Move Over Burt's Bees! DIY Lip Salve

Burt's Bees...move over! I love that stuff so much, and wish I could afford it more often!
Then one of my sisters gave me a challenge; could I duplicate it?  Well, I love what I ended up with!

Well, here it is, and in the end it was so simple. All the fails were due to me, making it harder than it had to be.  It made 13, .25 oz pots.  I'm good for at least six months...or a year!

And without further ado, here is the recipe:
All Natural Lip Salve (Compare to Burt's Bees)

• 1 part beeswax (I used an ounce)
• 1 part shea butter or coconut oil
• 1 part Olive Oil
• 15-20 drops of extract or oil (I used Lavender)
• ½ t Vitamin E Oil

In a double boiler, I placed my beeswax and olive oil, till melted and stirred well.

Lastly I placed my Shea Butter in, and dissolved it.
Taking it off the heat, I put in my Vitamin E oil, and the extract or essential oil in as well.

You could put a little Cocoa powder or Beet powder in for a blush of color. 

Mix and pour! That's it!   Enjoy!

DIY Vanilla: You'll Never Go Back!

Never in my life, did I think I would want to drink my homemade Vanilla!

It smells so heavenly every time I open the bottle.

In fact when I'm baking, my Hubby, and last daughter left at home, will remind me to go easy on the Vanilla!  But it is so hard!

I had never tasted real Vanilla until just four years ago.  I didn't know what I was missing, but now that I do, and I realize it's less expensive to have real vanilla than the weird, chemically laden substitute, I'm sold.

Making your own Vanilla is a snap.

You'll need:

• Quart or Tall Jars

•  100 proof Vodka (50% Alcohol or stronger)

• Vanilla Beans (The volume of Vanilla Bean is up to you.  I usually buy 1/2 lb, and divide them up between 3-4 qts, although some recipes only call for as little as 2 or 3 Vanilla Pods per quart.  I would rather concentrate those flavors, and use less, store less, and get better flavor, so I put quite a few in my jars.)

Instructions:

• With a sharp knife, slice your vanilla pods lengthwise to open them up, and if they are longer than your jar, cut them in half so all your pods are immersed in the liquid at the end.

• Divide your pods between your jars (I like quart size or larger)

• Cover pods with Vodka until all bean are covered.

• Put your lid on.

• Store in a cool dark place.

• Shake Daily for two weeks (its more vital the first few days...)
  

When is it ready?

You could begin using your vanilla as early as six weeks, but I am a stickler for taste.  So mine will steep and age for nearly six months before I begin using it.

It makes all the difference in the world in baking, candies, and everything else.  Enjoy having enough Vanilla for years to come with practically no effort and minimal cost!  

Try giving it as a gift!

Spring is Coming and so is the Knotgrass! An Herbal Wound Cleanser

Knotgrass is very nearly world-wide and inescapable! A common weed with uncommon abilities.

Used for centuries and maybe millennia, common Knotweed is an edible, medicinal and remarkable resource.

Knotweed is often used as a diruretic (to increase urine output and reduce water retention.)  A great aid for those with gout, as less uric acid is retained and doesn't continue building up in the body.

Knotweed's leaves act as an emollient, to soothe and soften the skin; they are also an anthelmintic used to expel worms and parasites.

The whole plant acts against a fever, bringing it down.

Used during a cold or even with pneumonia, it will assist in breaking up the mucus in the lungs, and help with the terrible aches and pains that accompany flu.
In China, there have been some studies that indicate it might be an effective remedy for Shigellosis, known better as E-Coli bacterial infections.

For now, more research needs to be done, but in a pinch, it might make all the difference.

In times of food scarcity, since Knotweed or Knotgrass are part of the Buckwheat Family, the seeds are crushed into a meal for flour and eaten.

We have a written history of one of my ancestors, who settled Utah, and was reduced at the time to eating what was then called Pigweed (aka: Knotgrass).   It saved their family from starvation.

This little plant benefits your heart, lungs, vascular system, cleanses wounds, and even stops bleeding at the wound site.   It's even great for hemorrhoids.

Preparation:

Using 1/4 t dried herb to 1 c hot water.  Let steep for 5-10 minutes, and then sweeten to take internally or use straight as a wash for ulcers and wounds.

