Milkweed Herbarium

plant medicine + herbal education

Dani Otteson

Tools For The Virtual Herbalist

By 2 Comments

I was looking back on a post I wrote several months ago about How To Create A Bad-Ass Herbal Scrapbook, and I thought that a few more resources might be handy – so I made you some 🙂

Firstly, I think the vocabulary of herbalism can be a little daunting at first. We use a lot of words to describe herbal actions and dosing patterns that aren’t really part of everyday conversation for most people. Enter: this little infographic to help you sort it all out. Pin it on your Pintrest or print out a copy of the PDF for your Materia Medica book.

Milkweed Herbarium's Guide To Herbal Actions

Secondly, I’d like to give you an idea of some herbs to get to know. Here is a list of my top 10 most essential. For this list, I tried to include a little bit of everything – some immune, some digestive, some first-aid, some nervous system, etc. These are solid basics to have around at all times. Again, feel free to pin it or print the PDF for your notebook 🙂

Milkweed Herbarium's 10 Essential Herbs

What fascinates you most  about herbal medicine? What are you most eager to learn?

xo,

dani O.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

All In The Family: Meet The Mints

By Leave a Comment

For most people, the word “mint” conjures images of icy cool freshness. While the peppermint and spearmint of gum and toothpaste are extremely popular, Lamiaceae – the “Mint Family” – is a group of roughly 3,500 species of plants with square stalks, simple opposite leaves, and an aromatic quality. Many mints are common kitchen herbs, and a great number of them are have medicinal qualities.

I love learning about medicinal herbs within the context of their family group for several reasons. For one, knowing some of the key characteristics of common plant families can help you identify plants. My favorite resource for information on plant families is Botany in a Day: The Patterns Method of Plant Identification by Thomas J. Elpel. This was the first herb book I ever purchased, and I still absolutely love it. Additionally, medicinal plants within a given family often have similar therapeutic uses.

Without further ado, below is a list of 7 familiar mint family plants and some medicinal uses for each 🙂 Enjoy!

Peppermint Medicinal Uses1. Peppermint – Mentha piperita

Peppermint is well-known as a digestive remedy. Tea of peppermint helps dyspepsia, cramps, and nausea. Although the aroma of the herb is awakening and stimulating, it relaxes intestinal muscles, relieving digestive cramping. Peppermint also induces sweating, and is thus a popular and effective herb to use in a fever tea. Avoid during pregnancy.

Spearmint Medicinal Uses2. Spearmint – Mentha spicata

Sweeter in flavor but similar in use, spearmint shares many of peppermint’s digestive uses. It is, however, preferred for nausea a related to headaches and migraines.

Lavender Medicinal Uses3. Lavender – Lavandula angustifolia

Though it may not look like a mint at first glance, lavender does have all of the characteristics of a Lamiaceae plant. Next time you see a lavender plant in person, feel the stem. You will notice four corners; a square stem. Though the leaves are thinner than many mints, they are still simple in structure and they grow opposite from each other. Lavender, like other mints, is very high in volatile, aromatic oils.

Lavender is bitter in taste, and in tea it becomes more bitter the longer it steeps. Bitter flavors help to stimulate bile production, and therefore digestion. Lavender is also calming and uplifting – it supports a sense of confidence, and reduces feelings of stress. Because it stimulates blood circulation to the head, it can be helpful for stress-related headaches. My favorite ways to use lavender are as part of a tea blend (a little goes a long way!) or as an essential oil. Lavender essential oil is well known for its healing power when applied to burns and skin irritations, but a drop may also be inhaled from a tissue or applied to the temples to help stress and headaches. Keep essential oil away from the eye area, and be aware that too much lavender has a stimulating – rather than calming – effect.

sage4. Sage – Salvia officinalis

Yet another aid for the digestive system, sage helps to calm the digestive system and expel gas from the intestines. Sage tea is one of my favorite helpers for inflammations of the mouth, throat, and tonsils. Use it as a mouthwash or gargle, and definitely drink it as tea. Sage also decreases milk production when weaning from breastfeeding. Avoid during pregnancy.

