Emily shared with us some exclusive behind-the-scenes photos from her shoot, and gave us permission to share them here with you!

As we get more news about the release date, and how to watch the series, we’ll share via our newsletter and social media. If you aren’t already subscribed, you can join here. And find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube!

We, the Florida School of Holistic Living, are offering the following class for free:

Additional Resources

At this time we have the following information and resources available to share. More will come soon and we will update this page, as well as share with our community through email and social media when we have updates.

If you, or someone you know is in need of counseling support contact:

Disaster Distress Helpline – 800–985–5990
Provides 24/7 immediate counseling to anyone who is seeking help in coping with the mental or emotional effects of mass violence. Bilingual support available.
Crisis Text Line:
Text HOME to 741741

And website informational resources for how to speak with children and help them cope after mass violence can be found at their website https://www.nctsn.org

A free movement class to assist in working through grief:

Mindful  Movement with Becky

Join a 45 minute movement practice and move through the collective grief of those who are suffering, and release the heaviness of your heart.

Access Peaceful Heart Movement Practice

Use the access passcode: Peace<3*

Ways to Help

We know many of you want to help. We received this message via Facebook today and are sharing it here:

Dear Herbal Family,
Hello From Austin, Texas. The Herbalists Without Borders – Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine chapter is in the early stages of coordinating a grief support effort for the community of Uvalde, TX. We are in touch with community members in Uvalde about how to provide meaningful direct support that is not overwhelming or imposing, and modeling our efforts on the Orlando Grief Care Project’s community support in the wake of the shooting at Pulse Nightclub.

Many of you have asked what you can donate in the short term…
Remedy Requests at this time:
1. Rose elixir, tincture, glycerite, hydrosol, flower essence, & essential oil
2. Rescue Remedy flower essence, pastilles, etc.
3. Mimosa flower essence, elixir, tincture, glycerite
4. Loose dry Lavender, Chamomile, Rose petals, Tulsi, Spearmint, Catnip, Passionflower
5. Prepared tea bags of above herbs Lavender Essential oil
6. Aromatherapy blends in roll-ons or inhalers
7. Plant-based (not-synthetic) incense or smoke bundles

Packaging Requests at this time:
Clean and sterile ½ or 1 oz dropper bottles, muslin tea bags, 1oz spray bottles*
Please package with care to avoid breakage and waste, and clearly label with name of herb and type of preparation.*
DM HWB Chapter Coordinators Darlene Starr and Jonna Rose Ball:
to request herbal grief support kits if you are a community member in Uvalde or an organization providing aid there.
1.If you want to donate large quantities or supplies not listed above
2. For shipping address, or for drop-off addresses in the Austin, TX metro.
3. With any questions or suggestions

May we use the gifts we have received
To pass on comfort and hold space.
May we allow our souls the freedom
To venture out into the world and meet others
With love and kindness.

—Adapted from the Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila

We want to congratulate Emily for her award, and share with our community how remarkable an herbalist and leader she is, and what makes her the exemplary embodiment of the individual described by ABC. Her achievements and accolades are as long as her career, which has been over two decades running. Her botanical background began with lessons from her grandfather, a tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) farmer, and her father, a professor of botany and astronomy. (And we see those influences thriving today with Emily’s dual interests in teaching herbalism and her moon medicine circles.)

As a young adult, she traveled as far as Guatemala to receive tutelage under various healers in-situ. On North American soil, Rosemary Gladstar, Carolyn Whitford, and George D’Arcy took her under their wings and guided her forward. All in addition to studying Ethnobotany at the University of Central Florida, and curanderismo—Latin-American folk medicine— at the University of New Mexico.

A brief overview of her many contributions and achievements within our community at-large:

• Formerly a United Plant Savers board member;
• Founder of Florida Herbal Conference;
• Second owner of Sage Mountain Botanical Sanctuary in Orange, Vermont, purchasing it in 2018 from Rosemary Gladstar;
• Multiple terms as president of Florida Herbal Society;
• In the wake of the Pulse nightclub tragedy, she founded the Orlando Grief Care Project, which distributed hundreds of herbal remedies to our local traumatized community;
• And served as a member of the board of the Mni Wiconi Clinic and Farm of the Standing Rock Siouz Reservation in North and South Dakota.

More about her directly from the ABC Advisory Announcement:

Rosemary Gladstar endorsed Emily for the award. “I was delighted to hear that Emily Ruff has been awarded the ABC Herbal Community Builder Award,” Gladstar wrote (email, March 17, 2022). “Having been the first recipient of this honorary award, I must admit, I have a certain affection for and attachment to it. I really can’t imagine a more fitting candidate than Emily. Though she is somewhat quiet and shy, and seldom calls attention to herself, Emily is an amazing organizer and networker. And she has worked overtime the past few years to build awareness of herbs and herbalism, not just within the herbal community, but in the broader community as well.

