Turning to Plants for Healing
In times of great challenge, it’s only natural for us to seek refuge and healing in the plant world. The pandemic finds plant-medicine people in high demand. Many herb shops are overwhelmed, valiantly serving those in need, while adhering to ever stricter social distancing guidelines. Mail-order companies list many herbs as “out of stock” or “sold out” and some have been forced to temporarily close down. So it is good to know that perhaps the most potent healing comes from simply being present with the plants and trees, who have always offered their loving, healing presence and guidance to us humans, their younger siblings. In whatever way we are able, as we “shelter in place,” let’s embrace the kindly shelter of living plants: in our gardens, forests or parks (if we are fortunate enough to have access to these), in sidewalk cracks or urban trees, the little potted plants on our windowsills, or even simply in our memories and imagination.
For an exceptionally powerful and healing way to connect with the plants, Pam Montgomery is offering her first ever virtual Plant Initiation via zoom: https://www.magnanimous.com/dandelion with Dandelion, our stalwart friend who seems to find us wherever we find ourselves.
For those of us who also want to find guidance in making or procuring herbal medicine for facing the pandemic, a comprehensive list of resources can be found here: https://www.americanherbalistsguild.com/covid-19-resources?fbclid=IwAR2aZWf_a7ZLjTyx46iOcZ-z3PbVUGB1jO8vmJVExnnpz537EKncBEEa-6Y
The Botanic Wise site, https://botanicwise.teachable.com/p/covid19 offers many easily accessible video presentations by top herbalists, including talks entitled “Kitchen and Garden Remedies for Respiratory Symptoms.” which includes some helpful guidelines for easy home remedies to boost immunity and ease symptoms (note some of the herbs in the video are more exotic and found mostly in herbal apothecaries.).
Just as important as tending to our physical bodies is supporting our spiritual and emotional needs during this time of crisis. Plant essences excel here, and they require little if any harvesting of the living plants. ONE Vision Council member, Jen Frey, co-creates Spirit Essences for her company, Brigid’s Way. She has compiled a list of plant allies who have stepped forward to help us navigate through this time.
Humans and plants are intimately connected. Plants are our evolutionary ancestors. We rely on them for our food, shelter, medicine, clothing, artwork, and much more. As mentioned, our herbal world is greatly affected by the pandemic as people and herbal manufacturing companies are buying herbs at an unprecedented level. Plants are astoundingly generous and offer us their healing gifts in many forms. We once again have a choice as to the nature of our relationship with plants. We invite you to be conscious partners, only consuming the physical medicines that you need, at the minimum level needed, and being extra conscientious when consuming the root of a plant. This will allow the medicines to be shared over a broader population and more importantly, reduce the stress load on our already struggling ecosystems.
As O.N.E. Vision Council Member, Pam Montgomery, writes in her book, Plant Spirit Healing, “It is important to recognize that plants are the most (not the only but the most) accessible avenue to healing available to us and, when employed physically, emotionally, and spiritually, the healing is complete.” Remember our very breath is a gift from the plants. When in doubt, we can bring our awareness to this, breathing in the love and life-giving energy of plants and breathing out our love and gratitude for these magnanimous beings. As we do, we remember our connection to Nature, the ultimate healing experience.
