the healing power of herbs: medicinal herbs for common ailments · 2019-05-27 · nutritious meals,...

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Tochamomile,elder,holybasil,andmimosa—myfavoriteteachers.ToMollyandMaryanneforkeepingme

laughing.

CONTENTSINTRODUCTION

HowDoHerbsHeal?

1WHATAREHEALINGHERBS?

HealingHerbs

BenefitsofHerbalMedicine

HowAreMedicinalHerbsUsed?

2HOWTOUSEMEDICINALHERBS

WhatYou’llNeed

HerbalTeas

Syrups

Salves

Tinctures

Poultices

Compresses

3SELECTINGTHEBESTHERBSFORYOU

EnergeticsofIndividuals

EnergeticsofHerbs

EnergeticsofIllnesses

PARTIIThe30EssentialHerbs

AloeAloeMouthwash

AloeHairMask

AstragalusTonicSoup

ImmunityBalls

CalendulaCalendulaSunshineBathSoak

All-PurposeCalendulaSalve

CapsicumHotSauce

CayenneSalve

CatnipCatnipandRoseGeraniumBugRepellingSpray

RelaxingCatnipTeaBlend

Cinnamon

SpicyChai

CinnamonHoney

CottonwoodorBalsamPoplarCottonwoodDecoction

CottonwoodHerbalLiniment

DandelionDandelionVinegar

DandelionChaiBlend

EchinaceaEchinacea-ElderberryGummies

Immunitea

ElderElderberryLiqueur

ElderSyrup

GarlicBasilPestowithFreshGarlic

GarlicandHerbOxymel

GingerTripleGingerElixir

GoldenMilkTea

HolyBasilTonicGranolaBarswithHolyBasil,Astragalus,andAshwagandha

TulsiRoseTeaBlend

HorseradishHorseradishVodka

FireCider

HyssopHyssopDeep-CleansingMask

HyssopTeaBlendforCoughsandColds

LavenderLavenderPowder

LavenderSachet

LicoriceRootLicoriceToothPolishPowder

ThroatSpray

LindenLindenSyrup

LindenandPassionflowerElixir

MulleinEarOil

SmokingBlendforStubbornChestCold

NasturtiumNasturtiumPesto

NasturtiumTincture(orHairRinse)

OatsBlueOatSmoothie

MilkyOatTincture

PineSapInfusioninOilorTincture

PineNeedleTea

PlantainGardenandWeedTea

PlantainSalve

RoseRoseandRaspberryJam

Rose‘n’HerbCoughSyrup

RosemaryRosemaryandNettleHairandScalpRinse

SimmeringPotpourri

SageSageandGarlicSoup

SageandLemonHoney

StingingNettleBlackNettleSyrup

SteamedNettles

TeaButterTea

MatchaandGingerElectuary

FourThievesVinegar

ThymeandElderberryCoughDrops

YarrowYarrowandChamomileBitters

HealingHerbalTubTea

GLOSSARYRESOURCES

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

INTRODUCTIONIstumbledintoherbsintheearly’90swithmysisterMaryanneSchwartzwhenweopenedanherbshopatarenaissancefestival.Atthetime,herbpeoplewerejustfiguringouthowtooffermedicinalherbsforsale,andourlearningcurvewassteep.Thisledtoseveralyearsofstudying,living,andbreathingherbs.Acoupleyearslater,weopenedanothershopcalledTheHerbBasket,whereweofferedclasseseveryFridaynighttooursmallcommunity.Intheseclasses,wesharedthewonderfulhealingaspectsofherbsthroughsoapmaking,incensemaking,kitchencosmetics,herbsforstress,andnaturalremediesforwinterimmunity.Tokeepcustomersuptodateontheclassesandgoings-onattheshop,wepublishedabimonthlynewsletter.Whenweeventuallysoldtheshop,thatnewslettermorphedintoTheEssentialHerbal,themagazinethatIstillpublishtothisday.

WhenmysisterandIrealizedtheshopswereburningusoutandmadethedifficultdecisiontoclosethem,Icouldn’timaginenotworkingwithherbs.Bythen,Iwasusedtobeingsurroundedbyjarsofherbs,tinctures,potpourris,essentialoils,resins,andthefreshplants.Onceyou’vewalkedoutsideandgatheredyardweedsandapinchofthymeforanomelet,cookingisneverthesame.Afteryourchildhasaskedforyourownblendofherbalteathatmakesherfeelbetter,youknowwhatasuperherofeelslike.Spreadingthewordabouttheseverysimplethingsanddemystifyingherbsandtheirbenefitsbecamemylife’swork.It’swhyIpublishthemagazine,andwhyIamwritingthisbook—tosharethewonderfulworldofherbswithyou,too.

AlothaschangedsinceIfirstgotintoherbs.It’shardtobelieve,lookingback,butherbswereconsideredverymuchlikesnakeoil.Evenculinaryherbswerekindofedgy.Therewereafewgoodsourcesofbulkherbs,butforthemostpart,itwasdifficulttofindthemfresh.Mostpeopledidn’trealizethatthedandelionsandchickweedintheiryardswerethesameherbstheywerereadingaboutintheveryfewbooksonherbsthatwereavailable.Regulationswerenearlyimpossibletofind,makingitdifficulttofollowtherules,somostshopserredonthesideofcaution.Sellerscouldnottellacustomerwhatmighthelpacertainailment.

Interestinherbalmedicinehasexplodedinthepast15to20years,whichhasfortunatelyforcedeveryaspectofherbalismtoimprove.Nowyoucanfindfreshherbsatthefarmers’marketandevenyourlocalgrocerystore,excellentherbalremediesarewidelyavailabletopurchase,andthereareplentifulresourcestohelpyoulearnhowto

growyourownherbs.Mostpeopletodaycookwithherbsandmaynotevenrealizethehealingbenefitsofdoingso!

Thereareasmanyherbsasthereareplantvarieties.Itcanbecompletelyoverwhelming,butthat’swherethisbookcomesin.Myintentionistostripawaysomeofthemysteryandshowyouhowyou’realreadyusingherbsinyourdailylife.Ibelieveherbalmedicineislikehomecooking:Justaseveryoneshouldbeabletoprepareafewnutritiousmeals,everyoneshouldbeabletomakeafewnaturalremediesforfirstaidandself-limitingillnesses.Youdon’tneedtobecomeacheforaclinicalherbalisttofeedandnurtureyourselfandyourfamily.Havingbasicknowledgeofthehealingbenefitsofherbsisempowering.

Inthefollowingpages,Iexplainthebenefitsofmedicinalherbs,wheretolookforthem,andhowtomakeallkindsofherbalpreparationssuchasteas,tinctures,syrups,oils,salves,pills,baths,andmore.You’lllearnhowtousespecificherbsandhowtoselectthebestherbsforyourneedsandconstitution.Ialsoincludeaguideto30essentialmedicinalherbs.Iintentionallychoseherbsthatareeasytofind,andafewthataremeanttobesurprising,suchasoatsandpeppers,inthattheyaretypicallyconsideredfoodinsteadofmedicine.Myhopeisthatbytheendofthisbook,you’llunderstandthatherbsarepowerful,allaroundus,andalwaysouralliesingoodhealth.

Let’sgetstarted!

HowDoHerbsHeal?Plantsdosomuchforus.Theyprovidefood,shelter,clothing,andfuelforwarmth.Theypurifytheair.InJapan,thereisevenapracticecalledshin-rin-yoku,orforestbathing,that’sbasedontheideathatjustbeingwithplantsishealingandrestorative.

Plus,plantsaremedicine.

Thatoldwives’tale“anappleadaykeepsthedoctoraway”isrootedintruth.Iconsiderallplantstobeherbs,meaningthattheyholdimmensepowertohealourbodiesandminds.Herbscontainvaryingamountsofimportantvitaminsandminerals.Theyhavemyriadcomponentsthatourbodiesrequiretooperatesmoothly.WhenyoureadthroughthesectiononHerbs,takenoteoftheirincredibleproperties;manyareantibiotic,antifungal,antibacterial,antiviral,andsoon.Inthissection,wegetintothenitty-grittyofhowherbshealusinmindandbody.

1WhatAreHealingHerbs?Herbshavetheamazingcapacitytoreturnustohealthorhelpusmaintainahealthystate.Quiteoften,herbscanbethekeysthatopenthedoortoahealthier,happierlife.

Herbshavethepowertopreventillnessandtoprovidecomfortduringillness,injury,andtrauma.Theycanrelievepain,calmthemind,anddetoxifythebody.Herbscangently,andwithoutmajorsideeffects,worksomemiracles.Theycaneaseorpromotelaborandchildbirth,helprelievesymptomsoflungailments,improveenergylevels,increasecirculation,andpossiblyimprovememoryandmentalsharpness.Somedoctorsnowrecommendherbsforloweringbloodpressureandcholesterol.Withsomeknowledgeandpersistence,herbscantaketheplaceofmedicationsofmanykinds,includingthoseforacidrefluxorinsomnia.Bestofall,theycanhelpusavoidunnecessary,expensivemedicalappointmentsandtreatments.

HealingHerbsSoyou’reprobablywonderingbynow:Whatarethehealingherbsandwhatcantheydo?Thetruthisthatmanyofthemareprobablyalreadystashedinyourkitchensomewhere.Takechamomileorminttea—botharehealingherbs!Knowingjustthreeorfourherbsandtheirpropertiesaswellasyouknowthatgingeralehelpsanupsettummywillmakeahugedifferenceinyourdailylife.Therearehundredsofherbalremedies,buthere’satasteofafewyoumighthavein(oroutsideof)yourhome.

Takeoatmeal.It’sbulkyandkeepsusregular,butdidyouknowthatitalsonourishesthenervoussystem,helpingeaseanxietyandstress?Hotpeppers,turmeric,andsourcherriesareallhelpersforthepainofarthritis.Parsleycombatsbadbreath,andthosebrightgreenleavesalsoboosttheimmunesystem,stabilizebloodsugar,andreduceinflammation.Andthatoreganoonyourpizza?It’spackedwithantioxidants,whichhelppreventanumberofissuesrelatedtoagingandmayevenhelpfightcancer.

It’salsoimportanttolearnabouttheweedsoutside(andstopkillingthemwithspray!)becausetheycanprovidesuprisingbenefits.Wildmint(brightensmood),dandelion(protectstheliver),yarrow(antiviral,relaxing),St.John’swort(soothesnerves),mimosa(alleviatesgrief),andgoldenrod(fightsallergies)arejustafewexamplesofthesewonderfulhealers.Justoutsideyourdoor,therearelikelytobeherbstohealrashes,insectbites,anxiety,excessbleeding,coldsandflu,fevers,sorethroats,digestivedisorders,andsomuchmore.I’llhelpyounavigatetheseweedssoyoucanunderstandtheirbenefits,andgiveyouideasforotherhealingplantstocultivatedependingonyourneeds.Letthemedicinemakingbegin!

BenefitsofHerbalMedicineHerbshavebeenastapleofhealinginourhousefornearly30years.Whensomeonehasanailment,Ireachfortheherbsfirst—beforegoingtothedrugstore,beforecallingthedoctor.

Forexample,onesummerafamilymemberranovergroundbeenestsafewdifferenttimesonhismower(talkaboutbadluck!).Thefirsttwotimes,herefusedtouseanyuseherbsandwasinpainfordays.Thethirdtime,hefinallyletmeapplymashedplantain(asapoultice)todrawoutthevenom.Hispainstoppedimmediately,andtherewasnoswelling.

Duringanotherperiodinmylife,Iwascaringforasicksiblingwhowaswaitingforan

organtransplant.Iwaswarnednottobringanysortofvirusorinfectionintothehousebecause,frankly,itcouldkillhim.Fornearlythreeyears,Iregularlytookelderberryandholybasiltostayhealthy,andtheyworked.Foodsandspiceseatenmindfullyattherighttimecanmakeahugedifference.

Thebestpart?Neitherofthesetreatmentscostmorethanafewdollars.Theplantainwasgrowingeverywhere—Ijusthadtopickitandmixitwithwaterinthefoodprocessor.Igrowelderberryandholybasilinmyyardandhadmadethemintotinctures,sovodkawasmyonlyexpense.

Herbsaresafeandgentle(especiallythoseweuseasfoodsandspices),butrememberthattheyarerealmedicineandshouldbetreatedassuch.Ifyoutakepharmaceuticalmedications,talktoyourdoctoranddoyourresearchbeforeusingherbs.Forinstance,lemonbalmcannegativelyaffectmedicationsusedforthyroidissues.Manyherbsalsothintheblood,whichcancauseproblemsifyou’retakingabloodthinner.Ifyoudeveloparash,swelling,oranynewsymptomwhiletakingtheherb,stopusingitimmediately.

Asidefrombeinginexpensive,herbalremediescansaveyoutimeandmoneyoverthelongrun.Remember,manyofourancestorslivedtheirentireliveswithoutsettingfootinadoctor’sofficeorhospital!Instead,theyaterealfoodandknewaboutherbs.Withalittleforethoughtandsomesolidknowledge,herbsmakeiteasytoremainhealthy.Simplyincorporatingthemintomealsandbeveragesisahugestepintherightdirection.Manyherbshavesimilarfunctions,soifoneisn’tconvenientortastesbad,simplyexchangeitforanother.Mostpeoplestartbylearninghowtouseherbstomanagesymptomsofillnessesthatwillgoawayontheirown,suchasthecommoncoldorrespiratoryissues.Wecallthoseself-limitingillnesses,andtheymakeupalargepercentageof(pointless)doctor’svisits.Wecanalsolearnhowtopreventorrelievechronicdisease,sometimesevenreducingdamagealreadydone.

CONVENTIONALVS.HERBALMEDICINE

Herbalmedicineisdifferentfromwhatmanyofusareaccustomedtowithtraditionalmedicine.Forinstance,whenusedforchronicorentrenchedproblemslikehighbloodpressure,GERD,migraines,orreproductiveissues,herbalremediesrequiretimeandconsistencybeforeyou’llnoticetheeffects.

However,forminorissueslikecolds,cramps,orrashesandskinproblems,herbscanbeasquicklyeffectiveasanythingyou’llfindonthedrugstoreshelf.

Alittle-knownfactisthatlotsofdrugsareactuallyderivedfromherbs.Oneofthebestknownistheheartmedicationdigitalis,ordigoxin,whichcomesfromthefoxgloveplant.ThecancerdrugTaxolcomesfromPacificyewtrees.Ofcourse,there’scodeinefrompoppies,andaspirinfromthewillow.There’sabigdifference,though:Pharmaceuticaldrugsaremadebyisolatingoneortwocomponentsorchemicalconstituentsfromaplant,andthenusingonlythose.Pharmaceuticalsconcentratethatonepartoftheplantthatdoesthatonething.Butplantsaresomuchmorethanonething!Bycontrast,herbalmedicineusesallofthecomponentsandconstituentsintheplant,believingthateachhasapurpose.

Itisnowquitepossibletofindadoctorwhoislearningaboutherbsandwillingtocombinethemwithothermedicaltreatment.Ithinkthat’sthebestofallpossibleworlds.I’mnotsuggestingdismissingtraditionalmedicinealtogether;rather,I’mencouragingyoutounderstandyouroptions.Itisimportanttogetgooddiagnosesandalsotoseeadoctorifasymptomsticksaroundtoolong.Don’tavoidgettingcheckedout,andalwaystellyourdoctoraboutanyherbsyou’retakingregularly.

HowAreMedicinalHerbsUsed?Althoughmedicinalherbsmightseemtobethenewestthing,infacttheyaretheoldestthing!Aslongastimehasbeenrecorded,humanshaveusedplantsforhealingandnutrition.

ThereisplentyofevidenceofherbalhealingintheBible(althoughthespecificplantsareoftendifficulttoascertain).DuringtheMiddleAges,alongwithbloodlettingandleeches,herbsweretheonlytreatmentsavailable.IntheCivilWar,yarrowwasavaluedstyptic(usedtostopbleeding),echinaceahelpedagainstinfections,pennyroyalwasusedasaninsectrepellent,andslipperyelmsoothedsorethroats.AsrecentlyasWorldWarII,thyme,foxglove,andpeatmoss,aswellasmanyotherherbs,werepurchasedfromwild

crafterswhomadetheirlivingsearchingwoodsandmeadowsforimportantmedicinalplants.Therearestillpeopletodaywhoharvestwildherbsforaliving.

Whileotherpartsoftheworldfoundwaystoincorporatedrugslikepenicillinandthenthesulfadrugsintotheirnaturalhealingmodalities,Americansdroppedherbslikehotpotatoesandembraced“betterlivingthroughchemistry.”But—surprise,surprise—thiswasn’talwaysforthebetter.Somepeoplegotsickerandevendiedfromtheirmedication,despiteofyearsoftesting.

Inrecentdecades,peoplehavebeguntoflockbacktoherbsinsearchofthehealingknowledgeourancestorstookforgranted.Iremembermyowngrandfatherknewplantsonlybythenicknamesthatpeoplefromhisareaused.Evenwhenhedidn’tknowthename,hecouldgooutintothewoodsormeadowsandfindaplantthatwouldcurewhatailedyou.Hehadaknackforbeingabletolookataplaceandsay,“Ithinktheplantwillbebackinthere.”Iamfortunatetohaveinheritedsomeofhisinstincts,whichmakesiteasytofindwhatIneed.

Herbshavethousandsofcomponents,morethanwewilleveridentify,andtheyworktogethertobuffersideeffects,potentiateotheraspects,and,quitehonestly,healinwayswedon’tyetunderstand.Usingthewholeherbsinpreparations,aswe’llbelearninginthenextsection,makesthemsaferandmoreeffectiveatthesametime.Allthoseherbsinyourkitchenjustwaitingtohelpyououtwillsoonbecometeas,tinctures,elixirs,salves,oils,compresses,andmore.

Incomparisontopharmaceuticaldrugs,herbsareextremelysafe.Theveryrarecasesofherb-relateddeatharesomethingtheentireherbcommunityholdsashistory.Icanthinkofonlythreeoffthetopofmyhead,andoneofthemwascausedbyamisidentifiedherbthatwasextremelypoisonous.Theothertwowerecausedbyoveruse.

Thereareveryfewpoisonousherbsoutthere.Herbslabeledastoxicmightproduceanythingfromanupsetstomachtoliverandkidneyfailure.Inmoretropicalareas,therearemoretoxicplants.Hereareafewthingsyoucandotostaysafe:

Alwayslearnforagingfromanexpert.

Researchherbsbeforeusingthem.

Startatthelowestdoseandworkupifneeded.

WheretoGetThemHowyouobtainyourherbsreallydependsonwhereyoulive—thecity,thecountry,orthe

suburbs—andyourlifestyle.Butthethreewaystocollectherbsaretoforage,growyourown,orpurchasethem.

Iliveinthecountryand80percentoftheherbsIusearewild—alsoknownasweeds!Herbsareplentiful,butbeinginfarmcountrymeansthattherearemanyconventionalfarmsaroundmethatusechemicals.Ipayattentiontotheirlocationandwhentheyarespraying,andstaywellawayfromthem.Donotforageherbsthatyoususpecthavebeensprayed.Inaruralarea,hikingtrails,unlesstheyareplantconservancies,aresafeplacestoforageandexcellentplacestolearnplantidentification.

Ifyoufindasafeplacetoforage,it’simportantnottogatherortasteanyherbthatyouhaven’tpositivelyidentified.Getacouplefieldguidesandstudythem.Takethefieldguidesandabaggieorbasketoutintothewild.Whenaninterestingspecimenappears,trytodeterminewhattheplantis.Takeasprigofit(ifthere’splentythere)homesoyoucanstudyitmorethoroughly.OnceyougetaprobableID,putthenameoftheplantintoyourbrowseranddoanimagesearch.Thiswillusuallytellyouiftheplantisorisn’twhatyouthought.Youdon’twanttoplayanyguessinggameswhenitcomestoforagedplants!

Growingherbsisprobablymytopchoice,andyoucandothiswhetheryouliveonafarmorinatinycityapartment.Youcanpurchaseseedsorstarterplantsonlineoratyourlocalnursery.Eitherway,growingisimmenselyrewarding.

Anotheroptionispurchasingherbs.It’simportanttouseorganicherbsinordertoavoidchemicalsthatcanbeextremelyharmful.Asconsumers,wecanuseourpurchasingpowertoputanendtotheuseofthesesubstancesthatarecreatingnewandevermoreresistantpestsandplantdiseases,nottomentionhurtinginsects,birds,andanimals.Fortunately,therearemanyorganic,sustainable,andenvironmentallyconsciouspeopleandcompaniessellingbeautiful,high-qualityherbs.Good-qualityherbshavelifeinthem.Theydon’tlooklikehay.Theystillhavecolor,scent,andbody.

Barksandrootslastacoupleofyears.Aerialherbs—thepartoftheherbsthatgrowabovegroundbutaren’tbark,seeds,orfruit—don’tlastforever.Youcanextendtheirusefulnesswithpropercare,suchaskeepingtheminlight-blockingcontainersandstoringtheminacool,dryplace.Whentheherbsnolongerlook,smell,orfeelfresh,it’stimeforthecompostpile.Afterdrying,theyareconsideredfreshforaboutayearifstoredwell.

Freshvs.DriedFreshherbspickedatthepeakoffreshnessarealwayspreferable.Butifthesearen’t

availabledependingonyourlocationorseason,driedisalsofine,aslongasthequalityisthere.Anotherbenefittodriedherbsisthatthey’reusuallyeasiertoworkwith.Theyareeasytostore,there’snoneedtowaterthem,andtheytakeupmuchlessroom.

Theruleofthumbisthatdriedisthreetimesstrongerthanfresh,sincetheherbbecomesconcentratedthroughdrying.Involumemeasurements,onepartdryisaboutequaltothreepartsfreshherb.

GROWALITTLEHERBGARDENIfyouhaveasunnywindow,abalcony,orayard,youcangrowherbs.Thereisnothinglikepickingyourownbasilforpesto,snippingabitofmintforacupoftea,orevendiggingupyourownhorseradish!

Ifacontainergardenisnecessaryduetospacerestrictions,optforannualherbs(thosethatliveforonlyonegrowingseason)andchoosethelargestcontainerthatfitsthespace.Alargercontainerwillallowseveralplantsandalsohelptheherbsretainmoisturelongersotheysurviveevenifyoumissadayofwatering.

Nowcomesthefunpart.Decideiftheherbswillbeculinary,medicinal,orboth.Sneakatomatoplantinthere,andmaybeapepperortwo.

Goodculinarychoicesforbeginnersareparsley,sage,rosemary,andthyme.Dillisafavoritehere,too.

Medicinalherbchoicesforbeginnersincludeholybasil,lemonbalm,calendula,mint,andchamomile.

Alloftheseplantscanbepurchasedfromyourlocalnurseries,whichusuallyhavethebestvarietiesforyourregion.Growthemasannuals,meaningthattheywillsurvivejustforonesummerandnotreturnnextyear.Iftheydocomeback,it’sabonus.

Althoughsomeofthesecanbegrownindoors,herbsarebasicallyweedsandneedlotsandlotsofsunandspace.Ihavepoorluckwithherbsindoors.

2HowtoUseMedicinalHerbsHerbshaveawayofwindingtheirtendrilsintoeverydaylife.Infact,youprobablyingestmorehealingherbsthanyouevenrealize!Butifyouwanttointentionallyincorporateherbsintoyourroutine,therearemanysimplewaystodoso,including:

Usingherbsincookingandincludingthemasseasoninginallofyourmeals

Drinkingherbalteas

Soakinginanherbalbath

Makingandusingherbaloilsandbalmsforsoft,healthyskin

Mixingandusingtincturesandsyrupsforwell-being

Inthischapter,you’lllearnformulationsandconcoctionstomindfullybringherbsintoyourlife.

WhatYou’llNeedNowit’stimeforthefunpart!Thischaptercoversnineherbalpreparations,andyou’llneedafewsuppliesattheready.Don’tworry,youdon’tneedanythingfancy—myguessisthatyouhavemostoftheseinyourkitchenalready.Anythingelseyoucaneasilygrabatacraftorkitchensupplystore(oreventhedollarstore!).IalsoofferDIYalternativeswhereverpossible.

Firstthingsfirst:Startsavingeveryjaryouuse!Grabthembackoutoftherecyclingbin,washthem,andsavethem.Thesamegoesforanysmallishplasticcontainerthatseals,aswellascleanzip-topbags.Also,don’tthrowawayoldT-shirts.Washthemandcuttheminto6-by-6-inchsquarestouseasfilters.

Supplies:

Cuttingboard

Doubleboiler

Dropperbottles

Filters(DIY:cleanoldT-shirtscutinto6-by-6-inchsquares)

Funnelsinvarioussizes(DIY:Cutoffthetophalfofausedplasticbottle.Thesemakegreatfunnelsandcanbeusedoverandover.)

Jarsinvaryingsizes

Knife(agoodsharpone)

Labels(bigenoughtowriteon)

Measuringcups

Measuringspoons

Muslinbagsforcompresses(DIY:materialfromclean,oldcottonorflannelsheets)

Scale.Ifyoufindthatyoureallyenjoymakingsalvesandbalmsandwanttomakeanyquantity,theingredientsshouldbeweighed.Adecentscaleisalwaysagoodinvestment.

Strainers,bothfineandregularmesh

Teainfusers(orteaballs),onesmall(forindividualcups)andonelarge(forpotsoftea).Theperforatedmetalballsaremostcommon,butyoucanalsofindthesemadeof

siliconeindifferent,funshapes,aswellasothertypesofinfusers.

Non-herbalingredients:

Alcohol,typicallyvodka(190-proofisexcellent,151-proofisthenextchoice,and100-proofalsoworks)

Beeswax(soldincraftstoresandhealthfoodstores)

Oliveoil

Thesearethebasicsuppliesyouneedtogetstarted.Whenwegettotheindividualsections,Isuggestadditionaloptions,butyoucangenerallymakedowithoutthose.Afteralittlepractice,youcanalsocomeupwithyourownwayofdoingthings—that’spartofthefun.

Formanyyears,theseweretheonlytoolsIused.Astimewentby,Iacquiredadistillertomakehydrosolsandessentialoils,apressspecificallymadetoextractalloftheoilorliquidfromaninfusion,andacouplemagicchoppers.Ilovethem,butImanagedforalongtimewithoutthem.

Twootherthingsyou’llneedaretimeandspace.Keepinmindthatthesearehealingpreparationsandthereforeyouwanttopayattentiontoyourintentionsandyourmoodwhilecreatingthem.Trytopoursomeloveandcareintotheseconcoctionsasyouwork.Clearaspace.Putonsomegoodmusic.Takeyourtimeandenjoytheprocess.Certainly,thisisn’talwayspossible.Sometimesthekidisinthebedroomhackingaway,andyou’retired,andthere’sabitofvomitstreakeddownyourback.Ofcourse,you’lldowhatyouneedtododependingonthesituation.

Butifyoucancarveoutsomededicatedtimetoprepareanherbalmedicinearsenalthat’sreadyandwaitingforthenextcold,flu,orupsetstomach,it’sworthit.Thefirsttimesomeoneasksforyourspecialteaoryoucanproduceahealingtincturewiththesnapofafinger,it’sagreatfeeling.

DRYINGYOURHERBSDryingherbsissimple,andtherearelotsofwaystodoit.Themainthingistokeepthemawayfrommoistureanddirectsunlight.Iliketolaycleanbedsheetsonmyatticfloorandspreadouttheherbssotheyaren’ttouchingeachother.There’sdryheatandnoair-

conditioning,andIkeepthecurtainsclosed.Afterafewdays,theherbsaredriedperfectly.

Thingslikeberries,roots,orbarktakealongtimetodryandneedcirculation,sohavingafewoldwindowscreensaroundisperfect.Placethebotanicalsonthescreenandelevateitsothataircangetunderneath.

Youcanalsoputsmallquantitiesofherbsinbunches,withrubberbandsaroundthestemstoholdthemtogether,andhangthemuntildry.Besuretherearen’ttoomanystems,though,orthecentercanmold.Hangtheherbbunchesawayfromdirectlight.

Ifhumidityisaprobleminyourhouse,tryspreadingtheherbsinashallowlayeronacookiesheetandplacinginawarmovensetonthelowestsetting.Ifit’sagasoven,justthepilotlightwillwork.Dependingontheherbsandhowmuchisonthepan,theywillbefineinthereovernight.Stirthemupinthemorningtoseeifthey’redry.Ifthey’realmostdry,allowthemtofinishatroomtemperature.Ifthey’restillprettydamp,returnthemtotheoven.Whendone,immediatelysealtheminajarorbaggiesotheydon’tabsorbmoisture.

Thegoalwithdriedherbsistokeeptheleavesasintactaspossibleinordertopreservetheessentialoilsandothercomponents.Youcanremovetheleavesfromthestemspriortodrying.IfI’minahurry,Iwillstriptheleavesfromthestemsafterdrying(alittletrickier),orevenjustleavethemonthestemsuntilit’stimetousethem.Driedherbsareeasiertostorewithoutthestems.

Storedriedherbsawayfromlightinacool,darklocation.

HerbalTeasHerbalteasareoneoftheeasiestandmostpleasantwaystoincorporateherbsintoyourdailylife.Sometimestheyarecalledtisanes;whenonlyasingleherbisusedforatea,itiscalledasimpletea.Butmostpeoplejustcallthemherbalteas.

HerbalteasaredifferentiatedfromtheteasmadefromtheplantCamelliasinensis,

whichincludeblack,green,oolong,andwhiteteas.Theseallcomefromasingleplant,whichistechnicallyanherbthatcontainscaffeine!Whatweconsidertobeherbalteasdonothavecaffeine,sothat’sthemaindistinction.

Lotsofpeopleareonlyvaguelyawareofthemedicinalpropertiesoftheteasthatthey’vecometoregularlyenjoy.Herbalteasareoneofthegentlestmeansoftakingmedicinalherbs.Manyofthemcanbegiventochildren—mydaughterstillremembersthechamomileteapartieswe’dhaveduringscarythunderstormsorotherstressfultimes.Twenty-plusyearslater,chamomileisstillafavoritetisanethat’salwaysinhercupboard.

Teasweremygatewayherbs.Afterspendingawinterreadingvariousherbbooks,Ispentthespring,summer,andfallgatheringsprigsandpetalsofeverypossibleherbIcouldusefortea,pinchingbitsfromgardensoffriendsorleapingfromthecartorunacrossameadowforsomething.Idriedthemonascreenandmixedthemtogetherinabigjar.Iaddedsomepurchasedstevialeaves,cinnamonchips,andlicoriceroot,andshookitup.Webrewedtheconcoctionbythecup.Eachcupwasdifferent,andtherewasn’tabadoneinthebunch.

Thereareacoupleofdifferentbrewingmethods.Whenusingthemoretenderpartsoftheplant,liketheleaves,theherbsareinfused.Thisinvolvespouringhotwaterovertheherbs(whichyoucanplaceinateaballorteabag)andlettingitsteepfor5to15minutesbeforestraining.

Don’tconfusethistechniquewiththerecentpopularityofthewordinfusion,asin“herbalinfusions.”Thisreferstoaveryconcentratedbeveragemadeusingoneounceofdriedherbinaquartofwaterandsteepingitovernight.Thereareonlyahandfulofplantssuitedtothismethod,includingvitamin-andmineral-ladenherbslikestingingnettle,redclover,andoats.

Asageneralguideline,useateaspoonofdriedherborherbblendoratablespoonoffreshherbsperonecup(8ounces)oftea.Thatsaid,themeasurementisn’tcriticalwithtea.IusuallygooverbecauseIkeepaddingthings!

Teasmadewithdenserbark,seeds,orrootsaredecocted.I’lloftenmakeupadecoctionofwildcherrybark,licoriceroot,fennelseeds,andperhapsacoupleofotherroots,dependingonthepurpose.Todecoct,simmertheherbinwaterforanextendedperiodoftime,whichcanbefrom15minutestoseveralhoursdependingontheherb.Theharderthematerial,themoreheatandtimeneededtoextractthepropertiesandflavors.

Intermsofwhichherbstouseforyourteas,alotdependsonwhereyouliveandwhatisavailable.Somegoodherbstotryaremint,chamomile,sage,thyme,hibiscus,jasmine,

passionflower,orlemonbalm.Sprinkleinsomerosepetals.Raspberryandblueberryleavesaddflavorandhaveusefulcomponents.

Forasimple,relaxingtea,tryblendingchamomile,passionflower,andlemonbalm.

Tosootheacoldandsorethroat,trysage,thyme,andelderberrywithalicoricerootstirstick.

Upsettummy?Gingerteawithalittlespearmintcanworkwonders.

Teasareespeciallyvaluableforcomfortandcalming.

COOKINGWITHHERBSFORHEALTH“Letfoodbethymedicineandmedicinebethyfood.”

—HIPPOCRATES

Herbspackalotofvalue.Asprinklingofthyme,atablespoonofbasilpesto,ateaspoonofparsley,orsomesesameseedsonabagel—alladdincredibleflavorandarepowerhousesofnutrientsandprotectiveproperties.

Cookingwithherbsdoesn’tneedtobeinvolved.Oneofthefirstclasseswegaveatourshopwasanherbtasting.Wehadcrackers,butter,creamcheese,andabout10culinaryherbs:chives,tarragon,basil,rosemary,sage,parsley,chervil,thyme,cilantro,andpaprika.Theattendeessimplyputadabofbutterorcheeseonacrackerandaddedasprigofanherb,learningabouteachherbastheysnacked.Theyleftfeelingmoreconfidentaboutusingculinaryherbsathome.

Tobegincookingwithherbs,startsmall,meaningoneservingatatime.Thatway,ifitisn’tgreat,youhaven’truinedabigmeal.Ascrambledeggistheperfectplacetoaddalittlethyme,parsley,andasplashofsalsawithcilantro.That’showIlearned,andnowIcan’timaginecookingadishwithoutsomethinggreenorspicytojazzitupandbringouttheflavor.

