Aloe Vera

The dialogue went something like this:

“I am, by my very nature—an Optimist, my dear.”

The second character guffaws at him with a chiding reminder of his rather ominous occupation. “Aloe, you’re a Mortician.” He seems unabashed and continues to straighten the utensils on the bar. Upon further inspection of his chromed scalpel, a blemish causes him to squint and scrape at it intensely as he spoke.

“Understand, Thane, that it is my intimate association with the dead that makes me realize nothing is quite so certain and devoid when He appears. And afterwards, I’m sure there’s some negotiating to be had.”

“Oh yes. I’ve heard this. The glass is half full… of shit.”

“So crude.” Alowicious B. Earst doesn’t bother to glare as he looks up from his task. The man’s flat tone carried the same punch. “From one to another, then?” ***

His name was a pun. Developing the flare for this offset personality required a lot of rationalizing. Just as these things often do with time, details make up one of my very favorite tapestries of lore, mysticism and what a clinical researcher could do if he was a Savant. Obsessive and socially inept, wouldn’t his mind cycle?
Later, I learned the power in his namesake.

***

I do not think that anyone with access to a lotion or sun screen bottle isn’t familiar with this succulent of the Xanthorrhoeaceae Family. Not too long ago, Aloe vera juice was the wonder-cure of any gastronomical upset. Conflicting studies besmirched this biblical-touted remedy, but if only for the healing of radiation burns it remains one of the most well-known (and well studied!) herbal remedies in the modern American home.

Aloe vera is much more than a ‘vulnerary’ or ‘tissue-repairing’ plant. Yes, sunburns are readily associated with its’ healing power, as are most skin traumas. Modern herbalists refer to this action as a ‘cell-proliferant’ because, quite literally, it aids the production of new cells. Personally, I’ve nursed many-a-tanning-sessions-gone-too-far into a healthy glow with direct application of its’ expressed juice.

Demonstrations with H. pylori (the attributing bacterium to stomach ulcers) support the anti-bacterial accolades given to Aloe vera. Further discoveries (back in 1964) labeled it bacteriostatic after testing it with food-poisoning culprits, E.coli, Salmonella and Streptococcus. Viruses are not immune to the actions of Aloe vera, either, because of a constituent called “aloe emodin” inhibits viral function. Infections like these cause ‘heat’ within the body system (in a physiological and empirical sense) and any plant that is remedial to countering ‘heat’ is considered cooling to cold. Inflammation, also = ‘heat’ and it’s a natural conclusion that Aloe vera is also anti-inflammatory.

Immune function isn’t succinct. Inflammation caused by cellular damage, histamine and auto-immune reactions is problematic because (a) the source is often obscured, stemming from a wide variety of structural/functional malignancies and (b) the elimination mechanisms are also deficient to manage whatever it is causing the inflammation in the first place. Given that the immune system is indeed, systemic, support for all body systems—particularly elimination—is required on a regular basis. Aloe vera’s high quantity of essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals and immune-stimulating polysaccharides make it an excellent candidate for daily consumption for optimum immune function. [See Also: Chemical Constituents of Aloe Vera by Gertrude Baldwin]

The nutritional value in Aloe vera startled me. The term anti-oxidant is hastily used as something novel, however, ‘anti-oxidants’ are familiar vitamins and minerals (chelating agents as well) that are necessary for the body to dispose of cellular waste. A full spectrum of B Vitamins have been found in Aloe vera, as well as Vitamins A, C & E. Selenium, zinc, calcium, magnesium, manganese, chromium, copper, iron, phosphorus—all of these minerals craved by our digestive function come suspended in significant amounts of bioavailability. Poor absorption in the small intestine? Chronic vitamin/mineral deficiencies cause the intestinal walls to accept errant molecules and bind the useful ones still being supplied in the diet. No single vitamin and/or mineral is more important than another. Everything has to be offered or very little will be accepted in this sense of synergistic nutrition. And like a good neighbor… Aloe vera is there. Cup of sugar, dash of salt, maybe some additional calcium to help your bones grow strong...

Now the ambiguity of A. vera develops in which parts are utilized.  The resins in Aloe are classified as a purgative and require some advisement in therapeutic application.  However, the multitude of benefits derived from the "inner fillet" of the leaf include its immunostimulant & anti-pyretic actions and lack the concentration of purging properties.

Note:  The next article won't be such a long time coming.  Feedback in regards to this information, citations and even opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Credentials & Edu-mah-cation

I do feel dilute with others, yet I crave alternate histories.  A storyteller without much to say can be an utter disappointment to an audience and my early twenties have been a glaring reminder.  A lot of theories.  Lack of substance.  Style.  Little function.

            Adaptation to adulthood required further education.  As Americans, we’re told that this is the only way to develop individual process, to perfect ourselves by way of art and form.  The market generated from this creates an indebted class of students freshly embarking on a lifelong career in said refinement.  Of course, some means of steady income tend to be more desirable than others and thereby, education is priceless, right?  Refinement also comes in degrees – how much is the student willing to study; back up their investments of time with financial support; how well can this person develop his/her own niche in his/her own applicable field?  This is an equation plugged for the illustration of cost analysis.  It can be staggering, I say.

            In January of 2010, I stumbled into a beloved local coffee shop after a hellacious day of snow and mass-transportation.  I needed to run to the bathroom, but I’ve always believed in ‘feeding the underdog’ and a cup of coffee would do my foul mood/cold demeanor very good.  By way of my bee-line dash to the corner door, a flash of text caught my eye:

…Become a Master Herbalist…

450 Hour Program – Feb. 13^th, 2010 – June 26^th, 2011

            It took me two or three days to call.  I had a decent paying job (albeit, mournfully temporary!), a room-mate situation and an osmotic interest in alternative healing.  The possibility prevailed despite my skepticism sneering that Herbalism seemed too much of a Wayfarer Trade.  I discussed it with a few people during those twenty-four hours that I had to decide.  On a whim, I enrolled that following Friday with my deposit.  Class started in two weeks.  Thankfully, that’s the exact length of time that Amazon.com took to deliver me my first set of text books.

