We all carry grief and we have or will experience grief. Grief is a part of life. But even so, there is nothing easy about grief. And once you have experienced strong grief, it becomes a companion in life, present with you all the time. Sometimes like a barely perceptible gust of wind that caresses your neck. Other times, grief is like a tsunami that crushes and swallows everything in its path.
The herbs have shown me a world of togetherness, a world of endless knowledge and where the ability to heal exists. This world gives me a strong sense of security. Whatever happens in life, nature is here. The herbs give me strength and help me through life's difficulties.
I like this description of grief:
Grief is defined as: “ an instance or cause of intense sorrow”. It is a universal experience that transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. Grief is an emotional response to loss, be it the passing of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the departure of a cherished phase of life ( from Ecoversity.org ).
In this picture I compile my most important herbs for grief.
When I feel sad in the moment, I think of something calming and soothing, such as Lavender and Chamomile. The amazing Rosemary Gladstar writes about these two herbs in the book "Lavender, Chamomile, and Rose: Aromatic Herbs for Grief Support".
If the sadness lasts a while and starts to weigh me down, I might turn to St. John's Wort and Lemon Balm. If the blues are behind the door, I try to avoid herbs that are too depressing. I don't want to dampen my organism further. On an energetic level, St. John's Wort and Lemon Balm are therefore preferable.
I also have negative experiences with overly stimulating herbs, such as adaptogenic powerful herbs like Rhodiola Rosea. On an energetic level, the effect was far too powerful for me. I craved strength, but it wasn't the kind of strength I needed. So consider whether you should wait with adaptogenic herbs until you are in a different phase.
In times of grief, I often want to engage in ceremony. Cherish the moment or the memory of my loved ones. Rosemary and Juniper are fine herbs, which I use as an incense. Carefully light a sprig of juniper and let the smoke and scents unite with the grief.
My number one favorite is Motherwort. For me, grief sits in the heart. Maybe it always does? I haven't asked much, but maybe it's like that for everyone? Motherwort makes my aching heart stand out and Motherwort does something else that I can't quite put my finger on yet. Is it the power of the lion it gives me for a while?
Rose and Hawthorn are herbs that are also strongly associated with the heart and are often mentioned in times of grief and loss. Phyllis Light writes in "The Herbal Apothecary":
"Rose is associated with love and compassion. It encourages the expression of buried emotions, allowing tears to fall like dewdrops that nurture the soil of healing. Rose, in its essence, invites the grieving soul to find beauty amidst the pain" .
These heart-opening herbs are important tools for dealing with grief and help us energetically deal with unprocessed grief and grief that is bottled up. But be careful what pours out when you open the door to your heart. I'm not really ready for a tsunami myself. I can only handle small gusts of wind at a time.
