ABQ Stew

Having the perfectly cut green grass and fancy tools to maintain the beauty that is a lawn has been keeping dads talking at barbecues for years. Conversing on the ways of how to get rid of the most nightmarish of bugs to the perfect watering techniques. However, there was always one common enemy that would ruin impeccable yards that fathers everywhere united against: Weeds. Taking care of the lawn takes a lot of time, money, and resources (Or as my father would say, blood, sweat and tears) so no one would want to have that ruined. However my fellow reader, I’m not sure if everyone is ready for the blasphemy I am about to unveil. The green lawn is not as important as once thought and weeds can provide so many more benefits than you think they can.

The perfect yard is something so many people chase after, but why? “The state of a homeowner’s lawn is important in relation to their status within the community and to the status of the community at large.” says Krystal D’costa in her article The American Obsession with Lawns. She goes on to say “It signifies that you care about belonging and want others to see that you are like them. A properly maintained lawn tells others you are a good neighbor.” This is why some higher class neighborhoods tend to have very strict rules on lawn maintenance.

Before I get into the benefits of growing weeds I would like to place a disclaimer. Some weeds are invasive and should be dealt with accordingly. Invasive species tend to take away nutrients from native plants which is what we are trying to conserve not destroy. If you are unsure if a plant is invasive there are apps you can download that will give you all the information you need and will put you in contact with other knowledgeable individuals. I recommend the free iNaturalist app.

We can let the weeds grow and they have a few perks, however it may not be for everyone. Some of these bonuses consist of the following: Weeds encourage biodiversity in your yard, help you learn the condition of your soil, and some personality to your yard. Nikki Telly made a complete pros and cons list of growing weeds. However, one of my favorite things about weeds is that they provide a lot of medicinal benefits and can be utilized in so many ways. I will be focusing on dandelions, chickweed and curly dock. They are some of the most commonly found weeds in North America and are easy to identify.

Dandelions are very commonly used in food and are bountiful in micronutrients. The article Diverse biological activities of dandelion highlights the following: “an analysis of the nutrient content of dandelion reveals high amounts of minerals, proteins, fiber, and vitamins and a balanced combination of trace elements … making dandelions an interesting source of micronutrients.” This means that eating dandelions can help with inflammation and lower blood sugar levels. The amount of nutrients found can make for a great supplement to incorporate into your diet. This is where the fun comes in. Dandelions are so versatile when it comes to cooking and can be turned into a syrup or a pesto for my pasta lovers. The Lost Herbs provides so many more recipes that I encourage you to try. Reminder dandelions do have look-alikes, Heidi Villegas goes into depth on what to look for while foraging and can be found here.

Next up is chickweed, it is good for skin, lymphatic and respiratory health. “Nutritional studies have revealed the presence of protein, especially 16 amino acids, vitamins, and minerals such as calcium, iron, phosphorus, and zinc.” states Ekta Singh Chauhan. After learning how to identify chickweed (video above) there is a wonderful recipe for chickweed pakoras. Pakoras are like fritters with vegetables and make for a delicious meal.

Lastly, but certainly not least is curly dock.  This plant is rich in flavonoids, iron and vitamins A and C. They are good for constipation as well as inflammation. Traditionally, curly dock was used to treat parasites and help treat skin conditions. It was normally turned into a tincture or just infused in water, but now we found tastier ways to get those amazing benefits. Curly dock can be turned into pancakes and are pretty tasty. Remember to make sure you are identifying the curly dock correctly.

My knowledge ends here my fellow reader. I hope you have been inspired. You may not want to part with your green yard but you can at least use the weeds you have in your yard instead of throwing them away. There is so much food around us that we aren’t aware of. Let’s go back to the roots of ancestors and use what is quite literally in front of us.

Disclaimer: Be careful where you go foraging, anything that has been sprayed with herbicides or is growing by  road is best to avoid for your health especially if you are going to consume these plants.

