Wildcrafting and Preparing Herbs by the Lunar Phases

The moon has always mystified mankind and, just like the sun, she sustains the balance of life. Embodied as the divine feminine, she nurtures the oceans and tends to the earth as we sleep in our beds. In honor of last night's full moon, I would like to share the importance of the moon and it's relation to wildcrafting herbs and medicinal plants. Herbs and plants can be harvested at any time; however, their potency and medicinal properties are furthur enhanced according to the lunar phases.

Although humanity claims to understand the moon through the accomplishments of modern science, I believe she is still quite a mystery that ought not be scrutinized so intently. It seems that everything in this day and age must be based upon factual evidence, disregarding all spiritual and transcendent importance. It is a flaw that continues to taint our intuitive knowledge of the natural world. As a child, I can remember regarding the moon as sacred; no one had endowed this awareness unto me, I just knew. Walking under the moonlight made me feel comforted and protected. Even now, as an adult, she possesses a magnificence that continues to confound me.

Similar to the tides of the ocean, the lunar phases also control the ebb and flow of energy within plants. This is very important for determining when to harvest a plant because it influences where the energy of the plant is focused: inwards (the roots) or outwards (the stems, leaves, and flowers). Since potency is usually desired when wildcrafting, understanding the energy distribution throughout the plant is invaluable.

When the moon is waxing (the stage between the new moon and the full moon), the gravitational force she exerts pulls away from the earth. This is usually when high tides occur and the oceans are pulled towards the moon. This is the perfect time for harvesting plant materials above the soil (leaves, stems, flowers). The energy of the plant is focused upward and therefore the potency of healing qualities within these specific aerial parts intensifies. This can also be applied to crystals and even tinctures! I usually leave my tinctures underneath the full moon just to encourage some added energy.

As oppose to the waxing moon, the waning moon (the stage between the full moon and the new moon) pushes energy down and inward. This means that the energy of the plant is pushed downwards and focused on the roots. It is ideal to wildcraft plant materials beneath the soil at this time as well as take down any dried/bundled herbs in preparation for storage, else their energy be lessened.

So, the basic idea is that the waxing moon encourages growth, whereas the waning moon spurs dormancy. The lunar phases should also be considered when preparing the herbs: for instance, if you were to prepare a tincture which detoxifies the body, you would want to do so during the waning moon to lessen or remove any detrimental toxins. In contrast, if you were to prepare an herbal tea that promotes clear skin, it would be best to concoct it during the waxing moon.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, wildcrafting herbs by lunar phase is not necessary, by any means. No matter the harvest, your herbs will serve you well, so long as you use them correctly. :) If anything, wildcrafting and preparing your herbal remedies by lunar phase will increase your appreciation for the natural world around you and its abundant wealth of medicine
.

Natural Hair Loss Remedy

Naturally dyed hair with indigo and henna. 

The aging process. Sometimes it’s a thorn in my side, other times, it feels comforting. You know… like that warm feeling you  get when you’ve given someone  a good piece of advice based on your past  experiences so that they might not have to climb those rocks you did…and then they thank you for it cause it really worked for them. Yeah! A great feeling. But then there’s that thorn….a thorn that no matter what you do or whose advice you follow, it just won’t come out.

     My thorn: chronic hair loss. I’d really been fighting this uphill battle for about 3 years now. Initially, I was convinced that my age (I just hit 50) was the leading factor. My MD said, “It’s your age. Women approaching Menopause often experience this problem. Eat a healthy diet and take vitamins. But, it probably won’t help. It’s most likely an Estrogen issue.” Hmm, ok…an Estrogen issue. So I loaded up on Phytoestrogens, vitamin supplements like C, D, E, and Zinc along with my healthy diet and….my hair kept falling out. Next possible solution: Stress reduction. Everyone knows that stress can have some pretty serious side effects on the body; one of those being hair loss. I had a lot of stress, to put it lightly. So I eased back on my business, started practicing Yoga on a regular basis, and taught myself how to not take everything so severely. Yes, I’m a bit Type A. Not extreme, but it’s in my nature to be a bit of a perfectionist. Well, guess what? My hair STILL kept falling out…in handfuls. The situation really was getting scary. I thought, “If this keeps up, I’m going to need to start wearing a wig in a year or two.”

