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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 anarobic ferments. 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 LABs are

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...

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

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...

Harvesting and dehydrating dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) this week. Dandelion is great for bacterial infections, digestive issues,...

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...

First harvest of chickweed today. Chickweed has some mild antihistamine properties making it a good option for mild allergies and itchy...

The mullein is exploding this year. Harvested one-third of the plant last week and it's almost ready for another harvest. Mullein is...

While good micro-biology and regenerative practices can often mine the minerals needed, sometime nature needs a boost. Especially when...

Most of herbs are beong sprouted in hydroponics. This allows me to get deep roots before planting in soil. When transplanting I sprinkle...

This is the beginning of my bulk medicinal herbal forest. Room for 40 or so herbs in 3x15 foot sections. This is an 1800 square foot...