 Have you heard of grounding or earthing? It’s a term used to describe connecting with the Earth without an insulating material (like rubber or plastic) between your body and its. It’s a great thing to do periodically through the day & your life as you’re able & especially in between bouts of work related tasks on electronic devices or during periods of increased health challenges, injury and chronic pain. Choose earth that has not been sprayed with toxic chemicals/pesticides/fungicides ideally. Even in those cases I suspect the benefit would outweigh risks. Barefoot walking or lounging wearing non-synthetic, non-insulating material, like cotton or leather allows for the electron transfer associated with health benefits.
Research confirms that grounding improves sleep, decreases pain, balances immune function and hormonal sleep/wake cycles, reduces oxidative stress, increases antioxidant activity, improves recovery from exercise & speeds wound healing. The earth is an abundant & steady source of electrons. Our extra cellular matrix/fascia & intracellular matrix can miraculously conduct these negative charges to the places in our body where they are needed in the healing process, quelling imbalanced inflammation. Antioxidants from the food we eat- like Vitamin C, Vitamin E and bioflavonoids work in the same way in our bodies when taken in from our food. As researchers suggest in their article "The effects of grounding (earthing) on inflammation, the immune response, wound healing, and prevention and treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases" in The Journal of Inflammation Research (PMID: 25848315), “the disconnection from the Earth may be an important, insidious, and overlooked contribution to physiological dysfunction and to the alarming global rise in non-communicable, inflammatory-related chronic diseases.” While one of many factors, the idea that our literal and very real physical disconnection from the earth may be one of the most widespread obstacles to our health and it’s homeodynamic capacity is so exciting to me. This is a free, widely available, deeply potent medicine available to all. Spread the word, remember your Mother, and take a step in the direction of reconnection and balance today, loves!
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 Spring is springin' here in the Southeastern United States. It's swoon of beautiful budding Magnolia, Prunus, and Dogwood flowers opening on branch tips and wee, happy, vibrant daffodils and violets emerging from their winter slumber. It's the most ostentatiously gorgeous time of year here in North Carolina IMHO. And for pollen allergy sufferers- despite the beauty, it's often a bit of a hellish few months to be in such an abundantly canopied city. I'm writing today to share my Top 6 Holistic Allergy Management Support tips to help manage allergies, no matter what time of year they come a-knockin'. 1. Rinse/Shower More Often. Pollen and allergen antigens in general, attach to our skin and hair as well as the little hairs (cilia) that line our upper respiratory tract- nose, sinuses, throat. Keeping these surfaces rinsed/washed helps to reduce the amount of antigens that our immune system is reacting to throughout the day- effectively reducing the load of antigens in our exposure bucket. Hopping in the shower daily to wash off your hair, skin, eyebrows and lashes, along with incorporating use of a Neti Pot for nasal/sinus rinsing can reduce symptoms for allergy sufferers. The Neti pot is best used preventively- when the nasal and sinus passages are open- but doesn't tend to be as helpful once we're all stopped up, so get on it ahead of when your allergy symptoms typically start or do a rinse after use of decongestants. Bathe your furry friends more regularly also if you're blessed to live with them and especially if they sleep with you. 2. Wet Dust and Vacuum Regularly. Pollen and allergens will gather on surfaces within our home- especially surfaces with a greater surface area like carpets, blankets and upholstered furniture. Wet dust and vacuum more often- especially rugs, and furniture you regularly sit on. Ideally use a vacuum with a HEPA filter (keep the filter clean/changed) and for wet dusting use homemade surface sprays (3:1 water:white vinegar with your favorite essential oils added) or all-purpose surface cleaners that are free of known toxins and common allergens- like those that are EWG verified. 3. Change your Sheets, Blankets, Pillow Cases and Pillows More Often. Again, allergens gather on fabric surfaces, especially from bodies that have not been washed off and pets. If you're not doing this already, change sheets, blankets and pillow cases every week and use laundry detergent that is free of known toxins and common allergens. Again- EWG is a good source for this. Additionally, keep pillows, mattresses and box springs covered with non-toxic allergen covers, especially if you are a dust mite allergy sufferer- and regularly wash your covers. 4. Minimize Congestion and Histamine Enhancing foods. These dietary culprits can be different for everyone but common congestion causing foods are dairy products, cold and frozen foods, fried foods, conventionally grown wheat and refined sugar. High histamine foods can bother allergy sufferers also and include aged, cured and fermented foods- think aged & moldy cheeses, large amounts of yogurt/kefir, sour cream, soy sauce, vinegar, tempeh, aged and cured meat, canned fish, fermented alcohol (wine, beer, cider), kombucha, and leftovers. 5. Love Your Liver & Gallbladder. In Five Element Chinese Cosmology spring is the season of the Wood element, and the Liver and Gallbladder are the organ expressions of Wood. You can think of this time of year as the spotlight season or high activity season of these organs. If there are imbalances in how these organs are functioning, they are heavily burdened with tasks, or constitutionally these are leading organs for your body- meaning they tend to be the ones that orient to the world/field challenges first- this season may prove challenging. Lifestyle tips for reducing burdens on your Liver/Gallbladder and supporting their function include:
