Hastings, New Zealand. Nic Parkes is a pharmacist and alternative health practitioner specializing in anthroposophic remedies. On her land near Hastings, New Zealand, she grows medicinal plants according to biodynamic principles and uses them to make remedies. In her work, she combines anthroposophy with the traditional Māori worldview and local plant knowledge. An interview.
What is the vision behind Healing Lands?
There is a reciprocal healing relationship between people and our planet, the Earth. My passion is to explore, through Goethean observations, how the plants and minerals of Aotearoa, New Zealand, can be sustainably developed into geographic remedies to support our future human development.
What links the Māori worldview to the anthroposophical approach to health?
Te ao Māori (the Māori worldview) emphasizes the importance of the relationships between nature and humans. It is a holistic worldview that focuses on interrelationships and is based on tikanga (traditional values and lore) and mātauranga (knowledge). Te Whare Tapa Whā is a Māori health model based on the concepts of whānau (family), tinana (physical), hinengaro (mental) and wairua (spiritual) health. If an imbalance occurs in these, a person or a collective can become ill. With a strong emphasis on the spiritual essence of the human being, this approach to health and well-being is in line with the anthroposophical view.
What are the pillars of a healthy life?
A healthy life creates the necessary resilience to develop individually as a human being on earth. Every single person has the freedom to develop what is right for them. I would summarize the basic pillars as follows: good nutrition and an active daily life with regular rhythms are necessary for a healthy body; interest in others and commitment to the world develop our soul qualities; spiritual practices are important for the self.
More Healing Lands
Translation Charles Cross
Image Distillation process for a new remedy, Photo: Nic Parkes
