<< a light-hearted interview featuring this year's Herbstalk teachers & vendors >> Can you tell us a little bit about how your herbal work began? How did you first get interested in plants or herbalism? My interest in health and wellness began with spirituality. Since my early 20s, I’ve been fascinated with spirituality and in my own spiritual growth. After working in corporate America for several years, I stumbled upon Ayurveda when a friend of mine asked me to take her Ayurveda program. I learned that Ayurveda talks about balancing the health of body, mind and soul and utilizes food as the main way to achieve that balance. I hadn’t previously thought of the body as being that vehicle to attain spiritual freedom. I started looking at my kitchen cabinet as not just a storehouse of food but also as a pharmacy. I started experimenting with these spices – every time my mom or other relatives had any health issues, I would look up solutions, talk to my mentors, and suggest kitchen remedies. They worked – not just for physical ailments but also to help calm the mind. What challenges did you face when you first started? At the beginning I had a lot to learn. I was an engineer in my previous career and I was switching to a completely different area in health and Ayurveda. The science was vast and I spent a lot of time trying to understand basic info – such as how does the human body work, learn Ayurvedic concepts and just try to get a feel for such a vast topic. If you could go back in time to meet yourself when you were just starting on the herbal path, what would you say? I would tell myself that it’s ok to not know, and I would tell myself that I should see more clients and let the learning happen in my practice. Because you can’t know everything -- your learning and experience develop in your practice. What is the main focus of your work within the realm of herbalism? Within herbalism, I focus a lot on spices and Indian herbs. I recommend different types of decoctions, teas, juices made from these spices. I also focus on how to use these spices and herbs in everyday food. I use these herbs not just in internal consumption but also for external application. Where do you see the future of herbalism going in the next few years? There is a lot of potential for herbalism. People are moving away from pharmaceuticals and towards natural remedies and solutions. In addition, if there is greater collaboration between herbalists and people in conventional medical science – it will not just bring different fields together but also greatly enhance people’s lives. So, I’m hopeful and excited. Do you have a favorite plant or two at the moment? I love ginger root – it’s an amazing herb/spice. I use it in my own cooking. I also use it as a paste, and I squeeze its juice and use it as a tea. It is very versatile and can help treat different conditions including inflammation in joints, indigestion and even to perk up someone’s energy. What’s one fun thing that most people don’t know about you? I like to dance. When the music starts – and sometimes I just turn on the music myself – I like to move (I probably wouldn’t qualify for any Broadway musical) but I enjoy getting in rhythm with the music. Thank you, Sriram!
You can view more about Sriram's work at his website, and can learn more about Ayurvedic herbs and spices at his Herbstalk class taking place on Sunday, June 3rd. Check out the full class schedule here! by Herb Pearce Calendula is our pick for Enneagram Type 7, called the Optimist. This personality type is sunny, bright, positive and a best-case-scenario type of person. The yellow and orange, sunny-petaled calendula is a perfect match for the qualities of The Optimist. Type 7s like to be positive and optimistic above else, and criticize others for being “negative.” Be positive or else! They shy away from pain and problems and only like rosy perspectives on life. In warm climates, calendula can grow all 12 months and in cooler climates it’s often the last flower to bloom, even through to December. Calendula officinalis has been recognized for centuries as a miracle plant which can cure just about anything. It’s in the Sunflower family (Asteraceae) and is an edible flower. It’s native to southern Europe but resides also in North America and North Africa. Planted in our climate in mid-spring, it grows easily. It’s a sun lover but can tolerate some partial shade. Besides yellow and orange some calendula petals are russet colored and even multi-petaled. Some varieties are grown to produce extra sticky resin on the sepals, which is where a lot of the medicinal value lies. Pick flowers every few days to brighten up your home, foods, or freeze into ice cubes. The outer ray flowers of calendula improve the immune system and brighten up one's