“What can I take for…”

 When people learn that I am an herbalist, I often get asked, “what can I take for an upset stomach”, or “what can I take for depression”, etc., etc.  I often tell them that there is no simple answer, like “take a few aspirins if you have a headache.” Or take an antacid if you have upset stomach.”

I have a friend whose mother-in-law saw Dr. Oz talking about the herb California Poppy. This woman now wants her entire family to take this herb because they are all “nuts, anxious, depressed, and in pain”. According to Dr. Oz, this herb can take care of it all! I am glad that Dr. Oz is raising awareness about herbs, but this is a poor approach to using herbs and more likely to fail than an individualized approach.

Working with herbs is often not so simple. If you are depressed, what is making you depressed? How is your digestion and elimination? (most people are surprised to learn that many cases of depression stem from a dysfunctional gastrointestinal system). Maybe your depression is of “hepatic” origin. Is it hormonal depression? Do you feel stuck in your job or in a bad relationship? Are you lonely or bored? Are you depressed because you fear death or illness? Is your depression a drug side-effect? Are you hypothyroid? Have nutritional deficiencies? Blood sugar imbalances? Is your depression seasonal?

There is no single herb that will work for all types of depression. St. John’s Wort has been pigeon-holed as the “Depression herb”. While St. John’s Wort may be effective for a specific type of depression, it does not work for all. I have seen that many people take a “take this for that” approach to herbs because they have heard that an herb is “good for” this or that, and when it does not work, they declare herbs ineffective. The herbalist strives to discover the underlying cause and aims to correct it with a very individualized approach.

Herbalists rarely use a single herb; rather, we use thoughtfully constructed formulations of herbs that work synergistically together – uniquely tailored to the individual. 

Brown Bagging It for Lunch

Anyone who works away from home knows how much of a hassle it is to run out for lunch. You may have to get in your car and drive your destination, then wait in line and order your meal. You shell out your hard-earned dollars for a meal that may not be in your health’s best interest. Many restaurant meals are loaded with salt, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats. Then you scarf it down in minutes in order to make it back to work in time. By the time you return, you may be more frazzled than when you left…with indigestion to boot! Most school cafeteria lunches are notoriously unhealthy, and kids may have little time to eat after waiting in the lunch line.
There is a better way to do lunch that will leave you more refreshed, healthier, and with a few more dollars. By “brown bagging” your lunch, you can enjoy your lunch at a nearby park, an office lounge, or even escape to the solitude of your car. And you may even have time for a short walk, a power-nap,
or meditation when you are finished. Brown bagging it can be healthier for the planet because take out containers from restaurants end up in landfills.
Most people think of a deli meat sandwich when it comes to brown bagging it, but there are so many other possibilities. Here are just a few ideas both adults and kids may enjoy:
• Salads: Lettuce, vegetable, fruit, potato, pasta, bean, egg, shrimp, chicken or turkey, quinoa or rice salad
• Sandwiches: Turkey, ham, tuna, hummus, roasted red pepper/Portobello mushroom and mozzerella, hummus and cucumber, nut butters, avocado/tomato/lettuce, on whole grain bread
• Hard-boiled eggs with ham and cheese roll-ups
• Cottage cheese & fruit
• Cheese and whole grain crackers with veggies & dip
• Tabouli, hummus on a pita, stuffed grape leaves
• Cold leftovers from the night before: meatloaf, quiche, chicken
• Soups and stews can be kept hot in a good insulated container
A high carbohydrate meal can give you a quick burst of energy, but leave you feeling sluggish later in the afternoon. For sustained energy, combine complex carbs with healthy fats with protein, and eliminate simple carbs like sugars, refined flours, and processed foods. For an added boost, enjoy energizing hot or cold teas with your lunch. Try green tea, Tulsi, or peppermint teas.
Some necessary supplies for brown bagging it include: a reusable insulated bag, small reuseable ice packs, and reuseable food and beverage containers. Kids and adults both love the bento-style lunchboxes which have several containers of varying sizes inside a hard-sided box. Some, such as the “Laptop Lunch” system come with a recipe book, beverage container, and utensils.
What are your favorite brown bag lunches?