Contact - Dr. Orna Izakson

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tuesday – thursday
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H E R B A L M E D I C I N E + S L E E PValeria

H E R B A L M E D I C I N E + S L E E PValerian is one of the best known herbs “for” sleep – in fact, it’s one of the best known herbal medicines period.I never use it in my practice.Why?The short answer is that not everyone responds in the same way to the same thing. And valerian can actually make sleep worse for a fair few people.(I’m one of those people.)This is why it’s tough talking about herbs being “for” anything.What we really need to look at is the individual person, what’s going on for them and what’s getting in their way. Only then can we really figure out how to help.This is one of the things will be talking about in my Monday webinar, Sleep 101.We’ll be starting at 6:30 PM Alaska time, 7:30 PM Pacific. Follow the link in my bio to register.If you want to get a head start, grab my free Sound Sleep Cheat Hheet, also through the link in my bio.I hope to see you on Monday evening!

SLEEPING COOLWhen it comes to herbal support for

SLEEPING COOLWhen it comes to herbal support for sleep, there are so many options it can be difficult to choose.That’s why herbalists and naturopathic doctors don’t just look at the symptoms, but rather the whole person.California poppy is one great option, especially where there is physical tension and a tendency toward overheating. (Hot flashes, anyone?)This beautiful flower is easy to grow, and the whole plant is used for medicine. It’s blooming all over Portland these days, giving the city a neon glow.It’s not the tastiest of herbs, but it does not have to be taken alone. Consider it as one part of a formula that addresses other aspects of why sleep may be difficult.On Monday, May 17, I will be talking all about sleep basics in my webinar, Sleep 101. We’ll be starting at 6:30 PM Alaska time, 7:30 PM Pacific. Register using the link in my bio.We’ll review common reasons why getting good rest can be difficult, and discuss actions, plant medicines and supplements that can help. You’ll have ideas they can help you get better sleep that very night.If you don’t want to do a whole webinar – and honestly, who isn’t tired of webinars at this point – I also have a free Sound Sleep Cheat Sheet that offers my top sleep tips. Again, the link in my bio 👆🏼will get you there.And stay tuned here for more ideas about getting your best rest.If you have friends who struggle with their sleep, please share and tag them!

Event updates + plants. If you’ve been looking f

Event updates + plants. If you’ve been looking forward to my sleep 101 webinar, a quick heads up: we’re shifting it one week out, to me 17 at 6:30 PM Alaska time/7:30 PM Pacific. (Registration link in bio.)Meanwhile, today I’m putting the final touches on my presentation for next weekend’s Traditional Roots herbal conference. (Use the code “HERBSWITHORNA” to get 20% off registration; there’s a link in my bio for this, too.)I will be talking about mental health resets for the pre-post Covid era – all about helping us adjust in this weird time of adjustment.So that’s the news in this video. The rest is showing off some plants that surprised me in my garden, which I found after clearing out some weeds during a sunny work break.I you’re getting some good rest, relaxation and outdoor time this weekend!#Gardenmedicine #ChangeYourMindChangeYourLife #PlantGeek #WhatsGrowingInTheGarden #plantgeeking #FoodForest #FoodNotLines #EatYourVeggies #GrowYourVeggies #GrowYourMedicine #PlantMedicine #HerbalistDoctor #WalkingWithOrna #BabyKale #Skullcap #BoneSet @gardenmedicine

BOUNDARIES + SLEEPAll animals are vulnerable whe

BOUNDARIES + SLEEPAll animals are vulnerable when we sleep. It’s why we gather in packs. It’s why we light up the night. It’s why we put locks on doors.We have to stay vigilant. We have to protect ourselves and those in our care.And sometimes that’s why we don’t sleep.Think about the half sleep many caregivers have: always keeping an ear out for signs of distress.Or maybe paying attention to odd noises that could signal someone entering your home. Or being out in wild places and wondering if that rustling sound is a scary critter or just the wind in the trees.Obviously this is important in unsafe environments. But when it won’t turn off even in optimal conditions, that’s a moment for action.One way I treat this aspect of impaired sleep by working on mental/emotional boundaries. And that’s a great place to add flower essences to a treatment plan.Pictured here is poison ivy (Toxicodendron spp). I talk about both this and its western cousin, poison oak, as land protectors: they grow in disturbed places as a way to limit further disturbance.They literally enforce boundaries.As flower essences, these plants can do the same.With zero risk of rash, these essences can take over some of the work our minds do, relieving our need for hypervigilance so we can rest.Other essences I use this way include yarrow, devil’s club and fireweed.For more sleep tips, grab my Sound Sleep Cheat Sheet from the link in my bio 👆🏼— and I’d love for you to join me at the Sleep 101 webinar on May 17.I’ll be talking on out natural remedies for sleep all week, so make sure you’re following my posts.And please tag and share these posts with friends who could use some help with their sleep!

TREE MEDICINE + SLEEPLinden trees are leafing ou

TREE MEDICINE + SLEEPLinden trees are leafing out all over, so they’ll be the first post in my sleep series (leading up to Monday’s webinar.)It took me a long time to meet lindens, even though they’re common street trees in Portland. Everything in its own time, right?A friend promised to introduce us but it didn’t happen. Then one day I saw them ... and just knew them.But my big linden epiphany came in a New York City park, where I fled one day to get a break from some intense family stuff.I walked into the park and thought I saw them. I second guessed myself. I walked closer. And sure enough, lindens for days.Why am I telling you this and what does it have to do with sleep?Linden flowers are an absolutely classic plant medicine for calming the nervous system. Just what I needed that day in the park. Just what is needed on a community level in stressed-out NYC.Just what individuals may need if they can’t relax into sleep.I most commonly use a special preparation made with the flower buds, water, glycerine and alcohol. But tincture or tea can also get you there.It’s one of my first-line recommendations for anxious, stressed out patients who just. Need. To. Rest.(The first time I took it was for panic attacks after cardiology class in Ned school. Amazing.)I love the way linden works both as medicine for the individual and the community. And I like to think the folks who planted lindens all over cities like New York had the same thought.So what’s your take on linden? Do you know the trees? Have you used them as medicine? LMK 👇🏼.P.S. Want more sleep tips? Grab my free Sound Sleep Cheat Sheet from the link in my bio — and join me for the Sleep 101 webinar on May 17!

Sleep is fundamental, but so many of us struggle — to get enough sleep, to get good quality sleep, to wake feeling energized and excited about our day.Please join me at 6:30 p.m. AKDT (7:30pm Pacific) on Monday, May 17 for a webinar on sleep fundamentals — which you’ll be able to use right away to get your best rest.WHAT: Sleep 101 webinar with Dr. Orna Izakson
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. AKDT/7:30pm PDT Monday, May 17
WHERE: On your computer or device
PRICE: $50We’ll talk about why sleep matters, how sleep works, and ways you can improve your nights to more fully enjoy you days.Register at the link in my bio👆🏼.And if you know folks who’d be interested, please connect us.I look forward to talking with you online!—Dr. OrnaPS I’m offering a special discount to the folks on my VIP email list, so if you have not yet joined now is the time. How do you do that? Head up to the link in my bio and grab my free Sound Sleep Cheat Sheet or Air Purifiers report.

Consider this an Rx.#foresttherapy #forestbathin

Consider this an Rx.#foresttherapy #forestbathing #shinrinyoku #hugtrees #naturecures #parksRx #treesrock #getoutside #naturetherapy #optoutside #treehugging #walkingwithorna #doctorsorders #hugmoretrees

Coming up in a couple of weeks is the conference I

Coming up in a couple of weeks is the conference I devoted 6 years of my life to building — and in 2021 I get to be a presenter!My talk: Mental-Health Resets for the Pre-Post-Covid Era. It'll cover a variety of plant medicines (including flower essences) for ... well, helping ourselves reset as the world hopefully slouches toward a new normal.Want to join me?Use the code "HERBSWITHORNA" at checkout to get 20% off registration.I hope to see you there!Register here: https://nunm.regfox.com/roots

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