Immune System Boosters

No one wants to be sick when you live in the middle of nowhere.
It's cold and flu season.  Here ya go.   Courtesy of Just Naturally Healthy
The immune system is responsible for deciphering safe from unsafe pathogens and regulating inflammation in our bodies. It is the body's protection against bacteria, viruses, cancer, and other illnesses. A complicated and intricate system, we are just beginning to understand the influence our lifestyle has on it. More and more research highlights the impact our diet and environmental exposures have on maintaining balance within our body's immune system.
There is no magic key to creating a strong immune system, it's hard to deny the impact diet and lifestyle have on health. Keeping a strong immune system helps protect you from infections with viruses and bacteria and other forms of illness. Eating in moderation and keeping your diet varied will provide you with a mixture of protective vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to keep your body happy and healthy.
What's the best way to boost your immune system? It's simple: lead a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
The Importance of Regular Sleep
Regular sleep—at least eight hours per night—will help keep cells in the system working optimally. Wash your hands regularly before eating and after being out in public.
Exercise
Regular exercise of at least 20 to 30 minutes every day increases the ability of the immune system to function properly. When it comes to exercise, challenge yourself. Do something you enjoy. Exercise should be fun, make you smile, and even laugh. Think out of the box: it can be dancing, jumping rope, hiking, or walking. If you've never exercised, then start with two minutes per day and add one minute each day until you've built up to 20 minutes.
Is regular exercise already part of your routine? Then change it up. Love to hike? Throw on some running shoes and hit the nature trail. Have young children or a family? Head outdoors and play tag, basketball, tennis, or soccer. The important thing is to create a habit of daily exercise.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
You should also maintain a healthy weight. Buy a scale and weigh yourself the same time each week. Set attainable goals: a weight loss goal of two pounds a week seems much more attainable than a goal of 25 pounds overall.
Know your body mass index (BMI). The equation is weight (pounds)/height (inches) 2 x 703. A BMI of 20 to 24.9 is a sign of a healthy weight. If you don't know your BMI, speak with your doctor to help you calculate it or use an online calculator (nhlbisupport.com/bmi/). Being underweight, overweight, and obese are states of malnutrition and put stress on your body. Fat cells increase inflammation within the body and that, in turn, impedes the immune system's ability to function. If you are overweight or obese, even a weight loss of two to five pounds can improve your immune system and put you on the path to a healthy lifestyle. Start small, make goals for yourself, and work towards them. Enlist the help of family and friends to support you in your goal of a happy and healthy weight. The rewards are great and you'll start feeling more energetic with each day.
Diet
Eat a colorful diet rich in fresh fruit, fiber, and plant-based products. Teach your children to eat a rainbow of foods each day. Vitamins, antioxidants, and bacteria are natural ways to maintain this balance. Vitamins are organic compounds our bodies need in limited amounts—some we get only through our diet. Bacteria manufacture others in our systems. Among those critical to the immune reaction are vitamins A, C, D, E, and zinc.  

The fall is a natural time to eat foods rich in vitamin A. Orange, yellow, and green foods—like carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, leafy vegetables, and cinnamon—are rich sources of vitamin A along with milk and eggs. Strive for at least 2,500 to 3,000 IU a day, but no more than 10,000 IU a day.
Citrus fruits and vegetables abundant in vitamin C are readily available in the winter months—you can easily reach a goal of 500 mg a day by regularly adding oranges, grapefruit, and red peppers to your diet.
Our skin is able to manufacture vitamin D with sun exposure—otherwise milk, eggs, and fatty fish like tuna and salmon are natural sources of vitamin D.
Vitamin E is a natural antioxidant (antioxidants are the compounds that protect cells from the damaging effects of free radicals) found in nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils. Toss one ounce of sunflowers onto your spinach salad and you're halfway towards your goal of 15 mg a day of vitamin E.
Zinc also has a positive effect on the immune system. Five oysters provide the daily recommended serving of zinc. Incorporate servings of fruit, dairy, vegetables, nuts, and grains into each meal. Reach for healthy snacks.
Stop Smoking
Do you smoke? Quit. Are others around you smoking? Encourage them to quit. Tobacco smoke interferes with your body's ability to clear bacteria and viruses from your respiratory mucosa. Research shows that the components in tobacco smoke change your immune system, create free radicals, and increase inflammation in your body. Exposure to secondhand smoke in children leads to increased ear infections and asthma attacks.
Feed Your Gut
More and more research points to the critical role of the microgenome (community of bacteria) living naturally and in balance in our guts. These bacteria help teach our immune system what's safe and not safe. How can you influence these bacteria? Through the food you eat!
Eating a diet rich in lean protein and fresh fruits and vegetables helps support the natural balance of healthy bacteria living in your intestines. These foods provide your body with vitamins, antioxidants, and helpful bacteria essential to proper immune system function.
Probiotics and prebiotics are ways to change the community of bacteria living in our intestines. Probiotics containing bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria (lactobacillus)—like those found in yogurt and supplements—help replace naturally occurring bacteria living in our guts.
Prebiotics are nondigestible food ingredients that stimulate the growth and/or activity of lactobacillus and bifidobacteria in our intestines. By feeding these bacteria, they help us digest food, decrease inflammation, and improve the balance of our immune system. No specific food is a prebiotic: foods release prebiotics through the digestive process. Rich sources of prebiotics are soybeans, raw oats, and yacón, and foods rich in inulin like Jersualem artichoke, jicama, and chicory root.
Despite washing your hands, getting regular sleep, and eating a healthy diet, did you get a cold? You're not alone: most adults in the US suffer from one to three cold viruses a season. Use of zinc gluconate at the first sign of sickness can reduce the duration of a cold, so make sure you have it on hand. Get plenty of rest, make sure you drink plenty of fluids, and stay home from school or work to prevent the spread of the virus. Our immune systems have a tough job to do—follow these tips through the cold and flu season and beyond to give your system the best chance to keep you healthy day in and day out.

