Special Notice:
Announcing a brand new correspondence course
"ABC of Herbalism with Susun S. Weed"
You Can Have a Green
Ally! by Susun S. Weed ©
2004
Herbal medicine is people's medicine. So why
don't more people use it? Because it can seem complicated
and scary, for starters. That's the reason I urge you to use
herbal medicine simply -- one herb at a time. And that's a
good reason to have a green ally: one plant that teaches you
the fundamental principals of herbal medicine.
Herbal medicine is spirit medicine as well as
body medicine. Our green allies tend our souls along with
our sores. So why don't more books and courses talk about
plant spirits? Or, if they do, why do they divorce it from
herbal medicine? Because its not something that is easily
written or even talked about. You have to connect with the
devas and fairies yourself. And that's a good reason to have
a green ally: one plant that opens you and guides you into
the realms of green blessings.
Herbal medicine is broad, deep, wide, timeless.
It takes seven lifetimes to become an herbalist. Take the
time this year to develop a relationship with one special
plant: a green ally. How?
Choose
a plant that grows very near to you. . . no more than a one-minute
walk from your door. You don't need to know the name of the
plant, or anything about it. You will be sitting with your
plant every day, so, if possible, choose one that grows in
a quiet and lovely place . . . in a pot on your balcony is
just fine . . . in a park is great . . . so is an alley. .
. or a backyard.
You can read about the plant you've chosen if
you do know the name, but it isn't necessary. The point is
to develop a special caring, nurturing, relationship with
your green ally. The following six exercises can help you
do this. They are from my latest correspondence course: ABC
of Herbalism with Susun Weed, which focuses on
ways to prepare and use 52 herbs and herbs for dealing with
more than 20 health concerns. I also offer a year-long Green
Ally Correspondence Course. For more information on my other
correspondence courses visit me at www.susunweed.com
Green ally exercises from "ABC
of Herbalism with Susun S. Weed"
First green ally exercise:
Sit and breathe with your green ally for 3-10 minutes a day.
You breathe out and the plant breathes in; the plant breathes
out and you breathe in.
Second green ally exercise:
Make a detailed drawing of your green ally, as accurate as
you can make it. Then do a soft-focus, impressionistic drawing
of your green ally. When the weather is too inclement to breathe
with your green ally, breathe with your green ally's picture.
Third
green ally exercise: What part of your green
ally is usually used? Are other parts helpful? Experiment
by making several small tinctures, oils, and vinegars of the
different parts of your plant. Ask to plant to help you discover
new ways to use her.
Fourth green ally exercise:
Observe the conditions that your green ally chooses to live
in. Does your ally grow near to people (to be used) or far
from them (to be left alone)? In a shady spot (cool) or a
sunny one (warm)? In a wet area (moist) or an arid one (dry)?
In rich soil or poor soil? Plants make alkaloids and glycosides
in rich soils; resins and essential oils in poor soils.
Fifth green ally exercise:
Write a story from the point of view of your green ally. Let
your ally speak to you and through you. Listen for the voice
of your ally in your dreams, in your day dreams, in your mind.
Write down what she says.
If this is hard, try writing with a pen instead
of on a computer; or try writing with your non-dominant hand.
A warm-up exercise given to me by Jean Houston is to first
write a page of praise of your ally, tell your ally how wonderful
she is, and how much you like her.
Final green ally exercise:
Introduce one or more friends to your green ally. Tell them
what you know, what you feel, and what you think about your
ally. If it is edible, feed them some.
Study
with Susun Weed in the convenience of your home! Choose from
four Correspondence Courses: Green Allies, Spirit & Practice
of the Wise Woman Tradition, Green Witch, and ABC
of Herbalism - includes audio/video tapes, books,
assignments, special mailings, plus personal time.
Learn more at www.susunweed.com
or write to:
Susun Weed
PO Box 64
Woodstock, NY 12498
Fax: 1-845-246-8081
Visit Susun Weed at: www.susunweed.com
and www.wisewomanbookshop.com
For permission to reprint this article, contact us at: susunweed@herbshealing.com
Vibrant, passionate, and involved, Susun Weed has garnered
an international reputation for her groundbreaking lectures,
teachings, and writings on health and nutrition. She challenges
conventional medical approaches with humor, insight, and her
vast encyclopedic knowledge of herbal medicine. Unabashedly
pro-woman, her animated and enthusiastic lectures are engaging
and often profoundly provocative.
Susun is one of America's best-known authorities on herbal
medicine and natural approaches to women's health. Her four
best-selling books are recommended by expert herbalists and
well-known physicians and are used and cherished by millions
of women around the world. Learn more at www.susunweed.com
Introducing a brand new
course:
ABC of Herbalism
A Correspondence Course with Susun Weed
A special course for the aspiring herbalist
who would like to have me "by your side" teaching
you how to identify, harvest, and buy 52 healing herbs. I'll
"watch over your shoulder" as you make nourishing
herbal infusions, tinctures, vinegars, oils, honeys, poultices,
soups, and beauty aids with:
Aloe
vera Flax
Milk
Thistle Rosemary
Arnica
Garden
sage Motherwort
Skullcap
Burdock
Garlic
Mullein
St.
Joan's wort
Comfrey
Ginger
(Zingiber) Nettle
Thyme
Catnip
Hawthorn
Oats
Tumeric
Chickweed
Hops
Olive
Uva
ursi
Corn
(Zea) Jewelweed
Osha
Violet
Dandelion
Kava
kava Onion
Wild
Cherry
Ephedra
Kelp
Plantain
Willow
Elder
Lavender
Peppermint
Witch
hazel
Echinacea
Lemon
balm Queen
Anne's lace Wormwood
Fennel
Linden
Raspberry
Yellow
dock
Fenugreek
Mushrooms
Red
clover Yarrow
Your studies will be both experiential and intellectual.
You will make and use herbal remedies as well as reading about
them in a variety of sources. You will try out my
favorite remedies for relieving:
asthma/allergies
earache
infections obesity
bladder
infections fevers
joint
pain pain
constipation
headaches
menopause
woes sleep
problems
cancer
indigestion menstrual
cramps wounds
You will also learn how to nourish and promote:
heart
health liver
health powerful
immunity
incredible
energy healthy
hair/skin well-behaved
hormones
Your course materials include:
* Fifty-two herbal projects and twenty health projects to
complete at your own pace. (Value $100)
* Guidance in developing a green ally.
* Six herbals: 1. A City Herbal; 2. Common Herbs for Natural
Health; 3. Healing Wise; 4. The Herb Book; 5. Natural Health
Bible; 6. Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs. (Value
$80)
* Up to four more books -- your choice from the enclosed list.
(Value up to $65)
* Four of my audiotapes or one of my videotapes -- your choice
from the enclosed list. (Value $40)
* Three hours of phone time to talk with me personally. (Value
$300)
* Initiation and completion gifts.
* Erratic mailings several times a year for two years. (Value
$50)
* A 50% discount on three days of classes with me. (Value
up to $150)
* A graduation certificate for you to frame and hang. (Priceless)
Total price for ABC of Herbalism is $500. (Total value exceeds
$750). Pay in ten $50 installments and receive your course
materials as you pay. Or pay in full and receive all your
course materials at once.
Register online at www.wisewomanbookshop.com
or via mail:
Susun Weed PO Box 64, Woodstock, NY 12498 ~ phone/fax: (845)
246-8081