Introducing a guest blog post from shop helper David Tang! If you’ve been to the shop in the last year, you may have met David as the friendly person helping you get tea blends or playing shows in the backyard at events. When David came to Milk Thistle, they had limited knowledge in herbalism, but he spent some of his free time researching and writing about some of the herbs in the apothecary so that they could share the knowledge with our customers and friends. I asked David to write about some of the herbs he has developed relationship with during this time, and thought it would be cool to have him compare them to songs he had written. Check the end of the blog for his bio and link to his spotify, so you too can experience David’s song and herb pairings!
Blue Lotus
Herbal Actions: Psychoactive, Sedative, Nervine, Aphrodisiac, Anti-Inflammatory
Song Pairing: This Ride
Blue lotus is my favorite. This wonderful, energetically introspective flower fascinates me because it is psychoactive and medicinal. She helps with anxiety, aids in better sleep, and promotes vivid dreaming. Looking to activate or enhance your psychic sense? You might want to give this plant friend a try. This herb is also known to help increase compassion and is used as an aphrodisiac. Blue lotus originates from Egypt and has been used traditionally for many years.
I paired blue lotus with my song “This Ride.” This song is about adventuring, broadening your mind, and learning a new type of responsibility. One of the lines says, “You were tripping in no direction.” Later on I sing, “What do I want to see in your eyes?” I often sing this song to myself and reflect on how my definition of “fun” has changed. Here is my take—there are, of course, times for fun in life. There are even times for extreme fun and experimentation.
However, there also exist many stable energies in life that hold tremendous meaning. By meditating and going within, we can gain more clarity and heart direction in our lives. Nowadays, I’m much more attracted to meaningful, subtle ‘fun’ over the kind of party fun I’ve gravitated towards in the past. I nod at this realization in my line, “I can see from the look on your crying eyes. You didn’t wanna ride anymore.” I proceed, “But what for? Having bad ideas and asking questions. And when I saw you in the back room you were tripping in no direction. Oh, what I wanna see in your eyes.”
A sense of inner peace and trust, I’d add to the latter part of this. To take it a step further—groundedness and knowingness in who I am. Trust your intuition, Blue Lotus says. Take a breath, relax, and go within.
St. John’s Wort
Herbal Actions: Anti-Depressant, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Microbial
Song Pairing: For the Longest Time
Interested in learning about St. John’s Wort’s medicinal power? Let me tell you a little about St. John’s Wort. This herb is your mental health companion. If you’re faced with anxiety, depression, and seasonal affective disorder then St. John’s Wort may offer you relief. It can be consumed or applied topically for antiviral use. Ok, so let’s step a little deeper into this. In yoga our heart chakra gets blocked by grief.
That doesn’t mean it is bad to feel grief, though. Life ain’t all sunshine and rainbows, afterall. Perhaps St. John’s Wort can be your gentle friend who helps you move forward and shift light around in the face of sadness. St. John’s Wort says, “Let’s clear this out together. You’re safe. Feel what you need to feel. Then keep moving. There is a way onward.”
I paired this plant friend with my song, “For the Longest Time.” In this song, I sing “For the longest time I thought I’d never see you again. Again. No.” I often view performing this song as an opportunity for an energetic release. It may come across as dramatic to some, but I pretty much cry this song out everytime I perform it (Even if I don’t shed a tear, that kind of energy is there). Lol. I like to think that maybe some people will be more inclined to feel certain emotions in public when they see me express my vulnerability in this way.
“Oh and I don’t think many others would’ve hung on the way that I did. I don’t think many others would’ve hung onto a semblance of hope like I did.” This one, not gonna lie, is painful to sing…but it’s a good type of pain. I still usually follow this song with a more uplifting one judging by the look on everyone’s faces when I finish. Ha ha.
Lemon Balm
Herbal Actions: Nervine, Antidepressant, Sedative, Anti-Viral
Song Pairing: I’m Ready Universe
You may have encountered the leaves of this plant in your food or beverages. Tracing all the way back to the Middle Ages, lemon balm has been used to help with anxiety, aid sleep and appetite, and lessen indigestion pain. I paired lemon balm with my song, “I’m Ready Universe,” because lemon balm is known to support the solar plexus chakra. This song is about self-empowerment, claiming the new, and doing the work—lighting up that solar plexus chakra.
I wrote this song about allowing more for myself and encouraging others to do the same. I exclaim, “I’m ready! I’m ready, Universe! And I want the whole enchilada. I’ve been settling for bits and scraps, leftovers, and pieces of it.” With the help of lemon balm, we can regulate our nervous systems and intentionally go after what we desire the most.
Frankincense
Herbal Actions: Anti-inflammatory, Respiratory, Skin
Song Pairing: A Dragon’s Breath
Frankincense is commonly used as incense. What a wonderfully classic, calming smell. Commonly used in soaps, lotions, and perfumes, it is no surprise that this herb is wonderful for the skin. It’s known to aid in healing wounds and help with skin damage. It’s also known to be a very mystical herb. This is why I paired frankincense with my song, “A Dragon’s Breath.” It goes, “I’ve been wandering to lands much farther away from here.” I then sing, “I wanna cast spells with you my dear.” We are all human. We love, we laugh, we think, we believe, and we know.
“Attraction is knowing who you are,” I exclaim. Other people will think things about you. Everybody has their own lenses and thoughts. However, your inner voice is the only one that truly matters. You get to know who you are…and when those people who can also see your truth come along, that is special. I proceed, “And I can’t stress. The hues. The colors. The waves of smoke that led me near to my plentiful rose abode not too far from here. I want you near.” Light some candles and frankincense incense to this song and relax.
Bio
David Tang (he/they) is a spiritual practitioner and heart wizard who enjoys casting spells and inner exploring in the Mojave Desert. David was born in Palm Springs, CA, just a mountain pass away. They use “Davey Blue Jay” as their musical moniker. They also have a dreamy folk project called Naptime News. Davey Blue Jay (DBJ) blends a soulful and rockin' singing style with psychedelic sound sensibilities and lo-fi goodness to take listeners on dream journeys into other worlds. He sees his music as a healing practice and draws out heart-centered feeling in his performances.
