Botanical Wisdom

Herb of the Month: Mugwort

2011-09-01T20:11:00.000-07:00

Mugwort is a powerful herbal ally for women's reproductive systems, and for bellies belonging to all of us, no matter what our gender or age is!

Mugwort has been used by many as an emmenagogue, meaning to stimulate menstruation, taken by those with irregular or suppressed menses. It has been suggested that mugwort stimulates the uterus, which agrees with some of the other uses of mugwort: as a tonic during labor and to relieve menstrual cramps. It has also been used for epilepsy, colds, fevers, bronchitis, colic, sciatica, kidney ailments, and as an appetite stimulent and nerve tonic. The volatile oil in the leaves make a good remedy for indigestion, upset stomachs, and other stomach ailments. Research shows it may lower blood sugar.

Mugwort has long been used to promote vivid, lucid, and prophetic dreams. It can be taken as a tea or smoked before bedtime, branches can be hung near the bed, or the crushed leaves and flowers can be put in a sachel or pillow to place on or near the bed.

In addition to its use with dreams, mugwort is associated with psychic powers in general. It is also used for protection, by hanging the plant over doorways either in whole branches or crushing the leaves and flowers to put in a sachel, often along with other herbs. Mugwort is sometimes ritually smoked, usually in combination with other herbs, and it has a nice smell, which makes a good herb for smudging. Mugwort is considered a sacred herb of Artemis, the Greek goddess of the moon, the hunt, and chastity, which gives it its scientific name. Because of this the plant is also associated with the Moon and young women.

Latin Name: Artemesia vulgaris or Artemesia Californica (native)

Family: Asteraceace

Used as: tea, tincture, smudge, herb pillows, etc.

Herb of the Month: Cozy Chamomile

2011-07-01T20:13:00.000-07:00

Herb of the Month:

Chamomile

German chamomile has been taken for digestive problems since at least the 1st century AD. Gentle and efficacious, it is very suitable for children. The herb is valuable for pain, indigestion, acidity, gas, gastritis, bloating, and colic. It is also used for hiatus hernia, peptic ulcer, Crohn's disease and irritable bowel syndrome. German chamomile, which contains spiroether and bisabolol, very strong antispasmodics, relax tense, aching muscles and eases menstrual pain. It also appears to have relaxing action on the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract.

Chamomile means "earth apple" which is easy to understand when we accidentally trample the flowers and underfoot and suddenly smell the welcome fragrance of apples rising from the earth. In the same way, Spanish speaking peoples often use the name Manzanilla, literally meaning "little apple."

Even for those largely unfamiliar with herbs, the distinctive sweet scent of Chamomile is often both familiar and comforting. This plant is many people's first and perhaps only introduction to herbalism, often from a cup of honey-sweetened and belly-calming tea from their grandmother.

Just as it soothes and heals internally, Chamomile is also a first-rate external application for almost any case of inflammation, irritation, swelling and even potential infection. It finds its way into many formulas for eczema, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis and other common inflammatory skin conditions.

Steams, baths and infused oil are other effective ways of utilizing the calming, decongestive and healing properties of the herb. It can be used as a warm compress or saline eyewash to reduce inflammation, possible infection and pain in the treatment of styes, conjunctivitis, pink eye and similar maladies.

Latin: Matricaria recutita (German) or Anthemis nobilis (Roman)

Common Names: Chamomile, Camamyle, Manzanilla, Scented Mayweed.

Taste / qualities: Bitter and spicy

Actions: anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, relaxant, carminative, mild bitter, antiallergenic.

Queen of Hungary Water

"This is one of the world's finest cosmetic formulas. It combines gentle common herbs in a masterful way, it's easy to make, and it's a versatile formula that serves many purposes. The Gypsies used it as a hair rinse, mouthwash, headache remedy, aftershave, footbath, and who knows what else! I have seen this formula sold in department stores in exotic little bottles for a fancy price. You can make it for the cost of a few herbs and a bottle of vinegar."

-- Rosemary Gladstar

6 parts lemon balm

4 parts chamomile

4 parts roses

3 parts calendula

3 parts comfrey leaf

1 part lemon peel

1 part rosemary

1 part sage

Vinegar (apple cider or wine)

Rose water or witch hazel

Essential oil of lavender or rose (optional)

1. Place the herbs in a widemouthed jar.

2. Fill the jar with enough vinegar that it rises an inch or two above the herb mixture. 3. Cover tightly and let it sit in a warm spot for 2 to 3 weeks. 4. Strain out the herbs. To each cup of herbal vinegar, add 2/3 to 1 cup of rose water or witch hazel. Add a drop or two of essential oil, if desired. 5. Rebottle. This product does not need to be refrigerated and will keep indefinitely.

Recipe courtesy of Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health

Herb of the Month: Calendula

2011-06-01T20:22:00.000-07:00

Calendula flowers are a garden staple in the Bay Area, their sunny orange flowers coming into bloom as the rainclouds clear. Beyond being simply beautiful, however, calendula is a powerful plant ally for skin, lymph, and inflammatory conditions of the digestive system, such as gastritis, peptic ulcers, and colitis.

Internally, Calendula is a wonderful plant to assist with detoxification, and is often used to treat toxic-buildup that leads to infection and systemic skin disorders, such as eczema and acne. It helps cleanse the liver, as well, and this action combined with its gentle yet strong lymph-draining qualities has led to its reputation as a powerful purifier. Less well known, however, is that it can also be used as a calming and nourishing mouthwash after tooth-extraction or mouth surgery.

Externally, Calendula is renowned as a skin-beautifier and healer. It is often used infused in oils or as a salve or in creams to tonify, nourish, and protect skin as well as being used in first-aid for burns, rashes, and other red or inflammed skin conditions.

Calendula

Latin: Calendula officianalis

Common Names: Calendula, Pot Marigold, Summer's Bride, Butterwort.

Taste / qualities: slightly bitter, pungent, drying, gently cooling

Actions: anti-inflammatory; relieves muscle spasms; astringent; prevents hemorrhaging; heals wounds; antiseptic; detoxifying; mildly estrogenic.

Infused Calendula Oil

1c Calendula petals, dried
1c Organic Almond Oil
Pint-Sized Mason Jar
Paper Towels
Cheesecloth
Strainer

1. First fill your bone dry half pint jar half way with dried calendula blossoms. Just put them in loosely packed.

2. Pour almond oil over the flowers to fill the jar, leaving 1/4 inch space at the top.

3. Stir to release any air bubbles.

4. Cover the jar with paper towel secured with mason jar ring or a rubber band. Covering your oil in this way will allow any extra water in the plant material to evaporate while it is infusing. Water content on the plant material or jar can lead to mold in your oil.

5. Stir these oils every day for a week, smelling it each day and observing the oil and the plant material. Make sure all the plant material is under the oil each day. Exposed plant material can also cause mold.

6. After this first week you need not stir your oil, but continue to make daily or every other day observations. Heat and exposure to oxygen can cause your oil to go rancid and water content can lead to mold, so you will want to watch this preparation carefully.

7. Allow your oil to infuse for about 3 weeks, continuing to observe the color of the oil and the flowers. When the flowers become translucent the oil has completely saturated them, and the oil is ready to strain.

8. Strain your oils through cheesecloth, squeezing as much oil as possible from the flowers or leaves. You can compost the flowers, leaves and cheesecloth.

9. Store your finished oil in a capped jar with very little air space at the top. This will help your oil stay fresh for as long as possible.

Herb of the Month: Milky Oats

2011-05-01T20:22:00.000-07:00

Milky Oats come into their own across the rolling hills of the Bay Area in May, their tiny pale green pennants waving at us in sunny spots along the trail. Later, when the oats become dry, we tend to call this plant oatstraw. Oatstraw has many similar qualities to Milky Oats -- and yet, medicinally and energetically, there's something special about this herb when its full of white milky sap, as it is right now.

