I did not grow up a Christian. My dad taught Religion and World Cultures at a local high school. This is what I remember him teaching me. When I was young, he showed me a calendar and went through the days of the week. When he got to Sunday, he said Sunday is the day people go to church, however "we do not go to church." He also told me if I ever had questions about religion, to just ask him. 

I became a Christian when I was 25 years old. I say it was a lightning bolt experience, at a very low point after a break-up with a long-term boyfriend. The seeds for salvation had been planted years before, and in fact, a few years prior, the person who would become my future sister-in-law prayed the salvation prayer with me. At the time though, I had no idea what she was talking about. I do not remember if I said she could pray with me, or if she just felt I needed prayer. However, I remember sitting in my future mothers-in-law's living room and closing my eyes as my sister-in-law told me to reach out and accept Jesus. She said he was right there. 

I did not get saved at that time. It was a few years later, and God used a wonderful set of books written by science fiction author, Orson Scott Card, called Women of Genesis to get ahold of my heart. I find it amazing how God works right where we are. I loved those stories, which made the bible very real to me. A few months after finishing that series, I broke up with my then boyfriend and moved home and accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

A year later, I married my husband, someone who had been raised going to church. His entire family was Christian. I thought this would be great! What I found out soon after marriage, and honestly began to see while dating, was his walk was not really a walk like I was experiencing. He did not have any excitement about God or Jesus. He did say he prayed, but he lived very much like the world. He would attend church sometimes, however off work hours consisted of going out to drink and attending parties. 

This confused me a lot while dating. I had just left that world, before being saved. That was a world that was very familiar to me. After getting save, I did not want anything to do with drinking, smoking, parties, and even watching certain shows that did not honor God. I was filled with the Holy Spirit and wanted to be at church. This confused me so much about him, and I did not really get the full picture until marriage. When we moved in together, I could really see how God was not the center of his life. I thought, "boy he really depends on God's grace to get away with all the things he was doing, like drinking, partying, smoking, watching inappropriate shows, gaming." That is what I thought was happening. He was just accepting God's forgiveness over and over again. 

It took years and years for me to understand, I guess I am a slow learner, that he does not have the same relationship with God that I have. I was growing spiritually, and he did not seem to grow at all. He had no guilt or remorse over sin. When I would bring up his sins, and ways he was hurting me, he was entirely indignant and unrepentant. I could not understand how he had no remorse over sin and had no desire for God to help him grow spiritually. 

There is so much to our story and I am not going to go into all the particulars in this post. It was about 3 or 4 years after we were married, that God brought me to 1 Peter 3: 1-6in the bible. Which states: 

Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. 4 Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves. They submitted themselves to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed Abraham and called him her lord. You are her daughters if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.

This set of verses blew my mind! It was hope. I had a hope for my situation because up until that point, my husband would not respond in kindness or understanding to the ways he was hurting our growing family with drinking and other worldly behaviors. 

Oh, my goodness submission was a confusing thing for me. I sought out older women to try to understand this verse and what submission meant. We happened to be going to a church at the time that God showed me this verse, and it was a "religious" church. I would say the Holy Spirit moved there. Although some members did have the power of the Holy Spirit, it was few and far between. The religious spirit of the church taught that women were definitely subservient to men, and in my attempts to be submissive, I became more like a doormat. 

This had me wandering even longer in the desert than need be. 

It has been nearly 20 years since I married my husband. I have had the most up, down, round about journey with God. I have been confused my times by the wiles of the enemy. I have wandered away from the truth so many times just to get along with my spouse. Being unequally yoked has been very difficult and during many seasons, it was just easier to "forget" about God and do what my husband wanted, so we could get along. 

In early 2025 I had unexpected surgery which landed me in the hospital for 8 days. It was during this time that I gave my life back to God, fully, 100%. This is another long story. I realized that I had not kept God as my first love. I had not served him with all my heart, but fear of man (my husband), caused me to turn my back on the promptings of the Holy Spirit. I had become filled with anger, bitterness and resentment at my husband for not turning to God and leading our family. The enemy used these emotions to try to take me out and literally kill me. I would have died if I had not had emergency surgery. What the enemy tried to use for evil, God has used for good. 

