I am excited to offer all the seeds I collected from the garden and many of the herbal products and remedies I make. Check back often at my Etsy Shop, Wild Garden Goddess, for an ever-increasing inventory of garden goodness from our 10 acre paradise Celestial Springs! Thanks for your love and support and be sure to add my shop to your Favorites.
Wild Garden Goddess - Etsy Shop
Thursday, February 19, 2015
Saturday, February 14, 2015
A Short Little Ditty About Blue Hyssop
 |
Blue Hyssop (Hyssop officinalis) Family 'Labiatae'It's name comes from the Greek word hussopos and the Hebrew esob, meaning "holy herb". [Rodale Encyclopedia of Herbs] |
Blue Hyssop is one of the first perennial herbs to awaken in my garden and one of the last to go dormant in the winter. I really love this herb from the mint family for it's glossy green leaves, deep purple flowers and aromatic smell that reminds me a little of rosemary.
We purchased a seed collection called 'Life Line Medicinal Herb Garden' from my favorite seed company 'Horizon Herbs'. Blue Hyssop was one of the 18 herbs we grew from this collection and these herbs were the foundation for our Medicine Wheel Garden.
Recently hyssop has helped my 3 year old son, Liam with a chest cold. I had dried some of the leaves and flowers for tea, so I brewed him an infusion and added a little honey. I was a bit surprised when he declared " I love this tea!" I am definitely adding this herb to my arsenal and am looking forward to making a cough syrup, tincture and drying the aerial parts of the plant for for more of the delicious tea!
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Lunar Gardening
One of my favorite pastimes is observing the waxing and waning Moon as she passes through the constellations month after month; season after season. Grandmother Moon has guided me as a maiden and mother through the ebb and flow of my body’s natural cycles of menstruation and fertility and the birth of five children .
Ruler of water the Moon influences reproductive cycles, the tides, earthly energies and the life-force in plants, animals and people. She is a symbol of birth, growth, death and rebirth to all living things on Earth.
When I started growing my own vegetables, herbs, and flowers it seemed natural to plan my garden activities around the cycles of the Moon. This journey and my relationship with the Moon & Stars has connected me with Mother Earth and the elements in a deep rooted sense that has brought much joy and healing to my life. Modern agriculture with all its fancy machinery, GMO’s and chemical pesticides cannot compare to growing your own food with loving intentions imbued with the beautiful light of the Moon.
Moon or Lunar Gardening can be a simple addition to your gardening routine and is great food for the soul. There are a few basic concepts to start with. It helps to get a picture in your head of the cycles and phases of the Moon as you begin your planning and planting. I found it helpful to purchase a Moon Calendar or datebook to begin with until you build up your confidence. Then you will find with practice that planting by the Moon comes naturally as you become in tune with the rhythms of the seasons and cycles of the Moon. I really enjoy the calendar Gardening by the Moon and the astrological date book We’Moon.
Moon facts:
Here are a few simple visualizations to help you remember the basics of Lunar gardening:
Visualize the Earth exhaling as the Moon is waxing. When the light of the Moon is increasing plant your vegetable seeds that like to grow above ground. Plant your seeds in flats or in the ground a few days before the New Moon. The lunar gravity is strongest at the New and Full Moon, so your seeds should germinate quickly and balanced leaf and root growth will occur as the Moon waxes until she is Full.
Next visualize the Earth inhaling as the Moon is waning. When the light of the Moon is decreasing plant your vegetable seeds, root vegetables, and bulbs that like to grow below ground. Plant your seeds a few days before the Full Moon and they should germinate quickly and then focus energy into forming their roots until the New Moon. This is also a great time to cultivate, transplant, fertilize, harvest and prune.
There’s so much more you can do with Lunar gardening then these basic concepts, but it’s a great place to start. You will find your own rhythm just by observing what is happening in your garden daily, the cycles of the moon, the cosmos, weather, and seasons. You can increase the magic in your garden by telling each seed and plant how much you love them and by chanting or singing to them. I like to send love and inspiration to the plants to grow and bear fruit as I water and fertilize them. My children and I enjoy singing different songs as we plant and harvest. Here’s one of our favorites (you can find the tune on youtube).
The Earth, the Air, the Fire, the Water, return return return return
The Earth, the Air, the Fire, the Water, return return return
If you want to explore organic and lunar gardening more in depth then I highly recommend Bio-dynamic gardening. I discovered this technique, introduced by Rudolph Steiner, while researching Waldorf education when pregnant with my first child. Bio-dynamic Gardening employs organic gardening practices, observing lunar and planetary cycles when planting, cultivating and harvesting; making your own compost, growing mediums, fertilizers, and preps. It’s quite a fascinating subject and one that is based on observation in your own micro-climate. It’s truly a full-circle approach to gardening!