Amazing what those "weeds" can offer us!

__________________________
DISCLAIMER:
Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits conferred by any foods or supplements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration, healthcare professional, or even the town gossip.
All information and resources found on Herbs and Wildcrafting are based on the opinions of the author and are meant for educational purposes only, I hope to motivate readers to make their own nutrition and health decisions after consulting with their health care provider.
Please consult a doctor before making any health changes, especially any changes related to a specific diagnosis or condition.
No information on this site should be relied upon to determine diet, make a medical diagnosis or determine a treatment for a medical condition.
The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.
No information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition.

 

Ginger is one of those herbs you don't want to be without.  Ginger can assist in Digestion,  help with gas, bloating and diarrhea;  plus it's imperative for Nausea.  It's also effective in reducing and often preventing stomach ulcers.

Smelling like a citrus heaven, it's compounds help the body absorb and use the nutrients from other foods.  In fact, drinking a ginger tea, which is sweet, child friendly and warming, is great before any meal, but especially before a large holiday meal; it will start the digestion process and prevent bloating and gas.

 

For Nausea, whether it's due to morning sickness, motion sickness or chemotherapy, drinking a cup of ginger tea can make all the difference.  

It has been proven to work better than dimenhydrinate (often known as "Dramamine"), which with long term use can inhibit the signals of your nervous system, cause forgetfulness, and decreases the amount of acetycholine, which signals your muscles to move.

For those with extreme morning sickness or Hyperemesis, who will struggle with dehydration and keeping anything down for any length of time, the best way to take this is a tablespoon every ten minutes.  It will prevent dehydration, and settle the stomach enough that some relief is afforded since it slightly sedates the muscles in your stomach. (yes, I'm speaking from experience here...)  It will also increase your ability to keep some food down.  Maybe saving you from a trip to the hospital, or better yet, allowing you to continue living in the normal world (LOL..).

Ginger is an incredible anti-inflammatory which can help with headaches, cramping, and even arthritis.

With more than 50 antioxidents, proven to increase concentration, it destroys free radicals in the blood that can lead to cancer and aging.  

These compounds are especially good at offering protection against colon cancer, and it lowers blood glucose levels by nearly 43%, showing an incredible benefit for those suffering from Hyperglycemia.

 

Ginger is a powerful aid in clearing toxins from the body,  in lungs, sinus, and the lymphatic system.  Being a "warming" herb, Ginger makes you sweat, assisting in the detoxifying process.

In Chinese medicine, ginger is used for Thyroid problems since it contains, among many other constituents, magnesium (for muscle relaxation) and potassium (for regulating fluids in the body), and gingerols which will help reduce thyroid inflammation, inhibiting the CO-X2 enzyme, which does terrible damage over time to the Thyroid, and therefore to the body's other systems.

So what is better...fresh or dried Ginger?   

Have you ever smelled the difference between store bought Ginger powder and freshly dehydrated?  If you haven't, your world is a sadder place.  The smell of freshly dried Ginger is incredible!  And when you dry ginger, it changes the potent gingerol component to shagol, which is then twice as effective in all the above areas.

Another way of preserving it, and having it at your fingertips is to tincture the ginger.  
 

Some of you may prefer a fresh Ginger Tea  , or even a sparkling, fizzy Ginger Ale, but for a simple, but effective dried ginger tea, here is my favorite recipe.

Ginger Tea (May be place in the Refrigerator for an Herbal Ice Tea)

• 1/4-1/2 tsp dried Ginger
• 1 C simmering water

Place Ginger in a cup of prepared water, stir, and place a saucer over the top of your cup (this prevents those wonderful volatile oils from escaping!) and allow to sit for 10 minutes.

If desired, add a slice of lemon, or honey to sweeten.  Try adding other favorites that appeal to your sense of taste.  Nutmeg or even  cayenne.

Learn to listen to your body as you scan your herbs and spices.  What you need will appeal to you.  Use your intuition, listen to that little voice that knows more than you think.

Let me know how yours turns out!

_______________________

DISCLAIMER:

Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits conferred by any foods or supplements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration, healthcare professional, or even the town gossip.