Syrups

Makingsyrupsisasimplewaytopreserveherbsusinginexpensiveingredients.Somesyrupsaretastyenoughtodrizzleovericecream,crepes,orintococktailsorshrubs.Syrupscantakethemosthorrendousflavorandmakeitpalatableenoughforachildtoenjoy.Horehoundisagoodexample:It’sanacquiredtaste,atbest(althoughtherearepeoplewholikeit),butit’sterrificforsoothingcoughsandavarietyofupper-respiratoryissues.Mixingitwithsomesugar,honey,ormolasseshelpsthemedicinegorightdown.

Tomakesyrup,you’llneedapan,strainer,measuringcups,funnel,bottles,andaspoon.

Startwithastrongherbalteathathasbeensimmereddowntoreducebyabouthalf.Next,addeither2partssugar(1cuptea,2cupssugar)oranequalamountofhoneyormolasses(1cuptea,1cuphoneyormolasses).Igenerallyusesugarbecauseit’sinexpensiveandIalwayshaveitinthehouse.Stirtobesurethesugar(orhoneyormolasses)isdissolved,bringtoarollingboil,andcontinuetoboilforaboutthreeminutes.Cool,bottle,andcap.

Syrupscankeepforuptoayearintherefrigerator.Ifyouwanttostorewithoutrefrigeration,concentratetheinfusionmorebysimmeringitdowntoaboutone-thirdtheoriginalquantity,andadd¼cup100-proofvodkaforevery1cupofsyrup(resultingin12.5percentalcoholcontent).

Thisalcoholcontentisnotmuchwhentakenbytheteaspoon,butbeawareofitforchildrenandpregnantwomen.

Elderberrysyrupisamusteveryyearforwinterhealth,andIsharearecipeintheeldersection(seehere).

Astaplesyrupinourhouseholdisonethat’sgreatforsoothingmucusinthethroatandchest.Themainingredientsareosha,elecampane,ginger,licoriceroot,somemullein,Californiapoppy,andhorehound.Isimmertherootsseparatelyuntiltheliquidisalmostreducedbyhalf,thenaddthemoredelicateherbsfortherestofthesimmer.Ithencontinueasdescribedabove,addingwhateversweetenerIpreferandalcoholifdesired.

Asimplegingersyrupisgoodtohavearoundbecauseonceit’sinthecabinet,you’llbereachingforittoaddtoteas,bakedgoods,stir-fries,andsomuchmore.Blackstrapmolassesmakesatastyandnourishingbase.

Inthespring,violet,rose,anddandelionsyrupsarefunandbeautifultomake.Thoseworkbestwithasugarbaseandsomelemon,whichallowthegorgeouscolorstocomethrough.

OilsInfusedherbaloilsaremadebysoakingherbsinavegetableornutoilforanextendedperiod,withorwithoutheat.Itisimportanttomentionthatthisiscompletelydifferentfromanessentialoil.

Manydifferentoilscanbeinfused.Oliveisthemostcommonbecauseit’seasytofind,affordable,andgreatfortheskin.Sweetalmondoilisoftenfoundasaningredientinolderherbals,butittendstogorancidquicklyifnotrefrigerated.Apricot,avocado,sesame,hazelnut,sunflower,andjojoba(technicallyawax,makingitextremelyshelfstable)arealsogoodoptions.

Mostherbaloilinfusionsareusedtopicallyinsalves,balms,lotions,soaps,andmassageoils.Theycanbeusedasculinaryoils,butthatrequiresextremecaution,asanymoistureatallcanresultinbotulism.

Thereareseveralmethodsformakingherbaloils.Thekeyistomakesurethatnowaterisintroducedintotheoil.Themoisturethatisintheplantmaterialmustbeallowedtoevaporatefreelyortheoilwilldevelopmold.Additionally,allplantmaterialmustbecompletelycoveredbyoiltoavoidmold.

Tomakeinfusedoil,you’llneedalargeglassmeasuringcup,astrainer,ajarforstoring,and,ifusingfreshherbs,cheesecloth.

Theeasiestmethodistostartwithdriedherbsinoilusinggentleheat.Theovenonthelowestsettingoraslowcookerequippedwithalowsettingworkverywell,andajarofoilandherbssittinginasouth-facingwindowisgreat.I’malwaysinahurry,soit’stheslowcookerovernightforme.Theovenwouldalsobeovernight,andthewindowcouldtakeafewweeks.

Ifyouwanttousefreshherbs,whichcanbetricky,theyshouldbewellwiltedtolessenthewatercontent.Aftermixingtheherbsintotheoil,coverthejarwithseverallayersofcheeseclothtoallowevaporationuntiltheinfusionisfinished.Theinfusionisdonewhenithastakenonthescentand/orcoloroftheherb,usuallyafteratleasttwoweeks.

ManyyearsagoImadeagallonofjewelweedoilanddidn’twiltitorallowittoevaporate,keepingthebottlesealed.Itlookedgreat,butwhenIopenedthejuginthespring,itwasputrid.

Whentheoilisfinished,strainouttheherbs.Ihaveafavoritemethodforstraining:using6-inchsquaresofmaterialfromoldT-shirts.Lineameshstrainerwithoneofthese

squaresandsetitoveralarge(2-quart)glassmeasuringcup.Thenpourtheoilandherbsslowlythroughit.Squeezethematerialtogetallthegoodoilintothecup.Pourtheoilintoajarorbottle,cap,andlabel.

Youcanalsoinfusesolidoilslikeshea,coconut,cocoabutter,soy,andmangobutter.Liquefythemwithgentleheatandthenintroducetheherbs.Onwarm,sunnydays,youcanputthemintheheatofthesununtiltheyareliquidandthenaddyourherbs.Afterseveralhours,puttheoilintherefrigeratorandkeepitthereuntilyouneedit.Atthattime,heattheoiltoliquidagain,straintheplantmaterial,anduse.

Inthefollowingsections,you’llseehowyoucanmixoilsintoavarietyofpreparationslikesalves,balms,andmassageoilstoaddahealingherbalcomponent.

DOSAGEThevastmajorityofherbs,whenusedwithalittleknowledge,aregentleanddon’trequiredosagesaspreciseasmedicinaldrugs.Thedosagegenerallydependsontheherb,theindividual,theenergetics(coveredinthenextchapter),andtheissueorailmentbeingaddressed.

Whenusinganewherb,thebestthingtodoisstartwithasmallamount.Ifit’satea,startwithacupandseehowyoufeel.Withatincture,12to15dropsisagoodstart.Forsyrup,ateaspoonortwowilldo.OntherareoccasionswhenIgetsick,theserulesgooutthewindowbecauseIknowhowdifferentherbsaffectmeafteryearsoftrialanderror.Youmayfindmewanderingaroundwithaboxoftissues,swiggingfromabottleofelderberrysyrup,andsimultaneouslypouringitintomygiantmugofginger,honey,andlemontea.Overtime,I’vegainedadeepunderstandingofwhatworksforme.

Takingtoomuchofanherbcanresultinminordiarrhea(similartoeatingtoomuchbroccoliorcabbage),sleeplessnessorsleepiness,orsomethingsimilarlybenign.Ifyoudon’texperiencethesesymptoms,feelfreetoslowlyincreaseyourdoseifdesired.

Todetermineachild’sdosage,considertheirweight.Wegenerally

assumeanaverageadultweighttobeabout150pounds.Iftheadultdoseis30drops,thena30-poundchildwouldgetone-fifthoftheadultdose,orsixdrops.Anotherhelpfultrickisusingonedropperyearofageuptoage12.Asmentionedabove,herbsarenotasexactingaspharmaceuticaldrugs,butit’salwayssmarttoerronthesideofcautionwhenitcomestochildren.

Specificdosageguidelinesaredifficulttofind.Youcanconsultwithanherbalistifyou’refeelingunsureandlookingformoreguidance.Andalwaysspeakwithanherbalistordoctorwhenworkingwithachronicconditionorillness.

SalvesSalvesareemollientandhealingblendsofherbaloils.Youcanmakeall-purposesalvesforanyskinproblem,antisepticsalvesforhealingwounds;drawingsalvesforpullingoutsplinters,venom,andinfections;salvesforchestrubs;orsalvesforsoremuscles.Theycanevenbemadeasapleasanthandsoftenerorlipbalm.Salves,lipbalms,andthemoresolidlotionbarareallbasicallythesamething.Theonlydifferenceistheamountofbeeswaxused.Onceyoulearnthisskill,itcomesinhandyforallsortsofthings—salvevariationscanbeusedforhairpomade,diaperrashcream,andevenfurniturepolish!

Toaddherbstosalves,theherbsarefirstinfusedinoil,thenblendedwithbeeswax.Veganoptionsforwaxincludebayberry,candelilla,orahighpercentageofcocoabutterinplaceofwax.

Herearesomegeneralstartingpoints:

SALVE1partwaxto8partsoil

LIPBALM1partwaxto4partsoil

LOTIONBARS1partwaxto2partsoil

Tomakeasalve,you’llneedadoubleboiler(oramicrowaveandglassmeasuringcup),astainlesssteelspoon,jars,andlabels.

Startwithaboutone-fourthoftheoiltobeusedandmixitwiththewax.Heatthemixturetomeltthewax.Youcandothisineitheradoubleboilerorthemicrowave.Ifusingthemicrowave,heatin30-secondincrements,stirringaftereach.Eitherway,continueuntilthewaxiscompletelymelted.Besuretheremainingoilisatroom

temperature,thenaddittothewaxmixture.Thispreventsheatingalloftheoiltothemeltingpointofthewax.Butdon’tworry,youcan’treallyruinasalve.Yousimplyaddmoreoilormorewaxuntilyouhavetherightconsistency.

TincturesTincturesmaysoundscientificandintimidating,butasitturnsout,thisfolkmethodcouldn’tbeeasier.Tincturesaresimplyplantsinfusedinalcoholforaperiodoftimeuntiltheliquidbecomesmuchlikeaveryconcentratedtea.Freshherbalpropertiescanbewellpreservedinatincturewithalmostnoworkandjustalittletime.Tincturesaresimpletomakeandaperfectwaytopreservemedicinalherbs.

Ialwayskeepchamomiletincturearound.Mydaughterwasanxiousasachildandhaddifficultyfallingasleep,andIfoundthatchamomilewasjustthething.Ialsokeepablendofholybasilandmimosafloweronhandforemotionallydrainingsituations,whenIcan’tseetheforestforthetrees.

You’llneedaknifeorscissors,acuttingboard,alcohol(typicallyvodka),jars,andlabels.Wilttheherbstogetridofexcessmoistureandthenuseagoodquality-vodka(150-proofismygo-to).Somepeoplepreferwhiskey,rum,orbrandy;it’sjustamatteroftaste.Fillajarwithchoppedherbs.Coverwithyouralcoholofchoice.Leaveatroomtemperatureforsixweeks,shakingthejardaily(orwhenyouremember).Aftersixweeks,strainthemixtureandyourtinctureisreadyforuse.

Somepeopleputtheirherbsinafoodprocessorfirst.Somepeopleshaketheirjarseveryday.

Ifyoudon’tneedtousethetincturerightaway,itisfinetoleaveitunstrainedforyears.Infact,tinctureskeepformanyyearsjustastheyare,strainedorwiththeherbsleftinthealcohol.

Touseatincture,startatalowdoseandseehowitworks.Mixitwithaswallowofwaterorjuice.Tincturesdon’talwaystastegreat,sogetitoverwithquickly.Somepeoplechoosetoputtincturesstraightundertheirtongues,butinmyopinion,there’snoneedtosufferlikethat.Youcanalsomixadoseintoacupoftea(evenherbaltea)orjuice.

Regardingthealcoholintinctures:Thetypicaldosageislessthanateaspoonofalcohol.Mostsourceswillsaythatthisisequivalenttothenaturallyoccurringalcoholcontentinaripebanana.Ineverhesitatedtogiveafewdropsmixedinjuicetomytoddler.Aslongastheherbissafetouseduringpregnancy,thisamountofalcoholshouldn’tbeaproblem.Still,Iwouldneversuggestthatsomeonewhocannothave

alcoholshouldusetinctures.Therearelotsofothergoodwaystoingestherbs,sowhyriskit?

Ifalcoholisn’tanoptionforyouforwhateverreason,youcansubstituteglycerinusingthreepartsglycerintoonepartwater.Itisn’tquiteaseffective,andthetinctureslastonlyforayearorso,butitisadecentsubstitute.

LABELINGAlwayslabelyourpreparations!Dothisassoonasyou’redonemakingthem.SkippingthisstepishowIendedupwithmyfamousshelfofunknownremedies.TherearestilltimeswhenI’llbecalledawayinthemiddleofpreparingsomethingandforgettolabelwhatIadded,andthememoryinstantlyfades.Thesecondthere’sevenafleetingdoubt,it’stoolate,andyoucan’tbecertainwhatwentintoyourpreparation.

Yourlabelsshouldinclude:

NAMEOFTHEREMEDY

DATEMADE

INGREDIENTS

INSTRUCTIONSFORUSEStartanotebookfromthemomentyoubegincreatingformulas.

Writedownthestepsasyouworksoyouknowhowtore-createthings.There’snothingworsethanmakingtheworld’sbest-everteablendandthenforgettingwhatwentintoit.

Ifstoredintherefrigerator,mostpreparationscanlastaboutayear.Withoutpreservatives,that’sagoodruleofthumb.

HARVESTINGHERBS

Wewillexamineindividualherbslaterinthebook,buthereareafewtipstokeepinmindasyoubeginharvesting.Beforestarting,doyourresearchtounderstandwhichpartoftheplantisused.Itisbesttouseclippers,butyourfingerswillworkfine,too(butmostherbiesIknowhaveperpetuallystainedfingersthroughoutthesummer!).Chooseonlythehealthiestplants.

Gatheratleast100feetfromaroadway,andonlywhereyouknowpesticidesandweedkillershavenotbeenused.

Getpermissionfromthepropertyownerifyouareforaging.

Neverforageinaprotectedareaorplantconservancy.

Chooseplantsthatareatorjustbeforetheirpeak,withleavesandflowersthathavenoblemishes.

Ifpossible,waituntilthedewhasdried.

Gatherfragrantessentialoil–producingplantsbeforethehottestpointoftheday.

Neverwipeoutastandofplants.Picknomorethan10percentofwhat’sthere.Ifitisthelonestand,considerleavingituntilnextyear.Ifthereareseedsonwhatyou’repicking,leavetheseedsbehind.

Learnthelistofendangeredandat-riskplantsinyourarea(UnitedPlantSavers.orgisagreatresource)andbeagoodsteward.

Processthegatheredherbsimmediatelyforthebestquality.

Dryherbsasyougo.Ifyou’relikemeandgooutforlongstretchesoftime,youcanuselarge,looselywovenbasketsandfillthemonlyhalfway.Givetheherbsaturnacoupleoftimesaday,andthey’lldryinthebasket.

PillsPills(orpastilles)areanotherremedythatisveryeasyandinexpensivetomake.There’snothinginthepillsexcepttheherbandwhateverliquidormoistenerisusedtoformthe

pill.Youcanuseanyherborcombinationofherbs,and,withpractice,thepillscanbemadetobequitetasty.Iparticularlyliketousethemforsorethroats.

Tomakepills,combinefreshlypowderedherbswithaliquidtoformathick,firmpaste.*Thepasteisthenrolledintoballs,whichmayormaynotbeflattenedintoalozengeshape,andthendried.Thesecomeinhandyforchildren—thepillscanbemadesmallerorlargerdependingonwhatthechildcanholdinhisorhermouthandhowmuchherbisdesired.Totakethepill,holditinyourmouthuntilitbreaksapartandcanbeswallowed.

You’llneedabowl,knife,spoon,jarsortins,andlabels.It’sveryimportanttofinelypowdertheherbs.Iliketouseacoffeegrinderandthenputthepowderthroughameshstrainertoremoveanylargerbits.Youcanalsopurchasepowderedherbs,butbeawarethatpowderslosetheirvitalityveryquickly.It’salwaysbesttokeepherbsaswholeaspossibleuntiluse.

Next,chooseyourliquid.Honeyisusuallymyfirstchoice,butyoucanalsousetea,glycerin,coconutoil,oramedicinalsyrupyou’vemade.Startwithtwopartsherbalpowdertoonepartliquid.Addtheliquidabitatatime,andkneadthemixtureverywell,addingmoreliquidasneeded.Getsimilarlysizedpiecesbyrollingthe“dough”intoalogandcuttingoffshortlengths.Drythoroughly.Drypillsshouldbeshelfstableforseveralmonths,butIstickthemintherefrigeratororfreezeroutofhabit.They’llbasicallylastforeveriffrozen.

Anothereasywaytomakeapillistogetemptycapsulesandfillthemwithpowderedherbs.Thesearemeanttobeswallowedandaresometimestheonlywaytogetsomeonetotakeabitterherb!

*Themixturebeforedryingiscalledanelectuary,whichcanbeaddedtoorusedtomakeherbalteas.

BathsHerbsinthetubcandoalot.Asachild,Iremembermymotherputtingmeinthekitchensinkfullofoatmealwater,probablyformeaslesorthechickenpox.Itwassosoothing.Acupofvinegarsteepedwithrosespouredintoatepidbathisawonderforsunburn.ComfreyandEpsomsaltsaftertoomuchphysicalactivityrelaxesmusclesandhelpsachyjoints.Thelistgoesonandon.Aniceherbalbathcanbesohealing.

Bathsaremadeinmuchthesamewayasteasthatareformulatedtodrink,buttheyarecombinedtosootheornourishtheskin.Sometimesyoucandrinkthesame

concoctionthatwillbeusedforbathing,andhoneycanevenbepartofthedeal.

Ioftenhearinstructionstohangamuslinbagfilledwithherbsfromthefaucetwhiledrawingthebath.Thatreallydoesn’tworkwell,though.Iprefertofillahalfgallonpitcherwithveryhotwater,thensubmergeamuslinbagfilledwiththeherbsinthewaterwhilerunningabath.Itmakesastrong“tea”thatyoucanthenpourintothebath.Nomuslinbag?Noworries.Placetheherbsinthecenterofawashcloth,bindthecornerswitharubberband,andmakeyour“tea”thatway.

Youcanputadditionslikeoatmeal,powderedmilk,orsaltdirectlyintothebag,orinthewaterseparately.Justdon’tclogthedrain.

Herbsforthebathcanbeusedfreshordried.Goodchoicesarecomfreyrootandleaf,calendulaflowers,roses,lavender,chamomile,mint,yarrow,plantain,jewelweed,rosemary,thyme,elderflower,chickweed,seaweed,andsage.

PoulticesPoulticesareusedtotreatissuesbyapplyingherbsdirectlyontotheskin.Theyaretypically,butnotalways,usedforexternalissues.Theymaybeusedtosootheorcalmrashes,andarealsovaluablefordrawingouttoxins,stings,andsplinters.Makingherbalpoulticescanbeassimpleaschewingupaleafandputtingthewet,mashedherbontoaninsectbiteorwound.Oritcanbeasinvolvedasheatingamixtureofherbsinoilandapplyingittotheskin,coveredwithlayersofmaterial.

Teabagpoulticesareeasyandquick,andpeoplecommonlyusethemwithoutthinkingofthemaspoultices.Forinstance,yearsagoitfeltlikeImightbedevelopingastyeonmyeye,soIbreweduptwoteabagsinonecup,onechamomileandoneechinacea,toputontheaffectedeye.Asoneteabagcooled,Iwouldreplaceitonmyeyewiththeother.Rotatingtheteabagsstoppedthestyeorinfectionfromgettingafoothold.

“Spitpoultices”arehurriedpreparationsmadeinthefield.Forinstance,foryellowjacketorwaspstings,aninstantremedyisaplantainleafchewedandappliedtothestingafterremovingthestinger.Itprovidesimmediaterelief,andifdonepromptly,drawsoutthevenombeforedamageoccurs.

Ioncehadablockedsalivarygland.Afterspendingagooddealoftimefindingthegland,Imadesmall,half-moon-shapedpoulticesinheat-sealableteabags.Ifilledthemwithablendofplantain,chickweed,andkaolinclay,andtheysuccessfullypulledthelittle“stone”out.

Amustardplasterplacedonthechestwouldbeconsideredapoultice,aswouldtheold-timepracticeofchoppingandcookinglargeamountsofonionsandspreadingthemashotascouldbeborneonthechest.Bothofthesehavealayerofclothbetweenthemandtheskintopreventskinirritation.They’rebothcommonlyusedtoincreasecirculationandloosenchestcongestion.

CompressesMosteveryonehasusedahotorcoldcompressafteramuscleinjury.Herbalcompressesaresimilarbuthavetheaddedhealingpropertiesofherbs.Theycanbepreparedforuseatdifferenttemperatures,dependingonthepurpose.Hotcompressesareusedformuscularpains,cramping,anddrawingoutinfections.Mostotherissuescallforroom-temperatureorcoolcompresses.

Makingacompressisveryeasy.Useanicethickwashcloth,orahandtowelforlargerareas.

1.Makeaverystrongherbalteainaquantitythatwillallowyoutosaturatethecloth.

2.Soakteaintotheclothandwringitout.

3.Placethesoakedclothontheaffectedareafor15to30minutes.

4.Repeatasneeded.

Ifyoupreferacoldcompress,placethesoakedclothinthefreezerbriefly(takeitoutbeforeitfreezes).Thisisfasterthanwaitingfortheteatocooldown.Teasbrewedforcompressescanberefrigeratedorfrozenandreheatedwhenneeded.Besuretomarkanyfrozenteaslikeyouwouldotherpreparations.It’snofuntofindcontainersofherbalicecubesandhavenoclueastowhattheymightcontain.

Herearesomeofmygo-tocompresses:

SUNBURNBlackteawithlavenderandrosepetals.Thisshouldbeusedasacool,butnotcold,compress.

MUSCLESPRAINSORSTRAINSWITHNOBROKENSKINArnicawithcomfreyandEpsomsalts,appliedwarm.

GENERALRASHChamomile,appliedcooloratroomtemperaturetosootheandcalmtheskin.

ACHINGORNERVEPAINLemonbalmwithSt.John’swort,usedeitherverywarmorverycold,perhapsalternating.

ECZEMAPlantain,chickweed,calendula,andlavenderappliedatroomtemperature.

PLANTRASHES(POISONIVY,OAK,SUMAC)Yarrowwithjewelweedandplantainappliedasacoolcompress.

3SelectingtheBestHerbsforYouInthischapter,wediscussthedifferentclassificationsforhumans,herbs,andillnesses.IntraditionalWesternherbalism,thissystemiscalledherbalenergetics.Weareallsoverydifferentandunique,butwecanbeclassifiedintofourmainconstitutionsthatdescribeourgeneralphysicalstate.Whileyourconstitutioncanchangethroughoutyourlife,it’sthebasisofwhoyouarerightnow.Whentreatinganillness,it’simportanttomatchtheherb,illness,andindividualenergetically.Forinstance,someherbsareverydrying.Let’ssayapersonwithadryconstitutionisexperiencingatight,drycough.Givingthemadryingherbwouldonlymakethesituationworse.Instead,wewouldgivethemsomethingthatwillmoistenandeasethecough.Thisisthebasicframeworkofenergetics.

EnergeticsofIndividualsMostcultureshaveahealingtraditionthathelpsusmaketheconnectionbetweenaperson’sconstitutionandwhatkindofherbswillhelpbringthembacktobalance.ExamplesfromaroundtheworldincludeAyurveda,traditionalChinesemedicine,theNativeAmericanMedicineWheel,andSouthernfolkherbalism.Theseareallessentiallydifferentformsofenergetics.Inthischapter,we’llexaminethephilosophyoftraditionalWesternmedicineenergetics,whichisover100yearsoldandameldingofmanytraditions.

Individualenergeticsreferstoone’sconstitution,whichisthegeneralconditionofthebody.Itisimportanttochoosetherightherbenergyfortheconstitutionoftheperson.Determineyourownconstitutionbyponderingthefollowinglist.Forsomepeople,itwillbeasclearasabell,whileforothersitmayrequiresomeexaminationandthought.

Myownconstitutionisdampandneutraltemperature(neitherhotorcold),tendingtowardlax.

Someofthethingsthatleadmetothisclassificationaremyabilitytosweatoncueandthefeelingthatitmightbepossibletodiefromhumidity(damp).Ihavemanyhotandcoldmarkers,sothatlandsmeintheneutralterritory.Ifnobodyforcesmetomovearoundanddothings,I’llprobablytakeacouplenapsandnotgetdressedfortheday(lax).

Herearethetypes:

Cool/cold:Quiet

Wouldlikeanothersweater,please

Palecomplexion

Coldhandsandfeet

Sluggishorinactive

Warm/hot:Outspoken

Usuallyfeelswarm

Blusheseasily

Alwaysdoingsomethingactive,canbehyper

Healthyappetite

DampOilyskinandhair

Retainswatereasily

Sweatseasilyandfreely

Doesnotlikehumidity

Pronetocongestionorrunnynose

Anklesmayswelleasily

DryBrittlenails,hairbreakseasily

Dryskinandscalp

Pronetodrycoughandthroat

Creakyjoints

Pronetoconstipation

TenseNervousorirritable,easilyrattled

Tight,painfulmuscles

Headaches

Toobusy

Lax/RelaxedPronetodepression(physicalandemotional)

Sleepy,difficulttowake

Sluggish,stagnant

Atitsworst,maymeanlossofmusclecontrol

Eachofusindividuallyfallssomewhereonthescaleofthethreecategoriesbelow.Wealllandsomewherebetweenhotandcold,dampanddry,andtenseandlax.Thosethingsallchangefromtimetotime,butwetendtowardonesideortheotherunlessdrasticlifechangesoccur.Forinstance,Ihaveseenawarm,damppersonbecomecoolanddryafterchemotherapy.

Ifneithertypeinonecategoryapplies,oriftheyseemequal,youmayhaveaneutral,orbalanced,constitution,andthat’sagoodthing.Balanceisthegoalinhealth,asitisinallthings.Ourconstitutionispartofwhowearethroughheredityandethnicity,sowecan’tchangeitcompletely,butwecanmakechangesthroughherbs,food,andlifestylethatmoveustowardbalance.

Personally,Inoticethatweightchanges,age,activitylevel,andeatinghabitsaltermyconstitution.Weightgaincanbringlotsofwaterretentionandbogginesstomybody,causingmetoperspiremoreoftenandleantowardthedamptype.Losingweightanduppingactivity,alongwitheatinglotsofgoodfreshfruitsandvegetables,canreturnmetoamorebalancedconstitutionwithmorecontrolofmoisture,tone,andtemperature.Similarly,someonewithacold,dryconstitutioncansometimesneutralizethatwithhydration,exercise(towarmthemusclesandorgans),andconsumptionofwarming,moistfoods.

Forhomeherbalists,knowingyourbaselineconstitutionisvaluable.Ithelpsyouunderstandthefoodsandherbsthatcansteeryouclosertothecenter,aswellasthe

foodsandherbsthatyouwanttoavoid.Understandingourownconstitutionandthatofthoseclosetousenablesustochoosethecorrectherbfortheindividual.

EnergeticsofHerbsNowthatyouunderstandthetypesofconstitution/tissuestates,youcanselectherbsthatcorrespondtoeachone.Yes,herbshaveenergetics,too!Thetrickistoworkwithherbsthatpromotebalanceinthebody.Forinstance,acoolingherbwouldbecalledforinahotstate,adryingherbforadampstate,orarelaxingherbfortoomuchtension.Herearesomecommonexamples:

COOLINGwatermelon,lettuce,raspberryleaf,hibiscus,lavender

WARMINGcayenne,ginger,basil,garlic,cinnamon,blackpepper

MOISTURIZINGlicorice,marshmallowroot,plantain,okra,purslane,slipperyelm

DRYINGsage,osha,turmeric,tea,yarrow,goldenrod

TONING(INVIGORATESTONEANDTIGHTNESS)yarrow,witchhazel,tea,rose,blackberryleaf,lady’smantle

RELAXINGvalerian,lemonbalm,hops,catnip,chamomile,lavender

Withinthevarioustypes,manyherbshavedifferentactions.Forinstance,whenitcomestorelaxingherbs,chamomileverygentlycalmsanxiety,milkyoatseedsupportsthenervoussystem,passionflowerhelpswithcircularthinkingthatcreatestension,andskullcaprelievesstressandmentalexhaustion.Herbsworkindifferentandpowerfulways.

Furthermore,thetasteofherbsandfoodsalsocorrespondstotheenergeticsofherbs.Thetasteofanherbreinforcesitsaction.Herearethetastesmostoftenusedinherbalhealing,withsomeexamples:

SWEET(WARM,DAMP)cardamom,nutmeg,anise,sesameseeds

SALTY(COLD,DRY)seaweed,vinegar,celery,soysauce,nettles

PUNGENT(HOT,DRY)horseradish,mustard,paprika,cumin

SPICY(WARM,DRY)cinnamon,cloves,ginger,holybasil

SOUR(COOL,DRY)lemon,sumac,tamarind,fermentedfoods

ASTRINGENT(DRY)tea,oregano,parsley,cranberries

BITTER(COLD,DAMP)hops,mugwort,citruspeel,dandelion,gentian,yellowdock

Inchoosingherbs,keepinmindthatthegoalisalwaystomovefromanexcessofaparticularconstitutionalelementtowardbalance.Ifanillnessexhibitscoldandwetsymptoms,youwanttorespondwithherbsthatarewarm/hotanddrytobalancethemout.

Let’ssaysomeoneishot,dry,andtenseinconstitution,andthisiscausingissueswithconstipation.You’dwanttochoosecooling,demulcent,ormoisteningherbsthattendtohaveasweettaste.Licoriceroot,slipperyelm,andmarshmallowrootwouldallbehelpfulforthisperson.

Ifwecombinetheherbsthatwillworkinbalancewiththeperson’sconstitutionandthetastesthataffectthataction,wecanbebetterassuredthatwe’rechoosingthecorrectherbforthesituation.

EnergeticsofIllnessesManyyearsagomysisterandIwereonaroadtripandchattingabouthowdifficultitistoaccuratelydescribepaintothedoctor.Atsomepointshesaidherswasaround,sweetpain.Welaughedforabout10milesafterthatone.

Lookingback,Iseethatwewereontosomething,wejustweren’tusingtheterminologyofarecognizedtradition.Thetruthisthatillnesseshaveenergetics,too.

Onceyoubecomefamiliarwiththeenergeticsofhumansandherbs,itbecomesclearhowtheycorrelatetothesymptomsofanillnessandhowbesttoapproachandtreatthatillness.Onewaytolookatitisthattheillnesspresentsitselfbydemonstratinginwhatwaythebodyisoutofbalance.Heatneedstobecooled;damprequiresdrying.Simpleyettrue.

Considerthelanguageweusetodescribeanillnessoritssymptoms.Howoftendoweusethetermsthatdescribethetissuestates,orvariationsoftheterms?“Thiscoldisstuckinmychest,”or“Mybackissotensethatit’sgotmyheadaching,too.”It’salreadyhowwethinkaboutillness.Nowwejustneedtoputitalltogether.

Let’ssayyourchildhasaweepingskinrash(damp).Yourgoalwillbetodryitupsoitcanheal.Youwouldn’tputoiloranykindofbarrieroverit,becauseitneedscontactwiththeairtodry.Ifyouhaddry,painfulpatchessuchasbrushburnsorcrackedhands,youwouldn’treachforadryingtreatmentlikeadrawingclaypoultice.Youwouldlikelyknowallthisinstinctively,withouthavingtothinkabouttheenergeticsinvolved.

Eventually,thissystemofhealingbecomessecondnature.Iencouragepeopletothink

abouthowmuchtheyusethissystemwithoutrealizingit,thengofromthere.Itisimportanttolearnwhichactionseachherbhasandhowitworks.

Anotherthingtoconsideriswhetherherbsareassociatedwithacertainorganorbodypart.Thiswillnarrowdownyourpossiblechoiceswhenapproachinganillnessorailment.Herearejustafewexamples:

OATSnervoussystem

SOLOMON’SSEALconnectivetissues

HAWTHORNANDROSEheart

MILKTHISTLEliver

GOLDENRODkidney

PLEURISYROOTliningoflungsandchestcavity

Ifyoustruggletoclassifysomeherbs,tissues,andillnessesintotypesandstates,that’sokay.Evenexpertsdon’talwaysagree.AsRosemaryGladstaroncetoldaclassIattended,“Putthreeherbalistsinaroom,andyou’llgetthreedifferentopinions.”Themainthingistotrustyourknowledgeandintuition.

Nowyouhavealotoftoolsinyourherbaltoolbox.Youknowhowtomakevariousherbalconcoctionsandhaveanideaofhoweverythingworkstogether.Thatjustleavestheherbs.

STORAGEWhenitcomestostoringherbalpreparations,firstandforemostdateyourjars!Sincetheyarenotchemicallypreserved,youwanttothrowthemoutafterayear(unlesstheyareobviouslypasttheirprimebeforethen).Tincturesareanexceptionandcanlastforupto10yearsifproperlystored.Butayearisagoodguidelineformosteverythingelse.Herearesomestoragetips:

Usebottlesorjarsthathaveadarkcolor,suchasamberorblue.Thisgoesfordriedherbsaswell.

Storeinacool,dryplace.Iftheremedyisusedinthebathroom,keepjustasmallcontainerthereandstoretheresteitherinthe

refrigeratororacupboard.

Freezingorrefrigerationwillextendthelifeofoilsandsyrups.

PARTII

The30EssentialHerbsFinally,it’stimetodigintotheherbs!Ichosethe30herbsinthissectiontodemonstratethattherearealreadyincredibleherbsinyourkitchenandeverydaylife,andalsothepotentialeachherbholdsforhealthandhealing.Everyoneofuswillwinduphavingfiveto10favoriteherbs.Myhopeisthatofthe30herbsincludedhere,youwillcometoloveatleastfiveandkeeptheminyourhouseatalltimes.

Thissectionfeaturesallkindsofrecipes,andtheyaremeanttobeguidelines;feelfreetoswapindifferentherbsdependingonyourneedsandpreferences.Learnhowtoblendherbalteas,makesyrupsthekidswilllove,andwhipupsimpletincturesandelixirs,yummyhoneysandvinegars,andsalvesandmassageoilsforboo-boosandsoremuscles.Knowinghowtomakethesethingswillempoweryoutousemorenaturalremediesandtakecontrolwhenitcomestoyourhealthandthehealthofyourlovedones.

Aloebarbadensis

ALOEReveredandusedmedicinallyforthousandsofyears,thesucculentbeautyaloeisnativetoIndiaandAfrica(includingEgypt)andhasmorethan400knownspecies.TheoriginwordforaloeistheArabicalloeh,meaning“bitterandshinysubstance.”TheEgyptianBookofRemediesfrom1500BCmentionsaloe.IntheBible,NicodemusmixedaloewithmyrrhtoapplytoChrist’sbody.Later,AlexandertheGreatfoughtforit,andGreekphysicianDioscorideswroteaboutit.Suchasought-afterplant,yetitturnsoutthatitpracticallygrowsitself.Aloeisawelcomehouseplantanywhereandfreelygrowsoutsideincertainclimates.Eventhosewhoscoffatmedicinalherbshaveprobablyusedaloeatsomepoint!

ABOUTALOEOTHERCOMMONNAMESburnplant,medicineplant,sinklebible(intheCaribbeanIslandsparticularly),plantofimmortality

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSRegularandlong-terminternaluseofaloecancausechronicdiarrheaandathighdosesmaycauseliverdamage,soitisstronglydiscouragedbeyondoccasionaluse.Aloeshouldnotbeusedinternallyduringpregnancyorwhilebreastfeeding.Ifyouuseinsulinorbloodthinnersorhavehypoglycemia,donottakealoeinternally.Someindividualsmaybeallergictoit.

PARTSUSEDThegelandfirmpulp(alsoknownasthefillet,ortuna)insidetheleaves;thebitteryellowlatex,calledaloejuice,orsapthatformsbetweenthegreenskinandthecleargelinmatureplants.Thisyellowjuicecontainsthecathartic,laxativeproperties.Whileitcanbeusedinternally,commerciallymadealoejuiceismuchsafer.

ENERGETICSbitter,moisturizing,cool

PROPERTIESAloeiscathartic,anesthetic,anti-inflammatory,antibacterial,antiviral,emollient,andalaxative.

USESExternally,aloecanhealwounds,burns,skininfections,psoriasis,andeczema.Internally,it’sgoodfordigestiveissuessuchasIBS,constipation,andulcers.Youcanalsogarglealoejuicetohelphealgingivitisandulcersinthemouth.

PREPARATIONSAloeisdifficulttopreserve,sothebestthingtodoisgrowitasahouseplant—it’snearlyimpossibletokill—andpeeltheleavesasneededatthetimeofuse.Youcanfindaloegelinmostdrugstores,andcapsulesmadefromaloearealsoavailable.Soaps,creams,andlotionsmadewithaloearewidelyavailable.Aloejuicehastheconsistencyofwaterandisavailableinmosthealthfoodstores.

DOSAGEInternally,thegelcanbetakeninconsultationwithahealthcareprovider.Commerciallyavailablepreparationsprovidespecificdosages.Topically,applythefreshgelasneeded.Externalusehasnounsafelimit.

GROWINGTIPAnyonecangrowaloe.I’veseentheplantbeignoredformorethanayear(givennowater),andrevivewithindaysafterwatering.Theonlywaytokillaloeistooverwaterit,soletitdryout.Cutleavesfromthebottomtouse,asthey’llbetheoldestandlargest.Aloegrowsasaperennialinzones9and10,withlance-shapedleavesfromthebasalrosettereachingseveralfeettall.

HometreatmentsAloeoncesavedanislandvacation.Isnorkeledtheentirefirstdayandendedupwithaseveresunburn.Icutathree-footaloeleaffromrightoutsidetheroomandcutslicesfromit,layingthefilletsdirectlyonmyburningskin.Thatsoothing,cool,emollientgelhelpedimmediately,andbymorningmyskinwasnolongerred.

Iseelotsofsportsandweightlossdrinksouttherewithaloeasaningredient.Thereiscurrentlyquiteabitofresearchonusingaloeveragel(notjuice)internallyforulcerativecolitisandotherseriousdiseasesofthegut.However,untilmoreisknownaboutitslivertoxicityandpossiblecarcinogenicproperties,IwillconcurwiththeCenterforScienceinthePublicInterestandsuggestavoidinginternaluseofaloeveragel.

ALOEMOUTHWASH

Makes1cup

Preptime:5minutes

Garglingwithaloeisterrificforyourgumsandhelpspreventgingivitis.Itcanalsobehelpfulforsorethroats.Youcanevengiveitatrythenexttimeyoucan’twaitforthatcheesepizzatocoolandendupwiththeroofofyourmouthpainfullyblistered.Aloejuiceismadebypressingtheentireleafofthealoe,includingtheoutergreenpart.Itismucheasiertoworkwiththanaloegel,whichcangetsticky.Thejuiceisperfectforthisrecipe.

INGREDIENTS½cupaloejuice

½cupwater

2teaspoonsbakingsoda

1dropspearmintessentialoil

1dropteatreeessentialoil

1droporangeessentialoil

SUPPLIESa10-or12-ouncejar

1. Combinealltheingredientsina10-or12-ouncejarandshakewelltodissolvethebakingsoda.

2. Touse,swishanounceorsoofthejuiceinyourmouthfor30secondstoaminute.Donotswallow.

3. Sealthejarandstoreintherefrigerator.

ALOEHAIRMASK

Makes1maskforlonghairor2masksforshorthair

Preptime:10minutes

Aloehasareputationforworkingwondersondamagedhair,soothingitchyscalps,andrelievingdandruff.Itleaveshairsmoothandshiny.Theoilandmilkinthismaskincreasetheseactions,andthenettlehelpsstrengthenhairandkeepithealthy.

INGREDIENTS¼cupaloegel

¼cupcoconutmilk

2tablespoonspowderednettle

1tablespooncoconutoil

SUPPLIESanairtightjar

1. Inamicrowave-safebowl,combinealltheingredientsandmixuntilsmooth.

2. Warmthemixtureinthemicrowavefor30seconds(orinadoubleboilerforabout3minutes),untilthecoconutoilismelted.

3. Storeinanairtightjarandrefrigerate.

4. Themaskcanbeusedaboutonceaweek.Workitthroughdryhairandintothescalpandspendafewminutesmassagingitin.Coverhairwithashowercaporplasticwrap,thencoverwithatoweltoretaintheheat.Letthemasksitforabout30

minutes,thenrinse,condition,andadmire.

Astragalusmembranaceus

ASTRAGALUSAstragalusisnativetoChina.It’sanunassumingvetchwithsmallyellowflowersthatripenintosmallseedpodsresemblingtinybeans.IthasbeenusedintraditionalChinesemedicineforthousandsofyearsandisoneofthe50fundamentalherbsusedinthattradition.Additionally,ithasbeenusedincookingjustaslong,makingitaperfectexampleoffoodasmedicine.Ithasalwaysbeenconsideredahealingtonic,butinrecentyearsastragalushascaughttheeyeofscientificresearchers.Itshowspromiseforhelpingwithasthma,highbloodpressure,anddiabetes,andevenslowingthegrowthoftumors.It’ssafetosaythatuseofastragaluswillbeontheriseinthecomingyears.

ABOUTASTRAGALUSOTHERCOMMONNAMESHuangqi(Chinese),milkvetch

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSDuetoitslonghistoryofuse,astragalusisgenerallyconsideredsafe,buttherehavenotbeenenoughstudiesdone,sodonotuseduringpregnancyorwhilebreastfeeding.Alsoavoidastragalusifyou’reusingimmunesuppressantmedicationorhaveanautoimmunedisease.

PARTUSEDroot

ENERGETICSsweet,warm,moisturizing

PROPERTIESAstragalusisatonicoradaptogenicherb,supportingadrenalfunction.Itisantibacterial,antiviral,diuretic,anti-inflammatory,immune-stimulating,andantiaging.Astragaluscontainsover40saponins,whicharesoap-likecompoundsthatfunctiontobenefitusinmanyways,includingbindingtoandremovingammonia,whichcanbeaneurotoxinifnotefficientlyeliminated.Italsocontainsantioxidants,aminoacids,essentialfattyacids,andseveraltraceminerals.

USESAstragalusisoftenusedasapreventiveorremedyforupper-respiratoryillnesses.Itstimulatestheimmunesystemandalsoprotectsthebodyfromtheeffectsofstress.Externally,itsoothesandhealstheskin.Astragalusisexcellentforrebuildingenergyandimmunityafteranillnessorwhenexperiencinglowenergyandstrength.

PREPARATIONSAstragalusisavailableindriedslicesandincutandsiftedform.It’salsousedindecoctions,tinctures,capsulesorpills,lotions,andcreams.Ihaveseendriedsoupmixesofastragalusblendedwithhealingmushroomsandotherherbs.Therearealsoseveralgoodastragalusteasavailable.

DOSAGEIfusingacommercialproduct,followthelabeldirections.Takeadropperful(about25drops)ofastragalustincturetwoorthreetimesadayifyoufeelanillnesscomingon,oronceadayasadailypreventive.Duringillness,increaseyourdosagetoastrongdecoctionortincturetwoorthreetimesaday,ortakecapsulestwicedaily.Brothmadewithastragalusrootisespeciallyhealing.

GROWINGTIPAstragalusisveryeasytogrowasaperennialinzones6through9.Thevetchescangetaggressive,sofindaspaciousspotwhereitcanspread.Youcanharvesttherootsforuseinthefourthyear.Digtheouterroots,leavingthecentertogrow.Cleanwell,slice,anddry.

HometreatmentsAstragalusisgoodtouseafterasevereillness.Itsupportshealingandhelpsstrengthandvitalityreturn.Asanadaptogenandimmunestimulant,itisalsonourishingandslowlyandgentlybuildsusbackup.Thereareseveraleasywaystoincorporatethiswarmingandmoisteningherbintoyourdays.Youcancooktheslicesintomostsoupsorstews,orsprinkletheshreddedrootoverrice,pasta,orpotatoeswhiletheycook.Keepsomeinthekitchen,andyou’lluseitmoreoften.Theteaisverypleasanttastingandblendswellwithelderflowerandholybasil.

Itiswellknownthatstress,whetherphysicaloremotional,wreakshavoconourorgans,manifestinginaninabilitytofightoffanyattack.Thismakesussusceptibletoanygermthatcomesourway.Theimmunesystem–supportingandtonicpropertiesofastragaluskeepillnessandtheeffectsofstressatbay.Inmyhousehold,weveryrarelygetsick.Aspartofourpreventivewinterherbalarsenal,weaddastragalusslicestosoupsandteassothatwehavesomealmosteveryday.

TONICSOUP

Serves8

Preptime:90minutes(30minutesactive)

Warminganddelicious,thissoupgivesimmunityaboost.Itfreezeswell,soit’seasytokeeponhandthroughthewinter.There’snothinglikesouptokeepthechillsaway.

INGREDIENTS8cupsbroth(beef,chicken,orvegetable)

1tablespoonoliveoil

1onion,diced

4to8clovesgarlic,minced

1(1-inch)piecefreshgingerroot,peeledandfinelychopped

1cupslicedcarrots

1cupfreshburdockroot(soldinstoresasgobo)orsweetpotatoes,choppedintobite-sizepieces

2slicesastragalusroot

1cupshiitakemushrooms(freshorreconstituted),sliced

3cupskaleorcollardgreens,choppedinto½-inchpieces

SUPPLIESalargepotandaskillet

1. Inalargepotoverhighheat,bringthebrothtoaboil.

2. Meanwhile,heattheoliveoilinaskilletovermediumheatandaddtheonion,garlic,andginger.Reducetheheattolowandsautéuntilsoftandfragrant.

3. Addthecontentsoftheskillettothebrothinthepot,alongwiththecarrots,burdockroot,astragalusroot,andmushrooms.

4. Simmer,covered,overlowheatfor50minutes.

5. Addthegreensandsimmerfor10moreminutes.

6. Removetheastragaluswithaforkortongsbeforeserving.

7. Refrigerateleftovers.

IMMUNITYBALLS

Makes48(1-inch)balls

Preptime:1hour

ThisrecipeisatakeonRosemaryGladstar’sZoomBalls,butinthisversionweuseherbstostimulateandsupporttheimmunesystem.Youcansubstitutealmostanyingredienttoyourtastepreferencesorneeds.Forinstance,youcanusesunflowerseedbutterifnutsareaproblem.Eatacoupleoftheseadayduringfluseasonforatasty,nutritious,immunity-boostingsnack.

INGREDIENTS1cupcashew,almond,orpeanutbutter

½cuphoneyorblackstrapmolasses

¼cupastragaluspowder

¼cupcalendulapowder

¼cupechinaceapowder

¼cupholybasilpowder

½cupcocoapowder,divided(optional)

1tablespoongroundginger

1tablespoongroundcardamom

1tablespoongroundcinnamon

½cupshreddedcoconut(optional)

SUPPLIESanairtightcontainer

1. Inabowl,usingalargespoon,mixtogetherthenutbutterwiththehoney.

2. Graduallyaddtheastragalus,calendula,echinacea,andholybasilpowders;¼cupcocoa(ifusing);andtheginger,

cardamom,andcinnamontothemixturetoformastiffdough.

3. Rollintobite-sizeballs.Ifdesired,rollthemintheremaining¼cupcocoaand/ortheshreddedcoconut.

4. Storetheballsinanairtightcontaineratroomtemperatureorintherefrigerator.

Calendulaofficinalis

CALENDULACalendulahasbeenworn,eaten,andusedforhealingforcenturies.InancientRomantimes,itwasnotedthatcalendulaflowersopenedtothesunandclosedatnight,andwerealwaysinbloomonthefirstdayofeachmonthoftheRomancalendar,oroneachfullmoon.Theherb’snameisrelatedtothepassageoftime,andthebrightyellowandorangebloomslookjustlikethesun.Calendulaispartofmanytraditionalrituals.It’sstillusedtodayinDíadeLosMuertoscelebrations,andHindualtarsareoftendecoratedwiththebrightflowers.TheAztecsandotherancientCentralandSouthAmericanpeoplesreveredthelittlesunplant.Calendulaisamedicinalherb.Wheneverthewordofficinalis(orofficinale)appearsinaLatinplantname,itdenotesuseinmedicineandherbalism.

ABOUTCALENDULAOTHERCOMMONNAMESpotmarigold,poorman’ssaffron,ruddles,commonmarigold,calendule,Mary’sgold,Marybud,Englishgardenmarigold,Scotchmarigold,orpoet’smarigold

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSThoseallergictoplantsintheasterfamilyshouldavoidcalendula.Womeninearlypregnancyshouldavoidinternaluse.Otherwise,theherbisconsideredquitesafeforbothinternalandexternaluse.

PARTSUSEDFlowersandleaves,whichcontainastickyresinthatisherbalgold,indicatingthepowerfulhealingpropertiesheldwithintheplant.

ENERGETICSbitter,warm,drying

PROPERTIESTheplanthasmanyamazingandvaluablequalities.Becauseitisantiviral,anti-inflammatory,antibacterial,styptic,vulnerary,antispasmodic,andastringent,itwasfoundtobeusefulonthebattlefieldsduringtheCivilWar.Itisstillafavoriteherbfortakingcareofinjuriesandillness.Calendula’shighlevelofcarotenoidshelpsfightfreeradicals,whichcancauseaginganddisease.

USESCalendulaiscommonlyusedforskinissuesandwounds.It’sevengentleenoughtouseinproductsforbabies,suchasdiapercreamorscalpoilforcradlecap.Itcanmakeahugedifferenceonfootorlegulcers,particularlywhencombinedwithcomfrey.Used

internally,ithelpsmucusmembranesheal,soit’squiteusefulfordigestiveandgastrointestinalproblems.Youcanusecalendulaasagargleorrinseforthegumsandthroat.Calendulateahasahistoryofworkingasaneyewashtorelievesymptomsofpinkeye.Personally,Iliketomakeaverywet,warmteacompressfortheeyes.

PREPARATIONSYoucanfind(ormake)calendulaoil,salves,teas,tinctures,gels,lotions,creams,poultices,compresses,andsoaps.Therearealsolotsoffooduses.

DOSAGEAswithmostoftheplantsthatarealsousedasfood,dosageofcalendulaisn’tcritical;itdependsalmostentirelyontheissuebeingaddressed.

GROWINGTIPCalendulaisveryeasytogrow;Isimplyscattertheseedsinthespring.It’sbesttocoverthemwith½inchofdirtafteralldangeroffrosthaspassed.TheywillgerminatequicklyandbloomfromJulyuntilfrost.Afterdrying,theseedslooklikesmallwormsamongthepetals.Don’ttossthem—savethemtoplantnextspring.

HometreatmentsCalendulateaisgoodasasingleorpartofablend(withlemonbalm,elderberry,holybasil,androse)toboosttheimmunesystem.Beingantispasmodic,thewarmteahasbeenknowntocalmabdominalormenstrualcramps.

Calendulaisgreatforwoundsthataren’thealing.Thedryingenergyspecificallyhelpsweepywoundsorrashes,helpingclearthemup.Duringourshopdays,awomanwithanulceronheranklethesizeofahalf-dollarcameinandsaidherprescriptionsweren’thelping.Shewasintears.Werecommendedasalveofcalendulaandgoldenseal.Shecameinaweeklaterformore,andtheulcerwasonlyhalfasbig.She’duseditthreetimesaday,cleaningthewoundeveryevening.

CALENDULASUNSHINEBATHSOAK

Makes12bathsoaks

Preptime:15minutes

Thisisarejuvenatingandsoothingbaththatfeelsincredibleaftertoomuchtimeinthesunorgarden.ThemagnesiuminEpsomsaltsisgreatforoverworkedmuscles.Withtheadditionofsomeotheringredients,you’llstepoutofthebathanewperson.Thescentsandhealingpropertiesoftheherbsalongwiththepurerelaxationofawarmbathcombinetohealscratches,bugbites,wind,orsunburn.

INGREDIENTS1cupcalendulaflowers,chopped

1cupcomfreyleaves

½cupyarrow

¼cupelderflowers

3tablespoonslavender

20dropslemonessentialoil

3cupsEpsomsalts

SUPPLIESalargejarorplasticcontainer

amuslinbagorwashcloth

1. Combineallthebotanicalsinabowlorlargeplasticbag.

2. Inaseparatebowl,combinetheessentialoilandEpsomsaltsandmix.

3. Mixeverythingtogetherandplaceinalarge,wide-mouthedjar.Ifyou’rekeepingitnearthetub,a(recycled)plasticjaris

probablysafest.

4. Touse,place½cupofthesoakinamuslinbagorintoawashclothandtiesecurely.Heataquartofwateronthestoveandsteepthebathsoakinitfor10to15minutes.

5. Pourthehotliquidintothebath.Soak.

ALL-PURPOSECALENDULASALVE

Makes8to10ounces

Preptime:15minutesaftercalendulaoilisinfused(infusiontimedependsonmethodused)

Thissalvecomesinhandyallyear.Fromsmallboo-boosandskeeterbitestoburns,cuts,chappedhands,andbruises,itsootheseverything.IliketouseitondaysIforgettoputmoisturizeronmyface,too.

INGREDIENTS1cupfresh(or½cupdried)calendulaflowers

1½cupsoliveoil

1to1½ouncesbeeswax(seeTip)

20dropslavenderessentialoil(optional)

20dropsteatreeessentialoil(optional)

SUPPLIESafewsmalljars

1. Usewhatevermethodyouprefertoinfusethecalendulaintotheoil.

2. Strain(astrainerlinedwithclothisbest)theoilwell,squeezingasmuchoilfromtheflowersaspossible.Thegoalistohaveatleast8ouncesoftheoil.

3. Inapot,gentlyheattheoilwiththebeeswaxuntilthewaxisliquefied.Stirthemixturewelltobesureallthewaxisincorporated.

4. Ifincludingtheessentialoils,addthemtothemixture.

5. Pourthesalveintojars.Whenithashardenedandcooled,placelidsonthejarsandstoreinacoolplace.

6. Touse,applyathinlayerofsalvetotheskinandgentlymassageitin.

TIPIfyouhave8ouncesofoilafterstraining,use1ounceofbeeswax.Ifyouhavemorethan8ounces,use1½ouncesofthebeeswax.

Capsicumspp.

Capsicumannuum,Capsicumfrutescens,Capsicumchinense,Capsicumpubescens,Capsicumbaccatum

CAPSICUMAllpeppersexceptsweetbellpepperscontaincapsicum.Peppersarefromthenightshadefamily,alongwithtomatoes,potatoes,andeggplants.Hot,spicypeppershavebeencultivatedinMexico,CentralAmerica,andSouthAmericaforatleast3,000years,withsomesourcesgoingback7,000years.DishesfromJamaica,India,variousAfricancountries,China,Korea,Louisiana,Mexico,andCentralandSouthAmericaallincludehotpeppersandhavebeenmakingtheirwaytotheUnitedStatesandpartsofEuropeinthelastcentury.Asachild,Ihadzerocontactwithhotfoods,andIwasnearly30whenIfirstfoundthemtobedelicious.Capsicumisnotjustaflavorful,enliveningspiceforfoods.Italsohasplentyofbenefitsforhealthandcomfort,nottheleastofwhichisitshighcontentofcarotenoidsandvitaminsCandE.

ABOUTCAPSICUMOTHERCOMMONNAMESredpepper,chile,cayenne,hotpepper

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSAvoidexternaluseonchildrenunder2yearsofage.Donotapplytobrokenskinoruseneartheeyesormucusmembranes.Internaloverdosecancausenausea,vomiting,abdominalpain,andburningdiarrhea.

PARTSUSEDFruit,wholepepper.Manypeoplebelievethattheseedsarethehottestpart,butitisactuallythesurroundingtissuethatholdsandclingstotheseeds.

ENERGETICSwarming

PROPERTIESCapsicumhassomuchtooffer.Itisantifungal,antimicrobial,carminative,diaphoretic,expectorant,immune-stimulating,andstyptic,anditgetsthemetabolismmoving.Theactiveingredient,anirritantalkaloidcalledcapsaicin,encouragescirculationandthinsblood.Capsicumstimulatesgastricjuicesandsalivatoimprovedigestion.Italsostimulatesperspiration,helpingcoolafever.

USESForyearspeoplewithdigestiveissuesweretoldtoavoidspicyfoodsandsticktoblanddiets,butcapsicumaidsindigestionandhelpsproblems,includingupsetstomach,intestinalgas,stomachpain,diarrhea,andcramps.Someevidencesuggestsitmayhelpwithdiabetesandweightmanagement,aswellasheadaches,bloodpressureregulation,andheartdisease.

Externally,asalve,gel,lotion,orpatchontheskincanbringrelieftolingeringpainpost-shingles,thejointpainsofosteoarthritis,rheumatoidarthritis,andfibromyalgia,aswellaseverydaymuscleandjointaches.

PREPARATIONSYoucanfindormakecapsicumtopicalsalves,gels,lotions,andpatches.Forinternaluse,capsules,vinegar,ortincturesworkwell.Theherbisalsoaterrificfoodingredientorseasoning.

DOSAGEOncommercialproducts,followthedoseinstructions.Externalpreparationscanbeusedthreeorfourtimesaday.Discontinueifarashdevelops.Internally,takeastolerated.

GROWINGTIPPeppersareeasytogrowbyseed.Theplantsarealsobecomingpopularatnurseriesandheirloomherbfestivals.Besuretokeepsweetandhotpeppersasfarapartaspossiblebecausetheywillcross-pollinate,andtheheatalwayswins.

Peppersappearontheplantgreen,turnyellow,thenturnorange,ripeningtored.Somearepurpleorbrown.

HometreatmentsTheCayenneSalveisalifesaverformeinwinter.HereinPennsylvania,theterm“bone-chilling”meansthatmykneesandshouldersacheinthecoldseason.Iapplycayennesalvemorningandnighttogetbloodtotheareaandknockoutthepain.

Notethatthisisawarmingandstimulatingherb.Capsicumstimulates,moves,andflushesthingsaroundandout.Ifyou’veeverwatchedahotpepper–eatingcontest,you’veseenhowsaliva,tears,perspiration,andmucusallflowfreely.Notthemostpleasantsight!Health-wise,anexampleofthisisacaseofblockedsinuses—thosetimeswhenitfeelslikeyou’relivingwithafishbowloveryourhead.Assoonasyoueatsomespicyfoodwithcayenne,itwarmsyouup,stimulatesperspirationandmucusproduction,andflushesoutthatblockage.

HOTSAUCE

Makesabout2cups

Addinghotandspicycapsicumtomealsisagoodwaytoreapthemedicinalbenefitsofpeppers.Havingabottleofthishotsauceonhandmakesiteasytoseasonandspiceupyourmeals.Itpacksabigpunchinbothflavorandhealing.Wordtothewise:Weargloveswhilepreparingthis,asitisveryhardtogetalltheoiloffyourhands.

INGREDIENTS1½cupsricevinegar

2dozenhotredpeppers(Ilikeamixtureofwhateverisavailable),coarselychopped

½mediumredbellpepper,coarselychopped

1mediumonion,diced

5garliccloves,chopped

½teaspoonsalt

SUPPLIESrubbergloves

astickblender

afewbottlesorjars

1. Pourthericevinegarintoamediumpot.Addallthepeppers,theonion,garlic,andsalt.

2. Bringtoaboil,thensimmerforabout10minutes,untilthepeppersaresoft.

3. Usinganimmersionblender,whirlthemixtureintoaliquid.

4. Simmeruncoveredtoreducefor5minutes.

5. Pourthehotsauceintobottles.Storeatroomtemperatureorrefrigerate.

CAYENNESALVE

Makes12to14ounces

Preptime:4½to6½hours(10minutesprep,4to6hourstoinfuse,10minutestocreatesalve)

Theheatfromthepeppersandthegingerinthissalvepromotecirculationtospeedhealingwhilerelievingpain.Thepeppermintoiliscoolingandanalgesic,makingthecombinationveryeffective.

INGREDIENTS2cupsoliveoil

½cupdriedhotpeppers

1tablespoongratedfreshginger

2ouncesbeeswax

1teaspoonpeppermintessentialoil

SUPPLIESaslowcooker

assortedjars

1. Inaslowcookeronlow,infusetheoliveoilwiththepeppersandgingerfor4to6hours.

2. Strainandpourintoaglassmeasuringcuporothercontainerwithapouringlip.Whiletheoilisstillhot,stirinthebeeswaxuntilitmelts.

3. Addtheessentialoiljustbeforepouringthesalveintojars.

4. Touse,applycooledsalvedirectlytotheskinusinganicepopstickorthebackofaspoon(thiskeepsbacteriafrombeingintroducedintothejar).

TIPIt’seasiesttoputpeppersandgingerintoamuslinbagandsubmergeintheoilwhileinfusing.Removethewholebagwhenfinished.

Nepetacataria

CATNIPCatnipisoftenrelegatedtothefelinefamily,butweshouldn’tbesoquicktowriteitoffforhumans.Aswithmostplantswavingaroundoutthereinthesunshine,catniphassomegiftstoofferusaswell.

Iconsidercatnipandcatminttobetwodifferentplants,butinmostliteraturethetwoareconsideredtobethesame.Catnipisthewildandscruffywaysideherbthatgrowschesthighwiththickspikesoftinywhiteflowers.Catmint,ontheotherhand,ismuchmorerefined,withsmallleavesandprettyblueflowerspikes;itgrowstoaheightoftwotothreefeet.Theyarebothlovely,fragrant,andatthereadytoassistwithseveralmaladies.

ABOUTCATNIPOTHERCOMMONNAMEScatmint,catswort,catnep,fieldbalm

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSAvoidcatnipwhilepregnantorifyouhavekidneyorliverissues.

PARTSUSEDLeavesandflowers,particularlywhileinbloomifyou’relookingforinsectrepellentproperties.

ENERGETICScool,dry,slightlybitter

PROPERTIESCatniphasalotgoingforit,beingantispasmodic,diaphoretic(therebyreducingfevers),relaxingandsedative,immune-stimulating,mildlyanesthetic,andantibiotic.Itcontainsantioxidants,flavonoids,vitaminsCandE,andmineralslikechromium,iron,manganese,potassium,andselenium.Someindividualssaythatcatnipisapsychedelicintoxicantwhensmoked,butthere’snoresearchtosupportthis.Nepetalactoneistheconstituentresponsibleforcatnip’sreactions,butitisalsoarepellentfor(oddly)cats,smallrodents,andseveralinsects.SeveralstudiesfromtheturnofthecenturyshowthatcatnipessentialoilismoreeffectivethanDEETagainstmosquitoes.

USESCatnipisoccasionallyusedinplaceofchamomilebecauseithassimilarrelaxing,calming,andstomach-soothingproperties.Itisveryhelpfulforcolds,theflu,cramps,colicorindigestion,headaches,insomnia,andrestlessness.Theanti-inflammatorypropertiesmakeiteffectiveforarthritis,andpoulticessoothe

hemorrhoids,hives,andbugbites.Theteamayalsohelpnewmothersrelaxtonursetheirbabies.

PREPARATIONSCatnipcanbefounddriedandasteas,tinctures,salves,capsules,andessentialoils.

DOSAGEItissafetousethetea,tincture,andcapsulesuptothreetimesaday.Ifusingthemaximumamountseachday,giveyourbodyafewdaysoffafteraweekorso(thismethodisknownas“pulsing”)beforeusingagain.Usesalveasneeded.Besuretheessentialoilisproperlydilutedbeforeyouuse.Leavesofthefreshplantrubbedontotheskinwillalsoworktorepelmosquitoes.

HARVESTINGTIPIt’sworthwhiletogathersomewildbloomingcatnipduringthesummer.Ittakesquiteabitofthefreshherbtodrydowntoafewounces.

HometreatmentsCatnipisabrilliantremedyfortherestlessnessthatkeepskids(andadults)fromsettlingdowntosleep.Ialwayspreferateaasarelaxingremedyforitswarmth,andbecauseitencouragesmetostopandsipit.SometimesIcouldgetmychildtohaveateaparty,butwhenitwasn’tpossibletoreasonwithher(youknowhowcrankytiredkidscanbe),tincturesweregreat.Theyrelaxedherandsettledanytummytroubles.

Catnipteaisperfectforcoldsandtheflu.Itblendswellwithotherherbsandmakesagoodbaseherb,sinceithasapleasant,mildlymintyflavor.Itcanhelpdryupdrippycoldsandgetasweatgoingtobreakafever.Mixedwithbonesetandelderberry,catnipinteaortincturescontainspropertiesthatboosttheimmunesystem,calmcramping,relievepain,andenablerestduringtheflu.Ifthere’svomiting,atincturecanbeeasiertokeepdownthancupsoftea.

CATNIPANDROSEGERANIUMBUGREPELLINGSPRAY

Makesabout1quart

Preptime:15minutesplus2weekstosteep

Thebotanicalsinthisnaturalbugsprayareaseffectiveasharshchemicals,withoutthedangeroussideeffects.Inrecentyears,ticksandmosquitoeshavebeenfoundtocarrynewdiseases,soavoidingtheirbitesismoreimportantthanever.

FORTHEALCOHOL2cupsbloomingfreshcatnip,finelychopped

1cupfreshrosegeranium,finelychopped

1cuplemongrass,chopped

½cuplavender

1quart80-or100-proofvodka

FORTHEOIL1cupoliveoil

2tablespoonsbloomingfreshcatnip,chopped

2tablespoonsfreshrosegeranium,chopped

2tablespoonslemongrass

2tablespoonslavender

30dropslemoneucalyptusessentialoil

SUPPLIESajar

somespraybottles

TOMAKETHEALCOHOL

1. Placethebotanicalsinajarandcoverwiththevodka.

2. Letsteepatroomtemperaturefor2weeks.Strainandreturn

theliquidtothejar.

TOMAKETHEOIL

1. Inabakingdish,combinetheoil,catnip,rosegeranium,lemongrass,andlavender.Putintheovenatthelowestsetting(180°Fto200°F,generallylabeled“warm”)for2hours.

2. Straintheoilintoalargemeasuringcup.

TOMAKETHESPRAY

1. Addthealcoholtothemeasuringcupalongwiththeessentialoilandmix.

2. Pourintospraybottles.

3. Touse,spraydirectlyontoskin.Shakevigorouslybetweenusestobesurethealcoholandoilcombineforalonger-lastingrepellent.

RELAXINGCATNIPTEABLEND

Makesenoughfor12cups

Preptime:15minutes

Theingredientsinthisblendworktogethertorelaxandsoothe.Theymakeaprettyblend,too.Iliketomakesuretheexperienceoftheteacomplementsthedesiredeffect.Useabeautifulcup;sitinafavoritechair—whatevermakesyoufeelpamperedandcalm.Thisenhancestheherbalproperties,andbesides,youdeserveit.

