Herb Journal: Mullein

Hmphhh, I just dont know how to say I like Mullein, I just want to, but it just isn't one of those pleasant tasting herbs. But either way, it doesn't make me think it's useless. So, the tea is a really cool shade of almost flourescent yellow/green, the leaves are amidst my favorite because they are so unique and interesting, these fuzzy velvety things that feel like fabric you would use as a blanket, the pretty mint color of them, the neat thick prickly stem, this is a really amazing looking plant, to make you gasp, truly cool looking, like something you would want to paint. Mullein seems to grow quite easily and is a hardy plant, it is known for helping with respiratory complaints, and is good in syrups, the flowers known to ease earaches. The leaves are smoked for respiratory complaints, although I dont have any real urge to smoke any of the herbs we have been studying. Doing a steam inhalation or drinking the tea.. even making a nasal spray or an oil that you can drop into my nose would be preferable. I haven't tried it for UTI's, the tea doesn't seem as mucilaginous as.. say marshmallow or slippery elm, which is good because those can become gross if you dont drink them right away.. i do like teas that you can refrigerate and drink cold later on.. even if the cold isn't particularly the best for your body. old habits die hard, which is no excuse, it might take me a while though, to switch to room temperature and warm on a regular basis. I like the idea of using this externally, or internally as a deuche. I just really dislike the taste. its almost like very little taste, but the little taste that it has it horrendous. Okay to put in a syrup, of course, which more or less masks the flavor of most of the herbs. Would do that. Probably not drink it again, not unless it was a situation where there was nothing else that would work, and it were my only option. Thanks mullein floppy ears, I'll keep you on the outside (or in a tincture, syrup, etc.. however still, I just find other herbs with similar properties more amenable to my taste). For allergies, I'll hold you close, but otherwise, think you will be a back shelf herb for me. Sorry, guy, you are extremely cute though. 

Herb Journal: Yarrow

My first reaction to yarrow is that it is incredibly cooling. I had been running on fumes all day and felt just burnt out. The yarrow tea was a friendly hug. For some reason, I didn't remember yarrow to be a reasonable tasting herb, but drinking it this time, was a really pleasant surprise. Yarrow is so good for you for so many different things, I even remember saying to myself, whenever it would come up that yarrow was good for this, or good for that... too bad it doesn't taste good at all. I don't remember where i got that idea from. Its actually one of the more pleasant tasting teas that I have had in quite some time, that have been on the "herb of the week" list at least. It tastes a little minty, but generally pleasant and soothing. It is not harsh, but not too weak either. It is calming, comforting and just like a pet on the head. The energetics include "diffusive", and I think that would explain the feeling that I have right now, diffused the overload of nervous energy, intensity, worry and neurosis that have been plaguing me at the time. I felt that it took it out of my brain, or out of one specific place, and let it run out into my body, dissolving it, just making it able to "let go". Not sure if that was the meaning of the word in that context, but it works for me right now. Interestingly enough, it says yarrow is indicated for the wounded healer. I find this absolutely perfect right now, especially because my kind nature has been in question, and in the context of a long relationship, where I felt I had given so much. The fact that it is my nature to heal people, and being told I am self-centered and do not care about the well-being of others has been a terrible thing to grapple with. Perhaps yarrow can be the spear (as the leaves appear to be, little spears) with which I can fight off those demons of self-doubt and self-blame. Also for me, I must have overlooked the indication for inflamed ovaries. I should have been taking this over the past few months, for sure, to help with all of the swelling in that part of my body. Also, restlessness. I had a harder time falling asleep last night than usual. So another thing, that makes yarrow a tea that resonates with me at this time. My favorite thing about yarrow are the leaves, they are so unique and pretty, that combined with the white puffball flowers on top, that look a lot like puffy cotton balls.. it was the first plant that I was able to identify with some degree of certainty in the wild. I wonder if this indicates that I will have a long, prosperous relationship with it. I really don't know what it means, and it just occurred to me just now, since I haven't been using it for much, or drinking it at all, since we first got the bag of it for class. 

Herb Journal: Elder Flower

What I first noticed about elder flower, aside from the unique and beautiful deep golden tone of the tea, matching the color of the little tiny dried flowers, is that it tastes minty to me. That was a bit of a shocker. But well for whatever reason I had associated Elder with something relaxing and calming, it seemed to follow suit. It's just that we always seem to associate mint flavor with the color green. It is a really pleasant tasting tea. Happy about that. It's a cold day, I feel stressed out, and this tea is gentle and relaxing, kind of comforting, and grounding. Something about it is reassuring me that everything is going to be okay. To stop thinking so much, let life just happen, release, let go, and while you are so busy worrying about this and that, you forgot to realize that actually... everything is completely okay. The following sips made me aware of a nutty flavor, and then a slightly sweet, caramel like flavor, maybe a bit smokey. Wow, this is a really beautiful tea. I am also feeling a serious mellowing effect. It might be possible just that I haven't had a warm tea in a while, and since its been pretty cold out, the soothing nature of a warm tea is simply irreplaceable. But I have to say, this is a decadent tea, that can be drank for pleasure and it's just plain warmth and yummyness, than for this or that acute situation. This could be a daily for me. I'm happy to have experienced it. There is a light, sunshiny vibe to it, which goes along with its sun-shiny yellow color. I wonder if somehow, in some way, the color of an herb can also have an impact on its energetics. This is an uplifting, sensual tea, and the sun is, well uplifting and sensual.. and yellow, like the elderflower.

Herb Journal: Chaparral

Chaparral: Oooooh, how bitter you are, and oh, how I love thee. I remember when I first started taking this class, and our teacher would just go on and on about this herb Chaparral, and it frustrated me, first because it's an herb well known in the Southwest, but not at all, even UNHEARD of to the herbalist laypeople in the places where I was from, namely the midwest (Chicago) and the Southeast (Miami). Who do you think you are, Chaparral, and really, how much good can you serve if we don't even know about you anywhere else? Well, shucks. I have to say, I wish the rest of the world (my universe) knew about this herb. Apparently, having allegedly caused some serious liver problems for a few people throughout the years, when it was seen as this potent liver detoxifier, this herb was well, de-publicized, and made unavailable in commerce, as it is called, meaning, you just can't go out and buy it.. anywhere, in much of the country. But in New Mexico, well at least in Santa Fe, oh yes you can. And not only that, you can go harvest some yourself. After listening to how great it was for skin cancers and lesions and for all of these REALLY IMPORTANT THINGS, after noticing that there is a street named after it not far from where I was living, after having a debate with my car dealer about whether it was a plant or a region (it is both), I finally saw it in the wild (on our first field trip), tried it (it was strong) and then it became part of my vocabulary. I love this plant. It is a small, interesting looking plant, and the flowers get this fuzzy white stuff around them that makes it look like they are molding, but they aren't ... simply because I dont think mold could ever come near a chaparral plant, it would repel it and pretty much tackle it and kill it before it had the slightest chance since it is so incredibly potent antimicrobial and antifungal... i just love this stuff. My love affair with Chaparral began when I came back from having an unnecessary biopsy of my uterus, and I felt as if my insides were on fire, and that they might just come sliding out of my vagina in a steamy, bloody, melted goober. It was and has been quite possibly the most scary health challenge I have ever faced, well, as an adult, I will say that much, where it was up to me to figure it out, and not up to my parents to freak out and bring me to whatever doctor they thought could handle it best. Anyways, so here I am, studying herbal medicine, and I am trying this tea and that tea, and nothing was helping AT ALL and I mean NOTHING. Then.. it occurred to me, Chaparral. I made a strong decoction, had a few sips, and I mean, wow, my symptoms seriously calmed down. It was the first time I felt anything at all in terms of actual relief to any serious degree. Chaparral is incredibly strong. This thing lives in desert conditions that most plants cannot survive in, and it has the same kind of life saving abilities when it comes to healing your body. It is a champion. This herb basically serves to conquer an array of things that could have possibly been plaguing my body at the time, and this is why it was helpful, because well... i really couldn't figure out what it was that was plaguing me, the typical antibiotics weren't helping. Chapparal is a fighter for your body against so many ailments that can plague your female parts. It is antimicrobial, anti-fungal, antiseptic, antiparasitic, cooling and is used to treat infections that are hot and toxic. In my case, my pee felt like it had been simmered on low heat (meaning you have a hot condition). in cases of.. you name it: UTI's, HPV, chronic yeast infections, gonorrhea, vaginitis, herpes, staph, absesses, boils, low grade kidney infections, respiratory infections, parasites, cold & flu. I mean, watch out infection... Chaparral will kick your ass. And I thank the kind Southwest herbalists for introducing me to this powerhouse herb. Love it, don't care how it tastes. When something helps you that much, it tastes like life. And the little flower buds are so cute, and the stems a really neat wintergreen color that is pretty unique. 