"Milky Oats' most remarkable actions tend to be seen in exhaustion. It is a profound restorative for the nervous and endocrine systems which are so easily depleted by a stressful lifestyle and bad diet. It's no replacement for proper nutritional therapy but an excellent therapeutic agent for the process of healing. It seems to directly provide a special sort of 'nerve food' for the body, to rebuild the nervous apparatus in a way that is both nutritional and yet more."

-- Kiva Rose,

Bear Medicine Herbals

Milky oats are a very helpful nutritive tonic any time there is mental and physical exhaustion as well as common symptoms of exhaustion such as an inability to focus, mood swings, decreased sexual desire, and anxiety.

Milky Oats:

Latin Name: Avena sativa

Common Names: Milky Oats, Wild Oats, Catgrass

Taste: Sweet

Actions: Nervous and endocrine resorative, relaxant and stimulant nervine, antispasmodic

Avena Dreams Cordial

2.25c Milky Oats / Oatstraw
3c       Brandy, or to cover by 2"
1c       Rose Honey
1/2c    Rose Water

1. Let Oats steep in brandy for one month or one moon-cycle.

2. Strain out oats and add rose water and honey.

3. Enjoy!

(Recipe courtesy of The Herbal Kitchen by Kami McBride)

Herb of the Month: Nettles

2011-04-01T20:28:00.000-07:00

Nettles are an herbalist's best friend. This small, inconspicuous looking plant has surprised many a hiker with its zippy sting, but perhaps what's more surprising is how powerful a healer it is.

In springtime, this plant is often used as a nourishing tonic and blood cleanser; it helps to restore the health and vibrancy of the adrenal glands, normalizes hormone function and circulatory systems, and is a powerful ally for the kidneys, digestion, and respiration. It's very high in protein, vitamins, and minerals, and is often used as an iron tonic during pregnancy. In fact, herbalist Matt Wood says that this little mint-like plant "helps all protein pathways in the body -- digestion, immune response, liver metabolism, skin reactions, and kidney elimination."

It is this relationship with proteins that makes Nettle a very good herb for people with allergies, as it is known to reduce the allergic response and also to eliminate mucus on membranes resulting from allergies (however, its not a quick-fix: in order for nettles to work in this way, its best to take them daily, beginning a couple of weeks before your allergies usually begin to effect you).

Nettles can be taken as a tea, in tincture, and cooked and eaten as a wonderful healing food (the leaves loose their sting when cooked).

Creamed Nettles

1 lb nettle tops

4 Tbsp butter

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

1/2 cup cream

1 medium onion, minced 1/4 cup snipped chives

2 cloves garlic, minced

Place nettles in a medium-sized saucepan (you might want to wear gloves for this).

Pour in just enough water to cover; add 2 tablespoons of the butter, salt, and pepper. Simmer until tender.

Strain; discard the nettles and return the juice to the pan.

Mix in the cream, onion, chives, garlic, and 2

tablespoons of the butter.

Bring to a simmer over low heat, then serve and enjoy!

(Recipe courtesy of A Kitchen Witch's Cookbook)

Herb of the Month: Chickweed

2011-03-01T20:31:00.000-08:00

As the winter chill recedes, leaving the earth moist and soft yet bathed in sunlight, Chickweed makes its dainty and festive appearance all across the hillsides and along creekbeds around us. Although considered a weed by some, and certainly not rare or scarce, Chickweed is a powerful healer and a delicious spring cleansing edible for salads and smoothies. It is regarded highly for its demulcent, moisturizing properties and is used to treat everything from skin irritation, to eye inflammation, to arthritis and hypothyroidism.

Though demure in size and energetics, this diminutive plant (whose name means "little star," for the tiny white star-shaped blooms it sports) has graced the pages of herbals since they were first printed. The great herbalist Jethro Kloss said of Chickweed, "It heals and soothes anything it comes in contact with."

It is seen as a deeply nourishing herb that helps awaken our life-force energy after the long winter nights -- its high in vitamin C, making it good to help ward off illness during spring's transition time, as well as being high in calcium, iron, and many other minerals.

Chickweed cleanses the liver, lymph system, kidneys, intestines, and lungs of toxins and helps to flush excess fats from our bodies. It is well known to assist in losing weight, "Not just short term water weight, but long-term deposits of fats," writes herbalist Matthew Wood.

"It is an outstanding remedy for lipomas (fatty tumors), as well as general weight loss -- facts to which I can attest from personal experience. At the same time, chickweed acts deeply on all of the waters of the body..."

In addition to its wonderful healing properties, Chickweed is a delicious edible to wildcraft, especialy as it is easy to find and identify. You can add it to salads and sandwiches, steam it, or even make it into pesto. Bon Appetite! Spring is here.

Chickweed Pesto

2 cloves of garlic

3 Tbsp. pine nuts or sunflower seeds

¼ tsp. salt

2 packed cups chopped fresh chickweed

½ cup olive oil

½ cup Parmesan cheese

Blend or chop in a food processor, and enjoy!

It tastes wonderful over pasta (especially thin pastas, like angel hair or fettucini) or you can just use it as a dip for crackers or vegetables. It even freezes!

Recipe courtesy of Herbmentor.com

Sweet Nothings... Romantic Recipes from the Green World

2011-02-12T21:02:00.000-08:00

"Herbal aphrodisiacs abound, as Mother Nature is passionately fond of love and fecundity. In the Wise Woman Tradition, we nourish vibrant health, rather than seeking out stimulants, even when it comes to sex. Thus my favorite lover's herbs are... oatstraw and seaweed, burdock and roses, and, of course, chocolate."

-- Susan Weed, master herbalist

and author of Healing Wise

Perhaps nothing is more romantic and enjoyable than giving and receiving something from that heart that you've made yourself. So, we asked some of our favorite herbalist to share their most treasured herbal romance secrets:

Edible Brown Sugar Body Scrub

Robin Rose's Passion Honey

Sweet Nothings... Romantic Recipes from the Green World

2011-02-11T16:59:00.000-08:00

This time of year is a fabulous time to treat yourself, or treat someone you love, to the beauty and pleasure available from the world of herbs. From aphrodisiac nervines (such as damiana and oatstraw) to aromatic treasures like rose, vanilla and sandlewood, the natural world has much to offer us to help us foster connection, sweetness, and delight.

Perhaps nothing is more romantic and enjoyable than giving and receiving something from that heart that you've made yourself. So, we asked some of our favorite herbalist to share their most treasured herbal romance secrets...

Atava's Edible Brown Sugar Body Scrub
courtesy of Ancestral Apothecary
1c. brown sugar
1/2c white sugar
1/2c + 2 Tbs. sunflower oil
1/2 tsp damiana cordial, vanilla extract, or flavoring of your choice
Mix ingredients together, bottle, and enjoy!

Spiced Rose Elixir
courtesy of North Rose Botanicals

Rose petals – fresh is best, but fragrant organic dried rose petals will do. Enough to fill a quart jar more then half full.
3 tbsp. damiana
1-2 tbsp. shatavari
1-2tbsp. ashwaganda
1 tsp. clove
1 tsp. allspice
2 pieces star anise
2 sticks cinnamon

Fill a quart jar with herbs, pour your alcohol of choice to fill the jar halfway to 3/4 full, then top off with local, unheated honey. Let sit for 4-6 weeks, give it an occasional shake to add the maceration process, strain to a new bottle, label and enjoy 1-2 tablespoons as needed. (Alcohol can be whatever you prefer- vodka, rum or brandy, even tequila make fine choices. Cheryl prefers a high-quality Brandy).

Damiana Cordial
Courtesy of Diana De Luca's Botanica Erotica
1oz. damiana leaves
2c vodka or brandy
1.5c spring water
1c honey
Vanilla extract, rose water, or spices of your choice

Soak damiana leaves in alcohol for 5 days (you can also soak a vanilla bean or two with the herb). Strain, and reserve liquid in a bottle. Now soak the alcohol drenched leaves in water for 3 days. Strain, save the water. Gently warm water and dissolve honey into it. Combine both the honey and water with the alcohol extracts and stir well. Optional: add vanilla extract, rose water, or other flavorings. Pour into a clean bottle and let sit for one month or longer. Gets better with age.

Celtic Love Tea
courtesy of Celtic Herbs
Equal parts dried borage, rose petals, damiana, and spearmint.
Mix and serve with rose-petal or clary-sage infused honey.

Wild Rose Honey
Courtesy of Bear Medicine Herbals
1c. local honey
1/2c. dry or 1c. fresh rosehips
1tsp. (or 1/2 tsp. dry) grated fresh ginger
1tsp. (or 1/2 tsp. dry) fresh orange peel
1/4 tsp. cardamom
Mix together in a jar, then let infuse for one month (or however long you can wait!).

Robin Rose’s Passion Honey
Courtesy of the Herbwife's Kitchen
1 quart of organic dark honey
1/2 cup orange blossoms*
3/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
2 tablespoons damiana
3-4 tablespoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon jasmine
2-3 tablespoons maca root powder
3/4 ounce rose glycerite or rose water
1 teaspoon crushed up cinnamon sticks or powder

*Orange blossoms can be hard to get. You could put in crumbled or powdered sweet orange or tangerine peels instead — it won’t be the same, but still delicious.
** all herbs are dried organic unless otherwise noted.

Mix, then cook on low for 30-45 minutes. If you can wait, let it steep for a week or so, then enjoy. If not, then just enjoy!

Sweet Nothings... Romantic Recipes from the Green World

2011-02-07T21:02:00.000-08:00

-- Susan Weed, master herbalist

and author of Healing Wise

Edible Brown Sugar Body Scrub

Robin Rose's Passion Honey

Herb of the Month: Romantic Rose

2011-02-01T21:03:00.000-08:00

Perhaps no flower captures the feeling of romance, and entices our imagination, the way that the rose does. The Rose is thought to have originated in Persia, although according to the ancient Greeks, the red rose, a symbol of passion, first bloomed when Aphrodite stuck her foot with a thorn and bled while assisting Adonis. The Greek poetess Sappho first christened it "Queen of Flowers" around 600 BC.

Medicinally, both the petals and the hips are used. Honey of Red Rose (Apothecary) was once an official pharmaceutical preparation in the US for sore mouths and throats. Rose vinegar was used for headaches, especially those brought on by heat. The leaves are a mild, but seldom used, laxative.

In Greece, Hippocrates recommended rose flowers mixed with oil for diseases of the uterus. Ayurvedic physicians use the petals in poultices to treat skin wounds and inflammations. The hips are dried and made into tisanes for children with stomach disorders, and are also considered a cardiotonic for adults.

At various times, European herbalists recommended dried rose petal tea for headache, dizziness, mouth sores, and menstrual cramps.

In Chinese medicine, the petals are considered drying for cold, clear mucous discharges, helping to relieve constrictive feelings of the chest and abdomen (stuck liver chi). Chinese herbalists use it to treat poor appetite, harmonizing blood, and to help with irregular menstruation and pain caused by blood stagnation. The hips areused for diarrhea, enuresis, frequent urination, spermatorrhea and leucorrhea (all complaints of deficient kidney chi).

Rose hips are a significant source of vitamin C. But the drying process destroys from 45-90% of it, and infusions extract only about 40% of what's left.

For a mildly astringent infusion for colds and flu, use 2-3 teaspoons of dried, chopped hips per cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes, and drink as needed.

Practitioner Corner: Ayurvedic Wisdom for Winter Warmth and Health

2011-01-11T12:37:00.000-08:00

By Rachel Breeze
Holistic Health Practitioner & Massage Therapist

Q. Every year in the winter, I end up with a ton of symptoms that don't seem related and that don't come up at other times, like joint pain and digestive problems. What can I do to stay balanced this winter and able to keep up with all the fun things the new year offers?

A. In winter, we feel a natural draw to keep those home fires burning... but it's just as important during the winter season that we tend to our body's inner fire. In the Ayurvedic tradition, the cold, damp weather is said to increase the cold, wet, slow qualities of Kapha, which brings with it the tendency towards sluggish circulation, potential weight gain, and feelings such as depression and lethargy. When winter weather turns cold and windy it increases the cold, dry and light qualities of Vata, which can bring with it joint stiffness, poor digestion, and feelings of confusion and loneliness.

Fortunately, these symptoms of imbalance can be alleviated through the basic application of ayurvedic wisdom to our daily lives.

The beauty of Ayurveda --which is the traditional medicine system native to India -- is that it sees each person as a unique individual based on their elemental constitution. With insight into one's ayurvedic constitution, in combination with what natural forces are strongest during the current season, we can get clarity on ways to create balanced health & well-being. This might include nutrition, herbs, supplements, essential oils, lifestyle factors, and body treatments.

To balance the cold, dampness of Kapha which is so dominant in the wintertime, we can increase our inner fire through the use of heating spices such as cinnamon, cardamon, ginger, cayenne to our diets as well as embarking upon a regular program of exercise that increases body heat at a level that produces sweat. We can also take hot baths and saunas and do invigorating salt scrubs on ourselves using loofah gloves to keep our circulation vitalized and moving.

To balance the qualities of Vata in the winter, we can feed our digestive fire by choosing warm & easy to digest meals such as spiced oatmeal and nourishing soups, as well as by drinking warm (never cold or iced) drinks, and also spending time with others and in situations where we feel warm and nurtured.

Here are some of my favorite recipes for good wintertime warming...

Herbal Chai
This chai is superior for increasing circulation and assisting digestive fire.

5 cups of water
3 inch chunk of chopped ginger
tsp of powdered cinamom
tsp of powdered cardamon
1/2 tsp of powdered clove
dash of cayenne
Tbs of loose gotu kola herb
Optional tsp of loose green tea
3 cups rice milk or hazlenut milk or soymilk, etc.
Agave nectar

Boil the water, add ginger and simmer covered for 15 minutes. Add the powdered cinnamon, cardamon, cloves, and cayenne. Simmer for 5 more minutes. Remove from heat, add gotu kola and let sit covered 5 minutes, add green tea (optional) and let sit 1-3 more minutes. Strain into a large pot and combine with warmed milk of your choice and agave nectar to taste.

Wintertime Salt Scrub

Using this scrub in the shower with loofah gloves will increase lymphatic circulation, detoxifying the body as well as protecting against colds & flus. Always start scrubbing in the center of the body (chest & belly) then scrub the joints, groin & armpits then work out toward the extremities, finish by stroking toward the heart. The skin should turn pink!

1/2 cup of sunflower oil (or another light oil)
1 cup of sea salt
5-15 drops of essential oil (for circulation use e.o.'s such as rosemary, cypress, grapefruit, silver fir ginger, cardamon, etc)
Mix these ingredients together in a bowl (do not use wood!) and pour into a glass jar with a wide mouth.

Herb of the Month: Tumeric

2011-01-04T21:04:00.000-08:00

Turmeric is one of nature's most powerful healers. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin. Tumeric has been used for over 2500 years in India, where it was most likely first used as a dye.

Long known for its anti-inflammatory properties, recent research has revealed that turmeric is a natural wonder, proving beneficial in the treatment of many different health conditions from cancer to Alzheimer's disease.

In some languages, the names of turmeric just mean "yellow root". English (turmeric) derives from the French terre-mérite meaning "meritorious earth" probably because ground turmeric resembles mineral pigments (ocher). Turmeric was used in Biblical times as a perfume as well as a spice. Some say it came into use in the West through the sun-
worshippers of Persia when their supply of saffron ran out.

Turmeric held a place of honor in India's traditional Ayurvedic medicine. A symbol of prosperity, it was considered a cleansing herb for the whole body. Medically, it was used as a digestive aid and treatment for fever, infections, dysentery, arthritis, and jaundice and other liver problems. In Hindu ceremony it represents fertility.