“As founder of The Florida School of Holistic Living and founder of the Florida Herbal Conference, Emily has helped create a sense of herbal community in the southeastern United States,” Gladstar added. “She also co-founded the Homegrown Local Food Cooperative in Orlando. Emily also served on the Medic and Healer Council [at Standing Rock] during the pipeline demonstrations [in 2016] and helped raise thousands of dollars that funded the community health clinic at Standing Rock during and after the demonstrations. An avid and dedicated plant conservationist, Emily has been an active member of UpS since its early days and also served as treasurer on the UpS Board of Directors. Currently, along with her herbal work, Emily devotes her time to wildlife and wilderness conservation.”

Mark Blumenthal, ABC founder and executive director, wrote: “I am pleased to choose Emily as the recipient of this year’s ABC Mark Blumenthal Herbal Community Builder Award. She was highly recommended by some of the previous recipients of this award, and after the opportunity of getting to know her a bit during the past few years, I understand their enthusiasm for their nomination, and I agree with their strong advocacy of her. Emily’s passion for herbs, people, and the plant-people interaction and her seemingly boundless energy are evident in her numerous herbal activities. She represents a younger generation of herbalists and their commitment to the idea of improved health via botanical medicine.”

Previous recipients of the ABC Mark Blumenthal Herbal Community Builder Award are Michael McGuffin (2020), president of the American Herbal Products Association; Mary Blue, Katheryn Langelier, and Nicole Telkes (2019), “The Fire Cider Three,” who successfully battled in court to keep “fire cider” a generic term; Linnea and Larry Wardwell (2018), organizers of the Medicines from the Earth and Southwest Conference on Botanical Medicine symposia; Jon Benninger (2017), director of the annual SupplySide East and SupplySide West trade shows; Ikhlas Khan, PhD (2016), director of the University of Mississippi’s National Center for Natural Products Research; Michael Tierra (2015), herbalist, author, teacher, and co-founder of the American Herbalists Guild; Loren Israelsen (2014), founder and president of the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA); Sara Katz (2013), co-founder of Herb Pharm and past president of UpS; and Rosemary Gladstar (2012).

The 2022 ABC Mark Blumenthal Herbal Community Builder Award was presented at the 17th Annual ABC Celebration and Botanical Excellence Awards Ceremony on March 9, 2022, in Anaheim, California, during Natural Products Expo West.

To read the full announcement on the American Botanical Council’s website, visit herbalgram.com

The last time I saw Steven Foster face to face was celebrating the 25th anniversary of United Plant Savers at the opening of the Jim & Peggy Duke Center in Autumn 2019. The candid photo captured of our last in-person conversation pretty much sums up how deeply I adored this caring, brilliant, gentle, one of a kind human being. Story after story have been shared today by his friends and colleagues, recounting his wisdom, his talent, and his immense impact on so many of us.

I often thought of Steven as a shapeshifter – a human who walked between worlds, befriending the spirits of the green in the most spiritual and intimate of ways, while speaking on their behalf in the stuffy board rooms of big industry with equal skill and grace. He was always, by far, the smartest person in the room, even when circulating amongst the elite academics of our time. His profound knowledge of botany matched his immense knowledge of history, and was perhaps only eclipsed by his skillful understanding of how to capture the perfect pose of a plant in a photograph.

Steven had long been a teacher of mine through his books, and I’m grateful to have had the honor of also calling him a friend over the last decade. I can still hear his signature tone and inflection as if he were beside me now, beckoning me to crawl onto my belly to capture the underside of a leaf with the light streaming through *just so*. I can still taste on my tongue the bitter mystique of the absinthe he was so generous to prepare for me every time I visited. I can smell the worn pages of the old books we would thumb through together in his office. I used to joke with him that I’d be the first to sign up for a Steven Foster apprenticeship, but I was really quite serious about the idea – as much to soak in an ounce of all the wisdom he had stored in that brilliant brain of his, as to learn how to be a humble, loving, thoughtful, authentic human being blazing a unique path in this world. As is the case with many loved ones whom we cherish, we often don’t realize the very special place where they reside in our heart until after they are gone.

