Teasel: Honoring the Bones of Our Ancestors

Teasel
(Dipsacus japonicus et D. sylvestris)

When I sit down to compose a piece about the plants, I don’t choose which herb I will write about, the Plant chooses me. Teasel began vying for my attention as a subject for one of my articles months ago when I was on my way to upstate New York and her flowers were everywhere on the roadsides. She hasn’t stopped edging her way into my consciousness since then; I hereby surrender to her will. Her powerful insistence is indicative of her medicine in an energetic way: she represents strength on many levels.

Japanese Teasel root is considered a tonic for the Kidney Yang, according to its uses in Traditional Chinese Medicine. In TCM, the Kidneys -and therefore the whole body- would ideally have a perfect balance of Yin and Yang energies. The Yin is moistening, receptive, nourishing and has an inward, storing, sedating quality; The Yang is drying, expansive, energizing and productive.

The Kidneys represent not simply the two blood cleansing and urine filtering organs we know them as in an allopathic framework. According to TCM the kidneys rule the bones, teeth, lower back, knees, as well as the brain, spinal cord and regulate growth and maturation. The Kidneys are considered to be the very foundation from which we grow and thrive, the true Essence of our Being, “The Root of Life.” We are born with this precious Essence -called Jing - that we inherit from our parents (ultimately all of our ancestors) and it is stored energetically within the Kidneys.

Metaphorically, let’s equate this Essence to a “trust fund” of sorts: you are born with a fixed amount. One may be fortunate enough to have inherited the energetic equivalent of a Cadillac, or perhaps not so lucky and inherited a Pinto, but keep in mind that it is entirely possible to drive that Caddy into the ground! Don’t change the oil, rotate the tires, never do a single bit of maintenance and that sturdy vehicle can be wasted, become weakened and fit for scrap. Conversely, one could carefully tend to the Pinto with regular loving maintenance, never drive it too hard and it would last a long time, providing years of service and reliability.

On a daily basis we utilize our Qi energy that we receive through a nourishing diet, clean water, positive fulfilling relationships, good breathing/movement practices and plenty of quality rest. We use our Jing to fill in the gaps when we can’t rely upon our steady income of Qi and we may never be aware that we are using it. The Jing is like that; if an individual “lives it up” with excessive drinking, drugs, late nights and sexual encounters, Jing gets spent. When a person has extreme stress, frayed nerves, repressed or excessive emotions and ceases to take proper care of themselves, Jing gets spent. If someone has had chronic or repeated illnesses, numerous injuries, multiple births or miscarriages, Jing gets spent.

Signs of aging like thinning bones, grey hair, diminished hearing, decreased metal acuity and lowered stamina are indicative of lowered Kidney energies. TCM tells us that Jing can never be replenished, once it’s gone, it’s gone. However, Kidney Jing can be conserved and “astringed” with herbs, lifestyle and various spiritual practices; also by tonifying the Yin and Yang aspects of Kidney energy, we can “endow interest to the Kidney Jing account.” Herbal tonics that specifically balance the combination of Yin and Yang herbs to an individual’s constitution can help to promote more graceful aging and an overall healthier state of being.

Chinese Herbal Materia Medica by Bensky and Gamble states that as a Yang tonifying herb, Japanese Teasel root (Dipsacus asperi seu japonicus) fortifies the lower back, knees and bones. It has a positive effect on the sinews and joints as well and is used for pain and stiffness from decreased Kidney energy or from traumatic injury. It is also used to promote the movement of blood and to repair damaged tissues, so it makes sense that Teasel’s Pinyin name in is Xu Duan, meaning “restore what is broken.”

For arthritic conditions, repetitive strain, pain, weakness or traumatic injury, the root of Dipsacus japonicus can be taken internally as a tincture or decoction, applied topically in a salve or liniment, or one could address all aspects of the disharmony and choose internal and external treatment simultaneously. Japanese Teasel actually has a regulating effect on the blood, it is able to not only promote circulation when it comes to trauma, but it will also help with threatened miscarriage by stopping uterine bleeding and calming a restless fetus. When used for disorders of the uterus during pregnancy, it is often combined with Mugwort (Artemesia argyi) and Greater Burnet (Sanguisorba) for uterine bleeding, or paired with gelatin to assist the mother when she has been unable to carry a child to term.

