Healing Wise

Which Correspondence Course to Take?

Q: Susun...hello.

LOVE your website. Spent hours in there this morning. I am on the other side of the US, in Pennsylvania. Right now, dying from working in a cubicle...venturing out to spend the next half of my life doing what I love...working with herbs and plants, healing and nurturing the things in my life.

I am interested in a correspondence course..but I am not sure which would be best for my needs at this time. Is there any that you would suggest? I basically want to use the course as a "jumping off" point..something to motivate me to move on and fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a talented and educated herbalist. I am an RN and have cared for people of all ages...I am drawn to infants and eventually want to be caring for those of them spending the beginning of their little lives in intensive care units.....I want to touch them and let them know they are special, loved and welcome. I am studying infant massage...but want to "expand" my knowledge of herbs so that I may offer the parents of these little ones, some form of relaxation and comfort that they do not need to pick up from a pharmacy!

Well..that is my story and fate brought me to your website....if for nothing else...just to know that I am not alone in my beliefs that we are in a wonderful world filled with love and good karma..and women hold a special key to unlock the nurturing gifts left here for us.....

Thank you again for a wonderful place to visit...................L.

 

A: Hello L.,

It's so nice to hear you enjoy the websites... and that you are interested to study via correspondence course with Susun! Choosing which of the three courses is a personal decision. I hear you want this course to help motivate you to do as you dream. And I hear you are interested to use your learning to offer care for others. All the course have some basics in common - plant familiarity, herbal use and creation, developing intuitive knowledge, using the Wise Woman Tradition and the 6 Steps of Healing. The three courses differ only in their focus within these topics. Spirit and Practice focuses on how to use the 6 steps and Wise Woman tradition when working with challenges, whether helping oneself or others. Green Witch focuses on honing intuitive, internal dialogue, and developing one's personal spirituality. Green Allies focuses on deepening knowledge of plants, harvesting, preparing, etc. The most popular is Green Witch. I can see how any of the three would benefit you. [As of this writing there is now a FOURTH correspondence course, ABC of Herbalism :)]

Some options to help you decide are our online forum and the correspondence course description packet...

The online forum is incredibly rich with people from all over the world discussing a wide range of topics of interest; with the common thread of course being Susun Weed's teachings and the Wise Woman tradition. Among the many topics to post in (once registered; it's free!) is one called Wise Woman Classroom. There is a space for current, past, and prospective correspondence course students to share with each other. You will see many posts from people trying to decide which to take, as you are doing. You are welcome to read, as well as post if you would like.

The second option is to buy a correspondence course description packet for $10. The packet describes the differences between the courses a little bit further, but most importantly you can see the book lists, from which you choose your course books. This I found the most helpful when trying to decide myself many years ago. I went through the lists and marked all the books that interested me. I then chose my course based on which course's list had the most books marked.

You are certainly a gem among many. Perhaps if you visit the forum and browse, you will feel the web of similar passions that span the world!

Oh yes, the Wise Woman Center is located just a two hours drive north of New York city, so not all that far from you really :) Feel free to write with any questions or thoughts you may have!

Blessings,
Karen Joy
[email protected]
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to send me such detail and great information!! As I supposed, I would not be disappointed when writing to you. I'm going to read your entire e mail again and I do like the idea of purchasing the course descriptions so that I can make an informed decision....however, something tells me I could not go wrong on any of the information!

Thank you for such a wonderful "meeting" place for women.....there is nothing like the power we all have and sharing it makes it all that much more.

And..happily..2hrs north of New York sounds like a great weekend road trip that I just may have to make with a few of my good sisters!

Thank you again---I'm sending your site to all of my women friends...we can all use some good news! L.

 

Wonderful L.! Well I hope to meet up with you and your good sisters one day at the Wise Woman Center! So glad you found the information helpful. I agree, one probably couldn't go wrong with any of the courses :)

Blessings,
Karen Joy

Skullcap for Migraine Headaches

Q: Hello Susun, I read your article in Sage Woman #65 on Herbal Adventures: Gifts form the land. My husband suffers from migraines and i was wondering what the whole recipe is for the tincture using skullcap and hoW to make it. I have at the present time 1 ounce of skullcap that I purchased today and would like to know the exact amount of vodka and proof to make this.

Thanks you in advance, K.

 

A: Hello K., thank you for writing. I help Susun with her correspondence since it is difficult for her to get to all her email. Skullcap tincture is traditionally made from the fresh plant, flowering tops while it is in flower. I am really not sure how effective a tincture of the dried plant would be. In case you choose to try anyway, tinctures of dried roots and berries (though I know this is not that) are approximately one ounce of herb to 5 ounces of 100 proof vodka. They are mixed in a jar and put in a cool dark place, labeled, to sit a minimum of 6 weeks before straining to use. Again though I am not sure how well this would work with dried skullcap. In case you have access to it flowering (not likely this time of year), you would cut of the flowering tops, stems, leaves and all, and fill a jar with it before covering with the 100 proof vodka. It is a wonderful herb to work with. I do hope it proves to be a good ally for your husband!

