A THREE Part Post – Morning Reflections in Nature On The State Of Society Questioning How Do We Move Forward – A Successful Case Study Involving the Transformation & Integration from Grief & History of Domestic Violence – Benefits of Blackberry & Burdock From My Morning Reflections- Tips for Triggers, Stress & Fears – Tips Around Food Scarcity- Why Work With Me
I do not know about you, the intensity that has been climaxing has been quite difficult to navigate no matter where we are in our lives. I sometimes like to write my processes and thoughts after certain experiences.
This morning I was reflecting on the sad state of our society and how on one level how hyper triggered & stressed folks are and on the other level how toxic so many folks are expressing their pains by projecting them onto vulnerable populations such as victims of domestic violence or sexual assault, homeless or low-income populations, folks with certain religious beliefs, and women. The growing misogynistic vitriol on women seems to be the most vile I have ever witnessed. It is sometimes hard to witness as if I am reliving the early days of the Burning Times of Witches or as if I am watching Chapter 2 of the Handmaid’s Tale play out.
Why am I sharing this? We can’t heal old wounds or create policy change by sticking our heads in the sand. I am not about band-aid approaches, because frankly we have seen how well those have worked out for us haven’t, we.
Humans in general are resistant to change and we are experiencing evolutionary times on so many levels simultaneously which can be difficult for the average person to adjust yielding lifetimes of lessons to be addressed.
The current energies of Saturn and Pluto retrogrades are amplifying this construct through at least October 2022 when Saturn stations direct. Pluto won’t go direct til 2023.
However, for folks who are struggling with chronic health or mental health challenges or implications as a result of trauma or faced with systemic oppressions, or folks who are faced with one adversity after another without the ability to come up for a breath – this can feel extraordinarily burdensome.
In this post I want to share a couple of experiences I have had this week in hopes it inspires us as a culture to SHOW UP better.
I personally like going into nature start my day and for some reflections. This morning was of no exception. I live on land of the original Massachusett & Wampanoag First Nations. It is rich in wildlife, nature, and medicinal plants – that some would call weeds. There has been lots of incorporating herbal medicine this week in my life & in my work.
Client Story
Earlier this week, I spent a half day with someone in deep pain and surmountable grief. They are a survivor of past domestic violence where the system failed to protect the children now grown adults. They thought their life was finally on track with a new marriage and stability in their life.
However, when they came to me the other day, they were struggling with immense grief-stricken trauma associated of losing a spouse and child in a short span of time compounded by the fallout afterwards and old wounds were opened and bleeding out.
They have been stuck in a downward spiral with their overall health for over a year now with little support structures in place, felt like they were about to break, and nothing they were doing was working.
After incorporating a multidisciplinary approach over several hours including:
- spiritual coaching & guidance,
- somatic trauma healing and recovery work,
- a holistic health assessment,
- outdoor nature therapy,
- a customized herbal medicine plan including a custom herbal medicinal tea blend as shown here.
The next morning, they reached out to me to tell me their nerves & anxiety were calmed, a lot of their physical symptoms were not present, pain noticeably diminished, and had the best night sleep since they can remember … sleeping through the night without any additional medication or aids.
They are initiating new daily protocols to help themselves navigate moving forward.
Hearing all this make my heart jump for joy. Meanwhile thinking to myself, how do I share WHY folks need to consider these very approaches in their lives to break to toxic cycles they are stuck in.
So, when I was out for my walk in my very large diverse backyard this morning reflecting upon society, I struggled with the notion that how few Americans find value, or seek out THIS type of help with a seasoned experienced healer and that makes me sad.
Then I get the calls for help and guidance from folks. We do the work. We get results and I am reminded that folks are seeking this out – they are seeking an alternative way of healing – of being – of living – of working etc. and I put my ego in check and go back to work honoring my path and this sacred work.
We have a lot of work to do and the Universe if forcing us to evolve. Old ways of BE-ing, working, living, and how we relate to ourselves, each other, the world around us MUST CHANGE.
However, just like that my once heavy heart was lifted by the surrounding plant medicine around me this morning. Like an inquisitive child, I discovered a new wild blackberry bush while I stopped in my tracks to admire this gorgeous burdock lavishly making her presence & medicine pronounced & loud.
From there, this post was born.
Blackberries
Blackberries are not just yummy. They pack a host of amazing health benefits. Some of the benefits wild blackberries include:
- low glycemic index – this means that is likely to spike blood sugar levels.
