Cold Weather Herbs to Heal Yourself

First things first, herbalism and plant medicine have always been a cornerstone of Afro-indigenous cultures. Roots, herbs, flowers, plant parts, bark, leaves, and berries were used to treat a multitude of ailments prior to the first written account in Mesopotamia. Since then, our healing traditions more than followed our ancestors from native lands to the present day and everything in between. They expanded due to influence by Europeans and those indigenous to what we know as North America and played a monumental role in Western medicine through good ol’ appropriation.

Our ancestors used knowledge communicated spiritually and through generations to work the land in beneficial ways that not only included curing illness but as acts of resistance as well. Very simply put, herbal healing is your birthright. As the cold weather persists, consider the incorporation of these herbs this winter and beyond.

• Cinnamon

• Cardamom

• Eucalyptus

• Hyssop

• Catnip

• Echinacea

• Tumeric

• Umckaloabo

• Licorice root

Curious to learn more? Peruse the #BlackHerbalist conversation on TikTok or IG to sprinkle a few more Black healers on your timelines. If it’s an option, it would also be bomb to sit down with the elders in your family for a conversation about home remedies passed down. Don’t forget to research the herbs you plan on adding to your diet or routine to keep unfavorable reactions and/or side effects from preexisting conditions or medicinal intake at bay. One more thing: go towards what plants call to you, those that resonate within, or consider a reading or divination from a trusted healer.