• And the Plants Will Set You Free

    Through knowing and using the plants that grow around us—the ones in our backyard, the weeds that resist all efforts to control them, the abundance and diversity of the species in the Cascadian forests—we are more whole, secure and free. What’s right under our feet are, by their very nature, agents of freedom. [Read full post]

  • Design Thinking for the Creative Herbalist

    As herbalists, we are naturally using design processes all the time. Working in the plant and human world for the purpose of healing we are constantly dealing in very complex worlds. I want to push you to go past what you know is comfortable and reimagine your practice so you are doing the wildest, most liberating brilliant work that you can. [Read full post]

  • Aesthetic & Beauty in Practice

    It’s touching the dirt, digging roots, preparing and sipping beautiful garden tea blends, smelling the flowers, having my apothecary full of jars containing gorgeous, whole-leaf herbs. Microwaving a wack bag of herb tea is a completely different game. Authentic botanical practice is a lifestyle that honors the sanctity of life and the ecological patterns around us. It’s how we connect to the larger planetary system. [Read full post]

Monthly Archives: November 2011

Teas & Brews: Elemental Art Forms

By Renée A.D. | Published: November 27, 2011

The Wheel of the Seasons is turning, and we’re entering the Season of Water here in the Pacific Northwest. The light and warmth of the Sun has waned, and the plants have drawn their energy downward into their roots. The leaves are brown, the clouds and rain have turned the forests into misty, secretive cathedrals. [...]

Posted in Medicine Making | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Winter 2011 Reading List

By Renée A.D. | Published: November 26, 2011

For those of us residing in the Northern hemisphere, Winter’s knocking on our door. Now that we’ve travelled, harvested and feasted, we’re ready to get cozy by the fire and do some serious reading and tea drinking. I tend to keep all the books I’m currently reading stacked next to the bed and piled on [...]

Posted in Books | 3 Comments

Tradition is Innovation & Other Useful Paradoxes

By Renée A.D. | Published: November 25, 2011

Lately I’ve been really curious about what’s considered innovative in mainstream healthcare. I have my views and visions for what I think are good next steps for a sound health system–one based in communities and ecosystems, that takes into account ecological and animal health, based on positive health principles and prevention. But hey, that’s me, [...]

Posted in Originals, Systems Theory | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

The Inspiration Series: Cultivating Celebration & Gratitude

By Renée A.D. | Published: November 16, 2011

It’s a cold, rainy Wednesday night here in the Pacific Northwest. When the rain returns, the whole mood of this terrain shifts. You feel the pull downward, the crystalizing and cleansing qualities of water rinsing everything. It’s a good time to take stock, and reevaluate. I’ve also been dealing with health challenges that have been begging [...]

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Design Thinking for the Creative Herbalist

By Renée A.D. | Published: November 15, 2011

As herbalists, we are naturally using design processes all the time. Working in the plant and human world for the purpose of healing we are constantly dealing in very complex worlds. Plants are extremely complex as beings, as are human (& other animals). To deal with this complexity, we like to learn a tradition and [...]

Posted in Medicine Making, Originals | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Why I Don’t Want to Talk About Natural Cures

By Renée A.D. | Published: November 15, 2011

I dislike the phrase ‘herbal remedies’. Reminds me too much of bad marketing campaigns over the years. Honestly, I also don’t like to use the word ‘natural’ either. It’s been so co-opted by all sorts of factions of society. I think of Clorox’s Greenworks, or the rebranding of Aspartame as Aminosweet and being marketed as [...]

Posted in Opinion | Tagged | 6 Comments

Aesthetic & Beauty in Practice

By Renée A.D. | Published: November 11, 2011

While reviewing the scientific literature on my thesis on the contribution of ethnobotanical knowledge & practice to public health, I come across a ton of ethnobotanical surveys, case studies and what-not that tend to skirt the issue and dance around this connection. The information I do find basically states: ethnobotanical knowledge/practice leads to greater self-care [...]

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