<< a light-hearted interview featuring Herbstalk teachers & vendors >> Clair and Amanda of Willow Provisions are herbalists and friends who believe that the most powerful and healing magic is made of mundane things like shared meals. They are passionate about food, community and creating unique dining experiences. Can you tell us a little bit about how your herbal work began? How did you first get interested in plants or herbalism? Amanda: I came to herbalism shortly after I became a witch. I wanted to learn more deeply about the earth and my own health and body as a critical part of my spiritual life and practice, so I sought out a program to help me do that. I was also struggling with my health and feeling resistant to taking the myriad medications I had been prescribed, so I sought a consultation for myself as well. Developing relationships with plants, learning to make my own medicine, and making other lifestyle changes (like sleeping more, moving more, and eating differently) changed my health in profound ways, and I have continued deeper in my spiritual connection with the earth and all its creatures. It is a gift to be able to share this magic with others as I continue to learn and grow. Clair: I always remember loving the beach and the forest growing up, but it wasn’t until I was much older that I began to develop a relationship to the earth. Through struggles with my own health, I started to turn to plants, when it seemed that traditional medicine couldn’t help me. As I started to see positive changes in my body, I slowly began to realize how connected we are to the plants and other beings. The teachings I’ve received from the plants and from other herbalists have flipped my life upside down in the best way possible, and I love getting to share these teachings with others. We're just a couple of friends passionate about food, community, and fun! Cooking together and sharing meals has been a beloved part of our friendship as well as our healing and learning as individuals and as community herbalists. We experience so much beauty and connection together through cooking that we thought -- why not share?! Willow Provisions is born of our joint conviction that the most powerful and healing magic is made of mundane things like shared meals. We want others to experience love and connection through the caring and sustainable preparation of healing plants and animals. We want to bring memories of learning and connection right into your home or community, where you feel most at ease, and share with you the healing magic of plants. What is the main focus of your work within the realm of herbalism? Our business offers locally focused herbal immersion experiences for individuals and groups through supper clubs and a wide variety of workshops. We say immersion experience because we feel strongly that people learn best and most fully by engaging all of their senses, and we strive to practice and cultivate whole body self care. So at each event whether it's a supper or a workshop, we offer people a multiplicity of ways to engage with the plant and/or skill that we're sharing. Everything we do is centered around herbs - we're both herbalists, trained in the vitalist tradition, which emphasizes the importance of herbs in facilitating healthy movement, sleep, nutrition, and stress management. Everything we do is focused locally - we strive to connect people with the allies that grow right outside their doors, helping them understand that they can find exceptional healing from within their own communities. We connect people to local farms and vendors, hopefully ushering them a little closer to a sustainable way of living. In addition to being trained herbalists, we have an array of critical skill sets between us that give our business a unique flare. Clair is also a private chef and yoga teacher. Her experience in the restaurant business brings a high level of professionalism and efficiency to our supper clubs, and her proficiency with leading meditation and movement allows us to provide people with opportunities for deep relaxation and reflection. Amanda is a seminary trained witch and tarot reader, exceptional home cook, and sorceress of southern hospitality. Her home crafting skills and knack for creating ritual space bring a welcoming and magical atmosphere unique to the Willow Provisions experience. Her distinct way of finding enchantment in the everyday moments reminds our guests to pause, notice, and appreciate the gifts that exist all around us. What are some of your favorite go-to herbal books or herbalists/teachers that you look to for inspiration? We both studied herbalism at Commonwealth Center for Holistic Herbalism with katja and ryn. They are extraordinary teachers and wonderful human beings who we feel privileged to know. They are very rigorous in their study of herbalism, and accessible in their teaching. As it happens, they have a new book out we’d definitely recommend. It’s a beautiful overview of many of our favorite plants, and explains how to apply them to different situations and bodies. It’s wonderful for anyone just starting out as an herbalist, and as a reference for experienced practitioners. We also love Tammi Sweet! She is an exceptional herbalist and massage therapist who teaches physiology and herbalism with contagious charisma. She offers online classes, and you should definitely check them out! Another inspiring herbalist is our friend Kinsey Rosene, who owns CroseNest in Lowell. She has cultivated a beautiful space and community of learning there. Her store is a magical place where you can pick up all the necessities, as well as learn medicine making and other skills at one of her lovely workshops. It is definitely worth a trip! Where do you see the future of herbalism going in the next few years? We find ourselves in the crossover of two rapidly developing industries -- food, and wellness. We are starting to see huge shifts in the food industry as more and more chefs and restaurants start to focus on using locally grown, small farm ingredients. We love this change, and hope to see more of it in the future! We have really appreciated getting to know our local farmers, and find that being able to chat with them about the rain, the soil, and sometimes even being able to pick our own food brings a connection to our food supply that makes us appreciate the heart and soul that goes into providing nourishment to our bodies. In the wellness industry, we are starting to see a shift from product dependency to skill set development. Our aim with our workshops (and our suppers) is to teach people how to work with herbs, food, movement, and everyday, accessible resources to support their health in a variety of safe and reliable ways. While we love creating formulas and remedies ourselves, we want people to feel empowered to make their own choices about what they need, feel confident in their knowledge about how to work with plants, and empowered to take ownership over their own health and healing. What advice would you give to budding herbalists? Vary your education. Herbalism in this country is a vast and varied landscape - explore it! Spend time in silence or in conversation with the plants. Be willing to take risks and create things that are unexpected. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. What’s one fun thing that most people don’t know about you? We have a YouTube Channel! It’s new - a diamond in the rough. It’s called Chic & Chat - the show where a couple of chics sip a cup of chic and chat about magic. Chic is herbalist slang for chicory, fyi. Tell your friends; pass it along. Each Sunday we share a different chic recipe and chat about the magic of something we love. Check it out and try some of our recipes! What made you want to be a part of Herbstalk? We love being able to share our passions with our local community, and we love that Herbstalk is such a fun and accessible event for everyone. What would be your top five deserted island herbs? (the only herbs you could have around while stuck on a deserted island) Damiana! First of all, damiana grows in desert like climates, so we might actually be able to cultivate a little garden of it! But also, damiana is an amazing problem solving ally that helps you channel anxious energy into creative solutions, which we’d definitely need to survive a Castaway situation. Nettle! A nutritive and mineral rich plant, to help provide our bodies with necessary nutrients while we learn how to forage a strange island for food. Nettle is also very grounding and centering and would help remind us that being stranded on a deserted island might actually be kind of amazing. Catnip! A cooling and soothing plant inside and out. Catnip could help sooth a sunburn or settle us down to sleep while we’re still getting used to sleeping on sand or palm fronds. It’s also a great digestive aid, which we’d likely need as we get accustomed to all that strange food we forage for ourselves. Catnip is also the BEST hangover cure, which would be handy after all of those nights we spend guzzling our homemade mango wine. Ghostpipe! An amazing ally that helps ease the anxiety and overwhelm that come along with huge transitions, like going from modern day living to being stranded on a deserted island! Linden! Well, we’re on a desert island, so we need a good cooling and moistening plant, and linden is one of our favorites! Also, being stranded on an island might be pretty stressful, and linden is so soothing (because it’s moistening to heart tissues) for anxiety and distress. Thank you, Clair and Amanda!
