Oh the irony...

Oh the irony of teaching a class on herbalism and halfway through rattling off all the magickal and healing qualities of our plant friends, feeling a sudden “thing” on the back of your throat...the first warning of impending doom that is a gnarly cold or maybe even flu...who knows this year...there are a plethora of funky sicknesses being traded around like Garbage Pail Kids Cards (yes I said it...you know you loved them too!). That was what happened a few weeks ago for me as I wrapped up my first Kitchen Witch workshop. I have used ninja like folk medicine skills and strategies to avoid said “plague” that has hit almost everyone I know this year...and here I was...feeling like it had finally got me. Now before I go any further...what I am saying is NOT medical advice, nor is it meant as a blanket protocol for everyone...that’s the beauty of a functional approach...we are all beautiful and unique snowflakes of the universe (so many references today!) and need to be approached as such. In addition...herbalists get sick...healers get sick...the point is to know how to show up for the experience and embrace that time for all it’s worth...as best you can. Although I ended up keeping this “want to be infection” in the “friend zone” long enough for it leave me alone...sometimes, we are too tired, too stressed, not prepared with the right tools, and maybe our body is just like “SIT DOWN”...so when that happens, do that...and do it with love, nourishment, and nurturing.

This time, however, I knew immediately that I had not kept my stress level in check, I needed a realllly good night’s sleep, and although I didn’t have any Fire Cider or Elderberry Syrup prepared...I did have a beautiful bottle of Oil of Oregano from Gaia, Zinc supplements, Raw Local Honey, and of course...my plant friends to help me out of this with nourishment. I made a nourishing and anti-viral, anti-microbial and anti-oxidant rich tea that I drank throughout the next couple days, utilizing Elderberries, Echinacea Roots, Nettle Leaf, Thyme, Yarrow, Cloves, and Cinnamon, and at night included Oatstraw as well. We covered some of these herbs in the first workshop but will be covering some of the others in my next Kitchen Witch Workshop, as well as we’ll be preparing a variation on Elderberry Syrup together. If you can join us, we will be discussing ways to handle these situations when they arise, and most importantly, how to nourish ourselves so we handle these kinds of things less frequently. It is my absolute JOY to pass on whatever knowledge and experience I have to you. We are fortunate to have some incredible healers in the area. I suggest you learn from them all and teach other what you can. This is powerful, unifying medicine….for the body and for the soul. Much love.

To sign up for my next Kitchen Witch Workshop on Syrups, Honey, and Elixirs, go HERE.