Until Further Notice

I've decided to discontinue this blog until further notice. I may return once the growing season begins; it all depends on where my personal schedule is at in a few months.

To those who have been reading this blog regularly, I thank you and encourage you to keep that thirst for herbal information alive. The beautiful planet we live on provides abundance for us. Learning about this abundance is a way to better appreciate the environment we often take for granted.

Until next time!

Elderberry

ELDERBERRY, Sambucus nigra

Family: Adoxaceae (moschatel)

Habitat: North America, Mexico, Central America

Flavor: Tart

Parts Used: Berries will be discussed in this blog; however, the flowers may be used both internally and externally, the leaves may be used externally.

How to Grow: Stratify the seeds before planting in full sun to partial shade with moist, rich, and well-drained soil of the pH around 5.5 to 6.5. Best grown in zones 3 through 10.

Method of Medicine: Infused honey, tea, syrup, tincture, poultice, compress, and vinegar.

Contraindications: Only consume cooked or dried ripe berries. If eaten fresh, they can induce vomiting.

Herbal Actions: Antiviral, Diaphoretic, Anticatarrhal, Antispasmodic, Astringent, Alterative, Anti-Inflammatory, Cardiovascular Tonic, Immune Stimulant, and Nervine.

Helps Heal:

• ·       Cold/Flu
• ·       Arthritic complaints
• ·       Allergies
• ·       Sinus infection
• ·       Works as an immune tonic for prevention, as well as an immune stimulant at the beginning stages of illness
• ·       Blood building and iron-rich for those with anemia
• ·       Prevents cardiovascular disease and cancer
• ·       Lowers cholesterol

Before I tried Elderberry as a medicine, I had seen it in many other forms: from Monty Python’s ingenious insult (Your mother was a hamster, and your father smelt of elderberry!) to concentrated juice for drink mixes. It wasn’t until I studied it in my class that I learned its health benefits and became a true fan of this gorgeous little fruit.

My first true experience with using Elderberry as a medicine was a few days after compiling the syrup for homework. My throat was hurting, and I felt like I was coming down with something. This provided the perfect opportunity to test the new syrup out and see if it was all it was cracked up to be! Sure enough, one teaspoon and few bitter shivers later, my throat was coated, my chest was infused with the warmth of the alcohol, and my head was sleepy and begging for a pillow. After a short nap, I woke up feeling better, even energized!

Fast forward about six months, and I’m in Salt Lake with my boyfriend. Both of us have caught a bug and are laid out in bed, pretty miserable. The Elderberry syrup (along with Marshmallow tea—see my Marshmallow blog for details) provided a few hours’ respite from coughing, allowing us to get some much-needed rest. Its decongestant properties allowed us to breathe, and the warming effects of the alcohol was soothing to our tense, congested lungs.

Elderberry is a wonderful medicine; however, be cautious in using the fresh berries—actually, just avoid it. The fresh berries (as well as young leaves and flowers) contain cyanogenic glycosides, which—when consumed—can convert into cyanide in the system; therefore, the safest route to take when consuming Elder berries or flowers (do not consume the leaves) is to either dry or cook them first. These processes remove the dangerous toxins from the plant material. As always, do your own research on this plant based on your own body before consuming, and take in low doses when first trying it out.

2018 Growing Season Review

2018 was packed full of learning, creating, and growing for me!

My studies began in late 2017, when I first learned how to build a proper compost pile. I worked on that compost pile, with some help, throughout the winter—even got some compost starter for a Christmas present! I felt learning about soil building was a good foundation for a beginner gardener like me because I was pretty nervous to actually start growing things. I mean, it relied on a grade, this time; so, I couldn’t mess up or be lazy!

I started my growing season a good couple of months too soon (a little too enthusiastic about getting starts done in time), so I had quite a few baby plants hanging out in my room for a while before they could be transferred to the greenhouse. I felt a little silly for starting so early; but my mantras for the 2018 growing season were ‘Be patient with yourself’ and ‘You live and you learn’.

As everything finally began to warm up, I slowly got things into the garden according to their cold tolerance. At the same time, I was learning more about building soil, as well as how to make internal herbal medicines like tinctures and vinegars. Out of all the medicinal preparations I made, my favorites (and, therefore, most used) were Elderberry cough syrup and a nutritive vinegar for strong bones and teeth! I also made several recipes in which the food was the medicine: I made a vitamin C fruit salad that included all vitamin C fruits and herbal soup stock that boosted immunity, as well as many other body functions.

