langua vert

bee sting... and plantain

2011-06-13T21:16:00.000-07:00

i got my first bee sting a few hours ago. i had NO idea it would hurt so bad. i remembered i had heard about using plantain (Platago major)... pick a leaf, chew it up to release it's juices, and apply it to the sting. almost immediately, the pain subsided - the stinging stopped - the swelling went down. you can keep it in place with a band-aid. i kept mine on for about half hour.

plantain is known to have amazing drawing power. it pulls out poison and draws out infection. it can also be used for cuts or scapes since it has a lot of value in calming skin conditions.

maybe you have seen it growing around your yard or neighborhood... most people think of it as a 'weed' - but it is not. i am happy to have this 'weed' growing in my yard.

face grains

2010-07-09T11:25:00.000-07:00

with all the lavender (Lavendula dentata) and rose (rosa spp.) i harvested this spring i figured i would make more face grains. i use blue corn, almonds, oats, white clay, lavender and rose petals. just grind them all up. i love using all natural home made products on my skin. you can read about it on my other site: madretierraskincare.com

mimosa

2010-07-06T12:20:00.000-07:00

the mimosa (Albizia julibrissin) is in full bloom with it's bright pink puffs. it has been around for as long as i can remember - but i just learned about it's medicine today.

i gathered some flowers and cut up some bark and started a tincture. put them all in jar, cover with alcohol - shake it up occasionally - and it will sit for 4 to 6 weeks. then strain the plant material.

i found out from kiva rose at herb mentor (herbmentor.com) it is used as a relaxant nervine and uplifting mood effects. the flower is considered to be one of the best "shen tonics" in traditional chinese medicine. shen means spirit/heart - the spirit of the person, that lives in the heart. disturbed shen can result in anxiety, insomnia, feelings of great grief, broken heartedness and generally disturbed emotional state. i do not study tcm anymore - but i am going to try this one out :)

arnica & st. john's wort

2010-06-24T14:41:00.000-07:00

i just got my package from mountain rose herbs (mountainroseherbs.com) of arnica (Arnica montana) and st. john's wort (Hypericum perforatum). i am infusing them both in olive oil - and then i will make a salve. i am getting together a lot of different oils right now to make a few different salves.

infused arnica oil is beneficial for muscle aches, injured muscles, sprains, bruises, dislocations, swelling due to fractures, trauma to soft tissue, rheumatic pain, and inflammation from insect bites. since arnica oil increases the blood supply to an inflicted area, do not appply it to an open wound because it will cause more external bleeding

use the oil of st. john's wort for relieving pain and injuries to nerves. it can also ease the pain of sunburn. i read somewhere - but can't find the notes right now - that the medicinal properties actually soak into the skin and help lessen the pain from nerve injuries. i have used it a lot for stiff achy neck muscles and i find it eases the pain rather quickly.

i also started a st. john's wort tincture. the tincture is effective in treating nervousness, depression, and restlessness. it is an excellent medicine for treating disorders of the nervous system, easing stress and apprehension as well as improving your mood.

rose elixer

2010-06-20T14:06:00.000-07:00

i have been wanting to make this rose (Rosa spp.) elixer for a while. i got the rose petals from my dad's garden - and although the recipe calls for wild roses.... this is what i got ! the recipe comes from kiva rose (bearmedicineherbals.com).

1 pint jar  with enough fresh wild rose petals to fill the jar 

everclear, vodka or brandy

raw honey

fill the jar with whole or roughly chopped rose petals. add raw honey to coat the petals - about 1/4 of the jar - then fill with alcohol. cover the top with plastic or other non-reactive material before screwing on a regular canning lid. if you skip the plastic, your elixir will eventually start tasting strange and/or eat you metal lid. i used plastic sandwich bags. shake well. let sit for three to six weeks, shaking regularly. you can strain at the end of that time or you can just pour off the amount you want to use a little at a time.

use this externally on burns and wounds. it has the ability to eradicate the pain of burns very quickly and to dramatically speed healing. the honey helps to hold the elixir in place on the skin and contributes to the soothing effect. rose is blood moving, which helps pain relief and quicker healing. it is also anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and astringent, which helps reduce redness, swelling and any possible infection. a drop or two will calm the itch from an insect bite. it also helps rashes from heat, dermatitis, blisters or poison ivy.

it can be used as a liniment (a medicinal liquid that is rubbed into the skin to relieve muscular stiffness and pain) for relaxing sore muscles, and for sharp, shooting sensations related to nerve pain or slipped discs.

internally it is used for any trauma, panic, fear or stressful situation for child, adult or animal. it’s calming, pleasant and blood moving, helping to move someone out of a paralyzing shock or stuck emotion. it acts as a mild nervine, calming without sedating and restoring emotional equilibrium.

i will also dry some of the petals - after they are dry i will grind them up and add them into a skin scrub i make.... i will post on that when i make it :)

herbal energetics and actions

2010-06-16T17:02:00.000-07:00

well... all the herb journaling (herb journaling may 5, 2010) i have been doing for my course through naimh is starting to make sense.

i am starting to get a deeper understanding into herbal medicine and herbal energetics. each herb has a different taste (bitter, sweet, salty, sour, spicy) temperature (hot, cold) and humidity (drying, moisturizing). once i determine the energetics - i can then look up to see what the action is. a few herbal actions are: demulcents (act as a protective barrier on inflamed or irritated tissue) sedatives (sedates and strengthens the nervous system) alteratives (promote detoxification, stimulate digestive organs) immune enhancers (help the body fight infection)... these a just a few herbal actions. so by knowing what the energetics and actions are... and by knowing what the physical dis-ease is - you can then match the plant to the person.

it is also important to know what a persons consitution is. one of my plants to journal on was valerian (Valeriana officinalis) and i learned a hard lesson. valerian is known to be a sedative. i prepared my valerian as a decoction and sipped it before i went to bed - knowing it would make me sleepy and relaxed. in my journaling - valerian was felt as bitter (taste), heating (temperature) and drying (humidity). i did my journaling and got into bed around 11:00pm.... then it was 1:00... then 3:00. i could not fall asleep - i was figgity and aggitated. the next morning i did some research and found out that since valerian is a warming herb - it works well for people with a 'cold' constitution to promote sleep - but it can have the exact opposite effect on someone with a 'warm' constitution - it can keep them up all night !! it can actually aggravate the system in an already over heated individual. so... i guess i have a 'warm' constitution - who knew ! i am going to be reading more on energetics, actions and constitutions - and how important these three aspects are.

lemon balm

2010-06-06T13:56:00.000-07:00

the lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is gorgeous and very healthy right now. i was poking around trying to figure out what to do with it and i came up with a lemon balm salve.

i harvested some lemon balm and i am infusing it in coconut oil. i chopped up some fresh lemon balm then poured melted coconut oil over it. i will let it sit for up to two months - and then make a salve. lemon balm is used for cold sores, skin irritations and general skin conditioning. i'll use the recipe posted previously on salves, although i might use a bit less beeswax since the coconut oil will slightly harden. i have some st. john's wort (Hypericum perforatum) oil here that i purchased that i will add into the oil mixture when i make it. i will also add some calendula (Calendula officinalis) and plantain (Plantago major) oil that i have previously infused. st. john's wort oil speeds healing and reduces pain. calendula oil is an effective wound healer. plantain oil also speeds healing time. all of these herbs are anti-viral and vulnerary herbs. vulnerary herbs are remedies used in healing or treating wounds. the next time i make a salve i will add lavender (Lavandula augustifolia), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) essential oil - just a few drops - this will help to act as a preservative. i am also thinking i will add a few drops of these essential oils next time i make my skin cream for the same reason. i have read that some people use vitamin e or bee propolis extract for the same reason - although i have not researched or done that yet.

i might also make a lemon balm tincture. it is used as a calmative and anti-depression, anti-anxiety herb. its calming and centering effects help with jitters and help to have a healthy attention span. i read that anyone having thyroid issues should stay away from lemon balm. not sure why - just thought i would add that to the post for now.

new class ':D

2010-05-27T16:08:00.000-07:00

i just got accepted into a five course program 'grassroots training in traditional western herbalism'. it is taught by kiva rose who is one of the herbalist i have admired. www.animacenter.org i am on lesson five of eight lessons with North American Institute of Medical Herbalism. http://naimh.com. after i finish the first course in medical herbalism with naimh - i think i will do the anima center course one and then decide which of the two i am getting more out of - and then finish all the courses with that program.

i'm really excited about this program... again i will be concentrating on my own comprehension and experiences with the plants - and not just memorizing information out of a book as to what plant does what. there will be hands-on learning about their effects and i will learn to understand and integrate that in a practical and effective way.

getting closer to where i want to be... guess it's trial and error for me since i started with the east west herb course...

plantain & comfrey

2010-05-20T17:33:00.000-07:00

i got a ton of fresh plantain (Plantago major) and comfrey (Symphytum officinale) today from a friend of mine. i am going to make some infused oil from both of them. i have the leaves layed out on paper towels on the counter - they will sit there overnight. i want to let them wilt a little and let some of the moisture dry out before starting the infusion because both plants have a high water content in them - and as i have said before - oil and water don't mix. just trying to lessen the chance of mold growing in my infusion. i did not rinse the leaves to clean them - instead i took a very damp cloth and gently got any dirt or misc buggie droppings off the leaves. so tomorrow morning i'll do a rough chop on them - put each one in a glass jar and cover with organic olive oil. i push the plant material down with the end of a wooden spoon to make sure they are all submerged and to get rid of any air bubbles. when infusing oils - i don't cover it with a metal lid - instead i use cheesecloth or a paper towel over the top and hold in place with a rubber band. this will let any additional moisture evaporate. over the next few weeks, i'll open the jar and make sure that all the leaves are still submerged. after three weeks - i'll strain out the herb - and have infused oil that i will use to make skin cream or salve.

here is plantain leaves and the flower stalks. after the stalk completely dries out - i can spread the seed in my garden and hope that a few of them take so i can have fresh plantain here at home.

and here is the comfrey leaves:

i have quite a few posts on the medicinal properties of comfrey and plantain.

astragalus

2010-05-13T21:42:00.000-07:00

Astragalus ((Astragalus membranaceus) is primarily considered a tonic for enhancing metabolism and digestion and is taken as a tea or soup made from the (usually dried) roots of the plant - or a tincture.

astragalus has antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties. it is an adaptoge, meaning it helps protect the body against various stresses, including physical, mental, or emotional stress. it protects and supports the immune system and helps the body fight against disease. astragalus contains antioxidants, which protect cells against damage caused by free radicals, byproducts of cellular energy. astragalus has antiviral properties and is helpful with preventing colds.

i currently have k.c. on astragalus - and thought i would make my own tincture this time.

red clover tincture

2010-05-12T23:59:00.000-07:00

i have talked about red clover (Trifolium pratense) before - i have purchased the tincture and made infusions - but this is my first time making a tincture.

red clover is an anti-cancer herb and has four anti-tumor compounds. it is a very strong alterative. alteratives promote overall health and support our elimination organs. it purifies the blood by acting as a diuretic (helping the body get rid of excess fluid) and expectorant (helping clear lungs of mucous), improving circulation, and helps cleanse the liver.

also...
• contributes to bone health
• high in phytoestrogens and phytosterols it nourishes hormones - it is excellent for women going through menopause

• helps prevent breast cancer, osteoporosis and strokes
• eases anxiety and confusion
• helps muscle and joint pain
• keeps skin healthy

caution: red clover has the ability to thin blood which makes it a poor choice for pregnancy and for those on blood thinners.

found plant part two

2010-05-09T20:14:00.000-07:00

back in august 2009 i wrote about a plant i had found in the middle of nothing on a camping trip and the voice i heard to 'take it with you and plant it'. well it was struggling here for quite a while - but over the last few months has absolutely taken off and flourished. just today i have positively id. it as wild radish (Raphanus raphanistrum).

after some research - this is what i found about wild radish: it is an antirheumatic - acts against rheumatism - a painful disorder of joints or muscles - pertaining to the relief of symptoms of any painful or immobilizing disorder of the musculoskeletal system.

fascinating. i am going to do some more research - but will probably start a tincture. i'm just not sure yet if i use leaves, flowers, pods or roots.

also... the blossoms and its fresh young leaves taste strongly like radish and can be used raw in salads. the leaves and pods are rich in vitamin C.

when i brought this home it was three little wilted leaves... here it is now :)

valerian

2010-05-07T12:40:00.000-07:00

i've got valerian (Valeriana officinalis) growing in the yard so i am starting a valerian tincture today. it is best to use the roots - they have stronger medicine in them - but since i only have one plant - i didn't want to take the chance of killing it by pulling it up, separating the roots and then replanting the rest. so i read that leaves and flowers will also work - just not as strong.

valerian is a central nervous system relaxer. it can induce restful sleep without grogginess the next morning. it is an effective stress reducer, helps with nervous tension, depression, irritability, hysteria, panic and anxiety. it also has real benefits for sciatica, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and peripheral neuropathy, including numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, and pain in the extremities.

healing salve

2010-05-06T15:20:00.000-07:00

i made a healing salve today. i started with fresh plantain (Plantago spp.), comfrey (Symphytum officinale) and lavender (Lavendula dentata).

i did a rough chop on the herbs...

and then put them in a pot with 1 cup high grade organic olive oil - you can see i decided to add calendula (Calendula officinalis) in the mix at the last minute.

let them simmer on the lowest flame possible for 45 minutes to an hour - then strain the herbs out. put the infused oil back in the pot and add 1/4 cup beeswax and melt the wax. shouldn't take more than a few minutes. after the beeswax is melted i added ylang ylang (Cananga odorata), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) and rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) essential oil - about 10 drops of each. you can add whatever essential oils you like - they make it smell amazing ! pour the liquid into tins. you can get these at alot of craft stores. i got mine from Mountain Rose Herbs. www.mountainroseherbs.com

the salve will completely harden in about an hour. then label the tins. this salve is very healing and comforting for the skin. it can be used for chapped dry skin, surface burns and bug bites.

calendula is soothing, moisturizing and cooling, it can help decrease inflammation and is healing for sunburn and skin irritations.

comfrey is incredibly healing for wounds and skin problems. The leaf and root of comfrey contain allantoin, a constituent known to aid wound healing. Comfrey oil or salve will help stop bleeding and soothe wounds. it is also known for its ability to knit things back together, and can heal a cut or wound very quickly. (It is important to be sure your wound is thoroughly cleaned so that you do not heal an infection inside of the wound.)

plantain oil helps relieve skin and scalp irritation, reduce inflammation. Plantain is traditionally used to nourish and treat sensitive, irritated skin and scalp, to help restore injured or tired skin, and as restorative and anti-aging skin treatment. a poultice of hot leaves placed on cuts and wounds helps draw out thorns, splinters and inflammation.

lavender helps to prevent tissue degeneration and stop bleeding in wounds. it balances the skin, making it ideal for any skin type. it can stimulate the growth of new skin cells. it helps the formation of healing scar tissue, while preventing scar keloids (scarring) on the healed skin, making it perfect for any wounds.

herb journaling

2010-05-05T20:32:00.000-07:00

well.... this has got me quite puzzled and is rather challenging. one of my school projects (http://naimh.com) is to start journaling herbs. i have to prepare an herb - either infusion, tincture, decoction, etc... then while i am taking it i answer these questions:

• taste (bitter, sweet, salty, sour, spicy)

• what does the taste remind me of - or what images does it provoke

• what is my sense of the temperature (heating, cooling)

• do i think it is moistening or drying

• do i feel more relaxed and at ease, or tonified fortified and tense

• do i feel the energy moving a)rising up toward the head b)falling down in the body toward the pelvis c) floating up and away from the core toward the skin, out of the body or d)sinking in toward the core

• does the energy concentrate somewhere in my body (tissue or area)

• did i experience any effects on health or physiology

the catch is.... there is no right answer. i just am trying to get in touch with these different aspects of herbal medicine and what they are. some are very obvious to me. the taste has so far been very clear to me - although there is a fine line between bitter and sour. i was able to sense when an herb was drying or moistening and if i felt relaxed or more tense. i can't seem to feel where the energy is moving yet... or where it is settling in my body. i am just not in tune with that yet.

i am learning about the intuitive part of myself that sense the herbs - then i will personally have a better understanding of what and how they may effect your health or condition.

i have jounaled 6 herbs so far. the more i have done - the more i am starting to see the differences. like i said - challenging. because i want to research in a book and confirm my answers are correct.

along with answering those questions i also look each herb up in three reference books to see what conditions they help with. the three books i am using are Herbal Vade Mecum/Skenderi, Planetary Herbology/Tierra, Complete Herbal/Culpepper. i was to choose three books dealing with herbology from different perspectives.

i think that by my own personal journaling along with book research, i might get to understand plant medicine on deeper level.

i dunno. i am walking and talking myself through this blog entry too !!!

calendula oil

2010-05-03T19:54:00.000-07:00

calendula (Calendula officinalis) oil is done after two months. i ended up doing a double infusion of this because i had so much calendula. i put dried flower petals in sweet almond oil and let it sit for 4 weeks. i strained the petals out - then added more petals into that and let that sit for another 4 weeks. now i have a batch of heavenly, gorgeous, bright orange calendula oil !

the warm, bright orange oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. it has the ability to help heal wounds and refreshes and regenerates the skin. it prevents skin from over-drying and inhibits the formation of sun-caused wrinkles. due to the high content of carotenes, phytosterols and polyphenols, it also delays premature aging of the skin tissue.

also useful to treat skin inflammations, rashes, dermatitis, ringworm, and diaper irritations.

feverfew tincture

2010-05-03T19:07:00.000-07:00

i am going to make a feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) tincture. i have it growing in my yard. i planted one plant quite a few years ago - and it has popped up everwhere ! like the other tinctures... i'll put some leaves in a jar, cover with alcohol, shake it up every few days and in 6 weeks, strain out the plant material.

with the name feverfew you'd think it was a fever-reducing plant, but it isn't. what it does do is help dramatically in cases of migraine, arthritis pain, rheumatism, and muscle spasms. it also appears to help with painful menstruation.

feverfew is edible and medicinal. because of its bitter taste, making a tea isn't an option. to ward off migraines and muscle pain you can eat 3-4 smaller leaves per day, take regularly to receive maximum benefit.

chia sage

2010-04-26T19:30:00.000-07:00

i forgot to write about chia sage (Salvia hispanica) from my herb walk ! i collected about 8 seeds from the dried seed pod and i am going to try to get it to grow. so far... it is just of pot of soil... so nothing to write about yet. but here is some info on this amazing plant:

the name Salvia derives from the Latin salvere, which means "to heal". this herb is highly regarded for its healing qualities. an ancient proverb states, "why should a man die who has sage in his garden?"

the chia sage seeds were an important part of native americans diet. in the Mayan language, the word for chia means "strength". chia seeds are rich in nutrients; so much so that a single teaspoon full could sustain a person for a whole day of travel. apache and aztec warriors sustained themselves by bringing the seeds along on conquests.

chia seeds are high in protein, essential fatty acids, vitamins, soluble fiber, antioxidants and minerals. they are used for suppressing the appetite, weight loss, leveling blood sugar, and for aiding intestinal regularity. chia seeds readily dissolve into the water, creating a substance that looks like gelatin. this gel-forming action is due to the soluble fiber in the seed. this same gel-forming phenomenon takes place in the stomach when chia seed is consumed, thus creating a physical barrier between carbohydrates and digestive enzymes and slowing the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar. fascinating huh ?

the chia sage seed pod - if you shake the pod - the seeds fall out :)

herb walk two

2010-04-26T17:56:00.000-07:00

i went on an amazing herb walk yesterday. so much is growing due to the heavy rain in sunny southern california !

the black mustard (Brassica nigra) was everywhere. the seed is ground and made into a paste then applied to the skin for treating rheumatism. applied externally, mustard relieves congestion by drawing the blood to the surface for head afflictions, neuralgia and spasms.

also there was plenty of oats (Avena sativa). oats are high in calcium. calcium rich foods and herbs are the basis for remedies that relax the muscles and nervous system.

i saw yerba santa (Eriodictyon crassifolium) which is helpful for coughs, colds, asthma and mucus...

