Name: Eyebright
Latin: Euphrasia officinalis
Other Common Names:
Family:
Parts Used:
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: Classically used for all kinds of issues with the eyes, and is known to strengthen the eyes and improve the eyesight. The tea may be used as an eyewash or taken interally.
Use in tandem with:
Directions & Warnings:
Name: Mullein
Latin: Verbascum thapsus
Other Common Names:
Family:
Parts Used: Leaves, Flowers
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: Used primarily for respiratory problems, as a tea. If made as a milk tea, rather than a water tea, the effectiveness of mullein for non-respiratory problems is increased, and it can be used to treat diarrhea and digestive issues. Made into a poultice, it can help to ease swollen glands. The flowers steeped into an ointment can be effective against diaper rash, frostbite, and bruises. Historically it has also been used to slow or stop internal bleeding, however, if those problems exist, it is likely best to avail yourself of Western medicine.
Use in tandem with:
Directions & Warnings:
Name: Eucalyptus
Latin: Eucalyptus Globulus
Other Common Names:
Family:
Parts Used: Leaf
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: This is an herb to use with a fair amount of caution, and only in small doses, particularly when taking it internally. A smattering of flakes will be plenty for a full quart jar of loose tea. Eucalyptus helps to dilate capillaries for better circulation, which can be useful when dealing with migraines. A small amount on the tongue can quell nausea. It is an antiseptic, which means it can be good for wounds, or as a scent or steam to inhale for internal infections. When diluted with olive oil or vitamin E, the oil can be applied as an ointment. The oil is also a decent insect repellent. For coughs, it actually outstrips Robitussin as an expectorant.
Use in tandem with:
Directions & Warnings: Eucalyptus is very useful, but you must be careful with the dosages, as it can be incredibly toxic when overdone.
Name: Cinnamon
Latin: Cassia
Other Common Names:
Family:
Parts Used:
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: Cinnamon works as a warming tonic. It can help to prevent colds, and warms the hands and feet of those who feel cold all the time. It has been used, over time, as an appetite enhancer, an antimicrobial, an antispasmodic, an anti-rheumatic, and an anti-fungal. Cinnamon can ease certain sort of pain – primarily joint, muscle, stomach and tooth. Cinnamon can also be used to assist with some of the effects of diabetes. It has a fairly profound effect on blood sugar levels (as I know from all too personal experience.) This is lovely if you need to drop your sugar, but use caution if you eat sparingly or have not eaten recently. Cinnamon tea can be made by steeping a stick or a scant tsp in a cup of boiling water for 10+ minutes, and is a good winter tonic.
Use in tandem with:
Directions & Warnings: As this herb effects blood sugar, if you have not eaten recently, drink the tea while eating a couple of crackers or the equivalent.
Combine: 2 pkgs (4 1/2 tsp) active dry yeeast, 1 tsp sugar, 1/4 c 105-115 degree water
Measure into a large bowl: 6 c flour and 1 T salt.
Make a well in the flour mixture and pour in yeast mixture.
Combine and then add to the flour mixture: 2 c 105 degree water, 3 slightly beaten eggs, 1/4 c oil, 3 T sugar, (1/16 tsp saffron or healthy pinch safflower)
Mix until you have a good dough. Turn out and knead ten minutes. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until double. Punch down, divide in two, kneading each for several minutes. Cut each into three, roll out into ropes, and braid, seaming the ends tight. Brush with egg wash (1 yolk diluted with 1-2 T water or milk). Bake 15 minutes at 400/350 then 20-45 at 375/300. The second temps are for high altitude. The vague time for the second cook time is due to the fact that our convection oven cooks yeast breads far faster than a conventional.
Scald: 1 c milk
Add and stir until dissolved: 1 T sugar, 2 T butter, 3/4 tsp salt
Sprinkle 1 pkg (2 1/4 tsp) yeast over 2 T 105-115 degree water.
Add the milk moisture to the yeast bubbliness once it has cooled to lukewarm. Beat in one egg. Stir in (somewhere in the vicinity of) 2 2/3 c flour. Do so gradually, as you want the dough just properly workable, and if it tips over to too dry, none of these work very well. Start with stirring and shift to kneading once neccesary. Place in a greased bowl, brush with melted butter, cover and let rise until double.
Parker House Rolls: Roll dough out and cut rounds. Crease the middle, then fold and press edges. Let rise on a greased baking sheet. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes.
Cloverleaf Rolls: Punch down after that rising, and roll into balls. Size them so 3 of them will 1/3-1/2 fill a muffin round. Put three in each section of a muffin tin… or tins. Brush with melted butter, and then cover until doubled again. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes.
Hot Cross Buns: Change the dough above by increasing the sugar to 1/4 c and adding to the sugar: 1/4 tsp cinnamon, 1/8 tsp nutmeg, 1/4 c currants or raising, 2 T finely chopped citron. After first rising, shape into 18 balls and put on greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise until nearly double. Bake at 425 for 20 minutes, or until golden.
Milk Glaze for Hot Cross Buns: 1/2 c confectioner’s sugar, 2 T hot milk, 1/4 tsp vanilla. Warming it over a double boiler will eliminate the weird taste powdered sugar often leaves in icing.
2 1/2 c flour
3 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp basil
1/2 tsp marjoram (I didn’t have any so left it out and added a few leaves fresh sage)
1/4 tsp oregano
pinch thyme
1 c raisins
1 c ch nuts (used almond meal instead)
2 eggs
4 T honey
1 1/2 c buttermilk
1/2 c butter, melted and cooled
Mix dry ingredients. Add raisins and nuts. Beat eggs. Add honey to eggs, followed by buttermilk, followed by butter. Stir into the dry ingredients swiftly. Split in two, put in greased loaf pans, and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Name: Plantain
Latin: Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata
Other Common Names:
Family:
Parts Used:
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: Plantain is a liver strengthener and blood builder. Holding the hot tea in your mouth can assist with tooth pain caused by infection. Used as a poultice, it can help a variety of skin conditions, including the rashes caused by stinging nettle, poison ivy/oak, bug bites, and burns.
Use in tandem with:
Directions & Warnings:
Name: Sage
Latin: Salvia officinalis
Other Common Names:
Family: Mint
Parts Used:
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: Anti-bacterial, both internally and externally usable. It is also a gentle stimulant, adding energy to the system without overstressing it.
Use in tandem with:
Uses for Pets:
Directions & Warnings:
Edibility: Lovely with poultry specifically, and a wonderful spice for a number of other concoctions. Makes a nice addition to a variety of teas. Suggested to lightly flour fry it in olive oil and serve as an appetizer. So many things to try.
Other uses for:
Growing: Perennial. It likes full sunlight and good drainage.
Name: Cardamom
Latin: Eelettaria cardamomum
Other Common Names:
Family:
Parts Used: Seeds
Vitamins/Minerals:
Used for: Cardamom seeds can be used to freshen the breath, improve digestion, and improve appetite. They are known to help tonify and condition the stomach, liver, and intestines. They can relieve coughs, mitigate bronchitis, assist against fevers, and ease inflammation of the mouth and throat. Cardamom also helps to strengthen the immune system. It is a useful aid during pregnancy for nausea, as it is a pregnancy-safe digestive aid. There is evidence that cardamom may also be an anti-viral.
Use in tandem with:
Directions & Warnings: