and
Nayyirah Waheedi said to my body. softly. ‘i want to be your friend.’ it took a long breath. and replied ‘i have been waiting my whole life for this.
This year, I am introducing a new category to A Farm of Your Home blog, Apothecary!
Plant based remedies and body care have been a passion of mine for many years and something I wish to explore further this year.
I am not a doctor or health practitioner, yet many plants have long enjoyed a reputation for healing and encouraging wellness. Obviously serious, persistent ailments require the attention of your chosen medical professional.
I personally believe that health comes from the inside out. I don’t believe in miracle cures or silver bullet solutions. Our bodies are complicated systems, with layered and nuanced functions that impact on the other.
My medical experience that sparked this interest has been with acne.
Currently, beauty is valued over wellness in our society.
Warped, I know.
Yet this was clearly reflected in the treatment I sought. The cost was often high, in terms of actual money spent on medications, and the effect these medications would have on the rest of my body.
For years, I consulted with specialists, took every pill, slapped on every potion and lotion with little long-term success.
In fact, many side effects were pretty awful and too numerous to mention.
In many instances, one problem would be solved, and another created. My acne would disappear, but my skin was so dry and delicate, my eyelids and lips cracked and would bleed at the creases!
My skin was the enemy. The treatments were aggressive and punishing.
I knew people would stare and the not-so-nice ones would feel free to comment as if I wasn’t already well aware of the terrain of my own face!
I came to regard my skin as a bit of a useful social filter. The superficial people had no time for me, but the genuine people did and were able to see past my acne-mask. I discovered physically beautiful people aren’t spared neuroses about their appearance either.
When consulting with doctors, specialists, dermatologists, I was very rarely asked about my diet or my environment or how I felt. One dermatologist recommended I get my face sunburned so it would peel. Another cheerfully told me to eat as much chocolate as I wanted because my diet had nothing to do with my skin.
Obviously, that advice was bonkers. Upon reflection, I was likely dehydrated, underexercising, overheating, stressed and eating so poorly that my skin protested!
My acne could have been much reduced with little intervention if those areas had been addressed before reaching for the prescription pad.
But it has only been years of living in my own skin, experimentation and observation, that I feel more confident in a whole body, inside out, more than skin deep approach!
And so I encourage you to do the same. Pay attention. Experiment and observe your own body and do what works for you.
My skin now is very sensitive. After years of skin-assault, it needs gentle, loving care! I’m in my 40’s and I have wrinkles. Yes, pimples still show up. I know nothing I do is going to wind back the clock and make me look 25 again and that is ok.
Finally, I’m happy
Every Friday, I’ll be sharing apothecary remedies and preparations for you to try. Where possible, I will be sourcing plants from my own garden, and seek out organic, whole ingredients. When it comes to topical preparations, I think less is more. I hope you’ll try the ones that appeal to you and let me know what you think. If there is anything you would like to try in particular, let me know!
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