Essential Elements Wellness

Yesterday was my mom’s heavenly birthday… and this morning I woke up to an acceptance letter from Oregon State University., into the Bachelor of Science in Botany through OSU Ecampus.
❤️🙏🏼

I’m honestly overwhelmed with gratitude and emotion right now.

For a long time, I carried self-doubt that didn’t belong to me. Life, experiences, and people can make you question yourself sometimes, even when deep down you know who you are. For me this moment feels so much bigger that the acceptance into OSU. It feels like proof of resilience. Proof that’s it’s never too late to believe in yourself.

I am so deeply grateful this morning, & truly feel blessed. Grateful to the Creator. My family & friends for cheering me on to do this. Grateful for all the challenges & obstacles life has thrown at me, to lead me to my clear path.

And most of all, grateful that I never stopped dreaming, even when the path wasn’t clear to me.
🌿❤️✨

One of the most magical plants in the woodland garden… 🌿✨

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) has long been used in traditional herbalism and Indigenous plant knowledge for its potent properties and unusual blood red sap hidden within its roots & stems. Historically it has been used externally in topical preparations and ceremonially, though it is also a powerful plant that must be approached with deep respect and proper knowledge.

Beyond its medicinal history, Bloodroot plays an important role in our native woodland ecosystems, emerging in early spring to support pollinators and forest biodiversity. Sadly, overharvesting and habitat destruction have contributed to its decline in many areas, and it has appeared on endangered and at-risk medicinal plant watch lists over the years. 🌱

Planting and protecting native woodland species is one small way we can help preserve the delicate relationship between plants, people, and the forest ecosystems they belong to.

This little beauty now has a home tucked beneath the trees in my growing woodland medicinal garden here on Vancouver Island. 🍃