I am not back on track with Jesus. I am now back on track with 1 Peter 3 and I have an army of Holy Spirit believers on my side. I am believing my husband will be saved and give his life to God. I am believing my marriage with give glory to God. I am believing that it is finished. I am believing in not only full restoration and redemption for my body but our family. I am trusting God for this because he already told me I was healed. I would love you to join me in prayer for the salvation of my husband, and I will share with you all the mistakes I have made trying to be a 1 Peter 3 woman. 

I had an unexpected emergency experience at the hospital beginning a few weeks ago, where I needed surgery on my colon. 5 inches was removed, 1 inch of obstruction and 2 inches of margin on either side. For an Herbal healer, surgery, hospitals, and drug therapies have been far from my mind. NEVER did I expect this, but perhaps I feared it. 

My surgery was very successful, and the "specimen" removed was isolated in that it contained cancer cells, but those cells had not spread to lymph glands, fat, or any other tissues- thank God. Before knowing the results of pathology, I could feel the presence of GOD in the hospital letting me know I was healed. HEALED, not just from the piece of tissue removed, but healed in my soul. I felt free of all bitterness, anger, resentment, and unforgiveness. An overwhelming feeling of gratitude for God's love for me and care as I stayed in the hospital for 8 days, caused me to confess those sins I held in my body, specifically in part of my digestive tract.

I know that GOD gave me a second chance at life, and although I had been born again for 20 years, I now knew I was marked by GOD to share what He has done for me. I believe if I keep quiet, and do not share what God has done for me, then I will not stay healed for long. I believe God wants to use me for his Kingdom, to bring people to Christ, repentance, and supernatural healing. 

Below are the verses that really helped me in the hospital and continue to help me at home as I recover. Pray for my physical healing and for physical strength, as I need a second (smaller) surgery to complete what was begun in the first one. 

"But I will restore you to health, and heal your wounds, declares the Lord." -Jeremiah 30:17
"Those that hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31
"Hope in the Lord and keep His way. He will exalt you to inherit the land." -Psalm 37:34
"No one has heard, no ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait on Him." -Isaiah 64:4

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight." -Proverbs 3: 5-6
"But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul." -Deuteronomy 4:29
"I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict." -Luke 21:15
​

One of my favorite plants. Goodness, I say this about all the herbs. Hehe. However, it truly is one of my favorites. I am pretty sure I have a video on making fresh nettles into a delicious dish. How to Make Nettle Chips in the Oven, Tasty Nutritious Herb Snack 💚

Tehe above is not exactly the recipe I was thinking of, perhaps I did not make the recipe I am thinking of into a video. My favorite way to eat nettles is by stir-frying them fresh with lemon juice, olive oil and a bit of goat cheese. THEY ARE DELICIOUS! 

Mind you- you will need to gather them with gloves, unless you possess a super special skill of collection with bare hands. I have heard herbalists such as Rosemary Gladstar possess this power. I have not mastered the glove-less collection. In fact, I have been stung rather badly and uncomfortably by nettle and just prefer to wear gloves.

Then when you clean the nettles and wash them, you will need to wear gloves again. For picking I use gardening gloves and for cleaning, kitchen gloves. Then as soon as you heat, either with hot water to make tea, or on the stove to make a steamed, cooked dish- the sting leaves the nettles. (Pun intended). Haha.

"Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, Surely Moab shall be as Sodom, and the children of Ammon as Gomorrah, even the breeding of nettles and salt pits, and a perpetual desolation: the residue of my people shall spoil them, and the remnant of my people shall possess them."
-Zephaniah 2:9 (KJV)

I found this wonderful little rhyme, that I think tops "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." It goes like this, "three nettles in May keep all diseases away." 1 I recommend you teach that to your children. 

