SheCircle went virtual for the first time this week. As we gathered Women from all over the world joined in our theme of "common humanity". Being in a global pandemic is for the courageous and the bold and that is what I saw and heard during this time together. I was so touched by the messages I received from so many after about how this time had left them renewed. I was aware personally how painful change is and
how having this experience virtually is different, and yet adjusting to something new is a beautiful process. Below is the reading that Ana gave and also her notes on Astragulus for immune support. Looking forward to seeing you all and more Sunday where our theme will be "space".
"As you move through these changing times... be easy on yourself and be easy on one another. You are at the beginning of something new. You are learning a new way of being. You will find that you are working less in the yang modes that you are used to.
You will stop working so hard at getting from point A to point B the way you have in the past, but instead, will spend more time experiencing yourself in the whole, and your place in it.
Instead of traveling to a goal out there, you will voyage deeper into yourself. Your mother's grandmother knew how to do this. Your ancestors from long ago knew how to do this. They knew the power of the feminine principle... and because you carry their DNA in your body, this wisdom and this way of being is within you.
Call on it. Call it up. Invite your ancestors in. As the yang based habits and the decaying institutions on our planet begin to crumble, look up. A breeze is stirring. Feel the sun on your wings."
by the Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers
Astragalus
I want to talk about this herb because I think it’s a very important one to help support our system right now
It’s known as a ‘LONGEVITY’ HERB- commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine
It’s an herb that I take regularly (by simmering the root for up to 12 hours - and drinking as tea or using it as a soup stalk).
It is most effective when used long term on a daily basis to support healthy immune function- best used as a preventative.
I’m not saying this will keep you from getting sick, but it can support a strong healthy bio-terrain so that your body is more resilient and can potentially help lessen symptoms and shorten the duration of an illness.
Restores and maintains immune function.
It’s an overall body tonic that has the ability to stimulate certain immune functions while also depressing others- in other words, its an adaptogen- searching your body and giving it what it needs- finding balance.
It’s particularly important right now because it supports lung and heart health- it can help clear congestion. AND it has anti- viral & bacterial properties
And can reduce inflammation
It can also help the body assimilate the nutrients from foods.
It protects CHI- known as ‘life force’ in Chinese medicine and can really help those who experience fatigue.
It can also help reduce fever due to its blood thinning properties ( I would say be careful if giving to children because of this- you can, but not as strong)
It’s not meant to replace, anything else you might want to use for fevers, but to support.
It balances salt and water in the body which can help with heart and kidney functions.
If you can’t find the root or prefer, you can take it in caps.
A note of caution - it’s generally incompatible with prescription meds taken after a heart attack as well as for people with auto-immune or hyper immune issues who are on meds. Also not to be taken before surgery due to it’s blood thinning properties.
Herbs can be very powerful. They are medicine. Please use with respect and check with your doctor first before taking astragalus, especially if you are here or auto immune meds.
My suggestion when starting any herbal medicine is to start slow and steady and pay attention to how you feel.