You can learn more about Claire here, and Amanda here. Their joint business is Willow Provisions. Clair and Amanda will be offering their class "Tulsi for the Resistance" at Herbstalk on Saturday, June 2. Check out the full class schedule here! Each year we feature one herb at our annual Herbstalk event. This year the plant is Tulsi -- a.k.a. Holy Basil -- a beautiful, aromatic, uplifting herb that grows readily as an annual in New England. We have a special write-up about the qualities of Tulsi, provided by Katja Swift and Ryn Midura of the CommonWealth Center for Holistic Herbalism. What follows is a plant profile excerpted from their wonderful & newly-published book, Herbal Medicine for Beginners, released just this month! Read on to learn more about this beautiful and important plant remedy. by Katja Swift & Ryn Midura Tulsi, or Holy Basil Ocimum sanctum, and O. tenuiflorum Qualities: drying, relaxant, warming Taste: aromatic, bitter, pungent, sweet Family: Lamiaceae Medicinal parts: leaves and flowers Actions: adaptogen, antimicrobial, anxiolytic, aromatic, diaphoretic, diffusive, exhilarant, hepatic, hypoglycemic, immunomodulator, nervine Common Preparations Tulsi, also known as holy basil, can be infused in water for tea, or made as tincture or elixir. Fresh tulsi leaves and flowers can be infused in honey. Ideal for Addressing ADD / ADHD Anxiety Depression Fatigue Fever Food sensitivities Headache Heart palpitations Hypoglycemia Hypothyroid Menopause / andropause PCOS PMS Seasonal depression Stress Effective Applications Tulsi has traditionally been the herb of choice for “stuck emotions,” whether that’s depression or PTSD or just a case of the grumpies. Recent discoveries have shown that one reason it works so well is tulsi’s ability to restore function to the part of the brain that processes short-term memory into long-term memory: Tulsi, literally, helps move us past difficult experiences and emotions! Tulsi is also an exhilarant, uplifting the spirit, which is a vital part of the work of releasing tension, depression, and stagnation that prevent people from successfully making lifestyle changes. Tulsi is an adaptogen, meaning it helps keep hormones in check. Most people think about reproductive hormones first, but there are many hormones in the body with many different functions. Because it can help keep hormones in balance, tulsi can help with a wide variety of issues—from trouble sleeping to blood sugar regulation to menopause. Tulsi also has a special ability to help moderate cravings, which makes it the perfect partner for people trying to reduce sugar intake, eliminate food allergies, or working to quit smoking or drinking. Another of the mint family diaphoretics, tulsi is a handy helper for fever and flu. Tulsi relaxes the body and stimulates circulation, helping “sweat out” a fever. Recommended Dosage Tulsi makes a tasty tea you can drink all day long. It blends well with other herbs and makes a tasty elixir, too—take as needed in any stressful moment. Work with tulsi freely: This mood booster also has mineral and vitamin content. Important Considerations Tulsi is a safe herb for all ages, including people taking antidepressant and psychiatric medications. However, if you take blood sugar management pharmaceuticals, monitor your glucose levels regularly because tulsi can have a significant blood sugar-lowering effect. Tulsi Formulations: Rescue Elixir Makes 5 fluid ounces (40 to 80 doses) When you need a quick respite from a hectic day, this is your best friend. This remedy works best if you can step away to a private space for a moment. Center yourself, breathe deeply for a few breaths, take your tincture, breathe a few more times, and return to the world. A little ritual goes a long way! 1 fluid ounce tincture of tulsi 1 fluid ounce tincture betony ½ fluid ounce tincture of catnip ½ fluid ounce tincture of chamomile ½ fluid ounce tincture of elderflower ½ fluid ounce tincture of rose ¼ fluid ounce tincture of goldenrod ¼ fluid ounce tincture of sage ½ fluid ounce honey In a small bottle, combine the tinctures and the honey. Cap the bottle and label it. Take 2 to 4 droppersful whenever needed. Everything Will Be Fine Makes 3¾ cups dried herb mix (enough for 22 to 30 quarts of tea) Another of our old reliables, this tea has gotten us and our clients through some tough times. It’s great for those days when you feel like everything is falling down all around you—just make a cup, drink it as deliberately as you can, and let the warmth and relaxation move through you. If your stress manifests with a feeling of heaviness and downtrodden exhaustion, include ¼ cup of goldenrod and/or sage. If it shows up as digestive upsets, include ¼ cup of chamomile and/or catnip. Drink a quart or more every day. 1 cup dried betony leaf and flower 1 cup dried tulsi leaf ½ cup dried linden leaf and flower ½ cup dried rose petals ½ cup dried elderflower ¼ cup dried St. John’s wort leaf and flower (see tip) In a medium bowl, mix all the herbs. Store in an airtight container. Make a hot infusion: Prepare a kettle of boiling water. Measure 2 to 3 tablespoons of herbs per quart of water and place in a Mason jar or French press. Pour in the boiling water, cover, and steep for 20 minutes, or until cool enough to drink. Safety tip: Omit the St. John’s wort if concurrently taking pharmaceuticals. You can check out Katja & Ryn's wonderful book here!
And you can learn from them directly at Herbstalk on June 2 & 3. They will be teaching two classes: "Herbs for Dreaming" and "Business Skills for Herbalists." View the full Herbstalk class schedule here. << a light-hearted interview featuring Herbstalk teachers & vendors >> We are happy to continue our interview series with Lana, a college professor, drug information pharmacist and herbalist. She teaches pharmacy students how to take care of their health with the right herbs, food and self-care techniques and also hosts a wonderful weekly podcast called "Wellness Insider Network." Can you tell us a little bit about how your herbal work began? How did you first get interested in herbalism? I began becoming interested in herbal medicine during pharmacy school. Even though I was learning about conventional ways to treat patients with complex illnesses, I didn’t know how to take care of myself. Soon enough I began exploring herbal and vitamin shops, and as a pharmacy student began digging into databases and books. What challenges did you face when you first started? One of my biggest initial challenges was learning from books. It gave me a lot of comfort to see that people were writing about natural therapies, but evaluating the recommendations were tough. The other difficult element was fear of experimenting with plants. I got over that fear by taking classes with herbalists and by trusting their guidance. If you could go back in time to meet yourself when you were just starting on the herbal path, what would you say? Find that tribe of people and teachers that you trust and start experimenting with confidence. What is the main focus of your work within the realm of herbalism? In addition to being an herbalist, I am a college professor and drug information pharmacist. Working with college students is where I feel I can offer the most impact. I hope that my journey and new podcast, Wellness Insider Network, will help my students to take their first steps in exploring the amazing world of herbal medicine in their lives. Can you share some of your go-to herbal books or favorite herbalists/teachers that you look to for inspiration? My typical go-to books and resources are written by Rosemary Gladstar and David Winston, but there are new younger teachers that I very much enjoy learning from -- Maria Noel Groves and Rosalee de la Forêt are some of them. Do you have a favorite plant or two at the moment? Tulsi! Somehow I always come back to it. And what would be your top five deserted island herbs? (the only herbs you could have around while stuck on a deserted island) I would choose: Calendula, Chamomile, Yarrow, Thyme and Ginger. What advice would you give to budding herbalists? Herbal medicine is a lot like cooking, trying new ingredients and flavors make you more comfortable and confident in the long-term. What’s one fun thing that most people don’t know about you? I got interested in Astrology a couple of years back (I took a course on the connection between planets and plants), and love exploring natal charts of friends and family. What made you want to be a part of Herbstalk? This is a vibrant community in my native town. I respect and admire the creator, Steph Zabel, and the mission of the organization to get more people to become educated and comfortable using plants. Where do you see the future of herbalism going in the next few years? I hope that more people will continue discovering this important and empowering way of taking care of themselves and their loved ones. Thank you, Lana! You can learn more about Lana's work and podcast at her website and can join her intensive class, "Herbal Safety & Drug Interactions" on Saturday, June 2. Check out the full class schedule here! << a light-hearted interview featuring this year's Herbstalk teachers & vendors >> Can you tell us a little bit about how your herbal work began? How did you first get interested in plants or herbalism? I think I’ve always had an affinity for herbs and the natural world. As a toddler, my mom said I used to just wander our property, observing and sitting with the plants. She had to watch me closely, because I tasted everything if I got the chance! While my senses were always attenuated to the natural world I didn’t begin to study medicinal herbs more closely until I was a teenager. I became interested in herbalism because I had health challenges myself that made me start looking at nutrition and natural means of healing. Herbalism was also what brought me to Naturopathic medical school, so it’s been a guiding light for me in many ways. What is the main focus of your work within the realm of herbalism? In my private practice, I work primarily with women that have chronic digestive issues and/or autoimmune disease. But my focus within that population is generally using the herbs for longterm, nourishing, restorative and emotional healing work. I’m a huge proponent of teas, and that’s how I prescribe a lot of my herbal preparations. I also am focusing more these days on bringing people outside and connecting with the plants directly as a healing modality. What advice would you give to budding herbalists just starting out? Use all of your senses to get to know the plants and the spaces they live in. Practice building the acuity of your senses. Learn about the mycorrhizal connections that unite the plants in a space. Deeply connect with your bioregion if you are able, and plant native species often. Can you share some of your go-to herbal books or favorite herbalists/teachers that you look to for inspiration? So very many, but if I had to choose, the work of Robin Wall Kimmerer has been my largest inspiration in the last few years, particularly her two books, Braiding Sweetgrass and Gathering Moss. I also consider natural plant relationships a lot in my practice, and am very interested in art and design. Relating to that, The Garden Awakening by