One basic concept is that as the Moon moves through its ecliptic cycle in 27 ½ days around Earth it passes through the 12 signs of the Tropical Zodiac, each are assigned to one of the 4 fundamental elements. Along with the phase of the Moon, sign it is in, and planetary influences the plants can benefit by giving a greater yield, resistance to pests and disease, improved flavor and nutrients, and longer storage periods.
4 Fundamental Elements, Plant Stage & Zodiac Signs
Earth – Root – Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Air – Flower – Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Fire – Fruit (seed) – Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Water – Leaf – Cancer, Scorpio, Pices
There are a lot of awesome resources out there for Bio-dynamic gardening and agriculture. Here’s a few to get you started:
http://www.stellanatura.com/
http://www.lunarorganics.com/
https://www.biodynamics.com/
Gardening is about forming a connection with the Earth, the cosmos, your food & herbs that you grow for yourself, family and friends. Let it be an adventure that carries you joyfully throughout the season and keeps you healthy, happy and strong!
Ruler of water the Moon influences reproductive cycles, the tides, earthly energies and the life-force in plants, animals and people. She is a symbol of birth, growth, death and rebirth to all living things on Earth.
When I started growing my own vegetables, herbs, and flowers it seemed natural to plan my garden activities around the cycles of the Moon. This journey and my relationship with the Moon & Stars has connected me with Mother Earth and the elements in a deep rooted sense that has brought much joy and healing to my life. Modern agriculture with all its fancy machinery, GMO’s and chemical pesticides cannot compare to growing your own food with loving intentions imbued with the beautiful light of the Moon.
Moon or Lunar Gardening can be a simple addition to your gardening routine and is great food for the soul. There are a few basic concepts to start with. It helps to get a picture in your head of the cycles and phases of the Moon as you begin your planning and planting. I found it helpful to purchase a Moon Calendar or datebook to begin with until you build up your confidence. Then you will find with practice that planting by the Moon comes naturally as you become in tune with the rhythms of the seasons and cycles of the Moon. I really enjoy the calendar Gardening by the Moon and the astrological date book We’Moon.
Moon facts:
- Every 29 ½ days the Moon completes her cycle from New to Full to New again as she orbits around the Earth.
- There are 4 phases or quarters : New Moon, 1st Quarter, Full Moon, Last Quarter or New Moon, 2nd Quarter, Full Moon, 4th Quarter; depending on what planting calendar you are using.
- As the Moon waxes the light increases and as the Moon wanes the light decreases.
- The Moon makes her way along the ecliptic path through the 12 signs of the Tropical Zodiac every 27 ½ days (known as a sidereal month) and stays in each constellation for 2-3 days a month.
- There are 13 moons or lunar cycles per year.
Here are a few simple visualizations to help you remember the basics of Lunar gardening:
Visualize the Earth exhaling as the Moon is waxing. When the light of the Moon is increasing plant your vegetable seeds that like to grow above ground. Plant your seeds in flats or in the ground a few days before the New Moon. The lunar gravity is strongest at the New and Full Moon, so your seeds should germinate quickly and balanced leaf and root growth will occur as the Moon waxes until she is Full.
Next visualize the Earth inhaling as the Moon is waning. When the light of the Moon is decreasing plant your vegetable seeds, root vegetables, and bulbs that like to grow below ground. Plant your seeds a few days before the Full Moon and they should germinate quickly and then focus energy into forming their roots until the New Moon. This is also a great time to cultivate, transplant, fertilize, harvest and prune.
There’s so much more you can do with Lunar gardening then these basic concepts, but it’s a great place to start. You will find your own rhythm just by observing what is happening in your garden daily, the cycles of the moon, the cosmos, weather, and seasons. You can increase the magic in your garden by telling each seed and plant how much you love them and by chanting or singing to them. I like to send love and inspiration to the plants to grow and bear fruit as I water and fertilize them. My children and I enjoy singing different songs as we plant and harvest. Here’s one of our favorites (you can find the tune on youtube).
The Earth, the Air, the Fire, the Water, return return return return
The Earth, the Air, the Fire, the Water, return return return
If you want to explore organic and lunar gardening more in depth then I highly recommend Bio-dynamic gardening. I discovered this technique, introduced by Rudolph Steiner, while researching Waldorf education when pregnant with my first child. Bio-dynamic Gardening employs organic gardening practices, observing lunar and planetary cycles when planting, cultivating and harvesting; making your own compost, growing mediums, fertilizers, and preps. It’s quite a fascinating subject and one that is based on observation in your own micro-climate. It’s truly a full-circle approach to gardening!
One basic concept is that as the Moon moves through its ecliptic cycle in 27 ½ days around Earth it passes through the 12 signs of the Tropical Zodiac, each are assigned to one of the 4 fundamental elements. Along with the phase of the Moon, sign it is in, and planetary influences the plants can benefit by giving a greater yield, resistance to pests and disease, improved flavor and nutrients, and longer storage periods.
4 Fundamental Elements, Plant Stage & Zodiac Signs
Earth – Root – Taurus, Virgo, Capricorn
Air – Flower – Gemini, Libra, Aquarius
Fire – Fruit (seed) – Aries, Leo, Sagittarius
Water – Leaf – Cancer, Scorpio, Pices
There are a lot of awesome resources out there for Bio-dynamic gardening and agriculture. Here’s a few to get you started:
http://www.stellanatura.com/
http://www.lunarorganics.com/
https://www.biodynamics.com/
Gardening is about forming a connection with the Earth, the cosmos, your food & herbs that you grow for yourself, family and friends. Let it be an adventure that carries you joyfully throughout the season and keeps you healthy, happy and strong!
Monday, January 26, 2015
This almond milk recipe is delicious and easy!
Usually I am not a big fan of almond milk, but my friend Tess Masters's new book 'The Blender Girl' convinced me to give it a try. Even though we omitted a few items we are thrilled with the way that it tastes and excited to have a new addition to our smoothies that we can make at home. It also means we can do away with another store bought item with all the packaging and fossil fuels that come with it...and.. since the almonds are sprouted it's ALIVE! We adapted the recipe a little and doubled it because we have a large family. Here's what we came up with. Hope you love it as much as we do!
Ingredients for 6 cups of almond milk:
2 cups of raw almonds
6 cups of filtered water
4-6 Tbs. sweetener of choice (we used Sorgum) we recommend maple syrup, honey or agave
Pinch of salt (we had Redmond's REAL salt)
2 tsp. vanilla
Milk bag or butter muslin (I heard panty hose work too)
Vita-Mix or blender
Ingredients for 6 cups of almond milk:
2 cups of raw almonds
6 cups of filtered water
4-6 Tbs. sweetener of choice (we used Sorgum) we recommend maple syrup, honey or agave
Pinch of salt (we had Redmond's REAL salt)
2 tsp. vanilla
Milk bag or butter muslin (I heard panty hose work too)
Vita-Mix or blender
Soak 2 cups of almonds 8-12 hours or overnight
Rinse your almonds and put them in the blender with the water, salt, vanilla and sweetener then blend!
Pour almond milk into bag and strain
Enjoy as a refreshing drink or add it to your smoothies. YUM!
Sunday, January 25, 2015
The Kombucha Experiment #1 - Lemon Balm
My passion for lemon balm tea inspired me to branch out from my normal black tea Kombucha brew. Even though most herbal teas fail in the world of Kombucha my lemon balm was a success! I did start with a healthy SCOBY (Symbiotic colony of bacteria and yeast) and starter tea from a long-line of black tea ancestors. This recipe is for experienced Kombucha brewers and those that long to branch out and try something different and delicious. The lemon balm was grown and dried by me, which makes it even better!
Ingredients:
SCOBY and starter tea
1/2 gallon glass jar
Lemon Balm Infusion
Organic Sugar
Coffee filter/paper towel/cloth(sterile)
rubber band or canning ring
Infuse a few handle fulls of Lemon Balm for at least 4 hours/overnight
Let cool to room temperature and strain
Add 1 cup or organic sugar and stir
Add the SCOBY to the cooled tea and cover it
Put your tea in a dark warm corner or in a cabinet and check it in a week. I let my lemon balm Kombucha brew for 2 weeks and then I bottled it with a teaspoon of sugar in each bottle for a 2nd fermentation. I let that sit for 2 weeks and then drank it. It was delicious!!!
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Make Home-made Greek Yogurt
I finally figured out a home-made Greek yogurt recipe that works and is delicious! After fooling around with different cultures I decided to use a container of Greek God Plain yogurt with my raw cow's milk. Success! Here's how I did it.
