Blog and Inspirations

3 Approaches to Working With Age-Defying Tonic Herbs

HEALING AND HERBS 3 Approaches to Working With Age-Defying Tonic Herbs Shi Yao Lian, Practitioner Buddha's Alchemy October 2, 2019 Tonification is a popular topic in herbalism, but the definition and uses of tonic herbs varies from tradition to tradition. Let’s take a...

7 Amazing and Versatile Medicinal Herbs Blooming in My Garden Now

HEALING AND HERBS 7 Amazing and Versatile Medicinal Herbs Blooming in My Garden Now Shi Yao Lian, Practitioner Buddha's Alchemy July 9, 2019 The summer herbal harvest is in full gear, and it’s sometimes a tough call which way to turn your attention. Not only are the...

How I Eliminated Our Dog’s Kennel Cough In 2 days With Herbs

HEALING AND HERBS How I Eliminated Our Dog’s Kennel Cough In 2 days With Herbs Shi Yao Lian, Practitioner Buddha's Alchemy April 16, 2019 My littlest pup, Asha, came down with a case of kennel cough, which according to our vet has been going around. It was actually a...

A Medicinal Herb Walk Through the Pacific Northwest Rainforest – 8 Healing Herbs

HEALING AND HERBS A Medicinal Herb Walk Through the Pacific Northwest Rainforest - 8 Healing Herbs Shi Yao Lian, Practitioner Buddha's Alchemy There was something special today about my usual mountainside hike through the beautiful Western Red Cedars, Douglas Firs and...

How to Treat Different Types of Arthritis and “Bi Syndrome”

HEALING AND HERBS How to Treat Different Types of Arthritis and "Bi Syndrome" Shi Yao Lian, Practitioner Buddha's Alchemy February 14, 2019 Bi Syndrome Treating arthritis or any other painful obstructive syndrome appropriately requires assessment of the underlying...

Recognizing the Core of Addictions

HEALING AND SPIRITUALITY Recognizing the Core of Addictions Shi Yao Hai, Master Buddhist Psychology Teacher and Healing Practitioner December 5, 2018 What is addiction? The core of the Buddha's teachings recognizes that thoughts, feelings and behaviors are not...

Understanding Nervines and Antispasmodics

HEALING AND HERBS Understanding Nervines and Antispasmodics Shi Yao Lian, Practitioner Buddha's Alchemy November 7, 2018 Nervines and antispasmodics have similarities and differences in their mechanisms of action and their applications. In a general sense, they have...

Herbal Astringents Around the World: What They Are and How to Use Them

HEALING AND HERBS Herbal Astringents Around the World: How They Work and How to Use Them Shi Yao Lian, Practitioner Buddha's Alchemy August 14, 2018 How Astringents Work: Astringents are recognized as having similar actions in TCM, Ayurveda, Western herbalism, Unani,...

Herbs for Phlegm from the World’s Healing Traditions

HEALING AND HERBS Herbs for Phlegm from the World's Healing Traditions Shi Yao Lian, Practitioner Buddha's Alchemy June 20, 2018 Phlegm is a concept that carries different connotations depending on which healing system and perspective you are viewing it from. There is...

Deeper Healing – Using the Siddhi Path to Miraculousness

HEALING AND SPIRITUALITY Deeper Healing - Using the Siddhi Path to Miraculousness Shi Yao Hai, Master Teacher and Healer Buddha's Alchemy April 25, 2018 Understanding the Siddhi Path Siddhi is a Sanskrit word that means accomplishment, success, achievement, and...

Chickweed: The Healing Star – How to Use and Formulate with Stellaria Media

HEALING AND HERBS Chickweed: The Healing Star - How to Use and Formulate with Stellaria Media Shi Yao Lian, Practitioner Buddha's Alchemy April 18, 2018 I was visiting my friend and surveying the first early signs of life in her garden, and we spied our trusted friend...

Springtime Stinging Nettle – Everything You Wanted to Know About Harvesting, Usage, and Preparation

HEALING AND HERBS Springtime Stinging Nettle - Everything You Wanted to Know About Harvesting, Usage, and Preparation Shi Yao Lian, Practitioner Buddha's Alchemy March 26, 2018 Early Spring is a vibrant time on the BC Southwest Coast. The first signs of leaves and...

12 Herbal Remedies to Treat Your Cold or Flu the RIGHT Way (recipes included)

HEALING and HERBS 12 Herbal Remedies to Treat Your Cold or Flu the RIGHT Way (recipes included) Shi Yao Lian, Practitioner Buddha's Alchemy February 6, 2018 The internet is saturated with DIY home remedies for colds and flu. Some of the information is...

Herbal Tonics – How to Use Them to Strengthen Blood and Qi and Build Vitality (with a recipe for tonic soup)

HERBS Herbal Tonics - How to Use Them to Strengthen Blood and Qi and Build Vitality ( with a recipe for tonic soup) Shi Yao Lian, Practitioner Buddha's Alchemy January 21, 2018 To tonify means to strengthen and support. Chinese herbalism classifies tonics into 4...

How to Cultivate Clarity of Mind and a Loving Heart

HEALING AND SPIRITUALITY How to Cultivate Clarity of Mind and a Loving Heart Shi Yao Hai, Master Teacher and Healer Buddha's Alchemy December 6, 2017 How mental clarity affects the strength of the heart is a very deep & profound topic. It is greater than just...

The Key to Healing with Life Force Energy – An Impromptu Lesson

HEALING AND SPIRITUALITY The Key to Healing with Life Force Energy - An Impromptu Lesson Shi Yao Hai, Master Teacher and Healer Buddha's Alchemy September 4, 2017 We were walking to the park, Shi Mai Ping and I. Shi Mai Ping was a long time student of Shi Chien Li (my...

Shilajit: Liquid “Gold” of the Himalayas

HEALING AND HERBS Shilajit: Liquid "Gold" of the Himalayas Shi Yao Lian, Practitioner Buddha's Alchemy September 1, 2017 What is Shilajit? Shilajit has been used safely and effectively in Ayurveda and Tibetan Medicine, and its mention is recorded in ancient texts...

Herbal Energetics: Why One Size Doesn’t Fit All In Healing

HEALING AND HERBS Herbal Energetics: Why One Size Doesn't Fit All In Healing Shi Yao Lian, Practitioner Buddha's Alchemy August 25, 2017 As a herbalist and Buddhist healing practitioner who applies herbal energetics therapeutically, I receive many inquiries from...

Why You Should Have Fireweed in Your Home Apothecary

HEALING AND HERBS Why You Should Have Fireweed in Your Home Apothecary Shi Yao Lian, Practitioner Buddha's Alchemy August 18, 2017 When I was young, I lived in many rural areas of Vancouver Island, BC Canada. I remember noticing the beautiful tall spires of purple...

8 Great Herb Blogs for Beginners

HEALING AND HERBS 8 Great Herb Blogs for Beginners Shi Yao Lian, Practitioner Buddha's Alchemy August 2, 2017 When it comes to information about becoming and staying healthy, there is no shortage of advice out there on the internet. Sifting through the multitudes of...