Ash Tree Publishing
Complementary Alternative Medicine
Women's Health, Women's Spirituality
P.O. Box 64
Woodstock, NY 12498
USA
Phone/Fax: 1-845-246-8081
Hypericum Conference
St. Joan's/John's Wort
Produced by Susun Weed
Sponsored by Ash Tree Publishing
Virtual Event May 1-10 2023
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Barbara Volk
The many faces of Hypericum
There are over 300 Species of Hypericum around the world. I have Identified 4 in my area. I will talk about those species and their differences, Show which ones give us the medicine we know and love. I will discuss the indigenous uses most of which are very different from our current use. I will also show my process of rendering fat and demonstrate making ointment using several different fats.
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Barbara wears many hats. She is an Artist, Equine Podiatrist, Forest/weed farmer, Herbalist, Teacher of many things. She is passionate about food as medicine, living a simple life and helping others learn to do the same. She has been using herbal medicine and food as medicine for more than 40 years. Always self employed, and always learning new things, she has created and run many businesses over the years, all involving activities that she enjoys. Barbara lives on 150 acres in central WV, where she creates her life and work in the Spirit of Reciprocity and invites anyone who wants to learn, to come and visit. work exchange is always welcome. Spotted Horse Farm is a member of the United Plant Savers Botanical Sanctuary network HER MISSION
She is on a mission. She has both short term goals and long term goals which intermingle and spiral around one another. Barbara believes that we all have the right to decide our own course of actions regarding our life and health choices. She believes in living life in the spirit of reciprocity. She believes in sharing: sharing knowledge, sharing ideas, sharing economy. She believes in the ability of the plants to help us heal. Barbara is in a place where her life long vision is becoming her reality.
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Barbara's Comfrey Conference presentation was:
Healing Deep Wounds with Comfrey.
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Comfrey has an ages old reputation for wound healing. Its’ name, Knit Bone, says it all. Many people use it for cuts and scrapes, but when we are faced with large, deep and traumatic wounds, the fear kicks in. Our fear response tells us it won’t work. We must call the professional. I work with animals. I love working with animals because they don’t have that fear obsession that humans have. When animals are injured, they do go into a self protective mode but the wound is simply another event that is occurring, something to be dealt with. Animals do have fight or flight responses but they aren’t fixated about outcomes the way that humans are. When we see a wound, the blood and tissue involved kicks us into the mode of fear and self doubt. Dominant medical and veterinary culture reinforce these fears. We are told that we don’t have the knowledge to care for a wound of this nature. We are told we will cause harm to ourselves and our animals. So… we second guess ourselves. We don’t trust ourselves. I however, disagree. We can gain the knowledge, and we can remember to trust the the deep voice within ourselves, and Comfrey is here to help us. Comfrey soothes. She stimulates the growth of tissue cells. When Comfrey is combined with honey, (another profound wound healer) WE CAN treat the severe wounds that we encounter. Another challenge that we have is that we want a quick fix. Deep tissue wounds require slow healing and we must adjust our thinking and develop the patience to allow the process to take the time it needs. I have 40 years of experience with using Comfrey for wound healing. Everything from scratches and abrasions to large lacerations and punctures, if cared for correctly, can heal with Comfrey and honey.