Organic Plant Spray
If you have roses, you have bug problems. Roses must be delicious as it seems that every garden bug has a vested interested in taking at least one bite out a rose bush. Plant Spray is a quick and easy fix for aphids and other creepy crawlies. Although you can certainly buy your own plant […]
The Yin and Yang of Beer – Shoestring Herbalist
My beer needed balance. I like bitter beer but only when I am in the mood. Today was not my day for bitter. All I had in the refrigerator was leftover IPA from the 6 pack I bought for weekend. I figured it would be hot so a heavy dose of hops in my brew […]
Blueberry Crisp Recipe
Blueberry Crisp is a new twist on a childhood favorite: Apple crisp. I combined this with the sweetness profile that I remember from my mother’s peach cobbler. In my area of the Pacific Northwest, peaches are not as sweet and juicy as the ones down south, but the blueberries here will knock your socks off. […]
Aloe Vera Tummy Soother Smoothie Recipe
Good health begins in the belly. You need nutritious fuel to keep the body’s energy furnace roaring. Sometimes that furnace runs a little hot and burns your food improperly. This is when Aloe Vera comes in handy. Aloe has a great reputation for calming 1st degree burns but it can be taken internally in tasty […]
The Chicken Friendly Herb Garden
When you’re planting a garden that’s chicken friendly, you’ll want to make sure that the plants you choose can either be a beneficial addition to a chicken’s diet or ward off common pests. Sage aids in a chicken’s overall health, while thyme has antibacterial properties and benefits a chicken’s repository health. Mint, lavender, and rosemary, […]
Tomato Cage Ad Lib – The Shoestring Herbalist
As far as my tomatoes go, my eyes are much bigger than my stomach. I see tomato plants, even straggly looking tomato plants that should have been planted a month ago, and I rescue them and pop them in the ground. The poor darlings! How can I leave them to die? Here is the problem: […]
Lemon Balm Syrup
Lemon Balm Syrup is an unmistakable smile maker. The fresh, lemony taste is a delicious way to reduce anxiety and calm an upset stomach. The scent is irresistible. It’s so good for common ailments that it should be in every one’s refrigerator. Lemon balm treats more than just the blues. It’s good for upset stomachs […]
Rose Petal Honey
Rose Petal Honey is very easy and satisfying to make. It takes surprisingly little amount of effort but yields a delightful harvest of flavor. I add a bit of cinnamon and cloves to round out the light rose petal flavor. Be sure that you are choosing your most fragrant and freshest rose petals. Pay attention […]
Icelandic Herbs and Their Medicinal Uses by Anna Rósa Róbertsdóttir
Best audience for Icelandic Herbs and Their Medicinal Uses: Herbalists just beyond the raw beginner phase Candace said: I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to connect with herbs from a land so far north of my Pacific Northwest home in comparatively balmy Oregon. It turns out a goodly number of the medicinal […]
Medicinal Trees of Mt. Pisgah Video
The Practical Herbalist® team trotted around our local arboretum and made a short video featuring a few of our tree friends there. There are many trees to enjoy but we decided to feature the first few that we came upon: Magnolia, Redwood, Maple, Douglas Fir, Oak, Ginkgo, Chestnut, Hawthorn, California Bay and Ash. These are […]
Fooling the Chickens – The Shoestring Herbalist
My chickens are pretty smart. They figure out how to hide their eggs. They can jump the fence despite my husband’s barriers. They know how to get into my new garden beds when my back is turned. Outsmarting them is not really my forte. I do have a few tricks up my sleeve. I know […]
Crunchy, Munchy Granola 2.0 Recipe
The American Heart Association recommends a Omega fatty acid rich diet in order to protect against heart disease. They also help rebuild cells which supports healthy brain and nerve function. Omega fatty acids are sadly missing in the standard American diet. This recipe has a delicious mix of Omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids […]