#herbal medicine regulation

[livingwellnessblog]

How can we talk about herbal medicine: The “West is Right” Model  of Herbal Medicine 

Explore the rich landscape of herbal medicine and its efficacy, drawing from both traditional wisdom and modern research. Discover the intricate balance between cultural practices, scientific evidence, and safety considerations in herbal remedies. From th

How can we talk about herbal medicine: The “West is Right” Model  of Herbal Medicine  There is a wide range of herbal remedies that have been used for centuries and many have shown varying degrees of effectiveness for certain conditions. However, the documented herbal medicine, traditional medicine, efficacy of herbal remedies, West Is Right model, scientific evidence, placebo effect,…

[harmeet-saggi]

Harnessing Nature's Power: Managing Diabetes With Sadabahar, An Ayurvedic Wonder Herb

Are you tired of the relentless battle against diabetes, seeking a natural remedy that aligns with holistic wellness principles? Imagine a solution derived from ancient Ayurvedic wisdom, seamlessly blending with modern science – introducing Sadabahar, the Ayurvedic wonder herb that holds the promise of transforming the way we manage diabetes. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the intricacies of Sadabahar, exploring its potential in insulin regulation, blood sugar control, and holistic healthcare. Join us on this journey as we uncover the secrets behind Sadabahar's efficacy and its role in managing chronic conditions, all while embracing a plant-based approach to health.

[andmaybegayer]

There are several recent reports ... indicating that adulteration, the deliberate inclusion of pharmaceutical drugs in products marketed as “supplements”, is still happening on a large scale. They found that many herbal product marketed for male erection, including Tantra Jelly, Bullblood tablets and Throb herbal supplements, contained regulated pharmaceuticals, including sildenafil, tadalafil or vardenafil (better known as Viagra and Cialis). This was more prevalent when purchased online from overseas companies.

this is obviously bad, but there's something very funny about having to put real drugs in your herbal remedy so that it actually works, you know, like drugs do.

[thebibliosphere]

Do you have any thoughts/resources on the meds vs herbs/alt vs traditional debate? Only if you have them easily accessible, I don’t wan’t to cause trouble.

That is a very broad subject and one I have touched on numerous times as a chronically ill person who was also worked in holistic therapies for several years. (Side effect of being raised in an anti-medicine new age cult adjacent environment.)

In brief, I’m a firm believer that both have their place and can complement each other well when used appropriately.

The tl;dr version: I don’t believe enough people respect things like herbalism in the way they should because it is potent and not without side effects and too many people treat holistic as meaning harmless.

I see far too many people making herbal recommendations without either enough knowledge about interactions (either with other herbs or meds) or medical learning to be giving that kind of unsolicited advice.

For example, someone with IBS may find relief from fennel and peppermint tea and prefer it over having to take meds every day, but that same method may not apply to other forms of gastric distress (for example: peppermint can actively worsen acid reflux) or disease requiring greater medical intervention. Heck, the same may not even apply to someone else with IBS either. It depends on the individual and their needs.

I also believe that herbalism and things like essential oils need to be better regulated, especially the wellness mlm cults like doTerra and Young Living to name a few. But that’s a rant I’ve already covered numerous times and got harassed for by the wellness girlies.

[durge-marzio]

Modern/College AU design wips, because I have no idea when the completed lineup of all the companions will be done.

Karlach, Marzio, Gortash, Gale, & Kiln (Kiln —> tav belonging to @nightly-sereine). All of them are no older than 23, Kiln & Gale being the youngest.

see below cut for AU lore dumping

AU Background:

Marzio, Karlach, and Gortash are all high school drop outs. Marzio and Gortash have their GEDs, but not Karlach.

Marzio couldn't focus on graduating due to poorly treated urges. Karlach, I imagine, wasn't big for school. And Gortash had a horrible upbringing (Raphael as a foster parent). He dropped out and ran away/emancipated himself.

We figured that Bhaalspawn in this universe probably have some kind of medication to help regulate killing urges. Gortash would help get Marzio his outside of legal places to say the least. Karlach would act as a look out, which is how she got "sold". They got caught one run, and Karlach got arrested while Gortash got away.

Karlach is now out on parole. She's Kiln's roommate.

Marzio has custody of a still teenage Orin. Marzio, Orin, and Gortash all live with Father Lorgan, who sponsors Marzio's education.

Gale & Kiln are dating. Marzio & Gortash are dating.

Marzio is a Martial Arts major (with a minor in Herbal Medicine). Kiln is a 3D Art major (with a minor in Archery). Haven't decided Gortash's official major or minor yet, but it's probably political science & sociology. Though, he's definitely doing engineering/mechanics on the side. He's got a big, beat up, painted van full of all his projects.

Shenanigans ensue.

Oh, and Kiln has a dire samoyed named Cottage Cheese.

To be continued...

[script-a-world]

Submitted via Google Form:

How reckless could a race of people be if they could heal rapidly? If someone got hit by a car in real life and needed a few months to start walking again, and over a year to do anything like martial arts again, for these people, they'd be walking in a few days and doing martial arts in two weeks. If they would die on impact, then yes, they would die. If they would die in an ambulance, it depends but they would still have a chance. In real life, cuts that take a few days to heal will be healed in several minutes. They definitely do feel pain of course, but as a whole, the general populace has pain tolerance just below those of elite athletes in the real world. I'm imagining these people might be the daredevil type.. could it be very common to get cuts and bruises, not strange to see some of the worst kids or teens getting cut nearly every single day, multiple times a day. I mostly want to focus on the injured = not a big deal bit. Or getting injured as part of normal daily life. But what else might this affect? More surgeries happening because people decide the recovery time isn't an issue (doesn't eliminate other factors of course) How about piercings? If someone goes half a day without piercings, their hole would close. Maybe... medicine that stops the healing process? But how expensive could those medicines be vs getting pierced again?

Tex: So there’s this plant, called plantain. One of the common varieties is known as Plantago major. One of its primary uses in herbal medicine is to heal wounds - and it’s very good at it!

A little bit too good, unfortunately, and it often comes with a warning to clean out wounds first before applying it, because it has the tendency to work so quickly at encouraging skin to knit back up that infections can easily be sealed underneath. This is a problem, because in order to heal the infection, the skin must be cut back open, lest someone risk the infection spreading to the blood and causing sepsis (if not, in bad cases, necrosis).

“Super healing” has many of the same flaws. In practice, the process of healing is rather complex, and while there is some overlap in steps (excess blood cleared away, immune system response to pathogens, phagocytosis, signals sent to regenerate broken tissue or other affected organs), doing too much of only one process can have detrimental effects on the patient in question. It’s the reason why in first aid you clean a wound first, then apply medicines, then apply bandages.

Things like bones, and the squishier bits called organs, take time to heal, because they’re not only reallocating resources to grow new cells (i.e. neurogenesis, osteogenesis, etc), they’re also going through the entire pathway of fighting infections (i.e. B cells, T cells, etc) and checking for cancerous markers of cells that duplicated incorrectly (uncommon, but non-zero possibility). It’s a lot, lot more than “add calcium to bone” or “make skin whole”.

