"Oak. Silence. Time. I bet it's not a far stretch for you to consider how well Oak, Silence, and Time know one another. It's an easy leap considering Oak can live a thousand years or more and stand in one place, sometimes deep in the obscured mystery of the forest. It is this very thing that strikes me first whenever I walk up to an elderly tree and I instantly, as if it's an innate reflex, enter silence and an altered sense of time. 

There is this syncopated rhythmic resonance orchestrated by Nature that still creates a vibrational hum in The-Silent-No-Time-Place-Of-Now. OAK is there. OAK knows the silence and the hum behind the silence. It’s behind the sound of birds, and insects, and animals as they sing with the trees on the wind. The human heart knows this resonance too. It trusts it instinctually and can follow the hum in pilgrimage to a destination unseen, even unknown, and yet like the migration of our genes in order to support life, the heart knows things. Inexplicable things like the silence and hum that OAK knows.

We’re all faced with the challenge of designing a life that integrates making plans and attempting to steer our own personal greatness while navigating by the stars and the planets as we attempt to find comfort within being guided by the mysterious. The modern mind gets distraught as it senses its limits. It relays this discomfort to the body sometimes too. Maybe it's a way to ease the intensity of the mind? But still the heart knows that resonant hum of a universal guidance system. We must slow down to make the leaps. It’s a paradoxical reconciliation that feeds our resiliency, our ability to show again, and again. There will be more on this from OAK on innate and cultivated resiliency..

Are you opposed to it? Do you seek it? What is it actually if truth reigns around the existence of a constant resonant hum behind it? To keep silent and to be in silence takes tremendous strength. We are the keeper and/or the seeker of silence depending on our conditions. What we hold while silent becomes mysteriously hidden and protected, out of sight or ear shot, away from scrutiny or judgement, and even thwarts disintegration and death sometimes which can be a necessary and good medicine. To retreat to silence and sit within the resonant hum brings another set of challenges. The psyche loves it, and yet not. It will test our resolve, our strength, and our ability to remain with silence by throwing iron monkey wrenches into the wind generated turbines of life just to see what happens.

There is this pivotal moment or that still point place at the very bottom of a ship where the sea-sick seek peace from the motions of the waves. That place for the seeker. And there's that place where the keeper of silence is challenged to stay silent too or honor the overwhelming urge to speak, to take a stand, to honor a confrontation, or ignite a worthy argument and even risk death. If we pilgrimage well with our soul in time, will the keeper of silence learn the path of least resistance from the resonant hum of Nature in The-Silent-No-Time Place-Of-Now, and speak well? I pray for this. The seeker of silence and the keeper of silence hold a similar set of challenges that at first appear to be different. I wonder if they are one in the same at the soul level? What do you think?
​

After years of making Elderberry syrups and elixirs I find Fresh or Fresh Frozen Elderberries are the 'secret ingredient' for a super charged syrup. Should your good fortune include fresh berries landing into your hands, pluck them from the stems and flash freeze them on cookie sheets (takes about 1 hour) and then fill your labeled freezer containers. If you need a recipe, I got you covered here. If you only have dried, this is good too and noted in the recipe. A simple request to Elder along with some deep honoring and seeking will draw these black beauties to you in good time. And I got you covered should you decide to delegate the making for your home apothecary to me. I'm always honored to provide when Elder is abundant here. Blessed this year with 30 quarts from this beauty I've been walking with for over a decade now. It's a tenuous thing from year to year. No guarantees ever, like any relationship. But I show up no matter what. Listening is probably the most important thing in our plant relationships too. ElderMoon's Bee Blessed Elderberry Elixir is in stock for your winter needs to keep microbial boundaries strong, fluids running clear, and vitality boosted.

Super passionate here about recipe sharing and honoring creating space for our creative input to riff off of a good solid recipe. This recipe has evolved numerous times and is the current working recipe we lean on until change comes and inspires a new twist. It will. Inspiration always comes. Keep it close in your apothecary and enjoy! Please share your riffs too. I LOVE hearing about what plants inspire you, nudge change, and direct your formula.  

​INGREDIENTS:
2 cups fresh/frozen elderberries (1 cup dried if that's all you have)
2 1/2 cups water
1 inch ginger root fresh, sliced thin
1 lime zested and juiced
2 sticks of cinnamon bark
1 cup wildflower honey
4 tablespoons (2oz.) elecampane root tincture (or a lung herb you love)
4 tablespoons (2oz.) elderberry tincture (or immune herb you love)
​
DIRECTIONS:
1. Combine elderberries, water, cinnamon, and ginger root in a pot and bring a gentle simmer uncovered for 35-45 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
2. Once lukewarm strain through a sieve and press all the juice as best you can from the berries.
3. Stir in honey, tinctures, and lime juice. Label, date, keep refrigerated, and shake well before dosing. Good for 3 months.

Options: A straight good brandy can be added for the tinctures. Herbal infused vinegars or straight apple cider vinegar can be added instead of tinctures but I suggest using up within 1 month.

Dosing: 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon per day. Increase dosing to 1 tablespoon every 4 hours while awake with signs and symptoms of microbial invasions.

Enjoy! May you be blessed with abundance from Elder in all the magical ways that the medicine comes when we're in need and when we can share the overflow. 
Much Love, Jen

psst... and should you feel the call to get closer to Elder, have a peek at our plant diet planned for 2019. 

Thank you for landing here. I decided to revisit and revise this article a little here and there - timestamp is 1/5/25 and LADY'S MANTLE is the "Plant for the Year of 2025" in my world.

I'll share with you why. For starters, it's arrived in my dreams.  

I'm pretty sure I lack memories of life without Lady’s Mantle.
​
Lady's Mantle has been among all the gardens I've ever lived with and tended since before I could speak.

It’s hard to describe the feeling too when you sit still near this one. Key words rise up, like...

Expansive. Subtle. Redirection. Steady. Persistent. Transformation. Change. Prime Directives. Begin Again. 

Lady's Mantle is easily over looked and was far more popular in the past with an astounding lineage that’s walked with humans for a very long time. Science says it has ‘insignificant green flowers’. This always makes me chuckle. Corn, Nettles and Mugwort are in this group too. Need I say more about how these beauties are far from insignificant on any level of existence. More likely it means they are wind pollinated and so the do not need showy flowers for attracting pollinators which is ‘better science language’, eh? Wind pollinated. Let's feel into this. The need to ride on the great winds of Earth in order to recreate. Mmmm.... Let's look deeper into the potent, humble, unassuming presence of Lady's Mantle. 

Traditionally Alchemilla was considered one of the very best wound healing herbs, even for infected wounds and cases of gangrene. We don't often see Lady's Mantle on plant lists for wound care today, but it's worth noting if you have it near already or plan to invite it close.  Most likely the wound healing properties are due largely to its rich tannin content. Tannins give plants their astringent or binding qualities that when applied to the skin, make it a valuable remedy for healing skin abrasions.  Astringency has an overall drying effect on tissue, drawing it together. Astringency can act also as a styptic too, which works to slow or stop bleeding and can also be beneficial for tissues that are lacking tone, such as in long term festering wound.

The body is continuously trying to stop germs from getting deeper into our tissues and bodies. When we have fetid boggy wounds, this water environment is excessively so and a perfect breeding ground for germs to thrive, multiply and travel for new resources. Astringency is an action the dries this kind of thing up and reminds our tissues on how to be well, strong and resilient. 

Matthew Woods, in his book Healing Wise, speaks to healing ruptured ear drums that remain open by massaging tincture around the ear and taking internally. Please do not drip anything into the ear canal if the drum is ruptured. Matt also shares stories of healing hernias with Lady's Mantle infusions or tincture taken internally. I would consider rubbing the tincture over the hernia as well for the medicine moves through the skin to the membranes that need tone and tightening, thanks to these astringency qualities. Tightening and toning tissue integrity is part of the potency of Lady's Mantle as a medicine. I'd consider this for post surgical care as well where the body has been cut deeply and is in the process of healing this. Surgery is always a scheduled or emergent "wound" by nature if we were to ask your body. Even when needed it is a wounding that needs tending. 

Lady’s Mantle has developed a reputation in current herbal repertories as being mainly a “women’s reproductive system herb.” For the purposes of this discussion I'll use the term “female” to refer to organs commonly known as the uterus, ovaries and breasts without assigning gender. Lady’s Mantle supports the well being in many conditions relating to female reproductive organs and issues.

Lady’s Mantle is an ally for an array of menstrual conditions including staunching excessive menstrual blood flow (menorrhagia), irregular menstrual bleeding at times in between menstruation (metrorrhagia or "spotting" mid-cycle), excessive vaginal discharge like in yeast infections, vaginitis and other issues of discharge, for menstrual cramping when there is a dull achy pain caused by congestion, sometimes called a “boggy” quality to the uterus. Fibroids, endometriosis, kidney, ovarian and breast cystic conditions respond well to Lady's mantel in formulation. 
​
Lady's Mantle is an emmenagogue (menstrual promoting) and is taken to promote a regular cyclic menstrual flow.  This could be seen as counter intuitive due to its astringent actions.  Lady’s Mantle, like many other plants, possess these miraculous regulatory abilities due to most likely a profound effect on the endocrine system where such things are organized. Lady's Mantle also has a reputation for easing menopausal symptoms like mood swings, hot flashes, and night sweats.​ Matthew Wood gives the constitutional indications, meaning the typical picture of the person needing Lady’s Mantle, as “the pale, anemic, sensitive woman with prominent blue veins and moist skin” as well as the indicators of “nervousness, agitation, insomnia and mood swings.” 

During my time running with the midwives for home-birthing mothers, we found the tea of the leaves and flowers sipped throughout the weeks post-partum also assisted the uterus to regain its natural inherent tone. It's a specific herb when there are prolapsed organs, like the uterus or bladder, post birth. In this case, I recommend both drinking the tea daily and preparing a sitz bath 1-2x/day a day with Lady’s Mantle (plus Rosemary and Lavender flowers in equal parts) while drinking infusions of Lady's Mantel leaf and flower too.

There are times when a woman enters a period of disappointment around how her birth process unfolded. Lady’s Mantle not only helps us to heal emotionally from this but also from any disappointments we experience as a human born woman. Lady's Mantle always supports healing from trauma, past or present, related to our “female” organs. Women have found emotional support from Lady’s Mantle after abortion, miscarriage and also for working through issues of sexual trauma, or generalized misogynistic oppression experienced just by being born a woman. Many of these unresolved emotions move for a woman during pregnancy and after giving birth. These kinds of stored trauma emotions also begin to move with invasive medical procedures to the reproductive system, as well as when we are ready at any time in life to heal such things. They body will hold it for only so long in silence. These traumas move in search of healing due to the powerful creative forces that move through the pelvis and breasts as we create and birth our children, or through any transformational experience where we die to the old and birth ourselves to the newer version of who we are. These become self-healing opportunities for women and Lady's Mantle proves to be a gentle and potent ally for navigation that can be intense sometimes.

​Lady’s Mantle promotes emphatic engagement with life and our surroundings. It helps us push past boundaries that may be restrictive, get outside our comfort zone and find a way to forge a way. It dissolves apathy, boredom and the doldrums, and helps us feel energetic, cheered up and excited. It revitalizes our childlike essence, giving us a fresh perspective on what we’re experiencing today.

It has a Winter into Spring energy. There can be no rushing through these seasonal shifts - be it physical or metaphoric. To rush spring is fall on our face and exhaust ourselves. The fine art of pacing is embodied within Lady's Mantle. Divine time is the time signature here with Lady's Mantle. After having endured many challenges, you are ready for spring. And—you are ready to spring forward and not be held back in any way. Projects that may have slogged along and bogged you down are ready for a fresh infusion of energy. You may have felt limited or slowed down, and you are now ready to break free of all boundaries and pioneer a new path.

It can facilitate a more outgoing, uninhibited approach in areas you might previously have kept under wraps or been more conservative. Just as a flower leaps out of the ground in spring, Lady’s Mantle helps us conjure up and express joyful, fresh energy from within ourselves, helping us expand in unique new ways.

Lady's Mantle is an easy to grow perennial making it a sustainable and invaluable herb to incorporate into our apothecaries and practices. The tea from the leaves is delicious. It has a rich taste with a delicious and very slight bitter flavor that I find many can quickly learn to love, if not instantly love, because their body knows this is needed. Harvest leaves and flower late morning and they are easy to dry through a dehydrator or hung in bundles, which I might add are incredibly gorgeous to have hanging around!

Flowers bloom here, in the Northeast from June to July and if cut, a second bloom often occurs. Herbalists love 'bumper crops' for they make for tending an apothecary well. Lady's Mantle likes to be well watered, prefers fertile soil, thrives in partial shade to full sun, and is hardy in zones 5 to 9. This plant is steady and gently yet boldly arrives year after year in an unassuming way. I have an entire row along the entrance of the first bed of our main garden here with back drops of Meadowsweet, interspersed with Rue and Anise Hyssop. It worked itself into quite a gorgeous crew of plants I equally love to greet each time I open the garden gate. 

Latin Name: Alchemilla vulgaris of the Rosaceae family. Lady’s mantle is one of the 3,000 species within the Rosaceae (rose) family.
Medicinal Parts: Leaf & Flower

Medicinal Actions: Astringent, Mild Bitter, Stomachic, Vulnerary, Emmenagogue (brings on a bleed), Reproductive Tonic (especially for in between menses spotting), Renal System Tonic, Mild Diuretic

Medicinal Preparations Include: dried for infusions and bathing, tinctures, infused vinegars and oxymels, and flower essence.

Dosing Suggestions: 1 quart of infusion daily or 30-60 drops of tincture 3x/day is standard for more acute to long term dosing for months for the more physical conditions. Three drops of tincture 2x/day would be considered a homeopathic dose which proves to have profound effects as well, particularly when we are aware of the symptoms being rooted in our emotional, mental, and spiritual conditions of the more subtle bodies. Addressed here, physical healing can be rather quick but again is very personal and based on your journey through a condition where you would be seeking healing.

Flower Essences can be taken for the same reasons as the low dose tincture. Bathing is simple by creating a yoni steam or sitz bath with a strong infusion or pouring 1-2 cups of infusion into the bathtub for a good soak. One can float some leaves and flowers in the bath as well or add 3 drops of tincture or flower essence to your bath.

The Dew Drops: Then there's sipping the dew drops as a magical essence straight from the leaves in the morning. Yes, an ancient practice where the essence of Lady's Mantle beads out at the tips of the leaves as water droplets and slides into the cup like structure of the leaves while mixing with the magical forces of the water in the air that has condensed onto the leaf's surface. This was considered, and still is among many healers, an anointing holy water, a magical holy water for sipping and was gathered by medicine makers in ancient times and combined into physical medicines for healing.

“We lady's mantles really like it cool. So we invented what plant lovers call ‘guttation’: I can produce and collect little droplets of water with my leaves. So the evaporation of water droplets helps me to cool down. Quite refreshing, I can tell you. And this true of my medicine as well, cooling with plenty of fluid reorganization.” - Gurudas

Our time here would fail to be complete for me if shied away from and ignored the spiritual qualities of this blessed beauty, Lady's Mantle. 

So as we venture along our plants-as-healers path, we are often asked to revisit (or get newly acquainted) with one that jumps up and enchants. The alchemist within Lady’s Mantle has caught my heart, again. It has medicine in the form of support for the now of where we all are. Let’s listen deeper for the medicine of walking with and embracing change. Lady’s Mantle embodies elegance and strength. This low growing perennial plant has ruffled scalloped bluish green leaves that are finely toothed at the edges and covered with soft fine hairs and a slight waxy coating. It's flowering stalks, or racemes, at first glance appear like three dimensional lace bearing tiny star-like yellow green flowers. It can take part and full sun and grows well tucked near larger plants or as borders along stone. Here Lady's Mantle, at one foot tall, stands her tiny ground with massive plants just as potent. She's compact and potent. Let's never let small in size impress upon us a meaning of lacking potency or strength. This thinking has no footing in the plant world.

Most notable, Lady's mantle has an exquisite ability to funnel and collect morning dew upon its leaves, which persists well into the day when all other dew has long since evaporated. The edges of the leaves show this beading up of transpired water from the internal waters of the plants tissue to mix with the moisture from the air that is settling upon the leaves and the shape of the leaf functions like a bowl or vessel to hold this transformed water.

The water preserved on its velvety leaves was used for alchemical distillations, which amplified the healing powers of other plants. The “mantle” refers to a women’s protective cloak, and (in the words of Nicholas Culpeper, a seventeenth-century physician and author of The Complete Herbal), “Venus claims the herb as her own”, meaning that it had long been perceived as a cure-all for the full range of “women’s problems”.

This plant is called “alchemilla”, which means “little alchemist” in Latin. 

Lady’s mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris) is rich in symbolism. The soft, cloak-like leaves were thought to resemble the mantle of the Divine Feminine, associating it with notions of femininity, protective fierceness, and holiness. In medieval gardens, the herb was also a symbol of purity and the divine. 

As stated, this substance is woven back in time to a long lineage of medicine making people who knew its potency and so gathered, sipped, anointed, and mixed it with remedies to be taken for healing. It is 'Holy Water' for many. It's a personal choice to consider or even state such things for herbalists today.  

Lady's Mantle meets us where we are with gentle guidance through nurture. It supports transformation or change but without any sort of push or nudge. More of a coaxing is my way of understanding the actions. There is a redirection of forces, energies, even fluids on the physical level, in order to support this. Support through the hang-over or cyclic replay of any sort of trauma is assured. Real change from the deeper levels is where Lady's Mantle works well. There is a balancing and enhancement of the Solar and Lunar aspects of our souls. Solar masculine-feminine relations and Lunar feminine-masculine relations along with how these relationships enter a larger dance with our Solar and Lunar cyclic nature. 

As a spiritual medicine, remember the "less is more" phenomena. Dose in micro dose or homeopathic amounts as this vibrational medicine is more easily read by the subtler bodies where real change happens. 

Ways To Dose:
- 3 drops of fresh tincture in your water for the day sipped. 
- add fresh tincture and water in a 1:1 ration to a spray bottle. Mist as often as you need or want to your body or space. Yes, you can add an ally essential oil for aroma if you like.
- Sip one cup of tea daily and meditate with Lady's Mantle while you enjoy this. 
- Prepare tea for baths, foot soaks, pelvic steams, sitz baths, compresses of the face or a facial steam (great for skin!).
- Bring tea to add to your sauna water for splashing the rocks in there. 
- Take the Flower Essence Daily.  
- Grow it. Invite it to your garden where you can live together and harvest fresh flowers, leaves for tea and even morning magical dew. Cultivate the relationship slowly like any good relationship building happens. 

We go into deeper discussions with our archived Monthly Herbal Council dedicated to Lady's Mantle from 7/2018. If interested in further learning on how support is given with the medicine of Lady's Mantle, see my patreon and newly formed substack where folks get access to the archived recording of this council from the ElderMoon School Library.

Send along questions you have.

From my apothecary to yours... I have fresh leaf and flower Lady's Mantle Tincture HERE and Lady's Mantle Flower Essence HERE if you're in need.​

Thank you for traveling through.  Much Love and Safe Journey, Jen

Our parallel lives with plants play out in so many ways. Each plant has a big handful of qualities where it can help for nourishment and healing. Then they have a small handful of qualities that really shine and help direct the medicine more deeply. And then, if we look with a more discerning eye, there are those 3-4 qualities where we know them to be true masters for healing. One could hope, as a human, that we do the same through our walk here and hone a few innate qualities that would be our soul gift to the world.

Elecampane is a master of physical medicine for respiratory, skin, and gut support and as a soul and spirit medicine for seeking our way back home. For tapping into what is true for each of us. Abundant, yes, and maybe a little off the beaten path, come wander a little with me as we shine some love on this torch carrier for the soul.

​Medicinal Parts & Growth Habit:
Root - dig in fall. Perennial

Elecampane is the richest source of inulin. The amount of inulin varies according to the season, but is more abundant in the autumn which is why I also dig Burdock roots in the fall (biennial) versus 2nd year spring as it too has a good inulin component to it's roots. Inulin is a bulking agent, encourages growth of beneficial gut flora, tones mucosa linings, and helps with the dynamic and complex balancing of blood sugar through good communications between the GI tract, the blood, the pancreas, and the liver.

Medicinal Actions:
Diuretic, tonic, diaphoretic, expectorant, alterative, antiseptic, astringent, gently stimulant/blood mover. It was given by the ancients in phthisis (old word for pulmonary tuberculosis), in dropsy (old word for edema/swelling), and in many if not all skin disorders. So we think of the GI tract, lungs and throat, liver, and the skin for internal and external treatments, The name 'scabwort' arose from the fact that a decoction of it is said to cure sheep affected with the scab, and the name 'Horse-heal' was given from its virtues in curing the many skin diseases of horses. We can apply it similarly as humans for skin conditions as a wound wash or compress. 

Common Names:
Scabwort. Elf Dock. Wild Sunflower. Horse-heal. Velvet Dock.

Habitat and Description:
It's found wild throughout continental Europe, temperate Asia as far as Southern Siberia and North-West India. As a cultivated plant for medicine, it's wandered to North America, where it's become thoroughly naturalized in the eastern United States. It now resides from Nova Scotia to Northern Carolina and maybe farther south, and westward as far as Missouri, growing abundantly in pastures and along roadsides, preferring wet, rocky ground at or near the base of eastern and southern slopes.

Elecampane is one of our largest herbaceous plants. 
The leaves are tropical-like in size and number and sometimes reach three feet long arching out from the central stem that can reach 6-8 feet in height. The root harvest is generous and rather easy if you're skilled at using your body and a good spade fork. They take about three years to get fully established from seed. And they demand space! Sometimes it's hard to imagine in early spring but I continually find myself transplanting loved ones farther away so as to not get lost and shaded in such massive leaves. Chickweed and others that thrive in dappled sun and crawl out to the sun as needed love growing around the base of Elecampane. 

Exerpt from– M. Grieves Book: A Modern Herbal
“In herbal medicine it is chiefly used for coughs, consumption and other pulmonary complaints, being a favorite domestic remedy for bronchitis. It has been employed for many years with good results in chest affections, for which it is a valuable medicine as it is in all chronic diseases of the lungs asthma and bronchitis. It gives relief to the respiratory difficulties and assists expectoration. Its principal employment as a separate remedy is in acute catarrhal affections, and in dyspepsia attended with relaxation and debility, given in small, warm and frequently repeated doses. It is, however, seldom given alone, but most frequently preferred in combination with other medicines of a similar nature. It is best given in the form of decoction, the dose being a small teaspoonful, three times a day.” 

-An extract from Elecampane demonstrated ulcer healing properties, relieving symptoms and improved gastric mucosal circulation in a clinical trial with 102 patients with peptic ulcer disease. Identifying the stress which causes such ulcers is more important work but Elecampane with help when combined with Marshmallow root and a adaptive nervine such as Tulsi. 

-Experiments with extracts of Elecampane in the laboratory showed it to have potent antibacterial activity against an array of infectious organisms. European scientists have shown that Elecampane contains a substance (alantolactone) that helps rid the body of intestinal parasites. Again this would be part of a treatment plan for such conditions.

