This week we meditated with bitter root, kū shēn, 苦参, Sopharae Flavesentis, an herb of Chinese Classical Medicine.
Pre Meditation
Bitter!!!! I am guessing this herb is high in alkaloids. It tastes a little milder than Calea Zacatechichi (to give both a little perspective). It is very intense.
Meditation 1
Me: I feel activated on the left side of my brain. The question is, "If you are having trouble with this side of your brain, what happens with the other side?" The other side becomes enhanced and functions better.
My daughter: I had a vision, there were some sticks, like the kind for stirring paint. They were wrapped in wool and people were pouring gasoline on them and burning them. I was seeing a lot of smoke and flames.
Meditation 2
Me: I felt a lot of stimulation in my head/brain. It started on the left side, moved across the bridge of my nose (but also within but in the area), and continued to move. It was very stimulating and motivating.
My daughter: There was looked like a leaf. From the stem to the tip, a bunch of black, rotting decay was growing up it. Somebody lit the top of the leave on fire, the tip, and it was burning. I was upset about it. I then fell asleep.
Summary and Traditional Use
Kū shēn is commonly used topically to heal a wide variety of skin conditions. The image above shows kū shēn (top central with peas in pods to the left) with a variety of other cosmetic herbs. It usually treats damp, hot, itchy (wind), sometimes drainging sores, which includes eczema, boils, scabies, fungal infections, some sexually transmitted infections, and more skin issues that are hot, damp, and itchy. The images of fire, give a feeling for the energy that kū shēn helps pacify. Topically it is typically prepared as an infusion or used in vinegar.
The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica (Wilms, 2017, p184) lists this herb as non-toxic. One source noted this was a toxic herb and to be used externally. Other bitter herbs (such as blue vervain) are also catergorized in this way, however due to how bitter kū shēn and blue vervain are (not the only two examples) it is unlikely anyone could stomach drinking enough to have problems with toxicity. That said, use with caution. It can cool the body/clear heat through urination. Internally it is also used for jaundice, dysentary (perhaps Alyssa's experience with the stomach ache, was showing this presentation), and cystitis (cooling through urination). The Divine Farmer's Materia Medica, also indicates this herb is good for stopping lingering dripping after urination and stops tearing. It also brightens the eyes. The eyes (in Chinese medicine) and jaundice and related to the liver and wind. Wind is related to neurological functioning. So that may explain the healing that I felt in my head/brain. I am also having some dripping issues which may be related. At any rate, this herb is a strong medicine that should be used with care for conditions that do have a strong heat component. It is contraindicated when there is a cold spleen or deficient stomach.
Invitation
Have you worked with ku shen before? If so please share below. If you haven't used it yet, consider trying it for your next damp, hot, oozing skin condition (lol, hopefully that will never happen, but just in case!), and let us know what happens.