Carrie Faye Harder

Essential Gardening Tools for the Home Gardener

Uncategorized

Sep 152020

Written and Photographed by Mary Plantwalker

Try cooking a meal without a sharp knife and a clean cutting board, or riding a bike with a flat tire, or playing the fiddle with an unrosined bow—doing so would really defeat the purpose and make these acts of joy unenjoyable! Similarly, attempting to garden without the right tools is a set-up for struggle and frustration. In this article, you’ll get acquainted with the essential gardening tools that can do what your hands alone cannot (cut through wood, carry water, haul large loads, dig through rocky soil). You’ll also find links to some of the businesses that sell these tools, and learn how to use and care for them properly.

The Right Tool for the Job

Many of these are multipurpose gardening tools, but I have given them specific “Division of Labor” categories as you may want to zero in on where you currently need the most support in your garden. Quality tools are not cheap—it really is a waste of time and money to buy cheap tools, not to mention adding to the landfill. If you are just starting out, assess what you need most, so you can buy slowly and wisely. Think long-term.

Best Gardening Tools for Hauling

Garden Cart

Some might prefer a wheelbarrow for more narrow areas, but for the steadiness and spaciousness, I prefer using a garden cart most every time. We got ours from the Vermont Carts store 25 years ago and we still use it daily for all kinds of hauling. Our cart may be found packed with weeds, headed up to feed the chickens, full of perennials with a bucket of compost and a shovel en route to be planted, or loaded down with wood chips to mulch a garden bed. We transport rocks around in it for landscaping and use it all winter long to bring firewood into our house. We’ve had to replace some nuts and bolts over the years, but other than that, our garden cart is still in great shape, as we make sure to store it under shelter and keep it empty when not in use. Be sure to sweep your cart occasionally so dirt does not rot the wood. One piece of advice I wish someone would have told us way back: spend a little more and get the semi-pneumatic wheels as they are more durable, will last much longer, and save you time and money in the end.

Some beloved tools: the gardening cart, 5-gallon bucket, pruners, and tool pack.

5-Gallon Buckets

My theatrical earthy friends once put on a play called “The 5-Gallon Bucket Brigade” that was a spoof on how reliant we gardeners have become on the 5-gallon bucket. Really, what did folks do before these were invented?! If I am about to plant a tree, I use it to hold the dirt I’m digging out, then pour back into the hole to fill around the tree once planted, or I steep comfrey leaves in the big bucket to make compost tea. I use my bucket to carry a freshly dug plant to be transplanted in another part of the garden and then fill it with water to bring to the plants. Harvests of root medicines are placed in it before processing. Cut flowers rest there in a tiny bit of water before they are turned into bouquets. It holds the winter rye seed so that we can sow the seed by hand. I could write a novel about the life a 5-gallon bucket experiences on this land! Also mighty useful to have around are 3-gallon and 1-gallon buckets. These days you can buy them new at hardware stores, but reusing or repurposing them is more environmentally sound. Check cafes, restaurants, and bakeries for used food-grade buckets they may be discarding. Do not stack when wet, or you may not be able to pry them apart!

Tarps

Easy to handle, hardly takes up any room, back saver, weed killer—all this and more describes the terrific tarp! Skip the garden cart and wheelbarrow and go straight to the tarp if you have autumn leaves to move, or long-dead stems and/or fallen branches, or a big pile of hay mulch. And if there are some gnarly weeds you want to knock back in a small area, lay your tarp down over them for a while and watch them suffocate. Dry your tarps out between uses so they don’t become musty.

Find the best tool belt or pack for your body. Carrying some tools on your person allows for spontaneous gardening! I always carry a pocket knife, phone, pruners, and surveyors tape in this pack.

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Tool Belt

This is a personal preference kind of thing, but the main point here is—have some kind of way to haul small tools on your person. I’ve tried different tool belts, but because my hips are narrow and bony, all of them irritate me. Then I carried a bag around for a few years with my hand tools in it, but I often would leave the bag in a pile of weeds only to remember I had left it there once I had moved on to a new project! Mindfulness is a good practice here, but if you don’t want to walk back and forth more than you have to, having something attached to your body is the best way to go. Eventually for me, I found that a custom-made fanny pack was my best bet. I hardly go anywhere outside without it, as it has my pruners, pocket knife, herbal offerings, and either a pen/notepad or my phone. You never know when you might need to tend to some plant or bring in a bouquet, or make notes about things that need to be done, or take a photo of a praying mantis shedding its skin. I hang my tool pack by the front door so it is always in the same place and I can grab it easily when I go out to the garden. My friend Wheeler Munroe handcrafts leather tool belts in North Carolina that are both stunning and sturdy!

Baskets of all sizes and shapes come in handy—from seed saving to planting to harvesting!

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Peach Baskets

We call them peach baskets because I was born in Georgia and raised in South Carolina, but really what I’m talking about are 16-quart wood-slat baskets. These haul in the harvest. They hold the produce until we eat or process it. They get filled with cut flowers to make into bouquets. We fill them with small containers to walk around and collect seeds. Every peach basket we have was either a gift or from the purchase of peaches, tomatoes, or some other delicious produce, and we just stockpiled them over the years and use them literally until they wear through, which takes a long time! Do air dry them between uses so they don’t get moldy! The smaller sizes are great, too!

Best Gardening Tools for Planting

Digging Fork

Using a digging fork is my preferred method for turning beds instead of a rototiller. Some prefer starting with broadforks, but I am petite and find them too large to wield the way I can a digging fork. (Read up about broadforks or borrow one if possible because this may become one of your favorite tools. Valley Oak makes top-quality ones.) Usually, I sheet mulch and let biomass and time do the work, but if I want a place to plant sooner rather than later, I use a digging fork. With its flat, sturdy tines, I lift the soil and the roots of grass or weeds, turn them over, and then let them sit a bit before coming back to shake out and remove the weeds/grass, which frees up the soil for planting seeds or transplants. The digging fork also doubles as a great harvesting tool for edible or medicinal roots.

The hori hori. Let your tools be an extension of you!

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Hori Hori

I’ve used this tool for so long I forget that not everyone knows what a hori hori is—that it’s just not a common household word! I will be talking gardening with a friend, and of course the hori hori comes into the conversation, and then I remember to use the terms weeding knife or trowel. For light digging, this is my favorite tool. It also suffices as my favorite transplanter and sod cutter. Make sure to clean it before putting it back in its case, and it will last decades! You might be able to find a hori hori at a local garden supply store, or you can easily purchase one online, such as here and here.

Tibetan Gentian about to enter the ground with a transplanting shovel.

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Shovel

Well, I even have an opinion about the common shovel! Choose one with a plastic, metal, or fiberglass handle as the wooden-handled ones eventually wear and give splinters! Not only that, the wood rots! That is a poor trade for all the hard work you do digging. It is helpful to have different types of shovels too, like transplanting and square-headed ones.

Planting a red maple in the mulch. Fiberglass-handled shovels are more comfortable to use.

Pitchfork

Hey ho, the mighty pitchfork! Not to be confused with a digging fork, the pitchfork has long, rounded tines that curve and usually come in threes, fours, and fives. In our experience, the three-tined fork is the best for lifting and moving hay, while the five-tined fork lifts and spreads leaves and composted manure best. No other tool comes close.

Planting daffodils is a breeze with a bulb planter.

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Bulb Planter

If you have a lot of bulbs to plant, a bulb planter is worth owning! Its pre-measured length and width digs out just the right amount of soil for you to have the perfect hole to plop your bulb inside, while it holds the soil in the tube until you’re ready to fill up the hole again. Simply press the soil back out, cover the bulb, and tamp down. But don’t let the squirrels see you doing it.

Best Gardening Tools for Watering

Hose

If you buy a cheap hose, it will crack in a season or the brass fittings will leak, so you might as well go ahead and spend the money on a sturdy one—but make sure it’s not so sturdy that it’s too stiff to coil up when not in use! Some of the industrial ones can be impossible to manage for the gardener. A couple more tips for making your garden hose (which costs a pretty penny) last as long as possible is to make sure the connection pieces are not near areas where cars and lawn mowers can run over them, and, in the off season, coil hoses up and store them out of the light and off the ground.

One-touch hose nozzles are easier to use and last longer than trigger nozzles.

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Hose Nozzles

How many hose nozzles does a gardener have to go through in their lifetime? Too many! I can give some advice here but by all means if you have figured out something better, please do tell! Our most commonly used hose nozzle is the threaded brass shut-off valve that allows for determining what amount of pressure you’d like for hand watering large garden areas. For our greenhouse, nursery, and planters, we use Dramm One Touch nozzles that hold up better than other brands and don’t get stuck or jammed like the trigger nozzles. In general, though, it seems that all of these nozzle pieces are made cheaply and won’t last for more than a year or two. Someone needs to go into business making high-quality hose nozzles because this is an essential gardening tool!

Watering Can

I love my watering cans! If I have areas where dragging around a hose is too tedious to do, I pull out the watering can. I have different types for different jobs—the little metal one alternates for watering houseplants, small outdoor planters, and as a background prop for pictures! The big-mouthed plastic 2-gallon watering can is great for larger planters, transplants, and filling up the chickens’ watering bucket! I like the big mouth ones so I can easily fit a hose inside. And for the greenhouse, when we aren’t using a hose, Haws watering cans can’t be beat for their attachments and durability. Please don’t leave your watering can full of water and unattended for long, as it will become a mosquito breeder!

Best Gardening Tools for Weeding

Wheel hoeing between the rows.

Wheel Hoe

Oscillating hoes are our preferred way of weeding instead of a regular hoe as they are less back-breaking. The Swiss brand we have is called the Real (pronounced ree-all) hoe, but they no longer manufacture it. Valley Oak and the Glaser wheel hoe from Johnnys’ are both good options. My husband, Hart, has been gardening since the late 1960s and he adores his “Ree-all” hoe.

“Hoeing is an art that you have to do at the right time, like after it rains but before it gets too dry. Too wet and the soil will stick to the hoe and bog it down. Too dry and it will be too hard to cut the roots. The two most important things in wheel hoeing are to pick the right window to do it and to walk backward. You pull the wheel hoe toward you, underneath the soil, then push it up to cut off the weeds’ capillary action. Hoeing is not about outright killing the weeds but disturbing the capillary action that the weeds need to live. By walking backward, you don’t step on the weeds you just uprooted and replant them with your feet. If you hoe and then there is a thunderstorm, you will have to do it all over again. But if you get it right, you’ve done the work of many hands in a short time,” Hart, my champion gardener, says.

Weed Eater or String Trimmer

We live in a temperate rainforest and have acres to keep trimmed, so doing it all with scythes and reel lawn mowers would take an awfully long time, and for this, I sure am grateful for the use of a power tool in the garden. The weed eater is the tool that provides definition to the hard work that has gone into making garden beds, and it makes the bounty accessible. I’m a fan of battery-operated weed eaters as they are less smelly and noisy. However, they are not as powerful and they need to be recharged or “refueled” more often than fuel-operated ones. I recommend the Husqvarna or EGO trimmer.

Sickle

Small yard or smaller areas to weed? I use a sickle—a serrated one. This is the most meditative tool I own. I love edging with it or weeding around the fruit trees. See the video below for another reason to use a sickle when you can instead of a weed eater! Hand tools can give you the chance to interact with the creatures of the environment in a way power tools do not afford.

Best Gardening Tools for Pruning

Trusty Felco pruners worn on a belt

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Hand Pruners

Pruners come in all shapes and sizes. For overall use, Felco pruners are tops! I’ve had mine for a couple decades and am still sporting them. Always place them back in your holster or tool belt after each use or you can easily lose them. Clean often with soapy water and dry them out before closing. You can choose from a variety of Felcos here.

Loppers weeding out bittersweet vine

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Loppers

Garden loppers are for the places your hand pruners cannot reach or for plant material too thick to cut through with pruners. They are especially important to use for pruning fruit trees and getting out invasive vines. Here is one option.

Handsaw

The more you steward a piece of land, the more a folding handsaw will come in handy. It is light and can be carried around safely in your tool belt to saw off broken tree branches or cut saplings for staking your tomatoes or to saw down a locust tree that has sprouted in your field. Lee Valley, my favorite tool company, sells the well-made and useful silky pocketboy folding saw.

And…

A few more essential tools worth mentioning are a notepad/phone to keep track of the “to-dos,” a pocket knife, gloves, and a rake.

Maintenance Practices

Always clean your tools before storing. Washing them off with the hose or in a stream or pond (if you have one), storing them off the ground and out of the weather, and occasionally oiling and sharpening them when needed will add years of life and integrity to your precious tools!

Looking for more blog articles about medicinal herb cultivation?

Remember, we’ve got a wheelbarrow-full of herb gardening and seed starting resources on the blog. Come on over to browse, pick up our personal gardening tips, and learn about our can’t-live-without garden medicinals.

MARY PLANTWALKER (Mary Morgaine Squire) is a devotee of the plants and healing path. Steeping herself in the plant world for almost 30 years, she has also woven in yoga, meditation and prayer as acts of daily life. She is a mother, writer, avid gardener, ceremonialist and plant ambassador. In the 1990s, she earned her BA in Journalism and Sustainable Living from Fairhaven College, and has since traveled the world meeting and learning from as many plants and indigenous healers as possible. As an active earth steward, Mary is called to protect and care for Herb Mountain Farm, the incredible land she stewards in western North Carolina, while encouraging others to create sanctuary wherever they are on the planet. Mary is gifted in facilitating ceremony and enticing mindfulness into the everyday, and is passionate about welcoming people into the walk of embracing plants as allies while living in harmony with all beings. You can follow Mary's plant escapades on Instagram.

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Medicinal Plants: Growing Healing Herbs for the Home Garden

Uncategorized

Jul 302020

Written by Meghan Gemma with Juliet Blankespoor
Photography by Juliet Blankespoor

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Ready to start or expand your herb garden?

Here we’re introducing medicinal, edible, and cultivation profiles for three cherished healing plants: elderberry, lemon balm, and rose. You can also find a wheelbarrow-full of articles on designing, growing, and tending a home herb garden via our Medicinal Herb Gardening Hub (and you’ll find cultivation featurettes for dozens more herbs!).

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra var. canadensis)

Elderberry
(Sambucus nigra, S. nigra var. canadensis, Adoxaceae)

Elderberry is an herb gardener’s reverie. Blessed with lush foliage, creamy clusters of frothy blossoms, and heavy bunches of dark fruit that beckon birds to flit and flutter between its branches, elder captures the eye and the heart. Humans are drawn to its canopy just as readily as the birds. This herbal shrub is a rich source of immune-boosting medicine, and is deeply steeped in lore; around the world, stories abound about a healing spirit said to live within the tree. She is often called the Elder Mother, Elder Lady, or Elda Mor—and she can be appealed to on behalf of the ill.¹

Elder's Medicinal Uses

Parts used: Flowers and berries
Preparations: Syrup, tincture, infusion, decoction, mead, wine, honey, shrub, and vinegar
Herbal Actions:

Berries:
- Antiviral
- Immune tonic
- Antibacterial
- Antioxidant
- Antirheumatic
- Anticatarrhal
- Anti-inflammatory
- Diaphoretic
- Cardiovascular tonic
- Diuretic
Flowers:
- Antiviral
- Anticatarrhal
- Diaphoretic
- Antispasmodic
- Astringent
- Alterative
- Anti-inflammatory
- Diuretic
- Nervine

Elder is a traditional immune system tonic with significant antiviral properties. The berries are more potent than the flowers in this light, and work by strengthening cell membranes against viral penetration. Elderberry also increases the production of cytokines—chemical messengers that enhance communication between white blood cells and the body during an infection.² You may have read concerns regarding elderberry as a possible cause of cytokine storms. My opinion is that elder is likely safe for most people, but if you’d like to read more on the topic, I recommend this article by herbalist Paul Bergner.

Elderberry is effective against many viruses, including the common cold and a broad spectrum of influenza strains (especially when taken at the first signs of illness).

The most delicious and nourishing way to imbibe elderberry’s medicine is to prepare a rich purple syrup that combines elderberry tincture, elderberry tea, and elderberry-infused honey. For children and folks who avoid alcohol, I swap out the alcohol in the tincture for apple cider vinegar. I also add liberal quantities of cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) and ginger (Zingiber officinale). It is beyond tasty! See our video tutorial on preparing herbal honeys and syrups for more guidance.

Taken tonically, elderberry has a range of other benefits; it is anti-inflammatory for arthritic conditions, iron-rich and building to the blood, a preventative for vascular disease and atherosclerosis, and an antioxidant preventative for cancer.

Elder flowers perfect for picking

Elder flowers are gently antiviral and healing for the upper respiratory system. Rich in tannins and volatile oils, they effectively dry up excessive fluids and help mucus flow more freely from the sinuses, alleviating stuffy nose, headache, and earache. In addition, their flavonoid compounds are anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-stimulating.

When taken hot, a tea or tincture of elder flower can help sweat out a cold or fever, especially when combined with other diaphoretic herbs like peppermint (Mentha x piperita) and yarrow (Achillea millefolium).

Safety and Contraindications: All parts of elder (except the flowers) contain cyanogenic glycosides (CGs) that can cause varying degrees of upset stomach—nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The seeds and unripe berries are the most common culprits, but any toxicity is generally neutralized by cooking or tincturing. The leaves, bark, and roots contain progressively higher levels of CGs and are more likely to cause side effects. Once the plant has been purged from the system, there is no lasting illness.

Blackberry Elderberry Shrub

Edibility

Elderberry is an exemplary nutritive tonic food that is rich in vitamin C, minerals, and bioflavonoids. The berries are not naturally very sweet and benefit from a bit of added honey, maple syrup, or other sugar. This makes them classic for pies, cobblers, jams, syrups, homemade sodas, and meads. Try combining them with other wild berries like serviceberries (Amelanchier spp.), black cap raspberries (Rubus occidentalis), and blackberries (Rubus spp.).

Elder blossoms contain fatty acids and have an almost buttery consistency. They can be added to pancakes, banana bread, muffins, and crepes. They’re also traditional in cordials, liquors, sodas, and tea. And if a special occasion is on the horizon, you might consider looking up a recipe for elderflower champagne.

Removing elderberries from the stem

How to Grow + Gather Elderberry

In Old World Europe, elders were traditionally planted near the home or at the edge of the herb garden as a guardian and protector. In North America, Native Americans have gathered medicine from wild elders (including S. canadensis) for millennia. Given their own choice, elders will prefer a moist habitat with rich, loamy soils. To raise a lush tree or hedge, I recommend a little pampering: enrich the soil with organic matter, mulch heavily after planting to retain moisture, and water young plants frequently. Once established, they need little care. Note: elders are generally tolerant and can establish themselves in dry conditions and poor, salty, or clayey soils.

Elderberries are propagated easily from seed, and even more easily from vegetative cuttings. Follow the guidelines for taking cuttings below. (You can also order cuttings and live plants from many edible plant and permaculture nurseries.)

If you have a local stand of elders, or know someone who has planted a shrub or two, you can harvest cuttings. Be sure to gather cuttings from bushes that have tasty berries, healthy growth, and prolific fruit.

Take cuttings in late winter or very early spring, before the branches have begun to leaf out. From a living branch, take several 10- to 12-inch (25 to 30 cm) cuttings with at least two pairs of leaf nodes apiece. Make an angled cut at the “root” end, about ½ inch or so below a leaf node. At the other end, make a flat cut about ½ inch above a pair of leaf nodes. Use sharp pruners that have been sterilized with hydrogen peroxide or rubbing alcohol.
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Apply a rooting hormone. Dust the angled ends of your cuttings with a rooting hormone. Alternately, you can try using willow (Salix spp.) tea. This will increase your success in propagating viable plants.
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Fill 1-gallon pots with a planting medium. You can use coarse sand or perlite. If you don’t have either of these on hand, regular potting soil (preferably without fertilizer) will be adequate.
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Make holes in the soil in the center of each pot using a pencil or twig and settle cuttings into the holes. Plant the cutting, burying the bottom leaf nodes about 2 inches (5 cm) below the surface of the soil. It’s fine to plant many cuttings into one large pot. Make sure to tamp the soil securely around each cutting.
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Water, and try to keep the cuttings consistently moist but not soaking wet. Place them in diffused sunlight until they begin to grow both roots and leaves. Harden them off by gradually introducing them to direct sunlight.
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When ready, transplant the cuttings that have successfully rooted in fall or early spring. Space transplants about 6 feet (1.8 m) apart. Many transplants flower and fruit in their first year, though it may take several years before you can gather a sizable harvest.

The berries ripen in mid- to late summer and should be a deep dark purple before they are plucked. You’ll likely have competition from the birds, so be sure to check your bushes regularly. The stems of the berry clusters are considered somewhat toxic, so you’ll want to remove all of the larger stems and most of the smaller ones. If a little “stemlette” or two finds its way into your medicine, don’t fret—it won’t do any harm! Berries can be used fresh for medicine making or cooking, frozen for later use, or dried, which sweetens up their flavor.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis, Lamiaceae)

The patron herb of bees, lemon balm encourages a bounty of sweetness in the world—not only does it gladden the heart, but it’s traditionally planted near honeybee hives to dissuade the bees from swarming (they adore lemon balm’s aroma). I know few herbalists who are without this plant in the garden. It is a traditional nervine, digestive, and antiviral ally.

Lemon Balm's Medicinal Uses

Parts used: Leaves and flowering tops
Preparations: Infusion, tincture, vinegar, essential oil, salve, succus, pesto, and condiment

Herbal Actions:

Nervine
Carminative
Antiviral
Antidepressant
Diaphoretic

With bright green leaves that waft an uplifting lemony fragrance into the air, lemon balm is known to levitate the spirit. It is a brightening nervine remedy for melancholy, mild anxiety, seasonal affective disorder (SAD), and mild depression.* With relaxing, antispasmodic, and gently sedative qualities, it’s also indicated for tension headaches, stress-related insomnia, panic attacks accompanied by heart palpitations, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and overexcitement or restlessness in children.³

I find a fragrant infusion of lemon balm to be more encouraging for downcast spirits than a tincture, but both are effective. Try blending in other gladdening herbs like rose (Rosa spp.) and tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum). For tonic use, you might consider adding replenishing nervines like milky oats (Avena sativa) and skullcap (Scutellaria spp.). Taken regularly, these herbs can strengthen and rehabilitate a stressed, strained, and saddened nervous system.

Like many members of the mint family, lemon balm extends its aid as a carminative herb and digestive remedy. Its high concentration of essential oils has an antispasmodic and calming effect on dyspepsia, gas, nervous indigestion, nausea, heartburn, and the pains and cramping associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).⁴

Lemon balm is also widely used as a topical and internal antiviral herb, especially for herpes (types 1 and 2), chickenpox, shingles, mononucleosis (mono), and sixth disease (roseola).⁵ Internally, the tincture or strong tea will be appropriate, taken regularly. Topically, a concentrated store-bought cream is highly effective. A dab of the essential oil diluted in a carrier oil is also wonderfully relieving (note that the essential oil is very expensive).

