Autumn ...
Bright colors, cool nights, harvesting, stocking, and celebrating.
This is the time of year to take stock of not only food, warm clothes and blessings but take stock in your health. Now is the time to start taking care of your immune system to ward off any nasty colds and flues. I suggest a tincture of Astragalus and Echinacea. You can add the tincture in teas, soups or a glass of water. You could also be brave and just take it straight. Tinctures are the best and fastest way to get the herbs' healing properties into you. Teas are second. You can make a blend of these two herbs and add in some green tea leaves, lemongrass, nettles and some stevia for a little sweetener. Enjoy!
Speaking of nettles, there is an old saying that "when in doubt, take nettles". Nettles are great for almost everything. They were a staple in Ireland back in the day as they practically lived on them and potatoes for meals. You can add nettles to any soups or stews. This time of year is good to harvest and dry your herb for winter usage. Just be careful in harvesting as they bite due to the stinging hairs on the underside of the leaves, hence the name "Stinging Nettles". Make sure you wear protection at all times when picking.
Elderberries are being harvested as well. Not only can you make jam, wine or pies but you can make a cough syrup that even the kids will like! Here is a great recipe for Elderberry syrup:
- 2 cups of water
- 1 ounce of elderberries
- Cinnamon
- Clove
- 1 cup of honey
Boil water. Add the elderberries, cinnamon and cloves. Reduce to simmer for 30-40 minutes. Strain and add honey. Leave cloves in syrup for preserving.
This is fabulous for sore throats as well. Just drop a teaspoon or so into a hot cup of tea instead of honey. Works like a charm!
Next month we can talk honey with a new recipe called "Feel Good Honey" to help you get through the winter!
Another way to celebrate the fall is to make soap. I have a recipe that celebrates seeds and smells of autumn. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
- 2 pounds of glycerin (use white goat's milk suspension glycerin soap base)
- ½ cup ground roasted pumpkin seeds
- 1 tbsp ground roasted acorn squash seeds
- 1tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1tbsp ground cloves
- 10 vitamin E capsules
Chop and melt glycerin in a double boiler. Stir in liquid from the vitamin E capsules, pumpkin and squash seeds, cinnamon and cloves. Pour into mold, let cool for forty minutes to an hour or until soap is hard. Colorant and scent can be added but the cinnamon gives it a smooth brown color.
I have one more way to enjoy the harvest that will spill into Beltane.
HOPS...
Hops have long been used as a sedative; to sooth the nerves and settle your mind. If you have problems with sleep, make a sleep pillow. Stuff some fabric with hops and passionflower-it will settle you and help you to fall asleep. Another way to use hops is of course beer making! This is the time of year after the harvest to begin your Mead making process so by Beltane you have an authentic and rich drink to use for your celebrations. There are many recipes that can be followed. Just look on the Web and find something that suits you and your tastes.
I hope that this has interested you and helped you to open your mind to experience what Gaia has given us. There are so many ways to use herbs. Just get out there and enjoy the autumn splendor!
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