Lemon Balm Medicinal Uses5. Lemon Balm – Melissa officinalis

First and foremost, I think of lemon balm as the “gladdening herb.” Lemon balm is a great help for blues  and worries that come up because of major life changes (positive or negative). Also, if you are someone who doesn’t sleep well because you lie awake worrying that you won’t sleep, lemon balm is your friend. Tea and tincture are my favorite ways to take this herb. Great for grouchy kids (and adults) who need to relax. Lemon balm does affect the thyroid, so it should be avoided by those with hypothyroidism.

catnip6. Catnip – Nepeta cataria

It’s not just cat drugs, folks! Catnip is a very useful nervine sedative. This means that it helps you reach a state of relaxation and fall asleep. Catnip, lemon balm, and lavender would make an awesome sleep tea blend. Catnip also helps menstrual cramps and stomach upset.

Rosemary Medicinal Uses7. Rosemary – Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosemary, like its relatives, is helpful for digestion. It also helps to stimulate circulation and brain activity. Rosemary’s stimulating effects make it a good fit for supporting memory and cognitive function: As Ophelia says in Shakespeare’s Hamlet, “Rosemary, for remembrance.” Rosemary is one of the ingredients in my mental clarity tea blend, Where Is My Mind?, and essential oil of rosemary is also helpful during study time; just inhale a drop from a tissue.

Did any of these surprise you? What are your favorite mints?

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

HERBAL SELF-CARE: 15 Harmonious Rituals to Relax + Awaken

By 2 Comments

When I was younger, I used to pride myself on an inaccurate picture of who I was and how I reacted to stress. I believed myself to be someone who was unaffected by stress: “I just don’t get stressed out. Stressful situations happen, but they just don’t get to me,” I would say, making full eye contact and believing myself very thoroughly. What I came to realize later was that actually, I was just very good at not letting on to most of the world when I felt overwhelmed. And really, I wasn’t great at even recognizing my own feelings of overwhelm. Sure, I am a generally easygoing, positive, flexible individual. But I’m also someone who loves to push myself, and it can be challenging to know sometimes where the line is. This is where self-care comes in: I think that the most important thing I’ve learned about the way I relate to stress is that I am absolutely capable of taking on as many projects as I want, but taking care of myself in the midst of it all is an absolute requirement.

Being in harmony with my life and who I am is one of the feelings I love most. When I hit my stride and speak my truth, I feel unstoppable. Who doesn’t want to live harmoniously? (I doubt anyone out there is raising their hand). All too often, stress gets in the way of my focus on who I am and how I work best. Stress has many guises – emotional and mental stress of a busy lifestyle, a demanding career, or care of loved ones; physical stress of illness, recovery, inadequate sleep, sub-par nutrition – the list goes on. Yikes.

If you’re still with me, I’ve put together a list of self-care rituals, many of them peppered with herbal helpers. Self-care is more than just physically taking care of yourself to the extent that you are still alive (which is important, don’t get me wrong). Self-care involves nourishing yourself, body, mind, and spirit. It means taking time for yourself, especially when you don’t have time. These rituals are helpful to incorporate on a regular basis, to keep you feeling balanced and harmonious. They are also really helpful for times when you wake up and find yourself mired in stress that you somehow didn’t see swirling around you at any time prior, or that you may have refused to acknowledge. (Not that that has ever happened to me…)

Without further ado:

15 Harmonious Self-care Rituals

1. Make some tea

The act of making tea forces us to slow down and complete a process. It gets us out of our heads and gives us something to do with our hands, and we have no choice but to wait while water boils.
Drinking something warm soothes our nerves and provides comfort during trying times. Skullcap, Lemon Balm, Holy Basil, and Oat Straw are some of my favorite herbs to blend for tea in times of stress. To brew a leafy medicinal tea, use 1 tablespoon of herbs for every cup of water. Steep 15 minutes and strain.

2. Take a bath

Skin is the body’s largest organ of absorption. What we immerse ourselves in externally, we soak up internally – both physically and spiritually. The soothing heat of a bath can be enhanced with the use of herbs, in the form of essential oils or bath tea.
Rose petals, chamomile, and lavender make great calming bath time additions; just add a few drops of essential oil to your bath salt (pro tip: epsom salt is magnesium sulfate; known to relax muscles and ease tension). Alternatively, brew a quart of tea (use 1/4 cup of herbs and steep 15 minutes); strain and add to your bath.

