Search Results for: plantain

False unicorn root, Balsam of Tolu, Mugwort . . . when it comes to herbs, there are so many intriguing ones on my bucket list to try. For all their exotic sounding names, though, they can't compete with the humble plantain herb. I stand by what I wrote in this plantain salve recipe tutorial, which is that if you only know one plant in the [...] Continue Reading

It's a weed . . it's a banana . . . no . . . it's . . . plantain - the most useful "weed" in your backyard! If you've ever secretly wanted to be Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, give this a try: The next time your little one comes to you with an owie - say a wasp sting on her eyebrow for example - kiss it until the stinging stops. Then go on your [...] Continue Reading

If you've ever practiced herbalism - and if you've brewed a cup of tea you have - you know that it has therapeutic properties that go beyond phytochemistry. There's a relaxing pleasure in preparing them . . . in breathing in their aromatic compounds and savoring their bright, beautiful hues as you brew them, roll them into "candies," or prepare [...] Continue Reading

Have you ever rolled out of bed the morning after a wonderful day in nature and realized that - instead of the peace and calm that forest bathing is supposed to bring  - you're going to be having a different experience for the next 1-2 weeks? Oozing secretions, raised red skin, and the urge to scratch in odd places in front of strangers - all [...] Continue Reading

It's not uncommon for notable pairs to run in families. Sometimes the resemblance is obvious - for example, Clint Eastwood and John Wayne are related - but sometimes it's not . . . at least not at first. Buffalo Bill and Ralph Waldo Emerson are from the same family, as are Abraham Lincoln and Tom Hanks. (1) (2) (3) And of course [...] Continue Reading

It’s the secret ingredient in many healing balms and skincare products, and for good reason. Calendula petals are rich in compounds that nourish, hydrate, and support skin healing, which is why they’ve been used for centuries to help with everything from pinkeye and sore throats to skin irritations. But don’t think you need a cut or [...] Continue Reading

I eat pansies for breakfast. Like, the actual flowers. Not very often, but enough to want a t-shirt that says so. Edible flowers are more than just a fun conversation starter, though. The soothing properties of calendula (Calendula officinalis), for example, have a long history of use in both folk medicine and culinary [...] Continue Reading