When you realize that formulation is actually part-science, part-mathematics, and part-art the whole process becomes far more experimental and playful. Just like constructing a sonnet, having a set of rules or guidelines to get you started is helpful.
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When you’re looking for a good Flu Remedy, Chamomile doesn’t usually come up, but it should. Chamomile is one of those often overlooked, unsung heroes of the herbal world. In eras past, we often used it to quiet colicky children.
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As a flower essence, yarrow’s affinity is for Empathic or Highly Sensitive individuals. We’re a lot who are naturally more open to the energies of the world around us than most, making us both more powerful and more vulnerable at the same time.
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Before I launch into a detailed discussion of all the lovely health benefits of using the wild mushroom known in English as Wood Ear (Latin name: Tremella fuciformis), I want to talk a little bit about the Chinese name. The Chinese term is Yin Er, which literally translates as Silver Ear. It is worth noting that the word “Yin/银” or silver, in this context, is a homophone for a different “Yin/陰” which is the Yin from Yin-Yang.
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One of the most commonly used ingredients in Chinese herbal formulas is the fungus known as Poria cocos in Latin, and also called China root, Indian bread, and just poria. It is the primary herb in the “drain dampness” category.
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Shiitake Mushrooms are not exactly what you think of when an Herbalist starts talking about Medicinal Mushrooms…but they really ought to be! They’re loaded with safe and gentle medicinal properties that the wiser Herbalists use regularly to prevent illness and restore balance when needed.
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Full of lactic acid, anti-oxidants, and digestive fire, kvass is an old tonic fermented either from rye bread or beetroot. It’s a household mainstay in Eastern Europe, and is sold commercially in multiple countries. Recipes are simple enough to make at home.
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Hops have been the bittering herbs for beer for a few centuries now. In more recent years here in the Pacific Northwest, it’s as if brewers have gotten drunk off the bitter Hops brings to the feremeter- Extreme IPA has become the standard beer here, with extreme being the important element in that moniker. These beers are quite medicinal in strength. Between the higher alcohol levels that draw higher levels of medicinal constituents out of the hops and the sheer volume of hops brewers are using, Extreme IPA beers are starting to taste more like tinctures than like beers. If that’s your jam, great. But, if hops isn’t the best herb for you, it’ll come as a relief to know that there are a lot of other herbs you can try!
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Mead, strictly speaking, is made with honey, water, and yeast. Nothing more. It’s a fabulously medicinal and Divinely Delicious medicine in its own right. Truly, I could write a book just on the virtues of Mead, as have many enthusiasts and experts already done. Mead combines the medicinal properties of Honey, which are plentiful, with the gut-friendly medicine of fermentation. A glass a day of mead can help improve digestive health and prevent a wide variety of digestive complaints.
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It’s come to my attention recently that many folks don’t know what Kombucha is. I was shocked, but upon reflecting over the past decade since I first began drinking it I realized that it wasn’t until I moved out to Eugene, Hippy-Capital of the World, that I discovered this amazing fermentation.
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The schisandra berry is a delightful, and delicious, addition to an herbalist’s toolkit. Before I describe in detail all the abilities and applications of this herb, I want to share my personal experience of schisandra.
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If you’ve ever made sun tea, you know all about how simple it is to create a little herbal luxury. Herbal Iced Teas, which are a variety of sun teas, are amazingly easy to brew. What you may not realize is that herbal luxury can also be a powerful ally against dehydration and electrolyte imbalance in summer’s heat. The bonus is Herbal Iced teas are super low-cost to brew.
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Research has shown that oats represent a sound unbroken link to our herbal lineage. A solid one-third of my herbal library refers to oats as a trophorestorative; soothing, nourishing and nervine. The message is steady and consistent, much like Avena herself: Take peace, take comfort, take strength.
Here are some of the ways I roll with oats, Avena sativa…
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As a single-herb therapy, chrysanthemums are used both internally and externally. For internal use, make a tea with the flowers, letting them steep 3-4 minutes in boiling water, then drain out the large pieces and drink only the liquid. Chrysanthemum tea is useful for…
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Rhodiola rosea has been in use for centuries, yet it’s a relative new-comer to modern herbal practice in the Western world. Although it’s new to many of us, Rhodiola’s entrance into modern practice could not be more well-timed.
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