Herbalism 101: Lesson 2

Just as the flowers grow from the earth, so the remedy grows in the hands of the physician. The remedy is nothing but a seed that must develop into that which it is destined to be.

-Paracelsus

Activity 1: Seeing

• Make three monographs, one for each of your herbs (I suggest keeping these together in a binder or notebook in alphabetical order)
• Draw a colour picture of each of your herbs to add into the monograph; include seed, flower and root if possible
• Include in the monographs the energetics of these herbs that you discussed with me
• Pick 5 of the most common medicinal actions from their monographs to familiarise yourself with
• Add to this list: analgesic, vulnerary, antiseptic, nervine, carminative, aromatic

Activity 2: Touching, Smelling, Tasting, Hearing

• Getting to know plantsin the Lamiaceae family
• Pick Lemon Balm, Lavender, Mint and Basil
• Note the shape of their stems, the shape of their leaves. Note the similarities and differences.
• Rub their leaves between your fingers and inhale deeply. Note the aromatic similarities and differences. (Have coffee or coffee beans nearby to inhale inbetween to cleanse your olfactory system)
• Taste each one and note their similarities and differences. (You can use lemon or ginger to cleanse your palate)
• Note: How each makes you feel when you inhale their aromas and their energetics as you taste them.

Activity 3: Practice-Making an Herbal Tea Blend

• Gather herbs for the Calming Tea recipe
• Make the tea and taste: note the flavour, the energetics (See Lesson 1)
• Adjust the tea recipe according to your taste. Let me know the adjustments you make.
• Look at the medicinal actions of the herbs within the tea. Note especially the nervine and carminative actions. Do you feel these actions as you drink the tea?

Poisonous Plants: Deadly Nightshade

• Read this article on Deadly Nightshade
• List all the plants in the Solanaceae family that you eat regularly
• Read the effects of Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade)