withdrawal
rage
stress
mood swings
loneliness
loneliness
hypervigilance
burnout
grief
What are herbs?
You're probably used to cooking with herbs and spices like basil, thyme, cinnamon or cumin. You may also be familiar with what's known as "the herb", a.k.a. cannabis. In reality, the definition includes these and many more!
There are up to 80 000 plant species used medicinally around the world, which are all herbs. I actually think many more plants have medicinal qualities that we don't yet understand. Flowers, roots, bark, seeds, seaweed, leaves, and even fungi can be called herbs. While one part of the plant can be medicinal, another part can be toxic. That's one reason it's important to work with a qualified herbalist, who has deep knowledge of the herbal materia medica.
Unfortunately, many medicinal plants and fungi have become endangered or gone extinct, because of ecological destruction, which is why I advocate for sustainable wildharvesting practices alongside United Plant Savers.
What are flower essences?
Flower essences are diluted extracts of wildflowers, shrubs and trees, used therapeutically to boost mood and outlook. They're preserved in alcohol or glycerin and diluted, so that just the energy remains, locked into a water-based formula.
Think of them as similar to homeopathic remedies, except instead of alleviating physical problems, they balance our mind and emotions. Although seemingly simple, it takes a certain hand/eye to craft a flower essence, since you are capturing something so subtle.
As a Bach Practitioner, I work mostly with Dr. Edward Bach's line of 38 flower remedies, developed in early 20th century England. Dr. Bach is considered the pioneer of our modern flower essence system, however humans have tapped into the healing magic of dew for millennia.
"I have fallen in love with the herbs Aleksa suggested. I've always been someone who researched herbs to take on my own, but now I totally see (and reap) the benefit of utilizing someone deeply immersed and trained in the herbal world. She understood what my body needed and suggested plants I never thought of. My nervous system feels stronger than ever."
Ryan, Energy Worker, USA
