In her Durham-based kitchen and home apothecary, herbalist Lindsay Perry of Full Flower Herbs crafts healing medicinal extracts with integrity and intention, from nature’s gentle yet potent medicine: flowers, leaves, roots, berries, and bark.

This is medicine of the earth, carefully gathered with thanks, songs and offerings, like a sprinkle of special river water, and generally infused with the magic of small batch, handmade medicine. An hour spent filling a basket with honeysuckle flowers. Pocketfuls of precious pipsissewa leaves, collected taking just one or two leaves from each sturdy little plant. A modest basket of goldenrod taken from a meadow's edge. Roots grown from seed, nourished with compost, and lovingly tended through seasons by local farmer partners. Dandelion seeds blown over garden beds and left to grow deep, gnarled tap roots.

This slow and thoughtful process results in potent, truly sustainable, ecologically friendly medicine for body and soul.


Origins
I made my first tincture in spring of 2011. A tincture is an herbal extract made in alcohol. I’d been feeling blah, bluesy. Gazing at the cheerful magenta blossoms in a mimosa tree, I recalled that a friend had told me of its use as an anti-depressant. I picked the most vibrant blossoms, and at home I searched "how to make a tincture." I chopped the blossoms, poured vodka over them, and allowed them to soak for a couple of weeks—I later learned, I had made a “folk” method tincture.

I strained out the spent plant material before leaving for work, in the process spilling some on the counter. Rather than waste, I slurped up the precious golden liquid—a pretty generous dose. At work I was energetic, chatty, effervescent. At the end of the day, I thought, “What a great day.” That’s when I remembered the mimosa. I had found my first plant ally! …. And I was hooked on plant medicine.

Through my work as an herbalist and medicine maker, I hope to help others find their plant allies: those plants with particular medicine to help them to attain optimal health and balance. I also seek to support others in forming mutual relationships with plants and the natural world. Through relationship, we both heal. We give and take.

I am still learning and growing into my calling as an herbalist. I began studying herbalism in 2010, and have since been engaged in continual study, via classes with local and regional plant teachers, including Kim Calhoun (AbunDANCE Healing Arts, Pittsboro, NC) and Juliet Blankespoor (Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, Asheville, NC). Because I am still learning, I choose to work primarily with plants I know well, that I can grow or forage myself. I have used all of the herbs and formulas I offer. Most of the herbs I use are tonic, health promoting, and can be taken long term with no adverse effects.


Mission
To be a point of entry into the world of herbal medicine and natural healing, empowering people to take control of their health
To provide the highest quality botanical medicine, made from fresh plants whenever possible, using ecologically sound practices to support people, plants, and wildlife
To support people in forming mutual relationships with plants and the natural world


Is it Local?
Herbalism is an extension of the local food / slow food movement. Through these movements we practice awareness of what we put in our bodies, support ecologically sound practices, and bring balance and healing to our bodies and environment.

For wholesale inquiries, reach me at Fullflowerherbs[at]gmail.com.

Thank you for getting to know my shop!