A Spider Bite, a Backyard Remedy, and the Power of Resetting

Plantain (Plantago sp.), one of my favorite wild medicines—growing quietly in the lawn until you need it.

You know that moment in the garden when the sun is fading, and you think, “I’ll just do one more thing…”? That was me the other evening.

I had set my gloves down somewhere (classic), and I was in that end-of-day hustle, trying to tuck a few sprouted potatoes into any empty spaces left in the row. A few of the plants hadn’t survived planting or the surprise frosts, so I was pulling weeds and scanning for familiar potato leaves. My hands were moving quickly through the soil and straw mulch when—

PAIN. Sharp. Sudden. I yanked my hand back and saw a fuzzy, dark spider clinging to me.

I shook it off instinctively and it darted into the straw to hide. My nervous system? It went into full panic mode. I literally ran into the house—heart pounding, adrenaline pumping. I had no idea if the spider was venomous. And of course, my husband wasn’t home.

What now? Plantain! My herbal reflex kicked in. I spotted one on the way in, washed the dirt off my hands, chewed it up for a quick poultice—and half of it fell into the murky dishwater.

So back outside I went, barefoot, running laps around the yard in fading light, scanning the lawn and flower beds for a healthy full-leafed Plantago. Most of my best patches had been cleared to install the support beams for an arbor.

Finally—another plantain. Back inside. Poultice on.

And then it hit me…

This is exactly what “fight or flight” feels like:

• Racing thoughts

• Tight chest

• Heart hammering

• Total inability to think clearly

This is what I help my clients with.

This is what I teach.

So I stopped.

And I did the thing I’ve taught others to do: Eyes closed. The physiological sigh—two quick inhales through the nose, one long slow exhale.

My 4-Minute Reset.

Simple, powerful, and it brought me right back to center.

.

From there, I could think again. I called a friend for advice on homeopathic dosing. Looked up spider photos online (and gently talked myself down when those creepy images started to trigger more fear). I watched my own nervous system in action—and then guided myself back to balance.

Ice. Rest. Reiki. Visualization.Healing.

I’m fine now. The spider bite hurt, but it wasn’t venomous. The moment passed. But I’m left with so much gratitude—for the tools I’ve practiced and now get to share with others.

Want to learn that Reset breath for yourself?

I created a free audio recording you can download—it’s short, soothing, and it walks you through the same exact technique I used to calm down in the middle of my spider-bite meltdown.

🎧 Click here to get the free 4-Minute Reset

(Perfect for moments of stress, anxiety, or just needing to pause and recenter.)

We all face surprises—some more leggy and bitey than others. But when you have the right tools, your body knows how to come back to calm.

And if spiders trigger more than just a startle for you, know that phobias can be released—with surprising ease. I’d be happy to help. Book a session here.