The Herb Walk with Jessica Baker: Recent Episodes
Jessica Baker
I haven’t felt inspired to write in two years. That changed today after I gathered with strangers on Main Street in the small town of Chandler, Oklahoma. There were about three dozen of us, from places like Shroud, Shawnee, and even a couple from New Jersey. A frog and penguin were there.
I was really surprised by the response of the locals that drove by. Some silent watching, a few rude hand gestures, and a lot of honks and waves. All but a couple of long-haul truckers gave us their salute. We even got cheered by the Chandler Lions Softball team as they were heading to the State Championships.
This is what Democracy looks like.
This is what Community looks like.
This is what Unity looks like.
I feel lighter than I have in a long time.
It’s hard to describe how I’ve been feeling the last several months. The last few years really. Life has been overwhelming for so many of us, including me. Despite not being active on the blog, I have released a few podcast episodes, grown a bunch of ganja, played guitar, and got back into an exercise routine.
None of it has come easily this year and I am grateful that I have been able to “accomplish” anything at all. Early on in my adulthood I chose a different kind of lifestyle than what is perceived as normal. Now that cannabis is the mainstream, I find myself wishing for the “good old days.” Not the fear of punishment for growing medical cannabis, but for the serenity of the old-growth redwood forests and the community that we had in Humboldt and Mendocino counties.
I know many of us are struggling to find our new place in the world. A lot of us feel lonely, insecure, and unsure of what lies ahead. You are not alone. Our society (and dare I say, the world) is having a serious identity crisis. The idea that our worth is defined by how hard we hustle and how much money we make is dying fast, as it should!
I look forward to the day when our worth is measured in our acts of kindness and compassion towards ourselves and others. Until then, I will navigate this life with as much gentleness and love as I can. I will also do more of what lights me up, like teach!
Tomorrow I will be at the American Herbalists Guild Annual Symposium giving a pre-intensive class on Preserving the Herbal Legacy of Cannabis Culture. In February and March 2024 I’ll be at the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism in Lafayette, CO teaching several classes, including 3 Free Qi Gong classes. You can check out online and in person classes on my website
I’d like to leave you with an offering to attend an online grief circle on October 22. The gathering is facilitated by one of my best friends, Willow Meili, of the Grief Well. I have also included the podcast episode Willow and I recorded back in July.
With love,
Jessica
Meeting new herbalists also makes me happy. I had the pleasure of talking to Amy Anthony, the herbalist, distiller and educator behind NYC Aromatica. Amy was a student of Jim McDonald (a hilarious and fun herbalist) and has studied aromatherapy extensively through the NY Institute of Aromatic Studies.
Happy Spring Equinox! This has been one of my favorite days of the years since I was a kid. Knowing the days are getting longer and the weather warmer, has always brought me joy. For those of you in the Southern Hemisphere, Happy Autumnal Equinox!
Way back in my first Season of The Herb Walk Podcast, I interviewed Jane Bothwell, the original proprietress of The Dandelion Herbal Center (DHC). Jane was my first herb teacher and opened my eyes (and heart) to our herbal allies. Here I am over two decades later and I am even more in love with what the plants teach us. Thank you Jane for bringing so many of us into the world of herbalism. I love you!
Last year Jane passed the Dandelion torch to two incredible women, Allison Poklemba and Jessica Shepherd. Allison and Jessica met in Jane’s Beginning with Herbs series way back in 1999. You will hear in our conversation just how much love, respect, and gratitude they have towards Jane and the herb school they have been entrusted with. Allison and Jessica are bringing a lot of enthusiasm and knowledge to DHC. I can’t wait to see how the school will evolve over the years. Many good things ahead!
Jessica Shepherd and I have been dear friends since we worked together at Humboldt Herbals many, many moons ago. We have both studied aromatherapy extensively and have traveled to many symposia together. Jessica is a community herbalist, masterful distiller and skillful creator. Her hydrosols and body creams are the best I’ve ever had (seriously!) and she won best product at The International Herbal Symposium a few years ago for her unique and delicious Fire Cider Fairy Dust. She has a talent for creating the most exquisite aromatic blends. I am so proud to call her my best friend.