Mary Reynolds has been hugely influential for me in the last couple years. I’ve always resonated with the work of Susun Weed and was introduced to medicine making techniques by her and the work of Rosemary Gladstar. I love the reclamation of an astrological and alchemical perspective of herbalism presented by Sajah and Whitney Popham at the School of Evolutionary Herbalism. Finally, I get into my kitchen-witch mode by following the Gather Victoria blog, which is put forward by Jennifer Aikman and Danielle Prohom Olson. Where do you see the future of herbalism going in the next few years? I think there will be an even bigger push toward educating individuals on how to make their own medicine and what they can use within their own bioregion. I also think there is a great urge rising for individuals to explore their own, individual ancestral relationship to herbalism. As people connect with their own ancestors, it will be natural for them to further explore those methods of healing. Do you have a favorite plant or two at the moment? I’m really connecting to the spring-time pioneers at this time of the year in Maine. I’m enjoying the flavors of the season; the bitterness of dandelion, the light sweetness of violets, the combination of those two flavors in the hosta shoots. Their awakening is waking me up from Wintertime. If you had to choose, what would be your top five deserted island herbs? (the only herbs you could have while stuck on a deserted island) This is such an epic question! Here they are: Nettles, White Pine, Plantain, Hawthorn, Lemon balm. What’s one fun thing that most people don’t know about you? When I was a medical student I worked frequently as a medical actor, so I would be a standardized “patient” for the upper class-men and interns that were completing exams or needed additional practice with diagnostic techniques. It was an opportunity to educate future doctors on how to refine their sensitivity as practitioners, and it taught me a lot about the experience of the patient that I may not have gotten otherwise. It also gave me a lot of writing material for short stories I’ve worked on since. What made you want to be a part of Herbstalk? I really loved the accessibility of the event and believed in the mission of finding unique ways to look at and work with plants. These kinds of community events that are open to all will become even more important in the future, I think, and I wanted to be part of that. Thank you, Dr. Aline!
You can view more about her work and practice at her website and can join her plant walk on Evergreen Herbalism taking place on Sunday, June 3rd. Check out the full class schedule here! << a light-hearted interview featuring this year's Herbstalk teachers & vendors >> Can you tell us a little bit about how your herbal work began? How did you first get interested in plants or herbalism? My interest in health and wellness began with spirituality. Since my early 20s, I’ve been fascinated with spirituality and in my own spiritual growth. After working in corporate America for several years, I stumbled upon Ayurveda when a friend of mine asked me to take her Ayurveda program. I learned that Ayurveda talks about balancing the health of body, mind and soul and utilizes food as the main way to achieve that balance. I hadn’t previously thought of the body as being that vehicle to attain spiritual freedom. I started looking at my kitchen cabinet as not just a storehouse of food but also as a pharmacy. I started experimenting with these spices – every time my mom or other relatives had any health issues, I would look up solutions, talk to my mentors, and suggest kitchen remedies. They worked – not just for physical ailments but also to help calm the mind. What challenges did you face when you first started? At the beginning I had a lot to learn. I was an engineer in my previous career and I was switching to a completely different area in health and Ayurveda. The science was vast and I spent a lot of time trying to understand basic info – such as how does the human body work, learn Ayurvedic concepts and just try to get a feel for such a vast topic. If you could go back in time to meet yourself when you were just starting on the herbal path, what would you say? I would tell myself that it’s ok to not know, and I would tell myself that I should see more clients and let the learning happen in my practice. Because you can’t know everything -- your learning and experience develop in your practice. What is the main focus of your work within the realm of herbalism? Within herbalism, I focus a lot on spices and Indian herbs. I recommend different types of decoctions, teas, juices made from these spices. I also focus on how to use these spices and herbs in everyday food. I use these herbs not just in internal consumption but also for external application. Where do you see the future of herbalism going in the next few years? There is a lot of potential for herbalism. People are moving away from pharmaceuticals and towards natural remedies and solutions. In addition, if there is greater collaboration between herbalists and people in conventional medical science – it will not just bring different fields together but also greatly enhance people’s lives. So, I’m hopeful and excited. Do you have a favorite plant or two at the moment? I love ginger root – it’s an amazing herb/spice. I use it in my own cooking. I also use it as a paste, and I squeeze its juice and use it as a tea. It is very versatile and can help treat different conditions including inflammation in joints, indigestion and even to perk up someone’s energy. What’s one fun thing that most people don’t know about you? I like to dance. When the music starts – and sometimes I just turn on the music myself – I like to move (I probably wouldn’t qualify for any Broadway musical) but I enjoy getting in rhythm with the music. Thank you, Sriram!
