BotanicWise was founded by Charis Lindrooth with the intention of providing a forum where plant wisdom can be shared and where like-minded people can connect and build a community to steward land, medicinal plants, and supportive relationships with each other. Inspired by the work of Rosemary Gladstar, David Winston, United Plant Savers, and many internationally acclaimed teachers and organizations in the herbal renaissance, BotanicWise strives to create space for land and plant stewardship, with an inner mission to cultivate alliances between plants and people, and between people and people. We are grateful for all who participate in this expanding green movement that invites perspective on the transformation of modern health and health care in this country.
Black Cohosh and the Beauty of Thriving Together
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Hello Reader, One of the greatest gifts plants have given me isn't just better health or a deeper understanding of herbal medicine. They've cultivated friendships. In 1994, at my first herbal gathering, I attended a class on plants for pollinators. The teacher talked about bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and showed us how to grow the plants they thrive on. I was riveted by the intimate relationship she had with both creatures and plants. Decades later, that same teacher, Deb Soule (founder of Avena Botanicals), is one of my dearest friends. We've shared conversations about herbs, gardening, hummingbirds, and supported each other through life's changes. She showed me Lady’s Mantle. I introduced her to dahlias. She gave me Greek Mullein seeds. I shared crocosmia with her. Plants introduced us, and kinship blossomed.One plant that embodies this spirit of friendship is Black Cohosh (Actaea racemosa). Native to the hardwood forests of eastern North America, Black Cohosh doesn't typically stand alone. It grows as part of thriving woodland communities, alongside trilliums, bloodroot, and ferns. It shows me that we thrive when we have friends—human, animals, and plants. For generations, Indigenous peoples have regarded Black Cohosh as an important medicinal plant, and today it is perhaps best known for supporting women through menopause. Research suggests it may help reduce hot flashes and night sweats for some women, though its actions appear to be more complex than simply acting like estrogen. I also value Black Cohosh for easing muscular tension and helping people move through periods of transition with greater resilience. Inspired by Deb’s garden at Avena, I am growing Black Cohosh for the first time. Ironically, I only have one plant, standing tall and blooming bravely. Writing this, I’m making a note to find her a friend! Join me at the 16th Annual BotanicWise Herbal Gathering in scenic Kempton, PA, on September 18-20!I'm grateful that you've chosen to be part of this growing community. Thank you for walking the plant path with me. 🌿 Register by August 1 and save $30 on your weekend pass! 🌿 Get your tickets hereYours in Health, Charis Lindrooth BotanicWise P.S. Questions about the event? Read our Frequently Asked Questions HERE. Sponsors needed for the BotanicWise Women’s Scholarship Program! Learn about sponsorship benefits HERE. Our gratitude to our current sponsors:
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BotanicWise
BotanicWise was founded by Charis Lindrooth with the intention of providing a forum where plant wisdom can be shared and where like-minded people can connect and build a community to steward land, medicinal plants, and supportive relationships with each other. Inspired by the work of Rosemary Gladstar, David Winston, United Plant Savers, and many internationally acclaimed teachers and organizations in the herbal renaissance, BotanicWise strives to create space for land and plant stewardship, with an inner mission to cultivate alliances between plants and people, and between people and people. We are grateful for all who participate in this expanding green movement that invites perspective on the transformation of modern health and health care in this country.
Hello Reader, This winter I binged on the new season of Bridgerton…I confess, my one weakness! 😇 I really love the period costumes, and my eyes popped out of my head during the masquerade ball—a perfect mix of glamour, mystery, and romance! That’s when I decided to host a nature-inspired masquerade ball at this year’s BotanicWise Women’s Gathering! The preparation is the best part! You can dress up, or down, but you must have a mask. There will be a mask-making station at the event, but why...
Hello Reader, Have you ever met my friend Krista Nelson? If you have, I’m sure you agree with me that she’s unforgettable—a Grandmother Earth energy comes to mind when I think of her. She is here to make a difference. Krista Nelson is an African American grandmother with Lenape ancestry who shares her love language of nature, which stems from indigenous traditions that have been here for thousands of years. 🌱 She plays her flute to the water as it dances along the creek bed 🌱 She honors and...
Hello Reader, First things first…remember to register for the BotanicWise Women’s Gathering by August 1 (Saturday) for the best savings! Now I want to share an excerpt from Emily Ruff’s Moon Medicine Newsletter. Emily is a featured teacher at this year’s Gathering… This week’s full moon in Aquarius... is one of the most charged lunations of the year. If the summer has felt unusually intense, significant, and like something large is shifting beneath ordinary life, it's no surprise - and this...