‘In Second Nature we don’t see ourselves part of it. Nature then, in this definition, is decoupled from human systems and seen as an external attribute.’
A very fine point and I feel it’s true, although what if the beauty of humanity and our role on this Earth is to shape it, naturally and regeneratively, just as the ungulates that move clearings and squirrels burying nuts below ground? What a reassuring, purpose-providing thought 😌
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this along with how you’re supporting and furthering diversity and resilience at home 🙏🏼
And that's also really interesting, because Bookchin actually articulated a similar thought as well. He went on to propose a Third Nature, which he called free nature (I removed that from my draft, as it was getting - like always - way to long).
Free Nature, then, becomes a creative and self-conscious state in which human beings intervene in natural evolution with their best capacities...their ethical sense, their unequaled capacity for conceptual thought, and their remarkable powers and range of communication.
There are a lot of knotweeds here in the US, some are native, but we have a ton of Japanese knotweed and most knotweeds are highly medicinal, I get as much Japanese knotweed as I can, the roots are a medicinal prize. Everyone in my house gets some every day including my dog. Especially here in Lyme disease country!
Indeed, we too have lot's of types of knotweed over here in Belgium. I do admit however that I do not know enough of them to be able to identify them as edible, asides from the Japanese kind.
Japanese knotweed is already for a longtime on my longlist to make more use of in the kitchen. And wow, didn't even know about it's properties to treating Lyme disease. What an incredible plant!
Really there could be an entire course just on the knotweeds and their medicinal uses, and another course for their culinary! and of course another on how they support pollinators etc. Really fascinating plants, they seem very ancient too, I should look up how old they are. But yeah, Japanese knotweed is a staple in Lyme treatment (herbal) and also in prevention formulas, and including in treatment for dogs.
A course would actually be a great idea! I did read a few papers on Japanese knotweed about research that they're doing on it's medicinal aspects. Turns out the plant also possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even cancer-inhibiting properties. Honey made from Japanese knotweed, in turn, is said to retain its bioactive properties which is also beneficial for health. Not bad, if you ask me, for a plant that they try to eradicate with all their might (at least, here in Belgium) :)
Our local farmers market honey guy has Japanese knotweed honey and I love the flavor, it really is potent medicine. If someone wanted to dig up the roots (as an invasive, which I do understand the need for this at times) then I hope they’d give me all the roots because I’d make all the things!
‘In Second Nature we don’t see ourselves part of it. Nature then, in this definition, is decoupled from human systems and seen as an external attribute.’
A very fine point and I feel it’s true, although what if the beauty of humanity and our role on this Earth is to shape it, naturally and regeneratively, just as the ungulates that move clearings and squirrels burying nuts below ground? What a reassuring, purpose-providing thought 😌
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this along with how you’re supporting and furthering diversity and resilience at home 🙏🏼
Oh yes I agree. And food for thought it is!
And that's also really interesting, because Bookchin actually articulated a similar thought as well. He went on to propose a Third Nature, which he called free nature (I removed that from my draft, as it was getting - like always - way to long).
Free Nature, then, becomes a creative and self-conscious state in which human beings intervene in natural evolution with their best capacities...their ethical sense, their unequaled capacity for conceptual thought, and their remarkable powers and range of communication.
There are a lot of knotweeds here in the US, some are native, but we have a ton of Japanese knotweed and most knotweeds are highly medicinal, I get as much Japanese knotweed as I can, the roots are a medicinal prize. Everyone in my house gets some every day including my dog. Especially here in Lyme disease country!
Indeed, we too have lot's of types of knotweed over here in Belgium. I do admit however that I do not know enough of them to be able to identify them as edible, asides from the Japanese kind.
Japanese knotweed is already for a longtime on my longlist to make more use of in the kitchen. And wow, didn't even know about it's properties to treating Lyme disease. What an incredible plant!
Really there could be an entire course just on the knotweeds and their medicinal uses, and another course for their culinary! and of course another on how they support pollinators etc. Really fascinating plants, they seem very ancient too, I should look up how old they are. But yeah, Japanese knotweed is a staple in Lyme treatment (herbal) and also in prevention formulas, and including in treatment for dogs.
A course would actually be a great idea! I did read a few papers on Japanese knotweed about research that they're doing on it's medicinal aspects. Turns out the plant also possesses antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and even cancer-inhibiting properties. Honey made from Japanese knotweed, in turn, is said to retain its bioactive properties which is also beneficial for health. Not bad, if you ask me, for a plant that they try to eradicate with all their might (at least, here in Belgium) :)
Our local farmers market honey guy has Japanese knotweed honey and I love the flavor, it really is potent medicine. If someone wanted to dig up the roots (as an invasive, which I do understand the need for this at times) then I hope they’d give me all the roots because I’d make all the things!