Catching Up ~ 2021 Begins
An Invitation to Slow Down
Dear Ones,
We have made it over to 2021. As we shift into this New Year there is much to feel, hold and release. Many of us are caught in a swirl of grief, hope, fatigue and a need for renewal. I pray that you are well. These last ten months I have been devoted to making and growing medicine, deepening my connection to nature and spirit, while keeping grounded in practical action and activism every day. The Medicine Wheel Garden holds many new plants, quietly waiting to emerge again this spring. The Apothecary shelves overflow with tinctures, oils, dried mushrooms, leaves, berries & roots, to nourish my family & our Dreamkeeper Community.
As we move into January, the moon wanes and the temperature drops, nudging us ever deeper into hibernation. I invite you to listen to the call. Danes wisely embrace Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) during the cold winter season. A tradition that is loosely based on a balance of active engagement with the elements of nature and a cozy indoor life, replete with blankets, candles, delicious aromas, and books…undeniably the most crucial component. Podcasts, dreamy playlists and oral stories are wonderful companions as well.
In a month oriented towards self improvement and resolutions, let us not forget the energy of winter and the rhythms of the season. Beginning the day with a warm cup of tea, and gently shifting into a bundled walk or an indoor movement session is an ideal way to start your day and set your biorhythms. Morning movement and sunshine set you up well for the cortisol spike that naturally energizes you and keeps you from needing caffeine. Mid-day, if you hit an afternoon slump, step out for some fresh air, have an “at your desk dance party” or enjoy a smoothie (packed with essential nutrients) or a nourishing herbal infusion. At night, light your candles, and enjoy hot soup or stew (some fave recipes) while allowing yourself to shift into a more restful place. Your plates have been piled high with worries, tasks, and too much (or not enough) solitude this past year. I hope you will allow for some time to exhale and dream the seeds of spring (be it in your garden, your career or your personal life).
Connecting for Herbs & Ritual
This Wednesday, January 6th, you can sign up through the Nyack Library for a 7-8 pm class on “Herbs for These Times”. Here is the calendar listing with registration info.
This year I’ll be partnering with the wonderful organization, Mind Oasis, to offer Herbalism Through the Wheel of the Year starting on January 24th. It will be so fun to share ritual, meditation and herbal medicine with this wonderful online community! The course is eight sessions (over a year). It will be best to sign up for the whole series so you can deepen into the teachings of the plants and our ongoing ritual. If you know you can only make a couple sessions it is also possible to sign up for each circle individually. There are scholarships and discounted tuition opportunities available upon inquiry. Check it out and write me with any questions! You can also listen to this podcast where I got to chat, with Karuna from Mind Oasis, about all the juicy details.
Pine Tree Medicine
With winter enveloping us I would like to share some musings about the mighty Pine and some ways to work with this beautiful medicine tree. There are many species of Pine Trees, all in the Pinaceae Family, and their medicine is valued in cultures across the world. Their needles are always joined together at the bottom, like a broom. I just came back from a snowy visit to my favorite white pine grove. Going there is always one of my favorite places to be in Winter. White Pine’s (Pinus strobus) needles grow in whorls of five.
The smell of White Pine is fragrant and stimulating. The deep green color is so beautiful against the white snow. When gathering pine needles I first look on the ground to see if any branches have fallen down and harvest those, grateful to not have to take from the living tree. If there are none, then I walk from tree to tree gathering a small amount from each tree, offering gratitude for this medicine, and paying attention to whether harvesting feels right.
The amount of vitamin C in Pine needles is extremely high, making it a wonderful medicine for coughs, colds and fevers. It is best avoided during pregnancy, and drinking the tea for a very long time can be irritating to the kidneys. Besides that it is extremely safe (always make sure, as with any plant, that you have a proper i.d) and can be used as an herbal steam, tea (decoction) or further simmered down into a syrup.
Pine Needle Recipes
Herbal Steam for Congestion
-1-2 handfuls of pine needles, cut and placed in a bowl
-1 quart of boiled water to pour over the needles in the bowl
-a towel to tent over your head so you can inhale the medicinal steam
Vita-C Tea for Decoction
These measurements can be followed roughly and adjusted to your taste. Other herbs that complement pine nicely are lemon balm, ginger, peppermint & cardamom. Have fun and make this recipe your own.
-3 Tablespoons cut pine needles
-1 ½ Tablespoons rosehips
-1 Tablespoons Cinnamon Chips or 1 Cinnamon Stick
Put the herbs in a pot and cover with two inches of water. Put a lid on it and bring to a boil, immediately turning the heat down so that the mixture is simmering, for about 20 minutes. Your kitchen will smell phenomenol. After twenty minutes strain the herbs out and you have a delicious and healthy “tea.” Now if you’d like to turn this delightful mixture into a cough syrup here’s what you do:
White Pine Cough Syrup (additional ingredient is raw honey)
Adjust the top of the pot so that it is slightly ajar so that some of the water can evaporate. You want to let the decoction simmer until it is half the amount of liquid you started with. This can be measured by pouring the decoction into a glass measuring cup both before you start the evaporation process and after. Sometimes I will even draw a line with a marker on the side of the pot in order to monitor my progress. Once you have halved your liquid, remove from the heat and let it cool to room temperature so that you can add your raw honey. For every cup of decoction add ½ cup of raw honey. Store this delightful immune boosting tonic in your fridge for up to three weeks. The addition of a little vodka or brandy will make it last longer.
*( Be Well My Friends )*
Love,
