Mountain Medicine: Making a Healing Salve with wild plants (and more)

Y'all. The cosmos has been doing a number on me. This full moon lunar eclipse, on the 4th of July no less, was in Capricorn. Capricorn and it's ruling planet, Saturn, govern structure—including our bones. And low and behold, I broke my toe under the light of that full moon. 

Breaking a toe always sucks. But this time it was especially disappointing: I look forward to one magical week in the mountains all year. This is a week when I hike for miles everyday, commune with the animals and nature spirits, make my plant medicines, and soak up the healing power of Colorado's Rocky Mountains. And I broke my toe on only my second night. 😞

And, even though I have a pretty epic natural first aid kit, full of homemade remedies of herbs and oils, I’d left everything at home this week. Oops.

A Wildly Healing Oil

Given that I came up here in part to work with plant medicine, I decided to view my broken toe as an opportunity to practice what I preach and see how well I could treat myself with mountain remedies. 

The toe in question is my fourth toe, so I’ve been able to hobble around slowly. The morning after my injury, I buddy taped my toe and set to the trails for some plants I know are in season and can help:

• Bluebell—similar to comfrey in its ability to mend bones, but a bit milder

• Arnica—you've probably used the homeopathic remedies, and the fresh flowers and leaves can be infused into healing oils

• Yarrow—one of my favorite protector plants, wonderful for wound healing

• Goldenrod—for inflammation, topically, it’s similar to arnica

• Aspen—the bark has pain relieving properties, so I collected only fallen twigs

I had a bit of sunflower oil on hand, so I decided to do a quick oil infusion using a double boiler method. I tore apart the flowers, leaves, and twigs by hand and added them to the oil, holding the intention of healing and gratitude for the ability to work in partnership with nature to make medicine. I then gently infused the oil for a couple hours. The result was the most divine smelling brew, full of healing goodness.*

*Side note … the infused oil smelled sooo good that I’m now tincturing aspen twigs for use in my perfumes :) 

To tend to internal support for healing, I've gathered fresh dandelion leaves, horsetail, and wild parsley—all full of bone-building minerals! The dandelion and parsley go into dinner each evening, while I simply suck the liquid out of the fresh horsetail.

I've been gently massaging the oil into my toe for a few days now, and keeping up with my wild greens, and I’m happy to say that the swelling has gone down significantly. 

Breaking a toe and limiting my hikes really sucks. But I'm grateful to be surrounded with nature's medicine and to work in partnership with the spirits as I heal. And lucky for you, I've made more than enough oil. When I'm back home, I'll turn what I have into some healing salves to share :) 

UPDATE This beautiful oil sold out quickly…but I generally have seasonal versions available in the apothecary :)

Wildcrafted Smoke Bundles 

Despite the broken toe, I did manage to commune with the plants this year. I hobbled around and gathered some of my favorite botanical friends to create more flower essences and just a few plant bundles for smoke clearing. 

When I wildcraft, I only use plants that I have developed a relationship with over the years, and I gather and make everything in sacred ceremony. I feel that the health of the forest always comes first, so I only take what is offered and do healing ceremonies for the land in return. 

This year, I was guided to create three types of bundles:

• Cleanse & Protect—This bundle is perfect for space clearing and protection, similar to traditional sage bundles. It contains protective, cleansing, and sacred plants including three artemisias, goldenrod, yarrow, golden aster, sulfur buckwheat, kinnikinnick, and pussy toes.

• Passion—A bundle to clear blocks and carry your wishes to spirit, this contains a trio of artemisias, fireweed, fairy trumpet, pussy toes, harebell, bedstraw, and wild geranium.

• Dreams—A bundle to encourage visionary dreams and protection at night, this contains the trio of artemisias, elephant head flower, mountain valerian, yarrow, northern bedstraw, pussy toes, and kinnikinnick.

Find your bundles in the apothecary!

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Dandelion Magic: Wild Spring Greens & Tarragon Pesto (Plus a Bonus Healing Herbal Salve Recipe)

My “lawn” would make many a homeowner cringe. But every time I step outside and say hello to all my botanical friends, I’m filled with so much gratitude and joy.

I see a field of yellow, purple, and green. I see buzzy bees and fertile soil. I see such a happy yard that even lettuce and arugula from last year’s garden are sprouting up next to mallow and mustard. I see a small patch of chickweed thriving under my blue spruce. I see my sweet woodruff blooming just in time for Beltaine’s Maywine. I see emerging violets that will add a pop of color to my spring salads.

