In this podcast episode Of Healing Around the Diaspora, herbalist Sequoria Coco Dickerson shares her personal journey with herbalism and entheogenic plants like Iboga for healing depression with host Khetnu Nefer, founder of the Gullah Geechee Herbal Gathering. She emphasizes the importance of ancestral reclamation and community support in holistic health. You can learn more about Sequoria and her works at www.route2roots.org and FB/IG: @routeroots2wellness and you can attend her workshop: " Iboga: Eat Me and I Will Remind You Who You Are at the 4th annual Gullah Geechee Herbal Gathering taking place on Oct. 6-8, 2023 on Johns Island, SC. Tickets are available at www.gullahgeecheeherbalgathering.com

Key Points:

Sequoria's own struggles with depression led her to explore the power of herbalism and plant medicine.

Plant medicine, especially anthropogenic plants, are powerful in helping individuals gain insight and clarity by removing blocks and expanding their perception.

The speaker's experience in Gabon allowed her to further explore her genealogy and strengthen her understanding of herself and her roots.

Iboga helps individuals reconnect with their intuition, soul, and divine GPS, leading to increased confidence and liberation.

Iboga provides a brain detox, bringing up and releasing intense emotions and past experiences.

Working with experienced individuals who understand the spirit of the medicine is essential.

The retreat explores herbalism practices from both enslaved people and African tribes.

Best Quotes:

"Accessing alternative wellness practices that our medical coverage doesn't provide can help us move past barriers to healthcare, especially in relation to mental health."

"Entheogenic plants have been used by indigenous communities for thousands of years to support mental and emotional well-being."

"Ancestral reclamation allows us to break free from societal expectations and find healing in our own traditions."

"That overarching support is what we really do need now as a community."

"I'm grateful that I'm making these connections with amazing individuals like yourself who are doing the work in different places."

"Learn some of these self-care and herbalism practices from our shared lineage of being the descendants of enslaved people, but also from those tribes, you know, throughout Africa and the diaspora."

Healing around the Diaspora: Exploring the Wisdom of Black and Indigenous Herbalist Healers

In this inaugural podcast episode, Tatiana Eves, a medicine woman and herbalist, shares her journey of discovering her roots and ancestral knowledge in herbal practices with host, Khetnu Nefer, founder of the Gullah Geechee Herbal Gathering. She highlights the importance of developing a respectful and reciprocal relationship with nature for herbalists and moving away from a capitalist mindset. Tatiana also discusses her current favorite plant ally, California poppy, and her monthly online class and in-person workshops.

Key Points
• It is important to embrace diversity and learn about people's why to be better stewards of their vision in their purpose.

• The Gullah Geechee Herbal Gathering is in its fourth year and takes place annually on Johns Island, South Carolina, which is within the Gullah Geechee Nation.

• The speaker notes that a deeper understanding of individual plants can lead to a deeper connection with nature.

• The gathering has become a beautiful, humbling, and eye-opening experience for people who attend.

• Building community is essential in the healing process.

• The goal is to continue the work beyond just the gathering and make it accessible to everyone.

• Social media and personal connections can help bridge the gap for those unable to attend in-person events.

Best Quotes
10:20 - 10:27
• "I really want people to have a feel for who the presenters are so they could even make a greater informed choice."

18:04 - 18:11
• "How these plants are working with people and like what the extent of the medicine is... it's just really beautiful to see that as well."

22:54 - 23:07
• "People come into it and they're like, I found this thing, I can identify this thing. Let me grab all of it... we need to be thankful and we need to be respectful."

25:04 - 25:13
• "Let's meet these beings right as beings, right? As life. And let's, let's be respectful."

38:58 - 39:03
• "I very much believe that when things manifest in the physical, they start in the spiritual."