Sweet Remedy: Red Clover Plant Profile

I’m so happy to be writing about a plant that I grew up with and spent many a happy hour as a child creating crowns with. A field of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is a sight that fills me with happiness and I hope to share with you some of the ways that this common flower can be used in your herbal practice. You can find a printable version of the guide below in The Plant Ally Library.

So what does a flower associated with luck and the Good Folk have to offer when it comes to healing? Let’s learn!

image via @lesterhine

Red Clover
(Trifolium pratense)

Common + Folk Names : Sweet clover, bee bread, cow clover, honeystalks, marl grass, peavine clover, meadow honeysuckle, meadow trefoil, purple clover, three-leaves grass, trefoil, trifoil, trébol, cloeferwort. 

Tarot Cards : The Suit of Cups, the Star (learn more about the connections between the tarot and herbs)

Element : All Elements

Zodiac Signs : Cancer (Guardian)

Planets : Venus, Moon, Mercury

Moon Phase : New Moon

Parts used : Flower and leaf

Habitat : Native to Eurasia, North Africa, and North America, and widely naturalized in grassy areas and roadsides.

Growing conditions : Full to partial sun with moderate water.

Collection : Collect in spring and avoid collection in autumn due to issues with toxic mold.

Flavor : Sweet

Temperature : Cool

Moisture : Moist

Tissue State : Dryness (Atrophy), Tension (Constriction) - learn more about traditional western herbalism energetics.

Constituents : Protein, beta-carotene, B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, chromium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, selenium, silicon, flavonoids, phenolic glycosides, volatile oils, polysaccharides, isoflavones, salicylates, coumarins, cyanogenic glycosides.

Actions : Alterative, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antineoplastic, antitumor, antitussive, aperient, blood thinning, cardiotonic, deobstruent, depurative, diuretic, expectorant, galactagogue, laxative, nutritive, phytoestrogenic, sedative, vulnerary.

Main Uses : When I ask folks in my classes about early experiences with plants, one of the common memories mentioned is making crowns out of Clover blossoms, myself included. I grew up listening to stories of the Good Folk and woodland creatures savoring the sweetness of Clover and made plenty of Clover crowns (and necklaces and bracelets) as part of my childhood adventures. I've yet to live anywhere that I haven't spotted a variety of Clover growing in an open field or roadside and I find myself drawn to the blooms again and again whenever I have a chance to spend time in stillness out in a park or grassy area.

Before I started my formal herbal studies I knew of Red Clover's magickal qualities (more on that below) and learned about its value as a nutrient rich cover crop through my permaculture studies. It wasn't until I was a few years into my practice as an herbalist that I began to really appreciate the healing qualities of Red Clover when looking for herbs to support fertility. Since then, Red Clover has become one of my most trusted and reliable herbal support for folks hoping to conceive. The herb has a number of qualities which makes it so useful to supporting fertility including having an estrogenic effect on the internal reproductive organs which can be helpful in many ways including having a positive influence on ovulation. Red Clover can also be used for improving sperm count. I feel like Red Clover also helps with conception because it is nutrient rich, helps reduce stress, and assists with cleansing out energetic congestion. 

image via @j_blueberry

In addition to clearing out energetic congestion, Red Clover has a prized place in traditional western herbalism as a blood cleanser, helping to clear conditions of toxicity, and supporting the elimination of toxins from the body as a diuretic. Red Clover has an affinity for the blood and can be used for a variety of chronic blood conditions including anemia. Famed Appalachian herbalist Tommie Bass used Red and White Clover as a blood building tonic and it's an easy herb to add to your spring tonic blends to rebuild energy and the immune system after a long winter. The herb also supports the lymphatic system and helps to expel excess phlegm through its quality of thinning out and expulsion. A stiff neck that improves with heat is one of the indicators that Red Clover might be a useful and needed ally.

I really like Red Clover for menstrual cycles that are heavy and painful. Start using the herb as a tea a week before the menstrual cycle begins and then throughout the cycle - do this for a few months for best results. You can consider combining Red Clover with uterine tonic Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus) especially where cramps are overpowering. Crampbark (Viburnum opulus) or Black Haw (Viburnum prunifolium) can be used as needed for cramps, too. Red Clover is also a useful ally for menopause, helping to reduce uncomfortable symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and general irritability. The herb can be used as a tea and douche for vaginal infections.

In cases of coughs and congestion, Red Clover can be used to break up phlegm, soothe coughs, and clear bronchial passages. The herbs antiviral and anti-inflammatory qualities help to prevent the cold and flu from settling into the body. Use in post-cold blends and for recovery from fatigue-based diseases as a nutritive tonic and to help rebuild strength - especially wonderful in foot baths post-recovery to improve circulation and cleansing the lymph system. Red Clover has traditionally been used to treat hard swellings, cysts, nodules, and persistent inflammation in the body, including cancerous swellings and infections, especially of the lymphs, breasts, and ovaries. 

Red Clover is a wonderful skin ally, addressing issues of acne, eczema, psoriasis, and general skin inflammation. A lovely ally for teenagers as a tea and skin wash for acne. Use as a wash, bath, and/or salve for old skin wounds that are slow to heal and a hair rinse for an irritated scalp. A good choice for athlete's foot, all sorts of bites and stings (Culpeper notes its use as a remedy against adder bite), arthritic pain, burns, and general wound care. Herbalists Jalue Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal recommend combining equal parts of Red Clover with Curly Dock (Rumex crispus) in tincture form for chronic constipation, general toxicity, acne (or other inflamed skin conditions, and swollen glands. Use as an eyewash for conjunctivitis and a gargle for sore throats. 

image via @switch_dtp_fotografie

Magickal Uses : Red Clover is primarily a plant of luck and good fortune, helping to protect against baneful forces. Use the herb in all spells of luck and abundance. A four leaf clover is a lucky charm, especially if you found it yourself. Scott Cunningham has advice for each variety of leafed Clover:

"Two-leaved: If you find a two-leaved clover, you shall soon find a lover. Three-leaved: Trefoil, or three leaved clover, is worn as a protective amulet. Four-leaved: The four-leaved clover, if worn, helps men avoid military service. It also protects against madness, strengthens psychic powers, enables you to detect the presence of spirits, and leads the wearer to gold, money, or treasures. If two people eat a four-leaved clover, mutual love will result. Seven grains of wheat laid on a four-leaved clover will enable one to see fairies. If you put a four-leaved clover in your shoe before going out you will increase your chances of meeting a new love. Five-leaved: The five-leaved clover is powerful for attracting money, and should be worn for this purpose."⁴

With its strong association with the Good Folk, you can incorporate Red Clover (and all varieties of Clover) into rituals and magick involving Them. Red Clover is also a lucky charm to keep on you for cultivating fortuitous chance encounters. You can set the intention for this by writing down the type of encounter you're seeking (i.e. I want to meet someone who will help me get the job of my dreams) and folding the paper around a Clover leaf and blossom.

The Red Clover Personality : Red Clover folk can have the appearance of energetic and physical weakness due to feeling overwhelmed by the world around them. In other words, they are in the midst of a storm and are losing a sense of their center and who they are. There have been repeated experiences in their life that have led them to feeling unsteady in their sense of self which can further compromise an already inherently sensitive disposition. While not a strict rule, I would say that most Red Clover folk I've met would qualify as highly sensitive people. The lack of support and trust in their sensitivity often has been taught to them by caretakers, peers, and other people they are in significant relationship with, and they then proceed to perpetuate their own self-restricting cycles of denying, being frustrating with, and/or worn down by their sensitivity.

While there are many plant allies for sensitive folks, Red Clover folk seem to have a particular signature of denying their psychic and intuitive gifts which leads to a state of listlessness and an energetic cloudiness or congestion that feels impossible to clear. There might even be a fear of their own psychic gifts, sometimes stemming, in part, from frightening psychic experiences in their childhood. One of the beautiful paths of healing that Red Clover folk can take is to cultivate their psychic gifts while simultaneously connecting with the spirit of the Land they live with as well as ancestral Lands. Red Clover can help them to feel strengthened and grounded in their sensitivity through this approach of Land-centered intuitive practice so that they can flourish in their many ways of experiencing the world.

Contraindications : Avoid with blood thinner medication or if you have a bleeding disorder. Avoid at least a week before surgery. Avoid altogether or use only in pregnancy and breastfeeding in small doses with guidance from an herbal practitioner. 

Drug interactions : Caution with anticoagulants, salicylates, and Warfarin.

Dosage : Standard dosage.

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If you’ve connected to the story of Red Clover as an ally for folks with heightened sensitivity, check out my other recommendations for highly sensitive folk. You might find plant allies like Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) useful, too.

I hope you find a lot of joy and play working with Red Clover!

This post was made possible through patron support.
❤︎ Thanks, friends. ❤︎

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Footnotes

1. Rebecca Beyer, Mountain Magic: Explore the Secrets of Old Time Witchcraft (New York, NY: Wellfleet Press, 2023), 51.

2. Nicholas Culpeper, and J. J. Pursell, Culpeper's Complete Herbal: A Compendium of Herbs and Their Uses, Annotated for Modern Herbalists, Healers, and Witches (Portland, OR: Microcosm Publishing, 2022), 89.

3. Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal, Backyard Medicine: Harvest and Make Your Own Herbal Remedies (New York: Castle Books, 2012), 141.

4. Scott Cunningham, Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (St. Paul, MN: Llewellyn, 2001), 87.

The Heart Deserves to Be Held: Motherwort Plant Profile

I’ve been planning on sharing this plant profile with you for a few months, corresponding with the release of my newest course, Solace: Herbs & Essences for Highly Sensitive People (which has been a joy to create and if you have a moment, please check it out). The time has arrived and I sit here writing this, heart-breaking, as the world moves closer to what seems like another wave of impossible horror that has become all too real again.

Sometimes it feels like there are too many wars, too many social and environmental battles, too many things which need to be fought, and too little hope that anything can be won.

That old and ancient part of my brain tries to calculate what it can do, singly, and with great effort, to turn the tide. Counting resources, making maps to find hidden answers, calculating transactions of courage and desperation. It’s a part of many of our brains that has been overactive for years now as the world seems to be coming undone over and over.

And yet, an even older part of myself, the most ancient heart and seat of primordial consciousness reaches out and finds a vast collective reaching back. It takes many hands to hold a heart throughout a lifetime, to support its growth, to mend its wounds, to tend to its spark of life. And I start to remember… It is not about moving beyond the collective to become something individually extraordinary, but to tend to the weave and weft of our community web so that when a need of any one of us arises, deft hands of support mend and repair, hold and affirm, strengthen and love.

So I continue to do what I am called to do alongside the new things which must be adapted to. I teach about plants and the ways they connect us to our humanity, to our experience of and being Land, and the ways we care for ourselves when it seems like we’re all having to learn to breathe underwater. Because the point is not to win and be right and righteous, but to live fully in the immensity of the collective during times that seek to make us feel divided and small.

