I am incredibly honored to been asked to be a guest on Mal Duane’s AMAZING podcast “Awaken Divine Wilderness” recently where we talked about the successful spiritual & integrative processes I’ve learned over 15 years in healing trauma.
There are too many children and women that are subjected to abuse. I’d like to share that conversation with you on how spiritual based practices can heal trauma associated from domestic abuse and rape .
I am happy, humble and yet grateful to announce the guest appearance I had on this amazing podcast “The Epic Comeback” with the incredible Nikki Bruno talking about my story healing from trauma and abuse.
On Episode 71:
I share that the best ways to get to the other side of a life-shattering experience are
(1) to get out of your head and into your body;
(2) to “bless your junk” by transforming pain, hurt, and trauma into wholeness;
(3) to understand that the solutions to your challenges are internal, not external; and
(4) to take back your power and illuminate your gifts. Laura learned these lessons while enduring domestic abuse and rape.
Well in case you missed my January post, 2020 is a massive year for “change” being a four year in numerology in all areas of our life. It is also a “work” year, a year to cultivate our deep inner spirit, and connect with the ancestors for healing and wisdom.
And boy oh boy, 2020 has not failed to disappoint to hold to that theme. What a karmic shakeup January started off. What a shift show!!!!!
Have you felt this?
2020 Kicks off a karmic boom and waves of change
I am gonna mention something that is taboo – politics. There is a spiritual component. Hear me out before the eyes start rolling. I see politics as a reflection of what is within us all collectively. We are all feeling this, but we are often too triggered or afraid to voice our truth about it.
Well let’s just start with the energetics of the impeachment trial. Regardless of which side of the fence you believe in, no one can disagree with the debacle being made of our system.
So what is the spiritual component to all this?
With that said about what is happening, truths are still being revealed and triggering disruptions.
The recent shooting in Hingham, MA and the subsequent racial/classist undertones that ensued afterwards is upleveling the shadows hidden in the darkness.
Some of these disruptions may include the sudden unexpected transitions of loved ones. I talking about my feelings surrounding the Kobie Bryant crash here.
As an empath, healer, intuitive, and trauma specialist we will continue to see unresolved trauma surface – personal, generational, karmic, and past life. The ideas around power, control, manipulation will continue to be “seen”.
Moving forward, the idea of Spiritually bypassing your way through life will not help anymore for any one of us. Trading one feel good addiction for another is more harmful than good.
It means we stand in our truth unapologetic. We speak out for those who do not have a voice. We call out and address predatory behavior infiltrating sacred safe spaces and protect those preyed upon by predators. It means we do not stay silent.
It means we change the way we live and address simple things we can do NOW
What is the solution moving forward?
The solution is to FIRST have the courage and take full responsibility for where you are at. Getting real and getting raw with yourself is where you will ultimately find the peace and freedom as well as tap into the natural flow of the Universe with ease.
Second, spiritually bypassing our issues away is no longer an option and an addictive behavior that leads to a bottomless pit. Click here for more information and tips to guide you. Triggers are a mere flasher trying to redirect you back to the inner being of who you are.
Thirdly, challenge your belief system. Decolonize your mindset. Are your beliefs your own or are they part of the collective consciousness and/or conditioning?
Finally, DO THE INNER WORK.
There is NO way around this, but through. Your inner child will thank you for taking this leap of faith. This is NOT work that can be done by reading a book or watching videos. It requires ongoing support and guidance. I am here to support you. If you are feeling ready to do this work, click here to book a session today.
In the meantime, we continue to come face to face with our shadows. The more we surrender the stories of the egoic mind and into the flow of our intuitive soulful self continues to rise.
Let’s take shame out of our unrealistic egoic expectations of BE-ing spiritual by sharing our experiences.
Life is a journey & lesson for evolution of soul to BE EXPLORED. That exploration continues into 2020.
THIS … THIS is multi-layered, multi-faceted. Some of this is individual & some of this is collective.
It’s a SH*T SHOW. Yes, it is … if we choose to see it this way or we can choose to see what is happening as an opportunity which brings me to a saying someone ones said to me early on my healing path.
What do you choose?
