The plants are calling you.
They have a rich and diverse vocabulary and speak in many tongues. For the scientist the plant may speak in the minute language of chemicals and isolates; to the medicine person they speak in the multi-versed language of healing; to the poet, they speak in beauty.
No matter what language you speak or comprehend the plants will converse in a manner in which you can understand, though it may take a listening ear and an open heart to hear them. Through their color, scent, medicine power, and beauty they seduce and entice us into the realm of our senses where we hear best the language of the plants.
Many people, when they first begin working with plants, don’t recognize the language by which plants speak. They are listening for familiar words. But words are only one method of communication and, as most people discover, not always the best language to convey feelings or thoughts.
Ask anyone who has dug their hands deep in the dirt, planted seeds, harvested medicine, and taken time simply to get to know plants on their own turf, and they will tell you that the plants communicate clearly if we but choose to listen.
What can you do to make a difference?
Here are several ways you can make a difference.
Be a conscious and responsible consumer
It seems that everyone these days is interested in learning how herbal medicine can benefit them. But equally important, if not more so, is the welfare of the plant communities themselves.
Opt for organically cultivated herbs or those responsibly wild-crafted, avoiding endangered or at-risk species. If a company sells unsustainable wild-harvested products, let them know your concerns. Ann Armbrecht’s book, The Business of Botanicals (Chelsea Green Press), is an excellent resource for all herbalists and plant lovers to go deeper into this topic.
Stay awake and be mindful
Know the herbs that are at-risk. United Plant Savers maintains a list of At-Risk Species. Download or print the document and keep it close at hand. Ask your local herb stores to post the list next to its herb section to educate customers. If there are plants in your area or bio-region that you are concerned about, let United Plant Savers know.
Learn to make your own medicine
Herbalism is kitchen medicine. Learning to make your own medicine inexpensively in your own kitchen keeps the power in the people’s hands – instead of the big companies.
Learn to grow your own medicine
Most of the plants needed for everyday medicine are easily grown and adaptable. In fact, many are species we like to call “weedy.” If you have a small space, consider growing the plants you use most for your medicine. Try to plant as many at-risk plants as you have space for and that will grow in your habitat. See Richo Cech’s book Growing At-Risk Medicinal Herbs (Herbal Reads LLC).
Be a good steward and restore wildness on your land
Whether you live on a small city plot or a thousand acres, help restore biodiversity by restoring at least a section of the land to its native wildness. When the birds and insects and frogs begin to return, your good stewardship will be rewarded with such a gift of beauty and diversity. Read The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono for a glimpse into the magnitude of change this one small action can bring.
“Grace happens when we act with others on behalf of our world.”
Create a botanical sanctuary on your land
A sanctuary is a holy place, one of refuge or protection. Creating a botanical sanctuary is a simple yet profound act of purpose and intention. United Plant Savers’s Botanical Sanctuary Network is a thriving and ever-growing community of botanical sanctuaries around the US. Learn more about creating your own and joining the network at https://unitedplantsavers.org/bsn/.
Become a member of United Plant Savers
When we choose to use plants as our medicine, we then become accountable for the wild gardens, their health and their upkeep. We begin a co-creative partnership with the plants, giving back what we receive ~ health, nourishment, beauty and protection. We have reached a time in history when not to consider this co-creative relationship with the resources we use on this small and beautiful planet would be disastrous. We invite you to join in our efforts to help Plant the Future.
When you become a United Plant Savers member, you join a community of thousands of members who support a mission to protect at-risk medicinal plants and fungi.
For the month of March, save $5 off any membership when you use code MARCH2024 at checkout. And, when you join this month, you’ll also get a $75 gift card to use towards classes in the International Herb Symposium’s Learning Center.
This year is United Plant Savers’ 30th anniversary! Let’s all make this the best year yet for supporting this incredible mission!
“We remain hopeful that we can and will make a difference helping to ensure that our medicinal plant populations are here for our grandchildren and their grandchildren to enjoy and even more importantly, that they remain an integral part of the great web of life.”
about herbs for over 50 years. It is my honor and joy to share what I have learned with you, and to introduce you to my fellow herbalists and plant lovers!
Rosemary, do you have a recommendation for a children’s book (ages 8 and up) that would address these issues?
Thank you for sharing with us. Especially the book recommendation.
Dearest Rosemary,
Your work and that of United Plant Savers truly inspired me when I was in school getting my Masters of Science in Herbal Medicince. So much so that I started my own local initiative called Michigan Protects. While we are still in the starting phases, I have begun to populate my greenhouse with at risk species for when we have the land to plant on. Our website is michiganprotects.org and I look to you for any advice.
With Love for the Plants,
Bonnie Beth
Dear Rosemary, how lovely to read here about your wonderful Plant Savers project. I’ve read about it previously, and have taken note of which plants are at risk and plant what I a able, here in Australia’s subtropics. I love that you are creating awareness of how vulnerable many species are, of how to source mindfully and of how valuable they are to this planet. Thank you.
Dear