Maybe Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) knew that they would be needed now and planted the seed in my mind to wait to write about them until this late winter season. It’s the sort of magick that Motherwort is known for. They are in so many ways one of the best allies to be offering insights about right now and I hope you’ll find some inspiration and comfort with the healing gifts they carry.

image source

Motherwort
(Leonurus cardiaca)

Common + Folk Names : Lion’s ear, lion’s tail, throw-wort, parentwort, niibiishikaabijigan

Element : Fire, Air

Zodiac Signs : Leo

Planet : Sun, Venus

Moon Phase : Full Moon

Parts Used : Aerial parts

Habitat : Native to Europe and western Asia, naturalized worldwide.

Growing Conditions : Partial shade to full sun with light, sandy soil.

Collection : Collect the flowering tops. 

Flavor : Pungent, bitter

Temperature : Cool

Moisture : Dry

Tissue State : Tension, Dryness

Constituents : Beta-carotene, calcium, potassium, flavonoids, citric and malic acid, alkaloids, bitter glycosides, caffeic acid, essential oil, phytoesterols, tannins, resin, triterpenes, leonurine, vitamin A. 

Actions : Antispasmodic, antifungal, antirheumatic, anxiolytic, cardiotonic, hypotensive, diaphoretic, hemostatic, hypotensie, astringent, bitter, parturient, emmenagogue, nervine, sedative, vasodilator, thymoleptic, immunostimulant, antiviral, antibacterial.

Main Uses

Motherwort is a classic heart tonic in the Traditional Western Herbalism materia medica. Look at its Latin binomial and you’ll get insight into the herb’s qualities as a “Lion Hearted” herb. Motherwort improves the condition of a weakened or out-of-sync heart including arrhythmia, angina, and a heart muscle that lacks tone. Signs to look for when considering Motherwort are heart palpitations (especially those caused by stress, nervousness or anxiety), shortness of breath, and those who need some “mothering” or compassionate parenting. The herb reduces high blood pressure, alleviates palpitations and hypertension, and generally strengthens the heart’s tone. It also reduces high cholesterol and atherosclerosis.

The herb’s connection to the heart is also closely linked to the uterus, making it an herb of the birthing room, helping to start labor, relieve the pain of childbirth, and prevent postpartum infections. Look for signs of emotional distress during labor where the birthing parent doesn’t feel like “they have the heart” to continue on with labor because they feel tired and worn down (the flower essence is especially useful in these situations, too). The herb and/or essence is also useful for midwives, birth assistants, and doulas to take while supporting labor and postpartum. After labor, Motherwort also helps with the birth of the placenta. It is a wonderful herb to include in postpartum blends to prevent and alleviate postpartum blues and depression. On an additional level, herbalist Karen M. Rose notes that Motherwort "teaches us to flow from the heart, addressing deep rooted ancestral trauma stored in the womb." (1)

Historical image of Motherwort from Theatrum Botanicum - source

As we’ll look at further in the Motherwort Personality section below, Motherwort is an ally that helps folks to connect with the energy of a nurturing parent who is unwavering in their love and kindness. It is one of my favorite plants to recommend to all folks who are going through the work of reparenting themselves and especially highly sensitive people who may have been rejected in some way by caregivers and/or peers because of their sensitivity. Listen for language that the inner child needs caring for.

The other medicinal reproductive qualities of Motherwort include helping to bring on delayed menses and to relieve cramp and back ache. The herb is good for PMS that brings on feelings of agitation, frustration, and anger, as well as other signs of heat, such as hot flashes and menstrual headaches. During perimenopause and menopause, Motherwort can act as an ally in these times of change both emotionally and physically (such as helping to alleviate hot flashes). Motherwort can also be used in a douche or vaginal steam for infections such as candida and bacterial vaginosis.

Motherwort is a useful herb for pain-relief and management, alleviating conditions such as neuralgia, sciatica, rheumatism, and postpartum pain. As an herb with powerful emotional uplifting qualities, Motherwort helps relieve depression and has been used in the treatment of bipolar conditions. The herb works on the sympathetic nervous system, bringing calm and soothing energy, which can help to alleviate nervousness, insomnia, restlessness, and general anxiety. It is especially useful for all of these reasons during menopause. Motherwort is like a hug in a tea cup and is an herb that shifts energy for the better faster than most other herbs I have encountered.

Digestively, Motherwort is a bitter with a side of joy. It is excellent for those whose digestion gets tied in knots because of anxiety and nervousness. Think of folks who would be best served by receiving some of their parent’s best home cooking. The herb stimulates digestion, awakens the metabolism, and helps with the absorption of nutrients. As a cooling herb it alleviates overly hot and acidic digestion which can lead to heartburn. 

Other uses of Motherwort include during times of fever, ‘flu, and cold when there is debility and exhaustion. It is especially good in the recovery period. The herb calms an overactive thyroid. In general, Motherwort is calming to many body systems, especially when there is a notable influence by anxiety or nervousness. 

