A Healing Grove : African Tree Remedies and Rituals for the Body and Spirit

Reclaiming traditions based on plants and herbs has never been more important than it is today. Widespread use of chemicals, hormones, and additives introduce unknown substances into our bodies. On a larger scale, our future on the planet depends on our ability and willingness to incorporate earth-friendly practices into daily life. Where better to look for natural remedies and soothing rituals than Africa? It is, after all, the Mother Continent, allegedly the birthplace of the entire human race, and the keeper of ancient earth knowledge. No newcomer to these traditions,Stephanie Rose Bird explores the practical uses, spiritual traditions, and historical aspects of trees in the heritage of African Americans and offers ways to rediscover and implement natural practices in twenty-first-century daily life. The topics she covers are as diverse as a wood should be, including everything from hunting, gathering, and processing to natural divination, omens, signs, and forest medicine for wellness and beauty. __A Healing Grove__ will lead not only to personal healing but also to a lifestyle that will heal our earth.

Reclaiming traditions based on plants and herbs has never been more important than it is today. Widespread use of chemicals, hormones, and additives introduce unknown substances into our bodies. On a larger scale, our future on the planet depends on our ability and willingness to incorporate earth-friendly practices into daily life. Where better to look for natural remedies and soothing rituals than Africa? It is, after all, the Mother Continent, allegedly the birthplace of the entire human race, and the keeper of ancient earth knowledge.

 

No newcomer to these traditions, Stephanie Rose Bird explores the practical uses, spiritual traditions, and historical aspects of trees in the heritage of African Americans and offers ways to rediscover and implement natural practices in twenty-first-century daily life. The topics she covers are as diverse as a wood should be, including everything from hunting, gathering, and processing to natural divination, omens, signs, and forest medicine for wellness and beauty. A Healing Grove will lead not only to personal healing but also to a lifestyle that will heal our earth.

Reclaiming traditions based on plants and herbs has never been more important than it is today. Widespread use of chemicals, hormones, and additives introduce unknown substances into our bodies. On a larger scale, our future on the planet depends on our ability and willingness to incorporate earth-friendly practices into daily life. Where better to look for natural remedies and soothing rituals than Africa? It is, after all, the Mother Continent, allegedly the birthplace of the entire human race, and the keeper of ancient earth knowledge. No newcomer to these traditions, Stephanie Rose Bird explores the practical uses, spiritual traditions, and historical aspects of trees in the heritage of African Americans and offers ways to rediscover and implement natural practices in twenty-first-century daily life. The topics she covers are as diverse as a wood should be, including everything from hunting, gathering, and processing to natural divination, omens, signs, and forest medicine for wellness and beauty. A Healing Grove will lead not only to personal healing but also to a lifestyle that will heal our earth. Exploring the practical uses, spiritual traditions, and historical aspects of trees in the heritage of African Americans, this therapeutic guide offers ways to rediscover and implement natural practices in 21st-century daily life. As diverse as a sacred wood, topics covered include everything from hunting, gathering, and processing to natural divination, animal omens, oracles, signs, and forest medicine for wellness and beauty. This instructional meditation teaches African, Caribbean, and African American traditions, symbols, rituals, ceremonies, and healing techniques for better health, beauty, and quality of life. Igboro-egun : grove of the ancestors -- Calabash : vessel of African culture, spirituality, and survival -- Black folk be workin' dem roots long, long time : an African herbalist's overview -- Ceremonies, rites, and oracles of the wood : transatlantic African tree veneration -- Out bush : filters, shields, and field guides -- Ways and means : tools and techniques for Africa-inspired herbalists -- Seeds, nuts, pods, and oils -- Fruit of mother nature's labor : soul-nourishing berry and fruit trees -- Bark, gum, sap, resins, and moss medicine -- Very important palms : VIPs of transatlantic tree world. A therapeutic guide to implementing natural daily practices into twenty-first-century life covers a range of interests from hunting and gathering to animal omens and forest medicine, in a reference that draws on African, Caribbean, and African-American traditions. Original.