by Patrice Green Unless you’ve been living under a rock (and if you have been, may I join you?), you’ve probably noticed that there’s a lot of negative energy floating around these days. It can be very wearing for everyone, but most especially for those of us who are empathic. The good news is that there are things you can do to help ease the burden many of us feel in this distressing time. Herbally, this is a great time to cozy up to that wonderful group known as the shen tonics. Shen tonics are a group of herbs that have a direct affect on the spiritual heart and nervous system. In some cases they are adaptogenic as well as nervines. In all cases, they ease stress and help restore balance and joy to what Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners call the “shen,” that energetic part of us which houses our spirit. There are many shen tonics, but some of my favorites are Holy Basil (Tulsi, Ocimum sanctum), Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin), Hawthorn (Crataegus), and Rosa rugosa. Holy Basil is considered a sacred plant in India. An adaptogen, Holy Basil works to restore balance to the body. As a shen tonic, it works to restore balance to the emotions. Although you can use Holy Basil as a tincture, my preferred method is drinking a soothing Holy Basil tea. If I’m feeling particularly depleted, I like to use Madelon Hope’s holy basil, nettles and licorice combination for a relaxing and rejuvenating tea. It also combines well with rose and linden. Mimosa or Silk Tree, Albizia julibrissin, is another marvelous shen tonic. Its flowers and bark are used in Chinese medicine to relieve anxiety and depression. Albizia is a wonderful herb to use when you need to feel grounded. For that reason I particularly like to use it in combination with Wood Betony, another wonderful nervine and shen tonic. I prefer using Albizia as a tincture. I find that it works beautifully with Rose also, and helps restore tranquility to a bruised spirit. Hawthorn, Crataegus, is one of the premier herbs to strengthen the cardiovascular system. It is a powerful shen tonic that seems to add joy to the spirit and restore a sense of wellbeing. Hawthorn is one of the main herbs I use in the protection formula for awakening a spiritual heart. Hawthorn is also lovely in tea form, and is a beautiful complement to Rosa Rugosa. Rosa Rugosa is the fragrant wild rose we find growing most often near the seashore. A beautiful plant with a heavenly scent, Rosa Rugosa as a glyceride truly does gladden the heart. I will be forever grateful to Linda Patterson for teaching me about this beautiful plant. As a flower essence, Rosa Rugosa helps to balance the emotions, releasing grief and transmuting negative vibrations into love and compassion. So, if you are having a hard time blocking out the seemingly omnipresent negativity, it may be time to develop a deeper relationship with one or several of these herbs. Treat yourself to a lovely shen tonic tea. Meditate with the plants, use them as glycerides, tinctures, flower essences or essential oils. I think the best thing we can do for the planet and ourselves during stressful times is to work with gentleness and compassion towards all. Shen tonics help us restore balance and serenity. Couldn’t we all use a little more kindness? Patrice Green is an Herbal Educator, Certified Aromatherapist, Energy Medicine and Reiki Practitioner and founder of Green Aromatics. She is also the Assistant Director at the Boston School of Herbal Studies. She received her herbal training at the Boston School of Herbal Studies, and shamanic training from Isa Gucciardi, Ph. D. at the Sacred Stream in Berkley, CA. Inspired by time spent among the coastal Redwoods of Muir Woods and its beach, Green Aromatics strives to imbue its products and services with the same resilience, joy and equanimity of these majestic beings. Patrice may be reached through the Green Aromatics website. by Melanie Brown A walk in the woods for winter plant medicine is a much needed respite during the darker days of the year. The evergreens gift us with color and life to an otherwise despondent landscape. Evergreens are one of the oldest species of trees to habitat this earth. There is a deep wisdom residing within their austere beauty as well as a magnificent ability to adapt to an array of environments around the world. Walking among pine, spruce, fir, and cedars we are essentially stepping into a space of timeless magic and mystery. Come January we are in complete hibernation mode and missing many of our plant friends dearly. Simply rubbing a few needles between fingers or allowing some sticky resin to linger on our skin does wonders for our sense of smell and psyche. Wintergreen playfully covers the forest floor with a pop of cheery red berries beckoning us to taste their spicy, sweet and cooling flavor. White pine needles gently decocted transforms water into a deliciously potent tea full of vitamin C, perfect for mid-winter blues, colds, and flu. The inner bark of lovingly harvested branches (I prefer the freshly fallen ones for little to no impact on the tree) can be made into a syrup with excellent warming, drying and expectorant