Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye): Herbal First Aid
Pink Eye, also know as eye flu and conjunctivitis, is an infection of the conjunctive membrane of the eye. It is usually the cause of a virus. It’s contagious, just like any other virus, and is easily treated with herbs. Pink eye gets its name from the congested or engorged blood vessels in the eye […]
The Neighborhood Forager by Robert K. Henderson
Sue said: The Neighborhood Forager takes us on a walk along the streets of a common Pacific Northwest neighborhood. The plants are frequent visitors to my own table and medicine chest because I live in the Willamette Valley, which shares a bioregion with Seattle, Robert Henderson’s home. This book should be an inspiration to wild foragers in other regions to write similiar guides for their areas. I would relish a book that featured Paw Paw pie or Bog Craneberry tart. The recipes Henderson suggests have, so far, been tasty and clearly written. I look forward to trying more of them. His knowledge of herbal medicine is great for a beginner but uninspiring for the seasoned herbalist. Henderson gives ample cautions on proper identification of plants, and I wouldn’t feel confident trying a new plant’s edibility with just his book in hand. The Neighborhood Forager is a perfect companion text for a wild-crafter who is eager to try new uses for old friends.
Slug Bread and Beheaded Thistles by Ellen Sandbeck
Sue said: This short paperback is full of easy techniques that are perfect for the practical person. The author has done her homework about the hazards of pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and chemical cleansers. She knows what is at stake and this knowledge has clearly inspired her to get out the word about nontoxic options. Ellen Sandbeck has a wonderful sense of humor and a natural writing grace I found engaging enough to read through this book like a novel. I tried several of her suggestions and found they really did work. The illustration choices could double as pictures for a Trader Joe’s Flyer – very funny.
Dandelion Porter recipe for All-grain Beer Brewing
My goal was to develop a good porter that did not use hops. With it’s liver-supporting properties and wealth of vitamins and minerals, Dandelion seemed like the perfect substitute. In the original version of this recipe, I used a combination of fresh and dried dandelion tops for bittering, which yielded a well-balanced, lightly bittered porter, and fresh and dried sage and calendula to achieve a hop-like aroma. At first, the aroma wasn’t right, but after letting the brew age for three weeks the scent had mellowed considerably to one quite reminiscent of the Tetnanger hops I might otherwise have used.
Roasted Roots: A Coffee Substitute
The cinnamon in this blend gives it a spicy aroma that mimics a spiced coffee. If, like my partner, you prefer an earthier coffee black with no fancy-stuff, omit the cinnamon and roast your roots until they’re quite dark. Ingredients Dandelion root, roasted, one part Chicory root, dried, one part Cinnamon bark chips, dried, one […]
Simple Hard Apple Cider Recipe
Hard Cider is apple cider that’s been fermented to about 6 percent alcoholic content. It’s the cider equivalent of an ale or beer, and it’s generally pretty easy to make. This procedure is very simple, very unscientific, and designed for those folks who do not ferment regularly. If you have home-fermenting experience, feel free to […]
Conjunctivits or Pink Eye Infusion Recipe
Conjunctivitis, also known as Pink eye or Eye Flu, is an irritation or infection of the conjunctive membrane of the eye. I recently encountered it during a bout of flu. I used this recipe as an eye compress, although it could easily be used as an eye soak if you have an eye cup. Be […]
Frugal Fabric Softener Recipe
Fabric softener sold in stores contain a long list of chemicals that are difficult to pronounce. This recipe provides the same results with food grade vinegar and some nice smelling essential oils. I often add a few drops of this recipe onto a rag to clean windows and the washing machine itself. Store bought fabric […]
Herbal Smoking Blend Recipe
For those who want to quit smoking tobacco, or those who are looking for a non-nicotine alternative to tobacco, this herbal smoking blend offers a heart and lung-healthy alternative. This blend can be hand-rolled into cigarettes, but my favorite way to smoke it is in a pipe I’ve dedicated to smoking herbal blends. The residual […]
Head Lice Oil Recipe
Many years ago, my children came home from school with a case of head lice that caught our house in a stranglehold. I washed bed linens and towels so many times they started to fray. I threw out hats. I imprisoned favorite stuffed animals in plastic bags in the attic. I used every form of […]
Canker Sore and Cold Sore Remedy
When my little one was really small, he got canker sores. I get them occasionally, usually when I’m stressed. The virus that causes these sores takes advantage of my suppressed immune system to rear their ugly heads.
Strawberry Rejuvenation Tea Mix Recipe
I love to drink this tea iced in the summer with a sprig of fresh lemon balm. Served hot in late winter, it’s a wonderful, wake up call reminding me June’s strawberries are right around the corner.