RED CLOVER MAMA

Kitchen Apothecary!

2012-02-06T08:59:00.001-05:00

I am busy stocking my herb supplies and rearranging my kitchen. I think I need to get some more shelving though. Currently I use an old jelly cupboard/pie safe but my baby is starting to show interest in getting into it! Not to mention it is beyond overflowing. Maybe I can put a lock on it somehow, but it seems like I need much more space.

My choices are to move all my herb stuff into the sewing/art room or redorganize the kitchen! So I am choosing the latter. But what a pain! I just got several cases of bottles too and I have no idea where to store them! I also need more gallon amber jars for storing herbs and making infused oils. (expensive!) I wish I had not gotten rid of all my medicine making stuff when I moved across country! Ackk.

I am off to search Pinterest for ideas!

2012 or Bust!

2011-12-11T22:31:00.001-05:00

So it seems like 2011 was a bust for me as far as blogging and putting together my herbal life. With a new baby and moving I have just been out of sorts I guess you can say. I am always seemingly trying to catch up and Catching Up has been my theme this year! My new theme however for 2012 is Getting Stuff Done that I LOVE!!

Right now I am taking Demetria Clark's Master of Aromatherapy course. It is completely online and something I LOVE. The whole reason I was led to herbal healing was through aromatherapy, so it is a joy! I am learning about many oils I had no idea existed too! Which is exciting!! I am hoping to knock this course out within the next couple of months or so. Winter is a wonderful time to work on this in Vermont! I have so many new concoctions in my head! Plus a long list of reading material I want to complete as well.

So much to do, so little time!

On an unrelated note..I found my herbal thin mints picture pinned on Pinterest! Totally flattering and I am so glad someone is actually reading my lame ass blog out there! Sometimes I wonder if it is just robo bots on my page at times! But now I know I actually have real live readers! WOOHOO! Anyway, it was a really validating moment for me so THANK YOU to whomever repinned my photo! It totally made my day! :)

The Herbal Medicine Cupboard

2011-09-14T20:11:00.007-04:00

It's heading into Fall here in Vermont! I thought I would start gathering recipes for medicinal herbal concoctions for the winter. I am busy gathering recipes, plants, jars and other needed supplies! I'm definitely going to have a medicine making day really soon at my house. (One of my favorite things to do and it's been quite awhile since I have been motivated enough to make everything for the winter season. This year I'm making that happen though!)

Here's a few of the things I am going to make;

Osha Pastilles

Elecampane, Ginger and Horehound Syrup's

Fire Cider & Immune Support Tincture

Longevity Electuary

Elderberry Elixir

What do you make to keep on hand during the cold/flu season?

Choclate Covered Mint Leaves (aka herbal thin mints)

2011-08-05T15:17:00.005-04:00

Chocolate covered mint leaves are to die for! =)

Did I mention these are easy to make?

All I did was dip freshly picked mint leaves into melted chocolate and then stuck it in the freezer for 10 minutes! Well worth the minimal effort.

Herbal Ally Challenge~ 2011

2011-02-17T18:36:00.003-05:00

My herbalist friend Kristine (of Herbal Roots Zine) is hosting an Herbal Ally Challenge over on her blog for the year of 2011! Such awesomeness! Come join the fun!

I have decided to start the challenges and try to catch up on the 6 that I missed. If i can do 2 a week for the next 6 weeks I will be all caught up, so that's my goal!

Off to start my journal cover & read the rest of the challenges.

My ally is blue vervain! I'll be back to write about her some more later. :)

Spilanthes (Acmella oleracea)

2011-02-06T09:00:00.002-05:00

Spilanthes is a fairly new herb to me. I was only introduced to it about 2 years ago by my man who was growing it in his garden at the time we met. I was taken right away by the unusual flowers and have remained intrigued!

So far I have tried the fresh plant (flowers) and also a spilanthes/chamomile mead that our friends made. OMG yum,yum! But woweee! What a kick!

All I really knew about spilanthes is that it was the "toothache herb" but now I am delving a little further into other maladies it could be useful in treating.

I have recently purchased the tincture from some local herbalists for fighting infections. (to keep on hand after a bout of mastitis & sinus stuff) but so far I have not had reason to use it! Anxious to see how it works as I was told it is really good for knocking out the sickies! Plus it is safe for nursing moms so that is what sold me!

It can be made into a poultice, tincture, infusion or even infused into an oil. The whole plant is use-able but is specific to the ailment and what treatment is being administered.

So, besides being a great herb for toothaches, I have done a little preliminary research and it seems spilanthes can be useful for treating the following;

-bacteria infections of the skin

-wounds

-ringworm

-sore throat

-nausea

-can be used as a laxative

-can be used to treat dystentery (inflammation of the intestine/colon)

-can help stimulate the appetite

-intestinal parasites

-kidney stones

-gas & stomach upsets

-topically for smoothing and preventing wrinkles (touted as natural botox by some sources!)

-immune boosting and can be used in conjunction with echinacea with good results

-antiviral

-gum tonic

-and as I mentioned previously it's most common known use is for toothache caused by cavities/decayed tooth. It is also good for any swelling of the gums.

Wow. I had no idea what a versatile plant this really was until now! Looking forward to working with it some more in the coming months so I will be writing more about spilanthes!

If you have had any experiences using spilanthes and want to share I'd really love to hear about them. Leave me a comment or you can send me an email at; aprilmoonflower@gmail.com

um, happy new year? (update on me!)

2011-02-05T23:51:00.008-05:00

Wow, is it really February already? Having a baby (kid #3) has sure thrown me off my herbal learning course! We are also moving April 1st so that will further throw me for a loop! I can't wait until the snow melts so I can plan/plant some large herb gardens at our new place! Going to start seeds soon! = ) It is going to be totally awesome and 4 acres to play with!

Sadly, I have had to drop the "Magic and Medicine of Plants" course. Really bummed about that but I was just so far behind! Hoping to sign back up for it again next year! I am really excited to have made some new "herbie" friends though through the course so it wasn't a total loss! (the first & only lesson i did was really good too) the course was just way more in depth than I had anticipated though. My bad! I hate having to quit things!

Otherwise I am *finally* starting coming along on the SWSBM coursework.

The herbal study group is still in the planning stages! Since I am moving I am going to have to move the location obviously. Our new house is not very ideal in my opinion as it's kinda in the boonies. Which leads me to my current dilemma! Where!?! Decisions, decisions..I really want to make this work but logistics are screwing with me and I haven't lived here long enough to know the surrounding areas well (or rather the area we are moving too an hour away!). Maybe I will start with the online study group first in the meantime? hmm..need to think on this some more!

Anyway..

My world has been a whirlwind the last few months and my heart wrapped around this little sweet pea's finger! I am just so in love with my babe that I am very preoccupied at the moment..so please bear with me a little longer here as I gather myself together. I am slowly returning to earth and the real world!

Peace~April xo

PS) I am going to start the goody bag giveaway's back up sometime in March so stay tuned! :)

December's give-away winner..

2010-12-21T15:37:00.003-05:00

this month's winner is...

TRACY =)

Please email your address to me at aprilmoonflower@gmail
Hope you enjoy the calender!

For everyone else stay tuned and I will be back to blogging soon!

December Giveaway!

2010-12-01T10:00:00.003-05:00

This months giveaway is a copy of Herbal Journal: Herbs, Healing and Folkways 2011 Calender!!!!!! I'm so excited for one of you to win this! What a great start to the new "herbal" year this will help you make!

Leave a comment under this post by December 20th for a chance to win! The winner will be chosen at random on the winter solstice and I will announce the winner on the blog sometime after that!

Good luck and enjoy! :)

2010-11-19T03:15:00.004-05:00

My baby girl Sequoia Pearl entered the world peacefully on
Monday November 15, 2011 7:50am
6 lbs 2 oz, 18 inches long

A teeny tiny bundle of joy!

Fall Plant Altar

2010-11-18T08:00:00.002-05:00

For my one class (Magic and Medicine of Plants) we were asked to try to make an altar for Samhain and our plant ancestors. Of course I'm late to the party as usual.

Also because I don't really celebrate holidays much I tend to do things by season. So here is my fall time altar. My kids helped put some of the things up there (they do this all the time and are constantly bringing things in from outside like rocks, leaves and flowers). So I guess you can say it's part altar part nature table. Whatever goes pretty much here!

As for the plants on my altar we have;

milkseed pods and fluff
pine
calendula
lavender
rose
peppermint
rosehips

as well as some hydrangea that my daughter loves to bring in when it dries up in the fall (she makes me big bouquets of it!!!) She and my son also love to play with the plants I put up there and turn them into a type of talismans! So cute!

Sorry the picture is not the best. But you get the idea.

Herbal Study Group

2010-11-15T21:00:00.005-05:00

I have an herb project in the works and I'm so excited to pull this together! I am really longing to create an herbal study group local to me this winter/next spring. Mainly to meet other herbalists-to-be, plant medicine making students and like minded folk. I would like to possibly put this together as early as after the new year but more likely come spring. Though I am really going to try to shoot for sooner as I am anxious to put this together!

I have been working hard on brainstorming logistics and how to find others who are wanting to learn more about herbs in a cooperative type setting. I would like this to be an informal and small group held at my house or maybe the co-op meeting room or library? I am envisioning something kid and family friendly with a potluck afterwards! I have used meetup.com in the past and will probably use it for this group as it is just really convenient and easy. I think it is going to serve this project well! I will probably also work on some flyers too to hang up on various bulletin boards nearby as well and write up a press release and blurb for some of the local papers.

So there is lots to do!!!!!!

Right now I am just trying to figure out how to go about organizing such a group currently so it's really in the very beginning planning stages! I think it would be really fun and awesome to connect with others wanting to learn more about herbs and learn about them together through each others experiences and as a group. I am hoping we can study one herb a month and also do a medicine making project of some sort to go with each.

