Herbal Wisdom

Through the Looking Glass Series- An Ode to Ginger (Part 2)
Through the Looking Glass Series- An Ode to Ginger (Part 2)
Here’s Part 2 of the “Ode to Ginger” series: my go‑to “Kick a Germ Tea” - simple, spicy, sweet; my family's go-to if we feel anything trying to move in.... Read more...
Lemon Glycerite!
Lemon Glycerite!
Lemon Glycerite! If you make the “Kick a Germ Tea” from yesterday’s post; save those lemon peels. Let’s use those peels and make a lemon glycerite! Chop them up and... Read more...
"An Ode to Ginger” Part 3
"An Ode to Ginger” Part 3
For Part 3 of “An Ode to Ginger,” let’s look at the properties and actions of plants and play with contrast of something simple: ginger tea vs mint tea. Mint... Read more...
Happy Winter Solstice and Halcyon Days!
Happy Winter Solstice and Halcyon Days!
On these long winter nights, we enter what the ancients called the Halcyon days…the seven days before and seven days after Winter Solstice when the winds are said to calm... Read more...
Fresh vs. Dried Tinctures??
Fresh vs. Dried Tinctures??
Let's look at a few fun ways to analyze tinctures. For this batch, I made two lemon balm tinctures in vodka: one with fresh blended herb, one with dried. Blending... Read more...
Fresh vs. Dried Lemon Balm Experiment Part 2
Fresh vs. Dried Lemon Balm Experiment Part 2
Here’s part two of the fresh vs. dried lemon balm experiment. Both tinctures started with the same 80‑proof vodka (40% alcohol). After tincturing the lemon balm, I used a hydrometer... Read more...
Alcohol is One of the Main Workhorses in Herbalism
Alcohol is One of the Main Workhorses in Herbalism
Alcohol is one of the main workhorses in herbalism, so I want to give it its own little spotlight. Ethanol is a simple molecule: two carbons, six hydrogens, and one... Read more...
190 Proof vs 200 Proof
190 Proof vs 200 Proof
I keep getting ads geared towards herbalists for 200‑proof alcohol for tinctures. Let’s talk about why that’s not only unnecessary, but not even how ethanol actually behaves. When you distill... Read more...
A Kiss Under the Mistletoe???
A Kiss Under the Mistletoe???
Mistletoe is everywhere in Christmas imagery. When trees lose their leaves you can spot mistletoe easily. In Northern California we have American Mistletoe prolific in our oaks. The evergreen nature... Read more...