Natural Plant Therapeutics
Please remember that nothing herein or anywhere on this site or in related links or content should be taken as medical or as personal advice or as a diagnosis or prescription in any form. You are forever encouraged to make the self-directed and autonomous choices that are best-suited to you and your well-being.
Wherever we live, there are glorious plants that offer therapeutic benefits that can support the restoration of our well-being:
- some as food or spices
- some as herbal preparations
- some through their aromas
- some by the use of essences made from their flowers
- some by being in their presence, etc.
Here are just a few examples:
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis), the original source of marshmallow treats, is one of the most soothing plants around. Whether from illness or from extended periods of helping others, many people need to recuperate and rest to recover and restore their stamina and strength. In these cases, mallows are an ideal plant with which to connect. One way is simply to view the flowers and accept their resonance. Mallows share a special timbre that can also help us soften our understanding of life and our understanding of others, bringing balance and equilibrium to our existence and bring grace and peace to our interactions. Another way to work with marshmallow is to enjoy the root and/ or leaves as a tea. With demulcent properties, true marshmallow can be especially comforting for irritated mucus membranes. The roots can also be boiled in water, sweetened, and whipped into marshmallow candies.
Alliums (Allium spp.), including garlic, onions, chives, leeks, ramps, shallots, etc., are rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, containing potent sulfur-based compounds with detoxifying and anti-microbial properties.
Garlic, for example, containing valuable vitamins and minerals, is known as one of the oldest medicines in the world, displaying antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, cholesterol-lowering, anti-spasmodic and vermifuge properties. Overall, garlic is considered a key alterative for the body, specifically helping to restore proper functioning of the cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive systems in particular. Many people use garlic as a preventative measure as well as a therapy for infectious conditions in the digestive and respiratory tracts, and to help reduce the incidence of heart disease, stroke and cancer. Additionally, garlic can support inner cleansing of unhelpful thought forms, especially as a flower essence.
Onions are also beneficial, containing quercetin and vitamin C, natural antihistamines that can help reduce airway inflammation and relieve symptoms of allergies and hay fever. Onions also contain anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties, plus contain anti-inflammatory properties that may help lessen the discomfort of a variety of conditions, including arthritis. Onions are also known as a “specific” for helping to heal the spiritual heart and to release sadness.
The flowers of alliums are edible, and viewing them can:
- help connect heart and mind, restoring divine objectivity and reinstating inviolability
- help disperse obstructions that block our true nature, reestablishing balance, enhancing vitality, and assisting self-healing
- foster a sense of eternal strength and expansiveness, ultimately helping to restore our perfection in physical form
Nettle (Urtica dioica) is considered a superfood and a tonic for the body, containing a generous variety of vitamins and minerals, as well as amino acids, EFAs and carotenoids. Nettle is considered both an alterative (helps to restore proper functioning of the body) of the digestive and urinary systems, as well as an adaptogen (helps to increase the ability of the body to cope with and respond to environmental and emotional distress). Nettle also has antioxidant, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-ulcer, anti-catarrhal, diuretic, hypotensive and analgesic properties.
Wormwood (Artemesia spp.), classically known as a vermifuge, offers so much more: the assistance of purging that within us which we no longer need, across multiple levels, physical and non-physical.
Dandelions (Taraxacum officinale) offer healing across all their plant parts. Dandelion flowers contain nutrients helpful for supporting improved liver function, healthy nerves & memory, and the health of the eyes. Dandelion greens provide protein plus a number of vitamins and minerals, benefitting immunity, eyes, and skin (among other things), and contain natural diuretic compounds that help flush toxins from the body. Dandelion root has a long history of being used to benefit liver function and to help digest (emulsify) fat, and researchers have reported that dandelion root also triggers apoptosis (cell death) in cancer cells. A nice way to enjoy dandelion root is as a coffee substitute. In addition, dandelions can inspire in us the importance of faithful determination and perseverance and the pursuit of our highest happiness with courage and confidence. Additionally, their golden-yellow color can encourage the assimilation of higher wisdom and remaining flexible and optimistic as we navigate life.
Berries of all sorts are considered adaptogens and superfoods, containing valuable vitamins, minerals, EFAs, antioxidants and various phytonutrients. Several types contain beneficial anthocyanins and ellagic acid, shown to help prevent unwanted damage to cells, plus decrease heart, circulatory, and aging problems and offer anti-microbial properties. Many also contain resveratrol, considered a key restorative phytonutrient, helping reduce the incidence of several degenerative diseases.
Thyme (Thymus spp.) has strong anti-microbial plus diaphoretic and expectorant properties that can be helpful in colds & flu, plus has been shown to have anti-tumor, carminative, vermifuge and hypotensive properties. The aroma of thyme can stimulate the release of things that interfere with our spiritual path, shifting that energy toward a sense of direction and understanding of our soul’s purpose and focusing our attention on spiritual action.
Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris) has antioxidant, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-tumor, immune regulating, astringent, tonic, diuretic, vermifuge, hypotensive, hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering properties. The herb & flower essence can further assist nutrient absorption and understanding the vibrations of foods. Overall, self-heal emits an energy that supports greater spiritual absorption and expression that accelerates spiritual processes and lessens the need for physical processes.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), known by some as alles zutraut (“capable of anything”), has special relaxing properties that can help us return to our true, higher nature, under which everything in our lives can improve.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has valuable anti-microbial and nervine properties, and has been shown in research to reduce DNA damage due to radiation.
Red clover (Trifolium pratense) is considered an alterative for the lymph, nervous, and integumentary (skin) systems, as well as a “specific” for cleansing the lymph, liver & spleen and a great fortifier and “re-mineralizer”. Red clover is also known to be emotionally cleansing, and can help build our “green wisdom”.
Milk thistle (Silybum marianum), the seeds of which, such as enjoyed in a tea, have long been used as a liver “specific”, helping to foster forgiveness of the self and others.
Truly, there are so many plants with beneficial properties that can support the restoration of our well-being.
*As with all plants and therapeutics, please ensure they are suitable for you and your situation before working with them.