This page is a work in progress. Check in frequently as I add more information.
Supplemental Information
Ethical Wildcrafting
It’s important to wildcraft (gather herbs in the wild) responsibly and respectfully, which includes knowing where and where not to gather plants, how many to gather, and how to equitably exchange with the plants.
When: In general, plants parts are gathered when the plant's energy is in that part. Leaves are gathered in the spring or summer when they're still growing, flowers when in bloom, seeds when ripe and/or dry, roots in the spring or fall when the plant's energy is in the root, and bark also in the spring or fall. To gather the bark of a tree, take one branch and strip the bark, rather than endanger the whole tree.
Where: Avoid gathering within 10 feet of a road (pollution), alongside a trail (dog pee), or in areas that have been sprayed.
What: With native plants, don't take more than 10% of the stand (less if you can tell that someone else has already gathered). With non-natives (Dandelions, Mullein, Thistle, etc.), or "invasive weeds" you can take more, but not more than 1/3 of the stand unless someone is trying to get rid of it! Get to know the stands of plants in your area. That way you will know if they are having a hard time (drought or bugs), are being overharvested, or are strong and healthy.
How: Respecting and honoring the plants: In all Indigenous cultures, the principle of Equitable Exchange is used. When something is taken from Nature, something is given back. In this country, either a pinch of tobacco or a pinch of cornmeal was offered to plants as a gesture of offering back in exchange for what is given. It is customary also to ask permission from the plant to gather it. A yes can feel like an opening, a go ahead feeling. A no feels like the energy is blocked. There can be many reasons for a no. That particular plant or the particular stand of plants may be having difficulty surviving. They may already have been overharvested. It could be that that plant is needed by some animal for survival.
When: In general, plants parts are gathered when the plant's energy is in that part. Leaves are gathered in the spring or summer when they're still growing, flowers when in bloom, seeds when ripe and/or dry, roots in the spring or fall when the plant's energy is in the root, and bark also in the spring or fall. To gather the bark of a tree, take one branch and strip the bark, rather than endanger the whole tree.
Where: Avoid gathering within 10 feet of a road (pollution), alongside a trail (dog pee), or in areas that have been sprayed.
What: With native plants, don't take more than 10% of the stand (less if you can tell that someone else has already gathered). With non-natives (Dandelions, Mullein, Thistle, etc.), or "invasive weeds" you can take more, but not more than 1/3 of the stand unless someone is trying to get rid of it! Get to know the stands of plants in your area. That way you will know if they are having a hard time (drought or bugs), are being overharvested, or are strong and healthy.
How: Respecting and honoring the plants: In all Indigenous cultures, the principle of Equitable Exchange is used. When something is taken from Nature, something is given back. In this country, either a pinch of tobacco or a pinch of cornmeal was offered to plants as a gesture of offering back in exchange for what is given. It is customary also to ask permission from the plant to gather it. A yes can feel like an opening, a go ahead feeling. A no feels like the energy is blocked. There can be many reasons for a no. That particular plant or the particular stand of plants may be having difficulty surviving. They may already have been overharvested. It could be that that plant is needed by some animal for survival.
Basic Medicine Making
Herbal Infusions: An herbal infusion is a medicinal herb tea. Put ~1 ounce dry herb into a quart jar, and cover with boiling water. Steep 20 minutes to overnight. Strain and refrigerate. The longer steeping brings out the medicinal properties and the minerals of the plant. Used for delicate plant parts - leaves and flowers.
Herbal Decoctions: A decoction is used for harder, woody parts of the plant - roots, bark, or seeds. Put ~1 ounce of dry plant in glass cooking pot. Cover with 1 quart water, bring to a boil. Turn down to a simmer, and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and refrigerate.
Tinctures: A tincture is an alcohol extract of the plant. There are many variations of this process, depending on the type of plant being used, it's water solubility, resinous quality, an how much water is in the plant. Many types of alcohol can be used - from wine to Everclear. To be precise with this process these variables must be known.
Basically, the plant is chopped into very small pieces, covered with a menstruum (combination of alcohol and water), and allowed to macerate (soak) for a period of two weeks, shaking the jar daily. It is then strained and pressed and stored in amber bottles. The advantage of a tincture over a tea is that it lasts for a very long time, and the dose is in droppers, rather than cups, so it is more convenient.
The "folk method" for tincturing many fresh herbs is as follows: Fill a jar (canning jars work very well) with chopped fresh plant. Press herb down firmly by hand. Pour undiluted alcohol - Everclear or Vodka - over the herb until all plant parts are just covered. Follow general directions for making a tincture.
Poultices: "A hot moist mass consisting of a base (slippery elm, comfrey root, clay, flax seed, kudzu, bran, etc.) and one or more active substances (mustard seeds, ginger,anemone, etc.) and placed on any part of the body, held (usually) between two pieces of muslin, and changes when cool. This aids pain, congestive inflammation, and tissue damage, as well as speeding absorption into the poultice of waste products, protein metabolites, and free amino acids." ~ Michael Moore
Oils: (Coming soon!)
Herbal Decoctions: A decoction is used for harder, woody parts of the plant - roots, bark, or seeds. Put ~1 ounce of dry plant in glass cooking pot. Cover with 1 quart water, bring to a boil. Turn down to a simmer, and simmer for 20 minutes. Strain and refrigerate.
Tinctures: A tincture is an alcohol extract of the plant. There are many variations of this process, depending on the type of plant being used, it's water solubility, resinous quality, an how much water is in the plant. Many types of alcohol can be used - from wine to Everclear. To be precise with this process these variables must be known.
Basically, the plant is chopped into very small pieces, covered with a menstruum (combination of alcohol and water), and allowed to macerate (soak) for a period of two weeks, shaking the jar daily. It is then strained and pressed and stored in amber bottles. The advantage of a tincture over a tea is that it lasts for a very long time, and the dose is in droppers, rather than cups, so it is more convenient.
The "folk method" for tincturing many fresh herbs is as follows: Fill a jar (canning jars work very well) with chopped fresh plant. Press herb down firmly by hand. Pour undiluted alcohol - Everclear or Vodka - over the herb until all plant parts are just covered. Follow general directions for making a tincture.
Poultices: "A hot moist mass consisting of a base (slippery elm, comfrey root, clay, flax seed, kudzu, bran, etc.) and one or more active substances (mustard seeds, ginger,anemone, etc.) and placed on any part of the body, held (usually) between two pieces of muslin, and changes when cool. This aids pain, congestive inflammation, and tissue damage, as well as speeding absorption into the poultice of waste products, protein metabolites, and free amino acids." ~ Michael Moore
Oils: (Coming soon!)
Reference Books
Identification:
Weeds of the West, Whitson, et al, The Western Society of Weed Science, 1992.
Medicinal uses:
Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West, Michael Moore, Museum of New Mexico Press, 1989.
Weeds of the West, Whitson, et al, The Western Society of Weed Science, 1992.
Medicinal uses:
Medicinal Plants of the Desert and Canyon West, Michael Moore, Museum of New Mexico Press, 1989.
