GARDENING AND HEALING FROM THE WEEDPATCH NancyLouLaBelle Hendershott
As I walk to the greenhouse to rest, worship, and sort out my life, it is not long before I am on my hands and knee’s checking out the mysteries of the plants. I realize that there is not enough time in life to cover all of the properties and uses of the gift of plants. From the lowly shepherds purse, reportedly useful for hernias, to the exotic black cohosh, which can be used for stress, there are valuable uses for everything that has been provided for us. I separate the black cohosh in the fall and harvest its root for medicinal use and then pot a root for study in a warmer environment through the winter months.
I found the shepherds purse in the field of weeds that is called my lawn. I transferred the plant and seed of shepherd purse to the greenhouse for the winter so that they would be watered regularly and produce through the winter for healing purposes.
The wildflowers in this mountainous weed patch, serve to bring peace as I rest before a bowl of flowers floating in spring water. Journeying with the flowers helps to renew strength, gain rest, and to learn of the healing gifts of each flower as a healing flower essence is created.
When sleep eludes us because of problems in the world for which we have no answers, the flower essence of morning glory helps to relax our state of mind, and we are able to drift into a restful slumber. Because most of us tend to encompass with great zeal too many activities in our lives, we exhaust our energy and cause extreme tension in the musculature parts of our bodies. The beautiful golden flower essence of dandelion is quick to balance the soul, release extreme tension, and bring balance back into life. The juice of the dandelion flower stems is used to balance blood sugar levels. By chewing 10 flower stems daily, when in bloom, we can manage to keep our blood sugar balanced.
The chast berries of the vitex tree, when tinctured down, saved my sanity and helped bring me through the change of life naturally without any of the disagreeable symptoms that women are faced with in this most difficult time of life.
Scientific research has found the plant life juices are the closest substances that have been found to human blood. Is it any wonder that plant life is so healing for our bodies? Just by breathing the essential oil of lavender flower, our nervous systems are relaxed and headaches are banished. The spasms of sciatica are alleviated with a massage of rosemary essential oil.
It is a well known fact that the oil of the garlic bulb helps in warding off cancer. When our immune systems are compromised, that is when disease takes over. But the four herbs in the essiac formula, have been proven to boost the immune system to the point of fighting off disease. And then we have the black cumin oil which has been touted to “cure every illness except death" and is especially helpful in problems of asthma. As I was browsing thru Bookmans one afternoon, I came across a small 90 page book that caught my attention. It was called; "Black Cumin, The Magical Egyptian Herb for Allergies, Ashma, and Immune Disorders". I was overwhelmed by what I learned from this small book.
If we drink the healing herbal teas or massage our bodies with essential oils, we have started a healing process that will begin to meet the needs of our bodies without relying entirely drugs with dangerous side effects. The healing properties of flower essences are gentle enough for our children, but powerful enough to make life changing differences for us. They are, also, easily affordable.
There is no end to the healing properties of our plant kingdom if we are willing to look into all of the possibilities that are offered to us. We would all do well to return to our weed patch for a healthier, simpler, more peaceful way of life.
NancyLouLaBelle Hendershott graduated from the Master Gardening class and lives in Parks. Dana Prom Smith edits GARDENING ETCETERA, blogs at http://high countrygardner.blogspot.com, and can emailed at stpauls@npgcable.com.
CMGA General Info
Apple blossoms. Photo by Cynthia Murray.
Welcome to the Coconino County Master Gardeners Association
The Coconino Master Gardener Association began in 2009 to create a corps of well-informed volunteers, and to deliver quality horticultural education programs adapted to our regional high elevation environment. The association provides support for Master Gardener graduates and volunteers as well as continuing education and opportunities to participate in community programs that increase the visibility and participation in the Master Gardener Program.
Monthly meetings are held on the 2nd Thursday from 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church 1601 N. San Francisco St. in Flagstaff, Arizona.
On this page you will find: - How to become a member Membership form
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