Life in Concrete – Witches, Herbalism & the Ecological Mind

With half of the world’s population living in bustling cities, an intriguing question emerges, have we evolved past the fundamental experience of connecting with the Earth?

Urbanisation refers to the shift from rural to urban living, a relatively recent transition. To offer some perspective; homo sapiens first appeared roughly 300,000 years ago. However, it wasn’t until 6,500 years ago the first city appeared in ancient Mesopotamia, mostly situated in modern day Iraq.  

A Strained Relationship with Nature

All that is to demonstrate the enormity of differences between the life of a modern day city dweller and the environment that shaped our ancestors. In our heightened evolutionary periods, we survived by thriving in our environment. Before relying on our gift of innovation and inventions to overcome external stressors, our minds and bodies were moulded by our environment over millennia. In other words, our bodies were shaped by the natural world creating a natural synergy.

Modern-day madness

This synergy didn’t mean life was easy. It shared the primal ferocity of a lions. However, it doesn’t mean that in our comfy homes, where I am typing this from a laptop that connects to the internet allowing me to pull sources from the greatest thinkers over a hot cup of coffee, we live without brutality. In fact, I would argue that since the astronomical advances in technology, modern life is far more brutal than it was when humans faced the threat of a tiger. Amongst the multitude of global atrocities that we often overlook to navigate our own lives, a particular threat dominates my thoughts- nuclear weapons.

Consider a scenario 5,000 years ago, the threat of a barbaric neighbour was to be feared by those geographically unfortunate. Now, with the indiscriminate threat of modern technological advances, a danger far exceeds mere geographic borders or the strength of man,. An effect of our lost harmony with the earth.

A photograph comes to mind, boys of the Banna tribe from Ethiopia pictured soaring over the photographer in stilts fashioned out of wood and for a few of them, plastic bottles.

This presence of plastic in communities, that do not partake in its production or consumerism, despite it being a pollutant perfectly demonstrates the indiscriminate nature of the modern day.

Curiously, as our reliance on the natural world dwindles, there is little thought for this unique relationship between man and earth. We have comfortably advanced to a life of machinery and middlemen. Rendering this symbiotic bond is largely overlooked as we navigate the world, far removed from the primal rhythms that once dictated our lives.

Regardless, that synergy connected us to our land. We feel it in our warm gratitude to a roaring flame that was conducive to our survival. Similarly, it whispers to us in the calming presence of water and intricate vegetation. This likeness to the natural world is an innate aspect of our being, embedded in the very essence of our makeup.

Confused Nervousness

In the same we ware have been programmed to respond to the natural world and its dangers. Our physiology hasn’t quite caught up with modern day stressors. In fact, we are responding with a nervous system that is built to handle predators. In the face of danger cortisol peaks, our focus locks onto the danger, we take in extra oxygen, we pump more blood to our muscles, we sweat, we tense our muscles, and our digestive systems shut down so our muscles can use the energy all as stand up to present to the room.

Our bodies are tailor made for the natural world and surviving it. It’s a marvel that our bodies in the face of a tiger are prepared to run and hide or I guess fight if you’re feeling lucky. However, that perfectly crafted miracle like process shows you up in front of your peers, with wobbly knees, hearts pounding, sweating, mouth drying, unable to focus all because you think “I’m nervous” and our brain thinks “I’m getting attacked”. This disconnect in our body’s reaction to our current environment demonstrates the immense connection we have with the natural world by contrast.

Witches: Guardians of Earthly Wisdom

Witches, mainly women, were ecologically minded, many of which were healers, midwives and herbologists. Their practices were rooted in the natural world, harnessing the healing power of plants and herbs.

However, during the European witch hunts in 1450-1750, it is estimated that 40,000 to 60,000 people were killed. With the brutality of the witch hunts, it can be argued that the ecological mind was eradicated as practitioners of natural healing faced the witch hunts.

This letter from the 15^th century accuses Joan Guppie of being a witch for her ‘sorcery’ which historians found was often the practice of natural healing.

“To the 10th Interrogatory, he saith that the said Joan Guppie is in the place where she dwelleth [lived] is suspected to be a witch & known to have used sorcery or charms. To the 11th Interrogatory this defendant saith [said] that it is known that the said Judith Gibbs hath been by the space of 3 years of thereabouts troubled with a swelling in her body, and that it hath been thought by neighbours & such as had her in cure as this defendant hath been told, that the said Judith was bewitched with that grief. And more than is aforesaid he cannot say to this Interrogatory”

Witches & Herbal Magic: Herbalism

Historians believe witches were, in fact, women philosophical and ecologically minded people who worshipped other (non-Christian) gods who had an infinity with the natural world and its healing properties.

A vast reduction in the knowledge of healing through plants and herbs, an ancient practice passed down through generations, has emboldened the heavy reliance on pharmaceuticals that have side effects covering all bases. But don’t worry, they sell the medicine for them too. This prompts the question, if the public were educated on just how exactly the earth can heal us and how vital our understanding of food, herbs and plants is for our health; how there be less of a strain on healthcare systems?

There has always been a reliance on plants and herbs to keep us healthy and the more I learn about herbalism the more I view the world in awe, and I see the divination that we are born onto this earth alongside medicine for our ailments.

I spoke to Samantha from the School of Evolutionary Herbalism and asked what her favourite medicinal plants are so you can use them too!

Motherswort (Leonorus cardiaca)

 “Motherwort is one of those where the Latin name gives us something valid, it has a strong affinity with the heart and cardiovascular system. It has a beautiful strengthening effect on the heart and is especially effective for tension stress affecting the heart, which often feels like anxiety.

“It also is a gentle nervine which calms the nervous systems from stress as well as a spasmolytic which has a sedative action on the nervous system. Making it an invaluable remedy for coping with stress. I have seen it as one of the most effective and reliable emmenagogues for inducing your menstrual cycle as well as helping symptoms like PMS and cramping. It’s also good for a fever as it’s a relaxant diaphoretic which helps relax tension in the peripheral circulation so blood can reach the surface and release heat related to a fever and that just scratches the surface of what it can do.”

Milky Oats

Milky Oats is one of my most used herbal remedies. One of the reasons I absolutely love it is because it’s one of those plants that can be safely used by most people because of its relatively neutral energetics. And with the state of the world these days, it’s a herb that everyone could benefit from. Think of it as food for the nervous system. Mily oats is unique in the sense that while it’s nervine it is not considered to be very calming like other nervines. Instead, it works by gradually nourishing and rebuilding nervous systems that become depleted over time, for example in someone with chronic stress. Additionally, it is one of the most nutrient-rich medicinal plants. The demulcent property of Oats is why they’re commonly used for soothing baths for irritated skin conditions like eczema.

St Johns Wort (Hypericium perforatum)

“St Johns Wort is a classic example of how the supplement industry pigeonholes herbs. It is best and mainly known for its effect on depression. This is super valuable and effective as it’s a mild nervine sedative, meaning it won’t knock you out like stronger ones, but combined with the top restorative action makes a great nervous system remedy used for nervous burnout, exhaustion, depression, anxiety and nerve pain.

“Also, due to its bitter quality, it is used as a detoxifier as like other bitter herbs it affects the digestive system, in this case, the neural gut and is a great remedy for leaky gut. It has a similar detoxifying effect on the liver. But one of my favourite uses for it is, due to its nerve trophorestorative effect, its remedy to restore and tone nerves that have become weakened. “

Holy Basil, Tusli

Holy Basil is one of the most sacred plants in India. It has a stimulating and uplifting influence on the mind, heart and body. Holy Basil has an affinity for the digestive system and nervous systems. In particular, it is an excellent remedy for digestive complaints arising from nervousness or anxiety as Holy basil is a carminative meaning it brings blood to the digestive system to alleviate gas, bloating and minor digestive issues.

It’s also beneficial for the upper respiratory tract, helping infections and sinus conditions as well as fevers. This is due to its pungency and its stimulant expectorant action clears stagnant mucus from the sinuses, throat and upper bronchial tract making it a smoker’s best friend. On top of that, due to its nervine sedation effect, it relaxes the nervous system but also uplifts it. An interesting effect is as it is a relaxant and stimulant diaphoretic Holy Basil induces sweating when trying to break a fever.

Lions Mane, Hericium Erinaceus – The Memory Mushroom

The fascination started when in my 20s I experienced extremely poor memory and recall. It got to the point where I couldn’t hold a conversation about anything that wasn’t immediately relevant, no matter how much I knew or cared about it. This was a side effect of medication but still after almost of year of not being on the medication, due to this effect, my memory hadn’t improved.

With little to no help from the doctor who provided me with the medication and any other healthcare professional, I did my research and found extensive research & data on ‘the memory mushroom’. I started adding a teaspoon of lion’s mane to my coffee every day in November 2022. Lions’ mane (Hieracium erinaceous) known as the memory mushroom helps repair damaged nerve cells in the brain and stimulates the growth of brain cells.

Today in April of 2023 I still take 1000mg of lion’s mane and other mushrooms with my morning coffee and I no longer have an issue with recall. There are still gaps in my memory that are coming back to me and I’m sure there are still some awkward phases my brain will continue to repress but all in all I was saved by a fungus.

Although herbalism isn’t a practice we are used to within all of our homes it is not completely forgotten and I think it’s vital it be remembered.

Feature image by Olexy Ohurtsov from Pixabay.