Regeneration of tissue is also rather itchy, and uncomfortable. That, barring anything else, is going to make a lot of people think twice about how many injuries they’re willing to risk. Compounding injuries compounds the discomfort, and most people wish to avoid being uncomfortable if there’s any other option for a situation.

On top of that, rapid regeneration would require a large amount of resources for both calories and micronutrients. This translates to being hungry all the time. Humans can generally heal quickly with a good diet and enough sleep (the brain regulates the flushing of metabolic waste during sleep, Patel et al.), which is why it’s seen as a good sign for hospital patients to have an appetite and also to have a regular sleep schedule.

You can handwave as much of this as you like in your worldbuilding, but to borrow SAW’s general rule, “you break it, you bought it” in terms of internal consistency.

[omegaverse-anthropologist]

ok this is the post i actually wanted to write for no reason in particular. i just didn’t feel good abt writing about forced transition without talking about normal transition for normal people first, since transition is a good and beautiful thing. i wanted to draw a clear distinction between transition and bitching. transition is a life-saving process. bitching, in this omegaverse, is abuse.

obligatory note that i am nonbinary

content warnings for sexual assault, abuse of both adults and minors. the dove is dead, and if you open this up and look at it, that’s your choice lol

bitching

in my last post, i talked about how delta-omega transition is the process by which a trans omega re-balances their natural hormone production to align with their dynamic sex. d-omega transition does not require sexual contact, but pack- and medical support.

forced transition (historically called bitching), is the violent weaponization of d-omega transition. it is the process by which someone (in 84% of cases, an alpha) forces another alpha to a more omega hormone balance.

forced transition is a complex form of abuse that typically involves social isolation, drugging, and sexual assault. most frequently, the perpetrator relies on herbal/traditional medicines to induce the destabilized hormonal state required to re-balance their target’s hormones, since illicit prescriptions are difficult and expensive to procure. social isolation and other forms of abuse (e.g. intimidation, physical assault, neglect) make it easier for the perpetrator to drug their target and induce destabilization.

once destabilization is induced, the perpetrator forces frequent contact onto their target. again, social isolation facilitates this frequent contact. in over 90% of FT cases, the perpetrator sexually assaults their target at least once.

as with d-omega transition, frequent contact with alpha pheromones in this destabilized state causes a sharp increase in omega hormones, a sharp decrease in alpha hormones, and an appropriate shift in beta balancing hormones. unlike d-omega transition, wherein the d-omega has the support of their pack and/or community to help them regulate both chemically and emotionally, an FT target typically relies solely on the perpetrator for any sense of balance. this sometimes leads to a near-feral state of desperation, furthering their dependence on the perpetrator and causing the target to be more vulnerable to their influence. high levels of stress hormones cause the target to be less susceptible to permanent hormone shifting, meaning that at least in adults, if the process is interrupted it is possible for the natural hormonal balance to be restored.

41% of forced transitions are detected in progress, and the FT process is interrupted 58% more frequently in adults than in children. tragically, this means that almost 75% of child targets are undetected, at least until the process is ‘complete.’ in addition, the earlier the abuse begins, the more difficult it is for the target to return to (or reach for the first time) their natural alpha hormonal balance.

in cases of childhood FT where the abuse began during the soft-cycle period, whether the transition process was complete or not, the survivor may need lifelong treatment to achieve and maintain an alpha hormonal balance.

while interrupted FT typically has positive outcomes for adults, in children, there are often lasting difficulties. enlarged houghton (slick) glands are irreversible regardless of age, and childhood abuse may lead to painful mixed reproductive cycles. these mixed cycles contain a mix of alpha and omega symptoms such as fever, headache, abdominal cramps, prolonged/painful erection, overproduction of lubricant, and aggression. the sexual trauma associated with FT may cause a host of other difficulties associated with reproductive cycles.

in addition, survivors may have mixed instincts. surviving alphas may perform instinctually omegan vocalisations such as stuttered or painful purring, may respond in a more omegan fashion to a trusted alpha’s Voice, and prefer the company of other omegas during their reproductive cycles.

the complex and lasting condition caused by FT is called FT-Derived Disrupted Alpha Presentation Disorder in those for whom the abuse began any time before or within a year after their first full cycle, and is a type of disrupted presentation disorder. in adults, the condition is called FT-Derived Mixed Endocrine Disorder, Subtype A. colloquially, both conditions are referred to as FT-Survivor Syndrome, or Bitched Alpha Syndrome. The latter was used historically, when “Bitching” was the medical term for forced alpha-omega transition. Today, BAS is antiquated and extremely offensive, as is using the phrase ‘bitched alpha’ to describe a survivor of forced a-o transition.

[sleeplesssmoll]

I once took :nodnetto: and created :zoomiesnetto: and I must ask

Hypothetically, what would a hyper Sonetto (caused either by Picrasma Candy or sweets) act like to you?

I now have this gif saved everywhere. It's adorable!

Sonetto would use all that energy to do all her tasks at once. She's a little jitterbug but she's productive instead of bouncing off the walls. I also feel like she'd be more sensitive to things like sugar and alcohol due to the Foundation's strict regulations. She didn't indulge in it as much as Vertin who stole the good stuff from the staff canteen (mentioned in her time in the guardhouse). Picrasma candy contains sugar and booze, but its also bitter according to the item description. I feel like she wouldn't eat picrasma candy after learning how bitter it is, but she's a sucker for a sugary cookie or candy! Give the puppy a treat since she works very hard.

I wrote a thing a while back of Sonetto being curious about the candy since Vertin's always eating them and she's shocked at how bitter they are. She didn't realize Vertin's just abusing them for energy lol

[iatrophilosophos]

Hey, do you have any info or tips on diy medicine? I've always been interested but haven't found much success

Medicine is just problem solving. IME it's important to take nothing for granted and get as granular as possible with what you're trying to achieve, because that opens more doors.

Re: that point, diy med is being a medical researcher. Very rarely is work done for you, so there's a lot of fucking around and finding out--how much risk you chose to take is up to you in experimenting; but I'm pretty gung ho and I can still count on one hand the number of times I've tried something that carried more risk than over-the-counter acetaminophen.

Read voraciously--coming from someone who can only get thru about three books a year. It's fucking hard but it is so beyond worth it to work at it, however much you can. Read until you know enough to have questions and then read to find the answer to those questions and/or figure out how to determine an answer for yourself.

Bad sources can be just as educational as good ones--western medicine has a bunch of fuckshit in it and having strong, grounded analysis of why you think an approach, treatment, whatever is bullshit will help you in finding something better.

Anecdotal evidence is useful as FUCK. Western medical practice is regulated formally and informally by legal anxiety and profit motives (ergo an unwillingness to produce anything under a certain statistical bar of effectiveness) but for a LOT of anecdotal home remedies and experimental treatments, risk factors are p minimal and if you feel comfortable trying it based on a realistic risk assessment...you can just try it, lol.

