Sleep on a Cloud and Dream Baby Dream!

When we sleep our bodies repair themselves.  Its kind of like when you defrag your computer or when you finally file away all the loose ends to projects.  While sleeping your body's systems have the time, and can spend the energy normally used when we are active, to heal and repair.  Our sleep processes are mainly controlled through our Pineal gland.  This gland is situated between the two lobes of our brain.  It is inline with our eyes.  The Pineal gland controls our Serotonin when awake.  Serotonin operates with our moods.  The Pineal gland also controls our Melatonin levels for our sleep processes.  

Our Seratonin and Melatonin levels are linked to the light and dark that we draw in through our eyes.  We need light for our Pineal gland to produce enough Serotonin and enough dark for it to produce enough Melatonin.  When we have a "regular" sleep pattern our Pineal gland generates the correct amount of both Serotonin and Melatonin thus, we sleep well and feel well.  Key point here is regular sleep patterns with enough light and darkness.

With all of the regular light we take in and all of the artificial light we take in from the use of computers, laptops, tablets and cell phones; we can disrupt the processes of our pineal gland.  We also disrupt our pineal gland functions and can disrupt our sleep with stimulants.  Artificial light, coffee, caffeinated teas, drugs, alcohol and even an irregular diet can disrupt our bodies functions and cause restlessness in our sleep or cause no sleep at all aka insomnia.  Stress is also an enormous factor.  There are more to list but let's move on shall we, and get to solutions.  Below, I will list herbal remedies to aid in relaxation and in helping the body to fall into deep restful sleep.

When going with herbal remedies most of my clients when experiencing trouble with sleep, run directly to the health food store for Melatonin.  After giving it "try" they complain that it isn't working and dismiss it all together as a possible remedy.  Most refuse to take a good look at their sleep schedule, stress or stimulant intake.  They want a "cure all" pill and want to take little to no effort of their own to actually take the steps to cure the actual issue.  It is hella frustrating!  Our need for an instant cure and a 60 minute cure stem from tons of bullshit programming that I may rant about in another blog post.  However, here's the deal... There is no quick fix to sleep issues unless you are willing to make necessary changes.  Changes that will take a concerted effort.  

Don't stop reading because your adrenal fear of change has kicked in.  Keep going... You are worth it!

Most of us have the correct amounts of Serotonin and Melatonin so you don't need to take more.  Hence it not working for some of my clients!  Speak with an alternative medicine physician to have your levels checked before you go running to Wholefoods!  Check your sleep schedule first.  Are you generally going to bed and waking up at the same times?  How much time do you spend taking in all of the artificial light we mentioned above, especially before going to bed?  Is your bedroom completely dark?  How much/many stimulants have you taken in?

Solution time...

Spend time unwinding and relaxing before you go to sleep.  Seriously!  Cut out eating, drinking, alcohol after 8pm.  Give your body some down time.  Enough already Robocop!  Turn off the TV, computer, cell phone 20 minutes before it is time for you to sleep.  Take time for reflection of your day prior to getting into bed.  Give it a try for more than a day, week.  Put in your concerted effort.   Aren't you worth it?

Herbal alternatives to consider before you jump on the Melatonin train.  Remember not everything works for everybody... Try and find what woks best for you.

1. Saint John's Wort

Can relieve chronic insomnia and mild depression.  Can be taken as pill, tincture.  Saint John's Wort can cause a sensitivity to the Sun.  This works for a lot of people!  

2. Kava Kava

Man do I dig Kava Kava!  When we lived on the Big Island I grew Kava and prepared fresh juice from my plants.  When my kids had trouble sleeping and Chamomile wouldn't do the trick, Kava sure would.  This amazing plant helps to calm and relax you and can give a bit of a numbing sensation. It calms the mind and body. It can be taken as a tea, juice, tincture or pill.  Kava Kava also helps with dreaming!!

3. Valerian Root

In close 1st place to Kava Kava is Valerian Root!  Once you get past its stink, the affects are divine.  Valerian root is pretty powerful in that it can have a traquilizing affect on some.  It does me for sure.  When I find that I am overly stimulated I buck up (a must because this herb stinks) and make a Valerian root tea.  I am almost instantly calm and go to sleep most of the time immediately and always with ease.  I give Valerian root pills to my insomniac 16 year old overly stimulated daughter and it knocks her right out!  She sleeps well and feels rested.  Mind your intake of Valerian.  It can have a hallucinogenic affect.  