The following are interesting uses for the plant, found in Duke's Handbook of Medicinal Plants of the Bible. 
-Algerians mix powdered nettles with powdered jasmine for gonorrhea. (I am assuming for topical use).
-Carolinians suggest the root for consumption, diarrhea, dysentery, gravel, hemorrhoids, and jaundice. (I must say I have never used the root of this plant).
-Czechs poultice the herb onto cancers.
-Devonshire locals use nettle roots steeped in vinegar for tumors of the feet and spleen, steeped in honey for tumors in lungs or ribs.
-Irish drink nettle tea to clear measles rash.
-Italians use stinging nettle and elderberry for herpes zoster.
-Russians self-urticate to energize tired muscles. (This means to purposefully sting oneself). 
-Herb decoctions take for cold, cough, rheumatism, and stomachache. 
-Nettle roots crushed with vinegar for swellings of the feet or spleen.
-Nettle juice as a mouthwash.
-Nettle juice boiled lightly with sugar; 2 oz. taken orally for bleeding piles.
-Nettle seed with honey or (nettle juice) for cold, and coughs.

No known downsides from taking the herb/ (leaf)- except of course the sting. There are some possible downsides from the root, such as stomach upset. The herb is contraindicated in fluid retention due to cardiac or renal activity. Not recommended when pregnant or nursing. It may also interfere with blood pressure, CNS and diabetes medications CAN. 

Mountain Rose Herbs has many Nettle options for purchase, such as nettle leaf and root, but also prepared herbal formulas containing nettle. I recommend beginning with the dried nettle leaf and drinking it as a tea first. This is the best way to familiarize yourself with this plant.

Of course, my favorite way to "get to know" herbs is by discovering them growing in the wild. Find a friend, a neighbor, or an acquaintance who has a patch of nettles. Best to search in the spring, or summertime. Mind you, I do not like to eat mature nettles. They taste best when young and short. Once they shoot up and start to flower, the taste is much different and less appealing. (In my opinion). 

I think it was only after trapsing through a friend's nettle field that I really fell in love with this amazing herb. Leave a comment here on your experience with nettle, and if you have wild plant experience. 
​
1 Duke's Handbook of Medicinal Plants of the Bible, by James A. Duke, 2008. (p. 408).

​ 
                As a homeschool mom, I find every opportunity to teach my children how to incorporate nature into their lives. It is not so much about incorporating, actually, but integrating. We see nature as life and life as nature. It is not uncommon for us to spend a few hours outside a day, even in the winter time. Spring and summer is my favorite time as an herbalist, because that is when the landscape is in bloom, plants are thriving, and botanicals can be identified.
                A great activity to do with your children during the warmer months of the year, is to identify plants, draw them, and look up their uses. Trees are especially enjoyable, because the bark can be used to make a rubbing in an art journal, and I have found that children adore this activity. The tools you will need to perform this exercise, are as follows: an art journal with blank pages, a pack of tracing paper, masking tape, scissors, a piece of charcoal, pens and pencils, colored pencils and a thorough nature identification book.
                I suggest that before you begin you make a plan for the area in which this lesson will take place. You may have the perfect yard with a variety of trees, or you may need to consider going to a friend’s house, a relative’s, or a park. This activity is easier, if as the adult, you already know some of the tree species. If not, you can enjoy this activity more fully with the children, or enlist the help of someone who has lived in your locality for a long time. I have found that the older generation has extensive knowledge, when it comes to identifying plant species.
                If you have a willow tree that can be identified, I advise you start there. This tree is easy to identify correctly, and you can even read the story The Giving Tree, by Shel Silverstein, with your children before beginning. The White Willow tree is a short, sturdy tree that grows 30-60 feet. Willows have leaves 3-6 inches long, resembling green fingers. The willow bark is smooth and red-brown to green-brown in color. 1  When you approach a tree, ask your children if they know what the tree is before commencing. You may be surprised what your children already know. After pinpointing your tree, have your child open a page in their art journal. Write the name of the tree, with the scientific name; White Willow is Salix alba. Then have the children draw a little sketch of the tree. Encourage them to do their very best, and not to worry about being perfect. It is important that they try this activity.
                After a 15 minute drawing break, help each student hold a piece of the tracing paper up to the tree bark. If you hold the paper for them, they can use their hands to grapple with the charcoal. The charcoal needs to be held horizontally with the flat edge and gently rubbed over the paper to form the impression of the bark. You may need a few attempts to get a good rubbing. Then cut out the best rubbing and tape the piece of paper to a clean page in your child’s art journal. Again label the page with the name Willow a.k.a. Salix alba.
                The last part of this lesson is to talk about the medicinal benefits about the tree, parts used, and history of its usages. Some of this information should be written on a fresh page, right after the artwork of each tree. Leave a blank page in the journal to divide the space between identified species. Willow bark has been used for over a thousand years to relieve pain. Salicin is an active component in White Willow bark, and is the forerunner for the drug aspirin. Apart from the constituents in salicin working to relieve pain, it also reduces inflammation. 2  The Cherokee, Blackfoot, Iroquois and other Native American tribes used closely related species for headache relief, fever and chills, and for muscle and joint pains.3
                Researching the historical compilations of each tree identified, will result in some interesting folklore, that your children are bound to remember. The “weeping” willow as it is commonly named, may partially have received that nickname from the branches that arch over, bending to the ground. In traditional folklore, the willow is associated with death, heartbreak, sorrow, and lost love.  In the Bible, it is said that the children of Israel, when taken into captivity by Babylon, mourned under the willow tree. In medieval times, sprigs of willow were worn as signs of grief and mourning. 3
                I hope that through this article I was able to give the reader an outline of an activity that can be repeated numerous times with many plants, trees and herbs. I also encourage you to add your own twists and spins to my very basic lesson. Any children participating in this activity may also have creative ideas to add this study. You could even go so far as to acquire the dried bark, or herb and have your pupils smell, or taste the said plant, when applicable. In my own herbal apothecary I keep dried willow bark powder, and have used it for fevers and to relieve pain from childbirth. Try to demonstrate as many connections from the earth to the home and uses in life that will bridge the nature gap, that you as an adult may understand more clearly. Have fun! 

