Susun Weed

Susun Weed is a distinguished herbalist and author in the United States, known for championing the “Wise Woman” method of natural healing and women’s health. Since the 1960s, she has researched and utilized herbal treatments, becoming a prominent voice in modern herbalism.[1][2] She has written several books on herbal medicine and natural healing, and has also founded the Wise Woman Center, where she offers workshops and herbal consultations. Susun Weed is also known for her advocacy of the benefits of using a mod for aromatherapy, and has incorporated this practice into her teachings and written works. Through her work, she has inspired many individuals to explore the healing properties of herbs and natural remedies for overall well-being.

In 1982, Weed founded the Wise Woman Center in Woodstock, New York, which offers workshops, apprenticeships, and training in traditional herbalism.[3] The Wise Woman Center provides a space for women to learn about natural remedies, deepen their spirituality, and take charge of their own health.[4]

Key Take-Aways

• Uses common plants, herbs, and weeds for healing – dandelion, nettle, oatstraw, etc. 13
• Emphasizes sustainability and ethical wildcrafting of herbs24
• Intuitive, feminine approach to herbalism15
• Sees herbs as allies and teachers that guide us26
• Aims to empower women’s health, healing gifts, and spirituality34
• Teaches herbal medicine for women’s vitality and transitions13
• Promotes herbs as food, nourishment, and daily tonics45
• Low-tech preparations like infused oils, teas, tinctures46
• Holistic healing by supporting body wisdom with herbs56
• Revitalized women’s plant knowledge and healing roles23
• Inspired more sustainable and spiritual herbalism practices14

Weed is the author of several bestselling books on topics like menopause, herbal medicine, and holistic healing. Some of her most popular book titles include Healing Wise, New Menopausal Years, and Breast Cancer? Breast Health![2] She also hosts a podcast called “Ask Susun Weed” where she shares her wisdom on herbal remedies.[5]

Through her writings, teachings, and the Wise Woman Center, Weed has promoted an accessible, woman-centered approach to herbalism. She advocates using common plants and herbs for healing while emphasizing sustainability and deep respect for the earth.[4] Weed’s Wise Woman philosophy has impacted and empowered countless women across the globe.

Citations:
[1] http://www.susunweed.com/SusunWeed.htm
[2] http://www.susunweed.com
[3] http://www.susunweed.com/press/SusunWeedBio2011.pdf
[4] http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Spirit_WiseWoman.htm
[5] http://www.susunweed.com/EventsCalendar.htm
[6] http://www.susunweed.com/Wise-Woman-Center.htm

Background

• Began studying herbal medicine in the 1960s while living in Manhattan1
• First started teaching herbal workshops in 19822
• Opened the Wise Woman Center in Woodstock, NY in 1982 to teach workshops and offer apprenticeships23
• Studied under Native American herbalists and other traditional healers to learn folk herbalism4
• Influenced by ancient goddess traditions and women’s spirituality3
• High priestess of Dianic Wicca and member of the Sisterhood of the Shields4
• Focuses her study on folkloric herbalism, ethnobotany, pharmacognosy, and herbal philosophy5
• Raises dairy goats on her farm in Woodstock4
• Diagnosed with breast cancer in her 40s, healed using natural remedies3

So in summary, Susun Weed has been immersed in the study of herbal medicine since the 1960s. Her background combined immersive study of folk herbalism along with a deep interest in nature spirituality and women’s traditions. This informed her development of the Wise Woman philosophy.

