Making a supply of the "Maple Medicinal Mushroom Concoction" I learned how to prepare during my study in the "Herbal Immersion" program offered by Chestnut Herbs. 

I love the smell and flavor of the concoction, and enjoy the tonic benefits when I have it daily. I ran out almost two weeks ago, and my body is persistent in reminder to make a fresh batch. 

So I set up the crock pot, toss in the ingredients, and let the concoction simmer for hours and hours - giving time for the complex constituents in the mushrooms to extract into the water bath. 

Want to learn to make it? 

Enroll in Chestnut Herbs excellent courses - (I share from my joy and satisfaction, not as a paid promoter) 

What are the tonics in your life? A walk in nature? A roll through the park? Sitting under a blue sky and daydreaming? A comforting meal? A laugh with friends? An herbal tea blend? 

A book can awaken appreciation

Tis raining heavily here as I write. The air is a grey-purple dimness only possibly on a rainy day. The patter of drops on tree leaves, road asphalt, and rain-soaked lawn create an orchestra song. The gentle breeze is cool and refreshing even as it creates a quiet 'bong' on the windchime. 

I sit on my porch watching the maple tree leaves sway a smooth dance to the rain song. From my post, I survey the lush spring growth  - dainty columbine blooming in pinks, purples, yellows, and orange, the stately irises with regal blooms of pale yellow, pink, and burgundy, the cheery little yellow flowers on the mustard plant, and all the shades of green in the hostas, violas, grasses, dandelion, wild lettuce, lavender, and so many others. 

I shall miss this glorious garden when. I go. For now, I drink in the beauty with a sense of calm gratitude. 

Earlier, as I drank my morning cup of tea, I read from "Jane of Lantern Hill" by L, M. Montgomery, which is like having a visit with an old, familiar, beloved friend. L.M. Montgomery's books provide a peaceful mood, and activate my abiding love of nature. When I read her words, I recall summer afternoons of my youth, when I would pack one of her books in my pocket and hike up the hill behind my house. I would find a nook in the woods and settle in for a read.  That sense of adventure paired with the everyday strength of her heroines is kindled when I read. I appreciate the beauty of the natural world around me and the joys of everyday life. 

Hello Ground Ivy, nice to see you

Ground Ivy harvest

Ground Ivy

Glechoma hederacea

While I have known ground ivy all of my life - seen it creeping through the grass, next to the wild garlic and dandelions in the yard of my childhood home, seen it at the edge of the woods in parks and natural areas, gathered it in wild bouquets on late spring Saturdays - it was not until quite recently that I learned of it herbal properties and history. 

 

While listening to Commonwealth Center for Holistic Herbalism podcast as I took my daily walk outside one winter day, I heard Katja and Ran, the podcast hosts, discussing ground ivy’s effect as a lymphatic in the head and neck especially. As someone who suffers from migraines and sinus headaches, my attention was piqued. I determined then and there to become better acquainted with ground ivy. 

This darling little plant is a joy. I mean I love the scent of the crushed leaf, the taste of the tea short or long steeped, and the way I feel after enjoying time with the scallop leafed plant. It creeps along the ground, sending out sweet little roots from nodes, thus securing its place in the ecosystem with tenacity and resilience. 

Writing this monograph on a gray winter morning, I think fondly of early spring when the ground ivy will creep across the yard bright green of leaf and delicate purple of a flower. Until then, I have some ground ivy potted in containers and overwintering indoors. I have not fresh-harvested much from the containers because it is slow-growing in the cool space where I have my plants overwintering. If I brought it into my sunny and warm living room, I wonder if it would thrive, then I could have freshly steeped ground ivy tea throughout the year. Until I find the right balance of light, temperature, and moisture, I will have to await the spring growth outside. 

IN the spring, when the sun shines longer through the day, and the air feels calm though only 60, Creeping Charlie, Ground Ivy, scientifically named Glechoma hederacea, begins its delightful dance across the shady corner of the lawn, or along the forest's edge, or in the hedgerow. The slender stems creep low along the ground at first, small scalloped leaves every inch or so along the stem. At a nice little node, new wee rootlets emerge, strengthening the connection to the soil. Before long dainty little purple flowers emerge neatly the tips of the vine. Oh, you darling, delicate, delightful plant. I love to stop and sit in the warm grass, crush some ground ivy leaves between my fingers, and drink in the aroma of joy. 

I get that same feeling each time I steep a cup of ground ivy tea. As I breathe in that aroma I am reminded of spring sunshine, playing outside, and going on hikes in the woods.  

Not only do I gain a smile and a fond memory, but also each mug of ground ivy tea lifts my mood and moves my lymph. I can feel the pressure in my head lessen a tad as the fluids move about and drain. 

Herbal Action and Qualities

Ground ivy has a strong affinity with the lymph of the head and neck, the sinus cavities, and the upper respiratory tract. 

Parts Used:

Aerial Parts - leaf, flower, and stem

Harvest 

Highest constituent concentration - Upper third of plant while flowering

Can harvest fresh plant anytime it is growing

I walk through my yarden pinching of stem tops here and there then steep a fresh morning cup of tea with ground ivy, dandelion leaf, viola leaf and flower, plantain leaf, and maybe some catnip leaf it is growing yet. 

