Herbal Walk

At the end of deciduous arbor of maples, walnuts and old oaks, I turned right and left the Ohio farm that has been home to my ancestors for 180 years. The combine-wide, black-topped and potholed lane dissects Clear Creek Farms from Fowler to Mud Run Roads. There are no yellow lines, stop signs or right-of-ways, unless, of course, you are a deer, a wayward cow or a lumbering Labrador. The only direction you will get along the way is a bit of advice, nailed to the trunk of a slightly tipped elm, "Old dog. Young dog. Several stupid dogs. Please drive slowly."

Old dog. Young dog. Several stupid dogs.  Please drive slowly.

It is these trees, this farm and those ancestors who taught me to love the land through acts of appreciation.  I learned at a young age to not walk past a tree I couldn't name; to notice which flies the fish were feeding on and where to find the driest wood to start a fire after the rain.  I learned the time to plant the crop, the time tend the crop, the time to harvest the crop.  I learned that cows are sometimes crop too and that all fields must go fallow.

Noticing is, perhaps, the greatest act of appreciation.  By noticing the subtleties of the seasons, a farmer is better able to be the good steward to the land.  Nine years ago, seven generations of stewardship turned right at the end that country lane, crossed the Mississip and headed toward the Divide.  Home is now a modest caretaker's quarters on a 10acre ranch in the high plains at base of the great Rocky Mountains. 

As the western-most contingent, I continue my heritage of good fortune.  Soon after arriving in Colorado, two women joined me on the trail.  Together we spent many years walking many miles on many mountains solving the great mysteries of life, sharing recipes and swooning over the local fauna, flora and geology.  Although I have yet to see the glory of a Copper Birch in this region, I have been overwhelmed by the beauty of Alpine Wildflowers and Aspen Groves.  

About a year ago, my interest in local flora juxtaposed against twenty years in the healing arts as a professional caregiver and I became interested in the medicinal properties of local flora. As a hobby herbalist, I have cooked up creams, balms, teas and tinctures; studied the texts and taken a classes at Rebecca's Apothecary - a true local treasure.  Today, under a partly cloudy sky, at the base of Mt. Sanitas, two herbalists, Ashley Bodo and Katie Browning, introduced us to the ethics and etiquette of cultivating and harvesting herbs in the Spring Herb Walk class. 

Mt. Sanitas Trail

We spent two hours identifying herbs and their medicinal uses.  By doing so, I am better able to notice the plants along the path and possibly use what they offer for nutrition and wellness. I am especially fascinated by what Katie called an "old school philosophy" called the Doctrine of Signatures.  The Doctrine of Signature suggests that certain physical attributes of a plant will indicate its medicinal purpose - take Willow for example.

Willow leaves & shadows

Salicylic acid - a mild pain reliever and blood thinner- used to be derived from the bark of this bendable, flexible plant. Willow decoction and bath soaks reduce inflammation and improve circulation which make joints more bendable and flexible.  Willow also grows near water sources and can be guide to spring water in arid climates. Hence the use of a Willow branch when water witching

Often times, purple flowers, such as the flowers of the Motherwort plant, indicate a balm for the central nervous system.

Flowering Motherwort

Motherwort, from the mint family, commonly known as the Lion Heart, has soft, furry pale purple flowers close to its square stem surrounded by pointed, sometimes prickly leaves.  In low doses, it soothes like the hug of a Mother by calming the nervous system, heart palpitations and promoting circulation. 

Motherwort

Catnip, also a member of the mint family, is another purple-flowering sister that soothes the nervous system.  The medicinal, volatile oils of Catnip will leave a pungent fragrance on your fingers if you rub the stem and leaves of this furry, square-stemmed plant.  The leaves add a pleasant flavor to teas and act as a digestive.

Catnip

This arid and rugged landscapes is also plentiful with several wild edibles along with the medicinal plants at the base of Mt. Sanitas. 

Prickly Pear Cactus

Wild Plums

Wild Grapes

Medicinal plants differ in structure.  A few of the herbs we identified have deep, complex roots systems that are rich with minerals.  Peak harvest season for medicinal roots is in the fall, when the flowers and leaves start to fade and the plant directs its energy to the root in preparation for winter.  Burdock, for example, has large and complex root systems which sprout formidable stands of the plant.

A stand of Burdock

The burdock root is a mineral rich probiotic and a gentle detoxifier.  The detoxifying effects will treat skin issues such as ache and eczema.  It can also be used as a gentle liver cleanse for  hepatic health.  Plants like Burdock and Motherwort are prolific growers - providing and area with an abundant amount of resources.  Perhaps, as Katie mentioned, and in the mind of the Doctrine of Signatures, this abundance is an indication that certain plants can used more freely.

These are a few of the 24 plants we identified and discussed in the 2 hour class. For me, there is a heightened sense of aliveness and visceral engagement that I experience when I am aware - aware of plants, animals, thoughts, smells, sounds, feelings...  Today, by identifying and appreciating the plants along the path, texture, complexity and curiosity were added to my walk.  These subtleties are the stories that come from my surroundings and add meaning to life. 

Thank you, Katie
Thank you, Ashley
Thank you, Rebecca's Apothecary - once again you created a warm, welcoming environment for the vernal herbalist. 

Now for a cup o'Sweet Love Tea. 
Good Night All.

Walking the Dog

The old grove is rich with lilac fragrance and waning daylight.  Nestled between the bank of the creek and the bank of the pond, the Palominos and the Paints graze on small patches of tender greens in the hollow of thick, bent cottonwoods. Along the road, fallen locust petals bunch at base of growing grass blades.

Even spring ages, it seems.

Wooden posts stand their ground despite charring from mountain fires that thoughtlessly wandered across the plains. Still. And stubbornly holding wire fence bulging from where these ponies have tried their boundaries.

A crack.
A rustle.
A dull thunder of hooves as horses hurry up the slope, toward the lumbering truck filled with bales of hay. 

Slowly, the grove falls silent save the spring breeze.  Although summer beckons, it is hard to glean much about the coming season.  I turn to walk on, toward the creek, and zip my jacket against the chill.

A letter to the President

Dear Mr. President,

A dear friend is days away from the end of a 15 year journey. On Feb 10th, she will take an oath and become an American citizen. Since her final immigration interview and before she can take the oath, she has to answer the following question: “Have you practiced polygamy, received income from illegal gambling, been a prostitute, procured anyone for prostitution or been involved in any other unlawful commercialized vice, encouraged or helped any alien to enter the US illegally, illicitly trafficked in drugs or marijuana, given any false testimony to obtain immigration benefits, or been a habitual drunkard, or joined any organization, including the Communist Party, or become associated or connected therewith in any way?”

As we discuss immigration in the national forums that a presidential election year provides, perhaps we can take a moment to consider what we value as a country and modify our screening process to, instead, ask, “Did you help someone in need; were you kind to a stranger; did you enjoy the beauty of this grand land?”

For now, my friend, welcome - not to the country of the good, but to the country of the not bad.

Gratefully,
Sarah E. Wise