Herbal medicine shouldn’t just be something for the wealthiest among us who can afford expensive jars of rare, powdered herbs that opportunistic business owners bought from faraway countries and marked up 200%. Some of the most potent and nourishing herbs will literally grow through the cracks in the sidewalk to meet us.

Although making medicines from suburban sidewalk dwelling plants is not advised, their medicines extend far beyond their physical components. I experience the strongest, most life changing medicines from *just sitting* with plants. Opening my being to their messages, listening, feeling the exchange between us.

Healing should never be out of reach for anyone. It is my wish (and I believe the wish of all herbalists) that health is accessible to all. Sometimes I struggle with how to best serve my community in this way, and what I keep coming back to is plant spirit medicine. I think this is one part of the puzzle I’m supposed to be filling in. There are many people doing amazing work in educating on things like plant medicine making, plant identification, plant spirit medicine, and clinical herbalism. It’s actually magical to see so many come together for this one (I hesitate to use this word) holy purpose. Being fed and cared for by the earth, and offering that same care back, is our birthright and I hope you find yourself closer to your idea of that every day.

Pictured plants are dandelion, violet, mullein, and baby mugwort all growing on my block.