You mentioned water kefir. I make a ferment with prickly pear fruit juice. I call it Prickly Pear Tepache. My research suggests that the SCOBY of water kefir was derived from the prickly pear cactus in Mexico - known as "tíbicos". The Swiss brought this over to Switzerland in the 1890s and could be found in Switzerland as "tibi" through the 1930s. Then it got rebranded somewhere along the way as water kefir.
How interesting. I had no idea. I'm making Kombucha today and experimenting with a few new blends trying to create SCOBY's from scratch. I'm really going down the fermenting rabbit hole to research my next post. This is something I feel drawn to learn more about so thanks so much for sharing!
Many thanks for that, John... I've also read that it originated on a cactus plant, but I had not heard of the Swiss connection! That's so interesting! Do you have a source you can recommend?
I had to track down the original sources through the aid of a Swiss scientist who could read the old documents, all in German. This is why most sources online claim this is false (water kefir grains coming from prickly pear in Mexico). I need to write a post about it.
Enjoyed this very much! Loved the history and all of the good points made about digging deeper into our health issues and learning more about herbs as medicine and the profession. It was also great to hear more about how things are in the UK as my genes are 99% English and connecting with the motherland through others on Substack has been a real joy. Best wishes on the journey into acupuncture. Electroacupuncture has made a remarkable difference in my long covid healing journey. One of the first things my acupuncturist told me was to rest and to sleep, as you said, not a popular thing to do these days. So glad to hear you helping to make us aware that taking something as medicine forever is not usually normal. "Pulse" it (Dr. Ben Lynch) to help yourself recover and then stop taking supplements or medication is something I had never heard anyone say before. Paying attention to what my body is telling me is something I am still learning, and I've realized I have spent most of my life running on autopilot and mostly clueless on how to do this. Speaking of how conventional medicine has been "specialized", and the gut, I recently learned that gut problems can be the cause of chest pains and heart palpitations. Good reminded that we are whole beings, not just pieces and parts of a dissected organism. Thank You and best wishes to you both.
I am so remiss. I have a question that either of you might be able to help me with. If not that’s fine too I have had wonderful success using yucca root tincture for information like relieving swelling after surgery, ankle sprains and the like. My dear dear amazing girlfriend suffers from Fibromyalgia. inflammatory condition of the nerves, do you think I should acquire some for her? I mean 20 bucks for a tiny little bottle is worth attempt I guess if it works I’ll get an ounce
Hudson, has your girlfriend every considered brain retraining? I'm currently working toward my own recovery from MCAS using the Gupta Program, and they have done clinical trials showing success specifically with fibromyalgia. Here's more info: https://guptaprogram.com/treatment-for-fibromyalgia/
20 bucks. Big deal. I’ve got nothing to lose. She’s taking so many vacation days just to rest and regroup at home we haven’t even been able to go anywhere for two years. I can’t wait till she can retire. I wish I was in a position to let her quit now.
Quite all right. What you do know is super impressive and I love the fact that you are open source. Sure harder and knowledge worth having is worth something and anyone can monetize it and rightly so bad not doing so is even more righteous. Thank you so much
I find myself connected to your guest so deeply. I am a healer of myself but after healing myself from cancer and many other things of course, I am 70 after all. But right now, we need to know from the DIVINE FEMININE, as this woman represents, who is connected to the elemental kingdom as MERLIN was, to help people heal without a focus on money. I believe that having a very deep spiritual connection and faith in my abundance and prosperity being completely provided for by a higher power and never from a person I am helping (sometimes daily as their body changes). I heal myself daily and stress that everyone will do that. MOSTLY WITH NUTRITION NOT SUPPLEMENTS AND DRUGS.
I love how you point out empowerment and intention as a vital part of healing for everyone. You are beautiful and thank you for sharing this woman with me.
Thank you for your kind words. It's an honour and joy to connect with healers across the world through this empowering platform. It's a blessing to meet you.