All information and resources found on Herbs and Wildcrafting are based on the opinions of the author and are meant for educational purposes only, I hope to motivate readers to make their own nutrition and health decisions after consulting with their health care provider.
Please consult a doctor before making any health changes, especially any changes related to a specific diagnosis or condition.
No information on this site should be relied upon to determine diet, make a medical diagnosis or determine a treatment for a medical condition.
I encourage you to do your own research.  Learn everything you can on any given herb or medicine, and in doing so, you will be coming from a point of knowledge rather than hoping someone else is right.  It's always better to learn from two or three good sources, and more if you have the inclination and time.

Celery, Onion, Minerals and Sodium, Making Your Own Spices

I've left half an onion in my refrigerator more times than I can count.

I hate throwing the unused half away or letting it go to waste.  But it seems to be an unwritten rule that the next time I clean out the fridge, it's shriveled, or forgotten at the back of the drawer.

I find it easier to chop up the whole thing, (usually the second half is just sliced since it's quicker) and half goes in my meal at hand; the other half I immediately throw in my dehydrator, for 12-48 hours, depending on your humidity.  Even here in Utah, it's usually closer to the 24-36 hour mark.

Once I'm sure it's dry and cracks nicely, I place the dehydrated onion in my blender and powder it thoroughly.

You can do the same thing for

• celery
• carrots
• mushrooms
• tomatoes
• peppers
• broccolli
• cauliflower
• ginger root,
• parsley or other fresh herbs

Almost anything that you have more of, than what you need, will work and then I store them in those great little containers they have at the "dollar store".

With celery, I keep it all, the leaves and the stalks, then dry and powder them.

Celery is  such an underrated veggie!  It's packed with more than a dozen antioxidants (these help keep cancer causing free radicals at bay), and flavnoids (those phytonutrients that help reduce inflammation and protect our red blood cells!)

Then there's celery's sodium content; in a large stalk of celery (about a pound) there is nearly 400 mg of sodium.  It makes a great salt substitute, and the flavor is out of this world!

By drying, and even powdering your vegetables, you'll find it's a great way to hide all kinds of things in a soup!  (My Hubby always tells me how he hates peppers...can I just say he has no clue he's been eating them our whole married life...:)

Use your imagination, and if the world comes to

a screeching halt, you're prepared...if it doesn't, well, you're still prepared!

Let me know what works for you!

Break Out the Sagebrush! Herbs of the Utah Desert

Beautiful Sunset, Sanpete County, 2/9/2015

I love nothing more than the constant re-discovery of what an herb can do, especially one as abundant and  "commercially useless" as Sagebrush!

Known throughout the Western United States and Canada by the Native Americans, who luckily passed their knowledge of this incredible plant on to us, Sagebrush is a veritable treasure trove of helpful, lifesaving, and life enhancing goodness.

Used as a tea after childbirth, it helped control bleeding and was used for a returning warrior on his battle wounds, both externally (as a wash) and internally to address hemorrhaging.  It was seemingly used for everything at times, and considering that Sagebrush is 40% camphor, its use was likely justified.

Near Spring City, Sanpete County, Ut 2015

Used as a decongestant, an eye wash, a wound wash (the steeped leaves placed gently over eyes) or a poultice; it was also such a powerhouse disinfectant that a decoction was used as a floor and wall wash in houses after an illness.
The list of what Sagebrush treats just goes on, malaria, bronchitis, bad colds and coughs, dandruff, hair loss, even said to keep the hair darkened, a combination shampoo and conditioner (the flowers create a soap-like feel).  Deodorant, headache, nerves, weak legs and swellings.

Menstrual disorders, gas, indigestion, stomach disorders, foot neuralgia, moist wounds, and cholera .  And we're just getting started!

So what are the drawbacks?  Well, there are things to be careful of.  If you have allergies to Sagebrush, you probably don't want it on your eyes!  And like any herb, there is too much of a good thing.  While there are no toxicity reports, there have been reports of possible liver damage, and inadequate blood clotting after prolonged use. 

But keep in mind, the very same can be said for something as simple as acetaminophen (aka Tylenol) or aspirin.  It's important to learn for ourselves all that we can, and ask the advise of a medical professional if you are unsure.  Better safe than sorry is still the best course.