qualities. Combine with other immune system loving plants such as mushrooms, elderberries, astragalus, Siberian ginseng, rosehips, autumn olives and mucilaginous plants like mallow, violet leaf, fenugreek and mullein for your go-to healing powerhouse formula. All parts of Pine and other conifers are anti-microbial, anti-oxidant and diuretic as well. The materia medica is extensive and well worth diving into. For now, here is one of my most beloved apothecary must-haves for respiratory distress. Most commercial “vapor” chest rubs are created using petrolatum as its main ingredient. In the 1850s, chemist Robert Chesebrough started the process of distilling and cleaning the thick gel found on oil wells to create a cheap, non-renewable, and possibly unsafe addition to our body care products. It has been shown to cause dermatitis and contain cancer-causing chemicals and crude oil by-products. Knowledge is power. Being an herbalist and mother, I wanted to create my own version for relief to congested airways on my child’s delicate skin. Below is my tried and true formula and recipe for a plant-infused salve that can be applied to the chest, back, and bottoms of feet:
Melanie Brown is a native New Englander who always had an early connection to nature and the outdoors. Together with her four year old son she gathers the ingredients to make small batch plant based body care products which you can find at her herbal apothecary, FIR&ELM. She is a graduate of Boston School of Herbal Studies and currently apprenticing with Margi Flint of Earthsong Herbals. Her passion is to share and spread the message of community herbalism that lies right outside in our own backyards. by Patrice Green During this time of holiday cheer, we sometimes find ourselves very far from our usual food regimens. There’s so much temptation at holiday celebrations that we indulge in ways we’re not used to, with less than stellar results. If you’re feeling a little – or a lot – uncomfortable read on for some helpful hints. There is nothing like fennel essential oil to ease stomach upset. You can add a drop to your carrier oil of choice and gently rub it on your stomach and abdomen for almost instantaneous relief. Its anti-spasmodic properties help ease gas and bloating. There are some people who advocate taking one or two drops internally in a tea. I AM NOT ONE OF THOSE PEOPLE. Ok, I’ll stop shouting, and just gently remind you, dear reader, that essential oils are highly concentrated, powerful herbal allies. I’ve seen fennel oil eat through a heavy plastic cap. We are trying to ease stomach upset, not bore holes. Put a drop or two in a carrier oil. Rub it on the affected parts of your abdomen. Add it to bath salts. NO TEAS! If you want a delightful tea that gives you some stomach relief, try a light ginger-licorice-lemon combination with some meadowsweet. Meadowsweet is a premier herb for stomach upset. Lemon helps soothe and alkalize your system, which may be a bit out of whack from eating a lot of sweets or carbs. Licorice and ginger are both stimulants for the digestive tract, so remember, a little bit of these herbs goes a long way. Gentle is key. If you feel like a soothing bath is in order, try adding some bentonite clay to your bath salts to help detox. A lovely combination is Himalayan pink salt, Epsom salts, dendritic salt, bentonite clay, a few drops of fennel, niaouli and lavender. Naiouli is in the Melaleuca family, like it’s more famous relative Tea Tree, but works more gently. According to the Floracopeia website, Naiouli leaves are valued in the Middle East for making a tea that stimulates healthy bowels. Lavender is soothing and relaxing, to help further ease distress. The Epsom salts help replenish depleted magnesium stores. Take a bath, then take a nap. You’ll wake up refreshed and feeling better. Sip some tea while in the bath for even better results. It’s a wonderful time of year to gather with friends and loved ones to celebrate the season, but it’s also nice to schedule an hour or two of downtime for self-care. As always, thanks for reading. May you and your family enjoy the blessings of the season! Patrice Green is an Herbal Educator, Certified Aromatherapist, Energy Medicine and Reiki Practitioner and founder of Green Aromatics. She is also the Assistant Director at the Boston School of Herbal Studies. She received her herbal training at the Boston School of Herbal Studies, and shamanic training from Isa Gucciardi, Ph. D. at the Sacred Stream in Berkley, CA. Inspired by time spent among the coastal Redwoods of Muir Woods and its beach, Green Aromatics strives to imbue its products and services with the same resilience, joy and equanimity of these majestic beings. Patrice may be reached through the Green Aromatics website. by Patrice Green It’s hard to believe we are once again at the end of the year. It’s a time to go inward, reflect, count our many blessings and set our intentions for 2017. It is also a hectic time as we celebrate the holiday season. I would like to use this month’s blog entry to say thank-you to our readers and our community by sharing a recipe for aromatic bath salts to help you relax and rejuvenate during the hustle and