The Farm Guide Herbalist
Liz SmithElizabeth Smith, certified herbalist from Johnston RI can regularly be found digging in the dirt near home. She is an avid researcher of the many benefits of herbs and quite frequently uses her family and friends to test her concoctions. Liz has voracious appetite for learning about what plants can do for the human body, this has led her to create her product line, My Wicked Garden. Frequently Liz teaches workshops for local colleges and for neighborhood organizations, she enjoys helping foster health awareness in the community.
Rhode Island Planting the Future Conference
Little Rhody is about to hold a big conference regarding our future and the plants we love. Many of our native medicinal plants are being overlooked or over harvested. We all know if you lose a species it can throw off whole ecosystems. In holding this conference, Rhode Island herbalist , United Plant Savers and other influential herbalists from around the country hope to educate people about the uses of herbs and the responsibility we have in preserving these plants for future generations.
There is something for everyone being offered and a wealth of knowledge for many people you may not normally have the chance to learn and speak with in person. This is an opportunity not to be missed !
Tentative schedule for September 19th is ….
Arnica Montana
and My Herbal Snobbery
Arnica Montana
There is some confusion surrounding Arnica so I would like to help clear a few things up......
The dried or fresh flowers are used in many TOPICAL preparations for sore muscles or bruising and trauma to the body that dose NOT have open wounds. Arnica should never be put on broken skin or taken internally. That being said the HOMEOPATHIC version can be taken internally, you would use it for many of the same reasons as the flowers, especially good after giving birth for you and the baby, also great after a bad fall or accident. I am sure to keep it with me at all times because my little ones have been known to take a few dives now and then.
Mother says “Eat Your Weeds“?
Nettles (Urtica dioica)
As a gardener you may know it well it’s the one that stings you. Yes, it can be a nascence but it can also be good for you. If you happen to be stung and your already a savvy herbal person you will know slapping some burdock root on the effected area will clear thing up in no time. Burdock is healthy eats to but that’s for another day. Our fried Nettles is oddly enough considered an antihistamine getting rid of itchy watery eyes and runny noises . The nettles leaf itself is great for seasonal allergies wile the root of the plant is very useful in treating prostate complaints in men.
Because nettles leaf is diuretic it can lower blood pressure so this is something to be aware of if you are already on blood pressure lowering drugs. Due to it’s anti-inflammatory properties Nettles is traditionally used to treat rheumatism and arthritis
Both topically and internally nettles is great for scalp and skin conditions . Some even say it can promote hair growth and treat dandruff. Not to bad for something you can get for free in your back yard!
Not only can nettles be made in to a healthy tea but also a great side dish. It can be sautéed or steamed just as you would spinach. No worries once cooked, dried or brewed it can no longer sting you.
So grab a savvy herbal friend and go a-foraging for free good eats.
Herbal Tea Making
It's not as hard as you think !
In my opinion there are a two types of herbal teas, 1. the kind you drink because they taste good a.k.a beverage teas, and 2. the ones you drink to make you feel good a.k.a medicinal teas . The goal is to make the medicinal teas taste like beverage teas!
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