Hello Friends!
A recent conversation with my herbal mentor has lit a fire in me!
She's aware that I'm working to create a line of herbal products for you all that I plan to bring to market next year. She has also seen my enthusiasm for growing all the things. She suggested that I combine those two passions and start a small nursery.
WHY did I not think of this before? With some effort and planning, I absolutely have space for this idea!
So here I am, I’ve decided to blog about each plant I'm considering for the nursery. I'm excited to have you join me on this journey to solidify in my mind the magic and medicine of each plant I’d like to cultivate, share and create with.
I can’t wait to learn alongside you and create some gems for us all to enjoy! Please feel free to message me with any medicinal plants you’d like to see in this series. Let’s GOOO!
Bleeding Heart
First up? Bleeding Heart Dicentra Formosa. Formosa is derived from the Latin word Formosus, which directly translates to “beautiful” or “well formed”, and this PNW gem is definitely just that!
A plant renowned for its delicate beauty and unique heart-shaped flowers, it holds a special place in the hearts of gardeners, herbalists, and folklore enthusiasts alike. Native to the Pacific Northwest (PNW), this enchanting perennial has a rich history of medicinal and magical uses.
Let’s explore the fascinating aspects of the Bleeding Heart, from its lore and magic to its cultivation and medicine.
Family: Papaveraceae
Common Family: Poppy
Family Planet: Chiron
Herbal Actions: Tonic, Alterative, Analgesic
Herbal Energetics: Cooling
Taste: Bitter
Active Constituents: Isoquinaline Alkaloids (protopine, cordine, isocorydine, bulbocapnine, dicentrine) These constituents are what can cause your blood to test positive for opium use.
Organ System: Nervous System - Taken as a Tincture - General Analgesic, Calms Anxiety, Nervousness, Anger, Fear, Moves Stagnant Energy from Past Trauma.
Organ System: General Pain - Applied Topically - Bruises, Sprains, Strains, Tooth aches, Nerve Pain, etc. Apply a hot towel to speed pain relief.
The History and Lore of Bleeding Heart
The history according to Wikipedia: “The Pacific bleeding-heart (Dicentra formosa subsp. formosa) was first noted by Europeans when the Scottish surgeon and naturalist Archibald Menzies encountered it on the Vancouver Expedition. Menzies collected seed in 1792 in Nootka Sound, and gave it to the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in 1795. From there, seed made its way into cultivation in Europe. It apparently was not cultivated in the United States until 1835, when William Kenrick began selling the plant in Boston. The subspecies oregana was first cultivated around 1932, when it was offered by Borsch and Sons in Oregon, but is not grown very often.”
The Bleeding Heart plant has been steeped in lore and legend for centuries however. The flower’s distinctive shape, resembling a heart with a drop of blood falling from it, has inspired various myths and stories.
One popular tale speaks of a heartbroken maiden whose tears transformed into these flowers, symbolizing her eternal love and sorrow. In Victorian times, the Bleeding Heart was often used to express unspoken feelings of love and longing, making it a favorite in romantic gardens.
Another prevalent legend, particularly from Japanese folklore, tells of a young man who tries to win the affection of a maiden with three gifts: a pair of rabbits, silk slippers, and exquisite earrings. Despite his efforts, she rejects him, leading him to take his own life in despair. From the place where he died, the first Bleeding Heart flower grew, symbolizing unrequited love and eternal sorrow
Magical Uses
In magical practices, the Bleeding Heart is associated with healing emotional wounds and fostering compassion. It is believed to help mend broken hearts and strengthen bonds between lovers.
In Spellwork it can be included to bring back the spirit of love to one's life, or to mend a broken heart. Placing Bleeding Heart flowers in your home is said to bring harmony and peace, and carrying a dried flower can protect against emotional turmoil.
Despite the tales of sorrow and unrequited love, the Bleeding Heart flower essence is said to purify and strengthen the heart chakra, supporting compassion for yourself and others as challenging situations unfold.
It helps engender compassion by allowing you to see how your mind interprets the stories of your life and how this affects your actions.
This flower remedy brings an open-hearted attitude and soothes the emotions, re-inviting the spirit of love into your life.
It offers unconditional love to the wounded healer in all of us, providing particular healing for those with a broken heart due to loss, such as divorce, death of a loved one, self-inflicted self-judgments, heartbreak, or the loss of a pet, helping to dispel sadness from the heart.
Cultivation
This herbaceous perennial is in the poppy family. It grows best in open, broad leaved forests, usually close to water, with nutrient rich soil, and fares pretty well in the shady areas of my sister’s backyard too.
Growing to about a foot and a half tall, the delicate light to dark pink heart shaped flowers hang in clusters of 5 to 15. The foliage of lacey fern-like leaves is 24-36 inches wide.
Cultivating Bleeding Heart in your garden can be a rewarding experience, especially if you live in the PNW, where the plant is naturally suited to the climate.
Choose a shady or partially shady spot with soil that is moist, well-drained and rich in humus. Bleeding Hearts thrive in cool, moist environments and prefer protection from the harsh midday sun.
Enrich the soil with organic matter, such as compost or leaf mold, to ensure good drainage and fertility. Plant Bleeding Heart tubers in early spring or fall. If planting from seeds, start them indoors in late winter and transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost.
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply once a week, increasing frequency during dry spells. We tend to get so much rain here in the Spring and early Summer as these are blooming that they are almost care-free in the shaded places of the yard.
Apply a balanced, organic fertilizer in early spring to support growth and flowering. Use mulch to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature. This also helps to suppress weeds.
They flower in mid-April and the above ground plant collapses by mid-July. However, if there is enough shade in the hot Summer months, the foliage will hang around.
After the flowering season, prune back the foliage if it begins to yellow and die back, this is a natural part of the plant’s life cycle and it’ll be back next year.
Fun fact: Not only does this plant attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, the seeds have a small amount of fatty oil called an elaisome. This attracts ants to gather the seeds and carry them back to their colonies. They feed the oils to their larvae and family members and compost the seeds, which allows the plant to propagate in new locations!
Harvesting
To harvest Bleeding Heart flowers for decorative or magical use, cut the stems in the morning when the blooms are fresh. Place the stems in water immediately to prolong their vase life.
If harvesting for traditional medicinal purposes in the Spring or Fall, dig up the roots, which are succulent rhizomes. Clean them before use. During the Spring while it’s in flower, gather and use the entire plant.
Traditional Medicinal Uses of Bleeding Heart
While the Bleeding Heart is more commonly appreciated for its ornamental value, it also has a history of medicinal use. Particularly among Native American tribes, the plant’s roots and leaves were traditionally used to treat a variety of ailments.
Pain Relief: The roots of Dicentra Formosa were often used as a poultice for pain relief. They were applied to sore muscles and bruises to alleviate discomfort.
Sedative Properties: Some tribes used the plant as a mild sedative, brewing the roots into a tea to calm the nerves and promote sleep.
Skin Conditions: The leaves were sometimes used to make a salve for treating skin irritations and minor wounds.
Modern Medicinal Uses of Bleeding Heart
Similar to the historic uses of bleeding heart, it is still used today to calm nerves and relieve pain in general.
Wonderful as a standalone, you can also combine bleeding heart with poppy, wood betony, or skullcap tinctures to increase pain relief, increase appetite, stimulate liver metabolism, and improve crucial anabolic functions for growth, tissue repair, and maintenance of cellular structures in the chronically ill.
Note that the roots are more potent for pain, but whole plant medicine is wonderful for pain, shock, or acute anxiety.
Optimal Preparations: Infusion, Tincture, Elixir, Infused oil, or Salve (I believe I have covered preparations for each of these in previous blog posts. Let me know if you have questions)
Dosage Forms: Tincture 10-20 drops up to 3 times a day
Standard Infusion 2-4 fl oz up to 3 times a day
Precautions/ Contraindications: DO NOT use during pregnancy, when taking prescription medications, and do not exceed the dosage amount. Just a reminder that opiates can test positive in drug tests.
Conclusion
The Bleeding Heart Dicentra Formosa is more than just a pretty face in the garden. Its enchanting flowers, steeped in lore and magical associations, offer a glimpse into the plant's historical and cultural significance. Whether you're drawn to its medicinal properties or simply wish to add a touch of elegance to your garden, the Bleeding Heart is a versatile and rewarding plant to cultivate. With proper care, it can thrive, bringing beauty and a sense of wonder to your outdoor space year after year.
Stay magical, my friends!
Melody
*Bleeding Heart flower essence is generally safe but should be used with caution by those with severe allergies or sensitivities to flower essences. It's important to note that while herbs are generally considered safe for most people when consumed in moderate amounts, individuals with certain medical conditions or those taking medications should consult with a healthcare professional before using them therapeutically. Additionally, pregnant women should exercise caution and seek medical advice before using herbal supplements, as their safety during pregnancy has not been extensively studied.
*Sources I used for this blog post:
Biggest shoutout as always to Sara Butters at Hawthorn & Honey for helping me foster new relationships with these plants out in nature! Check out her online and in person programs https://school.hawthornandhoney.com/
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