Allison Poklemba and I have gotten to know each other more since we spent time together at the Northern California Women’s Herbal Symposium last year. Allison is a woman of many talents. She is one of the most knowledgable people on the various seaweeds of the Pacific coast. She holds seaweed classes in Petrolia, California and currently has a 2-part class on the Dandelion Herbal Center website. Along with being a teacher, Allison is a botanist, herbalist, environmental educator, and owns a small business, Backcountry Press. Humboldt County is lucky to have these women rooted in the community.
We had such a good time sharing our love of herbs and shouting out to our favorite teachers. You can feel the love permeating throughout our conversation.
As always before listening, make a cup of tea, sit back, and enjoy Episode 1 of Season Six of The Herb Walk Podcast!
With love,
Jessica
https://www.bakerbotanica.com
Needless to say 2022 has been incredibly stressful. Most of us could’ve used more herbal medicine to help cope with the weariness and exhaustion we have felt the last couple of years. I have tried to remember to take my herbs, breathe deeply, have patience, etc. It hasn’t always worked. The grief I have had over deaths of dear friends has spiraled me more than a little out of control. It has only been the last month that I am coming out of the mindfuck of two years of living through a pandemic. As I begin to care for myself again, I am reminded of how essential herbs are to my health and well-being.
We all know cannabis is one of my herbal allies. Like many people, I love smoking weed. When I got to college I went to a Cannabis Action Network meeting (where I met my future husband, Chip!) and learned about cannabis as fiber, fuel, medicine, and I became a true believer. In 1997, Chip and I moved to Humboldt County, California and I have been growing cannabis as medicine ever since. I am primarily still a joint smoker, but the popularity of cannabis extracts shows that concentrated cannabis is on the rise. Concentrates and edibles are 50% of the consumer market in states where medical and recreational cannabis are legal.
There are few cannabis products that are as strong as FECO (Full Extract Cannabis Oil). FECO is an ethanol extraction of cannabis leaves/flowers, more often taken orally or rectally, than smoked. FECO is also reffered to as RSO or crude cannabis oil (the first pass extraction before distillate is made). Back in the day we just made it on the stove, called it hash oil and smoked it on hot knives. We have come a long way!
In this episode of The Herb Walk, I interview Jim Gerenscer and Jack Kungle of the FECO Playbook. We had a lively conversation about cannabis, terpenes, and how important lifestyle choices are to health. We are a culture of quick fixes and fad modalities, but the reality is cannabis is not always a miracle cure. Cannabis can be an important ally in your overall wellness plan.
I haven’t always taken the hype around FECO seriously, but I never doubted the healing powers of our medicinal plants. Hearing Jack and Jim talk about FECO use and cancer, I am beginning my own research of the benefits of FECO for chronic pain, tumor reduction, and nutritional analysis.
Thanks to their collaberation with cannabis growers and dispensaries in Oklahoma, if you are a medical cannabis patient with cancer you may be able to get FECO for a penny! The FECO Playbook informational website is loaded with recipes, videos, and resources for those that want to learn more. They also have a members only website for medical cannabis patients where they catalog personal experiences working with FECO.
Jim Gerenscer also has a non-profit, E.R.I.C. (which I name incorrectly in the episode- sorry Jim!) E.R.I.C. stands for Early Recognition is Critical and they educate about why getting a correct diagnosis is so important for survival. They are working with the Paul McBeth Foundation to educate about early breast cancer screening in Ugana, where there is a 50% mortality rate for women with breast cancer. We all know someone that passed away from cancer, many may have been prevented if they were diagnosed sooner. The E.R.I.C. website has resources for Free Cancer Screenings. Please share with your colleagues and loved ones.
Holidays are challenging for those that are grieving. While I don’t pretend to know what you’re going through, I do know that I, like all humans, have experienced sadness for those that are no longer here with us. Please reach out to loved ones and/or organizations if you need it. You are not alone and there is no shame in needing help. It is fucking hard out there!
It has been an honor to share another year with you. May you be safe. May you be well. May you be surrounded by those that love you.