Herb Journal: Angelica Root

Angelica: the name itself is going to inspire curiosity and attention. So, what's the deal? What does it have to do with Angels, right? Well, I'll give that some attention later. First, how does it taste? I just made a tea, and well.. it's okay, kind of soothing. In the beginning, a bit peppery, the color is a golden blonde, and the smell reminds me of the way every hippie's living room smelled throughout my experience. Like some sort of incense that all deadheads shared in common. But the taste and the smell don't really correspond. The aftertaste is a bit nutty. I'd say, this is not a tea that you drink for pleasure. It is grounding, after you sit with it for a few minutes. It is calming. This tea seems to root you quite effectively, bringing a halt to that continuous, roundabout "thinking" we all seem to do. Now that I remember, I think it was talked about in class, the one day that I left my notebook at home, that Angelica is known to quiet one's thoughts and bring a halt to circular thinking, bring you into the moment. That is TOTALLY happening right now. All of a sudden, I am aware of being in this moment, right here, right now. I was in my head, yes in my head, thinking of all of these other things and not being rooted in the now. Until now. Well, Angelica has already made a friend in me. Aside from the psycho-spiritual aspects of Angelica (according to our notes, it is recommended for people who are feeling emotionally empty, hollow, need a little relaxation of the mind, who feel that life no longer makes sense, feel depressed, anguish, fatigue, or nervous excitement). Angelica is said to calm (balance) any sort of excess of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system, whether over.. or under.. stimulated. Interesting. Any plant that can bring you into balance is a good one, worth noting, and this one is used quite often, and is worth remembering. It seems Angelica is seen most often in cough formulas, as it is very useful for clearing respiratory congestion, and aids with asthma. Oh, and why is it called Angelica? According to Botannical.com, A Modern Herbal, there are a few ideas about this. One is, according to legend, Angelica was revealed in a dream by an angel to cure the plague. Another explanation is that the plant blooms on the day of Michael the Archangel.(A Modern Herbal, by Mrs. M. Grieve). 

Herb Journal: Red Clover

Well, Red Clover, since we are drinking it with stems and leaves, still comes out a green color. But the taste is really mild and sweet and uplifting. This is a good tea for a cold night under the covers reading a book. Its extremely nutritive, and gives you an overall sense of well-being. I think that because Red Clover is so backed with nutrients and is also a fantastic detoxifier, it just makes you feel good. Plus, since it is a big fertility herb, I see it very much as a great plant for women, and helps to balance your mood, while clearing heat and cooling your moods/emotions/senses/and overall constitution. Nutrients it contains are numerous: calcium, magnesium, chromium, potassium, thiamine, iron, vitamins C and K. Therefore, this is not only a yummy, cooling, relaxing, drink, a good one for stress and overexciteability, but it gives your body some nourishment. I don't see where you can go wrong. To me, whenever I have female issues I think of red clover and red raspberry. Maybe the fact that they both have the word red in them? They are both great female tonics. Like a warm blanket covering me when I am cold, wet and shivering like a baby seal in the arctic. Hmmm, maybe this increases my creativity as well, because all of a sudden, I am thinking more abstractly. This is comforting to me, I have been obsessing over something that doesn't serve my best interests for far too long. Time to take a load off. Red clover, you always make me better :). I don't want to leave out the possibility that my hormones are just off balance, and red clover may be a good balancer. i was on birth control that was strictly progesterone for almost a decade. Perhaps the phyotoestrogen formonenetin that red clover contains is something my body lacks a proper amount of. could be.. just sayin. The aftertaste of this tea is like honey. Soothing, and lax, like I just listened to The Cowboy Junkies version of Sweet Jane on repeat for a matter of hours. 

Herb Journal: Thyme

Well, thank God, thyme came around just in time. As I was recovering from a semi- heart-attack from the super ultra horrendously drying Calendula, I felt as if I had just made it halfway through the desert, and if I couldn't get a sip of water, well, I just was going to give. up. At least until my mouth started producing saliva again. Wow, calendula, I'd just like to say, no thank you. In the desert where I live, you are an unwelcome flower when it comes to drinking tea. Otherwise, you are okay. So thyme. This is a tremendously cooling herb to me, at this moment. It just helped me to re-start the motor of my body and put it back into balance. I really like thyme. It helps me to focus, is incredibly cooling and hydrating. It was a welcome remedy for what felt like a body dying of dehydration. And ironically enough, thyme is also seen as warming, even HOT, drying and astringent. That can really only make a greater statement about how insanely drying calendula is, that thyme actually feels moistening. As I chug a glass of aloe vera juice to bring some sort of hydration and moisture back into my body, I will try to think about thyme, on it's own, and not in relation to Calendula. it is pretty intense, peppery, and stimulating to the digestive system. My stomach juices feel like they are flowing, and that is part of what makes thyme a culinary herb, it is a carminative, in that it aids digestion. My feeling of an impending athsma attack is being stymied as well by this unique and pungent herb, as it is a bronchodilator, helping to open the lungs and aid respiration when there is any sort of respiratory congestion, or complaint. Oh.. ok I just read that despite it's classification of hot and warming, thyme is helpful to the condition of heat affecting the nervous system, which is what I was feeling, sort of. A dehydrated panic. Sometimes, despite the energetics of an herb, it can serve to balance out the extreme of another, being cooling when you are too hot, warming when you are too cold. I think I also associate the color green with hydrating, refreshing.. it might be somewhat psychosomatic as well.