-
What is an herbalist?
Short answer: herbalists help people heal through the use of plants. As a longer answer, an herbalist might include many different things as part of their practice. Herbalism can include: What can plants help with? Way more than most people think! Remember that for 99% of human history we relied solely on plants, fungi, and minerals for our health — and we were healthier as a species, in some ways, than we are today. Specifically, plant remedies can support a range of health challenges, including: respiratory issues, digestive disorders, stress and anxiety, depression, sleep issues, skin conditions, uterine health, PMS, immune support, joint and muscle pain, prostate issues, UTIs, recovery…
-
Yellow dock and blackberry roots
You can make herbal remedies from weed roots! I helped my mom clear an area of yellow dock (Rumex crispus). It’s a common weed that gardeners will recognize. It also happens to have a root that can help soften stool when someone is constipated. Before and after harvest is pictured below. Yellow dock roots on the left below, then I also pulled out blackberry roots (Rubus fruticosa), shown on the right. (Blackberry roots actually have the opposite effect — they help with loose stool and diarrhea.) 😊 Notice the yellow color on the dock roots after the first rough clean with the hose. Honey Bee is a great helper! Yellow…
-
How to make a Flower Essence
A flower essence is a powerful remedy that allows us to work with the spirit of a plant. It does not contain any physical constituents of a plant, but rather is their energetic imprint. They work in a realm beyond the understanding of science, or in other words, they are pure magic. There are many ways to make flower essences, I’ll offer some ideas here, please take what resonates. I always start by trying to attune to the plant I want to work with. I get close to it. I feel the space it is in. I look very closely at its form, color, and presence. I reach out with…
-
Winter cleanse
While I had some downtime at my farm, I decided to do a 24 hour fast. However, not eating at all makes me feel uncomfortable — so I made cleansing decoction and herbal bone broth. (Here is the broth recipe.) You could do this anytime, but I like it especially in winter. A cleanse from an herbal standpoint is about choosing herbs that will help support your body’s natural processes of elimination. It may also include herbs to eliminate pathogens and boost the immune system. We get rid of toxins through digestion (urination and defecation,) sweat, mucus, and other bodily secretions such as cysts. I would also add that we…
-
Wild rose
I’ve been experimenting with creating woodcut inspired digital drawings of some of my favorite herbs, here’s wild rose. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about wild rose, of how she can teach us how to love our wild selves. ❤️ Many people think of romantic love when it comes to roses. As herbalists, we usually speak of wild rose as related to self-love. (Which of course spills over to others, as well!) I think of her blend of beauty and protection — flowers and thorns. She’s a boundary plant. In this vein, I remember Sleeping Beauty’s castle, surrounded by brambles. In some versions, the princess was even known as Briar…
-
Herbal bone broth
There is nothing better than herbal bone broth on cold days! (You can also leave the bones out for a veggie version, of course!) I love making a big batch and keeping it in the fridge. After my morning tea, I heat up a cup of broth, add sea salt, and sip it through the morning. My whole body relaxes as the nutrients pour in. I find it extremely grounding. You can also use broth to add nutrients and depth of flavor to anything else you are cooking, for example, as a base for soups, rice, beans, or lentils. One easy idea is to save your kitchen scraps in a…
