When all else fails...
Fouquieria splendens
Ocotillo
I have to remind myself of Ocotillo, from fears, unknown pains, illness that lingers on, and now returning violent night sweats, hot flashes with a kundalini vengeance. The last few weeks, the night sweats have come on again, wishing for menopause to finally come to me, but not happening. Susan Weed would say embrace it, I try! Fortunately it is winter, yet so little sleep will bring one out of a sound conscious mind and into a voice saying, "please end, please give me a break one night a week, so I can feel like a human." I thought I tried everything before, and I had arrived at a comfortable enough formula, then everything that had worked before seemed not to.
What had worked was Vitex and Motherwort, with a touch of Sage and Lemon Balm. One dropper before bed, and I was sailing, no night sweats, moisture back in my body where it had left, no crazy emotional swings, just normal ones. Then something changed, I started getting night sweats again and began taking Passionflower, which helped when I'd wake, it would allow for me to go back to sleep, for a while.
Now, I'm taking a low dose of Ocotillo, for I feel that the hot flashes, or night sweats become worse when fear rises with them. When we stop breathing, the sympathetic system falls in to place. I've been taking a wonderful online class with Sean Donahue talking of such. We have to breath, so whatever can get that calm breath back will likely get your health back too, at least begin the path to a healthier place. I figured, that in my case, whatever might help calm the fear might clam the night sweats. For perhaps all emotional un-ease creates dis-ease....
Perchance, that's why plants like Motherwort often help with that palpitation feeling found in panic attacks, hot flashes, and anxiety. Vervain has helped me as well, what ever herb is your talisman might work, whatever allows you to take a breath.
I found Ocotillo to allow me to breath, and I often forget to take it.
My first encounter with this plant was on my first weekend plant walk in herb school. We journeyed to the upper Chihuahuan desert of New Mexico to explore and learn about desert plants. As soon as we walked up to this plant, I became mesmerized by it. Later, a fellow student told me about a large stand you could see across the river, up a hill from where we were camping. The question was how to get there. I asked my teacher, and he actually new a way, a long drive in a round about way. As the sun was starting to set, off a small group of us went!
from my journal... 4. 10. 15
Searching, climbing the mountain over the lake to the magnificent sisters standing guard at the top, shining in the setting sun while holding up their red flags proudly. Slipping, falling, climbing through thorns up to the regal plants. I looked down, realizing how steep this was, and I have vertigo. I was shocked that I had climbed that far up such a precipice.
.
I breathed, looked up, a hawk was flying overhead. I've seen hawks for years wherever I go, and I've come to think that it means I'm on the right path. Taking another deep breath, I looked down and didn't have vertigo! I feel this plant healed me from this fear and has a special place in my heart. I still get vertigo from time to time, usually I can just think of the plant if I don't have a tincture with me, and I can breath....
The first time I made medicine from the plant, I was prepared, it's not easy with it's thorns and it grows on step rocky hillsides. You need good gloves, a rock and a hammer. Fortunately, my wonderful herb teacher Tomas Enos had helped out. The medicine is in the bark, and the flowers, if you can collect when they are flowering, but I have not worked with the flower, just the bark.
I became fascinated by the inner tissues and the many layers of the bark. There is a layer of translucent film that is shiny and hidden between the the tough gray bark spines and the inner creamy green pith. I've made an oil with the inner layer and I keep some to put on wounds, it's especially good for desert thorns. Applied when fresh is best, cover with the translucent layer, keep it on and in a few hours it might be healed, it worked for me. I've also used the tincture on pimples, it has a marked drawing action, and can help heal quickly.
This plant has given me a taste of the freedom from fear, much love and a deep connection to the earth.
Of course, the classic use for ocotillo is as a lymphatic. I've read that the lymphs can hold old emotions, so it makes sense that it would release old fears. I found this out on my own without understanding at the time about lymphs or what a lymphatic was. I think the drawing action must relate to the similar lymphatic action, just as it draws away fear as well. This plant gave me the opportunity to trust my own experience with it, and find a path to healing. It's an approach I have been fortunate to connect to, and is the main focus of my exploration and journey with plants.
This plant is native to the southwest, and please harvest responsibly. Perhaps a native plant to a land you know may be a better choice, if you don't live in this bioregion. This plant is on a watch list and it is endangered and illegal to collect in Arizona. To look for an alternative, seek your talisman, what calms you, what are you drawn to, what allows you to breath. Your answer may be closer than you think.
Disclaimer
I am not a licensed Medical Doctor, nor do I suggest you try any of the methods or herbs mentioned without speaking to your health care provider. I cannot diagnose, or cure disease. If you are pregnant or nursing, I would advise against using herbs without talking to your doctor. If you are taking any prescription drugs, consult with your doctor before taking any herbs or supplements. Any writings are subject to change and are ideas to think about. All writings, photography and art are not permitted to be used or copied in any form, unless you have permission from Cornelia Tobey.
thank you
