Gardening With a Purpose
Wai Ola
The Lifestyle of the St. Regis Princeville Resort
2018 issueWords by
Amelia Fulbright
Morning dew is just beginning to evaporate from the green leaves of the garden. Liberated from condensation, flowers timidly open, petal by petal, and bees line up to pollinate the virgin blossoms. The Shama Thrush bird sings her song. The rooster responds promptly. Then, right on cue, an ancestral chant begins to weave through the garden, along the pathways that will soon carry footsteps and between branches baring precious plant medicine. Each morning, Head Gardener Kerr Jackson begins her work day in the same corner of the Kauai Farmacy garden. Just beyond the Passionflower trellised fence, beneath the Cacao tree, there lies a humble stone altar. And, upon that altar you will find a new offering each day, placed there by the hands of the one who chants. “Our garden is a very sacred space; a concentrated area of communion with nature, intention, and love,” says Jackson. “My morning ritual of chanting to the garden is my way of saying ‘Good morning! Thank you! I love you!’ I am also asking for the humility to hear and receive the guidance of the plants and trees. I find that if I sing instead of speak, I engage from my heart, not my head. Taking time for this ceremony is a powerful practice for me. It rekindles my connection with all things every single day.” Jackson’s respect for the plants is shared by all who work at Kauai Farmacy. With a small, family-style operation, the crew is made up of a dozen herbalists, gardeners and specialists. Each and every person, including founders Doug and Genna Wolkon, is a vibrant example of embracing herbal medicine. Naturally, the environment is intimate and the sentiment is intentional. The plants are cared for as family and the garden is tended to like a home. Growing over 70 different medicinal herbs, the Farmacy is a revolutionary example of a true seed-to-cup operation in the herbal medicine world. There are no rows and few rules. Instead, herbs are inter-planted and intuition takes the place of regulation. Within the layers of leaves and intermingling of roots, a delicate network of companionship between plants can be witnessed. Comfrey breaks up compacted soil with its deep taproot and makes nitrogen, calcium and potassium more bio-available for surrounding plants. Cuban Oregano (and similar Mediterranean herbs) contributes strong volatile oils that deter bugs, pests and pathogens. Cacao fortifies the soil with iron. Cinnamon and Allspice provide shade for their neighbors that appreciate a bit less sun. By allowing the garden to grow “outside the lines”, the plants are able to fully express themselves in their own time and, as a result, some of the world’s most evolved medicine is created. Harvested only once a year, Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is allowed to live out its entire life cycle. As a resulting herbal medicine, it promotes longevity and circulation. Lilikoi (Passiflora quadrangularis), loves to bloom during the full moon and, ironically, is an unrivaled sleep aid known to enhance dreams. What makes herbal remedies remarkable is their action both on the body and our consciousness. Like roots penetrating the soil, herbs interact with our entire being. As circulation increases, blockages dissolve. As sleep is achieved, clarity is bestowed. Awareness is heightened. Intuition is sharpened. Self-control and will are refined. Most importantly, herbs rekindle a connection to our heart. And with these tools transformations begin to unfurl like blossoms beneath the sun.
