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by Maria Christofi
In the old farmer’s almanac, the first full moon of the year is known as the wolf moon because it is thought to date back to Native American life when wolves would be heard howling at the winter moon, marking the start of the mating season. Perhaps the stillness of a snow filled winter night amplified their cries through the cold air providing an unforgettable soundtrack for these darkest of nights.
The Wolf Moon coincides with Capricorn season, which follows Sagittarius in the zodiac trajectory and so the Sagittarius centaur’s arrow flies like fire through the night sky before landing with the earthiness of Capricorn.
Capricorn is the gateway through to the winter solstice on December 21st and grounds us as we descend into the darkest and most yin phase of the year. The vibration of winter is a return to the earth, animals hibernate, the leaves drop to the ground and we gravitate more to warmth, rest and nourishment.
Ancient Chinese shamans associated winter with the water element where they both share deep depths of all the elements and it requires deep nourishment so it can nourish our roots so that they may rise with spring and grow outwards into the mycelium of our life and what we wish to make manifest over the coming year.
The darkest quarter of the year has arrived and the internal fires yearn to be stoked for warmth and fuel until the wheel of the year turns back towards the light at the Spring Equinox.
Tonight we are going to travel into the visceral depths of this Wolf Moon night. Mark some time away from distraction with devices switched off and build yourself a nest of blankets and cushions, you may wish to record these words so that you can lead yourself through your journey. Sit with your infusion and feel the warmth of the cup in your hands, take a deep breath and then a deeper breath. Feel the warmth travel through your hands into your wrists and feel it flowing up your arms until you feel the warm trickle towards your heart.
As you sip, visualise the red of both the wolfberries and dates and tune into the red hue of your heart. Feel it beating and warming. Feel your heart expand and glow as you drop from your mind into its depths, releasing any thoughts of the day. Listen to your heart beat and visualise your heart space as a retreat with its own nest of blankets and cushions. Find a space to sit down inside this chamber of your heart and imagine your heart growing around you until you are encompassed in your heart energy. This is an opportunity for you to commune with your heart and seek its counsel, to ask for any insights or messages and to divine what you need to know. Your heart is whispering to you, listen to it.
When you feel ready, lie down and picture the full moon in your mind’s eye and visualise it illuminating and flooding you with its light. Listen to your heart beating and feel the quickening of your pulse as you emerge in Lupine form. Now run… see/feel the trees racing past you and notice what you instinctively feel the urge to leave behind as this full moon will wane, what do you feel pulled to run towards? Listen to the call of your inner wild and when you feel ready let the beat of your heart guide you back. Stay in your nest and journal your experience and insights then warm another cup of your infusion and feel it ground you back to your own inner moon.
WOLF BERRY & RED DATE INFUSION.
January is the absolute dark part of the year where we instinctively gather and retreat inside. What will comfort both the heart and hearth more than a warming infusion to cup between our hands?Infusions imbibe the essence of plant medicine and by handling ingredients in their tangible form we experience their alchemical journey from raw state to medicine that interacts with our body. Creating our own infusions enhances the connection with the plant encouraging an inner sense for when our body may once again ask for this particular plant.Medicinal plants each have their own vibration which when paired with other plants form a constellation of mutually enhancing properties.This warming infusion is a traditional remedy in Traditional Chinese medicine where warming tea is integral to winter survival. A traditional restorative remedy after childbirth and menstruation, this infusion is a potent immunity booster for everyone and includes two very commonly used ingredients in Chinese medicine.
Wolfberry – (Gou Qi) documented in Chinese plant medicine for thousands of years as a nutritive tonic. They are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, carotenoids and zeaxanthin and classically prescribed in herbal formula’s to boost immunity, nourish eyes, liver and kidneys. Note: Wolfberries are part of the nightshade family along with tomato and potato so omit if you are avoiding this food group.Red Dates – (Hong Zao) contain similar properties and are also considered to be blood nourishers, traditionally prescribed as a boost after child birth, menstruation or during convalescence.Since these fruits are both high in vitamin C, they enhance the absorption of iron which is why both are considered to be blood nourishing in Chinese medicine. This action makes this infusion the ideal accompaniment to iron rich food such as legumes to boost anaemia or general lethargy.
Method: Ideally use organic and unsulphured wolfberries and red dates which can easily be sourced online.Remove the stones from the dates and add to boiling filtered water, reduce to a very slow simmer for 1 hour adding the wolfberries for the last 15 mins or so.Strain the infusion. This is a naturally very sweet infusion so no additional sweetener is needed but a little honey can be added if desired.In very cold weather when more warmth is required or if experiencing cold and flu symptoms or menstrual cramps, slices of ginger and cinnamon bark can also be added to enhance the warming properties. Drink through the day if experiencing symptoms and over a course of days to get a sense of the effect, I believe that exploring a plant in this way allows us to tune into how it interacts with our physiology; the physical, emotional and psychological.
You will explore and refine as you go in terms of preferences but initially I recommend trying this infusion without any additional ingredients to enable you to fully explore the taste signature of the wolfberry and red date.Another way to bring this medicine into your practice is by concocting healing broths.A classic example;Add dried mushrooms such as shiitake to boiling water, reduce to a simmer and add thinly sliced spring onions, ginger, the red dates and wolfberries and simmer for an hour. You can also create variations by adding seaweed and vegetables towards the end of the cooking time. I also like to add extra dried medicinal mushrooms such as cordyceps to my bowl of broth for an immunity boosting and deliciously savoury elixir.
Maria Christofi is an acupuncturist, sound therapist and artist.
