7 Stages of Becoming Home Medicine Maker

Grace Grazyna

Hi guys,

I reckon I'm at stage 3 , with the stage 7 already working for me, according to Marjery's classification: I have made a Declaration, I have succesfully treated my own (beginnings of) arthritis with elderflower and astragalus essences. I have made some medicines - mostly tinctures. However, as a Shamanic practitioner I talk to my plants and have had recently an amazing experience with the knotweed. Where I live, in Wales, UK, knotweed is treated as an enemy, being accused of supressing other plant species (justly) and ruing the foundations of the building, (unjustly), so the price of the house goes down if there is knotweed in the garden. I always had knotweed in my garden, I love this plant (long before I started arthriris), I love the white sprays of flowers it produces , the leaves and the fact that it grows from 0 to 3 metres in a year. But due to neighbourhood pressure I decided to get rid of it; I was agonising, I felt guilty - because I like it and it was very helpful to me, so how I can uproot him? I worried for a while; then decided to have a Shamanic journey and ask the knowteed about it. The first reactionb I've got from knotweed was an incredible calm, and no worries at all - he was quite happy and not worried that I had to remove it. S/he told me that there is plenty of it around, and suggested why don't I make a tincture from her root! So I did! and my guilt evaporated. I encourage you to talk to your plants.

I am also in love with nettle and recently discovered mugwort, absolutely in love with it, it calms you down as nothing else - but don't use before driving, I harvested 20 mature mugwart plants, and will make tea from it; also I absolutely adore teh scent of it - it can also be used as a cleanser, for smudging the person and the house, I'll do it soon.

Love to all, keep growing and wild harvesting, Grace

annbeck62

That is so awesome how you commune with your plants. I've learned from a local folk herbalist that most invasive plants are highly medicinal. At one point I did some research on knotwood and learned it was effective on lyme disease, a condition which so many have such a hard time managing. Somewhere on my research path I read that it is so invasive that if you don't already have it in your yard, you should forage instead of plant it. How refreshing to know that by communing with it, s/he grew enough to give you what you need but did not take over your yard. A lesson to how much the majority of us don't know about the plant world.

tomandcara

@Grace Grazyna Welcome to the forum. Sounds like you are well on your way on your journey as a home medicine maker. Where do you find the list of the 7 stages?

@annbeck62 any idea of the medicinal qualities of Bindweed (Convolvus arvensis)? I would love to know them.

Torey

@Grace Grazyna Welcome to TGN!

Great post! If we ask, the plants will tell us everything. Just watching them, how and where they grow, their reactions to the weather, etc. can be very illuminating. But to talk with them is even better.

@tomandcara Bindweed is a strong laxative so useful for constipation. Works by increasing peristalsis so may cause intestinal pains. Not recommended during pregnancy or lactation or for patients who have IBS, IBD, Crohn's Disease, colitis, appendicitis or any type of obstruction. Homeopathically, it would be used to treat similar conditions to those just mentioned; colic, stool with pain, diarrhea. Bindweed is an appropriate name for this plant!

Deb113

Thanks for letting me know other people make friends with their plants. Have done it for years. If for no other reason than the carbon dioxide is good for the plants as we breathe out. Lol

JodieDownUnder

Would naming your plants/trees count? We name all significant trees and shrubs we are given. We got quite a few house/property warming plants. So when I walk past or water or fertilise etc, I inquire how their going. To our flame tree, hello Heather and Lesley, how's things. Hello Mark and Jann to our Gymea lillies,etc. It makes me smile. I hope they do too.

@Grace Grazyna I know knot weed as Ho Shu Wu, is that the same? Welcome and this forum is certainly a place to discover more knowledge on herbs and medicine and the like.

tomandcara

@torey Thank you for the medicinal qualities for Bindweed.