It's been a few weeks since I've posted on here, but what an interesting few weeks it has been! The herbs are quickly coming back, and each hike or run I go on I'm identifying more and more that I will soon wildcraft for various reasons, whether they be for food or simple medicinal purposes.

Why do I use that term "wildcraft"? Why not say "forage"?

There is indeed a difference between the two, and one is more kind to nature than the other. When you wildcraft, you take only what you need, harvesting from the plant in such a way as to harm it little as possible and if there are any seeds or roots that pertain to the reproducing of the plant, you should replant part of the roots and a few of seeds.

When you forage, typically you do so without as much care or thought put into the harvesting. For instance, one may forage for bark of a certain tree and take the branch, but when you wildcraft you harvest the bark carefully as to limit the tree's chances of risk of disease.

The first plant that I've noticed would be the Stachys byzantina, or the common "lamb's ear". Growing up I liked to play with this plant's soft leaves, as they feel what one would imagine as an actual lamb's ear!

Centuries ago this plant was used for wound dressing, and people used to believe it was healing for both physical and spiritual ailments. Today, we know this herb is useful when treating symptoms of the nervous system, bladder problems, sore throats and has a sedative affect on the person ingesting the herb.

There are many ways you can use this herb: tea, decoction, infusion of oil for a bandage dressing as it is antibacterial, or steaming the leaves and eating with a dish. I have steamed the leaves and ate it myself, it is a very bitter herb and I would suggest not eating it alone but adding it to a dish.

For a tea: 1 oz of dried herb (or 2 oz of fresh) in 1 cup of boiling water and steep for at least 15 minutes. Take three to five times I one day. Do not save over 24 hours.

For a decoction: 1 oz of dried herb (or 2 oz of fresh) in 1 of boiling water, then turn down heat to a simmer until 1 third of the water has gone. Take 1 tablespoon three to five times daily. Store for no longer than 48 hours.

​ For an infusion: 1 oz of dried herb (or 2 oz of fresh herb) to 1 cup of chosen oil such as olive or sweet almond. Infuse oil and herb on a double boiler for 20 to 30 minutes, but be sure not to get the oil too hot! This can be store in a jar, hidden from light and kept in a cool cabinet for up to a year or even beyond, but be aware of oils going rancid and toss if so!

You can also infuse oils in jars by filling them half way with herb and the rest of the way with chosen oil. Put the jar in a sauce pan with water coming up to the middle of the jar. Heat on low for 2 hours, or instead of using the stove just place jar in a cabinet and let infuse for six weeks.

*Note* Be sure when using fresh herbs that the herb is completely dry or else the oil will have the chance of mold contamination.

​

"Stachys" is derived from Greek and means spike; "Byzantina" is to symbolize that it came from the Byzantine empire, now known as the area Turkey is.

Lamb's ear can grow just about anywhere, but I have a lamb's ear "garden" on the soil my dad moved.

Try your hand at wildcrafting this herb! Take only what you need and be sure not to take the largest leaves, as those are the plant's "powerhouse" for "solar energy". Please comment or share and let me know how it goes.

​Good of health to you and yours!

          Good afternoon! I hope everyone has been enjoying this weather as much as I have! I've been taking advantage of these gorgeous days with running and yoga. Tomorrow I'm going to start building the raised garden beds with Ryan (my boyfriend). Can't wait! I'll post our progress on those.

          Now back to those essential oils. When you're buying essential oils, make sure to do your research and find a trusted company that is kind to the environment and sells pure, unadulturated essential oils. When an essential oil is adulterated, you'll be able to smell it sometimes (if you're familiar with its normal aroma) or even see it as it will look like something is in the oil sometimes. Oxidation is another form of adulturation when the oil was left open to turn rancid or air bubbles are in the oil. Sometimes, an oil can have water bubbles, that is unwanted as well. If any of these show in your oil return immediately.

          I do sell essential oils, message me if you would like more information on that. (Nature's Sunshine)
When you have received your essential oil, be sure to store it properly. Store these oils in a dark, cool area. You want no light to penetrate the oils, as this can affect their medicinal use. You want the oils to be in amber glass bottles. If need be, room temperature is fine. Just don't let the oils get hot.

