We’ve grown weary of the medical merry-go-round—a system hell-bent on fitting everyone into neat little boxes of symptoms and age-related drug-dense prescriptions, while conveniently ignoring the wreckage wildfires left in our health. So we stepped off that path. We’re figuring it out ourselves now.
As someone who suffers from both COPD and PTSD (how easily those acronyms come to mind, yet how much lies behind them!) I can empathise with Geoff. I'm stuck with pills, inhalers and potions - and have to be grateful that at least I am living in the UK, and so under the NHS - not ideal, but still better than is the lot of many people. Thanks for your message, Margie.
Nigel, oh man ... that's tough collection of letters to be burdened by. You are right. The acronyms so easily roll off the tonge, belying the struggle and pain beneath the words. I wish you well. I am glad you are in the UK. The NHS, like Australia's Medicare, saves lives. We still rely on medicine for Geoff's immune condition, and will continue to do so as long as we can and as long as we have access to his excellent specialist ... medicine, in the right hands, and when the system doesn't interfere, can be as miraculous as herbalism. 🙏
Hi Margi. Living in the boreal forest in Canada I can definitely relate. Your imagery captures the sensation quite vividly.
Although I am no herbalist I do have two strategies for improving indoor air quality in fire season that may come in handy for you or anyone that has to deal with fire season.
The first is that smoke molecules are fairly big so that makes them easy to filter. I take a 20"x20" box fan and put a same or larger furnace filter on the intake side. The fan does a great job pulling the air through and the filter takes out the smoke and dust.
The second is spider plants. They are one of only two plants that can breathe in carbon monoxide and breathe out oxygen. They are remarkably good at that task, are easy to care for, and are very hardy. I consider them an essential plant for any household.
Thank you, Brad. I mentioned your fan and filter suggestion to Geoff (and your offgrid no petroluem journey that we both greatly admire) and he's going to implement it. And spider plants! Who knew!! I have 10 or so scattered around the house, so now have twice the reason to love them. They are hardy and replicate themselves so well. It's easy to go from one to a forest!
Just found this Margi. Western medicine treats symptoms, not causes. As someone with an immune system attacking my body, it’s difficult to not believe the causes are environmental. How many foreign compounds can we absorb before our bodies react? I am sorry your husband has been so compromised by the horror of the Black Summer. Truly our health is everything, a lesson not understood until it’s compromised.
Thanks Margi, I trained as a herbalist forty years ago , and worked for 10 years, feeling the pull back to it now as I garden more recognising old friends. Thyme is such a wonderful herbal friend, I have often started my day with thyme tea in hand, tho right now nettle is calling to me more .
I love the nettle in my garden, although working around it can be a little tough! 😉
I am glad you are being pulled back. We need so many more of you ... the practioners of ancient, beautiful wisdom ... as we face the storm rolling towards us. I am hoping to inspire others to train.
Thank you, Neil. Lovely to be connected with you again, BTW. I am planning a few more of these in the coming months. It's an aspect about our community work here that I can speak about.
Thank you, my friend. It sometimes feels like immune compromise is ubiquitous with these perilous times. We've done so much to this planet, and therefore ourselves, it's a wonder humanity is still standing.
As someone who suffers from both COPD and PTSD (how easily those acronyms come to mind, yet how much lies behind them!) I can empathise with Geoff. I'm stuck with pills, inhalers and potions - and have to be grateful that at least I am living in the UK, and so under the NHS - not ideal, but still better than is the lot of many people. Thanks for your message, Margie.
Nigel, oh man ... that's tough collection of letters to be burdened by. You are right. The acronyms so easily roll off the tonge, belying the struggle and pain beneath the words. I wish you well. I am glad you are in the UK. The NHS, like Australia's Medicare, saves lives. We still rely on medicine for Geoff's immune condition, and will continue to do so as long as we can and as long as we have access to his excellent specialist ... medicine, in the right hands, and when the system doesn't interfere, can be as miraculous as herbalism. 🙏
Hi Margi. Living in the boreal forest in Canada I can definitely relate. Your imagery captures the sensation quite vividly.
Although I am no herbalist I do have two strategies for improving indoor air quality in fire season that may come in handy for you or anyone that has to deal with fire season.
The first is that smoke molecules are fairly big so that makes them easy to filter. I take a 20"x20" box fan and put a same or larger furnace filter on the intake side. The fan does a great job pulling the air through and the filter takes out the smoke and dust.
The second is spider plants. They are one of only two plants that can breathe in carbon monoxide and breathe out oxygen. They are remarkably good at that task, are easy to care for, and are very hardy. I consider them an essential plant for any household.
All the best to you!
Thank you, Brad. I mentioned your fan and filter suggestion to Geoff (and your offgrid no petroluem journey that we both greatly admire) and he's going to implement it. And spider plants! Who knew!! I have 10 or so scattered around the house, so now have twice the reason to love them. They are hardy and replicate themselves so well. It's easy to go from one to a forest!
Just found this Margi. Western medicine treats symptoms, not causes. As someone with an immune system attacking my body, it’s difficult to not believe the causes are environmental. How many foreign compounds can we absorb before our bodies react? I am sorry your husband has been so compromised by the horror of the Black Summer. Truly our health is everything, a lesson not understood until it’s compromised.
Deeply personal. Thank you for continually sharing your warmth, insights, thoughts and feelings. Always look forward to walking with you in my mind.
🙏
A really nice bit of writing. thank you. I know nothing about herbalism, but you make me want to appreciate it more.
Thank you, for the praise. Given how much you comb through every day, it is an honour to recieve. 🙏
Thanks Margi, I trained as a herbalist forty years ago , and worked for 10 years, feeling the pull back to it now as I garden more recognising old friends. Thyme is such a wonderful herbal friend, I have often started my day with thyme tea in hand, tho right now nettle is calling to me more .
I love the nettle in my garden, although working around it can be a little tough! 😉
I am glad you are being pulled back. We need so many more of you ... the practioners of ancient, beautiful wisdom ... as we face the storm rolling towards us. I am hoping to inspire others to train.
Really appreciate this recognition and encouragement, Margi, it has been back of my mind for awhile to brush up my knowledge and share it
Totally with you there - not a fan of pharma and working on learning how to address issues through intuitive healing. Lots of changes coming x
Lots of changes, indeed. 🧡
Thanks Margi, powerful as always. Much love to you and your family from Anne and I in Belgium. xx
Thank you, Neil. Lovely to be connected with you again, BTW. I am planning a few more of these in the coming months. It's an aspect about our community work here that I can speak about.
Yes. This.
🙏
Thank you, my friend. It sometimes feels like immune compromise is ubiquitous with these perilous times. We've done so much to this planet, and therefore ourselves, it's a wonder humanity is still standing.