I’m asking for myself, my friends and all the ladies out there for hormonal support entering perimenopause. I’m 43. I’m experiencing slight hot flashes, headaches, some night sweating, and my cycle is super wacky. I eat a very clean, plant heavy diet and exercise daily. Would love your advice.
Hi Kendall! I hear you, this is a big topic, and heating up (no pun intended, really!) as celebs and generations enter the phase while being vocal about the process. I've added it to the queue and meanwhile, some resources you may find helpful:
I'm not sure if you have talked about the following or not, Do you have any suggestions for immune system more specifically anything to help with cancer fighting. My dad has prostate cancer, he will have surgery soon and I would like to start giving him anything that could help his immune system go up. I started the whole family with the magnesium for now but would like to know more suggestions.
Hello Erendira! I haven't dived into this here yet but have added it to the queue and will do so soon. Meanwhile, I would recommend learning all you can about functional mushrooms. Here's a link to get you started (results for mushrooms + cancer studies on PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=mushroom+cancer
Their effects are well studied and used frequently in China in combination with cancer therapies.
Thanks for asking and I'm wishing you and your Dad the very best. <3
Thank you so much for answering my question in the last episode! Loved hearing your tips and tricks and I’ll absolutely be checking out your book recommendations on habits.
I’ve heard you use the term “real herbalists” a couple times now and I thought that would make a really great question. So, what do you think makes someone a true/real herbalist. Of course, I’m sure training is going to be a huge part of your answer but I’d still like to hear it nonetheless.
If you've listened to those and are still struggling, tell me more about what you're doing and what you've tried that hasn't worked!
For Gut Health, same deal. I know you're doing a ton of digging right now so if you haven't found what you're looking for in all of the Gut Health + Digestion eps, tell me what you're doing that's not working. (E.g. all of the gut-health pillars, and especially fiber!) :)
Wonderful! Thanks so much! I’m working my way through episodes but I’m not sure I’ve listened to that one so thank you! I’ll get on it!
I’ve tried GABA for sleep which was amazing but sadly slowed things down as far as MMC so I backed off of that. Right now I’m taking 200mg of l-Theanine. I’ve tried tryptophan but the nutritionist I used to work with thought that it wasn’t good for me. She said: Also, when did you add the tryptophan? Just a heads up that tryptophan can be "stolen" by certain GI bacteria and cause you to not be able to convert it into 5-HTP-serotonin. It can also aggravate or cause overgrowth.” Which made me sad because I liked tryptophan a lot.
I’m considering also going back to Ashwagandha at a lower dose because I think the high dose I was taking made me too groggy.
Anyway I’m sorry for the novel. If I could improve my sleep and motility I think I’d be a new human!
Lmk when you get through the sleep episode. And consider magnesium, which can be great for sleep and motility too. There is no single size fits all sleep remedy, otherwise the world would know about it!
Absolutely! You’re so right about that, our bodies definitely respond so dramatically to different treatments. The sleep episode was incredibly helpful and I took lots of notes! Thank you again. I honestly thank the universe I stumbled upon your wisdom!
Hey Rachelle! This is more of a vanity question.. I know that the reason you're glowing inside and out is because of your dedication to health (which I find truly inspiring, btw!). BUT I am just about to run out of my usual tinted moisturiser and it isn't really working for me anymore (need something more hydrating in these cold climates). What's your go to tinter moisturiser? (if you use one).
Hi Rachelle. I am a new subscriber and really love the content and community you’ve created. thank you! I was wondering if you had any recommendations for books on herbalism to read for beginners?
Hi Stephanie! Thanks for the kind words! Regarding books, yes, so many! It looks like you've been a member here long enough to have attended the past episodes which I started by sharing a book/mag recommendation. If you missed those, scrolling back through the shownotes could be helpful. Otherwise, here are some resources!
do you have recommendations for chronic (non-bleeding) external hemorrhoids? i drink a lot of water, eat clean, try to get enough fiber, and i supplement with psyllium husk or ozonated magnesium oxide when i need it. i also take a high quality probiotic, fish oil, and magnesium supplement daily.
i have anaphylactic food allergies to nuts, poppy seed, and coconut, which i avoid. i try to limit dairy and gluten as well. i eat 70% plant-based and 30% high quality meat and seafood.
i’m looking for herbs to take orally, ideally, but open to topical as well.
Hi Juliette! Thanks for asking, and for all of the great info about your diet and lifestyle. I'll round up my notes on this for you and be back to share soon! xR
What are your thoughts on Red Light therapy. Seems like that is the new trend and it’s literally everywhere. I recently saw on your Instagram stories that you visited a spa where a treatment of that sort was available. Do you think at home devices are safe and is it worth purchasing?
I LOVE red light therapy and would own a device if they were more affordable. I did just buy an infrared + PEMF blanket (https://shrsl.com/3ym24) last week. While the trend is picking up steam now, it's not exactly new. (I've been aware of it for at least 10 years.) My take is that it's worth it if it's accessible to you (visiting a spa or getting an at-home device) and if you find it convincing, which I do. Hope that helps! Keep us posted if you dive in :)
I have a question about frozen shoulder - do you have any tips and or tricks on how to deal with it? My poor husband was recently diagnosed with it and I want to help him in anyway I can! Thank you and I hope you have a great (well deserved ☺️) vacation!
Hi Carolyn! Sorry to hear about your husband's shoulder, ouch. I'll dig into this more and share some recommendations. Any other info you want to provide? E.g. related conditions, cause, contributors. Thanks for asking, and for the vacation props. It was perfection.
Hi Rachelle, I hoped to get your advice. I’ve mentioned previously I went through a pretty intense and rather painful natural methane SIBO treatment where I tried a lot of different things and killed good and bad bacteria and my gut has been pretty disrupted. I’m wondering if you have recommendations for rebuilding good bacteria slowly. I was looking at metagenics ultra flora balance and it looks doable I think as I can’t jump into something like 55 billion as I used to take previously. Right now I’m mainly getting probiotics from fermented foods and the occasional kombucha.
I love Metagenics Ultra Flora Balance. That is the one I've recommended more than any other for years and years now, and it's the one I often use personally. Great choice!
One more question from me that I’m a little embarrassed to ask. I want to preface this by letting you know that I am very much a collaboration over competition kind of girl.
I’m a trained herbalist but my small business is relatively new (launched in August). Business took off right away and I am so grateful. But I recently had a tea company with a very large social media following purchase a couple of my blends. I was admittedly a little suspicious because they don’t follow me or interact with any of my content but I just slipped my business card into their order and moved on. Well, they just launched a blend VERY similar (a one ingredient difference) to the tea they purchased from me and I’m really distraught because it doesn’t seem there’s much I can do here.
I just wanted to hear your thoughts on this because maybe I’m being too possessive over my blends. I mean, the ingredients are all on my website and of course people could replicate and sell it. It just felt gross and dishonest to me and I really need to shift my mindset. I’d appreciate your take on this, even if it’s just tough love. Thanks!
Oh man, that gives me the chills. I'm sorry to hear it, Rebecca. I can imagine how just un-right it feels. I'll talk about this in Thursday's ep. It brings up a lot of points for me. Straightaway, the importance of a good lawyer who can at least provide some (expensive) guidance or peace of mind in cases like these.
Thanks for offering it up here. I'm sure others will appreciate the topic. (Who knows, maybe it'll bring you someone who can help! If not today, I do hope that's what this community can become in the future.)
I've noticed a lot of health podcasts speaking about taking NMN and Resveratrol for longevity. Do you know anything about this, and would you take these supplements for longevity? If not, what would you take? Thanks so much!
