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Men's Health
By Blair Doucette
RNM Blog Uncategorized
Father’s Day: Men’s Health Matters Too

With Father’s Day right around the corner, it is a great time to highlight the importance of men’s health. It’s a time to remind everyone that, despite contrary beliefs, men can experience anxiety, depression, stress, overwhelm, etc. When left unchecked, many of these can lead to chronic illnesses (like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disease). So, there is no better time than the present to focus on your health! 

 

Stress Support:

Though it may be difficult for many men to admit or see, high stress levels are often prevalent in men’s lives. They are also frequently left unsupported. For many reasons, it’s common for men to feel like they don’t need or deserve support in managing their stressors. No one is designed to carry significant amounts of stress on their own for long periods of time. Doing so can take a significant toll on the body physically and emotionally. Daily grounding, mindfulness, exercise, and a healthy diet are all important things to incorporate into a daily routine to help manage stress. 

 

Sleep Support:

Adequate sleep is essential for everyone, and while many men may be accustomed to functioning on a few hours of sleep each night, eventually, this will take a toll on the body. Good quality sleep every night is essential for optimal health and allows the body time to rest and recover after each day. Whether your job is mentally demanding, physically demanding, or both, your body and brain need and deserve plenty of rest. Setting a consistent sleep schedule and creating an optimal sleep environment are essential aspects of sleep hygiene that should be initiated right away, if you are not already doing this. 

 

Emotional Support:

Whether it’s anxiety, depression, irritability, or anger, many men experience mood disturbances. Unfortunately, they’re often told that it is not acceptable to ask for help in dealing with these feelings and emotions. This is not true – men need just as much help with mood and mental health as women, and they should not be afraid or ashamed to ask for help. Dietary changes, exercise, supplemental support, and healthy coping techniques are all essential for optimal health, and seeing a naturopathic doctor can help you identify different tools, coping mechanisms, and lifestyle modifications that may be helpful to utilize in your daily life. 

 

Future Fathers

Are you planning on becoming a father in the future? There is no better time than the present to start preparing for fatherhood! There are several ways to help optimize fertility to improve outcomes. Focusing on a healthy diet (antioxidants, healthy fats, adequate protein), ensuring you are getting adequate sleep, and managing stressors appropriately (avoiding alcohol and other substances) are all excellent ways to help optimize your fertility. A high-quality multivitamin is another excellent option when you are preparing for conception. 

If you are feeling burnt out, overwhelmed, or stressed out by the demands of daily life, or if you are looking to optimize your health before having children, now is the time to start taking care of yourself! All of the providers at Richmond Natural Medicine work with men of all ages, and we are here to help make sure that you are able to thrive, not just survive, in your daily lives! 

References
  1. Chatmon BN. Males and Mental Health Stigma. Am J Mens Health. 2020;14(4):1557988320949322. doi:10.1177/1557988320949322 
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By Blair Doucette
RNM Blog Uncategorized
June’s Herb of the Month: Calendula

June’s Herb of the Month is calendula! Also known as Mary’s Gold and Summer’s Bride, it feels especially appropriate to focus on calendula this month as we approach the summer solstice later in June. As calendula blooms, it unfurls its petals in a celebration of summer. With golden-orange and sticky flowerheads, calendula is the perfect companion flower to attract many of our favorite pollinators.  As if it’s in a constant state of celebration of summer, calendula will flower for months, as long as you maintain it by deadheading it. 

 

Common name: Calendula, Pot Marigold, Mary’s Gold, Summer’s Bride

Latin name: Calendula officinalis

Parts Used: flower (whole head, not just petals)

Benefits: Alterative (works to alter the body’s processes towards health), Antibacterial, Anti-Inflammatory, Antispasmodic (relieves muscle spasms), Calmative (has a soothing effect), Diaphoretic (promotes sweating), Emmenagogue (stimulates menstrual flow)

Taste:  bitter, pungent

Energetics: cooling and drying

History:

The name calendula comes from the Latin word Kalendae, which was used to indicate the first day of every month. It was believed that calendula bloomed on the first of every month and thus was used as a botanical calendar. It was this mixture of botanical and astronomical importance that cemented calendula’s magical (cultural) importance. It’s because of its photonastic ( meaning it opens in the sunlight and closes in the dark) movement that calendula also got its nickname “Bride of the Sun” or “Summer’s Bride.”

 

Before the name calendula, this flower was first named Caltha by the Ancient Greeks. In Greek Mythology, Caltha was a young woman who was so in love with the sun god Apollo that she waited every morning to see his bright rays. She had such an unending admiration for his rays that she was transformed into the flower, and thus it became known as caltha. Because of this expression of grief and loss of a passionate love, calendula flowers (as marigolds) were even referenced in Shakespearean plays to indicate the loss of love. 

 

Besides a few brief mentions, calendula doesn’t appear in herbal medicine accounts until about the early 14th century where it was used for the treatment of amenorrhea (loss of menstrual cycle), stomachaches, and inflamed eyes. 

Benefits:

Skin: Calendula has a long history of being used for a variety of skin ailments, from cuts to burns and larger scars. It promotes tissue repair and regeneration, and is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial – goodbye acne! It’s been used for centuries to boost skin health and fight off external damage. It firms, plumps, and hydrates skin – and may even reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles! Its sticky resin makes this the perfect herb for wound care, mouth sores, sinus infections, and bug bites.