Safety and Contraindications: Lemon balm may be contraindicated for hypothyroidism (in large or consistent doses) because it inhibits the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH).⁶

*A note here on depression: Therapies to treat mental illness are highly individualized; each person and situation is unique. People typically need therapeutic treatment beyond herbalism: this might include acupuncture, talk therapy, nutrition, supplements, or pharmaceuticals. Please do not judge yourself or anyone else for needing and seeking help, natural or otherwise!

If you’re in a dark place or considering hurting yourself, please reach out right now—there are folks who want to talk to you. And we’re in this together. You are not alone! This helpline is one option: (1-800-273-TALK).

Lemon balm is delicious in herbal iced tea blends

Edibility

Lemon balm is one of my favorite nutritive kitchen herbs; its fresh and tender shoots can be added to salsas, jams, liquors, ice cream, sorbet, smoothies, pestos, finishing salts, and infused vinegars. I often chop up a handful and combine it with mint (Mentha spp.) and flower petals as a topping for tacos. Likewise, the fresh leaves can be minced and tossed into fruit salads, tabouleh, and leafy green salads. Lemon balm leaves stirred into lentils or bean dishes add a nice flavor and improve their digestibility.

The simplest way to prepare lemon balm, however, is as a summertime iced tea. It is delicious on its own or combined with herbs like calendula (Calendula officinalis), hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa), and mint. I also love Dina Falconi’s recipe for Everything Lemony Lime, which blends lemon balm, lemongrass, lemon verbena, lime zest, lime juice, sea salt, and raw honey. I make this at the height of summer when all the herbs can be gathered fresh from the garden. You can find the recipe in Dina’s exquisite book, Foraging & Feasting: A Field Guide and Wild Food Cookbook.

Dew-laden sparkling lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

How to Grow + Gather Lemon Balm

Lemon balm has been cultivated in medicinal gardens for over 2,000 years. Native to the Mediterranean regions of south-central Europe and the Middle East, it is a sun-loving botanical that can thrive in USDA zones 3–10.

Among the easiest culinary and medicinal herbs to grow, lemon balm is most easily propagated by root division. If you know someone who already has a patch in their garden, you might promise to bring them a plate of lemon balm shortbread cookies in exchange for a division or two. For best success, see our guide to herbal root division here.

Lemon balm is also easily started from seed. Because this plant is a light-dependent germinator (LDG), the seeds should be planted right on the surface of the soil or just barely covered. Watering will gently press them into full contact with the soil. Expect germination after 7 to 14 days.

Lemon balm prefers rich soil with a bit of moisture but will also do well in dry or sandy soils. It is a bushing herbaceous perennial and can become extravagantly lush as summer unfolds. Space plants 1–2 feet (0.3–0.6 m) apart.

If you’ve heard rumors that lemon balm wantonly sows its seeds, I have to tell you the reputation is well-deserved. Many gardeners complain about its proclivity to produce offspring that will inhabit the near and far corners of your garden (though I don’t mind this myself). If you wish to thwart lemon balm’s advance, be sure to harvest the flowering tops before they set seed (but after the bees have had an opportunity to sip their nectar!).

I like to harvest lemon balm several times throughout the growing season. You can simply cut back all of the aboveground growth when the plant is looking at its verdant peak, usually right before it flowers. The leaves and stems can be dried, but I prefer to use lemon balm fresh as its aromatic oils quickly disperse. For fresh preparation suggestions, see the Edibility section above.

Rose (Rosa spp.)

Rose
(Rosa spp., Rosaceae)

As an herbalist, it took me a while to come around to rose. Growing up, my only context for its blooms were the florist-perfect, sanguine-red bouquets that emanated a cloying scent on Valentine’s Day. I had never seen an heirloom rose in the garden or buried my nose in the petals of a wild bramble. So, I held little favor for this luxuriant medicine. Years later, as a budding gardener and herbal student, I discovered—with surprise and wonder—that I love rose with all my heart.

Rose's Medicinal Uses

Parts used: Flower buds, blossoms, and hips
Preparations: Infusion (buds and flowers), decoction (hips), tincture, oil, salve, honey, syrup, elixir, rose otto essential oil, vinegar, flower essence, hydrosol, compress, poultice, and soak
Herbal Actions:

Flowers and Buds:
- Nervine
- Astringent
- Anti-inflammatory
- Cardiotonic
- Antimicrobial
- Diuretic
- Anticatarrhal
- Antianxiety
- Aphrodisiac
Rosehips:
- Blood tonic
- Nutritive tonic
- Astringent
- Antimicrobial

Rose is a deliciously nuanced medicine—it is ancient, paradoxical, and mythic. The Greek poetess Sappho aptly named it “Queen of the Flowers.” After all, wild roses have been rambling on the planet for at least 70 million years (compare that to the first fossil evidence of Homo sapiens appearing around 300,000 years ago).

With velvety, kitten-soft petals, rose bears a doctrine of signatures that suggests succor and soothing. Both the blossoms and unopened buds are a remedy for those who are experiencing grief or loss, or feeling tenderhearted or unloved. The benefits are amplified when combined with hawthorn blossoms (Crataegus spp.), lavender blooms, (Lavandula angustifolia), and/or mimosa flowers (Albizia julibrissin). Rose is also an ally for those in conflict—a tea, elixir, cordial, or essence of the blooms can temper anger and encourage resolution.

In children, rose can impart a sense of comfort and security. It calms irritability, fits of anger, and nightmares. A spritz of rosewater on the pillow right before bedtime is a soothing ritual and helpful measure toward sweet sleep.

And of course, rose is deeply aligned with romance—it is a champion for nurturing love and intimacy. A stirring aphrodisiac, rose helps to awaken the libido and thaw sexual frigidity. It can also be an aid to those experiencing impotence, especially when linked to sexual abuse or trauma.

Rosehip of Rosa rugosa

Rosehips are one of the most concentrated forms of vitamin C in the world. They are an excellent tonic for the immune system and can be eaten throughout the winter months in compotes, jams, fruit leathers, and vinegars. I find the best way to get a daily dose is to stir a handful or two into my yearly batch of elderberry syrup. I also love brewing rosehips with burdock root (Arctium minus, A. lappa) and cinnamon for a delicious and nourishing cold season tea.

A blood-building tonic, rosehips can support those who experience symptoms of blood deficiency, including fatigue, a pale complexion, numbness or tingling in the limbs, dizziness, scanty menses, and dry or lusterless skin and hair. The hips can be made into a delicious stand-alone syrup, or combined with other blood-building herbs such as schisandra berries (Schisandra chinensis), nettle leaves (Urtica dioica), and yellow dock roots (Rumex crispus).

Edibility

Rose is a food-medicine capable of inducing swoonful states and culinary enchantment. Both the petals and hips are profoundly nutritive. Roses with pink and red petals are especially high in bioflavonoids, carotenoids, and anthocyanins, and contain as many (if not more) antioxidants as green tea.⁷ To enjoy, add the petals to green salads, smoothies, fruit salads, and salsas.

In the summertime I combine the beautiful fresh flowers and flower buds with hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) and mint (Mentha spp.) to make a cooling and refreshing herbal iced tea. The petals can likewise be added to meads and steeped in wine, brandy, or other liquors. You may wish to experiment with different roses in the kitchen; each species and cultivar will taste and smell a little bit different.

Rosehips can be prepared into delicious, vitamin-rich jams and syrups.

Safety and Contraindications: Rose is cooling and drying and can aggravate cold and dry constitutions if taken regularly.

Rose harvest

How to Grow + Gather Rose

Vegetative cuttings are the easiest way to propagate roses—I recommend taking cuttings in early to mid-summer from the new, green growing tips of the canes. This growth should be relatively hard, but not yet woody. Follow the numbered instructions for taking cuttings under How to Grow + Gather Elderberry above, except try to choose cuttings that have 3 to 5 leaf nodes apiece and are 4–8 inches (10–20 cm) in length.

You can also dig up suckers from the base of a rose bush to transplant. Make sure to cut back the aboveground parts by about half to minimize transplant shock.

In the garden, most roses do well in moist, well-drained soil. A sunny spot that has ample airflow will be ideal. In climates where fungal diseases are a concern, it’s important to water roses at the base rather than from overhead, which opens the door to fungal pathogens. Any dead or infected leaves should be promptly pruned away and cleared from the base of the plant.

Rose cultivars are heavy feeders and will appreciate regular applications of fertilizer—once in the spring and again in the fall. Compost tea, alfalfa meal, or an organic fertilizer blend for flowers are all good options. Side dressing your roses with a layer of compost is also recommended.

Wild rose varieties rarely need pruning, other than a snip here and there to keep their clambering canes in check. Cultivated roses, on the other hand, benefit greatly from pruning to form shapely hedges, encourage blooming, and increase air circulation. Take special care with heirloom and old-fashioned varieties; these should be pruned only after flowering is complete. Roses that bloom repeatedly, however, should be pruned frequently to remove weak growth and spent blossoms. For a few simple and valuable tips on pruning your rose bushes, see this short video from Peaceful Valley Farm Supply: Growing Organic Roses.

Gathering rose blossoms for medicine is a timely art. The essential oils present in the petals are most highly concentrated on the morning a rose first blooms, and sometimes the day prior. These oils deteriorate rapidly under a hot sun or drenching rain, so have your baskets ready and be prepared to consistently gather blooms until they are spent.

If you’d also like to gather rosehips, leave a generous quantity of flowers on the bush to mature into fruit. Rosehips are best frost-ripened, and are traditionally gathered throughout the fall and early winter months. Look for hips that are shining and red, and be sure to leave plenty for the birds. Most rosehips contain irritating hairs inside that surround the seeds. You’ll want to split the hips to scrape out the hairs and seed capsules. Often, it’s helpful to run fresh, ripe hips through a food mill or sieve to separate out these parts.

Please only gather flowers and hips from organic rose bushes or those that are growing wild in clean places, as roses are one of the most heavily sprayed plants in gardens and commercial farms alike. Along these lines, absolutely avoid using bouquet roses from florists as food or medicine.

Looking for more blog articles about medicinal herb cultivation?

Check out our Medicinal Herb Gardening Hub. It is brimming with articles, including:

References

Forsell, M. The Herbal Grove. New York: Villard Books, 1995.
Barak, V., Halperin, T., and Kalickman, I. “The Effect of Sambucol, a Black Elderberry-based, Natural Product, on the Production of Human Cytokines: I. Inflammatory Cytokines.” European Cytokine Network, April–June 2001.
Hoffmann, D. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester: Inner Traditions/Bear & Co., 2003.
Romm, A. J. Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health. London: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier, 2010.
Schnitzler, P., Schumacher, A., Astani, A., and Reichling, J. “Melissa Officinalis Oil Affects Infectivity of Enveloped Herpes Viruses.” Phytomedicine, 2008.
Yarnell, E., and Abascal, K. “Botanical Medicine for Thyroid Regulation.” Alternative and Complementary Therapies, June 2006.
Vinokur, Y., Rodov, V., et al. “Rose Petal Tea as an Antioxidant-Rich Beverage: Cultivar Effects.” Journal of Food Science, 2006.

MEGHAN GEMMA is one of the Chestnut School’s primary instructors through her written lessons, and is the principal pollinator of the school’s social media community—sharing herbal and wild foods wisdom from the flowery heart of the school to an ever-wider field of herbalists, gardeners, healers, and plant lovers.

She has been in a steady relationship with the Chestnut School since 2010—as an intern and manager at the Chestnut Herb Nursery; as a plant-smitten student “back in the day” when the school’s programs were taught in the field; and later as a part the school’s woman-powered professional team. Meghan lives in the Ivy Creek watershed, just north of Asheville, North Carolina.

JULIET BLANKESPOOR founded the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine in 2007 and serves as the school’s primary instructor and Creative Director. She's been a professional plant-human matchmaker for close to three decades. Juliet caught the plant bug when she was nineteen and went on to earn a degree in Botany. She's owned just about every type of herbal business you can imagine: an herbal nursery, a medicinal products business, a clinical practice, and now, an herbal school.

These days, she channels her botanical obsession with her writing and photography in her online programs and here on her personal blog, Castanea. She's writing her first book: Cultivating Medicinal Herbs: Grow, Harvest, and Prepare Handcrafted Remedies from Your Home Garden. Juliet and her houseplants share a home with her family and herb books in Asheville, North Carolina.

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Medicinal Herb Gardening for Beginners

Uncategorized

Jul 212020

Written and Photographed by Mary Plantwalker

I love herbal medicine but I’ve never grown herbs—how do I begin an herb garden?

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Have you or someone you know been asking this question lately? Then read on for inspirational and empowering steps for growing medicinal herbs at home—we give even the brownest thumb enough fertilizer to succeed in medicinal herb gardening! We’ll help feed the roots for a DIY herb garden that will leave both you and your plants grounded. If you want more tips, see Juliet’s article on growing the herb garden of your dreams.

The Time Is Now to Start Your First Herb Garden

I’ve grown vegetables, flowers, fruit trees, berries, and ornamentals, but my favorite thing across the board is growing medicinal herbs. They are so satisfying—once you have them established they will generously give you medicine year after year after year. When you are able to fill your own apothecary, you’ll feel a sense of sovereignty that can’t be bought. Take this opportunity to get your own medicine growing now as the harvest doesn’t happen overnight! You will also be able to better apply the in-depth knowledge found in Juliet’s forthcoming book, The Healing Garden: Cultivating & Handcrafting Herbal Remedies.

In this present time of COVID-19, and the food and herb shortages we have already experienced, growing your own medicine becomes even more essential.

Mary Plantwalker gardening in her lavender bed

The Inner Garden Journey

Below are three points I highly recommend reflecting upon before beginning your herb garden. This is an exercise that takes some turning over of the soil of your mind, but the fruits are worth it—you can tread the new territory with better footing once you know that you’ve laid a solid foundation.

1) Intention. What is my intention for growing an herb garden? Why am I doing this?

Getting really clear with your intention before taking action can support you in taking the right steps for you on this gardening journey. This is true for just about everything in life, but something as earthy as gardening gives intention extra importance.

Is this herb garden for me/my family?
Am I aiming for a small business apothecary?
Am I growing herbs to sell to a wholesaler?

Or maybe there’s another intention altogether. Whatever your reasons for beginning an herb garden, know them, understand them, and let them guide the way.

2) Space. What kind of space is available to me?

Am I in a rental situation that may make it wise to use containers?
Do I have already-established beds or will I need to make them?
Will I have space to grow bigger if I choose?

Thinking through the actual ground you will have for growing your medicinal herbs will help determine which herbs you can grow, and if your intention is currently feasible. If you are in a tight situation and do not have land to spread out your desires, 7 Medicinal Herbs for Urban Gardeners and Growing Medicinal Herbs in Containers are two nifty articles to explore.

3) Energy. Knowing your energy level in combination with the time and resources you have can give you a realistic compass for planning your herb garden. And remember, inspiration has a way of fueling energy. Evaluating and then prioritizing my energy has made it possible for me to materialize many dreams! Starting and maintaining a medicinal herb garden takes effort, so be real with yourself.

Am I going to be doing this alone, or do I have help?
What kind of time commitment am I willing to make to this herb garden?
Do I have or need a lot of money to begin or can I get resourceful with the materials around me?

You may like to pick just a handful of herbs that really fits your needs. For example: Are there particular health issues you’d like to address? Or would you like to make an immune boosting garden or perhaps an aromatic tea garden? Chestnut’s Top Ten Medicinal Herbs for the Garden can help guide the way for choosing some tried and true medicinal herbs.

Our dream seeds can only germinate and thrive when we have adequate energy to tend the seeds once they have sprouted from the ground. It may be better to start slow and grow than to begin too big for your britches. The aim is to stay inspired and find joy in this blessed opportunity!

Echinacea in bloom—leave enough space around your root medicines so you can harvest them

Herb Garden Layout

Your medicinal herb garden design can be a combination of indoor and outdoor herb garden containers and planters, window boxes, and garden space, or just one of these. I love having multiple herb garden designs as they bring texture, beauty, and different settings for medicine in various places throughout my homestead. I have a spiral garden, raised beds, herb containers, medicinal houseplants, rows and squares and triangle plots, and more. Get creative!

Visuals

Perhaps you are a visual person and drawing a map of what you want your medicinal herb garden to look like will help with the layout process. Or if you are a list maker, write down the things you will need to do so that you are able to best prioritize them. Flipping through pages of inspirational gardening books or surfing the internet for medicinal herb garden images may be a fun way to mine ideas. Another tip is to find an herbal medicine gardener you admire in your area and volunteer with them so you can see firsthand what resonates for you and learn straight from the source.

A double-dug and mulched triangle bed to best use the available space

Soil

Once you have determined exactly where your garden will be, observe the soil. Is it already a welcoming place where plants want to grow? If not, and you are completely new to gardening, I recommend checking out The Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening by the Rodale Institute to answer questions that arise—I have referred to this book many times for guidance. Herbs are not as picky as vegetables as far as soil type goes because most herbal medicines evolved wild, and in uncultivated soils, so that is encouraging!

Maybe you need to buy soil for containers. See if there are any organic compost suppliers in your area or buy organic potting mix from a local nursery. It is just as important for your medicine to begin in pesticide/herbicide-free soil as your vegetables!

Borage grows best in full sun to partial shade

Light and Height

How much light will your window herb garden or patch of land receive? Lots of sun? A little? Is it mostly shade? Observe how many hours of sun each day your area gets and learn which plants will do well with that amount of light. There are many plants that will grow in shade or sun, but if a sun-loving plant is put in the shade (or vice versa), it won’t be able to reach its potential or yield its most potent medicine.

If the land or windows available to you are north-facing or surrounded by trees, you can find dozens of medicinal plants that grow in shade. Fortunately, some of our most potent medicines come from the woods, so you could focus on growing forest botanicals.

Research how tall (or small) each herb will be when grown, and if it spreads, before you plant it in your garden. This will prevent overcrowding or having big gaps in your garden beds. It is also important to think ahead to how they’ll grow next to one another. For instance, you wouldn’t want to sandwich spilanthes (Acmella oleracea) in between valerian (Valerianella officinalis) and motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) because the spilanthes would not get enough sun, as the other two herbs mentioned grow much taller and would cast too much shade. On the flip side, you can use tall herbs to shade low-growing ones if needed.

Fennel likes to be alone

Companion Plants

A real compassionate herb gardener will consider giving their plant babies some friends. The definition of companion planting is the close planting of different plants that enhance each other’s growth and/or protect them from pests. There is a whole fascinating study of companion planting, and I encourage you to experiment on your own, but I will share about a few herbal friends (and foes).

Many vegetables grow well with herbs, but as far as herbs loving herbs are concerned—coriander (Coriandrum sativum), aka cilantro, and anise (Pimpinella animus) are good buddies.¹ Chives (Allium schoenoprasum) planted with roses (Rosa spp.) help repel Japanese beetles and reduce black spot. Basil (Ocimum basilica) is scared of rue (Ruta graveolens), but roses appreciate hanging out with rue! And fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is allelopathic (a germination or growth inhibitor) so be mindful where you decide to plant that!²

Chamomile is easy to grow and a meditation to harvest

Harvesting Herbal Medicine

Some of your herbal medicines will need harvesting once a season; others can be harvested all season long, while still other herbs may take a few years until you can harvest their medicine. Remember to take this into consideration when designing your garden layout. For example, place regularly harvested herbs like calendula (Calendula officinalis) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) closer to the path of your home, and plants like echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) and astragalus (Astragalus propinquus) in a less frequented or disturbed area as they will only need harvesting every couple years.

Echinacea, astragalus, elecampane (Inula helenium), licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), and ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) are some popular herbs whose roots carry the most medicine rather than their above-ground parts. When planting them, make sure to give plenty of space to be able to dig those roots out in the future without disturbing other plants in the process. I learned this the hard way. The first time I planted echinacea, I had yarrow growing all around it, hugging it close. I couldn’t get to the roots of the echinacea without sacrificing some of my yarrow plants! In the end it turned out OK, as I just dug up the yarrow too and shared it with friends. Hindsight is 20/20 and so I’m sharing mine with you so (hopefully) you don’t have to make the same mistakes!

Look for organic herb starts at the farmer's market or your local nursery

Digging In: Planting Your Medicinal Herb Garden

In general, medicinal herbs can do well in a wide range of soils, and rarely need much fertilizer. In fact, some people say that the rockier and less fertile the soil is, the more potent and resilient a medicine you will harvest. That doesn’t apply to every herb, but I have found it to be true with yarrow (Achillea millefolium), lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), rosemary (Rosmarinus officianalis), and St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) as well as some others. The best way to start your first medicinal herb garden is to dig right in without too much hemming or hawing, and just grow!

In the Zone

Know your growing zone (which is based upon the average annual minimum wintertime temperature in your area), so you don’t make the mistake of trying to grow medicinal plants or trees that just aren’t hardy in your region. In the mountains of western North Carolina, we are in Zone 6, so I can’t grow the life-giving Moringa tree (Moringa oleifera) outside for the life of me.

Start easy herb seeds a few weeks before the last frost

Herb Seeds or Transplants?

I would encourage a first-time gardener to begin with mostly transplants instead of trying to start herbs from seed. You can dig right into the soil this way instead of getting discouraged since your seeds didn’t germinate. Starting from seed can be tricky with a lot of medicinal herbs, and Juliet’s Guidelines to Growing Medicinal Herbs from Seed is a great resource if you are determined to use seeds. When transplanting medicinal herbs, whether ones you bought at a nursery or market or received from divisions from a friend’s garden, you can feel the satisfaction from seeing the plant immediately in your new garden, which will give you the confidence to keep on growing.

There are exceptions to everything, of course, and in this case some medicinal herbs are fairly easy to start from seed, including calendula, holy basil (Ocimum sanctum), fennel, California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), and borage (Borago officinalis). Once you have a garden bed or container prepped, direct sow the seeds after the last frost date. Poppies will germinate even better if you sow them in fall, as they like to go through the cold of winter.

Thyme loves growing between rocks

Annual Herbs vs. Perennial Herbs

Another question I hear is: “Do I focus on annuals or perennials?” Annuals die back every year and perennials return year after year. Some annuals self-sow, meaning the plant will die but it will first make seeds that germinate the following year to return the medicine to your garden. And some perennials are longer lived than others—like thyme (Thymus vulgaris), who is a short-lived perennial, while peppermint (Mentha x piperita), on the other hand, can live forever. The peppermint that’s in my garden is from a patch that I found way up in an old clearing of our cove where a homestead stood in the 1800s!

