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Brown Bear Herbs' Blog

Book Review: The Trauma Informed Herbalist by Elizabeth Guthrie, PhD

Book Review: The Trauma Informed Herbalist by Elizabeth Guthrie, PhD

The Trauma Informed Herbalist by Elizabeth Guthrie is an excellent introduction to how healers can be more considerate and aware of trauma. Trauma, in this book, refers to a personal reaction to a range of negative experiences such as ongoing microaggressions related to race, ableism, weight, etc. and PSTD from domestic violence and sexual abuse. 

Guthrie, PhD in Natural Medicine, delves into various areas we can all be more sensitive and gives examples and insight from years of personal experience, professional experience, and research. She provides a comprehensive resource list of books covering areas where she lacks first-hand experience. 

Instead of going into depth on herbs, she provides an overview of ways to support people and avoid triggering them. Guthrie looks at how and when to use essential oils, yoga, energy healing, environmental choices, thoughtful language, offers a substantial section on flower essences, and discusses some herbs

I was hoping for more discussion of herbs given the title. I do appreciate the book and the pathway of discovery it opens up.  I recommend this read for people working with others who would like to be more thoughtful about trauma in their practice and/or life. Check it out, and invite in the information for your development.

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Corn Silk-Materia Medica

Corn silk has some really great benefits for bladder health including UTI's and bedwetting/urinary incontinence. I also like it as a support for people with corn sensitivities. If you have anaphylaxis from corn, I do not recommend corn silk. If you have an allergy to corn silk the antidote is gentian. https://brownbearherbs.com/products/c...

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Article on Herbal Treatment of COVID-19 by Stephen Harrod Buhner

Article on Herbal Treatment of COVID-19 by Stephen Harrod Buhner

Suggested Protocols 

General protective: Shuanghuanglian formulation. (Note: this was found in the earlier SARS outbreak in China to help considerably – a review of the already mentioned mechanisms indicates why. It is now being tested in clinical trials in China for treatment of Cov-19 infections). The formulation is composed of Forsythia suspensa fruit (2 parts), Lonicera japonica (1 part), Scutellaria baicalensis (1 part). Suggested dosage: 1 tsp 3x daily. (I would also take with this the immune formulation from the following protocol in order to activate the most effective healthy immune function for this particular viral pathogen.) SARS-group Treatment Protocol: This is composed of three tincture formulations, as follows. 

1) Core formulation: Scutellaria baicalensis (3 parts), Polygonum cuspidatum (2 parts), Pueraria (2 parts), Glycyrrhiza (1 part), decocted Sambucus leaf tincture (1 part). Dosage: 1 tsp 3x day, if acute 1 tsp 6x day. 

2) Immune formulation: Cordyceps (3 parts), Angelica senensis (2 parts), Rhodiola (1 part), Astragalus (1 part). Dosage: Same as number one. 

3) Cellular protection/cytokine modulation/spleen-lymph support: Salvia miltiorrhiza (3 parts), Ceanothus (2 parts), Bidens pilosa (1 part). Dosage: Same as number one. 

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