Showing of 'Numen - The Nature of Plants'

Thursday night, United Plant Savers hosted a viewing of a new film on our relationship to plants called:

Numen, The Nature of Plants

This is taken from a description of the film by UpS staff:

'The film focuses on the healing power of plants and the natural world. Filmmakers Terrence Youk and Ann Armbrecht traveled the U.S. to speak with doctors and herbalists, ethnobotanists and others about how our disconnection from nature affects human and environmental health, and to discover how healing is made possible by embracing our place in the wider web of life. Numen features stunning footage of medicinal plants and thought-provoking interviews advocating a re-awakening of traditional knowledge about plants and their uses.

The film provides viewers with a sobering view of conventional healthcare and the dangers of environmental insults as well as a new vision of safe, effective and sustainable medicine. In addition, it offers concrete steps to improve individual health and well being while enhancing the health of the earth. Interviewees include herbalists Rosemary Gladstar, former owner of Sebastopol's Rosemary's Garden, Phyllis Light, Dr. Tieraona LowDog, Larry Dossey and Martha Herbert, Kenny Ausubel founder of Bioneers and local herb champions , David Hoffmann, Lynda LeMole, Executive Director of United Plant Savers, Drake Sadler and Josef Brinckmann of Traditional Medicinals Herb Tea.

"Numen is a magnificent depiction of the healing essence of plants. The filmmakers captured the magic, the mystery, the beauty of plants and their importance as herbal medicine in our contemporary health care system. Inspiring and educational, Numen has a place in the library of anyone interested in medicine, plants, gardening and earth ecology.It?s a powerful film that I?ll recommend that everyone see? Rosemary Gladstar'

I was privileged to go on an herbal tour to Morocco with Rosemary in 2007. What a sweet and special person she is. She seems quiet and even shy and yet she has had such an impact on herbalism in America. She started so many businesses, and organizations, that have been huge successes and yet she is so humble and unassuming.

I was proud to be a vendor at the event which was a great success. I really felt like an herbalist! My company Wise Women of the West has been around for 14 years now. Someone asked me how long I have been making things out of plants and I realized I started as a small child. I used to try to make perfume all the time. What I was actually making were flower essences! She said, "Did anyone lead you in that direction?" My answer..."it was a past-life thing," which I truly believe... at least in my case.

They got a much bigger crowd than expected, and the place was packed. The film was a tad bit long and a little redundant, but well worth seeing. It should be on PBS!

Try to see it if you can.

United Plant Savers will host a conference called Planting the Future in Santa Rosa, California May 15. For more info click here.