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We all go through periods of upheaval in our lives at some point, often individually or on a smaller community level.

Right now, many of us are feeling the immensity of upheaval on a collective level.

Even if you're feeling some ground, there's a real uncertainty about what happens next.

When we're faced with this combination of both acute and chronic stress, it can take a toll on many systems of the body - including our hormones.

So, what can we do? What strategies are available that are simple and effective - both in the moment of acute stress and long term over the course of time to enhance stress resilience?

There are countless ways to caretake our nervous systems.

In today's episode, I share about three categories - breathwork, food choices and herbs - to support the tending of your nerves.

And well, I offer a fourth bonus category at the end, too.

The truth is that a multi-layered approach is going to be far more effective at cultivating resilience and more ease. But it doesn't have to be hard.

These practices are all accessible, and you can choose what you feel most drawn to. Start there. Let it be easy.

Listen to learn:

• the difference between acute and chronic stress
• the most important thing to consider when stressors get overwhelming
• a couple of breathwork practices to calm the stress response
• some foods that can help ground and relax you
• when to consider adaptogens vs nervines
• some examples of relaxing and sedative nervines
• a simple self-oiling practice to enhance relaxation

Resources:

• Sign up for the upcoming Herbal Uterine Tonics class! March 12th
• Today's shownotes: See hand positions for alternate nostril breathing etc
• Episode 19: How stress messes with your hormones
• Episode 32: Motherwort herbal spotlight
• Episode 44: Bitters + hormonal balance
• Episode 50: Adaptogens + hormonal health
• Episode 97: Nourish your nervous system with Ayurveda

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.

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Fascia connects every structure in our bodies. While commonly just thought of as a layer of connective tissue, fascia has a sentience unto itself.

It's more than just collagen, elastin and the gel-like ground substance it's made of... it holds memory too (whether physical, emotional, or otherwise).

Today's guest, nutritionist-herbalist-author Lisa Masé has been diving deeply into world of fascia over the past year.

In our conversation, Lisa shares about what fascia is and how it can shift between different states (more fluid, like seaweed in the ocean) or more tense (dry, cracky, almost like dried seaweed).

And she also shares all about how we can sense the fascia in our own bodies, as well as ways we can nourish the fluid state of fascia through our food and herbs.

It's a rich exploration into this fascinating connective tissue that is basically a web throughout our bodies.

Our bodies are so much more than what we can see and even study from a physical, material level -- they carry such wisdom we can learn from.

Fascia is one way we can tune in.

Listen to learn:

• what fascia is and where it lies in your body
• how to begin to sense fascia in your own body
• what you can eat to nourish the fluidity of your facia
• herbal allies for encouraging softness in your fascia
• an guided practice you can do to experience your fascia

Resources:

• Sign up for my upcoming Herbal Uterine Tonics class at Earth Body School (Mar 12th, recording available)
• Today's shownotes: Grab links to all of Lisa's offerings here!
• Episode 21: How disordered eating affects menstrual cycles with Lisa Masé
• Episode 58: Gut health and your hormones
• Episode 77: Myofascial release for breast, chest & pelvic bowl

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.

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What do you think of when you hear the term "leaky gut"?

It's such a common reference, and often people even have a sense that it may be at the root of their digestive challenges (or at least a part of them).

But how many of us actually know what it means - and how impactful it is on our whole health (including hormonal health!), not just gastrointestinal issues?

In this week's episode, functional dietitian and nutritionist Nour Zibdeh demystifies this condition, including sharing about the physiology of the gut lining and what's really going on, and what is actually able to pass through when the intestinal cells become more permeable.

She also speaks to how to know you might be experiencing it, and what some of the causes are (think, almost everything in modern life).

It's really an illuminating conversation that spans current scientific research and clinical practice - to bring you practical information that can help you consider whether your gut health might be something to tend to and if so, some initial steps you can take to begin supporting yourself.

Listen to learn:

• what leaky gut is - from a cellular level to a symptom level
• what's actually passing through the GI walls
• how to tell if you might be experiencing leaky gut
• some of the common causes of intestinal permeability
• lab tests that can help determine whether you might have it
• how to begin tending your GI tract if you suspect it

Resources:

• Today's shownotes: Grab links to Nour's work, courses + Youtube
• Episode 44: Bitters and hormonal health
• Episode 58: Gut health and your hormones

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.

Support the show

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Midwinter can feel like such a draggy time characterized by cold days, lots of time inside, and often low mood and lack of inspiration - especially for people of the earth who love being outside with the plants!

What are some ways you can bring the herbs into your winter routine?

What if it can be simple?

In this episode, I share how to incorporate herbs into teas, broths and tinctures -- both from a very simple intuitive, creative lens and also a more intentional, structured lens.

It's easy to forget about how many herbs you may have access to already, some of which may even be in your spice cabinet already.

If you're curious about some possible ways to practice herbalism in the winter, and start simple formulation for yourself and your family, this episode is perfect for you.


Listen to learn:

• the keys to effective formulation
• how to simply add herbs into your winter routine
• some restorative tonic herbs to add to your broths
• ideas about getting to know herbs you already have access to

Resources:

• Today's shownotes: Midwinter herbalism - teas, broths, tinctures
• Sign up for the Natural Contraception waitlist
• Sacred Window Podcast (interview w me): Lost Art of Restorative Tonics
• Episode 12: The simple + sacred practice of making teas
• Episode 22: Stinging nettles herbal spotlight
• Episode 82: How to make oxymels, vinegars + shrubs

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.

Support the show

Click here to send me a quick message :)

TW: addiction, sexual trauma, pelvic pain

I've been reading Gabor Maté recently, and learning about the undeniable link between trauma and addiction, and feeling just how much that plays out in our world.

According to today's guest - yoga therapist Rosemary Holbrook - addiction is often more of a symptom of past trauma.

Her story of how she went from addiction (and sexual trauma which led to chronically painful intercourse the medical model had nothing to offer for) to being pain-free, and experiencing pleasure and a healthy relationship is illuminating.

Honestly, I think it's important to speak to these topics here because they are so common in our communities, and often hidden and NOT talked about.

Without sharing any of the details, we dive into the flow of events for Rose, and how yoga, Jyotish astrology and Ayurveda were keys along her healing journey.

She also speaks to to the transformational experience of being a pelvic floor PT and how she learned to melt away the tension "down there" so she no longer experiences pain, and instead can experience pleasurable sex.

More than anything, she speaks to the importance of learning to be more fully in her body, feel her emotions and cultivate healthy self- and relationship patterns.

Far beyond just yoga asanas, It's been a whole life, truly integrative path for her.

If you're on a pelvic pain, addiction or trauma healing journey, this episode is made for you.

Listen to learn:

• how sexual trauma can be overlooked "on paper"
• Rose's story from addiction to recovery through yoga
• how her pelvic pain and tension impacted sex and childbirth
• what interoception is and why it's key to understand
• a surprising moment for her after Hurricane Helene and how she navigated it
• the reality of healing as a spiral not a straight line

Resources:

• Today's shownotes: Grab links to Rose's offerings
• Free guided meditation: Womb Connection and clearing
• Episode 16: Healing from narcissistic abuse w Amy Branum
• Episode 61: How to heal trauma w embodied listening w Dr Emily Wilson
• Episode 119: Clearing, tending, releasing womb trauma w Dr Sarah Wylie

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.

Support the show

Support the show

Click here to send me a quick message :)

Most of us move through life on auto-pilot, which makes so much sense. The pace of everything is fast and requires so much of our attention.

It's easy to end up stressed, frazzled, burnt out and feel like our cups are only half full - especially when we're mothers or parents, caregivers in any capacity, healing arts practitioners, teachers or facilitators, or just living meaningful lives in any way.

Today's guest, founder and director of the Center for Sacred Window Studies, Christine Eck, shares guidelines she's developed to help herself (and her students) cultivate a healing presence and wellbeing in their lives and practices.

These Universal Mother Principles include:
- Intention
- Simplicity
- Flexibility
- Compassion
- Listening and Intuition
- Grounding
- Non-judgment
- Presence

In other words, a recipe for living a well nourished, meaningful, and generative life.

