Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Journal of 2016
MEDICINAL PLANT
CONSERVATION A United Plant Savers’ Publication
Slipper y Elm
in the Herbal
Marketplace
Fra m in g a
Dom estic Market for
Conserving &
American Ginseng Popularizing
Wild Fruits
in Sri Lanka
Tafi Atome
Sacred Grove
The Original
Wild Plant
Gatherers
Two Sides of
Lessons from the Chaga
All Mighty The Complicated
Shorea faguetiana Tree Histor y of Smilacaceae
United Plant Savers
PO Box 776, Athens, OH 45701
Tel. (740) 742-3455 Greetings from UpS President
office@unitedplantsavers.org Sara Katz, Herb Pharm co-founder & UpS board president
www.unitedplantsavers.org A theme that characterizes the activities of United Plant Savers over the
past year is connectivity and collaboration, and this issue of the Journal
SPRING 2016 exemplifies that clearly.
Executive Director UpS’s mission is to ”protect native medicinal plants of the United States
Susan Leopold, PhD and Canada”, yet it goes without saying that plants and the people who
susan@unitedplantsavers.org appreciate them are not bound by geography.
The one-day workshop ended with a presentation Trees are sanctuaries. Whoever knows
by Jennifer Gerrity, Executive Director of Opera-
tions and Jacob Lauch, from the procurement how to speak to them, whoever knows
department of MRH on the Buyer Perspective on how to listen to them, can learn the
a Forest-grown Supply Chain: Needs, Pricing, and
Expectations. Folks came from southern Virginia, truth. -Herman Hesse
Spring 2016 | 7
Endangered Medicinal Plants of the Driftless Region
by Lora Krall
Tucked in the corners of the four states of Minnesota, A second and potentially more devastating threat
Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa along the upper to the region is the frac sand mining industry. As
Mississippi River valley, lies the Driftless Region. large corporations remove topsoil, stripping away
Eight-five percent of this area is within Wisconsin. the fine grained sand used for hydrolytic fracturing
Escaping the last glacial age some 300 million years in oil production, they also disturb many of the algific
talus slopes. This adds to erosion issues in addition
to air quality concerns as fine sand particles are
released into the air. Local groups in the area are
working hard to keep frac sand mining out of the
region.
Spring 2016 | 9
A Golden Opportunity
A workshop exploring the Sacred Seeds
and the Botanical Sanctuary Network
by Emily Cook
On October 1st and 2nd, 2015 experts, academics, of medicinal plant conservation, we realized that
artists, and land stewards convened at Goldenseal one must first preserve and protect the habitat
Sanctuary in Rutland, Ohio, which is headquarters of in which our native plant communities thrive.”
the United Plant Savers (UpS) network. Their uniting Goldenseal Sanctuary was the first UpS Botanical
force was Nurturing Your Botanical Sanctuary, a Sanctuary.
workshop focused on
sanctuaries, sacred natural This sanctuary is unique
areas, and the conservation in two important ways.
and cultivation of medicinal It was the first botanical
and rare plants. sanctuary in the U.S.
dedicated to the
Nurturing Your Botanical conservation of “At-
Sanctuary had 33 Risk” medicinal herbs.
attendees representing It is also speculated
eight states and Canada, that the area may be
making this a dynamic, home to the largest
international debut event. single population of
So moved by the work wild goldenseal on the
being done by UpS and planet.
Goldenseal Sanctuary,
Participants of the workshop in front of the iconic sanctuary sign, made
as well as the lore of the from a tree on site that was felled in a tornado.
Goldenseal Sanctuary’s
sanctuary land itself, commitment to the
many described their journey to the sanctuary land extends from its mission statement down to the
as a pilgrimage. Some were former Goldenseal interpretive signs stationed around the property. The
Sanctuary interns, and most have sanctuaries of their official sanctuary sign is carved from a white oak
own or recently acquired land they wish to nourish tree that was felled by a tornado. Located in the
with native, rare, and medicinal flora. The goal of the Appalachian foothills of southeastern Ohio, near the
event was to create dialogue West Virginia state line, the
to improve the reach of UpS panorama of the sanctuary
and Sacred Seeds Network, is quintessentially pastoral.
to serve as a potential model Country roads wind by fields
for future workshops at other that are dotted with barns
locations, and to facilitate and bordered by forests.
start-up sanctuaries. UpS is Within these forests is where
partnering with the Sacred people turned for medicine.
Seeds Sanctuaries network, However, the property
which has 35 members in 17 and surrounding land has
countries. UpS and Sacred not always been one of a
Seeds are hoping to hold a peaceful sanctuary.
similar workshop in the future
overseas, possibly in Ghana. In more recent times, people
have turned to the forest for
In its own words, the mission money. Considered one of
and work of UpS is “to A healthy goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) stand at the most impoverished areas
protect native medicinal Goldenseal Sanctuary in the nation, the monetary
plants of the United States and incentives of mining were
Canada and their native habitat while ensuring an quickly undertaken. Today the sanctuary has been
abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants restored but still bears scars from where the land was
for generations to come…. To this end, United exploded to collect coal.
Plant Savers established one of our most important
projects: the Botanical Sanctuary Network. As we Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) is used to treat
became more deeply involved in the complexities inflammation, digestive woes, respiratory troubles,
Spring 2016 | 11
Restoration of the Heart, Lessons from the
All Mighty Shorea faguetiana Tree
by Susan Leopold, PhD
Tamara Negara wiped out 130 million years of life in just a few 100
Nearly twenty-one years had passed since I had years of deforestation fueled by irresponsible land
cast my wish at Kanya kamayi into the visual well use practices. It’s hard to really wrap one’s head
of both the sun setting and moon rising at the tip around the rate of deforestation and the impact to
of southern India. The next place I landed after my biodiversity, since numbers cannot quantify what
pilgrimage travel adventure was Malaysia. Back has been destroyed. Its something you feel deep in
then no one had cell phones, my Nikon camera your heart that is undeniable.
used film, and backpackers relied on guidebooks
and talked to strangers to navigate unknown The connection between palm oil and
terrain. It was a flyer at a hostel in Penang that coal extraction, feeding off each other
would lead me on an ethnobotanical trip to the As we drove past the barren landscape that was
Malaysian rainforest to visit a community of Orang once forest, watching it burn and then be re-graded
Asli. This opportunity was with a guide who was a for roads and palm plantations, I thought of how
Malay linguist and anthropologist. coal is the fire that fuels the
We would go where the wild factories, and the palm oil is the
elephants roamed the rainforest, main ingredient in these factory
along with mouse deer, millions products. From nutella to
of tiny leaches and stay in the shampoo, palm oil is the cheap
forest as guests of the talented filler ingredient in everything,
nose flute players and dance and coal/fossil fuels feed the
with them on bamboo platforms never-ending production of
that bounced like a trampoline material matter that fills the
into the night. Now I had returned market place. It’s practically
with a smart phone in hand as impossible for anyone to avoid
my digital camera and operative these two cancers on the
guidebook. Once I landed planet, yet we seek to find
a reality check set in, I saw a a balance between habitat
landscape that was once forest destruction and industrial
now converted to a sea of palm Climbing the Koompasia excels demands of resources. Perhaps
plantations—unsustainable farming they felt so intricately linked
practices resulting in erosion of the mountains, because of my personal connection to witnessing
population explosion, and the expansion of the the devastation of mountaintop removal on my
sleepy town of Penang into a metropolis city. drive to the United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary
through southern and western Virginia and Ohio.
My journey back to Malaysia seemed like opening Then to arrive in Malaysia having heard of the
a personal time capsule, but it is nothing compared deforestation issues and palm plantations, but to
to the long journey of how what has been claimed witness it was true devastation on such a scale it tore
to be the oldest rainforest on the planet came into my heart apart.
being. Estimated to have been in existence for more
than 130 million years it is an ancient rainforest kin Merging my passion for plants and a deep love
to the Daintree Rainforest in Australia. Upon arriving for tree climbing, I set out on this personal journey
we traveled by bus and then by boat up river to climb a tree that had been measured as the
into Tamara Nagara. Here we climbed a gigantic tallest tropical tree, Shorea faguetiana of the
Koompasia excels, a towering tree with large buttress Dipterocarpecea family reported to be over 260
and smooth bark known for the wild honeybees feet tall. My personal intention was to connect
(Apis dorsata) that make their nests high in its with a tree so magical that it could renew my
branches. The Tualang Honey, as it is called, is highly sense of place in my own life. The Dipterocarps
valued and symbolizes the sweet interconnected are the gentle giants of the tropical rainforests of
journey into the living pulse of the rainforest. Asia; growing straight like tulip poplars and then
Tamara Nagara is Malay and literally translates branching like broccoli at the crown makes them
into National Park. According to the World Wildlife ideal for timber. Tragically the diptocarp tropical
Fund, from 1983-2003 4.9 million hectares of forest forests are also the hot spot of deforestation and
were lost due to deforestation in Malaysia. Without thus all the species that call this forest home are in
these fragments of “parks” humanity could have peril. These trees are windows into the past—they
12 | Journal of Medicinal Plant Conservation
are storytellers of Gondwana and are our ancestral trees, and their seedlings
beings, and I was on a quest to meet one individual are linked by a network
magnificent Shorea. of fungal hyphae that
transfer nutrients from
Dipterocarpaceae Family decaying organic matter
Dipterocarpaceae (Latin for two-winged fruit) to seedlings. As soon as
has a wonderful spin as it circles and falls to the the two winged seed
forest floor. The two-winged flyer took on a more germinates they can
symbolic connection, the fruit representing the instantly plug into the
once super continent of Gondwana and the two existing resources from its
wings representing the dipterocarps still found in nearby parent/mother
South America and the ones that now flourish in tree. What is mind blowing is Logging trucks in Malaysia
tropical Asia. Going back to the super continent of that this is the same fungal
Gondwana, the dipterocarps are thought to have association that occurs in the Fagaceae family.
arrived an estimated 45 million years ago, when a
moist corridor between India and Southeast Asia It is striking to see the connection of how trees with
resulted in a major influx of plants with Gondwana ectomycorrhizae have thus chosen the evolutionary
affinities, such as tree ferns, arums, orchids, strategy of mass fruiting at multiple year intervals,
lychophytes, and hornwarts. satiating seed predators and ensuring a large
genetic seed bank with its abundant seedlings.
