Cow Lily Rhizome

Hi Everyone,

Well, it's spring, and I'm out and about to see
what I can observe, as nature gradually takes on
her spring coat.

I was up along the old mines road in the gold
fields, and discovered that the beavers are at
work cutting down small trees, and digging up
all kinds of interesting things.

Anyhow, I looked down off of the small bridge
that crossed over a stream, and noticed a strange
looking object lying amongst the grasses, near
the stream's edge.

Well, much to my amazement, it was a cow
lily rhizome that the beavers had dislodged
from the bottom of the stream.

And, a beautiful sample, at that!

Now, I thought I'd post a couple of photos of
the rhizome, below, for those of you who have
never seem cow lily rhizome. They never cease
to amaze me -- every time I see a cow lily
rhizome, I'm amazed at how much they resemble
something that we might associate with the
prehistoric period of earth's existence!

Heck, they look like something from the movie,
Jurassic Park! :)

Now, in North American Native medicine and
food systems, I've noticed that information on
roots and rhizomes, are often interchangeable.
For example, with the cow lily, it is often
said that the roots were pounded to a pulp and
used to reduce swellings. Well, in this case, it
actually refers to the cow lily rhizome being
pounded and used for that purpose. If there
happened to be roots attached to the rhizome,
they would probably have been used as well.

Also, I must admit, that in my book, Micmac
Medicines, I am guilty of that as well. In other
words, I talk about cow lily roots, when I was
actually referring to the rhizome. I was simply
expressing it in the same fashion as it had been
expressed to me.

Enjoy the photos!

All the best,
Laurie

It'll Soon Be Kayaking Season!

Hi Everyone,

Well, spring is upon us, and I'm eager to put my
kayak in the water!

In fact, so eager was I this past weekend, that
I practised my kayaking technique on the remains
of a snow bank! So, what do you think? Is this
silly desperation or just plain enthusiasm?

In any case, I hope you get a chuckle from the
photo, below.

Laughter is good medicine. . . . ;)

All the best,
Laurie,

p.s. I forgot my life jacket. . . .

The March Moon and Birthday Celebrations

Hi Everyone,

Well, last night I was on the old mines road walking in the
light of the full moon. It was splendid! A bit frosty, but, still,
the night had the feeling of approaching spring!

I walked to Minamkeak Lake and noticed that the ice is
melting along the shore. However, it is still safe to skate
in the coves, so with a bit of freezing, I may yet have one
last skate this coming weekend!

My birthday was March 4th, but was celebrated last
Saturday evening and night with festivities around the fire
pit. It was the first time the fire pit was used this year. Also,
my amazing woman friend, Rita, baked me a birthday
cake from scratch. It was delicious!

But, wait! Before you leave, please check out the pics,
below. The first one shows me eating the remaining mix
from the mixing bowl. The second pic shows me by the
birthday cake.

Hey! Notice the scarcity of candles. . . bet you didn't
know I was still a youngster! Go ahead, count 'em. ;)

All the best,
Laurie




festivities



Traditional Plant Medicine Consultant
at Wild World of Plants

The Conifer Trees In Native Medicine Traditions

This is the first of two articles on the medicinal and
wellness potential of conifer trees. In this first article,
I'll discuss some of the history of conifer trees in eastern
and northeastern North American Native medicine
traditions.

The conifers were widely used by medicine makers
in those traditional cultures. In fact, it's fair to say that
conifer trees were used as often as many of the
herbs and woody plants and bushes. So, it's not
surprising that the earliest reference to indigenous
medicines, in the journals of European visitors to
North America, refers to a conifer tree.

n 1536, Jacques Cartier and his crew were wintering
over at Stadacona (Now known as Quebec City). Their
ships were frozen in the thick ice of the St. Lawrence
river. His crew were dying of scurvy.

Nearby, an Iroquois Chief learned of the illness and
death amongst Cartier's crew. He sent branches of an
evergreen tree to Cartier, with instructions on how
to prepare it. The branches were from the "annedda"
tree (This is probably from the Iroquois word, "haneda,"
which I've read translates something like, "greens on a
stick".).

Within days the crew had recovered. Cartier wrote
in his journal (translated): "... had all the doctors of
Louvain and Montpellier been there, with all the drugs
of Alexandria, they could not have done so much in a
year as did this tree in eight days."

Two centuries would pass before the British medical
community discovered the cause and cure for scurvy.
And, to this day, the Annedda tree has not been
identified with any measure of certainty.

Other accounts of explorers and missionaries, make
mention of conifers, including Balsam Fir, Spruce, and
Pine. The Balsam Fir is legendary, and is the tree that
I personally feel is likely the fabled Annedda. Scholars
have suggested that it is White Pine, White Cedar, or
White Spruce. It has also been suggested that there is
etymological evidence to support Eastern Hemlock, in
this regard.

Whatever the case may be, the story of the Annedda
tree points out the long history of the Native medicine
maker tradition. It also illustrates the beauty and holistic
nature of that tradition -- the medicine maker's eyes
are not only pointed to the ground, to the herbs, but they
are in the trees, as well.

Good medicine always,
Laurie

Note: This article appeared in the 15 February 2009
edition of my Natural Healing Talk Newsletter.

This Melancholy Moon

Hi Everyone,

Over the years, I've noticed how the moon influences
me, emotionally. For instance, the January moon
impressed me with its strength and brightness.

Now, of course, the moon various in her brightness,
partly because of changes in our atmospheric conditions,
the seasons, and her distance from the earth. There
are probably other factors at work, as well.

But, what I really want to mention in this post, is
that for me, this February moon is a melancholy moon.
As it approaches fullness, it is having a strong
influence on my emotional or mental state. I'm feeling
melancholy.

I've often recognized such lunar influences in the
past. I'm very sensitive in this regard. The moods
leave me as the moon passes through fullness, and
begins to wane.

Perhaps this sensitivity is related to my Pisces
nature?

Does anyone else notice the moon's influence on
their emotions?

Well, I must move on and "twitter". if you are a
member of Twitter, you can follow me at this link:
http://twitter.com/laurielacey

All the best,
Laurie

p.s. By the way, I'm always trying to boost my
Natural Healing Talk newsletter subscriber base.
So, at the moment, I'm participating in a Self-Help
Gift Giveaway event. When someone signs up through
my link, my gift (Sweet Grass Prayers) ranking
improves. Of course, a higher ranking means more
subscribers to the newsletter.

If you'd like to help me out, and to grab some
interesting Self-Help products, sign up through
my link: CLICK HERE

Thanks! It's much appreciated!

Walking In A Winter Storm

Hi Everyone,

Well, I dressed warm, put on my boots, and went
walking in the snow, sleet, and wind, earlier this
evening. As I walked along the old mines road, I
noticed a constant hum, as the wind danced and
darted its way through the needles and branches
of the tall spruce trees.

A couple of vehicles had broken a path through the
snow. So, the walking was made somewhat easier
because of that, although I still felt my feet slip
with each step I took. In the end, I soon turned
back, as my warm house and a cup of tea, beckoned
my return.

To some extent, I enjoy walking in storms, as they
show us another side of nature. They also make me
appreciate a warm home!

Now, as I type this message, I notice there's a lull
in the wind, and, in this calmness, even the sleet
has ended. Perhaps the storm has passed and moved
further east?

In the morning, I will prepare a feeding area for the
birds. I do this with snowshoes. How? Well, I walk
over the area until the snowshoes create a hard
surface for the birds to enjoy. I then scatter the
seeds and the birds have a grand time on their new
feeding grounds.

I hope everyone has a splendid February! I'll return,
soon.

All the best,
Laurie