Up North Natural Health and Wellness

04/05/2026

KEY INDICATIONS
• HPA axis dysfunction
• Tired but wired presentation
• Extended stressful situations
• Blood sugar instability during stress
• Orthostatic blood pressure dysregulation
(dizziness on standing, salt craving)
• Mood instability (irritability, low stress tolerance)
• Immune vulnerability during stress
• Fatigue (burnout) from illness or stress

CLINICAL PEARLS
• Use instead of stimulants or thyroid therapy to restore cortisol rhythm and energy.
• Pair with GlucoGenic to stabilize glucose and enhance adrenal recovery.
• Combine with ImmuneGenic to manage the impact of stress on immune modulation.
• Since energy may increase, avoid late-day doses to prevent sleep disruption.

SAFETY & CONTRAINDICATIONS
This formula should be used with caution in individuals with uncontrolled hypertension.

ALLERGEN &
DIETARY INFO
• cGMP Facility
• Non-GMO
• Gluten Free

https://systemicformulas.com/ref/MISH05/

04/04/2026

https://facebook.com/events/s/essential-oil-basics/2735239223542106/

04/02/2026

Class Description
Essential Oil Foundations is a comprehensive 4‑hour educational experience designed to help participants understand the science, safety, and therapeutic potential of essential oils. Through guided demonstrations and hands‑on learning, students explore aromatic, topical, and internal applications while gaining clarity on dilution, safety considerations, and practical everyday use.
Participants receive a professionally designed workbook that supports learning, note‑taking, and continued reference at home. The class blends evidence‑informed education with approachable, real‑world application, making it ideal for beginners and wellness enthusiasts alike.
Must RSVP for class by either Venmo purchase or call/text: 231-252-5918 - Traci Shetler
Cost of Workshop:
Non-Client Pricing: $157.00
Current Client Pricing: $147.00 - Client Appreciation Discount, a $10 savings.

https://wix.to/dVoFkir
https://wix.to/2mmu2FN

03/30/2026

🌿 Constipation: When Your Body Is Holding On — Not Failing You

Constipation is one of the most misunderstood signals in the body.

It’s often reduced to:
“Drink more water.”
“Eat more fibre.”
“Take something to make you go.”

But constipation is not just a bowel issue.
It is a whole-body communication.

👉 Your body is not broken.
👉 Your body is protective.

🚦 What Constipation Is REALLY Telling Us

Constipation happens when movement slows — not just in the gut, but across multiple systems:
• Nervous system
• Liver & bile flow
• Lymphatic drainage
• Hormones
• Hydration at a cellular level

When the body feels overwhelmed, inflamed, depleted, or unsafe, it holds on.

🧠 The Nervous System: “I Don’t Feel Safe Yet”

Digestion happens in rest & digest, not in fight or flight.

Chronic stress, trauma, grief, burnout, anxiety, or long-term illness can:
• Reduce vagus nerve tone
• Tighten abdominal and pelvic fascia
• Slow peristalsis (the wave-like movement of the gut)

📌 A tense nervous system = a slow bowel.

🟢 The Liver & Bile: The Missing Laxative

Bile is essential for:
• Fat digestion
• Stool softness
• Natural bowel movement

If the liver is sluggish or bile flow is reduced (very common during detox, hormonal imbalance, gallbladder removal, or chronic inflammation):
• Stools become dry
• Waste becomes sticky
• Elimination slows

📌 No bile flow = no smooth flow.

💧 Dehydration (Even When You’re Drinking Water)

Many people drink water — but remain cellularly dehydrated.

Why?
• Low minerals
• Electrolyte imbalance
• Stress hormones pulling water away from digestion

Without enough fluid reaching the colon:
• Stool hardens
• The bowel struggles to move it out

📌 Hydration = water plus minerals.

🚦 Lymphatic Congestion: Waste Can’t Leave

The intestines are wrapped in lymph vessels.

If lymph flow is slow:
• Waste products linger
• Inflammation increases
• The bowel feels heavy and congested

📌 No lymph flow = no waste flow.

