When Plants Talk

Hehe, did that title make you think I’ve had a little too much of the herbal liquor? There comes a time as an herbalist, and plant enthusiast, that you start to recognize plants and be so familiar with them that you can spot them out of the corner of your eye. If you walk in the same places every season, year in and year out, you start to notice when new plants come in or old friends pass away.

Then there’s a funny thing that happens, (and other herbalist will attest to this) that when you need them the plants will call out to you. Whether you are sick and thinking of herbs to help heal or soothe, or maybe it’s for someone else. You might be walking along and suddenly be surround by Oregon grape or yarrow or lemon balm or even nettles. It’s such an amusing phenomenon. See the picture above of minors lettuce? I was feeling hungry on my way back from looking for morels (none yet again) and found this for the first time the other day as well. Growing up against this bolder they were very obvious to the eye. I had a few for a little snack!

The very first time this happened to me was on a hike years ago. At that time I was having digestive track issues. I think I got a bug from drinking some wild water I wasn’t familiar with. As I was walking a long, I suddenly found myself in the biggest patch of Oregon grape I have ever seen. It was more like meadow. The answer to my problem could not be anymore obvious than that.

I find so many plant allies now. For example this picture above shows, some yarrow and lomatium hanging out together by the side of the trail. The other day cleavers yelled out to me in a way I had never noticed before and I found myself once again surround in a filed of plant I hadn’t noticed before trying to get my attention. Come to find out when I get home that cleavers aids in the flushing of excess fluid in the tissues of the body and joints. (My daughter who ice skates 5 days a week has been having knee issues) I’ll be making cleavers tea for her.

Mother’s Day is coming up too, make sure to get outside with your mom. Treat her to picnic or walk or just a cup of tea in the morning in the backyard.

I hope you all have a lovely week!