Magickal Uses

Motherwort is protective in general but especially during pregnancy and childbirth. Keep as a charm in the home to bring about peace. Use to connect with the energy and wisdom of the Lion. The herb protects against harmful entities and spirits. I think it is especially useful in helping alleviate hauntings, whether emotional hauntings of the spirit and mind, or unwanted ghosts. Motherwort has a long folkloric tradition of being allied with those who identify as womxn. Herbalist Deb Soule has wise words to share about the connection between womxn-identified folk and Motherwort and what she writes is similar to the oral traditions that I was taught (2) about Motherwort, too:

Leonurus cardiaca means lion hearted. I think motherwort is strong medicine for women to put in dream pillows, to have in dried flower arrangements near our beds, by the telephone, in our workplaces, and to have growing in our gardens. We need courage to heal the various ways we have been wounded and have not been allowed to be the powerful, intelligent, wise women that we are. Motherwort gives us courage to be our true selves and to develop a strong heart, like the lion's heart. Strong hearts filled with courage are able to do anything. It takes a lot of courage to mother ourselves and children in a world that does not yet entirely value mothering, women, and children. (3)

image source

The Motherwort Personality

ARGH! The Motherwort person groans and shouts. They are impatient and snappish, letting folks know they are irritated and unhappy. Their heart races, there is redness in their face, and they can’t seem to rest and calm down. Motherwort folk are frustrated and agitated. Their heart feels heavy, over-heated, and wild. They may even be feeling heartbroken. Sometimes their anger is quiet and smoldering, but it is still burning them up. Motherwort is for the frustrated folks crying hot tears. The herb will help them cool off, calm down, and find their peace. Perhaps as children anger was the only way to feel heard and/or to feel safe, but now it is an overdeveloped force that needs to be balanced with other tools of emotional expression.

They will not find their peace by fighting their way towards peace and Motherwort will help them lay down the parts of their anger that is no longer serving them. Motherwort helps folk to connect with the energy of a nurturing parent who is unwavering in their love and kindness - sometimes it helps us to connect with an actual parent, but more often it helps us to reparent ourselves. In the end Motherwort teaches gentleness, especially gentleness towards themselves, by showing gentleness, so they may be gentle towards others and find the connection they are seeking in appropriate ways.

Contraindications : Do not use in cases of menorrhagia. Use only in the last part of pregnancy with supervision of an herbalist as it can start labor.

Drug interactions : None known.

Dosage : Standard Dosage, but drop dosage is a common recommendation for Motherwort, especially for emotional support: 1 - 3 drops (1:2 fresh or 1:5 dried 60% alcohol extract), 1 - 3 times daily.

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I hope this post finds folks who are need of the type of support that Motherwort can provide. And in the spirit of supporting the collective, here are a round-up of resources for supporting the people of Ukraine.

Let's continue to work for peace, share resources, and take care of one another.

This post was made possible through patron support.
❤︎ Thanks, friends. ❤︎

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Footnotes

(1) Karen M. Rose, The Art & Practice of Spiritual Herbalism: Transform, Heal, & Remember with the Power of Plants and Ancestral Medicine (Beverly, MA: Quarto Publishing, 2022), 110.

(2) I imagine the Deb taught teachers of my teachers somewhere along the line of feminists (particularly queer ones) reclaiming bodily autonomy and reconnection to land through working with plants. I've also had the pleasure of meeting Deb and the land she lives with, Avena Botanicals, and she embodies so much of what she teaches about Motherwort. She helped me see myself as an herbalist, as a dyke who loves the land, which carried me through what would be a very straight world for the first few years of my herbal studies and I am so grateful for that courage.

(3) Deb Soule, The Roots of Healing: A Woman's Book of Herbs (New York: Citadel Press, 1995), 120.

Gathering Ourselves Together: Plant Allies to Support Connection Without Burnout

The season of Solstice - both Winter and Summer - can be a time of increased gatherings and social outings with friends and family. Some of these get-togethers are easier to attend than others. Almost all of these gatherings draw us out of our normal everyday lives into extensively social ones with all the feelings, expectations, and (hopefully!) joy that can come with them. For those with social anxiety or neurodiversities which make social gatherings challenging, as well as empaths and highly sensitive folks, there can be an extra layer sensory and energetic input to have to contend with. Through all of the ups and downs and in-betweens of social gatherings it's important to take care of yourself and allow yourself to be cared for (Reach out for support! Ask for help!) in ways that help you connect better with those you love. 

So before you head out to gather with others, here are a few herbs that help you gather yourself together first.

All of the plants I'm discussing below can also be used as flower essences if that is what you have on hand or are inspired to create your own. Each of these herbs can be blended with the other whether as a tea or tincture, herbal bath or oil. I have chosen plants that are easy to find at local co-ops or from herbalists, easy to grow if you have the time and space, and are all considered generally safe (with the minor exception that some folks with ragweed allergies are sensitive to Chamomile). 

image via @yoyoqua

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is a gentle ally for all ages. If you're going to be eating and drinking together with others, Chamomile can be a great either before eating or after a meal as a tea or tincture. The herb is a gentle form of digestive bitters and while lively meals in different places and times than we are used to eating can be a joy, it can sometimes be a bit of a strain on the digestive tract. Chamomile also offers emotional support as a nervine (i.e. nervous system tonic) and is particularly useful for those folks who feel stress, anxiety, and general upset in their stomach. One of the key indicators for Chamomile is someone who is quick to anger and irritation when they find themselves in uncomfortable or stressful situations - if this is you, Chamomile might be a great ally to work with. It can also be a great herb to prepare as a milky tea for little ones in your life who struggle with the unexpected nature of new places. Learn more about Chamomile and all of it's healing qualities.

image via @phillip_larking

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a magickal plant. I mean, all plants are magickal, so Lemon Balm is not particularly unique in that sense, but it is one of those plants whose magick feels incredibly relevant to our modern struggles. A few years back I was really struggling with social situations of all sorts and feeling more and more like I would be permanently on the outside looking in. Walking under the Full Moon feeling decidedly un-enchanted but casting spells in the ways that Witches do when they go walking while in great need, I felt drawn to a Lemon Balm plant growing on the side of the road in a tiny strip of garden (Goddess bless these slivers of tenaciously verdant refuges in urban spaces and those who care for them). Sitting with them, illuminated by moonlight, I found myself in the presence of a great harmonious hum. What I learned from Lemon Balm, plant of Bee Priestesses, was that there was a way to be in harmony with the collective without having to make myself into something I was not and without feeling over-run by social interactions. Were all my issues healed there on the spot as a hummed along with Lemon Balm under the Full Moon light? No, but they showed me a possibility that I didn't think possible for me, helping me remember that to harmonize takes a lot of different types of noises, lots of different types of people, but a harmony can exist between them all. 

