Ojas is the essence of vitality and immunity.

It provides stability and nourishment to the body's tissues, moisture to the skin, and clarity to our mental processes.

It is the subtle essence of the kapha dosha, existing both as an energy and, according to the ancient Ayurvedic texts, a physical serum that resembles honey, measured as 8 drops that stay in the heart. As my Ayurvedic and yoga teacher Linda of Shakti Yoga puts it, “our glow of health, virility, fertility, luster, juiciness, reproduction, regeneration and life itself all depends on a healthy supply of ojas.”

Ojas is the refined substance produced after digestion, once all seven dhatus—the tissues responsible for the functioning of the systems and organs of the body—are fed and nourished. The classical Ayurvedic texts state that it takes 27–30 days to build ojas.

Basically it takes a lunar cycle to make.

My teacher explains her understanding of ojas, “It is like honey, ojas, the pure essence of all bodily tissues circulates via the heart and throughout the body to maintain a natural resistance and order of the bodily tissues. Ojas fights against aging, decay and disease. A person who has good ojas rarely becomes sick.”

One way to feed this process of ojas making is with moon milk sipping in a ceremonial way. 
​ 
So “Moon Milks” have been intriguing me for a while. I’ve learned that not all recipes are great either. Golden milk is another old favorite as well with turmeric and honey. Slowly, I’ve found my way to a recipe I love that I’m ready to share.

One can always enjoy a tea with the moon, yes. And I often do…

A“build ojas” whispered prescription is something I keep sensing again and again. Building vital essence, power, luster, strength. It’s the task internally and externally as we face life each day. 

Some prescriptions are divine.
Interpretation is personal, I know.

Let's consider these as a starting point for flow:

Go to bed early. Rest more. Sauna. Visit the ocean or wild water. Eat clean. Make your desserts with fruit. Fresh lemon in your water daily. Move your body. Soak in a tub. Sunbath nude in early morning or late day sun. Make tea daily. Get a massage. Paint a picture for Earth and gift it. Make a fire and speak prayers for the world. Massage your feet before bed. Meditate while gardening. Meditate in stillness. Play your instrument for the Wind. Or the Moon. Get up with the Sun. Go down with the sun. Eat dinner early. Eat a satisfying midday meal and skip dinner for enjoying moon milk and rest instead. Listen to a book or great music 2 hours a day. Drink Moon Milk 2x/week for 1 month.

Not all “prescription medicine” has to taste horrible, hurt, costa a lot, or feel like deprivation. Nor does it have to come from a doctor outside of you. That’s my point.

I’ve decided to drink this as a ritual brew twice a week for the next month, up to the next new moon to build ojas, honey in the heart. New moon milk stokes the fire gently as we find rest and restoration. 

Listen inward for more personal prescriptions as our needs vary and the moon will inspire you with more.

So this recipe is quite easy to make too - in the morning put up your almonds to soak. When ready to make, peel the almonds as your milk warms with spices on the stove. Then add all to blender. That’s it. ✔️

Mid-day or evening dosing is the suggested time for taking this.

It’s silky smooth, warm, and so delicately spiced that you want to just linger between the sips… build luster… ya know, all the things.

​INGREDIENTS:

• 10 raw almonds - soaked and peeled.
• 1 medjool date
• 1 cup pure water - split
• 1 cup milk (organic or coconut milk is good too and I use 1 can full fat coconut milk with 1 can full of water for the liquid component)
• 1 TB organic rose petals (optional – cooling, secretion thinning, rejuvenates)
• 1 tsp ghee (optional - rejuvenates)
• 1/4 tsp saffron (increases digestion & rejuvenates) - saffron is preferred but pricey so if you choose to substitute turmeric powder for this then only use 1/8 tsp. to keep things delicately bold.
• 1/8 tsp ground cardamom (increases digestion)
• Pinches of clove, cinnamon, and turmeric powder (improve immunity and digestion)
• Pinch of fresh cracked black pepper (thins secretions, supports immunity)
• 1 tsp of honey, maple syrup or agave (optional - rejuvenating, immune supportive, (honey is traditional and increases lactose digestion if using cow milk)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Soak almonds in 1/2 cup water for 4 hours to overnight. Drain off the water and slip the almonds out of their skins.
2. Bring 1 cup milk of choice and 1/2 cup water to barely a boil on the stove.
3. Add rose petals, saffron, cardamom, clove, and black pepper, let simmer for 5 minutes. Cover, remove from heat.
4. Allow milk mixture to cool covered for 10-15 minutes for more infusing of the spices.
5. Pour mixture in to the blender with date, peeled almonds, and add ghee and honey. Blend until smooth.
6. Enjoy warm in a favorite mug with a sprinkle of spice you love or few rose petals on top as you sit, moon gaze, and allow the moon to have all of you.

So delicate and delicious... enjoy.

What else builds our vitality and increases our golden ojas heart drops?

• Ample sleep—seven or eight hours is not enough for most people - the human body requires hours of wakeful meditative states and / or naps to fulfill our rest requirements.
• Following your heart’s desire, whatever lights you up.
• Volunteering, supporting a cause near and dear to you.
• Yoga, pranayama, and meditation
• Whole, fresh, organic foods, preferably home-cooked.
• Know your farmers and bee keepers.
• Spending time in nature; gardening, hiking; swimming.
• Hugs with pets, friends, family.
• A good book, read or listen - both do the same internally.
• Laughter.
• Love, Love, Love
• And my favorite ghee company - Goddess Ghee
• I Release Control - song by Alexa Sunshine Rose

​xo-Jen ​

Your spice cabinet is a well-known and potent medicine chest among herbalists. Keeping it well stocked and fresh will support food preparations but also medicine making that you may need at unexpected times.

No one wants to drive to a store to get needed remedies when we’re feeling sick. 

Let’s take a look at the medicinal qualities of some of our ingredients often found in your kitchen and why this delicious and potent cough syrup is a quick and easy to make remedy even when you’re not feeling well. 
​

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 TB dried Rosemary (or 2 TB fresh chopped) 
• 1 TB dried Thyme (or 2 TB fresh chopped)
  
• Optional: 1 teaspoon dried Elecampane root (boosts the lung clearing even more) 
• 1 Lemon - zested peel
• 1 Lemon juiced
• 1 inch Ginger root - grated or sliced thin
• 1 cup boiled water
•  ½ cup Honey or agave 

INSTRUCTIONS: 

1. Add thyme, rosemary, elecampane root if using, ginger root and lemon zest to an 8oz heat safe mason jar and fill with boiling water, cap, wrap in a dish towel to keep the heat in, and allow to steep until warm to the touch. Maybe 2-3 hours. 
2. Strain your strong tea into large measuring cup, add lemon juice and honey or agave. Stir well and taste it. Adjust sweetness to your liking but keeping it not too sweet is better. 
3. Pour into a jar for storing in the refrigerator and label with ingredients and date. 
4. Dosing: 1-2 tablespoons every 4 hours while awake with active cold/flu symptoms. Continue for up to 10 days if needed. 

