Intergenerational Trauma, Anxiety and Depression
Thankfully, these genes can also be switched off by practicing forgiveness and/or gratitude. These two rituals seem to have deeply soothing psychological effects. This may be why they have been so central to so many religious traditions. Although the practice sounds simple, it can actually be quite useful as a daily practice. Here are some suggestions for practicing gratitude.
According to Dr. Drew Pierson, these practices can help stabilize alpha wave rhythms in the brain associated with relaxation and focus. This can help you to tap into creativity and the ability to bring your ideas to fruition.
Is it also possible that plants have the power to help us switch off these genes?
Enter Stress Free Tea
Based on the herbal formula, Xiao Yao San (XYS), Stress Free Tea is used for stress, depression, and anxiety as well as their manifestations in a diverse range of diseases ranging from obesity, to infertility, and physical pain.
Xiao Yao San has been shown to “regulate multiple aspects of depression through these (gene) targets, related to metabolism, neuroendocrine function, and neuroimmunity. “
“XYS acts on hub genes” to flip the genetic switches and with them the hormonal responses that rule people’s lives.
When you drink a formula like Xiao Yao San, you signal healing at a very profound level. These plants have the potential to not only heal you in the present, but also help break the chains of intergenerational trauma, freeing you in the present and helping to protect future generations as well.
Stress Free Tea can be incorporated as a daily self care ritual along with the practice of gratitude and forgiveness. It contains fresh herbs that are wildcrafted from the Tibetan region, that are tested, and are chemical free.
If you or someone you know has been affected by intergenerational trauma, anxiety or depression, I invite you share this information and/or to come in for acupuncture treatment and herbal medicine.
References:
Daskalakis, Nikolaos P., et al. “Intergenerational trauma is associated with expression alterations in glucocorticoid-and immune-related genes.” Neuropsychopharmacology 46.4 (2021): 763-773.
Lindsay, Karen L., et al. “Intergenerational transmission of the effects of maternal exposure to childhood maltreatment on offspring obesity risk: a fetal programming perspective.” Psychoneuroendocrinology 116 (2020): 104659.
Mucci, Clara. Beyond individual and collective trauma: Intergenerational transmission, psychoanalytic treatment, and the dynamics of forgiveness. Routledge, 2018.
Hargrave, Terry D., and Nicole E. Zasowski. Families and forgiveness: Healing wounds in the intergenerational family. Taylor & Francis, 2016.
Emmons, Robert A., and Anjali Mishra. “Why gratitude enhances well-being: What we know, what we need to know.” Designing positive psychology: Taking stock and moving forward (2011): 248-262.
Yuan, Naijun, et al. “An integrated pharmacology-based analysis for antidepressant mechanism of Chinese herbal formula Xiao-Yao-San.” Frontiers in pharmacology 11 (2020): 284.