After this arrival the dipterocarps underwent a These wise ancient trees have chosen a unique
massive evolutionary radiation that resulted in the path to reproduction via synchronizing a massive
explosion of biological diversity within this family of flowering event that will happen “randomly” every
trees that is unlike any other family of trees, with over 2-7 years. This prevents animals from going from
500 documented species throughout Southeast Asia. tree to tree for an annual food source, and it allows
The rainforests of Asia are unique in this respect, and for mass cross pollination resulting in a successful
we have no real understanding of how and why the seed bank for the future. The tree puts so much
dipterocarps came to be the diverse dominating energy into making this mast year happen when
giants of the Asian tropics, just observational the time is just right that it will stop growing during
theories. Living dipterocarps are spread over the this phenomenon. These seedlings then form a mass
tropical belt of three continents of colonization of the forest floor
Asia, Africa and South America but around the mother tree and the
in Asia they dominate with diversity, ectomycorrhizae connection
and the ecosystems reflect their sustains these seedlings. Equipped
strength. to live as small understory herbs
for 15 plus years, they await the
Just as the coal and the opportunity to shoot up as trees
palm oil seemed intricately when the conditions of sunlight
connected so are the oaks stimulate a massive growth spurt.
and the dipterocarps The dipterocarps are essentially a
I sat at the base of the tallest unique hybrid taking in strategies
giant tropical tree reading several associated with temperate forests
scientific papers downloaded on such as the oaks with the mass
to my iPhone. Amazed at what I fruiting of acorns but in a tropical
was reading and that I could be climate. This is different from the
in Malaysian Borneo with better Amazonian tropical forests that
and cheaper connectivity to the I was more familiar with, where
web than from my mountain home trees do not grow as tall, do
in Virginia near Washington DC., I not live as long, and the forest
sat on the forest floor among the Dipterocarp seed thrives off of trees that fall over
centipedes and reflected on the creating light gaps that create
irony of our modern world and the knowledge of regenerative opportunities among a thin layer of soil
others at my fingertips. I was reading about the and a rich canopy above. The forests Asia felt more
complexity and similarity of the oak/Fagaceae dark and dank to me then tropical forests of the
forests of my home to the mighty dipterocarps. Americas that I had explored.
The mycorrhizea are the real links in the mutualistic
relationship between the roots and fungi in which I sat there in the living seed bank that formed a
plants receive minerals and water from the fungus carpet below this massive mother tree as ropes were
in exchange for carbohydrates. Almost all plants set to be able to climb to the canopy. I became
have mycorrhizal connections but unlike most other lost in the fungal forest and meditated on the
rainforests trees, dipterocarps are ectomycorrhizal concept of the collective Gaia consciousness held
Spring 2016 | 13
in the seed bank waiting for the right conditions for The Invention of
one seedling to become a tree. The role of fungi Nature retells the
is that they transfer not only sustenance but also story of Alexander
intelligence; the scientific study of native fungi has Von Humboldt’s
only begun to document the diversity that is found extraordinary life.
in these forests. At the Forest Research Institute of He was called “the
Malaysia they have a research program to further great apostle” by
understand the biology, ecology and identification George Marsh, author
of dipterocarp mycorrhizae in an effort to develop of the monumental
inoculation for reforestation efforts. environmental book,
Man and Nature.
Reaching for the canopy and the resin Humboldt was
icicles the visionary who
Hanging from the rope and making the slow ascent, wrote about the
climbing nearly 200 feet, I finally reached above deforestation taking
the first layer of the canopy. It is at this point that I place at the hands of
start to sense the trees’ grounded force and what colonization through
it must be like to be anchored and to serve as a his travels of South
home to so many species. It was at this crowning America in the late Susan Leopold climbing Shorea faguetiana
point in the unfolding of the branches that I saw the 1700s. In Ecuador he
resin icicles dripping from the branches suspended climbed the Chimborazo Volcano and had his vision
in time shimmering in the sunlight. The dipterocarps of plant geography, so phenomenally illustrated and
produce a thick resin that hardens into the most coined “Naturgemalde,” linking global connectivity
beautiful formations. It was for me a total surprise. between plant communities in regards to elevation
In the fungal forest it and relation to the equator. His writings of concepts
makes sense that the were critical to our understanding now of Gaia as
tree would produce a living being based on his observations of species
an oily aromatic resin survival, keystone plant species in the ecosystem,
that presumably aids and human impact on climate change. His writings
the tree in defense mentored Darwin, Jefferson, Thoreau, Muir, Simon
against certain Bolivar, and so many others. His greatest gift, from
fungi, bacteria, and my perspective was his ability to connect feeling
mammals. The leaves nature with his heart as he merged science, art, and
have bitter tasting poetry into a verbal well deep in knowledge and
tannins and are insight. Recent estimations are that we have lost
inedible to most, such 46% of forest cover since the beginning of human
as the magnificent civilization (Pennisi, 2015). E.O Wilson’s latest book,
colugos, leaf eating Half Earth: Out Planet’s Fight for Life, interestingly
gliding mammals; the enough calls for setting aside half the earth for wild
orangutans; and the nature as a solution to combat loss of biodiversity.
proboscis monkeys, It’s the tropics and subtropics that support 43% of
which are also fond of the forests on the planet, and this is where we see
young leaves, yet do the rapid rise in forest loss. Data is currently being
not eat dipterocarps. gathered via satellite imagery, so we are able to
Resin dripping from the Shorea faguetiana visualize change like never before. In one study
Tree climbing on a using this technology 2.3 million square kilometers
personal level lifts the heavy darkness that clouds of forest loss were documented from 2000 to 2012
my heart. With each reach to a higher calling my with forest gain of 0.8 million square kilometers at a
perspective starts to slowly shift, and my senses re- spatial resolution of 30 meters (Hansen et al., 2013).
align with thoughts of grounding affirmations. The We are taking down forests in the tropical belt at a
desire to go up to feel more connected to the earth rate far greater than it can regenerate.
is the only way to describe why I love tree climbing.
It was a high for me to feel relief and yet as I felt this Non timber forest products
inner peace, I looked out into the distance to see What has been very well documented is that even
that this tree existed within a small-forested island though dipterocarp timber is the main “value”, it has
surrounded by a sea of palm plantations, essentially little economic contribution to local communities.
an island within an island. NTFPs from dipterocarps such as nuts, leaves high in
tannins, dammar, medicines, resin, and camphor,
How we perceive our relationship with trees is have a much larger impact on the economies of
intricately woven into the restoration of our hearts the rural people and forest dwellers, not to mention
and that of the planet. Andrea Wulf’s new book, the many other edible herbs and ferns, medicinal
Spring 2016 | 15
Framing a Domestic Market for American Ginseng:
A Conversation
by Erika Galentin
“…it may also be true that ginseng gains domestic market (interstate trade within the United
resilience [as a species] by attracting different States). Indeed, the concept of a domestic market for
elements of human society–not just people the species is seemingly inconsequential due to the
minimal role that it has always played in the ongoing
involved in medicine, but also in culture and American ginseng saga. In some cases it could
commerce.” David A. Taylor, Ginseng, the Devine even be considered improbable, if not impossible.
Root The industry’s attention is directly deposited into the
consumer demand for American ginseng in China
Evidenced by the United Plant Savers’ Ginseng and other Asian countries. And rightly so; there
Summit of 2014 and the North Carolina Natural are American businesses (from individual growers,
Products Association’s International Ginseng Expo of diggers, and dealers all the way up to corporate
2015, there is tender evolution taking place in regards enterprises) that derive most, if not all, of their
to the American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) ginseng sales revenue from attending to the needs of
industry. Questions contiguous centuries-old medical traditions and world
relating to views of the East. This is where American ginseng
everything from is most revered and valued, where consumers are
conservation willing to pay for what it is worth, where the pains and
barriers, cultivation strains, yet minimal gains for the American ginseng
practices, federal digger or grower are most likely to fulfill a positive
and international cost-benefit ratio.
regulations,
economics, and However, within this complex environment an
genetics are steadily intriguing domestic market experiment is currently
being discussed underway. Testing the soil of this potentially fertile
as even deeper ground, Mountain Rose Herbs of Eugene, Oregon
questions begin to is the first bulk herb supplier to bravely step forward
American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) berries
emerge. Interest in to participate in the young initiatives of the PCO
this iconic species is gently spreading, like water on Forest Grown Verification Program. This voluntary
fertile soil, affecting landowners, growers, regulators, program, administered by the non-profit Pennsylvania
law enforcement officials, ecologists, geneticists, Certified Organic, has established a branded third-
pharmacognosists, ethnobotanists, non-profits, party verification for non-timber forest products,
natural product industry leaders, and healthcare like American ginseng, that prescribes standards
professionals in pursuit of “wildlife” conservation, of production, harvest, and handling, which are
market stability, economic initiatives, medical designed to both ensure sustainability and uphold
advancement, and even cultural preservation. federal and international laws regarding its trade. In a
recent interview with Mountain Rose Herbs regarding
In these evolutionary times, two facts remain their participation in this rousing venture, Jennifer
steadfast: 1) The American ginseng industry functions, Gerrity, Executive Director of Operations and Erin
as it has for centuries, on the fuel of export market McIntosh, Marketing Director stated,
trade. Like an aorta flowing from the American
heartland, it is argued that this export-focused “We avoided wild American ginseng before
industry has paradoxically resulted in both the
this Forest Grown Verification program
demise and preservation of the species. 2) Similar
to the phytochemical and ecological nature of began, because it was just too sensitive of
the species itself, the American ginseng industry is a plant and not our typical market…. The
complex, layered, and multivariate. This latter truism program provides the transparency our
is especially highlighted by the presence of federal customers expect, as well as an opportunity
and international trade regulations, conservation to work with these special plants without fear
concerns, divergent cultivation and growing
of harm to the wild populations. For us, the
practices, law enforcement policies, and global-
market economics. domestic market is growing and will continue
to grow through this effort. It is happening
Within these truths there appears, at first, to be naturally, and we are truly grateful to see it
little room for the discussion about the logistics of a take shape.”
16 | Journal of Medicinal Plant Conservation
So, in other words, this pioneering experiment and into modern times. This is evidenced by a
appears to be working, shedding light upon the substantial ethnobotanical list of medicinal uses
future viability of a domestic market for American employed by various Native American tribes,
ginseng. It is also suggesting a means by which a curious yet informative testimonies in historical texts
domestic market would support forest-grown and of Physiomedical and Eclectic botanic physicians
wild-simulated growing practices–responsible and of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the multi-
ethical sourcing combined with a permaculture- generational culture and ethos of ‘sanging’ within
like praxis that could reduce pressure on wild various Appalachian American communities, and
populations and sustain the long-term survival of the a robust scientific fascination with the species’
species. phytochemical, ecological, and biological
tapestries.
As this experiment evolves, there is a gentle
conversation brewing amongst American ginseng The value of American ginseng within the modern
industry gurus. When posed with the questions of subculture of traditional Western herbalism and
why and how in regards to nurturing a domestic those of other traditional healers within the United
marketplace, various themes are beginning to States is yet another piece of the conversation.
emerge in regards to both barriers and viability For example, one might argue that due to
of domestic trade for the species. These themes conservation and sustainability issues surrounding
wax and wane in their prominence depending American ginseng, traditional Western herbalists
on which potential domestic consumer groups have refrained from its use by primarily employing
are being alluded to as well as what part of analogue species that are more abundantly
the plant is desired and for what purposes. The available (species with comparable medicinal
following is merely a report on a few of the more actions). Although this may allude to a potential
prominent theses arising from the domestic market lack of value for American ginseng, there are many
conversation, one that is filled with a multitude highly respected members of this community,
of possible angles and rationalizations that await including the likes of David Winston, Matthew Wood,
exploration. Phyllis Light, and Stephen Buhner (to name only a
few) who have been steadfast advocates for its
Theme # 1: An undervalued species use within clinical herbal practice for decades.
