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Goldenseal

Mugwort

Oregon Grape (which I suggested using as a substitute for Goldenseal)

Yarrow

I find gardening to be the most companionable and fulfilling of all my herbal experiences. I am wholly, entirely, and utterly convinced that the power of gardening to promote healing and sustain wellness goes far beyond that of any other form of medicine, herbal or otherwise. In fact, with certain individuals I’ve noted that gardening is the only herbal remedy whose antidepressant action truly uplifts their spirit and successfully relieves their depression. Having discovered it, gardening has become the only medicine path they steadfastly rely on.

Collecting and planting seeds, touching the Earth, relating to plants, and caring for them as you attune to the flow of the seasons, simply feels good. All phases of gardening touch my being in a spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical way. It always fills my heart and mind with delicious anticipation, which stimulates the vital flow of any human being’s life force.

In the concluding chapter of The Male Herbal, I asked these questions regarding Western culture: “Where are all the old men? Where have they gone? What are they doing? Where have the seeds of male maturity fallen?” A few years have passed since then, and during that time I’ve located a vast number of these male elders; they’re in the garden (with Waldo). That’s why we don’t hear much from them. They’ve withdrawn from much of society’s commotion and chatter, and they’re busy talking with plants. They’ve become active greenmen, and their primary dialogue has transcended to one of quiet words, the language fulfilled human beings use to commune with plant spirit. These elders are well and doing fine, living their wisdom. I’ve been noticing these days an ever-increasing number of younger men hanging out in gardens, as well.

But I don’t figure that you picked up this book in search of a gardening manual, so I will get on with other information—even though my gardening manual would simply say: “Just put your hands, some roots, and some seeds into the receptive earth and grow something.” I will, however, place some medicine gardening documents in the back of this book as Appendix B, and they’ll be there for you when you seek them.

The innate joy of being with plants is reflected in the spontaneous uplifting of our human spirit as we commingle with our vegetable allies. Conscientious herbal medicine-making is a transformative process that materializes this communion, expressing it in the forms of nourishing plant concoctions and subtle energetic elixirs, and most importantly as sustained, thriving plant communities.

In my travels as an herbalist, the experience of harvesting medicinal plants has become the most intimate and compassionate portion of this communion. As I harvest a plant being, I put forth my desire to make medicine, and in turn plant spirits acquiesce to my request for the aid of their embodied nutrients and aesthetic healing vibration. I strive to receive these gifts with gratitude, and feel the sacred circle of giving sanction our union. That is a very good feeling, a feeling of health. In my practice as an herbalist, I deeply revere this mutually conscious act of alliance.

It is my belief that plants have manifested as one of this planet’s foremost expressions of love. The clear vibration of love that radiates from plants is one of the fullest expressions of unconditional love that I witness. Harvesting is a way of calling forth and receiving this love. It has become a sacred act in my practice, one that I try to participate in wholeheartedly with grateful consciousness and clear communication of my intent.

I recommend herbal medicine-makers involve themselves in this segment of medicine-making with clear purpose in mind and inner commemoration in heart. Plant spirits will respond likewise. They are highly conscious. They are of the same spiritual essence we are. They adore us, and they communicate this to us with every vibration of their pure positive energy. Plants are responsive