Lemon Balm is a plant of life and joy, but it has this amazing power to help us feel in harmony with the world around us instead of constantly out of step. Perhaps this is the way the plant works on our nervous system, helping to bring about a state of homeostasis. Or maybe it is the way that Lemon Balm clears brain fog and helps us focus on what it is we want and need in our lives. What I've found over the many years of working with Lemon Balm is that they have a way of filtering out the noise so that we can connect with the hum. It can be social media noise, the noise of exhaustion and stress (it is a classic herb for postpartum for these reasons), the noise of self-doubt or whatever noise is isolating you these days. When it comes to social events and gatherings, these can be noisy events whether literally or emotionally, and Lemon Balm can be a beautiful ally to work with to help you feel connected to the situation at hand but not overwhelmed by it. I recommend taking Lemon Balm over an extended period of time for best results, but having the tea or tincture with you as you gather with others can be helpful for acute situations, too. Feeling inspired by Lemon Balm? Read more about them.

image by author

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Have you ever experienced Calendula (Calendula officinalis) herbal oil? For a lot of practitioners trained in western herbalism the making of Calendula oil is a nearly ubiquitous experience in the first year of training. This was certainly true for me and it's because if a practitioner of western herbalism is likely to use an herbal oil in their practice Calendula is probably going to be at the top of the list because it comes from an abundantly available, self-seeding plant and is just so heart-blossomingly lovely to use. What I love about Calendula oil, especially if you are using it in the winter months, is that it brings some summer courage and confidence to the physical and energetic body. Taking care not just of our physical body, but our energetic ones, is necessary when we're gathering with others, especially in situations that are less than ideal. Calendula sings "I know who I am and I love it!" and helps us feel the same especially when we are met with dismissal or cruelty at our self-expression and truth-living (hello especially to my beautiful alphabet soup and trans and nonconforming queerdos whose families of origins haven't been able to see you yet). Of course, you can use Calendula in tea or tincture form, and it is wonderful in baths and as a hydrosol, but I think there is a brave sort of magick that emerges from blessing your physical form with the oil of this bright blossom before entering into the fray of social situations. If you're resonating with what I've written so far about Calendula be sure to read more about them.

image source

Milky Oat (Avena sativa)

I love Milky Oat (Avena sativa) and Milky Oat loves you. A powerful and nourishing nervous system tonic, Milky Oat is a beloved plant ally of mine. While you can read my whole profile on them, what I want to focus on for this post is the way that Milky Oat helps us to healing parental energies. There are a few herbs which seem to help us humans connect with a spirit of a kind and generous parent, like Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) and Pine (Pinus sylvestris), and I find Milky Oat to fit well into this category. When kids grow up not getting the appropriate levels of emotional security and attachment from the parental figures in their life this often leads to a dysregulation of the nervous system (and often intense burnout around the first Saturn Return, i.e. when folks are about to enter into their third decade of life). Milky Oat can help to repair the nervous system and teach it how to find homeostasis all while making space for folks to re-parent their inner child even while they are interacting with and sometimes still parenting their own parents.

They’re a great plant ally as adjunct support before and after therapy sessions as well as if you're spending any time at home during the winter or even if you're sticking away from family but the holidays bring up a lot of feelings. What I love about working with plants when it comes to our big and complicated feelings is that we don't have to worry about wearing out our welcome with them. You could spend hours in a field of Milky Oat telling them your problems and they will continue to dance and sway with gentle encouragement. But what's even more magickal about herbs and how they help us experience our feelings is that they help guide us to the people and places we need to meet in order to feel more whole and better supported. If what I've written about Milky Oat resonates with you, be sure to check out the full profile I've written and especially the section on the Milky Oat personality.

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If you're looking for more support of the divinatory persuasion, here's a spread to help clarify the dynamic of any kind of relationship and here's one to help you connect with your future self (because getting together with family can sometimes make us feel like we're stuck in the past). If creating lists and systems is the way that you cope with the added stress of the holidays, how about putting together a winter apothecary? Or a deep dive into the energetics of traditional western herbalism?

Another practice that I find essential for navigating social spaces is breathwork so I've shared my favorite simple breathwork meditation to help you ground and center. Because while we don’t always have access to plant medicine we always have access to our breath.

Wherever the season finds you, may you find lots of rest and plenty of peace.

This post was made possible through patron support.
❤︎ Thanks, friends. ❤︎

Restoring Joy: Lemon Balm Plant Profile

One of the first herbs to emerge in my garden in the early spring is Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis). It’s an herb that is usually introduced early in the education of a traditional western herbalist because it is not only versatile in its use, it is pleasant in its taste, and has very few contraindications. It’s a prized plant in the collection of remedies for children - gentle, effective, and a plant that little ones can learn to harvest from a young age. I’ve loved Lemon Balm a good long while for they are easy to love and love generously in return.