     And then I stumbled across several blogs and websites written by women (of all ages) who had suffered from hair loss problems and/or were providing information about addressing the issue as allergy related and not nutritional or age. OMG! Why hadn’t I ever thought of that? I’m so puritanistic about the foods I put into my body: Gluten free, no processed sugar, high fiber, minimal animal protein, etc. But, I never once thought about the products I put on my head. After all, these high end store bought concoctions smelled so good and WOW, did they make my hair shiny! How could they be bad for me? The more I began to research, the more I recognized the symptoms I was experiencing were allergic reactions.  Even many of the advertised “All Natural” products aren’t really as natural as they claim. They’re full of toxic chemicals like PPD (Para-Phenylenediamine: found in almost all hairdyes, even the natural ones!), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (in many shampoos, yes even the natural ones but under different names; sneaky!), and Parabens (in many conditioners). These are just a few of the nasty chemicals found in most common store bought products and the list is endless. Many of the companies that produce hair products alter the ingredient names so that they sound natural and…healthy.

     So, once I discovered this well-kept secret, I decided to find the most natural products I could for myself and then try them out to see was I really having nothing more than allergies? To make a long story short, I settled on homemade Soapnut/castille soap shampoo, Argan oil (for combing out – I have long hair), no conditioner, and henna/indigo dye (every 3 weeks). Result: my hair stopped falling out immediately! Oh yes, I do have normal daily hair fallout, but the handful days are gone and my bathroom trash is now full of tissues and Q-tips and not my long beautiful tresses. My hair is healthier and fuller, too! Hair has even started growing back in places that were beginning to bald. I’m ecstatic! And…my thorn is gone.

I’m listing my favorite places where I get my supplies from so that, hopefully, if you or anyone you know is suffering from mysterious hair loss this article might be of service to you and those you care for. Have a blessed day full of love, peace, and good health!

1. Mountain Rose Herbs – www.mountainroseherbs.com

     This is where I get all of my herbs and oils from. One of the few places online to find Soapnuts. Small quantities and bulk pricing available.

2. Mehandi – www.mehandi.com

     Favorite online source for Henna and Indigo dye. Their products are tested for purity and this site has a wealth of information concerning Henna, Indigo, and the hair coloring process. Their customer service is very helpful if you have questions.  (By the way, using henna isn’t just for achieving red hair! For dark hair, blend henna and indigo to get a fabulous dark color mix. My hair is medium dark brown with red undertones. If you don’t want red undertones, then add Amla to the mix and it will tone down the henna. I add fresh ground Cloves and Cardamom to my mix and my hair smells divine for weeks.)Messy… but so worth the trouble!

3. Trader Joes – www.traderjoes.com

     Best price I’ve found for Dr. Bronner’s Liquid Pure Castille Soap. My favorite is the Peppermint!

Dried Soapnuts

Soapnut Shampoo Recipe –
     5-6 soap nuts
     2 Cups Water
     ¼ C. Liquid Castille Soap (optional) 

In a small pot, boil Soapnuts in water at medium heat for about 20 minutes. Let cool. Strain liquid into glass jar/container. Add Castille Soap & then mix. (You can add more Castille soap if you really prefer a lot of lather in your shampoo. Soapnuts do not lather.) Pour needed quantity onto hair, work well into scalp and hair, and clip up for about 5 minutes while you’re shaving and showering. Rinse thoroughly. (Note: this shampoo needs to be refrigerated; will keep for about 4-5 days. Also, don’t get this in your eyes. It burns!! If you do, rinse your eyes really well. It may take several tries. You won’t go blind and, trust me, you’ll never let it happen again.)

Fire Cider Season

It's that time of year again! Cold & flu season are in full swing, so I've been busy making fire cider to keep sickness at bay. If you've been with The Wildcraft Chronicles since the beginning, you'll remember we posted a recipe just last year. I decided to revise the ingredients just a bit, hence the reason for this blog post. I originally found this wonderful concoction in Rosemary Gladstar's Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health; although her recipe is quite potent, I like to add a bit more kick to mine. You can always adjust the spiciness according to your liking. As for my taste, the spicier, the better.

If you have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about, well then, you're in for a treat! Fire cider is a wonderful way to start the day. This special concoction is quite similar to pickled vegetables in brine. The only difference is that the brine is the most important part. Taking a few tablespoons of the spice infused vinegar protects your immune system and warms up your entire body--great for those cold mornings when it's hard to get out of bed! In addition, it's incredibly beneficial for those of us with bad blood circulation (like diabetics). Last year was the first time I made fire cider, and I can honestly say that it improved my overall health and even prevented me from catching any serious illnesses, like I usually do.

I found that fire cider also makes for a wonderful gift as well.  Nothing like ensuring your loved ones stay healthy this year!