Easy kitchen medicine is at your fingertips. Ancient ways of healing have profound effects on our health and provide us with ways to stay home and practice the fine art of convalescence, meaning stay in bed with intermittent activity to exercise deep breathing. May you and your family thrive as we all learn to walk with the plants and the microbial world in this world we share. It’s all about boundaries.

Most herbal syrup recipes include a slow long simmer to reduce the amount of water and extract the medicine. Here with aromatic plants like Rosemary and Thyme, we loose much of the aromatics which are part of the medicine with a slow simmer process. Your house will smell great and you will inhale some of this which is great, but it will not be in your syrup which is what I want. So I simply reduced the water amount, traded the simmer for a slow infusion, and leaned on a capped jar method with extra time to keep all of the medicine in the syrup.

Many blessings to you. Send along any questions. 💚

Much Love, Jen

​

Why Rosemary?
Being incredibly antimicrobial is why I add it here. It also supports digestion and gut health and circulation which is more stagnant during convalescence when sick. It has nti inflammatory and antispasmodic properties and so eases pain and reduces swollen mucus linings of the airway to free up deep breathing.  

Rosemary is considered safe for most people in culinary amounts and has few side effects to consider should you take it in therapeutic medicinal amounts. Some people who should avoid it in medicinal amounts:

• Pregnant women should not use rosemary in large amounts (cooking is fine) and should avoid the essential oils.
• Breastfeeding women should also avoid large amounts of rosemary as there’s not enough known about how it affects this population and their babies.
• Those with an aspirin allergy should not take medicinal amounts of rosemary.
• Those with seizure or bleeding disorders should also avoid large amounts of rosemary.
• Rosemary can raise blood pressure in some at medicinal doses, so it may not be safe for those with elevated blood pressure.

If you’re unsure, check with your herbalist to see if rosemary is safe for you. Rosemary is best taken for a few weeks at medicinal doses and then reduced to being in formula with other herbs for extended dosing.

Culinary use in food preparations is considred generally safe for most people. 

This is simply delicious and easy to eat and will bring therapeutic doses of Hawthorn and Rose into the system on a daily food level.

I often suggest this as an alternative to tinctures for cardiac support and blood pressure management, particularly of one is not wanting alcohol based products like tinctures.

One tablespoon a day is a therapeutic dose and an easy medicne to take too, right off the spoon!. 

If you purchases your berries and hips by the pound for a discounted fee then you will have plenty for 2-3 more batches. 

I love this over goat cheese or brie, yogurt, or spooned over a warm dessert with whipped cream. Please seek chemical free ingredients to support potent medicine making, farmers, wildcrafters, and the land that grows us all.


INGREDIENTS:

• 1/2 cup Hawthorn Berries, fresh or dried
• 1 cup dried Rose Hips, seedless cut/sifted
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup honey (agave, rice syrup and maple syrup work too)
• 1 TB Lemon Juice
• Zest of 1 Lemon
• 1 TB Vanilla Extract
• 1/2-1 tsp Cinnamon Powder
• 2 TB Ginger Root, finely minced 
• 2 Cup water

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Boil Hawthorn Berries in the water for 30 minutes at the lowest simmer, covered. Turn off and allow to sit for 1-4 hours covered. Strain and keep liquid, compost solids.
2. Return liquid to a pot and bring to a simmer, turn heat off and add the Rose Hips and ginger root, give a stir and cover. Let sit for ½ hour.
3. Place all in the blender. Add all other ingredients and blend. This is like pudding and thick so add very small amounts of water if needed, just enough to keep the blender able to work.
4. Strain, or push through a sieve – not too fine – just catch any stray seeds and any solids that may have made it through. It will thicken more and more as it cools so work through the seive while warm and scrape the under side as you go.

To Use/Dosing: 1 Tlb/ day is therapeutic for the heart. Stirred into plain yogurt or use any way you use jam.

Yield: about 2-2 ½ cups – store in refrigerator and use up. You can make larger batches but freeze some for it will keep about 4 weeks in the frig thanks to the lemon, honey and ginger which are good for the heart and have preservative properties.

You can absolutely play with adding and substituting some ingredients here. I have added black cherry syrup, natural flavor extracts, powdered cardamom and clove, astragalus root powder, schisandra berry powder, lime, orange or grapefruit instead of or with the lemon. Keep the proportions tended so you have the same consistency of a jam but do play with it if you're inspired. Make it your recipe and absolutely share it please. Good heart medicine is needed by us all as we move forward in this ever changing existence.

Much Love, Jen 


REFERENCE: Healing Tonics by Jeanine Pollak

Impressive.

I planted them here next to each other so I would not have to be in the loop of deciding.

It took 10 years for Nettles and Mugwort to make the decision between them known to those of us watching and learning.

This slow kind of landscape change where we learn as we go is nothing new. When I gardened in a flood plain for 6 years I learned who could withstand being underwater for a week. That included Comfrey, Yarrow, Hops, all mints, Poke, Lemongrass, Plantain, and more tenacious ones of course. Nettles can too! I also learned how vital the fish left behind in the walkways of receding water were chosen by death and the task of feeding the soil. It’s a tall order for all of us one day. My two older sons and I had many rescue missions nonetheless with 5 gallon buckets working until it was just ridiculous. Each year we did less and less. There are many reasons and risks to take when gardening and farming in fertile flood plains.

The property we live on now for 18 years has gone through many transformations as we shift a landscape with our presence included with the resident plants and the massive amount of water that moves through this property. I’m a different kind of house buyer now because of the three properties we lived on. Two things that bother me the most here are they would never be able to build on a property like this now due to the water table being a foot away from the ground surface in half the property, AND... they faced our house north. Why?! Passive solar placement of homes today is often not considered.

We remain for now continuing to learn from this land and I look for ways to align. It employs energy efficiency for starters. And it also slows us down, in a good way. Time delivers the lessons as things grow and die. Your relationship to death, even the little daily ones, improves. It falls into the slow cooking movement that is finally among us as we work to grow food AND medicine for the kitchen and home apothecary. Things rushed are different than things slowly received.

We compost in a single row each year making a long pile that is about three feet high, cover with leaves before winter hits, and every spring enjoy the black gold of nutrient dense soil made easy by aligning with time and all the soil microbes to do their thing. It takes time. I’m not a subscriber to fancy formulas and daily to-dos to get soil made fast. Some things just take time, and less effort, to get a better finished thing.

Another thing learned is to place gardens in “problematic” areas. These would be areas where rocks and tree stumps, mature trees, and marshy spots reside. They’re only problematic for moving a lawn mower around and so if you want less of this, the plants will accommodate and populate the space while providing food, medicine, and beauty.

These are things we all need to be well.

This year a dear friend, Horsetail, arrived on the scene. What a grand gesture as I have a patch I hike to deep in the forest a few miles to harvest from for decades now. The annual pilgrimage remains, but now I get to leave them with so much gratitude for how time delivers the medicine. Here’s a link to the Monthly Herbal Council titled “The Tale of Horsetail” (password: horsetail) I’d like to share that will explain more about why herbalists love this ancient plant that used to be the size of trees. It also explains why modernized farmers hate it. We have much to repair. LOVING Horsetail is a start.
​
I’ll keep it short in saying it builds structure and strength internally for our connective tissues, bones, teeth and nails. And in biodynamic gardening style, it does the same for plants used as a foliar spray, particularly when mold, powdery mildew, and things like black spot is present. This can be an issue with very wet properties like we have here. A diluted Horsetail infusion is the simple spray to remedy the situation towards balance. It reminds the plants to strengthen their cells and tissues and creates a good boundary balance with excessive fungal growths on their bodies. Sometimes I add a little Tobacco and Oregano to the tea if things are looking bleak as these two will deter the fungus a bit while the Horsetail helps the plants strengthen their cell walls. 

I have the pleasure of harvesting where the water is high and Horsetail is here to thrive in such an environment. The patch is huge for a first year appearance.
And once again the lesson of aligning with time shows that the medicine needed will come.

The political act of gardening is well described in this book published back in 2006, Food Not Lawns, By H.C. Flores.

The history of the grass lawn is political. And it’s so political that there are now laws and local codes that demand lawns for “curb appeal” as if a garden is not beautiful, functional and community building with plant and seed exchanges for one thing. It’s deeper than this though.

Preventing growing food and medicine is woven into the political story.
This book is worthy of at least a listen if you can find it through an audio book platform, or a library borrow for an actual read. It became a book in my library after a borrowed read.

Building resiliency and resistance is at the root of developing garden spaces. It takes time. It takes doing nothing and watching as nature speaks to us about the flow of vital resources that provide for our families and our communities of plants, animals, microbes, bugs, and people. If you find yourself frustrated with some aspect about the land where you live, sit with it. Pan out for a more expanded view of what is trying to happen. Again, it takes time to align with the efficiency lessons of Nature.

I share a little of how things unfold and change here and continue to do so as we continue to create with a large pallet of diverse colors, textures, plants, trees, bugs, microbes, fungi, and even resident wild animals that inform our process.

The political act of growing your own medicine and sharing in some capacity with your community is an act of cooperation with the collapsing medical systems that are always political. There is simply no good reason for us all to not have good modern medicine healthcare in this day and age. The cooperation comes from mutual respect that there is enough for us all. Good modern science walking along side the thousands of years of clinical trials that herbal medicine has provided can create cooperation among us instead of feeding competition based in greed and fear.

With one garden at a time, we do the work. 

We make a stand when we create our little gardens and share what we harvest along with what we know through showing up again and again to the lessons. With politics so complex today, the garden offers a respite to get clear about what really matters and gives strength to show up to the other harder lessons in life as we witness the uncooperative nature of humans. The created garden helps us remember how to keep moving forward towards a cooperative future. And it will require resilience and resistance at times. And the garden in return cultivates this in us. 

Make dirt. Plant for the hummingbirds, or the the resident woodchuck present to teach a thing or two. Designate wild places where you just watch. Know that watching and doing nothing for a while is something. Learning to listen is a thing.
​
May your day be relaxing with a slow morning at the start and a hot cup of something to drink. 💚Jen

Here’s a little share on something new that may inspire you to consider medicine in a different way.

Let’s begin with a Haudenosaunee Iroquois legend.

There was a terrible conflict between five different nations of people. This conflict was rooted in cycles of pain, revenge, and chaos. A messenger of peace sent from the Great Spirit, the “Peacemaker,” sought to unite the five warring tribes. After convincing them to unite, they came together to make peace, but they still carried their weapons. The Peacemaker uprooted a White Pine tree and had them throw all of their weapons into the hole. He then replanted the tree, and the underground waters carried away the weapons. On the tree, the needles grew in clusters of five, to represent the five nations who came to find peace. The roots of the tree spread out in four directions, to the north, south, east and west; the roots are called the roots of peace. An eagle perched on top of the tree to watch over the roots of peace. Under the tree, the branches spread wide for all to gather.

It is from this Native American story that we can understand why the White Pine, Pinus strobus, is called the “Tree of Peace” and why the White Pine carries such power here through our landscape where it thrives.

Here we explore White Pine's peaceful energy, medicine preparations, and archived talk on all the good things White Pine can help with condition-wise, plus a different kind of preparation that you can make fresh, and a few other archived helpful items that seemed to fit.

I learned how to make this from a friend and healer from Japan. To keep privacy intact I will share a truncated version of a shared story that sparked my interest deeply.

​A patient with stage 4 lung cancer and in treatment was in their 50s and ended up hospitalized for a stroke. While in the hospital their family spoke with an older, trusted, and very wise traditional herbalist healer who taught them how to make this and said to bring into the hospital for them to sip 2oz. per day. The plan was to help with the stroke. BUT … to the medical staffs surprise (and everyone else) in 2 weeks the patient's lung cancer disappeared AND their stroke symptoms were improving twice as fast as usual. So my friend started taking this intermittently for themself and noticed marked improvement in a static condition they were working with that was not nearly as intense as a stroke or stage 4 lung cancer, but definitely a chronic stubborn condition of the skin and connective tissue deep in their body.

