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The Seed Vol. 42 September 20, 2010 A Giving Tree Gardens Newsletter
Photos by Russ Henry and Katherine Krumwiede ©2010 ,
Text by Russ Henry and Katherine Krumwiede
©2010 by Giving Tree Gardens, all rights reserved.
Did ya ever get catch a cold and think “maybe I should have eaten more then just chips and ice cream for the last few days?” Do you ever pick something heavy up in the morning and think not long afterward how a good stretch would have prevented you from the daylong backache you’re about to endure? Maybe I’m forgetful, or maybe I’m just getting older, but I need a little help from a healing heart every now and then.
After growing up in a family that relied on regular old take-a-pill-if-you’re-sic western medicine, I wasn’t ready till just a few years ago to start seeing healers that practiced anything other than standard U.S. medical school procedures. Sometimes I figure I’m one lucky guy. I think I’d still be going to the take-a-pill doc for my various ailments if it weren’t for the very lucky fact that so many years ago I was blessed to meet Katherine Krumwiede. I knew right away that Katherine would be a lifelong friend, but it wasn’t until after I made the leap of faith and called her for help, that I would come to know her as a trusted healer.
I remember calling her office for the first time a few years back when I was suffering from a back pain that was keeping me from moving. I had mostly had bad luck with western doctors, spotty luck with non-western doctors, and I wanted to talk to someone I could trust. While I knew she’d been in practice for a couple of years, I don’t get sick a whole lot and hadn’t yet visited so I still had no idea what was in store for me.
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Thinking of Going Green? Start by Growing Green!
These organizations can help residents, neighborhoods, and groups in Minneapolis and St. Paul learn to live and grow sustainably!
Mother Earth Gardens: The best plant selection, locally owned, and expert organic advice. One stop garden shop!
Midtown Farmers Market: Shop for locally grown organic foods, and meet your farmers and neighbors!
Diamond Stone Oriental Medicine: Your first wealth is health. Treat your body with love, care, and expertise!
Sister's Camelot provides free organic food to folks in need throughout the Twin Cities!
Kids learn to grow, cook, and sell food. Sharing skills that will sustain for a lifetime!
Offering on-site energy and sustainability consultations for families, businesses, and non-profits in Minnesota!
Rainwater is not only the best water for your gardens, but it's free! Don't let another drop go to waste!
Your First Wealth Is Health
I’m not much into having bumper stickers on my car, but if I had to put just one on my car it would say “I Love My Job.” I love practicing Oriental Medicine. I get incredible job satisfaction from seeing people recover their health or eliminate their pain.
Oriental Medicine encompasses eight different modalities – with acupuncture being the most well known of the eight. It also includes herbs, dietary therapy, feng shui, tui na (medical massage), meditation, exercise and astrology.
In my practice I use a combination of acupuncture, cupping, moxibustion, Western herbal tinctures and ointments, flower essences, essential oils, dietary and lifestyle recommendations and a far-infrared heat lamp depending on what the person needs.
For some the idea of having needles inserted into their bodies isn’t all that appealing, but these needles are very thin and solid unlike the thick and hollow needles used with a pressurized injection like one would receive in a doctor’s office. I view the needles as powerful communication devices that help your body heal itself. Plus the side effect of acupuncture is a distinct sense of relaxation.
A note about acupuncture. We’re fortunate here in the Twin Cities to have a vibrant Oriental Medicine community – due in large part to the two local schools: Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (MCAOM) in Bloomington and the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (AAAOM) in Roseville. It’s important to distinguish between a certified acupuncturist and a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) to ensure an effective treatment. Chiropractic doctors can elect to receive 200 hours of training in Oriental Medicine and then get certified to perform acupuncture whereas a licensed acupuncturist (L.Ac.) must get a Masters degree in either Acupuncture or Oriental Medicine – approximately 3200 hours of training, pass a National Board Exam and then get licensed by the state of Minnesota. While even modest acupuncture training can be helpful for anyone learning the healing arts, seeking only fully certified acupuncturists for your acupuncture treatments will ensure you’ll get the healing you need. I work with two very talented chiropractic doctors at Avenues of Health, and talented doctors know to send acupuncture patients to a licensed acupuncturist.
I graduated as a licensed acupuncturist with a Master in Oriental Medicine (acupuncture plus Chinese herbs) in 2005. This year will mark my five year anniversary of having my own practice on 10/10/10. I have also studied Western herbalism – which I prefer to use in my clinic because I can use local herbs and make the tinctures myself. I studied with Lise Wolff in her Three Seasons of Herbal Wisdom in 2008, and this spring I studied with Matthew Wood and his Advanced Western Herbalism: Tissue States and Organ Systems class.
