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May 19, 2025

Happy Monday, Reader!

I know this isn't a typical day for me to send a note, but I'm not sure I'll be able to get my usually Wednesday note out to you because we're thick in the middle of the BIG move.

We have our homestead on the mountain. And we have our apothecary and clinic and studio here in town. We've been searching for three years now to find the perfect place to recombine them, and finally, we have found the place!

You're going to love the foraging and all the herbal and aromatic creating and teaching at the new place!

Because it's almost Memorial Day, and I have a personal experience to share.....

What is Operator Syndrome?

I was talking with my middle son (a decorated Green Beret) a few days ago, and he told me he is currently in a special clinic in Texas due to a diagnosis of Operator Syndrome.

I'd never heard of it, and we spoke in length about it. I went ahead and purchased a book on it by the expert doctor (B Christopher Frueh) who identified it and has been studying this syndrome for several years. All of the special operations divisions of the military are now recognizing it, and thank goodness....

So..what is Operator Syndrome?

Operator Syndrome is a "unique pattern of interrelated medical and behavioral health-care needs" that has been identified by teams of medical doctors and psychiatrists who have finally recognized that the PTSD "easy button" doesn't match up with the health concerns of these specialized soldiers.

Although many of them have PTSD, what they experience is far more stealthy and dangerous healthwise, both physically and mentally.

Special operations soldiers include Army Rangers, Delta Force, Navy Seals, RECON marines, Green Berets (guerilla warfare vets), SOAR Night Stalkers, and others.

These are elite soldiers with extremely high levels of skill and training in mindset, strength, agility, warfare, etc. They are often put into terrible situations where they need to make quick decisions. Frequently, they work in tiny teams on specialized missions.

Some of the health effects of Operator Syndrome include long-term brain injury, endocrine dysfunction, cysts in odd places, sleep disturbances, chronic musculo-skeletal pain caused by injuries (some over time), orhopedic issues, headaches, substance abuse, depression and suicide, anger, worry, stress reactivity, family dysfunction, being constantly "on guard" and hypervigilant, memory and cognitive problems, vision impairments due to injury, challenges of transition from military to civilian life, and others. (Frueh, et. al)

My son will be 38 years old this fall, and he began his Army career as a Ranger right out of boot camp at the age of 18. It was his dream since childhood to be in the special forces, and he didn't have to wait. He earned Soldier of the Cycle at Boot Camp, and the coveted Rangers took him right in.

Since then, he has been deployed to me, it seems, "all the time," all over the world, some missions secret and some not, and has been in many intense situations that most of us can barely imagine, comprehend, or desire to.

It made my mama's heart so sad, and I cried for my son. I'm also thrilled that he's getting the help he needs.

He keeps so much inside, and he hasn't shared much with me from his many, many excursions to all parts of the globe in the war on terrorism. He tells a little more to his brothers, and they won't let me in on the things he's shared either. They must know that I couldn't handle it.

I'm very proud of him, and I have to admit...I am waiting for the day when he finally retires. Just a few more years.

Finally, FINALLY, some military medical personnel have realized that the lives that these SOF (Special Operations Forces) soldiers face on a daily basis also involve extreme cumulative (the most advanced stage) allostatic load on the body.

This is cumulative wear and tear on the body and brain caused by repeated stress, which eventually leads to severe health problems and imbalances in bodily systems.

It also tends to present differently in different soldiers, and special ops soldiers are highly prone to this syndrome.

The clinic my son is at sounds amazing. There are only a few soldiers who are seen at a time in this clinic over the course of a month. Each soldier has a team of doctors and specialists that includes all types of medical professionals, such as internists, specialized doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, psychiatrists, alternative and traditional health practitioners, and many more.

And guess what?

They actually TALK to each other about the individual soldiers in order to create the best plan of action for each of them. This provides them with individualized care.

THIS is truly holistic medicine (mind, body, spirit), and I hope with all my heart that the generalized public medical community will one day get to this place for ALL of us. In the meantime, holistic herbalists and other alternative practitioners can help meet the need for holistic health in our clients.

In Honor of Memorial Day

Memorial Day is to honor the veterans who died in battle defending our country and freedoms around the world. It's vital that we not forget what our troops go through each and every day, and to honor them, both passed away and still alive (in my opinion).

Did you know that before the Veteran's Affairs part of the government came to be in 1930, that civilians took soldiers who required recuperative care into their homes and nursed them back to health? It was a duty that those who could, did gladly.

From the birth of our country, it was like this, and now things are institutionalized...so much so that civilians tend to forget the sacrifices these brave men and women make. Some civilians even disrespect our soldiers, and this I find most deplorable.

I know this isn't an herbalism note this week (although I have a great formulation to try for you just below), but it's an important note because most people don't know much about any of this.

A Memorial Day Sale--In Honor

This is our first Memorial Day Sale, ever. We always tithe and give of our profits anyway, and for this sale and ongoing, we're donating a percentage of the proceeds to the Wounded Warrior Project.

In this way, perhaps you'll enjoy a course you may have been waiting for, while we share to help others, which is part of our mission here at Healing Harvest Homestead on the regular.

Each of these is 50% off through Memorial Day, for significant savings on three really terrific courses!

Use code: MEMDAY

​1) The 21-Day Joy Course (Normally $197, now $98.50)

*I created this course after being asked SO often about stress-relief. It's a scientifically researched course on fast actions you can take daily that can cumulatively help you improve your mindset and reduce stress...and make you feel happier. Of course, there are special projects for herbs and oils too. It contains videos and two complete texts.

​2) Natural Soap Making (Was $127, now $63.50)

*Personally, I think everyone should have access to clean cosmetic, cleaning, and beauty products. Soap making is a great skill to know. Plus, it's creative and fun! Several of my students have started their own soap and skincare businesses from this course, too.

​3) The Art and Science of Herbal Tea (Was $127, now $63.50)

*Herbal tea seems so easy, but did you know there are many nuances in choosing proper herbs for blending? And there are lovely natural ways to flavor your teas that don't involved articial synthetic flavors that are possibly dangerous? And that the flavor of the tea gives you great hints at what the plant's actions have on your body? This course comes with my Big Book of Herbal Tea, too. It's the only place to get it, and it includes 130+ of my herbal tea formulations. Learn things you never knew about tea!

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Before we sign off....here's a great little formula for you to try this week!

Tension Relief Massage Oil

This massage oil is fabulous on your shoulders and neck, helping to soothe and release tension. It's helpful for headaches caused by stress too.

Both copaiba and black spruce are high in constituents that relax and soothe pain, b-caryophyllene and bornyl acetate, respectively.

Rosemary calms mental stress, brings oxygen to the skin's surface, and thus soothes pain caused by tension.

Peppermint is high in menthol, and this is very analgesic while also being relaxing!

10 drops black spruce

10 drops copaiba

7 drops rosemary

3 drops peppermint

Add the essential oils to a one ounce dropper bottle. Fill the bottle to the shoulder with an herbal infused oil like calendula or St. John's wort; or plain sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, or even olive oil is fine.

Shake well to disperse the oils.

Use as needed. (This is a 3% dilution and can be adjusted for more or less essential oil as the situation dictates.)

If you want to use this for children five to ten, leave out the peppermint, and cut the essential oil amounts in half.

Enjoy!

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I will try to write again as usual on Wednesday, but if I don't, please just know that I love you and will be back to "normal" soon, after our move!

Hugs, Health, and Herbs,

Heidi

P.S. If you have a friend who might enjoy learning more about natural living, herbalism, and aromatherapy, please forward this note along!