 

Alterative: An “alterative” is an herb that typically helps open up channels of elimination (liver, bowels, skin, etc.) to promote detoxification. Calendula helps stimulate natural detoxification pathways by moving congestion through the lymphatic system. It has also been beneficial in stimulating the elimination of toxins through the GI system and skin (remember, it helps promote sweating). 

 

Bitter: Calendula’s bitter properties stimulate the liver for detoxification and increase bile production and secretion from the gallbladder. This helps your body metabolize and digest difficult fats and helps support digestive insufficiency. Through these mechanisms, calendula helps drain excess fluids (as we’ve seen through the lymphatic system, as well as) through the liver, gallbladder, and GI systems. 

Emmenagogue (promotes menses): Calendula is still used prolifically in European herbal medicine to help stimulate a stagnant menstrual cycle, as well as to relieve menstrual discomfort. It’s believed that this is due to its bitter taste/actions, where there is a downward mechanism of action to drain excess fluids from the body. 

Emotional Aspects of Calendula:

Emotionally, calendula is employed to help cultivate receptivity and compassion. It helps spur on active listening and promotes communication for healing and empowerment. It comforts us in times of change and reassures us with warmth, openness, and resiliency. 

Recipes

 

Calendula & Lavender Healing Balm by The Kitchen Apothecary

 

A versatile healing balm for minor skin wounds and inflammation.

 

Ingredients

  • 250 mL calendula-infused extra virgin olive oil
  • 50g natural beeswax, grated
  • 25g medicinal honey
  • 30 drops of lavender essential oil

Instructions

  • Assemble clean, sterile glass jars and lids to hold approximately 300 mL of balm.
  • Heat the beeswax and oil in a double boiler (see note) over medium heat. The beeswax will slowly dissolve into the oil. Stir with a whisk to combine.
  • When the beeswax is almost dissolved, remove from heat and allow to cool for a few minutes, but not so long as for the balm to harden. Add the honey and essential oil, then stir again to combine.
  • Pour into a small jug with a fine spout or load up a large syringe.
  • Fill the jars. You will need to work quickly as the balm will harden. If you are using a jug, stir the balm between pours to ensure the honey does not settle in the bottom.
  • Allow the jars to cool (I place a piece of kitchen paper on top). When cool, cap tightly and store in a cool, dark place for up to a year.

Notes

  • If you do not have a double boiler, simply pop a stainless steel or heatproof glass mixing bowl over a saucepan. Fill to a quarter with water and bring to a simmer. Make sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water.

 

Calendula Bread By Taste Of Yummy

Ingredients

  • 2 Cups of Dried Calendula Flowers
  • 1 Teaspoon of Pink Salt
  • 4 Teaspoons Baking Powder (Non-Aluminum)
  • 4 Cups of Sifted Spelt flour
  • 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
  • 4 Tablespoons of softened Earth Balance Butter
  • 2⅔ Cups of Almond Milk
  • 2 Tablespoons of Flaxseed Meal
  • 1/3 Cup of Spring Water
  • ½ Cup of Grape Seed Oil
  • 2 Teaspoons of Vanilla Extract
  • 1 Cup of Honey

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 Degrees.
  • In a large bowl, sift together dry ingredients to include: the spelt flour, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon. Whisk together, then set aside.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix softened Earth Balance Butter, almond milk, flaxseed meal mixture, oil, vanilla extract, and honey. Whisk together. Set aside.
  • Next, add the dried calendula flowers to the dry ingredients.
  • Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients with the mix on low. Scrape down the sides as needed to get all the dry mixed ingredients.
  • Pour batter into a lightly oiled 9 x 5 loaf pan.
  • Bake for 45 minutes to an hour until a toothpick comes out clean. If not, bake until done.

Notes:

How To Prepare Flaxseed Meal (Egg Replacer)

  • In a small bowl mix 2 tablespoons flaxseed meal with ⅓ cup of spring water.
  • Let sit for 10 minutes before adding to wet ingredients.

 

  • Feel free to try as muffins! (Yields 12 )

 

Grapefruit and Calendula Tea Hot Mulled Cider Recipe by Ginger With Spice

Ingredients

  • ½ cup dried calendula flowers* (6 grams)
  • ½ cup honey (170 grams)
  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint (optional)
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1 star anise
  • 2 blood oranges (or regular oranges)
  • 1 large grapefruit
  • 4 cups water (divided, 1 liter)

Instructions

  • In a saucepan, add the dried flowers, honey, mint, cinnamon stick, star anise, zest from the oranges and grapefruit and 1 cup (250 milliliters) water. Let this come to a boil and reduce to simmer for about 10 minutes. Stir occasionally.
  • Strain into a large, heat-proof pitcher and add 1 cup (250 milliliters) citrus juice (about 2 blood oranges and 1 large grapefruit).
  • Add in as much boiling water as you want, I think 3 cups (750 milliliters) are perfect.
  • Delicious to garnish with extra star anise or cinnamon sticks.

 

Loving the Herbs of the month? Come along on our herb walk with us and read our other blogs!

