Editors' Note: The following is an excerpt from Sacred Plant Medicine: The Wisdom in Native American Herbalism, published by Bear and Co. Rochester, VT, in 2006, and is reprinted here with their permission. If you haven't seen it yet, we suggest you begin by reading an earlier excerpt from this book from our February issue.

In this excerpt, Stephen is talking about plants picked for medicinal purposes, but we believe the principles he discusses are even more crucial when making essences, which primarily consist of the life force of the plant or flower. We should note that several essence companies believe picking the plant is not necessary in making an essence, that by asking the plant to send its essence into the water, the transfer can be effected without the loss of a plant or blossom.

The power of the Earth flows into each thing to which the Earth gives birth. When a plant is cut, this crucial life force flow is broken, and so specific intention is necessary to ensure that the power of this Earth medicine remains with the plant and does not leach away. A great deal of my intention when picking a plant is focused on keeping this life force active in the plant. The only way to actualize this is sensitivity to the existence of this force and the capacity to interact with it knowledgeably. The act of praying and talking with the plant begins this process, but the primary action that fixes this power within the plant comes from within.

The Seminoles use their breath, but that act itself is symbolic. It is the life force that comes with the breath and is directed through it that activates the medicine. In the case of keeping the life force of the Earth strong within the plant, it is the life force of the medicine maker consciously interwoven with the life force of the plant and of the Earth that does it.

I call on the Earth medicine and ask it to rise up and at that time the soul of the plant begins to sing. Both the Earth and the plant know of my love for them, so they come into me and that essence is held inside my body, and each moment do I attend to it. From then on in the preparation of the plant, in making medicine, and in giving it to an ill person, I attend to it.

It takes many years to learn how to feel the life force of the Earth in that way, longer still to call on it knowledgeably, longer still to bring it and the plant together, longer still to hold it inside and direct it to some end. For one who wishes to learn, it is necessary that such a thing exists and then to diligently work to find the truth.

One of the most powerful ceremonies that I use in sacred plant medicine is that of the sacred pipe. Many cultures used the pipe with plants to enhance their deep connection with plant medicine. Sometimes, before I go to hunt a particular plant, I will hold the image of it in my mind and smoke the pipe, including the plant with me in the ceremony. At that time, I will sometimes offer the spirit of the plant tobacco and ask its help in finding and gathering it for medicine. This additional process helps deepen the strong bond I feel with the plant I am hunting, and seems to significantly help in its power as a medicine.

As you walk, seeking a plant for medicine, pray to the plant and ask for its help. Talk to it and tell it you wish to pick it to make medicine. If it is for yourself or someone else, say which. Ask for the plant's help in healing the disease you are making it for. When you go to pick it, sit with it for a minute first. Touch it and make contact with its body. Make an offering of tobacco; you may sprinkle it on top of the plants or the ground or make a hole and put it in the ground, whichever feels right to you. When you pick the plant, if it is a root, dig carefully so as not to harm it. Observe the plant. How does it feel to you? Is it glad to be coming with you for medicine?

Each aspect of this process takes years in which to achieve competence. One must learn how to hold in the mind the spirit and intention of the act in which one is engaged, to direct that intention outward to its specific goal, and to know without doubt when that goal is achieved. Teachers help in this. Because of their sensitivity, they act as a highly refined biofeedback mechanism, allowing students to refine and further their knowledge of sacred states and processes.

In the beginning, people feel things about plants, a kind of intuitive empathy. Eventually, as you develop in your relationship with them, the experience of learning can develop into visions of sacred plant medicine. But as personal strength and knowledge of the plants develops, it becomes necessary to hold in the mind and heart the power of sacred plant medicine without losing emotional balance.

Editors' Note: See another excerpt from this compelling and important book here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Stephen Harrod Buhner is the award-winning author of ten books on nature, indigenous cultures, the environment, and herbal medicine. Stephen lectures yearly throughout the United States on herbal medicine, the sacredness of plants, the intelligence of Nature, sacred plant medicine and the states of mind necessary for successful habitation of Earth. His most recent works are Sacred Plant Medicine: The Wisdom in Native American Herbalism (2006) and The Secret Teachings of Plants: The Intelligence of the Heart in the Direct Perception of Nature (2004), both published by Bear and Company. For more information about his work, contact the Foundation for Gaia Studies.

ART CREDITS: The glass art panels used in illustrating this article are derived from prehistoric petroglyphs found along the Columbia River Gorge. These petroglyphs, expressed in many different media, are a theme in the art of Pacific Northwest Native American artist, Lillian Pitt. These images are used with her permission. To see more of her art, visit her web page. Page design by Donna Cunningham of Word of Mouth Web Design.

The World Wide Essence Society does not mean to imply any recommendation of nor give certification to any individuals or companies above. This article is provided purely for informational purposes. We ask consumers to make their own determination as to quality of the services and products offered above. This article is not meant to be advice, and the information is not meant to replace medical or psychological treatment.

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