Plant Meditation Club: This week we meditated on 天門冬, tiān mén dōng, Radix aspargi, 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? If you haven't tried it yet and you are curious:
Comments 6
Almost immediately upon drinking the tea, I noticed a cooling sensation starting from my tongue, moving down my throat, and into my lungs. My lungs were cool and ached, feeling almost as if they were clenching. Besides the more obvious response found in my chest- the rest of my body felt warm and very pleasantly at ease. During the first period of sitting with the herb, I saw a hawk floating very elegantly through the sky.
Upon a second brewing of the tea, the sensation in my lungs became more acute, and the chilling clench bled into a dull, aching feeling of grief. However, the lightness and ease throughout the rest of my body was also heightened during this time, and I found it to be very calming.