Plant Medicines for Earth Protectors, Land Stewards & Sacred Activism Pt. 2
With this past New Moon in Virgo, I’m feeling a collective sigh, a collective shift. Virgo is sometimes called the Great Cosmic Mother, they are that Earthly energy - Pachamama, Gaia, Aki, Mama Earth. This New Moon is bringing a feeling of relief & moving through the heaviness of the last cycle. Asking us to connect with Mama Earth energy, feel into our bodies, touch the soil with our skin…
It is the perfect time to discuss the importance of our nervous system & stamina in regard to doing any sort of Sacred Activism work, healing work, decolonization work, etc. It is especially important for folks who are highly sensitive, and for folks who have a history of trauma (this lifetime and/or intergenerational trauma). Just being with the Earth, stepping into this Virgo energy, can help calm our nervous systems dramatically.
Folks who are highly sensitive feel everything deeply - see, taste, smell, intuit, feel, *everything* deeply. Things that other people might not even perceive. This is an incredible gift as it increases our ability to connect & attune with Nature (ourselves & environment). And, it can also be a burden, as sometimes the external stimuli can be too much for our nervous systems to handle.
For sensitive or empathic folks, destruction of the Earth, of animals, of water ways, is felt in the body and sends SOS signals to the nervous system. Alerting our bodies that something is very wrong, and keeping our bodies in overdrive, fearing for the worst. When the emotion of fear is evoked within us, our body goes into fight or flight mode. This is the mode our Ancestor’s operated in when they were faced with extreme danger - famine, animals, war, residential schools etc. And, we feel similar feelings of fight or flight when we fear for our Planet. When we fear for our ability to care for our family, our children, one another. When we feel hopeless to create change big enough to make a difference.
Our bodies go into this mode, aka sympathetic overdrive, and it creates disharmony in our being over the long term. Our sympathetic nervous system is not meant to be on hyper alert, all. the. time. However, in our current colonial & capitalistic paradigm, it is. This taxes the nervous system which affects our physical as well as subtle & vibrational bodies and Spirits.
This fear & stress not only comes from the destruction of the Earth, but, it comes from our blood memories. I believe that when we see this destruction, especially for Indigenous folks (speaking for myself here), it brings up the trauma we carry within us. It brings up the memories of residential schools, of our Land being stolen, of genocide. So, not only are we currently experiencing this lived reality, but we are triggering the memories we hold in our bodies & bloodline as well. I also believe this to be true for folks who have done ‘the work’ and are of European descent, as many were also forcefully removed from their Land (speaking from my perspective of Irish Ancestors).
We are all affected when colonialism is the paradigm. It is hard on our nervous systems & depletes our energy. Constantly fighting to live in a way that isn’t made to nourish Heart & Spirit is *exhausting* to say the least.
If there is a history of trauma, Ancestral trauma, and or PTSD, the nervous system is on even higher alert. There is a lack of feeling safe in one’s own body - that leads to nervous system burnout quickly, as the fear is truly a fear of just *being.* Of, *existing.* This, is common.
The flip side to the sympathetic nervous system is the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system is our ‘rest & digest’ system. It allows us to deeply rest & fully take in nutrients, thoughts, love, connection, and nourishment in all forms. It allows us to feel safe in our bodies & environment. It means we are at ease & peace. Our parasympaethic state allows for our hair to grow, our digestion to flow smoothly, our skin & cells to rejuvenate, and turn over properly. It allows us to think properly & come from a Heart centered space. When we are in sympathetic overdrive, our body doesn’t put energy into these ‘non-essential’ tasks.
So, how do we support our nervous systems so that we can feel safe? So that we can rest? So that we can thrive? There are many ways to do this, but Plant Medicines are one of my favorite ways to re-connect.
Just by going out and sitting on the Land, taking your shoes off and placing your soles (soul) to the Earth, you are calming your nervous system. Going and sitting with a Tree, walking in the Forest or Urban Park without your phone in hand, gardening - all of these free & simple activities help to calm & nourish our nerves, and bring us into a parasympathetic state.