 

May: Cleavers

April: Lemonbalm

March: Violet

February: Hawthorne

January: Fennel

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By Blair Doucette
RNM Blog Uncategorized
Detergents and Your Endocrine System

What is the Endocrine System?:

The endocrine system is a network of glands, organs, and pathways that produce hormones and send them along to carry messages to certain cells and organs. This process influences many of your daily bodily functions and regulates big systems like your metabolism, reproductive systems, stress responses, and many others! Organs involved in the endocrine system include the pituitary gland, the thyroid, the adrenal glands, the parathyroid, and the pancreas. 

What is an Endocrine Disruptor?:

Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) can naturally occur in our environment or be human-made. These chemicals mimic, interfere with, and block the body’s naturally occurring hormones. Even small levels of these chemicals can have a big impact, as hormones act in very small amounts.

Not to be an alarmist, but many of our everyday items contain EDCs. Many cosmetics, toys, food packaging, and detergents contain varying amounts of EDCs. We come into contact with them in our air, food, and water. Though they can’t be eliminated entirely from our lives, we can make small choices to decrease our interactions with them. 

If you want to learn more about endocrine disruptors, check out this article by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences: Endocrine Disruptors.

Everyday Items That Contain EDCs:

  • Laundry Detergents: Many detergents in the US contain chemicals known as Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs). The EU and Canada have since banned NPEs. Unfortunately, the US still uses them in a wide array of products. Studies are showing that they have the potential to impact hormone function, which can lead to infertility and even affect fetal development. 
  • Cosmetics: Among many other things, cosmetics typically contain 1,4-dioxane, a chemical compound that is known to be “likely carcinogenic to humans” and a possible hormone disruptor. 1,4-dioxane is rarely listed on ingredient labels, but it’s found in soaps, detergents, and shampoos. 
  • Fragrance products: Many of our household products contain synthetic fragrances: detergents, cosmetics, feminine hygiene products, baby products, shampoos, powders, dish soaps, etc. Common fragrance ingredients to look out for include: 
    • Beta-myrcene, a carcinogen and fragrance ingredient found in 3 out of 7 cleaning products and 19 out of 25 personal care products
    • Diethyl phthalate (DEP), a common EDC found in cleaning and personal care products
    • DEHP (Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate), even though this phthalate was banned in the EU over 20 years ago, we still have it in many of our personal care items, notably Summer’s Eve Feminine Products
    • Propylene glycol, this EDC is known to impact reproductive health and is found in cosmetics, fragrances, topical medications, soaps and cleansers, hair care products, deodorants, as well as E-cigarettes and vapes

How to Avoid EDCs in Laundry Detergents:

Opt for an eco-friendly, Environmental Working Group-approved product:

  • AspenClean Laundry Pods
  • Blueland
  • Seventh Generation

Make your own!:

At-Home Powder Laundry Detergent (stays good indefinitely)

Ingredients:

  • 1 bar of castile soap, chopped or grated (on the smallest grater setting you have)
  • 1 cup of coarse salt
  • 1 cup of washing soda
  • 1 cup of baking soda

Instructions:

  • Chop or grate your castile soap into small pieces
  • Then, add all of your ingredients to a food processor and blend until your powder is incorporated. 
  • I will typically triple this recipe, which lasts me a few months. 

If you prefer a liquid detergent, check out this blog post by Live Simply

If you’re looking for recommendations on choosing safe Cookware, Tupperware, or Toys, check out our blog: Holiday Toy and Gift Safety – A Naturopathic Perspective!

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Pouring herbal tea into a teacup
By Blair Doucette
RNM Blog Uncategorized
May’s Herb of the Month: Cleavers

We see it time and time again. Mother Nature grows just what we need, just when we need it. Springtime is filled with blood-building and liver-detoxing bright green herbs/weeds. Many spring greens help us shake the winter off and give us the energy to head into the hot and heavy summer. Cleavers is one of those herbs that look like weeds but work like magic. Lining many gardens, this little, unassuming plant is an excellent water purifier for your body. It helps cleanse the lymphatic system and the kidneys, and is especially helpful at relieving pain during urinary tract infections.  

Common name: Cleavers

Latin name: Galium aparine

Part Used: Aerial parts, during flowering, before going to seed

Benefits: Mineral-rich, lymphatic support, blood cleanser

Taste: Salty, Moist, Mild, “Green”, Sweet 

Energetics: Cooling, Relaxing, Moistening in the short-term, and Astringent in the long-term

History:

Cleavers has a long history as a plant medicine in North America as well as parts of Europe. It’s also a favorite among deer! In the spring, when does are giving birth to fawns, they look for beds of cleavers. This is for their plushy texture and sweet, straw-like scent that masks their own to help avoid predators. Because of this, Indigenous American groups considered cleavers to be “Deer Medicine,” and considered it a remedy that relates specifically to the nerves, artists, and beauty. In Greece, a 1st-century Greek physician, Dioscorides, prescribed it for weariness. Greek shepherds and Swedish dairy farmers used dried cleavers to fashion sieves through which they would strain their herds’ milk. 

 

Cleavers has many nicknames, one of them being Lady’s Bedstraw. During medieval times, it was used both to stuff mattresses and to throw about the floor to cover unpleasant odors. 

Benefits:

Mineral-Rich: Cleavers, like many mineral-rich plants (stinging nettle), taste a little bit salty.

 

Alterative:

When an herb is considered an alterative, it’s considered to open the body’s natural detoxification pathways and promote metabolic waste elimination. It does this through diuretic mechanisms and supports the kidneys, urinary tract, and lymphatic systems to “clean house!”

 

Lymphatic Support/Mover: 

Cleavers is known as a lymphagogue, which means it stimulates the lymphatic system to produce and move more lymph. In this way, it acts as a soothing or cooling relaxant diuretic. It is therefore very beneficial for inflamed UTIs with symptoms of burning upon urination and swollen lymph nodes around the groin region. 

 

Nervous-system support: 

While not considered a calmative agent for the nervous system, cleavers may still support it by combating inflammatory nerve conditions. Cleavers are often used alongside other nervine herbs, such as oat straw or lemon balm, for those presenting with nervousness or excess sympathetic nervous system activity. 

Emotional Aspects of Cleavers:

Cleavers is associated with emotional attachments, boundaries, and letting go. They clear negative or heavy energies and stagnant emotions and behaviors to balance emotional well-being. Cleavers is aptly named, in that as a plant, it cleaves or clings to passersby. As an emotional plant medicine, they do the opposite in that they help untangle and let go of emotional baggage. 

How To Use Fresh Herbs: 

  1. Add to any cooked or stewed meal just as you would with any other herb.
  1. Make cleavers tea
  2. Incorporate fresh cleavers into apple cider vinegar for salad dressings. Just take one part fresh cleavers and submerge them in two parts apple cider vinegar. Then, use the vinegar in place of lemon juice when making your dressing. 
  3. Blend with a small amount of water to make a juice to drink or to soothe sunburnt skin.
  4. Add to a green smoothie. Cleavers have a mild flavor, so they’re an excellent green to add. Green Smoothie with Cleavers by Jennifer Prentice at My Healthy Homemade LifeIngredients
    • 2 cups water
    • 1 cup chopped fresh cleavers
    • 1/2 cup fresh chopped pineapple
    • 1/2 cup chopped fresh mango
    • 1/2- 1 frozen banana (frozen in chunks)
    • 1 tbsp chia seeds

    Instructions

    •  Add all the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately

 

Want to learn more about herbs? Check out some of our other Herbs of the Month:

 

April Herb of the Month: Lemon Balm, The Herb That “Makes The Heart Merry”

March’s Herb of the Month: Violet

February Herb of the Month: Hawthorn, the Herb of the Heart

January Herb of the Month: Fennel, A Natural Way To Avoid Gas and Bloating

 

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By Kristen Alexander
RNM Blog Uncategorized
Every Mom Deserves a Moment: Guilt-Free Self-Care Tips for Mother’s Day and Beyond

Self-care for Mother’s Day: Every mother’s story is beautifully unique, woven with love, strength, and incredible multitasking. From sunrise to bedtime (and often beyond), moms pour themselves into caring for others. They make sure everyone has what they need, and often put their own needs last. But here’s the truth: to keep giving your best, you’ve got to give a little back to yourself, too.

This Mother’s Day, we’re shining a light on the caregivers—the moms, grandmothers, aunts, stepmoms, foster moms, and anyone else who wears the “mom hat” in someone’s life. No matter your role, you deserve moments of rest, joy, and restoration…without the dreaded mom guilt tagging along.

So we’ve pulled together some simple, soul-nourishing self-care ideas that are as practical as they are refreshing. Because taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, it’s essential.

Below are a few easy, guilt-free ways to fill your own cup so you can continue pouring into others with love and energy.

  • Scheduled Self-Care: While it may seem impossible to schedule time for yourself each day because you are constantly caring for everyone else, try setting aside 10-20 minutes to focus on yourself each day. Use this time to take a bath, cleanse and exfoliate your face, moisturize your skin, apply a castor oil pack, or work on improving your lymphatic and nervous systems! 
    • Nervous System Support: Vagus nerve exercises can help support your nervous system and get you out of the ‘fight or flight’ state, allowing you to be calmer, responsive, and present. A few simple vagus nerve exercises include gargling, humming, splashing cold water on your face, meditating, and taking deep, slow breaths. Another way to support your nervous system and reduce stress is by practicing EFT Tapping (Emotional Freedom Technique). 
    • Lymphatic System Support: Gua Sha and Dry Skin Brushing are two excellent ways to gently support your lymphatic system and reduce inflammation and stagnation within the body. There are excellent tutorials on YouTube that are available to help walk you through these processes! The best part about both of these lymphatic supports is that they only take a few minutes of your time!
  • Nature Time: Spending time in nature is such an important part of life that is often skipped over due to our busy schedules. Aim to spend 10 minutes outside each day listening to the birds, sitting in the grass, or taking a brisk walk. Challenge yourself to learn about one new flower, tree, or animal daily; curiosity and learning help keep the mind sharp. This is a great activity to do as a family! 
  • Human Interaction: Take a few minutes each day to talk to another person outside of your immediate family. This helps to stay engaged and connected with your community, as research has shown that social connection is crucial for optimal mental and physical health. Making time for connection, even 5-10 minutes, is invaluable if you are home alone all day, raising tiny humans! 
  • Diet and Nutrition: It can be easy to forget to feed yourself after you have fed everyone else. Or, maybe you just don’t have time in your schedule to prepare meals with a newborn at home. If you cannot eat consistent meals, try incorporating nutrient-dense snacks throughout the day. Focus on protein, fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. It is also important to stay hydrated during the day. Ensure that you have access to quality filtered water (with electrolytes) to help fuel your day and keep you hydrated! If you have difficulty winding down at night, you can create a sleepy mocktail to support hydration, relaxation, and sleep. Try mixing sparkling water, tart cherry juice, and magnesium powder! 

