This Apiaceae has its roots in European folk medicine, and whilst similar in taste to the Illicium Star Anise, it is unrelated and more complex medicinally. The spicy, warm, sweet & fragrant flavour of aniseed is very unique and identifiable. This flavour is a big part of its medicine. It immediately gets to work calming the tissues it touches in the digestive & respiratory systems. The sweet flavour is building, tonifying and nourishing, making it suited for dry and depleted states. The spicy fragrance penetrates whilst the warmth stimulates blood and oxygenation - which means energy to move & detox.
How could a plant be named after the Elders and be considered anything other than important! Elderberries and flowers are both from Sambuccus nigra, a Honeysuckle that is an Oldworld European and North American primal remedy. It’s a herbal staple, like the potato or yam of food, that has supported the poor and the wealthy to health for generations.
The Juniper person is retraining too much water in their body. They have a slight waddle in their step which is tedious and exhausting and their lower back aches. Their legs can be swollen like tree branches, and so can their arms with little definition of where the hands or feet joint. They feel heavy in their hearts, bodies and mind as if a haze is between them and the world. They may feel achy with cramps in their body, headaches of the mind, and generally tired with little appetite for the day.
Wormword was one of THE MOST IMPORTANT EUROPEAN HERBS in history. This Asteraceae contains aromatic oils, some toxic, and bitter lactones. It’s now found in North America as well as being native to Asia and Europe and likes to grow on broken landscapes like walls or overrun pastures. It is a very strong herb to work with, that has potent implications on the broken parts of ourselves. Artemisia’s offer an important role in treating malaria throughout the world and are heavily relied upon for this in developing countries that rely on herbs as primary medicine.
This plant originates in Europe, Named after John the Baptist, with its use dating back to the very beginning. It has so many uses, like most plants, so let’s explore its key signatures to understand how to use this plant more simply.
