https://redmoonherbs.com/
My friends – I had the honor of witnessing a herbal medicine making session at Red Moon Herbs. It was a timeless scene of women garpling, chopping, drying, extracting: and in reality making a prayer for our health in each breath and step and action. Today the three herbs were Chickweed (Stellaria media), Cleavers (Galium aparine) and True Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum). One could think of each of these herbs as a superfood, a little goes a long way.
Chickweed (Stellaria media) was a tricky crop this year in North Carolina. She was fresh and green and full of juice, until a short heat wave brought out the seeds and flowers and cut short the harvest time. Fortunately Red Moon is connected with growers all over the state of North Carolina – so when the lowlands bolt – the highlands are still plentiful. Chickweed is an early and brief YUMMY spring green – that is cooling to our bodies and our emotions. Like many of the early spring greens – it helps to move stagnant lymph and waste from our bodies through our skin and digestive tract. That boost in elimination is one of the reasons to add spring greens to a diet as a way to reduce allergies. This fresh batch of Chickweed is being chopped up and drenched in unfiltered organic apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar is considered to be pre and pro biotic in our digestive tracts, and is being used to extract and preserve the powerful constituents of Chickweed.
Cleavers (Galium aparine) is another marvel of a spring green. You throw the long leafy herb at each other and they stick to your clothing? Yes they do! And that stickiness is part of the constituents that trigger lymph to move and kidneys to pump. Cleavers have a slightly later and longer growing season than chickweed. Both herbs are wonderful included in juicing! Todays medicine making was a simpler of chopped fresh cleavers in high proof organic alcohol. There are times when herbs are used to push our bodies reactions faster so that symptoms move through the body quicker. Cleavers is a tonic herb with a powerful punch.
True Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum) is one of my very favorite herbs. I have grown up with this herb in the forest, and truly it is always like seeing a dear friend. The root is fresh and nutty and nubby and, I think, delicious. I have dried slices and made powder and used a tablespoon in the batter of my pancakes. I have nibbled thin slices in honey for months on end any time I felt an ache in my spine. Because this is a root – harvesting requires extra care – to propagate the patch where you harvest! Sustainable harvesters must know their patches continue to grow more from their care. Fortunately the Solomon’s Seal root is one that can be broken apart and replanted with success to encourage more plants. There was a time when this plant was on the United Plant Saver’s watch list – but cultivation and care have kept a sustainable harvest possible.
Thank you so much. Often the medicine is the presence of the plants and the people themselves.