New Year Resolutions for Herbalists
Follow me this month while I try to clear out my own chaos and get a few tips on how to get your herb cabinet and/or business back in order! January is a perfect time for reflection and planning, but also, we have time for getting things done since the rush of garden season is still a few months away, the snow keeps us at home a bit more....as does the promise of a warm house and hot cup of tea. Each day, I am going to tackle something that needs constant care or attention, but that is often left to become dysfunctional as the year goes on. Will this be the year, I actually keep on top of things? Who knows...but if not, I will repost next year!
January 18 ~
Wisdom of Your Elders
I have learned a lot of facts and philosophies from many teachers and books, but all that I really know, came from my grandparents. My circumstances were such that I grew up in their home and saw and lived what many people are eager to learn these days: sewing, soap making, gardening, canning, scratch cooking.....but many did not get to see or talk to the older members of their families, so please make some time to do that before it is too late.
Listen to them; ask questions; learn from their experiences and integrate their wisdom into your own life.
My grandma wrote down a lot of recipes, but the majority were in her head. So, without asking, I would only get a small percentage of all the things she used to prepare--things that I still get hankerings for. Lots of interesting, cool and ultimately useful information comes from asking the right questions. So, if you are interested in herbs, ask what they remember as remedies when they were young. The conversation may start slow...... but once begun, the memories will start rolling. Tape it, write it down--but mostly LISTEN intently--not just for what the remedies were, but how they felt about it--their stories....not just the facts.
You may be lucky enough to hear about healing methods unique to your ethnicity or region of origin. I also have been fortunate to hear these same stories from students--in particular, a few older apprentices and many of the older ladies and gentlemen that attend my garden club lectures. I still have a few more older relatives left that I haven't had the opportunity to sit down with, but am going to get it done this year.....before it is time for me to take my place in line to be the one all the younger relatives ask about the "good old days" and for my salve or herb beer recipes!
We can certainly learn and pass on herbal informaton from modern teachers, but the soul of herbalism is in the past..... mostly I think, because our ancestors relationship to plants and nature was, by necessity, more real and untainted than ours can be. Pour some tea and ask any older people you know all of their herbal stories. They will enjoy the trip back in time, and you can further inform your understanding and be able to pass on a healing tradition that is more deeply authentic.... and true.