Brown Bear Herbs Herbalism & Tactics for Thriving Together

This week we will be meditating on an unknown herb from Chinese Classical Medicine. If you have a subscription, the reveal date should match the date on the post: 5/1. Please meditate and share your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual observations in the comments.  A summary will appear here when I reveal the herb :) If you would like to subscribe, we'd love to have you. Check it out here.    Some areas of observation during your meditation and the day/days thereafter: -bodily changes (physical) -messages and/or phrases and their meaning to you if not the same for everyone -energetic shifts -mood/attitude changes -thoughts that arise that aren’t things you normally would think about (like you might normally be thinking about cooking dinner (so skip sharing that), but after taking the plant, you are also thinking about an old relationship and felt remorse, or forgiveness, or new awareness—share that) -images that come to mind -songs that come to mind

Trigger Warning: This post discusses violence including Intimate Partner Violence (Domestic Violence), and harm to children.    Yerba Santa, areas for further investigation: Physically: Yerba Santa for vein health. Emotionally: Recovering from miscarriage. Recovery from abuse by people who use drugs and alcohol, and/or are violent. Yerba santa for greater resilience and allyship.  This week we meditated on Yerba Santa, Eriodictyon californicum, an herb of traditional Western herbalism. This plant is native to parts of California, Oregon, and Northern Mexico. Prior to this plant meditation I already considered this herb to be one of the most powerful herbs for psychological issues, particularly in use with alcoholism and substance use disorders. I now feel it may be the strongest herb I know for use with deep psychological issues, particularly related to addiction, whether through personal experience, or being close to addicts. I look forward to others meditating with the herb and sharing their experiences.  Mouth:  Resinous and sweet. Sweeter on the second steep. Bitter then sweet and sweeter.**   Pre-Meditation: My daughter recognizes this herb instantly, because of its distinctive sweet flavor. She starts being atypically goofy. She grabs her belly and starts making it "talk" like we used to do together when she was little.   Meditation 1: Me: I see my lungs fill up with blue/green energy (the wood energy color in Chinese medicine). My lungs are full of vital energy. The energy rises to the top of my head and it shakes strongly as a reaction to the energy movement (feels like a typical kundalini response). The rest of the time I feel energy gently coursing/massaging upwards along the left side of my face. It is healing me where I need help. My daughter: This is an extensive vision that she explained her higher self had very specific instructions for her to write down and draw out and they were not to be amended in any way. I have strict instructions to not alter or change anything by interpretation. (I wasn't planning on it.) So here you have a very helpful new insight into this herb's capacity to work in relation to the impacts of substance abuse and for healing from miscarriage.  She was hearing the song "I Kill Children" by the Dead Kennedys. The intuition was to specifically draw out the illustrations below.      On the left there is one vein that eventually becomes two veins. She heard the blood pumping first and saw a straight line. This is a woman trying to have a baby. Where the vein curves out to the side, that is a pregnancy attempt. Eventually there is a successful pregnancy and childbirth, and one line becomes two. In the top center we see a mother and child (like us) they are separated from the rest of the family. In the frame below is a photo of the two of them, it is like a photograph of us we have taken in tall grass. Then it shows the two people in the photograph being separated. They are becoming individuals. It is unclear whether this is positive or negative. Then the image shifts to the "make way for pregnant people" sign from the city bus. Meditation 2:  Me: The energy is at my 6th and 7th chakras. I am having a deep meditation experience. I have a deep meditation but, I am not getting information that is more specific. I am a little distracted because there is a lot of fast pencil work happening, and usually this is silent meditation time.  My daughter: "I have a side vision that Superman is talking to Lois Lane, saying, 'Are you getting this all down?' I have to make sure I do the drawing right so everything is recorded." Second drawing: Again, in this vision, there is an arm with veins. There is the sound of blood pumping. The vein represents her life (the mother). The vein is straight. A second vein comes out from the first and comes back when there is a miscarriage. When another attempt happens the curving out of the vein below shatters like glass. Eventually there is a a child. After there was drinking there was a miscarriage. After there was drug use (represented by cigarettes) there was a miscarraige. After there was violence, she was punched in the stomach, there was a miscarriage. She wanted to kill herself or the baby, with a knife. She wanted to give up. She even believed that God did not want her to have a child. This herb helped with that. It proved God/the system wrong. She took some pills from the doctor to help her keep a pregnancy. She also took the tincture of this herb, not thinking it would help. It helped. Then she had the baby.  "I believe this herb can help healing from miscarriages. You should take it to help heal from your miscarriages."' 2007 Plant Meditation with Yerba Santa: In my early years of studying herbs through plant meditation with Scott Kloos this was one of the first ones I explored. From my old notes: Physical Use (from meditation): for a very sweet woman, a mother (but not a specific mother). She introduced images of soot (where light is absorbed completely) in the Winter. Good for cold and darkness.  Spiritual use (from meditation): To give a winter tree to the lady: "Ascension causes grounding to grow stronger and stronger." The energy pushes upwards and as it does it earths. Up and out through the crown, and then the energy comes down around the and into the earth. It is wider at the base than the top, like a tree or a mountain. The impulse is up, causing grounding. Rather than down, causing ascension. Summary & Traditional Use: This herb was traditionally a lung herb, helpful for grief, helpful for alcoholism, walled-off emotions, tuberculosis*. For "Obscure disease; brings the disease out of hiding and makes its nature more evident." (M Wood, Earthwise Herbal, New World, 147). In my previous plant meditation (from my younger days) it came through as evergreen (give the lady a winter tree). Because of this, I use it for the first cold type illness as the darkness comes (ie in the fall) it has been reliable. I also use it in the Social herbal smoking blend, for its way of addressing emotions that we deal with by using alcohol to avoid them. From Scott Kloos, this is "For people who have strength of character but problems that cancel it out". Such as when we know what is called for but cannot carry out the impulse. Often referred to as for the 'Fallen leader' or drunken leader. This person has all it takes to lead, give fabulous speeches, etc, but they will also be found drunk in their vomit. They may have forgotten their integrity. *It can help with TB, a condition where the body walls of the tissue that is infected by germs which makes it hard to treat with antibiotics, this herb helps approach difficult emotions and integrate them. Avoiding emotions is a common problem with drug and alcohol misuse.   There were several mentions in meditations to the circulatory system, as well as affirmations and good feelings, and springy/wood season (in Chinese medicine) energy. The Amah Mutsun used this herb for purification of the blood (a common historical need in the Spring, due to months of eating meat and/or preserved food). This plant was adopted into the US Pharmacopoeia by the US medical establishment by the late 1800s. It was primarily used for lung conditions but also for as a last resort treatment for hemmorhoids (a vascular issue). The hot tea improves circulation to the extremities (School of Forest Medicine). This herb is used for inflammation and wasting. Matthew Wood writes this about this herb, “The sanctity of psychic space is the internal, property, which Yerba Santa guards” source.   This seems related to the experiences illustrating miscarriages due to drug and alcohol use and violence. I did have several miscarriages (and a domestic violence situation with a person with alcoholism and substance use disorder). I notice that people who are surrounded by a certain condition may develop the energy patterns of the condition even if they don't have the problem. For example a bartender who doesn't drink or rarely drinks may have energetic symptoms similar to alcoholics, or a therapist dealing with abuse victims may develop some energy patterns of abusers, because their clients are often imprinted by energy patterns of abusers. In a different way, as a nurse I found those working with pediatric patients (even very sick ones) seemed much more youthful and to have more spirit than people working with adults with similar health problems. I believe that it is sometimes helpful to use treatments that would work for the person with the original problem on those associated with them. Because the collateral energy imbalances are not usually as deep, this often does not require an extensive connection with the herb or other tool for energetic shift/realignment. Because of this general observation and personal experiences it makes sense to me that this herb would help victims of abusers who have substance use disorders or alcoholism as well as the abuser. They both would likely be burying their emotions, one because they are overwhelmed and probably cannot process the intensity emotions while being abused/living in fear, and the other frequently using substances to check out of difficult emotions and bypass responsibility.  Trauma leading to wisdom and appreciating the sweetness of life is a common thread.  Dreams: I tended to think of the extensive miscarriage information as being about addiction paired with violence and its impact on the environment the sensitive fetus must grow in. Overnight I had two dreams about about people I know and pregnancy. One with a woman who has experienced intimate partner violence, and another being someone who had had two children successfully and was trying for a third but also had a history of abuse and very limited ability to access emotions, especially empathy. While I still think it has a lot to do with repressed emotions, in my daughter's vision the woman did not appear to be thinking at all that the negative emotional evironment and abuse were impacting the pregnancies. I will try taking yerba santa and see if it shifts things around my miscarriages. I tend not to think about them because I was able to have a child, and so it seems like part of the past that was conquered. It was a long, difficult time to live through. Anyways, because of the dreams, I think the herb would be good to experiment with taking for anyone who has experienced a miscarriage (regardless of cause). Indeed if stress is repressed, the person may not be conscious of harm they are experiencing. *Abuse risk increases during pregnancy (read more here).* Another herb that people have reported being helpful after miscarriage is mistletoe. **By the philosophy of the doctrine of signatures, by starting bitter and becoming sweeter this herb indicates the intelligence of being able to move from bitter times to sweet times, or joy and revitalization after hardship/trauma.   As always, please consult your healthcare provider before taking any herbs. Herbs consumed for the Plant Meditation Club are taken for experimental purposes only. Please join us in you are curious about learning directly from herbs (and sometimes gem essences).  Join the conversation: Have you worked with or experimented with yerba santa? What was the context of using it? What was your experience? Please share in the comments.   

