Herbs for Grief
Hello friends! We wish you all a blessed new year!
2020 started with great optimism for us over here. We are excited to keep doing what we started at the end of 2019 and to expand our offerings beyond a monthly subscription box. We feel both humbled and honored by the response we have received and we love love love what we do!
And yet, all the optimism cannot shelter us from the reality that is beyond our little bubble. Australia has been burning ferociously as our mother earth portrays how she can reciprocate the levels of pain and loss that we as a human species have inflicted upon her. As we wait to see the level of damage done to the land and to the powerless victims, both animal and human, it can be easy to feel helpless and even be overcome with grief. In moments like this, we ask ourselves what world we are leaving for future generations and how our actions have affected the course and intensity of natural phenomena. Besides raising awareness about the issue, donating to organizations at the front lines, and even recognizing our privilege as we sit in our homes and feel sheltered (for now), we still feel at a loss as well as a great sense of loss. The images of fearful animals, tired firefighters and affected people are haunting to say the least. With fires becoming the norm where we live, this all hits very close to home.
On the other side of mother nature, are the politicians. The threat of violence, war and instability in an already unstable region is palpable. Politics, as usual, is as unsustainable as the demands we have placed on this Earth. This type of politics that has been displayed recently is detrimental to all of our lives, but it is particularly detrimental to the most innocent lives who have no say in the future of their countries and their fate. Loss and destruction seem to abound and what makes this situation even more heartbreaking is that much of it is avoidable.
As the climate highlights our vulnerability, we need to remember our place in nature and remember how to relate to each other again. We must remember to live in community and act not in our own self-interest but in the interest of the collective. This shall be the age of the feminine and we shall lead by example. We want to bring back principles of compassion, understanding, reciprocity and we want to say that enough is enough. And yet, when we feel that much of the world’s issues are too much to bear, what can we do from the comfort of our little bubble? Well, it is no surprise that mother nature has the answers again and again. Not only do herbs help with lots of afflictions caused by our modern society physically, but also emotionally.
Today, we are sipping on herbs for grief because sometimes protecting your heart is the best that you can do. We love this herbal blend made up of motherwort, rose, hawthorn berries, linden, mimosa, and tulsi and we hope it benefits you in these times too.
Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
Though its bitter compounds make it a less tasty herbal ally, motherwort is a potent support for cardiovascular and nervous systems. According to Juliet Blankespoor from Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, motherwort is “a highly versatile medicinal. It is one of my favorite remedies for anxiety and stress.”
Rose (Rosa spp.)
Rose’s gentle antidepressant and sedative properties can help uplift the emotions while providing a sense of ease. Rose supports nervous and digestive systems, cooling the heat of anger and inflammation. A heart tonic, rose inspires self-love, deepens our relationship with others, and heals ancient wounds.
Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)
Hawthorn is a cardiovascular powerhouse; it has been shown to lower cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. A member of the Rose family, hawthorn surfaces as a healer of heartache and grief. You can use its berries, flowers, and leaves to make teas, infused honeys, and elixirs.
Linden (Tilia spp.)
Cooling and moistening, linden leaves and flowers enjoy a widespread “reputation as a calming heart tonic. From the bodily level to the spiritual realm, linden may act as a protective, comforting, and magical guide through times of grief.
Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
Revered throughout India for its physical and spiritual properties, tulsi, or Holy basil, has a long history of being used to increase energy, vitality and as an herb for longevity and wellbeing.
Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin)
Western and Traditional Chinese Medicine herbalists use the flowers and the bark of this “tree of happiness” to assist those suffering from depression, loss, heartache, and grief.
Herbal Tea for Grief
1 part cinnamon
1 part cardamom
1 part motherwort
2 parts tulsi
2 parts rose
2 parts linden
2 parts hawthorn berry
2 parts mimosa flower
Mix well and enjoy as a hot cup of tea. It tastes delicious and will give you a sense of being held and supported through tough times. We are sipping on this blend all day today and we hope you love it as much as we do!