Rain Country Homestead

We ended up having to dig up one of my marshmallow plants to make room for a post in the garden and this is the first time I have been able see just how big those precious, medicinal roots have become. I have been using the leaves for the past few years as a green in my salads, in teas, soaps, infused oil for my skin cream, and more all while allowing the roots to really develop. Now I can start using those too in my teas and even for making the confectionery treat by the same name. I got all of it dried up on my wood stove and managed to fill well over a quart jar once it was all finished. I found the easiest way was to chop them up, then dry them completely (I use stoneware baking sheets elevated with racks on my wood stove) then process the dried pieces in the blender.    This should last me quite awhile but I have to say, I am tempted on digging up another plant but will probably wait until early fall before the rains come as that is when the roots are most...

Pansies have a wealth of health and medicinal benefits that many people who grow them for their beauty alone may have never heard of. All aerial parts of the plants are edible and medicinal. I love the slight wintergreen taste the leaves and flowers (when the whole flower is eaten) have. The petals alone are rather bland but add an amazing pop of color to salads. Here is a brief list of some of the medicinal benefits of the Pansy (Also known as Heartease): It is an anti allergen and its mucilaginous properties mean it is very helpful for colds and flus as it soothes coughs and sore throats and is also helpful in treating fevers. It is also good for treating asthma, bronchitis, and even whooping cough. Consuming fresh pansies or drinking infusions on a regular basis can help to lower blood pressure and prevent heart failure. Its vulnerary actions make it great for skin with its anti aging properties and helps with disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, and ...

I am big into medicinal herbs and growing my own.  I try to add a new one to my garden each year.  Growing our own medicines like this is one of the big ways we got ourselves off ALL pharmaceuticals, including prescription thyroid medication.  I will be doing more posts specifically on that in the future but right now I want to focus on the benefits of catnip ( Nepeta Cataria) and why you may want to add it to your garden next year. The main reason I grow it is for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties.  It seems to be just as effective as the feverfew that I grow but without the strong bitter flavor.  Catnip has many other medicinal benefits  such as being a good a sleep aid. Unlike being a stimulant for cats, in dogs and humans, catnip is sedative and I have used it in my nightly teas, especially when feeling stressed or anxious. I have also used it in a special calming, pain and anti-inflammatory medicine I have made for our dogs...