The herb Ginseng, or Rénshēn (Bái) 白人參, has many traditional uses. In our plant meditation the herb felt fortifying and helpful for increasing the ability to sit with emotions—either your own or those of others. In other words, both personal resilience and allyship. Experiment with taking this herb for shorter time frames (a day, week or a couple months) to see if it helps you with your ability to ground while experiencing emotions so you can be a better ally. This herb helps lower blood sugar, so use caution or do not use if you tend towards low blood sugar. Learn about Ginseng, or Rénshēn (Bái) 白人參 in this video and check out the more detailed blog post and comments here.   Plant Meditation Club information is based on meditation not scientific research. Historical use is also discussed. These videos are intended to share about personal experimentation with herbs that are commonly used. This video is in no way intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases or conditions. If you experiment with Plant Meditation you do so at your own risk. Many of the herbs we use are used in commercially prepared teas and are easily found online, they may have contraindications or cause drug interactions.

  This week we meditated on Cyathula root, Niúxī, 川牛膝.  Mediator A: Mouth: Cooling, woody but light in flavor, sweet after steeping for a while. Feeling the throat/neck area being highlighted. Intuition: the whole neck but referring to voice primarily. Then the energy shifts to the third eye and crown chakra. Sees a golden crown on their head. Energy stays at the crown. After the second steep, the third eye feels strong, I see deep blue, the color indigo, in the third eye area.  Meditator B:  Mouth: Cooling, mushroom flavor, love the taste, want to drink much more for the flavor, the flavor was addictive. Meditation: I see a fire in my belly. It looked a little like a drawing of fire. I felt I was overheating for about five minutes. Then it felt like I had ice on the tips of my toes and fingers of my right hand. I had sweat above my lip and the feeling of chills, like my body was trying to cool down from a fever (but failing). I have a feeling this would be good for menstruation. Traditional Use:  This herb is used according to tradition to invigorate the blood, ie for blood stagnation and to "unblock menstruation" and reduce menstrual pain. It is considered "anti-inflammatory" and used for joint pain (an alternative name is "ox-knee from Sichuan"). It was used for rheumatic fever. It was also used for nosebleeds, dizziness and pains in the head (headache, toothache). Though this herb is used for some fevers, inflammation, and other signs of heat, it is considered neutral in terms of yin/yang.    Plant Meditation Club information is based on meditation not scientific research. Historical use is also discussed. These posts are intended to share about personal experimentation with herbs that are commonly used. This post is in no way intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases or conditions. If you experiment with Plant Meditation you do so at your own risk. Many of the herbs we use are used in commercially prepared teas and are easily found online, they may have contraindications or cause drug interactions.

Pear flower essence, areas for future investigation: Use for upheaval to the home, community, or local environment. Such as sudden moves, earthquakes, shocks to the community. This week we meditated with Pear flower essence. The flower and gem essences are subtle medicine and more likely to work through shifting energy, emotions, or mental patterns. They do not have a flavor or smell. My Meditation: First: The flower talks about how "we" used to play with flowers and sticks. We could imaging a door that went into a bush and there was a space for us, and no one would see us. We would delight in fruits and berries. I see observing picking young people picking blackberries.  Having a backyard filled with plants meant a lot. Now we have all the prime we want and throw-away toys. The fruit falls off the tree because it is too high to gather. It is a nuisance to clean it up. The fruit is so much! So many people can eat, put away the fruit, make pies and crisps. I smell cinnamon and baking--I feel the warmth of the house.  Second: The essence talks of and shows me the first time a baby picks her first fruit (pear) from by herself, held in Mama's arms. The essence likes seeing a mother and child sit in the shade and shows me this. The tree shows me many things that are about youth, time to relax, play, being at home in a relaxing way. I like to work at home, so I note this as an entirely different way to experience home that many people might feel is the normal way to be at home. It reminds me a little of playing in my backyard as a child. The energy is very Taurus (enjoying the home, food, garden) and home as in family.    My Daughter's Meditation First: I see pink, a flower that is turning pink. I hear singers associated with pink. Barbie pink. I saw a barbie too, a traditional one, not like in the movie.  Second: I felt like I was drinking pink, when I drank the water with the essence in it. It looked pink. "I love you like a love song" was going through my head.  Summary/Common Use The energy of pear flower essence felt playful in a simple way. Enjoying the simple pleasures of backyards, childhood, and simple emotions. I found it interesting that it was nostaglic for children that were satisfied with berries and bushes to play with but interacted with my daughter with pinks and barbie and love songs. These things are so not her current speed, but she definitely had pink phases. The flowers are pure white. I feel like the pink was more about connecting with a youthful, playful energy. The essence reminded me of a grandmother--someone who would want to please a child even if it wasn't in the way they would prefer. I do think it is interesting that it mostly showed me mothers with their girls. I don't know if this was because the tree itself observed these or (given the pink thing with my daughter) that it wanted to make me feel grounded and happy as I have so many times doing simple nature activities with my daughter. Connecting with this tree really reminded me of my grandmother, she seemed so rooted in her home and the grandchildren would come and visit, dancing and running around her, lighting her up. This experience made me imagine what it must be like to be a tree and witness lives around you (like the giving tree, but without the over giving!). I made this essence from the tree in my last backyard. I read that pear essence is used to help you when there is a feeling of like we don't belong, to establish stability, belonging, and contentment. Pear can bring comfort when there are sudden emergencies. I like it for tonifying our hearts after all the tragedies and upheavels of the pandemic. Though I am not a pear person, I appreciated having this tree's medicine on site when we were forced to move. It is a feeling of observant love with a gentle desire to make people in our lives happy. It gives such an amazing sense of stability and contentment. Feeling these nurturing memories that are brought to mind from this essence, is making me ball my eyes out. I am reminded of all the simple good in the world, and very much looking forward to when Uranus, a dominant planet in my chart, exits Taurus (permanently in 2026), and my living situation will likely stop changing suddenly (three rather sudden moves since it entered the sign in 2018!). Each home was pretty great and neighbors too...it was never that we wanted the change. Now I have my little pocket sized bottle of pear medicine to experience someone loving and wise, helping me feel soft, comfortable, stable and simple feelings.  Thanks Pear!  Since it felt like this essence was specifically loving towards me and my daughter, I am very curious to see how it works with others. Please share your experiences below. Plant Meditation Club information is based on meditation not scientific research. Historical use is also discussed. These posts are intended to share about personal experimentation with herbs that are commonly used. This post is in no way intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases or conditions. If you experiment with Plant Meditation you do so at your own risk. Many of the herbs we use are used in commercially prepared teas and are easily found online, they may have contraindications or cause drug interactions.

