Nygren

Dear Manora,

Dear Out of the Mood,
People have used herbal tricks to increase sensuality and intimacy for hundreds of years. Here’s what ancient Chinese medical wisdom tells us.

For you: Dong Quai, 400 mg or 1 tablespoon in tea.
For him: Ginseng, 400 mg or 1 tablespoon in tea.
For both: Licorice, 200 mg or 1 teaspoon in tea.

Why?

According to the Chinese tradition, Dong Quai is a female tonic and ginseng is a male tonic. Use them before your romance begins.

Dong Quai carries blood to the uterus, increases lubrication and stimulates desire. It is clinically seen to have possible estrogen-like affects.

Ginseng increases masculine energy and is clinically seen to improve blood flow and testosterone levels.

Licorice increases energy levels via cortisol function and supports libido.

Want to learn more about herbs? Check out these upcoming events:

Integrative medicine: Herbal and nutritional treatment for illness and injury.  Research-based protocol that compliments your pharmaceutical therapy. Office near Boulder Community Hospital. $30-50 per session, depending on illness.

Counseling: Private illness counseling. Learn to remain strong throughout an illness and let physical healing come through emotional and spiritual growth. $60 per hour.

Classes: 6:30-7:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month. North Boulder Pharmaca, 2700 N. Broadway in Boulder. Topics vary. Free.

Spiff up for Spring: 6:30-7:30 p.m. March 18, North Boulder Pharmaca. Learn herbal remedies and psychological techniques for building energy and vitality. Free.

— By Manora Nygren
Nygren is a certified medical herbalist and illness counselor who has taught and practiced nationally for 11 years. She brings together pharmaceutical and natural health care through an integrative, research-based approach.

Following a river high into the mountains, you splashed cool water on your face. You saw the golden flicker of Osha leaves and smelt its fresh aroma. Osha root promotes respiratory health and has antiviral activity.
Walking down, you sat in a cool pine forest, leaned back and looked up. Bright green Usnea crawled along the pine bark. Usnea Lichen increases immune function against viral or bacterial infection.

At the bottom, meandering along the river, a cluster of purple elderberries caught your eye. Elderberries prevent viral activity within the cell and support immune function.

Ninety drops four times daily of the tincture of one or a combination of these herbs will clear that tickle in your throat.

— By Manora Nygren

Nygren is a medical herbalist and illness counselor in Boulder. She uses complimentary medicine well researched for use in combination with pharmaceutical therapies and counseling techniques specific to living with illness. For a health care or counseling appointment, contact her at manoranygren@gmail.com or 720-226-0652.
Nygren welcomes e-mails inquiring about herbs in this column and discussing your experience if you try them.

Skin — Evening primrose oil nourishes the skin with gamma-linolenic acid. Its anti-inflammatory action has been seen to clinically reduce the itchiness and redness associated with eczema and dermatitis and to soothe other skin conditions. Try taking 6 grams of the capsules or food grade oil in small doses throughout the day and rubbing the oil into problem areas for smooth silky skin.

Weight maintenance — Hops and cinnamon have been seen to clinically help stabilize glucose absorption so that energy can be maintained more easily throughout the day and nutrients can be used. Try making a tea with 1 teaspoon of each and drinking a cup with meals for increased energy and stabilized weight.

— By Manora Nygren
Nygren is a medical herbalist and illness counselor in Boulder. She uses complementary medicine well researched for use in combination with pharmaceutical therapies and counseling techniques that are specific to the experience of illness when necessary. For an appointment, inquiry or to ask questions about the herbs in this article, e-mail manoranygren@gmail.com or call 720-226-0652.

Tibet:
Nuns relax while meditating to the aroma of the mind-calming and sedating valerian incense. Supplementing with 300 to 400 mg of valerian root throughout the day brings a calm focus to the mind. For muscle relaxation, add rooibos.

The Mediterranean:
An afternoon rest is taken while sipping fresh peppermint tea to support the nervous system. Bring a feeling of ease to your life by taking a dose of one of the following mints four times a day: a five- to 20-drop dose of skullcap, catnip or motherwort tincture; or a tea from 1 tablespoon of peppermint, lemon balm or tulsi.

America:
Friends relax by drinking a beer brewed with the sedative herb hops. For help sleeping, try tea with a tablespoon of hops flowers. Add mullein flowers for a deeper rest.

August events with Manora Nygren
Thursday, Aug. 13 — 6:30-7:30 p.m., Herbs for Cancer, North Boulder Pharmaca, 2700 Broadway, Boulder.
Thursday, Aug. 20 — 6-7:30 p.m., Women with Illness New Moon Gathering.

— By Manora Nygren
Nygren is a psychotherapist, integrative herbalist and nutritionist in Boulder specializing in illness counseling and women’s health and well being. Contact her at manoranygren@gmail.com or 720-226-0652.

Stamina: Rodiola keeps you going when things get tough. Increase mental, physical and emotional stamina with 150 mg of dried powder in pill form standardized to 3 to 6 percent rosavins daily on a short-term basis. Try this during hormonal fluxuations, transitions or stressful events.

Competency: Ginko strengthens your mental capacities. Clear mental confusion, increase memory and enhance blood flow to the brain with 30 drops of tincture one to three times a day. Try this when you can’t concentrate, remember something or make sound decisions.

Emotional availability: Kava Kava relaxes your mind and releases tension. Take 30 drops of tincture or a cup of fermented tea one to three times a day to reduce anxiety and calm mental agitation. Try this when you’re anxious or constantly thinking about work.

For more info
July 16 — 6-7:30 p.m. Join Nygren’s New Moon gathering for women with illnesses or health conditions, at her north Boulder office, 4645 N. Broadway #B8; $20 drop in per person.

July 18 — 11 a.m.-noon. Nygren also holds free talks about women’s herbs at the south Boulder Pharmaca, 645 S. Broadway.

July 20 — 5:30-6:30 p.m. Know your Body: Inflammation and Chronic Pain. Herbs for arthritis, fibromyalgia, asthma, irritable bowel syndrome, multiple sclerosis, allergies, cancer, thyroid problems, diabetes and other inflammatory conditions.

— By Manora Nygren
Nygren is a psychotherapist, integrative herbalist and nutritionist in Boulder specializing in illness counseling and women’s health and well being. Contact her at manoranygren@gmail.com or 720-226-0652.