You can view more about Sriram's work at his website, and can learn more about Ayurvedic herbs and spices at his Herbstalk class taking place on Sunday, June 3rd. Check out the full class schedule here! by Herb Pearce Calendula is our pick for Enneagram Type 7, called the Optimist. This personality type is sunny, bright, positive and a best-case-scenario type of person. The yellow and orange, sunny-petaled calendula is a perfect match for the qualities of The Optimist. Type 7s like to be positive and optimistic above else, and criticize others for being “negative.” Be positive or else! They shy away from pain and problems and only like rosy perspectives on life. In warm climates, calendula can grow all 12 months and in cooler climates it’s often the last flower to bloom, even through to December. Calendula officinalis has been recognized for centuries as a miracle plant which can cure just about anything. It’s in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae) and is an edible flower. It’s native to southern Europe but resides also in North America and North Africa. Planted in our climate in mid-spring, it grows easily. It’s a sun lover but can tolerate some partial shade. Besides yellow and orange some calendula petals are russet colored and even multi-petaled. Some varieties are grown to produce extra sticky resin on the sepals, which is where a lot of the medicinal value lies. Pick flowers every few days to brighten up your home, foods, or freeze into ice cubes. The outer ray flowers of calendula improve the immune system and brighten up one's disposition -– perfect for Type 7s in the Enneagram who already have these tendencies, as well as would-be 7s who are wanting to be more positive. Secretly, 7s stay over-positive to protect themselves from feeling fearful or depressed so calendula can help with more of a natural balanced high. Sometimes The Optimist will hit the skids when grief or anxiety can’t be assuaged by their overly-positive minds and actions. In Roman gardens calendula was a symbol for happiness and was regularly used for cooking and medicine. The Germans used it in soups and stews, as well as a saffron substitute in hearty large pot dishes, thus the nickname “pot marigold.” Pick the flower petals and dry them in airy containers or baskets in warm dry areas so that you’ll have them available later — especially in winter to brighten up grayer days. Add them to quiches, salads, soups, relishes or any dish. Traditional people put them in breads, syrups or conserves. Modern herbalists use calendula for a wide range of issues: from treating skin conditions such as eczema, rashes, sunburn and wounds to soothing intestinal inflammation. The flowers are also an important herb for lymphatic health and poor immunity. They can be made into a yellow-hued tea, taken as a tincture, or added to food. 7s love options and want to make sure calendula can be taken in many forms or used simply as a visual brightener. Nicholas Culpeper, a famous English herbalist in the 1600s wrote, “The flowers, either green or dried, are much used in possets, broths, and drink, as a comforter of the heart and spirits, and to expel any malignant or pestilential quality which might annoy them.” Another account, written in 1699, states “The yellow leaves of the flowers are dried and kept throughout Dutchland against winter to put into broths, physicall potions and for divers other purposes, in such quantity that in some Grocers or Spicesellers are to be found barrels filled with them and retailed by the penny or less, insomuch that no broths are well made without dried Marigold" (another name for Calendula). Old time texts used it as an uplifting herb particularly in the winter, along with rose, mimosa, lavender, lemon verbena or lemon balm. The only caution is that some people are allergic to the Asteraceae family. If you’re down in the dumps, anxious or need cheering up, don’t forgot about calendula! Herb Pearce is an expert on the Enneagram with 28+ years experience. He has authored four books on the Enneagram including his most recent work, Presidential Profiles: Washington to Trump - Enneagram and Myers-Briggs Perspectives. Herb has taught over 2000 Enneagram workshops and has worked with hundreds of organizations, individuals and couples using the Enneagram in his counseling practice. Herb resides in Arlington, Massachusetts where he is a practicing psychotherapist and life coach. He emphasizes developing the strengths of all 9 Enneagram types and is known for his exacting insights, moderated by gentleness, humor and compassion. You can learn more at www.herbpearce.com or email him directly at herb@herbpearce.com. Herb will be teaching his class, Herbs of the Enneagram, at Herbstalk on Sunday, June 3rd! View the full class schedule here. << a light-hearted interview featuring Herbstalk teachers & vendors >> Can you tell us a little bit about how your herbal work began? How did you first get interested in plants or herbalism? My interest in health and wellness began with spirituality. Since my early 20s, I’ve been fascinated with spirituality and in my own spiritual growth. After working in corporate America for several years, I stumbled upon Ayurveda when a friend of mine asked me to take her Ayurveda program. I learned that Ayurveda talks about balancing the health of body, mind and soul and utilizes food as the main way to achieve that balance. I hadn’t previously thought of the body as being that vehicle to attain spiritual freedom. I started looking at my kitchen cabinet as not just a storehouse of food but also as a pharmacy. I started experimenting with these spices – every time my mom or other relatives had any health issues, I would look up solutions, talk to my mentors, and suggest kitchen remedies. They worked – not just for physical ailments but also to help calm the mind. What challenges did you face when you first started your journey into Ayurveda? At the beginning I had a lot to learn. I was an engineer in my previous career and I was switching to a completely different area in health and Ayurveda. The science was vast and I spent a lot of time trying to understand basic info – such as how does the human body work, learn Ayurvedic concepts and just try to get a feel for all this. If you could go back in time to meet yourself when you were just starting on the herbal path, what would you say? I would tell myself that it’s ok to not know, and I would tell myself that I should see more clients and let the learning happen in my practice. Because you can’t know everything -- your learning and experience develop in your practice. What is the main focus of your current work with herbs? Within herbalism, I focus a lot on spices and Indian herbs. I recommend different types of decoctions, teas, and juices made from these spices. I also focus on how to use these spices and herbs in your food. I use these herbs not just in internal consumption but also for external application, too. Where do you see the future of herbalism going in the next few years? There is a lot of potential for herbalism. People are moving away from pharmaceuticals and towards natural remedies and solutions. In addition, if there is greater collaboration between herbalists and people in conventional medical science – it will not just bring different fields together but also greatly enhance people’s lives. So, I’m hopeful and excited. Do you have a favorite plant or two at the moment? I love ginger root – it’s an amazing herb/spice. I use it in my own cooking. I also use it as a paste -- I squeeze its juice and use it as a tea. It is very versatile and can help treat different conditions including inflammation in joints, indigestion and even to perk up someone’s energy. What’s one fun thing that most people don’t know about you? I like to dance! When the music starts – and sometimes I just turn on the music myself – I like to move (I probably wouldn’t qualify for any Broadway musical) but I enjoy getting in rhythm with the music. Thank you for talking to us about your practice, Sriram! You can learn more his work at his website. And, you can learn more about Ayurvedic herbs in his Herbstalk class "Herbs & Foods for Ayurvedic Body Types" on Sunday, June 3rd. See the full class schedule here!
