This Saturday July 15th at 2:04 catch a brief talk on Empire Radio! Just 8 minutes… how much and what will I cover!https://empireradionow.com/studio1/ http://tunein.com/radio/Empire-Radio-USA-s281334/
Now is the season where we have beautiful Violets blooming all over the ground and they are so easy to harvest! You (and your small children with clean hands) can reach down and grasp a bunch of the leaves and flowers, gently ask them to release and give thanks. Leave half for the bees and […]
It’s that time of year, and if you’re like most people, you’re feeling the holiday rush. Take a break for yourself and enjoy a long, mood-changing soak in an herbal bath. Luxurious and decadent, soothing and calming or just rejuvenating – there are herbal bath add-in for all purposes. Bathing in water infused with the […]
This Spring Margi had a great harvest of Nettles and with it she made Nettles solid extract. Two large baskets of nettle leaves gathered prior to seeding. Garble, remove leaves with gloves. Simmer slightly covered in water, turning in new leaves as they wilt. Simmer for a few hours until it has cooked down and […]
Back in May, Margi visited iFarm Boxford to lead a fun, herb walk and forage for lunch. Below is the little write up by Nick Shrewsbury, from that class and her tips for an all natural tick repellant. Margi will be back at iFarm Boxford teaching a class on herbal tinctures and infused oils on […]
“A member of the panel of the BBC’s admirable Gardeners Question Time programme, speaking of identifying small creatures in the garden, said that as a lad he was told: ‘If it moves slowly enough, step on it; if it doesn’t, leave it — it’ll probably kill something else” excerpt from Old Wives’ Lore for Gardeners […]
We all may have indulged a little too much this holiday and as it is the start of a new year, many of you may be starting a new diet or other healthy eating resolution. Which is all well and good, but don’t forget to reward yourself for your good work, or even just the […]
Despite the unseasonably warm weather, winter is upon us and with it comes sickness. To give your immune system that extra boost and keep the sniffles at bay, add this tea to your repertoire. ¼ cup herb per quart Jar .75 oz Elderberry .25 oz Echinacea leaf .25 oz Echinacea cut and sifted .75 oz […]
Dandelion can be used for so many things and if you forgot to harvest them during the spring and summer you are in luck. With the weather being as crazy warm as it has been the plants are tenacious and are starting to grow again thinking it is springtime! Dandelions aren’t just weeds that ravage […]
Environmental pollution, poor nutrition, high altitude, stress patterns and a blow to the head also impact the Pineal gland. Cold water hitting the back of the neck keeps you younger by stimulating your core temperature regulatory center. Avoid fluoride; it accumulates in the Pineal gland. Visual Indications for the Pineal Gland Darkened nipples during […]
Erin, the Office Goddess, will do anything for a blog post. Which includes sharing with the world that she is experiencing menstrual cramps… Good thing she works for an herbalist, Margi to the rescue. Margi’s Recipe for Menstrual Cramps: Equal parts Black Haw and Cramp Bark Sprinkle of ginger and cinnamon chips Use ¼ […]
Meditation helps to bring balance to the endocrine glands. If you don’t formally meditate, meditate informally. Light a candle, sit comfortably with spine erect at the table and stare at the candle. After a minute or so shut your eyes and bingo! The light shines on your third eye. After a few minutes of letting […]
There is a lot to be said for squatting, returning to our primal roots, squatting by a tree and delivering back to nature that which we have ingested. Alas modern day toilets are too high making bowel movements strained and uncomfortable. Squatting straightens out all your plumbing; the lower bowel creates an S curve, by […]
As the chill of November sets in and the growing season comes to an end it’s time to think about Solomon’s seal. Solomon’s Seal is a ryzome used to bring muscles and ligaments back to balance. Muscles and ligaments that are too tight or too loose need Solomon’s Seal. This root should be gathered after […]
This weekend poor Luca, now in his teen years, came in with an injury. We suspect he’s either getting a too frisky with the older lady cat down the street or he’s waging an epic battle against the backyard squirrels. Either way he ended up with an abscess on his shoulder and was limping. Much […]
Somewhere in here is a connection to the amygdala. Our amygdala has to do hormonal secretions relating to the emotions of fear, anger, arousal and pleasure from past and present memories and motivations. On my “time line” these are the events with the greatest weight. Memory and emotions are combined in the amygdala, so trauma […]
“Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that carries information across the synapse between one neuron and another. It is found in brain, gut, pineal gland, and blood vessels and causes blood vessels to narrow, reduces aggression, affects color pigmentation via melatonin, affects mood, emotion, sleep, appetite metabolite 5-HTP (excitotoxins also use 5-HTP receptors) and helps reduce pain.” […]
Melatonin is derived from L-tryptophan and serotonin released into circulation immediately upon synthesis. It is so important to have a darkened bedroom, light inhibits melatonin production. Being human we are meant to walk and exercise in daylight, let the light in, and sleep in the very dark, be in deep rest, allowing the secretion of […]
If you don’t sweat , your lymphatic system is shut down. Hot Yarrow tea, Calendula, or Cleavers prior to exercise. Please don’t use antiperspirants as they contain aluminum salts which may cause cancer.
Prickly Ash is on my mind. It has come up, or should I say bulged off, three times in 2 days. Why? Twice for stimulating gums in a mouth wash; better circulation to the tissues in combination with our friend Calendula and White Oak bark. Twice for peripheral stimulation, as my Mother would say,”Down there.” […]