Tag: herbal medicine

let’s talk: seasonal herbal csa.

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One of the things I most look forward to as the seasons change is my package of herbal goodies coming from Wild and Wise as part of their seasonal CSA.

What’s a CSA?

CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture.  Traditionally, farms accept sign-ups from members of the community and, in return, the community members receive a box of fruits and veggies at a certain interval.  You are essentially purchasing a ‘share’ in the farm to help assist production during that season.  It’s a great way to receive wonderful local, fresh produce in your area!

An Herbal CSA is the same deal, except rather than purchasing a share on a veggie farm, you’re purchasing a share of an herbal garden or farm to support the growth and production of herbal medicine.  I love that the CSA has spread beyond just fruits and veggies!

Choosing an Herbal CSA.

While I was on the hunt for an herbal CSA, I really wanted to find something local, something that offered a handful of products with each package, and something that was sent with the changing of seasons.  For herbs, especially, the shift of seasons calls for a different set of medicines to help keep your body and mind balanced and ready for the changes the earth brings.

You may have different wants and needs for your herbal CSA, and it’s really easy to do some research to find one that works for you.  I did some searches on Google as well as on Local Harvest before I came across Wild and Wise.

About Wild and Wise!

This CSA is based out of Humboldt County in California, so while it’s not immediately local to SF, I was comfortable with the herbs being grown and the medicine being made just a few hours north.  The huge selling point for me on this Herbal CSA in particular was the collection of items sent at the start of each season.  It’s perfect!

I also love that this is mostly a one-woman show headed by Nicole Gagliano, who puts her heart into everything she makes and really focuses on her goal of bringing community together around the common desire for local herbal medicines.  Perfect!  You can find more about her and Wild and Wise here, or check out info about becoming a shareholder here.


 wildnwise

And Now for the Most Exciting Part!  What Came in my Fall CSA Share.

This is the reason I really wanted to write about this wonderful CSA:  I am SO excited about the items I just received for the Fall share.

In this share, I received:

  • Tulsi Rose Sipping Vinegar (more to come on sipping vinegars because I’ve recently become quite smitten!)
  • Peaceful Slumber Tea
  • Motherwort Tincture (one of my favorite herbs!)
  • Triple Berry Syrup (delicious blend!)
  • Herbs de Provence
  • Inflammation Tamer
  • Newsletter and little sticker!

See?  What a lovely assortment of items.  In the newsletter, Nicole describes each of the medicines, what they are used for and their contraindications.  It’s one of my favorite parts of the season when I get to curl up on the couch and read through everything included.  It’s like a little treasure chest!

wild and wise 3

So, that’s a bit about my CSA experience.  I’ve really, really enjoyed it.  Are you a part of any herbal or more traditional CSA?   I’d love to hear your experiences and any recommendations!

**Note:  these are my own thoughts and this post is in no way sponsored by Wild and Wise.  (I just love the medicines so darn much!)

online herbal medicine course!

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I wanted to make a quick post to let you know that enrollment for my dear herbal medicine teacher’s first online course closes tomorrow!

Kami McBride is a fabulous teacher, and I know you’ll learn a lot from her.  To learn more and enroll, click here.

You can also find some wonderful recipes in a guest post Kami did a few weeks ago on tsoana here.

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If you have any questions, feel free to comment and I’m happy to answer!  Her classes truly changed my life, and I learned so so much from her.  Honestly can’t say enough good things!

a journey to river’s bend.

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I have been fortunate enough to learn about herbal medicine and the magic of plants from a wonderful teacher, Kami McBride.  This past weekend, our circle of plant sisters drove in from around the Bay Area to the most perfect retreat spot at River’s Bend.

to the river <3.

at river’s bend.

The part I love most about Kami’s classes is that not only do I learn so much about plants and their medicinal uses, but also, I learn about plant spirit and so much about myself.  I can really delve into what’s inside of me, in my heart, in a very safe and comfortable environment.  I can be me and I am held and protected.  We don’t have enough spaces and communities like this in the world.  We need to make them!

delicious purple sage.

delicious purple sage.

in the garden at mary pat palmer's philo school of herbal energetics.

in the garden at mary pat palmer’s philo school of herbal energetics.

bark

beautiful bark texture.

looking up

a glance toward the sky.

One idea that came out of the weekend is that we certainly need a culture shift – to one that is more loving toward humans, plants, and the earth.  One where we see the earth as a living being and treat it with kindness and respect.  In order to do that, we need some of the ‘crazy ones’ that talk to plants and share with the world.  Will that be you?!

plant altar

plant mandala in our sacred space.

garlic

garlic people!

mullein

mullein flowers saying hello.

During our final bit of time in at River’s Bend, we went on a hike through what used to be a lush redwood forest.  It is now mostly tan oak and douglas fir.  (Un-fun fact: did you know only 4% of our redwood forests still stand today?)  I found a family circle of redwoods and sat in a little nest of their dropped and browned leaves.  It was so cozy and protected and I felt so at peace.  I could have stayed there all afternoon (and beyond).  I felt as though the trees were telling me to be strong and they would be there.

st john's wort.

st john’s wort.

When I needed to go, I picked up a dried tan oak leaf and wrote the simple words ‘be strong.’  I placed it in some peeling bark on one of the trunks in the redwood family and kissed them goodbye.  I walked away.  I won’t forget.

(for more images from this beautiful journey (and others!), please visit the ‘through the lens‘ section.)