“The more ugly, older, more cantankerous, more ill and poorer I become, the more I try to make amends by making my colors more vibrant, more balanced and beaming.”
Vincent van Gogh
“There are people who are very resourceful at being remorseful, and who apparently feel that the best way to make friends is to do something terrible and then make amends”
Ogden Nash
“Classic remorse, as all the moralists are agreed, is a most undesirable sentiment. If you have behaved badly, repent, make what amends you can and address yourself to the task of behaving better next time. On no account brood over your wrongdoing. ROLLING IN THE MUCK IS NOT THE BEST WAY OF GETTING CLEAN.”
Aldous Huxley
Many among us have a burdensome secret. Do you have a secret? You might be glancing backwards at the misfortune of the wreckage of your life, and see bits and pieces of your integrity scattered. You might feel guilty or ashamed of something you have done. I have secrets. WE all do. We all bear the moral responsibility of the part we played. You might have hurt yourself or someone else. Remember this: It is in the past. Of course you should make amends. In a twelve step program, making amends is a very important part of your recovery. (Step 9) Do not keep those secrets. I believe you must share your intention to make things right. If making amends will cause harm to others involved I would not do it directly. Yet this is something that needs to be discussed with your therapist, your sponsor (if you are in a twelve step program), a rabbi, a priest, your partner, a family member or a friend.
If the person you have harmed is no longer living I do know from personal experience that you can also make amends. I have done it by having lunch at their grave site. I know this is awkward but it is a powerful tool. You can achieve relief from shame and guilt by confessing OUTLOUD, even if you do it to a shower curtain with no one behind it. These secrets are obstacles; they are blockages. Your soul does beg you to remove the blockages and let the spirit flow. Above everything I have said, Be grateful for your guilt. Think about that statement and read it again. Above all, be grateful for your guilt.
From amends to cough. Herbal medicine has always played a role in the treatment and support of the respiratory system. Herbal teas, herbal cough drops and tinctures are most commonly used. When there is inflammation of the respiratory organs I usually treat it with mucilaginous agents. These act as soothing agents. Another name is demulcent. The demulcent effect is largely due to the mucilage contained in these drugs or herbs.
One of the best known demulcents is Marsh Mellow (Althaea offinalis)
This herb has been used for more than 2,000 years as both a food and a medicine. The Romans, Chinese, Egyptians, and Syrians used marshmallow as a source of food, while the Arabs made poultices from its leaves and applied them to the skin to reduce inflammation. Both the root and leaves contain a gummy substance called mucilage. When mixed with water, it forms a slick gel that is used to coat the throat and stomach to reduce irritation. It is also applied topically to soothe chapped skin.
Very few scientific studies have looked at the effects of marshmallow in humans. Most of its suggested uses come from a long history of use in traditional healing systems.
Some of the diseases marshmallow has been used for are Asthma, Bronchitis, Common cold/sore throat, Cough, Inflammatory Bowel Diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis; indigestion; stomach ulcers and skin inflammation.
Marshmallow originally grew in salty soils but now thrives in moist, uncultivated ground. It is found in southern and western Europe, western Asia, and the northeastern region of North America. Its fleshy, upright stems reach a height of 3 - 4 feet. The pale yellow roots are tapered, long, and thick, with a tough yet flexible exterior. The short-stemmed leaves are round, with irregularly toothed margins and three to five lobes. A soft and velvety down covers the leaves and stem. The flowers have five reddish-white petals. The whole plant, especially the root, is filled with mild mucilage.
The leaves and roots of marshmallow are used for medicinal purposes.
Dried Marshmallow leaves can be used in infusions, fluid extracts, and tinctures. Marshmallow roots are available dried, peeled, or unpeeled in extracts (dry and fluid), tinctures, capsules, ointments/creams, and cough syrups. There are different doses based on which part of the part you are using. I prefer to use the tea below or the cough syrup.
Leaf tea: 2 - 5 tsp of dried leaf in 5 ounces hot (not boiling) water, two to three times per day
Root tea: 2 - 5 tsp. dried powdered root in 5 ounces hot water; let soak for an hour. Drink two to three times per day.
Leaf tincture: 1 - 2 tsp (1:5 in 25% ethanol), two to three times daily
Root infusion or cold-water maceration (2 - 5%): 5 ounces (1-2 tsp) taken to soothe cough and sore throat
Capsules: 2 - 6g per day
Marshmallow cough syrup (from root): 2 - 10g per single dose (this contains sugar so those with high sugar should seek medical approval.)
Ointment or cream: 5 - 10% drug in ointment or cream base
More respiratory herbs...until tomorrow...
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