-Posted by Kamryn

In a time and place where many people who have uteri experience little support and yet so much outside control, it’s important to understand, love, and nourish our bodies. I think learning and implementing elements of cycle syncing can be a great way to support ourselves. The phrase “cycle syncing” was put in place by functional nutritionist Alisa Vitti. It describes the practice of shifting elements of one’s diet, exercise, and activities to better fit the natural changes experienced throughout the menstrual cycle. There is nuance to what we eat because of access based on location, season, time, and cost. It can be really hard to avoid processed foods and eat enough fruits and veggies. There is nuance to how we exercise our bodies. Cycle syncing is not at all meant to restrict our diets or exercise. Instead, a way to supplement our diet and give our physical bodies extra love and support throughout our cycle. Nourishing your body is a personal journey and doesn’t need to align with any program. Not all foods/herbs are right for everyone and should be further researched especially if you have any known health conditions. If your cycle is irregular, extremely painful, etc. consult a medical expert or someone knowledgeable you trust.

Cycle Overview

Our hormones are constantly fluctuating throughout the month, rising and dropping at different rates and times. This affects how we function and feel, so how we care for ourselves should reflect and nurture that. Our cycle can be roughly broken down into phases. The follicular phase, ovulation, and luteal phase are your ovarian cycle. At the same time, your uterine cycle occurs and this is your menstrual phase, proliferative phase, ovulation, and secretory phase. Theses charts and webpages from Clue and Palm Health are awesome resources to further understanding your cycle.

Supporting Every Phase

Menstrual Phase: During the menstrual phase, we are feeling our lowest and losing iron from bleeding. Foods with ample iron and B vitamins for energy can help replenish and boost us. Foods with vitamin C can also help with iron absorption. Consider eating leafy greens, beans, berries, bananas, citruses, and quinoa. Flaxseeds, chia seeds, raspberry leaf, and nettle leaf tea can help with cramps by reducing inflammation. Additionally, practice gentleness with yourself, it’s a great time to draw yourself a bath, do some gentle yoga or stretching, and simply rest. 

End of Follicular/Proliferative Phase: In this phase, our bodies prepare to drop another egg and recuperate from menses. This means energy support and balance are the focus. It is like Spring. Dancing, going on a jog, or any form of cardio are perfect to wake our bodies and give us a boost of energy. Brown rice, chickpeas, and lentils are great options for energy and carbs. Eggs, avocados, broccoli, and fermented foods help balance hormones. Nettle leaf and holy basil tea for any lasting inflammation. Holy basil tea can help to reduce stress hormones, as well.

Ovulation: Our bodies likely feel best and this is when our hormones are at their highest. Eat foods similar to the follicular phase to try to balance hormones: avocados, eggs, fermented foods, walnuts, spinach, and berries. Dandelion root and burdock root are herbs that may help with digestive issues in this phase. Exercises like HITT or weightlifting suits this phase.

Beginning-Mid Luteal/Secretory Phase: The mini rise and peak of our estrogen and progesterone hormones. Foods containing antioxidants like strawberries, blueberries, and dark chocolate are great for supporting this phase. More hormone-balancing foods like avocado, kale, and spinach, as well as energizing foods like brown rice and quinoa help minimize PMS symptoms. Herbs that can help reduce upcoming PMS symptoms are burdock root, red raspberry leaf, and ginger. Medium-intensity exercise would likely feel best, maybe pilates, jogging, or weightlifting.

Late Luteal/Secretory Phase: Coming back into low-energy and hormones. Eating foods to reduce inflammation for the upcoming period: Chia seeds, edamame, and brussel sprouts. Fruits, high-fiber and high-protein foods to help satisfy our natural cravings sweet potatoes, quinoa, eggs, chicken, lentils, etc. Red raspberry leaf and dandelion root, as mentioned in other phases, for inflammation and digestion. This is another phase where we may experience low energy so be caring and kind to yourself. Yoga, walks, meditation, or anything that makes you feel connected to yourself and cared for is perfect.

Here are a few charts to help you cycle sync. Click here and here and here for more information and recipes!

