Podcasts about john's wort

Trent Frazer is a Producer on his family farm “Warree”, southwest of Stuart Town. Trent and his family run a predominantly sheep and cattle operation with a little bit of cropping. In this episode, Trent lets the cat out of the bag about his passion for wool and the challenges and rewards of being part of this staple industry. He reflects on how producers can use local trials to give themselves the information needed to make good decisions. Finally, he opens up about struggling to manage St John's wort on the property and how they're approaching it now. Local Land Services Cropping Officer, Tim Bartimote, caught up with Trent to chat at his farm, "Warree".   Resources and links: NSW DPI's fact sheet for St John's wort NSW DPI's best practice management guide for St John's wort    Connect: Central West LLS website Central West LLS on Facebook Central West LLS on Twitter Central West LLS on YouTube   The views contained in this podcast series are not necessarily endorsed by Central West Local Land Services. Listeners are advised to contact their local office to discuss their individual situation. This show is produced in collaboration with Wavelength Creative. Visit wavelengthcreative.com for more information.

The holidays are upon us and that means, for those with IBS, the choice must be made to either eat to support the digestive system or eat to make other people comfortable. But what if there were a way to restore gut function and increase tolerance for a wider range of food? In today's episode we talk about the root causes of IBS and how to reduce inflammation and tone the gut for long-term health. Herbs that are mentioned include: burdock, hibiscus, meadowsweet, milk thistle, astragalus, barberry, slippery elm, marshmallow, plantain, dandelion, yellow dock, cat's claw, skullcap, chamomile, lobelia, St. John's Wort, aloe, elderberry, horehound, borage, lavender, cinquefoil, mullein, valerian, rose, raspberry, wild lettuce, peach, blackberry, turmeric, black pepper, ginger, fennel, cardamom, prickly ash, Queen Ann's lace, calendula, sage, thyme, oregano, mugwort, and coltsfoot. Thank you for listening to today's episode! Please consider sharing it with a loved one and leaving a review. For more information please visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com Have a wonderful week!

Resources for those with sustained hypertension are pretty easy to find, but what about those who have a form of transient hypertension, which seems to come and go at will, sometimes without a good explanation? In today's episode, I share about the four categories of hypertension that look like wide swings a variability; most days it is perfectly normal and then all of a sudden there will be a very high reading. I talk about what is going on during these episodes, the current pharmaceutical options being developed, and the herbal actions that are most helpful. Specific herbs mentioned include: borage, ashwaganda, eleuthero, rhodiola, tulsi, cayenne, milky oats, hawthorn, motherwort, wild cherry, bugleweed, yarrow, linden, ylang ylang, rose, hops, hibiscus, St. John's Wort, peach, wood betony, chamomile, lavender, lemon balm, sage, linden, valerian, blue vervain, reishi, skullcap, cramp bark, and nettle. For more information on herbalist consultations, please visit www.laureltreewellnessllc.com. If you know someone that this episode would bless, please share it with them, consider leaving a review, and send your topic request to laureltreewellness@gmail.com. Have a wonderful week!

#49 - Join us for a wonderful conversation with Herbalist Rosalee de la Forêt on how connecting with wild medicinal plants supports an experience of joy and deep fulfillment in our relationship with the Earth. In this episode, Rosalee shares about the transformative experience of working with some amazing herbs including St. John's Wort, Elderberry, and Hawthorn, and how a sense of curiosity and wonder arises when we witness Nature. She also offers insight on the current phenomenon of plant blindness, and how getting to know herbs inspires an inherently joyful relationship of reciprocity in our experience with the Earth. Rosalee is passionate about inspiring people to turn to the healing gifts of medicinal plants and nature connection. She finds daily inspiration in the beauty of the Methow Valley in WA state where she has lived for the past 15 years. She is the author of the bestselling books Alchemy of Herbs: Transforming Everyday Ingredients into Foods and Remedies that Heal and co-author of Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. Rosalee is a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and was an herbal clinician for 6 years before dedicating her offerings to herbal education. In addition to writing books she teaches many online herbal courses about herbalism, nature connection, and medicine making. She is also the host of the Herbs With Rosalee podcast and YouTube channel. You can find Rosalee at: herbswithrosalee.comOn Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosaleedelaforet/On facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HerbalRemediesAdvice/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/HerbsWithRosaleeFor more info visit Sara's website at: https://www.multidimensionalnature.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/multidimensional.nature/facebook: https://www.facebook.com/saraartemisia.ms/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@saraartemisiaLearn how to communicate with plant consciousness in the free workshop on How to Learn Plant Language: https://www.learnplantlanguage.com/

Fiery kids often receive a diagnosis of ADD or ADHD, and while some of these kids do need support with nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, or toxin overloads, many of them are simply misunderstood and don't fit into the neat little boxes our society has created. We can support these kiddos with the foods and herbs included in this podcast, including these herbs: skullcap, oats, wood betony, hawthorn, St. John's Wort, peppermint or spearmint, tulsi, lemon balm, linden, valerian, peach, passionflower, elderberry, and schisandra, as well as the following essential oils: ylang ylang, clary sage, petitgrain, patchouli, vetiver, lavender, orange, neroli, lemongrass, and cedarwood. To request a consultation for support in applying these herbs, check out www.laureltreewellness. For podcast feedback, feel free to email me at laureltreewellness@gmail.com. Thanks for listening, for your reviews, and for sharing the podcast with your loved ones!

Can nature's remedies hold the key to mental well-being in our youth? In this episode, we delve into the potential uses and limitations of St. John's wort and valerian in child and adolescent psychiatry and, most importantly, their evidence in treating psychiatric disorders in this population. Faculty: David Rosenberg, M.D. Host: Richard Seeber, M.D. Learn more about our memberships here Earn 1.25 CME: Natural Medications in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry St. John's Wort and Valerian: Potential Indications in Children and Adolescents

Listen to today's podcast... Don't worry. It's all natural. Herbal medicine is expanding in popularity. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, 70% of adults 60 years and older take at least one supplement daily, and 29% take four or more each day. Billions of dollars are spent annually on herbal products and billions more on vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements. Herbal supplements have been credited with aiding everything from digestion to depression, but it's important to understand that “all natural” doesn't always translate to safe. Herbal supplements are not regulated like other drugs or foods, so being aware and staying safe and healthy is vital. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Herbal Prescription Awareness Month: Follow these Safety Tips: Always talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist first before taking an herbal medication or supplement to avoid negative impacts with certain foods or other medication. One common herbal medication is St. John's Wort. St. John's Wort can be effective on mild to moderate depression, however it can interact with a large number of medications, including antidepressants, allergy drugs, birth control, and warfarin. Ginkgo, most commonly taken to improve memory, has been shown to interact with aspirin, diuretics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and blood thinners. Finally, follow supplement instructions, in the same way that you would follow a prescription from your healthcare provider   If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

In this episode of The Herbalist Hour, I'm joined by Patricia Kyritsi Howell. Patricia is the founder of the Botanologos School of Herbal Studies based in Clayton, GA.  She is also the author of the book "Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians".  In this conversation we talk about the myth of the solitary herbalist, ginseng, elder, St. John's Wort, crafting an herbal practice and a lot more.  I was super inspired by all that Patricia shared and I know you will be as well. Please let us know if you had any takeaways in the comments section below. Thanks to Patricia for joining us, and thanks to you for listening!  Until the next episode, ~Mason LINKS & RESOURCES Botanologos School of Herbal Studies | WildHealingHerbs.com BOOK: Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians | BUY THE BOOK Crafting Your Herbal Practice | YourHerbalPractice.com Southeast Herbal Resources | LEARN MORE

This podcast episode is a combination of two plant profiles from a pre-recorded garden plant walk with clinical herbalist, field botanist, and nutrition educator, Shana Lipner Grover. Shana introduces us to two common and abundant garden plants: oregano and St. John's wort. Shana teaches us how we can make functional medicine from the culinary and medicinal herbs that grow so easily outside our front (or back) doors. Shana Lipner Grover was a student of award-winning author Michael Moore and also one of Mountain Rose Herbs' favorite herbalists, Howie Brounstein. Today, she is the director and primary educator of Sage Country Herbs School of Botanical Studies in San Diego, CA. You can learn more about Shana at Sage Country Herbs School and by visiting her on Instagram @sagecountryherbs. See the plants and watch the YouTube video of Shana's plant walk on Oregano here as well as her plant walk on St. John's Wort here!   Join our community! Subscribe to the Mountain Rose Herbs newsletter Subscribe to Mountain Rose Herbs on YouTube Follow on Instagram Like on Facebook Follow on Pinterest Read the Mountain Rose Herbs blog Follow on TikTok Strengthening the bonds between people and plants for a healthier world. Mountain Rose Herbs www.mountainroseherbs.com

One of the most advantageous qualities of medicinal herbs is their versatility. In this podcast episode, our host Daina Parent, ND, talks with naturopath, herbalist, and acupuncturist Laurence Katsaras about the four herbs he considers essential for any herbalist or practitioner incorporating medicinal herbs in their clinical practice. What do these herbs have in common? Their applications are broad, and their medicinal effects are potent. EEchinacea (02:58) 2Astragalus (20:20) 3Ashwagandha (29:48) 4St. John's Wort (38:47) More info: https://wholisticmatters.com/best-herbs/

This podcast episode is the presentation that Kiva Rose Hardin gave for the Fall 2022 Free Herbalism Project. This was a virtual event that took place over Zoom on October 14, 2022. Kiva states, Vervain, Wood Betony, and St. John's Wort were some of my earliest herbal allies when I took my first steps on the plant healer's path. These three herbs are nervines, but so much more! They have a long history as sacred and magical plants across many cultures. Medicinally, all three are often categorized as calming but also have profound tonifying effects and myriad healing actions that are not always as well-known as they should be. In the class, I will cover my personal experiences with the herbs, including specific indications, application, medicine making, dosage, folklore, and more!  Watch Kiva's presentation and find her slides and resources on our YouTube channel.   SAVE THE DATES! Spring Free Herbalism Project: Join Mountain Rose Herbs on Sunday, May 7, 2023 at Mount Pisgah Arboretum in Eugene, Oregon to hear from esteemed herbalists, Dr. Christopher Hobbs, Richo Cech, and Jiling Lin. View the event schedule, presentation topics, and more here. Good Medicine Confluence: Presenting the 12th Annual Good Medicine Confluence taking place July 18 – 23, 2023 in the spectacular mountains near Lake George, Colorado. Enjoy over 150 fresh, specialized, personalized, and often unique topics for both advanced practitioners and newcomers to herbalism. Find out more information and purchase your tickets here.    Kiva Rose Hardin is an herbalist, mythologist, author, and poet whose work is rooted in her relationship with plants, fungi, and the more than human world. She lectures and writes on the subjects of mythopoetic plant medicine, folk magic, folklore, animism, and psychology with an emphasis on fairy tale motifs, embodied enchantment, and the forest as archetype.   She lives off grid in a remote riparian canyon deep in the Gila Forest of southwest New Mexico with her beloved husband, Jesse Wolf Hardin, and their children, Inga Winter and Ælfyn Thorn.   Kiva's first book, The Weedwife's Remedy: Folk Herbalism For The Hedgewise was published in December of 2019 and her next book, Thorn & Thicket: Woodland Herbalism For The Hedgewise is forthcoming from Plant Healer Press in Winter of 2022, and more of her writing can be found at The Enchanter's Green http://enchantersgreen.com - She also co-directs the annual Plant Healer's Herbal Confluence in Durango, Colorado, each May and is co-editor of Plant Healer Quarterly with Jesse which you can find at http://planthealer.org Kiva Rose on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kivarosethorn & https://www.instagram.com/planthealer Kiva Rose online: https://planthealer.org & https://enchantersgreen.com Kiva Rose on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KivaFoxThorn/   Join our community! Subscribe to the Mountain Rose Herbs newsletter Subscribe to Mountain Rose Herbs on YouTube Follow on Instagram Like on Facebook Follow on Pinterest Read the Mountain Rose Herbs blog Follow on TikTok

