Nature’s Intelligence: What Can Plants Teach Us About Connectivity?

We live in a highly technological world where much of human connection has begun to occur online. I am pretty guilty. Instead of calling a friend or going out to a family gathering, I may choose to “reserve my energy” and stay in. And what do I do while I stay in? …scroll away on social media.

And social media knows me!

Social media is the crossroads of several multi-billion dollar industries that have paid top dollar to show me what they want to sell me based on an algorithm tailored to what videos I liked, posts I lingered at too long, or who I am friends with. And because social media knows I’m an earthy girl who likes to live healthy, it sends me videos with “health tips”. An hour into scrolling, I have diagnosed myself with “cortisol face” and I’m frantically searching for the right “holistic” supplement to reduce my stress hormone. THE IRONY! Maybe you recognize a similar pattern in yourself.

That’s okay. We are only human. But we can get back on track by following the cues of nature. When I decide to take a break and visit Smile’s garden, I notice the grand variety of plants. Patches of chamomile intermingle with a vine of butterfly pea flowers. Stinging nettles guard a rose bush. And a jungle of varied aromatic herbs create a fortress around sunflowers too heavy to stay erect. One bloom invites pollinators, the other blooms get them to stay. The strong scent of one herb keeps a nearby plant from being eaten by the neighborhood groundhog. It reminds me of the beauty of variance.

We need one another, despite our seemingly opposing personality quirks. It makes me wonder…am I isolating myself with a preoccupation with “protecting my peace”? Is my desire for “self-discovery” making me vulnerable to predatory algorithms? Balance is needed and one particular plant ally has been supporting me on my journey: Damiana.

Damiana is native to South America and has been rumored to be the primary ingredient of the very first margarita. This friendly shrub is known to be a mood lifter, anxiety soother, and…even an aphrodisiac. It is most often recommended as a support in the case of someone being anxious about their performance. And these bright benefits shouldn’t be a surprise when one beholds damiana’s small yellow flowers that practically look like dappled sunshine across the greenery.

A cup of damiana tea has served me as the perfect cup of liquid courage to get me out of my head and back into the community. Sometimes I may enjoy a damiana tincture or Anima Mundi’s Euphoria in a mocktail, just to get the mood going for a social affair.

Being out in the world is a must for true growth and community building. Sometimes it’s when we don’t feel like it we need it the most. I hope you find a plant ally to hold your hand as you find your way…and if you need help, borrow mine: Damiana.

For More Information:

Smile Herb Blogs: Damiana

Smile Herb Blogs: Community

Medicinal Plant Index: Damiana

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