bustle of December’s many festivities. You will need Epsom salts, Bathing Salts (my favorite is Dead Sea Salts), Dendritic Salts or Baking Soda, and approximately 25 drops of essential oil. Epsom salts help tired muscles, soothe the nervous system, reduce swelling and eliminate toxins. Soaking for twenty minutes in an Epsom salts bath will significantly raise one’s magnesium levels, aiding in the absorption of calcium. Dead Sea Salts are a great source of potassium, magnesium and bromide. Potassium and bromide are especially helpful in recovering from intense workouts. Potassium helps improve oxidation as well. Potassium is key to the absorption of nourishment as well as aiding in the elimination of toxins. Bromide also helps gently cleanse and detoxify. Dendritic Salt is a very fine-grained salt whose crystals are shaped like stars. The greater surface area in dendritic salt helps extend the shelf life of your bath salts by helping to retain the fragrance for a longer period of time. Baking Soda soothes the skin while also gently cleaning. It can also help to retain the fragrance, but not as well as Dendritic salt. A safety note when using essential oils: These powerful oils can eat through plastic utensils and will penetrate wood. When working with essential oils, always use glass bowls and metal utensils. Do not get essential oils directly on skin as most can burn unless mixed with a carrier oil. How to make Aromatic Bath Salts: In a GLASS bowl, mix one tablespoon of either Dendritic Salt or Baking soda and one quarter cup of Epsom Salt with 25 drops of essential oil. You can use 25 drops of one essential oil - for instance, Lavender - or a combination of essential oils for a fun blend. Use a metal fork to thoroughly mix the essential oils with the Dendritic salts or baking soda. Either cover the bowl with a towel or put in an airtight jar (a covered mason jar works well) and let sit overnight. This “breathing period” allows the essential oils to fully permeate the salts/baking soda. The next day, mix one-half cup of the Dead Sea Salts with the essential oil/salt mixture. Store in an airtight glass jar. This yields a little over three quarters of a cup of Aromatic Bath Salts. You can use as much as you’d like in your tub or footbath and it generally lasts for several months. I shared this basic recipe in a demo at this year’s Wintergreen Market. Special thanks to those participants who attended that talk as together we came up with a beautiful formula for a relaxing and rejuvenating aromatherapy blend. I offer that blend here, in case anyone would like to use a combination of essential oils rather than just one fragrance. Relaxing/Rejuvenating Bath Salt blend: 8 drops of Lavender essential oil 5 drops of Spearmint essential oil 5 drops of Litsea Cubeba essential oil 7 drops of Tangerine (Mandarin) essential oil Lavender is calming, soothing and balancing. Spearmint is gently uplifting and rejuvenating. Tangerine is excellent for stress and calming to the nervous system. Litsea Cubeba has an uplifting citrus aroma that helps to gently energize and refresh. There are many sources for good quality essential oils. Among my favorites are Aromatherapy International and Floracopeia. As always, thank you for your continued support of Herbstalk and reading the blog. I personally feel quite blessed to be part of this herbal community. Wishing you a blessed holiday season and a healthy and Happy New Year!
by Patrice Green On a recent long drive, I noticed a profusion of Mullein in full bloom along the highway. Once you've identified it, there's no mistaking this beautiful plant. Mullein, Verbascum thapsus, is a biennial. A first year plant is easily recognized by its beautiful, soft, grayish-green leaves which grow in a basal rosette. The leaves can grow in excess of twelve inches, and have a soft down covering. During its second year, the tall, flowering stalk grows and the distinctive five-petaled yellow flowers bloom. When dry, the down on both the leaves and the stalk ignite easily, which is how the plant got its nickname, "Candlewick Plant." In fact, the Romans used Mullein stalks as candles and called the plant, ‘candelaria.’ When researching the plant for this article, I was surprised to learn that a single mullein can produce up to 100,000 seeds in a year. The seeds can also last up to one hundred years, waiting for optimal growing conditions before sprouting. This could be one reason Mullein is often among the first plants to grow in disturbed soil. Perhaps the best known medicinal use of mullein is an olive oil infusion of mullein flowers for ear infections and ear aches. Often garlic is added to the infusion. The oil is slightly warmed then a few drops are added to the affected area. Mullein is both anti-inflammatory and analgesic, and also has antiseptic properties. It is both demulcent and astringent, which makes it an ideal remedy for lung ailments, as it soothes while drying up excess mucous. The large leaves of the mullein are an indicator of its affinity for the respiratory system. Mullein teas and tinctures are often used to treat asthma, coughs and bronchitis. Mullein also has slightly sedative and narcotic properties, making it a useful remedy for coughs that can disturb sleep. Many people use the smoke from mullein leaves for acute respiratory ailments, as mullein has expectorant properties and also reduces pain and inflammation. In this manner, dried mullein can be burned as a smudge or incense and inhaled to quell stubborn coughing. Mullein root is helpful for incontinence, as it tightens and strengthens the urinary system. A piece of mullein leaf wrapped around a sprain and held in place with gauze will align tissue, ligaments and tendons and reduce swelling. I like to harvest the leaves, wrap them in a paper towel, put them in a Ziploc baggie and store them in the freezer so I always have a supply on hand. I’ve used it to speed up healing a sprained ankle. Also, I recently injured my finger and am using mullein in this way with good results. A word of caution, though: some people experience contact dermatitis from the down on the leaves. You may also run the risk of having close friends and family refer to you as “salad foot” or some such moniker. There are so many wonderful plant allies that it’s hard to play favorites, but mullein certainly is one of the herbs I always try to have on hand. As one of my teachers, Isa, is fond of saying, “All hail, Mullein!” Resources: http://www2.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/common_mullein.htm http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mulgre63.html Patrice Green is an Herbal Educator, Certified Aromatherapist, Energy Medicine and Reiki Practitioner and founder of Green Aromatics. She is also the Assistant Director at the Boston School of Herbal Studies. She received her herbal training at the Boston School of Herbal Studies, and shamanic training from Isa Gucciardi, Ph. D. at the Sacred Stream in Berkley, CA. Inspired by time spent among the coastal Redwoods of Muir Woods and its beach, Green Aromatics strives to imbue its products and services with the same resilience, joy and equanimity of these majestic beings. Patrice may be reached through the Green Aromatics website. by Jade Alicandro Mace This time of year both the gardens and my kitchen start to get a little crazy with the sudden realization that the wheel of the seasons is turning. This is one herbal preparation I can't do without- Winter Immune Honey. Basically, I stroll through the garden and harvest what's in season and looks good! This season's batch included Echinacea flower, Calendula, Bee Balm, Blue Hyssop, St John’s Wort, and Tulsi. Just thinking about getting to curl-up with a nice spoonful of this in my tea mug makes the on-coming seasonal transition less ominous and- dare I say it?- even a tad-bit exciting.... Combine any combination of the following herbs, fresh (my preference) or dried. I’ve included some suggested percentages below (and of course many of these plants could go into both categories!). The idea here is to pull from the lists and make your own unique honey, based on your favorite herbs, what you have access to, and the specific herbal actions you’d like your honey to have. Your result will be a honey with a wide range of herbal actions, so you can effectively treat the vast array of winter ailments you might come across in the coming months. And remember- many of these herbs can be procured at your local grocery store or farmers market (especially the culinary herbs), and can tolerate some frost, often hanging on in the garden well into fall. A quick note about the herbal actions listed below: Aromatics are herbs that have a wonderful aroma because they are rich in essential oils (which tend to be anti-microbial). In my experience, aromatic herbs make the most delicious honeys! Anti-microbials and anti-virals are just what they sound like. Diaphoretics promote a healthy fever response which is part of your body’s immune strategy for fighting-off pathogens, as a higher body temperature can inhibit proliferation and reproduction of many viruses and bacteria. Lymphatics stimulate the lymphatic system, which is where many of our immune cells are born, and is also the primary transport system for immune cells to get to and from infections. Supporting the lymph means stimulating your body’s own vital force and flexing the proverbial “muscles” of the immune system, which is a good thing! The lymph fluid also transports waste products from fighting-off a pathogen, and the day-to-day metabolic waste from cellular metabolism to eliminatory organs as well. So, how do you make it? First choose your herbs… Lymphatic/Immune Stimulating Herbs- 50%
Aromatics/Anti-microbials/Anti-virals/Diaphoretics- 50% (mix-and-match)
Next, add the herbs to the honey! The process is so simple…..put your herbs into a dry glass jar, cover your herbs in raw honey (local if possible) and let sit for at least 2 weeks. If they are fresh they must be free of excess water from rain, dew, etc, and also chopped pretty fine, removing any woody or tough stems. Stir well so that all the plant material is evenly coated in the honey. Some will be poking-up from the top of the honey and that’s fine! As long as it’s coated in the honey it won’t mold. If you are making it with dried herbs, follow the same directions as above, only don’t worry about having to remove woody stems. To Use: I always make my honeys with fresh herbs. This is because I never strain my fresh herb honeys and prefer to use them with the plant material still in it. My favorite method is to mix a spoonful in hot water for instant tea or add to herbal tea at first sign of cold or flu. Then I eat the herbs at the bottom of my tea cup! You will find that honey does an amazing job of preserving the fresh herbs and there is still lots of medicinal activity and vibrancy to the plant material. So, I think you lose a lot of the medicine by straining it out. I can still taste the tingle from the Echinacea flowers when I eat a spoonful of the winter immune honey I made months and months ago! You can of course also eat this by the spoonful, spread on crackers or toast, and so on. The possibilities with herbal honeys are really endless! If you are using dried herbs, then it’s a different case and I find that those are better strained. Use your honey with wild abandon at first sign of sickness and have at least 3 tsp/day and much more is fine to take. You can also take during sickness to lessen duration and ease symptoms. Kids of course love this remedy as well! Enjoy and Happy Honey-Making! Jade Alicandro Mace is a community herbalist living in the rolling hills of western massachusetts. She has an herbal practice, runs a low-cost community herbal clinic, and teaches a class series and apprenticeship in bioregional herbalism. Learn more at www.milkandhoneyherbs.com, or follow her on facebook (Milk & Honey Herbs) and instagram (@milkandhoneyherbs) by Ashley Sapir Lathrop Anxiety is a reality for so many people. It can act as a filmy layer keeping us from shining brightly in our intentions and goals. In some families anxiety is passed from one generation to the next. For others anxiety is a result of trauma. Simply being a human being in a world with so much change and conflict happening daily is enough to invoke feelings of fear and worry. Whatever the root, from old patterns or new information that is overwhelming, I am a huge believer that life can go on without anxiety. I’ve seen it in my own life and in my clinical work as an herbalist time and again. Old patterns can be broken and new ones created so we can truly thrive in this one “wild and precious life” as Mary Oliver writes so powerfully. Loving self talk, mindfulness, engaging in joy and deep connection (to nature, animals and people) are essential parts of the formula. Having these sacred sundries in our internal pantries provides a solid foundation. Our plant allies can take it to the next level. What keeps you grounded? So much of life and presence is about having yourself firmly planted in your beautiful self. It is easy to get distracted. Committing to catching the distraction, the moment where your heart starts to speed up, or butterflies beat in your gut is a tool of awareness that can be honed. Even if it takes an hour, it is this catching that can unlock the gateway to building new neural pathways. Taking some tincture of one of our many amazing nervines can aid in that recovery process. For some it feels as if the colors in the room have just gotten brighter or there is an awareness of hunger or fatigue welcoming one back into their physical body. I love watching the shift. Have you seen that? When someone takes just the right herb and all of the sudden their eyes brighten or they start to giggle or cry. Witnessing those energetic shifts makes me giddy about getting to practice herbalism. So let’s talk about the four plants that I carry with me when I work away from my Apothecary. I simply couldn’t work without motherwort, skullcap, holy basil and passionflower. Read on to learn what I love about each of them. Motherwort is so abundant and wild and it is for these qualities that I revere her. When feeling tight and confined, as if there is just not enough room to breathe, motherwort’s message of spaciousness and tenacity can be the perfect antidote. I’ll never forget walking outside into the glaring sunlight, just weeks into new motherhood, feeling content with my new role and at the same time disoriented by all of the demands on my attention and body. Who beckoned to me from a spot of earth next to the concrete stairs? Of course it was motherwort, growing uninvited but so welcome! Motherwort is a wonderful ally for those overwhelmed by all that they give, whether through their role as parent or simply the way they interface with the world. Motherwort is well known for its affinity to anxiety that manifests as heart palpitations and sweaty palms. Additionally when I see female bodied clients who are experiencing anxiety accompanying hormonal shifts motherwort is the first herb that we try. It is almost always an important part of their formula. Skullcap is so cooling, just as you’d expect from a plant that adores having its roots near the water. I love finding skullcap in flower, growing along streambeds in the forest. This is a plant that is great for people who get really “fired up” and need to cool off a bit. Another signature of skullcap is that tightening in the top of one’s head that can happen