Animal Injuries - What do you do when there isn't a vet?

This question has been on my mind this week as we have have four injuries.  A chicken was attacked by puppies, a cow was gored in the udder, a dog was bitten in the neck and another dog was sliced by barbed wire.  When you are an hour or more from a vet, you have to fix it yourself.  This is all new to me, so I have done more watching and learning with a little helping.

What I have observed: 
Watch the animal to see how they are acting.  Sometimes they take care of it themselves.  If they need care, provide it but let nature do the most healing.  If the animal is severely injured and cannot be helped successfully, put it down to ease the suffering.  This part of the adjustment has been pretty hard.  I am a total softie and want to baby everything, then I have to remember they are work animals and not pets.  It doesn't mean you don't love them, just remember the purpose.

Puncture hole to the neck:
For this wound, I cleaned the area with warm water and a clean rag.  There was a bit of blood, so I let the blood clean out the wound.  For blood clotting and wound control, I packed the wound with a poultice of plantain leaves and let it stay for about an hour.  The poultice stopped the bleeding and disinfected the wound.  We used essential oils for pain control and to act as a triple antibiotic.  They were Frankincense, Lavender, and Oregano.  With the blood clotted, there was no need to cover it.

Injured chicken: 
Mountain savory and Frankincense were used for pain and healing.and we put her in the brooder to rest.  Once she got herself out, we have just kept an eye on her.

Barbed wire slice:  
Olive oil and Helichrysum Essential Oil to the wound and let her rest.  The plan is to watch for infection and let her heal.

Any suggestions from fellow homesteaders out there are welcome.  Animals are definitely a new thing to me! Thanks for reading, and Happy Homesteading!

Homeschooling and Homesteading - How do you make it work?

One of the many benefits of homeschooling is the ability to adjust your school schedule to meet the needs of life on a homestead.  That being said, it still isn't easy.  We are on week one, and there are a number of projects that haven't been done.  The schedule we are moving to and looks to work the best for us is this:

8:30 Breakfast and morning chores
10:00 School day begins
12:00  Lunch and chores
2:00  School resumes
4:00  School over, evening chores
6:00  Dinner
7:00  Evening chores, relaxation
10:00  Bed

That schedule looks fairly neat, but so far we have only maintained half of it.  We still are not getting to bed until 11-12 at night.  Each day we get closer, so we will see how it goes.

We are homeschooling three kids with 3 different sets of curriculum.  We looked at one set for all, but the kids are very different people with very different interests and learning styles.  Two of the kids are Autistic and very interest driven; whereas, the other child is Neurotypical and has a variety of interests.  The different curriculum keeps each kid engaged.  I don't know if it would work if the oldest wasn't so self contained and moving on his own.  I check in with him and answer random questions, but he pretty much does it on his own with a specified end goal in mind.  The other two require more hands on teaching, but again, the older of the two is able to work on his own once the lesson is there.  This independence allows me the time needed to spend one on one with the youngest.

When they take their break, I feed them lunch and take a planning period.  Their dad and grandfather take over at this point for chore direction.  It works.  I don't know how it works, but it does.  The weekends are used to catch up on household things not done during the week, cooking for the next week and miscellaneous projects and hanging out.

It is never a dull moment, and my sanity is taking a beating.  However, I think we are going to be fine.  Growing pains and all that.  I DON"T miss horrible food served at schools, buses, endless forms, CORE CURRICULUM, 7:30 a.m. starts, and the $200-300 per year in "fields trips, yearbooks, pictures, fund raisers, ID kits, fees, etc.

The end goal is total self sufficiency with educated, decent and productive kids.  We'll let you know how it goes.  Feel free to send questions or helpful tips.  I know we can use them!

D

Black Walnuts - What do they mean for your homestead?

Black Walnut Trees - Bane of your existence or a positive?

I suppose it depends on what your goals are for your homestead.

