Introduction Leah Rond owner & proprietor of She Digs Bad Dog Acre(s)

Transcription

1 All in a Cup of 'Tea': the art of herbal teas, salves & liniments Review of Herbalism Obtaining Herbs Harvesting, Preserving & Storing Simple Preparations Resources Introduction Leah Rond owner & proprietor of She Digs Bad Dog Acre(s) Started learning from my Grandmother as a child Over 12 years of experience with clients Studied & Certified with/by Charoula Dontopoulos of IHHC Member of American Herbalist Guild, American Botanical Council, Slow Food Columbus, OEFFA What I don't do: I do not diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease As you can see, we have bad dogs Bad Dog Acre(s) ~1.5 acres managed with permaculture based techniques Low-tech systems used to create micro-niches Wild-crafting does occur in areas left alone 45+ plants used beyond food

2 What is Herbalism? Traditional or folk medicine practice based on the use of plants Also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism, phytotherapy Predates written history, written records extend back over 5000 years Practiced by >~%80 of the world's population as primary health care system today Herbalism, cont Traditional Herbal Systems have common threads: Foundational belief in the healing power of nature - central tenet of Hippocratic teachings - body is self-healing, strives for homeostasis - relationship between the physical, emotional & spiritual Attention to Plant Energetics -descibes a plants activities & qualities what does it do in the body ie, stimulate/sedate, moisten/dry Differential Diagnosis used to understand the individual and underlying imbalances or issues Good Herbal Medicine treats people, not diseases

3 A Word about Safety: In most cases, herbs are neither a panacea or a poison. Food herbs gentle in action, very low toxicity, unlikely to cause an adverse affect. Safely used long-term Medicinal herbs Stronger in action, require greater knowledge, limited use for a specific reason 'Poison' herbs should be used by highly experienced practioners and have a strong potential for either acute or chronic toxicity Regulation & Testing does occur German E Commission, British Pharmacopoeia, etc. Growing Herbs at Home Can be done anywhere- in pots or containers, garden beds, cultivated fields Know what you are getting whether or not the plant is what is claimed, chemical free, etc Can harvest at peak moment Beneficial to bio-diversity and plant guilds Can help protect endangered species Delicious and beautiful additions to any landscape

4 Wild-Crafting Herbs Age-old practice of gathering plant material from the wild for food, medicine, etc. If it's not your place, make sure you have permission. Positive plant identification is imperative Practice ethical harvesting do not take all that is available Great way to engage the natural world around us Buying Herbs Make sure they are from a reputable source Organic? Sustainably harvested? Properly ID'd? Environmental Commitment? Buy the best quality available, again know your source Try to avoid endangered species if there is a viable alternative Fresh is best. Dried herbs should look like, smell like, taste similar to the herb when it is fresh. -leaves should be almost same color, blossoms bright & colorful - roots should still be 'vibrant', retain color hues close to fresh - Smell should be 'strong', not necessarily good Taste should be distinctive and potent you will notice it

5 Harvesting Pick, dig, etc at peak potency which will vary from plant to plant general rule blossoms/leaves after morning dew has dried -roots in the late summer or fall -bark in the spring leaves before the plant blooms Take a little from each plant, spread impact out if possible Many perennial herbs can be cut back and will grow again Preserving Drying bunching method or chopping and putting on a screen or tray (depends on plant). Should be out of direct light and with good air circulation Freezing place on tray in freezer then place in bag or container Vinegars, jams, jellies, pestos, etc are all ways to preserve the harvest Storing Once herbs are properly preserved, store in a cool, dark, dry place Jars, bottles, bags can all be used Correctly label your herbs plant type, date of harvest ( at least year ) Properly stored dry herbs can last about a year on a shelf, in a freezer it can be longer

6 Poplar Balm- A Salve for Sore Muscles Cottonwood (Populas deltoides) infused oil 2 pt Goldenrod (Solidago sp.) infused oil 2 pt Calendula (Calendula officinalis) infused oil -1 pt Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) infused oil 1 pt Ginger (Zingeber officinale) Essential Oil few drops Beeswax - To make the balm... Start with your herbal infused oils simply fill a jar at least halfway with herb of choice and cover with good oil organic olive oil, almond,etc. Stir or shake daily. Let sit for at least 2 weeks -the longer the better. Press the oil and store or use. Gently heat oils and beeswax until all the wax has melted Remove from heat, stir in Essential Oil and pour into containers. Label and use Herbs for the balm... Populas spp. - A wonderful broad application herb that reduces general swelling, pain, bruising and speeds healing just about any external pain/inflammation.(broken bones, burns, wounds, infections) Solidago spp Specifically targets muscle tissue pain, trauma, injuries.

