June 2009

Tulsi and Other Signs of Peace and Hope

Thu, 06/18/2009 - 19:02 — Lisa

 

Tulsi, also known as Sacred Basil, Holy Basil or in latin Ocimum sanctum,  is one plant that I use in my daily life and in my practice for many reasons and is one of the few non-native or naturalized plants that I use. It does grow quite nicely in upstate New York , but must be brought in when Fall comes, or the seeds saved for the next season.  I was introduced to Tulsi several years ago when I was in class taught by Kate Gilday on the use of Ayurveda as a healing modality and I fell in love with the taste and smell of Tulsi immediately. I had used Italian or Sweet Basil for years, but had never heard of Sacred Basil. Kate had it growing in her garden and so I tried growing it my self and have been very successful. It is an annual so I save my seeds from year to year and start it indoors each Spring as it is not particularly fond of cold or frost.

Native Northeastern Plants

Fri, 06/12/2009 - 20:19 — Lisa

The indigenous plants of the Northeast, particularly in New York State, have become my closest allies.  I have grown to know each plant as I have hiked, kayaked and explored the woods, waterways and meadows of my bioregion.  I have encountered so many species, individually, over the past several years and I am still finding new flowers that I have never seen before. Some of the medicinal properties were taught to me from my teachers and some I learned through my own research. Many of these are woodland plants, as much of the northeast was originally forest containing hardwoods and evergreens with meadows here and there created by beaver dams and forest fires.  Unfortunately, many of these amazing plants are endangered due to overharvesting and habitat loss. Some require very specific soil and climate conditions to grow and are especially difficult to find anymore except in the few old growth areas or places where the land has been undisturbed for many years.