13 Herbs for First Aid

This is my go to list of herbs that I use on a regular basis o take care of all of those minor issues that pop in everyone's life. This is you introductory list to start your learning herbal journey.

Meditation Garden - The Healer’s Garden

The eighth garden in the meditation garden is the healer’s garden. This is healing in the old sense of the term. True healing works from the heart of health and works out from there. Healing in this sense starts with the foundation of nourishment and doing everything that can be done to support all aspects of being, body of course, but also mind, emotion, and spirit, in a way that strengthens and balances. As I contemplate the Healer’s Garden in my mind’s eye, I sense how the plants serve the cycles of life. I contemplate the part of the cycle of life that I am in. When we pay attention to how the miracle of life cycles from one part of the system to another, we can consciously play a part in that cycle of life that serves the health of the entire system and feeds back into a renewed abundance.

So, as you walk through Gaia’s healing garden, I invite you to pay attention to what you see, hear, and feel. What part of the cycle is in play right now? Are you able to listen and hear what your body is telling you? What is needed in this moment to bring deeper balance and healing into your life? How do you participate in the cycle of life playing out around you? Consider all that it took to create the cycle of life that is dancing around you right now. How many miracles do you see? What can you do to support your own healing? What healing herbs are calling to you right now?

So many plants fit the theme of the Healer’s Garden. Here are just a few: rosemary, bay Laurel, thyme, calendula, marjoram, chamomile, echinacea, horehound, mint, raspberry, and sage. I invite you to choose one herb and carry it with you for the week. How has that relation ship evolved at the end of the week?

Balance

It is the way it is. There is no way of getting around it or out of it. It is the delicate dance of balance and the way the system of the world works. The life of one organism requires the death of another. There are a few exceptions but not many. Even a parasite or a symbiote requires nutrients to be released by the death of another organism. This is not dark or morbid. This is the reality of life. Realizing this fact and accepting it is part of being a mature, healthy adult. We, as humans, do have an important and unusual role to play in this cycle. Because we are able to understand this in a way that most other creatures probably do not, and we are capable of ignoring reality if we choose, it is incumbent upon us to take care in how we play our part. The taking of a life of another organism be it plant or animal must be done with care and purpose. It must be done as humanely as possible with minimal suffering. Suffering is never to be inflicted casually and callously. Every part of the energy of that life should be respected and honored by utilization and cycling it back into the system to nourish and invigorate the system. Even weeds pulled should be handled in a way that cycles their energy back to the soil. Ethics requires mindful and careful treatment of everything living being and resource that we touch. Sustainability requires that the cycle be closed. The healing and survival of all life on this planet requires that all of the energy and resources keep moving throughout the web of life.

And for a little bit more

Events

September 1 - Labor Day US

September 7 - Full Moon

September 8 - Star Trek Day

September 16 - Mexican Independence Day

September 17 - Constitution Day

September 21 - World Gratitude Day

September 22 - Equinox, World Day of Listening, New Moon

September 22 - Next Newsletter

Thyme

Garden thyme or culinary thyme is one species of over 300 species of herbaceous and evergreen shrubs that mostly originated in the Mediterranean region. Garden thyme, Thymus vulgaris , is the species that is most often raised for flavor and medicine. I usually grow creeping thyme, Thymus serpyllum. Garden thyme is an upright plant that grows about 12 inches tall and is hardy to about -10* F (-23* C). Creeping thyme rarely grows higher than 3 inches tall but spreads as a ground cover. Creeping thyme is hardy to about -30* F (-32* C). I find creeping thyme easier to grow under my conditions.

Garden thyme and creeping thyme can be used interchangeably for most purposes. Garden thyme is a bit stronger than creeping thyme. This herb is one of my must have herbs in the kitchen and the medicine cabinet. It is incredibly easy to grow in containers. You can either bring a bit inside for the winter, or grow it in a container that you give a short chill period. I love having this fresh herb to throw into soups, rice, and tea. It is one of the herbs that blends well with almost everything. I throw a handful into savory dishes and desserts. I add a bit to fruits, drinks and salads.

If you make your own medicinal remedies, thyme is a powerhouse to have at your fingertips. It promotes healthy digestion,, aiding the digestion of fatty foods, and decreases digestive problems. It helps calm the nervous system. It is a herb that promotes heart health and reduces the probability f chronic diseases. Thyme tea and honey is one of the remedies for colds and congestion.

Thyme has a number of anti-microbial properties. This makes it a good wash for acne. A strong thyme tea has used as an antiseptic wash for skin infections and fungal infections. It has been used as a foot soak for nail fungus and athlete’s foot.

Thyme is one of nature’s medicine chests, but it should be used with caution if you have allergies, have low blood pressure, and are taking anticoagulants, and other prescription medicines.

This section is for information only and is not to be considered to be medical advice. Always consult with your medical practitioner for medical advice.

For the metaphysical properties of thyme, check this article at Manitu Okahas Studio

To download the complete plant profile go here.

The Cauldron

The cauldron is an ancient cooking tool that was designed to put over a fire to slow cook nourishing and sustaining food for the family. It was designed for cooking, serving, and easy transport. It truly is a multi-purpose tool.

It is also a tool of the sacred feminine and the wise woman. It is her vessel for making medicine for the community and exercise her power of prophecy. It is in the cauldron that she transmuted the bits and pieces that she gathered into the healing potions for community.

The cauldron represents magic and healing, the sacred mysteries, and alchemy, wisdom, and ancient knowledge.

Some see the cauldron as a metaphor for the human vessel and the ability f the person to transmute energy into healing and intention. What are you simmering in your cauldron today.

And I'm Not The Only One

Here are a couple of places to find more information.

The first gardening book that I ever purchased was Vegetable and Herb Gardening by Consumer Guide. This is a 1980’s classic that has been my first stop gardening reference for 40 years. My copy is yellowed and brittle and I still turn to it as my guide. If you can find it, it is worth seeking it out.

Coming September 1

Delectable Tiny Gardens is opening September 1. This is a new Skool community centered around learning how to grow food and herbs in tiny space. Save this link. Check it out! Starting in September, Let’s all work together to build food resiliency for everyone. Come Check it out!