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 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.