Workin with Roots : Ancestral Plant Allies for Rebuilding Blood and Energy

In many ancestral traditions, health was not just a physical state but a balance of energy, rhythm, and relationship to the Earth. In communities across the African diaspora and the rural South, folk remedies passed down by grandmothers, midwives, and rootworkers were often the first and most trusted source of care.

One of the most common concerns treated by these healers was low blood, now recognized as iron deficiency. Symptoms like fatigue, dizziness, hair thinning, heavy cycles, and postpartum exhaustion were met not with pharmaceuticals, but with deep knowledge of plant medicine. Among the most trusted allies were roots of common weeds Yellow Dock, Dandelion Root, Nettle Leaf, and Chickweed Herb—which are also the foundational herbs in our Iron Roots Tincture.

Yellow Dock Root (Rumex crispus)

In Southern Black folk medicine, Yellow Dock was widely known as a "blood cleanser" and strength restorer. Often boiled with molasses or iron nails, it was given to women after childbirth or menstruation to rebuild lost iron and vitality. This plant was beloved for its ability to nourish the liver and help the body absorb iron more effectively.

In WPA Slave Narratives and oral history collections, elders recall using yellow dock teas and syrups to treat "low blood"—an intuitive diagnosis rooted in body wisdom. In Appalachia, it was part of spring tonics that helped reset the body after winter.

Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale)

More than a common weed, Dandelion has been revered for generations as a liver tonic and digestive ally. In African American and Afro-Indigenous communities, it was used to cool the blood, support bile flow, and relieve menstrual stagnation.

Dandelion was often paired with iron-rich foods or herbs, helping the body process nutrients more efficiently. It supported those who were overworked, undernourished, or recovering from illness.

Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica)

Known as "woman’s greens" in many Southern communities, Nettle is one of the most mineral-rich plants in the herbal world. High in iron, calcium, and magnesium, it has been used to nourish blood, ease menstrual cramps, and restore energy after childbirth.

In Afro-Caribbean and Afro-Celtic traditions, nettle was considered a sacred plant for protection and vitality. Folk herbalists steeped it into strong infusions, especially for young girls, new mothers, and the elderly.

Chickweed (Stellaria media)

Chickweed is a humble but powerful herb traditionally used to ease inflammation, support digestion, and promote nutrient absorption. Southern Black midwives used chickweed in teas and poultices to reduce swelling and clear lymphatic congestion.

It was a common spring green in folk diets—believed to "melt stagnation" and help the body transition into a new season. Rich in iron, vitamin C, and magnesium, it gently supports the body's natural detox and mineral balance.

We honor these roots by wild harvesting them on our land , drying them with the sun and creating this medicine with deep intention and reverance . The Iron Roots Tincture is a combination of ancestral medicine and intuition . It honors the folk medicine keepers who treated “low blood” long before clinical language named it iron deficiency. It carries the legacy of healers and midwives who knew how to nourish the womb, rebuild strength, and work in rhythm with the seasons.

Let it be a reminder that you dont need no exotic plants all you need to do is look and listen . Medicine is accessible, growing in yards, fields, and roadside edges. And we pass on the knowledge to use them through stories, songs, and stewardship.

In every drop of Iron Roots, we remember that healing doesn’t always come from a bottle but when it does, let it be filled with the wisdom of those who walked before us.