Plantains (no, not the banana-like fruit!) are now considered to be an invasive weed pretty much everywhere. They originated in Europe and Asia, but can now be found as one walks down a path or into their own yard. It has long been used for many skin ailments, while also containing vital nutrients and vitamins the body needs. The small…
John Evelyn (1620-1706) wrote, “ balm is sovereign for the brain, strengthening the memory and powerfully chasing away melancholy.” An herb of the moon, Lemon Balm embodies spiritual energies surrounding healing, unconditional love, and movement. She works subtly and smoothly in association with her main element: water. Lemon Balm is native to southern Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa. It…
Marshmallow root has been noted to help with coughs when taken with syrup by philosopher Theophrastus (c. 372-286 BCE). Native to Europe, the Marshmallow plant has been naturalized in the Americas. This staple herb for bronchial ailments. An herb made to smooth, Marshmallow contains mucilage, which helps coat the throat to ease soreness, dryness, and harsh coughs. The dried root…
Elecampane has been revered since Ancient Roman times as a staple for food and medicine. Lore says its namesake was Helen of Troy who was holding it in her hand when she set off for Troy. A tonic herb to “sustain spirits”, Elecampane is still cultivated and propagated throughout western Asia and southeastern Europe. Elecampane contains a compound called Inulin,…
“Stinging” Nettle Leaf has more than earned its label as one of the most important staple herbs that grow in most forests. As a traveling passenger, keep your eye on the side of the road for the same herb used since the Bronze Age (3000 BCE – 1200 BCE). Nettle’s strong, fibrous nature made it clear the plant could be…
Schisandra is a tonic herb used in Chinese culture for centuries to tone the kidneys, cleanse the blood, and increase one’s zest for life. Its restorative properties come from its balance of the five main elemental energies, shining through its warm, slightly salty, sour taste. Cultivated especially in the Chinese provinces: Jilin, Lianoning, Heilongjiang, and Hebei, Schisandra typically is propagated…
Of all flowers harvested, Calendula remains one of the oldest beauties used in medicine and the kitchen. It is a member of the marigold family, whose name comes from a legend in which a golden-haired child named Mary-Gold disappeared one day and the place she was last seen, a small bundle of flowers the color of the sun appeared. Calendula…
A cousin to the carnation, Chickweed grows best in shady, semi-wet locations at the edge of the woods, planted directly in gardens, and often under oak trees. A traditional Spring tonic, this self-seeding plant is named for its appeal to barnyard fowl and other birds; especially chickens. Chickweed’s nutrients are vast and range in both medicinal and general nutritive benefits.…
The rose has lived as a symbol of many types of relationships, but the pseudo-fruit this plant bears benefits that work best as a tonic, incorporated into regular ritual to receive the most nutrients. Rose Hips grow when the flower itself has ended its own cycle and tend to lose some nutrient quality depending on when and how they are…
A native to the Americas and Mediterranean, Blue Vervain has been noted to be the herb for ‘intense, fanatical people who have absurdly high standards for themselves or others, strain to live up to these standards, and have the emotional and mental strength, but not the physical strength (digestion, sexual centers) to live up to their own standards (Wood, 2009)’.…