Urban Herbology

Mystical herbology is not limited to the countryside and suburbs; here in the city we have our own kind of magikal herbs. You can find them growing in cracks, throughout parks, and along greenway areas. They are often in places you would never expect; the trick to spotting them is knowing what you’re looking for.

Urban foraging is on an upswing here in the Pacific Northwest. People enjoy going out and walking around in the local areas and finding herbs that are growing on public land. We can purchase our herbs in any store or spice shop and even off the internet, but nothing feels more authentic than harvesting your own. In my opinion, there is no better thrill than finding an herb and picking some of it for free. By harvesting your own herbs you add to the power of the plant, enhancing the spiritual connection between yourself and every earthly element. Growing a plant requires each element to create new sprouting and replenishment. The elements are represented in earth’s biosphere as 

water=rain   air=wind  earth=soil  fire =sun 

We often designate a particular purpose or spiritual intent to each type of herb. Herbs can represent many differ things to each person and how they are used can depend on what the herb means to you specifically. These designations are important key components to understanding your energetic link to everything around you.

City living can be a great thing, but it has a few limits when it comes to herb collecting and growing. “City herbs” or “city weeds” are often viewed as pesky plants and are not really wanted. Many places in the concrete jungle don’t offer a proper environment for plants to grow, nor is the lighting suitable. Often the sun will reflect off the concrete to cause intense heat that scorches the plants and creates a stressful environment, but some plants still manage to survive.

Plus, city herbs come with a note of caution: you have to be careful about where you harvest them because the plants are often unhealthy near roadways and in high smog areas. It is best not to harvest in those areas. We are able to grow herbs in containers outdoors, but it is a risk with the rodents, birds, and just plain ole takers. In big cities you can find local community gardens where you can rent a plot and plant your garden. You should not pick out of plots you don't rent since they are not considered public land.

Begin your own foraging adventures by getting a book that helps you identify the plants and herbs in your region. You'll be amazed at the variety of plants you suddenly notice when you start to look around. Knowing each plants healing qualities helps one be able to access the plants spiritual and medicinal properties. This knowledge builds the relationship between you and the spirt totems of each herb. Plants are spirit totems that have deep meanings to some people. Dandelions, for instance, are often seen as a menace. But their flowers are gold in color and are carried in bags as a money spell or to encourage abundance. We all learn as children that they are the granter of wishes. I have spent countless hours blowing off the seeds and hoping my desires sprout!

Proper equipment is needed to begin collecting city herbs. Paper and a pen are required for writing notes on where herbs are collected, the size of the patch, and the date you found them.

This will help you keep track in case you would like to collect in the same area again, or to remember where to collect more of a hard to find herb in the future. Once the plant is dried, add it to baggies or small drawstring pouches to carry on your person. A pocket knife should be used to cut herbs in order to avoid damaging them by yanking at the plant. If you pick too much ort take off all the seed heads, you will interfere with the reseeding and regrowth of the herbs; that would mean no more foraging of that herb for you or others.

Now that we are ready to get out and check out our neighborhood, here are some common city herbs you can find. Enjoy communing with nature while you forage and don’t forget to mentally thank each plant for sharing its qualities with you and spreading healing medicine.

*Clover, also known as “Shamrock”. It is well known as a lucky herb. Each leaf adds another type of luck in some belief system. Most commonly, the four leaf clover has the highest regard and will increase your money and wealth.

*Ivy is a plant that can be used for overcoming weakness and strengthening your heart. It can help you adapt, change, and embrace a new situation by adding strength to spirit.

* Maple trees- strengthening family bonds. The leaves can help protect a child while not in eye-sight of the parent.

* Moon Flower - these night blooming flowers help chase away nightmares and night terrors. These can be collected and placed under the bed or in the pillow case to chase away the darkness

*Pine trees are pillars of strength. You can crush the needles in your hands and smell thee essential oils to awaken the inner drive, taking away mental and emotional fatigue.

*African Violets can be found in many shops and are easily grown indoors. These plants increase the vibration of the home and help increase love and harmony within anyone coming in the home