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Welcome to The Practical Herbalist. Our mission is to promote education on practical herbalism and homesteading. You'll find over a wealth of informative articles, techniques, and recipes here, all of which fit the practical herbalist's lifestyle. We have over 150 articles on our site and more are added every week. Simply click on the Resource tab to find the subject that interests you or use our handy search tool located below.

Herbal Blessings from The Practical Herbalists,

Sue Sierralupe,
Candace Hunter
& Patrick Hunter

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Mountain Rose Herbs. A Herbs, Health & Harmony Com

Introducing the 2012 Healing Herbs Wall Calendar

healingherbs2012The Healing Herbs 2012 wall calendar pairs useful and informative herbal text with sixteenth-century woodcuts published by Italian physician Pierandrea Mattioli which have been colorized in a modernized retro style. Herbs have been in use by the traditional healer for untold generations, in all cultures and climates. The herbalist's medicine cabinet is filled with plants with complex histories and fascinating personalities. This calendar features a different herb each month with an overview of its valuable properties. Reintroduce yourself to these reliable old friends just waiting for you outside your front door while supporting our very own Sue Sierralupe, author of Healing Herbs 2011 wall calendar and Practical Herbalist. You can purchase it here at Amazon.com.

 

Introducing the Herbalist Manifesto blog

chamomile_flowerThere's a new blog in town. This one focuses the life of PH's professional herbalist, gardener, nutritionist and rabble rouser Sue Sierralupe. Sometimes the Herbalist Manifesto digs into soil with comments on sustainable gardening. Sometimes the Herbalist Manifesto grits her teeth at modern parenting. Sometimes the Herbalist Manifesto takes a lean, hard look at society and bites back. The blog is updated weekly, so check in regularly. The Herbalist Manifesto

 

Old-fashioned Apple Pie Recipe

by Sue Sierralupe

pieSimple  to make, delightful to eat; this apple pie is a winner all-around. Use Aunt Patty's Easy Pie Crust recipe for a perfect combination. Any leftovers I manage to save are my breakfast the next day.

It makes one 9 inch pie. If you want to use your 10 inch pie tin, just add 1/4 to 1/3 more ingredients depending on how deep you want your pie to turn out.

Ingredients for Old-fashioned Apple Pie

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How to Brew the Perfect Cup of Coffee

by Candace Hunter

coffeecupOne important key to making great coffee is to choose coffee you love. Using the process on this page, the scent and the flavor of your beans will shine, as will any unbalance or flaws. Experiment with the best quality beans you can find. Pay attention to the characteristics you like best and to which varieties satisfy your palate. Ignore any coffee experts who try to tell you what you should or shouldn't like. Coffee is highly personal.

The second key to making great coffee is to pay attention to your brew. This means bringing your water to a boil, then letting it stand for a few moments to bring the temperature down to about 204 degrees Fahrenheit. Let it steep for four minutes rather than considerably longer or shorter. Pour it with care as you strain so as to ensure that you don't accidentally spill grounds into the finished brew. All in all, it takes about ten minutes or so to make a truly good cup of coffee.

This procedure is written to make four six-ounce cups of coffee, which results in enough to fill two standard mugs. The important proportion you'll need to keep in mind when you're adjusting this procedure for a different volume is one heaping tablespoon of ground coffee for each six ounces of water.

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Winter Cold Care

by Sue Sierralupe

aaroninsnow.jpgThe common cold is defined as a viral infection of the upper respiratory system. Stuffy noses, coughs and constant weariness are warning signs of an oncoming cold. There are over two hundred different types of rhino-viruses and since they travel through the air and via physical contact with ever benign objects such as doorknobs or light switches, these viruses are very successful. Although colds only last 2 weeks and host only mild symptoms, they can open the door to other more complicated bacterial infections like the flu, strep throat, or ear infections.

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Cranberry Sauce (made from scratch)

by Sue Sierralupe and her Wonderful Mom

cranberrysauce
photo/Sue Sierrlupe
Making your own fresh cranberry sauce takes only a few mintues and tastes significantly better than the quivering cylinder of jelly that comes from a can. My problem with cranberry sauce is that it is too tart to enjoy without adding lots of sugar.

My mom and I developed this version of cranberry sauce in her kitchen just before serving Thanksgiving dinner. Holidays meals wouldn't be complete with it now. The herbs in this recipe smooth out the tang without covering up the zesty cranberry flavor.

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Aunt Patty's Easy Pie Crust Recipe

This is the tastiest and easiest pie crust recipe that I have ever used. Thanks Aunt Patty!

It makes 2 crusts.

piecrustIngredients for Making Easy Pie Crust

  • 2 1/4 cup flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1 cup shortening

Procedure for Making Easy Pie Crust

  1. Mix dry ingredients together.
  2. Mix in water.
  3. Add shortening and mix until the dough is kneadable.
  4. Separate the dough into 2 balls of equal size and roll each flat. Line 2 pie tins with the dough, pour in your favorite pie filling recipe and cook. Yum!

Pie Crust Storage Tips

Pie crust may be frozen for several months once it has been molded into the pie tin.

 
Mountain Rose Herbs. A Herbs, Health & Harmony Com
Tips for Using Herbs

Practical Herbalist Tip #14

Sprinkle grated nutmeg into yogurt for a delicious medicinal treat to sooth a grumbling stomach.