Problems:
Warning via http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/facts/info_walnut_toxicity.htm

Husks of fallen walnuts can become toxic to livestock, and lethal to dogs if ingested due to a mycotoxin called 'Penitrim A', which is produced by c. Therefore, walnut nuts showing symptoms of decomposition, such as a brown or black rotten appearance in the husks, may leak toxin into the kernels and are not fit for human consumption.

The problem with the jugalone in the roots of the tree presents a problem for a great number of plants in that it is inhibiting for growth and will cause fatal wilting.  Not all plants are susceptible.  Our solution is to plant 50-80 feet from the canopy of the tree and to use raised Hugelkultur in those areas.  These steps should be more than sufficient to prevent planting problems due to jugalone toxicity.  (We shall see).  Below is a list of plants that are not effected by the presence of jugalone.

• Beans
• Corn
• Melons
• Squash

These plant types will be planted at the border of our vegetable beds and rotated to maintain soil integrity.  The interior of our garden will contain the rest of the vegetables we are growing.

Benefits:

There are SO many benefits for Black Walnuts for the homestead.

• Walnut meat for eating, preserving and bartering.  Walnuts are a good source dietary source of serotonin and one of the best plant based sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
• Walnut hulls for treatment of intestinal problems, snakebites, open wounds, ulcers, scurvy, and as one of the most effective laxatives available.  It is an anti-fungus and has been used to fight herpes, cold sores, athlete’s foot, and Candida. It has been used as an antiseptic to combat illness like sexually transmitted infections and malaria and can be used to treat acne.
• “Black Walnut Hull may help to lower blood pressure and serum cholesterol levels and is believed to burn up toxins and fatty materials while balancing blood sugar levels.
• The tannins in Black Walnut Hull (and leaves) possess an astringent quality that is thought to shrink the sweat glands and reduce excessive sweating.  The herb is said to help control menorrhagia, the excessive loss of blood during periods. It is also used to control diarrhea.
• Black Walnut Hull is considered a tonic that aids digestion and the intestinal system. It helps to relieve colic, heartburn and flatulence.  As a cholagogue, Black Walnut stimulates the flow of bile into the intestines and is thought to ease bilious colic and pain in the spleen.”

Perhaps Black Walnut’s most well-known property is its ability to fight intestinal parasites. It is a well documented vermifuge that is effective at helping the body rid itself of parasites. As a laxative, it expels parasites as part of its cleansing of the body and the high tannin and juglone content is thought to oxygenate the blood and kill parasites. Black walnut is effective against pinworm, ringworm, tapeworm, and other intestinal parasites.  (information provided by http://wellnessmama.com/257/black-walnut-hull-herb-profile)

Recipe:
Black walnut is an astringent and antifungal agent that protects skin against allergens and infections. Use as a cool compress for ringworm infections.

Ingredients:
Black Walnut *
Recipe Instructions: Compress :Make a strong tea of black walnut leaf and apply as a skin wash 3 times daily.
Source: Balch, Phyllis A.,CNC. "Prescription for Herbal Healing", (2002)

Lastly, practical everyday uses:

Black walnut has been used to make ink and hair dye.  The ink is extracted from the hulls of the ripened walnut.  Listed below is a recipe to make Walnut ink.

Recipe courtesy of:  http://www.practicalprimitive.com/skillofthemonth/blackwalnutdye.html

Step-by-step Instructions for making Black Walnut Dye:

1. Collect about 10-15 Black Walnuts. This is enough for about one gallon of dye.


2. While wearing protective gloves, remove the husks. This can be easily done with just your fingers, though with green hulls, my preferred method is to place the walnut on a stump or other "anvil" and pound the walnut with a rock to break open the hull.



3. The husks can be used right away or dried for later use. (While they are drying, make sure they get plenty of air circulation or they will mold.) As the opened hulls are exposed to air they will quickly begin to oxidize and turn a dark brown. This is the color that it stains, so wear gloves, wash frequently or be prepared to have brown fingers for several weeks!! (See the proof in pictures!)


4. While still wearing your protective gloves, crush or crumble the hulls into pea-sized bits.



5. Using either a stainless steel or enamelware pot, heat one gallon of water to a full boil, add the crushed hulls and stir. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about an hour. While the dye is simmering, scour the material you plan to dye. (This step is especially important for cellulose-based fibers!)


6. To Scour: Using an enamelware or stainless steel pot, add 1 TBSP of washing soda and 1/2 tsp of detergent per 1 gallon of water and stir to dissolve.


7. Bring to a boil, then add the material you plan to dye and stir it into the water until it is fully saturated. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for an hour or two.


8. Rinse your materials thoroughly to remove all the soap. The water will have turned a mucky brown color from all the oils etc. that have been scoured out of the fibers.


9. Wring out the excess water and add the damp, scoured material to the simmering dye bath.


10. Continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the material is at least one shade darker than your desired color.


11. Remove the material and rinse thoroughly, until the rinse water runs clear. Not rinsing out all the excess dye at this stage it may cause it to come off on your skin when you are working with or wearing the materials. (If, after a thorough rinsing, you decide the material is not dark enough, return it to the dye bath and continue to simmer.)