I also set up a blog here too for an online study group that could coincide with this real life one! (Though the page is empty currently I will be working on putting it together in the coming weeks and months! Be sure to check back later or I will post an update here when I get some content up there!) I created the blog so my online friends, far away family and blog readers can follow along too!

Every day I am coming up with new ideas for this group and am getting more and more excited about putting this together. I have been trying to find others who run their own study groups as well to get ideas from which has been very helpful!

2010-11-14T21:00:00.000-05:00

We have been here before
and we'll be here again.
The circle remains,
though we all wander far.
So lift up your heart,
you will never be alone.
Let the earth be your medicine forever.

-Dale Colleen Hamilton

Fire Cider

2010-11-12T09:00:00.006-05:00

Fire cider is a popular herbal remedy concocted by herbalists and plant people in colder months to be used as an immunity boosting tonic. I was first taught how to make this recipe by Pam Hyde-Nakai of the Sonoran Herbal Institute in 2001 and it was dubbed "Dr. Cayenne". I have made it many times since. Now, for the first time I am noticing variations in other herbalists formula's for fire cider which is interesting. I have never paid attention much before but it only makes sense people will adjust the recipe to their own needs and tastes.

Fire cider is very warming in nature and will help clear out sinus issues and promote good health during the winter months. I like to use it specifically for the nasty sinus infections I used to get when I lived out west. It just clears it right out! It is useful for colds, sinus issues and lung issues. It is extremely warming in nature and is good for treating (and preventing) wet & cold conditions.

I started a batch a couple of weeks ago. It's almost ready to be strained. yay!

The recipe I use is roughly;

2-3 good sized pieces of ginger (usually I peel and grate them this time I just chopped them as I was feeling quite lazy)
1 large horseradish root (again, grated is optimal)
1-3 tsp cayenne (I tend to use ALOT myself as I like it fiery!)
1 liter organic apple cider vinegar
1 large onion chopped
as much garlic as you can stand chopped
honey

Add all the ingredients but the honey to a large 1/2 gallon glass jar. Cap tightly and let sit for about weeks or so. Strain and add honey to taste. Drink a "shot" daily or as needed. Bonus; it makes quite a good dressing for salads and greens.

I have noticed some herbalists don't use onions in their fire cider. I am not sure why that is. I have also noticed some people add ginseng (like Rosemary Gladstar's recipe). I myself was thinking of adding burdock next time I make a batch! So I guess my point is really anything could go in this. Use your imagination and play around with the basic recipe. (Please come back and tell me about it here too!)

The great thing about this recipe is all the ingredients can typically be found in your neighborhood grocery store so it's easily attainable for even the most beginning of herbalists!

Try to buy all organic ingredients if you can. If you are not able to get all organic or finances just don't permit it at the VERY least be sure to purchase the apple cider vinegar organic. This is important as some mainstream non organic brands are made from petroleum believe it or not! (yuck!)

I also found a recipe here by my friend Kiva Rose of the Anima Healing Arts Center & Herbal School in New Mexico for her "Gila Harvest Cider". I am definitely going to try making her version soon!

Goody Bag Winner!

2010-11-11T16:00:00.001-05:00

November's goody bag winner is Comfrey Cottages!
(If I have not already contacted you by time this posts I will be soon for your snail mail address. Thanks for entering and I hope you enjoy your goodies!)

Look for details of next months (December's) contest soon!

Herbal Allies- Part 2

2010-11-09T12:00:00.005-05:00

So I have finally chosen my plant allies for the coming year. I am starting with 3 but may add more. So these are the 3 plants I want to get to know on a deeper level. It took me awhile to choose these and they may change as I go. Who knows!?! I tried to pick plants that are safe to use while nursing as well.

Over the next year I will study, use and sit with these plants and try to learn as much as I can about them on a physical as well as energetic level. I think the 3 will keep me very busy learning and discovering new things! I am excited to have finally chosen them after much contemplation. Or did they choose me?

I will also be writing my own sort of of monographs of my own on each and adding to it on a regular basis for each one here on my blog. I hope to be able too include a lot of new experiences and observations in the coming year while I am learning about these 3 new plant allies!

1-Rose~ I think I wrote in an earlier post I have used rose a lot for bodycare but not much at all for medicine so I would like to explore the healing aspects deeper. I also would just like to use rose more in my daily life. I feel drawn to it as of lately and crave it's presence. I plan to use it in food, medicine and bodycare/aromatherapy. I find it uplifting, sensuous and gently healing. Like an old familiar friend. I want to learn her secrets and revel in her beauty.

2- Blue Vervain~Feeling called to work with this plant. I'm not entirely sure why but the reasons will become clear eventually I am sure! I very much like the fact that it is a galactagogue since I will be a nursing mom soon. I have not used blue vervain much at all so it's a new plant for me to learn about!

3-Elder~ I am having a love affair with elder. Shhh, don't tell anyone! Though I know i am not the only one. lol. This plant is pretty elusive to someone coming from the southwest, so I am absolutely thrilled they grow here in New England. Other than using elderberry syrup I don't have all that much experience using this plant but I have been extremely drawn to it since discovering it! My mission this coming year is to find as many as I can growing in the wild and use it generously! I am very drawn to learning about the many uses of elder. I feel like it is calling me to soak up all of it's healing energies and wisdom.

I am trying hard not to include more plants with my "ally" list as I am trying to keep things low key right now for simplicity's sake! If it were up to me I'd easily have 10!

Updating Blogroll Links- (Add Your Favorites Please!)

2010-11-08T16:00:00.001-05:00

I am updating the links on my blogroll. If you have a blog or website you think I'd be interested in that pertains to herbal medicine please post the URL here under this post and I'll check it out and most likely add it! Thanks! I love reading others blogs about herbal medicine and passing on info. about classes. Almost too much really as I spend enough time online already! But hey it's for a good cause!

Herbs for the Mama to Be

2010-11-07T09:33:00.004-05:00

Since I am pregnant (though, not for much longer, I am due in 12 days!) I wanted to touch on herbs during pregnancy. The following is a list of herbs I have found personally useful during pregnancy. I really don't use tons of herbs while pregnant unless I really need them but I have used my fair share over the course of my 3 pregnancies, so I thought I'd share my experiences here.

Every woman's pregnancy is unique to them so you will have to use your own intuition and judgment when using herbs while you are pregnant. Be sure to always look up any herbs you are using or plan to use if you are not sure it is safe. When in doubt don't use it or ask your midwife or local herbalist their opinion. This is really important, especially during the first trimester.

Red Raspberry Leaf~ A good tonic herb. This is the best herb for pregnancy. If I had to choose just one herb it would be red raspberry leaf!! It will help keep you nourished and it tones the uterus and helps soften the cervix. It is also iron rich which will give you a boost and protect you from becoming anemic..

Oatstraw/Milky oats~ A gentle nervine this is a good herb to take daily. It is also extremely nourishing and it helps stabilize moody emotions and depression. Of course it is very nourishing to the blood and body as well as the mind.

Skullcap~ I use skullcap for headaches but I have been reading that it is useful in toning the uterus in the 3rd trimester to promote a better birth and reduce labor pain. It is also high in calcium.

Cranberry~ Not an herb but I thought I'd include it anyway. I have found cranberry tablets useful for UTI's if you are prone to them. Be sure to cut out all artificial sugar as well.

Catnip~ A gentle analgesic. This is a good one for easing headaches and body aches. I like it infused with lemon balm and red raspberry leaf!

Lemon Balm~ A nervine. Good for extreme tension. I have used it for cramps during the latter part of pregnancy. The kind that don't let you get sleep. It helps soothe them really well!

Peppermint~ I love peppermint. I use it for everything from morning sickness and to help soothe myself during allergy attacks. I find it relaxing and it helps My kids love it too iced or hot which is a bonus! Try some peppermint tea pops (frozen) during labor too for a boost! yum,yum!

Ginger~ Good for nausea for some! Though it doesn't work for morning sickness for me and I don't use it until my 3rd trimester generally. I like it for quelling an upset stomach later in pregnancy. I also like it for colds/sinus upsets.

Lavender~ Probably my most used herb. I use the essential oil almost daily! I find it extremely calming and relaxing. I use it in an aromatherapy burner and endless baths during pregnancy. It is also useful for many other things like the yeast rash I got under my breast a month ago or so.

Rose~ (rosa gallica and rugosa) Rose is really calming like lavender but in a more sensual way. I love it in an elixir or infusion for calming myself down. It's great for anxiety and calming a worried heart. I have some delicious rose chai that is such a treat to drink! It helps stimulate a poor appetite and is also useful for colds. I also like the oil in the bath and an aromatherapy burner. It helps for anxiety, moodyness, sadness and more!

Comfrey- Comfrey infused oil is useful for the skin. Stretch marks and the stretching during labor and beyond. It can be made into an infusion and applied topically post birth too promote healing.

Arnica- Useful in an infused oil or made into a sale for topical pain relief. I like it for sore muscles and things like relieving round ligament pain.

Chamomile- Useful as a mild sedative. I use it as an infusion when I can't sleep. It helps. I also use the essential oil alot as I find it soothing.

Slippery Elm~ Useful for heartburn if it works for you. I had tried it with some success but I generally get heartburn no herbs have been able to touch! ackk!

Hawthorn-I used hawthorn tincture for about 2 months to help keep my blood pressure somewhat stabilized during a bout of high blood pressure during my first pregnancy. Turns out it was white coat induced but I do believe it did help some. You can also make hawthorn jelly (Use the recipe in the rose hip jelly in the post below)

Nettles~ An overall nourishing herb, nettles can help you have a better birth. It can make labor less painful by providing extra calcium. It is chock full of vitamins and is useful for building vitamin K in the blood.

Peach leaves~ These can be used as an elixir or infusion for mild morning sickness. It helps settle your stomach and is very soothing.

Rose Hips~Useful in tea for a vitamin C boost. Vitamin C helps you absorb iron better and can help you recover from being sick faster. Ohh, and I almost forgot, I just found some rosehips in my yard and plan to make an infused oil with them for my tired postpartum skin. I have heard rose hip infused oil is divine. I may make a body butter of some sort. Of course I will post about my results later! : )

Elderberry~ One of the most delicious preventative medicines out there! I love elderberry syrup for helping boost your immunity. You could also make elderberry jelly. (use the rose hip video below just use dried elderberries!)

Cayenne~ I know this is going to sound crazy but I feel like cayenne helps me during horrible bouts of morning sickness. I love to add it to my food and feel like it stimulates my appetite. It's also good for clearing out sinus stuff.

I hope you find this info. helpful. I am not writing this as medical advice just as my own experience! I know there are probably plenty of herbs I am leaving out but these are the most used herbs I have used.

Lavender Lemon Bark Recipe

2010-11-05T08:39:00.007-04:00

There's a candy shop in Boise, ID that my mother in law used to bring me this really scrumptious lavender lemon bark from. I have been wanting to recreate the recipe for years now and I finally did it! Here is my version!

1.5 lbs white chocolate
2-3 tsp. lavender flowers
1 cup roasted almonds
1-2 tsp. lemon extract

Melt the chocolate over a double boiler stirring constantly until melted. Remove from heat and add the remaining ingredients. The lavender and lemon should be added to taste so you will need to test it! ;) Stir well and spread into a foil lined 9x13 pan. Cool and break into pieces. Store it in an airtight tin or ziploc bag in the fridge. Yum!!!!

Rose Hips Jelly

2010-11-03T12:51:00.006-04:00

I made this rose hip jelly from this video for the first time last night. (can you say SUPER easy?) I am not sure why I haven't made it sooner. I have used them a bunch in tea but never jelly before now so I'm excited to try something new! Also excited to go find some wild at some point.

Rose hips are the "berry" left behind after roses die. It is best to wild harvest them after the first frost.

To make the jelly all you have to do is basically reconstitute dried rose hips (or use fresh if you are so lucky to have a source), mash it up and add honey to taste! I think I will add just a bit of cinnamon to mine. mmmm! oh so good, I just love the tangy tartness! Oh and if you use fresh hips I think you need to strain out the seeds. You may want to double check on that.

Rose hips contain a very high concentration of vitamin C. So eating a scoop (or three) of this a day is actually immune boosting and will help you keep colds and other winter sickies away. Rose hips actually contain more vitamin C than citrus I have read!

They also are said to be anti-inflammatory in nature. Which is said to help some folks with stiffness and joint pain if you have osteo arthritis (like me). In any case I am willing to try it out over the winter and see if it helps me, so I will report back how this is working for me at some point in the future! I have some issues with my feet and knees that tend to flare up in the winter time due to the cold. So we'll see how it works out for me.

You can purchase rose hips in bulk from your local co-op or health food store or from Mountain Rose Herbs online.

Herbal Honey

2010-11-02T17:53:00.013-04:00

I have been making herbal honey this week thanks to this article by a very wise woman/herbalist Ananda Wilson! I am completely obsessed now and have made almost a dozen blends or so thus far!

Herbal honey's are sometimes called by the proper "herbalist" name of electuaries. They are basically herbs and roots steeped in honey. A sweet way to take your medicine if you will! Many times these herbs are unpleasant on their own so this is a way to mask the taste. Other herbal honey blends on the other hand are just scrumptious to make! I am having fun trying to think up new blends to mix up! They are so cheap and easy to make! Plus they go great with herb tea or you could just eat it by the spoonful! If you do holiday gift giving they would make great gifts with some tea!

So far I have started;

catnip~ (nervine, mild analgesic)
ginger~ (upset stomach)
anise~(for digestive issues, heartburn, tastes yum!)
milk goddess blend- anise, coriander, blessed thistle, fenugreek, fennel~ (for promoting lactation for breastfeeding)
lavender~ (nervine)
cocoa/peppermint~ (just because it sounded yum!)

also, (not pictured);
lemon balm
rose
chai
chamomile
licorice
bee balm (pictured in an older post)

and in the works in the not so distant future (as soon as I get more jars, herbs and honey!);

pumpkin spice~
lavender cocoa~
rose/peach~
rose chai~
some type of immunity boosting honey~
vanilla bean and cinnamon honey~
lemon~ (Which is my ABSOLUTE favorite kind of honey! I am just unsure whether to use extract, essential oils or rinds for this one..hmm..)

To make herbal honey you will need some glass jars w/ tight fitting lids (canning jars work well), herbs, honey and cheesecloth/fine mesh strainer.

Put the herbs in the jar (I filled mine about 1/4 of the way), fill the rest of the jar with honey and stir with a butter knife, add more honey if needed, put the lid on. Let sit for 2-3 weeks. When it is done you will strain it through the cheesecloth/strainer and use the strained honey. You can heat it up a bit on the stove beforehand over low heat to make this easier. (Be sure to compost the herbs!)

The only problem I had was my ginger honey seems really watery. I had to actually pour off some water after the first day. I used fresh ginger so next time I will try dry and compare the two!

November Goody Bag Giveaway!

2010-10-29T01:45:00.002-04:00

It's been awhile since I've done a giveaway so I am really excited to do one for November!

I am always trying other herbalists products and I love turning others on to the goodness of my favorite handmade herbal products!

Leave a comment by midnight November 10th on this post for a chance to win these goodies from one of my favorite herbalists who is the mastermind and creator behind Good4youtea! The winner will be chosen at random out of a hat and announced on the blog shortly thereafter.

This giveaway includes:

A sampler salve set of 4 mini chapstick sized salves;

♥ Mini Rosey Salve: a spot treatment for beautiful skin and chapped lips. Ingredients: fresh wild harvested comfrey leaves infused in organic olive oil for 3 weeks, infused again with organic and fair trade green tea leaves and rose petals, organic jojoba oil, organic apricot kernel oil, organic cocoa butter, beeswax, and the organic essential oils of lavender, sweet orange and galbanum. Flavor: lavender and orange essential oil.

♥ Mini Butterfly Salve: a wild harvested all purpose healing chapstick and outdoorsy spot treatment for bug bites and plant boo boos. Ingredients: fresh plantain leaves (Plantago major) picked at the perfect time, infused with organic olive oil, added to local beeswax, organic unrefined shea butter, with lavender essential oil. Flavor: lavender essential oil.

♥ Mini Salve-ation: an all purpose healing remedy for chapped lips and a spot treatment for dry skin. Ingredients: extra virgin olive oil infused with calendula, violets, oat tops and chamomile, beezwax and orange essential oil. Flavor: orange essential oil.

♥ Mini Tiger Balm: great for a swelling mind and during a cold. Rub on temples and forehead. Also a great minty chapstick. Ingredients: organic extra virgin olive oil infused for 8 weeks with freshly wild harvested St. John's Wort, & organic essentials oils of lavender, peppermint, clove, eucalyptus, rosemary & a hint of thyme. Flavor: peppermint and thyme essential oil.

Also...

A Tea Remedy Sampler Set!

3 tea bags each of the 7 following remedy teas. 21 tea bags total!

♥ CHEER UP: For the common cold, flu, a cough, fighting viruses & bacteria. Ages 4+ Ingredients: Peppermint, Echinacea angustifolia root, ginger, lemon balm, elderberries & flowers, orange peels, thyme, cloves, catnip, yarrow & feverfew. (NO CAFFEINE)

♥ NATURAL MYSTIC: If you have a cough this remedy can help an upset in the lungs. Ingredients: Peppermint, hibiscus, schisandra, ginger, cinnamon, eucalyptus, elecampane root, anise seed, thyme, hyssop, marshmallow root & licorice root. (NO CAFFEINE)

♥ ONE LOVE TEA: The ultimate tea for oneness and longevity! Drink Daily. Ingredients: White tea, ginger, gotu kola leaves, Eleuthero root (Siberian ginseng), dandelion root, rosemary, German chamomile, turmeric, cat’s claw bark (Uncaria tomentosa), calendula flowers and feverfew. (CAFFEINATED)

♥ SATISFY MY SOUL: A spicy ginger blend with detoxifying roots. Ingredients: Hawaiian yellow ginger, nettles, dandelion root, burdock root, cinnamon, lemon peels, cat’s claw bark (Uncaria tomentosa), stevia, cloves, black pepper & cardamom. (NO CAFFEINE)

♥ JUDGE NOT: An cooling earthy dandelion skin detoxifier & mineral rich tea. One of my most prized medicinal blends. Ingredients: Dandelion leaves & root, nettles, yellow dock root, burdock root, gotu kola leaves, milk thistle seeds, vitex berries, calendula flowers & stevia leaves. (NO CAFFEINE)

♥ SUN SONG: An amazing everyday longevity tea. Ingredients: Licorice root, cinnamon, Eleuthero root (Siberian ginseng), peppermint and spearmint. (NO CAFFEINE)

♥ PURE BLISS CHAI: Ingredients: Yerba mate, green tea, cinnamon, chicory root, nutmeg, ginger, clove, stevia, black pepper, cardamom & star anise. (CAFFEINATED)

Original artwork, descriptions and photos by Jess Morgan.

Good luck! :)

This & that from the last week or so

2010-10-26T20:08:00.008-04:00

ginger bug for making homemade herbal soda. the first one i let ferment too long so i had to start over! you can read all about making herbal soda's,kombucha and kefir here!

michael moore's materia medica i am studying for one of the SWSBM courses i am taking!

new plant journal for recipes, notes,etc.

bee balm honey i infused over the summer that is almost done and needs straining soon. i let it sit longer than normal as i only had a limited amount of plant material. (next year I am planting a HUGE patch of bee balm wherever we land!)

herbal tarot

(still trying to come up with an herbal ally! thought i'd try the tarot approach)

comfrey roots.

my partner felt sorry for me cause this was all my 9 month pregnant self could dig in the rain, so he dug me up some much larger ones too! (not pictured). I am going to make some kind of concoction for postpartum healing with these. (oil, sitz bath, spray, etc)

Choosing an Herbal Ally

2010-10-19T00:29:00.006-04:00

One of the courses I am starting this winter is a new course with some very talented herbalist friends of mine over at Brighids Well Herbs , which starts November 1st. (The course is called "The Magic and Medicine of Plants" and is a 12 month long online intensive- check it out if you are at all interested, it's going to be alot of fun!)

