Big Love

Herbal remedies for times when you need them

I was gifted an herbal remedy after I separated. It was Beauty Potion No. 7, Gamine, by Alexis Smart. It was to aid in the return of femininity, beauty, and confidence. I began to take the remedy as directed, four drops under the tongue four times a day. http://www.alexissmart.com

Gamine

French. A girl with mischievous charm.

Alexissmart.com

I believe that it worked.

Symptoms Gamine treats include feeling: awkward/unattractive, self-conscious, lack of confidence, and body shame. Benefits include feeling: charisma, confidence, strong sense of self, and love of your body.

It definitely helped me. I had stopped recognizing myself in the mirror at the lowest point of my relationship struggles, my hair was turning white overnight, my skin was aged. One friend told me that I looked like an abused woman, which I was. So I wanted to let that go, to find my way back to me. See if I could recognize myself again.

The gamine formula was one step on this path. I am coming to see that all that we do is with an intention, whether we realize it or not. I’m not yet sure just how powerful that is, but it seems like something to pay attention to. Each time I took the remedy throughout the day, I was sending an intention into the nether that I wanted to invite the gamine essence and qualities into my being.

This was also a tool suggested by my art therapist. She spoke to the powers of the Bach Flower remedies. She recommended that I find the one on boundaries. You find them at the store, in a neat display, and I had grown up using the Rescue Remedy for all manner of things including a fall off a bike. I could not find the remedy that was suggested, but I did end up with Face Your Fears, mimulus. http://www.bachflower.com

Carrying around a flower remedy is like having a secret super power potion right in my pocket.

Then I discovered the ability to clear and cleanse a space with different essences, from incense to room sprays. Both Denise Linn and Karen Kingston have written on this process as part of tidying and setting good energy in the home. Linn’s book Sacred Space: Clearing and Enhancing the Energy of the Home (1995) is a captivating and eye opening read that I revisit from time to time. Lavender and Rose room spray with essential oils are some of my favorites.

Marie Condo starts her day by opening all of her windows and lighting incense to clear her space and begin the day with intention.

The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing Marie Kondo

A friend had an amazing extension of this practice, with essences to spray to bring abundance, to have safe travels, and more. The Alaskan essences were lovely to use, and I covet them. http://www.alaskanessences.com

Lastly, I came across the most divine looking drinks, cakes, mocktails, all on the Instagram account Anima Mundi Herbals. The plant medicine by herbalist Adriana Ayales looks like a dream. I have yet to buy it, but on the top of my wishlist are the organic matcha and the liver cleanse. Since my separation I have found matcha to be easier on my nervous system than coffee, and I am loving the umami of a good matcha. I’m intrigued by the matcha smoothie. http://www.animamundiherbals.com

I look forward to setting the Bach remedy Face Your Fears aside once it has served its purpose. I’m intrigued by the Love formula from Alexis Smart and look forward to having the space and attention for that one.

Health depends on being in harmony with our souls.

Edward Bach