Open Meadows: Remedies for summer and always

The cool early mornings are the best time to gather plants for salves and other healing uses. The birds are singing. It is peaceful and grounding. I walk through the woods on my property and in my yard to find the best plants for my healing intentions. So many have shown up this season. I have cultivated wild red clover in my yard as well as plantain and yarrow. I noticed this year that the self heal plant is growing better than previous years. The flat pointy leaves of lime green have grown in nice little circles with their flowers about ready to be in full bloom. The flowers stand taller with tiny purple clusters of petals on a pillar. It has been said that the plants that show up in abundance will be needed the most. I am careful to welcome the healers and avoid pulling them.

In salve making, I choose plenty of plantain for bug bites. It helps with itching and pain. To the salve I add essential oils that further help with pain, such as helichrysum and wintergreen. The self heal plants and flowers are great for healing external wounds and are anti-inflammatory. Lavender is added either by oil or plants in the cooking process. Lavender, peppermint, and citrus oils are some of the soothing, uplifting, and repellant plants. My Sassy Salve, as I like to call it, serves many purposes.

Rosemary and coltsfoot are great for itchy skin on the scalp. Summertime heat can cause irritation in hair and scalp. These plants are made into tinctures or flower essences. Arnica is a common plant also used for its healing ability, in salves especially. But it is also a powerful flower essence. This concept gives a whole new meaning to the term Flower Power!

The flowers used in making essences are as vast as the flowers themselves. Many books have been written on the subject. And the topic is as deep as the roots of an oak tree. Every plant has a flower of some sort. Each flower has its own energetic value. Flowers have been growing and evolving since the earth’s formation. With the sun as their source, they have been radiating purposeful power to the entire planet and all that the earth has endured. Through struggles of major weather events, population growth, and pollution, flowers have persevered. They continue to share their ancient knowledge of healing with us. A child knows. They understand the special gift a flower can bring. Who hasn’t enjoyed the dandelion from a child who shares unconditionally, the vibrant elation from the first flower of spring. Dandelions have their own special energy, quite apparent, for uplifting and empowerment, hence the name.

We can heal ourselves just by enjoying the flowers around us. Balance and grounding are available with a walk in the morning or evening. The aroma of flowers in the summer can surprise us. A whiff of something as we pass by is not always obvious as to where it came from, but it brings a smile to our faces.

The bottled version of flower essences are concentrated and easily used, either by a drop under the tongue, a few drops in water, drops on pulse points, or diffused. They are not aromatic. They work with your body, so you use them as needed. They are available all over the internet. I make my own whenever I can so that I know the strength of the stock liquid and the mother water. Salves, tinctures and flower essences are easy to make. They can take a bit of time. Tinctures need to sit for months. Salves are made from dried plants and steamed in a crock pot, then added to beeswax and other oils. Flower essences can be made in a few hours. But our intentions are the most important ingredient for all processes and purposes to increase the healing power of the flower.

Reach Shannon at [email protected].