Parksfest November 17 th, 2018 Sk elep Reconciliation Bonnie Van Hatten sxwnem Deanna Miller cultural safety training workshops allyship plants medicines workshops
sxwnem Deanna Miller reclaiming and sharing ancestral knowledge of plant medicine
Sacred Plant Medicines Tobacco Sage Sweetgrass - Cedar
Sacred Plant Medicines 4 Sacred medicines: Tobacco, Sage, Sweetgrass Cedar It is said that sacred plants connect the worlds rooted in Mother Earth, and smoke to the sky and Creator When sacred medicine is burned the smoke brings prayers to Creator, or when used in smudging to release negativity Sprinkling medicines offer thanks for teachings, for providing to the people Smudge with medicines before harvesting, if needed, or defer to a different time Offer tobacco as thanks to Mother Earth/Creator for providing medicines to harvest Medicine bundles: know where they come from, purchase medicine bundles from First Nations makers know they come from a source who processes the plants with respect. There are many teachings surrounding harvesting the sacred medicines. Who is benefitting?
Harvesting Plant Medicines Whose territory are you in? Acknowledge the traditional territory of the people, even if it is public land. How do you receive permission to harvest? Public lands, Private land, First Nations land Avoid areas that may be contaminated ie. polluted or sprayed with pesticides
Harvesting Protocols When gathering plants only take 1/3 maximum on your own land 1/3 for harvest, 1/3 for function, 1/3 for regeneration In places where multiple people are able to harvest, use the 1/10 rule ALWAYS be positive of your ID before picking or ingesting plants! Know that some plants have look-alikes if you re not sure, wait for the plant to flower for better ID If you take medications, have medical conditions or are pregnant, research contraindications.
Look-alikes Foxglove Mullein
Look-alikes with Flower Foxglove Mullein
My Top 10 Medicine Plants Traditional and Medicinal
edible young leaves raw older leaves cooked Broad Leaf Plantain seeds are good ground for fibre topical fresh poultice fresh or dried oil infusion shiny side seals, underside draws scrapes, cuts, bruises, burns, dry skin, bee stings, slivers, nettle stings
Dandelion edible all parts edible young leaves raw root, fresh or dried for tea/tincture topical flowers infused in oil relieves muscle pain/tiredness good for digestion balances blood sugar high in iron liver and blood cleanser diuretic
Mullein edible tea/tincture moistens mucous membranes smoking leaves for asthma, dry cough topical smoke blown into ear to relieve ear pain/inflammation flowers infused in oil helps ear infections and prevents wax buildup leaves infused in oil helps with healing and pain helps with dry respiratory conditions reduces inflammation stimulates mucous to clear lungs (dry raspy coughs) laryngitis/bronchitis, asthma and wheezing strengthens bladder
edible Wild Rose flowers: dried for tea or infused in honey hips: dried for tea/tincture for uterus health topical flowers calming hips high in vitamin c; helps with skin cell regenerations astringent and cooling respiratory inflammation (reduces runny nose, mucous)
Red Clover edible all parts of plant flower, leaf, stem, roots dried or fresh for teas/tinctures topical infused in oil reduces stress and calms anxiety balances female hormones moistening and nourishing clears congested, swollen glands skin rashes (eczema) contraindication: not to be used with blood thinners
St. John s Wort edible flowers dried or fresh for teas/tinctures topical infused in oil can be used as a treatment for depression/anxiety calming pain and inflammation contraindication: not to be used if taking prescription medication for anxiety/depression
Comfrey edible dried leaves for tea topical leaves and root oil infusion wound healing (not for deep wounds) skin regeneration, scar reduction burn relief pain and inflammation slows excessive menstrual flow helps heal broken bones, strengthening damaged ligaments and tendons
edible Nettle young shoots can be prepared like spinach fresh or dried for tea/tincture topical decoction or oil infusion fresh plant has been used to treat damaged nerves high in iron, vitamin c and calcium blood strengthener pregnancy support gout, arthritis and inflammation seasonal allergies kidney support contains silica good for lungs, hair and nails
edible fresh or dry for tea/tincture Yarrow chew roots for sore gums/toothache topical oil infusion compress fresh poultice helps nausea and vomiting reduces fevers drying properties help with cough and sinus reduces heavy menstrual cycles stops bleeding and numbs pain antiseptic
edible not edible topical Cottonwood Buds infused in oil to bring out pitch from buds harvest buds October through to February, while the buds are still closed the sticky sap contained in the bud is the medicine and must be drawn out in oil anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-microbial (won t allow fungus or bacteria to grow) tea was used to gargle and treat cough and sore throat
Edible Preparations Decoction fresh or dried, steeped in water (longer than tea 15-20 minutes) Tea fresh or dried, steeped in boiling water (10+ minutes) Tincture fresh or dried, infused in alcohol, apple cider vinegar sealed and out of direct sun for 4-6 weeks Honey Infusion fresh or dried, infused in honey, sealed for 1 month
Topical Preparations Direct Rub spit poultice Poultice works best with fresh add small amount of water and process smear on skin and cover with cloth Compress use decoction and soak cloth, then apply on area Wash use decoction to swab area
Oil infusions dried, wilted or fresh (remove any water) pour oil over plants and ensure covered cover jar with cheesecloth to allow moisture to escape solar infusion: leave in sunny windowsill for 2-6 weeks heat infusion: jar of oil in water bath, simmer for hours lunar infusion: leave in dark place for one moon cycle strain plant material through cheesecloth or coffee filter Salve heat infused oil in water bath; add beeswax until melted; let set in jars/tins Cream heat infused oil, beeswax mixed together with hydrosol or distilled water