...and yerba mansa (Anemopsis californicum) which can help treat inflammation and infections of the lungs throat and sinuses. they way it was explained to me was that yerba santa will help dry mucus, and yerba mansa will help move it. the white flowers in bloom on the yerba mansa were quite a beautiful sight.

i got to see yucca (Yucca whipplei) which was amazing... since this is what i currently have k.c. on for pain and inflammation from arthritis - and i have seen incredible improvement with her in the past few weeks.

there was so much black sage (Salvia mellifera) and purple sage (Salvia leucophylla) everywhere. below is purple sage flower. sage is antibacterial and antifungal - helpful for mouth sores and sore throats.

i didn't know it - but fennel (Foeniculum vulgaris) was growing wild too. fennel helps with gas, constipation and indigestion. eating a few fennel seeds before dinner can help if you have these issues.

i saw yellow dock (Rumux crispus) for the first time - after reading so much about it. yellow dock, or curly dock, is helpful for poor liver function & poor digestion. it's high iron amount makes it very helpful for correcting anemia.

... and willow (Salix ___ not sure :( willow bark has a high content of salicyclic acid - which is the main ingredient in aspirin today. very helpful for aches and fevers.

all in all - it was an amazing beautiful day. i learned a lot... saw a lot. couldn't ask for more :)

fresh plant oil

2010-04-16T15:51:00.000-07:00

i had a post in here for 'amazing skin oil - september 14, 2009' - i usually make it from dried plants - but i have so much of everything growing here - this time i am making an infused skin oil from fresh plant material. i used calendula (Calendula officinalis), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), lavender (Lavendula dentata), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and some sage (Salvia officinalis). all fresh from my garden. i did a rough chop on it - put it in a jar and covered with sweet almond oil. some of it was dried and some not so i am going to keep a close eye on this - since i had an experience where mold grew in my oil because of moisture from fresh plant material. oil and water don't mix !

four tinctures

2010-04-15T15:06:00.000-07:00

i started four new tinctures today. burdock (Arctium lappa) root, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root and leaf, lavender (Lavendula dentata) and solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum). i have written about what these are helpful for in previous entries and just like before - they will sit for 4 to 6 weeks.... then strain out herb material and store for use.

lesson one essay

2010-04-14T14:03:00.000-07:00

write an essay on your opinions or impressions of the vitalist approach to healing. Include an answer to the question: 'how could i apply the principles of vitalism to my own state of health or illness?'

i decided to bring my lap top out in the garden to write this report because i believe that by being out here with the plants, flowers and birds i might be able to get in touch with my thoughts and impressions of the vitalist approach to healing. when i first read the nine bullet points in the white notebook describing the basic principles, each one of them rang true for me. i was raised in a very religious home - where i didn’t really understand why we were doing what we were doing. around the age of 20 - i started to reach out and figure out what my inner beliefs were. i knew i believed in a higher power, life power, something greater than myself. i choose to call this power God and i believe God exists in all forms of life... and we are all connected. and this power is good. as i got older i started to reject any form of organized or controlled religion. i also started to doubt any form of government or big business, big medicine, big anything. what i believe in is nature. i remember as a small child i had 54 plants in my tiny bedroom. i used to take them out on the driveway once a week to give them fresh sunshine. i remember my delight when i planted a lima bean and it grew - and then even more happiness when my little plant made its first little bean. i loved playing in the yard collecting lady bugs and earthworms. it took me many years - i got swayed by money, work, boyfriends, clothes - but i feel i am finally back on the journey i was meant to be on. so - when i read the 9 bullet points and listened to the cd's - i knew this was for me. i like that it says that health and healing is the normal state of life. i believe most illnesses are caused by not being true to your inner self - not being in the flow of life. i like the term ‘dis-ease’. the fact that the vitalist approach also addresses diet is a plus for me. when i talk to people taking an herb supplement, and i ask what they are eating - they look at me with a blank stare - like the two aren’t connected ! i believe the closer from mother earth to my mouth - the better. one of my favorite t-shirts simply says ‘you are what you eat’. so the fact that the vitalist approach states that life requires a diet abundant with all nutrients - is a theory i truly connect with and understand. often when i am faced with life’s dilemmas i often say to myself ‘what would the cavemen or native american indians do ?’ - referring to the fact that - well i really don’t know - i wasn’t there - but - what i think is that they lived simple lives, used simple plant medicine, ate fresh foods with the nutrients they needed. when you get sick - i think the body is telling you something - slow down, eat right, what are you doing with your life, how are you conducting yourself with your relationship with God and others ? and i like the last bullet... life expresses most abundantly when you are engaged in your genuine calling. i have been a graphic designer for 28 years. i am an artist and in my job i feel i can express myself creatively and i love that about my work, but it doesn't totally fill me. 15 years ago i purchased michael tierra’s book 'planetary herbology' - i soaked it up. a few years ago i decided to slowly start my herbal studies - to try to get back on track with my genuine calling... and it feels good. as far as modern medicine - i agree with what was stated. they have their place. they have their purpose. but they do cause a lot more harm to the body with the side effects. i flip out sometimes watching t.v. and all the ads for new medicine for... what ?? what are all these illnesses that are popping up. there is a pill for everything. no one in mainstream medicine is saying 'what are you eating ? what are you doing with your life ? with your emotions ?'.

in answer to the question ‘how could i apply the principles of vitalism to my own state of health or illness?’ i would say... that by deciding to pursue this field in my life feels like i am on the road to better fulfillment. when i wake up in the morning and i sit out here in the garden - i am applying the principles. by making my own skin cream instead of purchasing chanel or lancome - i am applying the principles. by shopping for my groceries in organic stores and not eating white flour, sugar, preservatives etc. i am applying the principles. i have bulging, herniated disks and arthritis in my neck. for many years i was on pain killers, anti-inflammatories and muscle relaxers. a few years ago, when i first became interested in herbal medicine - i thought - why don’t you be a guinea pig on yourself ? i am happy to say i am now drug free. practice what you preach. i read about herbs to take for this condition on jim mcdonalds website - and started taking mullein and solomon’s seal tincture. i made the solomon’s seal tincture myself !!

i have a lot of herbs growing out in my garden. over the years, some have made it - some have not. i continuously try to grow basil. it continuously dies. recently i read that basil will die if temperatures drop below 60. so - i stopped trying to grow basil. i found out what is native to california - and recently started growing sages. i believe i am practicing some of the principles in vitalism this way by being in touch with nature around me - and trying to go with the flow instead of fighting against it and pushing my will on mother nature.

my 14 year old puppy has been sick lately. i have been struggling with the concept of death - with letting go - with acceptance. i don’t think i have cried more in my entire life as i have in the past 4 months. researching what herbs i can put her on instead of some of the medications the vet has prescribed. in the past two weeks i got sick like i haven’t in a very long time. just a horrible cold that won’t go away. i know it is because my immune system has been compromised. i am trying to get back on track with good sleep and daily nourishing infusions of red clover and nettles. i am slowly starting to feel better. i believe some illnesses are caused when you are out of sync or dealing with heavy emotional issues. i have always journaled. i write about what i am going through, i talk to God in my writtings. i am continuously trying to stay on the track my higher power wants me to be on. i feel it within when i am fighting the natural flow.

what i am struggling with recently is my addiction to nicorette losenges. i quit smoking six years ago. i used the gum to quit smoking - then the patch to quit the gum - and the losenges to quit the patch. it is a crazy cycle that i desperately want to break. today i was harvesting some lavender. on the patio step was the clippers and the losenge. i grabbed the clippers instead of the losenge and immersed myself in lavender. quite a while went by before i realized it had been a while and i still didn’t need the losenge. i was with nature and it filled me.

school

2010-04-11T18:54:00.000-07:00

i finished lesson one in my new studies with North American Institute of Medical Herbalism. http://naimh.com. there were 5 true/false questions that were easy. i had to make three tinctures - echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia), skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and cramp bark (Viburnum opulus). i will find out what to do with them in future lessons. i also had to write an essay on my opinions or impressions on the vitalist approach to healing - since this is what i am now studying - and answer the question 'how could i apply the principles of vitalism to my own state of health or illness?'. i will post my essay after i am done proofing it - it is in kinda raw form now :)

so much lavender... not enough thyme

2010-04-11T18:33:00.000-07:00

i haven't posted much lately. still taking care of k.c. the docs want to start her on steroids for osteoarthritis - and a few days ago i got yucca concentrate. the bottle does not say what kind, but yucca plants are members of the lily family (Liliaceae). it contains steroidal saponins which are nature's most powerful anti-inflammatory.

found this on saponins: saponins, precursors of cortisone, which prevent the release of toxins from the intestines that restrict normal cartilage formation. saponins are produced naturally in the body by the adrenal glands. found to treat: skin lesions, sprains, inflammation, bleeding, osteoarthrits, rheumatoid arthritis, migraines, colitis, ulcers, gout, bursitis, hypertension, high cholesterol, liver and kidney disorders.

so - i am going to try it to see how she responds. she is still on burdock (Arctium lappa) and astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus). more on that in the post - 'k.c. - january 13, 2010'.

in the meantime - everything keeps growing ! i have so much lavender (Lavendula dentata) - i don't know what to do with it. so i harvested some today - left enough for the bees - since they seem to love it (can't believe i am considering bees ! real growth for me !) - and i am drying it for future use. i already have a lavender tincture made - 'lavender tincture - october 21, 2009' - so i am making a quick lavender infusion today.

dandelion oil gone bad

2010-02-18T23:53:00.000-08:00

... who knew ? well... this blog IS for my learning. just checked my dandelion oil and the flowers have all sunk to the bottom with about 1/2" of oil above it... with... the dreaded... mold. it covers the top layer of flowers :( so i did some research and this is what i found out. i let it sit to long. it only needs to sit for 7 days. then - strain it through a metal strainer - do not crush the flowers to get extra oil out of them.

