We started this session with an incredible heaviness from the tragedy in Uvalde. Tonight's prompt was the following: "Today I can honor ________ and today I can release ________" I wanted to offer this prompt as a reminder to myself that I can only hold so much even when things are overwhelming. Our community healing work starts with ourselves and learning to balance our emotions and our actions. We strive for better and we do. Tonight we talked about nervines for grief: Skullcap Passionflower Vervain Lemonbalm Chamomile We also discussed herbs with a history of use for spiritual protection: Angelica Root Tobacco Basil Nopal Garlic Cinnamon Mustard Seed The group also added Aloe, Sweetgrass and Bougainvillea as plants with strong protection energies! In keeping with a conversation around the politics of healing we also included Diego Rivera's "El pueblo en demand de salud" mural in Mexico. "El pueblo en demanda de salud" by Diego Rivera - 1952, Centro Médico Nacional La Raza, Ciudad de México In this image we talked about how Diego vision takes the world of traditional Mexican medicine into the 1950s through demands of equality in the face of México's ruling elite indifference. Things noticed: multiethnic, isolation, community, disruption, warmth of natural medicine/cold of the hospitalized, aztec use of enemas and scenes of birth. To close this session we worked on solidarity medicine kits: We made: lavender sachets for calming (good for kids) oatstraw/chamomile tea blends for grief lavender estafiate spray for calming/protection Kits will be offered in San Antonio and Uvalde through our network of herbalists. We will continue to call on La Yerberia students if we have medicine to make for emergencies. Let's find new ways to support each other as medicine makers. We also focused on Pgs 21 & 27 of our workbook, included here is information about the legacy of Jovita Idár and information on helpful community care/justice orgs. We also went over the 8 tips from SanArte by Michael Olivas, how each one is an opportunity to ground ourselves. There's a lot to be said about the demand of our work, some folks will choose to be on the front line and some will take longer approaches, both are fine as long as stay grounded in our commitment to each other as community. We must actively dream of liberation and radical care! Here's a great link on solidarity medicine by my sister Berenice Dimas of Hood Herbalism: While this link definitely discusses from the POV of someone in an action or community uprising, the information is good and should be digested for planning your own trauma practices. Take care of each other! Next Session: Flower Medicine June 3, 2022 - baños - remedio con chocolate - limpia de flores + NOTE: This session and closing dinner will happen at Rinconito de Esperanza! + Rinconcito de Esperanza 816 S. Colorado St. San Antonio, TX 78207

We went over the page in our workbook on Veladoras on page 24. We talked about how while candle burning is also an important piece of connecting with our intuition and symbolism learning how to set intentions and manifestations with the color associations. Often times when getting herbs from the yerberia we are met with a huge amount of candles, and so with time you may begin or expand your work with candles and how they connect with herbalism and spiritual work. Reconnecting with the conversation on Salves, tonight we’re focused on Poultices. Tonight we’re going to learn about the avocado seed/pit (hueso de aguacate) as an important addition to our medicine making. Used in modern remedios, the hueso de aguacate is actually documented to be used as a food and medicine for almost 9000 years, the Anahuaca cultures using it in several of their medicinal formulas as listed in the Codex Sahagun and Codex Badianius. Avocado seeds are used traditionally to support: irritated skin issues, pain and swelling, hair growth, dandruff among more. It’s high medicinal content comes from its richness in oils, vitamins C, E and B4 as well as its high antioxidant content. An avocado seed contains about 70% of its antioxidants. Here are some important terms to Remember: Salve: (pomada) : A topical ointment used for healing and protection of skin or muscles. Poultice: (cataplasma): A moist mass typically of plant material or flour, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation and kept in place with a cloth. Alcolhado: Primarily a home remedy made by infusing herbs in rubbing alcohol used for massage. The alcohol provides cooling sensation and promotes blood circulation. Avocado pit in Nahuatl: Ahuacayollotl Etymology: Ahuacatl (Avocado) + Yollotl (Heart) AOACATL: "The leaves, the foliage of the avocado tree are brown. Its fruit is black, dark, it shines. Within it is herb-green. Its base is thin, the top rounded, round. Oily like chia, it has moisture, it has a heart." (First Description of Avocado sent to Europe, Codex Sahagun