Calamus Root Benefits with jim mcdonald

My dear friend, herbalist jim mcdonald, returns to the show to share all about calamus root benefits. Among its other gifts, calamus root is known as an herb that can help you clear away mental cobwebs and enhance your focus. jim is a gifted storyteller and I know you’ll enjoy hearing how an early experience with calamus root set the stage for how he approaches learning about herbs to this day.
By the end of this episode, you’ll know:
► The many gifts and medicinal benefits of calamus root.
► Does it matter what species of calamus you work with?
► Is calamus root safe?
► How you can grow calamus at home.
Here is one of my favorite takeaways from our conversation:
“I didn’t just learn about calamus from chewing on it and feeling how did I feel before and how did I feel after, I learned a way of learning about plants.” (09:58)
For those of you who haven’t already met him, in 1994, jim mcdonald's life changed when he drank tea from a wild plant he harvested from the land he lived upon. Since those first sips of strange tea, his life in the woods and meadows of southeast michigan has been centered on the plants & ecosystems of that land, and how he might share their virtues to restore wellness with those around him. jim's approach to herbcraft is deeply rooted in the land he lives upon, and blends traditional european folk influences with 19th century eclectic and physiomedical vitalism, which he conveys with story, experience, humour, common sense and lore to students, clients, random passersby and readers of his websites www.herbcraft.org & herbcraft.podia.com. He's taught classes throughout north america, is one of the organizers of the Great Lakes Herb Faire and is currently alternately writing Foundational Herbcraft and the A Great Lakes Herbal, in addition to articles for journals and other publications. jim is a community herbalist, a manic wildcrafter and medicine maker, and has been an ardent student of the most learned teachers of herbcraft… the plants themselves.
I’m so happy to share our conversation with you today!
-- LINKS --
► Access your recipe card and the transcript for this episode here: www.herbalremediesadvice.org/...
► Get Rosalee’s best herbal tips by joining her weekly newsletter: bit.ly/3EtBEqe
► More from jim about calamus: www.herbcraft.org/calamus.html
► Learning opportunities from jim: herbcraft.podia.com/
► jim’s website: www.herbcraft.org/ (See also: linktr.ee/herb.craft)
► jim’s Instagram: / herb.craft
► jim’s Facebook: / jim-mcdonald-herbalist...
► Are you looking for high quality dried herbs? My recommendation is Mountain Rose Herbs. Calamus root is available in either cut and dried or powdered form. Click here to check them out: bit.ly/3ms3vQ2
► If you’d like to grow your own calamus, you can find Acorus calamus var americanus seeds, root cuttings, and potted plants at Strictly Medicinal Seeds: strictlymedicinalseeds.com/pr...
-- DISCLOSURE --
I’m a huge fan of Mountain Rose Herbs and will often share referral links to buy herbs or herbal supplies at their online herbal apothecary.
By using the above affiliate link, you help support this channel. Thanks!
If you’re looking for local places to buy herbs, check out my listing of herb farms in the U.S. and Canada. www.herbalremediesadvice.org/...
-- TIMESTAMPS --
00:00 - Introduction
05:20 - jim’s first encounter with calamus
15:19 - Finding calamus in the wild for the first time
17:52 - How jim grows, harvests, and works with calamus
21:48 - One of Rosalee’s first memories of jim
23:15 - Other ways to work with calamus root
32:13 - Isn’t calamus dangerous?
39:40 - ID and growing tips for Acorus calamus
45:17 - Closing thoughts about calamus
51:46 - jim’s herbal happenings these days
56:54 - Learning is not a competition
-- SWEATER PATTERN --
Yes, I did knit my sweater! Pattern is: Love Note by Tin Can Knits
-- DISCLAIMER --
The herbal and plant information in this video is for educational purposes only. The information contained is not intended as a substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other medical professional. If you have or suspect that you have a serious health problem, promptly contact your health care provider. Always consult with a health care practitioner before using any herbal remedy or food, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or have a medical condition.