Prime Your Immunity, Naturally!

Reishi- “mushroom of immmortality” and potent immune tonic

You wash your hands, wear your mask, social distance and haven’t hugged anyone except your dog in months…but despite taking all the precautions, this coming flu season has you worried.  And for good reason. Without a lot of known medical cures out there, prevention is definitely the answer-

So, what can we do to boost our immunity?

 Read on….this article gives you the keys to building kick @ss immunity with diet, lifestyle, and herbs.

Immunity begins in the gut- In Chinese medicine,  the Lungs control our protective qi, a forcefield which surrounds the body and prevents pathogens from getting in. Guess what? the Lung meridian begins in the gut. And, modern research backs this up- a healthy gut lowers inflammation and fosters a healthy immune system.

Bone broth is a deeply nutritive food that helps restore the lining of the gut, lower inflammation, and in turn supports immune function.

Ginger tea is drunk traditionally in Ayurvedic medicine to clear toxins from the gut and enhance immunity.

Shiitake mushrooms  are a powerful food that contains polysaccarhides- special molecules found in the cell walls of fungi that help enhance immunity. They are also a potent antiviral, and provide nutrients vital to immune function like B vitamins and copper. Consuming  2-4 mushrooms daily is ideal.

Get your garlic it’s a powerful antimicrobial that helps prevent infections.

Cut out white sugar! White sugar suppresses the immune system. It can reduce white blood cell activity (and thus immunity) by almost 50% for several hours after eating it.

Eat your Antioxidants- they help to reduce wear and tear on our body at the cellular level, making it more resilient to illness of all kinds. Dark leafy greens, squash and pumpkins, pomegranates and cranberries are a few…

Green tea is high in antioxidants and has anti-viral  properties as well. A daily cup (or more) can promote health and keep invading pathogens at bay.

Control your stress level. Stress is the number one cause of  disease, and nothing tanks immune function faster than a high stress level. Mindfulness, yoga, or qi gong practices, or just reaching out to a trusted friend, all can help.  Take time at the end of the day to unwind and de-stress, and shut down your phone well before bed.

Exercise  not only relieves stress, it also helps prevent age-related decline of the immune system.

Sunshine is necessary for vitamin D production (and thus bolsters immunity) as well as helping to kill viruses. Get out when the sun is shining! 20 minutes a day.

Acupuncture can increase white blood cell count and enhance immunity naturally. It also tunes up the production of prostaglandins (immune regulating molecules), balancing and honing our entire immune response.

Herbs have huge immune benefits! Astragalus strengthens the Lungs and Wei Qi, builds energy and resistance to invading pathogens and stokes up the immune system. Reishi, “the mushroom of inmmortality” is an adaptogen which enhances the bodies’ ability to respond to stress, fine tunes the immune response, and quells anxiety. Together they make a great pair to enhance immunity on all levels. Elderberry is a natural source of vitamin C and can successfully kick out even the strongest invading viruses. It is one of Western herbalism’s most treasured immune herbs.  Turkey tail mushrooms prime the immune system and are an immune tonic that can’t be beat! They are particularly helpful for those with a weak immune system. 

Ready to start? Don’t beat yourself up if you can’t manage to do everything in this article. Trying out just one of these suggestions is sure to help you better weather this years’ cold and flu season! Take care, and be well!

copyright 2020 by Athene Eisenhardt, L.Ac. The statements in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any disease.

Herbs for Smoke Support- recommendations from a Firefighter turned Herbalist

The impacts of smoke are real and debilitating. I fought wild fires for 7 seasons in Oregon, California, and Arizona- I know it first hand. And, I’ve found some amazing herbal allies that can work wonders. I’m here to share what I’ve learned: as a licensed Acupuncturist, Herbalist and former Wildland Firefighter.

Smoke creates oxidative stress in the body, drying out and damaging the delicate tissues of the Lungs. The good news is that there are many safe, effective herbs that can help us deal with smoke impacts. Herbs can replenish and restore smoke damaged tissues, maintain respiratory health, and help prevent wildfire smoke damage in the first place.

You might be experiencing cough, sore throat, chest tightness, shortness of breath, headache, dry eyes, malaise, even irritability or insomnia.

Here are some time tested herbal allies that can help-

Bai He (Chinese Lilly bulb) is a beautiful medicine to moisten and repair the delicate tissues of the Lungs that are so easily damaged by smoke. It also gently lifts the spirits and promotes a relaxed state of well being. 

Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)  a sweet, cooling tonic that enhances immunity, strength, and stamina. It increases oxygen utilization, calms the mood and elevates the spirit. It’s cooling nature makes it excellent for countering the hot, drying effects of smoke exposure.

Huang Qin (Chinese Skullcap)  An excellent choice to clear the heat and irritation from the body that is created by exposure to smoke. Huang Qin also anchors and quiets the spirit, treats smoke related headache, and can promote sleep. 

Sang Ye (Mulberry leaf)  The moist, almost succulent leaves of this tree help to soothe, cool and allay coughs, and promote Lung function. It is known as an herb that replenishes and restores order to the entire body. 

Pi Pa ye (Loquat leaf) Loquat leaf is a wonderful remedy to calm dry irritated coughs. Even better, many people here in the California East Bay grow it right here in our yards! It also has anti-cancer properties.

Mai Men Dong (Ophiopogon)  This herb is actually a popular garden plant! You may know it as Mondo grass. The succulent bulblets of Mai Men Dong are traditionally pounded up to make a sweet refreshing herbal juice, which is drunk to support the Lungs, as well to rejuvenate those who are feeling weak and tired.  

Ju Hua (Chrysanthemum) Some of us may be breathing just fine, but the smoke has made our eyes red, irritated and painful. Chrysanthemum, the “flower of longevity” helps to clear and moisten the eyes, and promotes better visual acuity.

copyright 2020 by Athene Eisenhardt, L.Ac

the statements in this article are not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness.  

I’ve created a special smoke support herb tea- get it here!

Rhodiola rosea

Chinese Skullcap

Mullberry

Flower Essences: gentle messages that heal the Heart

Our Heart is the Ruler that sits on our inner throne and ensures harmony in our world.

Summer is the season of the Heart and the emotions. And right now, all our Hearts could use some support. Recent events have stretched us to feel beyond our old thresholds, leaving us many in a raw and tender place. The Heart in Chinese medicine is likened to our inner empress or emperor. Just as in ancient China, when it was rare to actually glimpse the revered Emperor, our own Heart Ruler is a behind the scenes presence that  rules not through force, but gently, effortlessly, through the quality we refer to as Wu-Wei. Thus, we approach the Heart Ruler gently and reverently. For this reason, the Heart channel and Heart Back Shu points were classically forbidden to needle. The approach is too direct. Approaching the Heart Ruler requires refinement and reverence.

When we think of herbal treatments for the Heart and emotions, we may also wish to consider a more subtle approach. One way we can do this is with flower essences. A flower essence is an energetic imprint of a flower captured in water. Unlike essential oils or tinctures, which use vast amounts of raw plant material and are extremely strong and concentrated, a flower essence is subtle and delicate. It is created through the alchemy of sunlight, pure water, and freshly picked blossoms.

 Flower essences speak to our spirits and are wonderful for balancing all kinds of emotions. They can be used to help settle fear and anxiety, treat insomnia, lift us out of sadness, calm us down in anger, and provide grounding and support during acute stress, trauma and ptsd, and more. Whatever we are feeling, flower essences can support our process. The energetic imprint of the flowers in water communicates with our own emotional waters. Because our bodies are 2/3 water, we can actually create profound shifts with flower essences and attune ourselves to a more balanced, harmonious state.

 Flower essences are easy to use: just put a few drops in your water bottle and sip freely throughout the day. This allows the crystallized energy of the flower in water to speak directly to our own water, to remind us of our own beauty and harmony.

Flower essences are also simple to make. All you need is light, water, flowers, and a crystal bowl

HOW TO MAKE YOUR OWN FLOWER ESSENCE:

You will need:

a small crystal bowl

pure water (spring water or rain water is best)

 a sunny day

 brandy to preserve your essence when finished

a glass jar or bottle

Because you are making a delicate energetic medicine, it is important to meditate and center yourself first.

Tune in with the plant you wish to work, offer your thanks, and ask permission to use its’ flowers as medicine. You may receive messages from the plant about how it can be used.

Fill a small crystal bowl with water. (copper, silver, gold, or other gems or metals work too- but they each impart a different energy to the essence, so choose carefully). Pick the flowers and place in the water. (some people use tweezers, rather than their hands, to pick the flowers so the energy stays absolutely pure). Cover the entire surface of the water with flowers.

Let the flowers and water sit in bright sunlight for 2-4 hours. You will see little bubbles form in the water. You may wish to continue to meditate with your essence during this time.

When finished, strain out the flowers and pour the water into a glass jar. Leave half the jar empty and put in an equal amount of brandy, to preserve the essence. This is the Mother Essence. To make a Stock Essence for everyday use, take 10 drops of Mother essence and put in 1 mL bottle. Fill the bottle 50/50 with spring water and brandy. To use- simply put 5-10 drops of stock essence in your water bottle and sip throughout the day. Flower essences act immediately and are best taken regularly over a period of time for best results.

Herban Herb Walk: there's medicine right outside your door!

People and plants are always in communication- the plants we choose to grow right in our own yards are the best medicine for us.…it's no coincidence. Many of our common California landscaping plants are actually Chinese Medicinal Herbs. On this walk, we explore the incredible array of medicinal plants growing in just one city block. Come get to know your plant neighbors!

Healing Sound: Medicine of Our Times

The language of sound is universal. We don’t have to explain or understand. The language of sound brings us fully to the present moment- it gives us a place to land in ourselves. In the intensity of these times, more and more of us are returning to the most ancient medicine of all- sound. Ancient Chinese culture knew this already- that’s why the characters for “medicine” and “music” are the same.

Check out this great article on medium.com, which highlights some wonderful sound healing resources offered by myself and other members of the Bay Area sound healing community.

Sound Healers Lydia Hwang and Athene Eisenhardt perform at the Google DANS Conference in 2019

People and Plants Together for Our Planet! Guided Sound Healing and Meditation

Plants and People, together for Our Planet! This Sound Healing and guided Plant Sprit Meditation is my offering to all life today..... Happy Earth Day Everyone!

California Medicine Herb Walk- live video!

I love leading herb walks! There’s nothing more special than connecting with medicine plants in their native habitat. I couldn’t do it in person this year, so this video blog is my offering to you instead!

In this video, we take an integrative native herb walk in the California hills, exploring California native medicine plants in the context of Taoist 5 Elements and Traditional Chinese Herbalism.

I hope you have fun on the walk! If you’re excited to learn more about how to stay healthy with Herbal Medicine, please book a consult!

(due to shelter in place, herb consults are currently via video, and available only for existing clients. distance energy work sessions available to all.)

Attunements Sound Healing Album- digital release is coming!

Digital version of my solo sound healing album, Attunements, is coming! the cd is already available.

First song to release will be Soaring Wings, the song of a hawk flying free over the desert.... which is also about being able to fly in the realms of spirit no matter what limitations there may be in the physical. Soaring Wings will be on Spotify, Amazon, iTunes, Googleplay and more…

Spotify link below:

https://open.spotify.com/album/3HAEyihhsb6L2ySCFtTpNy?si=I1ts6cA-SqeIO41UvaNj5A

Attunements Sound Healing Album Release- sneak preview clips!

I’m delighted to share my new meditative sound healing album- Attunuements. The album will be released mid-September, available here, and on bandcamp.com, as well as in local East Bay/Oakland businesses.

Attunements is a 53 minute album of original meditative music for the healing arts- created with the source frequencies of ancient healing instruments such as didjeridoo, native flutes, singing bowls, chimes, voice, and percussion. Attunements is a journey into the healing spirit of music and light that exists in us and with us always, forever being echoed back to us through nature.

I hope you enjoy these sneak preview mp.3 clips!

Blessings!

Enjoying the Bloom of Summer

With Summer, the season of Fire upon us, we only need to step out our doors to see the reminder everywhere: Summer is the season of Flowers.

The Nei Jing (Chinese Medicine classic text) tells us that the movement of Summer is growth and flowering. The element that corresponds to Summer is Fire, and of all the parts of a plant, flowers pertain most to the Fire element. The beauty of our gardens and the colorful wildflowers that are still so alive in our local hills remind us of that. Flowers are light and yang in nature, they lift and brighten our spirits and bring us joy. Flowers in Taoist medicine are mostly used to affect the upper parts of the body, where the spirit (Shen) resides. Their fragrance is opening and moving.

Many of our local flowers can be eaten as food, and including them in a meal can be a beautiful way of attuning to the Summer energy and the Fire element. These include:

Nasturtium– these bright and spicy flowers make a beautiful salad garnish and can also be made into Nasturtium pesto.

Borage– the beautiful blue star-shaped flowers can be sprinkled atop salads, or used in soups and dressings.

Rose (mei gui hua)- Rose has an affinity for the Liver and Pericardium and sweetens any experience. It can be made into Rosewater, Jam, Chutney, Milks, and Butters.

Hibiscus– the petals can be eaten fresh as a cooling treat on a hot day or made into sun tea.

Honeysuckle (jin yin hua)- calms inflammation can be infused in honey and served with a little mint. Or use it to flavor yogurt or sauces.

Lavender– calms the spirit and relaxes the mind, can be included in baked goods, chocolates, and Milks of all kind.