Erin Adams Herbalist

Ah! Red clover. A common plant in my neighborhood, in fields and meadows. I love this plant because it is so versatile. I use it for any condition that requires a cleaning, purification or cleansing of the blood. Or intense inflammation from toxic build up in the system. I love to add it to allergy formulas - for either seasonal allergies or allergic skin conditions. I also use it as a specific indication for lumpy and fibrous breast tissue as they are known to be a precursor to breast cancer. It is also used in the famous herbal treatments for cancer - Essiac formula. Red clover is most known for its estrogenic properties - used for menopause and hot flashes. I honestly just like it for tea. It’s one of my go-to herbs when I just want to connect with the fields and flowers.

Cinquefoil. Found this one single plant growing 100 yards from my front door in urban Cleveland. I keep getting these pleasant surprises - so many medicinals growing with in the one block radius of my house. This lovely little guy has many uses. But, my favorite one to talk about is it’s use as an amulet. It is believed to protect from “black magic”. The 5 fingered leaf is said to protect from the “evil and meddling that five fingers can do”. One of my teachers keeps the leaves tucked into her car and around her home as she believes is protects against theft. I will be tucking this leaf into my bike seat. I find this plant to be a great ally for depression that is rooted in a spiritual struggle around our work in the world - what we do with our hands. I haven’t ever tried to make the flower essence of it. But maybe I will try today. I imagine the flower essence is a great ally. (And, I suspect this plant came into my sphere this week for a specific friend.)
Thank you to this sweet beauty for showing up.

What is pulse testing? Pulse testing is a technique used by some herbalists, Ayeruvedic Healers, Homeopaths, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners to let the client's own body "choose" the right remedy for them. Similar to muscle testing, it relies on biofeedback. A small amount of a remedy is either tasted or placed on the client. The practitioner then feels changes in the pulse that indicate either a "yes" or a "no" from the body.

A more complex system of pulse testing involves using pulse diagnostics (from traditional Chinese medicine). Wherein, the practitioner feels for an indication of how a remedy will affect the body. In this practice, a practitioner can feel the pulse of different organs in the body and see how the remedy will impact them.

If you are curious about pulse diagnostics or pulse testing, book a free 15 min Q&A with me. Or, send me a message, and I can direct you to more resources.

Dandylion - Taraxacum Officinale

One of the more popular herbal medicines, Dandylion, is a flower known to most. An annoying w**d to many. A delicious tea to others.

I have a favorite and little-known way I like to use Dandylion. I use an oil infusion of Dandylion to release emotional trauma and tension from the muscles. This makes it a great remedy for jaw and neck pain or any injury that has an underlying emotional cause - like chronic pain.

To make the oil, I harvest just the flowers (at least 3 days after any rain) and pack them tightly into a 4 or 8 oz glass jar. Once I have the amount I want, I empty the jar into a basket and let the flower dry out for 24-48 hours. Then, return the wilted flowers to the jar and fill the jar with oil. Making sure to poke the air bubbles out. I let this oil infuse for about 6 weeks. Then, I strain/decant the oil and store it in a brown glass container to protect it from sunlight.

You can make Dandylion flower oil and give it a try for muscle pain of any kind. See what works. Share your stories.

"Borage is for courage."

One of the key medicinals indicated when someone shows signs of extreme exhaustion. It is a cooling remedy that tastes slightly sweet and salty. We often see the need for this plant in persons who run themselves down with perfectionism.

As an edible, the flowers are a favorite for decorating desserts and other dishes in the summertime.

As a flower essence, it is used for those with a negative outlook, tendency toward depression, heaviness of spirit, fear of change, or fear of life changes and transitions.

Flower Essences are the emotional and spiritual allies of the herbal medicine world. The act on the subtle energy of a person (or animal). Much like herbal medicines, flower essences are a medicine of connection and gentle direction, helping the body, heart, mind, and spirit to heal and rebalance.

When I started working with herbal medicines, I was skeptical of flower essences. (I will someday write a post about how they are made, and you will understand.) But, once I started my clinical practice, I found that while pulse-testing clients for their formulas, often it was the flower essences that triggered the strongest healing response in the body. I have gotten more clear "yeses" from pulse-testing flower essences than herbal tinctures.

For more information about pulse testing, or flower essences, check out my website or zip me a message, and I will answer your questions and connect you to resources.

On Gratitude...

I couldn't work with plants and not feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for what I have, what is in front of me, what the universe provides. For the mystery. The magic. The smallest everyday miracles.

Plant medicine was just the beginning of a deep dive I took into the wild places and my own wild self. Every day I am learning more and more about my place in this web of existence, abundance, and miraculous life.

It is gratitude that carries me. It is gratitude that brings me back to the fields and gardens, the leaves and flowers, the twigs and roots - over and over again.

I whisper a thank you whenever I walk the land, harvest a plant, meet a new medicine. Whenever I take a tincture, make a cup of tea, or witness the healing work plants can do for my friends, family, and clients.

I make it a habit to drink a cup of herbal tea every day. Every day. It is a ritual that both connects me to my plant allies and gives me a moment to pause and connect with my own needs. I go to the apothecary and smell, touch, taste, and listen. I ask. I ask myself how I am doing and what I need most. I ask the plants to heal and support me. Some days it is a sharp and clear decision. Some days it is a slow, mindful lingering with the cabinet door open. Searching. Listening a bit more deeply. But, there is always eventually an answer that means much more than a cup of tea.

Rituals are a practice that connects us to the earth, to the rhythms of a day or a week, or a year, and to the spiritual journey we are on.

What are your daily rituals?