            I am's gonna get me a good edu-mah-cation.

We started with Anatomy & Physiology, a set of classes instructed by Luke Terry, a nutritional consultant as well as Acupuncturist, with his holdings in Traditional Chinese Medicine.  The answer to his Eastern deliberations came in the form of Carter Draves, a wise woman incarnate with a penchant for Permaculture.  The rhythm and cadence of mankind's incredible machine drove me through the readings.  Conceptually, I was set.  But with each progressive topic (Anatomy to Botany to Pathologies) a myriad of side-bar inquiries broadcast the depth of what we were breezing through.  A lot of what was lost on me involved the more esoteric, feeling aspects of what was going to be a life-long trade.  Twenty-ten intimidated me with effervescence.  I had to learn a lot, quickly.  I had myself to learn as well: my processes, discretion and practical application.

I’ll fast forward now.

This is a very familiar format to me.  I’ve mutilated the blogging system for a decade now and broadcasting isn’t something I’m very fond of.  On the other hand, insatiable curiosity having infinite access doesn’t allow any excuse for ignorance.  My ease with digital collaboration has lead me to some interesting (some ridiculous) places that I’ll rave about for years to come.  Who isn’t in awe at the sheer amount of information transcribed into a dialect based on ‘1’ & ‘0’?

As my new ‘interest-trade’ developed into (money-making scheme, perhaps…) ‘Faith’ of a universal system composed of ‘1’ or ‘0’; I’d found truth in laws of absolute function adhered to by any/no-thing.  At twenty-three--born twenty years too late--I’d finally caught up with the Ye'Ol'Gurus-'ah'-Great of America's sixties blasted.  Yet, I think I was most humbled by simplicity.

We do not live simple lives.  The physical processes maybe simple, but our environmental complexities are unfathomably dis-associative.  Hence why we think of our lives as ‘simple’ and love the words' every connotation.  [See Also: Normalcy Bias (maybe inappropriate foreshadowing)]  However, there is nothing simple about a computer mouse, a microwave, a computerized transmission.  The variety of materials alone predicate any one human being from knowing how to manufacture the object from start to finish.  Our specialization of industry--while indeed proven lucrative--leaves production entirely at the hands of networking and distribution.  This isn't my fear.  I fear the inability to continue networking and distributing.  I'll make the cause for regional (front-yard farming) on another night.  For now, it is the non-profit co-operative nature of local agriculture, local medicine, local priorities over the 'Industrial Cup of Tea' I'm bitterly sipping that is directing---What exactly?

Ah hell.  I'm not the architectural type, I can't scope out blueprints without the foundations before me.  I'll plant this bit for now, scrounge up s'more insight and return to the topic.  For now, I've discovered that the nutritional values (mineral) of just Peppermint rival that of Nettle.  A fine tea suggestion to me.

Ciao.

♪ tune me, baby: (album) ♪♪

Stellastarr* - Harmonies for the Haunted

Pantie-wha?

[And testing s'more.]
And here I thought I had a grasp on the internet ward.

Pantrecary: the cool, private space beneath the stair (NOT on Privet Drive) of my basement apartment.  Chopped pine boards mimic the spacing of the stair planks, creating an 'descent' of shelving that upon discovery, I immediately knew what to do with.  The name simply rolled off my tongue:

An Apothecary in a Pantry.  Pantry-Care.   

You get the idea.

Viola!  Pantrecary.  [Pan-Treh-Kare-Ee]

The transition from student to practitioner is daunting.  Organization is something only developed as needed and to be overwhelmed is a rational reaction.  Once the breathing has stabilized, the student goes onto ask...

"How in the bloody hell am I gonna manage this?

It was all I could do to get through the schooling!"

Other questions ask for more specific ideologies.  What is it, as an Herbalist, could I see myself doing?  In my pursuit of self-study, I have a myriad of directions that 'passion' dictates time and time again.  As a life-long trade, however, direction couldn't be just another matter of whim.  The plotting began.  Synthesis of Greco-Latin terms coupling Pin Yin was just the start.

The practical fervor found within Pantrecary Medicinals:

• Safe, effective and preventative care tailored to the client's specific need for support.
• Fully customizable formulates developed on a 'case study' basis, guided by empirical knowledge of Hippocratic Corpus (Western) and the Divine Husbandmans' Classic (Eastern) traditional medicine.
• Practical application of herbal concoctions that can be stored in (gasp!) the Pantry or Refrigerator.

I am familiar with this tone: it is the students' responsibility to become as well-versed as possible in aiding physiological processing and become observant of excess and deficient states for these are the precursors to what is aptly named dis-ease.  As a student, I seek only guinea pigs.  My observations will be relayed to my Instructors (see also: Just for Health, inc. School of Reflexology: East & West Herbalism) and their guidance will be key before recommendations are made.

The practice of Integrative Herbal Medicine is simply that: practice.  I imagine--for reasons more than just legal ones--this to be a standard M.O.  Although, if all other ravings are taken into account... perhaps my herbal practice will be the very least of dissenting charges.  This blog, frankly, is a keyword generator for an internet presence.  It's also a resource for clients, should they choose to utilize it.

I do love these things for only the removal period provided.

Next Session:      The Pantrecary Co-Operative: Corrective Counseling Model

♪ tune me, baby: (album) ♪♪

JJ Grey & the Mofro - Georgia Warhorse