Podcast Summary: UNRULY WITH SHELAH MARIE
Episode Title: Healing Beyond Western Medicine: A Journey with Walda Lorenzo
Host: Shelah Marie
Guest: Walda Lorenzo, Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist
Release Date: May 27, 2025
Introduction
[01:02] Shelah Marie:
Shelah Marie opens the episode by introducing the theme of healing beyond traditional Western medicine. She emphasizes the limitations many Black women face within the Western healthcare system, such as rushed appointments and treatments that fail to address the whole person. To explore alternative healing modalities that are more rooted, embodied, and ancestral, Shelah welcomes Walda Lorenzo, a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist.
Guest Background
[05:11] Walda Lorenzo:
Walda shares her non-linear path to wellness. Initially aiming for a career in law due to cultural expectations, she transitioned into publishing before her personal health struggles, specifically fibroids, led her to explore holistic healing. Diagnosed in her early twenties, Walda found Western medicine insufficient and began self-studying herbs and nutrition to address her health concerns. Her Haitian heritage and studies with indigenous healers in Guatemala further shaped her holistic approach.
Healing Journey and Holistic Approaches
[12:43] Shelah Marie:
Shelah probes deeper into Walda's fibroid journey, seeking actionable advice for listeners facing similar health issues.
[15:00] Walda Lorenzo:
Walda offers comprehensive tips for managing fibroids:
- Diet: Emphasizes a clean and healthy diet, advocating for reduced meat and dairy consumption and the elimination of processed foods.
- Liver Health: Highlights the importance of liver function in metabolizing excess estrogen, recommending bitter greens and herbs like Milk Thistle to support liver health.
- Emotional Health: Discusses the critical role of emotional well-being, encouraging listeners to address feelings of stagnation, abandonment, and lack of support, which can manifest physically.
Notable Quote:
[15:00] Walda Lorenzo:
"Eat a lot of bitter greens, Milk thistle,... your liver is going to help you metabolize the excess hormones."
Integration of Eastern and Indigenous Healing Practices
[19:06] Shelah Marie:
Shelah inquires about Walda's experience studying with indigenous healers in Guatemala and how it influenced her perspective on healing.
[20:23] Walda Lorenzo:
Walda describes her transformative experience with the Mayan abdominal massage and its parallels with Eastern medicine. She underscores the universal nature of healing practices across cultures, emphasizing that true healing transcends cultural boundaries and relies on a universal consciousness.
Notable Quote:
[20:23] Walda Lorenzo:
"True healing, that it's on a global consciousness level. It's not something that separates us culturally. It's a universal language."
Comparing Western and Eastern Medicine
[22:23] Shelah Marie:
The conversation shifts to the differences between Western and Eastern medical approaches, particularly in treating Black women.
[22:33] Walda Lorenzo:
Walda contrasts the symptom-focused approach of Western medicine with the holistic, root-cause analysis of Eastern medicine. She stresses the importance of understanding emotional and psychological factors that contribute to physical ailments.
Notable Quote:
[22:33] Walda Lorenzo:
"From an Eastern perspective, we're looking at the whole person... just treating the symptom doesn't address the root."
Acupuncture Explained
[32:07] Shelah Marie:
Shelah initiates a discussion on acupuncture, seeking to demystify the practice for skeptical listeners.
[32:10] Walda Lorenzo:
Walda provides a detailed explanation of acupuncture, likening the body's energy pathways to highway systems. She explains how acupuncture creates "detours" to unblock energy flow, thereby alleviating various symptoms such as anxiety, digestive issues, and fertility problems.
Notable Quote:
[32:11] Walda Lorenzo:
"Acupuncture acts as that detour so that you can move along and get to where you need to get to."
Addressing Needle Phobia and Acupuncture Benefits
[35:25] Walda Lorenzo:
Walda addresses common fears surrounding acupuncture needles, emphasizing their thinness and the minimal discomfort they cause. She also outlines the benefits of regular acupuncture sessions, including improved sleep, reduced stress, and better digestion.