Sanpete County Mule Deer, 2015

For the treatment of asthma, a poultice applied to the chest and back nightly, as well as a tea internally (for 5-10 days) can be used.

Sagebrush can be harvested in the late summer or early fall.  The parts used will be the leaves and the seeds.  Make sure when you do harvest that it comes from a source that hasn't been treated with any chemicals, and harvest responsibly (there...I hope I covered all the bases. :))

The herb can be covered with water and allowed to soak overnight, and used as a tea the next morning, or a wash, ect.  To make a poultice you would mash up the herbs and pour boiling water over them.  Place a linen or gauze type cloth over the wound or skin with the macerated herb inside it, and wrap it for security.

As for tea, the dosages vary as widely as the herb itself, so my recommendation is start small, and see how it goes.  Maybe 4-6 oz of water with 1/4-1/2 t of herb.   You may even want to make sure you're not allergic to it by testing a small patch of skin with a wash.

This herb takes some getting used to...yes, it's bitter, but you can always add a little honey and see how it goes!

Let me know your experiences!
_________________________________

Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits conferred by any foods or supplements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration, healthcare professional, or even the town gossip.

They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Herbs and Wildcrafting is for educational purposes only.

DISCLAIMER:
All information and resources found on Herbs and Wildcrafting are based on the opinions of the author and are meant for educational purposes only, I hope to motivate readers to make their own nutrition and health decisions after consulting with their health care provider.
Please consult a doctor before making any health changes, especially any changes related to a specific diagnosis or condition.
No information on this site should be relied upon to determine diet, make a medical diagnosis or determine a treatment for a medical condition.
The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.
No information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition.

I encourage you to do your own research.  Learn everything you can on any given herb or medicine, and in doing so, you will be coming from a point of knowledge rather than hoping someone else is right.  It's always better to learn from two or three good sources, and more if you have the inclination and time.


 

Ox-Eye Daisy or Goldenseal For Muscle Spasms, Pain and So Much More

My ancestors were some of those who crossed the plains in the mid 1800's, and as I wander the trails they, and so many like them traveled, I am saddened that so many died of dysentery  and diarrhea, as they trudged past thousands upon thousands of Ox-Eye Daisys, the cure for their malady.

I hope the time may never come in my life when the very thing I need is in front of my nose, and yet I wander past it without realizing the truth.  Hence, the subject of the Ox-Eye Daisy is on my mind today.

Made into a tea, wash or tincture (depending on your needs), this happy flower, is a tonic, lending itself to strengthening and invigorating our bodies and minds.

As a Diuretic, it helps expels excess water through urination.

As an anti-spasmodic, it helps relieve cramping, symptoms associated with IBS, and helps relax muscle tissue, coughing, and the pain associated with it.
It often has the effect of relieving psychological tension or anxiety as well.

Generally, the entire plant, leaves, flower, and root is gathered and dried for later use as a tea, a wound wash, and was used by many Native American Tribes to relieve conjunctivitis.

If you love foraging in the spring, try the young Ox-Eye Daisy leaves, they are slightly bitter and are a nice addition to a salad.

Avoid Ox-Eye or Goldenseal if you have high blood pressure, or are pregnant, because in these cases, it can further thin out your blood, or cause uterine contractions and other complications.

If you are unsure, or new to this herb, please seek the advice of a health care professional.

This flower grows wild over most of North America and Europe.  It thrives on neglect, and can be spotted along roadway, in fields, ditches, and along fences.

It is considered a weed to eradicate by most, and is often sprayed along roadways, so be careful of your source.

They are in full flower for the harvesting around mid June to July.

I know I look forward to their arrival every year!
_______________________

Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits conferred by any foods or supplements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration, healthcare professional, or even the town gossip.

They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Herbs and Wildcrafting is for educational purposes only.

 

DISCLAIMER:

All information and resources found on Herbs and Wildcrafting are based on the opinions of the author and are meant for educational purposes only, I hope to motivate readers to make their own nutrition and health decisions after consulting with their health care provider.

Please consult a doctor before making any health changes, especially any changes related to a specific diagnosis or condition.

No information on this site should be relied upon to determine diet, make a medical diagnosis or determine a treatment for a medical condition.

The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.

No information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition.

