Journey to Rainbow: part 2

making medicine en route: anemone tincture in MI

with my elders,Tamarack and Lety at the Teaching Drum in WI

wild bison in Badlands NP, ND 

Opuntia spp. Happy to see cacti again.

The Earth looks like this between the western edge of ND and the eastern edges of MT

(...continued) 

We spent more time in Minneapolis than I wanted. I try to keep out of large cities. I would like to become more flexible with my comfort level in diverse situations, but the honest truth remains that I thrive in natural environments and have trouble staying comfy and happy in more citified spaces. I am working on it. Yoga practice that morning was in front of the punk house that we spent the night. A small path runs from the gate to the front door, a small slab of concrete between two square patches of grass teeming with mallows. I placed my mat on the concrete, where I and it fit perfectly. Bowing down over and over in sun salutations, moon salutations, and vinyasa flow, I saw myself bowing to the street, bowing to the sky above the street, bowing namaste repeatedly to the divinity within myself, to the divinity within the road, to the divine line that runs through everything, wilderness intrinsic regardless of external circumstances. And the sun rose, the heat increased, and my sweat flowed.

We drove until 2:30 AM to land in South Dakota at the Badlands National Park. During this trip, we have been leaving around 11 AM each morning, and stopping our journey late in the day. I have been sleeping at around 3 AM almost every night on this trip, and continuing to wake at 6 AM for my yoga practice. Yoga practice has been lovely: because my travel companions sleep so late, I can practice for longer, without having a certain time limit, to go to work. But, only sleeping for 3 hours each night for almost a week takes its toll. I feel exhausted and a little grumpy. I wedge myself into the back of the car and sleep as much as possible on the ride, emerging to read, write, and dream. (My preference is to leave early in the morning to land where I need to go during daylight, and have time to explore and ground before sundown each day.) 

We spend the night in the Sage Creek Campground. I wake to watch the sunrise, pink and glowing over the flat prairie landscape that I've chosen to sleep in, open-air camping in my sleeping bag on my yoga and sleeping mat, right on the Earth, right below the Sky. This is my favorite way to sleep, and I am so grateful for no rain or mosquitoes. Right after sunrise, I pack up my belongings and climb up the nearest hill, which provides a nice bird's eye panorama. We're on the edge of the Badlands, rolling soft green hills, teeming with sage brush, small prickly pears, sunflowers, cedar trees, and bison calmly munching on the landscape and rolling in the dirt. The flowers look like a rainbow. We drive to explore the rest of the park: colorful, dry, medium-sized yet grand rock formations. Breath-taking. I sit down onto a hilly slope to just admire the landscape, walk barefoot onto large dry pink earth mounds, and smile up to the sun. We all get happily sunburnt today. It is our final stop before...

Montana! A feeling of celebration wells up in my chest as we drive into this state. This was the first out-of-state place that I traveled to after my climbing accident in 2006. We are returning to the same area for the Rainbow Gathering, where I'd traveled to so many years before. This whole journey has felt like a returning: first retracing a portion of my first hitch-hiking route from WI to MA, then visiting Teaching Drum again (oh how I love you, Tamarack, Lety, and Drum family!), and now... back to Montana! Back to the West! It feels odd to only stay for a month, to ignore the nearby states that I love so much in the desert southwest, and my state of origin, California. 

Tonight, we are driving all night to get to Bozeman, MT. I am typing on the car, listening to music, typing, and reflecting. I find that I think, dream, and reflect the best while in transit. Movement inspires me. I was very productive in my dream-weaving and big-life-decision making while in transit: especially on the trains crossing India and China. And now, I dream-weave and ideate on a van filled with friends (fellow students) rapidly speeding to my first Rainbow Gathering. 

Thus ends my Journey-to-Rainbow chronicles, for now. Photos will come too, one day. And now, for a week of herbal First Aid, human and nature connection, and new experiences for this year's Rainbow Gathering. 

