Herb of the Day: Lavender

Today's herb of the day is Lavender. The flowers are used and it has a spicy, fragrant, mildly bitter and is considered a cool herb. The systems affected are the lungs and liver. It's properties include, aromatic, carminative, antispasmodic, antidepressant.

 

Lavender is extensively used in perfumery. Spike lavender, which contains higher amounts of camphor and cineole, is used as an insect and moth repellent. It is usually placed in drawers to protect clothing from attack by moths. 

Its use as a nervine and antidepressant is in keeping with the general tendency of plants with blue or purplish flowers to have cooling and nervine properties. A good formula for emotional upset and nervous depression is as follows: equal parts lavender flowers, lemon balm, skullcap, chamomile, and half part each of licorice and ginger roots. Steep one ounce in a pint of boiling water, covered, twenty minutes and take one cup two or three times daily or as needed. 

Lavender essential oil  has a fresh, floral aroma. It helps to alleviate stress, induce sleep, and overcome anxiety. It's an excellent preventative against infections and is mild enough to use by the drop on cuts, scrapes, bruises, sprains, and insect bites. 

For the drinker: Lavender Martini

Lavender Martini Ingredients 

• 1 oz Crème de Violette 
• 1 oz Gin (we used Bluecoat) 
• 1 oz Vodka (we used Belvedere) 
• ¼ oz Domaine de Canton 
• ¼ oz St. Germaine (elderflower liqueur) 
• 1 dash Scrappy’s Lavender Bitters 
• Fresh cut lavender for garnish

Herb of the Day: Reishi Mushroom

Herb of the Day: Reishi Mushroom

The reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum) has a sweet and warm energy, is both sedative and tonic, is a supreme deep immune system tonic, and nourishes the spirit, essence, and vital energy. It has strong anticarcinogenic properties and is rich in a number of complex phytochemicals, including ergosterol, fumaric acid, aminoglucose, and manitol; coumarins; alkaloids; lactone; and various enzymes. It is effective for all cancers and immune system deficiencies. As such, it is specific for individuals recovering from chemotherapy.

Reishi is best served in tea or coffee. Being an herbalist, I was fascinated that a company is already making this easy and available to everyone. As an Independent Distributor with Organo Gold, I can now share this wonderful mushroom with you in your everyday beverage. PM me for your sample today or visit www.4naturalliving.organogold.com.

Mama's Belly Butter

I love the catalogs I receive from Mountain Rose Herbs. Inside are helpful tips and wonderful recipes. Here is one that you're sure to love, and so will your skin. For those of you who are pregnant, this will help prevent stretch marks. It will condition the skin after you give birth as well.

Mama's Belly Butter

What you will need:

• 1/4 cup organic chopped cocoa butter or wafers
• 1/4 cup organic coconut oil
• 1/8 cup shea butter
• 1/4 cup organic calendula infused olive oil
• 1 Tbsp organic rosehip oil
• 1 Tbsp beeswax, grated or pastilles
• 10-20 drops vitamin E oil
• 15-20 drops lavender essential oil (optional)

*I order all my ingredients from Mountain Rose Herbs, as I've never gotten better quality anywhere else. Click the banner below to order your products.






Directions

1. Gently warm the coconut oil, calendula infused oil, beeswax, and butters in a double boiler.
2. Once melted, remove from heat, and add vitamin E oil and lavender essential oil (if using). 
3. Quickly pour into containers. Allow the balm to cool to room temperature before using.

Herb Education: Antibiotics

Antibiotics are substances that inhibit the growth of, or destroy, bacteria, viruses or amoebas. While many herbal antibiotics have direct germ killing effects, they have as a primary action the stimulation of the body's own immune response. Excessive use of antibiotics will eventually destroy the beneficial bacteria of the intestines.
In fighting stubborn infections it is a good idea to maintain favorable intestinal flora by eating miso, tamari or fresh yogurt.

Important antibiotic herbs include:

• Buchu
• Chaparral
• Echinacea
• Goldenseal
• Myrrh
• Juniper Berries
• Thyme
• Garlic

To purchase your dried herbs from Mountain Rose Herbs, click the banner below. Top quality and care for our most beloved plants.

Rosemary Gladstar's Rose Water

First let's talk about what exactly rose water is. Pure rose water is the distilled water of roses. Not the stuff you buy at the pharmacy. You want it to be in its purest form. It is usually made by steam distillation, and it smelly wonderful and tastes delicious. Rose water is used in cosmetics mainly for its lovely scent, but also because it has light astringent properties. It is often used as toner for fair and dry skin.

