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"Change your words, change your world."
Chris Kilham opened his talk by asking how many of us live on earth and how many are human beings. The majority of us repsonded in the affirmative. He then pointed out that we face an interesting future--is it going to be the beaming passion world of Buddha or dark and destructive? It's up to us to choose--and act.
Chris has a unique job working in the field of plant medicine, or Integrative Alternative Medicine. He chose this field because he believes we need good health options and believes death is the effect of pharmaceutical medicine. His natural medicines are used worldwide. Besides discussing four important medicines, Chris told us how the medicines are locally grown and harvested providing the tribal cultures with a healthy livelihood and the ability to sustain the lifestyles of community and village they have lived for centuries.
In one village, the chief asked that Chris take their picture. When Chris asked why, the chief said that he wanted the world to know they exist. Imagine, these tribes living far from civilization in a world untouched by phones and televisions and Internet access! The tribe's 103-year-old shaman, an amazingly powerful but petit woman, gave Chris what he took to be his marching orders. Not knowing anything about Chris, she simply said, "you bridge worlds, this is important for you to do," as she pointed her little old finger at him. Chris has since become a driving force to communicate and foster greater understanding between cultures.
The first plant Chris spoke of was Kava, harvested from Vanuatu in the South Pacific Islands. Vanatu means "land eternal" and at least for now, much of it remains unspoiled. The entire region is lush and beautiful with fresh drinkable water directly from lakes and streams. In the 1990s Chris and others worked to make Kava easily available to the 9.9 million Americans suffering from clinical anxiety. In Vanatu, the locals take a Kava break at the end of the workday by boiling up the roots, then sitting around and sharing about their day. Kava roots are often given as show of friendship and used as wedding gifts.
Duke Medical Center conducted two studies, one on the use of Kava on anxiety, and one that showed no liver toxicity from use of Kava. One week before the studies were reported, "out of a no where" came a study that 20 people in Europe suffered liver toxicity from Kava. That news halted the Kava industry and it's taken years to disprove that study and get Kava acceptable again. When Chris had the opportunity to drink fresh Kava root from a coconut in the village, he felt peaceful and chilled out. Locally, the tribe also uses Kava for dispute resolution. To send off Chris and his colleagues, the tribe danced them off the island for a mile to the sea, stamping their feet and shouting. Imagine if we lived with such enthusiasm and joy and showed such appreciation for our guests!
Chris then discussed Maca, from the Peruvian Andes. Maca is a restorative turnip-like plant root. For the people of the Andes, growing and harvesting Maca means they don't have to work in mines in miserable conditions. Maca is an energizing, super food, which radically enhances libido without toxicity. Keeping up with tradition, women shamans of the tribe put their blessing on the Maca as part of the harvest.
Chris moved onto the subject of antidepressants, claiming that the entire category of antidepressant drugs are every bit as effective as sugar-based placebos. He recommends eating an M&M or Altoid instead. :-) Far in the northwestern parts of China locals harvest Rhodeola rosea, a profound antidepressant that works better than placebos, and doesn't creative the side effects often present with drugs. The locals have just two months to harvest enough Rhodeola to earn their year's living and provide enough for worldwide consumption. Chris calls Rhodeola rosea a gateway herb. By taking Rhodeola, you get a sense of well-being, vitality, of being plugged in and have the energy to do a lot. And that, Chris says, is what we need for these times--to feel good and do a lot. Sadly, many people today simply feel crappy.
Finally, Chris talked about Cat's Claw, an anti-inflammatory herb that comes from the Amazon. All degenerative diseases involve inflammation so coming up with anti-inflammatory drugs is a big driver in pharmaceutical industry today. But Chris pointed out that drug development is driven not by a love of humanity but by patent law and many, if not most, drugs come with side effects, which Chris points out are really effects, not just an aside. Cat's claw, which is the inner bark of a vine, is the most potent and safest antii-inflammatory available today and has been used successfully to cure some forms of cancer.
In closing, Chris pointed out that if we don't mitigate the destruction of the Amazon rainforest (which could be destroyed by 2030 if we continue the path we're on), we'll lose 20 percent of the world's oxygen.
"This is our time," he says. "It requires boldness, energy, and that we throw ourselves into this work with everything we can bring to the table."
Lori Batcheller is a freelance writer, yoga instructor and registered massage therapist who focuses on health, well-
being, and sustainable living. www.lbcreative.com.
