Our world is a mess. Our trees are timbered. Our animal brothers are going extinct. Our food is toxic. Our water is poisoned. Our medicine has worse side effects than the originally intended ailment. And many wonder why so many of us are dropping like flies, with bodies bloated and riddled with cancers… The truth I’ve learned is that in this life, the farther you remove yourself from the natural world from which we were born and evolved from, the sicker you will be. That goes for mental as much as physical. I’ve found my way through the cultural hoopla and have found my path.
The natural world is packed full of amazing plants, fungi and wildlife and as I grow older and wiser with experience, I am drawn to what is of the natural world. Beyond what I eat, I consider all other things that come in contact with my body, and that goes beyond food… For even our modern medicines have troubling truths and harmful side effects that can be avoided in most cases. For starters, I have been working greatly in the art of herbal remedy, and the power of herbs is truly astounding.
Herbalism or herbal medicine is the art of utilizing plants for their therapeutic properties. Put simply, certain plants around the world are known to have positive health effects and other benefits when used correctly. For starters, let me explain that for the past few years, I’ve studied greatly the art of herbal medicine, and in my studies, nothing stands above the natural plant that a medicine or remedy is derived from, which is why when it comes to modern medicines, I will always opt for the natural remedy over the artificial pharmaceutical. Sure, some modern medicines are necessary, but many have a worse affect than the original ailment. Because not only are natural medicines gentler, they have less side effects, and to be real, medicine began with plants. Modern medicine has been around for 200 some years, while herbal medicine has been around since the dawn of time. And through my studies and herbalist experience, nothing is truer. There is truth and power, and medicine in plants.
So these days, I focus on working with natural and whole ingredients in just about everything I possibly can, like making my own natural body care products, or my own teas as medicine, or creating herbal-infused topical salves for a range of ailments. There’s a self-sustaining aspect that I appreciate, but mainly, it’s the ability to control the quality of my medicine that I have the greatest passion for. I hate the idea that many of the foods on the grocer’s shelves and in the pharmacy are loaded full of additives, chemicals, and other unnatural ingredients that tend to have adverse effects, especially when it comes to medicinals, as they have a tendency to have worse side effects than the originally intended treatment.
Herbalism or herbal medicine is the art of utilizing plants for their therapeutic properties. Put simply, certain plants around the world are known to have positive health effects and other benefits when used correctly. For starters, let me explain that for the past few years, I’ve studied greatly the art of herbal medicine, and in my studies, nothing stands above the natural plant that a medicine or remedy is derived from, which is why when it comes to modern medicines, I will always opt for the natural remedy over the artificial pharmaceutical. Sure, some modern medicines are necessary, but many have a worse affect than the original ailment. Because not only are natural medicines gentler, they have less side effects, and to be real, medicine began with plants. Modern medicine has been around for 200 some years, while herbal medicine has been around since the dawn of time. And through my studies and herbalist experience, nothing is truer. There is truth and power, and medicine in plants.
So these days, I focus on working with natural and whole ingredients in just about everything I possibly can, like making my own natural body care products, or my own teas as medicine, or creating herbal-infused topical salves for a range of ailments. There’s a self-sustaining aspect that I appreciate, but mainly, it’s the ability to control the quality of my medicine that I have the greatest passion for. I hate the idea that many of the foods on the grocer’s shelves and in the pharmacy are loaded full of additives, chemicals, and other unnatural ingredients that tend to have adverse effects, especially when it comes to medicinals, as they have a tendency to have worse side effects than the originally intended treatment.
I reached out to Strictly Medicinal Seeds, who specialize in medicinal herbs, seeds, live roots, herbs, extracts, and more. While everything looks fantastic, it was their medicinal seed collections that caught my eye, as each set is carefully chosen to jumpstart your venture in herbs. Richo Cech, their owner, was very kind in sending their Essential Medicinals Collection, Lifeline Medicinal Herb Garden Collection and their Butterfly Lover Seed Collection, as well as his fantastic book, “Making Plant Medicine.”
The Essential Medicinals Collection comes with Astragalus, Orange Calendula, German Chamomile, True Comfrey, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Elecampane, English Lavender, Feverfew, Hyssop, Marshmallow, White Sage, Self Heal, Temperate Tulsi/Holy Basil, Valerian, and Yarrow. The Lifeline Medicine Herb Garden includes Astragalus, Holy Basil/Temperate Tulsi, Gobo Burdock, Mixed Calendula, German Chamomile, Echinacea, Elecampane, Evening Primrose, Brown Flax, Lemon Balm, Marshmallow, Motherwort, Stinging Nettles, Cayenne Pepper, Garden Sage, Official Valerian, Wood Betony and Yarrow. The Butterfly Lover Seed Collection has a variety of eight flowering herbs, such as Aromatic Aster, Cardinal Flower, Echinacea, Gayfeather, Common Milkweed, Showy Milkweed, Mexican Sunflower, and Wallflower.
