I recently drove down to the Asheville, North Carolina region to help out at some herbal clinics. This is about 2 1/2 months after the devastation of Hurricane Helene. The clinics were mostly working with chronic and persistent issues, rather than the acute issues that followed directly after the destructive flooding and landslides caused by the hurricane.
roads, and other structures near the creek.
Before I go any further with my write-up, I want to note that I was only around Asheville for 1 week, and many herbalists and other folks have been volunteering since Hurricane Helene hit in late September. Many people lost their homes, offices, and jobs. The situation continues to be a struggle as the Asheville economy is partly reliant on tourism, which has shrunk since the hurricane.
I have many close friends in and around Asheville; it is a place I know well. I felt bad not showing up until December. However, several people let me know that it was still appreciated as many of the volunteers felt burnt out and were glad to have some fresh energy.
I write this to encourage others to consider helping out wherever you feel called to. Even if it is much later. There is always much to do after the damage has occurred, whether from wildfires, floods, or tornados.
One should approach these situations with a healthy dose of humility. Let the folks there show you what needs to be done. If you have a specific skill, find others with similar skills to help you get started.
CoreyPIne Shane, Jeannie Dunn, 7Song & Lupo Lauren Passero
There are many herbalists and herbally-inclined folks in and around Asheville, NC. And many of them pooled their resources to set up herbal clinics in the region. It was heartening to see and be a part of these herbal operations set up by the individual herbalists and the Appalachian Herb Collective (https://www.appalachianherbcollective.net/).
occurred due to the river flooding.
These clinics offered herbal shares where people could take home free herbal supplies such as tea, tinctures, syrups, and other herbal items donated by individuals and companies. They also offered consultations for people to discuss their health concerns with an herbalist and have individual medicines made for them. This was the aspect that I was a part of.
These clinics were also places for individuals to gather and be in the company of others affected by the physical and emotional harm caused by the hurricane.
The clinics were held at various locations. These included setting up a large tent in the basketball court of the Big Ivy Community Center in Barnardsville, working from the top story of the food co-op in downtown Asheville, a closed coffee shop in Hot Springs, and a basement retail space in Mars Hill. All of these spaces were generously donated or paid for by benefactors. As someone prone to cynicism (to put it lightly), it is inspiring to see people work together, often at the financial and emotional expense of themselves.
I saw about 30 people at the 4 herbal clinics I was a part of. I mainly offered individual consultations. At each clinic, we would find a space that allowed a bit of privacy and sign people up as they came in. If many people signed up, I would try to keep the consultation shorter, though they were generally a minimum of 20 minutes.
At the end of each consultation, I would write down the plants and preparations that I thought would be beneficial and then go to the medicine preparation station, where they would be put the formula together. I would go over the dosage and frequency of each preparation. We did not have all the herbs I suggested, so we commonly made substitutions with what was available. There were also other herbalists offering consultations. Many of the folks I saw were volunteers going through their own hardships. I was glad to be able to help them in any way I could.
stations where the trees were collected and chipped up.
Health Conditions and Herbal Preparations
Below are some of the common health conditions I saw working at the herbal clinics, along with some of the plants I used most frequently. This section is not meant to be a treatment guide but rather to give an idea of what we saw and what was helpful in this situation.
Every event is different, so it is important to consult with people already helping to find out what medicines and supplies might be most needed.
Since I arrived about 2½ months after the hurricane, I was working with more chronic conditions, exacerbations of pre-existing conditions, as well as grief, depression, and anxiety that accompany these catastrophes.
I typed up all my patient notes so that if anyone needs refills, I can send them the information.
I realize that many more herbs could be added to this list, but these were the medicines we had on hand.
Eliza Rose, 7Song, and CoreyPine Shane.
Mental Health-Grief, depression, sadness, anxiety, panic attacks.
Rose (Rosa species), Betony (Betonica officinalis), Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), Damiana (Turnera diffusa), Anemone (Anemone species), Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca), Oats (Avena sativa), Ghost pipe (Monotropa uniflora), Peach leaf (Prunus persica)
Cognitive Function-Brain fog, memory issues, concentration difficulties.
Calamus (Acorus calamus), Gingko (Ginkgo biloba), Gotu kola (Centella asiatica), Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Fatigue-Exhaustion, burn-out.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus)
Gynecological- Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Peony (Paeonia lactiflora), Wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa)
GI Issues-Bloating, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), GI pain.
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), Turkey rhubarb (Rheum palmatum), Yellow dock (Rumex crispus), Catnip (Nepeta cataria), Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria)
Pain-General, arthritis, muscle aches.
Japanese knotweed (Reynoutria japonica), Yucca (Yucca species), Licorice (Glycyrrhiza species), Jamaican dogwood (Piscidia piscipula), Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), CBD
Respiratory Illness-Cough, sore throat, phlegm, asthma, post-viral syndrome.
Elecampane (Inula helenium), Pleurisy root (Asclepias tuberosa), Elderberry syrup (Sambucus species), Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea), Wild cherry (Prunus serotina), Gumweed, Grindelia species), Lobelia (Lobelia inflata)
Sleep Difficulties-Insomnia, cannot fall asleep, cannot stay asleep
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), Hops (Humulus lupulus), Kava (Piper methysticum)