The root we tasted this week was Chaí hú, 柴胡, Bupleurum, also known as rabbit ear root. Interested in joining the mostly online Plant Meditation Club? Click here. I did this meditation with my daughter. Mouth and Taste: This tea that looks like twigs (but is roots) was very light in flavor. My Meditations First one: I feel my energy at the front entry of my nose. Then then the energy is located in pathways going up my forehead. No words, completely silent. At the very end it started to look like strawberries and cream, in color. The energy pathways were pink like strawberries, and the other areas like cream. Second one: Again, silent and empty. The first approximately 6 minutes involved energetic focus at the outward edges of my eyebrows, at acupuncture point San Jiao 23, Sizhukong, silk bamboo hole. It moved over and for the next few minutes was at the arches of my eyebrow, at Extra point, Head and Neck 4, Yu Yao. Then at the end it was at the inner edges and between my eyebrows, focused on Bladder 2, Zanzhu, gathered bamboo. These points are good for the eyes. This experience reminded me of some eye massage techniques I was taught a while ago by a vision therapist.   My daughter's Meditations: First: I kept my eyes open because it was difficult to keep them closed. When I did close my eyes the Tunic Song for Karen. I heard, "Dreaming, dreaming.." and then I fell asleep. Second: I think this would be helpful for trauma. I was thinking about a book I read where the character gets over trauma. The song Institutionalized by Suicidal Tendencies is in my head. Thinking about passages in books where they descibe using drugs, and they say they 'slowly pour through my system'. I am a little scared of this tea. It feels gross, like I am doing a drug. It felt like too much for my body. Institutionalized lyrics (seems like a relevant vibe for this herb's uses): Sometimes I try to do things and it just doesn't work out the way I wanted tooAnd I get real frustrated, and its likeAnd I try hard to do it and take my timeAnd it just doesn't work out the way I want it tooIt's like I concentrate on it real hard but it just doesn't work outAnd everything I do and everything I try, it never turns outIt's like I need time to figure these things outBut there's always someone there going Hey Mike: You know we've been noticing you've been having a lot of problems latelyYou know, maybe you get away, and like maybe you should talk about it,You'll feel a lot better And I go: No it's okay, you know I'll figure it outJust leave me alone I'll figure it outYou know I'll just work it on myself, And they go: Well you know if you want to talk about it I'll be here, you knowAnd you'll probably feel a lot better if you talk about it, so want don't you talk about it And I go: No I don't want to, I'm okay, I'll figure it out myselfAnd they just keep bugging me and they just keep bugging meAnd it builds up inside So you're gonna be institutionalizedYou'll come out brainwashed with bloodshot eyesYou won't have any sayThey'll brainwash you until you see their way I'm not crazy - institutionYou're the one who's crazy - institutionYou're driving me crazy - institutionThey stuck me in an institutionSaid it was the only solutionTo give me the needed professional helpTo protect me from the enemy - myself I was in my room and I was just like staring at the wall thinking about everythingBut then again I was thinking about nothingAnd then my mom came in and I didn't even know she was there she called my nameAnd I didn't even hear it, and then she started screaming: MIKE! MIKE!And I go: What, what's the matter?And she goes: What's the matter with you?I go: There's nothing wrong momAnd she goes: Don't tell me that, you're on drugs!And I go: No mom I'm not on drugs I'm okay, I was just thinking you know,Why don't you get me a PepsiAnd she goes: No you're on drugs!I go: Mom I'm okay, I'm just thinkingShe goes: No you're not thinking, you're on drugs! Normal people don't act that way!I go: Mom just give me a Pepsi, pleaseAll I want is a Pepsi, and she wouldn't give it to meAll I wanted was a Pepsi, just one Pepsi, and she wouldn't give it to meJust a Pepsi They give you a white shirt with long sleevesTied around you're back, you're treated like thievesDrug you up because they're lazyIt's too much work to help a crazy I'm not crazy - institutionYou're the one who's crazy - institutionYou're driving me crazy - institutionThey stuck me in an institutionSaid it was the only solutionTo give me the needed professional helpTo protect me from the enemy - myself I was sitting in my room and my mom and my dad came inAnd they pulled up a chair and they sat down, they go:Mike, we need to talk to youAnd I go: Okay what's the matterThey go:Me and your mom have been noticing lately that you've been having a lot of problems,You've been going off for no reason and we're afraid you're gonna hurt somebody,We're afraid you're gonna hurt yourselfSo we decided that it would be in your interest if we put you somewhereWhere you could get the help that you needAnd I go: Wait, what are you talking about, we decided!?My best interest?! How do you know what's my best interest is?How can you say what my best interest is? What are you trying to say, I'm crazy?When I went to your schools, I went to your churches,I went to your institutional learning facilities?! So how can you say I'm crazy? They say they're gonna fix my brainAlleviate my suffering and my painBut by the time they fix my headMentally I'll be dead I'm not crazy - institutionYou're the one who's crazy - institutionYou're driving me crazy - institutionThey stuck me in an institutionSaid it was the only solutionTo give me the needed professional helpTo protect me from the enemy - myself It doesn't matter, I'll probably get hit by a car anyway   Summary and Medicinal Use: Bupleurum is used primarily for liver support in classical Chinese medicine and traditional Western herbalism. These meditations were really different but displayed uses accurately. In Chinese medicine the liver opens to the eyes, so supporting the liver will support eye health. The plant's intelligence covered this treatment of eye tension and strain. This herb is also used for anger, irritability, phobias, and depression (often with mint) from liver qi stagnation (during teen years the liver is under more stress because of all the hormones it must process, this can lead to acne and mood swings) and liver toxicity from drugs and alcohol. The mood communicated through the song and the sensation of being on drugs very clearly indicated the plants ability to support these issues, including trauma. I am always grateful for the way the plants communicate so well. This herb is also used for colds, fever and chills, immunity, liver support in general, asthma (which can be related to poor fat processing (liver), indigestion, and hemorrhoids. It is used to strengthen the spleen which helps with prolapse and decision making. I also think of herbs that work with the spleen/immunity as cleaning out psychic spaces. I love how different the experiences were--it shows that diversity of its impacts.   Have you worked with Bupleurum or Chai Hu, either personally or with clients? If so please share your experiences below and add to our knowledge base of this plant.

Yarrow, areas for further investigation: "The successful warrior is an average man with laser-like focus." -Bruce Lee This week we tasted the flowering tops of Yarrow, Achillea Millefolium. This herb is has long been an indispensible herb in traditional Western herbalism. The Plant Meditation Club met for our first zoom gathering. It was great to get to know everyone and meditate at the same time. This is our experience: Mouth/Smell: Woodsy, slightly spicy and flavor, floral, favorite smell so far!, different after taste than initial taste, grassy, some sweetness, similar to chamomile, masculine smell.  Sensations: Stabilizing, increase in energy (just enough, was feeling slightly sleepy), slightly warming, pleasant, peaceful. Soothing. Third eye pressure. Tingling and pulsating in my hands while meditating. Comfortable. Chill, calming, felt in the back of the throat/esophagus, stimulating, felt sinuses. Sore throat, phlegmy. Sleepy. Third eye. Felt on diaphragm, feeling a little hunger (possibly an appetite suppressant?), warm near throat, soothing to tonsils, jaw relaxed.  Clearing nose, clear heat in ears. Helps with some kind of process with the heart.  Female reproductive organs: Vaginal walls feeling relaxed, ovaries mellowing out, cervix and vagina, opening the process of allowing outward flow.  Lots of energy moving into the perineum. Feeling flower cluster up-side-down at labia and vagina. Energy is stimulating, feeling like I am being 'sorted out' in that area.  Visions/Communications: Habitat: near mountains, likes to grow in the grass, sway in the breeze, be in the sun, be near a river/water source, but not right next to it.  Image of a reclining woman, with her outflow as the river. It can support reaching for your desires. Circles like a galaxy. Believe in yourself or it's over.  Give you what you need. Balancing.  Able to feel anger (had some reasons to be angry today). The plant said "I can help you say 'Don't fuck with me.'"  How can it be most useful for resilience? "I can do anything," it says solidly. "If I want to take someone to the top (7th chakra), I can do it. If someone needs to be driven into the ground, I can do it."  My energy gets funneled to my nose. I have a way to sniff out what I want and how to find my way to it. Reminded me of warriors and blood moving through veins. Heart covered with metal (iron or steel). Heart rotating after I acknowledge this. Energy moves to the top of my head. I feel nub-like horns and curly hair up there. It reminds me of Pan. I see my energy go to the top of my skull like a white pompadour. Then the energy moves up further above and in front of my head, still my close in field of energy. It is bumpy or lumpy white light. I stay there for the rest of the meditation. Summary/Traditional Use:  This herb has many uses! It is most often thought of as a blood regulator, with a history of being used on the battle field for cuts to the artery. The warrior applications of this herb go beyond first aid for serious injuries. The herb hones the energy to believe in yourself, go after what you want, get it, and tell people not to fuck with you. This herb has confident, focused, goal-oriented energy. 6th chakra: yes! Grounding: 100%. Balancing is a good word for this herb. That fits with the blood regulation too. Blood is all over our bodies. It is extremely destabilizing to have clots within our blood or significant cuts. This herb has the ability to help us have a strong blood flow within. Definitely good for menstrual health. We had a fairly lengthy discussion about the intuition about this herb helping with labor and menstruation, both of which are historical uses. This herb is also used for sweating fevers, and flu symptoms. It is used to stimulate hunger and with the intuition about it supressing hunger I wonder if it might be a hunger regulator too. This may be in association with making a highly functional 3rd chakra which is necessary for making your will done on the battlefield. I frequently use and recommend this herb for energy field management. Strong boundaries. Field injuries can be long term symptoms of trauma, not uncommonly from significant physical injury. This herb helps get everything back ship-shape. Have it around for first aid for cuts and bruises (I prefer the tincture for ease of use). Use it for maintainence--bath, tea or tincture--if you have blood and especially for those of us who menstruate. I could go on and on about yarrow, suffice it to say this plant meditation revealed more about its determined powerful nature and its desire to help you get what you want and need.  Enough said! Wage on!   Do you have experiences with yarrow in the clinical setting or personally? If so please add to our knowledge in the comments. 

