Jacqui Wilkins + Naturopathic Doctor, Plant Medicine & Herbal Wisdom

NOURISHING WINTER BREWS 1mmun3 supportive, nourishing, building & warming I’m not one to typically share recipes, mostly bc I rarely measure unless making Medicines to share. Also, bc recipes may not always be supportive for alllll folks. For the most part, these recipes are fairly balanced {but still may have interactions! or may not be balanced for your unique needs} For this Mushroom Tonic you can see there aren’t really static measurements ~ these are m...eant to inspire creation + working w the Medicines, not a hard guideline. Feel free to add, or substitute as well. Experience is a great teacher, as are the Plants & Fungi ourselves. Call in your well Ancestors, your intuition, see what comes forward... You can absolutely sub other Mushies like Birch Polypore, Lion’s Mane, Shitaki, etc. You could add in some Burdock & Red Dates. I’ve been drinking that combo w Codonopsis & Reishi often. Play! If you like, you can look up dosage ratios & calculate from there. As always, this isn’t medical advice. There may be interactions w some of these Plants/Fungi & other substances/conditions Have fun with it, put love in the Water, share some w kin if you can ~ Create, Fam. You have Medicine in your Blood See more

New Moon {Solar Eclipse} Love, Fam So, so much gratitude & love for each of you here who’ve supported my work, life, heart, and family in all the ways. It has always been a dream to make medicines & share them widely, thank you for trusting me & making it possible. So much gratitude for you who’ve taught, shared, created, protected & inspired {a reminder teaching + inspiration comes from authentic, and aligned expression, that may also look like Naps, Rest, Breaks, Pl...ay, Joy & Shadow work, potent Medicine in embodying who we are} Gratitude for the witches, healers, makers & medicine people. Especially Black, Indigenous & POC kin. There’s a lot of unseen work happening ~ I appreciate you A loving reminder that *Xálish Medicines CLOSES at Midnight* tonight until mid to late January I debated keeping it open & delaying shipping till Jan, but trying to trust and listen to the whispers that are asking for deep rest & presence to other happenings. Please continue sharing when you receive the medicines if called, it fills my Heart so much to see them being received ~ to see you! And how they’re impacting or weaving into your Life Lots of love, tenderness, rest & warmth to you Fam May we be met with clarity on the other side ~ xo

Blood + Bones Ancestral MagickAs we near the Winter Solstice it is a time of going w/in, of tending to our Ancestors, Roots. Our Blood. In TCM Winter is aligned w Kidney {Kid} energy. The emotion is fear. Element Water.Many of us carry this memory of Fear in our blood, fear of survival, of sovereignty. This year more than ever I feel this Fear being activated in the collective. Kidneys hold our vital essence, vitality, our fire, magick, genetic codes. The Root ...of Life. Helping us age appropriately & well. Directly passed down from our Ancestors. Origin of Fire + Water. They filter our blood + waters, discernment. They also produce erythropoietin, which stimulates bone marrow to produce RedBloodCells. Literally nourishing our bodies w life giving, oxygen rich Blood. Merging the Air element {Oxygen}, w Earth {Bone}. Our Kidneys are also important to our 1mmun3& nervous system. If Kidney is imbalanced you may feel tired, fast aging, anemia, low back pain, fear, lack courage, distrust, colds + flu, poor memory, libido imbalance, fertility issues, depression, stress,lonely,etc. When we share stories in the Winter, honouring Ancestral wisdom + Traditions, we tend to our Roots, which harmonizes Kidney. We also strengthen our sense of belonging & trust, which strengthens Vitality. When we allow our fears a voice & hold them like we would a child, letting them know we are safe & loved, we strengthen Kid. When we REST & NOURISH our bodies we strengthen our Kidneys, our vitality. A few Plants {seek support + balance formula before using} Fo-Ti: Kid tonic. Builds from deep w/in, supports Vitality & longevity. shape leaves, calming. Red Dates: Deep & Sweet Nourishment. Building Blood if we become deficient in cold months. Nettle: Rich chlorophyll, minerals & vitamins, nourishment of the Earth. Nettle seeds strengthen adrenals, which sit atop Kids. Nettle Leaf is a diuretic, helping us process emotions/‘toxins,’/build up. Schisandra: Adaptogen. Protects Kidney essence & leaking energy. Calms Spirit. Memory {Ancient codes} Teasle Root: Kid tonic. More Yang in Nature. Uterine, blood, bone affinity. {Cont below } See more