This is why constipation often improves with:
• Manual lymphatic drainage
• Gentle movement
• Breathing
• Fascia release

🌙 Hormones Matter (A Lot)

Hormones directly affect gut motility.
• Progesterone slows bowel movement
• Elevated cortisol diverts energy away from digestion

This is why constipation is common:
• Before menstruation
• During perimenopause
• During prolonged stress
• During intense detox or fasting

🌾 Why “Just Add Fibre” Can Backfire

Fibre is not the enemy — timing is everything.

If:
• Motility is slow
• Hydration is low
• Bile is insufficient

Adding more fibre can make constipation worse, not better.

📌 Fibre without flow becomes cement.

🚨 Why Constipation Should Never Be Ignored

Chronic constipation can contribute to:
• Reabsorption of toxins
• Hormone recirculation (especially estrogen)
• Increased inflammation
• Fatigue and brain fog
• Skin issues
• Lymphatic stagnation

Elimination is not optional.
It is part of daily detox.

🌿 Supporting the Body Gently (Not Forcing It)

Instead of forcing the bowel, we support the system.

✔️ Calm the Nervous System
• Belly breathing
• Warmth on the abdomen
• Gentle abdominal massage
• Creating a sense of safety

✔️ Support Liver & Bile
• Bitter foods (lemon, rocket, dandelion)
• Healthy fats
• Gentle liver protocols
• Consistent lymphatic therapy

✔️ Support Lymph Flow
• Dry brushing
• Walking
• Rebounding (if appropriate)
• Manual lymphatic drainage

✔️ Hydrate Properly
• Add trace minerals
• Use warm fluids
• Avoid ice-cold drinks when constipated

✔️ Tools When Needed (Short-Term)
• Magnesium (gentle forms)
• Castor oil packs
• Herbal support temporarily, not daily reliance

📌 We support movement — we don’t bully the bowel.

💛 The Most Important Truth

Constipation is not your body failing you.

It’s your body saying:

“I’m overwhelmed.”
“I don’t feel safe yet.”
“I need support — not pressure.”

And when you listen…
the body responds beautifully.

03/30/2026

In-Depth Essential Oil Training: 4-Hour Workshop: April 18, 2026 starting at 10 AM to 2 PM

03/28/2026

Castor Oil Packs: Ancient Remedy, Modern Wonder

This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your health regimen.

What is a Castor Oil Pack? 🛁🌿
A Castor Oil Pack is a therapeutic cloth soaked in cold-pressed castor oil (from the seeds of Ricinus communis) placed on the skin—typically over the liver, abdomen, or lymph nodes. Covered with a barrier (wool) and warmed with a hot water bottle or heat pack, this ancient remedy has stood the test of time—from Cleopatra’s beauty rituals to 21st-century detox protocols ✨.

Let’s Talk Science 🔬🧠
Why is castor oil more than just an old wives’ tale? Science is catching up:

1. Ricinoleic Acid – The Star Ingredient ⭐
About 90% of castor oil is made up of ricinoleic acid, a rare unsaturated fatty acid with powerful anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects 💥.

Research Highlight:
A 2009 study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology found that ricinoleic acid activates EP3 prostanoid receptors—which are involved in immune function modulation, pain regulation, and smooth muscle contraction. That means castor oil can calm inflammation, ease pain, and stimulate flow—especially in the lymphatic and digestive systems 🌿💪.

Benefits of Castor Oil Packs
Here’s what the research and clinical practice suggest these gooey little wonders can do:

1. Lymphatic Drainage Booster 🌀💧
The lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump like the heart—it relies on movement and flow. Castor oil packs may stimulate lymphocyte production (white blood cells), encouraging better lymph drainage and detoxification 🚿.

Clinical Insight:
A study from The Townsend Letter for Doctors reported increased lymphocyte counts within hours of castor oil pack application—suggesting improved immune and lymphatic activity 🧬.

2. Liver Love & Detox Support 🌿🫀
Placed over the liver, castor oil packs may improve liver enzyme function and bile flow—essential for detoxification, hormone balance, and digestion 🌱.