I'm going to say it. You CAN have reactions to all natural herbs. That's just how it goes. Natural does not mean safe and that you could NEVER react to it. To go into all the science behind herbals, I brought in a medical ethnobotanist, and she gives it to us straight! Today's guest is Cassandra Quave, Ph.D. She is a disabled writer, speaker, podcast host, professor, mother, explorer, and ethnobotanist. She works as the herbarium curator and associate professor of dermatology and human health at Emory University, where she leads anti-infective drug discovery research initiatives and teaches courses on medicinal plants, food, and health. Dr. Quave is a Fellow of the Explorer's Club and recipient of the National Academies Award for Excellence in Science Communication. Her award-winning science memoir, The Plant Hunter: A Scientist's Quest for Nature's Next Medicines, was published in 2021. Have you had a reaction to an "all natural" herbal or cream? On the flip side, is there something that you feel really helped you? I'd love to hear about it in the comments below! In this episode: Differences between herbs, essential oils + extracts Why you should be REALLY careful what you apply to a broken skin barrier What about herbs during pregnancy? Wound healing herbs like calendula + St. John's wort Thoughts on psychedelics + kratom How herbs can impact the liver's detox systems NEGATIVELY Dosing with antimicrobial herbs to fight off viruses + colds Quotes "I think that calendula is really great for wound healing. There's been a lot of research to support this too by various groups showing that it has, you know, good barrier restorative activities." [15:47] "These are powerful, powerful medicines, and the things that are sold on the market right now, there are a lot of challenges, especially with kratom, about identity. Do you have the right plant and do you have the right chemotype because you may have the correct species of kratom, but not all kratom produce the same group of molecules at the same levels." [23:53] Links Find and Follow Dr. Quave on her website | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube Buy your copy of Dr. Quave's book: The Plant Hunter: A Scientist's Quest for Nature's Next Medicine Want to try some skin products with herbals Dr. Quave mentioned (like calendula and St. John's Wort)? Try Quell Nourish and Daily Butter! Healthy Skin Show ep. 030: Natural Remedies For Eczema Rashes w/ Abby Lai

Robin Rose teaches us about St. John's Wort and how it's used to brighten our spirit.  This is a clip from a class Robin Rose Bennett taught for the International Herb Symposium. WATCH THE FULL CLASS  Learn more about Robin and her work at RobinRoseBennett.com BOOK - The Gift of Healing Herbs by Robin Rose Bennett: LEARN MORE AND BUY International Herb Symposium - LEARN MORE AND REGISTER WANT MORE HERBAL GOODNESS? Sign up for the HerbRally newsletter and receive these THIRTEEN herbal freebies!  CLAIM YOUR FREEBIES!  Here's the freebies: VIDEO | Most Vital Herb in David Hoffmann's First-Aid Kit WEBINAR | Herbal First Aid with Heather Irvine EBOOK | 86 Page Plant Healer Book 30 DAYS FREE | HerbRally Schoolhouse EBOOK | Calendula for Radiant Skin by Rosalee de la Forêt VIDEO | 5 Herbal Events Around the World presented by Bevin Clare BOOK DISCOUNT | The Essential Guide to Western Botanical Medicine PRIVATE COMMUNITY | HerbRally Facebook Group BOOK EXCERPT | 36 Pages from Plant Healer's "Nourishing Foods" Book DISCOUNT | 15% off all Mountain Rose Herbs products DISCOUNT | Mushroom Revival AUDIO | Hour-long Adaptogens Class with Heather Irvine DISCOUNT | 10% off all HerbRally products CLAIM YOUR FREEBIES!  Thanks for listening!  HerbRally www.herbrally.com 

Hi bbs! It's been a long time, but we never left you! This podcast episode is really special because we speak about the podcast that never became, but eventually turned into The Petty Herbalist Podcast. It was called Daughters of Empire, and we discuss what that meant and what it means for us today. Grab some nettle infusion, take a walk, pop in those headphones, and enjoy. You're in for a good one today! Topics Discussed: Airline Medicine bag Fasting and Prayer (herb) St. Joan's (St. John's) Wort (hypericum perforatum) tincture (activist/poet/scholar) Gloria Anzaldua (book) Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza,Fourth Edition by Gloria Anzaldua (afroFuturist) Sheree Brown (book) A Burst of Light by Audre Lorde Shout out to Atabey Coffee Roasters and Spirit Tea! ________________________ Follow us on social: @pettyherbalist @bonesbugsandbotany Join the Patreon Community to fund this amazing POD: https://www.patreon.com/pettyherbalist Rate us to show your support! Thank You! #StayReady #BePetty --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pettyherbalist/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/pettyherbalist/support

Join me for my first solo herb podcast! This episode is about St John's Wort, my experience and story foraging it late last year. Then processing and using it for myself and clients. I also briefly: - introduce the herb - how to ID it - process it to make oil - the medicinal uses - my recent client experience with it - The fresh, small batch seasonal herbal products I offer Nothing said or written here is medical advice. See the Heart Heart Earth links below as well as links to some of my other favourite podcast episodes about St John's Wort (SJW) HEART HEARTH EARTH links: Saturee supplements link Use code: HEARTH Greener Pastures Cod Liver Oil link Social Media Links: Instagram Facebook Other favourite SJW podcast episodes: Amber Magnolia Hill and Kami McBride Mythic Medicine episode Herbs with Rosalee podcast SJW episode

Poisonous plants, how not to kill people, foraging, poinsettia, mushrooms, Angel of Death, plants that are poisonous for pets, grapes, poke weed, inklings, historical heritage food, onions, asparagus, apples seeds contain cyanide, balance between light and dark, nightshade, history of tomatoes, potatoes, cashews, St. John's Wort, foxgloves, digitalis, oleander, hemlock, don't tick off your psychic or your gardener, raw beans, biodiversity, lost knowledge, nutmeg, delphiniums, hairy vetch, tortilla soup.

In this episode, I discuss the herb Saint John's Wort, which helps with depression, is antiviral, wound healing, etc. I also discuss how to make Brunswick Stew and get into some interesting food history.Read about my new book: Medicinal Ferns and Fern Allies, an Herbalist's Guide https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/11/medicinal-ferns-and-fern-allies.htmlAvailable for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BMSZSJPSRead about my new cookbook, The Omnivore's Guide to Home Cooking for Preppers, Homesteaders, Permaculture People and Everyone Else: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-omnivores-guide-to-home-cooking-for.htmlAvailable for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BGKX37Q2Visit my Substack and sign up for my free newsletter: https://judsoncarroll.substack.com/Read about my new other book, Medicinal Shrubs and Woody Vines of The American Southeast an Herbalist's Guide https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/06/medicinal-shrubs-and-woody-vines-of.htmlAvailable for purchase on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B2T4Y5L6 andGrowing Your Survival Herb Garden for Preppers, Homesteaders and Everyone Elsehttps://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/04/growing-your-survival-herb-garden-for.htmlhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B09X4LYV9RThe Encyclopedia of Medicinal Bitter Herbs: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/03/the-encyclopedia-of-bitter-medicina.htmlAvailable for purchase on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B5MYJ35RandChristian Medicine, History and Practice: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2022/01/christian-herbal-medicine-history-and.htmlAvailable for purchase on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09P7RNCTBHerbal Medicine for Preppers, Homesteaders and Permaculture People: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2021/10/herbal-medicine-for-preppers.htmlAlso available on Amazon: www.amazon.com/dp/B09HMWXL25Podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/show/southern-appalachian-herbsBlog: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/Free Video Lessons: https://rumble.com/c/c-618325

St John's Wort is highly prized when it comes to supporting healthy moods, lifting depression, easing anxiety, and reducing stress levels. But when it comes to menopause it does so much more.   St John's Wort   Other herbs previously discussed Black Cohosh - episode 108 Shatavari - episode 104 Sage - episode 88 Turmeric - episode 83 Saffron - episode 74  

What it do, baby boo?! We back! Thanks so much for sticking with us through the raggedy-ness of our recordings not working. But don't worry, this episode on Vanilla is sooo sweet! We want you to know that vanilla isn't just that bottle in your spice cabinet that makes things taste good. It is sacred, indigenous medicine that has benefits you could never imagine. But also, this medicine is very accessible to many of us all around the world! Topics Discussed: (herbs) linden (Tilia americana) infusion (herb) hawthorn (crataegus monogyna) (herb) St. Joan's/St. John's Wort (hypericum perforatum) oil (food) atole (corn drink) (article) The Bittersweet Story of Vanilla (article) Origins of Vanilla (book) Healing spices: How to use 50 everyday and exotic spices to boost health and beat disease. Aggarwal, Bharat B., and Debora Yost. Sterling Publishing Company, 2011 (constituent) vanillin ________________________ Follow us on social: @pettyherbalist @bonesbugsandbotany Join the Patreon Community to fund this amazing POD: https://www.patreon.com/pettyherbalist Rate us to show your support! Thank You! #StayReady #BePetty #pod #podcast #podcasts #podcastersofinstagram #petty #pettyherbalist #herbalist #herbalism #blackherbalist #blackherbalists #bioregionalherbalism #bougieaunties #bougieaunteatime #medicinemaking #herbalmedicine --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/pettyherbalist/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/pettyherbalist/support

Listen to Dr. Tom Roselle, DC discuss how St. John's Wort extract shows potent antiviral activity against COVID and its variants. The post Hypericum Perforatum (St. John’s Wort) appeared first on AGELESS HEALTH® with Dr. Tom Roselle, DC.

Don't worry. It's all natural. Herbal medicine is expanding in popularity. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, 70% of adults 60 years and older take at least one supplement daily, and 29% take four or more each day. Billions of dollars are spent annually on herbal products and billions more on vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements. Herbal supplements have been credited with aiding everything from digestion to depression, but it's important to understand that “all natural” doesn't always translate to safe. Herbal supplements are not regulated like other drugs or foods, so being aware and staying safe and healthy is vital. Take One Action Today To Build Your #Resiliency!  So Here are today's Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Herbal Prescription Awareness Month: Follow these Safety Tips: Always talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist first before taking an herbal medication or supplement to avoid negative impacts with certain foods or other medication. One common herbal medication is St. John's Wort. St. John's Wort can be effective on mild to moderate depression, however it can interact with a large number of medications, including antidepressants, allergy drugs, birth control, and warfarin. Ginkgo, most commonly taken to improve memory, has been shown to interact with aspirin, diuretics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and blood thinners. Finally, follow supplement instructions, in the same way that you would follow a prescription from your healthcare provider   If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com #mentalhealth #hr

We're back to talk witchy herbs in the second part of our foraging series, and this time we're chatting about Borage, St. John's Wort, Mugwort and Yarrow - all the sexy midsummer plants. Find out which ones are good for the SADs and which will make you trip balls in your dreams. For the first ten minutes of the episode, we have a little dive into the cesspit of our Saturn Returns, as we blame the planet for every difficult situation in the past 2-3 years of our lives. For the fans only, stick around after the episode for a wee bonus chat about weird British culture, we know you're all here for the weird stuff. I should add also, thank you so much for waiting on these episodes, you've all been so patient and loving with the gap in production. These were recorded so long ago, but because of personal circumstances I have been unable to produce them, and the podcast has unfortunately been left on simmer. Well, it's time to take that tasty stew off the hob and soak it up. Continue the conversation with us: - find Rowan @SotWwithRowan on Instagram and Facebook - find Tess @theosbcurawitch on Instagram Come eat cheese with like-minded witches on the Facebook Cheese Witch Coven. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/sotwwithrowan/message

Herbs, Foods, and Flowers of Summer Solistce Lore and ritual uses of Mugwort, St. John's Wort, Yarrow, Strawberries, and other plants as part of Summer Solstice rituals. Encore of Nature Spirituality from June 9, 2021

For interview #32, I am talking with Jessica Freeborn of Freeborn Family Farms, a family owned + operated herbal remedies company. Their mission is to harness the healing properties found only in nature within each of their products + deliver them from their family's heart + hands to yours.Our conversation revolves around the amazing powers of our local herbs, + what it means to nurture the wild lands that they grow on, to tap into their properties for overall wellness, + to include them in your family's daily lives. Yarrow, St. John's Wort, elderberries, red clover, + stinging nettle are just a few of the local herbs that can bring oh-so many healing benefits to our medicine cabinets + tea selections.Her local Vibrant Living inspirations include her mom + all the local homesteaders + herbalists, as well as a local icon:Pilgrim's Market Find Freeborn Family Farms:Website: www.freebornfamilyfarms.comInstagram + Facebook: @FreebornFamilyFarmsFind me, +  the episode, either audio or video, through my website www.gemmapuddy.com. I would greatly appreciate it, if you would share + like the episodes so that more people can be inspired. And remember you can always watch these conversations on my YouTube Channel. I am also incredibly excited to be taking one-on-one coaching clients. If you are craving to break through into a new way of thinking, feeling + living in the world + are interested in taking that journey with me, please visit my website, gemmapuddy.com, or DM me through any one of my channels. Sending all the love, light and vibrancy!