We continue our "Meet the Herbalist" series with a look at the inspirational work of Dr. Eva Zasloff. She is pioneering a whole new model of home based health care for newborns and mothers in the 4th trimester. Dr. Eva is the mother of three boys and works throughout the greater Boston area. Can you tell us a little bit about how your work began? I am a family doctor. About two years ago I created a new kind of medical practice -- to rethink how we are caring for mothers and babies during the fourth trimester. As a mother of 3 and as a doctor trained in pediatrics and women’s health, I have had many experiences showing me that there should be a better way to support new families during this incredibly intense and essential life moment. So I created a home based medical model that provides care for both the newborn and the mother in an integrated way. What challenges did you face when you first started your practice? Overcoming fear mostly-- taking that first leap of trying something new is hard. Also, I wanted to create a model of care that was accessible to everyone and to be in network with insurance plans. I was stubborn about figuring out how to make that work. With time, determination, and an amazing operations manager, Davin Eurich, we have been able to create an accessible and sustainable model. If you could go back in time to meet yourself when you were just starting on this path, what would you say? Hang tight because there will be lots of twists and turns! It is sometimes hard to know if you have picked the right path. Looking back, I am amazed that some of my least inspired and hardest moments have since grown into some of my best ideas and directions. Can you share a favorite go-to herbal book of yours? Healthy at Home by Tieroana Low Dog MD is a great book filled with recipes for natural home remedies and useful evidence-based information on herbal treatments for common household issues. Are there any non-herbal hobbies or interests that you love doing? I studied visual arts at Barnard as an undergraduate. Art has always been a true and intense form of expression for me. When I am able to capture the right creative moment (which is sometimes fleeting and transient!), it can take me to a deep place of meditation and honesty. Given your background as a health care provider where do you see the future of herbalism going in the next few years? As a physician, it is always exciting to find out about new studies being done to establish evidence based data on herbal treatments. I hope that in the future, as the research expands, we can more easily incorporate herbs into the standard western medicine treatments. You can learn more about Dr. Zasloff's work and practice at her website: www.tovahealth.com. Her Herbstalk class, A Natural Approach to the 4th Trimester, will be offered on Saturday, June 3rd. See the full class schedule here!
We are very happy to bring back our popular "Meet the Herbalist" series where we profile the teachers, vendors and participants of Herbstalk. Today we are sharing an interview with Constanza Leal Woods, herbalist, teacher, herb grower and crafter. She will be traveling to Herbstalk from her home in Colombia to offer our first class in Spanish -- La Rueda Medicinal: La Luna y Las Plantas -- which we could not be more thrilled about! We are honored to share some of her story with you. How did you first get interested in plants or herbalism? Cómo comenzó tu interés en las plantas o herbalismo? From a very young age I have been madly in love with nature. Growing up in South America, I was fortunate to spend my childhood summers in the countryside. I remember reveling in the quiet moments outside, staring at bugs, flowers and obsessing over moon rises, sunsets and stars. Nature always felt like home and plants have been a huge inspiration for me since I can remember. I didn’t dive into herbal medicine until I was much older though, when I had a terrible bike accident that left me with a compound fracture. I was hesitant to take the extreme pain meds prescribed to me and I was anxious to speed up my healing so I looked into healing naturally. Immediately after being released from the hospital I was introduced to comfrey which helped mend my bones, along with a dozen other plants, a diet high in calcium, vitamin K, and healing circles. I was told I wouldn't be able to walk for a few months and certainly not bike for at least a year so it was incredible to watch my body put itself back together so quickly! I was back to my regular life after a month and a half, and felt that plant allies, energy, love and care from loved ones had everything to do with it. I never came back from the plant world after that. ~~~ Desde muy pequeña vivo enamorada de la naturaleza. Me crié en Sudamérica entonces tuve la fortuna de pasar los veranos de infancia en el campo. Recuerdo que me deleitaba en los momentos silenciosos a la intemperie, me perdía mirando insectos, flores, Lunas, estrellas y atardeceres. Siempre sentí a la naturaleza como un segundo hogar, y desde que tengo memoria ella ha sido para mi una gran inspiración. A pesar de todo eso, no me profundice en el mundo de las plantas medicinales hasta que era mucho mayor, cuando tuve un terrible accidente en bicicleta que me dejo con una fractura expuesta. Dentro del caos y trauma que fue ese accidente, no quería tomarme las pastillas fuertes que me recetaron para el dolor, y estaba ansiosa de recuperarse rápidamente entonces comencé a investigar cómo sanar de forma natural. Apenas salí del hospital conocí a Confrey, planta que me ayudó a cicatrizar los huesos fracturados, más otra docena de plantas, Vitamina K, círculos energéticos y calorcito de seres queridos. Los doctores me dijeron que no iba a poder caminar por algunos meses y definitivamente no andar en bici por un año, entonces fue increíble ver lo rápido que mi cuerpo se recuperó! Volví a mi vida normal después de un mes y medio del accidente y siento que las plantas, la energía, amor y cariño de mi familia tuvo todo que ver con eso. Desde ese instante nunca volvi atras, y me quede para siempre en el mundo de sanación con las Plantas. What is the main focus of your work with Jardín Secreto? Cual es el principal enfoque de tu trabajo con el herbalismo? Lately my main focus has been the relationship between plant medicine, the divine feminine, archetypes and the Moon. I am mesmerized by the overlap in this ancestral knowledge and how powerful it can be to honor these ancient ways of healing. Regarding my products, the focus can vary because it depends on what we are currently growing in the land and