Deepening our Relationship with Plants and Healing
Illustration by Steven Fritters
I’ve been revisiting The Yoga of Herbs, an Ayurvedic guide to herbal medicine by Dr. David Frawley and Dr. Vasant Ladwhich. The book is so vital because it applies the wise and ancient system of Ayurveda to western plants. Although I love the entirety of this book, I’m most captivated by the way the authors describe plants and our potential to be in communion with them.
“In the outer world, a central sun is the source of light and life. In the inner world, a central sun is also the source of life. This inner sun is our true Self, what the ancients called the Purusha or Atman. Plants bring us into communion with the energy of the outer sun, while our inner plant, our nervous system, brings us into communion with the inner sun. Establishing the proper link between the outer plant and the inner plant thus completes the circuit of light and life, and establishes the free flow of awareness in which the mind is liberated…”
And maybe more simply…
“Plants bring us the love, the nourishing power of the sun, which is the same energy of all the stars, of all light.”
Plants are extremely powerful, they harness the power of the sun for goodness’ sake, but if we only view them through a pharmacological lens then we miss out on a deeper level of healing and attunement. Instead of looking at plants as a means to an end, asking what they can give us and what symptoms they can help alleviate, try creating space within yourself to tap into their consciousness and receive healing and nourishment in all its forms.
I’d like to share some practices with you all that will encourage a deepening of your relationship with plants whether that is drinking a cup of tea, taking an herbal supplement or using one of our whole plant bodycare products.
Choosing an herb: if you find yourself looking to herbal remedies for support, try using your intuition to choose an herb. Please do your research and consult a practitioner if necessary, but also take some time to sit in silence, perhaps in meditation, to let your body speak to you and tell you what it needs. This can be very effective and isn’t as woo woo as it seems! Oftentimes, we already know the answers we are seeking but are too busy to hear them.
Once you’ve chosen a plant, create a ritual around it. I always suggest my customers use our Moon Oil before a bath, meditation or sleep.
Journaling: experiencing plant medicine through our senses widens our awareness and understanding of the plant. Take out a piece of pen and paper and journal any thoughts, ideas or questions that pop up as you're engaging with a plant. You might focus on how an herb smells, tastes or feels.