In this episode, Scott Sensenbrenner from Enzymedica to guide us on a deep dive into the way we digest food and absorb nutrients. Scott Sensenbrenner is a natural products industry veteran with a career spanning more than 20 years. He has been the driving force behind Enzymedica as President & CEO since 2009, where he expanded the Florida-based natural digestive health brand to be in more than 30,000 retail locations worldwide. Previously, he was the Vice President of Thorne Research, a leading professional market natural medicines manufacturer servicing over 20,000 health care practitioners. Prior to Thorne, he was the Group Director of Perrigo Nutrition (PRGO – NASDAQ), the largest generic pharmaceutical, OTC and nutritional company in the United States. Scott started his career in the natural products industry with Enzymatic Therapy in the 1990s where he led their strategic planning and marketing when the firm introduced many of the leading products sold in the natural products industry including; Glucosamine, CoQ10, St. John's Wort, 7 Keto, Policosanol, Red Yeast Rice, Standardized Herbs, IP-6, KAVA, and Black Cohosh. In each of these roles, Scott designed and orchestrated business strategies and executed category-changing product introductions.  In addition to his experience in the natural products industry, Scott is well-known for his philanthropic work. He is a passionate supporter of Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, Safe Place and Rape Crisis Center (SPARCC), Vitamin Angels, and is a Board Member for the Economic Development Corporation for Sarasota County. Most recently, he was elected to join the Strategic Advisory Board of the American Nutrition Association® (ANA) – a nonprofit that is the professional association for the science and practice of personalized nutrition.For more information, please visit www.enzymedica.comSupport the show (https://paypal.me/Optamiz?locale.x=en_US)

This episode originally released as episode 80.  Not many of us think of adding 1mg of melatonin with THC to ensure a deeper, longer night's sleep… or blending ashwagandha with CBD to better cope with stress…or mixing St. John's Wort with cannabinoids to better cope with pain. But Dr. Kevin Spelman is a molecular biologist, industry consultant and a clinician who has observed that a mix of plant medicines can be more healing than just one individual plant on its own. Spelman is that rare breed of scientist whose worldview integrates the wisdom of the east and the hard science of the west. He has worked as an Ayurvedic clinician and alongside Chinese medicine practitioners as well as being a researcher at the National Institutes of Health. It was in the NIH labs where he learned just how skeptically plant science was viewed by his colleagues. “When I spoke about certain molecules, my colleagues were all in,” he told me before I recorded this podcast, “but the minute I started talking about medicinal plants they'd turn suspect. I could almost see the thought bubble appear above their heads: ‘Quack! This guy can't possibly be for real.'” This podcast is full of very real science about the mysterious world of plant medicines. In it, Spelman broaches three areas I want you to know about. Herbal allies. Especially relevant in the time of COVID-19 are the benefits of using echinacea, astragalus, and ashwagandha to strengthen our immune response. But he also explains that these substances should be combined thoughtfully rather than randomly thrown together. “One of the classic mistakes naturopaths make is just putting all in there. When you combine things properly you can induce emergent properties that you wouldn't see with just one compound.” Low dose cannabinoids. We are big proponents of low dose cannabis medicines on this podcast. Spelman points out that there is a scientific phenomenon called “hormesis” in which a low dose of a substance, like cannabis or psilocybin, can have beneficial results while a higher dose can cause symptoms to worsen. “I had a lot of sciatica pain, maybe a 6 or 7 out of 10," he says, "and I didn't want to use THC because my job demands I be critically observant. I found a sub-threshold dose of less than 1.5 mg of THC allowed me to work clear headed without a lot of pain.” Diet. Spelman points out that modern society is drugging illnesses that can be traced to what he calls a “phytonutrient deficiency.” His solution is the same that Michael Pollan arrived at while writing The Omnivore's Dilemma: “Eat more plants.” Listen in to learn more on this emerging field, and be sure to read Kevin's most recent blog on Powering Up Your Immune Response with Cannabinoids and Botanicals.And  please read "Practical COVID Tips as We Open" (and musical accompaniment) by the always impressive Dr. Jeff Chen at UCLA. We can't rely on the administration to give reliable info so we must rely on the smartest scientists we know. Jeff is another one worth listening to.

There's power in whatever we choose to do. Be clear with intentions. St. John's Wort is truly a magical herb