Personal Testament

I have just begun my journey with cycle syncing, but I already feel more supported just from learning more. I struggle with severe period pain and discomfort, especially at the beginning of my period. It has caused me to miss important obligations, such as school and work, as well as valuable time with friends and family. Many people who menstruate know the feeling all too well of being weighed or burdened by their cycle. We all deserve to feel our best and be taken care of no matter what phase we are in.

I have already noticed a change in the severity of my mood swings and experienced discomfort for a shorter amount of my premenstrual and menstrual phase. Another big change is the feeling that I have more agency when it comes to my hormones and cycle. Of course, I cannot fully control my inner-body functions but it feels great knowing that I can help and honor my body in a way that feels right to me. People who have menstrual cycles are often told not much can be done to address their pain or imbalances without synthetic medications such as birth control or OTC pain relievers. For some, these synthetic medications may help, but often times they only aid the wound that has long been festering in healthcare.

-Posted by Talia

Hidden at the base of the sacred Tuyuna Rock on the Santa Ana Pueblo, Ben Braden tends to over one hundred horses among other livestock at the Tamaya Horse Rehabilitation Center. The center is a nonprofit, positive reinforcement-only facility dedicated to providing unwanted and abused horses with a purposeful life. They also care for an array of chickens, goats, and cows. The Tamaya’s mission is to “focus on where they’re going, not where they came from.” Ben is the volunteer coordinator and has hosted many field trips with the University of New Mexico students to educate them about intersectionality and sustainability. One difference they are making in their local food system involves their surplus of manure. They have become dedicated to composting and outsourcing manure at no cost to local organizations, closing resource gaps in the food system chain.

Manure is a vital component from small-scale gardens to large-scale organizations. It provides vital nutrients and carbon sources for soil and can be easily implemented into circularity procedures. Maure has a vivid ecosystem inside of it that slays, including bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms that the soil needs. Manure as a fertilizer just scratches the surface of its benefits:

• Nutrients: Because manure is processed through digestion, it contains materials that are more readily accessible and balanced for plants, such as high nitrogen, phosphorus, and bacteria yields
• Organic Matter: Manure is also used as a soil amendment, helping it improve the structure of the soil and its ability to retain water. This also aids in carbon sequestration
• Energy: Energy can be processed from manure anaerobically or thermochemically to produce biogas and bio-oil. The methane emissions from manure can also be utilized in closing gaps in a circular economy, yielding energy that can help offset the consumption of fossil fuels

At Tamaya, they produce manure from chickens, goats, cows, and horses, any of which are all available to local growers. Different types of animals produce different types of manure. Each has its own benefits and disadvantages that range from its physical quantity to its chemical composition.

• Chicken: This manure is the most nutrient-rich and is high in nitrogen which can be attributed to the urine contained in the droppings. Its biggest downside is that it has a generally lower yield
• Cow: Cattle manure can be used immediately because of the cow’s digestive system. They have two stomachs, so the manure is digested twice, lowering the nitrogen content. It is still recommended to compost to reduce the risk of pathogens
• Horse: Horse manure’s biggest advantage is the high amount that can be produced very quickly. Because of the high quantity and longer composting time, some environmental costs can occur, like the potential for nitrates to leach into water
• Goat: Goat manure has a higher nitrogen content than chicken and cow manure, which can be beneficial or a disadvantage depending on the types of plants it is being used for. For example, plants like lettuce, watermelons, and several root vegetables.

Ben also explains to me some indicators of manure that is ready to use, such as the not-so-micro organisms like mites, ants, and isopods. Once the nitrogen levels, and thus the temperature, have depleted enough, the composted manure becomes habitable for many different types of organisms. Some of them are large enough to be visible, allowing us to understand that the manure will not burn crops and can provide sufficient nutrients to the soil on a visual level. For this to occur, the temperature of the manure needs to reach between 131℉ and 170℉, and, depending on the animal, can take many months to cool down and become ready for use. Because of the high nitrogen in a compact area, the piles of manure can sometimes be seen steaming as it cools. While not yet ideal for plants, this process is essential in killing off harmful pathogens and weed seeds. 