Traditional Chinese physicians also used turmeric to treat liver and gallbladder problems, stop bleeding, and treat chest congestion and menstrual discomforts.

Turmeric is a choleretic, an agent that stimulates the liver to increase its production of bile. This yellow brown or green fluid helps emulsify fats in your duodenum and increases peristalsis, the rhythmic contractions that move food through your gastrointestinal tract.

Turmeric is also a cholagogue, an agent that stimulates the gallbladder and biliary duct to discharge bile and increases your body's excretion of cholesterol.

The herb is prescribed as a tea or infusion. In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, it is mixed with milk and taken before bed to reduce inflammation and to help with irritating coughs.

Quick and Easy Herbal Gifts for the Holidays

2010-12-13T16:40:00.000-08:00

By Danielle Klinkow, Clinical Herbalist

One thing I love about the holiday season is that it provides me with the opportunity to create herbal gifts for people that are special to me. Everyone loves receiving handmade gifts tailored to their lives, and it’s personally rewarding to create items that are both practical and enjoyable.

This year I decided to focus on salt, a particularly cleansing and flavorful addition to anyone's life.

One of the easiest gifts to make is custom bath salts. They are a luxurious and economical gift for those who enjoy long soaks in the tub. I prefer to make a big batch of a basic bath salt recipe and then add custom ingredients to each jar based on what I think the recipient might enjoy.

Basic Bath Salt Recipe:

equal parts Epsom salt, Dead Sea salt, Himilayan pink salt, and baking soda.

Depending on how many jars I want to create, I will usually mix one or two cups of each of these salts and store them in a large glass container until I am ready to use them. Fancy additions to bath salts can include dried flower petals, seaweeds, as well as nutritive and essential oils. The combinations for herbal aromatherapy baths are endless!

Here are a few of my favorites:

The Rose Bath is a beautiful, calming, and moisturizing bath that can be taken when you want to access feelings of love and sensuality. There is nothing better than relaxing into a tub full of rose petals! Here is the recipe:

1 C basic bath salts

1/4 oz dried damask rose petals

20 drops rose scented essential oil (you can use rose geranium, rose attar, rose maroc, or any scent you enjoy within the rose family)

2 teaspoons glycerin

2 teaspoons jojoba oil (The jojoba oil and glycerin give the bathwater a silky feel and moisturize the skin at the same time)

Mix the oils together first and then incorporate these into the salt and rose petals. Store in a glass jar.

When you're ready for your bath, add 1/2 cup into your bath water once the bath has been drawn. It is important to add anything with essential oils to your bath just before you enter the bath, as the oils will quickly evaporate. Draw figure 8's in the water with your hand until all the salt has dissolved -- this both mixes the ingredients into the water and potentizes the water with the energy of the rose flowers and oil. You can also put the mixture into a muslin cloth bag and swish it in the tub, if you prefer not to have to clean rose petals out of your tub at the end of your bath. I like to enjoy this bath while drinking a cup of Uplifting Spirits tea, a custom blend Gathering Thyme makes.

Another enjoyable bath is a stimulating Rosemary Mint Bath, which is perfect for mornings when you have a hard time waking up, or any time you crave mental stimulation.

1 cup basic bath salt

1/4 oz dried mint

1/4 oz dried orange peel

10 drops rosemary verbena essential oil (or any rosemary E.O.)

6 drops peppermint essential oil

4 drops lemon essential oil

Mix all ingredients thoroughly and store in a glass container. In addition to adding these salts to a bath, you can also rub your body with the bag of herbs to facilitate cleansing and detoxification. Try this bath with a cup of Peppermint tea.

The Seaweed Detox Bath is another favorite of mine. I like to take this bath when I am feeling tired and rundown, as it helps to cleanse my system and the lavender oil is particularly relaxing.

1 cup basic bath salts

1-2 ounces powdered bladderwrack, kelp or a combination of both (Gathering Thyme can powder these for you)

20 drops lavender essential oil

4 tablespoons bentonite clay

Blend thoroughly and store in a glass container. Mix 1/2 cup into a hot bath (as hot as you can stand), and soak for 20-30 minuntes. Make sure to rinse off with soap in a quick shower afterwards, so you don't reabsorb the toxins you just released through your skin. Drink plenty of water during and after this bath, as well as with all baths taken. You can add fresh lemon juice to your water for extra detoxification.

If a bathtub is not available to you, or you simply don’t enjoy baths, a Salt Scrub is another way to cleanse you body, facilitate detoxification, and rejuvenate your spirits. Any of the above recipes can be altered to become salt scrubs instead of salt soaks. Replace the basic bath salt with 1 cup fine grain dead sea salt, add 4 ounces almond oil, and mix in 1 ounce jojoba oil, 2 tablespoons glycerin, and your favorite essential oils. Lavender is a great essential oil for a scrub, as are sweet orange, grapefruit, vanilla, or jasmine. Mix 12-20 drops essential oil per cup of scrub. Please be aware that some essential oils can cause skin irritation, so always research your oils before adding them to any preparation that has direct contact with your skin.

Another salt product that I really enjoy is Flavored Herbal Salts, which add such wonderful accents to meals. When herbal salts are corked in fancy bottles they make beautiful and impressive gifts for the foodie in any family.

Herbs de Provence mixed with the Celtic Sea salt are a great addition to eggs, chicken breasts, pork tenderloin, grilled zucchini, or my favorite, mushrooms.

1 C coarse or finely ground sea salt (grey salt is preferable for its high mineral content and unique flavor)

3 tbl. oregano leaves

3 tbl. thyme leaves

1 tsp. basil leaves

1 tsp. sage leaf

2 tbl. marjoram

2 tbl. lavender

1 tsp. rosemary.

Mix thoroughly and store in tightly sealed jars. Add a pinch of this salt at the end of cooking, or season your meats or veggies with the salt before searing or baking.

If you or your loved ones are on a low salt diet, you can make a Flavored Herbal Sprinkle instead. Herb sprinkles are especially good when added to freshly cooked rice, salads, potatoes, or anywhere a little extra flavor (and nutrition) is needed. This recipe is very nutritive; the dulse and nettles are both high in essential minerals, and sesame seeds are very high in calcium.

1/2 cup dulse flakes

1/2 cup nettles

3/4 cup toasted sesame seeds (you can toast raw sesame seed quickly in a cast iron skillet on medium high heat -- just make sure to stir constantly as the burn quickly).

You can add any spices you like to this basic combination; some spices I enjoy are basil and oregano, or cumin and cayenne pepper.

Put all ingredients in a Cuisinart or a coffee grinder that has never been used to grind coffee (otherwise your mixture will taste like coffee grounds!), and pulse a few times. You want the mixture to be the consistency of course sand. Fill up a spice jar with a shaker lid attached and enjoy! Yum!

Herb of the Month: Medicinal Mushrooms

2010-12-01T21:06:00.000-08:00

Medicinal mushrooms have taken the Western Herbal Medicine world by storm in the past decade, although for centuries mushrooms have been prized in Chinese medicine as potent remedies for everything from cancer to impotence to immune deficiencies. In fact, some mushrooms were reserved for royalty only, such as Reishi. But throughout the world, from China to Japan to Africa to Old Europe, generations of herbalists have sought out the healing powers of mushrooms to promote healing and longevity.
Many naturopaths recommend taking a mushroom supplement every day alongside your fish oil -- but cooking them into your soup is another easy way to reap the benefits of these friendly fungi that tastes delicious, too!

There are thousands of types of mushrooms throughout the world; no one knows for sure how many of them may be medicinal. Those that have been studied are used for immune support, arthritis, anemia, respiratory issues, digestive and cardiovascular diseases, exhaustion, strength restoration after illness, support for those going through chemotherapy, HIV, chronic fatigue... the list goes on and on.