The morning walk through the yarden each morning as part of my spring morning ritual. I enjoy starting the day with gentle movement to get the blood flowing. I appreciate starting the day with a connection to nature and home. To see the plants and pollinators brings a smile to my heart and peace to my mind. And I love capping the sequence with a steaming hot cup of tea to both hydrate and sustain my well-being. 

If I am batch harvesting to dry some ground ivy or make a tincture, I will take some shears with me, and snip back the top 1/3 of the plant. I dry it in a dehydrator so it dries quickly. The dried leaves are not as potent as fresh, but I enjoy the tea made of them and still feel it work on my sinuses. 

I tincture it by combining the fresh leaves, stems, and flowers with gin and letting it infuse over a few weeks. I stop and shake the jar each day to ensure optimal extraction. I then sieve out the leaves carefully and bottle the tincture for later use. If stored properly the tincture can last unspoiled for years. 

Many folks report using the tincture to great effect, but I prefer the tea. I enjoy the flavor so much, and the wafting aroma off the hot water, that the experience is part of the plant's impact on me. 

Take a walk through your yard or neighborhood and you may find Ground Ivy awaiting you. Make a new friend with this delightful plant. 

Emerges the sun

 While I was doing sun salutations in my morning yoga sequence, the sun emerged from the grey that has been omnipresent here for days upon days. 

With the rays my energy and mood lifted. Sun, I salute.

I am feeling activated and engaged, and proud of myself, for I have completed 13 consecutive days of yoga. An accomplishment, and an achievement of personal goals. 

With the yoga I simultaneously look inward, connect to the greater beyond self, and build strength - both of mind and body. 

What are you doing to build your inner and outward strength? 

Be not overwhelmed by the chaos of our current world and its many glaring concerns. Acknowledge them, yes, fight for peace and justice, and the wellness of community and natural world, yes, and be not overwhelmed. 

So - find that balance, that activation of self. 

I do it through activity - yoga and walking mostly - making sustaining tea blends, and writing in my journal. 

Want to talk tea? Journal prompts or ideas? Garden Planning? Let me know. 

 Hello folks, 

How are you? Are you digging deep into your stores of patience, perservereance, and peacefulness? I find inspiration in the words and acts of others in my life, like a well-crafted email from a yoga instructor, or the quick text with photo from a family member. 

I sit at my computer on this late November day, cheered by the sun shining through the clouds. 

Yes, this is a more solitary season than most folks generally experience. Yet there are bright spots too. 

Some days I feel lonely, or down, or anxious. How will my sense of connection withstand this extended isolation? How will I feel comfortable in public situations after this time of tension? 

And, I have learned, again, that the days when I do yoga and go for a walk outside I always feel better than on the days I don't. 

Find your solace stimulation. Do the things that support your smile. 

Be well, darlings.... 

You are wonderful. 

I stand in solidarity with BIPOC

Systemic racism in America is prevalent. Evidence makes this obvious. Resources explain the variables and impacts, so seek those out if you are still unable to see the many forms systemic racism takes, the many facets of oppression built into our education, justice, housing, governmental, and many social systems.

I am a white. middle-aged, middle-class woman working to be an ally. I am learning. I am facing hard truths. I am trying to reside in the hope that we can build a culture and country founded on mutual respect that embraces and values diversity. Meanwhile, the anise hyssop is in bloom, and the plants can support our growth.

autoimmune flare-up feels like a tangle in the inner woods of self

I am studying a class about the immune function and herbalism via the Commonwealth School of Holistic Herbalism as part of my ongoing work as an herbalist. I am also in the middle of both an ailment (poison ivy catalyzed rash and accompanying topical infection) and an autoimmune flare-up. Oh, and we are facing the global stress-inducing situation of social isolation and pandemic spread of COVID-19. Add all the stressors to system up and you realize, wow, at any time we, in this case, I am managing many factors. 

I am reminded that I know what I need to do to help support wellness, and yet I do not always make that choice. Ay-yi-yi! For example, I know gluten is a trigger to my autoimmune symptoms, especially itchy skin. Yet, in my compromised state, I find it challenging to stand and cook wholesome meals, in the social climate I am only grocery shopping every couple / few weeks. Given the infrequent shopping trips I run-out of the  good-for-me (don't trigger flare-up food) long before the next scheduled shopping trip. The result? I snack on wheat crackers and corn chips, which are in the house because they are preferred snacks for my husband. 

Did I mention I have a severe case of poison ivy reactionary rash? Itchy skin exacerbation is not desirable right now.

And then I feel even more poorly, then I choose unhelpful foods more easily, and then I feel even more poorly... and the spiral cycles. 

I remind myself here, now, with this post -

1. remove trigger foods from diet (sugar, corn, wheat, dairy, soy, legumes, eggs, nuts)

2. nourish with nutrient dense foods (greens, organic meat, veggies, fruit, fish)

3. support gut flora balance with fermented foods and pro-biotics

4. get adequate quality sleep

5. drink sufficient water amounts

6. move around throughout the day 

7. avoid excessive exercise that triggers crash of system

8. mange stress with meditation, story, and creative expression

9. drink plenty of herbal tea to support immune balance, nervous system function, digestive function, and ease of ailment aggravations

10. get sunshine

11. connect with nature every day!!

12. connect with people regularly