Oh, my gosh! Thank you so much. I'm beyond grateful for your compliments, and I'm thrilled to the bone to hear that this talk touched you so much. It sounds like you have an incredible offering yourself. The people you're helping are very fortunate.
Thank you. Both of you ladies are amazing. I can’t believe men are smart enough to realize it’s time to let the women manage our days. At least the governmental portion……..
Thank you, Sarah, for generously sharing your knowledge with us. Feel free to leave questions for Sarah below, or paid subscribers can join us for tomorrow's chat.
The pleasure is all mine! I thoroughly enjoyed our chat! As readers of my own Substack will know, I rarely collaborate on Podcasts, so this was an enormous delight. It would be wonderful to hear from other international herbalists about their experiences working with plant medicine. I'm also keen to hear any stories about first encounters with herbs. Thank you for being such a warm host.
Paul Stamets has had great success with fungi extractions, tinctures and the like treating cancer. Civilizations throughout history have used that plant kingdom for health and wellness. Do you know anyone who is combining your knowledge and the fungi medicinal practices?
I have to be honest and say that mushroom medicine wasn't covered in great detail on my course outside the remit of the usual suspects (Reishi, Chaga etc) that are frequently used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I've followed the work of Paul Stammets for a while and am very interested in his research, but I personally only use a few select mushroom extracts I am super familiar with in my patients prescriptions.
That impresses me. I mean you can’t be an expert in everything. It’s going to take a collaboration. Between fungi, cannabis and the proper food production methods, we could save complex Earth, if we had the world to do so.
Thank you so much for doing what you’re doing. Professionalism is one of my hangups. I respect it to the most. Good on you!
You mentioned water kefir. I make a ferment with prickly pear fruit juice. I call it Prickly Pear Tepache. My research suggests that the SCOBY of water kefir was derived from the prickly pear cactus in Mexico - known as "tíbicos". The Swiss brought this over to Switzerland in the 1890s and could be found in Switzerland as "tibi" through the 1930s. Then it got rebranded somewhere along the way as water kefir.
How interesting. I had no idea. I'm making Kombucha today and experimenting with a few new blends trying to create SCOBY's from scratch. I'm really going down the fermenting rabbit hole to research my next post. This is something I feel drawn to learn more about so thanks so much for sharing!
Many thanks for that, John... I've also read that it originated on a cactus plant, but I had not heard of the Swiss connection! That's so interesting! Do you have a source you can recommend?
I had to track down the original sources through the aid of a Swiss scientist who could read the old documents, all in German. This is why most sources online claim this is false (water kefir grains coming from prickly pear in Mexico). I need to write a post about it.
Please do!!!! Enquiring minds need to know!
Somehow this doesn't surprise me. Please do write about it!
Enjoyed this very much! Loved the history and all of the good points made about digging deeper into our health issues and learning more about herbs as medicine and the profession. It was also great to hear more about how things are in the UK as my genes are 99% English and connecting with the motherland through others on Substack has been a real joy. Best wishes on the journey into acupuncture. Electroacupuncture has made a remarkable difference in my long covid healing journey. One of the first things my acupuncturist told me was to rest and to sleep, as you said, not a popular thing to do these days. So glad to hear you helping to make us aware that taking something as medicine forever is not usually normal. "Pulse" it (Dr. Ben Lynch) to help yourself recover and then stop taking supplements or medication is something I had never heard anyone say before. Paying attention to what my body is telling me is something I am still learning, and I've realized I have spent most of my life running on autopilot and mostly clueless on how to do this. Speaking of how conventional medicine has been "specialized", and the gut, I recently learned that gut problems can be the cause of chest pains and heart palpitations. Good reminded that we are whole beings, not just pieces and parts of a dissected organism. Thank You and best wishes to you both.
Thank YOU so much, Stephanie, for sharing your perspective and experiences. Best wishes to you, as well!
I am so remiss. I have a question that either of you might be able to help me with. If not that’s fine too I have had wonderful success using yucca root tincture for information like relieving swelling after surgery, ankle sprains and the like. My dear dear amazing girlfriend suffers from Fibromyalgia. inflammatory condition of the nerves, do you think I should acquire some for her? I mean 20 bucks for a tiny little bottle is worth attempt I guess if it works I’ll get an ounce
Hudson, has your girlfriend every considered brain retraining? I'm currently working toward my own recovery from MCAS using the Gupta Program, and they have done clinical trials showing success specifically with fibromyalgia. Here's more info: https://guptaprogram.com/treatment-for-fibromyalgia/
Unfortunately I do not have any experience with this medicine so regretfully I am unable to offer any advice.
I’m gonna get the small vile.
20 bucks. Big deal. I’ve got nothing to lose. She’s taking so many vacation days just to rest and regroup at home we haven’t even been able to go anywhere for two years. I can’t wait till she can retire. I wish I was in a position to let her quit now.
Quite all right. What you do know is super impressive and I love the fact that you are open source. Sure harder and knowledge worth having is worth something and anyone can monetize it and rightly so bad not doing so is even more righteous. Thank you so much
I find myself connected to your guest so deeply. I am a healer of myself but after healing myself from cancer and many other things of course, I am 70 after all. But right now, we need to know from the DIVINE FEMININE, as this woman represents, who is connected to the elemental kingdom as MERLIN was, to help people heal without a focus on money. I believe that having a very deep spiritual connection and faith in my abundance and prosperity being completely provided for by a higher power and never from a person I am helping (sometimes daily as their body changes). I heal myself daily and stress that everyone will do that. MOSTLY WITH NUTRITION NOT SUPPLEMENTS AND DRUGS.
I love how you point out empowerment and intention as a vital part of healing for everyone. You are beautiful and thank you for sharing this woman with me.
Thank you for your kind words. It's an honour and joy to connect with healers across the world through this empowering platform. It's a blessing to meet you.
Oh, my gosh! Thank you so much. I'm beyond grateful for your compliments, and I'm thrilled to the bone to hear that this talk touched you so much. It sounds like you have an incredible offering yourself. The people you're helping are very fortunate.
Love it!!!!
From health and wellness to raising the level of deliciousness in any dish, herbs are essential to a high quality of life!!
Yes, they are! Thank you so much, Hudson!
Thank you. Both of you ladies are amazing. I can’t believe men are smart enough to realize it’s time to let the women manage our days. At least the governmental portion……..
Keep doing you, you’re pretty good at it ! 😉👊💪✌️
🙏🙏🙏
Thank you, Sarah, for generously sharing your knowledge with us. Feel free to leave questions for Sarah below, or paid subscribers can join us for tomorrow's chat.
The pleasure is all mine! I thoroughly enjoyed our chat! As readers of my own Substack will know, I rarely collaborate on Podcasts, so this was an enormous delight. It would be wonderful to hear from other international herbalists about their experiences working with plant medicine. I'm also keen to hear any stories about first encounters with herbs. Thank you for being such a warm host.
My bad. I should’ve mentioned that you’re awesome!
Paul Stamets has had great success with fungi extractions, tinctures and the like treating cancer. Civilizations throughout history have used that plant kingdom for health and wellness. Do you know anyone who is combining your knowledge and the fungi medicinal practices?
I have to be honest and say that mushroom medicine wasn't covered in great detail on my course outside the remit of the usual suspects (Reishi, Chaga etc) that are frequently used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I've followed the work of Paul Stammets for a while and am very interested in his research, but I personally only use a few select mushroom extracts I am super familiar with in my patients prescriptions.
That impresses me. I mean you can’t be an expert in everything. It’s going to take a collaboration. Between fungi, cannabis and the proper food production methods, we could save complex Earth, if we had the world to do so.
Thank you so much for doing what you’re doing. Professionalism is one of my hangups. I respect it to the most. Good on you!
Great question! Sarah?
You're welcome!