I am currently the president of the board for the North Country Herbalist Guild (NCHG) – a local non-profit organization dedicated to promoting education in the practice of therapeutic herbalism. We meet the first Wednesday of the month in the lower level of Bethany Lutheran Church at 2511 East Franklin Avenue from 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm. All are welcome to attend; you don’t have to be a member to participate in the classes. We attract all levels of herbal experience from beginner to experienced practitioners. No matter the topic I always come away with something I can use immediately with my family or in clinic. Our October 6th meeting will feature Medieval Beer Brewing with Scott Brown, and our November 3rd meeting features a former NCHG board member, Becca Dalllinger, with Salve Making. We have a big to do on December 1st with a silent auction fundraiser, and we’ll feature Will Winter with Leading Herbs Holistic Doctors are Using to Address Cancer and Heart Disease.
One of my favorite plants that I learned about through the NCHG and Lise’s class is plantain (Plantago major). Plantain is also known as the white man’s footprint because it grows primarily along the edges of sidewalks. Plantain is an invaluable bug-bite remedy. Pick a fresh healthy-looking leaf and either score it with your teeth or crumple it up to releases its medicine. Place it on the bug bite, and it will draw out the offending itch-inducing substance. Wet the leaf or use surgical tape to keep the plantain in place. I make a plantain ointment so I can take it with me where ever I go. Plantain is also good for plantar fasciitis. Place the fresh leaf under your heel and put your sock on. If possible replace the leaf several times per day. Discontinue using the leaf when the pain is gone.
I believe that patient education is a very important component in my practice, and this has led me to teach classes in the community. Sunday, September 26th I will be teaching Choosing Breast Health over Breast Cancer at the 5th Annual Holistic Health and Herbal Education Festival. This event is held at a lovely farm in Cannon Falls and offers a wide range of classes for all experience levels.
In October I will be teaching two classes at the Seward Co-op . On Wednesday the 13th I’m offering Everyday Toxins: They’re Everywhere!, and on Wednesday the 27th it’s Vitali-Tea: Steeping for the Health of it. Stop in at Seward Co-op’s Customer Service Desk or call 612 338 2465 to register for the classes.
- Katherine Krumwiede
“Every human being is the author of his own health or disease.”
“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”
"Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing."
Now at this point I’m used to seeing the doctors who want to have me take a pain pill and go see a specialist, or tell me something less then reassuring like “I’m not sure what it is, but it will probably go away.” Looking back, it’s silly to think that I’d pay to go to a doctor and not expect healing, but that’s the space I was in. So when I visited Katherine and the pain in my body went from stifling to entirely manageable in one treatment, then entirely gone in two treatments without chemical drugs or side effects, I was sold, hooked, and permanently changed. I’d seen the light, and I wasn’t going back.
Since that first magical treatment I’ve gone to Katherine for every ache I can’t shake. Not only is she an ace with the acupuncture, but Katherine’s understanding of the plant world and use of the healing power of plants never ceases to amaze this gardener.
This special edition of The Seed is dedicated to the health of our readers and their loved ones. Scroll down to hear from the healer herself, Katherine Krumwiede, proprietor of Diamond Stone Oriental Medicine.
Winter's coming, Don't get stuck in the snow!
Giving Tree Gardens offers high quality residential and commercial
For the greater Minneapolis area!
An Introduction to Health
Katherine Krumwiede, owner of Diamond Stone Oriental Medicine is a Twin Cities treasure!
Below is a picture of me receiving an acupuncture treatment to help me kick a cold. The only side effect I've ever felt from these relaxing treatments is a deep calming sensation. That's the kind of side effect more medicine should have!
Avenues of Health, the office where Katherine practices is conveniently located on Hennepin Ave. in South Minneapolis.
Below is Katherine's back yard garden. She and her husband Dan continually expand and improve on their garden's offerings. Katherine believes and teaches that homegrown and wild crafted foods and medicines are essential for health.
Dan the garden man! With corn chest high by the 4th of July, you know somebody's been composting!
Above are two images of me receiving treatment. In the top image I'm getting the cups. Cupping can releive stress and helps me relax before Acupuncture begins. I always get so relaxed after the needles are in that I drift off to sleep.
Moxibustion is a process that relies on the burning of the herb mugwort. Though I haven't received this treatment, at this point if Katherine says it works, then I'm on board.
Katherine and I share a passion for weeds! Below is plantain, one the coolest local weeds that she's taught me to use.
