The Healing Energy of Plant Medicine

I began studying Herbalism in 2008 (if you don't count all those nature walks at Girl Scout camp as a kid), and will likely spend the rest of my life just keeping up with everything that plants have to teach us. The more I learn, the more there is to know. One thing I can verify, though: plants have so much to give, it's time they were treated with more respect.

I have completed the second-year Clinical Program and additional focused study in Five Element theory at the BotanoLogos School of Herbal Studies, based in Northeast Georgia, and attended the East-West School of Planetary Herbology, based in Santa Cruz, California. I have attended lectures, seminars, workshops and intensives at the Medicines from the Earth Symposium in Black Mountain, NC for more than 10 years.

I have also completed  Level I  at the Aromatherapy School, run by Dr. Joie Power, and a 2-day Advanced Certificate Seminar taught by Gabriel Mojay, “Harmonizing the Spirit: Five Element Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Acupoint Massage for Psychological Conditions.”

The wisdom of herbs is incorporated into all the work I do with Reiki, Reflexology, Jin Shin Jyutsu and QiGong.

What's Growing on Black Rock Mountain?

Here's a slideshow from a Georgia Forest Watch Plant Walk.

Did You Know?

Look for spring ephemerals like Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) to begin blooming usually in late March in the Southern Appalachians and piedmont. These delicate blossoms rarely last more than 3 weeks; at the first sign of heat they fade, replaced by the distinctive "puzzle piece" palmate leaf.

© Maureen 'Moe' Cairns. Used by permission.

Bloodroot is a powerful botanical - even a small amount of the root can have a profound effect. Herbalists use it in tincture form to address lung congestion and coughs, often combined with other, more demulcent (moistening) herbs such as mullein (Verbascum thapsus), plantain (Plantago spp.) or coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara). Bloodroot is considered a stimulating expectorant, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, cathartic and emetic. It is also a topical irritant so handle the roots with care!

To find out more about Patricia Kyritsi Howell's BotanoLogos School of Herbal Studies, please visit www.wildhealingherbs.com.
For more information about the East-West School of Planetary Herbology, please see www.planetherbs.com.
Information on workshops with the Aromatherapy School can be found at www.aromatherapy-school.com.
The American Herbalists Guild website is www.americanherbalistsguild.com.