One of the major themes that is emerging The value of American ginseng within the culture
in the conversation regarding barriers to a of traditional Western herbalism can further be
domestic market for American ginseng lies in supported by a modern consumer demand. Using
the overwhelming notion that Americans (non- the example of Mountain Rose Herbs and their
differentiated) do not value the roots themselves, recent adventures with PCO Forest Grown Verified
let alone their medicinal virtues, when compared to American ginseng products, Jennifer Gerrity and
the connoisseurship found in the Asian market. In this Erin McIntosh stated,
export environment there is a significant spectrum of
value, as a reflection of both a root’s appearance “Our customers know what American ginseng
and taste, which is captured between cultivated is, and its reputation precedes it. Everyone
versus wild roots with more than 40 different grades
wants high quality root–it’s just become a
being recognized. This is a consumer culture that
not only reveres American ginseng for its inherent matter of sustainable sourcing. We have
medicinal properties, but also for its symbolic and already witnessed unprecedented excitement
artistic potencies. For example, an Asian consumer and support from customers when we began
may purchase a single elaborately displayed offering the PCO Forest Grown Verified
ginseng root as a gift of respect, honor, or gratitude, ginseng roots and leaves last year. We think
or it may be placed in a home as a symbol of status.
the popularity stems from these botanicals
In summary, there is expressive cultural meaning
placed upon the species, a meaning that is not being available for the first time from a
paralleled by modern American consumer culture. sustainable forest model.”
There is a wide sea dividing the cultural nuances of
West and East. Mountain Rose Herbs’ customers represent what
some might term a niche market, catering to the
However, the term value in regards to American needs of plant people ranging from the home
ginseng can also be tricky to define, as its meaning herbalist making medicine in the Western tradition
is dependent upon who is expressing it and how it is to clinical practitioners, including herbalists,
being interpreted. Although the average American naturopathic doctors, massage therapists, and
consumer of natural products unarguably does not acupuncturists. Their market also includes herbal
value American ginseng in the same ways or with businesses within the cottage industry, small
the same fortitude as the Asian consumer, it does commercial manufacturers of natural products, and
not mean that the species has gone unvalued or independent natural grocers/co-ops throughout the
even undervalued throughout American history United States and Canada.
Spring 2016 | 17
However, to the average, modern American wild, forest-grown, or wild-simulated roots and
consumer of natural products differentiation of the much cheaper to procure. Although the quality of
value of ‘ginseng’ does not exist like it does across the products made from cultivated roots may be
the world, regardless of whether these differences questionable, this is where the price point for higher-
represent Korean or Chinese versus the American end wild-simulated American ginseng roots simply
species, the many grades between cultivated cannot compete with either cultivated root prices or
versus wild roots that are honored in the Asian the ironically imported bargain-basement Chinese
market, its symbolic cultural representations, or its and Korean ginseng products that have dominated
medicinal potential. Ginseng as a concept within the American market for decades (so cheap that
the mind of the average American consumer is you can get a mighty fine dose with a $1.59 energy
perhaps lumped into one over-the-counter energy drink from your local gas station).
enhancer genre with value being translated only as
expensive or affordable or even cheap. Although This is where the concept of value meets the
there may be a shift taking place in regards to concept of price within the domestic market
ginseng awareness within specific American conversation. The American consumer or natural
consumer populations, many American ginseng products manufacturer might say, “You want me
industry professionals believe there is a lack of to pay how much for ginseng?”, and the American
connection to the concept of value outside of final ginseng grower or dealer might respond, “Lots more
purchase price. In fact, price is understood to be than you are used to paying and for less quantity”.
another barrier to the development of a domestic There is no deal to be made in this scenario; why
market for American ginseng. would ginseng growers and dealers sell their
higher-valued roots into a lackluster and low-
demand American market when they can fetch
a much heftier price in the lusty and commanding
export market? Why would an American natural
products manufacturer or consumer pay more for
less quantity of what they perceive as just another
batch of indiscernible ginseng? These are excellent
questions.
Spring 2016 | 19
The Complicated Histor y of the Smilacaceae Family
by Rachel Thomas
The first time I met a member of the Smilacaceae world, many of which share similar components and
family was fifteen years ago. At that time I was using therefore similar medicinal actions (Taylor, 2005).
Mayan medicine to destroy my ovarian cysts, with The most famous of the family is sarsaparilla (Smilax
the help of Dr. Rosita Arvigo. Red China root was one regelii), a popular alterative and endocrine tonic.
of the plants she suggested because of its unique It is so high in saponins that it was used early on in
capacity to rebuild the quality of the blood when the industrial food revolution as a foaming agent for
it has been weakened by toxicity, stagnation, or making sodas.
other imbalances. This plant, a relative of the North
American greenbriers, has traditionally been used by Until the spice trade of the 15th and 16th centuries,
the Mayan people for all gynecological disturbances, the only Smilax varieties in Europe were the native
fatigue, acidity, and weakness (Arvigo and Balick, ones. It was then that eastern relatives, including
1998). I have been studying this root, commonly Smilax glabra and Smilax china, were introduced into
known in Costa Rica as cuculmeca, since that time. It European botanical medicine and became known as
not only helped my body, it inspired me to learn more China root in English or raiz de China in Spanish. There
about the secrets of Traditional Latino Medicine. are references found in ancient texts from China,
India, and Persia which indicate differences in the
qualities and capacities of these roots (Winterbottom,
2015). These details, including those indicating the
original uses of the plant, were not often transmitted
in the international sale of the roots, making it difficult
for physicians and herbalists to know which species
were which and how to best use them.
Spring 2016 | 21
Native Forest Foundation:
Conser ving & Popularizing Wild Fruits in Sri Lanka
by Damitha Rjapakse: Conservation of Lesser-Known Species & Ethnobotany Project
Sri Lanka is a country with rich biodiversity–about serratus) and wild olive, or weralu, are species
3368 plant species belonging to 1294 genera and indigenous to Sri Lanka. Rural communities have
132 families have been identified, and around 800 been using the fruit as a natural form of hair care for
of these are endemic to Sri Lanka (Rajapakse, 1998). generations. Many personal care manufacturers are
Most of these plants were utilized in building healthy currently using extracts of weralu to formulate anti-
rural communities under the precise guidance of dandruff shampoos (Jayawardhana, 2014a).
traditional local healers, members of the elderly,
and indigenous communities during the past. In Unfortunately, the present generation (already
addition, the forest played a vital role in fulfilling accustomed to modern technology) is not prepared
basic human needs such as timber, firewood, to carry the indigenous varieties or knowledge over
medicine, and food plants. These plant species to the next generation, or do not even know how to
have unique therapeutic and nutritional properties identify the basic native plants and their properties.
with a potential in solving acute global health Similarly, a wide range of lesser-known traditional
problems. They are connected with ethical, cultural, food plant species are also disappearing rapidly
spiritual, and social activities recognized from the due to continuous clearance of forest cover and
earliest days of human history. are destroyed as ‘weeds’ due to lack of awareness.
The childhoods of past generations were invariably Loss of biodiversity and diminishing plants of the
journeys that introduced them to wild fruit trees that country have been identified through the National
grew in abundance in their immediate environs. Strategic Plan of Conservation of Biodiversity in Sri
Madam (Syzygium cumini), himbutu (Salacia Lanka by well-known professionals under the Ministry
reticulata Roxb), uguressa (Flacourtia inermis Roxb), of Environment and Forest resources in 1999. In
and kirilla (Grewia microcos L) to name a few, are addition, Sri Lanka has been designated as one of
among over 100 wild fruit varieties that were part of the 18 biodiversity hotspots in the world (Ministry of
the process of discovering the world. Those flavors Forestry and Environment in Sri Lanka, 1999).
and discoveries were
naturally of indelible In 2002, the Native Forest Foundation (NFF) in
nature. Unfortunately, Sri Lanka conducted a baseline survey on the
these are simple availability of such species in the rural elderly
childhood pleasures that community and identified that there is a wealth of
generations to come will information on traditional knowledge associated
likely be denied. with plants and trees, but there has been a
dramatic loss of such knowledge and species. Due
The reliable elderly to this exercise, the Founder of NFF decided to
community has revealed dedicate personal land for the purpose due to non-
that the availability availability of resources to purchase new land and
of over 100 such wild was in the process of establishing a mini-arboretum
fruit species are not on a one-acre plot of land in 2005. This initiative was
well-known, and only mainly to serve the purpose of recovering loss of
Figure 1: Disappearing Wild Fruit - a few have been natural resources in wild fruit and selected medicinal
Himbutu (Salacia reticulata) domesticated and plant categories in collection, conservation, and
are widely focused as propagation with the establishment of a field gene
commercial crops. These lesser-known fruits were an bank as a conservation and education unit with
integral part of the Sri Lankan rural lifestyle and have over 200 such species.
enhanced the country while providing their daily
therapeutic supplement in order to lead a healthy In addition, the goal is to provide a facility where
lifestyle without any extra cost. The leaves and fruits people can learn, exchange, and research
of kovakka (Coccinia grandis) have the power to with hands-on experience from local traditional
stabilize high blood pressure, while additionally knowledge bearers to the next generation. Thus,
known for their detoxification capability as blood NFF has selected Sunday Schools, which are places
purifiers (Jayawardhana, 2014b). Also, guava has regularly visited by children and are typically
been considered as a “super fruit” because it is rich endowed with sufficient space for the purpose
in fiber and vitamins A, B, and C (Fonseka, 2008). by their local partners in order to get the young
On the other hand, the Ceylon olive (Elaeocarpus generation involved in regenerating their interest
Spring 2016 | 23
Learning to Adapt
by Atlanta Duncan
Community herbalists have experiential, hands- Backyard Roots, a collective of gardeners and
on relationships to the ecosystems they live in and herbalists based out of Western Massachusetts, was
the plants they use for healing, and thus can play able to produce enough ashwagandha (Withania
a critical role in protecting “At-Risk” medicinals. somnifera) for all their members, family, and
They also have the dual responsibility of being friends on an abandoned urban lot. We also need
both educators and medicine-makers within their more research and anecdotal exchange around
community. Federal GMP regulations make it potential plentiful adaptogens in our regions–for
difficult to operate as such, favoring big industry to example, local abundant Aralias, as well as bull
small scale medicine production. This is historically a briar (Smilax rotundifolia) that thickets much of the
problem for industries that utilize natural resources, northeast.
