The Science of Magical Plants

My feature "The Science of Magical Plants" has been recently published in the March 2013 issue of the Australian magazine The Art of Healing. I have only finally gotten my hands on a copy of the magazine and I am super excited with everything -- the photos and illustrations are fantastic, and the layout of the words itself is clean and elegant. 

In this article I looked at plants, such as foxglove and mandrake, which have gained notoriety over the generations for their use in magical practices. Much of the lore regarding the plants went back to Biblical times, straight through to the medieval periods and late 19th century. Not only did I go into some detail of their general history and folklore, but I looked at what these plants are used for today. Many magical plants are being widely used in medical oncology, surgery, and as medications for cardiovascular problems. 

What I noticed about the plants in this article was that each of them had a dual nature. Each plant was both a poison and a medicine. Both healer and killer. Perhaps it is this twilight area of plant medicine where drama, fear and mystery sows the seeds for folklore and legend to grow from. 

This was the most fun I had writing an article in a really long time. The topic was something I felt passionately about and I savored the long hours of research required for it. After a long year of ghost writing, this project was indeed a welcome change.

Grand Wormwood & Crohn's Disease

Right now I am growing some Wormwood (as well as some Southernwood) in my garden, so thought I would post one of my previously published articles on Wormwood here. Wormwood is a herbal medicine used to stimulate digestive function, to kill parasites in the digestive tract, and recent studies have shown it helps to improve mood and a sense of well-being. Unfortunately, not much can be done about the bitter taste -- but it is the essential flavoring for the liquor absinthe. My article is called Grand Wormwood & Crohn's Disease, and I got to read some pretty amazing research while boning up on this assignment. 

Dachshunds and Doubts

People who don't use capital letters in their blogs should be dragged out of their homes and beaten with a bamboo stick. 

In other news, I am currently writing an article on dachshunds and dachshund nutrition. I admit that my only previous experience with this very cute breed of dog was the "Harry Mclary" books I read as a child. Schnitzel von crum, wasn't it? Well, yes, anywho. Anyone can learn - and writers can learn new things especially fast and in depth. It's the little things like "deadlines" and "mortgages" that adds that extra pinch of fairy dust to make them learn better. 

To be honest, it's been really good to cover a topic on something new and different. It's easy to get stuck on an endless line of articles on human nutrition, weight loss and detoxification. Not that those are not important titles. But they are like door handles - everyone has had a turn. For my own spiritual growth, learning and personal development, dachshund nutrition has provided some new fodder for the canon. 

Well, at least for today. 

Stay tuned. When the article gets published I will provide the link!