While you can purchase it at local health food stores, here's a recipe for making your own.

Be sure you use fresh roses that have just begun to open; they are at their prime and will yield the strongest water. The more fragrant the roses, the stronger the scent of the rose water.

Ingredients

• 3 parts witch hazel extract, vodka, or gin
• 1 part distilled water
• Fresh, organically grown roses or rose petals

Directions

1. Mix the witch hazel extract (or vodka or gin) with the distilled water. Place the fresh roses in a quart jar. Completely cover the roses with the alcohol mixture, adding enough extra that the alcohol mixture rises 2 to 3 inches above the flowers. Cover tightly and place in a warm shaded area. Let the mixture sit for 2 to 3 weeks.
2. Strain out the roses and rebottle the water for use. Rose water does not need refrigeration, though storing it in a cool place will prolong its shelf life.

*You can purchase top quality witch hazel extract through Mountain Rose Herbs.

Fall Recipes: Pomander Lip Balm

I'm a avid lover of MountainRoseHerbs and love to purchase my bulk products from them. I always end up with quality products and happy customers. In their catalogs, they provide us with some wonderful recipes. Here is one I personally have made and enjoy. I hope you will as well!

Pomander Lip Balm

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp organic cocoa butter 
• 2 tbsp organic sunflower oil
• 1 tbsp plus 1 tsp beeswax
• 15 drops organic sweet orange essential oil
• 5 drops organic clove essential oil
• A few drops of vitamin E oil (optional but recommended)

Directions:

1. Coarsely chop the beeswax or use beeswax pastilles. 
2. Place beeswax, butter, and oils in a small pot or glass Pyrex measuring cup and gently heat in the top of a double boiler until the beeswax and butters have melted. 
3. Remove from the stovetop and add essential oils and vitamin E oil. 
4. Immediately pour the mixture into lip balm containers. 
5. Your lip balm is finished! Makes approximately 10 lip balm tubes.

Click the banner below to order top quality herbs and bulk organic ingredients today!

Summer Skin Problems: Home Remedies

It's summer time. And while this season can be wonderful for swimming, going to the beach, taking a break from school, sunbathing, it can also come with some bothersome skin problems. The heat, humidity, certain plants and bugs, and even the sun can cause all kinds of skin irritation issues. So here are some remedies for those problems courtesy of Jude C. Todd's Herbal Home Remedies.

INSECT BITES AND BEE STINGS-Basil Relief
Bruise fresh basil leaves and apply directly to the insect sting or bite. It takes a very short time to relieve pain and reduce swelling. It also stops the itching that often occurs when a sting is healing.

INSECT BITE-Parsley Relief
Apply fresh crushed parsley directly to the insect bite. It neutralizes the poison and stops the pain.

INSECT BITE-Toothpaste Relief
Apply a dab of toothpaste to the area. Stops itching fast.

MOSQUITO BITES-Table Salt
Itching should stop immediately if you apply table salt to the moistened area.

HEAT RASH
Combine 2 tbs each of powdered chamomile and powdered calendula. Add 1 tbs of cornstarch. Mix well and use to soothe heat rash.

POISON IVY TREATMENT-Baking Soda
Apply paste of baking soda and water to the affected area liberally. This will stop itching. This works as well as calamine lotion.

SUNBURN RELIEF-Aloe Vera
Cut open the leaf of aloe vera and apply immediately to relieve pain.

SUNBURN RELIEF-Vinegar
Apply vinegar directly to the sunburn. Relieves pain quickly. Make several applications and apply as soon as possible.

Herbal Education: Carminative Herbs

Today's herbal term is carminative.

Carminatives are herbs and spices taken to relieve gas and griping (severe pains in the bowels).
Examples of carminatives include: anise, caraway, fennel, cumin, dill, ginger, peppermint, thyme and calamus.

Ginger

Herb Education: Astringent Herbs

Today's herbal term is astringent.

Astringents are substances that have a constricting or binding effect. They are commonly used to check hemorrhages and secretions, and to treat swollen tonsils and hemorrhoids. The main herbal astringents contain tannins, which are found most plants, especially in tree barks.

Important astringents include:  bayberry bark, white oak bark, yellow dock, uva ursi, calendula, myrrh, horsetail, juniper berries, prince's pine, stoneroot, squawvine, and witch hazel.

Calendula flower, dried

Herb Education: Emetic Herbs

I wanted to help my readers understand some of the terms used when I list the properties of certain herbs. Understanding what your herb can do completely, will ensure it is used safely and properly. Today's term is emesis.