The growing season became a little stressful when certain herbs refused to grow. I guess I am still learning, which is alright; but what did grow, I was able to collect, dry, and save for future use: Roses, Anise Hyssop leaves, flowers, and seeds, German Chamomile flowers, and some Lavender! By the way, if you’ve never tried Anise Hyssop (leaf or flower), you’re in for a treat! It tastes like root beer! And, when it blooms, it has these beautiful little purple flowers that I adore.

My growing season ended fairly abruptly, as I went on what was supposed to be a small vacation…but ended up being a long one after my boyfriend and I got sick while there. When I returned home, everything was crispy and dead, unfortunately. After that, I chose to take a bit of a break from schoolwork and focus on relaxing and healing the rest of the way. And, now, at the beginning of 2019, I’m almost healed from a second round of illness (this winter has been relentless for me) and ready to start learning, creating, and growing, again!

If you aren’t already, feel free to follow my Instagram account, @VioletLoon, for regular garden and school updates!

Marshmallow

MARSHMALLOW, Althea officinalis

Family: Malvaceae (mallow)

Habitat: Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa

Flavor: Subtly earthy

Parts Used: Roots and leaves

How to Grow: Scarify and stratify the seeds before planting them in full sun to partial shade in moist, fertile soil around pH 4.8 and 8.2. Best in zones 3 to 9.

Method of Medicine: Cold or warm infusion, gargle, lozenge, powder, poultice, compress, and wash.

Contraindications: Talk to your physician before taking marshmallow during pregnancy. While on prescribed medications, use marshmallow half an hour before or after dosage, as it may delay absorption of some medications.

Herbal Actions: Alterative, Demulcent, Emollient, Expectorant, Vulnerary, Diuretic, Anti-Inflammatory, Nutritive, Decongestant, and Laxative.

Helps Heal:

• ·       Soothes and restores mucosa
• ·       Helps remove toxins
• ·       Reduces skin and gallstone inflammation
• ·       Digestion

o   Restores gut lining

o   Prevents ulcers, heartburn, and reflux

o   Inhibits histamine release

o   Treats constipation, IBS, and Crohn’s disease

• ·       Respiratory

o   Reduces spasmodic, irritating coughs

o   Treats asthma and chronic lung congestion

o   Treats cold and flu

• ·       Urinary

o   Treats bladder inflammation, urine retention, and painful urination

o   Counters bladder infection

o   Helps flush kidney stones

• ·       Cardiovascular

o   Increases good cholesterol

o   Lowers acute and chronic inflammation

o   Reduces fluid retention

• ·       Immune

o   Speeds healing

o   Removes damaged or dead cells from body

o   Treats bacterial infections like E. Coli and Staph

• ·       Nervous

o   Reduces oxidative stress

o   Treats disorders like Parkinson’s disease

o   Reduces inflammation causing pain

• ·       Skin Care

o   Reduces swelling and discomfort in bruises, burns, and chapped, dry skin

o   Stimulates skin-cell growth, cell recovery, and wound healing

A few months ago, my boyfriend and I were visiting Salt Lake and ended up catching colds. Luckily, I happened to bring my homework for respiratory herbs, which included Marshmallow root. One night, my boyfriend was really struggling with his throat and lungs; so, I made him some of this tea. After drinking it, he was able to clear his lungs out and had better mental clarity. Since then, he’s become a big fan of Marshmallow root tea; it’s possibly his favorite herb, now! And I have to agree with his enthusiasm—after drinking this tea, I feel calmer, like my body has synched up and isn’t trying to fight itself, anymore. It’s soothing on a sore throat and an upset stomach. While its taste takes a little bit of getting used to, I enjoy it because it tastes like I’m getting better as I’m drinking it.

Before using Marshmallow, be sure to research it based on your own body; and try it in just sips when first consuming it. Each body is unique, so there’s no telling how any one will react to a typically awesome herb. Be safe, and enjoy!

Astragalus

ASTRAGALUS, Astragalus propinquus

Family: Fabaceae (bean/pea)

Habitat: Northern China, Mongolia, and Siberia.

Flavor: Slightly woody, otherwise neutral

Parts Used: Root

How to Grow It: Scarify and soak the seeds before planting. Astragalus prefers grasslands adjoining forests and open thickets. Best in zones 4-9. It enjoys full sun to partial shade, with soil that is well-drained and has a neutral pH. This plant is a nitrogen fixer!

Method of Medicine: Astragalus may be used as a decoction or in a powder. Something I really love about this herb is that it may also be used in food, decocted in soups or stocks.

Contraindications: Use with caution while taking immunosuppressive pharmaceuticals, such as Cyclosporine or Corticosteroids, as it may weaken the effects of these medications. Symptoms of an overdose include headache, insomnia, dizziness, hot flashes, and hypertension.