​ 
1 Fun with Nature, Burns, 1999, p.243
 
2 The Herbal Drugstore, White & Foster 2000, p.243
 
3 Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine, Foster & Johnson p.366-367

​ 

 
                A number of years ago, I started making my own creams, salves, and liniments, and slowly replaced all of my pharmacy bought items, with all-natural herbal remedies. All items in my new medicine chest are made by the plants that grow on my property and neighboring vicinity. I think in actuality, I have my own pharmacy with hundreds of items, from herbs, to pure vegetable oils, jars, and even standard tools like bandages, and cotton swabs. My medicine chest is really what I like to call my Herbal Apothecary, and in our family, we use many items in the cabinet daily. I have actually dedicated a corner of my kitchen to the herbals that I make. I have 2 wooden stand-alone cabinets of that are not only attractive, but very useful. I chose pieces that had closed fronts to keep the natural light at a minimum.

                Any kind of chest, cabinet piece of furniture, or other creative storage space can be used to make your herbal medicine chest. Maybe you have a big pantry, and you can dedicate a section for your herbs, or maybe you have a perfect cabinet in the kitchen for easy storage and access. Just avoid putting your items in the bathroom, near a stove or natural light source. The location should be easy to access if you have a quick need, but also relatively safe from small children. Nothing I make would harm a child if they got into my apothecary. Most herbs for “medicine” taste bitter and that would be enough of a deterrent, and nothing is toxic or poisonous.

                If at all possible collect your own plants either from your garden or from fields, stream beds, and the woods. Make sure the soil and location is healthy and free from chemicals or other run-off that would harm the plants, and thereby you. One of the best determinants is to look at the plants size; small, withered plants, with brown leaves are probably either A. not getting enough nutrients, or B. absorbing toxins from the soil. It may be too late in the season to collect your own herbs, and in that case I recommend finding a local health food store, farm, or even an herbalist who can sell you some local herbs. I find that the herbs collected and used from a person’s local environment can be more effective than those exotic and from faraway lands. There is a temptation to think- farther means better, but truly the most humble and simple “weeds” can be the most effective herbal remedies.

                Yarrow flowers, Achilliea millefolium would be the first item I would collect and store. Keep the dried flowers in a glass jar, to use for herbal teas. You will also want to grind some of the flowers into a fine powder and store in a small glass jar. Clean baby food jars are great for storing small amounts of herbs, seeds, and for salves. The whole flowers of the Yarrow plant are infused into a hot tea that is useful for fevers, and colds. Yarrow is a diaphoretic herb that promotes sweating and thus will help a body sweat out a fever effectively. The powdered flowers can be applied to cuts to stop bleeding and promote healing. Another powdered herb that I always keep in my medicine chest, and which also stops bleeding even more effectively is cayenne pepper.

