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Cesarean births are on the rise globally. And though the numbers are staying pretty stable in the US, they account for about 1/3 of all births here.

Regardless of where you live, the healing process afterwards is something we absolutely do NOT talk about enough. It's multifaceted and different for everyone. 

For some, cesareans are a chosen form of birth. But for many, they're a completely unexpected direction for a birth to go, and they are sometimes very rushed.

While you might have been preparing for the birth process (homebirth or hospital, natural or otherwise), you probably weren't anticipating a cesarean birth, so you probably didn't learn everything you would want to know about them.

And even beyond that, you probably weren't considering the much more intensive postpartum healing journey that takes place after major abdominal surgery.

Needless to say, there's a lot to this. And whether or not the cesarean was desired, there's often some kind of trauma, whether physical or emotional, that comes along with it. 

This is what we dive into in today's episode with abdominal massage therapist and holistic womb coach, Lilliana Rivera. 

She shares all about her own cesarean births and womb story, and how she healed her chronic pain and numbness in her lower belly, and also worked on integrating her emotional trauma that was held in that place for years after her second cesarean. 

It's a beautiful conversation about the depth of healing possible when you offer yourself self-care and therapeutic practices to support your healing process.  

Listen to the episode to learn:

• different modalities to support your healing after cesarean birth
• how abdominal massage therapy can help with scar tissue, pain, numbness
• why your womb may be holding emotional trauma (from birth or otherwise)
• that healing is possible whether your cesarean was last year or 40 years ago
• how cultivating a relationship with your womb is deeply healing in itself
• ways to navigate body image issues and self-acceptance post-cesarean

Resources:

• Today's shownotes: Get Lilliana's links + more
• Sign up for the Pelvic Health Summit (use discount code: LOVEYOURWOMB)
• Episode 10: Traditional womb healing practices 
• Episode 25: Immediate postpartum care with herbs 
• Episode 42: Reclaim your menstruation
• Episode 49: How to create a sacred window in transitional times

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.

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Have you ever heard anything about the connection between your womb and your heart?

It may sound strange, like they are so different in their structure and function that it doesn't make sense, but in both traditional teachings from Chinese medicine and in current scientific research we see they are more linked than you may think.

Modern western biomedicine tends to separate and isolate body parts as if they don't have anything to do with each other. As if the cardiovascular system is completely disconnected from our generative or reproductive organs. 

But in reality, this just isn't the case. 

From my own embodied experience, I've seen how both our hearts and our wombs are powerful centers of intuitive knowing and also are both places where strong emotions show up. 

When we look to the traditional paradigm of Chinese medicine, we see that this is not just a fanciful myth, but has a real basis in how imbalances arise in our wombs. 

And in modern science, we're also starting to see an actual physiologic connection between these two organs, particularly in the menstrual years, that may be a reason that cardiovascular risk is lower pre-menopausally. 

It's fascinating stuff, and worthy of all of our attention. 

Listen to the episode to learn:

• 3 different perspectives on the heart-womb connection
• how to start to connect to both of these powerful centers in your body
• some basics on Chinese medicine theory and how the Heart is protected by its relationship with the Womb
• why it's so important to work on healing your trauma and process your grief and some ideas on how to start doing so
• simple first steps you can take to encourage womb clearing and healing
• some of the emerging science around how our wombs may actually help to physically heal heart damage!

Resources:

• Today's shownotes page: Womb and heart connection + links
• Free womb embodiment + clearing meditation
• Sign up for Pelvic Health Summit (discount code: LOVEYOURWOMB)
• Episode 10: Traditional womb healing + clearing with Sondra Hamilton
• Episode 29: Fertility rituals + the mystery of time w/ Caroline Grace Ashurst
• Episode 34: What if your womb was an altar?
• Episode 43: Vaginal steaming w/ Julia Demillones Moore
• Episode 53: Honoring the loss w/ India Elyn

Dedicating this podcast episode to the beautiful life of womb wisdom keeper, Ayah Buonaugurio. Thank you Ayah, for all you offered to this world. 

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health

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Diastasis what? I know, this is not the most common topic of conversation for most of us. 

But Diastasis recti (aka the separation of your visible abdominal muscles) is actually not that rare. Especially postpartum. 

And you may not even know you have it!  

While it’s not a condition that has major consequences initially, it’s something that impacts the integrity of your entire core so it’s helpful to address it, even if it’s years after it started. 

The thing is, most of us probably consider this an abdominal issue, and think of the need to rehab from just a strengthening and exercise perspective. 

