In Donata's Kitchen

Entry #12: Herbalism and looking towards Spring; Nervines

I’m slowly working through Rosemary Gladstar’s course The Science and Art of Herbalism. I’ve done herbal courses before, but I wanted to capture the spirit of Galdstar by taking her course. There’s an elegance and Grace, a humbleness, to this Queen of herbs. I thought I would benefit from her gentle spirit and straight forward teaching. I’m part way through Lesson 1 and feel that I have made the correct choice. 

Within these lessons we students are to create a Materia Medica for each herb. A page long document for each herb that  must include: Botanical name, Common name(s), Habitat and growing conditions, Pertinent information on the plant, and our personal experience with the plant (taste and effect).  

I am thrilled to do this project. It gives direction to a project I had already started.  I have imagined creating a whole catalog of the herbs that I keep in my pantry and gardens so that any visitor to my home might be able to understand their purpose and use them too. While I will keep the homework assignment to a brief summation of the herb with a more academic tone, the larger project will include my personal memories of the herb. How I use the herb in culinary preparations. Memories I have of the herbs. A deeper sensory exploration of each herb.The energetics of the herb. Mystical fokloric tidbits. And how to use the herb in decor.  What a spectacular muse in preparation for and during the growing season. 

The first lesson of the Gladstar course is working with Nervines, of which nature happens to be full of. Imagine that we humans who live in constant fight or flight just happen, also, to be surrounded with plants that calm us, soothe our nerves, and help us sleep! I’m excited to learn more about the herbs in this lesson. Some I already grow and use: Chamomile, Catnip, Skullcap, Valerian, Hops, St. John’s Wort, Lemon Balm, Feverfew, Oats, and California Poppy. Others I don’t grow and am a bit unfamiliar with: Lobelia, Gotu Kola, Gingko, and Wood Betony. I think January will be a real chill month around here in more ways than one. 

Lucky for me, before the growing season begins, I can access herbs in bulk from a handful of apothecaries within minutes of my home. You’ll see me frequenting Mountain Rose Herbs, Wicklanders Roots, Snohomish Apothecary and Wellness Center, and the Sno-Isle Food Co-Op. All places I trust to have a wide selection of quality dried herbs. 

In a synchronous act I have had the raised beds redone in my herb garden space.  I can’t wait to fill the new beds and surrounding planting areas with not just the herbs I study, but also the herbs I love to use for flavor, and native edible plants from the PNW too. 

The space looks wonderful at the moment, after a nice pressure washing. I imagine this to be a fabulous gathering space. I imagine an outdoor classroom for sharing knowledge about everything from gardening and herbs to energetic healing. I imagine hosting botanical workshops here where we craft anything from medicine to wreaths. I imagine throwing a party or two here as well, anything from full moon fire circles to fancy cocktail parties. 

In the meantime, before planting season begins, during the cool slow days of winter, I will be found dreaming, scheming, studying, and readying myself for a very productive Spring.