Dark Moon Dreaming- Your Menses have Magic Powers…

Blog, Herbal Wisdom, Hormone Health, Human Spirit, Hypothalamic Amenorrhea

She falls in trust through the darkest night towards dawn-

Landing cradled in a silver crescent to lay her dreamy head upon-

Shedding the layers of dreams past-lovers-lessons and strife-

She is born once again- swelling with light and new life-

(A new moon is here dancing again with the sun. What a day, what a time to reflect on what the dance within you expresses…)

I have not had regular menses since menarche. From heavy and painful periods, a journey through birth control pills -that wreaked havoc to my system for years- into hypothalamic amenorrhea, my path to connecting with the sacred moon rhythms has unearthed the most ancient beauty within me as well as some very dark nights. I have had to face some truths about my health, my beliefs around my body and relationship to the world around me.

My own personal journey into the magic moon time took me through a month long “womb blood awakening” course with the Fountain of Life Foundation (FOL). Through meditations, devotional womb practices and shamanic menstruation my dream world began to open in vivid color and landscapes full of messages. This altered state began to flow into my waking life and my relationship with myself and the world around me shifted. It wasn’t until I really studied the sacredness of my own flow that I was able to not only balance my cycle and live without pain, but also heal a deeply wounded sense of self love and of not belonging to divine creation herself. I have a richer relationship with my emotions and can navigate my dreams in dark and day and discern what they are trying to say.

Each month women are blessed with a time of shedding, renewal, reflection and emotional cues that can guide our lives. A woman’s moon time is the most distinctive and inescapable physical difference from her male counterpart. We as women are blessed with an internal compass that can guide our fertile life, our creative life and our dream world. The relationship with your moon is, in my opinion a direct reflection of your relationship with self, your personal relationships and loverships. Your moon can tell you stories about your health and sing songs of your journey in love. As a woman you embody the grand Universal cycle of life- death and rebirth each month. Tapping into the ancient part of you that holds ceremonial truth about your magic moon can invoke great insight into your life in the waking and dream states.

“Her capacity to mate and bare children is a potential which the individual may or may not fulfil, but lover or virgin, mother or nun, from puberty to menopause she menstruates. And the point to realize is that she menstruates on all her levels- physical, etheric, astral, mental and spiritual. It is the ultimate expression of her (Goddess- like) cyclical nature.”- Janet and Stewart Farrar

These insights and dreams hold stories about your deepest truths and you start to see your life, and in some cases the lives of those you love, more clearly. In fact ancient civilizations all over the world honored this sacred time in women and would seek the guidance from the visions that came to them in their dreams during menstruation. Women were given respite from the daily duties and, in many cases, were physically relocated into what was known as the “red tent” so that they could connect to their process and deepest womb wisdom. In many ancient texts and myths it was written that womb blood was considered an elixir of life full of healing and consciousness altering properties. Womb blood carries all of the elements of life and properties unique only to divine creation.

“…over the last few years… what science now shows is that menstrual fluid contains over 1000 proteins that are biologically active, and 385 are unique proteins found only in menstrual fluid. The proteins and peptides found in menstrual blood and yoni fluids include many growth factors and cell stimulators, as well as a portion that are neurologically active or alter sensory perception” -FOL

Stories of the red tent have trickled down through the generations and we are now seeing a revival in “womb blood magic” and ceremonies that teach women how to connect to their ancient rhythms and change how they view this sacred monthly passage. And it couldn’t come sooner- the voice of divine creation (the Goddess) has fallen deaf on our modern ears and her song that lives in every woman is craving to be heard. I see this craving in the female clients I work with- in my sisters- in the men who are awakening to their own emotional lives and I feel it deep in myself. It is expressed through suppressed grief around self-love in the form of pelvic pain, fibroids, cysts, PMS, miscarriages and disconnected partnerships… I see it in sisters all around who cannot connect to one another and long for deep feminine relationships. I see it in anger, erratic emotions and confusion around operating in a way that has shut down their sacred connection to creative flow.

