Summer Cycles

Stargazer lilies

Every summer I think it’ll be the year that my lilies stop blooming. They are always at least a good two weeks behind all the other lilies in the neighborhood, and I watch and wait and eventually resign myself to thinking that this will be the year that their blooms never quite blossom. Not only is it the neighborhood lilies that make me question my own, it is the fact that I get photo reminders in my email from years past, where I am confronted with proof that my own lilies were indeed blooming earlier in past years. They keep showing up though, late blooming beauties that remind me that patience is rewarded, and as slow as some things seem to be moving right now, time is indeed moving forward and what must bloom, blooms. In less than a month, they will serve reminders of another turn of time’s wheel.

We go through so many phases in life, repetitions that spiral us along our paths, experiences that seem different on the daily scale, until we step back and see how cyclical life is. Seasons and stages, milestones and disappointments, we treasure the highlights and manage, again and again, to somehow get through all of the challenges from irritants to miseries.

I’ve been thinking a lot about life cycles and stages lately, mostly about perimenopause and menopause, firstly because I read a novel about a women going through perimenopause and interviewing other women about their experiences with both perimenopause and menopause and it was fascinating. The second reason why it’s been on my mind is that at 49, I must assume that I too am in perimenopause although I haven’t had any symptoms yet that others have noted, such as hot flashes, irregular cycles, or emotional/hormonal upheaval. I’ve been wondering though if I have experienced quieter symptoms without realizing it, just as puberty serves up so many changes that do not always get acknowledged as puberty’s influence. For example, at times I’ve wondered if my irritability at the crowded traffic or the construction in every direction around my home are really just calling cards of perimenopause, letting me know that my hormones are changing, my life stage is changing, and therefore I too need to make changes.

I want to honor these changes but I also intend to support myself through them with lifestyle choices and of course, herbs. The first herb I am taking is Vitex Berry, also known as Chaste Berry or simply Vitex, and it is the go-to traditional herb for supporting women’s cycles at all times of a female life, although not for use when pregnant or lactating. When I start to notice more changes and actually enter menopause, I will likely opt for a blend of herbs such as this daytime combination formula and this nighttime product. Even with herbal support, the fact that menopause is dubbed, “the change of life” is enough evidence to know that big changes are coming, and if puberty is the best reference for how it’s going to go, I think preparing in advance is the best option. One thing that is encouraging though, is I’ve read that women say their mental health is much improved after menopause because of the end of the hormonal ups and downs every month. I wonder if that is why so many older women have such even, serene demeanors…my guess is yes.

I love how herbs can support us throughout our lives, even when modern Western medicine shrugs its shoulders or offers invasive options with bad side effects. As I have often said here, I am all for making use of modern medicine and would not choose to go back in time when leeches were employed in medical procedures and surgeries were unmedicated, but when it comes to supporting life stages, it is so nice to have our herbal allies to rely on with their gentle offers of balance.

What new herbs are you experimenting with right now? I’d love to hear!

Anti-inflammatory Support for Active Lifestyles

Gaia Herbs Extra Strength Turmeric Supreme

Gaia Herbs is my most trusted herbal supplement company, so I’m thrilled to say that I’ve entered into a partnership with them as an herbal ambassador. This means that they will send me products occasionally and I will be posting reels about some of them. The first product that I will be posting about is Extra Strength Turmeric Supreme which has been a daily staple of mine for many years.

Background

On the trail with my dog in the background

I started having pain in my feet, mainly my toes, after having babies, which is quite common due to the softening of ligaments during pregnancy. In fact, many women’s feet grow a half or even a full size during pregnancy! As a runner, I wasn’t going to just accept the pain so I visited a podiatrist who gave me a cortisone shot but said that it’d only help for a year and then I’d need another one. Right on cue, a year later the pain was back and I found myself in that same office, wondering if I’d have to be there every year for the rest of my days. That wasn’t an appealing thought, and luckily by then my pregnancy brain fog had worn off enough to allow for some clear thinking. I remembered that turmeric has a long reputation as an anti-inflammatory with an impressive amount of research to back up the traditional use literature. I started taking it right away, and have never been back to a podiatrist nor had any need for any more cortisone shots.

The Product

I didn’t start out with Gaia Herb’s Extra Strength Turmeric Supreme. I tried all the turmeric products I could find, but when I stumbled onto this one, with the black pepper included in the formula to help move the turmeric all the way out to the extremities, I was impressed… and hooked. It works incredibly well and in fact, it was the first herbal supplement I ever signed up for a subscription to have at all times, because there have been periods when I’ve run out and been lazy about getting more and I’ve felt the difference. No one has time for that! I’ve since added a couple of other Gaia Herbs products to my subscription, but it remains the only subscription I have to any herbal or supplement company.

Gaia Herbs

With Gaia Herbs, you know the product contains the herbs that the outside of the bottle says it contains. Unfortunately, with herbal supplements, that’s not always the case, so I stick with a few companies that I trust, and Gaia Herbs grows many of their own herbs so they really know their plants. Their formulations are smart and thoughtful, using herbs synergistically together to create products that are potent and reliable. Their website has a ‘learn’ section so you can educate yourself about the herbs you are taking, safety precautions, and side effects (which, with herbs, are generally beneficial things.) Here’s a link to their turmeric information.

(West Coast Swing practice shoes on dance floor)

Side Effects as Added Benefits

What I mean by that is that herbs generally have a reputation for one main thing, such as ‘anti-inflammatory’ or ‘adaptogen’ or ‘anti-depressant’, and while that label is true, they also do more than just what they are known for. For example, St. John’s Wort is known pretty much only known for its reputation as an antidepressant, but it also has been traditionally used for its antiviral properties and it has long been used topically for aches and pains as well. While pharmaceuticals have lists of scary side effects, with herbs the side effects are usually things you want, such as improved digestion or enhances skin texture. You can see some of turmeric’s added benefits on Gaia Herbs’ page dedicated to turmeric.

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Longevity

It is widely known now that inflammation plays a huge role in how well, or not well, we age. Our modern lifestyles and western diets tend to promote inflammation, so it is up to us to thoughtfully counterbalance this fact with any way that we know how. Healthy food, moderate exercise, relaxation techniques such as meditation, and herbs such as turmeric can all help keep inflammation within healthy parameters. My own knees and feet do a lot for me, as I’ve been a runner for almost 35 years, do a lot of dance cardio, and recently started West Coast Swing Dancing, and I have no intention of giving up any of my beloved activities as I get older. This excellent turmeric supplement is my favorite way to support my active lifestyle.

Keep on moving

Conclusion

If you have any questions about Gaia Herbs, Extra Strength Turmeric Supreme, or turmeric in general, please let me know. I’m always happy to talk herbs with anyone, but if you want specific advise about a health issue, please find an herbalist through the AHG website or talk to a naturopath who knows about herbs. Follow me on Instagram and Facebook to see how my first ever reel turns out. I’m a little nervous since I’ve never used the reels tool on either platform, so if you have any suggestions for me, I’d love to hear them.

Cheers to health and longevity! 🥂🌱🌷