Rumex

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Verbascum

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Viola & Taraxacum

::snuggling in bloom::

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Arctium

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Glechoma

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Solidago

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Chelidonium

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un-beknownst-to-me Tree, with Chelidonium – Leonarus - Taraxacum

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Verbascum & friends

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Urtica

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Impatiens

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Please take note: These medicinals breaking ground in “waste places” are for Earth Medicine only!  If you want to harvest these medicinals, please do so from a clean & trusted plot.  These plants have the ability to take up the harshities in the soil – so leave them and let them do their thing … aka Earth Medicine!

Basmati Stew
rice, genovese basil leaf, opal basil leaf, parsley, celery, sesame seeds, impromptu curry spice blend, artichoke tincture, sage, thyme, garnished with cayenne

Raw Chocolate Amuse Bouche
goji, cranberry, oat, nut

Taraxacum & Leonarus

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Daucus

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Chelidonium

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Artemisia

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Capsella

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Please take note: These medicinals breaking ground in “waste places” are for Earth Medicine only!  If you want to harvest these medicinals, please do so from a clean & trusted plot.  These plants have the ability to take up the harshities in the soil – so leave them and let them do their thing … aka Earth Medicine!

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Any interesting Trees in bloom where you live?

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Warmly,

Herbaloo

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(click the pic above for a closer read)

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An indoor Maple Tree turned into what it ought not to be.

I believe it is Geranium, and is still fun to see.

A Tree with roots indoors to boot.  But alas, twas only throwing its hoot.

And outdoors I see, the bark of She.  And flowers reminding me …

But the silhouette proves differ, and the trunk a bit stiffer,

I am learning slowly.

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Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum) has called to me for attention: to take stand and learn the Trees that grow above (and below) the Land.  For my Earth Apprentice 2012 Experimence I dedicate myself to the Silver Maple, in hopes that I will understand the trees a bit more, and how to properly identify them.  Silver Maple is blooming in my neighborhood.  They are one of the earliest Trees to have flowers in the Spring.  I plan to make a flower essence and meditate by her base this weekend.  I believe I have stowed away under a Silver Maple in my yard, but I can not rely souly on looks.  I must learn to speak Tree (and tag along with a Peterson Field Guide to the towering branches).

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Enjoy your day today, and everyday!

Love,

Herbaloo

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Imbolc is the celebratory day which lies half way between Yule and the Spring Equinox.  It is the time of year when the Ewes birth their lambs and we prepare the trees for tapping.  The warm weather week at the end of January leads to the freezing and thawing practice of the early Spring.  Every year is a bit different, and the further North you go the later these events come in to action.  However, Imbolc is still an important time around the globe to prepare for the birth of Spring and ensure the proper nourishment to sustain until such.

(borrowed)

Brihgid, seen as the maiden goddess of Celtic tradition, blesses us with her presence on the night of Imbolc.  She signifies for many the sweet soul who wakes us from our slumber.  The first Spirit of life to bestow the flame back into our lives (and sky).  In Egypt she is called by another name, and is the mother of the Sun god Ra.

This is the first year I have truly felt the urge to celebrate Imbolc (or Oimelc ~ Ewe’s Milk ).  Two of my dear herbal friends have expressed interest in celebrating this year as well.  One will create ceremony for the fortune-bringing maiden Brihgid and the other will be sharing her ‘Winter supply’ as a gift to praise friendship.  I look forward to engaging in Brihgid’s creative good will as well, singing songs in the woods with the birds and the bears.

Imbolc is very close to Groundhog Day, with ancient hoopla merging the two in and out of each other’s traditions.  America celebrates Groundhog day in Pennsylvania and gives the economy the decision of whether Winter should be 6 weeks longer or not.  I can play with that.  I actually see it as a very significant way to create global consciousness and manifestation.  Here, here for 6 [more] weeks of Winter.  With the lack of snow and cold temperatures, I’d say I can get through another 6 weeks of disease killing, pest controlling weather.  Who knows what the future may bring.   Balance and Earth appreciation sound good to me: hoping for sun on the second.