--

 ~~~~~~~
  Jiling . 林基玲 

  . wild . creative . spirit 

  www.JazArt.blogspot.com 

  626.344.9140 / skype: Lin.JiLing

Rainbow adventures: en route- part 1

Ithaca, NY--> Buffalo, NY--> Upper Penninsula, MI--> Three Lakes, WI--> Minneapolis, MN--> ,,,

I wish I could grab ahold of your hands through the computer, and pull you over into Minneapolis, where we are right now... and then rewind time to share with you what it's been like for the past few days. We can fast forward into the exciting bits, the tenuous chunks of magic and challenge that characterize travel, life on the road. 

We are slowly making our way to Montana and the Rainbow Gathering. 

So far on our journey... 

Spent the first night in Buffalo. Hot room with cold fan blowing, sharing room with my friend Arielle. Woke up early before everyone else to do my morning yoga practice: delightful, next to small city garden, with flowers blossoming, and the sound of a small stream's trickle flowing in sync with the flow of my breath. 

First day, drove all the way up into the Upper Penninsula of MI, where we found a camping spot around 1:30 AM in National Forest, then stayed up late talking and laughing, then moved camp at 3 AM due to an approaching thunderstorm, set up tarps against the van, the thunderstorm blew down my camp, I moved into the car, couldn't sleep due to mosquitoes so studied instead, then went back out at sunrise for yoga practice on wet muddy Earth, the sweet smell of junipers and sweet-grassy plants, and dawn birdsong. 

Second day, we went for a swim in Lake Michigan: five naked bodies floating in a huge oceanic lake, with warm sun blinking down on us, ticks waiting in the grass, and anemone awaiting collection a few miles down the road. Then we drove to Wolf Lake in WI to camp for the night. I hung my mosquito net and made my bed atop some sphagnum moss right above the lake, sunrise a red glow, toning down into night waning yet-still-full moon rising up to illuminate the lake, and stars glittering in sky and on lake, and fireflies weaving in and out of the whole painting landscape. Loons calling in the distance, frogs, birds, and bugs singing me to sleep in a cloud of mosquitoes surrounding the edges of my mosquito net (I am so happy for this cheap little net from India!) 

Woke up pre-dawn to walk to the Teaching Drum Outdoor School, one of my favorite places in the USA that I have been thus far, certainly one of the most life-changing places on my journey. What a joy to see old friends and two respected Elders/ Mentors of mine again, after so long! (Was last there in 2007) Then drive and drive... to Minneapolis, where now it is 3 AM. I spent the evening walking around and through the city with an old friend from the first farm I ever worked on, back in 2006. Got back home in time to clamber over my slumbering friends laid across the small living room, take a sweet shower, and now I am unable to fall asleep, and am typing you our roadtrip chronicles! 

Long days of driving, heart-felt connection with friends in car and along the trip, and studying, dreaming, and good music. Roadtrips are simultaneously exhausting and delicious for me. Sleep well, and dream full.

Rainbow Medicine

Rainbow Medicine

Here's the tinctures that we are bringing into the First Aid tent at the Rainbow Gathering in Montana, this year. I find it very interesting what medicines 7song decided to include and exclude in our inventory. All in all, it's not much medicine. Yet the medicines cover a wide range of symptoms, and can treat most people that come to us. It all fits into one little suitcase, and it will treat hundreds of people very effectively, and some not effectively at all. It is free medicine. I love how 7song's little Rainbow medicine box is covered in duct tape. It has seen about 20 Rainbow Gatherings, and is testament to 7song's experience in this realm. I feel blessed to carry on the tradition of herbal learning through 7song, through treating people at the Rainbow Gathering, through stocking and using this little Rainbow Medicine box.

--- The tinctures ---

-          Acute respiratory tincture (respiratory herb, antiviral, kills infections- 1 dropperful every 2 hrs)

-          Anemone (Anemone spp.) (for panic attacks- 5 drops as necessary)

-          Antimicrobial throat spray (antiviral, antibacterial, great for strep throat- spray as needed)

-          Antiseptic wash (antimicrobial for external use, especially cleaning staph wounds)

-          Antispasmodic compound (smooth muscle relaxant/ antispasmodic, usu. for menstrual cramps- ½ dropperful. Not for pregnancy)

-          Arnica (Arnica spp.) (anti-inflammatory for initial skeletal muscle inflammation- 3- 10 drops every 2 hrs)

-          Beggar ticks (Bidens spp.) (decongestant)

-          Black cohosh (Actea racemosa) (skeletal muscle relaxant, not for pregnancy- affects female reproductive system, stops hot flashes, may affect moods- 1-2 dropperfuls every  2hrs)

-          Black haw (Viburnum prunifolium) (antispasmodic, helps w/ menstrual cramps- ½ dropperful)

-          Blackberry root (Rubus spp.) (astringent, stops diarrhea)

-          Calamus (Acorus calamus) (digestive, increase focus)

-          California poppy (Eshscholtzia spp.) (anziolitic/ reduces anxiety, nervine, best after traumatic experience to ground person, relaxant- dose dependent, safe herb)

-          Cardamom (Elattaria cardamomum) (corrigent/ flavoring agent, warming, digestive)

-          Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana) (laxative, relieves constipation- 5-10 drops)

-          Chaparral (Larrea spp.) (* external/ internal disinfectant, anti-biotic, anti-parasitical, disinfectant wash, put into cuts, use with yarrow- 1 dropperful- limit to 2 wks usage)

-          Chaparro amargosa (Castela emoryi) (anti-parasitical- take at first sign of loose stools, 1 dropperful. Wait ½ hr, then take 1 tsp activated charcoal powder. Repeat in 4 hrs.)

-          Cinnamon (Cinamomum spp.) (coregent/ flavoring agent, warming, digestive)

-          Clematis (Clematis spp.) (last resort herb for headaches)

-          Cotton root (Gossypium spp.) (brings on menses, abortifacient (we won't use it for this)- ½ to 2 dropperfuls every few hrs- rarely used)

-          Decongestant aid (dries up congestion, stops cold/flus)

-          Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) (* immune-stimulant, loading dose 2-3 dropperfuls, then 1 dropperfuls every 2-4 hrs at 1rst sign of infection)

