Consulting Client Tip #2: Are They Ready to Heal?

One reason I only consult with registered clients is that it shows me they are ready to heal. If I am giving advice to random people online or to relatives or friends who mention a bad habit (and I jump in with advice) the person may not really be ready to heal and my words may either make it worse, make the person more resistant to change or be wasted, at best. On the other hand, when a person makes a decision to take time and money from their life to make a change (see a healer) this is a good indication that they are ready to heal. Most people I know take their money and time seriously. Even if you are just asking for a small payment or a half hour of their time this can also indicate that they are ready. However - beware of people who send quick e-mails or want to ask you advice "in passing".

We are notoriously stubborn as humans and are often not ready to heal. One student turned in an assignment this week where she talks about how a friend had to go to the emergency room for strep and got so very ill. She mentioned that this event scared her friend into changing her life. She also expressed regret that she had not been able to help this friend at the beginning of her illness before it became to bad.

However, illness and fear are not always a bad thing. Even when I am ill I think about this. Illness can be a teacher or a messenger. It can be a sign for us to stop what we are doing and change our life before it is too late. Sometimes I actually thank my body for being ill.

There is also a wisdom in letting people make their own mistakes. In this person's case, it was probably a good thing she became so ill and nobody could help her because now she is going to make life changes and she is ready. If the student had tried to help her before she got to ill, she would have gotten better and not been motivated to change her life. Sometimes illness can be a gift.

So remember when you are healing...make sure the person is ready to be healed. I am not suggesting you leave someone with a broken arm at the side of the road of course! I am simply saying that the results on your client will be much better if they are ready to be healed first.

Note: This message does not apply to children, of course.

Student Question: What do I do on an assginment if I don't have clients?

This should really come under the heading of student dialogue since I took this from a test and I answered it in my feedback. However, I feel it will be more useful to students if I file it in "student questions". This student has brought up some good points and has come up with her own good solutions. However, some students may be asking themselves these same questions now and not be able to come up with solutions. I hope this can help those students. This is our dialogue"

Student: This is my submission for lesson 201-4. This one was not easy since I don't have 'clients', so I interviewed relatives for the class lesson.

This is what you are supposed to do. Some students use clients because they have them, but the assignment is to use friends or family that you know. So this is correct.

Nobody was sick at the time, so I interviewed them about 'past' illnesses for which they were treated by medical doctors - way late in the illness because they didn't have insurance.

This is also perfect! When I ask students to evaluate I want them to show that they understand the material and not that they have the sickest friends or family or the best clinic. If needed, I can even send you some “pretend clients”. However, I do find that it makes it more “real” and you learn more if you work with people who are close to you in some way.

This is an excerpt from a student assignment this week. She did a WONDERFUL job with all of her clients. This is just a short sample of what she wrote about one of them. I added some additional information and thought I would share it with the group as well because the book I am recommending is well worth reading and reminders about keeping things simple are always good - even for me. I think as healers we want so badly to provide our clients with some herb or food or diet that will help that we can often forget to tell them about the basics. Before I give any client advice or a program I make sure first that they are sleeping enough, eating right, drinking enough water, not taking harmful substances (too much coffee, cigarettes, etc...) and getting exercise. For without these basic things most people will experience some level of illness and natural healing will not be as effective. Natural healing can help people accomlish these things better (like herbs to help you sleep or herbs to give you more energy to exercise, etc...) and herbs can help...but real healing will not happen without the basics in place.

Student Work:."..But I did tell her that maybe a ginger pack for her kidneys would help and some castor oil packs for that spine… She said that everything I told her fit and she was impressed with how accurate they eyes showed her problems………oh one more note, she is tired a lot………..not normal tired, like really tired, but I told her if those kidneys are stressed, those adrenals are as well and when she sees improvement there, she should get a boost of energy as well."

My Feedback :Yes, anyone with kidney issues is going to be really tired. At the very least she should drink a lot more water. Especially with nursing she is going to be so dehydrated. Dehydration is a problem for so many people and they don’t realize it because it is usually not an emergency situation. You can read all about that in “Your Body’s Many Cries for Water” – an amazing book!

Student Excerpts: Iridology

One of the questions on the iridology quiz is "Compare iridology to something else and describe it in your own words"

Janet provided a wonderful comparison:

"Iridology could be compared to an inspector inspecting a house for structural damage or potential hazards. "

Student Dialogues - Aromatherapy and Numbness

Student Work: Aromatherapy for numb fingers: An oil would be good to rub on the hand, fingers and wrist. It cold be carried with him and used as needed. I would use Roman Chamomile (muscle pain), Coriander (circulation), Lemon (CNS stimulant) and Pine (circulation). With the ability to keep it with him at all times, he could use it as needed.

My Feedback: A salve might be better than an oil – if one uses an oil they might be less likely to use it because it would just be “too oily” and take a while to absorb into the skin. My son does not like oils for this reason so we make him salves or add oils to base salves or creams already available on the market. You can make a nice simple salve by melting 1 TBS. of beeswax (grated) into 5 TBS. of oil and then adding some essential oils to it right before it starts to solidify.

Student Dialogues - Aromatherapy and Arthritis

Student Suggestions: Arthritis: I would use Blue Chamomile (anti-inflammatory, arthritis), Juniper (arthritis), Lavender (analgesic) and Rosemary (arthritis, muscle pain).
This is easy to use. I would make into a massage oil and apply to the area. This could be carried easily with the client at all times. It will be easy to use and apply and keep with a person. My client gets upset when the pain starts and has trouble in thinking of what they need, so to have it already prepared for her and easy to use will cut down on that.

My Feedback: When I lived in the Middle East I met many women who were told (by their mother or some wise woman) that they should drink chamomile tea for arthritis. All of these women healed themselves on just one cup of chamomile a day. You might try, adding a cup of chamomile tea to this program. Additionally, I would recommend using something gentle on a daily basis (like the lavender and chamomile) but make ANOTHER mixture with the juniper and rosemary for days when the pain is worse. Those are strong oils and would be too strong for you to use on a daily basis.

Student Dialogues - Aromatherapy and Grief

These are some of my feedback notes to a student that turned in the test for the aromatherapy unit. As always, I post these with the idea that all students can learn from each other:

Student answer: (An aromatherapy mixture for grief) Since there is grief and guilt, which is a disappointmentI would make a blend of the following: Rose (disappointment, grief, sadness and shock), Jasmine (disappointment, grief, sadness), and Rosewood (sadness).
I would use these oils because of the ease of administration. As well, they will quickly go to the limbic system, effecting the emotions. I would use this blend as a spray that the client could either spray in the air when needed or wear as a perfume.

My Feedback: This sounds perfect – oils are so good for grief because they surround the body with their healing properties and they work on a strong emotional level too, with scent memory. Rose is perfect for this situation. Jasmine would be a great addition. The rosewood is good too, however, perhaps not necessary. You might want to try it with just the first two before you add more. I tend to stick with one or two and THEN go to three. I don’t like going beyond three ingredients. I like to focus instead on really getting to know each herb to the depth of its being. I think a lot of formulas on the market today use many many herbs because they are only looking at one aspect of the herb’s personality. An herb has a deep personality much like a person – layers and layers of it. Some of them hidden until you know them well. So I recommend using one herb or oil for a while and really getting to know it. Not just what is in the books – but an intuitive knowledge as well.

Student Question: Can you help me with this client iris reading?

