Yarrow Salve

Yarrow is well-known as an antibacterial, analgesic, and anti-styptic (stops bleeding). It's wonderful for insect bites, paper cuts and any other little painful cuts. It’s a perfect choice for all abrasions,cutting down the pain dramatically within minutes and minimizing chances of infection. A thin layer on the inside of the nose will also stop a nosebleed.

We recently had a Yarrow Salve making class at Thrive.

Here are some photos & the the recipe we used.

Happy Wildcrafting!

Yarrow Salve

1. Wild, white yarrow (not the golden yarrow or other hybrid colors)

Gather the leaves (flowers in full bloom can also be used), and dry in the shade or indoors (never in sunlight, which degrades the chemistry once it is separated from the earth). Dry for minimum of 5-7 days, longer is fine. Store in clean paper bags (not plastic, as this will promote growth of fungi, with any stored herb)

2. Melt 4 cups of olive oil and 1/2 cup of pure beeswax on a stovetop, or if funds are tight 4 cups of Crisco instead (no need for the beeswax to solidify it at room temperature).; smaller batches are simply scaled down from these proportions, using about a 1/8 ratio of beeswax to olive oil

3. Add as much dried yarrow leaf (and flowers if included) as you can immerse in the oil, stirring gently with a wooden spoon on simmer. Avoid "french-frying" or blackening or browning of the leaves. Simmer 15-20 minutes on low, stirring. The medicinal aroma will be prominent, and the color of the oil will turn green or golden green.

4. Cool approximately 15 minutes to allow safer handling. Strain through a fine metal-screen sieve into a 4-cup glass measure, then pour from that into clean, small glass jars, e.g. baby food or tiny jelly jars.

5. LABEL each jar with "yarrow salve" (Achillea millefolium), and the date. Store in refrigerator. Will last for over a year if refrigerated. These make great gifts for friends and family.

6. Use liberally with a band-aid or other sterile dressing, to cover the wound, keeping in the salve and keeping clothes protected from the oil.

Winter Wonder Yin

The final few months of the year often find us in a frantic state of shopping, decorating, traveling, and other high-energy activity. Yet instead of having fun, we often end up feeling ill, anxious, or depressed. The reason, according to Taoist philosophy and traditional Chinese medicine, is that the action-packed schedules we keep at this time of year fall out of sync with the earth's natural cycles.

"We naturally have less energy to burn during the winter," explains acupuncturist Carolyn Cohen, L.Ac., who teaches at Yo San University, a college of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Santa Monica, California. "So when we engage in behaviors more appropriate for summer—staying up late and dashing around town—it's no wonder that the forced cheer of the holiday season can wear a bit thin."

Taoist philosophy conceptualizes universal balance in terms of yin and yang, complementary forces that govern the universe. Yin characteristics are cool, wet, slow, feminine, and quiet, whereas yang is the opposite: warm, dry, fast, masculine, extroverted. Winter, the yin season, is a time for storing and conserving energy in the way a bear retains fat by hibernating, or a farmer stores food for the cold months ahead.

In agrarian cultures, people spend the shortest, darkest days indoors by the fire, eating warm, slow-cooked, nourishing food and sharing stories with their families. The incongruity between winter's restful, introspective, yin nature and the frenetic way many Americans spend their holidays can contribute to seasonal affective disorder, depression, exhaustion, and other manifestations of what is known in TCM as shen (or spiritual) disharmony.

"Winter solstice, just three or four days before Christmas, is the darkest, most yin day of the year," says Cohen. "Instead of turning inward, we're celebrating with excess and yang activity. This artificiality creates stress, and many people dread the season as a result."

To stay balanced during winter, suggests Cohen, conserve your yang energy. Restorative yoga, tai chi, qigong, and walking are best suited for yin season, as they safeguard your energy reserves. "Think of these practices as an investment of your 'energy paycheck,'" says Cohen. "Don't use up what little winter energy you have with overactivity and added stress."

Eating cooked, spicy yang foods provides another good way to replenish energy. Prepare yang-strengthening soups, slow-simmered stews, beans, roasted root vegetables, and warm drinks. Add yang spices such as garlic, ginger, black pepper, cloves, and basil to increase the warming effect. Minimize your intake of yin foods such as raw vegetables, salad greens, and cold drinks.