Like many of you, I am at a loss for words to describe my grief as Steven departs our realm to watch over us from the great beyond. Steven Foster leaves an immense legacy to our herbal community, and an even bigger hole in our hearts. May he know how loved he is as he makes his journey into the mystery, and may he be greeted by the ancestors, awaiting his arrival with the finest single malt scotch – in fact, I think I can hear Jim Duke strumming a tune for him now. May Donna and his children and grandchildren be surrounded by grace and comfort during this sorrowful time.

– Emily Ruff

See the American Botanical Council tribute to Steven Foster for more gems about Steven’s life and legacy.

Common Names Turmeric, yellow root

Latin Name Curcuma longa

Family Zingiberaceae  

Habitat
Indigenous to India and Southeast Asia, it is now cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical climates all around the world. Satisfied in shade to part sun.

Parts Used 
Rhizome (root)

History/Tradition
Indigenous to India, turmeric is now cultivated in tropical regions throughout the world. Turmeric is an important herb in Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. It has a history of use spanning millennia and is considered energetically hot. It remains a significant herb throughout southern Asia and has gained in popularity in the United States.

Energetics
Flavor: Pungent, Bitter
Temperature: Warming, Heating
Moisture: Slightly Drying, Dry
Tissue State: Tight

Indications
Arthritis, digestion, eczema, bleeding, wounds, ulcers, diarrhea, liver problems, pain, Alzheimer’s, colds/flu, cancer, heart health, type 2 diabetes

Systems
Immune, Digestive, Urinary, Cardiovascular, Lymphatic

Actions 
Analgesic, blood mover, cholagogue, antioxidant, astringent, carminative, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, vulnerary, antispasmodic, anti-mutagenic, and hepatoprotectant

Cautions
No known cautions with moderate use

Constituents
Contains powerful antioxidant phytonutrients known as curcuminoids. The active constituent is curcumin, an antioxidant that reduces inflammation by reducing histamine levels and possibly by increasing natural adrenal corticoids. Although curcumin is not soluble in water, it is suspected that its’ metabolites may be therapeutically active and responsible for its’ medicinal effects. Other constituents include volatile oils 4-14% (turmerone, atlantone, zingiberene), sugars, resins, protein, vitamin C, & minerals.

Culinary Use
Used in tincture, tea, and culinary as chopped, grated, or powdered. Used for thousands of years as a spice, turmeric remains a popular ingredient in Asian and Middle Eastern cooking. It is especially recognized in Indian cuisine and is often added to curry powders, lentils, and potato dishes. The colorful and fragrant rhizome adds a unique and earthy flavor to stocks, sauces, and rice dishes. Because of its vivid hue, it has also been used as a food coloring in mustards, popcorns, cheeses, and yogurts.

Other Uses
Used to make yellow-orange dyes in ancient Greece and to color Kapa cloth in Hawai’i. Used with sandalwood paste in pre-marital bathing rituals. In India, it is used to stretch the ligaments to benefit the practice of yoga. Planted outside of homes in Hawai’i to repel termites.
A paste is used to plug radiator leaks in cars.

References:

https://mountainroseherbs.com/turmeric-root

https://www.herbrally.com/monographs/turmeric

De la Foret, R. (2017). Alchemy of Herbs: Transform everyday ingredients into foods and remedies that heal. Hay House, Inc. 

Common Names

Wonder Tree, The Divine Tree, The Miracle Tree, Drumstick tree, West Indian Ben, Bridal Veil, Muringa/Muringai (Tamil), Jacinto (Spanish), Sahijan, Munaga (Hindi), Shigru, Shobhanjana (Ayurvedic). Benzolive Tree, or Ben Oil Tree

Latin Name Moringa oleifera

Family Moringaceae  

Habitat
Native to the Himilayan Mountains in India and has been introduced to the majority of Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas. Moringa is a deciduous, perennial tree that grows easily in tropical and subtropical climates throughout the world. It is one of the most commonly cultivated food trees in the world. It loves dry sandy soil, is drought tolerant and grows very quickly from both seed and cutting.

Parts Used 
The roots, bark, stems, leaves, seed pods, resin and flowers.

History/Tradition
For thousands of years, moringa leaf has been a source of nutrition. It has been known as the most useful and nutrient-rich plant yet discovered. The leaf is used extensively in Ayurveda and is typically steeped as moringa tea. In the Ayurvedic tradition, they have around 300 uses for it. The name “Moringa” is derived from the Tamil (language spoken in southern India and northeast Sri Lanka) word ‘murungai’ meaning twisted pod. And ‘oleifera’ is Latin meaning ‘oil-bearing’ due to the seeds’ high oil content.
It was used in Indian medicine around 5,000 years ago, and there are also accounts of it being utilized by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians.