Emetic herbs induce vomiting and thus quickly empty the stomach of its contents. This may be a necessary treatment if one is feeling sick from eating too much food or a poor combination of foods. It is also recommended for treating poisoning by noncaustic substances that will not burn the esophagus when vomiting is induced.
Emesis greatly reduces the energy of the body and so should not be used by persons who are already very weak. The emetic treatment may be followed by a mild stimulating treatment, along with soothing, demulcent herbs, to recover the energy.

Emetics: black mustard seed, lobelia, ipecac, bayberry, elecampane and blessed thistle.

Kitchen Spice of the Day: Cayenne

The genus Capsicum includes red and green chilies, cayenne, paprika and bell peppers. Cayenne originated in Central and South America where it was extensively used by the natives for many diseases, including diarrhea and cramps.
Cayenne is a stimulant, astringent, carminative, and antispasmodic, and is considered a superior crisis herb, useful as a first aid remedy for most conditions. Taken as a daily tonic, one-quarter teaspoon three times daily, it is of benefit for the heart and circulation, preventing heart attack, stroke, colds, flu, diminished vitality, headaches, indigestion, depression and arthritis.
Cayenne powder and tincture can be rubbed on toothaches, swellings and inflammations.

Wild Chamomile Shampoo

• Make an herbal infusion by pouring 4 cups of boiling water over 5 tablespoons of chamomile flowers. 
• Cover and steep 30 minutes. 
• Strain and add 1/2 cup Castile soap flakes. 
• Makes 4 cups of shampoo. 

Tomorrow

Tomorrow is the worldwide event, March Against Monsanto. If all goes well, hopefully it will open a door to getting GMO foods off the shelves for good. But have you ever wondered what it would be like to have all our processed and boxed food gone? I mean pretty much all cereals and a lot of the food we buy at the grocery store have GMO's in them. So if these foods disappear, what happens? Will people be willing to shop organically? Will prices soar? Or will it finally give a chance to stop and think about what we have been feeding ourselves all these years and finally make a change to get healthy? Will diseases finally start to disappear? Will people suddenly see cancer not on the rise anymore? What would happen if suddenly Monsanto was out of business? If our food is wiped out and we have to start fresh with a new plan.

People have been trained to think they need food, more food than what they really do need. It would be a world wide detox for sure. People could go crazy, they could even get really sick before they get better. But ultimately, they would get better. People would actually go outside and consider growing their own food again. Farmers would have their seeds back. The environment would be cleaner.

There may be a panic with our food at first, but in the end, the earth will thank us. In the end, we will get better. A shift is going to occur, I can feel it. Things are going to change. People are tired of being sick, they are tired of dying. A change is coming. I can't wait to see what happens.

March Against Monsanto

Join the worldwide event May 25th, 2013 in which we march against Monsanto. The purpose is to educate and claim back our right to our food and our health. Please visit www.occupy-monsanto.com and register to your local event.
For additional information and to spread the word, visit https://www.facebook.com/MarchAgainstMonstanto

Also, join me tomorrow morning, 8:30 am. EST as I discuss who Monsanto is, GMO foods and labeling, what they do, and how they have changed our lives and our world.
http://tobtr.com/s/4849443

Thank you for your support.
Emily

Herb of the Week: Turmeric

This root imparts its characteristic golden color to curry powder and to most Indian dishes. It is used as a blood purifier, stimulant, and vulnerary. It can be applied both internally and externally to heal wounds, relieve pains in the limbs, break up congestion and as a restorative after the loss of blood at the birth of a child. It is of benefit to the circulation and it helps to regulate the menstrual cycle. Turmeric is also used for reducing fevers and for nosebleed.

Try this:
A teaspoon of turmeric powder added along with a teaspoon of almond oil to a cup of warm milk. One to two cups are taken daily. This is particularly helpful in stretching the ligaments and to cure menstrual cramps.

Herbal Capsules

When it comes to the pharmaceutical world, we have to be very careful what we take, what with side effects and not enough research on long term effects. And now it's easy for you to run to Walmart and buy herbs in pill form, but where did they come from? How long have they been sitting in a warehouse? Something I have found fun to do, and fairly easy, is making my own capsules at home with my own herbs. That way I know exactly where the herb is coming from and how long I've had it. You can purchase vegetable glycerin capsules at any health food store and fill them yourself, or purchase a capsule machine and I'll leave a link to where I bought mine.

