Category: herbalism
-
Crafting Heart-Healthy Teas: The Magic of Hawthorn
This is Part 2 in my series about Heart Health and healing matters of the heart. Hawthorn (Cretaegus monogyna and other spp.) has long been seen as a medicinal plant, mainly in Western herbalism. Hawthorn berries are the most frequent part made into herbal medicines, though the leaves and flowers carry medicinal qualities too. Hawthorn…
-
Healing Heartbreak with The Magic of Wild Roses
Valentine’s Day is coming soon and a lot of people will be either giving or receiving roses. But did you know that roses are medicinal? This is the first post in a short series I’m writing about matters of the heart; both the physical AND the emotional heart. Rose petals and hips are the parts…
-
Benefits of American Reishi Mushroom: A Complete Guide
The American native Reishi mushroom, also known as Ganoderma tsugae, grows on the Eastern white hemlock tree (Tsuga canadensis.) If you wild harvest some of this amazing mushroom, be sure to slice it up within a few days after you cut it off the tree. Reishi dries as hard as wood VERY quickly and once…
-
Wormwood: Cleansing You Body, Mind, and Spirit
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthium) is a perennial herb with a long and fascinating history. Known for its distinctive bitter taste, it has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and culinary practices across various cultures. I have two big wormwood bushes in my yard that come back every year and I’m trying to grow more this…
-
Comfrey! One of my Top 5 Must-Have Herbs
I’m writing about Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) this week partly because so many people asked for it and partly because it really is one of my favorite herbs. I LOVE how quickly and amazingly comfrey or an infused oil of comfrey heals bruises, sprained ankles, small cuts, or helps mend broken bones. I (sort of )…
-
Herbal Remedies for Back Pain and Inflammation
Are you in pain today? I am. Pain is caused by inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injuries or infections. The inflamed tissue swells up in an effort to heal itself and as a result, presses on the nerves in that area. Pressure on the nerves causes pain. There are two types of…
-
Garlic: A Powerful Food and Medicine Combination
I finally got my small garlic crop into the ground this past week and I thought it would be a great time to talk about why I think EVERYONE (who isn’t allergic) should be eating garlic. I’ve come a long way from the time some garlic bulbs sprouted in my pantry and I dug a…
-
An Uncomfortable Truth
You’re probably reading my blog because you’re interested in finding natural ways to heal yourself, particularly with herbs or wild plants. It’s very possible that you are also a Healer of some kind, or an aspiring Herbalist. You’re looking for answers to help stop the pain, whether that’s for you or for a family member…
-
Herbs to Combat Stress and Anxiety Naturally
I have been stressed as hell for months now. Thankfully, I have not experienced any debilitating anxiety. However, I know lots of people who deal with that every day too. I can’t even imagine how tough my life would feel if I was dealing with anxious feelings or panic attacks on top of what I’m…
-
Why Tinctures are my favorite
There is a time and a place for each and every different medicinal preparation. Each remedy can be helpful for multiple reasons. Tea is excellent and my preferred method for healing upset stomach, digestive problems, stomach flu, or simply to warm a body up in cool weather. Flower essences are super helpful at changing your…