So naturally I LOVE White Pine and I trust this tree deeply. I would climb 60 feet into the top of one to take naps away from the traumatic childhood events I was enduring as a five year old. I learned to see things differently up there. I also learned to hang out with the birds and would bring them homemade bread so the parents didn't work so hard to feed their big family of hungry babies. We would eat together up there and enjoy the sway from the breeze and the sun warming us.

​So I decided to start taking this myself for no other reason than I trusted this tree so deeply and the tonic effects that it can deliver systemically to build resilience, resistance, and a generalized clearing of the body, mind, and spirit. I also was asking for guidance for if this would help two family members. One has lingering long covid lung issues and the other is working with a large 4.41 cubic cm pineal gland growth per MRI serial studies and is currently considered operable but the docs have decided to stay in surveillance mode. The main symptoms are affecting them cognitively with no seizure, debilitating pain, or vomiting at this time. I'm grateful for less intense symptoms and yet it's incredibly strange for me. The neurologist docs and surgeons and psychiatrists do not sit at the same table and yet they work in the same system of the body. There is a generalized fear and lack of understanding between them and they often refuse to share with each other in the care. We have more work to do for this grand canyon gap to be bridged for the sake of healing via modern medicine.  We have found a tiny number of dual certified MDs in Neurology and Psychiatry we are moving towards. Having this gap somewhat bridged within a single human looks like the direction we will move in. 

​It's a story for another time as more unfolding is achieved.

So White pine as tincture is already in my family's care regime but a fresh non-heated, non-alcohol based remedy was intriguing for the enzymatic possibilities along with other unknown compounds that may be sensitive to temperature or solvent chemistry.
Both family members are open to taking this so we began a few weeks ago and I will report back as things shift. As for me, and them as well, we all love the clinking of our little glasses as we swig together and feel the incredible opening from all the essential oils captured well in this process. The fresh aromatic pine smell wafts up and down the airways as it gives a tingling and opening sensation to the throat and belly. It’s pleasant and not hard to take.

The plan is to take daily for a few months and then pause and re-evaluate. An update will be posted for you in this on-going journey with White Pine tending my family.

My suggestion is the same. Pulse it with a period of taking and a period of rest without it. The body loves this. I also feel the oils are potent and to be safe we pulse small amounts.

Thanks for traveling here. Let me know if you try this process with White Pine, or maybe you decide to juice another plant you know you need that lends itself to safe administration this way. If you are unsure, shoot me a message and we will figure it from all angles in order to make safety a top priority for you.

UPDATE 9/28/25: Both family members have experienced improvements. The breathing issues of one has near disappeared for him. The pineal gland growth of my other family member has reduced to 2.07 cubic cm per MRI scan this month. I'm happy as we continue to move forward.  

Ingredients:

• 1 small handful white pine needles stripped from the branches - you can add or reduce the amount once you get the hang of this preparation.
• 1 cup water (or coconut water)

Instructions:
1. Place needles and water in a blender and blast on high for a good minute. Let sit 5 minutes and do again.
2. Strain using a fine mesh strainer. Compost needle remains and drink this juice 1-2 ounces / 30-60ml per day in a pulsed rhythm.
3. Store the remainder in frig. for next day or see below for freezing suggestions.


NOTE: To be honest I like to finish it the day I make it for I believe it is most potent in the first day. And yes, sometimes we offer to visiting friends who are interested in trying it. Yes, I freeze in ice cube trays to send off to my family’s freezers for daily dosing. They defrost 2 cubes in a little more water and drink that per day. We all get a swig of it fresh before the cubes are made.
​
Can we make with other pines? Yes, as long as they are safe medicine species so do your homework please. If unsure then DO NOT ingest until you know what tree you have.

White Pine has no look-a-likes and has easy to count 5 soft long needles that are arranged in clusters of along the branch.
Enjoy considering a new way and maybe try for a week as good spring or fall seasonal  tonic. 

EMS Harvesting Tree Bark Article
Recipe: White Pine Cough Drops


Archived Monthly Herbal Council #61 White Pine Medicine - 1 hr talk

• RECORDING HERE
• PASSWORD: whitepinetree

And A Few ElderMoon Apothecary Products:
WHITE PINE - Fresh Needle & Bark TINCTURE
White Pine & Elderberry Immune Elixir

For every pot of bone, vegetable, or mushroom broth, I often add 2-3 tablespoons of this blend to enhance the immune support. This was inspired by being a mom of three sons and making so much broth to keep five of us well fed immunity-wise. I've made this for years and sold many, many bags to customers and clients in deep need of simple, bone-deep healing medicine.

Now I share the recipe and have returned to just making my own for family and friends.
A jar of this makes the very best gift for the holidays as we need extra support to finish out each winter season strong. 

This is one to know and have in your home apothecary. Adjust ingredients as you are called to. Make it your recipe, and by all means, share it with your people! I find I usually only have to make one batch a year. Store in a glass jar ready for use.

Jen's Deep Immune Broth Dried Herb Blend

INGREDIENTS:

• 4 parts Astragalus root, dried
• 3 parts Burdock root, dried
• 3 parts Ginger root, dried
• 2 parts Siberian ginseng root, dried
• 1 part Angelica root, dried - Dong Quai works well too.
• 2 parts Shiitake mushroom, dried (you can slice and dry fresh ones or purchase dried.)
• 2 parts Turkey Tails mushroom, dried (cut to slices with scissors if dried whole.)
• 2 parts Reishi mushroom, dried (shave dried whole reishi with a wood rasp.)
• 1/2 part Garlic, granulated dried
• 1/2 part Thyme, dried
• 1/2 part Rosemary, dried
• 3 Star Anise
• 1 teaspoon whole Cloves
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds

INSTRUCTIONS:
- Grind (in a dedicated coffee grinder or mortar and pestle) the hard aromatics of star anise, clove, and fennel seeds to small pieces like coffee grinds. These aromatics are optional but add immune and gut support, and great flavor. 
- Add to bowl with all other ingredients and mix gently to keep the dust down. Fill jars with tight fitting lids. Label with ingredients and instructions, and the date. Store in a cabinet or dark pantry.


TO BREW:
Add 2 tablespoons to a pot of stock you're making and simmer as usual.

Simply simmer 2-3 TB plus some salt and pepper and tablespoon of ghee, coconut oil or butter (we need the fat and it tastes good too!) - add all of this to 8 cups of water for a slow covered simmer of 30m. Let sit another 30-60m to infuse and cool a bit. Strain, adjust the seasoning of salt/pepper, or more water if too strong tasting. Sip and enjoy! 

