Holistic Healing with Evergreens

White Pine
Your lower branches dying 
and yet you stand 
so rooted in your entire being.

Thank you for supporting me 
in nourishing my roots 
for strength and resilience 
to withstand the cold and storms.

Thank you for whispering 
in the winds of change.

For moving through my lungs 
grief that is still holding on 
even after I let go.

Breathe into me. 
Thank you.
May my exhale return to you
and all who take care of us.

I recently enrolled in the Gaia School of Healing & Earth Education’s year long program on sacred plant medicine & traditional herbalism, so expect to receive more from me in the coming year as I learn more!

Personally, I’m interested to see how this new exploration of herbs blends with what I’ve already explored in my study of essential oils. I hope what I continue to share about plants engages our senses and connection with the natural world.

I was inspired to share some of my notes here from one of the plants of focus last month: evergreens.

Evergreen Support for the Body

respiratory support
expectorant
circulatory stimulant
mild diuretic
immune stimulant
grief support (lungs)
evergreens stimulate sweating, which can help reduce a fever
balance the left brain and overactive mind, improve memory, and clarity
throat chakra — connecting to all forms of expression, sound, music, and communication

In the ancient ways of understanding the natural world symbols and “signatures” in nature offered insight into the properties of plants. Referred to as the “doctrine of signatures,” one could learn about the beneficial capacities and relationships to plants through observation.

Considering the shape of a tree’s branches, especially the needles of pine, you can see how they visually mimic the delicate intricacies of our lungs. Energetically, the respiratory system is associated with the emotion of grief. It’s understood from this perspective that pine opens the lungs and also helps to move energy to support us on all levels.

BATH

Gathering needles from the White Pine trees on the land where I live, and adding them to a bath — highly recommend in the winter.

Removing the needles from the tub afterward was good for the pipes and the trees — I returned them to the base of the White Pines with thanks.

Side note: weather permitting you could do a bath like this during your stay at Forest & Flowers Retreat in the outdoor tub, or indoors with the pine bath salts in the guest gift package.

BODY OIL

With a simple base of jojoba and sometimes a little sesame oil (warming), I add a drop of black spruce, cypress, or white fir essential oil and apply feet to neck after a shower. I especially love this in the winter — circulation, lungs, and the grounding aroma that helps me feel more steady and wind down for sleep.

SMOKE CLEANSING/SMUDGING

For purifying, cleansing. Ever since making juniper bundles from the shrubs at Forest & Flowers Retreat last year, I’ve used them in my home, at the Retreat House, and often before meditation — I feel it’s clearing energy and support in bringing me into a sacred space.

AROMATHERAPY

Simply inhale the essential oil (black spruce, cypress, or white fir) from the bottle or apply a drop in carrier oil over the lungs — breathe deeply fully in, and fully out.