-The root was long ago candied and eaten as a sweetmeat or made into lozenges for sore, infected throats. It's often called upon for acute and long term treatment of whooping-cough, pneumonia, and chronic bronchitis. It's fast acting for acute conditions with more frequent doses but also helps chronic conditions with lower, long term dosing. 
 
Safety Concerns:
Elecampane is generally a safe and well-tolerated herb so long as it's taken in moderation, especially for the young or elderly. Excess doses will likely cause significant gastric upset fairly quickly so it would be difficult to overdose on this herb. I love this built-in safety mechanism. If you feel nauseated, back up your dose to half and see how you feel. Resisting the 'more is better mentality' is wise here. Elecampane is not recommended to take during breastfeeding (the sesquiterpene lactones will pass into the milk and upset the baby's stomach - I repeat again if the dose is too high - read on). It's unlikely to be of any direct danger but it's still 'recommended to avoid it during pregnancy'. This being said, when I was pregnant and breast feeding I did take Elecampane in very low 3-5 drop doses three times a day if I was sick or baby was sick and needed this support. My milk provided the medicine in minute doses to my baby. I always suggest dosing for baby's comfort even if the medicine is for Mama. I'm sharing my experience here is all. 

Mouth Washes with Elecampane Root:
Yes, I love this fresh root tincture added to a tincture blend for sensitive or infected gums and where lots of dental work is underway. It tones and tightens the gums and disinfects the mucosa while supporting rapid healing. The drawback here? Taste. It's pungent and I love it but many complain, unless they are threatened with loosing teeth! The priority list changes in this situation. Comfort is not always the priority when healing is asked for. So I formulate a gentle easy-tasting mouth rinse for general care and for children that can be added to water for swishing, to put into a water-pick, or applied straight on the gums if needed. I offer the Elecampane root addition when the condition and situation calls for a bit more. 

Dosing Suggestions:
Fresh or dried root tincture can be taken in water 3-5 drops to 60 drops 3 times per day or every four hours for acute intense conditions. Decoctions of dried root are made by simmering 1 tablespoon of dried root in 1 1/2 cups water for 20 minutes. Keep covered and allow to cool another 20 minutes and drink 2 tablespoons to 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons) every four hours for acute situations. It's deliciously strong but an acquired taste for some. Learn to at least like it is what i would say next. I don't bother with pills or capsules.  

Consider the lower dosing for chronic long term conditions and for those of you that know your system needs less medicine to respond. Being more sensitive is a strength and it's also economical. We need less medicine. 

I LOVE this plant like a deeply trusted friend that just might know me better. As always the knowings between us are unfolding with time and these things will not be rushed. Slow cooked is the way with the plants and the souls of humans. I add my two cents here from this long walk that started when I was in  my mid twenties and continues with me damn near close to my mid 50s. Phew. It really does happen if we're lucky and maybe a little cleaver!

Plant dieting on Elecampane is in the plans for a future group experience and I do look forward to what Elecampane will reveal to us in such a setting. Elecampane will inform me as to when, where and how. This I trust. I'm sure there will be some juicy things to chew on as we step closer for a listen in shared space. Stay tuned... hands to heart here. 

So what I know of Elecampane so far as a soul medicine it that it works like the torch of the Hermit in the tarot, heralding a way to see through the mist in a time where discerning can be challenging. There's an anchoring to the indigenous soul that is always wanting to rise and express itself in these times. Maybe we shy away from this? Some do and it's fine. But once aware of this, we can call on Elecampane to anchor and support flow from this soul space that carries a healing we long for and also thrive within. So 'finding and seeking home' is the key phrase Elecampane gave to me long ago about how to do this. To be this. To find a way no matter what. And to also find comfort, acceptance and healing in finding this place within us that is always present and available. Elecampane stands at the portal shining this light for us. 

Suggested 'Dosing' to Work with Elecampane Spirit and Soul Medicine:

• 3 drops of fresh root tincture added to water and taken morning and night.
• Make an altar and call on Elecampane. It could be a tiny movable one made in a plant saucer with sand so it can be by your bed, bath, or larger altar.
• Draw pics or seek art or photos.
• Make a syrup for daily doses and keep on your altar for morning and evening doses, before journey or meditation, during journal time.
• Get the Flower Essence and take orally, make a spray for yourself, or add to your bath.
• Add 1/2 cup of decoction to your bath for spiritual bathing.
• Grow it! This is the best learning if your landscape and region lend itself to this.
• Create a plant diet experience for a plant spirit quest if this calls to you. 
• Pilgrimage to someone's place that does grow it. I traveled to Ecuador to sit with Cacao. It was one of the reasons, yes. These can be acts of great love and honoring and while not necessary, they might just be for you. You know you. 

Excerpt from Felter & Lloyd's Kings Dispensatory from 1898
“Elecampane is an aromatic stimulant and tonic, and is much used in chronic pulmonary affections and weakness of the digestive organs.
Night-sweats are relieved by Inula, as are some cases of humid asthma, and, by its tonic properties, it tends to sustain the strength of the patient in chronic disorders of the respiratory tract. Inula is somewhat slow in action, and should be used for quite a time to get its full action.
That it is an important remedy in irritation of the trachea and bronchia is now well established. It is adapted to cases with free and abundant expectoration, teasing cough, and pain beneath the sternum, conditions frequent in the grippe (old fashioned term for the flu), and the severer forms of colds.”

"grippe" ... "severer"... Just love the old writings!

You can make this in less than one hour.

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 cups cold water
• 1 TB each of dried Elecampane root, Comfrey root, Coltsfoot leaf, Thyme Leaf
• 1/3 -1/2 cup honey
• 1-2 TB Echinacea root or Ginger root tincture

DIRECTIONS:

1. Simmer herbs in water slow, (gentle simmer here!) with the lid off for 30 minutes. - Cover allow to sit for another 20 minutes.
2. Strain herbs out squeezing all the goodness - you should have about 1 cup of liquid remaining or simmer this again slowly until you are close to 1 cup (this is technically a 'double decoction' concentrated to increase shelf life and strength with lower doses). 
3. Cool to touchable, add honey (can be an herbal infused honey if you have) and tincture (also optional but leave out if you don't want the alcohol).
4. mix and taste - adjust sweetness but know that Elecampane packs a nice pungent flavor. Get to know it and teach your children or finicky ones to accept strong flavors too. My family did. It's possible! I not a fan of any syrup too sweet and so will add apple cider vinegar in small amounts to find the tangy sweet I prefer. This helps with healing and supports a good shelf-life too. 
5. Bottle with your own funky personal label and store in the refrigerator- use up within 8-10 weeks.

DOSING SUGGESTIONS: adults / over 100 lbs - 2 TB every 4-6 hours for acute symptoms and three times a day as symptoms improve. Do remember to increase rest, fluid intake, and simple quality food to support recovery. And ask a loved one to percuss on your back - yes, drum on your back for helping to loosen the congestion. This is done in the ICU all the time to save lives. Why wait until then, percuss now. 

Hint Hint: YES! This syrup can be made with just Elecampane root as a spirit medicine for dosing over time. Seek your medicine. Walking with you, Jen  

Use Discount Code: ELECAMPANE15 for a 15% discount on 'Birthing and Herbalist in 13 Moons on-line Course for the Summer of 2018. Good through 8/31/2018 Enjoy! Jen

Grief work happens. It needs to and it's not about comfort, at first. We're beekeepers now through deep love and desire, through honoring the harsh conditions bee are seeking to survive in, through being gifted bees unexpectedly while helping a friend through death and grief, through knowing that receiving such a gift means stepping up in way we haven't before, and through tending in a way that will include death and grief. No life exists without this. We lost two hives this year, alive in February, that died during the long and cold March of this year of 2018.

To make it that long and die happens. I walked wide around these hives for several weeks before stepping in closer, knowing full well death had come. It was silent. It felt silent too. No, I'm new to death but each time we dance uniquely with each other and I watch myself closely as I learn more about death, grief, and myself. I finally scooped dead carcasses up bare handed for honoring on our communal grief altar. It’s bigger than these little hives for bees. And it's bigger for me or my little life too. 

Many bees come from southern farms and can struggle with these harsh NY winters and we help them get through. We weren't going to get southern bees again and so had shelved the whole thing as we each grieved this death in our little tribe here. Accepting and working this perceived lose is good medicine for us.

Bees change your property. They do this fast too. And it's incredibly apparent when they leave too. You just feel it. Within the very same day of placing these dead bees on the altar and facing the feelings of it all, a call came in near sunset. We received a connection thru our friend to a local young man who quietly and steadily loves the bees and has bees to share that made it through this hard winter. Considered a hardy community of bees that know the NY cold well with a seasoned more than 20 years bee keeper too, it was one of those serendipitous big blessings really to find each other and for us to try again. I have my thoughts on how it's larger than that too when life jumps up again. The new hives are thriving and very different. Death and grief in flow has taught us to walk differently and it may just be part of the purpose of it all.

So we're excited and busy preparing, again, to receive. This means cleaning the hives. And they were so full of honey, beeswax, and propolis. Nope, we didn't plan on such bounty for we had our course set on success which meant these gorgeous bee products from all their hard work would be theirs, not ours. We hoped for a little extra only with them thriving among all the gardens we already have here. And we hoped in a year or two as well. 

I watched myself closely as I learned how to harvest this bounty. In the wake of death we move differently. And it's so astoundingly unique each time which amazes me still. What bubbled up for me? Humor at how clumsy I am in this equation for I've never done this and have no idea what I'm doing harvesting honey. What a delicious mess! There's the bittersweet, the reverence, the acceptance, the honoring, a deeper commitment to lean in and listen more closely to them as we walk together through hard times. Yeah, let's lighten this up now because we can laugh and rejoice in the wake of death and grief too.

What I was most unfamiliar with and most excited about was getting to know propolis better. Until now I've shied away from this as medicine in hopes of helping them survive by reducing demand for their products. I laugh at myself because there is a surplus of this from them thriving with humans. Honey companies would never exist if they received propolis through the way I did here. It comes from finding a way to thrive with them too. As we switch out frames with other hives and negotiate for their needs first which includes scraping hives and frames of propolis just so the parts will fit back together, we receive this amazing substance.

Now let's talk about what propolis is, how to make this medicine yourself, plus the circumstances where it thrives in support of healing. 

​So first what is bee propolis? It’s a resinous substance that bees gather from trees and flowers. Just like honey, propolis varies from hive to hive. It’s used for many things inside the hive, including patching holes and air leaks so they can regulate temperature and air flow while keeping opportunistic ones out. Propolis inhibits bacterial and fungal growth, and prevents putrefaction when large intruders crawl into the hive and die. once brood/baby bees are hatched, they line these cells with propolis to sterilize them for receiving honey or packing with pollen, their food and medicine. This is how wax gets the different hues as it gets used over time. The broad make-up of propolis is “primarily resins and vegetable balsams (50%), waxes (30%), essential oils (10%), and pollen (5%)”, with a thank you to our scientists for analyzing propolis for us. 

Bee propolis at room temp is sort of sticky and can be pressed together like this ball my friend gifted me. You can pull it apart with your fingers too into small chunks. For tincture making I break into small pieces, freeze these chunks for a few hours and then powder it in a standard dedicated to herbs coffee grinder. (pics below) This prevents you from getting a sticky impossible-to-work-with goo from the generated heat in the grinder. Being powdered increases the surface area exposed to the alcohol for easier more efficient, waste nothing, get all the medicine kind of tincturing I love.

I'm doing my best to distill it here or there's a threat of falling into a dissertation abyss! My focus is not to comb the scientific research for you. Other herbalist data collectors do this. I already know and trust what is now being 'proven' so my focus is on testimonials and experience I've witnessed among my tribe, herbal friends, and now being among bee keepers. This not complete but good enough for you get the idea on how potent and versatile Propolis is. 

Health Benefits Of Propolis:

1. Propolis Kills Bacteria, Mold, and Viruses:
This is one of the reasons the bees make it and it's part of their apothecary in the hive. They are astounding herbalists and combine, mix, and transform plant parts into medicine to keep themselves strong and well. Consider internal treatment during any active infection, cold, flu, or mysterious malaise while you seek answers to why. Propolis has a long, long traditional story upon story of treatment among people for treating colds, flus, and infection anywhere in and on the body. Works great as a throat spray too for sore throats when tincture is mixed with honey.

2. Propolis Protects Injured and Decaying Teeth:
Traumatic injuries and decay to the teeth present challenging situations for the clinician because of pre and post-treatment complications that include excessive inflammation. Propolis is potent for anti-bacterial  and anti-inflammatory capabilities in the mouth, and especially with regard to needing root canals. You'll see it in well-made tooth pastes. I add the tincture to my water-pic water on occasion. With any dental trouble, I'd increase to 1-2x daily. I often recommend pre and post dental visit treatment due to all the scrapping and prodding can bust bacteria deep below the gum line and cause issue. Sea salt and water gargles help too. 

3. Propolis Helps Lowers Blood Pressure - Honey too in small daily doses: 
​Okay so I did a little research and got disturbed by the rat studies, again. I hear both sides and I am a trained scientist but we have historical information so I'm not one for animal studies at all. Anyway, this holds a bit of interest for me. Nitric oxide is a very important substance for healthy hearts. The inner lining of our blood vessels use nitric oxide to signal the surrounding smooth muscles to relax, thus resulting in vasodilation (the widening of blood vessels) and increased blood flow. Reduction in the bioavailability of nitric oxide plays a significant role in the development of high blood pressure. And without it, you’d have a heart attack. There is an enzyme called Tyrosine hydroxylase (or TH for short) that limits that amount of nitric oxide you can produce. Propolis has TH and so helps provide the enzyme for regulating our nitric oxide levels. 

If you struggle with hypertension, you may want to consider taking raw honey, which contains propolis, as it has been proven to lower blood pressure. Consider two tablespoons per day. Or take doses of propolis tincture 30-60 drops per day. Please refrain from thinking you can replace your BP medications today with either of these. A weaning trial would be a better experiment, along with other changes in lifestyle, additions of other herbal remedies, spiritual work and support, creative pursuits, and dietary considerations. Being safe is the goal. No one walks to hypertension overnight, or from it either. 

4. Propolis Helps Treat Some Bone Diseases:
It's in the inflammatory process that we loose bone density over time. Inflammation is a healing response within the body. Inflammation is needed sometimes to begin the healing process. Gone unchecked or never reigned in so the body can never truly rest and recover nudges us into a chronic inflammatory state of being. This feeds all disease. Period. I feel we're in a chronic inflammatory state as a whole culturally, and even at large for humanity. But we don't have to walk in this state all the time within our bodies, or outside our bodies either. 

If you’re working with bone density loss taking a daily dose of propolis could be a very wise thing to consider, along with exercise, good sleep, dietary support, and... and.. and... you get my drift here. It's not just "take propolis" and carry on as you are. People recovering from critical illness requiring ICU hospitalization would do well to take propolis for at least 6 months after such an event. The bone loss in just two weeks in bed is astounding and measurable. Some loose 30% of their jaw bone in this time due to the mouth has so many opportunistic bacteria. Consider propolis for recovery. 

5. Propolis Helps Treat Pollen Allergies
An amazing health benefit of propolis is its ability to calm the symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Scientists gave propolis to rats for two weeks and found that it significantly inhibited histamine release from the rats’ mast cells. Histamine is the compound that makes you sneeze, gives you watery eyes and a runny nose – generally making your life more difficult. Anti-histamines are the main allergy drugs sold over the counter.

Their results clearly demonstrated that propolis "may be effective" (we all have to say it this way for now) in the relief of symptoms of allergic rhinitis through inhibition of histamine release. So come allergy season, don’t only take your bee pollen but add a daily dose of propolis tincture 30 drops/day.

6. Cancer Cells in the Presence of Propolis:
Research continues. Prostate cancer cells become suppressed (at least in a test tube) in the presence of propolis. Colon cancer cells too. Scientists are finding that it causes the cancer cells to die by necrosis, which means that it interrupted the blood supply to the cell. This causes just the local cancer cells to die and NOT the healthy living cells. 

Chemotherapy does the opposite of this – it kills both healthy living cells and the cancer cells and is the reason why chemo often has some violent and devastating side effects. We have choices. Ultimately, this research is very promising. 

My suggestion to this is more complex than take propolis, but this will help if you get to know your local bee keeper who cares for the bees and their needs first, and support their work as you get to know and understand bee products that are ecologically harvested as best as possible. 

7. Propolis and The Gut:
Research is underway and scientists have found that propolis inhibited the growth of Campylobacter jejuni, Enterobacter faecalis, and Staphylococcus aureus, the three germs that are commonly found in food poisoning cases.

They went on to say that propolis preparations "could be used as support to traditional therapy for infection, especially when antibiotics show no activity against these micro-organisms." And so we thankfully see more bridging happening between modern medicine and ancient practices. 

In my house and my practice I am always suggesting honey water, 1 teaspoon in a warm cup of water sipped slowly, for stomach flus and GI disturbances with vomiting and/or diarrhea. The propolis is added if it doesn't resolve in 24 hours. Rarely do we need the propolis but I keep it close just in case.

8. Adapting to Stress & Propolis:
One of the reasons the health benefits of propolis are so vast is because it is so full of antioxidants. An active ingredient in propolis known as caffeic acid phenethyl ester, or CAPE, triggers a broad spectrum of biological activities including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiviral actions.

So let's look at once kind of stress. Heat stress is considered to be the main factor underlying the early fatigue and dehydration seen during prolonged exercise in the heat. Researchers examined blood from 30 competitive cyclists who engaged in endurance training for two to four years prior to the investigation.

The lead researcher stated at the conclusion of the study that CAPE, one of the powerful compounds in propolis, just might promote rapid recovery from such a stress.  Knowing this I travel with propolis. Travel is a stress and one small bottle travels easy and addresses many issues while on the road, one being rapid recovery from stress. I like to take this intuitively while on the road, meaning I check-in with my body as I head to sleep and consider it then. 

9. Propolis is Part of an Effective Treatment for Warts:
While this viral stimulated states happens often with children, it can happen at anytime in life. I take propolis internally 3-15 drops daily while dropping the tincture right on the warts. If plantar warts happen on the bottom of the feet or warts in other odd places, band-aid or tape a small piece of saturated cotton ball to it. I've seen successful treatment of many warts with internal immune support, apple cider vinegar soaks, beach trips (seriously, all warts among our tribe have shrunk to 1/2 in less than a week with ocean swimming), and topical applications of propolis ( taken internally daily too). 

Thank you for traveling this far.

Here's a simple thing you can do for the bees that they'll so appreciate for they travel miles a day to harvest. Lay out a shallow bowl that's pie plate shaped with marbles or stones in it and fill with fresh water each day for them. They drown easy which is why they need the stones to walk on. Plant flowers for them. Find a good bee keeper who loves them and cares from that place. 

And if you need some ElderMoon Propolis? We thank you for delegating to us to provide medicine for you and your family. Our stock ebbs and flows depending on the year.

Much Love, Jen

Welcome Herbalist - Herbalist In The Works - Plant Lover - Fierce Beauty Walker Anyway in an Intense World that Calls To and Needs Us...

​This month in our Monthly Herbal Council at EMS of Herbs, we'll sit together to peek deeper into the practice of 'Plant Dieting', also called 'Sacred Plant Initiations'.  Deepening our practice in relationship with the plants and Earth by drawing wisdom from ancient tools such as 'Plant Dieting' is the goal. These coined phrases encompass the paradoxical simple and profound act of working with or dedicating one's practice to one plant deeply by ingesting only that one plant for period of time. Consider 12 hours to 4 days as the window of time often considered.

We'll explore in council the why's and how's of this practice and how it embodies a feminine form of a  'Questing' in it's deepest expression based on how we prepare and move through it as a practice to deepen consciousness. Dedicated nourishment is woven into the practice here versus intense deprivation. So we'll speak to the elements of a 'Quest' through connecting, preparing, and retreating for self healing and growth.

Preparation is everything (wink wink) meaning you get out of it what you put into it. It's all connected to how we show up. And yes, 'dieting' means we ingest small amounts of just that one plant for a predetermined amount of time while engaging our supportive consciousness shifting tools. 

My desire is for this to be informative and inspiring to deepening your practice of walking strong with the plants and to raise awareness around this ancient way that indigenous cultures put into practice as part of their sacred tending to life. It's worded as 'fasting on one plant'. It can be that, but it's so much more. 

The Why? 
​As an herbalist, or plant lover who turns to plants for healing support where possible, (the same thing), our work with the plants as medicine requires a dedication practice and creative fire to be tended regularly within us. Plant Initiations ~ Plant Dieting can be that bit of lighter fuel to make this fire within jump up for us.

While it may not be for everyone in this moment, I do believe eventually it is for all plant lovers seeking deeper connections and relationships with the plants and Earth. (Jen's take. Leave it at the door if it doesn't feel true for you.) Plus, the benefits of fasting are beautifully researched and gaining awareness and practice for healing all levels of our being. Yes, ancient practices consider spiritual are now proving to heal the physical. Imagine that! 

Consider these as some of the reasons why you might consider embarking on plant dieting. Add your voice to this:
​

• You're intuitive. You know it and want to engage this gift further for your walk with the plants, as a beginner or seasoned one, for understanding your unique gifts for personal, family, community and  global expression.

• You desire exploring Earth Medicine based healing and spirituality that's grounded in personal growth, humor, and the simple act of showing up with more of your authentic self. And you know that no other spiritual practice can keep pace humans better than Nature. 

• You're a curious beginner and first timer to the herbal world or are circling back around with a beginner-again mindfulness for a deeper walk on the spiral path of your relationship with plants.

• You're feeling a call to exploring how your relationships, energy, and soul growth can create healing change in the deepest places within you. 

• You believe in the unexplained and so called magical forces of the plants and Earth and want to lean in closer for listening and engaging.

• You know devotional work is the foundation to building your relationships and knowledge with the plants. 

​

• It's a soul call with no need for explanation.  ​

​The How?
As stated, preparation is the key. There can be a longer, steady preparatory movement into retreat and return. There can also be a more narrow window with a deep drop and return. Either way can be an incredibly informative experiential ride into unknown terrain where developing our unique skills will be called into action. You know you. Being guided by a space holder seasoned in Plant Initiations is available and resources will be shared for this. But there are those who know this a solo journey and trust their skill set to begin on their own. We'll speak to the creation of this as well.

The What?
What is plant dieting actually? To give the simplest explanation we partner with one plant that calls to us. It begins with the 'yes' in your heart. We then prepare. This includes exploring intentions for healing. Consider one circumstance you know you are seeking support with. Another way is to come to this from a place of deep trust that what comes up is what is needed. 

An elixir or syrup is curated from this one plant you're called to and made in a sacred way. It can include and combination of honey, liquor, tinctures, vinegars, juices, infusions, decoctions, flower essences and even edible honey pastes. A little math to calculate how much you will need based on how long you plan to diet needs to be done (we'll cover this). Space and time are consulted, altars and sacred space worked, journey, meditation, artistic expression, song and sound, writing, dreaming, bathing, limpias, pilgrimages to sacred places, and much more can be woven in. 