TO DOSE AS MEDICINE:
Drink 3-4 mugs. 1 every few hours while awake. Or have 2 bowls of soup using this as your base for when you feel sickness coming on, lingering or resisting leaving your body. 
​
Here's my original article with my recipe for Deep Immune Broth that inspired the making of this dried herb one. We all need a few tricks in the kitchen. One is having many ways to get to a big pot of healing broth to sip.

​Enjoy my friend. Much Love, Jen 

​One of the most satisfying things I make is skin cream! I learned how over 30 years ago because my face was full of rashes and bumps from the chemical chaos of commercial creams. Once you learn this skill, like anything else, it becomes an integrated healthcare thing that's easy. I have a basket dedicated to my cream making things that sits in my apothecary. We need some basic kitchen equipment, great music, and uninterrupted time. 

There's a large more detailed PDF in my ElderMoon School herbal medicine course, Birthing an Herbalist In 13 Moons - (DETAILS HERE) - with more on making cream, the chemical chaos of commercial creams out there, and other remedies for supporting healthy glowing skin. Yes, rest, clean eating, plenty of good water, meaningful work, play and relations all affect our largest organ of elimination, OUR SKIN. 

This post gives you the recipe and basic instructions to just get started and get some experience with simple ingredients and the technique.

Enjoy. XO - Jen

This recipe given with weighs and exactly how I make it now.  Use a kitchen scale that has a tare button so you can subtract the container for super accurate weight measuring. This ensures more consistency and success with your recipe. 

WEIGH YOUR "WATER" INGREDIENTS

• 3 oz. distilled water, or hydrosol
• 1 tablespoon of aloe gel – optional but include in the weight of the ‘water’ part
• 1 pinch of Borax mineral*

WEIGH YOUR "OIL" INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 oz. EACH organic Calendula and organic Rosemary infused Olive Oil
• 3 oz. organic Grapeseed Oil
• ½ oz. Avocado Butter OR Cocoa Butter
• ¼ tsp Vitamin E Oil - prick a few gel caps open with a pin if need been 
• 1/2 oz. Beeswax (1 tablespoon Beeswax pastilles)
• 8-15 drops each of essential oil of Rosemary or Lavender

​

Optional Preservation Help: Add a homemade Grapefruit extract as a small swirl to finished whipped cream. Not too much or your emulsion will break like the way lemon can in hollandaise sauce making. Check out the video in our video section on how to make an easy batch of grapefruit extract that will last years in your apothecary and why it helps with many other thungs related to our health. If adverse to this then you can add Calendula or Rosemary Tincture (30 drops to "water" part of recipe).

*Optional - Pinch of Borax - natural mineral crystal that softens water and helps emulsify – often used to soften water for the laundry machine and that's where you find it, in the laundry soap area at grocery store; one box will last your whole life for this and costs a few dollars. We have hard water so I add this to my laundry and have it around already.


INSTRUCTIONS - read through before you begin so we can imprint your brain on the steps as you go. 

1. In a double boiler, melt weighed beeswax first and then add other oils and warm until all is just melted.

2. Measure on zeroed (press the tare button) scale the water part(s) and drizzle into warm oil part whisking gently. Decide if your using Calendula or Rosemary tincture too as this needs to be added here in the "water" part. 

3. Continue to gently whisk. Remove from the heat once uniform in texture. Do not over heat!

4. Begin the cooling process with placing this bowl with your warmed ingredients into a cool water bath in a larger bowl in your sink and keep gently whisking until you see it beginning to solidify on the edges. Scrape the edges and keep whisking the solids into the center. It will look opaque as it starts to emulsify with cooling down. 

5. Whip until cooled a few minutes and then add essential oils and grapefruit seed extract if using. Whip a little more until cool by hand or with a hand mixer.

6. Do not over whip or your emulsion will “break” and separate. Do not add too much essential oil or it could break with these too.  
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7. Spoon into wide mouth jars immediately and cap. It will set up more in a few hours. Do NOT wait on this step or it will be too thick to transfer well to your jars. You can double this recipe.

We fill 4oz. jars and distribute through the house, one to each person plus one in each bathroom. Extras are stored in the frig until needed. We make enough for 2-3 months at a time. 

Here's an archived video of me giving a demo from years ago. 

​And if you're needing some cream without the strain of learning just yet, I have ya covered. 
​
LINK: ​ELDERMOON's CREAM TO ORDER.  

ENJOY. Much Love, Jen

It is an ancient practice making its way back into our care of the sick.

Fever never stopped being a source of healing.
What changed was our relationship to welcoming it. To stop a fever is often not wise. Something is physically, emotionally, mentally, or metaphorically being incinerated. It’s about the internal fire that transforms. Tending any fire takes some skill, practice, and a deep humble presence of bowing to a force that is mighty and can destroy many things.

Have a listen and take notes, if called, to for your apothecary notebook. Here are few facts to also read through about fever so you will walk as the wise keeper of knowledge on how to manage fever and tend the internal fire for health and healing.

AUDIO LINK: Wise Fever Management - 78m
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This is a talk for my herbalists in training at ElderMoon School of Herbs. I share because embracing fever takes some umph today with so many medical folk in medical settings believing it must be stopped. Truth is what is making us sick can be stopped faster if we learn what our grandmothers and great grandmothers knew on how to dance with fever for supporting health and well being.
Be sure to listen to the “$500 Bath” story - a funny in hindsight Jen learning curve.

Why? It’s all about energy reserves. You will run out of viral reserve energy and the body will collapse and succumb to other microbes present if we go too hot hot or too long. This can be a life threatening situation if left unchecked. It's good to stay in bed and ride out a fever with your focus on being well hydrated. It is also good to be checked on every 2-3 days to be sure you have the reserves and to see if there is a microbe that needs more aggressive boundary work.

Modern medicine says this: “99 degrees is NOT a fever. And 100 degrees F really isn’t a fever either. Medically speaking, a fever is not a fever until the temperature is greater than 100.4 degrees F or 38°C. Although some sources vary by a tenth or two, this is the general rule of thumb for all humans, children and adults alike. What route you take the temperature in matters too.” We talk of this in the recording.
Another important thing to remember is that body temperatures fluctuate throughout the day. It’s called diurnal variation. Our temperatures are lowest in the morning and highest in the evening. The same goes for children. So 99 degrees F at night is not the same as 99 degrees F in the morning.