But the truth is it’s easy to rehab this incorrectly in a way that may lead to future challenges if you’re not also incorporating your pelvic floor and what Dr Christine Klein talks about as “internal pressure regulation.”

In other words, your abdominal health is intimately intertwined with your pelvic health and we cover how it all relates and so much more in this week’s episode. 

Even if you don’t think you’ve got abdominal separation, there are gems for you in here.

Listen to the episode to learn:

• How pelvic floor physical therapy can support everything from digestive challenges to painful sex to postpartum recovery and more
• What Diastasis recti is and how to tell if you have it (simple ways to check at home)
• The difference between diastasis recti and hernias
• Ways to prevent Diastasis recti during pregnancy
• A specific breathing practice that can help you regulate internal pressure, calm your nervous system and help your healing process
• Exercises to avoid and exercises to include in your rehab process
• A few additional drops of pelvic health wisdom from Christine sprinkled throughout

Resources: 

• Today’s shownotes: Links to Christine’s work and resources
• Episode 19: The importance of softening the pelvis 
• Register for the Pelvic Health Summit (discount code: EARLYBIRD) 

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.

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Is vitex really "the great hormone balancer" of herbs?

If you’ve ever googled “hormone balancing herbs” I bet you’ve found a list of herbs including vitex (or chaste tree berry).

It’s probably one of the most well-known herbs for hormonal regulation in modern practice. And for good reason. 

People work with vitex for fertility, irregular cycles, irregular bleeding, estrogen dominant conditions, PCOS, psychological and physical PMS and PMDD, and to reduce things like hot flashes and support vaginal tissues perimenopausally. 

But is vitex good for everyone?

The answer is more complicated, and really depends on the specific picture that’s showing up in your own body. It’s not about the condition, it’s really about what’s causing that condition.

Put simply, vitex is an incredibly effective herb for some people, and not the right one for others.

So, can vitex help you? Listen in to find out.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why vitex has been a staple herb for gynecologic conditions for over 2500 years
• How to grow this herb and what it looks like and tastes like
• Medicinal actions and indication for vitex
• Why some historical uses are perplexing for this herb
• The many times and places you might consider vitex
• When you might want to think again before choosing vitex
• How I like to think about working with vitex
• Recent updates on clinical studies and scientific research
• Safety concerns and contraindications

Resources:

• Register for the Sacred Pelvic Health Summit! Get $37 off by using discount code EARLYBIRD before Feb 4th! Sign up here.
• Download the 10 Essential herbs for your hormonal health FREE guide here
• Today's shownotes: Get the nerdy references + see photos of Vitex
• Episode 3: Ayurveda & your hormonal health with Kimberly Kubicke
• Episode 13: Vitalist approach to balancing hormones with Heather Luna
• Episode 17: How stress messes with your hormones 
• Episode 23: Your body on birth control with Gabrielle Claire Jansen
• Episode 30: 5 herbal keys to hormonal health
• Episode 38: Your cycle is a vital sign
• Episode 47: Severe PMS? How PMDD might be at the root of your symptoms with Jes

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom.  

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.

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Let's be honest, there's a gaping hole in our society around caretaking ourselves after loss of any kind. But most especially around pregnancy loss, and even more so around the experience of abortion. 

It's interesting to consider how quick we are to express our opinions about abortion rights (no matter where you are on the spectrum of choice), but how very rarely we ever talk about what it really means to choose to end a pregnancy. 

I know this is a tender topic. It's not something we're used to openly talking about. 

Which is exactly why I invited India Elyn, author of the book 'Honouring the Loss: A holistic guide to healing with ritual and herbal medicine' to come and share about her embodied experience and professional offerings supporting folks to navigate the abortion journey. 

From the contemplation phase, through the active abortion process (medication or otherwise), and healing afterwards (even many years later), herbs and rituals can offer beautiful adjunct support. 

This conversation is honest and explores the depths of emotions that can show up on this journey that most of us keep hidden from the world. May this interview be a gift to your heart and your womb.

Listen to the episode to learn:

• how India came to write her book (her personal story)
• why it can be helpful to honor your loss, even if it was decades ago
• about the lack of support and healing resources around abortion 
• how to begin to engage with your own healing + grief
• some herbal allies that may be especially supportive for you
• the importance of ritual + some ideas of simple rituals to explore

Resources:

• Today's shownotes: Get the links to India's book and work with her
• Episode 22: Herbal spotlight on nettles
• Episode 24: Reproductive sovereignty (+ nuanced thoughts on herbal approaches)
• Episode 32: Herbal spotlight on motherwort
• Episode 34: What if your womb was an altar?
• Episode 49: How to create "a sacred window" in transitional times 

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom. 

