Today we are speaking with Anja Robinson, Clinical Herbalist, Functional Nutritionist, Women’s Integrative Health Educator and founder of Poppy Herbals—an Herbal Elixir Bar and Apothecary in Ashland, OR. She’s also my co-facilitator for our upcoming Herbal Anatomy Series at Hawthorn Institute! In this episode, we’re talking about functional somatic syndrome (FSS) and the power of community health & herbalism in addressing complex health issues.
FSS has been around for thousands of years and various terminology has been used to describe it, including hysteria, somatoform disorders, and medically unexplained symptoms. FSS highlights the inefficacy of the conventional medical system in addressing root causes, the undeniable mind-body connection, the startling rates of trauma (esp in women) impacting health, and the lack of community wellness and support.
Together, Anja and I explore top ways to support those who have experienced FSS (many of us), the importance of community, and how to begin addressing the underlying issues related to so many unexplained or complex symptoms and health challenges.
Show Notes
In this episode, we discuss:
How Anja started down her path into herbalism, Ayurveda, nutrition and women’s health
The normalization of dis-ease and imbalance in our medical system
How active listening is an indispensable tool as a practitioner and part of the medicine
The most common underlying factors of complex chronic health challenges
What is functional somatic syndrome/somatic symptom disorder and how it relates to the prevalence of chronic health challenges, especially for women
What common disorders and health challenges fall under the umbrella of somatic syndrome, including PMS, chronic fatigue, chronic pain
Why Anja appreciates functional medicine and what some of the differences are between functional approach and conventional approach
Why addressing the gut and blood sugar regulation are the first places to address when dealing with a complex health challenge or somatic syndrome
How Anja uses elimination diets as a first line approach to reduce inflammation, support immune system, and identify triggers - Anja lists common foods to avoid
Community herbalism and ways women can come together to support their health
How women have increased exposure to toxins in daily life that have an impact on our detoxification system and overall health
The 3 pillars of health for women: diet + lifestyle; mind-body medicine; community
Anja offers a few ways of how to build community and make community medicine
Anja shares her favorite herbs + foods for supporting somatic syndrome and how to incorporate them as medicine
One of Anja’s favorite practices: Ayurvedic abhyanga aka herbal body oiling for bringing medicine in a different way while also supporting natural detox, grounding, and can work more quickly than taking nervines internally
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Connect With Anja Robinson
Poppy Herbals—an Herbal Elixir Bar and Apothecary in Ashland, OR.
Resources
Amber Magnolia Hill + Mythic Medicine
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