Herbal Womb Wisdom

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) Herbs and pregnancy.Let's just say this is a topic with all kinds of perspectives depending on who you talk to. Or what link you click after your google search. So, how do you know what's safe, what's not, and who to trust when it comes to herbs, like for instance red raspberry leaf, in pregnancy?Well, it's a multi-layered response really, which is why I recorded an entire episode on it. But the short answer is:  there's evidence in the literature saying that red raspberry leaf has potential to stimulate contractions of the uterus, but there's also evidence showing that it supports uterine relaxation too. (mostly in rats, btw)That said, Red Raspberry Leaf (Rubus ideaus) tea has been used traditionally in pregnancy for at least hundreds of years as an herbal ally to nourish and support the womb in pregnancy and labor, and is probably one of the most common herbs taken in pregnancy. And there's published surveys showing that those who used red raspberry leaf in pregnancy had slightly shorter active labors with less augmentation (meaning less inductions and other interventions). So... what's the deal? How do you decide what's right for you?I go into some of the nuances that I think are most important to consider, plus offer some ideas around herbs you might blend red raspberry leaf with to make a really nourishing pregnancy tea blend, in this week's episode.Listen to learn:why people work with red raspberry leaf in pregnancya nuanced perspective on using herbs in first trimesterthe best way to take red raspberry leaf in pregnancy and beyonda glimpse into some of the published research on RRL and pregnancyhow to use red raspberry leaf tea during laborwhy it's essential to listen to your own bodyResources:Today's shownotes: Go check out the research studies on RRL + pregnancyEpisode 11: Dandelion herbal spotlightEpisode 22: Nettles herbal spotlightEpisode 85: Acupressure for pregnancy, birth + pp w Sarah TewheySupport Herbal Womb Wisdom!! I have a new link where you can donate to support the show. Please consider offering something if you've enjoyed or benefitted from the years of weekly episodes. It's currently a labor of love, and I welcome donations to help sustain my efforts of creating this kickass resource :) Donate to support the show hereIf you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazingSupport the Show.Support the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) What does it mean to hold trauma in the wombspace?  And what are some signs that indicate that womb trauma may be present?The topic of "womb healing" is a bit of a buzz these days and sometimes I wonder what people mean by that. I see social media profiles of "womb healing practitioners" and "womb healing" programs and honestly it's a vague concept.It could be everything from someone who has absolutely no training in any therapeutic modalities but likes to position themselves as a self-proclaimed expert on instagram to someone like today's guest, Dr Sarah Wylie, who is a Naturopathic doctor who's trained extensively with Rosita Arvigo and other practitioners to cultivate her multiple decades of clinical practice working with abdominal, pelvic and womb care.The truth is, when we hold story, energy, trauma, information in our wombspace, there are many paths to healing that exist. And it's really about exploring what works for you -- especially because so much of what's stored there is not just physical, but also emotional and even ancestral lineage stuff.So a combination of modalities is often helpful. But what I love about the way Dr Sarah Wylie uniquely approaches this work is that she weaves together her naturopathic clinical training, lab work as needed, bodywork, and visualization techniques to both assess and support the release and tending of information held in the wombspace. She speaks in detail about simple signs to tell if you might be holding something there (yep, pain is a big one, but also bleeding patterns, cycle irregularities, etc) and then she shares a lot about her personal bodywork practice.It's a beautiful collaborative approach to womb tending, release, and care and I'm excited for you to hear about it.Listen to learn:how a cervical dysplasia diagnoses changed Dr Sarah Wylie's lifewhy it's important to look beyond just physical trauma in relation to pelvic caresigns of womb trauma or imbalances in the wombspacea glimpse at her bodywork practice and how collaborative the work can bea guided visualization to help you sense a personal womb story or wisdom some inspiring thoughts on the womb through perimenopauseResources:Today's shownotes: Get links to Sarah's womb care courses + offeringsEpisode 10: Traditional womb healing practices w Sondra HamiltonEpisode 34: What if your womb was an altar? Episode 61: Pelvic wisdom with Dr Emily WilsonFree guided visualization: Womb embodiment and clearing practiceSupport Herbal Womb Wisdom!! I have a new link where you can donate to support the show. Please consider offering something if you've enjoyed or benefitted from the years of weekly episodes. It's currently a labor of love, and I welcome donations to help sustain my efforts of creating this kickass resource :) Donate to support the show hereIf you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazingSupport the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) Follicular, Ovulatory, Luteal, Menstrual. Inner spring, Inner summer, Inner Autumn, Inner Winter.Waxing Moon, Full Moon, Waning Moon, New Moon.The cycles of nature are tangible in ourselves, and especially for those of us with wombs while we're in our cycling years, we have the option to align ourselves with the phase of our cycle we'e in at any given moment. For instance, I'm currently in early Autumn. I just ovulated a few days ago, my temperature rose, my cervical mucus changed, and I can feel a subtle difference in my energy levels, and honestly I also feel a little warmer (well maybe that's bc I'm wearing too many layers, lol, but basal body temp DOES rise post-ovulation).What phase of your cycle are you in right now??Whatever phase you're in has certain qualities and characteristics, and it's important to learn your own rather than just rely on books or social media, because sometimes we don't fit the prescribed mold. However, there are general qualities that hold true for most folks... so it's helpful to learn those and then reflect on your own. Today's podcast guest, longtime yoga teacher and cyclical living mentor Rebecca Rankin, shares all about not only her life-changing experience with cyclical living but also how we can bring yoga postures and breathwork into the fold.She shares a couple poses and breathwork options that suit each phase. I especially love how she includes a rolled towel to encourage ovarian circulation in the follicular phase in one pose and then that same rolled towel in a different location to encourage uterine circulation in the late luteal phase. It's really neat to consider the ways we can more intentionally bring our cycle into our yoga and vice versa.If this intrigues you, I think you'll dig today's episode.Listen to learn:how becoming a mother catalyzed Rebecca's cyclical living  journeywhat cyclical living is and a couple ways it's changed her business + lifeways that natural cycles mirror and inform embodied cyclical livinghow even when you're no longer cycling, you can still attune to cyclessome yoga postures + breathwork for each phase of the menstrual cyclea guided "Apana" breathwork practice helpful in menstrual phase + whenever you need some extra tethering to the earthResources:Today's shownotes: Get Rebecca's links to her journal, website, social mediaStart tracking your cycle with Fertility Awareness Method (free guide)Episode 42: Reclaim your menstruationEpisode 69: Cyclical archetypes w Em DeweyEpisode 73: Cyclical movement w Tara Lynn SteeleEpisode 78: Your cycle superpowersIf you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, therSupport the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) Well, today I decided to go for it and talk about everyone's favorite topic... poop. 😂But for real, the quality and regularity of our elimination has a huge impact on our overall health. And unfortunately, we've all but normalized constipation. Most folks go to the doctor and when they're asked, "Do you have regular bowel movements?" They respond, "yes." Because regular just means at regular intervals, right? The answer to that is... NO. Ideally we all poop at least once a day, if not twice. And those eliminations feel complete, relieving, relaxing. If you're pooping every 2-3 days, or even longer intervals (I've known clients and friends to say they have "regular" bowel movements every 10 days), that's constipation. For some people pooping only once a day could be a form of incomplete elimination that may be a slight constipation. What's "normal" or "typical" is not necessarily healthy. And constipation, whether it's chronic or occasional or situational, wreaks havoc on multiple systems of the body - so it's important to eliminate every single day not just for your digestive discomfort but also for your whole health (and yes, your hormones too). I share all about this and a lot more in this week's episode.Listen to learn:what constipation is and how to tell if you have it (it's not always obvious)how to determine your transit timethe many forms of constipation and when they might show uphow constipation impacts your hormones, cholesterol levels + skinthe direct relationship between your gut and your mental healtha few ideas about how to encourage more optimal elimination (aka how to help you poop)Resources:Today's shownotes: What's constipation got to do with it?Free guide: Dandelion recipe collection Episode 11: Dandelion herbal spotlightEpisode 17: How stress messes w your hormonesEpisode 58: Gut health + your hormonesIf you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.Support the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) When you think about the menopausal transition, what comes up?I'm genuinely curious actually... Is it the end of the cycling years, no more bleeding?Or the hot flashes, low libido, dry vaginal tissues, maybe even need to focus more on bone or heart health?Does it feel liberating or like something you're dreading?I know some folks here are already well beyond their menopausal years (and I love that you're here), and others are barely even thinking yet about this transition. And that's the thing, many of us don't begin to even think about this time of our lives until we start to experience the symptoms that make it obvious. Today's guest, herbalist and homeopath Seraphina Capranos speaks about menopause from the lens of the Wise Woman Tradition which approaches this transitional time as something to prepare for by focusing on deep nourishment, nervous system and adrenal health. While of course alleviating symptoms is important, there's also an art to preventing them even occurring in the first place. So many of us run ourselves to the ground, trying hard to keep up with a world that glorifies over-extending and production over rest and replenishment. And let's just say, that go-go-go energy is the opposite of what we need to be doing as we head into our transitional years. Instead, we need to be caretaking ourselves.Seraphina shares about some of her favorite herbs to incorporate into this time of life (and before), and also a whole different perspective on what's possible as we pass through this transition - how instead of an entry into the elder years, it's actually often a time of new beginnings and empowered action.Listen to learn:how Seraphina braids together herbalism, homeopathy and ritual into her workthe power of touching