and much discussion is taking place around this
topic online. Of notable interest is Vermont herbalist Larkin
Bunce’s claim that the pharmaceutical industry
With the technological boom and the has not yet found their pharmaceutical analog to
incomprehensible effect that the internet has recreate the adaptogenic effect. This is concerning
on communication, demand is driven by what indicating future risk of over-harvesting. Of course,
is trending. Successful marketing becomes an this is already well underway with American ginseng
ethical question when trying to support ourselves as (Panax quinquefolius). Adaptogens fit the profile of
herbalists, growers, or wildcrafters. Herbalists notice the high-stress, type A lifestyle of the economically
trends in plant populations and demand, oftentimes advantaged who in-turn influence demand.
before they are addressed by government Strategies for “better education of herb consumers”
agencies. Stephen Foster describes noticing a should be a topic in this dialogue (Ryan Drum, The
decline in echinacea populations along roadsides Ethics of Wildcrafting).
long before Fish and Wildlife addressed it (Gladstar
and Hirsch, Planting the Future). We need to grab technology by the horns in the
form of social media networking, community list
Anticipating the demand of Echinacea angustifolia serves, podcasts, online periodicals such as this,
due to its effectiveness, Billie Potts writes “Since this and physical meet-ups that utilize the internet in
herb is so effective against the order to connect and share
contemporary resistant strains resources and supplies under
of bacteria, it is important that the radar of the big-wigs. A
we do not develop resistance more low-tech and rewarding
to echinacea, too” (Billie Potts, practice is to become pen pals
Witches Heal). In the wrong hands, with other herbalists in other
this knowledge is dangerous. regions, exchanging information
as well as supplies on a peer-
“The promising results of...studies to-peer level. This is also a great
[regarding chaga (Inonotus way to form intergenerational
obliquus)] are fueling the connections. I had success
increasing demand for chaga with this trading Indian warrior
Indian warrior (Pedicularis densiflora)
and might eventually lead to (photo credit Quinton Allan)
(Pedicularis densiflora) harvested
even greater demand if large from an abundant California
pharmaceutical companies come to view chaga as slope with herbalists I know and trust for Vermont
a resource for extraction of particular compounds.” chaga. We can notice and protect “trending”
(David Pilz, Chaga and other Fungal Resources). plants by cultivating them ourselves, identifying and
researching potential analogs, and bartering with
Tick-borne illness and other fast-spreading infectious other herbalists who grow or harvest in ecosystems
diseases have been a hot topic lately, woven into different than our own. Hit me up!
the fabric of climate change. Herbal antibiotics
will continue to be in demand as bacteria Atlanta Duncan is a community herbalist from Rhode
develop resistance and adapt. Growing our Island currently living on the Olympic Peninsula in
own andrographis (Andrographis paniculata), for Washington. She specializes in tick borne illness and
example, or bartering for Oregon grape (Berberis elder care, shares her knowledge and resources within
aquifolium) from a northwest herbalist are simple her queer community, grows her own medicinal herbs,
strategies to consider. and engages with health empowerment and justice
on a personal and social level. You can contact her
Adaptogens are in vogue as well, and we should at avantgardenz@yahoo.com or follow her on
be working at cultivating our favorites locally. Instagram @avantgardenz.
24 | Journal of Medicinal Plant Conservation
Smilax continued from page 21 Sri Lanka continued from page 23
References WELCOME TO
Arvigo, Rosita & Balick, Michael 1998. Rainforest
Remedies: One Hundred Healing Herbs of Belize. Our Common Roots Radio
Lotus Press, Wisconsin. p.73. Programmed music to your
Ferrufino, Lilian Dra., 2015. La Zarzaparrilla y la daily energetics, with four points of
Cuculmeca y su importancia económica en el si-
glo XV y XVI . https://blogzamorano.wordpress. meditation, sprinkled with plant
com/2015/05/28/zarzaparrilla-cuculmeca-plantassig- knowledge and articles to inspire.
lo-xv-xvi
Ferrufino-Acosta L. 2010. Taxonomic revision of the
genus Smilax (Smilacaceae) in Central America and the
Caribbean Islands. Willdenowia 40, pp. 227-280.
Guzman Paredo, Miguel, 1985. Medical Practices in
Ancient America. Ediciones Euroamericanas, Mexico
D.F. p. 55.
Hancock, John, M.D., 1829. The Properties and Prepa-
ration of the Rio Negro Sarsaparilla and of the Angus-
tura Bark. J. Wilson, London. pp. 12, 23.
Rodriguez, Luis Angel, 1959. La Ciencia Medica de
los Azteca. Editorial Hispano Mexicano, Mexico.
Siméon, Rémi, 1977. Diccionario de la Lengua Náhuatl
o Mexicana. Siglo XXI, Mexico.
Taylor, Leslie, 2005. The Healing Power of Rainfor-
est Herbs: A Guide to Understanding and Using Herbal
Medicinals. Square One Publishers, New York.
Winterbottom, Anne, 2015. Oxford Journals Social
History of Medicine 28 (1): 22-44.
Spring 2016 | 25
The Original Medicinal Plant
Gatherers & Conser vationists
by M. Kat Anderson USDA NRCS
In Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, a television series that as well as the inevitable injuries and sicknesses,
ran from 1993 to 1998, the Cheyenne taught a white Native people often provided the explorers and
lady doctor about various kinds of native medicinal settlers with herbal medicines that proved crucial
herbs that could be used to treat human ailments to their survival. The journals of some of our great
in the frontier town of Colorado explorers, fur trappers, surgeons, and
Springs, Colorado in the 1860s. naturalists–such as Meriwether Lewis and
The generosity and compassion William Clark, Peter Kalm, Jedediah Strong
shown by the Cheyenne made Smith, Leonard McPhail, and William
an impression on many viewers. Bartram–contain references to knowledge
Although the series was fictional, of food and medicinal native plants
key elements were based on gained from American Indians and the use
historical fact, and notable of these plants to combat sickness and
among these was the transfer injury.
of medicinal plant knowledge
from Native Americans to white During the California Gold Rush, miners
settlers. Not only were American subsisted on diets of bacon, beans,
Indians the first to discover the and coffee. Thus, showing symptoms of
healing properties of many of scurvy, they were introduced by foothill
the medicinal herbs native to tribes of the Sierra Nevada to Claytonia
Figure 1. Goldenseal (Hydrastis
North America that we’ve come canadensis). One example of the perfoliata, an edible plant that restored
to know so well–goldenseal many medicinal plant species them to health. Subsequently found to
(Hydrastis canadensis), that the American Indians gave be rich in Vitamin C, this plant came to
echinacea (Echinacea spp.), non-Indian settlers. Adapted from be called “miner’s lettuce.” During the
blue cohosh (Caulophyllum a 19th century painting. Civil War, native plants such as sassafras
thalictroides), yerba santa (Sassafras albidum), partridgeberry
(Eriodictyon californicum), and cascara sagrada (Mitchella repens), dogwood (Cornus spp.), tulip
(Frangula purshiana), to name just a few–they trees (Liriodendron tulipifera),
also passed along this knowledge to European and the leaves and bark of white
missionaries, pioneers, and settlers, who integrated it oaks (Quercus alba) provided
into traditional American medical care. field surgeons with a repertoire
of remedies to treat wounded
In an era before antibiotics and knowledge of the soldiers; they wouldn’t have known
causes of infectious diseases, Native American that these plants could be used to
herbal wisdom provided a crucial foundation for the staunch bleeding, ward off infection,
building of a new nation. Every American schoolchild reduce fever, set broken bones, and
knows that the native foods that Indians provided relieve pain had Indians not shared
to early colonists kept them from starving; it is less this knowledge over the previous
well known that Indians also gave colonists native centuries.
herbs that helped them survive disease, injury,
nutritional deficiencies, complications of childbirth, European immigrants to the
and other maladies. Native plant cures for ailments New World were not completely
such as constipation, lung problems, snakebites, dependent on Native Americans
burns, and rheumatism, first developed by Indians, for herbal medicines. Beneficiaries
were used very early by American doctors. Witch of a rich herbalist tradition in Europe
hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) for soothing strained and unfamiliar with the virtues of
muscles, salve of balsamroot (Balsamorhiza the plants native to the New World,
sagittata) for healing flesh wounds, red trillium they brought with them cuttings and
(Trillium erectum) root to ease pain during childbirth, seeds of favorite medicinal plants.
blue cohosh as an antispasmodic, and black cohosh They applied eyebright (Euphrasia
(Actaea racemosa) as a female and pregnancy officinalis) to heal inflamed eyes,
medicine are just a few of the plants the Indians treated coughs and colds with Figure 2. Cascara sagrada (Fra
gave the colonists and pioneers. horehound (Marrubium vulgare), purshiana). One of the most imp
and used St. John’s wort (Hypericum constipation around the world t
In the 1800s, as westward expansion exposed perforatum) as an anti-inflammatory. medicine by the American India
century painting.
Americans of European descent to new landscapes, It was this familiarity with plants’
26 | Journal of Medicinal Plant Conservation
medicinal qualities that led them to seek herbal really know very little about the basic reproductive
knowledge from Indians and to readily incorporate biology, ecology, and habitat requirements of most
into their medicine cabinets the native plants about of these species and have little baseline data on
which they learned. distribution, phenology, and population size. Without
fundamental ecological knowledge of these species
Just as the Old World species brought to the shores and no organized sustain-yield management
of America, both deliberately and accidentally, program, it is no wonder that the growth in
rapidly spread through New World ecosystems to popularity of and demand for certain medicinal
create new ecological mixtures, so too did medicinal species results in population declines.
herbs with both native and European origins mingled
together in the pharmacopeias of the young nation. To find a way forward out of this impasse, we can
In the first U.S. Pharmacopeia issued in 1820, almost look to the same people who gave us knowledge
half of the substances were native plants used by of these species’ uses and value in the first place.
American Indians, such as American senna (Senna Besides curating tremendous knowledge about the
marilandica formerly Cassia marilandica) and use of native medicinal herbs, American Indians
Canada fleabane (Conyza canadensis formerly worked out sustained yield practices attuned
Leptilon canadense). The balance were non-native to the reproductive biology of the plants and
plants brought from the old European homelands or developed management practices that maintained
other continents. their habitats. Both harvest and management
were based on an ethical system founded on
In the early years of our nation, therefore, Americans restraint, a long-term time perspective, and a
had access to a very broad range of medicinal body of ecological knowledge derived from close
herbs derived from the floras of two continents and empirical observation. We can learn a great deal
representing the combined wisdom of two distinct from these indigenous practices, integrating them
herbal traditions, each going back millennia. For into conservation plans and combining them with
American Indians, however, this mixing process had western science-based strategies as appropriate for
one unfortunate aspect: their contributions to this the local context.
considerable collection of medicines were largely
ignored and forgotten. This oversight continues to A specific example helps to illustrate how native
the present day. Over 200 drugs that have been management and harvest practices can be used in
or still are listed in the Pharmacopeia of the United the conservation of a threatened medicinal plant.
States or the National Formulary were first used The bark from cascara sagrada has been used to
by American Indians, but neither treat constipation for millennia in the northwestern
reference acknowledges this fact. U.S., and since people of European descent learned
Thus, the tremendous benefits of its qualities about 125 years ago, its use has
we’ve derived from indigenous spread around the globe. It has been called “the
knowledge of native plant most widely used cathartic on earth”.
medicines go largely uncredited.
This large shrub or small tree up to 10 meters high
Many native medicinal plants have grows as far north as British Columbia and south
proven so valuable that they’ve to California and Arizona and east into Idaho,
been subjected to unsustainable Montana, and Wyoming. A member of the
commercial harvest for decades Rhamnaceae, cascara has a gray to dark reddish
and, in some cases, centuries. With brown bark that is smooth to longitudinally furrowed
the added pressures of habitat or scaly. The glossy green, elliptic-shaped leaves
destruction, fire suppression, and are prominently veined and have finely toothed
climate change, many of these margins. It occurs below 2000 m. in multiple habitats
native medicinal species–such from semi-dry to wet, including coniferous forests
as cascara, American ginseng of Sitka spruce, western hemlock, Douglas-fir,
(Panax quinquefolius), slippery elm ponderosa pine, mixed evergreen forests, hardwood
(Ulmus rubra), and goldenseal–are forests, montane chaparral, coastal scrub, stream
becoming rare. Efforts to conserve drainages and ravines, swampy bottomlands with
such species and ensure they will red alder and vine maple, and ecotones between
be available in the future bump forest and prairie or open wetland. When growing in
up against a variety of barriers, not deep, rich soils in low river bottoms, flats, valleys, and
the least of which is a basic lack of borders of streams, it will reach tree size; on drier sites
scientific knowledge of the species with gravelly or sandy soils it retains a shrub-like form.
angula involved, the ecological effects of
portant herbal remedies for their harvest, and the management Cascara bark was an important laxative for treating
that was given to modern
ans. Adapted from a 19th strategies that may ensure long- constipation among many tribes such as the Cowlitz,
term product sustainability. We Green River, Jamestown and Port Gamble S’Klallam,
Spring 2016 | 27
Lower Elwha Klallam, Lummi, Makah, Quileute, harvesters cut the bark all the way around the tree–
Quinault, Skagit, Skokomish, Squaxin, and Swinomish killing it. Even areas that were harvested sustainably
tribes of Washington, the Kootenai and Flathead were subject to “pirating,” the wasteful practice of
tribes of western Montana, the Colville, Kalapuya, skinning trees only as high as could be reached from
and Klamath tribes of Oregon and the Karuk, Maidu, the ground. Those trees died–their large amounts of
Miwuk, Tolowa, and Yurok tribes of California. For remaining bark unsalvageable. After many decades
some of these tribes, cascara was more than just of unsustainable harvest, larger and older cascara
another cathartic; it reportedly restored the bowel trees became uncommon. The bone-white skeletons
to a healthier tone, which made repeated doses of dead cascara trees still mark landscapes in parts
unnecessary. of the Northwest, testaments to the thoughtless and
destructive harvesting of the trees. Today cascara
The plant was introduced to modern medicine in sagrada is included on the United Plant Savers’ “To-
1877 by a physician from Colusa, Dr. Bundy, and Watch” list because it is “currently in decline due
became official in the Pharmacopeia of the United to expanding popularity and shrinking habitat and
States in 1890. Early advertisers touted cascara as range.”
being among “the finest medicinal herbs”. By the
early 1900s cascara was being used all around the Cascara sagrada has not recovered in part because
world. of continuing global demand for its bark, but also
because the plant communities in which it grows are
Despite its long-term no longer as conducive to growth and reproduction
indigenous use, there as they once were. Cascara needs sunlight for
were plenty of cascara optimum growth, and in many habitats the trees are
sagrada trees when too dense and the canopy too closed to allow for
the first missionaries and the necessary light levels. These conditions are the
non-Indian settlers tried result of widespread fire suppression and a cessation
it. Cascara remained of the regular burning of the forests, wetlands,
abundant because and prairies once practiced by the tribes of the
of the way indigenous Northwest.
people harvested it.
“Native Americans The Indians burned to keep the forests open and
gather cascara bark to keep the wetlands and prairies from being
by taking small strips encroached by trees. In so doing, they maintained
off the main trunk or by ideal habitats for many useful plant species,
cutting a single limb so including cascara. Indian burning diversified the
that it doesn’t harm or forest, creating a forest–prairie or forest–wetland
Figure 3. An example of an early 20th
century advertisement touting the
kill the tree” says Linda mosaic that supported a richer variety of plants
efficacy of a medicine, in this case Wiechman, Lower Elwha and animals than might otherwise occur. Cascara
cascara sagrada, that in turn heightened Klallam, (pers. comm. does particularly well in very open forests and in
its popularity worldwide—often without
giving American Indians credit.
2014). the ecotones, or edge zones, between forest and
open wetland or prairie; these are precisely the
“It’s going to be there the next year and the year kinds of habitats created and maintained by regular
after and the year after,” says Ken Merritt of the burning–and the ones that disappear along with
Jamestown S’Klallam (pers. comm. 2014). “It heals anthropogenic fire. Cascara not only thrives in
over very fast. So you can keep re-harvesting for habitats subjected to fire, it can re-sprout from the
the bark if you needed to… And it would always root crown if the top is burned in a low-intensity fire–
produce the berries. And so it’s a beautiful never an adaptation shared by many plants that evolved
ending cycle.” Another method of sustainable in a context of frequent fire.
harvest is to coppice the tree, pruning the top to
leave a tall stump about four feet high from which Cascara sagrada and other native medicinal plants
multiple stems will sprout, each yielding usable bark
in several years.
References
Anderson, M.K. 2009. The Ozette Prairies of Olym- Excerpt from the
pic National Park: Their Former Indigenous Uses and History of the Vegetable Drugs
Management. Final Report to Olympic National
Park, Port Angeles, Washington. of the U.S.P.
written by J. U. Lloyd
Anonymous, circa late 1800s-early 1900s. The Great
California Wonderland and Its Products: Nature’s Own Published by The Southwest School of
Remedy. Guggenheimer, Weil & Co., lith. Botanical Medicine www.swsbm.com
Spring 2016 | 29
Medicinal Plant Conser vation & Use
at Tafi Atome Sacred Grove
by Alison Ormsby & Robert Kwaku Egbeako
On the continent of Africa, it is estimated that 60 the utilization of plants and animals for medicinal
to 95% of people “depend on traditional medicine purposes, [and this] is closely related with their
for their primary health care needs” (van Andel culture and ritual practices, which have been
et al., 2012). Medicinal plants are under pressure developed by their forefathers.” In a study of five
around the world, with thousands of species in sacred groves in Kodagu (Karnataka, India), Boraiah
trade globally, including for example, African cherry et al. (2003) found that 60% of the regenerating
(Prunus africana) and ginseng (Panax spp.) (Baeg species (136 of 241 species) were medicinally
and So 2013; Payyappallimana and Subramanian, important.
2015). Although these species do not occur in
Ghana, they provide useful models to avoid similar Our research was conducted in the community of
possible over-harvesting of other highly desirable Tafi Atome in Ghana in 2006 as part of a larger study
species of medicinal plants. on the sacred grove at Tafi Atome (see Ormsby
and Edelman 2010; Ormsby 2012a; Ormsby 2012b).
Sacred forests or groves are community-managed This article reports on unpublished data about the
natural areas that have local cultural significance. medicinal plant use from the Tafi Atome sacred
These groves may also contain medicinal plants, grove. Our analysis sheds light on the potential role
with associated community rules about by whom, of community-managed sacred groves in medicinal
when, and how these plants can be harvested. plant conservation globally.
Spring 2016 | 31
some species to grow and be ready for use by Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES)
community members. in 1995 (Stewart 2003). In response to the high
demand and unsustainable harvest of this species,
Cunningham and Mbenkum (1993) recommend
cultivation in nurseries, including propagation from
forest tree cuttings.
Steps to Take For Medicinal Plant Conservation Steps to take for medicinal plant conservation
• Teach children to identify native medicinal • Provide spaces and plenty of time for un-
plants structured nature play
• Teach children about plant habitats and the • Do not make every trip outdoors a lesson. You do
consequences of their destruction not always need to actively teach. Do what you
• Cultivate curiosity and an interest in lifelong do; the kids will catch on. Unstructured time and
education play are important.
• Read Let the Kids Run Wild in the Woods (I highly
recommend this article by Emma Marris in Slate)
Spring 2016 | 35
Mentoring and community for medicinal plant conservation in generations to
Lastly, children learn to connect deeply with nature come. I invite you to join me in thinking creatively
by observing and interacting with trusted family about how to make herbal medicine more inclusive
and community members who are connected of children in your own community.
to nature. In the previous section, experience in
outdoor environments during childhood was listed Camille Freeman is an herbalist and nutritionist,
as one of two factors that dictate whether someone specializing in fertility, pregnancy, and postpartum
will actively work to protect the environment as an health. As an associate professor at the Maryland
adult. The second factor is being taken outdoors University of Integrative Health, she teaches
by a close family member or adult (Chawla, 2007). physiology and pathophysiology to students in the
Some activists feel that the deepest connection nutrition and herbal medicine programs.
with nature requires mentoring and exposure to
communities that value the environment. Chawla Resources
(2007) recommends the following four behaviors Chawla, L. (2007). Childhood experiences associ-
when spending time with children: ated with care for the natural world: A theoretical
framework for empirical results. Children, Youth &
1. Demonstrate your love of the land Environments, 17(4), 144–170.
2. Express disapproval of environmental
destruction Damerell, P., Howe, C., & Milner-Gulland, E. J.
3. Display simple pleasure derived from spending (2013). Child-orientated environmental education
time in nature influences adult knowledge and household behav-
4. Express fascination and desire to learn about iour. Environmental Research Letters, 8(1), 015016.
other living things and/or components of http://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/8/1/015016
nature. Gill, T. (2014). The Benefits of Children’s Engage-
ment with Nature: A Systematic Literature Review.
Steps to take for medicinal plant conservation Children, Youth and Environments, 24(2), 10–34.
http://doi.org/10.7721/chilyoutenvi.24.2.0010
• Be a lifelong learner. If you already know
Stevenson, K. T., Peterson, M. N., Bondell, H. D.,
about plants, learn about other pieces of their
Mertig, A. G., & Moore, S. E. (2013). Environmental,
environments: the fungi in the soil, the birds that
Institutional, and Demographic Predictors of Envi-
eat their seeds, the other critters that use them
ronmental Literacy among Middle School Children.
as a food source, etc.
PLoS ONE, 8(3), e59519. http://doi.org/10.1371/jour-
• Show children your own love of nature. Speak
nal.pone.0059519
about respect for plants. Express sadness when
habitats are destroyed. Wells, N. M., & Lekies, K. L. (2012). Children and
• Share stories about your own connection with Nature: Following the trail to environmental attitudes
specific plants or pieces of land. Communicate and behavior. In Citizen Science: Public Participation
about what happened there, as well as your in Environmental Research. Cornell University Press.
own family’s traditions. Zylstra, M. J., Knight, A. T., Esler, K. J., & Grange, L. L.
