Summer
herbalism
a guide to wildcrafting and medicine making
Cooling herbs herbal actions are often described on continuua
hot
cold
damp
dry
cooling herbs often grow in the summer and can balance the heat that comes with the season hot ailments are characterized by redness, swelling, and tenderness. ex. insomnia, anxiety, indigestion, low grade fever, itch, burn, bite, sting ex. peach, citrus fruit, mint, honeysuckle
wildcrafting gathering herbs that you didn't plant
ethics
1. don’t overharvest
+ leave some of the strongest plants behind + leave endangered plants alone + learn how to use weeds and prolific plants
2. leave the area better than you found it + gather and replant seeds and roots + pick up trash while you harvest
3. be aware of your surroundings + watch out for poisonous plants + don't gather plants from polluted areas + be aware of laws that impact your practice
tips
dig roots in the fall or spring collect leaves before a plant blooms gather flowers just as they are opening
drying herbs drying herbs removes all the moisture so that they can be stored. some herbs are best fresh, others are best dry. when making oils and salves, you always need dry herbs. tinctures, teas, and poultices can be made with fresh or dry herbs. 1. gather fresh herbs 2. wash and spin or towel dry 3a. oven: arrange herbs in a single layer so no mold forms. dry for 1-6 hours in a 100ºF/40ºC oven w/ the door left open for moisture to escape 3b. air: arrange in a single layer on an old window screen. place in a warm area outside but out of direct sun so the herbs aren’t bleached 4. you’ll know they’re fully dry when they snap instead of bending
tinctures the numbers 1. weight of herb 2. herb to menstruum ratio herb weight to liquid volume fresh herb to menstruum: 1:2 dried herb to menstruum: 1:4/5
3. menstruum contents can be alcohol, glycerin, or vinegar fresh herb: 40 percent/80 proof dry herb: 60 percent/120 proof how to 1. chop herb finely 2. weigh 3. seal and store in a dark place for at least two weeks, shaking occasionally 4. decant 5. adult dosage begins at 10 drops
oil infusions how to 1. fill up a jar with looselypacked dried herbs 2. fill the jar with olive oil, ensuring that all the herbs are covered 3a. time: seal the jar tightly and let it sit in a dark place for at least a month, shaking occassionally 3b. heat: cook in a double boiler for a few hours 4. decant 5. if you're using the hot method, don’t put lid on right away or condensation will form
salves
the numbers 6 parts oil: 1 part beeswax 85% oil, 15% beeswax how to 1. measure the oil and beeswax in a heat-safe cup using a digital scale. measuring by volume won't work because of different material densities. 2. heat the ingredients over a double boiler and stir until the beeswax has completely melted 3. pour into a storage container and let it cool
Herbalism is :
+ using plants for their medicinal properties + the medicine of the home used to treat non-emergency, day-to-day health problems + not centralized so there’s no need to harvest an exoctic herb from the rainforest when there’s likely something with similar qualities in your backyard + evidence-based in that it's supported by oral histories as well as modern research