Shifting the current paradigm of shame around menstruation will take lots of healing circles, time, and a Universal shift in both men and women in how we treat this sacred cycle of life. It is quite daunting to most women to even consider not using tampons during their bleed. So, how do we begin? We start slow. We evoke the beauty of the subconscious to train the conscious mind. We look to the sky and begin to observe the bigger picture. We begin to dream again and simply ask our dreams to show us what we need to know to connect, to heal and to love deeply this sacred flow of life through our wombs.

Dark Moon Dream Time Tools

BE emotional: We as women have been conditioned to suppress our emotions so we can hang with the boys. Emotions are of the water element- they need to flow in order to carve new paths, soften rough edges and nurture all life. Trusting your emotions during menstruation may seem counterintuitive to current practices but your moon time emotions contain your MOST true insights. It takes practice and vulnerability to allow your rawness to reveal truths you may not want to address. You may be afraid of losing control. So, again, start slow. Feel and breath into it. Be curious rather than casting judgement. Just observe them. It is very helpful to journal and name them as naming a thing will disarm the charge around it and bring insight. As you become more aware you will begin to see patterns in your emotions and find your voice to express them clearly. But above all- BE emotional.

Make a dream pillow: This is magic at its most whimsical when we can whisper to our angels again like we did as children. A dream pillow simply holds the intention of opening you up to allow your subconscious dream state to guide you. Plants, herbs, flowers, crystals and stones have been used in dream pillows through many ancient cultures to evoke lucid dream states. My favorite plant to work with is Mugwort. Simply find a little pouch- I prefer leather or black to deflect any unwanted incoming energy- and fill it with Mugwort and a little crystal. You will want to whisper your intentions and prayers during your menses each night and slip it under your pillow or hang it over your bed. I have known some to actually fill a whole pillow- it’s your journey.

Follow the moon: Simply beginning to tune into the actual phases and cycles of the moon will create a deeper connection to your own divine cycles. You can simply honor her every night with a short prayer of gratitude. I personally build a devotional altar at each new and full moon phase while taking extra time to honor the quarter moon times in meditation. But, awareness of her and asking for her guidance is a simple and beautiful step in your path.

Have a lunar water prayer vessel: Ok, so this is by far one of my most favorite rituals, and one that I learned in the FOL course that I took. For one entire lunar cycle (new moon through new moon) you fill a clear chalice, cup or vessel of your choosing with water. You whisper prayers of gratitude into the water and ask the moon to fill the water with her healing properties. You leave the water outside to collect moonbeams overnight. When you wake in the morning you drink the water. I swear the water will wash over your womb and you will be filled with a deep ancient feeling of connection- I did anyway. This is also a beautiful ritual to do with little ones who may be afraid to sleep. They can feel like they whispered prayers to the moon to protect them in the night- again, magic in its whimsy.

I love you to the moon… thanks for reading.

I am here for guidance and questions.

Learn to Listen to Your Gut

“Don’t let the Sun go down on me” ~ Honoring the Divine Masculine

Blog, For the Guys, Human Spirit

“Even after all of this time the Sun has never once turned to the Earth and said “you owe me”. Look what happens with a love like that- it lights the whole sky.”- Hafiz

In my practice I lead clients through a balancing meditation for the divine feminine and divine masculine archetypes that live in every one of us. As we journey into what each of these represent in their lives I am finding that there is great confusion and emotion around the divine masculine energy within; at times even more so than the societally broken divine feminine energy.

I have been going over in my heart for months on how to express what I experience with this imbalance and misunderstood masculine. But, I first had to understand it more for myself and how it has impacted my entire life. As we approach the height of summer I decided it is only appropriate that now is the time to approach this topic as the Sun is the full embodiment of the masculine essence. I know in my life I have always been more fire and a devout sun worshipper. My masculine side was always in overdrive, on the move and burning hot. As I write this my body is going through a major transition through injury and recovery from illness and exhaustion. I am beginning to sense a softness calling me, begging me to slow down, rest, create and flow a bit more like water than burn hot like a flame. I know that what burns so hot and bright can also burn right out if not tended to.

