I needed something tender today. I’m a solider today. A warrior. Out in the field. I found a bit of softness to settle my thoughts ONTO to move my attention out from my head and throughOUT my body.

I reached for nature’s tenderness. In the form of a leaf.

At peak moments of taking in saturated information that comes from all points of command (uh… stress anyone?), touch, e.g., creating with your hands, especially if you have a kinesthetic processing style, can help heal the sense of separation between your busy head and your BIG heart. Your busy mind processing data points about caregiving, business-running, co-parenting, project management, traffic, schedules, what’s for dinnerandYOU – your precious self. Your sanctity.

Like, where’s the comfort, huh?You’ll find that comfort you seek as you allow for the perceived space of separation that makes you feel “bad” to be instead a pathway. By using your hands, you switch “railways” in your brain and tap into more constructive processes. Funny huh? That’s what a leaf can do. That’s the higher frequency that is creativity.

For me, I’m blessed with being an HSP (read: highly sensitive peep). I’m grateful, though the road to this appreciation hasn’t been easy. Story for another day. Yet, as a HSP – deep feeler type, the simple act of a tiny creation with my hands can be transportive. Meditative. A time for communion, connection, calm. I come out of the “battlefield” changed. Evolved. Clear.
A simple leaf did the trick for me. Not any leaf, but a very soft, special leaf. That of a Lamb’s Ear. Yes. That’ll do. Let’s me serve you up some #FridayPlantHappyHour goodness about a Lamb’s Ear leaf.

Often found in hospital #healinggardens, especially for children’s facilities, Lamb’s Ear is a joy. Have you had the pleasure of holding this plant’s leaf in your hand. Ask ANY kiddo. It.Is.So.Soft. Velvet. Felt. Plush. Think: flannel PJ’s, your puppy’s or rabbit’s ear.

So soft that it has been used historically as bandage – wound soother and protector and banisher of bad dreams. Said to have anti-inflammatory/antibacterial properties built into the leaf, when mashed, it helps with insect bites/stings and is absorbent (pardon me, I’m super potty-training aware right now). As I manipulated the leaf in my hand, I could feel the emotional “stings” of my mind soothed. Like sanctuary in the palm of my hand.

Stachys byzantina reigns in zones 4-8. Sorry desert dwellers, but there are alternatives (contact me for a consult to find a matchy-match for your locale). SUPER low-care needs with high sensory benefit. Yep, serve this plant up as a “beauty with benefits” brew for me and you. It’s hardy and geez, the bees be happy too. I love designing Lamb’s Ear into serenity gardens where I know there will be kids AND adults who will are encouraged to be wild and curious – using touch as a vital part of processing the world inside and out. Critical in connecting the dots back to ourselves.

I love the groundcover “skirt” as a border plant and a design gesture that moves the eye (much like it moves your thoughts upon touch). It plays OUT with its natural, flowing character, and oh my, the plant outfits made with silver foliage star Lamb’s Ear – from the sister blue-grey tones of Santolina to the deep burgundies, Lamb’s Ear grey can act as a secret sauce bright light (white-ish) sheen or that sophisticated sage green “quieter” for modern style venues.

As for my tiny creation, after caressing the leaf like a rosary bead, I paired it with a heavily dissected Japanese maple leaf and made a quick-like boutonniere. Tucked into a button hole of my coat, I had my reminder that tenderness, sensitivity and creativity is both our magic and what makes us so courageous.

Note: do not eat this plant. Consult your eastern (or western) medicine practitioner for appropriate extracts / supplements, ya dig?

Want more soothing, #restorativenature #thrivingoutsidehealinginside serenity boosts like this to help you #BeYourOwnSanctuary? Sign up for The Sanctuary Salon membership wait list and we’ll notify you when the garden gates open for our next seasonal enrollment!