3 Native Summer Herbs for Sacred Body and Earth
Yarrow, Red Clover, and Bee Balm
When I walk the land in the fullness of summer, I walk slowly. I listen deeply. The Earth is alive in all her abundance. The sun’s light carries warmth and power. The plants have reached their peak expression. This season is rich with vitality, a season to receive and to give back. For over fifty years, I have walked this path with the plants of the Carolinian bioregion. Three native herbs have continuously revealed themselves as allies for the sacred body and for the sacred Earth itself. Yarrow, Red Clover, and Bee Balm hold medicine not just in their leaves and flowers but in their very presence. They teach us how to live in relationship with the cycles of life and how to care for the body as a living extension of the Earth.
As we prepare for our Sacred Body Sacred Earth retreat this August, these three plants call us to remember who we are. They remind us that our bodies and the Earth are not separate. We carry the land within us. We are woven of the same forces that nourish the wild meadows and forests. These herbs support us in embodying that truth.
Yarrow: The Teacher of Boundaries and Strength
Yarrow has been my companion for decades. I first met her as a young herbalist walking through wild fields. Her feathery leaves and tight clusters of white flowers hold a quiet strength. Yarrow is a plant that protects and holds space. She works deeply on the blood and the subtle energetic boundaries of the body. She helps move stagnation, supports healing of wounds, and tones the liver and circulatory system. But what has always touched me most is Yarrow’s teaching about boundaries—not closing off but standing strong and clear in one’s own center.
In the retreat space, this is an essential medicine. When people gather for deep work, emotions can become intense. Yarrow helps each person hold their own energy. It supports a balance between openness and protection, between receiving and giving. When I harvest Yarrow, I do so with gratitude and respect. I listen for her voice. Preparing her as a gifting medicine or tea brings a medicine of clarity and fortitude that resonates not just physically but energetically.
Yarrow reminds us that holding boundaries is not a barrier but a form of love, for ourselves and others. It allows us to stay rooted and present even as we are touched by the wider field. This is the foundation for sacred embodiment and connection to Earth.
Red Clover: The Gentle Nourisher of Body and Spirit
Red Clover grows abundantly in meadows and fields. Her soft pink blossoms are like jewels in the sun. She is a gentle teacher of nourishment and renewal. Rich in minerals and flavonoids, Red Clover supports the blood and lymphatic systems. It is deeply cleansing and cooling. For those who feel depleted or overwhelmed by heat, Red Clover offers relief and restoration.
But Red Clover’s medicine goes beyond the physical. She reminds us to slow down and receive. The sacred body is not a machine to fix but a temple to honour. Red Clover’s presence invites tenderness and receptivity. She teaches us about the rhythms of rest and renewal, of softening and opening.
I often prepare Red Clover as a slow infusion, a tea to sip mindfully throughout the day. It becomes a ritual of care, a way to tune into the wisdom of the body and the cycles of nature. For the Sacred Body Sacred Earth retreat, Red Clover supports the inner work of nurturing the body and listening deeply. She helps us remember that healing and vitality arise from connection and kindness, to ourselves and the Earth.
Bee Balm: The Fiery Awakener and Joyful Spirit
Bee Balm is a vivid splash of colour in summer fields. Its bright red and purple flowers attract bees and butterflies. Bee Balm is a plant of fire and expression. Her aromatic leaves are full of volatile oils that open the breath and stoke the digestive fire. She is antimicrobial and supportive of the immune system.
For me, Bee Balm carries a spirit of joy and awakening. She lifts the heart and clears the confusion. She reminds us that healing is not only about rest and repair but also about reclaiming vitality and creative expression. Bee Balm is medicine for the times when we need to rise up and speak our truth, to dance and move our bodies freely.
In the retreat, Bee Balm supports ceremonies that call in fire and transformation. She is an ally for the work of shedding old patterns and stepping into the fullness of life. Her bright flowers and sweet scent invite us to celebrate our place in the living web of Earth.
Living in Relationship with the Land and the Body
Yarrow, Red Clover, and Bee Balm are more than just herbs. They are teachers who remind us that the Earth and the body are one living system. They offer medicine that is physical, energetic, and spiritual. Over the fifty years I have worked with these plants, they have supported not only my own health but also the journeys of many people seeking to deepen their connection with themselves and the Earth.
The Sacred Body Sacred Earth retreat is a space where this relationship can unfold and be honoured. It invites us to listen deeply to the land, to our own bodies, and to the plants that grow wild and free around us. Harvesting with respect and intention, preparing medicine with love, and taking time to receive the gifts of these plants are acts of devotion and healing.
I invite you to meet these plants where they grow. Spend time with their medicine this summer. Drink their teas slowly. Let them teach you about boundaries, nourishment, and joyful expression. In doing so, you enter into a living conversation with the Earth and your own sacred body. This is the path to vitality and true belonging.
May this season of fullness bring you back to the deep intelligence that flows through all life. May these three herbs support you in standing firmly in your own medicine and in your sacred connection with the Earth.
