Living with Herbs

Living with Herbs, Limited edition green cover with hemp saddle stitch binding. get one before its gone.

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

Chamomile

There are 3 types of chamomile and they all share the same properties. It is commonly used for indigestion, heartburn, insomnia, anxiety, stress, headache, and irritable bowel syndrome. An infusion can be topically use to cleanse and relieve the discomfort of insect bites, wounds, itching, and other skin irritations. Or orally for mouth ulcers and canker sores. It even helps control periodontal diseases. Used with witch hazel, it can even help eczema. For children chamomile tea to treat eye infections such as pinkeye and blocked tear-ducts. Many people believe that chamomile improves the elasticity of the skin, thus improving the aging complexion. When sipped slowly while nursing a baby, the tea can help prevent baby's colic and promote peaceful rest. Chamomile is known to increase production of white blood cells, stimulates the memory and respiratory system, and helps overcome exhaustion, fights fungal invaders, soothes upset stomachs, helps mend torn tissue, kills staphylococcus and streptococcus bacteria, and generally protects and heals the body.
Our organically homegrown chamomile is featured in the facial toners, massage oil and herbal tea blends.

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

Arnica Montana

Native Americans referred to arnica as mountain tobacco and leopard’s bane, and used the plant for sprains, bruises and wounds. In the 19th and 20th centuries, physicians and health practitioners used arnica for contusions, bruised muscles, painful breasts, chronic sores and abscesses.
Arnica is available both as a herbal oil or homeopathic cream, however herbal preparations have shown much better results than homeopathic products when tested in lab studies. Arnica oils, gels and creams are the most popular herbal sports medicines. It is very effective if used immediately after an injury. Arnica accelerates the healing process by moving waste-bound fluids out and moving cleansing fluids and platelets into the affected area. The anti-inflamatory properties of arnica are  due to its sesquiterpene lactones. These chemicals cause a reduction of inflammation by blocking the actions of pro-inflammatory cytokines.

The antimicrobial properties of arnica make it useful for minor skin irritations where infection is possible. Topical use for  sprains, bruises, aches, sore muscles, hematoma, dislocations, contusions, edema due to fracture, rheumatic muscle and joint problems, cerebral trauma, headaches, paresis, semiparesis, inflammation due to insect bites, and superficial phlebitis, bacterial infections, skin cancer, bronchitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis. Arnica should not be applied to broken or burned skin.

Get your Bone, Muscle & Joint salve which containes Arnica, Comfrey, Cayenne and other healing herbs & essential oils here 

Get your Bone, Muscle & Joint salve which containes Arnica, Comfrey, Cayenne and other healing herbs & essential oils here 

Breath Deeply

Most vapor rubs are in a petroleum of mineral oil base and we wouldn’t want to use that on our bodies let alone faces. So we made something pure, strong and better for the whole family. Decongestion is made with a cinnamon and clove extra virgin olive oil infusion to warm the body and a special blend of pure organic essential oils including lavender and eucalyptus to open up those passageways and provide relief. The base is grape seed oil which is a great all around moisturizer which makes this blend lighter for facial applications directly to the sinus cavity area.
For congestion in the head try the Easy Steam Remedy outlined in the Living with Herbs book in combination with this vapor rub for best results. A few drops of Oregano, Rosemary, Eucalyptus, or Lavender to your humidifier can work wonders in the cold dry season. Decongestion can be applied and gently massaged over the sinus cavities. For lung congestion, massage over lungs front and back. Have someone massage liberally over lungs and pat your back with cupped hands. If your drinking the right herbal teas, you will be coughing all that phlegm up in no time.
Buy your Decongestion Vapor Rub here

Living with Herbs

So the first edition of the Herbaceutikals handbook is out and available for purchase online at www.herbaceutikals.com This edition is designed for one interested in incorporating herbs and food as medicine into their everyday life. Inside you will find all the favorite everyday recipes to treat colds, fevers, cuts, burns etc as well as instructions on making your own tinctures, infusions and household cleaner! The second part of the book is a guide on different herbs and plants. The third section is a glossary of terminology used in identifying the medicinal quality of a herb. This is a great gift for an aspiring herbalist, new parent, or anyone seeking to live a healthier lifestyle. The book comes as a free gift with purchases over $25!
Enjoy!

Sample entry:

Onion Cough Syrup

Onions are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral and antioxidant. They contain quercitin a potent antioxidant in treating cancer, asthma, chronic bronchitis and allergies. Also high in sulfur they stimulate amino acids in the brain and nervous system while detoxing the body of heavy metals such as mercury, cadmium and lead. We use them in this cough remedy because they inhibit the compounds that cause bronchial muscles to spasm, thus suppressing a cough.

You will also need some excellent honey for this recipe; organic and raw and local is best!

Cut onion in half lengthwise then slice, creating half moons.
Place in sauce pan and cover with honey, just enough.
Cook on lowest flame until soft and infused this should be under 30 minutes.
Pour and scrape all the goodness into a glass mason jar and store in the fridge.

Take a teaspoon at a time when needed.
Should store for a few weeks.
The onions are fun to eat out the jar or used in cooking or garnishing.

Muscle Bone & Joint Healing Oil

This is a heavy duty massage oil for all types of aches and pains including arthritis, swelling, sprains, bruises and spasms. Made with a strong concentration of herbs traditionally used to mend bones and damaged muscles. Use immediately after intense exercise or massage deliberately and as needed to painful muscles or joints. This is an extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil base infused with st johns wort, claw root, arnica, calendula and comfrey with a special blend of essential oils.
Order yours here on eTsy or in our Square Shop

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

Ginger Lemon Honey Tea

Ginger Lemon Honey Tea

Some background on this Cold and Flu fighting remedy:

Ginger stimulates the immune system and digestive health. it is an expectorant, diaphoretic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial and stimulates  circulation; thus warming us up. Try to use fresh ginger that looks healthy and is firm. Ginger tea is soothing for car sickness, menstrual cramping, upset stomach, nausea; as a pain reliever for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and externally as a wash for burns. Historically is has been used in cooking with meats as it is also antimicrobial.

Lemons are high in Vitamin C and bioflavonoids which stimulate and support proper immune function as well as vitamin and mineral absorption. These antibacterial powerhouses have been used to destroy many bacterial diseases such as malaria, cholera, diphtheria and others. Even though they taste acidic they alkalize the body; balancing pH. Warm lemon juice in the morning stimulates the liver into desolving toxins and increases peristalsis of the bowels.

Raw Honey is antioxidant, antibacterial, antimicrobial and anti fungal which is why it boosts our immune system function and is great for soothing and healing the throat. Unlike regular sugar, honey keeps blood sugar levels more constant due to it’s balance of glucose and fructose. Buckwheat honey is the best to use as a cough suppressant even for younger children.

More articles like this in our Living with Herbs book...coming soon

Mastering Parenting

If your living the clean green lifestyle and have kids then ice pops are your greatest tool and an exciting treat/eward for your little one. In our house it all started with teething and a wise woman (aka grandma) told me, just make ice pops. They are intriguing for a young child, provide a little liquid and save money. I started out by making some chamomile tea, sweetened with honey and charged with some powdered vitamin c. As she outgrew teething and the summers would roll around and I would worry about staying hydrated as we spend summers outside all day long in the sun; I reinvented this old trick. Smoothie Pops. I always make smoothies for myself. I make them a bit thick loaded with flax and hemp seeds and oats and such, which Lhailah will only drink so much of. So after we all enjoy our cool fruity, or veggie beverage I add some extra coconut milk to thin it out a bit, and a banana to sweeten it up. Blend it and and pour the pops. These are my kids sweetest treat right next to ripe fruit. On days when she needs extra fluids I'll promise her an ice pop After a tall glass of water. Or when sick with a fever these are perfect. I have even made a strong herbal tea for cold and fever, blend it with powdered vitamin c and banana. Freeze. And let her eat as many as she likes when sick. It keeps the body cool, hydrated and getting valuable nutrients that would otherwise be difficult for a stubborn preschooler to get just though tea. 
Today I made myself a #carrotjuice with #flax, #ginger, #hempseeds, #cinnamon, water, #rawhoney. Then added frozen pineapple, banana and peaches to what was left to make smoothie pops.
Drink Up!

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 ;)