INGREDIENTS¼cupdriedcatnip

3tablespoonsdriedlemonbalm(seeNote)

3tablespoonsdriedchamomile

1tablespoondriedrosepetals

SUPPLIESan8-ouncejar

1. Inan8-ouncejar(ahalf-pintMasonjarisperfect),blendalltheherbstogetherwell.

2. Inateakettle,putwaterontojustreachaboil.

3. Tomake1cupoftea,put2teaspoonsoftheteablendinamugandpourin8ounces(1cup)ofthehotwater.

4. Coverandletsteepfor5to10minutes.

5. Storetheleftoverteablendinthesealedjaratroomtemperature.

NOTEThoseonthyroidmedicationshouldcheckwiththeirdoctorbeforeusinglemonbalm.

CinnamomumverumANDTHEMORECOMMONCinnamomumaromaticum(cassia)

CINNAMONCinnamonisoneofthemostcommonlyusedculinaryspices.Youcanfinditinalltypesofbakedgoodsanddesserts,anditflavorseverythingfrombreakfastdishestosouptonuts.Mostofthecinnamoncommerciallyavailableisthearomaticumvariety,alsoknownascassia,comingfromChinaandpartsofSoutheastAsia.Theverumvarietyispreferred—ithasamoredelicateflavorandisfavoredformedicinalusebecauseitcontainslesscoumarin,whichthinstheblood.Itisthinnerthancassia,almostpapery,andtan.Cassiaisonethickreddish-brownlayerofcurledbark.However,verumcanbedifficulttofindandismoreexpensive.

ABOUTCINNAMONOTHERCOMMONNAMEScannelle,canela,Lauruscinnamomum,dalchini

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSThecoumarinincassiaisabloodthinner,soitisnotrecommendedforindividualsonblood-thinnermedication.Whenusedinlargequantities,suchasthedailydosageformedicinalpurposes,coumarinisaliverandkidneytoxin.Cinnamonessentialoilisaskinirritantandsomewhatcaustic.Alwaysdilutecinnamonessentialoil,andoptforleafoilratherthanbarkoil.

PARTSUSEDinnerbark,leaves

ENERGETICShot,dry,pungent,sweet,warming

PROPERTIESCinnamonisanti-inflammatory,andisthoughttohavemoreantioxidantsthanalmostanyotherfoodintheworld.Ithasantibacterial,antifungal,antiviralpropertiesthatcombinetoboostimmunity.Itisalsoantiseptic,astringent,carminative,andastimulant,andcontainscalciumandtonsofmanganese.

USESCinnamonhelpsstopvomiting,relievesflatulence,andisusefulingettingridofdiarrhea.Somemedicaldoctorsarenowencouragingtheirpatientstoconsumecinnamoneachdaytoreducebloodsugar,bloodpressure,andcholesterollevels.Youcanusecinnamonteafornauseaorapplyitexternallyforfungus.Cinnamonessentialoilisapotentantibacterialandantifungal

ointment.

PREPARATIONSCinnamoncanbefoundormadeasteas,capsules,oressentialoils.Theeasiestusageisasafoodingredient(evencinnamonbunsaremedicinal!),anditcomesinsticksorpowder.

DOSAGEIfusingverum,thedailydosageis½to1teaspoon,onetothreecapsules,oronetothreecupsoftea.Ifusingcassia,cutthesedosesinhalfgiventhehighercoumarincontent.Bewaryofcommerciallabels—manysuppliersusethecheapercassiawithoutexplicitlysayingso.

COOKINGTIPTheflavoroffreshlygratedcinnamonissomuchbetterthanthestuffthatcomesinthejars.IliketograteitathomewithmyMicroplanegrater.Ittakesabitofwork,butit’sworthit.Addtosomefreshapplesforhomemadeapplesauce—yum!

HometreatmentsManydoctorsarenowawareofcinnamon’spositiveeffectsonbloodsugar,cholesterol,sensitivitytoinsulin,brainactivity,allergies,andneurologicalfunctionindiseaseslikeAlzheimer’sandParkinson’s,andtheyrecommendittotheirpatients.Becausethetherapeuticamountofverumcinnamonisgenerallyrecognizedassafe,thereisnoreasonnottotryitifyouhaveaconditionthatmightbeimproved.

Drinkingacupofcinnamonteaeverydayisapleasantwaytostimulateandboosttheimmunesystem,andinwinteritisacomfortingmorningorafternoonwarm-up.Tomakecinnamontea,heatwaterinakettleandpouritintoacupwithastickofcinnamon.Letsteepfor8to10minutes.Removethecinnamon,whichwillhaveprobablyuncurledandflattened.Itwillcurlupagainasitdries,andyoucankeepitformanymorecups.Addhoneyandenjoy.

SPICYCHAI

Makes4cups

Preptime:15minutes

Itiswellworthgatheringallthedeliciousspicesforthissweet,warm,andrichbeverage.Eachoneispackedwithhealthbenefitsandhealingpowers,andthecombinationpacksabigflavorpunch.Thisistheperfecthotdrinkforthecoolermonths.

INGREDIENTS3slicesfreshginger

6cloves

1(3-inch)cinnamonstick,brokenintosmallpieces

1tablespoondriedholybasil

½teaspooncorianderseeds

3blackpeppercorns

3cardamompods

½teaspoonfennelseeds

3teabagsblacktea

3cupscoldwater

6to8tablespoonshalf-and-half

2tablespoonshoney

SUPPLIESasaucepan

Gentlywarmalltheingredientsinasaucepan,covered,for10to15minutes.Donotletthemixtureboil.Usingastrainer,strainthewarmchaiintoateapot.Serve.

TIPYoucanpremixallthespices(exceptforthefreshginger)inmuslinbagstouseforfuturebrews.

CINNAMONHONEY

Makes12ounces

Preptime:10minutes

Allofthemedicinalpropertiesofcinnamonareatyourfingertipswiththisdeliciousandversatilehoney“medicine.”Spreaditonbutteredtoast,addittogreentea,tossaspoonfulintoameatdish,orjusteatitbythespoonful.Thehoneycomplementsthecinnamon,andhaslotsofhealthbenefitsonitsown.

INGREDIENTS1cuplocalraworganichoney

½cupground(fresh,ifpossible)verumcinnamon

SUPPLIESajarortwoforstoring

1. Pourthehoneyintoabowl.Ifitseemstoothick,youcanheatitalittlebit:Simplyplacethecontainerofhoneyinabowlofhotwater,ormicrowavein30-secondincrementsuntilitthins.

2. Carefullyaddthecinnamonalittleatatime,stirringwell.

3. Spoontheflavoredhoneyintoajarortwo.

Populusspp.

P.balsamifera,P.deltoides,P.angustifolia,P.trichocarpa,P.candicans

COTTONWOODORBALSAMPOPLARThereareabout35speciesofpoplarthroughouttheU.S.andCanada.Likeitscloserelativewillow,poplarisoftheSalicaceaefamily,whichmeansithasthepain-relievingcompoundsalicin,acompoundthatisconvertedintothenaturalformofaspirin,salicylicacidintheliver.Somepoplarsareknownascottonwoodsbecauseofthewaytheirseedsdisperseintowildandwoollydriftsofwhitefluff.Theirwoodislightweightandsoft,whichmayalsoinfluencethename.TheirrangeskipsoverPennsylvania,andtheyaren’tnativewhereIlive,sothefirsttimeIsawthe“snow”phenomenon,westoppedthecarandstoodamongthedrifts,watchinginwonderasthelightbreezecorneredthefluffagainstwallsandcurbing.Cottonwoodsandbalsampoplarshaveanamazinghealingresin.SomehistoricallytraditionalFirstNationusesincludeapplyingtheboiledbarktowoundsandusingtheresinasgluetowaterproofcanoes.

ABOUTCOTTONWOODORBALSAMPOPLAROTHERCOMMONNAMESbalmofGilead,poplar,blackcottonwood,snowinsummer,thepeople’stree

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSPeopleallergictoaspirinshouldnotuse.

PARTSUSEDMostoftenthebudsareusedandoccasionallytheleavesandbark.ThecatkinsareanediblesourceofvitaminC.

ENERGETICScool,dry,astringent,bitter

PROPERTIESThesetreesofferalotofhealing.Theyareanalgesic,antiinflammatory,antibacterial,antimicrobial,andantiseptic,witharomatics.They’realsoexpectorant,astringent,anddiuretic,andtheythinthebloodandreducefevers.

Innerbarkusedasteaordecoctioninternallyistonicandalterative,aswellasbeingastimulating,cathartic,anddiureticherb,dependingupontheamountused.

USESBestknownforrelievingmuscleachesandpains,bruises,swollenjoints,andarthritispain,butthereissomuchmore.Duetothestronghealingproperties,itisappliedtoeczema,cuts,rashes,burns,psoriasis,insectbitesandstings,sunburn,athlete’sfoot,dryandscalyskin,chappedhandsorcheeks,anddiaperrash.Itcoolstheheatandinflammationofwoundsandrashes.Aromaticsoftheresinmakeitvaluableforinsomnia,andateaisusedasagargleforsorethroat.Itcanbeusedeffectivelybothasa

decoctionandachestrubforclearingloose,dampupper-respiratorygunkandcoughs.Severalherbalistshavereportedthattheresinousoilkeepsbaseoils(likeolive,coconut,shea,etc.)fromgoingrancid,butithasneverlastedmelongenoughtofindout.

PREPARATIONSTheresinisusedinoils,salves,teas,decoctions,lipbalms,tinctures,poultices,and(rarely)essentialoil.Driedbudsareavailable,buttheirusefulnessisquestionable.Freshbudsareverydifficulttofindforsale,buttheoilissometimesavailable.

DOSAGEFORLISTEDPREPARATIONSExternalpreparationscanbeusedasneeded.Internally,decoctionsortincturesmaybetakenseveraltimesdaily.

HARVESTINGTIPSOilhandswellbeforebeginningharvestsoresinsticksless—takealonghigh-proofalcoholtofinishhandcleanup.Mostpeopleharvestintobags,butconsiderputtingcottonwoodorbalsampoplardirectlyintomasonjarstobecoveredlaterwithoiloralcohol.Freezesomewholefordecoctionslater,andgathersomeinnerbarkfromfallenbranches.

HometreatmentsThecoolanddryenergeticsofcottonwoodandpoplarbringmanyinstancestomindwheretheywouldbetheperfectremedy.

Hot,weepyrashesorswollenbugbitescalloutforcottonwood.Aromatically,itisvaguelyreminiscentofPerubalsambutdoesn’thavetheextremesensitizingpotential.Itseemstohavesimilarskin-soothingandhealingproperties.Abalmmadefordiaperrashwithinfusedoilsoftheresin,calendula,andplantainisaquickfix.

Internally,thosecoolinganddryingenergetics,alongwithallthestronghealingandprotectiveproperties,makeitasuperiorrespiratoryhelper.Asastimulatingexpectorant,itmovesheavy,stagnantmucusupandout.Atincturemadewithahalfjarofbudsthathavebeenleftoutfor24to48hoursandfilledtothetopwith75percent(151-proof)or95percent(190-proof)alcoholforatleasttwoweeksisthemosteffectivemeans,andalsohelpswithachiness.

COTTONWOODDECOCTION

Makes2cups

Preptime:1hour

Thisrecipecanbemultipliedtomakeaheadandfreezeintoicecubes.Itwillcomeinhandyduringtheyearasamedicinalteatakeninternallyformanyoftheailmentslisted,asawashorcompresstouseonskinproblemswhereasalveoroilwouldbecontraindicated,orasbothateaandwashatonce.Whenitishandy,it’ssurprisinghowoftenyou’llpullafewcubesfromthefreezerandsilentlythankyourselfforplanningahead.

INGREDIENTS4cupswater

3tablespoonsfreshorfrozencottonwoodbuds

1tablespoondriedpeppermint

2teaspoonschoppedfreshturmericorginger(orheaping½teaspoondried)

Good-qualityhoney,forsweetening

SUPPLIESasaucepan

1. Inasaucepanoverhighheat,combinethewater,cottonwoodbuds,peppermint,andturmericandbringtoaboil.

2. Reducetheheattolowandsimmeruntiltheliquidisreducedbyhalf.

3. Strainwell.

4. Useimmediately,sweetenedwithhoneytotaste,orfreezefor

lateruse.

COTTONWOODHERBALLINIMENT

Makes3½cups

Preptime:15minutes,plus2weekstosteep

Whencreatingthisliniment,theintentionwasforthealcohol-basedformulatobeapplicablebothinternallyandexternally.Thiscanalsobemadeintoanoil-basedliniment,whichismorepenetratingandstaysontheskinlonger.Theoilcaneasilybemadeintoasalvewiththeadditionofalittlebeeswax.

INGREDIENTS1cupcottonwood

½cupcalendula

½cupStJohn’swort

¼cuppeppermint

1quart151-proofalcoholoroliveoil

SUPPLIESjarsandbottlesforstoring

ALCOHOL-BASED

Placealltheherbsinajarandcoverwithalcohol.Sealwithalidandshakeacoupleoftimesadayfor2weekstoloosenandreleasealltheresin.Strainandbottle.Useinternallylikeatincture.

OIL-BASED

Placealltheherbsinajarandcoverwithoil.Leaveacoupleinchesofheadspace.Affixalidandplaceinawarmplaceforatleast2weeks.Strainandbottle.

Taraxacumofficinale

DANDELIONThisisoftenthefirstherbthatpeopleforageaftertheyfigureoutit’sthatplantouttheregrowingeverywhereintheiryard.Luckily,wewillprobablyneverendangerdandelion,eventhoughwe’vespentthelast70yearstryingtosprayitintooblivion—dandelionisalmostinsolentaboutit.Today,youcanevenfinditatthefarmers’market.Thegreensaredelectable,easytofind,andhaveimmensehealthbenefits.

ABOUTDANDELIONOTHERCOMMONNAMESlion’stooth,dentdelion

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSDandelionisgenerallyrecognizedassafe.

PARTSUSEDallpartsoftheplantexcepttheseeds

ENERGETICScool,bitter,dry,moisturizing

PROPERTIESDandelionisanoutstandingtonic,painreliever,decongestant,digestive,diuretic,immune-stimulant,andlaxative.Itisastringentandassistsbreastfeedingmothersinlactation.ItisrichinvitaminsA,C,andE,andcalcium.Dandelionwakesusupandgetsusmoving.Theleavesareantioxidantandworktobreakfevers,normalizebloodpressure,restorebalance,andspeedwoundhealing.Therootsarealsoantibacterial,antifungal,andanti-inflammatory,andprotecttheliverandalleviaterheumatism.Therootshavetheabilitytoclearobstructionsandopenductsofbodyfluidsandsecretions.Theflowersarepain-relievingandemollient,supportliverfunction,andhelpwoundsheal.Thesapisantifungalandpain-relieving.

USESDandelionhelpsawidearrayofskinissues,suchasacne,dullness,eczema,bruising,andrashes,bysupportingtheliver.Italsosupportshealthyfunctioningofthekidneys,spleen,andgallbladder,andisthoughttobeaconsistentlyreliabledetoxifyingherb.Itisoftenusedtostimulatetheappetite,supportdigestion,andrelieveexcessgasorconstipation.Thebitterproperties

increasebileproduction,inturnhelpingbalancebloodsugarlevels.Dandelion’sdiureticpropertiesmakeitanexcellentchoicefortheentireurinarysystem,includingthekidneysandbladder,cleansingandtonifyingwithoutbeingtoodrying.DandelionisalsohelpfulforsymptomsofPMS,removingexcesswaterfromthesystem,relievingpain,andcoolingirritability.Thediuretic,pain-relieving,anddetoxifyingabilitiesalsohelpwithgoutandedema.

PREPARATIONSYoucanfindormakedandelionteas,tinctures,vinegars,salves,andcapsules.

DOSAGEIt’ssafetouseseveralcupsofteaordosesoftinctureorcapsulesdaily.

GROWINGTIPYoumaylikethebitterflavorofdandelion,butyoucanshadetheminorderto“blanch”them,whichproducesamilderflavor.Arelativeofminekeptawoodenframearoundapatchofdandelions,withboardsontoptoshielditfromthesun.Theplantsstayedpaleandmildintoearlysummer.

HometreatmentsDrieddandelionleavesworkwondersasadiureticforwaterretention.Youcanmaketeawiththedriedleaves,orit’seveneasiertomakeafreshtincture.Eitherworks.Youcanalsosprinkledrieddandelionleavesintomeals,soups,andsauces.Dandelioncametotherescueinonesuchcaseforamanwithacompletelyshotliver,meaningitwascriticalforhimtokeepallofhismineralandelectrolytelevelsinbalance.Heretainedhugeamountsofwater,sowehadtofindadiureticthatdidnotdepletehispotassium.Ipowdereddrydandelionleavesandputtheminhisfooddaily,withwonderfulresults.

Asagreatdailytonic,trydandelionrootasasubstitute.Therootsdrywellandgetveryhard.Beforedryingthem,chopthemintosmallpieces.Roastthembyspreadingthemonacookiesheetandputtingthemintheovenat400°Ffortwohours.Thisgivestherootsarich,warm,almostchocolatyflavorthatmakesaprettygoodcoffeesubstitute,especiallywhentoppedwithalittlecinnamon.

DANDELIONVINEGAR

Makes3½cups

Preptime:10minutes,plus4to6weekstosteep

Applecidervinegarisbecomingmoreandmorepopular,withalonglistofhealthbenefitsonitsownbeforeweevenaddtheherbs!Vinegarisaneasywaytoaddthevitaminsandmineralspackedintoallpartsofthisplantintoallkindsofdishes.Youcanalsojusttakeatablespoonofthevinegarmixedinalittlewater.Usethiswithoiltodressasalad,spritzoncookedveggies,ordeglazeapanandmakealightsauceformeat.

INGREDIENTS1cupfreshdandelionroots,washedandcoarselychopped

1cupdandelionleaves,tornintosmallpieces

1cupdandelionflowers

1quartapplecidervinegar

SUPPLIESalargejar

1. Putallthebotanicalsintoajar.

2. Coverwiththeapplecidervinegar.

3. Linethelidwithplasticwraporwaxpaper(vinegarwillcorrodeametaltop)andletsteepinacool,dryplacefor4to6weeks.

4. Whensteepingisdone,strainthevinegaranduseinanydishyoudesire.

DANDELIONCHAIBLEND

Makes40cups

Preptime:1hour25minutes(30minutesactive)

Allofthespicesinthedeliciouschaiareimmunestimulatingandantibiotic,andmanyareantiviralandanti-inflammatory.Mixedtogether,theymakeforaspicy,sweet,comfortingtreat.

INGREDIENTS1cupdandelionroot,cutintouniformsmallpieces

2tablespoonswholepeppercorns

3tablespoonscardamompods

3tablespoonscinnamonchips

¼cupdriedgingerpieces

1cupblacktealeaves(userooibosifyoupreferdecaf)

½cupdrieddandelionleaves,crumbled

2vanillabeans,cutintosmallpieces

Honeyandlightcreamorhalf-and-half,forserving

SUPPLIESabakingsheet

afoodprocessororcoffeegrinder

anairtightcontainer

amuslinbagorteaball

1. Arrangethedandelionrootpiecesinasinglelayeronabakingsheet.Roastina200°Fovenfor30minutes,oruntiltheyturndarkbrownandarecompletelydried.

2. Inaminifoodprocessororcoffeegrinder,processthepeppercorns,cardamompods,cinnamonchips,andgingerpiecesuntilyouhaveuniformsmallbits.Mixintheblacktea,dandelionleaves,andvanillabeansuntilwellcombined.Store

theteablendinanairtightcontaineruntilreadytouse.

3. Foreachcupofteayouwanttomake,use1teaspoonoftheteablend.Bringwatertoaboilinasaucepanandaddtheteablendinateaballormuslinbag.Coverandletsteepfor15to20minutes.Removetheteablendandservetheteainmugswithhoneyandlightcreamorhalf-and-half.

ECHINACEAEchinaceajustmighthavebeenthesingleherbthatledtothecurrentrenaissanceinherbalmedicine.Inthelate1980sandearly1990s,wordofthisplantspreadlikewildfire,likeasecretpasswordtoaspecialclub.IstillrememberthefirsttimeIheardaboutitatourquaintlittleshopfilledwithteas,potpourris,andsweetpillows.Acustomeraskedforit,andaswasourcustombackinthosedays,welistened,nodded,and,uponarrivinghome,toreintoourbookstolearnmoreaboutthispresumablymagicalherbthatcouldpreventthecommoncold.Interestingly,thenameisderivedfromtheGreekwordechinos,whichmeans“seaurchin,”referringtoechinacea’sseaurchin–like,cone-shapedseedhead.

ABOUTECHINACEAOTHERCOMMONNAMESpurpleconeflower,snakeroot,blacksampson,redsunflower,Indianhead

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSmaycauseupsetstomachordiarrheawhenusedinlargedoses

PARTSUSEDrootsandallaerialparts

ENERGETICSbitter,cool,dry

PROPERTIESEchinaceaisantibacterial,anti-catarrhal,antifungal,anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,antiseptic,antitumor,antiviral,astringent,carminative,fever-reducing,andpain-relieving.Itmovesthebodytowardhealth,stimulatesandsupportstheimmunesystem,promotessecretionofsalivaandperspiration,andisadigestive,purifier,stimulant,andwoundhealer.

USESEchinaceacanhelphealtoothaches,snakebites,stings,allergies,wounds,burns,jointpain,sorethroats,coughs,colds,andinfections.Itbooststheimmunesystemandattacksgeneralinfection;treatsweepingwounds,boils,abscesses,urinarytractinfections,andenlargedlymphglands;promotesskinregeneration;andamelioratespsoriasis.Youcantakeitbothinternallyandexternallyformanyoftheseafflictions,therebymultiplyingtheeffects.Inmyexperience,towardoffillness,youmusttakeechinaceaattheveryfirstsignofaviralassault,beitascratchythroatoranachyarmmuscle(myowntip-off).Takeit

early,often,andinaformthatwillbeeffective,likeacapsuleortincture.

PREPARATIONSEchinaceaisavailableastinctures,capsules,coughdrops,syrups,andteasfromtheroot,leaves,and/orflowers.Salves,poultices,andcompressesareeffectiveformsforexternaluse.Ifyouareabletogrowit,do.Havingfreshechinaceaatthereadycomesinveryhandy.

DOSAGEWhenusedinternally,itisbesttopulse,meaningtouseitforabout10daysandthenstopforafewdaystolettheimmunesystemrestbeforeresumingusage.Ingestastoleratedwhenillnessthreatens.Takelargedosesforacuteinfection.

PREPARATIONTIPEveryyearIpullaplantandcleantherootscarefullybeforegrindingthem,alongwithsomeleavesandaflowerortwo,tomixwithhigh-proofvodkainajar.Agoodtincturemadewithfreshrootswillhavealittletingleonthetongue.

HometreatmentsEchinaceaisaverygoodtreatmentfornastyspiderbites.Prepareapoulticeof1teaspoonechinaceatinctureand1teaspoonofadrawingclay,suchasbentoniteorgreenclay.Addjustenoughwater,ifnecessary,tocreateapaste.Usethispasteonthebitetwoorthreetimesadayandalternatewith15-minutesoaksinwaterwithEpsomsalts.Somespidervenomcandestroytissueintheareaofthebite,soifthereisn’tsignificantimprovementwithinafewdays,seeaphysician.Mostofthetime,thesebitescanbetreatedathome.

Forupper-respiratoryillness,thecool,dryenergeticsofechinaceaworkwelltohelpahot,sweaty,mucus-ladensituation.Echinaceablendswellwiththeenergeticsofthymeandsagetodryandwarmupthesystem.Avinegarorhoneymadewiththosethreeherbsisgoodtohaveonhandforyournextcoughorcold.

ECHINACEA-ELDERBERRYGUMMIES

Makes64(1-inch)pieces

Preptime:45minutes

Kidslovethese.Itcanbetoughtogeteveryoneonboardtheimmunitytrain,especiallyiftheythinksomethingismedicine—aspoonfulofsugarcanmakeallthedifference.Theseherbswillgoalongwaytowardkeepingvirusesatbay.

INGREDIENTS2cupselderberryjuice(seeTip)

¼cupfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice

1cupechinacearoots,leaves,andflowers,chopped

4tablespoonsunflavoredpowderedgelatin

5tablespoonssugar

SUPPLIES2saucepans

asquareglassbakingdish

anairtightcontainer

1. Inamediumsaucepan,combinetheelderberryjuice,lemonjuice,andechinacea,andsimmeroverlowheatuntiltheliquidisreducedbyabouthalf.Setasidetocool.Strainouttheechinacea.

2. Inanothersaucepan,combinethewell-cooledliquidwiththegelatinandsugar.Cookoverlowheat,stirringoften,untilthegelatinandsugardissolvecompletely,about3minutes.

3. Skimanyfoamfromthesurface.

4. Pourthemixtureintoalightlyoiledsquareglassbakingdish,tobecutinto1-inchsquares.Ifyouhavesiliconecandymolds,evenbetter.Refrigerateuntilthemixturesets,about10minutes.Storeinanairtightcontaineratroomtemperaturefor5daysorintherefrigeratorfor2weeks.

TIPTomakeelderberryjuice,combine2cupsofripefreshelderberrieswith½cupofwaterinasaucepan.Simmerovermediumheat,untiltheberriesburstandreleasetheirheat.Mashtheberries,thenstrainthroughafine-meshstrainerormuslinbag.Addmorewaterifnecessarytoget2cupsofliquid.

IMMUNITEA

Makes50(1-cup)servings

Preptime:30minutes

Drinkthisteaonetothreetimesperdaywhenyoufeeltheverybeginningsofillnesscomingon,orwhenyou’reheadingintoanimmunocompromisedsituation,suchastravelingbyplaneorotherwisesharingspacewithsickpeople.Continuedrinkingforupto2weeksifneeded.

INGREDIENTS1cupechinacea

1cupelderberry

½cuprosehips

½cupastragalus

2teaspoonsgratedfreshginger

Honeyandlemon,forserving

SUPPLIESafoodprocessororcoffeegrinder

ajarorairtightcontainer

ateaballormuslinbag

1. Inaminifoodprocessororcoffeegrinder,grindalltheingredientstosmall,similarlysizedpieces.Mixtogetherwellandstoretheteablendinajarorotherairtightcontaineruntilreadytouse.

2. Foreachcupofteayouwanttomake,use1tablespoonoftheteablend.Bringwatertoaboilinasaucepan,addtheteablendinateaballormuslinbag(orsimmerlooseandstrainthrough

awire-meshstrainerjustpriortodrinking),thensimmeronlowheatfor½hourormore.

3. Pourintomugsandaddhoneyandlemonasdesired.

ELDERI’vegrownelderinmyyardfor25years.Iwouldn’tenterwinterwithoutit!Theelderkeepsushealthy,andthereareseveralvarieties.IntheeasternUnitedStates,wehavethedark,purplish-blackelderberries.Thewesternstateshavepowdery-blueberriesandaredvariety(Sambucusracemosa)thatsomesayarefinetouseaftercookingandotherssayarepoisonous.I’davoidthemandusetheblueelderberriesthatareknowntobesafe.Theelderrecipesinthissectionaremedicinal,butyoucansneakelderberryintopie,jelly,wine,andcandy.

ABOUTELDEROTHERCOMMONNAMESElderberry,blackelder,Europeanelder,Europeanelderberry,Europeanblackelderberry,blueelderberry,andMexicanelderberry.Tapiroflowersaresometimesreferredtoaselderblow.

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSOnlytheripeberriesandflowersareedible.Theleaves,stemsandunripeberriescontaincyanide-inducingglycosides,whichcancauseatoxicbuildupofcyanideinthebody.Largequantitiesofuncookedberriesmaycauseillnessduetotheglycosidesinthetinyseeds.Heatingtheberriesrendersthemharmless.

PARTSUSEDberriesandflowersforinternaluse;leavesandflowersforexternaluse

ENERGETICSTheflowersandberriesarebitter,drying,cool,slightlysweet.

PROPERTIESSomeherbalistsprefertheflowerstotheberriesduetotheirantiseptic,antispasmodic,antiviral,diaphoretic,diuretic,andstypticproperties.Theberriesareantiviral,diaphoretic,diuretic,andlaxative.Elderberriesarealsoagoodsourceofanthocyanins,whicharepowerfulantioxidants.TheberriescontainvitaminsAandC,calcium,thiamine,niacin,potassium,andprotein.Theyarethoughttomakecellsslipperysothatvirusescannotattachandreplicate,wardingoffandshorteningthedurationofviralinfections.Theleavesareemollient,pain-relieving,andvulnerary.

USESElderflowerteaisatime-testedremedyforupper-respiratoryinfections.Itloosensandmovesstuckmucusincasesofbronchitisorsinusitis.Berriesandflowerswardoffcoldsandflu.Elder’sdiureticandanti-inflammatorypropertiesexplainitsuseforrheumaticandarthriticconditions.Elderleaf,usedtopically,isknowntohelpsootheandhealwounds,cuts,burns,andswollenbruises.

PREPARATIONSYoucanmakeorfindtinctures,teas,syrups,floweressences,andwine.Youcanusetheberriesinalltypesofjelly,bakedgoods,wine,coughdrops,andcandy.Theleavesareoftenusedinsalves.

DOSAGEAsliceortwoofpiecontainsatleastacupoftheberries,meaningtheberriesareverysafe.Withtheflowers,it’ssafetodrinktheteaorusethetinctureseveraltimesaday.

HARVESTINGTIPWhentheberriesripen,itcanbeoverwhelmingtoharvestthemall.Somegodirectlyintothefreezerintherightquantityforsyrup,whilethebulkaremadeintojuicebyheatingthemwithalittlelemonjuice.

HometreatmentsElderberryisbestknownforitseffectivenessagainsttheflu.Severalstudies(mostoftenspecificallyusingelderberryextractsinSambucol®products)showflupatientsrecoveringintwotothreedaysiftheystartusingtheproductsearlyandoften.Ihaven’thadtheflusincelearningofelder.Oneyearmymotherandunclewerenotsoluckyandgothithard.Iinsistedthattheybeginusingelderberry.Beforeitwastimefortheseconddoseafterjustfourhours,theybothfelthumanagain.Theyweremuchbetterbythenextday.Trustme,itworks!

Elderworksinasimilarwayforcoldsoranysortofviralinfection.

ELDERBERRYLIQUEUR

Makesabout6cups

Preptime:1hour10minutes(10minutesactive),plusatleast1monthtoage

Withelderberry,medicinedoesn’thavetotastebad.Asmallglassofthisliqueursippedeacheveningduringwinterwillgoalongwaytowardkeepingyouhealthyandhappy,andisadeliciouswaytounwindafteralongday.

INGREDIENTS1quartfreshelderberries

2cupssugar

Zestandjuiceof1lemon

1(750mL)bottle80-proofvodka

SUPPLIESa2-quartcontainer

someglassbottles

1. Inabowl,usingapotatomasherorpestle,crushtheelderberriesandsugartogether.Letstandforabout1hour.

2. Addthelemonzestandlemonjuice.

3. Transferthemixturetoaclean2-quartcontainerandaddthevodka.

4. Coverandletageinacool,darkplacefor1month.

5. Afteramonth,useafine-meshstrainertostrainoutthesolids;discardthesolids.

6. Transfertheliqueurtoprettyglassbottles.

7. Youcanenjoythisliqueurimmediately,buttheflavordoescontinuetodevelopovertime.Forthebestflavor,agetheliqueurforatleastanothermonth.

ELDERSYRUP

Makesabout2quarts

Preptime:1hour

Inthisversionofelderberrysyrup,thebrandyismostlyusedasaslightpreservative.Youcanomititordoubleitaspreferred.Thissyrupistastyenoughthatkidsaskforit,anditcanbeusedasateasweetener,onpancakes,onicecream,etc.Itcanalsobeusedasacondimentforfood,makingitaveryconvenientwaytoaddeldertothefamilydiet.Duringanillness,take1tablespoonofthesyrupfourtimesaday.

INGREDIENTS2quartselderberries

2½poundssugar

1cupdriedelderflowers

1½teaspoonsgroundcloves

1tablespoonsmallcinnamonchips

1cupbrandy

SUPPLIESsaucepans

ameshstrainerorcheesecloth

somebottlesorjars

1. Inasaucepanovermediumheat,cooktheelderberriesforafewminutes,untiltheystarttoburst.

2. Mashtheberrieswiththebackofalargespoontoreleasetheirjuices.

3. Usingameshstrainerorseverallayersofcheesecloth(ora

squareofoldcleanT-shirt),strainthejuice.You’llneedabout1quart.

4. Inalargesaucepan,combinethejuicewiththesugar,elder-flowers,cloves,andcinnamonchips.Simmeroverlowheatfor20minutes.

5. Removefromtheheat,letcool,thenstraintoremovethesolids.

6. Oncethesyruphascooled,addthebrandy.Pourthefinishedsyrupintobottlesorjarsandstoreintherefrigeratorforayear.

TIPYoucanputspicesandflowersintoasachetormuslinbagtoavoidstrainingasecondtime.

Alliumsativum

GARLICInAMidsummerNight’sDream,Bottominstructs,“Andmost,dearactors,eatnoonionsorgarlic,forwearetouttersweetbreath.”

Somepeopleareconvincedthatgarlicworksprimarilybykeepingotherpeoplefaraway.There’ssomethingtobesaidforthat,asgarlicispungentandlingersonthebreath,sometimesveritablyseepingfromthepores,butthere’smoretothehealingpowersofgarlic.Itproducesachemicalcalledallicin(oneof30somesulfurcompounds)that’sreleasedwhengarliciscrushed,chopped,orchewed.Thisreleasesseveralothersulfurcompoundsthatallworktogethertohealandpromotehealth.Ifonlyeveryoneateiteveryday,thennobodywouldbeannoyedbythescent!

ABOUTGARLICOTHERCOMMONNAMESstinkingrose,Italianperfume,Russianpenicillin,poorman’streacle,Bronxvanilla.

