T'uu-ya Chaa-may Bear Medicine Apothecary

T'uu-ya Chaa-may Bear Medicine Apothecary A place to reconnect with the healing power of plants

Fresh out of hibernation! We knew it was late in the season, but went looking for cottonwood buds anyway. These are from...
04/03/2026

Fresh out of hibernation! We knew it was late in the season, but went looking for cottonwood buds anyway. These are from branches that have fallen to the ground. A lot of them had catkins instead of buds. We ended up with about 1 lb. of buds, and this will yield about 2 cups of oil. The oil will be used in salves for aches and pains and will be available in the apothecary next month (May). Bonus: nettle was peeking up through the ground.

Cottonwood releases an intoxicating fragrance, similar to that of honey, sometime around Feb/March. The buds yield a sticky, amber resin. This resin contains salicylates (natural aspirin precursors) that treat pain, inflammation, and skin issues - the same thing in willow bark. (Side note: I once made a tincture of cottonwood buds. 10/10 do NOT recommend!)

So, we gathered the buds, brought them home, put them in a clean glass jar, and covered them with olive oil. Olive oil lasts longest without going rancid. If you try this, be willing to part with the jar. The resin is impossible to remove!

Took a little walk in the Santiam canyon yesterday. Devastated by massive wildfire in 2020. Five humans died in it. Unkn...
11/05/2025

Took a little walk in the Santiam canyon yesterday. Devastated by massive wildfire in 2020. Five humans died in it. Unknown other creatures died, too. Where I walked was soft...a layer of chips from where trees were felled by the firefighters. The forest is starting over, with a good layer of duff and mycelia. Shrubby maple will form a new understory. Blackberries (the actual wild ones, Rubus ursinus), pearly everlasting, Oregon grape, and a baby Doug fir showed up, too.

We came from the earth, and we have regenerative power, too.

10/30/2025

Huckleberry Shortcake, 2025

10/24/2025

The Bear Medicine Clinic inside All the Rite Stuff is happily taking new clients! You may walk in Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday for brief visits, OR schedule on Tuesday or Saturday for more in-depth teaching. $10 - $20 (sliding scale) includes consultation with an experienced herbalist and one plant ally preparation (tea, salve, tincture). No one will be turned away because of lack of funds!

The herbalist is a retired register nurse who appreciates the value of both allopathic and traditional medicine pathways.

We are located at 651 High St. NE, Salem, OR 97301
Hours 11-6, Tu-Sat
(971) 352-2335

We took a trip to an annual gathering of the people on the lower Rogue River. This is the place my indigenous ancestors ...
09/23/2025

We took a trip to an annual gathering of the people on the lower Rogue River. This is the place my indigenous ancestors lived. We gathered medicine in the way we were taught to do. Ask permission from the plant. Offer a gift; we use to***co. Don't take more than is needed. These are photos of what we collected. Turkey tail mushrooms (Trametes versicolor). We won't use these in medicine in the clinic. Wild rose hips. (Rosa nutkan.) Mullein. (Verbascum thapsus) We didn't take much because we have a good supply in the clinic, but give this a special place. Mugwort (Artemesia douglasiana) from the banks of the Rogue River and Foster Creek. Has induced amazing dreams.

Oh, and those furry bulbs? Soap root is what we call it. Botanists like to call it Soap lily (Chlorogalum pomeridianum). Gathered near the place a sweathouse sat. The plant has antihistamine qualities. I have used it with great results on bee sting and an allergic reaction resulting in an angry rash from a medication. Our indigenous ancestors would throw it in fishing waters to "stun" the fish and easily harvest them. That shows how strong the antihistamine is!

Drop in or call us to set up a time to be seen in our clinic (Inside All the Rite Stuff). 971-352-2335

Address

651 High Street NE
Salem, OR
97301

Telephone

+19713522335

Website

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