Spring greens emerge after each winter’s slumber with offerings of fresh vitamins and minerals. Their bitter green medicine helps reset our digestion after the heavy foods of winter. 

my backyard weeds/pharmacy ;)

This year, I’ve felt even more grateful for the fresh greens that have been emerging in my yard since early March. With a growing pandemic and shelter-in-place orders—and a pantry full of beans—I’ve been able to avoid unnecessary trips to the store and thrive on wild greens. 

Even if you don’t have a yard, many of these plants grow in disturbed areas, cracks in the sidewalk, parks, trails, and alleyways...just be mindful of pollution and pesticides.

If you’re new to foraging, triple check your identification and do your research on the location for safety and sustainability. There is a ton of info on this online—please be responsible!

Dandelion Magic

I love dandelions. Not only are they one of the first sources of pollen of the year for our beloved bees, they provide us with both food and medicine. The entire plant is a gift. 

Allowing dandelions to spread in your lawns is actually beneficial to the soil health. Their deep roots prevent erosion and draw nutrients to the surface. Their leaves shade the soil so more microbes can flourish. And their sunny blossoms attract pollinators that benefit the entire garden.

Medicinally, dandelion is a great lymph mover, liver cleanser, and supports digestion with its prebiotic roots and bitter greens. The flowers are also wonderful for the skin and contain pain-relieving properties. 

As a food, dandelion gives us a power-packed dose of minerals and vitamins—including iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, copper, folate, manganese, and Vitamins C, A, E, K, and B6. 

Energetically, dandelion offers us the gift of resilience. No amount of pavement can stop these spring beauties. No matter how depleted the soil, dandelion can help restore health. Dandelion’s sunny countenance connects us with the healing energy of the sun, which can support us in letting go of behaviors and thoughts that no longer serve us as we come more fully into the present moment.

Embrace the healing gifts of dandelion with these recipes for the whole plant.

DANDELION ROOT

Dandelion Root is a tonic herb that supports our liver and digestion. Harvest the roots in the fall and use them as any root vegetable in soups and stir fries. They also make a wonderful tincture. 

Perhaps the best known use of dandelion root is for herbal coffee—gather, clean, chop, and roast. Then brew for a rich coffee substitute. If you do well with a bit of daily dandelion, you can add 1 part roasted dandelion root to the recipe found here.

Note on the coffee: The root is so incredibly cleansing that my body prefers to have it only on occasion rather than daily, but many people seem to do well with a daily dose. Listen to your own body :)

DANDELION LEAVES

The leaves of dandelion are nutritive and bitter, making them a healthy food that supports digestion...and is free! Plus, they’re wonderful for nursing mothers. 

Greens are less bitter in the spring and can easily be substituted for any green in a recipe, cooked or raw. Here is one of my new favorites, just created this spring ;)

Spring Green, Tarragon, and Walnut Pesto
vegan, gluten-free

This versatile green sauce is packed with nutrients and wild food goodness. Though it doesn’t look like much tarragon, the flavor is just right. I used a wild greens infused ACV for even more wild goodness.

Ingredients

• 2 cups loosely packed spring greens (dandelion, blue mustard, chickweed, etc)

• ¾ cup walnuts, lightly toasted

• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh tarragon

• 2 cloves garlic (more or less depending on how garlicky you want to go)

• 2 tablespoons capers

• ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil

• 1 tablespoon ACV

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until pesto-like texture is achieved.

Serve over pasta, on flatbread, in salad dressings, or with roasted vegetables.

I served this with a spaghetti squash primavera topped with Rancho Gordo Christmas lima beans and it was absolutely divine.

DANDELION FLOWERS

Another edible part of the plant, dandelion flowers are great for the skin and have pain-relieving properties—plus they make a lovely flower essence. 

Dandelion Salve

Begin by infusing freshly wilted dandelion blossoms in oil. Any type of oil will do—jojoba, sunflower, sweet almond, coconut, olive...use what you have. 

Place the dandelion flowers in a mason jar. I like to allow them to wilt just a bit—this gives little bugs a chance to escape and takes out a bit of the water content. Then, cover in a mason jar with oil and let sit in a dark place for a week or two. No need to take off the green bits or measure precisely—this is folk medicine :)

After about two weeks, strain the flowers from your oil using a cheesecloth or other fine strainer.

Here’s the general ingredient ratio for the salve:
You can adjust this based on how much oil you’ve made.

