Seasonal Healing

Tools you'll need:

A garden glove for your digging hand (to prevent blistering).

A root collecting bag (a cloth bag that you don't mind getting covered in soil) or bucket.

1) find the most pristine patch of lush and thriving dandelions (after they send out seeds is best!) far enough off of the road (or off a beaten path).

2) dig deeply around the base of the dandelion to get to the base of the root, cut and discard the leaves (or harvest as salad leaves!).

3) stop after either you get enough mosquito bites or your hand starts hurting (whichever comes first).

4) take home and wash by rubbing the roots together until all the dirt is off and rinse water is clear.

5) slice/chop/dice into fine pieces and dry in sun for a day or two until moisture is almost gone, then put on a baking tray and bake in the oven for about 30 mins at 300 degrees Fahrenheit until brittle and well-roasted (should have a heavenly chocolate-y aroma).

6) to make a mugful, simmer 2 tablespoons dandelion root to 2.5 cups water for 10-15 mins. on low heat. (The result should be a deep brown coffee-like liquid).

7) drink up and nourish that liver!

ps. harvesting dandelion root is best after rainfall, when the soil is moist and diggable.

pps. dandelion root tea also is known to strengthen the heart, small intestine function and increase vitality.

ppps. make the most of your dandelion patch by first harvesting the blossoms
for dandelion wine (but remember to leave some to let seed).

Norie is a seed collector and experimental organic gardener in southwest Tokyo who dabbles in Japanese herbal medicine, organic rice farming, natural plant dyeing and the art of living slowly.

Printer friendly versions of each article are available on the site index.

I love lavender! The fresh or dried flowers have been used as a herbal remedy for centuries. Lavender has long been associated with helping ease stress, exhaustion, headaches, migraines, depression, digestion, colds, flatulence, liver and gall bladder problems, nervousness, and loss of appetite. It can be used to replace Rosemary in any recipe. Here are some of my summer time favorites, tweak them and make them your own! Please do not substitute purchased essential oil for the lavender in any of the recipes. The internal ingestion of it can cause nausea.

Simple Lavender Lemonade
Fill a quart sized pan with water and bring to a boil. Meanwhile fill a tea ball with fresh or dried lavender. Once the water comes to a boil add the tea ball and let it steep for 20-25 minutes. Use this liquid tea instead of water when you make your favorite lemonade. Be sure to garnish with a sprig of lavender!

Lavender Infused Vinegar
Harvest lavender in the morning after the dew has dried. Gather enough to fill a quart size mason jar. Shake or rinse off lavender, place in jar and top with apple cider vinegar. Let steep for 6-8 weeks. If using mason lids be sure to use a layer of wax paper in between the jar and the metal lid to prevent rust.

Pariah's "Walk on the Wild Side" Lavender Infusion
My daily salads include taking a walk in my garden to see what i can harvest. Nothing tastes better than just picked!

Prepare organic salad greens then "take a walk on the wild side" to gather whatever herbs in your garden suit your fancy to add to the mix. Let your intuition be your guide. Be sure to try something new each time!

Suggestions, mint, basil, chives, lavender, lambs quarter, dandelion greens, amaranth, salad burnett, thyme, marjoram, lovage, sage, lemon balm, parsley, dill, chervil, tarragon; and top with edible flowers like calendula, day lily, rose petals and nasturtium. [nasturtium leaves are great too!] If you're lucky enough to have fruit and veggies in your garden gather some of those too!

Once inside, gently wash herbs, fruits and veggies, chop as needed, then sprinkle lightly with sea salt and toss with extra virgin olive oil. How about some chopped garlic and onions? Dress to taste with lavender infused vinegar or fresh squeezed lemon or lime. Enjoy!

Lavender Honey
Nothing says summer like lavender honey!

Lavender blossoms [about 1 tablespoon]
Organic honey

Gather the flowers in the morning after the dew has dried, rinse and put them in a saucepan with 2 cups of organic honey. Heat until it just starts to get warm.* Pour into hot sterilized mason jars and seal. Store a room temperature.

Caution: Heating the honey on high heat will cause it to spoil.

Lavender Sugar
Combine 1 cup of organic sugar with 1 cup of lavender in a pint size jar. Cover and let the flavors mingle for a week or two. Remove lavender before using. Use for special occasions or when you need a bit of decadence!

HOW TO USE LAVENDER/HERBS FROM YOUR GARDEN

Flowers: Select the lavender flowers just like you pick out your fruit, find the ones with the most vibrant color, leave those that are dull or wilted. For the most flavor harvest flowers/herbs as close to meal time as possible. Make sure to rinse and dip them in water to remove insects or soil. Dab dry with a clean cloth towel. If not using immediately, refrigerate in moist paper towels until you're ready to use them. Or place stems of lavender/herbs in a jar of cold water until you're ready to use them.

It's also best to use a little at a time.....until the taste is right, that's why i didn't have measurements b/c it really depends on the quality of the herb.

Ginger Root and Hibiscus Infused Lemonade

By Lucinda Hodges

Ginger root and hibiscus flowers are a wonderful complement to summer fresh lemonade. Ginger root has been used medicinally for thousands of years and is considered to ease the symptoms of nausea and inflammation associated with toxicity. Red hibiscus flowers are high in vitamin C, a natural diuretic, and are attributed with lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. The combination of organic ginger root, red hibiscus flowers and fresh lemons are a great choice for most chemically injured people looking for a safe, natural, inexpensive, homemade detox beverage.

Doubt is a pain too lonely to know that faith is his twin brother.

Khalil Gibran

To begin, fill your tea kettle with at least one quart of water and bring to a boil. While your water heats grate about three to four inches of ginger root with a cheese grater into a bowl. Use more ginger root for increased zest and detoxification. Place the grated ginger and juice into either a quart mason jar or a ceramic tea pot and cover with about a quart of boiling water. Add a tablespoon of dried hibiscus flowers to the ginger infusion. Let steep for at least twenty minutes.

While the ginger root/hibiscus flowers steep cut and squeeze two to four lemons into a one gallon glass container and sweeten to taste. I like to sprinkle the lemons with organic sugar and then cover with warm water to dissolve the sugar. Stevia or honey work well too.

Pour the ginger root infusion through a strainer and on to the lemons. Stir and add enough cold water to make a gallon of ginger-hibiscus- lemonade. Add a sprig of mint from the garden and you have a healthy, healing summer time iced tea for you and your friends to enjoy.

Note to reader. Drinking ginger root infusions are not recommended for individuals with gallbladder problems. The ginger causes bile to be released from the gallbladder which may move gallstones into the bile ducts.