when overthinking or prolonged tension have been occurring. Skullcap is a lovely plant ally for those that just can’t sleep due to tension they haven’t been able to release. Holy basil, for me, is like basil on steroids. Basil tea has long been an ally for me. As someone who tends towards a colder constitution the pungent warming qualities of basil have a magical effect. If you’ve never tried making tea from the leaves of a fresh basil plant I invite you to do so and experience nirvana. Simply let it steep covered for ten to fifteen minutes, sweeten with a touch of honey, inhale and prepare for deep bliss. There’s a smoothing of frazzled edges and more room to breathe. Holy basil, sister to basil, is sacred in all of India. This speaks to the nourishing qualities of the plant. The fragrance, which whisper of tropical fruit mixed with the already lovely aromatic profile of basil, enliven you on the spot. Holy basil can also nourish your adrenals and help you to build resilience. I love plants that work for the long run while soothing you in the moment. Passionflower is one of my dearest plant friends, which is no surprise to anyone who has seen my logo. This plant is just amazing for those circling thoughts that some of us experience. It has a special affinity for those who may have obsessive compulsive disorder or experience obsessive thoughts. One client had a scary car accident and couldn’t stop thinking about it every time she got behind the wheel. She took tincture of passionflower each time she got in the car and credits it to allowing her to move through the trauma. People who get “stuck” in their fears may be pleasantly surprised to see that passionflower can midwife them to freedom. These are the plants that I’ve developed strong relationships with over my years as a practicing herbalist. I’d love to hear about yours. I’m always eager to hear stories about people’s relationships with nervines, as a way of exchanging information and developing records of our collective experience. I hope our paths will cross in the future. In the meantime feel free to reach out through my website with tidbits and stories about your plant journeys. Ashley Sapir Lathrop is an herbalist and educator living below the Shawangunk Mountains in New York. She is passionate about people/plant relationships and the healing shifts that happen when people feel empowered to deeply care for themselves. Ashley has studied with indigenous healers in Nicaragua, as well as stewards of Traditional Western Herbalism here in the States. She finds great joy in gardening, wildcrafting with her family, teaching, and meeting with people in her clinical practice at a Midwifery Center. You can find Ashley at dreamkeeperbotanicals.com by Patrice Green Lately I’ve been thinking about herbs in a slightly different way. In the beginning of my herbal adventures, I was eager to get to know all the different plants, and furiously made a profusion of tinctures, oils, glycerides and the like. This is common for beginning herbalists. After a while, I realized that I had a larger apothecary than I needed. As time passed and glycerides and oils had to be tossed because they were losing potency, I began to get a better understanding of what my personal needs were, and felt guilty for taking more plants than I used. Plants give us everything. I’ve said it before and I will say it again: they give us oxygen, food, medicine, and ask for nothing in return except our carbon dioxide and maybe the hope that we won’t destroy this planet we share. When I realized I was taking more than I used, I began to make conscious choices about what to stock, and how much. More recently I’ve gotten even more specific, identifying those herbs that are “must haves” for me – the “Go To” plant allies which, season to season, I always have on hand. I consider them my personal arsenal. Here are a few: Yarrow: There is never a time when I don’t have beautiful yarrow in my apothecary. I absolutely love this herb and admire its versatility and strength. The dried herb in tea form is wonderful to ease fevers and severe colds. The infused oil is a must have ingredient for healing salves. I also like to use the infused oil with castor oil packs to heal deep bruising or severe menstrual cramping. The tincture is a without parallel if you’re trying to heal a severe injury and need any stagnant blood to break up and move out. It is also the premiere herb for treating fibroids. The essential oil smells heavenly, is one of the beautiful “blue” oils and is wonderful as part of a PMS remedy. Cautionary note: avoid while pregnant. Yarrow flower essence is a strengthener of the auric field and for those who are easily hurt by others. St. John’s Wort: Another must have for me is St. John’s Wort, specifically it’s beautiful cranberry-colored oil. Every year I make a fresh batch of this wonderful oil so that it’s readily available for use. Its analgesic properties are legendary. This beloved plant ally is a staple of my arthritis remedies/salves.When getting a massage, I always make an aromatherapy blend with St. John’s Wort oil as the carrier and ask the massage therapist to use it during my session. You can