I am one of the lucky herbal medicine makers who had the good fortune to spend four to six hours weekly for a couple of years learning from Tony Seifert how to honor the plants by turning them into powerful medicine. He taught us more than how to make a remedy. He taught us about paying attention to the details – about honoring the herbs as beings. He taught us about right harvest, taking no more than you need, using everything you take and leaving a gift as an offering of gratitude.
Tony was a true mentor – a life teacher, and those seem more and more rare to find. He knew a LOT about plants and herbs and medicine making. He knew a lot MORE about life and how to live it. His generosity was limitless. And he was fair. He missed nothing but held all with what appeared to be calm, grounded acceptance, even when he knew something was amiss or someone was heading down a sketchy path. There was room for it all with Tony and everyone was welcome. He was always available, and I turned to him more than a few times with a phone call that started with a technical question and ended up, an hour or so later, with an in-depth conversation about something entirely different – an old friend’s art collection; a part of California he returned to; a great book I had to read; politics; He loved to talk and I was always interested in what he had to say.
Tony also loved his chocolate and always had a stash in his desk. He also loved making medicinal cordials and infused wines and, often, our classes would end with tastings that served not only to help us understand first hand the benefits of what we were sampling, but also connected us as a group, and I don’t know about anyone else, but it helped me understand more deeply, on a somatic and spiritual level, how connected we all are as beings, whether two-legged, four-legged, no-legged, winged, gilled, plant or mineral.
Tony died one year ago, and I regret that I didn’t know him for long enough. As we can sometimes do, I just assumed he would always be there. I still feel the loss of him acutely, and he was very much by my side, today, as I spent time in my apothecary processing dried herbs for a new formula. It’s not the first time I’ve felt him with me as I’m making medicine, and I hope I will always feel his presence.
From a place in me that has a strong need to keep Tony alive, and in honor of his incredible knowledge, I feel compelled to share a couple of formulas he gave us. May he live on in them each time they’re provided as support to someone in need of his gentle kindness and profound wisdom. Thank you, Tony, for all you were, all you were not, and for all the gifts you’ve left us. I remain your grateful student and friend.
Fall Honey Electuary
An herbal support for the symptoms of cold and flu
1 tablespoon black cohosh
1 tablespoon echinacea
1 tablespoon elderberries
1 tablespoon wild cherry bark
1 tablespoon yarrow
8 fluid ounces raw honey
Finely grind all of the herbs in a coffee grinder, then combine with honey and mix. Let the mixture infuse for at least 24 hours. Eat straight from the jar or add 1 teaspoon to your favorite tea.
Herbal Boost Bon Bon
Tony offered this sweet treat for holiday parties.
1 cup raw honey
1 cup nut butter (almond, hazelnut, or walnut)
1 cup tahini
1 cup mixed dried fruit, minced
8 ounces “powered” herbs (or 2 ounces per cup of first 4 ingredients); use herbs in your spice cabinet or try astragalus, ashwagandha, cacao, cardamom, caraway, coffee, cinnamon, eleuthero, fennel, ginger, or maca
Cayenne powder to taste
1 teaspoon bee pollen
Garnish: sesame seeds, dried coconut
Combine ingredients in a mixing bowl and mix well. Roll the mixture into bite-size balls and top with ground coconut and toasted sesame seeds. Chill until firm and serve.