It is amazing what we see when we become mindful on a walk. The things we can learn from nature is in abundance when we get outside! Every morning as part of my early morning routine, I take my dog Rocky for a walk around the neighborhood. In a world where we are consistently multi-tasking we rarely take the time to be mindful. Even I struggle with staying in a mindful state sometimes. Being mindful means being fully present to our surroundings and getting out of our head. Really, its a type of meditation. This helps us to achieve a sense of being grounded and connected. In an effort to improve my own personal work I try to use all of my senses on my walk and then record them in my "Bullet Journal" (which I will share in a later blog).
This morning as I was walking, I found a beautiful plant nestled in the woods. Because I was in a mindful, centered state I had a feeling it was an herb with medicinal uses. I stopped to investigate and take a picture. I used all of my senses, except taste because I wanted to make sure it was indeed an herb that was edible. I noticed the the shape of the flower, its color, the leaves and how they were shaped and arranged on the stem. I noticed the pods full of black seeds, how it felt and smelled. When I finished exploring this plant I thanked the plant and the Universe for its gifts and beauty.
I returned home to investigate who this plant was and as I suspected it is medicinal! She is known as "Celandine" (Chelidonium majus) and is part of the Poppy family. Celandine is used for blood cleansing, for jaundice, skin disorders (probably from its intense liver and blood cleansing abilities), to treat gallstones and indigestion. A powerful liver cleaner, it should be used with caution and well researched before using. Our livers detox so much more than just the toxins from foods we eat, so when using Celandine you may experience some discomfit as your liver detoxes. It is not recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. It should also be used sparingly and not for extended periods of time.
I realized from my walk this morning that there is healing everywhere when we decide to stop, breathe and acknowledge it! Everything we need to survive is in us and around us. Next time you take a walk, and it doesn't always have to be in the woods, be aware of what is around you - see what beauty you can find! Just in my 15 minute walk I gained knowledge of a new healing plant and I can now identify it everywhere I go! AMAZING!
For more information, check out this site: Celandine
Please note: The information on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease and is not approved by the Federal Drug Administration. It is always best practice to speak with your medical doctor and conduct your own research.