Energetics
Flavor : Bitter
Temperature : Heating
Moisture : Dry
Tissue State: Tight

Indications
Malnutrition, Microbial infection, Cancer and Tumors, Heart Disease, Frequent UTI, Sluggish Immune System, Dropsy, Skin Irritation, Digestive Distress

Systems
Immune, Digestive, Urinary, Cardiovascular, Lymphatic

Actions 
Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, hepatoprotective, hypotensive, cancer preventative and antitumor, cardiac tonic, urinary tract tonic, thyroid tonic, lactogogue, immunostimulant, antirheumatic, astringent, abortifacient,

Nutrition
Moringa has been suggested as a possible cure for malnutrition in the world. The fresh or dried leaves contain a wide array of B vitamins, and vitamins K, E, D, C and A. Also the leaves have the minerals manganese, copper, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, iron, potassium, sodium, calcium, and a good amount of protein, amino acids and other essential compounds. Fresh moringa leaf contains about 4 times the calcium of milk, 7 times the vitamin C of oranges, twice the protein of yogurt, 4 times the vitamin A of carrots, and close to as much iron as spinach.

The vitamin C gets lost in the drying process, but dried leaf contains about 15 times the amount of potassium found in a banana, about 10 times the amount of vitamin A as a carrot, 9 times the protein of yogurt, 17 times the calcium found in milk, and 25 times the amount of iron in spinach.

Cautions
No known cautions if eating the leaf in moderate amounts

Constituents
Phytosterols like stigmasterol, sitosterol and kampesterol in addition to its many vitamins and minerals

Culinary Use
Moringa leaves can be eaten raw in salads, pickled, blended into smoothies, chutney, guacamole and pesto. The leaves are also cooked in soups, sauces, meat dishes, rice and curries. The powdered leaves are used in many ways including as an ingredient in baked goods, ice cream, ice pops, as a topping for popcorn, roasted chickpeas, chia pudding, hot cereals and a variety of beverage recipes. The dried powdered leaves are often added to baby formulas for the high nutrient content.
The immature seed pods, commonly called drumsticks, are often eaten like asparagus.

The roots are used as a condiment sometimes due to the similarities in taste to horseradish.

The flowers are eaten in omelets, on salads and the dried flowers are commonly used in a Bengali style curry dish called Sonje Phool Bati Chorchori.

Other Uses
The whole tree has been used for erosion control. The timber has been used for building materials for shelter.

The seed is high in oil known as Ben Oil, used in arts and for lubricating watches and other delicate machinery. The fibers remaining after extracting the oil are one of the best plant-derived water clarifiers.

A formula made from the leaves is sprayed on plants in South America for nutrient supplementation.

The leaves and young branches are fed to livestock. The bark is used in tanning and for fiber.

Moringa is now being considered as potential source for biodiesel. The seed oil is used in cosmetics and hair care. Other parts of the tree are used in textile printing, as an insecticide, a fungicide and as lubricants. The wood makes blue dye. In permaculture/landscape design the trees are used as natural fencing and as wind barriers.

References:

https://mountainroseherbs.com/moringa-leaf

https://www.herbrally.com/monographs/moringa

https://herbologymanchester.wordpress.com/category/materia-medica-2/

https://www.findyourfate.com/astrology/plants/vegetables/drumstick.html

Common Names 
Beautyberry, American Beautyberry, French Mulberry, Perfumed cherry, ZiZhu

Latin Name Callicarpa americana

Family Lamiaceae  

Habitat 
American Beautyberry is a native deciduous shrub of the Southern United States which is often grown as an ornamental. It is found growing wild in moist thickets, wet slopes, low rich bottomlands, and at the edges of swamps, in woodland areas, coastal plains, and bottomlands. The flowers are pink to white. The berries are shiny and a very distinct shade of purple. The fruits grow closely together in clusters. It grows wild easily in tropical climates and woodland settings. Beautyberry has a preference for full sun and loose, well-drained soil. In such conditions, a Beautyberry shrub will grow up to 9’ tall and 5’ wide. It is a perennial shrub that does best in USDA zones 7 through 11. Beautyberry will also grow in partial shade. Once it is established it can handle a fair amount of drought. It is easily propagated by seeds or cuttings and is easy to care for.

Parts Used 
Whole plant

History/Tradition
Indigenous Americans used a tea of leaves and roots in sweat baths for rheumatism, fevers, and malaria. Root and berry tea has been used for colic. Root tea has also been used for stomach aches and dysentery. Early 20th-century farmers placed crushed beautyberry leaves beneath the harnesses of their horses and mules to repel bugs. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, beautyberry has been used for its astringent properties to slow down or stop bleeding in the stomach and lungs. Some folks would crush up leaves and sprinkle them in a fishing hole to stun and catch as many fish at once.

