Carnelian Wellness

06/18/2025

Had a wonderful time as a guest lecturer for the insightful and deeply engaging folks at UTS, who have been studying with Dr. Murad about the relationships between nature and religion & philosophy. I love speaking to like-minded people about the incredible teacher that is Nature - and moreso on Chinese medicine as a means of accessing hope and healing. Grateful to have these conversations in these troubled and troubling times. And what an honor to be with people with this level of depth of inquiry ✨️🙏🏾

05/01/2025

Join us tomorrow!

This weeks bloom class is timely!

In Chinese medicine, the spring energy and wood element are seen in the hope of the sunrise, the pounce of a hawk upon its prey, the joy of the daffodil bursting through the snowy ground. This is the force that sees hope for the future and is ready to make a plan for action on how to get there. In this hour, we will explore this seasonal energy through a few qi gong and body movements, Chinese herbs and some kitchen condiments, and some journal prompts for the world we wish to create for ourselves and our communities.

A bit about our amazing teacher, Wajida Syed: I have always been drawn to the arts and humanities – a story, a photograph, a dance performance, or a piece of writing – I have found that these are the cherished gifts that help bring more beauty to the world. When Chinese Medicine and my own healing journey helped me live my days with a little more ease and a little less pain - and a little more beauty - I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my time than to help others do the same. As a practitioner of Chinese medicine, I love partnering with folks with the beauty and healing taught to us by our plant friends, acupuncture, cupping, and Zero Balancing (a bodywork therapy to help release tension from the bones). I received my Master of Acupuncture degree from Maryland University of Integrative Health, and my certification in Chinese Herbal Medicine from Daoist Traditions College of Chinese Medical Arts in Asheville, NC.

01/20/2025

The energy of winter is about the dormant seed, lying deep in the mystery of the frozen ground, not yet potentiated. What is an area of your life that has some potential, but has not yet materialized? What kind of replenishment and fertilization could it use before Spring?
We will engage with this energetic in our body and mind through some meditation, qi gong, and acupressure. I am joining forces with Bertie LoPiccolo in her incredible art studio, who will help us express our dreams and reflections through our own personal art project of inspiring images. All supplies (and dinner) are included, but feel free to bring your own images if you like. Space is limited, please let me know if you'd like to join - we would love to have you!

01/12/2025

Have you been feeling extra tired lately? How have you been wintering? Join us, Wajida and Corey, Sunday January 19th at 2:00pm as we explore living in alignment with the energies of winter and how doing so can enhance our health and wellbeing.
 
In Chinese medicine, winter is associated with the Water element. Deep, mysterious and full of potential, Water can help us reconnect with our essential selves. Like a seed germinating under the frozen ground, conserving energy, waiting for the right time to spring forth. Together we’ll explore the Water element through qi gong, activating acupuncture points along Water element meridians, and engaging our senses. $18 to join. We’re looking forward to be-ing with you.
Space is limited, please DM to register!

10/30/2024

Beautiful guardians of a dry and arid landscape. Rainfall is scarce in this part of Morocco, yet we were blessed to witness the gift of rain twice yesterday - is there a better reminder of mercy? Plants like cacti soak in every little bit of water they can and store it for a remarkable amount of time. Somehow, they are both rugged and elegant, two words I rarely put together.
I am so captivated by their adaptability, beauty, and capacity to store life-giving water. It's a tough week in America for many reasons. May we remember that even when the outsides are so arid, we can always find nourishment in the insides. Mercy will surely come from heaven, can be reserved in the earth, and, beneath our spiky defenses, is always abundantly flowing. May we all have access to all that honors life and rings the note of rahma.
So grateful to the generous and for her invitation to her heart and home, giving me a chance to dig deep within, past all the thorns towards this crazy world. And in turn, I invite all of us to keep some thorns - they serve a purpose - and to remember the tender blessing of these desert guardians.

10/09/2024

🍂An invitation to move through fall with more spaciousness and ease. Join us, & Corey , this Sunday 10/13 at 1:00pm as we explore the seasonal energy of the Fall in Chinese medicine.
✨️The Metal element can help us let go of what no longer serves, move through grief and embrace what inspires us. Together, we will work with mindful movement, restorative reflection and engagement of the senses.
🍁DM us for more info on this intimate gathering.✨️
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07/12/2024

This herbal formula speaks to me of hope in the face of injury and pain. The ingredients reduce inflammation, increase circulation and most of all, deliver effective topical pain relief. Formulated with angelica, gardenia, frankincense and myrrh, among others, these plants work together to bring healing to a site of bumps, bruises and sprains. A helpful addition to your medicine cabinet!

My heart has been heavy in reading of the pain of people in Gaza, Sudan, and Congo. My personal effort for this year is to explore healing through time, through slow and constant little efforts. We all love a dramatic healing experience, but many times, it’s the steady work of little actions over time that bring about a great deal of change, because that is the kind of work that changes us. This liniment is also a teacher in this type of waiting and consistent tending as it takes (at least) 6 months to age. 

If you’re able to commit to the suggested donation of  $7/month for the next 7 months, I’ll send you a travel size bottle of this liniment. If you’re able to donate $22/month for 7 months, I’ll send you a large bottle of this liniment. I’ve highlighted three different efforts that are doing great work:

Assisting displaced Sudanese families in Cairo: DM/email me for the Paypal

Assisting displaced Palestinian families in Cairo: DM/email me for the Paypal

Focus Congo: https://www.focuscongo.com/en/spende/ (click on "monthly")

Sign up at tinyurl.com/reliefforall and I will save you a bottle.

05/20/2024

The peony is a beautiful herb and visual meditation thar helps us be present and open to life, the good and the difficult. Bai Shao or white peony root is used to nourish the blood. Chi Shao or red peony root is used for blood stasis and relieves pain.

06/14/2022

Magnolia Medicine:
The bark (hou po) is aromatic and very helpful for nausea, vomiting, or a stifling sensation in the chest
The bud (xin yi hua) is amazing for stuffy nose and congestion - great to have when you’ve got allergies or a cold!

06/07/2022

Every part of the mulberry tree is medicinal! The entire tree is very cooling, which is perfect for this summer heat!
Sang Bai Pi: the root bark alleviates cough and wheezing.
Sang Ye: the leaf is also good for cough (with thick yellow mucus) and fever
Sang Zhi: the twig is good for pain in the arms, hands, and fingers
Sang Shen Zi: the mulberry fruit is lovely herb for nourishing the blood, the kidneys, and liver - an important herb for pregnancy!

05/02/2022

Eid Mubarak to you and yours! Wishing you a beautiful day of love and hope, and may the blessings of Ramadan sustain you for the rest of the year. 💕

04/12/2022