Of Rest + Worth: Skullcap Plant Profile

The two nervines - those plants that help bring the nervous system into balance - that I use the most are Milky Oat (Avena Sativa) and Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora). Nervines are an essential part of my practice both in my home and in my wider community. In traditional western herbalism they are some of the most accessible and first learned plants that we encounter as students because caring for our nervous system and its vast network of experience and function is foundational to a body as whole and holy philosophy of practice.

Skullcap is always a close friend of mine and a beloved teacher, but I have found myself turning towards them with greater frequency in the past few years and especially since we all began grappling with our most recent global pandemic. They are a generous teacher and are a powerful ally in some of our most modern maladies, so I hope that the following profile on their healing gifts be a source of inspiration to you.

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Skullcap
(Scutellaria lateriflora)

Folk Names : Mad dog weed, madweed, Quaker’s hat or bonnet, blue pimpernel, helmet flower
Planet : Moon, Saturn, Mercury, Neptune, Pluto
Element : Water, Air
Moon Phase : Dark Moon, Full Moon
Zodiac Signs : Gemini, Virgo
Parts used : Leaf and flower
Habitat : Native to North America and Eurasia.
Growing conditions : Full sun with plenty of space and not overly rich soil.
Collection : Summer, before flowering.
Flavor : Bitter
Temperature : Cold
Moisture : Dry
Tissue State : Tense/Restriction, Hot/Excitation
Constituents : B vitamins, calcium, potassium, flavonoids, tannin, scutellonin, stearic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid.

Actions : Anodyne, antibacterial, antispasmodic, astringent, anxiolytic, bitter, brain tonic, cardiotonic, diuretic, febrifuge, vasodilator, hypotensive, nervine, sedative, spinal cord tonic.

Main uses : A powerful and deeply loved nervine within traditional western herbalism, Skullcap restores strength to an overwhelmed nervous system and accompanying symptoms of muscle spasms and nerve pain all while cultivating calm. For nervousness, fear, and a sense of being overwhelmed, Skullcap stimulates the brain to produce more endorphins in the system due to the presence of scutellarin in the plant which becomes scutellarein in the body. The herb is one of my favorite brain tonics as it not only helps us to develop our pathways of mental clarity, but acts deeply on the nervous system to bring about a sense of wellness and peace. In the USA we live in a culture that glorifies overwork (more on that in a minute) and being productive so Skullcap, with its message of balance and developing awareness between what we're thinking and what we're feeling, is an herb that I turn to often in my practice.

Skullcap is an excellent ally for those who suffer from insomnia, especially when there is difficulty shutting off the busy chatter of a restless mind - Skullcap helps promote healthy sleep patterns. Herbalist Thomas Bartram notes that Skullcap is a wonderful nervine "for workaholics compelled to work long hours with resulting mental exhaustion" and I can attest to this again and again not only for myself but for many folks that I work with. (1) The wisdom of Skullcap is that as a teacher they help us to reassess what pressures are appropriate and inappropriate in our work life, helping us to return not only to a state of mental peace but dignity in work as well.

(Am I suggesting that Skullcap is an anti-capitalist ally? Yes, yes I am.)

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The herb can be used for a variety of nervous conditions and imbalances stemming from hyperactivity including ADHD, anxiety, hypertension, nervous exhaustion, hysteria, neuralgia, premenstrual tension, and the effects of withdrawal from caffeine. In general, Skullcap is a gentle ally for supporting folks grappling with addiction withdrawal as well as withdrawal symptoms from tranquilizers and antidepressants. In my experience Skullcap is also an excellent ally to turn to for social media, gaming, and the new forms of online addiction that have emerged in our modern culture. The herb can also be used in general recovery from colds and influenza as well as prolonged periods of stress.

I use it for cases of fear, including nightmares, and the herb has a balancing effect on energy and emotions, helping both pass unhindered and appropriately through the body. Indicators for Skullcap include the collapse of the ability to hide nervous tension - folks are just not able to keep from the world their fears and anxieties which only makes them more fearful and anxious. Skullcap folk have a particular gift for embodying their thoughts, dreams, and possibilities but that means they can get caught up in the abstract and struggle with being in their bodies. Daily small doses of the herb over many months can be a helpful reset and support a return to embodiment. 

Skullcap can also be used in recovery from too much sun exposure, for indigestion with the presence of gas such as in the case of a nervous stomach, for headaches and dizziness, for fevers and colds. Irritability is a big indicator for the use of Skullcap as the plant helps us to release the build-up of frustration. There are not many traditional topical uses for Skullcap that I've come across but I do add the herb to anxiety and stress alleviating bath blends. 

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Magickal uses : Skullcap is an herb of oaths and binding contracts from business agreements to romantic unions. The herb is worn by lovers to ensure fidelity. Just as the herb is used to calm nervous conditions in the body, Skullcap can be used in rituals and spells for promoting peace and calm. During trancework, journeying, and astral projection, Skullcap helps keep the spirit secured to the body so that it is able to find its way back after the journey. The herb can also be used to help people ground in any situation, but especially post-meditation or after waking up from an intense dream or nightmare. Skullcap has an affinity for the Autumn Equinox, helping us transition from the bright half of the year to the dark half.