In the old farmer’s almanac, the first full moon of the year is known as the wolf moon because it is thought to date back to Native American life when wolves would be heard howling at the winter moon, marking the start of the mating season. Perhaps the stillness of a snow filled winter night amplified their cries through the cold air providing an unforgettable soundtrack for these darkest of nights.
The Wolf Moon coincides with Capricorn season, which follows Sagittarius in the zodiac trajectory and so the Sagittarius centaur’s arrow flies like fire through the night sky before landing with the earthiness of Capricorn.
Capricorn is the gateway through to the winter solstice on December 21st and grounds us as we descend into the darkest and most yin phase of the year. The vibration of winter is a return to the earth, animals hibernate, the leaves drop to the ground and we gravitate more to warmth, rest and nourishment.
Ancient Chinese shamans associated winter with the water element where they both share deep depths of all the elements and it requires deep nourishment so it can nourish our roots so that they may rise with spring and grow outwards into the mycelium of our life and what we wish to make manifest over the coming year.
The darkest quarter of the year has arrived and the internal fires yearn to be stoked for warmth and fuel until the wheel of the year turns back towards the light at the Spring Equinox.
Tonight we are going to travel into the visceral depths of this Wolf Moon night. Mark some time away from distraction with devices switched off and build yourself a nest of blankets and cushions, you may wish to record these words so that you can lead yourself through your journey. Sit with your infusion and feel the warmth of the cup in your hands, take a deep breath and then a deeper breath. Feel the warmth travel through your hands into your wrists and feel it flowing up your arms until you feel the warm trickle towards your heart.
As you sip, visualise the red of both the wolfberries and dates and tune into the red hue of your heart. Feel it beating and warming. Feel your heart expand and glow as you drop from your mind into its depths, releasing any thoughts of the day. Listen to your heart beat and visualise your heart space as a retreat with its own nest of blankets and cushions. Find a space to sit down inside this chamber of your heart and imagine your heart growing around you until you are encompassed in your heart energy. This is an opportunity for you to commune with your heart and seek its counsel, to ask for any insights or messages and to divine what you need to know. Your heart is whispering to you, listen to it.
When you feel ready, lie down and picture the full moon in your mind’s eye and visualise it illuminating and flooding you with its light. Listen to your heart beating and feel the quickening of your pulse as you emerge in Lupine form. Now run… see/feel the trees racing past you and notice what you instinctively feel the urge to leave behind as this full moon will wane, what do you feel pulled to run towards? Listen to the call of your inner wild and when you feel ready let the beat of your heart guide you back. Stay in your nest and journal your experience and insights then warm another cup of your infusion and feel it ground you back to your own inner moon.
WOLF BERRY & RED DATE INFUSION.
January is the absolute dark part of the year where we instinctively gather and retreat inside. What will comfort both the heart and hearth more than a warming infusion to cup between our hands?Infusions imbibe the essence of plant medicine and by handling ingredients in their tangible form we experience their alchemical journey from raw state to medicine that interacts with our body. Creating our own infusions enhances the connection with the plant encouraging an inner sense for when our body may once again ask for this particular plant.Medicinal plants each have their own vibration which when paired with other plants form a constellation of mutually enhancing properties.This warming infusion is a traditional remedy in Traditional Chinese medicine where warming tea is integral to winter survival. A traditional restorative remedy after childbirth and menstruation, this infusion is a potent immunity booster for everyone and includes two very commonly used ingredients in Chinese medicine.
Wolfberry – (Gou Qi) documented in Chinese plant medicine for thousands of years as a nutritive tonic. They are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, carotenoids and zeaxanthin and classically prescribed in herbal formula’s to boost immunity, nourish eyes, liver and kidneys. Note: Wolfberries are part of the nightshade family along with tomato and potato so omit if you are avoiding this food group.Red Dates – (Hong Zao) contain similar properties and are also considered to be blood nourishers, traditionally prescribed as a boost after child birth, menstruation or during convalescence.Since these fruits are both high in vitamin C, they enhance the absorption of iron which is why both are considered to be blood nourishing in Chinese medicine. This action makes this infusion the ideal accompaniment to iron rich food such as legumes to boost anaemia or general lethargy.
Method: Ideally use organic and unsulphured wolfberries and red dates which can easily be sourced online.Remove the stones from the dates and add to boiling filtered water, reduce to a very slow simmer for 1 hour adding the wolfberries for the last 15 mins or so.Strain the infusion. This is a naturally very sweet infusion so no additional sweetener is needed but a little honey can be added if desired.In very cold weather when more warmth is required or if experiencing cold and flu symptoms or menstrual cramps, slices of ginger and cinnamon bark can also be added to enhance the warming properties. Drink through the day if experiencing symptoms and over a course of days to get a sense of the effect, I believe that exploring a plant in this way allows us to tune into how it interacts with our physiology; the physical, emotional and psychological.
You will explore and refine as you go in terms of preferences but initially I recommend trying this infusion without any additional ingredients to enable you to fully explore the taste signature of the wolfberry and red date.Another way to bring this medicine into your practice is by concocting healing broths.A classic example;Add dried mushrooms such as shiitake to boiling water, reduce to a simmer and add thinly sliced spring onions, ginger, the red dates and wolfberries and simmer for an hour. You can also create variations by adding seaweed and vegetables towards the end of the cooking time. I also like to add extra dried medicinal mushrooms such as cordyceps to my bowl of broth for an immunity boosting and deliciously savoury elixir.
Maria Christofi is an acupuncturist, sound therapist and artist.
by Maria Christofi
In the old farmer’s almanac, the first full moon of the year is known as the wolf moon because it is thought to date back to Native American life when wolves would be heard howling at the winter moon, marking the start of the mating season. Perhaps the stillness of a snow filled winter night amplified their cries through the cold air providing an unforgettable soundtrack for these darkest of nights.
The Wolf Moon coincides with Capricorn season, which follows Sagittarius in the zodiac trajectory and so the Sagittarius centaur’s arrow flies like fire through the night sky before landing with the earthiness of Capricorn.
Capricorn is the gateway through to the winter solstice on December 21st and grounds us as we descend into the darkest and most yin phase of the year. The vibration of winter is a return to the earth, animals hibernate, the leaves drop to the ground and we gravitate more to warmth, rest and nourishment.
Ancient Chinese shamans associated winter with the water element where they both share deep depths of all the elements and it requires deep nourishment so it can nourish our roots so that they may rise with spring and grow outwards into the mycelium of our life and what we wish to make manifest over the coming year.
The darkest quarter of the year has arrived and the internal fires yearn to be stoked for warmth and fuel until the wheel of the year turns back towards the light at the Spring Equinox.
Tonight we are going to travel into the visceral depths of this Wolf Moon night. Mark some time away from distraction with devices switched off and build yourself a nest of blankets and cushions, you may wish to record these words so that you can lead yourself through your journey. Sit with your infusion and feel the warmth of the cup in your hands, take a deep breath and then a deeper breath. Feel the warmth travel through your hands into your wrists and feel it flowing up your arms until you feel the warm trickle towards your heart.
As you sip, visualise the red of both the wolfberries and dates and tune into the red hue of your heart. Feel it beating and warming. Feel your heart expand and glow as you drop from your mind into its depths, releasing any thoughts of the day. Listen to your heart beat and visualise your heart space as a retreat with its own nest of blankets and cushions. Find a space to sit down inside this chamber of your heart and imagine your heart growing around you until you are encompassed in your heart energy. This is an opportunity for you to commune with your heart and seek its counsel, to ask for any insights or messages and to divine what you need to know. Your heart is whispering to you, listen to it.
When you feel ready, lie down and picture the full moon in your mind’s eye and visualise it illuminating and flooding you with its light. Listen to your heart beating and feel the quickening of your pulse as you emerge in Lupine form. Now run… see/feel the trees racing past you and notice what you instinctively feel the urge to leave behind as this full moon will wane, what do you feel pulled to run towards? Listen to the call of your inner wild and when you feel ready let the beat of your heart guide you back. Stay in your nest and journal your experience and insights then warm another cup of your infusion and feel it ground you back to your own inner moon.
WOLF BERRY & RED DATE INFUSION.
January is the absolute dark part of the year where we instinctively gather and retreat inside. What will comfort both the heart and hearth more than a warming infusion to cup between our hands?Infusions imbibe the essence of plant medicine and by handling ingredients in their tangible form we experience their alchemical journey from raw state to medicine that interacts with our body. Creating our own infusions enhances the connection with the plant encouraging an inner sense for when our body may once again ask for this particular plant.Medicinal plants each have their own vibration which when paired with other plants form a constellation of mutually enhancing properties.This warming infusion is a traditional remedy in Traditional Chinese medicine where warming tea is integral to winter survival. A traditional restorative remedy after childbirth and menstruation, this infusion is a potent immunity booster for everyone and includes two very commonly used ingredients in Chinese medicine.
Wolfberry – (Gou Qi) documented in Chinese plant medicine for thousands of years as a nutritive tonic. They are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, carotenoids and zeaxanthin and classically prescribed in herbal formula’s to boost immunity, nourish eyes, liver and kidneys. Note: Wolfberries are part of the nightshade family along with tomato and potato so omit if you are avoiding this food group.Red Dates – (Hong Zao) contain similar properties and are also considered to be blood nourishers, traditionally prescribed as a boost after child birth, menstruation or during convalescence.Since these fruits are both high in vitamin C, they enhance the absorption of iron which is why both are considered to be blood nourishing in Chinese medicine. This action makes this infusion the ideal accompaniment to iron rich food such as legumes to boost anaemia or general lethargy.
Method: Ideally use organic and unsulphured wolfberries and red dates which can easily be sourced online.Remove the stones from the dates and add to boiling filtered water, reduce to a very slow simmer for 1 hour adding the wolfberries for the last 15 mins or so.Strain the infusion. This is a naturally very sweet infusion so no additional sweetener is needed but a little honey can be added if desired.In very cold weather when more warmth is required or if experiencing cold and flu symptoms or menstrual cramps, slices of ginger and cinnamon bark can also be added to enhance the warming properties. Drink through the day if experiencing symptoms and over a course of days to get a sense of the effect, I believe that exploring a plant in this way allows us to tune into how it interacts with our physiology; the physical, emotional and psychological.
You will explore and refine as you go in terms of preferences but initially I recommend trying this infusion without any additional ingredients to enable you to fully explore the taste signature of the wolfberry and red date.Another way to bring this medicine into your practice is by concocting healing broths.A classic example;Add dried mushrooms such as shiitake to boiling water, reduce to a simmer and add thinly sliced spring onions, ginger, the red dates and wolfberries and simmer for an hour. You can also create variations by adding seaweed and vegetables towards the end of the cooking time. I also like to add extra dried medicinal mushrooms such as cordyceps to my bowl of broth for an immunity boosting and deliciously savoury elixir.
Maria Christofi is an acupuncturist, sound therapist and artist.
