Avena sativa The milky oat seeds are collected when the seeds of the oat are still green and in the “milky” stage. When you squeeze the seed you’ll see that milky liquid. This is usually tinctured fresh. Avena sativa is an extremely helpful herb for nourishing the nervous system, especially in cases of nervous exhaustion. …
Ashwagandha or “Indian ginseng” (Withania somnifera) is known as a very gentle adaptogen. It has been used in so many conditions to help improve and bring back balance. It’s a superb herb to use for anxiety, insomnia, female reproductive issues, depression and even asthma and bronchitis. In Ayurveda, it’s classified as a rasayana, which is …
What is an herbal infusion? “Herbal infusion” is a way to describe the use of water to extract the medicinal properties of an herb. The term “tea” is technically referring to an infusion made using the tea plant – Camellia sinensis, so when we say “herbal tea” it’s not technically correct. HOWEVER, I am not a …
A Bit About Ginger Ginger snaps, candied ginger, gingerbread men, ginger tea… there are so many ways to enjoy the benefits of ginger! Over the last 5000 years, many recipes and uses have been created and shared. It was a cultivated crop and common staple in ancient Southeast Asia until the fall of the Roman …
It seems like sooner or later, we all get to deal with a bit of insomnia. Of course, there are a number of non-herb related things you should make sure you’re doing at night to prep your mind and body for sleep, but for those nights (or weeks… months?) when you need a little extra …
Can you feel it? The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are cooling off and the air just feels different… fall is coming! Along with the changing leaves, hot chocolate and sweater weather comes… cold and flu season. So what can you do to get ready? There are a number of herbal allies that can …
Sambucus nigra has a long history as a traditional medicinal plant. The father of medicine himself, Hippocrates, referred to it as “nature’s medicine chest” and recommended elderberry for a wide variety of conditions. The berries are rich in vitamin C and flavonoids, and are believed to protect against viral entry into human cells and interfere …
Pine needles are probably not the first thing that come to mind when you think of ingredients to turn into a sweet syrup. Humor us on this one and try it! I promise, you won’t be disappointed. When gathering your pine needles, focus on the young, pale green tips of the branch, as they are …
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) has a well-deserved reputation as a great cold and flu remedy, thanks to its powerful antiviral properties. (Bonus points that elderberry syrup tastes a heckuva lot better than your average cold medicine!) Today, we’re going beyond the usual syrup recipe and making an elderberry oxymel. The term oxymel is derived from the …
Let’s Work with Stinging Nettle It’s always fun to find new ways to bring herbs into the kitchen. Honestly there’s no better way to get them into our bodies than through food! Pesto is a super simple recipe that allows for so much flexibility. Don’t have access to nettles? Use dandelion leaves or basil. Don’t …