Depending on where you live on the globe, some herbs may be perennials to you but annuals to another. If you live in a temperate zone, I recommend choosing three-fourths perennials (or self-sowing annuals) to one-fourths annuals, so that your garden comes back year after year and you’re not always starting from scratch with your plantings. Culinary medicinals like cilantro and fennel are annuals/biennials, yet I’ve not had to plant them in years as they keep self-sowing and making their continual patch. Some other medicinal annuals that self-sow are anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), holy basil, chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), and sweet Annie (Artemisia annua).

Calendula harvest

Best Medicinal Herbs to Grow for Beginners

From my experience in gardening over three decades, eight easy medicinal herbs to grow and use in both the Northwest and the Southeast of North America are anise hyssop, borage, calendula, catnip (Nepeta cataria), chamomile, holy basil, lemon balm, and oregano (Origanum vulgare). They are foundational plants that cover a lot of medicinal territory without the prerequisite of prior experience. These dear eight allies empower you to branch out further in time, as they are easy to master growing.

Here’s a little snapshot of what they need and can offer:

Anise Hyssop

Easy to germinate from seed. Plant out after last frost date. Loves sun. Gets kids excited about herbs and herbal tea. Ally for your digestion. Pretty purple flowers. Annual that self-sows. See this article for a feature on how to grow anise hyssop in containers.
Borage

Direct sow after last frost date. Loves sun. Flowers edible, gorgeous, and taste like cucumber. Ally for purifying the blood. Annual that self-sows.
Calendula

Easy to germinate from seed. Plant out after last frost date. Loves sun! Adds orange cheer. Ally for your skin and lymph. One seed packet can give you dozens of plants. Annual that self-sows a bit, but save the seed. Read more about growing and using calendula here.
Catnip

Ask your gardener friend for a volunteer plant start. Likes morning sun better than afternoon, and well-fertilized beds. Great edging herb with musky scent. Ally for reducing fevers. Friend of babies, adults, and cats. Perennial.
Chamomile

Start seeds a month before last frost date or buy starts. Plant in full sun. Baby daisy flowers soothe upset tummies. Ally for a good night’s sleep. Feathery green foliage. Annual that self-sows a bit, but save the seed.
Holy Basil, aka Tulsi

Direct sow seed after last frost date. Loves sun and can take a little shade. Ally for restoring balance, sacred Ayurvedic herb. The temperate variety is the easy one to grow. Annual that self-sows. You can read up on growing holy basil in this article.
Lemon Balm

Ask your catnip gardener friend for a division. Prefers morning sun more than afternoon. Refreshing lemon taste. Ally for a healthy heart and a happy mind. Perennial that makes hearty patches.
Oregano

Get a start from a plant whose leaves you’ve tasted and are full of flavor! Dry, sun lover. Culinary herb extraordinaire. Ally for viral and fungal protection. Can live for generations.

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For more ideas of who to plant, check out The Top 10 Medicinal Herbs for the Garden and click here for an incredible list of medicinal seed suppliers and herbal nurseries.

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A Word to the Wise

I can’t let this article end without mentioning that the mints—although beloved medicinal herbs—can easily take over your garden, so plant them in containers before you regret having given them free range. Same goes for stinging nettles (Urtica dioca), who can get out of control. In one year, one plant spread in our garden to roughly a 70 square foot area, as well as jumped the creek.

Mary Plantwalker gardening

Your Healing Herb Garden

Now you know how to make your first medicinal herb garden! The process of doing it is a healing journey in itself. In a world that is crying out for more sustainable practices, growing your own medicine is a revolutionary act. May you be empowered to grow an herb garden as an offering to the change we seek on this dear planet. Green Blessings!

References

1. Boechmann C. “Companion Planting with Herbs,” The Old Farmer’s Almanac. https://www.almanac.com/content/companion-planting-herbs, accessed November 17, 2019.

2. Farm Homestead, “Companion Planting Chart for Herbs.” https://farmhomestead.com/gardening-methods/companion-planting-chart-herbs/.

Looking for more blog articles about medicinal herb cultivation?

Want to take a deeper dive into medicinal herbs and their uses?

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The Medicine That Grows In-Between: Lamb’s Quarters, Plantain, and Red Clover

Uncategorized

Jun 192020

Written by Meghan Gemma with Juliet Blankespoor
Photography by Juliet Blankespoor
(except where credited)

Your garden wants to feed you—not just with the cultivated plants you tuck into the soil, but with a profusion of wild greens and herbs that spring up of their own generous accord. These feral guests surpass domestic veggies in nutrition and are often brimming with medicine, which makes them worthy of our attention and care in cultivated spaces. In fact, you might consider celebrating their arrival with a bit of seasonal fanfare—another helping of compost, anyone?

These “weeds,” which include lamb’s quarters, plantain, and red clover, will naturally arrive and make themselves at home in your garden—and can peacefully cohabitate with planted veggies and herbs. You can employ plenty of tricks to help them play nice, and, as a reward for acting as a botanical referee, you’ll harvest even more food and medicine from your garden! This is the bounty that grows in-between: the medicine and food that you didn’t plant but still get to reap.

Plant teacher Frank Cook, who has passed on, used to say that more than half the bounty of a garden could be found in the “in-between” in the form of useful opportunistic plants. People all around the world capitalize on this abundant resource, casually “cultivating” weeds in the in-between spaces.

Let’s take lamb’s quarters (also known as wild spinach) as an example of this useful-weed-and-planted-crop polyculture. In my garden, I leave the lamb’s quarters that comes up between recently planted vegetable and herb crops. After harvesting the wild spinach for a few weeks or a month, the veggies fill out, and then I pull out the lamb’s quarters and use it as mulch for the garden. Wild spinach requires no additional tending and is relatively disease and insect free.

Why wouldn’t we invite low-maintenance and nutritious wild plants to populate our gardens? This is practical, sustainable, and reliable kitchen gardening at its best.

Lamb's quarters (Chenopodium album)

Lamb’s Quarters
**(Chenopodium album, Amaranthaceae)**

If I had to recommend just one wild food to let run rampant in your garden, it might be lamb’s quarters. This edible is common, easy to identify, and a nutritional powerhouse. In fact, lamb’s quarters is so desirable as a food plant that it was cultivated by early Eurasian and North American peoples—predating corn as a staple crop.¹

Lamb’s quarters is well aware of the fertile opportunities presented by your garden, and will appear in the springtime as dainty seedlings with arrowhead- or goose foot-shaped leaves (cheno = goose, podium = foot). The seedlings quickly develop into stout plants that typically reach maturity at 3 to 5 feet (0.9–1.5 meters) in height. A classic identification trait is the textured, waxy bloom found on the undersides of the leaves resembling miniature pearls of dew.

I strongly favor the rich, mineral flavor of lamb’s quarters, which is also called wild spinach. Like many wild foods, lamb’s quarters is more nutritionally endowed than its domestic counterpart, garden spinach (Spinacia oleracea). It is a superior source of iron, calcium, zinc, and potassium, and also provides trace minerals, B-complex vitamins, and vitamin C. Plus, lamb’s quarters is delicious.

If you’re excited about bringing this nourishing plant into the kitchen, see our recipe for Wild Greens Pâté, or substitute a couple handfuls of lamb’s quarters leaves into saag paneer (a family favorite at our house). You can use lamb’s quarters anywhere that you would traditionally use spinach—in omelets, stir-fries, spanakopita, soups, and casseroles. The leaves can also be dried and reconstituted for later use.

If you’d like to know more about identifying, cultivating, and using wild spinach, please see our in-depth article on Lamb’s Quarters.

Plantain
**(Plantago spp., Plantaginaceae)**

I rejoice at plantain’s return each spring, and return it does—in great numbers and with tenacious vigor. In truth, plantain seems to have a penchant for hard living—it’s not unusual to find it spreading its leaves over the gravelly surface of driveways and parking lots. You’re also likely to see it sprinkled about the lawn and certainly in the soft soil of your garden (even tough plants like to take it easy sometimes). This adaptability means that plantain is almost always around when you need it—which may be more often than you’d think. I’m not exaggerating when I say plantain is one of my most reached-for warm season remedies.

You will commonly see and use two types of plantain for medicine: broadleaf plantain (Plantago major) and narrowleaf plantain (P. lanceolata). The botanical differences are implied in their names: broadleaf plantain has wide, oval-shaped leaves, while narrowleaf plantain bears leaves that are long and slender. Both species grow basal leaves, although P. major’s will hug the ground more closely than P. lanceolata’s, whose leaves stand more erect.

The flowers of each species are also remarkable and distinct. P. major raises a sturdy green stalk that bears miniature white blooms and, eventually, a motherload of tiny seeds. The stalk, which I liken to a wizard’s wand, may wave anywhere between 3 inches and 1 foot (7 to 30 cm) in height. P. lanceolata, on the other hand, sprouts long, slender stems upon which sits one wizard’s hat each—a cylindrical or cone-shaped flower head encircled by starry white flowers and stamens.

The plantains possess prominent parallel leaf ribs that become fibrous and stringy by late spring. If you plan to dine on plantain, it’s best to gather the tender greens early in the season and add them fresh to salads and smoothies. Later, when the leaves become tough to chew, they can still be used in teas, fresh-pressed juices, and soup stocks.

I will say that I keep a close eye on plantain in the garden. A few years back, I encouraged several narrowleaf plantains to languish in my herb and vegetable beds for the sheer appreciation of their beauty. However, when it came time for the plants to disperse their seeds, they went straight to town (and to every corner of the garden). I still welcome plantain into my cultivated spaces, but I take care to snip off the flowering parts before they set seed.

Note: The plantains we’re discussing here are not related to the banana-like fruit by the same name (Musa genus).

Plantain’s Medicinal Uses

Parts used: Leaves and seeds (all plantain species are interchangeable as medicine)
Preparations: Infusion, poultice, salve, sitz bath, food, vinegar
Herbal Actions:

Vulnerary
Demulcent
Anti-inflammatory
Antimicrobial
Mild astringent
Nutritive
Expectorant

Plantain is one of our finest first aid remedies, in large part because it’s so common and therefore frequently on hand right when you need it. It is also a true and proven healer that quickly brings cooling, moistening relief to rashes, burns, blisters, and other skin inflammations. Its cooling properties calm painful heat and its vulnerary qualities help to repair tissues. This also makes plantain a remedy of choice for wounds, cuts, scrapes, splinters, and bites and stings from insects, spiders, bees, and mosquitoes. Plantain’s antimicrobial qualities make it effective even when infection is present.

On a recent barefoot walk in the woods, I stepped on a piece of glass that left a small sliver embedded in my foot. I wasn’t able to remove the shard and it quickly became too painful to walk without limping. I stopped to soak my foot in a cold mountain stream and then picked a few leaves: wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) for astringency and sheer softness, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and plantain for quick, cool relief. I chewed everything up, spit it out in my hand, and applied the wad to the bottom of my foot. I sealed the poultice with a violet leaf (Viola spp.) and slipped a sandal on. While I continued to favor my other foot, the relief was immense and immediate. The next morning, the pain and swelling were gone altogether.

Plantain’s fresh leaves, applied as the elegantly simple chew-and-spit poultice described above, is a classic on-the-fly remedy that you’ll likely use again and again. You can also dry the leaves for winter use, rehydrating them with a little warm water as needed.

Taken internally, plantain is a healer for inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract—ulcers, leaky gut, acid reflux, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A strong infusion of the leaves is recommended for best results, although it can also be taken as food. The seeds, which are high in mucilaginous fiber, are moistening to the digestive tract and can aid in bowel regularity.²

The strong tea is soothing for hot, dry conditions of the lungs, including persistent, hacking coughs and irritation from inhaling particulate matter. Recently, I was spreading mulch on my garden from a round bale of hay. As I pulled armfuls away from a moldy portion of the bale, the air filled with green clouds of fungal spores. Half an hour later, I was coughing in fits and my lungs were aching. This persisted for a couple of hours before I took action (silly herbalist faux pas) and brewed up a pint of plantain and peppermint (Mentha x piperita) tea. In less than 15 minutes my cough had subsided and my chest had relaxed. The effect was so notable my partner commented on it before bed. Give thanks for the common healing herbs!

Contraindications: There are no known contraindications.

Red Clover
**(Trifolium pratense, Fabaceae)**

The swaying grace of red clover in bloom is reason enough to let it grow up between your lettuce and kale. In general, I love flowers of all kinds mixed into the greenery of a garden—edible, medicinal, and ornamental. In this light, red clover has a lot to offer. The young leaves and fuschia flowers are edible; the blooms are medicinal, and they are altogether as charming as a meadow in May.

Red clover is also a nitrogen-fixing legume whose sturdy roots help to break up compacted or clayey soils. This means it works double-duty on behalf of your garden while it fulfills a cornucopia of other uses. It is often grown as a gorgeous cover crop for this reason. According to wild foods writer, Roger Phillips, red clover is traditionally planted in fields where corn has been grown to restore fertility to the soil, earning it the name “mother of corn.”³

Red clover is an early summer wildflower that grows in fields and pastures as well as in the welcoming earth of your garden. The leaves bear charming white chevrons, the sepals are intricately patterned, and the round blossoms dance along the pink-purple spectrum. Red clover is one of our tallest clovers, reaching toward the sky up to 18 inches (46 cm) or so in height.

As an edible, red clover’s flavor is fresh and sweet. Both the tender young leaves and fuzzy blossoms can be added to salads and such, and they make an enchanting garnish. I enjoy adding red clover to seasonal herbal vinegars—it makes a regular appearance in this Springtime Fairy Vinegar. Red clover tea is delicious, offering us both a pleasant medicine and a refreshing summertime beverage. The individual pink florets each cradle a drop of nectar at their base—pull them from the flower head and enjoy much as you would honeysuckle.

Being possessed of a wide range of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients, red clover is a versatile and nourishing food-medicine. The leaves and flowers are rich in vitamins B and C, bioflavonoids, magnesium, zinc, copper, and selenium.¹

Be sure to gather red clover in its freshest state, which is typically in late spring or early summer. Pinch off the flower heads, including the leaves nestled beneath the blooms. If the flowers are beginning to turn brown, pass them by. Use fresh, or dry immediately.

Drying red clover requires special care as the blossoms can easily mold, oxidize, and ferment. I like to spread them on a clean screen and place them in a dry, warm place with good airflow. I try to remember to shuffle them each day to disperse any lingering moisture. Because red clover requires extra care, I recommend growing or gathering your own if possible. Commercial red clover is often of poor quality.

Red Clover’s Medicinal Uses

Parts used: Flowering parts; upper leaves and blossoms
Preparations: Infusion, food, vinegar, poultice, oil
Herbal Actions:

Alterative
Lymphagogue
Phytoestrogen
Nutritive tonic

Red clover is a traditional liver and blood tonic, and an esteemed reproductive herb. I use it in two primary ways: as a cleansing, alterative remedy and as a phytoestrogen for addressing hormone imbalances in women.

As an alterative, red clover’s cleansing and detoxifying properties help rid the body of metabolic wastes as it nourishes the liver and kidneys. Combined with herbs like burdock (Arctium lappa, A. minus) and chickweed (Stellaria media), red clover is a beneficial daily tonic for skin conditions like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Its proclivity for creating movement in the body also gently stimulates the lymph, and it can be used for lymphatic swellings and as a mild, nourishing medicine for the immune system.

Red clover is a classic herbal phytoestrogen—a source of plant estrogen that is capable of binding to estrogen-receptor sites in the body and eliciting an estrogenic effect. This makes red clover beneficial for folks with hormonal imbalances and conditions such as infertility, early menopause and menopausal complications, breast lumps or tenderness, irregular menstruation, and painful menstruation. See our article on phytoestrogens for a detailed explanation of how they function, when to use them, and how to integrate them into your diet.

As a complement to its other uses, red clover is deeply nutritive and can be taken daily as a nourishing tonic. It can aid in convalescence, debilitating illness, or when other foods are not desired. Its sweet flavor is building to the tissues and invites pleasure into the ritual of taking one’s medicine. Red clover is best prepared as tea for medicinal use so its mineral content is preserved.

Contraindications: Avoid using brown, moldy, or fermented blossoms. These can dangerously thin the blood. Red clover is a traditional folk remedy for cancers and lymphatic swellings. However, there is some speculation that its phytoestrogenic properties may exacerbate estrogen-receptor-positive cancer. Until there is more research, it is recommended that people who have, or have had, estrogen receptor-positive cancer refrain from using red clover.

Other Wild Edible + Medicinal Garden Herbs

Curious who else might show up to your garden party without RSVPing? The following guest list isn’t comprehensive and the descriptions are brief, but you’ll meet some of our all-time favorite herbal free spirits. Please do extra research on their medicinal and edible uses, identification, and possible contraindications. We’ve included links to our other articles where applicable, and you can refer to this list of our Favorite Foraging Books for field guides and culinary inspiration.

Harvesting chickweed (Stellaria media)

Chickweed (Stellaria media), with its starburst blooms and tender green leaves, is the forager’s poster child. It arrives in the cool, moist days of early spring and is likewise cooling and moistening as a medicine. Chickweed is a helpful remedy for hot, dry conditions like irritating coughs, acne, boils, diaper rash, and blisters. It is also a classic spring cleansing herb and nutritive wild food. You can read more about chickweed in our article on the Ten Best Wild Foods for Beginning Foragers + Wildcrafters.

Burdock (Arctium minus)

Burdock (Arctium minus, A. lappa) is a gorgeously leafy herb with a notable taproot. The tasty, medicinal root is bittersweet in flavor and contains high levels of inulin, a prebiotic nutrient relished by gut flora. It is a nutritive food-medicine par excellence, and I enjoy it in culinary dishes and dried for earthy wintertime teas. It has a nourishing effect on the detoxifying systems of the body and is a useful ally for skin conditions like acne and eczema. Keep reading about burdock’s edible and medicinal uses here.

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea). Photo courtesy of Steven Foster

Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is an edible succulent, with branching stems and bright yellow flowers that open in the sunshine. It is one of the most populous weeds in the world, and is common throughout North America—in both hot climates and cool. The leaves are a fantastic source of potassium and iron, and have been found to be higher in omega-3 fatty acids than any other researched leafy green.⁴ Purslane can be added fresh to salads, sandwiches, and tacos, or pickled and added to ferments like kimchi. It can also be cooked, but this enhances the plant’s natural mucilage, which may be too slimy for some palettes.

Wood sorrel (Oxalis spp.). Photo courtesy of Steven Foster

Wood sorrel (Oxalis spp.) is a common, sour-flavored herb that makes itself right at home in the garden. Also called sour grass, sour clover, or lemon clover, wood sorrel is a favorite wild treat for children. Its three heart-shaped leaflets emerge from a central stem and are reminiscent of clover. There are many species, and all are edible. The garden variety that grows around my home bears yellow flowers, but they may also be pink or white. As far as food goes, the leaves are the main attraction, these being most tender and delicious before the flowers appear. Wood sorrel is a classic trail-side snack, but I also love it fresh in salads. Wild foods expert Samuel Thayer recommends it steeped in cold water (chopped finely first) and then strained for a tangy, lemonade-like refreshment.⁵

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is one of the first floral foods for bees in springtime, and is also one of the first wild greens of the year to appear on my family’s table. It is a classic edible that was cherished by many of our temperate-climate ancestors and has even been cultivated in kitchen gardens for its nutritious leaves, which can reach great lengths when pampered with a little compost. Dandelion is reemerging as a homegrown vegetable, but you likely needn’t bother; it will arrive of its own accord in no time. For the tastiest greens, choose new leaves from the heart of the plant. Use them raw in salads and smoothies, sautéed and topped with toasted sesame seeds, or added to wild pesto. The flowers can be fermented to make a fine dandelion wine, strewn across birthday cakes, or added to sparkly springtime drinks. Gather up more appreciation for dandelion here.

Cleavers (Galium aparine)

Cleavers (Galium aparine) is an emerald-green herb, imbued with the color and freshness of spring. It often sprouts up at the same time and in the same place as chickweed, and shares some tandem uses: as a seasonal cleansing herb and all-star ingredient in healing skin salves. For internal use, I much prefer my cleavers juiced. It can be combined with any other greens, fruits, herbs, or veggies. My favorite combination is a cleavers/pineapple duet, inspired by Rosemary Gladstar. Beware of sampling cleavers au naturel, as the stems, leaves, and seeds are all covered in itsy-bitsy hooks that can catch in your throat. Thus, it is not a salad herb. Instead, if you prefer, you can roll a stem or two into a tight ball between your fingers to disarm the hooks (a cleavers “pill”) and munch away. Want to use cleavers in one of my favorite seasonal remedies? Make a Springtime Fairy Vinegar using this recipe.

Violet (Viola spp.)

Violet (Viola spp.) is nearly unsurpassed in its destiny as an enchanting springtime herb. The flowers draw the eye with their bioflavonoid-rich purple petals, and the heart-shaped leaves are one of our primary medicines for spring cleansing, nourishing the lymph, and soothing wounded tissues. There are so many ways to partake of violet’s food and medicine that we’ve devoted a whole hub to this beloved herb. You’ll find materia medica, recipes, and a seasonal cleansing protocol.

References

Brill S., Dean E. Identifying and Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Plants. New York: HarperCollins, 1994.
De la Forêt R., Han E. Wild Remedies: How to Forage Healing Foods and Craft Your Own Herbal Medicine. Carlsbad: Hay House Publishing, 2020.
Philips R. Wild Food: A Complete Guide for Foragers. London: Macmillan, 2014.
Simopoulos A., Norman H., Gillaspy J., Duke J. “Common purslane: A source of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants.” J Am Coll Nutr 11, no. 4 (1992).
Thayer S. Nature’s Garden: A Guide to Identifying, Harvesting, and Preparing Edible Wild Plants. Forager’s Harvest Press, 2010.

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Harvest Medicinal Trees in Your Backyard

Uncategorized

May 152020

Text and photos by Juliet Blankespoor

This article was originally written for Mother Earth Living magazine and is published here with permission from the publisher. Mother Earth Living is an American bimonthly magazine about sustainable homes and lifestyle.

As a child, I spent many afternoons scaling the white pines my father had planted in our backyard. Decades later, when I bought my first home, my dad set to planting trees right away, including a weeping willow by the creek in our front yard. The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree: My daughter spent her youngest years learning to climb in the low branches of that willow. Those white pines and that willow are now towering giants. Watching a tiny sapling grow into a massive being is deeply satisfying.

When we think of healing plants, our minds gravitate toward the plants growing at our feet – the garden herbs, weeds, and woodland plants of the forest floor – but there’s a veritable treasure trove of healing remedies towering above. Humans have been harvesting and using medicine from trees for millennia, and medicinal trees and shrubs probably already grow near where you live. Perhaps you’re already able to identify the trees in your midst, and you merely need to learn their medicinal qualities and how to harvest them.

With a pruning saw, harvest limbs that are 2 to 3 inches in diameter

Harvesting Tree Medicine

Ethically gathering medicine from trees has its advantages – with their larger stature, it’s easier to collect a sizable amount of medicine from trees without hurting them. Be sure you have permission or the legal right to harvest. Avoid roadways, railways, power lines, and any other areas that may have been sprayed with herbicide. Only harvest from tree species that are both locally abundant and widely distributed. Be 100 percent sure of your identification before harvesting! There are poisonous shrubs and trees. Two examples are yew (Taxus spp.) and oleander (Nerium oleander). Be sure to use scientific names, as common names can be misleading. For example, desert willow (Chilopsis spp.) is not a true willow (Salix spp.) – the two trees are unrelated and possess different medicinal uses.

Saw off side branches into workable sections

Most folks think the medicinal part of trees is the bark. But woody botanicals have a diversity of medicinal parts, including flowers, inner bark, fruits, leaves, roots, resin, and root bark. You have to learn which parts are used for food or medicine from any given tree species. Harvest resin by looking for trees that have already released it, and then scraping it from the trunk right into little jars. Resin is much easier to gather after it’s begun to harden. Gathering flowers, leaves, and fruit from trees is pretty straightforward as long as you’re leaving more than half the medicine behind so the plant can still reproduce or photosynthesize, and local wildlife can share in the bounty.

Harvesting pine resin from a tree's that already been damaged

Harvest resin by looking for trees that have already released it, and then scraping it from the trunk right into little jars

Harvesting and peeling bark, on the other hand, may be new for some of you. Three pieces of information are crucial for harvesting bark.

First, spring and early summer are the best times to harvest bark, because it’ll peel more easily from the plant’s woody portions. Second, woody plants have two layers of bark, and it’s the inner bark you’re after. The outer bark is void of medicine or flavor. Third, girdling a tree – removing all the bark from around its trunk – will kill it.

A thin strip of outer bark is peeled back, revealing the medicinal inner bark

You can sustainably harvest bark through a few methods. The simplest approach is to look for fallen limbs after a storm, making sure they’re free of disease by inspecting the leaves and twigs. You can also harvest limbs 2 to 3 inches in diameter from larger trees using a pruning saw, and subsequently peel off the bark. Harvesting small branches is less harmful to the tree than peeling bark from the trunk. Wounded trees are more vulnerable to disease.

For a simple and less damaging method of harvesting, gather fallen limbs from the forest floor

Once you harvest the limb, scrape off any lichens from the bark and remove dead portions. Peel off the leaves. Using pruners, cut off all the twigs under 1⁄2 inch and set them aside. Saw off the remaining side branches. Begin to harvest bark by placing a clean blanket or tarp on the ground to catch the peels. With the branch positioned upright on the blanket, take a compact, sharp knife, and peel the bark in long strips, slicing away from your body.

Scuff off any lichens, loose bark, and debris from outer bark. Remove smaller twigs with pruners and strip away leaves.

You’ll know when you’ve reached the inert inner portion of the wood, as it’ll be a lighter color and different texture than the layers of bark. Wood isn’t used for medicine, but it’s fine if you end up with a little bit of it in your bark peelings.

The thin, dark outer bark and inner white wood lack medicinal properties, but are harmless.

Look closely at the bark peelings. The outer bark will be like a thin, darker skin, and the inner bark will be moister, thicker, and lighter in color. There’s no need to separate the inner bark from the outer bark when harvesting from a limb of this size, because the outer bark is so thin. Take up your bark shavings and cut them into 1-inch pieces using pruners. The bark can then be dried in loose baskets or on screens, or it can be made into medicine right away.

The small twigs you set aside can also be used, but they’ll be weaker medicine compared with the bark. Cut the twigs into smaller pieces with pruners, as they’re too fiddly to peel, and process them like you did the bark.

Peeling bark from large trees is another matter. Enterprising foragers work with their local sawmills, gaining permission to harvest bark from recently felled trees. If you’ll be harvesting trees from your land for lumber or firewood, you’ll need to use a drawknife to peel the bark. Remove and discard the outer bark first, before peeling and saving the inner medicinal bark.

With a compact, sharp knife, peel the bark in long strips, slicing away from your body. Cut the bark strips into smaller pieces with pruners or heavy-duty kitchen shears

Peeled and processed bark, ready for medicine making or drying

Spotlight on 5 Medicinal Trees

Please research herbs and check with your health care provider before ingesting, as many medicinals are unsafe in pregnancy and may interact with medications. This article is intended as a brief introduction and doesn’t contain all the safety information known for each medicinal.

Hawthorn flowers provide a remedy from hypertension

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp., Rosaceae)

Parts used: Flowers, leaves, and fruit
Preparations: Tea, tincture, honey, cordial, jam, vinegar, and syrup

Hawthorns are small, thorny trees or shrubs in the rose family, with clusters of fruit resembling miniature apples. Hawthorn berries are variable in color – they can be yellow, red, or black – but they’re all edible and medicinal, with a long history of use. The berries have long been a staple famine food, seeing many people through lean winters.

Contemporary herbalists use hawthorn’s flavonoid-rich flowers and fruit as remedies for hypertension, atherosclerosis, congestive heart failure, and angina pectoris.

The flowers and berries are also used by people suffering grief and loss. Hawthorn is a “food herb,” and thus can be ingested in a wide variety of mediums, including teas, tinctures, honey, jam, syrup, cordials, elixirs, and vinegar from the fruit. Hawthorn-infused honey is a beautiful rose color and fruity in flavor. Consult your health care provider before combining with cardiac medications.

Cultivation: Full sun; well-drained soil; zones and sizes vary by species. The seeds need to be stratified and are slow to germinate, so you may want to purchase potted saplings or bare-root trees to plant.

Linden leaves can be eaten raw while in their peak stage

Linden, Basswood, Lime Tree (Tilia spp., Malvaceae)

Parts used: Flowers
Preparations: Tea, tincture, honey, and syrup

You may be familiar with European linden, popular city trees planted for their small stature and delightfully aromatic blossoms. There are approximately 30 species in the Tilia genus, and they go by the names linden, basswood, or lime. The American basswoods are large deciduous trees with heart-shaped, toothed leaves.

All linden species possess fragrant blooms that are popular with bees, which transform the nectar into a delectable varietal honey.

Lindens are arboreal all-stars, with edible leaves and medicinal flower clusters.

The tender young leaves are edible raw or cooked and have a pleasant flavor and slightly gummy texture. Linden flower is one of my favorite remedies for children, as it’s generally safe and pleasant-tasting. The tea is used to address coughs, fevers, sinus infections, hypertension, stress, insomnia, colds, and flu.

Linden is a natural decongestant through its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. It’s a gentle sleep aid, safe for children and elders alike.

Cultivation: Full sun to light shade; neutral to alkaline soil; Zones and size vary by species. The seeds are renowned for poor to null germination, so you may want to purchase potted saplings or bare-root trees to plant. Softwood cuttings can be made in early summer.

Pine is a traditional remedy used globally for coughs, colds, allergies, and urinary tract and sinus infections

Pine (Pinus spp., Pinaceae)

Parts used: Springtime tips, resin, bark
Preparations: Tea, honey, syrup, salve, and oil

There are more than 100 species of pine worldwide, and most have recorded medicinal uses. Cultures around the globe have used the needles, inner bark, and resin for similar ailments. Internally, pine is a traditional remedy for coughs, colds, allergies, and urinary tract and sinus infections. Topically, pine is used to address skin infections and to lessen joint inflammation in arthritic conditions.

For internal use, use the needles in tea form, as they’re the mildest form of the plant. The resin is the best part to employ for topical use – it can be melted into a salve, or it can be softened, applied like a broad bandage, and held in place with a wrap bandage. Don’t use internally during pregnancy, and avoid using the bark long-term.

Cultivation: Full sun; acidic, well-drained soil; Zones and size varies by species. Stratify seeds and scarify them if they’re winged. Select species suited to your region.

Spruce (Picea spp., Pinaceae)

Parts used: Springtime tips, resin
Preparations: Tea, honey, beer, salve, and syrup

Spruce trees are familiar conifers, with distinctive evergreen foliage and pendant cones. There are 35 species of spruce worldwide, primarily distributed in colder forested regions. Some varieties are striking landscape trees with glacial blue needles. Many species of spruce have been used for medicine throughout North America and Eurasia.

The fresh growing tips of spruce are helpful in tea, honey, or syrup for expelling thick lung congestion. The resin is antimicrobial and used topically like pine resin. Don’t use internally during pregnancy.

Cultivation: Full sun; cooler, acidic soil; size varies by species. Slow to germinate from seed. Purchase balled and burlap-wrapped trees, and transplant in spring.

Willow (Salix spp., Salicaceae)

Parts used: Bark and twigs
Preparations: Tea, tincture, compress, wash, and poultice

Worldwide, there are more than 300 species of willow, most of which are small trees or shrubs that grow near water. Willows have been used throughout the temperate world for their medicinal bark and long, supple twigs for basketry.

Willow bark and twigs can be dried for tea or prepared as a tincture. Willow is antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and analgesic, and is used to assuage headaches, muscle strain, arthritic pain, and menstrual cramps. It’s a traditional topical first-aid remedy for cuts, scrapes, and bruises because of its astringent and antimicrobial qualities. White willow is often cited as “the medicinal willow,” but dozens of other species have been used similarly throughout Europe and North America.

Cultivation: Full sun to partial shade; moist, fertile soil; size and Zones vary by species. Plant the seed immediately after it ripens in spring, as it doesn’t tolerate dry storage. Softwood cuttings and hardwood cuttings, taken from November through March, will root readily.

Medicinal Trees and Shrubs for Your Landscape

Bayberry (Myrica cerifera)

Black birch (Betula lenta)

Black haw (Viburnum prunifolium)

Black walnut (Juglans nigra)

Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.)

Chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus)

Cramp bark (Viburnum opulus)

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

Green tea (Camellia sinensis)

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)

Linden (Tilia spp.)

Mimosa (Albizia julibrissin)*

Olive (Olea europea)

Oregon grape root (Mahonia aquifolium)*

Pine (Pinus spp.)

Prickly ash (Zanthoxylum americanum) and (Z. clava-herculis)

Redroot, or New Jersey tea (Ceanothus spp.)

Sassafras (Sassafras albidum)

Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus)

Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra)

Spruce (Picea spp.)

Sweet fern (Comptonia peregrina)

Willow (Salix spp.)

Wild cherry (Prunus serotina)

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

Yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima)

*Can be invasive, so research its ability to spread in your region before planting.

For more details on sustainable foraging guidelines, please see our article here.

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The Many Uses of Violet: A Round-Up of Herbal Resources & Recipes

Uncategorized

Apr 032020

The Many Uses of Violet:
A Round-Up of Herbal Resources & Recipes

Written by Meghan Gemma
Photography by Juliet Blankespoor (except where credited)

When it comes to flowers, it doesn’t get much sweeter than soft springtime violets. With nodding blossoms atop slender stems and heart-shaped leaves, these low-growing plants are sometimes described as diminutive. But please don’t presume they’re shrinking! In fact, violets are a powerhouse of mineral-rich food and medicine.

Does this quintessential bloom speak to your heart? Many folks are deeply drawn to violets, and for a rainbow of good reasons. Here, we’ve compiled a library of articles on violet’s cleansing, moistening, and anti-inflammatory medicine, plus a handful of spirited seasonal recipes and indispensable identification tips.

Gathering violets for medicinal and culinary concoctions (Felted bilby figure created by Johana of Rustles in the Meadow)

Violet: A Springtime Medicinal

Although violet is a wildly common herb, it’s somewhat underrepresented in edible and medicinal circles. The truth is, violet is one of our finest and most delicious cooling and moistening herbs—perfect for folks who run dry, experience skin issues like eczema, or seasonally want to cleanse and revitalize their tissues after a long, cold winter.

Violet’s Edible and Medicinal Uses This is our personal ode to the healing food-medicine of violet. Uncover our favorite ways to eat and imbibe this tasty ally.

Gentle Spring Cleansing with Violet Curious how to cleanse with the wild herbs of spring? This is our guide to deep and gentle restoration with violet.

Violet Herb by jim mcdonald. A wonderfully thorough treatise on violet’s medicinal qualities, with a special nod to its herbal energetics.

Three Faces Under a Hood: The Many Aspects of Violet by Kiva Rose Hardin. Another enchanting violet profile, with a fascinating dose of herbal lore and floral poetry stirred into the mix.

Violet and chickweed on a bagel with medicinal garlic sauce

Violet Recipes

Violet is one of my very favorite springtime wild foods. The young leaves are tender, delicious, and rich in minerals and soluble fiber. The flowers are a bright splash of color atop cakes, breakfast toast, and green salads. Their purple petals are packed with antioxidant bioflavonoids. We could hardly ask for a more nourishing wild spring green!

Violet Springtime Fairy Vinegar: A Mineral-Rich Spring Tonic Our recipe for crafting a whimsical and mineral-rich herbal vinegar for spring cleansing, seasonal nutrition, or good old-fashioned culinary fun.

Wild Greens Bagel A simple staple from our kitchen that easily integrates violets and other seasonal wild greens right into your breakfast or lunch.

Calendula’s Benefits for the Skin: How to Make Calendula Oil and Salve You’ll notice that this recipe actually features calendula, but you can just substitute violet leaves in for the calendula, or combine them for a soothing, skin-healing remedy.

Wild Violet Ardor: Whipped Honey Butter by Gather. Read about the romantic legacy of violet while whipping up a buttery-sweet floral treat. The folks at Gather are unparalleled in sharing a great herbal story alongside the most magical recipes you can imagine!

Wild Violets 4 Ways: Simple Syrup, Tincture, Candies and Lemonade by Amanda Waters of Homesong. Don’t miss this bouquet of spring recipes featuring violet! For a good time, I especially recommend experiencing the alchemy of wild violet syrup (followed up by making a glass of pale purple violet lemonade).

From the book Foraging & Feasting: A Field Guide and Wild Food Cookbook by Dina Falconi; illustrated by Wendy Hollender

Violet Botany & Identification

When it comes to gathering wild plants, I recommend being 150% sure of your identification before harvesting or nibbling. Violets actually have many look-alikes, some of which are inedible or poisonous. If you’re new to violets, please only harvest them when the flowers are present (this helps immensely with i.d.). You’ll also want to reference a reliable plant identification guide when gathering any wild edible or medicinal herb. You can use this book list for my personal recommendations. The following resources will help you along:

An Illustrated Guide to Identifying Violet, designed by Dina Falconi and illustrated by Wendy Hollender. Seeking a beautifully illustrated guide to identifying violet? Look no further, this is it!

Violets, Violas with Green Deane. Join this wild foods expert in the field on YouTube as he explains how to identify violet.

Even Violets Need a Plan B Our exposé on the secret subterranean lives of violets. Intrigued? You’ll have to read the article to get the full scoop.

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Gentle Spring Cleansing with Violet

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Mar 312020

Gentle Spring Cleansing with Violet

Written by Meghan Gemma
Photography by Juliet Blankespoor

Spring is a season of pure genesis. As the earth warms, the landscape exalts in a profusion of fresh greens, pastel blossoms, and joyous birdsong. The energy is fecund, yet undeniably gentle. Like eggs in a nest, creation is having a grand moment—but there’s a distinct softness and tenderness about it all.

I keep these nuances in mind as I approach the yearly tradition of spring cleansing: a ritual centered around restoring vitality and coaxing our bodies back into balance after a long winter.

Are you ready for an internal clean sweep? Let me first say a few words about cleansing and fasting. There are plenty of protocols out there, and some can be harder on the body than others. I’ve noticed a general tendency to approach cleansing with a go hard or go home attitude. And sometimes, an aggressive strategy can yield desired results. However, if you’re wanting to experiment with a rigorous cleanse, I recommend consulting with an experienced holistic healthcare practitioner. This will help you to cleanse safely, and to make the most of an appropriate protocol.

But cleansing needn’t be all or nothing. In fact, it can be ever so gentle.

Spring cleansing is traditionally a simple and natural invocation of the wild green plants that appear as the days grow warm—and it can be as sweet and soft on the body as tulip petals on new grass. Done right, it can leave us feeling restored and renewed.

Life is attuned to this renewal. Every spring, a plenitude of cleansing, detoxifying, and mineral-rich herbs abound across the temperate landscape. These plants have a signature exuberance—they are generous and vibrant with green life force energy. Herbs like violet, dandelion, and chickweed are innately possessed with the cleansing properties and minerals needed by the body after a winter of hibernation and heavier foods. Incorporating them into meals and teas is often all the body needs for a revitalized sense of health.

Spring wild greens harvest

Violet & Other Herbs for Spring Cleansing

Violet is one of my most beloved spring cleansing herbs—just the sight of its tender heart-shaped leaves and soft flowers fills me with hope. The leaves are a classic alterative herb, stimulating the release of wastes from the body by optimizing liver, kidney, lymphatic, and digestive functions. They are also sky-high in minerals and soluble fiber, which encourages healthy populations of beneficial intestinal flora. The pleasant mucilage in the leaves can soothe inflammation in the digestive tract and impart dew-fresh moisture to our tissues.

You can read more about violet’s medicinal uses here.

Violet flushes out in the spring with an entourage of other alterative detoxifying herbs. In truth, it’s no mistake that these plants burst forth in tandem green glory—they’re meant to work together. Consider integrating any of the following herbs into your gentle spring cleansing protocol:

Violet, leaf and flowers (Viola spp.)
Dandelion, leaf and flowers (Taraxacum officinale)
Stinging nettles, leaf (Urtica dioica)
Cleavers, leaf and stem (Galium aparine)
Chickweed, leaf and stem (Stellaria media)
Burdock, root (Arctium lappa, A. minus)
Plantain, leaf (Plantago spp.)
Purple dead nettle, leaf and flowers (Lamium purpureum)
Mint, leaf (Mentha spp.)

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Want to read featurettes on the herbal co-stars mentioned above? Just click on the links we supplied. Curious where and how to find these plants, and safely identify them? Take a wink at our list of the Ten Best Books on Foraging Wild Foods and Herbs. You can also refer to our article on The Top Herbal Foraging Blogs, Podcasts, and YouTube Channels. Please always be 150% sure of your identification before you gather any wild plant!

Salad of violet leaves and flowers, chickweed, and dandelion flowers

Planning Your Gentle Spring Cleanse

There are many ways I like to work with spring cleansing herbs and they’re all traditional, with the exception of juicing. What’s more, they’re gentle, and can be safely used by most people—including children and the elderly. Please see the end of this article for a brief list of contraindications.

1) Eat Herbally. Eating your herbs is an easy way to bring them into your spring cleansing practice—and it’s such a tasty one. Violet, chickweed, and dandelion greens are all delicious additions to spring salads and pestos. For salads, try combining them with lettuce, arugula, and radicchio in generous quantities. Then sprinkle violet blossoms and other spring flowers on top for a dose of beauty and bioflavonoids.

For pesto, you can substitute wild greens into any recipe that you enjoy. You can also refer to my recipe for Cold Season Wild Greens Pesto (sub in any greens that are available to you).

Some spring greens are delicious cooked, and here stinging nettles steal my heart. Nettles are fantastically rich in vitamins and minerals, and add a dark, leafy appeal to sautées and stir-fries. You can prepare them as you would kale or spinach, but note that they must be well-cooked to disarm the fine stinging hairs that cover the stems and leaves. Handling nettles requires some care (and perhaps gloves), but their flavor and nutrition are worth it!

If you’d like recipes and serving suggestions for a wealth of spring greens and wild foods, check out this book list, which includes several cherished wild foods cookbooks, and this roll call of online wild foods resources.

2) Enjoy Juice. Freshly pressed juices are a popular and delicious way to get your cleanse on. I love adding handfuls of cleavers and chickweed that are still wet with morning dew to juice blends, and relish a tip I got from Rosemary Gladstar: add fresh pineapple to your juice¹—it’s phenomenal! Other additions can include fresh parsley, carrots, apples, ginger, turmeric, lemon, celery, and beets. Follow your palate!

I prefer to make juices first thing in the morning, and to drink them about half an hour before having breakfast. You can also opt to drink them between meals. If you don’t have a juicer, blend your ingredients of choice in a high-powered blender with some water and strain.

3) Steep A Cup of Tea. Tea employs one of our most ancient channels for medicine and healing: the fluid element of water. Water is vital to cleansing the body at any time, and the more you can integrate it into your practice, the better. All of the herbs mentioned in this article can be steeped into tea. I personally favor stinging nettle, violet, dandelion, chickweed, and mint. Follow the guidelines in our article on Herbal Infusions and Decoctions for making medicinal-strength teas.

4) Infuse Herbal Vinegars. Vinegar is a classic solvent for extracting minerals from herbs, and is a traditional preparation for capturing the vitality and nutritional blessings of spring greens. Herbal vinegars can be taken by the spoonful with meals, or, more pleasantly, can be integrated into salad dressings, condiments, and marinades. See our recipe for Violet Springtime Fairy Vinegar for inspiration!

Whatever ways you choose to gently cleanse with spring herbs, try your best to stick to a regular routine or plan, and to set attainable goals. For instance, if you decide to drink one quart (32 ounces) of violet and nettle tea every day for 2 weeks, help yourself out by preparing 2 days’ worth at a time and storing the tea in quart-sized jars in the fridge. If you favor salads, gather enough greens and blossoms for several meals at one time.

Alterative herbs--starting at one o'clock and moving clockwise--Red clover, cleavers, plantain (center), dandelion, stinging nettles, and chickweed

Take Your Gentle Spring Cleanse to the Next Level

Tending to our health is a multi-faceted and living ritual. If we cleanse periodically and fine-tune other dimensions of our lives and lifestyles, we can create real change in our present and long-term well-being. At the same time, it’s certainly worth noting that taking our medicine—whatever it may be—in small doses can be helpful. In this light, you can support gentle cleansing with as many, or as few, of the following as you care to:

Hydrate each and every day (set your sights on at least 64 ounces per day). Drinking clean, fresh, mineral-rich water is one of the most important foundations of health. Keep in mind, by the time you feel thirsty, your body is already dehydrated! If you’re one of those folks who isn’t naturally inclined to drink water throughout the day, try infusing your water with a sprig of mint, basil, lemon balm, or anise hyssop—or a few slices of lemon, lime, or orange.

Engage in joyful movement as often as you’re able—brisk walks down the lane, yin yoga, dancing in the kitchen as you make dinner, and whatever else tickles your fancy. Movement shakes things up, gets the blood moving, and aids the body in detoxification. It’s also one our best natural remedies for banishing the blues. If you have a rebounder or trampoline, bouncing gently for 10–15 minutes per day can help to stimulate the circulation of your lymph, which boosts the immune system.

Get your sweat on. In addition to gentle movement practices, try to have a nice sweat once or twice throughout the week. When our bodies heat up—as in a sauna or sweat lodge— our cardiovascular system pushes blood away from our internal organs toward the surface of our body, releasing deep toxins. I enjoy steam saunas and hot yoga classes, but any kind of sweat-inducing activity or higher-intensity cardiovascular exercise that feels fun to you will be beneficial.