 

If you’re trying to conceive, here are a few practices to start now for additional support:

  • Incorporate high-quality prenatal vitamins and fish oil for optimal nutritional support and to help correct potential nutrient deficiencies
  • Ask your healthcare providers to run labs to ensure optimal wellness, allowing you to work on improving deficiencies. Basic labs to asses: Vitamin D, Vitamin B 12, Folate, Iron Panel and Ferritin, Thyroid Panel, CBC, CMP, HbA1c
  • Focus on nutrient-dense meals that prioritize protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants (berries, leafy greens, nuts, beans, etc) 
  • Stress management is essential in all walks of life, but especially during conception and pregnancy. Learning how to manage stress appropriately is important, and ensuring that you have tools that you can utilize is imperative! Consider establishing a relationship with a counselor or therapist. This will help you learn about different stress management techniques and see which ones may work best for you! 
  • If you are not already tracking your menstrual cycle, start a journal to help familiarize yourself with your cycles. This will help you discover if there are any imbalances or irregularities. 

 

If you’re feeling out of balance, overwhelmed, or looking for pre-conception support, make an appointment with a naturopathic doctor to see what additional support may be available to you! 

 

Experiencing Care-taker burnout? Read THIS BLOG for more helpful tips!

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Man getting frustrated looking his medical symptoms up online
By Kristen Alexander
RNM Blog Uncategorized
The Dangers of Googling or Using ChatGPT For Your Medical Symptoms
Googling Symptoms

How many times have you Googled your symptoms and been provided with frightening information about potential health ailments? The internet is a powerful tool that has made our lives easier in a lot of ways. However, it can easily complicate matters by providing broad information that doesn’t pertain to each individual. 

For the sake of this article, I asked Google ‘Why do I have a headache?”. I was provided with multiple answers, including dehydration, allergies, hormone imbalances, and underlying medical conditions like a stroke or meningitis. 

 

Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket 

The internet can be a helpful tool in assisting you in learning more about different health conditions. But it should only be considered one of the tools you rely on, not the only one you rely on. Solely relying on information from one article or from ChatGPT (or any other AI software) can be dangerous, as there is a significant amount of misinformation floating around online. The rise in artificial intelligence is making it much more difficult to differentiate good information from bad information. 

If you find information online that you are interested in incorporating into your daily life to support your overall health, consider having a conversation with your healthcare provider (or naturopathic doctor) to learn more about the information that you found, and to see if the recommendations from Google or ChatGPT truly are good ideas for you to incorporate. It is important to remember that these artificial interfaces do not have all the answers and can make errors, just like humans. Although these artificial interfaces may be intelligent, they did not spend years in school studying the human body, and they lack the ability to make personal recommendations based on your individual being. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket by blindly trusting the internet. Seek additional guidance for well-rounded support. 

 

Naturopathic Medicine and Artificial Intelligence 

As a naturopathic doctor, it is my job to take all of the information available (labs, medical history, personal preferences, individual symptoms, etc) into consideration when providing support to each individual. A computer-generated model cannot make these same individualized recommendations, because it does not know you as an individual- it only knows you by the data input into its system. ChatGPT cannot pick up on your emotions, and it cannot gauge appropriately how much stress you are under or how sleep-deprived you are.

Important Considerations

Google cannot replace a medical education or a degree in any healthcare field. ChatGPT cannot replace years of hands-on training, clinical experience, and anecdotal evidence that is seen on a daily basis. While there is no doubt that AI will infiltrate the healthcare community and there will inevitably be ways that artificial intelligence improves the medical community, we must use caution with our health and wellness when it comes to artificial intelligence. 

 

Getting overwhelmed by all of the “medical advice” swirling around social media? You’re not alone. Read more here!

References:
  1. Tan S, Xin X, Wu D. ChatGPT in medicine: prospects and challenges: a review article. Int J Surg. 2024;110(6):3701-3706. Published 2024 Jun 1. doi:10.1097/JS9.0000000000001312
  2. Homolak J. Opportunities and risks of ChatGPT in medicine, science, and academic publishing: a modern Promethean dilemma. Croat Med J. 2023;64(1):1-3. doi:10.3325/cmj.2023.64.1
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By Blair Doucette
RNM Blog Uncategorized
Earth Day Every Day

Every year, on April 22nd, we celebrate Earth Day. It’s an important day as we show love and support for our first home, our planet Earth. Earth Day is a day of celebration to raise awareness around some of our most pressing environmental issues – issues like climate change, pollution, habitat loss, and natural resource loss. 