Herbal Actions: Adaptogen, Immunomodulator, Antiviral, Antibacterial, Diuretic, Hepatoprotective, Cardioprotective, Antioxidant, and Tonic.

Helps Heal:

• ·       Bone marrow
• ·       Shortness of breath
• ·       Supports resistance of infection in lungs
• ·       Stimulates white blood cells
• ·       Boosts immune system
• ·       Increases energy and longevity
• ·       Supports digestion
• ·       Supports the heart and liver

Ever since I first got my hands on some Astragalus, I fell in love with its gentle support. Drinking the tea or having it in soup actively makes me feel healthier and more energized; and it’s super convenient to just drop into my soup stock while the soup is just beginning to boil. In order for Astragalus’ medicine to reach the peak of its potential, boil it in water or stock for 20 minutes in a covered pot before ingesting. If using it in a soup, be sure to remove the piece of root before serving up.

This herb is a tonic, which means it may be taken on a daily basis for gentle immune-boosting support. Of course, be sure to read the contraindications before taking it, in order to be aware in the case of any symptoms emerging. I like to suggest this herb to those who are allergic to grassy plants, like Oat Straw, Chamomile, or Echinacea, because the root doesn’t seem to affect them the same as those plants. With any herb, however, be sure to do your own research on it based on your own body, and just take tiny sips of the decoction upon first trying it to ensure no allergic reaction will occur.

I'm back!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on this particular blog, and I feel bad for letting it sit for so long. I stopped posting on here because I moved out of the place I was at, around which I could grow things, and moved to a place where there wasn’t really any available space to grow any form of garden. Life took a turn for the worst soon after that move, another move happened, and then another; and, now, for the past couple of years, I’ve been trying to get my bearings again. If you follow my Instagram (@violetloon) at all, you will have noticed that I now live in the perfect environment for gardening; so, I’ve spent the last two summers learning how. Additionally, in October of 2017, I enrolled in an online herbal school—Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine—and my entire 2018 was filled with reading lessons and applying them practically to fulfill assignments.

Now that I’m on the tail end of my schooling, however, I’d like to start sharing some of what I’ve learned and create an online herbal scrap book of knowledge. I’ve built up a solid foundation of knowledge, but there are many things I’m still looking to learn and hope to include on this blog as I learn them: in depth information about a wider array of herbs, herbal medicine in different cultures, human anatomy, as well as a sprinkling of recipes and tutorials.

As a beginning to this new era, I will be highlighting some of my favorite herbs that I’ve learned about through school and sharing my personal experiences with them. I hope you enjoy the journey with me!

Delving into my antibiotic knowledge in real time:

Around a week ago, I started feeling and seeing a painful white pocket form on the back of my throat. I always get a little bit nervous when this happens because all throughout childhood, I would get a throat culture every time that happened. I hate throat cultures. A lot. So, I've learned to avoid them at all costs.

Last night, I realized the small infection was starting to grow and spread and, naturally, started to panic. Not only do I hate going to doctors, I sure as hell can't afford one, right now. So, I was breaking down and crying in self pity when T helped me remember my research and knowledge of food antibiotics (I'm not sure how many others are like this, but I lose sight of logic once I start feeling ill). A flash of the throat culture sensation panged against the infection, reminding me why I had learned that knowledge to begin with. So, I went to work.

Out of my herb cupboard, I gathered: 1 large clove of garlic, local honey, cinnamon powder, ginger powder, and cayenne pepper powder. I grabbed one of my small, glass mason jars, cracked open and cut halfway into the garlic, and covered the garlic with honey. I covered the jar, at that point, to let the honey absorb the garlic's medicine for a few moments before adding a few shakes of cinnamon, a few taps of ginger, and the tiniest of tiny pinches of cayenne, because I'm a sissy with spicy things. I mixed it all together with the handle of a wooden spoon, to keep utensils organic, and then proceeded to seal the jar to let sit for a bit and lick the spoon before rinsing it off.

Let me tell you: just the bit I had from licking the spoon kick-started my immune system immediately. I could feel warmth spreading through my chest outward, and my throat was coated enough that it wasn't hurting, anymore. And the best part was my body telling me it was immediately time for sleep. Don't think I've had a prescription antibiotic do that before.

Well, I just woke up an hour or two ago, and I've noticed that one of my white pockets has completely disappeared. My throat feels a bit better, and my head's a lot less loopy.

I intend to keep taking little nips of this concoction 2-4 times daily for the next week, at least. If I remember, I'll post an update in a few days to document the quickness v. slowness of my full recovery (still a bit loopy, so sorry for any grammar errors).

Have a great day, guys!