Morning: wake up around 7:30 and it’s tea time! And not just any tea…I’m drinking a decoction.
In which case, let’s back up a bit to last night. Because today’s morning herb preparation actually started yesterday, or perhaps even a few days ago. A decoction is a single herb or blend of herbs that are often simmered for a long time, so I create mine in a crockpot. I throw all the herbs in just before bed and let them simmer on low heat overnight. I also make my decoction in batches big enough to last three days—enough time that I don’t have to create a new batch everyday and the herbs also stay fresh and potent in the refrigerator.
My daily decoction is a multifaceted elixir that stimulates digestion and moistens my insides to help get things moving and keep things moving, if you know what I mean. The moistening effect also benefits my ligaments and skin, watering and loosening my body from the inside out to help me get into the flow of the day. The decoction also includes adaptogens that support my immunity, energy, and detoxification process; and nutrives, which provide minerals and help rebuild my nervous system. I add some matcha to boost the energizing effects and to take in some more antioxidants.
Currently, I am tending to a shoulder injury. As I’m getting ready in the morning, I rub oil infused with herbs that help reduce inflammation, ease pain, and boost the healing process.
Right before breakfast, I take bitters in the form of a tincture. These give my body the extra support my digestive system needs to prepare for a meal. I then cook with a variety of herbs that enhance the specific body functions I am tending to. This sometimes happily brings me outside to harvest from the garden. Following my meal, I eat a pinch of fennel seeds to continue helping with the digestive process. I repeat this regiment with every meal throughout the day.
My mealtime regiment is not just for my digestion, but also to take care of my shoulder. After each meal, I take Solomon’s seal tincture to support the healing and rebuilding of the muscles, joints, and ligaments of my shoulder. All of my other muscles, joints, and ligaments benefit, as well!
Afternoon: Tea time, part 2! Sometime in the afternoon, I drink a second cup of my decoction. I pour a cup of tea from a mason jar stored in the fridge, and reheat it on the stove.
At least once a day, I step out into our little patio garden to intentionally connect with the herbs I am growing. I find such joy in checking in on them, saying hello and watching them grow and change over time. Without even consuming them, I get so much medicine from them.
Whenever it’s time for lunch, I repeat my mealtime regiment described above.
I am taking medication for my shoulder injury right now, which can be hard on my stomach lining. I already have digestive issues, so I want to give my belly all the tender, love, and care I can while on this medication, so in addition to all that I do for my digestion, I drink a tea throughout the day that contains mucilage to help prevent the wearing of my stomach lining.
Night: I usually wind down in the later evenings starting with a shower, followed by applying more herb-infused oil to my back and shoulder before getting into comfy clothes. Of course, dinner time includes my mealtime regiment.
Then before bed, I prepare my daily decoction when needed, and these days, I also create my mucilage tea for the next day. For this tea, I add some chocolate mint and hibiscus flowers, which brings me outside again into our yard to harvest. The dogs love hunting for the flowers with me in our backyard woods! To protect the mucilage, I prepare this tea as a cold infusion. I put the herbs into a french press with room-temperature water and let them sit overnight. The next morning, as I prepare my morning, I put the tea in mason jars to store in the fridge and then drink the tea cold throughout the day.
Spending a little time preparing tea for the following day sets me up for success to effectively and efficiently integrate herbal remedies into each day.
I have a tincture on my nightstand ready to take in case pain and sore muscles, or racing thoughts make it hard to fall asleep (one tincture blend can help with both things!), and a different tincture in case indigestion makes it difficult to stay asleep. I take these tinctures on an as-needed basis.
Ok, this all probably sounds like a lot. And admittedly, I do a lot when it comes to herbs, not only because I love them, but also because I’ve got a lot going on with my body. I’ve got digestive issues (which, side note, are way better than they used to be because of herbs), I’m often managing stress and anxiety (who isn’t?), I've got arthritis and nerve pain, and now this shoulder injury. If not for herbs, I might be taking all kinds of different medications to deal with each of those issues, many of which come with harsh or damaging side effects.
In contrast, using whole plants as medicine offers both the therapeutic benefits and the protection my body needs to absorb these benefits effectively. And the holistic nature of plants allows their benefits to extend beyond the initial target. For example, a herb that supports my sleep also positively impacts my nervous system, which can help with my stress resilience and balancing my moods.
Perhaps most importantly, I find immense value in knowing and seeing the ingredients I put into my body. For example, while I could take a Tums for indigestion, working with chamomile and catnip and being able to see an identifiable plant (which I often grow and prepare myself!) enhances my connection to the healing process. This hands-on involvement, coupled with the intentions and ritual I put into making the medicine, transforms the relationship with the plant into a form of medicine itself. And participating in my own health and healing in this way fosters a deeper connection with myself, enhancing my overall well-being.
Share your thoughts: what feels challenging or overwhelming about working with herbs? What helps you integrate herbs into your daily life that feels effective for you?