Sign up now for Old Ways Herbal School of Plant Medicine Courses! The Home Medicine Maker, Home Herbalist, and Medicinal Gardener Courses start in May. As of today, there are 8 spots left in the Home Medicine Maker Course, and 9 in each of the others; these courses are open enrollment. The Traditional Apprenticeship starts … Continue reading School of Plant Medicine Registration Open
Infused Herbal Oils
Infused Herbal Oils Uses & Sample Formulas Muscle rub & massage oil: warm oil before using. Willow, arnica, Solomon’s seal, cayenne for pain; rose & damiana for love. Decongestant: add to a bath or to boiling water as a steam. Eucalyptus, cayenne, goldenrod, yarrow, thyme. Skin soother: for chronic conditions like eczema and psoriasis, or … Continue reading Infused Herbal Oils
Herbal Ice Pops for Sick Kids
Herbal ice pops are a great variation on the infused ice cube theme, specifically helpful with the cranky toddler and kid crowd. This is a great anti-dehydration remedy, as well as a tasty, fun treat that makes it easier to get herbs into sick kids. Make a strong infusion or decoction (instructions). Sweeten generously with … Continue reading Herbal Ice Pops for Sick Kids
Frozen Yogurt Infusions: Toddler Magic
Turn infusions and decoctions into delicious, fun remedies that go down easy! Frozen yogurt infusions are a fantastic trick to get medicine into kids who don't eat when things go awry, and they're especially nice for kids prone to tummy trouble. Make strong tea out of your choice of herbs, using either the infusion … Continue reading Frozen Yogurt Infusions: Toddler Magic
Oxymels: Love in the Medicine
Oxymels: Love in the Medicine Oxymels are one of my absolute favorite remedy forms. There's something about the sweet tang of an oxymel that seems to embody the love and heartfelt good wishes of the medicine maker, as well as the complexities of caring for each other. They are delicious, versatile, high in a wide … Continue reading Oxymels: Love in the Medicine
Goldenrod: August Medicine Journal
Get ready for goldenrod! This much maligned plant is a wonderful ally for allergies, sinus issues, urinary tract infections, kidney stones, sore throats, and more. It is wonderful as a tincture, syrup, honey, or dried for tea. Allergy syrup is my favorite way to use goldenrod. I combine it with Tulsi, Nettles, & Schisandra, in … Continue reading Goldenrod: August Medicine Journal
Garden Planning: February Garden Tip
Now is the time to plan! Spread out on the rug in front of the fire with your gardening notebook, last year's leftover seeds, your favorite seed catalogs (mine are Fedco, Richters, and Horizon Herbs), and a mug of tea of course. Ideally, you wrote down what went where and how it did last year, … Continue reading Garden Planning: February Garden Tip
Starting Medicinal Seeds: March Garden Tip
Get ready to start seeds! Starting seeds is a cornerstone of my herbal practice, not to mention my sweet sideline as homestead queen. I highly recommend growing this skill, as it quintuples your access to strange and interesting plants. There is a great, wide, green world of herbs and flowers out there beyond the garden … Continue reading Starting Medicinal Seeds: March Garden Tip
Identifying Lookalike Forest Plants: June Wild-crafting Journal
Solomon's Seal and Blue Cohosh are blooming! This is a great time to practice differentiating look-alike plants. Remember that Solomon's Seal blooms from all its chakras, with flowers all down the stem, whereas Solomon's Plume only blooms from it's head, with the flowers protruding from the end of the stem. Another friend that is sometimes … Continue reading Identifying Lookalike Forest Plants: June Wild-crafting Journal
Long, Cool Spring Survival: June Garden Tip
This cold, rainy weather is very weird for the Spring to Summer transition. I'm making the most of it by transplanting perennials like crazy and dropping plenty of cover crop seed. Use this time to harden off your plant babies and finish up whatever cool weather tasks you didn't get to this spring. Have you … Continue reading Long, Cool Spring Survival: June Garden Tip