Making steps toward a sustainable future manifests itself in many ways and may not be one-size-fits-all. The Tamaya Horse Rehab has effectively taken a waste component of its operation and has provided avenues for multiple points in the local food system to thrive through it. This is a great example of circular economics that has been done intrinsically and is easy to implement at other input points in a local food system.

-Posted by Bianca

“Mindfulness is the capacity to bring full attention and awareness to one’s experience, in the moment, without judgment.” This definition from The Center For Mindful Eating synthesizes pretty clearly what it means to be present and aware of one’s surroundings. Introducing these concepts to how people consume their meals can be highly beneficial for a number of reasons, including personal health (both physical and mental), environmental health and a deepening of self understanding.

Mindful eating is a practice that starts with addressing one’s state of hunger and encourages decisions about eating choices to be made surrounding the state. There are seven types of hunger including stomach, mouth, eye, nose, cellular, mind, and heart.

1. (Stomach) This is hunger based on needs. A body feels a physiological need for food or fuel.
2. (Mouth) This is a craving that exists in the mouth. It’s based on one’s desire to experience a certain taste and not based on a physical need for food.
3. (Eye) This is a craving based on sight and seeing a delicious food that one wants to experience.
4. (Nose) This is a craving based on smell. It is intertwined with mouth hunger, the memory of a delicious food experience.
5. (Cellular) This is a hard type to identify. When one feels dehydrated it is undeniable that one’s body needs water. The same is true for nutrients.
6. (Mind) This is hunger based on thoughts and ideas about food. For example if one is stressed or anxious they may feel that food is needed to calm that mind.
7. (Heart) This is hunger that is often attributed to “emotional eating.” Eating when one is experiencing extreme emotions. These can be both positive and negative.

Mindful eating does not say whether any of these seven are wrong or right but it’s important to know which is present to make the best choice for food consumption. For example, eating something that is craved and letting that lead to mindless eating. This reduces feeling empty or uncomfortably full as well since when one is present and not acted upon correctly it can lead to either over- or under-eating.

I decided to implement the practice into my daily routine over the course of four days. I journaled about the hunger I experienced and then what being mindful about the experience did for me. Overall through the experience I found myself feeling on both a physiological and mental standpoint much better than when I wasn’t being mindful about my food choices.

As I worked through this process, the organization that was the most helpful in guiding me was The Center For Mindful Eating. This organization works to educate people on the practice of mindful eating and helps people develop their own practice since it works a bit differently for everyone. The organization does this by offering free recorded online seminars, live events and personal mindful eating development. For further information, check out their Mindful Eating Food For Thought Blog.

Mindful eating has benefits for mental and physical health but beyond that it also is a great contributor to reducing a personal carbon footprint and working towards more sustainable food systems as a whole. Roughly 40% of food in the US is wasted every year. When food is put in a landfill and does not go through the process of composting it eventually rots and releases CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. Taking steps to reduce one’s own food waste is a great side-effect of implicating mindful eating practices.

This of course is only a first step but it is also a cascading one. The higher amount of people that participate in this creates a higher number of people living a more healthy lifestyle that can be used to make more sustainable choices.

-Posted by Michael

SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) is funded through the Farm bill: a key piece of legislation that allocates funds to programs that advance the interests of  farmers, conservation, nutrition, rural development, and more.

In November 2023 New Mexico was allotted just over 82 million dollars to fund SNAP for the month-long period. These benefits went to 333,000 homes. Farm bills have steadily increased the funding for this program every four years when the bill is up for reevaluation yet, it is still not enough. When looking at these numbers it can seem like these programs are fully funded. Yet, in Bernalillo County (most populous county in New Mexico) the number of food insecure people is high and of this number a significant amount are unable to access SNAP funds due to too high of income, too many assets, or various other reasons.