Divine Masculine?

Well in order to understand the divine masculine energy we must also have knowledge of the divine feminine. Simply put and to directly quote Janet and Stewart Farrar..

“The male essence is linear, analytical, with concentrated and logical awareness; it takes things to pieces to see what things are made of; it is fertilizing energy, force rather than form. The female essence is cyclical, synthesizing, with diffuse intuitive awareness; it puts things together to see how they relate; it receives the male energy and gives it form….. Either without the other is incomplete, distorted and vulnerable”

I find that my male clients crave the cradling force of the Earth Mother- the divine feminine. As they begin to tap into the passionate, emotional and wild masculine creatures they are- they feel their primal instincts stir from dormancy and from under this shroud of modern numbing. A spark of something ancient begins to burn and spread through their bones but the fear, shame and confusion of where to direct it and how to harness these feelings rises just as strong. They have been faced with the conflicting messages of “be tough” and “boys don’t cry” along with being told that the “big macho tough guy act” is too aggressive. The feelings and emotions they do have are buried under a mound of anger and disconnect from their passions and creative desires.

In my female clients their masculine sense has been on overdrive with balancing career, family and social calendars. They have been warriors in their lives and crave to be seen as the soft and fertile creative force they truly are. Being “too emotional” is something to be ashamed of and so often as women we burry and discount our true feelings. This shows up in hormone imbalances and PMS among many other symptoms. When I feel their right ovary (the right side of the body and right ovary hold the masculine energy) it’s in a spin as the left side and ovary (feminine) feels sad and uninspired and so thankful to have the attention.

Our most primal instincts are to survive and create. In ancient civilizations the masculine warrior would go out to hunt for and protect the women and children only to return to the softness and nurturing of ceremony, gathering and the womb of a woman. As well, the women would gather and create medicine, art and tend to the children and home and welcome back into their sacred circle the heat of their warrior at the end of the day. There was a an honor of the rhythms and natural roles of each gender in balance with their archetypal counterpart. Although men were the warriors and protectors they also gathered together in embrace and healing, often in the arms of another brother; emotion was celebrated and held.

Now of course we do not live in such defined roles any longer and have advanced in so many ways with equality in gender rights and opportunities- thank goodness. But, in these advancements we have lost the essence of our divine nature and rhythms. We have become broken inside so that we can produce and “succeed” outside. The masculine has been used up and burned out in almost all. The re- awakening in the last few years of the divine feminine archetype is no accident and why the terms Goddess, priestess and womb wisdom are becoming commonplace. We need her watery, emotional and creative ways because as we emerge into the rise of the feminine archetype, her wisdom and energy our internal warrior is needing some serious rest and regeneration.

So, as the Sun rises to his highest point and you feel your fire burn bright remember that at the end of every warm sunny day is a cool, restorative and dreamy dark night…

Nourish and Balance

Tune in: Honoring the elements that embody the divine feminine and masculine archetypes is a beautiful and simple way to bring balance. Upon rising each morning look east and give thanks to the vibrant masculine Sun for warming you and the Earth and to be there to greet you each day. As night falls, look to the Moon to bring you into the mystery of the feminine as you fall into deep sweet sleep.

Receive Maya Abdominal Massage: Scheduling bodywork in general will help you to land in your body to better understand where your blockages are. But, specific work in the seat of your emotional body will open, teach and transform your understanding of your imbalances and where you are storing trauma and stress. Maya Abdominal Massage (specifically ATMAT®) addresses stagnation physically, emotionally and energetically in our pelvic and abdominal organs to allow optimal flow of energy, nourishing blood, lymph, oxygen and chi.

Journal your experience: Ask yourself what divine masculine and divine feminine mean to you in your life. And for one lunar cycle (from new moon through full moon to new moon) tune into what force drives your decisions, your communications, relations, emotions and your creativity. Feel where you need to explore and heal.

Create-Create- Create: Your masculine side will thrive when your creative juices are flowing and being expressed. The feminine creates and the masculine brings the creation to life. When what you are putting out to the world (masculine) reflects what is in your heart and creative soul (feminine) you will find balance and grace.

Healthy Emotional Release: As one of my dance teachers always says “you gotta feel it to heal it”. Allowing your bound up emotions to go opens up space for healing in your entire life. Emotions are of the water element and they temper the fire. They soften the edges like a stream over rough stone. Emotions inspire creativity and the fire puts the passion and ideas into action. I don’t know of any songs, art or dance that don’t come from a place of deep creative inspiration. Every human- every spirit needs this balance and this includes our men.

I know that when I allow myself a good cry my digestion seems to automatically improve in the moment and I feel empty and ready to rest and refuel. Release can come in many ways: cry, sing, dance, om, orgasm, sit in your car and scream (I can attest that they all are quite effective). The caveat is this, healthy emotion release. If you are constantly crying and in despair please seek support…

Explore These Balances in Your Relationship: The dynamic of connection, love and relation between man and woman is the truest expression of the divine balance. When we lose our sense of these within ourselves we can get entangled into imbalanced relationships. I feel the lack of divine masculine and feminine teachings is the main reason we cannot deeply connect and stay connected. Divorce rates are incredible and there are too many creative, passionate, amazing and very single individuals in the world seeking connection. There are many books and sites that can help you dive into these dynamics within yourself and your relationship- be curious and seek what calls you.

I desired to truly meet the feminine in all her wild and beautiful elements, and to remember how the masculine was an integral part of this vast, dynamic beauty. For it is this communion with the feminine that births the wild masculine. – Dr Azra Bertrand

Happy Summer Solstice!

Lemonade for Your Lady Parts

Blog, Foods For Thought, Herbal Wisdom, Hormone Health

I love fresh made lemonade. And, I have been practically dosing myself on this amazing herbal lemonade recipe I created that will love up your lady parts. It is full of nourishing herbs, spicy ginger and lots of fresh lemon. Oh- and it’s PINK!

The base of this nourishing summertime beverage is an herbal infusion. Infusions are similar to simple teas but they steep for at least 4 hours in order to draw out the maximum benefit of the herbs being used.

You will need a large jar or large French press cleaned of all coffee grounds. I use sprouting jars for all of my infusions as they are the perfect size and come equipped with an easy strain mesh top- and they are cheap. I have quite a few so I can do a couple infusions at a time.

Lemonade for Your Lady Parts

I don’t typically measure anything as I like to go on feel. Some days I want more ginger so I add more. Or, I don’t want any sweetener so I skip the bit of stevia leaf. If I am coming close to my menses I may boost the red raspberry a pinch. Play with what you feel but here is a rough guideline…

Raspberry leaf– one small handful (1/2 cup): Raspberry leaf is simply food for your uterus. It also adds a slight raspberry flavor to the lemonade.
Hibiscus Flowers– I use about 8-10 of the dried whole flowers. Hibiscus is full of vitamin C which is necessary for healthy ovulation and, of course immunity. It also has wonderful astringent properties so it is very good consumed before and during your moon. This is what makes everything pink-in the lemonade that is.
Oatstraw- One small handful (1/2 cup): Oats are an incredible nervine and have been used to ease anxiety, depression, irritability and low sexual vitality. In fact oatstraw has been used for addressing low libido in men and women for centuries. It has a very mild taste.
Fresh Ginger– 1/4 cup thinly sliced: Ginger is an incredible anti- inflammatory and digestive aid. Adjust to your taste.
Stevia– one tiny pinch of raw leaf: A little goes a long way. You could use a tiny amount of raw honey.
Lemons– about 3 medium organic lemons.

Bring adequate amount of water to a boil in a pot, enough to fill, or almost fill the jar. Add the ginger and simmer for 10 minutes. Put all of the herbs in the jar and pour the water over. Give thanks to the herbs for their potent healing and you can whisper intentions into your infusion as you work. If your water doesn’t fill the jar all the way- no worries. You can always add more. Let the infusion sit (in the sun if you can) for at least 4 hours, but no more than 8 as you don’t want things to get funky. Refrigerate until cold. Add as much lemon as you want- strain and drink up.

You’re welcome!

Summertime! How to Heat Up Your Libido

Blog

The sun is rising to its highest point and everything and everyone is bursting with life and possibility. Your body warms and your skin begins to glow making you want to dance naked in open fields and dash off to late night skinny dip adventures- are you with me?! No?

Summer is fire, summer is passion- summer is the brightest light coming to life inside of you. Your body was created to be in sync with the changing seasons and reflect nature’s rhythms. Unfortunately so many of us are disconnected and distracted from the natural world. I see this often reflected in one’s lack of drive to create- with another human being- in a blaze of beauty and passion (aka low libido).

LOW LIBIDO?

In my opinion a strong libido is one of the top signs of vitality. There are many reasons our drive drops and thus I always suggest seeking a little insight. Of course stress plays the biggest role so addressing where you can manage your stress better is always the first step to healing an imbalance. Other contributors to low libido…

Poor Diet
Lack of exercise
Hormone imbalance
Adrenal Fatigue
Medications
You sit all day on your precious creative organs
You don’t use your “libido” enough
Trauma

Summer time will illuminate your lack luster libido more than any other time of year as your body will crave to turn over the love crank. So, tuning into your body’s deep intuitive response to be in sync with this season can greatly assist you in igniting your spark. Use the energy that the summer sun provides to begin to heal. Get outside and feel the sun on your face and bare a little of that skin that has been suffocating under clothes for the last 9 months. Sun gazing and sun mediation will draw in the light and help you begin to feel your body, sense its blockages and awaken your desires.

Vitamin D deficiency can cause low estrogen in women, which means low sex drive. It also causes low testosterone in men. So if you tend to feel more frisky during the summer than the winter, there’s a very good reason for it – increased vitamin D causes your hormones, and your libido, to peak during summer months. -Sara Gottfried MD

Summer is also the growing time so the foods that the season provides will be bursting with that expansive bright energy keeping the body light and energized- berries, berries and more juicy berries. Poor diet and bad digestion will bind up your libido as your sex hormones will most likely be awry. Our digestion naturally desires quick burning foods in the heat so eating accordingly can help ease digestive sluggishness opening up our hormone communication pathways.

Attuning yourself to the season is a powerful first step but most likely won’t be enough to really fuel your fire if you’re a soggy log. There are many practices, foods and herbs that can help- here are a few that I know work, I have used and are easy to incorporate.

Maca: Maca is a powerful and nourishing adaptogen that grows in arid ground in the Peruvian highlands. It has been termed “Peruvian Ginseng” and is very well known for increasing sexual stamina in men and women. What recent research has found is that the adaptogenic properties seem to act directly on the hypothalamus and pituitary helping support proper hormone balance which is where the basis for increased libido comes from. It is stimulating and, although considered a food and quite safe, I always take maca in the morning and monitor my energy. You can adjust the dosage to your body and decide which form (powder, tincture, pill) works best for you.

One small study looked at the effect of 4 months of treatment with maca tablets on semen quality in nine adult men. Treatment with maca resulted in increased semen volume, sperm count, and sperm motility. Serum levels of testosterone and estradiol were not affected.

Damiana: This plant has been used as an aphrodisiac for thousands of years throughout Latin America, specifically Mexico, for increasing libido and overall sexual health. Its properties help to stimulate oxygen supply to the pelvic and abdominal organs. I love the potent aroma of damiana tea especially with a bit of honey.

Ginseng: Hands down one of the best herbs for building long term stamina and vitality. Although all ginsengs have highly beneficial adoptogenic properties it seems that American ginseng works best with the feminine constitution and Asian ginseng with the male.

Rose: If you want to open your heart- and you do. You can eat, drink, bathe in it and roll around in it. It will infuse your life with love.

Oatstraw: Susan Weed says to drink 3 quarts of oatstraw infusion per week for your libido- enough said.

Have more sex: If you don’t use it you will lose it.

