Episode #6 of Wander, Forage and Wildcraft is here!
You can now check out the latest listener-supported podcast I dreamed up: wildcrafters and foragers around the world share their stories, tips and tricks to empower you on your wild path. Give it a listen below (or listen and subscribe to Wander, Forage & Wildcraft on your favorite podcast platform). About the Episode: Cindi is a dear co-teacher friend of mine and owner/operator of Cindi's Sacred Garden. We met a couple of years ago at the Southeast Wise Woman Herbal Conference, here in Western North Carolina. I connected immediately to her open, generous spirit, and her immense knowledge and love of native herbal medicine. We have so much to learn from the people who originally inhabited this land (the United States of America). This episode begins with Cindi telling us a charming and hilarious true story about her introduction to herbal medicine. Then, she tells us about the Menominee and her own practices of sustainable and ethical wildcrafting. One of the things I admire most about Cindi's teaching is her inclusion of ceremony, in the tradition of her Menominee elders. She'll be practicing and teaching this during our Tree Medicine Walk & Workshop that we're co-teaching in Marshall, NC on October 26, 2019 (get your tickets here). She tells us a little about a harvest ceremony she performed with a local plant and how the medicine comes when we or others need it. We also talked about one of both of our favorite herbs, goldenrod, and its health benefits. She graciously shared her recipe for goldenrod oil (below). Cindi's Bio: Cindi Quay, Traditional Herbalist, descendent of the Menominee Nation, and Founder of Cindi’s Sacred Garden, located in Black Mountain NC, has been practicing her respected Native American Traditions with our plant nation for most of her life. Opening herself to being a Student with Nature, Cindi has learned “hands on” to identify many herbs during all growing seasons, and for greater than 30 years, she has traveled around the USA to identify many different healing plants. Cindi went into business full-time in 1997 and has develop organic and natural Skin Food skin products and Fresh Earth Medicines. As an instructor, Cindi teaches many groups about herbs, growing, connecting to and healing oneself through our plant nation. She has deep knowledge of not only the plant allies but of other healing modalities that can be incorporated into daily healing and deeper understanding of our vital connection to Earth Mother. Cindi teaches with Native American Spiritual groups, Indigenous Tribes, Woman Gatherings, Holistic Practitioner’s, Garden Clubs, Plant Savers group and school groups. Some of her other many offerings and leadership roles: • Herbal Plant Teacher, New Echota State Park, GA “Take a Walk With Cindi” • Herbal Plant Teacher, HERBalachia Herbalist lifestyle program, Erwin TN • Herbal & Woman’s Health Educator, Unity Gathering, Dover NY • Spirit Plant Walk, Southeast Wise Woman Conference, Black Mountain, NC • Board Member of Indigenous Woman’s Knowledge ~ Advisor • Cultural Exchange & Education, Charleston, SC • Instructor of Herbal Studies & Plant Identification, USA/Turtle Island • Spiritual Intuitive Native Healer • Private Consults and Herbal Walks to learn traditional herbs • Herbal Workshops for the professional for detailed help on making products Cindi maintains her deep connection with her Native Nation, learning and sharing with Medicine people the plant knowledge that needs to maintain oral traditions. You can find more information at: Cindi's Sacred Garden website Cindi's Sacred Garden Facebook Page Email Cindi An Herbal Recipe from Cindi: Cindi told me about one of her favorite herbs: Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) and how she loves it for colds, flus, allergies, and sinus infections, along with UTI's. She also gave us her lovely recipe for traditional goldenrod oil, which she makes from the leaves and flowers for muscle spasm, arthritis, and more. Goldenrod Oil: *Has been shown to improve circulation, known for anti-inflammatory & antiseptic benefits *Great massage relief for muscle cramps, sprains, sore muscles, powerful on sore neck muscles, uterine cramping & chest colds. *Great for all sorts of skin infections, eczema, psoriasis, acne, sores, scabs, dermatitis & wounds. *Very beneficial in promoting restful sleep, calming & soothing to the mind, relieves stress, anxiety & nervousness. *Brings Circulation to areas congested, such as extremities, ankles, fingertips. *Helps inflammation of edema symptoms. **Aroma is reminiscent of fresh, balsamic, peppery notes, which makes it a relaxing oil. What you will need: 1 - Quart Jar – cleaned 4-6 ounces (by volume) of fresh picked and dried Goldenrod flowers/leaves Organic Olive Oil to fill the Quart Jar. Unbleached wax paper Make sure your goldenrod, if harvested fresh, is not wet and has had time to dry any moisture from the flowers/leaves. Add to your cleaned quart jar. Cover the entire plant material with olive oil. Place unbleached wax paper cut to cover top of quart jar, and then apply jar seal. This helps keep any interactions between the plant/olive oil and the metal of the jar seal. Mark your jar with the date you made your oil, and then mark the date 4 weeks later to strain. Strain through unbleached cheesecloth please. Your oil is now good up to 2 years if kept in a cool, dark dry place. By Cindi Quay/Traditional Native Herbalist & Owner of Cindi’s Sacred Garden. That Workshop... Join us on October 26th for our Tree Medicine Walk & Workshop in Marshall, NC, where I'll be teaching the botany and western medicine of the many tree species on this gorgeous land, and Cindi will teach us the traditional Native American medicine, along with how to harvest in a cermonial way. We'll make some tree medicine to take home for our winter first aid kits. Register now and watch for future class we'll be co-teaching!
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