including current world events.
In the end, it's all about "returning home to our bodies" which is also the name of her forthcoming book, which is on pre-sale now and comes out in January.
Listen to learn:
what the mesentery is and why it matters to you
how embodiment practices can help you navigate hard things
why the mesentery was overlooked for most of medical history
the embryological origins of our belly organs, including the uterus
how the vagus nerve relates to the mesentery
details on why Abigail considers the mesentery to be queer
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
I'm not sure if you're feeling it, but everywhere I look I'm seeing yet another person share about how they're feeling heartbroken, or how these times are heartbreaking.
The collective field is full of grief, loss, shock, confusion, and meanwhile we're also all living our lives, attempting to go about our days "as usual."
When our hearts are so tender, it's essential to find ways to both feel our feelings AND tend our emotional and physical hearts.
Have you ever heard of "broken heart syndrome"?
It's a (usually temporary) sudden weakening of the heart muscle that is actually a form of cardiomyopathy. While it's common to recover in a few months as long as good care is taken, it's a true clinical condition that results from extreme stress, shock, or grief.
I also remember learning (when I was getting endless cardiac testing years ago) that folks who are depressed are more likely to have heart conditions. And conversely that post-heart attack patients commonly experience cardiac depression - which is literally a melancholy that occurs after a major cardiac event.
I can't even count the number of times doctors and nurses in the ER and at my cardiologist's office asked me about anxiety and stress in my life. With unexplained tachycardia (fast heart rate) and no cardiac risk factors and an extremely health-centered life, they were all SURE my heart rate was psycho-emotional. (it wasn't btw)
In other words, emotions affect our hearts, and our hearts affect our emotions. The physical heart is not separate from the emotional heart.
So it's important, especially in times when we feel our heart is breaking, to pay a little extra attention to our beautiful rhythmic center that keeps our blood oxygenated and flowing around our bodies.
Instead of just thinking of "grief" remedies in general, consider what specific signs and symptoms you're experiencing - whether emotional or physical.
From there, you can choose herbs and practices that address your individual needs.
That's what this week's episode is all about.
Listen in to learn:
how grief relates to both your heart and your wombspace
a little about the womb-heart connection
why healthy estrogen levels in your body are important to heart health
some practices for tending your grief, individually or in community
herbal allies to support your unique expression of grief
remedies for physical heart conditions that may show up with heartbreak
how insomnia and and anxiety may be linked to your heart
After birth, our bodies are especially tender and rather "blown open."
Not only has a babe passed through either your perineum or your belly, but your spirit has been expanded tremendously, too.
And unfortunately, most of us have NO IDEA how to effectively tend "to the root of our bodies" as today's guest, MD-turned-holistic-midwife (and mother of 9!) Dr Rebecca Cohen describes it.
We've all but lost the art of deep, replenishing convalescence that's so needed postpartum. Birth is a big experience, and whether it's physically, emotionally or spiritually - there's often a lot to integrate (on top of having a newborn babe)!
So caring for the tender tissues and the tender spirit in this liminal time can be incredibly supportive.
There are many ways to do so, from rest, to easy-to-digest foods, to herbal practices such as vaginal steams, to sitz baths, to teas, to hands-on and hands-in care.
And today's episode goes into all of this and more.
Listen in to learn:
how Rebecca went from conventionally trained MD to herbalist and midwife
what "the root of your body" means (on a couple different levels)
some simple practices to tend that part of your body postpartum
Rebecca's favorite herbs for the postpartum journey - internal + topical
why she considers vaginal steams a core part of holistic postpartum care
how to know when to return to sex after birth
ways to connect with your vulva and wombspace with tender love + care
an invitation to offer yourself hands-in care to support pelvic muscle relaxation
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any&
I think many of us just accept the discomfort we have in our guts without question.
I was talking to a client recently and I actively had to ask her if she ever notices any symptoms after eating for her to remember that she commonly experiences sharp pain in her belly and doesn't know why.
The fact that it wasn't top of mind for her because she's just accepted that as part of her day-to-day life is indicative of how much we normalize digestive upset.
Some folks have chronic loose stools, endless gas, bloating after almost every meal, alternating constipation and loose stools or even painful, sharp spasms regularly in their bellies... and they don't pay any attention.
I had another client who told me she's had gut symptoms her entire life, and her mom has them too, so it's not something she even thinks of as a "symptom."
I want to call bullshit on this way of thinking.
Our bodies are wisdomkeepers, and your gut is giving you information. Which is not to say that you need to wallow in suffering because of your symptoms, but instead that it's a good idea to start taking note of what they are, and when they show up.
Herbs like relaxing carminatives can be especially helpful at easing some of the gas, bloating and spasms - and when we narrow in on the *relaxing* carminatives they are even more specific for times when you notice stress, anxiety or irritability in relation to your gut symptoms (which is exceedingly common).
The gut-brain connection is real, so when you're having those digestive symptoms, you mood and mind will no doubt be impacted.
Unfortunately relaxing carminatives won't get to the ROOT of the problem, but they can help your belly calm down and soften to ease symptoms along the way.
And they can be worked with intentionally in times of increased stress (like the current global situation), or heightened anxiety (like perhaps holiday gatherings), or cyclic hormonal shifts that mess with your gut (like, say loose stools the first day of your moon).
The better we feel in our bellies, the more steady and strong we can show up in the world.
Listen to learn:
what carminatives are and how to add them into your daily life
when you would want to consider RELAXING carminatives
how muscle tension might increase pain sensations (+ how carminatives can help)
a basic overview of 8 relaxing carminatives (why, when, how you might use them)
how to add some carminatives into your holiday meals (or anytime)
If you're familiar with Ayurveda, you'll know there are three primary "doshas," or collections of elemental characteristics that describe qualities of a person.
