Newsletter Signup »
HERBSTALK
  • Home
  • Mission + Values
  • Event Info
  • About
  • Press
    • Kind Words
  • Blog
  • Community Partners
  • Contact

Winter Immune Honey

10/14/2016

 
by Jade Alicandro Mace

This time of year both the gardens and my kitchen start to get a little crazy with the sudden realization that the wheel of the seasons is turning. This is one herbal preparation I can't do without- Winter Immune Honey.  Basically, I stroll through the garden and harvest what's in season and looks good! This season's batch included Echinacea flower, Calendula, Bee Balm, Blue Hyssop, St John’s Wort, and Tulsi. Just thinking about getting to curl-up with a nice spoonful of this in my tea mug makes the on-coming seasonal transition less ominous and- dare I say it?- even a tad-bit exciting....
​

Combine any combination of the following herbs, fresh (my preference) or dried.  I’ve included some suggested percentages below (and of course many of these plants could go into both categories!).  The idea here is to pull from the lists and make your own unique honey, based on your favorite herbs, what you have access to, and the specific herbal actions you’d like your honey to have.  Your result will be a honey with a wide range of herbal actions, so you can effectively treat the vast array of winter ailments you might come across in the coming months.  And remember- many of these herbs can be procured at your local grocery store or farmers market (especially the culinary herbs), and can tolerate some frost, often hanging on in the garden well into fall. 
Picture
Picture
A quick note about the herbal actions listed below:

​Aromatics
are herbs that have a wonderful aroma because they are rich in essential oils (which tend to be anti-microbial). In my experience, aromatic herbs make the most delicious honeys!  Anti-microbials and anti-virals are just what they sound like. Diaphoretics promote a healthy fever response which is part of your body’s immune strategy for fighting-off pathogens, as a higher body temperature can inhibit proliferation and reproduction of many viruses and bacteria.  Lymphatics stimulate the lymphatic system, which is where many of our immune cells are born, and is also the primary transport system for immune cells to get to and from infections.  Supporting the lymph means stimulating your body’s own vital force and flexing the proverbial “muscles” of the immune system, which is a good thing!  The lymph fluid also transports waste products from fighting-off a pathogen, and the day-to-day metabolic waste from cellular metabolism to eliminatory organs as well.

Picture
So, how do you make it?

First choose your herbs…

Lymphatic/Immune Stimulating Herbs- 50%
  • Echinacea flower, seed, or root (Echinacea purpurea) and Calendula flower (Calendula officinalis) are my favorites for this recipe

Aromatics/Anti-microbials/Anti-virals/Diaphoretics- 50% (mix-and-match)
  • Bee Balm flower + leaves (Monarda didyma, Monarda fistulosa)- warming diaphoretic, anti-microbial, anti-fungal
  • Garlic (Allium sativum)-powerful and very warming immune-stimulant, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-viral, with an affinity for the lungs. Especially useful in cases of influenza, which attacks mucosal cells in our respiratory system.
  • Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)- warming diaphoretic, anti-microbial, clears congestion and mucous from the lungs and sinuses, digestive aid
  • Yarrow flower and/or leaves (Achillea millifolium)- strong diaphoretic, especially indicated in low, unproductive fevers- traditionally combined with Elder flower (Sambucus canadensis) and Peppermint (Mentha piperita) for this use
  • St. John’s Wort flowering tops (Hypericum perforatum)- wonderful anti-viral, calms the nerves         
  • Sage (Salvia officinalis)- Oily and warming, affinity for the throat and lungs, famous for sore throats, diaphoretic, digestive aid, nervous system tonic. Especially good for dry, unproductive coughs 
  • Thyme (Thymus officinalis)- very hot and spicy, strong anti-microbial, clears excess mucous from the sinuses and lungs, diaphoretic, digestive aid. Especially good for wet, cold coughs
  • Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)- warming circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, anti-microbial, digestive herb, nervous system support
  • Oregano (Origanum vulgaris)- strong anti-microbial and anti-fungal, diaphoretic, digestive aid
  • Basil (Ocimum sanctum, Ocimum basilicum)-  warming, diaphoretic, anti-microbial, nervous system relaxant and restorative, digestive aid, grounding 
  • Pine needles (Pinus strobus, Pinus sp)- Rich in vitamin C (6x more than oranges!), immune-stimulant, warming, helps expel mucous from the lungs, famous for coughs    
  • Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)- anti-viral, very calming to the nerves, grounding
  • Blue Hyssop flowering tops (Hyssopus officinalis)- anti-microbial and excellent respiratory system herb
  • Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Spearmint lf (Mentha spicata), Mint Lf (Mentha sp)- one of the very best digestive aids (especially Peppermint) excellent for stomach bugs, nausea, food poisoning and any other digestive upset. Powerful diaphoretic
  • Mullein leaf (Verbascum thapsus)- lymph and immune-stimulant, moistening to the lungs (demulcent), one of the very best herbs for strengthening the respiratory system and treating coughs
  • Catnip leaf  and flower (Nepeta cataria)- calming and soothing to the nervous system, digestive aid, diaphoretic
  • Anise Hyssop leaf and flower (Agastache foeniculum)- Respiratory herb, diaphoretic, digestive aid​
Picture
Next, add the herbs to the honey!

The process is so simple…..put your herbs into a dry glass jar, cover your herbs in raw honey (local if possible) and let sit for at least 2 weeks.  If they are fresh they must be free of excess water from rain, dew, etc, and also chopped pretty fine, removing any woody or tough stems.  Stir well so that all the plant material is evenly coated in the honey. Some will be poking-up from the top of the honey and that’s fine! As long as it’s coated in the honey it won’t mold.  If you are making it with dried herbs, follow the same directions as above, only don’t worry about having to remove woody stems.

To Use:

I always make my honeys with fresh herbs.  This is because I never strain my fresh herb honeys and prefer to use them with the plant material still in it. My favorite method is to mix a spoonful in hot water for instant tea or add to herbal tea at first sign of cold or flu. Then I eat the herbs at the bottom of my tea cup!  You will find that honey does an amazing job of preserving the fresh herbs and there is still lots of medicinal activity and vibrancy to the plant material.  So, I think you lose a lot of the medicine by straining it out.  I can still taste the tingle from the Echinacea flowers when I eat a spoonful of the winter immune honey I made months and months ago!  You can of course also eat this by the spoonful, spread on crackers or toast, and so on.  The possibilities with herbal honeys are really endless!  

If you are using dried herbs, then it’s a different case and I find that those are better strained.   Use your honey with wild abandon at first sign of sickness and have at least 3 tsp/day and much more is fine to take.  You can also take during sickness to lessen duration and ease symptoms.  Kids of course love this remedy as well!
​

Enjoy and Happy Honey-Making!


Picture

Picture
Jade Alicandro Mace is a community herbalist living in the rolling hills of western massachusetts.  She has an herbal practice, runs a low-cost community herbal clinic, and teaches a class series and apprenticeship in bioregional herbalism. Learn more at www.milkandhoneyherbs.com, or follow her on facebook (Milk & Honey Herbs) and instagram (@milkandhoneyherbs)

Elder: The Plant That Keeps on Giving

11/23/2015

 
by Melanie Brown

A wealth of folklore, magic, and superstition is attached to this shrub-like tree, often described as a “complete medicine chest,” because of its extensive healing abilities on a wide variety of ailments.  The most used species is Sambucus nigra, which grows throughout North America, Europe and many other parts of the world.  Its history of medicinal use includes the entire plant in different preparations and dosages, such as the fresh leaf tincture as a reliable nervine. Today most commonly used are the fragrant white flowers that bloom in the spring and the ripe purple-black berries in the fall. The entire plant has shown to possess both anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties while also being a moderate immune system stimulant.
Picture

Read More

The Many Gifts of Medicinal Mushrooms

10/8/2015

 
by Patrice Green

Fall is a time to traditionally hunt and harvest mushrooms, and an appropriate time to learn more about a specific group - the medicinal mushrooms.  Specifically, let's take a closer look at Reishi and Chaga.
Picture
Reishi: (Red Reishi / Ganoderma lucidum / Ling Zhi)

Known as the King of all medicinal mushrooms, Reishi is well known for its immune-enhancing properties.  An herbal adaptogen, Reishi's goal is to restore the body to homeostasis. Safe to take daily over a long period of time, Reishi is one of the most revered herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine, earning it the nickname The Mushroom of Immortality.  Known to help balance the endocrine system, Reishi helps with thyroid disorders.  A powerful Shen tonic, Reishi has a profound affect on the nervous system, calming the spirit and helping the mind to focus.  Reishi grows on decaying trees, preferring maple.   Not recommended for use in conjunction with chemotherapy or other treatments designed to reduce the immune system, Reishi is particularly suited to helping re-build the body, mind and spirit post-treatment.

Picture
Chaga: (Inonotus obliquus)

Chaga grows on birch trees and can be found in cold climates over most of the world.  Long known as a folk remedy to the people of Siberia, Chaga is quite unique in its appearance, looking more like a chunk of tree bark than what one would normally think of as a mushroom.  It is brown with blackened outer surface, much like charcoal or like it has been exposed to flames, but not completely burned.  In other countries and cultures, Chaga is known as a powerful anti-tumor and anti-carcinogenic remedy, as well as a longevity tonic.  Like Reishi, it is adaptogenic.  Chaga is also a powerful anti-oxidant.  In the human body there is a group of enzymes responsible for protection against free radicals and random oxidation called SuperOxide Dismutases, or SOD.  As we age, our levels of SOD decrease.  Chaga tea is known to stimulate our body's own production of SOD.  Chaga and Turkey Tails in combination often offer relief to those undergoing cancer treatments.  

I was first introduced to the benefits of chaga when my mother was undergoing treatment for lung cancer.  After vetting the herbs with the doctors at Dana Farber's Zakim Center, she began a daily habit of drinking three to four cups of chaga and turkey tails tea.  Her doctors were amazed by how well she responded to treatment.  Her tumor continued to progressively reduce until it disappeared.  She did have a recurrence after stopping the tea for several months.  However, she resumed her chaga regimen, in conjunction with acupuncture and has been cancer free for over 15 months.  Recently my father, who has had pre-cancerous prostate issues for several years, went for a check up.  He has also been enjoying the tea along with my mother.  His physician was amazed that his PSA levels were normal for the first time in years.  Is it the chaga?  I don't know. I do know that my dad will be 90 in a few weeks and still has a spring in his step.  

Chaga normalizes blood pressure and cholesterol levels, optimizes the immune system, is both anit-inflammatory and anti-viral. A wonderful source of further information about this powerful medicinal mushroom can be found here. As always, consult your physician before taking any supplements.

If you're interested in learning more about Reishi, Chaga and other medicinal mushrooms, I recommend reading anything written by the amazing Paul Stamets.


Picture
Patrice Green is an Herbal Educator, Certified Aromatherapist, Energy Medicine and Reiki Practitioner and founder of Green Aromatics. She received her herbal training at the Boston School of Herbal Studies, where she now teaches, and shamanic training from Isa Gucciardi, Ph. D. at the Sacred Stream in Berkley, CA. Inspired by time spent among the coastal Redwoods of Muir Woods and its beach, Green Aromatics strives to imbue its products and services with the same resilience, joy and equanimity of these majestic beings. Patrice may be reached through the Green Aromatics website.

Back to School: Fall Herbal Classes

9/9/2015

 
Picture
To help you continue your herbal education throughout the next few months we've compiled a list of upcoming herb classes being offered by our Herbstalk teachers over the fall months. 

And what a list it is! Here you go...

Lyme Disease Practitioner Training
Sept. 9, Sept. 23, Oct. 7, Oct. 22, Nov. 4, Nov. 19; 6:30-9:30pm
4 Minebrook Rd. Lincoln, MA

MORE INFO 

From the Roots Up: A Course in Bioregional Herbalism
Fall Session: Sept. 13, Oct. 11, Nov. 1
Amherst/Northampton, MA Area
MORE INFO 

Back to School: Herbal Support for Memory and Focus
September 14th 2015
Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 252 Main St. Montpelier, VT

MORE INFO

Everyday Immunity with Herbs
September 16: 6:30 - 8pm
Davis Square, Somerville, MA

MORE INFO

Herbs for Pregnancy and Birthworkers
Wednesday, September 16th - 7:00pm
CommonWealth Center for Holistic Herbalism
MORE INFO