                Cayenne, Capiscum annum can be grown in your garden, and after the peppers have been dried, ground up finely into a powder. The powder is especially useful as a first aid item. Cayenne pepper applied to cuts, with stop bleeding, like a clotting factor. Cayenne pepper can be mixed with some water, juice or milk and drank in cases of shock, or hypothermia. Cayenne is also beneficial for stabilizing the blood flow in the body, and stimulating digestion. Although a spicy herb, spice, and condiment- Capiscum is definitely something I keep on hand. I believe I have at least 4 ounces powdered at any given time.     
  
                My singularly favorite herb, and plant that I keep in my herbal apothecary in numerous forms, is Black Walnut, or Juglans nigra. The green hull is the part of the plant you want to use. It contains the chemical juglone, which is antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, and a fungicide. This plant is so incredibly useful, and the trees are so exceptionally plentiful. Most people throw or burn away the green nuts, finding them a nuisance. I keep the tincture of the green hulls in my apothecary for sore throats, toothache, and for a quick application to skin rashes. I also make a black ointment, and one of the main ingredients is black walnut hull powder. The ointment is used for almost every kind of bump, blister, cut, scratch, or splinter. I even freeze the hulls to preserve the precious juice over the winter. When you thaw out the slices of the hull, you can use the slices to rub on fungal infections of the skin. It works quickly to take away itch and discomfort, but beware, you will get stains on your skin for a few days from the juglone.

                Comfrey leaf, Symphytum officinale, is a must in your herbal medicine chest. The leaf of this herb should be dried and stored in glass jars. I would suggest storing 1 lb. for the winter. If you grow it yourself, you should have no problem collecting that amount, because this plant spreads fast, and has large leaves. It is also very easy to dry. In cases of bruising, straining, spraining or aching, make a large pot of comfrey tea. I use 1 heaping Tablespoon of dried comfrey leaf, per cup of water. Soak clean white cloths in the tea and wrap around the affected area. Cover with saran wrap, and another dry cloth and leave on for 30 minutes. Repeat 3-4 times a day or more for acute pain. You will be amazed at how quickly your body responds to the healing powers of this plant.

                The fifth herb is also considered a spice, and spices and herbs are often all called herbs, and that is mustard powder. Mustard is in the family Brassicacae, and in the Northeastern part of the United States, it can be found growing along fields, roadsides, and empty lots, every spring. The plants are easy to identify by their bright yellow flowers. I have not personally gathered my own seeds, but I pick the leaves and eat them raw or in green salads as a spring tonic. I find you cannot really make a mistake when purchasing mustard seeds, unlike other herbs. If at all possible buy the seed, before it has been ground which will ensure the best potency. You can grind your seeds in a small coffee grinder. I would have ½ a pound on hand at any one time, and grind up 2 ounces to store in a glass jar. That way, if you have an urgent situation, you do not have to take time grinding your mustard seeds.

                I like to use the dried powder weekly in hot foot baths. The properties from the mustard seeds soak into the soles of the feet and through the body with help of the nervous system. I find that doing this weekly is relaxing, and keeps a body a little more resilient. If a cold comes upon you unawares, and you have chest congestion, a mustard plaster over the chest works wonders, and of course you will want to do the foot soaks with mustard powder as soon as you feel under the weather. To do a mustard soak, prepare a large bowl, or bucket with very warm water. It should be hot, but not too hot. Sit in a comfortable chair with a cup of Yarrow tea, or whatever delicious tisane you have on hand. Mix ¼ cup of mustard powder into every gallon of water. The water should come up to mid-calf. Sit with your feet submerged for at least 20 minutes. After doing a mustard soak, rub your feet with sea salt and dry thoroughly. Lay down and take a rest. Repeat daily if ill, and continue weekly for cold prevention.