• ¼ cup (2oz) oil

• 1T beeswax or a vegan wax alternative

• 30-40 drops essential oils (optional)

To make the salve: 

1. Heat the oil and wax in a double broiler. 

2. Stir until the wax is totally dissolved and remove from heat.

3. Quickly stir in the essential oils.

4. Pour into containers.

If you’re making a skin salve, essential oils such as immortelle, carrot seed, and rose are lovely. If your salve is for pain, try peppermint, basil, and lavender.

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Wild and Uncertain Times: Energetic, Spiritual, and Botanical Care for cold and flu season

We’re living in wild and uncertain times. With major events cancelled, schools closed, and empty shelves in our stores, most of us are feeling destabilized—at the very least—on some level. 

It’s natural for each of us to respond to destabilizing events differently, depending on our past trauma, our abilities to regulate our nervous system, the degree to which our lives are already impacted, and more. 

Some people sense massive changes ahead and are concerned about the future. 
Some are fearful for their families’ survival and are stockpiling supplies. 
Some think this is all overblown and are more concerned about panic than the virus. 
Some are fearful of crashing economies and changing ways of life. 
Some are hopeful that this will bring about a greener future.

During these times, compassion is key. For others and for yourself. For the wide range of human responses we experience. This is new. Times are changing. 

As a shamanic practitioner and botanical medicine maker, I now realize that I’ve spent a lifetime preparing for times such as these. And I have no doubt that, on some level, you have too. 

Now is the time to reflect on your true reasons for coming into this life. Ask yourself:

What unique gifts do I carry? 
What I can share with a world in need? 
What impact do I want to make on our collective? 
How can I help us shift from fear and separation to greater healing and connection? 

A couple years ago, I was channeling the great goddess Isis during a group ceremony. Through me, Isis spoke the words, “Ride the waves.”

Ride the waves. She said in no uncertain terms that change was coming. When we ride the waves, we don’t resist. We stay present and we respond. We flow and trust, for there is nothing else we can do.

I am doing my best to ride the waves right now, to cultivate health and peace and meaning as the systems around me shut down. I hope what I share here helps you, as well.

Below, you’ll find …

1. Tips and practices for managing stress

2. Energetic hygiene practices

3. Herbs to support your well-being

4. Aromatherapy recipes

5. Flower essence recommendations

1. Manage Stress

We know that increased stress lowers the immune system—but destressing feeds the spirit. Some ideas:

• Meditate—Insight Timer and YouTube have tons of free meditations in all sorts of styles.

• Breathe—Pause and watch your breath, count slowly to 10, practice pranayama or another breathwork technique. Whatever you do, breathe.

• Hop on the phone with people you love—Social distancing doesn’t have to mean social isolation!

• Watch comedies—Because laughter is the best medicine. 

• Create—Write, paint, sing, code, cook … What’s calling you?

• Practice yoga, tai chi, or qi gong—These practices move energy in ways that reduce stress and boost your immune system. 

• Limit your news exposure—Stay informed but not obsessed. 

• Be present with your family—Everything is radically different and you’re likely focused on surviving vs thriving. Be gentle and find joy in the little things. And forgive yourself when you flip out.

• Start a gratitude practice—Focus on the good. It’s the perfect antidote to all the negative.

• Get into nature—Research is finally catching up with the healing power of nature. Even better, find a quiet place and ask the spirits of nature for a healing.

• Do all the healthy things—You know, eat lots of fruits and veggies, exercise, sleep a lot, take your vitamins, stay hydrated ... this is the time to really commit to your well-being.

• But don’t stress out about perfection—Trust yourself, and when you want some coffee and chocolate (or whatever else your body asks for), take the time to savor it. 

• Use herbs and aromatherapy ... more on that below :)

2. Cultivate Energetic Hygiene

You’ve heard of a mind-body-spirit approach to health, right? Well, I believe in a mind-body-energy-spirit approach. Here are two simple practices to keep your energy clear and protected.

Energetic Sovereignty Practice

Right now, we’re experiencing massive levels of collective fear and anxiety. From an energetic perspective, this creates powerful thought forms that can affect all of us—in other words, we’re subconsciously and energetically picking up on everyone else’s fear, and it’s magnifying our own. Our systems aren’t built for this.

Yet, energetic sovereignty is your birthright. (Helping people clear their energy from foreign influences is one of the main things I do during shamanic sessions.) Here’s a simple practice to help you get started:

1. Prepare yourself for a short meditation. Find a quiet place and get comfortable.

2. Ask your helping spirits, angels, or even the universe—whatever language works for you—to clear your field of thought forms that are not your own. Relax and simply allow this to happen.

3. Notice your physical body and any sensations that arise. Notice fear-based thoughts that might appear and watch them flow out of your awareness. 