disposition -– perfect for Type 7s in the Enneagram who already have these tendencies, as well as would-be 7s who are wanting to be more positive. Secretly, 7s stay over-positive to protect themselves from feeling fearful or depressed so calendula can help with more of a natural balanced high. Sometimes The Optimist will hit the skids when grief or anxiety can’t be assuaged by their overly-positive minds and actions. In Roman gardens calendula was a symbol for happiness and was regularly used for cooking and medicine. The Germans used it in soups and stews, as well as a saffron substitute in hearty large pot dishes, thus the nickname “pot marigold.” Pick the flower petals and dry them in airy containers or baskets in warm dry areas so that you’ll have them available later — especially in winter to brighten up grayer days. Add them to quiches, salads, soups, relishes or any dish. Traditional people put them in breads, syrups or conserves. Modern herbalists use calendula for a wide range of issues: from treating skin conditions such as eczema, rashes, sunburn and wounds to soothing intestinal inflammation. The flowers are also an important herb for lymphatic health and poor immunity. They can be made into a yellow-hued tea, taken as a tincture, or added to food. 7s love options and want to make sure calendula can be taken in many forms or used simply as a visual brightener. Nicholas Culpeper, a famous English herbalist in the 1600s wrote, “The flowers, either green or dried, are much used in possets, broths, and drink, as a comforter of the heart and spirits, and to expel any malignant or pestilential quality which might annoy them.” Another account, written in 1699, states “The yellow leaves of the flowers are dried and kept throughout Dutchland against winter to put into broths, physicall potions and for divers other purposes, in such quantity that in some Grocers or Spicesellers are to be found barrels filled with them and retailed by the penny or less, insomuch that no broths are well made without dried Marigold" (another name for Calendula). Old time texts used it as an uplifting herb particularly in the winter, along with rose, mimosa, lavender, lemon verbena or lemon balm. The only caution is that some people are allergic to the Asteraceae family. If you’re down in the dumps, anxious or need cheering up, don’t forgot about calendula! Herb Pearce is an expert on the Enneagram with 28+ years experience. He has authored four books on the Enneagram including his most recent work, Presidential Profiles: Washington to Trump - Enneagram and Myers-Briggs Perspectives. Herb has taught over 2000 Enneagram workshops and has worked with hundreds of organizations, individuals and couples using the Enneagram in his counseling practice. Herb resides in Arlington, Massachusetts where he is a practicing psychotherapist and life coach. He emphasizes developing the strengths of all 9 Enneagram types and is known for his exacting insights, moderated by gentleness, humor and compassion. You can learn more at www.herbpearce.com or email him directly at herb@herbpearce.com. Herb will be teaching his class, Herbs of the Enneagram, at Herbstalk on Sunday, June 3rd! View the full class schedule here. << a light-hearted interview featuring Herbstalk teachers & vendors >> Can you tell us a little bit about how your herbal work began? How did you first get interested in plants or herbalism? My interest in health and wellness began with spirituality. Since my early 20s, I’ve been fascinated with spirituality and in my own spiritual growth. After working in corporate America for several years, I stumbled upon Ayurveda when a friend of mine asked me to take her Ayurveda program. I learned that Ayurveda talks about balancing the health of body, mind and soul and utilizes food as the main way to achieve that balance. I hadn’t previously thought of the body as being that vehicle to attain spiritual freedom. I started looking at my kitchen cabinet as not just a storehouse of food but also as a pharmacy. I started experimenting with these spices – every time my mom or other relatives had any health issues, I would look up solutions, talk to my mentors, and suggest kitchen remedies. They worked – not just for physical ailments but also to help calm the mind. What challenges did you face when you first started your journey into Ayurveda? At the beginning I had a lot to learn. I was an engineer in my previous career and I was switching to a completely different area in health and Ayurveda. The science was vast and I spent a lot of time trying to understand basic info – such as how does the human body work, learn Ayurvedic concepts and just try to get a feel for all this. If you could go back in time to meet yourself when you were just starting on the herbal