When many people think of making herbal extracts, their first thought is to use alcohol. But, what if you don’t use alcohol for any other reason, or you simply want an alternative? You can try using a food grade glycerin to get what is called a glycerite. Glycerin is a great way to extract the… [read more]
Eczema Skin Cream To Help Soothe Flare Ups
Eczema is an itchy skin condition that is more than just dry skin. It can look like patches of dry, red, inflamed skin anywhere on the body. While what causes eczema outbreaks is different for each person, it is thought to be linked to an auto-immune response in the body. Sometimes dairy, gluten or other… [read more]
The Difference Between a Tincture, Glycerite, and Infusion
Herbal tinctures, glycerites, and infusions are a great way to get the medicinal properties of herbs into a usable form. Your herbal medicine cabinet is probably already full of different herbs in each of these forms. You will get some of the best qualities from each herb, depending on how you use them. So, what… [read more]
Cold Relief Tincture
A tincture is an herbal extract that uses an alcohol menstruum to extract the medicinal qualities. To make a good quality tincture, the highest alcohol by volume (80%) is most often used. This may be brandy, vodka, or everclear. The cheapest, bottom shelf alcohol is fine for this. The alcohol does the job of pulling… [read more]
Gardener Salve {perfect for rough, dry hands or feet}
Gardening and digging in the dirt is one of the most enjoyable activities I’ve ever known. However, the constant dirt and subsequent washing of my hands can dry them out in no time. Even with gloves, my hands get so dry after gardening. This gardener salve is soothing to the skin and can ease rough, dry… [read more]
How To Make Fire Cider
When the seasons change, colds and sickness can occur. Even if you eat a real foods diet, get proper rest and fluids, you can still get sick. One way to combat those symptoms is by making fire cider. What is fire cider? It’s a spicy hot, deliciously sweet vinegar tonic. First concocted in the kitchen… [read more]
How To Make Elderberry Syrup {and why you want to}
When the seasons change, does someone in your family get sick? Does the idea of scouring the cold and flu section at the drugstore have you screaming into the night with all the choices there are? Are you wondering if there is a better way at helping your family deal with cold or flu symptoms?… [read more]
How To Fight the Flu Naturally
It starts out with a bit of cough. Then, your throat begins to feel sore, your body begins to ache and you are just tired. You try and deny it, but after a few hours, you are feeling worse and worse. You finally have to admit. It’s the flu. Even in the Spring and Summer,… [read more]
Arnica Muscle Pain Relief Balm With Warming Cayenne
Got tired, achy muscles after a workout or a day in the garden? Soothe those tired, achy muscles naturally with this herbal arnica muscle pain relief balm. After a long day outside gardening, you can get tired, achy muscles. Digging, planting, bending over, getting up and down, even lifting and hauling heavy items can play havoc… [read more]
10 Child Friendly Herbs And Essentials to Have While Traveling
When we went to Arizona last fall, we drove over 4,000 miles in 8 days. As a Family Herbalist, you would think that I would have been ready for anything that came up, right? Hmmm…maybe. When my son got sick due to over-indulgence from rich, greasy foods, I had a severe case of the mama… [read more]