a few other things i found out about making oils:

• use cold pressed or expeller pressed organic oils
• refridgerate the bulk of it afterwards so they don't go bad - put in a few drops of essential oil for preservative (like lavender) 5-10 drops for every ounce of infused oil

• do not let the oils sit in the sun while they are infusing - the rise and drop of temperature from day to night might make it develop condensation. condensation = water = mold. water is the enemy when making infused oils. do not rinse plants or flowers before infusing

• cuts herbs into pieces and crush flowers before infusing - EXCEPT for dandelion, honeysuckle or rose petals

• times till infusion is ready:

dandelion or honeysuckle - 7 days

most other plants - 2 weeks

comfrey, plantain, selfheal, st johns wort - 3 weeks

so........... luckily there has been a lot of rain lately so lawns are covered with my new favorite pesky weed. i have a new batch starting today and i am looking forward to my dandelion oil take 2 :)

harvesting lavender

2010-02-08T00:54:00.000-08:00

lavender (Lavendula dentata) is in full bloom over here. i took these pictures - and when i pulled them up on screen - i was SO amazed at what i saw - the bursts of little colors - the red and blue and yellow little dots - all popping out - what a surprise - like little treats - jewels - all along the flower head. i hadn't seen them with my bare eyes. i love lavender all over again. i'm making more tincture. i will also make lavender oil.

chamomile

2010-02-04T16:49:00.000-08:00

out in the garden today i found that my chamomile (Matricaria chamomile) is finally in bloom. i have tried to grow this so many times - and think i solved the problem... no direct hot sun ! it gets way to hot here - and it always fries - so i placed it behind some other plants where it can get nice morning and early afternoon sun - but not the scorching late afternoon sun.

chamomile is a mild sedative, good for insomnia and nervousness. it is a nervine, sedative and antispasmodic. it has anti-inflammatory properties that are good for rheumatism, arthritis, and other painful swellings. lt can be helpful with menstrual cramps or gas pains.

new direction :)

2010-02-04T12:10:00.000-08:00

i just signed up for the the First Course in Medical Herbalism offered through North American Institute of Medical Herbalism. http://naimh.com

i am so excited to start this course. i am currently enrolled in another course - but i have not been doing the work there because i found that it concentrates heavily on TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) and over the past year i realized... it's not where i want to be !! i have been reading alot of books and i seem to be gravitating more towards western herbalism or folk medicine.

i want something that deals more with nature - intuition - getting to know the plants on a personal level and understand the energy of the plant and how it can help. TCM feels to clinical for me. it's just not right for me right now.

on my back

2010-01-29T22:54:00.000-08:00

i haven't posted lately because i got bucked off a horse :( and have been ailing. after making sure nothing was broken - of course my doctor prescribed anti-inflammatories, pain killers and muscle relaxers. i don't want to to do this - so back to the books to refresh what i have learned to help deal with this.

i reread jim mcdonald's article on back pain: http://www.herbcraft.org/backpain.html

if you have back or neck pain - this is the most amazing article i have read that addresses these issues.

and then pulled out my solomon's seal root (Polygonatum biflorum) and mullein (Verbascum thapsus) tincture. i posted about these two earlier and have used them in the past since i already had back and neck troubles. i am on the hunt for cramp bark (Viburnum opulus) and teasel (Dipsacus japonica).

also pulled out my coffee grinder and i will start grinding fresh flax seed and put it in soups, salads - whatever - to get my omega 3s.

i could write more about this - but just read jim's article.

i will post more on my progress.

chickweed vinegar

2010-01-15T15:00:00.000-08:00

got my chickweed (Stellaria media) and started my vinegar :)

yesterday's finds

2010-01-15T08:57:00.000-08:00

i was to excited on my walk yesterday when i found chickweed (Stellaria media) and shepherd's purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris). funny - same walk i have done for years - but my eyes were open this time.

chickweed - known for it's ability to cool inflammation and speed healing of cuts, minor burns, eczema, and rashes. it is mild diuretic, promoting the flow of urine - can cleanse and soothe the kidneys and urinary tract and help relieve cystitis. it is edible and very nutritious. it contains vitamins a, c, d and b complex. it is high in iron, copper, silica, manganese, phosphorus and zinc. it aids the absorption of nutrients in the body and is good for digestive problems.

i am going back today to harvest some of it and i will make a chickweed vinegar. i fill a jar with the herb, cover it with organic pasteurized apple cider vinegar and let it sit for 6 weeks. then strain the herb out. do not use metal lids when making vinegars - the vinegar will rust the metal and the rust will get into your vinegar. i will use the vinegar for salad dressing to get extra vitamins and minerals.

shepherd's purse - one of the important herbs for stopping hemorrhages of all kinds - of the stomach, lungs, uterus, and bleeding from the kidneys. it is used for a number of number of condidtions such as heavy menstrual bleeding, nosebleeds, and as a post-partum herb.

i remember this plant from when i was little - i always loved its little heart shaped leaves :)

more on dandelion

2010-01-14T11:42:00.000-08:00

i went out again this morning looking for more dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) flowers. found a few more and started my oil. just put the flowers in a jar and cover them with oil. i used olive oil this time since i had it around. stir it around for the first few days to make sure no flower parts are exposed. do not cover it with a metal lid - instead use cheesecloth or a paper towel with a rubber band. this will let any moisture evaporate and the oil will not get moldy. let it sit for 4 to 6 weeks - strain the flowers out. i can't wait to try this one out for sore muscles, sinus headache, achy joints and stiff neck.

for quick help for a back or headache - make a tea from the flowers. put flowers in a jar - cover with boiling water - let it steep for 20 minutes - strain and drink. add honey if needed. you can use the strained flowers for a sunburn. just press flowers on skin for relief. or save the dandelion tea in fridge and use it as a skin treatment or tonic - but use it within a few days.

dandelion sap - squeezed straight from the stems - can help with skin warts, cuts or blisters.

the roots can be made into a tincture. it is a detoxifying herb that supports the liver and strengthens the kidneys. it encourages the steady elimination of toxins from the body - a powerful diuretic that does won't deplete the body of potassium.

i have juiced the leaves - or used the leaves in soups - they are high in vitamins a, c, e and b complex.

amazing plant.... i will NOT be pulling these 'weeds' from my yard ever again !!

that pesky weed....

2010-01-13T16:03:00.000-08:00

... i had been pulling for years turns out to be medicine. so i go out to my yard and look for dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). i will collect the flowers and infuse them in oil - it is an amazing oil for arthritis pain. i will also pull a few plants and start collecting the roots to make the tincture just described in the last post.

k.c. :)

2010-01-13T13:55:00.000-08:00

this is my doggy, k.c. - stands for 'kinda cute' - but i think she is really cute. k.c. just had a huge tumor removed. it had completely taken over one of her kidneys - and was as large as a grapefruit. the biopsy showed there were cancer cells present - but the doctor also removed a close by lymph node - and it was clean. she is recovering amazingly from the surgery for a 14 year old puppy - and i will monitor her every few months with xrays. so - here i am - a beginning herbal student - faced with cancer - not sure what to do. i started researching and reading and researching. i got a book that specifically deals with herbs for pets and put together this regimen for k.c.. my thought was - cleanse ! and strengthen ! i didn't have time to make these tinctures - so i purchased them to get her started immediately.

burdock (Arctium lappa) - a blood purifier. it helps the kidneys filter out impurities from the blood very quickly. clears congestion in respiratory, lymphatic, urinary and circulatory systems. releases water retention, stimulates digestion, aids kidney, liver and gallbladder function.

dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) - used for the treatment of the gall bladder, kidney and urinary disorders. strengthens the kidneys. an infusion of the root encourages the steady elimination of toxins from the body.

red clover (Trifolium pratense) - purifies the blood by acting as a diuretic (helping the body get rid of excess fluid) and expectorant (helping clear lungs of mucous), improving circulation, and helping cleanse the liver.

astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) - improves depressed immunity, recommended for the treatment of AIDS and other viral diseases, and as an adjuvant in cancer therapy. helps strengthen the body against disease. helps protect the body against various stresses, including physical, mental, or emotional stress. protects the body from diseases such as cancer and diabetes. contains antioxidants, which protect cells against damage caused by free radicals, byproducts of cellular energy. protects the liver.

milk thistle (Silybum marianum) - protects the liver from a variety of harmful substances. prevents toxins from penetrating the interior of liver cells, while promoting the growth of healthy new cells to repair liver damage. has a renewing effect on the kidneys.

i have her taking .5ml twice a day. i am mixing the tinctures into healthful raw wet food.

one dropper full of tincture is approx. 30 drops which is 1ml. - so half a dropper full twice a day.

although this is all new to me - i am feeling really confident in what she is taking and truly believe in the power and medicinal value of these herbs. i know i am helping her to keep as healthy as possible at this time :)

drying calendula

2010-01-06T10:52:00.000-08:00

i had gotten some calendula (Calendula officinalis) plants a month or so ago and i am just starting to harvest the flowers. i spread them out and let them air dry. once they are all dry - i will infuse them in either grapeseed, jojoba or sweet almond oil - whatever i have around - and then let it sit for six weeks. strain the flowers out and use this amazing skin softening and tissue regenerating oil when ever and where ever :)

spending time with lavender

2009-11-18T11:56:00.000-08:00

i am reading a book by Pam Montgomery called Plant Spirit Healing and i am absolutely inspired. its about joining in a relationship with plants. so everyday i go out and spend time with lavender (Lavendula dentata). it's been a little difficult for me since i am not one to sit around and not have excess chatter in my head. but i am trying. i am learning that it is a relationship that needs to be nurtured just like any other - spending time, caring. so i am trying a few things. this morning i went out with a gift - a glass bead that i made. i sit there - i am absolutely giving myself up to this process. 'hello... i don't know what i am doing... but i came to visit again today'. and i sit. yesterday i went out with a magnifying glass and looked real close at the flowers and leaves - paying attention to details - i did notice differences in the newer and older leaves. the leaves of dentata are almost like little woven baskets. i touch the leaves - smell the leaves. i even brought some of it to bed with me... just sitting there at the edge of my bed. not sure - seemed like the thing to do. i am looking at the environment it lives in - what it likes. it is in full sun - so that means its energy is active, stimulating, masculine, drying, outward. this lavender plant was one the first plants i put in the ground 13 years ago when i bought this house. a lot of plants have come and gone. this lavender has not. i took pictures of it - which actually helped me focus on the plant. i tasted it. hmmm.... not sure about this one - was it sour or bitter ? i do not know. i don't know what sour, bitter or pungent taste like. i think i would know spicy, sweet and salty. i am learning the taste of a plant will help me understand the organ or system it helps in the human body. i'm hoping in time i build up trust with lavender and we will have what Pam says is an 'exchange in frequency vibrations - an attunement through the heart' and then when i am ready it will grant me it's healing energy wisdom. it sounds all so amazing... and so far away... and unobtainable to me. so for today - i just go out and sit with lavender. practicing.