Gāncǎo, or Chinese licorice root was the herb that we tasted this week. Mouth: This herb has a distinctive flavor, that is sweet, and reminded more than one person of "Throat Coat" tea, which includes licorice as a primary herb. Felt in the back of the throat and sweetness on the sides of the tongue.  Sensations: Pain in chest (upper). Coating, soothing, grounding (out of head), mucilagenous. Takes weight of fluid out of ears and clears front of face (sinuses). Participant who had a sore throat prior to starting the meditation immediately felt relief and fell asleep. Restful, pacifying, palliative. Dispersed energy in lungs...like blowing out a cloud of white Spring flower petals. Visions/communication:  Inky black spreading and deep purple rising to white. In both cases these color visions were like ones that the participants have had in the past that they liked. "Sweetness is good for the heart." Heart: purple. Eventually purple turned into the same lavender as my binder for the Plant Meditation Club. I felt this plant is one that supports many other plants ("all plants that would be in the binder"). Perhaps the feeling is that it supports the other plants in their actions and supports the desires of the person taking the plant. Here to spread love and support in whatever way it is desired. Wise enough not to judge. This plant reminded me a bit of the Fairy Godmother from Brian Froud's Fairy Oracle:   Summary and Traditional Use: It is estimated that licorice is used in 9 out of 10 Chinese herbal formulas!  I believe a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, as every good fairy godmother and grandmother knows! It is also believed that it can reduce toxicity and increase efficacy of many herbs. I have seen this before in chocolate--I created many herbal chocolate recipes and found that the herbs are much more potent in the chocolate than in isolation.  Licorice is sweet and thereby enters through the spleen channel (in Chinese medicine). This goes right along with its behavior soothing early cold and virus symptoms like sore throat, lung and upper respiratory tract irritation. I loved how it was so soothing to the our participant with cold symptoms that they immediately and thoroughly slept! This has given me new appreciation for this sweet herb.  I found it interesting that the herb presented itself in visions that were of things we already appreciated from our herb experiences. I liked hearing that Alyssa felt licorice "had their back" and felt some defiance. Both with the vision of purple and the inky black I know their is some rebelliousness or "not what the world wants" feelings but still what we enjoy/desire. I think nature or a fairy godmother or a grandmother's version of thriving and health has more to do with enjoying life than most systems that govern us, including medical systems, spirituality and religion, governments, and even the most benevolent leaders with power and rules. I am curious to hear more experiences with licorice, tuning into the flavor of its support. If at all possible I make my herbal formulas taste good. I find people are more likely to take something they will enjoy. A good provider is wise to practice some indulgence. Other physical uses: diabetes and balancing blood sugar (preventing low blood sugar, possibly other ways), supporting the adrenals, reducing toxins/antidote, supportive for tumors, cancer, longevity. Licorice can reduce estrogen production, which can reduce fertility in younger women if used very frequently. Recent studies are looking licorice's ability to reduce hot flashes, and reduce risk of breast cancer in post menopausal women. 

Crab Apple flower essence, areas for future investigation: Feelings of impurity related to abuse (animals or people). Self-acceptance when your standards may be too high. This week's essence meditation was on Crab Apple flower, Malus.  Visions from the Essence:  Me: Awareness I was crabby today. Crab-appley. Wah. I think of my heart often as an apple. Usually it is a bright red apple. Sometimes it is an achey apple. This time the heart is a crab apple it has lots of black marks.  The crab apple flower says, you have black spots on your heart but you have been putting light into each one of them and pumping blood all over your body.  The crab apple says "I want you to be with your horse." Several times! "I would help you with that." I see flowers around the eyes.  Brighten up your heart, brighten up your eyes!  Other participant: I see blackness dripping all over, spreading all over. Then the essence (the flower) made it better again. It is black like black tourmaline or spilled ink but ring shaped like an oil spill but rhodochrosite-like rings. The flower that made it better seems like it could be calendula.    Traditional Use:  Crab apple is used for skin issues including ringworm. You can see from the pictures how similar the scab on crab apple looks to ringworm and rhodochrositte (a good description, as well as energetically, an oil spill). Ringworm is caused by a fungus and crab apple scab is also caused by a fungus. I think of fungus as a black, icky build-up, even though on the skin it shows as red. The energy of it seems apt for the blackness of the vision. Crab apple is also used for rashes, and warts. It is commonly used for fungal infections in horses and many other animals. A common dose would be 1-5 drops of flower essence in water to sip (or water bowl) or placed in the bath.  In my practice I frequently use Crab apple flower emotional for when someone is feeling physically or psychically  "dirty" or "impure". The flower essence helps shift to self-acceptance and greater comfort in body and immediate environment--physically, emotionally, and mentally. The feeling of contamination, or desire for purity, may be a result of physical or sexual abuse, or other forms of mistreatment. Crab apple has been used to bring confidence to animals that have experienced abuse.  I liked the crab apple talking about my heart and horse. In Chinese medicine the heart is associated with the horse. I want to get back on my horse (heart) again and back on a horse (mammal)! My favorite horse died and I have been taking a little break. I saw the black spots as injuries from little (or big insults). These could include abuse, since that is a common use of the flower. I have been putting light into my sore spots. I will try more crab apple since it has big promises. It also makes me feel like it is okay to be crabby! That is a suprisingly lovely feeling. I usually feel like it is best to make everyone around me happy and peaceful. I have never felt it was okay to be in a bad mood. Lately I have been empowered by seeing my crabbiness can help people understand my needs.  Here's to crabby apples and crabby hearts!  Many herbs contain the remedies to problems they cause or have. From this vision I wonder if spraying crab apples with crab apple flower essence would help with the scab. At any rate it treats similar looking skin conditions. Calendula is another herb that has historically been used to treat rashes and fungus.  Invitation: Have you experienced crab apple flower essence or used it in your practice? Please share you experiences to help us gather more collective wisdom about crab apple.    Plant Meditation Club information is based on meditation not scientific research. Historical use is also discussed. These posts are intended to share about personal experimentation with herbs that are commonly used. This post is in no way intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases or conditions. If you experiment with Plant Meditation you do so at your own risk. Many of the herbs we use are used in commercially prepared teas and are easily found online, they may have contraindications or cause drug interactions.

