What plant heroes are hiding in your backyard?
Updated: Jan 16, 2022
Plants have power but if you don't know who they are you aren't able to benefit from them. What kinds of heroes are hiding in your backyard and what can you do to harness their power?
For millions of years people, animals, and plants have lived together, growing and changing over time. We have all learned to adapt to our environments with a variety of characteristics and defenses.
Plants are incredibly complex and have a variety of defenses and characteristics that help them procreate, survive environmental challenges and protect themselves against threats like being eaten. The complexity of plants can be seen in the chemical makeup of each plant. The DNA of plants is far more complex than even our own DNA. They have the ability to make their own pesticides, communicate with other plants over large distances, and redirect resources based on weather conditions through complex chemical processes.
People have witnessed these powers and their effect on animals that seek them out for healing and began using them to heal each other. Plants are incredibly powerful and we can benefit directly and indirectly from them when we know what powers they posses.
How can we absorb the powers of plant allies?
We can eat them, drink them and cover ourselves with them!
Plants can be used in a variety of ways to benefit our health and wellbeing. Depending on your condition and lifestyle, plants can be there for you however you need.
They can support you on your journey to healing by being a comforting and nourishing beverage, they can relieve discomfort and rejuvenate topically in a salve or oil, and they can support digestion and mental health when consumed in our diet or in tincture form during the day.
Different plants provide different benefits and each plant can work a little differently for you than say your friend or parent.
Plants have subtle and gentle effects on the body and mind that can be beneficial for many with long term health conditions. They are a great first line of defense for common health challenges like colds, stomach bugs, and minor injuries. Plants can also be a comfort emotionally and mentally as support for our central nervous system, assisting our bodies at reducing stress and trauma responses. Many supportive plants can be found easily in your own yard and even at the grocery store, you don't need to spend a lot of money to benefit from plant medicine.
It's important to have a guide through the exploration process of plant medicine like a trained herbalist or acupuncturist.
With the guidance and expertise of a professional you will more easily find what it is you're looking for and can avoid challenges that can come up when choosing your plant allies or how to use them in your routine.
It's also a good idea to chat with your medical provider to be sure plant medicines won't interfere with your prescriptions or any health conditions. They can also screen you for underlying health conditions that may be effecting your health. You can then share these results with your herbalist so you can get a whole picture of your health to see how best to support your body.
To me, that's a Wholistic approach to health. Combining the knowledge of plant medicine from an herbalist with the expertise and testing from a medical doctor.
Plant medicine can be an accessible way to improve your health and wellness. There's nothing like getting outside and going for a hike to collect plants for a remedy to help something that ails you. It's liberating and empowering to be able to take your health into your own hands and create something supportive and healing for yourself from your own kitchen.
Do you want to know what plant hero's are hiding in your back yard?
Would you like to meet a guide to help you along your health and wellness journey?
If so, join Peach Stone Spa on
February 5th at Crabtree Farms in Chattanooga TN for
Backyard Winter Herbs for Health
We will explore the beautiful grounds of Crabtree Farms looking for our plant allies: Narrow Leaf Plantain, Pine, and Blackberry. We will touch, taste, and learn about these supportive plants in this class.
Tickets are $25 and are very limited. They can be purchased online at CrabtreeFarms.org under the Calendar tab.