WELCOME…To the Herb section of SEASONS TRADITIONS AND HERBS…the section of my website…that is an educational and learning section…FOR YOU…to learn how to prepare and SAFELY use herbs for HERBAL medicine for yourself and your loved ones. I am a Clinical Herbalist and herbs and sharing education on herbs is my passion and purpose really…I want to thank you for stopping by… if you need to contact me to ask a question about herbs…you can reach me at victoria@seasonstraditionsandherbs.com
Why should herbs be a part of your personal health routine? Well…many…reasons actually. Adding herbs to your health protocol will offer you a natural…safe…supportive and non-addictive approach to help you prevent illness…will help with long term health maintenance… support your immune system…helps manage chronic issues…helps balance your body’s system…have no side effects like standard medicine…and herbs are non-addictive.
Herbs and using herbs to maintain your good health and emotional well-being…will also empower you to take a more active and natural way to care for yourself and your wellness…all in all…following a herbal health protocol…the SAFE and educated way is a win-win all around.
***SAFETY
Herbs are quite potent natural medicine…and should not be taken just for the heck of it…or because you read about it on the internet. Some herbs counteract or are restricted with certain medical conditions…or medicine you are already taking. Please consult with a professional or your doctor before taking any herb.
As a lover of herbs…(and the history of herbs) the Spring season is like getting the very best gift ever from the land. Many… many…herbs have the most beautiful and often dainty flowers…as they begin their awakening growth process…in early Spring…and I always enjoy…stopping for a pause to take in the herbs life affirming beauty. Not only are herbs beautiful…they are also valuable natural medicine for us…as well as a delicious and an important food source…packed with minerals…vitamins and nutrients for our bodies.
Herbs versatile and important role in medicine…as well as a valuable food source…is not new information…the oldest written evidence of medicinal plants for preparation in medicine for human use…was found on a Sumerian clay slab from Nagpur…approximately 5,000 years old. On the clay slab was written 12 recipes for herbal medicine preparation that referred to over 250 herbs and plants…such as Poppy…Henbane and Mandrake.
Keep in mind…that the timeline for medicinal herbal use…was first assumed around 5,000 years ago…based on factual written information on the clay slab found in Nagpur…but other research has shown herbal medicine and consumption was more likely around 60,000 years ago. There has been evidence of Yarrow and Chamomile found on the tooth of Neanderthals dating back to 60,000 BCE was in fact at the core of Neanderthals of health and nutrition long before written recorded history.
The Egyptians around 1500 BCE created the Ebers Papyrus…a complication of medical texts containing over 700 formulations using herbs and plants…some used were Aloe…Senna…Coriander…as well as Juniper. Garlic…fig…onion…willow and other herbs and plants were also used to treat illness and for nutrition.
In the Middle Ages…the skills of healing…cultivation of medicinal herbs and plants…and the preparation of medicine from herbs and plants moved to the monasteries. They relied on 16 medicinal herbs and plants…which the physicians-monks after growing and harvesting would prepare formulas to treat illness and disease. Some of the herbs cultivated and prepared as medicine were Sage…Anise…Mint…Greek Seed…Savory…Tansy…Rosemary…Thyme…Fennel…and Hyssop.
While our ancestors used herbs and medicinal plants for infusions…decoctions and macerations…during the Middle Ages…especially in the 16th-18th centuries…the demand for compound drugs was increasing. These compound drugs comprised of herbs…other plants…along with drugs of animal and plant origin. These formulas were highly valued and very expensive.
The early 19th century was a turning point in the knowledge and use of herbs and plants. The discovery…substantiation and isolation of alkaloids from poppy…ipecacuanha…Strychnos…quinine…pomegranate and other plants…and then the isolation of glycosides…marked the beginning of scientific pharmacy. With the upgrading of chemical methods…other active substances from medicinal herbs and plants were also discovered…such as tannins…saponosides…etheric oils…vitamins…and hormones. It was very exciting to discover that medicinal herbs…and plants…combined with alkaloids …could create long lasting and effective results in medicine form…for human consumption.
In present day almost all pharmacopoeias in the world prescribe herbal and plant drugs of real medicinal value. There are countries…United Kingdom…Russia…and Germany that have separate herbal pharmacopoeias. In essence traditional or popular medicine is used…but herbal medicine is also used…as long as it supports a particular health issue…and approved by a physician or pharmacist.