3. Gut Health & Constipation Relief 🚽💨
One of the oldest uses of castor oil is for constipation relief. Packs applied to the abdomen may support peristalsis (bowel movement) and reduce bloating and cramping 🫃.

Bonus: A study published in Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice (2011) showed that elderly participants with constipation experienced significant improvement using abdominal castor oil packs ✅.

4. Hormone Harmony & Menstrual Relief 🌸🕊️
Castor oil’s anti-inflammatory nature may help relieve menstrual cramps, support ovarian and uterine health, and even help with fibroids and cysts (when used consistently with professional guidance) 💗.

How To Use a Castor Oil Pack
It’s as simple as 1-2-3: ✨

You’ll Need:
• Cold-pressed, hexane-free castor oil 🧴
• A piece of flannel or wool (about the size of your hand) 🧵
• A protective cloth or sheet 🧼
• Hot water bottle or heating pad ♨️
• Old clothes or towels (because it will get messy!) 🧺

Step-by-Step:
1. Soak the flannel with castor oil until it’s saturated but not dripping 🌊.
2. Place it over your target area (liver, abdomen, joints, lymph nodes) 🎯.
3. Cover with your protective layer 🧻.
4. Add heat and relax for 30–60 minutes ⏳.
5. Repeat 3–5x per week for best results 📆.

Pro Tip: Do not use during menstruation or pregnancy unless cleared by a professional 🚫🤰.

Who Should Avoid Castor Oil Packs?
• Pregnant women (castor oil can stimulate uterine contractions) ⚠️
• Active infections or open wounds at application site 🛑
• Allergy to castor oil (always patch test!) 🧪

In a Nutshell… 🥥💚
Castor oil packs are like nature’s version of a warm hug: soothing, detoxifying, and deeply nurturing to your organs and lymphatic flow 🫶. With modern research backing what ancient cultures knew, they’re a safe, accessible tool for anyone on a healing or wellness journey 🌍✨.

So grab your oil, wrap yourself up, and let the healing begin 🌙.
Because sometimes, the simplest remedies are the most profound 🌿💫.

©️

03/28/2026

🧠 The Connection Between Itchy Skin and Your Liver 🌿

Do you ever feel like you’re itching for no reason at all—especially at night? 🥴
It may not be dry skin… it might be your liver calling for help! 🧬

💥 What’s the Link?

Your liver is your body’s detox powerhouse 🧽🛡️
It filters toxins, hormones, medications, and byproducts of digestion. But when it’s overloaded or sluggish, something sneaky can happen:

👉 Bile acids and toxins start to build up in your bloodstream instead of being properly filtered out.

👀 And your skin? It notices.
The body uses the skin as a secondary detox organ. That toxic backup can trigger itching, irritation, or even rashes.

🧬 What Liver Conditions Commonly Cause Itching?

🔹 Cholestasis – slowed or blocked bile flow (common in pregnancy and liver diseases)
🔹 Fatty liver – too much fat stored in liver cells
🔹 Hepatitis or liver inflammation
🔹 Cirrhosis or liver scarring
🔹 Liver congestion due to poor drainage, inflammation, or lymphatic stagnation

Often, the itching is worse on hands, feet, or limbs, and may get worse at night when bile levels rise.

🌿 Supportive Steps (always check with a healthcare provider)

✅ Support your lymphatic system (hello, MLD! 🙌)
✅ Eat liver-loving foods: beetroot, artichokes, bitter greens, dandelion
✅ Stay hydrated to help flush toxins
✅ Limit alcohol and processed fats
✅ Consider castor oil packs or gentle herbal liver support (milk thistle, burdock root, etc.)

✨ Final Thought

The skin and liver are deeply connected.
If you’re itching and you can’t quite explain why—your lymph and liver might just be whispering (or yelling!) for attention. 💚

🔬 Research & Resources
1. Carey EJ, Lindor KD. “Pruritus in cholestasis.” Clin Liver Dis. 2013.
2. Kremer AE et al. “Pathogenesis and Management of Pruritus in Liver Diseases.” J Hepatol. 2011.
3. Kim DJ et al. “Itch and the Liver.” Clin Mol Hepatol. 2021.