In the old farmer’s almanac, the first full moon of the year is known as the wolf moon because it is thought to date back to Native American life when wolves would be heard howling at the winter moon, marking the start of the mating season. Perhaps the stillness of a snow filled winter night amplified their cries through the cold air providing an unforgettable soundtrack for these darkest of nights.
The Wolf Moon coincides with Capricorn season, which follows Sagittarius in the zodiac trajectory and so the Sagittarius centaur’s arrow flies like fire through the night sky before landing with the earthiness of Capricorn.
Capricorn is the gateway through to the winter solstice on December 21st and grounds us as we descend into the darkest and most yin phase of the year. The vibration of winter is a return to the earth, animals hibernate, the leaves drop to the ground and we gravitate more to warmth, rest and nourishment.
Ancient Chinese shamans associated winter with the water element where they both share deep depths of all the elements and it requires deep nourishment so it can nourish our roots so that they may rise with spring and grow outwards into the mycelium of our life and what we wish to make manifest over the coming year.
The darkest quarter of the year has arrived and the internal fires yearn to be stoked for warmth and fuel until the wheel of the year turns back towards the light at the Spring Equinox.
Tonight we are going to travel into the visceral depths of this Wolf Moon night. Mark some time away from distraction with devices switched off and build yourself a nest of blankets and cushions, you may wish to record these words so that you can lead yourself through your journey. Sit with your infusion and feel the warmth of the cup in your hands, take a deep breath and then a deeper breath. Feel the warmth travel through your hands into your wrists and feel it flowing up your arms until you feel the warm trickle towards your heart.
As you sip, visualise the red of both the wolfberries and dates and tune into the red hue of your heart. Feel it beating and warming. Feel your heart expand and glow as you drop from your mind into its depths, releasing any thoughts of the day. Listen to your heart beat and visualise your heart space as a retreat with its own nest of blankets and cushions. Find a space to sit down inside this chamber of your heart and imagine your heart growing around you until you are encompassed in your heart energy. This is an opportunity for you to commune with your heart and seek its counsel, to ask for any insights or messages and to divine what you need to know. Your heart is whispering to you, listen to it.
When you feel ready, lie down and picture the full moon in your mind’s eye and visualise it illuminating and flooding you with its light. Listen to your heart beating and feel the quickening of your pulse as you emerge in Lupine form. Now run… see/feel the trees racing past you and notice what you instinctively feel the urge to leave behind as this full moon will wane, what do you feel pulled to run towards? Listen to the call of your inner wild and when you feel ready let the beat of your heart guide you back. Stay in your nest and journal your experience and insights then warm another cup of your infusion and feel it ground you back to your own inner moon.
WOLF BERRY & RED DATE INFUSION.
January is the absolute dark part of the year where we instinctively gather and retreat inside. What will comfort both the heart and hearth more than a warming infusion to cup between our hands?Infusions imbibe the essence of plant medicine and by handling ingredients in their tangible form we experience their alchemical journey from raw state to medicine that interacts with our body. Creating our own infusions enhances the connection with the plant encouraging an inner sense for when our body may once again ask for this particular plant.Medicinal plants each have their own vibration which when paired with other plants form a constellation of mutually enhancing properties.This warming infusion is a traditional remedy in Traditional Chinese medicine where warming tea is integral to winter survival. A traditional restorative remedy after childbirth and menstruation, this infusion is a potent immunity booster for everyone and includes two very commonly used ingredients in Chinese medicine.
Wolfberry – (Gou Qi) documented in Chinese plant medicine for thousands of years as a nutritive tonic. They are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, carotenoids and zeaxanthin and classically prescribed in herbal formula’s to boost immunity, nourish eyes, liver and kidneys. Note: Wolfberries are part of the nightshade family along with tomato and potato so omit if you are avoiding this food group.Red Dates – (Hong Zao) contain similar properties and are also considered to be blood nourishers, traditionally prescribed as a boost after child birth, menstruation or during convalescence.Since these fruits are both high in vitamin C, they enhance the absorption of iron which is why both are considered to be blood nourishing in Chinese medicine. This action makes this infusion the ideal accompaniment to iron rich food such as legumes to boost anaemia or general lethargy.
Method: Ideally use organic and unsulphured wolfberries and red dates which can easily be sourced online.Remove the stones from the dates and add to boiling filtered water, reduce to a very slow simmer for 1 hour adding the wolfberries for the last 15 mins or so.Strain the infusion. This is a naturally very sweet infusion so no additional sweetener is needed but a little honey can be added if desired.In very cold weather when more warmth is required or if experiencing cold and flu symptoms or menstrual cramps, slices of ginger and cinnamon bark can also be added to enhance the warming properties. Drink through the day if experiencing symptoms and over a course of days to get a sense of the effect, I believe that exploring a plant in this way allows us to tune into how it interacts with our physiology; the physical, emotional and psychological.
You will explore and refine as you go in terms of preferences but initially I recommend trying this infusion without any additional ingredients to enable you to fully explore the taste signature of the wolfberry and red date.Another way to bring this medicine into your practice is by concocting healing broths.A classic example;Add dried mushrooms such as shiitake to boiling water, reduce to a simmer and add thinly sliced spring onions, ginger, the red dates and wolfberries and simmer for an hour. You can also create variations by adding seaweed and vegetables towards the end of the cooking time. I also like to add extra dried medicinal mushrooms such as cordyceps to my bowl of broth for an immunity boosting and deliciously savoury elixir.
Maria Christofi is an acupuncturist, sound therapist and artist.
by Maria Christofi
In the old farmer’s almanac, the first full moon of the year is known as the wolf moon because it is thought to date back to Native American life when wolves would be heard howling at the winter moon, marking the start of the mating season. Perhaps the stillness of a snow filled winter night amplified their cries through the cold air providing an unforgettable soundtrack for these darkest of nights.
The Wolf Moon coincides with Capricorn season, which follows Sagittarius in the zodiac trajectory and so the Sagittarius centaur’s arrow flies like fire through the night sky before landing with the earthiness of Capricorn.
Capricorn is the gateway through to the winter solstice on December 21st and grounds us as we descend into the darkest and most yin phase of the year. The vibration of winter is a return to the earth, animals hibernate, the leaves drop to the ground and we gravitate more to warmth, rest and nourishment.
Ancient Chinese shamans associated winter with the water element where they both share deep depths of all the elements and it requires deep nourishment so it can nourish our roots so that they may rise with spring and grow outwards into the mycelium of our life and what we wish to make manifest over the coming year.
The darkest quarter of the year has arrived and the internal fires yearn to be stoked for warmth and fuel until the wheel of the year turns back towards the light at the Spring Equinox.
Tonight we are going to travel into the visceral depths of this Wolf Moon night. Mark some time away from distraction with devices switched off and build yourself a nest of blankets and cushions, you may wish to record these words so that you can lead yourself through your journey. Sit with your infusion and feel the warmth of the cup in your hands, take a deep breath and then a deeper breath. Feel the warmth travel through your hands into your wrists and feel it flowing up your arms until you feel the warm trickle towards your heart.
As you sip, visualise the red of both the wolfberries and dates and tune into the red hue of your heart. Feel it beating and warming. Feel your heart expand and glow as you drop from your mind into its depths, releasing any thoughts of the day. Listen to your heart beat and visualise your heart space as a retreat with its own nest of blankets and cushions. Find a space to sit down inside this chamber of your heart and imagine your heart growing around you until you are encompassed in your heart energy. This is an opportunity for you to commune with your heart and seek its counsel, to ask for any insights or messages and to divine what you need to know. Your heart is whispering to you, listen to it.
When you feel ready, lie down and picture the full moon in your mind’s eye and visualise it illuminating and flooding you with its light. Listen to your heart beating and feel the quickening of your pulse as you emerge in Lupine form. Now run… see/feel the trees racing past you and notice what you instinctively feel the urge to leave behind as this full moon will wane, what do you feel pulled to run towards? Listen to the call of your inner wild and when you feel ready let the beat of your heart guide you back. Stay in your nest and journal your experience and insights then warm another cup of your infusion and feel it ground you back to your own inner moon.
WOLF BERRY & RED DATE INFUSION.
January is the absolute dark part of the year where we instinctively gather and retreat inside. What will comfort both the heart and hearth more than a warming infusion to cup between our hands?Infusions imbibe the essence of plant medicine and by handling ingredients in their tangible form we experience their alchemical journey from raw state to medicine that interacts with our body. Creating our own infusions enhances the connection with the plant encouraging an inner sense for when our body may once again ask for this particular plant.Medicinal plants each have their own vibration which when paired with other plants form a constellation of mutually enhancing properties.This warming infusion is a traditional remedy in Traditional Chinese medicine where warming tea is integral to winter survival. A traditional restorative remedy after childbirth and menstruation, this infusion is a potent immunity booster for everyone and includes two very commonly used ingredients in Chinese medicine.
Wolfberry – (Gou Qi) documented in Chinese plant medicine for thousands of years as a nutritive tonic. They are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, carotenoids and zeaxanthin and classically prescribed in herbal formula’s to boost immunity, nourish eyes, liver and kidneys. Note: Wolfberries are part of the nightshade family along with tomato and potato so omit if you are avoiding this food group.Red Dates – (Hong Zao) contain similar properties and are also considered to be blood nourishers, traditionally prescribed as a boost after child birth, menstruation or during convalescence.Since these fruits are both high in vitamin C, they enhance the absorption of iron which is why both are considered to be blood nourishing in Chinese medicine. This action makes this infusion the ideal accompaniment to iron rich food such as legumes to boost anaemia or general lethargy.
Method: Ideally use organic and unsulphured wolfberries and red dates which can easily be sourced online.Remove the stones from the dates and add to boiling filtered water, reduce to a very slow simmer for 1 hour adding the wolfberries for the last 15 mins or so.Strain the infusion. This is a naturally very sweet infusion so no additional sweetener is needed but a little honey can be added if desired.In very cold weather when more warmth is required or if experiencing cold and flu symptoms or menstrual cramps, slices of ginger and cinnamon bark can also be added to enhance the warming properties. Drink through the day if experiencing symptoms and over a course of days to get a sense of the effect, I believe that exploring a plant in this way allows us to tune into how it interacts with our physiology; the physical, emotional and psychological.
You will explore and refine as you go in terms of preferences but initially I recommend trying this infusion without any additional ingredients to enable you to fully explore the taste signature of the wolfberry and red date.Another way to bring this medicine into your practice is by concocting healing broths.A classic example;Add dried mushrooms such as shiitake to boiling water, reduce to a simmer and add thinly sliced spring onions, ginger, the red dates and wolfberries and simmer for an hour. You can also create variations by adding seaweed and vegetables towards the end of the cooking time. I also like to add extra dried medicinal mushrooms such as cordyceps to my bowl of broth for an immunity boosting and deliciously savoury elixir.
Maria Christofi is an acupuncturist, sound therapist and artist.
