LOCAL FOLK MEDICINE : Garden Herbs, Heath and Wholeness

On Sunday it was my great honor and pleasure to welcome a dear friend and mentor to Graze the Roof to teach about Local Folk Medicine: using garden herbs for health and healing. 

Margaretha Haughwout, [http://beforebefore.net] guided us through an inquiry-based approach to learning about common garden weeds. These "common" garden plants, including California Poppy, Yarrow, Mullein, Calendula, Borage and Chamomile have diverse properties that can support both our physical and energetic wellness. 

In the words of Bonnie, a workshop participant from Guerrero St. Gardens, [http://guerrerostreetgarden.wordpress.com/2013/08/13/foggy-august-faith/]

"Through inquiry based learning, folks gleaned a calming groundedness from California Poppy, a comforting protection from Mullein and a sense of blissful courage from Borage — all traditional and scientifically proven uses for such plants.  We spoke of the doctrine of signatures –  the incredible phenomenon that plants display their healing characteristics in their physical presentation.  As a fellow urban dweller it was humbling to witness others rebuilding a relationship with the natural world."

Each participant left the workshop with a renewed faith in the power of plants to help heal and support wellness, as well as an empowered perspective on nurturing wholeness. 

For me, that afternoon, illuminated incredible parallels between our work in the garden and the greater mission of GLIDE...

... Faith, Stewardship, Community, Compassion, Possibility ...

Thank you to Margaretha and all of the workshop participants for an inspiring afternoon. 

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*Our next community workshop is scheduled for September 22nd 2013 from 1-3pm : 

IT'S TiME TO HARVEST HONEY