8 major plant families

Below's a list of 8 major plant families, and some foods/ medicines that I eat/ use from that family. 

(8 major plant families, as listed from Tom Elpel's book, "Botany in a Day.") 

Brassicaceae:

The foothills are covered with little flowering Brassicas. They are typically the first plants to come up in the spring, and I love eating, photographing, watching, and touching them. I counted about 6 different species. I've only keyed one out thus far, a little "Blue Skeleton Mustard" (we named it), Schoenocrambe linearifolia. Every time I go hiking, I snack on mustards. I like their spicy, heating, digestive stimulant taste and effects. I feel like they clear my nasal passages and wintery digestive stagnation. I will sometimes put these little wild mustards into my sandwiches, or make pesto out of them. I particularly like their flowers and leaves. The seeds are more difficult to collect in a bug-free fashion, and are more bitter.I like to eat mustards, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and other Brassica plants regularly in my diet. I also use mustard seeds as a spice in my cooking, and pickling. 

Apiaceae: 

Water Hemlock (Conium maculatum) was one of the first plants that I saw peeking out of the snow, near the end of winter. It was in the foothills, and I was running down the trail. I noticed neon green under the bushes, and screeched to a halt. Bending down low, I noticed what looked like a mat of green under a hip-high tangle of dried branches. It was this plant! I thought about it, and realized that I use quite a bit of Apiaceaes for medicine, but rarely for food. I can't think of any trail-side Apiaceae nibbles that I enjoy, besides occasionally partaking of a small yarrow nibble (Achillea millefolium- cultivars are flowering; wild ones are not) , but only for its energetic quality, and because I like the taste. I would never eat it plentifully, or make a pesto of it, as I would with a Brassica. I do however, adore carrots, celery, and Daikon radish. Some Apiaceae medicines that I enjoy include Osha, Yarrow, and Fennel. Lomatium orientalis is another Apiaceae that's come up, right now. 

 

Asteraceae: 

I just wrote a mini-monograph about Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), one of the first plants that I ever keyed out (with 7song). I've been eating dandelion leaf and flower salad, made pesto and saurkraut, stir-fry and eat it, and drink tea. Some of my well-loved Asteraceae medicines include Dandelion, Chamomile, Calendula, Boneset, Mugwort, and Echinacea. I've been watching the various Artemesia spp. plants growing around us. I like to nibble on them sometimes, but mostly just enjoy their aroma. We have A. ludoviciana and A. frigida in the foothills and mountains around Boulder, CO. I imagine A. tridentata must be lurking around, too. 

Rosaceae: 

Rose petal wine made my mom (organic roses in their front yard) is my liquor of choice. I also regularly ingest rose hip preserves, rose honey, and rose sugar from last year's bumper crop harvest from 7song's garden. Roses (Rosa spp.) are one of my favorite plants. I regularly ingest apples, pears, almonds, and more Rosaceae plants. Wild Plum  (Prunus virginiana), Chokecherry (Prunus americanus), and Hawthorne (Crataegus rivularis) have little white aromatic flowers that have taken over the hill and roadsides, this spring. Some Rosaceae medicines I use include Rose, Cherry bark, and Hawthorne flowers and berries. 

Fabaceae: 

I'm a vegetarian, so most of my protein comes from Fabaceae plants such as Garbanzo beans, Lentils, and other Beans of all colors (and seeds, too... but they are not Fabaceae's.) I can't think of any wild Fabaceae's that I like to eat, besides Clover (Trifolium pratense). Fabaceae Medicines I use include Clover, Astragalus, and Licorice. We have a variety of wild Astragalus spp. growing, now. 

Poaceae: 

I grew up eating white rice, indicative of a rich ancestral history of farming rice on paddy fields, and hearty meals with a quick carb fix. Rice is certainly a Chinese food staple, and a staple for most of the world. As my parents became more health conscious, they started mixing other grains into their rice. This included brown rice, barley, millet, and more. I now eat a lot of quinoa. I don't know much about Poacaeae differentials, but am excited to learn about them from my friend Caleb, who just took a "grass class," and learned to key out various grasses. I remember living in a bamboo tree house above a little stream in Thailand (it's a huge Poaceae plant!), and admiring all the things you could do with bamboo all around Asia, especially savoring digging it up that morning, then eating it that night in a bamboo bowl. Wild oats (Avena sativa) is a beloved Poaceae medicine that I often use. 

Liliaceae: 

Leucocrinum montanum (Sand Lily) grows in little patches around the foothills. I would eat Daylilies in Connecticut and growing up in California. Those are beautiful in salads, and are used in traditional Chinese cooking with soups and stir-fries. I don't eat many Liliaceae plants in my diet, or use them much in my medicine. I find them beautiful though, and just made a flower essence from the Sand Lily. 

Lamiaceae: 

Lamiaceae plants are easily identifiable, and readily available with their aromatic scent, and usually tingly warming-cooling taste sensation. Catnip (Nepeta), Motherwort (Leonurus), Sage (Salvia) and Heal-All (Prunella) are all growing in the garden right now. Some of those grow wild in the foothills, too. I am excited to see Monarda spp. (Bee Balm) growing near the water. I like to ingest Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum) as a tea, tincture, and honey (from 7song's garden last year). It's one of my favorite medicines. I also burn a little White sage (Salvia apiana) from my childhood mountains daily, as an incense. 

Dreams

“When each child is born, a morning star rises and sings to the Universe who we are... we are our Grandfathers’ prayers... we are our Grandmothers’ dreaming.. we are the voice of our Ancestors... we are the Spirit of Love.” (song from Sweet Honey in the Rock)

---

Each human is a seed capsule. Each seed holds all the stories, songs, dreams, and genetic material of all of the previous seeds that came before, and all of the future seeds that will come after. What magic, what beauty!