Book XI, The Earthly Things) Here are the additional recipes from the workshop for you to try at home. Each recipe will need 1 large avocado seed or 3 small avocado seeds. Remember to make medicine with avocado seed soon after cutting, it is easier to grate when soft. HUESO DE AGUACATE SHAMPOO Instructions: Give gratitude to the fruit and cut it open carefully removing seed. Wipe Clean before starting. When clean begin grating, add additional dry seed. Add 2 cups of boiling water, cover and let sit for about 15 minutes. When time is up, check water, it should be a deep pink color, strain liquid and let cool. When cooled, add 1 cup of unscented castile soap, mix gently (if you mix to fast you will make it foam!) when blended add to shampoo bottle, you can add 3 drops of essential oil for scent (or not). Rosemary is a good invigorator for hair growth. Label your bottle, should keep for a month. HUESO DE AGUACATE ALCOHADO Instructions: Give gratitude to the fruit and cut it open carefully removing seed. Wipe clean and place aside. When clean begin grating and let rest for about 5-10 mins, grated seed will begin to oxidize and turn orange. Add ground seed and 2 sprigs of rosemary or garden sage into a bottle of rubbing alcohol. (you may need to make space by using some alcohol first) or soak in a glass jar. Let sit for 2 weeks, strain before use on sore body parts by gentle massage. Should keep for 6 months to a year if kept in a cool dark place. Be careful rubbing alcohol is flammable. (Dont leave in car, don't keep it where kids can reach it.) HUESO DE AGUACATE POULTICE Instructions: Give gratitude to the fruit and cut it open carefully removing seeds. Wipe clean and place aside. When clean and mostly dry, begin grating and let rest for about 5-10 mins, grated seed will begin to oxidize and turn orange. Add to the mortar, and add 2 tablespoons of dried herb (plantain, calendula or both) and 1/4 cup of olive oil. Gently grind until you get a pulp, grind until chunky paste is formed. If too much liquid add another tablespoon of dry herb. Should be moist, not runny! Gently apply about a tablespoon of poultice mix, pat into a flat circle and immediately bandage. Allow to sit for a few hours before reapplying or bathing. You can save extra in the refrigerator, it should last about a week. Keep and eye out for more information on Closing Project in your email. Tlazocamati! Xastéyó! Next Session: Solidarity & Self Care May 27, 2022 -Solidarity Plan for Medicine Making -Cacao Mask & Chocolate Remedio -Care Kit Basics -Herbs for Emotional Protection

In this session, we talked about the Yerberias/Botanicas as resources for medicine work, the yerberia doesn't necessarily have a firm line between medicinal herbalism and spiritual works. Decolonial medicine often does not separate these two depending on the culture and community so as we begin to understand our own connections, it's great to also remember that these are still businesses and we have to keep an eye out for shady stuff like any other space. I say that not to scare yall but just a reminder, your consent is always centered in this work so don't let anyone talk you into something you don't feel comfortable with. To start we read "Las Yerberias" on page 22 of your workbook ~ if you weren't in class tonight, definitely give that a read! In this session, we made these resguardos (a type of folk charm, usually a small bag filled with plants, roots or items for a specific need) our resguardo is for peace and protection. We took small white cloth bags and stuffed them with: rice dyed blue for peace yarrow flower for protection 4 mescal beans for protection chia seeds for protection blue corn for abundance Here’s a video (in Spanish) to make another bag like the one we made: (Note: I haven’t watched his other videos so I cant speak about those, but this one seemed straightforward to the conversation we held.) Often in the botanica we find polvos, like other items they are sold with various imagery and uses. Money, luck, protection, peace, etc. Each one can be purchased and then have oils or herbals powders mixed in. The powder is often colored talc so for our class inspired by this classic item, we’re making a natural deodorant using corn starch, this is a really simple recipe, using corn starch and adding two herbs with a preferred scent and mix. This body powder can be applied with a cotton pad, or hands, or you can add it to a shaker. You can use this as deodrant, body powder, in your shoes, or sprinkled on your sheets or space for scent. Note: Adding a bit of betonite clay powder helps with perspiration, but it also soaks up some of the scent in the ground herbs, you may want to add a bit more powdered herbs for scent. Trust your nose and make it as fragrant as you like. We made powder with cornstarch base, then had the option of orris root, lavender, rose, sage, or pericón powder to choose from. Basic Body