Episode 179: Yarrow with Dr. Jacqui Wilkins

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Episode Summary

I was thrilled to have a chance to interview Dr. Jacqui Wilkins! I’ve been following her on social media for some time now, and her posts always brighten my day with their beauty and insight.  Our conversation went so many places – from the ways that herbalism can reconnect us with the land and our ancestors, to more technical aspects of how chemical constituents of plants interact with our hormones.

I was also really excited Dr. Jacqui chose to speak about yarrow, my plant ally for the year.  Yarrow is an amazingly versatile plant with so many gifts that sometimes I wonder, what can’t yarrow do?  Dr. Jacqui discussed some really unexpected ways of working with yarrow, and I can’t wait to try the Heart + Boundaries Oxymel recipe she shared.  You’ll find a beautifully illustrated recipe card for it in the section below!

By the end of this episode, you’ll know:

► Why yarrow is many people’s most-used field medicine

► A fascinating way to work with yarrow root

► The chemical constituent that yarrow has in common with chamomile - and how the two herbs can be worked with similarly

► Seven different herbal preparations for yarrow

► How to work with yarrow to help you set and hold your boundaries

► and so much more…

For those of you who don’t already know her, Dr. Jacqui, ND, is a mixed Indigenous Yakama, Irish and Eastern European Naturopathic Doctor, plant medicine person, birth worker, teacher and steward of the earth. She tends to the Xálish Medicine Garden on Vancouver Island, which is the Snuneymuxw Territory, crafting plant medicines through Xálish Medicines, and honoring her mixed lineages of earth and stars. She shares wisdom of earth based practices, plant medicines, ancestral reverence and earth tending—remembering we are nature, not separate from creation. Her intention is to help us deepen connections with the land, our ancestors and all relations, bringing healing, harmony, and a sense of belonging.

Would you prefer reading this episode? If so, click here to download a transcript.

Would you prefer watching this episode? If so, scroll down below.

Connect with Dr. Jacqui Wilkins:

• Website | XalishMedicines.com
• Instagram | @xalishmedicines
• Facebook | Jacqui Wilkins
  

What You'll Learn from This Episode

• [01:09] Student spotlight
• [2:35] Introduction to Dr. Jacqui Wilkins
• [4:01] Dr. Jacqui’s plant path
• [10:12] Yarrow for connection and remembering
• [14:56] Yarrow for bleeding and wound care
• [18:56] Working with yarrow root
• [24:04] Benefits of yarrow essential oil
• [27:28] Ways to work with yarrow
• [29:40] Heart + Boundaries Oxymel
• [34:19] Dr. Jacqui’s herbal offerings
• [39:02] How herbs instill hope in Jacqui
• [45:03] Herbal tidbit

Get Your Free Recipe!

This blend is supportive for evoking love, healing our hearts and grief, as well as holding boundaries. Beautiful during times where we may be feeling extra sensitive & tender, to hold space for our healing while nurturing our hearts.

Ingredients:

• 40 grams dried yarrow
• 40 grams hawthorn berries and flowers (a blend of both, or can use only berries)
• 20 grams dried rose petals
• 6 grams cinnamon chips
• 300-350 milliliters raw organic apple cider vinegar
• 300-350 milliliters raw organic honey

Directions:

1. Add the herbs to a quart-sized (one liter) jar.  This will fill the jar about ½ to ¾ full.
2. Add the vinegar and honey in equal quantities to the jar, and stir well to mix.  The herbs should be fully submerged in the liquid, and the jar should be just about full.  Add more vinegar and honey in equal quantities as needed.
3. Cover with a glass or plastic lid, or if using a metal lid, place a layer of parchment paper, wax paper, or wax-covered cloth between the jar and the metal lid.  (The acidity of the vinegar can corrode the metal, so keeping this barrier is important.)
4. Infuse for one to two moon cycles, stirring every few days.  With oxymels I prefer a longer maceration, as vinegar tends not to pull many constituents as easily. Some folks feel vinegar is not a great menstruum due to this aspect; however, I have made many potent oxymels that are good medicines and accessible for folks who are avoiding alcohol.  Experiment and see what works best for you.
5. Strain and compost herbs, and pour oxymel into clean glass bottles.

-- TIMESTAMPS -- 

• 01:09 - Student spotlight
• 02:35 - Introduction to Dr. Jacqui Wilkins
• 04:01 - Dr. Jacqui’s plant path
• 10:24 - Yarrow for connection and remembering
• 15:18 - Yarrow for bleeding and wound care
• 19:26 - Working with yarrow root
• 24:51 - Benefits of yarrow essential oil
• 28:29 - Ways to work with yarrow
• 30:48 - Heart + Boundaries Oxymel
• 35:42 - Dr. Jacqui’s herbal offerings
• 40:39 - How herbs instill hope in Jacqui
• 46:42 - Herbal tidbit

Connect with Rosalee

• On Instagram | @rosaleedelaforet

• On Facebook | Herbs With Rosalee
• On YouTube | Herbs With Rosalee

• Website | herbswithrosalee.com


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