1. The first thing you will want to do is grind your herb/herbs down to powder form using a mortar and pestle. For tougher herbs or herbs in root form, a coffee grinder works best. I recommend using size 00 for your capsules and again you can usually find these at .a health food store or pharmacy
2. Place the powdered herbs in a bowl and scoop into biggest part of capsule. Then simple place top part of capsule tightly onto bottom part. This can be a long and tiring method.
3. The other way to do this is to use a capsule machine. This is the method I use because when making large quantities or filling orders, I need to get it done as quick as possible. The machine is fairly cheap so I recommend ordering one if you can.

Remedies

For detoxing and cleansing, try taking dandelion root.

For indigestion or other stomach related issues, try taking spearmint.

For heart issues, hawthorn is a great herb for the heart.

For depression, St. John's Wort, oats, lavender, mugwort all work well either combined or individually. 

For headaches, consider balm, cayenne, chamomile, elder flower, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, rue, skullcap, thyme, valerian, wood betony or wormwood. 

Pills are taken once/three times a day until ailments subside.

*For any other ailments, please comment below and I will send you suggestions on what you can take in pill form. 

*Please consult with your doctor first before starting an herbal regime. Thank you.

Visit www.mountainroseherbs.com to purchase capsules or capsule machine.

Honey & Cinnamon Remedies

Cold Remedy

• Pour 1 gallon of water in a large pan, adding 1/3 cup softened ginger root, 3 cups of honey and 1 cup seedless raisins. 
• Bring to a boil and simmer for about an hour. The top will have to be skimmed every once in a while. 
• Cool, strain, and place in a tightly closed container overnight in the refrigerator.
• The next day, squeeze 6 lemons and 4 oranges and add the juice to the mixture. 
• Mix well and drink 2-3 glasses per day.
• This will get rid of symptoms pretty fast and clean the system.

Cold Treatment with Lemonade

• Heat a glass of lemonade and add honey to sweeten. This is a good recipe if you have a cold with a fever. It relaxes you and is helpful in relieving discomfort.

Cold Treatment with Milk

• At the onset of a cold, add 1/2 teaspoon each of cinnamon and ginger to 1 cup of scalded milk.
• Add 1 tablespoon of honey and drink while hot. 
• Very soothing and stimulating

My Own Simple Honey/Cinnamon Syrup

• While it's not my own invention, I'm sure many have done this before, I just mixed these two together last night, warmed it a little until less thick in consistency, and gave to my daughter by the tablespoon full.
• 1 cup of honey/1/4 cup of cinnamon
• Mix together, warm until it's less thick and easier for a toddler to swallow. 
• Give by the tablespoon full every couple of hours or even try adding to their warm milk, which I'm sure they will love!

Herb of the Week: Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is native to Australia. There are a great number of species of eucalyptus trees. The leaves of some contains many essential oils useful in herbal medicine. Their special value is their ability to control and regulate areas with a high water table, such as bogs and swamps.

Eucalyptus is one of the most powerful natural antiseptics. The aged oil forms ozone, which specifically destroys bacteria, fungi and viruses. An emulsion can be made by mixing equal parts gum Arabic and eucalyptus oil and taking three to five drops every two hours during the acute stages of colds, coughs and flus. An infusion can be made of leaves and taken internally for the same purpose, and most especially for chronic coughs and TB.

Most commonly, the oil is rubbed directly on the chest or back for all respiratory problems. Similarly, it is rubbed as a liniment for the relief for arthritic and rheumatic pains.

Homemade Vapor Rub

Well along with giving my daughter my just made Elderberry syrup from yesterday, which was so strange because she got a sinus cold or allergies shortly after I made it so it was almost like I was meant to make it, I also threw together a vapor rub for her as well.

Ingredients

• 1 oz of beeswax
• 1 cup of Dandelion Oil or any infused oil you want to use for the skin. I wanted something sensitive enough for her but great for the skin.
• About 10-15 drops of Eucalyptus essential oil (this has a wonderful menthol property and is great for chest rubs
• A couple of drops of Peppermint oil just to make it a little pleasant for her and for the nasal opening properties this has as well.
• A couple of drops of Vitamin E oil

Directions

1. Pour you infused oil in a glass bowl over boiling water or a double boiler and add beeswax. 
2. Heat over medium heat until wax is melted. 
3. Remove from stove and add in all remaining oils and stir well.

   4. Immediately transfer into containers. For me it made two 4 oz. containers.
   5. Wait for salve to set before applying lids.

Homemade Ointment/Salve

I do believe I have posted a video on how to make a salve or ointment before, but I wanted to retouch the subject because I really believe it's one of the easiest things to make and so essential to have in your medicine cabinet.

All you need is some Extra Virgin Olive Oil, beeswax pastilles or beeswax 1 oz blocks, some essential oils if you want to add (Lavender, Peppermint, Geranium are great for healing the skin) and the herb of your choice to infuse in your EVOO. I suggest using Comfrey or Calendula. But you can use Mullein, Chickweed, Cayenne, Plantain, anything you want. Do your research and find out what each herb has to offer for your specific skin ailments.

So you want to take your herb of choice and fill your mason jar about halfway and then cover your herb with EVOO. Watch for those air bubbles and give it a little stir, you may have to add more. I usually just fill it to the rim. Cover and label and infuse in the sun or sunny window sill for about two weeks. Once your oil is infused, strain using cheesecloth and compost the herb left behind. In a double boiler, melt 1 oz of beewax or 1 tbsp of your pastilles to every 8 oz of oil.  Once the beeswax has melted, add in your infused oil and stir together. Remove from stove and add in any essential oils, usually just a few drops will do. Stir and immediately pour into jars or tin ointment containers. Allow to set before putting on the lids. Remember to label!

And that's it! It may sound like a lot but trust me once you've done it once or twice, you will see just how easy it is. For any specific herbal salve recipes, comment below as I have tons! Or if you need something for a specific skin ailment or problem, comment below and I will reply!

Thanks and enjoy!

Dandelion Beer Update

So my last blog on Dandelion Beer was the recipe and I had never made it before either. I was experimenting just like you. So today I wanted to write on how it went.

First of all the first three or four days you have to let it sit with only a cloth covering it while stirring it occassionally. Every time I would stir it, I was worried it was turning bad. It didn't smell bad but I had never made anything like this before so I didn't understand the process. The final day, you strain and pour into an airtight or tightly corked bottle or bottles. So I managed to fit it all in a really large green glass bottle that I found at Marshall's. After about a week, today, I decided to see if it was finished. I was shocked when I heard a pop! and then saw all the bubbles. My son wanted to taste it first, so we poured it in a little glass and just looked at the carbonation. I'm so amazed by this process. And the flavor is wonderful! It has a lemony flavor and is quite pleasant.

So I think I will definitely be making more and I encourage you to try this as well while the dandelions are out and among us. Such a fun project and such a delicious beverage!

Herb of the Week: Witch Hazel

This week's herb of the week is witch hazel. A pretty North American shrub, witch hazel was time-honored traditional remedy of native peoples. It is a potent pain reliever and astringent and has antioxidant properties. When taken internally or applied externally, witch hazel is thought to act on the venous system to stop bleeding and inflammation. It is particularly effective for treating intestinal bleeding, bruises, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, dermatitis, sunburn, and diarrhea. It is also indicated for bleeding of the nose and lungs.

Take witch hazel internally as a tincture and use it externally as a liniment or an astringent, disinfectant wash. It also makes a good cleanser for acne prone skin. Decocted as a tea, it can be taken internally as an astringent for diarrhea and intestinal bleeding.



Reference: Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health

Ten Things To Do On Earth Day

So it's Earth Day today!! And you may not care, but then again you may. And you may also be wondering what you can do to pitch in and start helping our planet become a better place to live. After all, it is our only home. And just like you want to keep your house clean, you also want to keep this planet clean. So here are 10 things you can do today and maybe everyday to start making a difference.

1. Carpool- yep just catch a ride with your friend or coworker and help pump a little less exhaust and fumes in the atmosphere.
2. Cleaning out your closet or garage-donate, donate, donate. Or have a huge garage sale. Either way, declutter!
3. Plant a tree- help put more O2 in the air and plant a tree, bush, or plant. Even flowers, especially ones that attract honey bees!
4. Exchange your light bulbs for energy efficient ones- it saves tons of energy and could save you money too!
5. Cut back on paper by paying bills via internet.
6. Ride your bike- if you live close to work or school, why not ride your bike. Good exercise, saves on gas, and good for the air!
7. Cleanup- grab some friends or go solo and pick a place to clean up. You can even adopt a highway!
8. Open the windows- if it's not too hot and not too cold, open the windows and save on heat and air.
9. Go outside and play- cut off that tv, which will save energy, and get out and play catch or frisbie or whatever and enjoy yourself!
10. Recycle- if you've been recycling, take your recyclables to the recycle center or start recycling today. A lot of trash companies are offering recycling now too!

So there you go! I hope you can do some or all on this list and help make your life better and help make this planet a little better too!

E.

Herb of the Week: Wood Betony

Wood betony, often referred to simply as betony, was a significant remedy from ancient times. Culpeper (1653) relates that Antonius Musa, physician to Emperor Augustus, wrote a monograph on it, listing 47 different disorders betony would cure, among them protection from snakes and evil. 