We hope this post helps buoy you through allergy season so you can enjoy the stunning beauty and boisterous energy awakening with greater comfort and ease. Happy, Healthy Spring to all!   Viral infections, including the common cold and flu, tend to be more prevalent in the fall and winter. This is likely in part to do with declining Vitamin D levels in the population as the shorter days are upon us, more time spent indoors in less well ventilated places with larger groups of people, and is possibly exacerbated by higher consumption of holiday sweets/less healthy diets. Keeping Vitamin D levels up, moderating sweets & refined carbohydrates, and improving indoor air quality with ventilation (opening windows, filtering air) are all worthwhile immune supportive strategies. Wearing a N95 or surgical mask in high traffic areas like airports is something I recommend as well, especially for and to help protect the immuno-compromised including infants and older adults.
Additionally, adding daily immune system strengthening and balancing herbs to your routine can provide extra support and protection against the inevitable bugs we’ll encounter as the year rolls on. Wild River Wellness is excited to offer our line of Immune Wellness Blends: Immune Daily Protect, Immune Rapid Defense & ImmuniTea. Immune Daily Protect is an herbal and medicinal mushroom tincture & syrup blend containing tasty, time- tested immunomodulators- earth allies that help balance and strengthen our immune system without being overly stimulating. This tonic is most effective when taken daily for prevention and recovery. Immune Rapid Defense is a tincture formulated for acute infection support, and many of my clients, family and friends swear by it. ImmuniTea can be brewed for both prevention, active infection and recovery support. You can purchase each individually or as a bundle for super hero level plant support this season! To order give the office a call or order here! Stay healthy this season!  Wild River Wellness partners with, Chef John Schaal to offer our one-of-a-kind Food Is Your Medicine programs. Spots are limited and highly sought after. Chef John specializes in locally sourced, seasonally inspired, healthy and delicious custom weekly meal prep services, dinner parties, classes and intimate catered events. He generously shared his go-to Summer Gazpacho recipe with us so we could share it with you all!
Summer Gazpacho Serves 6-8 as an appetizer, starter or snack Prep time: 15 min; Chill time: 2 hours or more Ingredients ~2 lbs summer tomatoes** 1 sweet red pepper** or Anaheim, seeds removed coarsely chopped 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped ½ small, mild or sweet onion, peeled and coarsely chopped 1 clove garlic 2 teaspoons sherry vinegar ½ cup mild olive oil (can use a blend of avocado, grapeseed or another neutral tasting oil as well) Salt to taste Optional garnish: fresh basil, drizzle of olive oil, sliced cucumber, pumpkin seeds Method Blanch or broil tomatoes to remove skin. For blanching, place tomatoes in boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove and transfer to an ice bath or allow to cool on a plate. Skin should slide off. To broil, place tomatoes under the broiler for about 1-2 minutes until the skin starts to split. Remove tomatoes from the broiler and remove the skins once cool. Add to a high speed blender with the pepper, cucumber, onion, and garlic. Blend at high speed until very smooth, 1-2 minutes. Add the vinegar and salt. Turn the blender to ½ speed and slowly add the olive oil, allowing to emulsify. If the consistency is thin, add up to a ¼ cup more olive oil until texture is creamy. Chill. Before serving, taste and add more salt or vinegar to your liking. If you'd like to learn more about Chef John's services or contact him for your next stress free foodie gathering follow this link. Notes: **Buy these veggies organic/no-spray when possible as they are higher on the EWG's Dirty Dozen list of produce, meaning they have high levels of pesticide residue when grown conventionally. Many vendors on Freshlist and at our local Farmer's Market are a great source for the produce found in this recipe. Some of our favorites who grow a variety of peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers are Bluebird Farm and A Way of Life Farm. If you can't get them organic, don't fret- soak produce (fully submerge) in a solution of 1 oz baking soda to 100 oz of water (~2 tsp baking soda/quart of water) for 15 minutes and rinse with warm water to reduce surface pesticide residue.  Did you know that Wild River Wellness has a newsletter series, The Current, where we curate and share a variety of resources, community voices, organizations, events, recipes, and rituals to inspire and support you on your healing path. As you well know, sustained health requires maintenance, especially as we age in this world ravaged by late stage capitalism and layers of sick on sick systems. Knowledge, commitment, grace with ourselves and each other, and especially community support are all essential ingredients.