Fire Cider
ingredients:
1 large onion, chopped into wedges
1 tbsp grated ginger
1 tbsp grated horseradish
1 pepper (I used an Anaheim pepper, mildly spicy)
3 cloves of minced garlic
1 tsp turmeric
1 sprig of rosemary
1/8 tsp cayenne
2 chunks of dried ginseng root
Honey to taste
Apple cider vinegar with mother 

preparation:
 1. Place all of the herbal ingredients into a jar. Pour enough apple cider vinegar to cover herbs, leaving an inch of "breathing space". Seal jar tightly, shake, and place in a cool, dark place for 30 days. Remember to shake your jar once a day.

2. After 30 days, separate the vinegar from the herbs and spices. You can either toss the herbs/spices or keep them refrigerated in a separate jar (I like to add them to salads or just eat them plain. The onions are especially delicious!). Take a teaspoon or two every morning for best results.

Garlic Ginger Cough Syrup

Do ya'll remember me mentioning that I was sick earlier this week? Well, it wasn't just any old cold... it was the whooping cough.

Even though I had been vaccinated as a child against this old-timey disease, it took a swing at me anyway. There's been a recent revival of this epidemic in the U.S. and it's grown to withstand our vaccines. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the symptoms of whooping cough, they include:  a dry and harsh cough, "coughing spells" that can last up to five minutes, and even turning red/blue from the violent, prolonged coughs. Although this infection is more likely to develop in children, adults can get it too. In fact, as the symptoms get worse, your body begins to suffer from exhaustion and you are more likely to force a hernia or even crack a rib.

Honestly, I've  had quite the number of painful and troubling infections in my life, and this ranked number 2! Although whooping cough can easily be remedied with antibiotics, I really didn't want to visit the doctor. I don't particularly like antibiotics--they are over-prescribed and are actually the reason why so many diseases are mutating and making a comeback. In addition, they completely dishevel the balance of your digestive system. Anyway, I decided to treat myself with herbs and natural remedies. If things got too serious after a few days, then I would make a visit to the doctor. 

Firstly, let me tell you just how much I enjoy creating my own remedies. As a wildcrafter, you are your own healer. Preparing the herbs and spices is a ritual in its own right. It's the process and the tender love and care which you prepare your ingredients that makes them so powerful and healing, instilled with your good intent and personal magick. Likewise, if you trust in the gifts of nature, you will certainly have a better chance for a speedy recovery. 

Among the MANY natural remedies against whooping cough, I found two which easily accommodated my spice cabinet. The first was incredibly simple, and something which I actually do quite regularly to fight off other illnesses. Since whooping cough is a bacterial infection, a natural and potent antibiotic that can begin fighting off this illness is none other than garlic! While eating a couple cloves a day was a bit unsettling for my stomach at first, I soon realized how my overall energy improved within a few short hours. On top of that, I found another fast and simple way to ease my coughing: cough syrups from the general drug store seemed to have absolutely no effect on my cough,  so I took it upon myself to make a homemade, natural cough syrup. Here's a brew that I created using several recipes:

Natural Cough Syrup
ingredients:
1 cup of water
1-2 minced cloves of garlic
1 teaspoon of fresh ginger
1/8 tsp of turmeric
1/8 cup honey

method:
Bring the water to a soft bubble over medium/high heat. Throw in the garlic, ginger,and turmeric and lower to a simmerfor five minutes. Finally, turn off the heat and add honey. Take as often as needed.

The syrup is simply magic. It tastes absolutely heavenly and it completely settled my nagging cough. This syrup doesn't just treat whooping cough, it's soothing enough to apply to any throat problem. The garlic, honey, and turmeric all clear bacterial infection, while the ginger helps with inflammation and irritation.

I do encourage you to keep healthy and seek natural remedies before sick season fully sets in. It's never too early to prepare. And if you care to learn more about whooping cough and natural remedies, I highly suggest you start here. 

Love & Light

Hearty Chicken Barley Soup

It's been a while since I've posted anything food related, hasn't it? Well, you'll be happy to know that I found a new favorite! 

I was recently inspired to cook a comforting meal as a result of being sick. I couldn't decide between cooking a beef barley soup or a chicken noodle, so I combined the best of both. I love the hearty texture of a beef barley soup, but I knew that the chicken broth would soothe my stomach. The result was a healthy and nourishing meal that enriched my aching body. 

But, before I hand over my recipe, let me first enlighten (or bore) you with a history lesson regarding the Celtic peoples and how they used barley. Barley was a staple to the Celtic diet. Although they utilized this ancient grain in baked goods, like bannock, as well as beers, they also regularly made soups and porridge.  Since barley is extremely fibrous and has a high content of maltose (sugars), it was the perfect grain to sustain whole tribes during the colder months and kept the Celtic people healthy and energized.

