GROW YOUR OWN DRUGS

That’s right; you really can grow your own drugs. The drug companies have been extracting elements from plants for their ‘patent medicines’ for a long time now. As a result, within approximately two generations we, in the west, have become a culture that views plants as purely ornamental objects. In most other cultures, plants not only supply groceries, but pharmacopeias, home improvement materials and even alcoholic beverages. We have become ignorant of the vast variety of plant uses, all the while still being quite dependent on them for our daily existence. They supply the air we breathe, the food we eat, and the balance of nature that keeps the planet’s climate in tact. They also source up to 50% of the worlds top drugs.

But you don’t have to be a scientist to understand the medical uses of the plants around you. And in fact up until a few short decades ago, it was the way every other culture on earth viewed plants. But science and reason want to sweep these views away as ‘old wives tales’ and mumbo jumbo, when in fact major drugs such as aspirin, morphine and penicillin, let us see that natural medicine is not that different from conventional medicine. I would venture to say that a large part of the world’s population uses plant-based remedies for their health care needs. They give us gentle ways to manage our everyday aliments and keep us in optimum health.

My own experience keeps broadening the more I read and experiment with different plants. As I live in a tropical Hawaiian culture I have been blessed to learn from native Hawaiians about their knowledge of plant healing, which includes if you have been following this blog, large amounts of hot peppers, ginger, turmeric/olena, and, of course, garlic. Recently, I read about a study that was done on ginger and how only 50 grams (about a handful) a day would relieve joint pain. So I started making a tea in the morning and eating the remains covered in honey as a snack all day. The results were miraculous! Of course I was cautioned in the article, that this was not a cure but a relief of pain. Well, works for me!

I also discovered Feverfew, a lovely plant in the chrysanthemum family, which relieves headaches, migraines, and arthritic pain. I recently purchase a plant, and plan to start using it. It is quite bitter, so I have to experiment, but like my Hawaiian kumu/teacher said, herbs are the warriors and reveal the “bitter truth”. You can’t send in a wimp to wipe out dis-ease. So, I have been more open to bitter, pungent, sour, and hot sensations. Bitter is also a known taste that assists the liver/gall bladder to create bile for its purifying job. Hot peppers/chilies, ginger, turmeric, garlic, all stimulate the whole system and increase blood supply to help the body heal.

Another herb I love is rosemary, and I read that it helps with memory. This remedy suggests you put 5 sprigs of rosemary in a bottle of good wine and let it sit for a month. Then drink a glass after dinner as a tonic. That is definitely on my list to try out.

So go ahead. Read a few books on herbal remedies and give then a try. Most are simple and easy to prepare, and, need I say, a whole lot less expensive than what the Dr. orders.

And, don’t forget the whole cosmetic beauty cornucopia that plants supply. Everything from fruit enzyme gentle exfoliates to body scrubs, and hydrating moisturizer.

You will be surprised at how much fun it is and delighted by the synchronicities the Plant Spirits love to bring to your awareness. Now, why was I attracted to that plant? Oh, because it heals that pesky thing that has been bothering me for too long.

Now is the time to find the root, leaf, stem or flower that will heal and revive your spirit. So get growing and feel free to contact me with your questions or discoveries.

the magic gardener,
Marissa Henderson
theplantspirits@gmail.com

Olena/Tumeric

HEALTH TIP FROM THE MAGIC GARDENER

Many of you may have wondered what that outrageous flower is that graces the front of this blog. Well, it is called Olena in Hawaiian, but you probably know it by its popular name, Tumeric. It is highly revered in both Hawaiian and Ayurvedic healing. The Hawaiians call Olena one of the 5 warriors, which are the herbs that go in and fight off infection or any dis-ease in the body (more on this later). Ayurvedic, which is the India methodology of healing, sees this herb as one with far reaching capabilities. So much so that it is recommended to be eaten at each meal. It is the herb that gives curry its wonderful golden color.

It grows similar to ginger, but, the plant is bigger and the root is smaller. The root resembles the knuckles with fingers spreading out. It is measured in this way, one finger, two fingers, etc. Unlike finicky ginger, Olena grows quite prolific in a warm spot with ample water. Not too much water, we don’t want it to rot. It has big spreading leaves and that gorgeous flower at its peak. You may break off any one of the fingers and plant it in the ground, or, even in a fairly large pot, and it will sprout in no time.

Because it is quite bitter you only need to use a little bit at a time. So, that brings up the question of what is the best way to store this humble looking root. Left at room temperature, it tends to shrivel up and dry out and lose it vitality. Left in the refrigerator for too long and it will mold and dry-up. The best way I have found is to put it in a plastic bag and freeze it. Then, when you are ready to use some in your curry or soup just take it out and micro-grate it into the mix. Don’t thaw it out. You need the hardness of the frozen root to be able to grate it. You can pop the rest back in the freezer for further use.

One of my favorite qualities of this divine plant is its extraordinary coloring effect.
Not only your curries become that bright yellow, but soup and stews take on a glorious golden glow. I also love to grate it into rice which transforms it into a special treat as it colors it a yummy butter yellow. You might call it the poor man’s saffron. Of course, it loves to color your fingers, counters, and cutting boards too, so just be aware of that when working with it.

You can also buy it powdered at any health food or Indian grocery, and to my knowledge it has the same effect. But, in my opinion, there is quite a bit of difference in its aliveness.

So, go ahead give it a try. The next time you see this root, Olena/Tumeric, and you give it a little scrape with your finger and this bright orange gold color is revealed, pick one up and start to experiment. Remember to put one finger in your garden, one in a flower pot, and put the rest in the freezer to reserve for the cooking pot.

You won’t be sorry, and the heath benefits are enormous, including, as the Indians say, immortality!

See you there!
marissa, the magic gardener
theplantspirits@gmail.com