Along with Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), I think they are a plant of our times, helping us to navigate the rapidly changing world of social engagement and technology without losing our connection to the collective soul. Lemon Balm helps us to resonate within ourselves and in the world around us, leading us back into community through our healing. And when we arrive back home, sweet Lemon Balm is there, shining our joy right back at us.

image source

Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis

Folk Names:  Balm, Bee Balm, Dropsy Plant, Heart’s Delight, Melissa

Element : Water

Moon Phase: Full Moon

Zodiac Signs : Carries the energy of Cancer, Libra, and Pisces. A remedy for Aries, Leo, Virgo, and Aquarius.

Planets : Jupiter, Mercury, Venus

Tarot Cards: The Chariot (focus), The Wheel of Fortune (adaptation), 5 of Cups (to uplift the spirit), 10 of Wands (burnout). Learn more about the intersections of herbalism and the tarot.

Parts used : Aerial parts

Habitat : Native of southern Europe, but widely cultivated.

Growing conditions : Full sun to partial shade with moderate watering and well-drained soil. 

Collection : Collect leaves and flowers throughout spring and summer.

Flavor : Sour

Temperature : Cool

Moisture : Dry

Tissue State : Heat, Damp/Stagnation

Constituents : Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, essential oils, polyphenolics, resin, flavonoids, succinic acid

Actions : Antibacterial, antidepressant, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antispasmodic, antiviral, aromatic, carminative, cholagogue, diaphoretic, digestive, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hepatic, nervine, sedative, digestive, vasodilator

Medicinal uses : Paracelsus, an alchemist and astrologer, prized Lemon Balm as a remedy that was said to be capable of restoring life. Within traditional western herbalism, Lemon Balm is most often used to lift the spirits, invigorate stagnate body systems, nourish the nervous system, and improve overall vitality. English herbalist, Thomas Bartram, notes that Lemon Balm is used “[t]o strengthen the brain in its resistance to shock and stress” as well as its effectiveness in “protect[ing] the cerebrum of the brain” and treating “autonomic disorders - an action similar to modern tranquilisers… usually combined with Peppermint.” (1) Acting on the limbic system of the brain (instinct and mood), the herb is gently sedating and useful for hyperactivity, tension, and nervousness.

In my experience, Lemon Balm has been one of the most reliable herbs when it comes to not only helping to alleviate stress but to restore joy. An extended practice of drinking Lemon Balm tea over the period of a few months can help to support our ability to heal after traumatic events but also the accumulation of stress over the years. But it is also good for times of transition which is why it is an herb that I frequently recommend in the postpartum period which can test our ability to hold joy amongst lack of sleep, changing hormones, big life adjustments, and the general stresses that life with a newborn can bring. In general, I find that Lemon Balm helps us to walk that line between the things which stress us out and bring us joy. It’s a good herb for those dealing with general social anxiety, for example, where there is a need for connection but sometimes difficulty in showing up in community spaces.

Lemon Balm helps alleviate colds and the ‘flu as well as recovery from debilitating illness. It’s a great herb for feverish children - consider combining with Elder flower and berry (Sambucus nigra), Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), and Peppermint (Mentha piperita). Alternatively, use as a bath for those children who are resistant to taking tea. The hot tea is antiviral and can be drunk internally or used externally on cases of herpes simplex lesions.

As a carminative herb, Lemon Balm is excellent in cases of spasms along the digestive tract, relieving flatulence and indigestion. As it is tied to uplifting the spirits and relieving anxiety, the herb is well used in cases of “nervous stomach” where an upset stomach is caused by tension, depression, and stress. Headaches, migraines, insomnia, and other anxiety-induced symptoms are soothed by Lemon Balm. A great herb for children, Lemon Balm can be drunk as a tea before bed to alleviate nightmares and is good for those children who are prone to anxiety about school, exams, and general performance. In cases of hyperthyroidism, Lemon Balm has shown to have hormone-regulating effects that help to rebalance thyroid function. Anne McIntyre notes that Lemon Balm is used in Carmelite water for heart complaints which combines Lemon Balm and Lemon peel with nutmeg and angelica root as “a useful remedy when nervousness, agitation or depression cause heart pains, palpitations or an irregular heartbeat.” (2)

The sour taste of Lemon Balm helps to awaken the energies of the liver, helping us to process the sluggish and slower energies of winter (or wintering/stagnant states of the body regardless of the time of year) bring the energy of spring into our bodies. Sour tastes in herbs often let us know that vitamin C and other nutrients are present and usually indicate astringent qualities to a plant helping to tonify the body system it works on.

I love taking a bath infused with the hot tea of fresh Lemon Balm leaves and flowers. The plant has an energy that is similar to a soft caress, helping us to quiet our busy minds and be guided by our own healing. I suggest Lemon Balm to many who are in the healing fields, as well as empaths and highly sensitive people, since I find that it helps to open us up as conduits of healing energy without burning out from always trying to assist others and end up overextending ourselves. The herb is grounding without being overbearing which can be especially useful with Water signs (Cancer, Scorpio, Pisces) who respond best to grounding energy that allows them to still float gently in their energetic currents.

Topically, Lemon Balm can be used as an oil or liniment for its antihistamine properties. It’s a great plant to add to herbal steams to clear up congestion and relaxing spasmodic coughs. Use in mouthwashes for ulcers, gum infections, and general toothache. Combine with Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and Garlic herbal oil for ear infections.

image source

Magickal uses : The powers of Lemon Balm are of the ancient Bee Priestesses of Greece from which the herb gets its Latin binomial Melissa. The Melissae or “bees” were Priestesses of the Goddess Demeter, at other times said to be of Venus, and Melissa was also another name for the Moon Goddess Artemis. Bees are messengers of the Goddesss and so Lemon Balm imparts a certain quality of peaceful wisdom to those who ingest it. As an herb sacred to the Goddess and her Priestesses, it is an excellent addition to charms of loving, healthy relationships between friends, family, covenmates, and lovers. An excellent addition to baths, Lemon Balm fills the bather with amorous energy that can be applied to any number of goals.