Powder Recipe: 3 tablespoons cornstarch or arrowroot powder 1/2 Teaspoon of dried herb 1 1/2 Teaspoon of dried herb 2 1/2 Teaspoon of bentonite clay (optional) We also talked about the use of spiritual perfumes in work such as the kind sold in the Yerberia/Botanica, while fine on their own, many folks who purchase them often add roots and herbs associated with the perfumes purpose. For example, adding salt to a protection perfume/oil or adding bayberry leaves to a money perfume/oil. For folks interested in spiritual uses of plants a good book that originates in San Antonio is Papa Jim's Herbal Magic Workbook, you can grab a copy at the botanica off of South Flores St. Next Class: Velas & Salves May 20, 2022 -BotanicArte ReportBack -Veladoras & their Colors -Salves pt 2 (Poultices)

It's the half way marker of our time together! We have 5 classes moving forward and sessions will connect a little deeper on the emotional and spiritual side of the conversation as we move forward. In our opening, we asked everyone to reflect on two questions: Why did I sign up for La Yerbería? and What do I hope to learn in the second half of our course? We also discussed the time frame, when originally planning this space I thought 2.5 hour may be too much but it seems we've be working up right until the very last second. We may expand our class time by 30 mins for the last 2 sessions. I will send an email update soon after I look over curriculum and what not. If yall have any questions or concerns around payment please contact me directly betotzinnnn@gmail.com. In this discussion we talked about Steam, Incense and Aires. First understanding the differences: Steam/Vapor: The boiling of fragrant materials to produce fragrances from their essential oils through steam. Incense: The combustion of fragrant materials to produce aroma through its smoke. Here are instructions for a simple steam: For respiratory ailments, make a strong tea of Cenizo, Eucalyptus or Mullein to use with your steam. You can mix .5 cup of each herb or focus on only 1 herb at a ratio of of 1 cup of herb to 4 cups boiling water. Steam 3 times a day if necessary. For a steam to help with pores you can try calendula, rose, chamomile and follow with a cleansing toner after gently patting face dry. (If you make a blend you can use 1.5 cup of your dry mix to 4 cups water) we covered loosely the conversation around aires, a folk illness that can be connected to literally wind, the supernatural and other emotional traumas. "El Mal de Aire" or "bad air" is a folk illness in Mexico affecting children and adults alike. It is believed that if cold or nighttime air enters into a body, it may cause pain or discomfort affecting different areas and causing pains, like muscle spasm, backpain, or even cold symptoms. Recommended additional reading for deeper conversation on Aires. This book is currently only available in Spanish, but some folks expressed interest in book club. I'm down! Taking a virtual class in Sept 2020 with Maestra Estela on Pericón and the Aire of Envidia. In this session she shared that in the early days of the covid19 " Before the pandemic, we didn't have to care about others but now we have to care for the envidia, the wanting. We have to offer and share resources as medicine." It's bitter sweet writing this now thinking about how that concern for community care and resource sharing seems all over the place by compassion to where are now. Each of us can be a seed of that openness. Back to our session! We talked about the important of moving away specifically from white sage and becoming stewards of medicines that are not from our community and need protection from commodification. In this conversation it is important to remember there are many different plants that create fragrance, and so we can grow other plants to help us do this work. While there are methods of making cone and stick incense, to keep us closely working the plants we have decided to make loose incense blends: For loose incenses: Heat proof container Charcoal/Hookah Coals Incense Blend It is ideal to do this work outside, but you can bring it into your home to cleanse by opening windows and doors. This helps with smoke and also the removal of negative entities and energies. Never burn in a closed space, and do not use barbecue coals. Coals/carbones for loose incense are easily obtained at every botanica/yerberia. Light your charcoal and wait to see if it catches, it will start to spark as self ignite, quickly place it in heat proof container. To help evenly disperse heat, I sometimes put a little sand at the bottom of the container. Coal will continue to light, when it turns white and glows it's ready. You can add a spoonful of your incense directly on top of your coals. You can then cleanse yourself or your space or burn to invite certain energies as yall learned in the some of the books we used for references. A tip: when I make a blend in a large batch, I throw it in a mesh strainer and shake off powder. this dust can be used for lots of things! Potpurri, loose incense, sticks/cones or saved for addition to oils or powders. In our groups we made a "sahumerio" which is another name for incense blend. We used the following dry plants who carried these properties: Estafiate: protection & cleansing Pericon: Sweet, Emotional Support Garlic Husks: Protection & Spiritual Defense Lavender: Sweet, Emotional Support Rosemary: Opens Airways, Cleanses Space Eucalyptus: Opens Sinuses, Cleans Air Rose: Sweetens, Attracts love Sage(Garden): Cleanses Many of these are available at the botanica and you can practice making a blend at home if you weren't in class last week. Pick your plants, in our setting we had all of them and were able to smell each one to build a blend. You can also just choose three from the list above and try them out. Practice with the blending, notice the scents of each plant and how more or less can change the blend. After burning a little on a charcoal you may add more or less of a plant to adjust the aroma. Keep tabs on your blend's ingredients and when you made it. Next Session: Las Yerberias May 13, 2022 -Commodification of Medicine & Safety -Symbolism -Spiritual Plant Work -Herbal Deodorant/Body Powder -bottling Toronjil tincture [PROJECT 2: HEART OFFERING, PLEASE COMPLETE BY FRIDAY MAY 13] check email for more info! thx

We got an early start on this session with a garden tour by Manuel (IG @mesquitepapi) for additional resources on Plant Identification, Gardens & South Texas Indigenous wisdom check our their linktree. During our session we discussed similarities between practices and Anuahuaca formulas by looking at some from the Codex Sahagún and Codex Cruz-Badianus. Noting the complexities of the recipes and connecting on the perseverance of the plant lore that has survived and evolved over 500 years. Another example: For Cracks in the Soles of the Feet: Cracks in the soles of the feet are cured by a salve prepared from the herb tolohuaxihuitl, blood of a turkey, copal and the resinous medicine we call oxitl* which must be heated. -codex cruz-badianus, 1552 (*oxitl was a precontact medicinal salve made from pine resin and lamp black powder that was widely used for several issues.) A comparative book called “Wind in the Blood” is an interesting look at Traditional Chinese Medicine and traditional medicine in a Mayan community. As we mentioned that settler colonialism disrupted a millenary tradition of medicinal schools and techniques, but comparative studies offer some insight into formulaic complexities and practices and overlap. A good example is the use of thorns and needles across multiple cultures for curing in what we know would identify as acupuncture. Some interesting we noticed were the medicinal use of eggs, alloys, metals, milk, animal organs and ant stings. In our conversations we discussed how to some degree these practices have preserved in different ways such as the use of bee venom, diet, supplements have relied on similar ingredients albeit the technique may be different. We also discussed why we cannot recreate many of these recipes because we don't have the wisdom that goes behind the ingredients. (Also many can be dangerous, there are safer herbal alternatives available today.) From here we split up to make salves and syrups: The ratios will change depending on the items you are using but in our workbook gives general frames. For the salve we made we got about 4-5 ounces of oil from our oils we set. We then added about 1 tablespoon of wax pellets to our oil and do the spoon test. Spoon test by dipping a spoon in the melted combined mixture and place in the freezer for 30 seconds to a minute and check the texture of the salve. If it is to hard you can add a bit more oil, if it is to soft add a little more wax. After your mix is the consistency you like quickly add to your containers and add a few drops of essential oils or vitamin E if you prefer. A general video for salve making: We'll go over syrups again in an upcoming class and may have an open medicine day for folks to practice together. Next Session: Fuego y Palabra May 6, 2022 - Half Way Check In -Smudge & Vapor Techniques -Incense Blend & Aroma Spray

Thank yall for your generosity from flowers, to fruit to pan & cupcakes! There was alot of love to ground our Friday session. Thankful to also witness the camaraderie growing! [Photo of our collective altarcito, Giving gratitude for the land for all the gives us!] We started with flor y canto, poesía by Rubi Ororzco Santos from her book Inventos Míos, a book inspired by the process of nixtamalization of corn in the making of tortillas. Not a lot of notes since a majority of time was your amazing presentations! Thank yall for sharing your wisdom and going deeper! We still have 3 more presentations to see this our herbal comrades Mark Joseph (who joins us this Friday!), Anacua and Vanessa. There was some interest in maybe turning our projects into a zine as a solidarity fund fundraiser for future classes, folks who are interested can expand their project if they like and connect with me about turning in by Friday April 29. (I’m not forcing anyone to contribute, but all yalls works were so great, I'm definitely hoping!) [This fabulous piece by Mia!~] Big thanks to our SanArte fam Manuel (His ecology instagram @mesquitepapi ) for sharing about his connection to gardening and connecting with the land as a prayer. If folks are interested you can come early at 6:00pm for an optional garden tour with Manuel! A great article for those interested going deeper about connecting with the land beyond the limitations of "permaculture culture". :3 [brief video finding some plantain at Espada Aqueduct] Next Friday: April 29, 2022 6:00p-6:30p Garden Tour (Optional) - Present on remaining Herb Spotlight plantitas - Anahuaca/Mexica Herbal Formulas - Rotating Medicine Making Labs (Tincture, Tea Blend, Salve, Syrup)

Welcome to SanArte's La Yerbería Spring 2022 cohort, thank you so much for committing to building this circle. To connect with your facilitator Beto, you may email them at betotzinnn@gmail.com or DM on Instagram @betotzin, or ask questions on the Session Notes entries. For questions about Tuition or Payments please message sanartecommunity@gmail.com re: "YERBPAY" We hope this forum helps, I'm testing it out as a way to post class notes and resource materials during our time together, maybe beyond. Please make sure to include a name or initials on comments so we can answer directly and dive deeper. There are two places to post here: 1. Beto will update Notes, Resources and answer student Questions on Sessions under "Session Notes" 2. Student Participants can add posts under "Questions & Answers". (Please don't spam the forum! Stay on topic and be respectful.) Please do not share login info or posts! This is closed to our 2022 class! Tlazocamati (thank you!) Beto

We began with a grounding connection to the element of fire, by offering our intentions with Ocote (resinous pine wood from México) and Tobacco to el Abuelo Fuego. From here we wove a collective to symbolize our connection to each other and offer our intentions of what we hope to bring to the space. Collectively we built our space agreements: While from our FAQ's we recalled that we are committing to being on time, present and committed to creating a safer space. Here are additional agreements offered: One Voice, One Mic (No talking over each other, we respect the person talking) Step Up/Step Back (Folks who may be more talkative make sure to asses and let others speak) Snaps over Claps (Variety of ways to show agreement: snaps, nods, ASL clap) Use "I" Statements (Don't speak for others, speak from your heart about your experience) Let folks be quiet (Acknowledge folks process info in different ways, its ok to not have a response.) In groups we explored “La Curandera” by South Texas artist Carmen Lomas Garza, originally born in Kingsville, TX her work is known for capturing snapshots of Tejanx life and tradition. [What do you see in this scene? What do you notice? What interactions did you observe between people, between objects? Are there culturally relevant symbols that stand out or memories this image evokes?] We began our first medicine making lab, by creating a powerful Burn Oil Infusion, we worked with Plantain (Plantago major) Calendula (Calendula officinalis) and Tepezcohuite (Mimosa tenuflora) each carrying strong properties that support cooling comfort to irritated skin, anti-itch properties and well known for their work invigorating cells to heal and renew. These three are a powerful combination to treat burns, rashes, bug bites, and general irritation. We talked more in depth about using plantain, which grows widely and to many is considered a weed. This herb is a good resource for emergency medicine, gathering a few leaves you can mash them in your hand and add a little water (or in an emergency situation saliva) to make a quick poultice to cover irritated skin and stings. Tepezcohuite a reddish bark known from southern México to Brazil is widely known in Spanish speaking countries for its properties to lighten blemishes, fight acne and rejuvenate skin, it's also a popular traditional medicine for burns. Most famously in the 1984 Earthquake in Ciudad de México, during this time many folks were burned by gas explosions and other impacts of the quake, to help an overwhelmed health system many traditional doctors, herb vendors, and curanderas trained mutual aid and rescue workers how to make poultices of Tepezcohuite to directly treat community members. Now most commonly seen in a wide array of products, Tepezcohuite has a wide array of use and beliefs but the most common way of using it grinding into a powder and making a poultice, you can