Institute of Traditional Medicine

Not only am I lucky to be a part of Indigenization by wearing traditional markings, I am also honoured to be one of the growing number of Inuit women to practi...ce hand-poke and skin-stitch tattooing. I am taking part in the resurgence of our once banned markings. http://ow.ly/CikW50Ej7jR

It will be ingrained in the language and in culture. So we honour all of the, you know, the Haudenosaunee, Ojibway, Lenape, territory around [us]. www.cbc.ca//nshwaasnangong-child-care-london-ontario-1.597

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) Often considered a pesky weed, when it’s actually so beneficial to soil and gardens (it’s long taproot gathers the nutrients to shallow rooting plants adding minerals/ nitrogen to the soil and attracts pollinators like bees) Filled with vitamins, minerals (iron, calcium, magnesium), antioxidants... one cup of raw dandelion greens contains 112% of your daily required intake of vitamin A and 535% of vitamin K. You can eat the leaves, flowers and root (a great coffee substitute). Dandelion root is super bitter and is traditionally used to support the Liver (hepatitis, jaundice, gallbladder infections, dissolving gallstones, helpful sluggish livers which can cause skin conditions, headaches, irritability, bad breath, exhaustion, sugar cravings, indigestion, excess weight). Leaves support the liver as well. From an Eastern medical perspective, spring is associated with the Wood element, which refers to growth and nourishment in the human body and related to the Liver. And the mind is intimately connected with the liver - well functioning liver - more peaceful mind. Gratitude to my sister, super herbalist @carmenlynde for her reminder today, of this beautiful plant being and medicine. #plant #medicine #herbs #garden #not #a #weed #soil #tcm #spring #wood #element #mind #body

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) Nettles are grown and used by many cultures/traditional medical systems globally Used as medicine (seasonal allergies, arthritis, asthma, blood deficiency, eczema, fatigue, hypothyroidism, urinary tract infections, for week bones, hair), food, clothing, insulation. ... One cup of cooked nettles has 555% of the RDI for vitamin K, 36% vitamin A, 43% calcium, 35% manganese, 13% magnesium (USDA) Benefits are numerous: Traditionally used as a Spring Tonic - increases energy, supports those suffering from exhaustion, poor nutrition Detoxifies the body, blood purifier Allergies, skin conditions like eczema Musculoskeletal pain - due to its anti-inflammatory properties Lung support (which we could all use right now) Can prevent/reverse Anemia Shrinks Hemorrhoids Helps with menstrual and prostate conditions And the list goes on.... If you’d like to learn more about this and other herbs go to our bio link to see what herbal classes we have starting in May. If you’d like a free Herbal Health Consult with our Senior Interns, send us an email [email protected] #herbs #nettles #plant #medicine #soil #regenerative #garden #spring #health @macrofying

If we got a glimpse of their magnificence, and realized that our home is their home too, maybe, just maybe, we would avoid inflicting unnecessary suffering on them. @joelsartore We are excited to announce the official launch of the VideoArk - a YouTube channel dedicated to bringing you up close and personal with the species you love. #VideoArk #animals #share #home #earth #beauty #savetogether #youtube

Our friends at Menla & @robertthurman have put together this engaging, informative conference....

from humans to birds, noise effects us all...

553 Queen St. W....it's been an honour It's been 488,808,000 seconds (over 15 years) of storytelling, movement, tears, laughter, eating, embracing, napping, sharing, communing, challenging, and being held in our home at 553 Queen St. W. Thousands of you have joined us on the couches, beside the visionary window, in the kitchen, over tea, on a treatment table, amongst the books and meditation cushions.... These moments will never be forgotten. The space at 553 was a respite from the busy, noisy downtown life - a place to be still, seen and welcomed. And we are forever grateful. As the year ends, we wanted to let each of you know that we have answered a different call - one that has been quietly, yet, consistently whispering in our ears for many years - the call to the land. A place to gather - to grieve - to grow. And with that, we have surrendered to this call, and graciously let go of our home at 553 Queen St. W. As the new year begins we will share more on this next journey - a new home amongst the trees and wild beings - a place for you to come and gather, wonder and be still - together. A deep bow of gratitude for blessing this home with your word, shoulders and heart. We look forward to embracing again soon - this time being held by a new place, old with wisdom and unfolding stories. Blessings for a new year of deep faith in each other, simple moments of joy, and an abundance of kindness. Come to the woods for here is rest. ~John Muir And yes, all our programs continuefor a glimpse of what's to come in 2021 visit our bio links #its #been #an #honour #queenstreetwest #graffitalley

