Roots & Ramblings: Seasonal musings from poppysol farm & apothecary
Written by Hannah Poppish
When I think about fall I think about the beginning of cozy season, of longer nights and shorter days, of going within, and the need (and sometimes struggle) to rest.
As I write this, the winds of a cold front have come in and the leaves on the trees are dancing merrily. Of course, here in North Carolina, it is what is likely known as a false fall. But, no matter. The calendar says it is fall, and so here we are.
It is also the season of harvesting roots for medicine, for those of us who like to get our hands in the soil. As the days shorten and the temperatures begin to drop, many plants start moving their energy downward. The sugars and nutrients they've spent the growing season producing begin to make their way into the roots, where the plant stores up resources to make it through the winter and emerge again next year.
It is a beautiful reminder that sometimes the work of growing happens down deeper, where we can't see it.
And maybe that is one of the reasons I love fall so much.
There is a quietness. A turning inward. A notice that resting and rooting are also forms of growth.
Fall also brings some predictable shifts into my herbal consultation practice.
As routines change, the weather cools, and we begin spending more time indoors with other people, I often see clients looking for immune support.
And then comes the holiday season.
For most people, that means heavier meals and disrupted routines. For others, it means navigating family gatherings, social pressure, or a complicated relationship with alcohol.
Let's look at a few of my favorite plants that help us navigate the issues that come up this time of year.
For digestion: marshmallow & ginger.
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) is one of those plants that feels almost perfectly suited to the colder months.
The root is rich in mucilage, a slippery, soothing substance that coats and moisturizes our tissues. Traditionally, marshmallow root has been used to support the digestive and respiratory systems, particularly when tissues feel dry, irritated, or uncomfortable.
I love marshmallow root because it reminds us that not every herb needs to be stimulating or "doing" something aggressively. Sometimes support is simply soothing.
And that can be especially welcome around the holidays, when our digestive systems may be working a little harder than usual.
A well loved tea in the poppysol line that incorporates marshmallow root is “Soften and Soothe.”
Then there is ginger (Zingiber officinale), one of my favorite warming herbs. It’s incredibly accessible, and very familiar already for many people.
Ginger has a long history of use for digestive discomfort including occasional nausea, bloating, and that heavy, sluggish feeling that can come after a particularly enthusiastic holiday meal.
It also brings warmth.
I love fresh ginger in tea with a squeeze of lemon and a swirl of honey. Ginger is also delicious grated into broths, added to stir-fries, or paired with other warming spices. It is one of those herbs that moves seamlessly between the kitchen and the apothecary.
Our “Warm and Well” tea blend has the dual purpose of soothing digestion which a healthy dose of ginger as well as supporting the immune system with herbs like elderberry and echinacea root.
In addition to marshmallow and ginger, our warming digestive bitters bring together herbs traditionally used to support healthy digestion and get things moving when your digestion needs a little extra encouragement. These bitters are especially lovely before and after a meal, offering a warming, aromatic way to connect with your digestive system. Featuring angelica root, dandelion root, chamomile, fennel seed, orange peel, and cinnamon. They are delicious in mocktails and cocktails too!
For immune support: echinacea root.
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) is a familiar plant to many people, but I particularly love talking about the root.
Echinacea has a long history of traditional use for supporting the body's natural defenses, especially at the early onset of sickness. It is one of those plants that makes me think about the relationship between growing plants and plant medicine.
You may have seen echinacea’s gorgeous purple coneflowers blooming above the soil all summer, attracting pollinators and putting on a beautiful floral show. And, another point in its favor is that it is a native plant.
But now, as fall arrives, we see its offering below the soil.
The root has been quietly growing all season.
For sober support: passionflower and holy basil.
Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is one of my favorite herbs for this kind of work because of its relationship with rest and nervous-system support.
It has traditionally been used as a calming herb and is often incorporated into formulas for relaxation and sleep.
Sometimes sober support isn't about finding a replacement for alcohol. Sometimes it is about finding something else to reach for when what you actually need is to exhale and rest.