• Expose children to communities where nature is L. L. (2014). Connectedness as a Core Conservation
honored and valued. Concern: An Interdisciplinary Review of Theory and
• Expose children to books, songs, and stories that a Call for Practice. Springer Science Reviews, 2(1-2),
instill respect, love. and care for nature. 119–143. http://doi.org/10.1007/s40362-014-0021-3
Sassafras Camp in Action United Plant Savers would like to thank Clif Bar
Family Foundation for the generous
By the end of the week ALL of the children are grant to support our programs and
showing excitement when they spot a cool insect, outreach at the Goldenseal Sanctuary
plant, or other nature find. She found that those and to support the Sassafras
children who had not had as much exposure to Camp. Find out more at http://
clifbarfamilyfoundation.org/Grants-
nature were even more proud and amazed by their
Programs/Small-Grants
nature discoveries or with their newfound knowledge
about plants and nature. One boy excitedly brought
her a hatching cicada and the whole group When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he
watched as it shed its nymph exoskeleton. The care
and respect shown to this cicada and all other finds it attached to the rest of the world.
creatures found was beautiful to watch. It seems - John Muir
Spring 2016 | 37
The Most Precious Medicine At Risk
by Debbie McSweeney
As members of this wonderful organization that fights There is still great debate over whether neonics
to preserve medicine, we know the loss we will face are killing the bees as well as the wild pollinators
if we lose some of our most precious resources. We like the monarchs. I just came from a meeting with
grow these plants in our backyards or the back forty, people from every agency tied to the environment
trying to bring them back from near extinction. It is and the protection of it to hear a professor say in
the part we play–spreading the knowledge of the his introduction of himself, “I tell people that the
importance of this issue. But neonics are not harming
there is one medicine that the bees.” The response
we have not included. It is was dead silence and no
one of the strongest, most comments as we were all
sacred of all medicines, at this meeting to find a
honey. way to start helping the
bees and wild pollinators
This is not a plant. The bee in our state, mainly
is something else entirely through education and
and is so entwined with our increasing habitat in any
medicine that we cannot way we can. This is a very
have one without the caustic issue, the one of
other. Without the bee or chemicals. I have been
pollinators we will not be giving talks on bees and
able to protect and foster habitat and had people
the plants we are fighting walk up later and hand
so hard to save. And, as we Canadian thistle (Cirsium arvense) All pollinators need good
me their business card
all know, the bees and other medicine! from a major chemical
pollinators are in trouble. For company, not offering any
nearly ten years now we have strived to figure out comment, just a silent “We’re watching everything
what is killing our bees, and as we do so, our losses you do and say.” I’m not scared anymore. It really
continue to rise. While it used to be common to gets pretty laughable after a while because you
have 15% loss of your bee hives every year, we have know you must be saying what they don’t want
watched in agony as that number has increased said. But there are so many people in government
every year to where this past year of 2014 we had that want to see change and help our friends the
40% average loss of colonies. As an activist for bees bees, including President Obama, who signed a
and their habitat, I have spoken about this issue time Presidential Memorandum in 2014 demanding that
and again for over 5 years. I keep up with the latest every agency in our government start looking into
data I can get my hands on, have many friends how we fix this problem, as it is a Food Security issue.
who are professors on the cutting edge of the fight, Whatever works!
have traveled to Washington, DC and co-chaired
a Task Force on Bee Friendly Farming–a certification So as herbalists we know that food and diet are a
program I work with. And with all of this knowledge, large part of human health. We need the essential
with all I hear from men and women who spend amino acids to survive. We can help heal with
every day trying to figure out what is happening, wonderful plant helpers, but lifestyle changes must
doing the time-consuming research, I learn more be made, especially in the area of diet. The bees
than I want to know. I see how huge the problem and wild pollinators of this country are losing millions
really is. of acres a year of food sources to development
and mega farming. As we so desperately try to build
I think Ed Levi, an organic beekeeper and past State more habitat, even more is taken away. Today in
Inspector for Arkansas said it best, “I believe the the US almost 80% of our honey supplies are coming
honey bees are the canary in the coal mine.” We from other countries. There simply isn’t enough
know what that means. They took the canaries into forage, bees, or the product of honey to meet the
the mines to detect the odorless fumes that could demand from the public. In America we are facing
creep in and kill them. The birds would simply stop a time of not having as much honey production and
singing or die, telling the miners it was time to leave just trying to keep our hives alive one more year. This
for fresh air. But we can’t leave for fresh air. We was the first year we had no honey off of six hives.
cannot run from the insidious problem that is finally
catching up with us in this country and the world. Think of the lovely description that Rosemary
Gladstar, my teacher, gives in the book Planting the
38 | Journal of Medicinal Plant Conservation
Future with the poetry of Neltje Blanchan, 1900. (You whole inside of the hive in this product that is very
will have to pull your book out here or purchase it to highly antiviral and anti- bacterial. We use resins in
read the poem!) It describes a love affair between our medicine. In current research done in Minnesota,
a bumble bee and an endangered and much Dr. Marla Spavin and her team are looking at the
beloved lady’s slipper orchid, Cypripedium spp. health benefits of this resin for bees and are pushing
The bumble bee is very important for that precious beehive manufacturers to rough cut and not sand
flower which is so rare now. Over 75% of all species the insides of box hives, as this will cause the bees
of bumblebees in the United States are now gone. to cover it in propolis–an antiviral, antibacterial
So what came first, the disappearance of the flower cocoon for our little friends! Do you know what
or the disappearance of the bumblebee? And how surprised them? They analyzed resins in the propolis
do you bring them both back? they collected to see what the makeup of species
were, and cottonwood (Populus tremuloides) was
In all my research of pollinator habitat and in my most prevalent. Cottonwood is in the Poplar family
studies with Rosemary, I have learned a parallel and makes great medicine. Do you see all the dots
issue. Pollinators lack habitat, food sources, amino connecting us together with our medicine and all
acids they need for survival, and pollen as a source the bees and pollinators? We cannot separate
of protein that provides chemicals that trigger their them. It is the ecology of our world, and each day
little bodies’ detoxification process (they don’t have we are seeing how fully we are all connected
a liver, remember). The endangered medicine and cannot live without each other. The medicine
plants we fight for are pollinator plants! I’ve spoken plants need the pollinators and so do we, and the
to some of my professors about the possibility of it pollinators need the medicine.
being a matter of their medicine being gone. Think
of echinacea (Echinacea spp.)–an immune booster So you need to know that at this time all of this
and so wonderful for our bodies when we are sick, research is also shedding an ugly light on the
and the bees do not have it in their banquet as products we love most from the hive. I will not
often. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), which is eat pollen. I would only consume it if the source is
the first plant that most creatures go to in the spring, someone I know and who is only collecting in early
including us, to help detox from a long winter is spring when there are very few agro-chemicals
the most important food source for bees after the being used. Remember that you might be an
winter! I often wonder what started the whole ball organic beekeeper, but bees can fly 1-5 miles in
rolling here. Did the decline of these most sacred search of food and have even been recorded to
medicines affect our pollinator friends’ health first, fly 15 miles when desperate for forage. Unless you
and now there are not enough of these pollinators own sections of land or are in a very remote area
to bring the plants back to their health? Bees got with no ag production, you cannot control what
hit and took a huge dive in numbers in the 1970s comes back to your hive. They are finding 36 or
with European Foul Brood. How more chemicals in pollen in a
can we say that we know we given hive. If it’s in the pollen,
can extract medicine from these it can be in the honey as well.
plants and not expect that a And the wax is actually a lipid,
bee or butterfly isn’t getting the a fat. We know fat absorbs
medicine in the pollen or nectar? toxins in our body, and we are
We use the product of their hard finding it is doing the same thing
work as a medicine in the form in the hive. Very high levels are
of pollen and honey. Think of being found in the wax, and
all the medicine plants a bee now some European countries
must pollinate to make a pound are demanding that their
of honey–over 1 million flowers beekeepers introduce new wax
are needed. What wonderful every single year. The results
medicine all packaged and have been healthier bees. This
ready for us to enjoy! The Native is not an easy process–wax
Elders of our world learned our building takes a lot of energy
medicine from watching the as bees sweat little plates of
animals and what they ate to these lipids to build the wax
take care of themselves. I feel with. It takes more energy,
so strongly that we are naive and thus more food, and thus
if we think the pollinators do Bird bath fixed up for pollinators with rocks to pre- more forage for them. The
not use these plants as medicine vent drowning and a gallon jug with drip emitter. best wax to use is the wax
themselves. Look at propolis–the on honey cappings as it has
lovely concoction that bees seal up their hives been there the shortest amount of time. Because
with. It is made from gathering resins from trees you are buying something that states it is organic
and plants. In a wild hive in a tree they will coat the does not mean that there are no chemicals in it.
Spring 2016 | 39
While testing wax and pollen chemical counts, yet hives in at least a five mile radius. In planting for
another disturbing discovery was made. A chemical our friends, plant the endangered medicines they
was found in a hive that was pretty isolated and love, strong medicine for everyone. Plant trees and
clean as far as chemicals go. The chemical was a fruit bushes, a variety of forage for them to dine
by-product of PVC pipe manufacturing. The closest on; old varieties and wildflowers are preferred.
source of that chemical being produced was over Plant two sources of pollen and nectar per season
40 miles from the beehive. minimally. Supply shallow water bowls filled with
rocks and water. Bees need clean water, too. Don’t
As we learned in our master beekeeping course, forget habitat in the form of open areas of dirt for
bees when flying produce a highly effective ground bees and tall grassy, unmowed areas for
electrostatic charge on their body (very much like bumblebees. You will see a remarkable change
we used to do with a balloon rubbed on our hair quickly when you create this little oasis. We went
to make it stand up as children). It is one of the from two bumblebees in the first 5 years of living on
wonderful ways the pollens adhere to their little hairy the farm to now seeing hundreds at one time! Then
bodies for them to pack in their pollen baskets later the song birds increased in numbers and species!
for the flight home. They now suspect that bees are
picking up some of these chemicals from the air Every year I witness 2 to 4 new species of birds on my
as they fly. The canary in the coal mine theory has little 6-acre farm. The birds start eating the bad bugs
never been more evident. in my garden and bring in new flower species in the
form of seeds dropped on the way. Mother knows
Though this information might seem depressing, how to correct the problems we face if we just get
and truly it is, there is hope. Many professors state out of the way and listen. Be active in your voice
that in the crisis that is CCD, a perfect storm of lack for the voiceless in spreading the word of what is
of food, chemicals, viruses, happening. Bee the change you want
and parasites attacking our to see happen in the world!
very sacred friends, the crisis is
producing more research and Debbie McSweeney is currently a
discovery on the lives of our student of Rosemary Gladstar, a bee
bees and pollinators than ever activist, and a pollinator habitat
in the history of mankind. We specialist. She is currently working
are looking through a window, on establishing a United Plant
and the view outside is showing Savers Sanctuary where she will
us our mistakes–our overuse of teach medicine making, growing rare
chemicals, our lack of respect medicinals, and creating pollinator
for and preservation of the habitat. She lives in Kansas on a six-
environment, and the effects acre certified Bee Friendly Farm with
we see every day in human her husband, rare Guernsey goats, dogs,
health. As herbalists you have cats, chickens, and bees. She can be
seen these things increase, reached at walela13@yahoo.com.
especially in our children. The
bees are whispering to us to
Debbie McSweeney harvesting
pay attention, to change our elecampane (Inula helenium), a plant
ways, or what is happening to bees love.
them will happen to us. Isn’t it
already? Look at the rise in Parkinson’s, autoimmune I shall collect plants and fossils,
issues, thyroid and endocrine diseases, and liver
issues in children. I’ve never seen so many traveling
and with the best of instruments
rashes in kids. Will we listen? Will we fight for the most make astronomic observations. Yet
important medicine and gift to mankind we have
ever had–honey and the honey bee? Will you sit in this is not the main purpose of my
your chair and say someone else will do it, or will you journey. I shall endeavor to find out
plant more flowers and habitat in your little space?
