Quite a while ago now, I had a cough, the kind that just keeps going. I went to the health food store and looked for a cough syrup. I did find a natural cough syrup, but it was expensive and would last only 2-3 days. I looked at the ingredients and said to myself: I can make that! I did make it. And that was how I came to learn about healing herbs.

I got books. I took some herbalism classes at the California School of Herbal Studies in Forestville, CA.
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Somewhere along the line, and I can't remember when, I started learning about essential oils. Got a few of those books.

Bach Flower Essences also came in there somewhere.

Along the way, after one of my flus a friend insisted I try a salt water nasal rinse. I was resistant; she was insistent and I listened. It was absolutely the best thing I ever did. I am so grateful to her for insisting.

A sinus rinse and gargle are a miracle cure. It prevents you from getting sinus infections. It prevents that whole nose drip, sniffling awful stuff. Sea salt is a very, very powerful healer.

For a little while after my herbal initiation, I had some flus which were minor compared to what I had before, but soon after, I never got them again. No flus, no colds, no coughs. And it's been over a decade.

I use essential oils for minor things and use them a lot for cleaning. They are fantastic, when mixed with other ingredients, for lots of different cleaning purposes.

Flower essences are great for emotional/consciousness challenges. I found them very helpful.

I love healing with herbs and turn to herbalists if I have an issue. It's why I really like The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies: The Healing Power of Plant Medicine by Dr. Nicole Apelian and Claude Davis. It is actually put together by an herbalist and a herb historian. Many comprehensive herb books are put together by editors of book publishers which means they research books written by herbalists, which is not the same as a book actually written by an herbalist.

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies: The Healing Power of Plant Medicine is surprisingly comprehensive with many personal notes and recommendations. It's a fantastic resource.

I would recommend everyone know the basics about herbal healing. There is so much you can heal with basic herbs and ingredients you already have at home. And very inexpensively!

Better yet, have an herb garden and grow your own herbs and make your own plant medicine.

Resemary Gladstar, the famous herbalist, has a book called Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide, that teaches you about herbs, how to grow your own herb garden and how to make your own plant medicine.

I've done this a little with speariment. You've not tasted speariment tea until you've grown and dried your own herbs. It has nuances of flavor and scent you've never experienced in the store-bought tea.

Herbalism is wonderful knowledge to have. It's freedom. I also love how it connects us to our ancestors throughout history and across the entire earth.

When I first started learning about herbs and made that first tea, I dreamt herbs an entire night. That was very special. I learned a lot from that night of dreaming.

It's amazing our Creator gave us everything we need to heal ourselves.

An interesting example of that is plantain. Plantain has many purposes, but the main one is to stop bleeding. It's an herb that looks like your basic weed you'd weed out of your garden. It grows on the side of the road. It grows especially well when it's trampled on. I think that's wonderful.

I hope you consider learning about herbalism. I am sure you will find it surprising and gratifying.

I stumbled upon some YouTube videos of Tyler Perry talking about his life. It's staggering the abuse and poverty he had to overcome to be where he is in his life today.

I looked further and discovered he wrote a book called Higher is Waiting and have been reading it. What an amazingly inspirational book.

It is hard to believe the sheer quantity of abuse he suffered, yet retained hope and faith. His mother taught him about God. She had unshakable faith, in spite of the horrific abuse she had to endure. And she loved Tyler unconditionally.

In reading Perry's book I felt sheer power of belief -- it lifts you right up reading it. He consistently said, if it wasn't for the grace of God he wouldn't be where he is now. Because he believes so unquestionably, he gives hope; his energy and trust is behind you, propelling you forward.

A beautifully written book that addresses circumstances in life we all face. Makes you feel good. Makes you have hope.

Highly recommended as a book that will inspire you and give you peace.

I love working out at home and I love working out with DVDs.

Here are my favorite meditation and yoga DVDs.

Nadia Narain's Beginners Meditation and Mindful Stretching. This is a nice combination of just sitting/being and easy, gentle stretches.  It's a great way to relax, quiet the mind, let go and come back to center.

Another favorite of Nadia's is Everyday Yoga for Stress Release.
This DVD has three 20 minute practices. Each practice is designed for a different purpose. The first practice is an easy, gentle yoga flow. The second is more energetic and incorporates some of the common, basic yoga poses. The third is for times when one is anxious and stressed.

The third DVD I love so much is Mimi Solaire's Deep Stretch Yin Yoga. This is a longer practice where you hold poses for a long time. It is fantastic in establishing deep relaxation and bringing back a positive attitude.

I love these DVDs because they are easy. When you're stressed and overworked, the last thing you need is to do something demanding, something that asks some more of you. These meditations and stretches give to you, calm you down, nurture you and bring you back to feeling good about yourself and life. I highly recommend them.