Historically, domestic Teasel (D. sylvestris) was not particularly popular as a medicine plant, it was however valued in the textile industry. The name Teasel comes from its use for teasing wool; it was cultivated for such a purpose at least as far back as Roman times. It was bred specifically to produce hooked bracts on the dried flower heads for more efficiency in the production of woolens. It fell out of fashion with manufacturers after machines were invented to do the same thing, but the mechanically produced cloth could never match the smooth quality of wool finished with Teasel.

This species of Teasel (D. sylvestris) found in North America has recently gained a groundswell of interest in the treatment of Lyme Disease because of a fantastic tome, The Book of Herbal Wisdom by herbalist Matthew Wood who pioneered the use of domestic teasel for Lyme. In practice, he discovered that a very small dosage of tincture -only about 3 drops taken 2-3 times daily- brought dramatic improvements to the joint aches and cognitive dysfunction that Lyme disease can bring about. Teasel can be taken at this low dose safely for long periods of time.

According to naturalmoxie.com, Teasel has a unique ability to get the spirochetes where they “hide out” in the joints and drive them into the blood stream, where other medicines (be they herbal or pharmaceutical) can then eradicate them. It is not uncommon to have a Herxheimer reaction when taking Teasel or any effective remedy for Lyme disease. A flaring up of symptoms due to the “die-off” of spirochetes leads to substantial levels of toxins in the blood, however this is actually considered a good sign. It is important to expedite this process by encouraging detoxification and immune strengthening with many available herbal preparations.

In his book, Wood shares the fantastic success of several case studies he gathered in his clinical practice using Teasel for Lyme. His balanced approach to healing is both spiritual and methodical, a necessary combination. When I contacted Matthew Wood for permission to cite his work, he was insistent that I give proper credit to his friend and adviser, William LeSassier, the late Chinese Herbalist from New York City. It was LeSassier, Wood says, who had first suggested the use of D. sylvestris, our domestic relative of the Japanese Teasel that has been used in the Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia for hundreds of years.

When one examines the Teasel plant, it really is no small wonder that this sturdy herb encourages fortitude. The robust, bristly flower heads are born upon the tall prickly stalks of Teasel and blossom in a whorl of lavender from the center toward the top and bottom. The leaves are also spiny and attach to the stalk without a petiole, forming a cup as the base of the leaf wraps around the stalk. This cup that forms at the juncture of the leaf and stem often collects rain or dew and reminds us that Teasel can help with stiff and unlubricated joints. This characteristic was the reason that Dipsacus was once called “water thistle” or “Venus’ basin.”

A biennial, Teasel grows up to several feet in height in her second year and the spent seed heads atop boney stalks easily persists through even the harshest of winter weather. During the mid-late summer, you can often find three generations in close proximity to one another: the bodacious, bristly basal rosette of a first year Teasel clinging to the ground, a stalk shooting toward the sky burgeoning with the potential for bloom in a second year specimen and nearby the bones of last year’s grandmother Teasel silently bearing witness to her progeny.

It’s the first year Teasel that offers her medicine; in the autumn, if you have found the withered flower heads of Teasel that has gone by, examine the ground for the young prickly leaves in a basal rosette. If there are enough to spare, respectfully dig a few of the roots up, bring them home to scrub thoroughly, and then tincture them in vodka or white brandy. Generally the rule is to fill a clean glass jar 2/3 full with the fresh chopped root, cover completely with the alcohol, -leaving about ½ inch of space at the top of the jar- seal tightly, and then gently shake the jar daily. Over the course of the 4-6 weeks it takes to mature, put your loving intention into that tincture every day and be sure to offer your thanks to the plants in exchange for the medicine they so freely give, and to our ancestors for the inheritance they have so generously left us.

To me, Matthew Wood’s respect for his mentor brings to mind this analogy of the familial arrangement of Teasel in the field. Although William LeSassier has passed on, his memory, honored and respected by Matthew Wood and successive generations of healers, is carried on in the use of domestic Teasel for medicine. We have inherited much benefit from the bones of our ancestors so that we may prosper as we learn, grow and sow the seeds of our experience for future generations.

Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG) is a nationally board certified Chinese Herbalist, and a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. Lisl is also a certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, a level II Reiki practitioner, an Acupressurist, an Auriculotherapist, a photographer, a renowned diagnostician, a teacher and a published writer in private practice for over a decade. She is available by appointment. HerbaLisl.com

Please call 8 6 0 - 4 8 0 - 0 1 1 5 or email HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment, attend meditations, weed walks, or are interested in taking classes.

Got Pain? Stick It In Your Ear!

The Auriculotherapy Appointment

“Do you mean to tell me that by sticking those little seeds on my ears, you’re going to get rid of my pain?” She asked, with an eyebrow raised.
“You’ll see.” I smirked; I was used to the skepticism. After explaining the procedure and introducing her to the tools I’d be using, I cleansed her ears with a soothing wash while observing the specific qualities of her ear, such as shape, tone and color. “You said that the pain was in your lower back, are you also having trouble with your left knee?” I asked, knowing from the slight bulge on the upper portion of the anti-helix, that her knee was indeed having problems.
“Yes,” she answered cautiously, not certain that she had actually mentioned anything about her knee. “I had surgery on it about a year ago this January. I took a bad spill getting out of my car on the ice and tore ligaments. It was horrible. The surgery seemed to help for a little while, but lately it seems to be getting pretty achy and stiff. Did I tell you that on the phone?”

“No, but you didn’t have to. I can see it right here on your ear, plain as day. There’s a thickening of the cartilage exactly at the spot on your left ear that represents your knee. It says to me that there is stagnation at that site.” I replied, noting the posture she was holding and the frustrated look of concealed pain in her eyes.
“Oh.” She seemed uncertain. “Well, can you do anything about it?”
“I’ll do what I can.” I told her as I located the shen men point -the one used for pain- and adhered a small black seed to the position. I prepared the hemostats with a small silver sphere this time, located the point that represented her left knee and affixed the nearly invisible tiny dot on a small clear piece of tape to the site. I repeated the procedure with a couple of lower back points and her hip for good measure. I sat back and examined her ear more closely; there appeared to be a slight lump located at the wrist area of her ear. “Any issues with your wrists?”
“How could you know that? I have the beginnings of Carpal Tunnel, my doctor tells me. I wear a brace at work. I must have told you.” She eyed me suspiciously.
“It’s all right here.” I answered, “Come and look in the mirror. Feel this part of your ear. Do you feel that little bump?”
“Oh yeah, I never noticed that before.” She tugged at her ear and looked at the appearance of the tiny “seeds” in the mirror. “You can barely see them.” She said, as she admired her new “punk rock” look. “My kids will get a kick out of these!”
“Walk around a little” I said, wanting her to test out her knee and check in with her back pain. “How does it feel?”
“That’s weird. It doesn’t hurt. My back! It doesn’t hurt!! How did you do that?!” She was getting excited and I saw a tear beginning to well up in her eye.
“How’s the knee feel?” Sharing her joy, but wanting to get a tab on all the issues I’d worked on.
“The knee is fine. It feels…looser, like there’s more room in there…or something. I can’t explain it. My foot is feeling warmer too. I didn’t mention it, but that foot always kind of felt like it was falling asleep or something.”

“Excellent. We’re getting some blood flowing again. Now, sit back down for a minute and I’ll get some energy moving to your wrists too.” I finished up with the last of the seeds and enjoyed watching her roll her wrists around with a huge grin on her face.
“Unbelievable!” she said. “I can’t tell you the last time I wasn’t in pain. I’m going to send everyone to you for this! How long will they stay on?”
“The seeds will stay reliably adhesive for about a week; if people have very dry or very moist skin, it can be less. When they start to feel like they are not firmly adhered to the spot anymore, just find the edge of the tape and peel them off. Make sure that the little seed is on the tape and throw it away. Voila!” I gestured with a flourish.
She laughed. “This is amazing. I have to get up and walk around again. I just can’t get over it.” She began pacing the length of the room. “What about getting them wet?”
“Just leave them alone until they dry and they should be fine. Don’t fuss with them if they’re wet, but you can push on them to help get rid of the pain if it creeps back.” I assured her.
“You know, when my friend told me that you got rid of her migraines with this…what do you call it…Auriculotherapy? Well, I thought it was all in her head-so to speak, but she kept insisting I come to see you. I was curious, yeah, but I didn’t think it would help me. I mostly came here to shut her up.” She shook her head still laughing, whether from her amusement or from pure relief from her pain, I wasn’t sure.
“Well, I’m so glad that you came to prove her wrong!!” I laughed, “It makes me so glad to see people go from pain to no pain. That’s what makes my job the best in the world” I grinned back at her.
“How did you learn this? Where did you ever even hear about it?” she wanted to know.
“I learned about it when I was in school for Chinese Medicine. The tradition I learned is based on Chinese medical theories, but there is also a tradition of Auriculotherapy from France that has become pretty well known too. I actually teach a certification class that makes Auriculotherapy easy to learn for anyone, even without any kind of background in healing. I give my students maps, tools, seeds and a kit to carry it around in. They begin practicing on each other right away in class. It’s so great to see them getting such amazing results themselves. It’s like a lightbulb going on!” I didn’t try to hide my enthusiasm.“I could learn to do this?” She asked, hopeful. “But I wouldn’t be able to work on myself though, right?” She sat back down, her initial excitement beginning to dull ever so slightly as I watched where her thoughts took her.

