Doctors speak out on Dangers of H1N1 Vaccines

The controversy about not only the H1N1 vaccine, but vaccines in general, is heating up. Finally, medical doctors are speaking out publically against vaccination in this convincing video. Please share it widely.

Alive in Wild Plant Dialogue

Between us the world wakes and stretches into communication channels of light energy.

Virtual libraries broadcast through our DNA to “other” DNA _, and back. Feedback loops spiral under our feet as we walk through the meadow. Plants are surrounded by an invisible cloud of volatile oils – these, too, speak to us, telling us whether we’re a biochemical match. The brain monitors our internal state and knows exactly what we need, is on the look out for it. Identifies allies when breathing in their phytochemical “tag cloud”.By developing both our senses and receptivity we connect with the plant medicine needed for our health. This is part of the foundation for the “direct knowing” our ancestors described as the source of their vast database of complex botanical expertise. “The plant told me what it was good for.”

The brain translates, perhaps an image, a song, an attraction pops into our awareness. None of this happens without cultivation. We must cultivate the garden of our depths. To practice this tuning-in we develop rituals. The ritual of a daily sit spot, of mentally mapping our surroundings, of taking the initiative to open the dialogue with an offering to the “plant people”.

Since the communication channels are bi-directional, we must establish our intent towards the plants. We’ve learned how plants respond favorably to our speech, and our music. Through the work of Cleve Baxter , we’ve seen how plants respond to our feelings. They cringe at our pain, lean towards our joy. We draw them close with feelings of gratitude and visualizations of their welfare.

We develop respect. Noticing when  we can harvest at both the plant’s phytochemical peak and how we can minimize the disruption. Now we are dancing the reciprocal jig of our grandmothers. Now we drilling into the secret of reliable herbal medicine making.

To begin, simply meditate with a plant. It can even be a plant potted near the window. Best to pick a stranger. Establish feelings of gratitude, love, kindness.

In one of Tom Brown’s winter wilderness classes he had each of his students take corn and separate it into three piles. At one pile they were to work themselves into anger. At another pile, feelings of indifference. At the third, feelings of love. Then they were to leave the corn piles sitting on the snow. On their return, the pile of anger corn was left untouched. The pile of indifference corn was picked at. The pile of love corn was gone. In each case, the animals had selected from love. Plants are the same.

Later, gently explore the plant with your senses. Touch, smell, sight (draw it), and following the guidelines for safe taste testing sample a tiny piece (don’t swallow if you don’t know what it is…be careful to learn the tasting rules first).

Either before or after the above step, sing and even dance to the plant. Give it something. Only then, ask for something in return. Its gift may come while you sleep, or an unusual image could come any time of day. Notice and journal it.

Pay attention to feelings of “attraction” as you walk. You may be marching along when suddenly you get a feeling to stop and look…or to go in another direction. Don’t ignore those nudges. Show your receptivity by acting on  them. You may be taken to a plant meant just for you, or one you’ve been wanting to find. This has happened to me many times.

Practice going to sit in a new spot and just notice which plant attracts your attention, stands out.Then learn about that plant. First comes development of this sensitivity and dialogue…then come the plant ID books. Your effort will allow you to become alive in plant dialogue and ensure the quality of your work as a healer.

Here’s a good video demonstrating how plants respond to our intentions:

Snuffing Out the Storm – Elder Berry/Flower

She has a place of honor among my jars of herbs. In fact, I’m unwilling to live where she’s absent. One of my first questions about moving to Earth Offering was, “Does elder grow there?”.

Though illness was rare in the wilderness, visitors could bring it and at the first signs of flu I would always count on elder, echinacea and garlic to quickly terminate the ridiculous invasion. So imagine my shock at being handed part of an article saying that elderberry is to be avoided in this new H1N1 flu…that it stimulates cytokines and could precipitate a cytokine storm (an overproduction of the immune system’s cytokines causing lethal inflammation of the lungs).

In the comments section to Kiva Rose’s article, Avoiding the The Cytokine Storm and Swine Flu Panic, a reader referenced this same “don’t-use-elderberry” article…so it seems to be circulating some distrust of using elder for H1N1.

Needless to say, I’ve spent the last couple of days digging around for an explanation. I knew that elderberry was an immunomodulator. I also knew that there’s confusion between immune modulation and immune stimulation. So I figured that the author mistook its helpful increase of cytokines (necessary to fight infection) for recklessly  churning them out (as could happen with an immune stimulator).

While I did find some references to it stimulating cytokines, the Physician’s Desk Reference For Herbal Medicines tells us about an animal study where Sambucus nigra and S. ebula resulted in reduced inflammation and pain, as well as inhibited cytokine secretion.(Yesilada,1997;Ahmahdiani,1998).

There are pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines. So the phrase “it stimulates cytokines” doesn’t tell us much besides the fact that this part of the immune system gets a boost.

Herbalist, Paul Bergner, writes in Influenza 1918:

Sambucus nigra, elder berry berries or flowers, are used in traditional herbalism to treat respiratory infections, including influenza. Clinical trials over the last decade have demonstrated a powerful effect of an elder berry extract syrup on the course of influenza (Zakay-Rones et al. 1995, 2004). The extract has also been shown to inhibit influenza virus replication in ten strains of the virus in vitro (Zakay-Rones 1995). Notably, elder berry extracts have been shown to enhance both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines in human cells in lab experiments (Barak et al). In one lab study, an extract of the flowers inhibited all pro-inflammatory cytokines measured (Harokopakis) and in an other showed at least partial inhibition of inflammatory cytokines (Yesilada et al).

Most of the clinical trials have been on Sambucol, made from the berry of Sambucus nigra. Those trials demonstrate that it kills H1N1 and those taking it recover from the flu in 2-3 days as opposed to 6 days in the control group. We find reports of it both increasing and decreasing cytokines (just what we could expect from an immunomodulator). – Elderberry flavonoids bind to and prevent H1N1 infection in vitro. Phytochemistry. 2009. July

One reason may be attributed to the fact that it directly reduces the viral load by killing off the virus, thus reducing the demand on the immune system itself. There is a relationship between the viral load (quantity of virus spreading through the body) and the severity of the illness, including immune response.

Overproduction of cytokines leading to a cytokine storm seems to be more related to an individual’s overall nutritional status, especially in regards to vitamin D. Its vitamin D that sits in the control box making sure that the immune system behaves itself. This is sited as one reason flu flares up in the winter when most of us aren’t getting enough sunlight on our skin to produce the necessary vitamin D.

Much has been written about the nutrients we need to have a functional immune system (including one that doesn’t jump into over-drive). Vitamins E, C, A and D, omega 3 oils (fish oil), zinc, selenium, B12, iodine, adequate protein, magnesium are at the top of the list.

Another reason may be that it (particularly the flower) has anti-inflammatory properties. The flower contains the important flavonoids quercitin and rutin, recommended for reducing inflammation. We don’t hear much about using the flower for influenza, however, Peter Holmes speaks highly of it in that capacity. In fact, he claims it not only promotes expectoration and resolves infection in the lungs but goes so far as to restore the lungs.

This year my elder flu prep was made from the flower. I’m curious to know how it compares to using the berry. Have any of you compared them? Do you have anything to add to the apparent controversy on using elder for H1N1?

Sunshine in the Rain

Housebound for another week of storms, the rains lifted Friday afternoon for our weekend workshop on making plant medicines, then started right back up. My goal this week is indoors anyway. Crafting and fine tuning this blog. I just added a forum, look for the little widget to the lower right. WordPress doesn’t support forums so this is an external forum. Please let me know if you’re comfortable using it.

And we have another writer, Sasha Daucus in Missouri, all set to shed some light on the “Grandmothers of Dauphine Island” for starters. Thanks for sharing your expertise with us Sasha! Any other herbalists who want to contribute postings here?

Our OTS/Earth Offering workshops are really starting to feel like a family affair. New folks coming in quickly morph into “old friends” as we share a love of nature and her healing touch. The camping with our wilderness skills experts from Ozark Trackers is pure fun, camp kitchen, conversation around the campfire late into the night, nature awareness exercises…really rounds out the working with plants.

We had an emergency room physician from Missouri whose grandmother was a granny woman. He mentioned that there were also “male granny women”…called “root doctors”. I think we need a “root doctor” revival, too. There were two medical doctors and a nurse in attendance who recognize that its time for doctors to learn how to make their own plant medicines again. Very encouraging to see doctors returning to their roots. And I might add, they’re supportive of a granny woman revival.

I just loved this class…its diversity (doctors,nurse,attorney,stock broker, attorney,psychologist,computer techs, etc.) and the unity between us in regards to the technologies of independence, the ability of nature to restore. Forgot to take photos (again). Had the whole gang crowded around the woodstove in my barn loft enduring a playful kitten while we detailed various ways to make tinctures,infusions,decoctions. We made a hydrosol of Juniper…divine, try it! I made a hydrosol of Sweet Annie (heavenly fragrance) for a lotion. We finished things off with some of the basics on infused oils and ointments. Then ran out of time!

We also take hikes to identify the edible/medicinal neighborhood. Located a sizeable patch of horsetail and black cohosh (no, not growing together). The horsetail has to be around 6-8 feet tall, I wouldn’t believe it if I hadn’t seen it myself.

Yesterday I learned that there’s an article on the web stating that Elderberry fosters a cytokine storm so don’t take it for H1N1 flu. I disagree and will explain why in my next post. For now, would you share your thoughts on using any of the following for H1N1 = Goldenseal, Echinacea, Elderberry?

Helpful Doctors

Some of our medical doctors are truly looking our for our welfare. Many of you are already familiar with these two…Dr. Blaylock and Dr. Mercola. After reading Dr. Carey’s revelations about the H1N1 pandemic (previous post), the question may be “what if I’m forced to take this vaccine”? Blaylock and Mercola address this situation here (along with additional information about H1N1 and vaccines in general).

Sasha Daucus wrote asking, “What would grandmother do?” We began exploring together what the phrase “grandmother”, especially in relation to the healing “granny woman”, means to us. This is an interesting question for all of us. What does it mean to you? Would you leave an answer in the comment section?

Under our category for Granny Woman we’ll be further defining our vision of a Granny Woman Revival. Sasha is writing an intriguing article about the Grandmothers of Dauphin Island. I’m eager to read about these Ozark healers, I’d not yet heard of them!

This week is taken up preparing for a workshop at Earth Offering on making plant medicines. The workshop runs Friday through Sunday. I won’t be posting much until after the workshop. Next week I’ll be researching  to learn how to include a forum to our weblog and how to open it up for other writers. I’ll also add what I hope to be finishing touches for preparing everyone to set H1N1 aside as a major concern.

I’ve a friend here who works as a caretaker. She’s on multiple extra shifts because the rest of the staff is out with the flu (unknown yet which variety). A couple days ago she started feeling ill, even though she’s been taking a lot of garlic. Her next steps were to include Echinacea, deep breathing exercises, a tincture blend of Elder Flower, Usnea and Honeysuckle and bed rest. So far, it appears she’s overcome the initial onslaught and never got very ill.

A Call for Healers as Medical System Self-Destructs

As the vaccination program for H1N1 gets underway, its easy to assume to much. I’ve caught myself assuming that readers here are fully informed already regarding the true nature of the “pandemic” H1N1 flu and the true nature of the vaccination program since internet is filled to bursting with revelations coming from within the medical community itself. How could anyone on the web miss stumbling across the facts of our current situation?

Medical personnel are in revolt against taking the vaccine themselves. Sure, some will take it to keep their jobs. Others will be fired. A few are brainwashed believers . A very likely reduction in medical personnel just as hospitals overflow with sick people fearing the worst. And as we shall see, the vaccination program is likely to produce the very thing it supposedly prevents.

That’s the bad news. The good news? Healers can emerge from the shadows. Foundations of true health will begin to receive increased recognition. This is the perfect time for a Granny Woman revival?

Rather than assume you already know everything about the situation, I’ll post a few of the more informative websites, videos, etc. here. I’ll be adding to it over the next few days so keep checking back. Please use the comments section to tell us what you are doing. Have you run across additional “new” information?

For starters,I recommend Dr. Carley’s website http://www.drcarley.com/

Here’s part three of her excellent video series (in 15 parts)

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Granny Woman Revival

The storms of time and medical hubris have erased her. Successfully tending the sick and injured in the back country, she held out in hidden pockets of the Ozarks well into the 20th century. Elsewhere she may have been called a wise woman healer or even denounced as a witch. Here she was humbly called, “granny woman”.  Knowledge of plants and healing technique passed from mother to daughter for centuries. Memory stretching across the ocean to roots in Europe, she quickly adapted Native American know-how as she discovered new marvels in American landscapes.

Well aware that herbs alone cure only when blended with an expectation of healing, she was also psychologist, spiritual ally, carrier of ritual. She knew which plants to harvest in the full moon, what to plant when oak leaves mimic mouse ears, how to render bear fat into the best carrier oil for her ointments.

She brought children into the world and took them out again when all else failed.  Steadfast for so very long, she faded in a whisper as we filled our ears with shouts of scientific discovery and its “superior” medicine. By the time we realized we still needed her knowledge, that nature cure has its place after all….she had taken her centuries with her — back into the earth. Now we comb our archives looking for clues. We ask her descendents what they remember. Not much. Why should they? She was dismissed as “backwards” wasn’t she?

At the recent Ozark Studies Symposium in Missouri I met with two academics involved in their own search for her. When I mentioned it was time for a granny woman revival they enthusiastically agreed. Is it even possible?

Yes. Many dedicated herbalists have traced the broken trail enough to begin to piece her back together. Mind you, she was adaptive, she would quickly embrace what we know today from our cross-cultural studies of therapeutic herbalism. She would draw it all in to weave her own pattern of vitalistic sacred touch to the weary and worn.  She understood that good medicine is always creative application based on a firm foundation of reliable instruction. She was ever open to inspiration and insight.

Don’t you find that women are still open to inspiration and insight? Aren’t they especially hungry to take granny woman’s shawl off the rack, dust it off, and wrap themselves in its authenticity? As natural healers?

So friends…this blog is dedicated to the revival of granny women. Granny woman’s healing is for men and women so all are welcome. Our focus is on herbs found in the Ozarks, however, other important botanicals will be noted. In her spirit, we approach healing in a multi-disciplinary way…as a matter of body/mind/spirit in its natural relationship to the world.

This is a blog, which means this is a conversation. I’m eager to learn about your own healing successes and failures. A proper Granny Woman revival takes a dedicated community, this is OUR place to re-discover our dear old healer.