I really want to stress that diy med doesn't just have to be about trying to get a sub-par approximation of western med. Sometimes what we can do for ourselves is limited or less effective, sure--but we are also capable of doing better. There's pros and cons, right, but autonomous medicine gives the opportunity to try something that a doctor never would--sometimes because of risk, but more usually it's about legal anxiety and state restrictions. I remember hearing someone I knew who worked in drug development talk about how stupid it was that their team was having to reinvent the wheel instead of using THC in a drug; even though there exists documentation that THC has the property they were after, their program got federal funding so no marijuana.

Personally my entry point was herbalism and it's not a bad route to go. It can do a LOT, it's very accessible, and unlike a lot of medicine it's less gatekept & there's a significant population of writers creating resources specifically for laypeople with a focus on autonomy and self practice; plus rad community spaces exist and ofc like any scene they're full of bullshit (transmisogyny and gender essentialism in lefty alt health is a huge current, unfortunately), but they can be a good place to like. Network until you actually find the other ppl on the fringes of the scene who you might actually click with. An herbal background also gives you a LOT of directional freedom--lots of sources will combine western medical information on top of traditional and anecdotal practices, which cumulates in a lot of lenses you can apply to try to solve a problem; plus a lot of drugs are or can be plant-derived and having a skillset to identify/grow, harvest and process plants is really useful even if western medicine is the primary lens you want to use (tbh ur basic herbal preparations are often the first step in more exact drug isolation procedures). It's also just essential imo to have more than a western medical perspective--take time to read less immediately practical texts about medical history, other medical systems, and other conceptualizations of illness and the human body. One of my hotter takes? Miasma theory is still relevant and useful. There's a lot of fuckshit everywhere, both within and outside of western medicine--treat no source as authoritative and every claim as a thought experiment! But seriously, take the time to see what's out there. Accumulate as much raw information as possible to build your toolkit.

Some herbal resources I like for beginners (all books on LibGen.is)

Rjwhelan.co.nz -- aoteroa based medical herbalist who presents a really wide range of info from historical/traditional to western scientific. He's got some interesting (read: bad) takes but is a solid writer and information aggregator.

The herbal medicine makers handbook by James green -- good intro to herbal preparation with a range of procedures from simple folk methods to more measurement and chemistry heavy. Also got some weird opinions. That's just kinda how it be.

Wild remedies by rosalee de foret and Emily han -- cute basic introduction to herbalism

The psychopharmacology of herbal medicines by Marcello spinella -- says it right on the tin. useful reference.

The Earthwise herbal (vol 1 and vol 2) by Matthew wood -- listen. I fucking hate this man. I kind of hate these books (organized alphabetically by latin name...come the fuck on) BUT. It is still a pretty ok reference book with a similar approach to Richard Whelan's work and it has herbs that I've had trouble finding in other texts.

On working with others and sharing information: it's important to not play doctor. I strongly encourage folks to help out other people, but in an assistive capscity--not a prescriptive one. Share your sources, explain your opinions! The goal is to offer as much information as possible for someone else to make their own decisions. If you're in the US, this is a pretty good rundown of the legal positionality of herbalists (/health consultants generally) but I strongly advocate for going further than the law in this case on ideological autonomy-focused grounds.

Finally: medicine is not a solitary undertaking. Having a group of friends or even just acquaintances with different needs, priorities and viewpoints will get you much further in a few months than you could on your own in years. And it's slow going at first. It really is. You'll fuck up, you'll go around believing something for years to suddenly realize it's bullshit, you will grow and change. But you'll get there.

[enigmaticexplorer]

I Yearn, and so I Fear - Part II - Chapter IX

Masterlist | Previous Chapter | Next Chapter

General Summary. Nearly a year since the Galactic Empire’s rise to power, Kazi Ennari is trying to survive. But her routine is interrupted—and life upended—when she’s forced to cohabitate with former Imperial soldiers. Clone soldiers. 

Pairing. Commander Wolffe x female!OC

General Warnings. Canon-typical violence and assault, familial struggles, terminal disease, bigotry, explicit sexual content, death. This story deals with heavy content. If you’re easily triggered, please do not read. For a more comprehensive list of tags, click here.

Fic Rating. E (explicit)/18+/Minors DNI.

Chapter Word Count. 4K

A Like without a Reblog will result in an automatic block.

“To fear love is to fear life, and those who fear life are already three parts dead.” – Bertrand Russel

22 Helona

The lake was nestled in a clearing down the hill from the house.

Kazi discovered it the first week she moved to Eluca. Fehr said the lake was an old fishing hole used for sport; however, over the decades, the fish population deteriorated and died. Today, the sole creatures that visited the lake were various aquatic birds and the occasional frog.  

Roughly a hundred meters in length, the lake’s deepest point was no more than six meters. The water was translucent blue, a unique feature most Elucan lakes claimed. Even the pit of the lake was visible and served as an illusion, making it appear shallower than it truly was. Fehr had warned her about the deception, and Kazi had made sure Neyti knew to never visit the lake alone.

Beneath a gray sky bloated with coming rain, Kazi swam laps. 

The swim was, obviously, different than her morning swims on Ceaia. Fresh water. Visible depths. Water contained. Waves and currents a nonexistent issue. Sometimes a monkey perched on the branches of the trees overlooking the water and appraised her routine. The brown, furry creatures scurried away the moment she noticed them. 

Lazily backstroking, Kazi studied the skies above. Her neck still ached and the skin was raw. Bruises still painted her skin purple and blue. She couldn’t even swim properly—twisting her neck to the side to breathe hurt too much, which was why she had taken to backstrokes. She needed a bacta salve if she wanted the bruises to heal quickly. But bacta was too expensive. 

Carefully regulated by the Empire, bacta could only be found on the black market. It was one of the Empire’s first laws—to prevent “Separatist rebels” from receiving efficient medical care. 

All bacta production sites were managed by the Imps, and a large purchase flagged Imperial security systems. Only med centers and military bases received a substantial amount of bacta supply, and even those were carefully documented. Planetary systems could request large quantities separate from med centers, but it was unlikely the Empire would supply them. 

One of the benefits of Ceaian culture was the emphasized importance of apothecaries and herbal medicine. Hence Daria’s bruise salve Kazi used last night and this morning. Herbal medicine wasn’t effective like bacta. But it was more useful than nothing. 

Another lap completed, body fatigued and stomach cramping from renewed menstrual pain, Kazi called it. She surveyed the darkening sky once more and then started toward the shore. Until she noticed the person sitting on the log where she kept her shoes and towel. 

Unease pinched her stomach. She inhaled a slow breath to calm the sudden race of her heart. Wolffe was watching her, his expression unreadable. 

The fallen log bordered the edge of the lake, water lapping at its smooth trunk. Kazi stalked through the thigh-high water and stopped a meter before Wolffe.

“What are you doing here?”