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.

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Aphrodisiacs. A term you've probably heard countless times in your life, most of us have at least, in popular culture, media, movies, books and maybe even classes.

The thing is, the term aphrodisiac is too general to really give us much insight into how the herbs or foods are even working in our bodies. 

Really, all 'aphrodisiac' means is that at some point in human history, that substance has encouraged libido, arousal and/or enhanced pleasure. It doesn't tell us how or when we might choose one over another.

And there are a multitude of herbs that fall into this category.  So, how do you decide which ones are right for you?

Well, instead of just glossing over a list of herbs, today's episode covers 5 core areas that are keys to enhancing your pleasure, and examples of herbs in each.

This way, you can reflect on your own personal experience of pleasure and your body's individualized needs to narrow down which herbs may be most helpful for YOU on your personal pleasure path. 

Listen to the episode to learn:

• why not all aphrodisiacs are the same
• how to begin exploring your individual needs and why that matters 
• 5 core areas to enhance pleasure from an herbal perspective
• brief descriptions of herbs in each of these categories 
• some ways to work with these herbs you may not expect

Resources:

• Today's shownotes page: Beyond Aphrodisiacs
• Episode 18: Uterine tonics
• Episode 19: The importance of softening the pelvis
• Episode 27: Sex, relationships + psychedelics
• Episode 28: Rhythms of your womb
• Episode 29: Jade eggs + the practice of pleasure 

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom. 

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.

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Your cycle is a vital sign. A clear signal that can help you understand the map of optimal health (or not) in your body. 

When you see symptoms coming up, anything from PMS to irregular cycles to menstrual pain to fertility challenges, that’s your body saying ‘it’s time to make a change.’

But what changes do you make? 

Especially if your symptoms are vague or “subclinical” (meaning not quite at the level of diagnosable), you may feel lost and confused on what steps to take first. 

But if you’re living in the modern world (how are you reading this if you’re not?), then it’s quite likely that chronic underlying stress is a part of the picture, so that’s a great place to start.

But when we talk about stress, what do we mean?

The reality is that stress is NOT just having to rush your kids to school or get a project done by a deadline. You may also be living with chronic internal stressors like blood sugar imbalance, chronic inflammation, or digestive issues. 

It’s not just external stress that messes with your hormones, it’s also internal stress.

And holistic nutritionist and menstrual health coach Pirita Hilton shares all about her personal embodied experience of reaching a level of stress that felt like burnout, which included completely losing her menstrual cycle for a whole year, intense migraines, horrible acne and just feeling completely exhausted. And how she found her way back to vitality and menstrual cycle wellness.

She also lays out some basic lifestyle habits that have replenished her and her clients, and a couple specific ideas you can get started with today. 


Listen to this episode to learn:

• How chronic stress, perfectionism, over-exercising + “clean” eating can lead to menstrual health problems
• Why it’s so important to pay attention to that inner voice of wisdom inside you
• All about internal and external stressors and how those impact your hormones
• A 5 pillared approach to encouraging optimal hormonal health
• 2 simple practices to nourish your nervous system you can start today

Resources:

• Learn to track your cycle to understand what your body is telling you: Track Your Cycle free guide
• Episode 5: Are you ovulating? How to tell (and why it matters
• Episode 17: How stress messes with your hormones
• Episode 38: Your cycle is a vital sign
• Episode 41: How nature connection can reduce stress + burnout 
• Episode 50: Adaptogens + your hormonal health?
  
  
  
  If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom. 
  
  And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️
  
  DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.

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Unless you’ve been hiding out in the woods with no media over the past decade, my guess is you’ve heard of adaptogens. And at some point you may have tried some. 

This herbal action has basically reached celebrity status, as far as herbs go. And for good reason. 

They support us in states of chronic stress, support our blood sugar regulation, enhance our stamina and some even encourage better sleep.

But contrary to popular belief, adaptogens are NOT right for everyone. And not all adaptogens are the same. 

Understanding the basics behind how they work and which ones might be most appropriate for you (or not) at this time in your life is foundational. 

Most of us have no idea when to choose one or another one, and what affinities certain adaptogens have for different times of life, symptom pictures, or constitutions. 

Not to mention which ones might be most helpful for various hormonal imbalances. 

So tune into today’s episode to learn all about how adaptogens work and ways they might be supportive for your individual hormonal health - and why you might want to add some other herbs in to get even better results.

