rivers & roots
wild herbal and mushroom medicine
These fields, hills, and forests are full of powerful medicines and health enhancers. This is great news! For while I am very grateful to live in a country with public health care, it is stretched to its limit, and has many blindspots in the care of the human being.
Enter plant and mushroom medicine. It is freely given to all in a generous way. The Haudenausenee, (Iroquois) idea is that plants are still following their "original instructions" to help and serve all other beings. (from the Haudenausenee thanksgiving address). Another idea that I love is that we are somehow trained to believe that the best herbal medicines are from far away, like the Amazon or India. Meanwhile, Anishnaabe herbalist Joe Pitawanakwat claims that the plant medicines of the Great Lakes basin are some of the most powerful and safest in the world, and that Anishnaabe medicine people were sought for their medicines and wisdom across the ancient North American world.
There is more! Rivers and Roots programming prioritizes connection to nature and to place. This is particularly poignant with foraged medicines. First, there is the walk outside to go gather medicines. This is good medicine. When the plant or mushroom is found, there is joy, reverence and gratitude. This is good medicine. Perhaps a little prayer or offering is given for the harvest. This is good medicine. At home, the plant or mushroom is mindfully processed and time and intention is spent in its preparation. This is good medicine. The resulting tea, tincture or other extract is so much more than the herbal remedies from Walmart or even the local health food store!
We look forward to helping empower you in your health strategy through a strong relationship with nature!