Healing Skin

The famous healing skin salve aka cure all always keep a few jars close to hand. Bites, stings, sores, burns, bruises, sprains, cuts, itches, rashes, eczema, dry skin, dry lips, dry scalp, cradle cap, hives, poison ivy, deodorant, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, antifungal. Available on #etsy as well as the #Herbaceutikals shop

Late Summer Forage

In this short video I examine a few wild edibles found on a roadside in New York State. After watching I realize how little I covered on but at the same time there is so much to say about each plant as far as it's applications, uses of each plant part, harvest techniques, storage and the list goes on. This is not meant as a definite identification and wild edible guide as much as an introduction. Feel free to ask questions!

Harvesting Dandelion

Dandelion root is a diuretic and cleansing/strengthening to the kidneys and liver. Harvest mature plant roots in the spring or fall when the ground is moist. Harvest roots from new plants anytime before they flower. Early morning or late day in the third quarter of the moon is best if you intend on storing. Soak roots to loosen soil and clean thoroughly. Cut them in quarters lengthways then dice. Lay between paper bags or sun dry to store.
Pairs well with #burdock #ginger #chicory #licorice #milkthistle #anise #cinnamon #tumeric

Plant Identification

Teaching the little one to identify plantain leaves and how to harvest them. We only take a third of a patch at a time. Also known as white man'a foot by the Native American Indians, plantago major is one of the most important ingredients in the healing skin salve.
"The leaves are also used to dress wounds, dog and insect bites, to stop bleeding and prevent infections. Held in the mouth it heals ulcers, strengthens the gums, relieves throat infections, irritations, coughs and nosebleeds. A poultice of the fresh leaves cures herpes, especially on the face, syphilitic sores and parasitic skin diseases. It is also good for teething babies."- Rashan Abdul Hakim

Majestic Sage

Beautiful garden #sage bush I had to prune at the new plot. So much sage, so little time..
Sage has one of the longest histories of use of any culinary or medicinal herb. Ancient Egyptians used it as a fertility drug (Bown, 1995). In the first century C.E. Greek physician Dioscorides reported that the aqueous decoction of sage stopped bleeding of wounds and cleaned ulcers and sores. He also recommended sage juice in warm water for hoarseness and coughs. It was used by herbalists externally to treat sprains, swelling, ulcers, and bleeding. Internally, a tea made from sage leaves has had a long history of use to treat sore throats and coughs; often by gargling. It was also used by herbalists for rheumatism, excessive menstrual bleeding, and to dry up a mother's milk when nursing was stopped. It was particularly noted for strengthening the nervous system, improving memory, and sharpening the senses. Sage was officially listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1840 to 1900.

To the Top of A Mountain

Made it to the top of Mount BeAcon this weekend with @hike_with_mike in Beacon, New York truly an awesome experience in nAture. I found some mullein and yarrow and red clover amid the leaves an rocks. Mike and Lisa took us from one side of the mountain to the other so we covered much ground. Lisa laid out a yummy lunch spread for us at the top of the mountain. She made us an awesome pesto hummus and raspberry snack bars to go along with all the other treats. It was really rewarding to chow down on a huge piece of granite under the sky. The reservoir is beautiful up there and unfortunately I didn't take many pictures but they did so check out www.hikewithmikeny.com for pictures of the adventure!

Winter Roots

 

The Fall is when most root plants return to storing their energy in their root system so they may return again in the spring. This means that this is when the roots are most potent. Today we collected dandelion roots for winter storage. Below is an excerpt from our newly released booklet that covers remedies, recipes and information of different medicinal plants:

DANDELION


Taraxacum officinale



Active Compounds:
 vitamins A, C, D, and B complex as well as iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon, taraxacins (eudesmanolides), sitosterol, stigmasterol, alpha- and beta-carotene, caffeic acid, mucilage, Linoleic and Linolenic Acid, Gallic Acid, Several Triterpenest



History:
 Dandelion is commonly used as a food. The leaves are used in salads and teas, while the roots are often used as a coffee substitute. Dandelion leaves and roots have been used for hundreds of years to treat liver, gallbladder, kidney, and joint problems. In some countries, dandelion is considered a blood purifier and is used for ailments such as eczema and cancer. Dandelion has also been used historically to treat poor digestion, water retention, and diseases of the liver, including hepatitis.



Properties:
 anti-diarrheal and anti-bacterial, tonic, diuretic, Alterative, Antacid, Anti-bilious, Anti-lithic



Useful for:
 liver and gallbladder problems, prevent or cure liver diseases, such as hepatitis or jaundice; act as a tonic and gentle diuretic to purify your blood, cleanse your system, dissolve kidney stones, and otherwise improve gastro-intestinal health; assist in weight reduction; cleanse skin and eliminate acne; improve bowel function, working equally well to relieve both constipation and diarrhea; prevent or lower high blood pressure; prevent or cure anemia; lower serum cholesterol by as much as half; eliminate or drastically reduce acid indigestion and gas buildup by cutting the heaviness of fatty foods; prevent or cure various forms of cancer; prevent or control diabetes mellitus, Fiber fights diabetes, lowers cholesterol, reduces cancer and heart disease risks, and assists in weight loss.



Description:
 Closely related to chicory, dandelion is a common perennial plant worldwide. The plant grows to a height of about 12 inches. The oblong or spatulate, irregularly dentate or pinnatified leaves grow in a rosette from the milky taproot, which also sends up one or more naked flower stems, each terminating in a single yellow flower. The familiar puffball that succeeds the flower is a globular cluster of achenes, each of which is fitted with a parachute-like tuft. Dandelion is grown commercially in the United States and Europe. The leaves and root are used in herbal supplements

Wild Grapes

Went to forage for #sumac and came up a heavy grape harvest! Mastering my domain one day at a time. 
Wild grapes are the original grape and contain seeds which are the most nutritious part. Don't bother buying grape seed extract, just eat grape seeds. Like extra virgin olive oil, the antioxidants in grapes lower cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, strengthen blood vessels; are anti cancer, antinflammatory and are low glycemic. 
Red clovers are mild in flavor, found about everywhere and are the perfect wild food balance to the intensity of these juicey grapes. They contain many valuable nutrients such as calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C.  Traditionally they are known to be antispasmodic, alterative, antitumor and expectorant. Their anti tumor effects are seen when blended with burdock root. At home we have always used red clover in herbal infusions in cold and flu remedies and especially if a wet cough is present; but these little flowers are gaining popularity in treating menopausal symptoms as well.
These are perfect in fruit or vegetable salads, either way, if you see something, pick something ;)

Sumacade

We're here enjoying the end of season sumacade and just thinking how awesome it is that this plant grows wild in great abundance. They are antifungal, antimicrobial and antioxidant. They have a long world history as medicine and spice. This is the same stuff you buy at specialty grocers labeled as sumac spice. Through the summer months the tree bears a pretty fruit just waiting to be picked. You want to look out for these red cone shaped fruit that grow on Staghorn Sumac, they are not poisonous at all. There are a few varieties throughout the world but in short you want the red ones only. They are best picked when ripe, you'll know it because they will be a rich red around august. To make this refreshing beverage, put 2-3 cones into a quart mason jar
fill with cold water
cap it tight
shake it up
i like to make this infusion in the day time and set my jar in the sunlight.
in about an hour, strain it out
add a little honey
enjoy!