She was growing in what we would make into our backyard when my husband, Bruce, and I acquired the property that we made our forever home 30 years ago in Alpena County’s Green Township. She is the foundation and the beginning of my journey into plant medicine. She came to my aid when I had a crushed meniscus and torn tendon. I made a poultice. Comfrey is rich in allantoin and mucilage which soothes and repairs damaged tissue, actually promoting cell growth and repair.

So, that may have been the first time I actually used medicinal herbs. But, my love of plants is in my blood. My maternal grandparents and my parents were all avid gardeners. I’m sure none of them realized the knowledge of the natural world that they instilled in me. Dad taught me the magic of the honeybee and Mom the art of growing and nurturing plants.

Most of the products I’ve made have been out of necessity in the past couple of decades. I started with salves, mostly for bug bites, cuts, scrapes, and poison ivy, for my kids and grandkids. I’m pretty sure the first lesson I ever taught was to one of my grandsons. He was stung by something and was feeling the pain. I showed him how to identify plantain. Then I showed him how to chew it up and make a poultice to rub on his sting, or leave on and cover with a band aid. I am pretty sure he thought I was crazy! That was only for a short moment. He was surely pleased with the results.

Tulsi (Holy Basil) and Hawthorn have also been friends of mine for a long time. Tulsi, who is normally used for depression, and hawthorn, normally used for heart health, was my treatment for the dreaded HOT FLASHES! Tinctures of both have been a staple in my medicine cabinet for years.

Courtesy Photo One of Charleen Dubie's medicinal cabinets is seen in her home.

Elderberry has become a family friend over the years. Both the berry and the flower are antiviral, a powerful diaphoretic that promotes sweating to reduce fever and has immune-enhancing properties. Each fall, her berries are harvested and frozen. As cold and flu season rolls around, Nana’s elderberries are made into syrup and distributed.

I completed The Herbal Immersion Program from Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine in 2019. It was “icing for the cake.” I have grown up with plants, getting to know them one at a time, studying and experiencing them by growing them and using them. Herbalists are not licensed or certified in any legal way.

Consistent study gives birth to new products on a daily basis. My latest endeavor has been centered around gut health and the body’s absorption of minerals. I invested in a freeze dryer and am currently working on freeze drying and powdering plants like kale and spinach. Sold in pint jars, they can be sprinkled on food, added to soups and broths, or, currently their most popular use is as a healthy ingredient in smoothies!

After years of incorporating the use of herbs in our family’s life, I have started marketing my products at events that allow vendors, by mail through my Facebook page and through word of mouth on a local basis. Recently, I was given the opportunity to set up a display of my products at Mystical Awakenings in Houghton Lake.

The name of my business is the Woodwife — “the” has a purposeful lower case “t”. Woodwife is a term used by some in the present day to refer to an herbalist practitioner. According to a 2017 edition of Asteria Books, “The Woodwife knows the value of seemingly plain woods and plants, using her knowledge, skill and attunement with growing things to offer blessing to those who cross her path.”

Courtesy Photo Wild harvested violets are seen, picked from Charleen Dubie's garden.

My future plans are to open my farm up for a type of u-pick/harvest from plants in my garden, offer medicine-making and foraging classes, and conduct consultations for individuals.

It’s more than plant friends that have brought me to this point in the medicinal plant world. Great friends have encouraged me to follow through with my dreams of capturing the benefits of the herbs growing within arm’s reach. I would be amiss if I didn’t give credit for the help and support of my BFF, Lisa.

Contact Charleen Dubie through Facebook Messenger: Woodwife, or by email at woodwifemagick@gmail.com.

Courtesy Photo Herbal medicines in Charleen Dubie's home are being inventoried to take to Mystical Awakenings in Houghton Lake.

Courtesy Photo Charleen Dubie collects plantain, a common weed that grows in yards and gardens. It is used to create an itch and bug bite receiving salve.

Courtesy Photo Charleen Dubie is seen studying, which she does for at least one hour each day.