Exercise: How great do you feel in your body when you are physically active, moving your bones and sweating it out?! Exercise is a must. You don’t have to pound the pavement or hit the gym for an hour. But do move your body in way that gets your heart going and spills a trickle of sweat down your back. Best choices- dance and anything outside.

Abdominal/ Pelvic Massage: Accessing the areas directly responsible for your libido can bring you back into relationship with your sexual energy. By releasing any congestion, adhesions, tightness and stored emotions you can begin to bring in nourishment and open up space for blood flow, proper nerve function, chi, oxygen and lymph to move. If you feel any blockage and disconnect at all from your pelvic bowl this treatment is a must. And- I even know a wonderful practitioner who can help guide you.

Drink more water: Ok so more water doesn’t directly affect your libido but it’s hot. And you are about to get a bit hotter so you will need it because I know you don’t drink enough and it is very good for you.

As always, be tuned into your body when you begin to incorporate new practices, foods, herbs and supplements. You have to feel it to heal it. And believe me- you want to feel it. Let your inner sun shine!

Questions? I would love to help….

Cleansing and Your Hormones (Choosing the right cleanse for YOU)

Blog, Digestion, Foods For Thought, Hormone Health

There is nothing like the Spring season to really illuminate where we need to lighten our load and where we have imbalance. Imbalances this time of year surface quickly- like a Spring shoot (haha). With all things awakening, our spirit and libido also begin to surge with the buzz of new life all around and you right? And, yes, your spirit. You are feeling inspired at least some of the time- right?) This is why everyone writes about “cleaning up” and “clearing out” and why cleansing the body is the trending wellness pitch. But before jumping on some trendy food, or no food, cleanse program I strongly encourage you to look at your hormonal health to help guide you.

In my opinion, your hormones are the best indicator of how balanced and healthy you are. However, when most of us think of cleansing, hormone health doesn’t even come into consideration. The signs of hormone imbalance are either overlooked or completely ignored because most of us, women especially, are told that hormones are imbalanced and erratic by nature. (Nature doesn’t work that way).

Furthermore, when these signals are ignored you may choose a cleanse program that does more harm than good. True you may lose weight and feel a sudden burst of energy, but what is the long term effect and- how are your hormones? If they do not balance with your cleanse then the cleanse is NOT for you. For instance let’s say you choose to do the all popular juice cleanse but you tend to mismanage blood sugar. A juice cleanse could throw your hormones into a fit. Your “cleanse” will backfire and you may spiral into deeper issues.

There are some very clear signals that your hormones should be what drive determining which type of cleanse may serve you best. These signals may also determine that a typical cleanse is not what you need and what you need is a different kind of reset for your body.

You need to “cleanse” your hormones if you have…

Painful periods (heavy flow, cramping, migraines)
Dark and clotty periods
Acne
Cysts and fibroids
Excess weight and “puffiness” that does not respond to exercise
You are excessively moody and erratic

You need a reset if:

You have amenorrhea
Your periods are very short and very light (1-3 days)
Your sex drive is in reverse
You have no lust for life
You get dizzy often and have brain fog
You have difficulty maintaining a healthy weight (underweight)

If you experience some or all of the symptoms above I advise seeking some guidance around choosing a program that will support your body and its needs. You need to take into consideration that your hormones will point to other issues in your body so by addressing your hormones you may end up healing and “cleansing” other systems in your body like your digestion, your adrenals and your metabolism.

Regardless of symptoms, or if you are generally healthy. I usually recommend that once a year women (and men) tune in to their hormones and see where cleansing, clearing, nourishment and support may enhance and deepen their sacred connection to the rhythms of nature. The journey into cleansing and resetting the body should also be approached from all angles of self- mind/body/spirit. When you are able to truly tune into yourself and tune out the trends and the noise you can choose what is right for you- naturally. Your yearly “cleanse” will become a time of deep reflection and honor to the most sacred thing you will ever possess- your body.

How to start:

Be clear with your intention to cleanse: This is vital before beginning any program. What do you truly seek to change and are you really willing to do the work, make a shift and make it sustainable. Do you have the time? The resources? This is difficult because I have met very few women who, deep down, don’t love to lose weight and that may not be what you really need.

