I learned about the power of indigenous medicine after getting sick while living in Peru from 2010-2012.  There were months where I wasn't able to pass a solid bowel.  My energy was drained, I struggled to stay hydrated, and I was working in one of the hottest and most humid environments on the planet.  Yet, I had to fulfill my responsibilities each day.  I founded a program to teach environmental studies to kids ages 8-12 in what may be considered the poorest neighborhood in the jungle, called Belen.  I discovered this place from volunteering as a hospital clown with the world famous M.D. and clown: Patch Adams.  Prior to moving there, he chose to return to this place year after year because of the challenges it posed.  Domestic violence, alcoholism, waterborne illness, poor education, lack of sanitation and access to health care, to name a few.  I put myself in this position to learn and grow, however I began to develop chronic health problems.  My digestive system was totally off, and it felt like I was no longer in control over my life.   I was depressed, felt lost, and was completely drained. 

Iquitos is an epicenter of indigenous health and natural medicine in the world.  Therefore, after my program ended, I sought help.  I heard of a well-known Shaman that lived in the jungle and I pursued this calling.  I made arrangements to spend three weeks in one of his programs and it was the most difficult and healing journey of my life to date.  Without going into great detail, afterwards my body felt clean, I was again emotionally stable, my bodily functions were back to normal, and it is all attributed to having a guide to help process what I was going through while consuming clean alkalinizing foods, and jungle herbs.  Needless to say, after a few weeks of intense detox and rebuilding, I was feeling better than I ever felt in my life.  This was just the beginning of a life-long  journey towards health.

I returned back to the states after this eye-opening experience, and would study with this healer in the jungle for years to come.  After this transformation I knew that there was only one way forward, and that is when I enrolled in school for natural medicine.  I found that Classical Chinese Medicine is an accessible, and powerful ancient medicine that can be used to treat modern day disease.  Its evolution over thousands of years brings with it clinical wisdom and endless resources, which address the progression of disease as it manifests in the body. 

In order to take a leap, you don't need to hit rock bottom or have some drastic misfortune fall upon you.  You could simply just want to feel better.  I am also not telling you all this story so that you will jump on the next plane to Peru to diet on plants for the next month.  I am sharing this because it was a moment where I woke up.  There are many moments in our lives that make us wake up, and I have found similar healing experiences to the aforementioned story while receiving East Asian herbs and Acupuncture.  It too helps the mind, body, and spirit wake up.  It is attainable, approachable, and it is here now for you to implement into your life.