It can be a community experience (I've been with 25 people sometimes). It can be created with a partner, a sister circle, or on your own. The rules are loose in these many choices meaning the alchemist within rules here in weaving a ceremonial plant diet that supports you. 

The Apprehensions?
Yes, they come up. Considering all the choices above, and there are more, one can get overwhelmed and easily think 'I can't' but I will ask you to hold that in your right hand and set it down over there, by the side of the road. Thank you for considering coming to infuse with something new and different, or considering a new way to this, if you're already a seasoned plant dieter. 

Then there's the idea of no food for a period of time. No coffee or tea. No Sugar. Yes, plenty of water and a supportive infusion can be taken in freely. What comes up when you close your eyes and feel into this? Mmmmm.... there's good medicine there. Light fare for those who medically cannot fast are often provided or outlined. This would be a good place to start to ease the apprehension of those who have never fasted before. It's like working a new muscle. It takes time. 

​Cautions? You bet with stronger herbs or poisonous plants but there are ways to work these beauties. We'll speak to this too. ​

Saying 'No' is completely fine. Remember, you know you best. As you feel into this idea of embarking on a plant dieting experience consider journaling to get behind the "no" and see if there's some medicine there for you sequestered in the shadow. How does your body feel and how can you partner with this from a place of just honestly looking for a place of loving self versus judging self. Maybe there's no more to the discussion. Maybe there is. Only you know you here. 

I also consider stepping behind the 'Yes' too for mining the medicine we are seeking in saying yes. If you're sitting with curious intrigue laced with a little nervousness, this is a 'yes' for me. What say you? 

The Monthly Herbal Councils are free if you're enrolled in other courses at
ElderMoon School of Herbs

- Jim MacDonald, Herbalist says, “The best way I know to get Mullein to grow where you live is to burn a brush pile and come back in a year.”

Yes, Mullein is called a pioneer plant for this very reason. It has ease and a tenacious ability to begin to grow in disturbed, traumatized land as a regenerative force for starting the settling of healing energies while steadily moving forward into the healing process.

This is Mullein’s super power. It reorganizes limited resources for regeneration.

Even in our bodies as we sip leaf infusions for the lungs that are flooded with deadly fluid devastation, the gut that is devastated by a regular lousy diet of stress or poor quality food, or we drip Mullein flower oil into inflamed, infected ears as we consider what is not being heard.

Mullein blankets the land where fire has cleared forests. In this, it appears as though the plant is invading the land, but after a year or two, new plant species emerge and diversity expands. Mullein acts as a kind of soothing balm that eases and covers with its leaves the devastation and disruption and helps regenerate new growth.
​

​Medicinal Plant Part: Leaf, Flower

Medicinal Actions:
Demulcent, emollient, astringent, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, pectoralis, expectorant, and relaxant properties, which makes it beautifully helpful in pectoral/respiratory complaints and bleeding of the lungs and bowels. The whole plant seems to possess slightly sedative, mild narcotic properties.

Common Names:
White Mullein. Torches. Mullein Dock. Our Lady's Flannel. Velvet Dock. Blanket Herb. Velvet Plant. Woollen. Rag Paper. Candlewick Plant. 

Habitat, Description, Harvest:
Mullein is a widely distributed plant, being found all over Europe and in temperate Asia as far as the Himalayas, and in North America is exceedingly abundant as a naturalized weed in the eastern States. This plant is biennial and there are many species too. I stay with the ones that have a white mid vein and white hairs along the flower stalk. The leave can get huge, up to 2 feet long when happy, but the plant starts as a small and fuzzy rosette each spring that grows larger and larger the first year. The second year rosette emerges large and the flower stalk quickly rises from the center by late spring of the second year. Leaves are harvest through the summer of the first year to spring of the second. Flowers are harvest in the summer of the second and final year.

Herbalists seek these easily found abundant medicine plants for they provide through efficiency and potency for the relevant conditions of our times, and also provide teachings of the power of simplicity, abundance economics, and ease through their actions. 

Traditional Medicine Preparations:
For year I’ve harvested fresh Mullein leaf for tincture, dried Mullein leaves for infusions, teas and for smoke blends, freshly wilted flowers (leave out on a towel for a day so some of the water evaporates off) for Mullein Flower Infused Olive Oil. 

Harvest & Drying:
Enjoy harvesting healthy, green fuzzy Mullein leaves mid summer to fall on first or second year plants. I take from many plants so I don’t harm any one plant from taking too many. Carefully examine each leaf to check for mold or decay on the leaf undersides as these should not be harvested for medicine making. ​
​
My favorite way to prep Mullein for drying is to stack the leave up and slice thin with a good sharp knife. Then load on trays or in a dehydrator. They dry quick too but be sure that center rib, which has a lot of medicine in it, is dry. Roll it between your fingers and it needs to crumble. If it stays intact and rolls around your finger, then it needs another day or two. Store in glass if possible in a cool dark place, label with date. 

​The hairs are prominent so have a good straining method before ingesting to prevent irritation in the throat.

Mullein is found in many formulas addressing the lungs for any respiratory ailments from coughs due to colds and flus to management of asthma.

​Less often noted but just as potent are the GI Tract benefits of toning and supporting digestion while soothing irritation to mucous lining. Taken as infusion, homemade syrup, or tincture, many feel the expansion of the entire chest cavity and a lengthening of the spine as breathing muscles of the diaphragm and between the ribs are relaxed so they can work more efficiently in a regular healing breath rhythm that improves air flow, oxygenation, and expectoration of excessive mucous and/or infection lodged and festering in our lung tissue. Coughing is good. But we want efficient deep coughs to clear the lungs well. The calming and expansiveness of these actions is specific for easing the spasms associated with asthma. Mullein is safe for long term dosing for such chronic conditions as this. Recover from irritated and inflamed GI tract conditions is hastened in the presence of the demulcent and astringent properties of Mullein that encourage toned well-functioning mucosa to get back on tract.

These delicate yet potent flowers are harvested for making oil for the ears for impacted ear wax mobilization and for inflammation and infection, though I tend to combine with garlic to enhance the antiseptic properties. I suggest just Mullein flower oil for impacted ear wax, any visible lesions, or abscesses in the ear canal. Please drop NOTHING in the ear canal if the ear drum is ruptured, draining mucous with a bit of blood, and already in a healing process. Before rupture, the pain is of course excruciating, but is relieved instantly with the pressure release of rupturing. The ear drum is designed to do this, and quickly, and needs no help other than keeping the outer ear clean and dry with warm soapy cloth as it drains. I encourage the person to lay affected ear down and allow the ear to naturally drain with the help of gravity onto a towel. It looks much like blowing your nose through your ear with a little blood show. Nasty, yes… but so good it’s draining away and they have found comfort from the pain! You will do more harm than good putting anything into the ear at this time. Treat the immune system internally instead, along with rest, ample hydration, and simple nourishing soups.

It is easy to find traveling otoscopes (to look inside the ear canal) for less than 15$ today and it’s a great simple tool for the practice of visualizing the ear canal when healthy and sick. It’s the only way to truly learn what an infection looks like. We must know the tissue when well for comparison so I encourage regular peeks inside the ear canal to learn. It's not hard and one can get quite good at it quickly with a little practice. Inner ear infections versus outer ear infections of the canal are easily discerned as well, though treatment is the same with localized instilling of an oil, pain management, and immune support with herbs, rest hydration and simple nourishing soups. 

Pain is managed best with nervine herbs such as Chamomile, Skullcap, or Valerian root (there are others too), and hot salt packs I learned years ago from Rosemary Gladstar.

HOT SALT PACK RECIPE: Simply warm 2 cups of dry salt in a dry pan until warm to the wrist, but not too hot to touch. Pour into a bowl lined with a clean hand towel, gather up the corners and tie closed and place over the infected painful ear. Sometimes I add a few drops of Eucalyptus or Lavender essential oil. Lay over the infected ear and neck area and rest. This stops pain almost instantly and is so soothing while waiting for other therapies to start kicking in. It increases circulation to the area and speeds drainage of the infection through opening the Eustachian tubes and sinuses. So simple and works great. 

"The flower stalk oozes a brown protective, self-healing resin for the plant that was once used in baking like Vanilla is today for it has a faint vanilla aroma and has also a great history in fermentation of stouts and liqueurs.  

Rotenone is a fish poison and very effective insecticide originally of plant origin but now synthetically produced by our government.  It occurs in mullein seeds and seed capsules, and leaves. Mullein seeds and seed capsules have been used as fish poison in the past.  Mullein seeds and flowering stalks were also used to get rid of lice and scabies. Rotenone is water insoluble, but readily soluble in ethanol, acetone, and other organic solvents such as olive oil. Fatal rotenone poisoning causes respiratory failure, ironic, huh?  Mild rotenone poisoning from inhaled mullein smoke may be spasmolytic (reduces spasms) for asthmatics and chronic bronchitis. It may suppress the cough reflex, and, act as a local anodyne (pain killer) for inflamed ear canals. Rotenone is more toxic when inhaled than when ingested. Once again, the poisonous substances of plants in low doses produce some of our strongest medicines." – Thank you to Ryan Drum.

My first year in herbal school I received visions from Mullein as the tall flower stalk superimposed as the spine within our human form. Mullein had me see and feel this in my body so I could truly know this expansion and lengthening as my cells, tissues, and bones as they made more space within my body for movement both physical and energetic. Grief work, which was in my lap back then, I learned would be a healer and teacher who would be present all through life, not just for me, but we all have this work in our lap. While I sat with these gentle giants, I learned how Mullein deeply assists us with re-patterning our stance in the presence of the grief we attempt to carry. It allows the protective heart posture of collapsing our shoulders forward with a rounded back as we pull our heart away from the world to open, to expand. Mullein supports movement, flow, and the release of the tears behind the rage, which is often one of the many masks of grief, as we re-learn a new posture, a new stance, in the presence of our grief as teacher. Solidified and held grief makes us sick. It must move. Mullein is often communal in how it grows and this mirrors the medicine of grief that also needs community. We are learning still. 

Asthma, respiratory, ear and GI tract lessons have all been learned on the job as a mom of three sons who each gave me the lessons I needed on how to assess and treat such conditions as I nudged their bodies back to health. And yes, our children carry their own grief too, sometimes lineage, personal, or collectively rooted. Mullein has always been in my home apothecary since my very first creation of an apothecary. It’s easily found in herb and health food stores for reasonable prices due to abundance and ease of harvest, or found when away from home in wild places where newly disturbed soil encourages the seeds to germinate as one of the first plants to do so in such places. Each mother plant in seed makes thousands of tiny black round seed on the huge stalks that can get up to 10 feet tall. If you find yourself on new land without Mullein there are two ways I love to entice Mullein closer. One is to call to Mullein deep within. Make an offering too. It will always come to those who wait and our work is to remain poised and ready to receive. Many are surprised at how Mullein shows up too. The other way is to find stalks in seed and carefully transport to your land in some creative way. Then wave and whack these as massive wands over areas you think Mullein will love, partly to full sun is preferred. I sing softly and speak praise to this beauty too. I imagine I’m quite a sight and it makes for great conversation from non-gardening or non-herbalist neighbor folk!  
​
Thank you for wandering through here. Much love, Jen



(Article Updated 12/2024)

COMMON NAME: Usnea
Other Names: usnea lichen, old man's beard

BOTANICAL NAME: Usnea barbata, Usnea longissima, Usnea hirta. Usnea plicata, Usnea fillipendula, (there are 600 known species but these are the most commonly studied and utilized species for medicine).
Plant Family: Usneaceae

CONSTITUENTS: Usnic acid, essential fatty acids, mucilage, sterols, and many more not being listed here at this time.

PARTS USED: dried thallus, also called lichen strands.

PREPARATIONS: Tincture, liniment, compress/fomentation, poultice, cough syrups, cold lozenges, decoctions, wound washes, wound packing & powder, douches, sitz baths. Taken internally and applied externally. Tincture can be applied as liniment to skin full strength or added to mister bottles with water and essential oils for skin fungus and infections. To bathe sinuses add 2-3 drops of tincture to netty pot washes.
 
MEDICINAL ACTIONS: Analgesic, Antimicrobial, (Antifungal, Antibacterial, Antiviral, Antiparasitic, Antiprotozoan), Antiseptic, Antiproliferative (cancer), Immunostimmulant, Anti-inflammatory, Antineoplastic (cancer), Antioxidant

PRECAUTIONS: Not for use during pregnancy is often reported by many. No other known precautions exist. I will share that with flu and pregnant, I did enlist the support of Usnea with great results. My rule with plants where we just don't know the effects during pregnancy and yet there seems to be good reason for it to be fine is to take 1/4 the dose to start. The pregnant body is very sensitive and requires very small doses and can work with this well because of the heightened state we are in when pregnant. You get to decide for you and your baby. This is not based in any research nor is it a suggestion. I only share what I've experienced. 

Walking through the forest is where one will encounter Usnea. Did you know know that the inconspicuous gray-green fuzzy plant covering many of the trees is one of the gentlest yet strongest immune tonics and antimicrobials in the herb world?

Usnea is a lichen; a combination of an algae and a fungi growing together symbiotically on the surface of the tree. Also known as Old Man's beard, it grows in little hair-like tufts, with the green algae covering the white string like fungi. The best way to identify Usnea is to pull a string apart and look for this white thread. No white thread means it's not Usnea. I do recommend showing a sample to a knowledgeable person to confirm you've got the right plant. Some people say that the Usnea lichen likes to grow in old growth forests. It must be true but I've seen it on younger trees too. Stephen Buhner has suggested that Usnea serves as the lungs of the forests they grow within, and in some way supports the overall health of the ecosystem. I believe this to be true. It carries the energy of a wise elder, maybe a grandfather for me. 

This plant grows profusely in wet climates, like the Pacific Northwest, where tufts can be up to a foot long. The species that grow here in the northeast tend to be smaller, which can make gathering it a tedious task. I find gathering after a big wind storm good because the wind will blow down the Usnea from the higher branches. I grew up in orchards and the old abandoned apple trees had lots of Usnea growing on them.

Usnea is an immune system tonic that can be used in acute situations as well as for long term immune enhancement and general prevention. It has no side effects or contraindications, and is safe for children and animals. It can be taken along with or instead of Echinacea. Usnea is more specific for strep and staph infections than Echinacea, and the antibiotic properties are most specific to the respiratory and urinary systems. We take to help heal respiratory and sinus infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, strep throat, colds, flus, as well as urinary tract, kidney, and bladder infections. Usnea is also beneficial for women with yeast infections, trichonomosas, bacterial vaginosis, and chlamydia. It can be helpful as part of the plant-based remedies taken for people with chronic fatigue, HIV, herpes, and other chronic conditions related to depressed immunity, especially when taken in a pulsed fashion for acute flare-ups within the chronic condition expression.

Usnea can also be used externally for outbreaks of staph, cellulitis, or infected wounds. I generally use the powdered herb, strong decoctions applied with a cloth, or the diluted tincture for open skin and straight tincture for closed skin. The moistened herb also makes an excellent bandage to be used directly on the wound or affected area. Should you have the great fortune of being near this one fresh when an injury happens, packing the wound with fresh plants after bleeding has been addressed is perfect for keeping the wound tended until you can get to a better situation for cleaning the wound.

This tough yet delicate looking little plant (not plant, lichen) doesn't make much of a tea due to having so little water soluble properties, so I recommend using it as a tincture. The heat required to make many medicines will however take the place of the alcohol so you may stay water-based in your preparation if alcohol is a concern. Increase your dose by 1/4-1/2. I've made a throat spray by diluting the tincture with water, Essential Oil of Eucalyptus, and Honey. It was a spontaneous creation that works great and seems to have the ability to kill microbes on contact. I also, as stated above, place 2 drops of tincture into a full netty pot for sinus irrigation. I do this when I know I've been around the flu or have started active symptoms. I also take it internally 30 drops 3-5x/day and add to cough syrups too.

I've found it to be quite effective with serious cases of bronchitis and pneumonia. Dosing will be increases from 2-3x/day to every 4 hours 30-60 drops to 1/2 teaspoon of tincture with convalescence and bone or medicinal mushroom broth based soups for a few days. Let’s be wise my friends. If someone can no longer walk well or maintain their oxygen levels so they look pale and grey (awful), seek medical attention. These are advanced distress signs of a very weak system so unless you are comfortable with what this looks like and what to do, seek help and learn. Watch closely so you can learn well from the experience. And yes, one can treat with plant medicines and modern medicines together. Seek guidance on how if you are inexperienced. 

Herbalists were ordered with threats to be silent by the FDA during the Anthrax scare. This was the first plant turned to for protection from inhaled life threatening situations; second to quarantine. Hypothetically speaking, dilute the tincture in a spray bottle with Eucalyptus essential oil and mist in front of the face for inhaling. I add 60 drops of Usnea tincture to 2oz. of water with 20 drops of the Eucalyptus essential oil. It could be called, hypothetically speaking, an "air purifying spray". Also use the netty pot with 2-3 drops of tincture only (more than this burns the sinuses).

For Weight Loss? NO.
It was reported to help with this by isolating Usnic acid and concentrating it and people were hurt most likely due to toxicity from receiving the plant in compound isolated form. Work with the full spectrum of whole plant preparations for safety reasons. The FDA was considering banning the plant due to this but it has fallen away a bit thankfully. Do educate that this is not a way to work with Usnea. 

Usnea has water soluble and non-water soluble compounds and so there are suggestions by herbalists to provide a two part preparation for making the tincture in order to extract the full spectrum of the medicine offered. For alcohol sensitive people, a syrup or glycerite made with heat will provide a good option but I would suggest larger dosing (double the dose).
The polysaccharides are found in the fungi portion of Usnea (white inner core) and are part of the water soluble medicine. The alkaloids and acids found in the outer green algae part of Usnea are extractable in 90-95% alcohol, this being the non-water soluble parts. There are other compounds identified and unidentified but by making your tincture in this two part process you will be getting the full spectrum of what Usnea has to offer for healing.  
 
Making Usnea barbata Tincture – A Two Part Extraction Process
Usnea Tincture at 1:5 dried 45% alcohol – Adult Suggested Dose: 1-2 dropperfuls 1-4x/day depending on the health condition and presenting symptoms.

PART 1: You’ll need 3-4 oz dried usnea, Everclear 90-95% Alcohol + 1 quart jar

1. Chop up your ½ of the Usnea you have into smaller pieces with a good knife or clippers. Loosely fill a clean quart jar with the Usnea.
2. Pour organic 90% alcohol over the Usnea until it’s completely covered. Seal jar, label and date, and store in cool dark place.  Shake twice a day for at least 3-4 weeks.

PART 2: You’ll need a strainer, cheese cloth, filtered water, + crock pot on lowest setting.

1. Strain the Usnea from the tincture using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth.  Make sure you give it a good squeeze to get out all the tincture. I compost this and use the other ½ of fresh dried Usnea.
2. Measure the volume of tincture that you just strained, then set it aside in a sealed jar (you’ll be using it in a couple of days).
3. Measure out filtered water that is double in volume to the amount of tincture you just measured. Place the fresh dried 2nd portion of Usnea into a crockpot and cover it with the filtered water.
4. Turn crock pot to its lowest setting and let the Usnea and water cook for 48 hours. Keep an eye on it and add a little water if it gets too low. Keep cooking as we need this long slow cook to get all the medicine. We’ll measure again later once strained.  
5. After 48 hours, allow to cool to room temperature, strain the Usnea from the water. At this point the water should have cooked down to half the amount, so it should be equal in volume to the alcohol tincture you have saved. If less that’s ok, but if more you can simmer to reduce it more.
6. Combine the alcohol extract (tincture) with the cooled water extract (decoction). Bottle in brown glass, label and date, and add to your apothecary. 

CONGRATS! You now have a dual-extracted, highest potency Usnea tincture made by you!  ​

I also do this cook process for other healing herbs such as Astragalus root, all medicinal mushrooms, Ginger root, and a few other tinctures to honor their water soluble compounds as well as their converted-by-heat compounds they have. Cannabis is proving to fit into this category of healing plants/lichens/fungi as well with it's need for decarboxylation to potentize certain compounds. Some herbalists now do this two-part extraction with all dried roots and barks to be tinctured. I’m grateful to Stephen Buhner, Ryan Drum, and Christopher Hobbs for pioneering the simple techniques of a two part process to make a more potent tincture. 

Usnea is also an indicator plant to the health of an area as far as pollutants are concerned. Christopher Hobbs has shared many a time on how Usnea will recede from highly contaminated places because it absorbs such toxins easily due to the nature of it's growth pattern. We would not want to make medicine from this and this wise medicine lichen will not allow it either. This is surely another way the wise protection held in the medicine reaches through. And so to find it is a great reason for ceremony and rejoicing for me. 

Processing Usnea for External Use
Usnea has very tough cell walls!  Therefore, you need to break up its surface area— by grinding, mashing, or chopping to make its medicine more bioavailable. For an herbal powder which can be used to clean and treat wounds, simply air dry the Usnea (it dried so fast and often in a few days just sitting around in basket), and then grind it into a fine consistency using a mortar and pestle or an electric grinder. This powder can be sprinkled directly into wounds, or you can simmer for 30 minutes, and add other antimicrobial plants (love rosemary, plantain, yarrow, calendula to name a few), steep, strain, and wash wounds or apply compresses with the warm to cool tea.

​Harvesting Usnea
Usnea takes a long time to grow. Therefore, I only harvest it from dead fallen branches rather than from living trees.  Make sure you’re harvesting the right lichen!  One distinguishing feature of Usnea is the presence of a thin, thread-like, white central “cord” that is revealed when you pull apart the outer sheath of the thicker main strands of the lichen.  These cords have an elastic consistency to them, so when you pull them apart, they should be rather springy/snappy.
When harvesting Usnea, look for the vibrant, brighter colored specimens as opposed to those that have been hanging out on the ground for a long time and look semi-decayed and brownish.  I like to harvest Usnea using a knife or clippers, that way I can easily separate the lichen from the branches that they’re growing on and leave any bark or other debris behind. This also leaves the “roots” of usnea embedded in the tree where it can continue with its own life process. Make sure you harvest away from roadsides or developed areas as Usnea can absorb toxins and heavy metals from the environment.

​
When in Ecuador high in the Andes Mountains hiking in the forest, tufts of Usnea floated down into my hands one morning. It was one of those moments that stops you for it's undeniable how plants can come to us in seen and unseen ways, calling our attention deep in our heart and soul to connect. To make and honor that bond deeper than before. Thank you so much for wandering through here with me. Much Love, Jen

I've been working with Cacao in a new way of late and wanted to share what Cacao is teaching me to support your discovery of Cacao as a healing addition to your world in a ceremonial way that can remain among your more private practices. Yes, Cacao supports bonding in groups. While there are many heading to Cacao Ceremonies these days, and I for one have hosted them and attended them too, I find the deepest and most meaningful way for me to work with a plant closely is to bring this work to the personal and intimate level by inviting ceremonial work through out my life in increments of dedicated time that are so very private. Let me explain. 

Where and When Did Cacao Ceremonies Start? 
It’s thought cacao was first taken as a health elixir and ceremonial medicine as far back as 1900 BC by the ancestors of Central America, the Olmec people, before becoming a ritualistic medicine used by the Aztec and Mayan cultures. Signifying both life and fertility, it was ingested by Royalty in ceremonial God worship and in sacrificial ritual. Of course it depends on where you go in Central and South America for the true beginning stories change from place to place (wink wink).  