We chat about how these principles emerged for her, as well as what each of them means in context and some practical examples of ways you can incorporate them into your daily life or practice.

This is such a beautiful, inspiring conversation full of wisdom, relevant throughout all of our womb phases.

Listen to learn:
- how Christine went from a traveling, performing musician to Ayurvedic caregiver
- some insights on the importance of nourishing postpartum care
- how the Universal Mother Principles emerged for Christine
- what each of the principles are in context
- tangible ways to incorporate the principles into your life or practice
- how these can be useful in anything from conflict to client work

Resources:
- Today's shownotes: Get Christine's e-book outlining these principles
- Episode 49: How to create a sacred window w Ashlee Sakaishi Wilkin
- Episode 97: Nourish Your Nervous System with Ayurveda w Kristen Timchak
- Episode 147: Agni? Ayurvedic digestive fire with Kimberly Kubicke
- FREE Womb Connection and Clearing guided visualization

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.

Support the show

Click here to send me a quick message :)

In this generative dark wombspace of the year, you might be starting to dream into some of the herbs you'd like to grow (or harvest) in your garden this year.

So while these three are not necessarily "wintertime" herbs, there are actually plenty of reasons to incorporate them into your wintertime herbal formulas... and they are each potent allies for hormonal health throughout the lifecycle.

First, I share about dandelion, one of the most nutritious and medicinal wild weeds we have -- in abundance. And probably my favorite prebiotic hepatic (liver support) herb. It even works on both phase 1 + phase 2 detox, meaning it can help process and clear excess hormones and wastes from the body especially well.

Then I give a glimpse into the gentle but powerful restorative tonic adaptogen, Schisandra -- also known as the 5 flavored berry. Another herb that ends up in many of my hormonal support formulas, from PMDD to menstrual irregularities to perimenopause.

And finally I explore a little on ashwagandha, an increasingly popular herbal medicine often touted for stress resilience and sleep. But an equally powerful herb for hormonal regulation and especially low thyroid conditions (including postpartum).

Some key herbs for menstrual, hormonal and sexual health.

Resources:

• Today's shownotes: Winter herbal lovin'
• Episode 11: Dandelion herbal spotlight
• Episode 40: Schisandra herbal spotlight
• Episode 86: Ashwagandha herbal spotlight
• Free guide: Gardening for Menstrual + Hormonal Health

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.

Support the show

Click here to send me a quick message :)

Our wombspaces are SO MUCH MORE than our menstrual cycles. They are locations of profound power, pleasure, wisdom and great teachings.

In this week's medley episode, I bring together three episodes that illustrate some of the depth and breadth of the palace of the pelvis.

First, I offer an invitation to consider your wombspace as not just a physical location in your body, but a place of sacredness, an actual altar, that you can offer your presence and care to.

Next, I share a snippet of a conversation with Stacey Ramsower, who beautifully articulates the interplay of grief and pleasure -- specifically in the postpartum time, but it can be applied to any time when our identities are massively changing.

And finally, I share a glimpse into the potent conversation I had with Abigail Rose Clarke about the mesentery -- which is the embryological origin of all the abdominal organs, and has so much to wisdom about how strength is not just about being firm and solid, but also about being soft and nurturing.

I honestly just loved these conversations when I had them, and realize they're from long enough ago you may not have listened to them, so I highly recommend diving in -- especially in this wombspace of the year as we both reflect on what we've passed through in 2024, and look to where we're going in 2025.

On this new moon, may you feel more connected to your wombspace, to the wisdom and teachings held there, and to the seeds of possibility you're generating in the palace of your pelvis as we enter into the wheel of this new year.

Happy new year, beautiful friends. Let's bring some magic into this one.

Resources:

• Listen to the full episodes:
  • Episode 34: What if your womb was an altar
  • Episode 65: Grief + pleasure w Stacy Ramsower
  • Episode 93: Teachings of the mesentery with Abigail Rose Clarke
• Free guided visualization: Womb connection and clearing practice

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you. ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal concerns.

Support the show