Today many medicinal herbs and plants are applied through SELF-MEDICATION or in combination with synthetic drugs…and there is of course CAUTION with this. For safety reasons…and your own health…the precise diagnosis of an illness…your personal health history…any medication you are presently taking… and your age…need to be considered before herbal medicine or herbal supplements are taken. I think one of the most IMPORTANT questions here is this…do you know how to CORRECTLY and SAFELY apply herbal medicine…for yourself or your loved ones?
If you are interested in the use of herbs for health and emotional well-being purposes…I offer safe…factual information on herbs here and on my Face Book page…or you can take classes… at https://www.herbalacademy.com. If classes doesn’t interest you…arrange an appointment with your doctor or Clinical Herbalist in your area for professional and safe consumption of herbal medicine or herbal supplements.
HERBS FOR SPRING
DILL
CILANTRO
BEE BALM
CATNIP
CHAMOMILE
CHERVIL
CHIVES
FENNEL
LEMON BALM
LOVAGE
MARJORAM
MINT
PARSLEY
ROSEMARY
SAGE
THYME
DANDELION (Taraxacum officinale)
This Spring season I want to share with you…a very often overlooked herb…the Dandelion! Dandelions are so much more than something you don’t want growing in your grass! Most folks consider Dandelions a pest…and want to kill them…and I say “wait a minute” did you know that Dandelion is not a weed…but an herb? In fact Dandelions are an herb…and very good for your health…and actually quite delicious!
Dandelions… Vitamin A and B…calcium…potassium…iron…carotenoids…coumarins…phenolic acids…taraxocoside…inulin
***Dandelions are generally a safe herb…but folks with gallbladder…or kidney issues should consult with your doctor first before consuming Dandelions. Folks on blood thinners SOULD NOT consume Dandelions. Do not consume Dandelions if you have gastric inflammation.
DANDELION RECIPES
DANDELION GREENS WITH CHERRY TOMATOES AND GARLIC
Serves 2-4
1 bunch organic Dandelion leaves chopped into 1-2 inch pieces
1 pint of cherry tomatoes…cut in half
2 cloves of fresh Garlic
2 tablespoons olive oil or 1 tablespoon butter
Sea salt
Squeeze of fresh lemon juice
Heat oil in a skillet…I like a cast iron skillet to cook these…but use what you like or have. Add the Dandelion greens…sauteing until soft and shiny…about 2-3 minutes. Add the Garlic…and saute for another minute.
To finish dish…add the cherry tomatoes and saute until soft…about 3 minutes.
Turn off heat and adjust seasoning…add a squeeze of fresh lemon. Eat and enjoy!
DANDELION GREENS WITH CORN AND SHALLOTS
Serves 4
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 ounces bacon or pancetta
2 small chopped shallots
Sea salt and pepper
4 cups fresh corn kernels….
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
Another 1 tablespoon olive oil
1 bunch Dandelion greens…about 8 cups
2 chopped pitted dates
Shaved parmesan cheese
Pinch of chopped fresh chives
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the bacon or pancetta stirring occasionally …until browned and crisp…about 4 minutes. Add the chopped shallots…season with salt and pepper…and gently cook until softened, around 2-3 minutes. Add 4 cups fresh corn kernels and cook 2 minutes. Let cool slightly…then stir in 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon olive oil.
Toss the Dandelion greens and warm dressing in a large bowl. Adjust seasonings. Serve with the chopped dates…shaved parmesan and fresh chives.
DANDELION LEMONAIDE
Serves 2-4
A refreshing Spring beverage…after tending to your garden and herbs.
4 cups water
2 cups fresh and clean (no chemicals or pesticides) Dandelion petals…remove the green base
½ honey
Ice cubes
Lemon slices for garnish
Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the Dandelion petals…reduce heat to low…and simmer 10 minutes. Strain out Dandelion petals into a pitcher and cool slightly .Stir in the lemon juice and honey. Put in fridge until cold…serve over ice. Enjoy!!!
PURCHASE FOR CULINARY USE
You can purchase fresh organic Dandelions at Whole Foods and sprouts…just rinse off and dry with towel.
FORAGED DANDELIONS
Gather your Dandelions…making sure it is in a location that you know for sure hasn’t been sprayed or fertilized with chemicals and pesticides.
FOLKLORE ABOUT DANDELIONS
In European folklore…particularly in France and Britain children were warned if they picked Dandelions it would cause them to wet the bed…as Dandelions are a natural diuretic.
It was thought that weaving Dandelions into a wedding bouquet would bring good luck to the couple getting married.
Create an Herbal Life…
Love, Victoria Clinical Herbalist