Also, I noticed you are speaking about doing strength training. Do you take supplements to support muscle development, such as Creatine? What about protein? As I age, I know the importance of maintaining muscle for health. And it's definitely on my mind.
As for strength training, I don't supplement for it specifically, other than eating as well as possible (and herbs like ashwagandha and cordyceps are actually great for athletes). BUT, I'll add this to the queue to talk about more because I haven't yet here! Thanks for asking, Jackie.
Hi Rachelle!
I’m asking for myself, my friends and all the ladies out there for hormonal support entering perimenopause. I’m 43. I’m experiencing slight hot flashes, headaches, some night sweating, and my cycle is super wacky. I eat a very clean, plant heavy diet and exercise daily. Would love your advice.
Thanks!
Hi Kendall! I hear you, this is a big topic, and heating up (no pun intended, really!) as celebs and generations enter the phase while being vocal about the process. I've added it to the queue and meanwhile, some resources you may find helpful:
- Past eps mentioning menopause: https://ursupernatural.substack.com/archive?sort=search&search=menopause
- My Hormone Balance class (reminder that classes are 50% off for Substack subscribers right now) https://www.ursupernatural.com/shop-all/p/herbal-hormone-balance
Back with more soon!
Hi Rachelle,
I'm not sure if you have talked about the following or not, Do you have any suggestions for immune system more specifically anything to help with cancer fighting. My dad has prostate cancer, he will have surgery soon and I would like to start giving him anything that could help his immune system go up. I started the whole family with the magnesium for now but would like to know more suggestions.
Thank you
Hello Erendira! I haven't dived into this here yet but have added it to the queue and will do so soon. Meanwhile, I would recommend learning all you can about functional mushrooms. Here's a link to get you started (results for mushrooms + cancer studies on PubMed): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=mushroom+cancer
Their effects are well studied and used frequently in China in combination with cancer therapies.
Thanks for asking and I'm wishing you and your Dad the very best. <3
Hi Rachelle,
Thank you so much for answering my question in the last episode! Loved hearing your tips and tricks and I’ll absolutely be checking out your book recommendations on habits.
I’ve heard you use the term “real herbalists” a couple times now and I thought that would make a really great question. So, what do you think makes someone a true/real herbalist. Of course, I’m sure training is going to be a huge part of your answer but I’d still like to hear it nonetheless.
Thank you!
Oooo, juicy one. I didn't even realize I used that phrase but apparently it's on the record! ;) I'll dive in. Thanks for asking <3
I would loved to talk about herbs to treat psoriasis and hair shedding/thinning.
Oh, and you might find this episode helpful for your hair shedding/thinning question: https://ursupernatural.substack.com/p/121-recording-featuring-herbs-for
And this one regarding psoriasis: https://ursupernatural.substack.com/p/1222-recording-bts-from-my-book-and
Let me know.
You've got it, Angela. I have an episode about alopecia coming up so will include your question with that one!
Hi Rachelle,
I’m wondering if you have suggestions for herbs for that 1-3am wake-up. Going to sleep is fine but staying that way is the trouble.
Also, I’d love to hear your thoughts about herbs for improving MMC, aka sluggish bowels. Thanks so much in advance!
- Daniela
Hi here! For the 1-3am wake-up, have you listened to this ep? https://ursupernatural.substack.com/p/811-recording-supplements-for-longevity I talk about sleeping through the night here.
This video may also be helpful: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=byUcYQ7zsjM&list=PLUa1mxBKMRYkI3B2MkocatX6zY7XmTflF&index=58
If you've listened to those and are still struggling, tell me more about what you're doing and what you've tried that hasn't worked!
For Gut Health, same deal. I know you're doing a ton of digging right now so if you haven't found what you're looking for in all of the Gut Health + Digestion eps, tell me what you're doing that's not working. (E.g. all of the gut-health pillars, and especially fiber!) :)
Wonderful! Thanks so much! I’m working my way through episodes but I’m not sure I’ve listened to that one so thank you! I’ll get on it!