day trippin'

2009-11-17T11:14:00.000-08:00

i have been spending more time outdoors lately since i have found a few areas locally that do have some good plant medicine to look at. i thought i was isolated in the cement pit i live in - but no - there are places to go !

tons of sage (Salvia leucophylla 'Figueroa')...

there is an abundance of horehound (Marrubium vulgare)...

fields of prickly pear (Oppuntia engelmanni). native americans used the younger pads for food and mature pads were used as a poultice for wounds and burns.

i even saw rose hips - not sure if it is dog rose (Rosa canina) or rugosa rose (Rosa rugosa). they are high in vitamic c, e and k and can help with colds and flu.

i saw a lot of these two - which i am going to have to research to find out what it is... but it was everywhere. i like the white puffs.

comfrey oil

2009-11-16T21:09:00.000-08:00

i went today to pick up my plantain (Plantago spp.). i found a great place for it. can't wait to see how it takes. i am hoping that it flourishes and seeds and grows and grows... i also got my comfrey (Symphytum officinale) leaves and i am making a comfrey infused oil. well... i just read up on it a little and realized that maybe i should have let the leaves sit for a day to let some of the moisture evaporate first so there is less chance of mold growing in the oil - which can happen sometimes by putting moist plant material in oil. oh well. we'll see how this goes. so i cut up the comfrey leaves - by cutting up the leaves it allows for more of the active ingredients to be released into the oil. i put them in a jar - lightly packed - and completely covered the leaves with oil. i used jojoba, apricot kernal and grapeseed oil. i stirred the leaves around a bit to get the bubbles out. i covered it with a paper towel (or cheesecloth) and attached only the outside mason jar ring - leave the inside metal part off - or you can just use a rubber band. this allows the water to evaporate which will help so it doesn't grow mold. it will then sit for 6 weeks away from direct sun. during the first week, i'll open the jar everyday and make sure that all the leaves are still submerged. when the oil is ready - i will make a salve. i will post about that when i get there. i am also going to make a comfrey vinegar - same way i make the oil - but cover with organic pasteurized apple cider vinegar.

score !

2009-11-15T14:19:00.000-08:00

i just got back from the local nursery. i went to get a fern to plant behind my front tree. i ended up with giant chain fern (Woodwardia fimbriata), which is going to be beautiful once it fills out in that area. i also got more of my most favorite little plant, lambs ear (Stachys byzantina). it is the sweetest little fuzziest plant ever. i got a few calendula (Calendula officinalis) plants. after they settle in and start to flower - i will use the petals to make an infused calendula oil - which is very healing for the skin. my comfrey (Symphytum officinale) plant is looking a little weak - so i got 2 more to keep it company. i was talking to an employee there - and i didn't know that comfrey goes dormant in the winter - so the one that i have now will bounce back in the spring. while i was talking to him, i asked if they had any plantain (Plantago spp.) - just thought i'd take a stab at it - didn't think they would. he told me he has a SLEW of it at home and he would bring some to work tomorrow - score !! he also told me he had so much comfrey that he would harvest some and bring me a bag a fresh comfrey leaves :) i will make a healing comfrey salve with it.

tamanu oil

2009-11-13T13:30:00.000-08:00

i don't hear alot of mention about tamanu (Calophyllum inophyllum). i don't want to take a drug every time i have an ache - and although i did not go searching for this information - it appeared in an article i was reading a few months back and decided to give it a try. tamanu is indigenous to southeast asia, and the article said that tamanu oil was helpful for sciatica, joint pain and arthritis. i also knew that st. johns wort (Hypericum perforatum) was also helpful. it works by penetrating the skin surface and relaxing the nerve endings and muscles. they have anti-inflammatory properties that help with stiffness and swelling of joints. i'm not scientific here about exactly how it works and what it effects - i do know, from experience - it does work. maybe further on in my studies i will understand exactly how herbs effect certain tissues and organs better. so i made a blend of tamanu and st. johns wort oil and massage it in whenever i feel tightness and pain in my neck, back, hips. i have been really happy with the results.

food as medicine

2009-11-04T15:03:00.000-08:00

i talked to a friend today who said she felt like she was coming down with something - she asked what she could take. she had no herbal medicine around - so i told her about lemon, garlic, honey and cayenne pepper (use all organic). good old stand by when you feel something coming on. squeeze the juice of one lemon, chop a few cloves of garlic, tablespoon of honey and as much cayenne as you can take - i usually do about a teaspoon. boil water and make a tea. drink every few hours when you feel crappy. why ?

garlic: rich in antioxidants which help destroy free radicals - particles that can damage cell membranes. fights infections and boosts immunity.

honey: antimicrobial properties. soothes sore throats and can kill the bacteria that causes it. and it makes it taste better :)

lemon: blast of vitamin c, loosens mucus, cleanse liver, fights congestion, detoxify body.

cayenne pepper: capsaicin - the active ingredient in cayenne pepper can help overcome fatigue and restore stamina. it stimulates the circulatory system which helps deliver fresh blood, oxygen and nutrients to the heart. it will also make you hot and help sweat it out :)

herb walk

2009-11-02T11:40:00.000-08:00

i went on an herb walk yesterday. lucky for me, no one else showed up - so i got a private session ! although it is fall - there was still plenty to look at and discuss. and it was really interesting for me to get to know some of the plants that are native to california.

the first we saw was oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium). it contains the immune stimulating, infection fighting, antiseptic constituent, berberine. berberine is scientifically proven to protect against bacteria, viruses, and fungi. it has a sedative effect on the muscles lining the digestive tract and can relieve stomach cramps and abdominal pain.

i had never seen this before - and was quite excited to see some white sage (Salvia apiana). the leaves contain resins that have anti-bacterial and antiseptic properties. a hot infusion of the leaves stimulates perspiration and will lower fever. inhaling the steamed leaves breaks up chest congestion. applied externally, it can help skin infections.

there was plenty of horehound (Marrubium vulgare) around. shown here sitting next to some black sage (Salvia mellifera). horehound is an expectorant and used to treat coughs, bronchitis, respitory infections and sore throats. a strong tea or tincture can be used. here is a recipe for a cough syrup: steep 1 ounce of leaves in a pint of boiling water. cover, and allow to steep for 30 minutes. strain out the leaves, and then add twice as much honey, mix well, and bottle. take 1 teaspoon as needed up to four times per day.

we then came across the mysterious jimson weed (Datura Stramonium). i was told it has been used by shaman for centuries during ceremonies and for vision quests. it has hallucinogenic properties. this is NOT a plant to mess with under any circumstance - unless with someone VERY familiar with its magic and practices. i was just very excited to be in its presence. shown here are the leaves and seed.

then there was yerba santa (Eriodictyon crassifolium). it is an amazing plant with a lot of medicine to offer. it is called 'great medicine' by the local tribes. it is an anti-inflammatory and helps to dry congestion. it is also helpful for asthma, bronchitis, coughs and sinus allergies.

i actually got to see some nettles (Urttica dioica). we went on a hunt for it since i use daily for my infusions - and i really wanted to see it in person. we found it at the bottom of a dry creek towards the end of the hike - it was already getting dark. i have only seen it dried in bulk when i purchase it. i have a few posts in here on the medicinal and nutritional value of nettles.

there was mexican elderberry (Sambucus mexicana) around, which i have also posted about. it is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. shown here is the elder flower.

there was so much more we saw.... black walnut (Juglans nigra) which has antimicrobial and antifungal properties. there was plenty of coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), arroyo willow (Salix lasiolepis), yucca (Yucca whipplei), mugwort (Artemisia douglasiana), black mustard (Brassica nigra), and dandelion (Taraxacum officinale).

we even stopped for a while at some chia sage (Salvia columbariae) which had died back a bit and gone to seed and removed some of the prized chia seeds - which are high in protein and omega-3s.

it was an amazing few hours for me. i had gone on a herb walk quite a few months back - but it was more fascinating for me this time after a few more months of my herbal studies to actually see and touch a few of these treasures i have been reading about. also to get to know some of the medicine that is in my area - i know where it is and what it looks like. this park was close enough to home that i know i will be returning there as springtime comes to visit with my new acquaintances and spend more time with them. i think this is going to be so much more beneficial to my learning than looking at pictures in books !

skin care night

2009-10-27T20:24:00.000-07:00

tonite i am making some skin care products. i am just about out of everything - and a few friends asked me for some - so thats my push to get this done. i am making a cream and a scrub. the original recipes were taken from Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health, but over the years i have added my own stuff to it. instead of plain oils (apricot, almond, jojoba etc.) i infuse my oils in a mixture of comfrey (Symphytun officinale), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), marshmallow (Althea officinalis), calendula (Calendula officinalis), licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and rose (Rosa ?? not sure about this one) hips for over a month - then use that. if you want - read 'the whys for the skin oil' - september post. i also use a sort of herbal tea instead of the distilled water - but the proportions are just as she mentions. i just kind of figured more of the good stuff - the better. and herbs have incredible healing, soothing and protecting qualities for the skin. the scrub was also taken from her book. i keep the finished product in recycled jars instead of buying new ones - no need.

