Opening Mother Nature's Apothecary

Modern pharmaceutical science offers shelves of neatly packaged remedies that claim to make almost every ailment disappear quickly. At the same time, clinical herbalists like Jon Carlson of Ashland are working to revive the ancient practice of herbal medicine, believing that this time-tested system is just as effective. Carlson also dedicates significant time to teaching to widen the field and help people to take their health into their own hands.

Jon Carlson, right, and friend Kerissa Fuccillo check on drying Calendula flowers. Melissa Schweisguth | For the Tidings

Gradually eclipsed by newer advances in the past century, herbal medicine is seeing a comeback. Echinacea, goldenseal and many other herbal remedies can be found everywhere from co-ops and herb shops to chain drugstores. Medicinal teas of all varieties fill natural and conventional grocer shelves.

"Herbalism has been a part of every culture," says Carlson. "It represents a lineage of people who have developed a rapport with plants. Once people learn a little, their whole thinking changes. It opens new set of possibilities," Carson agrees.

Practicing Herbalism

Carlson enjoys herbalism for the way it combines fields and traditions." It is as much of an art as it is a science, and it's very integrative — combining art, permaculture, medicine and ecology." He approach to wellness goes beyond herbal remedies to address healthful eating, stress reduction, physical activity and rejuvenating sleep.

His training has spanned years, including formal study at the South West School of Botanical Medicine, apprenticing with other herbalists and self-education. Carlson says "it's fascinating, never ending learning."

Carlson doubles as a pharmacist, crafting teas, salves, oils and tinctures. Some preparations are simple enough to create after a day-long workshop, making herbal medicine very accessible. "Its like a big secret," says Carlson." If everyone knew, pharmaceutical companies would lose business."

Like many herbalists, Carlson grows some of his own plants and gathers others from surrounding woods, a practice known as wild crafting. Medicinal compounds may be derived from seeds, leaves, stems, flowers and roots through various processes. During a given week, a visitor to Carson's home office might find plants drying for tea, flowers steeping in oil or leaves immersed in grain alcohol to make a tincture.

He says that the Kalmath-Siskiyou region offers a particularly wide of medicinals. "I love the botanical diversity here. We have so many endemic species because the [Cascade and Siskiyou] ranges intersect. We can get a lot of herbs locally that people import and endanger. We don't need exotic, faraway herbs." Seen in this way, herbalism can help support ecological stewardship as well as human health.

Local garden favorites like echineachea, calendula, lavender and sage are associated with immune support, soothing abrasions and dry skin, relaxation and clarity. Medicinal plants include many common local "weeds", include purslane, yarrow, dandelion, red root, plantain and miner's lettuce; as well as the Tree of Heaven that once graced Ashland's plaza. Carlson counts edible plants like miner's lettuce saying, "food is medicine."

Sharing the Secrets

Carlson's personal passion for berbalism led him to begin teaching to share it with others. He says he enjoys "connecting people to the environment and plants. It's empowering to go through the whole process and brings medicine to a really personal level."

His classes range from 1-day workshops on plant identification, gathering and medicine making to 3-9 month apprenticeships designed for those with more time and aspiration to learn about and practice this healing art. Occasionally, he also offers herb walks and other educational events through Ashland Parks and Recreation.

In all of his classes, Carlson emphasizes the importance of "ethical wildcrafting." This approach emphasizes "stewardship and connection, gathering in a way that ensures continued survival," he explains. "Many important medicinals are endangered and some companies may decimate an area when wildcrafting." Ethical wildcrafting treats habitat as a shared garden leaving sufficient plants remaining, planting seeds from bearing plants, dividing roots and watering after removing root sections.

Carlson's next long-term classes begins in February. Students can elect the full 9-month session, or the shorter 3- and 6- month options. Those interested can contact Carlson at 890-6588.