©️

03/22/2026

03/22/2026

This is the part no one prepares you for.

You think healing is just about walking away and moving forward, like once you create distance everything inside you will settle too. Like clarity will come easily and you’ll finally feel like yourself again.

But what actually happens is you start questioning everything you thought was real. You replay moments, conversations, feelings, trying to figure out where it shifted and how you didn’t see it sooner. It’s not just losing a person, it’s grieving something that felt real to you, even if it wasn’t real to them.

And then there’s the attachment. The part of you that still feels pulled toward them even when you know exactly what they are. That push and pull inside you doesn’t disappear overnight just because you left.

You also run into triggers you didn’t expect. Small things that bring everything back, like your body remembers before your mind can catch up. And in between all of that, there are these heavy, quiet moments that nobody talks about, where you feel exhausted from carrying something you can’t fully explain.

But slowly, in the middle of all that mess, you start rebuilding. You start seeing yourself again. You start choosing yourself in small ways, even when it feels uncomfortable.

Healing isn’t a straight path. It’s messy, confusing, and heavier than people admit.

But every step you take through that mess is you getting your power back.

03/22/2026

🌿 10 Non-Overwhelming Ways to Fix YOUR Lymph!

Because healing shouldn’t feel like homework — it should feel like hope.

Your lymphatic system is your body’s quiet superhero.
It cleans you.
It protects you.
It resets you.
And it LOVES small, gentle, consistent things.

Here are 10 fun, simple, joy-filled ways to support your lymph — without stress, pressure, or overwhelm.

1️⃣ Drink warm water first thing in the morning 💧✨

Cold water shocks the system.
Warm water wakes up the lymph like sunshine on a sleepy garden.

Why it works: Warmth thins lymph fluid → better drainage.

2️⃣ Breathe into your belly for 1 minute 🌬️🫶

Deep belly breathing pumps your biggest lymphatic engine:
the diaphragm.

Why it works: Each deep breath moves 60% more lymph!

3️⃣ Do 10 shoulder rolls backwards 🌀

Tension in the neck + shoulders = stuck drainage.
Roll it out gently.

Why it works: Opens the pathways around the thoracic duct — the MAIN lymph highway.

4️⃣ Swap one cold meal for a warm one today 🍲🌿

Warm = gentle
Cold = constricting

Why it works: The lymph loves warmth and hates digestive stress.

5️⃣ Bounce on your toes (even if you can’t jump!) 🦶✨

No trampoline needed.
Just gently rise onto your toes and lower back down.

Why it works: The calves are your “second heart” — they pump lymph upward.

6️⃣ Add greens to one meal today 🥬💚

Spinach, green beans, lettuce, zucchini — ANYTHING green.

Why it works: Greens contain structured water → thins lymph → reduces swelling.

7️⃣ Laugh. Yes… LAUGH. 😂🩶

Laughing moves the diaphragm, the ribs, and the intercostal fascia.

Why it works: Laughter is an emotional + physical lymph mover.

8️⃣ Put your legs up the wall for 2–3 minutes 🕊️

Not for 20 minutes.
Just 2–3.

Why it works: It reverses gravitational pressure + boosts lymph return.

9️⃣ Dry brush for 30 seconds only 🪮🌸

No 10-minute ritual needed.
Just a quick sweep toward the heart.

Why it works: Light stimulation wakes up surface lymphatics instantly.

🔟 Replace ONE inflammatory food today 🌾❌

You don’t need to change your whole diet — just one swap.

Ideas:
• Dairy → coconut milk
• Gluten → rice
• Sugar → fruit

Why it works: Less inflammation = more lymph flow.

🌙 A little reminder…

Your lymph doesn’t need perfection.
It needs consistency, kindness, and tiny moments of care.
The small things you do for your body today become the big changes you feel tomorrow.
Your healing doesn’t have to be loud.
It can be gentle.
It can be joyful.
It can be YOU. 🩷🌿