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Milk Oats actions are antidepressant, demulcent, nervine, nutritive, and tonic. This combination of actions may seem minor, but together they form a powerful tonic that is focused on the nervous system. Milky oats are known to help un-frazzle nerves, relieving anxiety, tension, and even panic attacks. It's been used to treat insomnia and sexual dysfunction when caused by nervous energy. Traditionally, milky oats have also been used to aid in soothing the symptoms of with

Feverfew is analgesic (reduces pain), antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic (helps with arthritis), antispasmodic, diaphoretic (reduces fevers), emmenagogue (promotes menstrual flow), and a vasodilator (lowers blood pressure). Traditional and common uses are to reduce fevers, arthritis pain, dermatitis, migraines, PMS, tinnitus, vertigo, and has been shown to help inhibit breast and prostate cancer cells. Harvest the top 1/3 of the plant and dehydrate. Strip off flower

Red clover is considered a strong alterative for the skin and nervous system. Alteratives help the body function correctly. It also has antispasmodic, nervine, and expectorant actions. Red clover is commonly used to help hormonal imbalances during menopause, helping to reduce hot flashes and other symptoms. As an expectorant, it helps to soothe coughs and bronchitis. Being a light nervine, it may help to with insomnia. Topically, red clover has been used to soothe skin

Wood chips in garden beds covering soil can be a game-changer. The goal is to help mimic the natural cycle of leaves and small branches littering the floor and re-feeding the soil. The advantages are: - Holds water by reducing evaporation, limiting sun exposure. - Keeps soils cooler. - Blocks sunlight from weeds, blocking their ability to thrive. - Prevents soil compaction. - Provides food for fungi and microbiology - Reduces erosion from heavy rain or hail.

Milk Thistle is booming! Milk thistle is known to be a galactagogue (increases milk production), liver tonic, anti-inflammatory, chologogue (increases bile production), and antioxidant. Most commonly, milk thistle seeds are used to increase breast milk production and improve liver and gall bladder function

Lactobacillus (LABs) are tiny rod-shaped bacteria found in ferments. I captured LABs and yeast using a rice-wash water method in early spring, and just expanded it out to 40 gallons today. Lactobacillus and yeast have a symbiotic relationship, allowing them both to survive in anaerobic fermentations. Here are some microscope views of the LABs. It's diluted quite a bit, but still fairly abundant. These little guys will go forth and multiply to fill their new capacity. What LA

Stinging Nettles A friend was helping me weed the herbal garden and was 'stung' by stinging nettles. Oh my, she had a good 3-4 inch rash almost immediately. I grabbed a nearby burdock leaf and squished it up to to get the leaf sap flowing. I asked her to place it over the area and within seconds I saw relief on her face. The rash reduced to just a few little bumps where she had contact with the nettle and the discomfort was completely gone. Just wanted to share this for anyon

Keep an eye out in your yard for comfrey. The superpower of comfrey is its ability to increase cell division, helping to heal wounds in record time. I generally dehydrate comfrey and make it into an oil infusion that I put on all my sores and cuts. It is strong enough to penetrate and help heal bones faster as well. Traditionally, it was called knit-bone for that reason. The ideal time to harvest is just before the flowers bloom for medicinal purposes; however, it can be harv

Cleavers! Sticky little buggers. Cealvers is an alternative for the circulatory system, urinary system, and skin health. Other herbal actions include anti-inflammatory, antilithic, astringent, diuretic, hepatic, and lymphatic. It's most commonly used to help clear lymph nodes. It's also been used for bladder infections, stones, cystitis, eczema, edema, jaundice, liver issues, prostate issues, psoriasis, toxicity, tumors, and urethritis. Harvest cleavers in early spring, befor

Harvest before the raspberry plants flower. Gather the young raspberry leaves. Ladies, this one is for you and is known as an emmenagogue to help promote menstrual flow. It has traditionally been used to help with labor when used properly under a midwife's supervision. Raspberry leaf is also a strong astringent, which helps tone tissues.

Parsley can be harvested anytime it has more than 3 segments. Harvest often for more yield. Parsley is well-known for helping with digestion, which is why you get a sprig with your meal at a decent restaurant. Herbal actions include anthelmintics (helps remove worms), antispasmodic, antisheumatics (helps with arthritis), aperient (Helps ya poop) , carminative (relieves gas), diuretic (helps ya pee), mild emmenagogue (helps menstrual flow), hypotensive (helps reduce blood pres

I planted two chaste trees today in my food forest. Hopefully, these little guys adapt and grow strong so they can help you in the future. Chaste tree is analgesic, antifungal, antibacterial, emmenagogue, glalactogogue, progestogenic, and a sedative. It's traditionally used for treating cysts, fungal and bacterial infections, infertility, lactation issues, menopause, PMS, and uterine fibroids.

Field bindweed is one of the most frustrating plants to deal with. It has long roots, propagates in good soil as well as bad soil. Is resilient to changes in PH, drought, flood, freezing, and hot temperatures. From a regenerative or chemical standpoint, this guy takes years to remove. Here’s some information I dug up on a rainy day about Field Bindweed. Description: Perennial vine with arrow shaped leaves varying between .4 to 4 inches long and up to 2.4 inches wide. The

Making Egg Amino Acid (EAA) fertilizer is a two-stage fermentation process that takes about 20 to 30 days to complete. This natural growth promoter, similar to fish amino acid, is rich in calcium and amino acids that accelerate plant flowering and overall health. Ingredients & Supplies Eggs: 4–5 fresh chicken eggs (unrefrigerated is best). Lemon Juice: Juice of 10–15 lemons (enough to fully submerge the eggs). Jaggery: 250g of powdered jaggery (brown sugar or molasses can be

Hound's tongue is known for healing burns, wounds, and broken bones. Like Comfrey, it contains allantoin, a phytochemical that increases the healing process. It is also a mild painkiller, but I would suggest not using it internally. phytochemical that increases healing.

Harvested, cleaned, and started dehydrating prickly lettuce today. Prickly lettuce is a painkiller for joint pain and menstrual cramps and for calming nerves.

My job isn't to create a pristine and sterile environment for plants to grow. My job is to work with nature to nudge healthy soil and plants into a healthy state. Weeds are a big part of nature working to fix itself. Each plant we may consider weeds has a specific job of repairing damaged and degraded soil. Many of us have noticed that as soon as we uncover soil weeds appear within days, even without water. They are the scabs trying to cover the wound of the earth. T

Harvesting and dehydrating dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) this week. Dandelion is great for bacterial infections, digestive issues, inflammation, and live / kidney cleansing. They are the perfect herb to consume in spring as they ripen to clean out the system after being indoors over winter.

I've spent the last week seeding and transplanting the herbs. A few are still waiting on seeds, but most of them are planted and getting steady water to get them started.

First harvest of chickweed today. Chickweed has some mild antihistamine properties making it a good option for mild allergies and itchy skin. It's also a good option for internally for gentle constipation relief.