Over the winter months, we explored the value and depth of the evergreen medicines that are a part of our life. As we are moving into spring, before we delve into the wonders of young spring greens, I feel it is appropriate to honor one more tree. This time a deciduous tree is our focus: Black Cottonwood, also known as Balsam Poplar. In many part of the country (or world) it is still possible to harvest the swelling buds of this tree which possess potent medicines.
Black Cottonwood
Populus Balsamfirus
The poplar species are used around the world for their medicinal properties. While I am speaking specifically about Black Cottonwood which is prolific through out the Western United States, other varieties can be used similarly.
Description: A deciduous tree found almost always near water. Waxy green leaves that are spade-shaped. White to gray smooth bark when young, turning into deeply furrowed bark in mature trees. Leaves will move quite a bit in a strong breeze similar to Aspen species.
Collection: The main part used for medicine are the resinous leaf buds. These aromatic medicinal treasures can be collected from late fall all the way until early spring. They are best in the early spring/later winter before they leaf out. It is often possible to collect buds after a windstorm from branches on the ground. The buds can be dried and then stored in a brown paper bag or jar, but be sure to dry them first.
Uses:
1) Medicinal Oil: The salves can be soaked in Olive Oil (or another oil though olive oil works best) for anywhere from 2 weeks to a year. After being strained, this oil is a powerful antiseptic for cuts, scrapes, burns, or minor wound. It also has strong pain-killing properties especially for trauma and bruising.
2)Salve-The above oil can be made into a salve by gently heating it on a stove (or using a double-boiler) and then add 1/3 beeswax to 2/3 oil. After the beeswax has been melted, pour into glass or metal containers. When it cools it will re-solidify, so go easy with the beeswax. This salves can be used the same as above, but will store easily, perhaps indefinitely and is more portable. Great for a first aid kit.
3)Tea/Decoction-Both the buds and the inner bark of the tree can be made into a very foul-tasting bitter decoction. Simply boil a handful or two in water for 20-30 minutes. This intense tea can then be taken internally for coughs and colds, especially those that linger in the chest for weeks with yellow or green phlegm. This tea will also lower fevers and treat body aches.
4)Other Uses- Buds can be used directly on wounds in the field as a messy first aid plant. Buds, leaves, and barks can be used in medicinal baths for aches and pains. Inner bark and cambium can actually be scraped and eaten in the spring time. And, being able to recognize cottonwoods from some distance can be a valuable sign of water in an arid landscape.
The window for collecting cottonwood buds is rapidly closing! Go get some now!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Nourishing Life Part 1: Winter Medicine and Spring Medicine
Ah, February that supremely awkward month where we see the first hints of Spring arising and our hopes begin to rise. Then, often the cold comes and pummels our hopes into fear. At this time of year, there are a surprisingly high number of people afflicted by illness and whose emotional patterns get intensely stirred. It seems as if we are ill-equipped to handle the stresses of this transition, at least in our modern world. What is going on?
In ancient cultures, Eastern and Western, Indigenous, Agricultural, Hunter/Gatherer, one of the supreme manifestations of wisdom, health, and longevity was through harmonizing with the cycles of the seasons. In Chinese Medicine and Daoist Philosophy, one of the most obvious manifestations of the great Dao was through the seasons and their cycles. In Ayurveda, the science of life from India, how we matched our internal elements with the external elements was a source of vitality.
One way to describe this process is through the term Nourishing Life. This term is a translation of the Chinese term Yangsheng which encompasses such practices as diet, lifestyle, exercise, meditation, qigong, martial arts, herbal medicine, and living in tune with the cycles of life. One of the foundations of Nourishing Life is "Eat when you are hungry and sleep when you are tired." The reciprocal is also true. Don't eat when you aren't hungry (and don't overeat) and be active when you feel like being active. But, wait what does all of this have to do with February?
Well, part of the wisdom of the ancients is that each season has a certain quality, a certain energy, a certain spirit, a certain Qi. One of our jobs as humans is to tend to these qualities and harmonize are bodies and lifestyles with them. The quality of Winter is different than Spring (which is also quite different than Summer or Fall) and we can't expect our bodies and spirits to act the same in both. But unfortunately that is exactly what we are expected to do!
What is the quality of Winter? What are its gifts, its Medicine for us? Quiet, stillness, resting, storing, relaxation. Think of a frozen pond at midnight with snow all around. The animals are hibernating, and we are resting quiet in our homes with a fire dying down under warm blankets asleep in dreamless sleep.
What is the quality of Spring? What are its gifts, its Medicine for us? Reawakening, stirring, gentle movement, inspiration. Think of the snowdrops and daffodils pushing through the cold ground reaching out towards the rising sun just after dawn. The animals are rousing from their winter sleep, hungry and looking for mates. We are waking too, slightly grumpy from the winter needing to move our vital energy, looking for mates (there's a reason why Valentine's day is in February!).
How do we harmonize with these energies? Well, if we have truly rested in Winter then our energy should naturally be awakening now. We should feel a little bit more energy in the morning. In Winter, we should go to bed early and wake up late. In Spring, we go to be early, but wake up early and catch the fresh qi of Spring. In Winter, we practice stillness through meditation or restorative yoga. In Spring, we begin to move our bodies with gentle exercise such as tai chi, qigong, or gentle yoga. It is beneficial to practice in the morning outside in the fresh air and light.
But don't be fooled, the cold is still around so protect your body from the cold with layers of clothing. Eat the light green medicine foods arising from the ground: chickweed, dandelion, wintercress, and nettle. They contain the medicine harmonize with this time.
Most of all, listen to your internal rhythms. Find out what is nourishing for you and follow that path. It is a medicine all your own.
Thunder rousing amidst snow,
Spring awakens with frog song,
Green vitality pushing through frozen ground,
Wind and cold dance in the air above.
Can you find harmony?
Ask the Dao and watch Nature.
In ancient cultures, Eastern and Western, Indigenous, Agricultural, Hunter/Gatherer, one of the supreme manifestations of wisdom, health, and longevity was through harmonizing with the cycles of the seasons. In Chinese Medicine and Daoist Philosophy, one of the most obvious manifestations of the great Dao was through the seasons and their cycles. In Ayurveda, the science of life from India, how we matched our internal elements with the external elements was a source of vitality.
One way to describe this process is through the term Nourishing Life. This term is a translation of the Chinese term Yangsheng which encompasses such practices as diet, lifestyle, exercise, meditation, qigong, martial arts, herbal medicine, and living in tune with the cycles of life. One of the foundations of Nourishing Life is "Eat when you are hungry and sleep when you are tired." The reciprocal is also true. Don't eat when you aren't hungry (and don't overeat) and be active when you feel like being active. But, wait what does all of this have to do with February?
Well, part of the wisdom of the ancients is that each season has a certain quality, a certain energy, a certain spirit, a certain Qi. One of our jobs as humans is to tend to these qualities and harmonize are bodies and lifestyles with them. The quality of Winter is different than Spring (which is also quite different than Summer or Fall) and we can't expect our bodies and spirits to act the same in both. But unfortunately that is exactly what we are expected to do!
What is the quality of Winter? What are its gifts, its Medicine for us? Quiet, stillness, resting, storing, relaxation. Think of a frozen pond at midnight with snow all around. The animals are hibernating, and we are resting quiet in our homes with a fire dying down under warm blankets asleep in dreamless sleep.
What is the quality of Spring? What are its gifts, its Medicine for us? Reawakening, stirring, gentle movement, inspiration. Think of the snowdrops and daffodils pushing through the cold ground reaching out towards the rising sun just after dawn. The animals are rousing from their winter sleep, hungry and looking for mates. We are waking too, slightly grumpy from the winter needing to move our vital energy, looking for mates (there's a reason why Valentine's day is in February!).
How do we harmonize with these energies? Well, if we have truly rested in Winter then our energy should naturally be awakening now. We should feel a little bit more energy in the morning. In Winter, we should go to bed early and wake up late. In Spring, we go to be early, but wake up early and catch the fresh qi of Spring. In Winter, we practice stillness through meditation or restorative yoga. In Spring, we begin to move our bodies with gentle exercise such as tai chi, qigong, or gentle yoga. It is beneficial to practice in the morning outside in the fresh air and light.
But don't be fooled, the cold is still around so protect your body from the cold with layers of clothing. Eat the light green medicine foods arising from the ground: chickweed, dandelion, wintercress, and nettle. They contain the medicine harmonize with this time.
Most of all, listen to your internal rhythms. Find out what is nourishing for you and follow that path. It is a medicine all your own.
Thunder rousing amidst snow,
Spring awakens with frog song,
Green vitality pushing through frozen ground,
Wind and cold dance in the air above.
Can you find harmony?
Ask the Dao and watch Nature.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Herb of the Week: Evergreen Allies Part 3: Juniper
As we step into this new year, it can be useful to reflect on what ways medicines can play a part of our life to create vibrant health and vitality. Previously, we have looked at two examples of evergreen trees as useful aids to combat illnesses common in winter. I'd like to wrap our exploration of evergreen trees as medicinal aids by turning to a tree that is used as a powerful medicine across the world.
Juniper species are used as powerful medicinal agents and ceremonial aids on 3 different continents. I'll say that again: 3 different continents. In Asia, Europe, and North America Juniper has been used as a medicine since ancient times. I don't know of use of Juniper in Africa, Antarctica, or Australia, but if Juniper species do grow there, I'm sure they are used as a medicine as well.
