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Reader BEAUTIFUL HUMANS,

The intensity of High Summer represented by the Fire Element has passed, generating the sweet harvests that come before the Fall. Late Summer is represented by the Earth Element in Classical Chinese and East Asian worldviews. The flavor associated with this element is sweet, and it invites us to delight in the fruits of our labor. This newsletter is a labor of love. It contains

1. An Apple Essay
2. A Crab Apple Recipe
3. Some Spiritual Aspects of Earth Imbalances and Remedies to Ground and Center
4. Invitation to a Special Evening with Asia + Justin
5. An Invitation to our upcoming Soul Food Genius courses.

An Apple a Day

Apples are a perfect sweet earth food. In an analysis of over 85 studies, apples consumption was shown to be consistently associated with a reduced risk of heart disease, cancer, asthma and type II diabetes. Out of 1500 adult participants in the UK, those who consumed at least two apples a week had a 22-32% lower risk of developing asthma[1]. Why might that be? While research points to the presence of anti-inflammatory phytonutrients like quercetin and ellagic acid to explain this phenomenon, we can look to ancestral wisdom to help us explain these findings.

Apples in Classical Chinese medicine are thought to impact the Lung, Stomach, Spleen, Heart, and Large Intestine. These designations are whole organ systems and not necessarily individual parts. Apples have a cool temperature and the ability moisten hot and dry conditions. The sweet flavor in general is excellent at moistening. Soothing honey, licorice root, and marshmallows all use the power of sweet to soothe. In fact, too many sweet foods, especially those that are highly processed can lead to an excess of moisture or inflammatory dampness likened to mold. A moldy interior can create the conditions for opportunistic microbes to flourish and beneficial microbes to deteriorate leading to dysbiosis.

In culinary herbalism apples would fall into the category of demulcent. Their soothing, moisturizing abilities are a balm to the Lung organ system which is harmed by dryness and supported by moisture. The Lungs help to distribute the moisture throughout the body. Dry air, smoke, inflammatory pollutants and more can all damage delicate lung tissues and the healing waters that we depend on for life.

Not only can apples moisten the lungs, they also support the Large Intestine which is the organ system paired with the Lungs. Their pectin, a soluble fiber, is a prebiotic that feeds beneficial microorganisms in the gut. This pectin supports healthy bowel movements by both bulking and softening the stool. The phytonutrients in apples also act as prebiotics supporting gut health by feeding the kinds of microorganisms that help us move our bowels. When it comes to experiences of asthma, most people struggle not with taking oxygen into their bodies but letting it out. Every one of my clients with obstructions in their breathing had a form of obstructed bowels. Helping folks to release their bowels supports them in creating space in their lungs to take in more air and to let go of it. When we heal the gut, we heal the lungs. When we support the lungs, we support the gut.

Eat Your Apples. Enjoy this gut friendly recipe.

Resources:

[1] Health Benefits of Apples​

Getting Centered

We were first introduced to the element of Earth through the sweet milk of our mother's breasts and sometimes the bottle. The Earth element, whose archetype is the Mother, governs our relationship to nourishment both physically with food and emotionally.

Adequate nourishment from caretakers which might show up as unconditional positive regard supports a calm, content and secure demeanor in childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Disruptions can have a lasting effect on one's ability to self regulate, focus and be centered. One of my favorite physicians and writers Dr. Gabor Mate in his work Scattered Minds proposes that the root of Attention Deficit Disorder, a pattern of behavior characterized by inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity results from a deficit of attention from one's primary caretakers. He argues that kids (and adults) may sometimes act out to get the attention and attunement that they were denied and desperately need. Radically, Mate centers the strengthening and creation of secure parent-child bonds as a healing intervention.

Charles Moss TCM Practitioner and author of Power of the Five Elements concurs with Dr. Mate. He writes the undernourished children can be

When we experience a deficiency of Earth we may display signs of neediness that can become greediness. We may overconsume foods and attention. Moss, like Mate explains that these folks need to know that they will be understood, listened to, supported and secure to adequately respond to stress. Folks displaying a deficiency of Earth need both secure attachment and attunement. We are those folks. The securing of attachment allows for the development of a fully aware and confident selfhood that allows us to ground into belonging and advocate appropriately for our needs and receive the nourishment that we desperately desire.

While the earth element can show up as greediness, it may show up as over-giving to the point of our own depletion. We may inappropriately center others while ignoring and suppressing our own needs. It may show up a refusing nourishment, both the contributions of other or the contributions of food. Anorexia and diabetes are often conversations about receiving the sweetness of life. Without nourishment, both emotional and nutritional to ground us, we may become obsessive and anxious worrying about futures that are unlikely to come to pass.

Medicinally, the methods I use the most with my uncentered clients are grounding practices that encourages pointed attention on the self and that selfs relationship to the the Loving Earth. I also employ fresh Dandelion root, leaves and flowers tinctured in 100 Proof Vodka. Dandelion is amphoteric root. Amphoteric herbs are said to bring resilient adaptation, having opposite-seeming effects that shift depending on the circumstances. This liver loving plant can read the needs of the body and spirit to lessens the "appetite" of those who are over nourished and increases the appetite of those who are undernourished. I have used Dandelion to stop obsessive and intrusive worries and thoughts as well as aid in recognizing the value in the people around us. Dandelion has long been used to regulate one's relationship to food including blood sugar. Dandelion is one of the ways that I help folks to stay grounded and centered and uplift the element of the Earth.

Special Evening: September 4th

We are offering one of the most popular sessions of our Soul Food Genius with a twist and at a level of contribution that works for you. This event is free and donation based. You'll leave with deep knowledge of traditional food as medicine and a never before shared recipe card.

Learn to identify culinary ancestral retentions to find your way back home Discern the pattern language of working with sour flavors in culinary herbalism and more JOIN NOW

What if I told you that the foodways of the formerly enslaved held an indigenous pattern language of food as medicine that can be found all over the world.

Using the skills of ethnobotany, nutritional and culinary sciences, and engaging group participation, Asia Dorsey and Justin Robinson not only reveal the genius behind soul food, but share a set of techniques and wisdoms that help you discern the brilliance in all traditional cuisines and how to adapt that brilliance to our current contexts. In this course we go back and get knowledge that was lost, degrade and create a future of vibrant health.

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I feel so much pride in these foodways. I’ve always loved these foods, but understanding the realness of what it took to nourish ourselves uncovered some internalized shame I had that I wasn’t aware of– Namely around the whole red drink thing. I’ve always had such a craving for it and tried to play it off as a guilty pleasure, but once I really understood what the intention was behind it, I let go of shame I didn’t even let myself know was there. That kind of healing in community is priceless.” -Lisbeth White | writer, ritualist & soul food genius 2023

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Thank Y'all For Reading <3

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