Xálish Medicines drop now L I VE Fam There’s a couple new Medicines, some bundles for gifting & many of your faves brought back in limited quantities. I really tried to make larger batches, but this is the way it goes it seems. Small batch Medicines A small amount of Mugwort Plant Wands are back with a special flower essence for these times that I’ve been waiting to share ~ Datura A deeply supportive ally. ... Elecampane Oxymel & Makwa Cottonwood Salve are back, as well as Aki, Record Keeper & Divine Heart ~ ah, and Giwedin’anung As I shared this morning; deep gratitude for you all, for your support in all the ways both seen & unseen. I feel it. Thank you for helping me create these Medicines & support my Fam, my path Please feel free to share this post to amplify as well Lots of Love {& reminders that shipping from this small maker is sometimes a little slow but hopefully worth it. Please double check addresses } May the Medicine we need always find their way, xo See more

Late Autumn camping & canoe trip up North {{Xálish Medicines drop reminder at end}} I haven’t been camping in November before, it was so beautiful. Very quiet, calm {minus the high energy 4yo lol}. The Stars, wow. So many Shooting Stars & Sky wisdom shared while sitting w the Fire Tending the flames, breathing life & co-creating w the elements always offers so many teachings All of Creation felt quieter, hard to put into words. It got a bit chilly at nig...ht {7C, 44F} but not too intense. Grateful & humbled to be held by the Land + Water. Grateful to be able to get here, for my body being able to exert just enough to make it I look tired in the photo on the water on the last day Fall Seeds were planted for dreaming up ways of BIPOC gathering out here together in the future, especially for folx who don’t have access, for whatever reasons. Just spending time together, sharing Medicines & being. Loving you all, Kin. Prayers that you feel held by the Land & Plants this week, even if in urban places ~ may some Stars shine through, or a Tree find their way to call you near. Reminder that Xálish Medicines will drop at 7 tonight E S T idk if IG will show ya’ll two post in one day, so turn on notifications & feel free to share when I post tonight. Deep gratitude for you all See more

Tending Roots ~ Harvesting Root Medicine is always so bittersweet. These Elecampane Roots will be making some good medicine for you all Will be a *huge* re-st0ck of Xálish Medicines around Nov 7th Been working on the Elecampane monograph for Exploratory Herbal Mentorship as well; a week in deep communion w this Kin, so grateful for their guidance Feeling they are calling many of us rn, beckoning us HOME w/in ourselves, our Breath. CLEARING alllll that w...e don’t need to carry, helping us move through any stagnation {again, Lung, Discernment, Boundaries ~ whew, feeling it} Do you have any sweet memories, or ways you’ve connected w Elecampane?? See more

Pt. 2/2 Lung Supportive Plants ~ there are many amazing Plant allies that support our respiratory systems. There may be acute vs chronic, tonic Plants, etc. We must consider what ‘actions’ we need in support of what is imbalanced. IG is not a great place for detailed info, but it’ll do. I’ll share just a few faves that are more general & relatively safe {research, seek medicine person/practitioner if needed}. Autumn relates to the Lungs {& Large Intestine, ...learned through TCM}. Our Lungs are life givers, Sacred Breath. Connecting us to Creation, to the Plants via inspiration(!) & exhalation. Expansion. Contraction. Reciprocity. !Discernment! Our Lungs also hold the emotion grief, sadness. This could be a whole post:) So, taking care of our Lungs is of course, vital. Herbal Steams are a fave, often w whomever calls: Cedar, Rosemary, Lavender, Thyme, Pine. I also love herbal salves/oils rubbed over my Heart & Lungs; Cottonwood Bud salve is a fave. Mmm over the diaphragm to loosen any tension too. Remember the back of Lungs too, hydrotherapy or warm Mullein compresses over the back are so divine. Avoiding processed foods + sugars if possible may support 1mmun3/Lung health. Lung Love: ~Mullein: Very common + popular; a tonic Plant ally, soothing, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic (cough). Strain w filter to remove fine ‘hairs’. Lighting our way ~Astragalus: A fave, often combined w other Roots+Berries for a long decoction. Lung Tonic, Adaptogen, 1mmun3 support. ~Marshmallow Leaf: They are so soft, sweet & beautiful. They feel gentle + loving. Demulcent, anti-inflammatory & soothing. ~Elecampane: A stimulating expectorant & tonic {to GI as well, bitter}; helps to bring mucous up + out (a good thing), clears. Moves. May help stuck + stagnant energy. May be a tad drying (amazing in honey to balance). ~Purple Aster: Pictured, so beautiful & high in volatile oils. Nervine, anti-spasmodic & relaxing. Love them as a steam or tincture. See IGtv. ~Anise: So yummy!! May help promote expelling mucous & cough relaxation. Anti-microbial, aromatic & carminative {expel gas/air} CONT BELOW ~ this was a tough list & v short info See more