Anne Pratt, writing in the mid-nineteenth century, notes that betony was still highly valued in Italy. She quotes two current proverbs: "May you have more virtues than betony," as a farewell to a friend, and "Sell your coat, and buy betony," for those in pain.

Betony was venerated by the Celts, and its common name is thought to be a corruption of two Celtic words: "bew" for head, and "ton" for improve, making clear its power to cure head problems.

Wood betony is a nerve tonic, calms and relaxes, helping release stress and tension from both mind and body. Because betony affects the solar plexus, it has a wide range of benefits, especially with digestion problems, It improves concentration and memory, which, combined with its calming qualities, makes it a good choice during examinations or other stressful times in our lives when we need to be able to focus and concentrate. 

Like self-heal, wood betony is a good choice for when you don't quite feel well but don't really know what the problem is.

Harvesting

Pick the plant just before the flowers fully open. To dry for a tea or pillow, spread on a screen or brown paper in the sun. When dry and crisp, put into brown paper bags or jars to store.

Wood Betony Tea

Use 2 teaspoonfuls of the fresh herb or 1 teaspoonful of the dried herb per cup of boiling water, and leave to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes.

Dose: 3 cups a day, or 1 cup at bedtime to relax for a good night's sleep.

(Good for insomnia, digestive problems, headache, poor circulation, low appetite, muscular tension, nightmares, sinus congestion, watery, irritated eyes, head colds, chills and fevers.)

Wood Betony Ointment

Pick a handful of wood betony leaves, chop them, and put in a small saucepan with half a cup of extra virgin olive oil. Using a low heat, warm gently, just below simmering, until the leaves have lost their green color and are quite crisp. Strain, returning the oil to the pan. Add half an ounce of beeswax and warm until it melts. Stir well and pour into jars. Leave the lids off until the ointment sets, then label and store in a cool place until needed. 

(Good for bruises, sprains, strains, varicose veins, hemorrhoids.)

Help Us Adopt An At Risk Healing Herb

Hello friends. Natural Living has joined with the United Plant Savers and wants to adopt an at risk healing herb. Please consider helping us reach our goal of $5000, the total fee for adopting. Below are the complete details along with the link to our fundraiser where you can donate. Thanks again for your contribution.

https://www.unitedplantsavers.org/pdf/AdoptAnHerb-2.pdf

https://fundrazr.com/campaigns/eUPS8?srid=987b00a9275c46579962d867a9fec846

Dandelion Flower Beer

I'm super excited because tomorrow for the first time, my bestie and I will be making Dandelion Beer. When I came across this recipe, it looked so simple and sounds so incredibly delicious! So I wanted to share it with you and my hope is you will experiment with making your own. If you do, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment below. Have fun!

Dandelion Flower Beer

Ingredients:

• 100 dandelion flowers
• 4 pints of water
• 3 1/2 oz light brown sugar
• lemon, finely sliced

*You will need 1 large container to hold liquid in for a three or four days and a few tightly corked bottles.

Directions:

• Pick 100 dandelion flowers. 
• Boil 4 pints of water with your light brown sugar until the sugar has dissolved. 
• Allow to cool until tepid, then pour over the dandelion flowers in a large container. 
• Add your finely sliced lemon.
• Cover the container with a clean cloth and set aside in a cool place for three or four days, stirring occasionally.
• Strain and pour into tightly corked bottles. 
• The beer will be ready to drink in just a few days.

Guidelines for Gathering

When it comes to actually gathering those beautiful herbs you planted, you want to make sure you pick them at their peek of potency, or when they are fully ripe. Here are some general guidelines:

• Leaves should be gathered when they are tender and showing new growth, either before the flower buds appear, or after seeding, when new fall growth appears.
• Flowers are usually best before full bloom, in the mid to late morning after the dew has dried.
• Seeds should be gathered when ripe and dry, but before they fall to the ground.
• Roots are gathered in the early spring or late fall. Since sap rises and falls with the sun, and ideal time to gather is in the early morning or late afternoon.

*Plants gathered in the spring and late fall generally reach peak potency during cool-weather spells.

  Examples are Violet, rose hips, dandelion root, sun tuber, and cattail shoots.

*Plants gathered during summer and early fall usually need heat to develop fully and create essential oils.             Gather these plants during hot spells. Examples are: Wild carrot seed, St. John's wort flower, chokecherry,  sage leaf, and mullein flower.

*Try not to pick for a day or two after heavy rainfalls. Likewise, try not to gather during a drought. 

