S1 Ep 10: Illness as Initiation with Bailey McNeill

Let’s be real. Getting sick, either in the short or long term, can be incredibly frustrating, painful and inconvenient. In modern capitalistic society, most of us don’t have the time to take a couple weeks (or longer) off to fully recover from whatever illness or health challenge we may be experiencing. It’s an impossible part of a system that’s designed to keep us struggling towards maximum production without refilling our internal well of health, self-knowledge and rest. That said, when we do have the opportunity to integrate the illnesses we experience, they can be extraordinary portals into uncovering deeper layers of ourselves. The rest and reflection illness often forces us into can be a pathway to self-understanding and finding purpose. In this episode, Bailey and I talk about the value of health challenges in our personal journeys to becoming the herbalists we are. May this episode bring you some solace and inspiration in these dark months!Connect with Bailey McNeill of Bailey Interbeing:* Instagram* Integra Collective: https://www.integracollective.org/Connect with Abbey Cmiel of Abbey Joy Healing* Instagram* Website Bitter of the Day: Roble Sabana (Tabebuia rosea)* Immune support* Grounded nervous system support* Anti-parasitic, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial* Glucose/blood sugar regulation* Fights infection * Reduce digestive challenges Our teacher, Kealy Rudersdorf of KIS botanicals in Mastatal, Costa RicaGrounding tools through health challenges:* Relational practices of herbalism for connecting to herbal allies as friends * Journaling* Meditation* Nature walks without your phone Robin Rose Bennett: The Gift of Healing HerbsInitiations in the female reproductive system:* Menarch* Menstruation * Birthing * Birth release* Menopause Top herbal support for the winter:* Elderberry Rosehip infusion (steep the tea 8-12 hours overnight) * Roble Sabana antiviral tincture * Fire Cider (with garlic, onion, ginger, hot pepper, oregano, ACV, honey)* St. John’s Wort for seasonal affective disorder* not to be combined with SSRI’s or other medications (ask your doctor)Thank you to the amazing Joseph Campbell of Durham, NC for creating the fun intro and outro beats and producing this episode! Get full access to Abbey Joy Healing Newsletter at abbeyjoyhealing.substack.com/subscribe