In November 2023 New Mexico was allotted just over 82 million dollars to fund SNAP for the month-long period. These benefits went to 333,000 homes. Farm bills have steadily increased the funding for this program every four years when the bill is up for reevaluation yet, it is still not enough. When looking at these numbers it can seem like these programs are fully funded. Yet, in Bernalillo County (most populous county in New Mexico) the number of food insecure people is high and of this number a significant amount are unable to access SNAP funds due to too high of income, too many assets, or various other reasons.

Benefits for people that qualify need to be expanded and the bar for qualifying needs to be lowered. Currently for a New Mexico family of four the Net household income must be at or below $2500 a month to qualify. Some people are possibly eligible even if they make more but they will receive less in benefits. These numbers are updated on a yearly basis, in October of every year the allotments are decided and will be reevaluated the following year. Along with benefits not always meeting what people need it can take a significant amount of time waiting for your application to be processed and receive your benefits.

But how is this number decided? Through the Thrifty Food Budget which looks at the cost of food and then decides how much money people should be spending on food for various age ranges and genders (with only male and female included). This will then give an estimated weekly budget for a family of four with a male and female between 20-60 and two children, one between 6-8 and the other between 9-11. This number for January 2024 came out to be $225.2 a week or $975.9 a month. This budget is made to be the lowest amount that a family could spend on food yet for this same family of four the maximum amount that would be allocated to them is $973 a month. Leaving them lacking $2.90 for that month if everything goes as planned. Meaning that if you buy all your food at once and something spoils you do not have  more money from SNAP to help this. As well, none of this money can go to prepared food so people are then forced to make dinner every night, a task that I know my partner and I struggle to do and many others. You cannot buy a warm rotisserie chicken or a pre-made meal and have SNAP cover this. Meaning that the act of making food has also now become harder and more time consuming for people relying only on money from SNAP to cover food.

I want to address how New Mexico has helped SNAP work for more families. Most prominently with the double up food bucks which allows people in New Mexico who receive SNAP to when shopping at farmers markets or select stores that source locally such as tiny grocery tiny grocer , the amount that someone can spend is doubled. This helps address the earlier topic of that the amount that people receive for food for a month is not enough so this allows people to essentially have double the amount of money with the caveat that the products are from New Mexico. As well, stores make this much more accessible for people, given that farmers markets typically happen for a set amount of time once a week or less this allows people more access and time to go out and shop for their food with this benefit without having to make a very slim window to go and purchase your groceries. SNAP has done wonderful things to help people and I hope to see more programs like double up food bucks and for the farm bill to expand qualifications to help more people.

-Posted by Kam

A MORNING IN THE BEE YARD

Martin Marklin, age 61, wakes up before dawn, pulls on his boots, and heads outside. He approaches his bee-buggy: a small, two-seater Mitsubishi truck painted in black in yellow. The truck bears a few modifications including a slot to hold the bee-smoker, a light up “stinger”, and two antennae (wire coils with painted foam balls).

Martin moves about his bee-yard gathering his hive tool, smoker, veil, empty frames, and other equipment. He loads it all into the bee-buggy and sets off.

The drive to his next bee-yard is peaceful, the route well known and the winding roads empty. Martin has five apiaries (bee-yards) one at his home and four on the properties of friends. Many have asked him to keep hives on their land, but he is particular about his locations. He only keeps honeybees in spots that have ample forage, a nearby source of water, and beautiful scenery. The last requirement is more for Martin than for the bees.

The first thing Martin does when entering a bee-yard is not opening a hive, rather it is to walk amongst them observing. In a conversation with Martin he said, “Most of the time I stand outside and observe. You can tell a lot about the health of the hive before you even open the lid. Are they coming and going? Bearding? Gathering pollen?”

When it is time, however, to open the lid, Martin does so without a bee-suit. In fact, he prefers to work in just shorts and a tee-shirt. After fourteen years of keeping honeybees, Martin is not afraid of the sting and prefers to have as little separating him from the bees as possible.