With Love,
Jessica
I had the pleasure of attending a weekend seminar at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in 2012. MD Anderson Cancer Center is a prestigious research hospital in Houston, Texas. What stood out to me was how much time, money, and energy they put towards researching Chinese herbs, acupuncture, and other healing modalities. […]
It is with great pleasure (and a few tears) that I share this episode of The Herb Walk Podcast with you all. Like so many of you, I have been actively grieving the past couple of years. My grief began with the death of millions of people worldwide at the beginning of the pandemic. Early […]
“Slow down and drink more water.” These are the wise words of Diane Avitable, esthetician, brow architect and beauty devotee. I have known Diane for a long time and I knew I wanted to have her on the podcast, because she is the expert I consult when I have questions about skin care. Her botanical […]
Happy 420 Everyone! I hope you are in a place where you have access to affordable, high quality cannabis and can safely partake without the paranoia of law enforcement. After decades, New York is finally one of those places. When I was there a couple of weeks ago, ganja smoking and selling was Everywhere. A […]
I had the pleasure of meeting Tre’von Dorsey, COO and Mercedes Teasley, cofounder and CEO of CEED Inc., through a good friend of mine (thanks Jenny!) CEED stands for Community for Entrepreneurs Engaged in Development. CEED is a cloud-based, collaborative project & supply chain management platform that provides direct & alternative pathways to Cannabis & […]
I am excited to announce a 6-week Community Herbalism Course LIVE on Zoom! Classes will be held Wednesdays between March 2nd-April 6th between 6-8pm CST. The cost is $120 for the entire course (only $20/class) Register at Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/263047771967 Use PROMO CODE Community for 20% off! This is the best group of classes for those […]
What do some evangelical Christians and many wellness influencers have in common? Many people in these groups have been outsmarted by the social media algorithms. They have chosen to put individual rights over the health and welfare of the masses. A lot of people have witnessed a pandemic that has killed millions of people worldwide […]
The Herb Walk Podcast is back with Season Five! It has been an incredibly challenging year and a half since Season Four ended with a conversation with my good friend Greg Davidson. I have attempted to write blog posts, engage on social media, record interviews, all do all of the things I love to do. […]
Season Five of The Herb Walk Podcast is coming next week! Jessica Baker, acupuncturist, herbalist and cannabis expert is back with another season about the intricate relationship between people and plants. Subscribe to hear interviews with experts like Ethan Russo, Mindy Green, Dr. Lakisha Jenkins, Derek Beres, and more. This is the premier podcast on […]
This is not the 420 any of us expected to have in 2020. At my dispensary (which I temporarily closed down during the stay at home order in OKC), it was supposed to be 420 all month long! Daily specials with people in and out. April hasn’t been the party us cannabis enthusiasts wanted it […]
We all feel it. The collective unease that ebbs and flows with news reports and new cases. The unknown that lies ahead as we see what our country and others do in order to prepare for sweeping changes that are necessary right now. There are some things you can do right now to make yourself feel […]
This may be one of my best episodes. Or maybe it isn’t. You tell me. I share my journey with Cannabis, from young college activist to mid 40’s entrepreneur. I also bust three big myths about cannabis that I read on the internet and hear from patients everyday. Hint…CBD is one of them. I have […]
This last year in Oklahoma has been really eye-opening. My experience with cannabis business people has been either seasoned growers and heads that love weed and the outlaw lifestyle or pink shirt executives that got a whiff of the green greed and want in. Oklahoma has been vastly different. Many of the cannabis business owners […]