But they aren't static. I think sometimes people get stuck in the idea that "doshas" are like a personality test.
And while there are some aspects of that, from an Ayurvedic lens we actually have both our innate constitution AND the current state we're in. Which are usually NOT the same.
We may be born super hot, active, and physically strong, but we may go out of balance by burning ourselves out after pushing way too hard over the years and end up feeling high levels of anxiety or spaciness.
Because that endless excess stimulation we've subjected ourselves to is constantly eating away at our reserves until we no longer have them and we collapse.
It's a common story, really, especially as people reach their late 30's or 40's.
And it's one (of many) example of how the elements inherent in Vata dosha (air and ether) can have an imbalancing effect on someone whose innate nature is not that.
In other words, most of us tend to go out of balance in Vata at some point in our lives, and often we see the results in our nervous systems.
Kristen Timchak, host of the Nourished Nervous System podcast, shares all about how Ayurveda counteracts the qualities of Vata dosha in the mind.
She includes several simple practices you can start incorporating into your life if/when you feel your Vata going out of balance, and she shares about some indispensable herbal allies for this, too.
Listen in to learn:
the basics of Ayurveda from a 5 element perspective
what Vata dosha is and how it relates to our nervous systems
how Vata shows up in the seasons and times of day
what Ojas is and it relates to nervous system health
a few simple, quick practices you can add into your life to balance Vata
the basic recipe for an Ojas-building drink
a couple key Ayurvedic herbs that are essential to restoring your nervous system
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
Is it images of a sterile healthcare office where you're getting a pap-smear (and all the complicated emotions that come up around that)? The common concerns around HPV, abnormal paps and even cervical cancer can run rampant in our minds.
So perhaps, thinking about your cervix brings up some fear or discomfort or grief... rightfully so.
Or maybe it's a worry that your cervix may not be ripe when you get to 40+ weeks of pregnancy, because you know it's supposed to be softer and start to thin out and even dilate a bit before labor really gets going?
Hoping and wishing and praying for your cervix to do what it needs to do so you can birth your babe safely and gracefully into the world.
For most of us, THOSE are what we think about when we hear the word cervix.
But the truth is, your cervix is MUCH more than just a place the baby comes out, or a place that can be affected by sexually transmitted infections.
In fact, it's a place you can cultivate a tangible relationship with, learning to understand its signs and symptoms over the course of your menstrual cycles and beyond.
This is not just some woo-woo idea, you can both touch and observe your cervix throughout your cycles to get to know how your unique cervix shifts and changes.
Your cervix is the entryway to your wombspace, the place where your fertile cervical fluid is created, a changing and adapting structure that responds to both hormones and your nervous system AND is a locus of some of the most pleasurable orgasms possible.
It is not just something to feel fear around or indifferent about. It's something to admire and honor and even... love.
Listen to learn:
what and where your cervix is
about the cervical shifts and changes throughout your menstrual cycle
how to find your cervix (with your fingers and visually)
the unique ways your cervix plays a role in fertility
What could a system that reads more like an astrological birth chart mixed with the I Ching and Chakras have to do with our sexuality or relationships?
It's a fair question, and one I had, too.
But today's guest, Cara Dempsey, shares about how learning Human Design (and especially understanding what her "Sacral Inner Authority" meant) completely transformed her relationship with not only her wombspace, but also her menstrual cycle and her libido.
Well, cycle awareness practices had something to do with it, too.
The truth is, she lost most of her sexual desire postpartum, she was living a life oriented to hustle and productivity and her body was feeling the consequences, and she needed help.
Fascinatingly, her deep dive into understanding her energetic patterns through both Human Design and cycle awareness helped her to listen to her body in ways she never had before, and begin to accept parts of herself she previously thought of as weaknesses.
And as it turns out, Human Design really does have a lot to say about how we may relate to our own sexuality, how we cultivate boundaries (sexually, in relationships, etc), and overall how we listen to our own selves.
Whether or not you decide to explore it further, consider this an opportunity to reflect on archetypal energies - the inner authorities and energy centers especially - and how those may inform your growth into more of who you really are - beyond what society tell us we should be.
Listen in to learn:
what Human Design is and where it originated from
how Cara's health transformed through learning Human Design + cycle awareness
what the inner authorities are and the 6 types
how learning your inner authority can support healthy boundaries
a deep dive into the sacral and root energy centers and what it means if they are "defined" or "undefined"
how Human Design can support your relationships and authentic sexual expression
Okay, so most of us DO honor pregnancy and birth in a way that could be considered to be a rite of passage. We have blessingways, baby showers, even postpartum care.
But what about all the other pivotal moments of our womb story that we pass through?
The truth is, honoring these transitional times is part of many ancestral traditions. It’s not some kooky, woo-woo, new age thing.
The more we get present with the immense changes…
everything from menarche, to fertility/birth, to losses like miscarriage/abortion/infertility, to hysterectomies (yes, that’s a HUGE unspoken right of passage, too), to menopause…
the more we’re able to embody our womb stories and really allow our emotions to flow, the traumas held in our wombspaces can soften, and the power inherent in your wombspace can come alive.
We can shift our perspective from dread or disdain to celebration and honoring hard (and transformational) times.
Today’s episode is an invitation to explore what this can look and feel like with me. I don’t have all the answers, but I hope to offer some inspiration to spark your creativity around what would feel really good *for you* in honoring any of these passages in your body and being.
Listen in to learn:
Why honoring rites of passage in your life matters
How we create culture by normalizing rites of passage
About winter solstice as the fertile, generative dark workspace of the year
Explorations of each womb story rite of passage (menarche, fertility/pregnancy/postpartum, all kinds of loss, hysterectomies, perimenopause/menopause)
If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.
And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️
DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.
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