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSIfyou’reonblood-thinningmedication,checkwithyourdoctorbeforetakinggarlicmedicinally.Alsoletyourphysicianknowaboutgarlicsupplementationpriortosurgerysotheycantellyouwhentostoptakingit.Garlicsupplementation(abovedietaryuse)shouldbeavoidedduringpregnancy.Garlicmaycausecontactdermatitiswithoveruse.

PARTSUSEDbulbs,cloves,scapes,flowers

ENERGETICSall(whatdoesthattellyou?)

PROPERTIESGarlicisantibacterial,antibiotic,antifungal,anti-inflammatory,antiviral,vulnerary,andimmune-boosting.Itclearsarteries,thinsblood,healswounds,treatslungailments,andcombatsbacteriaandyeast.

USESTheusesforgarlicarenearlylimitless;entirebookshavebeenwrittenonthesubject.Itistoutedforeverythingfromcoldstocancer,andcurrentlyshowsgreatpromiseforMRSAinfections.Ithelpsfightcoughs,heartailments,highbloodpressure,andhighcholesterol,andregulatesbloodsugar.Anecdotally,peoplehaveuseditwarmedas“sweetoil”(oliveoilinfusedwithgarlic)forearaches.Garliccanalsobeusedonexternalinfections.Diallylsulfideanddiallyltrisulfidearetwoofhundredsofcompoundsin

garlicthatarebeingstudiedforcirculatoryimprovement,cardiachealth,andapplicationsforcancerpatients.Eatinggarliccanalsopreventflea,tick,andmosquitobites.

PREPARATIONSGarliccanbeusedinjuice,capsules,pills,tinctures,infusedoils,andfreshinfood.HereinPennsylvaniaDutchcountry,youcanalsofindgarlicjelly!Freshrawgarlicisthebest.

DOSAGEFollowthedirectionsoncommercialproducts.Duringillness,it’ssafetotakethreeormoreclovesdaily.Theupperlimitisabout10clovesortheequivalent.

GROWINGTIPGarliciseasytogrowanddoesn’ttakemuchspace.Ifyouhaveasourceoforganicgarlic,purchaseabulbtogrow.Plantinautumnorearlyspring,inasunnylocationwithwell-drainedsoil.Plantroot-sidedown4to6inchesapartinrows1½to2inchesapart.Coverwith2inchesofdirt.Mulchforwinter.

HometreatmentsForstubborncolds,garlichoneycomesinhandy.Mysistermakesitbychoppinganddumpingthreeorfourwholebulbsandalemonintoajarofhoney.Itsoundsterrible,andIonlylikeitwhenI’msick.It’sgoodinteaorrightoutofthejar,andworksfast.

Ifyouhaveateeninthehouse,thesamehoney,withthegarliccrushedfineintoapaste,helpswithpimplesandacne.Applyaboutatablespoontoacleanfaceandleaveontheskinfor10or15minutes.Doingthisregularlywillclearandbrightentheskin.

BASILPESTOWITHFRESHGARLIC

Makes2cups

Preptime:10minutes

ThefirsttimeIhadthispestowasonthedeckatafriend’sA-framehouseintheAdirondacks.Shethrewittogetherafteralongdayofhikingandexploring,andserveditwithsteamedshrimpoverlinguine.I’vebeenhookedeversince.

INGREDIENTS4cupsfreshbasilleaves

6clovesgarlic

¾cuptoastedpinenuts

1cupoliveoil

¾cupParmesancheese,freshlygrated

SUPPLIESafoodprocessor

anairtightcontainer

1. Placethebasilleaves,garlic,andpinenutsinafoodprocessor.Slowlyaddtheoliveoilandprocesstoachunkypaste.Addmoreoilifneeded.Foldinthecheese.

2. Storethepestoinanairtightcontainerforupto1weekintherefrigeratororforupto6monthsinthefreezer.

TIPYoucanuseotherherbs,suchaschickweed,dandelionleaves,catnip,nettles,parsley,orsage,inplaceoforinadditiontothebasil.Andtrydifferentnutsorseeds,likewalnuts,sunflowerseeds,pumpkinseeds,macadamianuts,cashews,orpecans,tomixuptheflavor.

GARLICANDHERBOXYMEL

Makes1quart

Preptime:30minutes,plusatleast1weektosteep

ThetermoxymelisfromtheLatinoxymeli,meaningacidandhoney.Thisisasplendidmediumthatlendsitselfwelltomanydifferentherbaluses.Vinegarsextractvitaminsandmineralsaswellastheothervariousherbalproperties.Thevinegaritselfisthepreservative,andoxymelscanbeusedaloneasmedicine,dilutedwithhotteaorwatertowardofforrecoverfromillness,orincorporatedintodressingsormarinadesformeals.

INGREDIENTS2½cupsapplecidervinegar

1cuphoney

1headgarlic,clovespeeledandminced

1tablespoonfreshthymeleaves

1tablespoonchoppedfreshrosemary

1tablespoongratedfreshginger

SUPPLIESa1-quartjar

1. Ina1-quartjar,stirtogethertheapplecidervinegarandhoneyuntilthehoneyismostlydissolved.

2. Addthegarlic,thyme,rosemary,andginger.

3. Coverthejarwithanonmetalliccaporlayplasticwrapacrossthetopandthensecurethelid.Letsteepatroomtemperatureforatleast1week,shakingthejardaily,beforeusing.

TIPIliketoleavetheherbsandspicesintheoxymel,butyoucanalsostrainthemoutifyouprefer.

GINGERPopularforbothbakingandcooking,gingerhasbeeninuseformorethan5,000years.ItwasinitiallycultivatedinChinabeforespreadingthroughoutSoutheastAsia,India,WestAfrica,andtheCaribbeanIslands.Gingeraleisatraditionalhomeremedyforanupsetstomach,andgingerteaisgainingpopularityforthesamereason.Therearemanyvarietiesofginger,includingturmericandgalangal.Theyallhavesimilarproperties,yeteachhasuniquehealingbenefitsaswell.

ABOUTGINGEROTHERCOMMONNAMEgingerroot

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSAvoidregularsupplementationiftakinganticoagulantmedication.

PARTUSEDroot

ENERGETICSpungent,hot,andsweet

PROPERTIESGingerisanti-inflammatory,antibacterial,antifungal,antiviral,carminative,diaphoretic,immune-boosting,thermogenic,andblood-thinning.Itiscurrentlybeingstudiedforitsabilitytolowerbloodglucoselevels,increaseinsulinsensitivity,lowercholesterol,andhelpwithotherseriousconditions.

USESGingerisbestknownforitsabilitytohelpnausea,includingseasickness,chemotherapy-relatednausea,nauseaaftersurgery,andmorningsicknessinpregnancy.Italsostimulatesdigestion,causingthestomachtoemptyfasterwhilesoothingandrelaxingtheentiresystem.Gingermayalsohelpwithmenstrualpain,migraineheadaches,andgumhealth.Regularuseofgingermayhelprelievepainandswellingfromosteoarthritis,rheumatoidarthritis,andmuscularpains.Turmericiscurrentlythedarlingofthesuperfoodset;itshowsalotofpromiseformanydiseasesandisspecificallygoodforjointpain.

PREPARATIONSGingerisavailablefresh,dried,powdered,juiced,candied,andastinctures,teas,syrups,andessentialoils.

DOSAGEIncooking,gingerisconsideredtobequitesafewhenusedinmoderation.Tinctures,teas,andsyrupsmaybeusedthreetofourtimesaday.It’simportanttoproperlydilutegingeressentialoils.

GROWINGTIPYoucangrowgingerindoorsaslongasyouhaveaverywarmspot,likeawindowwithclearsouthernexposure.Giveeachplanta12-to18-inchpotwithgooddrainage.Placetrimmedrhizomeseye-orbud-up,andcoverwithaninchorsoofgooddirt.

HometreatmentsIwishIhadknownaboutgingerwhenIwaspregnantwithmydaughter—crystallizedgingercanbealifesaverformorningsickness(althoughitdoesn’tworkforeveryone,sadly).NowIoftengiveexpectingmothersabagofcrystallizedgingertogetthemthroughearlypregnancy.

IrecentlyhadacousingoingonacruisethroughAlaskanwaterswhowasworriedaboutseasickness.Wegaveherajarofgingercapsules.Shewasdoubtful,butonedayontheshipshegotsodesperateshetriedthem.Shortlyafterward,shewastheonlyoneondeckwhowasn’tsomeshadeofsicklygreen.

Alltheterrificprotectivepropertiesofgingeralsoworktopically.Gingerkillsbacteriathatcauseacneandblemishesandbringsbloodcirculationtotheskin,improvingtoneandgettingridofdeadcells.Combinefinelygratedginger,oliveoil,andsugarinaboutequalparts;scoopabitontoyourfingersandscrubwhereveryou’dlikesmoother,fresherskin,avoidingtheeyearea.Rinseandshowerasnormal.Iparticularlylovethisinwinterbecauseitrevivesdryskin.

TRIPLEGINGERELIXIR

Makesabout3cups

Preptime:30minutes,plusabout1monthtosteep

Thisisadeliciousdrinktosipafterdinnerandalsopacksapowerfulmedicinalpunch—youcantakeitbythetablespoonfulwhenyou’resick.Addedtosomehottea,youcanreapalltheincrediblebenefitsofgingerbythemugful.Theingredientsareveryflexible,soifyoucan’tfindoneortwoofthem,don’tletthatstopyou.Aslongasyouhaveginger,honey,andlemon,you’regoodtogo.

INGREDIENTS½cupchoppedfreshginger

¼cupchoppedfreshturmeric

1½tablespoonsdriedgalangalpieces(¼cupfresh,ifyoucanfindit)

1lemon,thinlysliced

1tablespooncinnamonstickpieces

2staranise

5cardamompods

1cuphoney

2to3cups100-proofvodkaorbrandy

SUPPLIESa1-quartjar

1. Ina1-quartjar,combinetheginger,turmeric,galangal,lemonslices,cinnamon,staranise,cardamompods,andhoney.Pourinenoughofthevodkatocompletelycovertheingredients.

2. Coverthejarandletsteepforaboutamonth.

3. Strainandenjoy.Storeinacoolplaceoutofdirectsunlight.

GOLDENMILKTEA

Makesabout12ounces

Preptime:20minutes

Goldenmilkisadelicioustreattodrinkintheeveningandimpartsalloftheglorioushealthbenefitsofturmericandginger.Turmericinparticularisactivatedwhenmixedwithblackpepperandfats,whichshowshowthistraditionalAyurvedicrecipehassurvivedthetestoftime.

¼poundfreshturmericroots,grated(wearglovesforthis)

1(1-inch)piecefreshginger,grated

1tablespoongroundcinnamon

2teaspoonsfreshlygroundblackpepper

½teaspoongroundnutmeg

3teaspoonscoconutoil

1cupmilkofyourchoice(dairy,soy,ornut)

1heapingteaspoonhoney

SUPPLIESrubbergloves

saucepans

anairtightjar

1. Inasaucepanoverhighheat,bringthewatertoaboil,thenreducetheheattolowandsimmerfor5minutes.

2. Addtheturmeric,ginger,cinnamon,pepper,nutmeg,andcoconutoil,andstirwhilesimmeringforafewmoreminutes,oruntiltheliquidformsapaste.

3. Inanothersaucepan,warmthemilkoverlowheat.

4. Addaheapingteaspoonofthepasteandthehoney.Stirtomixwellbeforedrinking.

5. Theleftoverpastewillkeepinanairtightjarintherefrigeratorforupto2weeks.

Ocimumtenuiflorum

HOLYBASILHolybasil,ortulsi,haslongbeenreveredintheHindureligion.ManyIndianfamilieskeepaholybasilplantinthecourtyardnexttothehouse,worshippingitmorningandnight.HolybasilfallsunderthegroupingofherbsusedinRasayana,theAyurvedicpathtooptimal,glowinghealth,rejuvenation,andlongevity.Whodoesn’twantthat?

Forthousandsofyears,holybasilhasbeenconsideredoneofthetophealingplantsinIndia,andfortunatelyitmadeitswayWestinthepastfewdecades.Itsversatilityhasmadeitarecentfavoriteofmine.

ABOUTHOLYBASILOTHERCOMMONNAMEStulsi,tulasi,Ocimumsanctum,Indianbasil,theincomparableone,hotbasil,queenofherbs,sacredbasil

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSIfyou’retakingananticoagulant,checkwithyourphysicianbeforeusingholybasil.Stopuseoftheherbpriortosurgery.Hypoglycemicpeoplemayexperiencedropsinbloodsugarandshouldusecautionwithholybasil.

PARTSUSEDallaerialparts

ENERGETICShotandcooling,pungentandsweet

PROPERTIESInsomecultures,holybasilisbelievedtohave,onaspirituallevel,theabilitytobalancechakras,clearnegativeenergies,andpromoteanopenheart.Itisadaptogenic,analgesic,antibacterial,antifungal,anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,antiviral,carminative,antidepressive,diuretic,expectorant,grounding,nervine,neuroprotective,andtonic.Itreducesfeverandsupportstheimmunesystem.

USESHolybasilisusedforanxiety,asthma,colds,bronchitis,depression,diabetes,earache,eczema,flu,headache,hives,stomachupset,heartdisease,fever,ringworm,andstress.Itisalsousedasamosquitorepellent.

PREPARATIONSTeas,tinctures,freshleaves,andcapsules.Externally,youcanuseessentialoilandhydrosol.Notethatoilsmusteitherbestronglydilutedordiffused.

DOSAGEHolybasilisconsideredaverysafeherb,andcanbeingesteduptofourtimesaday.Somewomenfeelitistoohotandprefertoblenditwithotherherbs,suchasrose.

GROWINGTIPInmyregion,zone6b,holybasilgrowsasanannual.Intropicalclimatesitwillgrowlikeshrubswithwoodystems.Iusuallyplantashortrowofholybasilplants,butbewarned—birdslovethem.Icoverminewithnettinguntiltheyareabout8to10inchestall;otherwisethebirdswillgettothembeforeIdo!

HometreatmentsMypersonalexperiencewithholybasilhasbeenprofound.Afriend,SandiWakefieldfromBlackKatHerbs,recommendedittomeatatimewhenIwasflounderinganddrowningundersomemassiveresponsibilityandanxiety.Ihadgrownandtincturedholybasilthatsummer,soItriedit.Itookasingledose,and15minuteslaterIwasabletolookateverythingobjectivelyandcouldstartworkingtoresolvethingswithmoreclarity.

Holybasilisapowerfulantiviralandsupportstheimmunesystem,makingitagoodchoicetotakedailyasapreventive.Whenthebodyismanagingstresseffectively,itiseasiertofightoffviral,bacterial,orfungalinfections.Everythingjustworksbetterwithholybasil.

TONICGRANOLABARSWITHHOLYBASIL,ASTRAGALUS,ANDASHWAGANDHA

Makes8to10bars

Thesegranolabarsaregreattograbforbreakfastwhenyou’reontherun—they’redeliciousandprovideaterrificboost.Nobakingrequired!

INGREDIENTS4tablespoons(½stick)butter,plusmoreforgreasing

2cupsquickoats

1cupcrispyricecereal

¼cuppeanuts

¼cuppumpkinseedsorpistachios

¼cupminichocolatechips

1tablespoonholybasilpowder

1tablespoonastragalusrootpowder

1tablespoonashwagandharootpowder

1tablespoonmincedcrystallizedginger

¼teaspoonsalt

¼cupbrownsugar

¼cuphoney

½cuppeanutbutter

1teaspoonvanillaextract

SUPPLIESabakingpan

alargesaucepan

anairtightcontainer

1. Buttera9-inchsquarebakingpan.

2. Inalargebowl,stirtogethertheoats,cereal,peanuts,

pumpkinseeds,chocolatechips,herbpowders,ginger,andsalt.Setaside.

3. Inalargesaucepan,bringthebutter,brownsugar,honey,andpeanutbuttertoalowboilforafewminutes.Removefromtheheatandstirinthevanillaextract,followedbythedryingredients.Mixcompletely.

4. Spreadthemixtureevenlyinthepreparedbakingpanandrefrigerateforanhourbeforecuttingandserving.

5. Thegranolabarscanbestoredinanairtightcontainerintherefrigeratorforupto10days.

TULSIROSETEABLEND

Makesabout30cups

Preptime:15minutes

Thisisabright,flavorfulherbalteathattastesgoodandisbothcheeringandantiviral.Ireallyliketotrim,zest,anddrythelemonpeelmyself,althoughyoucanbuythiscommercially.Everythingelsecomesfromthesummergardenorthefarmers’market.

INGREDIENTS½cupholybasil

¼cuprosepetals

2tablespoonsspearmintleaves

2tablespoonselderberries

1tablespoondriedlemonzest

SUPPLIESajarandateaball

1. Inajar,blendtogetheralltheingredients.Theelderberriestendtosinktothebottom,sokeepthatinmindwhenfillingateaball.

2. Foreachcupoftea,putaheapingteaspoonoftheblendinateaball,placeitinamug,andpourhotwaterintothemug.Steepfor5to10minutes.Youcanremovetheherbsorletthemcontinuetosteepwhileyoudrink.

Armoraciarusticana

HORSERADISHIdon’tknowwhyhorseradishisn’tmorepopular.It’sdeliciousonmeats,vegetables,potatoes,andseafood,yetisrarelyusedasaneverydayfood.HotsaucesandspicydisheshavereallygainedafootholdintheU.S.,butsomehowthishealth-givingroothasbeenlargelyleftoutoftheseproducts.Whenhorseradishiscut,cellsarecrushed,causingenzymesandglucosidestointeract,releasingtheoil,whichexplainswhyhorseradishroothasnosmelluntilitiscut,grated,orground.Grindinghorseradishisamemorable,sinus-openingexperiencethatmightbebestdoneoutside.Ifyoudon’thavethiscenturies-oldremedygrowinginyourgarden,consideraddingit;otherwise,therootscaneasilybefoundatyourlocalsupermarket.

ABOUTHORSERADISHOTHERCOMMONNAMEstingnose

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSHorseradishessentialoilisclassifiedasahazardoussubstance,andthejuicecancauseblistering,socheckskinfrequentlywhenusingtherootinapoultice.

PARTSUSEDfreshroot,smallyoungleaves,andflowers

ENERGETICSspicyandhot

PROPERTIESHorseradishcontainsasurprisingnumberofhelpfulproperties,includingbeingantibiotic,anti-inflammatory,antimicrobial,antioxidant,antiviral,diaphoretic,diuretic,expectorant,andstimulating.Itcontainsimportantnutrients,includingvitaminC,calcium,iron,magnesium,phosphorus,potassium,andzinc.

USESHorseradishstimulatesthegallbladder’sreleaseofbile,makingitagreatalternativefordigestiveproblems.Theheatofthehorseradishisdifferentfromcapsicum,andwefeelitmostsharplyinoursinuses,ratherthaninourmouths.Thisgetsallthemucusrunningandhelpsloosenandexpelsinuscongestion.Allheadcoldsandstuckupper-respiratoryinfectionsrespondtohorseradish.Itisalsohelpfulwitharthritis,urinarytractinfections,headaches,kidneystones,fluidretention,cough,bronchitis,soremuscles,sciaticnervepain,andgout.Horseradishisthoughttodetoxifytheliver.Syrupshelphoarsenessor

bronchitisspecificallybutareusefulforotherapplicationsaswell.

Youngleavescanbeusedasinstantpoulticesforheadachesandlaiddirectlyontheforehead.Thefreshflowersmaybemadeintoateaasanantiviralandamilddecongestant.

PREPARATIONSYoucanmakesyrups,tinctures,andvinegars.Theonlythingsavailablecommerciallyseemtobefreshsaucesorprocessedgratedfreshhorseradishroot,whicharewidelyavailableingrocerystores.

DOSAGEHorseradishissafetouseastolerated.Theequivalentof½teaspoongratedhorseradishmakesanadultdose.

GROWINGTIPHorseradishiseasytogrow,anditwillspread.Insomecasesitcanbedownrightinvasive.Mineisintheshade,andwhileithasincreasedfromonecrowntoaboutsixoveradecade,that’snotterrible.Neverrototillhorseradish.

HometreatmentsForjointpain,ahorseradishpoulticeopenscapillariesandbringsbloodtothearea,increasingcirculationandreddeningtheskin.Makethecompressbygratingenoughfreshhorseradishtocovertheintendedareawithalayerabout¼inchthick.Mixwithenoughwatertomakeathickpaste.Applythepastetoapieceofcloth(flannelworkswell)atleasttwiceaslargeasthearea.Placetheclothonthearea.Onceitbeginstoburn,removethecloth.Checktheskineveryfewminutestobesureitisn’tblistering.

Horseradishisconsideredoneofthestrongestherbaldiuretics,andwithitsantibioticproperties,itisaterrificchoiceforkidneydisease,bladderissues,orurinarytractinfections.Halfateaspoonoffreshlygratedhorseradishthreetimesadaywillhelpflushouttheseinfections.

HORSERADISHVODKA

Makes1quart

Preptime:45minutes

YoucanusethisasthealcoholinaBloodyMaryormixitwithjustaswallowofjuicetogetitshealingbenefits.Thisrecipeisagoodwaytopreservehorseradishinsteadofmakingatonofcocktailsauceorjarsofhorseradishmixedinvinegar.

INGREDIENTS1(8-inch)piecefreshhorseradishroot,finelygrated

24ounces100-proofvodka

SUPPLIESa1-quartbottle

1. Letthegratedhorseradishrestforabout10minutestoallowtheoilstoreleaseandthe“heat”todevelop.

2. Placethehorseradishintoa1-quartbottle.Fillwiththevodka(noneedtostrain).Storeinacool,dryplace.

3. Beforeusing,givethebottleagoodshake.Usethehorseradishvodkainamixeddrinkorasadoseofmedicine.

FIRECIDER

Makesabout1quart

Preptime:45minutes,plusatleast2weekstosteep

ThisciderisbasedonRosemaryGladstar’srecipe,withafewpersonaladditions.Theamountslistedaren’tcritical,andyoucanaddordeleteanythingyouwant.Manypeopletakeashotofthiseveryday,particularlywhentherearealotofbugsgoingaround.Anotherwaytouseitisbymixingitwithwaterorjuice.Itcanalsobeblendedwithalittleoilforasaladdressing.

INGREDIENTS1quartapplecidervinegar(seeTip)

5hotpeppers,chopped

1largeredonion,chopped

⅓cupdriedor1cupfreshelderberries3slicesastragalus,chopped

½cupgratedfreshhorseradish

1headgarlic,peeledandchopped

¼cupgratedfreshginger

1tablespoongroundor3tablespoonsgratedfreshturmeric

Juiceof1lemon

1cuphoney

Waterorjuice,forserving

SUPPLIESahalf-galloncontainer

1. Placetheapplecidervinegar,peppers,onion,elderberries,astragalus,horseradish,garlic,ginger,turmeric,andlemonjuiceinahalfgalloncontainerandsecurewithanonmetalliclid.

2. Letsteepinawarm,dryplaceforatleast2weeks.

3. Strain,thenaddthehoneytothevinegar.

4. Touse,dilutetheciderwithwaterorjuice,anddownthehatch!

TIPBesurethatthevinegaristrueapplecidervinegarwiththe“mother”—thehealthybacteriathatgivesitacloudyappearance.

Hyssopusofficinalis

HYSSOPHyssophasbeenusedforcenturies,probablymillennia.EuropeansettlersbroughttheplanttotheU.S.Ithasmedicinalproperties,manyculinaryuses,andbrewinguses(suchasinabsintheandchartreuse),andisvaluedforitsfragrance,usedasascentinsoapsandotherproducts.It’salsobeautifulfreshandmakesagorgeousadditiontoaflowerarrangement.Insomeplaces,hyssopisaditchweed,growingwithwildabandonalongroadsidesandinmeadows.Ihaveyettofinditinmyarea,butitishardyinUSDAgrowingzones4through10.Itisashrubbyperennial,andwithjustalittleclippingandmaintenance,canbemadeintoalowhedge,aknotorrockgarden,orgrownincontainers.Beesandbutterfliesadorehyssop.

ABOUTHYSSOPOTHERCOMMONNAMESHyssopdoesn’thaveanyregionalnicknamesthatIcouldfind.

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSTherearenoknownwarningsfortheplant;however,pregnantwomenandindividualswithseizuredisordersorwithhighbloodpressureshouldavoidhyssopessentialoil.Nevertakeitinternally.

ENERGETICSwarm,dry,spicy,slightlybitter

PROPERTIESHyssopisantibiotic,antioxidant,anti-inflammatory,antispasmodic,antiviral,astringent,carminative,diaphoretic,expectorant,andnervine,andsupportsandstimulatestheimmunesystem.

USESHyssopisusedforsorethroats,coldsandcongestion,hoarseness,coughs,andmildasthma.Itcanbehelpfulforurinarytractinflammations.Itisgoodforthewholedigestivesystem,assistinginappetitestimulation,colic,andexcessgas.Itcalmsnervousnessandanxiety,andstopsspasmsofthelungsandgut.Hyssophasseveralillness-bustingpropertiesthatmeansitcanfightviralinfectionsandbacterialinfections,andeaseinflammation.Itencouragesperspirationtohelpbreakafever.Itissometimesusedexternallyonwoundsandinsectbites.Hyssopisreveredinritualandhealing,andiswell-knownasapurifier

physically,emotionally,andspiritually.Youcanburnhyssoptodispelnegativityormakeitintoacleansingtea.AlthoughbiblicalscholarshavedeterminedthatthehyssopmentionedintheBiblewasmostlikelyanotherplant,itisstillreveredinritualandhealing.

PREPARATIONSTeaismostcommonlyused,buttincturesandsyrupsaregoodtohaveonhand.Externally,poulticesandcompressesworkwell.

DOSAGEAllpreparationsmaybeusedseveraltimesdailyasneeded.

GROWINGTIPHyssopbloomsfromJunethroughOctoberandisgenerallyconsideredtobeevergreen.Iliketodrysomeofitwhileitisinbloomeachyear,buttherearealmostalwaysleavesoutthereincaseofemergency.Itisextremelyeasytogrowandaprettylittleplant,too.

HometreatmentsIfyouhavegasanddigestionproblems,hyssopisagentleremedy.Theeasiestmethodofdeliveryisasaningredientinfood.Thearomaticsandtasteofhyssopcanoverpowerdelicateflavors,soexperimentabitandstartwithspareamounts.Alittlepre-orpost-dinnerteaisalsocomforting.Tinctureandsyrupareotheroptions,butIprefertostartusinganherbasfoodordrinkwheneverpossible.

Thewarm,dry,andspicyenergeticsofhyssoparepowerfulforacoldthatneedstodryupandmovealong.It’sparticularlyhelpfulforthosecoldsthatseemtolingerandbouncearoundlikeaping-pongball,goingfromheadtochestandbackagain.Teas,tinctures,andsyrupsarealleffective.

HYSSOPDEEP-CLEANSINGMASK

Makesabout5maskapplications

Preptime:15minutes

Theingredientsofthismaskcleanandfreshentheskinwhiledrawingimpuritiesfromthepores.It’sgoodforanyskintypeandcanbeadjustedtobemoreastringentormoreemollientbychangingtheliquidused.Oiloryogurtmightbeusedfordrierskintypes,whilewitchhazelorblackteawouldactasastringentsformoreoilyskin.

INGREDIENTS2tablespoonsdriedhyssop

2teaspoonsdriedplantain

2tablespoonsgroundkaolinorFrenchgreenclay

2teaspoonsgroundactivatedcharcoal

SUPPLIESablender

coffeegrinder,ormortarandpestle

asmalljar

1. Inablenderorcoffeegrinder,orusingamortarandpestle,grindthehyssopandplantaintoafinepowder.

2. Transferthepowdertoabowlandmixinthekaolinandactivatedcharcoal.

3. Placeinasmalljarandstoreuntilreadytouse.

4. Touse,chooseyourpreferredbaseorliquid—youcanuseplainwater,oil,rosewater,plainyogurt,witchhazel,carrotor

cucumberjuice,ormilk.(Anythingliquidwillprobablyworkaslongasitisskin-safe.)Mix1tablespoonofthepowdermixturewithenoughofthebaseorliquidtomakeathin,spreadablepaste(theamountofbase/liquidwillvarygreatlydependingonwhatyouuse,butstartwith1teaspoonandkeepaddinguntilthedesiredthicknessisreached).Spreadthemaskonyourface,relaxfor10or15minutes,andrinseoff.

HYSSOPTEABLENDFORCOUGHSANDCOLDS

Makesabout14cups

Preptime:15minutes

Thisisagreatteatodrinkwhenyouhavegobsofwet,runnymucus.Betweenthehyssopandtheyarrow,theteawillhelpyougetmorecomfortable,andtheelderblossomsstepintoassistthehyssopinwarmingthebodyandinducingasweat.

INGREDIENTS½cupdriedhyssop

¼cupdriedelderblossoms

1tablespoondriedyarrow

1tablespoondriedpeppermint

1tablespoondriedgingerpieces

Honey,forserving(optional)

Lemonjuice,forserving(optional)

SUPPLIESateaball

Inabowl,mixtogetherthehyssop,elderblossoms,yarrow,peppermint,andginger.Placeaheapingtablespoonoftheblendintoateaballandplacein1cupofhotwater.Coverandsteepfor5to10minutes.Drinkasneeded,usinghoneyandlemontotasteifdesired.Theacidofthelemonhelpscutthroughmucusduringawetcold,souseplenty.

LAVENDERLavenderisalwaysinmygarden.Atfirst,Iwasn’tfondofthescent,butasIlearnedandexperiencedthebenefitsofthisgorgeousherb,itquicklyroseinmylistoffavorites.NativetotheMediterraneanregion,lavenderhas30to50differentspeciesandcultivars.Somearegrownforbeauty,someforculinaryuses,somefortheessentialoil,andothersforthescent.Lavender’snamemayhavecomefromacoupledifferentLatinderivations.Themostpopulartheoryisthatitcomesfromlavare,whichmeans“towash,”oritmaycomefromliveremeaning“bluish.”Eitherworks.Lavenderhasbecomehugelypopularandisnowavailableinhundredsofproducts,fromhouseholdcleanerstocandles,roomsprays,essentialoils,anddessertsandcandy.Ipreferusingtheherbinsteadoftheessentialoilwheneverpossible.

ABOUTLAVENDEROTHERCOMMONNAMESLavandula,Englishlavender,Frenchlavender,gardenlavender,spikelavender,sweetandtruelavender

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSTherearenoknownprecautionsfortheherb.However,overuseorundiluteduseoftheessentialoilhasbeenknowntosensitizetheuser,whichcanbedebilitating.

PARTSUSEDForessentialoil,allaerialparts.Inmedicinalpreparations,theunopenedflowerbuds.

ENERGETICScoolandwarming,toningandrelaxing,pungent,bittertaste

PROPERTIESLavenderisapowerhouseofhealing,withantibiotic,antidepressant,antifungal,anti-inflammatory,antiseptic,antispasmodic,antiviral,carminative,andaromaticproperties.Itisalsorelaxingandsedative.

USESTheheadyaromaticsofthefreshordriedherbandtheherbalconstituentscombineforaremedythatrelaxesmusclesandeasesspasmsthataccompanymuscularpain.Atea,tincture,orvinegarcanhelpdigestion,gas,nausea,andintestinalcramping.Theherbinasachetencouragessleepandhelpswithtensionheadaches.Topically,lavendertea,balm,orvinegarcanhelptreatfungalinfections,wounds,eczema,andvaricoseulcers,soothesunburnedorwindburnedskin,healburns,andcalmacne.Lavenderisagreatherbforwomen’sissues—iteasesmenstrualcramps,tension,and

depression,andinmenopausecanhelpwithinsomnia.

PREPARATIONStea,tincture,infusedoil(usedinallkindsoftopicalapplications),vinegar,sachetsforinhalation,andessentialoil

DOSAGETea(equivalentof1½teaspoonslavenderpercupofwater)issafetotakeuptothreetimesaday.Youcantake10to15dropsoftincturebeforemealsfordigestionorasneededuptothreetimesaday,or2tablespoonsofvinegarusedincookingperday.Dilutetheessentialoilto10dropsperounceofcarrieroil.

GROWINGTIPDependingonyourgrowingzone,differentspeciesorcultivarswillbehardy,althoughthoseinzones5orbelowmaynotbeabletokeeplavenderoutsideoverthewinter.Ilikethelong-stemmed,bigspikesofthecamphorousGrossoforweavingwands,buttheEnglishMunsteadvarietyhasasweeterscentandtaste.

HometreatmentsLavenderissocleansing,healing,andsoothingthatit’salmostall-purpose.Inhalingtheherbissurprisinglyeffectiveforheadaches,restlessness,oranxiety.Once,attherenaissancefestival,thekingaskedmysisterandmeforaheadacheremedythatwouldhavebeenappropriateforthetime.Mysisterdidalittleresearchovernight,andwereturnedwithalittlepillowfilledwithlavenderandafewpinchesofotherherbs.Itworked,andwehadtomakealotofthem,sincehewanderedaroundallsummersniffingit,andtheneveryonewantedone.

Whenmydaughterwasinsecondgrade,shewasananxiouschild.Imadeheraverysmallstuffedcatfilledwithdriedlavender,althoughasimplelittlepillowwouldhaveworkedjustthesame.Shelovedit,andI’vehadtorefillitacoupleoftimesovertheyears,afterthelavenderinsidewaslovedtodust.

LAVENDERPOWDER

Makes2cups

Preptime:10minutes,plusatleast2weekstoinfuse

Thispowderhasseveralbenefits.Lavenderissoothingtotheskin,sothere’sthecomfortfactor.Itisalsocalmingandrelaxing,andhelpsslowdownperspirationthatcomesfromstress.Itcanhelpdecreasefungalorbacterialissuesformingfromdampareasandcreases.

