Siskiyoutopia

We took a road trip last weekend to see some new territory and take in the beautiful fall colors. Our intended destination was Sawyers Bar to visit Cara Saunders from Bear Wallow Herbs. I had originally met Cara in a JEDI (Jefferson Economic Development) class a couple years ago. I was amazed that she would travel to this night class in Yreka every week from Sawyers Bar (about a 2 hour drive) Lunacy?! Nope - determination, and her determination has paid off! Her business is growing and she is fast becoming a sought out expert on herbal medicine.

November 9th Cara will be hosting a Medicinal Herb Garden Tour and Workshop as one of the pre-show events for the San Francisco Green Festival which runs November 14-16.

She gave us the tour of her garden and property. Some herbs are intentionally planted in her garden, others are simply harvested from their natural environment. As we were walking she would point out plants, naming them, telling us some of their uses and how she harvests them. She’s very knowledgeable and her processing is very scientific, precise and quite ’sano’ (sanitary). I was impressed!

So, in the course of our conversation, I told her about how I had been dealing with mild anxiety lately and she suggested that perhaps what I have is ‘mind chatter’. I said, “Yea, that’s a good way to put it. My brain just doesn’t stop - I’m not worrying, but my mind is constantly filtering ideas. Truth is, I kind of like it. I think about marketing ideas, landscaping my yard, designs I could paint on the bathroom walls, yada yada yada…..”

She says, “Yea, but some people can get addicted to it.”

I said, “Oh, yep, that’s probably me.”

She suggested Blue Vervain, so after our tour I bought my bottle of ‘mind chatter cure’ and off we went.

Not knowing exactly what might happen I decided to try the lowest reccommended dose to start. I took two small doses the other day (morning and afternoon) and I must say, Cara’s products work! Mind chatter - gone! All gone. What a weird feeling! I felt like I had an herbal lobotomy. It was so quiet in there (in my head). I felt like I was in a small, peaceful room. There was a soft white light… so quiet and comfortable ……. because the whole room was padded! It was nice but I missed my little friend, the one that used to chatter these happy little thoughts and ideas to me all day long.

So I had a class that night and I was truly concerned that I would not be able to participate. I managed and by the time I got home the herb had apparently worn off, because my little friend came back just in time for bed! -great- She said, “Hey I’m back! We have so much to catch up on! chat chat chat chat… by the way, where’d you go? I missed you. Don’t do that again, ok?” note to self: this is definitely a sign of addiction! Oh well, I need to go google “champagne yeast” and measure the living room……

I’m not quite sure if I’m ready to take that first step (admitting I have a problem a little friend in my head) but I can say Cara’s herbs really work!

Cara also sells a super cool first aid kit - all herbal! You really need to check out her website. I’m a true believer! Herbal medicine rocks and I have every confidence now that her products are top notch and really work!