As we move into autumn and winter, crisper temps can herald not only pumpkins and snowflakes, but also cold and flu season. Those who seek natural remedies to keep them healthy especially during the coming weeks and months will recognize the familiar purple cone flower featured on this month's plant medicine card, Echinacea. Since the focus of last month's post was Goldenseal, I thought it fitting to this time highlight its very popular healing partner.
I mentioned last time that Echinacea is also on the list of "at risk" plants according to the folks at United Plant Savers. As an immune supporting herb, it's most effective when taken at the first sign of those unwanted symptoms--stuffy nose, sore throat, headache etc. I suggest using it even before symptoms present themselves if you're around a co-worker or family member who is already sick.
It is also said to have an "alterative" function as its secondary action, meaning it works to support multiple organ systems to gradually restore overall health of the body. When used for this purpose, it's often found in combination with other alterative herbs including Red Clover, Burdock, and Cleavers.
Native American tribes such as Cheyenne, Kiowa and Sioux (among others) considered this herb a "cure all" and used it for issues ranging from coughs and gum disease to throat issues and toothaches. They also referred to it as "snakeroot," for its ability to serve as an anti-venom for rattlesnake bites. (Check out the snake circling around the plant's root as pictured on the card.) As with Goldenseal, we can thank these native peoples for introducing such a very useful plant to early American settlers.
Adrianna Ayales tells us that several tribes also revered Echincea as a protective spirit medicine, and they often carried a piece of the root in pouches worn around their necks or hips."The Navaho," she writes, "considered Echinacea to be a life medicine, one of the 40 ceremonial plants used for specific healing rituals."
It was included in sweat lodges where the roots were chewed for purification and scattered over the hot stones to increase steam. Such a practice was thought to help the participants withstand the intense heat.
I've been fortunate again in receiving a seed packet of this plant for the same purpose (as with Goldenseal) of planting it for personal use and helping to reduce its endangered status. These seeds were sent to me from Mountain Rose Herbs as part of their "Seed Stewardship Project" done in collaboration with United Plant Savers.
Unlike the Goldenseal rootlets that are now safely in the ground, I won't be able to plant these seeds until early next spring.
Still, if you've been following my earlier posts, at this time I made it a practice to do a meditative journey. I wanted to see what the spirit of this plant might like to share with those of us who admire her pretty, daisy-like flower and rely on the immune supporting benefit from her medicinally charged root.
Although I began this visualization meandering around the root of the plant and expecting to stay there, I found myself guided up through the stem and into the flower. I wanted to hover among its soft petals, but instead ended up gently but firmly enfolded by them into the darker, spiky center. It was not what I expected, and you would think that by now I'd know better not to have any expectations! Yet, this was where the spirit of Echinacea presented itself.
It was a little frightening, and the message I got was about the dangers of fear, in this case, the fear people (myself included) continue to have for the natural world. Nature senses these fears, and this contributes in part to the negativity and adverse events that have been occurring on the planet. Irrational fear is a thought form that can create unfavorable realities. When I asked for solutions, I was told that everyone has to overcome this issue in their own way and without any guilt.
It could be as simple as looking through uplifting nature inspired books and photographs, examining a single flower or taking the time to enjoy the antics of a harmless insect or wild animal.
Both would involve focusing on beauty and wonderment rather than wariness. I also got a visual of a braver practice to respectfully watch a bee buzzing around a flower and encouraging yourself not to fearfully move away.
Following this meditation, I had to admit that as much as I'm drawn to all things natural, I do have some related fears that I need to work on, like getting lost in the woods or meeting a wild animal on a hiking trail.
Of course, common sense tells us that certain cautions are wise to heed. The same goes for considering allergies and unexplained phobias. We all can't be a David Attenborough who was quoted as saying: “Nature is our biggest ally and greatest inspiration,”
or a Mary Oliver who wrote: "Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, 'Stay awhile'". But I think the advice from the spirit of Echinacea offers an invitation to look within and see if we can make any feasible adjustments.
I offer my gratitude to this endangered plant on both a physical and a spiritual level! Let's hope that Echinacea continues to thrive as more steps are taken to preserve her habitats and honor her medicine.
As always, thanks for letting me share my thoughts and journey with you. I welcome your input, so if you want to submit a comment, scroll down to the bottom of this post. If you are interested in booking a personal session, you can do this here:
You can also contact me via email at: my.plant.allies@gmail.com
For now, here's wishing you wellness, wisdom and bloomin' vibes!
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