Finally, this is election year, the Universe is asking us to VOTE with our conscious NOT by party affiliation. Do not let the external world brainwash you, manipulate you, bully you, or intimidate you into swaying from YOUR truth.
Please leave your comments below and let us know how we are doing.
I must admit, Mother’s Day this year was not a joyous day for me and it can be challenging for me every year knowing I failed to protect my children from abuse and there is nothing greater than grief over the loss of having your children in your life. Sadly, taking children away from the protective parent is more common than not as the abusers last straw to get back at the the person they are terrorizing for leaving.
BUT, I got great news today.
Although, my circumstances with my children remain the same unfortunately, I always look for things where I CAN make an impact and hopefully use my story to facilitate change.
So, after a challenging weekend digging into my own shadows of grief, I see THIS.
The Pixel Project is proud to present our sixth annual Survivor Stories Blog Interview Project in honour of Mother’s Day 2019. The annual campaign runs throughout the month of May and features up to 31 interviews with a survivor of any form of violence against women (VAW) perpetuated by men and/or patriarchal culture/system including domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, stalking, online violence against women, female genital mutilation, forced/child marriage, sex trafficking, breast ironing etc.
This campaign was created to provide:
VAW survivors a platform to share their stories and solutions/ideas on how they rebuilt their lives and healed/are healing.
Girls and women currently experiencing or who have survived VAW ideas, hope, and inspiration to escape the violence and know that there is light at the end of the tunnel and there is help out there.
About Laura’s Story
Laura from a recent trip meditating in the forests of California
Trauma is an unrecognized epidemic in this country with links to explainable health issues, chronic illness, mental health, and even cancer, and Laura aims to use her experience to break the cycle of abuse through healing.
Click here to read my story as featured talking about:
My personal experience with gender-based violence (this may include domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, female genital mutilation etc)
How I escaped the cycle of violence
How I healed and rebuild my life as well as actions I took to make it happen
Suggestions shared for another woman or girl facing the same situation as I did
How I think we can end violence against women
Why I support The Pixel Project
We would be honored if you would follow me on Facebook at Healing Trauma Through Spirit and/or Healing With Spirit. and help me continue to facilitate change by breaking the cycle of abuse through healing.
Your support is much appreciated in this mission to heal something so elusive in the medical community and as a society as a whole despite the ongoing ACE study and other data regarding violence against women and children.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story
I want women and mothers to know …
YOU. ARE. VALUED.
I am here to help guide you. In the meantime, don’t forget to pause, breathe and take a moment for yourself.
Spiritual Medium, Speaker, Trauma Specialist and Healer Providing Spiritually based integrative holistic health enrichment. Available for private sessions, speaking opportunities, workshop facilitations, events, and groups.
I am a badass dragon spiritual warrior goddess that burns away fear buried deep in my shadows, shields my human vessel from harm, stands strong in my truth and raw authentic power, and moves swiftly against those who victimize others.
Today, I am making “herstory” with some dragon magic in tow. I am no longer a victim of my past, but a badass. It’s taken me a VERY long time (decades) to get to this point. CPTSD and the fallout of trying to survive after abuse is NOT easy…far from it.
I’m going thru lots of growing pains right now & on the verge of a major breakthrough … the kind I’ve waited a lifetime for if not multiple lifetimes.
See me.
Feel me.
Hear me.
Bare witness to the transformation and magic of dragon in the depths of my soul.
AND so, I bless my junk … I bless all who caused me harm & I mourn all I lost. In doing so, I find the buried treasure residing within me all along … buried in my own shadows. To read more on this bless your junk series, click here.
Today I celebrate ALL OF ME and all the brave courageous strong women before me.
I celebrate the wisdom of my ancestors breathing and pulsating in my veins.
I celebrate all the badass women and men who have guided me, supported me, journeyed with me, and mentored me throughout the years.
In this post, we will explore the following to address perceptions, boundaries, trauma, predatory behavior, healing, and healers.
My goal is two fold:
to awaken reiki practitioners and healers to their full optimum potential while understanding their ethical responsibilities to their clients and/or students,
and to help guide those seeking healing services for themselves or a loved one.
