The cold and flu season is nearly upon us, and I want to be ready. Yes, I feed my family a whole foods diet, rich in nutrients and vitamins and minerals. But, despite my best efforts, sometimes a bug comes to stay in our house. Of course, my kids learned how to share, so they …
How to Make Elderberry Syrup with dried Elderberries Read More »
Chamomile, or Matricaria recutita is a very familiar herb to many. It is often found in tea blends, body lotions, or even soaps commercially. Also can be known as ground apples, garden chamomile, pin heads, chamomile consists of the fresh or dried flower heads. Some of it’s benefits include: anti-inflammatory anti-bacterial anti-fungal nervine (soothing to the …
A flowering plant in the Asteraceae family, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) can be found just about everywhere in North America as well as in Europe, Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. This is a plant with a ton of benefits. Not only does it have medicinal properties, but it can be used in many different kitchen recipes …
Astragalus is a Chinese legume, often used in culinary medicine in healing soups or other nourishing foods. It is an adaptogen, which means that it helps the body return to normal function, especially during times of stress. It is safe for most situations, even with long term use as there are no known contradications. It …
Being out in the sun, wind, cold, any time of year is a necessity for homesteaders. After all, that’s where the animals live, right? (unless you’re one of my goats, in which case, you keep coming into the house and kicking the dog off her bed, but that’s another story) Keeping your lips protected from being …
Dandelion Infused Lip Balm (all natural chapstick) Read More »
After a long day gardening, a long hot bath is just the ticket to soothe sore and tired muscles. Herb infused bath salts, hot water, a few candles and some soft piano music to the rescue! (if you were to grab a glass of red wine, I sure won’t tell) Adding bath salts to your …
Red clover is great! Besides being a nitrogen fixer in the garden, an edible flower to enjoy, first food for bees, red clover or Trifolium pratense can also help cells regenerate and has anti-inflammatory properties that make it wonderful to have as a salve on hand for minor skin complaints like eczema, psoriasis, and acne. …
How To Make a Red Clover Skin Salve with Calendula and Comfrey Read More »
Comfrey is an amazing herb. This comfrey salve is a must have for your home herbal apothecary. Comfrey is known to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic and decongestant properties. It is also known as one of the herbs to heal broken bones. I like to have this salve to use on bumps and bruises. Comfrey root salve has …
Elderberry wine was traditionally used for influenza and the ill effects of the chills, and the juice of the black elderberry has historically been an invaluable remedy. The elder has often been called the ‘medicine chest” of the country people. [source] I always have some dried elderberries on hand to make syrups, but I have …
I have a confession to make…I don’t use regular shampoo. I don’t like all the ingredients in there, like surfectants, detergents, sls. Don’t even get me started on the foaming agents! The chemicals in the common shampoo are not good for your body at all. Since your skin (scalp) is the largest organ of your body, …
