#FlowerEssenceFriday - Sunflower

Before summer slips away and feels like an other-worldy dream, I wanted to touch on one of this season's most exceptional medicines: the Sunflower. I had the privilege of being around these luminous beings when I lived in Orlando, and last fall my partner and I made essences from their heavy flower heads in his back yard. This fall, I am using the essence to get grounded in my intuition, and to be confident in making decisions from that innate, perceptive place.

Summer skies and Sunflower inflorescence 

#FlowerEssenceFriday - Sunflower

I've been using Sunflower medicine this past week by simply having the mother bottle on my altar with the rest of my daily herbs as a reminder of my intention to get in touch with my intuition. As someone with GAD, it can be difficult to differentiate between my mind's chatter and my gut feeling, but this essence has been very helpful in working with and through that aspect of myself. Every time I look at its photo, I feel it's warmth and support of my journey.

Personal Experience with Sunflower

The gap between thinking and feeling - This essence helps us get out of our thinking mind and into our feelings. It gives us the strength to say "I trust my intuition and I trust myself to make this decision on my own," and it gives us the boost we need to make it. Sunflower helps us to stand tall in our intuition, being as comfortable following it as the sunflower is following the Sun. This essence is very helpful for people who have GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) based indecisiveness, as well as for people in recovery from addictions, so that they can begin to trust their intuition again, which isn't always easy or safe in the beginning stages of recovery. I recommend it for anyone who second-guesses themselves, or who feels like they aren't equipped to make decisions for themselves.

Balanced sense of ego - Sunflower essence helps us balance self-awareness and positive self-image. It allows us to look inwards with an honest and compassionate eye so that we can be self-aware without being overly critical. Sunflower allows us to shine light and awareness to the places that we have been ignoring in a warmhearted and genuine way. This is an important essence for anyone with a history of mental health problems - it allows us to be honest about our current and past actions, without shaming ourselves for slipping up.

Sunflower Broken Down

• Name: Sunflower (Helianthus annus)
• Actions: Radiant, expressive, warming
• Indications: low self-esteem, especially arrogance/inflated pride that stems from low self-esteem, dark, damp depression, inability to make decisions due to anxiety about making the "right" decision 
• Dosage: This essence is best used long-term, from at least a New Moon to Full Moon. I recommend taking 3 drops, 3x a day with a firm intention set when you take it. If you feel extra magical, take it with the sun at sunrise.

If you have access to land, I highly recommend growing these annual beauties and inviting their reassuring energies into your yards. The petals are edible and really jazz up a salad , and, of course, at the end of the season you will have a heavy and full head of sunflower seeds, of which are brimming with minerals and nutrients.

Thank you for reading this blog and for joining me in this flower essence journey! I hope you are enjoying the last weeks of summer and that you have a great weekend.

In radiant health!

Blaire

#FlowerEssenceFriday - Quartz

I've been feeling a little restless lately, a little stuck in a rut, and a lot like I need to switch things up a bit, so, in that spirit - today's #floweressencefriday is on Quartz crystals. Mineral and flower essences are very related, they're both similar to homeopathic medicine, and they're both forms of vibrational medicine (refer to my introductory post Energetic Herbalism: Flower Essences and Gem Elixirs for more info on this type of healing.) I had been planning on writing this post on Sunflower essence, (yes, another yellow/solar flower), but Quartz has been begging for my attention so much this week that I just had to follow my intuition. So, without further adieu, here is my experience with Quartz essence.

#FlowerEssenceFriday - The Quartz Family

Quartz is one of the first minerals, or crystals, that people are drawn to when they get involved with vibrational healing. The members of this family are "house hold names," if you will. Almost everyone has heard of Amethyst, and most people recognize Rose Quartz and Citrine when they see them. The most important and prominent aspect of Quartz elixirs is that they help to heal a fragile or suffering self-esteem, with each variation doing so in its own unique way.

