Damiana Cordial for Good Times Ahead

As I wrapped up my second semester with Maryland University of Integrative Health, I found it appropriate to propose a toast to good times ahead - botanical medicine style.  That is, I prepared a larger than usual quantity of a specialty cordial to be enjoyed with some helpful friends when it comes time to celebrate.  Before I get down to the recipe, I'd like to take a moment to reflect on what inspired me to make this.

In my last post, I noted that there is much to be thankful for.  After that, the gifts kept on coming.  I took a trip out to my campus at Maryland University of Integrative Health, where I put in my first hours interning at the Herbal Dispensary and the Medicinal Garden.

The dispensary is where practicing alumni turn to fill botanical prescriptions for their clients.  Everything in the dispensary has to be kept clean.  Spoons used to scoop out material from one vessel must not enter another vessel.  Everything must be measured.  When one vessel is emptied, the start date of the next vessel must be recorded for tracking purposes.

During clinic hours, usual tasks are accelerated due to the high level of practitioners ordering multiple formulas simultaneously.  This means that in addition to the aforementioned tasks, preparation materials are launched into an incessant rotation.  Use. Clean. Rinse. Sanitize. Dry. Repeat.  This might sound mundane, but there are legions of wisdom to collect through the experience.  One thing I learned from performing multiple dispensary tasks is that rubbing alcohol is exceptional at cleaning up counter-top oil spills!  But let us not embark on how I learned this.

The part I most look forward to as I continue with this internship is learning more about how the dispensary is run, to include practicing Good Manufacturing Procedures (GMP) and keeping track of all the plant material - where it comes from and where it goes.  I'm not gonna lie though, the best part of this experience has been coming in contact with the different formulations.  Reading the scripts of America's practicing clinical herbalists and preparing their formulations is most inspirational.

While I was in Laurel, I also put in some time interning at the Medicinal Garden.  Here is a picture from outside the gate:

 At the time this photo was taken, there wasn't much to see yet.  But we're just getting started.  

 

See this truckload of mulch?

Between three people and two wheelbarrows, we set out to move the truckload from the parking lot down to the garden in two days.

 Nothing glamorous, for sure, but we had a damn good time doing it!

The wind was bitter cold that day.

We worked hard...

... and when it came time for a break, we made little couches and enjoyed the warmth of the lively mass.

That's me with Jen Swartout, MA., MS; ISci Faculty; MUIH

And this is Rohan Jasani, Herbal Medicine practitioner and MUIH medicinal garden Gardenmaster.

Every hard worker deserves a good rest.

He's taking some time to enjoy the comforts of a wheelbarrow. 

After a long, rewarding day of work, there she rested, split in two, waiting to enter the garden.

Yes ladies and gentlemen, we conquered that pile in one day.

And my, my, my, if this weren't enough awesomeness in one trip...  

I had plans to meet up with Helen Metzman, who tends the Jim Duke garden.  Helen was so kind and gracious.  After chatting as she ushered me around the muddy pathways of the famous medicinal garden, she offered me the opportunity to help around this year when I make my trips to Maryland!  Help them.  It is the least I can do in exchange for learning at the Jim Duke garden.

 

Then, I ended up meeting the famous medicine man himself.  

If you don't know who Jim Duke is, check out this video: 

 

I was surprised to find that we had a few things in common; there was never a dull moment.  Jim Duke is a Class A gentleman.  He is also a musician and a veteran.  After talking for a while, Jim, Helen, and I went upstairs for some Nettle soup.  Just - what a great time!  I can't wait to go back!

I returned to West Virginia with a brimming sense of potential for my community.  I think I'll continue reaching out to the community with what I've gleaned from my time at MUIH.  So far, the people of West Virginia have been warm and responsive to embrace botanical medicine as a new part of their lives.  We have everything here in Appalachia, and we can use it to our benefit in a loving and sustainable way.

One phenomenon that stands out to me is the camaraderie that I've seen manifest time and again around botanical medicine.  One classmate said to me, "I think reconnecting to our planet, whether by using her bounty to heal and feed us or by simply trying to treat her with more respect, helps us to connect to each other."  She makes a great point; still I feel like there's another element that I've not yet been able to articulate. 

As I reflected on the present and envisaged great things that are sure come, I decided to make this Damiana cordial; because sometime soon there will be a time to celebrate a special realization with a special people here in southern West Virginia.  When that time comes, I'll be ready, and so will my tasty beverage. 

Oh darn... this post is already so long.  I'll write more about this cordial next time - and I'll include the recipe!