A cup of passionflower tea can be included in a calming evening ritual, reaching for a glass with something herbal and alcohol free instead of your usual go-tos.
Holy basil, or tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum), is another plant I think about when we're talking about resilience and stress. It’s an adaptogen, a plant that helps our bodies deal with stress.
Tulsi has a long history of traditional use in Ayurvedic herbalism and is commonly enjoyed as a tea. It is aromatic, warming, and uplifting without being overly stimulating. Plus it’s incredibly delicious and aromatic in ways that are healing all on its own.
Our “sober sidekick” line includes both of these plants in various ways to offer support as folks navigate their curiosity around cutting back on alcohol.
Harvesting with intention.
This brings me back to the roots.
Here in the Southeastern United States, we have a wonderful growing climate, but we also don’t have the luxury of being able to perennialize tropical plants in our grow zones.
Many of our medicinal perennials, echinacea and marshmallow, for example, can spend years establishing themselves in the ground. When harvesting roots from these plants, we can take part of the plant and leave the majority (especially what is known as the “crown”) in the ground. We don’t have to harvest the entire plant. Leaving some behind ensures the plant comes back the next year.
Then we have our tropical friends, like ginger and turmeric. These plants don't reliably survive our winters here in the Southeast. Their rhizomes can be harvested at the end of the growing season, with some saved (out of the ground) to replant for the following year.
Giving gratitude for the plant.
Before I harvest a root, I like to take a moment with the plant.
I might tell it what I am harvesting it for. I might say something as simple as, “Thank you for growing here. Thank you for what you have given me. I am going to use your roots to make medicine for people who need support with digestion.”
It might feel a little strange or “woo-woo” if you're new to this. That's okay! There is value in the simple act of acknowledging that we are taking something for our benefit. The offering doesn’t have to be elaborate. It can be as simple as giving the plant some extra water during a dry spell, weeding around its growing space, or leaving a small piece of your hair. Your offering could simply be a moment of gratitude and a promise to care for the patch of earth where it lives, or giving the plant well wishes for the next growing season.
The point isn't to perform the "right" ritual. The point is to notice the exchange. We ask something of the plant. What can we give back?
Food as medicine.
One of my favorite ways to make herbalism feel accessible is to start in the kitchen. You don't need an apothecary full of jars of herbs you’ve never heard of to begin working with plants. Start with what you already eat! Add ginger to a pot of soup, put burdock root into a stew, or make a warming broth with ginger and turmeric. Make your own infused oil with a high quality olive oil and some of your favorite herbs - perhaps trying rosemary, garlic, or lemongrass. Make yourself a cup of tea when you want something warm, nourishing, and hydrating.
And if you're coming into the holiday season thinking about sober support, make your evening drink feel special. Put your tea in your favorite mug. Make a sparkling herbal mocktail. Add citrus, herbs, ice, and a beautiful garnish. Create a ritual around your beverage.
This is something I come back to again and again in my work. The easier we can make supportive practices fit into our existing lives, the more likely we are to actually do them.
Medicine doesn't always have to look complicated or medicinal. The healing can be found in making dinner for yourself and your family or brewing a nice warm cup of tea to drink while watching the early sunset.
As we move into fall, I'm trying to remember that I don't always have to be reaching outward. The plants are signaling me to remember my own roots, to connect to the slowness of the earth’s season, and to rest. I hope you find some nuggets of meaning here and are able to use some of this to help yourself and your family get through the coming cooler weather.
With love and plants,
Hannah
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About poppysol farm + apothecary About Hannah Poppish I have a mom who knows all the latin names of plants and advocated for native plant habitats, a dad who was a pediatrician for over forty five years, and yet I denied the interwoven destiny I was to play out for quite some time. I continue to realize how deeply nourishing and powerful connecting with plants, in my case especially ones that heal the body and spirit, could be for me personally and for our community. There is nothing more grounding than putting my hands in the dirt, caring for a plant seedling from its pure beginnings until it arrives in a mug of tea or tincture formula. ... |