The Lemon Balm Personality : The Lemon Balm person tends to be nervous and on edge. Panic attacks are a familiar experience and sometimes seems to be a primary way of engaging any stressful change in their life. Such constant state of worry and stress can lead to mental fatigue and burnout. Lemon Balm folks are often the helpers and givers in their relationships - they not only worry for themselves but they worry about everyone else, too. This brings about a state of spiritual restriction and emotional tension that often leads to debilitating burnout if not tended to preventatively. Lemon Balm folks need a release valve and the plant helps to reconnect the heart to the head, and deliver messages of calm when all seems topsy-turvy. One of the most healing works that Lemon Balm folks can take is finding a way back into community, learning how to be seen and held by others, adding their song to the buzz of those who love them.

Contraindications : May interfere with thyroid medications.

Dosage : Standard dosage. 1 – 30 drops 1:5 extract up to three times daily. 2 -3 teaspoons dried herb or 4 -6 grams fresh herb per 1 cup water.

image via @phillip_larking

Recipes

Spring + Summer Magick Herbal Tea

A simple tea to help you transition into the magick of the warmer seasons. Cooling, calming, and heart-supporting. Blend together the following herbs:

• 2 parts Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

• 1 part Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

• 1/4 part Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

This recipe can also be adapted into a tincture or herbal honey. Make into an herbal oil for a soothing topical treatment for bumps, bruises and sore muscles.

Dream Pillow

Make a dream pillow with blue fabric and the dried leaves and flowers of Lemon Balm at the Full Moon, charging it overnight under the Full Moon’s light. Place it under your pillow or bed to encourage divine dreaming and communication.

Lemon Balm Honey

Infuse raw honey with fresh Lemon Balm leaves and flowers to create a deliciously cool syrup for sore throats, fevers, and to aid recovery from illness.

I hope that you’re finding time to dwell in gardens during this season of Aries - whether it’s the unfolding season of spring in the northern hemisphere or the slow inward journey of fall in the southern hemisphere.

My Lemon Balm profile is available to download from The Plant Ally Library where you can access all of my plant profiles. If you want to learn more about Lemon Balm, they’re an ally I turn to during fire season, for community care, and they’re a wonderful friend for empaths and highly sensitive people.

This post was made possible through patron support.
❤︎ Thanks, friends. ❤︎

 (1) Bartram, Thomas. Bartram's Enyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. Robinson, 1998. 48.

(2) McIntyre, Anne. Flower Power: Flower Remedies for Healing Body and Soul through Herbalism, Homeopathy, Aromatherapy, and Flower Essences. Holt, 1996. 158.

Herbs and Essences for Empaths and Highly Sensitive People

Edit: Inspired by this post and the request of readers, I wrote a whole course for plant allies and highly sensitive people - check it out!

I learned what an empath was when I was about 12 years old and it was a turning point in my young development.

Having a name for what felt like an overwhelming experience of the emotional vibrations of others that felt like something bigger than just hormonal changes led me to learning techniques to protecting my sensitive side. Even though I wasn’t ingesting much herbal medicine at that point I would wear herbs and stones as charms and found that gentle magick to work well for me. I also learned how to ground and center as well as basic shielding and warding which are not only essential skills for empaths and highly sensitive folks but for anyone pursuing magickal studies. These skills made my teen years way more tolerable and shaped me into the herbalist and witch that I am today.

But what is an empath? Or highly sensitive person? While the two terms are not interchangeable they are similar enough in my opinion that my herbal and essence-based recommendations can be applied to both. An empath is a person who has the ability to perceive and experience the feelings of other people and sometimes places. We are all empathic, but some folks empathic ability is heightened to a point that it can become overwhelming or distracting in their life. Because of their skill set many empaths go into the healing and therapeutic arts.

Highly sensitive people (HSPs) experience a heightened sense of their surroundings and may even have a more sensitive nervous system. They are often keyed in to the subtleties of others and their surroundings (including sound, light, texture, and smell) than non-HSPs. Again, everyone is prone to be more sensitive to at least one sense - HSPs are generally more sensitive in all of their senses which, like empaths, can lead to becoming easily overwhelmed. Due to their sensitivity, however, lots of HSPs thrive in the arts and activities that require great amounts of subtlety.

In short, empaths experience a heightened sensitivity to their emotional environment, whereas HSPs experience a generalized heightened sensitivity. Of course, some folks are both Empaths and HSPs while other folks are one or the other.

When it comes to herbs and essences my recommendation for Empaths and Highly Sensitive People is as follows: 

Make friends with a nervine.

Connect with an adaptogen.

Create your custom rescue remedy.

These three remedies combined with a grounding, centering, and shielding practice can be beautifully effective in protecting your energetic senses and supporting your physical form. A bit of thorn magick helps, too. I’ll also talk about additional ways of supporting your Empathic or HSP self that I have found useful for myself and my community over the years. I’ve listed some of my favorite herbal allies for Empaths and HSPs below but as always, I I recommend doing your research or working with an herbalist to find the ones best suited for your constitution.

Make Friends with a Nervine

Nervines are herbs that are nourishing and restorative to the nervous system. There are two main types of nervines: relaxing and stimulating. We’ll be focusing on the relaxing nervines for our needs as Empaths and HSPs are often overstimulated when they’re feeling out of balance. Nervines help the body to return to a state of rest and relaxation and many of them are great tonic herbs meaning that they can be taken daily for a long time. I’ve listed a number of my favorite herbs for Empaths and HSPs below, highlighting three that I’m particularly fond of.