Rather than his usual morning attire, he was outfitted in gray sweats and a black long-sleeve. Dark marks smeared his under-eyes and the lines on his face were more pronounced. He looked tired. Like he hadn’t slept. And yet his gaze remained as attentive as ever.

Forearms pressed to his thighs, Wolffe scanned the lake. He seemed to be intentionally avoiding her direction. “Why do you swim?”

His purposeful ignorance irked her and she rolled her eyes, glaring at the trees behind him.

“I like the water.” Sliding into her flipflops, she grabbed her towel and wrapped it around her body. “My father took me sailing almost every day. And since I can’t sail here, I might as well swim.”

Finally, Wolffe looked at her. “Is your father on Ceaia?”

“He’s dead.” Kazi considered him. “He died when I was ten. It’s been a long time.”

An uncomfortably long moment passed. Wolffe searched her face. The assessment in his gaze felt like a knife cutting into her, peeling her open. 

A breeze, chillier than usual, whispered along her skin and she fought a shiver. 

“Your mother—”

“Is dead. Everyone is dead.” She didn’t like this line of questioning, and she didn’t like the calculation in his expression. “Loss is a normal part of life and some have experienced it more than others. As you’re familiar with.”

His lips pressed in a disapproving line. “I don’t want your pity—”

“Likewise.”

“I was asking to figure you out—”

“It’s really none of your business.”

Wolffe pushed himself to his feet. “You say that a lot.” 

They were standing far too close and Kazi wanted to step back. To create distance. Wolffe was taller than her. Broad shoulders and healthy fat sculpted the body of a battle-hardened soldier. This close proximity was intimidating, but her pride kept her glued to her spot.

“You tell me it’s not my business,” Wolffe said, voice low and edged with restraint. “But you come back here with a fucking handprint on your neck, Ennari. Tell me how that’s not my business.”

Kazi stilled. Her teeth gritted.

“I have assumptions.” Wolffe ran his tongue along his teeth. “None of them are good.”

“If it’s your brothers’ safety you’re worried about,” she said, “I can assure you I haven’t betrayed you—”

“Don’t. Don’t do that.” The annoyance in his tone was overt and he released a sardonic exhale. “I thought we were past that.”

“I did too,” she said sharply. “But you’re out here, in my space, accusing me—” 

“I’m not accusing you of anything,” he snarled. “You have a handprint on your fucking neck and I need to know what happened.”

“And I told you it doesn’t concern you or your brothers, so you can fuck off—”

“You can trust me.” Wolffe worked his jaw, his voice quieting. “I want you to trust me.”

Shaking her head, Kazi looked toward the lake, toward the visible depths where sunken trees and aquatic plants mossed the lake floor. 

It wasn’t a question of trust. More a question of her own pride. She didn’t want Wolffe to know what happened yesterday simply because she was too raw from it. Not yet disconnected and numb. 

A look in the mirror this morning was too much. She saw a broken version of herself—eyes sunken, skin dull, mouth flattened. The woman she saw this morning was a version of herself she worked hard to hide from the world. 

A woman who yearned for things she didn’t deserve. A woman who wanted so much and yet refused to accept good things out of fear they would disappear. A woman who was tired and no longer wanted to rely on herself. 

For a majority of her life, Kazi had carefully cultivated and nourished a façade. A façade of disinterest, aloofness, and absolute control over her emotions. She was unflappable and independent. Disciplined and level-headed. She bore responsibility for Neyti and Daria; she couldn’t be weak and broken. 

But it was lonely. To rely on herself, to maintain the pretense she was competent and in control. Perfect.

It was so fucking lonely. 

“I told you,” Kazi murmured, eyes fixed on Wolffe’s shoulder, “it doesn’t concern you.”

“What do you want?” Wolffe lowered his head, forcing her to meet his gaze. “Do you want me to beg?”

She recoiled. “No.” 

“Tell me what I need to do to learn what happened.”

“I don’t understand why you want to know.” She released a shaky breath. “I can handle it on my own.”

“That’s the problem with you.” Wolffe cut a hand through his hair. “I don’t doubt your competence. But if you’re being abused by the network, we’re going to have a problem—”

“It was the magistrate.” She glanced at the surrounding trees again. “Not the network. They wouldn’t do that—”

Wolffe scoffed. “Those people have a goal in mind. And they’ll use whoever they can to achieve it. Even at the expense of your life.”

The truth in his words was brutal, but Kazi had always assumed it of the network. It was easier to pretend the rebels were moralistic. That they were the opposite of the Empire and would never use people to their advantage. Refusing to acknowledge the truth allowed her to pretend she wasn’t digging her own grave. 

“It wasn’t them,” she said.

Tentative fingers lifted her chin. Wolffe eyed her neck, his focus intense. “Was he trying to kill you?”

“I don’t know.” Softly, a finger traced her bruises and she swallowed. “He’s paranoid. He doesn’t know who he can trust. I think he was trying to threaten me to convince me of my loyalty to him.”

“I have bacta—”

Pulling away, she frowned. “How?”

“Our missions aren’t solely rescue-based.” He shrugged. “We do have a need for certain resources.”

It made sense. He and his brothers needed the efficacy bacta provided. 

“Save it,” she said. “For something more important.”

Wolffe cocked a brow. “Do you really want Neyti to see that?”

“Of course not,” she said. “But I have clothes that can hide it.”

Seemingly unconvinced, Wolffe looked away, rolling his shoulders back. The silence between them was awkward and strained. 

“Quit your job.”

The statement caught her off guard and she blinked dubiously at Wolffe. The seriousness in his features, the insistence in his tone, made her retreat a step. 

“I can’t.” She gestured to the house behind him. “I have to work to provide for my family. And I’m spying for the network.”

“The network is dangerous. You know that. You don’t owe them anything.”

“Do you really believe they’ll let me go?” She smiled ruefully at his stony scowl. “Unless I left Eluca, they won’t let me quit.”

Moving wasn’t an option either. Both she and Wolffe knew it. The information she had on the network, even if it were minimal and her interactions confined to few members, was a problem. The network wouldn’t risk their existence for a single person.

Kazi shrugged. “Like I said, it’s—”

“Don’t tell me it’s not my concern.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “The magistrate is looking into deserted clones. He suspects a spy in the Institute. Lack of information about possible rebel spies and deserted clones will further increase his paranoia. All of this concerns me.”

“I’m doing what I can,” she said defensively. “I think this was a fluke. He believes I’m loyal and it won’t happen again.”

“And what if he doubts you again? What happens then?” His gaze returned to her neck and his nostrils flared. “You could have died—”

“I know.” Her voice was trembling but she couldn’t stop it. A phantom touch—like the magistrate’s hand was once more squeezing her neck—brushed her skin. “I was the one there. I know what could have happened.”

“We can get you out—” 

“And take me where?” Throwing up her hands, she laughed. “There’s nowhere else to go.”

“There are remote places—”

“Yes, there are. Planets without the education Neyti needs. Planets without the medical care my sister needs.”

A muscle flexed in his jaw. “This is dangerous.”