This week we meditated on Rénshēn (Bái) 白人參 Ginseng Radix (Albae). This herb is new to me. One goal I have for this project is to better understand how herbs can move us from survival to resilience to thriving. I feel this herb could be useful for people wanting to be able to hold space for others. I experienced this herb as fortifying and grounding to the heart. Curious about Chinese herbs? Check out our Plant Meditation Club subscription for Chinese herbalism here. Mouth:  Taste: tastes almost like a prescription medication, similar to plantain, like clay Feel: focus is on the back of the tongue moving to the tip of the tongue  Meditation Experience: The heart chakra rotates in such a way that it goes down to the Earth and back up.  I moved my body position to better understand this angle. The heart chakra is going into the Earth.* The herb states the heart can go deep into the well (Kidneys). It shows me a blue wash (like a water color) going deep into the lower jiao (pelvis), a bit purple on the edges of the basin.   The herb shows me blue under eyes (kidney area of face), letting me know that this face indication is one it can help with.  Another person has a water color style image of a pink heart hugging her uterus.  I feel very strong from under arms to top of hips. I feel this herb can help a person support others who are experiencing suffering. It feels heart-centered in a very solid, pragmatic way. Able to help you deal with the nitty gritty of life. It feels like it would make you very good at staying strong while supporting others dealing with the harsher side of reality. It takes a lot of strength to hold space for someone who is suffering, especially when it doesn't feel like there is anything you can do besides be there for them. My dog was drawn to the tea and wanted to have some. He is pretty selective about what he consumes, this was a different attitude towards a beverage. Post Meditation: This herb appeared to lower my blood sugar. I have a history of low blood sugar and I became very hungry a little later and had to do some late night snacking, and then had interrupted sleep.** Traditional Use:  This herb is used for opening the heart and boosting wisdom, brightening the eyes (Divine Farmer's Materia Medica, Wilms). Tonifies original qi (yuan qi), used for collapsed qi. Tonifying to the lungs, strengthens spleen, and tonifies stomach. (Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, Bensky). Calms heart shen, therefore good for insomnia. Longer term illness with excessive sweating. *This herb is an adaptogen said to bring energy up from the Earth.  Some Contemporary Uses:  This herb is frequently used for fatique, Alzheimer's disease and other cognitive disfunction, depression, erectile disfunction, menopause, **diabetes (lowering blood sugar--use caution if you tend to low blood sugar), prolapse in the lower jiao (pelvic organs). (White Rabbit) For Dogs: This herb is used with dogs for similar problems as humans: decrease blood sugar levels, improve circulation, and to increase energy and longevity (VCA Animal Hospitals). Consult a veterinary herbalist is you are curious about using herbs like ginseng with your dog. This herb can have negative side effects for dogs (and humans) if used improperly.   

This week we meditated on Linden, also known as Lime tree, genus tilia, an herb from traditional Western herbalism.  I enjoy this herb but am very curious about it. I was delighted to share the experience of learning its medicine through plant meditation with the Herb Society of the National University of Natural Medicine in Portland, Oregon. Group Plant Meditation Shares:  Mouth Experience: moistening, numbing (in a soothing way), lubricating. Heart: nourishing to the heart (based on pulse change),  Kidneys: "restored kidneys to a moist, happy place;  Joints: the herb showed me awareness of slightly hot, dry joints, and I believe it can be lubricating in these conditions. Emotions: A friend you can trust unquestionably, relief, "it's all okay", soothing and smoothing, reilef, self saying "I need this!"(relief), lightness, Spring energy, reminiscing about favorite places and times. General: blood moving, clearing stagnation, peacefully energizing, many comments about the kidneys. My Experience:  The first thing I saw was a short-limbed octopus in my heart center. Octopi may have a reputation for being a bit enmeshed but, they sure can do a lot with all those arms. I love water work (emotions!). It looked kind of like the octopus emoji but white and with dangling limbs.  I became aware my face (inside) felt slightly hot and dry. The plant scanned my joints. It started at my left shoulder which has been slightly irritated. It noted how strong and aligned my back is (I have been working out), it spent a lot of time there. I always set my intention the plant is welcome to learn from me too. I asked why it was interested and it indicated it was similar to a leaf. It then slowly moved down to my feet, assessing my hips and knees along the way. It drew my attention to a bone that is out of alignment on my foot, then moved on. I think it can lubricate joints, and perhaps help with alignment to some extent, especially if there is hot and dry. In the context of judging and determinations, the herb talked to me about balancing the harms we do to each other knowingly and unknowingly with the reasons we come together. It spoke of importance of intention but looking again to why we come together (such as this plant meditation). The plant was peaceful, and positively redirecting.* Use in Medical Herbalism:  Linden is generally thought of as cooling and moistening, mildly sedating, soothing to irritation, and nourishing. Linden has many traditional uses including: Neurological/Psychological: headaches, hyperactivity, insomnia, anxiety. *This is how I see this herb primarily being used. Lungs: Flu, fever with profuse sweating that does not improve the condition--Linden can break the fever, colds, coughs (mucus in lower respiratory tract). Stomach: warming and relaxing to the digestive tract, good if there is indigestion, diarrhea, or vomiting associated with tension or stress.  Heart: cardiac symptoms and/or hypertension associated with nervous tension. Kidneys: Dark, scanty urine, edema--restorative. Female health: Mild to severe reproductive organ pain (including cramps) and/or inflammation. Hot flashes (cold linden tea). Topical: eye wash for inflammation, cool skin on a hot day, itchy skin   Use in Magic/Folklore: "You can't lie under a Linden tree." -said someone! and repeated by multiple people in this group :) Linden was used in courtrooms and in town centers where legal proceedings would take place. The herb is used in magic spells as well. In both cases this pleasant and uplifting herb helps bring us to harmony to existing relationships. It offers medicine to support more peaceful homes and more pleasant outcomes through legal decision-making. *I loved the feeling the plant imparted as it created a space to make legal decisions/judge that was harmony oriented. I have a lot of negative experience with the court system (modern day, not run by linden). The linden energy was focused on restoring harmony in the community. This herb feels so libra (in Western astrology) and very water element. I love the way the herb helped relieve and redirect attention with us to greater harmony and lightness.  At Brown Bear Herbs:  I use linden in two herbal smoking blends:  Clear Mind, with other herbs for focus and creativity. Many people with ADHD and anxiety report that this smoking blend is helpful. Lady Luck, with other herbs traditionally used to promote luck--including agrimony and pearly everlasting.  The flower makes a beautiful light tea or syrup. I enjoy working with it further, now that I have seen so many new sides of it with the group's observations.

This week's herb is the root of Bai Zhu or atractylodes macrocephala (reveal dates 2/16/24), an herb commonly used to tonify spleen qi in Chinese medicine. Let's see what the experience was.  Mouth: Mineral rich, sweet (sweeter on second and longer steeps), emphasis on the back of the mouth, soft palate, moist. First Meditation:  As soon as I start drinking it I felt my lungs relax and my breath deepen with a peaceful, comforted feeling. For a long time I have been 'No' (Image: arm out, wrist flexed). Now I am open to interacting with people so they can become more like my heart. I feel stomach, the herb shows the stomach, vomit/diarrhea--hands directing traffic: "Spleen action: worry/work on preceived threats."  Movement to "intestines" but this is actually the lowest part of the interior of the pelvis. It looks more like the bottom of the pelvic bowl.  The person will act as the medicine, through narrative. Second Meditation: Energy is at the heart. Increase in fire. "Heart fire". Securely, confidently redefine focus of a current problem with a person--this problem is not about me and my reaction, this is an exterior problem. The awareness is: if I am angry, there is a problem outside myself. It no longer feels appropriate to work with the person of concern. It is important to go to the person who outranks them and talk to them. I am aware I am being discriminated against. The person's behavior is sexist.  Third Meditation: The herb reviews the person's strategic speaking, placating, controlling behavior. The herb says "No" and shakes my head no. The herb says it helps the spleen say "no" to the right things.  Up and out, vomit, diarrhea--is saying no, right away. Same with people--the herb teaches you to say no at the correct times. It is important to hold the food for the right length of time to digest properly. The herbs says "What does a rabbit do? They have fear so they reject something too soon and so they have to eat it again." Interpretation: Haste due to fear makes you eat your own shit (errors).  My rational response to this statement: The rabbits aren't built to get full absorption the first time. I am pretty sure the herb is sticking with their statements. Overall confident words from this herb: A strong spleen means good decision making. Trust your heart, if something makes me angry is it is a bad sign. Summary and Traditional Use: The experience tended to be one of feeling comfortable, confident (in a self-secure way), peacefully grounding. I loved the tutorial I got on right decision making and the spleen. As a result of repeated meditations, this herb and/or the realignment it gives to the spleen appears to be about having the strength to directly fight if needed, and the wisdom to know how long to absorb something before release. For example we may immediately reject a food (throw it up or have diarrhea, or immediately reject a person's behavior) and alternatively we are wise to digest something healthy or have a healthy relationship for as long as is most beneficial. Heart and lung opening were experienced. Bai Zhu is a traditional Chinese herb for tonifying the spleen which tends towards dampness. I healthier spleen means better food absorption and nutrition, which supports mental and emotional clarity. Bai zhu is used for a variety of gastrointestinal disorders such as chronic diarrhea, vomiting, and poor apetite. This herb is used by martial artists to strengthen legs and muscles (source). This herb can help with excessive sweating. It is known to calm the fetus (for certain types of threatened miscarriage). This herb is also used in Western herbalism. Western Medicine Spleen and Body Talk The herb was talking to me about the spleen, but from previous experiences talking to my organs they all act like the authority. For example the reproductive organs might say "have sex a lot!", whereas the heart might say "use caution so I get nurtured and love, instead of hurt" and the third eye might say "wow sex is opening up a can of worms, be judicious about who you create a long term energetic involvement with". Be the CEO of your own life, take all viewpoints into consideration and make the right decision for you. In Western medicine the Spleen is about cleaning the blood and white blood cell production. It is the body's very grounded, defense mechanism. It affirms offense and defense. It takes cues from yor responses and fights where you or your body gave signs of a problem. The interpretation is not always as desired. For example, I had a rash on a tattoo for several months after getting it. I asked my spleen about it. It said 'that really hurt! we have been working on it ever since.' I told my spleen my tattoos were good and to let it go. It replied by saying 'great! now we can get to work on your lungs!' Great attitude, right? Two days later my rash was gone and my lungs, which had been experiencing a lot of allergies, were breathing easy. Start opening up conversations with your body.