In addition to the barley, adding herbs to your soup is a wonderful way to enhance taste as well as health benefits. For this particular soup, I added parsley and thyme. Parsley is a diuretic, which basically encourages urination and thus clears the system from any toxins. Thyme is a warm, sweat-inducing herb which is excellent for ridding oneself of the common cold or even fever. It is quite the versatile herb and is a curative for a sore throat and even whooping cough. The healing powers of herbs never cease to amaze me.

Now, as promised, the recipe:

Hearty Chicken Barley Soup

Serves 4-6, Prep./Cook time ~90min.

Ingredients:

1 tbsp olive oil

1/2 large onion, diced

2 large carrots, peeled and chopped

3-4 stalks of celery, chopped

8 cups of chicken stock

1 1/2 cup of pearl barley

3 skinless chicken breasts (boneless optional)

1 tbsp of parsley

1 tbsp of thyme

Salt & pepper to taste

Preparation:

After peeling and chopping the vegetables, add the olive oil to a large cooking pot and heat to medium/low heat. Throw in the onions first, until soft and wilted, followed by the carrots and celery. Continue cooking veggies until the onions begin to caramelize. Then add in chicken stock and barley. Turn heat up to medium/high. Once the soup comes to nice bubble, lower the stove top to a medium heat, add in chicken breast, parsley, and thyme, and cover with lid. Continue to cook for 30 minutes. Then remove the chicken, shred, and return it to the pot. Add salt and pepper to your liking and the soup is ready!

Of course this meal pairs best with freshly baked bannock bread. Enjoy!

Dream Pillows

It seems as though the dream world has been very active lately. In fact, most conversations I've had with friends and acquaintances recount the wonderful or disturbing experiences we fall into as we sleep. I'm not particularly a dream interpreting expert, but when it comes to controlling, or rather consciously taking charge of your dreams, I'm more than willing to share some secrets.

When I was younger, I had incredibly vivid and frightening dreams, some which would reoccur more than once. Of course, I wasn't sure what to make of these dreams--I only knew that I was eager to rid myself of them. I began experimenting with lucid dreaming to face my fears; before bed I would tell myself what I wanted to dream about, how I wanted to resolve the situation, and what I wanted to remember. In the beginning, this approach seemed to work... but as I got deeper into my dreams and more comfortable with "wandering", I began to lose control again. Falling asleep was no longer a pleasure, it was my nightmare.

Dreaming finally got easier when I discovered the magick of dream pillows. The beauty behind a dream pillow is that you can prescribe yourself any kind of dream, so long as you blend the right herbs together. Rose hips can induce dreams of love, chamomile kindles dreams of relaxation and comfort, mugwort encourages astral projection, and so on. All you need do is simply place the herbal pouch near your head or pillow; as you sleep, inhaling the scent of the flowers or herbs creates your desired dream scenario. Even when awake, I tend to pack a small dream pillow in my purse or pack and inhale its fragrance whenever I'm feeling especially troubled. 

There are countless recipe's for dream pillows. My favorite and most comforting blend has a handful of herbal scents, all of which I believe inspire the most pleasant sleep. Though these pillows do not always guarantee dreams, they most certainly will leave you feeling relaxed and well rested.

What you need:

A cloth pouch

1 part dried lavender

1 part dried rose hips/petals

1 part dried hops

1 part dried calendula

1 part dried chamomile

1-2 drops lavender oil

I do hope you discover the magick of the dream pillow. They make wonderful Samhain gifts. 

Herbal Honey Elixir

As much as I hate to admit, I've been eating rather unhealthy lately. I'm far too busy with work and school to pay attention to what I've been putting into my body, so long as it's quick and filling. Well, as you can imagine, my body has had enough.

Not only have I had to force myself a change in diet, but I've also created some vital recipe's which can be easily adopted into my busy lifestyle. In order to get myself to take necessary herbs, I need to do so in one sitting. Enter the honey elixir!

Herbal honey elixir is exactly what it sounds to be. Herbs mixed with honey. You can add any kind of herb, really. I've chosen a few which are mostly beneficial for women, but can be used by both men and women. Don't worry gentlemen, you wont grow any womanly parts. So, I'll quit babbling now and give you the recipe.

Herbal Honey Elixir:
- 1/8 tsp cayenne
- 1/2 tsp mugwort
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp marshmallow root
- 1/2 tsp Irish moss
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/2 cup of honey

Mix and grind herbs down to a fine dust. (The mugwort may be harder to grind. If so, don't worry too much about it. It's all going to the same place, dearies--your tummy!) Combine with honey. Take as often as you see fit.