7 Calendula anti-septic, anti-inflammatory Comfrey bruising, swelling, helps speed cell renewal Ginger Warming circulatory stimulant A Simple Syrup Homemade Cough/Sore-throat Remedy great for colds, flus, bronchitis, pneumonia persistent coughs What you will need: -onions or garlic (can use both) - honey (local, organic if possible) - jar for storage Will keep for 6+ months in refrigerator To make: Garlic Honey Syrup -Chop the garlic/onion into fine slivers or rings and place in nonreactive pan (let's say ½ medium onion or 3-4 medium cloves). - Cover thoroughly with honey - Put on low-heat (can be done in double boiler) - heat just until honey becomes very thin (can be packed into jar & left to sit without heating) - place in clean 8 ounce jar, put on lid, label and use! Other things that can be added: fresh grated ginger, pinch of cayenne, ¼

8 cup of lemon juice, etc Dosage 1-2 tsp as needed Why Garlic & Honey? Garlic (Allium sativum )provides allicin when bruised or crushed which has strong antibiotic activity Stimulates the immune system Strong anti-viral actions TCM - it expels external cold and internal dampness Other alliums (onions) have similar actions A basic liniment A liniment is an herbal topical preparation usually made with alcohol or witch hazel extract. It is for external use only! Herbs for our liniment: Comfrey root (Symphytum Officinale) 1pt Valerian root (Valeriana Officinalis) - ¾ pt Calendula (Calendula officinalis) - ½ pt Cinnamon (Cinnamomum sp) - ¾ pt Cayenne (Capsicum annuum) pinch or dash

9 Start with a clean jar Making the liniment Put all the measured herbs in the jar Cover the herbs with the rubbing alcohol - a general rule of thumb: 4 oz of dried herb or 8 oz of fresh herb to 1 pint of alcohol Stir the contents thoroughly or put the lid on and shake well Let sit for at least 2 weeks with a daily stirring or shaking making sure to check the alcohol level and that all the herbs are thoroughly covered Strain, bottle, label and use. Why these herbs for the liniment? Comfrey is used for it's ability to reduce inflammation and speed cell repair Valerian is used for analgesic and relaxant properties calms muscle spasms Calendula is soothing, cooling, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic Cinnamon is anaesthetic, antispasmodic and stimulating (think blood flow) Cayenne is a terrific stimulant for poor circulation Infusions & Decoctions (teas) An Infusion uses the aerial parts of the plant place herbs in container, pour boiling water over and let steep.for medicinal use at least minutes.

10 A Decoction uses the roots or barks place in a pan of water and gently simmer for at least minutes. The two can be combined. Start with decoction, after simmering is complete, add infusion herbs, cover and let sit. Some 'tea' ideas to try: Nourishing infusions oatstraw, raspberry leaf, nettles, linden, hawthorne etc all are rich in vitamins & minerals. Start with an ounce in a jar. Cover with water and let sit for several hours (roots up to 8, aerial for 1-4). Strain and enjoy through out the day A relaxing blend: Valerian - ¼pt, Passionflower -1pt, Chamomile- 1pt, Skullcap- ½pt, Hops ¼pt, Pinch of Mint (my husband's choice) Get up & Go: Nettles, Peppermint, Lemon Balm and a smaller amount of Sage/thyme Nourishing 'Tea' Herbs Reviewed Nettles (Urtica dioica) Super tonic herb, mineral dense. Diuertic, supports kidneys, lungs, adrenal system. If too drying add some Marshmallow or Slippery Elm Oatstraw (Avena sativa) Restorative nerve tonic. High in calcium & silicon (strong bones!) Regular use decreases inflammation. Raspberry leaf (Rubus spp.) - Tonic for both female/male reproductive systems. Great for skin, bones, nails, teeth due to trace minerals. Can be drying due to astringent properties. Other 'Tea' Herbs Touched On... Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) -Mildly bitter, relaxant, antispasmodic, antiallergenic. Boiling will destroy the medicinal volatile oils, please steep.

11 Skullcap (Scutellaria galericulata) Powerful nerve tonic. Bitter tonic that supports digestion. Good for insomnia, irritability (stress), headache. Catnip (Nepeta cataria) Tonic, diaphoretic, stimulant, carminative, etc. Helps headache, stomachache, restlessness, colic Other Herbs, cont... Elderflower (Sambucus nigra) Expectorant, anti-viral, diaphoretic, diuretic. Can use flowers, berries or bark. Has a pleasant anise flavor. Delicious as wine, jam, pies, teas, etc. Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) Analgesic, antacid, diaphoretic, antiinflammatory, Astringent. One of 3 most sacred herbs to ancient Celtics. Contains Salicylates. Hops (Humulus lupulus) Nervine, sedative, bitter tonic, antiseptic. Used for nervous indigestion, insomnia, IBS. Relaxes nerves & smooth muscle tissue Other Herbs, cont... Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) Antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, anti-viral,heals wounds. Stimulates immune system. Used widely by Native Americans Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) Nutritive tonic, antianaemic, diuretic High in calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamins C, B1, B2, K, P (rutin), chlorophyll, amino acids. Horsetail (Equisetum spp.) - Nutritive, diaphoretic, tissue healer. High in silica

12 Other Herbs, cont... Chickweed (Stellaria media) Astringent, antirheumetic, heals wounds, demulcent. High in minerals, good source of Vitamins A, B's & C. Sage (Salvia offinalis) - aromatic, stimulant, carminative,antispasmodic, antiseptic, immune stimulant. Known in France as 'toute bonne' all is well. Salvia in Latin means 'to heal' or 'savior'. Thyme (Thymus spp.) - Diaphoretic, expectorant, relaxant, antibiotic. Great for congestion/cough relief. Sooths muscles in digestive tract For plants or seeds: Resources - Horizon Herbs Provider of Medicinal & Rare plants and seeds. - Richters Herbs Canadian company offering seeds, plants & dried herbs.