Birth control is poison, and everyone knows.
Yet unempowered women continue to bow down to the allopathic system of control; mom's encourage their daughters to get the pill to 'help their acne', young women are 'annoyed of their cycle' so they try to dodge it using the pill, couples live in fear so they think it would be best for them so they don't 'need to worry'.
Detoxing from birth control starts with facing your fears head on.
Scared of getting pregnant? Begin tracking your cycle, learning when your ovulation is, tune into your body, and make wise choices for when you allow your partner to finish inside of you.
Scared of your daughter getting pregnant? Educate yourself, and her. There is zero excuse to put a young woman on this pill, none. If you are afraid of her getting pregnant, that is because you do not understand how fertility works and have not been able to fully explain it to your daughter.
Scared of acne? Acne is a symptom. It is not bacteria, you can not 'wash it away'. I suggest checking out the German New Medicine perspective of acne.
The body makes no mistakes. Do not fear the miracle of your bodies systems, there are working perfectly. Interfering with the systems has more consequences than benefits.
We are here to support the wild INTELLIGENT women who appreciate their cycle, who want to be more in tune with their bodies, and who are ready to step away from the medical disempowering tyranny.
Our Moon Magic blend was specifically designed to support women's reproductive systems; we want to see women with high libidos, nourished adrenal glands, balanced hormones.
The perfectly proportioned blend of nettle, pearl, royal jelly, dong quai, schizandra, white peony root and licorice root will take on stagnation in the body and get the fluids flowing as they should be.
This is the perfect blend for getting off of birth control; me and many other women can testify to that.
Check out the moon magic herbal blend here.
"Love never dies a natural death. It dies because we don't know how to replenish the source. It dies of blindness and errors and betrayal, it dies of illness and wounds, it dies of weariness, of witherings, of tarnishing" - Anais Nin.
Nourish the source of your life force energy. Do not take a blind eye to the destruction of this chemical concoction. Let us support you on this journey to harmony.
Stay wild friends,
Justine
]]>Because Royal Jelly is packed with so much good stuff, I pretty much have it everyday. I've added it to my Moon Magic Herbal Latte blend.
]]>This is all a lot of information, and I know that it is very overwhelming trying to juggle all these nutrition facts because of all the information floating around the internet.
If you're at a place in life where you would like some support in feeling good in your body, I would love to help. Schedule a consultation with me and let's get you feeling your best!
Salt - the elusive mineral that has been in many debates over the years. In this article, we will go over some historical facts to help guide you towards understanding how to use salt in your diet.
Our ancestors (even up to about a hundred years ago) ate three times as much as salt as we do now.
Salt became a question of 'yay or nay' when people began having major health issues from consuming salt. BUT, as many know, majority of the salt that you buy from the store is NOT the salt that our ancestors were eating. Natural salt was transformed to table salt through industrial processes. "Grocery store salt is different from salt from natural sources. It has been heated—up to 1200° F! And refined to remove most of the natural elements." -SoWell
A study done decades ago that is still cited today (🤦♀️🤦♀️) about salt and high blood pressure, is not what you think. Only 10% of participants saw a negative change in their blood pressure with a high-salt diet about 80% were completely unaffected and another 10% actually had their blood pressure improve with a higher salt diet.
If you're still interested, I highly recommend checking out Dr. James Nicolantonio's book The Salt Fix.
This is all a lot of information, and I know that it is very overwhelming trying to juggle all these nutrition facts because of all the information floating around the internet.
If you're at a place in life where you would like some support in feeling good in your body, I would love to help. Schedule a consultation with me and let's get you feeling your best!
]]>Foods that contain dopamine that are rich in fat are avocados and olive oil or rich in omega-3s is like salmon and pumpkin seeds. Lean proteins such as grass fed meat and free range chicken, berries and apples and not surprisingly cacao also contain dopamine.
But the richest source of dopamine 10% by weight is Mucuna Purien, also known as the velvet bean. Ginseng and nettles also contain a fair amount.
Mucuna Purien has these scientifically verified properties:
On a more metaphysical level, it targets the pituitary pineal gland, which regulates Consciousness in the body and controls how we perceive life. Mucuna has a similar chemical makeup to Ayahuasca and Peyote on a very small scale because it contains a small amount of DMT.
The best piece of knowledge I have for you concerning Mucuna Puriens is that it is one of the ingredients in my Organic Tea Latte Blend: DIAMOND MIND. This herbal latte blend may help support:
To order DIAMOND MIND click here.
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Ingredients:
Rhodiola, Mucuna Puriens, Ashitaba, Eluethero, Pearl and Licorice Root
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PEARL... my personal favourite herb.
I've been using pearl for years now and I have a pretty special connection to it. It's in both Diamond Mind and Original Moon Magic Latte not just because I've seen its benefit in my own life but also because I have seen its effects in everyone who takes it.
Let's start Pearl's amazing qualities:
It's rich in:
Now here is a little history on Pearl:
It has recorded use since 320AD and has been used widely throughout the world as a Shen tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine and as a mood tonic in Ayurveda.
In Chinese medicine a Shen tonic is believed to harmonize and strengthen with the higher aspects of ourselves, also known as Spirit. Herbs that have this "treasure" lift the mood and enhance meditation and improve sleep. Here's the science: Pearl can release stress because it elevates GABA levels. GABA is a calming neurotransmitter that is often deficient in people with anxiety and chronic stress. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is said that you can see the Shen in someone's eyes, which is interesting because Pearl also turns the whites of your eyes a richer & brighter white. In Ayurveda it is also used to calm and stabilize the mood.
Here is science behind why it is such a revered beauty and longevity tonic.
Let's start with longevity:
Pearl boosts SOD (super oxide dismutase) and glutathione, these are 2 of the most powerful antioxidants in the body. Ashitaba also an ingredient in Diamond Mind, is one of the only other plants that has SOD boosting properties. Both of these antioxidants have strong connections to longevity, especially SOD, which has been shown to protect and repair DNA. SOD also inhibits MAO B enzyme which also correlates to extended lifespan.
Okay let's talk BEAUTY...
True beauty is shown on the outside by things working right on the inside. Pearl contains a substance called Nacre. Nacre stimulates fibroblasts; this can help collagen regenerate itself helping wrinkles if you're less prominent assisting new skin growth, wound healing, releasing toxins, removing sun damage and age spots. Fibroblasts are "builder stem cells" that are bound in connective tissue by enhancing fibroblast regeneration. Pearl Nacre helps keep your muscles and organs strong causing skin tightening and suppleness.
Its important to note the quality of pearl that you get, and the high quality powder is not cheap. I use an organic sustainably grown and harvested Freshwater Pearl. It is stone-ground at low temperatures for maximum bioavailability and absorption.
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Spotlight on ELEUTHERO aka Siberian ginseng (although it is not a true ginseng)
Like many of the other ingredients in my blend Diamond Mind, Eleuthero is an adaptogen: a generally well-tolerated herb that mediates the stress response. Adaptogens support adrenal gland function, the gland that is responsible for cortisol and other stress hormones when you experience stress.
Eleuthero is most known for boosting endurance, reducing fatigue, boosting fitness cardio-respiratory function and fat metabolism. Hence it is a favored herb among athletes.
It contains high amounts of polysaccharides and hence is known for its ability to boost the immune system. It has been shown to help fight viruses, cold and flu. Research has also shown its ability to inhibit virus replication in cell cultures. One study showed Eleuthero's potential to maintain healthy T4 Lymphocytes, the specific immune cells that drop as a result of HIV and AIDS. There has also been research done that has shown its ability to help fight genital Simplex herpes type 2. A double-blind study showed that it reduced outbreaks and the severity of outbreaks for genital Simplex herpes type 2, especially in women.
Siberian ginseng has been shown to boost testosterone while positively affecting hormone levels and in both women and men. It has also been shown to aid in toning the uterine muscle lining.
Eleuthero has anti-cancer properties, one of which is by stimulating the immune response. It is anti-tumor and inhibits the proliferation of cancer strains.
Because of its effect on the adrenals, it helps with chronic stress, whether it's emotional biological or chemical. It also has been shown to help with depression, possibly because of its anti-inflammatory properties (and as we know depression is inflammation of the brain). Here is one of many articles speaking to the depression / inflammation connection.
Remember the power of plants. And remember the power you have to positively affect your own immune system. Sending love, hope, sovereignty and empowerment your way.
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LICORICE ROOT...
Licorice root we often forgot that the simple and common root is an adaptogen. (Reminder: adaptogens support the body's ability to accommodate varying a physical and emotional stresses . They are considered "Regulators" and support the stress response system without interrupting normal biological function. They also help regulate hormone function by Revitalizing the adrenals) Chinese medicine and is considered harmonizer and a "servant" herb (although i might instead use the word amplifier) to other herbs in a blend, but truly this root is a powerful herb unto itself.
This herb adds a new simulation of nutrients which helps in building blood and building strong muscle tissue. It acts as an antispasmodic/anti-inflammatory and has been shown to relieve gastric ulcers. It assists in detoxifying the blood and liver. It aids in supporting the endocrine function (because it contains glyscosides) and supports adrenal gland function and revitalization.
Another personal reason I enjoy adding licorice root to my tea is that it helps with low blood pressure. We hear about high blood pressure a lot but it's fairly common for women to actually have low blood pressure. I used to pass out pretty easily when I would get up too quickly because of low blood pressure. I have noticed a marketable difference and this rarely happens anymore since consistently adding this root to my life. By adding licorice root to my tea I am instantly uplifted. I am a strong believer in the energetics of herbs and I've always found this to be a "happy" herbal ally. And maybe my most simple and favorite thing about licorice root is that its sweet. I don't consume sugar and having powdered licorice root makes a wonderful addition to sweeten any tea.
Licorice root makes its appearance in every one of my herbal blends.
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ASHITABA...
Ashitaba in Japanese means "tomorrow's leaf" and it is famous for its use on Okinawa Island where there is the world's highest concentration of centenarians who not only live to a Great age but also stay in good health.
Traditionally, this leaf has been used for treating the flu, acting as a liver protectant, reducing arthritis and inflammation, blood building and healing from infections.
It is a good source of:
B vitamins
Iron
Chlorophyll
Vitamin C
Glutathione
Magnesium
Beta carotene
Ashitaba contains a rare phytochemical called "Chalcone". Research shows that calcitonin purifies the blood, strengthens the immune system and promotes metabolism and weight loss. New Studies have shown that calcitonin is able to induce a process known as Autophagy- which works to promote cleansing, recycling and removing cellular debris; hence it has anti-aging and detoxifying skin benefits.
Ashitaba is also a powerful antioxidant that helps generate SOD, superoxide dismutase; the human body's own natural antioxidant. It's one of the few plants in the world that contains the phytochemicals that's stimulate nerve growth factor (NGF) which is a substance that stimulates the regrowth of nerve tissue including brain tissue.
NGF is a biological substance produced in the human body that is essential in the development and survival of certain neurons in the nervous system. NGF is the most important regulator of proliferation and survival of neuronal cells.
*Signals emanating from The NGF receptors help control almost all aspects of immune defense and NGF has been connected with the ability to feel love.
In addition it also helps block the activity of monoamine oxidase (MAO) an enzyme that breaks down dopamine and serotonin (see my last post for the importance of dopamine). It is also been found to help lower blood sugar and slow down cell aging. Ashitaba is a key ingredient in Diamond Mind, my adaptogenic, nootropic, longevity blend.
Leanin' on the plants these days, they are here to heal us.
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Spotlight on RHODIOLA ROSEA...
This herb has been calling me everyday. I have felt a bit cloudy and low energy in mornings for the past week and a half and instead of reaching for coffee, I've been putting Rhodiola in my tea. Other than knowing Rhodiola is an adaptogen and helps with stamina, especially in athletes, but I felt so called to it, and I know to listen to that intuitive call.
This morning I noticed that I was finally feeling clear and not groggy. While drinking my tea I was listening to an alternative/independent Health podcast @highwiretalk and Rhodiola came up because of its possible ability to treat the hypoxia (an absence of enough oxygen in the tissues to sustain bodily functions) associated with covid-19. I immediately started studying up.
Here's what I found and feel called to share with you:
First off, it's an adaptogen (we hear this about mushrooms a lot but they are certainly not the only adaptogens), it is an herb that helps the body adapt to mental, physical and environmental stresses.
Rhodiola grows in high altitudes, so it is helpful for modulating adaptations to hypoxia (or treating it) and also a resistance to altitude sickness hence it has been common for athletes and even astronauts (especially in Russia where it grows). Rhodiola contains salidroside which has vascular protective properties, an ability to increase mitochondrial mass and upregulate mitochondrial biogenesis factors, which helps with DNA repair and fighting cancer. It's a powerful antioxidant that contains anti aging properties as well as immune stimulting properties. Rhodiola can be used to treat mild depression because of the way it interacts with dopamine and serotonin receptors; its properties help the body to cope with anxiety and stress. It also helps with headaches.
Wow!