Get some guidance: No one-not even myself who knows a thing or two about the functions of the body- should set out on a plan alone. This is also a good time to schedule some bodywork that can help support you whether it be massage (especially abdominal), acupuncture, cranio-sacral or hydrotherapy.

Track you cycle for one month: How do you bleed? When do you ovulate? Do you have cravings and PMS? This will help you determine where your imbalances are and how to cleanse, eat, drink, sleep and exercise accordingly.

Food journal: for one week track what you eat, how you feel and your cravings. Again, this will greatly help determine nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities and what is emotional vs physiological.

If you have any questions I would love to hear from you.

I believe strongly in support and it doesn’t take a lot. To help Spring you into action with what is right for you I am offering a series of 3 sessions at $30 off (this does not include the first session rate)! These sessions will combine coaching, abdominal massage and supportive bodywork.- Not in Seattle? I do phone coaching and one call can change a lot.

When Your Belly Has Been a Battleground- (Post Cleanse and Protocol Soothing)

Blog, Digestion, Herbal Wisdom

Your belly is battleground from mouth to anus as it is constantly attacking invaders and removing toxins. With each bite of food, each breath of “fresh” air and in each interaction with another our entire gut sends out signals as to what may be friend or foe as bacteria, viruses and parasitic critters enter our system. As our food and environments become more toxic and our stress levels rise, it becomes more difficult for this system to stay in balance and fight the foreign invaders giving rise to the ever popular diagnoses of IBS, candida, parasitic infection and now SIBO (among many others).

I see these beat up bellies on a daily basis. People come to me with one of the many diagnosis and are usually on some sort of cleanse-herb-diet-antibiotic protocol to kill the foreign invaders- great! Unfortunately, the guidance around what to expect when you “call off the troops” (so to speak) falls short and leaves many people in a vicious cycle of constantly trying to kill- cleanse-kill. This can truly become obsessive- (I mean, who wants critters in their gut)- and can lead to many other imbalances in digestion and immune function. Also, most often these same people have also been put on a diet full of fiber to help ease the constipation associated with the imbalances. (fiber is not always the best option but that is for another day and time- or email me). When they get to me seeking some relief from it all their guts are literally crying out for them to stop the kill and just chill.

The gut truly is our second brain. And, like our brain we are just beginning to understand more about its many functions especially in managing and balancing the bacteria in relationship to overall health. Recently there has been a lot of new research around our own personal bacteria makeup- also known as the microbiome. When we attack and try to rid our body of outside pathogens and unwanted bacteria we are disrupting a whole entire system that will need to be soothed, rebuilt and understood on a case by case basis. This goes for those who have also been on a cleanse that may have included supplements for “cleaning out” the gut.

I am not anti-cleanse and kill. Cleansing and removing the harmful bacteria and unwanted gunk is very healthy for our entire body. But, like I said, most programs miss a big piece in education and support around the origin of the imbalance and how to soothe and rebuild the now, vulnerable and irritated gut lining. Most people, at the very least, get told to take a round of probiotics but they are still left hanging with some of the original symptoms. Here is a guide into questions to ask and safe ways to soothe.

Rebuilding Your Gut- What you need to know

With every protocol we must always remember that the body is self-regulating and self- healing and we should always try to choose the least invasive route into the fight. You also need to look at the many other factors in your life that may be contributing to your imbalances.

Stress: Stress kills- we all know. But, when it comes to the gut it is most susceptible. When we are in sympathetic stress mode- as most of us are all day- our body signals the gut to slow down and stop digesting and producing enzymes in preparation for “the flight or fight”. This continued message can cause your gut motility to slow to down, and in some almost halt. Gut motility is the motor function of the smooth muscle lining of the intestines that moves food- and gunk- through your entire digestive tract at a healthy and relaxed pace. Low motility will cause constipation, pain and contraction and bacteria can end up getting stuck in the wrong places and create overgrowth- as in the case of SIBO. Addressing your motility is necessary for proper gut function. Stress management, abdominal massage techniques and certain foods/herbs can greatly assist motility of your gut.