“That was my problem too,” I confessed. “This is why you need to have someone you spend a lot of time with take the class with you, then you can practice on each other…and get rid of each other’s pain.”
“Ah! I know just the man!” She brightened. “Does this work only for pain…and migraines?” she asked.
“No, I treat all kinds of things, anxiety, stomach issues, menstrual disorders, lung problems, colds, rashes, blood pressure, eye diseases, the list goes on…you can even lower a fever just like that!” I snapped my fingers.
“Now, I wish I had known that trick last week when my son had the flu! I was beside myself when his fever reached 103º and he had the chills!” The memory of her son’s illness left a note of distress in her voice, then her eyes cleared. “So, how often do I need to do this?”
“On the average, I like to have people come in about once a week. Having the therapy done regularly has a more profound healing effect; rather than just putting a band-aid on the pain, consistent treatment encourages the blood to heal the afflicted area and reminds the body of what balance feels like. Should we book your next appointment?”
“Yes, and sign me and my husband up for the next…Auriculotherapy class. I’m going to make him take it with me. So, what do I owe you for today?” She handed me her credit card.
“It’s just $55 for a pain-free week. Can you beat that?” I laughed. “Actually, you can. I can give you a discount for packs of treatments if you want to pay for them at once.” I handed her the price schedule:
3 sessions…..$150.00 ($50 @ session)
5 sessions…..$225.00 ($45 @ session)
10 sessions…$400.00 ($40 @ session)

“Wow, not bad. I’ll have to see how this does before I commit to paying for more than today’s session.” I understood completely; she was sensible to wait and objectively take in the whole experience before deciding to continue.
I shrugged. “Well, let me know; it’s a short appointment and I can usually squeeze it in, but I don’t want you to have to wait for very long when the pain begins to return.”
“The pain will return?” She suddenly looked let down.
“Well, you’ve only had one appointment. Usually the first time someone gets this done the relief lasts a good day or two after the seeds are removed…so about a week or ten days…then the pain may start to slowly come back.You don’t want to have to start from square one again, so it’s best to stay ahead of it and keep a good healing curve going.”
She nodded in understanding. “Do people ever get completely better?” Her optimism was restored.
“Absolutely. It just depends on how long the problem has been going on, how well someone responds to healing and other factors that dictate overall health like diet, exercise, emotional health…” I explained.
“Okay, let’s set up another appointment now, and if I have to change it, I’ll give you a call a few days before.” She got out her calendar, set up the date for the following week and stood up. I walked her to the door and watched her stretching and testing her back and legs and she sauntered to the foyer. Spontaneously she turned and hugged me. “Thank you so much again, Lisl! I can’t believe how good it feels to not have pain!!”
“Believe it,” I said. “Your body wants to heal; the relief you feel in your body will have many far-reaching effects on other areas of your life. Watch and see.”
“I do believe it. I’m surprised, but I do. See you next week.” I watched as she practically skipped to her car and drove off. In fifteen minutes, I’d get to do it all over again with the next client; I felt very satisfied.
A few days later, I received a call from my new patient. “Lisl, my husband couldn’t believe the change in me! He’s agreed to sign up for the Auriculotherapy class with me. Can you take my card over the phone? Oh, and he wants to book a session with you too.”
“No problem. How are you feeling?” I asked her.
“I’m feeling great! My knee is a little stiff in the morning, but as soon as I’m up and moving around it feels fine. Next time I see you I want to know more about the herbs and essential oils you use to keep the healing going.” She sounded clear and upbeat, a big difference from the woman who had called a few weeks before to set up her initial appointment.
“Absolutely, I’m at your service!” My heart swelled for her happiness and I knew once again how fortunate it is to love your work, especially when that involves helping others.
 

Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG) is a nationally board certified Chinese Herbalist, and a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. Lisl is also a certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, a level II Reiki practitioner, an Acupressurist, an Auriculotherapist, a photographer, a renowned diagnostician, a teacher and a published writer in private practice for over a decade. She is available by appointment. HerbaLisl.com

Please call 8 6 0 - 4 8 0 - 0 1 1 5 or email HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment, attend meditations, weed walks, or are interested in taking classes.

Japanese Knotweed in the Treatment of Lyme Disease

Japanese Knotweed

(Polygonum cuspidatum)

Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG), CMA

Anyone who is even slightly familiar with Japanese Knotweed knows that it is tenacious and difficult to eradicate. The plants seem rather intelligent, adapting to the various methods of “warfare” thrown at them. Even small pieces of root can repopulate quickly, taking full advantage of suitable circumstances to run rampant.

Anyone who is even slightly familiar with Lyme disease knows that it is tenacious and extremely difficult to treat. The spirochetes that cause it seem rather intelligent, adapting to the various methods of “warfare” thrown at them. Even small populations can survive for long periods of time in an imperfect environment, just biding their time until conditions improve and will take full advantage of suitable circumstances to run rampant throughout their host.

Oh dear. There seems to be striking similarities between these two entirely different species. I point this out to illustrate that the qualities inherent in Japanese Knotweed are precisely the factors needed to combat the obstinate and frequently debilitating spirochetes that cause Lyme disease. You could refer to the overall personality of Knotweed as a “doctrine of signatures” of sorts; the survival traits natural to this plant are powerful indicators of the benefits that we may utilize in our quest for health, particularly when confronted with a powerful adversary like Lyme disease.

Lyme disease is caused by the Borrelia burgdorferi spirochete, a microorganism carried by ticks and other biting insects such as mosquitoes, biting flies, mites and fleas. A spirochete is a gram-negative bacterium that “screws” itself into tissue -particularly collagen- and can encapsulate quickly under adverse conditions, going dormant until its environment becomes more hospitable. Spirochetes are notably clever, and easily adapt to elude antibiotics; they can then exchange resistance information within their community and to other co-infections, making treatment ever more difficult. A close cousin of this spirochete is one that causes syphilis, and consequently there is troubling evidence that Lyme can be transmitted sexually as well as through mother’s milk, saliva and in utero.

Japanese Knotweed is a native of Asia, but was introduced in Britain in the nineteenth century. The clones introduced in Europe reproduce through their rhizomes, not via seeds so all the plants there (and likely here in the US also) are in essence, one giant female. Known as the King of Weeds (Let’s change that to Queen, shall we?), the hardy Japanese Knotweed is the best known source of resveratrol and trans-resveratrol, naturally occurring compounds that are antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and anti-spirochetal and have a myriad of other health benefits as well.

Plants like Knotweed produce resveratrol in order to combat disease and to become more tolerant to environmental extremes. Not long ago, red grape skins were the primary source of resveratrol in supplements, and the impetus behind the theory of the “French Paradox” which implied that the generous inclusion of red wine with a high fat diet prevented heart disease. Research has found that Polygonum cuspidatum, abundant and readily available, contains much more concentrated resveratrol and trans-resveratrol than grapes, making Knotweed a much preferred commercial source of this valuable antioxidant. It’s unlikely that the French predilection for pinot noir will be replaced by Knotweed anytime soon, so don’t throw away your wine glasses just yet.

Resveratrol can help lower cholesterol and regulate blood pressure and has shown promise for the treatment of certain cancers, breast cancer in particular; as a complementary treatment it can raise white blood cell levels during chemotherapy and radiation. During menopause and senior years, resveratrol can help protect bone density levels and increase the mineral content in bone tissue.

