Suggested Practices
Body Journal:
This is an in depth observation of your bodily sensations and daily patterns. Record voice notes in the Whatsapp "body journal" chat. Each time you eat or put anything in your mouth (water, tea, medication, etc), leave a voice note in the moment. this will help with accuracy and the time of day for pattern tracking.
Tune in with your body hourly for a body scan as soon as you wake up. It helps to set an alarm at the top of each hour..
First you'll do an inward scan of your whole physical state of being. Take note of sensations such as:
Then you'll do an outward scan of external stimuli such as:
Mirror Work - Once a day.
Meet yourself in the mirror. Allow whatever arises to be and make space for it. Approach this with a state of openness and curiosity. Be kind with yourself, inviting in all the parts of yourself no matter how much judgement or shame you feel around them. Use discomfort and shame as a gateway to meet yourself on a deeper level. Treat yourself with the same care you would treat little AJ.
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Coffee Substitutes
Calendula Flower Infusion
Put 2 handfuls of whole organic or wildcrafted Calendula flowers in a pot and add about 1 litre of good water.Put the lid on and bring the water almost to a boil.
Turn the temperature down and simmer for 15-20 min.
Leave the herbs in the pot and strain as you drink.Drink a couple cups a day.
Calendula is a relatively mild herb that helps heal the stomach lining and clears the lymph. Drink plenty of water to help support lymph drainage.
Lemon Balm Infusion
Get dried or fresh lemon balm and make it just as you would the Calendula. You can downsize the portion to a cup at a time, just be sure it simmers well.
Lemon Balm is a nervous system ally with an affinity for the heart. Great before bed and also combined with Chamomile.
Slippery Elm or Marshmallow Root Infusion
Do not heat like regular tea. Leave a tablespoon in about 8 oz of water overnight. It should have a slimy texture. Strain and mix it with recommended infusion (about 25% cold infusion of Slippery Elm or Marshmallow Root and 75% warm tea infusion)
These 2 are for coating the stomach lining and GI. Help with digestion. You can also drink it on it's own.
Tissue repair and inflammation modulation
Helps with pain, sleep and relaxation of nervous system
Castor Oil Pack
Soak a pure cotton or flannel piece of cloth in organic cold pressed castor oil. Lay it over your entire abdomen region (liver, spleen, guts, womb), place a water heating pad on top (can place a clean towel between). Leave on for 30-45 min to start, you can work it up to overnight. Use your intuition.
1/4 cup pure applesauce
1 teaspoon flax or chia seeds
1 teaspoon slippery elm or marshmallow root powder
Pinch of ginger root powder
Stir all ingredients together, seal in a jar and keep in the fridge. Should be ok for a few days.
Take immediately on the onset of nausea. Best to slightly heat it by mixing a little chamomile or lemon balm tea in there so it's at least room temp. If you don't have tea on hand or there's no time just use a little warm water.
If not needed (best case scenario), just eat it with steamed pears or more apple sauce to dilute the texture a bit or dilute with lemon balm tea. It's good for the stomach lining.
Internal Bleeding (Yarrow tea or tincture)