Energetics
Flavor: Bitter
Temperature: Cooling
Moisture: Drying
Tissue State: Astringent

Indications
Digestive issues, Colic, Irregular Bowel, Dropsy, Inflammation, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Edema, Gout, Mild Rheumatism, fever, Malaria, Dysentery, Stomach Ache, Colic, Acne, Reflux, Herpes, Candida albicans. Currently, there is research into the efficacy of beautyberry in treating cancer and memory loss as well.

Systems
Digestive, Immune, Integumentary

Actions 
Diuretic (root bark) Anthelminic, Anodyne, Antibacterial, Antifungal, Astringent, Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant

Nutrition
Beautyberry is high in vitamins and minerals like vitamin C. It is high in carbohydrates and fiber. There are also rich antioxidants that give the berries that bright color.

Cautions
Avoid eating too many raw berries, it can cause stomach problems. The leaves may cause allergic reactions in some people.

Constituents
Callicarpenal, Intermedeol, Spathulenol, Carnosol, Humulene epoxide II, Alpha-humulene, 7-epi-alpha-eudesmol, Beta-pinene, 1-octen-3-ol

Culinary Use
The berries are made into wine and jelly most commonly. They are very astringent, but combined with sugar in recipes the flavor is floral, interesting and tasty. The flavors also mellow when cooked or boiled. Beauty berries are great in sorbet, as gelatin, and as an ingredient in meat sauces. The berries also make a tangy and tasty tisane with citrus notes. The flavor has been compared to hibiscus. The growing environment determines the nuances of flavor found in the berries.

Magick
Element: Water
Zodiac Signs: Scorpio
Planet: Venus
Magic: Beautyberry leaves added to charms can keep away pests. An infusion of the berries can be used topically in glamours, beauty, and luring spells.

Other Uses
The berries are an important survival food for birds and other animals, though they will not eat them until well into winter when other sources are depleted. They will even eat them when the berries are dried and shriveled. Whitetail deer love eating the foliage. The flowers are popular with pollinators. The leaves can be rubbed on skin and clothes to repel mosquitoes and can be used in repellant formulas. Beautyberry has been used topically for clear skin.

References:

https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1CDGOYI_enUS835US840&hl=en-US&sxsrf=AOaemvJWG5__FwKywPQonCoVHDzhgvu_9Q:1631544269147&q=American+beautyberry&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgFuLSz9U3MDE0MjUqUIKyDUtycrUEgzNTUssTK4v9UitKgktSC4p_MYoFpOYX5KQqJOYU5ysUpyYWJWcopOUXLWIVccxNLcpMTsxTSEpNLC2pTEotKqrcwcp4i02SQWtqFdeke5YfZ2XWZk0W_ROT_t1_a7NlEgMAhKflB3wAAAA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiM3uOEmPzyAhW7VzABHWmjCbsQs9oBKAJ6BAgiEAY&biw=375&bih=627

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.chron.com/life/amp/Beautyberries-powers-go-beyond-good-looks-3831149.php

https://curiouspagan.wordpress.com/2015/10/14/herb-foraging-series-volume-i-american-beautyberry/amp/

https://www.google.com/amp/s/txwitchery.tumblr.com/post/167734664187/american-beautyberry-callicarpa-americana-this/amp

https://sundwitch.tumblr.com/post/121306510544/local-common-floridian-plant-correspondences-1/amp

http://www.eattheweeds.com/beautyberry-jelly-on-a-roll/

http://www.batladyherbals.com/2018/07/beautyberry.html?m=1

https://www.tyrantfarms.com/how-to-use-american-beautyberries-as-food-and-mosquito-repellent/

My favorite lesson learned through my time with the Holistic Living School is that this education isn’t just about learning which herbs to use for what, or how to make a tincture or tea, or how to build an herbal business. It’s also about learning about and celebrating your lineage and the people who came before you. It’s about connecting to your ancestors, remembering a practice that’s been forgotten, and becoming more yourself in the process.

Journey into herbalism

I started learning about herbs as a way to support the people I was serving in my doula practice. I’ve been a doula for five years and I saw that my clients wanted products, pregnancy teas, and salves, etc, and I wanted to meet that need. I took the Roots of Herbalism and then the Family Herbalist course and it was in that course that I began to feel like this education was going to be less about my clients and more about me. 