A couple of our favorites are:
Reishi - Ganoderma lucidum

This hard woody polypore has been called "Herb of Immortality", "Marvelous Herb" and "Ten Thousand Year Mushroom." Some consider Reishi or Ling Zhi the cornerstone of Traditional Chinese Medicine, where it is placed into the highest class of overall tonics.
Shitake - Lentinula edodes
The delicious and popular Shiitake is one of the world's favorite mushrooms because of its superior flavor and extraordinary medicinal qualities. It is an excellent source of protein, potassium, zinc, B-vitamins, complex carbohydrates, as well as all the important essential amino acids. Among its many qualities, it has been shown to pull heavy metals from the body, as was learned from the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasake.
Turkey Tail - Trametes versicolorA small spongy fungus that grows in clusters on decaying logs, its banded edges and colorful appearance give Turkey Tails its common name. Derived from this mushroom is one of the most widely used cancer therapies in Japan. It has been shown to prolong life by suppressing the proliferation of cancer and tumor cells, and by bolstering the immune system's natural response. It is quite prolific in our area, it's fan-shaped color decorates many a downed oak log along the trail.
Maitake - Grifola frondosa
This is a tasty and quite nutritious soft-fleshed mushroom with a beautiful ruffled appearance. It is perhaps best known for its powerful abilities in easing the side effects of chemotherapy treatment, while at the same time enhancing the treatment's effectiveness. It is currently the subject of research in the treatment of HIV and AIDS.
Some of our favorite lines for Mushrooms include The Herbal Apothecary, Host Defense, and Ancestral Apothecary.

Magically Delicious Mushroom Bisque Recipe
1 1/2 pounds mushrooms (shitake, oyster, maitake, etc).
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 1/2 cups bone broth or water
1 1/2 tbsp butter or olive oil
2 cups onion, chopped
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp thyme
3 cups milk, scalded
1 cup heavy cream
black pepper
green onions or chives

1.) Slice potatoes thinly. Chop mushrooms coarsely. Begin cooking the onion in butter, adding 1 tsp. salt.

2.) When the onion becomes translucent add the potatoes. Continue to cook over fairly low heat, mixing well, so the butter coats everything.

3.) After several minutes add the mushrooms, water, and remaining salt. Cover and cook over medium heat 15 minutes.

4.) Puree the entire mushroom mixture with a submersion blender until smooth. Heat very slowly as you whisk in the scalded milk and cream.

5.) Serve topped with freshly-chopped chives and freshly-grated black pepper.
Recipe adapted from Mollie Katzen, The Moosewood Cookbook

The Seven Most Important Essential Oils (by David Crow)

2010-12-01T16:13:00.000-08:00

David Crow is one of the world’s foremost experts and leading speakers in the field of botanical medicine, natural health and ecological sustainability. He is a master herbalist, aromatherapist and acupuncturist with over 20 years experience and is an expert in the Ayurvedic and Chinese medical systems. He is a renowned author and the founding director of Floracopeia Aromatic Treasures.

Here at Gathering Thyme, we're proud to carry Floracopeia essential oils, which are of the highest quality, have an incredible potency, and are crafted in an ecologically sustainable way -- a rare and important quality in the world of aromatherapy. Come in today to experience their power -- we're happy to answer whatever questions you may have about these beautiful oils.

* * * * *

Here is a short list of what I would consider the most important essential oils, which I will be adding to gradually. The criteria I am using is general safety, overall efficacy, and wide range of therapeutic applications. These are the oils that I would suggest that people have as a home pharmacy, and know how to use effectively.

1. Lavender: The world's number one selling oil. In this list because of its gentle nature, low dermotoxic potential, benefits as a mild calmative relaxant with immune enhancing and antimicrobial powers, a specific remedy for burns, and for assisting children in concentration and learning. I regard lavender as the essential oil equivalent of an adaptogenic herb, because it fulfills the definition of helping the body cope with stress through balancing, strengthening and harmonizing the axis of immune, neurologic and endocrine systems. It of course has a multitude of other uses, many of which are mentioned in the monograph that I have posted.

2. Helichrysum italicum: Number one wound healing oil, with remarkable powers of skin regeneration, scar tissue resolving, anti-inflammatory, blood vitalizing and bruise resolving, and anti-microbial powers.

3. Jatamansi (Nardostachys jatamansi, Himalayan spkienard): One of the most psychoactive of the oils, especially for dreaming, intractable insomnia, deep-seated traumas, high vata and chronic overstimulation of the sympathetic nervous system.

4. Frankincense (Boswelia genus): One of the most beneficent for ceremonial and ritual purposes, evocative of spiritual moods, anti-anxiety and anti-depressant, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, bruise resolving and blood vitalizing, beneficial for the skin, scar tissue resolving, and excellent for the respiratory system. A multitude of other benefits, including evidence of anti-tumor powers.

5. Respiratory oils: A group instead of a specific oil, this would include the conifers and eucalyptus oils. These are the number one choice for using in diffusers for atmospheric purification and reduction of microbial contagion, for enhancing respiratory immunity, decreasing incidence and aiding symptoms of colds and flus, clearing sinus congestion, enhancing mental clarity.

6. Tea tree (Melaleuca alterniflora): The most studied of the oils for antimicrobial effects. Reports of dermotoxicity if applied directly to the skin, so requiring proper dilution. Can be used effectively with respiratory oils in the diffuser, and blended with niaouli (another species of melaleuca) and/or lemon-scented tea tree (Leptospermum citratum), which is actually a type of manuka.

7. Palo Santo (Bursera graveolens): The most important aromatic tree in South America, used extensively in ceremony and ritual, and for repelling mosquitoes in homes. The oil has a multitude of uses, including antimicrobial, atmospheric purifying, antidepressant and anti-anxiety. It is especially potent as an anxiolytic calmative when inhaled directly, and is reputed to have immediate relaxing effects for panic attacks. It is an excellent oil to use in the diffuser combined with the respiratory category of oils, as it both reduces contagion of airborne pathogens and benefits respiratory conditions.

David Crow will be speaking in January at the Ohlone Herbal School. For more information, click here.

Free Thursday Night Community Education!

2010-11-09T14:26:00.000-08:00

Starting this month, Gathering Thyme is happy to host free lectures and discussions by herbalists and other alternative health experts from the Bay Area and beyond. This is just one of the ways we're living up to our promise to be part of the growing movement towards sustainable community health. Please join us!

Dr. Haushka "Radiant You" Workshop & Giveaway

Thursday, December 2nd, 7pm

Unveil your inner and outer radiance in this nurturing, informative workshop about organic skin care. We'll learn Elisabeth Sigmund's signature "Press and Roll" cleansing technique, experiment with different masks and toners made from natural ingredients, and talk about what you can do to keep your skin protected and nourished this winter. Each participant will receive a personalized "Radiant You" kit from Dr. Haushka. 20 person maximum; please register early to reserve your place.

"The Herbal Kitchen" Booksigning and Discussion with Kami McBride

Thursday, December 9th, 7pm

Do you enjoy eating garlic bread? Does oregano always find its way into your spaghetti sauce? Do you garnish potato salad with paprika? Then you are participating in the ancient tradition of using herbs to enhance the health benefits of your food. On this special evening, we'll prepare and sample herbally infused foods, and we'll discuss the extraordinary pharmacy that exists in your own kitchen.

Giving the Gift of Health: Herbal Products for the Holidays with Atava Garcia Swiekcicki

Thursday, December 16th, 7pm

Enjoy the evening sampling herbal teas, tinctures & cordials while you learn about herbal medicine. We will focus on herbs and mushrooms that support immune system function and that will also make wonderful gifts for your loved ones. Great for budding herbalists!

Cooking Up Health with Traditional Bone Broth

2010-11-09T12:53:00.000-08:00

By Emily Bender, NC, CHN

Yum. I love the fall! Here in the Bay Area, the fall is a very abundant time. We have all our beautiful greens, winter squashes and beautiful fruits like persimmons, pomegranates, figs and grapes. We are so blessed to live a place like this. And among all this deliciousness, comes the colder weather, which makes it a great time to make soups and stews to deeply nourish the body.