4. When this process feels complete, ask for any of your own fear-based thoughts to be healed so that you may respond from empowerment vs. reactivity to whatever arises.

5. Again, notice your body sensations and thoughts. 

6. When the process feels complete, give thanks for your healing. Allow true, deep gratitude to fill your heart. 

Energetic Protection Practice

Along with regular health and hygiene protocols, energy hygiene is an important part of staying healthy. The following practice is based on transfiguration—the art of healing with spiritual light. I go into greater depth with this in my workshops, but here’s a simple practice you can do right now. Try to do this at least once a day:

1. Prepare yourself for a short meditation. Find a quiet place and get comfortable.

2. Tune into the sensations in your heart center. Rest here as your mind quiets.

3. Bring awareness to your heartlight, the beautiful, healing light in your heart. This light is pure divinity and spirit, and it is within you.

4. Watch as this light grows. Notice that it is slowly filling every cell of your body with spiritual light. 

5. See this light grow beyond your physical body, filling your entire energy field with protective light.

6. Notice how this light has filled every molecule and beyond. There is no room for any foreign energy in your field because you are already full. You are one with divine perfection.

7. Rest in this state for as long as you can.

If you’d like personal support during these times, feel free to reach out. I’m offering discounted virtual sessions to anyone in need.

3. Incorporate Healing Herbs into Your Daily Routine

See my post on simple ways to add immune-boosting herbs and foods into your diet here. You’ll find recipes for herbal tea, healing broths, and a totally magical ginger elixir.

4. Use Essential Oils

I use essential oils to support the well-being of myself and my loved ones throughout each day—from healing salves to bath salts to sleepy time diffuser blends. I’ll be sharing a many more recipes to get you through these wild times soon—be sure to follow my Facebook Page, where I post diffuser blends regularly. 

For now, here are a few diffuser blends to support your well-being on many levels:

Anti-Influenza Diffuser Blend 

• 5 drops eucalyptus globulus or radiata

• 1 drop saro, ravintsara, or cinnamon bark

• 1 drop niaouli (optional)

Why these oils? They are all high in 1,8 cineole, which is great for getting rid of airborne microbes. Plus, if you're already congested, 1,8 cineole rich oils can provide relief.

Family-Friendly Relax & Restore Blend

• 2 drops lavender

• 2 drops sweet marjoram

• 1 drop green mandarine

• 1 drop Roman chamomile

All of these oils are both incredibly relaxing and safe for kids :)

Hand Sanitizer

Ok. There is a hand sanitizer shortage nation-wide, and I’m happy to share a good recipe with you all. But let’s have a little reality check first:

1. Covid-19 is airborne. Washing your hands and not touching your face is good, but it does not make you magically immune.

2. Washing your hands with water is better than hand sanitizer whenever possible. According to Jessie Hawkins, PhD at the Franklin Institute of Wellness, water and friction alone is actually very effective for getting rid of viruses.

3. Hand sanitizers are ineffective on physically dirty hands—get the dirt off and then use the sanitizer.

4. Hand sanitizer isn’t actually effective against viruses, but it’s better than nothing. 

5. Any efficacy, at least for bacterial infections, comes from the alcohol content, not the essential oils, though essential oils can enhance the effectiveness — use at least 70% alcohol.

So, hand sanitizers are better than nothing, and essential oils and alcohol are much safer than the antibacterial hand sanitizers you see in the store (but that’s another post …). Just remember, they probably won’t actually do much against covid-19.

DIY Essential Oil Hand Sanitizer

• 2oz vodka OR 1oz everclear and 1oz distilled water

• 1tsp aloe vera (optional)

• 90 drops essential oils

There are many great essential oils to choose from, including, peppermint, lemon, lime, lavender, lemongrass, cinnamon, oregano, clove, tea tree, eucalyptus, palmarosa, and many more. Feel free to experiment. Options I like include a blend of peppermint, lemon, and lime, or lavender, lemongrass, and tea tree.

5. Enjoy the Power of Flowers

Flower essences work on subtle, spiritual levels. Given that many people are experiencing a transformation in how they relate to their spiritual well-being right now, flower essences can be very helpful. Here are a few:

• Bach’s Rescue Remedy—for shock and trauma

• Aspen—for fear, especially ongoing and underlying fears

• Lavender—for calm and harmony

• Dandelion—for relaxation and joy

• Valerian—for deep peace and calm

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Now let’s be clear—I’m not a doctor, epidemiologist, or expert on covid-19 by any stretch of the imagination. Do your own research and follow CDC guidelines, for the love!