Cannabis has been recorded as a medicinal herb in Chinese Medicine for two thousand years. We know that Cannabis has been cultivated by humans in Southeast Asia for over 10,000 years. Needless to say, we have a very long history of utilizing Cannabis for its medicinal, edible, and psychoactive properties. Here we are in 2020 […]
Moving to Oklahoma has been a huge change for me. I am still processing all of the setbacks, challenges and infinite rewards that are part of being in business for yourself.Being an entrepreneur is not for the faint of heart. It is hard work and requires patience, vigilance, and sacrifices. It took a few months […]
I never get tired of talking about weed. Hearing other people talk about cannabis these days is kind of tedious though (especially when they’re uninformed). Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE what is happening with ganja and hemp right now, but I am growing weary from all of the misinformation that is Still being perpetuated […]
I am feeling a bit overwhelmed by how quickly the year has gone by. I am not where I imagined myself to be by the end of 2019. Since my timeline projections for opening the Bakers Medical dispensary have not been achieved, I find myself anxious with the nearing of December. I also thought I would […]
Season One Replay continues with an interview with one of my favorite Denver herbalists, Monticue Connally. His approach to herbalism (and life) is inspiring to anyone that appreciates the spiritual side of the work. Samhain, or Halloween is the perfect time to sit back with a steaming cup of tea to listen to this episode […]
I am re-releasing Season One of The Herb Walk Podcast because for some reason it is not showing up on iTunes or Stitcher any longer. I don’t want you to miss out on some amazing interviews with people like Jane Bothwell, Mindy Green, Julie Caldwell, Monticue Connelly and so many others. Jane Bothwell was my […]
I’m back after a long summer hiatus! I didn’t expect it to be so long, but it has seriously felt like summer until just a couple of days ago. Oklahoma summers are no joke! After months of extreme heat and high winds, the mornings and evenings are now cool and our long work days in […]
I’m going way back to the beginning of Season One of The Herb Walk Podcast where I interview herbalist and author Brigitte Mars. Brigitte is an herbalist and nutritional consultant of Natural Health with almost fifty years of experience. She teaches Herbal Medicine at Naropa University and The School of Health Mastery in Iceland. She […]
For the final episode of Season 2, I share with you excerpts from the Tobacco chapter of Plant Songs: Reflections on Herbal Medicine. Tobacco is demonized by many as a deadly killer, but she is also one the most sacred plants on Earth. Grown across the Americas by people from Chile to Canada, Tobacco has […]
I don’t talk about my book, Plant Songs: Reflections on Herbal Medicine very often. To be honest, I’m still kinda shy about it. Besides information on my favorite herbs, I also share some personal stories of my life. Which is really hard for me! In this episode of The Herb Walk with Jessica Baker, I […]
In the last month we have had Denver decriminalize psilocybin and Oakland decriminalized a slew of entheogens including psilocybin, ayahuasca and ibogaine. This is a win for freedom of choice of medicine! I can only hope our minds and hearts are expanded with the reverent use of these ancient substances. It is apparent that we […]
This is the last in a series of interviewing women in the cannabis space. Today’s Herb Walk Podcast episode is with Stephanie Boucher, of Cannabotanicals. Stephanie created Cannabotanicals to bring cannabis back into the modern herbal apothecary, keep it in the hands of the people, and utilize it as the powerful transformational tool that it […]
I have been waiting for this episode to air for several reasons. 1- This is the Dr. Lakisha episode and I have the upmost respect for what she is doing in cannabis healing and research. 2– Because of our talk I know we all need to meet in Jamaica to smoke and share our finest […]
We all know Hemp is everywhere. Thank goddess! Hemp Hemp Hurray! Decades of prohibition is lifting as we see Cannabis spread across the continent. I also see the old guards fighting back every way they can, redirecting their hatred of the feminine with their arcane abortion laws (that’s a different post- which I will get […]
The Herb Walk Interview with Dr. Michele Ross, cannabis researcher.