In this post, we will address the following:
Introduction to this sensitive topic from a personal and professional perspective
#TimesUp healers and reiki practitioners video
12 Tips To Choosing A Reiki Practitioner
Questions to ask a prospective reiki practitioner
Introduction to This Sensitive Topic
In search of “healing the broken me” as I would like to call it from years of abuse that resulted in complex C-PTSD or complex post traumatic stress disorder, I originally delved into the traditional American Healthcare System in hopes I can quickly return to my unbroken self. Like many others, I have felt that I was not getting better and band-aids were being applied to my mental, emotional, and physical symptoms that were not getting better and began to spiral out of control.
I realized there had to be more to all this and began looking into the spiritual aspects of my issues that the healthcare system couldn’t figure out.
I started reconnecting to my spiritual path. I began meditating. I eliminated inflammatory foods. I sought out reputable teachers and healers. I started connecting with the divine within me and my divine team. I learned and studied multiple holistic health modalities and spiritually based practices.
These practices saved my life and has been allowing me to reclaim my life in ways to defy all logic. I was fortunate in who I sought out as healers and other professionals to help guide me.
However, abusers and predators are still very skillful at their tactics, which is what sparked this post. I have been doing this work since 2006, and I have experienced numerous situations that were quite disturbing that made me wonder how to communicate such a delicate and serious topic that would hopefully be welcomed and received both by the healing community and trauma survivors.
This leads me to the next point …
#TimesUp Healers and Reiki Practitioners Video
I need your help on what I consider a very sensitive topic.
This video which was recorded in April 2018 took over 4 years to make due to concerns of my ability to communicate what needs to be said in a way that is heard and openly received.
What healers and survivors need to know.
Have you experienced THIS?
My goal in this video is to help healers and practitioners to awaken to their full potential while understanding their ethical responsibilities to their clients and/or students. Abusers are infiltrating the spiritually based communities and healing arts.
Are you aware?
What steps are you taking to ensure the safety of those around you?
What are you doing to help break the cycle of abuse?
Ironic or what … that this article was published on the same day as my live video on same topic from the NY Times. “In the space of a few short hours on Monday evening, Eric Schneiderman went from being known as one of the nation’s most progressive and influential attorneys general to being cast as a drunken, abusive monster who terrorized women in his personal life even as he publicly advocated women’s rights.”
This NY Times article is worth the read to tie into my argument. In the meantime, I will share with you 12 tips in choosing a reiki practitioner and questions to ask.
12 Tips To Choosing A Reiki Practitioner
Healing varies from person to person and what some call “reiki training” varies from teacher to teacher since there is no standardization of training in the Unites States. Most reiki training teaches the basics centered around stress reduction and relaxation. While others who call anything involving some form of energy healing or hands on energy work, reiki, can sometimes be misguided.
Let’s be clear first and foremost, reiki is a Japanese complementary alternative mind body medicine therapy, self care and meditation practice that works with the human body’s bioenergy field. I won’t go into details here. You can click here for more elaborate description.
Administering or facilitating a reiki session to someone who has been traumatized or abused is NOT part of the standard training curriculum for most reiki practitioners.
I hope what I wrote helps someone out there in need who needs something to help them survive in order to thrive.For healers who read this, my hope is that this inspired you to be better than you already are. The world needs more healers. We need you to step up and help be the best version of you.
Dragons have been a huge part of my life and over the past few years, their energy and connection to me has grown stronger. I wrote this a few weeks ago and posted it on social media and felt I needed to share with you here as well.
Step into the embodiment of dragon, and step into your power.
Dragon … protect me, guide me, give me strength.
Let your scales protect and shield me as I travel into the shadows of death to face myself.
Let your claws break through the toughest of resistance for which is mostly likely buried in the depths of my own ego.
Let your #strength lift me out of the depths of darkness and into the light.
Let your wings be the hurricane to carry me, act as the winds of change needed for my highest and best and guide me on this journey.
Let your breath mix with mine and become one churning away in my pit of my belly and burn away my fears as I release its fire.
Let your #courage allow me to easily and effortlessly step forward trusting in my path.
Let your spirit energy raise my frequency and vibration.
Let your fierceness give me courage to do all that is needed for my soul’s growth
Written by: Laura Joseph, Healing with Spirit
Copyright 2018
Please subscribe to our channel and scroll for complete playlists on spiritual vlogs, spirit messages, energy updates, nature meditations, mindfulness in nature, reiki and more.
