Plants are Superhero’s of Health
5 Earthly Substances to Keep in the Medicine Cabinet
Nettle (Internal and external): Master of medicinal plants. Stinging nettle is my favorite plant of all time and overall whom I believe helped further my interest in consuming plant medicine on a regular basis. When ingested it is full of immune boosting properties, vitamins A,C, D, E, K and folate. Antioxidants pack a punch for immune disorders, one of the richest supplements every dose is a mother load of longevity. Funny as it is often labeled as a weed and replaced with kinder, less stabbing plants. To anyone who can stand a little sting or chooses to walk on the wild side, harvesting stinging nettle or using it to lightly whip oneself with fresh branches has been proven to relive arthritis, joint pain, inflammation, and pent up energies in chakras (if you believe sorcery).
Probiotics (Internal): These babies are highly under rated when it comes to healing you from the inside out. Often auto immune stems from our gut, and taking probiotics on a daily basis can help keep our gut biomes balanced, healthy, less likely to be affected by other bacteria's that inflame symptoms. After taking any steroid or antibiotic it is essential to take probiotics to re set the gut biome.(Ladies, these magical creatures also balance bacterial vaginosis and keep your downstairs fresh. Not forgetting our manly men, they help hair growth, unhealthy feeling poops, and mood enhancement). Basically they are our bodies helpers, like a nanny or a handyman to keep everything in order functioning happily. (BE SURE to keep them refrigerated!)
Turkey Tail (Internal): An absolute banger of fungi, turkey tail is not a one trick pony. These striped magicians grow in forests and can be harvested/dried/ground up into capsules straight from your backyard. A liver booster, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory on one hand while the other strengthens cognitive function and muscles. Turkey tail is also used to help our responses to cancer medication, UTI's, and immune system functions. They don't stop there! Both nervous systems and gut biomes benefit from daily doses of tail.
Arnica (Internal and external): Internal treatment can be taken under the tongue in the form of a bead-let found in most pharmacies over the counter. Topical treatment for sore inflamed areas, arnica is a warrior in skin penetration and immediate relief. Salves mixed with beeswax, coconut oil, jojoba oil may all offer a cooling sensation to outbreaks and sensitive areas. Just be sure not to use directly in the nether regions... (Witch hazel for hemorrhoids is a different story). Arnica is a front line battalion against pain because it reduces inflammation to the affected area, increases overall blood flow and is anti microbial (Anti microbial allows the medicine to be absorbed and processed more easily).
Ginger (Internal): Ginger root consumed as a tea, in soup, or steamed with meals is suggested to be an immune booster as well as anti inflammatory. Oftentimes ginger is associated with a sense of heat or sweating. This is not inflammation, it is a "thermogenic" reaction. Basically our body heats up but it is not localized to a specific area like inflammation.
It all started with a single spot on my skin the size of a nail head, a red inflamed bump, somewhere between my neck and clavicle. After visiting a local PD I was said to have a rash and given steroids to beat out the bastard. Alas the joke was on me, as within three days my entire body was covered with the same size red bumps, almost as if I had chicken pox. Hastily I visited a dermatologist (bless them) who immediately diagnosed me with psoriasis. She said the particular steroid they had given me caused an allergic reaction and my immune system would no longer function properly.
"Medication can help," she looked at me with a slight amount of empathy.
My heart pounding, unsure of the medical system, I refused medication, quit oral contraceptives, "annual" vaccines and went on with my life.
Over the years I learned about diet, exercise, and stress being triggers of auto immune/ inflammation. Because I was raised on eggo waffles and corn on the cob this process was not only a learning curve but a necessary realization. Cutting out gluten, processed sugar, being aware of my inputs began to lesson my symptoms. The spots receded to elbows and knees with occasional flare ups. I was hell bent on finding my own treatment because I realized the doctors were required to advocate certain medication for insurance purposes. Even further crossing a personal boundary came to find out they were banned from recommending herbal treatments for these same insurance companies to peddle outdated medications when better options were available. Treating human population like a storage unit that needs to be emptied of old junk...Treating symptoms instead of teaching us how to be healthy.
One month ago I visited a dermatologist for the first time since my diagnosis because I was experiencing joint , nerve pain and increased outbreaks. For the first time someone was honest with me about psoriasis medication being an immune suppressant. She furthered to tell me there was a different biological medication that she had seen clear psoriasis in EVERY patient, yet was unable to offer it to me due to my insurance. I pushed further, offering to pay out of pocket and she shook her head while telling me it was out of any price range, even her own...The funny thing is I left that office with more gratitude doctors and appreciation than I had in over fifteen years. She refused the normal and told me straight forward how it is. After ten years of progress in the medical field, all the dermatologist can offer us "low income" folk is dusty leftover drugs on the shelf...
After ten years of infrared light, diet changes, and refusing "normally recommended" treatment I can say I manage my disorder on a daily basis. Although flare ups occur, and my joint areas usually have slight inflammation, I am medication free from a lifelong disease. I am writing this because I hope it inspires people who continually suffer physical or mental barriers and do not receive information about alternative options. Even the word alternative where I come from in the Midwest is taboo, but we have a lot to learn from our ancestors and a few doctors who choose to dance delicately between law and sharing true knowledge. Herbal medicine has absolutely changed my life, longevity, and auto immune symptoms.
Article by: Medusa G Rilla