In the old farmer’s almanac, the first full moon of the year is known as the wolf moon because it is thought to date back to Native American life when wolves would be heard howling at the winter moon, marking the start of the mating season. Perhaps the stillness of a snow filled winter night amplified their cries through the cold air providing an unforgettable soundtrack for these darkest of nights.
The Wolf Moon coincides with Capricorn season, which follows Sagittarius in the zodiac trajectory and so the Sagittarius centaur’s arrow flies like fire through the night sky before landing with the earthiness of Capricorn.
Capricorn is the gateway through to the winter solstice on December 21st and grounds us as we descend into the darkest and most yin phase of the year. The vibration of winter is a return to the earth, animals hibernate, the leaves drop to the ground and we gravitate more to warmth, rest and nourishment.
Ancient Chinese shamans associated winter with the water element where they both share deep depths of all the elements and it requires deep nourishment so it can nourish our roots so that they may rise with spring and grow outwards into the mycelium of our life and what we wish to make manifest over the coming year.
The darkest quarter of the year has arrived and the internal fires yearn to be stoked for warmth and fuel until the wheel of the year turns back towards the light at the Spring Equinox.
Tonight we are going to travel into the visceral depths of this Wolf Moon night. Mark some time away from distraction with devices switched off and build yourself a nest of blankets and cushions, you may wish to record these words so that you can lead yourself through your journey. Sit with your infusion and feel the warmth of the cup in your hands, take a deep breath and then a deeper breath. Feel the warmth travel through your hands into your wrists and feel it flowing up your arms until you feel the warm trickle towards your heart.
As you sip, visualise the red of both the wolfberries and dates and tune into the red hue of your heart. Feel it beating and warming. Feel your heart expand and glow as you drop from your mind into its depths, releasing any thoughts of the day. Listen to your heart beat and visualise your heart space as a retreat with its own nest of blankets and cushions. Find a space to sit down inside this chamber of your heart and imagine your heart growing around you until you are encompassed in your heart energy. This is an opportunity for you to commune with your heart and seek its counsel, to ask for any insights or messages and to divine what you need to know. Your heart is whispering to you, listen to it.
When you feel ready, lie down and picture the full moon in your mind’s eye and visualise it illuminating and flooding you with its light. Listen to your heart beating and feel the quickening of your pulse as you emerge in Lupine form. Now run… see/feel the trees racing past you and notice what you instinctively feel the urge to leave behind as this full moon will wane, what do you feel pulled to run towards? Listen to the call of your inner wild and when you feel ready let the beat of your heart guide you back. Stay in your nest and journal your experience and insights then warm another cup of your infusion and feel it ground you back to your own inner moon.
WOLF BERRY & RED DATE INFUSION.
January is the absolute dark part of the year where we instinctively gather and retreat inside. What will comfort both the heart and hearth more than a warming infusion to cup between our hands?Infusions imbibe the essence of plant medicine and by handling ingredients in their tangible form we experience their alchemical journey from raw state to medicine that interacts with our body. Creating our own infusions enhances the connection with the plant encouraging an inner sense for when our body may once again ask for this particular plant.Medicinal plants each have their own vibration which when paired with other plants form a constellation of mutually enhancing properties.This warming infusion is a traditional remedy in Traditional Chinese medicine where warming tea is integral to winter survival. A traditional restorative remedy after childbirth and menstruation, this infusion is a potent immunity booster for everyone and includes two very commonly used ingredients in Chinese medicine.
Wolfberry – (Gou Qi) documented in Chinese plant medicine for thousands of years as a nutritive tonic. They are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, carotenoids and zeaxanthin and classically prescribed in herbal formula’s to boost immunity, nourish eyes, liver and kidneys. Note: Wolfberries are part of the nightshade family along with tomato and potato so omit if you are avoiding this food group.Red Dates – (Hong Zao) contain similar properties and are also considered to be blood nourishers, traditionally prescribed as a boost after child birth, menstruation or during convalescence.Since these fruits are both high in vitamin C, they enhance the absorption of iron which is why both are considered to be blood nourishing in Chinese medicine. This action makes this infusion the ideal accompaniment to iron rich food such as legumes to boost anaemia or general lethargy.
Method: Ideally use organic and unsulphured wolfberries and red dates which can easily be sourced online.Remove the stones from the dates and add to boiling filtered water, reduce to a very slow simmer for 1 hour adding the wolfberries for the last 15 mins or so.Strain the infusion. This is a naturally very sweet infusion so no additional sweetener is needed but a little honey can be added if desired.In very cold weather when more warmth is required or if experiencing cold and flu symptoms or menstrual cramps, slices of ginger and cinnamon bark can also be added to enhance the warming properties. Drink through the day if experiencing symptoms and over a course of days to get a sense of the effect, I believe that exploring a plant in this way allows us to tune into how it interacts with our physiology; the physical, emotional and psychological.
You will explore and refine as you go in terms of preferences but initially I recommend trying this infusion without any additional ingredients to enable you to fully explore the taste signature of the wolfberry and red date.Another way to bring this medicine into your practice is by concocting healing broths.A classic example;Add dried mushrooms such as shiitake to boiling water, reduce to a simmer and add thinly sliced spring onions, ginger, the red dates and wolfberries and simmer for an hour. You can also create variations by adding seaweed and vegetables towards the end of the cooking time. I also like to add extra dried medicinal mushrooms such as cordyceps to my bowl of broth for an immunity boosting and deliciously savoury elixir.