-          Eyebright (Euphrasia spp.) (antihistamine, helps with itchy eyes, cough, runny nose- ½ dropperfuls)

-          Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium) (headache remedy, 1rst choice herb pre-migraine- 1/4 to 1 dropperful at 1rst sign of headache)

-          German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) (GI anti-inflammatory, digestive nervine, relaxant-  ½ to 1 dropperful)

-          Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) (broad-based antibiotic, antibacterial, powder for toothaches, eye-wash for eye infections, externally put into wounds- 1-2 dropperful loading dose for infections. 1 dropperful every 2 hrs)

-          Hops (Humulus lupulus) (sedative, anti-pitta herb, digestive- ¼ to ½ dropperful)

-          Jamaican dogwood (Piscidia piscipula) (emotional/ physical pain relief, nervine, sleep-aid, not sedative, augmenting herb- ½ dropperful)

-          Kava kava (piper methysticum) (nervine, relaxant, inhibitor that shuts off overthinking mind)

-          Lavender (Lavandula spp.) (digestive nervine, relaxant, use EO to help restore/ calm during seizures- 3-5 drops)

-          Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) (put directly on herpes sores, relaxant, non-sedating- ½ dropperful)

-          Licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.) (anti-inflammatory, coregent, adaptogenic, "great harmonizer" of Chinese medicine, helps soothe sore throats, can raise blood pressure due to water retention)

-          Lobelia (Lobelia inflate) (augmenting herb, deobstruent, breaks stagnation (ie. digestive, headache, mental), * best broncho-dilator (ie. For asthma)- 1-2 dropperfuls. Too much can create nausea)

-          Ma huang (Ephedra sinica) (decongestant for clear runny mucus, stimulant, broncho-dilator, raises blood pressure, increases sympathetic tone- 5-10 drops as needed/ 3x a day)

-          Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) (digestive, anti-inflammatory, tea helps settle stomache, good with chamomile)

-          Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) (nervine, can help menstrual cramps and emotional lability- ½- 2 dropperful as needed)

-          Oregon grape (Berberis spp.) (* int/ ext disinfectant, loading dose 1 dropperful, ½ dropperful every 4 hrs for infection)

-          Osha (Lingusticum porter) (antibiotic, inhibits respiratory viruses- 2 dropperfuls loading dose, ½ dropperful every 2-4 hrs)

-          Passionflower (Passiflora incarnate) (anti-pitta herb, nervine, relaxant- ½ cap of 1/5 bottle, every 2 hrs)

-          Pedicularis (Pedicularis spp.) (skeletal muscle relaxant, smoking herb)

-          Peppermint spirits (digestive, stops nausea/ vomiting- 1 drop as needed)

-          Propolis (antiseptic wound covering, usu. ext use, helps throat infections)

-          Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) (anti-histamine * for type 1 hypersensitive reaction allergies, ½ dropperful loading dose, 1 dropperful)

-          Silk tassel root bark (Garrya spp.) (best anti-spasmodic for smooth muscle cramping, stronger herb- use black haw 1rst for cramps, general pain relief- 5 drops each time. Don't use over 2 dropperfuls)

-          Skullcap (Scutellaria spp.) (nervine, smooth/skeletal muscle relaxant, reduce mental anxiety/insomnia, augmenting herb, safe in large doses, idiosyncratic)

-          Skeletal muscle relaxant (don't use with pregnant women. Includes black cohosh, skullcap, pedicularis)

-          St Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum) (grounding herb, external use for wound recovery, skin healing, over-usage may cause photosensitivity, helps w/ depression, trauma aid)

-          Staph dismissed tincture (use topically for staph infections, alternated with activated charcoal twice a wk)

-          Sundew (Drosera spp.) (cough suppressant for people who can't stop coughing)

-          Tooth and gum rinse (astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, demulcent)

-          Turkey rhubarb (Rheum spp.)  (relaxant- use a few drops before sleep, or laxative- 5 drops)

-          Turmeric (Curcuma spp.) (anti-inflammatory, warming)

-          Un-headache tincture

-          Urinary tract tincture

-          Valerian (valeriana officinalis) (sleeping herb, sedative for some, may cause drowsiness, makes 1/10 of people hyper, general pain relief)

-          Warming lung tincture (lung tonic, helps with choric coughs, stimulating expectorant with demulcent qualities)

-          White oak (Quercus alba) (astringent)

-          Wild cherry (Prunus serotina) (respiratory sedative, nervine, for nonproductive coughs- ½ dropperful)

-          Wild lettuce (Lactuca spp.) (pain relief *by reducing awareness of pain- a few drops to ½ dropperful until symptoms relieved)

-          Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa/ D. quadranata) (* GI anti-spasmodic, not for pregnant women- ½ dropperful to 10 drops)

-          Willow (Salix spp.) (* general anti-inflammatory- 1 dropperful loading dose for immediate accident, then ½ tsp every 3-4 hrs)

-          Yerba mansa (Anemopsis californica)

--- Categories ---

(I organized the herbs into their categories of usage)

Anti-biotic

-          Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) (broad-based antibiotic, antibacterial, powder for toothaches, eye-wash for eye infections, externally put into wounds- 1-2 dropperful loading dose for infections. 1 dropperful every 2 hrs)

-          Osha (Lingusticum porter) (antibiotic, inhibits respiratory viruses- 2 dropperfuls loading dose, ½ dropperful every 2-4 hrs)

Anti-histamine

-          Eyebright (Euphrasia spp.) (antihistamine, helps with itchy eyes, cough, runny nose- ½ dropperfuls)

-          Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) (anti-histamine * for type 1 hypersensitive reaction allergies, ½ dropperful loading dose, 1 dropperful)

Anti-inflammatory

-          Arnica (Arnica spp.) (anti-inflammatory for initial skeletal muscle inflammation- 3- 10 drops every 2 hrs)

-          German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) (GI anti-inflammatory, digestive nervine, relaxant-  ½ to 1 dropperful)

-          Licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.) (anti-inflammatory, coregent, adaptogenic, "great harmonizer" of Chinese medicine, helps soothe sore throats, can raise blood pressure due to water retention)

