there's never been a better time...

About ten years ago, a few people in my orbit who were around my age were diagnosed with breast cancer. This was very sad, and also scary for me.

I feel that breasts are repositories of emotion, and I could tell that I was holding a lot of fear about breast health. I knew that holding fear in my breasts wasn't going to help promote their health, so I turned to the tool that I had already come to lean upon: herbalism.

I harvested Poke root that spring, and I made Poke oil to have on hand and use preventatively. I made Dandelion and Violet tincture. I drank Cleavers tea (so yummy.)

Did this help my breast/lymphatic health? Probably, at least a bit. Did it help me feel empowered rather than afraid? Certainly.

For me, herbalism is an antidote to fear. It's a way of taking action rather than dwelling. It's a way of focusing on what I can control.

When I worry about health issues that run in my family, I take herbs. When I feel the tiniest twinge of a tickle in my throat, I take herbs. When I worry that I'll lose access to affordable health care, I take herbs (to manage the stress + keep myself healthy.)

Are herbs a replacement for accessible healthcare? Absolutely not! I would strongly prefer to live in a world in which everyone has access to the care necessary to thrive.

But we don't live in that world, not now, and maybe less so in the future. And there isn't much I can do about that. So, I focus on what I can control.

Herbs are phenomenal for what I call "preventative well-care" -- keeping your body healthy, and nipping potential issues in the bud.

Again, I'm not suggesting this is a replacement for healthcare. But when I'm brushing my teeth at night, wondering what I would do if my husband or I had a major health event and couldn't afford to deal with it, I think "well, better take more herbs." (I also think: better get more sleep, but we talked about that a few days ago).

Herbs are also phenomenal for reminding us that we are part of an interconnected community that we can turn to for support.

Plants are here for us. They're here to support us on the physical level and the spiritual level. They literally surround us, and are constantly providing us everything we need: oxygen, habitat, structure, fiber, food, fuel, flavor, beauty, and medicine.

Working with plants as medicine has always been a balm to me: it helps me feel proactive when I'm overcome with fear. It helps me tune into the land that I live on. And it helps me meet talented, cool people who live near me. All of this weaves a tapestry of safety, a tapestry of wellness.

Teaching herbalism classes is my way of weaving this tapestry, of making us stronger as a community, of passing along knowledge to help keep you well.

Each year, this feels more important than ever.

If you're feeling overwhelmed, or fearful, or alone, maybe this is the time to walk outside and say hi to the plants that live near you. Or, perhaps, it's time to take an herbalism class ;)

P.S. Here's a blog post I wrote about breast and lymphatic health from nine whole years ago. Complete with doodles! This is the one time I've drawn something.