The Skullcap Personality : The Skullcap personality is easy to spot – they are intense, their muscles tense, and they are prone to overthinking. Often, their brow is furrowed, even when they are young children, intensely occupied in thought and their inner worlds. Energetic and quick, they can appear restless or overactive, which they sometimes are, but for Skullcap folk they are purposefully busy and often happily, if very quickly, engaged with whatever project or imaginative game they are pursuing. These are kids who enjoy problem solving in their play - whether puzzles or saving the galaxy from certain doom - but if they do tend towards more nervous energy and fears even if they appear brave and confident in their play and relationships. Skullcap folks can have a hard time feeling present in their bodies and can experience moments of disorientation whether dizzy spells or struggling to find their physical edges. They have to be very careful about frequent burnout and making sure that they take regular time off from their intense periods of thinking and doing The great gift of Skullcap folk is that they have an incredible capacity to remain focused on the theoretical, impossible, and seemingly unattainable, bringing all into the range of accessibility for themselves and their community. Skullcap helps them to access the balance necessary to help save the galaxy and also get enough rest.

Contraindications : Contraindicated during pregnancy.

Dosage : 3 – 10 drops up to 3 times daily of a 1:5 alcohol extract. 1 teaspoon of herb per cup of water. Small doses are quite effective and recommended with Skullcap.

Recipe : My Favorite Tea for Easy Evenings + Self-Care

(1) Thomas Bartram, Bartram's Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine (London: Constable & Robinson Ltd, 1998), 394.

I’ve written about Skullcap a lot so it was about time that I shared a full profile on them. They are featured on my list of herbs and essences for empaths and highly sensitive folks and are definitely one of my favorite eclipse season herbs.

If you’re looking for more plant profiles, come this way. May your the path with the plants be a verdant, wild, and illuminating one full of viriditas.

This post was made possible through patron support.
❤︎ Thanks, friends. ❤︎

Cool + Considered : Burdock Plant Profile

During these hot summer months, cooling herbs are key allies for our health and wellbeing. There are a number of cooling herbs we can befriend, including Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Rose (Rosa damascena), and Aloe (Aloe vera). One of my favorites is Burdock because it has such a wonderful way of balancing heat in the body, is mild in taste, and is one of those herbs (like Oats) that act as much as food as it does medicine.

I created this profile for the students who attend The Plant Sabbat but thought it would be fun to share with you, too.

What are your favorite ways to use Burdock? Let me know in the comments below. If you're looking for all my plant profiles click here and you can learn how to connect with any plant with the Plant Ally Project. Enjoy!

Common + Folk Names : Bardane, happy major, hardock, hareburr, cockleburr, clotbur, love leaves, hurt burr, beggar’s buttons

Element : Water

Zodiac Signs : Taurus

Planets : Venus, Jupiter

Moon Phase : Waning Moon

Parts used : Root and seed.

Habitat : Native to Eurasia and grows throughout North America. Thrives in damp areas, disturbed soil, and roadsides.

Growing Conditions : Self-seeding and relatively easy to grow. Prefers full sun and moist, rich soil.

Collection : Collect the root of a in the summer or fall of the plant’s first year or the spring of the second.

Flavor : Bitter, sweet

Temperature : Cool

Moisture : Dry

Tissue State : Dry/Atrophy, Damp/Stagnation

Constituents : Vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, zinc, polyacetylenes, chlorogenic acid, taraxosterol, arctigen, inulin, lactone, volatile oils, flavonoids, tannin, mucilage, resin, pectin.

Actions : Adaptogen, alterative, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-candida, antitussive, aperient, aphrodisiac, cholagogue, demulcent, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, febrifuge, galactagogue, mild laxative, nutritive. The seed is alternative, anti-inflammatory, depurative, diaphoretic, diuretic.

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Main Uses : Burdock is a clearing herb. It draws toxins out of the body, especially from the gut, the tissues, and the liver. As a blood-purifier, the herb helps to support the work of eliminatory organs like the liver and kidneys. It is a traditional remedy for kidney stones. As a cooling and moistening herb, Burdock is especially useful for issues that arise from excess heat including inflammation (especially when inflammatory skin conditions are an issues), fevers, and illnesses such as tonsillitis or dry coughs. Acting on the liver, Burdock helps with the secretion of bile and stimulates the actions of the gall bladder. The herb is indicated for poor glandular function in general including the lymph system, pancreas, endocrine glands, prostate, and spleen. As for most liver herbs, Burdock can be helpful for those in recovery from alcohol addiction. It is good to use cleansing Burdock with diuretic herbs such as Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) to make sure that you are pulling out toxins from the body effectively.

The heat and pain of arthritis and gout are alleviated by Burdock as the root breaks down excess uric acid in the joints. Some indicators for Burdock can seem contradictory - excess internal heat can result in a dry digestive tract (constipation and dry fecal matter are indicators) but it can lead also to weepy skin conditions. This is because hot and dry internal heat has pushed all moisture and oil in the body system to the extremities. Of course, to keep things interesting, Burdock can also be strongly indicated in the case of dry and scaly skin conditions. Remember, you are looking for excess heat and how it is manifesting the body when considering Burdock.

