All things herb related – herbal medicine, herbs for cooking, herbs in the garden, herbal personal care products, herbs in the home.
Black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) is a deciduous shrub native to eastern North America. Largely ignored by foragers due to the astringent flavor, it’s gathered attention in recent years as a “superfood”. You may know them by another name – aronia berries.
Today’s featured plant is Shepherd’s Purse, Capsella bursa-pastoris. This non-descript plant is both gourmet green and powerful medicine. Samuel Thayer calls it the “most underrated wild edible” and praises the leaves and roots. The book “Backyard Medicine” hails it for stopping bleeding and reducing inflammation.
Starting an herb garden? Try incorporating unique ideas like hanging planters, herb spirals, and themed herb beds (e.g. Italian, pollinator-friendly, favorite herb book). Fresh herbs add beauty and flavor to meals, and have many other uses, too.
Herbal gelatin is an easy way to get herbal medicine into those who might not take tea or tinctures. It combines anti-viral and antibacterial herbs with unflavored gelatin, juice, and honey for a throat soothing treat.
Adding immune boosting herbs and spices to the menu is a great way to support immune function and overall health. We’ll share our top choices to use as herbal medicines and in cooking, plus some of my favorites to grow in the garden. Improving gut health is a great way to build a strong immune…