One person can make a difference, and thousands how nature’s forces act upon one
can affect change like we never thought we would
ever see. When I get overwhelmed, I often think of
another, and in what manner the
the day I watched the Berlin Wall fall at the hands geographic environment exerts its
of citizens. I never thought I would see that happen.
But it did. And the world was never the same again.
influence on animals and plants.
In short, I must find out about the
If you are a beekeeper, think of changing out your
wax more often. The bees do not want a toxic bed harmony in nature.
for their babies. Be aware of what is around your - Baron Alexander von Humboldt
40 | Journal of Medicinal Plant Conservation
Book Reviews
The Organic Medicinal Herb Farmer The Aromatherapy Garden:
The Ultimate Guide to Producing High- Growing Fragrant Plants for
Quality Herbs on a Market Scale Happiness and Well-Being
by Jeff Carpenter and Melanie Carpenter by Kathi Keville
Chelsea Green Publishing, 2015. 416 pages. Timber Press, 2016. 276 pages.
Book review by Sara Katz, Herb Pharm co-founder Book review by Beth Baugh, Journal editor
and UpS board president
Kathi Keville, long-time UpS
In their comprehensive, labor-of- supporter and author of fifteen
love book, The Organic Medicinal plant books, gives us yet anoth-
Herb Farmer, Melanie and Jeff er must have herbal. The stun-
Carpenter provide a treasure trove ning photos, many taken from
of practical information on how her spectacular herb garden of
to grow medicinal herbs, an area almost 500 species of medicinal
of increasing interest that can be herbs and fragrant plants, are
challenging in all of the particulars. so vibrant that you can almost
With fifteen years of organic medici- conjure up their scents.
nal herb growing experience and
a palpable passion for the plant world, the Carpenters Keville does actually (and remarkably) describe the
clearly and comprehensively explain all a small farmer scent of each plant. Here is the description for rose-
needs to know about growing, harvesting and drying mary: “Rosemary leaves have a powerful, herby,
a wide variety of medicinal herb crops. Much more sharp, and slightly woody fragrance that includes
than a “how-to farming” manual, the Carpenters’ book a hint of freshly cut cedarwood and a good bit of
offers a broad perspective on the world of medicinal camphor.”
herbs including wild herb conservation concerns, herb
The book includes a section about the benefits
industry nuances, and business and marketing consid-
of bringing native plants into the garden to help
erations. It is apparent to me that the Carpenters’ vision
maintain wild plant diversity and sustain wildlife
for this book is to seed a plethora of small, regional,
and native habitats and attract birds and pollina-
organic medicinal herb farms, thereby taking pressure
tors. Examples of popular fragrant native plants are
off of wild medicinal plant communities and cultivating
given for different growing zones throughout the
healthy human, plant, and animal communities. This
United States. She discusses the roles of aromatic
is a book filled with information and love of medicinal
plants in attracting pollinators, as well as deterring
plants and deserves a special place in any herb lover’s
garden pests and how plants affect moods. There
library!
are sections on garden design, cultivating a fra-
grance garden, and preserving, storing, and using
the plants.
The Medicinal Herb Grower Keville profiles over 80 individual scented plants
by Richo Cech. Illustrated by Sena Cech juxtaposing modern studies regarding their medici-
Using personal experiences & stories that nal benefits with interesting culture, history, and
are at once amusing and instructive, some surprising statistics. She also gives an overview
Richo covers principles such as observa- of the tradition of aromatherapy and the history of
tion in nature, windows of opportunity, gardening and shows how to make simple oils, lini-
creating plant habitat, benefits of ments, and tonics from these scented plants. As Jim
diversity, rules of green thumb, soil, seeds, Duke so aptly put it, this book is “A breath of fresh
water, sun, trees, humans, and the forest aromatic air, artfully and tastily presented.”
community.
Isabella’s Peppermint
Planting the Future Flowers a book by Susan Leopold
Edited by Rosemary Gladstar & Pamela Hirsch
Land stewardship, habitat protection, &
sustainable cultivation are of critical impor-
tance to ensure an abundant renewable
supply of medicinal plants for futture
generations. To order, please visit
www.floraforkids.org
Order these titles at unitedplantsavers.org
Spring 2016 | 41
BOTANICAL SANCTUARY NETWORK
Meet Some of our New BSN Members!
United Plant Savers’ vision is to see of wilderness, in towns as well as in the country. As
UpS Botanical Sanctuaries established you well know, it takes attitude, willingness, and
in people’s backyards, farms and a desire to transform the way we value land, our
woodlands, creating a living greenway assumptions about land use, and the way we design
of native medicinal plants across the our gardens and farms. If we want to preserve
landscape of America. A sanctuary isn’t defined wilderness and the wild populations that thrive there,
by size or magnitude, but as sacred space, a we can’t look to others to do it for us. We need to
place where one can find protection and the be willing to actively participate in the preservation
peace and renewal of nature. Nor is a sanctuary and restoration effort, and as good a place to start
necessarily designated or defined by government as any, is in our backyards. And that is what you’re
agencies or large organizations, though often we doing. That is what the Botanical Sanctuary Network
think of it as such. We can all create sanctuary on program is about.
the land we care-take. As our Sanctuary Members
are demonstrating, Botanical Sanctuaries can be Thank you to all Botanical Sanctuary Network
created in small backyards as well as on large plots members for being part of this vision and for your
efforts to help preserve and restore the native
landscape and our treasured medicinal herbs.
Some mushrooms, such as reishi (Ganoderma Another aspect about chaga is its widespread
lucidum), turkey tail (Trametes versicolor), and misuse in the natural health community. Ground
maitake (Grifola frondosa) have undergone chaga powder is found in nearly every health food
numerous in vitro, in vivo, and assorted human store, raw food establishment, and new age café
clinical trials. throughout North America.
These involve studies on the The idea that this medicinal herb
benefits of the fruiting body should be used as a general daily
and mycelium, largely tonic has no validity in medicine or
involving commercially- science. Like many herbs, it should
produced extracts. be used when required, especially
for difficult to treat auto-immune and
Chaga (Inonotus obliquus), cancer conditions, as well as adjunct
a sterile conk wildcrafted therapy.
from birch trees, has
gained increasing Traditional recipes for chaga involve
popularity over the past a decoction, or slow boil, for a period
five years. The internet of one to two hours or more followed
is replete with stories of by a twenty-four hour fermentation at
incredible harvests, as well a lower temperature. Why? We really
as numerous multilevel don’t know, but I suspect that readers
marketing companies who do fermentation will surmise what
claiming outrageous Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) may be involved. This liquid can be
medicinal properties. It preserved as a tincture so its efficacy
should be noted that there is not one human clinical remains for an indefinite period of time. It could
trial yet published on this medicinal mushroom. well be that the optimal extraction of the medicinal
properties of chaga involves a conversion of some
This demand for chaga has led to a feverish state compounds into others that are either more easily
of over-harvesting that may prove to be the ruin absorbed or increased in efficacy.
of an important health product. What is generally
not appreciated is that the sterile conk, or living Chaga is being touted as a cure-all for various
organism, is only found on one in 20,000 birch trees. health conditions, including hormonal cancers,
Some readers will immediately react in denial, but diabetes, and numerous conditions with minimal
the reality is chaga where found in a birch stand will proof.
often inhabit several trees in only that specific area.
Other birch stands, infected with different medicinal As an herbalist for over forty years, I have long used
mushrooms, such as tinder conk (Fomes fomentarius) plant medicine successfully with little biomedical
and birch polypore (Polyporus betulinus), will not endorsement. In fact, I consider empirical evidence
have populations of these valuable sterile conks. to be highly underrated in the scientific world, but
can millions of people over thousands of years be
Overharvesting chaga stands means that when misguided over herbal medicine?
the birch finally succumbs and falls down, the
microscopic fertile fruiting bodies may not present Dubious claims abound about the anti-oxidant
themselves to release spores and infect another properties of chaga. This is based on the ORAC
tree. This occurs during a short one- to two-day scale, or Oxygen Radical Absorbent Capacity test,
period of time and has rarely been witnessed. a measure of the capacity of any food to measure
Without a source of the ability to reproduce, the the amount of free oxygen radicals they can
chaga may quickly enter into a period of scarcity absorb. More than one advertorial site on the web
or extinction. Many herbalists will be thinking to suggests one gram of chaga has an ORAC score of
themselves that they harvest sustainably and see 36,557, compared to blueberries at only 24.5. This is
46 | Journal of Medicinal Plant Conservation
...United Plant Savers’...
highly misleading and is simply a marketing tool.
The values indicating anti-oxidant capacity have
no relevance to the effects of specific bioactive
compounds, according to a statement by the USDA.
2016
the boreal forest including The Fungal Pharmacy: The
Complete Guide to Medicinal Mushrooms and Lichens
of North America. His newest contribution, Mushroom
Essences: Vibrational Healing from Kingdom Fungi will be
released in July 2016 by North Atlantic. FALL SESSION:
September 5 - October 7
Walker Mt. continued from page 45
Apply now for
Our two-year plan is to be open to the public at
early acceptance!
specific times throughout the year and to be a place
of peace and sanctuary and of joy and learning for A HANDS-ON
people of all ages–but especially for children. This land PRACTICAL APPROACH
and its trees, creeks, and rivers are the inspiration for my
own work as an artist, and I look forward to teaching Interns work 30 hours per week doing a variety
both nature journaling and watercolor painting classes of medicinal plant conservation & cultivation
with the sanctuary and the plants as inspiration. projects. Classes & opportunities to work with
Chip Carroll, Program Manager, as well as UpS
I am grateful to live among the plants that I study in my
classes in herbalism and use as medicine. In creating a staff teachers. Interns learn general plant
place of sanctuary and a protected place for the plants propagation techniques working with “At-
to grow undisturbed and honored, I sense that we are Risk” and endangered species, general
cultivating a deeper relationship with the land and with
farm upkeep and maintenance, landscape
the plants themselves. It is our hope that a reverent and
personal connection with the natural world will blossom care and maintenance, greenhouse work,
in all who visit here. medicinal plant identification, sustainable wild
harvesting principles and practices,
As I write this, sitting close to the woodstove on a cold
medicine making & more!