i started doing this a few years back. i have been a graphic artist for the past 28 years - specializing in the cosmetic/healthcare industry. after all those years of producing labels for rather large companies - i knew the ingredient listings by heart... i also knew there were a LOT of really long words that i had no idea what they were - but after researching some of them - decided i did not want to put that stuff on my skin. so i started making the products on my own. if i wont put it in my body - why would i put it on my skin ??

p.s. after i wrote that i went back into the kitchen to finish the cream... and everything went haywire. the blender stopped up - the bottom blew out - cream everywhere. if i was being video taped - it would be called 'how not to make your own face cream at home' !! good thing is - i cracked up through the whole fiasco. the cream is fine - the kitchen survived. a sense a humor really is the best medicine at times. :)

burdock root

2009-10-23T16:47:00.000-07:00

this is burdock root (Arctium lappa). i got it at the health food store since i have not been able to find it wild here. susun weed says that she did an experiment with burdock root harvested wild, harvested from her garden, and bought. they can all be used to make medicine - although the wild burdock root has more inulin - not insulin. inulin is a polysaccharide (several simple sugars linked together) produced by plants, usually found in roots or rhizomes. inulin increases calcium and possibly magnesium absorption. it promotes the growth of - good - intestinal bacteria. nutritionally it is a soluble fiber and is categorized as a prebiotic.

when reading up on burdock - i was overwhelmed by all the medicinal and nourishing properties... the list is to long for here - but here is what i found out (briefly):

it eliminates toxins and poisons from the digestive tract by nourishing and strengthening the lymphatic and immune system - it seems to clean the blood. it is very helpful with skin conditions such as psoriasis, dermatitis or acne.

i cut up the root to make a tincture - let it sit in 100 proof alcohol for up to 6 weeks. the smaller the chop the better - breaks down the cell walls in the root to release more of the medicine. i will also make a vinegar - put the chopped roots in a jar and cover with organic pasteurized apple cider vinegar and let it sit for 6 weeks. store them in a cool dark place. i shake them up when ever i pass by. i have read not to use metal lids with vinegars because they will rust the metal, and you don't want that getting in your vinegar. i can then use the vinegar in salad dressings and get the nourishment that way.

from what i understand - as these sit - they will get some kind of cloudy muck in them. that is the inulin being released from the root. i will watch and see.

rock friends

2009-10-21T13:04:00.001-07:00

i love rocks. i am not sure why. they are strong, stable and solid. they can soothe away tension. i have them all around my house. on pewter platters on the coffee table, on shelves, in jars, on the patio. i love the way they look. their colors, shapes, textures. even different personalities :) i prefer round smooth ones. i like to pour water on them sometimes to see how their colors change. i have always collected them. when on walks in the park, on the beach or even just on the street. i don't just pick up any old rock. they talk to me. and sometimes i pick one up - and it changes it's mind and doesn't want to come home with me - so i put it back. i think the ones that decided to come are happy here.

lavender tincture

2009-10-21T12:31:00.000-07:00

i started a lavender tincture today after reading about nervines last night. a nervine is a plant remedy that helps the nervous system. There are three different types of nervines: tonic, relaxing and stimulating. a nervine tonic can help strengthen and restore tissues directly in cases of shock or stress. they feed and heal the nervous system. a nervine relaxant is used in times of stress or anxiety - not to tranquilize - but to calm. there's a slew of herbs that can help with this - and even specific herbs to calm different parts of the body and systems during illness. nervine stimulants directly stimulate the nervous tissues. i could not find a real clear answer as to why you would need to stimulate them - maybe if they are sluggish and things aren't working properly - but i did find a lot of cautions when looking up this term... side effects, psychological problems etc...

the lavender nervine i read about last night said it was mood enhancing. useful in times of stress, anxiety, exhaustion, irritability, headachy. i would describe it as something that might be helpful when i feel - what i call - spun. it was described as 'a hug in a bottle'. and that's exactly what i need sometimes.

so i guess the lavender nervine i am making would be a nervine relaxant.

hm. maybe not. seems to fall under the three catagories pretty well.

anyways. i found out something else. i previously posted that my lavender was Lavendula angusifolia. but it's not. i looked at some pictures. i have Lavendula dentata.

it doesn''t have a lot of flowers at this time of the year - so i used part fresh leaves and flowers and then added some dried flowers i had on hand. i do not know if this is okay to do or not - but i winged it and threw some in. i coarsely cut everything up and added my alcohol. and it will sit for about 4 weeks. i will shake it up here and there to keep the alcohol moving around the plant material. and then i will have a lavender tincture which is a nervine.

harvest

2009-10-16T13:29:00.000-07:00

i never knew tomatoes tasted like this.

red clover infusions

2009-10-16T13:21:00.000-07:00

i have added red clover (Trifolium pratense) to my daily infusions. prepared same as the nettle infusions - 1 ounce to 1 quart of boiling water - steep overnight - strain - drink. red clover has so many benefits. here are a few:
• contributes to bone health
• high in phytoestrogens (complex topic for me to explain all of it -
but they help with menopause)
• helps prevent breast cancer, osteoporosis and strokes
• eases anxiety and confusion
• helps muscle and joint pain
• keeps skin healthy

its been about three months since i started with these nourishing infusions - i don't feel anything drastic or monumental - which is perfect - i don't want drastic and monumental in my life anymore. just a sense of peace, calm and health. it feels like daily maintenance to me.

what i am reading now

2009-10-16T00:51:00.000-07:00

well...i have 5 books on my nightstand that i want to get through - and know - by tomorrow. that would be my wish. a dear friend of mine told me quite a few months ago that 'it's ok to be a novice'. and i used that as sort of a mantra for the past few months. the more books you have - the less you know - at least that seems to be my case. i get it that i need to interact with the plants - i got a book for that: Plant Spirit Healing by Pam Montgomery. and i need to learn the basics of medicine making - got a book for that: Making Plant Medicine by Richo Cech. i wanted to get to understand western herbalism better - since this seems to be the direction i am going in - so i got a book for that: The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism by Matthew Wood. i wanted a herbal handbook so i got: A User's Guide to Medical Herbalism by David Hoffman. and then i got New Menopausal Years The Wise Woman Way by Susun Weed. which is the only one of the five that i finished since it talked so directly to some of the issues i am currently going through. but the others i have gotten to page 20 - lets say - in each of them. and those are the ones on the nightstand !!! not talking about the bookshelves. i want to absorb it all now and know it all now. be something i am not now. thats a pretty rough road. and isnt there a saying something about getting to the destination and the best part is to enjoy the journey. well i'm tired of looking at what i dont know - or haven't read - or haven't tried. it just gets me down and then i dont even want to pick up a book........... but fascinating part.... when i get quiet at the end of the day and pick up one of the books i am reading..... i sing. i am filing myself up with the best treat.... i love it... i absorb... i think... i want to create. i want. and then i calm myself down and say to myself everytime you look at a plant, make a tea, read a page you are getting there. breathe.

first rain

2009-10-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

we had our first rain for the season the past few days. i woke up this morning and the sun was out - but everything was still damp and wet from last night. everything was fresh and clean. the whole garden was singing with happiness. all the flowers were open and bright... it is just beautiful out there right now.

comfrey works

2009-10-08T10:34:00.000-07:00

me and daniel were sitting out in the garden last night having dinner and he showed me these two gashes he had on his legs from something he dropped earlier. and i thought 'comfrey' the mighty wound healer. i have 2 comfrey (Symphytum officinale) plants out there right now - they aren't that big - but i figured i could take one leaf for medicine. so i decided on a comfrey poultice. i clipped a leaf - chewed it up, placed it on the wound and covered with gauze. this morning when i talked to daniel he told me he had fallen asleep with the bandages on and had just taken them off. he said he was amazed. they were almost completely healed - he thought they looked like they should look in about 5 days. it worked. this is the first time i have used plant medicine on someone else... not thinking about it... just instinctual. comfrey. use comfrey.

here is a bit on comfrey:

comfrey's success as a healing agent is due to allantoin—a substance that speeds the production of new cells and aids in wound healing. it is an external remedy for sprains, wounds, swellings and bruises. it also has antifungal and anticancer activity.

gifts from squirrels

2009-10-08T10:15:00.000-07:00

i have a squirrel that comes every morning and i feed him sunflower seeds. i guess he either drops some of them as he is scurrying away - or he puts them in the dirt for later use - i dont know if squirrels do that. but i have sunflower plants popping up all over the yard. they are so pretty. my thought here was that i was going to take a picture once a day to have a progression of pictures as the flower opened... but i forgot. so here is the sunflower bud - and then the flower. i'll catch it next time.

eight weeks later

2009-09-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

i have solomon's seal root (Polygonatum biflorum) tincture. i am so pleased. my first tincture.

i put cheesecloth over a bowl and squeezed and squeezed. i then labeled bottles; one for storage, one with dropper - with common name - latin name - date i started the tincture - date i squeezed it - and what was used: 50% herb - 50% grain alcohol. a few weeks ago i read that you can run your tincture thru a blender - especially if using roots - like i was - to help break down the root better and get more medicine out of it. so i let it sit after that for a few weeks.

what did i notice ? well... it was very slimy. which makes sense because i just read that solomon's seal is mucilaginous. mucilage is a gelatin like substance found in herbs. it is used in medicine for it's demulcent properties. demulcent herbs have the effect of acting as a protective barrier on inflamed or irritated tissue. these herbs are soothing and cooling.

i am researching while i am writing !!

this is all very interesting since i made this tincture for my back and neck troubles. i read that solomon's seal helps joint injuries and helps restore lubrication and pliancy in the joints and tendons... and after actually touching the herb - it was thick and slimy - so it all makes sense that it lubricates.

i need to think about this some - but want to post this anyways even though i am not done understanding it all.

time for a tea break

2009-09-30T14:14:00.000-07:00

when it all gets to much... the nicest thing i do for myself is take a break and make a cup of tea. yesterday i harvested some lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla) so today i can have some tea. i only picked a few of the stems off the plant - just enough for a few cups of tea... that gives the plant a chance to keep growing. i let it sit for at least an hour before sipping...

lemon verbena is calming and sedating and has a positive effect on nervous digestive disorders.

whats out there... ?

