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Family: Ganodermataceae
Part used: Fruiting body, mycelium
Energetics: Bitter, warm, neautral
Actions: Adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, cardio tonic, hepatoproctive, immune amphoteric, nervine
Reishi is a polypore mushroom, and here in Maine, the beautiful fruiting body, Ganoderma tsugae, grows on fallen hemlock trees. It is distinctively unique from other polypores as it grows on a stem. I love using reishi for many things, including allergies and tension, as well as for immune and heart support. Reishi is a heart tonic that helps lower blood pressure, reduce pain caused by angina and may have the potential to help prevent arteriosclerosis and lower triglyceride levels, which can contribute to strokes and heart attacks. Reishi is not edible but is a wonderful medicine. In order to extract the medicinal properties from it, reishi should be cooked at a simmer for at least 4 hours, which makes it great for soup stocks. To make a tincture, you would want to first cook the mushroom and then use the marc and combine the water, alcohol and marc to then macerate together for 4 weeks.
Contraindications: Avoid if you have allergies to mushrooms.
Chamomile is well known for being a calming, relaxing and mildly sedating plant, but it’s also a plant that can inspire deep creativity. It’s all in how you work with it. I believe great medicine comes from just spending time with the plants. For me, spending time with chamomile means tapping into my intuition and creativity. It’s like a floodgate gets released and a series of clear, amazing possibilities fill my thoughts.
Chamomile is a fabulous herb for children who are restless or irritable, and for teething, growing pains, colds, fevers, sleep issues and nightmares. It can be used for both children and adults with digestive issues caused by anxiety or stress. Chamomile helps reduce inflammation in the GI tract, relieves gas and calms a nervous stomach. It’s also used to ease symptoms of PMS and menopause, like cramps, anxiety, irritability and sleep issues.
Topically, chamomile can soothe eczema, sunburns, sores and other skin irritations. Here in Maine, it has even brought relief to painful rashes caused by the browntail moth caterpillar.
Lemon balm is a cooling, uplifting, aromatic herb that has long been used to support the nervous system, digestion, and emotional well-being.
Herbalists often reach for lemon balm when someone is feeling hot, tense, worried, scattered, or emotionally worn down. It has a way of helping us soften, cool down, and come back into ourselves.