Japanese Knotweed is effective against a variety of organisms including the Lyme co-infection bartonella, leptospira, gonorrhea, and meningitis; its strong antifungal qualities make it especially inhibitive toward Candida albicans. It is also a powerful antiviral agent, effective in the treatment of herpes, ECHO viruses and various strains of influenza such as SARS and Asian flu (which in my opinion, is a far more attractive option than vaccinations of questionable origin).

What makes Knotweed so valuable when it comes to treating Lyme disease is that it not only inhibits the spirochetes, it is also markedly anti-inflammatory, reducing joint pain, swelling and fever. The anti-inflammatory effect helps to regulate the immune system and prevents it from being over burdened; its modulating effect makes it useful for many autoimmune ailments. Knotweed supports the central nervous system and protects the heart, making it especially valuable in the treatment of Lyme-related carditis.

Lyme disease affects more than the joints; symptoms can range from pronounced fatigue, fever and aches to foggy thinking, memory lapses, muscular spasms, rashes and vision problems. The spirochetes that cause Lyme make a meal of collagen tissue, and their favorite restaurants include your joints, skin, eyes and brain. Knotweed has a strong ability to protect those tender areas, stimulating microcirculation and directing other herbs to otherwise difficult to treat regions of the body. The constituents in Knotweed are also able to cross the blood brain barrier (BBB), protecting delicate cerebral tissue and harmonizing blood flow. Regular supplementation of Polygonum cuspidatum during or after an active infection will help sharpen mental function and relieve pain throughout the body.

During effective treatment of Lyme disease, patients frequently experience what is known as a Herxheimer reaction. A “Herx” response is a healing crisis of exacerbated overall symptoms; fevers spike, joint pain becomes more pronounced, fatigue may increase –basically the patient feels absolutely awful. The reason for the aggravated symptoms is a massive die-off of the pathogenic spirochetes creating a high volume of toxicity in the blood. Believe it or not, this is a good sign: the treatment is working. It doesn’t seem like good news to anyone experiencing it however, and this is another instance where Japanese Knotweed can come to the rescue by reducing Herx symptoms and aiding in systemic detoxification.

Lyme expert and Master Herbalist Stephen Harrod Buhner recommends a core protocol of four to five herbs in the treatment of Lyme disease: Japanese Knotweed, Andrographis, Cat’s Claw, Stephania root and medicinal mushrooms. Since the publication of his book, Healing Lyme in 2005, thousands of people have reported significant improvement if not complete relief from their Lyme symptoms using this basic protocol. Treatment works best when an experienced herbalist adjusts their healing strategy according to each individual’s needs and be aware that Knotweed is contraindicated with pregnancy and blood-thinning medications.

Since Japanese Knotweed is so rampant, it is easy to find and harvest without concern for upsetting delicate ecological balance, but avoid areas where the ground may be contaminated such as roadsides and polluted streambeds. Dig roots up in the autumn after the above ground plant begins to die back and before the ground freezes or in the spring after the earth thaws and small shoots resembling asparagus begin to emerge. The root mass is woody and extremely solid; after some dedicated scrubbing, I find that hacking chunks off with a hatchet and smashing them with a hammer breaks the rhizome into manageable pieces that I can then decoct in water. Please don’t hurt yourself in the process of procuring your medicine, but if you do, rest assured… Knotweed is even helpful for traumatic injury!

The core belief I’ve held since I was a child echoes the Indian theory of existence as stated by Mourning Dove Salish, “...everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission…” I agree with Buhner when he speculates that the link between a so-called invasive species such as Japanese Knotweed and its handy availability in the presence of emerging persistent diseases like Lyme, West Nile, exotic flu and AIDS suggests that Gaia has once again planned for everything. An intelligence far greater than our own possesses the Vision to create balance on a scale of time and space that we cannot yet grasp; it is in our best interest to place our faith and trust in the Earth once more.

Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG) is a nationally board certified Chinese Herbalist, and a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. Lisl is also a certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, a level III Reiki practitioner, an Acupressurist, an Auriculotherapist, a photographer, a renowned diagnostician, a teacher and a published writer in private practice for over a decade. She is available by appointment. HerbaLisl.com

Please call 8 6 0 - 4 8 0 - 0 1 1 5 or email HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment, attend meditations, weed walks, or are interested in taking classes.