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 …
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, …
Gardener Hand Salve Recipe (For Rough, Dry Hands and Feet) Read More »
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 …
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 …
Arnica Muscle Pain Relief Balm With Warming Cayenne Read More »
Blue hyssop is a beautiful perennial that blooms in the summer with clusters of light blue flowers. Plant it in your garden and enjoy its beauty, or use its leaves and flowers for herbal remedies. Learn more about growing blue hyssop, using it, and harvesting it here. I’ll tell you everything you need to know! …
With all the information out there on herbs, it’s hard to know where to even start. While it’d be great to be able to run out and forage for, or purchase all the herbs known to mankind, it’s just not that feasible in the budget for most of us. In many cases, it’s not necessary …
Chickweed, or Stellaria media is also known by the names “scarwort”, “star weed”, and “satin flower”. It’s a common weed, easily found all over the world. It’s edible and has an abundance of nutrients, including protein, vitamins and minerals. Externally, it is used for wounds, even on open skin, for drawing out toxins and increasing …
Shhh… can I tell you a secret? It’s one that she doesn’t even know herself. But, Jan from Nerdy Farm Wife is the person I would most like to be like if I grow up. I love her blog, and all the amazing things she does with flowers, herbs and plants all around her. As …
101 Easy Homemade Products for Your Skin, Health & Home: An Honest Review Read More »
I have been studying herbalism and aromatherapy for nearly a year now. I have enjoyed each and every day, learning new things and putting those things into practice. While this is not an exhaustive list of “must have” books, and my library is sure to keep growing, here are some of my favorite resources that …
The Home Herbalist Library: 17 Good Books To Have Read More »
Wild Cherry Bark, Prunus serotina, is an herb that is often lesser known. The bark is stripped from young plants in early fall, and dried in the shade to avoid losing the essential oil properties. It has anti-tussive, expectorant, astrigent and sedative properties. It has a traditional use of being used as a cough suppressant, …
