Written by Michele Collins Vergara, RH (AHG), MPH and Andres Vergara, DIPL. OM, L.Ac. Ayurveda is a Sanskrit word that literally means “the science of life” It refers to the Indian healing system that is focused on enhancing life through the use of herbs, lifestyle, diet, as well as the understanding of how our thought patterns affect our sense of well being. Often referred to as traditional Ayurvedic medicine (TAM), this is the oldest medical system in the world, dating back several Continue Reading
Herbal Medicine in the Marshal Islands
Michele Collins, RH (AHG), MPH For many people, the Marshall Islands are the site of US nuclear bomb testing in the 1950s and 1960s and of famous World War II battles. For me, it is also my birth place, although, I am not Marshallese in ethnicity. In 2011, my husband and I were studying in Chengdu, China. We choose to take a side trip to the Marshall Islands from China, my first trip back to the Marshall Islands since I was two years old, figuring it would be shorter and easier trip. It is Continue Reading
Interview with an Amazonian Shaman
Andres Vergara, L.Ac., M.Ac., Michele Collins RH (AHG) MPH While I was in Colombia in 2010, my aunt told me about a Colombian Shaman from the Amazon rainforests who was a powerful healer and had great knowledge of Amazonian plants. She said he lived in Bogota and that he was teaching and providing treatments. His treatment consisted of using songs and intention, as well as herbs to treat a variety of health conditions. She spoke very highly of him and I became curious to get to know more about Continue Reading
Lessons Learned from China About Using Herbal Medicine in an Integrated Setting
http:// Map from PlanetWare.com Michele Collins, RH (AHG), MPH and Andres Vergara, L.Ac., M.Ac. China’s Sichuan province is an area widely known for its spicy foods. More important for herbalists is that Sichuan province is also well regarded for the quality and variety of herbs that are grown there. Over 4300 herb varieties are grown in Sichuan, cultivated on over 1.4 million acres of land. The purchase of Chinese herbal medicine in Sichuan is ranked first in China. Sichuan Continue Reading