Herbal Birthright
I have such fond memories of the huge aloe plant that sat in front of the bay window in the house that I grew up in. I remember my father would break off a piece of a leaf, revealing the gooey, icky slime, and smear it on whatever cut or scrape we had. That aloe plant never seemed to wither and never died, despite its constant use. I did not know then the power that this spiky greenery conveyed. I do now.
As I evolved over the years, the use of herbs remained constant. No matter what ups and downs life brought, I was always in the health food store or the natural market, searching for an herb to treat this condition, or that ailment. I would later begin to grow my own plants, and as you see now, make herbal products. The use of herbs also plays a central role in my religious views and practices as a Rasta. Note the scriptures below:
Genesis 1:29 “And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”
Romans 14:2 “For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.”
Ezekiel 47:12 “And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.”
Revelation 22:2 “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
I find herbs to be our birthright, a gift to us to be used for the purpose that has been set forth. We have been commanded to do so. We should utilize these herbs wisely, with respect and care. This is one of the reasons I am here, and writing to you on this blog today.