Simone Biles + Passionflower
Finding peace through the storm.
My thoughts are with Simone Biles today. Not the athlete but the woman.
The sister who decided not to compete on a global stage to heal from an invisible pain. Many of us have experienced trauma or depression that lingers. Black women, especially those climbing the career ladder, have to hide it. We aren't allowed to be real in public. We wear the most appropriate mask for that day...and we excel at it. Showing only the side of ourselves that makes 'everyone' comfortable. Having that conscious restraint that hides what's centuries deep. Always avoiding that well-known career blocker: being negatively labeled or stereotyped for being black and a woman.
Many have the luxury of dealing with the heaviness of the mask privately. Unfortunately, Simone, Naomi Osaka, and other prominent women of color have to do it in front of the world. My heart is heavy, and my love is with her, believing she'll emerge stronger and blossom in her season.
Sometimes, I get a feeling I can only describe as "downloading." It's when an herb stands out from all others in its category as meeting the specific needs of someone at that moment.
As I think about Simone Biles, I think of the passionflower because of its power to shatter emotional barriers and usher in peace. Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) is captivating to the eye because it is bizarre and wild. There's so much going on, and it's hard to describe. Yet, when we look into its chemical constituents, we discover it contains several alkaloids that produce a sedative effect, making it perfect for soothing nervous tension, mental fatigue, trauma, and insomnia. In addition, it has bioflavonoids that give it a triple dose of vitamin C, which aids in lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Passionflower is somewhat bitter, but it's tasty with lemon balm and honey.
All you need is a cup or two a day. One teaspoon of fresh or dried leaves in 8 ounces of almost boiling water steeped for 10-15 minutes. That's it. Nature does the rest.
This is my wish for you, sis. Hang in there because joy commeth in the morning.
You can visit eden’s leaves website to see our herbalist-crafted, organic herbal products for emotional health and more that are always made with love.
Kim Violet is a mom, wife, herbalist, and the founder of Eden's Leaves, an herbal products company with medicinal blends for immunity and emotional wellness. She studies, writes, and teaches about herbal medicine. She is also the founder of Simply Brilliant, a consulting practice for organizations creating the world we want to leave for our great-grandchildren.