                As I said before, the items I have in my herbal medicine chest are numerous. I probably have at least 100 different herbs, and mixtures and other helpful tools. However, with just six different herbs, you can use each plant at least 3 different ways, which gives you 18 different herbal remedies, minimum. If you are new to herbs, it is best to start slowly, and become really familiar with a few plants, before branching out to more herbs. I want to leave you with one more set of instructions with the mustard powder, as it is very helpful. It does require another herb that could be your number 6 in your apothecary. That herb is Slippery Elm, Ulmas rubra in Latin. Slippery elm is terrific for stomach complaints and any inflamed skin inside and out of the body. You will want to mix your mustard powder with slippery elm, before making a plaster, because the mustard powder brings a lot of heat to the skin.

                In a small ceramic bowl, mix 4 Tablespoons mustard powder, and 4 Tablespoons slippery elm powder. Add small amounts of water slowly and stir until you have a paste-like consistency. If you are the one ill, try to get some help with this application. You will also need two clean towels. One for laying on, and one for when you get up, just so you do not make a mess where you were laying. You will need to remove your shirt and I like to rub some olive oil on my chest first before applying the paste. After rubbing in the Extra Virgin Olive Oil, apply a thick layer of mustard plaster on the chest area, avoiding sensitive skin areas. It is best to remain laying during application. You can set a timer for 10 minutes, but if you feel too hot before the timer goes off, you may wash off the plaster. If you can keep the plaster on longer than 10 minutes, keep on as long 20 minutes before washing.

                You will be surprised at how red your skin will look. The mustard brings a lot of blood flow to the chest area, which will help with bringing healing to a congested respiratory tract. If after washing off the mustard plaster, you still feel hot, and even uncomfortable, get a cool wash cloth and lay it on your skin for another 20 minutes. Like I suggest after the mustard foot bath, lay down and rest after completing this remedy. I find that a good rest after mustard applications really does wonders. If you can master the application and use of these 6 herbs, you will be well on your way towards a bit more freedom, and self-reliance for yourself and your loved ones. Do not worry about making mistakes, you probably will. Herbs can be very forgiving, and will teach you along the way.
 
RECIPE for my BLACK Walnut Tincture
You will need:
-8 Green Black Walnut Hulls (fresh) or
-1/2 ounce Black Walnut Hull powder
-Large clean quart jar with lid
-40 Proof Alcohol (Vodka is preferred)
-2 cups high quality water
-Blue painters tape and a sharpie marker
-Knife and cutting board
-Old Rags
-Gloves (optional)
 
Directions: Making the Black walnut tincture can be a messy business. The hulls will stain everything they touch. That is why I suggest old rags, and you may even want to use an old cutting board, versus a nice new one. If you do not wear gloves, your hands will stain a deep yellow, and then almost turn a brown or black color wear the juglone gets on your skin. This lasts a few days, so gloves are recommended.
On your cutting board, slice pieces of the hulls off the ball of the walnut. There is a large inner shell in the middle, so you have to cut around it. As you slice pieces, put them into your quart jar. You should have enough slices to fill just above half way.

When you have finished cutting, you will then pour your water into the jar until the water line gets half way on the jar. Then, fill the jar the rest of the way with your Vodka, leaving a 1/2 “headspace at the top of the jar. You can then put on your lid tightly and label with the blue painters tape. The information that should be on the label is as follows: -Date, -Herb material,- Where you obtained your herbs,- and menstruum (liquid in the jar).
Lastly, sit you freshly made jar of Black Walnut tincture on a sunny window sill. Make sure you put the old rags under the jar, because it may leak a little and remember the liquid will stain. Let this sit for two weeks before straining off the hulls, and rebottling the precious liquid.
 