Living Well with MS is proud to welcome back Dr. Aaron Boster, an Ohio-based neurologist specializing in MS, who has featured on episodes that tackled exploring how to make the right medication choices and the impacts of lifestyle choices on MS. Now we tap his expertise to help us grapple with an important topic that isn't discussed as often as it should be – sex. Sex and sexuality are vital dimensions of a healthy life, but how are they impacted by MS? Our discussion with Dr. Boster digs into the science and practical implications behind this topic, so let's talk about sex and MS!   Dr. Aaron Boster's Bio:   Dr. Aaron Boster is an award-winning, widely published, and board-certified neurologist specializing in multiple sclerosis and related CNS inflammatory disorders. He currently serves as the Director of the Neuroscience Infusion Center at OhioHealth. Witnessing his uncle's diagnosis with MS when he was 12, he and his family came to see a lack of coherence in the way MS was treated at the time. That experienced informed Dr. Boster's drive to do things differently. At OhioHealth, he spearheads a revolutionary model in MS treatment and patient care drawing on interdisciplinary resources and putting patients and families first. Dr. Boster is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Neurology at Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, and a former Assistant Professor of Neurology at The Ohio State University, where he also formerly headed the Neuroimmunology division. OMS has recently been pleased to welcome Dr. Boster as one of the newest additions to its Board of Trustees.   Dr Boster has been intimately involved in the care of people impacted by multiple sclerosis; he has been a principal investigator in numerous clinical trials, trained multiple MS doctors and nurse practitioners, and been published extensively in medical journals. He lectures to both patients and providers worldwide with a mission to educate, energize and empower people impacted by MS.    Dr Boster grew up in Columbus, Ohio and attended undergraduate at Oberlin College. He earned his MD at the University of Cincinnati College of medicine and completed an internship in Internal Medicine and Residency in Neurology at the University of Michigan, followed by a two-year fellowship in Clinical Neuroimmunology at Wayne State University.    He lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, Krissy, son Maxwell, and daughter Betty Mae.   Questions:   Aaron Boster, welcome back to Living Well with MS, and thanks for joining us again. Before we dig into this episode's main topic – sex and MS – there's a recent bit of news to mention. You've joined the Overcoming MS board of trustees. There is no doubt OMS is happy to have someone of your medical and clinical expertise on its board. How has the experience been so far and what compelled you to join in this capacity? Let's shift gear into our main topic – sex and MS. This is quite important and perhaps not discussed as often as it should be. First off, how would you define sexuality in the context of MS? Is it common for people with MS to experience sexual dysfunction or other challenges with having a normal sexual life? Do the types of sexual dysfunction differ depending on the types of MS you have? If a man is experiencing sexual dysfunction connected to his MS, what are his options for overcoming or managing it? What if you're a woman experiencing sexual dysfunction connected to your MS. What are your options for managing it? Some people with MS encounter some sort of physical impediments or disabilities. How might that affect your sexual life and what can you do about it? Is there any specific research currently going on that studies MS and its influence on a person's healthy sexual life? If there was one critical takeaway you could share with anyone in our audience experiencing sexual issues related to their MS, what would it be? Before we wrap up, and on a totally different note, I couldn't let someone of your expertise leave the guest chair without asking you a question of personal interest to me as well as many other members of our community – about supplements. There are many out there to choose from, from Co-enzyme Q10 and probiotics to things like Ginkgo Biloba, Echinacea, St. John's Wort, Valerian, Ginseng, and many more. Is there a general framework for deciding whether to try a supplement and are there any whose positive effects are supported by an evidence base?   Links:   Check out Dr. Boster's popular YouTube channel covering all aspects of MS. Boster is now a trustee of Overcoming MS.   Coming up on our next episode:   In just a few days, you can get another dose of our podcast with the premiere of the 24th installment of our Coffee Break series, as we travel (in the eco-friendly virtual sense) to Christchurch, New Zealand to meet another fascinating member of the OMS community, Lieza Vanden Broeke. Lieza has a remarkable personal backstory, and her experience with MS will provide insights and inspiration to our global community. Plus, she's also the ambassador of the OMS Circle in Christchurch. Thanks to Lieza for her candid interview, and to our listeners for being part of the OMS podcast family!   Don't miss out:   Subscribe to this podcast and never miss an episode. You can catch any episode of Living Well with MS here or on your favorite podcast listening app. Don't be shy – if you like the program, leave a review on Apple Podcasts or wherever you tune into the show.   S3E43 Transcript Let's Talk About Sex (and MS)   Geoff Allix (Intro) (2s): Welcome to Living Well with MS, the podcast for Overcoming MS for people with multiple sclerosis interested in making healthy lifestyle choices. I'm your host Geoff Allix. Thank you for joining us for this new episode. I hope it makes you feel more informed and inspired about living a full life with MS. Don't forget to check out our show notes for more information and useful links. You can find these on our website at www.overcomingms.org/podcast. If you enjoy the show, please spread the word about us on your social media channels. That's the kind of viral effect we can all smile about. Finally, don't forget to subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode.   Geoff Allix (Intro) (44s): Now without further ado, on with the show.   Geoff Allix (48s): Living Well with MS is proud to welcome back Dr. Aaron Boster, an Ohio-based award-winning, widely published, and board-certified neurologist, and the founder of the Boster Center for Multiple Sclerosis, who was featured on past episodes that tackled exploring how to make the right medication choices and the impacts of lifestyle choices on MS. Now we tap his expertise to help us grapple with an important topic that isn't discussed as often as it should be – sex. Sex and sexuality are vital dimensions of a healthy life, but how are they impacted by MS? Our discussion with Dr. Boster digs into the science and practical implications behind this topic. So, Dr. Aaron Boster, welcome back to Living Well with MS.   Geoff Allix (1m 28s): And let's talk about sex and MS.   Dr. Aaron Boster (1m 30s): Thank you so much for having me. I'm delighted to be back. And you're right, this is an underappreciated topic which needs to be discussed much more frequently. So, I'm glad that we're doing this today.   Geoff Allix (1m 41s): Before we dig into the main topic of sex and MS, there's two things I'd like to mention. Firstly, I just want to call out that your YouTube channel, which is very easy to find, if you just search for Aaron Boster on YouTube, you'll find it. In fact, if you search for MS on YouTube, I think it would come pretty high. It is personally, I think the single best resource for a person with MS.   Dr. Aaron Boster (2m 7s): Wow.   Geoff Allix (2m 8s): Hugely it is... I don't know how many videos you probably are much more aware than me, but I'd say hundreds. There are huge numbers.   Dr. Aaron Boster (2m 15s): Yes, 450 some.   Geoff Allix (2m 18s): Right. So, whatever topic there is an episode there, and I've found it incredibly useful, incredibly informative. So, I would –   Dr. Aaron Boster (2m 25s): So, nice of you to say thank you.   Geoff Allix (2m 27s): Well, yeah, I mean, I just think it's, I encourage everyone just going to have a look. It's just, you don't have to look at every topic. Recently, there's one on cannabis and MS. At which in the UK, the police would have different opinions. So, bits aren't going to be, you know, I mean appropriate for everyone. But yeah, there's such a wealth of resources there. So, the second thing, you've joined the Overcoming MS Board of Trustees.   Dr. Aaron Boster (2m 56s): Yes.   Geoff Allix (2m 56s): Yeah, I think everyone at OMS is happy to have you on board, and your medical and clinical expertise. So, what compelled you to join? And how has it been so far?   Dr. Aaron Boster (3m 9s): Thank you. Let me answer those in reverse order. Today, it's been awesome. There's a significant onboarding process, and I've had a great time meeting the other Board of Trustees members, getting to know the Chair, the CEO, and really starting to get to understand the organization. So far, I've participated in one formal board meeting. It's been pretty great so far. I am really excited for what's coming with Overcoming MS over the next couple years. So, the fact that I get to participate is really, really special to me. Now, what compelled me to do it? Really two things if I may. The first thing is, if you look at my style of MS, my brand of delivering MS care, and the tenets that I have developed and talk about and teach.   Dr. Aaron Boster (3m 58s): And you look at the tenets of Overcoming MS, they are remarkably convergent, like remarkably so. When I list out being five for five, when I talk about the importance of family, I mean, we just listed six of the seven. I mean, we're very, very converged. That was one thing that as I started to learn more about Overcoming MS, I said, “Wow, these folks are really thinking along the same lines as me.” The second thing is, getting an MS diagnosis is scary. And it's a moment in time when people aren't sure what to do. And in certain locations there's awesome resources to shepherd someone through an early diagnosis.   Dr. Aaron Boster (4m 41s): But in many locations, that's probably lacking, and access is a major issue. And so, if you're in a spot where you're recently diagnosed or you don't know what to do, reaching for something that is ready made and awesome is a beautiful thing. And I'll be transparent. In my religion, there are a set criteria of things that you're supposed to do when someone dies. Okay. So, if you don't know what to do when you're grieving the loss of a loved one, there's some set things you're supposed to do: You're supposed to grieve for a certain amount of time. The community helps you in a certain fashion. And really, in the absence of knowing how to cope in grief with a loss, that is an awesome structure to have.   Dr. Aaron Boster (5m 24s): And in many ways, I think for someone newly diagnosed with MS, this is a beautiful thing to say, “Sure do this.” So, for both of those reasons, I'm really, really excited to participate. It's been a great experience so far. So more to come.   Geoff Allix (5m 39s): And one thing I would say that you have that Overcoming MS doesn't, but should do, I think as an extra pillar would be drink more water. And that's not an Overcoming MS thing. So, we're on a podcast. You can't see me. I'm just picking up my glass this very moment.   Dr. Aaron Boster (5m 56s): Sure. And I've got water in my mug, yeah, yeah. So, I'm   Geoff Allix (5m 59s): And I think that's, I know we're going off-topic here, but I think that it should be. It's such a simple thing. And because a lot of us have bladder issues and things, and then you sort of say, “Okay, maybe drink less because that's a bladder buster.” I even know it. I know, if I didn't drink enough, then I feel worse. It's one of those instant things. So, some of the things with MS, slow burn as a summary instant. Stress is instant, dehydration is instant.   Dr. Aaron Boster (6m 27s): Absolutely spot on. And, you know, I like to challenge people sometimes because I'll say, you know, drink more water, and they'll say something to the effect of, "You sound like my mom." You know, or like, that's silly advice. I'll say, “Okay, but try it.”   Geoff Allix (6m 39s): Yeah.   Dr. Aaron Boster (6m 39s): Try drinking an adequate amount of water for like three days and see what happens. You know because people are shocked. They're like, “Oh, my gosh, I really do feel better.”   Geoff Allix (6m 45s): Yeah. And you've made it really simple as well. So, I just drink a pint or half liter with each meal, and then drink a pint or half liter between each meal.   Dr. Aaron Boster (6m 56s): Yeah, then you're done. You just did.   Geoff Allix (6m 59s): Yeah.   Dr. Aaron Boster (6m 59s): Spot on. Yeah. Then you're good for the day. And unfortunately, so many people, and you give a great example as to why they may shy away from water intake, and inadvertently make their situation so much worse.   Geoff Allix (7m 10s): Yeah, so I'd like to. Yeah, so on your next board meeting. So, can we add an extra? Drink more water.   Dr. Aaron Boster (7m 19s): Okay. I'll bring it up. As we talk about sex, this, we will come back to this whole bladder thing. It is very, very related.   Geoff Allix (7m 27s): I was going to think, yeah. I was thinking you can't say, drink water during sex, that wouldn't work. But anyway. So, let's get on to our main topic, sex and MS. So, it's a very important one. I mean, it's obviously very important for the survival of the species as much as anything, but it's an important topic. And probably not discussed often enough, often embarrassing. So, how would you define sexuality in the context of MS?   Dr. Aaron Boster (8m 2s): So, you know, sexuality arguably would be defined as humans' ability to experience sexual feelings. It's a really broad blanket term for a lot of things related to sex. So, my first comment is I don't think of sexuality in someone impacted by MS any different than I do in any other human. And I think that's actually a very, very important distinction because there's nothing unique about the sexuality of human being if they happen to have a chronic illness or not. Now, playing out sexual behaviors, intimacy, all these wonderful things, MS can risk interfering.   Dr. Aaron Boster (8m 46s): And that's where we get into a really important discussion. And that's where sometimes we really need to try to help educate and intervene.   Geoff Allix (9m 1s): So, is sexual dysfunction more common for people with MS? Does it increase the chances?   Dr. Aaron Boster (9m 7s): It certainly is. Now, you know, MS is a situation where the immune system can affect any part of the supercomputer that runs your body - the brain, and the superhighway - the spinal cord. And unfortunately, there's plenty of specific areas in the brain and spinal cord where if there's damage, it could interfere with sexual functioning. And so, the spinal cord is a really good example. Very commonly, when someone has a transverse myelitis, inflammation in their spinal cord, then they may find that their limbs are numb or kind of weak. But they also will very likely notice problems with the down theres – bowel, bladder, and sexual function. And this is, unfortunately, all too common in the setting of MS.   Dr. Aaron Boster (9m 48s): I would also say that it's oftentimes overlooked by the MS clinic, something that's kind of glossed over and not discussed. And given that it's somewhat of a taboo topic in casual conversation, I think patients are sometimes a little bit nervous to bring it up.   Geoff Allix (10m 8s): And does the type of MS you have whether it's relapsing or progressive, does that affect the types of sexual dysfunction you might have?   Dr. Aaron Boster (10m 16s): I would say no. I would rather think about the kinds of sexual dysfunction a little bit differently. Not so much related to the phenotype of MS. So, someone with relapsing MS, or Primary Progressive MS, Secondary Progressive MS, what have you, I don't see different kinds of sexual problems. I would run about it as follows: primary sexual dysfunction, secondary sexual dysfunction, and tertiary sexual dysfunction. So, just to share a couple quick definitions that helped me when I'm thinking about this. Primary sexual dysfunction is a problem with the circuitry and hormones of sex. So, when the down theres are stimulated, there's a lot of circuitry that goes on to assist in intercourse.   Dr. Aaron Boster (10m 58s): That message in the down there has to go all the way up to the brain, through the spinal cord, where the brain interprets the activities and says, “Ah, okay.” And then it sends messages from the brain back down to the down theres to do certain things. We're talking about arousal, orgasm… excuse me, arousal, either erection or lubrication depending on the gender, and then eventually orgasm. And so primary sexual dysfunction can result from MS damage in the brain and spinal cord. And what can happen is you can end up with problems in the circuitry. And so, you can have difficulties with any of those things - arousal, erection, maintaining an erection, ejaculating or arousal, lubrication orgasm.   Dr. Aaron Boster (11m 43s): The other piece to this when I think about primary sexual dysfunction is imbalances in hormones. And I have, for several years now started to routinely screen gentlemen, for example, looking at testosterone levels. Not just to help with sexual function, but there's also ramifications through other aspects of MS, believe it or not. So that's kind of primary sexual dysfunction. And we'll talk maybe a little bit later about how we overcome those things. Secondary sexual dysfunction is important and very often overlooked. And it's a situation where there's problems with sex, not because of the circuitry of sex, not because of hormones, but because of MS symptoms that make things not sexy.   Dr. Aaron Boster (12m 24s): For example, if you're having intercourse, and you lose your bladder, it may stop the activity. I mean, you know, that's like scary to a lot of people. They would think, “Oh my goodness, gracious.” And if you're having intercourse and your leg goes into an extensor spasm, it's extremely painful, you're not having sex anymore. Yet even things like motor fatigue can make it so that, you know the activity of intercourse can become challenging, and these are all secondary sexual dysfunction issues. This is where, to be honest, we can really gain a lot of ground. Now, tertiary sexual dysfunction, I would define as not so much the circuitry of sex or symptoms that interfere with sex, but it's more of a psychological phenomenon where the human being doesn't feel sexual.   Dr. Aaron Boster (13m 11s): They don't feel like a sexual being. They feel maybe like an they feel ill. They don't feel that they can be sexy. And so, when I think about sexual dysfunction, I find it most helpful to kind of try to bucket things into those categories. And oftentimes, we're dealing with all three.   Geoff Allix (13m 35s): And so, if we break it down into men and women, what options would a man have if he's experiencing sexual dysfunction connected with MS? Or how could that be managed or helped?   Dr. Aaron Boster (13m 50s): Absolutely. And so, if we first think about arousal, and this is actually true for both men and women. I'll make sure to give distinctions. When we think about arousal, the first thing I want to do is I want to look at their medicines. And I want to look and see if I have them on medicines that can impair arousal. And you'd be shocked at how many can. So, unfortunately, many of the SSRI and SNRI antidepressants, which are used very commonly in humans can impair libido. And so, you may have significant sexual dysfunction because of a high dose of Zoloft, for example. And so, we need to look at that. And there's a host of other medicines that could interfere with arousal.   Dr. Aaron Boster (14m 31s): Also in the setting of arousal, for gentlemen, we'll look at testosterone levels, and look and see if his testosterone, which I would like to be above 400 is down like in the 100s. And maybe that's a component as to why that's a problem. Another very, very, very common because of loss of arousal or interest in both men and women is depression. Now depression is twice as likely to be experienced by a person impacted by MS compared to the general population. And one of the hallmarks of depression is something called anhedonia. Where just stuff that you enjoy just isn't really that much fun anymore. Like if you do really like book club or watching TV, doesn't do it for you.   Dr. Aaron Boster (15m 10s): And so that can happen with sex, which is a major thing. And because depression is so common in MS, we would be foolish not to screen for that, or ask the question, could that be related to arousal? And so other things that we think about in both men and women, recent psychosocial stressors. You'll hear about a guy lose his job, and then he's not interested in intercourse, because he's really dealing with, he's kind of stressed out. So, I really require not just some laboratories, but also a careful history and some open honest communication when dealing with the gentleman's issues as it relates to arousal.   Dr. Aaron Boster (15m 56s): The women, I guess, if it's okay with you, let me answer the same question for women just really quick.   Geoff Allix (16m 2s): Yeah, it's okay.   Dr. Aaron Boster (16m 3s): So, with women, we will look at all the same things I just said. Right? Hormone levels included. And then in depression included in the like. With women, there's actually interestingly two FDA approved therapies to help women with low libido, which is really cool. And interestingly, not known by many, many people. So, there's a medicine which is approved in the United States of the trade name Addyi, A-D-D-Y-I. And I'm spelling it for you because I'm blanking as I talk to you about the generic name. So, I'm sorry. And that is a pill taken once a day, which in about half of our patients results in improving female libido quite substantially.   Dr. Aaron Boster (16m 46s): There's also an injection that's administered by urologist. And I don't, I've never prescribed it. It's called PT141. And this is also a therapy that can be very, very helpful in helping with female libido. So, there's actually more options to help with female libido than male. And so that's the first area. And I want to stress that you can't really skip over it. It is so terribly important. When we then talk about the second phase of things that would be erection for gentlemen. I like to divide my thoughts about erections into half. There is obtaining an erection and then maintaining an erection adequate for a penetration of vagina, anus, mouth, whatever it is that you're trying to accomplish that evening or day.   Dr. Aaron Boster (17m 28s): And so, with erections, we want to find out, are you able to -- do you have erections when you wake up ever? Like it is the physiology, the circuitry of erections, is that intact? Are you able to maintain an erection on your own, like through masturbation, for example? And during intercourse, what's going on? And this conversation is important because, again, we have to think about primary, secondary, tertiary options. Primary sexual dysfunction, most commonly occurs because of spinal cord involvement in MS. And what essentially happens is the down there are stimulated and as the message is going up the spinal cord it dies.   Dr. Aaron Boster (18m 9s): So, the message is never delivered to the brain. So, the brain is not informed of the dealio. So, in this situation, something that can be extremely helpful is a plug in the wall vibrator, right? So, I sometimes on podcasts and whatnot have talked about the vibrator trick, which I'll share now. In the vibrator trick is where you spend 60 bucks American and you purchase a plug in the wall vibrator. And my favorite brand is Hitachi Magic Wand. I don't have a contract. Though I would do a branding deal with them in a heartbeat until –   Geoff Allix (18m 43s): I believe, they're mentioned on the Sex in the City way back.   Dr. Aaron Boster (18m 47s): Yeah, certainly. Certainly. So, this is marketed as a back massager. And it's a plug in vibrator. And the reason it's so important is we need kind of like overdrive stimulation, right? A double D battery vibrator is not going to cut it for this purpose. And then what you do is you apply a water-based lubricant to the genitalia because that increases skin sensitivity. And then you apply the plug in the wall vibrator, you know, the hardcore power from the wall, and you apply it on the glands, penis, you apply to the head of the penis, you applied it under the testicles, you apply it somewhere where it feels good. And this is providing overdraft stimulation. Just to make the point clear, I'll use an example of us talking right now.   Dr. Aaron Boster (19m 29s): So, I'm talking using my indoor voice because there's no interference between essentially my mouth and your ear, even though we're across the continent, and there's microphones, and speakers and stuff involved. Now, let's say that we were having this exact same conversation during business hours. I'm in my lobby of my office. Today is Sunday. But if this was a busy business day, it would be super loud in here. And you wouldn't be able to hear me when I used my indoor voice. So, I would have to use overdrive stimulation. I would have to scream, and really project really loudly so that you could hear me. And that's what we're doing with a plug in the wall vibrator as it relates to intercourse. We're providing overdrive stimulation so down there can get the message to the brain and let the brain know what's up.   Dr. Aaron Boster (20m 13s): Now the advantage of a plug in the vibrator is there's no side effects. It's relatively inexpensive. And you can do it by yourself during masturbation. You can do it before intercourse as a form of foreplay. You can literally hold the device between you and your partner with continuous stimulation during intercourse. And it works well for both men and women. So, everything that I just said with regards to obtaining erection can be applied to maintaining an erection by using the vibrator. And we have taught some gentlemen, if they have difficulties they'll withdraw, and then they can apply the vibrator to the shaft of the penis, it will become adequately erect again, and they can continue having fun.   Dr. Aaron Boster (20m 55s): And so, this is a very helpful tool. Now, probably the most widely utilized tool is a little blue pill, right? So, Viagra, Cialis, and the like are very, very helpful medicines, in helping gentlemen obtain and maintain erection, pharmacologically, they're superb. And so, if there isn't a cardiovascular risk, why you can't handle the Viagra or Cialis, what have you, that's a very useful tool. Taken about an hour before intercourse works best on an empty stomach. You do have to worry about light-headedness, and there's some blood pressure concerns. And that can make a really big difference in a guy's life. You know, it's of note that if you want to make an adult miserable, mess up their ability to eat good food or have sex, and then we'll be miserable.   Dr. Aaron Boster (21m 41s): And MS risks interfering with sex for sure. And so, a little blue after dinner mint can really change a guy's outlook on life. Now, again, on the topic of obtaining and maintaining erection, testosterone level is very, very relevant. Now, there's a bunch of other things you can do. For example, intracavernous penile injections. So, before the era of pills, we had the shots on the side of the penis, and everyone listened going, “Ooh!” But in exchange for that route of administration, you have a fantastic erection. And sometimes when pills don't work, we still go back to those tried-and-true methods.   Dr. Aaron Boster (22m 24s): Other things that you can do if you're a gentleman, using a device, you can trap the erection. So, you can use a vacuum device, which can be very, very effective. And if you're really serious about an erection, and those things aren't working, urologists can actually do penile implants. I have some patients who have been very, very happy with penile implants because nothing else was really working for them. So, you know, you might say, how dedicated are you to your erection? Because if you're dedicated enough, we can guarantee that you'll be able to be erect.   Dr. Aaron Boster (23m 6s): Getting into the same questions with women, we're really dealing with lubrication, alright? And engagement of the tissue to allow adequate arousal. And so, that's kind of the equivalent for women as erections are to men. And there's several ways of addressing difficulties that a woman may have with lubrication. So, one thing you can do is apply a water-based lubricant. Very straightforward, very, very effective. Another option is to apply an estrogen cream to the vulva. If you're not taking systemic hormones, and there are reasons why some women may not be appropriate for taking systemic hormones, because of cancer risks. Applying a hormone cream topically is really great because it's just absorbed locally.   Dr. Aaron Boster (23m 51s): So, there's no systemic risks. But applying an estrogen cream can really help with engagement and with lubrication. We very commonly prescribe a compounded cream which is called scream cream. And it is what it sounds like. It's a compounded mix, which includes Viagra and theophylline and several other agents which help in increase blood flow and encouragement and help with lubrication. And so, someone may have a can of scream cream that they use in preparation for intercourse. And so those things can be very, very helpful. Obviously, adequate clitoral stimulation, or vaginal stimulation through the same plug in the wall vibrator is a really smart tool.   Dr. Aaron Boster (24m 32s): And that can help with lubrication. Now, the tips for orgasm, for achieving orgasm are all along the same lines. Really we have to bring, for both men and women - primary, secondary, and tertiary measures to the table to achieve orgasm. And sometimes we have to take extra measures depending on the specifics of the individual. But the point that I hope I'm conveying is, is that: number one, there are a lot of options to make this better if you're a boy or girl. And number two, it's worth it. Right? It's worth it to have an excellent sexual experience. Sorry, that was a little bit of a long-winded answer.   Dr. Aaron Boster (25m 14s): I got a little carried away there but talk about that.   Geoff Allix (25m 15s): No, no its good. And so, what you've talked to us about was very medical. But you mentioned especially the tertiary side of it.   Dr. Aaron Boster (25m 25s): Yes.   Geoff Allix (25m 25s): I love the thinking as well.   Dr. Aaron Boster (25m 26s): Yes.   Geoff Allix (25m 26s): So, is it worth getting counseling, maybe couples counseling? Because still, it's difficult to -- and this happens, whether you have MS or not. It's to convince the other person it's useful.   Dr. Aaron Boster (25m 34s): Super, super important. In fact, if you said, “Aaron, what's the number one tip?” The number one tip is none of the stuff I just mentioned. The number one tip is talking to your partner. So, let's discuss that. Very commonly, independent from having a chronic condition like MS. Very commonly, we have hang-ups about sex, and we have areas of concern or embarrassment, or topics that we're shy about. For example, many people are reluctant to flatulate in front of their spouse. Right? So, that's the thing. Like, you know, we don't want to do that. And so, talking about sex is not something that most of us are just completely at ease doing.   Dr. Aaron Boster (26m 20s): Even with our spouse, even with a monogamous partner of 30 years. And when you have a chronic condition, like multiple sclerosis, which can, as we've talked about interfere with the circuitry and the success of intercourse, it adds complexity. It doesn't make it easier, it makes it harder. What I have found in talking to families for over a decade and a half now. And I'm very, very open about this topic in that oftentimes, the two members of the couple would love to talk to the other person. They are dying to talk the other person about this, and they are nervous.   Dr. Aaron Boster (27m 4s): And when they broach a conversation, it's almost cathartic because together, they can game out an earth shattering, toe-curling, blood-curdling orgasm that would set land speed records and make the neighbors call to make sure everyone's still safe. And it's accomplished because of communication with the partner. Say, and let me be a little bit granular. One partner may really enjoy a particular position in sex because it's really fun for them, which might cause the other partner with MS to go into spasms. Or it may make the other partner develop truncal ataxia, or maybe it overheats that partner. And the person with MS might not be sharing that.   Dr. Aaron Boster (27m 46s): They may not be telling the spouse or the partner, “Hey, listen, when you lay on top of me like that, you're a heavy dude, my body gets heated up and I can't feel anything. Get off me!” You know, simply talking about changing something as simple as a sexual position might be the answer to really meaningful intercourse. So, you are very spot on in bringing this up. And if you are uncomfortable talking about the topic, let's game out several things that you can do to broach the situation. Okay. So you could, for example, do couples counseling. Couples counselors are very wonderful because they can help be sounding boards.   Dr. Aaron Boster (28m 27s): “Did you hear what he just said? Let me repeat it for you.” I mean, you know, they're fantastic kind of notes. I really like couples counseling myself. There are sex counsellors, alright? I mean, maybe another thing to do is just to have the person listen to our podcast that we're doing right now and say, “Hey, the little balding, hyper neurologist in Columbus, Ohio was saying we should talk about sex. I mean, what do you think?” And maybe that broaches a conversation. But if you can sit down and talk about sex, and really what I would want you to bring to the table is the following: What are your goals? Seriously. Is your goal to help your partner achieve orgasm? If that's a goal, state it. State that's a goal.   Dr. Aaron Boster (29m 6s): Is your goal to simply be intimate and touch one another? I mean, these are things that you should talk about. Are you going to orgasm? State the goals. If there are certain things that you really like, and really don't like sexually, particularly the don't like part. “You know, I know that you're really like doing blankety blank to me, and that's very sweet. Except I can't feel it. I can't feel it.” So, you doing that is awesome. I just want to let you know that like I don't even notice that you're doing. So, FYI. I mean that kind of communication is really valuable. Because then the partner will say “Well, geez, Louise, let me not do that. Let me do something different.” And I think what you'd find is if you have this conversation, it will improve your sex life.   Dr. Aaron Boster (29m 55s): The conversation will lead to a better experience. It really will.   Geoff Allix (30m 1s): And so, we've talked a lot about that there could be nerve damage between brain and sexual organs and that's affecting your ability to have an erection, lubrication, orgasms. But what if a person with MS has physical impediments or a disability? You know, apart from their sexual organs don't work properly.   Dr. Aaron Boster (30m 22s): Yes.   Geoff Allix (30m 22s): How could that affect their sexual life? What could they do about that side of things?   Dr. Aaron Boster (30m 30s): So that involves playing smarter, not harder. Let me give you an example. If we think about a traditional Western missionary position of sex, the guy on top in this like, misogynist example, I apologize. It's kind of doing push-ups, right? Which is a tremendous amount of physical activity, keeping the core body strong and the arms, it's a lot. So that might not be feasible for someone. Right? Now, instead, install in your bedroom an eye hook in the ceiling beam, and install a sex sling. The whole world changes now. You place a partner on a sex sling, you can move them around, spin them, pivot them, push them, thrust, move, up, down, left, right, and it takes almost no effort, right.   Dr. Aaron Boster (31m 20s): And so, by changing from good old-fashioned force of will to using something like leveraging a sex sling, or using a wedge, they make these awesome wedges, which is kind of like bringing a gymnastics room into your bedroom. Where you can position a partner on a wedge. If you have problems in certain positions, again, this goes back to the talking about planning, don't do those things. And if other positions are more successful, do those things. Let's use another example of bowel and bladder issues. Very common. Someone has such fear of incontinence of urine or stool, they will not have sex, which is a travesty.   Dr. Aaron Boster (32m 3s): So, what can you do instead? You can, if necessary, do an inner in self cath, and empty your bladder completely, 100% guaranteed prior to intercourse. If you are prone to urinary tract infections, have your neurologist give you antibiotics that you take before or after sex, alright? If you are having trouble with constipation, you can spend a day or two pre-sex emptying out and getting completely evacuated. Even if that involves an or you know, digital rectal stimuli, or whatever is necessary, you can prepare for that. Do you see what I mean? There's a bunch of things that we can do. You have dyspareunia, which is a terrible word.   Dr. Aaron Boster (32m 47s): It means pain with sexual sensation. So, the act of sex hurts. We have to look into, why you have dyspareunia? If it's because of spasms of the vaginal canal, we might use a rectal suppository of valium before intercourse. If it's because of neuropathic pain and burning sensation, we might use a numbing cream. Right? My point here, is if we can identify -- because in my mind what you're saying those are all secondary sexual dysfunctions. If we identify what the problem is, we can game out how to make it better. Then if you remember nothing from my answer, I simply want you to remember sex swing.   Dr. Aaron Boster (33m 28s): Sex swing. Okay.   Geoff Allix (33m 29s): And in the last few years, the amount of research in MS medication has just leapt forward. I mean, it's gone from -- so my father had MS. There are no real treatments. When I first was diagnosed. Not really, like what? Five years ago? There were treatments then but there must be 4, 5, 6, 10 times that many now. That seems to be it's really escalating. So, are there any treatments going on or studies going on for people with MS, and their ability to have a healthy sexual life?   Dr. Aaron Boster (34m 5s): So, in preparation for our discussion, I actually looked this up because I wanted to be able to answer this question if asked. So, yay. And I went, the way I look up information like that is at the clinicaltrials.gov, which is a site for any clinical trial that's registered by the United States government. And there were 125 hits for when I searched for multiple sclerosis sexuality. And I looked through the first 10 or 20. All over the world, France, Turkey, Louisiana, Cleveland. So, there were trials throughout. Now, almost all of these are investigator-initiated trials. You know, so a clinic running a small study.   Dr. Aaron Boster (34m 46s): But my point here is yes, there's a lot going on. Looking at testosterone levels, looking at various pharmacotherapies, looking at behavioral therapies, a lot of stuff. And so, I hope if you're listening to this, it's reassuring to know that clinic doctors and researchers alike recognize this is such a critically important aspect to life that we're investing resources to try to help you make it better.   Geoff Allix (35m 9s): And you mentioned about testosterone. So, getting testosterone checked is that part of blood test?   Dr. Aaron Boster (35m 13s): Yes. So, the way that I do it in clinic is I draw a morning level of testosterone. And the reason it needs to be morning, a gentleman's testosterone is highest in the morning, and it goes down throughout the day. So, if you tested in the evening and have a low value, you don't really know if it's just because of the diurnal, you know, the fact that it drops down. So, you want to get the best most accurate reading. You do that in the morning. You know testosterone level in the morning. I get it on two separate occasions. And if it's low, the total testosterone is low, that's a blood test, then that opens up the opportunity to treat with testosterone. Which in MS helps gentlemen not just with intercourse, not just with erectile function and ejaculation in the bedroom, but it also helps improve cognition, and slow disability progression, and improve fatigue with gentlemen with MS.   Geoff Allix (36m 9s): And is there an equivalent for women with estrogen?   Dr. Aaron Boster (36m 12s): It's not the same rules, interestingly. It's not the same set of variables. And now looking at hormone levels in women is important. And particularly surrounding times of menopause, when we can see an uptick of MS symptoms, and specifically related to intercourse, as I was mentioning with lubrication. So that is relevant, but for a different set of reasons.   Geoff Allix (36m 38s): So, men definitely worth getting checked out on testosterone, but women…?   Dr. Aaron Boster (36m 43s): Not as much. No, I don't routinely check women's testosterone levels in my clinic.   Geoff Allix (36m 49s): Okay, and if, so, if there's one takeaway you could share with the audience, if people are having sexual issues related to MS, what would that be?   Dr. Aaron Boster (36m 57s): That the one takeaway would be to have open communication with your partners and with your clinicians, because there are ways to make it better. We don't have to just accept this is now the new state of affairs. On the contrary, there are plenty of things that we can do. And you're worth it. It's worth exploring and improving because it is such an important aspect of life, that it's not okay, you just to say, "Well, too bad."   Geoff Allix (37m 27s): And there's no reason, I mean, the two of us, I think, are probably beyond wanting to have more children at our age.   Dr. Aaron Boster (37m 35s): Correct.   Geoff Allix (37m 36s): There's no reason that a person can't be fertile as well as…   Dr. Aaron Boster (37m 43s): Oh, absolutely. So, there's a whole separate conversation. But I actually love to come back and talk to you about this. But there's a whole separate conversation about fertility, and pregnancy, and gestation and delivery related to MS. The quick skinny is MS has no bearing on fertility whatsoever. None. And as it relates to our conversation, if you're having intercourse, we need to be thinking about the appropriate use of contraception to avoid unplanned events such as unplanned pregnancies and things like that.   Geoff Allix (38m 17s): And before we wrap up, there's something I wanted to ask you on a completely different tack.   Dr. Aaron Boster (38m 26s): Absolutely.   Geoff Allix (38m 27s): So, just as someone who's got a lot of expertise in this area, and something that is of personal interest. Because of the podcast, I get asked lots about different supplements. So, people say, “Have you tried Coenzyme Q10? Have you tried lion's mane mushroom, St. John's Wort, ginseng, ginkgo biloba?” There's countless things. And some of them, I'm fairly sure, yeah, if your magnesium is low that's, you know, if anything's not off the normal levels, then yeah, absolutely.   Geoff Allix (39m 7s): But there's always someone championing a supplement or other. So firstly, is there a framework that you would use to decide whether to try a supplement?   Dr. Aaron Boster (39m 18s): That's an awesome question. Thank you for asking me that question. And it's a multi layered answer. So, I have two criteria, if you will. So, the first criteria, there are three things that must be met, if I'm going to greenlight a supplement. The first one is it can't be too expensive. So, each individual family has to decide if the cost of something is too expensive or not for them. And I bring that up because sometimes you may find supplements where it's actually a big chunk of their weekly check, and that's not okay with me. Particularly, if I don't have hardcore science suggesting that I can guarantee it works. So, it can't be too expensive. The second thing is it can't be dangerous.   Dr. Aaron Boster (39m 59s): And sometimes supplements are dangerous. Now, oftentimes, they're not. But let me give you an example. If an immune booster actually boosted your immune system, it would be dangerous to take when you have MS. And, you know, just because it's natural doesn't mean it's safe. I mean, cyanide is natural. So, the second criterion is it can't be dangerous. And sometimes I have to do some investigations, digging through various ingredients to try to answer that question. The third is that it can't be instead of something I know works. So, if you tell me that you want to take CoQ10. CoQ10 is not dangerous. CoQ10 is not generally expensive.   Dr. Aaron Boster (40m 41s): And if you're going to take CoQ10, along with your disease modifying therapy, I have no issues with that. But if you have to take your CoQ10 instead of your disease modifying therapy, where I have good solid scientific evidence that it helps you, now I have an issue. So that's my first criterion. The second criterion is more rigorous in that scientific evidence, you know, properly studied science to prove or disprove that something's helpful. And that second one, you know, we don't have a lot of info. There is some info for some supplements, and I'm going to go over a couple with you right now. But that would be the second one. And you know, it's worthwhile sharing, at least here in United States where I practice.   Dr. Aaron Boster (41m 24s): The supplements and vitamins are not monitored by the American FDA. So, if there's a bottle of a prescription medicine, and it says it does something, they can prove that. It's been proven, it does something or they can't say it. You know, if there's a side effect on the bottle, or a dosage on the bottle, it has to be proven. Like that's not a suggestion, it's a proof. If you bottle a supplement that you get at a health food store, let's say. What they say on it isn't proven. It doesn't have to be proven. So, they could say, for example, it will make you grow 10 feet tall. And they're allowed to say that even if it's not true.   Dr. Aaron Boster (42m 6s): And as a result, it calls into question, and it creates challenges and knowing whether something's okay, but which is kind of I think your point. So, when you look at the evidence, to me, this is a conversation about nutrition, right? And I start with, as we talked about, maybe a little bit earlier, I start with increasing water intake, believe it or not. I think if you're going to change one thing, increasing water is actually more relevant than any other vitamin or mineral or something that we're going to talk about. But that's my first one, honestly. After that, I really would rather spend time talking about healthy eating than I would about supplements. And I would like to engage in a conversation about eating real food, whole food, and avoiding heavy processed foods and the like.   Dr. Aaron Boster (42m 54s): But let's move into some recommendations about vitamins. The first vitamin that I think is actually the most studied with the most evidence for benefit of MS is vitamin D3. And so low levels of vitamin D correlate with increased risk of developing MS. And if you have MS, low levels of vitamin D are correlated with worse outcomes. And so, I routinely check a blood level for vitamin D, and if it's below 50, I supplement. And I use D3, because I feel like it's better absorbed in the human body. And I want to push that level above 40 below 100, or excuse me, above 50 and below 100.   Geoff Allix (43m 32s): So, can I just interject that. Because we measured it in a different way in the UK, and I think Europe. So, it's actually four times the number you're talking about. So, when you say 50, we say 200.   Dr. Aaron Boster (43m 40s): Oh, okay.   Geoff Allix (43m 40s): I don't know why that is just, it's not even an imperial metric thing. It's just because it is exactly –   Dr. Aaron Boster (43m 46s): Thank you for bringing that up. That's a really, really important point. And you know, another important point is you and I, even though we don't live in the same continent, both live in areas where there's not a lot of sun for a good portion of the year. And so, taking a vitamin D supplement is important because we can't get it, you know, the good old-fashioned way. Now, I have through my involvement with Overcoming MS become turned on to the idea that it doesn't take a lot of sun to soak up vitamin D. So, if you go out and let's say shirtless, or, you know, wearing a halter top, or what have you with some exposed skin, for 15 minutes, you'll absorb 5,000 international units of D3.   Dr. Aaron Boster (44m 30s): And now in the winter, Ohio with a foot of snow on the ground very few Ohioans are going to do that. But it is good to know that. Yeah. You know, and during the summer months you certainly do consider that. So, vitamin D3, I think, is very relevant. Past vitamin D3, my next recommendation. And I have to tell you, it's becoming increasingly something that I recommend. I'm on the cusp of recommending it for all people with MS. That's probiotics. So, taking a probiotic is really interesting. And there's an entire fascinating discussion surrounding dysbiosis and the impact of abnormal gut bacteria on the immune system.   Dr. Aaron Boster (45m 16s): Although that's not why I'm recommending it. That's a discussion which is ongoing and still a work in progress. But the reason I'm recommending it is for gut health. People impacted by MS very commonly have significant constipation. And sometimes people with MS have significant diarrhea or incontinence. And so, probiotics pull someone who has constipation more towards the center. And probiotics pull similar diarrhea more towards the center. And so, I really think probiotics are a very, very helpful tool. The next supplement that I would recommend beyond that is added fiber. Because particularly where I practice in the United States, the very low fiber diets, which is a major problem for multiple things, and actually has an impact on MS, in my opinion. And so supplementing fiber, I think is important.   Dr. Aaron Boster (45m 57s): Now, I would like you to do that with pears, plums, apples, and green vegetables but if you can't or aren't able, or don't want to do it that way, you can purchase a supplement like a FiberCon or Metamucil, or what have you, and then you can do it that way. Now, after that, it really depends on the situation. I think it's very reasonable for humans to take a multivitamin because, you know, we're not eating enough salads and vegetables with different colors. But the American diet is normally not devoid of things. It's not typically a problem with excess.   Dr. Aaron Boster (46m 39s): And so, if you just add a multivitamin that kind of covers your bases. Now, I don't recommend mega doses of say, vitamin B12 routinely, or vitamin C routinely, unless there's deficiencies that I'm discovering. So, I'm not a physician that recommends as a priority that you take a B12 complex. Many people do, because it helps with energy in some cases. But I really find that if I'm not, if I can get you to eat a healthy diet, I'm going to take care of that through eggs and other things. Now, there's specifics that are recurrent low dose naltrexone.   Dr. Aaron Boster (47m 21s): You mentioned L-carnitine, things like that. And there's varying levels of evidence for them. Some of maybe the best evidence would be some of, I think L-carnitine has some good evidence for energy. I believe that. I think that helps a lot. I think that's one that I look at. Then when you get into some of the other things, you can find small trials. Turmeric, for example. Low dose naltrexone, for example. And really, I deal those in a one-off fashion where someone's coming to me saying, “Aaron, what about this?” And then together, we kind of look through it. We look at the data if it's in existence, or if it's not, we discuss that. We go through my three criteria and then someone may try it. And here's the important part. If they try it, I want them to tell me what they found.   Dr. Aaron Boster (48m 7s): You know, did it seem to help? Do they notice a difference? When they stopped it, did it get changed in any fashion? And that's anecdotally one of the ways that we have to kind of assess things.   Geoff Allix (48m 20s): Because on the turmeric there are basically no risks, cost is very low, and there's anecdotal evidence, because it's been taken --   Dr. Aaron Boster (48m 36s): Yeah.   Geoff Allix (48m 36s): And it's been used on the Indian subcontinent for centuries or millennia.   Dr. Aaron Boster (48m 39s): And it's delicious.   Geoff Allix (48m 43s): Yeah, that's right.   Dr. Aaron Boster (48m 43s): You know, if someone wants to take turmeric, how about it? That doesn't violate any of the discussions we've had, and it may help.   Geoff Allix (48m 56s): Yeah. And if it doesn't help, you still like the food and carry on.   Dr. Aaron Boster (49m 4s): You know, its still and its still delicious.   Geoff Allix (49m 4s): Yeah. I'll just add, just on a personal level. Because I'm fairly similar to what you're saying. So, I take vitamin D3 every day. I take a probiotic every day. And the other thing I take is - so probiotic gut health. But also, to reduce UTI, so there's something I came across that in Germany, they're routinely prescribed called D-mannose?   Dr. Aaron Boster (49m 25s): Yes.   Geoff Allix (49m 26s): And I found that I, and this may be -- because I think some of these things work in some people and some don't. And it's not expensive. It doesn't have a lot of risks. And so, I thought I'll give it a try. And literally within a week, I didn't have a UTI problem at all. Literally, I don't have UTI problems at all from having D-mannose.   Dr. Aaron Boster (49m 50s): That's fantastic. I think that's a really, really great tip to share with people. And it's what I'm going to think about when I start my clinic tomorrow - about whether or not I'm not recommending D-mannose enough to folks with recurrent urinary tract infections. That's a pro tip. Thank you for sharing that one today.   Geoff Allix (50m 12s): Well, yeah, I mean, but it may just be that worked for me. So, yeah. But then that's the same.   Dr. Aaron Boster (50m 16s): Well, again, it's nice to have a toolbox where we can consider different things. And that's a very good supplement to keep in mind.   Geoff Allix (50m 30s): So, with that, I'd like to thank you very, very much for joining us, and welcome you to the Overcoming MS Board and it's fantastic news. Giving some of your expertise towards the head of the organization. And I thank you for joining us, Aaron Boster.   Dr. Aaron Boster (50m 48s): It's my absolute pleasure. Again, I love talking with you. And I hope that we get to do it again soon.   Geoff Allix (50m 35s): Thank you.   Geoff Allix (Outro) (50m 36s): Thank you for listening to this episode of Living Well with MS. Please check out this episode's show notes at www.overcomingms.org/podcast. You'll find all sorts of useful links and bonus information there. Do you have questions about this episode or ideas about future ones? Email us at podcast@overcomingms.org. We'd love to hear from you. You can also subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform, so you never miss an episode. Living Well with MS is kindly supported by a grant from the Happy Charitable Trust. If you'd like to support the Overcoming MS Charity and help to keep our podcast advertising free, you can donate online at www.overcomingms.org/donate.   Geoff Allix (Outro) (51m 22s): Thank you for your support. Living Well with MS is produced by Overcoming MS, the world's leading multiple sclerosis healthy lifestyle charity. We are here to help inform, support, and empower everyone affected by MS. To find out more and subscribe to our e-newsletter, please visit our website at www.overcomingms.org. Thanks again for tuning in, and see you next time.    

In this solocast Bridget transmits how to let go of personal and collective density during this accelerative global transformation to align with POSITIVITY. She reveals spiritual insights to connect with Solar Light so you can cultivate inner resilience, peace, and fortitude! You'll learn proactive tools, plant allies, and activities to keep your inner flame bright and joyous all fall and winter long. She shares how to alchemize depression, anxiety, loneliness, or whatever you're feeling... to stay on mission!    You're Invited to my Soul Light Collective Membership: https://bridgetnielsen.com/soul-light-collective-online-membership/   Click the link below to receive my FREE Soul Awakening Meditation Mp3: https://bridgetnielsen.com/free-soul-meditation/    NEW Telegram Channel - Click to subscribe and stay connected: https://t.me/bridgetnielsen   Website: https://www.bridgetnielsen.com/  Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/bridgetnielsen    // Referenced Info // Plant Allies: Mimosa flower essence, saffron tea or flower essence, Elm flower essence, Aspen flower essence, citrus essential oils, St. John's Wort (tincture or oil). I love this oil (not affiliated): https://mythicmedicine.love/shop-all/st-johns-wort Near Infrarred Sauna: https://bit.ly/2HEed15 Low Blue Light Bulbs: https://lowbluelights.com/      

Get full show notes and more information at: http://herbswithrosaleepodcast.com/ (herbswithrosaleepodcast.com) For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow https://www.instagram.com/rosaleedelaforet/ (@rosaleedelaforet) on Instagram! The secret to using herbs successfully begins with knowing who YOU are. Get started by taking my free Herbal Jumpstart course when you https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/ (sign up for my newsletter). If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it! On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health. Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at http://herbswithrosalee.com/ (herbswithrosalee.com). ---- Rosalee is an herbalist and author of the bestselling book https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/140195006X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=metvalher-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=140195006X&linkId=015132911186b966727b15dabec8da5d (Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients Into Foods & Remedies That Heal) and co-author of the bestselling book https://amzn.to/3a2G3R4 (Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine). She's a registered herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and teaches many popular online courses. Read about how Rosalee went from having a terminal illness to being a bestselling author in https://www.herbalremediesadvice.org/rosalee-de-la-foret.html (her full story here). 