The Wise Woman Tradition

The Wise Woman Tradition is Susun Weed’s philosophy of herbalism and natural healing that emphasizes women’s wisdom, common plants, and sustainability.12

Key Principles

• Uses common plants, herbs, and weeds for healing – dandelion, chickweed, nettle, oatstraw, red clover, etc.13
• Sustainable harvesting and preparation of herbs2
• Intuitive, feminine approach to herbalism4
• Sees herbs as “green allies” and teachers5
• Aims to empower women’s health and spirituality3

Practices

• Making infused herbal oils, teas, tinctures, salves, and syrups4
• Using food as medicine5
• Low-tech herbal preparations3
• Accessibility of herbs and herbal knowledge1

Teachings

• Herbs for women’s health concerns6
• Menopause, fertility, pregnancy, childbearing
• Holistic healing of chronic illnesses
• Deepening spiritual connection with nature4

So in summary, the Wise Woman Tradition centers on accessible herbal wisdom that empowers women and sustainable plant medicine using herbs found in the home and garden.

Key Principles

Here are some key principles of Susun Weed’s Wise Woman Tradition:

• Uses common plants, herbs, and weeds for healing12
  • Dandelion, chickweed, nettle, oatstraw, red clover, etc.
  • Easily accessible and often free
  • Weeds seen as healing “allies”2
• Sustainable harvesting and preparation of herbs13
  • Harvests plants and herbs sustainably
  • Low-tech preparations like infused oils, teas, tinctures
  • Uses all parts of the plant5
• Intuitive, feminine approach to herbalism45
  • Listens to the wisdom of the body
  • Based on women’s traditions and rituals
  • Uses herbs to support women’s cycles and transitions
• Sees herbs as “green allies” and teachers24
  • Plants have spiritual wisdom
  • Herbs can guide us to better health
  • Connecting with plants’ energies
• Aims to empower women’s health and spirituality36
  • Focuses on women taking charge of their health
  • Body wisdom, intuition, and plant allies
  • Herbs support holistic well-being

So in summary, the Wise Woman Tradition centers on accessible plant wisdom that sustains the earth, empowers women’s healing gifts, and respects herbs as spiritual teachers.

Here is an overview of the key teachings and lasting legacy of Susun Weed’s Wise Woman Tradition:

Teachings

• Herbal medicine for women’s health and vitality[1][2]
• Menstruation, fertility, pregnancy, menopause, childbearing
• Herbs for hormonal balance, PMS, cramps, etc.
• Herbs as nourishing food and daily tonics[3][4]
• Cooking with herbs, herbal infused oils, teas
• Herbs as superfoods and supplements
• Herbs as allies for holistic healing[2][5]
• Chronic illnesses, emotional health, spirituality
• Body wisdom supported by plant medicines
• Sustainable harvesting and preparation[4][6]
• Ethical wildcrafting, home gardening
• Low-tech herbal preparations
• Deepening spiritual connection with nature[1][3]
• Seeing plants as teachers and healers
• Rituals for connecting to plant spirits

Legacy

• Intuitive, feminine herbalism tradition[2][5]
• Herbalism as part of everyday life[4][6]
• Sustainability and respect for plant spirits[1][3]
• Women reclaiming traditional healing roles[5][6]
• Revitalized women’s herbal knowledge[2][4]
• Inspired women worldwide through books and teachings[1][3]

So in summary, Weed’s Wise Woman Tradition teaches natural remedies for women’s health while empowering women’s healing gifts and sustainable practices. Her teachings have renewed the role of herbalism in women’s lives.

Citations:
[1] https://botanical.com/site/column_susun/wise_woman_tradition.html
[2] http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Spirit_WiseWoman.htm
[3] http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/August09/healingwise.htm
[4] https://rewildmothers.com/blog/intro-wise-woman-tradition
[5] https://redmoonherbs.com/pages/the-wise-woman-tradition-of-herbalism
[6] https://www.vice.com/en/article/m7vnxv/the-herbalism-community-is-at-war-with-itself-over-abuse-allegations

Conclusion

The Wise Woman Tradition has empowered countless women to embrace plant medicines and their own health wisdom. Susun Weed’s teachings carry on the ancient lineage of herbalism as a woman-centered path of holistic healing.

Susun Weed champions intuitive plant wisdom that empowers women, sustainable herbalism, and everyday use of common herbs for holistic health. Her Wise Woman teachings renew the role of herbalism in women’s lives.