Ontopofallofthis,itsmellspleasant.Youcanincreasethefragrancebyadding10to15dropsoflavenderessentialoilstothepowderifdesired.

INGREDIENTS1cuparrowrootpowder

½cupcornstarch

¼cupkaolinorFrenchgreenclay

¼cuplavender,powderedinablenderorcoffeegrinder

SUPPLIESa1-quartjar

1. Blendtogetheralloftheingredientsina1-quartjar.Theextraroommakesiteasytoshakeoftenandbesurethateverythingismixedwell.Keepthemixinthejarforatleast2weeksoruptoamonthforthescenttopermeatetheotherpowders,shakingitatleastonceeveryfewdays.

2. Touse,pourasmallamountofthepowderintopalmofyour

handandsmoothontoyourbodytoremedychafingorexcessiveperspiration.

TIPPowdershakerjarsareavailablefromsupplierslistedintheResourcessection,andtheyareperfecttousehere;awide-mouthjarwithapowderpuffworksaswell.

LAVENDERSACHET

Makes1sachet

Preptime:15minutesifusingamuslinbag;1hourifmakingthebagfromscratch

Thesesimplesackscomeinhandyininnumerableways.Youcantuckthemintodrawersorclosets,intoyourcartokeepitsmellingpleasant,inthebedsidetabletoreachforduringarestlessnight,orinadeskdrawerorlockertopulloutonbaddaysatworkorschool.Unlessexposedtobrightlightandheat,driedlavenderretainsitsscentuntilitturnstodust.Ifthescentfades,scrunchthesachetafewtimestorefreshit.

INGREDIENTS1cupdrylavenderbuds

SUPPLIES1pieceof9-by-6½-inchclothora4-by-6-inchmuslinbag

thread

needle

1. Ifusingthecloth,folditinhalfsothattherightsideisinsideandthenewsizeis4½-by-6½inches.Startingattheedgeofthefold,usinganeedleandthreadandastraightorrunningstitch(sewmyplace.com/project/tutorial-two-ways-to-make-a-simple-sachetishelpful),sewtwosidestogether,leavingoneofthe4½-inchsidesopen.Turntheclothright-sideout.

2. Forclothorthemuslinbag,fillthree-quartersofthewayfull,withaboutacupofthelavender.Turnintheedgesoftheopen

endandsewshut.

GlycyrrhizaglabraL.

LICORICEROOTMostofusthinkoflicoriceasablack,soft,andchewycandythatcomesinjellybeans,“whips,”andvariousotherforms.Candylicoricepipeswereatonetimeapopularshape,perhapstosignaltopipesmokersthatitwouldcalmsmoker’scough.Licoriceisverysweet,upto50timessweeterthansugar,makingitanexcellentingredientforherbaltea.AlthoughthelicoriceplantisnativetosouthernEuropeandAsia,northernEuropeancountriesareabsolutelyobsessedwithitandeatmorelicoricethanchocolate.TheNetherlandsisatoplicoricecandyproducerintheEuropeanUnion.IntheU.S.,mostlicoricecandyisflavoredwithanise,whichisn’tlicoriceatall,soitrequiressomehuntingtofindtherealthing.Reallicoriceismadealmostentirelyfromthelicoriceroot.

ABOUTLICORICEROOTOTHERCOMMONNAMESganzao,sweetroot,drop

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSAvoidlicoriceinpregnancy.Individualswithhighbloodpressure,liverdisorders,waterretention,renalinsufficiency,lowbloodpotassium,orheartdiseaseshouldalsoavoidthisherb.

PARTUSEDdriedroot

ENERGETICSsweet,cool,moisturizing

PROPERTIESLicoricerootisadaptogenic,antibacterial,anticonvulsive,anti-inflammatory,antispasmodic,antiviral,demulcent,expectorant,immune-boosting,andlaxative.

USESLicoricerootisgreatforanyonetryingtostopsmoking.Itsatisfiesthathandtomouthcompulsionandprovidesaslightboostofenergy,preventingthemetabolismfromgettingsluggishasitsooftendoeswhilequittingtobacco.Licoricepromotesexcretionofdry,stuckmucus,andcanalsoeasebronchitis.Itsoothesgastrointestinalproblemsfrommouthtoanus,suchasheartburn,GERD,ulcers,andconstipation,andisconsideredhelpfulforadrenalfatigue.It’soneofthemostcommonlyusedherbsintraditionalChinesemedicine,asitisbelievedtoguideotherherbstotheirbesthealingexpression.

PREPARATIONSLicoriceisusefulasteas,tinctures,capsules,andpastilles.Youcanpurchaselicoricerootasrootsticks,cutand

sifted,powdered,andascandy(justbesurethecandy’smadefromlicoricerootandnotaniseflavoring).Youcanchewthelicoricerootsticksplain;they’realsosafeforchildren.

DOSAGEIt’ssafetodrinkupto3cupsoflicoricerootteaortake3droppersoftinctureperday.Besuretopulse(stoppingafterabout10days)ratherthantakedailyforanextendedperiod.Beawarethatthecandyismuchmoreconcentratedthantheroot.

TIPDuringcoolerweather,whengermsflyaround,IusealicoricerootstickinalmosteverymedicinalteaIdrink.Simplypopitinthemugandletitstandastheteasteeps.Evenifyoudon’tcareforblacklicoricecandy,tryacupoftea.It’sdeliciousandsosoothing!

HometreatmentsDuringourrenaissancefestivaldays,nearlyalltheactorswouldstraintheirvoicesfromthe8or10hoursofconstantprojection(somemightsayyelling).They’dcometoourherbshoplookingforhelp,sowealwayskeptahealthysupplyoflicoricerootsticksaround.Theyeffectivelymoistenedandcooledsorethroats,sendingtheactorsbackoutthereyelling...er,projecting,innotime.

Asorethroatisoftenaccompaniedbyhot,dry,andinflamedsinuses.Thefirstsipoflicoriceteabringsnearlyinstantrelief,soothingtheparchedmucusmembrane.Licoricerootbringssimilarreliefforacidreflux.Plus,becauseyoucanjustsuckontheplainroot,there’snoneedtodrinkanythingthatmightexacerbatethesituation.Licoricesoothesthethroatandsinuseswheretheacidhasburned.

Constipationwhiletravelingwasanissueformygrandmother.She’dtakemetothebeachsometimes,andbyaboutthesecondorthirdday,we’dhavetogosearchforsomereallicoricecandy.Shealwaysstruggledwithconstipationwhenshewasawayfromhome.Thedemulcentpropertyoflicoricehelpsgetthingsmoving.Evenbetterisamugofhotlicoricetea,sincewarmwaterisoftenhelpfulindigestion.Imuchpreferhavingtheaddedliquidfromthetea,sinceconstipationisoftenpartiallybroughtonbydehydrationinthesystem,causinghard,drystools.

LICORICETOOTHPOLISHPOWDER

Makesabout⅓cup

Preptime:15minutes

Theingredientsinthistoothpolishhelpcleanstainsandpromotegumhealth.Ifyoulikethetasteoflicorice,thenyou’reinforatastytreatwhilecleaning!Itisdifficulttogetspicesorrootsintoanicepowder,soit’sbesttopurchasetheseingredientsalreadypowdered.

INGREDIENTS¼cupkaolinorbentoniteclay

1tablespoonbakingsoda

2teaspoonsfineseasalt

2teaspoonslicoriceroot,powdered

1teaspoonactivatedcharcoal,powdered

1teaspoonpeppermint,powdered

½teaspoonclove,powdered

½teaspoonthyme,powdered

SUPPLIESalargejar

asmalljarorcontainer

1. Inalargejar,combinealltheingredientsandshaketomixwell.

2. Keepabout1tablespoonofthepolishmixinasmalljarorcontainer.Putapinchofthemixtureinthepalmofyourhandandpickitupwithawettoothbrush.Brushasyounormallywouldandrinsewell.

3. Keepthebulkofthemixturestoredinthelargejar(thisway,ifthesmallcontainergetswet,thewholebatchwon’tberuined).Itwillkeepfor2years.

TIPIfyoupreferapaste,melt2½to3tablespoonsofcoconutoil.Mixinapinchofthepolishmixture.Useapea-sizedolloponyourtoothbrush.

THROATSPRAY

Makes3cups

Preptime:40minutes,plusovernightsoaking

Thisblendofsoothingrootsandbarkisveryeffectiveforsorethroatsorforwhenthevoiceisscratchyorhasvanishedfromillnessoroveruse.Oneortwosprayscanprovideimmediatereliefthatlastsagoodwhile,andthesprayissafetoreuseoftenthroughouttheday.

INGREDIENTS1quartwater

1tablespoonlicoriceroot

1tablespoonslipperyelmbark

1tablespoonmarshmallowroot

1tablespoongratedfreshgingerroot

1cup195-proofalcohol(suchasEverclear)

SUPPLIESalarge

aheavysaucepanwithalid

afew2-or4-ounceplasticspraybottles

1. Combinethewaterandherbsinalarge,heavysaucepan.Coverwithalidandsoakovernight.

2. Thefollowingday,boileverythingtogetheruntiltheliquidisreducedbyhalf(toabout2cups).

3. Strainwelltoremoveallthesolids,thenlettheliquidcoolcompletely.

4. Addthealcohol.

5. Pourintospraybottlesanduseasneeded.(Iliketomakeandlabelseveralsmallbottles.)Storeatroomtemperature;thespraywillkeepfor10years.

Tiliaspp.

LINDENLindenisoneofthemostpopularteasinEuropeandtheU.K.Giventhatit’ssuchacommontreeofferingmanybenefits,itdeservestobebetterknowninotherlocalesaswell.WhenIwasjustlearningaboutlinden,Ifoundmyselfonalocal1700shomesteadwithanenormousoldlindentree.Itwasalivewithhoneybees,anditsfragrancefilledtheentireplace.Downthefarmlaneandbehindabarn,Ifoundatreewithsimilarbutlargerflowersandleaves.Itookaleafandflowerofeachhomeandafterabitofresearchfiguredoutthatthesmallleavescomefromalittle-leaflinden,orTiliacordata,whilethelargearefromabig-leaflinden,orTiliaplatyphyllos.Thesevarietiesareusedinterchangeably,andthelittle-leafversioniscommoninurbanandsuburbanlandscaping.

ABOUTLINDENOTHERCOMMONNAMESTilia,basswood,limetree,limeflower

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSLindenhasbeenusedsafelysincetheMiddleAges.Excessiveusehas,inrarecases,beenassociatedwithheartdamageinindividualswithheartdisease.Ifyouhaveaheartcondition,talktoyourdoctorbeforeusing.

PARTSUSEDtheflowerswiththeattachedleaf-likebract

ENERGETICSsweet,moisturizing,warm

PROPERTIESLindenisanervinethatisalsodemulcent,antibacterial,antifungal,antispasmodic,andastringent.Itishighlyvaluedforitssedative,expectorant,diaphoretic,anddiureticeffects.

USESSincelindenisaverycommontreeintemperateclimates,it’sastarplayerinfolkmedicine.Restlessness,insomnia,hyperactivityinchildren,nervousandmuscletension,anxiety,andheadaches(especiallymigraines)allrespondwelltolinden.Themucilageproducedbytheplantsoothesdigestiveissuesandmayalsohelpcalmirritatedmembranesinthemouthorthroatanddecreasemucusproduction.Lindenalsorelievesmusclespasmsandcrampsandimprovescirculation.Oneofthemostnotedusesoflindenisininducingperspirationforfeverishcolds,flu,andinfections.Italsohelpsreducenasalcongestionandcalmcoughs.Externally,youcanuselindenasawashorlotionforitchyskin.In

anemotionalsense,lindenisoftenusedforgrieforheartache.Inthedoctrineofsignatures,theheart-shapedleaveshinttothispurpose.Wecanalsolooktolinden’srelaxingpropertiesandsedativesupportofthenervesasassistingusthroughdifficult,heartbreakingtimes.

PREPARATIONSLindeniseasytofindormakeasatea.Youcanalsomakeitintoatincture,syrup,orvinegar.Teas,tinctures,andvinegarscanbeusedintopicalpreparations,suchasafacewashorfootbath.

HARVESTINGTIPHarvestlindeninearlysummer,whenthefragrantflowersarejustbeginningtobloom,pickingtheflowersalongwiththepale-greenbract.Whileinbloom,thetreewillmostlikelybebuzzingwithbees—theylovelindenandmakeatastyhoneyfromtheflowers.Goslowlytoavoidgettingstung!

HometreatmentsLindenteabringsreliefincasesofcoldorfluthatincludesdry,hackingcoughs,swollenandinflamedairpassageways,fever,andcongestion.Itcanpromotesleepandrestwithitssedativeproperties,andhasbeenknowntorelieveheadaches.OnedayafriendandIwerestuckworkingalongdayintheherbshopandbothofusfeltsomethingcomingon.Webrewedupsomestronglindentea,andinnotimeatallwewerebothfeelingasweatcomingon.Weaddedsomeelderberryandholybasilandnippedthatillnessinthebud.

Lindenistrulyafriendduringaperiodofinsomniabroughtaboutbygrieforheartache.Oncesomeonedeartomewasstrickenwithaseriousdisease,andIwasn’tabletoseetheminpersonforalongwhile.Needlesstosay,Iwasdevastated.Lindenteahelpedmefindsomemuch-neededrestandsleepduringthispainfultime.

LINDENSYRUP

Makesabout2½to3cups

Preptime:30minutes,plusovernighttosteep

It’sgreattohavethissyruphandyandreadytouseincasesomeoneinyourhouseholdstartsfeelinglow,ill,orrestless.Itcanbetakenbythetablespoonasmedicine,orusedtoflavortea,sparklingwater,orfood.Whilethisrecipeuseslindenflowersandbractsandtraditionalhoney,youcanfindlindenhoneymadefromtheflowerstomixwiththewaterandlemoninstead.Likemaple,thelindentree’ssapcanbegatheredandboileddowntoasyrup,whichwouldalsoworkmixedwithwaterandlemon.

INGREDIENTS4to5cupslindenflowersandbracts

1½cupswater

3cupshoney

Juiceof1lemon

SUPPLIESasaucepanwithalid

bottles

1. Cleanthelindenflowersandbractsbygivingthemagoodshakeandaquickdunkinwater.Straininacolanderandsetaside.

2. Combinethewater,honey,andlemonjuiceinasaucepanandsimmeruntilthickenedandreducedbyaboutone-quarter.

3. Removefromtheheatandaddtheflowersandbracts.Stirwell

andcover.

4. Letthesyrupsteepovernight,thenstrainoutthesolidsandbottlethesyrup.Storeatroomtemperatureandusewithin1year.

LINDENANDPASSIONFLOWERELIXIR

Makesabout16ounces

Preptime:15minutes,plus1monthtosteep

Iliketocombinelindenwithpassionflowertohelpwithsleeplessness.Passionflowerisspecificallyhelpfulforthosetimeswhenthoughtsgoaroundandaroundinyourhead.Thetwoherbsusedtogetherhaveacalmingandsedativeeffect.

INGREDIENTS1½cupsbrandy

½cuphoney

¾cupdriedlinden

¾cupdriedpassionflower

Zestandjuiceof1lemon

SUPPLIESa24-ouncejar

1. Ina24-ouncejar,combinethebrandyandhoney.Stirorshakeuntilthehoneyisdissolved.

2. Addthelinden,passionflower,andlemonzestandjuice,andmixverywell.

3. Alloweverythingtosteepforatleast1month,shakingdailyifpossible.

4. Strainoutanddiscardthesolidsandusetheelixirbythedropperful.Youcanalsoaddateaspoontoacupofteaorasmallglassofplainbrandy.

Verbascumthapsus

MULLEINMulleinwashistoricallyusedinAfrica,Greece,andpartsofEuropebeforesettlersbroughtitovertotheAmericasinthe1600sanditbecamepartoftheherbalhealingtraditionintheWest.NativeAmericansquicklyfoundplentifulmedicalusesfortheplant.Mulleingrowsinrocky,dry,anddisturbedsoils,aswellasinmeadowsorfencerows.Itrequiresfullsunandmusthavesomecoldweatherinordertoproduceflowerspikesinthesecondyear.Ithasmanyhealingbenefitsandisalsoanattractiveenoughplanttogrowasanornamentinthegarden.

ABOUTMULLEINOTHERCOMMONNAMESgreatmullein,commonmullein,candlewickplant,clown’slungwort,velvetdock,Quakerrouge,torchwort,hag’staper,flannelleaf,Aaron’srod,Jupiter’sstaff,St.Peter’sstaff,shepherd’sstaff,shepherd’sclub,beggar’sstalk,goldenrod,Adam’sflannel,beggar’sblanket

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSThefinehairsonthisplantcanirritateskinandmucusmembranes,sobesuretostrainpreparationswell.

PARTSUSEDleaves,flowers,roots

ENERGETICSbitter,cool,moisturizing,salty

PROPERTIESMulleinisanodyne,antibacterial,anti-catarrhal,anti-inflammatory,antispasmodic,antitussive,antiviral,astringent,demulcent,diuretic,emollient,expectorant,nervine(mild),sedative,andalsovulnerary.It’salsoanaturaldisinfectant.

USESTheflowersandleavesaremostoftenused.Botharemucilaginous,coatingandsoothingrespiratorypassages,clearingexcessmucusfromtheairwaysandlungs,andsoothingdrycoughs.Mulleinisusefulasanantiviralandantibiotic,stavingoffillness.Italsoreducesinflammationofmucusmembranesandcalmsmusclespasmswhilealsorelievingpain.Itisusedtopreventorrelievecoughsandgetridofatickleinthethroat.Mulleinisalsogoodforjointpain,bothappliedexternallyandtakeninternally.Thewarmfloweroilisusefulforhemorrhoids.Mullein

promoteshealingofwounds,cuts,andabrasions,and,wheninfusedandwarmedwithalittlegarlic,makesaneffectiveeardropforearachesandinfections.Theleaveshavealongtraditionasthemainingredientinsmokingblendsusedforasthmaandlingeringcoughs.Italsohelpsurinaryissuesandincreasesurineoutput.Itisthoughttotonethebladder,supportprostatehealth,andreduceinflammationoftheurinarytract.

PREPARATIONSTeas,tinctures,infusedoil,orpoultices.Theleavescanbesmoked.

DOSAGEMulleinisconsiderednontoxic.It’ssafetouseasneeded.

GROWING/HARVESTINGTIPSThefirst-yearplantisabasalrosetteoffuzzy,paleblue-greenleaves,andthosearetherootstoharvestformedicine.Thesecond-yearplantshootsupastemtoppedwithflowers.Theleavesarealwaysgoodtoharvest.Ifyouharvesttheroots,besurethereareotherplantsaroundsoyou’llhavemorenextyear.

HometreatmentsThemucilaginouspropertyofmulleinisexceptionalforhelpingmoveahot,drycoldupandoutofthechestortohelpdrainthesinuses.Mulleinhasaspecialtalentformoisteningandlooseningallthetight,tenseareasoftheupper-respiratorysystemandthenrelaxingthemusclesandallowingmucustoflowfreelyinordertobecoughedup.Hotmulleinteainamugalsoallowsinhalationofthesteam,increasingtheseactions.Itsmildsedativepropertiespromoterestfulsleep.

Usingmulleinforhemorrhoidsisveryeffective.Thepain-reducingandwound-healingabilitiescombinewiththeastringentyetemollientproperties,andarecomplementedbyanti-inflammatoryandantibacterialstrengths,toboot.Applyawarmpoulticeseveraltimesadayforverypainfulcases.Youcanmakewipeswithinfusedoilandapplyseveraltimesadayforreliefbeforehemorrhoidsgetafoothold.

EAROIL

Makesabout4ounces(dependingonhowabsorbenttheherbsare)

Preptime:1hour15minutes(15minutesactive)

Thisisatime-testedremedy.Althoughitfelloutoffavorduetotheuseofpharmaceuticals,earoilisbecominganherbalstandardagain.Thewarmedoilissoothingonitsown,butthegarlicandmulleinworktogethertoclearinfectionandinflammation.

INGREDIENTS⅛cupfreshor1tablespoondriedmulleinflowers

3tablespoonscrushedgarlic

¾cupoliveoil

SUPPLIESanovenproof8-ounce(orlarger)bakingdishorramekin

1. Placealltheingredientsinanovenproof8-ounce(orslightlylarger)bakingdishorramekin.Makesureeverythingissubmergedintheoliveoil,addingmoreoilifnecessary.

2. Settheovenatthelowestpossiblesetting(180°Fto200°F)andheattheoilforanhour.Asanalternative,youcanmixtheingredientsinajarandsetinawarm,sunnywindowforaday.

3. Straintheoilthoroughly,transfertoa4-to6-ouncejar,andstoreintherefrigeratoruntilneeded.Itwillkeepforayear.

4. Touse,warmasmallamountoftheoiltoaboutbodytemperatureandplaceafewdropsintheear,rubbingthe

outsideoftheeartodistributetheoilandincreasecirculation.Iftolerated,putacottonballintheeartokeepitwarm,andresttheearagainstaheatingpad.Repeatasnecessaryevery30to60minutesuntiltheearfeelsbetter.

SMOKINGBLENDFORSTUBBORNCHESTCOLD

Makesabout¼cup

Preptime:15minutes

Intermsofhealth,it’sgenerallycounterintuitivetosmokeanythinganymore.Butsometimestheremaybeatherapeuticreasontodoso.I’vetriedafewsmokingblendsforlungissuesandhavehadgreatresultswiththisone.Somepeopleuseblendstoquitsmoking.Iftheyworkanddonoharm,you’llgetnojudgmentfrommethere.Usefreshlydriedherbsinthisrecipeifpossible(seeResources),ordrythemyourself.

INGREDIENTS3tablespoonsdriedmulleinleaf

1tablespoondriedhorehound

1½teaspoonsdriedlavender

1teaspoondriedpeppermint

½teaspoondriedCaliforniapoppy(optional)

¼teaspoondriedthyme(optional)

SUPPLIESacoffeegrinder

apipe,rollingpapers,oravaporizer

1. Usingacoffeegrinder,grindalltheherbstosimilarlysizedbitsthatarewellblended.Themixtureshouldhavetheconsistencyoftobacco.

2. Useapipe,rollingpapers,oravaporizertosmoke,takingonlyoneortwoinhalationsatatime.

NASTURTIUMNasturtiumisaperfectexampleofwhyit’simportanttoknowLatinnamesaswellasthecommonnamesofplants.Whenyouvisitgreenhousesandherbfarmsinspringtoaskfornasturtium,youwanttomakesureyou’regettingtheplansfromthegenusTropaeolum,notNasturtiumofficinale,whichisactuallywatercress.Thetwoplantsshareaspicy,hotflavor—andnotmuchelse.NasturtiumisnativetoSouthAmericaandismostlygrownasanannual.Theflowerscomeinshadesfrombutteryyellowandcreamyapricottobrilliantorange,red,andvibrantscarlet.Inaninformaltastetest,mysisterandIdecidedthatthedeeperthecolor,thespiciertheflavoroftheflower.It’sintheleaves,however,wherethemedicinalpropertiesreside.

ABOUTNASTURTIUMOTHERCOMMONNAMESIndiancress,gardennasturtium

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSPregnantwomenshouldavoidnasturtium.Additionally,itcancausecontactdermatitis,sotestasmallareaofskinbeforeapplyingapoultice.

PARTSUSEDWhiletheflowersareadelightfulanddeliciousedible,andalongwiththeleavesmakeaspicyadditiontosalads,themedicinalpropertiesoftheplantarefoundintheleavespriortoblooming.Somepeopleeattherootsintheperennialvarietiesmuchlikepotatoes,butthesearen’tknowntohavemedicinalproperties...yet.

ENERGETICShot,warming,dry

PROPERTIESNasturtiumleavespossessasurprisingarrayofmedicinalbenefits.Theyareantibiotic,antibacterial,antifungal,antiseptic,antitussive,antiviral,diuretic,expectorant,andvulnerary,andanaturaldisinfectant.

USESNasturtiumteahasalonghistoryofuseinstimulatingthescalpandencouraginghealthyhairgrowth.Itisusedtohelphealwounds,includingthosethatshowinfectionandareslowtoheal.Theleavescontaincarotenoidsandflavonoids,valuablecompoundsthatboosttheimmunesystem,makingnasturtiumanothergreatherbtofightagainstsorethroats,coughs,bronchitis,congestion,andcolds.Bacterialandfungalinfectionssuchas

candida,ringworm,andathlete’sfootrespondwelltosoakinginnasturtium-leafteaorappliedpoultices.Nasturtiumalsohasthesurprisingabilitytorelievesymptomsofseasonalallergies,likesneezing,dry,itchyeyes,andrunnynose,especiallywhencombinedwithstingingnettleandlocalhoneyorbeepollen.TheleavesandflowersarehighinseveralBvitamins,vitaminC,andlotsofmineralslikeiron,calcium,phosphorus,andmanganese.It’sbeenhistoricallyusedforkidneyproblemsandasadiuretic.Forsome,theteahelpswithmildmusclepain.

PREPARATIONSUsedinteas,tinctures,poultices,andasawash,soak,orrinse

DOSAGEIt’ssafetodrinktheteauptothreetimesaday,take25dropsoftincturethreetimesaday,anduseexternalapplicationsastolerated.

TIPNasturtiumseedsareveryhotandspicy.Theymakeagreatlittlesnackwhileworkinginthegarden,ortheycanbegratedandusedlikepepperoraddedtoaspiceblendforseasoning.Weliketogrindthemwithdriedkelp,thyme,rosemary,andgarlictouseatthetable.

HometreatmentsNasturtiumleavesmixedwithEpsomsaltsmakeasplendidsoakforsore,hot,tiredfeet,orasabathteatosootheskinabrasions,cuts,orstrainedmusclesandrinseawaydirtandsweatafteralongdayspentoutside(think:gardening).Thisbathperksusupandfightsfungus,germs,andgrunge,andwillalsohelpwashoffalltheallergensthatmightcomefromadayinthegardenandcauseitchyeyesandsniffles.Andwhileyou’resoakingawayinthere,haveanicehotcupoffreshnasturtium-leafteawithsomepeppermint,rosemary,andstingingnettles,sweetenedwithlocalrawhoneytohelpclearupthosepeskyallergysymptoms.

NASTURTIUMPESTO

Makesabout3cups

Preptime:20minutes

How’sthisforadeliciousmedicine?Myfavoritewaytoincorporatehealingherbsisbyaddingthemtoscrumptiousmeals.Makethispestoaheadandfreezeinto½-cupportionstobeusedaspartofayummycampaigntopreventillness.Somepeopledon’taddthecheesebeforefreezing,andinsteadadditatthetimeofserving,butI’veneverhadaproblem.Weusethispestoupprettyquicklyinmyhouse.

INGREDIENTS2cupsfreshnasturtiumleaves

½cupwalnuts

6garliccloves

½cupfreshlygratedParmesancheese

¾cupoliveoil

Hotsauce(optional)

SUPPLIESalargesaucepan

blender

resealablebags

1. Blanchthenasturtiumleavesinalargesaucepanofboilingwaterfor10to15seconds.Drainandplungetheleavesintoicewatertocool.Drygentlyonteatowels.

2. Placetheleaves,walnuts,garlic,cheese,andoliveoilinablender;blenduntilsmooth.Ifdesired,addafewdropsofhot

sauce.

3. Drizzleoverpastaorthedishofyourchoice.Freezein¼-cupservingsinresealablebagsanduseasdesiredwithin3to4months.

NASTURTIUMTINCTURE(ORHAIRRINSE)

Makes1pint

Preptime:15minutes,plusabout1monthtosteep

Aspointedoutabove,nasturtiumleavesarethemostpotentpartoftheplantbeforeitblooms.Thistincturedoesagoodjobofpreservingthehealingpropertiesofthoseearlyleaves.Take1teaspoonofthetinctureuptothreetimesaday.Tomakethisrecipeasahairrinse,usevinegarinsteadofalcohol.Thehairrinseisthoughttopromotehairgrowthbykeepingthescalphealthyandstimulated—pourabout½cuponthehairimmediatelyafterwashing,massageinthoroughly,thenrinse.

INGREDIENTS1cupfreshnasturtiumleaves

¼cuprosemaryneedles

¼cupstingingnettleleaves

2cups100-proofvodka(orapplecidervinegarforthehairrinse)

SUPPLIESa1-pintjar

1. Placealltheherbsinapintjarandcoverwiththevodka(orapplecidervinegarifmakinghairrinse).

2. Coverandletthemixturesteepinacool,dryplaceforabout1month.Checkthattheherbsaresubmergedintheliquidacoupleoftimesaday,shakingthejarasnecessarytoensurethattheherbsarecompletelysaturated.

3. Afteraboutamonth,runthemixturethroughafoodprocessorandstrainwell.Boththetinctureandtherinsewilllastindefinitelyatroomtemperature.

Avenasativa

OATSMostpeoplegenerallydon’tthinkaboutoatsasanherb.It’sagood,heartybreakfastfoodandaningredientincookiesorgranolabars,andissometimesaddedtobrothsandmeatloaf,right?Butwildoatshaveplentyofmedicinalbenefits.Theyarerampantinmyyard,plantedregularlybybirds,Iassume.They’reatypeofgrass,withthegrainbeingtheseed.It’spossibletopurchaseoatseedsthatproducelargergrains,butthewildonesworkforme.EachyearIleaveacoupleofpatchesuntilthey’vegottentotherightstage,andthenIharvestthemandreclaimthebitoflandtheywereonforotherplants.

ABOUTOATSOTHERCOMMONNAMESwildoats,commonoats,oatstraw

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSNone—oatsareconsideredtobesafe.

ENERGETICSsweet,warming,relaxing,moisturizing

PROPERTIESOatsarearestorative,nutritive,andnervinetonicthatslowlybuildupourresilience.They’realsoanantidepressant.

USESOatsarewonderfulandskin-soothingwhenusedinbathwater.Inthebathsection,Imentionedhowmymomusedtofillthekitchensinkwithwarmwater,oatmeal,andme,andhowIusedthesametreatmentwithmydaughter.Thewaterturnssilkyandalittlemilky,soakingawayitchesandirritation,andmoisturizingtheskin.Thisisessentiallyhowaerialpartsoftheoatplantworkinternally,too.Whenthewholeplantisharvestedanddriedwhilegreen,includingtheseeds,itiscalledoatstraw.Oatstrawisarejuvenatingandrestorativenourishingmineraltonic.Milkyoatsarethemostcommonlydiscussedformofoats.Forjustafewdays,theunripeseedsexcretewhite,milkylatexwhensqueezed.Thislatex,particularlywhenusedfresh,isasupernervetonicthatfeedsandstrengthensthenervesandtheircommunicationpathways.Milkyoattinctureisthebestwaytoaccesstheherb’spotential,andhelpswithadrenalexhaustion,difficultyconcentrating,lossoflibido,anxiety,depression,

irritability,andpostpartumblues.Itisgrounding,helpingfortifyusduringgrief,andpromotesemotionalwell-being.Oatmealistheripeseed.Itnourishesandlubricatesthroughoutthebodyandtheskinwhilesupportingthenervoussystem.

PREPARATIONSteas,tinctures,inbathsandontheskin,andinfood

DOSAGETeasandtincturescanbetakenseveraltimesdaily.Useexternallyasneeded.

HARVESTINGTIPThetrickiestthingaboutthemilkyoatstageiscatchingitattherighttime.Whenthekernelsbegintodevelop,besureyouhaveyouralcoholreadytogointhehousebecauseitisonlymilkyforaboutaweek.Testforthemilk(latex)everydaybypinchingoneoftheoats.Whenasmalldropofwhiteliquidappears,itistimetomaketincture.Therewon’tbeanotherchanceuntilnextyear.

HometreatmentsOatsworkwondersforadultswhoarestretchedtothelimitswithstressfuljobs,youngchildren,agingparents,andnotenoughhoursintheday.Moreoftenthannot,alittlegroundingcomesinhandy,andadailydoseofmilkyoattincturefitsthatbill.

Oatmealasaregularpartofyourdietisfillingandsoothingtothenerves,anditsfiberandbulkcontributetoregularity.Oatsareaverysimple“herb”toaddtodailylife.

BLUEOATSMOOTHIE

Makestwo12-ounceservings

Preptime:15minutes

Thismeal-in-a-glasswillhelpsupportthenervesandtheimmunesystemalldaylong.Iliketoaddblueberriesfortheiranthocyanins,andtheadditionoftheholybasilandastragalusaddtotheadaptogenicpowerofthisblend.Youcanalsoadddifferentherbsandspices,suchassomeginger,rose,nettles,orapinchoflavender.

INGREDIENTS½cupold-fashionedrolledoats

1cupmilk(anykind)

½cupfrozenblueberries

2tablespoonshoney

1smallbanana

½cupice

1teaspoondriedholybasil

½teaspoonpowderedastragalus

SUPPLIESablender

1. Putalltheingredientsinablender.Covertightlyandpulsetobreakuptheicecubes.

2. Continuepulsinguntilsmooth.Checkconsistencyandaddmoremilkifnecessary.

3. Serveimmediately.

MILKYOATTINCTURE

Makesabout2cups

Preptime:15minutes,plus4to6weekstosteep

Milkyoatsmakeanunusualtinctureinthatthetextureisthickerthanthatofmosttinctures.Thisistotallynormal,andyou’llgetusedtoit—trustme.Afterthehealingpropertiesarepulledintothealcohol,thesteepingtincturewilllookalmostgruel-like.Useadropperortwoaday.

INGREDIENTS1½cupsfreshmilkyoats

2½cups151-proofalcohol(suchasEverclear)

SUPPLIESablender

alargejar

1. Placetheoatsandalcoholinablenderandwhirltogetheruntilthemixturereachesaslushyconsistency;addmorealcoholifnecessarytoachievethisconsistency.