I am, however, deeply attuned to spirit, my inner sense of resilience, and the gifts plants offer us. I hope what I’ve shared here is helpful as you navigate the wild waves ahead.

Simple Tricks to Add More Health-Boosting Herbs into Your Daily Routine

I think most of us are facing the first truly global pandemic of our lifetimes. This can feel scary, and it’s so new that we don’t really know what will work or not. But, we can take general actions to boost our immune systems and fortify ourselves for the times to come. Here, I’m sharing a bit of my personal daily daily routine for wellness with herbs.

We have so many herbal allies when it comes to our health, and I’ll be sure to share many more tips and recipes—especially for when you’re not just preventing sickness but actually feeling ill.

For now though, here are some easy ways to add healing herbs and foods into your daily routine:

Herbal Teas for wellness

The magic of herbal teas is endless—so drink a variety of tea and drink it often. Anxiety is on the rise and we know stress lowers the immune system, so here’s a family-friendly relaxing tea to support your overall well-being. 

Rest & Relax Tea

Mix together equal parts:

• lemon balm

• passionflower

• skullcap

• spearmint

• chamomile

Steep about 2 tsp mixed herbs per 6 oz hot water. 

Medicinal Mushrooms for Immune Boosting

Medicinal mushrooms such as turkey tail, chaga, shiitake, maitake, cordyceps, reishi, and lion’s mane are known to do everything from prevent cancer to boost your immune system. If getting more exotic sounding mushrooms into your diet seems like a challenge, check out some of these super easy tips:

1. Sprinkle some medicinal mushroom powder into your smoothies, salad dressings, and soups. 

2. Make a medicinal seasoning salt by mixing together mushroom powder, dulse (a nutritious seaweed), and pink Himalayan sea salt.

3. Add medicinal mushrooms to your morning coffee—I love chaga and reishi for this—or make an herbal coffee blend. Here’s one of my personal recipes:

Note: Many people like to add roasted dandelion root to their coffee blends. This is great once in a while, but not something you want to do daily for extended periods of time, especially if you tend to have a sensitive system.

Ginger for Antiviral Support

According to herbalist Stephen Buhner, fresh ginger (not dried) is a great antiviral, and in my experience, ginger has worked wonders for fighting off illness at the first signs of imbalance.

Try adding fresh ginger to soups, stir fries, and salad dressings (it makes a surprisingly good addition to homemade caesar dressing!). You can also make ginger juice tea for a super potent brew:

Recipe for Ginger Juice Tea

To make: Juice fresh ginger and add hot water, lemon, honey, and cayenne. If you don’t have a juicer, you can blend fresh ginger with water until it’s drinkable. I like to freeze the juice in ice cube trays so I can just add hot water when I need it.

From Bruhner: Have one cup daily as a preventative. If you feel a tickle of something "off", bump up your daily dose to 4-6 cups a day with 3-4oz of ginger per cup. Even if this doesn't completely wipe the illness out, it should slow the spread of the virus in the body and help protect mucous membranes from damage.

Note: This is a medicinal dose of ginger and not recommended for pregnancy. Check with your doctor to see if you have any other contraindications. 

Garlic & Onions for Winter Wellness

I once had a shamanic and herbalism teacher who had studied with a Mayan healer for decades. In the paraphrased words of her Mayan teacher, “Don’t trust anyone who doesn’t eat garlic.” 

Some fun ways to get more garlic in your diet:

1. Chimichurri (especially with oregano) and pesto (especially with nutritional yeast instead of parm)

2. Throw one or two cloves of garlic into homemade salad dressing

3. Add raw onions to salads and salsas

4. Make some garlic and herb infused olive oil

5. Add extra garlic and onions to soups and stir fries

6. Stock up on fire cider and use it in your salad dressing or anywhere else you need vinegar—there are tons of recipes online

Raw or cooked? Raw garlic has amazing benefits—but you don’t have to eat it raw if you don’t want to. If you’re going to cook your garlic, just mince it and then let it rest. I’ve read everything from 20m to an hour is necessary to retain the key healing benefits, so I try to err on the side of caution.

How to Make Healing Broths

Nothing feels more nourishing than a nutrient-dense, medicinal broth. Plus, staying hydrated is a key part of a healthy immune system. Here are a few of my most used broth bases. Together, they can be adapted for a variety of healthy soups. 

Broth Base 1

This mix is wonderful for soups such as minestrone, lentil soups, ribolita, and other Italian-style or bean soups.