12. Once the dye bath has cooled, pour the excess dye into a glass container and store it until next time. Allow your materials to dry completely before using — the color will change somewhat as they dry, and the dye oxidizes.

NOTE: Dyed clothing should be washed seperately the first time in case you did not rinse the item thoroughly enough. Excess dye WILL stain any other clothes! After that, wash as usual with other like-colored items.

Coyotes - Yeah, I am not a fan.

Nothing sounds creepier than a pack of coyotes howling and yipping in the not too far distance.  When you are backwoods, you need a gun and really good dogs.  I don't mean the pretty and sweet dogs who wear bows.  You need well-trained and burly German Sheperds.  My in-laws have two amazing Sheperds, and they are the only things that makes me feel comfortable being outside at night.

Did I mention, you need a gun?  Yeah, no fru fur here either.  Get a few, learn to use them and make them count.

(Coyote:  Information provided by http://www.desertusa.com/animals/coyote)

Coyote Behavior

Alone, in pairs or in packs, coyotes maintain their territories by marking them with urine. They also use calls to defend this territory, as well as for strengthening social bonds and general communication. Coyotes can easily leap an eight foot fence or wall. They have been spotted climbing over a 14 foot cyclone fence.
Although the coyote usually digs its own den, it will sometimes enlarge an old badger hole or perhaps fix up a natural hole in a rocky ledge to suit its own needs. Dens are usually hidden from view, but they are fairly easy to locate because of the trails that lead away from the den. The coyote uses the den to birth its young and to sleep. The coyote does not hibernate.
Coyotes have a good sense of smell, vision and hearing which, coupled with evasiveness, enables them to survive both in the wild and occasionally in the suburban areas of large cities. They are common in most rural areas, but because of their secretive nature, few are seen. Efforts to control or exterminate the coyote by predator control agents seem to have produced an animal that is extremely alert and wary and well able to maintain itself.

Food & Hunting

A coyote travels over its range and hunts both day and night, running swiftly and catching prey easily. It has a varied diet and seems able to exist on whatever the area offers in the way of food. Coyotes eat meat and fish, either fresh or spoiled, and at times eat fruit and vegetable matter and have even been known to raid melon patches.

Although the coyote has been observed killing sheep, poultry and other livestock, it does not subsist on domestic animals. Food habit studies reveal that its principle diet is composed of mice, rabbits, ground squirrels, other small rodents, insects, even reptiles, and the fruits and berries of wild plants.
The coyote is an opportunistic predator that uses a variety of hunting techniques to catch small mammals likes rabbits and squirrels, which comprise the bulk of its diet. Although it hunts alone to catch small prey, it may join with others in hunting larger mammals like young deer or a pony.

The coyote often tracks its prey using its excellent sense of smell, then stalks it for 20-30 minutes before pouncing. It may also take advantage of its stamina to chase its prey over long distances, and then strike when the quarry is exhausted.

In the dry season they may try to dig for water or find a cattle tank to have a drink. They also derive moisture from their diet. Everything they eat has some moisture in it. There are also the coyote melons which grow in the desert. To humans, they taste terrible but they provide moisture; coyotes and javelina are about the only animals that eat them.

 Urban coyotes take advantage of swimming pools, dog water dishes, ponds and water hazards at golf courses and other water bearing human artifacts as a source of moisture. However, the majority of coyotes never see people.

What should I do if I see a coyote?

You want to harass or scare the coyote so it fears you and leaves.  You can do this by shouting or yelling at the coyote.  Wave your arms and throw rocks at the coyote if necessary.  You can make loud noises by clapping your hands, blowing a whistle, knocking two boards together or by using a car horn,  air horn or other noise making device. 

All the information above is great, but you still need a gun and a dog.

First Week on the Homestead

I thought I had a pretty thorough knowledge base about homesteading and farming.  Yeah, I was wrong.  This week has been amazing and really, really difficult.  The days start early and run really, really late.  I never stop moving and neither does anyone else. Winter is coming, and that means, after November, we don't leave again until Spring.  We need grains, feed, veggies canned, structures built, wood split, etc.  Go go go.

I wouldn't trade for anything in the world.  Good night all.  Info posts coming once we are settled in. 

Homesteading - Full Time

We have taken the summer off and will be back on with new posts in October.  New and exciting developments are happening.  We are making the move to full time homesteading.  Pictures and posts coming in October!!!  Stay tuned.l

Because it Deserves a Second Look: Hugelkultur Raised Garden Beds

hugelkultur: the ultimate raised garden beds

raised garden bed hugelkultur after one month

raised garden bed hugelkultur after one year

raised garden bed hugelkultur after two years

raised garden bed hugelkultur after twenty years

hugelkultur raised garden beds in a nutshell:

