Jiling Lin, L.Ac. • Acupuncturist, Herbalist, Artist

6.27.2013

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.

6.23.2013

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

- 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)

- 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