2009-09-25T00:49:00.000-07:00

i keep reading in the forum i follow (herbmentor.com) about all these great finds people are having when they go out on walks. "i found the most amazing patch of chickweed..." or mullein, or st johns wort, yellow dock, elderberries, goldenrod... it goes on and on. and i picture them strolling through these lush green fields, acres and acres, and everywhere they look.... "oh! look nettles, comfrey... plantain". well. there are no open lush fields around here where i can go harvest... i live in a cement pit - 20 minutes from downtown los angeles. this isnt all so sorry and sad... i have angeles crest national forest 45 minutes away... and the santa monica mountain range is close enough. but i was feeling boo-whoo sorry for myself that i dont have what i am imagining they have right outside their front door.

got me thinking about my herb garden.... some things i planted that did well and then did not. its to hot for the fragile chamomile... not sure what happened to the horehound... rue is putting up a good fight... mints are struggling, but i have faith in the mints. catnip is doing so-so.... and valerian comes and goes. lemon balm has dwindled back. comfrey is trying. lemon verbena was vibrant - but is now pale. basil was strong but is now twiggy. feverfew was abundant - now it is not - but i think it will bounce back.

so - - - i thought - - - work with what is working out there. concentrate on the plants that are thriving and have held tight for years and years. the herb pillars in my little community must be thinking "uh.... hello ? we are here. we have held strong. we can be your allies. you dont live in oregon or vermont or wherever these lush fields are... come back here and see what we have". they tell you by staying strong and everytime i walk out to the garden - there they are - standing tall and proud.... waiting for me to recognize them. maybe its because they have been such a solid staple - i pass them over so quickly.

and even though i can just as easily order big batches from mountain rose herbs (mountainroseherbs.com) and they will be here in a few days... something is tugging at me to go look in my own backyard. i know who they are.... lavender has stood tall and quiet in the corner for 12 years. i cut her back many times when she got unruly - but she stays. and now behind her... some children. and sage. sage you die hard ! you keep going. not pussy footing around like some of these others i have tried to introduce into your area... "ew... its to hot here - i dont like it". and the surprise oregano. beautiful flowing happy. and marjoram who has the bunko spot where all the water collects and its sludge under my feet where you live, but you like it i suppose. you stayed. there are a few others....

what i want to do is gather some information on those plants. what medicine can i make with those plants. the ones who have stuck by me as i pull and rototill and try to get new and more and better varieties out there. maybe it was here all along and i should pay a little attention to the under-dog-plant. they are here for a reason.... i just need to get into it and figure out what is the lesson they have for me.

my new allies

sage

lavender

marjoram

oregano

the whys for the skin oil

2009-09-15T19:31:00.000-07:00

here's why:

calendula (Calendula officinalis) - skin softener and tissue regeneration
comfrey root and leaf (Symphytum officinale) - healing soothing and moisture retaining properties. promotes cell growth - why root and leaf ?? dont know - i saw them both and couldn't decide
marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) - emollient. soothes and lubricates the skin
rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) - stimulates blood circulation and restores elasticity to the skin
rose hips (Rosa canina) - skin rejuvenating and revitalizing
licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) - anti-inflammatory and moisturizer. skin brightener

i normally would use a blend of oils - such as sweet almond, jojoba or sesame - instead of just grapeseed... but i had a slew of grapeseed and decided to use it up. sometimes - after i strain out the herbs - i melt cocoa or shea butter and then mix that in - it will harden up a little and be more of a salve or cream - and i get extra moisturizing benefits that way.

amazing skin oil

2009-09-14T21:07:00.000-07:00

... is almost done. i mixed dried licorice root, calendula, comfrey root and leaf, marshmallow, rosemary and rose hips in grapeseed oil and let it sit for 6 weeks - strain the herbs out and then use it everywhere.

simples or formulations

2009-09-14T20:35:00.000-07:00

i keep learning new things as i progress in my studies. i get alot of questions that run thru my head. i recently asked one of these questions in a forum i follow. i asked about mixing tinctures. i have a lot of tinctures that i take for various reasons. feel a cold coming on ? a few drops of echinacea. muscle pain or tightness ? mullein. really cranky and moody ? st. johns wort. can't sleep ? skullcap. and then the elderberry and boneset i just started taking for flu prevention this season. then it hit me... can i mix these ? does the combination react differently than if i was taking them alone - or - as a new term i just learned 'simples' ? the answer is yes. a new area of study to venture into... formulations. i guess i did know about the basis of formulations - have had some experience and reading on them. using a group of herbs together to work on a condition. i have not gotten that far in my studies yet to fully understand diagnosis and then treatment. i only have a base understanding - and that is - from the way i interpret - body, mind and spirit are connected - one part of the body is not isolated from the other - we are a complete unit - and when one system starts to fail - its sort of a snowball effect. this is why an aspirin for a headache or decongestant for a stuffy nose is just a temporary fix to an underlying problem. also - that herbal medicine wont work alone - diet and lifestyle changes are often needed to have full balance and health. so..... by taking my echinaceamulleinstjohnswortskullcap i am making a formulation that might not give me the effects that i want if i took them as simples. they manifest themselves together differently.

more on oatstraw

2009-09-08T20:07:00.000-07:00

i posted earlier about my daily nourishing infusions - and made a small comment about oatstraw (Avena sativa) - but since i am now doing either nettles or oatstraw on a daily basis i thought i'd write about oatstraw a little more.

to make an infusion - use one ounce of dried herbs in a jar and cover with one quart boiling water. stir it a bit to get all the herb wet. let it sit overnight and then next morning strain off the herb and drink the infusion throughout the day.

infusions draw out beneficial vitamins and minerals. they are helpful because you get the highest quality nutrition - and by getting vitamins and minerals from a whole source rather than extracted materials - such as a supplement pill form - our bodies assimilate them better.

oatstraw acts as an anti-depressant and restorative nerve tonic. it is ideal if you are stressed, exhausted, nervous or sad. if you use it regularly it eases inflammation in your body. it is a great source of calcium to strengthen bones, teeth, and nails. to get your daily calcium supplement add a little horsetail (Equisetum arvense) in the infusion. oatstraw nourishes your nervous system and cleanses your circulatory system. it will help alot if you are just plain worn out.

i purchase my herbs from a local health food store or i get them online at www.mountainroseherbs.com. make sure you get quality organic herbs.

k.c....

2009-09-04T14:55:00.000-07:00

the viscous wild dog... foraging amongst the lavender and feverfew...

weeds

2009-09-04T13:45:00.000-07:00

i was going to pull this 'weed' i found creeping around my patio - but then thought it looked familiar to something i had seen in my plant id books. sure enough... its purslane (Portulaca oleracea). you'll know it by its branching stem pattern and succulent waxy leaves and stems. i did some research and this is what i found out:

purslane contains more omega-3 fatty acids than any other leafy vegetable plant we know of. omega-3s aid the body in the production of compounds that effect blood pressure, clotting, the immune system, prevent inflammation, lower cholesterol (ldl), prevent certain cancers and control coronary spasms. they also have positive effects on the brain and may aid in such conditions as depression, bipolar disorder, alzheimer's disease, autism, schizophrenia, attention deficit disorder, hyperactivity and migraines.

it can be eaten fresh or cooked. it has a mucilaginous quality (moist and sticky - so its moisturizing to your organs) and great for soups and stews.

purslane is a nourishing herb, an excellent source of vitamins a, c and e and essential amino acids, it has been described as a power food of the future because of its high nutritive and antioxidant properties. nourishing herbs are the safest of all and can be taken in any quantity for any length of time.

in ancient times it was looked upon as one of the anti-magic herbs, and strewn round a bed was said to afford protection against evil spirits. it was a sure cure for 'blastings by lightening or planets'.

so there you have it. think twice before you start pulling weeds from your garden.

in the garden

2009-09-01T18:14:00.000-07:00

its been really hot the past few weeks so all the plants are suffering. this is what i have in the herb garden right now and then a brief basic description on how the herb can be used medicinally. i wasn't even sure what some of them do - so this was good practice for me. they can be prepared in an infusion (steep in hot water for at least four hours) or for stronger medicine - a tincture (herb is soaked in alcohol for 4-6 weeks - that is the short version of what a tincture is!) also i am giving the common and latin name for each herb. the latin name is known worldwide - like a common plant langauge. so if anyone has a basic herb garden in their backyard - you also have strong medicine there too.

what is that sentence i am supposed to say now ? something like: these statements have not been evaluated by the food & drug administration. they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. consult with your health care practitioner for proper use. there.

and speaking of the food and drug administration... who are these people and how long has the fda been in existence (as compared to herbal medicine) where they feel they are the authority on what is 'safe' and what isnt - and what is 'good medicine' and what isnt. maybe its just me - but i am not going to trust my health and what is 'healthy' for me to some government ran organization - if they are a government ran organization - or whatever they are - that if they put their stamp of approval on something - or if they ran it through their testing process - then it's ok.
i dont buy it for a second.

anyways.... on to the list:

thyme (Thymus vulgaris) - antiseptic properties - can be used as a mouthwash, skin cleanser, anti-fungal agent for athlete's foot and anti-parasitic for lice

sage (Salvia officinalis) - for mouth sores and sore throat. for sore throats, mix sage tea with apple cider vinegar and salt for gargling

lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) - a benefit for stress, anxiety, exhaustion, irritability, headaches, migraines, insomnia, depression

rosemary (Hyssopus officinalis) - a digestive aid. treats depression and headaches. use as an expectorant and for muscle spasms

marjoram (Origanum majorana) - relief from symptoms of hay fever, sinus congestion, indigestion, asthma, headache, dizziness, colds, coughs, and nervous disorders. marjoram essential oil has been one of my favorites for headaches - a few drops on forehead and temples

catnip (Nepeta cataria) - very mild herb medicinally. it has calming and sedative effects. which surprises me since cats go bonkers for this stuff !