This week's meditation was on Ruby gem essence.* More on experiences and properties of this essence tomorrow, I am in the middle of a move and got a little behind on this. Thank you so much for your comments. This was our first meditation on a gem and/or flower essence. Based on the experiences described by our group, I feel it is worth exploring taking the essence over a day or so and observing the experiential shifts that occur.   Experience:  This essence gave vary different experiences! I can report an experience that was very affirming, validating reasons to be confident and feeling like the person is making progress in their life. The feeling of strength, fire, and courage was associated with this.  Another person experienced the essence telling them it could resolve their misophonia (hypersensitive with physiological response to specific noises, like coughing, chewing, different for different people), but, overall would increase sensitivity to noise.  Another experience of being surrounded by pleasant animals.   Historical Use and Beliefs: Used to help increase energy/qi, combat lethargy.  Associated with fire and the sun, courage, royalty, vitality. Sheilding energy which also helps reduce fear of paranormal or evil influences. Used during sex to promote closeness and commitment. It has the ability to moderate sexuality--bringing more vitality to loving, faithful relationships and develop sensuality and mystical union. It also can be used to temper excess or inappropriately directed sexual behaviors.  Physically it is used for heart health, menstrual health, the blood and lymph.    Summary: In general the way that gemstones communicate is quite different than plantlife. I find it more tonal and see it providing energetic gridlike structures, compared to plants that understand experiences of having organs and being more susceptable to the elements. Some of my best experiences with gemstones involved working with them over several months and internalizing or joining our wisdom, for example with Lemurian seed crystals, or jasper. This is not appropriate for all gemstones. In one case I developed a hemangioma where I wore carnelian, which promotes blood flow. This Ruby gem essence warrants further exploration. If you begin experimenting with it, delve into it further, or have previous experiences with this gemstone or essence, please share below. I am particularly interested in seeing how effective Ruby can be for people with misophonia. Was it particular to the participant's dynamic or can this be helpful in general? If you have misophonia I encourage you to share your experience with this remedy to build collective knowledge for easing this situation of dis-ease.    *Note, in response to Joanne's comment: I did not make this essence and given how similar ruby and garnet can look it is possible garnet could be mistaken for ruby.  Plant Meditation Club information is based on meditation not scientific research. Historical use of plants and/or gem essences is also discussed. These posts are intended to share about personal experimentation with essences that contain only energies no matter from plant or gem. This post is in no way intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any diseases or conditions. If you experiment with Plant or Gemstone Meditation you do so at your own risk. 

What makes life magical? Connection! Communication with plants, animals, and people certainly can be a way to feel that connection has indeed happened. This is especially important in a world with less face-to-face and contemplation time. Slow down, get clear on what you want to communicate, and check out these ways to explore telepathy with heart. In this video I give some tips on how to communicate effectively on the subtle level (telepathically) with animals, plants, and people. Tips, such as: • Set clear intentions. • Assume the receiver will understand. • Try to find a telepathy buddy (human) to try and test sending images, feelings, etc, so you can see how things work! There is a lot of room for miscommunication or partial communication. But there is also lots of room to feel connected in a magical way! • Keep things positive--do not attempt to use telepathy to gain unfair advantage or manipulate someone. • Look for behavior shifts to confirm communication when speaking with animals. • Plants are GGG for this! They love to communicate :) Just be respectful. One thing that really makes plants feel good is meditating with them. With that in mind... Explore plant communications every week, with Brown Bear Herbs' Plant Meditation Club: https://brownbearherbs.com/collection... Read Plant Meditation Club experiences: https://brownbearherbs.com/blogs/comm... More info in my zine: Making Friends with Plants, Animals & Minerals: https://brownbearherbs.com/products/m...

Chrysanthemum, Júhuā, 菊花, Herb of Classical Chinese Medicine   This week for herbs of classical Chinese medicine, along with the online participants, I did a plant meditation with my family, including my father and daughter. This plant was really beautiful. I always like to know the emotions, energetic shifts, and thoughts/memories that come up. I enjoyed this special way of connecting with my father and daughter. Here is a picture of us from a few years ago:  Overall themes: the value of third eye opening, release of fear, positive emotional support   My father: “The experience started with a sudden urge to pee, I repressed it. Most of it was silence. Then the qi was at the 6th chakra for about 4-5 minutes. Then I took the last couple of swallows. I thought about a cat. A mature cat sat next to me. Just sat for about 5 minutes. My breathing was okay. The energy was lively.”    Me: The infusion has a straw taste. It feels dry and has a complete mouth sensation--rather than resting in one area or flavor space. The infusion color is a pretty, light yellow, on the chartreuse side. After setting my intention, I felt my nose as if meditating with a technique like vipassana where that is the focus. The energy moved up to my left forehead/frontal lobe area. The plant says, “I have half a mind to tell you.” I reflect on an intense conversation I had a few days earlier. The plant points out, the right side of my head was injured (coup), but you are having problems with the left (contrecoup). I think of what happened as partly deferred/misdirected anger, in a similar way that one part of my head was hit, but the other side felt the impact too. The energy moves to the right side. “It’s going to start here (right frontal) and go to here (3rd eye).” I feel the energy shift. “Then you’re not going to like me.” The plant corrects this notion, stating “you have nothing to fear.” The plant tells me what to do for the class I am having trouble with so that my post-concussion visual issues will be better. I felt good. I understood I would heal.   My daughter:  "It tastes like artichoke. During the first minute, I kept seeing sunshine and rolling hills with Cutie running across the hills. Then I thought, “OMG, is Cutie going to die.” Then there was a big X across the vision. Then is showed Cutie having perfect white teeth. It is good for Cutie’s teeth (our dog). The rest of 9 minutes I was bored.” We take a break to discuss whether she has to do the second ten minute meditation. We settle on five minutes.  “At first I see more rolling hills and Cutie. Then I see black like the inside of my eyelids. I see through my eyelids to my hands. Then I see through my hands to my knees. Then I see through my knees, into the basement.”   I am glad she did the second meditation! Something new always comes out. Taking the time for the second meditation is an important step to understanding the plant’s medicine. Here is a picture of the herb steeping. It is so pretty and fragrant. Synthesis:  Spiritual: Each of us had a third eye focus to our energy and a focused, uneventful but positive meditation. Seeing through objects is a third eye experience. Third eye function is related both to fears and vision in general. The third eye is the energy center nearest the eyes (and brain!) so if it is stronger, the organs nearby should also be working better. This is similar to other energy centers in the body and nearby organs. The third eye is related to fear in that fear is the greatest obstacle to opening the third eye is fear of what you see. We may not want to see truths about ourselves, or the world around us…we have faults and the pain of the world is difficult to see. Easing fear allows us to deal with reality as it is and to enjoy our time on Earth. In this way, this herb can ease anxiety.    Emotional: I do think this herb is helpful for depression and anxiety. It is brightening and calming. It may not be enough by itself to move emotional mountains, but it is sunny in its support. Each of us had a fear eased. Cats: My father is very afraid of cats, due to severe allergies, and even during the meditation with the cat vision was concerned about his breathing. He was relieved and peaceful with the cat. Recovery: I have a fear that people will not like me when my brain changes from before or after a concussion (I have had many and they come with some variation in how I interact with others). It is a pretty big fear because my worst concussion ended my marriage. I also have had some fear lately that the concussion won’t fully resolve. This experience gave me confidence it will. It was nice to know it was going to be okay! Fear of loss: My daughter was worried about Cutie dying. Our primary way to extend his life is tooth care. This plant does have a reputation for being good for teeth! This came up in other meditations too :). Apparently, chrysanthemum is considered toxic to dogs by some, so I am assuming (for now) that this is just one tooth specialist herb, letting my daughter know that our oral hygiene program is helping Cutie. We currently use plantain and bentonite clay.    Physical: The meditation experiences in my family session and by other meditators may confirm help with “inflammation”.  The issues from the concussion I am recovering from are neurological, related to vision, which this herb has a reputation for helping. The plant helped with this, advising me on how to manage my class. I have noticed some improvements since working with the plant.    Documented Chinese Medicine Use:  Calms shen, purifies the mind, and supports the liver and kidneys. This herb treats a variety of problems associated with the head: Painful or red eyes (the infusion makes a great eye compress), visual disturbances, seizures, vertigo, tinnitus, acne, mouth sores, anxiety, strengthens teeth (and bones, see also Hawthorn plant meditation), upper respiratory flu with headache, fever, sore throat. Also useful for cleansing the liver and kidneys. Clears heat, it is cooling to drink in the Summer. Mild yin tonic. Here is an entry on Chrysanthemum, Júhuā, 菊花 from the  Bencao yuanshi (Origins of Materia Medica) by Li Zhongli, first published in 1612.   Opening the Conversation: To those who have posted, I love hearing your experiences! If you haven't posted, or have more to share now that you know the herb, what are your experiences either personally or with clients? If you have used it for physical health issues, have you noticed emotional or spiritual shifts too?