-          Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) (digestive, anti-inflammatory, tea helps settle stomache, good with chamomile)

-          Turmeric (Curcuma spp.) (anti-inflammatory, warming)

-          Willow (Salix spp.) (* general anti-inflammatory- 1 dropperful loading dose for immediate accident, then ½ tsp every 3-4 hrs)

Anti-parasitical / disinfectant

-          Chaparral (Larrea spp.) (* external/ internal disinfectant, anti-biotic, anti-parasitical, disinfectant wash, put into cuts, use with yarrow- 1 dropperful- limit to 2 wks usage)

-          Chaparro amargosa (Castela emoryi) (anti-parasitical- take at first sign of loose stools, 1 dropperful. Wait ½ hr, then take 1 tsp activated charcoal powder. Repeat in 4 hrs.)

-          Oregon grape (Berberis spp.) (* int/ ext disinfectant, loading dose 1 dropperful, ½ dropperful every 4 hrs for infection)

-          Propolis (antiseptic wound covering, usu. ext use, helps throat infections)

-          Staph dismissed tincture (use topically for staph infections, alternated with activated charcoal twice a wk)

Antispasmodic  (smooth muscle relaxant)

-          Antispasmodic compound (smooth muscle relaxant/ antispasmodic, usu. for menstrual cramps- ½ dropperful. Not for pregnancy)

-          Black haw (Viburnum prunifolium) (antispasmodic, helps w/ menstrual cramps- ½ dropperful)

-          Silk tassel root bark (Garrya spp.) (best anti-spasmodic for smooth muscle cramping, stronger herb- use black haw 1rst for cramps, general pain relief- 5 drops each time. Don't use over 2 dropperfuls)

-          Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa/ D. quadranata) (* GI anti-spasmodic, not for pregnant women- ½ dropperful to 10 drops)

Astringent

-          Blackberry root (Rubus spp.) (astringent, stops diarrhea)

-          White oak (Quercus alba) (astringent)

Augmenting herbs (helps other herbs work better)

-          Jamaican dogwood (Piscidia piscipula) (emotional/ physical pain relief, nervine, sleep-aid, not sedative, augmenting herb- ½ dropperful)

-          Lobelia (Lobelia inflate) (augmenting herb, deobstruent, breaks stagnation (ie. digestive, headache, mental), * best broncho-dilator (ie. For asthma)- 1-2 dropperfuls. Too much can create nausea)

-          Skullcap (Scutellaria spp.) (nervine, smooth/skeletal muscle relaxant, reduce mental anxiety/insomnia, augmenting herb, safe in large doses, idiosyncratic)

Coregent (flavoring agent)

-          Cardamom (Elattaria cardamomum) (coregent/ flavoring agent, warming, digestive)

-          Cinnamon (Cinamomum spp.) (coregent/ flavoring agent, warming, digestive)

-          Licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.) (anti-inflammatory, coregent, adaptogenic, "great harmonizer" of Chinese medicine, helps soothe sore throats, can raise blood pressure due to water retention)

Constipation

The Laxative Continuum: (drink laxatives before sleep)

1.       Tonification laxative (Docks- rumex spp.)

2.       Turkey rhubarb (Rheum spp.)  (relaxant- use a few drops before sleep, or laxative- 5 drops)

3.       Cascara sagrada (Rhamnus purshiana) (laxative, relieves constipation- 5-10 drops)

4.       Senna (Cassia spp.) (purgative laxative)

Digestive

-          Blackberry root (Rubus spp.) (astringent, stops diarrhea)

-          Calamus (Acorus calamus) (digestive, increase focus)

-          Cardamom (Elattaria cardamomum) (corrigent/ flavoring agent, warming, digestive)

-          German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) (GI anti-inflammatory, digestive nervine, relaxant-  ½ to 1 dropperful)

-          Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) (digestive, anti-inflammatory, tea helps settle stomache, good with chamomile)

-          Peppermint spirits (digestive, stops nausea/ vomiting- 1 drop as needed)

Female reproductive system

-          Black cohosh (Actea racemosa) (skeletal muscle relaxant, not for pregnancy- affects female reproductive system, stops hot flashes, may affect moods- 1-2 dropperfuls every  2hrs)

-          Cotton root (Gossypium spp.) (brings on menses, abortifacient (we won't use it for this)- ½ to 2 dropperfuls every few hrs- rarely used)

-          Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) (nervine, can help menstrual cramps and emotional lability- ½- 2 dropperful as needed)

Headaches

-          Clematis (Clematis spp.) (last resort herb for headaches)

-          Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium) (headache remedy, 1rst choice herb pre-migraine- 1/4 to 1 dropperful at 1rst sign of headache)

-          Lobelia (Lobelia inflate) (augmenting herb, deobstruent, breaks stagnation (ie. digestive, headache, mental), * best broncho-dilator (ie. For asthma)- 1-2 dropperfuls. Too much can create nausea)

-          Un-headache tincture

Immune booster

-          Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) (* immune-stimulant, loading dose 2-3 dropperfuls, then 1 dropperfuls every 2-4 hrs at 1rst sign of infection)

Mental Health

-          Anemone (Anemone spp.) (for panic attacks- 5 drops as necessary)

-          California poppy (Eshscholtzia spp.) (anziolitic/ reduces anxiety, nervine, best after traumatic experience to ground person, relaxant- dose dependent, safe herb)

-          Jamaican dogwood (Piscidia piscipula) (emotional/ physical pain relief, nervine, sleep-aid, not sedative, augmenting herb- ½ dropperful)

-          Skullcap (Scutellaria spp.) (nervine, smooth/skeletal muscle relaxant, reduce mental anxiety/insomnia, augmenting herb, safe in large doses, idiosyncratic)

-          St Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum) (grounding herb, external use for wound recovery, skin healing, over-usage may cause photosensitivity, helps w/ depression, trauma aid)

Nervine

-          California poppy (Eshscholtzia spp.) (anziolitic/ reduces anxiety, nervine, best after traumatic experience to ground person, relaxant- dose dependent, safe herb)

-          German chamomile (Matricaria recutita) (GI anti-inflammatory, digestive nervine, relaxant-  ½ to 1 dropperful)

-          Jamaican dogwood (Piscidia piscipula) (emotional/ physical pain relief, nervine, sleep-aid, not sedative, augmenting herb- ½ dropperful)

-          Kava kava (piper methysticum) (nervine, relaxant, inhibitor that shuts off overthinking mind)

-          Lavender (Lavandula spp.) (digestive nervine, relaxant, use EO to help restore/ calm during seizures- 3-5 drops)