practice this with 1 tablespoon ground Tepezcohuite powder and 2 Tablespoons Aloe vera gel. This will last for a week refrigerated. You can apply to sunburns or general burns in the kitchen. If you have an extreme burn or cut with broken skin or open wound please seek first aid or emergency medical support as an improper application of herbal salves can create infections. [Tepezcohuite items for sale in a yerbería] Here is an adapted version of our burn oil infusion recipe for making at home: 2 cups dry Plantain leaves (20 semi-dry leaves or 2 cups dry and chopped leaves) 1 cup Calendula flower heads/petals 1 piece Tepezcohuite bark (about 3-4 inches long, broken into smaller pieces) Olive Oil 16 oz clean/dry Glass Jar Combine plantain and calendula and add Tepezcohuite pieces, fill your jar ⅔ of the way and add your Tepezcohuite pieces. Slowly add your olive oil, leaving about ½ inch of space between oil and lid. Close, Label (IE: Contents/Date Created) and place to rest for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally. After 2 weeks you can strain the herb bits out and save the oil for use on skin in an amber dropper bottle or for the base of a burn salve. (We will cover salves next month!) When making salves, we will add Tepezcohuite powder for an extra boost. Tip: If making an oil to use directly on skin you can try something lighter like almond or coconut oil. [Finished salves from our session ready to rest for two weeks!] Here’s an additional video from Mountain Rose Herbs on Oil Infusions: Next Session: MEET AT CONFLUENCE PARK @ 6:30PM

For our second session we met by the water, the San Antonio river, Yanaguana/Yanawana to discuss our topics and connect with the element of water. We made a simple offering of gratitude of blue corn meal to the river. Remeber the offering is to remind us of reciprocity as a pratice with the land and the plants we connect with. Beto read a poem “Kónlíjíh” (To the River) by Margo Tamez, and we explored the ways memory is a movement, and how when we remember origins of plants and place we can also make mental maps of where folks have been. Map of the Springs & their Coahuilteco Names (created by IG: @indigenouscultures ) We took a moment to reflect with a brief writing prompt “How do you connect with the Water?” A few folks reflected back the ways we find emotional connections with the water and also the ways water has been weaponized against Indigenous, Black and Migrating peoples. In talking about the Coahuilteco chain of Springs, we mentioned the ways through segregation white supremacy disrupted our connection and the function of these sacred places. We mentioned the youth activist Joan Means Khabele who helped to desegregate Tza Wan Pupako (Barton Springs) in Austin. We also discussed the importance of introducing ourselves and asking permission with the plants. When getting to know our medicines or the plants that grow in our community, it's important to remember that we want to build practices of consent and patience. The first time we see a medicine in the wild doesn't mean we need to take it, we observe, document, learn. Connecting with Water is an element of emotion and depth, we discussed how there were studies to test emotional responses of water. One specifically is Dr. Masaru Emoto of Japan, while there’s still much to be said about the scientific parameters and goals of his experiment, they make for some great food for thought as many Indigenous community around Turtle Island view the water as our relative with its own consciousness and autonomy. Below are two examples of Dr. Emoto’s study in which water was given praise and abuse and the waters shape goes from calm to chaotic. water crystal formation (positive reinforcement on left, negative reinforcement on right) The class did our plant walk using our workbooks, folks were able to collect, observe and describe a set of 9 common plants growing in San Antonio, not all were easy to observe. This exercise invites us at any level to reconnect with the ways we interact with each plant. As we get make more medicine, we need to consider identifcation and herbology as practice that needs to be continually utilized. Identification is the cornerstone of safer medicine making practices. Taking time to notice its subtleties and identifying marks to have a better connection to medicine making. A majority of these plants can be found at Confluence Park but may also be in your yard or closest green space, if you want to continue practicing. A good Insta to follow for plant identification information is @mesquitepapi (which is my partner's Manuel's ecology project :3 ) Next Friday: April 22: -Collective Altar for Tonantzin: (Yall can bring fruit, flowers, seeds or something to share with others. If you can, (no pressure!) things brought will be shared amongst the class.) -Present on our Herb Spotlight plantita -Gardening & Foraging Overview -Tincture Making