As with many things that involve practice, we only get better with time. I suggest enjoying opening to this practice by choosing a week and drinking it daily to start. Some are drinking it daily and I do hope with much intention for something that requires such tending. For me I feel seasonal changes are a good time to engage cacao's healing for a week, or more if called, within the container of being a dedicated practice. Your experience of cacao in ceremony will likely evolve over time as you do. This is a natural and integral part of the process. The important thing is to make sure you set enough time aside to really allow yourself to dive in. I suggest anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours each day. But only you will know what time frame works best for you.

Here's the rhythm that unfolded organically for me with Ceremonial Cacao in my everyday. 
My commitment is often for one week and Cacao teaches me to visit each chakra each day for this practice. I drink my Ceremonial Cacao Dose (we'll cover this below) first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. This is traditional with Cacao, first thing in the morning with an empty belly. I love the seasonal pulsing to help me shift more smoothly. For me it's likened to meeting an honest lover for a beautiful romp from time to time (wink wink). So once taken in slowly, then I sit quiet for 20-30 minutes and just allow my feelings and mind to wander to see where I'm taken along with checking in with my physical state of being. Review of the previous day can filter in since I take for many days in a row. Spontaneous knowings come up usually within two hours. Visions and dreams through awake and asleep time drift in as the cumulative effect takes hold, and this begins usually by day three. I journal cryptically when taking my morning dose for the in-the-moment feelings but also for a review of the unfolding of the previous day and night that have happened. It's like reviewing a movie with a deeper seeing clearer lens. Here's the honest part. The first two to three days can, but NOT always, be really hard to bordering on down right sucking sometimes. But if you stay with the practice it shifts. Our sequestered residual emotional debris can be unearthed. But only if we want this and are willing to work with it. Pull up, and dust off if need be, your self care skills here too. I retreat to paint, drum, go to Nature, build altars and work them, medicine make, adjust my diet and sleeping, spiritual bathe, yoni steam, sauna, take other plants in as directed intuitively, and basically follow Cacao's inspiration through this process.

Are you following me on this? I hope so. It's a personal and intimate quest of sorts. Do send me questions if they arise. 

Oh I laugh my friend. It IS this and more. This is so individual based on right where we are. Ceremonial cacao works almost magically at opening up the heart.  For some people this will mean FEELING YOUR FEELS. So this looks different for each of us depending on where we are. Maybe what surfaces is your deep and intimate connection to Mother Earth, your guides, or what you hold as Divine. The Spirit of Cacao may present strongly from the plant world. For others, it may mean connecting with your inner-child, or with sabotaging archetypes you've created for survival that need integration, or for grief work around loss of beloveds or more, and feeling emotions that have been suppressed, avoided, or misunderstood for years. And still for others, this may mean tapping into a level of gratitude and abundance beyond that which you have ever experience before. You may make sudden decisions and abrupt life changes with precision and clarity too. 

This Cacao Ceremony round that I'm just completing has brought up some of the deepest grief around the death of sweet and dear sister, more than 20 years ago, and Cacao is sweeping the cracks from that time in my life when the perceived loss of her stimulated a tsunami that changed the course of my life  and all my relations on every level. Cacao is our ally for deep transformation core work. Calling in the medicine for support is our natural course of action. Cacao is there whenever I ask. We need only ask.   

Whatever comes up for you to feel during your time with cacao, it's important to remember that the Spirit of Cacao is your personal partner on this journey, and being your partner, Cacao will assist you in processing your emotions when and where you invite this. Bliss can happen. And it does. But sometimes painful growth comes too in the form of grief work, release work, and expansion of our understanding. Then the bliss can rise. I have to be straight with you on this. Cacao meets us where we are and supports growth. Know you are supported even if it might seem hard at first. 

Sometimes we do need the sort-of mundane, practical side of things spelled out for us. Drinking cacao for ceremonial purposes invites us to slow down and to intentionally set time aside for ourselves. This means stepping out of the daily 'to do' as much as you can and stepping into our self in a more expansive way. So often we rush from one experience to the next without even understanding why we're doing what we're doing. Cacao ceremony invites us to tune in to our inner-knowing, our inner-self, our inner-guidance system, and to take action from a place of inspiration rather than by habit or unconscious, even manic 'doing' places we all can fall into. Set your intentions and begin with baby steps. Choose the number of days you'll drink your Cacao (I like 7 days). Source good Cacao paste, which means you'll want 7-14oz. of cacao paste to cover this time for yourself. Make sure you have a scale to weigh your paste, a natural sweetener, and spices that resonate with you. Consider why you're wanting to do this. Make an altar dedicated to this practice, even if just a tiny one near your bed. Engage determination no matter what to see it through. Have a journal ready too and just a little retreat space of 30 minutes to two hours is good per day. Closely watch or observe yourself throughout your day to see what comes up and what needs attention. Trust Cacao has a process for you that is uniquely yours and within your own personal synchronous healing. Watch for magic to jump up too. So amazing how it truly does.

For the scope of this article I'm avoiding analyzing the individual chemicals in detail that we know of in Cacao. It's fascinating! It's well-studied thus far too and continuing to be further studied as well. Do follow this research if you're intrigued. But reducing Cacao to chemical parts is not my favorite way to introduce or speak of a beloved. Plant or human. Cacao contains a whole host of natural "feel good" chemicals known to influence the body and brain in subtle ways, so don't be surprised if you start to feel the effects of this too. You may notice feelings of warmth rise up the trunk of your body, and have feelings of calm, tranquility, peace, bliss, or others rise up. Maybe your face is hot, you feel flushed, your heart flutters a little. Relax into this. Find comfort in your body through moving to positions of comfort. Twinges and such happen. Trust and move to comfort and breathe deeply. Cacao is a great partner for journey and meditation practice too.  

There are many sources for organic cacao paste so do your homework and feel into the integrity of the company. Central and South America have many beautiful suppliers and then some who are questionable but you will see this with a few questions. One good question is where are the trees from and are the people passionate about their cacao and forthcoming on how they work and tend the land around the trees? If not, move on. 

A Ceremonial Cacao Dose is 1oz. per person per day.
No more than 2oz. per day if you're moved to have more but do space the doses out a bit until you understand how Cacao works with you and your body. These are adult doses so offering to children means smaller amounts please. Sometimes just a spoonful is plenty. 

INGREDIENTS:

• 4oz water per person by volume - you may have 4 oz. Lemon Verbena tea here as a traditional option too.
• 1oz cacao per person by weight
• Pinches of cayenne pepper
• Pinches of cinnamon 
• Honey, Agave, Maple Syrup, or other sweetener to taste (keep it on the bitter side and acclimate to this taste) Black Sugar is traditional but hard to find here in the states.
• Optional: cardamom powder, vanilla to taste
• The ratio of cacao to water is simply a matter of the consistency you like. If you want it thinner, simply add more water.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Start with the cacao block. Chop with a knife into fragments about 1/4 inch  or smaller and weigh and measure out your water and cacao.
2. Heat water with chili to not quite a boil. It should be just too hot to the touch and around no more than 180 degrees.
3. Add the cacao shavings and turn the heat very low or off completely.
4. Use a whisk to stir the brew until all the chunks are blended in and a bit frothy.
5. After the cacao has ‘dissolved’, add whatever sweetening and spices you want. 
6. It’s helpful to have a spoon or stirring stick to keep the consistency even as you consume it. The cacao will settle at the bottom over time. Sometimes I put it all in a small mason jar with a lid so I can shake it well between my tiny sips. This keeps the lovely froth stirred up too. 
7. Sip slowly over 10-15 minutes on an empty stomach while you unplug and relax. Effects are felt almost instantly to hours after with a cumulative effect when working for days in a row. 
8. I like my second dose around 2-3:00pm in the afternoon if I'm home and will unplug. I currently do not take Cacao daily. Some do. It's a precious medicine to me that takes so much time and work to bring to us in the states and so I choose to save it for the deeper connections of soul work. 

How do you know if you're too sensitive, at least for today, and need to slow your dose down? 
Simple. Read the language of your body. I am super sensitive to meds, herbs and just about anything. It's just how I am. Know you and adjust accordingly. This is not a competition and has nothing to do with body size either. Besides, isn't it fabulous to get there with less?! I find the overdose symptom picture looks like this: shaky, sweaty, antisocial, racing pulse, racing thoughts, disconnected feeling (we are), slow moving, heart palpitations, anxious, nauseated to mild and intense vomiting. Not fun! If these symptoms begin to appear during drinking your first dose slowly, then stop for now, drink plenty of water, and lay down. I keep stronger sedating nervine plants as companions on hand such as Skullcap, Chamomile, or Kava Kava root to sip as a tea or take in tincture doses of 10-20 drops with plenty of water and rest. I've not felt these effects with 1oz. but I have with a second  1oz. dose close to the first. And this can happen to anyone and anytime for it's dependent on you and Cacao and the work together in the time you are together. One session can have you feeling this come on half way through your first dose and another session you drink the whole dose with no symptoms at all. Listen to your body as it speaks and adjust your practice. Start low and go slow is my take for safety as these compounds in Cacao are quite powerful, stimulating, bitter, and have potent detoxifying compounds. These symptoms are a strong liver and heart response and we can work with this gently, with care and awareness. 

Contraindications to Consider
If you take anti-depressant medications or cardiac medications of any kind, are pregnant or breast feeding then I ask that you prepare 1/4 of the dose 1/4 oz in 2oz. or more of water will do). Take with extra water and no more Cacao for the day. Some say none at all. I have seen this very low dose to be very safe time and again. The connection is made with a very small amount to none at all and just holding the seeds will do. You decide.  Pure cacao can be fatal to dogs, and possibly horses and parrots, so be sure to keep it away from all pets to be safe.

​Cacao is a powerful heart-opener, increasing blood flow significantly with these small ceremonial doses. It increases focus so that meditation, yoga, and therapeutic work are more accessible. It’s gentle, supportive energy allows me to expand and experience heightened states as well as drop safely into the shadows to clear out some murky heaviness my soul just does not want to carry any longer. We always smile after some good tears fall. Thank you for witnessing what I'm exploring which is a deeper, private, ceremonial way with Cacao. I hope this inspires you to weave Cacao medicine into your medicine bag and apothecary as a healer of self who continues to be medicine for Earth too. So much love to you, Jen

Self-observation and self-reflection are definitely forms of self care that I'm finding absolutely require we keep our humor about us. For one, it's not as painful as the self-judgments we toss around so easily. I often laugh more these days as I catch myself in any form of sabotage mode. Then I adopt a third person conversation which delivers quite the therapeutic effects of kind self-talk, even if stern, that has that element of humor. "Oh, look what you're doing now, Jen!", is my chat with a curious and inquisitive laugh. With Valentine's Day here and all the social media and commercialization that surfaces, it's easy to get lost or lulled to sleep in the lousy chocolate, mass produced over priced roses that die in days, moving blood diamonds around more, and yeah, some seriously bad cards with ridiculous prices. I walked away years ago from this. Sorry but it's true. Now visiting flowers and trees wherever they're alive, visiting sacred waters of the Earth and other landscapes that heal us, making handmade gifts, and sourcing cacao from kind stewards of the land, plus other ways that really feel true, well that's another story all together (smile).

The truth is this time of year is triggering for many. Many struggle this month around the heart. What's heavy in the heart for you? Are tears trying to move in that self-cleansing way? Is there a struggle to find the space or language to actually feel into it all and therapeutically convey in some creative way what is happening on the inside? Addictions of all sorts are included in a mass of coping skills we've masterfully honed over the years as avoidance tactics and they rear their head often this time of year in place of embracing dropping deeper into the heart to do some dusting and cleaning. Growth hurts. But the truth is holding on takes far more energy than letting go of heart pain. 

As spring walks closer and stirs our subtler bodies, I know for me I feel this as either as a scattered way or a sluggish can't get focused way. Obsessive behaviors, irritation, anxiety, and poor timing crop up among my people too. Complaining and whining are at an all time high. So how do you clock this unique way in yourself and own that there's some simple good medicine for this? The number one medicine for this for me is to get outside, anyway, no matter what the weather is doing to re-calibrate with the natural forces. Bundling up for us cold weather dwellers means pulling out the hardy weather garb, again, but let's face it, 40 degrees feels like spring after this much winter and most of us don a thick sweater instead!

"Go to the Water" is the mantra of my ancestors and I seek this inside and out with hikes to natural water places and also through more spiritual bathing in the tub, and sauna. I also sit with my drum and rattle more, journey and make sounds that carry what I cannot find words for. And I paint for visual release and inquiry. Of late I've turn to our food choices too for my body is giving subtle clues to lighten it up. Salads, raw foods, and fruit look more appealing now. Here's another way that I like to re-calibrate on the inside. Jay and I are starting a Kitchari Cleanse this week, Cyrus is not so game for this yet but he's watching as we prepare for a short 3-4 day one to start. We'll go longer if we want to at the end. 

This simple, soupy Ayurvedic cleansing dish is made primarily of rice, split mung beans, seasonal veggies and spices. Sometimes I have to start at the physical and walk step by step. This satisfies that in me. It changed my whole outlook on cleansing and transformed my relationship with food and my body. Instead of feeling deprived, it made me feel nourished. Instead of frazzled and delirious with a headache or nausea, I felt grounded, safe, and secure. Coming off it I feel clear and connected. The idea is to stimulate your natural cleansing processes in a slow, sub-radar like cleanse that doesn't stimulate chelation toxicity (releasing too much too fast for our elimination systems). This is hard for the body and a stress that is not good for us. Seasoned fasting lovers know that this is a muscle that must be exercised slowly or one pays dearly. 

The beauty of this dish and cleanse is that you can eat. You can eat Kitchari for a single meal to give your digestion a break or do a full cleanse of 3-7 days where you really begin to release stored toxins and accumulation for safe release from the body. It’s a great introductory or seasonal cleanse because you still get to eat something throughout the day but at the same time it's the most effective tool I've found for healing and soothing the digestive system, increasing digestive fire, reducing bloating, clearing the mind, healing attachments to food, sleeping deeper, and kick starting the body’s natural ability to heal itself. While weight lose is not the goal, that just might happen too.

I follow this cleansing diet for days before the plant diet initiations I go to with my teacher where we sustain ourselves on a few ounces of a single plant elixir every four hours for three days and vision quest with one plant. Eating kitchari from one pot prepared each morning reduces our focus and energy demands on food. Think about how much time we spend on food alone from making the money to getting it or growing it, to planning meals, preparing, eating, and cleaning up. It's all good and communal supporting, yes, but a break to focus elsewhere is also so good for us. This eliminates much and frees up so much time. This is also a great diet for a day or two upon returning from questing or fasting of any kind to support integration and landing back in well.  

Determine the number of days you will cleanse for with 3-7 days being a good place to start. You can always go longer if you feel you want to. Trust yourself on this. 

• Begin to eliminate common foods that cause imbalances for you a few days before the cleanse such as alcohol, caffeine, refined sugar, meat, processed foods, and foods you know affect your unique physiology. 
• Make kitchari daily (if possible) and eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Seek organic ingredients and stock up. 
• Drink warm water and warm herbal teas of nettles, red clover flower, oatstraw, milky oats, chamomile (deeply calming and clearing), or peppermint (gives a 'pep').
• Get plenty of rest and take time for self care (warm oil massage at the start or end of the day, warm baths, steams, saunas, yoga, meditation)
• In the mornings drink a cup of warm water with lemon followed by another glass of warm water to flush the system
• If you need to eat something other than kitchari try some fresh, seasonal fruit in the morning, handfuls of nuts and seeds, or cooked grains with ghee and a sprinkle of sea or rock salt
• Set an intention. Remind yourself of why you're doing this re-calibration cleanse and dig in for your higher purpose for this. For me, I like to set an intention to heal and connect to my deepest self. Often I observe myself swaying away from self and this whole practice reels me back in. Setting an intention brings the practice from the ordinary to the sacred.
• Clear out your calendar as much as you can and involve willing family  or friends either to share with you or at least inform them of what you're doing. Let this be a time for total self-love, reflection, and connection. Having someone to share this time adds a depth to the process but is not a prerequisite by any means. It's amazing how much time and energy we have when we don’t need to think about food and preparing it! Use that time to connect to spirit, your Divine, and the deepest part of you.

​

I love adding the ghee and salt later in the process because it makes the flavor jump up more for me. I do this with simple tomato sauce too by infusing olive oil with garlic, basil, salt and pepper, and pinch of rosemary and stir in just before serving. It's amazing how these late additions retain and pull forth the essential oils in the dish. 

This makes about 4-6 servings. Double it if there's more people in your home joining you or to eat throughout the week, though I do recommend making it daily if that's a possibility for you. To accommodate my work schedule I I make enough for 2 days at a time. 

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup split mung beans - these can be found at most natural food stores or online. You can use whole mung beans but I soak them over night, or at least for a few hours, in cool water with a little whey or buttermilk if you have. Discard that water in the morning and proceed.  
• 1/2 cup organic basmati rice
• 1 3x2 inch strip of kombu (kelp), cut into small pieces
• 6-8 cups of filtered water
• 3-4 cups fresh, organic and seasonal veggies - use at least one green veggie and one orange or root vegetable such as carrot, sweet potato or squash
• 1 teaspoon fennel seed ground 
• 1 teaspoon coriander seed ground
• 1 teaspoon cumin seed ground
• 1/8 - 1/4  teaspoon asafoetida powder
• 1/2  - 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger root
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 1 cup loosely packed chopped, fresh organic cilantro and reserve some for serving
• 2-3 tablespoons ghee, coconut oil, or sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon rock salt and more to taste if needed at serving time
• fresh lime wedges for serving

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Rinse the rice and split mung beans in the 2:1 ratio of rice to beans and then put them in a pot with the kombu and water enough to cover by at least an inch or 2.
2. Boil until soft 20-30 minutes roughly with the lid ajar. Chop veggies and cilantro and grind spices in a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder dedicated to herbs (if using whole spices) as the rice and beans cook.
3. Add the veggies (keep kale or quick-cooking veggies like zucchini out for now), add 2 more cups of water and cover. Cook 3-5 minutes or so until the water boils veggies are starting to soften. Add more water and adjust temperature as needed.
4. Once veggies start to soften, add the diced ginger, coconut and spices of cumin, coriander, fennel, asafoetida and turmeric. Sometimes I add a sprinkle of black pepper in the Winter.
5. Add the kale, spinach or other quick-cooking veggies and the fresh cilantro. Stir adding more water if needed.
6. Then I turn off the heat and add the ghee, coconut oil or sesame oil, and the rock salt.
7. Serve with fresh cilantro and coconut garnish and a thick wedge of fresh lime. 

Enjoy! Thank you for coming in for a read and may your day be blessed and your re-calibration plans be underway as Spring approaches.
Much Love, Jen

Are you ready to gently infuse your heathcare with simple green plants for healing? It truly is easier than many think because we hold this knowing through our ancestral lines. Beginning anyway is a beautiful way. xo-Jen

Making good food as our medicine is often a big hit when it comes out of our kitchen.  Years of playing and experimenting in the kitchen make it all happen. We took up our best knives and chopped, stirred, consulted knowledge, experience, and the intuitive forces present and came up with this simple yet potent, satisfying soup for deep winter support. after many requests, we thought we'd give it a proper write-up. Enjoy from our kitchen to yours. 

INGREDIENTS
1/2 lb - 3/4 lb chopped fresh shiitakes - or reconstitute 1/4 lb dried
1 large chopped onion
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root
2-3 garlic cloves chopped
3-4 yellow potatoes chopped
3-4 garlic scapes (we had frozen garlic scapes - optional when ya have)
1 TB fresh thyme leaf or more if you like - plus extra for serving
1/8 -1/4 teaspoon cracked pepper or to your liking
2 TB dried nettles
3 TB of oil or butter to your liking
2 TB arrowroot or tapioca powder (for your rouge)
8 cups bone or veg broth 
6-8oz. 1/2 & 1/2 cream or coconut milk if dairy free needed
 
A handful of chopped scallions, squeezes of fresh lime juice, sprinkles of fresh cracked pepper and thyme leaves for serving

DIRECTIONS:
- sauté the shiitakes for 5 minutes in oil or butter until a bit of browning happens
- add onion, ginger, garlic, thyme, nettles, and pepper; saute a few more minutes
- add potatoes and continue to stir adding more oil or butter if needed
- add arrowroot or tapioca powder and cook a few more minutes stirring constantly to make a light brown rouge
- add  bone or veggie stock you love, bring to simmer for 10 or so minutes just until the potatoes are done, turn off the heat and allow to sit for about 10 minutes for flavors to infuse
- stir in 8oz of 1/2 n 1/2 cream (or heavy cream), or coconut milk for non-dairy options; adjust salt and pepper to your taste. 

​Serve with more fresh thyme, fresh squeezed lime, and sliced green onion. A good load of bread or cornbread goes great with this. Enjoy!

​In our home 1 bowl equals a 'therapeutic dose' of medicine.
Have 2-3 bowls per day for active cold & flu symptoms! Perfectly fine for daily health care intermittent use by having random bowls throughout your life (giggling with toes wiggling because it's that delicious to me). Enjoy and may you stay strong through these darker months where all is brought to the table for review. Keep shittakes around always. Have soup ready. Thank you shittakes and all for your deep care of us here. xo-Jen 

Making your home apothecary your primary health care is not that hard. Consulting the plants first is a safe, effective, and potent part of healing that requires a little bit of learning since our near relatives may not have been given these skills to pass along to us. We do it anyway under these circumstances. May we meet in class one day... Blessings Always, Jen

I said yes again to it all. It takes time to cultivate a community apothecary but it's happening. There's around 70 medicine plants in house now handcrafted as tinctures and a few more to come (plus much more to come) that I just know demand space on the shelves here. Seedling leaves unfurling... Thank you for your support. -Jen

 Ritual water treatments and limpias have unbroken links to ancestral health care practices in many places in the world today. Near lost here in the states with a fascination for ultra-pasteurized ways, thankfully there is a resurrection and a carrying forth in practice among us as we remember and put it all into practice again. We'll begin with the bath.

​With this practice of the ritual bath, we are creating beauty and restoration space for gathering up our soul and spirit pieces that can hide from a hard day or experience. These parts of us know these practices as safe and healing and respond quickly to the healing forces we enlist on behalf of supporting wholeness. Spiritual bathing and the ritual bath are meant to cleanse and protect us spiritually as well as within the other subtle and more physical levels. To create the desired effects, there are a few things to consider. When taking a spiritual, ritual bath, you don’t use soaps, shampoos, or do any leg shaving and such. Once the bath is prepared, you are entering a sacred healing experience and space so you’ll want to really think about separating your regular bathing with your spiritual bathing.

When we immerse ourselves in a spiritual, ritual bath, we engage an initiation process to open ourselves up to spirit, or that which we refer to as our Divine.

