Monthly Archives: November 2012

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Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)

Name:  Motherwort

Latin:  Leonurus cardiaca

Other Common Names:  Herzgespan, Agripaume cardiaque, Yi mu cao

Family:  Compositae (Sunflower)

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:  Calcium

Used for:  Good for moderating hot flashes and regulating mood.  Also a very potent aid if you suffer from anxiety.  Motherwort is particularly useful as while it is calming, while not being sedating.  It also regulates and tones the thyroid, blood vessels, liver, heart, and uterus.  It also can ease uterine cramping.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:  Unfortunately, motherwort has a distinctly unpleasant flavour, and is hard to utilize in teas or as a fresh green in salads.  The best methods for utilizing this herb are tinctures and syrups.

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Juniper (Juniper communis)

Name:  Juniper

Latin:  Juniper communis

Other Common Names:

Family:

Parts Used:

Vitamins/Minerals:

Used for:  Juniper helps to dilate the bronchial tubes, it is an antiseptic, and especially useful with urinary problems.  The tea can also be used to ease insect bites and stings.

Use in tandem with:

Directions & Warnings:

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Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)

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:

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Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

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:

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Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulus)

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.

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Cinnamon (Cassia)

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.

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Egg Bread/Challah (Rombauers)

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.

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Parker House Rolls/Cloverleaf Rolls/Hot Cross Buns (Rombauer)

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.

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Quick Winter Herb Bread (Gramma Betsy)

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.