Sometimes you may not always have these perfect conditions to gather your herbs. So listen to them. Believe it or not, your herbs and plants will speak to you and you will know and feel when the time is right. 

Happy harvesting!

E.

Endangered Herbs and Their Substitutes

   So I felt it necessary to discuss the fact that since the pharmaceutical world has taken off, believe it or not they do take from key herbs and so do people who prefer a holistic approach to medicine. The problem is that some folks are uneducated about how to harvest herbs correctly and more importantly, which ones are sensitive and on the decline.
   With that being said, I wanted to display a list of current popular herbs that are considered endangered and provide you with some substitutes you can use instead.

1. Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)- is an antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and analgestic and is most useful for its ability to reduce dull aching pain. It also provides relief for the reproductive organs. It has a powerful effect on the nervous system and sedates the perception of pain. However, it is an at-risk plant. A recommended substitute is Baneberry root (Actea rubra) for relieving pain, use at a reduced dosage.
2. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)- Use Echinacea only organically cultivated. It is an immune stimulant, assisting the body to resist infection more efficiently; it is anti-microbial and increases cellular resistance to virus, and activates the macrophages that destroy both cancerous cells and pathogens. Avoid using wild Echinacea or any commercial products that use wild-crafted or wild-harvested Echinacea in their ingredients. Three species are used commercially: E. purpurea, E. angustifolia, and E. pallida. All three species of Echinacea are disappearing rapidly. 
3. Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)- is hepatic, cholagogue, a bitter digestive stimulant, and a primary anti-microbial for acute infection. Use only when the plant's overall specific indications are absolutely required. Otherwise, use plants such as Barberry (Berberis vulgaris), or Oregon Grape (Mahonia aquifolium), or least dilute Goldenseal whenever using it; mixing 1 part Goldenseal to 4 parts Barberry or Oregon Grape root. 
4. Pipsissewa (Chimaphilla umbellata)- is diuretic, wonderful for treating bladder infection, gravel, or a stone in the kidney. In place of Pipsissewa when treating urinary tract inflammation, substitute Uva Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) for its excellent diuretic, antiseptic, and astringent properties. 

While there are many many more, these are some of the most popular sought for medicinal purposes. For a complete list of endangered herbs and at-risk herbs, visit the United Plant Savers website and for more information on how you can take part in protecting these herbs and plants.

http://www.unitedplantsavers.org/

How Do You Feel?

I have to talk this morning about, well, how we generally feel. For a long time I was really convinced I had cancer or some other terrible disease because I just felt terrible. I was overweight, sluggish, my back hurt, no energy what so ever. Just felt terrible. But after going to the doctor, and checking out 100% healthy, I had to question why do I still feel so bad? Now when I say overweight, I mean probably by only 15 pounds. Not too much and certainly not obese. Even so I'm sure I needed more exercise  So after exercising, taking walks in the park, going to the gym, and STILL feeling bad, I had to do more research.

It never occurred to me that it was the food I was eating that was causing me to feel so bad. My diet pretty much consisted of juice, tea, coffee, frozen boxed food, box food in the cupboard, and a lot of dairy. After some research, I learned everything I was eating was processed! And everything I was drinking was loaded with sugar! I watched a documentary on Netflix entitled, Food Inc. and it changed my life forever. I began to walk down the isle at the grocery store and instead of seeing food as I would be before, I only saw cardboard.

So I began eating natural, healthy food. Now granted, because it's easier to get our hands on processed food, it's a challenge and I still eat some processed food, but it's mostly a bowl of cereal and not nearly as much as I would before. I noticed that when I drank filtered water and ate fruits and vegetables, organic meats, I felt sooooo much better. It was almost like the living food I was consuming made me feel more alive!

So my tip for you today is if you are feeling bad and your doctor keeps telling you he/she doesn't see anything wrong, maybe you need to reevaluate what you are eating. Visit your local farmers market in the summer and stock up on fruits and veggies that are in season and freeze them. Or can them. Try to stick with organic as it won't have any genetically modified organisms that could affect your health as well. And try to cook at home instead of eating fast food which is really not good for you at all.

Hope you feel better!
E.

Coffee and Tea Substitutes

So I'm an avid lover of tea and coffee. But sometimes you get tired of the same old stuff. So here are some yummy recipes I came across (and tried) that are sure to make your morning coffee or tea a little more interesting.

Herbal Coffee

• Mix and grind together 1 cup of ginseng root, 1/2 cup of licorice root, 1 cup sarsaparillas root, 1 cup Irish moss, 2 cups of holy thistle, 1/2 cup dried orange peel, and 5 cups roasted chicory or dandelion root. 
• Use powdered malt in place of licorice root if you desire.