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Bless you,

Herbaloo

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(borrowed)

]]> http://herbaloo.org/2012/02/01/imbolc-i-get-it-now/feed/ 3 herbaloo alphonse mucha fevrier Brihgid from spiritblogger.com alphonse mucha hiver canada_66 http://herbaloo.org/2012/01/16/nettles-soup-recipes/ http://herbaloo.org/2012/01/16/nettles-soup-recipes/#comments Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:22:01 +0000 Herbaloo, Earth Apprentice http://herbaloo.org/?p=1309 Continue reading »]]> Of course – a warm wintry soup!

 What a way to enjoy your infusion of Nettles.

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Lentil Nettles Soup, served with 3 pieces of 1/2 toast: sesame-lavendar-honey, ghee, apricot jam.

Lentils ‘n’ Nettles

inspired by M.Y.

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shallot, yellow onion, garlic

lentils

vegetable stock

infusion of nettles

carrot, kale, veg-etc (optional)

cayenne, sage, sweet marjoram, basil, kelp flakes

(and/or your favorite spices)

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- Rinse lentils thoroughly (can soak for 4hrs up to overnight, but not necessary. decreases cooking time)

- Simmer lentils according to specific cook times (red lentils cook faster and becomes mushy, thickening the soup. french lentils and yellow lentils will stay firm and require longer cooking time)

- Cook your alliums (onion and shallot first) to your liking, add garlic and heat them up slightly.

- Add veggie stock and alliums to the lentils and simmer until the lentils have absorbed some of the stock.

- Add your Nettles infusion (as much as you’d like – the more the merrier!) along with your favorite herbs & spices* and heat until the perfect temperature to eat!

*Add your dried cayenne just before serving as this is the best way to receive its medicinal benefits (and cayenne can be found in varying degrees of hotness)

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Wild Rice, Wild Nettles soup: served with the Doctor's Seedlander "crispbreads"

  Wild Rice, Wild Nettles

tonight, I wildly experiment

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garlic

wild rice

potatoes (your choice! try sweets)

coconut milk

nettles infusion

carrots, corn, peas (or your veggies @ hand)

curry spices!

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- Cook your Wild Rice first, it takes longer than white rice and will turn the water colors!

- Cut your potatoes into cubes and cook them in a frying pan to maintain shape

- When rice is almost done, Add garlic to the rice and turn down heat

- Add coconut milk and spices to the rice (curry powder or paste, turmeric, s & p, kelp flakes, basil) agave nectar and tamari.

- Add the potatoes when fully cooked and the Nettles infusion – simmer and blend your cauldron until desired temp!

- Serve with a pinch of dried cayenne powder and a squeeze of a lime

* When reheating this soup the next day, I found it to be very thick from the coconut milk, so I added 2 cups of veggie stock to my dinner bowl : )  yum!

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bag o' nettles

*A tip for spring harvesting – when drying the fine nettles tops, place them spread out across the bottom of a well-ventilated basket (laundry basket, bread basket, anything with lots of small holes on the bottom) and dry them whole.  Store them in a paper bag when dried – rehydrating them later will bring back the sweet tops into a delicious treat in your soup.

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health from the hearth,

Herbaloo

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bringing them forth with conscious intelligence:

To thrive in places that flourish with respect and “positive” Earth:

To nurture Nature and symbiotically nurture yourself:

This is the way of the Nettle.

When brewing Tea, I’ve been making myself a now & later (tea for now, an infusion for later).  I like combining Nettles and Tulsi to accompany while I write.  This year allowed me to gather many knowledge molecules from the Nettle.  Now I plant them for you here, to grow and nourish.

Internal Nettles Medicine: Infusion Experiment

-          As an internal tonic: prepared as an infusion, taught by Susun Weed

-          Chock full of vitamins and minerals: Gaia’s “One-A-Day”

-          Stimulating and nourishing to the kidneys

-          anti-histamine/ allergies/ reducing inflammation

-          mamas-to-be can drink Nettles tea

I have been slowly but surely getting Nettles into my regular routine.  I made my last quart of my dried wild-crafted Nettles from VT tonight.  Moving on to a shipment from Mountain Rose Herbs, their Nettles are certified organic and sourced from Hungary (?).  I crave the infusion now, and really look forward to drinking it.  Comforting.  I especially like to drink it the last week of my moon cycle, to replenish the blood and give my body what it needs for the next moon phase.  Nettles infusions are also a great tonic for those who need more micro and macro nutrients in their diet.