During the time I was taking the Family Herbalism class, my grandmother was showing signs of dementia and I was trying to spend more and more time with her before her mind really started to fade. It was in one of those visits that she shared with me that her grandmother was an herbalist and wise woman in their village in the Dominican Republic. As someone born in the Caribbean, but raised in the United States in a very American way, I have felt disconnected from my lineage literally and figuratively. Learning that my bisbisabuela, great great grandmother, was an herbalist in their community sparked a drive in me to revitalize the herbal tradition that I have within me. 

I graduated from the Community Herbalist program in May and this herbal education is just starting. It’s just the beginning of my remembering a tradition and practice that, like many traditions when you’re an immigrant raised in America, was forgotten. Forgotten but not lost.

The experience at the school

Choosing to enroll at The Florida School of Holistic Living for my herbal training was an integral part of the growth I’ve experienced in the last three years. The herbal lineage of the school and it’s staff, administrators, and educators is rich and brings you into a beautiful family of herbalists and healers. The teachers at FSHL want you to succeed and are in full support of you and your journey. Your classmates walk this journey with you and you are able to learn from them as well. All of those things come together to create a unique experience I don’t know I would have found in another program. I am so grateful for my journey with FSHL.

A unique expression of herbalism

I remember thinking that I wouldn’t be a good herbalist because I don’t have a garden (I live in a condo) and have no experience growing things. I was in class with farmers and homesteaders and master gardeners and I didn’t know how I was gonna “legitimize” my herbalism. Imposter Syndrome hit me hard. What I learned is that there is no illegitimate way to practice herbalism. I have a large apothecary of dried herbs that I purchased already dried. Every once in a while one of my beautiful friends or teachers will gift me some herbs I can dry myself and that is a really special occurrence, but it doesn’t mean my already dried herbs aren’t a perfectly valid option. 

Once I get over my ego and imposter syndrome, I love using herbs in long infusions, especially while I’m menstruating. My favorite mix currently is Red Clover and Linden long infusions. They are really comforting. I also make a lot of bath teas so that I can feel held by the herbs in a very literal way. 

I also use herbs with my clients. Making teas or baths with gentle herbs is a really lovely way of caring for the pregnant and newly postpartum body. 

Goals moving forward with the knowledge

Maggie shared with me once that when she used to train for marathons, part of training for the current marathon is picking the next marathon you’re gonna run. So, my plan to use my herbalism is to build on it through the Sexual and Reproductive Health educator program through The Well. My deepest desire is to support people with uteruses/uteri to understand their bodies — how they work and how to care for them — to the fullest. I was to help people become the final authority of their body and their care. Adding this training will allow me to do that. Is it another very intense program? Yes. It will be an investment of two years of my life, AND it’s an investment into my life and my community. 

Also worth mentioning

I’m a cisgender, bisexual, fat, Latina. I’m an advocate for body neutrality and bodily autonomy. Your body is a good body. Be kind to it, and be kind to yourself. 

Grace to you, Tamara

Connect
• @thekindredfeminine on social media
• facebook.com/thekindredfeminine
• instagram.com/thekindredfeminine
• My website is www.thekindredfeminine.com

Common Names 
English Papaya, Pawpaw, Papaw, Melon Tree, Mummy Apple, Papaya, Kates

Latin Name Carica papaya

Family Caricaceae      

Habitat 
Papaya is a fast-growing semi-woody tree Native to Tropical Central America and Southern Mexico. It is now spread by man to all warm countries. Papaya is an herbaceous perennial and it easily and rapidly grows from seeds. Propagating by hand-pollination and grafting is possible and is necessary if selected varieties are to be kept. Attempts at grafting and rooting shoots on a commercial level have not been successful.

Parts Used 
Fruit, Seeds, Leaves, Stem, Pith, Seed-shoot, Flower, Latex sometimes the Roots and peel.

History/Tradition
The papaya was brought to Brazil where the Portuguese saw a resemblance in the shape of the fruit to a woman’s breast so they called it mamão. 

There is a Filipino legend about how the papaya tree came to be. It says that there was a young couple, Papay and her husband Bantawan who were rice farmers in their village. When Papay had their baby she needed Bantawan to work harder but he wouldn’t. They were running out of rice, so she left her newborn with Bantawan and went out to do the hard work herself. When she did not come back that night the whole village went looking for her. One villager who had fallen asleep dreamt of a tree in the middle of the field that spoke to him saying something like “I am the missing one. Give my fruit to the newborn so it will live” When the people search the field they saw a beautiful papaya tree for the very first time and they knew it was Papay ripe with sustenance for her newborn.  

