The Gifts Of The Wind

[suzanne sanders]

The Gifts Of The Winds

Never pick the lichens off the tree they take a long time to grow and you will be contributing to the destruction of a healthy eco system. Believe me the wind provides plenty. They will be on the ground after a wind storm.

The gifts of the wind are more than just finding wind blown medicine on the ground.

It is the gift of fresh air filling up your lungs with the aromatics of the forest. Natures gifts are abundant and depending on the season she provides the vital nutrients, for your every need.

Winter, a time that most are inside way too much, living in stagnant warm air and it is these confines that people will suffer more sickness. Therefore the winds of winter bring medicine to those that are willing to take a step and walk outside, into the forest. It is not just the medicinal herbs that you find that are going to help you through winter time ailments, but it is the gifts of winter seasonal weather that you are experiencing outside that are truly keeping you healthy on many levels.

You are being given the gift of movement, as you move, walk, bend, squat, pick up and breath.

A heavy wind, is a reminder as you stand still watching the tops of the trees, that even as you stand in stillness, everything is alive and moving in your body. It reminds you to take breaths of oxygen deep into your lungs. It is what keeps you alive, healthy and moving.

Breath, breathing relaxes you, teaches you to slow your mind down and take in the beauty that surrounds you. Beauty is what the spirit and soul need, Manna is Breath Of Life...

Feel the winter, its wind, it's coolness, it's stillness, it's beauty,

It is these gifts that move stuck and or stagnant energy (Chi) in your body. It is these gifts, the gifts of nature, that if we listen to the Laws of Nature, will lead us to the path of great health.

Lungwort ( lobaria pulmonaria) Not to be confused with lungwort pulmonaria officinalis
Bitter, sweet and cool. Most often grows in shady environments and is an indicator for rich, healthy ecosystems such as old growth forests.
Organs Affected: Respiratory system
Actions: Antioxidant, antiasthmatic, expectorant, tonic, astringent, demulcent
Because it resembles lung tissue, humans have used lungwort (lobaria pulmonaria) for lung ailments. It is used for a variety of respiratory ailments, including coughs, colds, bronchial detoxification, asthma, tuberculosis and catarrhal problems. Lungwort is high in antioxidants.
Gather what has fallen to the ground during the wet season, from early spring to early summer
Decoction or infusion –
1 tablespoon per cup
Lightly simmer 5 minutes, steep 10 minutes
1 to 3 cups a day
Tincture 1 to 2 dropperfuls, 1 to 3 times per day
Generally regarded as safe

Usnea (usnea barbata)

Bitter, sweet, cool and dry
Organs Affected: Kidney, lungs and spleen
Actions: Antimicrobial, antibiotic, antifungal, immune-modulating, demulcent, vulnerary laxative and nutritive
Usnea can be used as an immune system tonic in acute situation as well as in long term immune enhancement. Its antibiotic properties are specific for the respiratory and urinary system’s. Known to be used for staph and strep infections, heal wounds, respiratory issues and infections, pheumonia, colds, flus, allergy symptoms, sore throat, fungal infections, urinary infections, kidney and bladder infections, sinus infections, vaginal infections, yeast infections, HPV and more.
Tincture is best- 1 dropperful 3 times a day
Decoction and infusion
1 tablespoon per cup
Lightly simmer 5 minutes covered, steep 10 minutes
1 to 3 cups a day
Should not be taken during pregnancy

Cottonwood Buds February 4th, Check out the Events page for more Information

Pictured Below:

Cottonwood Tree Down, Gift of the Wind and sometimes gifts from the Beaver....

Early Spring Medicine:

Forsythia
Forsythia x intermedia and Forsythia suspensa, a commonly grown landscape plants.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is called Lian Qiao, Forsythia suspense
Flowers bloom before the leaves in early spring.
The seeds are bitter ( a bitter flavor with an antiseptic effect) and cooling.
Actions: Antibacterial, antiemetic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antipyretic (reduce fever) antitussive (helps with coughs), antiviral, astringent, choleretic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatoprotective, immunostimulant and laxative.
Parts Used: leaves, fruit and seeds

Forsythia, is used to treat multiple health conditions, including sore throat, respiratory tract infections, colds, flus, encephalitis B, meningitis, fever, vomiting, bronchiolitis, tonsillitis, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS as well as acute skin rashes and mumps. The fruit has a bitter flavor and its astringent properties are used to help invigorate the heart, gall bladder and the nervous system.

In The Green Pharmacy, by James Duke, he often combines it with Honeysuckle(antiviral) and Lemon Balm (antiviral). The Way Of The Herbs, by Michael Tierra he also combines it with honeysuckle. Mostly teas were used. Tincture and powders were used to. James Duke used Forsythia, honeysuckle, gentain as a powder, mixed in apple sauce for earaches, colds and flu.

Forsythia is often combined with Honeysuckle for treating colds and flu.
Forsythia Seeds can be ordered from Mountain Rose
Flowers:

Forshythia Blossom Syrup – For Sore Throats and Coughs
3 cups fresh flower blossoms
3 cups spring or filtered water
Sweetener of choice
You could add some dried honeysuckle flowers and some Lemon Balm. If you do add these herbs you need to increase the water.
Example
1.5 cups dried honeysuckle
1.5 cups dried lemon Balm
3 more cups water
Bring the mixture to a boil
Reduce heat and simmer for about 30 minutes (covered)
Turn off heat when reduced by half.
Cover
Let sit overnight
Strain
Add Honey
1 cup liquid to 8 ounces of honey
If you would like a stronger medicinal syrup you can add 1 part tincture to 3 part syrup
Example:
1 ounce tincture to 3 ounces syrup
Harvest the flowers for making a flower essence. The flower essence is used by filling you up with sunshine, gives a boost of energy, inspiration and motivation. Provides motivation, to bring one out of bad habits, to rid oneself of useless patterns, like bad habits, addictions bad thoughts. If you are sad and feeling like an Eeyore, try the flower essence to help lift your spirits.
The fruits (seeds)are harvested only after they have ripened completely and subsequently dried up for preparing.

Always properly identify your plants.

Do Not harvest in toxic areas that have been sprayed with chemicals 

I am not giving you medical advice, it is up to you as the reader to do your research if you are interested in using plants for your health.