Awakening the Spiritual Heart Intensive
Sept. 16, Oct. 14, Nov. 11, Dec. 2 
4 StonyBrook Rd., Arlington, MA

MORE INFO

Fall Wild Herb Day
Sept. 20, 3:00-7:00 p.m.
Littleton, MA (address provided upon registration)

MORE INFO 

Herbs for Pets
Wednesday, September 23rd - 7:00pm
CommonWealth Center for Holistic Herbalism
MORE INFO

Book Signing/Reading:The Yin and Yang of Climate Crisis
September 23, 7PM 
Phoenix Books, Burlington, VT
MORE INFO 

Plant Walk and Herbal Tincturing Workshop
Sept. 24, 9:45-12:00
Littleton Community Farm

MORE INFO

Aromatherapy Certification Course
Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Nov. 7, Dec. 5; 10am-5pm
12 Pelham Terr., Arlington, MA

MORE INFO

Botanical Modulators for Female Endocrine Stress Relating to Infertility, Mood Disorder, and the Menopausal Transition
September 26th 9 am – 1 pm
Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 252 Main St. Montpelier, VT

MORE INFO

Kimchi and Variations
Sept. 29, 2:30-4:45
Free demonstration at the Farmers' Market in Westford, MA
MORE INFO

Herbal and Nourishing Broths
Wednesday, September 30th - 7:00pm
CommonWealth Center for Holistic Herbalism
MORE INFO

Herbstalk Gardens' Harvest Gathering
October 4; 2 - 4pm
Southwest Corridor Garden, Jamaica Plain, MA
MORE INFO coming soon!


Creating Teas from Medicinal Herbs
Oct. 5; 1 - 3pm
Wellesley Botanic Gardens, Wellesley, MA

MORE INFO

Herbs for Everyday Living: Fall Series
Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 21, Oct. 28, Nov. 4; 6 - 8pm
The Armory, Somerville, MA

MORE INFO

Herbal Support for the Post Partum Mom
October 7th 2015 6-8 pm
Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 252 Main St. Montpelier, VT

MORE INFO

10 Days of Real Food: A Clean Eating Group Program
October 13th - October 22nd
Online

MORE INFO

Book Signing/Reading:The Yin and Yang of Climate Crisis
October 14, 6PM
Shelburne Farm, Shelburne, VT

MORE INFO

Making Your Own Herbal Bitters & Cordials
Oct 17th, 12-2:30pm
Greenfield, MA

MORE INFO

Herbal Gifts
Oct. 22; 7 - 8:30pm
Massachusetts Horticultural Society, Wellesley, MA

MORE INFO

Intro to Herbal Infusions: Teas, Tinctures, Oils, Wines, and Syrups
October 21st 2015 6-8 pm
Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 252 Main St. Montpelier, VT

MORE INFO

Herbal Gifts
Oct. 22; 7 - 8:30pm
Stevens-Coolidge Place, Andover, MA

MORE INFO

Talk on "Internal Climate Change" 
October 23, 4PM
Connecting for Change/Bioneers Conference, New Bedford, MA

MORE INFO 

Poses & Plants: A Yoga & Herbal Workshop
October 24
Coolidge Corner Yoga, Brookline, MA

MORE INFO

Stayin’ Juicy: DIY Herbal Lubes for Health and Happiness
Wednesday, October 28th 2015 6-8 pm
Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 252 Main St. Montpelier, VT

MORE INFO
 
Tammi Sweet: Stress, Relaxation, and the Heart
Saturday, October 31 and Sunday, November 1, 2015
CommonWealth Center for Holistic Herbalism
MORE INFO

Quit Smoking with Herbs! 
Wednesday, November 4th 2015 6-8 pm
Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 252 Main St. Montpelier, VT

MORE INFO

Herbal Cordials and Wines
Nov. 5; 7 - 8:30pm
Mass. Hot Society, Wellesley, MA

MORE INFO
 
Herbal Ecology; Landscape As a Key to a Plant’s Character
November 5, 6:30-9:30 p.m. $25 (Webinar)
12 Pelham Terrace, Arlington, MA
MORE INFO

