Rachel Berry: Empowering with Herbs

She also lived and worked at The Regenerative Design Institute in Bolinas, California, for four years, studying regenerative living practices and working as the organization’s Program Manager. She now lives in Grass Valley, California, where she creates Sierra Botanica herbal products and offers wild food and medicinal herb classes with her husband, Matt Berry.

1. What is your passion or purpose you are being called to bring into action right now?

Reclaiming our heritage of herbal medicine and living in strong connection with the natural world. I love to facilitate experiences that inspire people to become more curious about herbs and more empowered to use them in their daily lives.

2. What were the motivating factors or defining moments that inspired you to get involved and share your passion?

There have been many, but one of the most influential experiences for me was having the opportunity to live and work on a permaculture demonstration farm on the Northern California coast for several years. It was my first experience becoming deeply bonded to natural landscape, living in a truly give-and-take relationship as a conscious member of an ecosystem. The ecosystem provided food, water, building materials for my house, clean air, an incredible show of birds, plants, and animals of the wild landscape, and much more. I gave my attention, curiosity, gratitude, and respect for these natural systems, and began learning more about them and how to in a mutually beneficial relationship. This is when I discovered my affinity and passion for herbal medicine. I realized that we are made to be in relationship with the plants, and herbal medicine is our heritage and part of reclaiming our place within the natural world.

Another major influence for me was discovering the incredible benefits of herbal medicine for prevention and treatment of common infant and childhood ailments. With help of some common garden herbs, I became more empowered as a parent, and learned how to resolve my daughter’s earaches in the middle of the night, soothe uncomfortable flu systems, stop the itching of a bite or sting, and other useful treatments. This kept us at home, out of the doctor’s office or emergency room, and deepened our respect and gratitude for the plants out our doorstep.

This kind of herbal folk medicine used to be handed down from generation to generation, and I want to help bring it back!

3. What is your mantra or favorite quote you refer to when you seek inspiration or hope and why?

There is not a favorite quote or mantra that I use, but I do believe we have access to a great amount of wisdom and inspiration when we slow down and listen. When I need help in a challenging situation, I take a deep breath, quiet my mind and body, and ask for help. I allow my inner voice to be heard and take whatever comes seriously.

4. Tell us about a moment recently when you were standing in your full power and purpose?

I relate being in my “full power” to when I am feeling deeply connected and present with the world around me and can offer my help to others. I often find inspiration for this state of being while in nature. A few weeks ago, I was out with a friend gathering a medicinal plant I had not used before. I slowed my mind, spent time with the plant, and allowed myself to be receptive to what may come. It was an amazing experience to tune into the rhythm of the natural world and respectfully gather a plant from the wild that now can be used as medicine for myself and others.

5. Why is the work you are doing so important for everyday women

The everyday use of medicinal herbs provides women with an opportunity to participate in more self-care. As women, and especially mothers, we may put the needs of others first and neglect our own needs for health and well-being. We cannot be there for others if we do not take care of ourselves! When we begin to incorporate more herbs into our lives, it comes more naturally to take an herbal bath after a stressful day, treat ourselves to an herbal oil for sore muscles, or make time for a medicinal tea to address a health issue. It becomes an enjoyable process that we make more time for in our busy lives.

In addition, once we begin to incorporate medicinal herbs into our lives, this knowledge will be restored in our family lineages. Our children will grow up knowing what plants to use for a scrape, bug bite, a fever or the flu. We will restore the folk medicine in our homes that most of have lost only in the last few generations, and we can all be more empowered and healthier for it.

6. Why is it so important for women to participate in an event like the Passion into Action Conference?

We need places to share stories, recharge our inspiration, and know that we are not alone in our desire to make the world a better place.

7. What are you hoping will be the biggest take-aways for women both at the Passion into Action Conference and your workshop?

My hope is that women are inspired to begin paying more attention to the plants in their own landscape and foster a growing curiosity and practice with herbs. When we deepen our connection to the plant world in this way, we become more empowered and more capable of bringing a healthy balance back into our own lives and into the world.

My hope is that women come away from the conference with a stronger sense of their own purpose and passion, and the inspiration and confidence to move it forward.

8. What is your message to women around the world?

Reclaim our herbal heritage! It is in our bones and in our blood, and it’s a beautiful gateway into a healthier, more respectful relationship to the earth.