Garlic (Allium sativum)

Garlic (Allium sativum) Family: Amaryllidaceae Genus: Allium Energetics: warming, drying Taste: pungent Plant Properties: circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, expectorant, antimicrobial, carminative, immune modulating, vermifuge (parasites) Plant Uses: Hypertension, fungal & bacterial infections, colds, influenza, bronchial congestion, small intestinal bacteria growth, digestion, asthma, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance Garlic has been approved by the Commission E as…

Read More

Bonfire Cider

Bonfire Cider (Fire Cider) Bonfire Cider stimulates the immune system and digestive system during the colder months. For generations, herbal medicinal recipes have been prepared and passed down for many years to fight against the common cold and other illnesses. Recipes varied from year to year depending on what was available and in season. Even…

Read More

Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Sage (Salvia officinalis) Family: Lamiaceae (mint) Genus: Salvia Common names include garden sage, common sage, culinary sage Comes from the Latin word salvere meaning “to feel well and healthy, health, heal” Energetics: warming, drying Taste: pungent, bitter Plant Properties: aromatic, astringent, carminative, diaphoretic, antiseptic, blood moving Plant Uses: Sore throat, excessive sweating, infections, stagnant digestion,…

Read More

Shortbread Herbal Cookies – Violets

Shortbread Herbal Cookies I have come to a point in my life that I can’t imagine making cookies without adding flowers or herbs. I was first inspired by Lori Stern, a private chef and caterer in California, who adds loads of eye-popping color to all her dishes with the use of flowers. It was around…

Read More

Herbal Pastilles (Pills)

Herbal Pastille Making What is a pastille? A pastille (or pill) is made by simply combining powdered herbs with a liquid or honey and rolling them into small pea-size balls. Some common uses are for sore throats, coughs, and, digestive complaints. Basic Pastille Recipe Place medicinal powdered herbs in a bowl and mix with honey…

Read More

Herbal Infused Sugars & Salts

Infused Sugars & Salts The colder nights are upon us here in New England and it’s time to squirrel away our summer and fall bounty. Fortunately there are a whole bunch of ways to preserve and enjoy herbs for months, even years to come! Here are a few ways I’ve preserved my herbs this year:…

Read More

Burdock (Arctium lappa, A. minor)

Burdock, also known as Gobo, is one of those plants that’s been calling to me for a while now. Sometimes when you need a plant, they find a way into your life and make their presence known. A year or two ago I began gathering Stinging Nettle from a local farm. They considered this plant…

Read More

Bath Fizzies!

Bath Fizzies! Bath bombs, bath fizzies, whatever you want to call them are so fun and easy to make! You can make them as potent or as pleasurable as you’d like and they can aid in soothing your body in all sorts of ways, from achy muscles to chilling out. I personally enjoy making them…

Read More

Herbal Crackers

Herbal Crackers The weather has definitely turned here in New England and now we’re frantically looking for our slippers, sweatshirts, and thick blankets. The air is crisp! Most of the plants in my yard and garden are falling back to earth and returning to where it all began. One of the few plants still thriving,…

Read More

Homemade Minty Ice Cream

Homemade Minty Ice Cream Aside from watermelon, ice cream has most definitely become a kid staple in our home this summer. So when I rediscovered my old Donvier Manual Ice Cream Maker in the basement, I knew what had to be done. I scoured the internet looking for easy recipes because I have kids and…

Read More