Physiologically, febrile seizures result when the body experiences a very rapid rise in temperature over a short amount of time. The neurological system gets a little confused by this, and responds with a febrile seizure.

No doubt, febrile seizures sound terrifying, but they really aren’t as scary as they seem. In fact, they are harmless. They do not result in permanent brain damage, neurological problems, or death. They can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes, and they rarely last as long as fifteen minutes. They usually occur between the temperature range of 101°F-103°F.

If your child has a febrile seizure, even though most are benign, it is still important to get him or her checked out by your pediatrician.

If you’re reading this, you certainly don’t need to worry about getting a febrile seizure the next time you let your fever ride it out— febrile seizures only occur in kids ages 6 months to 5 years old. For those parents with children ages 6 months to 5 years old, you need to know this:
*fever reducing medications like Tylenol/Acetaminophen products or Motrin/Ibuprofen products do not prevent febrile seizures.*

Although fevers are a crucial tool of a healthy immune response to infection, there are fever numbers of concern.

• Fevers around 105°F-106°F usually indicate a severe bacterial infection.
• Damage to neurological tissue - the brain - is more likely once a fever hits 107°F.
• A fever in a baby less than 3 months old is always abnormal. Call your baby’s pediatrician if this occurs.
• High fevers in pregnant women are of concern. Consult your doctor or midwife if you get a high fever during pregnancy.
• Fever runs too long. So what is too long? My rule is by day three you need to dig deeper for the cause if it's not known. If you have a flu, sometimes the fever can run 5-6 days. But if you have just fever or rigors – the violent, uncontrollable shaking with fever spikes – then often blood work may be needed to discover the culprit, which often is bacterial. A good clinician will monitor one for reserve energy to keep going, educate the care taker on how to proceed with what is most important to get them through, and decide when it is time for more aggressive actions.

​Yes, we can make tea, honey water, ginger, cough or immune syrups, sipping broths, and simple electrolyte replacement drinks. Here’s my family’s recipe.

RECIPE: Homemade Electrolyte Drink

• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup orange or pineapple juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• pinch of baking soda

Mix together, stir well, and drink to replace vital electrolytes after much sweating, vomiting, or runny bowels. I offer dilute 1 teaspoon of honey in warm water for active vomiting and offer this after the vomiting has stopped and the GI tract is settling down. Even if they continue to vomit again, once done take tiny sips again and again. This will help hydrate and kill GI gut germs too.

Consider some of the sipping broth recipes sprinkled throughout your days when tending the sick. They always help. Fever needs fluids, not food.

Fever is a liquid fasting practice to minimize symptoms.

I consider this a friendly pubic service announcement. Spread the word. Thank you for traveling through 💚Jen

The mysteries of the brain and nerves remain elusive even with all we are uncovering today in the name of science. The truth is we know far less than we "think".

My curiosity with brain function and the endocrine system connections to our nervous system is an old interest of mine. I do hold a hunch that the nervous system reads our environment far beyond the physical body, both internally and externally, through electrical impulses and these impulses are translated into chemicals via the endocrine system for circulation via our blood internally.

This inquiry on how it all works causes that fall down the rabbit hole kind of syndrome, right? It does for me. It involves learning more about GABA as a master neurotransmitter that helps to organize our serotonin, dopamine, and other neurotransmitters and hormones regulated by our brain. It does this through relaxation and downregulation. 
​
I include herbal treatments and yoga here to help us in understanding a wider picture of what is currently known about the bio-physiology of our human production and regulation of GABA.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a naturally occurring amino acid produced and regulated by the body in ideal circumstances.

GABA is a neurotransmitter, which means it delivers a message through our nervous system from one neuron to another throughout our entire body. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, so it blocks other messages and regulates, or controls, the speed at which information travels through the nervous system.

We might think of GABA in our nervous system as the brakes on our car. The right amount of pressure on the brake pedal slows our car down. Similarly, the correct amount of GABA slows information in your nervous system to keep us from getting overwhelmed. And so it is easy to hold a general understanding of what happens when the “brakes fail or are not in good working order” in both scenarios. 

GABA Levels Affect on Health
There are many areas of health affected by GABA level production and regulation to be aware of. The purpose here is to understand the broad reaching effects of this neurotransmitter without necessarily pointing a finger at it being the cause of many conditions. It seems to provide a measurable effect within some more serious conditions. Scientists appreciate this. And as a scientist, I do too but let’s keep perspective here as science is limited to measurable matter we understand. There’s still so much mystery to the workings of these bodies. When we focus on supporting health overall, it is wise to consider that there are many underlying conditions that can cause GABA dysregulation, rather than simply seeing it as a sole cause of such conditions. 

1. Mental Health: 
Low GABA levels are associated with most mental health conditions. While researchers aren't clear on why, it seems that most people diagnosed with a mental health condition also have low GABA activity. Conditions associated with low GABA include schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and major depressive disorder.

GABA functions to calm the nervous system and help your nerves process sensory input in an organized way. In many of these disorders, the body tends to confuse sensory input or be overwhelmed by the senses which is something higher levels of GABA could keep from happening. Low GABA can cause difficulty concentrating and memory problems, which are often symptoms of many mental health disorders. 

2. Sleep:
GABA helps your brain slow down and relax in preparation for sleep. Once you drift off, GABA helps regulate rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep, especially slow-wave or "deep" sleep. There's also evidence that GABA plays a role in modulating your circadian rhythm via the pineal gland deep in the center of the brain and keeps our overall sleep-wake cycle in balance. Good sleep patterns affect all aspects of health, including the internal regulation of GABA.

3. Calmness:
GABA helps slow down messages being sent by other neurotransmitters, which allows your brain to process that information at a more relaxed pace. This keeps you from becoming anxious or overwhelmed. To understand how GABA works, imagine you're out with friends having dinner at a busy restaurant. GABA steps in and slows down the stream of input all around you so that your brain can prioritize the conversation with your friends over the background noise. It provides us with a way to filter and reduce overwhelm, at least for a little while. Some sensory deprivation time after such experiences is also a helpful skill to help our systems recalibrate. 
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4. Metabolism and Appetite Control:
As an inhibitory neurotransmitter, GABA helps ensure that your body has the energy it needs to function. It does this by controlling when you feel hungry and letting you know when you've had enough. Once you're full, GABA blocks the hunger signal so you don't overeat. Research on GABA's role in appetite and weight control is ongoing and could prove significant in developing a better understanding of how our body works to maintain healthy eating and weight.
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5. Inflammation and Immune System Support: 
GABA reduces your body's inflammatory response and also helps lessen existing inflammation, which enables damaged tissue to heal more rapidly. GABA can also suppress the immune system to help make over reactive allergic symptoms a little easier to deal with. People with autoimmune conditions and diseases, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), also have low GABA levels. Researchers are focusing on ways that these conditions can be treated with drugs that increase GABA production. (Whisper… start yoga today.)

6. Protection Against Nerve Damage:
When nervous tissue is damaged, your body produces various chemicals as part of the inflammatory response to bring healing to this damaged tissue. These chemicals can actually cause further damage to nervous tissue and pave the way for degenerative neural diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's if left unregulated. GABA interferes with these chemicals to protect your nervous system from further damage. GABA also suppresses degeneration of the nervous system generally and supports cognitive function in the brain. This helps prevent neurological diseases and disorders from taking hold in the first place.

7. Blood Pressure: 
GABA is a natural internally made ACE / Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor that helps lower and regulate your blood pressure through a complex chemical process related to the kidneys. Since researchers determined ACE plays a significant role in increasing your blood pressure, ACE inhibitor drugs have become a front-line treatment for high blood pressure. It is possible for some people to lower their blood pressure to healthy levels without taking ACE inhibitor medications through lifestyle, dietary and exercise changes. However, there may be a genetic component that requires one to be on a BP medication even with all of these healthy changes. 

1. Green tea, white tea, and oolong tea naturally have high amounts of GABA. Some tea companies also add GABA to their tea blends for an additional boost, which I would not recommend. Nature already provides GABA sources in these teas, and through other plants.  L-theanine, one of the key amino acids found in tea, might also stimulate the production of GABA in your brain. Scientists are still researching this.

2. Yoga naturally increases GABA activity. 
During one study, participants practiced yoga 60 minutes a day 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Functional MRI brain scans showed an increase in GABA in their brains. Participants also reported improved mood and decreased anxiety and depression symptoms. This will be discussed in more detail below. 
 
3. Practice meditation and deep breathing pranayama every day. 
Research is beginning to show that meditation can increase the production of GABA in your brain, as well as boost its activity. To get this boost, meditate and practice deep breathing or pranayama for at least 20 minutes every day. More is discussed below.
 
4. Engage in vigorous exercise to stimulate GABA production.
Moderate exercise is great for your health, but it takes a little more effort to stimulate GABA production. Exercise at about 85% of your maximum heart rate, to be exact. Research shows GABA production in your brain increases after an 8 to 20 minute session of vigorous exercise. You can alternate vigorous exercise with moderate exercise to make it more doable. You might also try high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which alternates brief bursts of vigorous activity with low-intensity exercises, such as walking.

5. Eat more foods and herbal remedies that contain GABA or boost GABA production and regulation. 
​
GABA or its precursors are found in a number of foods and herbs that naturally support GABA production and regulation in our bodies. These foods and herbs include:

• Kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh - many fermented foods
• Kefir
• Whole grains
• Fava beans, soy, lentils, and other beans
• Nuts, especially walnuts, pecans, and almonds
• Pumpkin, Hemp, Sesame, Chia, and Sunflower seeds
• Fish, especially salmon, shrimp and halibut (best to source wild caught fish if possible)
• Fruits and vegetables such as citrus, tomatoes, all berries, spinach, all leafy greens, broccoli cabbage, cauliflower, and all potatoes
• Cocoa, or better yet ceremonial grade cacao. 
• Valerian root, Kava Kava root (brewed traditionally with coconut milk and spices for Kava needs fat to assimilate through the gut)

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6. Are there more herbs to support healthy brain function related to GABA production and regulation that just haven’t been studied yet scientifically? 
My educated guess is 'YES' and they may include Gotu Kola, Bacopa (also called “Brahmi and is an Ayurveda herb that has some good research on seizure management), Tulsi, Ginkgo, Skullcap, Rosemary, Passionflower, Linden flower, Cannabis, Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Cordyceps, Shiitakes, and all functional medicine mushrooms, plus Psilocybin, Amanita (proven), and other micro-dosed psychedelics that are from nature, and quite possibly the entire class of medicinal nervine herbs. 

Quite a supportive list here. Research is lacking, yes. Yet, if it is in our food as listed above, it is most likely present in medicine plants too. These remedies can be woven safely into our lifestyles with mindful consideration while we wait for science to catch up because our bodies have evolved on these plants, mushrooms, and trees for millions of years. We already have internal systems that speak directly to the substances these plants, mushrooms, and trees make. 

Tulsi also goes by the name Holy Basil and is a basil but yes, it's uniquely and boldly different than culinary Basil (Ocimum basilicum). Although they do have some overlapping properties and applications. I find Tulsi is a bit more adaptable to the general and ever changing garden conditions than Culinary Basil from Italy. This is just a personal observation and experience. When all conditions are great for both, Tulsi grows faster too.  

Tulsi and Basil are both in the Mint family (Lamiaceae or Labiatae). For review, all mints have:

• Square stems, which can be easily discovered by rolling the stem between the fingers to feel the four sides meeting at right angles;
• Opposite leaves—each pair of leaves emerging from the same level, on opposite sides of the stem (unique to Tulsi is the fuzzy, hairy stem) 
• “Lipped” flowers—blossoms shaped like open mouths, the upper and lower lips of varying sizes, depending on the species.
• Most, but not all, mints are aromatic, with volatile oils that give the plant a strong aroma and taste (basil, thyme, rosemary, lavender etc). These oils are part of their immune system for defending themselves. And more!
• These fragrant volatile oils found in most mints are antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiseptic. Volatile oils are easily transported from fresh plants to hot water, when steeped briefly as a tea, but not brewed for hours (sun tea or herbal infusion), because they become intense, altered, and bitter.   

THE MANY TYPES OF TULSI
There are at least three different varieties or species of Tulsi - Holy Basil, and while they can be used somewhat interchangeably, they also have their slight differences in appearance and taste.

TULSI RAMA (OCIMUM TENUIFLORUM)
Tulsi Rama is the most common species grown in India and easiest Tulsi to find in seed to grow.  It likes to grow in full sun with moderate water and fertile well-draining soils. Rama is known for its cooling and mellow flavor. The plant has green leaves, white-to-purplish blossoms, and a green or purplish stem.

TULSI KRISHNA (OCIMUM TENUIFLORUM)
Tulsi Krishna tastes peppery and has darker green to purple leaves, purple stems, and blossoms. It's has a sturdier stem for me in feel.