Sign up to receive our newsletter here in the banner at the bottom of the page 🍅 To the season’s shining expression of a balanced and nurtured you! Enjoy. 🌿  An herbal tea is any beverage made from the infusion or decoction of plant material in water. Roots, bark, stems, leaves, fruits, buds, flowers, and seeds are all used in herbal tea making. The use of herbal teas for healing is likely as ancient as human beings’ presence on the planet. Herbal teas can promote healing and shore up the body's natural healing capacity in an incredible variety of ways.
The Foundation Herbal teas start with two key ingredients: the herb and the water. The water being used should be pure and free of contaminants. Filtered tap water, spring water, reverse osmosis or distilled water, stored or sold in glass or stainless steel containers, are all good choices. Do not make a habit of drinking or using water sold or stored in plastic, especially thin plastic or plastics that contains BPA (bisphenol A), a known disruptor of hormone balance. The herb needs to pass a few tests as well. It is important to always use herbs from a trusted company or source that is highly knowledgeable about herbal medicine and ethical about their growing & harvesting practices. This will ensure that the herbs being used are properly identified, safe, effective, and sustainably grown and harvested. Timing of harvest, parts being harvested, growing conditions, drying process & storing conditions will all affect the healing properties and indications of the herbs being used. Some medicinal plants are in danger of extinction due to overuse. It is important to avoid using herbs that are struggling to survive themselves for our own healing benefits. Preparation There are two main ways to prepare herbal teas, by infusion or decoction. An infusion is the preferred method when using more tender plant parts, like leaves, stems, flowers, and sometimes, fruit. A decoction is the preferred method when using more hardy plant parts, like roots, bark, seeds and sometimes, fruit. Infusions can be made with cold or hot water and can be prepared in a French press, stainless steel or glass pot, ceramic or glass teapot with a built-in strainer, or in a mug or glass jar using a tea strainer, tea ball, fillable tea bag, or straining tea straw. If using glass, it is important that the glass is room temperature and not cold when pouring in hot water to prevent the glass from breaking. The most common type of infusion is a hot infusion. It is made by bringing the desired amount of water to a boil, taking the water off the heat, pouring it over the herb, and letting it sit, covered, for five to thirty minutes, depending on the herb being steeped. The herb is then strained, pressed from or removed from the liquid and the tea is ready. A cold infusion is made by pouring cold water over the herb and steeping the mixture in a covered, well sealed container for six to twelve hours. Sun tea is a type of cold infusion where the well sealed container is placed in direct sunlight, typically for four to eight hours. This is my favorite type of infusion for busy people. Decoctions can be made in a stainless steel or stove-top safe glass pot. Pots with lids with built in strainers are especially convenient. To make a decoction, place the herb and water in a pot and bring the water to a boil, careful not to boil over. When the water reaches a light boil, reduce to a simmer and let simmer, with the lid on, for fifteen to thirty minutes, longer for hardier plant parts or a stronger brew. The herb is then strained from the liquid and your tea is ready. Both infusions and decoctions can be drunk immediately, or cooled to room temperature & refrigerated. They will typically keep for two to three days in the fridge and can be re-heated. If herbal teas are part of your daily wellness plan, making a large batch ahead of time will help with compliance. Benefits Regular consumption of herbal teas can be part of a healing plan to help restore healthy function to the body and ease the symptoms of disease. They can also be used to prevent disease and protect the body from damage and dysfunction. Herbal teas may contain one herb or a variety of herbs. They can be custom blended with different herbs for an individual based on their unique constitution and needs in a given moment or season. While herbal teas offer many direct healing benefits and promote balance in the body, they also offer many wonderful, beneficial “side effects”. Herbal teas can help keep us hydrated throughout the day. They can reconnect us with an ancient healing art while we experience the unique appearance, tastes, smells, and textures of our healing friends from the plant world. They can encourage us to slow down and be present, an important part of healing in the fast-paced culture we live in. They provide a non-toxic way of bringing medicine into the body and are safe for children when prescribed by a knowledgeable professional. They bring us closer to the earth, closer to nature, and closer to the whole source of many of the drugs, bottles and pills that are prevalent in the dominant “healthcare” system and very often, derived from plants themselves. They can help replace unhealthy habits with healthy rituals. They can provide empowering tools and partners in self-healing and positive change. Blending, brewing and enjoying herbal teas can be super fun, sensual and really tasty. Enjoy a cup today and take a moment to appreciate the brewing process and the look, taste, texture, and smell of your self-made medicine! If you'd like to try one of our custom tea blends, blended by our very own Dr. Mottola from her years of experience as clinician helping clients all over the world- please visit our Online Apothecary to view one of our many offerings.  Such beauty in the way magnolia’s anthers rest on her creamy smooth petals when they fall away. A seductive portrait of letting go. And perhaps a doctrine of signatures.