“Your missions are dangerous. I don’t understand how this is any different.”

“Because it’s my life on the line,” he snapped. “And my life doesn’t mat—”

An uncomfortable grimace contorted his features and Wolffe scowled at a point behind her. Kazi could only stare at him, too tired to respond, too numb to comfort. Anyway, she doubted Wolffe would care for her response. He despised pity.  

A handful of raindrops pricked her arms. Small and cold. Just like how she felt on the inside.

“If something happens to me,” she started, voice brittle. Empty. “Will you make sure Neyti and Daria are okay?”

Wolffe exhaled a strained breath, rubbing the back of his neck. His eyes returned to hers. His gaze was unwavering. He studied her for a long time; she was surprised there was anything left to see.

“Nothing’s going to happen to you, Ennari.” He squared his shoulders. “Nothing.”

The static of galactic news hummed in the sunroom. Clouds a dark gray, like the charcoal used to start a fire, layered the sky. Hours ago, solid sheets of rain watered the jungle’s rolling hills. Now, the skies were somber. The quiet and emptiness after a good cry. 

Kazi stood at the windows overlooking the dreary afternoon. Tucked among the knee-high ferns sat Neyti and, to her bemusement, Nova. The man held a neatly tied collection of bird feathers. A myriad of colors, from moonless black to opaque white to a rainbow of blues and indigos, the feathers ranged in length and thickness. 

Nova said something to Neyti. The youngling scrutinized the feathers, eyebrows knitted and mouth wrinkled. She reached for the largest feather, cerulean blue with sketched lines of black. 

Nodding, Nova set the feathers on the ground, all except for the cerulean one. He stroked a finger down the rachis, and then offered the feather to Neyti who mimicked. A small, toothless smile lit her face.

Kazi felt herself smile similarly.

From the kitchen, a timer beeped. Muffled voices spoke and a quiet laugh drifted to the sunroom. Daria was teaching Cody one of the sisters’ favorite recipes—Ceaian sea-cakes, a traditional breakfast more common during the winter holidays. 

Why Daria wanted to teach Cody the recipe was beyond Kazi. The dish was nothing more than tradition—even if it was a staple of their childhood—and tradition only those from Ceaia could appreciate. She doubted Cody had any interest in Ceaian culture. Why would he care?

A twist of the radio and the staticky voices loudened. 

“…in an astonishing turn of events, Emperor Palpatine made an unannounced appearance at the Galactic Senate…

“…after the shocking news that an Imperial admiral ordered the destruction of Kaminoan cities…  

“Emperor Palpatine was quoted: ‘With this momentous act, we shall usher in a new era. Heralded by the Imperial stormtrooper.’...” 

Searching the backyard, Kazi redirected her attention to Wolffe. Beneath a canopy of thick trees, he and Fox had outlined a perimeter of short stakes. The area was around fifteen meters in length and five meters wide. 

The two men were out there for hours. Ever since the rain released its hold. Currently, Wolffe knelt on the ground, hammering two pieces of wood together. 

Kazi had half a mind to ask him what he and Fox were building. But, after this morning, she was avoiding him. She regretted their conversation, and she regretted revealing certain fears and uncertainties. She didn’t want him to think she wasn’t good enough to— 

“I was wondering where those two had gone.”

Kazi jerked away from the window and spun around. Standing at her side, close enough she could elbow him, was a freshly-showered Fox.

“I didn’t mean to interrupt your blatant staring.”

“I wasn’t staring,” she muttered. Smoothing an unwrinkled spot on her shirt, she ignored his amused look. “I was wondering where Neyti had gotten to.”

“She’s a remarkable kid.”

Outside, Neyti held the stack of feathers, mystified by whatever Nova was showing her on his datapad. The man had a particular interest in medicine and trauma therapy, according to Daria who had gifted Nova one of her old medical books to study. Based on Neyti’s blatant confusion, Kazi assumed Nova was showing her something related to the biological breakdown of bird feathers.

“I’m sorry,” Kazi said quietly. In the corner of her eye, Fox stiffened, carefully scanning the green mass beyond the windows. “For snapping at you when you were obviously joking.”

“We’re all protective of family,” Fox said. His words were contemplative, but a hint of warning underscored his tone. 

Seemingly satisfied with his assessment of the backyard, Fox took a seat in a chair across the room. A position where he could see the partition, backdoor, and anything outside the windows. It was then that Kazi noticed the objects in his hands. An old, rusted knife and a chunk of wood. 

Intricate lines carved the wood into a simple shape. Kazi appraised the figurine, her lips parting in surprise.

The carving was a familiar black bird. The same bird Neyti had insisted on burying two days ago.

“Do you think she’ll like it?” The intense concentration on Fox’s face belied his casual demeanor. 

“I think she will.” Kazi took the seat beside him. “You know, she would probably like you more if you didn’t tease her so much.”

He breathed a quiet chuckle. “I know.”

The solemnity in his answer was begrudging, and it revealed something she hadn’t yet known: Fox didn’t want to get close to Neyti. The teasing remarks—the soft glares and adorable scowls he received in return—were his way to maintain a distinctive line. A barrier not to be crossed. 

Kazi recognized it. Because she did it too. 

Over the years she had distanced herself from everyone. Family. Friends. Coworkers. Similar to Fox, she had distanced herself on purpose. Because closeness, companionship, created a vulnerability, a happiness that could easily be stolen the moment the companion left. 

“The Senate is still debating the decommissioning of clones,” she said, changing conversation. “It seems they’ll vote in favor.”

“They’d be real stupid to do it.” Fox flicked the tip of his knife. “But it makes sense why they’ll go through with it.”

Kazi frowned. “I thought you would support the bill.”

He slid his eyes in her direction. “And why would you think that?”

“The Empire will no longer use clone soldiers. They’ll be free from service.” She paused, hesitating. “That’s the entire purpose of your missions, isn’t it? To free those men?”

“The purpose of our missions is to rescue.” Setting aside his knife and block of wood, Fox lounged back in his chair. “We’re rescuing the ones who want out.”

Static from the radio chirped and Kazi lowered it.

“Decommissioning is the Empire’s way of cleaning up a mess they don’t want to deal with anymore,” Fox said. “Clones don’t have a pension plan. They don’t have retirement savings. They’ll be decommissioned and tossed aside. Forgotten by the galaxy they fought to protect. They’ll be jobless, homeless, and left without a purpose.”

Kazi glanced at the half-finished puzzle littering the table—the puzzle Wolffe had been working on the last two weeks. “I don’t understand why the Empire wants to decommission clones. No natborn can compete with your training and skillset. Clones will always be superior soldiers, and for a government that desires power, the most efficient and effective military is a clone military.”

A wry smile darkened Fox’s face. “You’re forgetting the aging gene.”

“I thought the aging gene was degenerative.” She leaned forward. “The Ceaian government intercepted Kaminoan intel and we were told the aging gene stopped acceleration at twenty-six. Is that not true?” 

