Herbalism is a craft that is inextricably entwined with the heartbeat of Nature, and the Rhythms of Life. As the seasons come and go, so do the plants: Growing, flowering, setting seed and fading as the year does. And with all this are the birds that come and go, following the food and warmth into the northern states and back again, while on the ground animals born last spring are becoming well grown, and hopefully, thriving.
In August I am watching Goldenrod, for the first buds that tell me it’s ready to share it’s exuberant goodness with those who are supporting urinary tract health and mitigating allergies. Our most common species is Solidago canadensis, but most of the Goldenrods will work well in conditions of bladder concerns, achy kidneys, edema in the feet, and seasonal itchy nose.
The energy of our Mugwort, Artemisia ludoviciana is so heady right now that it induces a sort of giddiness, leaving me near to surrendering to a porch swing in my garden to just revel in it. Mugwort is known for facilitating dream work, and dreaming surrounded by the puffy white clouds of the not-so-hot mornings in the Dog Days of summer does not seem like a bad thing.
Another plant that calls me to the fields now is Gumweed. Here that’s likely to be Grindelia ciliata. It may not be quite ready to share its resins yet, but it’s such a treat to see those pointed, silk-shiny buds nestled in their sticky calyxes, getting ready for the signal to open. Amid the heat and bristling grasses of summer, they harbor an astonishing beauty, and the final extract is a loved ally for respiratory conditions such our recent pandemic has handed us.
The herbs call loudly now, and August also speaks of food,
our first medicine.
You may have heard me say at times…
We are tied to the Earth through our food.
Now, the hot end of summer call us to the first harvest.
The Irish holiday of Lughnasadh falls at the halfway point between Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox. It is traditionally celebrated on August 1st, but the actual astronomical midpoint has moved to around August 4th, 5th or 6th, depending on the year. The land is rich with ripe grain and fruits, and as the days grow shorter, the idea of setting aside food for the winter begins to tease at the edges of our daily plans.
In the often wrenching heat of the Dog Days of Summer, as Sirius shines in the predawn sky, Lughnasadh signals the first harvest. Earth’s bounty has transformed from the flowers of June to the fruits that follow, and we can gather for future months.
Each year around this time there is a wistful moment when I know the energy has shifted, and and that we have moved on to the gold grain colors and feelings of late summer. I know, too, that soon the cicada song will wind down, and by middle August, birds will start to gather in advance of their autumn journeys. Lughnasadh seems to mark the end of an exuberant holiday, and the beginning of preparations for dark and cold that are not even yet in sight. This year the waning moon adds to that background energy of ebb.
Aligning with this halfway point between Summer Solstice and the first day of Autumn brings a potent reminder of our relationship to the changing earth.
In six weeks it will be autumn. The rhythms of earth are winding down, and call us to reflect on the summer that is already slipping away. (How did that happen so fast?!) Here at least, things feel ragged now in the heat and dryness that characterize this time in the Wheel of the Year. It is hard to keep the garden looking tended as plants get leggy and wildness takes over. That swing and a sprig of Mugwort are looking better. But ahhhh, it is in the time of Lughnasadh. The herbs are calling from the open prairie, and now is the time to gather. Living with the rhythms of nature means you are on her time, responding with pleasure to the world that is unfolding in this moment. Such a sweet form of mindfulness. And the Mugwort and swing will still be there, when I am done.
I’ve mentioned it before as an herb to ease stress, so I’ve just copied my previous entry: It is a member of the mint family, that comes to us from southern Europe. Its name Melissa comes from the Greek for “bee”. (Bees love it!) Calming, Mildly sedative and antidepressive — what’s not to love! It has been naturalized here for a long time, and is a favorite for its soft energy, strong presence, and delicate fragrance. Avicenna, a middle eastern herbalist who taught and practiced during the middle ages, recommended it to “make the heart merry”. It nourishes the nerves and has antiviral properties, making it a favorite in times of viral illness. Try a cup of relaxing lemon balm tea as you stop the clock to unwind; or snip fresh leaves into a salad for added flavor and an uplifting treat for your spirit.
Lavender tea, ½ teaspoon +/- to a cup of boiling water poured over it, is a supreme source of ease on many levels. You get the full fragrance of the buds that way, and the smell is part of the medicine. It’s bitter though, and honey is fine. The bitter property tells us that it will ease digestion (It’s used in many French culinary blends for this), and in fact, it also eases liver tension. If you feel that you emotions are “stuck”, and you just can’t get anywhere with sorting things out, try letting it all go for awhile, then when you are ready, sit with a cup of strong honeyed lavender tea, and sneak up on a little reflection time. Note: Lavender essential oil does not act in the same way as the tea does. Essential oils are not herbs. (They are a highly refined fraction consisting only of the volatile oils, and are missing many of the medicinal constituents of the whole herb.) Use lavender mindfully if pregnant, and avoid if the pregnancy is delicate.
within. To make any of these herbal infusions, use 1/4 to 1/2 cup of herb* to a pint of water. Plan to let it steep for at least 4 hours, up to overnight. Several of these are really bitter (and that’s part of the medicine!), so adding honey or stevia is fine. As you drink them, be sure to tune in to their taste and energies.
Another “magic mint”, nervine and relaxant. Skullcap is one of my frequent go-tos when stress keeps a person in a state of anxiety that they cannot come down from. Tincture or tea will work, though the tea actually seems stronger to me. The trick with skullcap for high stress times, is to use smaller amounts, but more often. This acts as a tonic restorative for the nervous system, fostering relaxation without heavy sedation, so it can be used in the day time. A tea, as under “To Imbibe” below (it’s bitter — honey is fine), or about 10 drops of tincture, three times a day for either, is a good place to start.