          Essential oils are volatile, meaning that they can quickly evaporate in the air. Because of this, be sure to replace the lid on the oils directly after use.

          Because essential oils are concentrated (very potent) substances, you want to dilute them in a carrier oil such as almond or olive. For example, I dilute my oils in jojoba Simmondsia chinensis oil when I make beard oil. (https://www.etsy.com/listing/270967201/beard-oil-fragrance-man-of-high-spirit-2 )
Dilution varies per oil, but it's best to have a 5 - 1 % dilution for children and elderly people and up to a 10 % dilution for adults. (For an idea of what this means:
https://www.naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/about-aromatherapy/methods-of-application/ ) The only oil you can used undiluted is lavender Lavandula angustifolia.

​          I will post every now and the a formula dealing with essential oils, so keep watch for those goodies! Until next time: good health to you and yours!

          Essential oils are quickly becoming a popular interest that many people have started acquiring. When starting my first semester of college, I assumed that I'd prefer my Herb 101 class over my Aroma 101 class. This proved to not be the case! I have actually shown more interest in aromatherapy and essential oils, more so than expected.  I've been using these oils, learning about them, and putting everything I can into practice for a while and now I want to share a small amount of what I know. 

          Feel free to ask questions!

          First off, what exactly is an essential oil? An essential oil is a concentrated substance extracted from the plant. That means: the oil itself is stronger than if you used the herb as a whole (such as a tea, infusion, etc.) These oils are extracted through steam distillation or cold pressed. For example, lavender Lavandula angustifolia is steam distilled and bergamot Citrus bergamia (a type of citrus fruit) is cold pressed from it's peel. Essential oil lies in various places depending on the plant. Some essential oils are extracted from the stem of the plant - or the bark - such as in sandalwood Santalum album. 
 
          The oil has various purposes for the plant. It helps attract proper insects, such as bees for pollination, and deters unwanted pests. Try planting a boarder of lavender around your herb garden - it will act as a natural pest control. It is believed that the oil is also able to to help protect the plant from disease.

          Essential oil is more plentiful and thrives when the plant struggles. Don't tend to your plant as much and it will create more essential oil for aid to itself. It takes a lot of plant material for a decent quantity of essential oil. Rose Rosa damascena essential oil is far more expensive than eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus because it takes far more plant material for even less the amount of substance. This is because, for rose, the essential oil lies in the petals. In situations where you need an oil but may not be able to afford it, look for another oil similar in constituents and healing properties. 

          What in the world are "constituents"? To answer that, think of what makes up a person's body. Don't think skin, bone, nails - think: calcium, keratin, iron. Constituents are the chemical components of a plant. You have alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, etc. When getting into the detail of the plant and its constituents, we label this as "phytochemistry". 

          When choosing an herb or its essential oil, you want to look at its active constituents. An herb or oil high in the active constituent "alkaloid" would not be recommended to be used. Herbs high in alkaloids would include Atropa belladonna (nightshade) and Tsuga (hemlock).

          Don't worry! When using essential oils and herbs, you don't have to be a scientist. It is wise to do your research and ask questions to an experienced user before acting, until your are comfortable enough in your own knowledge. You'll learn if you make it a habit to use these oils and study them and the outcomes. 

          So much to plan for and do this month! We have Saint Patrick's Day and Easter, but we definitely cannot over look that the first day of spring will be on the 20th. I've been rummaging and researching, plotting and planning with my family for this year's plans for raised garden beds. It's raining plenty and I hear we may receive snow for maybe the last time this weekend, but I can already feel it: this year will be a good year. 

          After all, it's all about being positive - isn't it?

          I have a list of things I'm also bringing to my shop. I will have my shop set in sections: aromatherapy, herbal, and a few others. These will include items such as: 

• Beard oil
• Salves
• Soaps 
• Bath salts
• Diffuser jewelry

          I'm excited to share the benefits that holistic modalities have brought me with all of you! 
          
          I appreciate each and every one of you, my friends and family. Be sure to check here often for more posts and upcoming videos. I've linked my shop, as well, to this website - keep an eye out for those upcoming products!