Anyway I was asked to pick a plant ally before the start of class. I am finding it a little daunting as my allies have always tended to pick ME in the past. ...Datura, violet, fairy duster, evening primrose, dandelion, mesquite... I have not been doing much foraging or plant gathering in a long while either so I am finding it a little more difficult. As well as being unfamiliar with alot of my regions plants (I have studied mainly desert plants for 10 years!)

So what is an herbal ally you ask?

In my experience it has been a plant I choose to connect with over a long period of time to study, it is one to use regularly and in many different ways and get to know on a more intimate level than just learning about what it does medicinally but also energetically too. I have devoted journals to my allies in the past and have really learned a lot and much in an intuitive way too. It really is amazing how you can connect with plants like this. An ally is a plant that will teach you as much about yourself as it will about the medicine IMHO so it should be chosen carefully!

The herbs I am currently drawn to aren't calling me in ways I have previously been called in to study a specific plant either. I guess you could say I am a little stumped over this. Though I am confident the right plant will present itself I am a little confused currently. I did have a run in with horsetail last week which drew me in a little so that is a possibility but it doesn't really excite me like my past allies. I also was introduced to Egyptian Blue Lotus this summer by another local herbalist. It is a wonderful would like to learn more about, at least from the one experience I had using it! I am interested in learning and using it more but I am just not sure it's the one..I have been enjoying rose, chamomile, peppermint and lavender this whole pregnancy (My go to pregnancy herbs) but they just seem so common. Though maybe I should stick to something common? Hmmm...

In past courses I have been more hit over the head out in nature doing field work when an ally has chosen me. Feeling a bit of a disconnect right now. So I am working on this. I know it is probably just from being out of the loop with my herbal studies, working with plants and just liing amid the plant world in general! (I'm feeling sooo out of the loop!) I am really SOOO glad I am getting back into the groove now though! I need this!

Maybe I will have to get out my herbal tarot deck and see what is calling me that way?

Anyway I will update here when I finally choose! : ) But this is where I'm at today!

I'm back in the land of the living! (mostly)

2010-10-17T20:49:00.006-04:00

This pregnancy has thrown me for a bit of loop I'm afraid! So, my blog and herbal studies have gotten put on hold for awhile. Sorry to have just up and disappeared. I feel really badly about that, but what can you do? Things are going well though and we are counting down the days until our little one arrives!

I am now officially in my last month of pregnancy and feeling pretty great. Just looking forward to birthing day! I am also trying to get back into my herbal studies for the winter as well as some medicine making, studying and writing. I may even stock my Etsy shop w/ some herbal creations in the new year! So stay tuned and I will be blogging here again more regularly now with updates!

Right now I am working on getting a large herb order together (mostly culinary herbs & spices this month as I need to stock my pantry in a bad way!) and getting ready for a class I'm taking to start November 1st. As well as working on my SWSBM coursework. In the coming weeks leading up to my due date I plan on finishing some things in preparation for birth and postpartum as well as starting some herbal medicine making for winter and giftties for the coming holiday months. Nesting, nesting and more nesting! I feel like it's time to start cozying in for baby and the cold months..and I have lots of projects planned to keep me busy through the end of the year anyway!

It's been awhile...

2010-06-12T11:01:00.003-04:00

Morning sickness has been kicking my @ss for the last 2.5 months. Ugh! I really have not accomplished a whole lot and my writing has been on hold for sure!

The good news is I am feeling a bit better so am going to get back to my blogging! (And my monthly contest too!)

Stay tuned for details..

Good News and March's Goody Bag WINNER!

2010-03-17T10:48:00.004-04:00

Hi everyone! Sorry I have been sort of absent recently. I also forgot to post the winner yesterday for the contest! I have been a little preoccupied this week as I just found out I am PREGNANT with my 3rd child! (Due in November). :)

Anywho, without further ado,

the winner of MARCH'S Goody BAG is...

SHELLEY!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Otherwise, I will be back to posting regularly very soon I promise!

Herbs and Essential Oils for Emotional Detoxing

2010-03-01T09:00:00.002-05:00

This is a post for the March Herbal blog party at Herbwifery.org! This month's topic is emotional detoxing!

As many of us know emotions can directly affect ones physical health. Detoxing emotionally can be a difficult thing during certain times in our lives. The good news is our plant allies can help support and nourish our bodies during these times on not only a physical level but also on an emotional one too showing us that cleansing is not only for the physical level.

My personal favorite methods of emotional detox are smudging and using hydrotherapy combined with essential oils. I also like to burn uplifting essential oils. Nothing is as cleansing to me personally.

Here are 10 useful ways to use plant medicine for emotional detoxing;

- Oats- eat them, drink them as an infusion or even used as a tincture. Whatever way you can! Oats can help you get out of a funk! They are calming and nourishing. They will help clear your mind and lift mental fog so you can move past.

- White Sage- I like to smudge with white sage and clear the air of any stagnate or negative energies. This really works for me. I think just simple intentions also count for something. White sage is deeply cleansing for physical spaces and those who occupy them. I find it helps to clear my head and heart and help lift away any clouds of negativity.

- Astragalus- Yep astragalus! This herb helps protect your organs and is also good for strengthening a weakend person emotionally. I find it useful for those that feel run down due to emotional situations. it will also help balance your physical health too as it is a great immune tonic. Good all around!

- Lavender- lavender is my go to herb for anything emotional. It is deeply soothing and helps clear the head and calm the heart. My favorite way to use lavender is oil in the bath. I swear I douse myself in it during emotionally tryng times.

- Siberian Ginseng- helps protects the heart and the body's ability to adapt to stress. It can be helpful during letting go of emotional stuff.

- Stinging Nettle Flower essence- this flower essence can help one let go of situations that no longer serve you and helps with anger.

- Juniper berry essential oil- is very helpful in situations where you feel like you are on toxic overload due to your emotions. This can help! It really will help with stress and nervous tension.

- Grapefruit essential oil- This oil is very uplifting and revitalizing. Very good to use in situations where you are tryong to detox on an emotional level. This would be one of my top choices! (with lavender being first!) I like to mix the two in an aromatherapy burner or even just a room spray. Oh so good!

- Rose- rose in any form will help in situations involving the heart and mind. Rosehips, rose petals, elixir, oils, etc. it's all good. Rose nourishes the soul and will help you in "letting go" as well as being extremely comforting.

- Cardamom seed- Helps in strengthening one emotionally. It is good for clarity. The good thins with cardamom is you can add it to baked goods, tea, cocoa and food.

There are so many different ways to used plant medicine to heal on an emotional level. These are just a few suggestions!

MARCH goody bag Contest

2010-02-27T11:56:00.010-05:00

This month's goody bag consists of goodies from Terra Firma Botanicals.

The goodies being offered this month are;

*1 tube of Love Oil lip balm
*1 jar of Green Star Salve
*1oz. bottle of "Bliss" tincture

(You can read more about each individual product via the website linked above.)

One lucky winner wins all 3! All you have to do is leave a comment w/ your email address under this post for a chance to win! The deadline to enter is midnight of March 15th! The winner will be announced on the blog March 16th.

Good luck! :)

~April

Your chance to win a ONE YEAR subscription to Herbal Roots!

2010-02-26T10:00:00.002-05:00

Check out the details here for this *amazing* contest!

Tub Tea Instructions

2010-02-19T19:46:00.003-05:00

I love making these relaxing bath teas for the tub. They are so simple and very soothing to the spirit.

What you will need;

*Tea bags (these can be purchased through MRH's and they are seal-able with a hot iron- they generally come in two sizes, large and small)

*Loose herbs of your choice (about 2 cups will yield you 2 dozen or so large tub tea bags)

Herbs I like to use are lavender, chamomile, rose and rosemary but you can use whatever you like!

Mix the herbs together well in a glass bowl. Fill up each tea bag and seal shut with a hot iron.

To use you will use 1 large bag or 2 small bags.

Boil 2 cups of water and steep the tea for 10 minutes. Discard bags (composting them is good!)

Let the bath tea cool slightly and then pour this mixture into your hot bath. You could also add some essential oils or powdered oats for maximizing your relaxation experience!

I love the fact that you can personalize your bath teas and make them exactly how you love them. These also make great gifts!

Introducing.....The Monthly "Herbal Goody Bag" Giveaway!

2010-02-17T16:36:00.010-05:00

So, I've got a little surprise in store for my blog readers! I've decided to spice this blog up a bit and start a contest for every month! Because, now really, who doesn't like to win free stuff? Especially when it's herbal themed goodies?!?

Anyway, I have some really great prizes in mind and I plan to give away 3 herbal items per month to one extra special lucky reader! (These items may be made by me or others!)

I just want to say thanks for reading and also promote herbal healing in a fun way!

Also, unlike some blogs, this contest won't require you to *do* anything like promote my site or things like that. I may ask you to leave a comment but beyond that we're good to go here. This contest is only open to those within North America. (Sorry it just gets too complicated for me otherwise!)

Anyway these contests are just for fun and because I want to spread around the herbal love!

Stay tuned for more details!

~April

Herbal Storage Solutions

2010-02-11T23:59:00.013-05:00

I am always fascinated by other herbalists herbal storage areas and home apothecaries. Since I have gone through 2 huge moves this past year (once from AZ to MA and then again to VT in less than 12 months) my herb cupboard is needing restocking in a big way. I have been basically just been buying whatever we need ready made due to lack of space! Which is not as satisfying as making my own medicine!