"Change your words, change your world."
Chris Kilham opened his talk by asking how many of us live on earth and how many are human beings. The majority of us repsonded in the affirmative. He then pointed out that we face an interesting future--is it going to be the beaming passion world of Buddha or dark and destructive? It's up to us to choose--and act.
Chris has a unique job working in the field of plant medicine, or Integrative Alternative Medicine. He chose this field because he believes we need good health options and believes death is the effect of pharmaceutical medicine. His natural medicines are used worldwide. Besides discussing four important medicines, Chris told us how the medicines are locally grown and harvested providing the tribal cultures with a healthy livelihood and the ability to sustain the lifestyles of community and village they have lived for centuries.
In one village, the chief asked that Chris take their picture. When Chris asked why, the chief said that he wanted the world to know they exist. Imagine, these tribes living far from civilization in a world untouched by phones and televisions and Internet access! The tribe's 103-year-old shaman, an amazingly powerful but petit woman, gave Chris what he took to be his marching orders. Not knowing anything about Chris, she simply said, "you bridge worlds, this is important for you to do," as she pointed her little old finger at him. Chris has since become a driving force to communicate and foster greater understanding between cultures.
The first plant Chris spoke of was Kava, harvested from Vanuatu in the South Pacific Islands. Vanatu means "land eternal" and at least for now, much of it remains unspoiled. The entire region is lush and beautiful with fresh drinkable water directly from lakes and streams. In the 1990s Chris and others worked to make Kava easily available to the 9.9 million Americans suffering from clinical anxiety. In Vanatu, the locals take a Kava break at the end of the workday by boiling up the roots, then sitting around and sharing about their day. Kava roots are often given as show of friendship and used as wedding gifts.
Duke Medical Center conducted two studies, one on the use of Kava on anxiety, and one that showed no liver toxicity from use of Kava. One week before the studies were reported, "out of a no where" came a study that 20 people in Europe suffered liver toxicity from Kava. That news halted the Kava industry and it's taken years to disprove that study and get Kava acceptable again. When Chris had the opportunity to drink fresh Kava root from a coconut in the village, he felt peaceful and chilled out. Locally, the tribe also uses Kava for dispute resolution. To send off Chris and his colleagues, the tribe danced them off the island for a mile to the sea, stamping their feet and shouting. Imagine if we lived with such enthusiasm and joy and showed such appreciation for our guests!
Chris then discussed Maca, from the Peruvian Andes. Maca is a restorative turnip-like plant root. For the people of the Andes, growing and harvesting Maca means they don't have to work in mines in miserable conditions. Maca is an energizing, super food, which radically enhances libido without toxicity. Keeping up with tradition, women shamans of the tribe put their blessing on the Maca as part of the harvest.
Chris moved onto the subject of antidepressants, claiming that the entire category of antidepressant drugs are every bit as effective as sugar-based placebos. He recommends eating an M&M or Altoid instead. :-) Far in the northwestern parts of China locals harvest Rhodeola rosea, a profound antidepressant that works better than placebos, and doesn't creative the side effects often present with drugs. The locals have just two months to harvest enough Rhodeola to earn their year's living and provide enough for worldwide consumption. Chris calls Rhodeola rosea a gateway herb. By taking Rhodeola, you get a sense of well-being, vitality, of being plugged in and have the energy to do a lot. And that, Chris says, is what we need for these times--to feel good and do a lot. Sadly, many people today simply feel crappy.
Finally, Chris talked about Cat's Claw, an anti-inflammatory herb that comes from the Amazon. All degenerative diseases involve inflammation so coming up with anti-inflammatory drugs is a big driver in pharmaceutical industry today. But Chris pointed out that drug development is driven not by a love of humanity but by patent law and many, if not most, drugs come with side effects, which Chris points out are really effects, not just an aside. Cat's claw, which is the inner bark of a vine, is the most potent and safest antii-inflammatory available today and has been used successfully to cure some forms of cancer.
In closing, Chris pointed out that if we don't mitigate the destruction of the Amazon rainforest (which could be destroyed by 2030 if we continue the path we're on), we'll lose 20 percent of the world's oxygen.
"This is our time," he says. "It requires boldness, energy, and that we throw ourselves into this work with everything we can bring to the table."
Lori Batcheller is a freelance writer, yoga instructor and registered massage therapist who focuses on health, well-
being, and sustainable living. www.lbcreative.com.
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