Corn Coffee

• Put dried corn in a pan. 
• Add boiling water and continue boiling for 5 minutes.
• Sweeten with maple syrup. 

*This was a favorite of the Iroquois Indians.

Apple Tea

*This is good to keep handy as you will use it to treat many illnesses, although you can drink it just for enjoyment.

• Wash and core several apples and slice, do not peel. 
• Put the apples on a greased, waxpaper-lined cookie sheet.
• Place in an oven on low heat, with door cracked open.
• Turn over to ensure they dry completely.
• When apples slices are dry, close oven door and roast until lightly browned. 
• Cool and store in tightly closed container.
• Place several slices in your teapot and fill with boiling water. 
• Steep about 10 minutes.
• Add honey as needed for sweetener.

*This is a really good tonic for the kidneys.

Fresh Lemon Balm Tea

• Take 20 sprigs of fresh lemon balm, 4 tablespoons honey, 10 whole cloves, and the juice of 1/2 a lemon. 
• Pour 4 cups of boiling  water over the lemon balm, then add the other ingredients.
• Let steep 10 minutes.
• Strain and serve.

Rose Hip Tea

• Gather and clean the rose hips.
• Chop in the blender.
• Air dry them before storing in a tightly closed container.
• To make the tea, pour 1 cup boiling water over 1/2 teaspoon of the crushed rosehips.
• Steep 5 minutes until color is bright pink.
• Add sugar or honey.
• For added taste, try it with cloves, or use cinnamon sticks to stir the tea.

Reference: Jude's Herbal Home Remedies

Herb of the Week: Dandelion

Tis the season for all those pesky dandelions to pop up everywhere in your yard. And no matter how much you cut and pull, they always come back. Well those "pesky" dandelions can and do serve a purpose to you and your health. So instead of spraying them and killing them, here are some things you can do with dandelions. 

First a little background info on the dandelion. The dandelion is high in minerals, especially potassium, and Vitamins A, B, C, and D. The systems affected by dandelion are the liver, spleen, stomach, kidney and bladder. It's medicinal properties include alterative, cholagogue, diuretic, stomachic, aperient, and a tonic. You can use it for liver problems, urinary tract infections, skin eruptions, stomach pains, breast cancer or just a simple tea beverage. Dandelion has the capacity to clear obstructions and stimulate and aid the liver to eliminate toxins from the blood. 

• Remember for a simple salad, just pick and wash off the leaves. You can also make a vinegar by filling a mason jar with dandelion flowers, then filling the jar with apple cider vinegar. Cover with a plastic lid and let sit in the sun for about 8 weeks. How yummy to add Dandelion Vinegar to your Dandelion Salad!

Dandelion Tonic

• Pour 2 cups of boiling water over 2 tablespoons of dandelion flowers. 
• Steep, covered, for 10 minutes.
• Strain and sweeten.
• Drink several glasses a day for several days, or for as many days as you can before the flowers are gone.

Dandelion Coffee Substitute

• Wash dandelion roots carefully and spread in a large flat pan.
• Place in an oven at 180 to 200 degrees for up to 4 hours. 
• Turn to ensure drying.
• When the roots are completely dry and cool, you may store them as roots to grind fresh, or you could grind them before placing in a tightly closed container. 
• Use as you would coffee, or mix half and half with commercial coffee.

Dandelion Flower Beer

• Pick 100 dandelion flowers. 
• Boil 4 pints of water with 3 1/2 ounces of light brown sugar until the sugar has dissolved.
• Allow to cool until tepid, then pour over the dandelion flowers in a large container.
• Add a lemon, finely sliced.
• Cover the container with a clean cloth and set aside in a cool place for 3 to 4 days, stirring occasionally. 
• Strain and pour into tightly corked bottles.
• The beer will be ready to drink in just a few days.

Dandelion Jelly

• Pick 1 1/2 quarts of dandelion blossoms. 
• Take the stems off. Rinse the blossoms well. 
• Add 3 cups of water and boil for about 3 minutes.
• Drain well and add 1 teaspoon of lemon extract, and 1/2 teaspoon of orange extract to 2 1/2 cups of the liquid. 
• Mix in a box of pectin and bring to a rolling boil.
• Add 4 1/2 cups of sugar all at once to the mixture. 
• Bring again to a boil for 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Remove from heat and skim off top.
• Put in sterile jars immediately and seal.
• Great in teas, on waffles or pancakes, or toast.