But it's now time to get organized as we are moved and settled it's time to get back to medicine making again! (yay!) So, I have been thinking about how I want to store my herbs here at this house. Especially in anticipation of what we will grow this summer!

I also have 2 kids, 3 cats and a puppy so I need to keep them in mind (and OUT!) when coming up with solutions. I am stumped as to what to do!!!!!! I need storage solutions though as I am getting a large-ish herb order ready and need to get the space ready for storage.

So to Google images I turn!!!!!!! I have listed a few images above to get inspiration from. Now if I can somehow combine them ALL in one giant organized center I'll be set!

I have previously used a whole hall closet and also a jelly cupboard. The closet was too large and eventually took a life of it's own. The jelly cupboard too small and overstuffed that it actually split the sides!! I left my jelly cupboard behind as it was falling apart but bought a larger new one last spring with the intention of storing herbs in it. (instead it's full of yarn!) Ahhh well!

Anyway so far my solutions are to use a couple of pantry shelves or use one of the bedroom closets. Neither which appeal to me. We also have a small laundry room with some cupboards. Nothing is inspiring me here though at all! ackkk!

For the time being I think we have decided to use some built in shelving in my partners office. (away from pets and kids). Maybe it will be a good long term solution but I'd rather have a piece of furniture or a cabinet. Or maybe even in the kitchen pantry instead as it's more readily accessible.

hmmm...

Where do you store your herbs? Link a picture in the comments if you are so inclined! (or just tell me about it!)

2010-02-08T21:15:00.007-05:00

I know I have not been very consistent keeping up with my blog! I am really going to try to post more regularly!

Especially as now I am back doing more herb courses! I just started a couple of new classes this week and am so excited! Right now I am taking the distance learning courses through the late Michael Moore's school in AZ. Something I have wanted to do for at least 10 years! (and all the while I lived in AZ and hour from Bisbee). I also studied with a student of his for 5 months in 2001.

Otherwise, it will take me about 10 months to complete the 2 courses. One is a Materia Medica course and the other one is Clinical Constitutional Herbalism. There is a ton of info. to absorb and I am pretty happy about it!

I also am thinking about starting the 3 year community herbalist training through BLESSED MAINE HERBS in May. It seems like a great opportunity in any case and I am really excited about it!

Anyway I hope to be posting more regularly, especially about things I will be studying and other projects I am working on! Hope all is well with everyone else in blog land!

10 Herbs & Spices for the (Winter Time) Herbal Medicine Chest

2009-12-21T22:59:00.006-05:00

This is a list of 10 herbs and spices that are a wonderful addition to your (winter) home remedy medicine chest. I will be posting remedies throughout this week containing these ingredients as well as more useful information about other herbs, spices and essential oils to use during the winter time months.

Astragalus

Astragalus is a popular Chinese herb. It is immune stimulating, an antiviral as well as a general liver strengthener. It is used in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) for treating a person with external factors that are affecting one's ability to stay in balance energetically and pgysically. It is a general tonic herb for promoting vitality and building strength. Astragalus protects the body from stress. Be it emotional, physical or spiritual.

Black Pepper

Black pepper is an often overlooked spice. Yet is it useful for so many different things. It is anti carcinogenic and is also useful in treating stomach ailments. Good for gas and a full tummy. It is also a wonderful remedy for skin ailments believe it or not and can help with tooth pain! Most of all it is a warming herb and can help reduce inflammation from different types of winter ailments.

Cayenne

This is a good spice to get your circulation flowing. It is good for many digestive problems as well as a good immune tonic. My favorite thing to use it for is sinus troubles! Clears you right out! FAST! Tortilla soup is my long held remedy for sinus trouble! (That and fire cider!)

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is reminiscent of the winter season for good reason. It is stimulating & warming. Did you know cinnamon has anti viral, anti bacterial and anti fungal properties? It is an appetite stimulant as well as a good remedy for flatulence and ailments of the gastrointestinal tract. It is also useful in treating colds/flu and urinary tract infections. This spice is my favorite in tea on top of some freshly whipped cream on a cold winter day!

Fennel Seeds

Fennel Seed tea is a favorite for coughs, bronchitis and sinus issues. It is good for breaking up nasty chest and nasal congestion. It is useful in treating asthma and pertussis It is also an antispasmodic and good for relieving stomach cramps and promotes good digestion. I love the taste of fennel!

Garlic

Of course garlic is the most common cure all of all the herbs and spices out there. Consuming more garlic can help you build immunity and is basically good for strengthening every organ system in your body! It is a good think to consume if you get sick but good to load up on in the winter months. I love it roasted until soft as butter and spread on toast. I can eat several bulbs in one sitting this way.

Ginger

Ginger is a wonderful root. It is warming in nature and a wonderful addition to your cupboard for the winter season. No herbalists home should be without ginger root! It is good for stomach ailments, respiratory issues as well as a great circulatory and digestive tonic. It can be made into an infusion, compress, infused oil, eaten,etc. A must have!

Horehound

Horehound is a root that is good for all respiratory ailments. I like it for making cough syrups and pastilles. As well as in tea. It is something I use for chest colds with my children and they love it. It is the best thing for sore throats besides hot tea!

Nutmeg

Stimulating and warm, nutmeg promotes calm. It is good for inducing sleep and for digestive issues. It is a good promoter of the circulatory system. (This spice is toxic in high doses so uses sparingly!) Of course who can resist some eggnog at this time of year!?! Nutmeg is sure to make you merry and promotes good spirits.

Rosemary

Rosemary is useful for probably 100 ailments. From colds to flu and arthritis pain as well as skin irritations. It is a good herb to uplift the spirits and for those recovering from illness. I like to use it too soothe nerves and help relieve muscle pain. It can be eaten, infused into oil and drunk as a tea as well as made into oils or salves.

Try experimenting with any one of these herbs & spices and think about adding some of them to your herbal medicine chest for winter time. They are very versatile and can be used in not only seasoning your food but for medicine too!

Winter Bliss Warming Analgesic Massage Oil

2009-12-20T21:00:00.007-05:00

This is a recipe I have used for a warming, soothing winter time herbal infused oil. It is also useful for sore muscles. Wonderful for cold weather! I like it best for a deep tissue massage oil but you can use it in several different ways that I discuss below.

What you will need to make the oil;

10 oz jojoba, apricot or sweet almond oil (apricot is my personal favorite)

1 large piece of ginger root, peeled and cut into smaller chunks/ grated
2 tsp mustard seed oil
1 tsp arnica infused oil
2 oz. st. john's wort infused oil

5 drops cinnamon essential oil
5 drops black pepper essential oil
5 drops chamomile essential
10 drops ginger essential oil
10 drops rosemary essential oil

mesh strainer
12 oz. glass bottle with a lid

Place the ginger root into a pot and cover with 8 oz of jojoba oil. Using the double boiler method or a crockpot & simmer this over low heat for 2-3 hours. Cool and strain reserving the oil. Combine the rest of the ingredients with the ginger infused oil and mix well. Store in a glass bottle. Be sure to remember to label the contents of any herbal concoction you make to avoid confusion later on!

Use liberally as needed on achy joints and for a relaxing and warming massage oil! It can also be used in the bath. Or make bath salts by combining equal parts of Winter Bliss Oil to equal parts of Epson salts. (2 cups each will net you 2 soaks @ 2 cups of salt per bath)

This oil is especially good for those suffering from arthritis or gout and makes a lovely winter time oil to treat yourself with! It is also useful for strains, sprains and tired feet!

~A Week of Winter Remedies~

2009-12-20T14:00:00.001-05:00

This week I am going to be writing about winter herbal remedies, stocking the (winter) medicine chest and herbs that are indicated for different winter ailments! I hope you will stop back in!

I think it's really important to arm ourselves with herbal knowledge and stay away from chemical drugs. Although I truly feel there is a time and place for western allopathic medicine, I also believe we can heal ourselves with plant medicine. I feel herbal medicine is gentle medicine and a (re)emerging healing art.

Twitter feed for my articles!

2009-12-19T12:10:00.005-05:00

I have decided I don't want to clutter up this blog with my articles but I do want to share them! So, I just set up a twitter account here to post links to my articles at! I will probably be posting 3-5 herb related pieces per week, so check it out! (look for the box on the right side bar to see my feed and then be sure to follow me!)

You can also follow my blog and get updates to your email/ a feed to your Google reader when I publish new posts by following me. (Look at the bottom right of this page!)

Thanks for your support!
~April

Herbal Blog Party

2009-12-18T16:08:00.000-05:00

Check out December's Herbal Blog Party!
The theme for this month is herbal aesthetics with some neat projects! Check it out!

Grow a Medicinal Herb Garden on your Windowsill

2009-12-16T12:06:00.004-05:00

Winter getting you down? Want to get a jump start on spring starts? Plant a medicinal herb garden in your window! All you need is 3 things. Dirt, seeds and sunny spot!

Here's an article I wrote about planting a windowsill herb garden! Check it out!

Using White Pine as a Healing Medicine

2009-12-14T11:00:00.002-05:00

Here is an article I wrote about using white pine for skin and respiratory ailments. Who would have thought pine could be such a healer?

Pine Keeps You Fine

2009-10-13T10:01:00.001-04:00

A good article by Susun Weed on pine!

Queen Anne's Lace Jelly Recipe

2009-10-12T14:47:00.001-04:00

Queen Anne's Lace Jelly *

18 large Queen Anne's lace heads
4 Cups water
1/4 Cup lemon juice (fresh or bottled)
1 Package powdered pectin
3 1/2 Cups + 2 Tbsp. sugar

Bring water to boil. Remove from heat. Add flower heads (push them down
into the water). Cover and steep 30 mins. Strain.

Measure 3 Cups liquid into 4-6 quart pan. Add lemon juice and pectin.
Bring to a rolling boil stirring constantly. Add sugar and stir
constantly. Cook and stir until mixture comes to a rolling boil. Boil one
minute longer, then remove from heat.