-          Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) (put directly on herpes sores, relaxant, non-sedating- ½ dropperful)

-          Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) (nervine, can help menstrual cramps and emotional lability- ½- 2 dropperful as needed)

-          Passionflower (Passiflora incarnate) (anti-pitta herb, nervine, relaxant- ½ cap of 1/5 bottle, every 2 hrs)

-          Skullcap (Scutellaria spp.) (nervine, smooth/skeletal muscle relaxant, reduce mental anxiety/insomnia, augmenting herb, safe in large doses, idiosyncratic)

-          Wild cherry (Prunus serotina) (respiratory sedative, nervine, for nonproductive coughs- ½ dropperful)

Pain Relief

-          See nervines and anti-inflammatories

-          Wild lettuce (Lactuca spp.) (pain relief *by reducing awareness of pain- a few drops to ½ dropperful until symptoms relieved)

Relaxant

-          See nervines

-          Turkey rhubarb (Rheum spp.)  (relaxant- use a few drops before sleep)

-          Valerian (valeriana officinalis) (sleeping herb, sedative for some, may cause drowsiness, makes 1/10 of people hyper, general pain relief)

Respiratory

-          Acute respiratory tincture (respiratory herb, antiviral, kills infections- 1 dropperful every 2 hrs)

-          Antimicrobial throat spray (antiviral, antibacterial, great for strep throat- spray as needed)

-          Beggar ticks (Bidens spp.) (decongestant)

-          Decongestant aid (dries up congestion, stops cold/flus)

-          Licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp.) (anti-inflammatory, coregent, adaptogenic, "great harmonizer" of Chinese medicine, helps soothe sore throats, can raise blood pressure due to water retention)

-          Lobelia (Lobelia inflate) (augmenting herb, deobstruent, breaks stagnation (ie. digestive, headache, mental), * best broncho-dilator (ie. For asthma)- 1-2 dropperfuls. Too much can create nausea)

-          Ma huang (Ephedra sinica) (decongestant for clear runny mucus, stimulant, broncho-dilator, raises blood pressure, increases sympathetic tone- 5-10 drops as needed/ 3x a day)

-          Osha (Lingusticum porter) (antibiotic, inhibits respiratory viruses- 2 dropperfuls loading dose, ½ dropperful every 2-4 hrs)

-          Sundew (Drosera spp.) (cough suppressant for people who can't stop coughing)

-          Warming lung tincture (lung tonic, helps with choric coughs, stimulating expectorant with demulcent qualities)

-          Wild cherry (Prunus serotina) (respiratory sedative, nervine, for nonproductive coughs- ½ dropperful)

Sedative

-          Hops (Humulus lupulus) (sedative, anti-pitta herb, digestive- ¼ to ½ dropperful)

-          Valerian (valeriana officinalis) (sleeping herb, sedative for some, may cause drowsiness, makes 1/10 of people hyper, general pain relief)

Skeletal muscle relaxant

-          Black cohosh (Actea racemosa) (skeletal muscle relaxant, not for pregnancy- affects female reproductive system, stops hot flashes, may affect moods- 1-2 dropperfuls every  2hrs)

-          Pedicularis (Pedicularis spp.) (skeletal muscle relaxant, smoking herb)

-          Skeletal muscle relaxant (don't use with pregnant women. Includes black cohosh, skullcap, pedicularis)

Stimulant

-          Ma huang (Ephedra sinica) (decongestant for clear runny mucus, stimulant, broncho-dilator, raises blood pressure, increases sympathetic tone- 5-10 drops as needed/ 3x a day)

Washes (external use)

-          Antiseptic wash (antimicrobial for external use, especially cleaning staph wounds)

-          Chaparral (Larrea spp.) (* external/ internal disinfectant, disinfectant wash, put into cuts, use with yarrow- 1 dropperful- limit to 2 wks usage)

-          Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis) (broad-based antibiotic, antibacterial, powder for toothaches, eye-wash for eye infections, externally put into wounds- 1-2 dropperful loading dose for infections. 1 dropperful every 2 hrs)

-          St Johnswort (Hypericum perforatum) (grounding herb, external use for wound recovery, skin healing, over-usage may cause photosensitivity, helps w/ depression, trauma aid)

-          Staph dismissed tincture (use topically for staph infections, alternated with activated charcoal twice a wk)

-          Tooth and gum rinse (astringent, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, demulcent) 

夏至

家人，好！

祝你夏天快樂！！！ ：） 今天是一年中最長的一天,。 祝你夏至快樂！

我和同學們要明天開車過美國， 去montana州。每年夏天， 有個活動叫做彩虹聚會(rainbow gathering). 每年， 超過一萬個人會在國家森林當中聚會： 練瑜伽， 打鼓， 跳舞， 唱歌， 交換意見， 烤火， 等等。每年， 我的老師7song都會帶他的學生去彩虹聚會看病人。 在聚會的中間， 我們會建立一個小診所first aid station 看病人，照顧病人，和給藥。 我們看診的方式是這樣： 病人進來時，我們一邊問問題， 一邊觀察病人的狀況。 我們要了解為什麼病人來看我們。 我們就選能幫助的部分， 感覺像是最重要的病況， 然後給病人開藥。如果病人無法照顧自己， 有嚴重的傷， 有嚴重的精神病， 等， 我們就會留著他， 在我們的帳篷診所裡照顧他。 如果沒那麼嚴重， 或是病人能照顧自己， 那我們就會直接給病人藥， 和教他們回家之後怎麼繼續喝藥。

這是我第一次做這樣子的工作，在這麼大的場合！我感覺很期待練習新學的藥方與healthcare practitioner溝通方式。 但我也怕自己搞錯藥， 問錯問題， 等等。這個彩虹聚會活動是個超棒的機會學習， 練習， 和繼續成長我對人體與藥草的了解。

從紐約州開車到montana州要一個禮拜。 我們會走走停停， 一邊走一邊拜訪朋友， 觀察美麗的世界， 和繼續踩藥草。 彩虹聚會也是一個禮拜。 聚會之後， 我麼會陪著7song老師到深山菜藥草一個禮拜。再開車回家， 一個月這樣就過來！如果你給我回信，我有可能七月中才能回信。

感恩如果你給我回信！我念和寫中文都很慢。 這是為什麼我盡量一個月寫一次信， 培訓我的中文。 如果你給我回信， 我會慢慢得念， 慢慢的享受。 如果我不回信， 抱歉。我的生活超忙的。寫信花太多時間了。 但我很愛念你們寫給我的信哦！ ：）

夏天到了！天氣熱， 活力旺盛！今年， 你夏天有什麼打算嗎？你在計劃什麼樣子的冒險記？會不會出去玩？如果不出去， 家裡當中有什麼讓你很興奮的活動嗎？

這個月以來， 我們採了這些草藥： acorus calamus (住在小溪邊的大草。 我們用它的肥根做藥幫助消化和專心。 印地安人傳統的藥), filipendula ulmaria （住在森林和草坪交叉的邊緣。我們採它的快比我高的大葉子來曬乾，做藥幫助消化系統）, rosa spp. （玫瑰花瓣！啊！這還是我世界上最愛採的草藥！又香又美，我們做玫瑰糖， 玫瑰藥酒， 和我自己在跑玫瑰蜂蜜！它幫助放鬆，開心，開朗，和清涼。）

前天，我躺在森林和草坪邊緣做功課時，聽到重重的腳步從森林走出來。因為我現在住在森林當中， 我的聽覺變得更仔細。所以雖然聽起來像大大的腳步聲， 我抬頭一看，哇！居然又是一隻烏龜！好像它住在我小木屋旁邊的水池裡。路上也看到很多小鹿，青蛙，和橘色的犀利。天氣漸漸的變熱了。最近下了好多雨晚上還是很冷。我還在烤火和睡在兩個睡袋當中。但大熱天， 開始游泳了！老師後院有個小池塘。工作或上課完， 我會把衣服脫光光跳到池塘裡陪魚兒，小青蛙，和蓮藕水中游。爽！

我的手腕還在慢慢的回复。我感覺我整個身體在變得更強壯， 因為每天都騎腳踏車上小山坡去老師家工作和上課，幫老師提重重的東西，早晚練瑜伽，等。手腕慢慢的便強壯，傷口還在慢慢的消下來。我每天給它擦兩種老師給我的油：aesculus spp. 和 castor油用不同的方法幫助循環。我手指頭神經感知也就慢慢的進步了。

現在還是每個禮拜教一次瑜伽。我超愛教瑜伽哦！我們一個月回來之後，我會開始一個禮拜教三堂瑜伽課。

祝你夏天愉快；下個月再會！我們去彩虹聚會咯！

感恩

Love, 基玲

(照片： 同學們。 採filipendula ulmaria草藥陪學徒。我的烏龜鄰居）(photos of class and apprentii from 7song. photo of my neighbor, the snapping turtle, from me.）

mama's day, papa's day, and family day

thank you 

for this 

daily 

celebration 

of 

LIFE!!!

waters

new england

water everywhere 

a landscape 

brimming with green 

and steeped in 

rainwater

{uphill} 

a gorge-ous local swimming hole (roy preserve)

{home} 

7song's pond (where i will swim in daily when it gets warmer)

{downhill} 

the watershed behind pierce's home (for canoeing expeditions to find turtles, muskrats, calamus, and more wild mysterious adventures) 

--