In the spirit of fact checking:
Arctic Rose, Golden Root (Rhodiola Rosea)
Love to you.
Stay informed
Trust your intuitive body wisdom
~Justine
It's time to revitalize!
You can find all of these adaptogens in the herbal tonic blend Diamond Mind.
]]>Gut healing is a complicated one, it's not an easy fix. It's a lifetime practice of healing and becoming, and it's a 2 partner. One, we need to stop numbing so we can feel our feelings, so they don't stay trapped in our bodies/gut. Two, the things we are using to numb ourselves with are destroying our gut biome.
I'd like to speak to some of the unseen and unaddressed underlying issues for gut and mental health, which are often ignored by Western medicine.
Stress:
So obvious it barely needs mentioning but when we become overwhelmed by obligations, family, relationship or job problems, it takes a toll on our gut. Our ability to digest and eliminate properly is easily affected and this can come out as increased loose stools, constipation, inflammation and other factors. Working through stressors is key to help reduce the load on the gut.
Trauma:
Trauma in the form of emotional abuse, violence, neglect and other stressors can have a lasting impact on our body and our microbiota.
On a personal note, I have very significant childhood trauma. I was not suppose to talk about it when I was growing up and married into another "keep it quiet family." My body eventually, literally could no longer take it. Expressing, speaking- moving, grieving and sharing my trauma improved my gut and overall health tremendously, trauma is not meant to stay trapped in our bodies and often times it lives in our gut.
Oppression:
We live in a world where large groups of people are oppressed by low wages, substandard housing, lack of access to good healthcare, good food and adequate school systems. This leads to a chronic toll on the body that is often felt in the gut in the form of inflammation, a damaged microbiota and poor digestion that then translates into worsening mood and wellbeing. There are no easy answers to this as it requires systemic approaches to dismantle the widespread oppression that affects billions of people.
Drugs/Alcohol/Medication:
All forms of medications, drugs and alcohol can have an adverse effect on the gut and tend to slow down and damage digestion. It's key to note that antibiotics and NSAIDS are deeply damaging to gut health and their frequency of administration is often excessive.
Drinking is a numbing agent , we cant feel with our trauma until we stop numbing. We cant heal our gut until we stop drinking.
Little to no alcohol and allowing our trauma/stress breath, were gonna need some support. When we remove a crutch we must balance it. This is where nervine herbs come in.
When we think about ways to heal the digestive system, the most common way that humans have traditionally done this is to use herbs. Herbs are amazing healers for the gut and work on a number of levels. They can act as anti-inflammatories, nourish and strengthen, promote digestive flow, relax the stomach to help it digest better, improve metabolism and heal the gut lining. When trauma has impacted the gut, plants act as mediators and keys for transformation.
Nervines acts on the nervous and limbic systems to reduce overactive stress responses (such as fight or flight) and return the body to a resting, relaxing, digesting, sleeping phase. This means helping to switch the active state from the sympathetic nervous system to the parasympathetic nervous system. Nervines work gently to tonify the nervous system and re-establish normal nerve function and balance. Some may also lift the mood and ease anxiety, but they are not sedating.
Nervine Tonics (or trophorestoratives) are perhaps the most important contribution herbal medicine can make in the whole area of stress & anxiety, and in strengthening & “feeding” the nervous system. In cases of nervous debility, the nervine tonics strengthen and restore the tissues directly. Note: Adaptogens should also be considered in this group due to their ability to aid the whole of the body and mind to cope with demands made upon it. Some herbal examples include:
Nerrvine Relaxants are a group that has become increasingly important in our times of stress and tension. They are the closest natural alternative for the orthodox nerve tranquilizers, but should always be used in a broad holistic way. Too much tranquilizing, even that achieved through herbal medication, can in time deplete and weight heavily on the whole nervous system. However, the physical symptoms that can so often accompany the ill-ease of anxiety may be well treated with herbs that work on the anxiety itself. When the physical body is at ease, ease in the psyche is promoted. Note: In high doses many of these herbs can act as sedatives or Hypnotics. Some herbal examples include:
These are herbs that you likely already have in your spice cabinet or growing on your back deck and are known as aromatic carminatives. A carminative herb is one that helps ease digestion and has an uplifting, dispersing quality. They help when there is stagnation, heaviness, difficulty in digestion and absorption, tend to relax the digestive system and are antispasmodic when there is cramping. They have volatile oils that give these herbs their distinct aroma and are often turned into essential oils that can be used for aromatherapy as well. They often have an added function of being calming and uplifting. This can be especially important for folks who have a lot of stress or who have experienced trauma and are tight and are holding in their bellies.
They include the Mediterranean herbs such as mint, sage, rosemary oregano, fennel and thyme as well as the more warming middle Eastern/South Asian aromatics such as ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, coriander and turmeric.
We don’t get much bitter food into our modern diet and this is one of the reasons for poor digestion. Outside of coffee and the occasional piece of kale, bitter is fairly lacking. The bitter taste helps things to move and the direction is downward (unless you take a huge amount- then it can be emetic.) These are herbs that help promote digestive function, improve bile flow and help in the process of assimilation and elimination. Traditionally bitter plants have been associated with improving liver function. In Chinese medicine, a stagnant liver is correlated with stored and stuck frustration and anger. The bitter flavor helps us to feel less stuck and angry and feel like our energy is more easy and free flowing.
Some classic bitter herbs include the roots of dandelion, chicory, burdock, yellow dock, bupleurum, angelica as well as the reishi and fomitopsis mushroooms.These are herbs that help calm and soothe inflamed digestive systems and are especially helpful for those with ulcers, gastritis and heart burn or chronic constipation.
Some examples include calendula, licorice, meadowsweet, marshmallow, slippery elm, and plantain.
Though each person’s digestive issues are unique and require specific care, there are some general herbal protocols that can be helpful for most people. Here are some of my basic recommendations:
1. Reduce irritating foods. These often include coffee(I know, I'm sorry), sugar, processed foods, alcohol, chocolate(even more sorry), tobacco as well as Unknown common allergens such as gluten and dairy. These are the low hanging fruits that can be reduced to help improve gut health and in turn improve mood. Its also key to avoid cold foods that damage the gut. That means avoid ice, raw salads and frozen foods and beverages.
2. Increase food and herbs in the diet that promote digestion and absorption. One of the best Unknownways to do this is by eating fermented foods in the form of miso, kimchi, cultured veggies, kefir, and coconut yogurt. Fermented foods act as prebiotics to promote certain bacterial strains that are beneficial for to the microbiota. Its also great to add herbs to the diet that include the carminative herbs listed in my previous post. That means add herbs such as fennel, tarragon, ginger and cardamom to your meals. Your tummy will thank you. Bitter herbs are also really helpful in promoting digestive juices and better digestion and absorption. Some examples include dandelion and burdock.
3. Eat slow. The more work we do with our teeth, the less work out digestive system has to do. In general we eat faster and eat too much when we are watching the TV, are on the computer and phone. Try to take a break from the screens while eating.
4. Lower the Stress. If you are stressed, your gut will freeze up and won’t have the motility needed to digest and absorb food. Lowering stress levels can be next to impossible for some folks, especially for folks who have to work multiple jobs or have poor housing. But even small changes can be key to reducing stress and in turn taking a load off our gut. Try to not eat when you are actively experiencing anxiety.
5. Move. The human species is one that traditionally has lived mostly outdoors and involved in foraging and hunting. That means that a portion of the day was always spent moving outside. Movement helps the digestive system to flow and improves motility and peristaltic function. Try 30-60 minutes of outdoor gentle movement a day such as walking, hiking, biking, qi gong and yoga. Heavy exercise can also place serious stress on the digestive system so be careful of those daily spin classes.
6. Nourish. There are a lot of articles and books about what diet is best for people who are trying to repair and heal the gut. From Paleo to Vegan, often what is missed is that it can be really hard for people to digest food and its best to try and take in warm food in small amounts that are easy to digest. So think well cooked meals and soups that emphasize whole foods.Choosing which herbs to use and how to use them as part of a protocol for nourishing and healing the gut can be challenging to know. The thing I like to keep in mind is that the gut generally likes to deal with things as simple warm liquids. Pills, capsules, and alcohol tinctures are harder to consume and absorb. So with that in mind I like to promote people taking in broths and teas primarily.
Love and immunity,
Justine
White peony root helps with balancing hormones (irregular periods and PMs) as well as treating hormonal acne.
Licorice root is one of the lesser-known adaptogens (just like Municipal mushrooms) it's known as a "servant" herb and helps strengthen the other herbs in a blend.
The coolest part is that when these two herbs are combined they act as a powerful antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory. This herbal action shows up not only in your muscles but in your gut and in your skin as well!
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