Add color (pink) if desired. Skim. Pour into jars leaving 1/4" head
space. Process in hot water bath for 5 mins.

Makes about 6 jars.

Formatting, etc.

2009-06-10T09:01:00.001-04:00

I am going to be playing around with the background and formatting of this blog in the next few days. Please bear with me!

Red Clover Lemonade

2009-06-10T08:50:00.003-04:00

Our yard is currently full of red clover. After being away from the Northeast for so long I find the clover comforting in a way. Like an old friend.

Here is a recipe for red clover lemonade you can try! Red clover is a wonderful tonic herb that will nourish you body and soul! It is packed full of nutrients such as calcium, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium and niacin among others!

Red Clover Lemonade

4 cups fresh Red Clover blossoms

1 gallon water

1 c. honey

1 ½ cups lemon juice

1. Gently simmer Clover blossoms in a covered pot for 10 minutes.

2. Add honey, stirring until it dissolves.

3. Cover and let steep and cool for several hours or overnight. (This makes a strong, potent tea, maximizing the calcium and other nutrients in the Clover.)

4. Add lemon juice and chill.

Dandelion Burgers!?!

2009-05-13T15:16:00.004-04:00

I am a little obsessed with dandelion recipes at the moment as our yard is full of them!!!

Check out this recipe out for dandelion burgers! Looks pretty interesting, eh? I have not tried this yet but I thought it was blog worthy!

More interesting dandelion recipes and a more in depth overview to come!

Cream of Dandelion Soup

2009-05-02T21:04:00.002-04:00

Cream of Dandelion Soup

4 cups chopped dandelion leaves

2 cups dandelion flower petals

2 cups dandelion buds

1 Tbsp butter or olive oil

1 cup chopped wild leeks (or onions)

6 cloves garlic, minced

4 cups water

2 cups half-n-half or heavy cream

2 tsp salt

1. Gently boil dandelion leaves in 6 cups water. Pour off bitter water. Boil gently a second time, pour off bitter water.

2. In a heavy-bottom soup pot, sauté wild leeks and garlic in butter or olive oil until tender.

3. Add 4 cups water.

4. Add dandelion leaves, flower petals, buds, and salt.

5. Simmer gently 45 minutes or so.

6. Add cream and simmer a few minutes more.

Garnish with flower petals.

honey preserved dandelion blossom spread

2009-04-30T23:00:00.002-04:00

Dandelions are one plant I have always loved since I was a kid. Over the years I have deeply missed the plentiful blooms of this plant out west. They are starting to sprout up all over here in New England so I am collecting any and all dandelion recipes to try this year!

I am going to make some of this honey preserved blossom spread over the weekend! Has anyone tried this recipe?

Tumbleweed and playing catch up!

2009-04-28T16:41:00.002-04:00

I have been out of town for the past week. I will be catching up on my blog the next few days or so!

In the meantime I am going to be posting links to some of my articles here! Like this one here about the delicious tumbleweed!

Aloe Vera Lore

2009-04-22T08:14:00.003-04:00

Aloe Vera is often called the"burn plant" for obvious reasons. Did you know growing and keeping an aloe plant near or in your home offers protection and prevention of fires and burns? It may just be an old wives tale or superstition but a good one none the less as you really can't go wrong with keeping one nearby.

10 uses for Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)

2009-04-20T22:09:00.004-04:00

Skullcap is a native North American plant. It is a perennial herb that grows near water in more humid climates. It can be found growing wild along river banks and streams as well as cultivated in home gardens.

Dubbed "mad dog", skullcap has historically been used to treat rabies.

10 uses for skullcap;

-It can be used as an anti inflammatory

-Relieves tension headaches

-Helps lower blood pressure

-Can induce menstruation (*some say it is not safe during pregnancy and can be used to self induce an abortion*)

-Sedative,gentle nervine~ it is very relaxing (excellent when combined with valerian root)

-Can help with PMS symptoms

-Useful in reducing anxiety and depression

-Helps reduce insomnia

-Pain reliever

- Fever reducer

Skullcap is best used as a tincture or infusion. It should not be used long term.

Violet Lore

2009-04-18T10:29:00.001-04:00

A Little Violet Lore
Courtesy of the American Violet Society

Violet Magic :

A garland of violets around the neck protects from deception and inebriation.

Used in love philters and spells, it restores health after a long illness.

If you are given violets plants as a gift, it's very auspicious. If this gift comes from your lover, the better.

When violets bloom in the fall, they mean to warn us about imminent dangers.

When violets appear in your dreams, fortune is not too long away.

Dreaming Violets? A Violet in your Dreams.... You will marry someone younger than yourself!

I see that dreaming of violets has two meanings. You will marry someone younger, and fortune is not too long away.

Zoom Balls and Speed Fudge

2009-04-17T13:34:00.006-04:00

Guarana is a tropical plant native to the Amazon forest. It is a natural stimulant and used in many modern day energy drinks and diet pills.

This zoom ball recipe is by the famed herbalist Rosemary Gladstar. Michael Moore also has a recipe for guarana fudge I have included as well. I have made the zoom balls but not the fudge. I may give it a whirl one day soon! (feeling very low energy here)

**These should not be taken by pregnant or nursing moms or those sensitive to caffeine** KEEP OUT OF REACH OF PETS AND CHILDREN!

ZOOM BALLS
A Rosemary Gladstar recipe

3 cups tahini (drain excess oil from the top)
1 cup cashew or almond butter
2 cups honey (more or less to taste)
5 oz guarana powder
2 oz eleuthero powder
1 tbl cardamom powder
1 oz Chinese ginseng powder
1/2 oz nutmeg or mace powder
1 oz bee pollen
2 vials royal jelly
1 package carob or bitter chocolate chips
8 oz unsweetened shredded coconut- toasted
1 cup finely chopped almonds
unsweetened cocoa powder
2 # bittersweet dipping chocolate

Mix tahini, nut butter and honey until smooth. Combine the herbal powders, bee pollen and royal jelly and add to tahini mix.
Add chips, coconut and almonds - mix in well. Mix in enough cocoa powder to bring the dough to the desired thickness.
Roll the dough into small balls. If you want to coat the balls with chocolate, chill them in the refrigerator of easier dipping. You can also spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and cut into squares.
Melt the dipping chocolate in a double boiler. Drip the balls 1 at a time and place on waxed paper to cool.
Store the balls in baking tins in a cool place. They will last for weeks.

GUARANA FUDGE (AKA Speed Fudge)
by the late Michael Moore ( www.swsbm.com )

Mix together:
5 cups brown sugar
2 1/2 cups milk
salt

Add later:
1 cube sweet butter
6 ounces powdered Guarana Bean
Various nuts (if desired)

Boil sugar,salt and milk to the soft ball stage. Remove from heat for 10 minutes, add 1 cube sweet butter. Mix in 6 ounces of powdered Guarana Bean, and stir constantly until the glistening surface starts to look like frosting and stiffens. Add nuts (if desired), scrape onto greased surface, cool until set, and cut.

WARNING: This stuff tastes GREAT, but speeds like a mother.

Herbal Cough Drops

2009-04-16T20:18:00.003-04:00

I know cold season is almost over but I was so excited to have found this cough drop mold earlier this week! It's not a necessity but will make the process easier for sure! Just had to share it here for those interested!

I love herbal cough drops for soothing sore throats. I ended up buying some organic ones from the drugstore this year, but I have enjoyed making them in years past. I think they are much better than store bought ones. Here is an article I wrote awhile back with step by step directions for making herbal cough drops.

The Basics of Herbal Medicine Making

2009-04-14T19:46:00.003-04:00

Sorry I have been taking a bit of a break from blogging the last few days!

I am just starting an exciting new venture here though. I am writing an ebook!!! It will be called The Basics of Herbal Medicine Making, my goal is to have it done and available by June 1st! It is going to be packed full of lots of good info. and recipes of course! Geared more toward the beginner herbalist. I plan to write a series of ebooks that can be used for self studying AND be affordable.

Stay tuned for more details! :)

Herbal Tarot

2009-04-10T20:00:00.000-04:00

I gave this tarot deck to my partner for his birthday! It's really a lovely deck if you are into tarot and herbs. I had no idea Michael Tierra collaborated on a tarot deck. I really love the artwork and symbolism. Very lovely! I am really looking forward to borrowing it and working with this deck!

Marmalade Time!

2009-04-10T17:54:00.011-04:00

I am going to be making marmalade with the family this weekend, something I want to start a tradition doing each spring with the kids!

While I was thinking abut it earlier and gathering supplies I decided to search for some herbal marmalade recipes! Here's a few I found that I thought I'd share!

These would make delicious Mothers day (or anytime) gifts!

Lemon Lavender Marmalade

Minted Pineapple Lime Marmalade

Rosemary Orange Marmalade

Ginger Marmalade

Rose Hip Marmalade

Green Tomato Ginger Marmalade

Surely chamomile would make a wonderful marmalade mixed with ginger, lemon or oranges. I can't wait to try each and every one of these!!! :)

seaweed bars

2009-04-09T07:30:00.000-04:00

I have a long "to do" list going of herbal projects going and such for this spring and summer. I am going to post that one day soon for the fun of it and to keep track of things. :)

This recipe is on the top of my list!! Even though I don't really like sea veggies all that much I am really wanting to try this one for my kiddos for a healthy snack!

Chickweed Salve

2009-04-08T17:00:00.001-04:00

Good first aid for cuts, nicks, bites and scratches, itches and rashes.

12 oz fresh chickeweed

1 pint olive or sweet almond oil

½ oz beeswax

In ovenproof container combine Chickweed and oil.

Place in 150°F oven for 3 hours; strain and add ½ oz melted beeswax to oil (always melt waxes in top of double boiler to avoid fire); stir as mixture thickens.