 ~~~~~~~
  Jiling . 林基玲 

  . wild . creative . spirit 

  www.JazArt.blogspot.com 

  626.344.9140 / skype: Lin.JiLing

meadowsweet

(filipendula ulmaria) 

digestive anti-inflammatory

leaves are beautiful and sweet-smelling

we kneel down onto the soft earth, nestled deep into the tall meadowsweet on the side of the road 

we cut close to the base of the plant, as close as possible to the ground, with our pruners 

there's another poisonous plant growing, mixed in with our medicinal meadowsweet 

7song doesn't even look up 

"i just look for the red glaucous stems," he says, plowing through the meadowsweet from patch to patch

i can see his line of travel when i stand up 

glaucous means waxy

the meadowsweet stems are mildly waxy on the surface, hollow, and softly angled into a circular form

i enjoy being surrounded by and within it, the air perfumed with its scent 

we emerge with arms full of meadowsweet rolled up around burlap sacks 

we fluff them out throughout the classroom 

they will make wonderful medicine 

this gathering process is good medicine, already! 

more to come... (the process has just begun) 

(photo of apprentii from 7song )

--

 ~~~~~~~
  Jiling . 林基玲 

  . wild . creative . spirit 

  www.JazArt.blogspot.com 

  626.344.9140 / skype: Lin.JiLing

spirals, shapes, symbols

spiral: universal infinite shape found in everything from seashells to galaxies

circle: open yet unbroken, also infinite, community, cycles

triangle: mind-body-spirit, wild-creative-spirit, power-beauty-skill

cross: five elements, seven directions

circle within circle with spiral: atman-brahman, microcosm-within-macrocosm, interconnected Oneness 

and the fern? (it's called a sensitive fern) 

--

 ~~~~~~~
  Jiling . 林基玲 

  . wild . creative . spirit 

  www.JazArt.blogspot.com 

  626.344.9140 / skype: Lin.JiLing

roses!

gathering roses to make rose sugar, rose glycerite, and ecstatic jiling 

rosa species: relaxing, heart-opening, joy-inducing (for me at least), astringent, cooling

more uses: dried for tea, rose syrup, rose wine, rose elixir, rose honey, and my favorite... rose infused in coconut milk ingested with rose-coconut-icecream-sandwiches on a sunny day after spending all day gathering roses by the beach in connecticut with someone i love, my elder lucy :) 

(photos here from 7song's home) 

(and shoutout to my mama's rose syrup turned into wine, and lucy's rose petal jam, and 7song's special rose sugar treat for students!) 