Enough of the cliche conversation-starters of, “So, where do you work? Where do you live?” I prefer to start off conversations with, “What are your dreams like?” That opens up whole new worlds of discovery. “Dreams” can be interpreted in a variety of ways: night dreams, day dreams, life dreams, and more. What do you mean when you think, talk, write about your dreams? What do I mean?

It’s all interconnected. All of our dreams are interwoven together, encapsulated within the seeds of our being. I will discuss our nights dreams in this article, for each night, filled with dreams, is an exploration of our inner landscape and outer life experiences. What is your relationship with your dreams?

I give a gratitude prayer before sleep, quickly debriefing my day, rose-thorn-bud style: my favorite “rosy” parts of the day, my most challenging “thorny” parts of the day, and the “budding” lessons and projects that will carry on into the next day. I then ask for a dream: perhaps I have a question that needs answering, or I just want a clear night with sweet dreams. Whatever it is, I send out that prayer, place my journal within arm’s reach, and go to sleep.

I write down my dreams first thing in the morning, when I wake up. If I don’t write them down immediately, then my thoughts and plans for the day infiltrate my mind, and quickly dissipate my misty dream-scapes. When I write down my dreams, not only does it help me remember them, but it also allows me to access their stories and teachings far into the future.

I open up my journal; the organization is clear. I can find what I am looking for easily, and it only gets better with time, as my journaling techniques evolve. I write my daily journal-entries from top to bottom, holding the book right side up. When I input my dreams, I turn my book clockwise to the write, and write on the side wall of the page. Skimming through the book, I can easily access day-musings or night-dreamings. I underline dream messages and other important points, while writing. My eyes are easily drawn to the underlined words and statements; years of journaling and two buckets of books are thus naturally organized into understandable volumes. (Oh, and a final touch: when I am in a bad mood, I flip my book upside down, and write from there.)

I used to write down every detail that I could remember from my dreams. This was back when I was unemployed and living in the forest. I’d spend 1-2 hours every morning writing down, reviewing, and contemplating my dreams. I don’t have that kind of luxurious time, anymore. And, after so many years of cultivating a relationship with my dreams, I can grasp their messages easier, too. Instead of strenuously detailing your dreams, it’s most important to paint broad brush strokes. I write down my dreams stream-of-consciousness style. The most important elements will usually rise to the top. Write those down, before you forget them. You can fill in the details later, if you wish. Focus on the emotional content of your dream, and note the general progression of feelings as you move through the dream. This emotions-sequence, and whatever else calls your attention, is the most important part of your dream to remember.

When do you feel these emotions in your life? What parallels can you draw between your waking existence and your dreaming reality?

Sometimes, it’s helpful to title the dream, so that you can condense the entire experience into just a few words, which also makes it easier to reference in the future. Dream messages can usually be condensed into one simple statement, which I usually underline in my journal, and use as a tracking reference. Tamarack Song calls this the Dream Message.

The best way to remember, process, and come to relationship with dreams is in sharing with a partner. At the Teaching Drum Outdoor School in WI, we shared our dream messages together every morning, as a group. Tamarack taught us to focus on the sequence of feelings through the dream, especially noting any sudden change of emotional content at the end of the dream. The Dream Message usually lies there.

How do my dreams intersect with my day to day reality? There are different kinds of dreams: day-on-repeat dreams, Message-bearing dreams, Prophetic Dreams, and more. Day-on-repeat dreams tend to be an inane repetition of what I’ve been thinking throughout the day; Message-bearing dreams are meaningful; Prophetic dreams are futuristic. I don’t find day-on-repeat dreams so useful. They feel like mental chatter, like my day has not finished, and I am not fully resting. This is partly why I debrief my day before resting, so that I can release it, and progress forward into more interesting and useful dreams. Prophetic dreams tell me something about the future. I don’t get these too often in a literal sense. I mostly get Message-bearing dreams which, according to Tamarack, form the bulk of most of the Dreams that we receive.

Dreams speak through symbols. Dream symbols are personal. Ditch the dream interpretation books. They can help get you started with ideas of which direction to take things, but oftentimes get confusing, and are subject to individual interpretation. There are some symbols and archetypes that are universal, but I like to cultivate a personal relationship with my dreams, and deeply consider my own relationship with the people, places, plants, objects, and other elements that arise in my dreams.

Dreams are rarely literal. Characters in dreams are all symbols and pieces of your self. Sometimes characters are literal, but they are usually just manifestations of yourself. What does this person mean to you in your life? What do they represent to you? What part of you are they playing in the dream?

I enjoy experimenting with my dreams. I sometimes try ingesting a plant medicine, usually a flower essence, several nights in a row right before sleep, to see how it affects my dreams. Or, if there is something that I am working on that a plant medicine can support in a physical, emotional, energetic (or all of that) fashion, then I will ingest that plant before sleep. Plants may be ingested in a variety of forms, which vary from plant to plant. I generally like to take energetic doses (minute amounts) of my dream plant medicines, lightly burn the plant as an incense, or even just place the plant near my bedside or under my pillow.

If there is a topic that you’d specifically like to explore, you can welcome them into your dream world. If you hold a thought, person, or question strongly in your mind before going to sleep or during the falling asleep process, then you can usually dream about that. When I have questions, I will usually journal stream-of-consciously right before bed, make a prayer to ask for help, then fall asleep while holding that question in my mind.

I enjoy lucid dreaming, but usually prefer to just let my dreams take me where I need to go. If I am lucid dreaming though, then I take it as an opportunity to direct my journey, instead of being drawn on my journey. There are various ways of inducing lucid dreaming, but I don’t do it often, and do not know enough about these techniques to write about them, as I prefer to just dream.

Sometimes, I get nightmares. I feel like there are two primary kinds of nightmares: an important message, or negative spirits. Regardless, I’ll usually wake up and smudge myself and my sleeping area with cleansing prayers, before returning to sleep. If I am sleeping in a new place, I will usually make a prayer before going to sleep, asking permission from the spirits of the area to sleep there, and giving gratitude to my own protective spirits for joining me on the journey. This usually helps deter negative spirits. If negative spirit induced dreams still arise, then I usually just politely ask them to leave, and stand my ground. I understand that this is my body, and I am living inside. With both feet down and both eyes politely yet firmly engaged, I do not allow negative spirits to enter.