Eat a fresh and whole foods diet. Our diet—everything we ingest, including herbs—affects us top to bottom. Nutrition plays a starring role in the quality of our emotions, energy levels, heart health, cognitive abilities, digestive processes, and immunity. Food is our first medicine, and Hippocrates’ famous medical adage from the 1^st century BC is more relevant now than ever: “let your foods be your medicines, and your medicines your food.”

Curious what kind of food choices we’re talking about? Whole foods are foods in their natural state, as you would find them right off the farm or growing in the backyard—think vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, eggs, milks, and wild or farmed meats and fish. I’d also encourage you to seek out the fresh seasonal foods of spring as you cleanse: greens, carrots, radishes, and turnips will all be at their peak.

Rest, deeply. Don’t skimp on your beauty rest: deep sleep also promotes inner beauty! Sleep has a direct effect on our overall longevity, health, and immunity—our bodies do their deepest healing and repair work while we snooze. So if you’re skimping on your zzz’s in order to get more done or to accommodate your social calendar, it might be time to get to bed early.Supporting your natural circadian rhythms can help if you’re sleep-challenged. Artificial blue light—emitted from computer and phone screens, televisions, and LED lighting—is especially detrimental to sleep. Anytime artificial light strikes our retinas between dusk and dawn, sleep-promoting neurons are inhibited and arousal-promoting neurons are activated. To enhance your ability to sleep at night, put all screens away 2-3 hours before bedtime and use soft, warm light bulbs (or candlelight!). If you work a night shift, or frequently use electronics in the evenings, invest in a pair of blue light filtering glasses or download a blue light filtering app to your phone and computer. And make sure you spend some time outside in natural light every day!

Sync with the season. Step out into the sunshine and fresh air of spring. Synthesize some vitamin D (produced by our bodies when we soak up the sun). Walk barefoot on the earth if possible. Gather springtime herbs and flowers. Let your body attune to the fresh, clean spirit of the season.

Violet and chickweed on a bagel with medicinal garlic sauce

Safety & Contraindications: The herbs mentioned in this lesson are typically quite safe for general use in large quantities. But there are a few exceptions to note:

Violet: Avoid internal use with folks who have the rare inherited disorder G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency, because it can aggravate hemolytic anemia.
Dandelion: The leaf is a powerful diuretic, and will compound the effects of pharmaceutical diuretics. People who are allergic to bee pollen or honey have a high likelihood of reacting to dandelion pollen, and therefore should avoid ingesting the flower or any preparation from the flower that would contain pollen (i.e., the infusion).
Stinging nettles: Nettles are diuretic and astringent, and can be very drying (when taken frequently) for folks who already have dry skin and dry mucous membranes. Additionally, the diuretic effects may compound pharmaceuticals with the same action. Nettles may potentially alter blood sugar levels—diabetics should monitor blood sugar levels closely when ingesting the plant as food or medicine.
Chickweed: Avoid use if you are prone to kidney stones, as this plant contains dietary oxalates, which can increase the formation of kidney stones.

References

Gladstar, R. Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health: 175 Teas, Tonics, Oils, Salves, Tinctures, and Other Natural Remedies for the Entire Family (Storey Publishing, 2008).

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Violet Springtime Fairy Vinegar: A Mineral-Rich Spring Tonic

Uncategorized

Feb 242020

Violet Springtime Fairy Vinegar:
A Mineral-Rich Spring Tonic

Written by Juliet Blankespoor with Meghan Gemma
Photography by Juliet Blankespoor

When violets begin to pop up in the spring landscape, it’s our cue that a vernal promenade of mineral-rich, cleansing herbs is in full swing. Violet keeps excellent company—look for herbs like chickweed, cleavers, dandelion, plantain, and stinging nettles when violet’s heart-shaped leaves and purple blooms appear on the scene.

These nourishing spring beauties all fall into the category of tonic alterative herbs. Many herbalists call them “blood cleansers” and indeed they can help to optimize the quality of the blood by affecting cellular metabolism. They also work their magic by supporting the elimination of wastes by improving liver, kidney, digestive, and lymphatic function.

Alterative herbs can be helpful for:

Spring fasting and cleansing
Low immunity
Skin conditions like acne and eczema
Cancer prevention
Autoimmune conditions
Rheumatic conditions*

Violet is one of my choice herbal alteratives as its tender young leaves are optimally delicious for infused vinegars, spring salads, and pestos. In addition to being a classic cleansing herb, violet is rich in soluble fiber and is a traditional lymphatic and respiratory remedy; helping to bolster us through the last weeks of cold-season coughs and colds. You can read more about violet’s medicinal uses here.

*Please consult with an experienced herbalist before using herbs for any of these conditions or for cleansing.

Early spring foraging for springtime fairy vinegar ingredients

Mineral-Rich Springtime Vinegars

My daughter and I like to celebrate springtime by gathering up our baskets, greeting the sunshine, and picking fresh wild and garden herbs for “fairy vinegar.” The lawn and gardens are filled with medicinal herbs during this time. I call it fairy vinegar because all the plants are so little and darling this time of year, and because a pinch of this and a pinch of that, topped off with wee blossoms, has a magical feeling.

Vinegars made from high-mineral herbs are a great way to sneak some extra medicine and nutrition into the diet! When you add vinegar to foods that are high in minerals—such as dark leafy greens—the acidity helps the body assimilate those minerals (in addition to all the minerals packed into the herbs themselves)!

Herbal vinegars have a steadfast place in the medicine cabinet, but they’re also widely popular both as a condiment and an ingredient in homemade salad dressings. In fact, many plants that are traditionally prepared as herbal vinegars easily straddle the divide between medicine and spice.

Apple cider vinegar is the most popular for medicinal preparations, but I prefer balsamic vinegar, as our family enjoys its flavor. Most any type of natural vinegar will be serviceable, but note that distilled white vinegar can be highly processed and is sometimes made from genetically modified corn.

Harvesting violet flowers (Viola sororia)

Materials List

Canning jar of appropriate size for your recipe with a plastic lid, or a metal lid lined with a piece of natural wax paper
Fresh herbs (see below for suggestions)
Vinegar of choice
Labeling materials
Straining cloth; either muslin cloth, tighter-weave cheesecloth, cotton gauze fabric, or a clean old T-shirt
Flip-top bottle or used glass vinegar bottle to store your finished vinegar

Ingredients for Springtime Fairy Vinegar

Springtime Fairy Vinegar Recipe

This recipe is a celebration of spring! Therefore, I encourage you to gather whatever seasonal herbs feel most exciting to you. I’ve listed a number of possibilities below; you can combine them in any proportions you desire—just be sure to pick enough to loosely pack a Mason jar of your choice. One suggestion is to gather a handful of each or any of the following herbs, freshly picked and not dried. Or try making your own version from whatever darlings are springing up in your garden and fields.

Violet, leaf and flowers (Viola spp.)
Dandelion, leaf and flowers (Taraxacum officinale)
Stinging nettles, leaf (Urtica dioica)
Cleavers, leaf and stem (Galium aparine)
Chickweed, herb (Stellaria media)
Plantain, leaf (Plantago spp.)
Purple dead nettle, leaf and flowers (Lamium purpureum)
Mint, leaf (Mentha sp.)
Garlic mustard, leaf (Alliaria petiolata)
Creasy greens, leaf (Barbarea verna)

Please be 150% sure of your identification before gathering any plants. Need a field guide? Check out our foraging and plant identification book list.

If you aren’t familiar with any of these wild herbs, you can buy dandelion greens and burdock root from the grocery store or farmers market, and include emerging herbs from your garden, like lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and bee balm (Monarda didyma).

Pouring vinegar into the jar full of herbs

Adding the vinegar to the herbs

Wash your fresh herbs, chop them coarsely, and combine them in a sterilized glass jar (choose any size based on how much vinegar you’d like to make). Note that the proportions are not exact; the tighter you pack the herbs, the stronger the vinegar will be flavored.
Top off with your vinegar of choice—completely cover the herbs with vinegar. It may be helpful to tamp them down with a sterilized kitchen instrument.
Cap with a plastic lid or a regular mason jar lid lined with natural wax paper (to avoid corrosion of the lid by the vinegar).
Label the jar with the name of the herb(s), date, and type of vinegar. Cover the label with clear packing tape.
Place in a dark cabinet for four to six weeks.
Strain through a cloth—either muslin cloth, tighter-weave cheesecloth, cotton gauze fabric, or a clean old T-shirt. Be sure to press out all the vinegar when you strain by either wringing out the herbs in the cloth or pressing out the plant material with a potato ricer or similar press.
Pour the strained vinegar into a sterilized jar with a plastic lid, and label with the ingredients and date.
Store in the refrigerator and use within six months to one year.
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Dosage is 1-3 Tablespoons (15– 45 ml) daily.

I recommend taking herbal vinegars with food, as they will be better assimilated, and the acid will be less likely to aggravate digestion or cause issues with tooth enamel. Integrating them into salad dressings and condiments is a perfect way to easefully eat your mineral-rich spring herbs!

Safety & Contraindications: For the most part, the herbs mentioned in this lesson are quite safe for general use. But there are a few exceptions to note:

Violet: Avoid the internal use with individuals who have the rare inherited disorder G6PD (glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase) deficiency, because it can aggravate hemolytic anemia.
Dandelion: Because dandelion leaf is a powerful diuretic, it will compound the effects of pharmaceutical diuretics. People who are allergic to bee pollen or honey have a high likelihood of reacting to dandelion pollen, and therefore should avoid ingesting the flower or any preparation from the flower that would contain pollen (i.e., the infusion).
Stinging nettles: Nettles are diuretic and astringent, and can be very drying as a tonic herb for folks who already have dry skin and dry mucous membranes. Additionally, its diuretic effects may compound pharmaceuticals with the same action. Nettles may potentially alter blood sugar levels—diabetics should monitor blood sugar levels closely when ingesting the plant as food or medicine.
Chickweed: Avoid use if you are prone to kidney stones, as this plant contains dietary oxalates, which can increase the formation of kidney stones.

P.S. If you enjoy herbal vinegars, take a peek at my Hibiscus Pomegranate Fire Cider Recipe. This spicy, ruby-red vinegar is ideal for boosting the immune and circulatory systems during the cold winter moons.

Hibiscus Pomegranate Orange Fire Cider

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Want to take a deeper dive into medicinal herbs and their uses?

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The Folklore and Medicine of Witch Hazel

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Jan 222020

The Folklore and Medicine of Witch Hazel

Written by Mary Plantwalker
Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor

Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana, Hamamelidaceae) is our kinky, golden-star flower shrub or small tree that blooms in cold weather when all other flowers are absent from the landscape. These flowers are long-lived, as they patiently wait for weather warm enough to wake up an array of possible pollinators, from gnats to flies to moths. The witch hazel flowers know they gotta get it while they can, and still, only one percent of the flowers will ever develop into seeds.

In this article, Juliet shares a humorously explosive story about the seed’s clever dispersal methods. Another name for the witch hazel tree is bead wood because its tiny seeds make a beautiful, hard and shiny, black nugget that can be used as jewelry.¹

More of the Lore Behind Witch Hazel’s Name

John-Manual Andriote wrote that witch hazel is “one of the few products that’s both FDA-approved and endorsed by real witches.”²Now that is a special plant! But which witch is witch hazel?

I suppose once a medicinal plant has the name witch in it, it’s bound to be seen as magical in some way. Witch as we use it today, comes from the old English word wicca, or wizard. It is said, though, that the “witch” in witch hazel originated instead from the Middle English word wiche, which means “to bend.” Think about wicker, which comes from the same root word, meaning “pliable branches that bend.”³

Another interpretation is that the name derives from the use of witch hazel’s branches for dowsing, also called “water witching.” Yet another idea is that it stems (pun intended) from the Middle English word wicke, meaning “lively,” which describes how the stems become alive and move when water is detected below.

Still others believe its name comes from the shape of a gall that’s sometimes found on the leaf, caused by an aphid, that looks like a witch’s hat.⁴And one last reason for the name witch that I have come across over the years is that the witch hazel plant flowers near Samhain (Halloween), evidently from a witch’s spell. Well, which witch do you believe?

The hazel part of witch hazel’s name is derived from the resemblance of its leaves to those of the hazelnut (Corylus americana) tree, both being broadly oval and scalloped. They are distantly related, but one way they are different is that witch hazel leaves are asymmetrical at the base. There is also a white bottlebrush flower cousin in the Hamamelidaceae family called witch alder, of the Fothergilla genus, so witchy-ness indeed spreads!

Hamamelis virginiana

Water Witching

Dowsing is an ancient art that has yielded successful results for centuries for locating both water and precious metals underground. Dowsing has been referred to as far back as Homer, when he writes in The Odyssey about the divining rod called the Caduceus that ended up in the hands of Asclepius, the old Greek God of Healing. That divining rod, with its head of entwined serpents, is what eventually became the well-known symbol of medicine.⁵

The Mohegan Tribe, in what is now called Connecticut, is believed to have been the first to show settlers how to use witch hazel sticks for dowsing by taking a branch and cutting it into the shape of a “Y” then walking with the end of the Y in front, hovering it over the earth. In A Natural History of Trees, author Donald Peattie says folks would use witch hazel branches that were naturally forked, “whose points grew north and south so that they had the influence of the sun at its rising and setting, and you carried it with a point in each hand, the stem pointing forward. Any downward tug of the stem was caused by the flow of hidden water.”⁶

When a dowser uses metal rods, they are “L” shaped. Regardless of the tool, it is the dowser who must be sensitive to almost imperceptible changes in movement, whether the device be L or Y shaped, metal or wood. Witch hazel has been given the most attention over the years as the preferred wood for successful water witching, but if you live in an area where witch hazel does not grow, Lee Barnes, President of Appalachian Dowsers, says other springy-type branches can be used. Another local dowser agreed that any forked branch from a flexible tree would work fine, including willow (Salix spp.), maple (Acer spp.), or apple (Malus spp.).

Witch Hazel’s Benefits in Folk Medicine

Itching? Got varicose veins? Sore muscles? Hemorrhoids? What does witch hazel do that helps relieve all of these things? It has an affinity for blood flow health—I think of it as a plant being that can tell what the blood vessels’ needs are. Too much blood in an area? Too little? Witch hazel balances out the flow with innate intelligence.

The late James Duke was so enamored with the benefits of witch hazel that he assumed the “H” in Preparation H (an over-the-counter hemorrhoid product) stood for Hamamelis (the genus of witch hazel)!⁷The buds, leaves, twigs, and bark have long been used by both indigenous peoples and early settlers wherever it grew. In Appalachian folklore, witch hazel is one of the more widely used medicines. Grandma was almost always sure to have some witch hazel in her apothecary, ready to fix whatever was ailing you.

Witch hazel extract is used for countless ails: poison ivy rash, burns, acne, eczema, gum inflammation, sunburn, tired and achy muscles, eye strain, bruises, sprains, insect bites, and so on.⁸Ritually, it has been used to keep away evil and heal broken hearts.

Witch hazel is also a vulnerary herb, and I have heard it referred to as the “wound healer.” I can speak from experience that it is most certainly a “wound reliever.” What a nice tingling sensation it leaves on the skin after using it as a poultice, a compress, or just as a splash. Most of its uses are for topical applications but it can be used internally as well. It has even been recorded to help with internal bleeding.

Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)

Indigenous Uses of Witch Hazel

In upstate New York, the Iroquois use an infusion of dried witch hazel leaves for sore throats, colds, and diarrhea. Hot water is poured over fresh leaves to make poultices for sprains and swellings, which simultaneously eases pain and promotes healing, and the leaves are then crushed to place on bruises.

On the western edge of Hamamelis virginiana’s range, the Osage make medicine from the bark to treat skin ulcers and sores. A lame back can be helped with compresses of witch hazel. The species most likely in use is Hamamelis vernalis—which blooms in late winter/ early spring, as its species name indicates—another medicinal witch hazel native to North America.

The Potawatomi, originally from what is currently known as the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, have a tradition of using witch hazel in their sweat lodges. By placing the young branches on top of the hot rocks inside the lodge, sore muscles can be eased. Perhaps there is an energetic quality that comes from the witch hazel steam as well.

Preparations and Properties of Witch Hazel Medicine

Parts Used: Bark, twigs, leaves, and buds

Medicinal Preparations: Tincture, infusion (leaves and buds), decoction (bark and twigs), liniment, compress, poultice, steam, wash, distillate*

Tincture ratios and dosage: Fresh bark and twigs 1:2 80%; dry bark and twigs 1:5 40%.

Infusion ratios and dosage: 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) of the dried leaves or green buds per 1 cup (240 ml) of water three times a day.

Decoction ratios and dosage: 1 Tablespoon (15 ml) of the dried bark or twigs per 1 cup (240 ml) of water three times a day.

*Note: Witch hazel preparations sold in drugstores are made from a steam distillation of the twigs, preserved with alcohol. They are much less potent than a standard tincture or tea.

Herbal Actions:

Anti-inflammatory
Antiseptic
Astringent
Hemostatic

Energetics:

Cooling
Drying

Active Compounds:

Flavonoids
Tannins (hamamelitannin, catechols, and proanthocyanidins)
Volatile oils

Relaxing in the Sitz Bath

One beneficial way to use witch hazel is in a sitz bath. Sitz baths are a shallow bath used to direct healing and blood flow to the genital area and/or anus. During my pregnancies and in postpartum, I used sitz baths to protect, tone, and strengthen my perineum and anal tissue. Blood supply to the area of concern is increased while soaking in a sitz bath of witch hazel by toning the blood vessels, tightening membranes, and repairing inflamed and sore skin.

Sitz Bath Recipe

Ingredients

Minimum 1 quart (1 liter) extract of chopped plant material—more is great!
1 to 2 gallons (3.5 to 7 liters) of water
Bathtub

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Directions

Harvest witch hazel’s branches and bark any time of year, or the fresh leaves and new bud growth in spring. Always make certain if gathering bark from the trunk to only take it from one side of the tree. Removing bark from the entire circumference of a tree or shrub will kill it. I prefer to strip the bark from small limbs or branches in order to limit the harm to the tree. See this article on ethical wildcrafting for guidance if you are new to foraging.

Take any of the woody plant material, bring it to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes, covered. Turn off heat, add the tender leaves/buds, and cover. Steep for an hour or more (the more plant material you add and the longer it steeps, the stronger the sitz bath brew will be).

Fill a bath with enough warm water to completely cover your pelvic floor. Now strain the witch hazel extract and add the liquid to the bath. Soak in the tub for 20 minutes. Whatever the issue is that you are addressing with the sitz bath—hemorrhoids, postpartum tears and soreness, rash—send positive energy to that area and take deep belly breaths while soaking. Visualize the witch hazel and your body doing a marvelous healing dance together!

Witch Hazel Compress Recipe

The same astringent action of witch hazel that helps stop bleeding can tighten the pores of troubled skin and strengthen the muscle fibers of veins, making witch hazel a fantastic candidate for compresses. Applying it as a hot or cold compress (a cloth soaked in witch hazel decoction) can help increase blood flow to sore or injured areas. Compresses bring comfort.

Ingredients

1 cup (240 ml) extract of chopped witch hazel bark, twigs, leaves and/or green buds
1 quart (1 liter) water
Cotton cloth

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Directions

Take any of the woody plant material, bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 minutes, covered. Turn off heat and add the tender leaves/buds and keep covered. Let steep for an hour or more. Strain and bring the witch hazel extract back up to a very warm temperature but do not boil.

Soak the cotton in the infusion/decoction, fold and ring out over the pot so you can reuse that liquid. Make it as hot as you can comfortably tolerate. Apply compress to the area of concern. Cover the compress with another towel (and hot water bottle if you have it).

Leave compress on for five minutes then consecutively repeat so that the heat can work along with the witch hazel medicine. Do this at least three times in a row, and, depending on the severity of the issue, even several times a day.

Sore Muscles Liniment Recipe

This easy recipe brings relief to feet, calves, arms, neck—anywhere you feel just tuckered out. Shake your liniment before each use, then pour some on a light cloth or directly onto the sore muscle, and massage in. You may want to put some in a spray bottle for easier application.

To begin, follow this recipe for tincturing witch hazel by harvesting the twigs, leaves, and buds in spring and adding it to 190-proof organic (if possible) grain alcohol. If it is not spring, you can still make a good witch hazel tincture by harvesting twigs, leaves, or the outer bark if you know of a big healthy stand. Make at least a quart of the tincture so you can use it for a myriad of recipes. See this article for even more medicinal recipes that use witch hazel tincture.

Ingredients

½ cup (120 ml) witch hazel tincture
7 drops Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) essential oil
7 drops Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) essential oil
7 drops Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) essential oil
⅓ cup (80 ml) distilled water

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Directions

Once the witch hazel tincture is complete, strain, measure out ½ cup (120 ml) of it and add the essential oils and distilled water. If stored in a cool, dry place, this liniment can last a year or more (if you have not already used it up by then). Make sure to use a rubber or plastic lid, as metal will corrode and make it almost impossible to open the container.

Baba’s Aftershave Recipe

My husband grew up in Lebanon where he recalls his father (called Baba) using witch hazel as an aftershave. Maybe his father used it because he was from the United States, or maybe witch hazel products had reached the far corners of the globe way back then. In any case, we have adapted Baba’s original aftershave which was the drugstore distillation, to a more potent one you can make right at home. The antioxidant qualities of witch hazel can prevent wrinkles, so this aftershave serves not only as a comforting splash to prevent infection or irritation, but as an anti-aging boost to skin too!

Ingredients

Note: This recipe needs to be made in small batches since you will want to keep it in the bathroom for convenience—where its shelf life is no more than a month.

2 cups water
1 cup (240 ml) witch hazel extract of chopped witch hazel bark, twigs, leaves, and/or green buds
¼ cup (59 ml) witch hazel tincture
5 drops of essential oil of choice (the aftershave smell you like most)

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Directions

Make your decoction by bringing to a boil almost two cups of water with the woody plant material then simmer for 20 minutes, covered. Turn off heat and add any tender leaves/buds and then cover again. Let steep for 10 to 30 minutes.

Strain one cup (240 ml). Once this has cooled completely, add the tincture and your essential oil of choice. Make sure you have researched that the essential oil you choose is safe for facial skin.

Please don’t let the time of year or availability of bark (or no bark) stop you from experimenting with your own witch hazel medicine making! If you have access to just witch hazel twigs, or perhaps only have permission to harvest the leaves—whatever part of the witch hazel tree it may be—make your extract or tincture with that. Witch hazel is strong, and all of these parts of the plant at any time of year will yield medicine more potent than any distillation you could buy at the pharmacy.

References

Munroe D. The Trees of Ashe County, North Carolina. McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers; 2017.
Andriote J.M. The Atlantic, “The Mysterious Past and Present of Witch Hazel.” https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/11/the-mysterious-past-and-present-of-witch-hazel/264553/ November 6, 2012.
Durant M. Who Named the Daisy? Who Named the Rose? A Roving Dictionary of Wild Flowers. Congdon & Weed, Inc.; 1976.
Spira T. Wildflowers and Plant Communities of the Southern Appalachian Mountains & Piedmont. The Univ. of North Carolina Press; 2011.
The American Society of Dowsers, “Dowsing History” https://dowsers.org/dowsing-history/ accessed November 29, 2019.
Peattie D.C. The Natural History of Trees. University of Nebraska Press; 1980.
Duke J., Ph.D. The Green Pharmacy. Rodale Press; 1997.
Gibbons E. Stalking the Healthful Herbs. McKay Co.; 1966.

Meet Our Contributors

MARY PLANTWALKER (Mary Morgaine Squire) has been practicing yoga and meditation while steeping herself in the plant world for the past 27 years. She is a writer, mother, avid gardener, yoga teacher, and plant ambassador. In the 1990s, she earned her BA in Journalism and Sustainable Living from Fairhaven College, and has since traveled the world meeting and learning from as many plants and indigenous healers as possible. As an active earth steward, Mary is called to protect and care for Herb Mountain Farm, the incredible land she stewards in western North Carolina, while encouraging others to do the same wherever they are. Mary is gifted in facilitating ceremony and enticing mindfulness into the everyday, and is passionate about welcoming people into the walk of embracing plants as allies while living in harmony with all beings. You can follow Mary's plant escapades on Instagram.

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Our Favorite Herbal Blogs, Podcasts & YouTube Channels

Uncategorized

Dec 172019

Our Favorite Herbal Blogs, Podcasts & YouTube Channels

Written by Meghan Gemma
Photography by Juliet Blankespoor

The internet can be a fantastic place to learn about herbs—with a significant caveat: anyone can share any sort of information that they want, free of qualifications or checks and balances. That’s why we’ve coralled our most-trusted online herbal resources for you to peruse. Materia medica, plant identification, recipes, research articles—it’s all here.

Granted, we had to draw the line somewhere, and plenty of high-quality sites probably didn’t make it onto our list. If you have a favorite that we neglected to mention, feel free to leave a link in the comments at the end of this article! You can also check out the original herbal roll call compiled by Rosalee de la Forêt—it’s the most comprehensive directory of herbal blogs that I know of.

By the way, if you feel equally compelled by wild foods and foraging, we’ve got another bumping list ready to go: take a peek at our Top Herbal and Foraging Blogs, Podcasts, and YouTube Channels.

(Note: some of these sites are the work of our friends, but we’re not being paid to promote a single one—we simply think they’re stellar.)

woman mixing tinctures on a table
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Herbal Medicine Blogs

A Modern Herbal Online

The online, searchable text of Maude Grieve’s classic book: A Modern Herbal. I love this resource, which features loads of European physiomedical and folk wisdom, and herbal history.

Avena Botanicals Blog

The personal blog of Deb Soule—the founder of Avena Botanicals, a handcrafted herbal remedies company that grows nearly all of their own herbs on a certified biodynamic farm in Midcoast Maine. Deb is also the author of How to Move Like a Gardener: Planting and Preparing Medicines from Plants.

Aviva Romm, MD

Dr. Aviva Romm—an MD, herbalist, and midwife—writes specifically about women’s and children’s health. Topics include hormonal health, vaccines, stress, supplements, and sexuality. If you’re looking for a blog that straddles western medicine and holistic health, this is highly recommended.

Battle Ground Healing Arts Blog

The smart and well-researched blog of Dr. Jillian Stansbury, an MD who specializes in natural medicine. If you like academic discussions that still retain the folksy roots of herbalism, you’ll like Dr. Stansbury’s writings. She discusses herbs for common ailments, cancer, and heart health—plus she takes on the more esoteric topic of plant intelligence.

Bevin Clare’s Blog

Bevin Clare is an herbalist, nutritionist, and professor at the Maryland University of Integrative Health. She’s an herbal traveler whose writing blends her knowledge of traditional uses of plants with modern science and contemporary healthcare strategies.

Blog Castanea

Our own personal blog! Come join Chestnut School queen bee, Juliet Blankespoor and friends, for a hearty dose of botanical beauty and wisdom. Our blog is brimming with herbal anecdotes, plant monographs, gorgeous photography, and wild food recipes—all written with cheeky humor and true plant passion. Juliet is a writer, teacher, forager, photographer, and plant-human matchmaker who lives in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. You can also connect with her on Instagram for daily doses of herbal wit and cheer.

cat with book

Foraging & Feasting

One of my favorite herbal and wild food blogs, impeccably written by Dina Falconi and illustrated by Wendy Hollender. Dina shares seasonal recipes for herbal beverages, greens, savory dishes, and desserts, along with engaging writing on gathering and preparing wild foods. She frequently includes excerpts and master recipes from her book, Foraging & Feasting: A Field Guide and Wild Food Cookbook (which is highly recommended and can be purchased directly from the author here). I use recipes from Dina’s blog and cookbook more than any other! Dina is also a recipe contributor in our Online Foraging Course.

Gather

An absolutely fabulous blog on herbal food, magical cookery, and seasonal celebration. You’ll be treated to recipes for wild foods and drinks that range from simple to decadent, and there’s always an accompanying story. This is home-style, creative wild foods cooking with a mythic twist. The blog is written by Danielle Prohom Olson and Jennifer Aikman, who live and gather in British Columbia, Canada. Their recipes and writings are applicable to the temperate world and will soon have you taking part in wild, nourishing, and enchanting food traditions.

Ginger Tonic Botanicals

Penned by clinical herbalist and licensed nutritionist, Lindsay Kluge, this blog is a sweet steep in legit herbal miscellany: medicine making, plant profiles, holistic nutrition, wildcrafting, organic gardening, and botanical beauty. Her Botanical-Infused Hair Oil for Long Strong Locks is a personal favorite.

Gingertooth & Twine

You’ll want to feast your eyes on this herbal recipe blog written by Spencer L.R. McGowan, featuring fantastic seasonal treats—ghee and nettle crackers, anyone? Or how about adaptogenic banana pancakes, backyard herbal shakshuka, or coconut rose petal ice cream? If you’re on the fence about culinary herbalism, this blog will convert you faster than you can say “floral spring rolls”.

Gold Roots and Threads

Writings on the triangulation of herbal medicine, theory, art, and praxis in the wildlands of Cascadia by Renee Adele Davis—a clinical herbalist, educator, and board member of the American Herbalists Guild.

Green Path Herb School Blog

Elaine Sheff’s blog—the clinical herbalist and co-director at Green Path Herb School—featuring lots of herbal articles and herbal and body care recipes.

Henriette’s Herbal

Henriette Kress is an herbalist and writer who grew up in Germany and Swedish-speaking Finland and who now practices herbal medicine in Helsinki. Her blog is a wealth of brief but useful herbal monographs that include information on plant identification and medicinal use, plus occasional recipes. Because her blog features a mix of English, Swedish, and Finnish entries, use the search engine in the upper right corner of her page to find information on specific plants.

Assorted herbs

Herb Geek

An educational resource for natural healing featuring articles on wellness and alternative medicine with a strong focus on herbal medicine.

Herb Society of America Blog

A blog written by members and staff of the Herb Society of America—an organization dedicated to “promoting the knowledge, use, and delight of herbs”. How lovely! You’ll find plant profiles, recipes, cultivation tips, and research on all things herbal.

Herbal Academy Blog

This is a diverse and easy-to-read blog written by a number of contributors via the Herbal Academy, an online school of herbal medicine. Excited about DIY herbal projects? Wanting to expand your herbal recipe index? Ready to learn a bit about dozens of medicinal plants? This is for you.

Herbal Roots Zine

A delightful herbal e-magazine for children, whose charm won’t be lost on adults. Each issue focuses on a single herb and includes medicinal info, plant characteristics, recipes, and activities. Plant a seed of knowledge for a lifetime of herbal wisdom!

Herbaria: A Plant Healer Newsletter

A free monthly newsletter published by Kiva Rose and Jesse Wolf Hardin, who live in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico. Every issue varies, but frequent features include herbalist interviews, plant profiles, recipes, and herbal editorials. Kiva and Jesse are the same incredible folks who publish the quarterly Plant Healer Magazine and host the annual Good Medicine Confluence—one of the most enchanting herbal gatherings in North America.

Herbcraft

The online home base for jim mcdonald, a self-taught Michigan herbalist who has an utterly charming and humorous approach to writing and teaching about herbs. jim shares some excellent herbal monographs on his website (occasionally accompanied by videos) that frequently include material you just won’t find anywhere else. He’s also compiled a fantastic Master Herbal Article Index, which features a gold mine of selected writings from herbalists on all kinds of topics. Highly recommended.

Herbs with Rosalee

One of my favorite blogs to share with herbal newcomers. Rosalee de la Forêt is a heartwarming online presence, and she writes extensively about herbs for health and food-as-medicine. Her articles are conveniently arranged in alphabetical order, and she has an index featuring her recipes—which are typically easy to prepare and ultra nourishing. Rosalee also shares a list of Sustainable Herb Farms and Ethical Wildcrafters in the United States and Canada, if you’re looking to purchase high-quality herbs. Rosalee is the author of Alchemy of Herbs: Transform Everyday Ingredients into Foods and Remedies that Heal and a recipe contributor in our Online Foraging Course.

Woman with black walnuts and garment dyed with walnuts
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The Enchanter's Green

The wild and weedy blog of Kiva Rose, a splendid writer and folk herbalist who has published a phenomenal number of articles on traditional herbalism, wild foods, foraging, and weedivory. You’ll find fantastic herbal monographs, personal stories, clinical wisdom, wild musings, and wonderfully creative recipes on her site. Kiva lives in the Gila Wilderness of New Mexico and is a recipe contributor in our Online Foraging Course—sharing her rambunctious take on wild, herbal soul food.

Mountain Rose Herbs Blog

One of our favorite herbal suppliers also has a wonderful blog—featuring medicine making and natural body care recipes, herb harvesting tips, plant profiles, DIY herbal projects, and so much more.

Of Sedge + Salt

This blog is a treasure! Herbal writer, artist, and photographer Kelly Moody offers unusually in-depth profiles on a number of precious medicinal plants. This is a great place to nerd out on ecology, ethnobotany, wild edibles, herbs, and botanical musings. Kelly is a former student of the Chestnut School and we continue to be deeply impressed by her knowledge of and passion for plants!

Plants For A Future

An extensive online database featuring more than 7,000 edible and medicinal plants, many of which can be found growing wild throughout the temperate world. To make the most of this site, you really need to use the Search tool to find specific plants. Profiles include identification, medicinal use, edibility, cultivation, and information on related species. A charitable organization, Plants For A Future was originally founded by Ken and Addy Fern in Cornwall, UK.

Michael Moore’s Southwest School of Botanical Medicine

Michael Moore was one of the herbal greats of our time (and one of Juliet’s primary herbal teachers), and he’s left behind a wonderful online legacy, where many of his tongue-in-cheek teachings are now available for free. If you’re a serious student and can handle the screen time, his Materia Medica (available through this link) is highly recommended. He’s also the author of a number of books that are invaluable for herbalists and foragers in the Southwest, Pacific Northwest, and Rocky Mountain regions of the United States.

Northeast School of Botanical Medicine

The blog of dear friend, teacher, botanist, herbalist, and comedian 7Song. This generous guy shares his teaching handouts online, which include spring and fall wildcrafting lists for the northeastern United States, plus a review of botanical field guides for much of the country by region. His blog features detailed plant monographs (with identification tips), tales of his travels, and lots of writings on first-aid herbalism. 7Song is the director of the Northeast School for Botanical Medicine and the Ithaca Free Clinic in Ithaca, New York. He hosts an apprenticeship program through his school and takes students on service-based trips throughout the country and abroad.

Old Ways Herbal

This home-style blog features “farmcraft” wisdom from Juliette Abigail Carr, a clinical herbalist and gardener in Newfane, Vermont. Juliette’s writing zeroes in on herbal gardening tips and medicine making tutorials.

Queering Herbalism

An essential resource for links to queer, trans, and POC healers compiled by herbalist Toi Scott. This is also a great place to find resources on race, gender, and sexuality—including books, articles, and blogs.

Floral infusion with elder, bergamot, calendula and passionflower -

Seed & Thistle

A series of monographs, recipes, and interviews by Lara Pecheco, a Taíno Boricua Latinx herbalist and mamita who dials in on ancestral medicine, BIPOC herbalism, and traditional cultures.

Sistah of the Yam

The blog of Taylor Johnson-Gordon, a plant food educator, vegan mama, herbalist, and home cook whose mission is to help Black mothers nourish themselves and their families through real plant-based foods and herbal remedies. You’ll find loads of recipes, plus a 28-part feature on traditional Pan-African foods.

Sustainable Herbs Program

Created by writer, plant-lover, and anthropologist Ann Armbrecht, the Sustainable Herbs Program shares the stories of the people and plants behind herbal products. Their goal is to create a movement supporting high quality herbal remedies, sustainable and ethical sourcing, and greater transparency in the herbal supply chain. You can read more about their work here.

Take Care Herbals

Herbalist Rae Swersey’s blog, whose focus is radical health care and community clinical herbalism that supports LGBTQQIA and underserved populations. You can expect to find lots of goodness along these lines on their blog.

The Plant Path

A blog/podcast from the School of Evolutionary Herbalism that touches on the fascinating topics of traditional alchemy, medical astrology, clinical herbalism, and Ayurveda. The founders of the school, Sajah and Whitney Popham, describe their niche as “ancient teachings for the new paradigm of plant medicine”. I find their work to be captivating!

Tieraona Low Dog's Blog

Dr. Tieraona Low Dog is an award-winning author, herbalist, and integrative medicine practitioner who writes an accessible blog that highlights herbs and supplements for natural health.

Todd Caldecott's Blog

Todd’s writings blend herbalism, Ayurveda, and nutrition for a big-picture look at how we can address health concerns. Todd is a medical herbalist, practitioner of Ayurveda, and Executive Director of the Dogwood School of Botanical Medicine.

Way of the Wild Heart

The beautifully written blog of Gail Faith Edwards, an elder community herbalist and founder of the Blessed Maine Herb Farm. Gail’s writings weave together myth, history, and plant-based wisdom—they seem to come from a dreamier era. She is the author of Opening Our Wild Hearts to the Healing Herbs.

United Plant Savers

The mission of United Plant Savers is to protect the native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada (and their native habitat) while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come. They contribute an incredible body of research and education and tend a botanical sanctuary that is open to the public in Rutland, Ohio. Check out their Species At-Risk List before wildcrafting any native plants!

WiseWoman Healing Ways

The blog of Robin Rose Bennett, an elder herbalist and writer whose teachings are infused with earth-based spirituality and intuitive wisdom. She writes about many temperate-climate wild herbs, but you won’t find a great deal on identification, so be sure to reference a reliable field guide when foraging. You’ll also want to check out her Plant Medicine Series on video. Robin lives in New Jersey, is the author of The Gift of Healing Herbs: Plant Medicines and Home Remedies for a Vibrantly Healthy Life (one of my favorite herbals), and is a recipe contributor to our Online Foraging Course.

Woolgathering & Wildcrafting

Get ready to be charmed by this herbal blogger—Asia Suler is simply one of the most enchanting, tuned-in medicine women I know. Her blog is a treasury of herbal musings, recipes, earth magic, beautiful writing, and photography. I promise you will find a rare depth in her teachings. You can also connect with Asia on YouTube and by subscribing to her newsletter, which delivers heart medicine and herbal offerings to your inbox every month. Asia is the herbal concoctress at One Willow Apothecaries and is one of the primary instructors in our Online Herbal Immersion.

pouring herbal tea

Herbal Podcasts & YouTube Channels

Deb Soule of Avena Botanicals on YouTube

The videos on Deb Soule’s YouTube channel are a joy to behold, as she truly loves and connects with plants. She shares real wisdom on both garden-grown and wild herbs, including medicinal uses, harvesting, and preparation suggestions. Deb is the founder of Avena Botanicals, a handcrafted herbal remedies company that grows nearly all of their own herbs on a certified biodynamic farm in Midcoast Maine. She also writes a fantastic blog and is the author of How to Move Like a Gardener.

Herbal Radio

A series of intelligent and interesting herbal podcasts hosted by Mountain Rose Herbs that features some of today’s most iconic herbalists. The episodes are all free and can be streamed through iTunes.

HerbMentor Radio and HerbMentor on YouTube

A wonderful radio podcast (the real gem here) featuring interviews with a fantastic collection of herbalists, naturalists, and foragers including Doug Elliott, Rosemary Gladstar, Jon Young, Thomas Elpel, Dina Falconi, James Duke, Emily Ruff, and Wildman Steve Brill. The YouTube channel is also worth checking out and includes a modest selection of videos on identifying, gathering, and preparing wild plants. HerbMentor is part of an online herbal learning community cofounded by John and Kimberly Gallagher, who also facilitate LearningHerbs.

Medicine Stories Podcast

An intriguing herbal podcast hosted by Amber Magnolia Hill that can quickly plumb some significant depths. Each episode features an interview with a compelling herbal voice and addresses hearty topics like motherhood, birth, ancestral healing, plant magic, and psychedelics.

Mountain Gardens

Joe Hollis’s YouTube channel shares an incredible collection of videos on wild woodland and meadow medicinals alongside other Western and Chinese herbs that can be cultivated in the garden. Mountain Gardens is Joe’s home and a botanical paradise featuring the largest collection of native Appalachian and Chinese medicinal herbs in the eastern United States. Joe sells plants and seeds, shares a self-serve library and herbal apothecary, and offers plenty of incredible classes, which you can check out here.

Mountain Rose Herbs on YouTube

An excellent collection of videos on medicine making, herbal materia medica, aromatherapy, plant walks, herbal folklore, and recipes. Features some noteworthy guest speakers.

Natural MD Radio

A weekly women’s health podcast hosted by Dr. Aviva Romm—an MD, herbalist, and midwife. Topics include children’s health, vaccines, stress, supplements, and sexuality—but the focus is on a wide range of women’s health issues and how to address them with natural therapies. Highly recommended.

Real Herbalism Radio

A weekly herbal radio show hostessed by Candace Hunter and Sue Sierralupé. Topics range from current herbal news to herbal first aid to medicinal mushrooms—it’s easy to find something you’ll enjoy with this one! You can also check out their blog.

The Herbal Highway Podcast

A compelling herbal podcast to keep you company in the car. Hosted by Karyn Sanders, who discusses important topics like grief, Indigenous land rights, and Native American traditions alongside contemporary herbal medicine.

The Plant Path

We know there are plenty more fantastic herbal resources on the web.

If you have a personal favorite, we’d love to hear about it (especially from our friends in Australia and New Zealand)! And if you enjoy following herbal writers online, check out the blog roll of Rosalee de la Forêt: A Complete List of Herbal Blogs.

Meet Our Contributors

Want to take a deeper dive into medicinal herbs and their uses?

Our 1,000-hour Herbal Immersion Program is the most comprehensive handcrafted online herbal course available, covering botany, foraging, herb cultivation, medicine making, and therapeutics.

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Protected: Witch Hazel Wonders: Cultivation and Herbal Uses

Uncategorized

Dec 092019

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The Medicine of Pine

Uncategorized

Nov 192019

The Medicine of Pine

Written and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor

My kindergarten school picture is the first evidence of a lifelong love affair with trees, and pine in particular. My dad had planted a little grove of white pines (Pinus strobus, Pinaceae) in our backyard. I spent my afternoons playing in their whorled branches, unwittingly collecting resin in my locks while leaning my head against their sturdy trunks. My mom cut out the sticky parts, resulting in a hairstyle that could only be rivaled by the likes of Pippi Longstocking.

There are over one hundred species of pine worldwide, and most have recorded medicinal uses. Cultures around the globe have used the needles, inner bark, and resin for similar ailments.^1,2,3 Internally, pine is a traditional remedy for coughs, colds, allergies, and urinary tract and sinus infections. Topically, pine is used to address skin infections and to lessen joint inflammation in arthritic conditions.⁴ Native people across the continent—including the Cherokee, Chippewa, Iroquois, Apache, Hopi and countless other groups—have used over twenty species of pine in a similar medicinal fashion.¹

Silhouette of pine tree at sunrise
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Along with its myriad medicinal applications, pine is a source of lumber, food, essential oil production, and incense. There are a few species of pine in North America and a handful of species in Eurasia that yield the familiar edible pine nuts. Pine is essential commercially for its lumber and pulp, which is used to make paper and related products.

Many species of pine are considered cornerstone species, playing a central role in their ecological community. See my article on longleaf pine here. Finally, many species are planted ornamentally for their evergreen foliage and winter beauty.

Longleaf pine (Pinus palustris)

Medicinal Use of Pines

Pine Needles

The fresh needles and buds, picked in the springtime, are called “pine tops.” These are boiled in water, and the tea is consumed for fevers, coughs, and colds. The needles are also diuretic, helping to increase urination. Pine-top tea is one of the most important historical medicines of the rural southeastern United States, especially given pines’ abundance in the region. Renowned Alabama herbalist Tommie Bass used the needles in a steam inhalation to break up tenacious phlegm in the lungs. I combine pine tops with sprigs of fresh thyme (Thymus spp., Lamiaceae) and bee balm (Monarda spp., Lamiaceae) for this purpose. Tommie Bass reported “ the country people used to drink pine top tea every spring and fall to prevent colds.”⁵

I enjoy the needles—fresh or dry—as a fragrant and warming wintertime tea. It pairs well with cinnamon bark (Cinnamomum verum, Lauraceae) and cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum, Zingiberaceae). Pine offers relief in sinus and lung congestion through its stimulating expectorant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory qualities. The fresh, younger needles also contain Vitamin C.

Try combining peppermint (Mentha x piperita, Lamiaceae) and catnip (Nepeta cataria, Lamiaceae) with pine needles as a tea, which can be sipped upon throughout the day to assuage cold symptoms. This combination is a safe remedy for the whole family.

Mighty Pine Tea

1 quart water
Small handful of pine needle tops (approximately five to seven branch tips; fresh or dried)
1.5 Tablespoons dried peppermint
1 Tablespoon dried catnip

Boil the pine needle tops in the water for twenty minutes. Turn off the heat and add the peppermint and catnip. Cover and let steep for an additional twenty minutes. Strain and add honey if desired. Sip on the tea while hot, reheating each cup as needed throughout the day. Adults can drink three cups a day. Children’s dosages should be lessened proportionally.

Pine Bark

The inner bark contains more resin and is more astringent than the needles. It has been used historically as an antimicrobial wash or poultice and infused in bathwater for muscle aches and pains. It’s also boiled in water and ingested as a remedy for coughs and colds. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the knotty pine wood from several species of pine is infused in wine and used topically for joint pain.³ I tend to reserve the bark for topical applications since the needles are easy to harvest and more pleasant tasting.