There is much to be said about being on time, but since time is an illusion I’m going to say my timing is perfect. Spring is in full force here in Oklahoma. The cherry and dogwood trees are blooming. It’s been 80 degrees and those spring winds are definitely blowing! Fingers crossed for a mild […]
As we approach the stoner holy day of 4/20 I thought I’d share a podcast about the evolution of Cannabis as medicine throughout history. Used throughout Southeast Asia for millennia and cultivated for at least 10,000 years (probably much longer), Cannabis has a long history of medicinal use. Hemp was an already well known herb […]
Those of you who read my blog know that I’m not a sugar coated unicorn-loving optimist. If anything I see unicorns as the symbol of white masculinity. Maybe if unicorns weren’t almost always depicted as white I’d feel differently. This blog post isn’t about unicorns or white masculinity. Today is one of those testy days. I […]
Spring Equinox is here! And a Super Full Moon too! Spring Equinox is one of my favorite days of the year. The balance of night and day, yin and yang, earth and heavens is palpable to me. It is the pull of the awakening of life after a cold lifeless winter. Spring is also the […]
I have been hearing about gnarly colds and coughs still plaguing people all across the United States. These Winter bugs are still here and like I said on my Earth Element Podcast (which no one has heard because I haven’t been able to release it yet….), so I’m saying it again. We are going to […]
Today feels really good! I am on the brink of something Big. Something so exciting I want to scream it from the top of the rafters. The timing is not right yet. Hopefully in just a few short weeks I can share what I am so pumped about! Until then I will share with you […]
Cannabis is now all over the media. That makes me really happy! As an avid Cannabis user, educator, and advocate, even I am more than a little concerned about the ever-growing hype about CBD (cannabidiol, one of the many phytocannabinoids in cannabis). Yes, CBD has therapeutic properties. No, it is not the panacea miracle drug that so […]
Gung Hay Fat Choy! Tashi Dalek! The Lunar New Year is upon us and I love to celebrate the cyclical shift from one year to another! On Monday’s New Moon we left the year of the Yang Earth Dog and welcomed in the Yin Earth Pig. I hope this year’s energy is a little less aggressive wounded dog […]
I was all inspired to write about how Chinese New Year is coming up as I celebrate my 43rd year on planet Earth! Then Jussie Smollett was attacked by white terrorists and I have been outraged about how obvious hate crimes are committed daily in the U.S. and there are no repercussions. No fear of […]
We are a country divided. I have heard this said over and over again lately and I have seen this polarization play out all over social media- especially Facebook. I have absolutely participated, as I have been quick to anger, to point fingers, and to make generalized statements about people I disagree with. I am […]
Getting to talk about energy and our relationship to nature and the cosmos may be the coolest thing about teaching Chinese medicine classes. I spent the last two days at the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism talking to students about the dynamic relationship between yin and yang that is necessary to create and sustain life. […]
Although I’m 42 (43 in less a month!) I felt like last year was a year of growing up a little bit more. I’ve had to reconsider the trajectory of my career and make some serious decisions on how I want to move forward. I’ve had to face some past traumas that are preventing me […]
I’m super stoked about this podcast episode because it is with a successful stoner sister, Rachael Carlevale. Rachael is the founder of Ganjasana, a ganja infused training that incorporates permaculture, plant medicine, and yoga. It is truly a unique concept for a yoga teacher training. I don’t want to give the episode away, but as […]
Last week I totally linked the wrong episode to the blog post. Instead of The Real Dirt episode from Peru, I linked the episode where I discuss cannabis taxonomy and the differences of Indica and Sativa. Although that’s a great interview, I meant to share my first experience at Refugio Altiplano in the Amazon jungle […]
Recorded at Refugio Altiplano in the Amazon jungle of Peru, this episode is riddled with mosquito bites.