Herbs for City Dwellers: The WELL Summit
November 6-7
Boston, MA
MORE INFO

Herbs for Children and Picky Eaters
Monday, November 9th 2015 6-8 pm
Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 252 Main St. Montpelier, VT

MORE INFO
 
Herbal Approaches to Autoimmune Disorders
November 10th, 6:30-8pm
Northampton, MA
MORE INFO

Fun With Ferments: Learn The Basics of Lacto Fermentation
Wednesday, November 11th 2015 6-8 pm
Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 252 Main St. Montpelier, VT

MORE INFO

Mushrooms, Roots and Berries: ​Immune ­Stimulating Remedies for Winter
Monday, November 16th 2015 6-8 pm
Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 252 Main St. Montpelier, VT

MORE INFO

Wintergreen Holiday Herbal Market!
Nov. 28; 11am - 5pm
The Armory, Somerville, MA

MORE INFO

Herbed Up! Winter Wellness from the Kitchen
Monday, November 30th 2015 6-8 pm
Vermont Center for Integrative Herbalism, 252 Main St. Montpelier, VT

MORE INFO

    Archives

    October 2021
    July 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    January 2013

    Categories

    All
    Angelica
    Anxiety
    Aromatherapy
    Artichoke
    Autumn
    Ayni Institute
    Ayurveda
    Bath Salts
    Becoming An Herbalist
    Beltane
    Bitters
    Black Cohosh
    Blue Vervain
    Botanical Crafts
    Botanical Dyeing
    Cacao
    Calendula
    Cancer
    Canine Nutrition
    Cannabis
    Chaga
    Chamomile
    Chickweed
    Chinese Medicine
    Cleavers
    Climate Change
    Community
    Connection
    Cultivating
    Curandismo
    Dandelion
    Deserts
    Digestion
    Doshas
    Earth Healing
    Ecological Herbalism
    Eco-printing
    Educational Gardens
    Elder
    Eleuthero
    Elixirs
    Energetics
    Essential Oils
    Ethnobotany
    Events
    Evergreens
    Fall
    Farming
    Flax
    Flower Essences
    Folk Traditions
    Food Plants
    Free Clinics
    Fungi
    Gardening
    General
    Gentian
    Ghost Pipe
    Gifts
    Goldenrod
    Groundwork Somerville
    Growing Herbs
    Guide To Herbstalk
    Hawthorn
    Healer's Path
    Herbal Education
    Herbal Energetics
    Herbalism
    Herbal Marketplace
    Herbal Oils
    Herbal Salves
    Herbs For Pets
    Herbs Of The Enneagram
    Hibiscus
    History Of Herbstalk
    Holidays
    Holy Basil
    Honey
    Imbolc
    Immunity
    Interviews
    Lammas
    Liver
    Living With An Herbalist
    Local Classes
    Local Plants
    Lyme
    Marshmallow
    Meadowsweet
    Medicinal Mushrooms
    Medicinal Uses
    Meet The Herbalist
    Meet The Herb Farm
    Menstruation
    Milky Oats
    Mimosa
    Mint
    Motherwort
    Mugwort
    Mullein
    Mutual Aid
    Natural Dyeing
    Nettles
    New England
    Nourishing Herbs
    Oat
    Passionflower
    Permaculture
    Phytochemistry
    Pink Lady Slipper
    Plant ID
    Plant-of-the-year
    Plant Profile
    Podcast
    Poisonous Plants
    Psychological First Aid
    Queen Anne's Lace
    Recipes
    Reciprocity
    Reishi
    Rhodiola
    Rose
    Rosemary
    Russian Herbalism
    Samhain
    Schisandra
    Seasonal Cycles
    Seasons
    Seeds
    Shen Tonics
    Skullcap
    Snow
    Social Justice
    Spring
    St. John's Wort
    Summer
    Survival Herbs
    Tea Blends
    Tincturing
    Tonics
    Traditional Chinese Medicine
    Trauma
    Travel
    Tree Medicine
    Tulsi
    Urban Gardening
    Urtication
    Vata
    Vervain
    Violet
    Water Hemlock
    Wheel Of The Year
    Wildcrafting
    Wild Edibles
    Winter
    Wintergreen
    Yarrow
    Yule

    RSS Feed

Copyright © Herbstalk 2021