Dandelion Miso

2009-04-08T08:36:00.002-04:00

We have been enjoying this locally made dandelion and leek miso.Mmmmm, it's so good! I really like it as a base for delicious veggie soup! Or you can just make a simple (and instant) broth with it. It would be good for traveling! You can order some yourself here if you want to try it! (I have no affiliation with the company just wanted to share info. on a great product!) I am definitely stocking up on some for our family and friends!!!

Broccoli Sprouts

2009-04-07T16:00:00.001-04:00

I thought this article was very interesting about broccoli sprouts helping heal the gut! I know it's not herb related but I thought it was still blog worthy! I love me some sprouts!!! :) so I will likely be posting about that here and there on this blog and about my various sprouting adventures!

Unfortunately I have had a bummer time transitioning from dry sunny desert sprouting (easy) to damp darker New England sprouting (much more problematic). Grrrr! If anyone has any tips or advice I am all ears.

The Elusive Elder

2009-04-07T10:29:00.005-04:00

I am hoping to find some elderberries this year now that I am in New England. When I finally do I am going to make this!

In the meantime does anyone have a source for homemade elderberry syrup/jam for sale?

Damiana Liqueur

2009-04-06T09:00:00.009-04:00



I'm a big fan of the herb damiana. It is a wonderful aphrodisiac and I have also used
it to overcome fertility issues. Here is a recipe I am going to try in the next few weeks!!!


This is delicious and was one of the first things I tried upon delving into the
world of herbal medicine!  Boy did it get my attention! Anyway I have been dying to make
some since then and that was sadly 15 years ago and I have been hanging on to the recipe
for a long while needless to say! So I have decided my man (who is studying herbs)
and I will make some in the very near future. Well as soon as I get all the ingredients gathered.


Damiana liqueur has been used for centuries in Mexico and also by ancient
civilizations such as the Mayans. It can be used as a tincture or infusion.


1 fifth brandy

4 oz damiana

2 oz lemon grass

4 oz cinnamon sticks

1 tsp. ground cloves

1 tsp. ground nutmegs

1 c. honey

1 oz marijuana tincture (optional but recommended- I will post the directions
for this specifically sometime this coming week!)

cheesecloth

large wide mouth mason jar w/ a lid



Place the herbs in the wide mouth jar. Cover with the brandy and screw on the lid.

Let this sit for 4-6 weeks.

Strain through cheesecloth and sweeten with honey.


Enjoy! ;)

Spring Cleansing "Roots" Soup

2009-04-05T14:00:00.001-04:00

This nourishing soup boosts immunity and is also a wonderful spring tonic. Spring tonics help add vitamins and minerals to your diet and gently cleanse the lymphatic system. They can be taken for a week or so as you acclimate to the warmer weather and need a boost and cleanse from higher fat and starchy winter diets. This "root soup" is good for strengthening the lungs, purifying the blood and cleansing to the liver and gallbladder. It is also useful for treating colds, sinus infections, arthritis and gout.

Here's a quick lowdown on how these roots cleanse and tone the vital organ systems;

Dandelion root- Liver tonic. Promotes bile flow.

Burdock root-Cleanses the digestive system as well as the lymphatic system. It is immune boosting to boot!

Astragalus- Increases the production of white blood cells and strengthens the immune system. Is a great energy tonic.

Ginger- Ginger is a wonderful circulatory and digestive stimulant.

Garlic & Onions- Are good immune boosters.

You can find fresh burdock, dandelion, astragalus, sea veggies and the shitake mushrooms at your local co-op or health food store. Dried can be substituted for fresh but fresh is optimal. You can reconstitute dried roots by soaking them in water for a bit. Slice thinly.

1 ounce dried astragalus root

4 ounces fresh dandelion root

4 ounces fresh burdock root

1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger root

1 tablespoon dried kelp, dulse, or other sea vegetable

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 cup chopped onion

7 medium-size fresh shiitake mushrooms

3 cloves garlic, minced

herbs and seasonings to taste

1/2 cup miso paste

Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil and reduce heat. Add astragalus, dandelion, burdock, ginger, and sea vegetable; cover and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour. Strain, return broth to pot, and keep over medium heat. In a saute pan, heat olive oil over medium heat; add onion and mushrooms, and saute until tender. Add garlic; saute for a few more minutes. Add entire mixture to broth. Turn off heat, and stir in miso paste. Season to taste.

This makes 3 qts of soup.

I am going to write a more in depth post about spring tonics later in the week so watch for that!

My Favorite Herbals

2009-04-05T09:00:00.002-04:00

As some of you may have noticed I have been adding my favorite herbal links on the right side of the blog titled "Herbal Allies". If you have any good sites or blogs to share please leave me a comment!

Otherwise I thought it would be fun to write a post about herb books. Herb books were once the foundation of my bookshelves when I first started studying herbs. My collection just grew and grew. My teacher had a lending library so I always got to check them out first through her. (It did not help that I worked next to a used bookstore for 4 years too!) I also love finding old out of print herb books from the 70's. LOL! I am known for buying extra copies of my favorites for friends and family members. Though I have culled some of the herb books in recent years they still are favorites of mine to read!

These are my top 10 favorite herb books;

1.) A Family Herbal- Rosemary Gladstar

2.) The Herbal Home Remedy Book-Joyce A. Wardwell

3.) Herbs and Things- Jeanne Rose and Michael Moore

4.) The Way of Herbs- Michael Tierra

5.) The Herbal Medicine Maker's Handbook- by James Green and Ajana Green

6.) Medicinal Plants of the Desert & Canyon West- Michael Moore

7.) Healing Wise- Susun Weed

8.) Herbal Remedies for Women- Amanda Mcquade

9.) Herbal Healing for Women- Rosemary Gladstar

10.) Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth- Sharol Tilgner

Of course A Modern Herbal by Margaret Grieve should receive mention as well as it is a classic and basically the herb bible!

This wonderful little book was also the very first book that got me interested in herbal medicine. I actually came across my copy the other day and that is what got me thinking about this post topic in the first place!

I could go on and on about herb books. It's hard to narrow it down as there are so many good herbalists and books out there! But these are my top 10! What are your favorites?

How to make a Solar Infused Herbal Oil

2009-04-04T07:59:00.008-04:00

Making a solar infused herbal massage oil is super easy and economical. Not to mention extremely satisfying.

What you will need is;

4 oz. of carrier oil (I like almond or jojoba)

1 oz of herbs (good ones to try are rosemary, lavender, arnica)

A glass jar with a lid

mesh strainer

Combine the herbs and oil in the glass jar and make sure the lid is tight. Set this out in a sunny spot in your window for several weeks. When you have determined the oil is done, strain through the cheesecloth and be sure to wring any excess oil from the herbs. LEt the oil sit overnight uncovered. The next day you can add essential oils (or not) up to 15 drops per 4 oz or as desired. Essential oils are optional but nice for making massage oil, bath oils, etc!

Some good oils to infuse for a nice massage oil are lavender (calming), lemon balm (rejuvanating), calendula flowers (Wonderful skin emollient) arnica (pain relief), rose petals (joyful) . Don't be afraid to experiment!

EDITED- One of my readers made a good point about my method in that everyone's process will not be as speedy as I am used to making solar oils in the strong desert sun! (oops! )

You indeed may have to adjust some of my recipes to where you are.

It may take many weeks or months for your oil to solar infuse depending on where you live. I would set your bottle/jar in a window or on a counter or shelf that gets sunlight during the day.

I am going to edit the above post.

**Alternately, you may also choose to infuse herbs into oil on the stovetop! I will talk more about that in a future post!

Wild Weed Salad- A Poem and a link

2009-04-03T21:29:00.004-04:00

Spring is here and how fitting that I came across this delightful poem today! I was just writing an article earlier today about foraging for wild weed salad greens!!! Yum-o! Some of the most delicious salads I have eaten have consisted of wild weeds such as sorrel, lambsquarters, chickweed, wild mustard, curly dock, dandelion,purslane,etc! Since you usually pick these sort of greens and eat them within a day of harvesting they are extra nutritious and give one a real energy boost!

Wild Weed Salad

A wild weed salad for lunch today
To tempt tired taste buds, won't you stay?
Come wander down the hedgerows lush,
The ritual gathering, quiet, no rush
Pink tiny leaves of dandelion
And cleavers clinging from the vine.
Wild sorrel sour to give an edge
Shy cervil nestling 'neath the hedge
Fine fennel, pungent, tall and bold
Calendulas, their petals gold
Sow thistle stems and leaves to eat
Wild mallow, rounded, green and sweet
Relaxing, cooling lemon balm
Blue borage flowers to add some charm
Fat hen leaves, pointed, greenly splayed
Wild onions sweet, we'll need the spade
Some modest violets peeping through
A handful of their green leaves too
Lush chickweed, tangy adding zest
Fat juicy purslane leaves are best
Rosettes of plantain, ribbed and green
A wealth of herbage, strengths unseen
A feast of goodness we'll be fed
With dressing 'French'
and homemade bread.

This wild weed salad poem-recipe was written by well known New Zealand herb devotee, Carmel Hare. She lives in Auckland, NZ, where she has developed a medieval herb garden modeled on the Bonnefort Cloister Herb garden, the Cloisters, New York. Her garden is open to visitors, many of whom get to sample her famous "survival salad" made from wild herbs and weeds. Carmel believes that many valuable trace elements and vitamins are found in abundance in wild herbs and weeds.

Such is the popularity of her Wild Weed Salad that she decided to detail the recipe by way of her poem.

I also came across this delightful article by a local teacher here in New England and wanted to pass it along too! Wonderful stuff!

Herbal Tooth Powder

2009-04-03T20:46:00.002-04:00

I love this recipe and wanted to share it here!