4. Hops

Okay, I love how Hops makes me feel.  There is a gradual ease that takes over after having a cup of Hops tea.  The tea is bitter but you will make it through it to the other side.  For me Hops is a gentle relaxant that coaxes you into sleep.  It can also be taken in pill and tincture.  To all my alcoholic friends, Hops tea will not affect your sobriety.  

5. Chamomile

Chamomile is super gentle and cozy.  It has a gentle soothing comfy pillow affect.  My oldest daughter loves it.  I used to give her the tea (after trial and error on my part with time given, tea makes you pee) a couple of hours before bed to help her sleep.  Still works like a charm.  I feel it best works as a tea.  

6. Linden Flowers

Linden flowers are used in various forms in traditional medicine primarily as a non-narcotic sedative for sleep disorders or anxiety.  I have to admit I haven't used Linden personally, mainly because the other herbs have worked so well for me.  I have however, talked with my clients that were anxious and suggested they give it a whirl and have had extremely positive feedback.  Linden can be taken in tea, pill or tincture. It does make ya sweat!!

7. Passion Flower

Passion flower smells and tastes great.  It works as a mild sedative.  I find that it works best as a tea.  I, although believe in the affect of Chamolie, don't like its smell or taste... So I use Passion flower to relax me in my mild cases of insomnia or restlessness.  

8. Lavender 

Lavender is popular but don't think it over-rated.  Lavender helps calm you and will aid in sleep.  You don't even have to take it internally.  You can simply get a good essential oil (Young brand or Terra) and take 3 good inhales before laying down and you will sleep better.  It works even if you have lost your sense of smell.  

We have tested this out on Saint who, due to an accident has lost his sense of smell.  Let me tell you about our experiment.  

You see, Saint can be well... Critical when it comes to herbal medicine.  He also had a limited understanding of how herbs work and had convinced himself that not only would things not work for him because of his loss of smell but that it would only work because of the power of suggestion.  So because I am me, ornery, and ready to battle for the truth and magic of our Mother's natural medicines, I set out to prove him wrong.  

For three weeks of three separate seven consecutive nights I had him inhale 3 different essential oils, without telling him what they were or what were their uses.  Week one I had him inhale Bergamot.  The second week I used Lavender.  The third week I used Orange.  After the three week experiment we concluded that he slept best on the lavender week.  Ha!  And without a sense of smell!  Since the experiment, we have made him a lavender flower sachet that he uses on occassion to sniff before bed, always resulting in restful sleep!  You can also make a lavender tea!

I made lavender lip balms for a couple of our friends at Live Free Tattoo.  Cory told me that she puts it on her lips at night and that it healed her sleep!  She loves it!

9. Deep breathing

Breathing properly is one of the most affective ways to calm your body and your mind.  Most of us breath improperly and not nearly has much as we should.  The video link posted below gives instruction on proper Yogic breathing. http://youtu.be/Ai_KOrdCZWg

I posted an experiment for a group of my friends.  I suggest that every hour, for one week that they stop and take five minutes to breathe.  The results were as you could expect.  They were more relaxed throughout the day, had calm minds, and generally felt better.  We live and thrive on O2!  Take time before bed to deep breathe.  Practice.  You are worth it.  

10. Meditation/Visualization 

We all have trouble with meditation.  It is difficult and it takes a long time to master.  However practicing meditation calms, centers and gives you focus.  It sucks at first and gets better with time.  Try it 5 minutes a day.  When you start, your mind goes crazy and you are bombarded with thoughts... Get over it and keep trying.  It does work.  

I have three blog post with regards to meditation.  Read them.  

1. http://toulousseandsaint.blogspot.com/2014/10/so-you-want-to-meditate-well-you-cant.html

2. http://toulousseandsaint.blogspot.com/2014/10/why-do-we-meditatewill-it-make-me-high.html

3.  http://toulousseandsaint.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-14-points-of-meditation-to-make.html

All three blog posts have instruction and great tips to help you meditate!