Doctrine of signatures is a term used in the study of herbal/plant medicine to describe the phenomenon of a plant’s form alluding to its medicinal attributes. The bark of magnolia grandiflora helps us humans rest in a more deep, uninterrupted way. They can help us let go into sleep. Like anthers upon a petal whose job is done for the “day” she can help us humans rest into the soft embrace of our creamy sheets, our mother, the Earth, and remind us of the sweet, sweet relief of gravity, of letting go. 🤍 Let this image land in your body. How does it feel?  The little person in you. They’re in there. Feeling scared and shy because her eyes have conjunctivitis and she knows something is off and it’s pre-school picture day. I remember this day and how I felt. Like it was yesterday. I was sitting next to my best friend in the class picture when her other friend pointed out that my eyes didn’t look right and the teacher pulled me away from the group to look at them. When I got back the spot next to my friend was taken and I had to kneel in the bottom row next to two boys. I just want to hug this little bb. And tell her sometimes things are going to feel weird, and you may not feel like you can talk to anyone about it, but I am here now with you, to hold it, to listen, so you’re not all alone with something terrifying. Because there will be terrifying things too. I’m here. You’re not alone. We’ll get help when we need. I’ve got you now.
Do you have a little one that you tend to too? When she shows up strong pushing to the surface. Or curling in on herself like a shriveling seed. Terrified and lost. And begging for a reminder that she’s not all alone and this won’t last forever. Do you unleash her power when needed? Confident and playful, not quite knowing of shame yet, ready to run heart forward and boisterous on the scene to perform, express, connect. Because what better feeling than connection! And being seen! Little ones, we’ve got you. A lot of it is not going to make any sense. At all. And you’re going to wonder- how did I end up here? How did we end up here? And together you’ll shake your heads and sometimes wail about it or feel utterly frozen under the enormity of the shit. And still you will find people that make magic out of terror and art out of heartache and pain and the most unfair of circumstances and service out of their precious very limited spare time. And that will remind you that as stupefying as things can be they are also tender and good.  Happy International Women’s Day from our women owned and operated practice to all you powerhouses out there! You alchemical goddesses- including cis and trans women. Women have such an astounding capacity for love, nurturing, endurance, resilience, insight, adaptability, ingenuity, creativity, intelligence, magic, and that warrior mama lioness protector energy when needed. I am so grateful in this life to have learned to befriend and celebrate the woman in me and the women around me. Can you imagine what our human systems would look like if women who have learned and live this honoring were actually represented, listened to and included in a proportion representative of the population in the decision making that affects us all?
In this practice it is my deep honor and part of my deep healing to support the women who entrust me to be a space holder, listener, mirror, supporter, guide and teacher. I see you powerhouses. I see all that you hold, navigate, integrate, be, do. It is an honor and a healing force to watch you transform and navigate the stages and phases of your transformation and health path. Listen to women. Our bodies, our choice. Integrate the wise one. Understand the assault against women so you can see it play out in and around you. Protect, honor and include trans women. Respect your mother And the Great Mother. Let’s get well y’all. We can’t do it without seeing, including and honoring the women in ourselves and our lives. 📸: @jasiatic 😘  Valentine's Day brings up different emotions for different people. Do you long to feel more loved and appreciated? Or maybe you're moved to shower those you cherish most with oodles of love? Read on for some of Dr. M's favorite plants, potions and practices to help magnify the love in your life- both the giving and receiving sides of the flow.
