Category: herbalism
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Herbal Experimentation
While I have had some herbalist education, listen to educational podcasts, and look through my herbal healing books on a regular basis, I do not consider myself an expert. I am more knowledgeable than most, and I continue to learn something new about herbs and the way they work every day. Part of this learning…
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Steamin’ and Dreamin’
Oh man. Being sick sucks! I’ve had some kind of respiratory thing going on for over a week now, causing mucous in my sinuses to increase to disgustingly high levels. I feel like the snot troll monster from Earnest Scared Stupid. At this point, the mucous has decided to leave my sinuses alone for awhile…
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Fire Cider Time
It’s that time of year again! I was always taught that you only harvest horseradish (the key ingredient in fire cider) in months that end in an “R”, and since September was still hot and dry, I waited until early October to harvest my root crops. Unfortunately, my attempt at growing ginger this year was…
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Masterful Mullein! How this common weed helps you breathe better
Mullein is a common herb in North America, though just like dandelion and plantain it is not native to this land. It’s even considered an invasive species in many parts of the country. You have probably seen it in a ditch on the roadside, or growing near your favorite walking path, or by the fence…
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Sage: Know it, Love it, Burn it!
The one thing that every good chef and every good pagan have in common is that they know how to utilize some of the many benefits of sage. There are two main types of sage we are generally talking about here: common garden sage (salvia officinalis) and White Sage (salvia apiana.) In my personal practice,…
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Favorite Herb this Week: Mugwort!
Most people HATE mugwort. Honestly, I was one of them up until quite recently. I had an enormous patch… like a whole quarter of what was supposed to be my big vegetable garden, that was just inundated with Artemesia vulgaris. Mugwort spreads under the ground, so pulling some out here or there doesn’t really do…
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My Favorite Herb This Week: Usnea
Usnea, A.K.A “Lungs of the Forest” I tell you what, my friends: Usnea tincture is my BEST FRIEND this year. Usnea is that sort of furry-looking green lichen that you see hanging off trees this time of year, or that often blows down from high above during a wind storm. Winter is the best time…