If you are in a panic as to where you can find the above mentioned herbs, relax.  Healthfood stores carry bulk herbs, tinctures and pills.  Also many of Yogi teas such as Calm Mind and others contain the herbs listed.  Traditional Medicinals (my favorite) teas are amazing as well.  They come in tea bags so all you need do is heat up water and enjoy in your favorite mug.

If you prefer using the herbs individually you can purchase reusable tea bags or a tea strainer and enjoy in your favorite mug.  Use 2 teaspoons per 8 ounces of hot water.

Another fabulous sleep aid is Happy Sleeper by Natural Balance.  I use this for my episodes of insomnia. Saint and our youngsters daughter also take Happy Camper.  We all like it because it knocks you out, you rest well and wake up without feeling groggy!   

Just a brief mention on dreaming with the promise of another blog post with more details!  I want to mention a few Hoodoo methods to help inspire psychic and prophetic dreaming since after reading this blog post and taking care of yourself you will sleep.  Why not make sleeping fun by enhancing your ability to dream.  

Above I mentioned that Kava Kava helps with dreaming.  Also drinking Yarrow tea will help not only with dreaming but with psychic ability as well.  That's all I am going to write about dreaming for now until the next blog post!!!

We love you.

Toulousse

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Dirty Blood...Cleaned!

We all have impurities in our blood.

Yes, even you, yoga veggie Kombucha drinking folks.  

No matter what you eat or how organic it is advertised, it is still mass produced by some enormous corporation.  Unless you grow your own or buy your food and herbs straight from an organic farmer and have a well in your apartment, you are eating and drinking something that is toxicing your system.   

Also, do I need to mention the air you are breathing.  Think about all of those yogic breaths every morning while you practice at the Midtown yoga studio.... Just saying.  

Ok now for all you Wholefoods (I am one) freaks screaming from the inside and ready to stop reading this blog post, what are you bathing with?  

Do you make your soaps, shampoo and conditioner from your own organically grow ingredients?  Again... Just saying.  

The restaurant you just had your organic green salad and lemon grass tea probably doesn't use industrial cleaners or have toxins in the paint on the walls or the finish on the wooden tables either.  At this point do you get my point?  

Whether you are a meat eaten, beer guzzling no going outside for exercise other than getting your mail, or super in shape organic granola yoga cruncher.  You are exposed to and are ingesting toxins into your body and into,your blood stream.  

None of us are bullet proof.  

And who am I? you may ask, sitting here on my high horse?  I am just like you.  Whether it is the meat eating beer guzzler, chain smoking American Spirits or when I am a yoga teacher vegetarian living at an ashram and sober, I am just as exposed and vulnerable.  

Even after we move to our land in New Mexico and develope our farm and camping venue away from most of society, by the way, we will be growing our own food and do, have a well and clean air, I will be exposed and vulnerable.  Now that we have that out of our systems, lets talk about an amazing herb that Mother Nature has provided for us as a natural blood purifier.

I first used this herb when I was living on the Big Island of Hawaii.  Every Sunday I would go to the Makuu Farmers Market to buy all of the delicious hydroponic veggies grown on the Hamakua Coast.  Once my face was recognized and conversations took place, I was accepted as part of the Clan.  (Was later given honorary Hawaiian status by Uncle Kaliko!)). Some of the local Aunties had terrible soars on the lower legs, and knowing that I was the Herb Doctor they asked that I help.  I was more than willing to oblige their request.  I loved them so, taking me into their tribe and treating me as family and all.  After asking a series of questions about their diet, exercise, living situations I surmised that the skin lesions were a results of internal issues rather than a topical skin issue.  It would take a power herb to punch those infectious wounds right the hell out.  Enter the powerhouse Burdock.  

I also made a tincture ointment for the external use (recipe below) ...and let me tell you what happened next....

In the next few Sunday's Auntie's legs began to heal.  She also told me she felt more energy!  The other Aunties wanted what she had.  So I made huge batches of Burdock tea and gave it to them.  Wounds were healed and blood was cleaned.  It really was that simple.

