Here we are. It is Nisan 2020, the month when we celebrate Passover and our Exodus from Mitzrayim (Egypt or narrow place), and we are in the midst of our own, personal and global, Mitzrayim waiting for redemption. Again and again, we witness how the Torah is not a document of the past, it’s eternal and divine, and it can help us move from constriction to expansion- no matter the decade/century. The Torah is a constant reminder of how much light there is despite our fears and how much hope there is despite our despair.
This Nisan, I invite us to consider how we can be active participants in a global exodus from this virus. Instead of complaining, let’s do small acts of kindness. Instead of hording, let’s share. We are all in mitzrayim and yet some of us have more to offer than others - be it money, time, health etc. How can we use all of our resources to make sure that as many people as possible come out of this with us?
The tea for this month, crafted with my friend and herbalist Lauren Samuels, has parsley, nettles, lemon balm, turmeric and licorice. It is a nourishing and uplifting Spring time blend (in fact you can even make this blend with all fresh herbs).
Parsley | Petroselinum crispum
“Parsley has minerals galore, including a good supply of iron. It’s high in folic acid, which helps relieve stress by strengthening the nervous system. Parsley is well known for strengthening the functioning of the kidneys (Robin Rose Bennett).” As a medicine, parsley herb is best known for its effects on the urinary system. Parsley leaves and roots are used as a diuretic and have been used for a variety of ailments in which increased urination is beneficial, including urinary tract infections, kidney stones, cystitis, edema and, historically, it was used for gonorrhea. It has become customary during the Karpas portion of the seder for the Jewish People to dip Parsley in salt water. “For the first dipping, which is called karpas, many people follow the custom of using parsley (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 118:2).” Though we are not dipping the parsley in salt water for medicinal purpose, it is no coincidence that we use a green herb, symbolic of spring time, fertility and vitality (in Chinese Medicine, the kidneys are associated with fertility and vitality). We are reminding ourselves that this Spring is here, freedom is here, we are here!
What things around you remind you of Spring?
Lemon Balm | Melissa officinalis
“From here on, the months belong to you to do with them as you wish. But during the days of slavery, your days were not your own but rather were for the work of others according to their will. Therefore this [Nisan - the month of your freedom going out of Egypt] will be the first of the months of the year for you (Sforno on Exodus 12:2:1). “ Nisan is the month where we got our freedom. Lemon Balm, a gentle nervine, helps to calm and rejuvenate the nervous system. She can help ease anxiety, relieve headaches and even be useful for folks suffering from heart palpations. She’s great for a nervous tummy and is a great anti-viral ally. Even though we got our freedom this month, we were very scared - so scared that we asked Moses if we could go back (more than once)! Lemon balm is an herb that can help us ease those nerves when we are in a big unknown.
How do you calm yourself when you take a risk and do not know what waits for you on the other side?
Nettles | Urtica dioica
Nettles! A mineral rich power herb that tastes delicious in anything and everything (lots of iron). Though she is prickly, she is one of the most beautiful and healing of all plants out there. Used as a nutritive tonic, she can grow almost anywhere and is a good herb to take on the regular. She is associated with the war god, Mars and grows when winter snow melts, usually in the month of March ( just about now). If there was one plant to take with us into our journey in the desert, I think it should be nettles. Known as an herb that protects as well as a fertility ally, you can’t go wrong having her in your traveling apothecary.
What is a food/herb/practice that you do on the regular to help you stay healthy?
Licorice | Glycyrrhiza glabra
The sense of this month is speech. Licorice is known for its moistening affect on mucous membranes and she is an incredible ally for the lungs. You will see her in many lung blends (be it a tea, a syrup or a tincture). Not only does she help literally with lungs and our voice, but spiritually speaking, the licorice plant is associated with the planet Mercury. Herbs under Mercury are largely responsible for communication and movement of thought. As we sit at our seders and tell the story of our Exodus from Egypt, everyone’s story will be different as we all experience life differently. Let licorice help in cultivating healthy lungs and clear communication.
What do you find helpful in improving your communication skills?
Turmeric | Curcuma longa
The most well known use of Turmeric is as an anti-inflammatory. It is used most especially to treat heart disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s, cancer, depression and chronic age-related diseases caused by inflammation. The plague of boils, one of the ten, is also referred to as the plague of inflammation. “And the Word of the Lord sent forth a burning sore and inflammation of the flesh upon the land of Mizraim (Exodus 2:5).” There is a saying in Judaism that the cure is created before the disease. I’d like to think that before G!d brought down each plague, G!d also brought down a cure. Even though there was destruction and chaos, beauty and remedies were also being formed. And while Egypt did not benefit from those remedies, we can and we must. Whatever mitzrayim that you, your friend or the world may be in, the cure is there. It may be that it is not our time to benefit from it, but we can do our best to research and find it so that others may.
What have you found to be helpful to you in times of difficulty?