External Nettles Medicine: The Sting of a Nettle

-          Arthritis and other inflammatory joint issues (like cures like!)

-          Weak circulation

-          I have a strong urge to incorporate it into a facial cleanser or toner

-          Lovely when included into a hair tonic / shampoo to reduce dandruff and enhance color (and prevent baldness?)

Oh how I love a good Nettles sting!  The wake-up shock and continual reminder through itchiness is right up my ally.  I’ve connected more so with the Nettles sting than its ingestion.  I enjoy dabbing them on my skin, giving a little tap-slap-whip, whenever I came across them in the wild.

I had an interesting conversation with an artist who experienced a giant Nettle in Australia and was told to avoid it – known to cause demise if the skin is stung or the hairs inhaled into the lungs.  I surfed the web and found the plant she speaks of: the Australian or Tree Nettle.  It is also a member of the Urticacea family.  However, it is of a different genus and species – Laportea moroides, and is not the same Nettles I am discussing here (Urtica dioica).  Though I do take caution now and remember this story while working with dried Nettles.

Sometimes the Nettles stings ya, and sometimes it don’t.

If it wants to it will, and if it doesn’t it won’t.

Deeper in the woods, where not many pass,

I find the Nettles to be stronger & longer to last.

A friendly patch you know of, you’ve maybe said hello,

Will brush up against you with a stingless mellow.

But if you ask it nicely, and slap it on your wrist,

The sting is present, curative and granting of your wish.

 * * * There are copious amounts of information out there about Nettle’s healing properties internally and topically.  It’s quite the magical plant, and useful in many ways.  I suggest taking a look at Matthew Wood’s book “The Book of Herbal Wisdom” or any other work by a trusted herbalist.  You’ll be amazed at what you find!!  Or, you can ask the Nettles plant directly.  I continue to find more uses for Nettles everyday, so you will continue to see the plant added to recipes! * * *

Nettles as Fertilizer

You may have heard of Biodynamic Farming, interpreted by Rudolph Steiner.  On the website biodynamics.com they describe Steiner’s studies as “the conclusion that western civilization would increasingly bring destruction to itself and the earth if it did not begin to incorporate an objective understanding of the spiritual world and its interrelationship with the physical world.  Steiner’s spiritual scientific methods and insights have given birth to practical holistic innovations in many fields including education, banking, medicine, psychology, the arts and, not least, agriculture.”  He’s actually quite a hero of mine.  And I can relate to his seemingly “kooky” theories (they all seem a bit otherworldly when speaking on speaking to plants…)!

Biodynamic Farming is a conscious act of farming with the planetary forces of the Galaxy.  In one aspect, you utilize the phases of the moon and its water pulling abilities to maximize your planting and harvesting.  For instance, the Full Moon pulls water to the surface of the Earth – so you harvest any fruiting above-ground plants at the Full Moon if you want them to be watery/juicy (like tomatoes!).  If you want to harvest roots, you do so during the New Moon when water (and nutrients) are pulled down to the center of the Earth.  You can also tie in the location of the planets, etc to further your cosmic gardening.

Rudolph Steiner worked with plants on a chemical level, and noticed that certain plants and their ability to gather nutrients had a profound affect on soil processes as well as plant health.  He made biodynamic preparations or “preps” that involve putting herbs in the horns of certain animals and burying them on certain cosmic alignment days for so many days, and unearthing them at the exact moment that gives them their highest potential.  There is a rhyme and reason behind all of the steps, which, given the time and resources, I could dig.

For now I take the simpler route and work with the herbs Steiner mentions as being best for the compost.  These herbs allow the compost to utilize nutrients and break down efficiently the scraps which are brewing within the mixture.  From OregonsWildHarvest.com: “[The preps] are usually fermented and then applied in very small proportions to compost piles, to the soil or sprayed directly onto the plants. Creating these preps sounds almost mystical however it is proven to not only work but to be based in the new spiritual scientific approach to working with the earth.  The original biodynamic (BD) preparations are numbered 500-507.”

Nettles is an important part of Biodynamic Farming.

  prep BD504 as they sell it.

