One Minute Wisdom from the Urban Herbalist

One minute elder wisdom from the Urban Herbalist, Marguerite Dunne

Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) 

Long favored by Druids for fall and winter gathering, pin oak trees share the deep spiritual symbolism of the mighty oak family—strength, endurance, and gathered wisdom.  

And they are especially valuable to the Druid seeking grounding as the wheel of the year turns inward;  they carry distinct, red lines through the veins of their bark, connecting them to Mother Earth’s vital chi as we all turn inward at this time. 

These oak trees are known for holding onto their dead brown leaves through the winter months (a process called marcescence), thus symbolizing perseverance, reminding us that we can endure harsh seasons and transitions until spring renewal arrives. 

Metaphysically, their sharp, bristle-tipped points stand for healthy spiritual boundaries, self-protection, and the courage to guard your inner peace, the vital meaning in wintertide. 

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) 

A multi-talented herb, dandelion increases the activity of the pancreas, can clear obstructions, and helps purify the blood and liver.  Loaded with potassium,  it is also a gentle tonic for the liver and gallbladder. 

You can drink 1-2 cups of the tea daily made from the root for maximum benefit.

Watch What You Eat

“In 2020, an estimated 1,806,590 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States, and 606,520 people will die from the disease.” - cancer.gov

A study published in JAMA Network Open in 2019 showed that cancers connected to obesity, once associated with seniors over 65, are now rising in younger people, ages 50-64, and even in the 20-49 age group.  Obesity facilitates cancer chances through a number of stratagem including chronic inflammation, elevated glucose/fasting insulin, and hormone imbalances.  This study suggested that “some of the greatest increases (were) observed for liver and thyroid cancers (in) all sex/race/ethnicity….”

This research points not just to aging, but rather to the  food stuffs we put into our bodies   as hastening those mechanisms of cancer increase.  The thyroid and liver become overtaxed with the added fats, sugars, and salts of both “convenient” canned foods and gourmet indulgences.  When I was watching a cooking show recently, the chef added salt three times to the recipe before it even got into the oven.  Another show had the chef touting “the bacon and sugar combo” in his special gumbo, and no one added up the chemical preservatives and steroids in all of the cans and packets and non-grass-fed red meat called for in these singular dishes. Our bodies were not designed to handle these food combinations in these quantities.  Like a number of modern maladies, the co-factors of poor nutrition and weakened body systems do increase the likelihood of a larger illness, i.e. cancer. 

It pays to stay healthy.     

Marguerite Dunne

While practicing as a medicinal herbalist for over 30 years, Marguerite has earned a double master’s degree in education, certification in herbology, and been a Doctor of Naturopathy candidate.

An adjunct instructor of biology for twelve years in medicinal herbs and nutrition at Marist College, she has given historic herb lectures, written articles, made media appearances, owned a health food store, been a regional manager for three of the major supplement brands, and had her own radio show, “The Urban Herbalist.”

She has trained doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, social workers, pharmacists, and health food industry store teams. She is a member of the American Herbalists Guild, the American Botanical Council, and the National Health Federation.

Marguerite is also profiled as the featured herbalist in the recently published book, “The New Healers” by Dr. Barbara Stevens Barnum.  Her book, “A Wild Thyme in the City” includes a history of women’s health, a materia medica, and recipes on how to cook with medicinal herbs.

Marguerite has been serving the metaphysical community as an herbalist, nutritionist, medical intuitive, psychic reader, and teacher with experience in energy healing, past life trauma, spirit frequencies, cross-over vows, body-trauma energy signatures, negative thought forms, cross-over vows, reincarnation issues, aura tears, workplace disturbances, unresolved memories, allergies and deficits, and recovery. 

Her medical intuitive readings can include spirit guides, herbal remedies, astrology counsel, tarot guidance, somatic exercises, and energetic alignment. Influenced by Druid and Native American practices, her own path has evolved through finding the earth spirit in the City, plant spirit medicine, somatic practices, past life regressions, and spirit-informed inner-journeying.