Burdock is one of the best blood purifiers.  It can also reduce swelling on joints and help rid calcification deposits.  Burdock promotes healthy kidney function to help clear our blood of harmful acids.  Burdock helps to metabolism carbohydrates with inulin, a form of starch.  Other uses for Burdock is when mixed with Sassafras and used as a tea it can soothe  our hypothalamus gland and it aids the pituitary gland.  It helps to release an ample supply of protein to adjust hormone balance in our bodies.  Pretty damned cool wouldn't you say.  Just so you know... A healthy pituitary gland helps in regulating weight...

While living in Atlanta and working at a local Health Food Store I also suggested Burdock tea to another gentleman that had a poor diet, overweight and skin issues.  We as with the Hawaiian Aunties, surmised an internal issue rather than a topical issue.  He drank 2 cups of Burdock tea a day for a month and his skin healed.  He also was inspired to eat better and put in a little exercise.  This power from Mother Nature is real y'all.   

To make a Burdock tea simple take the dried root 2 teaspoons to 8oz of hot water and enjoy.  

The topical I made was a mixture of Burdock root, tea tree and golden seal.  It is used as a poltice on the wounds.  

Burdock hair rinses can be made to help with dandruff.

Burdock tea can be used as a mouth rinse for canker sores.

This herb is also used in Hoodoo magic.  

You can sprinkle the dried root around your house to keep negativity away.  

Wearing a necklace of dried Burdock root will protect against evil.  

In the link below is another great read on Protection from evil.  http://workwithdynamicduo1014.blogspot.com/2015/02/protection-from-evil-and-from-someone.html

Carry Burdock root with Rue, Agrimony, and Black Snake Root in a mojo hand to ward off jinxes!

Now knowing what you know from reading this post, you have a great way to, detox you blood and keep negative away.  Way cool.

Thanks for reading this blog post.  I enjoy your company.  Feel free to post question in the comments below.  After enjoying the read remember to post it on your social media and plus 1.

We love you.  Toulousse  

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Here is a video on How to Make a Burdock tincture.  https://youtu.be/F-ROSEM94Fk

Go the FUCK to Sleep Already!

Insomnia is the inability to sleep or stay asleep.  According to Web Md below are some factors to seriously consider when you experience insomnia:

 Causes of acute insomnia can include:

• Significant life stress (job loss or change, death of a loved one, divorce, moving)
• Illness
• Emotional or physical discomfort
• Environmental factors like noise, light, or extreme temperatures (hot or cold) that interfere with sleep
• Some medications (for example those used to treat colds, allergies, depression, high blood pressure, and asthma) may interfere with sleep
• Interferences in normal sleep schedule (jet lag or switching from a day to night shift, for example)

Causes of chronic insomnia include:

• Depression and/or anxiety
• Chronic stress
• Pain or discomfort at night

When I was a teenager and lived in Hollywood I had some extreme cases of insomnia.  Aside from my anxiety of living alone, the traffic noise, and gunfire: being an empath I could feel the city and all of what that entailed.  At this point in my life, however I hadn't an understanding of what I was and the ability I had or the weight it carried.  I just thought I couldn't sleep, so I would walk the streets.  I felt couped up in my little studio and needed to get out.  Most nights it would work well because I would exhaust myself by walking miles and miles at 1am. 

 Some of you may be thinking how reckless and dangerous of me to be walking around Hollywood in the wee hours when the freaks came out.  Quite the contrary my friends.  The freaks and weirdos, after a bit, recognized me and looked out for me.  It was cool.  They weren't interested in dragging me down into their individual hells or circumstances.  They knew what I was and in turn looked out for me.  Anyhow, in this time of my life if the walking didn't work, alcohol would.  If you remember from the blog post about Milk Thistle, I mentioned that I had a love affair with John Barrley Corn:  well we were the best of friends at this tender age.  

After weeks upon weeks of not sleeping my world shifted into a bizarre waking dream land.  I experienced extreme emotional shifts and was mad as hell.  I am sure the lack of sleep and the increased booze intake contributed to my madness.  Depression began to set in.  I remember sitting in the window nook in my studio living room reading with a 40 oz. beer and some bread dipped in marinara sauce while listening to a symphony that was playing at the Hollywood Bowl and thinking how easy it would be to jump from this 5th story window.  My imagination would take me to strange places were sometimes I would see myself jump and go splat.  Other dream state imagination experiences would lead me to believe that I could fly if I jumped because I would be carried on the waves of the beautiful music the symphony was playing.  And then I would find myself crying. 

Having a strong will, a desire for life and discovering her answers, I didn't jump.  After I was fed up with all the bullshit I was going through, I decided to seek help.  Since the tender age of 8 ( as far back as I can remember) I have been connected to Mother Nature.  I hated doctors and medicine.  I always felt healing from going outside, playing and climbing trees.  When my mom would take us camping in Sequoia National Forest I was the happiest kid on the planet.  A week was never long enough for me and I would delay our departure from this magic land as long as I possibly could. I would hide.  They would find me and we would head home.  Bummed me out.  Anyhow, because of my natural draw to natural healing I decided to seek what I consider real healing.  I hopped on a bus to the Valley to a Bulk Herb store on Vineland Blvd.  The dude that worked there was pretty cool, the stoner that he was.

I told him what was going on with me.  After a fun conversation and several of his stories I purchased some herbs to not only help me to sleep, but to detox my liver and to work on the headaches I had been experiencing.  The three herbs were, Vaerian root, Milk Thistle and White Willow bark.  I drank these herbs in tea form.  I didn't know how to make tinctures at this point.  I drank a Milk Thistle tea each morning for three weeks.  When headaches occurred I would drink a White Willow bark tea.  By the way, the big pharms use white willow to make the aspirins that we use.  However they chemical this natural healer and in turn we may get a more instant effect but suffer from kidney and liver destruction. Just saying.  

At night, I would drink a cup of tea made from the Valerian root.  Now let me tell you something about Valerian Root.  It smells horrible!  I mean really nasty.  The stank also lingers.  Fortunately times have advanced and you can get Valerian in a tincture or in capsules.  I prefer the tincture or the tea because the result seems to come more quickly.  Here is the skinny on Valerian root.  And let me preface this with not everything works for everybody and Valerian has different effects on people.  My friend Anna actually hallucinates.  It is too strong for her and doesn't work with her chemical make up as it does with mine.  So with any medication, herb etc.  be cautious of your intake and educate yourself.  Valerian works for me and is my go to herb for bouts of insomnia.  

Valerian root is a strong nervine that contains an essential oil and alkaloids that combine to create a natural tranquilizer.  It can produce a relaxing effect that draws sleep with a restful outcome.  You wake feeling refreshed rather than sluggish and drugged.  It is known as a safe non-narcotic herbal sedative. It can also be used for anxiety.  When I worked at the Health food store a sister that had to quit smoking weed for a job she had acquired, she experienced anxiety and was ornery as hell.  I suggest she use a Valerian tincture to keep calm and to produce the same effect she felt when smoking.  It had the desired effect, until she became strong enough to handle her ish.  

Valerian is used in the short term.  I use it in extreme cases of insomnia.  In this blog post I list alternative herbs to help with sleep :  

http://workwithdynamicduo1014.blogspot.com/2015/03/sleep-on-cloud-dream-baby-dream.html

Also in this video I show you how to make a Valerian tincture and in the next video how to process the tincture after it has brewed. 

How to make a Valerian tincture : https://youtu.be/BjZApcwPzug

How to finish your brewed tincture:  https://youtu.be/uBtUVzKo0C0

Valerian is powerful and can help you get the sleep you so desperately need.  Mama takes care of us.  Seek out healing from her.  Do your investigations and discover a pure world that embraces you.

After enjoying this article remember to share it on your Social Media and Plus 1 the post on Google.  Insomniac's unite!  

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We love you.

Toulousse  

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Clear, Healthy Lungs for all of the Winter Junk and Mucky Muck!

Clear, Healthy Lungs for all of the Winter junk and mucky muck!

Photo taken by Toulousse

So as Winter comes creeping into our existence this October, and all of the adjustments that come with the onset of the cold,  we need to take the time to take care of ourselves along with the plants we cover, the wood that is chopped and the food that is stored.  We seem to forget that during each season our bodies go through a series of adjustments not only to temperature but also the quality of the air and adjustment to the new plants, grasses and the weeds that grow. 

