Flowers of Fall--Harvesting strength for body, heart and soul

As my all-time favorite season, spring seemed to hold the most award winning blooms.  Fall is ordained by the leaves, spring is for the flowers.

Not until I became an herbalist did I find a true appreciation for autumn flowers. Now my yard is full of goldenrod, queen ann's lace, evening primrose and flowering artemisia—plants I never gave much notice before.

making evening primrose flower essence

Each of these plants have their blessings and beauty in both the medicine cabinet as well as the garden. They are bright and cheery, and these attributes are mirrored in their emotional and physical benefits, perhaps to strengthen us for the winter ahead.

Evening primrose

Evening Primrose in Watercolor by D. Rose

She is known on the shelves for women's hormonal support. Evening primrose oil comes in coveted capsules, particularly for women going through changes later in life.  But this is only part of her power. Her flower essence is used to soften the heart and process emotions, and she is medicinally beneficial for all hormone related issues including PMS and migraines. She's pain relieving, and also nourishing to skin, hair and nails. This is believed to be due in part to high levels of essential fatty acids.  The flowers, stalks and seeds are very oily when picked, and the nectar of the plant is sweet. 

Queen Ann's Lace

Technically, she's known as wild carrot, and every part of this plant tastes like carrot!  She has a few look-alikes so be sure you know what you're harvesting, but that is a defining characteristic. Although she is not orange, she follows her cousin, the domestic carrot's orangey flair by being beneficial for the sacral area of the body.  She's often used for urinary infections, to support the bladder or kidneys or dissolve stones in those areas, to aid in digestion and relieve gas. Her blooms open and close, open and close, holding and releasing her seeds, and therefore, I have been taught that wild carrot is a wonderful ally for both conception and contraception. Often when women tell me they are having trouble conceiving I ask them to bring Queen Ann into their home, and sit with her in the wild to absorb her spirit in their intention. She also encourages laughter and light.

Goldenrod

Goldenrod gets a bad rap for causing autumn hayfever, but Robin Rose Bennett touts her for alleviating allergies. I saw the truth in this firsthand when a friend found almost immediate relief from a runny nose and sneeze after nibbling slowly on a few goldenrod flowers. She's both warming and anti-inflammatory, and the oil can be used for muscular pain. She's a strong ally for the kidneys when taken internally.  On the spiritual level, she helps with envisioning one's way, as her bright cheery blooms often do when they line the roadside.

Visit www.mindkey.me/danielle to learn more about Danielle's herbal services and healings utilizing the energy and medicine of plants.

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