Notable Quote:
[36:30] Walda Lorenzo:
"If you're really scared of needles, sometimes I will start off with essential oils... but it's about getting in practice."
Moxibustion and Facial Cupping
[40:56] Shelah Marie:
Shelah introduces the topics of moxibustion and facial cupping, intrigued by Walda's expertise.
[41:02] Walda Lorenzo:
Walda explains moxibustion as a heat therapy using dried mugwort to warm acupuncture points, beneficial for fertility and muscle relaxation. She also describes facial cupping as a technique to enhance lymphatic drainage and facial muscle tone, promoting skin health and rejuvenation.
Notable Quote:
[44:53] Walda Lorenzo:
"When you look at your face being the sink bowl and your neck being the drain, you ensure that fluid doesn't get clogged."
Toolkit for Listeners
[53:23] Walda Lorenzo:
Walda offers a practical tool for listeners: daily self-check-ins. She advises asking oneself three questions out loud—"Are you okay?", "What do you need right now?", and "How are you feeling right now?"—to foster self-awareness and emotional processing.
Notable Quote:
[53:40] Walda Lorenzo:
"Ask these questions out loud to create a dialogue with the divine presence and to listen to your inner guidance."
Final Reflections and Advice
[55:46] Walda Lorenzo:
Walda shares wisdom she would impart to her younger self, encouraging fearlessness and self-worth.
[57:09] Walda Lorenzo:
She provides information on how listeners can connect with her services, including her Instagram handle @waldo.com and her Wellness with Walder programs.
Conclusion
[57:58] Shelah Marie:
Shelah wraps up the episode by thanking Walda for her invaluable insights and encouraging listeners to explore holistic healing practices. She reiterates the importance of listening to one's body and stepping outside traditional systems to find personalized healing solutions.
Key Takeaways
- Holistic Healing: Addressing physical ailments requires a comprehensive approach that includes diet, emotional health, and energy balance.
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion: These practices can effectively manage symptoms by unblocking energy pathways and promoting physical and emotional well-being.
- Emotional Awareness: Regular self-check-ins foster emotional intelligence and contribute to overall health.
- Cultural Integration: Healing practices are universal and can be enriched by integrating diverse cultural traditions.
- Personal Empowerment: Taking proactive steps in one's healing journey empowers individuals to achieve lasting wellness.
Actionable Tools for Listeners
- Daily Self-Check-Ins: Implement the practice of asking oneself key emotional questions aloud to enhance self-awareness.
- Explore Acupuncture: Consider trying acupuncture with a certified practitioner to address specific health concerns.
- Incorporate Rituals: Transform resistance into sacred rituals, such as replacing coffee with tea or prepping meals in advance for better health outcomes.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
-
[15:00] Walda Lorenzo:
"Eat a lot of bitter greens, Milk thistle,... your liver is going to help you metabolize the excess hormones." -
[20:23] Walda Lorenzo:
"True healing, that it's on a global consciousness level. It's not something that separates us culturally. It's a universal language." -
[22:33] Walda Lorenzo:
"From an Eastern perspective, we're looking at the whole person... just treating the symptom doesn't address the root." -
[32:11] Walda Lorenzo:
"Acupuncture acts as that detour so that you can move along and get to where you need to get to." -
[44:53] Walda Lorenzo:
"When you look at your face being the sink bowl and your neck being the drain, you ensure that fluid doesn't get clogged." -
[53:40] Walda Lorenzo:
"Ask these questions out loud to create a dialogue with the divine presence and to listen to your inner guidance." -
[55:46] Walda Lorenzo:
"Don't be afraid. You are much more than you think you are, and you have so much more to give to others than you seeking others."
Resources Mentioned
- Walda Lorenzo's Contact Information:
- Instagram: @waldo.com
- Programs: Wellness with Walder (includes virtual programs and kitchen hygiene programs)
This episode of UNRULY WITH SHELAH MARIE offers a profound exploration of holistic healing tailored for Black women, addressing both physical and emotional aspects of health. Walda Lorenzo’s insights empower listeners to take control of their well-being by integrating ancient practices with modern understanding.