 It is vital for our health that we spend the time to care for our immune systems for all seasons but let's face it, winter sucks and it, to me, is the hardest time of year to stay well.   Colds seem to linger longer and it does seem that the immune system is fighting constantly.  WELL it is!

Remember that we are set at a certain temperature and with any fluxuation in temperature our Homeostasis is thrown into some form of hyper-drive.  Whether too hot or too cold once we experience a change in temperature our bodies go into battle mode.  Gears and levels must be adjusted for optimal Homeostasis, our bodies work very hard to keep us alive and healthy.  But alas, there is going to be some germy germ that will come and kick our asses at some point.  

In my experience lung issues seem to come up more during the winter time... so in this blog I want to share another amazing herb that Nature provides for us to help with our immune system and with respiratory issues.  Let me give you a little background on my discovery!  Through out the summer and well into September I have been noticing this really cool looking plant that grows all over our property here in New Mexico.  Let me digress a bit, I have always used herbs for healing.  I was introduced to herbs at 19 years of age and have continued my love of knowledge with natural healing since.  I have always seen and can recognize most herbs when they are dried.  I have lived mostly in urban settings so seeing herbs as they are still alive and growing was limited.  Since moving to our Farm full time, I have been given the chance to learn what medicinal plants look like when they grow from the earth!  I am so lucky!!

So now it is winter and we are catching all or some of the junk and mucky muck.  You feel terrible and can't seem to get rid of the colds and such.  You may start out with a little bit of a scratchy throat. This for me is the first sign to go grab my Golden Seal Echinacea blend.  I also take the time to drink a Bucha to clean out my tummy and intestines (were colds and flus begin).  I also use Oil of Oregano.  Depending on when I catch the signs and depending on the condition of my immune system, sometimes the junk and mucky muck win the battle.  We get sick.  

Now our body has to fight.  Building you immune system helps.  However, we also need to help our bodies expel the junk that is infecting our health.  Drinking tons of water is always a good idea, however when you are ill it is best to drink more water and liquids that help promote healing.  Water keeps our blood circulating and keeps us running at a cooler temp and helps prevent inflammation.

We can help our systems expel the junk with medicinal herbs.  One of the best to help expel the junk in our lungs and respritory system is a wonderful plant called Mullein.  The photos above and throughout this blog show you what the plant looks like while growing in the wild.  We are fortunate to have an entire field and creek full of Mullein.

Mullein flowers, leaves and root can be used to aid in respiratory issues such as chest colds, asthma and bronchitis.

"Both the leaves and flowers contain mucilage, which is soothing to irritated membranes, and saponins, which make coughs more productive. Research has shown that the herb has strong anti-inflammatory activity, and lab studies suggest that mullein flower infusions have antiviral properties."

Mullein leaf tea will help to clear your lungs and open the air ways to help you breath.  The use of Mullein flowers can help to relax you and to aid in restful sleep.  Make a tea of the leaves and flowers for a restful night.  A tea of the flowers will help relieve pain and can induce sleep.  

For external inflammations or skin conditions that cause pain us the tea mixed with vinegar and water to relieve the skin.

If you haven't time for tea, then the use of a tincture will work just as well!  You can get Mullein tinctures and dried leaves from your Local CO-OP or health food store.  We are currently in the process of brewing Fresh Mullein tinctures. 

The recipes below can be helpful:

1.  Steep 1 tsp. of leaves and flowers in 1 cup of water.  Drink twice a day.

2.  Take 15 to 40 drops of prepared tincture in warm water every 2 to 4 hours.

Mullein is high in iron, magnesium, potassium and sulpher.  I also contains Vitamins A, D and B-comples.

Take care of yourself this winter.  In other posts I will share my discovers of How Nature Takes Care of Us.  If you questions, comments please leave them in the comment section.  

Keep checking back for more blog posts and for links to buy cool stuff like here:   http://www.cafepress.com/TeaWithToulousse

Much Love,

Toulousse

Etsy Link - FireandAirinaCan - Mullein Sold Go over and Favor our shop and enter to win a great prize!

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