As I continue to familiarize myself with my new bioregion (coastal California, just above the desert region), I love coming across naturalized and invasive plants that are both plentiful and ethical to harvest (as they are not native plants that are threatened or endangered). Invasive plant medicine is some of my favorite kind for this … Continue reading
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Wintertime Motto: An Ounce of Prevention
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” ~ Benjamin Franklin Every winter, I sense that the viruses going around — flus and colds — well, I sense that they are getting worse. Partly, I blame the hyper-speed we Americans seem to move at (especially during the holidays). I also look to our … Continue reading
Wart Story: Blistering Beatles vs. Vinegar
…a little story about the virtues of a common household item, vinegar…the discomfort of the blister beetle, and the ridiculousness of our medical system (anyone experienced the tangled web that is our health care?)… I’ll try to make this short (insert Pinocchio’s growing nose here). As you all know, I’m an herbalist. If I can … Continue reading
Cheater Chai: The Spicy Sequel
Yes, the hit movie has been Traditional Chai for many, many years…ahem…well, centuries, really. As it should be. Chai spices should be simmered in water to really get all the elegant tastes to bloom in your mouth later when sipped. If you want your chai to give you a little gitty-up, black tea should be … Continue reading
Full Moon Fragrance, Kyphi Incense
I know it may look like a fresh pile of flattened dung…but this actually smells heavenly. This is my recent kyphi incense creation… Ever since I learned how to make this in 2013, through a blog written by herbalist, Kiva Rose…I’ve made it a point to collect extra resin that I see oozing from a … Continue reading
Ye Ole Formulas from My Apothecary Days
As some of you may know, I ran a wild-harvested, hand-crafted herbal apothecary for almost five years in Mississippi from 2013-2017 called Sweet Gum Springs Apothecary. I created and ran the apothecary with another herbalist for the first two years, Mandi Sanders, a wonderful herbalist. At the apothecary, we crafted Mississippi’s (and one of the … Continue reading
Peruvian Pepper Tree and Why Invasive Plants Matter
When I moved to Santa Barbara, CA with my family, just this past April, I quickly took note of a tree that reminded me of weeping willow. It’s furrowed trunk greatly contrasted, the light feathery leaves that fanned the air. And, it was everywhere around Ojai and Santa Barbara. There is even a Pepper Tree … Continue reading
Zine: Seasonal Living with Herbs & Food of the Deep South
THIS ZINE IS SOLD OUT… A project I’ve been working on for 8 years or so has finally come to fruition! Some of you have read previous blog posts on traditional foods ways, herbal medicine, and living with the seasons. While others of you have actually attended a course or workshop with me. Well, this … Continue reading
Pistachio Purslane Pesto
I don’t know why I haven’t thought of this before. A traditional pesto recipe has the green goodness of sweet basil that requires the zing of a little lemon juice. Enter purslane, stage right. Purslane is THE Omega-3 powerhouse of the plant kingdom. It also has a slightly sour taste to it, making it an … Continue reading
Settling Into My New Bioregion (Coastal California)
In April, my small family moved to Santa Barbara, CA for my husband’s work. Thankfully, my work with plants and people is pretty portable (another p-word please?). Considering that my work with plants really began in CA, it feels good to bring it back home after about 9 years in Appalachia and the Deep South. … Continue reading
