Self-heal, aka all-heal or heals all, Prunella vulgaris, is a wonderful plant with many medicinal properties, but is underused for the most part in western herbal medicine. This plant is rarely cultivated, but is easily grown from seed or by root division. As a member of the mint family, it can be invasive, but I [...]
Elder, Sambucus nigra or S. canadensis, is probably one of the most well known medicinal herbs, even in allopathic medicine. It is a godsend during cold and flu season, and Sambucol, a homeopathic remedy, is highly sought after even by those who know nothing about homeopathy or herbalism. My general area of study deals with [...]
A subscriber requested beauty with many health benefits.
One of my favorite plants.
American Beauty Berry, Callicarpa americana, is a nifty little bush that I actually came across growing outside of my office window. Like most of the plants I talk about, after figuring out that this bush that I almost cut down was useful, I dove down the research rabbit hole. Once you learn to recognize plants [...]
Dayflower (Commelina communis; C. diffusa; C. erecta; C. africana aka Yellow Commelina) is a plentiful, hardy plant that is easily found in flower beds and anywhere else you probably don't want them in spring, late summer, and fall. Dayflower is not the highest in vitamins and minerals, but I still find it useful to know [...]
Blackberry, Rubus fruticosus, is a sprawling, thorny bush that grows to around 12 ft. and belongs to the Rosaceae (Rose) family. It has palm-shaped leaves with 3-5 lobes, white to pale pink flowers, and clusters of black berries, per the name. Related to dewberry, R. caesius, that has fruit with fewer, larger segments and a [...]
One of the best herbs for heart health!
The one plant I will talk about that could actually hurt you, if you don't respect her. Please do your research.
I have bi-weekly posts well into fall that cover different plants and DIY posts over tinctures and other herbal remedies. I have actually already started the process, but I wanted to let you all know what was going on. I am covering plants that I myself have found, or can find, relatively easy in my [...]
Red Hawk Ridge 