your own breasts/chestwhat the foundations of the Wise Woman Tradition arethe Wise Woman approach to health care (and how integrative it is)ways to prepare your body and mind and spirit for menopausea few herbs Seraphina thinks are key for most of us in this timewhy menopause is not typically the entry to "crone" years in modern timesResources:Todays shownotes: Get links (and discount) to Seraphina's programs + workFree guide: 10 key herbs for hormonal healthEpisode 37: Easing into menopause w Dana LaVoieEpisode 40: Herbal spotlight on schisandraEpisode 70: Is it perimenopause?Episode 86: Herbal spotlight on ashwagandhaIf you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.Support the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) Something that always surprises me is how powerful it is to share stories, especially when they relate to "things we don't talk about."It's pretty easy for us to share stories about how our day went awry, or something funny about what our kids did when trying to get them to eat their dinner. But what we don't talk about are often the things we are socialized to keep quiet. Which tends to be, oh just about anything related to our pelvis and wombspace, especially when we're feeling vulnerable or like we're the only ones who must be experiencing this (insert very common reproductive or sexual or hormonal health issue here). The reality is that many of us have been socialized to feel shame around anything we experience related to "down there" and since we only see the happy moments and smiling photos of postpartum parents and families, it's easy to believe no one else is struggling.But let's be real. Especially for first time parents, but also any subsequent birth, there are SO MANY unexpected things that show up.From perineal tears to healing from a cesarean to feeling scared to poop to prolapse to incontinence to massive mood swings to beyond-imaginable-fatigue to being responsible for another human to nipple soreness and figuring our nursing and on and on and on. But who talks about this? So much of the focus tends to be on preparing for birth and often very little if any heads-up about what to genuinely expect in those days and weeks after birth, physically/emotionally/mentally, etc. And this. This is what Zulilah Merry's documentary film,  No One Told Me, vividly portrays in observational form. Simple, observational, real-deal postpartum journey. Which is both refreshing and a gift to see. We talk about her film and her journey to making it, as well as way more about what is profoundly missing in our current individualistic, "I can do it myself," society. And how important it is to find ways to connect and build community in this world that is endlessly asking us to stray from it. Listen to learn:the premise of No One Told Mewhat prompted Zulilah to make this filmwhy the style of observational documentary is powerful in the postpartum contexthow sharing honest views into this time of life can support otherswhat might be possible if we center connection versus individuationResources:Today's shownotes: Get links to Zulilah's website and social mediaSign up for Tending the Loss of Abortion (starts April 7, 2024)Episode 25: Immediate postpartum care the herbal wayEpisode 49: Creating a sacred window postpartum and beyondIf you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider Support the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) As humans, we love stories. And sometimes physiology can be boring and heady and unpalatable. But what if we tell the story of what's happening instead?What if we see the primordial germ cell that may become an oocyte and may ovulate and then travel from the ovary through the uterine tubes and beyond as an epic tale?Honestly, I've fallen in love with physiology, and the burst of potential life that exists in our oocytes is as fascinating as it is mysterious. And that makes it... magic. In my mind, at least. Some might say we can understand it all scientifically, but can we?In this episode I dive into my own version of what I see happening, from the original primordial germ cells we create when we're inside our mother's (or parent's) womb all the way to ovulation as adults and potential fertilization. I actually think this physiology is a good foundation whether you're trying to conceive or trying to avoid it... it's the 101 (okay, well maybe 202) glimpse into what's actually happening, how it happens, and why it matters. This process is both scientific (and yes, I talk some researched science) and mystical. And I personally think it's best that way. Listen in to learn:the scientific and mystical elements of eggs and their monthly journeyhow and when your potential eggs start forming (hint: when you're an embryo)the myth around the amount of eggs you have in your lifetimewhat the process of oocyte development and ovulation looks likewhat happens once the oocyte has ovulated (how does it get out?)what your cervical fluid does to spermthe myth about the fastest sperm being the one to fertilize the eggwhat happens after fertilizationResources:Grab the FREE Track Your Cycle Naturally guide here.Today's shownotes: Get links to the references + articles I mentioned todayEpisode 38: Your menstrual cycle is a vital signEpisode 98: Reclaim your cervixEpisode 105: What is your fertile window?If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.Support the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) It's Equinox time!Finally, spring is showing its face... or is it?  