VANA (OCIMUM GRATISSIMUM)
Vana, aka “Forest-type” Tulsi, grows wild on roadsides and in waste places. It has large green leaves and stem, with white blossoms and the plant can easily attain 5 feet tall.  Vana Tulsi can overwinter indoors in a container with window sunlight. It can be transplanted in the garden when spring returns.

The most common way to prepare Tulsi is as a tea. Holy basil combines well with other herbs, such as rose petal, lemon balm, lavender, ginger, nutmeg, and other spices. It can be brewed in milk and added to Golden Milk made with turmeric. If you don’t grow your own, numerous kinds of Tulsi teas are on the market so you can still enjoy a cozy mug. Tulsi Rose is my favorite way to wind down the day!

TULSI TEA

INGREDIENTS & DIRECTIONS:

• Add 1-2 teaspoons dried Tulsi or 4 teaspoons fresh (small handful) to a heat safe container.
• Boil 1 cup water and add to container, place lid on.
• Allow the tea to steep, covered, for 15-20 minutes.
• Strain Tulsi from tea and enjoy daily.

JAY'S FAVORITE TULSI TEA - In Winter & Summer
Mix equal parts of dried Tulsi, Peppermint, Nettles Hibiscus flower in a jar and label. Add (optional) honey once steeped 20 minutes and strained. To make, use 2 teaspoons per cup of just boiled water. A few paper thin slices of fresh Ginger root work well in this too. There's always room to sway with your preferences.  

USE FRESH LEAVES
Add chopped leaves to culinary dishes just as you would basil. Freeze leaves in ice cubes to add to summer drinks.  Eat a few fresh leaves to get phytonutrients and boost your immunity.  Make Tulsi Pesto!

TULSI/HOLY BASIL TINCTURE (ALCOHOL EXTRACT)
I prefer using fresh Tulsi in tea AND tincture. I do dry 1-2 pounds for our for our family to get through the time of year that when Tulsi isn't growing. We refuse to live without Tulsi in the apothecary these days.

I snip the aerial parts (flower tops and leaves), coarsely cut the plant up, and pack a jar full. Usually, with tinctures, we add 80-100 proof alcohol (40-50% alcohol), such as vodka, to cover all the plant. Place lid on jar, label and date, and shake daily for several days. Store out of direct sunlight. Wait the 6 weeks shaking every now and then, and then strain off the plant material through cheese cloth, squeezing out any liquid from the plant, compost it if possible. Store this Tulsi Tincture you just made (!) in brown glass and dose 30-60 drops per day. Consult and herbalist if you need more support figuring your dosing. 

I LOVE making with an apple-based brandy I get from France for tinctures also, especially with Tulsi. 

TULSI ELIXIR
My favorites for this elixir are good brandy + honey. Tulsi Elixir is spicy, fragrant and delicious! Yes it's becoming a regular apothecary item here. ElderMoon must make this for the community because our Tulsi is divine and we have bees to complete it well with honey from bees who visit the Tulsi bed all summer long until frost (smile). 

INGREDIENTS & DIRECTIONS:

• Select jar size (1-pint jar or smaller for your 1st batch is good)
• Fill with enough fresh chopped Tulsi flowers and leaves to fill the jar loosely.
• Add 80 proof vodka/brandy to fill the jar 3/4 
• Next add Glycerine or raw honey to fill the jar (local raw honey best).
• Cap, shake well, label, date. Let sit for 4-6 weeks, shaking regularly. 
• Strain the plant material out with cheese cloth and squeeze all the goodness out.
• Rebottle (in a pretty one too), label + date and you just made a delicious TULSI ELIXIR!

QUESTION? Can you make this with good quality dried Tulsi? YES, simple fill your jar 1/3-1/2 full with dried Tulsi and proceed. Your dried Tulsi should be aromatic meaning it smells like Tulsi. If not then seek better quality. Your nose knows.

TULSI INFUSED HONEY (is divine!)
I LOVE Tulsi infused honey to take by the spoonful, add to tea, eat on baked goods, or as a delicate hint of flavor added to fresh cut fruits or drizzled on a fresh sliced in half grapefruit as you scoop out the pulp! It's great drizzled on hot buttered baked goods too. 

INGREDIENTS & DIRECTIONS:

• Choose you wide mouthed jar (based on available fresh Tulsi)
• Add fresh Tulsi leaves and flowers gently chopped to loosely fill jar
• Add good honey to cover the Tulsi completely 
• Stirring with a chopstick to remove air bubbles until the jar is full.
• Cap securely and label. Stir a few times each week. I leave in a warm sunny window and shake when I see it each day.
• Wait at least 4-6 weeks. You can leave the leaves in to eat or gently warm the honey just to facilitate straining the plant material off through a fine mesh sieve.
• Rebottle label and that's it. You just made a Tulsi Infused Honey!

TULSI VINEGAR
Again, super easy and great! This can be turned into a Tulsi Oxymel too. 

• Loosely pack a wide mouth quart jar about three-quarters full with chopped Tulsi leaves and flowers,
• Cover nearly to the top with raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar.
• Cap it, shake gently, and allow to infuse for 3-4 weeks and shake a few times each week. If you use a metal lid, place wax paper between the lid and jar, as vinegar will corrode away the metal and ruin your product.
• Store in the darkness of a cabinet to ease oxidation. 
• ​Once it’s ready, strain out the plant material through cheese cloth and squeeze well. Rebottle and label and date. Good for 1 year. 

OTHER OPTIONS:
You can add honey, maple syrup, agave or molasses to make that syrupy-sweet yet tangy edge you like.  Herb infused vinegars make popular mocktail concoctions, shrubs, switchels and oxymels.  A sipping vinegar or shrub is basically a combination of vinegar, honey, and your chosen plant with mashed fruit. Herbalists prefer to use organic apple cider vinegar because alone it has so many health benefits already. The herb-vinegar-honey-fruit (shrub) or herb-vinegar-honey (oxymel) is used as a mixer to flavor water, sparkling water, club soda, or mixed into cocktails. A "switchel" is an older term used when making with cider vinegar that's sweetened with molasses or pure Maple or Birch syrup. Call it what you like. These are good tasting and hold the healing abilities of the plants chosen delivered to the body easily. 

Thank you for wandering through and I pray this gives that nudge to get mixing and pouring, tasting, and planning for more as you stock your apothecary well with simple green medicines. Enjoy, Jen