 

Gathering Your Herbs For Preparations

Each herb and its wonderful properties must be brought out in different way.  So, the first question I had was, does it really make a difference whether I prepare something when the moon is full, or not?  Is it an old wives tale, or is there truth to it?

When I was on a trip back east one time, a friend of ours who owns a small farm was driving us through the countryside.  I mentioned that some of the fence posts on certain farms were straight and others were nearly falling over.  Imagine my surprise when she told us that if the post weren’t put in near the full moon, then as the moon waxed, the gravity effect would begin to pull the fence posts with those tiny bits of iron in the wood, sideways, causing them to lean.  Who knew? 

So as I began learning about herbs and preparing them back in the late ‘80’s, I found similar things to hold true for plants. 

Gathering

• New Moon to Full Moon (Waxing):

When you are gathering flowers and herbs that you will be using the portions above the ground, this is the best time for gathering them.  Think of low tide as the moon is pulling it away from the earth, so in plants. The internal constituents and elements are being pulled away from the earth, making what is above ground the most potent at this time.

• Full Moon to New Moon (Waning):

During this time, gravity is pressing down towards the earth, and in plants, especially those with bulbs and rhizomes, all that energy is pressing down to the root.  It’s a perfect timing for digging and storing them.

The waning moon is also the best time for storing herbs.

____________________

The information presented at Herbs and Wildcrafting is for informational purposes only. No statement has been evaluated by any federal agency, medical expert, nutritionist or even the town gossip.  Remember to do your  research.  

 

DISCLAIMER:
All information and resources found on Herbs and Wildcrafting are based on the opinions of the author and are meant for educational purposes only, I hope to motivate readers to make their own nutrition and health decisions after consulting with their health care provider.
Please consult a doctor before making any health changes, especially any changes related to a specific diagnosis or condition.
No information on this site should be relied upon to determine diet, make a medical diagnosis or determine a treatment for a medical condition.
The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.
No information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition.
By reading this website, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own health decisions.
Do not take anything from any website, including this one, and try it without proper research and medical supervision.  To put it bluntly,
“If you take anything you read from any web site, including this one, at face value, and then go off and try something you read about, without having appropriate safeguards and/or medical supervision and knowledge, you mayget what’s coming to you, which could include, but is not limited to: death, permanent disabilities, damage, headache, bad breath, or worse.” -Dave Asprey

I encourage you to do your own research.  Learn everything you can on any given herb or medicine, and in doing so, you will be coming from a point of knowledge rather than hoping someone else is right.  It's always better to learn from two or three good sources, and more if you have the inclination and time.

Passionflower: Fibromyalgia and Pain Relief

 

After a nearly two decades of suffering with a Fibromyalgia, a chronic illness, I decided it was time to go back to my roots (no pun intended:) ) and begin to put my house in order as I should have done in the first place!

I grew tired of the pharmaceutical route; mistakenly thinking it was the only answer for this crazy wall in my life that suddenly loomed in my path and refused to move.  I tried it all. Believe me.  Instead of helping, it seemed to make my life worse.  My blood pressure continued to skyrocket with the newest fibro medicine, followed by more medicines, and eventually the need for oxygen.  Even though I maintained the same prescription for pain for six years, it made me sluggish and even more exhausted and yet strangely, I wasn’t sleeping.  I felt like I was eighty years old, literally.  I remember thinking one day, “I am dying a slow death…”  It was time to regroup.  

When you begin taking any pain meds, your body’s own oxytocin (your natural pain reliever) will begin to take a back seat, and let the prescription medicines do the work until your body is no longer is producing much, if any, oxytocin.  So now, all pain relief has to come externally. 

Eventually, you are unknowingly, back where you started, in pain.  This cycle continues and you are always back to square one.  You find yourself wondering how you can ever go back to no pain meds, if you are taking “this much” and it’s not helping. But, there is hope. 

Over time, as you make small incremental steps, your body will resume its job of making oxytocin again, and you may be shocked to find, as I was, that I am in less pain off the meds, than I was on.  Of course, that didn’t mean the original problem had disappeared, but it gave me hope for the future.

It began for me with taking charge of my own health.  I remember in college, in my psychology class, learning a really great truth, that I trusted would see me through the interim.  It was this, if you live by a busy road, at first you were overwhelmed by the noise.  But your mind after a while, will tell your ears, “Hey, we don’t need to worry about that road.” And off goes the constant notice of it. 

In a sense it drops below the line of consciousness, and unless something extraordinary happens, it stays that way. 

How about those women who love their perfume?  You smell it when it wafts in, but after awhile, it fades to the background.  Same thing. 

Pain follows this rule.  At times, something may reinjure you, or rain may bring your notice of it back above that line, but to some degree, you can reach the point of your own body making up a sizable chunk of the difference between noticing pain and being on the road to a better life in less pain.

Still, our bodies can’t fix everything.  We know this.  So, for me, the direction I head for my “go-to” pain relief is Passionflower(Passiflora incarnate.)

It’s a simple beginning, but at you continue forward, learning all that you can about your condition or illness,  and getting your immune system back in order, things can be better.  Starting small enables you to retain and sustain the changes you make long term.

Passionflower, first of all, is calming.  It settles the mind and can help with anxiety.  When our nerves become overly stimulated they send out a distress call that may be the cause of chronic pain, anxiousness, or even exhaustion of the endocrine system. 

It was used by the Native Americans as a sedative, although it would require a larger dose than what I might take on a daily basis, but still, be careful in your dosage, see how your body reacts to it, and increase it by small amounts until you know how it affects you.

I like the powdered herb, and I put it in two size “0” capsules, and take it whenever my fibro becomes overwhelming, or I think it’s getting there.  It is also believed to be a nerve toner, and it can strengthen your immune system as well. 

As a pain reliever, Passionflower offers a healthy dose of good nutrition, strengthening the immune system and gently nudging it back into balance.  It can also help with narcotic withdrawal symptoms, as can California Poppy.  (Please talk with your Doctor concerning any changes in your medicines, and when adding herbs to the mix, especially if you are pregnant or on blood thinners.)

The leaves, stem and flowers (above the ground) are the useful and medicinal parts of this plant.  Here in Utah, we have to grow it as a houseplant, but it can very likely be grown in those parts of the US and world, that are hot and humid.  (I hear cheers coming from the Deep South!)

Some of the other things that Passionflower is a good candidate for is Shingles, menopausal symptoms, and yeast infections.  Do your research on dosage for these things, and know what you are taking, as well as any side effects. The generally accepted dosage for an adult (Passionflower for children is not recommended) is:

• Tea: Steep 0.5 - 2 g (about 1 tsp.) of dried herb in 1 cup boiling water for 10 minutes; strain and cool. For anxiety, drink 3 - 4 cups per day. For insomnia, drink one cup an hour before going to bed.
• Tincture (1:5 in 45% alcohol): 10 - 45 drops, 3 times a day
• Capsules: containing ¼ to ½ t, 2-3 times daily. 

Common Side Effects:

• It can cause drowsiness.
• Pregnancy Dangers: It can stimulate contractions, and is best left alone if you are pregnant.
• If you are on blood thinners, it can decrease your blood’s ability to clot, magnifying a blood thinners effect. 
• It could possibly depress breathing  with a high enough dose, interfering with your oxygen saturation.  Again, do your research or talk with your Doctor before taking it.
• There may be other side effects, although it has been well researched, and the above seem to be the lion’s share of them.

Be sure and let us know about your own experiences with Passionflower!

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits conferred by any foods or supplements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration, healthcare professional, or even the town gossip. 

They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  Herbs and Wildcrafting is for educational purposes only.

DISCLAIMER:
All information and resources found on Herbs and Wildcrafting are based on the opinions of the author and are meant for educational purposes only, I hope to motivate readers to make their own nutrition and health decisions after consulting with their health care provider.
Please consult a doctor before making any health changes, especially any changes related to a specific diagnosis or condition.
No information on this site should be relied upon to determine diet, make a medical diagnosis or determine a treatment for a medical condition.
The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.
No information on this site should be used to diagnose, treat, prevent or cure any disease or condition.
By reading this website, you acknowledge that you are responsible for your own health decisions.
Do not take anything from any website, including this one, and try it without proper research and medical supervision.  To put it bluntly,
“If you take anything you read from any web site, including this one, at face value, and then go off and try something you read about, without having appropriate safeguards and/or medical supervision and knowledge, you may get what’s coming to you, which could include, but is not limited to: death, permanent disabilities, damage, headache, bad breath, or worse.” -Dave Asprey

I encourage you to do your own research.  Learn everything you can on any given herb or medicine, and in doing so, you will be coming from a point of knowledge rather than hoping someone else is right.  It's always better to learn from two or three good sources, and more if you have the inclination and time.