Pine Resin

The resin, also called pitch, has many local first-aid uses—it’s used as an antimicrobial dressing on wounds and to pull out splinters. Pine resin, in minute quantities, has been used internally as a powerful expectorant but it does have some toxicity, so I recommend sticking to the needles or bark when it comes to internal use. I use pine pitch, prepared as a salve, to draw out splinters, glass, and the toxins left from poisonous insect bites. Pine resin salve is helpful to lessen muscle aches and joint inflammation.

Pine Pitch Band-Aids: Forest First-Aid

On a trip to the southwest, I learned another way to apply pine pitch medicinally from Arizona herbalist Doug Simmons: Take a piece of pitch that's semi-hard but still pliable and form it into a flat bandage over the afflicted area. This simple forest first-aid has excellent drawing power, as well as being anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Cover it with a Band-Aid or clean bandage and leave it on overnight.

On this same trip, I had a chance to see the resin in action. Six months earlier a mysterious insect had bitten or stung my foot, leaving behind a little welt that refused to clear up, no matter what remedy I tried. I decided to try Doug’s method of application with the pine resin. I applied a pliable piece of pitch and left it on overnight. The next morning the welt was gone, and it hasn’t returned.

Man harvesting pine resin from a tree's that already been damaged

Pine Pitch Salve

1 part clean pine pitch
2 parts extra-virgin olive oil
Grated beeswax or beeswax beads (proportions below)

See our article on preparing herbal salves here. The measurements in this recipe needn’t be exact, but following the general proportions by volume (using a measuring cup) is useful for achieving the desired consistency. Using a double boiler, melt the pitch in the olive oil (1 part pitch to 2 parts olive oil, by volume) until it is mostly dissolved (it’s fine if a little resin remains solid). Add the grated beeswax (1 part beeswax per 4 parts of the combined liquid oil and pitch). Pour into jars and let cool before adding lids.

Journal page about Pine

Pine Identification

The first step in identification is to make sure you have pine and then narrow it down to the exact species. To accurately identify pine, look for the characteristic two to five needles growing together in a little bundle (called a fascicle), coupled with the familiar pinecones. Each bundle has a little papery sheath at the base. (Note: a few species of pine only have one needle; however, this is an anomaly, and most species bear two to five needles in a bundle.)

Identify the species local to your area and research their traditional uses. That said, it’s important to know that no pine is harmful and the medicinal uses overlap between species, so if you can’t find any information about your local pines, they are still medicinal. Just make sure it is indeed a true pine (in the Pinus genus) by checking for the identification traits listed above, and you’ll be good to go!

The male reproductive parts of longleaf pine

The flavor of pine varies depending on the species and the time of year the needles are picked. The needles have an astringent, “puckering” effect (similar to strong black tea) and a slightly resinous flavor; some pines possess a mineral tang, reminiscent of seawater. Some have needles that are quite sour, especially in the spring. After proper identification, chew on a bit of the needles to get an idea of how the various pine species in your area measure up.

Longleaf pinecone

Pine Look-Alikes

Other conifers have cones that are sometimes mistaken for pinecones, so be sure you have a real pine and not some other cone-bearing evergreen. Many conifers have similar medicinal properties to pine—spruce (Picea spp., Pinaceae) and fir (Abies spp., Pinaceae), for example. One simple visual indicator that set these two trees apart from Pinus species: both spruce and fir have needles that connect directly to the branch, as opposed to the fascicle in pines.

It’s crucial that you are extremely careful to not harvest yew (Taxus spp., Taxaceae), which is a conifer with poisonous needles.⁶ Yew produces a red fleshy fruit (technically a cone), unlike the familiar hard brown cones you see growing on other conifers. Other species of conifers, including yew, have precautions, or possible toxicity, so proper identification of pine is crucial.

Pine Imposters

Be aware that many species of trees with pine in their common name are not true pines and are not used in the same way, and may even be toxic. For example, Australian pine (Casuarina spp., Casuarinaceae) and Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla, Araucariaceae) aren’t even in the same family as the true pines! As with any plant you harvest from the wild, you’ll need to use the identifying characteristics, along with the scientific name, rather than the common name.

Freshly harvested pine needles in a basket

Harvesting Pine

You can harvest pine needles anytime they’re looking good and so are you. Seriously though, the needles can be gathered anytime they are needed, but the fresh springtime tips are more pleasant in taste and tend to be a little more sour than older needles. Cut the tips of the branches using garden scissors or shears, and dry in baskets.

Harvest the bark in the spring, preferably from a tree that needs to be thinned or a tree that’s fallen in a storm. You can alternatively collect a three-to-four-inch diameter branch from a tree, which leaves only one wound on the tree. The outer bark is removed and composted, and the inner bark—the medicinal portion—is scraped free from the wood. Dry on a screen or in a loose-weave basket.

Whenever you go on hikes or camp, keep an eye out for freshly dried, amber-hued pine resin on living pine trees. It’s much easier to harvest when the golden pitch is dried but not super brittle or black. Using a small knife, cut the pitch directly into a small jar, leaving a thin layer intact on the tree (the resin serves to protect the tree from pathogens and insects after injury). Sometimes the resin is dried on the outside and squishy on the inside, so proceed carefully. You can still gather resin that is gooey but it’s messy business indeed.

Pine resin can be dirty with adhering bugs and dirt. Avoid soiled resin if possible but if you end up with a grubby batch, gently heat the resin in a small pot and strain through a fine sieve. Clean the pan and strainer with rubbing alcohol. Store the pitch in jars for up to a few years. The medicinal resin has a distinct “piney” and resinous odor; when it’s past its prime, it will have lost its aroma.

Safety & Contraindications: Do not use pine needles in pregnancy and avoid the long-term internal use of the bark. Both pine needles and pine bark can cause kidney irritation with long-term use in strong doses or with sensitive individuals. Do not use pine resin internally except in minute doses under the direction of a skilled herbalist. Be sure you have correctly identified pine and not a look-alike or a sound-alike (see the notes in the identification section).

There haven’t been any recorded instances of human poisoning from ingesting small amounts of medicinal pine (like the dosages a sensible person would ingest or imbibe). You’ll sometimes read warnings about pine toxicity from authors who mistakenly infer human safety precautions from documented cattle poisonings where the animals are consuming pine needles in copious amounts.

Snow-covered pine (Pinus sp.) needles

References

Moerman DE. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press; 1998.
Wood M. The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants. North Atlantic Books; 2008.
Bensky D, Clavey S, Stöger E. Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica. Eastland Press; 2004.
Moore M. Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West. Museum of New Mexico Press; 2003.
Crellin JK, Philpott J, Bass ALT. A Reference Guide to Medicinal Plants. Duke University Press; 1990.
Burrows GE, Tyrl RJ. Toxic Plants of North America. Wiley; 2012.

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Flavonoid-Rich Hibiscus Chutney Recipe

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Nov 192019

Flavonoid-Rich Hibiscus Chutney Recipe

Written and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor

This Hibiscus Chutney is a favorite at my house any time of year, but it makes an especially nice stand-in for cranberry sauce on the holiday table. You can find this recipe and more in the upcoming Chestnut School Herbal Holiday Guide. Enjoy!

Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa, Malvaceae)
Parts Used: Flowers (technically, calyces)

Brewed as a puckery red tea, hibiscus is enjoyed as a refreshing and medicinal beverage throughout the world. The sour red “fruits” are also enjoyed in jams, chutneys, conserves, and alcoholic fermented beverages. Hibiscus has been widely adopted in tropical regions around the globe as a refreshing medicinal food and beverage. It is quite popular in the Caribbean and Central America as a cold herbal tea mixed with sugar; this drink is called sorrel in the islands and agua de flor de Jamaica in Mexico. It is also widely used in Africa and South America as a beverage tea, medicinal herb, and food. In many parts of the world, roselle “fruits” are sold fresh at market. Roselle has been used medicinally in many traditional cultures for its diuretic, hypotensive, and antimicrobial properties. In Mexico, roselle is highly regarded as a natural liver and kidney tonic and weight-loss herb. With its demulcent and soothing qualities, hibiscus is also used acutely to assuage colds, mouth sores, and sore throat.

Hibiscus is my kind of herb. It is highly medicinal and nutritive and easily prepared in a hundred different ways. Hibiscus is incredibly safe—it is a traditional food, after all. I readily admit to having dreamed up more recipes with hibiscus than with any other herb. Both the immature leaves and calyces are edible. The flavor of the juicy calyx is often likened to rhubarb or cranberry. It can be eaten raw or cooked. Its sour flavor, coupled with its natural pectin content, readily lends itself to jams, pies, sauces, and chutneys. Infused in honey, hibiscus makes a lovely garnet-colored treat with a delectably fruity flavor. To learn about growing hibiscus in your own garden, please visit my article on the subject.

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Cultivating Woodland Herbs: How to Grow Native Forest Medicinals

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Nov 042019

Cultivating Woodland Herbs:
How to Grow Native Forest Medicinals

Written and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor

How to Grow Native Forest Medicinals - Trillium
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Why grow native woodland herbs?

Growing our own medicine—in any setting—creates an intimate connection with healing plants. I’m more engaged with the plants that I see, smell, and feel throughout the seasons. For the most part, these are herbs that I intentionally cultivate for food, medicine, and pleasure. Deep, long-lasting plant friendships are born from these interactions.

There are some important environmental reasons for cultivating rare woodland medicinals as well. We are continuing to lose vast populations of our native flora—many of which are important medicinal plants—as our wild lands are divided to make way for roads, development, lawns, and agriculture. Cultivating shade-loving healing plants in existing woodlands takes the wildcrafting pressure off small populations elsewhere, and reduces the demand for over-harvested wild herbs.

As an added incentive, many of the woodland herbs are easy to cultivate, as compared to our garden herbs. If sited properly, they can generally fend for themselves after the first year or two of life, and require little to no inputs. Many fill the forests with ephemeral flowers and foliage, creating an unparalleled spring landscape.

It’s a simple rule of life that we protect what we know and love. The intact forest—with all of its useful gifts of lumber, food, fiber, biodiversity, beauty, water retention, carbon-sequestering, hammock-hanging, and wildlife habitat—is an entity that invites us to come in and make acquaintances. Cultivating a medicinal garden within the woodland is a mutually beneficial way to build a relationship with your local forest ecosystem.

My garden and nursery in springtime

How to Germinate Woodland Medicinal Seeds

Germinating woodland medicinals requires more skill, attention, and patience than germinating vegetable seeds. The following are some special treatments that woodland seeds may need before they will germinate. You can also find plant-specific germination instructions on the websites of many seed companies, including Strictly Medicinal Seeds and Prairie Moon Nursery.

Planting seeds in small-celled seed trays on a propagation bench with bottom heat

Stratification or Cold Conditioning

Many seeds have a built-in alarm clock that lets them know winter has passed and spring has arrived—that it’s safe to begin life. Stratification is a seasonal simulation that tricks seeds into thinking winter has come and gone by, exposing them to an extended period of cold and moist conditions. My preference is to do this in a controlled manner in the safety of my own home using a Ziploc bag (that’s a Virgo for you). In all seriousness, I find that my germination rate is higher when I stratify indoors (more on this later).

Here’s how you trick those innocent seeds:

Wet some sand slightly so it’s visibly wet but no water comes out when squeezed. I recommend using “play sand” as it is fine, clean of organic matter (which may harbor fungal spores and seed-eating bacteria), and generally light in color (the better to see little seeds with, my dear).

Place a very small amount of the wet sand (2 to 3 tablespoons) in a small Ziploc bag with the seeds. Mix the sand and seeds so that the seeds are evenly distributed; you want each seed to be surrounded by moist sand.

Make a label for the Ziploc bag, place it in a brown paper bag to keep out the light, and store in the refrigerator for 3 weeks to 3 months, depending on the species. If you’re not sure, try one month. You can plant the sand with the seeds, so there will be no need to pick out individual seeds unless they are exceptionally large.

Labeled bags filled with seeds and sand are placed in a brown bag in preparation for refrigeration

You can also naturally stratify woodland medicinal seeds right in the forest. Stratifying seeds outdoors is typically easy and low-tech, and you can plant seeds exactly where you want the plants to grow. So, why wouldn’t you go this route? Stratifying seeds outdoors often results in fewer seedlings because of predation by seed-eating animals and loss from disease and rot. Additionally, if you’re not familiar with the appearance of the seedlings, they can get lost in the riot of growth come spring.

Deep open seed tray, which can be used for overwintering seeds outdoors

Alternately, you can stratify seeds outdoors by planting them in deep seed trays in the fall, which can then be placed on ground cloth or in an unheated greenhouse, cloche, or hoop house. This method is especially suitable for herbs like goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis) and blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) that have a long germination period—on the order of two to three years!

Ginseng (Panax ginseng, P. quinquefolius), blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), black cohosh (Actaea racemosa), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), trillium (Trillium spp.), wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), wild ginger (Asarum canadense), and false unicorn root (Chamaelirium luteum) are a few of the herbs that need stratification to germinate well.

Blue cohosh Caulophyllym thalictroides is a multicycle germinator—seedlings emerge two to three years after planting

Multi-cycle Germinators

Some woodland herbs are known as multi-cycle germinators. These are the trickiest seeds to germinate and often take two years, or sometimes even three, before they will visibly sprout from the ground (some grow a root the first year and exist as a subterranean “sprout,” only to emerge above ground the subsequent year!). Often, these seeds need varying types of stratification, starting with warm, moist conditions for a few months followed by cold, moist conditions for another few months. This slower germination strategy is common with woodland perennial herbs.

To work your stratification magic on these herbs, first prepare your Ziploc seed bags (as outlined above in the section on Stratification), place them in a brown paper bag and hide them away for the first period of warm, moist stratification. I think the back of the undergarment drawer is the perfect locale for warm, moist stratification. Periodically seeing the seeds helps me remember them, and there’s a singular mojo found in that environment, not found in other cupboards or drawers. Later, these can be transitioned to the fridge for their cold, moist cycle.

If you’re planting multi-cycle germinators outdoors, use a deep tray and be aware that some may sprout the first year and others will take their sweet time, sprouting the subsequent year. So, save those trays and watch those woodland beds for a few years before you give up. I’ve had blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides) seeds come up after two winters!

Multi-cycle germinators include:

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa)
Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)
Blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides)
Ginseng (Panax ginseng, P. quinquefolius)
Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum biflorum)

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canandensis) has hydrophilic seeds—the seeds cannot dry out

Hydrophilic Seeds

The seeds of many woodland medicinals are hydrophilic. Translated as “water loving,” hydrophilic seeds won’t tolerate dry storage and should be planted immediately or kept moist for a short time and then planted. Examples include ginseng (Panax spp.), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis), blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), wild ginger (Asarum canadense), bleeding heart (Dicentra spp.), partridge berry (Mitchella repens), and trillium (Trillium spp.).

Surface sowing light-dependent germinating seeds

Light-Dependent Germination

Many seeds have formidable patience and can lay dormant in the soil for decades (or even centuries!) waiting for their big break. Sunlight is the opportunity they’re looking for, and in a natural setting, germination is brought about by wildfire, storm, or tree fall. The forest canopy opens up and the seed has a chance to find its own personal spot in paradise. Most woodland medicinals aren’t light-dependent germinators, with the exception of a few herbs that inhabit the forest edge or sunnier breaks in the canopy, but we’ve included this section because it’s important to be aware of this seed treatment if you’re growing herbs from seed.

You may sow these light-dependent seeds directly onto the surface of the soil and very gently press them down so they make contact with the soil. They should be watered very gently by misting in order not to be washed off the surface of the soil. Many very small seeds are treated in the same manner, as they do not have the reserves to grow above a thick layer of soil. Angelica, bee balm, catnip, lobelia, lovage, mullein, Saint John’s wort, and violet are just a few of the herbs that need sunlight to germinate.

Sawing through a valerian root

Vegetative Propagation of Woodland Medicinals

Vegetative propagation involves making new plants from other plants. This means we’re cloning existing plants through a variety of methods, including stem and root cuttings, and root division. There are many advantages to this approach, including that it’s often easier and more expedient than starting seeds. One disadvantage is that genetically identical plants do not have the resiliency found in the larger gene pool of sexually reproducing plants.

Divided sochan (Rudbeckia laciniata) roots

Division is the easiest form of vegetative propagation. It involves digging up and severing a portion of the root system of a plant, and replanting it. Depending on the plant species and age, 1 to 20 divisions may be made from one plant. In running plants, such as partridge berry (Mitchella repens), wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens), and wood nettle (Laportea canadensis), one digs up the runners (stolons and rhizomes) and plants them in a new site or container.

In clumping plants, such as violet (Viola spp.), black cohosh (Actaea racemosa), blue cohosh (Caulophyllum thalictroides), and spikenard (Aralia racemosa), one can thrust a shovel into the center of the clump and pry free the divisionling. I generally don’t have the heart for this method and prefer digging up the whole plant and getting a good look at its root system. I then divide the roots with a garden knife (hori-hori), shovel, or pruners and replant each section in its new home. Take care to plant your divisionlings with the buds pointing up.

Digging up sochan (Rudbeckia laciniata) with a digging fork; Move around the plant in a circle, prying the root back and forth

Most people divide plants in the fall or spring when they are dormant and the temperatures are not too cold. I prefer to make divisions in the fall as there is generally less garden work than in the springtime, and plant roots will often grow actively over the winter while above-ground photosynthesis is on pause.

Be sure to water in your divisionlings; adding kelp or seaweed extract will encourage root growth, which will increase their chances for survival. Depending on the season, species, size of division, expertise, loving care in the transition to plant independence (watering, soil, etc.) you might have 70 to 100 percent survival.

A cross-section of goldenseal rhizome

Root Cuttings involve digging up a rhizome and cutting off 2- to 3-inch sections with pruners. Ideally the rhizome sections should include the rootlets (smaller, secondary roots) and a large bud or shoot. However, many plants will grow without a visible bud present on the cutting. Place the root cutting directly in the ground with the bud pointing upward, or in a container and keep well-watered until you see the emerging shoot.

Many woodland medicinals are commonly propagated from root cuttings, including blue cohosh, black cohosh, false unicorn, trillium, wild ginger, sweet fern (Comptonia peregrina), wild yam, bloodroot, spikenard (Aralia racemosa), wild geranium (Geranium maculatum), and goldenseal.

Potting divided valerian roots into nursery trays

Potting up divided valerian roots right into nursery trays

Willow Bark Rooting Hormone Recipe

Willow bark extract contains a natural plant hormone called willow-rooting substance, which helps to coordinate plant growth. It can be used as a free natural substitute for commercial rooting powders, and is especially helpful for rooting softwood cuttings.

To prepare you own, cut ten 2- to 3-foot willow branches, preferably in the autumn after the leaves have fallen, then trim the branches into 2-inch lengths. Pour a gallon of water over the cuttings and let stand for 24 to 48 hours. Strain the willow water.

Soak the lower stem portions of the cuttings you wish to root in this solution for 24 hours and then place them in their rooting medium. Any unused liquid can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a year. Some people use willow in a less exact fashion by soaking willow branches in water and using the soak water to water-in cuttings.

Resources

Seeds and Plants

Prairie Moon Nursery
My favorite resource for native plants of the eastern and central United States. Their website has loads of germination and cultivation info, super affordable prices, organically grown plants (although not certified), and the company is cooperatively owned.

Strictly Medicinal Seeds
Formerly known as Horizon Herbs, this Oregon-based business has the largest collection of organically grown medicinal herb seeds and plants (including woodland medicinals and native plants). One of my go-tos for over two decades. Check out the detailed propagation profiles on their website!

Richters
A Canadian nursery offering a huge selection of herb seeds and plants, including rare or hard to find herbs. Sells rare cultivars. Based in Toronto.

Mountain Gardens
The botanical garden of Joe Hollis, who moonlights as an instructor here at the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine. Seeds and bare root plants available by mail—specializing in Appalachian and Chinese medicinal herbs. It may be harder to procure seeds from Mountain Gardens than other suppliers but the quality and mind-boggling selection is worth the extra work! Based in North Carolina.

Web Resources

United Plant Savers
The mission of United Plant Savers is to protect the native medicinal plants of the United States and Canada (and their native habitat) while ensuring an abundant renewable supply of medicinal plants for generations to come. They contribute an incredible body of research and education and tend a botanical sanctuary that is open to the public in Rutland, Ohio.

Medicinal Herbs and Non-timber Forest Products
Useful links to many articles and websites devoted to the topic of cultivating woodland and native medicinal herbs.

Production Guides
A series of planting guides written by Dr. Jeanine Davis and Jackie Greenfield. Covers the specifics of cultivating the following medicinal herbs: American ginseng, black cohosh, bloodroot, false unicorn, ginkgo, goldenseal, skullcap, and wild yam.

Learn more about cultivating woodland herbs in our Planning a Medicinal Forest Garden article.

May your gardens be abundant and provide nourishment, healing, and beauty in your lives!

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Protected: Cultivating Woodland Herbs: Planning a Medicinal Forest Garden

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Oct 022019

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Protected: An Herbalist Interview: Brandon Ruiz of the Charlotte Herbal Accessibility Project

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Sep 172019

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Protected: A Love Letter to Rose

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Sep 122019

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Goldenrod Uses: A Round-Up of Herbal Recipes + Resources

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Aug 212019

Written by Meghan Gemma
Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor
(except where credited)

Goldenrod Uses: A Round-Up of Herbal Recipes + Resources

Among herbal wildflowers, goldenrod (Solidago spp.) has grown itself a special place in our hearts. Lighting up the late summer landscape with a warm glow, this native North American herb has an endearing repertoire of gifts: it’s a natural dye plant, an edible and medicinal herb, and a nectary flower for pollinators.

In homage, we’re placing inspirational information about this golden bloom directly in your hands! We’ve rounded up our favorite articles on using, preparing, and getting to know goldenrod.

Before browsing, I highly recommend listening to this song about Solidago by Josh Fox!

Handmade botanically dyed quilt using goldenrod, turmeric, onion, and sumac. Quilt, dyes, and photo by Kiva Motnyk of Thompson Street Studio.

Dyeing with Goldenrod

Goldenrod’s flowers yield a warm yellow dye that brings the color of soft autumn sunshine to cotton, wool, and silk fabrics. I recommend this tutorial on dyeing with goldenrod by Salt in My Coffee. You can also pick up wonderful information on making successful plant dyes with master dyer Rebecca Desnos here.

