botanical medicine

As the cool weather is setting in for some of us, now’s the time for some hearty and grounding recipes.

Hawthorn (Crataegus) is rich in magical lore and medicine. The name Hawthorn reflects the berries (haw) and thorns found on this tree. It’s a small tree with big thorns that will remind you if you’re being too greedy harvesting the flowers, and later in the summer, the berries.  

Many folks get gardening on the brain as spring kicks in, but did you know that fall is a fantastic time to start or add to your medicinal plant garden?   Growing your own medicine is one of the more empowering things you can do while also adding a bit of beauty to your life.  

If you’re not sure where to start, no worries! Here are a few considerations on what to put in your medicinal plant garden…

I woke up the morning before last and it felt like autumn.  Sure, it’s still quite warm during the day here in Durango, but something about the light and the cool morning air signaled the imminent arrival of the colder months here at higher elevations.  

Yarrow is a member of the family Asteraceae or Aster family of the genus Achillea L. or yarrow P, containing the species Achillea millefolium L. or common yarrow P. The plant is native to the northern regions of Asia and Europe and was introduced to the Americas by the first settlers.

One of the things I miss about living in California is the preponderance of oak trees. They’re all over the hillsides with their beautifully twisting branches. Even small patches of oaks provide food, shade, and habitat for a wide variety of plants, mushrooms, and creatures.  Not to mention, oaks are great trees for climbing, and, if big enough, lounging in. Oaks are trees in the genus Quercus, of which there are hundreds of species.

Healthy teeth don’t just make us look good.  Our teeth and gums are critical for health.  We obviously need our teeth for chewing so that we can break down food in one of the most important steps in the digestive process.  Inadequately chewed food leads to many problems down the line.  But, did you know that the

Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), is a common weed in the Mustard family. It is not native to North America, but was introduced by Europeans and has since naturalized to all states in the U.S. and provinces in Canada. Shepherd’s Purse is common along trails, sidewalks and roads; in disturbed areas; in lawns; and as a volunteer in gardens.

Puppies.  Adorable, entertaining, but a real responsibility to take on.  If one of these exuberant little bundles of fur comes into our life, then it’s our job to give them the best start we can to, hopefully, a long and healthy life.  (Though really, dogs don’t live nearly long enough!)

Here are some ideas to help you get started. 

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common reasons for fertility issues in the West.  The name reflects that fact that in some of the cases, one or both of the ovaries accumulate multiple cysts…in some cases so much so that the ovary looks like swiss cheese on an ultrasound.