- nutrient dense – such as Vit C, Vitamin K, and manganese
- high in fiber – That’s a problem: A low-fiber diet has been linked to digestive problems like bloating, constipation, and stomach pain. And according to a 2013 study, not getting enough fiber may increase your risk for heart disease.
- may boost brain health & prevent memory loss according to a 2012 study
- one of the top 10 highest-antioxidant foods
- a 2013 study showed anti-inflammatory & antimicrobial benefits in oral health and a reason to add blackberries to your diet.
- May Prevent and Slow Growth of Cancer
and more … Here is a good source for more on blackberries for health
Burdock
The plant that led me to find the blackberry bushes was this gorgeous burdock
– a plant we often “weed it out” as a nuisance, but it’s medicine is one of my favorites for its support in liver health, promotes circulation and combats inflammation. Burdock root helps to strengthen the immune system and speed healing. Some of the benefits include:
- tonifies & “purifies” blood/liver
- effective in removing toxins from blood/liver as proven in a 2010 Study
- Nutrient dense
- antioxidant rich including quercetin, luteolin, and phenolic acids
- inulin rich – prebiotic that aids in digestion
- according to many studies, it may inhibit certain growth of some cancers such as pancreatic cancer.
- Strengthens the Lymphatic System
- Natural diuretic
- improves arthritis according to a 2016 study
and more …
Tips on addressing triggers & stress
1) Stop.
2) Pause.
3) Create space to see where the triggers & stresses are rooted … beyond the obvious story.
4) Allow yourself the gift of sleep, rest, and Process
5) Implement & increase self care … go for a walk, get outside, turn off the TV, take an Epsom salt bath, get a massage or reiki session, listen to soothing music, take a COLD shower, dance even if naked in your house.
6) Eliminate expenses that REALLY are NOT necessary
7) Remove toxic experiences, people, things
Consider seeking out a knowledgeable experienced healer, earth medicine expert, or herbalist to see what medicinal plants may be best for you.
Addressing food scarcity fears
1) Grow SOME of your own NOW … hydroponics have come a long way. So this CAN be possible even in an apartment setting.
2) Shop LOCAL – mom and pop food stores & farmers markets. Shopping local & supporting LOCAL farms are MORE sustainable & better for the planet
3) Watch waste … Americans waste enormous amounts of food daily. Buy fresh and use only what’s needed. Cut back … I get not everyone is doing this, but Americans DO throw out more food than other countries.
4) If you are in a position, SHARE with the elderly and folks who are struggling. I mention the elderly cuz this demographic rarely complains but often must choose between food, shelter, medical care.
5) Donate food to especially domestic violence shelters that are currently under funded with DV skyrocketing and victims trapped due to lack of financial means to leave & systemic misogynistic biases making leaving difficult
WHY WORK WITH ME:
Quite simply, I use a multidisciplinary approach that has a track record of getting results.
Since 2006, I have been offering spiritually based integrative holistic health enrichment with a subspecialty in somatic trauma healing and recovery.
Over the years, I’ve empowered thousands of people heal issues and restore wholeness – personally, mentally, physically, spiritually, professionally – by addressing root causes, transforming pain, bridging science, research and practical magic of sacred ancient traditions & spiritual medicines.
I am a published author, speaker, award-winning advocate, teacher, an experienced rooted healer with teachers based in Kyoto, Japan, seeker, intuitive spiritual mentor, social justice warrior, and a survivor of domestic violence and sexual assault, with over 15 cumulative years of experience in the field of healthcare.
If you read this far down, what’s peaking your interest?
Are you wondering if working with me is what you need right now – whether a half day/full day immersion or a private one-hour session(s)?
Reach out. .. or comment below.
You can book a private session here.
Inquiries about half day or full day sessions, please contact me here.
I am here to support YOU
Thank you for supporting me and my work & mission.
With appreciation,
Laura
ABOUT MELANIE:
Part 1: The POWER of the Word
Part 3: The POWER of Processing
or trauma
You can listen to her recent webinar, Protect Reiki from Regulation, with Rita Glassman. 
As for me, regulating these services will prevent folks in vulnerable communities I serve from gaining access to these therapies which in turn would harm my mission to break the cycle of abuse through healing the unrecognized unhealed epidemic of unresolved trauma that plagues our communities and over burdens our broken health care system.
According to the folks at this group, “Massachusetts previously introduced Safe Harbor Exemption legislation to protect the right to practice for, and the right of consumers to access, health care practitioners and healers who do not have conventional medical licenses such as herbalists, homeopaths, traditional naturopaths and many more.”
