The HERB Shack

01/08/2023

11/24/2022

Happy Thanksgiving!

03/12/2020

To anyone worried about the Covid-19 virus.
Astragalus and Elderberry have very very good anti-viral properties.

12/28/2019

Evergreen Cordials for the winter blues.

▪︎1 cup chopped fresh foraged needle tips. from cedar, pine, spruce, douglas or balsam fir
▪︎1 cup sugar
▪︎1/2 cup water
▪︎1 1/2 cups vodka, brandy or gin

Make a simple syrup by dissolving one cup of sugar in 1/2 cup of water and heating gently in a saucepan.
Combine all ingredients in a clean glass jar. Cover plant material completely with spirits.
Shake well.
Allow to infuse at least two weeks.
Store in a cool dark place. Shake every other day and add alcohol if needed to keep plant material covered.
After allotted time, strain, re bottle in a clean sealed jar or pretty bottle decanter.
Servings 16
1oz. Per serving

02/27/2019

Reishi mushrooms have an impressive list of herbal actions:

* Immune tonic
* Immunomodulator
* Antiviral
* Antibacterial
* Adaptogen
* Anti-inflammatory
* Antioxidant
* Anti-anxiety
* Cardiotonic
* Hepatic

Known as the ‘mushroom of immortality’, reishi strengthens the circulatory system and is a legendary adaptogen, making it a supreme ally for increasing overall resilience. 🍄
Taken regularly, it can enhance and fine-tune the body’s immune response. It’s especially helpful as a daily remedy for those who have weak lungs or who frequently succumb to respiratory infections. 🌟
Curious to learn more about reishi? Check out our article: 5 Tonic Herbs to Boost Immunity this Winter in our brand spanking new 🌈Immunity Hub 🌈 https://chestnutherbs.com/herbs-for-immune-system-support/
(Pictured here: Varnished artist conch, or Ganoderma tsugae; also medicinal G. lucidum, G. curtisii, G. martinicense, Ganodermataceae). Photo © Juliet Blankespoor
*Please research any new herb and consult your health care providers for possible drug/herb contraindications and precautions before ingesting. Be sure of your identification before ingesting any plant or mushroom. Only pick mushrooms and herbs that you are 150% sure of their identity! 🍄

07/04/2018

Happy Independence Day

03/27/2018

Chemical dyes are not the only option when decorating easter eggs. Here's how to use herbs and common food to dye Easter eggs naturally!

11/24/2017

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10155860567862731&id=309517367730

“A healer’s power stems not from any special ability, but from maintaining the courage and awareness to embody and express the universal healing power that every human being naturally possesses.”
~ Eric Micha'el Leventhal

11/23/2017

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

11/11/2017

Bent over the moist earth, we gathered up the crimson and golden fruit into our hungry bags, chatting about life as old friends will, with meandering topics and understood nuances. Picking through the fallen leaves and occasional thorn, our bags grew plump with the fallen medicinal jewels. A curious passerby interrupted our chatter, inquiring about the fruit we were harvesting. My dear friend, more patient than I, spun the whole tale, from the identity of the trees we crouched under, to the future of our cache, which was to involve honey, brandy, and spirits.

Our guest revealed that she had wondered what kind of trees grew in this grove for almost a decade; she had danced naked under their pendulous branches in the springtime when the hawthorns were adorned with creamy buzzing blossoms. Perhaps one might be surprised upon hearing such a story, but we were near Asheville, so we soaked in this tidbit with cheer and took it in stride. Personally, I am happy to hear about anyone dancing under trees, and what better place to strip, than under a sacred grove of hawthorns on high in the craggies (craggy is an Appalachian term for a rocky place).

—Are you curious about gathering food and medicine from wild places? We're releasing our Online Foraging Course in early 2018, so you'll be set (basket in hand) to harvest abundant wild plants come spring. Stay tuned for more details!

Photo © Juliet Blankespoor
—with Claudia Green