“This preparation is made from the whole Stinging Nettle plant before it flowers. The prep helps in decomposition by working on the nitrogen content of the compost. It aids chlorophyll formation and stimulates iron, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulphur activity in the soil. Stinging nettle promotes soil health, providing plants with the individual nutrition components they need and thus creating more nutrients in the plants themselves. Used homeopathically, one teaspoon treats 10 tons of compost!” (oregonswildharvest.com)

Makes sense since Nettles prefer to grow in very fertile soil.  It’s actually a sign that your soil is in good health if you have Nettles growing.  They prefer the yummy soil so they can soak up the nutrients and pass them on to you (and the compost pile!).

Nettles Meditation

My year spent with Stinging Nettle has brought forth two significant mantras:  To be aware/conscious/intentional.  (I have not mastered this but I am more so than when I started)    And:    Nourishment is the essence of life.  (To be malnourished is to be stuck.  One can not move, literally, without nourishment)

In September I went to Zack Woods Herb Farm in Hyde Park, VT and romped around their fields, meditating with various varieties and seeing the medicinal herbs in farm-cohesion.  I joked with the Plant Spirit, in all seriousness, and started giggling while exclaiming “Nettles Hug”.  The Nettles at Zack Woods were very sharp and the sting was nothing to mess with.  I gave an aura hug to the plant and was stung on the sly quite a few times.  It was worth it.  I was able to find myself deep in the Earth and amongst the largest patch of Nettles I’ve seen.  Thank you to the Vermont herb growers hor holding such a space.

I have been fortunate enough to be provoked into meditation by the Nettle for a little short and sweet.  A few tid-bits told here and there while walking the woods or enjoying the backyard.  The first being the surface meanings: taking time to be conscious of their presence when walking the woods, and knowing that intention can be part of the medicine.

This theme of being conscious mirrors the actual act of meditating with the Nettles.  As if the goal of meditating is really to be in the present moment and not to drift off into dream land as often.  To have what I need at hand to carpe diem.  In conscious waking life, the Nettles meditations gave me the confidence and ability to pass along the wonders of the plant to those who also walk the waking path.  Yes.  Consciousness.  Boom, Shiva!  Consciousness and Process.  Processing literally as the plant does.  Attracting positive nutrients, processing them into its own self, and then releasing through process. The Doctrine of Signatures never ceases to amaze me.  I find it useful to connect a plant’s physical features with its healing capabilities by drawing it – and of course I went through a stint of drawing the Nettles plant, passing on her Spirit gift to those who spared paper and pen for the creation.

Nettles is an herb that I will continue to bring along with me in life.  Our relationship has developed slowly in the Spirit sense, but with great pleasure and passion.  My meditations have taught me to appreciate the process.  Waiting for the herbs to infuse for several hours – learning the patience associated with getting to know someone or something well – constant nourishment to achieve greatness and optimal health.  Writing and processing my thoughts and experience over this past year is wonderful.  I hadn’t realized how much I’d learned and felt, how the Nettles brought medicine which coincided with my healing journey over the past year.  Twirling, twirling, twirling.  Sister Spinster.  Softly stroking my face with a sweet loving touch.

Not every plant communicates in the same manner: Something an Earth Apprentice learns through many Spirit conversations.

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Dearest Nettles, you fill my heart and body’s desires.  Thank you for being in arm’s length, and showing me where you grow.  Thank you for keeping me well and bringing the nutrients of the soil to my blood and soul.  Sweet Blessings to you and your kind, may we continue to dance gently along the Earth together.

Give Thanks and Praise for Nettles

Namaste Sweet Urtica

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Nice Night for a Walk - Peter Vidani

This Autumn slope into Winter may have been the most moving one yet for me.  While the leaves fell, I too went softly down to the depths of my Soul.  Searching for the glow that keeps me shining.  It’s not that it went out entirely, but I was stifling it with thoughts and emotions that seemed to be natural – but were unnecessary.

The dark days of the year are for entering into hibernation, and crawling into your bear cave to find warmth, comfort and reflect upon your inner contents.  What do your chambers hold?  We are only half way through our deep descent to the feminine yin aspect of the year.  And the crawl out of hibernation to Summer seems to happen much slower.  It’s somewhat easy to glide down a mountain, but making your way back up takes strength and courage – and time.  So while you experience this climb to the top – here are a few herbs to help illuminate your path.

Dreams of Space - artist unknown

The list of herbs below were taken from the lecture by Guido Mase “Joyful Herbs for Darker Days” which I only heard bits and pieces of.  So I went ahead here and gave my own experiences and uses for the plants.  Quite cosmic to be revisiting the topic, seeing as I was über excited to hear the lecture – these are truly my favorite category of herbs!)

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borrowed from sacredfrankincense.com

Frankincense – Boswellia sacra :

An ancient, sacred tree resin that has been used par fumer (perfume/incense) for cleansing and to dispel torpor.  Aromatherapy is my favorite way to enjoy the resin.  It was included in the gifts that the Wise Men brough to the baby Jesus, too …

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Holy Basil aka Tulsi aka Tulasi aka the Divine Sacred Breath

Tulsi – Ocimum sanctum  :

As you may have read previously on the blog, Tulsi is an adaptogenic herb lending itself useful in times of stress.  I enjoy drinking Tulsi tea, and will use the oil extract in capsule when its available.  (for more info read my materia medica on Tulsi -  herbaloo.org/2010/09/18/holy-basil-its-tulsi/ )

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borrowed from soenyun.com

White Sage – Salvia apiana  :

Another herb used par fumer, White Sage is held sacred as a cleansing herb by the Southwest natives and any Soul-searching Earth-lover in the neighborhood.  Eileen Nauman (medicinegarden.com) has a neat description of how it works, “Sage emits negative ions; just as a waterfall or running water, emits the same thing. This is why, when people are near running water, they always feel cleaner, cleaned off or just ‘better’ for seeming no reason at all. But there is a deeper reason. Our aura holds positive ions, much like a carpet when you walk across it, creates static electricity. Only, these positive ions are like dust in our aura and it simply makes us feel sluggish, tired, or just not our usual frisky, peppy self.”  Not sure of her source, or if that explanation is true, but it sure sounds like a great way to envision the cleansing action from the Sage.

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borrowed from Deutschland...

Mimosa – Albizia julibrissin  :

I had never heard of this plant before Guido brought it up.  One website is calling it the “Collective Happiness Bark”.  Delightful!  I recall Guido giving high praise to this plant for instances of depression and sadness.  Looks like it’s a tree whose bark you harvest.  Guido was using the distilled Spirit.  You know what is so strange?!  I saw a plant growing in Asia which the folks there refered to as “Mimosa”.  When I returned back to the states I found the seeds for sale at a kid’s science shop.  The producer called it the “Tickle-Me Plant” because the leaves literally move before your eyes when you brush up against it.  The Asian woman who owned the shop had grown up calling it the “bow plant”, because its leaves come together like hands praying and bowing to you.  Now this Mimosa plant I speak of is a different genus and species (Mimosa pudica – Bashful Mimosa).  But it looks like Guido’s Mimosa – Albizia julibrissin, only on a much smaller scale: similar pink flowers and leaf structure. So about a week ago (yes 1 week ago it started getting cold) I was getting out my winter hats and gloves, etc, and I found a seed of the Bashful Mimosa clinging on to one of my hats like a prickly pea-pod.  I don’t have the original plant anymore, nor the seeds, so finding it was really a blessing.  And now it all comes back ….  Oh so ironic and coincidental … could it be any other way?

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Sunny Jey Wort

St. John’s Wort – Hypericum perforatum  :

Sir Sunny.  Sunny J.  That which lets light shine through its perforated leaves.  I have a lot of love for St. John’s Wort.  I prefer to use the oil externally, wherever I feel like massaging.  The yellow flower petals, when crushed, produce a pink/red oil.  Quite magical!  And I wrote about the herb last year on the Solstice as well!  ( herbaloo.org/2010/12/21/yule-love-it/ )

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borrowed

Rhodiola – Rhodiola rosea  :

Living on the top of a cliff, in between two rocks.  Rhodiola is one of the toughest plants I know.  It can handle anything, and fatigue is no match for its succulent tendencies.  This plant can be used for adrenal support and stress relief.  Small doses help you stay awake, larger doses put you to sleep.  Or so I’ve read.  It advised me the other day to take it as soon as I open my eyes in the morning.  To jolt me out of bed on these cold & dark mornings ; )

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borrowed from Otto Wilhelm Thomé

Lemon Balm – Melissa officinalis  :

During a recent herbal consultation my Naturopath-in-training said Lemon Balm is itself like the Worker Bee – buzzing from plant to plant, completing one flower’s pollen collection at a time.  One task at a time.  Efficiency and motivation.  Buzz.  I like Lemon Balm, it grows well in my neck-of-the-Earth and makes a really yummy tea!  My mother also has a really cute way of harvesting it and knowing it could be used for something useful, then calling it Lemon Verbena.  So precious!  Lemon Balm speaks in soft tones and is always ready to lend a hand.  Very friendly herb.

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Rosa Rugosa - borrowed from wildflowerhunter.net

Rose – the genus Rosa  :

I have been SO loving Rose lately.  I like to wear really strong true Rose essential oil and aromatize a whole room.  99% of the time people are very excited that it suddenly smells like a flower’s in bloom.  I will even start putting it on people unsuspectingly if I’m in a stinky crowd!  Rose is like that sweet soul lover you dream of.  Rose will be anyone’s Soul-Mate and speaks to the heart, skin, hair, oh everything.  Having it in drinking tea or bath tea is also quite delightful.  Everyone could use a little Rose in their life  : )  Even meditation can be beneficial with the Rose.  Experiment with different colors and varieties to see which you fall the most in love with.  And – try adding Rose Water while cooking. Yum!  The Rose Hips of Rosa Rugosa are edible and can be made into jam (add rose hips and apple juice to a jar and let sit over night).  This type of Rose grows wild down the by da beach.

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borrowed from philadelphiagreen.wordpress.com

White Pine – Pinus strobus  :  I Pine for you.

White Pine boughs have been used in religious ceremonies during the darkest days since we began time.  Conifers in general are very popular this time of year, bringing them in the house to suggest eternal-life and the ability to stay green and full of life in the dead of winter.  Kind of ironic to chop it down.  We decorate a living tree…  But back to White Pine, the tea is very high in Vitamin C and I can imagine curling up on a bed of pine needles, or laying them across your floor, might be quite enjoyable!  Pam Montgomery has an affinity for White Pine and lots of information on the gentle giant.  Meditating under a White Pine during the winter can be unexplainably amazing.  Even unconsciously you can benefit from just being around Pine trees.  You can recognize it by its commonly straight-as-an-arrow trunk – and it’s needles grow in little pairs of 5 from the branch (like fingers!).

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borrowed from foods-for-thought-list.blogspot.com

Oats – Avena sativa  :

I always end up with Oats in my nourishing formulas when other herbalists make them for me.  It’s a safe plant that can almost always be of benefit for a woman.  Milky Oats, the top immature seed-head, is nourishing to the reproductive system.  Oat Straw, I hear, can have a positive influence on your love life and stamina/regularity of such.  I like Oats in tea, but I’ve also used Oats in a tincture blend.  And I just LOVE hot Oatmeal on cold dark nights!  Or could dark mornings …  The shape of the seed head and the sound they make in the field when they are dried:  Mmmm music to my senses.  They are commonly used as a cover crop, and if you know a friendly Farmer who uses them you may just be able to harvest a bit before they hay.  Certainly reminds me of sunshine & summer.  : )

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Well – !!!  My New Moon manifestation is to have more time to meditate and be creative, and connect with the Earth and with myself.  I am so pleased to be back experimencing as Herbaloo!  The blog’s birthday was December 9th and the Nettles experiment is coming to a close.  I am having a hard time letting go of Urtica as my experimence-tea! (pun intended)  But slowly I tinker away at a somewhat lengthy (but navigate-able) materia medica of the Stinging Nettle.  Then I will be moving on to this next year’s experiment…  Stay Tuned!

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Here’s a little Solstice Shine & Love for you and yours.

Yuletide Blessings!

Cordially,

Herbaloo

xoo

Here’s a special glimpse of the writer behind the blog (for you lovely loyal folks!)

I have many blog posts in the works – and the ideas keep popping up like weeds!  With the change in the number of evening daylight hours and time spent outdoors I look forward to many stories shared on the blog from adventures new and old.  Stay tuned!

Muito Amor

Herbaloo