Plants as Medicine 🍃🥒

Yesterday while walking by a creek in Cairns, I watched a mother with six little children by her side foraging. I asked her what she was collecting and although we didn’t share the same language, she showed me with simple gestures how they eat this plant, cooking it as many cultures in Asia have done for generations.

Taking photos to research after, I learned this wild plant that grows so abundantly here is bitter melon, also known as wild cucumber🥒. It is highly nutritious, and is traditionally used to support blood sugar balance, liver detoxification, digestion, and overall immune health.

Part of our Inner Shift Ekklesia’s purpose is to learn about God’s gift of nourishment, the sacred plants and herbs He has given for healing mind, body, and spirit. And in something as simple as a stroll by the creek, I was gifted this beautiful reminder.

Scripture: Ezekiel 47:12
“Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.”

What this means to Anna 💗
As I watched that family gather wild food I was filled with gratitude that God, in His infinite wisdom, has already provided everything we need for healing and nourishment… living reminders of His constant and complete provision, growing freely all around us.

Call to action:
If you feel led, brew a simple tea from a local leaf, or cook with a fresh herb you’ve never tried before. Let it be more than food… let it be a reminder that God’s medicine is alive and active in your daily life.