• Amethyst - Amethyst is for those who feel separated or isolated from the rest of society. It provides a sense of protection from outside forces (judgement) and gently allows us to ground and come to our center, and from there, from knowing our innate sense of worth, to feel more integrated with those around us. It gives us protection from what we believe others will think of us. Amethyst is for those who have difficulty seeing why others would value them, and therefor have a hard time valuing themselves. Use this essence in situations of social anxiety, isolation, and general feelings of loneliness. //
  
• Citrine - This is one of my favorite essences, and it is one I come back to time and time again. This yellow-orange crystal is a powerful ally for those of us who suffer from depression and self-destructive tendencies. This warming quartz should not be overlooked in situations concerning addiction, body image, or any self-harming behaviors. A lovely way to use it is to add 7 drops to Rose petal infused oil, and apply straight to the heart. (Ps. be cautious when purchasing Citrine, because much of what is sold under its name is heat-treated Amethyst.) //
  
• Rose Quartz - As tradition has told us, this is a stone of the heart. By allowing us to acknowledge, identify, and release patterns of anger and irritation, Rose Quartz helps us to open a closed off heart center. This essence is specifically indicated for those an inflamed ego that is marked by a false sense of pride. It helps us learn to love and accept our true selves, so that we can let go of our persona/societal mask that we constantly feel the need to defend. By doing so, we develop honest, healthy confidence in ourselves, one that is based off of who we really are. Use Rose Quartz when there is anger directed at the self, or when there is anger directed at others who are simply trying to help you. //
  
• Lemurian Quartz - This is a stone whose medicine I most often take in the form of carrying it with me. Simply holding this stone helps me to release building anxiety, find the willingness to take a deep breath, and to be in the present moment. The only way I can describe the essence of Lemurian Quartz is "liquid meditation," it instills that sense of clarity, beauty, and calm-alertedness that you feel when you first open your eyes after a sitting meditation. Use it to enhance your meditation practice, when you are feeling frantic and need a wave of calmness, or pair it with Mugwort for expansive dreaming.
  

Lemurian Quartz (middle) is identified by the horizontal striations that cross it. Only found in Brazil, this stone does not grow in clusters, like other Quartz, but in individual "wands," if you will.

Of course, there are many more uses for these stones than what I have discussed here - these are simply the aspects that stand out to me the most. Though I strongly believe in their healing potentials, these essences are not a substitute for medical treatment or psychotherapy when it comes to mental health - however, I do highly recommend using them as apart of your healing journey, as they have been so helpful to me and to others.

Thank you for reading my blog, for being apart of my herbal growth, and for sharing your energy with me! I hope you have a better understanding of the Quartz family and feel more comfortable using them in your own daily practice.

Love,

Blaire

Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus spp)

Autumn Olive, Japanese Silverberry, Autumnberry.... These are all names for the often-dreaded plants in the Elaeagnus genus. Viewed by most as an invasive species, these plants are seen as relentless nuisances that need to be destroyed. What most people don't realize is that this abundant plant is both edible and highly medicinal!

Autumn Olive (Elaeagnus umbellata) berries soaking up the morning sunlight

One of my favorite aspects of this bush is its abundance. Since moving to New Jersey, I have noticed that it grows almost everywhere, especially alongside roads, in fields, and in backyards. The USDA Forest Service states that a mature Autumn Olive tree can produce around 30 pounds of fruit a year - many of which can be yours simply for the price of a little time and effort. The berries are tart and tangy, and if you remember not to bite on the single seed in the middle, they can be used to liven up salads, be made into jams, or be crafted in a delicious liquor (which is what my teacher, Holly Bellebuono, does with her harvest of them). They also contain a number of health-promoting constituents, the primary one being Lycopene, an oil-soluble phytonutrient that is is believed to be useful in the prevention of prostate, throat, skin, and mouth cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease.

 >> Autumn Olive <<

Name: Autumn Olive, Japanese Silverberry (Elaeagnus spp)

Taste: astringent, tart/sour (unless very ripe)

Constituents: lycopene (17x more than a tomato), vitamins A, C, & E, bioflavonoids, fatty acids

Uses: eaten fresh, jam, pie filling, fruit leather, cordial, vinegar tincture, oil extraction (for lycopene)

Berries are easily identified by the silvery-speckles that grace their skin

After I picked a cup or two of berries, and after I had a handful or two of thorns in my feet, I thanked the Autumn Olive bush for giving me these gifts, placed a strand of hair on its branches, and listened to what it had to say. It suggested its berries be used for immune system support, which science would tell us comes from its vitamin C and bioflavonoids. It also spoke of being a grounding or earthing plant, one that would help me connect with the seasons as I prepare for my first ever fall and winter. This plant is the first plant I have really connected with since my big move up North, and I am grateful for both its abundance and its willingness to share it with me, the birds that live in its branches, and the furry squirrels that play there. // In gratitude, Blaire

The beginning of this morning's harvest

Sources: Black, B.L. and I. Fordham. 2005. Autumn Olive: Weed or New Cash Crop? // Janick, Jules, and Robert E. Paull. The Encyclopedia of Fruit & Nuts.

#FlowerEssenceFriday - Buttercup

Unlike my past blog posts, I write this blog post from a new location - New Jersey! I'm in the Garden State for a two-year clinical herbalism program that begins in September and I couldn't be more excited. Here in New Jersey, I will be studying under David Winston and will be embracing my first winter ever. Between moving away from my favorite peninsula and being a recent college graduate, I am feeling a bit in limbo, but I find grounding through keeping a consistent herbal, meditation, and exercise practice. And, as you may have noticed, part of that herbal practice is flower essences!

Like the past two weeks, this Friday's essence is sunny, solar, and comforting from the inside out. Unlike the past Flower Essences, Buttercup is not really used in herbalism, both because of its toxicity and because it isn't viewed as medicinally active - although its flower essence certainly is.

#FlowerEssenceFriday - Buttercup

Those tiny, waxy, and golden, Buttercup flowers remind me of late Spring on the Vineyard. I remember being in awe of  how they intertwined with the vibrant blue Forget-Me-Nots, creating a beautiful bouquet of color, and although I made a mental note to make a flower essence of them, I never did. Fortunately, I was able to purchase a stock bottle of Buttercup during my time in Orlando and I have been using it ever sense!

Personal Experience with Buttercup

• Self-Worth - To me, this essence is about remembering your self-worth despite your place in the workaholic machine we live in. Maybe you are a woman and suffer from imposter syndrome and you find yourself constantly questioning your qualifications or ability to handle your vocation, or maybe you feel a sense of shame because of what your job is, or isn't. Buttercup essences comes in with her golden aura and warms up that damp, depressed self-esteem -  helping you to remember that you and your work are worthy of respect, regardless of the title you hold.
• Comparison/Envy - One symptom of low self-esteem/self-worth is comparison to others, which often leads to becoming envious of others, and only exacerbates the problem. Buttercup is here to remind us to stop comparing ourselves to others, and instead focus on our own craft and give ourselves the space to be creative in our own, unique way.
• Through using this essence, I have noticed that I am much more mindful of how often I compare myself to other herbalists, and how this is a negative habit that impedes my creativity and growth. It has helped me lessen the envy I have of those who have studied longer than I, or who seem to "have their act together" more than I do. It has given me the space to experiment with my own herbal practice, and trust myself in the process.

Buttercup Broken Down

• Name: Buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis)
• Actions: Self-assuring, warming
• Indications: Low self-worth/esteem due to job circumstances, downplaying the importance of your work, envy of others in your field, doubt that your work has as merit or that you are qualified for your job, difficulty expressing yourself in your work due to fear that it won't be valued
• Dosage: 3 drops, 3x a day - I personally think this should be used for at least 3 weeks at a time because of how deeply our culture believes our job defines our worth!

And for the more magically inclined, I personally believe and have read (although I can't remember where!) that this flower is associated with the Fae, and the more kind, receptive Summer Fae at that! Regardless of whether or not this is true, there certainly is magic in remembering our divine, innate self-worth, and that what we create is sacred and beautiful!

Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend!

xoxox, Blaire

#FlowerEssenceFriday - Calendula

Before I even tell you about this flower, I just want you to look at it in all its majestic, warm, summer glory.

I took that photo during my apprenticeship on the island of Martha's Vineyard with herbalist Holly Bellebuono. Every morning that I had herbal school with Holly, I would show up a little bit early to make a flower essence or two. I would walk around her incredible, diverse garden and wait until a plant reached out to me and offered itself for an essence. Some mornings I knew exactly what plant I wanted to make an essence from (looking at you, Nettles), other mornings, I was surprised to see what plant would jump out at me, but every morning that I made an essence there, I knew I was making medicine that would serve me and others for years to come... and Calendula is one of those essences!

#FlowerEssenceFriday - Calendula

Calendula is well known in the herbal world for her vulnerary (wound healing) and emollient (skin soothing) actions. She is commonly found in skin care products (like in my moisturizing lip balm), and she is often known as "the herb" for eczema. Perhaps it is because she shines so brightly in the physical world that her energetic uses often go unnoticed. Regardless, her use as a flower essence cannot be denied!

Personal Experience with Calendula Essence

• Hearing Others/Receptivity - To me, Calendula's area of expertise is in the realm of communication. It is for those who have a hard time hearing what others are truly saying - for those who are already preparing their comeback before the other person has even finished speaking, and who have difficulty listening in conversations. It allows us to be open enough to hear what someone else is trying to say, even if their deliverance is not "perfect" (or as we would like it to be).
• Protection - Calendula's resinous flowers point towards protection - resin being a literal and metaphorical barrier that does not allow things to seep in easily.  When I made the essence, the flower gifted me with a vision of it and its resin giving us protection from others' energy. Just as Calendula's resin provides a healing layer on top of our skin - the essence provides a healing layer between ourselves and others, providing us with protection from their energy.

Calendula Broken Down

• Name: Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
• Actions: Protective, warming, opening
• Indications: overly argumentative, taking what others say to heart to the extreme, inability to hold a conversation without turning it into an argument, inability to open up to others, struggles to open up beyond shallow communication (especially in relationships)
• Dosage: 3 drops, 3x a day for chronic situations (working with your partner on improving communication, working with yourself on being a better listener, or being in need of added protection from the word's of others), 3 drops as needed (before a counseling session, before a confrontation/important conversation)

As you can see, Calendula's actions are multifaceted. It allows us open our ears and our hearts to others when we have closed down and are struggling with communication, while at the same time, it allows us to have a healthy barrier between ourselves and others in regards to communication, giving us the protection we need when engaging in an energetic exchange with another human being (which is what communication is!). Calendula is warming, helping us to become less rigid and closed off, but not too warming that we lose our sense of self and are boundary-less.

I hope you are enjoying this series of #floweressencefriday! I am grateful for the opportunity to simultaneously deepen and share my practice. Feel free to post your own Instagram photos or Facebook posts with the hashtag #FlowerEssenceFriday so that I can learn from you, too!

Happy almost Full Moon!

xoxo, Blaire

#FlowerEssenceFriday - St. John's Wort

It's only been 1 week since the initial #FlowerEssenceFriday post, and yet so much has happened to then. I've been to the Bahamas and back via boat, eaten lunch with manatees, and canoed my way out of possibly the most intense thunderstorm of my life. Oh - and I'm moving to New Jersey in 10 short days. Needless to say, my head is a bit up in the air and I'm a little ungrounded!

That's where today's flower essence comes in: St. John's Wort. Most people have heard of this glowing, sunshine-yellow flower and its clinical trials and uses for depression - but I'm here today to talk about a lesser known use of the herb: its flower essence!

Like I mentioned in the first #FlowerEssenceFriday post, I'm going to be talking about my personal experience with these essences. Flower energies are so subtle - there is no one correct way to interpret them. If you have different experiences, know that your interpretations are perfectly valid - and that I would love to hear them! 

Now... On to St. John's Wort!

Here are two of my favorite uses of St. John's Wort essence:

• Feeling Out of Body - St. John's Wort is the first essence I call upon when I feel like I am not entirely in my body. It's quick acting for those mornings you wake up half in the dream world and half in the waking world. Because the essence has such a gentle way of coxing a disturbed and afraid psyche back into the body, I find this essence useful for times you don't feel safe being in your body and for anxiety/depression induced "out of body-ness."  I also imagine it would be useful for people who have taken too many hallucinogens and who are having a hard time coming back into their body.
   
• Unworthiness - I also use St. John's Wort essence for feelings of unworthiness. This bright, summer, solar essence helps us remember that we have innate worth as human beings, that we have worth regardless of our failures and accomplishments, and that we have a right to exist, even when we are struggling. I include this essence in my Confidence blend to help people struggling with self-esteem remember that they are divine beings, and that there is a light inside of them they can call upon to fight their battles.

Let's break it down a little bit more:

• Name: St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
• Actions: Solar/sunny, grounding
• Indications: Feeling out of body, especially after vivid/lucid dreaming, sensitivity to light/visuals, nightmares that induce fear/anxiety throughout the day, feelings of worthlessness
• Dosage: 3 drops, 3x a day (for chronic states), or 3 drops an hour in acute situations

Although it is only the second week, deciding to sit down every Friday and write about an essence is already helping me deepen my understanding of this energetic medicine. I am enjoying reflecting on all the essences I have made in the past 14 or so months, and I am happy to have the opportunity to share this practice with you all!

In love and sunshine,

Blaire

#FlowerEssenceFriday - Borage

I want to tell you about a new project I'm starting. It's called #FlowerEssenceFriday and I would love for you to join me!

The idea of #FlowerEssenceFriday came to me in the middle of a Tuesday morning meditation. I've been feeling like I need to do more in the herbal world, specifically with sharing herbal knowledge, and somehow, my subconscious came through with this hashtag. The idea is to post a Flower Essence you are currently working with (or one you have worked with in the past) and to share its qualities with the online world. I'll be posting an Instagram entry every Friday with the hashtag #FlowerEssenceFriday, and I'll link back to a post on this blog that goes into more detail (you can only say so much on an iPhone/Android app).

I'll be sharing the plant's common and botanical name, its actions and indications, and my personal experience with the essence. I start this series with the intention of deepening my own Flower Essence practice, remembering the energetic magic of each plant, and with the hope that you, too, will be inspired to work more closely with this sustainable, beautiful form of herbal medicine. (Ps. If you don't know anything about Flower Essences, check out my Energetic Herbalism: Flower and Gem Essences post).

Without further adieu, I would like to introduce you to the first essence of this series: Borage.

Borage is the essence I turn to when I feel completely over-whelmed with life. I use it when I am starting a new habit and feel discouraged. I use it when I feel like I have "failed" and my self-esteem plummets as a result. Let's be honest - Borage Essence is the herbal cheerleader who says "YOU CAN DO IT!" Her essence helps you finish those last assignments, get out of bed on those days that it's really hard to, or say "no" to the habit you have been trying to break. The Flower Essence Repertory eloquently states that it provides "buoyancy in the soul which helps it to rise above, rather than sink into the weight of discouragement," and I couldn't agree more! Now, let's break it down.

• Name: Borage (Borago officinalis)
• Actions: Gladdening, uplifting, encouraging, heart opening
• Indications: Low self-esteem, feeling like you are unable to meet life's demands, a feeling of a "heavy heart," feeling discouraged with yourself and your abilities
• Dosage: 3 drops, 3x a day (for chronic depressed states), or 3 drops an hour in acute situations

I'm excited for this opportunity to share my Flower Essence practice with you, to deepen my connection to the plants, and to take the time, each Friday, to ask myself "What flower essence do I feel connected to, today?" or "What flower essence do I need to pay attention to, today?"

In love and Borage cheerleader spirit,

xoxo Blaire