what I can source locally. Almost everything I make are things I believe to be either essential in our household or healthier versions of what we love, such as homemade artisanal chocolate sweetened with raw honey or herbal medicinal sodas. ~~~ Últimamente mi enfoque ha sido la relación que existe entre la medicina de las plantas, el sagrado femenino, los arquetipos y la Luna. Estoy anonadada con todas las coincidencias que existen dentro de la sabiduría ancestral y lo poderoso que es honrar estas herramientas de sanación. En cuanto a mis productos, el enfoque varía porque depende en que estoy cultivando en el momento y que materias primas locales están disponibles. Casi todo lo que hago son cosas que considero esencial en el hogar o versiones saludables de cositas que adoramos, como por ejemplo chocolate artesanal o refrescos de plantas medicinales. Do you have a favorite plant or two at the moment? Tienes alguna planta favorita o dos en este momento? I am lucky to live in an area where Elder is incredibly abundant and flowering almost all year long. I have been wildcrafting its medicine and coming home utterly in love, with baskets full of blossoms or berries. I have been extracting its medicine into tinctures, oxymels, infused honey, tea blends and even making wine with its wild yeast! Feeling elder-rich to have this wonderful old friend, sharing its medicine, wisdom and lore with me. ~~~ Tengo mucha suerte de vivir en una zona donde el Sauco es increíblemente abundante y en flor casi todo el año. Lo he estado cosechando de forma silvestre y llegando a casa feliz de la vida con canastos llenos de su medicina. He estado extrayendo frutos y flores de Sauco en tinturas, miel, oxymels, infusiones y hasta haciendo vinos con su levadura silvestre! Sintiéndome muy afortunada de tener a esta poderosa planta compartiendo su medicina y sabiduría conmigo. Can you share some of your go-to herbal books or favorite herbalists/teachers that you look to for inspiration? Puedes compartir algunos libros o yerbateros/maestros favoritos que te inspiran? Attending the School of Gaia in Vermont and learning with Sage Maurer was a life changing experience for me. Sage is a master herbalist whose wisdom I try to channel when I teach, speak, harvest and make plant medicine. Sage taught me among many things, the bonds and relationships we develop with the plant spirit world when we open our hearts and minds to receive their medicine. I cannot thank her enough for the sacred teachings and inspiring me in so many ways, always. Susun Weed is another consistent source of inspiration for me. I absolutely adore her wild, fiery, passionate spirit and I can only hope to be half as cool and plant-nourished when I am her age! I highly recommend all of her books. My go-to book for information and specific health problems has been The Complete Herbal Tutor by Anne McIntyre. It is a great resource to have handy, written simply and straightforward by an amazing herbalist with 30+ years of experience. Whenever I’m in doubt this has been a great resource for me. ~~~ Una experiencia que me cambió la vida fue haber asistido a la Escuela de Gaia en Vermont y aprender con Sage Maurer. Sage es una maestra de una sabiduría imponente, y trato de canalizar su energía cada vez que enseño, hablo, cosecho o hago medicina. Sage me enseño, dentro de muchas cosas, la conexión y relación que creamos con el mundo espiritual de las plantas cuando abrimos nuestra mente y corazón para recibir su medicina. Estoy eternamente agradecida por las enseñanzas sagradas que me brindó y por inspirarme de tantas maneras, hoy y siempre. Susun Weed es otro ser de constante inspiración para mi. Adoro su espíritu salvaje y apasionado, y espero algun dia ser la mitad de lo sabia que es ella. Recomiendo todos sus libros. Un libro que utilizo cada vez que necesito informacion especifica es The Complete Herbal Tutor de Anne McIntyre. Es un muy buen recurso para tener a mano, escrito de forma simple y clara por una maestra yerbatera con más de 30 años de experiencia. Cada vez que tengo alguna duda, este libro me ayuda muchísimo. Do you have any advice that would like to share with budding herbalists? Qué consejo le darías a yerbateras(os) que están recién comenzando? Go deep with one plant at a time! And don’t overwhelm yourself memorizing dozens of properties for hundreds of plants. I believe we truly get to know a plant ally when we invest time experiencing their medicine in many forms, bonding and seeking to understand the energetics. The best advice I ever got was that it is best to know ten plants really well, than it is to know a hundred just on the surface. ~~~ Mi consejo es, ¡profundiza con una planta a la vez! y no te compliques memorizando propiedades de cientos de plantas. En mi opinión siento que creamos una gran conexión con cada planta cuando le dedicamos tiempo a su medicina, tomándola de diferentes maneras, profundizando con su energía, familiarizándonos con ella. El mejor consejo que yo alguna vez recibí fue, es mejor saber diez plantas en profundidad, en vez de saber cien plantas por encimita. Are there any non-herbal hobbies or interests that you love doing? Tienes algún pasatiempo o interés no relacionado con las plantas? Growing food, Permaculture and looking at soil microbiology have become very dear to my heart. My husband and I live in the beautiful mountains of Antioquia, Colombia, where we are very fortunate to be able to grow food all year long. Sowing seeds, tending to and harvesting plants is such a huge source of gratitude for us! Soil rejuvenation through microbiology goes hand in hand with our farming goals, so for the last year and a half I have been studying with Elaine Ingham (Soil Food Web scientist), learning and swooning about soil microbiology, compost teas and extracts. ~~~ Me apasiona cultivar mi propia comida, la Permacutura y la microbiología en suelos. Mi esposo y yo vivimos en las hermosas montañas del Oriente Antioqueño, Colombia, donde tenemos la suerte de poder cultivar todo el año. Para mi es una fuente de gratitud absoluta poder plantar semillitas, cuidar y cosechar las plantas de forma cotidiana. La recuperación de suelos a través de la microbiología es algo que está directamente conectado con mi misión en esta Tierra, entonces hace más de un año estoy estudiando con Elaine Ingham (Científica Microbiologa experta de Soil Food Web), aprendiendo mucho y super enamorada de la microbiología, el compostaje y toda su metodología. What would be your top five deserted island herbs? (the only herbs you could have around while stuck on a deserted island) Cuales