Traditionally, Burdock has been used since the Middle Ages for the treatment of cancer including by famed herbalist and mystic Hildegard of Bingen. Modern research continues to look at Burdock as a useful ally in the treatment of not only cancer but HIV, alerting us to Burdock’s immune-boosting qualities.

Burdock combines well with other nutritive herbs such as Milky Oat (Avena sativa) for creating a restorative tonic for undernourished body systems. Insulin rich, Burdock acts as a prebiotic in our gut, helping to cultivate healthy flora. It also helps with the digestion of fats and oils. Enjoy the tea 30 minutes before a meal for best results. Another indicator for Burdock is a sweet tooth and maybe even sugar addiction for those who rely on the quick fix of sugar for energy. There can be a deeper emotional tie to pleasure (or lack thereof) in life and the use of sugar as a quick but ultimately unsatisfying replacement. Approach all diet discussions with nuance and compassion, being sure to examine your own relationship to food and prejudices about size and appearance. Use the essences of Burdock, Crap Apple, and Pretty Face for help.

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Brigitte Mars offers an interesting insight into how Burdock is especially useful for city dwellers: 

“During the Industrial Revolution, burdock was used as a medicine to help people cope with pollution or, as John Kelton said in 1870, ‘the constant deterioration of the blood from impure air and exhaustion by day, bad ventilation at night and want of attention to ordinary requirements of life.’” (The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine, 67)

Burdock has a low amount of estrogen content which means that it can be useful for folks experiencing menopause when combined with stronger estrogenic herbs such as Dong Quai (Angelica sinensis) and Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa). Use with practitioner support for supporting transgender and gender variant transitions on the transfeminine spectrum.

External uses include using the oil and leaves as a poultice for skin inflammation and rashes including psoriasis, eczema, glandular boils, and ringworm. Make a hair rinse of the root for remedying dandruff and preventing hair loss. Use in after-sun care. Useful for case of hot and red acne that has not come to a head. Made into a facial toner, the root helps to regulate the excretion of sebaceous glands in the skin, making it especially useful for those with oily skin. Use as well for swellings, sprains, and tumors. Skin conditions are especially connected to deep seated emotional imbalances - use flower essences along herbal remedies. The tincture can internally to successfully treat external symptoms, too. “In the Native American healing tradition, the plant was used by the Malecite, Micmac, Ojibwa, and Menominee for skin health. Further, the roots were dried by the Iroquois over a fire and stored for food for the following year.” (1)

Burdock root is quite edible and pleasant in flavor. It’s a popular addition in Japanese, Hawaiian, and New Zealand cuisine.

Magickal Uses : Burdock is considered a protective herb and the root can be buried at the four corners of the home or powdered and traced around the home. The dried root can be cut and made into small button like beads as a protective amulet. The flowers are symbols of abundance. Use the burrs to help the magick stick to something. Use the plant to help you connect with Bear energy - Arctium comes from the Greek word for bear.

The Burdock Personality : The Burdock personality is very good as masking their emotional suffering, but eventually their physical suffering comes to the surface. They embody burnout - their internal heat has burned them up from the inside out. They tend to be anxious and worried about rocking the boat - until they find themselves so angry they can’t not express their anger. Irritability, crankiness, and explosive outbursts can follow and can feel especially overwhelming as this has not been their typical pattern. Burdock helps them to access the liberating powers of their anger. Anger on the surface goes after those we love and has a tendency to wreck relationships. Deep anger that is given space to come to the surface and allowed to breathe and burn off can be healing. The anger of a Burdock person is often from a much earlier period in their life when they weren’t able to safely express their anger then. Burdock helps them get the chance they never had to be angry - it clears the path for a clean, transformative burn.

Contraindications : Avoid use during first trimester of pregnancy - herbalist Anne McIntyre recommends avoiding throughout all trimesters and during breastfeeding. Avoid with insulin and other hypoglycemic medications. Needs careful monitoring of blood sugar levels with diabetic patients. Be aware that Burdock and Rhubarb leaves are similar looking but Rhubarb leaves are toxic.

Dosage : Standard dosage - 1 tsp per 8 oz water; Adults 30 - 60 drops tincture or 1 - 10 drops for drop dosage. 

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Burdock + Dandelion Toffee

by Julie Bruton-Seal & Matthew Seal from Backyard Medicine

Dig several roots of burdock and dandelion, in spring or fall. Strip the root bark off, and clean and chop up the inner part. Weight out 3 to 4 ounces of each. Load into a saucepan and cover with a pint of water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes. Allow to cool.