Martin fills his smoker with the traditional wood shavings and newspaper plus a little sprinkle of incense, his own special addition. The smoke works to calm Martin as much as it does the bees and allows him to enter a peaceful headspace. With the smoke wafting around him, Martin begins lifting the lids of the hives and entering the world of the bees.

A CANDLEMAKER’S JOURNEY INTO THE HIVE

Sixteen-year-old Martin stood in his mother’s kitchen melting crayons. This was the very first step in his journey to become a candle maker. Thirty-two years later, nearing his mid-life crisis, Martin had an epiphany. He realized that despite working with beeswax every day, he had no idea how bees made it. This thought sparked the purchase of his first package of bees and the discovery of a new passion.

Over the years, Martin’s one hive grew to around 150 and his single bee-yard expanded to five. Now he sells his honey in his retail store and even has a honey tasting area. The flavor of honey varies depending on the plants the bees pollinated. Because of this, honey from each of Martin’s apiaries tastes, and looks, different.

A MILLION LITTLE TEACHERS

The more time Martin spends in the bee-yard, the more he has come to learn and the more his skills as a beekeeper have advanced. “You have to anticipate their next move. Beekeeping isn’t about being invasive, it’s about providing them with the necessary things to survive” says Martin.

The lessons Martin has learned, however, go beyond beekeeping.

LESSONS FROM THE HIVE

1. Collectivism over individualism

Martins notes that “The bee is a superorganism. It’s about numbers, you don’t think about the individual bee you think about the colony, the collective.” They are also altruistic, everything they do is for the good of the whole. A queen can choose whether to fertilize an egg. If she does, the egg will become a worker bee (female), if she doesn’t it will become a drone (male bee). Drones provide very little benefit to the colony from which the come; their sole purpose is to mate with the queens of other hives. This means that the queen who makes drones is doing it for the sake of the species as a whole and not for the benefit to her own colony. “Beekeeping reminds me that I am part of a larger society” says Martin.

2. Work with not against

Honeybees play a vital role in the health of ecosystems. Without them we lose the plants we love. In just the month of February, 90% of all U.S. bees are transported to California to pollinate almonds. This practice has benefited humans but at a great cost to the honeybee. We can follow the honeybee’s example, however, and produce food that supports humans without harming the environment. The “Bee-Better” Certificate program is one step in this direction. Martin reminds us that “beekeeping reinforces that everything is interrelated. We can’t isolate one thing without affecting the whole.”

3. Share the good news

Bees have a highly complex and effective way of communicating with a funny name: the waggle dance. This dance is used to communicate the location of food sources. Martin says this dance is “the sharing of good news.” When we find something sustainable, beneficial, and good, we should share it with others.

CLOSING UP THE HIVE

It is the end of the day. Martin is in his final bee-yard closing the last hive. He may be sore from lifting the heavy supers and from the several stings he endured, but he feels a sense of accomplishment.

“Beekeeping keeps me focused and humbled. They go about their work tirelessly and without complaining.” With this thought, he turns on the bee-buggy and drives home.

-Posted by Anna

What is Sustainable Medicine?

For as long as I can remember I have loved the outdoors and have felt passionately towards Mother Earth. Several summers ago, I went vegan and that was the peak of my dedication. However, since reverting to an omnivorous diet I realized that I could be doing a lot more on my part to make up for leaving behind the plant-based diet. Here at UNM (University of New Mexico), I have had the opportunity to learn more about environmental threats, as well as what we can do on our end to improve the health of our plant alongside our own. Sustainable medicine is the basis of a healthy lifestyle and a thriving planet!

Sustainable healthcare upholds that our health – plus the health of our environment – are essentially connected and helps to promote a system that affordably delivers high-quality care while minimizing the environmental impact. The practice of sustainable medicine also aims to endorse the long-term goal of maximizing health by emphasizing nutrition, physical activity, personal fulfillment, and spiritual balance. This system strays away from ‘quick fixes’ that simply suppress the symptoms and instead focuses on nurturing the patients from the core.

