Grow
Once children were regularly led into the natural world to harvest food and medicinal plants. We’ve lost this education in recent generations and, with it, an appreciation for the healing power of our environment. Many children do not even know what dandelion or plantain look like, even though they grow between the cracks in the walkway to most front doors.
Our nation’s children rarely spend any time outside—let alone learning about useful and medicinal herbs. However, it need not be this way. With just a little inspiration, parents, grandparents, teachers, and program directors can lead children back out into the gardens, forests and meadows. You don’t have to be an experienced herbalist to take on these projects—together adults and children alike will awaken their senses and appreciation for the healing plants around them.
“Children shouldn’t miss out on (herbal activities),” says Nancy Phillips, author of The Herbalist’s Way (Chelsea Green, 2005) who runs the Nature and Spirit Camp in northern New Hampshire. “In many cultures, even today, this is just a part of their lives and it really isn’t for our modern American kids. I feel it’s my calling to make sure kids know how to connect with nature and add that richness to life, especially with the healing plants.”