Herbalism

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

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.

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.

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.

The mullein is exploding this year. Harvested one-third of the plant last week and it's almost ready for another harvest. Mullein is great of clearing out the lungs from all kinds of respiratory dis-eases. Be sure you always filter mullein with a fine cloth. It has tiny hairs that can irritate the throat.

Most of herbs are beong sprouted in hydroponics. This allows me to get deep roots before planting in soil. When transplanting I sprinkle a little mycorrhizal fungi on the roots to include them. This helps them network together and build soil structure and cycle nutrients as a team.