2. Transferthemixturetoalargejarandletsteepfor4to6weeks.

3. After4to6weeks,strainthemixturewellusingatincturepressorbyspooningitintoamuslinbagandsqueezing.

4. Storethetinctureinthelargejaratroomtemperature.Itwillkeepformorethan10years.

Pinusspp.

PINEIliveontheedgeofaChristmastreefarm,soitseemedonlyrighttoincludepineinthelineupofherbsforthisbook.Allpinesareconifers,buttherearemanyconifersthatarenotpines.Therearemorethan30kindsofpineinNorthAmericaand125worldwide.It’sinterestingtonotethattherearemorethan500conifer(cone-bearing)speciesintheworld.Treeslikelarch,spruce,cedar,andfirareconifersbutnotpines.Themostcommonpinesgrowneedlesinbundlesoftwotofive,wrappedatthebasebyapaper-thin,shallowsheathwheretheyattachtothetwig.It’simportanttoidentifythetreesproperly.Agoodfieldguidewillhelpidentifyevergreenssoyoucanusethemwithconfidence.

ABOUTPINEOTHERCOMMONNAMESChristmastree,evergreen,tannenbaum

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSPinepollencancauseallergicreactionseveninthosewhoaren’tnormallyallergictopine.IfoundthistobetruethefirsttimeIgatheredit.

PARTSUSEDneedles,pollen,andpitch/sap

ENERGETICSwarm,dry

PROPERTIESTheubiquitouspinetreehasasurprisingnumberofbenefits.Theneedlesandsapareanodyne,antifungal,antibacterial,antiseptic,aromatic,astringent,anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,decongestant,expectorant,stimulant,andtonic.Thepollenisnutritiousenoughtobeconsideredasuperfood;it’sjam-packedwithvitaminsandhasallnineessentialaminoacids.Takenregularly,itisthoughttobuildandincreasevitality.

USESTheneedlesandsaparebestknownfortreatingupper-respiratoryinfectionsbypenetratingandclearingmucus.Oftenthesaporessentialoilismadeintoachestrubthatmakesiteasierforsomeonewithacloggedheadtobreathewhilelooseningupthechestatthesametime.Pineeasesinflammationandswellingoftheupper-andlower-respiratorysystems.Weusepinecleanersinourhome,andtheinfusionofpineneedleorsapinalcoholisagooddisinfectantforwoundsonskin,tissues,andmembranes.Clearingawaybacteriaandallkindsofpathogens,pinespeeds

healingbothinsideandout.

Pineteasandtincturesofneedlesorsaparethoughttoimprovecirculationandboostimmunity.Salvesmadefromthesapcanbeusedonmuscleandjointpain,andtheinnerbarkcanbemadeintoafielddressingtokeepwoundscleanandgerm-free.Aboveall,acupofpineteajustbringsonthatbright-eyedandbushy-tailedfeeling,especiallywithanaddedpinchofpeppermintandaspotofhoney.

PREPARATIONSteas,tinctures,infusedhoney,infusedoil,liniments,andsalves

DOSAGEPineteas,infusedhoney,andtincturescanbeuseduptothreetimesaday.Externally,youcanuseasalveorinfusedoilasneeded.

HARVESTINGTIPGatheringpinesapisdirtywork.Besuretowearclothesthatyoudon’tmindgettingruined.Takeasharpknifeandasmallwaxpaper–linedtin.Lookforglobsofsapwherethebarkhasbeeninjured,andpeeloffandplaceintoyourtin.Youcanalsofindsmallpearlsofsapinsidethedroppedcones.

HometreatmentsThemildscentofpineprovidedbypineneedleteaisinvigoratingandcansharpencognitivepowers.Personally,Ifindthatpineperksupmyspirits.Inadditiontodrinkingthetea,IcarryasmallvialofacombinationofsapsfromdifferentpinetreesinmypursetosniffwhenIneedtoclearmyhead.

Pinesapsalveisagoodchoiceforfeetandankleswherealackofcirculationmayleadtoulcerationoftheskin.Thewarming,drynatureofpinerelievesthecoldanddampeffectsoftoolittleexerciseandretainedwaterinthejoints.

SAPINFUSIONINOILORTINCTURE

Makesabout¾cup

Preptimeforoil:15minutes,plus2to4hourstosteeponstoveorupto1monthtosteepinjar

Preptimefortincture:15minutes,plusupto1monthsteeping

Makeoneorbothoftheseaheadsotheyarereadywheneveryouneedthem!Youcanusetheoilinternallyasis,ormakeitintoahealingandwarmingsalve.Thearomaticpropertiesofpineareanaddedbonuswitheveryuse.

FORTHEOIL¼cuppinesap

½cupoliveoilorotheroilofyourchoice

FORTHETINCTURE¼cuppinesap

½cup190-proof(95percent)alcohol(151-proofwillalsowork)

SUPPLIESan8-or12-ouncejar

TOMAKETHEOIL

1. Combinethepinesapandoliveoilinan8-or12-ouncejar.

2. Placethejarinawarmplace,suchasawindowsill,andletsteepforuptoamonth,shakingthejardailyifpossible.Alternatively,ifyou’reinahurry,youcanwarmitinadoubleboilerfor2to4hours,oruntilthesapiscompletelydissolvedintotheoil.

3. Strainwell,bottle,anduseasneeded.Theoilusuallylastsat

roomtemperatureforayearormore.

TOMAKETHETINCTURE

1. Combinethepinesapandalcoholinan8-or12-ouncejar.

2. Placethejarinawarmplace,suchasawindowsill,andletsteepforuptoamonth,shakingthejardailyifpossible.

3. Strainwell,bottle,anduseasneeded.Thetincturewilllastatroomtemperatureforatleast10years.

PINENEEDLETEA

Makes2cups

Preptime:15minutes

Besuretomakethisteawithfreshorfrozen-from-freshpineneedles.Driedneedleslosetheirvibrancyveryquickly.Theflavoroftheteaisnotasstrongasyoumightthink.Somepeoplelovetheflavorasis,butIliketoaddsomethingelselikehibiscus,peppermint,orlemon—andalwayshoney!

INGREDIENTS2¼cupswater

½cuppineneedles,cleanedandcutinto½-inchpieces

SUPPLIESasmallsaucepanwithalid

1. Inasmallsaucepan,bringwatertoaboil.

2. Addthepineneedlestotheboilingwaterandremovefromtheheat.

3. Coverandletsteepfor3to5minutes.

4. Strainandserve.

Plantagospp.

PLANTAINPlantainisthefirst“weedy”herbthatmostofususe.Nottobeconfusedwiththemildcookingbananas,thisplantgrowsinabasalrosette,sendingupslimseedstalksfromthecenter.Theleavesofthetwomostcommonspecies(majorandlanceolata)inmostoftheU.S.haveribsallthewayfromthestemtotheleaftip.Plantaingrowssoabundantlyinthiscountry(andonnearlyeverycontinent)thattherehasneverbeenatimewhenIneededitandcouldn’tfindit,unlessitwasthedeepestpartofwinter.I’veevenfounditinmidtownManhattan,growinginsidewalkcracks!Withalittleplanning,plantainisalwaysthereforus.

ABOUTPLANTAINOTHERCOMMONNAMESrabbitears,ribwort,waybread,waybroad,wagbread,whiteman’s-foot,Englishman’s-foot,cuckoo’sbread,snakeweed,devil’sshoestring,commonplantain,ripplegrass,healingblade,dooryardplantain,birdseed,rat-tail

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSPlantainsarecompletelysafeforeveryone,includinginfantsandtheelderly.

PARTSUSEDleaves,seeds

ENERGETICSsalty,bitter,cool,moisturizing

PROPERTIESPlantainisalterative,analgesic,anti-inflammatory,antimicrobial,antispasmodic,astringent,decongestant,demulcent,diuretic,drawing,expectorant,refrigerant,tonic,andvulnerary.

USESPlantainisawholemedicinechestgrowingoutoftheground.Itcontainsallantoinandmucilagetospeedhealingofwounds,andvitaminK,whichisessentialtoproperbloodclotting.Asanastringent,itclearsupboggyareasandexcesssecretionsinallareasofthebody.Themucilagesoothesandmoistensmembranesandtissues.Plantainishealingtotheentiredigestivesystem,beginningasasoothinggargleformouthandgumirritations,thenmovingthroughthethroattocalmsorenessandintotheesophaguswhereitcanhelprelieveandsoothemembranesthathavebeenirritatedwithacid,andthenintothestomach,whereit

ishelpfulinthecaseofulcers.Intheend(punintended),itgoesontosoothetheentiresystemandrelieveconstipation,bladderinflammation,hemorrhoids,andeventhekidneys.Psylliumisaspecificvarietyofplantainwhoseseedsareusedspecificallyfordigestionandregularity,butmajorandlanceolatawillprovidethedesiredmucilage.Thatsamecombinationofastringencyandmucilageisaboonfortherespiratorytract,helpingtighten,dry,andsoothe.Fortheskin,ittacklesinsectbites,rashes,splinters,eczema,burns,andpsoriasis.

PREPARATIONSteas,tinctures,salves,poultices,soaks,oils,vinegars,tubteas,facemasks,andspitpoultices

DOSAGEPlantainisconsideredverysafe.Youcanuseteasortincturesuptothreetimesdaily.Externaluseissafetorepeatasneeded.

HARVESTINGTIPGatherplantainleavesmidday,whentheyarefreeofdew.Immediatelyprocessmostofiteitherasatinctureoranoilinfusion.Iliketodrysometouseduringwinterinteasorsoups.Thisisoneplantthatyoucangatherwithoutworryingabouttakingtoomuch!

HometreatmentsPlantain’sdrawingabilityisremarkableonsplintersandbeeorwaspstings.I’veevenuseditsuccessfullyonablockedsalivarygland.Poulticesaremosteffectiveforthispurpose,butcompresseswithwarmteaorinfusedoilwillalsodothetrick.Astubbornsplinterstraightthatwentintothepadofmythumbcamerightoutwithplantain,andtheinfectionandpuscameoutalongwithit.Plantainisalsoverygoodforweepyrashes,likepoisonivy.Theastringenttanninsdryupthefluidintheblistersandsootheandprotecttheskinatthesametime.Plantainteaortinctureisgoodforsomeonewithanoverlydryconstitution,asitwilladdsomemoistureandlubricationthroughoutthebodyintheorgansandjoints.

GARDENANDWEEDTEA

Yieldvariesbasedonamountofeachingredientused

Preptime:15minutes,plusgatheringanddryingtime

Iparticularlyenjoygatheringthisteablendwithchildrenorpeoplewhoarenewtoherbs.Youcanaddmanydifferentwildherbs,butthoselistedbelowhavesoothing,emollient,orrelaxingproperties.Theexactamountofeachingredientdoesn’tmattertoomuch.Thisisaforager’stea,anditisextremelyflexible.Ifyou’reunabletoforage,youcanpurchasealloftheingredientsneeded.Notethatlavenderandlicoricehavestrongflavorsthatcanoverpowerablend,sousethoseingredientssparingly.

INGREDIENTSPlantainleaves

Marshmallowleavesandflowers

Violetleavesandflowers

Rosepetals

Calendulaflowers

Lemonbalmorverbenaleaves

Raspberryleaves

1pinchlicoriceroot

1pinchlavenderbuds

SUPPLIESajarandateaball

1. Theingredientscanbegatheredinanyamount.Trystartingwitha¼cupofeachwhenfresh.Scattertheherbsonascreenandallowtodry—thiscantake3daystoaweek.

2. Oncetheherbsaredried,mixallofthemtogetherandkeeptheteablendinajar.

3. Addabout2teaspoonsoftheteablendtoateaball.Puttheteaballinamug,pourinhotwater,andletsteepforatleast5minutesorupto15minutes.

PLANTAINSALVE

Makesslightlymorethan4ounces

Preptime:10minutes

Keepthissalvehandyforallkindsofhouseholdissues.Youcanputitonburns(aftertheskinhasthoroughlycooled),splinters,blemishes,oranywhereadrawingsalveisneeded.Itshouldhaveanoticeableeffectprettyquickly.Ifitdoesn’t,switchtoapoulticewithoutoil.

INGREDIENTS4ouncesplantain-infusedoliveoil(oroilofyourchoice)

½ouncebeeswax

SUPPLIESadoubleboiler

afewsmallglassjars

1. Heattheoliveoilandbeeswaxgentlyinadoubleboileruntilthewaxhascompletelymeltedandcombinedwiththeoil.

2. Pourthesalveintosmalljars.Itwillkeepfor6monthsatroomtemperatureorforayearintherefrigerator.You’llknowit’snolongergoodiftheoilsmells“off.”

TIPYoucanalsomakethisintoanall-purposesalvebyaddingthingslikeoilsinfusedwithcalendula,yarrow,St.John’swort,orlavender.

Rosaspp.

ROSETherosepetalissoftandsilkybutverystrong.It’sverydifficulttopowder.Evencrispy-dry,itdoesn’tcrumblelikeotherdriedherbs.Therearelotsofdocumentedphysicalbenefitsandusesforrose,butthemorewegettoknowit,themoreweunderstandtheimportantbenefitscenteredaroundouremotions.RoseisalwaysconsideredtheflowerofloveandgetstrottedouteveryValentine’sDay,butitlivesuptothatnameinwayswedon’ttypicallyconsider.Herbalistsrequestremediesmadefromrosetosupportthosewhoarefacingtraumaordisaster.Thecallisalways“Morerose!Weneedmorerose!”Considerplantingarosebushforbeautyandhealth.

ABOUTROSEOTHERCOMMONNAMESapothecaryrose,beachrose,briarhip,briarrose,cabbagerose,damaskrose,dogberry,dogrose,eglantinegall,Frenchrose,heptree,hipfruit,hopfruit,hogseed,multiflorarose,rosehip,sweetbriar,witches’briar,wildrose

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSTherearenoofficialwarningsforroseexceptforpotentialallergies.Rosehipshavesmallhairsinsidetheseedcapsule,soavoidpiercingthat.Strainwellifusedfortea.

PARTSUSEDwholeflowers,petals,rosehips

ENERGETICScooling,moisturizing,sweet

PROPERTIESRoseisanalgesic,antianxiety,antibacterial,anti-inflammatory,antiseptic,antispasmodic,antiviral,aphrodisiac,astringent,calming,expectorant,nervine,nourishing,refrigerant,sedative,styptic,andtonic.Anaturalantidepressant,roseisusedtocombatgriefandopenthehearttofeeljoy.

USESRosereducesthepain,heat,andinflammationofburns(especiallysunburn),wounds,scratches,abrasions,rashes,bites,andstings.Rosetincturequicklycalmsthesystemduringanykindofupset,particularlyinthecaseoftrauma,likeanaccidentorunexpectedshock.Itisbelievedtobenefitcardiachealthandbloodpressure,andimprovepoorcirculation.Roseinfusionstrengthensbonesandsupportstheendocrinesystem,helpingwomenmaintainregularmenstruationandincreasingfertilityinmen.

Roseisalsousedforsorethroatsandmouthsoresduetoitsastringencyandmoisturizingability.

PREPARATIONSteas,tinctures,oils,infusedhoney,vinegars,floweressences,rosewater,essentialoils,soaps,poultices,compresses,andlotions

DOSAGETeasandtincturesaresafetouseasdesired.Usethefloweressencein5-to10-dropdoses.Roseforexternaluseisverygentleandsafe.

TIPFreshrosesfromfloristsarealmostwithoutfragrance,andthey’retypicallygrownwithpesticidesandpreservatives.Growyourownorgathertheminthewild.Onceyou’vestuckyourfaceinabasketoffreshwildorhomegrownrosepetals,therewillbenogoingbacktoanythingless.

HometreatmentsRosepetalvinegarisgreatforsunburnorwindburn,andissimpletomake.Justinfusevinegarwithpilesofrosepetalsandallowittosteepuntilneeded.Pouracuportwoofthevinegarintoawarmbathandsoakthoserawedgesaway.

Rosehasalonghistoryofuseforbeauty.Itisconsideredtobeoneofthepremieringredientstocarefordry,sensitive,oragingskin.It’sanaturaltonerthatsoothesandhelpsskinretainmoisture.AncientEgyptiansusedoilsinfusedwithrosestoprotecttheirskinfromthedrywindsofthedesert.Therearemanywaystotreatyourskintorose’sbenefits.Mymotheralwayslovedglycerinandrosewater(ina50:50ratio),butIprefertojustuserosewaterinaspraybottle.Otherterrificoptionsaretosoakfreshrosepetalsinwitchhazelforaspectaculartoner;addrosepetalstothebath;andinfusejojobaorapricotkerneloilwithrosepetalsforasimplemoisturizer.

ROSEANDRASPBERRYJAM

Makesabout3½cups

Preptime:1hour

Inthisjam,theflavorandscentoftherosescombinewiththeraspberriesinanalmostmagicalway.Plus,theraspberriescontainpectin,sothere’snoneedtoaddany.Thedeep,darkberriesaddantioxidantstoallthegreatbenefitsoftheroses.SpreadthisjamonyourEnglishmuffininthemorningtostartyourdayoffright.

INGREDIENTS1½cupswater

2cupsrosepetals

1cupblackraspberries

2cupssugar

1tablespoonfreshlysqueezedlemonjuice

amediumsaucepan

afewsterilizedglassjars

1. Placethewaterandrosepetalsinafoodprocessorandpulsetochopthepetalsintosmallerpieces.

2. Pourthemixtureintoamediumsaucepanandaddtheberries.Bringtoaboiloverhighheat,thenreducetheheattolowandsimmerfor10minutes.

3. Addthesugarandlemonjuice,stirringtodissolvethesugar.

4. Simmerforanother20to30minutes.

5. Removefromtheheatandpourintohotsterilizedjars.

6. Storethejamintherefrigeratorfor2to3months.

ROSE’N’HERBCOUGHSYRUP

Makesabout1quart

Preptime:1hour

Thissyrupisyummyandeffective.Alloftheherbsworktogethertomoisten,tone,andsoothethethroatandupperrespiratorysystem.Eventhelittleonesinthehousewillhappilytakethissyrup.

INGREDIENTS2cupsrosepetals

½cuppeppermint

¼cupplantain

2tablespoonssageleaves

2tablespoonsmulleinflowers

4cupswater

1½cupssugar

½cuphoney

a2-quartsaucepan

afewbottles

1. Combinetherosepetals,peppermint,plantain,sageleaves,mulleinflowers,andwaterinafoodprocessor,andprocesstoformaverythinslush.

2. Placethemixtureintoa2-quartsaucepan.Coverthepanandbringtoaboiloverhighheat.Reducetheheattolowandsimmerfor15minutes.

3. Removefromtheheat.Straintheliquidwell.

4. Returntheliquidtothepanandbringtoaboil.

5. Addthesugarandstiruntilitiscompletelydissolved.Bringtoaboilfor3to5minutes.Themixtureshouldbegintothicken.

6. Addthehoney.

7. Letcoolslightlyandpourintobottles.Thesyrupwillkeepforuptoayearintherefrigerator.

TIPIliketoaddacupofbrandytothesyruptohelppreserveitlonger(about2years),andforitsaddedwarmingeffect.

Rosmarinusofficinalis

ROSEMARYRosemarycomeswithitsshareofherblore,includingtalesofscholarswearingchapletsofrosemaryabouttheirheadstoimprovecerebralpowers.LegendhasitthattheVirginMarydrapedherbluecloakoverarosemaryshrub,turningthewhiteflowersforeverblue.Rosemarysymbolizesremembranceandhasarichhistoryinbothweddingsandfunerals.Ofcoursethefairiesloverosemaryandsometimesdisguisethemselvesassnakestohidebeneathitsbranches.Sprigsorsachetsofrosemaryhungbythedoorarebelievedtoprotectthehouseandkeepnegativityaway.And,ofcourse,rosemaryhasmanymedicinalbenefits.

ABOUTROSEMARYOTHERCOMMONNAMESdewofthesea,oldman,compassweed,compassplant

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSThoughrosemaryissafeinmoderation,largedoses(particularlyingestionoftheessentialoil)maycausevomiting,seizures,pulmonaryedema,uterinebleeding,andmiscarriage.Rosemarycanalsointerferewithsomemedications,suchasanticoagulants,bloodpressuremedications,anddiuretics.

PARTSUSEDstems,leaves,flowers

ENERGETICSwarming,dry,pungent

PROPERTIESRosemaryisanalgesic,antibacterial,antifungal,anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,antiseptic,antispasmodic,antiviral,aromatic,carminative,choleric,digestive,diuretic,nervine,neuroprotective,stimulant,tonic,andvulnerary.Itisalsoamildlaxativeanddiuretic,stimulatesmenstrualflow,booststheimmunesystem,andmayalleviaterheumatoidarthritis.

USESRosemaryisinvigoratingandfightsexhaustion,weakness,andmilddepression.It’sstimulatingwithoutdepletingenergy.Teasandinfusedoilsorvinegarscanimprovedigestion,easingstomachcrampingandexcessgas.Rosemaryisusedexternallyonthescalpfordandruffandtostimulatehairgrowth,andalsohelpswitheczema.Rosemaryteaisgreatforcirculationandmemory,andisbelievedtoslowdowndamagefromdegenerativejoint

disease.Rosemaryisrichinantioxidants,whichprotectvisionandskin,slowtheeffectsofaging,andmayprotectcellsfromcancer.Researchhasbeengoingonfordecadesaroundtheeffectsofrosemaryaromatherapyoncognitiveabilities.Thegeneralconsensusseemstobethatalittlefragranceismorebeneficialthanalot,androsemarydoeshelpwithconcentrationandmemory,especiallyinaging.

PREPARATIONSTeas,tinctures,infusedoilsandvinegars,soaps,essentialoils,andsprays.It’scommonlyused,eitherfreshordried,incooking.

DOSAGEUsingrosemaryinfoodisgenerallysafeinanyquantity.Whenitcomestoateaortincture,takenomorethantwodosesdailywhenneeded.

HARVESTINGTIPInmanypartsoftheworld,includingthesouthernandwesternpartsoftheU.S.,rosemarygrowsinhugedriftsandhedges.Inmyzone-6blocation,itsometimesmakesitthroughthewinterandsometimesdoesnot.Tobesafe,Iharvesttojustabovethewoodysectionofthestemseveryyear.Ifitdies,itiseasytoreplaceinthespring.

HometreatmentsYearsago,agastroenterologistscoffedwhenImentionedthatmydigestivesystemfeltslowerthanitshould.My“normal”wasindigestion,acidreflux,cramping,bloating,andconstipation.Insteadofpushingfortheteststhatshethoughtwereawasteoftime,Istartedeatingmorerawfoodandincludedrosemaryteainmydietatleastafewtimesaweek.Rosemarywarmsandstimulatesmovementthroughoutthestomach,intestines,andbowel.Ittooksometimeandwasduetoacombinationofthings,buteventuallymyproblemsdisappeared.

Rosemaryistheperfectherbforstressheadaches.Itcontainssalicylatethatactsmuchlikeaspirindoesonpain,muscletension,andthelike.It’salsoagoodnervineandanti-inflammatory.Pain,stress,andinflammationoftencometogetherintosomethinglikeasnowballrollingdownahill,growingwitheachturn.Rosemarycanworkagainstallthree,bringingthesunouttomeltthatsnowball.

ROSEMARYANDNETTLEHAIRANDSCALPRINSE

Makesabout1quart(about8usesdependingonlengthofhair)

Preptime:10minutes,plus3weekstosteep(or4to6hoursinaslowcooker)

Thevinegarinthisrinsebringsaddedprotectionaroundthehaircuticle.Therosemaryandnettlearestimulatingandstrengthening,leavingthehairshinyandthescalphealthy.

INGREDIENTS1quartapplecidervinegar

1cupfreshor⅓cupdriedrosemary

1cupfreshor⅓cupdriednettles

SUPPLIESalargejar

aslowcooker(optional)

1. Combinealltheingredientsinalargejar.Letsteepatroomtemperaturefor3weeks.Alternatively,youcancombineeverythinginaslowcookerandsteepfor4to6hoursonlow.

2. Aftersteeping,strainwell,pressingasmuchofthevinegaroutoftheherbsaspossible.

3. Storeinthejaratroomtemperatureandusewithinayear.

4. Touse,afterwashinghair,work½cupoftherinse(formedium-length)throughhairandintothescalp.Rinsewell.Anyvinegarsmellwillvanishashairdries.

SIMMERINGPOTPOURRI

Makes6or7simmers(eachcanbeusedatleasttwice)

Preptime:15minutes

Thispotpourriisespeciallyusefulinthewinterwhentheairisdrier.Thesteamcombinedwiththearomatic,cleansing,andhealth-boostingpropertiesoftheseherbsmakethismorethanyouraverageairfreshener.Thisisanall-natural,gentleremedyfordryairinthehome,anditsmellsamazing!

INGREDIENTS½cupdriedrosemaryneedles

½cupdriedeucalyptusleaves

½cupdriedlavenderbuds

¼cupdriedorangeorgrapefruitzest

2tablespoonsdriedgingerrootpieces

SUPPLIESapintjar

asmallpot

1. Mixalltheingredientstogetherinapintjar.

2. Touse,fillasmallpotwithwater,andaddabout¼cupoftheblend.Bringtoaboilquickly,thenreducetheheattolow,orplacethepotontopofawoodstovetoreplacesomehumidity.

3. Asyouenjoythesteamandfragrance,keepawatchonthewaterlevel.

4. Thepotpourrimixwillkeepinthejaratroomtemperatureindefinitely.

TIPPlacingthepotpourriinmuslinbagsorheat-sealableteabagsinadvancemakesforaneasiercleanup.

SAGESageandrosemaryareconsideredtobe“sisterherbs”becausetheysharemanysimilarproperties.Manyofsage’shealthbenefitsarederivedfromtherosmarinicacidprevalentinrosemary,andthetwoplantsarenativetotheMediterraneanregionandgrowinsimilarconditions.Sage’sgenusname,Salvia,derivesfromtheLatinsalvere,meaning“tobesaved”or“salvation.”It’sacommonritualtoburnsagetocleartheairofnegativity,andasitturnsout,sagesmokeistrulyantibacterialandantimicrobial,keepingallsortsofinfectionsatbay.Therearemanystunningvarietiesofsage,eachwithslightlyvariedbenefits.Forinstance,S.bergartenhaslargeleaves,S.extraktahasveryhighamountsofessentialoil,andS.sclareaisn’tculinarybutishighlyvaluedforitsantidepressantproperties.Asageholdsgreatwisdom,andsoitiswiththeplant.

ABOUTSAGEOTHERCOMMONNAMEScommonsage,desertsage,gardensage,goldensage,kitchensage,truesage,culinarysage,Dalmatiansage,tricolorsage,purplesage,clarysage,smudge,broad-leafsage

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSSageessentialoilcontainsthujone,whichispossiblyaneurotoxin.Donotingesttheessentialoil,whichisatleast100timesmoreconcentratedthanacupofteaorateaspoonoftincture.Sageisgenerallyrecognizedtobesafeasafood,andinquantitiestypicallyusedasfood.Avoidexcessive,prolongeduse,particularlyifyouarepregnantorhaveaseizuredisorderordiabetes.

PARTUSEDleaf

ENERGETICSwarm,dry,slightlybitter

PROPERTIESSageisantibacterial,antifungal,anti-inflammatory,antiseptic,antispasmodic,astringent,antiviral,andcarminative.Itmayalsoalleviaterheumatoidarthritis.

USESOneofthehighestvirtuesofsageisitsabilitytodryandtonedampness.Externally,thismeanspolicingthosefoldsandcreaseswherefunguslikestohangoutanddryingupexcessoils,excretions,andweepyskinconditions.Internally,sagegoesafterexcessmucus,firmsupmembranes,andcanhelpwithexcessiveperspirationorsaliva.Sagealsohelpsmothersdryuptheirmilkwhenweaningchildrenoffbreastfeeding.Sageleavesareusually

longovals,thick,strong,andpebbly,likeatongue.Itmakessense,then,thatithelpswithmouth,gum,andthroatissues.Itiscalmingandgroundingwhenusedeitherinternallyortopically.Ithasbeenusedtraditionallytobringdownfeversandpromotesleep.Menopausalhotflashesrespondwelltosageteaortincture.SagehasbeenfoundtobecapableofkillingE.coli,andthere’sagoodchancethattheessentialoilsofsageandvariousotheraromaticherbswillbewhatsavesusfromMRSAinthenextdecadeorso.Sageteawithmealspromotesdigestionandhelpswithstomachpain,excessgas,diarrhea,bloating,andheartburn.

PREPARATIONSteas,tinctures,vinegars,capsules,skincreams,lotions,andsoaps

DOSAGEIt’ssafetoingestthreetofourcupsofteaordroppersoftinctureaday.Followdirectionsoncapsules.Sageissafefortopicaluseasneeded.

GROWINGTIPSageisveryeasytogrow.Checkwithyourgardennurseryforhardinessinformationinyourregion.Sageneedsgooddrainage,goodaircirculation,andplentyofsunshine.EveninthemiddleofacoldwinterIcanusuallyfindsomeusableleaves.

HometreatmentsTheteenyears(andmenopausalyears,nowthatIthinkaboutit)arefraughtwithsweatypalms,oilyhairandface,andjusttoomuchdampnessallaround.Makeasagefacialbygrindingsagetogetherwithoatmeal,yarrow,androsestotakeawaytheoilslick.Sageteacanhelpwithexcessiveperspiration.

Forabrutalsorethroatorlaryngitis,sageteaisawonder.Whenitwasfirstsuggestedtome,Irecallbeingconfused—itseemedlikedryingoutmythroatwouldonlymakethingsworse.ButIfoundthatittonedthesofttissueofmypalateandthroat,handilytookcareoftheinflammation,andclearedthemucusaway.

SAGEANDGARLICSOUP

Makesabout8cups

Preptime:45minutes

Thisisagreatnourishingsouptohaveforawet,drippyheadcold,orheavilyproductiverespiratoryinfection.Thegarliccomesouttodotheheavylifting,andthesagebacksitupalltheway.

INGREDIENTS1headgarlic,clovespeeledandmincedorcrushed

½cupfreshsageleaves,coarselychopped

¼cupfreshthymeleaves

¼cupfreshparsley,coarselychopped

2teaspoonsmincedfreshgingerroot

1pinchcayenne

6cupschickenorvegetablebroth

6largeeggyolks,beaten

Saltandfreshlygroundblackpepper

SUPPLIESalargepot

1. Inalargepot,combinealltheingredientsexceptfortheeggyolks,andbringtoaboiloverhighheat.

2. Reducetheheattolowandsimmer,uncovered,for25minutes.

3. Addasplashofhotsouptotheeggyolks.Whilewhisking,slowlypourtheyolkmixtureintothesoup.

4. Seasonwithsaltandpepper.

TIPEatthissoupacoupleoftimesaday,andyou’llbebacktonormalinnotime.

SAGEANDLEMONHONEY

Makes8to10ounces

Preptime:30minutes

Inthisdeliciousconcoction,thelemonandhoneygraduallymeldintoalightsyrup,punctuatedbythesage.It’stastyandgoodmedicine.Ifyou’reanadventurouscook,tryitinsomedishesaswell.

INGREDIENTS2lemons,thinlyslicedwithseedsremoved

½cupfreshsageleaves,finelychopped

6to8ouncesrawlocalhoney

SUPPLIESa1-pintjar

askewer

1. Combinethelemonslicesandsageleavesinapintjar.

2. Pourthehoneyoverthelemonandsage,completelycoveringthem.

3. Pokearoundthemixturewithaskewertogetalltheairbubblesout.

4. Coverandrefrigerate.Thehoneywillkeepforupto1year.

TIPUsebythespoonfulinhealingteas.

Urticadioica

STINGINGNETTLEMostcountrykidsrememberstingingnettleaboutasunhappilyastheyrememberelectricalfences.ItgrewinthecowpastureIhadtocrosstogettothestreamwherewespentlongsummerdays.Barefoot,inshortsandsleevelessshirts,Igottoknowthatstingprettywell.Ididn’tknowaboutallofstingingnettle’sbenefits,though.TheLatinnamecomesfromuro,meaning“toburn.”Theundersideoftheleavesandthestemsarecoveredwithsmall,hollow,needle-like,stinginghairs,calledtrichomes,whichdeliveraninjectionofhistaminethatcauseredness,welts,andamightysting.

Inadditiontoallofitsmedicinalproperties,nettlehasbecomeoneofmyfavoritevegetables.IevenplantedapatchnexttothehousesothatIcouldhaveitoften.Forfoodormedicine,nettlemustbeusedpriortoblooming,soIkeepminemowedfornewgrowth.

ABOUTSTINGINGNETTLEOTHERCOMMONNAMESnettles,burnhazel

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSThosetakingblood-thinning,bloodpressure,ordiureticmedicationsshouldavoidnettles,astheymayamplifytheeffectsofthepharmaceuticals.

PARTSUSEDleaves,roots

ENERGETICSdry,hot,sweet,salty

PROPERTIESNettleisantibacterial,anti-inflammatory,astringent,antihistamine,decongestive,diuretic,expectorant,galactagogue,nutritive,styptic,andtonic.Itispossiblyoneofthebestplantsourcesofbioavailablevitaminsandmineralsoutthere,fullofvitaminA,variousBvitamins,vitaminC,aminoacids,boron,calcium,copper,fattyacids,folicacid,iron,magnesium,manganese,phosphorus,potassium,andzinc.

USESBeingastringentandantibacterial,nettlesootheseczemawhilefightingallergicresponses.Itisagoodsourceofiron,andthevitaminCcontentincreasesabsorption.Amixtureofnettlerootandsawpalmettoberryshowspromiseforhelpingmenoverage50whohavedifficultywiththelowerurinarytractduetobenignprostatichyperplasia.Nettleisatreasuredwoman’sherbfromcradletograve.NettlesevenouthormonesandalleviatePMSsymptoms,helpwithexcessivebleeding,supportthenursingmotherwithmilkproduction,and,finally,guideusthroughand

beyondmenopausebysupportingtheadrenalsandtheendocrinesystem.