Depends where you live, honestly. Regardless, those of us in the northern hemisphere are likely noticing longer days, and with that increased light, we're reminded that spring is either here, or coming soon.Here in the Wabanaki lands of Maine, we're teetering between cold and slightly warmer days, the ground is shifting between thawing and freezing, and we haven't seen much (if any) new green growth yet. But in other places, spring is probably in full swing. Wherever you are, my guess is that you're feeling the stirrings of Spring, and with that some inner and outer changes in your physical and emotional energy. You may even be craving greens, or lighter foods. Maybe you're seeking ways to help your body release some of the heaviness of the wintertime. Simple things like movement, eating more bitter greens, reducing your dense foods, taking some time away from things like dairy, sugar or alcohol are all simple ways you can begin this process. And really, they can be enough. But working with herbs to support all your systems of elimination is a traditional practice that can be easily incorporated into your daily life alongside some of the dietary or lifestyle options. And today's guest, long-time herbalist and Kundalini yoga teacher Kelley Riviere shares all about how this practice looks for her, the herbs she feels are most key in this time, and the primary ways she works with them.She also talks about her relationship with wildcrafting, and how important it is to cultivate deep relationships with the plants that live around you. Listen to the episode to learn:what wildcrafting is and some of the essential principleswhy Kelley still has herbal mentors and teachers 30 years inthe different between intense cleansing and gentle detox the systems of elimination that are most important to focus on in springwhat lymph is and why you should care highlights of 5 different plants to work with in springtimean experienced medicine maker's tip on how to make a potent cleavers tinctureResources:Today's shownotes: Get Kelley's spring self-care guide + linksEpisode 8: Exploring cycles of the earth in our bodies: Spring editionEpisode 11: Dandelion herbal spotlightEpisode 22: Nettles herbal spotlightEpisode 62: Embodying SpringLearn more and sign up for Tending the Loss of an Abortion (April 2024)If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.Support the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) There are so many reasons to grieve right now, on the planet, in our personal lives. Whether it's part of our womb stories or not. Loss is everywhere. We can't escape it, it's part of being a fully living human. So instead of trying to minimize it or rush through it, as our modern world would love to have us do, what if we learn to tend our grief?What could it look like to have a healthy relationship with grief? How would it feel to a actually give yourself the space you heart needs? What's possible when we call in our relationship to the earth, the herbs and seasonal cycles?Herbalist and birth + loss doula India Elyn shares all about how she's worked with the earth and herbs to deeply tend her own deep grief journeys.It's through this practice of honoring and tending grief that she's found her affinity for tending the thresholds between life and death. And she shares both her personal grief journeys and embodied earth wisdom  in this week's episode. The truth is, we aren't taught how to grieve, and most commonly in modern society, grief happens behind closed doors, in private, without witness. We've lost our relationship to how to grieve well, how to allow ourselves to feel and not hold it in, especially in moments when the waters of grief are there because of how fully we've lived or how much we've allowed ourselves to love. This is big work, and it's beautiful work. And I want to invite you to join me and Inda in exploring what can be possible when you weave yourself back into relationship with the earth while feeling and tending your grief. Listen to learn:what brought India to the work of threshold tendinghow similar the space of birth and death arehow to receive the nurturing and strength of the earth when you're feeling fragile3 ways India loves to bring plant medicine into grief workembodied wisdom around the non-linear path of griefhow the seasons and cycles can inform us about death and lossResources:Learn more about Tending the Loss of an Abortion (April 2024)Today's shownotes: Get links to India's website and bookEpisode 41: Nature connection and stress resilience w Efan HsiehEpisode 53: Honoring the Loss (last year'sinterview with India)If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.Support the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) I woke up this morning feeling the spark of spring, and simultaneously felt the excitement of plants popping up. Maybe soon, maybe not. In those moments, I started to reflect on the multitude of ways we can "be an herbalist." And how I'm really a blend of so many, depending on the day, and how my personal herbal journey reflects this. I realized I haven't really ever told my own personal plant path story - not fully at least, and while I couldn't fit it ALL into one episode, I tried to give the highlights to offer some context to how the heck I got where I am, some of the influences along the way, and a few pivotal moments where I realized what I wanted to pursue and why.I hope it's not just a story about me, and instead it's a glimpse into what a diverse, meandering plant path can look like in a way that inspires you to feel into what's true and right for you. Whether that's in your own plant path or in choosing an herbalist or practitioner to work with. The truth is, no two herbalists are the same. And your unique expression of herbal medicine will be your own. Plant medicine is truly people's medicine and I want to encourage you to bring whatever form of herbalism you practice to the world.But also to name it in a way that reflects your path honestly. I offer a few different ideas for you to pick from -- folk herbalism, home/family herbalism, community herbalism, embodied herbalism, clinical herbalism. But maybe there's another one that resonates even more for you. And please, name your teachers too.  They deserve our honoring. Listen to learn:where I started (hint: very simply)what a hands-on herbal apprenticeship can look and feel likehow long it took me to claim myself as an herbalistwhy "western herbal medicine" is really not "western" at allways I began to incorporate herbalism into my professional practicedifferences between home/family herbalist, community herbalist + clinical herbalistwhy I chose to become a clinical herbalist and get a masters degreewhy I don't think most people need to go to graduate school!what I'm inspired to offer nowResouces:Today's shownotes: links to Joe Hollis' work and moreEpisode 11: Dandelion herbal spotlightEpisode 22: Nettle herbal spotlightEpisode 108: "What's in your tea today?"Free recipe collection: 6 ways to prepare dandelion!**I mis-spoke a couple times in this episode. I meant "bodywork school" when I said "herb school" where I learned mostly about flower essences and aromatherapy. And I meant to say "Andrew" not "Adam" when I was talking about my teachers at David Winston's school! (I'm not going to edit the recording, but wanted to have this documented somewhere)If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalSupport the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) As humans, we are storytelling creatures... but I think we often overlook how powerful hearing stories of others healing can be. Especially when they include facing profound debilitation and hopelessness. And show us how we are ALL capable of finding our way from the darkness to the light. To vitality, vibrancy -- even pleasure. And that's what I really really love about Julia's story. In her mid-teens she experienced sexual trauma that was tucked away until she was 19 when stabbing, stinging pain started in her vulva and did.not.stop. She lived for 6 whole years with debilitating vulva pain, was given a long list of diagnoses from various specialists, and was given very little hope that she would EVER recover from most specialists that she saw. In fact, she was told "you'll just have to work on your anxiety," "there's nothing we can do," "we don't understand this condition," and "just put lidocaine on it so you can please your partner."And the sad truth is, most medical practitioners really don't have anything to offer to those suffering with conditions like vulvodynia, vaginismus, interstitial cystitis etc. For some reason, it took years for Julia to be referred to a pelvic floor physical therapist, but finally once she went she felt hope again. And along the way, she started studying and practicing yoga, meditation, breathwork, therapy, herbalism, and more. Which all played a huge role in her healing. She shares her whole story in a powerful way on this week's episode. And honestly, I think everyone would benefit from listening. If you've got chronic pelvic pain, this is especially for you. But if you don't, your compassion for those who do will expand exponentially. Share this one far and wide, friends. It's the kind of story that lends hope to all of us. Listen to learn:why Julia sees sexual trauma as the origin of her pelvic painhow chlamydia, a UTI and BV may have played a rolewhat it was like for Julia to experience chronic pelvic pain day in and day outsome interventions that are common but were not helpfulan intervention that made her pain significantly worse for a yearwhat she felt really worked, and how integrative care was most helpfulhow her yoga practice supported her healing journeyhow she got her partner involved in her pelvic floor healingResourcesToday's shownotes: Get Julia's links + a link to that Pelvic yoga bookEpisode 19: The importance of softening w Chaya Leia AronsonEpisode 61: Healing embodied womb trauma w Dr Emily WilsonEpisode 77: Myofascial release for breasts, chest + pelvic bowl w Lindsay CourcelleFree guide: Gardening for your menstrual healthIf you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is nSupport the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) Your pleasure is a superpower. Not metaphorically. Actually. And I'm not just talking orgasms and clitoral stimulation, though that's certainly a huge pathway to pleasure. Instead I mean, connecting to what feels good - uniquely, in your body, to you. And that's different for everyone. But in starting to pay attention to anything that feels good, you start inviting the possibility for more pleasure in your life because you can seek more of that. Is it sun on your skin, the feeling of warm water running over your hands, the smell of jasmine, dancing in a certain way, and what about in the bedroom?  Before you even attempt sexual arousal, what is sensually pleasing?Are you someone who's always go-go-go or feeling burnt out and barely have a libido? Or are you feeling numb or blocked or like you don't even have an idea of where to start?How do you begin to uncover what unlocks your pleasure if you don't already know? If any of these questions get you curious, this week's episode medley is for you. First, I share a little about arousal, the importance of prioritizing pleasure and why I think the term "aphrodisiac" is close to meaningless. Plus you'll get a quick glimpse into the first category of herbs that may be supportive for enhancing your arousal.Next Usha Rose speaks about the yoni egg practice as a supportive way to deepen connection to your body, enhance orgasmic potential and offer prevention and even treatment for certain pelvic health imbalances (like urinary incontinence, for example).And finally Juliana Rose Goldstone share about how psychedelics can be a tool to help expand your perception of what's possible in your erotic embodiment and "sexual wholeness," and how that works from the lens of neural pathways. I hope this wide range of pathways to pleasure inspires you to connect with your own. *And yes, you guessed it, I'm doing this medley bc I'm sick... but what better topic to talk about than aspiring to feeling good what