Plant Medicine for Rest: Community Wisdoms

Hello Herbies!!!

February is half way through now, and many of you have been taking the opportunity to reflect on the theme of 'rest' and what herbs work for you, plus I hope you've been reading about what helps others. We're all so different that what calms one might energise another, and being in all parts of the world, what we have access to can vary a lot!

We're only focussing on one theme every month, so if you'd like to get ahead for next month, the theme is 'DETOX'. Think kidneys, liver, skin - or, for those who've done Feb Fast (an alcohol free month), what herbs helped you get through.

Don't think we've abandoned you if we take a while to announce the winners. We like to move like mushrooms in the Herbal Hive, allowing the mycellium to run through the dark earth in it's own good time before fruiting into a post that wraps up the great content we've seen in response to the month's theme. Nothing fast and furious here - gentle, slow and supportive is what this community is about!

We've arranged these by herbs where possible, re-titling for ease of reference. You might have some of these in your landscapes, and be keen to read about what others do to assist their body feel a sense of ease, rest and calm.

Image by @artemislives

Here's all the posts we enjoyed a lot - thanks for joining in! The community discussion is so valuable to us all so thanks for those who engaged with others who wrote in the community!

Ylang flower (Cananga odorata) to calm nerve cells by @umiraise
Hops, Lettuce, Lavender by @ligayagardener
Carmen's Water - Lemon Balm by @kyleana
Aiding rest through helping the body heal by @nainaztengra
Cannabis by @edprivat
Ginger, Cayenne, Lemon by @deeannmatthews
Rose, Tulsi, Various by @riverflows
Holy Basil by @artemislives
Lettuce and Chamomile by @belkyscabrera
Chamomile, Lemongrass, Cayenne by @kyleana
Mugwort, Sleepygrass, Holy Basil, Pineapple Sage by @tydynrain
Lavender, Chamomile, Valerian, Tulsi & Others by @traisto
Chamomile, Lavender, Lemon Balm, Sage by @laviesm
Sage by @kirlos
Annona muricata and cayenne flower Hibiscus rosa-sinensis by @virgilio07

The Winners

Here's the posts we really enjoyed. It's really hard to award the 'best' posts, but usually it's a combination of excellent images, interesting discussion or ideas, and well presented, thoughtful writing. There are three winners this month - @traisto, @artemislives and @laviesm. Check your wallets for a little HIVE from us. If anyone wants to sponsor next month's prizes, any donation is really welcomed, and encourages great content for the benefit of everyone here.

Tulsi basil eased it's way into at least five of these posts. @traisto wrote about it well - if you haven't heard of or tried this beautiful plant medicine, it might be worth sourcing or growing some.

Tulsi is what I drink this period. Rejuvenating and stress-relieving. I love basil in general, so I think the family of Lamiaceae works well for me. The smell of fresh basil immediately transfers signals of happiness to my brain. And it definitely wakes me up! If I have a fluffy one in front of my door to stroke in the morning, it works like a cup of cocoa! The happiness waves come to me also trough a nice pesto or a salad with basil.

It was being with and doing rituals with plants too that helped @traisto relax and feel a sense of ease.

Image by @traisto

@artemislives wrote about Holy Basil as an adaptogen. She wrote:

🌿What makes กะเพรา kaphrao so fundamental to the idea of REST is that it is a powerful adaptogen.🌿... In order to rest, we first need homeostasis - that point of internal balance. So Holy Basil, or กะเพรา kaphrao is the fundamental herbal building block which enables rest. Ultimately, consuming an adaptogen like Holy Basil regularly helps to regulate the adrenaline-dopamine-cortisol levels, which help enable better mood, less aggression, better REST and yes, better sleep. No, it doesn't make you sleepy in the least. In fact, it's spicy-peppery-basil flavour will definitely perk up your taste buds in the short term.

Sage tea also made a couple of appearances. Doesn't this image by @laviesm just make you want to curl up with a cup of relaxing tea? @laviesm's photos really presented well and her quiet investigation into what worked for her is exactly the kind of thing we like to see. Remember, you don't have to be an expert on HIVE - it's often the journey that's worth writing about. We're all explorers, discoverers and investigators into the vast world of plant medicine here!

Image by @laviesm

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