Antibiotic use: I grew up in the age of antibiotic happy parents as they didn’t know what we know now about their overuse. Antibiotics have saved millions of lives but they are NOT the answer to your every little sniffle and sneeze. They literally wipe out your beneficial bacteria leaving your immune system and gut open and vulnerable. Since most of your immune system is in your gut you are setting yourself up for another vicious cycle of foreign invaders-antibiotics. When you know how to rebuild your gut and address all factors necessary your immune system will naturally defend itself. Also, you NEED bacteria so you can become resistant to infection. Stop killing and start rebuilding.

Diet: Simply put if you are not willing to address your diet then stop reading. I find so many people know what they need to do to feel better but won’t. They are addicted to foods that are literally killing them. I realize the emotional implications of diet which is why support and addressing your whole mind-body-spirit picture is necessary. You will never feel better if you continue to eat processed foods full of chemicals and poison. Your gut will never heal regardless of what cleanse, herbs and protocols you may add in- even the ones I recommend below.

Family history: Does your mom digest well? Does a sibling have crohn’s, celiac or colitis? How was your gut as a child? When did your symptoms start? Answering these questions can be very helpful in addressing the proper way to rebuild and what your deeper causes may be. Predisposition to gut imbalance and childhood traumas (ugh I know) can reveal a lot.

How to rebuild

Probiotics?: If you have been to see someone about your belly you have most likely been told to take probiotics. We need healthy amounts of beneficial bacteria (flora) in our gut. Our digestion, our emotional well-being, our hormones and our immune system all rely on this balance. Here is where it gets tricky- and why I highly recommend getting guidance… Probiotics can sometimes do more harm than good. As mentioned, there is a tremendous amount of research now around the microbiome. Essentially we all have our own unique balance of different types of bacteria throughout our whole body- aka the microbiome. Knowing a little bit about yours is incredibly helpful when rebuilding the gut.

There are many ways to repopulate your gut flora in addition to your “typical” probiotic blend including soil based organisms, colostrum and fermented foods. Also, take into consideration what your imbalance was- if you are recovering from SIBO or IBS you may not benefit from large doses of probiotics right away and could end up making your symptoms worse.

Bone Broth: This is one of my favorite ways to rebuild the gut and nourish your whole entire body. It contains high amounts of collagen and amino acids that are essential for cell and tissue repair. I am all for using foods to heal. Read here for more info on bone broth.

Glutamine: L- glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the body and is responsible for cellular turn over and tissue repair which is why it is in a lot of post workout protein powders. (don’t worry it does not bulk you up). Even if you are doing your bone broth or collagen supplementation I highly recommend dosing some glutamine for a short while. You can get glutamine anywhere but I highly recommend a powder.

Marshmallow and Slippery Elm: Whenever I take this I envision the lining of my intestines becoming like a slip and slide. Both of these amazing foods/herbs are incredible for soothing the whole entire digestive tract. I like to take them together in a powder. You can add them to smoothies but drink fast as they do act like thickeners.

Aloe Vera Juice and Gel: Think of how cooling and soothing aloe is for your skin. It does that for your insides. Some people drink it every day and some just need it in high doses for a month or so to help repair and soothe. It does have a very mild effect on your bowel movements so tune into how it works for you. It is also very good for your immune system.

Get Abdominal Massage: I have to say this because it is my passion and it works. Having your abdomen massaged can help alleviate any adhesions, contractions and inflammation trapped in the tissue. It is incredible for the nervous system and can greatly affect motility in a positive manner. Plus, it is a journey into understanding your body in a whole new way. If you are lucky enough to live in the Seattle area (currently 65 and sunny as I write) you can come see me- or email me if you need help finding other abdominal massage practitioners.

So whether you are finishing up a spring cleanse or a belly blasting protocol of any sort, make sure you soothe the soil you just turned up- repopulate appropriately and most important- Learn to Listen to Your Gut

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How to rebuild

Words from the past.