son tus top cinco hierbas si estuvieras atrapada en una isla? Tough question! I would have to go with Dandelion, Yarrow, Nettle, Elder and Passionflower, as they are all essential herbs in my medicine cabinet. ~~~ Que pregunta tan difícil! Si tuviera que escoger necesitaría tener Diente de León, Milenrama, Ortiga, Sauco y Pasiflora, ya que todas son absolutamente esenciales en mi botiquín. Finally, can you tell us what made you want to be a part of Herbstalk? Por fin, que te hizo querer ser parte de Herbstalk? A friend of mine introduced me to Herbstalk some years ago and as I entered the event I was blown away to learn that a space like that even existed! It felt as though I was in a dream, where everything I loved merged into one place. This year I am lucky to be in the states during Herbstalk, and I wanted to push myself to be involved in a way that I haven’t been before. I have been teaching the Women’s Medicine Wheel to my local community in Antioquia, intertwined with the wisdom of the plants and medicine making. I felt that giving this class in Spanish at Herbstalk would be a way to give back to my fellow Latino Community in the area and to root for inclusivity and diversity. Our mothers and grandmothers have always worked with plants and I hope to channel their wisdom in this incredible opportunity I was given. ~~~ Una amiga me llevó a Herbstalk años atrás y cuando entre a ese espacio casi me caigo de la impresión. Estaba asombrada al descubrir que un evento como Herbstalk existe! Sentí como si estuviera en un sueño, donde todo lo que adoro se une en un solo lugar. Este año tengo la suerte de estar en e.e.u.u. durante Herbstalk y estoy feliz de ser parte de Herbstalk de una manera que no lo he sido antes. En Colombia he estado enseñando la Rueda Medicinal de la Mujer, mezclado con la sabiduría de las plantas, fases de Luna, y talleres de metodología de como hacer medicina de forma consciente. Siento que dar esta clase en Español en Herbstalk es una manera de entregar a la Comunidad Latina, de honrar la inclusividad y diversidad. Nuestras Madres y Abuelas Latinas siempre han trabajado con las plantas, espero canalizar su sabiduría en esta hermosa oportunidad que se me ha dado. Thank you so much for sharing some of your beautiful story with us, Constanza!
You can learn more about her inspired work by following her Instagram account @SomosJardinSecreto. Her Herbstalk class "La Rueda Medicinal: La Luna y Las Plantas" will be offered on Sunday, June 3rd. View the complete class schedule here. by Herb Pearce Have you eaten your oatmeal today? If not, you can drink your oats and lessen your anxiety at the same time. I’ve chosen oatstraw as the remedy for Enneagram Type 6 — the Questioner — who tends to ask a lot of questions in order to relieve their anxiety of worst case scenario thinking. 6s tend to react to their fears and concerns and forget about what is secure or positive. Many of us have fear and anxiety in today’s world and we can turn to oats to feel more even tempered, secure and calm. Oats, both a nervine and nutritive, have been eaten for thousands of years and have been used for many generations to promote healthy growth of skin, hair & nails, strengthen the blood, and support nervous system balance. Oatstraw helps with headaches, migraines, fatigue, MS, shingles, rheumatism, epilepsy, depression, anxiety and moods. Drug or alcohol withdrawal accompanied by oatstraw is a documented wonder. Other people claim it helps with heart health, sexual performance and increased energy. It other words, oats are a cure-all herb. The tea is as soothing and wholesome as our breakfast food. The leaves and stalk (called oatstraw) are used for tea but even more flavorful and nutritious are the seed tops (milky oats). It can be a stabilizing nutritious daily drink. There are no known side effects or cautions. Oatstraw combines well with motherwort, valerian, skullcap and chamomile, each of which is calming separately. Experiment and see what works best for you. Anxious, nervous personality types can turn to these herbs to calm down. Especially for 6s, some fears actually are worse than the reality they are worrying about! Type 6, also called the Worry Wort or the Security Seeker, is looking for stability, security, and something they can rely on and trust. Oats can help with focusing on what’s relatively secure and safe. 6s have issues with trust and need to test people to make sure they are reliable. If you’re relating to a 6 what you say and do need to match up. Don’t say you’re going to do something unless you plan to act on it, or if plans change, let them know immediately and explain your change. Oats are believed to have been domesticated between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers 3000 years ago. Ancient Romans fed it to their horses. Scotland is believed to be the place where the porridge of oatmeal began. Hildegard of Bingen, a nun and herbalist around 1100 AD considered oats to be an herb of happiness and good health. Oats are a cereal crop but can be found today in garden beds and the stalks and cereal are usually gathered in August. It’s best to gather the seeds in its immature stage (milky oats) and tincture it the same day but gather the stalks while still green, then dry them. The oat seeds carry antispasmodic, cardiac, diuretic, emollient, nervine and stimulant properties. The straw (dried stems) and the grain have also been prescribed for the treatment of a wide range of nervous conditions. If you’re looking for balance, calmness, evenness and relaxation, be sure to drink or eat your oats. References: https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/oat-straw.html https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/oatstraw/profile http://kivasenchantments.com/sweet-cream-the-medicine-of-milky-oats.html Herb Pearce is an expert on the Enneagram with 28+ years experience. He has authored four books on the Enneagram including his most recent work, Presidential Profiles: Washington to Trump - Enneagram and Myers-Briggs Perspectives. Herb has taught over 2000 Enneagram workshops and has worked with hundreds of organizations, individuals and couples using the Enneagram in his counseling practice. Herb resides in Arlington, Massachusetts where he is a practicing psychotherapist and life coach. He emphasizes developing the strengths of all 9 Enneagram types and is known for his exacting insights, moderated by gentleness, humor and compassion. You can learn more at www.herbpearce.com or email him directly at herb@herbpearce.com. |
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