In the ancient Mayan civilization, the papaya tree was their sacred “Tree of Life.” In historical literature, papayas were first mentioned by the Spanish explorer Oviedo in 1526. 

Many of the field workers on papaya plantations were believed to have smoother hands from working with papaya fruits. There was even a myth that their fingerprints “magically disappeared.” 

Energetics
Flavor: Sweet
Temperature: Neutral
Moisture: Moist
Tissue State: In TCM, Papaya is used to tonify Qi, regulate circulation, and resolve dampness and phlegm. In Ayurveda, Papaya is used as a spleen tonic.

Indications
Digestive issues, Colic, Irregular Bowels, Dropsy, Inflammation, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Edema, Gout, Mild Hypothyroid, Tumours, Cancers, Intestinal Parasites, Dengue Fever, Malaria, Venomous Stings, Venereal Disease, Candida Albacans, Diabetes, Jaundice, Bacteria, Skin Disease, Dandruff, Tight Muscles, Urinary Issues, Liver Issues, Asthma, Herniated discs,

Systems
Digestive, Urinary, Immune, Cardiovascular

Actions 
Pain killer, Laxative, Vermifuge/Anthelmintic, Purgative, Diuretic, Galactagogue, Abortifacient, Proteolytic, Antimicrobial, Anti-inflammatory

Nutrition
Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Folate, Potassium, Fiber, Carbohydrates, Trace amounts of calcium, magnesium and E,K, and various B vitamins. Water content of the pulp amounts to about 90%. Enzymes such as Papain, Carotenoids — especially Lycopene.

Cautions
Always cook unripe papaya before eating. This is a must during pregnancy, as the unripe fruit is high in latex, which can stimulate contractions. Avoid eating the seeds during pregnancy as well. 

Culinary use
The ripe fruit is eaten raw and cooked as a vegetable while still green. The ripe fruit is used in fruit salads, chaat, sorbets, and desserts. Also in chutney and salsa. It is roasted and stir-fried, especially the unripe fruit. Ripe papaya is delicious when made into juice, smoothies and drinks like Agua de Papaya. Papaya and Pear are a fantastic flavor combination as is papaya and mango. A beloved homemade baby food is a combination of papaya and banana purée. 

In South East Asia the pulp of half-ripe papaya fruit is made into a crystallized preserve. 

The central pith can be eaten raw if the fruit is ripe.The germinating seeds are eaten like asparagus in Guinea. They are vermifugal and in India are strongly believed to cause abortion. 

The scooped out halves can be used as serving bowls. In Indonesia, the stem, with bark removed, has been used as a famine-food. 

Some African tribes enjoy the leaves as a vegetable. The sap contains a ferment of two distinct enzymes, one digesting protein to peptone, the other peptone to amino-acids. 

This helps the breakdown and digestion of meats and other proteins. 

Papaya is well known for its enzyme papain which aids digestion and especially the digestion of meats. Aside from eating it with your meal you can also use it to prepare the ingredients of your meal. Meat can be tenderized when it is wrapped in leaves for some hours before cooking. You can also tenderize meats and add enzymes to food by adding a piece of unripe fruit to the water when cooking. The seeds have sometimes been dried, ground and used like pepper. 

Magick 
Element : Water
Planet: Moon
Magic : Love(fruit) and Protection (leaves) Banishing (seeds) 

Mixing papaya leaves with mandrake to burn or use in a bath can reverse hexes and jinxes.
In Sierra Leone the petiole is used in certain witchcraft to symbolize a gun.

Dreaming of the Papaya means that some mental, emotional or even spiritual chains have been broken. It is an indication of being safe from the damage caused by other people. 

The Papaya represents your abundant nature.

Tie a rag around a papaya trees limb while visualizing your intention. You can also hang papaya twigs over your door sill to keep out evil. Serving the fruit to a loved one will intensify the feelings of love. 

Other Uses
Papaya fruits have been carved into musical instruments. The bark and the stem have been made into ropes. The leaves have been used as a substitution for laundry soap and can be used as an effective bleach if soaked for hours. 

The leaves are made into containers and food-wrappers Its main industrial uses are in ‘chill-proofing’ beer, in medicine and pharmacy, the food industry and textile manufacture, especially shrink-proofing and other treatments of wool. In Gabon, the leaf-petiole is made into a child’s toy trumpet. Juice from the leaf-petiole is applied to burns in Sierra Leone. 

The latex from papaya is used in various countries to ‘cauterize’ warts, corns, tumors, etc., and to draw boils. Supposedly a ‘hedge’ of papaya trees will keep away mosquitoes; however old plants have soft hollow stems which can become breeding sites for mosquitoes

References:

http://www.homeoint.org/books1/allenhandbook/p/pap-v.htm

https://www.henriettes-herb.com/eclectic/ellingwood/carica.html

https://plants.jstor.org/stable/10.5555/al.ap.upwta.1_655

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/8-proven-papaya-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_5

https://askdrmao.com/natural-health-dictionary/papaya/index.html

https://hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/duke_energy/Carica_papaya.html

https://www.journalijar.com/uploads/539_IJAR-13856.pdf

https://www.google.com/amp/s/ofcloudsandstars.tumblr.com/post/139144794331/magical-uses-for-papaya-i-wanted-to-post-this-more/amp

Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs Scott Cunningham, 2012 p.193

https://discover.hubpages.com/religion-philosophy/The-Legend-of-Papaya

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.doctoroz.com/amp/papaya-secret-longevity-and-healthy-eating-2649598627

Common Names 
French Oregano (in Cuba) Puerto Rican Oregano, Indian Borage, Spanish Thyme, Mexican mint, Broadleaf Thyme, Menthol Plant, Vicks Plant, Spanish sage, Hung chanh (Vietnamese), Bruja Oregano (Puerto Rico), Patta Ajwayin (Hindi)

Latin Name Plectranthus amboinicus

Family Lamiaceae     

Habitat 
It is said to be native to southern and eastern Africa or possibly India, but the botanical name ambonicus suggests that it originated in the Meluku islands of Indonesia. Specifically a mountainous, fertile island of Ambon. Cuban Oregano grows easily in tropical climates throughout the world. It is used in landscaping and easily grows in containers outdoors and indoors. It is a tropical perennial semi-succulent herb that can be found in the Middle East, India, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Outdoors it is best grown in full to partial sun in zones 10 and 11. Cuban Oregano does best with loose soil and drainage that lets it dry out between waterings. It will grow in shade and can overwinter indoors. The flowers are small and purple.

Parts Used 
Leaves, Distilled Oil

Systems
Respiratory, Digestive, Nervous, Integumentary, Cardiovascular, and Urinary

Actions 
Anti-inflammatory, Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Antispasmodic, Bronchodilator, Vasodilator 

Nutrition
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and omega 6

Constituents 
Phytochemicals including Monoterepenoids, Diterpenoids, Triterpenoids, Sesquiterpenoids, Phenolics, Flavonoids and Esters. Volatile oils, and Phenolic Monoterpenes like Carvacrol, Camphor, and Thymol

Benefits
Cuban Oregano is used for respiratory issues like bronchitis, allergies, asthma, colds, and coughs. This plant has also been used to treat malarial fevers, convulsions, and epilepsy. For the digestive system, it treats indigestion and stomach cramps. It has also been used when arthritis, headaches, and insomnia are present. In Indonesia, it is given to nursing mothers to improve milk production. It is infused into a syrup for cough and sore throats. Also in Indonesia as well as India, in the practice of Ayurveda, they choose Cuban Oregano as an anti-inflammatory and to reduce fever.

Cautions
Cuban oregano might be harmful to cats, dogs, and horses since it is a plectranthus. It is not recommended to ingest oregano oil. Especially if pregnant. 

Culinary use
Used to season meat and fish. Especially in jerk seasoning. It can be used in most recipes calling for Oregano, but Cuban Oregano has the tendency to be overpowering if too much is used. 

The fresh leaves are best. They can be used in a salad or put in a blender with other ingredients for a marinade, pesto, or salsa. It even neutralizes the heat of hot peppers to some degree. Cuban Oregano is used as an ingredient in stuffing, in soups & stews, and to flavor black beans. Beer and wine recipes have called for Cuban Oregano. It’s also delicious simply battered and fried.

Other Uses 
Rubbing a leaf on your skin can repel mosquitoes. Crushed leaves can be used on the skin to treat Burns, Sores, Eczema, and Insect bites. 

Magick 
Brazilian people and specifically African immigrants to Brazil used Cuban oregano in rituals. It was burned as an offering or to consecrate places of worship.  It was used as incense for protection or as cleansing magic. If it was growing in a lawn it was thought to be a sign that fairies have blessed that place.  It can be worn as a sachet to encourage psychic sensitivity.

https://www.meetyogajudith.com/blog/mums-the-word-9ak4n

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6274163/

http://dtlherbsltd.blogspot.com/2011/02/herb-of-week-cuban-oregano.html?m=1 

http://www.lilsuburbanhomestead.com/2012/04/15/herb-of-the-week-cuban-oregano/