Simmer again until the roots are tasteless (i.e. have surrendered their content to the liquid). This reduces the mixture by about half. Strain and add 1 tablespoon butter and 12 tablespoons of sugar. Boil for 5 minutes then simmer for 20 minutes more. It will become toffee-like. Test the toffee by pouring a drip of it onto a cold plate, as you would in testing jam: when it crinkles into soft threads, it is ready. Pout it into a buttered shallow tin. Before it sets totally, mark out squares and save the toffee slab in greaseproof paper: or stretch it out by hand into taffy: this is ale and pliable, ideal for balls, plaits, etc.

(1) Quoted from https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/burdock-root/profile but the original source can be found here: Moerman, D.E. 1998. Native American Ethnobotany at http://herb.umd.umich.edu/.

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Sustaining the Spirit : Elecampane Plant Profile

How could I resist sharing with you an herb which possesses the common name of Elfwort?

I can't resist, so I won't. 

There are herbs that work better over the long-run (such as Hawthorn Crataegus monogyna) and there are herbs that work very effectively in a short amount of time. Elecampane is one of those quick-acting herbs (as quick and sudden as an elf shot, perhaps?) and when someone is struggling with chronic congestion, Elecampane is one of my go-to allies. 

The magick of Elecampane is not often as celebrated as other herbs which is strange considering its common name of Elfwort is a big ol' rainbow flag sign of its enchantment. It is the type of herb that I find I use again and again in my practice because of the type of folk that I often work with - those wild-ones and edgewalkers who sometimes have difficulty resettling in their bodies (my beautiful fae, wonderkin, and changelings). 

So enjoy learning about the healing qualities of Elecampane and be sure to share your own Elfwort stories in the comments below.

Common + Folk Names : Elfwort, Elf Dock, scabwort, horseheal, horse elder, velvet dock, marchalan, wild sunflower, raiz del moro, helopia

Planet : Mercury, Sun, Uranus

Element : Earth

Sign : Gemini (Guardian Herb), Aquarius (Remedy Herb), Pisces (Remedy Herb)

Moon Phase : Waxing Quarter (Learn more about making medicine by the Moon)

Parts used : Roots (predominantly), leaves, and flowers.

Habitat : Perennial native to Europe and Russia. 

Growing conditions : Prefers poorly drained sites such as damp pastures, roadside ditches, and waste spaces.

Collection : Collect the roots during the fall.

Flavor : Bittersweet, pungent

Temperature : Hot

Moisture : Dry

Tissue State : Damp/Stagnation, Cold/Depression

Constituents : Calcium, magnesium, inulin, mucilage, azulene, camphor, helenin, lactones, sterols, sesquiterpenes.

Actions : Alterative, analgesic, anthelmintic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiscorbutic, antitussive, antivenomous, aperient, aphrodisiac, aromatic, astringent, bitter, bronchial dilator, cardiotonic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, digestive, diuretic, emollient, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hemostatic, hepatic, immune stimulant, pectoral, restorative, stimulant, stomachic, vulnerary.

Contraindications : Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Large doses may cause gastric spasms, vomiting, diarrhea, and allergic hypersensitivity. Some rare cases of temporary paralysis.

Drug interactions : None known.

Recommended Dosage : 2 tablespoons root decocted per 1 cup water, 1 - 3 cups daily. 3 - 30 drops (Fresh root, 1:2 or Dry Root, 1:5, 60% alcohol) three times daily.

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Main Uses

A traditional Latin prescription for Elecampane reads “Enula campana reddit praecordia sana” or Elecampane will sustain the spirit. One of the supreme lung tonics in Traditional Western Herbalism, as well as a deeply antiseptic and antibacterial herb, Elecampane root is extremely useful stimulating expectorant for cases of chronic lung complaints, especially when infection is present. Use for chronic imbalances of the lungs including tuberculosis, asthma, pneumonia, catarrh, general congestion, respiratory infections, and coughs. The herb is a powerful astringent and expectorant, helping to loosen phlegm and catarrh from the respiratory system and then pull it from the body. Elecampane has long been used in the treatment of tuberculosis and specifically inhibits the growth of tubercle bacillus. Whether or not infection is present, one of the signs that Elecampane may be useful is a stubborn and spasmodic cough. Look also for yellow and green mucus (a sign of infection) and a cough that is worse at night from lying down. A nervous Aquarian cough which is spasmodic, coming and going. I sometimes wonder if the powerful and painful spasmodic cough may not be the “elf shot” that older herbals warn of and Elecampane is supposed to be protective against. Be aware that the power of Elecampane is to produce a deep and powerful cough to help expel gunk from the lungs - which can seem like the condition has temporarily worsened when, in fact, deep healing is occurring. 

Other respiratory complaints that Elecampane is useful for include pleurisy (another contender for the definition of “elf shot”), shortness of breath, sinusitis, whooping cough, hay fever, and laryngitis. Best suited for cold coughs as opposed to hot ones as the herb is warming. In cases of colds and fevers, Elecampane induces sweating which lowers the temperature. 

The herb is warming and clears out build-up not only of phlegm and catarrh, but general excess moisture and waste throughout the body. It is well suited for individuals who would be considered kapha in Ayurvedic medicine and of a Damp/Stagnation persuasion with tendency to Cold/Depression in TWH.  Elecampane is also useful in relieving stagnant pain such as rheumatism and similar arthritic conditions. If a condition is stuck, tending to coldness, and creating unwanted build-up, consider Elecampane.