One of them has better lighting than the other, but thought you might could pull from both. In the one you can see the white color in the ring. It might be a nerve ring. Also, is the dark area around the scurf ring ..........a scurf ring or is that circulation related??? it goes in so much deeper in that area than any other place. Anything you find helpful throw in if you don't care.........When I get to drive down and see my iridologist she helps me, but she is 200 miles away. I am a visual learner if that makes sense...........I take pictures of the eyes I look at and them study them. Thank you in advance for your time. Do you have a fee for like if I sent you a pic of an eye and you help me with it........I don't mind paying you for your time. - J (photos attached)

Dear (J),

Ah-ha! Now I see what you are talking about. I do see the white on the nerve ring. The nerve ring itself is white and extending a little bit into the "near-the-pupil" area. This indicates nerve inflammation or nerve stress. So this person could be under stress of some sort - physically or emotionally.

The darkness around the outer rim IS a surf rim - yes.

I hope this helps. I still have the photos if you have more questions about them or if I was not looking at the right place and answered the wrong question or something.

You also asked about fees for helping you read the iris photos. I don't have a fee per reading but I am answering all consulting questions now at the new group described at:

www.HerbnHome.com

A couple other students have joined that group so they can get on-going consulting help with their clients or iris readings. It would be great to have you on the group. Everyone there would LOVE to see your photos and questions!

I am sending everyone one free mini-consultation (like this) with this reminder since this is a new list and not everyone is aware of it yet.

Of course, I am still answering questions about assignments on the list for students.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie

Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND Naturopathic Doctor, Master Herbalist, Waldorf Teacher, ArtistHealing through art, herbs and education since 1989 at www.TheDreamAngels.com

The Natural Living Channel

I am re-posting this to the BLOG since Yahoogroups messed up the original post. Please excuse the double-post. However. I do hope you can read it more clearly this time :)





I would like to invite you to the grand opening of ...
The Natural Living Channel.

Steve and I have been working on this project for more than a year now so we are very happy to finally be announcing its debut!

For those of you that are familiar with http://www.thewaldorfchannel.com/ - this new channel is done in the same style, however, it covers all areas of natural living and is hosted by Steven Zay Granberg as well as I. Of course we will have videos from other people - just like on The Waldorf Channel - however, we will both be hosting these videos. I hope you enjoy it! We will be updating it every two weeks.

Be sure to join the Herb'n Home mailing list to receive any further announcements about the channel and our free newsletter.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND
Steven Zay Granberg, MS Counseling Education

Student Dialogues - How to Type a Person

Each week or two I like to share some of the dialogue I have with students that I think everyone might benefit from. I also like to share excerpts from student assignments that I think other students would enjoy reading.

Student says (I do not mention names if the student adds something of a personal nature):
My typology would be Choleric - quick but strong and lasting reaction. Hot and dry. Quick tempered. I believe I am Choleric. When I get sick, it usually happens quickly, but is strong and really knocks me down. I have a quick temper, even though I really do try to control it.

Very perceptive…a good way to type someone is to look at both the physical and the psychological as you have done! You are also a highly motivated student (this is what I see from my end) – most students like this fall into either the choleric or sanguine temperament. Melancholics are slower and methodical and sanguine are not as steady. Phlegmatics need more outside motivation, but once they get started they can be very steady as well.

Student Dialogues - Exercise

Each week or two I like to share some of the dialogue I have with students that I think everyone might benefit from. I also like to share excerpts from student assignments that I think other students would enjoy reading.

Student (name not given to protect privacy) shares that she needs to start exercising again. This is what I shared when I commented on her assignment:

I am glad you brought this up! The older you get the more important it is to work out on a daily basis to keep your body flexible and healthy and prevent injury. The program you choose does not even need to be intense. Flexibility and movement are the key – so even a beginner yoga class would be great. Worry more about flexibility and movement than your weight. The weight will come off naturally over time as you make diet and exercise changes. However, the renewed feeling you get from even doing something small will revitalize you within 2 days. I don’t really like gyms but the weather in Iowa here is miserable so I finally joined one. They have a silver shoes program for people over 65 which is based all on light weights and flexibility and movement. They have their class at the same time I am at the gym. This would be perfect – something like that. So many clients I have had have been healed by starting an exercise program again – even a light one. And the amazing thing about it is that you see results within one day or two days so you don’t have to wait to see the results.

