Hanne Csanyi - Divination and Meditation as Paths to Enlightenment

"Mother Earth's Healing Herbs"

The time is fast approaching for the summer’s natural remedies to be ready for the gathering. There is dandelion root used for cleansing and releasing (acting on the liver and spleen). There is chamomile for calming the stomach and the nerves and so much more.

All my life, I have marveled at the unlimited supply of these natural plants that renew themselves every new summer season. How fortunate we are to live in a part of the world where we not only have every material wealth, but also mother earth’s bounty.

Many years ago I had the distinct advantage of having an elderly Métis woman named Anne Anderson, teach me some of the customs and respect which our native peoples have for the earth. She taught me when to gather and how to go about it to ensure the species endured until another season.

She took my arm and said here is tansy, we do not use this as it may bring on unwanted side effects, but see here is hazel nut, cattails and tiger lilies. Many of these were food for the native peoples when other items were in short supply. And when she had me gather some, she always asked that we thank Mother Earth and to leave an offering of tobacco.

When we came upon some hare bells or blue bells which are good for the heart, she told me how this made into a tea could save a life if a person was having a heart attack. Use the whole plant flower, stem and root in the tea. Hare bells contain the ingredient digitalis is made from and a little goes a long way. She also stressed not to take all the plants growing in any one area, so that the plant has the ability to reproduce for next season. This was very evident with the hare bells. They were so hard to find and so few of them grew where years earlier there would have been plenty for all.

Yarrow in tea can be used by it self or with other herbs, and is a favorite among native peoples.

Sage grows in two varieties: Prairie sage and pasture sage. Both are highly prized for the use as a smudge and in teas. If you are lucky enough to be shown where sweet grass grows, you will never forget the fragrance.

There is wild mint, wind ginger, and strawberries. Raspberries and choke cherries. Edible mushrooms of a number of kinds (caution do not indulge unless you are sure, there are many poisonous kinds as well).

As my learning of herbs has grown, so has my understanding for their uses. Many of the herbs may be used in ritual teas and smudges to help with healing and other spiritual practices such as cleansing and protection. They may be incorporated into medicine pouches to help the carrier with issues in their life. And so on.

Most plants are ready to harvest in mid-July and early August. Dandelion root is earlier in mid June and Rose-hips later in late August and September. Learn as much as you can about the plants you are interested in and you will not go wrong in when to harvest.

So enjoy our summer season and the bounty laid before you. Partake in Mother Earth’s gifts. And as you gather these wonderful plants remember not to be to greedy and leave enough for next year and give thanks to our mother earth and leave her a token of your appreciation in the form of tobacco or other appropriate offering.