You
Can Have A Green Ally
an article by Susun S. Weed
Herbal
medicine is people's medicine. So why don't more
people use it? Because it can seem complicated and
scary, for starters. That's the reason I urge you
to use herbal medicine simply -- one herb at a time.
And that's a good reason to have a green ally: one
plant that teaches you the fundamental principals
of herbal medicine.
Herbal medicine is spirit medicine as well as body
medicine. Our green allies tend our souls along
with our sores. So why don't more books and courses
talk about plant spirits? Or, if they do, why do
they divorce it from herbal medicine? Because it’s
not something that is easily written or even talked
about. You have to connect with the devas and fairies
yourself. And that's a good reason to have a green
ally: one plant that opens you and guides you into
the realms of green blessings.
Herbal medicine is broad, deep, wide, timeless.
It takes seven lifetimes to become an herbalist.
Take the time this year to develop a relationship
with one special plant: a green ally. How?
Choose a plant that grows very near to you ... no
more than a one-minute walk from your door. You
don't need to know the name of the plant, or anything
about it. You will be sitting with your plant every
day, so, if possible, choose one that grows in a
quiet and lovely place ... in a pot on your balcony
is just fine ... in a park is great ... so is an
alley ... or a backyard.
You can read about the plant you've chosen if you
do know the name, but it isn't necessary. The point
is to develop a special caring, nurturing relationship
with your green ally. The following six exercises
can help you do this. They are from my latest correspondence
course: ABC of Herbalism with Susun Weed, which
focuses on ways to prepare and use 52 herbs and
herbs for dealing with more than 20 health concerns.
I also offer a year-long Green Ally Correspondence
Course. For more information on my other correspondence
courses visit me at www.susunweed.com
Green Ally Exercises from "ABC of Herbalism
with Susun S. Weed"
First green ally exercise:
Sit
and breathe with your green ally for 3-10 minutes
a day. You breathe out and the plant breathes in;
the plant breathes out and you breathe in.
Second green ally exercise:
Make
a detailed drawing of your green ally, as accurate
as you can make it. Then do a soft-focus, impressionistic
drawing of your green ally. When the weather is
too inclement to breathe with your green ally, breathe
with your green ally's picture.
Third green ally exercise:
What
part of your green ally is usually used? Are other
parts helpful? Experiment by making several small
tinctures, oils, and vinegars of the different parts
of your plant. Ask to plant to help you discover
new ways to use her.
Fourth green ally exercise:
Observe
the conditions that your green ally chooses to live
in. Does your ally grow near to people (to be used)
or far from them (to be left alone)? In a shady
spot (cool) or a sunny one (warm)? In a wet area
(moist) or an arid one (dry)? In rich soil or poor
soil? Plants make alkaloids and glycosides in rich
soils; resins and essential oils in poor soils.
Fifth green ally exercise:
Write
a story from the point of view of your green ally.
Let your ally speak to you and through you. Listen
for the voice of your ally in your dreams, in your
day dreams, in your mind. Write down what she says.
If this is hard, try writing with a pen instead
of on a computer; or try writing with your non-dominant
hand. A warm-up exercise given to me by Jean Houston
is to first write a page of praise of your ally,
tell your ally how wonderful she is, and how much
you like her.
Final green ally exercise:
Introduce
one or more friends to your green ally. Tell them
what you know, what you feel, and what you think
about your ally. If it is edible, feed them some.
Study with Susun Weed in the convenience of your
home! Choose from four Correspondence Courses: Green
Allies, Spirit & Practice of the Wise Woman Tradition,
Green Witch, and ABC of Herbalism - includes audio/video
tapes, books, assignments, special mailings, plus
personal time.
Learn more at www.susunweed.com or write to:
Susun Weed
PO Box 64
Woodstock,
NY 12498
Fax: 1-845-246-8081
Visit
Susun Weed at: www.susunweed.com and www.ashtreepublishing.com
For permission to reprint this article, contact
: susunweed@herbshealing.com
Vibrant, passionate,
and involved, Susun Weed has garnered an international
reputation for her groundbreaking lectures, teachings,
and writings on health and nutrition. She challenges
conventional medical approaches with humor, insight,
and her vast encyclopedic knowledge of herbal medicine.
Unabashedly pro-woman, her animated and enthusiastic
lectures are engaging and often profoundly provocative.
Susun is one
of America's best-known authorities on herbal medicine
and natural approaches to women's health. Her four
best-selling books are recommended by expert herbalists
and well-known physicians and are used and cherished
by millions of women around the world. Learn more
at www.susunweed.com
This
article is © copyright Susun
S. Weed 2004 - Republished here with kind permission.
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Disclaimer: This content is not intended
to replace conventional medical treatment. Any suggestions
made and all herbs listed are not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure or prevent any disease, condition or
symptom. Personal directions and use should be provided
by a clinical herbalist or other qualified healthcare
practitioner with a specific formula for you. All
material on this website/email is provided for general
information purposes only and should not be considered
medical advice or consultation. Contact a reputable
healthcare practitioner if you are in need of medical
care. Exercise self-empowerment by seeking a second
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