Ingredients:
1/2 gallon whole milk of choice
Greek God Plain or any whole milk plain Greek yogurt
2 quart jars
butter muslin or cheesecloth
colander
large bowl
hemp or kitchen string
yogurt maker (Yo Life), cooler, or oven
Directions:
Pour 1/2 gallon of milk into a pan and heat slowly to 110 degrees. Take pan off the heat and let it cool slightly. Whisk 4 T. of plain greek yogurt into the milk and pour into 2 quart jars. Put quart jars into a yogurt maker, an oven that is turned off, or wrap the jars with a towel and set into a cooler of warm water. Let your quart jars sit at least 6 hours. I made my yogurt in the evening and left it in the yogurt maker overnight (about 15 hours). I like mine super thick and tangy. Line a colander with butter muslin or several layers of cheese cloth. Spoon yogurt into muslin, gather and hang to drip over a large bowl. Let it hang for 3-6 hours. The longer it hangs the thicker your yogurt. If you let it hang too long you end up with greek yogurt cheese, but that's another blog!
Ingredients:
1/2 gallon whole milk of choice
Greek God Plain or any whole milk plain Greek yogurt
2 quart jars
butter muslin or cheesecloth
colander
large bowl
hemp or kitchen string
yogurt maker (Yo Life), cooler, or oven
Directions:
Pour 1/2 gallon of milk into a pan and heat slowly to 110 degrees. Take pan off the heat and let it cool slightly. Whisk 4 T. of plain greek yogurt into the milk and pour into 2 quart jars. Put quart jars into a yogurt maker, an oven that is turned off, or wrap the jars with a towel and set into a cooler of warm water. Let your quart jars sit at least 6 hours. I made my yogurt in the evening and left it in the yogurt maker overnight (about 15 hours). I like mine super thick and tangy. Line a colander with butter muslin or several layers of cheese cloth. Spoon yogurt into muslin, gather and hang to drip over a large bowl. Let it hang for 3-6 hours. The longer it hangs the thicker your yogurt. If you let it hang too long you end up with greek yogurt cheese, but that's another blog!
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
How to make Herbal Remedies your Family will Love
Learning to make herbal remedies for your family is a delightful and affordable way to keep your loved ones healthy all year long. Teaching your children about the healing power of herbs will give them lifelong respect and love of the Earth.
Herbs have safely been used for over 5000 years in Ayurvedic medicine, 3,500 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine and dates even further back in time when primitive man gathered plants and herbs from Mother Earth to maintain the health of their tribes and animals.
Wildcrafted, home-grown, or dried herbs purchased from a reputable source are the best choices for your herbal remedies and a great alternative to over-the-counter medicines and expensive supplements from the health food store. The wonderful thing about growing your own herbs is that you know they are grown organically with your loving intentions, which makes them all the more magical and effective as herbal medicines for your family.
If you have access to land that is cared for responsibly then wild-crafting herbs, fondly known as weeds, are Mother Earth’s gift to you. When gathering herbs from the wild offer your love and respect to them and take only what you need. In return they will bless you with potent herbal medicines. Make sure you have correctly identified the plant and collect the right part of the plant in the appropriate season. One of my favorite books on this subject is “Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not So Wild) Places”, by “Wildman” Steve Brill.
Let’s get started with the basics of making herbal home remedies for your Family Apothecary. All of the herbs I will be introducing to you are safe and non-toxic, but you still should introduce new herbs to your family in small amounts as occasionally there may be a mild allergy to a certain herb.
Herbal Teas
Everyone is familiar with a steaming cup of herbal tea. One of our family favorites is Peppermint. It’s easy to grow, delicious, safe and as my favorite herbalist Rosemary Gladstar likes to say it’s a “Blast of green energy”. We have a very large mint patch growing near our spring and harvest and dry tons of mint to drink throughout the year.
In the summer we drink it iced and in the winter we drink it hot. Herbal teas are a great alternative to juices, sodas and other drinks high in sugar and artificial colors. You can sweeten your tea with stevia, turbinado or raw honey instead of that highly processed white sugar.
Here are some yummy and nutritious herbs to start with!
Peppermint – provides natural energy and is a great digestive aid for easing nausea and stomach cramps.
Chamomile – relieves stress and anxiety, eases teething pain, you can add a strong cup of tea to the bath for relaxation, and cool some down for a soothing eye wash (great for newborn eye infections too).
Lemon Balm – “The Elixir of Life”, is a remedy for anxiety, depression, ADHD, viral and bacterial infections. Bees love it and so will you!
