The Earth, and especially the plants, lost a friend today. Word came that Stephen Buhner had passed away.
Personally, I don’t know anyone who has taught me more about the interconnectedness of all the things found in nature. Being an herbalist, his focus was often on the plants…but his wisdom and commentary went far wider than that.
Buhner will probably be best remembered for helping people with Lyme Disease. His in-depth research on the disease dynamics, and deep understanding of the medicinal use of plants, allowed him to develop protocols that helped many people recover, often after they had lost all hope of doing so with conventional medicine.
After reading many of his books and articles, I have developed a deeper appreciation for the power and innate wisdom built into the plants around us. This is something most people probably overlook, and I certainly did for far too long. So I thank Stephen Buhner for his wisdom and his willingness to share his understandings of plants and nature.
I think he would like this image of a Cedar Waxwing on a Poke plant. The birds love the berries, and there are some powerful medicinal properties in the roots and berries for us as well. What Buhner would probably like most, though, is that this is considered an invasive plant. A weed, to be killed and knocked down because it’s a nuisance. But there’s a funny thing about many invasive plants…they are hardy, adaptable survivors. Because of that, their medicinal value is quite remarkable, and Stephen Buhner loved the invasives.
Buhner would remark in his research on diseases and plants that invasives would often show up in areas where they might be needed the most. In areas where Lyme Disease became endemic, plants like Japanese Knotweed would grow in greater numbers. Knotweed happens to be one of the key plants that can help people with Lyme.
So go figure. While chemists and technology, work to make the next big thing, sure to change the world and revolutionize medicine…Mother Nature continues to offer some simple, powerful solutions, often right at our feet.
Watch where you step…