“It is.” Fox shrugged at her exasperated scowl. “The aging gene’s degeneration was kept quiet. The Kaminoans were pressed their experimentation was faulty. And one bad gene raised questions of other possible degenerations.”

“Which could lead to an investigation into the chips, and if the general public knew about the chips’ existence, it could lead to questioning of the Empire’s authority. Even questioning Palpatine himself.” Kazi scoffed, tapping the plush armrest of her chair. “So Palpatine is cleaning up his mess.”

Fixing the cuff of his gray button-down, Fox appeared insouciant to the revelation. Then again, he seemed to have already considered and assessed the situation at depth. 

“Clones aren’t droids,” Fox said, rolling the cuff on his right wrist. “We have minds of our own. And Palpatine is starting to wonder if the clone army will remain loyal to him. He thinks it’ll be easier to decommission them. He’ll create a new army from those propagandized to support him.”

They lapsed into brief silence, Kazi musing their conversation. Something about his tone struck her.

“You talk about Palpatine like you knew him,” she commented. Years of training kept Fox’s features composed, but Kazi had also spent years studying the subtle changes in posture and expressions. She noted the sudden wariness in his eyes. The slight tightness around his mouth. “Did you know him?”

“Does it matter?”

“I’m only curious.”

Shaking his head, Fox shifted his attention to the windows, tapping a finger against the armrest of his chair. He sighed. 

“I served Palpatine.”

The guarded reticence in his face reminded Kazi of Wolffe’s mistrust, and she realized he expected her to react poorly. Probably accuse him or stalk away.

A month ago she would have. A month ago, she would have considered this proof the men were hiding their true motivations and they weren’t to be trusted. 

“I’m surprised you aren’t yelling at me.” Fox chuckled bitterly.

She shrugged. “I’m not one for yelling.”

“That’s not what Wolffe said.” Kazi rolled her eyes, and Fox relaxed marginally, dark brown eyes searching her face. “I wouldn’t blame you. If you went to Wolffe or Cody and told them I couldn’t stay.” He grinned. “Some of the men we rescue don’t trust me.”

The words were flat, bored and uncaring, and yet Kazi noted a hint of exhaustion. 

“Why not?” she asked.

“I was a good soldier,” Fox said. “I obeyed my orders. I didn’t question them. I took my job seriously, and I made hard decisions not everyone agreed with. I earned a…certain reputation among the ranks.” 

His deceptive casualness was well-practiced, and she couldn’t help but wonder how often he pretended to be in control. How often others overlooked his collected appearance. 

“I was loyal to Palpatine. Until the very end.” His gaze grew unfocused. “I did things I shouldn’t have.”

“We all do bad things,” she said, “and we all make mistakes—”

“These weren’t simple mistakes.” 

For a long moment, Kazi and Fox sat in pensive silence, the shifting of pans from the kitchen and the static from the radio serving as background noise. Kazi watched Neyti play with her bird feather, smiling smally at the little girl’s enthusiasm. Her attention shifted to Wolffe. He was drinking from a bottle, his long-sleeved shirt matted with sweat, the white fabric clinging to his dark skin. 

“What will you do,” she said, “once decommissioning starts?”

“Decommissioning can mean a number of things.” Fox ran a finger down the stem of the spindly plant sitting beside him. One of Daria’s, the dark green plant almost reached Kazi’s shoulders when she stood. “Certain units will be kept in service. There will be clones forced to train new soldiers. We’ve even heard reports of possible clone detainment centers. We’ll keep busy.”

“How long will you do this for?” 

Outside, the breeze stole a feather from Neyti, carrying it to a tree branch. Neyti chased after it. But the branch was too high for her to reach. Before Kazi could help, Wolffe plucked the feather from the branch and returned it to Neyti. 

Hugging the feather to her chest, Neyti patted Wolffe on his arm and raced back to Nova who was absorbed in something on his datapad. Wolffe looked from his arm to Neyti, bemusement wrinkling his forehead. Kazi bit her tongue to stifle her amusement.

Sudden movement from Fox drew her attention back inside. He approached the windows, slipping his hands into his trousers’ pockets. “We’re committed to these missions for one of three reasons: responsibility, guilt, and atonement.”

Still seated, Kazi surveyed his side profile. 

“Cody believes it’s his responsibility to correct his wrongs, and that starts with his men. And Wolffe does it out of a twisted sense of guilt.” Fox rolled his shoulders in a move so similar to Wolffe it was eerie. “The missions give us purpose.”  

Kazi could relate to the sentiment. After University, her career gave her purpose. Meaning. It kept her alive, especially on those lonely nights when she didn’t understand why she existed. Those lonely nights when she questioned if someone would miss her—

Hesitantly, Kazi joined Fox at the windows. “Wolffe goes on every mission while you and Cody switch. Why is that?”

Fox chuffed a strained chuckle. “Wolffe is single-minded when it comes to his goals. He’ll run these missions—and run himself ragged—until he either shifts his focus elsewhere or learns to live with the guilt.”

Kazi frowned. “Guilt for what?”

“Surviving the war.”

Masterlist | Chapter 8 | Chapter 10

A/N: I’m afraid Fox’s words might get misconstrued: Fox is arguing that Wolffe’s guilt is an unhealthy coping mechanism that’s driving his life. He is not arguing that Wolffe needs a romantic partner to 1) fix him and 2) bring meaning to his life. Romantic relationships do not give purpose; they do not give someone a reason to live. And when it comes to the clones, I think any similar rhetoric reduces their personal aspirations, individualism, and humanity. 

[livingwellnessblog]

How can we talk about herbal medicine: The “West is Right” Model  of Herbal Medicine 

Explore the rich landscape of herbal medicine and its efficacy, drawing from both traditional wisdom and modern research. Discover the intricate balance between cultural practices, scientific evidence, and safety considerations in herbal remedies. From th

How can we talk about herbal medicine: The “West is Right” Model  of Herbal Medicine  There is a wide range of herbal remedies that have been used for centuries and many have shown varying degrees of effectiveness for certain conditions. However, the documented herbal medicine, traditional medicine, efficacy of herbal remedies, West Is Right model, scientific evidence, placebo effect,…

[copperbadge]

Hey Sam, any chance you can talk a bit more about saffron at some point? I've not encountered it as a possible ADHD treatment before and am curious what you meant about finding it not helpful at higher doses. Does it just not work, does it kinda work but have an annoying side effect or two, etc etc. Thinking I might give it a go, but I'm on 60mg of rubifen a day (2 pills in morning, one early afternoon) and want to have an idea of where to place my expectations :)

The saffron thing is pretty new overall as well as new to me, and I tend to side-eye "natural" cures because generally when natural cures work they, you know, become medicine. There's also very little regulation on natural remedies/vitamins so it's always a toss-up as to what's actually in the capsules; when I went looking for saffron pills, all of them seemed sketchy, made and sold by the kind of place that'll sell you gunpowder tea for weight loss. (I ended up going with Nootropics simply because they put most of the info on the bottle.)

