Vermont Acupuncture

Category: western botanical medicine

  • All Heal Salve

    You may have noticed this unassuming little pot of salve on the shelf in my office. It may not seem like much, but this stuff is amazing! At the end of a walk recently my toes started hurting and I noticed I had an abrasion on one of my toes that was red and sore. I wondered if a tiny pebble got stuck in my shoe that irritated that area, or if it was more about the sultry heat. I was concerned that it was going to effect my future ability to walk and hike, so I found my salve and rubbed it on a few times. It felt better quickly and the redness went away too. I didn’t skip a beat and continued with lots of walking and hiking.

    When my son was a toddler he used to get red spots on his inner thighs that I thought were bug bites. After trying various things that didn’t work I realized it was actually folliculitis, the inflammation or infection of hair follicles, the pores in your skin from which hair grows. His skin was getting irritated from urine. I put some All Heal Salve on there and voila. Since then I have recommended this product to several people for folliculitis and have had some happy customers.

    All Heal Salve by WiseWays Herbals contains burdock root, chickweed leaf, calendula flower, comfrey leaf, echinacea leaf & flower, plantain leaf, St. John’s wort leaf & flower, and flower and gem essences in a base of olive oil and beeswax. These herbs come together to produce some impressive wound-healing synergy. It can be used on rashes, cold sores, minor cuts, scrapes and bruises, and other skin irritations. It is safe enough to be used on diaper rash and other sensitive body parts, and can be used on pets and horses too!

    A great item for the medicine cabinet and it’s only $10.50 for 1 oz.

  • Liver Cleanse by Gaia Herbs’

    Spring is the season of the liver and gallbladder, and of growth and transformation, the season when life is exploding everywhere around us. But that rising, expansive energy can get stuck and lead to stagnation symptoms such as irritability, frustration, explosive anger, tight shoulders and neck, headaches, and PMS.

    When in balance, the liver gives us the capacity for vision, planning, flexibility, and assertiveness. Exercise is a great way to keep your qi moving and and your liver energy at its best. Acupuncture, zero balancing and herbal medicine can also help.

    While not a classical Chinese formula, Gaia Herbs’ Liver Cleanse, with milk thistle, turmeric, dandelion, and burdock, as well as other liver supportive herbs, can help free that stagnation. It encourages the movement of Liver Qi, supports both phases of liver detoxification, helping to fully clear toxins and stimulating bile production and release.

    Find this fantastic Liver Cleanse supplement in our online store!

  • French Green Clay

    Natural clay is a safe topical that can be used for acne, bug bites, cold sores, and other instances where detoxifying the skin is beneficial. Made into a paste with water, it is soothing, detoxifying, and healing to the skin. French green clay gets its greenish cast from a combination of iron oxides and chlorophyll from decomposed plants and algae. One study found that French green clay can inhibit bacterial growth.

    To use, mix with a small amount of water to make a paste. Apply the paste to acne spots, bug bites, and cold sores, or use as a facial mask. Allow to dry, then gently wash with a soft cloth and water.

  • Raspberry Leaf

    Raspberry Leaf has long been known as an herbal ally for female bodies because of its action in strengthening pelvic floor muscles and the uterus. It supports the normal function of relaxation and contraction. This action makes it useful for childbearing as it may shorten labor and can decrease childbirth complications. It is also beneficial for menstrual disorders.

    Raspberry leaf is cooling and astringent so can be used to sooth the digestive system in cases of diarrhea (especially in infants), colic, constipation, indigestion, and abdominal pain. It is a gentle, all-purpose remedy for digestive problems and can be used safely even in pregnant women and very young children.

    Raspberry leaf can be made into a nourishing tea containing significant amounts of Vitamin C and other powerful antioxidants. These can help reduce the risk of chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. The tea contains a high amount of fiber, which helps with balancing blood sugar.

  • Nettles for Health

    Sip a cup of nettle tea daily to enrich liver yin and blood while gently clearing heat. Nettle Leaf harmonizes the blood by clearing and enriching. Nettles are packed with nutrients, including vitamins A, C, K, and several B vitamins. They’re also an excellent source of iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, making them a natural way to support bone health, energy levels, and overall vitality.

    Traditionally used for joint health, nettles contain compounds that help reduce inflammation in the body. This makes them a popular natural remedy for arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Nettles support healthy urinary function by acting as a gentle diuretic, promoting kidney activity and helping the body flush out toxins. Their high chlorophyll content also supports liver health, making them a valuable ally in cleansing routines.

    Nettles’ natural antihistamine properties can help reduce the severity of allergy symptoms without causing drowsiness. Use for seasonal allergies along with quercetin, NAC, and Chinese herbs.

    This is the time of year to harvest nettles! Fresh nettles can be steamed or sautéed, similar to spinach, and dried nettles make a soothing herbal tea (or you can throw a handful into a pot of soup). Just remember, always handle fresh nettles with leather or other impermeable gloves to avoid their sting, which disappears once cooked or dried and harvest before they flower and set seed, while they are young and tender.

    Stinging nettles in early spring
    Stinging nettles in early spring
    Nettles in bloom
    Nettles in bloom