I’ve tried GABA for sleep which was amazing but sadly slowed things down as far as MMC so I backed off of that. Right now I’m taking 200mg of l-Theanine. I’ve tried tryptophan but the nutritionist I used to work with thought that it wasn’t good for me. She said: Also, when did you add the tryptophan? Just a heads up that tryptophan can be "stolen" by certain GI bacteria and cause you to not be able to convert it into 5-HTP-serotonin. It can also aggravate or cause overgrowth.” Which made me sad because I liked tryptophan a lot.
I’m considering also going back to Ashwagandha at a lower dose because I think the high dose I was taking made me too groggy.
Anyway I’m sorry for the novel. If I could improve my sleep and motility I think I’d be a new human!
Lmk when you get through the sleep episode. And consider magnesium, which can be great for sleep and motility too. There is no single size fits all sleep remedy, otherwise the world would know about it!
Absolutely! You’re so right about that, our bodies definitely respond so dramatically to different treatments. The sleep episode was incredibly helpful and I took lots of notes! Thank you again. I honestly thank the universe I stumbled upon your wisdom!
Hey Rachelle! This is more of a vanity question.. I know that the reason you're glowing inside and out is because of your dedication to health (which I find truly inspiring, btw!). BUT I am just about to run out of my usual tinted moisturiser and it isn't really working for me anymore (need something more hydrating in these cold climates). What's your go to tinter moisturiser? (if you use one).
Thank you!
Hi! I hope I caught you in time! I do wear a tinted moisturizer (it's the only base I own) and my two favorites are NARS (10+ years with this one maybe): https://rstyle.me/+t0CFWeFwBUqwsWebP1NmIQ, and Ilia (more coverage, can get shiny if you're too heavy handed but I love the SPF): https://rstyle.me/+rP_HrG8DlXcKgDfd_thGNQ
Cheers!
Amazing, thank you Rachelle! I will check these out :)
Hi Rachelle. I am a new subscriber and really love the content and community you’ve created. thank you! I was wondering if you had any recommendations for books on herbalism to read for beginners?
Many thanks. Stephanie
Hi Stephanie! Thanks for the kind words! Regarding books, yes, so many! It looks like you've been a member here long enough to have attended the past episodes which I started by sharing a book/mag recommendation. If you missed those, scrolling back through the shownotes could be helpful. Otherwise, here are some resources!
- Mountain Rose Herbs' list: https://mountainroseherbs.com/catalog/books
- Books by members of the AHG: https://www.americanherbalistsguild.com/member_books
- Adaptogens, David Winston
- The Modern Herbal Dispensatory, Thomas Easley
Overall, it's going to depend on what you want to learn / make / do, and what type of book+teacher appeals to you.
hi rachelle! loving the new podcast format.
do you have recommendations for chronic (non-bleeding) external hemorrhoids? i drink a lot of water, eat clean, try to get enough fiber, and i supplement with psyllium husk or ozonated magnesium oxide when i need it. i also take a high quality probiotic, fish oil, and magnesium supplement daily.
i have anaphylactic food allergies to nuts, poppy seed, and coconut, which i avoid. i try to limit dairy and gluten as well. i eat 70% plant-based and 30% high quality meat and seafood.
i’m looking for herbs to take orally, ideally, but open to topical as well.
thank you!
Hi Juliette! Thanks for asking, and for all of the great info about your diet and lifestyle. I'll round up my notes on this for you and be back to share soon! xR
Hi Rachelle,
What are your thoughts on Red Light therapy. Seems like that is the new trend and it’s literally everywhere. I recently saw on your Instagram stories that you visited a spa where a treatment of that sort was available. Do you think at home devices are safe and is it worth purchasing?
I LOVE red light therapy and would own a device if they were more affordable. I did just buy an infrared + PEMF blanket (https://shrsl.com/3ym24) last week. While the trend is picking up steam now, it's not exactly new. (I've been aware of it for at least 10 years.) My take is that it's worth it if it's accessible to you (visiting a spa or getting an at-home device) and if you find it convincing, which I do. Hope that helps! Keep us posted if you dive in :)
Hi Rachelle,
I have a question about frozen shoulder - do you have any tips and or tricks on how to deal with it? My poor husband was recently diagnosed with it and I want to help him in anyway I can! Thank you and I hope you have a great (well deserved ☺️) vacation!
Hi Carolyn! Sorry to hear about your husband's shoulder, ouch. I'll dig into this more and share some recommendations. Any other info you want to provide? E.g. related conditions, cause, contributors. Thanks for asking, and for the vacation props. It was perfection.
Hi Rachelle, I hoped to get your advice. I’ve mentioned previously I went through a pretty intense and rather painful natural methane SIBO treatment where I tried a lot of different things and killed good and bad bacteria and my gut has been pretty disrupted. I’m wondering if you have recommendations for rebuilding good bacteria slowly. I was looking at metagenics ultra flora balance and it looks doable I think as I can’t jump into something like 55 billion as I used to take previously. Right now I’m mainly getting probiotics from fermented foods and the occasional kombucha.
Thank you in advance!
- Daniela
I love Metagenics Ultra Flora Balance. That is the one I've recommended more than any other for years and years now, and it's the one I often use personally. Great choice!
Thank you so much! That’s wonderful to know! I’m moving to that next. I started slow with Pro Flora 4R and easing my way to a higher count!
Sorry Rachelle,
One more question from me that I’m a little embarrassed to ask. I want to preface this by letting you know that I am very much a collaboration over competition kind of girl.
I’m a trained herbalist but my small business is relatively new (launched in August). Business took off right away and I am so grateful. But I recently had a tea company with a very large social media following purchase a couple of my blends. I was admittedly a little suspicious because they don’t follow me or interact with any of my content but I just slipped my business card into their order and moved on. Well, they just launched a blend VERY similar (a one ingredient difference) to the tea they purchased from me and I’m really distraught because it doesn’t seem there’s much I can do here.
I just wanted to hear your thoughts on this because maybe I’m being too possessive over my blends. I mean, the ingredients are all on my website and of course people could replicate and sell it. It just felt gross and dishonest to me and I really need to shift my mindset. I’d appreciate your take on this, even if it’s just tough love. Thanks!
Oh man, that gives me the chills. I'm sorry to hear it, Rebecca. I can imagine how just un-right it feels. I'll talk about this in Thursday's ep. It brings up a lot of points for me. Straightaway, the importance of a good lawyer who can at least provide some (expensive) guidance or peace of mind in cases like these.
Thanks for offering it up here. I'm sure others will appreciate the topic. (Who knows, maybe it'll bring you someone who can help! If not today, I do hope that's what this community can become in the future.)
xR
Hi Rachelle,
I've noticed a lot of health podcasts speaking about taking NMN and Resveratrol for longevity. Do you know anything about this, and would you take these supplements for longevity? If not, what would you take? Thanks so much!
Also, I noticed you are speaking about doing strength training. Do you take supplements to support muscle development, such as Creatine? What about protein? As I age, I know the importance of maintaining muscle for health. And it's definitely on my mind.
Thanks so much!
Hi! I have actually dived into NMN and Resveratrol here! Two eps: 1. https://ursupernatural.substack.com/p/98-recording-herbs-and-hormone-plant and 2. https://ursupernatural.substack.com/p/nad-and-longevity-supplements-for (<- more of a note than an ep). I used both for about a year and only recently stopped because I ran out.
As for strength training, I don't supplement for it specifically, other than eating as well as possible (and herbs like ashwagandha and cordyceps are actually great for athletes). BUT, I'll add this to the queue to talk about more because I haven't yet here! Thanks for asking, Jackie.