Beautiful Medicine

I started writing for Soul Flower one year ago. In that year I grew to love the clothing and the ethics behind this admirable company. I love the feel of soft organic cotton against my skin, pulling on my lightweight Three Pines Yoga Hoody before heading out to the grocery store or after a Kundalini class, and keeping warm with the Eco Beanie as I walk the dog through the winter woods.

In this past year, I also became very sick. My journey with neurological Lyme disease has dominated the last few of my Soul Flower Posts, in the same way that it has dominated my life. So now, in my final post, I’d like to write about what works. What I consider to be Beautiful Medicine.

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Yoga

You can always do yoga. On the day where your body is too sore for much movement, there’s Restorative Yoga which is warming and gentle, and Kundalini Yoga which focuses on breath, mantra and chanting. On the days where you’re up and running, nothing beats hot power flow where you can sweat out the toxins, and breathe out the fear. But remember that whatever Yoga you do today: it’s enough. It’s perfect.

Essential Oils

Potent, powerful medicine in tiny bottles. I don’t think you can get any more beautiful than plants, flowers, and herbs concentrated down to their absolute essence. The smell of Grapefruit in a diffuser will uplift you, Cinnamon Leaf will help alleviate cramps, Lavender will soothe you and Peppermint will bring you back to the moment, focused and sharp. Discovering essential oils has been one of the true gifts that Lyme has brought me.

 Acupuncture

Long before my diagnosis, while my symptoms were raging but still unexplained, my acupuncturist brought me enormous relief from what had become constant suffering. I continue to see her every week for every issue you can imagine on the emotional, physical and spiritual realm.  My understanding of Chinese Medicine is nill, although I ask my practitioner to explain every needle that she places, and she kindly obliges.

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Curiosity

Whatever it is you’re battling, stay curious. I once heard that curiosity is the antidote to depression, a concept that flipped my life around. Every obstacle we face, chronic or acute, presents an enormous opportunity to learn. In my case, I want to by what mechanism this insidious illness that I have makes me and so many other so sick. I want to know what chemical structure in Lavender Oil is responsible for the soothing effect on the mind, what is it inside the wild blueberry that is so beneficial to the brain? Life is going to hand us all something that we never wanted to have. Dismantle it. Looks inside and study the science behind it. Become in expert and you may find the situation shifting, the power rolling back into your grasp.

Juicing
And finally, for now at least, drink your juice. I’ve done the research for you and I will tell you right now, it’s worth it: go out and buy a juicer, then become intimately familiar with the produce section of you grocery store.  Don’t worry about recipes or ratios, just cram that sucker with vegetables: celery, spinach, kale, cabbage, fennel, cucumber. Add some herbs: cilantro, parsley, mint. And a little bit of fruit to sweeten the deal: pineapple, apple, pear. Then drink one glass a day, at least, for the rest of your life.

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I’m not saying that whatever life has handed you will go away, but I do promise that you’ll feel more energized, vital, thriving and empowered as you handle it.  Oh, and your skin will be luminous.

And finally, take my advice about one thing. These skirted leggings? Buy two pairs. Then, when one is in the wash, you can wear the other. Trust me on this one….you’re not going to want to ever be without them.

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Melina wore the Organic Cotton Skirted Leggings

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