Plant Attunement: How-to Instructions
The process of Plant Attunement is always similar. First, set the intention and create sacred space. We are already quieting down as we walk towards our destination. We also smudge with sage or cedar and give thanks to all or relations in the seven directions. This...
Materia Medica in June: Three Classes of In-depth Herbal Medicine Knowledge
Materia Medica class has been a central component to Clearpath School of Herbal Medicine since its beginnings in 1999. The term describes a body of knowledge on a large number of medicinal plants. Traditionally, herbalists and healers from around the world have had a...
Growing Chinese Herbs
Pursuing a Long-time Passion Chinese herbs are a passion of mine, dating back before I even knew I wanted to be an herbalist. Between 1979 and 2001, whenever I visited the Chan Center, the part-time home to my most influential teacher, Buddhist master and scholar...
Plant Medicine and Nature Walk at Mt. Toby: Herb Lore and Sensory Awareness Skills
Herb Walks in Western Massachusetts Clearpath Herbals and Local Harmony kick continue our series of nature and herb walks in western Massachusetts Friday, July 29, from 3pm-6PM. Owen Wormser and I invite you to join us for a unique series of walks along the trails of...
Nature and Herb Walks in Western Massachusetts: Mt. Toby and Beyond
by Owen Wormser Plant Medicine and Nature Walk at Mt. Toby: Herb Lore and Sensory Awareness Skills This coming Sunday, May 22, Chris Marano of Clearpath Herbals and I are teaming up to lead the first in a series of four herb walks at Mt. Toby in Leverett, MA. On our...
Clearpath Herbal Medicine Garden: Ten Year Anniversary
An Herbal Medicine Garden in the Pioneer Valley Unbelievable! It was ten-plus years ago that two of my herb students, fresh out of UMass, convinced me and then helped me to design and create Clearpath Herbals medicine gardens. That was Emily French, now of Sweetgrass...
Astragalus and Marshmallow: From Roots to Medicine
Many Hands Herbal Medicine Making Another day in the life of an herbalist. Students/staff Gina S, Lilly D, and Chris S are joined by a couple of Gina’s family members at my house to garble and process a couple of root herbs that we had harvested from Clearpath...
Clearpath Herbals’ Apothecary & Garden: Spring Check-In
Long before the ‘tiny house movement’ became a trend, there was the Clearpath Herbals’ apothecary building. Affectionately known as the ‘herb shack,’ it boasts a less-than-100-square-foot floor plan. Realtors would call it cozy. Here are a few of my students-- Chris...
Making Cactus Tincture: Processing Fresh Plant
Processing night-blooming cereus cactus into tincture medicine What would a blog series on night-blooming cactus (Selenicereus grandiflorus) be if I left you hanging and neglected to talk about the last part of the process? That is, turning raw cactus into a potent,...
Wildcrafting Night-Blooming Cereus Cactus
Successful wildcrafting mission of valuable medicine We arrived in Florida a few days ago for our short work vacation, and tomorrow we are starting the return trip back northward. The main ‘work’ part of my trip was to wildcraft night-blooming cereus (Selenicereus...