parsley (Carum petroselinum) - a vitamin and mineral powerhouse. a natural breath sweetener. eat the leaves right off the plant to combat breath odors

feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) - helps dramatically in some cases of migraine, arthritis pain, painful menstruation, rheumatism, and muscle spasms

lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla or Lippia citriodora - confused on the latin name here) - relief of digestive tract spasms, reduction of fever, strengthening of the nervous system. has the ability to break down cellulite, and has a soothing, healing and toning effect on the skin

basil (Ocymum basilicum) - digestive and anti-gas properties. also for stomach cramps, vomiting, constipation, headaches, and anxiety

comfrey (Symphytum officinale) - a priceless herb for wounds, sprains, bruises

valerian (Valeriana officinalis) - a central nervous system relaxer and a sleep aid

common rue (Ruta Graveolens) - the leaves applied externally will ease the severe pain of sciatica and headaches

horehound (Marrubium vulgare) - benefits chronic cough and asthma

spearmint (Mentha spicata) - relieves hiccough and flatulence

chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) - a remedy for hysterical and nervous affections in women (!) has a wonderfully soothing and sedating effect

calendula (Calendula officinalis) - a remedy for the pain and swelling caused by bee or wasp sting. a lotion from the flowers helps sprains and wounds

rue

lemon verbena

more on boneset and elderberry

2009-08-31T20:05:00.001-07:00

decided to read up a bit on these two and this is what i found out... short version !

boneset is an excellent remedy for colds and congestion. boneset treats colds by raising body temperature to kill the colds virus, but it also treats fevers by inducing perspiration to lower body temperature. The polysaccharides in boneset activate T-cells to fight bacterial infections.

and...

native americans used the flowers, berries, and bark of elderberry trees to treat fevers and joint pain for hundreds of years, but elderberry's real claim to fame is as a cure for the flu. elder berries are known to be effective against eight strains of influenza. This suggests that elder be superior to vaccines in preventing flu, because flu vaccines are only effective against known strains of flu, whereas the virus is continually mutating to new strains. vaccines have another draw back: over half of people who get them report side effects.

i did find elderberry locally and started on it yesterday in a tincture - i just found boneset on line and will order it tomorrow :)

i also did start k.c. on red clover and will update on any progress i see.

anything green

2009-08-31T19:46:00.000-07:00

i just decided i will post here anything 'green' that i am doing... and today i am doing my vegetable garden. i used to have it on the side of my patio - near the back kitchen door - but about a year ago i decided to use that area specifically for herbs. so the veggies got the boot. about two months ago i wanted a vegetable garden back - so - again - called sammy and he came over and helped dig out a section of the grass. so far i have harvested eggplant, yellow squash, green pepper and zucchini... i am waiting patiently on the tomatoes and green beans and onions.

flu prevention

2009-08-27T15:53:00.000-07:00

i am going today to get boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) and elder flower (Sambucus nigra). i guess the big scare right now is this H1N1 flu coming on - and i watched this video with paul bergner on natural flu prevention... studies show that it is more effective than influenza immunization - not to mention - no negative side effects and poison getting injected into you. he also mentions vitamin d. best prevention - 20 minutes in the sun between 10 and 2. also these supplements:

daily:
Vitamin D - 4000-10000 IU
Zinc - 25 mg
Vitamin C - 500-1000 mg
Vitamin E - 100-200 IU
Selenium - 200 mcg
Cod Liver Oil - 1 teaspoon

plus the boneset tincture and elder flower syrup
10-12 drops a day - 4 times a day

i also found some new lumps on k.c. ':(
i am going to get her some red clover (Trifolium pratense) and make infusions and slip it into some snack for her. red clover has four anti-tumor compounds and is an anti-cancer herb... i will take some myself since it nourishes hormones. careful to women - it also increases fertility !!

found plant

2009-08-25T21:43:00.000-07:00

i went camping this past weekend with daniel. we took a hike around the lagoon on the campsite... looking at all the amazing native plant life all around... everything was pretty dry tho... end of summer and alot of the plants were dried up. out of the corner of my eye i noticed a plant, bright green - totally alive... a little droopy, but alive... and plucked out of the dirt. literally... root and all. i said to daniel 'isn't that odd - look at the little plant - looks like someone just pulled it' but there was nothing like it around - anywhere. i thought it was so strange. so out of place. so strange. what was it doing there ? who pulled it ? where did it come from ? why did i look down at just that moment and see it ? so we continued walking and a few steps later i heard a voice ' take it with you and plant it'. loud and clear. so i turned around and picked it up. took it back to the campsite and put it in a bottle of water. the next morning it was vibrant. we drove home later that day and the drive home was a bit rough on it. by the time i got home it was thrashed... but i immediately put it in the dirt and gave it water. i pulled out my plant id books and have decided it is either burdock or mustard. cant really tell yet. have to wait for it to flower - the leaves look alike in the picture - but i am really thinking burdock because of the description of the 'sandpaper' feeling on the leaves. two days later... it is struggling... but making it. i am curious to see what happens with this little guy.

what i like even more is that i heard the message... and listened. i think this is good for me to start listening to what the 'universe' or whatever it is - is saying to me and am excited to see what lessons this little plant has to give me.

coincidence is a long word for God.

folk method gal

2009-08-24T17:36:00.000-07:00

well... the forum said that sometimes the ratios and charts in books are not exact if the herb is fluffy or compact or....

i thought i wanted to know this way of doing tinctures - but after alot of frustration... i pronounce that i am officially a folk method gal.

math class gone bad

2009-08-19T19:27:00.000-07:00

so sammy came by last night to help me with tincture making math. we went through some of the charts in the book - and i was actually starting to get it. i guess some math from junior high stuck. alls good... measure the herb... measure the alcohol... herb in the jar... pour the alcohol over the herb ! what ?! it doesnt even close to cover it... or even SLIGHTLY wet the herb... why ?? !! this 1:5 business wasnt working. i just put a post up on a forum i follow to ask anyone out there if they know whats wrong. frustrating. stupid.

maybe ill just stick to the folk method........

ug.

tincture experiment

2009-08-18T16:01:00.000-07:00

this is my first tincture... solomon's seal root (Polygonatum biflorum) in 190 proof organic grain alcohol. i read that solomon's seal is good for joint injuries... that it has the ability to restore lubrication. i have many neck/back aches. so i decided to try this as my first tincture. i bought dried solomon's seal root... and then agonized for days looking over my notes to try to figure out how much herb ? how much alcohol ? do i add water ? reading over these math equations that just made my head buzz. actually... my nephew sammy is coming by today to give me a basic math course. show him the formulas and see if he can make sense of them. i posted my confusion on a forum i follow... and got more math equations and then - someone said 'use the folk method'. 50% herb - 50% alcohol.... but i dunno... since my alcohol content is so high someone told me to do 50% herb - 25% alcohol - 25% water. whatever. i still don't get it. maybe sammy can help today. that was 2 weeks ago - and i didn't want to wait - so i figure wtf - i'm not gonna 'break' anything by winging it - right ? so solomon's seal tincture has been sitting there for two weeks.... four more weeks to go... and then i have my medicine. i already use mullein (Verbascum thapsus) tincture (bought it) and a st. johns wort (Hypericum perforatum) and tamanu (Calophyllum inophyllum) oil rub when pain flares up. gotta tell you - med free for six months. amazing. i love this plant stuff. they are the original medicine. modern medicine has been around for say... 100 years ?? for thousand of years before that we relied on and believed in plant medicine. i'm going back to roots... literally :)

bottles and jars

2009-08-18T15:45:00.000-07:00

saving jars... for infusions, oils, creams, herbs...

infusions

2009-08-18T15:26:00.000-07:00

every night i make an infusion for the next day. usually nettles (Urtica dioica) or oatstraw (Avena sativa). infusions draw out the minerals and vitamins from the herbs. since they are a whole source, our bodies assimilate them easier. much better than taking a vitamin/mineral supplement in pill form. i just put fresh/dried herbs into a glass jar and pour hot water over them. they should sit at least four hours - roots and bark eight - i let mine sit overnight. nettles is rich in calcium, potassium, protein, b carotene, chlorophyll, trace minerals, iron, vitamins a, c, d and k - and gives me really good energy. oatstraw calms me down... it has a milky sweet taste.

in the picture is my dry nettles infusion... and fresh lemon verbena (Aloysia Triphylla) infusion. i always ask the plant before i cut... and leave a bit of tobacco as a thank you. lemon verbena is so bright tasting. opens me up.

it goes way back

2009-08-18T12:51:00.002-07:00

i was looking thru some old pictures yesterday and i found this one... i took it in june 1975. i had all these plants in my bedroom that i would take outside once a week to water them and give them a day of fresh air...

being back in school

2009-08-18T12:51:00.001-07:00

i signed up for school to become an herbalist eight months ago - finally - after it just being a thought of 'something i want to do someday' for almost 20 years...

i am not sure i am learning what i thought i wanted to learn... so i started poking around online a bit.

the course i signed up in teaches tcm (traditional chineese medicine), ayurvedic medicine and western medicine. i don't think i like tcm... altho i am going to finish the course because i am learning alot about diagnosis, treatment... it is way to clinical and structured for me.

i found this whole community of people practicing what i guess is called 'folk medicine'... which is exactly where i want to be. they follow 'western medicine'... which feels more like native american indian like. which is what i have always gravitated towards.

so i just got this book in the mail today written by one of my new herb people that i am following... the book is on western medicine... and altho i should be reading from my school study materials i am going to break out and read this book now because... i want to.

i have the names of the herbalists that i really like now... and i want to be just like them - with all their knowledge and insight... but what i am also starting to understand is that i have to find my own way - learn how to communicate with the plants in my own way - just like they did hundreds of years ago...

so i sit outside... next to my lemon verbena... and spend time with her... and wait to hear what she has to say... wait to hear how she will communicate with me... how i will learn from her.

sounds wack. but i like it.

i feel like i am floating by myself in this... but its ok. ill find my way.

first entry

2009-08-18T12:49:00.000-07:00

dont know about this blog thing. not even sure what i am going to 'blog' about...