Emmeth Creole Drum Band; A Cultural Exploration Through Music
Exploring Art in Belize
Bound For Belize
From Hollyhocks to Hibiscus; Belize Bound-Join in the Adventure!
You Betta Belize it! Holistic Journeys is offering two amazing Eco-Cultural experiences for those with a sense of adventure, love of plants, ethnic food, art, music, history and of course the beauty of tropical nature. Pick the time that’s best for you and your family, but pick the time, these 10 day inclusive adventures are filling fast. Either adventure (Dec. 10-20 The Flavors of Belize and Feb. 18-28, A Plant Lovers Journey through Time and Tradition) will immerse you in the diverse culture of Belize; the Maya, the Creole, the Garifuna and more. Prepare yourself for taste sensations, hearth fire aromas, jungle sights and sounds and healing sun, sand and time, yes time, when was the last time you took some time just for yourself and your family. You can choose to participate in the many activities Holistic Journeys has in store for you or just relax in a hammock, with palm fronds dancing in the breeze and toucans flying in the trees.
Rebecca Wood and guest hosts will ensure your expectations will be met with comfortable, culturally unique accommodations and a choice of diverse experiences to meet your level of interest. Tour healing gardens and art parks, walk with Rosita Arvigo along the Panti Jungle trail, enjoy open air family style meals of tropical fruits, coffee, curry, fresh caught sea food, hand-made tortillas and rice & beans served Belizean style. Picture yourself cave tubing, snorkeling, kayaking a jungle river, enjoying the view a top a Mayan Ruin or walking through coffee and chocolate farms while you nibble locally harvested and prepared chocolate (food of the Gods). One thing is for certain, you will see Belize from all angles, cultures, land and air and you will return with a new perspective on people, places and yourself.
As an Herbalist, Ethnobotanist and Natural Health Care Professional, Rebecca will share her joy and knowledge of pan-American and unique plants, how they are used traditionally and how you can use them in your everyday life. So find out how hollyhocks and hibiscus can be made into a tasty healing tea or how the magic of marigold or man vine might just be for you. You’ll be busy, but every Holistic Journeys trip includes daily wellness options of yoga, qi gong, nature meditation and reflection time, join in or sleep in but don’t miss this exploration of one of the natures best kept secrets; Belize! It’s time to take time, for more information contact Rebecca at becaherbtravel@gmail.org.
Spring Plant Spotlight 2012
Spice bush, Lindera benzoin, is one of the two members of the Lauraceae family found on mesic sites throughout the Eastern Deciduous Forest. This multi-trunked shrub can be easily recognized in every season once you learn its individual characteristics. Know as “forsythia of the forest” because its waxy yellow flowers brighten the sleeping woods before any other woody shrubs have woken up. It is an important early insectory and nectory plant for the immerging insects buzzing about.
Lean in close and take a whiff… Ah, the light spicy flora essence is what attracts these critters and subtly spikes our interest in the changing season. It’s waxy deep green, simple leaves are also a recognizable characteristic creating a rounded or arched configuration and deepening the forest shade where it is found growing in dense clumps. Early explorers looking for rich farm land used this shrub as an indicator for rich moist soil and sadly removed the forest for farming and the bergeoning western expansion of a growing nation. We now see them an indicator for ginseng and goldenseal or other woodland medicinals that prefer A moist quality site. It’s bright red barrel shaped berries are easily recognized and a cheery contract in the autumn understory. These fruits provide food for many forest species and have been dried and used for centuries as a spicy cooking condiment. (Don’t forget to crumble, scratch, sniff and taste the leaves, berries and twigs to help you place this plant in your herbal memory!)
The aromatic twigs and leaves have long been used in blending delightful teas and medicinally as a strong tea or decoction for mild, colds, flu’s or fevers. It has a mild diaphoretic, stimulant and expectorant action (Howell 2006) and has been used for delayed menses and as a spring tonic. Foster and Duke (1990) also reference the use of the berries as a carminative and the oil from the crushed fruit as a rub for sore muscles, bruises and rheumatism.
One of my favorite tea blends, created by my students is 50/50 spice bush twigs and white pine needles. It’s so light and sweet it doesn’t even need honey. But experiment, it’s tasty with sumac berries, sassafras and raspberry leaves too! Spice bushes light and sweet taste makes it a good choice for children or those of us with delicate tastes and olfactory senses.
Another recent use of the dried berry is in scenting candles, soaps and sachets. I would gander it would add a “spicy twist” to any bay rum recipe. Regardless of how you use it, it is important as with all plant allies to have a positive Id, know when and how to harvest and prepare and use all ethical aspects of wildcrafting. It’s also important to share your personal experiences and discoveries…….happy exploring. If you want to Get the Green Spark and learn more about Spring treasures in the Appalachian forests join us May 13th at the Goldenseal Sanctuary follow the link Love Your Mother for information on the United Plant Savers Mothers’ Day Celebration for hikes, workshops and more, more, more.
Rebecca Wood
Herbalist & Educator
Hopewood Holistic Health
14411 Rocky Pt. Road Athens Ohio
Sources: Peterson Field Guides, Easter/Central Plants, Steven Foster and James A. Duke 1990. Medicinal Plants of Southern Appalachians by Patricia Kyritsi Howell 2006 and many, many years in the woods.