Shepherd's Purse: For Hemorrhaging or Bleeding

It's not the most beautiful plant I know, but Shepherd's Purse, although named for it's tiny purse like blossoms and leaves, carries within it help for emergency hemorrhaging and bleeding.
In looks, it's often mistaken for a a dandelion, although they're prettier, but it does the job of vascular constriction well; it reliably stops bleeding, and when given as a tea, begins to replace the fluids lost from bleeding.
You can easily distinguish Shepherds Purse from Dandelion, in one of two ways.
If you pull a leaf from a Dandelion, you get a milky white sap. And the leaves on a Dandelion face the center of the plant.
On a Shepherds Purse plant, the leaves face upward and outward, away from the center of the plant.  Almost as  if it were looking for something outside of itself to help. 
The flower, leaves, and seeds are all edible with Shepherds Purse. The leaves, in fact, can be eaten raw or cooked.
You can harvest the leaves throughout the year, but if you're thinking of eating them (say...in a salad...) you really want the leaves that are showing up in the spring, and before this little plant from the Mustard Family, blooms.
For hemorrhaging concerns, heavy bleeding, fibroid tumors, and other events of a similar nature, Shepherds purse is a great herb to have on hand.
None of us ever knows when an emergency might happen.  By learning about and gathering herbs, we prepare for the future.  As I always say (yes, I always say it ad infinitum), "If something happens, you are ready...and if nothing happens, you are still ready..."  It's a win, no matter what happens.  So why not prepare?
To digress slightly, as the Russian economy is failing right now,  those most unaffected by it, are those men and women, who've learned to grow what they need, and gathered what is available in their area.
I truly believe, that whatever herb you need in an emergency, there probably exists in your area, another herb that can do the same job of an herb that grows locally for me, like Shepherds Purse.
Although, Shepherds Purse is found all over the world in many sparse, and barren areas, I find it most commonly in between the cracks in cement, and just randomly popping up all over the yard.
Today, I focused on the plants in the Central Utah area of North America, but I hope you will accept the challenge of learning what the herbs in your area can do.
Here's my recipe for a simple extract, it's easy to make, and I love it.  Just think what fun this spring will be as you go out and explore your yard, your neighborhood, your world!
Shepherd's Purse Fluid Extract (Use this recipe generally for an infusion mix)

• 1 and 1/2c Nearly boiling water (you don't want boiling, but just before that stage, as boiling water can damage the oil content or even destroy your herb.)
• 1 ounce Dried Herb

• Reduce liquid in pan until you are left with about 1/2 cup of liquid (keep stirring), and then strain.

• Place in well covered mason jar or pitcher.   It may be dosed either hot or cold.  I keep mine in the refrigerator.
  

• 1/2 t to 1 t, added to water, or by itself, every hour or two, and thereafter as the bleeding slows or stops, up to 3 times daily.

• You may sweeten this with honey.

Discontinue use upon cessation of bleeding, but can be taken for short periods of time (5-7 days), but remember that Shepherds Purse like any other medicinal remedy  has alkaloids that can build up the body, since it contains Bursine, which is similar to strychnine, but on a far less dangerous scale.
You can tincture this herb easily, (See Making Your Own Tincture), and take 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon at a time – up to 1 teaspoonful – three or four times a day before your menstrual period is due and during the period to reduce heavy bleeding.  Or as your healthcare provider directs.
Avoid use during pregnancy because of its ability to cause uterine contraction.
Another word of caution, don't take this with other medicines until you have spoken with your Doctor.  While there has been a great deal of positive research on Shepherds Purse, it's possible with any herb to have interactions with other medications, so play it safe and check with your MD.
Also, since Shepherd's Purse constricts the blood vessels, it is not recommended for those with high blood pressure.
This is always why I encourage you to do your own research.  Learn everything you can on any given herb or medicine, and in doing so, you will be coming from a point of knowlege rather than hoping someone else is right.  It's always better to learn from two or three good sources, and more if you have the inclination and time.
Has anyone had experience with this herb as well?  I would love your feedback!
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Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits conferred by any foods or supplements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration, healthcare professional, or even the town gossip.
They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Herbs and Wildcrafting is for educational purposes only.