Milky Oat (Avena sativa) : I was just talking about Milky Oat in my most recent newsletter. It’s known as a tophorestorative to the nervous system meaning that it brings the nervous system back into balance. Milky Oat is a great nutritive herb that can be taken on a daily basis. I love it for Empaths and HSPs because it feels gentle in the body but has a powerful and long-lasting effect. Read my full plant profile on Milky Oat.

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) : Skullcap is great for symptoms of anxiety, especially when there are hurried and worried thoughts, that can accompany heightened sensitivity. I’ve written about Skullcap a number of times including as an ingredient one of my favorite self-care teas that I highly recommend for Empaths and HSPs. Read my full Skullcap plant profile.

Rose (Rosa damascena) : Beautiful, amazing, unfolding Rose! Rose has gentle nervine qualities with the extra magick of thorn medicine. Rose is an ancient herbal ancestor and they’ve been a guide of healing wisdom through the ages - who better to turn to when life feels too big and overwhelming than to one who has seen it all and thrived? 

Additional nervine options:

• Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica)

• Blue Vervain (Verbena officinalis)

• Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

• Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

• Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

• Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

• St. Joan’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)

Connect with an Adaptogen

Adaptogens are herbs that help us to adapt to stress. They are not meant to be a replacement to good stress management and therapeutic support, but they are excellent at supporting are ability to shift perspective and reconnect to a place of centeredness within ourselves. Many adaptogens can be stimulating because part of learning how to adapt to stress is having all of our organ systems working well and adaptogenic herbs can help to wake up sluggish systems. Too much stimulation from an herb, however, can be detrimental to Empaths and HSPs, but not always. Again, get to know yourself and your constitution when choosing herbs. I’ve listed adaptogens that are less stimulating in their energy as compared to some adaptogens, but still bring in that much needed ability to restore the body to balance after a period of stress.

Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) : I really like Eleuthero because of it’s gentle nature (you might be sensing a theme here with the emphasis on gentleness as an important form of remedy for Empaths and HSPs). It can be used with young and old for an extended period of time without overstimulation. Eleuthero strengthens our energy and inner vitality which in turn supports the resiliency of Empaths and HSPs. If you’ve found other adaptogens to be too stimulating, you might find yourself enjoying Eleuthero.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) : Empaths and HSPs could learn a lot from the vibratory interconnectedness of the mushroom kingdom. Like other adaptogens, Reishi supports vitality and longevity with especial attention paid to the immune system. Reishi can help Empaths and HSPs transition from feeling overwhelmed by their heightened perceptions to being grounded in their gifts of interconnectedness.

Additional adaptogen options:

• Sacred Basil (Ocimum sanctum)

• Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

• Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis)

• Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)

Create your Custom Rescue Remedy

Here’s where the essence part of my recommendations come in. Many of you are probably familiar with Dr. Edward Bach’s Rescue Remedy. It’s a staple in many a holistic apothecary and for good reason - it’s effective, non-invasive, and can be used for everyone. If you don’t have time to put together your own personal rescue remedy based on my recommendations below, just go ahead and get your own bottle of Dr. Bach’s Rescue Remedy - it’ll serve you well.

The idea of a custom rescue remedy is to create an essence blend that meets your unique needs and the type of stress response you find yourself going through again and again. I’ve given recommendations for essences from the Bach and Flower Essence Society companies because they are easy to find in wellness stores and online. I’ve also recommended a handful of gem essences which you can either make yourself or find online. You can choose a 2 - 4 essences from the list below (or any that you come across in your studies) and combine a few drops of each into a one-ounce dosage bottle that you can then take 1 - 3 drops from as needed or three times daily as a tonic. Trust your intuition - your extra sensitivity is meant to help and guide you - and create a blend that will help you integrate useful information and leave out the rest.

Yarrow Environmental Essence : This is actually a blend of essences that I highly recommend for HSPs. In fact, if you were to take one essence long term, this is the one that I recommend. Yarrow Environmental Essence helps HSPs to deal with their increased sensitivity while also protecting against the impact of overstimulating and polluted environments. It’s an essence blend that I take regularly but one that I make sure to have with me any time that I travel as it’s an excellent adventuring companion.

Black Tourmaline Gemstone + Essence : A wonderfully protective and grounding essence for those Empaths and HSPs struggling to feel safe and centered in the world. I recommend keeping a piece of the stone near your work or study space as well as wearing it on your person in addition to using it as a gem essence.

Red Chestnut Flower Essence : Red Chestnut is especially useful for Empaths who get caught up in the emotions of others, trying to take on other’s problems, and become the ultimate harmonizer of all situations everywhere. The essence helps remind Empaths that these are not their feelings and they are not responsible for them. The essence teaches appropriate boundary-making.

Additional flower and gem essence options:

• Rose (Rosa damascena) Flower Essence

• Beech (Fagus Sylvatica) Flower Essence

• Aspen (Populus tremuloides) Flower Essence

• Dill (Anethum graveolens) Flower Essence

• Campion (Silene californica) Flower Essence

• Smoky Quartz Gem Essence

• Rose Quartz Gem Essence

• Kyanite Gem Essence

• Garnet Gem Essence

🌿

Looking for plant allies for social gatherings? Come this way.

It's my hope for you that after reading this post you feel like you have a few new tools to use on your journey as an Empath and/or Highly Sensitive Person through this world. We need your gentleness and attention to subtlety to help keep us paying attention to the heartlines of the world.

P.S. Interested in learning more about your unique gifts and sensitivities as a healer? I've created a space to help you discover just that.