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Northeast School of Botanical Medicine

Northeast School of Botanical Medicine

Northeast School of Botanical Medicine

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SCHOOL | 7SONG | | Blog

Jamaican Dogwood

October 14, 2017 by 7Song

Narrow Leaved Plantain
Ginseng

Additional Information:

Scientific Name: Piscidia piscipula

Common Name: Jamaican Dogwood

Family: Jamaican Dogwood

Common Name: Fabaceae

Locale: Key Largo, FL

Specific Region: Southeast

Description: Leaf. Photo ©2017 7Song. All rights reserved.

Date: January 15, 2006

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Working with Inheritable Disorders with Herbs Whil

Working with Inheritable Disorders with Herbs
While I have some hesitation writing this, I think these are important conditions to address as herbalists. I discussed writing and posting this with the person involved. They were excited that I am sharing this information.
For several years I have been working with someone with facioscapulohumeral muscle atrophy (FSHD). It is a type of muscular dystrophy (‘muscle wasting’) that often affects the face, shoulder blades, and upper arms. This person’s FSHD has mainly affects their scapula and pectoral muscles.
They are doing very well due to a variety of practices, including exercise, conscientious eating, a push-through attitude, and possibly herbs.
The reason I am writing about this is that for many of these inheritable disorders, there are often no medical treatments. Nor are there clear herbal treatments.
But what we can do is support the person in whatever ways we can. For instance, herbs may help with sleeping difficulties or pain.
As herbalists, it is important for us to be transparent about our personal skills and what herbal medicines may accomplish and let the patient decide if they want to follow an herbal protocol.
This person has been taking a nourishing powder for several years. It contains
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) 3 pt, Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) 2 pt, Rosehips (Rosa canina) 1 pt, Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa) 1 pt and Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) 1 pt. The dosage is 1 teaspoon stirred in water and drank
2 times daily.
The goal is to help keep their connective tissue healthy and moist, as well as an overall tonic.
Frankly, it is difficult to know how well it has been working. But they feel good about it, and their muscle wasting has been much slower than their initial diagnosis in their 20s.
This article is not about FSHD, but how herbalists can help people with inheritable diseases even if there is little we can do about the root of the problem. These are often progressive disorders, and while we may not be able to cure the disease, we can help try and slow progression and hopefully improve one’s quality of life.

This is another part of my Dad’s remembrance tab

This is another part of my Dad’s remembrance table. It is a photo of him and myself from 1985 when he came to visit me in Ithaca. Back then, I lived in an off-the-grid shack, so he and my mom would stay in a local motel. But he liked the nature and solitude of where I lived. I think he would have very much enjoyed having such a place to live himself. (Siblings, what do you think?)
I miss my dad, he was quiet and introspective, so it was not easy to know what was on his mind. But he was sensitive and caring, and I am sorry he did not get to express that part of himself as much as he (and I) would have liked.

Dad’s Remembrance Table This is a continuation o

Dad’s Remembrance Table
This is a continuation of posts about a table I set up for my dad (who died 12 years ago of brain cancer) with a number of objects that were either made by his hands or remind me of him.
These are some of my favorites. They are envelopes he made out of calendars, magazine adverts, and wherever he fancied a picture on stout paper. He made hundreds of these. I acquired and started using them years ago. Anyone who has ever received a letter (or even a payment) from me may have received it in one of these envelopes.
The images are from all over the place. From landscapes to anime to Hollywood stars of the 40s. I am now just starting to run out of them, which is sad, but I am also glad I put them to use.
My dad took his hobbies seriously. And while I do not have his skills, I have the desire to show off what he did when he was not at work as an electrical engineer (a job he did not love. But this is a much deeper story for another time.) ~7Song

This is a donation for the Frontline Line 3 worker

This is a donation for the Frontline Line 3 workers helping protect water rights and Native American sovereignty. This donation is being organized by Tahila Corwin Mintz who has been helping me organize and prepare donations to other Tribal Nations as well. Thank you, Tahila.
This is a tea blend of Raspberry leaf (Rubus idaeus), Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), Nettles (Urtica dioica), and Goldenrod (Solidago species). It mainly a warming, nourishing tea for the Water Protectors out there in the Minnesota cold.
Each bag of tea is approximately 4.5 oz and makes 1 gallon of tea.
There are also 2 different salves graciously donated by Crystal Hamby. They are a wound salve for bruises, and soft tissue injures. And the other is a Vapor rub for cold stiff joints and limbs. Thank you for these, Crystal.
The papers are instructions on how to prepare and use these herbal remedies.
~7Song February 22, 2021

There are 2 spaces open to see me as an herbalist

There are 2 spaces open to see me as an herbalist at the Ithaca Free Clinic this Monday (Feb. 22). All appointments are online and free. The hours are 3-7 pm eastern time. Please note, as a clinical herbalist I am glad to discuss any concerning health issues. But there are times that plant-based medicine may not be the best choice and we can discuss other alternatives.
This is open to folks everywhere, just make sure to synchronize yourself to US eastern time.
We do not send medicines to people. This means that I will make herbal recommendations during the consultation, but it will be up to each individual to procure their own herbal remedies. If you know someone in the Ithaca area, we can prepare the medicine (for free) and they can ship it to you.
All appointments are done on Doxy.me, a HIPAA compliant telehealth website. It is free and easy to download.
To make an appointment, write to the Ithaca Free Clinic at clinic@ithacahealth.org. or call 607-330-1254 Let them know you are a new patient. You will have to fill out some initial paperwork.
Let me know if you have any further questions. Any questions about the appointment should be sent to the above email.
I look forward to working with you. ~7Song

The Dancing Kid This post is taking a big swerve f

The Dancing Kid
This post is taking a big swerve from some recent controversial posts. It is also intimate and self-revealing.
I was a very inward-looking, socially awkward, self-deprecating teenager (raise your hand if you see yourself here). I also had facial acne, which will soon play into this story.
When I was about 13 or 14 years old (around 1971), I went to some kind of social dance. And no way was I going to go onto the dance floor and clumsily move around with others looking at me. (I should say here, as an adult, I enjoy dancing. Again, a raise of hands if you also enjoy moving your body to music and sound).
I was on the sidelines trying to disappear into the darkness. After a while, I saw another teenage boy having a great time and busting out his moves (an expression not yet in existence). When I jealously looked closer, I noticed that he had a fairly severe case of facial acne. He had a wide smile and other folks were dancing along with him. I was astonished. How could he feel so comfortable in his body? I wish I could say it was a moment of epiphany, but I stayed self-conscious for many years to come. But it/he did touch me. I saw that someone could have what I thought was a constraining condition, and yet here he was beaming and dancing joyously. It was a moment that has stayed with me and has helped me realize what became more obvious with age. And that is, Attitude is everything. Enjoy what you have, not what you want. And also the obvious, just dance.
Please feel free to share your stories here. ~7RevealingSong.

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