Ethical and Mindful Wildcrafting

"I have often stopped to wonder why the growing hordes of urban and rural "survivalists" spend so much time buying really cool knives, oiling their marginally illegal armaments, and passing antiauthoritarian gossip around like a bunch of tongue-clucking fishwives. True survival rests not in the big macho stances, but in the gentler arts of knowing one's natural world and knowing how to use it in a moral and renewable fashion."                                                                 -Michael Moore

Michael Moore was the foremost authority on anything to do with herbalism in the U.S. and especially the Southwestern U.S. His words should echo in the minds of all who collect plants from their native habitat (wildcrafting), it should be done "in a moral and renewable fashion."


Wildcrafting is the collecting of plants growing in the wild, not cultivated, and using them for our own purposes. Whether that be for food, medicine, crafts, or beauty aids, the collection of plants from the wild is called wildcrafting.

I am of the firm belief that Earth provides what we need, when we need it. But our responsibility is to use it with respect, reverence and thanks. And common sense (intuition) dictates, if a plant is picked to extinction, it will no longer be there to help anyone. A good rule of thumb is, if an herb is not abundant in the area, there may be others there that serve the same purpose. Multiple plants have similar healing properties, so choose those that are plentiful in the area. And whenever possible choose to use the parts of the plant that are renewable (leaves, stems and flowers) as opposed to the root. When you dig the root you kill the plant. Dig the root only if there are at least 20 more of the same plant to take it's place. And be aware of the immediate surroundings, plants assimilate what is in their environment. A busy roadway would not be the best place to gather. But amazing plants grow in abandoned lots and along the back roads.

The story of the Osha root, Big Medicine, is one in which the herb was not treated with the respect it was due. In the area that is now Albuquerque, the pueblo people respected and used what was provided for them by the Earth. Osha root is a powerful medicine, and grows at altitudes generally above 8000 feet in the Sandia Mountains. The trek to find the medicine was an arduous journey to the mountain and even then the identification could be deadly. Osha is easily mistaken for Hemlock, which causes certain death. It was treated with respect by the entire pueblo and the journey to collect it, was in itself, a healing process for all involved. But with the advent of modern life and the automobile, this herb has been decimated in the Sandias. To supply a demand in the marketplace for the root, those with little to no respect or ethics, dug it almost to extinction. Perhaps it is time for this herb to rest, at least in the Sandias.

Wildcrafting is the opportunity to connect and be present with the natural world and spend time in the solitude of the search.
If you collect herbs with mindset of lack, you will not find many. But if you collect with abundance in your thoughts, what you seek will be everywhere!

In upcoming posts-
Goatheads (Puncturevine), most people (and dogs) hate 'em, they're really not that bad, unless you step on them.
Horsetail (Equisetum) is a living fossil and your skin will love it!

Mormon Tea- Ephedra of the Southwest

Mormon Tea (Ephedra)
AKA Desert Tea, Cowboy Tea, Whorehouse Tea, Canutillo, Poptillo, American Ephedra


Mormon Tea has an interesting history in the Southwestern US. As the story goes, because of religious beliefs, Mormons wouldn't drink coffee or teas and therefore substituted this plant. In addition, a "Jack Mormon" (one who is a Mormon in name only) in the town of Elko Nevada was afflicted with a bad case of syphilis after a visit to Katie's Place. Katie's was a house of ill-repute and frequented by many locals. This man found that the tea eased his symptoms and he recommended it highly to all the patrons. Chances are he learned of the plant's ability to work on the urinary tract, from local natives, who have used it for many generations.


It is a plant with many properties, the most pronounced being the way it works as a stimulant and a decongestant. It is used to treat colds and flu. Mormon tea is related to the Chinese plant ma huang (E. sinica), which contains the medication ephedrine, a bronchial dilator, decongestant, and central nervous system stimulant much used in western medicine. The American species has no ephedrine, however. But the combination of ingredients present in the plant seem to create a similar effect in the human body. It is also used as a diuretic and an anti-inflammatory for the urinary tract. 


Mormon Tea is a safe plant to drink as a tea, a treatment for urinary tract inflammation and relief for sufferers of allergies and colds. A bonus of this gnarled desert plant is as a source of calcium, the highest of any non-toxic plant.


Future installments include; Is there really a use for those horrible goat-heads, that flatten bike tires and irritate dog's feet? Ethical wildcrafting, collecting plants for our use. Stay tuned...

Yellow Dock-Salad or Digestive Aid?

Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus)
Also known as Curley Dock, Lengua de Vaca, Narrow or Sour Dock

Yellow Dock is one of those plants growing so abundantly throughout the world that it is usually walked past without a second thought. It is easily recognized in late summer or fall, by the rust-red leaves and seed pods on the top of the plant. It's leaves are broad with curley edges (hence the name Curley Dock).
This plant has multiple uses. The leaves are a great addition to a salad, and the seeds crushed and added to other cereals. On the medicinal side the root is often the solution to digestive complaints. It is a laxative and in higher doses treats diarrhea. It's also considered a "blood purifier" and works on the liver. Yellow Dock is often an ingredient in liver detox programs. It can be used for an outbreak of acne or other skin eruptions, which are often an internal imbalance associated with the liver and the blood. It can be applied as a topical medication to treat psoriasis and other chronic skin conditions. These properties have been known since Roman times.
This plant is a multipurpose aid, edible leaves and seeds, a topical application for skin, and  an internal liver cleanser and digestion aid. The root, the leaves and the seed are all available to help. This is one of those plants to look for in case of apocalypse, food and medicine all wrapped up in one!

Soon to come, articles on Mormon Tea - Nature's Sudafed and cure for gonorrhea, Puncture Vine (Goatheads) and Viagra.

And according to the requirements of the FDA, this is my disclaimer:

For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease

Yarrow - Life Medicine

Other names: Gordaldo, Nosebleed plant, Old Man's Pepper, Sanguinary, Milfoil, Soldier's Woundwort, Thousand-leaf,  Thousand-seal, Little Feather, Plumajillo 

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a delicate looking plant known throughout the world as one with magical and big medicinal properties. The scientific name comes from the story of Achilles, and his habit of rubbing Yarrow leaves all over his body before battle for protection. Then came the fateful day that he missed his heel with the plant. The heel then became his downfall in battle. In America, Native tribes have multiple uses for it, the control of bleeding being the major use. The spiritual influences of this plant are reflected in the way cultures of the world have incorporated it into ceremony and divination. It is used in divination for the I Ching in China. 


Yarrow is identified by the cluster of flowers along the stem and its fern like leaves. It is found growing all over the world, and can be an invasive species in lawns and pastures.


It is an herb of many uses. Its use as first-aid in battle is due to it's ability to stop blood flow and stimulate clotting from wounds. Stories have been told of hikers with accidental cuts and injuries, using Yarrow to staunch the bleeding. It has also been used by Native Americans for headaches, toothaches and to break an extended fever. Yarrow is an excellent poultice for bug bites and stings. It can be used internally as a mild laxative, it shrinks hemorrhoids, and aids in shrinking varicose veins.


Birds have been known to line their nests with this plant, due to the anti parasitic properties of it.


It has been said that the herbs you need will find you. Look in your surroundings, your yard and garden. The volunteer Yarrow is everywhere, just waiting quietly to be noticed. It is an herb with wonderful qualities for first-aid and wound care. If you're going to learn only one plant for it's healing abilities, this is the one!


A reminder that all things should be used in moderation, herbs included. And in the cases of allergies and pregnancy, caution is advised.

  

Herbal knowledge

This is the first article of the Sun Herbal blog, so it seems logical to begin with an explanation of Herbals and the value of plants. The plant world has been the sustenance of human beings, not only for the everyday functioning of the body, but also for healing and spiritual support. An Herbal is a book that gives information on the special characteristics and personalities of helpful plants. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herbal 

 In recent years, as the human species has evolved, technically and scientifically, much of the ancient knowledge has been marked as superstitious and old fashioned. The pharmacology has progressed (?) from natural, time tested remedies to synthetic, side-effect producing drugs. A return to traditional remedies may bring about the physical and spiritual healing needed because of the disconnection of modern life from Nature and the Natural World.

As human beings we have been given the privilege of creating and maintaining our own health, free from "dis-ease". It is a personal decision, taking personal responsibility for health and well-being. Many times the dis-ease comes from the subconscious, without a conscious awareness of the cause. Perhaps that is where "miracle" healings take place, and interest in mind-body medicine is now blossoming. http://www.hayhouse.com/details.php?id=3320  A renewed mainstream interest in Herbalism is also an indication of our search for the connection that has been lost. It is a connection to Mother Earth and the energies she has imbued in plants and minerals. If we would just slow down and look at the ancient wisdom and the power of the human spirit, perhaps that connection can be reestablished.

Upcoming articles will include information on native herbs of the Southwest, many of which are found throughout the world. These herbs will be introduced in following articles. 

Yarrow- An herb everyone should know, a cold remedy and also helps to stop bleeding.

Yellow Dock- digestive aid, liver support.

And according to the requirements of the all-powerful FDA, this is my disclaimer:

For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease