Herbalist Alexandra Radoaca’s Romanian ancestry means that she grew up learning about how to use medicinal plants. “In my culture, it’s not a big deal,” she says. “It’s just part of everyday life.” Radoaca’s journey into serious herbalism started around 10 years ago. “I got older,” she says, “and I realized I had all of these skills. We all have health issues. It’s about looking for complementary ways to work with modern medicine.” Radoaca is hosting a workshop called “The Bitter End: Poisonous Plants 101” on July 17. The event is being held at her shop, Vulgaris Herbs, in Chester, with $45 tickets per person.
Because of her heritage, Radoaca is very aware of the traditions of herbalism. She marries that tradition with the science behind medicinal plants. “I think it’s really important to look at herbal medicine as part of a spectrum,” Radoaca says. “When we have a challenge in our lives, the most simple medicine could just be to do nothing, to step back and process the information given to us, get a reiki treatment, do yoga, or go to the gym. Then, on the other side of the spectrum is modern medicine. If you get Lyme, go take antibiotics, but also take herbs that help your body process those antibiotics.” Radoaca’s herb shop is an oasis of herbal remedies and education. “Our mission is to support herbal medicine as the people’s medicine,” she says. The shop prioritizes sourcing sustainable, abundant, and affordable plants. More than that, Radoaca also wants to give people the skills and knowledge needed to make their own remedies. “We want to encourage people to engage with the plants as much as possible.”
Her upcoming workshop is all about making sure people are educated about the toxic, poisonous, and medicinal plants located around the Hudson Valley. Poison hemlock and water hemlock are both part of the carrot or parsley family. Water hemlock is notoriously one of the most toxic plants growing in North America, due to the high concentration of cicutoxin found in its roots. Even ingesting a small dosage of the root can be fatal. Every part of poison hemlock is toxic. If the plant is touched, rubbed, or if its leaf is destroyed, it will release a poisonous oil as a defense mechanism. This oil can damage the respiratory and nervous systems. It is common that people accidentally come into contact with poison hemlock while mowing their lawns. To try and combat this, Radoaca is a member of a web of herbalists that keep tabs on where the plant is located, and are able to notify authorities to send out safety warnings when new patches are discovered.
While water hemlock and poison hemlock are completely toxic, many toxic plants can be used medicinally, as long as they are harvested and prepared correctly. “Every single medicinal plant can also be poisonous,” Radoaca says. While the berries of pokeweed, or pokeberry, can lead to sickness, the young shoots of the plant can be eaten in the spring, and the root of the plant can be used medicinally as an immune system stimulant. Perforate St John’s-wort is a plant with woody roots and yellow flowers that, when heated into an oil, tea, or tincture, can be used in conjunction with other medicines to treat moderate cases of depression. However, if prepared incorrectly, it can cause photosensitivity or make a person’s skin burn when exposed to sunlight. Elderberry is another plant that contains immense healing capabilities—boiled flowers and cooked or dried berries can be made into antioxidant-rich tinctures that boost immune system function. However, when consumed raw, the plant contains cyanogenic glycosides that can release cyanide into the body.
The most important part of herbalism, according to Radoaca, is plant identification. The only way to unlock the healing properties of plants is to use proper care, awareness, and preparation. “Herbalism has become so popular these days,” Radoaca says. “It’s so important for people to learn how to identify plants and use a reliable field guide.” It is also important to her that people work with the plants around them locally. “It’s always so important to work with the ordinary and appreciate what plants are around us,” she says.