Maria Christofi is an acupuncturist, sound therapist and artist.
by Maria Christofi
In the old farmer’s almanac, the first full moon of the year is known as the wolf moon because it is thought to date back to Native American life when wolves would be heard howling at the winter moon, marking the start of the mating season. Perhaps the stillness of a snow filled winter night amplified their cries through the cold air providing an unforgettable soundtrack for these darkest of nights.
The Wolf Moon coincides with Capricorn season, which follows Sagittarius in the zodiac trajectory and so the Sagittarius centaur’s arrow flies like fire through the night sky before landing with the earthiness of Capricorn.
Capricorn is the gateway through to the winter solstice on December 21st and grounds us as we descend into the darkest and most yin phase of the year. The vibration of winter is a return to the earth, animals hibernate, the leaves drop to the ground and we gravitate more to warmth, rest and nourishment.
Ancient Chinese shamans associated winter with the water element where they both share deep depths of all the elements and it requires deep nourishment so it can nourish our roots so that they may rise with spring and grow outwards into the mycelium of our life and what we wish to make manifest over the coming year.
The darkest quarter of the year has arrived and the internal fires yearn to be stoked for warmth and fuel until the wheel of the year turns back towards the light at the Spring Equinox.
Tonight we are going to travel into the visceral depths of this Wolf Moon night. Mark some time away from distraction with devices switched off and build yourself a nest of blankets and cushions, you may wish to record these words so that you can lead yourself through your journey. Sit with your infusion and feel the warmth of the cup in your hands, take a deep breath and then a deeper breath. Feel the warmth travel through your hands into your wrists and feel it flowing up your arms until you feel the warm trickle towards your heart.
As you sip, visualise the red of both the wolfberries and dates and tune into the red hue of your heart. Feel it beating and warming. Feel your heart expand and glow as you drop from your mind into its depths, releasing any thoughts of the day. Listen to your heart beat and visualise your heart space as a retreat with its own nest of blankets and cushions. Find a space to sit down inside this chamber of your heart and imagine your heart growing around you until you are encompassed in your heart energy. This is an opportunity for you to commune with your heart and seek its counsel, to ask for any insights or messages and to divine what you need to know. Your heart is whispering to you, listen to it.
When you feel ready, lie down and picture the full moon in your mind’s eye and visualise it illuminating and flooding you with its light. Listen to your heart beating and feel the quickening of your pulse as you emerge in Lupine form. Now run… see/feel the trees racing past you and notice what you instinctively feel the urge to leave behind as this full moon will wane, what do you feel pulled to run towards? Listen to the call of your inner wild and when you feel ready let the beat of your heart guide you back. Stay in your nest and journal your experience and insights then warm another cup of your infusion and feel it ground you back to your own inner moon.
WOLF BERRY & RED DATE INFUSION.
January is the absolute dark part of the year where we instinctively gather and retreat inside. What will comfort both the heart and hearth more than a warming infusion to cup between our hands?Infusions imbibe the essence of plant medicine and by handling ingredients in their tangible form we experience their alchemical journey from raw state to medicine that interacts with our body. Creating our own infusions enhances the connection with the plant encouraging an inner sense for when our body may once again ask for this particular plant.Medicinal plants each have their own vibration which when paired with other plants form a constellation of mutually enhancing properties.This warming infusion is a traditional remedy in Traditional Chinese medicine where warming tea is integral to winter survival. A traditional restorative remedy after childbirth and menstruation, this infusion is a potent immunity booster for everyone and includes two very commonly used ingredients in Chinese medicine.
Wolfberry – (Gou Qi) documented in Chinese plant medicine for thousands of years as a nutritive tonic. They are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, carotenoids and zeaxanthin and classically prescribed in herbal formula’s to boost immunity, nourish eyes, liver and kidneys. Note: Wolfberries are part of the nightshade family along with tomato and potato so omit if you are avoiding this food group.Red Dates – (Hong Zao) contain similar properties and are also considered to be blood nourishers, traditionally prescribed as a boost after child birth, menstruation or during convalescence.Since these fruits are both high in vitamin C, they enhance the absorption of iron which is why both are considered to be blood nourishing in Chinese medicine. This action makes this infusion the ideal accompaniment to iron rich food such as legumes to boost anaemia or general lethargy.
Method: Ideally use organic and unsulphured wolfberries and red dates which can easily be sourced online.Remove the stones from the dates and add to boiling filtered water, reduce to a very slow simmer for 1 hour adding the wolfberries for the last 15 mins or so.Strain the infusion. This is a naturally very sweet infusion so no additional sweetener is needed but a little honey can be added if desired.In very cold weather when more warmth is required or if experiencing cold and flu symptoms or menstrual cramps, slices of ginger and cinnamon bark can also be added to enhance the warming properties. Drink through the day if experiencing symptoms and over a course of days to get a sense of the effect, I believe that exploring a plant in this way allows us to tune into how it interacts with our physiology; the physical, emotional and psychological.
You will explore and refine as you go in terms of preferences but initially I recommend trying this infusion without any additional ingredients to enable you to fully explore the taste signature of the wolfberry and red date.Another way to bring this medicine into your practice is by concocting healing broths.A classic example;Add dried mushrooms such as shiitake to boiling water, reduce to a simmer and add thinly sliced spring onions, ginger, the red dates and wolfberries and simmer for an hour. You can also create variations by adding seaweed and vegetables towards the end of the cooking time. I also like to add extra dried medicinal mushrooms such as cordyceps to my bowl of broth for an immunity boosting and deliciously savoury elixir.
Maria Christofi is an acupuncturist, sound therapist and artist.