I have decided to post about this important herb as a resource for our growing community searching for healthy alternatives. Over recent years, I have seen how well it works for so many especially those with diagnosed with PTSD, anxiety, addictions, and sleep issues that have astounded me.
I began talking to others and exploring success ratios to my astonishment, which led me to begin working with many practitioners in the traditional broken American healthcare system educating them regarding my experiences personally and professionally. I am pleased to see some doctors, nurse practitioners and psychiatrists/licensed mental health prescribers beginning to consider this herb as a viable alternative to barbiturates, tranquilizers, anti-depressants, or other drugs such as the gabapentin.
As a matter of fact, I was recently diagnosed with chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, and I had stopped taking the Ashwagandha root personally too. As a result, I have decided as part of my own personal treatment plan to start taking this again (including my daily meditation, thyroid anti-inflammatory diet, jikiden reiki practice, and mindfulness as well as increasing my daily Vitamin D3 to attain a more optimum level).
So, here is more information compiled from some trusted sources (listed below) for you regarding this amazing herb.
Disclaimer: Always consult with your healthcare practitioner before using supplements if you have any health conditions.
What is it?
Ashwagandha, one of the most powerful herbs in Ayurvedic healing, has been used in India for nearly 5,000 years for a wide variety of conditions. One of the best known is its use as an adaptogen, meaning that it helps you manage emotional and physical stress.
The name Ashwagandha is from the Sanskrit language and is a combination of the word ashva, meaning horse, and gandha, meaning smell. The root has a strong aroma that is described as “horse-like.”
In Ayurvedic, Indian, and Unani medicine, ashwagandha is described as “Indian ginseng.” Ashwagandha is also used in traditional African medicine for a variety of ailments. Don’t confuse ashwagandha with Physalis alkekengi. Both are known as winter cherry.
A member of the Solanaceae family, or nightshade family, ashwagandha is related botanically to potatoes, pepper, and tomatoes.
Why Use Ashwagandha?
Do any of these common symptoms sound familiar?
Stress
Fatigue
Difficulty concentrating
Poor memory
Trouble sleeping
Low libido
Frequent illness
Anxiety
Low endurance (mentally or physically)
Joint pain
Neurological condition
The use of ashwagandha can help alleviate these symptoms and support an energetic and rejuvenating sense of well-being.
Ashwagandha as an Adaptogenic Herb
In Ayurveda, there are specific herbs with adaptogenic benefits—ashwagandha is one of them.
Adaptogens are substances (a combination of amino acids, vitamins, and herbs) that modulate your response to stress or a changing environment. Adaptogens help the body cope with external stresses such as toxins in the environment and internal stresses such as anxiety and insomnia.
One of the attributes of ashwagandha is its ability to induce calmness and clarity by regulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin and the stress hormone cortisol.
One of the attributes of ashwagandha is its ability to induce calmness and clarity by regulating neurotransmitters such as serotonin and the stress hormone cortisol.
Research has shown that consuming ashwagandha may not only reduce cortisol levels but also, as an adaptagen, can “substantially” reduce chronic stress to help your body adapt to and alleviate the stomach-churning anxiety stress can cause. (Mercola)
Research indicates there’s a likelihood that ashwagandha may be useful for helping patients in opioid withdrawal as well as reducing or eliminating dependence on benzodiazapene drugs such as Xanax and Valium.
Benefits of Ashwangdha
Ashwagandha contains many useful medicinal chemicals, including withanolides (steroidal lactones), glutathione (powerful antioxidant), alkaloids, choline, fatty acids, amino acids, and a variety of sugars.
While the leaves and fruit have valuable therapeutic properties, the root of the ashwagandha plant is the part most commonly used in Western herbal remedies.
Medical researchers have been studying ashwagandha for years with great interest and have completed more than 200 studies on the healing benefits of this botanical.
Animal studies have found constituents of the herb, including alkaloids, steroidal lactones, and saponins, to reduce inflammation and calm the nervous system.
Ashwagandha, today, is used for arthritis, anxiety, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), balance, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), trouble sleeping (insomnia), tumors, tuberculosis, asthma, a skin condition marked by white patchiness (leukoderma), bronchitis, backache, fibromyalgia, menstrual problems, hiccups, Parkinson’s disease, and chronic liver disease. It is also used to reduce side effects of medications used to treat cancer and schizophrenia. Ashwagandha is used to reduce levels of fat and sugar in the blood.
Ashwagandha is known to help people strengthen their immune system after illness, chemotherapy, or surgery. It is a highly effective, evidence-based remedy for anxiety and stress—by lowering cortisol levels and mimicking the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA.
Some people also use ashwagandha for improving thinking ability, decreasing pain and swelling (inflammation), fertility problems in men and women and also to increase sexual desire.
Ashwagandha is applied to the skin for treating wounds, backache, and one-sided paralysis (hemiplegia).
Ashwagandha contains chemicals that might help calm the brain, reduce swelling (inflammation), lower blood pressure, and alter the immune system.
Stress.Taking a specific ashwagandha root extract (KSM66, Ixoreal Biomed) 300 mg twice daily after food for 60 days appears to improve symptoms of stress.
Reducing side effects associated with medications called antipsychotics. Antipsychotics are used to treat schizophrenia but they can cause levels of fat and sugar in the blood to increase. Taking a specific ashwagandha extract (Cap Strelaxin, M/s Pharmanza Herbal Pvt. Ltd., Gujarat, India) 400 mg three times daily for one month might reduce levels of fat and sugar in the blood in people using these medications.
Anxiety. Some clinical research shows that taking ashwagandha can reduce some symptoms of anxiety.
Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Some clinical research shows that a combination herbal product containing ashwagandha may improve attention and impulse control in children with ADHD. The effect of ashwagandha alone is unclear.
Bipolar disorder.Taking a specific ashwagandha extract (Sensoril, Natreon, Inc., New Bruswick, New Jersey) for 8 weeks might improve brain function in people being treated for bipolar disorder.
A brain condition called cerebellar ataxia.Preliminary research shows that ashwagandha in combination with an alternative form of medicine known as Ayurvedic therapy might improve balance in people with cerebellar ataxia.
Fatigue in people treated for cancer (chemotherapy).Early research suggests taking a specific ashwagandha extract 2,000 mg (Himalaya Drug Co, New Delhi, India) during chemotherapy treatment might reduce tiredness.
Diabetes.There is some evidence that ashwagandha might reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
High cholesterol.There is some evidence that ashwagandha might reduce cholesterol levels in patients with high cholesterol.
Male infertility.Some preliminary clinical evidence suggests that ashwagandha might improve sperm quality, but not sperm count, in infertile men. It is not known if taking ashwagandha can actually improve fertility.
Osteoarthritis.Early research shows that ashwagandha taken along with a zinc complex, guggul, and turmeric might improve arthritis symptoms. The impact of ashwagandha alone is unclear.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).Early research shows that ashwagandha root extract might reduce symptoms of OCD when taken with prescribed medications for 6 weeks better than taking the prescribed medication alone.
Parkinson’s disease.Preliminary research suggests that a combination of herbs including ashwagandha improves Parkinson’s symptoms. The effect of ashwagandha alone in Parkinson’s is unknown.
Rheumatoid arthritis. Early research shows that ashwagandha powder taken for 3 weeks followed by 4 weeks of sidh makardhwaj (a mixture of gold, mercury, and sulfur) slightly improves symptoms in some people with RA. The impact of ashwagandha alone in RA is unclear.
Increasing interest in sex.Early research shows that taking ashwagandha extract daily for 8 weeks along with receiving counseling increases interest in sex and sexual satisfaction in adult women with sexual dysfunction better than counseling alone.
According to Ayurveda, our bodies are woven from food. The nutrients we ingest are metabolized into the energy and information that form our cells, tissues, and organs. Every day our bodies need essential vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients to maintain our body’s delicate balance.
Ashwagandha is classically taken as a fine powder mixed in honey or ghee. In western countries, it typically ingested in capsule form.
The typical recommended dose is 500 to 1,000 mg. For people who suffer from insomnia and anxiety, having a cup of hot milk that contains a teaspoon of powdered ashwagandha or an ashwagandha capsule before bedtime is beneficial.
Special Precautions:
(discuss with your physician before taking Ashwagandha)
Prescription Medications – American Pharmaceutical DRUGS
Before I go to precautions with Ashwagandha, let’s look at the side effects of some commonly prescribed medications before we judge the side effects of this powerful herb.
Let’s compare. Then you decide which is safer.
What I see as the alternatives being prescribed daily in our traditional healthcare system carry MORE serious concerns.
Many traditional medicinal prescriptions carry side effects ranging from leading to addiction to causing dementia or increase risk for suicide. Yet the medical community is concerned about recommending Ashwagandha because why????
Commonly prescribed medications that carry serious side effects include:
Gabapentin (Seizures, Nerve Pain, Fibromyalgia, Anxiety, Depression, Pain): dementia, addiction (which is rarely listed but increasing problem), suicidal thoughts, life threatening rash, organ failure, blurred vision, kidney problems, could make moods worse, aggressive behavior, chest pain, bloody stools, and more.
Lamictal (Seizures, Bipolar, Depression, Anxiety) :carries a black box label that can cause life threatening rashes to meningitis to suicidal thoughts. Irritable bowel type symptoms which is NOT listed. – – – My story: I was given this drug for PTSD and Anxiety. My IBS symptoms went from 7 days a week to 1-2x a mo instantly when I stopped this drug several years ago. This drug is also listed on Psycom as “The side effects of Lamotrigine are relatively harmless as compared to other options”REALLY? “Lamotrigine induced mania is usually treated with Topiramate or lithium” (Pscycom)REALLY? Another DRUG to treat a side effect of this drug?
Paxil (Depression, PMS, PTSD, Anxiety): decreased interest in sex, changes in sexual ability, hallucinations, loss of coordination, severe dizziness, numbness/tingling, easy bruising/bleeding, fast/irregular heartbeat, seizures.
Xanax (Anxiety, PTSD): hallucinations, thoughts of suicide, slurred speech or difficulty talking, loss of coordination, trouble walking, memory problems, and can lead to addiction.
Adderall (ADD/ADHD): Psychosis Caused By A Drug, hallucinations, thoughts of suicide, high blood pressure, seizures, anger outbursts, and can lead to addiction.
Pregnancyand breast-feeding:Do NOT use ashwagandha if you are pregnant. There is some evidence that ashwagandha might cause miscarriages.
Diabetes: Ashwagandha might lower blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar closely.
High or low blood pressure: Ashwagandha might decrease blood pressure. Ashwagandha should be used cautiously if you have low blood pressure or take medications for your blood pressure.
Stomach ulcers: Ashwagandha can irritate the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
“Auto-immune diseases” such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Ashwagandha might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it’s best to avoid using ashwagandha.
Surgery: Ashwagandha may slow down the central nervous system. Healthcare providers worry that anesthesia and other medications during and after surgery might increase this effect. Stop taking ashwagandha at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
(discuss with your physician before taking Ashwagandha):
Ashwagandha may increase the sedative effects of benzodiazepines such as Valium, Ativan, Xanax, and other depressants. It may also interact immunosuppressant medications. Talk with your doctor before beginning a supplement regimen that includes ashwagandha.
In animal studies, high dosages have been linked to toxicity, including impacts on thyroid function; however, human studies are limited.
Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with ASHWAGANDHA – Ashwagandha seems to increase the immune system. Taking ashwagandha along with medications that decrease the immune system might decrease the effectiveness of medications that decrease the immune system. Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), corticosteroids (glucocorticoids), and others.
Sedative medications (Benzodiazepines) interacts with ASHWAGANDHA – Ashwagandha might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Drugs that cause sleepiness and drowsiness are called sedatives. Taking ashwagandha along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness. Some of these sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and others.
Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with ASHWAGANDHA – Ashwagandha might cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Medications that cause sleepiness are called sedatives. Taking ashwagandha along with sedative medications might cause too much sleepiness. Some sedative medications include clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), phenobarbital (Donnatal), zolpidem (Ambien), and others.