Blackberry leaf, areas for further experimentation: Reclaiming life and transforming deep psychological issues (a mental health counselor can be helpful along with the herb).  Manifesting, getting grounded and bringing ideas into the material world. Increasing resilience and the ability to manage both the peaks and the valleys. Blackberry Leaf This week we meditated on Blackberry leaf, an common remedy from traditional Western herbalism. Blackberry is ubiquitous in many areas of the US, and therefore available for wildcrafting. Make sure it is from a safe zone (free from chemicals, etc) if you are planning to use the herb for medicine. If you are thinking of planting your own bushes, check which species are acceptable to plant in your area.  Ecology Note: Himalayan blackberry is categorized as an invasive species in many areas of the United States. The seeds of blackberry are controlled at various borders because of its tendency to spread and take over.  Plant Meditation Taste/feel: the bottom of a lake (slime/mud), mineral rich, a little sweet, taro boba tea, citrusy, similar to stale chamomile, nettles, or raspberry leaf. Drying/astringent quality. I loved the taste of this tea, and wanted more. It felt rich, nourishing, and thick energetically. I experienced a deep warmth and heaviness in my lower jiao (perhaps associated with dampness/excess water element). The color of this area was an intense deep purple. The plant explained some people use a strong base to lift up (having a strong sexual foundation and being grounded to bring the energy up to higher energy centers: third eye and crown). Others set their life intention to be just the umbrella (image from an art piece I am working on, which is light coming in from above to serve and protect). The deep purple slowly spread up my body gradually to my heart, shoulders, and to my nose. At this point my body is all color: purple to my nose, blue from my forehead to nose to the center of my brain, white above. Then the white begins to spread downwards (white, like the flower) til almost my entire body is white, with a small amount of deep purple mixed into the lower jiao.  I experienced a runny nose, coughing, restlessness, and stiffening neck. Later my lungs began to feel lighter. The taste is similar to nettles and raspberry leaf, and I use both for rhinitis, so it makes sense this would have similar use. It seems like it would be good to use with Black Cohosh for the cough. Research indicates that this herb was used for whooping cough and Black Cohosh would be a good addition to blackberry leaf for that indication. Art by Plant Meditator Leela: Another person had visions of darkness/violence in a natural body of water. A happy looking fish was shot, blood poured out from the fish, fish carcasses and blood came out from the mouth of a statue. The person felt depressed. A giant female diety (a similar vibe to one of the three fates) released one drop of ink into the water for every death. There were many deaths going on at this time. Only the wrist and hand were visible. They kept hearing the song “Down by the Water” by PJ Harvey.   Synthesis This plant brought up themes of darkness and light and the second chakra (water element). Energy was felt in the pelvis/womb area as well as respiratory system. In my herbal practice I use this herb for diarrhea (damp lower jiao) and clearing negative sexual experiences (Sexy Smokes). I appreciated how the herb showed its use for colds and coughs. It had a similar taste and mouth feel to both raspberry leaf and nettles, which I also use for rhinitus (allergies with nettles, and runny noses and post nasal drip sore throats with raspberry leaf), so it makes sense it would have similar uses. It is important to have safe and easily accessible herbs for common ailments such as colds, flus, and digestive upsets. If you live in an area that has abundant blackberry, make a harvest: freeze berries, and dry leaves for colds. The darkness that surfaced for one participant was relieved by black cohosh, which helps with dark brooding energies and people who have had to deal with a lot of negative, controlling people or energies. I feel there is some synergy between black cohosh and blackberry, both dealing with getting stuff out from deep within (spasmodic coughs and deeply penetrating experiences?). In my practice this is the first time these two herbs came together. But, I see they have work to do that overlaps. I see them as two elder sisters in long skirts, bent over a body, doing intense labor to free souls that have been bound.   Use in Herbalism Psychospiritual: Manifestation (out of head, bringing ideas into the physical world), grounding (for dissociation), relief of depression, fear of death, clearing negative sexual experiences, may bring dormant talents from past lives to the surface, more sympathy for animals. It is ethical to do this remedy by itself but recommended that it is done in combination with therapy (Gurudas, Flower Essences and Vibrational Healing, 1989, pg 85, referring to blackberry flower essence). Physical: diarrhea, venous hemorrhage (uterus, intestines, etc), sore throat, sores in mouth, cough, spasms of whooping cough, hemorrhoids, eczema (wash), anemia (tea, help blood absorb nutrition), tuberulosis, infertility.   Now that you know this plant was blackberry leaf, does that connect to other experiences with the plant? I am thinking I may have loved the flavor so much because I need iron and it is helpful for anemia.

This week we meditated on Radix Aspargii, Asparagus root, or tiān mén dōng, a classical Chinese herb from the Divine Farmer's Materia Medica, or Shén Nóng Běncǎo Jīng.   We had a lovely plant meditation with this herb. We steeped the tubers twice and found that different tastes came through. Mouth/Taste: The initial flavor of the herb is sweet, with a bitter (puckering) aftertaste.  Physical: This herb created temperature changes. Most of us felt warmer (especially our chests) during our mediation. One participant felt significant coldness and constriction in their lungs, then warmth. The main physical symptoms that were experienced were respiratory. Some digestive, liver, and tendon shifts were also experienced. See comments for more details. Spiritual Shifts: Our meditations were deep, delving into our internal spaces, seeing our connections with spirit. Participants connected with their animal guide, lands of sacred connection, and internal resouces.  My experience: I was warm with this plant! Initially the herb held energy in my mouth. It brought to mind thoughts about riding a horse recently. I hadn't worked with a horse with a bit in years. I was worried a little about how the bit was for the horse. The horse did amazing, but I worry about animal fairness. The plant helped bring me into the flesh of my mouth instead of primarily identifying with the hard structures of my mouth. Its focus was more sensual. The plant guided me to the recognition the horse had the power in the relationship but chose to cooperate with me. It guided me to the realization that the "person with the most power needs to take the bit." When I allowed this awareness to take hold, the energy began shifting.  I had a vision of a queen mouse riding a rat. I was greatful for a sense of release around the trauma my mouth/head. The energy moved to where I had a head trauma. Again I felt the energy moving me into full embodiment in the area. I felt like I would be able to work on an art piece that is very hard for me (that is related to the trauma) again. I loved working with this plant and look forward to journeying with it more. Please see comments for some of the other spiritual experiences people experienced. This herb seems to connect people to sources of strength: connection with spirit animals (hawk), connection with lands (Pacific Northwest rainforests), the heart, the mind. By connecting with our spiritual strength sources, we can turn hurt into wisdom. We can transcend the more fully be embodied while at the same time transcending the mundanity of life.  The related Asparagus root, Asparagus racemoss, aka Shatavari is available in our ASMR tincture, along with Ashwagandha another herb that is supportive for dryness.    Traditional use in Asia: Use in Chinese medicine (source) includes: Lung qi deficiency. Yin deficiency. Infertility, moistening (generates fluids), mucilaginous. Constipation due to dry intestines, dry skin, dry respiratory tract. Heat in upper burner.  Soothing to the nervous system (rebuilding for neuro-degenerative conditions). Promotes lucid dreaming, supports meditation. This herb is used for spiritual flight. For transforming grief to wisdom (lung healing).  This herb is related to Asparagus racemosa, aka Shatavari, meaning "who possesses a hundred husbands" or acceptable to many. It is used as a generally tonifying herb. It is also used specifically for tonifying to the female reproductive system, and as a libido enhancer. Moistening to reproductive tract, as may be needed with age. The use of this herb is related to some of the plant meditation experiences. Western use:  Moistening, lubricating. Dry respiratory tract. Dry skin. Constipation. Dry vagina, infertility, hot flashes, menopausal symptoms. Insomnia and depression (likely hormonally based, or due to drying). Ulcer healing (mucusal resistance, it is mucilaginous), helps control symptoms of AIDS, galactogogue, anti-hepatotoxic. Supports immunity by increasing white blood cells.  Invitation:  What are your personal and/or clinical experiences with Asparagus root, Shatavari, tiān mén dōng?