It is crucial that the carbon footprint is kept to a minimum when delivering care and treatment to patients. Minimizing the resources and the emissions required to distribute high quality healthcare; using sustainable products and materials and/or reusing equipment where clinically appropriate. It is important to keep in mind that this minimization must not compromise the quality of care or health outcomes experienced by the patient.

As the years progress, population growth, unhealthy lifestyle trends, increases in chronic disease, and aging populations drive the increase in healthcare demands and resource consumption. The need for sustainable healthcare becomes more vital as climate change intensifies alongside the anticipated health impacts.

Herbalism: Curanderismo & Homeopathy

Herbalism, the practice of utilizing plants and herbs as medicine, can be the perfect gateway to sustainable medicine. When we connect sustainability to herbalism, we can begin to be mindful of the significance that our decisions carry, based on our responsibility to the health of our wider ecosystems. Talia Moore writes that “when we learn from the natural resource that is the local plants around us, we can use them to provide relief, a sense of autonomy over our healing, and a space for play and exploration in the kitchen.”

The University of New Mexico offers some great natural medicine related courses! Firstly, I want to highlight the course Thriving with Homeopathy: A Practical Guide, taught by Dr. Angelina Koch. This is an online course that aims to aid students in understanding homeopathic applications and doctrines. The curriculum essentially allows students to examine the interrelationship between the mind, body, and soul. Dr. Koch gives students a space to explore natural homeopathic remedies applicable to various circumstances. Secondly, the extensive Curanderismoprogram and curriculum, led by Dr. Eliseo “Cheo” Torres, teaches students the history of traditional Hispanic/Latino medicine. “People want to know about the medicine of their culture, of their grandmothers or grandfathers. We offer something unique in that we work with some of the top healers around the country and around the world in this class” (Torres 2021). Many of the topics examined in this course included remedies that I was already quite familiar with, thanks to my Hispanic upbringing!

Medicine: Western vs Natural

As I mentioned earlier, sustainable medicine aims to endorse the long-term vision of optimal health by emphasizing nutrition, physical activity, personal fulfillment, and spiritual balance. This natural route to healing focuses on prevention and treating the root of the issue/ailment rather than simply suppressing symptoms, which tends to be the goal of Western medicine (I.e., common overuse of antibiotics and pain medications). Generally speaking, Western medicine is more expensive and resource intensive than natural medicine (I.e., drug manufacturing, transportation, insurance issues, etc.).

How do I get started?

It is crucial we educate ourselves before jumping into the practice of natural healing. Remember the importance of sourcing healing herbs locally and supporting local herbalists to reinforce the element of community relationships within sustainable medicine. Be sure to give back to the plant world by researching the area’s endangered medicinal plants and growing more of them to protect these vital ecosystems! Holistically speaking, cultivating a practice of gratitude with plants and the natural world reciprocates a cycle of nourishment.

Considering a plant-based diet is another excellent way to incorporate sustainable medicine into your life. This is because food is medicine, as it is our fuel. A plant-based diet helps to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and other preventable medical issues. This shift to a greener diet not only benefits our bodies, but especially our home. Research shows that plant-based diets encourage significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in comparison to non-plant-based diets that are extremely common in most industrialized countries.

Make a difference with your medicine by opting for sustainable medicinal alternative whenever possible! Some examples of plants – found here in the Southwest – that can replace your over-the-counter pain medication:

Osha: The root is consumed primarily as a tea or tincture to enhance immunity to colds, cases of flu, and viruses. The Osha plant can also relieve digestion issues, body pains, and lung diseases.

Ashwagandha: The root and leaves contain nutrients that can be extracted and/or turned into a powder. Ashwagandha has been proven to reduce anxiety and stress levels, improve sleep and brain function, build hormonal strength and may reduce blood sugar levels and inflammation.

Yerba Mansa: It has antibacterial properties that allow the root to disinfect and treat wounds, sores and ulcers. Yerba Mansa can be consumed as tea, powder, capsule or extract to soothe and shrink inflamed tissues.

-Posted by Isa