In the old farmer’s almanac, the first full moon of the year is known as the wolf moon because it is thought to date back to Native American life when wolves would be heard howling at the winter moon, marking the start of the mating season. Perhaps the stillness of a snow filled winter night amplified their cries through the cold air providing an unforgettable soundtrack for these darkest of nights.
The Wolf Moon coincides with Capricorn season, which follows Sagittarius in the zodiac trajectory and so the Sagittarius centaur’s arrow flies like fire through the night sky before landing with the earthiness of Capricorn.
Capricorn is the gateway through to the winter solstice on December 21st and grounds us as we descend into the darkest and most yin phase of the year. The vibration of winter is a return to the earth, animals hibernate, the leaves drop to the ground and we gravitate more to warmth, rest and nourishment.
Ancient Chinese shamans associated winter with the water element where they both share deep depths of all the elements and it requires deep nourishment so it can nourish our roots so that they may rise with spring and grow outwards into the mycelium of our life and what we wish to make manifest over the coming year.
The darkest quarter of the year has arrived and the internal fires yearn to be stoked for warmth and fuel until the wheel of the year turns back towards the light at the Spring Equinox.
Tonight we are going to travel into the visceral depths of this Wolf Moon night. Mark some time away from distraction with devices switched off and build yourself a nest of blankets and cushions, you may wish to record these words so that you can lead yourself through your journey. Sit with your infusion and feel the warmth of the cup in your hands, take a deep breath and then a deeper breath. Feel the warmth travel through your hands into your wrists and feel it flowing up your arms until you feel the warm trickle towards your heart.
As you sip, visualise the red of both the wolfberries and dates and tune into the red hue of your heart. Feel it beating and warming. Feel your heart expand and glow as you drop from your mind into its depths, releasing any thoughts of the day. Listen to your heart beat and visualise your heart space as a retreat with its own nest of blankets and cushions. Find a space to sit down inside this chamber of your heart and imagine your heart growing around you until you are encompassed in your heart energy. This is an opportunity for you to commune with your heart and seek its counsel, to ask for any insights or messages and to divine what you need to know. Your heart is whispering to you, listen to it.
When you feel ready, lie down and picture the full moon in your mind’s eye and visualise it illuminating and flooding you with its light. Listen to your heart beating and feel the quickening of your pulse as you emerge in Lupine form. Now run… see/feel the trees racing past you and notice what you instinctively feel the urge to leave behind as this full moon will wane, what do you feel pulled to run towards? Listen to the call of your inner wild and when you feel ready let the beat of your heart guide you back. Stay in your nest and journal your experience and insights then warm another cup of your infusion and feel it ground you back to your own inner moon.
WOLF BERRY & RED DATE INFUSION.
January is the absolute dark part of the year where we instinctively gather and retreat inside. What will comfort both the heart and hearth more than a warming infusion to cup between our hands?Infusions imbibe the essence of plant medicine and by handling ingredients in their tangible form we experience their alchemical journey from raw state to medicine that interacts with our body. Creating our own infusions enhances the connection with the plant encouraging an inner sense for when our body may once again ask for this particular plant.Medicinal plants each have their own vibration which when paired with other plants form a constellation of mutually enhancing properties.This warming infusion is a traditional remedy in Traditional Chinese medicine where warming tea is integral to winter survival. A traditional restorative remedy after childbirth and menstruation, this infusion is a potent immunity booster for everyone and includes two very commonly used ingredients in Chinese medicine.
Wolfberry – (Gou Qi) documented in Chinese plant medicine for thousands of years as a nutritive tonic. They are high in antioxidants, vitamin C, carotenoids and zeaxanthin and classically prescribed in herbal formula’s to boost immunity, nourish eyes, liver and kidneys. Note: Wolfberries are part of the nightshade family along with tomato and potato so omit if you are avoiding this food group.Red Dates – (Hong Zao) contain similar properties and are also considered to be blood nourishers, traditionally prescribed as a boost after child birth, menstruation or during convalescence.Since these fruits are both high in vitamin C, they enhance the absorption of iron which is why both are considered to be blood nourishing in Chinese medicine. This action makes this infusion the ideal accompaniment to iron rich food such as legumes to boost anaemia or general lethargy.
Method: Ideally use organic and unsulphured wolfberries and red dates which can easily be sourced online.Remove the stones from the dates and add to boiling filtered water, reduce to a very slow simmer for 1 hour adding the wolfberries for the last 15 mins or so.Strain the infusion. This is a naturally very sweet infusion so no additional sweetener is needed but a little honey can be added if desired.In very cold weather when more warmth is required or if experiencing cold and flu symptoms or menstrual cramps, slices of ginger and cinnamon bark can also be added to enhance the warming properties. Drink through the day if experiencing symptoms and over a course of days to get a sense of the effect, I believe that exploring a plant in this way allows us to tune into how it interacts with our physiology; the physical, emotional and psychological.
You will explore and refine as you go in terms of preferences but initially I recommend trying this infusion without any additional ingredients to enable you to fully explore the taste signature of the wolfberry and red date.Another way to bring this medicine into your practice is by concocting healing broths.A classic example;Add dried mushrooms such as shiitake to boiling water, reduce to a simmer and add thinly sliced spring onions, ginger, the red dates and wolfberries and simmer for an hour. You can also create variations by adding seaweed and vegetables towards the end of the cooking time. I also like to add extra dried medicinal mushrooms such as cordyceps to my bowl of broth for an immunity boosting and deliciously savoury elixir.
Maria Christofi is an acupuncturist, sound therapist and artist.