I'm feeling like crud? Send your prayers for full and easy recovery please, I welcome them wholeheartedly. Resources:Today's shownotes: On enhancing arousal and pleasureEpisode 27: Sex + Psychedelics with Juliana Rose GoldstoneEpisode 39: Yoni eggs and the practice of pleasure with Usha RoseEpisode 52: Beyond aphrodisiacsEpisode 64: Vagus nerve and arousalEpisode 65: Grief & Pleasure w Stacey RamsowerIf you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.Support the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) Tea is a foundational form of herbal medicine. Partly because it's the epitome of how "plant medicine is people's medicine" because it's so accessible, inexpensive, and familiar. But also because it's a way we can cultivate real, lasting relationship with the plants.Especially when we work with bulk dried herbs, we see them, smell them, taste them, and can feel them. Our senses are engaged.It also requires time and patience. It's a form of slow medicine. It's a ritual and rhythm we can bring into our daily lives, and that's therapeutic unto itself. And it's also something a lot of people ask me about, since I've almost always got an herbal tea in my hand - no matter where I am. It could be a clothing swap, the grocery store or a party. I'll likely have tea. The question "what's in your tea, today?" is common. So I decided to answer that here. I needed something easy today because I'm under the weather, but it also feels at least a little bit fun,  which is a nice way to celebrate Herbal Womb Wisdom's birthday!2 years old this week!!Listen to learn:the basics on making teawhy slow medicine mattershow to start simply when exploring tea blendingwhy I think tasting herbs is essential before blending teashow tea helps us cultivate relationship to plants more fullywhat's in my tea today, and why I chose each herbResources:Today's shownotes: "What's in your tea, today?"Episode 4: Tulsi herbal spotlightEpisode 12: The simple and sacred practice of making herbal teasEpisode 22: Nettles herbal spotlightIf you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.Support the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) I think it's easy to pigeonhole our health - whether that's hormonal, sexual, menstrual or overall health - to being something physical. Like, yes, we need certain foods, lots of fiber, healthy fats, good protein. And yes, we need to be hydrated. And move our bodies. And get outside. And make sure we're pooping. Without those things, we can't actually feel integratively well, for sure.But something that I think is missing from A LOT of holistic health conversations is how systemic, social and cultural wellbeing (or imbalances) impacts our health. Bc let's be honest, MOST of the systemic structures that hold our lives together on a wider scale are a mess.Whether its capitalism, or racism, or classism, or sexism, or oppressive forces using power-over-to-get-what-they-want-through-whatever-means, our bodies and minds and spirits are all affected. So I appreciate how today's guest Sherene Cauley defines wellness from the lens of "love, connection and home." That those three pillars elucidate a well person but can also be expanded out to define a well regional community, or even a well global community. That cultural wellbeing on that level is an *integral* part of individual wellbeing. That we are not separate from our environments, from our neighbors, from each other. Sherene is a health coach, and honestly I think a visionary guide that helps us to reflect thoughtfully on what we're doing and why we're doing it. And part of how she encourages that is to start noticing your daily rituals (or incorporating new ones) and infusing them with multiple layers of meaning. By bringing mindfulness and curiosity into our daily rituals, we can begin to notice what's changing and also any underlying behavior patterns or thoughts. These kinds of daily rituals can bring more connection to our lives, in a myriad of ways. Listen to learn:how Sherene defines wellness from a cultural wellbeing levelwhat led her to uncover some of the systemic imbalances going onhow health coaching informs her work towards changing patternswhat her definition of a ritual is, and how simple they can beways to infuse meaning and reflectiveness into your ritualsa sneaky way to incorporate a new healthy behaviorthoughts on how to cultivate mindfulness on social mediasome ideas on how to bring ancestral connection into your daily lifeResources:Today's shownotes: Get Sherene's links to website and social mediaEpisode: The mesentery with Abigail Rose ClarkEpisode: Your womb is a portal with Sepideh HakimzadehCheck out Womb Attune in Northport, ME Feb 18th 2024 w Chaya Leia AronsonIf you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is asSupport the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) I think it's easy to dismiss the importance of core strength as something only for those who are young or oriented to body image. But the truth is, your core is the center of your body. And it's actually a place where a lot of your whole body strength (and overall wellness) radiates from. According to today's guest, Mary Vidal, having a strong core is an essential foundation to both treating and preventing everything from chronic pain, to prolapse, to incontinence, to diastases recti and beyond.It's something to bring our attention to at any phase of life, but especially as we move through childbearing years and navigate postpartum pelvic floor challenges and also navigate the hormonal shifts and changes of perimenopause and post-menopause. She shares about how to assess your core strength in an easy to understand (super simple) way, some ideas about what core exercises are better than others (hint: kegels are often NOT the answer), and even a quick breathwork practice to help you begin to connect to and feel your core. We also talk a