One key ingredient for winter health in my kitchen is long-cooked bone broth. It serves as the base for soups and stews. I can cook grains and braise greens in it. It can be the base for sauces and gravies. It can be the liquid in pot pies. Bone broth is rich in minerals that build bone, and adds a nutritional boost to anything you cook with it. It also has the benefit of containing gelatin, which can be very healing to the gut. My son always thinks he is getting away with something when I serve him white basmati rice, but I get the last laugh because I cook it with broth! Vegetarians will prefer a vegetable stock, which can also be rich in minerals.

Many of us are concerned about supporting our immune systems as winter approaches. By adding a few herbs to your broth, you can turn it into an immune tonic. You can add shiitake mushrooms, astragalus, jujube dates and goji berries to your stock. All of these herbs can enhance the flavor of your broth while at the same time enhancing its benefits. Astragalus, jujube dates and goji berries are all available in the store right now, and shiitakes are coming soon! Kombu seaweed also adds some extra minerals to your broth, and is available in the store.

There are many very official ways to make the different kinds of bone stock. Myself, I take more of a cheaters approach. When I buy meat, I try to buy it on the bone. Once I have cooked and eaten it, I save the bones in the freezer in a 1-gallon resealable bag until it is full. Then I make my broth with the whole bag of mixed up bones. I usually have more chicken bones than anything else, but I especially like the stock with a couple of beef ribs and some lamb bones. Here is how I do it:

If you don’t have a freezer full of bones, you can buy a whole chicken, or some legs and thighs.

1. Put Bones in your biggest pot.

2. Add some veggies. I like to use onions, carrots and celery.

3. Add mushrooms and herbs if desired. 2-3 pieces of astragalus root, a dozen whole shiitake mushrooms, a couple of jujube dates and a dozen goji berries—or any of the above.

4. Cover it all with cold water until the pot is almost full.

5. Add 2 T apple cider or red wine vinegar to the water, and let it sit there, cold, for 30-60 minutes. This helps draw the minerals out of the bones.

6. Cover and Bring it to a boil.

7. Reduce heat to simmer, and let it simmer for a LONG TIME: 7-24 hours.

8. When the broth is cooled enough, out the bones and veggies and compost them.

9. Save the broth in the fridge and/or freezer.

What you can do with this amazing elixir:

· Make soups

· Make stews

· Braise vegetables or meats

· Drink it straight or with just some salt

· Add it to sauces

· Make reductions

Hardly anyone leaves my office without hearing about the wonders of bone stock. It is wonderful for children who might resist eating vegetables, it is wonderful when you are sick and it makes everything you make all the more delicious. Now that’s the kind of nutritional powerhouse I can get excited about!

What do I do if the bone broth doesn’t solve my issues with my gut, my immunity and my child the picky eater?

If you are experiencing persistent problems with your gut or digestion including frequent diarrhea, gas and bloating, if you feel like you catch every illness that comes by, and if you have a child who is a very picky eater (picky eating can sometimes be a symptom of food allergies & also can lead to nutritional imbalances) you can benefit from a professional nutritional evaluation and recommendations that are tailored to your unique biology.

I have found that many people, before they become clients, don’t understand how effectively holistic nutrition can solve persistent problems. This is one reason that I offer a free half-hour consultation to anyone new to my practice. So please come in and talk with me! There is nothing that makes me happier than a client who feels better! Call 415-259-4471 24 hours a day to schedule your free half-hour appointment.

Emily Bender is a board-certified nutritionist and the author of the food and nutrition section of the internationally-acclaimed best seller Our Bodies, Ourselves, published by Simon and Schuster. Her practice, "Nutrition for the Whole Family," focuses on an ecological approach to wellness. In addition to her work with individual clients, she is on the faculty of Hawthorn University where she trains other nutritionists to use to powerful tools of whole foods nutrition. To find out more about her or to schedule an appointment, go to her website: www.nutritionforthewholefamily.com.

Preventing and Treating the Flu with Herbs and Nutrition

2010-11-09T12:09:00.000-08:00

By Cheryl Fromholzer, AHG

When you are cold, your body shifts its resources into keeping your body warm, and takes energy away from your immune system. In addition, as the school season starts, there are more bacteria and viruses being traded among people as they re-group. And cold, rainy weather means you spend more time indoors where viral and bacterial pathogens get trapped and swapped more readily.

A Strong Immune System Starts at Home

From a holistic standpoint, the best way to prevent the flu is to support the immune system. I’ll start with some very simple, non-herbal ways of building immunity.

Let’s begin with sleep. The very best way to support healthy immune function is to make sure you get enough sleep. 8 hours is the minimum amount of sleep an adult should get each night. Those who are in sleep debt really need 9 or 10 hours of sleep for their bodies to function well (in our over-achieving, sleep deprived culture, that is most of the adult population).

Nourish the body with a “whole foods” diet. Eat a diet rich in whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables and good protein sources. Stay away from processed foods and sugar. (Sugar has been shown to suppress your immune system for several hours after ingesting it!) I’m a firm believer in eating a healthy diet as a way of providing the vitamins and minerals your body needs as opposed to taking handfuls of supplements (although there are exceptions to that rule, some of which I’ll talk about in a moment).

While food is the best way to get most nutrients, supplementation can play an important role in giving the body the nourishment it needs for proper immune function.

There are a few nutrients we all tend to have insufficient levels of which help support a healthy immune system.

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone essential to healthy immune function in the respiratory system. The main food sources of Vitamin D are egg yolks and cod livers, but it’s really impossible to get sufficient quantities from those foods.

The main source of Vitamin D comes from sun exposure. In modern society, there are a couple of major contributing factors to chronic insufficient Vitamin D levels:

Most people don’t get enough sun. Mid-day sun is the optimum time for obtaining your daily dose of vitamin D – many people work in offices and receive little to no mid-day sunshine.
In our cancer-conscious culture, many people who get sun exposure cover up or use sunscreen which minimizes our body’s ability to produce Vitamin D.
We live in a northern latitude with a cloudy, rainy climate in the winter months. Outside of being a lifeguard, it’s nearly impossible to get enough sun exposure to produce the levels of Vitamin D we need in the winter months.
If you start with insufficient levels in the summer, those levels drop in the winter months when you are drawn inside more often. It’s no coincidence that colds and flus are more common in the fall and winter when it’s hard to get extended full body sun exposure at northern latitudes like ours.

For optimum health, an adult needs 10,000 IU of Vitamin D a day – the equivalent of the amount the body would produce through extended full body exposure to mid-day sun.

Leading Vitamin D researcher Dr. John Jacob Cantrell recommends daily doses of

1,000 IU of Vitamin D3 for children under the age of 2,
2,000 IU of Vitamin D3 for older children, and
5,000 IU of Vitamin D3 a day for adolescents and adults.

Zinc and Selenium are also important for the immune system, and also deficient in most people's diets. Zinc plays a critical role in the immune system where it helps regulate the production and activity of T lymphocytes (white blood cells that help fight infection) and natural killer cells (cells that battle cancer). Oysters, beef, yogurt, and pumpkin seeds are good food sources of zinc.

Vegetarians have an especially hard time getting enough Zinc because chemicals in grains and legumes (especially unfermented soy) block Zinc absorption.

Selenium is an important antioxidant. Deficiency is mostly due to the lack of this mineral in the soil. Good dietary intake of selenium comes from meats of animals raised on selenium-rich feed and grains grown in selenium-rich soils. Walnuts and especially Brazil nuts are also excellent sources.

According to Paul Bergner, a leading medical herbalist and nutritionist, the optimal daily dose of zinc is 40mg and 200 mcg of Selenium (note these values are much higher than the RDA recommendations).

Herbs and Mushrooms for the Immune System

Herbs, like whole foods and supplements, can help build a healthy immune system.