Most nightmares bear important messages, rather than negative spirits. Tamarack said that if we do not listen to repeated Dream messages, and something is very important, then sometimes a louder message--- but the same message--- may come in the form of a “nightmare.” It’s basically a wake-up call, an alarm call to pay attention to something that we are not noticing, or avoiding. And then, you work with the nightmare like with any other dream. Pay attention, note the emotional content, and listen to the message: take action in your life, as indicated.

Accessing dreams accesses the deepest part of ourselves that often goes unnoticed, unheard, slowly dying in the stinking shell of our unprocessed emotions and untended body temples. Eat fresh local food that you have a relationship with, exercise in ways that give you pleasure and light up your body, live a life that illuminates your highest gifts and is of utmost benefit to the global community, sleep with the satisfaction of having lived another magical and meaningful day, and dream dreams solid, ethereal, beautiful, powerful, and filled with Medicine. May you dive deeply, and connect as fully with your dreams as you do with all the other parts of yourself, and the world around you!

Boulder dance

I compiled this below list of regular dance events around Boulder, CO as a reference for a friend who recently moved to the area. Hope it's useful, if you live in or visit this area! 

Weekly

 dance schedule

(as of May 2014) 

WEDNESDAY- conscious dance 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ConsciousDanceBoulder/

THURSDAY- rhythm sanctuary 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/44591474049/

FRIDAY- 1rst and 3rd friday= contact improv jam

https://www.facebook.com/groups/boulderci/

2nd and 4th friday= dances of universal peace

http://www.dup-co.com/danceinfo/index.html

SATURDAY- ecstatic dance 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/ecstaticdanceboulder/

SUNDAY- contact improv lab 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/47278213491/

Giraud preparations: Physical training

I almost died in 2006. I had a climbing accident from near the summit of Giraud Peak, plummeting 30 feet through the air, and rolling another 300 feet down... to a whole new life.

I was lucky to wake up again, after losing consciousness from the fall. I was helicoptered away with relatively meager injuries: 2 broken wrists, a broken skull, the left side of my face ripped off, and scratches and bruises all over my body.

Spurred by my close-to-death experience, I decided to live life to the fullest. To me, that meant travel. I’ve been traveling now, for most of the past eight years. I started off this journey unsure of what I was doing. Now, I understand that I was (and still am) seeking answers: who am I? Why am I here? What is my place in this world?

Questions lead to answers, which just lead to more questions. I feel blessed to Quest, and am returning to Giraud again this August... but this time, to safely summit. It’s time to wrap up this circle, and continue onto the next chapter of my life.

I just committed to this journey a few days ago, and am further committing to a physical training regime, to prepare. Mind, body, heart, and spirit are all interconnected. Nature and physicality are my favorite ways to connect with the Divine. Besides preparing my body for returning to Giraud, the physical training thus also engages my entire being.

My physical training is primarily inspired and informed by my friend and teacher, Josh. My other teacher, Lisa, suggested that I share my journey on my blog, as it may be interesting for many, and helpful for people considering starting physical training for mountaineering.

~

My starting point:

I have strong legs, but a weak core. My upper body strength has not been restored yet, after 2 wrist surgeries. I can climb up mountains and walk all day easily, but run out of breath quickly when I run.

My goals:

I want to increase my lung capacity, to hike with ease at high altitude. I want to increase general body strength, balance, and grace. I want to restore strength and flexibility to my wrists, and strengthen my core muscles.

My daily regimen:

I’m jogging for 10 minutes every morning (pre- breakfast) and night (pre- dinner). I’m sprinting until I can no longer keep up my breath, then jogging at a steady pace for the whole 10 minutes, with my breath at the place where it’s not quite comfortable, but manageable. I am pushing myself. After the run, I practice sun salutations then longer stretches, to cool down and lengthen out. My post-run yoga routine lasts anywhere from 10-60 minutes, depending on the day. I’d like to equalize it to about 20-30 minutes of a solid asana routine, for efficiency.

Sometime during the day, I’m doing 10 minutes of posting (basically a meditative held squat, from chi-gong fundamentals) and at least 30 calf-raises (whenever I am just standing around, I go up and down on my toes, or practice standing with one leg lifted, for more subtle balance exercises). I try to integrate these exercises into my life, such as squatting or doing calf-raises while brushing my teeth

I still need to figure out how to add lunges with weights and box jumps into my daily schedule.

At night, I practice just 3 yoga asanas right before sleep: I hold plank position (dandasana) sometimes with variations, do boat position (navasana) crunches, hold bridge position (setu bandasana) with variations, then crawl off to sleep.

My weekly regimen:

I’m hiking a larger mountain (day hike) once a week. I’m also doing 10 minutes of interval sprints once a week, where I go as far and fast as I can go, rest for 1-2 minutes, then do it again.

I might also start fasting once a week, for a little spring cleanse, and to prepare my body for 4 days of fasting, come August.

~

Tonight, after I described the current state of my upper body strength and physical training goals, my dad asked, “So you are working to make your wrists normal?” I replied, “No. I want to make my wrists better than normal. I want my body to be better than normal. My wrists will be stronger than ever before. My body, too.” That is my intention with this training, in preparation to summit a mountain that I fell from, which has sculpted a lot of my life, and who I am ready to renew my relationship with, in a new, respectful, and powerful way.

Tao and the Art of Hitchhiking

First, patience. Most cars drive by. Most drivers don’t give eye contact, or they look away, or even shake their head. Get over your ego. Get over your sadness, disappointment in humanity, and exhaustion. Reconnect with your inner peace, and enjoy the journey. You’re walking. Maybe you’ll walk just for a few minutes. Maybe you’ll walk for an hour or more. Maybe you’ll (my favorite) just sit there and read or write, stopping to stick your thumb out at each passing car (I do this on slow roads).

