Choosing Your Allies

 “Study how water flows in a valley stream, smoothly and freely between the rocks. Also learn from holy books and wise people. Everything - even mountains, rivers, plants and trees - should be your teacher.”
- Morihei Ueshiba

“A woman is like a tea bag - you can't tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” 
- Eleanor Roosevelt

This common Mullein plant is helpful for lung ailments.

So even in our own backyard or neighborhood we can find healing plants. For example, I found the above Mullein plant right outside of my studio complex. I have often taken Mullein when I have a cough or respiratory ailment – I find it to be a very effective herb for healing the lungs. What plants grow outside in your yard? Can you identify what they are? Here a is neat link to 10 common ‘weeds’ that have healing properties. In fact, chickweed grows abundant in the area where I live and it makes the most scrumptious pesto – with pine nuts, garlic and Parmesan -- delish! It’s also excellent for cleansing the liver.

As we get to know plants more, and their healing properties, we may feel called to create some personal plant allies. Some of my current herbal allies are Nettle, Tulsi, and Schisandra. Nettle is great for my seasonal allergies, Tulsi gives me energy and relieves stress at the same time, and Schisandra helps give me focus and a subtle energy boost. Through our intuition and by using our senses, we can connect to certain plants and create allies with them. Our sense of smell and taste often gives us clues as to which herbs are best for us. The same goes when smelling essential oils. Many herbalists feel it is helpful to take an herb for an extended period of time to gain the long term benefits. Rose is my longest and truest love in the plant world so therefore I adore taking Rose in all its forms, from the tea to the essential oil, and even the Rose flower essence. Rose to me represents opening the heart to divine love and compassion. Whenever I smell a rose I experience a little wave of joy.

Write:

So I would like to know, which plants, or flowers and herbs are calling to you? If you are unsure, go visit a health food store and smell the essential oils and bulk teas. Use your intuition too. Your senses can guide your way. When you have chosen a few, whether its based on their healing properties or senses alone, develop a relationship with that plant and take it in tea or tincture form, as well as using the essential oil if it exists. Write about that plant (or plants) in your journal and any experiences related to it, such as why it called to you and how your senses respond to it. You can also accompany your writings with little sketches of the plant if you would like. When you begin to notice shifts from taking that herbal medicine, describe those as well.

Here is a little illustration I did of Schisandra, using my India inks and gel pens.

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Also, please continue to share your inspirations, process, self-portraits of yourself, photos from your day, paintings, journal entires, drawings of plants around you, or just where you are right now in our Facebook group. I look forward to seeing more of you and your world, as I know we all do. Blessings to you on this uniquely exquisite and abundant day.