Echinacea is certainly the most well known herb for boosting immunity, but it is not appropriate for all people or all situations. Echinacea is an immune stimulant, kicking the immune system into action. The time to take Echinacea is at the very onset of illness. It is most effective when used in high, frequent doses. However, immune-stimulating herbs like Echinacea can be dangerous for people with auto-immune conditions like fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis.

For building healthy immunity as a preventive measure, there are a number of herbs that support the immune system without overtly stimulating it. These herbs are called “immune modulators”.

Medicinal mushrooms like Reishi, Shitake, Maitake, and Chaga provide deep nourishment to the immune system and are appropriate for daily use.

An easy way to get your medicinal mushrooms is to cook using shitake mushrooms. Shitake has been used medicinally for hundreds if not thousands of years. You can use Shitake to increase your stamina, circulation, control cholesterol, improve your immune function and to protect yourself from viruses. Shitakes are a good source of protein and have high levels of antioxidants.

I especially like to make stir-fries with shitake mushrooms and onions, adding raw garlic at the last moment. Onions and Garlic are both anti-microbial, acting on bacteria and viruses. Cooked Onion retains these qualities but you want your garlic as raw as possible to reap the medicinal benefits.

For those of you that don’t like the smoky flavor of mushrooms, you can take mushrooms in capsule or tincture form. There are several excellent companies out there that make great mushroom formulas including Host Defense, the Herbal Apothecary and the Ancestral Apothecary.

Astragalus is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine to strengthen the body's defenses against respiratory infections. Astragalus is available as dried, sliced roots and as a tincture. The sliced roots make a wonderful addition to winter soups or a simmering crock-pot of healthy winter cider.

Astragalus should be used only for cold and flu prevention to help build a healthy immune system. Discontinue use if an acute infection sets in as it can drive the illness deeper and be harder to treat once you are ill.

American Ginseng is great for immune support in elders and others who are weak and depleted. Stay away from Chinese and Korean Ginsengs as they tend to be too stimulating for all but the very frail.

My favorite herb for both cold and flu prevention and for treatment of acute viral infections is Elderberry. The syrup is easy to make and it tastes great (compliance is sometimes an issue when getting family members to take their herbs!). I recommend taking a teaspoon of the syrup 2-3 times a day as a preventive measure, more often if you come down with the flu. Elderberries have been shown to be effective against 10 strains of influenza virus by inhibiting the virus from attaching to cells and multiplying.

If you suspect you've been exposed to a flu virus, there are further steps you can take.

Burning aromatic herbs like Sage or Juniper
Using essential oils of Frankincense and Myrrh in a diffuser is a great way to kill airborne pathogens in your home.
Daily saunas will help to kill any pathogens that are beginning to make their home in your respiratory tract before they actually make you sick.

If you begin to feel that first tickle in the back of your throat that lets you know an infection is setting in, begin taking large (60-90 drop) doses of Echinacea tincture hourly, and hourly doses of Elderberry tincture or syrup as well -- and go straight to bed!

Dealing with the Flu

So, despite all your best efforts, you get the flu. What should you do?

First and foremost: go to bed. And do not get up for a week. You will feel better on the third day and be tempted to go back to work. Don't. People who don't get enough rest when they have the flu are more prone to secondary respiratory infections that can turn into pneumonia.

Secondly, reach for Elderberries. In most any form -- tincture, elixir, syrup. Take it every hour that you are awake -- at least a teaspoon of syrup or a dropper of tincture or elixir. Elderberry not only helps shorten the duration of colds and flus when taken regularly, but is also good for coughs and lung congestion as it is mildly expectorating, especially in children.

If you are feeling nauseated, take small sips of Ginger tea. You just need a little bit of Ginger to calm your stomach. Ginger/lemon/honey –yum!

At the outset you will likely feel cold. Wrap yourself in blankets. Take warm baths. Put some Thyme in an old sock and throw it in your bath. Drink Ginger tea.

In addition, it is important to drink lots of fluids, and “sweat” out your fever if you have one or feel one coming on. A fever is your body’s natural way of killing any virus or bacteria it encounters. If you speed-up the fever process by using herbs that make you sweat (diaphoretic herbs), you can “sweat out” the virus more quickly, and reduce the symptoms as well as the duration of your cold or flu.

In general, fevers that develop in response to infection will not rise to dangerous levels. The only reason to treat a fever is to make yourself more comfortable.

Stay hydrated, stay in bed, and do not eat until the fever breaks.

Flu Tea Recipe:

An ancient home remedy for breaking fevers is a tea of equal parts elder flowers and peppermint – especially useful for children. Whenever you are using herbs in tea form to break a fever, you want to drink it as a hot tea.

Other useful additions to this blend could be:

Boneset is ideal for alternating fever and chills. It also helps with the general body aches that come with the flu. It’s bitter, so best included with a bit of peppermint to help mask the taste.
Ginger – is stimulating and helps move the heat from the core of your body out to the periphery. It also helps with nausea.
Yarrow will help raise a temperature enough to kick the virus. To kill a virus, your fever must reach 101 degrees. If you have a slight fever, below 101 degrees, consider adding yarrow to your tea blend to increase your temperature and make you sweat.

Cheryl Fromholzer is a Western Clinical Herbalist who provides a multi-faceted approach to holistic medicine combining customized organic herbal formulas with nutritional education and lifestyle guidance. She is an active member of the American Herbalist Guild, co-owner of Gathering Thyme, creator of the organic botanical line "North Rose Botanicals" and a faculty member of the Ohlone Center for Herbal Studies in Berkeley, California. For more information or to book an appointment with her, check out North Rose Botanicals.

Holiday Spa Gift Workshop II: Bath Care

2010-11-08T12:29:00.000-08:00

Where: Gathering Thyme Education Center (next door at 228 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.)

When: Tuesday, December 14th--7:00 to 8:30pm

Cost: $35 includes materials, customized products and recipes to bring home.

Surprise your family and friends this year with spa-quality handcrafted gifts they are sure to enjoy! Learn about the beneficial properties of a wide variety of natural ingredients, and put this knowledge to use making your own customized bath products. Choose to make a customized herbal bath tisane, aromatic bath salts or a skin-softening milk bath.

This class is taught by Cheryl Fromholzer, creator of the organic skincare line “North Rose Botanicals” and co-owner of Gathering Thyme. Class size is limited to 10 people. Pre-registration required.

For more information,
please call Cheryl at 415-298-0793.

Holiday Spa Gift Workshop I: Face Care

2010-11-08T12:25:00.000-08:00

Where: Gathering Thyme Education Center (next door at 228 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.)

When: Saturday, December 11th--11:00 to 1:00pm

Cost: $45 includes materials, customized products and recipes to bring home.

Surprise your family and friends this year with spa-quality handcrafted gifts they are sure to enjoy! Learn about the beneficial properties of a wide variety of natural ingredients, and put this knowledge to use making your own customized facial care products including an exfoliating facial mask and aromatic skin tonic.

This class is taught by Cheryl Fromholzer, creator of the organic skincare line “North Rose Botanicals” and co-owner of Gathering Thyme. Class size is limited to 10 people. Pre-registration required.

For more information,
please call Cheryl at 415-298-0793.

Herb of the Month: Elderberry

2010-11-01T21:10:00.000-07:00

This plant, which is a California Native, has long been used as a medicine to keep colds and flus at bay. The flowers and fruits are both used medicinally.
Herbalist Matthew Wood calls it one of the "three primal remedies of the European tradition."

He cites that it was once decreed that one should be planted in every yard in the realm of Charlemagne, to be a "medicine cabinet" at hand.
Elderberry's delicious flavor makes it especially popular as a remedy for children, especially as a syrup. (Those of us with grown-up taste buds may prefer it as a cordial or steeped in wine).
Elderberry syrup is a time-tested remedy for cold and flu. Take 1-2 tsps. a day to help ward sickness off, or as much as 1 tsp. every hour during acute periods of illness.

