On Discomfort, Evasion, & Challenge

The Holistic Herbalism Podcast

Discomfort and evasion are natural responses to our world. Our ancestors, from a single-celled organism up to Mitochondrial Eve, all survived only because they had strong drives to avoid uncomfortable and dangerous situations. But in our modern world, avoiding all discomforts can stunt our growth, or make us seem more fragile than we really are.

This is not about “grinding through” difficulty, or hurting ourselves in an effort to be “good”. After accounting for one’s own personal state of ability/mobility/resilience, and after accommodating one’s needs, and after receiving adequate nourishment and rest – then it is good to challenge ourselves, to face some discomfort and move through it.

Here are the key principles:

• Each step forward makes the next one easier.
• Choose your battles.
• Do this work from a place of strength.

And of course, herbs can help us along the way! Herbs can boost our endurance, settle our anxious minds, fortify our nerve[s], or help us enter and maintain the state of flow. Adaptogens, evergreens, yarrow, st john’s wort, solomon’s seal, kava, and calamus are some of our allies for this, and may serve you as well.

Mentioned in this episode:

• 190: Herbs A-Z: Glycyrrhiza & Gynostemma
• 014: Alternatives to Adaptogens for Burnout
• 072: Rooted & Ready Alterative/Adaptogen Herbal Formula for Endurance, Resilience, & Detox
• EVRY DAY YEAH: Herbal Tea for Workouts & Recovery

Ready to do some evasion-evaporating work, but want to line up some herbs for backup? Check out our Neurological & Emotional Health course. This course is a user’s guide to your nerves & your emotions – including the difficult and dark ones. We discuss holistic herbalism strategies for addressing both neurological & psychological health issues. It includes a lengthy discussion of herbal pain management strategies, too!

Like all our offerings, this is a self-paced online video course, which comes with free access to twice-weekly live Q&A sessions, lifetime access to current & future course material, twice-weekly live Q&A sessions with us, open discussion threads integrated in each lesson, an active student community, study guides, quizzes & capstone assignments, and more!
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Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.

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