The Plant Path: Herbalism, Medical Astrology & Spagyric Alchemy

Valerian ( Valeriana officinalis) is one of those herbs that a lot of people are aware of, especially in regards to its usage as a remedy for sleep. But why does Valerian help us sleep? What are the underlying properties that lend to this popularized usage? And what else can Valerian be used for? In this episode, Sajah explains the holistic properties of Valerian as a nervine hypnotic and potent a...

Today we're joined by Chenoa Egawa, a Coastal Salish ceremonial leader, singer, speaker, environmental activist and artist. In this episode, Chenoa shares stories and wisdom from her ancestry and life experience to uplift and inspire along the healing path.  Chenoa shares her insights on health, wellness and healing through ancestry. She speaks of the healing power of water and food as the first m...

Modern biomedicine tends to view the human body like a machine made up of multiple "gears." When something goes wrong, we simply need to fix the broken part. This mechanistic view of the body is significantly different from more traditional perspectives on our anatomy and physiology.  Central to the vitalist traditions of herbalism is the perspective that the body is a reflection of the natural wo...

As we walk the plant path, there eventually comes a time when we come up against certain blocks that prevent us from reaching that next level in our practice of herbalism. While it's critical that we learn the external skills, strategies, principles and practices to become an herbalist, there is also an internal component to our work as an herbalist that is essential to address. In order to be the...

One of the main problems with modern medicine isn't just based on the fact that pharmaceutical drugs can often cause more problems than solutions, but rather, it's a problem of philosophy which directly influences the way medicine is practiced. The overarching philosophical approach to modern medicine is based on the treatment of symptoms. It is a system of medicine that has its primary orientatio...

In this special issue of The Plant Path, Sajah interviews Adam Sommer, founder of the Exploring Astrology podcast and practicing astrologer for over 10 years.  In this interview Adam and Sajah explore the fundamental principles behind a holistic astrological practice and how astrology can be used as a powerful tool for healing. Be sure to subscribe to Adam's podcast here:  https://itunes.apple.com...

Alright... I confess!! I really struggled with learning astrology when I first started. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me! I'd read about a planet or a sign of the zodiac and afterwards wouldn't be able to remember anything about it. It was like in one ear out the other. I thought maybe I wasn't smart enough, couldn't understand it, it was over my head, or that I just wasn't meant to be...

One of the critical elements of the new paradigm of plant medicine is that there are more and more practitioners are incorporating the psychological, emotional and spiritual levels of being in their clinical work. I think this is an essential component of healing that cannot be overlooked, especially if we want to be holistic practitioners- for we are not just our bodies, and indeed, our psyche an...

Medical Astrology provides an incredibly precise and in depth tool the herbalist can use to understand people holistically as well as the true nature of medicinal plants.  In this interview, renowned medical astrologer Judith Hill discusses the core principles of Medical Astrology, how it can be integrated into your herbal practice, and the unique ways it bridges physiology, psychology and the sou...

Today we're joined by Southwest herbalist Darcey Blue for a special Imbolc episode. In this episode, we discuss the potency of this sacred time of year and how to align with the energies that are coming alive right now. Upon this threshold between late winter & early spring, is the time where seeds are beginning to stir within the belly of the Earth Mother. In this fast paced modern world where ou...

The synergy of astrology and herbalism provides a truly holistic framework that unites the physiology, psychology and soul of the person, with the physical, energetic and spiritual properties of plants. The result of this synergy gives us as herbalists the ability to attend to every layer of the human organism through the power of the holistic plant- especially when the plants are prepared accordi...

This week I've been writing about what I refer to as the Energetic Architecture of nature, which are the fundamental underlying patterns of life expressed throughout a broad spectrum of medical and spiritual traditions from across the world. One of the primary patterns of Energetic Architecture is the 5 Elements of nature: Earth, Water, Air, Fire and Ether. In section II of my upcoming book, Evolu...