almost feel the heat of the sun warming the affected area when using this amazing plant in oil form. The flower essence is wonderful for those afflicted with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Another cautionary note: if you are taking anti-depressants, stick with St. John’s Wort flower essence rather than tincture, as the tincture is contra-indicated. I hope some of you reading this may start to think about your use of the herbs as well, and how we can ease the burden on Mother Earth so that there continues to be plenty of Her bounty for all of us. Patrice Green is an Herbal Educator, Certified Aromatherapist, Energy Medicine and Reiki Practitioner and founder of Green Aromatics. She is also the Assistant Director at the Boston School of Herbal Studies. She received her herbal training at the Boston School of Herbal Studies, and shamanic training from Isa Gucciardi, Ph. D. at the Sacred Stream in Berkley, CA. Inspired by time spent among the coastal Redwoods of Muir Woods and its beach, Green Aromatics strives to imbue its products and services with the same resilience, joy and equanimity of these majestic beings. Patrice may be reached through the Green Aromatics website. by Melanie Brown Perhaps when you think of Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa) you think to yourself, “Oh yeah, that herb for menopause.” That is understandable and to be expected, especially when a plant has shown to be fantastic at addressing a particular issue or holds an affinity for a specific organ and system in the body. This however, is doing an injustice to the plant for a number of reasons. First, we are not respecting the plant as a whole for its many different constituents and actions. This has serious consequences as you can see with certain plants becoming a “fad” or a “one-plant-fits-all” approach, which can sometimes in result in it gaining quick popularity followed by over-harvesting. Black Cohosh is a woodland perennial, native to the United States and found the Appalachian Mountain Range across the Eastern hardwood forest to the Ozark Plateau and north into the Great Lakes region. Surprisingly it is incredibly easy to grow if you have a nice spot at the edge of some woods with partial shade, grown by seed or live, dormant roots. Strictly Medicinal Seeds company (formerly Horizon Herbs) ships ready to plant roots for autumn planting to have them emerge the following spring. We know for certain Black Cohosh has been traditionally used to support the female reproductive system throughout each stage of menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. It has an affinity for those who experience mood fluctuations, especially before and during menopause. A dark, brooding, melancholic and turned inward, negative self-talk sort of behavior is ideal for this person to be reaching for the non-standardized, fresh root tincture. Small doses (5-10 drops) are recommended. The dried root has been shown to cause headaches and large doses have been shown to cause vertigo, nausea, and nervous system distress. It is also used to reduce the inflammation and muscular pain of rheumatism and inflammatory arthritis, specifically for a dull, achy condition. It increases blood circulation, lowers blood pressure, and relieves ringing in the ears. If you look at the flowering stalks, while considering the Doctrine of Signatures, it closely resembles the spine. Many well-known, clinical herbalists now use it in treating pain associated with whiplash. Herbalist 7Song keeps a tincture on hand for use in first aid as a musculoskeletal relaxant for acute situations. David Winston has a beautiful synergistic formula containing black cohosh, kava kava and ashwagandha. It also combines really nicely with St. John’s wort, lavender, rose, crampbark, wild yam and siberian ginseng depending on what you are needing it for. When I think about this graceful, strong plant I now keep a few important reminders close to my heart: It is not for every woman going through menopause. It can easily be cultivated on my own land to ensure permeability in its own native habitat. Fresh root is ideal when making medicine with it because certain active constituents are not available through the dried root. Standardized extracts and pills should be avoided because of unpleasant side effects. I also love the essence of its flowers: it imparts the ability to confront and actively transform negative, destructive, or threatening circumstances. In this way it is possible to gain enormous power, learning to balance and harness innate strength and physical prowess. Melanie Brown is a native New Englander who always had an early connection to nature and the outdoors. Together with her four year old son she gathers the ingredients to make small batch plant based body care products which you can find at her herbal apothecary, FIR&ELM. She is a graduate of Boston School of Herbal Studies and currently apprenticing with Margi Flint of Earthsong Herbals. Her passion is to share and spread the message of community herbalism that lies right outside in our own backyards. Happy almost-Fall! For many of us, this is our favorite time to learn, take classes, and pick up some new herbal books. If you feel the same way, check out our extensive list of upcoming herbal classes being offered throughout New England starting this month. All the details are below... And of course we look forward to seeing you at our next event, the popular Wintergreen Holiday Market, which will take place on Saturday, November 26th at the Armory! Harvesting the Bounty - Gathering and Storing Useful Plants
