I began talking to trees and plants as a child, and for a
brief period of time, this communication was educated right out of me… I’m
thankful that it was only a brief period. I resumed my interest in the natural
world as a teenager: stones, earth, herbs, gardens and the magical whispering
of the nature spirits.
I vividly recall the first time -since I was a child- that a
tree addressed me directly. She was a gnarled old crabapple growing just off my
front porch who offered several comfortable spots to recline. I enjoyed her
immensely; I would frequently perch in her low, sturdy branches and observe the
world. One evening in early November, I stepped out onto my porch to breathe in
the cool, moist air. It had been raining steadily all day, and a fine mist
persisted, visible in the glow of the streetlight across the way.
“Welcome.” She said. I heard it distinctly in my head. The
thought was simple and it was placed there, but not by me. “Hi.(?)” I replied tentatively.
“My berries are luminous.” She stated. They were. The pea-sized fruits were
heavy with pendulous droplets of rain that reflected the streetlamp’s amber
radiance. I agreed, “Yes. There are.” somewhat dumbstruck. “Taste them.” She urged
and when I hesitated, she added, “I would never harm you. I love you.” I
plucked one and tasted it slowly, reverently. “What is my medicine?” she asked,
encouraging me to consider the flavors and sensations.
Initially, I detected a mild sweetness, followed by sour.
The texture was dry and finally I noticed that my mouth became slightly
parched. I relayed this aloud to her and she responded, “What does that tell
you?” I pondered this information in the context of my herbal knowledge in
traditional Chinese medicine. “Tonifying to the Spleen Qi, inhibiting Damp,
while also being astringent.” I reported. “Who do you know that needs this?” she
prodded. A light bulb went on in my head, and I was offered 5 tiny, ripe apples
to give to my friend who was in the house.
“The tree out front wants you to eat these.” I stated
matter-of-factly when I returned to the living room with my open palm extended, offering the fruit. I was met with a look of
bemused incredulity, yet my friend complied and ate them. The digestive
symptoms he had been complaining about for a few weeks were completely cleared
up by the next day. After that, I’ve never hesitated to converse with trees or
plants.
“HerbaLisl” Lisl
Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG) is a nationally board certified
Chinese Herbalist, and a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists
Guild. Lisl is also a certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, a Reiki Master an
Acupressurist, an Auriculotherapist, a photographer, a renowned
diagnostician, a teacher and a published writer who has enjoyed a successful
private practice for nearly twenty years.
Please call 8 6 0 - 4 8 0 - 0 1 1 5 or email HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions would like to
schedule an appointment or are interested in participating in classes or
retreats.
love love love!
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