Lessons from the Garden: Roots (part 1)
My comfrey and echinacea plants are so ready for a nap. Comfrey looks like wilted spaghetti and echinacea looks like a lady after a night at the bar, scorned by a lover, and woke up in a bathroom stall (sorry echinacea, you’re beautiful to me). Even though they...
What does a herbalist do when sick?
What does a herbalist do when they’re - Snotty,- Chilly,- Achy,- Coughing,- And majorly fatigued, All at once? First, let’s back up to the beginning. I thought I was dealing with ragweed pollen trying to kill me. I did what I do for allergies and guzzled more...
Bringing in the Harvest
Humans harvest plants for Humans harvest plants for - Food for sustenance, - Fuel for cooking, - Fibers for clothing. We harvest plants with - Medicine for sickness,- Vitality for energy. Humans harvest plants for pleasure of - Scent to entice,- Sight to...
What I learned from NOT having a garden: Fall Equinox
Fall is a great time to reflect on the garden season. Here in West-Central Wisconsin, the leaves haven’t started to turn, daytime temperatures are still in the 70s (Fahrenheit), and gardens are still producing delectables such as kale, tomatoes, peppers, and squash....
Plants as Time Keepers: Fall Equinox
The plants show me that the fall equinox is coming soon. The tree leaves turning colors isn’t the indication fall is coming. Here in Wisconsin that hasn’t started yet. The clue comes from the successive blossoming of colors of the reproductive structures ~ the...
Late Summer Herbs – Echinacea
Echinacea gives us the power of late summer magic. Imagine a field of tall echinacea, a wave of pink with the sounds of bees, birds and butterflies, all enjoying its abundance. It is a tough hardy perennial plant that thrives in extreme temperatures and can survive...
Working with the element of air: Herbs for Lung Support
In this episode, I explore various herbs that support the lungs such as elecampane, mullein, and coltsfoot. Herbs can help soothe symptoms of colds, allergies, and other lung concerns. Herbs can also be used in advance to support the whole system and as a preventative...
Working with the element of air: Function of Leaves
When we begin to learn more about how leaves function we can see just how fascinating these little photosynthetic and respiration factories are. Leaves have a vital role in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, act as natural air purifiers. They provide visual...
Working with the element of air: Wind Pollinated plants
Have you ever felt the effects of ragweed pollen? Do you get stuffy the same time every year? Ragweed’s pollen travels on the air. It is a wind pollinated plant. Some plants that use the wind to carry their pollen from one flower to another are grasses, cattails,...
Working with the element of air: Symbolism
As a plant priestess, synchronizing with nature is fundamental to the way we live and learn. Each element has its gifts and lessons to provide perspective into our lives. If I look at herbalism through the lens of the elements, I come up with interesting ways of...
Hi, I’m Erin Lafaive
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