My Journey to Health Sovereignty : from doctors visits to homemade remedies
Taking Health Into My Own Hands
There is something very empowering when taking your health into your own hands. Knowing that you are capable of caring for yourself, your children and community, when previously you may have relied solely on medical authorities to tell you how to care for your own body, wounds, colds, mind, etc., changes something fundamental.
Of course I am grateful for the resources of the medical industry when there is an emergency, but for most things that have ever come up in my life (as an adult) or that of my children, I have been able to use my acquired wisdom to heal and have unfortunately found that many suggestions from medical doctors are not in alignment with how I understand health.
I'd like to question the authority we hand over when it comes to our health, to an industry that time and again has shown it cares more about profit than people — and share how I came to feel this way, while introducing you to one of the many remedies I use and now make : herbal salve.
Why Emphasize Sovereignty?
I think that in today’s world it is more important than ever to discern what the truth is. This can spiral quickly into a philosophical debate on truth, but rather I’d like to focus on what is true for you.
When it comes to the medical industry, I do think doctors are well meaning and certainly know what they have been taught about health or their specialties. I have also found that just as with anything, there are limitations. On my health journey it has taken a lot more than the 15 minute visit from a white coat to fix any of my symptoms.
I have been poked, prodded, examined, assaulted, put under anesthesia, had pieces of me cut off all at the hands of this system and always at the end of it told ‘there is nothing wrong with me’ and left with no answers and no help, only long wait times, short and cold visits, traumatic memories and medical bills. This is my truth.
It wasn’t until I was 19, after experiencing severe discomfort and inflammation of my intestines for years, that a family friend suggested a homeopath. In my very first meeting, this woman spent a total of ninety minutes with me. She asked me, what I thought of as bizarre questions, nothing I had been asked by any of my other medical practitioners and she explained, how could she possibly attempt to help me if she did not know me?
The warmth at knowing there was someone who was finally listening to me, finally caring for me in a way that I had been desperate for in my teens was a level of relief that is hard to put into words. What was even more satisfying and relieving was that after only three days of her suggested treament with homeopathic remedies and dietary and lifestyle changes, my symptoms had stopped. Three days. For the first time in what I could remember, I was experiencing a level of homeostasis that I now hold as a baseline.
A dear friend of mine saw the same homeopath for chronic sinus pain and that took three months to clear up, but it did. This was after doctors had said the only treatment was to drill holes in her sinus cavities. It seems the severity of her sinus pain was a deeper problem than my internal inflammation that I had been told there was no cure for and it’s something I would have to simply learn to live with. In both cases, we were essentially cured, but it took our participation.
It wasn’t until experiencing this first hand that I began to see more clearly the dependence loop that I had been in with what feels like an abusive relationship with the medical industry and why I am so passionate about having my health in my own hands.
Herbalism
In college I didn’t have access to my homeopath and I began going to the local herbalists in town that were recommended by new friends for anything I needed help to restore balance within myself. Living in a new climate I was getting a lot of colds, inflammation, even skin issues, and eventually I also needed some emotional support. I found with some caring herbal practitioners and the medicine of the plants, roots, fungus, berries, etc., that I would heal, and didn’t need expensive or petroleum based drugs.
Inner Authority
Prior to that meeting with the homeopath, I had never been taught how to have a deep awareness of my body the way I do now. I didn’t know why I got sick or had symptoms, nor how to heal and support myself through symptoms. I always assumed it must be the germs, or something outside myself and I relied heavily on over the counter medications and doctor visits. I did not realize that my health overall was intricately connected to not only my lifestyle but my mindset, and that when I am contemplative enough about how I’ve reached the symptoms, I know exactly why I am having them.
Here are some questions based on that first visit with my homeopath and what I continuously return to as I check in with myself when I’m not feeling at optimization - and you can ask yourself too.
How much sleep do I need to operate at optimum functioning capacity?
What helps my sleep and what disturbs it?
What foods make me feel bloated, inflamed, feel sluggish, feel energized, feel good coming out, cause my skin to blemish or break out?
What triggers a headache for me?
What emotional state was I in before a rash or acne developed?
Do I feel drained or charged being around others?
Do I feel drained or charged in solitude?
How much solitude do I need?
How much socializing do I need?
Am I mouth breathing?
Do I have regular congestion?
Are my armpits puffy?
Is my skin dry, oily, burning easily?
Am I exercising? When I do, how do I feel afterwards? How do I feel if I don’t?
Do I have any addictions: screen time, drugs, alcohol, sex, even hobbies? What am I avoiding by using or doing these instead?
Do I feel safe to be myself? What would it feel like to be safe to be myself?
Am I dreaming at night? What are the dreams telling me?
Who narrates the inner dialogue in my head?
Almost all of these questions can be observed over time without the need of tests or anyone else telling you how you feel or why something is happening to you. Before my twenties I did not consider any of this to be my responsibility. I thought the doctors should know, at least that’s what I was taught to believe. Another factor is we expect instant gratification, instant relief and do not always consider how much time is necessary to heal.
Diving into the responsibility of my own health has needed a support system that also understands the holistic nature of a healthy being. I am grateful for all those I have met along my way.
I also have much gratitude to those who offer their wisdom and care within the system and I am thankful for access to tests when I want to see specific results. Despite the major faults I see in our health system, for the most part I believe the staff and physicians care, but similarly to teachers in a school system, medical workers are limited to what they can say and do.
Validation
For the first time in many years, I have once again entered into the system to try and find a reason for specific symptoms and once again was told nothing is wrong with me despite often thinking, damn it will be a really big shame if my boys find me dead in my bed.
I’ve been dealing with a ‘heart problem’ for nearly two years, and while I have known it deep inside to be emotionally charged, I didn’t want to undermine the possibility that there was something mechanically wrong when I’ve been regularly waking in the middle of the night with a very high heart rate.
After many months of waiting, even more months for tests to be done, ‘nothing is wrong with me or my heart and these symptoms are normal and I have to figure out how to manage on my own’. I feel deeply for anyone receiving this news that doesn’t have the background and passion for health sovereignty. This situation has really taken a toll on my quality of sleep and therefore my life.
So while this is frustrating on the one hand, it affirms that there are limitations to what they can provide. I believe that if we were taught early on to be observant of our body, mind and spirit, we would have a lot stronger grasp on our own health with more ability to care for ourselves without relying on paths that lead to dead ends or expensive treatments. And, I am grateful to learn I shouldn’t die in my sleep from a heart attack. This path to healing is taking a deep dive into myself that I will return to share more about later. Good news is sleep has slowly been returning and my heart is healing (the emotional heart).
Salve as a Gateway to Health Sovereignty
While homeopathy was my true gateway, when I was away at college as mentioned above, I began using the local herbalists as my medical providers for ailments like the cold and flu and was introduced to herbal teas and salves.
Irene’s Dream Salve that’s hopefully still available in Moonrise Herbs in Arcata, CA was the definition of a magical substance when I first experienced it. It seemed to heal everything. I put it on my face, on cuts, burns, bruises, and thought I had found some sort of magical ointment. I used that salve for years and then my friends began studying herbalism and making their own. I then bought or was gifted theirs and it took me almost fifteen years to make my own and what a delight to discover how easy it is. Not only does it heal seemingly everything, I know what’s in it and I don’t have to think about the list of potential adverse effects.
Of course people may be allergic to these plants and need to use other herbs or simply opt for the pharmacy. But this option really unlocked in me a desire to learn more about the healing properties of herbs, and I have!
My Homemade Healing Salve
I love the feel of my own salve and I actually use it regularly on my cuticles and even as my face moisturizer after I get out of the shower. The skin cell regenerating powers of the comfrey plant really make my skin happy and glow. Aside from the daily use of it, I have found it to be very effective wound care for myself and my children. They know to ask for salve if they get scrapes, or cuts, and even stings or bites. We also use if for bruises and just about anything that may feel off on the skin. And again, knowing what’s inside it, the healing properties of the herbs, and the satisfaction of having grown, harvested, dried, infused and finally putting it all together for the end result speaks for itself if you’ve ever made something from start to finish. I also love all the positive feedback I receive from friends and family and I am excited to share it with upcoming markets. If I have a surplus afterwards I will make it available to purchase online, otherwise you can make your own and check out my recipehere.
If making your own salve isn’t something you have any desire to do, consider buying from a local herbalist or even a small shop online. Sovereignty also takes form when we are able to not only provide healing remedies for ourselves and families, but also earn a living by having this knowledge.
What You Need to Make Salve
In order to make a salve you need herbs, a carrier oil (olive, avocado, jojoba) and beeswax.
Determine which herbs you want to work with and then infuse them in the carrier oil for approximately six weeks.
After the appropriate infusion time, strain the oil from the herbs.
Then combine together the herbal infused oil and beeswax at a 1:4 ratio. In a bowl on a double boiler, mix until the wax has completely melted and then pour into containers.
Label the container and let cool.
Store in a first-aid kit in the house and for on the go.
Now onto “why”…
Salve vs. Over-the-Counter Ointments and Creams
There are a few reasons I think the salve is better than OTC treatments. The recipe I use is a one size fits all remedy for most ointments. However in the case of the pharmacy, you will likely have to buy at least four different ones to cover the uses of this all in one salve. If you make your own, you’re also likely to have a surplus to sell or share as gifts. I have also found it preferable on my skin when comparing it to other ointments or creams for various needs. The more we know how to care for ourselves and support our communities, the less dependent we are on an industry that I believe prioritizes profit over people. Every time we choose differently, we're quietly building something better.
Thank you for joining along my story and my love for salve!
Here are 3 ways to connect with me:
If you're local, come find me at St. Mary Anne's Garden Market on Friday May 1st and Saturday May 2nd — I'll have teas, salves, and would love to say hi.
https://www.stmaryanne.org/about-annual-garden-market/
Sign up for my newsletter to receive these posts one to twice a month, plus any free resources as they come out — a good way to stay connected outside of social media.
And be sure to download my salve tutorial here if it’s something you would like to add to your skillset.