Blessings,
Karen Joy
[email protected]
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: Hi Karen Joy, Thanks so much for getting back to me so quickly. I'm going to try it with the dried and see how it works. Is there some where that you know of that I might possibly find seeds so that I may grow my own possibly indoors or does it have to be grown outside? I live in western New York about 26 miles west of Rochester. All help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks again.
Blessings, K.

 

A: It likely grows in woods around you, but again nothing to find this time of year. I got my live plants from Richter's in Canada. They may have the seeds as well. I tend to favor plants growing in tune with the nature's cycles that surrounds them, so am not sure how it would fare grown inside. You have to use so little at a time, you could buy a bottle of the tincture, and meanwhile buy the plants or seeds, and have them ready to harvest mid-summer to make your own!

Karen Joy

Q: Hi Again, Thanks so much for website. Now I know where to get some. This is a great help.I didn't know that you could buy the tincture already made up. Is there a special place that sells it like this? I am sorry if I sound like a idiot but this is all new to me. Is there a book that can tell me exactly how much fresh skullcap to use once I get the plants and alcholol to use . I want to make this right . Blessings, K.

 

A: I am so glad I can help. You can find a list of herbal suppliers in our links pages... I will let you look through to see which carries this tincture :) I do know Red Moon does, and am sure many others do too.

A book that got me started on learning herbs, one by one, and how and when to harvest and prepare them is Healing Wise by Susun Weed. Though skullcap is not one of the seven herbs that are featured, you will learn lots. You can also read here to learn more. I recommend reading this whole thing, especially of course...

Skullcap tincture: Pain-relief, headache remedy
Pick Scutellaria lateriflora flowering tops when there are seeds as well as flowers. Fill, don't stuff, a jar with the blossoms and leaves. Fill jar to the top with alcohol. Cap tightly. Label.
Your fresh skullcap tincture is ready to use in six weeks.

When you see the plant in flower, some are just starting, some are in full bloom and some have gone to seed. I know "flowering tops" may sound too vague, but when you see it flower up and down the stem, it will be clear. Just cut on the stem below the lowest flower or seedhead. Let me know if I can help further.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
[email protected]
www.wisewomanweb.com

Can I drink infusions warm?

Q: Dear Susun, I am trying to get pregnant. I make your infusions red clover & red raspberry in a jar for 4 hours. Then I refrigerate them. Can I reheat the infusions or add boiling water to a part of it to drink it warm?

Thank you. e.

 

A: Hello E., so wonderful you are drinking, and nourishing yourself with, these herbal infusions! Absolutely, you may prepare the infusions, once made, in any way that helps you enjoy them. You may drink at any temperature, and dilute or flavor with anything you would like. Enjoy!

Blessings,
Karen Joy
[email protected]
www.wisewomanweb.com

 

Q: Dear Karen Joy, How long do they last in the refrigerator?

 

A: Hi E., some last longer than others, and it depends on how long out of the fridge, and at what temperature. They ought to last at least 24 hours. Some, in my opinion, have lasted as long as 3 days, but 24-36 hours is a good rule of thumb. Once passing freshness, you can use some as nice hair rinses, or water your plants with them!

Blessings,
Karen Joy

 

Helping Adult Daughter through Stress

Q: Dear Susun,

I recently read an article in Awareness Magazine, a Californian Holistic Magazine, featuring yourself discussing herbal cures for several feminine issues. I've known about your herbal cures and own several of your books.

I am writing to you specifically in regard to my daughter Jennifer, who is 35 years old and married. At the present time she is working on her dissertation (PhD), and as you can appreciate it, it is an extremely trying time for her. My concern presently is the tremendous amount of stress she is experiencing. I would like to get her on an herbal program that will see her through this without causing any undue damage to her system. She is also contemplating having a baby when this ordeal is over.

How can I prepare her so that her reproductive organs will not be undermined for her future, relative to all the stress she is undergoing. From your article I believe the stinging nettle herb, the oat straw and red clover would be of great benefit for her stress, however, what herbs can I give her to maintain the integrity & health of her reproductive organs. This is my prime concern.

Any input on your part would be greatly appreciated, I have to guide her at this point in time and your advice would be a major source help for me.

Thanking you in advance, I remain
Sincerely yours,

C.

 

A: Hello C., thank you for writing. So wonderful your love for your daughter. In addition of course to all she can do to nourish herself in regards to sleep, activity, loving friends and family, etc. the infusion herbs you suggest sound great. The Oatstraw to help her nerves through this, the Nettles for energy and deep reserves, and the Red Clover. The latter is actually wonderfully nourishing to our reproductive systems, along with Red Raspberry leaf infusions. I encourage you to try all these independently with her and see which she is drawn to, may only be one, may be none, may be all.... This is an essential part of this work, trusting the wisdom of the individual person. While one herb does wonders for one person, it may not be the right herb for the time for another. Then check in again a few weeks down the road and see if the herbs that feel right are the same or need to be changed. She is blessed to have a mother like you.

Blessings,
Karen Joy
[email protected]
www.wisewomanweb.com