3. Create a personal altar

Gather things that are important to you and give them a space; whether it’s a table, the top of your dresser, or even a special box. Anything goes here – photos, seashells, mementos, candles, flowers, souvenirs, letters, art – you name it. If it’s special to you, if it connects you to something that brings you joy or grounds you, put it here.
The first altar I created for myself followed a major life change, and it’s difficult to overstate how profoundly therapeutic the experience was for me. It helped me recognize who I really was and what mattered most to me. My altar is a space in my home where I come to reflect, heal, sing, cry, and smile.

4. Start a gratitude journal

Whether you’re having a fantastic day or a very challenging 24 hours, taking a few moments to jot down things for which you’re grateful sets a beautiful tone. People who reflect and express gratitude are just plain lovely to be around.

5. Find some nature

Whether you consider yourself a “nature person” or not, nature is where we all come from. Even if it’s just catching some fresh air outside or bringing flowers into your home, being consciously present in whatever nature you can find has deeply nourishing potential. Make it a point to take a walk or watch the sun set. Notice what kinds of weeds grow near you. Even if you don’t know what they’re called, take the time to acknowledge the plants you pass each day.

6. Breathe deeply

Oxygen is important. For example, you literally can’t live without it. Breathing deeply has profound physiological effects, from reducing blood pressure to triggering the brain to release chemicals that are tied to feelings of contentment and wellbeing. My top favorite essential oils to inhale deeply are frankincense, atlas cedar, and neroli.

7. Give something away

Give something away as often as you can. The something you give can be anything from a thoughtful gift to a smile – you never know how much small gestures and actions can mean to someone else. Plug a parking meter for a stranger, buy coffee for the person behind you in line. Compliment people genuinely and often.

8. Take your adaptogens

Adaptogens are herbs that help your body adapt to stress. They work well in supporting healthy endurance and stress hormone levels. In general, adaptogens are calming without being sedating, uplifting without being overly stimulating. My personal favorites include holy basil, ashwagandha, devil’s club, eleuthero, and licorice. I take my adaptogens as tinctures, although you can make a tea of them – holy basil is particularly tasty.

9. Make a list

This is a big one for me. When I sit down and make lists related to all of my major commitments, a lot of my stress evaporates. To me, a list is a plan, even if it has things in it I don’t want or know how to do. Lists help to organize thoughts and problem solve, and most importantly THEY GET THE STRESS IN YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR HEAD. I’m a visual person; seeing all of the things at the same time and knowing that I don’t have to worry that I’m juggling it all in my head gives me permission to RELAX.

Cyrus

10. Connect with an animal

I’ve lived with pets for almost my entire life, so I’m a huge advocate of the therapeutic effect that animals have on people. Plus they’re super cute and awesome. If you have a pet, spend time with your pet. If you don’t, borrow one. Literally call a friend and say “Can I come pet your dog, I’m having a stressful day.” Unless they are made of stone, they will absolutely say yes. OR volunteer at an animal shelter. If you have a mortal fear of or allergy to animals, connect in symbols. Think about major themes in your life (change, fear, humor) and see what you can learn about animal symbols. I probably sound like a hippie-witch (am I?), but I find that symbols are a really interesting way to look at life.

11. Stimulate your mind

Read whenever you have an opportunity, even if it’s just 10 minutes before you go to bed every night. Make time. Choose to do a puzzle instead of watching TV, do a word search. Gore Vidal once wrote, “The unfed mind devours itself.” I am in complete agreement.

12. Reroute your vocabulary

It’s a lot harder to feel stressed if you’re using beautiful words to express things that you care about. Even when you feel like you don’t care about anything because you’re so overwhelmed, use intelligent, positive language.
When I was a teenager, I was a cashier at a suburban health food store. The store where I worked was slow, and I often worked by myself and I would get bored. One of my tricks to staying happy and having fun was to think of as many positive adjectives as possible. I would chat with people and smile while I checked out their groceries, and then at the end, I would work in the adjective: “Have a splendid day!” “Enjoy that magnificent rutabaga!” “I hope your night is absolutely superb!” Oh my stars, it’s hard to feel stressed when you wish people such things.

13. Compose your thoughts

Beyond what you say to other people, choose your internal dialogues wisely. A student once told me that when she feels stressed or overwhelmed with life, she asks herself three questions about repetitive thoughts: 1. Are these thoughts true? 2. Are they helpful? 3. Are they kind? Journaling can be a great way to compose your thoughts and release tension and stress. My favorite herb for repetitive thought patterns is Avena sativa – in tincture form it’s wild oat, in tea it’s oat straw. I pair them both with white chestnut flower essence.

