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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

Skunk Cabbage

November 6, 2017 by 7Song

Soldier Orchid
Winged Elm

Additional Information:

Scientific Name: Symplocarpus foetidus

Common Name: Skunk cabbage

Family: Skunk cabbage

Common Name: Araceae

Locale: McLean bog

Specific Region: McLean,NY

Description: Symplocarpus melting snow as it flowers

Date: March 30,2005

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No Widgets

"Secondary" needs some widgets.

Everything seems so winter The frozen snowy ground

Everything seems so winter
The frozen snowy ground and the quiet
But morsels of spring are peeping through
A bird song here, a tiny bud there
I can wait
Sunset at home, February 26, 2021

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

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