Finding My Passion in Plants: Ladies of Hive Challenge
I haven't entered a 'Ladies of Hive' challenge for ages, but this one caught my eye just at a time I'm feeling incredible excitement about having the time to pursue a lifelong passion that brings me great joy - herbalism. The questions asks:
What is your number one passion, the thing you do that
makes you feel the most happy, peaceful, or satisfied?
I was talking to a friend of mine who's also quitting work this year and she was saying how lucky I am to have things outside of work that I'm passionate about - namely, gardening, surfing and yoga. They all bring me great joy in equal amounts, but for the purposes of this contemplation, it's studying and growing medicinal plants that is thrilling me the most!
“These people have learned not from books, but in the fields, in the wood, on the river bank. Their teachers have been the birds themselves, when they sang to them, the sun when it left a glow of crimson behind it at setting, the very trees, and wild herbs.”
― Anton Chekhov
I've always loved gardening, possibly because it's a creative venture as well as stress reliever. It gets my hands in the dirt and as close to nature as you can get, and as close to oneness as you can get. But a relationship with herbs is a whole other story, because each herb has a story.
Herbs - and I'm talking medicinal plants here, which include raspberries (raspberry leaf tea is a good hormoner balancer) and olives (olive leaf is great for the immune system) and weeds (plantain is fabulous for anything to do with bleeding, including UTIs) - have hiSTORY, which is fascinating. Go back to the 5th century and Hippocrates was listing herbs for common use. Basil was used in Egypt as part of the embalming process of kings. Go back to any point in the past and you'll find a story about plants - allies and poisons alike. And if history doesn't float your boat, try literature - there's 160 references to plants in all of Shakespeare’s works, loads of herbs and flowers, because people have had relationships with plants for millenia, and Shakespeare knew people.
Oberon: I know a bank where the wild thyme blows.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Act II, Scene 1)
Then there's botany, of course - the science-y side of herbalism, and astrology, and folklore, and ethnobotany which details our cultural relationship with plants. There's so many facets of herbalism that I feel it can stimulate me intellectually for the rest of my life.
“my favorite thing about you is your smell
you smell like
earth
herbs
gardens
a little more
human than the rest of us”
― Rupi Kaur
I really believe that everyone should have a working knowledge of herbs that can support and nourish our health. I think we used to - our grandmothers knew, for example, that chamomile would calm or that peppermint was good for digestion, but I think there's a real risk of this knowledge being lost, just at a time when we need it most. Hands in the dirt, hearts in the flowers, we need to connect to nature in order to connect to ourselves. I'm trying to find a way to bring this understanding to the communities I work with, both on HIVE, but also in the real life communities around me.
I feel this is the thing that is going to sustain and nourish me in the years to come, and I couldn't be more excited about it.
“When the nettle is young, the leaves make excellent greens; when it grows old it has filaments and fibers like hemp and flax. Cloth made from the nettle is as good as that made from hemp. Chopped up, the nettle is good for poultry; pounded, it is good for horned cattle. The seed of the nettle mixed with the fodder of animals gives a luster to their skin; the root, mixed with salt, produces a beautiful yellow dye. It makes, however, excellent hay, as it can be cut twice in a season. And what does the nettle need? very little soil, no care, no culture; except that the seeds fall as fast as they ripen, and it is difficult to gather them; that is all. If we would take a little pains, the nettle would be useful; we neglect it, and it becomes harmful. Then we kill it. How much men are like the nettle! My friends, remember this, that there are no weeds, and no worthless men, there are only bad farmers.”
― Victor Hugo
What are YOU most excited and passionate about? What thrills you. moves you, drives you?
I invite @kyleana and @andrastia to join in this challenge. :)
With Love,
The Herbal Hive Community
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Ooh River. You got me on this one hun. I tell you it's something I have always wanted to learn - the correct use of herbs on a daily basis instead of popping a pill for every ailment.
I love that you are so passionate about it and I'll see what info I have in my archives that you might find useful.
This is such a great topic and while reading I realized just how many things I am passionate about that I don't actually recognize the significance of unless I wasn't able to do them anymore. Definitely will put together a write up. It got me quite excited too 😁
It's quite nice to effuse about the things we love sometimes. And even examining them makes us realise how much those things bring purpose into our lives.
I think with herbs, we start with what we know, or what calls to us. Maybe it's that we have thyme in our garden, and we curiously taste and question it's use, do a bit of research, make a medicine from it. Or maybe it's an issue we have and we can figure out what herbs might support or assist. It's both as simple and as complicated as we make it.
I look forward to your post!
Good post. Really gardens provide relaxing atmosphere.
They do indeed - do you have a garden?
Yes i have but little one.
It is really nice when one identify the things that makes him/her happy outside of work, Because happiness answer all we ever asked for, a Happy heart is a glorious heart, it great that gardening makes you happy, your garden (farm) is one of a kind, seeing those plants you shred brings joy too.
thanks for your lovely words!
You are welcome
It's a great plus when someone have something that's add pleasure to ones life. It's bring happiness and opens ones heart to life. And remember that plants are life saver. Do have a wonderful day @riverflows
🌱Plants: An infinite passion. Welcome and thank you for sharing.
I am glad you have these things for when you stop working. I'm going to love reading about your expanding knowledge of herbs and their uses.
In India, Ayurveda is very popular - If you have not heard about Baba Ramdev then he set up a multi billion business out of Ayurveda. It's told, Ayurveda provide permanent treatment.
Yes you are such a wonderful herbalist, your love of plants has created 2 amazing communities now, providing us all with such a wonderful opportunity to share and learn. And yes, yes, yes to everyone embracing this wonderful empowering skill if connecting with plants xxxx
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You are right about gardening: it's a creative venture as well as a stress reliever.
I have herbs for cooking... basil, thyme, rosemary, parsley, cilantro.
Thanks for sharing @riverflows.
Good luck with the contest.
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Having a hobby outside of work is vital, I love plants too! Your passion is lovely and your love for nature is inspiring. I didn't know the interesting fact about the raspberry leaf tea, I wonder if it would help with hormonal acne?
Beautifully said. I to, find so much value in the peaceful time in my garden. For me it is so therapeutic to be participating in such natural and ancient activities. I am happy to hear you are moving on from teaching. I know it meant very much to you as well. Things change and those who can go with the flow, like yourself, (pun intended), always will find a new shore.
I found this poster, I thought you might appreciate it.
I totally appreciate that poster, it's amazing!!! We've been talking about what plants to smoke and this comes at just the right time! Thanks so much - adored this comment so much.
No such thing as coincidence, right ✌️🤙
beautiful post .. everything comes when it has to come dear. It is beautiful that you dedicate yourself to this. It is an infinite world, I still have a lot to learn, but I know that the most important thing is love for nature and being able to transmit the message. I have some books in digital, if they serve you ❤️. Being on a trip makes it difficult for me to catch up hehe
Thanks so much @thekittygirl xx