little about bone health and why it's especially important not just to address it once you're menopausal, but actually start to intentionally tend to maybe even as early as your 30's. It's an episode packed with practical tips, professional knowledge, and personal story... a perfect one for you in any age and stage in life -- from fertile years all the way to menopause and beyond. Listen to learn:why supporting your core strength goes far beyond a six packhow caretaking your core + pelvic health can prevent future issueswhy Mary sees core health from a holistic, whole life wellness lensthe simple 3 P's for assessing your corehow to know if you're not doing core exercises correctlythe myth about kegelshow postpartum and perimenopause and menopause change our pelvic floorways to support your body to age well (bone health, muscle strength, etc)Resources:Today's episode: Grab Mary's links to her website, socials, etcEpisode 19: The importance of pelvic softening with Chaya LeiaEpisode 55: How to heal diastases recti with Dr Christine KleinEpisode 61: Pelvic wisdom w Dr Emily WilsonEpisode 95: How to tend the "root" of your body w Dr Rebecca CohenIf you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.Support the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) 6 days. You're fertile for only 6 days of your entire cycle every month. That's it! I imagine you may have heard that before somewhere, especially if you've been on a fertility journey or practiced Fertility Awareness / cycle tracking in any form. It's probably the most important part of the cycle to be aware of... but what IS it exactly?  What's happening in the body in that time? And why is it important, even if you're not trying to conceive?The truth is your cycle is a vital sign. And your fertile window is one of the markers that give information about what the heck is going on "down there" and also overall in your menstrual cycle, your hormones, and even your whole body health. The fertile window is often characterized by an abundance of cervical mucus for 5 days leading up to and on the day of ovulation. It's a time that is FULL of sensual energy, because you're likely to experience the natural lubrication of your vaginal tissues, and you're often more oriented towards desire and connection with others. It's also a window into how healthy your estrogen levels are, and how your body is changing over time. And because it has SO MUCH to do with ovulation, it's also impacted by everything from stress to travel to blood sugar dysregulation to prolactin levels to thyroid function. Because it's ALL connected. Even though it's talked about a lot, I still think the interconnection of all our systems (and particularly the interweaving of our hormones) is underrated. Which is why I see the fertile window as a powerful mirror of how it's all going.Is share all about this, and wax poetic about my love of cycle tracking, in this episode.Listen to learn:what the fertile window is (actually)why cervical mucus does NOT equal fertile windowhow different fertile windows can be person to personwhy it's important to start tracking your fertile window if you're not alreadywhat other body systems / imbalances may impact ovulationwhy you can't count on apps or charts online to tell you when you're fertilesome nerdy studies I found on the topic of the fertile window and cervical mucusResources:Save your spot on the Natural Contraception course waitlistToday's shownotes: Get the links to those studies I mention hereEpisode 5: Are you ovulating? How to tell (+ benefits)Episode 38: Your cycle is a vital signEpisode 78: Your cycle superpowersIf you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.Support the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) What if your womb was a portal? Well, my beautiful friend... it is. Our wombs (and wombspaces - even if you no longer have a womb) are power centers in our body. In many ways, they are the literal seat of our embodied power. And they are also where we create life, experience the life-death-life cycle repeatedly, connect directly to the earth AND hold embodied connection to our ancestral lineage. Really, when you think about it, the uterus (and the entire wombspace when you include the ovaries, too) is basically magic. Which is probably, let's just be honest, why so many powers-that-be wish to control our relationship to this place!In today's episode, psychotherapist and mystery school guide Sepideh Hakimzadeh shares all about these topics and more. Her work is in the realm of earth, womb and ancestral connection and how those weave together in your unique lineage and story. She tells a little of her story, and really emphasizes the importance of learning your own personal lineage stories and finding ways to work with your personal ancestors so that you can bring your gifts to the world. It's an inspiring and beautiful interview, and we end with a gorgeous guided visualization I highly recommend checking out, too. Listen in to learn:why Sepideh emphasizes the importance of learning your ancestral storieshow your womb connects to the earth and vice-versahow Sepideh found her way to running a mystery schoolwhat the heck "womb mysteries" are and why it's not as woo-woo as it soundssome reflections on learning to protect yourself and ground before exploring the unseen realmssome basics on how to embody these teachingsResources:Today's shownotes page: Get Sepideh's links and womb mysteries programEpisode 34: What if your womb was an altar?Episode 72: Weaving the ancestral threadGet on the Natural Contraception course waitlistIf you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.Support the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) It's deep winter now. The time of quietude, slow movement, deep nourishment, and dreaming and visioning.And in the case of gardeners, this is often the time of choosing seeds, planning