Photo illustration: Stevie Remsburg.Photo: Getty Images
The new year is the perfect time to take up pottery, learn Chinese, start a book club, start rock climbing, or plant a garden. The 2018 cut offers practical advice for trying something new. Make a bowl, not just a resolution.
I became interested in herbalism several years ago, primarily as a response to my body's rebellion, spikes in anxiety, and sleep problems. It may have started as a hobby, but studying plants and learning how to utilize their parts to stay healthy has certainly been a joy for me. However, I feel different from when I started weaving and watercolor painting. It quickly took root in my daily habits and made a complete change in the way I lived my life. About how I see the value of this life. I spent several years studying plant identification books, going on local herbal walks, and reading about herbal medicine traditions in different cultures. I looked at sites like Wellness Mama and bought his zines like Queering Herbalism. I checked out Alchemist Kitchen posts and workshops, and Googled anything I didn't understand. I knew I was on the right path because each investigation felt validated. Ultimately, I would like to train under an herbalist. That's my next goal. But seeing what I could collect online and from libraries was a good starting point for me. I remember once going on a Tinder date with someone who wouldn't stop clowning over my green juice or root vegetable tea blend. fair. That may sound silly. But I never spoke to her again. That's very deep for me. Being energetic isn't about being trendy or Instagrammable. For me, herbalism is about changing your relationship with your body. She spoke and I had to listen differently.
It requires stillness, attunement, and being in your own skin. I do a mental body scan most mornings when I wake up. This is a simple practice of bringing awareness to different parts of the body and observing how they feel, where tension is present and other sensations. How do I feel? what do i feel? And go from there. If you experience persistent fatigue, you may need to drink lemon balm tea before bed or increase your magnesium intake. My chronic back pain may require a comfrey balm or a salt soak, depending on the level of discomfort. If you are competitive, you may need exercise or a tincture. Hobbies are a way to kill time and are leisure activities. It's more of a coping mechanism. Movement towards independence. How to know yourself better and learn how to care for yourself and others. If the people around me aren't healthy, I'm not really healthy either.
What started as a curiosity is turning into a full-fledged obsession. So many people asked me to host workshops and teach my practices that in early 2018 I launched a (small) line of herbal bath teas and sacred smoke blends. It is scheduled to be released. And I don't know what will happen. But I'm really excited to take on the challenge and share some of the knowledge I've gained over the last few years.
