Brown Bear Herbs Herbalism & Tactics for Thriving Together

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.

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:   

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. 

Hey, it's Arati. I joined Herbalists Without Borders Board of Directors this January. I was super excited to discover the organization's work through Carolyn Jones and the Healing Project based in Queens. I too am passionate about improving accessibility to herbal wisdom in conjunction with the herbs themselves. If you have information without the actual herbs, you are kind of out of luck! Herbalists Without Borders is so empowering, offering herb lovers support for creating their dream projects and supplying herbs.

VanDyke starts off by looking at the history of African American herbalism, including prominent herbalists and midwives and the roots of their practices. Later on in the book she shares the work and wisdom of modern day, African American herbalists. This book includes how-to’s on medicine making, a materia medica including herbalism for physical wellness, warnings, and magical uses of the same herbs, and many of enticing recipes. It is a wonderful addition to my herbal knowledge and would be a great first herb book for any new herb enthusiast. The best part was hearing VanDyke’s way of expressing her connection with the plants themselves.

I recently did an interview with powerhouse, Anabel Velasquez, check out the podcast and her work improving legal outcomes from abuse victims at therundown.org Her main mission is to remove the stigma associated with being a victim of domestic and/or sexual abuse. We discussed healing with plant medicine while enduring and recovering from family and sexual abuse.

  I discuss the use of damiana as an aphrodisiac as well as for sexual health. I also talk about my visit to Baja Mandala the farm in Mexico where we source our organic Damiana and some other herbs. Damiana is in Sexy Smokes one of our organic herbal smoking blends, and Warming Elixir.   

I go over the following herbs and how they help with work: Lobelia, Agrimony, Blue Vervein, and Hops. I talk about our Take It Easy Herbal Smoking Blend vs Clear Mind for people who smoke a lot at work. And...the magical Worker's Woes, for all sorts of work probs (product no longer available). 

This video is about skullcap, or Skutellaria lateriflora. I find this herb to be wonderfully supportive for stress. It is a nervine that shines in cases of longterm stress of any kind. I will be discussing the following products I make that have skullcap in them to demonstrate how it can be used differently. It is found in our organic herbal teas: Mother's Little Helper, and Artist's Dream Tea, as well as   

A bit of info on one of my favorite herbs: true solomon's seal. This herb is wonderful for joint injuries and loose or tight ligaments. This is a popular remedy for dogs. They have joint health issues galore and really love this medicine. Bonus: premature ejaculation, high blood pressure and sugar stabilization.  

Burdock is a valuable herb for skin health and liver support. Here are some tips and insights in to this wonderful food herb.

Tina Price is the repair person for my cigarette making machine. In spite of being in the cigarette industry she has managed to be tobacco free for three years. That's strong will power! Tina is 5'2" with a smoker's voice. She has so many cool interests: crystals, mounted archery, and belly dance to name a few. The story below is my favorite Tina moment.

Corn silk has some really great benefits for bladder health including UTI's and bedwetting/urinary incontinence. I also like it as a support for people with corn sensitivities. If you have anaphylaxis from corn, I do not recommend corn silk. If you have an allergy to corn silk the antidote is gentian.  For more info on these types of herbal remedies, and more personalized look at healing, check out our herbal consultations Using traditional Western herbalism, and lifestyle adjustments, I will help you with your physical, emotional, and spiritual goals.

This video is about western Angelica, Angelica archangelica, found in our Angelica tincture.   This herb is favorite remedy for bruise first aid. It was historically used for addiction to tobacco and alcohol (and other substances). It is supportive to the liver, stimulates digestion, and is said to moderate blood pressure. Angelica is an herb with female affinities. It is helpful for some menstrual irregularities and has beautiful spiritual energies. Angelica is a strong herb. Use with care and moderation. Do not use during pregancy or nursing unless under the care of a very experienced herbalist who is very familiar with you and your child. Read about the related species, Dú Huó, 独活, Angelica Pubescens Radix, used in Chinese medicine in our Plant Meditation Club blog post, here. 

This exercise comes from the Yogi Bhajan lineage. It is said to be the best yoga meditation for women. In this exercise I define that as having female hormones (there is a gender neutral version with plenty of videos about it on youtube). I found this exercise to be hugely beneficial for recovery from PTSD. I recommend doing this exercise for 40 days consecutively.

Lady's Mantle, or Alchemilla vulgaris, is a wonderful herb that has been used throughout time primarily for women's health issues. I will go over used that are universally applicable and then focus on its use in female reproductive health. Find Lady's Mantle in our Menstrual Bliss tea, when available.

This video is about Lobelia inflata. This herb is good for tobacco cessation, asthma, acute respiratory illness, asymetrical whiplash and headaches associated with that condition. Do not take during pregnancy. This herb may cause miscarriage but, is not a reliable herb for herbal abortion. Find this in our Take it Easy, herbal smoking blend.