One herb I definitely "work with" or have a relationship with is dandelion. Dandelion is everywhere, for 9/12 months where I live, in one form or another. I've come to know a lot about her medicinal benefits, but have always had a relationship with her even as a child when I knew nothing. In her flower form, she brightens up any area; is an early source of food; and turns into these magical wish-bringers if you blow her seeds just right across the earth.
Another is mullein, which I never noticed until just a couple of years ago and then couldn't stop noticing. I love the rosette blooms of the leaves the first year. I love the feel of the leaves and how helpful mullein was for me this year with respiratory issues during a particularly rough winter. I always say hi and stop to appreciate a plant when I find one. I know it can be aggressive but I can't imagine why anyone minds having mullein in their yard. (Mullein is invasive in North America so yes it is important to keep under control and not cultivate it. I still love him though.)
That's awesome Tina! I grew up with the mindset of many Westerners - that the dandelion is an evil weed, lol. But I've since changed my mind, and I agree wholeheartedly with you. Once you get to know Dandelion, you can't help but love her.
I haven't worked with mullein much, but it is on my list of plants to get to know. Thank you for sharing your incredible experiences!
I can't remember if I shared this with you before, so forgive me if I have.
In school, we had a 3 month "herbal relationship" project. The goal of the first half was to pick a single herb and develop a relationship with it- the energetics, forms of use, spiritual elements, how it transformed us with daily dosing (as applicable to the plant) and really hone in on the way that it spoke to us individually. The second half was learning all the book things- what it's used for, the components, pharmacognosy, dosing, etc. Then, we combined all those things to write a report and drawing with the idea of giving someone who has never experienced the herb a full picture of it... I think my report was 30+ pages and was in the top 10 most meaningful experiences of my life.
I'm so thrilled you shared this framework and encouraged folks to befriend some herbs!
No, I hadn't heard that story before. It sounds like a great way to learn about herbs, and I can see why it would be a meaningful experience! Thank you for sharing! I'm curious what herb you developed a deep relationship with and if you still work with it?
I worked with glycyrrhiza. I loved it then and still love it now. I don't take it currently, but the intimacy of the energetics is so ingrained now that I can call it up internally as needed. After that experience, I will likely always keep a bottle of glycerite on my shelf and roots for tea in my cabinet.
Oh nice, glycyrrhiza is a lovely plant. We have a wild licorice here in the western US (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) that offers the same benefits as the more popular Glycyrrhiza glabra, but ours doesn't have the licorice flavor (which I prefer 😊). But perhaps you researched the American version, and I'm getting ahead of myself. Thanks so much for sharing. I love how you said you can call up the energetics internally as needed because of your relationship with this plant.
You're welcome, it's a great concept! (that I didn't come up with) Though I've been hearing it more lately and it's a good reminder for me too because I have a tendency to say "use."
I checked it out from my library about 4 years ago, but I only read the first few chapters. Not because I didn't like it, but because I had too many other things going on to really get into it. It sounds like I should try it again!
One herb I definitely "work with" or have a relationship with is dandelion. Dandelion is everywhere, for 9/12 months where I live, in one form or another. I've come to know a lot about her medicinal benefits, but have always had a relationship with her even as a child when I knew nothing. In her flower form, she brightens up any area; is an early source of food; and turns into these magical wish-bringers if you blow her seeds just right across the earth.
Another is mullein, which I never noticed until just a couple of years ago and then couldn't stop noticing. I love the rosette blooms of the leaves the first year. I love the feel of the leaves and how helpful mullein was for me this year with respiratory issues during a particularly rough winter. I always say hi and stop to appreciate a plant when I find one. I know it can be aggressive but I can't imagine why anyone minds having mullein in their yard. (Mullein is invasive in North America so yes it is important to keep under control and not cultivate it. I still love him though.)
That's awesome Tina! I grew up with the mindset of many Westerners - that the dandelion is an evil weed, lol. But I've since changed my mind, and I agree wholeheartedly with you. Once you get to know Dandelion, you can't help but love her.
I haven't worked with mullein much, but it is on my list of plants to get to know. Thank you for sharing your incredible experiences!
I can't remember if I shared this with you before, so forgive me if I have.
In school, we had a 3 month "herbal relationship" project. The goal of the first half was to pick a single herb and develop a relationship with it- the energetics, forms of use, spiritual elements, how it transformed us with daily dosing (as applicable to the plant) and really hone in on the way that it spoke to us individually. The second half was learning all the book things- what it's used for, the components, pharmacognosy, dosing, etc. Then, we combined all those things to write a report and drawing with the idea of giving someone who has never experienced the herb a full picture of it... I think my report was 30+ pages and was in the top 10 most meaningful experiences of my life.
I'm so thrilled you shared this framework and encouraged folks to befriend some herbs!
No, I hadn't heard that story before. It sounds like a great way to learn about herbs, and I can see why it would be a meaningful experience! Thank you for sharing! I'm curious what herb you developed a deep relationship with and if you still work with it?
I worked with glycyrrhiza. I loved it then and still love it now. I don't take it currently, but the intimacy of the energetics is so ingrained now that I can call it up internally as needed. After that experience, I will likely always keep a bottle of glycerite on my shelf and roots for tea in my cabinet.
Oh nice, glycyrrhiza is a lovely plant. We have a wild licorice here in the western US (Glycyrrhiza lepidota) that offers the same benefits as the more popular Glycyrrhiza glabra, but ours doesn't have the licorice flavor (which I prefer 😊). But perhaps you researched the American version, and I'm getting ahead of myself. Thanks so much for sharing. I love how you said you can call up the energetics internally as needed because of your relationship with this plant.
It was glabra. I haven't tried the lepidota species- I will add it to my list!
I love the concept of “working with” instead of “using”. It feels more relational than transactional as a mindset. Thank you!
You're welcome, it's a great concept! (that I didn't come up with) Though I've been hearing it more lately and it's a good reminder for me too because I have a tendency to say "use."
This reminds me a lot of Braiding Sweetgrass
I checked it out from my library about 4 years ago, but I only read the first few chapters. Not because I didn't like it, but because I had too many other things going on to really get into it. It sounds like I should try it again!
It’s very good! I’m a few chapters in now, based on this post i really think you’d enjoy it.
Nice, next time I go to the library I’m going to check it out!
Brilliant!
Thank you!