And did you get what you wanted from this life? I did. And what did you want? To call myself beloved, to feel myself beloved on the earth. -R. Carver ... Join us this Saturday for a full day of practice. There’ll be a couple talks, we’ll sit & walk and even compare hallucinations. Every time we do this I’m blown away by who shows up and how real we can get. As the Buddha was fond of saying Ehipassiko which translates to Come and see for yourself.Together we will train our hearts in the boundless qualities of love Saturday, February 13 10a-4p Register at bigheartcity.org/retreat #bigheartcityallstars #meditation #buddha #dharma #sangha

Tuning Forks Therapy is a modality that applies sound vibration to the body in a subtle and direct way. This certificate training covers -Theoretical/scientific understanding, technique and application of sound for creating balance/homeostasis in the body... -Acu-points, trigger and reflex points theory, including Eastern Medical theories -Tuning forks and the nervous system -Working with Stress, Anxiety and Insomnia -Pain relief and natural anti-inflammatory effects - Combining Tuning Fork Therapy in sound sessions, yoga classes, meditation -Trauma-Informed Approach *Online Training with monthly virtual class for discussion, questions, case study review - Link in bio to register #tune #sound #medicine #therapy #letmusicbethymedicine @soundwavewellness

Lakota Elder Chief Arvol Looking Horse commemorates the massacre at Wounded Knee. #woundedknee #indigenous #elder #justice

Our Detergents are making our kids sick. When we wrap them in that blanket, to keep them safe and warm.what else are we wrapping them in? A load toxic chemicals. "According to research by the UofW, when scented laundry detergents, fabric softeners, and dryer sheets are used, dryer vents emit more than 25 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) per load many of which are classified as hazardous air pollutants.... And the clothes you wear that are washed in these detergents put the chemicals on your skin, causing contact dermatitis, rashes, eczema, psoriasis, and effect everyone who just breathes it in. Cgemicals incl: fragrances, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxins and potent cancer-causing chemicals. Fragrance: over 95 percent of the chemicals used to create them are derived from petroleum (crude oil). Incl. carcinogenic benzene derivatives, toluene, aldehydes, and many other toxic chemicals that have been linked to cancer, birth defects, allergic reactions and central nervous system damage And yes, even those that are listed ’Natural’ or ‘organic’ can be made up of toxic chemicals. A study that analyzed over 25 top-selling products found that those with organic and natural fragrance emitted just as many hazardous chemicals as conventional products with fragrance Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Laurel Sulfate (ALS) These chemicals create the ‘suds’ in your soap (myth is that you need suds to get clothes clean - you don’t!). Thousands of research studies on SLS have linked it to irritation of the skin and eyes, organ toxicity, developmental/reproductive toxicity, neurotoxicity, endocrine disruption, ecotoxicology, and biochemical or cellular chances, and cancer. Phosphates: known to cause nausea, diarrhea, and skin irritation. They also remain active even after wastewater treatment meaning they end up in rivers, and lakes. @ewg_approved is an amazing database of companies and products and the chemicals/safety of each. Link in bio for EWG certified clean products you can trust. And if you have not - watch @stinkmovie - one man’s mission to change the chemicals in our children’s lives Hermes Rivera #kids

Let dem children play - MUSIC Seriously - listening to music and more so, playing music has incredibly positive effects on children’s brains. it increases the white matter in the corpus callosum (brain’s switchboard) which increases the brain’s connectivity ... it increases grey matter in the cerebral cortex, esp in the sensory-motor area; the improved coordination this produces has been found to improve emotional regulation and ability to inhibit responses to events (so child learns how to handle emotions rather than over-reacting) it increases blood flow to left side of the brain - which assists with language processing, and other cognitive functions including attention, executive functioning brains of musicians tend to be larger and more extensively connected with a better working memory, auditory skills and cognitive flexibility (all in part due to neuroplasticity - brains ability to re-wire) This amazing musician is @shiajustine #let #music #be #thine #medicine #let #children #play

Sorry Santa. Merry Christmas friends. May a little magic find its way to you tonight. ... #magic #christmas