Sept 17th with Su Cousineau Mattapan, MA Register with Boston Nature Center Hall’s Pond Herb Walk September 21st with the CommonWealth Center for Holistic Herbalism Brookline, MA http://commonwealthherbs.com/halls-pond-herb-walk-brookline/ Make Your Own Cocktail Bitters Sept. 22, 7pm with Ryn Midura The Armory, Somerville Register Here Building a Home Herbal Apothecary to Support Children's Health September 23 with Ashley Sapir Gardiner Public Library, Gardiner NY http://www.dreamkeeperbotanicals.com/education-events/ Aromatherapy Certification Course beginning September 24 with Linda Patterson Arlington, MA http://bostonherbalstudies.com/bostonherbalstudies.com/Classes.html What's All the Buzz About? Honeybees, Beekeeping & Our Environment Sept. 26, 7pm with Tony Lulek The Armory, Somerville Register Here Radical Mycology September 28th with Peter McCoy Brookline, MA http://commonwealthherbs.com/peter-mccoy-radical-mycology/ Wild Urban Plant Walk September 29nd, 5:00 - 5:45pm with Steph Zabel Melrose Farmers' Market www.flowerfolkherbs.com/calendar.html The Chakra Apprenticeship for Women beginning October 2016 with Debra Bluth online thechakraapprenticeship.com & seedandlegend.com Stronger Immunity - Medicinal Teas Oct 1st with Su Cousineau Mattapan, MA Register with Boston Nature Center A Nourished Postpartum: Herbal Allies and Diet for the “Fourth Trimester” October 1, 2016 with Krystina Friedlander GLOW Holistic Wellness Studio, York, ME http://glowbodywork.com/womens-wellness-workshops/#a-nourished-postpartum Herbal Solutions for Stress and Anxiety October 5 with Ashley Sapir Hudson Valley Midwifery Center, Kingston NY http://www.hudsonvalleymidwifery.com/classes-events Herbs for Midwives and Doulas October 5th - October 26th with the CommonWealth Center for Holistic Herbalism Brookline, MA http://commonwealthherbs.com/herbs-midwives-doulas/ Backyard Bundles Eco-printing October 9 with Amy Lou Stein Craftwork Somerville https://www.craftwork.rocks Intermediate Herbal Studies starting Oct 13 for 10 weeks with Mischa Schuler and Katie Munn Portland, ME Contact MaineHerbalSeries@gmail.com for registration Stronger Immunity - A Powerful Herbal Syrup for the Whole Family Oct 15th with Su Cousineau Mattapan, MA Register with Boston Nature Center Understanding the Progression of Lyme Disease: Chinese Medicine and Western Herbs October 15 with Brendan Kelly Railyard Apothecary, Burlington, VT http://www.railyardapothecary.com/classroom/ Lyme Practitioner Training beginning Oct. 17th with Tommy Priester Lincoln, MA http://bostonherbalstudies.com/bostonherbalstudies.com/Classes.html Prenatal Craft Hour: Making Herbal Sitz Baths October 18 with Ashley Sapir Hudson Valley Midwifery Center, Kingston NY http://www.hudsonvalleymidwifery.com/classes-events Not Your Grandmother's Lye Soap Oct. 19th, 7pm with Tony Lulek The Armory, Somerville Register Here Silent Forest Retreat October 21st - 23rd with the CommonWealth Center for Holistic Herbalism Royalston, MA http://commonwealthherbs.com/silent-retreat/ Bitter is Better! An Herbal Tincture for Digestive Health Oct 29th with Su Cousineau Mattapan, MA Register with Boston Nature Center Know Your Cycles October 29, and offered again on November 19 with Krystina Friedlander GLOW Holistic Wellness Studio, York, ME http://glowbodywork.com/womens-wellness-workshops/#know-cycles-workshop Understanding the Progression of Lyme Disease: Chinese Medicine and Western Herbs October 29, 9am-1pm with Brendan Kelly Lyme Disease Resource Center, Inc, Northampton, MA http://www.sweetbirchherbals.com/workshop-schedule Free public talk: Understanding and Treating Lyme Disease October 29, 3-4:30pm Lyme Disease Resource Center, Inc, Northampton, MA http://www.lymedrc.org Herbs for Everyday Living: Fall Mini Series starting Nov. 1st for 4 weeks with Steph Zabel Melrose, MA www.flowerfolkherbs.com/herbs-for-everyday-living.html Herbal Oils and Salves - Soothing Aches and Pains Nov 5th with Su Cousineau Mattapan, MA Register with Boston Nature Center Madder Root: An Exploration of an Ancient Dye November 12 with Jackie Ottino-Graf Craftwork Somerville https://www.craftwork.rocks Get Buggy: Dyeing with Cochineal November 13 with Amy Lou Stein Craftwork Somerville https://www.craftwork.rocks Herbal Kitchen Pharmacy : Cooking Demonstrations November 13th with Brittany Wood Nickerson Natural Living Expo in Marlboro, MA www.thymeherbal.com/workshops Medicine-Making 101: Tinctures, Vinegars & Oxymels November 15th with Jade Alicandro Mace River Valley Co-op. Northampton, MA www.milkandhoneyherbs.com The Wintergreen Herbal Market! November 26th hosted by Herbstalk The Armory, Somerville, MA http://www.herbstalk.org/wintergreen-herbal-market.html |
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