Letter from the editor.

On my way back from Mexico two days ago, I felt the familiar belly rumblings that indicate the onset of Montezuma's Revenge. I had been pleased with myself for avoiding illness entirely for my 11-day stay in the Mexico and region, but the clever bugs had just waited for a stealth attack that sent me reeling toward the airplane bathroom on my way back home. Fortunately, I had an emergency homeopathic with me, which helped with acute symptoms, and I took that along with a detox extract combining quassia herb, wormwood, and black walnut hulls, along with a dose of grapefruit seed extract. With the help of those healing plants and the prayers of those around me (especially the strangers near me on the plane!), I made it home in one piece. Now I'm enjoying a bit of rest and rebuilding my belly flora with strong probiotics enriched with nourishing herbs. As I rejoice in my ability to munch on spring garden greens, all I can say is thank you, thank you to all these plants friends: the ones who nourish me with vitamins and vitality, the ones who heal me when I am sick, the ones who share their colors and aromas with me as I walk in the woods, the ones who shelter me from the sun on hot summer days and provide wood for the house I'm building.

We are first and foremost natural creatures, our food and medicine is abundant all around us. Fortunately for us, the earth provides for us all that we need, there for the asking. In her article this issue, Rosita Arvigo applauds her U.S. audience for being receptive to the traditional teachings of the plants; we have been through the "better life through chemistry" of the last few decades, we've come right back around to simple things. We crave to have yet again what is the birthright of all people: a connection to our world through the giving hearts of the green kingdom.

Plants are flexible: they work with us in so many ways. Pharmaceutical companies use extracts from them to make medicines, but traditional healers know the true magic of plants. Each plant has a song and a spirit, and a gift to give to our people. Some herbalists have a special relationship with red root, and some with yellow root, some practitioners treat symptoms with plants, some treat deeper conditions, some even treat their client's core issue over and over, regardless of symptoms or conditions, and see wonderful results. Plant's' best benefit is through relationship. In what ways do the plants want to work with you? How do they nourish yon each day, how do they heal you, or in partnership with you provide healing to others? In this issue, you'll find our writers answering these questions for themselves, and through their words, bringing you the blessings of their plant friends. Enjoy!