Goldenrod Recipes

Goldenrod has a wonderful resiny flavor that infuses beautifully into tea, honey, and baked goods. It can be imbibed or eaten for both medicine and pleasure. The blooms and leaves can also be used to craft medicinal oils and salves for topical use on the skin (see our article on making calendula oils and salves and swap in goldenrod flowers and leaves). These are a few of the most enticing goldenrod recipes I’ve encountered:

Goldenrod Tea: An Herb for Urinary Tract Infections. This is our personal recipe for clearing up pesky urinary tract infections. Best of all: it’s delicious and features marshmallow, corn silk, and uva-ursi.
Goldenrod Tincture: A Sinus Formula for Allergies, Colds, and Flu. Our go-to formula for sinus congestion related to allergies, colds, flu, and sinus infections.
Holding Onto Gold - A Tea for Darker Days by The Wondersmith, featuring the uplifting medicine of goldenrod, rose, and anise hyssop.
Goldenrod Cornbread, also by The Wondersmith. A gluten-free recipe seasonally flavored with goldenrod flowers, sunflower seeds, and pecans.
Goldenrod Infused Oil by Robin Rose Bennett. This medicinal oil is a traditional remedy for aches, strains, and sprains.

Holding Onto Gold: A Tea for Darker Days by Miss Wondersmith

Holding Onto Gold: A Tea for Darker Days. Miss Wondersmith.

Goldenrod Ecology and Ethnobotany

Goldenrod Benefits: The Bee's Knees for Allergies, Sinus Infections, and Urinary Tract Infections. Check it out! This is a special sneak peek from our Online Herbal Immersion, and it includes detailed information on identifying, gathering, preparing, and using goldenrod.

Goldenrod and Asters: My Life With Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer. This is an excerpt from Kimmerer’s heart-stirring book, Braiding Sweetgrass. I recommend her book and writing to just about everyone! She is a plant ecologist, writer, professor, and citizen of the Potawatomi Nation.

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

Meet Our Contributors:

These days, she channels her botanical obsession with writing and photography in her online programs and here on her personal blog, Castanea. She's writing her first book: Cultivating Medicinal Herbs: Grow, Harvest, and Prepare Handcrafted Remedies from Your Home Garden. Juliet and her houseplants share a home with her family and herb books in Asheville, North Carolina.

Are you intrigued with the idea
of foraging but intimidated by where to start?

The course begins with the basic ground rules of foraging safety and ethics, and then moves on to botany and plant identification. Before you know it, you’ll have the skills and confidence to safely identify and harvest wild plants.

You’ll befriend THE most common edible and medicinal wayside plants, including dandelion, stinging nettles, violet, yarrow, burdock, rose, goldenrod, and many others. The printable manual is hundreds of pages long and filled with close-up photos for identification, medicinal uses, and loads of easy-to-follow recipes. In fact, most of our plant profiles contain more detail than you’ll find in any book on wild foods and herbs.

Registration for the Foraging Course will re-open in 2020.

Sign up for free tutorials (videos + articles) on Foraging and herbal medicine, and to be notified when enrollment reopens.

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Homegrown and Wild Harvested Aromatic Smoke Sticks

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Aug 092019

Homegrown and Wild Harvested Aromatic Smoke Sticks

Written and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor

Homegrown and Wild Harvested Smoke Sticks

Aromatic plant smoke holds an ancient and familiar allure. The alchemy of transforming dried plants into fragrant smoke has a profound effect on the feeling—or energy—of a space or person. There’s a reason that cultures all around the globe burn aromatic plants in ceremony and religious practices. The emotional sway of scent, coupled with smoke, is universal and dare I say, unparalleled.

Throughout history, people have burned a large number of plants in the form of incense, resins, and leafy bundles, for various spiritual and practical purposes. Certain botanicals contain essential oils that act as a deterrent to insects. When these plants are burned, the essential oils carried in the aromatic smoke helps drive away pests like mosquitos, fleas, and biting flies. Additionally, the smoke from such plants is often antimicrobial. In one study, various plants were burned to release smoke into the air, effectively reducing airborne populations of pathogenic bacteria by 94% in one hour. Another study examined the antimicrobial effects of smoke obtained from various South African plants that are traditionally burned, and found the smoke to be more antimicrobial than other extracts from the same plants.

Having lived in the humid southeast in various primitive structures, I can personally attest to smoke’s ability to deter mold. You can imagine the importance of aromatic plant smoke before the invention of doors, screens, and contemporary hygiene practices. Burning fragrant leaves and resins helped keep people and their spaces healthy!

People also burn aromatic plants for the enjoyment of the scent or to promote positive feelings. If you diffuse essential oils in your home or light natural aromatherapy candles, you’re using a concentrated form of botanical aroma. Burning smoke sticks, resins, or aromatic leaves is simply a less concentrated way of releasing essential oils—and related aromatic plant compounds—coupled with the visual and olfactory mystique of smoke.

The spiritual and religious traditions of burning aromatic botanicals are rich and varied, traversing almost every religion and continent. The ancient Egyptians burned botanical incense as much as four thousand years ago. Aromatic plant smoke figures into the ceremonies of Buddhists, Christians, Taoists, Pagans, and Hindus.

Throughout North America, various Native peoples have bundled and burned aromatic herbs for centuries. Plants such as white sage (Salvia apiana), sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), and sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) are used in ceremony and for other healing purposes. The practices and rituals vary among groups, with very specific and deliberate traditions.

I am of European descent and am not trained in any one culture’s traditional practices or ceremonies, therefore I am careful to not portray my bundling or burning as traditional Native American in style or practice. Additionally, I gather or grow plants that were traditionally used for aromatic smoke in Europe, and incorporate these into my bundles. As such, I will refer to these aromatic bundles as “smoke sticks,” as this is more universally applied. I’m specifically avoiding the terms “smudge sticks” or “smudging,” as these refer to specific practices, which belong to certain indigenous cultures in the Americas.

Many indigenous groups believe that aromatic plant bundles should not be sold but instead should be traded, gifted, or homemade. All the more reason to learn how to make your own!

Harvesting and bundling aromatic smoke sticks is actually quite easy and fun. Consider hosting a gathering with a group of friends—each bringing material from her own garden or neighborhood—and combining the botanical bounty into collective aromatic smoke bundles. Every time you burn a stick, the warmth of your friendships will be rekindled!

Homegrown herbs for preparing smoke bundles: Bergamot, anise hyssop, lavender, yarrow, and white sage

Plants for Making Herbal Aromatic Smoke Bundles

When making herbal bundles, stick to plants that have traditionally been burned for their aromatic smoke, as some species of plants produce smoke that is toxic. In other words, it’s best not to experiment with burning unknown plants. The plants in the following list were traditionally gathered, bundled, and burned in Europe for their aromatic smoke (except for white sage, which heralds from southern California).

Consider starting with one or more of these plants, combining a variety of botanicals with varying textures and hues. Add a splash of color with these beauties: lavender (Lavandula spp.), rose petals (Rosa spp.), Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha), Russian sage (Perovskia atriplicifolia), and purple varieties of basil and tulsi (Ocimum spp.). Attaching individual floral petals—as opposed to floral branches—is a little tricky and takes some extra finessing.

Garden sage (Salvia officinalis)

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Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis) is harvested in midsummer before the plants begin to flower. The smoke is used to ward off negative energies, purify spaces, and offer protection. Sage is also said to absorb malevolent thoughts and feelings.

Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana)

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Juniper (Juniperus spp.) has been used in many European traditions to ward off evil or bad energies and to offer protection. Juniper grows wild throughout much of North America and Eurasia. You can use any species of juniper, which is also called cedar (be aware that there are other conifers that are also called cedar).

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

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Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is burned to impart relaxation and a sense of calm. It can be used to assuage trauma and grief, and to lessen anxiety. The grayish texture of the leaves and the purple splash of the floral wands add an herbal flair to botanical bundles.

Aromatic garden with anise hyssop, eucalyptus, western mugwort and sweetfern

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Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) is traditionally burned to enhance dreaming and divination. Mugwort is native to Eurasia and now grows wild throughout North America. Gather the plants before they bloom. Consider it a European analogue to its close relative sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), although they have a different fragrance and tradition of use.

Potted 'Barbeque' rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis 'Barbeque')

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Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is easily grown in the home herb garden. Gather the sprigs in midsummer; the flowering branches add beauty but aren’t necessary. Rosemary is burned to purify and protect spaces and increase alertness and vitality. It has traditionally been used to bolster self-confidence and resolve.

White sage (Salvia apiana) growing in my North Carolina garden

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White Sage (Salvia apiana) is native to the coastal foothills of southern California and is overharvested—primarily for aromatic smoke sticks. Purchase cultivated white sage bundles or grow your own. See my article on growing white sage. Garden sage can be used in lieu of white sage, although they do have a different aroma and feeling. I use white sage to clear the energy of a space and to bless gatherings. This comes from my personal relationship with the plant and is not derived from traditional Native American use of the plant in ceremony.

Homegrown aromatic smoke sticks prepared from white sage, lavender, rosemary, and Mexican sage

How to Prepare Herbal Smoke Sticks

Before harvesting, take the time to center yourself and cultivate a state of peaceful mindfulness. Consider sitting with the plant and simply breathing in silence, taking the opportunity to observe the plant’s beauty and strength. Throughout the world, traditional peoples ask permission from medicinal and ceremonial plants before harvesting. This practice fosters humility and interconnection.

Whatever your beliefs, a feeling of gratitude and appreciation sets the stage for a lovely harvesting and bundling session. As always, be sure of your identification and only gather plants that are abundant and haven’t been sprayed.

Don’t take too much from any one plant—cut a little and then move on to the next plant. Before harvesting, seek permission from the landowner, or if you’re on public land, from the appropriate governmental agency. For more on harvesting safety and ethics, see my article here.

1. Cut eight- to ten-inch sprigs from the plant. Depending on the plant(s), you’ll want 5 to 10 sprigs per bundle.

2. Arrange your sprigs in the same direction in two- to three-inch diameter bundles. You can prepare bundles made from one type of plant or you can prepare mixed bundles comprised of different species. Your bundle will shrink as it dries, so make it a tad plumper than the desired size. However, if the bundle is too thick and you live in a humid climate, it increases the chance of it molding on the inside.
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Arrange 5-10 sprigs of your plant (or plants) in the same direction

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3. Using any kind of natural twine, cut a piece that is about five to six times the length of the bundle. Tightly encircle the base of the bundle and tie it off in a knot, leaving the long end of the twine free. As the plant material dries, the bundle will shrink, so it’s important to tie your bundle tightly so it doesn’t fall apart.
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Tightly encircle the base of the bundle and tie it off in a knot, leaving the long end of the twine free

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4. Wrap your twine up and around the bundle at a diagonal angle (like the stripes on a candy cane), remembering to pull the string taut as you go. Fold the plant material over at the top to make a neater edge, if desired. Now circle back down at a diagonal angle, crossing over the rising twine, making little “X’s” as you go. If your bundle is a little rough around the edges, you can circle up and over one more time. Tie off the string at the bottom of the bundle after encircling the base again. If your bundle is a little unruly, don’t worry: it will become tamer as it dries.
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Wrap your twine up and around the bundle at a diagonal angle

Circle back down the bundle crossing over the rising twine to make little "X's" as you go

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5. Dry your bundles by spreading them out in a warm, dry space. Heat and air movement will hasten the drying, which is important if you live in a humid climate. If the bundle dries too slowly, the interior will mold. If you live in a dry climate or are heating or air-conditioning your home, this isn’t a concern. Test for dryness after four to seven days by bending the plant material: if the plant breaks and feels crisp, it’s dry and ready for igniting!
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Eastern red cedar aromatic smoke stick

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6. Store your bundles in jars to preserve freshness and aroma. If you live in a humid climate, this is essential to prevent molding and to keep the sticks dry enough to burn.

Smoldering aromatic smoke stick resting in an abalone shell

Burning Smoke Sticks

Light the tip of your smoke stick with a lighter, candle, or match. If the flame doesn’t go out on its own after five seconds, gently blow it out. Hold the smoldering stick over an abalone shell or a fire-resistant, shallow bowl to catch any falling ashes. (Some species of abalone have been overharvested so be sure to purchase shells that have been farmed rather than wild harvested.) If you’re releasing aromatic smoke into an indoor space, you can move through the area with your bundle and gently blow on it or fan it with a feather.

If you’re offering healing smoke to a person, it’s preferable to be outdoors. Fan the smoke over the person with a feather or your hand. There are different traditions for smoke cleansing people and spaces—these don’t necessarily have an overarching or universal protocol.

Consider quieting your mind in silence before igniting your bundle while setting an intention for the session. Gratitude for the plant’s aromatic oils sets a respectful tone. Remember, many indigenous cultures have traditional rituals and specific practices around smoke healing or cleansing. If this is not part of your culture, or you haven’t been trained and granted permission by that culture to share, please do not present yourself publicly as having the proper understanding of those traditions. Instead, consider looking to your ancestral heritage for guidance around aromatic smoke traditions.

After the initial aromatic smoke is released, the plant material will often continue to smolder and begin to release an unpleasant smoky smell. For this reason, I like to snuff out my smoke stick outdoors by rubbing the tip against the same abalone shell I use to catch ashes, and leave it outdoors for five minutes until the smell has dissipated.

It’s important to be aware that various plants burn differently: some herbs will slowly smolder, while others are quick to ignite with a powerful flame, and a few will even crackle with miniature explosive sparks. If you’re working with a new plant, be sure to light your bundle outdoors in a safe space where a wayward spark won’t ignite a fire!
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Never leave a burning smoke stick unattended

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Never leave a burning smoke stick unattended. If you have children at home, be sure to teach them fire safety when igniting bundles—children love to imitate adults and are naturally curious about fire. Smoke can trigger asthma attacks and aggravate respiratory conditions—avoid smoke cleansing around smoke-sensitive individuals.

Preparing and burning aromatic plant bundles is a pleasurable way to connect with plants, our ancestral traditions, and the seasons. Tying bundles is a blessed embodiment of these vital relationships.

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Goldenrod Tea: An Herbal Blend for Urinary Tract Infections

Uncategorized

Jul 302019

Written and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor

Goldenrod Tea An Herbal Blend for Urinary Tract Infections

Need to get your urinary tract back on track? This tea blend is helpful for addressing the symptoms and the root cause (primarily, bacterial infection) of urinary tract infections (UTIs). The herbs in this formula soothe inflamed urinary mucosal membranes through their demulcent, astringent, and anti-inflammatory actions. They are also antimicrobial as well as diuretic—they help flush out bacteria by promoting urination.

It’s important that the tea be drunk at room temperature, which augments the herbs’ diuretic effect. It is also prudent to take an immune-stimulating tincture—along with the tea—to enhance the body’s innate immune efforts in combating the bacterial infection. Good immune-stimulating medicinals for UTIs include echinacea (Echinacea purpurea), spilanthes (Acmella oleracea), and usnea (Usnea spp.) Additionally, you can drink unsweetened cranberry and blueberry juice along with the tea. Avoid sugar and natural sweeteners until the infection clears.

Admiring a golden friend (Goldenrod - Solidago spp.) in the wild

Admiring a golden friend (Solidago spp.) in the wild

If the infection worsens or fails to clear up after three days, consult your health care provider—antibiotics may be necessary. If you develop a fever, lower back pain, or feel really sick and achy, you may have a kidney infection; seek immediate medical attention, as kidney infections have the potential to irreparably damage the kidneys and are best resolved by antibiotics, not herbs.

Most UTIs are caused by bacteria found in the vagina or genitourinary tract (much rarer) but sometimes they are caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If you have had unprotected sex, or your partner has potentially had unprotected sex, you’ll want to rule out an STI as the cause of infection.

1 Tablespoon goldenrod flower and leaf (Solidago spp.)
1 Tablespoon marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis)
2 Tablespoons corn silk (Zea mays)
1½ Tablespoons uva-ursi leaf (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

If the uva-ursi leaf is whole, crush it with a mortar and pestle or grind in a coffee grinder. Add the uva-ursi and marshmallow root to 32 ounces (1 L) of water in a small pot. Simmer covered for twenty minutes. Turn off the heat and add the corn silk and goldenrod. Infuse covered until the tea cools to room temperature and strain. Adults may drink up to 4 cups (32 ounces or 1 L) a day for up to one week.

The measurements in this blend are for dried cut and sifted herbs (store-bought). If you’re using homegrown or wildcrafted herbs—or fresh herbs—use larger quantities. See below for important precautions regarding uva-ursi.

Safety and Contraindications: Goldenrod can be overly drying as a beverage or tonic tea for people with a dry constitution, as it is diuretic, astringent, and decongestant. Short-term usage shouldn’t be a problem. Do not use in pregnancy. Although rare, goldenrod has caused allergic contact dermatitis after both handling and oral administration.¹ Those with Asteraceae allergies should exercise caution with goldenrod. If you are harvesting your own goldenrod, be sure to gather only true Solidago species because there are deadly look-alikes (please see my in-depth article on goldenrod for details).

Herbs for UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections):
Co-Starring Herbal Featurettes

A bee pollinating goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

**Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)**

Goldenrod has a wonderful affinity for the urinary tract and is beneficial as a diuretic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory herb to soothe urinary tract infections. The diuretic property of goldenrod is also helpful in addressing edema, gout, and kidney stones.

You can find information on goldenrod’s Safety and Contraindications above, and please take a peek at my article on goldenrod's medicinal uses for even more information.

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)

**Marshmallow (*Althaea officinalis***)

Marshmallow’s demulcent roots and leaves have been used for medicine since ancient times. This perennial wildflower and garden herb is well-loved by herbalists for its soothing, demulcent properties, especially for addressing issues with the urinary, digestive, and respiratory tracts.

Marshmallow can be taken internally as a warm or cold infusion (tea), powder, or food herb (add to salads, smoothies, or just have a nibble).

Safety and Contraindications: Marshmallow has no known adverse side effects but some herbalists still caution about its use during pregnancy, as there are no studies confirming its safety.

Corn Silk (Zea mays)

**Corn Silk (*Zea mays***)

When shucking corn over the summer, save your corn silk, as it’s valuable medicine. Corn silk is one of my most treasured remedies for the urinary tract with its soothing, cooling, diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to relieve urinary tract infections and also eases general urethral irritation, as in interstitial cystitis. It is better as a tea than a tincture, as its demulcent properties are not alcohol-soluble; plus, the extra fluid inherent in tea is helpful when working with urinary problems.

Safety and Contraindications: Only use the silk from organically-grown corn. No other known precautions.

Uva-Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Uva-Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Uva-ursi, also known as bearberry or kinnikinnick, is a native North American evergreen herb related to cranberry. In my experience, it’s the most useful antimicrobial and astringent remedy for UTIs. Of any herb, it’s the most likely to effectively throw off the bacteria causing an infection.

Safety and Contraindications: Contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding.¹ Due to its high levels of tannins, it should only be used on a short-term basis and is contraindicated in constipation, iron deficiency anemia, and malnutrition. GI irritation is possible due to tannins as well. Use cautiously in the presence of ulcers and inflammatory digestive conditions.¹

Want to know even more about goldenrod? We share all about identifying, growing, gathering, and using this native wildflower here.

References

Mills, S., and Bone, K. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety (Elsevier Health Sciences, 2005).

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Older Entries

Written and Photographed by Mary Plantwalker

The Right Tool for the Job

Best Gardening Tools for Hauling

Garden Cart

5-Gallon Buckets

Tarps

- Tool Belt

- Peach Baskets

Best Gardening Tools for Planting

Digging Fork

- Hori Hori

- Shovel

Pitchfork

- Bulb Planter

Best Gardening Tools for Watering

Hose

- Hose Nozzles

Watering Can

Best Gardening Tools for Weeding

Wheel Hoe

Weed Eater or String Trimmer

Sickle

Best Gardening Tools for Pruning

- Hand Pruners

- Loppers

Handsaw

And…

Maintenance Practices

Want to take a deeper dive into medicinal herbs and their uses?

Pursue Your Dreams!

Get 100 pages of herbal resources with our Budding Herbalist Guide!

Written by Meghan Gemma with Juliet BlankespoorPhotography by Juliet Blankespoor

-Ready to start or expand your herb garden?

Elderberry(Sambucus nigra, S. nigra var. canadensis, Adoxaceae)

Edibility

How to Grow + Gather Elderberry

Lemon Balm(Melissa officinalis, Lamiaceae)

Edibility

How to Grow + Gather Lemon Balm

Rose(Rosa spp., Rosaceae)

Edibility

How to Grow + Gather Rose

References

Want to take a deeper dive into medicinal herbs and their uses?

Pursue Your Dreams!

Get 95 pages of herbal resources with our Budding Herbalist Guide!

Written and Photographed by Mary Plantwalker

I love herbal medicine but I’ve never grown herbs—how do I begin an herb garden?

The Time Is Now to Start Your First Herb Garden

The Inner Garden Journey

Herb Garden Layout

Visuals

Soil

Light and Height

Companion Plants

Harvesting Herbal Medicine

Digging In: Planting Your Medicinal Herb Garden

In the Zone

Herb Seeds or Transplants?

Annual Herbs vs. Perennial Herbs

Best Medicinal Herbs to Grow for Beginners

Anise Hyssop

Borage

Calendula

Catnip

Chamomile

Holy Basil, aka Tulsi

Lemon Balm

Oregano

-A Word to the Wise

Your Healing Herb Garden

References

Want to take a deeper dive into medicinal herbs and their uses?

Pursue Your Dreams!

Get 95 pages of herbal resources with our Budding Herbalist Guide!

Written by Meghan Gemma with Juliet BlankespoorPhotography by Juliet Blankespoor(except where credited)

Lamb’s Quarters (Chenopodium album, Amaranthaceae)

Plantain (Plantago spp., Plantaginaceae)

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense, Fabaceae)

Other Wild Edible + Medicinal Garden Herbs

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Tool Belt

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Peach Baskets

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Hori Hori

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Shovel

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Bulb Planter

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Hose Nozzles

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Hand Pruners

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Loppers

Written by Meghan Gemma with Juliet Blankespoor
Photography by Juliet Blankespoor

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Ready to start or expand your herb garden?

Elderberry
(Sambucus nigra, S. nigra var. canadensis, Adoxaceae)

Lemon Balm
(Melissa officinalis, Lamiaceae)

Rose
(Rosa spp., Rosaceae)

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A Word to the Wise

Written by Meghan Gemma with Juliet Blankespoor
Photography by Juliet Blankespoor
(except where credited)

Lamb’s Quarters
**(Chenopodium album, Amaranthaceae)**

Plantain
**(Plantago spp., Plantaginaceae)**

Red Clover
**(Trifolium pratense, Fabaceae)**

The Many Uses of Violet:
A Round-Up of Herbal Resources & Recipes

Written by Meghan Gemma
Photography by Juliet Blankespoor (except where credited)

Written by Meghan Gemma
Photography by Juliet Blankespoor

Violet Springtime Fairy Vinegar:
A Mineral-Rich Spring Tonic

Written by Juliet Blankespoor with Meghan Gemma
Photography by Juliet Blankespoor

Written by Mary Plantwalker
Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor