Name: Black Walnut
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Used for: As an extract, can be used externally for skin issues caused by plant reactions and parasites, or taken internally for parasites. It can also be used as a dewormer for pets.
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Directions & Warnings:
Approx 1 lb roasted skin-on green chiles
2 T olive oil
1 T butter
(5-10) (to taste) large garlic cloves
salt
pepper
ground cumin (fresh roasted is best)
3 c chicken stock (or more, as needed)
10 corn tortillas
Approx 1 lb shredded cooked chicken
2-3 c shredded cheese
sour cream
Preheat oven to 400. Chop chiles. (Original recipe said to skin, I just took the woody ends off. Charlie said the deseeding was likely included for people wanting less heat.) Heat olive oil and butter over med heat. Add garlic, cook until fragrant. Add chile, salt, pepper, cumin. Cook for a few minutes, stirring every so often. Add 1 c chicken stock (or more, if needed). Simmer down to 1/3 original volume. Bring rest of chicken broth to a simmer, and dip the tortillas in it. (Quickly, just enough to dampen. You want them softer, but cornmeal mush, which they become very easily, is not the goal.) Transfer to baking sheets. Fill with chicken and 1 1/4 c (ish) of the cheese. Wrap, put into a baking dish. Cover with chile sauce and top with cheese. Bake 15-20 minutes or until cheese is browned and bubbling.
Name: Borage
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Used for: As a tea, supposed to a quick-acting assistance for depression. Also used as a fever reducer.
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Name: Thyme
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Family: Mint
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Used for: Thyme has been used to calm anxiety and panic, while increasing motivation.
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Directions & Warnings:
2 sliced lemons
2 2-finger chunks of ginger, peeled and sliced
Put lemon and ginger in a pint canning jar. Cover with honey. Let sit. Cover with honey again. Let sit. Repeat until the jar is actually full. Suggested to keep in fridge.
Name: Rosemary
Latin: Rosmarinus officinals
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Family: Mint
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Used for: Anti-bacterial. Circulatory system tonic. Can be used in preparations to improve memory, focus, and concentration. Also a known anti-inflammatory. Can be used as a gentler stimulant than most, without agitating the system or exacerbating stress. If you do not mind a more savory tea, and appreciate the flavour of rosemary, this can also be used to ameliorate some of the nastier medicinal herb flavours.
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Uses for Pets:
Directions & Warnings:
Edibility: Use as a spice for meats and garlic. Also makes a nifty tea on its own, or a nice addition to lemon/limeade.
Growing: Rosemary is a naturally drought tolerant plant. One of the easiest ways to kill it outdoors is over watering or overly rich soil. Rosemary actually prefers sandier, well drained soil. However, when in a pot it cannot sprawl its roots out as it prefers. You must keep the soil for a potted rosemary plant moist. If it dries out entirely, there is little chance of salvaging it. It is reported that it also really loves seaweed water.
I have found that using the leaf in teas gives them quite a bit of the actual blackberry flavour, and generally get momentarily distracted by the lovely smell when I open the container.
Name: Blackberry
Latin: Rubus villosus
Other Common Names: Bramble, Scaldhead, Fingerberry, Black Longberry
Family: Rosaceae
Parts Used: Roots, Leaves, Berries
Vitamins & Minerals: C, Folate, antioxidants, phytochemicals, potassium, manganese
Used for: Use the root for an astringent tincture. Consistent use of this tea can help with a variety of intestinal problems. Chewing the leaves has a long history of strengthening and healing the gums.
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Directions & Warnings: Blackberry is a mild blood thinner. Not dangerously so, on its own, but use caution if taking anti-coagulants.
Name: Marshmallow
Latin: Althea officinalis
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Parts Used: Root
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Used for: Marshmallow is one of the most effective mucilaginous herbs. It is good for acid problems of the digestive tract (ulcers, irritation, stones, and infections.) It is also useful for respiratory ailments, as it both calms the throat, and helps to expel mucous. It can be used as a poultice on sprains. It can also be used as a tea to increase the flow of milk when breastfeeding, and to enrich the milk. The mucilage also acts as a soothing and protective agent for inflamed and damaged nerves.
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Name: Arnica
Latin:
Other Common Names: Accident Plant
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Used for: A lotion containing arnica can be a fairly effective pain reliever, particularly in cases of soft tissue damage. Used to reduce swelling from breaks and sprains, and effective at relieving muscle strain and tension.
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Directions & Warnings: DO NOT use arnica if there is a break in the skin. There are some internal uses, but they should not be attempted unless under the direct care of a herbal practitioner.
Name: Aloe
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Used for: This is another one of the “magic” plants that can be used for a number of things, and does them all quite well. It can be used both internally and externally. It is one of the best things to use as a salve on burns, including sunburns. If mixed into juice or drunk it promotes internal healing and eases digestive issues.
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Directions and Warnings: When using aloe preparations, make sure that there is neither alcohol nor lanolin in the mixture. They inactivate many of its useful compounds. Do not use aloe on a staph infection, aloe can seal the infection in and give it a better environment to multiply.