--

 ~~~~~~~
  Jiling . 林基玲 

  . wild . creative . spirit 

  www.JazArt.blogspot.com 

  626.344.9140 / skype: Lin.JiLing

NEBSM Student Survival Kit

7song gave us each a "student survival kit" for the Rainbow Gathering which is somewhere in Montana, in 3 weeks. We are working the first aid station at this yearly outdoor gathering that attracts roughly 10,000 humans, mostly hippies and fringe folks. The first aid station's name is "CALM," but 7song says a more appropriate name would be "Staph and Diarrhea." Besides staph infections and diarrhea, I look forward to treating a diverse array of health issues with herbal medicine. 7song says that we will learn more at the Rainbow Gathering than in doing anything else during the entire course of our studies here. This is because we are practicing herbal medicine in a chaotic setting, with thousands of humans in an off-the-grid anarchist setting (usually at least a two to four hour's walk from cars). And, many people who come here are open to using herbal medicine.

7song introduced the "One drop test" today. We administer most of our medicines via tinctures, which are plants infused in hard alcohol. (We usually infuse plants in 95% alcohol, and then dilute the alcohol to 50% for medicinal usage.) Sometimes, we also administer teas and powders. But, tinctures are the most convenient to use as medicine, as the alcohol delivers the medicine immediately into the bloodstream. Teas take longer to make, and also take longer for the body to uptake and circulate. The powders can carry more medicine, but it's also more work to add water, and swallow so much of a usually-disgusting powder. More rarely, we also give honeys, glycerites, pills, oils, and liniments. Honeys and glycerites are helpful for people who don't intake alcohol. The pills usually work as long-term supplements. We use oils and liniments for external uses. 

Our student survival kit is a gallon zip-lock bag with the following simple yet invaluable items: 

- 2 pairs of rubber gloves (for sanitation) 

- a 4 oz bag of activated charcoal (an internal/external adsorbent for pulling out "bad stuff") 

- chapparo amargosa tincture of dried stems (1 oz) (GI tract strong antimicrobial and antiparasitical) 

- barberry tincture of root (1 oz) (prevent and treat waterborne illnesses) 

- echinacea tincture of fresh root (1 oz) (immune booster) 

- peppermint spirits (1 oz) (prevent nausea) 

And now, for a brief introduction of how to use these herbs, and why they are in our survival sack! 

- rubber gloves - 

These are for handling all open-flesh wounds, to avoid contaminants for ourselves or others. These will be constantly replenished and changed, as sanitation is key. 

- activated charcoal -

Charcoal is an adsorbent material, which is a solid that picks up liquids. Being "activated" just means that the organic matter went through a long slow burn on high heat without oxygen, which gives the charcoal more pores, and makes it even more adsorbent. We use it both internally and externally to pull out unwanted materials, especially for GI tract bugs (such as food/water poisoning) and for staph infections. For treating staph herbally, you clean out each staph wound, then have the patient take strong antibiotic herbs internally (echinacea, oregon graperoot, or chapparal). To clean out the external wounds, we boil water, soak a clean cloth in the boiling water, then place the cloth onto each staph abcess on the body (this process takes a long time). This helps to remove the scabs to open up the wound, so we can add activated charcoal. We prepare an activated charcoal poultice by mixing enough water with the activated charcoal (a little water at a time) to turn it into a paste. We then carefully stick cover the staph abcess on the body with activated charcoal. The final step is to wrap this all up with vet wrap, and send the patient home with careful instructions to keep away from touching other people (prevent spreading the disease), and take medicines (1/2 tsp of medicine every 2-4 hours). Internally, activated charcoal draws out "bad stuff" (ie. toxins, unwanted bacteria, protozoa, waste products, and bacteria waste.) Our bodies don't uptake the activated charcoal, so we will poop it all out, with the "bad stuff" attached. So, we also will use the activated charcoal for adsorbing and releasing GI tract bugs, for such things as food and water poisoning. Growing up, my parents put whole pieces of activated charcoal into our water to oxygenate the water. They placed it in the refrigerator and around the house, to cleanse the air. They even cooked it with our rice (a Chinese food staple), to help purify the rice. As a gift for college, they gave me some for my bedroom, which I dutifully stuck under my writing desk, and rested my feet on the basket of activated charcoal. Needless to say, I like this stuff. 

- chapparo amargosa tincture - (castella amorii) 

Chapparo amargosa is a desert plant that is often found in the Sonoran desert of Mexico, and difficult to find in the USA. It is the first herb to use to kill protozoa and bacteria in the GI tract. Take it if you feel like you might have parasites. It is an antimicrobial and anti-parasitic herb. Take 1 tsp of tincture for the loading dose (initial large dose), then take 2 mL every four hours until symptoms subside. At the first sign of loose stools, take this tincture, increase vitamin C, wait half an hour, and then take 1 tsp activated charcoal. Repeat in 4 hours. I found it interesting that 7song will take half a dropperful of this tincture twice a day at the Rainbow Gathering, starting two days before the Gathering, as a preventative for stomach bugs. I plan to try this, as well. This herb can be used with chapparal (larrea tridentata), which is one of my favorite desert plants, also a strong antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-parasitic plant. 

- barberry tincture - (berberis thunbergii) 

Barberry bushes are aptly named, with long sharp barbs and small red berries. They take over whole chunks of forest, as an invasive species. I spent many hours with a trail crew in CT, hacking down the endless thorny bushes. I admired their bright orange roots, which carry most of the medicine through the chemical alkaloid berberine, and acts as an antimicrobial. 7song also takes this as a preventative medicine at the Rainbow Gathering. He thinks that it prevents waterborne pathogens from sticking. 7song usually chews on this root throughout the gathering. If I can stomach the bitter taste, then I will also chew on a root. But, I will most likely just add 1-2 dropperfuls into my 1 L water container. Berberis is helpful to kill a wide range of gut parasites, even viruses. You can use any of the berberis species plants. 

- echinacea tincture - (echinacea purpurea) 

Echinacea increases innate and adaptive immunity. Its massive circus-tent-like pink and purple flowers draws butterflies to the garden, and a smile to my face. Take large doses as needed, such as in any circumstances in which the body's immune system should be strengthened. A good time for echinacea is when you think someone might get an infection, or have compromised immunity. 7song gives a loading dose of 2-3 dropperfuls, then 1/2-2 dropperfuls every 2-4 hours (depending on the patient's needs). An improvement should be noticed within 1-2 days. If echinacea does not help boost immunity then try another herb, as the body develops a tolerance after a period of usage. I gave my mom some echinacea, and she enjoys it as a light tea. 

- peppermint spirits - 

Spirits are internal medicines made with essential oils. These peppermint spirits are an experiment by 7song. He made them by first drying and tincturing the peppermints 1:4 at 50% alcohol. Then, he cold infused peppermint for a day. Finally, he added a 1:10 ratio of essential oil to tincture, and diluted it with the tea at 1:20 (1 EO-tincture-blend : 20 tea). Peppermint decreases nausea, and just a little of these peppermint spirits will help a lot. If someone is vomiting, then you can put 1 drop on the lips, have the person lick their lips, then see if the person continues vomiting after 5 minutes. If vomiting continues, then increase the dosage to 2 drops every 10 minutes, 5 drops every 10 minutes, etc. 5 drops is the maximum dosage at any one time. While traveling in India, we used the pure peppermint essential oil for cleaning hands before eating, a digestive aid, relaxant, and breath freshener. Growing up, my mom would always rub peppermint salve under our noses when we were congested, onto mosquitoes bites to help with itches, and onto the temples and (again) under the nose while traveling (especially in airplanes) to help with stuffiness and nausea. 