Ritual bathing implies that water and prayer wash away any spiritual grime — cleansing, clearing, and purifying our body and energetic field. It suggests that we are willing to listen to our higher self and begin to trust something outside of our rational mind and allow the wise inner knowing to emerge. There's an affirmation within the act of planning and preparing that speaks of our openness to ask the universe to assist and transform what we believe needs to be shifted within.
​
Although spiritual baths can sometimes help alleviate certain physical ailments, especially skin conditions and muscle soreness, they are meant for spiritual healing through release and restore processes. This ultimately affects our physical healing.

If you have open wounds or have just had surgery, do not immerse the wounded area in the water for several days and if you choose to anyway, which is fine for surface wounds, it's wise to sprinkle a few cups of strong herbal infusions and a handful of epsom salt only.

​Consider Calendula flowers, Lavender flowers, White pine, Juniper, Oak leaf and bark, Witch Hazel Bark, Rosemary, Roses, Plantain leaf, or Yarrow leaf and flower as infusion choices for skin care to encourage closing wounds. Sea salt will sting any open skin areas with no harm other than it stings. Epsom salts does not. This with speed physical healing and gather the soul and spirit back after such a traumatic event. I suggest a spiritual foot or hand bath for the in-between situations where a full immersion bath must wait or you don't have a bath tub. 

A limpia is a spiritual cleansing that is based in the philosophy and practice of many if not all traditional healing practices of indigenous intact, and lost, cultures of humanity. We all have memory within our bones given through our ancestry of each every bloodline to know these practices and feel deeply drawn to them even in some inexplicable but comforting way. 

To perform a limpia, the curandera or shamanic practitioner uses herbs, flowers, prayers and songs, and the sacred sound of drum or rattle to help purify a person's mind, body and spirit.

Traditional healers work from a place of knowing that physical illnesses or 'conditions' are 99% rooted in the spiritual body. Fresh plant material is chosen and bundled together and swept over the body gently, and sometimes with a little more than gentle shaking and tapping (to whacking pretty good if needed) on the surface of the body from head to toe and front and back of the body. The herbs are regularly smudged through the process and prayers are softly spoken through the wafting, aromatic smudge smoke. Once completed, the energies are tapped into the Earth for composting and the spent herbs which can look quite black and dingy at times, are buried in a ceremonially reverent way.

My teacher Rocio, a born and betrothed shamanic healer from Ecuador, has traveled extensively teaching the power of daily limpias as part of one’s care for their body, mind, soul, and spirit. For times when the gardens sleep, there are the aromatic pines and fresh culinary plants which carry profound support for daily limpias. Rosemary and Thyme are favorites of mine.

Daily limpias are considered part of self care in many cultures and it's common to see limpia plants available in markets in other countries who retain this honoring of spiritual healing through profound, simple and sometimes daily practices.

​Another essential element of the limpia is the smoke of copal, palo santo, white sage, or other plant you consider deeply clearing and protective for this kind of work. Copal is a dried resinous tree sap, palo santo is an aromatic wood that is burned in many different Central and South American ceremonies, and white sage grows here in the states. Do consider tiny amounts for smudge as each of these plants are experiencing threatened existence due to over harvesting. A little goes a long way. 

So it's winter. How do we enjoy a plant limpia in winter? We can. There's always a way. So you have two components here: a bundle of fresh plants, and a bowl of infused water.

The Water:
We could Sun or Moon infuse fresh aromatics or any dried plant material that calls to us and place them in a beautiful bowl set in a window for as long as feels complete. With dried herbs, these can be slowly simmered for 10 minutes and stirred with spoken prayers before placing in the sun or moon light for cooling and infusing. Crystals, flower essences, essential oils, or drops of plant tincture can be added to the water. Do a little bit of research on crystals as there are some that are best left next to the bowl of water for infusing.  Follow your intuitive knowing. My midwife gathered tiny bottles of ocean water from different places around the world. She added 1/4 of the bottle with vodka to preserve it, labeled them and had they lined up near here bathtub to as add to a ritual bath or certainly here for making your waters for a limpia. For the record, one can just do a limpia without the water as well. So you decide what's needed. 

The Limpia:
Make a fresh plant wand for the limpia. It's simple. Bundle a handful of fresh plant material together, such as fresh soft needled pines, flowers that call, and aromatics such as any fresh spices or mint trimmings that you're growing or have purchased at a store. It's pretty easy to get organic Rosemary , mints, Oregano, Thyme and more these day. I also love parsley for my Yemaya ritual to honor the Ocean.   

​Then simply work out your logistics of bringing your infused water and plant bundle with you. You can decide to have infused water as part of this or just sweep the fresh bundle through your smudge smoke or essential oil mist and work the fresh plant material over your body. Bring your fresh plant medicine bundle and bowl of infused water to:

• stand in your tub or shower.
• stand on a towel in any room you feel safe.
• do outside anyway (yes even in winter many do this!) and return to dry by the wood stove. You can just work with the smudge and fresh plant bundle without the water for this. You decide. 
• into a sauna. Lovely! 
• bring your bundle to the waters of Nature and stand in the water, dip your bundle in with you and begin. 

Remember, we are creating beauty and restoration space for gathering up our soul and spirit pieces that can hide from a hard day or experience. These parts of us know these practices as safe and healing and respond quickly to the healing forces we enlist on behalf of supporting wholeness. 

If you've not experienced such things as this that may seem strange, know this practice is ancient and the knowing and memory of administering and receiving of such medicine is within each of us. Many are comforted and take to it quite easily. The aromatic plants release their oils for immediate relief and healing as they waft directly through our sinuses to assist the nervous system that is often atrophied or ramped-up and on edge. When participants studying the medicine plants come to class with me, we do this together each morning. Should intensity arise during sharing we may all move to the Mugwort patch and do another limpia on ourselves or pair up and help each other. There are many giggles among those new to this old medicine way but all take to this quickly and feel shifted near instantly. The plants can do this for us when we arrive in their presence open and receptive. I find my Plant Limpias alone or with Sacred Bathing take my self care just a little bit deeper than a smudge sometimes because sometimes life is that intense and demands a bit more from us to stay well. 

This is an excerpt from a lesson in "Birthing an Herbalist in 13 Moons" online herbal course. I hope you found this informative and helpful and do send along questions if you need clarification. The rules are rather simple. Follow your intuitive connection with the plants, trust and enjoy. Thank you for coming into my world for a bit today. Much Love, Jen

Thank you for visiting and may your journey be safe and we meet soon. Use Coupon Code: plantjourney10 for a 10% discount off you tuition for 'Birthing an Herbalist in 13 Moons" on-line course AND  "Walking the Herbal Path The Earth Medicine Way' live course that begins each year in May. xo-Jen

The ElderMoon Apothecary is slowly and steadily growing like a little carefully tended sapling here. Thank you for supporting creative small business herbalists you love and are drawn to. We are always around, out in the light, in the country and in the city (or hospital like me!), and off the beaten path where we're most comfortable and often sitting with our beloved plants.    

I so love this topic and so did many herbal students at EMS of Herbs that I wanted to offer some of the content here for daily care of our teeth and gums from an herbal healing perspective. Let's talk the plants first!

The Shiny Ones - Oral Care Medicine Plants That Stand Out
This list is not complete but is a good beginning for our time with this topic. Do add your knowledge and more favorites to this list.

Plants To Consider Here Are:
Calendula Flower, Plantain leaf and root, Echinacea Root and Leaf, Orgeon Grape Root, Goldenseal Root, Myrrh resin, Propolis, Oregano, Sage, Thyme, Rosemary, Fennel seed, Caraway seed, Peppermint, Spearmint, Elecampane root, Cinnamon, Blood Root, Chamomile flowers, Comfrey leaf, Yarrow leaf & flower, Eucalyptus, Neem, Clove, Horsetail, Violet leaf, Spilanthes, Oak leaf, Witch Hazel bark,...  

TOOTHBRUSH CHOICES
Most conventional toothbrushes are made with plastic nylon bristles, which scrape our teeth more so than brush. This can weaken enamel and irritate sensitive gums. Natural bristles are softer and gentler – they actually brush teeth rather than scraping them. If staying with nylon then do pick soft bristle ones. Do stay away from medium or firm brushes which harm gums and teeth. Twice a day brushing is enough, then add flossing and/or water pick use, and tongue scraping daily. These are good daily habits to be consistent with.  
And like all good tenders of the hearth and home, wash your tooth brushes occasionally. Simple Dr. Bronner’s liquid castile soap and water rubbed between your fingers with the bristles for a few minutes, rinse well, and allow to air dry. 

TONGUE SCRAPING
The fastest and easiest way to get bacteria out of your mouth is with a tongue scraper. A traditional technique in Ayurveda, tongue scraping cleans bacterial build-up (called a biofilm), food debris, fungi, and dead cells from the surface of the tongue. This helps to not only clean the mouth, freshening the breath, but it also stimulates the metabolism as well for the entire map of our body is on the tongue. So we massage and stimulate healing pathways all through the body through this simple daily act of scraping our tongue. I do it morning and night but once a day is fine too. 

OIL PULLING
A simple swish and swirl or 10-15 minutes a day of your favorite oil is the answer to fresher breath, whiter teeth and a toxin- free body. The practice of oil pulling literally pulls toxins from the oral cavity, which is then spit out and cleared from the body. Many research studies indicate that oil pulling reduces plaque-induced gingivitis, and the bacterium Streptococcus mutans, which is known to cause cavities. So grab a jar of coconut or neem oil from the kitchen counter, and get pulling oil. This is also great for active oral infections if you add a drop or two of essential oil of clove. 
NON-TOXIC TOOTHPASTES, POWDERS & MOUTH WASHES
Toothpaste is key to maintaining good oral health, acting as an antibacterial, but what type are you choosing? We’ve chosen to commit ourselves to toxin-free living, which means detoxing our toothpaste as well. Eliminate Fluoride, Sodium Lauryl/Laureth Sulfate, Triclosan, Sodium Hydroxide, and other nasty chemicals. These chemicals are damaging to the body as a whole, many are endocrine disruptors as well, and can even reduce the healthy bacteria (probiotics) in the mouth. Opt for a toothpaste that uses natural antibacterial agents and breathe fresheners such as neem, licorice, eucalyptus, clove, cinnamon, and peppermint instead. Or create your own… see recipes below. 

GREEN TEA, BONE BROTHS, NETTLES & SEAWEEDS
Drinking green tea and eating regular seaweeds not only protects against radiation, boosts your re-mineralization and helps you to optimize the best body weight for you while it also can improve your oral health. Research has found that the frequent consumption of green tea may help promote healthy teeth and gums, reducing periodontal disease. It is believed that green tea’s mode of action is through its high levels of the antioxidant, catechin. Previous studies have demonstrated catechin’s ability to reduce inflammation in the body, as well as the indicators of periodontal disease, thereby reducing bad bacteria in the mouth. Seaweeds provide trace minerals often missing from farmed foods in amounts we need, even with good farming practices. A little seaweed as a super food supplement is recommended even with a strict organic diet. This is true for regular consumption of bone broths to supplement deep mineral restoration of our bones from the long slow cooking of animal bones. Vegetarians and vegans can stick to lots of Nettles and seaweeds. 

ORAL PROBIOTICS
We’ve get beautifully focused on balancing the good bacteria in our gut with fermented foods and Kombucha and this also benefits the mouth through good immune functioning doing repair and maintenance work there too. Keep this up! The mouth needs good bacteria too, which is why taking oral probiotics part of our healthcare can be extremely beneficial, especially if cavities are a frequent occurrence. The more good bacteria you have, the more of a defense you have against the bad bacteria, reducing the incidence of inflammation and infection. I only recommend this with more severe oral disease cases. Check on-line or at your local health food store for resources. 

CAMU CAMU OR VITAMIN C
In efforts to not only boost our immune system, but to keep our gums happy too, we keep up with a daily dose of vitamin C. Rather than getting it from a synthetic vitamin tablet, some are using the superfood Camu Camu. Camu Camu contains 250mg of Vitamin C per teaspoon, containing more Vitamin C than any other known botanical source. Vitamin C is needed for healthy gums, reducing the incidence of bleeding gums, gingivitis, and even periodontal disease. Camu Camu goes far beyond a healthy gum line, helping to improve immunity and the texture of the skin, while repairing and maintaining cartilage, bones, and teeth. You get to decide where the Vitamin C comes from but do consider daily doses for repair of soft tissue and bone, which includes the mouth. 

TEA TREE OIL (or Peppermint, Cinnamon) FLOSS
There is just no way around it – flossing is an integral part of keeping our mouths fresh and clean, so why not add an extra bonus with plant oils that smell and taste good too. These all have natural disinfectant actions that reduce bad oral bacteria. Research indicates that tea tree oil significantly reduces gingivitis and bleeding of the gums. That white ‘stuff’ we scrape from between the teeth is a biofilm of bacteria having a good time thriving on the surfaces within our mouth. Physical gentle scraping with floss deep between the teeth is part of good oral care. Some dentists argue on whether flossing or water picking is better. We do both here. 

BREATHE FRESHENING IDEAS
Chew on herbs and seeds instead of gum. I must admit, I do love a fresh pack of gum, especially when working long hours at the hospital. But most gums contain lots of different nasty chemicals that are certainly not at all good for my body. The solution? Chew on some fresh parsley, mint, fennel, or caraway seeds. These herbs help to fight odor-causing bacteria, leaving your mouth feeling fresh and clean. These also contain antibiotic properties to help fight bad breath. The best part about these spices is that they’re totally portable. Carry a small container in your purse and chew all day long.
APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: Added to you water (1-2 tablespoons per pint) will keep your breath fresh and the bacterial film that covers the tongue and teeth during the time between cleaning to a minimum. Highly recommended for those with severe halitosis (bad breath) history. This is a start but this condition requires deep internal cleansing practices as well.  

WATER PICK
We go back and forth with a water pick and floss each day. I find that even with good flossing I still wash out food particles with the water pick, and even after using the water pick I still scrape a biofilm from between my teeth with a good floss. So I suggest both, maybe not every day but maybe sometimes. With travel I floss and oil pull because they are easier to travel with, of course. I add my herbal mouth rinse to the water pick water, 2 droppersful, to help get the herbs deeper into pockets between the teeth and around the gums.
​
TOOTH WHITENING 
COCONUT OIL:  Trade in your teeth-whitening gel for coconut oil. If you haven’t tried oil pulling yet, I suggest you do so the first chance you get. Swishing coconut, neem, sesame, or olive oil in your mouth for about 20 minutes each day can help pull toxins from your mouth — and possibly even your whole body. It can help whiten teeth, prevent dryness of the mouth, prevent cavities, strengthen teeth, kill infection, and a whole lot more. 
ACTIVATED CHARCOAL: Brush with the powder charcoal – YUP! Sounds scary but this black powder lifts stains and absorbs toxins from the enamel and mouth mucosa. Try working into your recipes for daily care if inspired.

Support Immune System function with increased hydration, rest, stress reduction, superfoods (seaweeds, bone broths, spirilina to name a few), and clean simple easy to digest foods, and herbs (see our list above).

Direct drip straight tincture along infected gums once per day of Echinacea root, Bloodroot, Goldenseal root, Propolis, Myrrh, or Oregon Grape Root. Have a loved one help for upper teeth by hanging your head over the edge of the bed and add a few drops along the gum line.

Daily Intensive treatments are required. Consider these:

• Oil pull with coconut oil twice a day with two drops of clove, sage, rosemary, or peppermint essential oil added.
• Make green mouth swish with fresh herbs of Calendula, Sage, Rosemary, Plantain, Violet Leaf, Yarrow leaf and flower,  Comfrey Leaf (or any combination of these) and add a small amount of water to using a food processor to make a thick slurry and swish twice a day for 15 minutes. Store in refrigerator. It's good for 3-4 days with two handfuls of herbs used for a batch. In the winter, try fresh thyme, rosemary and sage and add white pine needles and hot water to get the pine essential oils mobilized for healing the gums.
• Add grapefruit seed extract 3-6 drops to 1 oz of water or sage infusion and swish for 5 minutes twice a day. 
• Consider seeing a dentist you trust and can work with for an honest assessment if concerned. Infection so close to the brain is a loud call to action. Do not let this fester. 

Work on all levels as the healer.

• What needs to be said?
• What doesn't anymore?
• Consider bodywork your drawn to for support and craniosacral therapy sessions for direct support.
• Learn to shamanic journey skills and travel into your tissues for deeper work on what is happening for you. Some oral and throat conditions are personal and some are lineage rooted. 
• Learn facial and neck lymphatic self massage and steams for daily care during active infections.  

ELDERMOON’S HERBAL MOUTH WASH 
(FROM LESSON #8 IN BIRTHING AN HERBALIST IN 13 MOONS ON-LINE COURSE - have a read through first)

This can be added you the water pick water, or straight into the mouth. 2 droppersful, which I swish around while I go about my business for 5-10 minutes and then spit out. 
This is a strong yet mild tasting, and effective mouth rinse particularly for those with periodontal disease. Also helpful for toning gums tight to the teeth, for cold sores, and sensitive gums and teeth. The festering infections up around the tooth roots that cause periodontal disease have been linked to heart disease and stomach cancers. Insurance companies still won’t pay for the preventative care needed which completely disturbs me. Treating our gums is far more cost effective than treating heart disease and cancer.

I’ve made this and given the recipe out for years with great reports of great results. You begin by making a full strength tincture. When done, it has a few additions to ease the alcohol content but keep it stable and improve taste. Those with alcohol dependency issues cannot use this remedy and so I suggest salt water and baking soda gargles daily for them which work great too. We have to tend more to the openings in our body that are more susceptible to microbes from the outer world. 

INGREDIENTS & DIRECTIONS:

1. Pack a quart sized jar with equal parts of fresh Echinacea root and leaf, Horsetail, Sage, Calendula, Yellowdock or Oregon grape root (I’ve removed Elecampane because my kids hated the taste but you can add that too.) You can use dried herbs too and fill your jar ½ full if dried. Add vodka, cover and shake often for two months or more.
2. Strain your full strength tincture and rebottle and label for your apothecary.
3. To mix your finished product, measure out 10 oz. of Distilled Water* (from pharmacies) into a large measuring cup with a pourable spout or a pitcher will do.
4. Add 5oz. of your finished tincture, 2 oz of organic vegetable glycerin (health food stores have this) and stir gently.

You can bottle and use just like this or add 30 drops of Spearmint essential oil and 10 drops of Tea Tree Essential oil. Shake well and shake before each use to keep the oils dispersed well.
Taste and swish! Find the perfect bottle to pour it into and enjoy! Remember to label it. 

You can search the web for other recipes too. Find one you love and make it yours with a bit of tweaking. This the one I work with at the moment. This recipe will last a family of 4 for about 1 month.
INGREDIENTS:

• 4 tablespoons bentonite clay; I’ve used white clay too but you can experiment
• ½  teaspoon unrefined powdered sea salt, or fine grain such as Celtic, Himalayan, or any other natural sea salt (grind in mortar & pestle or dedicated coffee grinder for herbs).
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 4 – 6 tablespoons extra virgin coconut oil, melted; more or less depending on desired consistency
• you may also want to add some powdered herbs/spices such as clove, in that case use 1/8 tsp. and add it with the clay.
• Sweetener Options: I don’t sweeten ours and have spent years deprograming my tribe from oral care having to be sweet. You get to decide.  Simply drizzle of a small amount of vegetable glycerin (1/8-1/4 teaspoon if you need a measurement) – OR add a very small sprinkle of stevia powder (it’s 40x sweeter than sugar so be careful or it will taste awful! Try 5-10 drops of tincture) – OR -  ½  – 1 teaspoon raw honey
• Flavors: 10 drops of any of the following: peppermint essential oil, wintergreen essential oil, sweet orange essential oil, tea tree oil (Avoid swallowing. Leave out if a small child might swallow.)

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Melt coconut oil over a very low heat until completely melted. DO NOT overheat.
2. Add clay, salt, baking soda, powdered herbs in a small wide mouth glass jar that your tooth paste will be stored in.
3. When the coconut oil is melted, add it to the jar with the rest of the ingredients; mix well, cap quick to keep your essential oils in there, and let cool completely before using.
4. To use: do NOT put your tooth brush in this jar or you will introduce bacteria and it will be most counterproductive! Instead keep a small spoon handy or a wooden popsicle stick in there so you can scoop a small amount out to your hand and then wipe your moist toothbrush into this and brush gently as usual.

Today many people rely on cranberry’s antioxidant power, thanks to a high level of proanthocyanidins, a class of polyphenols that gives the berry it's red color and are also associated with helping to prevent just about every chronic disease we can think of. In fact, cranberry has one of the most powerful antioxidant loads of any food and our busy scientists are creating units of measure for such things: so "1750 ORAC units per 100 grams of cranberry" is considered "off the chart". The anticancer activities of cranberry proanthocyanidins are currently under study and recent reports suggest that apoptosis (programmed cell death) may play a key role in cranberry’s ability to limit tumor cell growth. This is so interesting to me because the 'programmed cell death' of apoptosis, which is in the functioning of all of our healthy cells,  is often shifted in cancer cells so they don't die. Could it be that cranberries help our cells (yes even our cancer cells for they are 'ours' too) get back on line as part of the whole? Is it possible, and that simple, for plants to remind our cells of such things when things are going awry? I actually believe this to be true and that it happens all the time. And you? 

Yes, it's also true that when you go to the ER or many doctor's offices today with a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) it's becoming routine to be asked when you started taking cranberry. This is what progress looks like. However, they're usually unaware of the best ways to work this sour red jewel into our bladder healing dose wise and sweetener wise too. It has to be sour my friends, and this is not a favorite taste among many. Our kidneys love sour. The medicine travels to them via our blood stream through the sour components that are anti-inflammatory, astringent, and antimicrobial. This deters bacteria from staying attached to the mucous linings and making their way deeper up to the kidneys where we can court urosepsis (bacteria entering the blood through the urinary tract) if allowed to fester even further. 

So in speaking to cranberry as a medicine, finding ways to get cranberry into the body in a sour form begins with dropping the need for comfort through taste as the top priority. Too much sugar or corn syrup is added to many cranberry products. Read labels. My children were schooled early on this over-rated flavor thing when it comes to 'medicine'. Chug it down with a water and grape juice chaser if need be. Capsules are an option but yes, it's expensive. You need at lease twelve 500mg caps per day for a week or more. They work. Tinctures are an option too but many nutrients do not translate through the extraction process like they do with apple cider vinegar, and I do believe this is part of the medicinal qualities. 

The good news is cranberry doesn't always have to be taken in medicinal doses. Of course you already know this with all the ways it's woven into holiday seasonal foods. It all comes back to the beauty way of Nature here too. Intense antioxidant power offered ripe at a time of year when needed most. Perfect, eh? One year I made a cranberry gin, which is basically a cranberry tincture, and we enjoyed it with spicy ginger beer and fresh lime. So delicious! Period. Even gin haters tried it and loved this one.

So we created a holiday oxymel recipe (oxymels are apple cider vinegar and honey based herbal elixirs) this year that can be taken in small sips or diluted in sparking or warm water as a way to support restoration at the end of the year while we enter deeper hibernation ways of the mind, the body, and the soul. This is potent too in higher doses if needed for something like a UTI or adrenal and kidney fatigue. Yes, I know it's too late to drink this now if you haven't made it for the Solstice, but when you follow the old calendars set to Nature's rhythms, you celebrate a holiday every 6 weeks! It seems the soul needs this as a good medicine way to off set the harsh realities we weather in life and to stay entrained with the cycles of Nature. So the next holiday is Imbolc on February 1st or 2nd and this would be great for that night of true intention setting for the year. New Year's eve, and all of January for that matter, are to help us get clear on what we really want to say, create, and commit to at Imbolc. So I say start a batch of this as part of the Winter Solstice celebration and it will be ready for then at Imbolc. Just a thought on how to keep it simple. Drink a newly created one each holiday while putting up a fresh new one for the next holiday sounds good. 

Intention: Restoration and rejuvenation of all adrenals and kidneys within our home this winter. Yes, we're more than these parts but we're honoring then upfront today by speaking kindly, honoring rest, adjusting what we 'do', and making medicine for them. It's been a busy, long, turbulent year here, and for many this calls for some good easy restorative medicine that can fall into 'tasting good' too.
​
Dosing:

• 1-2 TB per day in food or drink per person for restoration/rejuvenation.
• This can be doubled for chronic adrenal and kidney fatigue.
• 2 TB every 3-4 hours in 1/2 cup of warm water while awake for acute UTI. There would be more suggestions too but for this article just know my next suggestion would be get in bed so your immune system can have some good energy to heal this. 
• We add to warm water, cool water, and sparkling water. 

Yield: Makes just shy of one quart and you can easily double it to get your whole household supported to spring time.  

INGREDIENTS: (helpful properties)

• 1/3 fill your jar with ground Cranberries - pulse in food processor or blender (urinary/renal tonic, astringent, antiseptic, sour, nutritive)
• 1 slice Astragalus root - dried - or  2 TB cut/sifted* (adaptogen, sweetness)
• 2 TB Juniper Berries - dried* or fresh (renal tonic, astringent)
• 1 TB Dandelion root - dried* (bitter, renal tonic, nutritive)
• 1 organic Orange* - zested and fruit chopped (bitter, tonic, sweetness, nutritive)
• Apple Cider Vinegar* (organic raw) to cover all herbs by 2 inches (tonic, sour, nutritive)
• Honey to taste (keep it with more of sour tang and learn to love sour) - support raw honey from local beekeepers you love*  (tonic, nutritive)

DIRECTIONS:
So Easy! Takes 15 minutes to put together and most of that is some wait time. Read through before starting so it's super clear.

1. Warm your vinegar on the stove (no microwaves) until you just see steam but can touch it without getting burned. Add dried herbs - astragalus, dandelion root, and juniper berries, cover the pot, and set aside off the heat. [Why do we do this? It's allowed as long as you don't over heat and kill your live vinegar to help the herbs open up from their dried state and release their medicine to the vinegar.]
2. Allow to sit for 20 minutes to cool a bit while you fill a heat safe mason jar with the ground cranberries 1/3 full, plus your orange zest, and chopped up orange fruit. 
3. Pour your warmed-cooled herb infused vinegar plus all the herbs into your jar and make sure there's at lease 2-3 inches above the plant material. Get a larger jar if not and add more straight vinegar as needed so there's room in there. 
4. Cap with non-metal lid or use waxed paper to protect your liquid from a metal lid (will corrode and spoil all your good efforts). Shake daily or a few times a week. Store away from light in a cabinet.
5. Decant after one month or so through a strainer or cheese cloth, squeeze gently, and discard solids. 
6. Stir raw honey in to taste keeping it tangy/sour/sweet. Label your jar and store away from direct sunlight.

Enjoy! Our third son Cyrus was born a Winter Solstice baby on 12/21/2003. Sweet memories with tangy sweet notes all along the way to now infuse this tribe with the real essence of who he is. We're sipping this one together like the good old times. I love him forever.

May your Winter Solstice be tangy and sweet with a bit of something extra you love. xo-Jen 

HERE is another recipe for Jen's Spiced Cranberry Rosehip Relish too. Enjoy xo-Jen

With millions of articles and books on how to tincture and all the different nuances of this form of medicine making, I completely overlooked actually adding my two cents to this well covered topic. Seems fitting to have a post and an herbal council this month dedicated to keeping this kind of medicine making in the home apothecaries I so want to see all of you have at your fingertips. Thank you for venturing in for a bit to take in some medicine tending.

So, the oldest and best way in my experience to make medicine from plants is to add them to water. Yup. So gorgeously simple! And you already know some or all of this I bet. These would be called teas (steep 5-10 minutes), infusions (steeped 1-8 hours), and decoctions (simmered 20 minutes or more). Cooking the plants in water is my first and favorite way of medicine making and links me up to my ancestral path for we all have a great auntie or grandparent who knew the plants for medicine and were most likely a well known healer in their time. The smell and taste takes me there. 

There are times, however, when a later form of medicine, called a tincture, or plant extract, really shines. These are concentrated plants extracts taken by the drop using a menstruum (vinegar, glycerin, or alcohol) to extract the medicine and sometimes some of the nutrients too, depending on the menstruum chosen. Here's why tincture making skills jumped into the healer's medicine bag as we traveled through time:

1- Longevity and Stability:
An herb, once tinctured, will retain its medicinal qualities far longer than in most other preparations. Alcohol tinctures will last for many years. I do make smaller batches and use them up, and make new. Plus they're heavy to move and we moved twice with a ridiculous number of jars! I suggest making small batches for home apothecary tending. This way you can increase your variety of plants at your finger tips.

2- Easy to Administer and Travel With:
Once prepared in tincture form, the herb is ready to administer with no further preparation. The tinctures are dispensed directly under the tongue or mixed with warm water, tea, or juice and can be tucked into travel bags easy. Just be sure you know the rules for flying with liquids or they'll confiscate your precious medicines.

3- Ease of Preparation:
Anyone is capable of making high quality tinctures. All one needs is good quality herbs, a high quality solvent or menstruum (your solvents are alcohol, vinegar, or glycerin), a measuring cup, jar, labels, a dark place to store them, and a little time with lots of love for the process. You're making medicine. It's truly amazing when you step back and look at it all.

4- Storage:
Easy if you contain your excitement and make small batches! Tinctures store compactly and conveniently in a small space, always ready to use. They're excellent for first aid kits too.

5- Cost Effective:
Tinctures are becoming extremely expensive to purchase today making it prohibitive for people to afford their medicine. This is “the people's medicine" – our original medicine and is a birthright to have access to it. So I teach how. Period. It's not hard and so much better to make yourself if you can. What you're paying for is more about the person’s time to make it for you. If this may be what you need, I make for people too. But know you can do it too anytime you want to.

6- Personalized Formulas:
As you learn to work with various herbs, you'll develop favorite ones that just call to you. Your needs will change over time and making your own gives you the creative freedom to design tincture combinations and formulas from your home apothecary.

7- Selecting the Herbs:
Almost all herbs tincture well with the correct solvent. Herbs can be tinctured as a ready-made formula or tinctured as single herbs and combined later into formulas. Most herbalists prefer to tincture herbs as single extracts. This gives them greater control of the water/alcohol ratio for individual herbs and their constituents. It also allows greater flexibility and creativity when crafting formulas. I do make formulas this way professionally but for my family I make smaller jars of the herbs mixed together fresh and they tincture all together. It’s easier and keeps me humbly rooted in tending to my loved ones. I love, love, love the way they turn out. You get to decide what works for you.

8- Selecting the Menstruum:
The menstruum is the solvent used to extract the biochemical constituents (yes, fancy lingo for the medicine and nutrients) of the plant, and to preserve the resulting solution. There are basically three menstruums used in tincture preparations: alcohol, vinegar, and glycerin. Like anything, there are pros and cons to each (more below on this); and like anything, everyone has their personal favorite and considers it the best. There are some intricate things to consider for each. Alcohol sensitivity (means vinegar and glycerin options only), after the nutritional properties (these extract better in vinegar and glycerin), when to utilize heat for better extraction (I warm glycerites), longest shelf life and extraction stronger compounds without heat (alcohol shines here), and dosing considerations (I increase doses with vinegar and glycerin tinctures).  

(Here's a little excerpt from "Birthing an Herbalist in 13 Moons" at ElderMoon School of Herbs on-line herbalist training journey with the medicine plants.)

The following is a list of the solvents (mentsruums) commonly utilized in making herbal tinctures and some guidelines for what plant constituents they most effectively dissolve:


1. ALCOHOL
Alcohol has both prolonged keeping power and serves as a powerful solvent or extractor. It has the ability to break down, absorb, and preserve much of the plant material. There are many varieties of alcohol used, though every herbalist has their favorite: brandy, rum, vodka, gin, Everclear, and 190 proof grain or potato. Alcohol that has a natural water constituent (such as those listed above) is called 'Aqueous Ethanol' and generally has a water to alcohol ratio of 40-95% alcohol. Aqueous Ethanol dissolves: alkaloids (limited), organic salts, organic acids, most glucosides, sugars, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, tannins, bitter compounds. Absolute Alcohol, or Pure Grain Alcohol, is more effective for dissolving resinous and waxy material. It is used to dissolve: wax, resin, fat, balsam, oleoresin, glycosides, some alkaloids, sugars, vitamins, volatile oils.
Easy Starting Point: Begin tincturing with 100 proof potato vodka. (50% alcohol and 50% water). 

2. GLYCERIN
Glycerine is a chemical constituent of all the fatty oils from both animals and vegetables. An excellent nutritive solvent, glycerin does not have quite the versatility of either water or alcohol, but its advantages are that it tastes good because it’s sweet, is safe and effective for children, and is in and of itself very nourishing and soothing. It dissolves: sugars, enzymes (dilute), glucosides, bitter compounds, saponins (dilute), tannins, minerals, vitamins. Glycerine also has excellent preservative qualities. It’s great for children’s preparations and for those refraining from alcohol where the use of alcohol in tinctures would be prohibitive. Be sure to request Vegetable Glycerin when buying; it is of a much higher quality. Vegetable Glycerin is available at many natural food stores and herb stores. These tinctures require a period of warming and a slight dilution with water in making them.  Quick note for the curious: we dilute 4:1 with distilled (mineral hungry) water, chop herbs small using the same proportions given above, and warm the closed jar in a water bath for a few days at the start and again at the finish (we use a crock pot on lowest setting) with a total of 6-8 weeks of sitting and shaking occasionally. These are also light sensitive so tend well to preserve the medicine. 


3. VINEGAR
I used to teach a FOUR hour class on vinegar and herbs! Water is the first and made by the Divine which is why it's the best solvent to start with as a budding herbalist. Vinegar, especially apple cider vinegar, is one of the oldest solvents used. However, it's not highly regarded today by many herbalists or medicine making companies and is considered secondary to alcohol as a solvent due to the greater strength of and shelf life of alcohol. Though not as strong as alcohol, it has other definite advantages and should not be ignored. Apple Cider Vinegar contains minute quantities of trace minerals our bodies crave and has a mild acidity that balances and aids digestion. The acetic acid and potassium content help to activate the friendly bacteria in the digestive track. I highly recommend Vinegar as a solvent for tonifying/nutritious herbs and for preparations that are taken over a long period of time for health maintenance, such as in high vitamin mineral formulas and tonic formulas. Vinegar is an excellent solvent for children’s formulas and for alcohol sensitive folks too. Vinegar tinctures are excellent for extracting some plant alkaloids (such as lobeline from Lobelia), but are not as good for extracting the more acidic biochemical ingredients and so doses are usually doubled as a general rule for making sure one gets the proper amount of the more medicinal compounds.

A commonly taught thing about Vinegar Tinctures is that they “will not last very long”. Most say 6 months. I disagree and have not had one spoil yet and many herbalists I know agree. What I teach is make enough to get to the next harvest (plus a little extra is my practice). When a vinegar tincture goes bad (and you WILL know) it's usually the quality of the vinegar and it will smell sour and have fermentation bubbles forming around the edges. Non-pasteurized live vinegar will sometimes form a mother and this is fine. It means it's alive, not spoiled, and you just have to remove “the mother” at the surface – which can be used to make more vinegar. Using the rule of one season to the next keeps your stock moving and freshness then remains at the top of your practice too. 

This month we are deepening our tincturing skills at ElderMoon School in our Monthly Herbal Councils. We'll cover weight-to-volume tincturing as another step beyond this traditional way. While the traditional folk way is absolutely enough, some want to deepen their practice with medicine making. We'll cover the climate within the herbal circles as they attempt to justify and legitimize their existence by standardizing. There is a place for this as herbalism evolves. In the end we all usually come back around to water based preparations made from plants we tended and stored in our own apothecary (smile) but it's so good to travel the road anyway and come back to that and be in community too all along the way, eh? We'll speak to all of this in council. 

​Do check out the recorded and archived herbal councils each month (BTW free if you're already a student in other courses here at ElderMoon School). It's so worth the low commitment simple hour a month to plug in and enjoy 'talking plant' in community.  Much Love, Jen

The time is now around here as Wild Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa) waves in the heat of summer with full blooms and is beginning to initiate her petal fall season. This wild species continues to teach me after over 20 years of walking together, and even naming my first herbal business, Monarda Herbal Apothecary, in honor of the vast medicine that continues to be whispered from this beauty. In herbal school here we tease out the topic of 'What is medicine?' with those coming to learn in-person about our original plant medicine system. Often each student carries a vital piece to this complex topic and we all walk away deeper in thought and understanding of just exactly what medicine is. What might it be to you?  

When it comes to Bee Balm, also called Monarda by many, the medicine is more than just physical. Yes this can be a challenging concept for some, but I know many of you comfortably speak this language with me and I'm grateful you're all here visiting my world a bit. May I explain a bit of what I've learned from Bee Balm in short form? Yes, a huge challenge for me, but I try anyway! I share the wild food recipe below for it's an outrageous meal changer every single time we whip some up. 

​Boundary Support
Such a huge, gorgeous, and potent topic here and surely this was woven into the business aspect of my learning from Bee Balm, shared below. On the physical level Bee Balm is masterful with microbial boundaries. While not the first plant to think of for immune support, it is up there on the list for boosting the immune response while creating favorable internal environments for maintaining and repairing areas that have been hit hard. Bee Balm remains at the top of my list of plants to support recovery from surgeries and invasive medical procedures where tissues need antibiotic and anti-inflammatory actions to bring things back to our original or new baseline of function. 

Honoring our unsaid 'NOs' 
Here is where Bee Balm shines bright as a force to be reckoned with. Many who suffer from chronic candida often come around to the aspect of truth on harboring unsaid 'NO-s' somewhere in their life. It's a personal path to this negotiation table and one no healer can give or force on the one seeking healing. Each person gets there in their own time. Bee Balm often looks covered with a powdery mildew appearance late in the season that tells the story of it's medicine within the 'Doctrine of Signatures' to the strong anti-fungal properties it carries as well. Yes, consider Bee Balm if you are walking with chronic systemic or localized fungal recurrent candida infections. While not the total answer, Bee Balm supports all levels of walking towards re-calibration with this microbial imbalance. 

Channeling Excess Fire
Have you ever felt the temple of a loved one who doesn't register a fever on a thermometer yet, but you instinctively know it's coming and can feel it brewing at the temples and see it in the eyes? We can hone these assessment skills with time while learning the fine art of managing fever. I LOVE teaching this topic to my herb students! So many people fear fever and the best way to quell the fear is to learn the art of managing and understanding it. Fever is such a masterful healing agent. Modern medicine is quite intent on squashing fever anytime it shows up though I have met a few docs that embrace the process as a healing phenomena and not a personal failure. Bee Balm helps to bring this fire to the surface and works so well for the person who even moves to high temperatures rapidly with reddened face and body, rigors (violent shaking to make temperatures rise high and fast), with no sweating. This internal heat or fire is looking for a way out and the body knows it will kill and drag the detritus with it. Bee Balm opens the channels, re-sets the person's thermostat to what I call a 'therapeutic bake', or supports a peak of high temperature for a few hours and then induces sweats for release, thus being called a diaphoretic. The general rule for fever is 'not too long and not too hot'. 

Business Partner Plant Ally 
The training of an Herbalist is different depending on where one studies. Partnering with one plant for an extended period is my training and while you learn of many plants, you go deep one plant at a time and sometimes for years with just one. Only then can one stand truly confident in the medicine the plant carries. Contrary to popular belief, it's not about knowing many with encyclopedic memory but knowing one's handful of plants deeply that makes one truly knowledgeable for each plant has so many areas of application for the artful practice of herbal healing. 

I learned early to ask for an ally plant, one that would guide my practice of business along with the art of healing for my budding first herbal business that went on to thrive for 15 years as a community apothecary. This is part of how I teach my students 'the business of herbs' still who choose to enter any business aspect of herbalism. It works. Not all great herbalists are great at business and not all herbalists who are great at business are great at herbalism either. We work on both aspects needed to thrive and while I do not have all the answers, I walk candidly with my students through the many facets that unfurl in both areas. 

So Bee Balm/Monarda stepped up for me. The details of why and how are shared with my current herb students with the understanding that it's not Bee Balm for all who head into business. It's about each calling in support from a plant and that it's different for each of us. Any plant can and will present itself should one call for such a relationship and it's completely dependent on the situation. What I can share is that each 5 year business plan manifested in 4 years and when a fork in the growth appeared which can present in many ways, such as do I attract more wholesale or retail, teaching, or consulting business, why am I frustrated with how things are happening and what solutions are available, and even financial decisions such as paying myself more even when it looked non-logical and it created a sort of vacuum effect that pulled more income forth. These leaps of faith and logical next steps were navigated by regular check-ins (engage intuition with meditations, dream, and journey work tools) with Monarda and remained my first course of action always. Each fork was navigated well and I believe were based on my true gifts being part of the equation versus molding a business from some outside force of what one thinks should happen. I believe it's coined today as 'creative, intuitive entrepreneurialism'. I would say for me that Bee Balm supported my walk to self-reliance through respectful partnering with many forces. 

Wild Food for the Soul
Yes, and to support this I share the recipe below with you. Bringing wild foods to the table is such a loving act of kindness through supporting every level of who we are. Foraging feeds the ancient soul knowing in our bones as we travel to patches we know our ancestors or the ancestors of this land traveled to for nourishment. We all have a wild side that needs to be nourished and this is one way to coax it forth. Nutritionally packed with goodness means we don't need much in volume to bring the nourishment deep into the body. These are original foods and the body remembers, processes and assimilates these foods quickly and efficiently to build our multi-leveled strength. So yes, invite Bee Balm to your table.

Connection to the Ancestors of this Land
Being of Native decent is by no means a prerequisite to knowing the plants native to this land. While many of us are, knowing the native plants where you live is truly a key to connecting to Nature. Matt Wood, Herbalist, shares a beautiful teachings he received from his Native American teacher about how there are actually four sub species of Wild Bee Balm that they distinguish between depending on the medicine needed. Each is identifiable by taste differences that scientists still refuse to acknowledge and document as such. See Matt Wood's book, "The Book of Herbal Wisdom" page 361 for a beautiful ready on "Sweet Leaf". Listen closely to these teachings. They came about from medicine people listening closely to Bee Balm and observing keenly how it works in the body (psst... scientists do this intuitive, 'I had a hunch' works too but many choose to take all the credit personally). Remember that the plants are evolving and changing just as we are and so it still remains our unfolding joy to step into this responsibility within the work to listen deeply. In deed it is how we've learn everything about these magnificent beings who walk along with us through time. 

Chimichurri is the classic Argentinian condiment for grilled meat, but I serve with vegetables, on bread, or stirred into rice dishes, soups and stews too. It's typically made with parsley, oregano, garlic, oil, chili, vinegar, and a few other additions depending on who you ask. Being deeply partnered with Wild Bee Balm for years, I was playing one day with new ways to get my plant ally into my body and so added it to a favorite chimichurri recipe with a handful of onion grass leaves and loved it! It has oregano-ish hints to it's taste and is a wild edible too so the leap was easy. 

‘Wild-ing’ your recipes as Nature provides is an ebb and flow practice. It’s a dance with the plants as they jump up and are with us. So if I want chimichurri sauce in winter I still make this but with available fresh or dried ingredients, and work with dried Wild Bee Balm (crumble and remove any stems). It freezes decently if you add a little lemon juice to help hold the color but it's always best made fresh and eaten straight away. 

Seeing Wild Bee Balm waving on the breeze always inspires me to make a batch (or three). Condiments like this within a meal bring vital nutrients into the body and intense flavor bursts that not only spice up a simple meal but also stimulate our digestive enzyme production which begins in the mouth. Immune responses become sharp and efficient with this chimichurri in the belly too! Remember the immune system does our daily house cleaning of maintenance and repair, but also steps up fast for the intense calls to make deep or swift changes, some of which can take time. We choose our medicine in support of what the body is already trying to do. We just nursed grandpa back from a serious viral invasion by feeding him this each day once he arrived and near collapsed all pale, dizzy, coughing, and nauseated. First we put him to bed early with a healthy dose of homemade bitters and then started feeding him this in the morning with fresh bread, greens and eggs. He loved it, rallied fast, and went home well as if nothing happened. 

 INGREDIENTS:

• 1 bunch or fresh picked Italian flat leaf parsley to yield roughly 2 lightly packed cups
• Small handful of onion grass leaves, chives, garlic chives, or scallions with bulbs (2-3)
• 1/4 cup fresh wild bee balm leaves and flower petals (young tips are the best) OR 1 tablespoon dried bee balm, crumbled, stems removed. 
• I/4 cup fresh oregano leaves - just double if you don't have Bee Balm 
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, or more to your taste
• 2-3 cloves garlic pressed or finely minced
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or more to taste
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, or more to taste
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (you can substitute another oil if you like)
• 3 tablespoons apple cider or balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon or lime zest

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Mound the parsley, bee balm, scallion / onion grass, garlic, and red pepper flakes on a cutting board, and mince together with a large chopping knife. Keep chopping in all direction, gathering it up as it spreads out and work to a minced consistency. (Yes, you can toss it all in the food processor and pulse while scraping down the sides intermittently.)
2. In a bowl, combine the minced mixture with the salt, black pepper, zest, vinegar and oil and mix to combine.
3. Let sit for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to blend and then taste and adjust seasonings if needed. Transfer to a container with a tight fitting lid and refrigerate until needed.
4. The sauce tastes best the day it’s made so make small batches and use up. Bring to room temperature for serving as the oil solidifies when in the refrigerator.

Optional Additions: Sprinkle in the bee balm flower petals if available with the last stir and serve with fresh ones on top. Yes, Wild Bee Balm flowers are edible, easy to eat right in the field, and gorgeous in salads or as edible garnish.

Enjoy xo-Jen

Could it be the blinding light of this high solar time of summer, or the winter shadow time of our opposite season that makes it hard to see? One can easily say it has nothing to do with it at all, but for decades now I see in my people that I'm called to tend to infected eyes the most at these polar opposite times of the year. Thinking in metaphors is an option but it does help the minds of healers who work close to the earth and what ails us among the living. There's less memorizing when thinking in cycles and metaphors. Recall is a process you can 'feel into', instead of it being a 'doing' action. And for me, my recall is so much sharper this way. The need for books or running to google falls away. This steamy beautiful summer brings eye ailments forward and I've been spurred to write on the heels of the surging eye infections common during summertime which also prompt us to prepare for winter too.