Don't worry. It's all natural. Herbal medicine is expanding in popularity. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, 70% of adults 60 years and older take at least one supplement daily, and 29% take four or more each day. Billions of dollars are spent annually on herbal products and billions more on vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements. Herbal supplements have been credited with aiding everything from digestion to depression, but it's important to understand that “all natural” doesn't always translate to safe. Herbal supplements are not regulated like other drugs or foods, so being aware and staying safe and healthy is vital. So Here are today's Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Herbal Prescription Awareness Month: Follow these Safety Tips: Always talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist first before taking an herbal medication or supplement to avoid negative impacts with certain foods or other medication. One common herbal medication is St. John's Wort. St. John's Wort can be effective on mild to moderate depression, however it can interact with a large number of medications, including antidepressants, allergy drugs, birth control, and warfarin. Ginkgo, most commonly taken to improve memory, has been shown to interact with aspirin, diuretics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and blood thinners. Finally, follow supplement instructions, in the same way that you would follow a prescription from your healthcare provider   If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

In this episode I discuss how to Identify and use Monarda/Bee Balm/Bergamot, Saint John's Wort and Yarrow.Read about my new book, Look Up: The Medicinal Trees of the American South, An Herbalist's Guide: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2021/06/paypal-safer-easier-way-to-pay-online.htmlClick here to read about The Herbs and Weeds of Fr. Johannes Künzle: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/2021/05/announcing-new-book-herbs-and-weeds-of.htmlBlog: https://southernappalachianherbs.blogspot.com/Free Video Lessons: https://rumble.com/c/c-618325

St. John's Wort has evolved over millennia to capture the ultimate expression of sunlight on our planet and turn it into the molecule hypericin, which has numerous profound effects on our human bodies. Find our St. John's Wort Oil. Make your own with the Handcrafted Healing Herbal Oils online course (more links in the resources section below). From deep nerve healing, relaxation, and pain relief when applied externally to its antidepressant, antiviral, and liver supportive properties when taken internally, SJW has always occupied an exalted place in the medicine cabinet of the ancestral humans who were lucky enough to live where it grew, and is one of the most used and loved herbal medicines in the world today. IN THIS EPISODE: St. John's Wort acts as an extension of sunlight The endless external uses include the healing of wounds, bruises, burns, blisters, cuts, eczema, growing pains, inflamed skin, muscle pain, nerve pain, neck tension, spasms, back pain, neuralgia, sciatica, insomnia, anxiety, and stress The oil is indispensable for menstrual pain, pregnancy, postpartum, babies, children, elders, empaths, and highly sensitive people Photosensitivity, precancerous skin cells, and using SJW as sunscreen Internal uses: notes on the antidepressant, antiviral, and liver supportive effects (including my shingles story) Hypericum feeds our inner radiance and summons forth our purpose and power This ancient herb has always been associated with fairies and other magical beings How empire co-opted pagan rituals and herbal practices The widespread ritual use of St. John's Wort as a protective herb A word on wildcrafting and non-natives v invasives Making your own high potency, shelf stable herbal oils Herbal medicine is so simple, yet also endlessly complex Kami McBride speaks about St. John's Wort RESOURCES (if listening on an app that doesn't support embedded links, find these at https://mythicmedicine.love/podcast): Mythic Medicinals St. John's Wort Oil (finally back in stock!) Medicine Stories Patreon (patrons can download Rosalee's ebook here) Cute, short video showcasing our St. John's Wort garden Learn to Make Your Own Herbal Oils: Kami McBride's Handcrafted Healing Herbal Oils online course Kami's free workshop on making fresh plant infused oils My video Sneak Peak at the Handcrafted Healing Herbal Oils online course from Kami McBride Podcast Episodes & Books Mentioned: Episode 23 The Profound Medicine of Herbal Body Oils Episode 53 with Kami McBride Healing Herbal Oils: How to Make and Use Them Episode 55 with Lola Pickett Highly Sensitive People are the Psychedelic Plants of the Human Realm Episode 67 with Nadine Artemis Harvesting Light: the Alchemy of Sun & Human Episode 65 with Rosalee de la Foret Wild Remedies: Tending Relationships with the Land Around Us Episode 17 with Sajah Popham True Holistic Healing: Bridging Plant & Human Consciousness Episode 62 with Sajah Popham Called to the Plant Path: Herbal Myths, Healing Forward, and Human Ecology The article Feeding Your Inner Sun with St. John's Wort from The School for Evolutionary Herbalism Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine by Rosalee de la Foret and Emily Han The Untold History of Healing: Plant Lore and Medicinal Magic from the Stone Age to Present by Wolf D. Storl The Herbal Lore of Wise Women and Wortcunners: The Healing Power of Medicinal Plants by Wolf D. Storl A Modern Herbal II by Maude Grieve The New Healing Herbs: The Essential Guide to More Than 130 of Nature's Most Potent Herbal Remedies by Michael Castleman More Good Stuff: Kathi Keville's website  My website MythicMedicine.love  Take our fun Which Healing Herb is Your Spirit Medicine? Quiz Medicine Stories Facebook group Mythic Medicine on Instagram Music by Mariee Sioux (from her beautiful song Wild Eyes)

Herbs, Foods, & Flowers of Summer Solstice Lore and ritual uses of Mugwort, St. John's Wort, Yarrow, Strawberries, and other plants as part of Summer Solstice rituals.

Hello, friends! I hope you're having a really good week. Enjoyed making this episode for you. The questions here have somewhat of a theme. Here are the questions I take: I don't have access to psychiatry in my area. Can I use St. John's wort to treat my depression? I live in a place where mental health is taboo. How can I improve my anxiety around sleeping without treatment? As always, you can send me your questions to duffthepsych@gmail.com and check out the show notes for this episode at duffthepsych.com/episode255.   Ads: If you are looking for some support as you try to get back to some semblance of normal life, you may benefit from the help of a licensed counselor. Check out Betterhelp.com/duff and take charge of your mental health today with 10% off! The eye strain from being on screens 24/7 is much harder to avoid these days. Be nice to your eyes with some stylish blue light filtering glasses from Felix Gray at felixgrayglasses.com/duff.

Herbalist Viola Sharing her experiences and it's Healing time family. Stop believing everythAng research for yourself --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/verywisealternatives/support

Hey Mage's this week we're diving into another plant lore episode focusing on Saint John's Wort, heavily used around midsummer as a potent demon repellent. But what else is there to the plants enigmatic past and what are some of the health claims with it's use? Tune in to find out more! Check out my shop where I stock witchy wares to deepen your craft. Please leave a review if you've enjoyed the show If you wish to support the show and/or join my sugar pot spell click here. You can also follow me on Instagram. Thanks!Michael Get bonus content on PatreonSupport this show http://supporter.acast.com/themageswell. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

WELCOME to The WELLNESS FOURplay Podcast Episode 11: Happy Hormones, Part 3 - Serotonin & Endorphins   We KNOW that Knowledge is the "foreplay" to your Wellness, so we want to make sure you are equipped to optimize yours! Equipping you with the KNOWLEDGE you need to have the HEALTH you so desire!    Hormones that play roles in many bodily processes and they travel through the bloodstream. Four are specifically known for promoting positive feelings, happiness and pleasure: Dopamine, Oxytocin, Serotonin, and Endorphins. Make sure to get YOUR Daily D.O.S.E.!   Here are this episodes questions: 1. WHAT ARE SEROTONIN AND ENDORPHINS? -Serotonin is a naturally occurring substance that functions as a neurotransmitter, carrying signals between nerve cells throughout your body. Endorphins are chemicals the body releases when it is under stress or pain. Also chemical neurotransmitters carrying important messages throughout the body. Directly involved in our natural reward circuit. 2. WHY ARE SEROTONIN AND ENDORPHINS SO IMPORTANT? In the brain, Serotonin works to help with mood regulation and memory. Low Serotonin levels often leads to depression. Most Serotonin is found in the gut and is required for healthy digestion. Elsewhere in the body, Serotonin helps with sleep, sexual function, bone health and blood clotting/healing. Endorphins are related to important activities such as eating, drinking, physical fitness, and sexual intercourse. We do more of the things that make us feel good and we enjoy! Part of what helps ensure our survival! Endorphins surge during pregnancy and help minimize discomfort and pain and maximize pleasure. This helps us to continue functioning despite injury or stress. Endorphins help alleviate depression, reduce stress & anxiety and increase self-esteem!! 3. WHAT AFFECTS IS COVID HAVING ON SEROTONIN AND ENDORPHIN LEVELS? All Happy Hormones (D.O.S.E.) depend on social interaction, not social distancing. Wearing masks, social distancing and reduced opportunities to participate in activities we enjoy have severely limited the amount of Serotonin and Endorphins being properly released into our bodies. Reduced levels of Serotonin and Endorphins is leading to higher levels of teen and adult depression, hopelessness and suicide. 4. HOW CAN YOU INCREASE YOUR SEROTONIN AND ENDORPHIN LEVELS? - IF you are WELL... What the Hell!! Take OFF your mask and smile at others. Enjoy time with others that are WELL! Stay home if you are sick! Participate in activities that you enjoy. SEROTONIN • Many foods naturally contain Serotonin, but your body also needs other nutrients, such as tryptophan, vitamin B6, Vitamin D, and Omega fatty acids, to produce the neurotransmitters. Foods: Bananas, Beans (chickpeas, kidney, pinto, black beans), Eggs, Leafy greens (spinach, kale), Nuts and seeds (walnuts, flaxseed), Oily, fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel), Probiotic/fermented foods (kefir, yogurt, tofu), Turkey. • Exercise, exposure to sunlight • Supplements: 5-HTP, L-Tryptophan, St. John's Wort, Probiotics • Massage -ENDORPHINS • A.R.K. (Acts of Random Kindness) • SEX • Dark chocolate, Wine • Exercise, Music, Dancing • Personal care: Sauna, Massage Equipping you with the KNOWLEDGE you need to have the HEALTH you so desire! #WellnessFourPlay​ #HappyHormones​ #Hormones​ #Serotonin​ #Endorphins #Sex​ #EmpoweredWellness​ #wellness​ Our Happy Hormones are affected boy your Gut Health, balanced Neurotransmitters, and vitamins like B12, D, C and more... Contact us at DondeeAndMarci.com for information on our daily regimen! We have a $10 discount code available for the first FIVE that reach out!! DondeeAndMarci.com     SHOW LESS    

For this chapter's herbal recipe, featuring St. John's Wort, please visit https://www.adelynesapothecary.com/st-johns-wort.

Registered dietitian Melanie Murphy gives us the low down on supplementation during menopause, what works and what doesn't and how to best decide which supplements and what dosage to take. We cover some of the more well known supplements such as magnesium and St. John's Wort to other more frequently used in Chinese medicine. Melanie also explains how seed cycling and phytoestrogens are utilized by the body and if they are safe and effective. Melanie Murphy holds a Masters of Nutrition, Healthspan and Longevity from USC (University of Souther California) and has her own private holistic nutrition practice. She specializes in gut health and beginning March 1, 2021 she is launching a course focused on helping you to fully embody your physical body so that you can better understand your emotions, free your mind and unlock your spirit. This practical and enlightening course is intended to reintegrate your body to your soul so that you can pursue a more present and joy-filled life. Click here to find out more. Don't forget to subscribe to the Hack My Age podcast for updates on the latest episodes. I highly encourage you to also leave a review so others can find this great content too. Contact RD Melanie Murphy: Instagram: http://instagram.com/healthnmellness Website: http://www.melaniemurphyrd.com Join the Hack My Age community on: Facebook : http://facebook.com/hackmyage Instagram: http://instagram.com/hackmyage Website: http://www.hackmyage.com Clubhouse: @hackmyage (Club: Biohacking Women 50+) Hack My Age VIP Group: http://patreon.com/hackmyage Email: zora@hackmyage.com Newsletter: http://www.hackmyage.com/newsletter This podcast is edited by jonathanjk.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/hackmyage/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/hackmyage/support

Bob and Chris the Pharmacist discuss St. John's Wort for depression. Is it a good option for you or not? Patient Resources: National Alliance on Mental Illness www.nami.org 1-800-950-NAMI Anxiety and Depression Association of America www.adaa.org National Institute of Mental Health www.ninh.nih.gov Help Finding a Therapist 1-800-THERAPIST National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK American Psychological Association Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741 Medical Disclaimer All information, content, and material of this website is for informational purposes only and are not intended to serve as a substitute for the consultation, diagnosis, and/or medical treatment of a qualified physician or healthcare provider.