I heard about saffron as an ADHD treatment from a woman I was speaking to who's got three kids with ADHD, all under 15, and was having trouble getting their meds. We originally started talking because I was offering tips on how to find pharmacies that might have larger stocks of Adderall during the shortage, and she tuned into the conversation since trying to get three 30-day scrips for Adderall filled at once really sucked. She told me she'd tried saffron after hearing about it on an ADHD Parenting community, and that it was helping her kids with the hyperactivity element, though she wasn't sure if it was helping them with focus and executive function. The study here seems to be the main source of data on it, and it's admittedly a small study, but the fact that it is being studied by actual scientists is somewhat reassuring.

The recommended dosage is 30mg/day of the saffron, which I've been taking for a couple of weeks on top of the first dose of Adderall (and daily vitamins). I really only have my own experience to go on but it seems to me to act as an enhancer for the Adderall; gives it a little kick, at least it feels like. It doesn't seem to do much on its own for me. On the one hand, the placebo effect can be mighty, but on the other, I'm a reasonably skeptical person who hasn't been subject to placebo effect during drug trials in the past, so I think what I'm feeling is a real effect, it's just very mild. (A while back I tried Rhodiola, which is another commonly-recommended herbal supplement for ADHD, and didn't feel like it did anything.)

On top of 10mg of Adderall, the 30mg Saffron works pretty well, seems to intensify it a bit. I do take 20mg of Adderall on occasion but unless I'm super tired or stressed, it's too much -- it pushes me through productive and back out into scattered -- so the saffron intensifying 20mg is way, way too much, even if I need the 20mg. If I'm taking both doses at once I leave the saffron capsule in the pill box.

Overall, the science is still a bit shaky, but less shaky than a lot of non-prescription cures out there, and Saffron's pretty safe to use. Even if it's not doing anything, the only real consequence is I'm out $22 for the bottle. I might go off it for a bit once the bottle's done and see if I notice a downswing. All my data is pretty highly subjective, so all I can recommend is trying it out for yourself.

[sappy-witch]

do you know of any weight loss / metabolism boosting spell/spell jars? i've been trying to lose weight for a year now, and i really need a boost. i don't need a miracle worker, just something to put out into the universe that is something i desire and have been working towards. blessed be! :)

Hello darling 🥰

Thank you for reaching out to me, and I hope you’re proud of all the wonderful work you’ve already put in!

While, of course, there is no substitute for a healthy diet and exercise, I understand that sometimes we need a little extra help from the universe to reach our goals.

Before I start yammering on, I hope you don’t need reminding that our worth is never determined by our physical embodiment, but what this beautiful temple holds within it. Of course, that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t treat our bodies with the respect and kindness they deserve, so here we go ✨

Here is a simple spell jar recipe that you can try to help boost your metabolism and aid in your weight loss journey:

____

✨🫙 Metabolism Boosting Spell Jar 🫙✨

Ingredients:

1. A small jar with a lid

2. Dried ginger - increases energy, strength, and confidence. It is also commonly used in herbal medicine to aid digestion, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system.

3. Dried red pepper flakes - for motivation, courage, and passion, red pepper flakes are believed to bring fiery energy and vitality to a spell. They are also known to have numerous health benefits, including boosting.

4. Dried dandelion root - wish fulfillment and manifestation. Also a powerful diuretic that can aid in weight loss by helping the body eliminate excess fluids. It is also commonly used in herbal medicine to support liver health and digestion.

5. Dried cinnamon - for love, success, and prosperity. It is also believed to have numerous health benefits, including regulating blood sugar levels, reducing inflammation, and boosting brain function.

(Feel free to alter as you see fits - based on your preferences or accessibility)

Instructions:

1. Begin by cleansing your jar by rinsing it with saltwater or leaving it in the light of the full moon for a night.

2. Add a tablespoon of each herb into the jar, visualizing yourself reaching your weight loss goals as you add each ingredient.

3. Close the jar and seal it with the wax of a green candle - a symbol of health. You can also use any other color that resonates with you.

4. Hold the jar in both hands and visualize the energy of the herbs filling the jar and flowing into your body, boosting your metabolism and aiding in weight loss.

5. Place the jar on your altar or another safe space in your home.

I would also recommend focusing on positive affirmations and visualization during your weight loss journey. Try visualizing yourself at your ideal weight, feeling confident and healthy. Repeat affirmations to yourself such as "I am strong and capable of achieving my weight loss goals" or "I release excess weight with ease and joy."

Remember to approach this spell with a positive mindset and a commitment to a healthy lifestyle. A spell can be a great tool, but it is not a substitute for hard work and dedication.

And once again, remember to always treat yourself and your body with kindness on your journey towards your health goals. Your worth is not determined by your weight or size, and your body deserves love and care no matter what. Incorporating positive affirmations and self-love rituals into your routine can help shift your mindset towards a more positive and empowering perspective. Focus on nourishing your body with healthy and balanced meals, practicing movement that feels good for you, and celebrating your progress no matter how small.

I hope this helps you on your weight loss journey 💕 Best of luck to you!

____

🌞 If you enjoy my posts, please consider donating to my energies 🌞

✨🔮 Request a Tarot Reading Here 🔮✨

____

With love, from a Sappy Witch 🔮💕

Blessed be. 🕊️✨

[nature-is-punk]

Yarrow and its Uses

Disclaimer: The below is the culmination of tedious, scrupulous research meant to assist with magical and medicinal practices. However, we lack a variety of lab-conducted herbalism trials in humans, so precautions are necessary. None of the below represents medical advice or is meant to replace treatment by a medical professional.

Identification and Profile:

Appearance: White, yellow, or pink flowers bloom from March to October. Very strong sweet smell. Often mistaken for hemlock or queen anne’s lace; leaves and flower shape are the most reliable identifiers for telling these three apart.

Distribution & Habitats: Native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Thrives in meadows, roadside ditches, grasslands, and open forests. Attracts predatory wasps, ladybugs, and other beneficial insects. Reduces parasites in the nests of birds such as the common starling, who line their nests with it.

Associations: Yarrow was found in a neanderthal burial site in Iraq, suggesting its use by humans for more than 60,000 years. While yarrow has impressively consistent medicinal usage across cultures - namely healing and inflammatory pain relief - cultural and spiritual connotations vary. Yarrow’s botanical name refers to the legend that the centaur Chiron taught Achilles to use yarrow on the battlegrounds of Troy to heal wounds. Across the British Isles, yarrow was used to assist women in finding husbands, from divination to sleeping with the flowers under ones’ pillow. In Europe, it was known as a witch’s herb, occasionally called the Devil’s Nettle.

