Tulsi

Winter Herbal Companions Part 1

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This is the first in a series of blog posts where I’ll be sharing about herbs that can be helpful to use in the winter months.

Safety Note: Please remember that each individual person has different wellness needs and responds to herbs in unique and varying ways. Always do your homework and research herbs for yourself, including the contraindications of herbs with pharmaceutical medications or medical conditions, and check with your healthcare practitioner before taking any new medicine, herbal or otherwise.

The Northeast is getting a taste of Winter at last, and at our house soup is simmering on the stove and cups of herbal tea warm us throughout the day. As someone who is waking up to the wonders of herbs a little more each day, I look for ways to bring them into my life each season.

With Winter comes the desire to keep well, to strengthen our immune systems, to aid digestion, to encourage calm and grounding, and to get a good night’s sleep. Over the next few weeks, I’ll share about herbs I am working with as well as why and how I’m using them.

The first herb I’ll introduce is Tulsi. It’s an Indian, Ayurvedic herb in the basil family that grows year-round in warm climates and as an annual in cooler climates. Its minty, floral, herbal aroma and taste has a warming, energizing quality to it.

Why I use it:

  1. Tulsi is beneficial for and supports the respiratory system. It helps keep airways clear and decreases Kapha congestion. If one has a cough or cold, it suppresses coughing (it’s antitussive).
  2. Tulsi strengthens and supports the immune system. In Ayurveda we say that it builds ojas (strength, immune system) and prana (vitality). Read more here.
  3. Tulsi soothes the digestive tract, particularly the colon/large intestine. If you ever have Vata-type issues with your digestion like gas, Tulsi will ease this problem (it’s carminative).
  4. Tulsi is beneficial for moods: helping us cope with stress and feel less depressed or anxious.

How I use it:

  • I drink Tulsi tea. Right after we got our boosters in December, Alan and I drank Tulsi for several days straight. An easy way to make it is in a French press, but you could use a tea strainer as well.
  • I diffuse Tulsi essential oil in this aromatherapy blend.
  • I rub this Immune Boost Balm I made with Tulsi essential oil on my lymph nodes on my neck and under my arms ( as I did after my vaccines and booster) as well as whenever I’m feeling like I need some immune system support. I also will rub the balm on the bottoms of my feet.
  • I also use this massage oil with Tulsi essential oil after a shower when I need a boost.

Want to read more about Tulsi? Check out herbalist Rosalee de la Foret’s article here.

What herbs would you like to learn more about in this space? Let me know in the comments below!

Contraindications: Tulsi is not recommended for those who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or those who are nursing. Also not recommended for those with low blood sugar. Always check with your healthcare practitioner before using any supplement or essential oil.

Health Disclaimer: Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits of any herbs I mention in this blog post are my own opinions and have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease or condition. Please see your health care professional if you need medical treatment of any kind.)

5 Things I Learned In March

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I am a wimp when it comes to books about tragedies and the strain they create on relationships. I really wanted to read The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey–the writing is so beautifully stunning I was re-reading passages by the second page. And the atmosphere is instantly palpable, but the depth of desolation and the emotional distance of the two characters was overwhelming. I’ve read a couple of sad books in a row lately and knew my sensitive heart was not going to be able to handle this tale. At least for now! (But if you are made of stronger stuff, please read it!)

Deadlines make me move forward. I knew I needed to put my aromatherapy certification to good use, so I scheduled aromatherapy events on Facebook and began inviting my friends, emailing folks on my list, and getting the word out. Terrifying, yes, but I’m such a perfectionist I would wait forever if I didn’t take Seth Godin’s advice and just “ship it”! And both my aromatherapy classes were so much fun–I am going to keep creating deadlines to challenge myself toward constant learning and growth, both personally and with my business.

The women in my second aromatherapy class.

I really can avoid a cold. All my life, I thought there was nothing I could do once that scratchy, sore throat started. But now I pull out my arsenal and fight back. My weapons of cold virus destruction? Essential oils such as Lemon, Tulsi, Black Spruce, Niaouli, Cypress, Frankincense, and Helichrysum gymnocephalum. All of them are immune strengthening, decongestant, anti-inflammatory, a lot of them are anti-viral, anti-microbial, analgesic, help with energy levels, etc. This last weekend, I diffused for several hours a day, made myself a personal inhaler, put some on my throat area (diluted, of course), and did self-massage. I also ate plenty of dark, green vegetables, stayed away from sugar (I usually do anyway), and drank tea (Tulsi, Throat Coat, Green). By the second day my sore throat was gone and by the third day, my energy levels rose. Because I want to be sure, I’ll continue to diffuse daily. Click here to read my post on Black Spruce and get some diffuser blends.

I actually like herbal teas. I used to just drink tea for medicinal purposes, but now I’m finding the taste is pleasant. This month I began drinking Lemon Balm when I’m feeling anxious or stressed. I definitely feel calmer. Tulsi tea is another favorite–it’s immune strengthening and it is an adaptogen, which means it should calm me when I’m anxious, boost me when my energy has slumped. I’ve only had a few cups so far, but it seems to have more of an energizing effect. Every body is different, though, so you’ll have to try it for yourself.

Live Streaming on Social Media is fun the second time around. I’ve set up a schedule for Facebook and Instagram Live for my business, Delicata House, and for our musical duo, The Inner Crazy. Since I’ve only done it a few times, I’ve felt unprepared, nervous, and breathless when I go Live on Facebook. Then when I head over to Instagram right afterward and go Live, I feel warmed up and more relaxed. (I know it’s possible to go live on both platforms at once, but I don’t have another spare device to do that right now.) Each week, it gets slightly better as I think about what went well, what didn’t, and how I can improve.

If you want to check it out, my Delicata House schedule is every Tuesday Facebook Live 12pm ET, Instagram Live 12:15 ET. I’m doing a series called “What Should I Do With My Oils?”. Our duo The Inner Crazy does a Facebook Live at 8pm ET and Instagram Live at 8:15pm ET every other Tuesday where we perform a couple of songs and talk all things music-related. Follow Delicata House on Facebook and Instagram and The Inner Crazy on Facebook and Instagram to stay informed of our Live events!

Alright, now it’s your turn! What have YOU learned this month?