As a warming bitter, the herb strengthens weak digestion which is troubled by excess moisture. Look for signs of bloating, belching, and fullness caused by excess mucus and edema. Elecampane helps with the metabolism of fat as well as generally enhancing digestive circulation. The high inulin content of Elecampane helps to manage blood sugar as well as being a tonic to the pancreas. Inulin is a very nourishing polysaccharide, assisting the restoration of an exhausted body through nourishment. Works to clear out nematode and protozoan infestations including roundworm and giardia. The root has also been used in the treatment of candida and other systemic imbalances, as well as restoring the health of someone suffering from chronic poor health and nutrition. Elecampane’s powers of expulsion are also useful in bringing on delayed menses, helping with labor, and birthing the placenta.

The plant has an interesting aphrodisiac affect. While some cite its use for increasing libido my experience with Elecampane is that its powers as an aphrodisiac lie in its ability to help bring the heart spirit to the body. I especially see this when folks are caught between the worlds for whatever reason - they are in the period of a great transition, they were born a bit between or they have stumbled too far into the realm of the Good Folk. Read more about the story of Helen of Troy, of whom Elecampane takes its Latin binomial, to learn more about the spiritual pain that Elecampane is well-suited for relieving. 

Topically, use as an insect deterrent both on the person and hung around your space. Elecampane will also relieve the sting of Nettle (Urtica dioica). Use in baths and steams for relieving congestion and pain. Create a facial wash for acne and facial pain. Since Elecampane helps to clear toxicity from the body, it works internally, too, to help alleviate skin conditions such as acne, eczema, and psoriasis. 

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Magickal Uses

Russian name for Elecampane is de-via-sil which apparently means “magic power” but as my Russian is non-existent I can neither deny nor confirm this fact. What it does suggest is that Elecampane’s reputation as a magickal herb, especially one associated with the Good Folk, is far flung. Use to awaken the second sight and lines of communication between you, the Good Folk, and local land spirits. The herb is strongly protective and can be worn as an amulet. The root can be burned as a protective incense and to neutralize negative energy. Elecampane is specifically protective against the elusive but powerful elf shot.

It's Mercurial nature lends itself well to trancework and shifting shapes. Since it is an herb of Mercury it is also associated with the Magician card in Tarot. Given the trickiness of the Magician (who sometimes appears as one of the Good Folk pretending to be a humyn and hiding behind a stage act of magick to disguise themselves), I find this association apt.

The herb enhances psychic powers, especially the ability to perceive the Good Folk. Traditional use in love charms as well. The herb is also associated with horses and so can be used when connecting to the power of our equine kindred. Herbalist and astrologer, Elisabeth Brooke, recommends Elecampane for connecting with the transpersonal will. Use in baby blessings and connecting with the inner child. Create a homecoming charm with Elecampane to call lost things and people home.

The Elecampane Personality

The Elecampane person has an undernourished spirit in addition to an undernourished body. It may be that they are eating wonderful foods or imbibing in beautiful spiritual practices, but there is so much undigested or un-expelled physical and spiritual decay in their system that they are wallowing instead of feeling fulfilled. They are not quite here. Sometimes this manifests as dullness of the body and spirit. Other times this manifests as a low-level but constant irritation (they have a thorn in their side, so to speak, perhaps an elfshot). Very often, the condition of the Elecampane personality seems quite permanent. But it is not. Elecampane is a heartening plant. There is no infection of the spiritual system that it fears. The herb will help one come home again after a long and arduous journey away from oneself. It restores a lightness of being and warms the cold and distant heart.

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Elecampane Recipes

A Popular Combination | Thomas Bartram

Decoction: mix equal pasts; Yarrow, Marshmallow root and Elecampane root. 1 oz (30g) in 1 pint (500ml) water simmered 20 minutes. Dose: half-1 cup, 2 - 3 times daily. In the absence of any one ingredient substitute Wild Cherry bark.

Billie Potts Preparations of Elecampane
from Witches Heal: Lesbian Herbal Self-Sufficiency

{Elecampane} combines well with expectorant herbs such as comfrey or sage. I often use it by preparing a tea of comfrey or coltsfoot or mullein-sage and put 3-5 drops of elecampane tincture into the tea. For dealing with pneumonia infections I’ve had good results with elecampane and echinacea augustifolia tinctures in a comfrey or comfrey-sage tea. Any combination of an entrenched bacterial nature needs a “course” of treatment.

Elecampane Syrup | Nicholas Culpeper

The fresh roots of Elecampane preserved with sugar or made into a conserve, or a syrup, are very effectual to warm a cold windy stomach and stitches in the side, caused by the spleen and to relieve coughs, shortness of breath and wheezing of the lungs.

How will you be using Elfwort in your practice?

Maybe it will become one of your indispensable herbs? Or part of your winter wellness regimen? It is a great herb to make friends with, especially if working with local land spirits is part of your practice.

Plant Ally Project : Creating An Indispensable Herbs List

When I started my herbal studies I was so friggin’ excited!

I could make tea that could take care of my cold! Look an herbal oil for hair care! Ahhhh, that weed growing up through the concrete does a really useful thing!!!

And then I realized that there are a bajillion herbs in the world (that is a completely accurate measurement of the number of plant kindred on our planet). Holy heck, how was I supposed to learn them all, their names and uses and contraindications? How about their folklore? Their favorite color? The dreaded student overwhelm settled in. 

Fortunately, some of my earliest teachers (both of person and book form) emphasized the following:

It is not about knowing all the herbs, but knowing a few very well.

I have continued to follow this simple guideline and it has served me well in my practice. While I’m always interested in learning about new herbs, especially ones that show up in my travels or are introduced to me by others (aka nerding out with other herbalists about their favorite plants), I tend to return to the same herbs again and again in my practice. These plant kindred are what I call my indispensable herbs - without them I would practice very differently and they are some of my greatest herbal teachers. I first came across the idea of a indispensable herb list from Matthew Wood who has posted his own list on his website, though, the idea of practicing with a small list of herbs for many ailments was initially introduced to me through Susun Weed’s Healing Wise.

Image by Harriet Isabel Adams | source

If you’re new to herbalism, studying plants from a foundation of developing an indispensable herb list can help you to focus your studies and begin to better understand how to use one herb for a wide range of complaints. If you’ve been at the herbal game for a while, creating an indispensable herb list can freshen up and focus your practice. An indispensable herb list is a great teaching tool for your own clients and students, as you can focus on speaking confidently on and sharing information about these select herbs in a way that is concise and accessible.

My indispensable herb list structure is an adaptation of Matthew Wood’s since we both work with Traditional Western Herbalism (TWH) energetics which work with the six tissue states. I also include a magickal herb and tonic herbs that are indispensable for me but didn’t fit into the initial list. If you work with other herbal traditions I encourage you to adapt the list appropriately. An Ayurvedic list, for example, might have herbs that cultivate or curb the energy of each one of the three doshas and dosha combinations. Another option would be to come up with an indispensable herb list for each organ and/or body systems. If you are an herbal practitioner that works with clients your indispensable herb list for your professional practice might be different than your list for your personal practice. Or, you could take an astroherbology approach and have indispensable herbs for the signs and planets. As you can see, creating an indispensable herb list is endlessly customizable.

But what makes an herb indispensable? Well, that is up to you. For me an indispensable herb is one that has the following qualities:

• The herb is one that I am very familiar with and know how to use for a variety of conditions.

• The herb is easily accessible meaning that I can either grow it myself, wildcraft it, or source it from a reputable supplier.

• The herb is generally considered safe with little to no side effects and many can be taken for an extended period of time. 

Botanical illustration of Zingiber officinale by Francisco Manuel Blanco | source

In all, there are thirteen herbs on my indispensable herbs lists (because witchcraft). Here is how my indispensable herbs list is structured:

The Nine Foundational Herbs are as they are described - foundational to my practice and often the foundational herb in remedies that I make. But they are also the pillars of my practice and my beloved teachers and guides. They correspond to the six tissue states as well as three additional herbs that cover the blood, muscle and bones, and heart of the body more explicitly. These nine herbs are the sacred structure of the temple of my practice.

My Nine Foundational Herbs

• Warming Remedy: Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)

• Cooling Remedy: Rose (Rosa spp.)

• Drying Remedy: Sage (Salvia spp.)

• Oil/Moistening Remedy: Burdock (Arctium lappa)

• Stimulating Nervine Remedy: Basil (Ocimum spp.)

• Relaxing Nervine Remedy: Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)

• Blood Remedy: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

• Musculoskeletal Remedy: St. Joan’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

• Heart Remedy: Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)

source unknown - if you know, comment below!

The Three Tonic Herbs are ones that didn’t fit in neatly to the above list because their healing reach is so expansive in my practice, but mostly because I use them as tonics very often. Tonic herbs are plants that can be taken long-term and have a nourishing and restorative effect on the body. I always recommend a tonic herb or herb blend in my consultations along with whatever remedies I’ve created to address more acute conditions. These tonic herbs are the attending Priest/esses and Weavers of the sacred temple of my practice. 

My Three Tonic Herbs

• Elder (Sambucus nigra)

• Nettles (Urtica dioica)

• Milky Oats (Avena sativa)

The Artemisia californica plant that is now growing in my garden.

The Magickal Herb is one that some folks may have on their list but many others won’t. I practice both medicinal and magickal herbalism, so all of the herbs on my list are ones that I also incorporate into my magickal practice. My Magickal Herb is one that I would be pretty sad to live without and one that I use in many a ritual and charm, but more importantly, my magickal herb is my teacher and guide to my clients on the magickal arts. This herb is the crystal-heart of the temple of my practice. 

My Magickal Herb

• California Mugwort (Artemisia californica)

So you’ve created your list - what next? 

If you’re a member of my free Magick Mail (if you’re not already, it’s quite easy to join) you can download my indispensable herb chart worksheet which uses the format I've described above. I regularly pull out and review my indispensable herb list because as my practice grows and changes so does my list. Angelica (Angelica archangelica) used to be my primary oily remedy, but I find myself using the more accessible (meaning it has wider range of use amongst a variety of folks) Burdock (Arctium lappa) these days. Angelica has grown more and more into an indispensable magickal herb for me, in fact. These regular reviews of your indispensable herb list are like sit down chats with your plant allies where everyone convenes and compares notes on where we’ve been and where we might be going. 

Consider working with each herb on your list through the Plant Ally Project. Or begin creating your custom seasonal apothecaries based on your list. Name your children after each of your indispensable herbs! Or pets! Or your favorite rocks!

Oh and will someone please create a beautiful oracle deck of their indispensable herbs and then show me some pictures so I can jump up and down excitedly in glee? #IndispensableHerbOracle

In the meantime, cast some cards with the Indispensable Interview spread.

Check out the rest of the Plant Ally Project series and be sure to comment below with questions or musings. Better yet, share your list!

To Know : The Practice of Engaged Herbalism

I'm intrigued by practice. I like exploring the what and the why and the how of those things we find ourselves invested in. In fact, the first book I wrote was a workbook exploring devotional practice and it is a topic that I think about on the daily as I perform my regular rituals of magick and devotion. As part of my practice as an herbalist, I often reflect on why I do what I do and how I do it, not only as part of my continuing education as a wellness practitioner, but in order to make adjustments to my practice as I grow in my ability to serve others and their healing. Such reflection is part of my practice of engaged herbalism, which is an herbalism that is strongly rooted in the development of relationships between plants, peoples, and creatures. Practicing an engaged herbalism allows me to maintain and grow my ability to engage and re-engage those I am working with on their healing journey and to always be re-connecting with the wisdom of our plant kindred.

As a teacher of herbalism and magick, I have come to find that the concept of engagement, if understood early on, can prevent student overwhelm which can lead to a stagnation or abandonment of their studies. For the more experienced practitioner, engaged herbalism can help to prevent burnout and compassion fatigue.

Let’s start with understanding what engaged herbalism is not before exploring why it can be so useful.

Engaged herbalism is not:

• An herbalism of quick cures and magic pills. 
• An herbalism that sees plants as inert and spiritless.
• An herbalism that treats the body as a compartmentalized machine in need of repair.
• An herbalism that is infallible and always right.
• An herbalism that is divorced from social and environmental justice.

In fact, engaged herbalism is:

• An herbalism of the long view and the journey of wellness.
• An herbalism that sees plants as wise, complex, and generous of spirit.
• An herbalism that interacts with the body as a profound and intricate physical vessel of consciousness and experience.
• An herbalism that is curious, ready to try again, and always open to learn more.
• An herbalism that is firmly rooted in social and environmental justice.

Rosmarinus officinalis by author.

Engaged herbalism embodies the following big vision tenets:

Relationships change.

Your relationship with plants, those you serve, and your own sweet self will change continuously throughout your practice as an herbalist. Through engaging with all of these relationships, we’re better able to keep up with the shifts and swings of our sacred (and sometimes challenging, let’s be honest) interconnectedness. The idea of what herbalism is and who you are as an herbalist will change. Your relationship with individual plants will change. How you make medicine, formulate, and ingest your brews will change. Create space for change from the get-go and you’ll have a built-in system for dealing with some of the more difficult challenges that come your way through your practice.

If you know that your relationship with herbalism, plants, and people will always be in a state of change you give yourself a whole heck of a lot more room to grow. You won’t always feel like the total beginner. Latin binomials will not always be a mysterious realm of antiquity. Those bitter tasting herbs you couldn’t stand at first may well become a familiar and craved taste (yeah, bitters!). You’ll recognize that you and who you are relating to is changing and you are continuing to grow into yourself. Most importantly, when we allow ourselves room for change we recognize that we have all the time we need for change. You have all the time you need to learn how to engage with plants in a way that sings to your soul and enlivens the communities you serve.

Inclusivity matters.

Inclusivity, the idea that there is room for everyone at the table, is foundational in my practice. The art of inclusivity is two-fold - one must learn to be inclusive to others in a way that is love and justice-centered and one must also learn to be inclusive to oneself in the same way. While the conversation of how to create an inclusive practice is for another blog post, I will say that there is a deep need for better inclusivity skills in the Traditional Western Herbalism (TWH) community of North America. There needs to be more voices of color, queer perspectives, multi-abled, class diverse, gender variant and many other sounds and songs invited to the table within TWH gatherings and conferences (though I do recognize and celebrate the smaller festivals doing just that such as the California Women of Color Herbal Symposium - heck yeah!). 

At it’s core inclusivity is learning to engage yourself and the world around you with compassionate curiosity. Inclusivity is also about learning to recognize when you are imposing your beliefs, your stories, and ways of beings on others. The last bit is especially important to learn when working with others in a practitioner-client relationship as it can be easy for our own stories and experiences to block the view of the needs and stories of another.