What blew me away about working with Strictly Medicinal Seeds goes beyond the great variety of plants offered, and is more about the people behind the cause, because Richo was enthusiast, thoughtful and open-minded. His knowledge comes through in his writing and how he conducts his business. For example, Strictly Medicinal Seeds packs their products in earth-friendly recycled paper and cellophane, and always offers non-GMO and organic seeds.
In his book, “Making Plant Medicine,” Richo thoughtfully walks you through how to create just about any type of herbal medicine, which means, once you’ve mastered everything he offers in his book, you’re already well on your way to becoming a fully-fledged Herbalist. He focuses on making tinctures, extractions, teas, decoctions, herbal oils, salves, creams, poultices, compresses and other amazing herbal approaches. From there, Richo actually walks you through majority of the most important herbs, from what to expect to dilution rates, extraction rates, and dosages, as well as applications and warnings for over 140 plants.
Overall, I was very impressed with my experience of working with Strictly Medicinal Seeds, as their products are great, their collections are wide-ranging, their seeds germinated quickly, and their personnel are interesting, insightful, and passionate, and each of those qualities comes through in their work. Richo’s book is as impressive as about any herbal book I’ve found, and I can’t recommend it enough. So, if you’re starting to see what I mean, about how our current world is suffering and our culture sick, then positive changes can happen and they can be very exciting and interesting, indeed. Have respect for nature, and for your own body. It’s your choice.
If you would like to learn more about Strictly Medicinal Seeds, click here.
*This article is for entertainment use, and should not replace the diagnoses of any disease or the subscribing of any medication. Always consult with your doctor or a medical professional for any and all health-related advice.
(Photo by theo_reth via Flickr)
The Essential Medicinals Collection comes with Astragalus, Orange Calendula, German Chamomile, True Comfrey, Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea purpurea, Elecampane, English Lavender, Feverfew, Hyssop, Marshmallow, White Sage, Self Heal, Temperate Tulsi/Holy Basil, Valerian, and Yarrow. The Lifeline Medicine Herb Garden includes Astragalus, Holy Basil/Temperate Tulsi, Gobo Burdock, Mixed Calendula, German Chamomile, Echinacea, Elecampane, Evening Primrose, Brown Flax, Lemon Balm, Marshmallow, Motherwort, Stinging Nettles, Cayenne Pepper, Garden Sage, Official Valerian, Wood Betony and Yarrow. The Butterfly Lover Seed Collection has a variety of eight flowering herbs, such as Aromatic Aster, Cardinal Flower, Echinacea, Gayfeather, Common Milkweed, Showy Milkweed, Mexican Sunflower, and Wallflower.
What blew me away about working with Strictly Medicinal Seeds goes beyond the great variety of plants offered, and is more about the people behind the cause, because Richo was enthusiast, thoughtful and open-minded. His knowledge comes through in his writing and how he conducts his business. For example, Strictly Medicinal Seeds packs their products in earth-friendly recycled paper and cellophane, and always offers non-GMO and organic seeds.
In his book, “Making Plant Medicine,” Richo thoughtfully walks you through how to create just about any type of herbal medicine, which means, once you’ve mastered everything he offers in his book, you’re already well on your way to becoming a fully-fledged Herbalist. He focuses on making tinctures, extractions, teas, decoctions, herbal oils, salves, creams, poultices, compresses and other amazing herbal approaches. From there, Richo actually walks you through majority of the most important herbs, from what to expect to dilution rates, extraction rates, and dosages, as well as applications and warnings for over 140 plants.
Overall, I was very impressed with my experience of working with Strictly Medicinal Seeds, as their products are great, their collections are wide-ranging, their seeds germinated quickly, and their personnel are interesting, insightful, and passionate, and each of those qualities comes through in their work. Richo’s book is as impressive as about any herbal book I’ve found, and I can’t recommend it enough. So, if you’re starting to see what I mean, about how our current world is suffering and our culture sick, then positive changes can happen and they can be very exciting and interesting, indeed. Have respect for nature, and for your own body. It’s your choice.
If you would like to learn more about Strictly Medicinal Seeds, click here.
*This article is for entertainment use, and should not replace the diagnoses of any disease or the subscribing of any medication. Always consult with your doctor or a medical professional for any and all health-related advice.
(Photo by theo_reth via Flickr)
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