Rowan Tree

04/30/2024

Broadleaf Plantain (Plantago major) propagation in the garden of diversity. Why grow something that so commonly volunteers in the lawn? For some perhaps, true, not necessary. For the rest of us, who use lots, and depend on large plants easily severed (truly a cut-and-come-again situation), then planting in the bed or in the row can be time-saving and productive. An herbal food, to be sure, filled with blood-building chlorophyll, also innately astringent in nature, capable of tightening tissues left flaccid from winter's woes, containing the cell-proliferant allantoin which makes our friend Comfrey so famous. I admit to coddling plantain. We treck wild and wide, searching for that rare potion, while in our tracks rises up simple plantain. Its worth turning around and looking at what's under our feet--healing for free--food for thought.

04/30/2024

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) sizing up, waiting to ship to the peeps or waiting for the soil to warm enough to plant outside. Always a balancing act, to start plants grown as summer annuals at the right time, so they aren't overmature at transplant. As true of a 'mater as it is of an ashwagandha. Of all the Vedic herbs, ashwagandha and tulsi have caught on best. I see this as an indication of their successful integration to western herbalism.

02/01/2024

Dr. Barbara Steinhoff will give an update on the regulatory framework for herbal medicinal products in Europe. The Speaker is Pharmacist. Head of Department Herbal and Complementary Medicinal Products and Pharmaceutical Technology at the German Medicines Manufacturers‘ Association (BAH), Bonn. Mem...

01/26/2024

Looking for input from all you wonderful folks. I am making shampoo and conditioner bars and would love to know what scents you like in your hair care products. Citrus? Peppermint? Woodsy? I only use pure organic essential oils so think natural scents not perfume. Thanks for your help 🙂

04/25/2023

This morning Grade 8 students learned that pine needles have antibacterial properties. Instead of always reaching for harsh chemicals, we are making our own pine needle cleaner! The pine needles will soak in a vinegar solution for at least 2 weeks. Then we can transfer it into a spray bottle and use it to clean our classroom!

04/10/2023