There are also Plant Friends we can work with ♥
Nervous System Medicines
Skullcap {Zhaashaabonagizingig} - Skullcap is one of my all time favourite nervous system, or nervine, Medicines. Nerviness are Plants that help calm our nervous system, and there are many others like: Passionflower, Lemon Balm, Chamomile, Valerian, Vervain, etc. I love Skullcap as they not only helps to calm the nervous system, but they also act as a tonic to the nerves. It helps when there are feelings of being on ‘overdrive.’ Taking on too much at a time, and nearing burn out. Skullcap is also helpful for nerve pain. In this way they actually help to soothe the nerves & nervous system. They are supportive for folks who experience life intensely. Those who may feel overwhelmed or extra sensitive to lights, sounds, smells, colours, energies, etc. They are also helpful for people who tend to overthink. With the state of the World the way it is, I find many of us are in our heads, thinking of a solution - versus, being in our bodies - feeling & integrating our thoughts to find solutions. Skullcap helps us to get out of our heads, and calms the excessive worry & anxiety states. Interestingly, they help with cerebral circulation (blood flow to our brain), so they don’t cause any fatigue or grogginess the way some nerviness can. They can also help us focus & regain clarity in difficult situations.
Lion’s Mane - Lion’s Mane is not often considered a nervous system Medicine first; however, it is one of the best Medicines for regenerating the nerves. Lion’s Mane can actually help damaged nerves heal, and regrow! This is why they made this list. They help to nourish our bodies from deep within, and to actually heal our frayed nervous system. Lion’s Mane also may help support feelings of anxiety as well as depression that can come from doing this work (and living in our current construct). They are also supportive of the immune system. When we have a healthy immune system, we are able to ‘weather changes’ in a better way without getting run down. Often people think the only time they are ‘sick’ is when they have a full on cold or flu. But, our immune systems are constantly working - when we are fighting something off it can present as feelings of fatigue, aches, pains, etc. without ever being fully ‘sick.’ Lion’s Mane energetically helps me to also feel very grounded. They are a connector. Reminding us that we are one here, that we are fighting for all beings to feel this & know this deeply. They remind us how we are intimately connected, and we are not alone <3 Lion’s Mane also helps us remember our connection to the Trees, to the Earth & all beings - in this way they can also help give us strength & nourishment to keep doing our work. You can find Lion’s Mane in Fountain of Youth elixir {Youth being the childlike awe & openness, vitality + hope}.
Milky Oats {Bebezhigooganzhii-manoomin}- Milky Oats are another nervine that not only help us to feel relaxed, but also help to rebuild & nourish our nervous system. They are soothing to a frayed nervous system. Often times with burn out comes literal heat symptoms: inflammation, anger, irritability, dry tissue states, exhaustion, etc. Milky Oats helps to sooth & nourish our nerves and tissues in this state. Think of them as a balm for a frazzled Spirit & Humxn Body. They are very high in nutrients, containing potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc & iron. They also are mucilaginous which is partly why they are so soothing. To me they just help to ground me, to feel deeply nourished & held on all levels. They help remind me of my center & purpose. They also help support our ability to rest as needed, and not keep pushing beyond our capacity. Pushing when tired is a common capitalistic mode of operating. It is an act of resistance to rest as needed, and prioritize our well being. During these times of rest, we are actually nourishing our bodies & spirits. Milky Oats helps during this time to also give us deep, sustained energy by nourishing our cells.
There are many other Plant Medicines that may support our Nervous Systems. I also love: California Poppy, Passionflower, Tulsi, Tilia, Motherwort, and Wood Betony to name a few. We will discuss a couple of these in Part 3 of this series.
Stregnth + Stamina Medicines
Calamus {Wiikenh} - Calamus, or Rat Root, is a strong Medicine. They aren’t to be worked with in large amounts, or will cause vomiting. This action, combined with anti-parasitic activity, is part of their Medicine to purge the system of things that no longer serve us, lessening our toxic burden in a way… toxins can also mean energy we are holding on to that might not be good for us - or energy that we have picked up that isn’t ours (even physical, like a parasite). I add them to this list because they are one that walks with me, and that have helped me with stamina. They help us when we are on long journeys, or are going through particularly taxing times where we need extra energy & strength.
Often with Wiiken I just carry a bit in my Medicine Pouch, and this is how we work together. Though, during times where I needed Spiritual strength & a reminder of my resilience I would chew just a tiny bit of the root. A very small amount is plenty (1/2 tsp or less). They are nootropic, meaning they help enhance cognitive functioning (brain function). In this way, I also see them as helping us keep strong ‘minds.’ Not in the Westernized sense, but to keep our thoughts clear + clean + heart centered + focused. They help us to ground, root, into ourselves & give the strength & clarity to act from that rooted place. Interestingly as well, they may help our bodies to release oxytocin, also known as the love hormone. We release this hormone when we are born, and as birthing people. Every time a nursing parent feeds their child, both the child & parent release oxytocin again. We also release oxytocin when we are in love, and when we pet our animals. We also release Oxytocin when we spend time with the Land, literally being nurtured by our Mother Earth & releasing the same hormones that brought us into this Earth. Wiiken containing Oxytocin, to me, symbolizes this Love & Strength we carry from the Earth and also ties us to the Gifts our Ancestors have given us to walk our Highest Path here. To walk in a Good way on this Earth <3
Cedar {Giizhik} - Cedar is a special Medicine, one of the Four Sacred Medicines, they also walk with me daily. Cedar helps ground & root us as well, and also (similar to Calamus) are slightly stimulating. This shouldn’t be overlooked. The ability to simultaneously Root & Lift are a bit part of their Medicine. They help our Spirit’s to feel uplifted, while at the same time, keeping us grounded & rooted to the Earth. This way, we are centered in who we are. Versus over spiritualizing & not embodying our Humxn selves too. Cedar helps with strength & stamina in helping us get rid of anything heavy we may be holding. They help clear & purify our bodies + spirits so that we can walk lightly here. I love Cedar baths during times when I am feeling particularly weak or run down. They also help to ease muscle tension & overall bring a sense of ease to our beings. You can also place them in your shoes, for long journeys & to stay grounded. The long journey can also be a symbol of our Life, not just a physical journey we are taking. Cedar tea is also quite stimulating, yet grounding. In this way they provide sustained energy, versus something like caffeine which is a quick burst of energy but actually ends up depleting us further.
Eleuthero - aka Siberian Ginseng - I wanted to include at least one Adaptogen here on this list as Adaptogens help our bodies ‘adapt’ to stress. Our currently lifestyle is one that is quite stressful to the system, even without doing this work. Adaptogens are helpful in supporting our bodies ability to handle everyday stressors - though, I always like to add that they aren’t a substitute for aligning our lifestyle with healthy patterns & reducing stress where we are able to. There are many amazing Adaptogens, and each one has very different attributes & personalities. Some other Adaptogens I love: Ashwaganda (more in Part 3), Shatavari, Schisandra, Fo-Ti, Codonopsis, Licorice Root, and Astragalus. Eleuthero was chosen because I find them to be the most stimulating of the adaptogens, Licorice also being somewhat stimulating to many folks. Eleuthero helps to energize us, but again, from deep within. They aren't a quick burst of energy like caffiene, but I do find I feel energized almost immediately after working with them. They are a helpful Adaptogen for times of increased physical stress & endurance. They help our bodies to heal & replenish after times of stress. They actually increase mitochondrial activity & speed up recovery during times of exertion (remember exertion can also be due to ‘fighting’ for prolonged periods of time). They are also immune boosting, ensuring we stay healthy & vital as we are navigating these times. I love to work with them in the form of a tincture, or make a mushroom + root decoction in a big crock pot and drink for a few days. Adaptogens are often best worked with regularly, versus acutely.
With so much Love for you, may we hold each other up as we Rise ♥
xo,
Jacqui
Have Plant Medicine allies you love to work with? Please comment below & share your experiences!
