Summary:
Your darkest hours can lead you to a fulfilling life. Irene Vizcarra joins Christie Mann in this episode where she shares her story of a dark period in her life, how she used plants to support her healing and offers suggestions for how you can use plant medicine to support yourself, as well.
In This Episode:
Leaving a comfortable corporate job
How important it is to have a career that aligns with who you are at the core
Busting through taboos and myths around plant medicine
Doing the work and not feeling guilty about being in a positive place
How to work with plants when you’re experiencing anxiety and depression
Breaking down taboos around plant medicine
The benefits of slowing down and drinking tea
Which plants can help with anxiety
Which plant can help with anger
Which plant can help support you through grief
Which plants can help with depression
What to watch out for when using plants while you’re also using pharmaceuticals
Mental health challenges and being an immigrant
Which plants can help you feel a sense of belonging
What Oat Straw can help with
Quotations to Share:
"Through sharing. I just let people know what's happening around me without having shame around it." ~Irene Vizcarra
“This shit works [plant medicine].” ~Christie Mann
"I learned to love myself because that’s all I had, and either I was going to choose to love myself or the destructive path." ~Irene Vizcarra
"I believe that life is for me. And if it's showing me something uncomfortable, then it's my job to be like, "Why is this uncomfortable? What is it that's not working because life loves me and life is for me? What am I not seeing? What am I missing here?" ~Irene Vizcarra
"Our difficult moments are preparing us for what's to come. Not that it's going to get worse, but it's strengthening us. It's giving us that medicine we need to be able to show up." ~Irene Vizcarra
"Through this time [pandemic], my mental health has been amazing. I've been well. And part of me felt guilty about that because a lot of people are struggling, and yet I'm doing really well. And it's like, 'No, there's no guilt around that. I've done the work. I showed up for my dark night of the soul. So now I can be here shining the light for whoever meets it." ~Irene Vizcarra
"There are a lot of misconceptions that self-care is bubble baths, manicures and spa days.” ~Christie Mann
"If I am having a really rough day, I practice kindness with myself and say, ‘What do I need? What could I give myself right now?' Instead of it being mean." ~Irene Vizcarra
"For me, self-care is all about myself through action, not in a superficial way." ~Irene Vizcarra
"What I love about it [herbalism] is that it's very accessible. It's very affordable." ~Irene Vizcarra
"The easier we make it, the more likely we are to really stick with it." ~Irene Vizcarra
"I come from the school of folk herbalism, which believes that we are home. I have everything I need. My body's intelligence knows how to regenerate and support itself, and I need to be able to provide that environment for it." ~Irene Vizcarra
"You can't plant something in soil that has not been taken care of and not water it and then expect it to thrive. We are the same way." ~Irene Vizcarra
"I view anxiety and depression as really just an imbalance. I don't relate to a so much as mental illness. I relate to it more as an imbalance." ~Irene Vizcarra
"Sometimes we're stuck in systems that do not serve life and yet we try and show up again and again. I cannot have the energy or courage, or stamina to change my environment or the people around me, or the work that I do if I don't have that life force in my body. And so the plants can really come in and help support that." ~Irene Vizcarra
"I find that when I am physically unwell, I do not show up the same way." ~Irene Vizcarra
"Connecting to nature is actually incredibly healing to the nervous system." ~Irene Vizcarra
"A simple cup of tea can have such an impact." ~Irene Vizcarra
"Whatever affects our body will eventually affect our thoughts. Whatever our thoughts are, they're going to affect the way we feel." ~Irene Vizcarra
"The way I relate to plants, I relate to people the same way too. If I slow down and I'm present with them, and I really hear them, I get so much more value, and they get so much more value." ~Irene Vizcarra
"I feel like it hits the soul when we slow down and appreciate them [plants]." ~Irene Vizcarra
"Holy Basil, Mimosa and Passion Flower are really amazing plants to work with for anxiety." ~Irene Vizcarra
"For anyone experiencing depression, it doesn't have to be this way. There are tools. There are things that can support you in your well-being." ~Irene Vizcarra
"Thankfully, we're living in a time where herbalism is thriving. So it's very, it's a lot easier to find these herbs." ~Irene Vizcarra
"A big part of mental health and overall well-being is our nervous system." ~Irene Vizcarra
"When it [your nervous system] is frayed and fried, we cannot respond to life." ~Irene Vizcarra
"No matter what you are feeling or moving through, there are plants that can support you." ~Irene Vizcarra
"You have the power to shift your circumstances. I truly believe that life is for us, not against us." ~Irene Vizcarra
"Know you are loved and worthy of having an exquisite life." ~Irene Vizcarra
Bio:
Irene Vizcarra is the Founder and Medicine Woman behind Holy Wild. As a Folk Herbalist, Ceremonialist, and Green Witch, she creates all formulas in ritual, leaning on her relationship with the plants, the Spirit realms, and the Earth, to create offerings that are heart-felt and transformational.
https://holywild.me
About UpLevel Productions: Founded by Christie Mann, MA, CPCC, PCC, and Rachel Baldi, CPCC, PCC, UpLevel creates, produces, and delivers Transformative Experiences, Workshops, Training, Events + Media that develop leaders who make our world a healthier, more alive, and connected place to be. As Associate CTI Faculty Partners, UpLevel is licensed to sell, produce and deliver Co-Active coach training and leadership development programs around the world to support the transformational growth of individuals and culture inside the workplace and organization. www.uplevelproductions.com Instagram @uplevelproductions Facebook & LinkedIn @uplevelproductionscompany