Healthy Living Archives - Page 12 of 13 - Sacred Healing of Grief Wounds

A Different Halloween Story

Today I’m going to tell you a different Halloween story that might make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up.

Fade back to Monday

Three mornings ago, I checked my social media notifications and saw an odd Twitter recommendation. The tweet contained none of the usual hashtags, but reading it sparked a memory of a blood test result from a year ago. During a broad blood test that included checking for ferritin, a red flag indicated my reading was high… very high, double the ‘normal’ high. All I remembered about the talk with the doctor who discussed my blood test result was it was advisable to give blood. A second test three months later showed my ferritin level was still over the expected high number, but it decreased about 90% from the previous reading. They suggested I give blood three times a year.

Observe, gather information, then Act

My immediate reaction to the tweet about ferritin and the condition, hemochromatosis, resulted in an Internet search for more information. I was surprised to find out it can cause serious damage to the liver, pancreas, or heart if never treated. The condition is hereditary, suspected with high serum levels of ferritin, diagnosed by a positive DNA test, and treated solely by phlebotomy (blood letting or blood donation). Out of ten common symptoms, I identify with almost half.

Tuesday morning was my regular acupuncture appointment and I mentioned my ferritin levels to the acupuncturist. She also noticed the coppery color of my legs. Her suggestion was also to give blood three times annually.

Here’s the thing. My first blood donation a year ago did not go well. I was so dizzy, I almost fainted. I ‘forgot’ to do it again. Tuesday, I figured I was way past due for a blood letting. It also seemed I needed to talk to my current doctor about my concerns. Immediately after my acupuncture I took action.

Dropped by my doctor’s office to book an appointment
Drove to the blood bank and was able to donate almost immediately
Received my cool Halloween T-shirt

Some Lessons Learned

First, always notice when something odd crosses your path. It isn’t happenstance. I believe it’s a higher power looking out for you. And who knows, maybe a cool t-shirt will be your reward. Oh and also, blood-letting and fear make for a different Halloween story.

I don’t know if I have hemochromatosis and probably won’t know for months. But I feel much better taking the initiative to follow the suggested treatment while helping others with a blood donation. It is one of the easiest ways you can help your fellow man.

If you’re in Central Florida on December 15, 2019, I’m teaching an Introduction to Japanese Meditation class. Stay tuned for more information or even better, sign up for my weekly newsletter. You’ll never miss a blog or an announcement.

Warmly,
Dawn

How to Create Flower Essence

Flowers bring me so much joy, learning how to create flower essence drew me to a class at Bok Tower Gardens. Our instructor, Stephen Kane, a certified herbalist and member of the Bok Education staff, presented information on the origin of flower essence, the steps to create our own, and provided everything we needed.

The history of flower essence

A physician in England, Dr. Edward Bach, left his lucrative practice in London to pursue research into the effects of flowers as a homeopathic method for treatment of various physical ailments. By 1932 at the age of 46, he had developed his first of 15 remedies. His estate in Oxfordshire still produces his remedies and they can be purchased online. Since his method of determining the proper combination of flower essence shifted from the scientific method toward an intuitive one, why can’t anyone create flower essence themselves, for their own health?

How to determine which flowers to use

Like Stephen Kane, I also believe our intuition will guide us to the flowers we need. He asked us to close our eyes and imagine which flower to use. For me, the image of Horsemint immediately came to my mind. As both a gardener and a life long student of botany, I’m familiar with many native Florida plants. I knew exactly where this plant grew in the Polinator Garden. There is an understanding at Bok Tower Gardens that visitors refrain from picking flowers for obvious reasons. Imagine my surprise when I saw Horsemint as one of the dozen flowers Stephen had collected.

Combining multiple flowers

Stephen recommended we limit combining flowers for essence to five different types. Our table of flowers was next to a rosemary hedge. I felt as drawn to it as I was to the Horsemint, adding 2 of the blue flowers. Similarly, as I returned to the line of flower choices, the rose seemed to call me forward. I picked two of the swollen green rose hips with the drying stamens tickling my fingers and added four petals to the mix. Finally, I pinched a single Spanish needle flower as Stephen had told us it has amazing antibacterial properties.

Final Steps for Flower Essence

We all screwed the lids on tightly and turned our squat mason jars upside down on the sunny mulch of nearby fruit trees. As time was limited by the class restraints some took their’s home to stew longer. I continued with the process. First I turned the jar right side up. Then I fished out the flower material, and topped off the container with French Brandy to preserve the flower essence indefinitely.

The process was so easy, I created a new batch this morning using two different native Passion flowers from my pesticide-free garden. Butterflies are some of my favorite visitors. Consequently, I planted Passiflora incarnata for the Gulf fritillary larvae and Passiflora suberosa, known commonly as corky stem Passion flower to attract the state butterfly, Zebra longwing. Earlier this year I captured a video of Zebra longwings in their air dance.

Tips and Process for Creating Flower Essence

NOTE: Most prescription drugs and over the counter drugs are derived from plants. As there can be reactions between these types of drugs, so too can there be reactions with homemade flower essence. Always consult your physician and pharmacist before combining flower essence with drugs you are taking.

Use glass containers throughout. Mason jars are readily available and inexpensive.
Water needs to be pure, or local without additives. Well water is the best option, but if unavailable let tap water stand uncovered overnight.
Select flowers in a pesticide-free environment, ask permission, and always take only what you need. Wild plants are ideal.
NOTE: if you have any allergic reaction (itchy or watery eyes, swelling or rash) to handling the flowers, don’t use them to make essence.
Wash your hands and pick the flowers by pinching them off the plant. Clean in between plants with you are harvesting a variety of flowers that will not be combined.
Limit flower combinations to five different types.
Tighten the lid and let the flower / water mixture sit outside in the sun a few hours.
Remove all the plant material and toss into your garden or compost pile.
Top off the container with brandy, plain vodka, or apple cider vinegar as a preservative.
To use, add one or two drops to a container of water. Yes, homeopathy is all about less is more.

Warmly,
Dawn

Finding Similarity in Contrast

Yesterday I found similarity in contrast. My trainer brought in boxing gloves in our morning session and I experienced my first restorative yoga class that night.

What are your feelings about boxing?

My first husband loved watching boxing. However, when he turned the channel to catch a championship or Olympic match, I walked out of the room. When I had stayed to watch, I felt every jab, cut, and broken nose as the fighters in the rink fought to annihilate their opponent. It seemed barbaric to want to see something so foreign to me.

What about boxing for exercise?

I have complete confidence in my trainer’s ability to sense my strength and my weakness. He will count off the bicep curls or tricep extensions, watching my form, determination, and sweat dripping from my brow. If there is any hint of going too far, he backs off, ending the reps with a high five. He knows I give 110% and I know he’ll protect me from my enthusiasm.

But seeing the boxing gloves in Darrin’s hand, I was curious how the training session would progress. He gave me explicit direction and soon I was completely comfortable in the dance of shadow boxing. Even the roadwork portion had a rhythm that felt easy and natural. In the thirty minute aerobic portion of my workout my opinion of boxing evolved from extreme distaste to curious fascination.

My life yoga experience

Similarly, my experience with yoga has been a love-hate relationship. During my teenage years, I went to Hatha Yoga at a local recreation center and loved it. I bought a mat, found a book with illustrations and practiced on my own, even mastering the headstand pose. My enthusiasm dwindled when the classes stopped. The yoga mat disappeared from my life.

In my fifties, I picked it up again during a lunchtime opportunity at work. Once again, the classes dried up.

Then I found Dahn Yoga in 2015. I really liked the activation of the body’s energy center prior to the actual yoga and shared the techniques with my mother. You know the scenario. I fell out of the practice. But here’s where my mother and I are very different. She still practices Dahn Yoga every day at the age of ninety-one.

Now, yoga has stepped into my life again. During my retreat last month in the Poconos, each morning our classroom was transformed into a yoga studio led by Kristina Coll, one of the retreat leaders. I participated in every session, adjusted the pose to my ability and found it both enjoyable and invigorating. When I heard about the restorative yoga class, I immediately signed up, curious and open-minded about this new-to-me yoga.

What is restorative yoga?

Restorative Yoga is the practice of asanas, each held for longer than in conventional classes, often with the support of props such as folded blankets, to relax the body. During my class with Kelly Andrews I felt a calmness in my body and soul. Now I see how easily her HearthMath system can fit into my existing meditation practice.

My takeaway from yesterday’s similarity in contrast is a reminder that judgement reduces my quality of life. Openness and curiosity lift my mood and elevate my life in all ways. I encourage you to look at new experiences as opportunities to grow.

Warmly,
Dawn