Why is meditation beneficial? I have been practicing silent meditation everyday for my adult life. It has given me a connection to spirit, improved my relationships, and helped me emotionally. Furthermore I have seen how much it helped my father, who has meditated daily my whole life. I share some of my experiences. What is plant meditation? Plant meditation is a simple practice combining consuming plant medicine (subscribe and join our Plant Meditation Club) and meditating. During your meditation, observe you body, mind, emotions, etc, and then journal and share your experiences with others. In this way your learn from plants (gemstones, etc) from your internal experiences and those of others in the Plant Meditation Club. We are sharing our plant meditation experiences here, on the Community blog, and in groups in person in Portland, OR and online. 

Hawthorn is a favorite herb. I have used it a lot personally and in my herbalism practice. This was a heart warming plant meditation! I learned a new areas of help that hawthorn can offer physically, and was in tears at times with the gifts hawthorn gives emotionally. I am very grateful for the openness and vulnerablity of the group. Process: We drank the unknown infusion, meditated for ten minutes, and shared experiences. We the repeated the process. The plant was revealed to be hawthorn leaf and flower. Want to participate in herbs of Traditional Western herbalism? Subscribe here.   Here is our group doing the first National University of Natural Medicine gathering for plant meditation.   Meditation from the group: Tastes: light, twig taste, floral, dry. Felt the plant was grown in an arid area*.  Body sensation: bone layer**, teeth getting bleached***, head, heart. Visual and sensation of the heart pumping inside author's chest, first the bottom, then the top.  Thought themes: Recognizing patterns of worry. Realizing it was possible to let go of worry (seeing emotional pattern, holding, accepting, release). Memories of times that more was given than received in love efforts (seeing, acceptance, being held by the awareness). Creative process imperfections were seen as part of the harmonious flow of expressing (seeing the pattern of imperfection, seeing this as part of the process, warmth/holding in the awareness). The trees will be one person's nuisance, another's blessing. Heart being sent ducks (all different kinds--mallards, carvings, rubber, etc). Recollecting ancestor who carved ducks. Personally: "The heart is always moving, sending stuff out. But you have to keep filling it too." "You can't just keep burning things, you have to put in good stuff too." Heart being filled with seeds (all kinds--pomegranates in relation to the Plant Meditation Club) and sending them out. Seeing all the seeds the hawthorn produces, enough to fill a valley with trees.     My illustration of hawthorn, crataegus, based on my plant meditation experience with the group.  Reflection:  The heart is always half filling and half emptying. See yourself coming into full heart. You must be giving and receiving. Your heart energy is full, white light. Always in use, always circulating energy. Giving with love, receiving with gratitude. If a heart is always moving, always emptying out half of its contents, how to we stand it full heart? The energy of the heart space is strong, open. We can see and accept our emotional selves with our foibles. We see our outward expressions of feeling, whether creative, nurturing, or romantic, as beautiful in their imperfection. We understand we are process and the process does not have to be heavy, hard, worrisome. We can let that go. We stand with openness to receive. We can stay centered and be open to receiving. Reality check, does our intuition match up?  Hawthorn is time-honored as the primary heart remedy (physically and emotionally). It is a safe, food herb, and can be taken long term.  *Hawthorn grows in the United States from Vermont to Texas. It prefers a moist climate but, once established is tolerant of many climates. It is possible the harvest we were drinking came from a drier climate, it came from Chile. I was not aware of the use of Hawthorn in bone and dental health. Here are a few studies showing this is under investigation. Poor rodents! **Study showing hawthorn's "obvious" ability to positively impact bone marrow in mice, during a 24hr period.  ***Study showing that topical application of hawthorn on rat teeth reduced alveolar bone loss. Traditional Use:  Early leaves are called bread-and-cheese and make a nice snack. The leaves are a remedy for thorn pokes, including Hawthorn's own. Make a syrup of the flowers. Make a tincture of the berry. Take in the morning and before bed 10-20 drops for food allergies, inflammation, waking in the middle of the night and having difficulty getting back to sleep, heart ailments.  I love to harvest hawthorn berries for tincture every year on my birthday, the autumnal equinox. I also like to prepare hawthorn rose hip conserve. 

Here are my favorite herbs for managing boundaries.   Wishing you pleasant holidays!    Are you generally feeling overwhelmed by others'? Yarrow and St John's Wort (in my Back Support tincture) are really helpful for healing openings in your energy body which can make you more susceptible to other people's feelings and energy. Yarrow is found in my Blood and Boundaries bath) as well as Astral in Body herbal smoking blend. St John's Wort in my Back Support tincture. Taking either or both of these in small doses over time has been known to tonify the subtle body making it easier to be a perceptive person but to no longer feel inundated by others energies. All three of these herbs are pretty common in the Pacific Northwest. Yarrow is pretty easy to identify and grow. St John's wort is considered an invasive species and discouraged from gardening because it spreads easily and can cause grazers (like cows) to develope sunburns. Check out my St John's Wort identification video on @brownbearherbs on Instagram.   Stronger support when needed: Devil's club  Try taking Devil's Club when you are going into a situation with a very tough personality. This herb is particularly helpful for having a tough skin around difficult family members, or anyone else who is typically emotionally overwhelming. This herb was historically used to give strong boundaries and a sense of protection. I recommend trying small doses first, about 5 drops is a good starting point. You can take more if needed. Sometimes taking too much can make people feel a little aggressive.   

David Frierman, LAc, is an Adjunct Professor at National University of Natural Medicine, Department of Classical Chinese Medicine. Here he writes about the classical Chinese herbal formula, Guìzhī Tāng 桂枝汤, for reasserting boundaries after abuse.

I am always saddened when I hear of harm consciously being done to our co-inhabitants of Mother Earth. In addition to my community work, I am on the board of directors for Herbalists Without Borders, a global humanitarian organization with a mission is to support local humanitarian groups to help with food and health justice for all.  As I think of people living in war-torn, or high-violence areas, the first herb that comes to mind for resilience is thyme. Why Thyme? 

The Trauma Informed Herbalist by Elizabeth Guthrie is an excellent introduction to how healers can be more considerate and aware of trauma. Trauma, in this book, refers to a personal reaction to a range of negative experiences such as ongoing microaggressions related to race, ableism, weight, etc. and PSTD from domestic violence and sexual abuse.  Guthrie, PhD in Natural Medicine, delves into various areas we can all be more sensitive and gives examples and insight from years of personal experience, professional experience, and research. She provides a comprehensive resource list of books covering areas where she lacks first-hand experience.  Instead of going into depth on herbs, she provides an overview of ways to support people and avoid triggering them. Guthrie looks at how and when to use essential oils, yoga, energy healing, environmental choices, thoughtful language, offers a substantial section on flower essences, and discusses some herbs.  I was hoping for more discussion of herbs given the title. I do appreciate the book and the pathway of discovery it opens up.  I recommend this read for people working with others who would like to be more thoughtful about trauma in their practice and/or life. Check it out, and invite in the information for your development.

Herbs and natural remedies can help many things but, social problems like isolation, racism, misogyny, and safety concerns need other solutions too. Community building is for everyone. Here are some reasons why its important and some easy ways to get started. Improving and expanding your connections is fun and it's also important to our physical and emotional health.