1/2 cup Baking Soda
1/2 cup white clay powder
1 teaspoon Myrrh powder
1 teaspoon dried Raspberry leaf
1 teaspoon dried Yellow Dock root
1 teaspoon flavoring herbs of your choice (Fennel -- Peppermint, Spearmint, Wintergreen)
5 drops Essential Oil of Tea Tree

Yield: about 1 cup

Myrrh powder is added to this recipe to help prevent periodontal disease. Baking soda, an ingredient in many commercial products, lessens the mouth's acidity. Raspberry leaf is good for the gums and mildly astringent. Tea tree oil is effective against gingivitis and plaque buildup. Yellow dock is cleansing.

Pour the Baking Soda and White Clay powder into a medium-size mixing bowl. In a spice mill or coffee grinder, grind the dried herbs into a powder. Add all the dry ingredients, including the Myrrh powder, to the Baking Soda/Clay mixture. Mix well with a wire whisk. Add the Tea Tree oil, again mixing well. Place a clean hand towel over the bowl, covering it completely. Let sit overnight. The next morning, mix well again with the wire whisk. Package in an opaque wide-mouthed jar. It will last indefinitely if you keep moisture out of the package.

To use: Wet your toothbrush, then sprinkle a small quantity of powder onto your brush. Brush thoroughly and gently in an up and down motion. Brush the tongue too. Rinse, and feel the freshness of your mouth.

The Herbal Home Spa by Greta Breedlove, pgs. 171 and 172

Plantain Chips Recipe

2009-04-03T09:24:00.003-04:00

I found this recipe (by "Wildman" Steve Brill) on the plant foraging group I belong to here and wanted to pass it along! This is for chips made from the plant plantain. (not the fruit plantain) I am going to try this in a couple of weeks and can't hardly wait! Let me know if you try it yourself and how it comes out!

Roasted Plantain Chips

Unlike the banana-related plantain chips of the supermarket,
this wafer-thin chips are made with the leaves of the unrelated common
plantain. They’re great, and it took me only 26 years of downplaying
this plant’s food value to discover how to prepare it properly, using
a method my wife uses for kale.

2 cups young common plantain leaves, or kale
2 tsp. sesame oil
1/2 tsp. fennel seeds, ground
1/2 tsp. caraway seeds, ground
1/4 tsp. powdered ginger
1/2 tsp. salt
A dash of hot sauce

1. Stir all the ingredients together.

2. Spread onto 3 cookie sheets covered with non-stick mats (or oiled
cookie sheets) and bake about 6 minutes, or until very lightly browned
and crisp, in a preheated 425 degree oven. Stir occasionally, being
careful not to let the leaves burn.

Serves 4

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Plantain is a simply amazing plant.

Happy Foraging!

"Wildman" Steve Brill
America's Best-Known Forager
320 Palmer Terrace, Apt. 2A
Mamaroneck, NY, 10543
(914) 835-2153

http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com
wildman@wildmanstevebrill.com

Free Issue of The Essential Herbal

2009-03-23T12:33:00.003-04:00

Check it out!

10 uses for catnip

2009-03-22T17:49:00.002-04:00

Catnip isn’t just for cats. A perennial herb from the mint family catnip is a useful medicinal herb that can treat all kinds of maladies. It is very easy to grow in the home garden or indoors in pots year round.

The following are 10 easy ways to use catnip;

1- Catnip tea soothes coughs.

2- Can be used as a mild sedative or sleep aid.

3- Catnip is useful for calming the digestive track.

4- Catnip essential oil can be used as an effective insect repellent.

5- Fresh catnip leaves can be added as a delicious addition to salads.

6- A good tonic herb for regulating the menstrual cycle and also for the relief of pain from menstrual cramps.

7- There are 4 popular varieties of catnip available besides common catnip; camphor, mint, lemon and Greek.

8- Effective in treating asthma and bronchitis (as an infusion, extract or even smoked).

9- Catnip can be given as a tea mixed with breast milk to infants suffering from colic.

10- Chewing the fresh leaf can help relive pain from a toothache.

Catnip is most commonly used as an infusion (tea). Steep 1 oz of dried herb (or 2 ounces crushed fresh) in a tea ball with 1 quart of boiling water. Let steep covered for 5 minutes. Sweeten and add milk to taste if desired. Drink 1-2 cups.

It can also be used as a tincture.

Mormon Tea (Ephedra nevadensis)

2009-03-22T17:35:00.001-04:00

Also known as squaw tea or desert tea. Mormon Tea is a common shrub of the southwest United States and Mexico. It is called Mormon tea because the early Mormon settlers used it as a coffee/caffeine substitute. It is an astringent plant that is also useful for bronchitis and asthma. It is also useful for stomach and kidney ailments and is a slightly energizing drink.

To brew mormon tea simply take a handful of leaves (green or brown) and cover with boiling water. Cover and steep for 5 minutes and sweeten to taste. This is a great remedy for those suffering from shortness of breathe due to colds and asthma.

Alternately mormon tea can be chewed.

How to make an herbal tincture

2009-03-22T07:13:00.003-04:00

Tinctures are extracts of herbs made using dried or fresh plant material. The medicinal properties of the herbs are extracted using alcohol and sometimes glycerin or vinegar. Making and using herbs in this fashion is very effective both in cost and as a catalyst for healing. Some herbs are better used as an infusion (such as red raspberry leaf, peppermint and oatstraw) but many more are much more effective in the form of a tincture.

To make a tincture you will need the following supplies;

Wide mouth jar w/tight fitting lid

A piece of wax paper big enough to cover the top of the jar

80-100 proof vodka or Everclear (I generally like to use Everclear)

4-6 tbsp. of specific herb/roots

A piece of cheesecloth large enough to fit over the mouth of the jar

Rubberband

You will want to place the herbs in the jar then cover with about 4x as much alcohol. Place the wax paper over the opening of the jar then screw on the lid tightly. Let this mixture sit for 2-4 weeks in a cool dry place. You will want to shake it occasionally. (Once a day if possible, but a few times a week is ok)

After about 2-4 weeks, strain through cheesecloth with a rubberband wrapped around the lid. Be sure to squeeze out the excess liquid from the herbs and reserve the liquid. Be sure to label all tinctures and keep out of reach of pets and children.

Generally tinctures can be taken a teaspoon at a time 2-3x a day (depending on the herb and ailment ). Be sure to research any herb and dosages you are tincturing.

I will be discussing certain herbs and tinctures here and how to use them.

Herbal Infused Chest Rub

2009-03-20T13:23:00.000-04:00

There’s no need to use nasty petroleum based chest rubs when you can easily make your own herbal infused chest rub at home. Here is a recipe for a wonderful and effective chest rub that will help ease chest congestion. It is safe enough for kids to use too so it works for the whole family!

What you'll need;

A double boiler (you can use a regular saucepan if you don’t have a double boiler just do NOT heat up too high, use low heat!)

Small glass jars or tins

Cheesecloth/ mesh strainer

Dried lavender and peppermint (2 Tbsp. each)

Essential oils- camphor, eucalyptus, lavender, rosemary (10 drops each)

6 oz oil (I like sunflower or jojoba oil but you could use olive or almond)

1 oz coconut oil

1 oz shea butter

1 oz beeswax (or vegan alternative)

Directions;

First heat your oil and add the dried herbs together. Let steep for about 30-45 minutes.

Strain with the cheesecloth or strainer reserving the oil. (Compost the herbs)

Return to low heat and add in coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax, stirring constantly until blended well.

Remove from heat and add the essential oils.

Pour into small glass jars. Allow to solidify then be sure to put lids on and label.

Rub a small amount on your chest as needed! This works great!

(You can find all the supplies you need online at http://www.mountainroseherbs.com or any soap making supply shop)

Herbal Support for PMS

2009-03-20T08:11:00.001-04:00

This is a good recipe for a soothing mellow tea to use to alleviate PMS. Traditional Medicinals also has a good PMS tea which you can find at your local health food store for about $5 a box. I like to make my own PMS tea when I can.

Mix the following in equal parts to a clean dry glass jar. Using 1 oz of each herb will yield a big jar full. Enough for several months. Just be sure to store it out of direct sunlight in a cool, dark place.

Herbs for PMS tea;

Dandelion root

Crampbark

Skullcap

Hops

Catnip

Peppermint

Red raspberry leaves

Red clover flowers

Nettles

Oatstraw

Lemon Balm

Use a tea ball or brew 1 tsp. per cup. This tea is very lovely. Drink 2-3 cups per day or as needed. You can use any of the herbs listed here and make it according to your tastes but I like variety!

Drinking tea is a very effective way to self heal so it is my favorite way to treat a lot of things (including PMS).

Herbal Allies

2009-03-20T08:06:00.000-04:00

If you’re like me, maybe you have been called to work with certain plants. This would be what some herbalists call an “Herbal Ally”. I can vividly remember the first time I was called to work with a plant (violets). It isn’t just a passing curiosity or wanting to just learn about a certain plant. It is actually a definite pull and calling to learn, know and listen to what the plant is telling you. I encourage you to pay attention next time it feels like a specific plant is calling to you. It may just want to teach you something. Once you discover an herbal ally it will teach you things you never expected in ways you never knew possible. It is also possible that your ally will choose you, not the other way around! It’s a good idea to keep a journal and write down your thoughts, findings and lessons from your herbal ally. This will help you preserve and validate the experience. It is a great way to learn about plants on a deeper spiritual level as well.

Welcome to my newest herb blog!

2009-03-15T19:30:00.000-04:00

Yes, it's yet another herb blog! Unfortunately today.com has not proved easy navigable and I also keep getting spammed! So I decided to come over to blogger.com!

This blog is my attempt at sharing plant knowledge with those who want to learn more about using herbs and native plants for medicinal, spiritual and emotional healing. Of course I don't make medical claims here but I will write about my experiences and theories!

I urge you to use love, good energy and common sense when using herbs. There is nothing better than being able to make your own medicine from the plants you grow or wild harvest yourself.

Learning about herbal lore, history of uses and ethnobotany are also a passion of mine so I will be including little tidbits here and there pertaining to those subjects as well!