Pick #1- Hawthorne (Crataegus spp) is the Queen Of Hearts in the herb world. Her flowers, leaves and berries are all used as a warming heart tonic for physical, emotional and spiritual matters of the heart. From heartache stemming from heartbreak or disconnection from spirit, to an emotionally hardened heart finding forgiveness difficult, to heart disease including high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and valvular disease, hawthorne has medicine to give. One of Dr. Mottola's favorite ways to take hawthorne is Hawthorne Solid Extract, Wise Woman Herbals, an extract of Hawthorne berries in glycerin and honey. Take it directly off the spoon, added to tea, smoothies, used as a spread or add it to your favorite recipes as a sweetener this season of love. Hawthorn delivers a slow acting, heart-mending medicine, with best results seen when taken long term- for 3 months or more ideally. Over time, hawthorne can decrease the need for cardiac medications so individuals who consume hawthorne should have heart meds monitored by their prescribing physician. Pick #2 & #3- What better way to say I love you than the gift of massage? Whether it be a scalp massage/deep conditioning hair treatment for yourself or your love using NOW's nourishing Tranquil Rose Massage Oil, perhaps after a deliciously decadent rose petal studded, candlelit bath, to booking a massage as a gift to yourself or your love. Taking time out of your week to unplug, close your eyes, let the world fade away and receive the gift of therapeutic touch is sometimes just what the doctor ordered. In this case, that's exactly the case- Dr. Mottola encourages you to treat yourself or your honey to a massage at In Good Hands Bodywork with the fabulous Charlotte Cadieux. Write “self love” in the booking notes to receive $10.00 off your first session. Book here! Pick #4- Aphrodisiac herbs are plants that can increase our access to pleasure by stimulating, nourishing, or helping sustain our sexual or sensual desires. They do this in a wide variety of ways depending on the herb- from dilating our blood vessels while improving oxygenation/energy flow to our heart and pelvis, to helping us relax so we feel more open to intimacy and receiving pleasure, to actually enhancing our pleasure promoting hormones and neurotransmitters. Did you know that Cacao (Theobroma cacao), the plant that gifts us chocolate and hot cocoa, whose latin name translates to 'Food of the Gods"is an herbal aphrodisiac? It stimulates the release of the neurotransmitter anandamide which takes its name from the Sanskrit word ananda, meaning "joy, bliss, delight," Dr. Mottola's next pick- Host Defense's MycoBrew Cocoa is a chocolatey drink mix that combines the pleasure promoting powers of cocoa with the neuro-protective, stress-relieving powers of Lion's Mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) with a touch of coconut sugar to make for a delicious love potion that is a pleasure to consume in and of itself while supporting a relaxed yet vital mind and body which may enhance your access to other pleasures! Incorporate this offering in your next date night or gathering of your beloveds. Pick #5- The reduction in hormones that comes with late perimenopause and menopause can lead to vaginal changes including increased dryness and irritation that can make sex uncomfortable. What a drag! Topical, intravaginal estrogen creams/suppositories can help combat this. Talk with your doctor about prescription options or consider Dr. Mottola's next pick- Emerita's Estriol Cream which provides a locally acting topical solution that nourishes, hydrates and plumps the vagina leading to more comfortable, pleasurable sex. Best results are seen with daily application for a few weeks and ongoing application a few times a week thereafter. Please talk with your doc before starting this cream so they can advise about safety, efficacy and dosing that best fits your needs. We know that with time, intention and presence, this list will support you in fostering a curious, pleasurable and fun connection to your sensual self and greater access to and abundance of love in your life! Feel free to include the above potions in your supplement order when taking advantage of our upcoming Celebration of Love Sale that starts tomorrow February 13th and runs through Valentine's Day- where we invite you to enjoy 14% off all orders placed! It is our honor to extend this sensual gift to you! Your presence in and support of our practice in the myriad ways you show it are so very appreciated! Please take advantage of our sale starting TOMORROW by placing orders directly with Colleen in ChARM, with Jessica by phone at 704-504-7901 ext 1, or in our online dispensary. |
AuthorDr. Mottola has a passion for service, social justice, anti-racism, health education and environmental stewardship and is on a mission to provide effective, empowering, accessible natural health education and care to the most diverse population possible. She believes that accessible healthcare is a basic human right that stands as a pillar of a healthy society and that the health of a society is reflected in the health of its people. She is passionate about placing health care back in the hands of the people. Archives
March 2026
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