If I still live here when I am 65 I am going to join that class! Our bodies get less forgiving as we get older. Did you hear about the 40-year-old Olympic athlete who has to get muscle rubs after each event because her muscles don’t recover as they should after an intense workout anymore? She is a role model for all of us getting older – I am 40 and already feeling my body is less forgiving.

I always share with people that in all the years I have done iridology readings the one constant in the healthy irises I saw was that the people exercised. They may have even had a bad diet or stressful life but as long as they had exercise their iris showed up as healthy. However, people who came in with perfect diets still had many health problems if they did not exercise.

Congratulations to Jennifer in Canada

Jennifer in Canada earned her Certificate in Nutritional Healing this week. Congratulations to Jennifer!

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND

Congratulations to Student Katie!

Congratulations to Dr. Katie Craft in New Hampshire for receiving her certificates in aromatherapy and reflexology last week. Keep up the good work!

Note: If I have not mentioned you in a congratulation note please tell me. I just started doing this recently so I do not have a regular system for it yet.

Blessings & Health,
Kristie Karima Burns, Mh, ND

Naturopathic Healing Conference

The New York Association of Naturopathic Physicians is hosting a wonderful conference in October. Student Jody sent me an annoucement about it. You can find out more by linking to their website at:

http://nyanp.org/

I hope some of you can attend and tell the group about it.

Blessings & Health.
Kristie Karima Burns, MH, ND

Student Excerpts: Herbs & Signatures

Kimberly did some outside research and had some lovely additions to her assignment last week. Here are some of my favorite excerpts from her assignment. Remember - the more you share with the group the more we can learn from each other:


Signatures can include an herb that resembles a specific organ, for instance, Scrophularia roots look like swollen glands, so it is traditionally used for swollen glands and hemorrhoids. (Matthew Wood, The Book of Herbal Wisdom: Using Plants as Medicines).

Signatures can be suggested through the environment. For instance, Angelica grows in a damp, shady soil, and can help remove cold and damp from the patient.

Signatures can be suggested by the animals that the plant resembles. Wood suggests that Native Americans used this “spirit signature”; an example is Angelica which has a brown, furry resinous root and is called Bear Medicine.

Signatures can be suggested by plants that correspond to the symptoms. For instance, for respiratory and digestive remedies, plants that have hairy leaves that resemble the villa of the mucosa can be used. These include, Comfrey and Mullein.

Signatures can be suggested by their rhythms. For instance, Blood Root, which has flowers that unfold from morning to noon and then close again is used for migraines worse from morning to noon.

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The relationships of the constellations and planets has been seen to influence seeding experiments, as well as, the formation of certain plant organs. In Planetary Influences Upon Plants, by Ernst Michael Kranich, it says that “as early as the 1940’s J. Schultz discovered a correlation between the seed and fruit formation of trees and Jupiter’s twelve-year cycle. For red beech, the years of high seed yields coincided with specific constellations of Jupiter against the zodiac.

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Additionally, signatures can suggest which element has the most influence over a specific plant. In Healing Plants: Insights Through Spiritual Science, by Wilhelm Pelikan, he suggests that the influence of the Air Element in the Umbellifers is suggested by the airy quality of their leaves. Pelikan says, “…the way the carrot family relates to the air. These plants not only reach out into the atmosphere in leaf and flower development but also begin to incorporate air into themselves. They enclose air in their blown-up, bellying leaf sheaths, in hollow stems, stalks, fruits, and air chambers in the rhizomes. In doing so, they go beyond plant and towards animal nature.” Pelikan goes on to suggest that this reaching towards the animal nature makes them good candidates for treating patients with an ‘astral body’ condition.

Thank you Kimberly for a job well done and for making your assignment so enjoyable to read!

Blessings & Health,
Kristie