The term "adaptogen" is used widely in traditional western herbalism and, adaptogens themselves are important medicines to integrate into almost any herbal formula or used as simples. In fact, I believe that these herbal allies are an imperative component of modern life. Adaptogens refer to a variety of plants and fungi, and the word adaptogen indicates exactly what these herbs do; they help us to adapt. When searching for the etymology of the word adapt(one of my favorite pastimes), I found that its Latin roots are from ad-, to  and aptare-, join; to join. Also, from the Latin apere meaning to attach or bind. These meanings indicate an adjustment between two things. The current use of the word is defined by the free online dictionary as: to adjust (someone or something, esp oneself) to different conditions, a new environment, etc and to fit, change, or modify to suit a new or different purpose. Because I prefer to view life and the world from a cooperative perspective, I have inferred from these definitions that the concept of adapting or adapation is an interaction that occurs when two forces form a relationship and, in order to do so, both must be flexible and mutable enough to remain vital,alive and sovereign in the circumstances they have created in this bonding process.

My first experiments with herbal medicine involved the process of making tea. This is one of the oldest and least complex methods of imbibing the medicinal compounds of plants with water as the solvent. In all plant based medicine making there must be some means of breaking into the plant cell wall in order to extract and derive the valuable nutrients and healing constituents therein. These compounds must not only be extracted, but also held in some form of menstruum, such as water.

As late summer approaches and the scent of fall is on the wind, many of us are busy harvesting, preserving and eating loads of yummy veggies and berries. It is also high allergy season as I, a long time allergy sufferer, and many of my friends and clients are feeling a strong attachment to the nearest box of Kleenex or our handkerchiefs (save trees!) or even toilet paper, anything that will staunch the sometimes constant sneezing and dripping. It doesn't help that it has been the wettest, rainiest year I ever remember here in the Northeast.  The air is heavy and full with lots of thriving mold and fungi sporing around happily while we all try to figure out how to grow webbed feet and gills.