Here are some other plant medicines that I will bring with me to the Rainbow Gathering, to increase my personal sense of well-being and quality of life: 

- moxa sticks (dried artemesia vulgaris rolled into sticks to burn) for smudging onto or around aches and pains

- black cohosh (actaea racemosa) and cramp bark (viburnum opulus), to help with menstrual cramping 

- bee propolis, for cleaning out wounds 

- castor oil, for achy limbs

- st johnswort cream (hypericum perforatum) for scar tissue reduction and general skin care

- a variety of sweet-smelling perfumes from my friend ananda wilson, to keep me happy 

- skullcap and valerian, for sleep aid

- dandelion (taraxacum officianalis) and flax seeds, for digestive aid

- a personalized smudge smoke blend of white sage, moonwort, cedar, sage brush, sweetgrass, chapparal, osha, etc for incense 

- relaxing tea: rose, tulsi, passionflower, oats, chamomile, stevia

(photos: 7song bandaging Cali's sprained ankle at Roy Preserve, reishi mushroom (ganoderma spp.) at Roy Preserve, me amidst valerian roots (photo from Nishaan) at 7song's home) 

videos

In the month of May, I made a video everyday. I did this to learn more about making videos, sharing videos online, and getting comfortable in front of the video camera. I shared my daily videos for a week, then switched to sharing videos once a week, due to lack of Internet access, and slow Internet uploading capacities. You can view my videos here:

http://www.youtube.com/user/TheJazalicious/videos

I hope you enjoy! Please let me know your thoughts. Personally, I like the later videos much better than the first few. The later videos have some nice nature documentary-style footage, and humorous moments. I find my first few videos a bit too serious, and trying too hard to do well. I am delighted to find videography a powerful tool for capturing motion and emotion in different ways than photography. It is very convenient. I especially enjoy videotaping slow moving things, such as flowers in wind, tadpoles in water, newt on land, and then speeding them up and setting them to suitable music. I will continue to periodically post videos to share some beautiful bits of nature that I find around me (I recently videotaped a web full of baby spiders, dancing). 

Thanks for reading and watching! :) 

Pinch-pots: the Macroscopic within the Microscopic Universe

When you are attuned with the whole Universe within and around you, then every moment, every action becomes a meditation. I fell in love with making pinch-pots at NTNU's Pottery Club in Taipei, Taiwan. Making pinch-pots tunes me into the present moment, same as yoga, contact improv dance, and making music. Tamarack Song calls this feeling "Oneness." Yoga calls the Oneness feeling "satchitananda" (eternal-consciousness-bliss), and the state of this being as "Brahman." I love this feeling. 

I pull a handful of clay off the large hunk of clay sitting in a plastic bag. It is moist and damp, cool to the touch. The clay smells like wet Earth, and I can imagine streams dancing with slopes, mixing and mating over years and years, creating clay deposits on the sides of banks above and below rivers, deeper into the Earth, right below where we walk, sit, stand, and live, and mixed into the sand and stone of our usual soil. 

I roll the clay into a ball, massaging it into the right consistency to work with, pushing out air bubbles and feeling into the song of the clay. What do you want to become? What do I want you to become? 

The ball of clay sits, perfectly brown and obtuse, on the palm of my hand. In Taiwan, people seem fascinated with the ordinary, the tiny, the simple and elegant beauty of small cups, round shapes, clean lines, and smooth surfaces. In Taiwan, I made tiny pinch-pot after tiny pinch-pot, trying to perfect the art of elegant simplicity. Here, I sit next to my fire. I don't know the clay culture here. I am American-Taiwanese. I could go in any direction. 

Almost without thought, my thumb moves into the center of my ball of clay and makes the first indentation. Mindful yet mindless meditation, from here on out. I press my thumb gently but with the perfect amount of pressure into the indentation, gradually working my way around the edges of the indentation, each press widening and deepening it into a small bowl. "Take your time," said my pottery teacher in Taiwan, "you are rushing nowhere. If you go too fast, the clay will crack, and break when you fire it. Take your time and make it perfect. Feel deeply into every motion." 

I want to press the walls of my pinch-pot to be as thin as possible, for easy firing and lightweight usage. Every bump and indentation on the pot's surface is visible and palpable. I want it to be smooth, like a river with no ripples. Everything is a metaphor. What does a round shape mean, and how does that feel? How about an angular shape? I want to press a perfectly round shape, and any odd edges to be conscious and purposeful. 

Pressing a pinch-pot into an aesthetic and functional form is like practicing yoga everyday, planting a garden, cultivating a relationship, or anything else in life: it's an act of love and patience, like stringing delicate pearls together carefully and lovingly until one day, they form a shining necklace.

The microscopic Universe reflects the macroscopic Universe. The degree to which I can focus on patiently pressing a pinch-pot with no cracks, smooth lines, and an elegant form reflects how much I can remain focused, be patient, and attentive to details in other aspects of my life, such as my studies, or in my interpersonal relationships. 

I finish rounding and smoothing my pinch-pot, and step back to admire it, reflecting on and giving thanks for all the combined experiences thus far in my life that have combined together into this present moment "me," and this small pinch-pot borne of me and my storybook of life experiences. I reflect back on my Taiwanese pottery teacher, then start remembering and giving thanks for all the teachers that have come and gone through my life. The further I reflect and give thanks, the more I feel grateful for, until I can almost see my little pinch-pot brimming over with joyous gratitude and love. 

This clay pot is made of all the elements. In the photo, it's not fired yet. I let it slowly heat and dry atop my woodstove. One day, the wind blew my window in, and my window landed onto and broke my little pot. So I made two more pots. And, I will continue to make more. 

Clay pieces contain all the elements. The physical form is composed of earth and water. Then it is fired, where one must find the perfect balance of fire and air for a successful firing. Today, I experimented with firing two pots in and on my woodstove. My thinner smaller pot came through the fire successfully (beautiful color, no cracking, and lightweight durability), whereas my larger thicker pot (made by six hands together) cracked, and will break with time and usage. It cracked because I put it into my stove before it was dry enough to go in, and because the walls were too thick, with some air bubbles inside. Next time, I know what to do. 

(This story of clay was inspired by a recent bag of clay given to me by Bill Fischer and Joy Brown, two Earthen friends who inspire my life in diverse ways. Bill creates monthly community contradance gatherings at his home, where local musicians come to experiment and share, people of all ages and walks of life come to celebrate and dance together, and food, songs, dances, and merriment are delightfully woven throughout Bill's old farmhouse and the lives of the hundreds who come every month. Joy is a sculptor who embodies the love, artistry, and precision that I strive for in my life and pinch-pots. She makes life-size sculptures of meditative and expressive humans in elegant forms, traveling between USA and Asia to share her art with many.) 

--

 ~~~~~~~
  Jiling . 林基玲 

  . wild . creative . spirit 

  www.JazArt.blogspot.com 

  626.344.9140 / skype: Lin.JiLing