As we learned in part one of this Elemental Herbalism series, the Elements are archetypal mirrors of the natural world within and all around. They reflect the cycles of the seasons, the cycles of our lives, and the sacred ecology of our individual and collective bodies and Spirits. In this article, we look to the South, welcome summer Fire, and explore roses, people’s medicine.
Roses: People’s Medicine
Roses grow in most places around the world, and have been adored in food, medicine, and culture for thousands of years. All Rosa species, and the whole plant, offer generous medicine. Her astringency draws what we love close. Her aromatics flower us open, softening our senses and welcoming peace. Infuse petals into heart-opening teas, chocolates, tinctures, elixirs, honeys, glycerites, and vinegars. Spritz rose hydrosol or diluted vinegar to cool hot summery skin, and tone tissues. Toss antioxidant rose hips into oatmeal or colorful teas to nourish your Heart.
Summer Fire governs your Heart, Small Intestine, Pericardium, and Triple Burner. Your Heart is the pink, blooming, sovereign Empress of your body, protected by the thornbush of your Pericardium. Summer Fire nourishes your 神 Shen-Spirit, your inner authentic rosy radiance, which needs tending. The Heart-medicine of roses and Fire reminds us, “Love yourself, to love the world.”
Take pleasure in the everyday lifestyle medicine of how you rest, move, connect, nourish, and create. Take herbal baths. Enjoy herbal potions. Spend quality time with the green growing wonder of all that you love. Fill yourself with care, and that love flowers out into a more loving world for all.
Herbal medicine is people’s medicine too, like roses. We are creative. We herbalists create free clinics, volunteer as street medics, and perform small but mighty acts of mutual aid via food pantries and pop-up clinics, distributing tea and care packages, standing in solidarity through the cold. Herbalists united from all over the country to support our communities through fires, hurricanes, violence, and more. We organized fundraisers, gathered donations, checked in on neighbors, and showed up where needed. We keep showing up for ourselves and each other, just like the plants. We’re following their lead. Here we are, hearts ablaze, hands open, petals radiant.
Qigong Move: Opening Your Heart Atop the Mountain (開闊胸懷)
Open the rose of your heart atop the mountain of your life with a simple heart-opening Qigong gesture:
-
As you inhale, open your arms wide, reaching from your chest, palms open. Feel love radiating outwards.
-
As you exhale, release your arms, palms down. Feel Earth beneath your feet, how love courses in from below and all around.
-
Inhaling, open. Exhaling, release. Love in, love out.
-
Who are the people, plants, and places that you love? What feeds your heart?
-
How do you flower that love inward to yourself, and out into the world?
-
Close with a hand on your heart, and one on your belly. Breathe.
-
This is the second article in the series, "Herbalism is Activism," a six-part journey through the Five Elements of East Asian medicine. Each month, explore different facets of herbalism as activism with a seasonal plant guide. For each plant, hold them, sip them, or spritz their hydrosols. Breathe these words to life.
Stay tuned for the next part of this series in just a few weeks!
Interested in learning more from Jiling Lin?
Check Out Her Upcoming Events!
You may also be interested in:
- Free Easy Wanderer Incense Recipe
- Working with Herbs in the Rhythms of Nature
- Tea Blending & Ceremony
