......plant medicine

Yogis,

It’s time! Many of the plants are still full and green, but not for too much longer as the days become noticeably shorter and the cool air weaves its way in. Before we know it, the plants will begin to yellow and wither sending their energy back into the roots if they are perennials or releasing their final seeds to the wind if annuals. 

It’s time to make medicine!  Plant medicine……..

All summer long the flowers bloomed to make us smile. The herbs seasoned our meals, plantain healed our bug bites, dandelion kept our digestive system in check and the trees provided much welcome shade on the hottest days.  Yet they are happy to give even more. By harvesting now and making simple preparations, their healing powers can continue serving you through the coldest winter days.

There are so many ways to use the plants as your medicine. Tinctures are fresh plants chopped up and soaked in vodka which draws out their healing properties.  Infused oils are prepared the same way but use olive oil instead of alcohol.  The infused oils can be used for cooking or heated with beeswax to make balms and salves. Infused vinegars can be used for yummy salads all year. This week I made goldenrod tincture for respiratory and sinus congestion, plantain salve for skin issues, and lemon balm tincture for the winter blues.  I love to teach others how to make these and do sell them. Let me know if you are ever interested.

There are also simple things that anyone can do! Take cuttings of plants such as mint, lemon balm, oregano or thyme.  Wrap a rubber band around the bunch of stems and slide one end of a paper clip that has been opened into an S shape through the rubber band and use the other end to hang the herbs upside down from a ledge or hook.  Once completely dried, pull off the leaves and crumble them into a mason or empty spice jar.  Use in cooking, or to make tea.  Also great for soaking in a bath with salts!

One of my other favorite plant medicines is herbed salts which are made with fresh herbs and then once dried, will last a year.

You can use single herbs such as oregano, sage, rosemary or thyme, or experiment with different combinations.  My favorite so far has been rosemary/sage/garlic salt.  To make the salts you use ¼ cup of good organic sea salt or kosher salt.  I use the larger grain. First chop 2 or 3 cloves of garlic into three tablespoons of the salt. Then add the rest of the salt and 1 cup of loosely packed herbs. Keep chopping it all together until it is consistency you like. Spread onto a cookie sheet and let dry for a few days, stirring it around once a day.  Sprinkling these onto your winter roasted vegetables or stews will make your taste buds dance. 

The earth has provided us with her own medicine chest right outside the door.  The safest, least expensive and easiest way to vibrant health. Use her gifts!

Thank you plants,
SARAH