Plant Medicine for Grieffeatured

Introduction

Grief is one of the most profound experiences this existence has to offer. It reaches deep into the mind, body, and spirit, creating waves of emotion that easily overwhelm us. Plants, with their inherent wisdom and connection to the earth, have long been our allies in these times of need. They have the capacity to soothe our emotions, calm our minds, and restore balance to our bodies, connecting us back to the earth and the cycles of life and death.

 

Herbs offer more than just physical healing—they carry energy, stories, and traditions that span generations and cultures. Their power is medicine for ourselves and our communities as we process painful experiences and move forward. 

 

In this post, we’ll explore remedies and energetic practices with a selection of herbs known for their ability to provide comfort during times of grief and change. We will look at how they nurture the mind, body, and spirit, and how they’ve been used historically by indigenous cultures for healing.

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Herbal Remedies for Grief and Transition

Rose, Lemon Balm, and Lavender 

Tea & Bath Formula

These three herbs harmonize to create a deeply soothing remedy for emotional pain, stress, and sleeplessness. Rose, lemon balm, and lavender are gentle yet powerful allies for calming the mind and opening the heart, allowing one to process grief while remaining grounded and peaceable.

 

• Rose (Rosa spp.): Known for being a heart-healer, rose works energetically to make space for grief while uplifting the spirit, allowing for emotional release. 
• Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): A calming, mood-lifting herb, lemon balm is often used to ease anxiety and melancholy. This plant helps to clear stagnant emotions and gently relieves stress.
• Lavender (Lavandula spp.): Lavender is a classic herb for relaxation, most often used to quiet the mind and promote peaceful sleep. Lavender is a great support in calming anxious thoughts and emotional unrest.

Tea:

• 1 part dried rose petals
• 1 part dried lemon balm
• 1 part dried lavender

Steep 1 tablespoon of the herb blend in a cup of hot water for 15-30 minutes. Drink as needed to soothe emotional discomfort, relax the nervous system, and support the heart through grief.

Bath:

Place the herbs in a muslin bag or cheesecloth and hang them under running bathwater. Soak in the bath for at least 30 minutes. In the Hoodoo tradition and other African traditions, you would soak these herbs in a footbath, bowl, or pot and pour the water over your head as a spiritual cleansing bath.

 

Skullcap & Mugwort 

Bath and Pillow Sachet Formula

Skullcap and mugwort are effective for calming the body and mind during emotional overwhelm. This formula supports the nervous system and the spirit, creating a space for both rest and spiritual processing during times of transition.

 

• Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora): Skullcap supports the nervous system, especially in cases of chronic stress. This herb slows anxious, racing thoughts. It’s a powerful remedy for those whose grief manifests as restlessness or nervous exhaustion. Sedative action, best used during bedtime.
• Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris): Mugwort is a spiritually protective herb that promotes vivid dreams and helps with processing grief on a subconscious level. Also supportive to the nervous system and sedative to the mind, mugwort is often used in ritual to help navigate transitions and find deeper meaning in the dreamworld.

 

Bath Formula:

• 1 handful dried skullcap
• 1 handful dried mugwort

Place the herbs in a muslin bag or cheesecloth, and hang them under running bathwater. Soak for at least 30 minutes. In the Hoodoo tradition and other African traditions, you would soak these herbs in a footbath, bowl, or pot and pour the water over your head as a spiritual cleansing bath.

 

Pillow Sachet:

• 1 part dried skullcap
• 1 part dried mugwort

Fill a small cloth pouch with the dried herbs and place it inside your pillowcase. The combined action of these herbs will help calm your mind and encourage restful sleep while also promoting dreamwork as a way to process grief and emotional transitions.

 

Mugwort & Cedar

Incense Blend

Cedar and mugwort are powerful herbs for spiritual cleansing and protection. Together, they create an incense that helps clear stagnant energy and supports spiritual grounding during transitions. This blend can be used in rituals or personal meditation to help release attachments and invite healing.

 

• Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris): Mugwort is known for its ability to facilitate dreamwork and spiritual connection. It helps to bridge the conscious and unconscious mind, making it a valuable ally for emotional and spiritual healing.
• Cedar (Cedrus spp.): Cedar has long been used by indigenous peoples for protection and purification. Burning cedar clears away negative energy and creates a sacred space for emotional processing and spiritual work.

 

• Incense Formula:

• 1 part dried mugwort
• 1 part dried cedar

Burn this incense during meditation or ritual to clear emotional blockages and connect with your spirit during times of transition. Mugwort opens the door to spiritual insight, while cedar offers protection and grounding.

 

Angel’s Trumpet

Flower Essence

Angel’s trumpet is an herb of transformation and surrender, helping to ease the process of letting go and opening to spiritual transitions. This medicine is often used during times of deep spiritual change or when one is navigating life’s major shifts, including death and grief.