​Alfalfa- A Nutritive Herb
 
                Known as Medicago sativa by the herbal enthusiast. This plant is a deep-rooting perennial with numerous small clover-like spikes of blue or violet flowers. The herbage is green and succulent and has often been used as an agricultural crop for livestock. It yields 2 abundant crops in a growing year, and is relished by horses and cattle alike, containing enough nourishing properties to fatten the animals and enrich their milk. Just as alfalfa can add weight to animals, it is also useful for people who are undernourished. To increase body weight, make an infusion of 1 oz. of herb, to a pint of water and drink in full cup amounts. 1

                Also known as lucerne, alfalfa is native to Iran. Alfalfa is thought to have been introduced to Europe during the Persian invasion of Greece in 491 CE, and introduced to China in the 2nd century BCE. In Europe it was used in times of hardship and food shortage such as during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). This plant has a disposition that allows it to grow in many countries worldwide, and in a variety of climates. It does grow best, however in warm temperate and cool subtropical regions. Alfalfa is a member of the clover family and has leaves with 3 oval leaflets. In the summer it is identified by its blue/ purple flowers.2

              In ancient China the people thought “what is good for your cattle is good for you, too.” The Chinese people fed their animals alfalfa, which was enjoyed so enthusiastically, that the vegetable was soon incorporated into their diet and physicians were using it to stimulate appetite and treat digestive problems. In ancient India, traditional Ayurvedic physicians also used alfalfa for ulcers, as well as arthritis pain, and fluid retention. The ancient Arabs fed it to their horses- which made them ‘swift and strong.’ They called alfalfa al-fac-facah, meaning “father of all foods.”3

                Spain brought alfalfa to the Americas, where it became a very popular forage crop on the Great Plains. The pioneers believed that if it was good for the cattle, it would be good for the people too. Alfalfa was utilized to treat arthritis, boils, cancer, scurvy, and urinary as well as bowel problems. After the Civil War, alfalfa fell out of favor as a healing herb, and it took nearly 200 years for it to reemerge as a salad item during the health movement of the 1970’s.4
                I remember as a child my mother use to sprout alfalfa seeds in a jar. I loved to watch the little seeds spring to life and found them quite enjoyable mixed into my salads. As a young woman, I would often buy sprouts in the super market, but they never tasted quite as good as when sprouted at home. When my own children came along, I began sprouting seeds with them. I think there is something fascinating for children, especially, to see a plant spring forth, from a tiny seed. My oldest son in particular loves sprouts, and I have often found that if a person is especially fond of a certain herb, good chance that they really need it in their diet. He will eat an entire jar of sprouts by himself, without any dressing.

“Make Your Own Sprouts”
- A mason jar
- A small screen top or some cheesecloth
- Alfalfa seeds (you can also sprout many other seeds)
- Distilled water
- A cool cabinet space

                    In the mason jar, fill a baseline amount of seeds at the bottom of the jar. I would pour maybe ½ inch or less of seeds into the jar. They will really “sprout!” Fill the jar about halfway with water and let the seeds sit in the water over night. Take the screen or cheese cloth and drain the water. Rinse the seeds one time with more water, and then drain. At this point you can place a piece of cheese cloth on the top of the jar and let the seeds sit overnight. The next day, you want to rinse with water again, so the seeds to do not dry out too much. Drain the water, and let the jar sit again. Continue and repeat for 3-5 days. You may need to check on the seeds. If they are getting to dry during the day, and if so, rinse twice a day. The sprouts will continue to grow and grow. When the jar is filled with sprouts, you can then transfer the little plants to another container to store in the refrigerator. Use immediately and try to eat all of them within a week. They can get soggy or spoil if you keep them too long.

                The leaves of Alfalfa, called Lucerne in Europe are rich in protein, calcium and other minerals, vitamins A, the B-group, C, D, E and K as well as 8 digestive enzymes. This plant has been well researched, compared to other herbs, and modern research has found that it is really beneficial for controlling cholesterol levels. According to Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine, “reductions in blood levels of total cholesterol and low density lipoproteins have been reported in animal studies and in a small number of human cases.” There have also been several studies with animals reporting reductions in arterial cholesterol plaques also. A small number of animal studies report that alfalfa may also reduce blood sugar levels. Although research has been promising, more data is needed to elicit more conclusive evidence of its efficacy.5 

                In Rosemary Gladstar’s book Herbal Healing for Women, she exhorts expectant mothers to pay attention to “fixing” poor dietary habits, which are more than likely the cause of fatigue during pregnancy. She continues to explain that a growing baby needs a tremendous amount of nourishment. If the mother’s diet is not rich enough, than the nourishment will come from her own reserves. She shares an incredible tea that can be safely drunk every day and supplies the mother with the iron, calcium, protein and other trace minerals needed for a healthy pregnancy. She calls it “Uplifting Tea” and it contains raspberry leaf, nettle, peppermint, alfalfa, squawvine, and ginger root.6