While I've been writing this week, I thought you might be interested to hear about the things I'm studying and sharing in the current chapters I'm working on. So I decided to bring you along on the journey with me as I'm creating this book. Here's the first podcast in the series that I'll be sharing throughout the next 5 months of writing the book: Evolutionary Herbalism. ———————————— CONNECT WITH...

Each one of us has a story of how we ended up walking the plant path. Many stories I've heard have been a mixture of a dark night of the soul kind of healing crisis - meets - falling head over heels into the world of herbalism kind of love story with plants. Though each herbalist has their own tale to tell, there's one thing we most likely have in common - there was a pivotal moment where a plant...

The Fire Element in the Alchemical Tradition is said to be the most important force- for it is the primary Element of transformation. The alchemists saw Fire as the terrestrial, or Earthly manifestation of the Sun, which is responsible for all changes and transformation in nature- from the turning of the seasons to the growth cycles of plants. This innate transformational property of the Sun is co...

Distillation is one of the primary alchemical processes used in the production of true spagyric extracts. The 2 primary methods of distillation used are for essential oils, which extracts the Sulfur (Soul) of the plant, as well as for alcohol, which extracts the Mercury (Spirit) of the plant. This episode shares some more detail around the deeper meaning and symbolism of distillation as a critical...

I always tell my students, "don't just be an armchair herbalist!" That means in order to be a true herbalist, you need to have something more than book knowledge of plants- you need to take your understanding from an intellectual level in the mind to a wisdom that is grounded in experience. Oftentimes when I talk about having a deeper connection and relationship with plants, I speak of it in a mor...

In our modern day culture of excessive stress, not enough sleep, and the overall stimulating nature of the world, the human nervous system is taxed like it's never been before.  Luckily, we have a set of herbal medicines that are specific for not just relaxing tension, but replenishing, rebuilding, and restoring the nervous system- these are generally referred to as nervine trophorestoratives.  ——...

One of the key distinguishing characteristics of the practice of  true  holistic herbalism is the understanding of herbal energetics juxtaposed with the human constitution. These 2 areas of study are the crux of traditional systems of herbalism and natural medicine, and are likely  the most overlooked  aspects of people and plants in modern medicine- both pharmaceutical and herbal. In this lecture...

From anti-spasmodics and nervines, demulcents and emmenagogues, there are a wide category of herbal medicines which are considered to be ruled by the Moon. In this lecture from the 2017 Renaissance Medicine Conference, Sajah shares some key correspondences and patterns found in our Lunar Materia Medica- including herbal actions, tastes, energetics, along with some specific plant examples.   ——————...

Let's face it, people want deeper levels of healing these days. Most are starting to realize that a physical symptom in the body is actually and oftentimes directly influenced by the mind and emotions. Some are even thinking that maybe their physical symptoms are there  because  of their psychological and emotional state! This is revolutionary to say the least. Because for a very long time we have...

A core premise of alchemically prepared medicines is not just rejuvenation of the physical body, but also a purification and revitalization of the human psyche and spirit. Through this deeper level of healing spagyric medicines provide, they are said to contain an "initiatic virtue," meaning that they are initiating us into a "higher" level of consciousness, self-awareness, and integration with th...

From a constitutional perspective, it appears that most herbal medicines have a drying effect upon the tissues. Whether it's from increasing urination, exocrine gland secretions, sweating.... there are many ways that herbs lead to fluids leaving the body and this ultimately has a net drying effect. Thus, knowing your moistening materia medica is critical for success as an herbalist and a formulato...

When our minds aren't clear it's hard to accomplish anything- we scatter into the winds or sink down into the low energetic state of brain fog. But when our minds are clear, focused, disciplined, and engaged, we tend to feel uplifted, positive, productive, and more present. There are definitely certain plants that we can work with to support clarity within our minds, strengthening cognition, memor...

Okay okay, I know the title of this post seems  really  weird coming from an herbalist. But here me out on this one, because I think there's some important stuff to consider here. People are taking more vitamins, minerals, supplements, and herbs than  ever  before, and I sometimes wonder as to whether this could be not as healthy as we imagine. I've had clients taking literally up to 15 different...