While there are so many plants we can lean on here for infected eyes and affected vision on many levels, I speak to two that have not failed me in over two decades for getting right down into the physical of it all, such as with conjunctivitis (the catch-all term for you got something even though we don't know what it is') or pink eye of sorts. There is an easy bit of planning that happens now so one is prepared at all times. Depending on where you live, there may be other plants that fill the actions these two provide and I do encourage you to work with what grows close to you. Learn the technique here. 

​These two plants are abundantly present this time of year. Calendula (C. officinalis) basks in full sun. Chickweed (Stellaria media) likes the sun but prefers cooler weather and so travels under larger plants where the medicine can be made within the leaves and flowers but it's in the more shadowy places of the garden. Light and shadow working together to make the medicine needed, catch me here? I like to make a succus you can drip straight into the eyes. But what is a succus? 

succus suc·cus (sŭk'əs) 
n. pl. suc·ci (sŭk'ī, -sī) 
A fluid, such as gastric juice (ignore this part of the definition) or vegetable/plant juice (we're going for this one), contained in or secreted by living tissue. Yes, an old term not in technical use much anymore, though herbalists from time to time will toss the term on the table to honor the old ways we are discovering to be quite relevant today. 

Yes, good for any weepy eye infections, conjunctivitis, styes, or irritated redness. We often hear 'yes, good for eyes infections' but many need the walk from the garden to the actual drops in the eyes. Below are pics to walk you through how to actually make this succus. A beautiful side note, make larger amounts for oral infections and gum disease and swish twice a day for great results too.

- A small handful of fresh Chickweed leaf and flower and a few Calendula flowers makes about one ounce of succus, which could treat a small neighborhood! You only need 1-3 drops in each eye 2-3x/day or every 4 hours for intense situations. One can treat less frequently, such as morning and night, as things begin to shift well.
- This is good for 1 week in the refrigerator. Then make fresh again, but rarely is a second batch ever needed.
- Always treat both eyes even if only one looks like it's ailing. Chances are, being so close together, they will both get 'it'.
- Cleanliness matters and is actually imperative so the one who is treating doesn't get infected. Hand wash before and after with a good castile soap. It's that easy.
- The eyes are not a sterile environment. It is one reason why we make tears loaded with enzymes to keep them clean and flushed frequently. They are also not a place the immune system can get too easily which is why these infections can be persistent. Our eye ball is in a bony socket. Our tears wash this cave-like socket to keep it lubricated, wash dust and debris out, kill potential invaders, and of course cleanse the heart and soul.
- Children usually hate this. Adults often do too. I treat my eyes in front of the child if toddler age and up, even have them help, so they can see what it's like. Lay flat and place a few drops at the inner corner of the closed eye. It pools perfectly there (called the inner canthus of the eye). Now simply take a deep breath and blink several times to allow it to wash into the eye. This is the easiest way always. Have tissue ready for tearing will be stimulated. This is a good wash out with medicine present. There can be initial stinging but only with some people who once acclimated to the process find it is quite minimal. Give the eyes a rest by remaining flat for a bit and warm compresses of Chamomile tea help immensely.
 - Nasty pink eye infections can be gone in 24-48 hours with the infection pooling and crusting at the corners of the eyes. Simply wipe with a most paper towel, tissue or gauze. Wipe from the center outward, one swipe along the eye, and throw paper away. Repeat as needed with clean gauze each time if needed. Do keep treating for several more days after symptoms are gone. Meticulous hand washing helps halt the spread so be diligent. 
-Yes, at first it stings a tiny bit. Anything in the eye will do this a little at first but within less than a minute it eases. 
-Think immune support for a few days to a week. Include herbs, a light nutritious diet, plenty of water, and more rest than you think. 

Ah yes, this is also easy and I take apothecary tending quite serious because it can be frustrating to have a loved one in distress and you have the skills but no supplies. We avoid this by thinking ahead and seeing each condition that comes along as a teaching moment for how to prepare. During the summer, harvest for winter by placing fresh Chickweed (Stellaria media) and Calendula (C. officinalis) flowers in a freezer container, enough for 2-3 batches or more if you have a large household or are treating through a clinic setting.

Other Options Exist: If you forget, no worries. Make a strong Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) infusion with 10 drops fresh Calendula tincture added to each 1 ounce batch will do the trick well too. I've also added 3 drops of Goldenseal root tincture (Hydratis canadensis) to this for particularly persistent infection. The berberine content of Goldenseal works well for resistant bacterial strains. And no, the alcohol in this 10-13 drops added to one ounce (30ml) of Chamomile tea is so small that it does not hurt the eye. These herbs actually reduce pain. 

-Consider investing in an eye cup. These are great for filling 1/2 full and cupping over the eye and blink it in for a good minute or two. Use fresh medicine for each eye. I love this for scratched corneas as Chickweed, Calendula, and Chamomile will all speed this healing. 

- Fresh Aloe - I once rubbed my eye while chopping hot peppers and the moment I did it I knew I was in for pain. It took about a minute to set in and WOW! My quick thinking husband Jay said 'aloe' as he went to our plant to harvest a leaf. The gel was scooped straight into my eye and the relief was instantaneous. so yes, aloe for the eyes has proved amazing again and again since then. 

-Mama's Breast Milk - Yes, this is an old, old remedy and babes where treated often in the first days with colostrum and mama's milk once in on day three. This may be... the. most. effective. care... for infected eyes. I've seen this work with 1-2 treatments. While is raises many feelings for some, I suggest we remember that we are mammals and nature provides in unique, efficient, and magical ways. 

- Why do I shy away from Eyebright (Euphrasia spp.)? Simple. It's on the 'at risk' list at United Plant Savers due to being over-harvested for medicine and more difficult to grow. Let's take the strain off of Eyebright and lean into more abundant and easy to grow wild and cultivated medicine plants. 

Yes, dilute with distilled water 1:1 (that's equal parts) and drip into eyes. You can re-purpose a saline eye dropper container by popping the tip off and washing well, or just get a 1oz amber glass dropper bottle (better) at the health food store. There are many who report after months of treatment twice a day that there is a reversal of advanced eye disease. Research is under way for glaucoma and cataracts. Do keep this in your bag of tricks for those middle of night 'I can't sleep because my eyes hurt.' complaints. 

Honey Compress is also an easy one for tired, exhausted, strained, or infected eyes - simply apply a fingertip full of good raw local honey or herb infused honey to both closed eyelids and massage the lids and into the eyelashes gently. Rest with a warm wash cloth compress for 15 minutes before rinsing with clean warm water.   

Thank you for coming into my world for a bit today. I do hope I planted a seed deep within you so this may help you one day. Do check out our Monthly Herbal Councils (completely beginner friendly) where we go even deeper into the world of eyes and clear vision and draw medicine from more than the plants.  xo-Jen

Ready to build an apothecary for yourself and loved ones? It's my primary health care system and gives so much support. Let's work together to get yours up and running. It's easier than you think and so much fun too. See course details:

Happy Beltane Beautiful! Awoke feeling the need to create and thinking why not celebrate Beltane by making something new to embrace the deeply rooted symbolism of fertility long honored at this holiday time? We're wearing our bee keeping gloves, perfect with their long sleeves, to harvest this prickly one or I just can't get any help around here due to her stings!

​Nettles (Urtica dioica) is absolutely an amazing superfood and a tonic for all ages and conditions. Keep your eyes open for it growing wild. I 'sort of' cultivate it as well by planting in wild places on our property. Be warned, it has mint-like tendencies toward being invasive so take a moment to think about where she can run wild and will it affect your neighbors? Not all people love Nettles but I do believe if they get to know this one, most cannot help but fall in love!  

Nettles is so mineral rich that it benefits from a long steeping period (8 to 12 hours) before straining to extract all the goodness. Think of it this way, we move rocks out of the garden beds. It takes a bit more time for 'minerals' to move out of plant material too. Fresh nettles provides the best flavor for fermentation, although you can definitely make beer from dried nettles. However, be careful. While it is pretty much impossible to make a too-strong herbal infusion from the fresh herb due to the water contributed by being fresh, you can overdo it with the dried. Measure well. Fermentation, like baking and cheese and bread making, asks this of us. As we practice we get that intuitive knowing more developed. 

​I'm coming from the perspective that you have either fermented before or are of the jump in to try new things anyway type and will do a bit of research first. Cleanliness is very important. I usually re-cycling flip top Grolsch beer bottles from any beer supply stores. You can get them for the deposit of 5 cents each. Or any beer bottle cleaned well of labels and residues will do but you need to invest in metal caps and a capping device if you don't have the flip top kind. Do not use wine bottles as they explode like bombs and we lost them all, but the champagne bottles worked great! We had a dirt flow basement and began cheering each time one exploded for the Earth as we learned the hard way. 

To sanitize bottle and working equiment, I prefer to rinse all bottles and lids with a strong antimicrobial Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) infusion which has a rich history in beer making a well, Some use a bleach solution but this has many environmental issues around it washing into our Earth and residues making it into our bodies. I shy away from the commercial cleaners they offer too. Not sure what it is. Stephen Buhner offered this tip in his great book, Sacred Herbal Healing Beers, which offers an anthropological walk through time with humans and our fermentation practices. 

INGREDIENTS:
1 pound fresh nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf or up to 8 ounces dried nettles
1 good handful of dandelion flowers - (gives some added hypnotic loveliness) 
1 gallon water
1-2 ounces fresh grated ginger root (Zingiber officinale) 
2 organic limes (what i have) but lemons work great too - get organic
1 pound brown sugar or quality imported brown cane sugar you can find
Beer Yeast per package instructions for 1 gallon*
​ 
*we small batch here in 1 gallon glass fermenting jugs. Gives me more variety over time. They're easy to find on-line with beer yeasts unless you have a local fermenting supplier shop. 

DIRECTIONS:

• Bring water to boil, pour over nettles, dandelion flowers, freshly grated ginger (no need to peel as it all gets strained out) and zest from one lime/lemon, and let steep for 8 to 12 hours.
• Strain nettles infusion through fine muslin cloth. I gravity drip it for about 30 minutes as squeezing can release more sediment than desired.
• Juice limes/lemons and add juice to the strained infusion.
• Add brown sugar and stir well to dissolve.
• Pour into fermenting vessel with air lock top before adding yeast per package instructions.
• Now the magic happens as the bubbling develops over days. Ferment until complete, usually around 7-10 days, when the bubble action has eased down.
• Prime your clean and Wormwood-tea-rinsed bottles, fill, and cap as you have planned with metal caps soaked in the Wormwood tea as well. Depending on the size of the bottles, prime bottles with sugar by adding ½ teaspoon for 12 oz. bottles to 1 teaspoon for larger sized bottles, prior to filling.
• Allow to sit and second ferment in a cooler dark place. We keep them in boxes on a shelf in our garage that is 1/2 in the ground and always 50 degrees and explosion safe though we've not had this problem again.
• Ready to drink in 7 to 10 days. Try one and see if it needs more time. You will know if it's still sweet. Enjoy!

​We'll be loading the fermenting jug tonight and then 'waking up' the yeast in that sacred honoring sort of way. More pics to come as we progress through. See below for some helpful tips we follow. Fermentation is a dance with the forces of the moment and if lucky we can catch a bit of the magic in each bottle. Enjoy and may your day be blessed, worries few, and may you create something beautiful in honor of Beltane. xo- Jen

15% Class Discount until midnight tonight is still in place!! Use Code: ELDERMOON15

Live class begins this month, May 27, 2017. On-line classes, councils, and lodges are start anytime. 

Coltsfoot has a bit of a different rhythm than most spring beauties around here and gives us some visual depth and relief from the varying shades of winter's predominant shades of grey. Love grey but so welcome other colors! It's a low-growing perennial with fleshy, woolly leaves and is a member of the Asteraceae (daisy) family, Coltsfoot produces a single golden-yellow flower head with no surrounding leaves. It's among some of first blooms in spring, before much greenery has jumped up. You'll find it among rocky moist places and rises only about 6-8 inches in height, though once the leaves emerge, it can get a bit taller. As the flowering stem dies, the hoof-shaped green leaves begin to appear. Yes, a different way than most plants.
​
Yes, there's some good strong medicine here but did you know there's edible parts? Coltsfoot flowers can be eaten and tossed into salads to add a wonderful aromatic flavor and color. These nibbles help us get in rhythm with the season as we march forth to our busier time of year. Shy away from road side harvesting for all the obvious reasons of nasty runoff. While it grows roadside frequently, the best way to seek it is to consider rocky stream bed edges. When I lived in Phoenica, NY we had none on our side of the Esopus creek but you would find me wading across the stream, always cold and sometimes waist deep, with a basket held on top of my head to gather from a massive patch directly across the water. I couldn't resist their waving little faces in the sun, even with painful water temperatures! Definitely makes one hardy. 

• Make an Infused Honey: fill a jar with the flowers and add honey to make a remedy to help calm a cough and ease a fiery throat. Steep for 4 weeks, stirring occasionally, strain and take by the spoonful. (*psst... make now for the fall as this is the only time to get flowers)
• Make a Fresh Coltsfoot Flower Tincture: fill a jar with slightly backed flowers. You can chop them if you want, to increase surface area to the alcohol, but its not necessary. Add 100 proof Vodka or alcohol you like to tincture with. Cover the flowers completely, cap and date/label. Shake from time to time and strain squeezing well through muslin cloth. Re-bottle and label you "Homemade Coltsfoot Tincture' (*)
• Make a Simple Coltsfoot Elixir: there are many ways to make elixirs but my favorite is 2/3 finished tincture and 1/3 honey. Some love maple syrup and others love a 1:1 ratio. You get to decide. 
• Eat the Flowers: yes they are edible for salads, garnishes, and such. Enjoy!
• Harvest Fresh Leaves: return to your harvest spot for leaf harvest a few weeks after the flowers have gone to seed, then add to your fresh flower tincture to boost it even more with leaf too. 
• Harvest and Dry Leaves: Harvest more leaf for drying and store well in glass in a cool, dark place labeled with the date. These can be brewed for infusions or turned into a homemade cough syrups (see recipe below).
• Make an Herbal Vinegar: made must like an alcohol tincture, fill a jar with the flowers, chopped or not, and then fill with apple cider vinegar. Cover with parchment paper if you have a metal lid due to vinegar's reactions with metal that will spoil it all. Shake occasionally and strain in 4 weeks, label and date and keep in a cool dark place. This keeps for a year to take by the tablespoonful in warm or cool water or tea for dosing.
• Make a Coltsfoot Oxymel: Simply add 2/3 of your Coltsfoot vinegar to 1/3 honey into a bottle for dosing, shake and label with the date, and take by the tablespoonful for dosing.
• Make some kick-ass Coltsfoot & Thyme Cough Syrup: (recipe below)
• Make a Coltsfoot Flower Essence: if you've learn this easy skill then you know just what to do and now's the time to do it. Green Hope Farm offers the essence made already for us if you wish to purchase it with this to guide us: 

"Recovery from orthopedic injury, and to increase flexibility.
Coltsfoot offers a road map for repair and recovery from any orthopedic injury or challenge as it holds much helpful information about our bones, muscles and the realm of movement in our physical bodies. It also helps us with flexibility in the physical body as well as in our attitude towards all change. Coltsfoot also helps us more easily revise and expand our definition of reality as new truths come to us." - Green Hope Farm

Watch for 'Common Name' Confusion: The common name is Coltsfoot, latin name Tussilago farfara, and these pics will help you seek the right plant. There is also a 'Coltsfoot' known as Western Coltsfoot or Butterbur, latin name Petasites palmatus which looks very different and is a completely different plant. Just a heads up to clear any confusion if you're searching the web for information and live where both grow. 

 When researching Coltsfoot you will see many warnings due to the (pyrrolizidine alkaloid) compounds that give this plant its healing edge when things are serious in the respiratory system. It's usually worded something like this,  "Despite serious safety concerns, people take Coltsfoot for lung problems such as bronchitis, asthma, and whooping cough (pertussis). They also take it for upper respiratory tract complaints including sore mouth and throat, cough, and hoarseness." This compound is found in Comfrey leaf as well and you may be aware of all the concerns surrounding Comfrey? Ease your concerns and avoidance tactics with the stronger medicine plants and come learn the wise medicine ways. We need the stronger plants but we also need to know how to dose safely. Most of the bad media is from improper dosing. The same is true for improper dosing of acetaminophen, as you will go into an unstoppable liver failure with what many see as a safe medication when taken incorrectly. Here at ElderMoon School we covered Comfrey in depth to eliminate confusion and walk strong with our stronger medicines in our Monthly Herbalists Councils, open to all so do check them out, For now let's speak of wise ways with Coltsfoot.

First thing to remember, Coltsfoot is not a tonic designed for long term dosing. We take this plant for acute health situation of the lungs, as mentioned and quoted correctly above. This means we take an infusion, tincture, or syrup/elixir for a couple of weeks to get through an acute situation with the respiratory system. You would not take this regularly for chronic lungs issues, such as COPD, asthma, sarcoidosis of the lungs, lung cancer, and emphysema, to name a few. So let's choose one to break this down a bit. Let's look at the epidemic we have around asthma. Listed above as a condition to take Coltsfoot, it would be wise to take for a few weeks for an acute flareup of the chronic condition. So think of it this way, such as with hyper-reactivity of the lungs (which looks like increased asthmatic episodes) in response to a flu. This happens for my son. I know when a virus has landed in his body because the asthma symptoms flare sometimes two days prior to any other symptoms and I start to treat for the flu preemptively. Should it come and settle deeper into his lungs then I treat directly with Coltsfoot a week or two. Make sense?

Here's another example: If someone has sarcoidosis of the lungs (an inflammatory disease that affects multiple organs in the body, but mostly the lungs and lymph glands), then they would take Coltsfoot for a few weeks for an acute flareup or complication that started because they have an underlying chronic condition. Let's say they got pneumonia. The Coltsfoots is meant to address the acute situation of pneumonia with strong medicine for short term dosing. The person with the chronic lung condition can take other tonifying respiratory plants on a long term basis to address the underlying chronic condition and this tactic strengthens their resistance over all. 

Much of the lousy media around certain plants happens when people are desperate for a cure of a chronic condition, think "Hey, it's a plant so it has to be safe no matter what.", and then diagnose, dose and treat themselves incorrectly with a medicine plant that traditionally treats acute conditions. 

Does this makes sense? Do send questions so we can dispel the lousy media and walk with solid wise choices for when we are sick by knowing the strong medicine plants well, along with safe dosing. 

Dosing with Coltsfoot is Simple:
For Adults take the Infusion 1 cup 3-4x/day; Tincture 1/4-1/2 teaspoon 3-4x/day; Honeys, Syrups, Elixirs, Vinegars, and Oxymels are taken by the tablespoonful every 2-4 hours or as needed. These doses can be taken for up to 2-3 weeks but most will many will barely need two weeks of treatment for lung ailments of the acute type like respiratory flu or cold, bronchitis, pneumonia, and chelation of something inhaled that is noxious leaving congestion and coughing. Whooping cough (pertussis) will need a full three weeks as it tends to be quite persistent. Then switch to others such as Mulein leaf and Elecampane root for longer treatment.  Do not exceed three weeks with Coltsfoot on these doses. Always consider other therapies, lifestyle changes, and diet to support respiratory health.

I have given Coltsfoot to all three of my children, as well as guided mothers and fathers in my community for decades now on when and how to take this plant so please ignore the exaggerated warnings - 'never give to children' that are made by people who do not know this plant well. Consider the child's weight and reduce the dose accordingly and give to children older than one that need respiratory help. It is safe for short term dosing as described. Children under one, I love to treat with Chamomile always. Bathe them in it and watch miracles happen!

Coltsfoot is also found in many well made herbal cough drops so once a child is able to manage a cough drop they can have these too. 

Inhaling burning plants is nothing new to humans, You will find some people who enjoy blends that have Coltsfoot added, and some people waft the smoke in a home where there are colds and flus to help settle the lungs much the way White Sage and Mullein leaf are burned. A small amount of gently wafted smoke near someone who is sick provides antimicrobial and antispasmodic properties quickly and efficiently to the lungs. Seems counter-intuitive, yes, if your thinking of it like a cigarette. Rolling and smoking when sick is not the best or intended way. Think gentle wafting of the smudge-like burned smoke for quick assistance. While this is not my favorite way to work with Coltsfoot, I do have the leaf in smudging blends for clearing the air, particularly when airborne microbes are attempting to survive in my home. 

INGREDIENTS:

• a handful of fresh thyme sprigs (or buy organic, dry leaves here 1 tablespoon)
• 3 tablespoons dried coltsfoot leaf (or 2 tablespoons of this with 1 tablespoon of elderberries if you have) 
• 2-3 thin slices of ginger root - organic
• 1 pint of water (2 cups)
• ½ cup honey - raw local unpasteurized 
• ½ lemon/organic chopped into wedges and squeezed to release juices a bit - I like to muddle them with the top end of big wooden spoon in the jar that will house the final syrup.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place the chopped lemon in the pint jar and cover with the honey. The honey will macerate the lemons and draw out liquids which taste so delicious!
2. Meanwhile, toss the thyme, coltsfoot and ginger into a saucepan and cover them with the water.
3. Bring the water to a gentle simmer and reduce it to half, about a cup of strong tea.
4. When the tea is reduced and cooled to a touchable warmth, strain the sprigs and leaves out, add it into the pint jar, cap and shake well to mix, label and date it.
5. Spoon around the lemons and take by the tablespoonful of syrup as needed or every 2-4 hours until the lungs show signs of relief, then every 4-6 hours
6. Store your homemade cough syrup in the refrigerator for about a month. It will get a little bitter over time from the lemon pith. Good! This supports the liver for better digestion during illness downtime. 

May your explorations of Coltsfoot be rich and beautiful as we lean into our wild plants for walking strong these days. xo- Jen

Hello Beautiful One. Happy Spring Equinox to you. I delivered a turkey carcass to the wild animals last night and stood in my garden, that has two feet of snow. Thank you for the water! It's my time to whisper to the sleeping but stirring roots and seeds of plants I'm longing pretty deeply for this time of year. Our beloved wood stove, considered a family member here, is still blazing away and such a blessing. My beautiful southern friends are posting Magnolia and daffodil flowers and my whole body wants to crawl through the pic to just peer into the flowers and sit in the sun with them in receptive pose. It's coming, I know. Our bodies know this too and stir as the roots and seeds do. Tiny shimmies and shakes are happening. Can you feel it?

So what is your body saying?
Maybe all is great. Or maybe you've noticed yourself struggling with frequent colds or flus this late in the season, digestive discomfort and GI system trouble, skin outbreaks or mysterious rashes, deep fatigue that comes over you rapidly, cobra dancing with feeling depressed, anxious, or angry with mood swings, sleep trouble, or maybe menstrual irregularity for us women? Our bodies begin the spring cleaning now on the metabolic level and we can join in and help with a few simple remedies from your new or expanding home apothecary. Here's a few herbal and food-as-medicine ideas to support the full swing of Spring. 