You can get elderberry syrup here at the store, or if you prefer, you can make your own!

Elderberry Syrup Recipe

1 cup dried elderberries
1 tbl. dried orange peel (optional)
1 tsp. cinnamon chips (optional -- use less if using powder)
1-2 tsps grated fresh ginger (optional)
4 cups filtered water
1/2-1c honey

1.) Place the elderberries, orange peel, cinnamon, ginger, and water in a pot. Bring the whole thing to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer until the liquid is reduced to one cup.

2.) Smash up the berries in the pan, then straain the mixture through a mesh strainer, reserving both the liquid and the pulp.

3.) Stir the honey into the liquid to form your syrup. The more honey you use, the better your syrup will keep.

4.) Bottle and store the syrup the fridge, where it will last a few months. The leftover pulp can be used in pancakes, waffles, smoothies, etc.
Recipe courtesy of North Rose Botanicals.

Bearways: Ancient ways for Modern Living

2010-10-06T11:16:00.000-07:00

Ancestors from all over the northern hemisphere looked to the bear for how to live in sync with the seasons. Today, bear teachings are still relevant and especially important for city dwellers. Awareness and practice of this information is most vital in the fall and winter to ensure year-round health. The focus of this class is to honor our connection with the earth by reviving traditions and remembering ways of living that serve to prepare us for the coming winter.

In this one-day workshop we will learn about why the bear is revered as a teacher, the basics of fermentation, the importance of preparing yourself and your home during the fall, and the tools and materials to take us through the ‘long sleep of winter’. Each session will also include some hands-on play. We will be making kombucha, bath salts, herbal teas, and dream pillows. Please join me for this informative and fun series to help you enter the cave of winter with joy and relief.

When:
Saturday, November 13th from 10:00am – 5:00pm

Cost:
$125 for the Saturday workshop

Where:Gathering Thyme Educational Center
228 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. in San Anselmo, CA

Pre-registration is required. For more information about the class and to register, call 510-524-2482. Please register early, class size is limited.

Bearways is taught by Julia Goerlitz, a life-long student of nature, art, and alternative medicine. She is a practicing homeopath and herbalist and is the owner and creatrix of Herbal Allies’ products. For more information visit http://www.herbalallies.com/

Your Neighborhood Herb Shop Opens October 6th!!

2010-09-30T17:23:00.000-07:00

A bountiful selection of freshly-dried organic herbs

_________________________________________

We're busy putting the finishing touches on the store - product on shelves, pricing items and about a bazillion other little things that continually crop up -- but are happy to announce we're offically opening on October 6th. Please stop by, relax and sip a cup of tea and find out what we're all about!

Locally-owned and staffed by experienced herbalists and healthcare educators, our goal is to empower and educate the community about self care using herbs and other natural remedies.

Bulk Herbs & Herbal Supplements
Nutritional Supplements
Flower Essences & Homeopathy
Natural and Organic Skincare
Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
Fine Teas and Spices
New and Used Books
Workshops and Herbal Studies
Holistic Healthcare Professionals

Mention this blog posting and receive 10% off your first order of non-sale items!

For more information, feel free to give us a call at 415-524-8693.

Blessings from the green world!
-Cheryl Fromholzer and John Malenic, Co-Owners and Community Herbalists

Herbs for the Cold & Flu Season

2010-09-24T21:53:00.000-07:00

Learn how to care for yourself and loved ones with herbs during the cold season. We will discuss preventative health care, therapies for common winter illnesses, and how to prepare medicinal teas and syrups. Come learn how to prepare for a naturally healthy winter.

WHEN: Saturday, October 23rd from 11 to 1pm
WHERE: Gathering Thyme - 228 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA
COST: $45.00

Space is limited to 8 people.

Body and Soul Festival Workshop

2010-08-05T09:17:00.000-07:00

MAKING HERBAL MEDICINES - PART 1

Many Americans are accustomed to going to the drugstore for their cosmetics and medicines. It was not that long ago that these products and most other necessities of life had to be made in the home. The making and using of simple recipes and remedies today provide an excellent way to save money and at the same time to learn traditional skills that were once common knowledge.

In this hands-on workshop, learn how easy it is to make your own herbal first-aid salve to treat a wide variety of common conditions including cuts, scrapes, bug bites, diaper rash, burns, bumps and bruises. Each participant will leave with their own jar of first-aid salve.

This class is suitable for the whole family including children ages 10 and older... and it's FREE!

Herbal Spa Skincare Workshop

2010-08-04T19:57:00.000-07:00

Create your own spa-quality skincare products tailored to your particular skin type

Date: August 21st - 1:00 to 5:00pm

Cost: $60.00 + a $30.00 materials fee.

Location: Gathering Thyme - 228 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., San Anselmo, CA

Learn how to make your own spa-quality skincare products tailored to your particular skin type. In this wildly popular hands-on workshop, you'll learn about the beneficial properties of a wide variety of natural ingredients... and put that knowledge to use making an exfoliating facial mask, nurturing skin tonic and rejuvenating facial serum. To set the mood, we'll begin class with an aromatic herbal facial steam! Handouts will also be included with lots of recipes and ideas for creating your own home skin and spa treatments including massage oils, salt and sugar scrubs, bath tisanes and salts... and much more. Register early - this class always fills!
For more information, contact Cheryl at nrbotanicals@gmail.com or call 415-298-0793

Patricia Kazmierowski, L.Ac., Acupuncturist & Herbalist

2000-11-22T13:03:00.000-08:00

Patricia Kazmierowski, L.Ac., is a licensed acupuncturist and clinical herbalist who practices gentle yet effective acupuncture. She specializes in treating acute and chronic pain and women's health and fertility. Patricia is also a Certified Facial Rejuvenation Specialist who enjoys helping people look their best, without acne or premature signs of aging.

Besides her private practice at Gathering Thyme, Patricia is Staff Acupuncturist at the Center for Elders Independence in Berkeley and Oakland, where she works with a multi-disciplinary team of MD's, physical therapists and other healthcare professionals. She is a founding member of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the American Herbalist Guild.

Free Initial Phone Consultation:
510/851.1417

patricia@pkacupuncture.com

Danielle Klinkow, Western Clinical Herbalist

2000-11-22T12:46:00.000-08:00

Danielle is a Certified Clinical Herbalist and has completed a 3-year clinical program at the Ohlone Center of Herbal Studies in Berkeley, CA. She has been studying herbs and nutrition since 2005. Skilled at assisting each of her clients in designing nutritional and herbal programs that fit their lives, Danielle strongly believes in the importance of enjoying life by making manageable changes over time.

Danielle's focus is on facilitating the release of trauma from the body through herbal and nutritional counseling; she uses herbs and flower essences to help support her clients emotional and spiritual well-being.

Special Interests:
· Women’s Health
· Emotional Balance/Depression
· Trauma/PTSD

Free Initial Phone Consultation:

312/914.4314 or lavendulathera@gmail.com

Riyana Sang, Massage Therapist and Certified Doula

2000-11-22T11:44:00.000-08:00

Riyana Rebecca Sang is a certified bodyworker and doula who centers her healing practice in the deep rejuvenating rhythms of the Earth. Blending Swedish-Esalen and Hawaiian Lomi Lomi "Temple-Style" massage, Riyana has a special affinity for working with pre-and-post-natal mothers. She employs herbal-infused oils, flower essences, aromatherapy, and nutrition in her practices.

Riyana is certified as a doula through Birth Arts International and Heart & Hands Midwifery School and holds an MA in Women’s Spirituality from Naropa University. She has over 13 years of experience in meditation, yoga, and ritual and enjoys working with energy healing and the charkas to revitalize the heart, soul, body and mind. She sees the healing of each person as part of the healing of the Earth, and believes healing the planet begins in our own bodies.

Free Initial Phone Consultation:
510/813.4606

rebeccasangasong@yahoo.com