Soothing, not muting

Author

Artemisia O'bi
May 09, 2023

I am often asked if I know of an herb or formula for a particular symptom.

“What can get rid of my XXX?” or “What is good for XXX?”.

These questions are understandable - we are enculturated in a lifestyle where it is normal to take medicine to get rid of something quickly. However, this is not the best model to think with in terms of what we can expect from herbal medicine. Herbs can offer support by helping us experience whatever we are going through and aiding our bodies in their movement toward health/healing. This is particularly interesting in the realm of emotions.

Each emotion has its place in our lives. As I’ve talked about in previous writings, Five Element Theory has a collection of associations for every emotion - seasons, organs, colors, scents, tastes, and so on. For example, the Liver is associated with anger, and when someone is experiencing Liver Qi stagnation or constraint, they may be more prone to irritability and anger outbursts. That emotionally sharp edge often indicates a Liver disharmony. When we work with herbs that support the Liver, or move the Qi of the Liver, that irritability dissipates. In this way, we are not actively working to get rid of the emotion. We instead look at what is out of balance in the body and take steps to bring that back into a harmonious range.

This past week, I felt the tug and pull of different emotions as I faced the passing of my grandmother. She reached the end of a several-year-long journey with dementia, and I found myself at the culmination of what I think of as a long, slow goodbye. There is something so peculiar about loss in that no matter how many times we experience loss, it never becomes familiar. For a few days, I rode a gently rolling wave of joy (as I reflected on good moments) and grief (as I wondered if I had said everything I had meant to say and if she had experienced all she had hoped for). There was - and still is - an increased frequency of those slightly uncomfortable moments of stillness that follow a loss in which I am reminded of the finite nature of life.

Throughout this time of increased emotional tenderness, I have found support in herbal medicine. Specifically, I’ve reached for a tincture blend of hawthorn berry, leaf, and flower (Crataegus spp.) + mimosa bark (Albizzia julibrissin) + rose petals (Rosa spp.) throughout the day, each day since my grandmother’s passing.

  • Hawthorn is predominantly thought of as a cardiac tonic in western herbalism and a digestive aid in Chinese medicine. I work with this herb to calm emotions, relieve food stagnation, settle digestion, and improve circulation. The leaf, flower, and berry all have slightly different properties and indications - together they are wonderfully supportive.

  • The inner bark of the mimosa tree - sometimes referred to as silk tree - has an affinity for Heart and Liver and is also indicated to calm emotions. Sometimes this tree is called the “happiness tree”, which I think can be a bit reductive, but the idea is that the medicine from the tree can be incredibly uplifting.

  • Roses help to invoke a feeling of calm and ease as they support the Liver, which directly affects how we face adversity and stress. In formulation, rose petals can be added to help move Qi, which prevents the stagnation of Qi and helps us to not get stuck emotionally.

This formulation does not mute my emotions, rather, it soothes them. The intention is not to make my feelings go away. Here, I am working with these herbs to support my genuine experience and to help myself move back toward a place of balance each time I feel thrown off.

If you are looking to work with herbal medicine for emotional support but are unsure where to start, please feel welcome to schedule a free chat to touch in about your questions or interests. If you are working with herbs to support your emotional well-being, I would love to hear about your experience - you can send me a reply to this email!

Warmly,

Artemisia

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Reminder: As always, check with your herbalist or Chinese medicine practitioner when exploring how to work with herbs to support your emotional wellbeing. Certain herbs can interact with antidepressant medications, should be avoided during pregnancy, or should be used with caution (or not at all) in individuals with specific conditions.

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