Juniper, like a lot of it's coniferous cousins, continues to combine the properties of being a potent medicine for treating illnesses and sicknesses while also playing an important role as a remover of negative energy or thought patterns.
Juniper spp.
While I usually try to not make broad sweeping statements about plants that have many variations, for Juniper I make an exception. Junipers are characterized by prickly needles, reddish brown shaggy bark, and in most species an edible blue-green berry. (Before using a local species be sure to check it's edibility!!!).
Uses:
1) Needle Tea- Similar to the other coniferous trees we have looked at, Juniper needles can be made into a tea that can treat coughs, colds, and fevers. It is especially good for colds that are characterized by copious nasal or bronchial mucous that is white, clear, or slightly yellow. In addition, due to its anti-pain characteristics (see below) Juniper tree will also aid with the body aches that can come with colds or flu.
2) Anti-Rheumatic-Many different evergreen species can be used to treat pain, especially achy, joint pain made worse by exposure to cold, damp weather. Juniper may be one of the most effective of these remedies. It can be used a hot soak or bath. Or, alternatively you can actually take juniper branches or twigs and soak them in hot water and apply them directly to the effected area. In fact you can use the steam from juniper teas or even the smoke from burned needles or bark to treat painful areas as well.
3) Ceremonial-Juniper smoke from either needles or dried shredded bark is considered a very powerful remover of negative energy. It is used ceremonially in North America and across Asia, and there is even a tradition of Juniper smoke being used as a kind of smudge among Scottish peoples. This tradition known as saining has been described by Frank MacEowen in his work on Celtic Spirituality. People on three different parts of the world can't all be wrong!
4)Trauma-Juniper can also be used to treat acute trauma such as muscle aches, sprains, strains, etc. The method is the same as above including steam, fomentation, soak, topically, etc.
Other Uses and Precautions:
Juniper Berries are considered edible in their fresh and dried from. In fact, Gin is flavored with Juniper berries (which points to the fact that many old European liquors may have originally been medicinal tinctures or beverages). The berries are diuretic increasing urination. This may cause irritation in large quantities and also could be problematic for those with chronic kidney or bladder issues. Also, Juniper species of a variety of kinds can be dangerous for pregnant women leading to early labor or miscarriage.
Juniper species are used as powerful medicinal agents and ceremonial aids on 3 different continents. I'll say that again: 3 different continents. In Asia, Europe, and North America Juniper has been used as a medicine since ancient times. I don't know of use of Juniper in Africa, Antarctica, or Australia, but if Juniper species do grow there, I'm sure they are used as a medicine as well.
Juniper, like a lot of it's coniferous cousins, continues to combine the properties of being a potent medicine for treating illnesses and sicknesses while also playing an important role as a remover of negative energy or thought patterns.
Juniper spp.
While I usually try to not make broad sweeping statements about plants that have many variations, for Juniper I make an exception. Junipers are characterized by prickly needles, reddish brown shaggy bark, and in most species an edible blue-green berry. (Before using a local species be sure to check it's edibility!!!).
Uses:
1) Needle Tea- Similar to the other coniferous trees we have looked at, Juniper needles can be made into a tea that can treat coughs, colds, and fevers. It is especially good for colds that are characterized by copious nasal or bronchial mucous that is white, clear, or slightly yellow. In addition, due to its anti-pain characteristics (see below) Juniper tree will also aid with the body aches that can come with colds or flu.
2) Anti-Rheumatic-Many different evergreen species can be used to treat pain, especially achy, joint pain made worse by exposure to cold, damp weather. Juniper may be one of the most effective of these remedies. It can be used a hot soak or bath. Or, alternatively you can actually take juniper branches or twigs and soak them in hot water and apply them directly to the effected area. In fact you can use the steam from juniper teas or even the smoke from burned needles or bark to treat painful areas as well.
3) Ceremonial-Juniper smoke from either needles or dried shredded bark is considered a very powerful remover of negative energy. It is used ceremonially in North America and across Asia, and there is even a tradition of Juniper smoke being used as a kind of smudge among Scottish peoples. This tradition known as saining has been described by Frank MacEowen in his work on Celtic Spirituality. People on three different parts of the world can't all be wrong!
4)Trauma-Juniper can also be used to treat acute trauma such as muscle aches, sprains, strains, etc. The method is the same as above including steam, fomentation, soak, topically, etc.
Other Uses and Precautions:
Juniper Berries are considered edible in their fresh and dried from. In fact, Gin is flavored with Juniper berries (which points to the fact that many old European liquors may have originally been medicinal tinctures or beverages). The berries are diuretic increasing urination. This may cause irritation in large quantities and also could be problematic for those with chronic kidney or bladder issues. Also, Juniper species of a variety of kinds can be dangerous for pregnant women leading to early labor or miscarriage.
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