The Healing Drum Retreat

“This is a story told to me by my elders”, stated teacher Kaye Tahwakeena:

“Shaman says that within 30 miles of your birth place, that for every illness you would get there is a healing herb to aide you. The fight over land was not over control of the land, but for the healing herbs contained within them for the care of the people. “

Our urban growth and pavement have taken away many of the plants that have nourished us in years gone by. Along with this the wisdom has nearly been lost or forgotten. Many age-old native remedies have been adopted and modified into the products we now find in the pharmacy. Some of those treatments have been altered or turned synthetic. Some of the herbs found centuries ago are now uncommon, but many can be found in our own backyard.

Historically people who migrate brought herbs from their birthplace with them. When you look up these herbs you can trace the origin of these medicinal or nutritional plants.

Kaye heard this story many times through her life, and took this information to heart. She has studied herbs for many years, and believes this information must continue to be shared through stories, teachings, and practical experience.

Many books are available to help you learn more about herbs. Find a knowledgeable teacher, and talk with your health adviser to find the right herbs for your own use. Understand that there may be reaction or contradictions between your diet and medications you are taking.

Kaye Tahwakeena, co-organizer of the Healing Drum Retreat, offered an overview on the healing properties of herbs and plants commonly found in our gardens. Many of these plants are overlooked or treated as weeds and nuisances, and are removed from our lives. We’ve lost touch with our history and knowledge of the healing and nutritional qualities of these plants.

What do you have in your cupboard? Cayenne, garlic, onion, are common ones, to name a few. Chili peppers are another basic food. Chili peppers have vitamin C, and strong anti-oxidants. Cayenne is known to stop hemorrhaging, and has been used for emergency treatment.

Kaye expressed a consideration during this workshop: “What if you cannot get to the doctor, or cannot get to the store? It’s knowing what you have available within your living area, whether its your cupboard, or your garden, or the weeds outside your door. What you find will vary depending on where you live”.

Here in the northwest we find Oregon grape, plantain, chamomile, juniper, burdock root, osha root, sage, and many more powerful healing herbs. So, what Kaye recommends is to know what you have in your backyard, to understand what is available.

“Look up these herbs”, Kaye adds, “you can find many goods books, or can look up these herbs on the internet”. One great book is called Nutritional Healing. “Know what you are picking, use caution and common sense, and find a good teacher. You want to understand what you are working with, how it affects you, and its proper use.” Kaye talked about using muscle testing to see if the herb is good for your own needs.

This is not medical advice in any sense. This article is informational, focusing on the ancient knowledge of plants. The FDA requires that we state that we are not certified medical care providers, and advises that a consultation with a licensed health practitioner is advised before starting any herbal or other wellness protocol.

In an earlier post we shared information about the Labor Day weekend and our giving space, teaching about medicine bags and dreamcatchers.  Call it a little practice for the upcoming Healing Drum Retreat.  For many this was an introduction, and while some do not carry the lineage of the native, we are all natives on this earth, we are all living under the same sun, and gazing at the same moon.

We must have guided 75+ people in creating a medicine bag.  Each one gave great focus to their project, with amazing caring in the design and decoration of thier bag.  Each filled their bag with some essence that they seek, or that which they honor in themselves.

One of the unusual offerings we made available during this event included about 20 four-leaf clovers.  These special gifts were given primarily to children, with the final gifted to a special project.  A young man, only 9 years old, came back to make a medicine bag for his cousin.  His two year old cousin has suffered a bout of seizures.  His intent was to create this special medicine bag as a blessing and healing for his cousin.  He asked for a four-leaf clover, remembering the one he received the day before.  The magic in this gift comes not from the count of leaves, but the believe and spiritual message we instill in this four leaf clover, or any gift, for that matter.  Four leaf clovers and medicinal magic.  We find within us the ability to know ourselves through many forms.

We invite you to join us for the upcoming Healing Drum Retreat.  This event is held at the Brighton Creek facility in Roy, WA.  This event is open to beginner and seasoned, and is a non-demonimational event.  Our teachings include native american, global shamanic, and source inspired enhancements to our lives and life experience.  The gathering for a new crop of four-leaf clovers has already begun, with today’s find at the top of the photo.

Lobelia is a well known container garden flower, but it’s history demonstrates that it is one of the most powerful healing herbs.  Lobelia, known as Indian Tobacco, contains a nicotine like substance, and can be used by those seeking to “kick the habit”.   Lobelia is known for as a potent relaxant, to the mind, body and spirit.  It can be used topically to soothe the nerves, and aching muscles as well. 

It is not recommended to ingest, and in fact Lobelia is known as “pukeweed”.  Stories from the 1700’s tell of an herbalist who gave Lobelia to friends as a child, just to see their reaction.  As an adult he gave this amazing herb to a coworker in the field, and this man thought he was poisoned.  The recipient collapsed, yet before lunchtime he recovered, ate a hearty lunch, and resumed work, feeling better than ever. 

Are there other healing herbs found in our meadows and gardens?  Learn more about common healing and nutritional herbs at the Healing Drum Retreat in September, 2008.