Dr. Orna Izakson
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tuesday – thursday
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503.335.9479

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Wild skies back in Arizona when I was there in Mar Wild skies back in Arizona when I was there in March. If you ignore the landscape, you can see similar sights in Oregon.Overall, I would rather be here in Cascadia. But some days I miss the hike behind the house where I stayed – and its wide view.My mother always went on about the value of a view. I didn’t really get it at the time. But now I do: it makes you feel part of something bigger, gives your heart room to expand.That’s a far cry from the way we have to keep so small when constantly bombarded by other people in cities.Wide-open spaces are healing in that way. With a view, even one you have to walk to, it’s easy to pretend you’re all alone in the vastness in the very best way.What do you say? Do you agree or disagree?#WalkingWithOrna #WildClouds #DesertHiking #TheViewMakesItBetter #BestofAjo #GoForAWalk #LookUp #EverywhereYouGoToTheLandIsBeautiful
Can I gush for a minute? Today was a great herbali Can I gush for a minute? Today was a great herbalist-mail day!First, I finally got myself a copy of @lucretia.vandyke’s book African American Herbalism: A Practical Guide to Healing Plants and Folk Traditions.It’s on the shelf right now with other herb books, as you can see. But you know it will be topping my bedside pile tonight. ✨Second, I got a fabulous care package from my friends at  @gaiaherbs, celebrating their 30th anniversary and the almost-year I’ve been on their science advisory board.I apologize for the not-so-lovely picture — which also does not include all of the treasures that came in the box. But I was too excited to wait.I hope you got something good today, mail or otherwise!#GoodMail #GoodMailDay #HerbalMail #HerbalistMail #PlantMedicine #PlantGeek #GardenMedicine
When life gets too heavy, take a minute and rememb When life gets too heavy, take a minute and remember we’re part of something much bigger.Look up from your phone, your book, even your garden. Cast your eyes wide — even if the widest you can see is a sliver of sky.Feel the wind, the rain, the sun, a tree under your hand.Sniff for smells of salt, sweetness, snow, leaves, spring.Listen for moving water, birds, breath.Taste the air, the raindrops gathered on conifer needles or falling from the sky.Take the moment. Gather yourself. Remember what you’re part of.And then, when (if) you’re ready, return (a tiny bit) stronger to the fight.#NatureFix #NatureCures #VitaminN #WeAreAllInThisTogether #Restoration #WalkingWithOrna
For those of you don’t know me IRL, I’d like t For those of you don’t know me IRL, I’d like to clarify that posting flower photos doesn’t mean I’m ignoring what’s going on in the world. Flowers — and photos of them — are how I stay upright in the face of that.My hope is sharing these pictures will help others, too. Because joy is medicine, and we all need that now.#PlantGeek #GardenMedicine #JoyIsMedicine #allostaticload #FlowersOfInstagram #PortlandPreSpring #CopingMechanisms #FlowerPower #Manzanita #xeriscaping #xeriscapegarden #nativeplants #NativePlantsOfOregon #OregonNativePlants
New followers + new profile pic = new introduction New followers + new profile pic = new introduction time!I’m Dr. Orna Izakson, a writer, gardener, herbalist and a licensed, naturopathic doctor in Alaska + Oregon.✍🏼 I started off as a writer. I got my masters in journalism and then spent a dozen years covering environmental issues as a newspaper staffer and then freelancer.The job: Dig into the complex science of how ecosystems work, digest it, and then explain it to lay people so they can make informed decisions.🌻 Next I became a gardener. It excited me to preserve biodiversity in my back yard, and I loved the idea of increasing my self-sufficiency — and supporting my community with inevitable zucchini.🌱 Then I became an herbalist. I got sick and thought I would need to head to the hospital — until my neighbor and her teacher pointed me to herbs I was already growing in my yard or walking among in the mountains. I got better. 🤯🩻 Finally, I went to medical school and became a naturopathic doctor. The job: dig into the complex science of internal ecosystems (a.k.a. physiology,) digest it, and then explain it to lay people so they can make informed decisions about their health.Full circle.So this is what you’ll find in my social media offerings:🗞️When there’s news, I’ll talk about it.🥦When there are plants, I will geek about them.🌲 If there’s an excuse to get out in nature, I’ll share the pictures of it. (See more 📷 at @gardenmedicine)🩺When I can help you understand your health better, I will explain it.If you are in Alaska or Oregon, make an appointment for a telehealth telemedicine visit. If you’re elsewhere, or want to just dip your toe into what I offer, get started with my free cheat sheets. You can find it all through the 👆🏼link in my bio👆🏼.Got a questions? Something you’d like me to talk about? Please let me know in the comments. I can’t give medical advice on social, but your question is probably someone else’s, too.Salúd!
I hate to pick favorites because I love all the pl I hate to pick favorites because I love all the plants so much. But Oregon grape has earned its place at the very top of my native-medicinal plants list.It’s indispensable in my practice, helping with everything from digestion to immunity and even mood.These photos have been sitting in my drafts for nearly a year, since my dear friend, neighbor and herb-school classmate shared her secret Oregon grape picking spot. (Note the high-tech harvesting tools in the third picture.)We gathered some beautiful medicine that day. It tastes like the forest and everything I love about my bioregion.Making medicine is medicine, and taking the tincture not only delivers chemical compounds but reconnects me to the medicine of place.The best news? It’s time to get some more. See you in the woods.#BioregionalMedicine
#BioregionalHerbalism #BioregionalHerbalist
#HerbalistDoctor #OregonGrape #MedicineOfPlace #OregonWildCrafting #HerbalMedicine #MakingMedicineIsMedicine #PNWLiving #WalkingWithOrna
Reasons for camping, number millionty-lots:When Reasons for camping, number millionty-lots:When you are in a wild place around the clock (what’s a clock?) you get to see things that people who leave simply miss:🌅Sunrise.🌄Sunset.🌙Moonrise.🌌Stars.And the light from all of these on and through the plants.When you’re camping, all of the special pieces are just parts of the day. And you are there for them.You too can see all of this if you spend a night or five out in the wild. It’s worth it.#WildSonoranDesert #SonoranDesert #SunsetInTheSonoranDesert #GloamingInTheSonoranDesert #YouHadToBeThere #LarreaSunset #DesertCamping #OptOutside #RadGirlsLife #VitaminN #NatureFix #NatureCures #CNSReset #BotanyClass #WildCraftingClass #WildCraftingEthics #PlantMedicineClass #HerbalistDoctor #ContinuingEducation #SenseOfWonderAndMagic
Note to self: When offered the opportunity to stoc Note to self: When offered the opportunity to stocke up on truly excellent garlic, go for it – and don’t be stingy, get more than you think you will quickly use.Because there’s nothing like the disappointment of running out of the good stuff eight months before the next harvest.PS It’s not too late to plant your own if you have any happy cloves!#GardenMedicine #GreatGarlic #HeirloomGarlic #FoodAsMedicine #KitchenStaples
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