Misty Thompson is an Appalachian Folk Practitioner and Herbalist who has been studying and living by the traditional “old ways,” since she was a girl. She is fiercely proud and protective of her Appalachian heritage with roots springing from the mountains of southern West Virginia where she was born, raised, and lived most of her adult life. She now lives in Durham, Maine, but her heart is never far from home. Her blog is about a variety of herbalist topics, from plant identification and education to her personal opinions and introspections on current topics in the world of plant medicine.
Alcohol in Tinctures
I'm not saying, as a West Virginia girl, that I’ve never had a sip of moonshine. In fact, there’s a peach variety, one can find in southern WV if they know where to look, that will have you flatfootin’ in no time! But that’s not medicine – that’s a party in a holler.
Cayenne Pepper as a Weapon
Last year, infamous youtuber, Ruby Franke of 8 Passengers and her cohort, Jodi Hildebrandt, were sent to prison in Utah after pleading guilty to multiple counts of felony child abuse. As a mom, I was horrified at the condition the two children were found in. Both were emaciated, dehydrated, battered, and emotionally traumatized.
The Magic of Weeds
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.” I have no words for how true that is, or how powerful the knowledge of that has been in my life.
Identity Crisis
Plant apps are for nature lovers not herbalists. Sorry, but that’s the simple truth. Of course, we all use them, but they are only step one in a series of stops we need to make for an appropriate identification.
Overthinking Herbalism
If you are just getting started in herbalism, or you’ve been practicing for a while, take this as permission to slow down and let your overthinking run wild.