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Archaic Joy's avatar

Have yet to meet Ocotillo, but she reminds me of Devil's Club, a plant I consider a dear friend. Vastly different environments (dry spiny desert versus moist mossy forest), but both protective, spine-full and worthy of reverence. Enjoyed reading this bit of writing, as when Ocotillo appears for me, I'll be able to recognize with certainty. Thanks for sharing your Plant stories John!

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John J Slattery's avatar

Nice comparison. As they come from different settings, they are intrinsically distinct, but there is a common resonance between the two. Devil's club is more widely known, appreciated, and perhaps understood. Ocotillo is perhaps a bit more enigmatic, if not specific in its Nature, by comparison, but I know devil's club far less than i do ocotillo.

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Nettie's avatar

I have experienced both your ocotillo tincture and your ocotillo flower tincture. Would you please compare the difference between the two in effect and application? I have used the ocotillo tincture more often than the flower tincture, and I do think there is an “opening of the heart”, a return to allowing the flow of compassion in difficult situations that this plant facilitates.

Although I live in northern Canada, we have hiked in your Bioregion and experienced the ocotillo plant blooming in person. It has a stark beauty, and a delightful presence when it suddenly blooms.

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John J Slattery's avatar

That's beautiful, Nettie. Thank you for sharing.

The difference may be subtle, but I feel the flower preparation is more oriented towards the emotional heart than the other physiological properties of ocotillo preparations that the bark preparation may provide.

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Nettie's avatar

I will experiment further. Do you notice a difference between using micro doses (for example…3 drops) versus a dropper full? I am somewhat influenced by Mathew Wood’s approach. Less is more? Nudge the body toward recognition and recovery rather than a perhaps allopathic approach?

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John J Slattery's avatar

less than 5 drop doses are sufficient for working on the subtle emotional body. larger doses are necessary for promoting lymph flow, for example.

context is everything, but one can experience greater/more immediate effects when a higher dose (to a point) is taken.

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Countrybumpkin's avatar

Ocotillos are amazing! They sit there, pretending to be dead or asleep maybe, for months at a time, then a sprinkle comes and wallah! Beautiful leaves and bright flowers magically appear. Simply amazing. I can't think of the words to describe it. Awe inspiring even. But then most of the desert plants have their own magical characteristics. Ocotillo, however, is truly magical. Thanks, John, for the reminders of my former desert.

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