september blog party: herbs don't read books

It is September 1, and I am attempting the blog party last minute! This month's blog party is hosted by Henriette Kress, lots of useful information on her wonderful site! Check it out, and to see the many wonderful blog party posts as well. Our topic: Herbs don't read books.


I have known Nettle (Urtica Dioica) to be revered in the herbalist and wild food communities for it's nutrient density and powerful actions since I first started reading about herbs. It never was a plant (or entry in the beginning) I paid much attention to, or devoted any time to learning it's actions first hand. I feel like each season has a 'new' teacher to offer.... a new plant that stands out to us, everywhere we go, demanding our attention. In the past years, Nettle has not been one of them.
I love walking outside and relishing that I am surrounded by so many nutritious and medicinal plants. It is my goal to plant as many useful, native plants on my little farm as I can muster the right conditions for. Each year I try to get one or two good patches of medicinal natives established, this year I thought I would try nettle. We have a mucky wet spot in the wooded area along a cow field. It is right at the bottom of a hill and stays wet with spring rains flowing down the hill. Already there was a nice patch of Jewel weed established. I thought Nettle would love it there. Unfortunately, the plants stayed tiny and then were stunted by insect damage. Only a few plants remained by summer's end.
Imagine my surprise when I discovered a couple of plants under the cherry tree, on top of the hill. It is not particularly moist there. I hadn't noticed them while tending the cherry tree, picking the greens near there, or watching the Comfrey grow?? Nettle got my attention. Then, a day or so later, I lean on the railing of my porch and look down (something I will do often) and I see SEVEN big, healthy plants, spreading nicely already, just THERE. 'Well', I said to Nettle, 'I guess you and I will be friends'. So, I am paying attention.
I have watched it grow, branch out and flower. I have watched the flower turn to seeds, and the seeds in all of their various stages of change. I am excited to experience this plant first hand in all it's many uses. I cannot wait to see it emerge from it's 'chosen' spots as one of the first spring greens.
With that said, this summer my husband came down with that odd summer flu (summer flu? was it swine?). It started off with vomiting and high fever, chills. I had given him peppermint after it seemed the vomiting and nausea wouldn't stop. The peppermint was wonderful, it stopped the vomiting almost immediately. However, then it progressed to diarrhea. A lot of diarrhea. During the illness he had many teas and a few tinctures, staying with in the realm of a few specific herbs, but the diarrhea wouldn't cease. I ran to the herb cabinet after the third day and made a dedoction of nettle root (I had purchased from mountain rose two years ago, man, that stuff was old). I hadn't even tried it yet, and couldn't remember why I had it around. I figured it would be nutrient heavy for his depleted system if anything, and I hoped, would help his system flush excess waste from the war going on inside. I had read it has astringent properties, usually called for in bleeding...I gave it a try. Much to my husband's surprise and relief, it worked. He could drink and eat, and rest.

I have tinctures that have been macerating for over a year. I have used with success old herb in support and relief of conditions. I have planted 'by the book' with sad results. With herbs, by the book isn't always the case, herbs don't read books. Herbs speak to you, and in magical ways, offer their help and support... even when that is contraindicated in texts. Herbs require your full attention, it has something to teach you, something the book won't offer.

sweet medicine, creams for the love of skin

Kiva Rose @ The Medicine Woman’s Roots is hosting this month's blog party. It is all about sweet medicine and the many delicious ways of preserving herbs from cordials to honeys, wines and meads.... Recipes, explorations, ramblings, photojournal entries were welcomed. Here's my ramblings on some sweet medicine, although not of the edible kind :)

There are just so many ways to incorporate our medicine into our daily lives.
While I am eagerly awaiting elecampane (inula helenium) harvest for a wonderful winter honey that supports my family's lungs, lately I have been playing with creams. Some may not consider this a medicine, or even a way of preserving our herbs as you would in vinegar or honey. I definitely feel it is a medicine in it's own right. Our skin is the largest organ and plays an important role in elimination and protection. The skin is also an organ of sense. It can reflect our inner state on both physical and emotional levels. So why not care for it with our own sweet medicine? A far better choice than store bought preparations that include harsh and harmful ingredients. Rosemary Gladstar states that "beauty seduces and induces people back to wellness, back to the that place of balance and harmony that is the soul of of life". I agree whole-heartedly. Beauty and magnificence in the outdoors, and beauty with in ourselves. We should embrace it all, and enjoy our own.

My first experience with cream started last year. I am a farmer and outside a lot. I forget to slather sunscreen as much as I should, and don't generally purchase skin care preparations. I am getting older, and my face was screaming for some loving care. So I started thinking on sun protection, wrinkles, and general moisture. I infused some lavender in sesame oil, as they both offer protection from harmful uv. I used a bit of coconut oil and added some patchouli e.o., a great equalizer when it comes to oily/dry skin and along with lavender, is great for wrinkles or damaged skin. I was expecting some trials and major mishaps...especially since i was using cucumber juice and rose water as my waters. My 'rose water' was really just a rose liniment, as it was steeped in witch hazel. I feel like this helped with the preservation. I was surprised that it came out perfect, with no separation or mold. It lasted well into May of this year unrefrigerated and mold-free.

My next experiences with cream are more medicine oriented. When dealing with a bad case of poison ivy in my four year old, I got onto making a salve. I used 2 parts jewelweed oil, 1 part chamomile oil, and 1 part echinacea oil. The chamomile and echinacea is great for inflammation, and helping work against the allergic response. The chamomile and jewelweed great for soothing the itching. When I took the oils off the stove I added some licorice tincture for that hydrocortizone effect, and black walnut tincture to help with echinacea against infection. I started thinking how much nicer a cream would be in this case. I incorporated some jewelweed dedoction into my original recipe and found it lovely. It was soothing for many hours, and aided in quick resolvement of the poison. I am excited to try it on all sorts of itching problems.

My mother is dealing with skin cancer. Here is where a loving medicine can bring us back to a place of balance and harmony within. Having had two 'spots' removed from her nose, she was told to stay out of the sun completely. This is hard to do in Florida. I used what was on-hand. I kept it simple. Violet, with it's high salicylic acid content, is a wonderful ally in cancers and especially when dealing with external cancers. It is also high in vitamin A, as an added bonus for the skin. I infused the violet in olive oil and then some lavender in sesame oil. I do love that combination for added protection against uv and for generally helping the skin look and feel younger. For the waters I could have used red clover infusion, but didn't get to picking that day. So I infused some calendula and rose for a few hours, added the vitamin e and completed the cream.
I am having fun experimenting with the many different combinations and possibilities.

So far, I am finding the creams easy and very open to play. I stick with a basic guide :
3/4c fixed oil
1c waters (distilled, tap can introduce bacteria and encourage the growth of mold)
1/2oz beeswax

I gently heat the oils and beeswax until they are just melted and combined, then put them in the blender. I wait for the oils to cool, leaving a thin rim of hardening wax around the edges. When this happens, I turn the blender on high speed. In a slow and even stream, I add the waters until the cream forms. At this point it is necessary to skim the edges of the blender with a chopstick or rubber spatula while adding the last of the waters. Be careful not to over-blend.

Even this basic recipe can be chopped up and amended, it is just important to keep the oil/water ratio even. Aloe vera can be included as a portion of waters and a shea or another butter could be included in the oils... I am finding limitless possibilities.

Creams have so many uses, from the face to the feet. Something about lathering oneself with a lotion boosts a little something inside ourselves. Whether it is esteem or knowing you are caring for your body, it feels good.