Minor Interactions:
Thyroid hormone interacts with ASHWAGANDHA – The body naturally produces thyroid hormones. Ashwagandha might increase how much thyroid hormone the body produces. Taking ashwagandha with thyroid hormone pills might cause too much thyroid hormone in the body, and increase the effects and side effects of thyroid hormone.
Medical Caution:Always consult with your healthcare practitioner before using supplements if you have any health conditions. Laura Joseph and Healing With Spirit are not licensed medical physicians. Ashwagandha is not recommended for women who are pregnant.
Need More?
Need some guidance or direction?
Want a holistic health consult?
Laura has been providing spiritually based integrative holistic health enrichment services, classes, and programs since 2006. She has experience as a domestic violence advocate, college educator, and over 15 years working in the healthcare industry with multiple certifications in areas in holistic health, spiritually based practices, healing, and more.
Her primary office is located inside Cohasset Medical in seaside Hingham, MA.
Please subscribe to our channel and scroll for complete playlists on spiritual vlogs, spirit messages, energy updates, nature meditations, mindfulness in nature, reiki and more.
I just left my endocrinologist’s office for a follow-up visit and was pleasantly surprised that THIS happened.
During the visit he opened my chart and my eyes could not believe what I saw. I had to take a double take. What was it? It was the word Reiki written in kanji.
My doctor began to tell me that after my last visit with him, he was so taken back by my last visit that he decided to do some research on Jikiden Reiki® in his own. He even went on to show me his written notes from my last visit where he wrote the word Reiki in kanji. I was pleasantly surprised as this was unexpected.
So TODAY he inquired more about Jikiden Reiki® and how it has helped me overcome some of these “issues” where the American healthcare system was unsuccessful.
He was very curious and inquisitive which was refreshing to see from someone in the medical field. He said as a physician, he is limited in scope of care and there are many things that in the healthcare system, people just have to live with and listed many examples on why that is – eluding to how broken the system is.
My reply was “But it does not have to be so and this is why”. He said he’s never met a patient like me before in all the years he has practiced medicine.
I thought wow. I made this much of an impression on this western doctor so much so that after my last visit, he took it upon himself to research how reiki works medically.
Granted what I have overcome throughout the years shocks many. I explained to him that I am not a doctor, and looking to solicit his assistance to help working together to find out what this last issue that is hindering me to back to myself fully 100%. It is my belief that he can help me do that with appropriate tests and a diagnosis so I know how to treat possibly myself either via Jikiden Reiki®, nutrition, supplements, etc.
To give you a little back story about me and how I landed here…
Some of you know my story, but most of you don’t. To summarize, I left an abusive relationship in 2005 only to have my abuser use the system to continue patterns of abuse until 2014. As a result, I was officially diagnosed with complex PTSD.
In search of “healing the broken me” as I would like to call it, I originally delved into the traditional American Healthcare System in hopes I can quickly return to my unbroken self. Like many others, I have felt that I was not getting better and band-aids were being applied to my mental, emotional, and physical symptoms that were not getting better and began to spiral out of control.
This affected everything with many bizarre symptoms that I felt or manifesting physically as a result of the trauma and abuse I endured.
Some of these symptoms include:
From my ability to swallow
Choking on water and own saliva
Enlarged thyroid
Extreme fatigue
Intestinal issues
Bladder issues
Hemorrhagic uterine bleeding
Low stress tolerance
Heart flutters and palpitations while in a calm state
Avoidance issues and fear
Nightmares and flashbacks
Anxiety and panic attacks
Chronic physical pain
Memory issues
Vision disturbances
Left sided weakness
Fluctuating weight
Circulatory issues
So I increasingly became very frustrated with our system and their ability to help me put myself back together with each new physical symptom that popped up. No one seem to be able to connect the dots to whole picture.
I am more than my uterus or brain or thyroid etc. My body is a miraculous being that is interconnected and multi-functional. There is NO one shoe fits all as the system attempts to do. Just look at how separated our system is designed by specialists in areas of body parts. Where is the physician who can tie into the link between what is going on in my inner ear with my gut for instance? That what might be going on in one area of my body my actually be caused in another area of my body?
I realized there had to be more to all this and began looking into the spiritual aspects of my issues that the healthcare system couldn’t figure out.
I started reconnecting to my spiritual path. I began meditating. I eliminated inflammatory foods. I sought out reputable teachers and healers. I started connecting with the divine within me and my divine team. I learned and studied multiple holistic health modalities and spiritually based practices.
It wasn’t until I learned Jikiden Reiki®, my entire life drastically changed. I had already been practicing and teaching the more westernized cousin of reiki for 6yrs. But this was different, and in a league of its own.
I’ve learned over the last several years that we have become a culture that will take something that is pure in its roots and traditions … that is connected somehow deep to some ancient wisdoms and healing … and “Americanize” it or westernize it. This is when we have lost the magic aka medicine for the soul to fully heal those deep wounds that escape our awareness.
While practicing all these other westernized forms of healing and spiritually based practices, I didn’t quite understand this until recent years. As time goes on and I work on my craft and my own personal healing, the clearer that gets.
Needless to say, today I see my health almost fully restored thanks to these alternative treatments.
I avoided a hysterectomy, a root canal, 3 rounds of antibiotics for infections due to these therapies and saved my body from additional physical traumas and toxins that would stifle the work I am doing to restore wholeness in my life.
So sometimes, there is more to what’s going on with you than meets the eye.
My question for you is this … when the healthcare system is unable to help you restore “wholeness ” in your life, do you or would you consider alternative therapies to help you?
Do you believe there is more to illness and disease than what’s presented in the way the healthcare system categorizes it?
I come away with a few thoughts:
Don’t give up on you docs who are AT LEAST open to learning, supporting, and aligning with the concept of mind-body medicine or proven alternative therapies
Be a good patient. Walk the walk. Do the work to improve your life physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually without spiritually bypassing, and watch everyone around you ask you how you did that. Best testimonial is your own story.
When you take responsibility for your life and health – eat right. remove toxicity – foods, thoughts, poisons, environment, etc. not only employ therapies such as yoga, reiki, meditation, thai chi, etc, but embody them… your health care team will want to learn more on how you do that without the need to “sell” them.
A pill and/or a procedure will fix very few things so called, wrong. When we understand this and understand how to support our body’s ability to heal itself, and actually choose to live a better healthier life, toxic pills and harmful procedures will be lessened and the burden on our health care system financially will be significantly reduced. This is not to mention the side effect of a lessened burden on our ecosystem and environment due to reduction of medical waste.
Please subscribe to our channel and scroll for complete playlists on spiritual vlogs, spirit messages, energy updates, nature meditations, mindfulness in nature, reiki and more.
**** Laura was invited as a guest on a webinar by Zandra Matthews of “Exploring Your Goddess Nature” – This is a FREE event for women age 18+***
Are you tired of being sick and tired? Are you seeking healthier alternatives? Do you suffer from autoimmune disease, cancer, unexplained back pain, anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, fatigue, lack of vitality, etc? Is there buried trauma personally, generationally, or karmicly?
Trauma isn’t what you may think. Laura will share her experience of healing multiple illnesses including complex PTSD and colds and averted surgeries such as root canals and hysterectomy using various spiritually based holistic health therapies. Learn also what to look for in finding a qualified practitioner to work with and how to avoid potential predators masquerading as healers.
About Laura
Laura is a trauma survivor, healer, writer, speaker, spiritual medium. She has been providing spiritually based holistic health enrichment at Healing With Spirit since 2006. She has over 15+ cumulative years in health care and experience as a college educator and domestic violence advocate. She’s also a Shihan through Jikiden Reiki Institute in Kyoto Japan. Shes based in Hingham, Ma.
12 Tips To Choosing A Reiki Practitioner
Ashwagandha contains many useful medicinal chemicals, including withanolides (steroidal lactones), 
(Per 
To give you a little back story about me and how I landed here…
So I increasingly became very frustrated with our system and their ability to help me put myself back together with each new physical symptom that popped up. No one seem to be able to connect the dots to whole picture.
I’ve learned over the last several years that we have become a culture that will take something that is pure in its roots and traditions … that is connected somehow deep to some ancient wisdoms and healing … and “Americanize” it or westernize it. This is when we have lost the magic aka medicine for the soul to fully heal those deep wounds that escape our awareness.
With love and appreciation,
