The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook_ A Home Manual - James Green [190]
Suddenly, in a rush of Nature’s sweet magic, lush green vines could be seen growing from out of nothingness, lining the walls of Chiron’s cave whereon clusters of berries, fat bunches of grapes and fruits, and the kindly buds of the hop family flourished in abundant display, all ripe for the picking. Dragonflies and damselflies, hummingbirds, and honey bees touched here and touched there, finding nectar-full flowers everywhere.
“And we have made potions, cordials, and herbal brews to share.” said the elder Sachs, as he and Tages drug forth straw baskets and leather satchels brimming with colorful bottles and fat little jars full with aromatic liquids, twinkling powders, herbal blends for smoke, and other enchanting lore.
Chiron, delighted to his core, took out his lyre and began to play while others passed around flutes, cymbals, rattles and drums, and together they harmonized their rhythm and melody to the enchanting music of the spheres.
Outside Chiron’s dwelling, hearing the festive merriment, Hermes as quickly as thought spread word of the magnificent affair throughout the land. Soon nymphs and satyrs wearing garlands of oak leaf and ivy, Psyche and Cupid, faeries and gnomes, Mother Nature, the Greenman, lovely Venus, and the great Pan himself arrived at Chiron’s cave and were seen laughing and frolicking therein.
And as the music plays on, this joyous flow of life sings the songs of each individual’s freedom, while the boundless creation of All that Is dances on and on into the wee hours of eternity.
“Imagine for the pleasure of imagining, and your dreams will all come true.”
—T. ELDER SACHS
So, side by side my friends, let’s row our boats
gently down the stream…
creating everything we want,
making life full with all that we can dream…
we live in a child’s garden, you know…
where it is always good to have fun
romping joyfully with the weeds…
pursuing the passion of our dance…
helping care for the garden’s beings…
appreciating the grand diversity of us all…
And remember always,
Earth companions and co-creators,
be very, very good to yourselves…
and life will flow delightfully
with no resistance at all…
Our joy will illuminate the heavens … our youthful giggles tickling the moon
and the brightness of our spirits
will twinkle back to the shimmering stars…
The gifts of life are joy … that we are each beautiful and forever free…
have fun growing with all this herbal stuff … affectionately…
—JG, herbalist
APPENDIX A
THE UNITED PLANT SAVERS LIST OF “AT-RISK MEDICINAL PLANTS”
We have been seeking a clear vision as to which Native American medicinal plants are the primary focus of attention for our plant-protection efforts. This has taken the form of the “UpS At-Risk List,” which has been defined and reviewed quite exhaustively over the last year, and has been agreed upon by the UpS Board of Directors. It consists of herbs broadly used in commerce, which due to over-harvest or loss of habitat, or by nature of their innate rareness or sensitivity, are at risk or of a significant decline in numbers within their current range.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
For the benefit of the plant communities, wild animals, harvesters, farmers, consumers, manufacturers, retailers, and practitioners, we offer this list of wild medicinal plants we feel are currently most sensitive to the impact of human activities. Our intent is to assure the increasing abundance of the medicinal plants presently in decline due to expanding popularity and shrinking habitat and range. UpS is not asking for a moratorium on the use of these herbs; rather we are initiating programs designed to preserve these important wild medicinal plants.
AT-RISK LIST
The wild medicinal plants on the following list have been proposed for inclusion on the “At-Risk List,” but they are in need of further research. In some cases,