Listen to this episode to learn:

• What adaptogens are and how they work (beyond the hype)
• Why some plants you might think are adaptogens may not be
• When to avoid adaptogens
• Why not all adaptogens are the same and how to determine which is right for you
• How adaptogens can support your hormonal health (in more ways than one)
• Some of my favorites and a beirf snapshot on each of them
  
  
  

Resources:

• Learn to track your cycle naturally - Step-by-step Cycle Tracking Guide
• Today’s shonotes: Get the references to learn more about adaptogens
• Episode 4: Herbal spotlight on Tulsi / Holy Basil
• Episode 17: How stress messes with your hormones 
• Episode 30: 5 herbal keys to hormonal health
• Episode 40: Herbal spotlight on schisandra
• Episode 45: Embodying WInter with Jade Alicandro

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom. 

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.

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What could it look like to experience deep nourishment and caretaking during major transitions in our lives?

For those of us with wombs, we travel through multiple significant transitions purely because we have menstural cycles. Everything from our first period (menarche), to becoming a parent, to pregnancy loss or release, to menopause, and beyond. 

And we go through massive changes throughout our lives unrelated to our wombs, too. Times when our identities are turned over completely and we have to find our way from who we once were to who we are now. 

Whether it’s wombcycle changes or grief from loss of a loved one, embracing a chronic illness, navigating a recovery process, finding ground after a break-up or divorce, or changing careers, we are all familiar with transition. We may not like it, but we know what it feels like. 

The truth is *most* of us in the modern world have no support for these transitions beyond some well-meaning “congratulations” or “I’m so sorry” from people who love us. We may even be lucky enough to have someone create a “meal train” to help feed us for the first weeks or months after the change, but more likely than not, we navigate this terrain primarily alone.

But we as humans are social creatures. We are not meant to navigate these massive transitions alone, and there is SO much that ancestral wisdom can teach us about how to care for these shaky times on a physical, emotional and spiritual level. 

And Ayurvedic practitioner Ashlee Sakaishi Wilkin is here to share all about how we can create what is called “a sacred window” to nurture and replenish ourselves on all levels in these times of change, and how our community is an essential part of that. 

Listen to the episode to learn:

• how Ayurveda perceives times of transition
• what “a sacred window” means and how to create one in your life
• why a sacred window is not limited to postpartum care
• ways to incorporate your personal ancestral lineage into your care
• why it’s not too late to create a sacred window even if your transition was years ago
• what Vata is, and why it's essential to understand in times of change
• specific foods and practices to nourish your body, mind + spirit for optimal whole being health through these transitions

Resources:

• Links to Ashlee's offerings on today's shownotes: How to create a sacred window
• Episode 3: Ayurveda and your hormonal health with Kimberly Kubicke
• Episode 25: Immediate postpartum care with Liz Philbrick
• Episode 28: Rhythms of your womb
• Episode 45: Embodying winter with Jade Alicandro

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom. 

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.

Support the show

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The longest night of the year is upon us. The energies of quiet, receptivity and stillness are palpable (if you listen beyond the frenzy of holiday preparations) and our bodies are attuned to this darkness in ways we might not realize. 

How are you honoring this time in your body and your life?

So many of us have lost touch with the ancestral seasonal traditions that commonly harnessed the energy of the season to enrich our lives, that evoked meaning and depth from something that often is glossed over as just "the first day of winter" in modern times.

But there is a power and a potency in this time of the year that we all have access to. 

And today's episode is an invitation to explore how you might be able to engage with this energy intentionally in 9 simple ways, with a dash of womb wisdom thrown in. 

Listen to this episode to learn:

• what winter solstice is (beyond the first day of winter)
• how winter solstice connects to the moon and your womb
• the energetic qualities of winter solstice
• how to engage meaningfully with this time of the year
• 9 simple ways you can explore honoring the solstice (from self-reflection prompts to ideas for rituals to the importance of rest and beyond)

Resources:

• Womb connection + clearing guided visualization (free)
• Today's shownotes: 9 ways to honor winter solstice
• Episode 1: What is womb wisdom?
• Episode 8: Exploring seasons + cycles in your body - Spring
• Episode 34: What if your womb was an altar?
• Episode 42: Reclaim menstruation with rest, ritual + replenishment
• Episode 45: Embodying winter with Jade Alicandro

If you loved this episode, share it with a friend, or take a screenshot and share on social media and tag me @herbalwombwisdom. 

And if you love this podcast, leave a rating & write a review! It's really helpful to get the show to more amazing humans like you.  ❤️

DISCLAIMER: This podcast is for educational purposes only, I am not providing any medical advice, I am not a medical practitioner, I’m an herbalist and in the US, there is no path to licensure for herbalists, so my role is as an herbal educator. Please do your own research and consult your healthcare provider for any personal health concerns.

Support the show