While we need the roots to prepare for winter, we also lean on them for leaving winter and preparing for spring. The following formula is an old favorite of mine but working with any one of these root medicines will do. The body needs a medicine that can dig down deeper into not only our tissues, but also our complicated physiology and psyche, which may also be a bit complicated these days. Taking this 'Hepatic Holy Trinity' formula is a beautiful yet simple master plan for us folks learning to slow down more so we can work and play our lives in a different way. Finding a new rhythm, yes, can look like listening to the cycles of Nature. We all welcome the grounding medicine of the roots too as we release what is no longer needed and strengthen our readiness for the increased activity of the season ahead. Preparation and deep rest with supportive plants is part of the medicine. There are many activities in life that require similar care 'before and after'. Working with winter on many levels and the medicine of the North on the medicine wheel is included in this. Keep this formula in your medicine bag for support down the road.

Hepatic Holy Trinity Formula
This simple formula supports eliminations, digestion, liver and gall bladder health, renal function, and the recycling of hormones for the endocrine system to support sleep and hormonal shifts that are synchronized and smooth. I have found this to be particularly helpful with eliminating excessive systemic estrogen as well, an epidemic in our culture due to many causes that are more than 'menopause'. It's not just for women anymore.
 
INGREDIENTS:
1 part each of Dandelion root, Yellowdock Root, and Burdock root.

-Tincture fresh or died fall dug roots are perfect and these three are usually found growing near each other. Dried root is fine to tincture as well if that is all you have access to. Since a tincture takes at least 2 months to get ready, see the next option. 
- If you don't have these in house then purchase a 1 ounce tincture of each and mix them together and take until the bottle is gone. 
- Making a decoction with dried roots is easy and may be more cost effective. Purchase 2 ounces of each and mix together in a glass jar and label. Add 2-3 tablespoons to a quart of simmering water and simmer with lid ajar for 20 minutes. Cool a bit and enjoy. Continue for a few weeks until the herbs are gone. Store the decoction in the refrigerator and warm on stove each day for your dosing. 
- Try making a spring tonic syrup with the dried herbs. (link below on how)

Dosages: as a tonic take two droppersful (60 drops or ¼ tsp) tincture 1-3x/day;  6-8oz. root decoction per day; 1-2 tablespoons syrup per day. I take the higher doses. Take at night a few hours after food intake. Go to bed early. 

This formula and variations of it are well known and very easy and efficient for supporting the Liver and Gall Bladder, particularly during seasonal shifts.  The recipe is basically a delicious salad dressing and has a wonderful refreshing effect upon the Liver and Gall Bladder. One can drink it periodically as a Liver/Gall Bladder tonic or taken every day for a week as part of a Liver & Gall Bladder flush prior to or after fasting or for tuning up through the seasonal changes. When I prepare for plant dieting and spiritual retreat I will enjoy this for about a week prior. Plan to drink it in the evening or when you’re settling in for the night as this is “rest and digest” food. I make sure I have an empty stomach or haven’t eaten in at least 4 hours. I absolutely love this formula and have enjoyed this for decades now. Not all medicine has to be horrible tasting.

Liver & Gall Bladder Flush

INGREDIENTS:

• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice, organic (or apple cider vinegar will do here too if that is what you have)
• 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, organic
• 1 tablespoon raw local honey or maple syrup (some omit this and add ½ cup orange juice – I prefer the honey or maple syrup)
• (1-2 cloves of raw crushed garlic; optional to boost the effects)

​INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Place all ingredients in the blender if using the garlic and blend until creamy. With no garlic it’s fine to just whisk and drink.  
2. Drink one recipe dose daily for at least 5-7 days. Make fresh before taking.
3. About 30-60 minutes after drinking this, follow with a warm cup of Ginger, Comfrey leaf,  Peppermint, Chamomile, Fenugreek, or Fennel seed tea - or any combination of these.
4. Go to bed early and lay on your right side. Each time you awake in the night – think “right side” and get back on your right side. This helps improve circulation by supporting blood return to the liver from the portal vein.
5. You may notice around day 3 that you have sandy textured stools. That’s great and both the Liver and Gall Bladder are flushing well.
6. Drink plenty of water with fresh lemon freely through your days and keep the diet clean and simple; simple soups are best.

Other supportive ideas for embracing what 'appears' to be a slow spring: 

• Take Bitters - buy some or check out how-to-make-a-homemade-bitters.html
• Create an altar honoring spring
• Consider what you are 'seeding' for the growing season? Set some goals for harvest in the fall.
• Make a Root Beer Syrup - root-beer-syrup-for-your-autumn-tune-up.html is perfect for spring prep
• Buy your seeds!
• Create art, music, pick up an instrument you've been wanting to try - our dining room table is full of paints at the moment. 
• Spring clean with good music and intention. Move things and get deep.
• Spiritual retreats: take a time out away, explore fasting or plant dieting 
• Ritual baths, more saunas, visit a hot springs area or spa
• Get out in the natural light even if for a drive or short walk because it's too cold.
• Drink or eat good bitter to bittersweet chocolate first thing in the morning on an empty stomach (yes, it's a seasonal tonic)
• Plan for a daily full-body abhyanga self massage with warm herbal infused oil as a powerful recharger and rejuvenator of mind and body. I enjoy this at night before bed and love Rosemary, Dandelion flower, St. Johnswort. Yarrow, or  Calendula infused oils.
• Then there's outrageous food ideas but I stop here... 

Now lists are just that, lists. This one does not require that we do everything, which could be quite enjoyable but yes, hard to execute. Choose one edible support idea and one pleasurable external idea if that seems easier to embark upon. You can always pick more as long as the stress factor is reduced. You get it. 

What else works for you? I love hearing about other delicious ways to support this seasonal shift we crave. We're in this together. Thank you for sharing.

May your journey be safe and beautiful. xo-Jen

Take a leap just for you. I did and I'm venturing into a new part of the music world and it's hard and sometimes I find myself shying away from my study time. Getting back on path is a regular practice for us all, right? Here's to trusting you and putting your whole self into it!

All salvias have medicinal qualities. Culinary Sage, Salvia officinalis, makes fantastic medicine and is easy to walk with, especially if you’re just starting out with herbs. If you have access to White Sage, I’d encourage you to try the White Sage leaf in your water bottle, just to experience where that sort of relationship with a plant might lead you. 
 
Here’s a quick overview of the medicinal properties of White Sage, Salvia apiana: 

• Prevent and eliminate head colds taken internally or added to your netty pot as fresh tincture 3 drops.
• Soothe and heal sore throats as a gargle 
• Thins secretions and clears the sinuses with internal doses and in netty pot
• Speeds up our immune response to the flu with internal doses and whole body bathing by adding tea to the bath. Supports fever management. 
• Eases asthma (my son is sensitive to smoke, but not from White Sage) with internal low dosing as a tea or tincture and gentle smudge inhalation.
• Thins and reduces secretions while it aids healing the lungs with internal doses, bathing, and gentle smudge inhalation
• Aids digestion, eases runny bowels and has bitter actions to break down fats and support the liver when taken as internally doses
• Improves sleep, eases anxiety within the body, heart and mind, calms the soul - taken in all medicinal delivery routes
• Invigorates the blood and regulates cycles within the body with internal dosing
• Eases menstrual pain and heavy flow plus hot flashes and heart palpitations; supports necessary and wise hormonal transitions women with internal low doses
• Dries things up, such as excessive bleeding, or breast milk during weaning with internal dosing
• The seeds were ground into flour for food; also steeped as tea for disinfecting eye washes
• Tightens and tones tissues; such as gums or open wounds, or irritated intestines taken with gargles, wound washes and internal dosing respectively
• Supports spiritual practices: such as meditation, journey, writing, creative outlets, retreats and pilgrimages, creating altars, healing work, space clearing and tending, blessings, ceremony and ritual work when utilized in all medicinal route forms appropriate for the situation.  

 
Yes, Now The Warnings:
​
When OVERUSED, meaning too frequent or in too high of a dose, there is a strong alkaloid compound known as thujone that could irritate the body. Strong medicine must have strong compounds in order to be considered strong. So there should be no surprises when the scientists find such compounds in a plant. In fact let's welcome this. So, too much of this compound will increase heart rate, cause mental confusion, lead to vomiting, restlessness, and kidney complaints.

Instead of feeding fear here, I am asking us to see the wisdom in knowing strong medicine so we can call on it when needed. Be wise. Keep your medicine close. Take it in and take it safely. Know it well in your mind AND your body and walk strong with it. Honoring White Sage....

 xo-Jen

Yes, it's that day again where we're all so full of many thoughts and feelings about endings and beginnings. What did we see go well. Yes, the sweet medicine! What was wobbly and needed shoring up. That would be the 'rooty medicine' for me. What failed beautifully? Yes, and gave us some bittersweet lessons to chew on. All good medicine is how I see it. I found the last quarter of the year to be a time of needing to coax my soul forward more than in the earlier part of the year. Going into hiding or subterranean mode is easy for the soul. But it's not what the world needs from us now. Somehow this took some tracking and a real honest look, as I found my footing and my voice as to why. I'm wondering what it was like for you? 

As you walk towards this New Year 2017, may you follow that deeply woven thread of that which leads to thriving and flourishing with a dynamic, responsive, bold, and beautiful 'you' . Honor that flutter in the belly that is definitely the good ju-ju to drive your steps forward to that which you seek. Birth your unique gifts. Feed them well. This Earth needs you to do so, and surely it's why you're so blessed with them. 

I'm offering a FREE seat to our 'Birthing an Herbalist in 13 Moons' on-line interactive course for 2017 AND a seat for the 'Becoming the Roots - Medicine Making Course'  as part of my honoring for where I've been and where I'm heading with ElderMoon School. Support is outrageously given from Nature. Sometimes obviously so and sometimes in ways where we are asked to look with new eyes or from a slightly shifted angle. I pray your vision and sensing, your knowing and courage, your playfulness and ability to bless, as well as receive blessings, rises within you. 

Follow the links for details for the courses and the FREE seat entry below- Keep It Simple - Do It Anyway - Trust. Let me know which course you're interested in or give me a bold 'BOTH' and I'll enter you in each. I'll be checking my email for entries in the wee hours of the morning and then complete the drawing as the Sun rises on our first day of 1/1/2017.  Walking with you, boldly, into 2017. I get so intrigued and excited for this every year!!! May you some sweet good luck to jumpstart your New Year. xo-Jen

ElderMoon School of Herbs
EMS has on-going Herbal Classes, on-line and in-person, to support the expanding desire among us to know the plants intimately as part of one's healthcare system for ourselves and loved ones. Deepening our relationship with the plants is where it all starts. 'Begin anyway' is our mantra. Have a look around and email if you feel called or have questions.

Tree Donations and Prayer Bundles for Ecuador? Email me directly for my address and details at: [email protected]  

Thank you for supporting small businesses and grassroot projects world wide. Change does happen from our seemingly small efforts. It just may be the only way. xo-Jen

We have made the walk from water to earth many times as humans, yes? I think about how we came from the ocean as a species. We grow in a fluid inside our mother’s wombs similar in makeup to the ocean before we ever take our first breath. And we walk the Medicine Wheel each and every year from the water of the west in autumn to the earth of north in winter, until our very last breath. Every year. And it’s now. It seems so simple, and for me falls easily into being good medicine, to take in nourishment from a sea vegetable that grows in the rich mineral baths of our sweet oceans. Shoring up our reserves is the task here and seaweed from our original mother, the mother of us all, provides nourishment and supports restoration for the deep journey inward during winter where we are asked to crystallize our experiences and feelings into wisdom, all the while meeting the physical demands of colder weather, opportunistic microbes, and a culture that does not support slowing down and honoring such ways of being. We must do it anyway and support each other along the way. Seaweed is here and has been since our beginning, and embodies the support needed to make such a journey. I offer here some simple ways to work seaweed into your life as a practice of honoring this walk from the teachings of the west to the north, and from water to earth.

​Sea vegetables spend their entire lives luxuriating in the world’s largest, oldest, most complete mineral bath. They soak it up and are among the richest sources of iodine, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, potassium, manganese, and all other trace minerals essential to the growth and repair of our bodies. Getting precise numbers for the mineral content of each variety is difficult because it varies based on the seaweed type, growing location, water temperature, water depth, climate, and season. Often the exact numbers our scientists want actually fall into ranges which make the rest of us happy.

My pantry and apothecary currently have: Kelp – (Macrocystis pyrifera) ‘Giant Kelp’ and (Nereocystis luetkeana) ‘Bull Kelp’, Winged Kelp (Alaria esculenta)
Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosis),  Dulse (Palmaria palmata),  Hiziki (Hizikia fusiforme), Kombu (Laminaria japonica)

• Has important antibacterial and antiviral effects.
• Reduces cholesterol levels in the blood by escorting these fat globules out of the blood through the bowels. Yes, you can actually see the globules in the blood draw tubes of some of my patients. This sparks good conversations with them!
• Helps chelate (release) other radioactive elements from our tissues. When the body is saturated with natural iodine from seaweed, it will more readily excrete radioactive iodine taken in from the air, water or food. And no, none can be allergic to iodine from a seafood allergy. It is require to be alive by our bodies.
• Contains B12 (rarely found in vegetables).
• Is rich in iron, potassium, magnesium, zinc, manganese and all trace minerals required for growth and repair of our bodies.
• Provides a substance called aliginic acid that helps the body eliminate toxins.
• Contains 14 times more calcium by weight than milk. Plus magnesium in ratios our bodies require for absorption.
• Has easily absorbable, abundant Iron with the added benefit of keeping the bowels regular.
• Is high in protein, low in fat and contains little or no carbohydrates.
• Has components that lower blood pressure and reduce arteriosclerosis (clogging of arteries).
• Has abundant trace minerals required for smooth function of our endocrine system and hormonal pathways, as well as for growth and repair of all tissues.
• Makes super healthy medicine plants in the garden when you add seaweeds to your compost teas. 

Have a look at the teaching video on making my daily Seaweed Vitamins that my students receive in Lesson 6 of the course 'Birthing an Herbalist in 13 Moons' at ElderMoon School of Herbs. Enjoy!

I grew up in quite a toxic environment among poorly raised apple trees on farms that sprayed often here in the Hudson Valley of New York. As a child we would play in the spray as if it was a sprinkler. Then drink and bathe in the well water and eat the fruit of these poorly mistreated trees. When I walked to the herbal medicine world in my early twenties it became so obvious that chelation of toxins from my tissues was a major task for me.

So I did my homework. I ditched commercial vitamin pills and decided that daily seaweed would start the process of release on the inside while I drastically changed the outside of my life to support a more chemical free footprint for myself and family. We are open systems with our natural world. We take in and excrete what is in Nature. Focusing on remaining open, discerning where and how I will live, and supporting eliminations has kept me from descending into the fear of illness based on such a childhood. 

I leave you with a nourishing favorite from my kitchen. Wild Atlantic Wakame, also called Winged Kelp or Alaria is Alaria esculenta. It grows in thick beds on low surf-battered rock ledges and the company I love harvests by the tides of the full and new moon in early spring before the leaves of the trees have returned. It’s the most challenging seaweed to harvest due its remote locations near rocky islands off the coast of northern Maine. Delicate and easy to eat, I often encourage those new to seaweed to start with this one. It’s delicate in taste and texture and easy to work with.
INGREDIENTS

• ½ ounce atlantic wakame (Alaria) soaked in ½-1 cup warm water for 10 minutes; chop and reserve the soaking liquid
• 2-3 tablespoons tamari
• 1 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
• 6 large carrots cut into your favorite shape
• 1-2 onions sliced
• 1-2 tablespoon coconut oil or other oil you love for sauté
• Dash of toasted sesame oil and fresh cracked pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Prepare your carrots, onions, and ginger and sauté 5 minutes or more
2. Add the atlantic wakame, tamari and sesame oil and cook until carrots are to your liking.
3. Use the reserved soaking water from your wakame if more liquid is needed during the cooking.

So easy and delicious whether well or recovering from illness. When my family is in recovery mode, we’ve made large batches of this and add it to miso broth with a simple light protein of fish, egg, tofu, or chicken and fresh sliced scallions. Dulse, Hijiki, Arame and other Kelps work well for this recipe too but may need a little more cook time to get the tender texture we all seek. Alaria is the easiest to start with if you're new to eating seaweed. Enjoy - Jen

Are you hearing the call to go deep with the plants? Me too. Always! Knowing the plants for healing is in our bones and is our original medicine system. This is the birth place of all other schools of medicine. Come learn how to incorporate simple remedies for yourself and loved ones. Most Courses are Discounted 15% through 11/30/16. Our Give Back: 5% of all course fees are donated to reforestation efforts in the rain forests directly through the smaller organizations of 'TreeSisters' and Rocio Alarcon of 'The Iamoe Center' in Ecuador. Together We Rise. 

Walking deeper into Autumn is the calling of now. Some embrace this. Some resist. Truth is, it’s that time. What do your Autumn rituals look like that help prepare your body and spirit for the long nights and deep inner-workings of Winter? It's different for each of us. Moaning may be part it for some and this is a sort of self-soothing mantra that says, 'yeah, this is hard.' There are those bigger questions tossed on the table each year for review and a revisiting of old wounds and stories that seek easing through releasing. Here we are, walking again, to the watery west of the annual Medicine Wheel. What's coming up for negotiation deep on the inside? And what do we need to be getting okay with as this time of year teaches us about the cycles of things?

I'm feeling it: the getting okay with letting go. The getting okay with releasing. The getting okay with grieving a bit to flush the heart and soul. The getting okay with death...

We’re taught to be sun-worshipers. We're eternally encouraged to “let in the light”, “meditate", "sun-sip on the inhale" (drawing in the shards of light as we squint towards the sun), "vacation in the tropics", and "stay up" late with artificial lighting as a way to extend the daytime. So culturally we’re deeply in need of cultivating the desire to know and prepare for our journey into the dark, our time of restoration, our time of visioning and dreaming. It begins now with unloading what is no longer needed. 

There are those among us who know and honor this. To name them is tricky. Categorizing people is something I've had to un-learn. Let's just say there are those who naturally tap into their ancient-self, their indigenous soul-self, the self that awakens their endocrine system for being the compass used to navigate the cyclic nature of things versus the brains desire to force life into a linear way only. These people often know darkness and the value of being able to navigate it well. They can vary greatly in age and are of all faiths and backgrounds. They know that death is a part of a larger cycle and to honor release and death is part of how life actually continues to jump up and be.  

If your mind is set on the linear journey from birth to death, then winter can easily put you out of sorts. Do you catch yourself whining about the weather, or the microbial world that affords us chelation from our deep tissues, or the fact that it's dark at 5pm now for those of us in the Northern Hemisphere? I speak to this way of being because I too fall into the deep sighing when my body feels cold and everything seems to just take more energy. 

Accepting death is not meant to be easy.

There is sorrow to navigate. Grieving is part of this too. Culturally speaking in our ultra-pasteurized and ultra-homogenized ways, we have forgotten how to make something beautiful and delicious that supports life out of our honoring death and grief.  We are being asked to call on our deeper, wiser self for some indigenous soul resurrecting around how to honor time as a cyclic being and grief as an "enzyme of the soul that changes our sorrows to a life giving substance that changes us and supports flow and moving forward in life" (Martin Pretchtel, the Smell of Dust on Rain: Grief and Praise). This is what makes life delicious. This is what can help us change our attitude towards the darkening time of the year. Accepting death and grieving losses are also part of the ingredient list required for making that life supporting substance we all crave. And yes, working like this supports that deep sigh too, like a flower floating down a stream, it will support beauty wherever it flows.     

Remember: ritual is consciousness in action that helps to shift or change our present moment forward. It is a highly creative and personal process so add to this list and scratch what doesn't work for you. You'll find each year it might change a little. That's perfect! It's your unique dance with the Earth as it changes in rhythm with cyclic time.
 
#1 : Consider stocking up your winter apothecary or pantry: 

• ​Vitamin D: emulsified seems to work best.
• Fish Oil: in the winter switch to Cod Liver Oil. The increased Vitamin A will help your body better assimilate the Vitamin D.
• Vitamin E: such a great antioxidant that radiation doctors will not allow patients to take for it works too well in helping them resist radiation damage.
• St. John’s Wort: it blooms at Summer Solstice and supports us through Winter Solstice by helping our cells adjust to seasonal shifts. Don’t take with SSRIs but do take with its friend Lemon Balm to support the body during lower light times of the year. 
• Passion Flower: Take at night before bed, especially if St. Johnswort or Lemon Balm are not for you. This restorative medicine helps us synchronize more quickly and open to the deeper, restorative sleep states the body needs. 
• Make Herbal Vinegars:  So easy and so delicious- see link below for ideas. 
• Make Healing Broths: Learn how to make bone stocks or mushroom stocks to freeze and have ready when the microbial world comes knocking. 

#2 Make an Autumn Altar, Ancestor Altar, or Grief Altar:
An altar is a place of honoring. It's a doorway to the unseen and sacred. Clear a space on a windowsill or table or outside. Bring items from nature as well your favorite candles, beautiful bowls, crystals, stones, pictures and any objects you hold sacred. To keep my altars fresh, I visit it daily to tend and arrange new items, bring fresh flowers or food offerings, to pray and smudge or enjoy the glow of the candles for a few moments. Build an altar each day for a week to memorialize different losses in your life. Keep them small and meaningful. Give your altars an amount of time that feels right and then deconstruct them gently with gratitude to clear the space for another time when called to make another one.

#3 Gather Seeds, Final Harvests, Play With Leaves:  
You can gather for next year or, if you’re a lazy gardener like I am, gather the flower heads where the seeds are resting and place them where you want that plant in next year’s garden. Make a seed rattle: This year I gathered Poke berries and harvested the small black seeds, placed them in a small glass jar and I rattle a heartbeat rhythm over my body while at my altar to call in the healing of Poke. My teacher Rocio refers to this sound of seeds as the "sound of creation".  Maybe you would love to gather the final growth of Mugwort, Lavender, Rosemary, or Juniper and make your own smudge sticks to dry for winter honoring. Maybe play with the leaves by working them into artwork, or piled high for jumping into, or worked for compost, or just look deeply at them each day as they begin to change (it's the cooler nights and shorter days that trigger the color change). Sit with a tree, feeling its leaves dying and falling, its vital energies returning to its roots deep in the Earth.
​

Maybe choose one thing and dedicate yourself to it in honor of the rhythmic dance with the seasons. ​While these supports always work wonders, what has amazed me most is the benefit of acceptance around what is happening as Autumn gives way to Winter. This acceptance is cultivated from doing the seasonal work of honoring, releasing, and rooting in. Once we shift from linear time to cyclical time, our perspective and attitude around Winter changes. Some actually are surprised to find themselves enjoying Winter’s darkness just by accepting and embodying a few rituals, maybe even just one ritual, that brings your sacred into your everyday. Walking with you.
​Much Love, Jen

Finding your good, right medicine is the walk of the healer. We begin with healing ourselves by connecting deeply to the plants. Come learn the walk of an herbalist that is unique for you. Being a home herbalist is just like being a home cook. We  tend our tribe this way. We have the right to know and honor the plants this way. Herbal Courses are on-going on-line and in-person and Discounted 15% through November 2016. New Moon Lodges are Free for Women wanting to learn about synchronizing with the cyclic nature of the Moon.