Acer davidii

The Pere David’s Maple is part of the family of Snakebark maples, named for their remarkable bark patterning.  This particular species is named in honor of the Jesuit missionary, Pere Armand David.

bark of the Pere David's Maple

The essence made from the flowers of this tree have been useful for those who shy away from touch.  I have used it particularly for animals who have been handled roughly, or never learned to enjoy being petted or groomed.

 And of course touch can be misused (by those who have injury to this natural function, you see) for those who injure or show disrespect by touch are injured in this way.  The human being was not designed to be isolated, untouched.  This has dire consequences to the health of the organism.  Many processes take place through this simple thing, touch, hormonal and electrical processes, that signal health to the body.  These processes are disrupted through the lack of touch. There is another element – that of seeing where injury begins.  The origin of the injury is quite often very early in life, and is merely reinforced throughout the organisms experience.  This early injury, or imprint, continually occurs, in response to the signaling that is always taking place.