Somebelievethatthestingsinterferewiththewaythebodytransmitspainsignalsbytemporarilywearingoutthe“transmitter”sothatpainsignalsaren’treceived.Thestingissometimesintentionallyadministeredinaprocesscalledurtificationonpainfuljointscausedbyosteoarthritisorrheumatoidarthritis.Theteaiseffectiveasapainreliever,andcanbeusedincombinationwithanexternalapplication.

PREPARATIONStinctures,teas,nourishingherbalinfusion,creamsandsalves,pillsorcapsules,vinegars,andhaircareproducts

DOSAGEFortincture,tea,orvinegar,dailyuseuptofourtimesadayisfine.Followlabeldirectionsforcommercialcapsules.Homemadepillscanbetakenseveraltimesaday.Nettleissafetouseexternallyasneeded.

GROWINGTIPIplantedonesmallnettleplantthreeyearsago.Itisnowa6-footroundplot,growingbytheday.Istronglysuggestusingraisedbedsorsinkingametalbarrierintothesoiltocontainnettles.

HometreatmentsInthedeadofwinterwhereIlive,therearealwaysallergensintheair,andmykidshaveseriousallergies.We’vetriedmanythingsovertheyears,finallysettlingonacombinationofstingingnettlesandbeepollen,whichhasproventobeabout85percenteffective!Wetakeateaspoonofbeepollenthroughoutthedayalongwithanettletinctureorteathreetimesaday.

Duringthebeginningstagesofmenopause,mensescanbecomeheavyandmorefrequent,sometimesleadingtoanemia.Timefornettletoshine!Dailydosesofahighlyconcentratedherbalinfusion(mix1ounceofdriedherbwith1quartofheatedwaterandsteepovernight)canhelpbalanceouttheconfusedhormonesandrebuildiron.

BLACKNETTLESYRUP

Makesabout4cups

Preptime:45minutes,plus2to3hourstosteep

ThisrecipeiscreditedtoAdrianWhiteofDeerNationHerbs.Fortifyingthenettleswithmineral-richblackstrapmolassesisastrokeofgenius.Ithinkblackstrapmolassestasteslikebrownsugar,andIhavenotroubletakingthesyrupstraight.Ifthetasteorsmellofthissyrupisobjectionabletoyou(themerementionmademymothershudder),mixitwithcerealorhottea,orbakesomemolassescookies.

1cupdriedstingingnettles

2cupsorganichoney

12ouncesblackstrapmolasses

SUPPLIES2smallsaucepans

1tintedglassjarorothercontainer

1. Inasmallsaucepanoverlowheat,combinethewaterandnettles.Gentlysimmerfor10to15minutes.Coverandeitherremovefromtheheatorkeepoverlowheatandletsteepfor2to3hours.

2. Strainthesyrupandtransfertoacleansaucepan.

3. Addthehoneyandbringuptoasimmeragainoverlowheat,untilthemixturereachesaconsistencyyoulike.Iusually

reducebyaboutathird.

4. Addthemolassestothemixtureandstirwhilehot.Letcool.

5. Transferthecooledsyruptoyourdesiredcontainer,preferablyanamber-tintedglassjar.Storethesyrupintherefrigeratorandusewithinayear.

STEAMEDNETTLES

Makesabout1cup

Preptime:5minutes,plus30minutestopickthenettles

Steamingnettlesbriefly,evenforaminute,causesthetrichomestobreak,renderingthemstingless.Thereissomethingabouttheflavorofsteamedfreshnettlesthatisdeeplynourishing.Tome,theytasteasiftheycanmakeonewholeagain.

INGREDIENTS4cupsfreshstingingnettles

½cupwater

½tablespoonbutter

SUPPLIESgloves

asmallsaucepan

1. Usinggloves,pinchthetopsfromthenettleplants.

2. Tossintoacolanderandrinse.

3. Insmallsaucepan,bringthewatertoaboil.

4. Addthenettles,cover,andsteamforabout3minutes.

5. Drain,thenreturntothesaucepan.Stirinthebutter,seasonwithsalt,andserve.

Camelliasinensis

TEAWerarelytalkaboutallofthehealthbenefitsoftea,ortheteaplant,butitisfullofherbalgoodness.Thesameplantthatfillstheboxesofteabagsinthegrocerystoreaisleisresponsibleforblacktea,greentea,oolongtea,whitetea,kukicha(twig),pu’er,matcha,yellowtea,anddarktea.Theyareprocessedorharvesteddifferentlytoobtainaparticulartypeoffinishedtea.Elementssuchaselevation,mediantemperature,andsoilconditiondeterminethequalityofteas.Teaisoneofthemostpopularbeveragesintheworld;itispartofceremoniesandrituals,andevenhasitsownclassofexperts,calledteasommeliers.TheU.S.currentlylagsbehindtherestoftheworldinteaconsumption,butitisquicklycatchingup.

ABOUTTEAOTHERCOMMONNAMESchai,Ceylontea,greentip,dragonpearls,orangepekoe

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSTeacontainscaffeine,sothosesensitivetothatshouldavoidit.

PARTSUSEDleavesandtwigs

ENERGETICcool,dry,astringent,sweet,bitter

PROPERTIESTeaisantibacterial,antioxidant,immune-stimulating,andanti-stress.

USESGreenorwhiteteamaybehelpfulinmaintainingahealthyweight,andmanymiracleclaimshavebeenmadetothateffect.Butifthereweremiracleherbs,therewouldbenooverweightherbalists,soalwayskeepthatinmind.Thepresenceofantioxidantsinteaiswellknown.TeaisoneoftheonlythreeknownsourcesofL-theanine,anaminoacidthatimprovessleepandiscalming,relaxing,andstress-andanxiety-reducing.AllteasmadefromCamelliasinensishavecatechins,atypeofpolyphenolthatisthoughttofightdiseaseandstimulatethemetabolism.EGCG(epigallocatechingallate),thoughttobeoneofthemostimportantcatechins,isprominentingreentea.Toincreasebioavailabilityofthecatechins,addlotsoffreshlysqueezedlemonjuice.Thepopularcommercialbeveragethatishalflemonadeandhalfteaisaboutperfectwhenmadeathomewithreallemon,

greentea,andfreshstevialeaves.

PREPARATIONSTeasareavailableloose,packagedinteabags,powdered(inthecaseofmatcha),asgreenteacapsules,infusions,andcompresses,andusedincooking.

DOSAGETeaisgenerallyconsideredsafe,althoughkeepinmindthatitcontainscaffeine.FivecupsperdayissuggestedforgettinganoptimalamountofEGCGfromgreentea.

DRINKINGTIPBaggedteaisokay,butitistoteawhatdriedherbsintinsaretohomegrownfreshherbs.Weoweittoourselvestouselooseteasandtastethedifference.Mostteabagsarefilledwith“tailings,”thesmallpowderedbitsthatareleftafterthegoodstuffhasbeenpackagedasloosetea.

HometreatmentsSittingdowntowriteabouttea,somethingstruckme.Overthelastyear,I’vebeenworkingongettingintobettershapeand,coincidentally,havebeenregularlydrinkinggreentea.AcoupleofmonthsagoIstoppedandswitchedtowater.Ihaveotherwisedoneeverythingthesamebuthavelostnomoreweight.YouknowwhatI’mgoingtobrewuptonight!Inanycase,Ihavefoundthebeveragetobecalmingandenergizingatthesametime.Notsweatingthesmallstufffreesupalotofenergytodothingsthataremoreenjoyable.

Teaisverygoodfororalhealth.Swapinsomesteviaforsugarorhoney,andteamaylowerbacteriainthemouth,protectingagainstcavities,gumdisease,andevenbadbreath.Theastringentpropertiescanhelpwithsores,andifyou’relikemeandbiteyourcheeks,italsohelpssettlethatdownsotheareadoesn’tgetbittenagainandagain.

BUTTERTEA

Makesabout4cups

Preptime:15minutes

ButterteaisatraditionalbeveragefromTibetthatwemightconsidermoreofamildbroththanatea.Themaintasteissalt,withtheteaanddairycloselyfollowing.Somesayitisanacquiredtaste,butI’vecometolovethiswarmingandcomfortingbrew.Itisworthgettingtoknow.

3teaspoonsdriedblacktealeavesorsimilarlysizedchunkofpressedtea

¼teaspoonsalt

2tablespoonsbutter

⅓cupfull-fatgoatmilk(unlessyouhaveaccesstothetraditionalyakmilk,thatis)

SUPPLIESasaucepan

ablender

1. Inasaucepan,bringthewatertoaboil.

2. Addthetealeaves,reducetheheattolow,andsimmerforatleast5minutes.

3. Strainandreturntheliquidtothepot.

4. Addthesalt,butter,andmilk.

5. Pourtheliquidintoablenderandblendfor3or4minutes.

6. Serveimmediately.

MATCHAANDGINGERELECTUARY

Makesabout4ounces(10to12servings)

Preptime:15minutes

Forthisrecipe,youcansubstituteanytypeofteaforthematcha,aslongastheteaisfinelyground.Tomixuptheflavor,tryaddingotheringredientslikecinnamon,lemon,orfinelygrounddriedberries.Thegingeraddsalittlezip.

INGREDIENTS2½tablespoonsmatchapowder

1heapingteaspoonpowderedginger

3ounceshoney

SUPPLIESajar

1. Inabowl,mixtogetherthematchapowder,ginger,andhoneytoformapaste,adjustingtheingredientsasnecessarytoreachtheconsistencyyou’dprefer.Ifthemixtureistoodry,addmorehoney;ifit’stoorunny,addmorematcha.

2. Transfertheelectuarytoajar.

3. Foracupoftea,useaboutateaspoonofthemixtureinhotwater,stirringwelltodissolve.Youcanalsoeattheelectuarystraightfromthejar.

4. Ifthepasteisstiffenough,youcandryitandformitintoproperlysizedportions,makingthistheperfectinstantteamix.

5. Theelectuarycanbestoredatroomtemperatureforuptoayear.

Thymusspp.

THYMEWhenIwasfirststartingoutwithculinaryherbs,someonetoldmethatthymewastheeasiestandmostversatileofthesavoryherbs.Ihavetoagree.Infact,itgottothepointwhereI’dstepoutandgatherafewsprigstoaddtoalmosteverydish.ThymeisanotherMediterraneanherb,likesageandrosemary,anditlovesthesunandwell-drainedsoil.Thistiny-leafedplantthatisonlyafewinchesfromthegroundhasarichhistory.Itwasconsideredasymbolofcourageinmedievaltimes,andlaterhadthehonorofbeinganingredientinthevinegarknownasFourThieves(orperhapsForthave’safteradoctorofthetime)thatwasusedasapreventivefortheBlackPlague.Asifthatweren’tenoughforthisdiminutivegroundcover,itisalsoafavoriteofthefairies.

ABOUTTHYMEOTHERCOMMONNAMESgardenthyme,motherofthyme,wildthyme,creepingthyme,mountainthyme

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSThymecontainsthymol,solargequantities(generallyreferringtotheuseofessentialoil)usedoveranextendedperiodmaycausedamagetotheheart,lungs,kidneys,liver,andnervoussystem.Nevertakethymeessentialoilinternallyoruseitundilutedontheskin.

PARTSUSEDleavesandsprigs

ENERGETICSwarming,dry,spicy

PROPERTIESTheactionsofthymearemostlyduetothecomponentthymolintheessentialoil,whichispresentthroughouttheleaves.Itisanodyne,antifungal,antibacterial,antimicrobial,antioxidant,antiseptic,antispasmodic,antiviral,carminative,diaphoretic,expectorant,sedative,andtonic,andisanaturaldisinfectant.Thymeisarichsourceofmineralsandvitamins,includingvitaminK,whichisessentialforproperbloodclotting.ThymealsocontainsDHA,anomega-3fattyacidcrucialtobrainfunction.

USESThyme’santisepticpropertieswereusefulinfieldhospitalsduringWorldWarI,savingthelivesofmanywoundedsoldiers.Todayitisstillveryvaluableincompresses,salves,orwashesforacne,scalpproblems,rashes,bites,wounds,orparasites,suchasscabiesandlice.Asanantifungal,thymeoffersrelieffromathlete’s

footorjockitch.Syruporteamadefromthymewillbreakupandmoveexcessmucusinchestcoldsorstuffyheads,whileputtingthebrakesonviralinfections.Thymecanhelpcalmcoughsandbronchitis,andsoothesorethroatswhileencouragingrestfulsleep.Likesomanyaromaticculinaryherbs,thymeisgreatforthedigestivetract,improvingappetite,relievingexcessgas,andimprovingtheabsorptionofnutrition.AsateaduringPMS,thediuretic,anti-inflammatory,andantispasmodicpropertiesaremarvelousandcarrythroughduringthemensestorelievecramps,pain,andinsomnia.

PREPARATIONSteas,tinctures,salves,poultices,essentialoils

DOSAGEUsethymeasneededinallpreparations,butuseextracautionwiththeessentialoil.

HARVESTINGTIPIt’smucheasiertoseparatetheleavesfromthestemswhilethethymeplantisfresh.Holdthetopofasprigwithonehand,andruntheotherhanddownthelengthofthestem,strippingit.Ifyouwaituntilitisdry,thestemsoftenbreakandfallintothemix.

HometreatmentsThymeisgoodforanykindofskinissue,fromacne,eczema,inflammation,andsignsofagingtocuts,wounds,rashes,andbugbites.Thyme’santioxidant,antibacterial,andantisepticpropertiesmakethyme-infusedoil,vinegar,orwaterfantasticforskinhealth.Purchaseabottleofrubbingalcoholandpouraboutacupout.Fillwiththyme.Afterithasinfused,putitintoaspraybottleanduseasaneffectiveskinsoother.

Inupper-respiratoryinfections,thymecomestothefore.Hotteainawidemugallowsyoutodrinkthymeinfusionandinhalethesteam.Itloosensandgetsridofexcessmucusandcalmscoughspasms.Thymecaninduceperspirationandurination,clearingoutillness.Thymeisremarkableinitsabilitytorelieveinflammationandpain,resultingintheabilitytorelaxandgettosleep.

FOURTHIEVESVINEGAR

Makesabout1quart

Preptime:15minutes,plusabout2weekstosteep

Therearemanyvariationstothisvinegar,sofeelfreetoimprovise.Alloftheseingredientshavespectacularhealingproperties.Youcanusethevinegarbythespoonfulinaglassofwater,orasaningredientinameal.

INGREDIENTS2tablespoonsdriedthyme

2tablespoonsdriedrosemary

2tablespoonsdriedsage

2tablespoonsdriedlavender

2tablespoonsdriedpeppermint

2tablespoonschoppedfreshgarlic

1quartorganicrawapplecidervinegar

SUPPLIESa1-quartglassjar

1. Inaclean1-quartglassjar,combinetheherbsandapplecidervinegar.Coverandletsteepinacool,darkplaceforabout2weeks,shakingdaily.

2. Whenthesteepingisfinished,strainandreturnthevinegartothejar.Storeatroomtemperaturefor6months.

THYMEANDELDERBERRYCOUGHDROPS

Makes100to300drops,dependingonsizeofthecandy

Preptime:about1hour

Youcanmaketheseterrificcoughsootherswithanyherbthatcalmscoughsandscratchythroats.

INGREDIENTS1cupstrongthyme-elderberryinfusion(seehere)

3cupssugar

2tablespoonsbutter

Confectioners’sugar

SUPPLIESalargesaucepan

acandythermometer

aglassbakingdish

kitchenshears

1. Inalarge,heavysaucepanoffofheat,combinethethyme-elderberryinfusion,granulatedsugar,andbutter,stirringtodissolvethesugar.Turntheheattomedium-high.Ifcookedtoofast,themixturewilltrytoclimboutofthepanandscorch.Boilthemixtureuntilitreaches300°Fonacandythermometer.

2. Butteralargeglassbakingdish.Whenthemixturegetsto300°F,removefromtheheat,stirforaminute,andpouritintothebakingdish.

3. Sprinkleatablesurfaceorcookiesheetwithconfectioners’

sugar.

4. Asthemixturecools,pulluptheendofthecandywithafork.Usingkitchenshears,cutthecandyintopiecesandtossintotheconfectioners’sugar,whereitwillfinishhardening.Youcanputitinawarmoven(180°Fto200°F,“warm”setting)ifthecandyissettinguptoofast.Whenthecandysetsup,itishard.

Achilleamillefolium

YARROWWildyarrowisacommonweedinmyarea.Itsnugglesuptothebayberryandhazelnutbushesalongthepathdowntothesoapworkshop,andinearlysummerIgathertheflowersonthewayhome.Totheuntrainedeye,yarrowmightlooklikeQueenAnne’slace,buttherearemanydifferences,onebeingthatyarrow’sleaveslooklikegreenmillipedes.Theplantissocommon,yetIignoredyarrowforalongtime.AfterCearaFoleyfromtheAppalachiaSchoolofHolisticHerbalismtalkedabouthowmuchshelovedyarrowataconferenceIattended,Iresearcheditdeeper.ThenextspringIwasusingitineverypreparationIcouldthinktomake.Nowyarrowisoneofmygo-toherbs.

ABOUTYARROWOTHERCOMMONNAMESwoundwort,knight’smilfoil,milfoil,nosebleed,devil’snettle,oldman’spepper,devil’splaything,badman’splaything,yarro-way,thousand-leaf,soldier’swoundwort,bloodwort,carpenter’sweed,deathflower,staunchweed,fieldhoop(amongmanyothers)

SAFETYCONSIDERATIONSIndividualswithclottingdisordersshouldusecautionwithinternaluseofyarrow.Avoidyarrowinpregnancy.Freshyarrowplantmay(inrarecases)causedermatitis,andsomepeopleareallergictoyarrow.

ENERGETICSwarm,dry,bitter

PROPERTIESYarrowisanodyne,astringent,antianxiety,antispasmodic,carminative,diaphoretic,diuretic,febrifugal,anti-inflammatory,relaxing,andstyptic,andittonestissue.

USESYarroweasesanxietyandstress,andhelpsrelieveinsomnia.Italsorelievespainandmanystomachproblems,includingnausea,vomiting,gas,bloating,cramps,anddiarrhea.Theastringencyofyarrowmakesitbrilliantattighteningandhealingsoreorbleedinggumsandtoningmucusmembranes.Asastyptic,yarrowstopsbleedingveryquickly.Stuffedupagushingnosebleed,packedintoawound,orwrappedaroundawoundonthewaytothehospital,yarrowcanbealifesaver.Womenhavelongusedyarrow

internallyforheavybleedingduetouterinefibroids,endometriosis,ovariancysts,orveryheavyperiods.Conversely,yarrowcanalsobeusedtostimulatemenstruationandrelievemenopausalnightsweatsanddifficultysleeping.Yarrowisusefulinreducingfeversbyencouragingasweat.Itassistsinfightingbacteriaandinfections,actsasadecongestanttoeasecoughsandsinusinfections,andisanti-inflammatory.Yarrowishelpfulforseasonalallergiesandsootheshivesandskinrashes.

PREPARATIONSteas,tinctures,poultices,salves,sitzbaths,andbathingherbs

DOSAGETaketeaortincturethreetimesadaywhenneeded.Externally,youcanuseapoulticeorsalveasneeded.

TEATIPHereareafewteablendstotry:

• Blendwithechinacea,elderflower,ginger,andpeppermintforcolds,fevers,andflu-likesymptoms.

• Blendwithgoldenrodandstingingnettleforseasonalallergies.

• Blendwithchamomile,linden,andcatnipforarestfulsleep.

HometreatmentsYarrow’sstypticabilitiesareveryimportantforpeoplewhoareoutdoorsworkingorplayinghard.Childrenshouldbetaughtaboutyarrowandplantain,andolderpeoplewhomayusebloodthinnerswillbenefitfromtheknowledgeofyarrowaswell.Thewholedriedherbisuncomfortableandpossiblydamagingtowoundedtissue,butyarrowpowderissimpleandeffectivetouse.

Yarrowisn’ttypicallythefirstherbwereachfortorelievestomachproblems,butitisawarmingbitterafterall.Ifyouareoverlydryinconstitution,don’tuseyarrowwithregularity,butusedoccasionallyfordigestiveissues,yarrowmakesabigdifference.Yarrowtea,tincture,orbitterstonethesystem,triggervariouscriticaldigestiveactions,andaddressalmosteverysortofdigestivecomplaint.

YARROWANDCHAMOMILEBITTERS

Makesabout8to10ounces

Preptime:15minutes,plus1monthtosteep

Bittertasteshaveallbutdisappearedfrommostofourdiets,butweneedthemforproperdigestion.Bitternesssignalstotheentiredigestivetractthatfoodiscoming.Itimmediatelytriggerssalivation,andallalongthedigestiveroute,preparationsaremadetoefficientlyprocessthefuelandmoveitout.

INGREDIENTS¼cupdriedyarrow

¼cupdriedchamomile

2tablespoonsfennelseeds

2tablespoonscardamompods

2tablespoonslicoriceroot

10ounces100-proofvodka

SUPPLIESamortarandpestleorcoffeegrinder

1-pintjar

1. Combinetheyarrow,chamomile,fennelseeds,cardamompods,andlicoricerootinamortarandpestleorcoffeegrinder,andcrushbutdonotpowderthem.Justbreakthemtoreleasetheirflavors.

2. Transferthemixturetoa1-pintjarandcoverwiththevodka.Sealthejarandletsteepfor1month.

3. Strainandusebythescantdropperbeforemealstopromote

healthydigestion.

HEALINGHERBALTUBTEA

Makesabout6cups

Preptime:15minutes

Alloftheherbsincludedinthisteaaresoothing,healing,andterrificforachy,itchyskinorinternaldiscomfort.Soakinthebathforatleast15minutes.Ifafeverispresent,keepthewatertepid.

INGREDIENTS1cupyarrow

1cuplavender

1cupplantain

1cupcalendula

1cuprose

1cupcomfrey

SUPPLIES1largejarorgallon-sizeplasticbag

1. Combinealltheingredientsinajarorgallon-sizeplasticbagandmixwell.

2. Touse,scoopoutabout½cupofthemixtureandputitintoalargemuslinbagortietightlyintoawashcloth.

3. Putthebaginalargepitcherandfillwithveryhotwater.Letsteepfor10to15minuteswhileyoupreparethebath.Pourtheinfusedliquidintothetub,swish,andclimbin.

TIPAlthoughthistubteaiswonderfulforthewholebody,itcanbeusedasasitzbathforanyoftheuterineormenstrualissuesmentionedhere.

GLOSSARYABORTIFACIENTHerbsthatareabortifacientcancauseamiscarriageandshouldbeavoidedinpregnancy.

ACIDICHavingapHlessthan7.

ACRIDSharporbitingintasteorsmell.Acridherbsoften“grab”atthebackofthethroat.Asub-categoryofpungent.

ADAPTOGENSHerbsthathelpbalance,restore,andprotectthebody.

ADRENALTONICSHerbsthatboosttheactivityoftheadrenalglandswhiletoningandnourishingthem.

ALTERATIVEGraduallyrestoreshealthybodilyfunctions.

ANALGESICReducesoreliminatespainwithoutcausinglossofconsciousness.

ANESTHETICTemporarilydepressesneuronalfunction,producingtotalorpartiallossofsensation.

ANODYNESoothesoreliminatespain.

ANTIAGINGPreventsorlessenstheeffectsofaging.

ANTIARTHRITICAlleviatesorpreventsarthritis.

ANTIBACTERIALInhibitsbacterialgrowthorkillsbacteria.

ANTIBIOTICDestroysorinhibitsthegrowthofothermicroorganisms.

ANTI-CATARRHALHelpsremoveexcessmucusfromthebody.

ANTICOAGULANTPreventscoagulationofblood.

ANTIDEPRESSANTTreatsdepressionandotherconditions.

ANTIFUNGALInhibitsfungalgrowthorkillsfungi.

ANTIHISTAMINEBlocksthebody’shistaminereaction.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORYReducesinflammationinthebody.

ANTIMICROBIALKillsorinhibitsthegrowthofmicroorganisms.

ANTIOXIDANTProtectscellsagainsttheeffectsoffreeradicals.

ANTIRHEUMATICAlleviatesorpreventsrheumatism.

ANTISEPTICPreventsinfectionbyinhibitingthegrowthofmicroorganisms.

ANTISPASMODICRelievesspasmsinthebody.

ANTITUSSIVESuppressesacough.

ANTIVIRALInhibitsviralgrowthorkillsviruses.

APHRODISIACElevates,nourishes,and/orsustainsintimacyandsensualdesire.

AROMATICSPlantswithhighvolatileoillevelsthathaveastrongsmellandstimulatethedigestivesystem.

ASTRINGENTCausingshrinkageorconstrictionofbodytissues.

BIOAVAILABILITYThedegreeandrateatwhichasubstanceisabsorbedintoalivingsystemorismadeavailableatthesiteofphysiologicalactivity.

BITTERHavingorbeingatastethatissharp,acrid,andunpleasant;notsweet,salty,orsour.

BITTERTONICSHerbsthatsupportthedigestivesystem,boostimmunity,andpromoteoverallvitality.

CARMINATIVEInducingtheexpulsionofgasfromthestomachandintestines.

CATARRHAdisorderofinflammationofthemucusmembranesinoneoftheairwaysorcavitiesofthebody.

CATHARTICHavingpurgativeaction.

COLITISInflammationofthecolon(largeintestine).

DECOCTIONAtealikedrinkproducedbyboilingherbsinwater.

DECONGESTANTHelpsrelievenasalcongestionintheupper-respiratorytract.

DEMULCENTAusuallymucilaginousoroilysubstancethatformsasoothingfilmovermucusmembranestorelievepainandminorinflammationofthatarea.

DIAPHORETICPromotessweating,helpfulforrelievingafeverthroughperspiration.

DISINFECTANTAchemicalliquidthatdestroysbacteria.

DIURETICStimulatestheflowofurine.

ELIXIRAnextractmadewithherbs,alcohol(generallybrandy),andhoney.

EMOLLIENTAnagentthatsoothesandprotectstheskinwhenappliedexternally.

EXPECTORANTPromotesandfacilitatesthedischargeofmucusandfluidsfromtherespiratorytract.

FEBRIFUGEAfever-reducingagent.

GALACTAGOGUEIncreasesthemilksupplyinalactatingwoman.

GRAS(GENERALLYRECOGNIZEDASSAFE)Indicatesthatconsumptionofacommonkitchenherbinnormalfoodamountsisnotlikelytocauseanyserioussideeffectsoradversereactions.

HEPATICActingontheliver.

HYPNOTICCalmingtothepointofinducingsleep.

IMMUNETONICSHerbsthathelpnourish,tone,andsupporttheimmunesystem.

IMMUNOSTIMULANTAnagentthatstimulatestheimmunesystem.Alsoknownasimmunestimulant.

INFUSEDOILAnoil,suchasoliveoil,steepedwithdriedherbsunderlow-heatconditionstoinfusetheoilwiththemedicinalpropertiesoftheherbs.Note:Thisisnotanessentialoil.

INFUSIONAmedicinalremedymadebypouringboilingwateroverherbsandlettingitsteep.

LAXATIVEProducingbowelmovements.

LINIMENTAtopicalpreparationforapplicationtotheskin.

LYMPHATICDeep-cleansandimprovestheflowoflymphthroughthebodysystem.

MARCThesolidingredients(botanicals)thatarecombinedwithaliquidtomakeatincture.

MENSTRUUMAsolvent(alcohol,glycerin,vinegar)usedinmakingtincturestodrawandholdherbalproperties.

MUCILAGEAgelatinoussubstancethatcontainsproteinsandpolysaccharidesandisfoundinmanyplants.Herbsthatcontainmucilagehaveaslipperytextureandmildtaste,aresoothingandcooling,andareoftenusedtopically.

NERVINEUsedtocalmthenerves.

NEUROPROTECTIVEServingtoprotectneuronsfrominjuryordegeneration.

NUTRITIVEServingtonourishthebody.

PECTORALServingtotonifyandstrengthenthepulmonarysystem.

PUNGENTHavingastrongtasteorsmell.

PURGATIVEAstronglaxative.

REFRIGERANTAmedicineorsubstancethatlowersbodyheatbycoolingthebodyfromtheinsideout.

RELAXANTAmedicineorsubstancethatcalmsandsootheswithoutbeingsedating;theactofrelaxingcontractedtissues.

RESINAthick,stickysubstancethatissecretedfromaplant.

RESTORATIVEHavingthepowertorestorethebodytohealth.

RUBEFACIENTAtopicalapplicationthatproducerednessoftheskin,e.g.,bycausingdilationofthecapillariesandanincreaseinbloodcirculation.

SEDATIVETendingtocalm,moderate,ortranquilizenervousnessorexcitement.

SMUDGEAmethodofburningherbsforpurification,ritual,andcleansing.

SPITPOULTICEAsimplepoulticemadebychewingafreshleafandapplyingitdirectlytoawound.

STIMULANTAnagentthatenergizesasystemofthebody.

STYPTICTendingtostopbleedingbyconstrictingtissueandbloodvessels.

THERMOGENICInducingtheproductionofheattopromoteweightlossbyincreasingthecaloricburnrate.

TONICSHerbsthatrestoreorincreasebodytone.

TRICHOMEAhairorhairlikeoutgrowthonthestemsandleavesofplants.

VULNERARYHavingwound-healingproperties.

AdaptedwithpermissionfromKristineBrown,RH(AHG)atHerbalRootszine(HerbalRootsZine.com).

RESOURCESFirst,Iencourageyoutofindalocalsourceforherbs,oils,classes,containers,andsupplies.Ifthereisagoodshopnearyou,pleasepatronizethem.Findlike-mindedpeopleinyourarea.Ipromiseyou,theyexist.Discussingandexperiencingherbswithotherpeopleistheverybestwaytolearn.Beyondthat,herearesomeofmyfavoriteresources.

TheEssentialHerbalMagazine(EssentialHerbal.com)istheprintmagazinethatIeditandpublish(it’savailableinprintintheU.S.andasaPDFworldwide).Itfeaturesarticlesbypeoplewholoveherbsandwanttosharewhattheyknow.Themagazinecoversallaspectsofherbs,includingmedicinal,culinary,crafts,andlore.

HerbalRootszine(HerbalRootsZine.com)isanamazingonlinemagazinewithafocusonteachingchildrenaboutherbs.Itfeaturesbeautifulartworkandawidevarietyofactivities,stories,songs,andmore,whileteachingaboutoneherbeachmonth.It’swrittenandillustratedbyKristineBrown.

AmericanHerbalistsGuild(AmericanHerbalistsGuild.com)isanorganizationofherbalistswithlistingsofschoolsandregisteredclinicalherbalists.Membersareabletotakeonlinecoursesthataregivenfrequently,andthereisanannualconference.

UnitedPlantSavers(UnitedPlantSavers.org):Beforeyouheadoutintothewoodswithyourbasketandsnippers,learnabouttheplantsthatarebeingoverharvestedorhavelosttheirhabitat.Getinformationontheethicalharvestingofherbsbeforeyouforage.

LearningHerbsandHerbMentor(LearningHerbs.com)isasubscription-basedonlinecommunityfeaturingaforum,tonsofinformation,interviewswithherbalists,andhelpfulvideos.Itoffersclassesfrequentlyandsendsoutaregulare-newsletter,whichtypicallyincludesaninterestingrecipe.

Ihighlyrecommendthefollowingbooks.Thesewomenhaveuntoldamountsofherbalknowledgeandaregenerousbeyondmeasureintheirsharing.Ifyougetachangetoattendanin-personlecturewithanyofthem,grabit.

BooksGAILFAITHEDWARDS(AVAILABLEATBLESSEDMAINEHERBS.COM)

HerbalPharmacy:TheArtofHerbalMedicineMaking

PrayersfortheWildHeartTribe

TraversingtheWildTerrainofMenopause

ROSEMARYGLADSTAR(AVAILABLEATSAGEMOUNTAIN.COM)

FamilyHerbal:AGuidetoLivingLifeWithEnergy,Health,andVitality

HerbalHealingforMen

HerbalHealingforWomen

HerbalRecipesforVibrantHealth

HerbsforChildren’sHealth

MedicinalHerbs:ABeginner’sGuide

SUSANHES(COAUTHOREDBYME)

HerbalMedicineKitchen:TheEverydayCookbooktoBoostYourHealth

HerbsandSuppliesBULKAPOTHECARY.COM(OHIO)

Bulkapothecary

BULKHERBSTORE.COM(TENNESEE)

Bulkherbstore

IHERB.COM(IOWA)

Frontierretailwebsiteforherbs

MOUNTAINROSEHERBS.COM(OREGON)

Good-qualityorganicherbs

SKS-BOTTLE.COM(EASTCOAST);SPECIALTYBOTTLE.COM(WESTCOAST)

Bottles,jars,andtins

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

TinaSamshasbeenenjoyingeveryaspectofplantsfornearlyherentirelife,

originallylearningfromhergrandfatherinthePennsylvaniaGermancultureofLancaster,PA.Therearefewthingsthataremoreexcitingtoherthanbeingelbowdeepinherbs,learningaboutwildedibleplants,findingnewmedicinaluses,orcraftingwithherbs.TeamingupwithhersisterMaryanne(thepairhavesometimesbeenknownastheTwistedSisters),she’sopenedshops,workedfestivals,spokenatconferences,taughtclasses,andrunstandsatfarmers’markets.SheispublisherandeditorofTheEssentialHerbalMagazine,whichshe’spublishedfornearlytwodecades.

the healing power of herbs: medicinal herbs for common ailments · 2019-05-27 · nutritious meals,...

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