In our inaugural episode, Sam interviews Trevor Clark, botanist and herbalist. Trevor tells the amazing story of how he became “obsessed” with plants and herbs after they helped him recover from debilitating illness stemming from a spinal injury. He explains how plants are scientifically analyzed, and discusses the use of medicinal herbs in treating a variety of conditions, including Covid-19. Specific supplements mentioned include: Pau D'arco (fibromyalgia); Berberine (blood sugar); Crossvine (fatigue); Cordyceps mushroom, Vitamins C and D, Zinc, and Niacin (Covid-19); Mimosa tree, Rhodiola, and St. John's Wort (depression). Visit Trevor's website: www.clarksherbs.com, and connect with him on Facebook: www.facebook.com/trevor.clark.752. This ad-free podcast is supported by Sam's books, including Living from the Soul: The 7 Spiritual Principles of Ralph Waldo Emerson, available at www.samtorode.com. IMPORTANT UPDATE: This interview was conducted months before the Covid vaccine became available. The vaccine is your best defense against a serious case of Covid.

How is the whole “back to school” thing going for you? Stressful? Maybe? 2020 just doesn't seem to let up. Are you a parent all of a sudden becoming a teacher, homeschooling your kids? Maybe while you're still working a full-time job (or more)? Or are you a teacher trying to figure out how to do your job without being in a classroom? Or being in a classroom, trying to figure out how to keep you & your students healthy and COVID-free?Our current time is so stressful and can bring on anxiety. And if you are on the West Coast of the US like we are, you're probably engulfed in wildfire smoke and maybe you or friends & loved ones are worried about their homes and livelihood. WAY too much to worry about right now! So, in this episode, we'd like to share some plant friends with you that can help support your nerves, calming stress and tonifying your system, helping you learn to adapt to all the stressors that have been flung at us this year.We'll learn about adaptogenic herbs that help your body adapt to life's various stressors whether they be emotional, physical, or spiritual. Ashwaganda is my favorite adaptogen; this herb is perfect for people who do too much. Holy Basil is another delicious adaptogen that is definitely a hug in a mug.We'll also discuss nervines which are a kind of herbs that acts on your nervous system. There are both stimulating and sedating nervines. We'll be discussing sedating, soothing nervines like Milky Oats & Linden. Also Passion Flower (which is a powerful plant and a gorgeous one too!), Chamomile, and Lemon Balm. I'll touch briefly on St. John's Wort to dispel some myths and give you some info on ways that it might be useful to you.Different bodies react to herbs in different ways, so find out what works for you maybe with the help of a certified herbalist or naturopathic practitioner.  There's a variety of ways to get this plant medicine in your body --tinctures, capsules, teas, etc. For some ready-made tea options, check out Mountain Mel's Herbal Teas at mountainmels.com. Use code THP15 at checkout to receive  15% off just for listening.Please share this with your friends! Together, we can help herbalism #spreadlikewildflowers.Register For Our FREE 3-Day LIVE Immune Boosting Workshop. Learn why herbalism is the most sustainable way to keep you & your family healthy and well. Begin your path to being the herbalist in your home. Register here today! #spreadlikewildflowersSupport the show (https://www.patreon.com/theherbalistspath/)

Don't worry. It's all natural. Herbal medicine is expanding in popularity. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition, 70% of adults 60 years and older take at least one supplement daily, and 29% take four or more each day. Billions of dollars are spent annually on herbal products and billions more on vitamins, minerals and other dietary supplements. Herbal supplements have been credited with aiding everything from digestion to depression, but it's important to understand that “all natural” doesn't always translate to safe. Herbal supplements are not regulated like other drugs or foods, so being aware and staying safe and healthy is vital. So Here are today's Hot Tips For Building Resiliency and Celebrating Herbal Prescription Awareness Month: Follow these Safety Tips: Always talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist first before taking an herbal medication or supplement to avoid negative impacts with certain foods or other medication. One common herbal medication is St. John's Wort. St. John's Wort can be effective on mild to moderate depression, however it can interact with a large number of medications, including antidepressants, allergy drugs, birth control, and warfarin. Ginkgo, most commonly taken to improve memory, has been shown to interact with aspirin, diuretics, anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and blood thinners. Finally, follow supplement instructions, in the same way that you would follow a prescription from your healthcare provider   If you like today's wellness tips, let me know. You can leave me a review on amazon or through your #alexa app. Discover how to take small steps towards a healthier, happier, less-stressed you by visiting my website at worksmartlivesmart.com

In this episode of GoGreenfields, your hosts River and Terran take you on a trip to their backyard… literally!   They demonstrate some of the great food sources that grow naturally in Washington State, plucking the flavorful ‘weeds' just a short distance from their backdoor.  With their bounty in hand, they head back to the kitchen to prepare a St. Johns-Wort tincture, Wild Mint Ice Cream, and a Beef Stew with Nettle Dumplings.  Special thanks to BelCampo for supplying the most delicious bacon and stew beef!   JOHNS-WORT TINCTURE INGREDIENTS 2 or 3 handfuls of St. John's Wort flowers (they can be fresh or dried) 750ml Vodka DIRECTIONS Place flowers in a glass jar. Gently add the vodka.. Close the jar tightly, shake for approximately two minutes.  Let the mixture soak and infuse for about 3 weeks in a sunny place. Shake the jar daily. After the 3 weeks, you can strain the mixture and keep the solution in dark glass bottles that are tightly closed. Keep these in the refrigerator.     BEEF STEW WITH NETTLE DUMPLINGS INGREDIENTS 800g BelCampo Stew Beef, trimmed and cut into 4–5cm cubes 300g BelCampo bacon, cut into 3–4cm cubes 100g plain flour, seasoned with salt and pepper 4 thyme sprigs 2 tbsp Fresh-Pressed olive oil 2 onions, thinly sliced 2 celery sticks, trimmed and thinly sliced 2 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced 2 bay leaves 500ml light ale 300ml beef stock, chicken stock, or water Freshly ground black pepper   For the dumplings: 250g Thrive Market self-rising flour 125g suet 100g nettle tops Salt and freshly ground black pepper DIRECTIONS Heat the oven to 160°C/gas mark 2–3. Heat half the oil in a large casserole over medium heat, then add the onion, celery, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme sprigs. Sweat the onions for 8–10 minutes until soft. Meanwhile, heat the remaining oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan over high heat. When it's hot, turn down the heat and gently fry the pancetta or bacon until the fat has rendered and the meat is golden. Transfer to the casserole, leaving the frying pan on the heat. Toss the venison in the seasoned flour, then add to the frying pan, in batches, transferring each batch to the casserole as soon as it is well colored. Stir the casserole contents, then pour the ale over, along with enough stock or water to cover by 2–3cm. Season with pepper. Bring up to a simmer, then transfer to the oven, leaving the lid just ajar. Cook for 2½–3 hours until the meat is very tender. Shortly before the venison is ready, make the dumplings. Bring a medium pan of water to the boil and add the fresh nettle tops. Cook for 2 minutes until wilted, then drain and allow to cool. Squeeze all the water from the cooked nettles into a bowl and retain. Chop the wilted leaves relatively finely. Mix the flour, suet, and nettle together with some salt and pepper. Stir in enough cooled nettle water to form a soft dough – about 150–200ml. Using your hands, form the mixture into 10 spherical dumplings. Take the stew from the oven and remove the lid. Distribute the dumplings evenly over the surface of the stew, replace the lid fully, and return the stew to the oven. Allow to cook for a further 20 minutes, then remove the lid and cook for a further 10–15 minutes, until the top of each dumpling has taken on a little color. Remove the stew from the oven and serve with buttered greens or a lovely mixed salad.     WILD MINT ICE CREAM INGREDIENTS 2 cups 2% milk 1 cup half-and-half 20 fresh mint leaves ¾ cups turbinado (raw) sugar dash of salt 2 large egg yolks 1 teaspoon real vanilla extract INSTRUCTIONS Combine milk, half-and-half and mint leaves in a medium sized, heavy sauce pan or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Heat until tiny bubbles form around the edge (which should be about 180 degrees). Do not let it boil! Remove from heat, cover and let stand for ten minutes. That gives the mint flavor time to steep. Uncover it and pour the mixture through a colander into a medium bowl. Press the mint leaves slightly with a big spoon to get all the flavor. Discard the leaves and pour the liquid back into your pan. In a new bowl, combine sugar, salt and egg yolks. Stir with a whisk until the mixture is pale. Gradually add half of the milk mixture to the egg mixture, while stirring constantly with a whisk. Pour the egg/milk mixture back into the pan with the rest of the milk. Cook over medium-low heat for about two minutes (or to 160 degrees), stirring constantly. Pour the mixture into a bowl. Stir in the vanilla extract. Place the bowl in the fridge until the mixture cools completely, stirring occasionally. Pour the mixture into your ice cream maker and follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you'd like the ice cream to harden up a little more, freeze it for a couple of hours.   This episode is brought to you by… BelCampo Desert Farms Fresh-Pressed Olive Oil Thrive Market Magic Spoon WakeUp Foods  

What is your current body regimen for the mind, body, and soul? Today, we talk about body issues, body care, and the impact of stress on our lives. I conclude with a personal self reflection. Let's get started. Articles: - Report: U.S. Among the Ten Most Stressed Nations Worldwide (forbes.com) - The Health Benefits of St. John's Wort (verywellmind.com)

Amanda Edmiston, Botanica Fabula relates the tale of St John's Wort, wound healer, lifter of melancholy, Chase the Devil!

Medicinal Honey & St. John's Wort!The Herbal Prepper Liveon American Preppers Radio!Sundays 7:00pm/Est 6:00pm/Ct 5:00pm/Mt 4:00pm/PtLive Listen and Chat go to: http://prepperbroadcasting.com/listen-chat/Continuing with our show from last week on medicinal honey and it's wonderful medicinal properties, this week I will share with you some of my most favorite honey-based remedies. Learn how to use herbs to enhance honey for burn care, wound care, make homemade gummy candies, and medicinal syrups.The rest of the show is going to cover the many wonderful properties of St. John's Wort, Hypericum perforatum . It's like a medicine chest all in one little yellow flower. While it is often pigeon-holed as a mood enhancer, St. John's Wort also has actions on the respiratory and muscular systems, as well as antiviral and analgesic properties.… Read More!Visit our chat room HERE!Tags: American Preppers Radio, Prepper Broadcasting, The Herbal Prepper, Health Care

Medicinal Honey & St. John's Wort! The Herbal Prepper Live on American Preppers Radio! Sundays 7:00pm/Est 6:00pm/Ct 5:00pm/Mt 4:00pm/Pt Live Listen and Chat go to: http://prepperbroadcasting.com/listen-chat/ Continuing with our show from last week on medicinal honey and it's wonderful medicinal properties, this week I will share with you some of my most favorite honey-based remedies. Learn how to use herbs to enhance honey for burn care, wound care, make homemade gummy candies, and medicinal syrups. The rest of the show is going to cover the many wonderful properties of St. John's Wort, Hypericum perforatum . It's like a medicine chest all in one little yellow flower. While it is often pigeon-holed as a mood enhancer, St. John's Wort also has actions on the respiratory and muscular systems, as well as antiviral and analgesic properties.… Read More! Visit our chat room HERE! Tags: American Preppers Radio, Prepper Broadcasting, The Herbal Prepper, Health Care

Episode 285 Articles: 30 Survival Items To Get In The First 30 Days Of When You Start Prepping St. John's Wort, An Herbal Remedy for Depression Mentioned in this Episode Weekly Watchman - April 3, 2018 Bug Out Bag Food Ideas and Tips Items of Interest: Legacy Foods – Quality Long Term Food  Enroll in the eCourse – Build a More Self-Reliant Life Join the FREE FB Group! Connect on – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram Remember, there is a HUGE selection of great preparedness content at Prepper Website! Thanks for the spreading the word of The Prepper Website Podcast! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.