The ultimate yin energy is upon us on December 21st as Winter Solstice approaches and we experience the shortest day and longest night of the year. This year, we will also have a Solstice Full Moon to illuminate the night sky. In Chinese medicine, the day after Winter Solstice is when yang begins to rise […]
This episode of The Herb Walk Podcast is very close to my heart. I have had the pleasure of being friends with Kelly Green, COO of Refugio Altiplano, for almost 15 years. We met as neighbors on a 5 acre piece of land outside Watsonville, California when I was a graduate student at Five Branches […]
Due to my lack of computer savviness, I’ve been having some issues with my podcasts uploading to Stitcher and other platforms. iTunes seems to be ok! My editor is also waay backed up so my episode releases may be delayed as well. I will try my hardest to remain consistent in releasing podcasts this season, […]
One of my biggest pet peeves about the cannabis industry is hearing budtenders (and other people) ask me if I prefer Indica or Sativa. I usually cringe a little and side step the question by saying that doesn’t matter to me, I want to see and smell what you’ve got and then I’ll make my […]
Tomorrow many of us celebrate Thanksgiving so I thought I’d share the next episode of The Herb Walk Podcast for you to listen to while you’re traveling to see loved ones. I’m keeping this one short and sweet, a little teaser from the Hawthorn chapter of my book, Plant Songs: Reflections on Herbal Medicine Remember […]
How is it November already!? Like many of you, I’m surprised once again of how quickly time passes. We are deep into Autumn and the holiday season is quickly approaching. Many of you know that in Chinese medicine theory, there are 5 Elements or Phases that have several correspondences, including a season. Autumn is associated […]
Season 2 of The Herb Walk Podcast with Jessica Baker is finally here!! Happy Samhain/Halloween! I am happy to announce the release of Season on one of my favorite holy days, Samhain! Known as Witches’ New Year, Samhain is the end of summer for the Celtic traditions. An auspicious day to release my new […]
When you are ruled by the lunar cycles, the Full Moon can be an energizing few days (and nights). I’ve been waking very early in the morning mentally wide-awake, enjoying the time to lie there without feeling like I “should” be doing something. I usually don’t have issues staying asleep, so there is no anxiousness […]
So many people are into aromatherapy and essential oils right now. Which is awesome! Along with the enthusiasm, I believe we need more education about when, why and how essential oils should be used (check out my blog post on how much plant material it takes to make a small amount of essential oil). As […]
Brrrrrrr…a cold, wet storm has been hovering over Colorado for the last few days. The leaves have turned, and I see the squirrels scurry around preparing for the coming Winter, I have been wearing my scarf and gloves, but for the first time since I moved to Denver, I am not lamenting the coming cold.
I am excited to make more oatmeal congees, where I will add butter and honey, cinnamon, ginger, jujube dates, and citrus peel. I look forward to big pots of beans and stewed roots. I will have early nights of reading by dimmed lights, with a warm cup of herbal tea by my side. Just writing about it makes me want to cuddle up with a good book.
I’ve been drinking a really delicious tea lately and it is perfect for not only warming heart and soul on cold nights, it is also full of flavonoids and proanthocyanidins, which have shown to fight infections and reduce effects of colds and flu. I drink a couple of cups each morning, but you can have up to a quart a day if you so desire.
Elder Rose Immuni-Tea
2 ounces dried Elderberries (Sambucus nigra)
2 ounces dried Citrus peel (Citrus reticulata) organic or unsprayed; I use mandarin or tangerine peels
1/2 ounce dried Red Rose petals (Rosa centifola) organic or unsprayed
1/2 ounce dried Milky Oats (Avena sativa)
1/4 ounce dried Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica)
Mix all ingredients together and store in a glass jar in a cool, dark location. Use 2-3 tbsp of herbs per 2 cups of tea. Boil water and pour hot water over herbs for 10-20 minutes, cover with lid. Strain herbs and set aside to use one more time (if steeped for less than 20 minutes). Add honey if desired. Sip and feel the herbs nourish and strengthen your body, mind, and spirit.
To find out more about making infusion, watch my Youtube video How To Make An Herbal Infusion, subscribe to my Youtube channel and watch videos on Chinese medicine, Western herbalism, Aromatherapy and more!
With love,
Jessica Baker, LAc, RH (AHG)
when energy flows, wellness grows
It astonishes me how many essential oil companies encourage excessive use of essential oils. These companies are well aware of how much plant matter it takes to make an essential oil, still they promote undiluted use and harmful large doses (yes, one drop of some essential oils can be a large dose).
The amount of plants needed depends on what plant is being used. The amount of oil that is extracted from each batch will fluctuate due to many factors such as temperature and climate, interaction with insects, soil health, fertilizer use, and other natural and human influences.
Since Lavender (Lavandula angustofolia) is so popular and Rose (Rosa damascena) so expensive and exotic, I will use them as our examples.
| Plant Part Needed to make an Essential Oil | Approximate Flowers Needed for a Pound of Essential Oil | Approximate Flowers Needed for 30 ml (1 fl. oz) of Essential Oil | Approximate Flowers Needed for a Drop of Essential Oil | | Lavender flowers | 250 pounds | 6 pounds | 6 stalks | | Roses | 10,000 pounds | 630 pounds | 50 roses |
References: Crop Watch, Mountain Rose Herbs
As you can see, there is a dramatic difference between how much plant matter it takes to make an ounce of essential oil. What is evident is that it takes A LOT of material to make a small amount of essential oil.
That is why I am so concerned when I hear companies tell people to use essential oils for everything from anxiety to digestive issues. With the knowledge of how many plants it takes to make even an ounce of essential oils, it is obvious that our current use of essential oils is not sustainable. Why use a highly concentrated essential oil, when inhaling a single flower or drinking a simple cup of herbal tea will do the trick.
If we want the variety of essential oils we enjoy to be available in the future, we should not be using essential oils undiluted, we definitely should not be using them in the irreverent way they are being used now, and we shouldn’t purchase oils from companies that don’t care about sustainability. The greedy practices of MLM companies like Young Living and doTerra, which promote inappropriate and excessive use of essential oils, do not care how their business practices perpetuate habitat extinction and ecological instability across the globe. All they care about is making more and more money off of destroying our precious plant species.
A prime example is how last year Young Living was sentenced for violating the Lacey Act and the Endangered Species Act for the illegal trafficking of Rosewood (Aniba roseaodora) essential oil. This is a serious crime, as Aniba roseadora is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Sure Young Living was fined $760,000 for their offense, but the Justice Department calculates the market value of Rosewood essential oil they sold to be between $3.5-$9 million. Young Living made a pretty penny off their crime as they contributed to the decimation of one of our many endangered species. Way to go! Not really the values of a company I want to support.
In my 5 Element Essential Oil Blends I use the least amount of essential oil possible to elicit the aromatic properties I want in each of my 5 Element creations. I think it is extremely important to educate people on the importance of conservative use of our plant medicines. The enthusiasm for these precious oils is potent, and I know you want to use these precious oils. It is absolutely imperative, we use them wisely. If you want to learn more more about aromatherapy and on how to properly dilute essential oils, watch my video on Dilution & Frequency of Essential Oils
We have to use our dollars wisely and hold companies (and each other) accountable for our actions, or I fear there won’t be many plant species for our future generations. It will take all of us doing our part. I’m glad we’re on this journey together.
To hear more about aromatherapy, herbalism, and Chinese medicine subscribe to my Youtube channel (new videos coming soon!) and my podcast, The Herb Walk with Jessica Baker.
With love (and hope),
Jessica Baker, LAc, RH (AHG)
when energy flows, wellness grows
SaveSave
My husband and I took a road trip to Tennessee for our 11th wedding anniversary (we celebrated our 11th year on the Harvest Moon). As we drove the thousand plus miles to Chattanooga, there were moments when I was overwhelmed with emotion at the beauty of our planet.
This was my first (I think) driving through Kansas, Missouri, and Kentucky. Growing up, we would drive back to Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida to visit family during our summer or holiday breaks, but I don’t remember going this way. I love a new adventure, and even miles and miles of farmland had me enthralled.
The changing of the seasons was palatable, with chilly nights and fallen leaves. With each new terrain, I gave thanks for the opportunity to witness the natural shifts that occur in nature, and within myself. Like a child, I saw everything with new eyes, in awe of the miracle of existence.
As I drove through sunflowers, cornfields, and hay bales I was inspired me to create a tea as pleasing as the journey east with the love of my life (and our hound dog, Alice).
Milky Silk Rose Tea
1/2 ounce dried Rose Petals, unsprayed- for loving life fully
1/2 ounce dried Milky Oats- for nourishing life
1/2 ounce dried Citrus Peel- for regulating energy
1/2 ounce dried Corn Silk- for remembering what’s really important
1/2 ounce dried Elderberries- for strengthening vitality
Mix all dried herbs together and store in a glass jar in a cool, dark place. Take 1 tbsp of herbs and steep in hot water for 10-15 minutes. Strain out herbs, sip, and think of what a wonder it is to be alive, right here, right now. What are you grateful for? How can you help others to see the miracle that is their life?
With love,
Jessica
when energy flows, wellness grows