A car finally stops. Check out the driver. What’s your instinctual reaction? Trust that. Trust your intuition, your gut reaction, your innate primal knowing. And if you can’t trust that, then it’s over. Go home. Walk home. Don’t catch that ride, or any other ride, to boot. Your instincts will tell you all about this person. Hone your instincts by breaking physical patterns: write with your opposite hand. Take a different route home. Watch people in social situations and make guesses about them, then go meet them. And for hitchhiking: your instincts will potentially save or destroy you. Listen.

Be aware. Use your senses. Notice what’s in the car, besides the person. Are there beer cans strewn around? Does it smell like alcohol? Are there pornographic magazines? Any other potential red flags? How about positive red flags? Notice small details, and respond accordingly.

As ye putteth forth, so shall ye receive. Many people will try to frighten you with all the dangers of hitchhiking, and stories of terror, mutilation, molestation, and even death. I usually ask folks to withhold their gory details. I am aware of the risks. I am also aware of all of the less reported/ media-touted stories of all of the beautiful connections made via hitchhiking, getting where one needs to go, and making friends and having adventures along the way. Sometimes, shit happens. And this is a part of life. But, it’s rare. And, you get to choose a lot of your path. In a huge way, you write your own story. I am a believer of manifestation: that if I put forth fearful energy, then I will receive that in turn. If I put forth loving and bright energy, then I will receive that in turn. Watch what you exude. I pray before and during hitchhiking for smooth, easy, and quick rides and awesome new friends. I also carry pepper spray and a knife, that I know how to use, if I must.

Be prepared. Be prepared to say yes, no, or even maybe. Ask for what you want and need, and don’t be afraid to say, “No thanks” or shout a “YES!” with a huge grin and jump right in. Be self-assertive. Stick your thumb out. Wave it around. Be bombastic. Make signs that make people laugh. Make eye contact with drivers. Ask for what you want. Say “yes” when you mean it. Say “no” as often and and with as much honesty and ferocity as you must, too. Be clear in your communication. And always remember to say “thank you,” from your heart. I like to bring little gifts for my rides.

Often, there is no financial exchange. Your presence and your conversation are the gift. A good hitchhiker doubles as a psychotherapist and temporary best friend. It’s amazing clinician training. Ask clear questions that are directive, and make the best use of your time with your driver. Forget your assumptions and judgments, and just be present and open to your driver’s ways of thinking and being, which may be radically different from your own. Explore different world views, and your own relationship with such. Establish quick connections. Listen. Be present, and supportive. Offer your own diverse world-views, when appropriate to do so. Open mental and emotional doors of perception.

Enjoy your journey. You’ll make it to your destination... eventually. Maybe something new and better will come along the way, and your destination changes. Enjoy that, too. Create manageable goals, and be open to shifts and changes. Be self-sufficient. Carry what you need, and always be ready to jump, run, or dive as needed. Scream when you must. Make yourself heard. As a hitchhiker and traveler, let yourself be your driver’s story of the day. Turn heads. Create excitement, something out of the ordinary. Notice what your driver needs, and respond to that. If you must be weird and stand out, then let it be incredible. And don’t forget to take rest, as needed. I rarely sleep when I am riding with a stranger, but easily find comfortable natural roadside nooks to nap in, as needed. Listen to your body. Be aware of your needs, and what you accept from strangers. Be humble. Don’t impose your world-views on anyone, or try to change anyone. Allow your curiosity and sense of possibility to expand with each person that you meet, each ride that you accept, each new road that you set foot upon. Be bold. Then, be bolder. Take calculated risks, open doors you never even knew were doors, and stick that thumb out, tossing your head back and laughing into the winds that blow across the open roads.

~~~

(The pre-story):

“How do you hitchhike?” I asked my friend Tank, eight years ago. It was my final year of college, and my understanding of the world was finally cracking open. “Well, you just stick out your thumb,” said Tank. A brief pause. “That’s it?” I’m incredulous. “...And you wait. And then, you get picked up. That’s it.”

I hitch-hiked for the first time in Hawaii, right after college. My first day in Hawaii, I went hiking up the first trail that I encountered, and got myself lost in the beauty. I descended the mountain right after sunset, sprinting out of the clacking bamboo stands, reaching the trail-head right after dark, far from home, and too late to catch a bus. Much to my own surprise, I stuck out my thumb at the first passing car. And, it stopped. Three people my age sat inside, music blasting. I climbed in.

Eight years later, I am traveling less and staying put more, but am still traveling more often than not. But, my self-understanding has changed. Instead of being a perpetual gypsy and thinking of myself as only ever being nomadic, I am now actively seeking a home: a piece of land to make beautiful, call home and love and be loved by my community.

Hitchhiking through a lonely section of southwestern New Mexico last week, I sat under the hot sun with my sunglasses, hat, and body fully covered. Sweating and uncomfortable while feeling wildly happy and free, I stared deeply into the eyes of the dusty road, and examined myself. “Tao and the Art of Hitchhiking” came to mind. How can I feel such physical discomfort, yet simultaneously feel such joy inside? And, why am I--- almost 30, now--- still hitchhiking?

I just got a car, after 7 years of living without one. I’ve been walking, biking, hitchhiking, bussing, training, flying, and catching rides with friends, strangers, and acquaintances of all stripes, for almost a decade. Not having a car forced me to fully utilize my resources, ask for help, develop self-reliance, and be okay with not being able to do everything or go everywhere that I wanted. Last year, while apprenticing with herbalist 7song, I lived in the forest outside of town. Wild-crafting on a bicycle in a hilly environment where everything is far from each other was difficult. Always asking friends for rides--- who would often have to come out of their way to pick me up in the boonies--- was difficult. Not being able to have a job, because I couldn’t pack my schedule as tightly without a car, was also difficult. This year, transitioning back into living in “civilization,” I have finally conceded to having a car again. Now, I am juggling a variety of part time jobs, school, and play. Life is a crazy whirlwind, and part of that is because I have a car, and am able to pack activities back to back, driving from one actvity to another. I often double-take while driving, at just how easy it is: I can just pick up and go. No need to ask anyone for anything, book tickets, or even stick out my thumb and wait.

Now that you understand my backdrop, perhaps you can also understand why I chose to take the bus down to southern New Mexico. Driving long-distance is exhausting, whereas public transportation allows for reading, drawing, dreaming, and drooling as wished, instead of driving, stressing, and focusing for a whole day. However, public transportation in the USA (pathetic) doesn’t go many places. Thus, hitchhiking. Sometimes, hitchhiking is faster than public transport, as I proved in a previous experiment (blessed by the gods of luck, though). Hitchhiking hearkens back to a time of community interdependence, and getting to know and help your neighbors. Although it’s energetically exhausting, I enjoy the human connection, diversity of humans that I meet, and adrenaline rush when I get picked up. After eight years of travel, hitchhiking all over this country and a fraction of Asia, I am grateful to have a car again, amused by the familiarity of sticking my thumb out and going when I choose or must.. and hope you enjoyed this small piece of my hitchhiker’s reflections, as presented above. Onwards, intrepid adventurer! Travel forth!