1. Sauté your aromatics in olive oil—onion, carrots, celery, etc.

2. Add a whole head (yes, a whole head) of minced and rested garlic. 

3. Add ½ cup mixed dried herbs—rosemary, oregano, and thyme have antiviral properties, so if you go for a good Mediterranean seasoning blend, you should be covered.

4. If you’re adding other veggies that need sautéing, add them now.

5. Add 4-6 cups water and bring to a boil.

6. While water is coming to a boil, add

   • 3 slices astragalus

   • 1 slice reishi (if your slow cooking, you might want to take this out earlier, as it can get bitter)

   • ¼ cup dried nettle (if you have frozen or fresh nettle, add it closer to the end)

   • ¼ cup cat's claw bark in a muslin bag (if you have powdered cat’s claw, add less and directly to the broth)

   • A few bay leaves

7. Stir in lentils or precooked beans, if using, or dried and soaked beans if slow cooking.

8. Simmer for about an hour, or slow cook all day.

9. Remove the astragalus, reishi, cat’s claw, and bay leaves

10. Stir in greens (kale, spinach, fresh nettles) and cook for just another 5 minutes.

11. Enjoy :)

Broth Base 2

This soup base is fantastic for curries!

1. Sauté your aromatics in coconut oil—onion, carrots, celery, etc.

2. Add a whole head (yes, a whole head) of minced and rested garlic. 

3. Add as much minced ginger as you can handle.

4. Add ¼ - ½ cup good curry powder. If your curry doesn't have a lot of turmeric, add another tablespoon of that.

5. If you’re adding other veggies that need sautéing, add them now.

6. Add 3-4 cups water and bring to a boil.

7. While water is coming to a boil, add

   • 3 slices astragalus

   • 1 slice reishi (if your slow cooking, you might want to take this out earlier, as it can get bitter)

   • ¼ cup dried nettle (if you have frozen or fresh nettle, add it closer to the end)

   • ¼ cup cat's claw bark in a muslin bag (if you have powdered cat’s claw, add less and directly to the broth)

   • A few bay leaves

8. Stir in lentils or precooked beans, if using,  or dried and soaked beans if slow cooking.

9. Simmer for about an hour, or slow cook all day.

10. Remove the astragalus, reishi, cat’s claw, and bay leaves

11. Stir in greens (kale, spinach, fresh nettles) and cook for just other 5 minutes.

12. Stir in 1-2 cans coconut milk (optional).

13. Enjoy :)

Broth Base 3

My favorite for chili! And any Southwest or Mexican style soups :)

1. Sauté your aromatics in olive oil—onion, carrots, celery, etc.

2. Add a whole head (yes, a whole head) of minced and rested garlic. 

3. Add ¼ cup chili powder, ¼ cup oregano, and 1 tablespoon cumin. You can add turmeric to taste for an extra boost.

4. If you’re adding other veggies that need sautéing, add them now.

5. Add 4-6 cups water and bring to a boil.

6. While water is coming to a boil, add

   • 3 slices astragalus

   • 1 slice reishi (if your slow cooking, you might want to take this out earlier, as it can get bitter)

   • ¼ cup dried nettle (if you have frozen or fresh nettle, add it closer to the end)

   • ¼ cup cat's claw bark in a muslin bag (if you have powdered cat’s claw, add less and directly to the broth)

   • A few bay leaves

7. Stir in precooked beans, if using, or dried and soaked beans if slow cooking.

8. Simmer for about an hour, or slow cook all day.

9. Remove the astragalus, reishi, cat’s claw, and bay leaves

10. Stir in greens (kale, spinach, fresh nettles) and cook for just another 5 minutes.

11. Enjoy :)

These bases can also be strained to make a pure broth for sipping or freezing.

Happy healthy eating and drinking! Be sure to subscribe for more healing recipes.

Autumn in the Mountains - A Poem

Autumn is by far my favorite season. The golden glow of the aspen and the scent of wet earth, the abundant harvest before the gardening season ends, and the seasonal shift to turn inward and embrace quieter times . . . and my birthday (Libra, here), so maybe I’m just a bit biased.

This poem, an ode to fall in the mountains, was originally published on my old site (juniperstokes.com). It still comes to mind this season, so here it is again, along with a few new pictures from this year’s autumn mountain retreat.

Autumn in the Mountains

Golden leaves turn to flame

Lit by sun and backed by gray

Mountain valerian scents the trail

Embraced, sustained by fall’s sweet veil

Puddles and bones and smell of death

In beautiful waves, fill my breath

Cool autumn brings earth aware

Of coming sleep, and beasts prepare

Behind the breeze, antlers loom

A gift, a blessing, deep commune

by Juniper Stokes

How to Work with the Spirits of the Land: 3 Powerful Practices

This is Part 2 in a 3-part series that explores Summer Travel Alchemy—how to use both mythoanimist practices and plant magick to support your summer travels. You might also like to see:

• Part 1: How to Have A Blessing Ceremony for Your Summer Travels

• Part 3: A DIY Essential Oil Travel Kit—My Top 3 + Recipes!

Every place on our planet is inhabited by spirits of the land—benevolent ancestors, nature beings, the fae, and even the spirit of a place itself.

This article shares shamanic practices for meeting the spirits of the land when you travel, whether you’re staying in a fancy hotel in a big city or camping off the grid.

Practice 1: Journey to Meet the Spirits of the Land

Whenever you travel, you visit the home of the many spirits who live there—this is equally true in both nature and cities. And, just as you would a friend or relative, it’s a good idea to check in before you come over.

In this practice, you’ll journey to meet a spirit of the land. Here, I outline a basic process for this journey, but always trust your intuition. You can adjust any part you’d like to, or even do this as a meditation.

If you’re new to journeying and would like more support with this type of practice, you might like to book a private session or check out one of my intro workshops.

Step 1: Preparation

You may prepare for this journey in whatever way will support you—whether that’s a full altar and ceremony, or listening to a simple drumming track in a comfy chair.

Step 2: Intention

Set the intention to meet a benevolent spirit of the land you’ll be traveling to. It’s important to make sure you clarify that you want to meet a benevolent spirit, rather than just any spirit. Just as there are all types of people, there are all types of spirits. You want to meet a spirit who is directly connected to the light and the divine.

Step 3: Trance State

Next, you’ll enter into a trance state in whatever way works for you. A shamanic drumming track, such as this one from Michael Harner, is a great way to do this.

Step 4: Empowerment

Now, you’ll meet with one of your allies. Often, this will be a power animal who will travel with you as you meet the spirits of the land. I like to attune to the ally that shows up and then to ensure that their understanding of this journey is the same as mine.

Step 5: Meet the Spirits of the Land

Allow your ally to take you to the spirits of the land. Depending on the situation, you may have one already there and ready to meet you, or it might be quite crowded! Here are some suggested questions to ask, though again, trust your own guidance and be open to receive.

• Ask to speak with a benevolent representative of the land—state your intention for being there and see if someone is willing to meet with you

• Find out more about this being—What is the being’s name? What type of being are they? What is their role? Can you learn anything about their history?

• State your intentions for your travels there and ask permission to visit in person

• Find out if there is anything you can do in reciprocity of your visit, such as offerings to bring, or a ceremony to have once there

• Explore any other information that might be useful for your trip

Depending on how much time you have, you may want to repeat this process with more than one land spirit.

Note: It’s possible that you will not receive permission from the land spirits before your visit. If this happens, please know that you can negotiate! One of my teachers calls this “spiritual diplomacy”. Be creative and open, and see what types of adjustments can me made on both of your parts to ensure a positive experience that is of benefit to all.

Step 6: Thanks & Returning

Once your time with the spirits of the land has come to a close, be sure to give your gratitude for their willingness to meet with you. Then, allow your ally to help you retrace your steps and travel back into your body fully. Give thanks to your ally, as well, and re-enter ordinary reality.

Practice 2: Honor the Land with Offerings

Bringing offerings to the spirits of the land is a wonderful way to nurture a positive relationship with the places you visit. You may have received guidance during your journey to meet the spirits of the land, but here are a few more suggestions:

• Bring small natural offerings that will not disturb the environment—dried flowers, small crystals, cornmeal or tobacco, or an item from nature that has personal meaning to you

• Rather than add to the land, take away that which doesn’t belong there—perhaps bring an extra bag to collect litter and garbage

• A custom anointing oil or aromatic synergy, made with the specific intention of bringing healing to the land (more on this in future posts . . .)

• Do a healing ritual—make sure you’ve received permission from the land spirits first, and then follow your guidance to reweave the web of light there, do a soul retrieval for the land, psychopomp a building, or sing love to the Earth

Practice 3: Receive Gifts and Blessings in Return

Just as it fills our hearts to bring blessings and healing to the places we visit, these places often have gifts for us. Try to set aside some time to receive from the place you’re in.

Give yourself the space to spend a few moments in meditation, opening your senses to the many unseen beings around you. They might provide a healing of some sort, or simply acknowledge your presence. Either way, it can be a powerful experience to fully allow yourself to feel the many dimensions of reality in new locations.

Roasted Asparagus with Pistachio Purée

Part of living a shamanic way of life is tuning into the seasons — and one of my favorite ways to celebrate the seasons is through food. Before it’s officially summer, let’s celebrate with some spring green magic . . .

Here in Colorado, the farmers markets are full of fresh bunches of bright green asparagus shoots. I’m usually incapable of actually following recipes—I’ll replace spinach with nettle from the garden, add 4x the suggested spices, or throw in some lemon zest just because I love it—but when I came across this recipe for Roasted Asparagus with Pistachio Puree from Michael Natkin, I felt inspired to follow it as closely as possible to see what would happen.

Deliciousness. That’s what happened.

Perfectly roasted asparagus served over a smokey pistachio purée, topped with fresh tarragon from the garden—this is a late spring dish you’ll want to make before the season is over.

I learned a few new tricks while taking the time to follow this recipe, but still made it my own by discovering some mouthwatering ways to serve the leftovers.

This entire dish took just a little over half an hour to put together, including the cooking times. It’s impressive and easy. Go for it.

Roasted Asparagus with Pistachio Purée

Photo by Christine Siracusa on Unsplash

Ingredients

Pistachio Purée:

• 2 cups unsalted, roasted pistachios*

• juice of one organic medium-sized lemon

• 1 clove garlic, thinly sliced

• 1 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt

• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin

• 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

• 2/3 cup water

Roasted Asparagus:

• 1 bunch organic asparagus spears, the fat kind, trimmed

• extra virgin olive oil

• Maldon Sea Salt

• organic balsamic vinegar reduction*

• 1/4 cup unsalted, roasted pistachio kernels, coarsely chopped

• fresh tarragon leaves (from the garden, if possible!)

Directions

Pistachio Purée:

Combine the roasted pistachios with the lemon juice, garlic, salt, cumin, smoked paprika, and half the olive oil in a vitamix. (The original recipe uses a regular blender, so don’t shy away if you haven’t yet gone pro with your blending utensils.)

With the lid on and at a medium-low speed, drizzle in the rest of the olive oil followed by the water. Blend until mostly smooth but not totally creamy—you’ll want a bit of texture here.

Once the initial ingredients are blended, you can tweak the flavor if needed. I added a bit more salt (I like salt) and another pinch of smoked paprika, but overall, I didn’t feel the need to change much at all. Make sure to keep the puree covered, as the beautiful green will oxidize and turn brown on top, just like guacamole.

Roasted Asparagus:

As soon as you take the pistachios out of the oven, turn up the heat to 400 F. Toss the asparagus with a bit of olive oil and salt, and roast on a baking sheet for about 10 minutes.

Once the asparagus is tender, turn on the broiler and cook until it becomes blackened in spots. This last step is important—the crispy asparagus heads and crunchy black bits add a great texture to the final dish.

To Serve

Spoon the pistachio purée onto a plate and place the asparagus on top. Sprinkle the chopped pistachios over everything, drizzle with the balsamic vinegar reduction*, and garnish with fresh tarragon leaves. Add a bit more salt to taste.

*Roasted Pistachios

Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

I bought raw, unsalted, organic pistachios, so I needed to roast them myself. In order to do this:

1. Preheat the oven to 325 F.

2. Spread the pistachios in a single layer on a baking sheet.

3. Cook for about 10-12 minutes.

The nuts will be warm, chewy, and slightly brown when done. Yum.

*Balsamic Reduction

I decided to try my hand at making my own reduction. It worked perfectly, and I’ll definitely be making more. To make your own reduction:

1. Pour a bit of balsamic vinegar into a small pot or pan.

2. Bring to a boil.

3. Add sugar—I think I used equal parts organic unrefined sugar and balsamic vinegar.

4. Reduce to medium-high heat and continuously whisk the mixture until it reduces by half or just a bit more.

5. Drizzle away!

More Pistachio Puree Ideas

This recipe makes far more puree than you’ll need—after all, it’s basically a fancy nut butter. Luckily, it keeps for up to a week in the fridge and is so delicious you’ll be happy to have extra.

Natkin recommends serving the leftovers with other types of veggies, such as raw endive or roasted cauliflower. I used a bit of my leftovers as a dip for baby carrots, and heated the rest up in the oven to make a hot dip for some homemade bread. I highly recommend heating up the leftovers. The hot dip was gooey and yummy and rich—yet totally vegan. It would make a great sauce for pasta, as well.

Enjoy!

Did you try this recipe?  Let me know how you liked it! Tag me on Instagram @alchemessence.

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