Welcome to the Big Tree Blog

What is balance

What is balance?

By Cindy Black / July 30, 2015 /

Balance is a process, not a point of perfection. What is balance? “Balance” is something that many of us are seeking. By attaining balance in life and work, exercise and rest, our diet, mind-body-spirit, time on the internet, and time in the garden, we can live in health and happiness. But what is this “thing” called…

Read More
Man on phone in bed

Calm the Mind – improve sleep naturally

By Cindy Black / June 25, 2015 /

A busy mind can be tired, yet unable to sleep. It’s probably obvious, but just for the record, the head is at the upper part of the body. That’s where the brain is too. Not that the mind is limited to the brain, but it sure has some deep roots there. A busy mind translates…

Read More

Contest winners!

By Cindy Black / January 23, 2013 /

We had plenty of fun with our contest for the online Aromatherapy for Massage Therapists class! The winner is (sound of drums beating….)Keri Brown who practices in the Indianapolis area. Keri won free enrollment into the Aromahead Institute online class, Aromatherapy for Massage Therapists – a course I co-authored with Andrea Butje. Keri has been a massage…

Read More

Remedies that don't work

By Cindy Black / October 25, 2011 /

Strange how some natural remedies just don’t work. The story usually goes like this: Me: Did you try the herbs or cell salts we talked about last time? Client: Yeah, and it didn’t work. Me: Hmmm. Client: I took the stuff and it worked, but then my symptoms came back. Me: Did you keep taking it…

Read More

Sensing Qi

By Cindy Black / October 11, 2011 /

We have a sense beyond our five obvious senses. We can cultivate this “sixth sense” by slowing down the conclusions we draw from our five senses. Practice not believing what you see, hear, smell, taste or touch for a few hours. What else could be “true” about what you are sensing? How else could sense…

Read More

Peppermint

By Cindy Black / August 11, 2011 /

Peppermint is perfect for cooling excess heat. This very common, humble herb has a long history of medicinal use in many cultures. In practice, it can be used as tea to calm digestion, to reduce a fever, and soothe a sore throat. In this Summer’s heat, I have been enjoying a simple glass of cool…

Read More

5 Ways to Stop Worrying

By Cindy Black / May 23, 2011 /

Sometimes I think I have made an art of worrying! Here is my latest 5 step plan for resolving worries.  Try it out and use the comment box below to let me know how it works for you! Step 1 – write down one thing that you do not have to worry about. Step 2…

Read More

Jade Wind Screen

By Cindy Black / October 4, 2010 /

Fall is here. Time to put on an extra jacket to stay warm. In the same way that we naturally reach for our coats in the windy, chilly weather, we can add a layer of protection to our Vital Energy by using herbs. Jade Wind Screen The Chinese herbal formula, Jade Windscreen, provides that layer…

Read More

Homeopathic Arnica

By Cindy Black / August 17, 2010 /

This is a simple remedy for pain from sudden trauma, like stubbing your toe or hitting your finger rather than the nail with a hammer. Homeopathy is a complete form of holistic medicine, requiring years of study to really use it well. But in the case of this type of traumatic pain, anyone can reach…

Read More

Herbal Reference

By Cindy Black / June 24, 2010 /

Wondering about an herb, but don’t have your 20 pounds of reference books with you? There is a great website available – and it’s free! Henriette’s Herbal. Make a free account and you can search for anything. This is a very comprehensive site – don’t get lost!

Read More