~~~

(Reference manuals: inspiring hitchhiking reads):

“On the Road” and “Dharma Bums,” by Jack Kerouac

“Even Cowgirls get the Blues,” by Tom Robbins

“Into the Wild,” by Jon Krakauer

Southwest RadHerb Gathering: reflections

We started the RadHerb Gathering (in the Rincon Mountains near Tucson, AZ) by circling up and sharing our names and preferred gender pronoun: he, she, or they. It is so American: this is who I am, this is what I choose, please address me in this way. Self-affirmative and expressive, individualistic and proud. Almost a celebration of the weird and underrepresented. Imagine a gathering of about 200 black-clothed, kind-hearted, bad-assed, people in a desert forest, sitting in circles discussing various aspects of herbal medicine, health-care, and life itself. Welcome to RadHerb.

I appreciate the grassroots nature of this event, and the inspiration that I received from hanging out with like-minded new friends in a natural environment for 3 nights. I was inspired by the format of the event in general. Everyone is welcome to teach. Classes are primarily taught by peers. There is a feeling of empowerment in sharing what you know, with a supportive community. Classes were offered in 1.5 hour segments, from 10-11:30, then lunch, then 1-2:30, 3-4:30, dinner, and evening discussions. The second night, we had a Talent Show. The final day, there was a trade circle.

The “schedule of events” was a blank sheet of large cardstock paper with time slots in columns. It was placed under a tree in the center of the Gathering, with rocks laid on top to keep it from flying away, and permanent markers placed next to it. At the initial gathering circle, people were encouraged to sign up to teach classes on this sheet, and given a basic introduction to where things are. There were also co-creative lists for people to add to, such as a list of “Stuff I want to learn,” and “Stuff I can teach.” Classes were simultaneously offered in several places. Teaching slots were left blank, for whoever wanted to teach to just sign up for a time slot and place to teach. Somehow, all of the slots got filled up, and there were actually more classes that needed to be added onto another board!

In the main area, there was a map of the area, with camping areas, latrines, and class areas laid out. Paths were cleared from the gathering spot to four primary “classrooms,” which were shaded clearings with flat areas to sit. These “classrooms” were cleared of brush and spiky things, and demarcated with little signs. People camped where they wished. There were two main camps: one right next to the main circle, and another one further down the road. Two main “outhouses” were dug: long trench pits for people to poop into, piling ashes and dirt onto their feces afterwards. These pits were filled after the event. Some people also offered discussions at a “Chill Space” during lunch time. I offered yoga classes in the morning. The entire event was donation based. The donations bucket was also in the Main Area. People were encouraged to donate $10 per day, with a goal of raising $400 for the event. By the end of the event, they had made over $1000, entirely from donations. Funds for organizing the event were deducted from that total, then the remainder (most of the money) was donated to a local free clinic.

I especially enjoyed a plant walk that I went on, led by Michael Cottingham. He spent about 20 minutes discussing each plant that we stopped to focus on, on the walk. We discussed Oak, Datura, Prickly Pear, Red Dock, Yerba Manza, and Silk Tassel. He discussed traditional and modern uses, and lore of each plant. We would taste, touch, and sit with the plant. I asked him about his teaching style, after our Silk Tassel talk. He explained that the energetic interconnection of us ingesting, sitting with, and discussing Silk Tassel--- all while sitting under the tree--- energetically imprinted the memory of that plant with us. As he sat with and spoke about the plant while in a group setting, more information would flow through his mind, directly from Source, the plant Spirit itself. The plant is actually involved in the discussion of its properties, rather than just us talking about it. He inspires me to spend more time with the plants that I am studying, and leading more plant walks in the future. (I still haven’t led a formal plant walk with adults yet, though I often do it with youth... with much gusto!)

Michael gave a 1.5 hour talk on Yerba Manza, which was one of the first classes that I went to. He brought a potted Yerba Manza plant that he was propogating/ caretaking, Yerba Manza hydrosol, essential oil, infusion, and tincture. We tried all of these medicines, passing them around the circle while he talked ad nauseum about the various uses and lore of this plant. I appreciate the attention to just one plant, while directly experiencing and getting to know the plant. Inspiring!

Another class that I especially enjoyed was “Desert Plants Attunement,” with Mimi Kamp. The format of this class was very simple, yet profound. It is helpful for those who are new to flower essences, and for using flower essences for a group experience, sharing, and discussion. I may try a similar teaching format in the future, perhaps with flower essences, but more likely for experiencing various other plant medicine and/ or food preparations. We sat in a circle, created sacred space in a quick way, then proceeded to pass around a bottle of Desert Essence that Mimi made. Each person took a few drops, then either sat, laid down, or went elsewhere to lie down. We experienced each Medicine for about 5 minutes solo, then reconvened to share our experiences. After the group shared, Mimi told us about the plant and its uses: the plant’s growing conditions and ways, how the Essence is traditionally used, and how she uses it. We tried about 5 Essences in this way, one after another. It was elucidating to see how the same Essence would affect people in similar and different ways, and compare that with Mimi’s personal and clinical experience. I appreciate the deep respect for and understanding of the Medicine that Mimi cultivates, and how she shared this love with us.

We had two large group discussions. We started off sitting in a large circle around the fire at night, with the facilitator explaining our topic of discussion: cultural appropriation in health-care. Then, we numbered off into groups of four, and went to sit with our group. The facilitator started by giving us more personal questions to discuss, such as “What brought you to herbal medicine?” And then slowly broadening our perspective with questions like, “Where did you get your information regarding herbal medicine from? What cultural traditions?” And “What do you think about cultural appropriation in herbal medicine? Do you hear discussion of these things within your community?” And other questions. We held discussions within our small groups. Large group sharings were briefly held between each question. I enjoyed getting to know my group better, through these discussions, and hearing each person’s voice, and diverse perspectives. We concluded with a large group discussion of what our individual groups had discussed. I like that we explored from the personal to the global viewpoint, and everyone got to share their experiences in a very welcoming fashion. The questions were well asked, well organized, and well timed. I feel like these kinds of questions are often considered, but rarely discussed in a group setting. And, they are important questions. On the last day, we had a panel group discussion (mostly experienced teachers speaking) about wild-crafting ethics.

My friend and fellow student Kat Shaw and I co-taught an Herbal First Aid class at this gathering. It was both of our first times teaching adults herbalism, outside of a classroom setting with peers. It was scary, exciting, and fulfilling. I prefer to prepare better before teaching (we winged it, inspired by others’ classes, and a desire to share), but enjoyed sharing what I know, and learning even more than what I can share. Teaching is truly the greatest form of learning. Our students came away with a practical and broad understanding of the use of herbs in first aid situations, but more importantly, an understanding of the first aid mindset, how to mentally and attitudinally approach first aid situations.

Herbal medicine is people’s medicine. I like that herbalism was made accessible, and teaching (even by new or less experienced teachers) was encouraged in this Gathering. Inspired from this Gathering, I am starting weekly herbal skill-shares during school lunches. In the future, I would like to create a similar Herb Gathering wherever I live long-term: an informal gathering with an open invitation to teach what you know and discuss what you’d like to know, for learning, sharing, and growing together as a community. Welcoming classes, discussions, plant walks, and more... Community herbalism. Grassroots herbalism. Hands-on, experiential, people’s-medicine, take-it-into-your-own-hands, get-dirty herbalism. Yes, yes, yes!!! 

(See http://radherbsw.wordpress.com/ for more info about the Southwestern RadHerb Gathering) 

Urtica dioica (Nettles)

Urtica dioica (Urticaceae) Nettles

Vitalist Actions and Energetics:

Cool/ Warm and Dry, Vital Stimulant, Astringent/ Tonic

Clinical Actions:

alterative, nutritive, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, tonic, astringent, anti-arthritic, anti-allergenic

Leaf: tonic, galactagogue, anti-anaemic, anti-scorbutic, kidney ally, lithotriptic, anti-purine, antiseptic, anti-diabetic, anti-rheumatic, pectoral, expectorant, epi-spastic

Common Forms and Dosages:

Tincture: 1:2 95% fresh root, 1 tsp twice a day. Tincture 1:2 95% fresh leaf for allergies, take symptomatically, 30-60 gtts as needed. (from 7song/ Michael Moore ratios)

Infusion: 28 g herb to 100 mL water, standard infusion- drink daily, as a tonic

Poultice: fresh herb macerated, placed on skin as a bandage for septic wounds. Topical “flogging” as anodyne.

Capsules:for heavy menstruation, take 100 mg capsule 3 times a day

Seeds: 1/4 tsp daily, as nutritive food

Primary Uses:

Infusion: nutritive tonic, mild diuretic, nourish kidneys and adrenals, hair wash, skin cleanser (through diuretic action and general nourishment). Better as a nutritive tonic infusion, than through daily tinctures. More nutrients come out through water.

Root tincture: for enlarged prostrate (BPH), astringent. Increases urinary flow and volume, while decreasing frequency of urination and residual urine.

Leaf tincture: anti-allergenic.

Topical application: anodyne. Flog painful area with nettles leaves.

Seeds: vitamin-packed food.

Constituents:

Leaf: flavanoids, minerals (potassium, silicic acid, calcium), coumarins, phenolic acis (cholorogenic acid, etc), phytoestrols (5-sterols), biogenic amines (histamine, acetylcholine, seotonin), chlorophylls, carotenoids, etc.

Root: phytoestrols, coumarins, lignans, a lectin, polysaccharides, tripertines, minerals, ceramides

Cautions and Contraindications:

The diuretic effect may be contraindicated for obstructive urinary stones, edema due to impaired heart or kidney function and kidney inflammations.

Personal Experience

Pulse: Nettles leaf glycerite did not affect my pulse.

Nettles root tincture did not affect my pulse.

Nettles leaf infusion quickened my pulse a little bit.

Circulation: Nettles leaf glycerite did not affect my circulation. I felt a little cooler after taking it.

Nettles root tincture did not affect my circulation. I felt slightly warmer after taking it, perhaps due to the alcohol.

Nettles leaf infusion increased my body temperature a little bit.

Mucous Membranes: Nettles leaf glycerite caused salivation.

Nettles root tincture caused my mouth to feel drier after taking it.

Nettles leaf infusion tried out my mouth and throat, and even down into my belly. It causes me to pee more often than usual.

Specific Body Area Influenced: Nettles leaf glycerite affected my GI system.

Nettles root tincture traveled to my lower GI.

Nettles leaf infusion made me feel grounded and relaxed.

Movement: Nettles leaf glycerite stuck in my throat, causing an initial nauseous feeling, a tightening in my gut.

I then started to salivate, and feel the release of digestive juices.

Nettles root tincture travels downwards.

Nettles leaf infusion travels downward, rooting me down into the Earth.

Other forms taken:

- Nettles gomasio: sprinkled it on food. Basically powdered everything: nettles, seaweed, roasted sesame seeds, salt, and your personal preferred spice blend combo. Tastes nourishing and delicious. Would be a great way to get it into the diet of future clients, and fun/easy cooking project to engage with kids, or beginner wild-crafters.

- In the past, I eat a lot of nettles during nettles season. I blanch it, then season it with some tamari and sesame oil (the usual Chinese type seasoning). Nourishing, delicious. Love that nettles is also a great food herb, awareness teacher, and abundant where it doth grow. Oh, and did I mention gorgeous? GORGEOUS.

- Nettles lasagna. (Recipe from my first teacher, Lucy)

- Nettles vinegar. Great way to pull out minerals. This spring, I plan to make a nettles salad dressing, based off a Gladstar recipe: layer fresh young nettles leaves in a glass jar, then cover with a 1:1 vinegar:olive oil menstruum... let sit for weeks to months. Enjoy well preserved nettles, come winter! Yes!

- Nettles hair wash! 7song went for something like 6 years with only washing his hair with a 1:1 nettles: rosemary infusion. Unlike his balding brethren, his hair is still pretty luxuriant. It feels nourishing, smells divine (the earthy kind of seaweed-like divine), and makes my hair shinier and darker.

- Urtication! I love it! Do read on...

Overall Experience:

We gathered nettles at Paul Strauss’ Equinox Botanicals farm last year, during a class fieldtrip. I gathered as much nettles as I could process in the time we had. I used up all of my remaining gathering bags on nettles. We dried our nettles harvest in the greenhouse. We filled the greenhouse with nettles. The bright green color filled my eyes, and the dust from the dried plants filled my nostrils. I started off gathering nettles totally covered with clothing, even in the heat. I did not want to get stung... My first experience with nettles was not positive: I was river-tracing up a stream in Connecticut, at the place where I loved, lived, and worked. Exploring the deeper areas of the stream that I’d never been before, I encountered a painful welting on my upper body, as my lower body was submerged under water. Confused about the origin of the stinging sensation, I continued plunging through the brush, up the river. The stinging sensation got worse. I even got it on my face. Then, I realized that it was coming from the plants that I was pushing through, to go upstream. Stopping to soak my stinging limbs in the water, I carefully inspected the plant, noticing the little hairs covering its entire body... and noticing how the stream-side was lined with these plants, as was the path that I was carving through the plant undergrowth that almost canopied over me, bush-whacking upstream. Seeing land ahead, I decided to just plunge underwater and continue swimming upstream, though the water wasn’t quite deep enough. I’d do anything to avoid further stinging. Upon arriving on land, I was dismayed to discover that this bright green gorgeous but painfully stinging plant covered most of the visible landscape. I carefully picked my way across the landscape from rock to rock in my bare feet, trying my best to avoid these plants, but howling more often than not, as I accidentally stepped on their lush growth, as I walked into the forest.

Thus began my life journey with nettles. Thus explains my respect for nettles... and my fear of touching them, when I was at Paul’s farm. I harvested the nettles with some other student friends. One student was harvesting without gloves. Another student took off her gloves. One after another, as we watched each other yowl through the initial pain, then develop a tolerance for the stinging, most of us took off our gloves, and harvested nettles bare-handed. Me too. After 3 days of bare-handedly handling the nettles, I had a then-permanent tingling in my hands and wrist, and a slight swelling, some bumps. After a while, the pain almost becomes pleasurable, though. I have regular underlying pain in my wrist, due to a surgery. After all of the self-inflicted “flogging” with the fresh nettles during those few days of blissful nettles harvesting, my wrist and hand felt more alive and relaxed than it ever had, after my surgery of a year ago on that hand. Nettles! What a fantastic topical vital stimulant. And now, I am no longer afraid of touching them directly, with respect, and much gratitude.

I started drinking nettles infusion daily after an elder gave me all of Susun Weed’s books, and I devoured them all. I especially enjoyed the charismatic presentation of the plants in “Healing Wise,” and immediately started harvesting, eating, and drinking infusions of all the local edible/ medicinal weeds around me. This included nettles. I love the earthy taste, thick almost syrupy quality, and dark green color of nettles infusion. I love the daily ritual of measuring out an ounce of dried plant material overnight, making the infusion, then straining it in the morning, and drinking it. I love the satisfaction of self-care, and the feeling of luxury, ease, and empowerment from having known where my medicine came from, from having harvested it myself, and now nourishing myself with it. Nettles overnight infusion with the standard infusion ratio feels super grounding and nourishing. Although I am engaging in other dietary practices right now, I feel like the nettles has helped to regulate my daily defecation. After starting drinking daily nettles infusion (and taking some zinc and EFA’s), I am once more pooping regularly in the morning. Satisfying.

Herb Form and Dosage:

Infusion, 28 grams to 1 L hot water, daily: I found this nourishing, delicious, and mildly drying. After 2 weeks of this protocol though, I am starting to get bored of drinking the same thing everyday.

Pairs and Triplets

Urtica dioica and Arctium lappa (for skin disease- BHP)

Urtica dioica and Althaea officinalis (the dry nettles balance the moist marshmallow)

Urtica dioica and Mentha spp. (nourishing digestive relaxant)

Urtica dioica and Ocimum sanctum (more targeted toward digestive nervine qualities, with tulsi)

Formulas

Formula 1- Female Tonic tea

(from Rosemary Gladstar, p. 111)

Rubus idaeus leaf- 2 parts (5 g)

Fragaria spp. leaf- 1 part (2.5 g)

Urtica dioica leaf- 2 parts (5 g)

Mentha piperita leaf- 2 parts (5 g)

Cymbopogon spp. Leaf (Lemon grass)- 2 parts (5 g)

Mitchella repens leaf- 2 parts (5 g)

Make as an overnight standard infusion. Or, for a milder effect, add 28 g of the formula to 1 liter of water. Add herbs to cold water and bring to a simmer, then remove from heat. Allow to infuse 20 min, strain, sip throughout the day, daily. (Quantities in g of each herb, for 28 g of total herb for one dose, standard infusion). Drink daily for 2-3 months.

1 part= 2.5 g for a 28 g dose

Client Description 1

Rosemary Gladstar lists this tea under the “Mothering Years” chapter of her book. Most of the herbs in this tea are astringent, tightening the tissues. Raspberry leaf and patridgeberry target the tea to the female reproductive system. Partidgeberry is an emmanagogue, so this tea is contraindicated for pregnant women.

This tea would be helpful for someone with uterine prolapse, or too much “wetness” in their body, which may manifest as sluggish digestion, lack of tone in the skin and/or vaginal tissues, frequent cramps during menstruation, etc. I am surprised that Gladstar suggests an overnight infusion for this tea, because it contains peppermint, which becomes bitter overnight. Raspberry leaf also becomes very astringent overnight.

Raspberry and strawberry leaf contain antioxidants. They, and lemon grass, are slightly sour, stimulating digestion. Peppermint also stimulates digestion, while adding a cooling and calming effect to the tea. The strawberry is also calming, as well as a uterine tonic. Nettles leaf and patridgeberry are uterine tonics, too. Nettles are a nutritive tonic.

This tea tastes earthy yet refreshing, due to the two leading herbs, peppermint and nettles.

I would consider giving this tea (or a modified version, depending on the constitution) to someone with a combination of these symptoms: chronically painful menses, a poor diet/ digestive system, overweight, tendency towards depression, pre-menstraul discomfort, etc.

Formula 2- Blessed Liver Blend

(from Rosemary Gladstar, p. 112)

Urtica dioica leaf- 3 parts (7.5 g)

Taraxacum officinale leaf- 2 parts (5 g)

Trifolium pratens flowers- 2 parts (5 g)

Melissa officinalis leaf- 2 parts (5 g)

Medicago sativa leaf- 1 part (2.5 g)

Matricaria recutita flowers- 1 part (2.5 g)

Add 28 g of the formula to 1 liter of water. Add herbs to cold water and bring to a simmer, then remove from heat. Allow to infuse 20 min, strain, sip throughout the day, daily. (Quantities in g of each herb, for 28 g of total herb for one dose, standard infusion).

1 part= 2.5 g for a 28 g dose

Client Description 2

Clover has a mild estrogenic effect, so this formula shoulder be used with care, with clients who have estrogen receptor positive tumors.

This formula helps someone who wants to help support their liver in cleansing the body of environmental toxins and metabolic waste. For example, if someone has been taking western medicines or other chemical-laden drugs and want to simultaneously cleanse and support their system, this formula will help support detoxification (nettles and dandelion are diuretic), promote gut healing (chamomile is vulnerary), replenish the body (nettles, alfalfa, and clover are nutritive), and relax the digestive system (lemon balm and chamomile are digestive relaxants, and carminative). For a detoxing person, I would adjust the length of time to take the herb, according to how long they’ve used the chemical product for, and/or how serious their symptoms are.

I would also use this formula on an acne-prone teenager with a bad diet, for the cleansing and nutritive combinations of herbs in this formula.

Depending on the person’s constitution, I’d consider using this as a spring tonic to gently reboot the liver and digestive system. If someone was very dry constitutionally, then I’d add a demulcent herb to this formula.

Formula 3- Hepatonic Tea

(from Rosemary Gladstar, p. 82)

Rubus idaeus leaf- 2 parts (5.6 g)

Mentha piperita leaf- 2 parts (5.6 g)

Urtica dioica leaf- 1 part (2.8 g)

Medicago sativa leaf- 1 part (2.8 g)

Taraxacum officinale leaf- 1 part (2.8 g)

Glycyrrhiza glabra root- 1 part (2.8 g)

Leonorus cardiaca leaf - 1 part (2.8 g)

Cymbopogon spp. Leaf (Lemon grass)- 1 part (2.8 g)

Add 28 g of the formula to 1 liter of water. Add herbs to cold water and bring to a simmer, then remove from heat. Allow to infuse 20 min, strain, sip throughout the day, daily. (Quantities in g of each herb, for 28 g of total herb for one dose, standard infusion).

1 part= 2.8 g for a 28 g dose

Client Description 3

Gladstar recommends young women entering their moontime to drink this tea everyday, “as a tonic to help gently regulate hormones and nourish the system.” This formula targets the liver and endocrine system of young women. I would consider using this formula with someone presenting these symptoms: acne prone, irregular menstruation, painful cramping during menses, poor digestion, anxiety/ depression, and obesity.

Action Formula

Formula 1- Female Tonic tea

(from Rosemary Gladstar, p. 111)

ACTIONS	Rubus idaeus 2	Urtica dioica 2	Mentha piperita2	Cymbopogon spp. 2	Fragaria spp. 1
Energetics	Cool/ dry	Cool/ dry	Cool/ dry	Warm/ dry	Neutral/ dry
Nutritive	X	x			x
Digestive	x		x	x
Anti-infl	x	x	x		x
Astringent	x	x			x

Resources Cited

Herbal Vade Mecum, Skenderi, pg. 265- 266

Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, Chevallier, pg. 146

Planetary Herbology, Tierra, pg. 333-334

Herbal Pairs Database, Bergner, pg.

Herbal Healing for Women, Rosemary Gladstar

Actions Database (http://naimh.com/Actions/naimh-actions-database.htm)

Healing Wise, Susun Weed, pg. 165-190

Classes with 7song

NOTE and DISCLAIMER: same deal as with the Chaparral monograph. Go read that. Thanks for reading.