If you read the last blog post, I talked about my Healthy Heart Blend I. Today, I'd like to share with you my Healthy Heart Blend II. In celebration of Valentine's Day this week, I thought sharing my heart healthy recipes could add to your heart/love filled week. This infusion is useful for an ailing cardiovascular system, or to help maintain a healthy one. The blend of herbs will provide medicinal benefits for the heart …

Some of my favorite cardiovascular-system herbal allies are: hawthorn berries and flowers, rosemary, linden, grape leaves, nettles, seaweeds, parsley, yarrow, violet, and ginkgo biloba. The first herb I think of in connection with the health of our dear hearts is the sacred hawthorn tree, beloved of the mischievous faeries and all who believe that a life devoid of magic is not really worth living. Hawthorn (Crataegus species)…

Hyssop is my oldest and foremost ally for helping people heal from bronchitis. I've found that it will safely help adults and children to expectorate even the most entrenched phlegm stuck in the bronchia and cilia of the lungs from acute or chronic bronchitis. It is one of the first herbs that taught me that when you need something, it will taste good to you. I couldn't stand the taste of hyssop until I had acute bronchitis - then I couldn't get enough of it! I have seen this response in other people, too…

I use the simpler's method of tincturing healing herbs, perfect for homemade medicines for everyday use or more serious applications. Tinctures are the liquid result of chopping plants up and steeping them in alcohol, which is, after water, the most common menstruum (in herbal terminology) used to extract the medicinal qualities and properties from the plants. After harvesting or buying the fresh herb, tear or chop it up finely and place it in a clean glass jar to the top. Then pour 100-proof vodka over the…

A couple of friends of mine called me on a Saturday morning when they had bad colds that were getting worse. Her head felt heavy and was hurting badly. She was very congested, and concerned that it might turn into pneumonia, as had happened to her the year before. He was feeling weak and sick, and coughing a lot, which made his chest hurt. They'd been sick for a day or two at that point, and had been "trying everything" as people so often do. Does this sound familiar to you? "Simplify," I suggested…

A mature white pine tree is a magnificent being! Pine's healing effects on the respiratory system are due to it's aromatic, resinous oils and tannins. These and more make it an important herbal medicine for the lungs that can be used on its own to good effect, as a full-strength infusion or a steam, or as a cough syrup. White Pine Infusion 2 cups fresh white pine needles 1/2 gallon water Cut up 2 cups or more of fresh pine needles and the small twigs that they grow on. Use your fingernail or a knife...

Now that we're getting a taste of winter it's time to incorporate warming foods and herbs. Here's one of my favorite winter recipes using common herbs easily found on your kitchen spice rack! THYME-GINGER EUPHORIC ELIXIR 1 cup fresh thyme (or 1/2 cup dried) 2-3 inch piece of fresh ginger root Unflavored brandy Honey (raw, buckwheat if possible) Cut up the fresh thyme, and grate the fresh ginger …

Here's a delicious recipe that makes the most of late summer peaches and aids digestion at the same time! The peaches I used were actually give-aways from the farmer's market because they had soft spots and blemishes. However, they tasted amazing. Simply Marvelous Peach-Kefir Smoothy Ripe peaches - 2 Kefir (goat or cow) - 1 cup or more, to taste Vanilla extract - 1 teaspoon or more, to taste 1. Remove all the …

Peach Prunus persica I'm sweet, juicy, cooling, and moist, Relaxing nerves and tissue. I help you when you're not content In fact, I like to kiss you! I allay severe nausea -- This is one of my great gifts, Especially in pregnancy -- Use my flowers, leaves, or pits. I am such a beautiful tree, And I support your liver. My fuzzy fruit's round and luscious; Your life flows like a river. from The Gift of Healing Herbs: Plant …

Wow, summer is almost over...and it has been an especially playful one for me. Since both my current books are done, I've had time to enjoy both the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, as well as the forest and beautiful lakes where I live. The Gift of Healing Herbs has been out in the world for just five months now and I'm getting mail every day from people telling me how the herbs and the simple recipes in the book are helping them. I love getting these letters! It helps justify wayyy too …

Hey friends, This has been my favorite summer drink in these hot, muggy days. Ginger-Lime Water Fresh ginger - 1/3 cup, grated Lime - 1 large, squeezed and then slivered First, grate the ginger and cover with 1 - 1 1/2 quarts of cold water. Bring to a boil. Turn off the flame and let stand for about one hour. (If your ginger is very fresh, you'll be able to make one more quart of infusion with this). Put 1/2 gallon or more of cold …

Tis The Season Crisp, cold days and long, starry nights, Full moon sparkling on snow, Each flake a uniquely faceted diamond crystal Inviting quiet reflection The scents of deep green fill the air, stately hemlock, balsam fir, blue spruce and white pine. The Tree of Life, Evergreen, predates the Christmas tree, the living symbol of the winter season. Nature whispers to us all that there are ongoing cycles of birth, life, death, and rebirth and we are part of Nature’s transformations…