14. Let someone know you’re thinking of them

Call someone. Text someone. WRITE SOMEONE A LETTER. They will be so excited to get real mail that another human intentionally sent specifically them, especially if it’s not for any special occasion. Connecting with other humans is how we keep from losing ourselves in ourselves. Plus even if you’re an introvert (reluctantly sort of raises hand because yes, but don’t look at me), connection is the ultimate self-care. Disconnect from the world around us, disconnect from other people, disconnect from our true selves is so much of what causes stress. Maintaining connection (and building new connections) is one of the best ways you can take care of yourself. (Thank you Santi Devi for this lesson).

15. Take care of your body

This is actually a lot of things all masquerading together as one thing. Eat your food groups, stay hydrated, get 7-8 hours of sleep nightly, and exercise. Take a stroll, ride your bike, stretch, do the hokey-pokey; whatever you do that involves movement outside of the necessary, do it. Drink high-mineral nutritive tea. It should be in the water supply, pretty much everyone can benefit from it. Some great herbs to include in a nutritive tea blend include red clover, nettles, violet leaves, and oat straw. Throw some mint or licorice root in there for added benefits and flavor – you’ll be set to conquer the world.

I hope you found something useful in this post; many of the herbs and specific situations mentioned will be addressed in their own blog posts in the future, so stay tuned!

By the way, I know that some of these practice don’t fit everyone’s definition of rituals. Foremost, I believe that ritual is contingent on intention. For example, the act of drinking tea has the potential to be much more than just drinking tea. Additionally, from The American Heritage® Stedman’s Medical Dictionary: ritual rit·u·al (rĭch’ōō-əl) n. “A detailed act or series of acts carried out by an individual to relieve anxiety or to forestall the development of anxiety.” I thought ritual would be kind of a perfect word for this post.

xoxo, dani O.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Materia Medica 101: How To Create A Bad-Ass Herbal Scrapbook

By 1 Comment

I totally geek out about learning herbs. It’s one of my favorite things of all time – right up there with sprinkles and Bette Davis movies. There are so many valuable ways to learn – all of them important to a well-rounded herbal education. Plant walks, making medicine, and studying independently from solid resources are some of the many ways I love to increase my knowledge. Through it all, if I had to pick my most treasured herbal learning tool, hands-down it would be my Materia Medica notebook. It’s seen me through years of herbal study; an amazing resource that is ever-growing and all my own – and it’s so dear to my heart.

What is Materia Medica?

“Materia Medica” literally means “Healing Materials,” and the term dates back to Dioscorides in the 1st Century AD. Dioscorides wrote five volumes entitled De Materia Medica, which included the uses and effects of hundreds of therapeutic plants, as well as mineral and animal products. The term has largely been replaced in western medicine with “pharmacology.” However, among herbalists, it’s a popular term for the way that we teach and learn individual herbs. The term Materia Medica is used in many other healing modalities as well, including aromatherapy and homeopathy.

The Materia Medica Notebook

So what is my Materia Medica notebook? Essentially, it is my own personal herbal – a collection of plant monographs. It has pages dedicated to individual plants, with my detailed notes and pictures – notes from different resources and experiences, recipes, stories, pictures that I’ve sought out (some online, some I’ve taken or drawn myself) – and they’re organized in a way that makes sense for me.

My Materia Medica notebook is bad-ass BEAST. It’s currently a 4 inch binder (I started with a 1 inch!) with notes for different plants in separate page covers. There are categories of information that are typical within the Materia Medica style, so I designed page templates with those categories in mind and added a few of my own. I generally hand-write my notes, because I feel it helps me retain information at greater depth – plus, my own handwriting makes it more personal and unique. My Materia Medica has been organized in several different ways over the years, most notably:
1. Alphabetically by Latin name, and
2. By body system
(I think I like it best by Latin name, but body systems is also an easy way to look at things when you’re just starting to learn herbs).

Want To Make Your Own?

Have I talked you into it?! Are you totally pumped?! If so, I’ve got you covered – Get ready to become an herbal bad-ass with a beast of a notebook. Of course, you can design your own Materia Medica pages, but I’ve created some printables for your downloading pleasure.

Herbal Materia MedicaClick here for the Herbal Materia Medica Template

Use these to take notes! I’ll be posting a lot about individual herbs, and this is a great way to compile your info and dig more deeply into your curiosity. While you’re at it, check out this list of great resources for herbal wisdom to incorporate as you learn. (There is a lot of info out there on the interwebs – Google searching is not the most reliable way to find reputable information).

I’m super excited to create more posts to help you in your quest for herbal knowledge. How do you prefer to learn about herbs? Have you studied Materia Medica? How do you envision your future bad-ass botanical beast-of-a-book? (I can’t control my love for alliteration.)

xoxo, dani O.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

RUMEX CRISPUS: Yellow Dock For Spring Cleaning

By 1 Comment

Yellow dock is popping up in Denver! I’m absolutely ecstatic to see that spring is on its way. It will likely snow several more times before the end of May, but fruit trees are budding (some even blooming), and the greens of dandelion, yarrow, plantain, and of course yellow dock, are beginning to really show themselves.

I definitely prefer warmer weather, coming more and more alive as the plants yawn and stretch, and finally show themselves. There’s nothing quite like taking a walk that you take every day and seeing old friends suddenly reappear. Rumex crispus means “curly sorrel,” and while we use the root medicinally, the leaves are definitely edible. In fact, they make a great pesto! Yellow dock is a great digestive herb to consider as we move toward spring cleaning.

Rumex crispus – yellow dock.

Family: Polygonaceae (with rhubarb, japanese knotweed, and buckwheat)

Parts Used: Root

Ideal Preparation: DRY root tincture, High iron syrup

Ecological Status: A wild and abundant weed!

Dosage: 30-60 drops before meals (tincture)

Specific Indications & Therapeutic Use:

1. Skin issues (pair with Burdock)

This amazing weed is considered an alterative – meaning it alters the quality of, or “cleanses” the blood. Its bitter action also stimulates digestive secretions, and is in turn helpful in cleansing the liver. For those reasons, yellow dock is ideally suited for chronic or sluggish skin disorders, including eczema, psoriasis, and acne.

2. Constipation (a non-stimulant)

By stimulating digestive secretions – particularly the secretion of bile – yellow dock stimulates better peristaltic activity. Peristalsis is a series of wave-like muscle contractions that moves food to different processing stations in the digestive tract. Yellow dock can be used safely on a regular basis for constipation, because it encourages the whole digestive system to work more effectively, rather than irritating tissues in a stimulant fashion.

3. Improved digestion of fats

Yellow dock is helpful here for the same reason. When the gall bladder secretes bile effectively, fats are digested more efficiently. This is relevant for those who experience  poor digestion of fatty foods; particularly meat and dairy products. (No gall bladder? Check out dandelion!)

4. Iron deficiency/ anemia

Some people are deficient in iron because they don’t get enough, while others simply fail to release and absorb it properly. Yellow dock doesn’t actually contain a lot of iron, but increases uptake of dietary iron and helps release iron from storage in the liver and small intestine. High Iron Syrup to the rescue (see recipe below)!

Safety Issues & Contraindications:

High doses can have a laxative effect. Also note that the root MUST BE DRY – if it is not completely dried before being tinctured or made into syrup, it WILL have a laxative effect (even at normal dosage).

Yellow Dock / Rumex crispus

Yellow Dock High-Iron Syrup

Ingredients:

Water (4x volume of the below herb mixture)
3 parts yellow dock
2 parts dandelion root
2 parts nettles
2 parts alfalfa
1 part hawthorn berry (or rosehips)- either is fine, goal is high vitamin C content
blackstrap molasses

Directions:
Decoct (simmer) yellow dock, dandelion root & hawthorn berries in water for 20 minutes with lid on.

1. Strain out herbs and simmer over low heat, uncovered until decoction total is about half of original volume.

2. Turn off the heat, add nettles & alfalfa.  Let steep for 1 hour.

3. Strain and add 1-2 cups of blackstrap molasses for every 2 cups of tea.

4. Warm until well blended.

5. Bottle, label, refrigerate, and use!  Dosage is 4-6 tablespoons 1-2x daily for an adult. Dosage for children is 1 teaspoon 1-2x daily in water, diluted juice or directly in the mouth. Yum!

What’s your favorite thing about spring? Comment below about your favorite springtime plant allies!

xoxo,

dani O.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

ASCLEPIAS SPECIOSA: Milkweed & Authenticity

By 1 Comment

It’s hard for me to describe what this plant means to me, so I’ll just start with the facts.

Milkweed is in the Apocyanaceae family (subfamily Asclepiadoideae), along with Inmortal, Butterfly Weed, and Balloon Plant.

Asclepias speciosa have their flowers in umbels. They have milky juice and pods containing silky, tufted seeds. Umbels occur at the top of the stem and have around ten elaborately constructed flowers each. The flowers are over 1” wide and have a corolla (which flexes backward after blooming) made up of 5 rose-purple petals, and a star-shaped corona of pinkish-cream, needlelike, pouch-shaped hoods. A horn extends from each of these hoods directly to the ovary. These flower parts are so arranged to make it impossible for an insect to get away without pollen. Stems stand erect. Leaves are fuzzy, blue-green in color, oval- shaped, and 3-8” long.  The root is a taproot, which can be tinctured (5-30 drops up to 3x daily), or decocted (4 oz. 4x daily at 1 Tbsp./ pint). In Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, Michael Moore lists several therapeutic uses:

“Stimulates both urine and perspiration, softens bronchial mucus, dilates bronchi, and encourages expectoration. For a diuretic, Milkweed acts to increase the volume and solids of the urine and will aid in chronic kidney weakness typified by a slight, nonspecific ache in the middle back, most noticeable in the morning or after drinking alcohol […] Excess can cause nausea because the same physiological mechanism that causes expectoration will also cause nausea and vomiting. Other Milkweeds with broad leaves can be used similarly, particularly Pleurisy Root.”

He also recommends a scant teaspoon of Milkweed in a decoction with a tablespoon marshmallow root, wherein both herbs are boiled for an hour and the resulting liquid is drunk over several hours. He touts it as more effective for gallbladder attacks than anything besides Wild Yam.

Although most members of the genus Asclepias are tropical, there are approximately 110 species in North America. Most species (not Asclepias speciosa, however) are toxic to vertebrate herbivores if ingested, due to cardenolide alkaloids contained in the leaves and stems. Monarch butterflies cannot survive without milkweed. They are both a host plant and a food source for Monarch caterpillars. These caterpillars only eat specific plants, all of which are from the genus Asclepias – the Milkweed family. When monarch larvae ingest milkweed, they also ingest the plant’s toxins, called cardiac glycosides. These compounds are ultimately transferred to their wings and exoskeletons, making the larvae and adults toxic to many potential predators.

This particular species of milkweed is native to western North America, and to my delight, it’s easy to spot on medians and roadsides, even in the city. May through August is when it generally flowers, blooms are at their peak in early July.

I started noticing Milkweed (although I did not know it by name) on July 13th, 2013, driving back from wildcrafting trip in Crested Butte. I kept trying to point it out to Marian, who was in the car with me, but she always looked up just a little too late and missed it. I saw this plant all summer, virtually everywhere I drove. It seemed to crowd into every median, and stick out plainly from most roadsides. I wondered for two months how I possibly could have failed to notice this plant in the past.

On the night of September 13th, 2013, I saw it in a dream. The dream was a single image: I was in the parking lot of Red Rocks, which was full of cars. Nobody at all was around, but this plant was growing inside of every car, seemingly from the seats and floors, straight to the roof of each vehicle – as though they were flower beds. The next day, on my way home from work, I went to find some. I found out what the plant was, using a Colorado wildflower identification app that I had on my phone. Flowers were separated by color. I chose pink, and there was my flower – the first result: Asclepias speciosa, or Showy Milkweed. At this point in the year, the plant was no longer flowering, but I had become familiar with the shape of the plant itself from seeing it throughout the summer.

I drove around   //   and drove around   //   and drove around.

I was trying to find some that wasn’t too close to the road. Finally, I saw some in a field, ironically very close to where I had started. I had been walking paths in this park mere weeks before, and had come across a horseshoe. I kept it for luck, and placed it on my altar.

This day, I pulled off Wadsworth and parked. I walked a straight path to where it was growing. As I came nearer, I realized that a large ditch and barbed wire blocked my way. I had not seen them from the street. I stood there, at the path’s end, for a moment, trying to think of where I might find more. There was a path directly perpendicular to the one I had followed, with a tunnel leading under South Wadsworth Boulevard off to my left.

Suddenly, I heard a long, low whistle, and the sound of hooves. Fast hooves. A horse carrying a cowboy came flying out of the tunnel, and they passed about two feet in front of me. The cowboy was tan, with a very large brown mustache, a brown leather cowboy hat and boots, and a rusty orange tee shirt with jeans. The horse was brown with a black mane and tail, the latter of which was braided. There was white paint splashed on the side of the animal’s neck and body, as if by accident. They were gone in a flash.

I looked in the direction from which they came and decided to follow the tunnel under the road. I came out on the other side, and walked around for a bit. After a few minutes, I came across a patch of brush where some white paint appeared to have spilled. Directly behind it grew several stands of Milkweed. I spent several minutes discerning which wanted to come with me. The stalk that came was small, really just a stem with leaves.

I started back to the bridge, and as I drew nearer, I could hear someone whistling – this time a tune – and once again, the sound of hooves. The cowboy was dancing his horse under the bridge. We approached one another, and I watched them the whole time – but he neither made eye contact nor spoke, only whistled. The instant we came level with one another, he switched to the long, monotone whistle, and they shot off.

When I got back to my car, I wasn’t sure whether or not it had really happened, because it seemed so strange.

As I drove toward home, I turned to take a different route than usual. Not far down the road, I noticed several stands of Milkweed. These had fleshy, green horns growing at the tops, which made me curious.

I pulled my car over quickly, and walked directly to a plant. I grasped low on the stalk, and the plant came willingly. As I looked at it, I heard singing, and once again, the sound of hooves. The song was in a language I did not know, and as I looked up, I was passed by two Native American men in white tee shirts, jeans, and cowboy boots, each on horseback. I followed behind them for several yards on the way back to my vehicle. I sat in the car for several minutes and watched them ride away.

*

I went home, and placed both stalks in a tall vase on my altar. I stared at them for a long time.

The genus name Asclepias is for Askelpios, the god of medicine and reputed ancestor of the Asklepiades, the ancient Greek doctors’ guild. He is usually portrayed with a beard, holding a staff with a snake entwined round it, called the rod of Asklepios. As a boy, he was raised by the centaur Chiron, who instructed him in the art of medicine. Asklepios grew so skilled in the craft that he was able to restore the dead to life. However, because this was a crime against the natural order, Zeus destroyed him with a thunderbolt. After his death, Asklepios was placed amongst the stars as the constellation Ophiochus, “the Serpent Holder.”

Patients wishing to be cured by the god visited his temple site, called an Asklepion. It was believed that Asklepios cured patients by visiting them in their sleep at the Asklepion. Sometimes the patient was cured by Asklepios’s daughters, Panacea and Hygeia, who were often helped by snakes. Alternatively, patients would describe their dreams to a priest of Asklepios, who would interpret the dreams and suggest a treatment.

*

The next day, when I relayed the story to my teacher, she told me that for years, she had been collecting information and recording strange experiences related to plants in the genus Asclepias. She and her mentor Michael, each had strange experiences associated with Asclepias plants; Shelley with Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly weed), and Michael with Asclepias asperula (Inmortal).  All of these plants – Asclepias speciosa, Asclepias tuberosa, and Asclepias asperula – are hatching sites and food sources for monarch butterfly larvae. Monarch butterflies migrate to Mexico each fall, making them abundant in the region for Día de los Muertos. For this reason, they have been believed to be spirits of ancestors coming to visit, making them potent symbols of spirit and lineage.

Shelley said that Asclepias plants call the spirit of the healer. She said that the plant is an initiation. She told me that these plants also ask the question, “Are you really who you say you are?” Flower Essence Services describes Milkweed as a remedy for “Separation from core Self, inability to cope with core identity.”

//     Are you really who you say you are?    //

Milkweed’s positive qualities, as outlined by FES include healthy ego strength, independence, and self reliance. “Milkweed nourishes the soul at a very deep level, leading to the ability to rebirth that part of the core self which has regressed. As the soul learns to experience the healthy function of its ego, it grows in strength and independence.”

So many of my personal relationships were radically altered that summer, and thereafter my life and the way I defined myself changed quickly and drastically.

*

Milkweed has shown up in powerful ways over the last several years, as a message of transition and metamorphosis; of death and rebirth. It’s a powerful teacher and bringer of light, and I am forever grateful for its lessons.

 

xoxo,

dani O.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save