Chamomile & Lemon Balm in equal parts work together to treat colic and also make a great iced “Sun Tea” in the summer-time.
Basic cup of herbal tea:
8 ounces of hot water (let boiling water rest for a moment)
Tea basket, tea ball, or muslin bag
1-2 teaspoons dried herb/ 1-3 Tablespoons fresh herb
Tea cup
Sweetener
Steep tea for 10-15 min. with a plate over cup to capture the medicinal properties.
Medicinal Herbal Infusions
Herbal Infusions are similar to herbal teas except that you use more plant matter and steep for a longer period of time in a quart jar. Infusions are made from the leaves, flowers and buds (the more aromatic) parts of the plant. The roots are more effective when they are made as a decoction.
Stinging Nettle is a great herb to make your first herbal infusion with. When you gather it make sure you protect your hands or you will have little red welts all over them, but in its dried form it is completely harmless. Nettles are rich in iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and many other vitamins and minerals. It is a superior tonic herb strengthening and toning the entire system.
Nettle Herbal Infusion Recipe:
1 quart jar w/lid
1 quart of boiling water
6-8 tablespoons fresh or dried Nettle
Strainer
Pour water over the Nettles, cover loosely with a lid and let steep for 30 min-4 hours or overnight if you are making some before going to bed. The longer you let it steep the better. Strain and drink. Try drinking this infusion for a few weeks and notice how it makes you feel. Infusions should last for a few days in the fridge, but if you do have some left over your plants will love it!
Try making a Solar “Sun Tea” or a lunar infusion with your children as a special project and watch them drink it with enthusiasm.
Decoctions
Decoctions are made from the roots, twigs, and bark (the woody parts) of plants and sometimes seeds and nuts. My favorite decoction is made from Astragalus root as it has kept my family well through many changes of the seasons. It is an immune stimulating herb, builds the blood, and protects the liver. It’s great for those recovering from serious illness, radiation or chemotherapy and it helps build energy and increase athletic stamina.
Astragalus Decoction Recipe:
Quart jar
Small pan
Quart of water
Handful of dried chopped root
Strainer
Simmer Astragalus root for 20 min. and then strain into a quart jar. Drink hot or cold and store excess in the refrigerator.
Oils & Salves
One of my favorite herbal remedies to make is oils and salves. I love harvesting fresh herbs and flowers, covering them with oil then sitting them on my front porch or in a sunny window to let them infuse for 3-4 weeks before using them as medicinal oil or turning them into salve. Your Family Apothecary would not be complete without calendula, a beautiful yellow flower that grows easily and is the perfect skin remedy for diaper rash, cradle cap and other skin irritations. You can even add the pretty blossoms to your salads, omelets and stews.
Calendula Oil Recipe:
Clean jars (I use quart jars)
Large Amber bottle or another jar
Fresh or dried calendula blossoms
Organic extra-virgin olive oil, grape seed, almond or apricot oil
Funnel
Cheesecloth
Fill your clean dry jar ½ - ¾ full with your freshly picked or dried blossoms. Cover blossoms with oil and leave about ½ inch at the top of jar. Sit jar in a sunny spot for 3-4 weeks to let the blossoms infuse into the oil. Gently shake your oil infusion daily and send it loving energy. A fun activity to do with your children is to say a positive affirmation every time you shake your oil. “May this calendula oil bless us with her natural healing properties”. We also like to sing songs while we are picking the blossoms and we always say “Thank you”, when we are finished. After 3-4 weeks your oil should have a lovely yellow color to it and a slightly sweet aroma. Take the oil and strain through cheesecloth, pour into a bottle or jar (a funnel is helpful), label, and store in a cool place. Apply liberally to any skin irritation, use as a massage oil, in the bath, or make into a salve.
Calendula Salve Recipe
1 small pan
1 cup of Calendula oil
¼ c. of beeswax
Lavender or chamomile essential oil
Small glass jars and tin containers to hold 10oz. of salve
Heat your calendula oil over low heat and slowly add beeswax till melted. Let cool slightly and add a few drops of essential oil. Pour into tins or small glass jars and let cool. Then put the lids on, label, and store in a cool place. Your family will love using this homemade salve for cuts, bumps, bruises and rashes. Enjoy!
Herbal Extracts
Herbal Extracts, also known as tinctures and glycerites are very effective and potent herbal remedies that are easy and affordable to make at home. Making an herbal extract involves steeping an herb in a liquid menstruum (alcohol, vinegar or vegetable glycerin) to extract the chemical constituents of the herb. As you gain confidence making and using herbal remedies you will find great satisfaction in making your own herbal extracts for your family. My favorite herbal extract for the Family Apothecary is an Echinacea glycerite.