• grow a typical garden without irrigation or fertilization
• has been demonstrated to work in deserts as well as backyards
• use up rotting wood, twigs, branches and even whole trees that would otherwise go to the dump or be burned
• it is pretty much nothing more than buried wood
• can be flush with the ground, although raised garden beds are typically better
• can start small, and be added to later
• can always be small - although bigger is better
• You can save the world from global warming by doing carbon sequestration in your own back yard!
• perfect for places that have had trees blown over by storms
• can help end world hunger
• give a gift to your future self

the verbose details about hugelkultur raised garden beds

It's a german word and some people can say it all german-ish. I'm an american doofus, so I say "hoogle culture". I had to spend some time with google to find the right spelling. Hugal, hoogal, huegal, hugel .... And I really like saying it out loud: "hugelkultur, hoogle culture, hoogal kulture ...." - it could be a chant or something.
I learned this high-falootin word at my permaculture training. I also saw it demonstrated on the Sepp Holzer terraces and raised beds video - he didn't call it hugelkultur, but he was doing it.
Hugelkultur is nothing more than making raised garden beds filled with rotten wood. This makes for raised garden beds loaded with organic material, nutrients, air pockets for the roots of what you plant, etc. As the years pass, the deep soil of your raised garden bed becomes incredibly rich and loaded with soil life. As the wood shrinks, it makes more tiny air pockets - so your hugelkultur becomes sort of self tilling. The first few years, the composting process will slightly warm your soil giving you a slightly longer growing season. The woody matter helps to keep nutrient excess from passing into the ground water - and then refeeding that to your garden plants later. Plus, by holding SO much water, hugelkultur could be part of a system for growing garden crops in the desert with no irrigation.
I do think there are some considerations to keep in mind. For example, I don't think I would use cedar. Cedar lasts so long because it is loaded with natural pesticides/herbicides/anti-fungal/anti-microbial (remember, good soil has lots of fungal and microbial stuff). Not a good mix for tomatoes or melons, eh? Black locust, black cherry, black walnut? These woods have issues. Black locust won't rot - I think because it is so dense. Black walnut is very toxic to most plants, and cherry is toxic to animals, but it might be okay when it rots - but I wouldn't use it until I had done the research. Known excellent woods are: alders, apple, cottonwood, poplar, willow (dry) and birch. I suspect maples would be really good too, but am not certain. Super rotten wood is better than slightly aged wood. The best woods are even better when they have been cut the same day (this allows you to "seed" the wood with your choice of fungus - shitake mushrooms perhaps?).
Another thing to keep in mind is that wood is high in carbon and will consume nitrogen to do the compost thing. This could lock up the nitrogen and take it away from your growies. But well rotted wood doesn't do this so much. If the wood is far enough along, it may have already taken in sooooo much nitrogen, that it is now putting it out!
Pine and fir will have some levels of tanins in them, but I'm guessing that most of that will be gone when the wood has been dead for a few years.
In the drawings at right, the artist is trying to show that while the wood decomposes and shrinks, the leaves, duff and accumulating organic matter from above will take it's place. The artist is showing the new organic matter as a dark green.

raised garden beds on top of sod -
the soil comes from somewhere else

raised garden beds dug in a bit -
note the sod is put upside down on the wood
and the topsoil is on top of that

raised garden beds dug in a bit -
plus paths are dug on the sides and
that sod/soil goes on top too

I find I most often build hugelkultur in places where the soil is shallow. So I end up finding excess soil from somewhere else on the property and piling it on some logs. Presto! Instant raised garden beds! This is usually the easiest/fastest way too. Especially if you have earth moving equipment.
For those times that the soil is deep and you are moving the soil by hand, I like to dig up the sod and dig down a foot or two. Then pile in the wood. Then put the sod on top of the wood, upside-down. Then pile the topsoil on top of that. Even better is to figure out where the paths will be, and dig down there too. Add two layers of sod onto the logs and then the double topsoil.
I have discovered that a lot of people are uncomfortable with the idea of raised bed gardens. They have seen the large flat gardens for years and are sure this is the way to do it. Some people are okay with raised beds that are three to six inches tall - they consider anything taller than that unsightly.
So this is gonna sound crazy, but I hope to convince you that the crazy-sounding stuff is worth it.
If you build your hugelkultur raised garden beds tall enough, you won't have to irrigate. At all (after the second year). No hoses. No drip system. Anything shorter won't require as much irrigation - so there is still some benefit. Imagine going on vacation in the summer without having to hire somebody to kill water your garden! As a further bonus, the flavor of everything you grow will be far better!
To go all summer long without a drop of rain, you need to build your hugelkultur raised bed gardens .... six feet tall. But they'll shrink! Mostly in the first month. Which is why I suggest you actually build them seven feet tall.
Hugelkultur raised garden beds can be built just two feet tall and will hold moisture for about three weeks. Not quite as good, but more within the comfort zone of many people - including urban neighbors.
Some people will start out with hugelkultur raised garden beds that are two and a half feet tall and plant only annuals. And each year they will build the size of the bed a foot. So that after a few years, they will have the bigger beds and the neighbors never really noticed. And if they've tasted what comes from it - they might be all for it without caring about the big mounds.
Besides, isn't this much better use of the wood than hauling it to the dump, or chipping it, or putting it in those big city bins for yard waste?

standard hugelkultur raised garden beds

narrower hugelkultur raised garden beds

peaked hugelkultur raised garden beds

hugelkultur raised garden beds with a stone border

hugelkultur raised garden beds with a log border

I usually build hugelkulture raised garden beds about five feet wide. This makes for some mighty steep beds. Just pack that soil on tight and plant it with a mix of heavy rooted plants to hold it all together. Quick! Before it rains! If you are going to build beds shorter than three feet tall, I suggest that you make the beds no wider than four feet wide. Unless you are doing keyhole style raised garden beds, in which case you should be able to get away with something wider.

Foraging is FREE - The Newest Plant We Have Found is Simply Amazing - PLANTAIN

Plantain
Botanical: Plantago major (LINN.)
Family: N.O. Plantaginaceae

Synonyms---broad-leaved plantain, ripple grass, waybread, slan-lus, waybroad, snakeweed, cuckoo's bread, englishman's foot, white man's foot, buckhorn plantain, dog's ribs, hock cockle, lance-leaved plantain, rub grass, dooryard plantain, round-leaved plantain, (Anglo-Saxon) weybroed, Che Qian Zi (China), Breitwegerich (German), Tanchagem-maior (Portuguese), Llantén común (Spanish), Llantén major (Spanish) 

Parts Used---Root, leaves, flower-spikes. 

Growth & Habitat --- A perennial "weed" that can be found almost anywhere in North America and much of Europe. You probably have some in your backyard! Plantain is thought to be indigenous to Eurasia. It will grow in sun to shade, and in almost any soil - plantain is very adaptable. Plantain spreads by seeds.
Plantain is a low-growing, green plant with oval, ribbed short-stemmed leaves. The leaves form basal rosettes which tend to hug the ground. The leaves may grow up to about 6" long and 4" wide, but tend to vary greatly in size depending on their soil and light conditions. Plantain sends up a leafless flower stock in summer/fall - the stalks can be up to ten inches tall.
There are over 200 species in the plantain family, and they are found worldwide. Many have herbal uses. Plantago major is the most common one in North America, but Plantago lanceolata can also be found. Both have the same medicinal uses, and are very similar in appearance. Plantago major has wide rounded leaves, with a flowering spike covered with small nubbly seeds; Plantago lanceolata has longer, slender leaves, and a mostly bare flowering stem, with a conelike cluster of flowers on the top. 

(Please note that plantain - the starchy, banana-like fruit, is completely different and not related to the plantain "weed" we are talking about!)

Plantain is edible - harvest the young, tender leaves for use in a salad, or steamed and used as a spinach substitute. The leaves do get tough quickly, so make sure to harvest only the youngest leaves. The immature flower stalks may be eaten raw or cooked. If you're really adventuresome, you can harvest the seeds. They are said to have a nutty flavor and may be parched and added to a variety of foods or ground into flour. The leaves, seeds and roots can all be made into an herbal tea.

Plantain was brought to the US and also to New Zealand by European settlers who valued it for it's culinary and medicinal properties. The settlers seemed to leave the plant wherever they went, thus earning it the name "White Man's Foot' or "Englishman's Foot" by the natives of both countries.

Plantain has been used medicinally by Europeans for centuries. Herbals dating from the 1500's and 1600's are full of recipes and uses for plantain. It was considered to be almost a panacea - a cure-all, and a quick search shows that is has historically been recommended as a treatment for just about everything, up to and including dog bites, ulcers, ringworm, jaundice, epilepsy, liver obstructions, and hemorrhoids! Plantain was so commonly known it is even found referenced in works by both Chaucer and Shakespeare.

Plantain is usually plentiful and can be easily harvested anytime from early spring until frost. Please do be careful where you harvest it - roadsides are notoriously dirty and dusty, and ditches are often sprayed with herbicides. Leave a spot in your backyard where you allow it to grow, and you can harvest your own all growing season! If your neighbors think you are crazy, let them know that plantain is a food source for some friendly wildlife such as butterfly caterpillars, and that the seeds are a food source for many varieties of birds.
Plantain is very high in beta carotene (A) and calcium. It also provides ascorbic acid (C), and vitamin K. Among the more notable chemicals found in plantain are allantion, apigenin, aucubin, baicalein, linoleic acid, oleanolic acid, sorbitol, and tannin. Together these constituents are thought to give plantain mild anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antihemorrhagic, and expectorant actions. Acubin has been reported in the Journal Of Toxicology as a powerful anti-toxin. Allantoin has been proved to promote wound healing, speed up cell regeneration, and have skin-softening effects.

Modern medical research is proving to uphold many of the historical uses of plantain - especially as a wound healer, and as a treament for lung conditions such as bronchitis or asthma. Medicinally, plantain is astringent, demulcent, emollient, cooling, vulnerary, expectorant, antimicrobial, antiviral, antitoxin, and diuretic. Plantain is approved by the German Commission E (a sort of German "FDA" that studies and regulates herbs and herbal uses) for internal use to ease coughs and mucous membrane irritation associated with upper respiratory tract infections as well as topical use for skin inflammations. Two Bulgarian clinical trials have suggested that plantain may be effective in the treatment of chronic bronchitis.

How much is usually taken? The German Commission E officially recommends using 1/4-1/2 teaspoon (1-3 grams) of the leaf daily in the form of tea made by steeping the herb in 1 cup (250 ml) of hot water for 10-15 minutes (making three cups (750 ml ) per day). The fresh leaves can be applied directly three or four times per day to minor injuries, dermatitis, and insect stings. Syrups or tinctures, approximately 1/2 teaspoon (2-3 ml) three times per day, can also be used, particularly to treat a cough. Finally, 1/2-1 1/4 teaspoons (2-6 grams) of the fresh plant can be juiced and taken in three evenly divided oral administrations throughout the day. Of course as with all herbal medicines, you are your own best doctor - listen to your body and pay attention to it's interaction with the herb, and you will undoubtedly figure out your own best uses and dosages.

Plantain is not associated with any common side effects and is thought to be safe for children Plantain is classed as "able to be safely consumed when used appropriately" by the American Herbal Retailers Association. Some preliminary research does show, however, that some allergy sufferers may have a reaction to plantain pollen, so if you feel this may be a problem for you, you may want to only use the plantain leaves for your herbal preparations.

One of plantain's most common uses is as a poultice for stings, bites, scrapes and rashes. The simplest way to harness plantain's healing powers is to crush a few fresh leaves, and apply to the affected area. Replace fresh leaves as necessary. The fresh plantain "juice" takes the pain away and seems to work wonders at staunching blood flow and closing wound edges. It's also wonderfully refreshing and soothing to sunburn.
Plantain infusion (tea) can also be used as a soothing wash for sunburn, windburn, rashes, or wounds. To make a plantain infusion, simply add a small handful of fresh plantain leaves to a cup or two of water, and bring to a gentle boil. Turn off heat, and let steep, then strain out the leaves. The infusion is best when fresh, although it can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days.

Our favorite way to use plantain is in a herbally infused oil. Gently fill a container with fresh plantain leaves that have been lightly bruised or crushed. (Dried plantain can be used - if you are using dried plant material, you only need to fill the jar one-half full). Cover the leaves with oil - any vegetable oil will do, cover the container, and let sit in the sun for a couple of weeks. The will turn a beautiful dark green color. Strain out the leaves and you have a lovely herbal oil to use. It's wonderful to soften, soothe and heal any manner of skin conditions. We love to make a herbal salve from this oil - simply add 1-2 oz. melted beeswax to warmed infused oil. Stir over low heat until the beeswax and oil are uniformly combined, and then pour into clean jars or tubs.

Susun Weed recommends using plantain oil on babies and small children instead of lotions or vaseline. Natural vegetable oil that has been infused with the gentle, healing essence of plantain is far healthier to put on a baby's delicate skin than chemical-laden lotions or petroleum by-products. She also recommends using whole, clean, gently crushed fresh plantain leaves directly on a baby's diaper rash as an overnight polutice. This will help heal common diaper rash, as well as a yeast-infection diaper rash. Of course a plantain oil or salve can also be an excellent cure for diaper rash or cradle cap.

We use plantain-infused oil in just about all of our oil-based products, such as salves, lip balms, body oils, etc. We wildcraft chemical-free plantain from our property and the land next to ours. It dries well; the dried herb makes and excellent infusion and can be used to make an herbally infused oil that is almost as potent as the oil made from fresh leaves.

Refrerence: Prarie Land Herbs    (Actually, I just copied the post to here as a guest post because they are much more eloquent in describing the uses of plantain than I could ever be.)

Mold and Mildew Spray, Electrolyte Drink and Other Recipes Just in time for Summer

Powerful Mold and Mildew Spray

1 Cup Distilled Water

1 Cup Vodka

10 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil

10 drops Eucalyptus Essential Oil

10 drops Lavender Essential Oil

Combine all the above ingredients and pour into a spray bottle. Spray this powerful mold and mildew spray directly on your mold or mildew problem. If it is really a bad problem leave on for 30 minutes or more before you wipe clean.

Odor Eliminator

2 drops Lemon EO

1 drop Melaleuca EO

1 drop Lime EO

1 drop White Fir EO

1 drop of Cilantro EO

Flower Garden Blend

Want your home to smell like a flower garden in full bloom? Try this one:

1 drop Clary Sage EO

1 drop Geranium EO

1 drop Lavender EO

1 drop Roman Chamomile EO

Bug Repellent Blend

This combo isn’t one that I’d necessarily wear as perfume, but it contains a collection of oils that most creepy-crawlies dislike:

1 drop Lemongrass EO

1 drop Melaleuca EO

1 drop Thyme EO

1 drop Eucalyptus EO

1 drop Rosemary EO

Chapstick

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons beeswax (about 1 oz)

2 Tablespoons coconut oil

2 Tablespoons shea butter

12 lip balm containers

dropper

Directions:

1. Melt beeswax in a small pan or crockpot over low heat. Add coconut oil and shea butter until all ingredients a melted. Add a few drops essential oil if desired. I did not use any essential oil and it is smells wonderfully like honey!