If you find quiet, more modest ways to celebrate the holidays, you'll stay in tune with the season and feel less need to release tension by overeating or rampant spending. You'll also have more time and energy to connect with close friends and family. If you're out of sync with the mall mobs with maxed-out credit cards, chances are you'll find yourself in step with the quiet, nurturing yin nature of winter.

Artical by By Laurel Kallenbach from Yoga Journal

Stop Smoking: The Acupuncture Approach

Smoking costs a lot of money, it is terrible for your health & let's face it...smoking just plain stinks. You may have thought about quitting or maybe you have even tried before without success. Breaking the smoking habit can be made simple by using Acupuncture to decrease the physiological cravings for tobacco. This cost effective approach has a very high success rate if the patient is committed & ready to kick the habit.


Your desire to stop smoking is admirable & is the first step in becoming habit free. Traditional Chinese Medicine can facilitate your initial attempts by tailoring treatments to your individual needs based on your health history & personal symptoms. There are no negative side effects associated with Acupuncture & stopping smoking.


The Acupuncture Program consists of three treatments over a one week period, with follow up treatments as needed during the first month. After the initial treatment, ear acupuncture points may be stimulated for a longer period of time by using ear seeds. Ear seeds are small seeds from the Vaccaria plant. These seeds are held in place on the ear with a small piece of adhesive tape. Ear seeds may be left in the ear for a few days or up to two weeks. You will stimulate these several times throughout the day or if you feel the urge to smoke.

Additionally you may be prescribed a relaxation tea which may be taken throughout the day should you feel yourself tensing up. This tea may also be taken before bed to assist you through a restful nights sleep.



Some Tips for Making Quitting Smoking Easier

* Your desire to quit is THE most important step in stopping smoking. It is important to look at why you smoke & what made you start to begin with.

* If the craving becomes too strong, come in for a treatment. DON'T LIGHT UP!

* Use the stop smoking tea regularly and/or take your herbs as prescribed.

* Carry celery or carrot sticks as well as chewing gum to satisfy oral cravings.

* Stimulate your ear pellet if cravings get strong. (if your ear gets red & tender at the site of the pellet, remove it & call your Acupuncturist.)

* Avoid stressful situations, smoky rooms & situations you equate with smoking.

* Avoid alcohol, caffeine & sugar. These stimulate cravings.

* Make a positive affirmation such as: "I am a non-smoker. I make healthy choices in my life." Post it where you will see it and repeat it throughout the day.

* Stick with it!!! You will find that after the initial period of withdrawal, you will have more time, energy & money. Your health will improve & you will gain a sense of well being & happiness associated with taking good care of yourself.



How Does Acupuncture For Stopping Smoking Work?

Smoking is a stimulant for some & relaxant for others. Acupuncture has the same effect by circulating energy in a healthy way without being addictive & without the use of nicotine. Acupuncture can make withdrawal easier by reducing your cravings by making the taste intolerable & by alleviating symptoms such as coughing, agitation, irritability & digestive troubles.

Five ear detoxification points and a few body points will be inserted for each treatment & you will be able to relax for about 30 minutes. During treatments, you will have a peaceful feeling due to the release of the body's endorphins which act as natural pain killers.

Tips for Quitting

* Set a target date to quit by and cut down by thirds until then.
* Drink plenty of water.
* Smoke a different brand of cigarettes.
*Keep your cigarettes out of sight in a different place then usual.
* Put your cigarette out after each puff & only relight it if you still wish to smoke.
* Consider rewarding yourself with something nice after achieving your goal.
* Schedule a Massage to increase your circulation and aid in relaxation.
* Walk or exercise to help the body detoxify of tar & nicotine faster.
* Review the reasons you want to quit smoking daily.
* Eat plenty of fresh fruits, vegetable & whole grains to aid the body in healing.
*Eat a handful of raw unsalted sunflower seeds as a snack. They contain a natural substance similar to nicotine that makes withdrawal less severe.
* Breathe: the best thing you can do is get fresh air and clean out the lungs & blood. Consider Yoga, Meditation, Singing, Tai Chi or Qi Gong.
* Take up a hobby to keep your hands busy if you get fidgety.
*Call your non-smoking buddies for support.

And when you start to have a craving, remember..
You will feel much more energetic as your lungs clear.
You will feel a greater sense of well-being mentally & physically.
You will be less prone to disease, your immune system will be strengthened and you will live a longer, healthier life!

Commit to Your Health Today!

Call Thrive for more information..219-979-0396

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