|
 The Living Earth: Twinflower
and Bunchberry
The Earth holds the memories of all lives lived
since the beginning of time, stored in the soil beneath our feet.
Every song, every emotion and every word spoken leaves a shadow
behind, marking its place in the never-ending passage of years..
These shadows, these ghostly footprints of time-passing,
are either the good energy or the bad of lives lived. They are
our memories interwoven with the other lives we shared, whether
equal in purpose with ours or alone in intent, but always in
a struggle of balanced stewardship.
This timeless collecting of memories is the Earth's
reminder to us that we are more of a burden to her than a benefit.
She turns the wheel of time with the tips of her fingers, so
each life lived is kept alive, yet each life is a ghost, following
behind us like a small breeze. In the dark of night they become
whispers, child-like songs that cling to our very souls. The
beauty of the Earth is the greatest gift we have been given.
It is the path we all travel.
Twinflower
The Twinflower is actually a vine which grows in
abundance in rich soiled shady areas. It favors ground that is
littered with rotten logs, moss covered rocks and hanging evergreen
branches.
Any claims to its medicinal value are based on old time stories.
The whole plant was steeped into a tea for the relief of cramps
and fevers. Personally, I have no knowledge of anyone using this
plant.
Bunchberry
The Bunchberry is a low ground cover plant that can
carpet large areas of the forest. Like the Twinflower, it too
grows in rich acidic soil shaded by evergreens.
Some plants have only three leaves, but plants with four or more
leaves produce a beautiful white flower that brilliantly lights
up the forest floor.
The entire plant can be used. Teas are made from the leaves and
roots. In the fall the berries can be eaten, preferably cooked. |