 

History: 

Post WWII, the American economy was booming, with little regard for the toll it was taking on the environment. By the 1960s, we were at an environmental crossroads. For decades, factories with little to no environmental regulations had been churning out pollution so consistently that rivers literally caught on fire. Though this had been happening for a while, it wasn’t until the publication of Rachel Carson’s book Silent Spring that the general public took note and began to demand some token of environmental justice. 

 

From there, the movement made its way through the American university system. After a Wisconsin Senator saw the vast damage of an oil spill in California in 1969, he called for a nationwide teach-in to discuss the implications of forgetting to take care of our natural environment and to urge politicians to take action. With the help of activists, this teach-in became the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Since its establishment, Earth Day has always had a deep connection to college campuses and in fact, always falls on April 22nd due to this date being between spring break and the end of the academic year. Over 20 million students, teachers, and community members participated in the first Earth Day. It was the largest grassroots movement in US history at the time. 

 

Earth Day’s Legacy: In response to the growing unrest over environmental degradation, Earth Day prompted the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and initiated change in legislation, which resulted in the creation of the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, and Endangered Species Act. Today, Earth Day is celebrated in 190 countries. 

 

Earth Day, Every Day! 

You can celebrate Earth Day every day by:

Celebrating Nature! Appreciate the beauty of nature all around you. Learn about new places across the globe. Take time to look at the small things like the little bugs in a creek. Take time to look at the big things like all the stars in the night sky. 

Perpetuating environmental awareness! Take note of and share about environmental issues that are dear to you. Consider issues like deforestation, climate change, plastic pollution, species loss, etc. 

Taking Action! Participate in a community environmental activity that’s important to you. Join in on cleanups, host a clothing swap to keep clothing items out of landfills, or learn about native plants and their roles in keeping our environment healthy. 

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By Blair Doucette
RNM Blog Uncategorized
April Herb of the Month: Lemon Balm, The Herb That “Makes The Heart Merry”

Melissa officinalis, commonly known as lemon balm, is an aromatic member of the Lamiaceae family and, therefore, is thought to have high antioxidant potential.1 It’s a fast-growing perennial, native to southern Eurasia, and later naturalized in North and South America and beyond over the generations.2 This global spread lets us know just how widely used and depended upon lemon balm really is! 

 

Common name: Lemon Balm

Latin name: Melissa officinalis

Part Used: leaves

Benefits: Nervine (supports and calms the nervous system), Cognitive Support, Antispasmodic (relieves muscle spasms), Antiviral, Carminative (dispels gas),  Antioxidant

Taste:  sour, sweet, bitter

Energetics: cooling and slightly drying

History:

Traditionally, its lemon-scented leaves were used for problems with indigestion specifically associated with anxiety, as well as for its carminative (meaning it helps dispel gas), sedative, and antispasmodic (relaxes muscles) properties.3 Folk medicine practitioners have also used it topically to treat genital and oral herpes.4,5

 

Historically, descriptions of lemon balm can be found in ancient Turkish texts from thousands of years ago, where lemon balm was planted near bee hives to encourage the swift return of honey bees after collecting pollen. Its name is even derived from the Greek word melissa, which means a honeybee, and the Temple of Artemis beekeepers used it to keep their honeybees happy and healthy.6 

 

Additionally, throughout the Renaissance, lemon balm was prolifically used as an aromatic tonic called Carmelite Water. The recipe for Carmelite Water was so prized that Louis XIV, XV, and XVI of France granted patents for it under the name ‘Eau de Melisse des Carmes.’  The Carmelite friars who were known to make this tonic kept the recipe and its patent untouched and secret.  All that’s known about the patent recipe now is that it was made of lemon balm, coriander seeds, angelica root, nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves pounded together and steeped in wine. Historically, bathing was such a rare occurrence at the time, so lemon balm was used to mask the constant odor, which made this tonic sell like hotcakes (or whatever the Renaissance equivalent of hotcakes is). It also covered up the almost constant stench from illness and death (so many plagues, so little time!). 

Benefits:

Effects on the Nervous System:

Lemon balm is highly concentrated in compounds called volatile oils (such as citral, citronellal, and geraniol). All of these volatile oils have demonstrated a calming influence on the nervous and digestive systems while also producing anti-inflammatory effects. Lemon balm has also demonstrated through studies to be effective at producing sedative and sleep-inducing reactions, with higher doses being helpful in the treatment of headaches and dysmenorrhea (painful periods).7 Further, foods containing lemon balm often produce mild improvements in mood and cognitive performance.8 

 

Anti-Inflammatory Properties:

Lemon balm contains many beneficial compounds, such as rosmarinic acid.9 Studies show that Rosmarinic acid specifically produces strong anti-inflammatory results, and therefore, it’s used in supplemental treatments of cardiovascular disease, cognitive impairment, and depression.10 Additionally, the volatile oil citral, mentioned above, is anti-inflammatory and can counterbalance the effects of free radical damage.11

 

Digestive Tract Issues:

As mentioned above, lemon balm is a carminative, so it’s especially helpful at dispersing excess gas after a meal. It also contains specific components that aid in bile production, which helps break down fats. Basically, a cup of lemon balm tea is the perfect addition to any after-meal treat!