Glycerites are “alcohol free” herbal extracts made with vegetable glycerin (coconut by-product), which you can find at your local health food store or order online. Sometimes vegetable glycerine is advertised as a skin care product, but as long as it’s food grade then it’s perfectly fine to use. Children seem to prefer the glycerites because they are very sweet and easy to take by the dropperful under the tongue, in a little warm water, or mixed into some organic juice.
Echinacea is the perfect herb to make into a glycerite for the Family Apothecary. It’s beautiful, easy to grow, fights off colds, flu and respiratory infections with its immune enhancing and anti-biotic properties and is safe to use. The two most common types of Echinacea to grow and use for herbal extracts is Echinacea augustifolia and Echinacea purpurea. You can use a fresh root that is 2- 3 years old or high-quality dried roots. Echinacea root is pretty tough to chop up and can make quite a racket in the blender, but get the pieces as small as you can manage.
Echinacea Glycerite Recipe:
1 quart jar (macerating container)
Vegetable glycerin (menstruum)
Echinacea roots (dried or fresh)
Several large amber tincture bottles for storage
Small amber tincture bottle for administering
Chop roots by hand. Fill your quart jar ½ full with your roots and fill the rest of the jar with 75 % vegetable glycerin and 25% distilled water. Pour your herb-menstruum into the blender (it may make a horrible racket) and blend until you see a vortex forming in the center of your slurry. Pour your mixture into your quart jar and place it in a dark cupboard to macerate for 4-6 weeks. Shake daily. When your menstruum is done macerating strain it through a heavy layer of cheese cloth and bottle.
Recommended dosages for herbal extracts: Infants (2-5 drops 3x daily), Children (10-20 drops 3x daily), and Adults (30-60 drops 3x daily). Take under tongue (sublingually), in a small amount of warm water, or in organic juice. Do not take longer than 3 weeks at a time or it can lose its effectiveness.
The best time to take Echinacea is at the change of the seasons or when you start to see symptoms of a cold coming on. Make sure you administer it to your whole family. I have made the mistake of being so focused on taking care of my children that I forgot to give myself some!
Making herbal remedies for your family is so rewarding that you will wonder why you didn't do this before or more often. As you gain experience using herbs you will discover so many ways to use them. You may even want to start your own herb garden to grow all your favorite flowers and herbs, so that you have them on hand whenever you want to make an herbal remedy.
Spring is right around the corner, so start planning your garden location now, make a list of the herbs you would like to grow and order your seed catalogs. Planning an herb garden can involve the whole family. Exploring the world of herbs and building your Family Apothecary is a wonderful way to stay well all year long!
Herbs have safely been used for over 5000 years in Ayurvedic medicine, 3,500 years in Traditional Chinese Medicine and dates even further back in time when primitive man gathered plants and herbs from Mother Earth to maintain the health of their tribes and animals.
Wildcrafted, home-grown, or dried herbs purchased from a reputable source are the best choices for your herbal remedies and a great alternative to over-the-counter medicines and expensive supplements from the health food store. The wonderful thing about growing your own herbs is that you know they are grown organically with your loving intentions, which makes them all the more magical and effective as herbal medicines for your family.
If you have access to land that is cared for responsibly then wild-crafting herbs, fondly known as weeds, are Mother Earth’s gift to you. When gathering herbs from the wild offer your love and respect to them and take only what you need. In return they will bless you with potent herbal medicines. Make sure you have correctly identified the plant and collect the right part of the plant in the appropriate season. One of my favorite books on this subject is “Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants in Wild (and Not So Wild) Places”, by “Wildman” Steve Brill.
Let’s get started with the basics of making herbal home remedies for your Family Apothecary. All of the herbs I will be introducing to you are safe and non-toxic, but you still should introduce new herbs to your family in small amounts as occasionally there may be a mild allergy to a certain herb.
Herbal Teas
Everyone is familiar with a steaming cup of herbal tea. One of our family favorites is Peppermint. It’s easy to grow, delicious, safe and as my favorite herbalist Rosemary Gladstar likes to say it’s a “Blast of green energy”. We have a very large mint patch growing near our spring and harvest and dry tons of mint to drink throughout the year.
In the summer we drink it iced and in the winter we drink it hot. Herbal teas are a great alternative to juices, sodas and other drinks high in sugar and artificial colors. You can sweeten your tea with stevia, turbinado or raw honey instead of that highly processed white sugar.