Choosing Herbs to work w {Lung focus} Pt. 1/2:: There are many Plants that are supportive for the Lungs. Often we see lists of ‘this herb for that.’ While I understand the helpfulness. There is more. First, understanding the energetics, & Spirit of the Plant. How does this being affect the tissues? Movement? Temperature? Spirit? What is their personality? How do they offer support? Where do they grow? Ancestral connections? Any environmental concerns? Etc.... Second, understanding the organ systems & body. This is no doubt complex. But to me, vital. Understanding the physiology of the body & the kinetics of the Plant really helps inform which Plant(s) may be most supportive. (Of course, this may also include: which Plant do I have access to? Relationship w? Which Plant do others have access to? Who is part of our community? Etc) From there I have a better understanding of which Plant may be indicated. Intuition & relationship are the foundation of choosing + working w the Plants for healing too. Understanding physiology + the Plants effect on the *whole* Humxn is important. This also helps us bc if we don’t have access to Marshmallow leaf for example, but we know the person has a dry constitution or dry lung pathology - we may sub other demulcents, linden, slippery elm, raw honey, etc to balance our formula. Or, if we are looking for a particular constituent, there may be other Plants who also have that medicine that we may not have even considered. This also helps me understand Plant relationships. Of course there’s also understanding the pathogen or ‘disease’/disharmony. Understanding the Spirit, Nature of, what is causing imbalance as well. This may include the wider community/environment/collective as well. This will help give clues about which Plants may be supportive. Interactions,both w other substances & within the physical being,also must be considered whenever we are working w Plant allies. So this is a *very* condensed thought process before choosing which Plant may be most aligned, not an exhaustive or definitive listPt. 2 will be some of my fave Lung supportive Plants See more

Mushroom Medicines ~ Turkey Tail {Coriolus versicolor} Tramets spp. are among my favourite fungi. They hold so much love & support. The fragrance, growing alongside damp moss, nourishes me to my core & brings me home. They remind us of our oneness w Nature, all of Creation. Honouring Life + Death Cycles. Medicinally they are often a general tonic {Qi tonic in TCM}. They enter the Spleen & Heart meridians, supportive for fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, digestive disorder...s & infections (including fighting antibiotic resistant bacteria). Most medicinal are rich in polysaccharides, which provide immune stimulation & cancer fighting properties. Turkey Tail has constituent (PSK+PSP are two) that directly act on the tumour cells, as well as prevent metastasis. BUT they don’t work against *healthy* cells-just mutated/disharmonious cells(!). Showing they have innate intelligence to work w our bodies, of course they do. Chemo doesn’t discriminate which cells it kills, Mushrooms often do. It brings me to tears. We belong to one another. We are meant to work w plants, fungi, trees, water for mutual healing~for connection, growth, love Turkey Tail also may boost the effect of some chemotherapy while reducing side effects. Overall, most medicinal are anti-inflammatory, immune supportive & help heal various tissues in the body (ex. leaky gut here). They are a supportive ally for times of transition. When we are reprogramming our current way: emotional + spiritual + body. Upgrading. They may help break down trauma patterns & memories held in our bodies & psyche, so that we are able to heal & move. Re-patterning old programs. Reweaving our subtle & physical bodies in a more Harmonious way. I find Turkey Tail grounding & connecting. Telepathic + intuitive communications. For times when I’m feeling a deep call for nourishment & connection. When I need physical support, energy & stamina. When my Spirit is not as anchored as I’d like. They connect us back to the Earth & help us remember our belonging~our web of connection w all of Creation {You can find Turkey Tail in the Xálish Elderberry Elixir, as well as on fallen} See more