Rosmarinus officinalis by author

At the same time, inclusivity must be practiced on a inward and personal level where we engage and excavate those stories, beliefs, and systems of power imposed on us. When I was taking my first couple of herb classes, for example, I nearly abandoned the idea of becoming an herbalist when I was introduced to the weight-and-volume method of creating extracts because it involved a bit of math. Sounds ridiculous, right? But I had been told a story for years and years by teachers that some kids - like me - aren’t smart enough for math (what an awful inclusivity fail). So, having not examined the story of being a numberless mongrel in my life yet, I thought that if herbalism involved math I therefore must not be qualified to be an herbalist. I had uninvited myself to the table and it took a few years to invite that little kid who got overwhelmed by numbers back home. Fortunately, my fear of calculations did not put me off from practicing as an herbalist (and I developed a few techniques for the number intimidated to calculate their tinctures as a result) and I make sure in my classes to keep an eye out for these moments when students might feel like they have hit an impasse of intimidation. It is my responsibility to create a classroom and consulting space that I am not only able to notice when intimidation or overwhelm is occurring but that folks feel empowered enough to speak up and ask for help, a break, or a moment of “don’t worry we all get confused by this stuff sometimes” affirmation.

Inclusivity matters because we learn to listen to that which has remained hidden - whether this is something within us that we have hidden from ourselves or something that we do not see in others because we (often from a place of privilege) get in our own way. If you are someone who is confused by or perhaps balks at the idea of inclusivity as foundational to herbalism, consider this: as herbalists, many of us value and treasure wild weeds that are often disdained, rooted out, and poisoned by the general non-plantfolk public. Yet, we have been invited by these tenacious plant kindred to learn of their healing gifts and, in turn, we have included them in our hearts, sharing their wisdom with others. By working that inclusivity muscle we have engaged our herbalism and come out the better for it. (Sidenote: I’m currently reading Invasive Plant Medicine by Timothy Scott and it’s great! The book explores topics of inclusivity and migration within the context of plant medicine as well as a practical materia medica for these often undervalued plants.) Engaged herbalism leads to better inclusivity which creates more opportunities for healing - everyone gets their fill of nourishing plant wisdom when we know how to get to the table.

Rosmarinus officinalis by author

Make sure to turn inspiration into insight.

Now here is where a lot of students (and long-term practitioners!) get stuck. It can be so very easy to be head-over-heals in love and inspired by the romance of herbalism. A deeper relationship with the earth, the fragrance of grinding herbs with a mortar and pestle, the ancestral connections, and the sense of rebellion that comes with taking charge of your wellness. Jars are bought, herbs are collected, we consider changing our names to something more earthy like Seedwizard, we buy the best harvesting knife, oh and one of those woven baskets for drying herbs! The inspiration to practice herbalism can be intoxicating, but without a foundation to grow on, the energy is quickly spent as the reality of the practice of herbalism settles in. Yes, there is the romance and the heady scent of an herb garden, but there is also moldy herbal oils, stubborn health imbalances that no tincture seems to help, terrible tasting teas, and the frustration of feeling like one knows some things but not enough things about herbs and how to use them to be really effective. I have been there myself, clever ones, wondering where the spark of inspiration has gone in my herbal practice.

What I have discovered is that inspiration is a spark that craves the wax and wick of insight to keep burning.  Inspiration starts the journey and reinvigorates the path from time to time, but if we do not give inspiration a place to take root it can fly off leaving us feeling like we’ve failed somehow. To keep inspiration, I have found that you have to learn how to allow it to grow into insight. We may have been inspired to use herbal medicine to reconnect to our wellness, but insight is when we suddenly realize that we get the same chest cold at the same time every year which started when our mother passed away and that perhaps there is some underlying grief we need to explore. Insight is a sign of growth and that we are engaged in our practice. Through insight we pay attention to why we are inspired and what our inspiration brings. Insight is realizing that we can and should always be learning more about ourselves and the world, giving ourselves the freedom to do just that. Ultimately, the inspiration to get well leads us to the insight of how to do it.

How do you practice your herbalism?

Is it engaged? Ecstatic? Enchanted? Funky? Revolutionary? Under-the-cover-of-darkness? Let me know in the comments below how you describe your herbal practice.

One more thing… I wanted to point out that the first part of the title of this post To Know is a reference to the Witch's Pyramid, also known as the Four Pillars of the Magus or the Powers of the Sphinx. The other three traditional pillars are To Dare, To Will, and To Keep Silent. Modern additions to the pyramid have been made adding a fifth point such as To Weave or To Desire. The Witch’s Pyramid is an important part of my magickal practice and I’ll be incorporating it’s philosophy into forthcoming posts about life as a practicing herbalist. For those wanting to go more in-depth, I explore the Witch’s Pyramid and it’s relationship to creating ritual in a podcast series in the Lunar Apothecary - I invite you to check it out.

Wherever your herbal studies may take you, I hope you always find yourself returning home to the knowledge of you - expansive, microscopic, complex, and wondrous you.