path, what would you say? I would tell myself that it’s ok to not know, and I would tell myself that I should see more clients and let the learning happen in my practice. Because you can’t know everything -- your learning and experience develop in your practice. What is the main focus of your current work with herbs? Within herbalism, I focus a lot on spices and Indian herbs. I recommend different types of decoctions, teas, and juices made from these spices. I also focus on how to use these spices and herbs in your food. I use these herbs not just in internal consumption but also for external application, too. Where do you see the future of herbalism going in the next few years? There is a lot of potential for herbalism. People are moving away from pharmaceuticals and towards natural remedies and solutions. In addition, if there is greater collaboration between herbalists and people in conventional medical science – it will not just bring different fields together but also greatly enhance people’s lives. So, I’m hopeful and excited. Do you have a favorite plant or two at the moment? I love ginger root – it’s an amazing herb/spice. I use it in my own cooking. I also use it as a paste -- I squeeze its juice and use it as a tea. It is very versatile and can help treat different conditions including inflammation in joints, indigestion and even to perk up someone’s energy. What’s one fun thing that most people don’t know about you? I like to dance! When the music starts – and sometimes I just turn on the music myself – I like to move (I probably wouldn’t qualify for any Broadway musical) but I enjoy getting in rhythm with the music. Thank you for talking to us about your practice, Sriram! You can learn more his work at his website. And, you can learn more about Ayurvedic herbs in his Herbstalk class "Herbs & Foods for Ayurvedic Body Types" on Sunday, June 3rd. See the full class schedule here!
We continue our "Meet the Herbalist" series with a look at the inspirational work of Dr. Eva Zasloff. She is pioneering a whole new model of home based health care for newborns and mothers in the 4th trimester. Dr. Eva is the mother of three boys and works throughout the greater Boston area. Can you tell us a little bit about how your work began? I am a family doctor. About two years ago I created a new kind of medical practice -- to rethink how we are caring for mothers and babies during the fourth trimester. As a mother of 3 and as a doctor trained in pediatrics and women’s health, I have had many experiences showing me that there should be a better way to support new families during this incredibly intense and essential life moment. So I created a home based medical model that provides care for both the newborn and the mother in an integrated way. What challenges did you face when you first started your practice? Overcoming fear mostly-- taking that first leap of trying something new is hard. Also, I wanted to create a model of care that was accessible to everyone and to be in network with insurance plans. I was stubborn about figuring out how to make that work. With time, determination, and an amazing operations manager, Davin Eurich, we have been able to create an accessible and sustainable model. If you could go back in time to meet yourself when you were just starting on this path, what would you say? Hang tight because there will be lots of twists and turns! It is sometimes hard to know if you have picked the right path. Looking back, I am amazed that some of my least inspired and hardest moments have since grown into some of my best ideas and directions. Can you share a favorite go-to herbal book of yours? Healthy at Home by Tieroana Low Dog MD is a great book filled with recipes for natural home remedies and useful evidence-based information on herbal treatments for common household issues. Are there any non-herbal hobbies or interests that you love doing? I studied visual arts at Barnard as an undergraduate. Art has always been a true and intense form of expression for me. When I am able to capture the right creative moment (which is sometimes fleeting and transient!), it can take me to a deep place of meditation and honesty. Given your background as a health care provider where do you see the future of herbalism going in the next few years? As a physician, it is always exciting to find out about new studies being done to establish evidence based data on herbal treatments. I hope that in the future, as the research expands, we can more easily incorporate herbs into the standard western medicine treatments. You can learn more about Dr. Zasloff's work and practice at her website: www.tovahealth.com. Her Herbstalk class, A Natural Approach to the 4th Trimester, will be offered on Saturday, June 3rd. See the full class schedule here!