When things feel uncertain ~ chaotic, heartbreaking, anxiety inducing, enraging ~ return to Creation. To the Waters, the Stars, the Wind, Animals, the Plants ... Yourself If you’re finding current realities feel too much, too heavy, may reminders of Belonging & Beauty come your way. May your Faith & Hope be restored by the most simple acts of Love, even to yourself. May the Sun rising remind us of the stability amidst chaos & change, of new beginnings even after a long night, of the harmonious Fire within our Bellies + Hearts that warms us from within. Loving you, Fam.

A woman {person} armed with Ancestral wisdom is an unstoppable force ~ @reclaimyourpower @birthofamama Returning Home. Yes, I know, two posts back to back on the concept of Home. I had the honour of being w Salmon relatives as they return home to continue life... while I was pregnant w my babe I had the strongest urges to be on my Home lands. I grieved the fact that I couldn’t be. Since then my whole Spirit + Body has longed to be with the Salmon/Wy-kan-ush/Miskweme...gwag. Last Fall at this time I was in Fasting Ceremony; synchronistically I was placed by the River. Fasting w the Salmon right next to me. Over those 3 nights:days our relationship deepened, visions shared of the Stars, of Birth, Semma, of Creation & our Journeys here. We instinctively know the way. We know the Land, our Bodies. Our Spirit holds deep wisdom + knowledge, Ancient truths. Our Songs. If we carry new Life in our own Waters {babies}, we also know them, their Spirit, our Journeys merging together for awhile. Hearing what they need to be brought here with Love, in Ceremony, too. Our Ancestors, Animal kin, our Helpers always guiding us. Even in moments we can’t quite hear, they’re there. Showing us how walk in a good way, that Sacred path Home to ourselves ~ to one another. Holding us as we remember See more

A bit of Aster Medicine for us ~ even though I’d add more to this video & change a few things I still wanted to share. They are unique in their own way (w/o comparison to Goldenrod, which), and lovely & as we’ve deepened our relationship I would change a bit how I understand their Medicine. They are much more calming & sedating, and to me, evoke a deep sense of calm in the body + mind + nervous system. Mmmm. So good Regardless, still hopefully a supportive video from Fall 2019! xo {Also, please do your research, see a trusted practitioner/medicine person before working w Plants, especially for things like Asthma shared here!} Ring by: @nativemadeshop #plantmedicine #herbalism

Longing for our Home... a theme many are sharing is this longing for our home lands, the waters, mountains, plants, Humxn & other than Humxn kin. Sometimes, we have this deep longing for a place we may not even know in this lifetime. Yet, our bodies know. Our spirits know. An Elder once said to me (knowing I’m a Plant Medicine person & that I was searching for meaning then): The Plants haven’t forgotten that they, we, are all connected.... Sometimes we forget. Sometimes it is so very difficult to remember our connections. All of them... Sometimes finding Home within our own bodies is difficult, feels impossible even. Healing through the colonization that tried to remove us from our Land, that displaced but didn’t sever our connections. My life has been a constant search for Home. 5 years ago I was driving through Nisenan Land, & I suddenly realized Home was everywhere. My relationship to the Land, the Earth, the Plants, my Ancestors, myself... Home is within me, around me. Here. I’ll never forget that moment, that hill & Sky that reminded me. That deep knowing in my Heart & Spirit. It is such a sweet & beaufiful knowing to be surrounded by family, familiar Kin, friends, no matter where we may be {in the form of Plants, Fungi, Rocks, Water, Wind...} We can connect to the Stones, the Water, the Plants around us in a good & reverent way. And remember that we are all connected; our home lands feel us. Feel this connection. They Remember us. The Plants, WE, commune beyond time + space constraints. Being held by Sandstone here, I can feel my childhood home, my BFF sandstone cliffs that held me as a little person on tough days, who played ‘house’ w me when I felt alone. Their indentations becoming pots for cooking in my pretend home. And, I cry, as I remember the Land hasn’t forgotten ... they’re always calling us Home See more