Here are some yummy and nutritious herbs to start with!
Peppermint – provides natural energy and is a great digestive aid for easing nausea and stomach cramps.
Chamomile – relieves stress and anxiety, eases teething pain, you can add a strong cup of tea to the bath for relaxation, and cool some down for a soothing eye wash (great for newborn eye infections too).
Lemon Balm – “The Elixir of Life”, is a remedy for anxiety, depression, ADHD, viral and bacterial infections. Bees love it and so will you!
Chamomile & Lemon Balm in equal parts work together to treat colic and also make a great iced “Sun Tea” in the summer-time.
Basic cup of herbal tea:
8 ounces of hot water (let boiling water rest for a moment)
Tea basket, tea ball, or muslin bag
1-2 teaspoons dried herb/ 1-3 Tablespoons fresh herb
Tea cup
Sweetener
Steep tea for 10-15 min. with a plate over cup to capture the medicinal properties.
Medicinal Herbal Infusions
Herbal Infusions are similar to herbal teas except that you use more plant matter and steep for a longer period of time in a quart jar. Infusions are made from the leaves, flowers and buds (the more aromatic) parts of the plant. The roots are more effective when they are made as a decoction.
Stinging Nettle is a great herb to make your first herbal infusion with. When you gather it make sure you protect your hands or you will have little red welts all over them, but in its dried form it is completely harmless. Nettles are rich in iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and many other vitamins and minerals. It is a superior tonic herb strengthening and toning the entire system.
Nettle Herbal Infusion Recipe:
1 quart jar w/lid
1 quart of boiling water
6-8 tablespoons fresh or dried Nettle
Strainer
Pour water over the Nettles, cover loosely with a lid and let steep for 30 min-4 hours or overnight if you are making some before going to bed. The longer you let it steep the better. Strain and drink. Try drinking this infusion for a few weeks and notice how it makes you feel. Infusions should last for a few days in the fridge, but if you do have some left over your plants will love it!
Try making a Solar “Sun Tea” or a lunar infusion with your children as a special project and watch them drink it with enthusiasm.
Decoctions
Decoctions are made from the roots, twigs, and bark (the woody parts) of plants and sometimes seeds and nuts. My favorite decoction is made from Astragalus root as it has kept my family well through many changes of the seasons. It is an immune stimulating herb, builds the blood, and protects the liver. It’s great for those recovering from serious illness, radiation or chemotherapy and it helps build energy and increase athletic stamina.
Astragalus Decoction Recipe:
Quart jar
Small pan
Quart of water
Handful of dried chopped root
Strainer
Simmer Astragalus root for 20 min. and then strain into a quart jar. Drink hot or cold and store excess in the refrigerator.
Oils & Salves
One of my favorite herbal remedies to make is oils and salves. I love harvesting fresh herbs and flowers, covering them with oil then sitting them on my front porch or in a sunny window to let them infuse for 3-4 weeks before using them as medicinal oil or turning them into salve. Your Family Apothecary would not be complete without calendula, a beautiful yellow flower that grows easily and is the perfect skin remedy for diaper rash, cradle cap and other skin irritations. You can even add the pretty blossoms to your salads, omelets and stews.
Calendula Oil Recipe:
Clean jars (I use quart jars)
Large Amber bottle or another jar
Fresh or dried calendula blossoms
Organic extra-virgin olive oil, grape seed, almond or apricot oil
Funnel
Cheesecloth
Fill your clean dry jar ½ - ¾ full with your freshly picked or dried blossoms. Cover blossoms with oil and leave about ½ inch at the top of jar. Sit jar in a sunny spot for 3-4 weeks to let the blossoms infuse into the oil. Gently shake your oil infusion daily and send it loving energy. A fun activity to do with your children is to say a positive affirmation every time you shake your oil. “May this calendula oil bless us with her natural healing properties”. We also like to sing songs while we are picking the blossoms and we always say “Thank you”, when we are finished. After 3-4 weeks your oil should have a lovely yellow color to it and a slightly sweet aroma. Take the oil and strain through cheesecloth, pour into a bottle or jar (a funnel is helpful), label, and store in a cool place. Apply liberally to any skin irritation, use as a massage oil, in the bath, or make into a salve.
Calendula Salve Recipe
1 small pan
1 cup of Calendula oil
¼ c. of beeswax
Lavender or chamomile essential oil
Small glass jars and tin containers to hold 10oz. of salve
Heat your calendula oil over low heat and slowly add beeswax till melted. Let cool slightly and add a few drops of essential oil. Pour into tins or small glass jars and let cool. Then put the lids on, label, and store in a cool place. Your family will love using this homemade salve for cuts, bumps, bruises and rashes. Enjoy!
Herbal Extracts
Herbal Extracts, also known as tinctures and glycerites are very effective and potent herbal remedies that are easy and affordable to make at home. Making an herbal extract involves steeping an herb in a liquid menstruum (alcohol, vinegar or vegetable glycerin) to extract the chemical constituents of the herb. As you gain confidence making and using herbal remedies you will find great satisfaction in making your own herbal extracts for your family. My favorite herbal extract for the Family Apothecary is an Echinacea glycerite.
Glycerites are “alcohol free” herbal extracts made with vegetable glycerin (coconut by-product), which you can find at your local health food store or order online. Sometimes vegetable glycerine is advertised as a skin care product, but as long as it’s food grade then it’s perfectly fine to use. Children seem to prefer the glycerites because they are very sweet and easy to take by the dropperful under the tongue, in a little warm water, or mixed into some organic juice.
Echinacea is the perfect herb to make into a glycerite for the Family Apothecary. It’s beautiful, easy to grow, fights off colds, flu and respiratory infections with its immune enhancing and anti-biotic properties and is safe to use. The two most common types of Echinacea to grow and use for herbal extracts is Echinacea augustifolia and Echinacea purpurea. You can use a fresh root that is 2- 3 years old or high-quality dried roots. Echinacea root is pretty tough to chop up and can make quite a racket in the blender, but get the pieces as small as you can manage.
Echinacea Glycerite Recipe:
1 quart jar (macerating container)
Vegetable glycerin (menstruum)
Echinacea roots (dried or fresh)
Several large amber tincture bottles for storage
Small amber tincture bottle for administering
Chop roots by hand. Fill your quart jar ½ full with your roots and fill the rest of the jar with 75 % vegetable glycerin and 25% distilled water. Pour your herb-menstruum into the blender (it may make a horrible racket) and blend until you see a vortex forming in the center of your slurry. Pour your mixture into your quart jar and place it in a dark cupboard to macerate for 4-6 weeks. Shake daily. When your menstruum is done macerating strain it through a heavy layer of cheese cloth and bottle.
Recommended dosages for herbal extracts: Infants (2-5 drops 3x daily), Children (10-20 drops 3x daily), and Adults (30-60 drops 3x daily). Take under tongue (sublingually), in a small amount of warm water, or in organic juice. Do not take longer than 3 weeks at a time or it can lose its effectiveness.
The best time to take Echinacea is at the change of the seasons or when you start to see symptoms of a cold coming on. Make sure you administer it to your whole family. I have made the mistake of being so focused on taking care of my children that I forgot to give myself some!
Making herbal remedies for your family is so rewarding that you will wonder why you didn't do this before or more often. As you gain experience using herbs you will discover so many ways to use them. You may even want to start your own herb garden to grow all your favorite flowers and herbs, so that you have them on hand whenever you want to make an herbal remedy.
Spring is right around the corner, so start planning your garden location now, make a list of the herbs you would like to grow and order your seed catalogs. Planning an herb garden can involve the whole family. Exploring the world of herbs and building your Family Apothecary is a wonderful way to stay well all year long!
Monday, January 19, 2015
Easy steps to creating your own mini-greenhouses!
Here's an easy way to get your hands dirty in the Winter and start some seeds for Spring!
Collect recycled bottles for your mini-greenhouses.
Poke holes in the bottom edges on each side.
Start at the label and cut all the way around to the other side, while using the label as a hing.
The bottom will be your container for dirt and the top is the greenhouse.
Fill the bottom with potting soil.
Wet your mixture thoroughly or pre-mix and wet before you fill container.
Add a layer of organic seed starter mix.
Wet thoroughly. You can water as you go, mix some ahead of time and wet it, or even dunk your container in a bucket of water. Just get it wet so your seeds will stay in place once you plant them.
Choose your seeds.
I chose to plant a different type of seed in each container.
Space seeds far enough apart so that you can transplant them into the garden or another container.
After you plant your seeds add a sprinkle of seed starter to cover them.
Tamp softly into place.
Label your containers and duct tape them closed. I also added a plant marker inside the
mini-greenhouses in case the weather wore off the words on the outside of the containers. Leave your containers outside, check on them occasionally and watch for them to awaken!
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