2. Using a small medicinal dropper, pour the melted liquid into your lip balm containers. Add a few extra drops to the top after filling each container as the ingredients will shrink as they cool.

3. Cool completely to harden. Cover with cap and decorate or label as desired.

Sun Burn

Lavender 10 drops

Chamomile 5 drops

Bergamot 1 drop

Geranium 2 drops

Diluted in 

Almond oil about 2 oz.

Coconut oil about 2 oz.

Electrolyte Drink

Water 1 quart

Sugar 8 teaspoons

Salt 1/2 teaspoon

Lemon or Orange EO 8 drops

Citrus Electrolyte Drink

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh orange juice 
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 
2 cups of water (filtered or purified) or raw coconut water 
2 tbsp organic raw honey or organic maple syrup 
1/8 tsp Himalayan Pink salt or Celtic sea salt (I like Himalayan better – it has 84 trace minerals)

Equipment and Accessories

• Blender
• Mason jars

Directions

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend well. That’s it!

 

 References:  The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, Valerie Ann Worwood; www.passionatehomemaking.com;The Prarie Homestead; www.dontmesswithmama.com

Frankincense - A Wise Oil from the Wise Men

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) has a sweet, warm, balsamic aroma that is stimulating and elevating to the mind. Useful for visualizing, improving one's spiritual connection, and centering, it has comforting properties that help focus the mind and overcome stress and despair. Frankincense is considered the holy anointing oil in the Middle East, where it has been used in religious ceremonies for thousands of years. More recently, it has been used in European and American hospitals and is the subject of substantial research. Frankincense is also a valuable ingredient in skin care products for aging and dry skin. The ancient Egyptians used it in rejuvenation face masks. Frankincense has an approximate ORAC of 6,125 (TE/L). TE/L is expressed as micromole Trolox equivalent per liter. EarthKosher Certified

How to Use

• For dietary or topical use. When using as a supplement, dilute one drop in 4 fl. oz. of liquid such as soy or rice milk. Possible skin sensitivity. If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician. Dilution recommended for both topical and internal use. Dilute before using on sensitive areas such as the face, neck, genital area, etc. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid using on infants and very small children.

18 Uses For Frankincense:

• Mood uplifting  - Frankincense is very powerful this way. Wear it like a perfume and inhale. Frankincense is a good essential oil to diffuse.
• Stress Relief – Apply to temples or wear as perfume. Inhale.
• Frankincense is great for your skin  - Frankincense promotes the regeneration of skin and healthy cells. It is an excellent choice for preventing or reducing wrinkles when used topically.
  
• Scar Tissue – Frankincense helps fade scars from acne, stretch marks and surgery.
• Relieves Itching Skin – Apply a couple drops of Frankincense to the itchy area.
• Relieves Pain  - Rub on sore joints to relieve arthritis pain and pain from injuries.
• Disinfectant for Cuts and Scrapes – Apply a drop of Frankincense to wounds to clean and disinfect.
• Removes Warts – Apply topically to the wart. Apply a couple times a day until the wart is gone. May take a couple weeks.
• Reduces Inflammation – Put a few drops in capsule and take internally or apply topically.
• Strengthens Immune System – Apply to bottom of feet or take in capsule.
• During Pregnancy and Labor – Apply to lower back to ease pain. It also helps with calming.
• Insect Bites -  Put a drop on an insect bite to help reduce swelling and speed healing.
• Enhance Visual Acuity – Many have eliminated the need for reading glasses by applying frankincense around the eye area – on the cheek bone and brow bone. Over a period of months, the vision often improves.  Some have even regained the peripheral vision that had been limited. They put one drop of frankincense in the palm, rubbed the palms together, and cupped the palms over open eyes for 3 minutes 2-3 times each day.  NOTE:  This can cause the eyes to water and/or tingle as the molecules of the essential oils disperse. In addition, remember that the condition did not occur “overnight”, and it may take many months before significant improvement is noticed.
• Improve Concentration – Apply 1-2 drops of on temples and/or back of neck to help improve concentration.
• Brittle Nails – Apply 1 drop on nails  to help strengthen brittle or weak fingernails.
• Cysts -  Apply 1-2 drops on cyst 2 times a day until it disappears.
• Overall health – Healthy Maintenance. Dilute 1 drop Frankincense oil in 1tsp. honey or 4 oz. rice milk and ingest daily for health maintenance.

 

Product Tips

• Inhale frankincense essential oil after lunch to spiritually refocus.
• Rub frankincense essential oil on the bottom of your feet to help alleviate nervous energy.

Ingredients

Young Living Therapeutic Grade™ frankincense essential oil(Boswellia carteri)