From an early age Vivienne Hansen experienced a strong connection to the land and she developed a deep understanding and knowledge of bush medicine and bush tucker. She grew up in Brookton Beverly, South West of W.A and was raised by her grandparents, aunty and uncle who instilled a great deal of respect, appreciation and knowledge of her Noongar culture and language. Vivienne is a Noongar Yorga with Balladong and Wadjuk connections.

Vivienne has wisdom that goes beyond formal qualifications, but has continued to further her knowledge of bush medicines with formal training later in life. Although, she says her real passion for bush medicine came from the teachings that were handed down through her family. “Due to the displacement of aboriginal people into missions and reserves a lot of the traditional practices and knowledge has been lost over time. Which is really sad. I have limited knowledge compared to what my great grandmother would have known. I just do the best to pass on what knowledge I have,”  she says.

Vivienne says she makes bush medicine from home and the healing properties of the plants assist with treating various ailments. “If someone comes along with respiratory problems, I’ll make up a chest rub from the plants that are in the area where I live. Aboriginal people didn’t harvest outside their areas but they did a lot of trading with other areas. I make ointments for external applications or minor wounds and grazes. I make bush tea from the plants that are safe to take internally,” she says.

Depending on what’s available when Vivienne does a harvest, she’ll collect Eucalyptus, Tea Tree, Noongar Peppermint, Sandalwood, Paperbark, Grevillia. Small amounts of each plant; seeds, leaves or flowers are handpicked to ensure only the highest quality is used as well as ensuring minimal impact on the plant and area. She only makes small batches at a time from pure plant material and uses virgin olive oil or almond oil as a carrier and beeswax when she makes balms. “Traditionally most bush medicine was applied to the skin or you mashed up leaves and inhaled it or heated them and applied them to your chest,” she says.

Vivienne believes an holistic approach to health is very important, “If your body is not well, then spiritually you’re not well.” She says bush medicine has parallels to herbal medicine in that you don’t just treat the symptom you have a look at what else is happening in the person’s life.

“Traditionally, aboriginal people had no hospitals we were trained from an early age how to heal ourselves. If you cut yourself you knew what plants to use to help with the healing process and you had to pay attention when you were young as the Elders were passing that information on. It was all taught orally not through universities,” she says.  Vivienne also adds that you had to be aware of the plants, the seasons, weather patterns and life cycles of the animals.

In most countries there are four seasons, in aboriginal culture Vivienne says there are six seasons. Vivienne says, “Spring is considered a time for renewal, we get the rain before the spring and the rain is a gift to cleanse us and the earth and bring water and renew life.”

Vivienne Hansen was interviewed after she presented a talk at the 7th International Herbal Conference held on the Gold Coast. For more information contact Vivienne at:  viviennehansen@y7mail.com