Wellness in the Woods

AThreePartSeriesByChrisB.

Two days later I repacked the cornflower color Jeep Wrangler JK Sport named Deep Blue and made my way back out to the backcountry. This time, feeling better with rest, having a clearer head not to forget anything, and a clear weather forecast not to worry aboutdestructiononthehomefront.

The forest teaches not only to listen to intuition but to act swiftly at a moment’s notice and make calculated changes in those plans. In the forest, there are so many unpredictable forces keeping one on the toes explaining why the common theme in fairy tales finds themmysteriousaswellasdangerous.

Arriving back where I left off on the up anddownnarrowdirtroad,Ifeltdizzyat times even driving slowly, metaphorically lost in the sea of green looking for one tree in particular. Most would say it is a shrub, the blue elderberry (Sambucus cerulea) is what I washunting.

Used by the Native tribes of North America and conquering Spaniards, both of which I claim heritage, it has become a commercially recognized berry for bodily immune boosting. Elderberry in a variety of form can now be found more recently on the shelf in coldandfluremedies.

There are three types of elderberries in North America and black is the most common.Thatistheonefoundandused in most products. Red elderberry dominates the east coast. Any variety of the elderberry should not be consumed uncooked for safety reasons as copious quantities contain toxins that can make one sick. When in doubt consult an herbal medicine book or class before foraging and eating anything from the wild.

On the first trip attempt, towards the end before turning back, I actually came across one blue elderberry shrub on the left side of the road just suspended there lonesomeonitsown.

The sun was setting and yet I could not collect the berries hanging just out of reach as the shrub grew off a steep cliff followingtheriver.

It was as if it was there saying “Ah ha! You found me but cannot have me.” Disappointed on top of sick feeling it was at that moment I turned and traveled the night home. And it was that place I found myself stopping to resume mysearch.

AsIsaid,Ihavetraveledthisroad before, but never from this direction. The first time I went up the interstate another 30 miles and drove from west, south, to east. Here I was traveling east to west foranunfamiliarperspective.

Before coming up on the lonely blue elderberry tree I pulled into a camp spot along the trickling small but decently wide river hidden in the dark crown of pines. I hesitated to call this “the” spot for night as the curious drive in me wanted to continue on, usually anxious forwhatisaroundthenextcorner.

I encouraged myself to slow down and started having another look around. My first steps took me up the road to talk to the hanging berry tree. I barely got out of the thick before I noticed someone placed about 20 Zen stone piles around the area. People have been stacking them for centuries unrelated across cultures, and recognizable how they are piledup.Thismustbeaspecialplacefor someone I thought, excited about a hint ofmagicenergyintheair.

Taking a few photos of them I continued about 50 feet up then standing under the bright sunlight I stared at the unreachable perfect berry bush. Bush, tree, shrub I use these terms interchangeably for story diversity as the ‘medicine giver’ grows up from many thin trunks breaking away into hanging branches, sometimes expanding quite tallorwide.

With weaved basket in hand, I decided to collect other beneficial weeds in abundanceallaround.

Admiring the bright blue berries I said to the tree, “now you can’t be the only one.” Then I asked, “Which way are your friends?”

Ifeltimmediatelylikethetreetoldme to keep going so I took about one hundred steps when I saw a turn-out on the road tomyright.WhatInoticedfirstwasvery tall mullein kings and queens filled with clusters of their royal yellow baby flowersinbloom.

Underneath and surrounding them were shorter feathery wisps of GoldenRod (Solidago), and within the rods even more yellow flower clusters of St John’s Wort(Hypericumperforatum).

A closer inspection I found close to the ground were the purple tops of Self-heal (Prunella vulgaris), dancing with red (Trifolium pratense) and white clover (Trifolium repens). Mesmerized by the kaleidoscope of colors I took note to collect some for tea on the way back frommyunknowndestination.

I nearly missed the giant tree. I went to step away from the turnout, when I suddenly stopped mid-step and tearfully admired the unique almost tropical looking leaves of the blue elderberry shrub.

I felt bewildered by it. It was growing behind a small spruce in plain sight. Amazed at my luck for again it was the only one, I whispered “thank you” to the forest realizing all one needs is pure intention and positivity in the heart to manifestwhatonewants.

Rushing back to my Jeep I grabbed a pair of foraging scissors to carefully cut the stems. There were so many ripe berry groups hanging from the end of each branch, I was filled with gratitude that I would have enough to last the wintermakingteas,tinctures,andjams. I skillfully trimmed away, also noticing beneath the shrub there were some bright pink rose hips waiting to be added to my basket for after dinner tea. I was delighted and humbled to have this sudden surplus of healing plants at my dusty feet and dirty fingertips so close to where I stopped and started my adventure.