With Glen Nagel ND, herbal mixologist Back by popular demand! A three-part series focusing on blending botanicals into tasty tonics. Register on this page for the series, or follow links to register for classes a la carte. Blending the ancient world of botanical medicine with that of the modern bar mixologist, this class develops a flavorful …

Source: Herbal Mixology Fall 2017 – Traditional Roots Institute

Ozark Encyclopedia – C – Cucumber Tree

Safety When You Use Herbs.

Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

Plants have the power to heal…but first, know these basics for safe and effective results.

Humans, like most mammals, have turned to plants for food and medicine since our earliest times. No doubt some of our ancestors suffered the consequences of unfortunate choices along the way.

Most of the herbs sold in the United States are safe when taken in recommended dosage. More than 38 million Americans use herbs each year, yet the majority of calls to Poison Control Centers about plant ingestion have to do with people {usually children} and pets eating the potentially poisonous house and garden plants, not medicinal herbs.

To ensure your experiences with medicinal herbs remain positive without inadvertent mishaps-follow these basic guidelines.

Start with Food Herbs

You can bet on safety when you use herbs as foods-think garlic, ginger, nettles, dandelion greens, shitake mushrooms, burdock root {also called gobo} and rose hips. Culinary herbs-thyme…

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Your Medicinal Herb Garden

Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

One of the questions I get asked frequently is what herbs would I recommend for a small medicinal herb garden or for someone just starting out so they don’t get overwhelmed. So that’s what I’m going to cover today. Of course, I don’t know everyone’s specifics. I will have to make a few assumptions – there will be plenty of sun, access to water, and the soil is healthy. One other important point is that these are herbs I believe allow for a beginner herbalist to begin treating their family with, they are also good for more advanced herbalists (for instance, I use chamomile in many preparations because it’s good for so many things). I’m hoping this will enable more and more individuals to grow their own “farmacy”!

Matricaria recutita – Chamomile

Like I mentioned before, I believe Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) to be one of the most important…

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What Is Carvacrol?

Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

Carvacrol may not be a widely recognized household name, but its source — oregano, probably is. As it turns out, oregano offers more than a pleasant taste; research has shown that carvacrol, its active ingredient, offers a wide range of health benefits; including protective effects for the liver, antioxidant, activity against harmful organisms, and more. The next 8 facts about carvacrol are sure to make it a known name in your household.

1. Interesting Results Against Cancer Cells

I’m not going to tell you that carvacrol is a cure for cancer but it certainly is demonstrating some interesting activity in preliminary research. When tested against breast cancer cells, it expedited cancer cell death… while being non-toxic. Long Island University researchers reported similar results when putting it up against prostate cancer cells. Actually, carvacrol exhibits the same results regardless of cancer. Lung cancer cells, oral cancer cells, and malignant brain tumors……

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Top 10 Health Benefits of Thyme

Crooked Bear Creek Organic Herbs

There are few things a sprig of thyme won’t make immensely better. This versatile herb blends well with a myriad of flavors and is packed full of health-promoting compounds, vitamins, antioxidants, and other nutrients.

Thyme belongs to the genus Thymus which is part of the mint family and closely related to oregano—another powerful herb. Native to the Southern Mediterranean regions, this perennial herb is now grown around the world for its culinary and therapeutic uses. While this herb will liven up your cooking, thyme may also help expel harmful organisms from your body and support your mental and physical health.

What Is Thyme?

Thyme is an evergreen herb that blooms with small white, pink, and purple flowers. They hybridize easily and grow quickly in sunny areas with well-drained soil. Thanks to its ease of cultivation and growth, there are over 300 varieties of thyme in existence today. Each variety has…

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Cedarwood Essential Oil

Good Witches Homestead

Cedarwood essential oil has a steady, reassuring strength.

It’s versatile, gentle, and powerful. It offers support in a wide range of blends, from respiratory inhalers to skin care creams, and both adults and children love its warm, woody aroma. Something about Cedarwood reminds me of sitting on a park bench under the shelter of a tall cedar tree.

In the blends below, I’m using three different Cedarwood essential oils: Cedrus atlantica, Cedrus deodara, and Juniperus virginiana. These three Cedarwoods are often good substitutes for each other, but I’ve included the Latin name in each blend so you’ll know exactly which Cedarwood I’m using.

1. Cedarwood connects us with our calm inner strength.

Cedarwood essential oil has the ability to see us through tough times. It can help us move steadily and securely through long projects . . . or through long, cold (sometimes dark) seasons like winter.

This…

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