Emotional Aspects of Lemon Balm:

Lemon balm is calming yet uplifting, especially to the emotional heart. Therefore, it’s a perfect pairing for hyper-sensitive emotional states. It’s also said to remove blocks and provide comfort to those who have experienced shock or panic. Additionally, it symbolizes feminine energy, intuition, and emotional healing.

Recipes

Carmelite Water Recipe with Lemon Balm by Mountain Rose Herbs -Makes about 3 cups.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fresh lemon balm leaves or 1/4 cup dried organic lemon balm
  • 1/4 cup dried organic angelica root
  • 1 Tbsp. dried organic coriander seed
  • 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon zest (about 1 small organic lemon)
  • 1 tsp. fair trade, organic (cassia) cinnamon chips
  • 2 fair trade, organic whole cloves
  • 1/8 tsp. freshly grated fair trade, organic nutmeg
  • 1 bottle of organic dry white wine

Instructions

  • Combine all the herbs and spices in a glass quart jar.
  • Pour the wine into the jar.
  • Stir well.
  • Cover with a lid.
  • Steep for 4 to 6 hours.
  • Strain through several layers of cheesecloth or a coffee filter and compost the herbs.
  • Place the infused wine in an airtight container and chill for several hours.
  • Enjoy within 3 to 5 days.

 

Bees Knees Mocktail Recipe by Mountain Rose Herbs – Makes 2 drinks.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup water + 1/4 cup, divided
  • 10 organic juniper berries
  • 1/4 cup organic lemon balm
  • 1 tbsp. raw, local honey
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp. lemon juice
  • 3 tsp. organic apple cider vinegar

 

Instructions

  • Add 1 cup water and juniper berries to a small pot.
  • Put on medium-high heat and bring to a simmer.
  • Then, lower heat and infuse for 10 minutes.
  • Add lemon balm and infuse for another 10 minutes.
  • Strain out herbs and stir honey into infusion.
  • Add to cocktail shaker.
  • Pour in the remaining 1/4 cup water, lemon juice, and apple cider vinegar.
  • Add ice and shake until nice and chilled.
  • Pour into cocktail glass.
  • Garnish with lemon and enjoy!

 

Loving learning about herbs? Check out some of our past herbs of the month!

 

March, Violet: Cleansing and Cooling

February, Hawthorne: Great for Heart Health

January, Fennel: Combat Gas and Bloating

 

References

  1. Hohmann J, Zupkó I, Ré dei D, et al. Protective Effects of the Aerial Parts of Salvia ofJicinalis, Melissa ofJicinalis and Lavandula angustifolia and their Constituents against Enzyme-Dependent and Enzyme-Independent Lipid Peroxidation. Planta Med. 1999;65(6):576-578. doi:10.1055/s-2006-960830.
  2. Rosemary Gladstar. Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide. Storey Publishing; 2012.
  3. Ulbricht C, Brendler T, Gruenwald J, et al. Lemon balm (Melissa Officinalis L.): an evidence-based systematic review by the Natural Standard Research Collaboration. J Herb Pharmacother. 2005;5(4):71-114.
  4. Astani A, Navid MH, Schnitzler P. Attachment and penetration of acyclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus are inhibited by Melissa Officinalis extract. Phytother Res PTR. 2014;28(10):1547-1552. doi:10.1002/ptr.5166.
  5. Rudolf Fritz Weiss, MD. Herbal Medicine. 6th ed. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd.; 1991.
  6. LEMON BALM. https://academics.hamilton.edu/foodforthought/our_research_files/lemon_balm.pdf

7.Soulimani R, Fleurentin J, Mortier F, Misslin R, Derrieu G, Pelt JM. Neurotropic action of the hydroalcoholic extract of Melissa Officinalis in the mouse. Planta Med. 1991;57(2):105-109. doi:10.1055/s-2006-960042.

  1. Scholey A, Gibbs A, Neale C, et al. Anti-Stress Effects of Lemon Balm-Containing Foods. Nutrients. 2014;6(11):4805-4821. doi:10.3390/nu6114805.
  2. Carnat AP, Carnat A, Fraisse D, Lamaison JL. The aromatic and polyphenolic composition of lemon balm (Melissa Officinalis L. subsp. officinalis) tea. Pharm Acta Helv. 1998;72(5):301-305. doi:10.1016/S0031-6865(97)00026-5.
  3. Bulgakov VP, Inyushkina YV, Fedoreyev SA. Rosmarinic acid and its derivatives: biotechnology and applications. Crit Rev Biotechnol. 2012;32(3):203-217. doi:10.3109/07388551.2011.596804.
  4. Apoptosis-Inducing Effects of Melissa Officinalis L. Essential Oil in Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells (PDF Download Available). ResearchGate. https:// www.researchgate.net/publication/261762686_Apoptosis- Inducing_Effects_of_Melissa_ofJicinalis_L_Essential_Oil_in_Glioblastoma_Multiforme _Cells. Accessed August 17, 2017.

 

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By Kristen Alexander
RNM Blog Uncategorized
April is Rosacea Awareness Month

What is rosacea?

Rosacea is a skin condition commonly associated with redness, inflammation, or rash, typically located on the nose and the cheeks. Rosacea can appear differently in different people. Some may experience a quick flushing sensation in their face, some may experience constant redness, irritation, and discomfort of their face, and others may experience acne-like breakouts on their face. 

 

What causes rosacea?

The root causes of rosacea are largely unknown, but there are many different working theories. 

One of the most common theories is that underlying inflammation is likely contributing to the development of rosacea. This inflammation could be coming from a disrupted gastrointestinal microbiome (possible infections or imbalanced bacteria) or a disrupted skin microbiome, as it is common for patients with rosacea to have higher numbers of Demodex mites on the skin. 

Several different triggers for rosacea can vary from person to person, including stress, sunlight, spicy foods, exercise, temperature changes, caffeine, and alcohol. Therefore, it is essential to take notes of your symptoms so that you can better understand what may be triggering your rosacea. 

 

Naturopathic Support for Rosacea

One of the main principles of naturopathic medicine is ‘tolle totum’ which means ‘to treat the whole person.’ When you book your initial appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors, we will dive deep into your medical history. We will discuss things like diet, sleep, stress, exercise, etc. This is to learn more about you as a whole person (and not just your rosacea). This will allow us to make possible connections between your rosacea and other factors in your life that could be contributing (stress, intense exercise, inflammation, diet, microbiome imbalances, etc). Making these connections and getting to the root causes can help us work towards improving symptoms along with the underlying causes, helping you move towards an improved state of health. 

If you want to be proactive before your visit, you can create a symptom and lifestyle journal to help us better understand what could be triggering your symptoms. In your journal, you can include things like: what symptoms you experience, what time of day you experience them, what activities you were doing before/while you noticed the symptoms, what foods you ate before/during symptoms, etc. 

 

If you are tired of dealing with rosacea, take charge of your health this Rosacea Awareness Month and let Richmond Natural Medicine help guide you towards clear skin! 

 

For more information on our practice or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (804) 977-2634!

Looking for Seasonal skin care tips for Spring? Click here!

Dealing with psoriasis? We have a blog for that too! Click here!

 

References:
  1. Farshchian M, Daveluy S. Rosacea. [Updated 2023 Aug 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557574/ 
  2. Sánchez-Pellicer P, Eguren-Michelena C, García-Gavín J, et al. Rosacea, microbiome and probiotics: the gut-skin axis. Front Microbiol. 2024;14:1323644. Published 2024 Jan 8. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2023.1323644 
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castor oil spilling
By Kristen Alexander
RNM Blog Uncategorized
Castor Oil and How To Use It
What is Castor Oil?

Castor oil is extracted from the Ricinus communus plant. Historically, it has been used orally to support many different ailments, with its most well-known benefit being a stimulating laxative. Today, we use castor oil for a variety of conditions, from head to toe, but we tend to use it externally, as this is the safest and most gentle use of the oil. 

 

Potential Benefits of Castor Oil
  • One of the most common uses of topical castor oil is the application of a castor oil pack applied over the liver. Castor oil is anti-inflammatory and may help stimulate bile flow, which helps our bodies bind and eliminate toxins more effectively.
  • When applied to the abdomen, castor oil can help decrease abdominal bloating and discomfort and may also be helpful for constipation. You can apply and rub a quarter-sized amount of castor oil over the abdomen in a clockwise motion to help promote peristalsis when combined with the physical movement of the abdominal massage
  • Castor oil can be very helpful in reducing joint pain and inflammation. You can rub a dime-sized amount of castor oil over a painful joint (as long as there is no broken skin) and leave it to absorb slowly.
  • Castor oil is applied to the scalp to help promote hair growth and is often used topically to help moisturize skin. One of the main constituents, ricinoleic acid, is a fatty acid component that provides moisturizing properties to the skin
  • Castor oil can indirectly help promote relaxation. By adding a castor oil pack to your nightly routine before bed, you can help ensure that you are taking time for self-care, nourishment, and relaxation at the end of each day! 

 

Naturopathic Considerations for Castor Oil

As naturopathic doctors, we are trained to utilize many different modalities, therapies, and herbs when creating plans for our patients. Topical castor oil is a supportive therapy that you’ll likely see on your care plan here at Richmond Natural Medicine. If you have been reading about castor oil online lately and are wondering if it may be beneficial for you and your specific health goals, give us a call today to schedule an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors! 

 

Want to know how to make your own castor oil pack at home? Check out this video from the Edgar Cayce Institute: How to Make a Castor Oil Pack.

 

Needing more Spring Detox Support? Read our blog on Gentle Detox Foods + Herbs for Spring!

 

References:
  1. Mysore V, Arghya A. Hair Oils: Indigenous Knowledge Revisited. Int J Trichology. 2022 May-Jun;14(3):84-90. doi: 10.4103/ijt.ijt_189_20. Epub 2022 May 24. PMID: 35755964; PMCID: PMC9231528.
  2. Fong P, Tong HH, Ng KH, Lao CK, Chong CI, Chao CM. In silico prediction of prostaglandin D2 synthase inhibitors from herbal constituents for the treatment of hair loss. J Ethnopharmacol. 2015;175:470-480. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2015.10.005 

 

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