Sunshine Weeks, ND Naturopathic Doctor

Learn about the ethical harvest of Salvia apiana (white sage) using the ethical harvest. For more on the ethical harvest, watch Robin Wall Kimmerer’s TED talk, posted in the comments.

I am looking forward to listening to this

In case you really wanted the full details to stay informed. https://www.donnieyance.com/the-truth-about-elderberry-sam/

I wanted to answer questions but can’t get to that many individual responses so I’m going to try to give some general recommendations here for staying healthy o...ut there. I’m going to try to keep it short and my disclaimers include: it does not replace your doctor’s recommendations because I don’t know everyone’s health status; these recommendations are in addition to staying home and physically distant from others as recommended by the CDC, WHO and the government health experts. These are not the only things you could use or do but I have yet to figure out how to download my brain here. Immune support basics: 1) Eat as many fresh fruits and vegetables as you can daily 2) Get sleep and exercise of some kind daily. 3) Also have moments where you learn, create and meditate or pray to nourish and calm your mind and feed your neural connections and your soul. 4) Protective medicines- a) Elderberry fruit syrup 1 tsp a day. Can use up to 4 times a day when sick. Yes, I’ve heard about the conflicting information here. I’m not going to go into at length because many of my colleagues are doing that well and I can refer you to them. I will just say that there was 1 study looking at 1 constituent of elderberry in test tube experiment on coronaviruses and it was hypothesized that it could create an overwhelming immune response aggravating lung conditions. This constituent is in many other plants you ingest daily. Plants contain many other constituents that help balance the actions that plant has on the body, which is way more complex than that study. There were NO clinical studies done to show that this constituent would cause this problem. There are MANY reliable clinical studies showing elderberry is effective on coronaviruses and on inflamed lung illnesses. The vast majority of esteemed colleagues in the ND, MD and herbal professions that know how to interpret research and have years of hands on experience agree. That is all. b) Vitamin C - adults should take around 1000-2000mg daily; kids under 12 about half that. This is just a general guide. There are more specifics for clinical treatment for those that have Covid-19 and that should be something your doctor discusses with you. Supplement with Vitamin C and bioflavonoid rich foods like berries, oranges, and colorful vegetables. c) Eat mushrooms. Preferably Reishi, Shitaki, Maitake, Turkey tail or Lions Mane but most edible wild mushrooms are supportive to the immune system. There is some research supporting their use with treating coronaviruses too. You can use in capsule form or eat them. 5) Wash your hands with soap and practice using cautious common sense methods to prevent spreading the virus through touch, surfaces or coughing. 6) If someone has to leave the home to go to work, the store or even just for a walk- wash hands and disinfect door knobs and phones and change clothes when they return. If they had to interact with others due to the nature of their work they should shower as well before interacting with those at home. Then you can say hello! Stay safe, healthy and calm everyone!

I've been really enjoying her videos and have watched this one in particular several times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI91-UZpJr8

Artemisia infused salves made with olive oil pressed from our own olives and sagebrush from the front yard finished today. Also, starting some calendula oil for future lotion making. Brainstorming on an herbal workshop schedule for the spring.

Soap making for the first time. This is my first time using lye. I have been a little intimidated by it but I had some help

Made manzanita sugar. Very excited to try using it in baking.

Organizing tinctures and playing around with a recipe for gummies made with schisandra and yerba mansa.

Thank you to all who attended, and to Sunshine Weeks, ND Naturopathic Doctor who presented and demonstrated some fun and good herbal gifts! This year we learned how to make: Mulled Cider, Lotion Body Bars and Salt Scrubs.