Thanks Erin! The "famous for 15 miles" is from Gary Snyder. I expanded on this thought in this essay which is all about the importance of being local/local responsibilities over national/global ones:
As an herbalist, the roots are generally the most potent medicine (or poison). I know people who've eaten poison hemlock leaves and have been fine (I don't recommend this of course), but I am told a piece of the root, the size of a peanut is mortal. The most medicinal parts of burdock, black cahosh, elecampane, echinacea, goldenseal, mahonia, and dandelion are the roots (just to name a few plants). Although nettle is most famous for its leaves and stalks, the root is a remedy for male baldness. I was recently gifted a homemade salve with cannabis root in it. I had never heard of using the root, but it proved to be an effective topical analgesic. I would recommend it's use for people who might have a painful surgical scar or knee injury.
This is fascinating Alissa. Over here in the UK, the tuber (or root, it's difficult to distinguish!) of the pignut is something I one day will go out and forage. It is edible and hunting for them used to be a past time for children back in the day.
"The growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts: and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs." - George Eliot, Middlemarch
Divinity. I'm in love with this piece. There are so many connections between the natural world and humans. The roots that define us, help us to grow strong, or create systemic intergenerational problems. The energy and interconnectedness of everything, unseen, and yet so important to the health of the whole. Thanks!
"...steadfastness, kindness, humility, and an open heart may make her “famous for 15 miles”..."
I love this line so much! An excellent goal in life - to have a "full and overflowing" heart and a reputation for kindness.
Thanks Erin! The "famous for 15 miles" is from Gary Snyder. I expanded on this thought in this essay which is all about the importance of being local/local responsibilities over national/global ones:
https://overthefield.substack.com/p/where-you-are-is-where-you-are
Metaphoric roots, like physical ones, cannot be identified as THE root; as in the love of money is the root of all evil.
Agreed
As an herbalist, the roots are generally the most potent medicine (or poison). I know people who've eaten poison hemlock leaves and have been fine (I don't recommend this of course), but I am told a piece of the root, the size of a peanut is mortal. The most medicinal parts of burdock, black cahosh, elecampane, echinacea, goldenseal, mahonia, and dandelion are the roots (just to name a few plants). Although nettle is most famous for its leaves and stalks, the root is a remedy for male baldness. I was recently gifted a homemade salve with cannabis root in it. I had never heard of using the root, but it proved to be an effective topical analgesic. I would recommend it's use for people who might have a painful surgical scar or knee injury.
This is fascinating Alissa. Over here in the UK, the tuber (or root, it's difficult to distinguish!) of the pignut is something I one day will go out and forage. It is edible and hunting for them used to be a past time for children back in the day.
"The growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts: and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs." - George Eliot, Middlemarch
Divinity. I'm in love with this piece. There are so many connections between the natural world and humans. The roots that define us, help us to grow strong, or create systemic intergenerational problems. The energy and interconnectedness of everything, unseen, and yet so important to the health of the whole. Thanks!