 

What is a Flower Essence? Flower essences are vibrational remedies. They are made by infusing the energetic imprint of flowers into water. Unlike tinctures or teas, they contain no physical plant material and instead work on an energetic level. 

 

They are particularly helpful for addressing emotional and spiritual issues, such as grief, fear, or feeling stuck.

 

To make a flower essence, fresh flowers are placed in a bowl of water under sunlight or moonlight for several hours, allowing the plant’s energy to infuse the water. This water is then preserved with alcohol and taken in small doses, typically a few drops at a time.

 

Angel’s Trumpet Flower Essence: This essence helps one gracefully surrender to life’s transitions, including death and major spiritual shifts. It is useful when there is fear of letting go or resistance to change. Taking a few drops of this essence during times of grief can help ease the process of acceptance and spiritual release.

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Herb Overviews & Ethnobotany

Rose (Rosa spp.)

Roses are a worldwide symbol of love and beauty; and their healing properties go far beyond their claim to fame. 

The chemicals in roses are cooling and drying to the body’s tissues, reducing inflammation. The flowers carry an energy that soothes the heart, gently opening it to process grief, trauma, and loss. They offer emotional protection, allowing us to release pain and strengthen our hearts.

 

Ethnobotany:

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) views rose as a blood mover, working to break up emotional stagnation. It has long been used in teas and oils to help alleviate heartache and grief.

 

• Persian Culture: Roses have deep spiritual significance in Persian mysticism, particularly in the Sufi tradition, where they symbolize divine love. The rose represents the journey of the soul toward unity and healing, a metaphor for the transformation that grief often brings.

 

• Tsalagi (Cherokee) Nation: The Tsalagi use rose hips for their high vitamin C content and as a remedy for strengthening the heart and body during emotionally draining periods. The hips are also used in teas for their calming effect on the spirit, particularly during times of loss or transition.

 

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon balm is known for uplifting and calming effects, helping to ease feelings of sadness, anxiety, and melancholy. This medicine is very gentle, making it a perfect remedy for those who feel stuck in emotional pain, helping them to gradually release and move forward.

 

Ethnobotany:

• Ancient Greeks and Romans: Lemon balm was revered for its mood-lifting properties and was often used to calm the spirit and ease stress. Greek physicians, including Dioscorides, prescribed lemon balm for its ability to lift spirits and soothe melancholy.

 

• European Folk Traditions: Throughout Europe, lemon balm has been used as a “joy herb” to clear away sadness and invite peace. The plant is commonly brewed in teas or added to baths to bring comfort and help lift heavy emotions.

 

Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

Lavender is a classic herb for calming the mind and spirit. The aromatic flowers bring a sense of peace and relaxation, especially during times of sleeplessness or anxiety. Lavender’s calming energy is ideal for those who feel restless in their grief, unable to find stillness or relief from emotional turmoil.

 

Ethnobotany:

• Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Cultures: Lavender has been cultivated and used for thousands of years in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, where they’re prized for soothing and antiseptic properties. Lavender was often burned in homes or temples to cleanse and protect the space while also promoting peace and calm.

 

• Medieval Europe: Lavender was often used by herbalists during medieval times to ward off evil spirits and protect against the plague. The medicine was believed to bring serenity to the home and heart, making it a favored remedy during periods of widespread fear and grief.

 

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)

Skullcap is a potent nervous system tonic, perfect for those whose grief manifests as anxiety, insomnia, or nervous exhaustion. This medicine brings a profound sense of calm to the mind, helping to quiet racing thoughts and soothe emotional overwhelm.

 

Ethnobotany:

• Tsalagi Nation: Skullcap has been used by the Tsalagi and other Indigenous nations on Turtle Island to help with relaxation and sleep, especially during stressful times. The medicine is brewed as a tea to help calm the nerves, promote restful sleep, and restore balance to the spirit during difficult transitions.

 

• European Traditions: In European folk medicine, skullcap has long been used as a remedy for hysteria and nervous conditions, which were believed to stem from imbalances in the body’s energy. Herbalists used skullcap to help ease emotional agitation and promote a sense of inner peace.

 

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

Mugwort is a powerful herb for spiritual protection and dreamwork. It is often used during times of transition to help process grief and open the door to spiritual insight. Mugwort connects the conscious and unconscious mind, making it ideal for those who seek deeper meaning in their grief or who wish to explore their emotions through dreams.

 

Ethnobotany:

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): Mugwort, known as “Ai Ye” in TCM, is considered a warming herb that is used to strengthen the blood and regulate energy. The dried leaf is often burned as moxa (a form of heat therapy) during ceremonies to dispel negative energy and bring warmth and balance to the body.

 

• Celtic Traditions: Mugwort was revered by the Celts as a protective and magical herb. Traditionally used in dream pillows to promote vivid dreams and in smudging rituals to clear negative energy. Mugwort was also considered a guardian herb, protecting people during difficult spiritual transitions, such as death.

 

• Nations of Turtle Island: Among the Miwok nation, mugwort leaves have been worn in the nostrils to alleviate headaches and by mourners to clear the head while crying. Mugwort is rubbed on the body to keep ghosts away and worn in a necklace to prevent dreaming of the dead. The Unangax (Aleut) have traditionally used a decoction of mugwort leaves as a tonic, known to be especially good for the dying.

 

Cedar (Cedrus spp.)

Cedar is a deeply grounding and protective herb. It has long been used by many indigenous cultures for spiritual cleansing and purification. Cedar’s energy offers a sacred space for emotional processing, helping to clear negative energy and invite healing.

 

Ethnobotany:

• Anishinaabe, Cree, and Coast Salish Peoples: Cedar holds a sacred place in the spiritual practices of many Indigenous nations on Turtle Island, including the Anishinaabe, Cree, and Coast Salish. Cedar is often burned in cleansing ceremonies and smudging rituals to purify spaces and clear away negative energy. Cedar is also used to protect against spiritual harm, offering grounding and a connection to the natural world during times of transition.

 

• Tibetan Culture: In Tibetan traditions, cedar is often burned during meditation and spiritual practices to invoke protection and cleanse the space of negative energies. The smoke of cedar is believed to bring clarity and ground the spirit, especially during times of upheaval and loss.

 

Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia spp.)

Angel’s trumpet is associated with transitions, particularly those involving death and spiritual change. The energy of this plant helps to ease the fear of letting go and assists in the surrender that often accompanies deep grief or spiritual transformation.

 

Ethnobotany:

• South American Traditions: Angel’s trumpet is native to the Andean regions of South America, where the medicine has been used ceremonially by indigenous peoples for centuries. In some traditions, angel’s trumpet is used to facilitate communication with the spirit world and help individuals navigate significant life transitions, including death. This plant is most often used in ceremonies to help the soul let go of attachments and move peacefully into the next stage of existence.

 

Angel’s Trumpet Flower Essence: This essence supports those who are struggling to let go during times of transition. It is particularly helpful when there is fear or resistance to change, offering peace and grace as one moves through spiritual or emotional transitions.

 

Conclusion

Grief and Change are inevitable parts of life, and they don’t have to be faced alone. This Earth offers us a wealth of medicine that can provide comfort, spiritual protection, and emotional healing.

 

As you work with the plants, remember to connect with them in gratitude for the deep wisdom they share, and honor the cultural traditions that have passed this knowledge down through generations. 

 

May you remain familiar with Joy and Peace throughout your life’s journey.

 

Sources:

Rose (Rosa spp.)

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): “Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica” by Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble.
• Persian Culture: “Perfume and Healing in Islamic Medicine” by Kamal al-Din al-Din al-Farisi (ancient Persian practices).
• Cherokee Nation: “Cherokee Plants and Their Uses—A 400 Year History” by Paul B. Hamel and Mary U. Chiltoskey.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

• Ancient Greeks and Romans: “De Materia Medica” by Dioscorides.
• European Folk Traditions: “The Complete Herbal” by Nicholas Culpeper.

Lavender (Lavandula spp.)

• Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Cultures: “The Essential Oils of Lavender: The Journal of Essential Oil Research.”
• Medieval Europe: “Herbs of the Middle Ages” by Charles Singer.

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)

• Cherokee Nation: “Cherokee Herbal: Native Plant Medicine from the Four Directions” by J. T. Garrett.
• European Traditions: “The Complete Herbal Handbook for Farm and Stable” by Juliette de Bairacli Levy.

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM): “Chinese Herbal Medicine: Formulas & Strategies” by Dan Bensky and Randall Barolet.
• Celtic Traditions: “The Complete Book of Herbs” by Lesley Bremness.
• Nations of Turtle Island: Native American Ethnobotany Database.

Cedar (Cedrus spp.)

• Anishinaabe, Cree, and Coast Salish Peoples: “Sacred Smoke: The Native Art of Smudging” by Harvest McCampbell.
• Tibetan Culture: “Tibetan Medicinal Plants” by Dr. Tsewang J. Tamdin and the Men-Tsee-Khang Tibetan Medical Institute.

Angel’s Trumpet (Brugmansia spp.)

• South American Traditions: “Shamanic Healing: Traditional Medicine for the Modern World” by Itzhak Beery.
• Andean Tradition: “Amazonian Ethnobotany: A Collection of the Useful Plants of the Amazon Basin” by Richard Evans Schultes.