Wow Miigwetch, Kw'aanúusha matash, thank you Fam ~ Exploratory Herbal Mentorship now FULL. It filled in 2.5 days, which truly blew me away! I’m honoured, humbled & grateful to be in Circle + facilitating this offering among so many of you amazing beings. Truly. Sometimes type here can sound disingenuous, I wish there was a better way to share w you what’s in my Heart than w words that feel not enough... So, just, holding immense gratitude. If you didn’...t get a chance to enrol, my apologies I will offer another at some point, likely early Spring, but we never know. {I’m also so aware that folks who have funds right away were able to sign up, while others weren’t :( I was sad thinking of this while out on the Land today & found a Hawk feather immediately during those thoughts. Idk. Just know I am trying to find other ways & that there are always BIPOC scholarships} Loving you, and wishing you a beautiful week {PS: if you signed up & didn’t fill out form, please email me your mailing address!!} See more

Equinox Blessings, Kin This year feels different.Similar... As we go deeper into this time, I am reminded of spectrums vs opposites. Light~Dark. Sun~Moon.Gradual transitions as the Sun Lowers on the horizon. Fading. Tender. Even death is often a gradual happening, as is Birth. They are perhaps mirrors. My own Spirit is remembering all that exists outside of the spectrums. Of what is ‘visible.’ There is so much beyond spectrums of held perceptions. Can we dip ...into the well of patience, of unknown & be silent, still? On this Equinox, a time of Bear Medicine {Buffalo for some}, may we invite their Teachings. Abundance, giving gratitude for our Medicine, for the bounty of the Earth, Creation. A time of Harvest, knowing how much to gather to sustain us through Winter, yet, not deplete the Earth or other Beings we exist among. Of how to live together, from abundance, not from a place of greed. Reminding us to be in balanced relation w all of Creation. W/in us. Perhaps letting go of limiting beliefs, belongings, relationships, paradigms, trauma, pain, etc that no longer serve. A time to call into the void to nurture our inner Healer, our inner Mystic, our inner KNOWING. A time to make Space to allow all that is meant for us to be. Letting go of all that isn’t. It’s hard, Fam. It sounds pretty. But it often just isn’t. Bear reminds how to go w/in to this place. How to work w the Medicines in a good way. How to work w our energy stores to stay healthy, even in the dark months. Bear offers protection, during times where our 1mmun systems may be vulnerable This time bw Equinox~Samhain is my fave. Teaching the impermanence of this Humxn existence. To embrace this Gift. How to say goodbye. To go w/in & trust Ourselves. Spirit. It nourishes communion w Ancestors &roots. Harvesting the food from seeds they saved, living prayers. It reminds us how to sustain, in Harmony, in balance & reciprocity w all our Relations. If life feels difficult, if the grief/pain becomes too heavy, I pray ease & gentleness find u. I pray we all find safety in rest, joy, nourishment & sweetness of this existence See more

Revisiting these words today; a share from 3 months ago... maybe holding us now: Give offerings ~ prayers & tangible offerings to the Land, the Water. Remembering you too are a Sacred extension of the Earth. You are Nature embodied. You are your Ancestor’s blood + memories + future + present. Sing to the Water. Drum for the Stone ones. Dance in offering to the Stars. To yourself. Nourish your Spirit. Introduce yourself to the Land. Acknowledge your Ancestral... Lands, even if you’re unsure of exactly where they are. Part of this healing, this remembering, this dismantling & decolonizing, requires repair of our relations. The seen + unseen realms. Strengthening connection to Spirit. To your own intuition & blood. Make a heartfelt offering to the Land, to the Thunder beings, the Flowers & Stars, extend that out to all of Creation. To relatives in tangible & intangible ways. Speak your Heart & Prayers to the Elements. All our relations, all of Creation. Reciprocity & gratitude ~ {Added today} ~ Prayers to all of our Kin, all of you, for safety in all ways. That we remember our Earth walk responsibilities & connection. May all our relatives be protected. May we continue to dream & have hope... may we repair our relations w the Earth. May rains & hydration find those who need them, Xo See more

