Many Paths To Healing

I remember back 5 years ago when I was in massage school. Very intense study of anatomy, physiology, and pathology. Sometime toward the end a new class emerged, massage 4. This was a required class and we were the first to have to attend. It was prep for the National Certification Exam. As I sit down and TJ our instructor passed out the curriculum, we opened it up and several students raised their hands in outrage. What the hell is this! This doesn't make any sense at all. Meridians, Chakras, Ayurveda, what does that have to do with massage. Why in the hell are they requiring us to learn this stuff. You see everyone in the class was a Western medical major, not Eastern technique, so they did not understand the usefulness of the instruction. The hands on state exam was coming up and we were burdened with having to remember every action, orgin, insertion, pathology and contraindications, all with a proctor monitoring your every move. Nice time to through in this! This was not anything at all like our previous classes. The fear and outrage was understandable considering this is a whole new way of learning and moving from one mindset to another can be quite the shocker. You really have to think outside the box to wrap your mind around it.
Class would go something like this. Every day we would start the class with Makko Ho stretches, special exercises for each meridian. We would all be on tables and TJ would have us find a Qi point " no that is not quite right, you have to feel the energy" Feel the energy? This was not like finding the tibial tuberosity, the bone is right there, how do you feel the energy? Blockage of Qi flow, elements, meridians, a new understanding of organs. I loved the class from the start. For me it was a welcome vacation from the memorizing and logical approach to the western style (although I loved that as well). You really had to forget everything you thought you knew. I see now where the National board was going with requiring this study. There are many pathways to healing. There are unseen forces, there are ways of listening, feeling, observing that differ from just regurgitating memorized information when you hear a symptom or problem of a client. We spent 4 months touching on Chinese, Ayurveda, and cranial sacral therapy. Not enough time I know to really master any of these techniques. It does however give the practitioner a few tools they can use, open the mind to new observations, feel and observe energy flow, think of healing in a new way. I do recognize energy, and amazingly have observed as a client released an emotional problem to have the physical one disappear at the same moment. Blockage of Qi flow does not seem so strange to me now. Learning all the points and meridians was useful, I use acupressure any where any time, unlike a full session where the client disrobes. I can also apply what I learned to herbal medicine, for example there are certain points that are particularly valuable in stimulating and strengthening the immune system, great to incorporate into a overall wellness routine. The 5 elements interact with each other the same way they do in nature, and the elements have associated organs, seasons, tastes, feeling, & body regions. A clients symptoms could show an imbalance in an element which governs other organ systems. In Ayurveda, people have unique constitutions that may assist in assessing a client, these constitutions are also associated with wind, fire, water, the 6 tastes. Of course this is just a brief description.
With Western herbal medicine there is not an exact system, or perhaps there are many styles within the one Western style. I like this because I feel comfortable with incorporating other styles and using many tools. There is always more to learn. The more you know the more you realize you don't know. We can always explore and continue to learn. Opening up to the energy of plants and people is a start. Realizing that there is not always an easy answer. Really stopping to observe. Holding true to our intuition, imagination, and knowledge. Working with the plants to try to better understand their language as well as the language of our bodies, turning to our spirituality at times, and using our logical left brain when necessary.
oh and one more lesson I learned from massage that I also apply to herbal medicine. We do not strive to be perfect, and we are not all flawed. When a massage client comes in you try to achieve the right balance for that individual, every body is different, we are not robots all with the same posture, metabolism, body type, what is normal for Dave may not be normal for Jane. This is also true of herbal medicine. This is why I detest the cleansing programs that are selling for 100's of dollars, oh but every one is dirty, everyone needs it, before they can continue with any other herbal therapy, this is the answer to all your health problems. BS Let's focus on nourishing our bodies, living passionately (which may mean sugar or a drink every once in a while God forbid), and taking care of ourselves emotionally & spiritually.

A fun Ayurveda Taste Exercise
First smell the test object. Place a small amount in your mouth. Really focus, allow the taste to penetrate you. Focus on this taste for at least 5 minutes.

Sweet you may use sugar, very revealing!
Bitter Gentain, Dandelion, Endive etc
Sour Lemon, vit C etc
Salty Salt, Kelp etc
Pungent Ginger, Garlic, Elecampane etc
Astringent Black Tea, Blackberry Leaf, Oak Bark etc

What kind of visions does the taste stimulate?
What kind of sound do you associate with it?
What feeling or body sensation does it evoke?
How would you imagine it moving?
How would it manifest in your personal relationships?
What kind of work would fit this taste?
How do you imagine this flavor in your community?
How would this taste manifest in the spirit?
Are you attracted or repulsed to the taste?
Do you feel you need more or less of the taste?

Energetics the effect taste has on the body
Heating: pungent sour salty
Cooling: bitter astringent sweet
Tastes and Organs
excess sweet disturbs the spleen
excess pungent disturbs the lungs
excess bitter disturbs the heart
excess salty disturbs the kidneys
excess sour disturbs the liver
excess astringent disturbs the colon

resource: Pathways to healing Don Ollisin

Cox 2 herbs

I got this in my in box today

Need to know if you have any information about Jaramla, (Phyllanthus amarus) I am trying to get it growing, but am having a hard time getting it germinate. What I have read it is suppose to be able to use as a pain reliver instead of aspirin.
So did a little google searching and came up with the below study, not a fan of animal studies (that is for another post)

Phyllanthus amarus has anti-inflammatory potential by inhibition of iNOS, COX-2, and cytokines via the NF-B pathway

http://archive.mail-list.com/hbv_research/msg04786.html

This got me thinking about Cox 2 inhibition herbs. Thought I would write about their benefits. Of course I don't believe in "magic bullets" but these herbs along with a wellness lifestyle, nutrition and exercise can be a great asset!

Green Tea: Has Salicylic acid created from salicin (first found in White Willow) German scientists added acetic acid to salicylic acid and discoverd it chemically buffered the highly irrating effects of the isolated compound- the Aspriin Century began. Ayurveda employed green tea for many medical conditions including fever. The constituents polyphenols (GTP) and antioxidents may be useful in prevention of arthritis. The Napralert Database reports that green tea has 51 anti-inflammatory compounds. Long term consumption of Green tea has been shown to inhibit ulcers that might be triggered by NSAID use. The phytochemical Database reports that green tea has 15 anti ulcer phytonutrients second only to Ginger (17).
Barberry: Contains Berberine which has been used for its ant-inflammatory effects. Catawba Indians in North america used barberry to treat peptic ulcers. In bulgaria and Eastern Europe, root extracts of the Berberidacea species where used in chronic inflammatory disorders. A study in Japan of found Chinese Goldenthread and it's constituent berberine where found to supress colon carcinogenesis and to inhibit Cox 2 without inhibiting Cox 1. In other words berberine according to studies has been selected as a Cox 2 inhibitor. Berberine has many benefits across a spectrum of diseases, I still believe in the wisdom of the whole herb approach. Research at Bulgarian Academy of sciences tested the anti-inflammatory capabilities of a full spectrum extract of barberry vrs 5 of it's other active fractions. The total herb extract demonstrated the greatest anti-inflammatory effect. The study also showed that the full spectrum total herb extract was most effective in reducing the inflammation associated with arthritis. The fractions were not as effective.
Holy Basil: The Hindi name tulsi means "matchless" which shows it's importance and status in Ayurvedic medicine. This herb is said to be sacred to the goddess Lakshmi and her divine husband Vishnu the Hindu deities responsible for maintaining balance in life and creation. Ocimun sanctum holy basil (not the same as culonary basil Ocimum basilicum) contains a phytonutrient ursolic acid specifically recognized for it's Cox 2 inhibitory effects. Studies are being conducted on this constuent ursolic acid and oleanolic acid examining it's Cox 2 and cancer preventing effects. Just like green tea, this herb has anti ulcerative effects. There has also been scientific confirmation that holy basil is antimutagenic, radioprotective (protect DNA of body from mutating power of radiation) this could be from sun, radiation therapies et it does not protect us from the exposure rather offers a way to strengthen our defense mechanisms to better withstand it since radiation has a cumulative effect on the body, and has anti tumor effects in human skin, it has also been shown to increase the enzyme called glutathione S trasferase (detoxifying enzyme) activity.
Turmeric: A whole book could be written about this herbs benefits! I have had great success with my massage clients and this herb. Very beneficial with inflammatory conditions such as arthritis. There has been studies that show curcumin and major phytochemical in the root directly inhibited the activity of Cox 2. It has been shown that phytonutrients in turmeric inhibit the mechanism that creates the blood supply needed for tumor growth. Some studies show that turmeric is a colon cancer and skin cancer suppressor. Both topically and orally turmeric is a strong anti-inflammatory The precise way curcumin and turmeric inhibit cox 2 is the subject of continued study. All I know is my clients say it works great for their inflammatory conditions. I prefer the use of the whole herb turmeric, not isolated cucumin (when isolated it is now a pharmaceutical chemical) extract (too much can easily be taken, causing problems having the exact opposite effect of the full spectrum herb turmeric) The combined constituents of the whole herb of turmeric are a natural ant-oxidant have and work synergistically together.
Rosemary: Rosemary is great for just about everything! I have a special relationship with this plant. She talked to me the day my Grandmother passed, I took some with me to the hospital knowing my Grandma was already gone (even though I was not officially told) The herb symbolizes remembrance and to this day I think of Grandma every morning when I go outside and sit by rosemary. I used to gratefully pick a bit off on my way to school before every test for luck, rosemary has traveled with me to every house I have ever lived ( 4 in the last 6 years). Apply rosemary topically for aching muscles. Ursolic acid is also in rosemary possessing a Cox 2 inhibitory effect. Studies have shown that rosemary inhibits the processes that are known to fuel tumor growth. You may want to read my post on rosemary wine as well. I could and will spend a lifetime with this herb and still will never fully understand her, such a deep love and appreciation I have for this plant.
Ginger: In Ayurvedic medicine this herb is known as vishwabhesaj, or the universal medicine. Ginger is another one of my favorites, I used it frequently as a child, I suffered from many stress induced stomach problems. Ginger was my ally again during my pregnancy with Ella. Ginger has about 477 constituents and actions and 500 compounds, Let's just say it is also a Cox 2 inhibitor, it is the opposite of Celebrex (celebrex having only one molecule, designed to do one thing) Ginger also has anti-ulcer effects. Ginger has powerful cox 2 inhibitors and demonstrates 56% inhibition of inflammatory prostaglandins (creation of prostaglandins appears to be mainly a function of cox 2 activity). Ginger along with feverfew contain melatonin, a hormone secreted by the pineal gland and metabolically related to serotonin. So our brain and ginger express the same hormone! Melatonin is structurally related to and internationally recognised NSAID known as indomethacin, and Japanese research confirmed that ginger has at least 4 prostaglandin inhibitors more powerful than indomethacin.
Other herbs with Cox 2 inhibitor benefits:
Baikal Skullcap: Laabiatae, scultellaria Baicalensis
Japanese Knotweed: Polygonacea, Polygonum Cuspidatum
Oregano: Origanum, Vulgare Lamiaceae
Feverfew: Asteraceae, Tanacetum Parthenium
Hops: Cannibinacea, Humulus Lupulus
Omega 3: compliments herbal inhibitin of inflammatory Cox 2

Resource for this post: Beyond Aspirin Thomas M Newmark and Paul Schulick 2000