February day, an icy mist is drifting in the trees on the
top of Walker Mountain, and snow is falling. I think of the Application available online at
ginseng and black cohosh and the bloodroot close by www.unitedplantsavers.org
beneath the snow, full of the promise of growth and bud
740-742-3455
and leaf, waiting for the light and warmth of spring. I am
office@unitedplantsavers.org
filled with the anticipation of seeing the plants emerge,
and by the promise of seeing our plans for Walker
Mountain Sanctuary begin to take root and unfold.
Spring 2016 | 47
GRANT REPORTS
Spring Grant Recipients
Many United Plant Savers members do not realize Herbstalk
that not only do we seek out grants, donations, and www.herbstalk.org
other forms of funding, but we are also the source Herbstalk is envisioning a garden
of funding for several community replanting projects project through which they
each year in the form of The United Plant Savers create small urban container
Community Grants. plantings of herbs in the
Boston, Cambridge,
In order to qualify, grant proposals must come from and Summerville, MA
a current UpS member, be community oriented and region. These containers
educational in nature, and there must be some return will serve aesthetic and
to United Plant Savers and our mission. This can be educational purposes with the
in the form of seeds, research results, or reporting of specific goal of building more awareness around
the project that could be of value to UpS and our medicinal plants. They will function as an extension of
members. For more specific guidelines please visit our Herbstalk’s educational mission and will offer learning
Community Grant page. opportunities for the community.
United Plant Savers is grateful to have the opportunity Three Leaf Farm
to provide grant funding to these worthy projects, www.threeleaffarm.com
and we look forward to the 2016 Community Grant Sara Martinelli’s Three Leaf
Program. Anyone interested in submitting a grant Farm Nature trail is used
proposal for 2016 should visit the Community Grants for teaching purposes in
page. And please consider becoming a member the many workshops and
of United Plant Savers. These grants would not be classes held at the farm.
possible without the generosity of our members. In 2013 Boulder County
THREE LEAF experienced one of the
FARM
This spring we are pleased to announce the recipients most damaging floods
of our 2015 United Plants Savers Community Grants... in recent history. The
nature trail was completely
Luna Farm Herb Gardens and Botanical wiped out, and Three Leaf
Sanctuary Farm intends on using their UpS Community Grant
www.lunaherbco.com to purchase medicinal plant material and seeds to
Kristine Brown, along with her partner reestablish the trail and the herbs they lost.
Greg and their children will be using
the UpS Community Grant to help Old Ways Herbal
fund the creation of a medicinal https://oldwaysherbal.wordpress.com
woodland native garden. They Juliette and Henry Carr intend to use the UpS
intend to use the garden to Community Grant to create an educational botanical
teach their community about sanctuary to further their stewardship and preservation
the importance of sustaining and goals. The educational botanical sanctuary will be
creating more woodland habitat and an important illustration of stewardship for their herbal
saving threatened native plants from extinction. and homesteading classes, farm education with local
schools, and other community groups that use their
Great Parks of Hamilton County classroom.
Ohio/Glenwood Gardens Scent Garden
www.greatparks.org Wild Ozark, LLC
Doug Stevenson and his staff at Glenwood Gardens www.wildozark.com
had been searching for ways to improve the Scent Wild Ozark is a newly-licensed ginseng nursery and
Garden within its Highland Discovery Garden. information resource. They are working in conjunction
Improving the Scent Garden will be an excellent with Peel–Compton Gardens of Bentonville, AR to
opportunity for children to learn about plants for the install an instructional ginseng habitat. The project
first time and to have experiences that could instill a will benefit the community by offering a hands-on
lifelong appreciation for the world around them. outdoor and indoor classroom experience for learning
how to grow and steward American ginseng and
its indicator plants. Wild Ozark’s owner, Madison
Woods, looks forward to teaching people how to
manage and tend virtually wild and wild ginseng in a
sustainable, responsible way.
48 | Journal of Medicinal Plant Conservation
PIE: Partners in Education
United Plant Savers Partners in membership at a discounted
Education program is designed ‘student-friendly’ price. These
to enrich school programming schools and programs are also
and students’ education through given educational resources
instilling awareness and ethics and curricular support as well
in regards to the conservation as provided the opportunity to
of our native medicinal plants. promote classes and workshops
Schools and apprenticeship on our website and social media
programs that have enrolled channels. For more information
in the Partners in Education about our Partners in Education
program have provided their program, please visit our website:
students the opportunity to www.unitedplantsavers.org.
receive all of the benefits of
Ed Fletcher teaching at Goldenseal Sanctuary
United Plant Savers holds a special place in our heart for our
Partners in Education Schools and would like to thank the following
participating 2015-2016 schools and programs:
SAGE MOUNTAIN OWLCRAFT HEALING WAYS GREEN COMFORT SCHOOL OF
East Barre, VT Scottsville,VA HERBAL MEDICINE
sagemountain.com owlcrafthealingways.tumblr.com Washington, VA
greencomfortherbschool.com
MAGNOLIA CHILDREN’S SCHOOL SWEET HERB MEDICINALS
Glouster, OH Ben Lomond, CA DANDELION HERBAL CENTER
sweetherbmedicinals.com Kneeland, CA
FLORIDA SCHOOL OF www.dandelionherb.com
HOLISTIC LIVING YERBA WOMAN HERBAL
Orlando, FL APPRENTICE PROGRAM WINTERGREEN BOTANICALS
www.holisticlivingschool.org Willits, CA EDUCATION CENTER
motherlandbotanicalsanctuary. Allenstown, NH
TWIN STAR HERBAL EDUCATION com wintergreenbotanicals.com
New Milford, CT
www.twinstarherbal.com NORTHWEST SCHOOL OF HERBAL CONSERVANCY
BOTANICAL STUDIES GREEN GIRL HERBS
MOCKINGBIRD MEADOWS McKinleyville, CA Hopewell, NY
ECLECTIC HERBAL INSTITUTE www.herbaleducation.net www.greengirlherbs.com
Marysville, OH
mockingbirdmeadows.com HOCKING COLLEGE SCHOOL OF OMNIGREEN
NATURAL RESOURCES Port Clinton, OH
BOTANICA Nelsonville, OH www.omnigreen.com
New River, AZ www.hocking.edu
MARYLAND UNIVERSITY OF
HEARTSTONE CENTER FOR VERMONT CENTER FOR INTEGRATIVE HEALTH
EARTH ESSENTIALS INTEGRATED HERBALISM Laurel, MD
Van Etten, NY Montpellier, VT www.muih.edu
www.heart-stone.com www.vtherbcenter.org
DAVID WINSTON’S CENTER
ARBORVITAE SCHOOL OF BLUE OTTER SCHOOL OF HERBAL FOR HERBAL STUDIES
TRADITIONAL HERBALISM MEDICINE Washington, NJ
New York, NY Fort Jones, CA www.herbalstudies.net
www.arborvitaeny.com www.blueotterschool.com
THYME HERBAL
HERBAL ACADEMY OF GREENWOOD HERBALS Amherst, MA
NEW ENGLAND Limerick, ME www.thymeherbal.com
Bedford, MA www.greenwoodherbals.com
herbalacademyofne.com MISTY MEADOWS
CHESTNUT SCHOOL OF HERBAL CENTER
SACRED PLANT TRADITIONS HERBAL MEDICINE Lee, NH
Charlottesville, VA Weaverville, NC www.mistymeadows.org
sacredplanttraditions.com www.chestnutherbs.com
MILAGRO SCHOOL OF HERBAL
BASTYR UNIVERSITY GREEN TURTLE BOTANICALS MEDICINE
HERBAL SCIENCES Nashville, IN Sante Fe, NM
Kenmore, WA greenturtlebotaniclas.com milagroschoolofherbalmedicine.
www.bastyr.edu com
Spring 2016 | 49
Using Traditional Knowledge in Ever yday Life
by Sandra Lory
There is a strong message conveyed by plants she cupped her children in Nairobi, Kenya, and
interfacing with people where the extreme Goa, India. Eucalyptus facial steam administered
challenges of life necessitate clarity of purpose. to me in Giza, Egypt after coming in from the cold
Each plant has a reason for being here, like we do. desert wind.
Beacons of hope and sanctity in times of social and
ecological distress, the plants continue to grow in
the most difficult circumstances. They often show up
to help at just the right moment, as evidenced in the
following examples from my life with plants.
Additional Donations
Oracle Matching Gifts Giving Foundation Amy McDonnell Oliver Dyer-Bennet
Luray Garden Club Holly Applegate Jaki Beshur Eva Wax
Third Sun Solar and Wind Vincent Franco Colleen Handlon-Schaull Teresa Gilman
Power Nancy Hyton Svetlana Cameil Todd Miller
Silicon Valley Community Nina Casamento Aha Dorisse Jessica True
Foundation Mia Genis Susan Haag Becca Piastrelli
Sara Martinelli Martha Rabinowitz Jude Christian Julie Levy
Mary Kirkpatrick Bonnie Abel Kate Willis Kristina Swesey
Jeff Schmit Jonah Roberts Kathleen Simpson Myron Vincent Frano
Clara Lennox Donna Burns Jennifer Landry
Narcissa Segura Elisabeth Shedd Catherine Caldwell
The Standard Employee Botanical Liasons, LLC Joshua Windham
Chesapeake Herbal Gathering Dr. Aviva Romm, Karyn Sanders, Deb Soule, Kevin Spelman, David Winston, 7Song, Larken Bunce,
Kate Clearlight, Rosalee de la Foret, Sajah Popham, Guido Masé, Richard Mandelbaum, Steven Yeager,
September 24 – 25
Nancy & Michael Phillips, Trad Cotter, Jim McDonald, Andrea & Matthias Reisen, and many more
Slippery Elm
Goldenseal
Bloodroot
Wild Yam
Lady’s Slipper
Echinacea
Adopt an Herb
Program
Adopting an “At-Risk” healing
herb is your five year commit-
ment to sponsor your adopted
Black Cohosh herb’s page on UpS’s website.
The web page will include your
logo, a brief description of your
organization, and any relevant
information you provide. The
web page will be regularly
updated with current research Sandalwood
towards the conservation and
Eyebright propagation of your adopted
healing herb. Your adoption
fee also helps fund the many
programs which fulfill the mission
of United Plant Savers.
Our Newest
To learn about how To adopt and
the benefits of adopting an “At- Member!
Risk” healing herb, download our
PDF brochure from our website
www.unitedplantsavers.org.
Spring 2016 | 55
NON-PROFIT
United Plant Savers U.S. POSTAGE PAID
PO Box 776 PERMIT #678390
Eugene, OR
Athens, OH 45701
www.unitedplantsavers.org
Printed on 100% POST-CONSUMER Recycled Paper