Xálish Medicines drop Whew!! Fam, that took me awhile. Gratitude for your patience. Lots of good Medicine here & a few restocks. This update feels like :: Flowers, Sunshine, Joy, Nervous System nourishment & Protection. Essentially all the things that have been holding me & that I’d like to share with you all. ... The Wildflower Oxymel is ready & delicious! A snapshot of the Medicine garden in full Bloom & one of my faves from this offering. Solar plexus balancing & a beautiful magenta colour. Supportive in holding hope, resilience & embodying the grace + harmony of Flowers There are a *limited* number of Plant Wands available {Mugwort + Coastal Mugwort + Flowers from the garden} ~ more coming next month, working together craft + dry them There’s also a new version of Aki/Earth Elixir, with added nourishing Milky Oats, the Reishi I harvested earlier this Summer & Ashwaganda. Deeply grounding + nurturing + feeding us. You’ll also find some Hypericum Medicines; the deep red salve & a tincture w Lemon Balm for potential low mood support {check interactions}. Fresh Elderberry elixir is up, both with alcohol & without for fellow folks within so called Canada. There’s also a new tea, Star Journeys, with intentions of sleep support & easing tension, bc many of are struggling w sleep. It does have Valerian root, so, it’s potent & does have an acquired taste ;) Mixed w some other yummy allies to support their bold Medicine. The Aki feels pretty special, they all do of course, but they have some good Heart & Nervous System love w the moistening of Honey + Linden. If you’re BIPOC impacted by the fires out West, and funds are tight - I’ve got 6 bottles saved to share. Email me {[email protected]}. I’ll have more offerings like this coming soon beloveds. Lots of Love to you, Kin. Thank you for the love & support. May these Medicines find a way to you if called, May we all be well, healthy & safe xo See more

Ezaawaabagonii/Ajidamoowaanow {Goldenrod} Medicine {Video from last Fall} Hearing their Medicine call loudly this Season. They are even more abundant than usual. Spending time making Medicines w them & listening deeply. Here’s a little video I made last year; keeping in mind 10min is not near long enough to get to know their Medicine. And that each year we learn more & grow. I’d add to this video now if I could!... Get out to the Land if you can & sit with them, smell their flowers, taste their Medicine {w love, respect, permission}. I hope you find this video supportive, Kin! Please feel free to share & tag Hearing they want to be known How do you work w these beautiful ones? (And if someone knows how I can add closed captions to my videos easily please lmk, or if folks can download an app to view captions?) #goldenrod #igtv #herbalism #plantmedicine #flowermedicine

Bibigwemin {Elderberry} picking Season It doesn’t feel like it ‘should’ be this Season already, seeing them, Goldenrod & Aster reminds me that the Land always shows us the way... holds their own rhythm. That time really isn’t linear. Our own cycles may overlap or different from those of Creation, especially when there’s much happening. I felt so much joy, & grief pour out, as I picked them. Of course, the Lung being activated here too {sadness + grief heal...ing}, just look at the way their berries end off the branch. They look like little alveoli! It feels as though I was *just* harvesting Elderflower. They are a being I go to often, even in the Winter months when they are ‘bare.’ Sitting w them. Loving them & sharing stories. Deepening our relationship. Big Medicine, protecting, supporting & guiding. They always seem to speak loudly {some plants speak louder than others & in different ways for each of us}. Sharing messages of how their Medicine supports us, what is to come this year. Not always things I’d like to see tbh. Guiding us through transitions, deaths, liminal spaces. They are always teaching.... There’s a reason they are one of the foundational Medicine offerings for Xálish Medicines as they’re one of my closest relatives. That’s how the Plants seem to work, I only craft w Plants I have a strong relationship with. Sometimes this takes years to develop, sometimes, just one season. This relationship is part of the Medicine too Making extra big batches of the Elderberry Elixir w Yarrow & Turkey Tail Medicines. The current batch has some alcohol based tincture for stability shipping to the so called US during the hot months + major postal delays ~ I’ll have alcohol free available again tomorrow Stay tuned for another special offering & a more in depth teaching w them soon! Sun day love to you Fam See more