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Plant Medicine

As a little girl, I loved the idea of using pants for their healing medicine and wisdom! Is gather soft leaves, smash them on a cinder block, and then - not sure what to do next - would roll into little pastilles, and set them in the sun to dry...

Mallow in the path

As an adult, I learned lots from my botanist  hubby and his mom, joined the local herb society, and took medicine making classes as I could. I cook with herbs, brew herbal tisanes and infusions, and infuse herbs in oil to use in my massage practice.

About 20 years ago, I lubricated the track on my sliding glass door - and  smashed my finger closing it!! (LMTs hate any hurts to our hands!!) 

The ND I work with said 'keep taking hypericum (homeopathic) as long as you notice it hurts, and apply hypericum oil or tincture!!' I did as he recommended  - the fingernail did fall off! But regrew, with a faint line) I also used comfrey poultices and clay externally. Hypericum or St John's wort helps speed the healing of nerves, especially those in fingers, toes and our mouths. 

I noticed a 'buzz' in that finger whenever I did Qigong or offered Reiki - that continued over the next year!

By the following spring, I rarely felt pain. Then a friend mentioned that her finger -  smashed the year BEFORE mine - still bothered her!! "And probably always will!' ... a great affirmation, right?

I used Arnica (200 strength) after breaking my wrist several years ago, alternating with over the counter pain relief - and had acupuncture sessions with the therapist in our office, used poultices, and again, felt the healing 'buzz' when practicing Qigong or Reiki. 

I put tonic (daily use) herbs in salad and tea - often gathering from around my yard. The phytochemicals in herbs have many beneficial qualities, and often include antioxidents, and stimulate the immune system.

Several herbal teachers recommend we begin by learning 100 uses for 10 common herbs.

What are some of your favorite herbs for health and well being?

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