We are very happy to bring back our popular "Meet the Herbalist" series where we profile the teachers, vendors and participants of Herbstalk. Today we are sharing an interview with Constanza Leal Woods, herbalist, teacher, herb grower and crafter. She will be traveling to Herbstalk from her home in Colombia to offer our first class in Spanish -- La Rueda Medicinal: La Luna y Las Plantas -- which we could not be more thrilled about! We are honored to share some of her story with you. How did you first get interested in plants or herbalism? Cómo comenzó tu interés en las plantas o herbalismo? From a very young age I have been madly in love with nature. Growing up in South America, I was fortunate to spend my childhood summers in the countryside. I remember reveling in the quiet moments outside, staring at bugs, flowers and obsessing over moon rises, sunsets and stars. Nature always felt like home and plants have been a huge inspiration for me since I can remember. I didn’t dive into herbal medicine until I was much older though, when I had a terrible bike accident that left me with a compound fracture. I was hesitant to take the extreme pain meds prescribed to me and I was anxious to speed up my healing so I looked into healing naturally. Immediately after being released from the hospital I was introduced to comfrey which helped mend my bones, along with a dozen other plants, a diet high in calcium, vitamin K, and healing circles. I was told I wouldn't be able to walk for a few months and certainly not bike for at least a year so it was incredible to watch my body put itself back together so quickly! I was back to my regular life after a month and a half, and felt that plant allies, energy, love and care from loved ones had everything to do with it. I never came back from the plant world after that. ~~~ Desde muy pequeña vivo enamorada de la naturaleza. Me crié en Sudamérica entonces tuve la fortuna de pasar los veranos de infancia en el campo. Recuerdo que me deleitaba en los momentos silenciosos a la intemperie, me perdía mirando insectos, flores, Lunas, estrellas y atardeceres. Siempre sentí a la naturaleza como un segundo hogar, y desde que tengo memoria ella ha sido para mi una gran inspiración. A pesar de todo eso, no me profundice en el mundo de las plantas medicinales hasta que era mucho mayor, cuando tuve un terrible accidente en bicicleta que me dejo con una fractura expuesta. Dentro del caos y trauma que fue ese accidente, no quería tomarme las pastillas fuertes que me recetaron para el dolor, y estaba ansiosa de recuperarse rápidamente entonces comencé a investigar cómo sanar de forma natural. Apenas salí del hospital conocí a Confrey, planta que me ayudó a cicatrizar los huesos fracturados, más otra docena de plantas, Vitamina K, círculos energéticos y calorcito de seres queridos. Los doctores me dijeron que no iba a poder caminar por algunos meses y definitivamente no andar en bici por un año, entonces fue increíble ver lo rápido que mi cuerpo se recuperó! Volví a mi vida normal después de un mes y medio del accidente y siento que las plantas, la energía, amor y cariño de mi familia tuvo todo que ver con eso. Desde ese instante nunca volvi atras, y me quede para siempre en el mundo de sanación con las Plantas. What is the main focus of your work with Jardín Secreto? Cual es el principal enfoque de tu trabajo con el herbalismo? Lately my main focus has been the relationship between plant medicine, the divine feminine, archetypes and the Moon. I am mesmerized by the overlap in this ancestral knowledge and how powerful it can be to honor these ancient ways of healing. Regarding my products, the focus can vary because it depends on what we are currently growing in the land and what I can source locally. Almost everything I make are things I believe to be either essential in our household or healthier versions of what we love, such as homemade artisanal chocolate sweetened with raw honey or herbal medicinal sodas. ~~~ Últimamente mi enfoque ha sido la relación que existe entre la medicina de las plantas, el sagrado femenino, los arquetipos y la Luna. Estoy anonadada con todas las coincidencias que existen dentro de la sabiduría ancestral y lo poderoso que es honrar estas herramientas de sanación. En cuanto a mis productos, el enfoque varía porque