Too Many Eggs? Why Not Dehydrate Them!

 Considering it's winter time, I usually get just a few eggs daily, or often one or none from my little brood of 9 Black Australorps.  But not this year.

My little gals have been working overtime laying on average, 13 eggs every two days.  Even during the coldest snaps.

For our empty nest, with just the three of us (yes, our youngest daughter is still stuck at home...poor thing...) we can't possibly eat all of them.  

Since July I've been inundated with eggs, and so something needed to be done.  Can I just say, I love my dehydrator?  It always comes through for me!

It's a simple process that anyone can do, regardless of the brand of dehydrator you might have.  



Step One:

Crack your eggs into a blender, and whip them on high.  The fluffier you get them, the better they dry...and the quicker.

Step Two:

Line your tray with wax paper or a "fruit leather" tray cover.  I fold up the edges of my paper, to make a tray with sides.  That way your eggs don't run off the edges.

Step Three:

Place your trays in your machine, and if you have a temperature gauge turn it to 135-145 degrees.  Otherwise, just turn it on, and wait for it to get crackly and crispy. 
Then turn it off and let it cool down before you put it in the food processor.

Step Four:

After you brush off the dehydrated eggs into the food processor, you'll need to alternately pulse it, and let it run, and do this back and forth, until you get the nice powder you're going to be happy with.

Step Five:

Place your powdered eggs in a zippy bag, and store them in a paper lunch sack in a cool dry place.





Using Your Eggs Is Simple:

2 T. dry egg powder + 1/4 c. water for a large egg, will work perfect for baking.

I've never thought they re-constituted really well. I think they seem to be  better as baking items since they get a strange texture when you rehydrate them and scramble them, but that's just me.  You may love them in an omelette!  Experiment for yourself, and see what works best for your family.

Done right, dried thoroughly, and stored properly, these eggs can have a shelf life of 5-10 years.   


I would love to hear how you put dehydrated eggs to good use!  Leave a comment below!

 The information presented at Herbs and Wildcrafting is for educational purposes only. No statement has been evaluated by any federal agency, medical expert, nutritionist or even the town gossip.  Remember to do your  research.  

Settle Those Nerves! The Calming Effects of Skullcap.

Just By It's Looks...

It's always interesting to me how an herb, often just by the way it looks, gives an idea of what it's good for.

Skullcap is the color of soft twilight, and that's exactly what is needed when our nerves are jangled, and we face another sleepless night.

Skullcap is a member of the mint family, and can be gathered in late summer all through North America, using the flowers, leaves and stems for tincturing or drying.

Skullcap has been used for trouble with sleeping, anxiety,  even stroke paralysys. 

 It can help with:

• Lowering fever
• Epilepsy
• Nervous Tension
• Menopausal Anxieties
• Topical Infections
• Arthritis
• Lowering Blood Pressure
• Lowering Blood Sugar
• Exhaustion
• Diahrehea

It's also considered good for involuntary movements, like you might see in Parkinson's Disease or Restless leg syndrome.

Be aware, it is considered a sedative and can affect your reflexes, just like Valerian Root, or any other muscle relaxant, but one of it's best traits is once it's done its job it is out of your system with no residual tiredness, and you feel better!  It is well known for toning your nerves, and has a cumulative effect.  It increases blood flow to the brain and helps in lowering cholesterol.

Typical doses: 

• Dried herb: About 1 T,  3 times per day in a tea.
• Tincture: 1/2 t. 3X per Day

Side Effects:

"Skullcap may slow down the central nervous system. Healthcare providers worry that anesthesia and other medications during and after surgery might increase this effect. Stop taking skullcap at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery."

Sources:

Herblist

WebMD

Any statements or claims about the possible health benefits conferred by any foods or supplements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  See Disclaimer.