One of my greatest sources of strength - that which provides me with the capacity to continue showing up in my work as a clinician, mentor, and colleague - is my morally-guided, internal sense of professionalism. But like every well-intentioned self-reflective herbalist, I have a duty to continually reevaluate my rationale and beliefs surrounding my core values - and ‘professionalism’ is most certainly one of these core values.
There is no other sight in these feral woodlands of Southeast Ohio that makes me feel the way that Blue-eyed Marys do. It is the warming of unconditional acceptance…like being held in the arms of Mother Nature herself as she kisses me on my forehead and reminds me that I am worthy of her love.
I pry myself open to a greater philosophical meaning: American Beech is the only species in its genus here in the United States, but yet it is so incredibly common. And then the voice of Henry Ward Beecher enters my consciousness reciting his famous optimism: “The art of being happy lies in the power of extracting happiness from common things.”
Against all odds, the white trout lilies here on these creek banks are thriving. How they came to be here after such devastation is nothing short of miraculous, even if their future here remains uncertain. I have found deep meaning in my daily observations of them, as it has become ever clearer to me how much of our human selves can be found in the stories of these plants – stories of patience, discovery, preparedness, tragedy, community, reciprocity…and resilience.
Another fascinating species that likes to live on the edge, and the subject of today’s enchantment, is the American Dittany. Historically, the plant was classified as either Mappia origanoides or Cunila mariana, with folks finally settling on a combination of the two resulting in its modern Latin binomial, Cunila origanoides (L.) Britt. Over the years the species has also enjoyed several other names including Maryland Dittany, Stone Mint, Wild Oregano, or for those who still believe…’Fairy Skirts’ (although thoroughly explained later on in today’s tale, now is the moment to note that the latter will forever remain the species proper name).
The aromatic distillation workshops that I lead are, therefore, an attempt to foster a deeper relationship with the plant kingdom, a relationship full of metaphor, story, and personal myth, while simultaneously developing deeper relationships with ourselves and our unconscious. As the plant material is transformed into hydrosol and essential oil, we too are transformed. In this regard, each distillation provides a platform for self-discovery and exploration of the natural world and our place within it.
In the end, I always strive to participate in Goethean plant studies with the awareness that the process is not as much about Self as it is about selflessness. It is not about some end result, it is about staying present in the resplendent moment. It is not about how much I already know, but all that there is still to observe. It’s about learning to perceive the wholeness of a phenomenon with an ‘even and quiet gaze’. It’s about learning to listen with soft eyes.
The only thing I can think of to do is to share with the world some of the beautiful plants and places that I encountered while exploring the forests, wetlands, swamps, and lakeshores of your beloved homeland. Perhaps in some esoteric and impossible way this celebration will reach you and bring you some homegrown comfort.