Uses: Topical: Effective antibacterial, astringent, antifungal, and antiseptic agent and can be applied to wounds to deter infection, speed up healing, and soothe inflamed or irritated skin. Ethanol extracted essential oil is the most lab-studied form of topical application, though dried flowers can be powdered, applied as whole dried flowers, or made into poultices and salves to wounds to stop bleeding. Oral: Flavonoids of yarrow make it a powerful antispasmodic and decent anti-inflammatory, most often used for gastrointestinal disorders. Yarrow can also induce sweat to break a dry fever. Essential oil of yarrow heals stomach ulcers. Navajo people chewed the leaves to reduce tooth and gum aches or inflammation in the mouth. Mild laxative properties. Mild sedative when consumed as tea. Tea also can be consumed to reduce headaches and cold symptoms, and sterols in yarrow can regulate menstrual cycles. Inhalation: Boiling the plant and inhaling the steam can reduce headaches and sinus inflammation. Dosage: Oral dosage is 2-4g of dried herb, flower and leaf, or 3g of whole flowers. Consecutive use is not recommended for longer than 2 weeks.

Interactions & Side Effects: - Adding nettle to yarrow consumed orally can reduce oxalate burden on kidneys. - Possibly an abortificant by relaxing the uterus, and may reduce breast milk supply while breastfeeding. - Increases production of stomach acid, lowers blood pressure, and increases risk of bleeding for those on blood-thinning medications. - Also interacts poorly with lithium based medications by increasing the body’s lithium retention.

[astrid017]

VIRAL INTERVENTIONS: FINAL DOCUMENTATION

Title: Herbal Freedom

Materials: Website, Digital Photography, Social Media, Paper, Spray Paint, and Cardboard

Statement of Intent:

INTRODUCTION

In 2022, the landmark Supreme Court case, Roe v. Wade, was overturned. Roe v. Wade provided a constitutional right to seek an abortion and its operating framework is that first trimester is when a pregnant person and their doctor is able to make that decision. However, the following trimesters are left up to state legislature. Immediately after the overturning, Florida's ban is no abortions passed 6 weeks. As a result, Florida proposed a new amendment on codifying abortion law within our state's constitution. If passed, it will provide access to abortions up to the 24 week mark through adding the following sentence to our constitution, "No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient's health, as determined by the patient's healthcare provider." Election day, 57% of Floridians voted in favor for protected access. This proposal failed by less than 3% and left many Floridians feeling hopeless, angry, and frustrated.

Our group wanted to respond to this feeling of not having control over our reproductive rights. Herbal freedom is our response. Each herb is rooted in this long history of people self-inducing an abortion, a personal choice. A private choice. A vulnerable yet strong choice.

FAKE MIAMI DADE GOVERNMENT WEBSITE AND MUGSHOTS

We wanted to fabricate a story where we have been caught for this crime of vandalizing the city. By blurring fiction with reality, we strengthen this illusion of being arrested for this self expression.

Website: https://viralinterventions.wordpress.com/

INTERROGATION VIDEO

This interrogation provided content to our actions. Each question provided a direct response towards our current system. A system that demands obedience and in return strips up from our personal rights and freedoms. Our expression towards that system is treated as a harmful act when in fact the harmful act comes with actions taken when reproductive rights are restricted.

PERSONAL BOTANICAL HERB

All of our herbs have been historically used for different medicinal purposes like menstrual cycle regulation and self-induced abortion. However, there are other benefits that come with consumption of herbs. I chose Safflower, it was a more cultural choice that resonated with me since it is called Azafran in my native language. Azafran is used in a lot of cultures in Latin America for cooking purposes. As well as my upbringing with my great grandmother, she used to use different herbs since she was the community's medicine woman.

During this process, I created a stencil of it and chose a name that felt more connect to my identity. Miami also serves as a cultural hub of Spanish speakers that have immigrated from Latin America. Many Latin America countries are also experiencing political issues with reproductive rights.

INSTAGRAM PAGE

Our Instagram page serves as a form of engagement to a larger audience in hopes of having conversation with people across the platform. This account is not only a modern day art gallery, but it serves as a collective voice and an extension of our resistance.

[irunevenus]

The History and Origin of Magic in Africa: An Investigative Dive

Africa, the cradle of humanity, is also home to deep spiritual and magical traditions. Magic on the African continent is intrinsically linked to its cultures, religions and ways of life, and has been a fundamental aspect of societies for millennia. This article delves into the historical roots of magic in Africa, exploring its origins, evolution and impact on African societies.

Origins and Historical Context

Magic in Africa has its origins intertwined with the earliest spiritual and religious practices on the continent. The earliest forms of African magic emerged in a context where communities were deeply dependent on nature, and magical practices were seen as a way to connect with and manipulate natural forces for the well-being of the community.

These practices date back to prehistoric times, when African ancestors used rituals, incantations and objects charged with symbolic power to influence events, cure illnesses and ensure fertility. Magic was closely linked to animist religion, in which all elements of nature—animals, plants, rivers, and mountains—were seen as endowed with spirit.

Magical Traditions and Their Guardians

Over the centuries, various magical traditions have developed in different regions of Africa. In West Africa, for example, we find Vodun, a religion that combines aspects of magic and spirituality, where practitioners believe in spirits and invisible forces that can be summoned and controlled through rituals. Vodun had a significant impact, giving rise to Voodoo in the Caribbean and parts of the Americas during the African diaspora.

In southern Africa, the shamanic practices of the San (Bushmen) and other indigenous tribes are central. Shamans act as intermediaries between the physical and spiritual worlds, using trance, ritual dances, and herbal medicines to heal and protect their communities.

Magic is also central to the traditions of the healers, known as “sangomas” in southern Africa. These practitioners are respected for their ability to communicate with ancestors, diagnose spiritual illnesses, and prescribe treatments that involve the use of specific herbs, amulets, and rituals.

The Role of Magic in Society

Magic in Africa has never been merely a matter of superstition. It plays an important social role, regulating behavior and serving as a form of community justice. For example, the use of “juju,” a form of protective magic, is common in many parts of West Africa. Juju can be used to protect against misfortune or to bring prosperity, but it can also be manipulated to curse or punish those who violate social norms.

In many African societies, magic is closely linked to political and spiritual leadership. Traditional kings and chiefs often consult diviners and priests for spiritual guidance, to ensure the protection of their people, and to legitimize their power.

Transformations and Persistence

With the advent of colonialism and the Abrahamic religions (Christianity and Islam), African magical practices faced strong opposition, often being demonized and persecuted. However, these practices did not disappear. They adapted and, in many cases, syncretized with new religions. Today, African magic remains a vital part of the cultural identity of many communities, resisting external pressures and maintaining its relevance in a modern world.

African Magic in the 21st Century

In the 21st century, African magic persists and evolves, both in its traditional forms and in new urban and global interpretations. It is present in religious practices, traditional medicine, and even in popular culture, where films, music, and literature celebrate and explore these magical aspects. In addition, there is a resurgence of global interest in these traditions, with people around the world seeking to learn and incorporate African healing and spiritual practices into their lives.

Conclusion The history of magic in Africa is rich and multifaceted, reflecting the complexity of African societies over time. Although it has faced challenges, African magical traditions continue to be a powerful force of cultural identity, spirituality and resilience. To understand this magic is to delve into the essence of Africa, a continent where the mystical and the real are deeply and inseparably intertwined.