depende en que estoy cultivando en el momento y que materias primas locales están disponibles. Casi todo lo que hago son cosas que considero esencial en el hogar o versiones saludables de cositas que adoramos, como por ejemplo chocolate artesanal o refrescos de plantas medicinales. Do you have a favorite plant or two at the moment? Tienes alguna planta favorita o dos en este momento? I am lucky to live in an area where Elder is incredibly abundant and flowering almost all year long. I have been wildcrafting its medicine and coming home utterly in love, with baskets full of blossoms or berries. I have been extracting its medicine into tinctures, oxymels, infused honey, tea blends and even making wine with its wild yeast! Feeling elder-rich to have this wonderful old friend, sharing its medicine, wisdom and lore with me. ~~~ Tengo mucha suerte de vivir en una zona donde el Sauco es increíblemente abundante y en flor casi todo el año. Lo he estado cosechando de forma silvestre y llegando a casa feliz de la vida con canastos llenos de su medicina. He estado extrayendo frutos y flores de Sauco en tinturas, miel, oxymels, infusiones y hasta haciendo vinos con su levadura silvestre! Sintiéndome muy afortunada de tener a esta poderosa planta compartiendo su medicina y sabiduría conmigo. Can you share some of your go-to herbal books or favorite herbalists/teachers that you look to for inspiration? Puedes compartir algunos libros o yerbateros/maestros favoritos que te inspiran? Attending the School of Gaia in Vermont and learning with Sage Maurer was a life changing experience for me. Sage is a master herbalist whose wisdom I try to channel when I teach, speak, harvest and make plant medicine. Sage taught me among many things, the bonds and relationships we develop with the plant spirit world when we open our hearts and minds to receive their medicine. I cannot thank her enough for the sacred teachings and inspiring me in so many ways, always. Susun Weed is another consistent source of inspiration for me. I absolutely adore her wild, fiery, passionate spirit and I can only hope to be half as cool and plant-nourished when I am her age! I highly recommend all of her books. My go-to book for information and specific health problems has been The Complete Herbal Tutor by Anne McIntyre. It is a great resource to have handy, written simply and straightforward by an amazing herbalist with 30+ years of experience. Whenever I’m in doubt this has been a great resource for me. ~~~ Una experiencia que me cambió la vida fue haber asistido a la Escuela de Gaia en Vermont y aprender con Sage Maurer. Sage es una maestra de una sabiduría imponente, y trato de canalizar su energía cada vez que enseño, hablo, cosecho o hago medicina. Sage me enseño, dentro de muchas cosas, la conexión y relación que creamos con el mundo espiritual de las plantas cuando abrimos nuestra mente y corazón para recibir su medicina. Estoy eternamente agradecida por las enseñanzas sagradas que me brindó y por inspirarme de tantas maneras, hoy y siempre. Susun Weed es otro ser de constante inspiración para mi. Adoro su espíritu salvaje y apasionado, y espero algun dia ser la mitad de lo sabia que es ella. Recomiendo todos sus libros. Un libro que utilizo cada vez que necesito informacion especifica es The Complete Herbal Tutor de Anne McIntyre. Es un muy buen recurso para tener a mano, escrito de forma simple y clara por una maestra yerbatera con más de 30 años de experiencia. Cada vez que tengo alguna duda, este libro me ayuda muchísimo. Do you have any advice that would like to share with budding herbalists? Qué consejo le darías a yerbateras(os) que están recién comenzando? Go deep with one plant at a time! And don’t overwhelm yourself memorizing dozens of properties for hundreds of plants. I believe we truly get to know a plant ally when we invest time experiencing their medicine in many forms, bonding and seeking to understand the energetics. The best advice I ever got was that it is best to know ten plants really well, than it is to know a hundred just on the surface. ~~~ Mi consejo es, ¡profundiza con una planta a la vez! y no te compliques memorizando propiedades de cientos de plantas. En mi opinión siento que creamos una gran conexión con cada planta cuando le dedicamos tiempo a su medicina, tomándola de diferentes maneras, profundizando con su energía, familiarizándonos con ella. El mejor consejo que yo alguna vez recibí fue, es mejor saber diez plantas en profundidad, en vez de saber cien plantas por encimita. Are there any non-herbal hobbies or interests that you love doing? Tienes algún pasatiempo o interés no relacionado con las plantas? Growing food, Permaculture and looking at soil microbiology have become very dear to my heart. My husband and I live in the beautiful mountains of Antioquia, Colombia, where we are very fortunate to be able to grow food all year long. Sowing seeds, tending to and harvesting plants is such a huge source of gratitude for us! Soil rejuvenation through microbiology goes hand in hand with our farming goals, so for the last year and a half I have been studying with Elaine Ingham (Soil Food Web scientist), learning and swooning about soil microbiology, compost teas and extracts. ~~~ Me apasiona cultivar mi propia comida, la Permacutura y la microbiología en suelos. Mi esposo y yo vivimos en las hermosas montañas del Oriente Antioqueño, Colombia, donde tenemos la suerte de poder cultivar todo el año. Para mi es una fuente de gratitud absoluta poder plantar semillitas, cuidar y cosechar las plantas de forma cotidiana. La recuperación de suelos a través de la microbiología es algo que está directamente conectado con mi misión en esta Tierra, entonces hace más de un año estoy estudiando con Elaine Ingham (Científica Microbiologa experta de Soil Food Web), aprendiendo mucho y super enamorada de la microbiología, el compostaje y toda su metodología. What would be your top five deserted island herbs? (the only herbs you could have around while stuck on a deserted island) Cuales son tus top cinco hierbas si estuvieras atrapada en una isla? Tough question! I would have to go with Dandelion, Yarrow, Nettle, Elder and Passionflower, as they are all essential herbs in my medicine cabinet. ~~~ Que pregunta tan difícil! Si tuviera que escoger necesitaría tener Diente de León, Milenrama, Ortiga, Sauco y Pasiflora, ya que todas son absolutamente esenciales en mi botiquín. Finally, can you tell us what made you want to be a part of Herbstalk? Por fin, que te hizo querer ser parte de Herbstalk? A friend of mine introduced me to Herbstalk some years ago and as I entered the event I was blown away to learn that a space like that even existed! It felt as though I was in a dream, where everything I loved merged into one place. This year I am lucky to be in the states during Herbstalk, and I wanted to push myself to be involved in a way that I haven’t been before. I have been teaching the Women’s Medicine Wheel to my local community in Antioquia, intertwined with the wisdom of the plants and medicine making. I felt that giving this class in Spanish at Herbstalk would be a way to give back to my fellow Latino Community in the area and to root for inclusivity and diversity. Our mothers and grandmothers have always worked with plants and I hope to channel their wisdom in this incredible opportunity I was given. ~~~ Una amiga me llevó a Herbstalk años atrás y cuando entre a ese espacio casi me caigo de la impresión. Estaba asombrada al descubrir que un evento como Herbstalk existe! Sentí como si estuviera en un sueño, donde todo lo que adoro se une en un solo lugar. Este año tengo la suerte de estar en e.e.u.u. durante Herbstalk y estoy feliz de ser parte de Herbstalk de una manera que no lo he sido antes. En Colombia he estado enseñando la Rueda Medicinal de la Mujer, mezclado con la sabiduría de las plantas, fases de Luna, y talleres de metodología de como hacer medicina de forma consciente. Siento que dar esta clase en Español en Herbstalk es una manera de entregar a la Comunidad Latina, de honrar la inclusividad y diversidad. Nuestras Madres y Abuelas Latinas siempre han trabajado con las plantas, espero canalizar su sabiduría en esta hermosa oportunidad que se me ha dado. Thank you so much for sharing some of your beautiful story with us, Constanza!
You can learn more about her inspired work by following her Instagram account @SomosJardinSecreto. Her Herbstalk class "La Rueda Medicinal: La Luna y Las Plantas" will be offered on Sunday, June 3rd. View the complete class schedule here. |
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