gardens, considering any shifts or changes you might be considering for your landscape, maybe even learning new skills that can serve you next season. So it's the perfect time to bring flower and herb farmer Xenia D'Ambrosi of Sweet Earth Co onto the podcast to share her embodied knowledge around all things ecological gardening.Xenia sees gardening as not just growing medicine or flowers or food. Instead, she considers gardening to be a way we can tend our local landscape to increase biodiversity, encourage pollinator habitat, restore damaged ecosystems, and ALSO provide benefit for us as humans, too. Her story is interesting. She started out in corporate finance, but ended up as a professional gardener after a cancer diagnosis. She credits having her hands in the soil and returning to seasonal gardening as a huge part of her healing process. And since then, she's devoted her life to not only gardening herself, but also designing gardens and teaching how to garden. In our conversation we talk everything from her healing journey and the loss of meadows all the way to how to choose a location for your garden, which plants to start with and how to start hard-to-germinate seeds. She shares about which medicinal herbs she finds indispensable in her garden, and the myriad ways she works with them. It's an information packed, inspiring conversation.Listen in to learn:how Xenia's cancer diagnosis led her to the plantsabout herbs as her "gateway plant"what ecological gardening is and why thinking beyond typical gardens is importantwhy herbs are indispensable in her gardens, and which ones she loves mosthow to choose a location for your garden and start planningwhat she recommends for seed starting (hint: mimic nature)Resources:Today's shownotes: Get all of Xenia's links here. (Use code: HERBALWOMB for 10% off her cutting garden course!)Episode 6: Gardening for your menstrual + hormonal healthEpisode 20: Earth, Womb & Seed ConnectionGet on the Natural Contraception course waitlist here (Jan 2024)If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.Support the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) There's a term - body literacy - that's thrown around a lot in Fertility Awareness circles.And it may seem vague, "like, what part of our body are we talking about?" And it's true, you can become literate in any system of your body, technically.BUT your menstrual cycle is a window into your whole health - and has even been considered a fifth vital sign. However, you can only begin to perceive this embodied wisdom if you are naturally cycling (eg not using hormonal birth control). That said, there are legitimate reasons someone may choose to get on, stay on, or return to hormonal contraception. But if you're one - of many - who are transitioning off birth control and/or you want to understand your body and your options, this episode is a good starting point.This is another compilation episode with snippets from a previous interview and solo shows, as I'm still on content creation break while I get some of my own "wintering" in. First, you'll hear about vaginal fluids - what's normal and what's not - and a sneak peek into the topic of fertile cervical mucus.Next, Gabrielle Jansen shares a little about the politics and history of birth control, the experience of "pill shame" some might have and how to support your body when you ARE on hormonal birth control.Finally, I offer some basics on reasons you may be thinking about ditching your hormonal contraception and some first steps on how to support yourself in that transition. It's really just a glimpse into each of those interviews, but you'll get practical take-aways from each one. To listen to the episodes in full, check out the links below! Resources:ONLINE - Natural Contraception course coming Jan 2024 - get on the waitlist!LOCALS - Winter Embodied Birth Control Series in-person, 3 months, in Hope, ME - taught by myself and Gabrielle Jansen - learn more hereEpisode 17: How stress messes with your hormonesEpisode 23: Your body on birth control with Gabrielle JansenEpisode 46: Vaginal fluids - what's normal, what's not?Episode 84: Herbal allies for transitioning off hormonal birth controlIf you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.Support the Show.

Click here to send me your Q’s, comments, lovenotes, or a quick message here :) Your womb is a place of power, pleasure and possibility. AND it's also a place where we tend to hold deep seated fears, imbalances and trauma - whether physical or energetic. I've decided to take a couple week break on new content creation for the podcast, and instead of just ghosting you, be more creative and intentional in the break time. In this episode, you'll find embodied wisdom and practical tips from three previous guests. Chaya Leia shares about why you should even care about "down there" and what to look for as signs of imbalances or that you'd benefit from starting to pay attention. Sondra speaks about traditional Central and South American practices of temescal and vaginal steaming as ways to bring the plants into a ritual that is both physically and energetically supportive for your womb healing.Dr Emily Wilson speaks about how the position of your womb and your cervix matters and what those positions may be telling you. It's really just a glimpse into each of those interviews, but you'll get practical take-aways from each snippet. If you want to listen to any of the interviews in full, I've got them for you below. Happy holidays and happy new year, my beautiful friend. I'm grateful for you. Resources:Today's shownotes: Womb tending, clearing + healingEpisode 10: Traditional womb healing practices with Sondra HamiltonEpisode 19: The importance of pelvic softening with Chaya Leia AronsonEpisode  61: Pelvic wisdom + healing womb trauma with Dr Emily WilsonIf you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.Support the Show.