Latin Name: Taraxacum officinale Family: Asteraceae Energetics: Cooling, bitter tonic Taste: Bitter, sweet, minerally In the early days of spring, Dandelions draw the eye with their tufts of golden petals perched on a single, hollow stem. Prolific is their nature. To...
Category:
Herbs and Herbal Medicine
Mustard Plaster: A Folk Remedy for the Respiratory and Structural System
When you think about mustard, topical application to hot dogs may come to mind, less so to your own body. But if you look back in time 100 years applying mustard to one’s chest was a common folk remedy, listed in medicinal dispensatories and regularly prescribed by...
What are Flower Essences and How do they Work?
Flower essences are a vibrational therapy that works on the auric field and subtle energy bodies. Flower essences assist in clearing the mental, emotional and spiritual imbalances in our lives that can lead to physical disturbances. A flower essence is the vibrational...
Elderberry Syrup, and How to Make It!
Elderberries are beginning to ripen and that means for us wildcrafters and medicine makers, it is elderberry syrup season. Elderberry syrup is a popular remedy for the cold and flu season. While in today’s world it is readily available in most drug or even grocery...
Cannabis: Plant, Industry, and Ideology
Cannabis, from the latin Cannabis sativa L., is a member of the Cannabaceae, a small family of flowering plants containing hemp, hops, and hackberries. Cannabis means “cane-like,” while the genus name sativa refers to that which is “planted or sown,” meaning...
CBD Oil: The Skinny According to Science
At this current juncture scientific knowledge of ECS signalling has far outstripped the development of ESC-based therapies. The eloquent Dr. Ethan Russo remarks: Despite its seeming ubiquity, and obvious importance as a homeostatic regulator of human physiology, the...
Skin Deep: The Role of the Endocannabinoid System in Cutaneous Homeostasis
We are excited to share the first of a three part series on CBD oil and the Skin by our new resident research writer, Camille Charlier. Part I: Skin Deep - The Role of Endocannabinoid System in Cutaneous Homeostasis; Part II: The Skinny According to Science; and Part...
Violet
Written by: Lindsey Feldpausch Latin name: Viola spp. Family: Violacaeae Energetics: Cooling, moistening Taste: Sweet, mucilaginous, cool, minerally The Violet by Jane Taylor Down in a green and shady bed, A modest violet grew; Its stalk was bent, it hung its head As...
Learn how to use clay for healing
Using Clay As Medicine In Part I of how to use clays for healing, we covered some historical uses of clay, qualities of clay, and discussed 3 different medicinal clays. General Recommendations for Using Clay for Healing Avoid using anything metal with clay. Do not use...
Cottonwood Herbal Oil
Cottonwood Populus balsamifera This is one of my all time favorite resin buds to infuse. The infused oil smells incredible and is highly beneficial in salves, gels, or massage oils for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Can be used at a 10 - 25% dilution...
Preparing Tinctures: A simple method
The Basics of Making Tinctures Every year we make up a batch or two of the herbs which grow around us and herbs we have planted in the garden. Last year we made tinctures of Melissa, Boneset, German chamomile, Passion flower, Thyme and Calendula. This picture was...
Plantain
Plantain is one of those abundant herbs that 'some' consider a weed and yet it appears all over our yards for incredibly beneficial purposes. I love seeing it (and using it) as it flourished all over our 'yard'. Here is a wonderful blog entry by Barbara DuTot of Wild...