Tea inspired by Rosemary Gladstar’s “Uplifting Tea”
2 parts raspberry leaf
2 parts nettle leaf
4 parts peppermint
1 part alfalfa
1 part yarrow
¼ part ginger root dried

Instructions: Mix all the herbs together in a sealable container, like Tupperware.  For every quart of water, use ¼ cup of the herb mixture. Boil your water on the stove. Add ¼ cup of the herb mixture when the water has reached a boil. Immediately remove from the heat and cover for 10 minutes. Strain and serve with Almond milk and honey. *Drink 4 cups a day.

                Taking the time to sit and enjoy a cup of tea is a great way to slow down the fast pace of modern society. I have often heard mothers tell me that they do not have time to make tea, let alone sit and drink it. I often run into people who want the quickest, easiest solution and health does not work that way. The ability to manage stress, slow down, breath and calm the mind can do just as much for the body as the nutrients in a cup of this alfalfa tea.

                    I have faithfully incorporated alfalfa into my diet for years, especially during the years I was pregnant. My favorite method for taking alfalfa is in powder form, and mixing it with almond milk. Typically, I will add a teaspoon of the powder into a teacup and cover with ¼ cup of almond milk and mix well. Sometimes I add a few drops of vanilla and molasses. Vanilla is for the taste, and molasses for the high iron content needed to keep pregnant mothers from the troubles of anemia. I will then drink this in the morning and it always give me extra energy for the day. My daughter who is now three loves the taste of alfalfa, and when I mix this special drink, she will drink it with a straw. I like to give this to her because she is petite, and alfalfa can add some extra weight. I am confident that she is getting her needed nutrients with this daily dose.

                The following is a simple recipe made from trial and error. There is always the challenge of getting people, especially children to take herbs because many of the medicinal herbs are bitter, and not naturally sweet. Alfalfa has a definite grass-like taste, and can be pleasing when you are used to it. I so not use animal milk products, and have found that almond is my favorite for “masking” the alfalfa flavor. However, I have also tried hemp milk and flax milk which are equally delicious. The blackstrap molasses is another nutritive food that can be very strong and overpowering. This too becomes mild when mixed with the milk, and vanilla just makes everything taste good.  
 
Morning Alfalfa Drink:
-Tablespoon Alfalfa powder
-½ cup Almond milk
-1 teaspoon Blackstrap molasses
-3 drops pure Vanilla extract
 
Mix all the ingredients thoroughly in a cup or mug. Drink first thing in the morning, before starting the day. This drink can be modified or blended with frozen fruit to make a smoothie. I prefer it though, this simple way.
 
                Alfalfa is one of the most mineral- rich foods known to man, and that is because the roots can grow as much as 130 feet into the earth. It is exceptionally high in chlorophyll as well enzymes, amino acids, and carbohydrates. The minerals are in a very balanced form, as opposed to laboratory made multi-vitamins from hard mineral/ non-plant sources. This allows for easy absorption, alkaline action and neutralizing effect on the intestinal tract. Some of the conditions helped by alfalfa have been arthritis, ulcers, gastritis, liver disorders, eczema, hemorrhoids, asthma, constipation, body odor, bleeding gums, athlete’s foot and even cancer. If you have never used natural supplements, or herbs there can be a hesitancy or concern when incorporating for the first time. My suggestion is to find a local health food store, herbalist, or natural doctor for recommendations on obtaining herbs like alfalfa. I strongly discourage buying herbal products from chain stores, and big box locations. The product quality is not the same, and thus the effect of the herb is greatly diminished.7

                Smoothies are exceptionally popular and can be a very good way to consume your daily nutritive needs. There can be a tendency to add to much sweetener and I try to avoid that in my own recipes. Instead I depend on the natural sweetness occurring in the fruits added to the blended mix. For this recipe, I recommend using fresh alfalfa sprouts, especially for people who are not fond of sprouts in salad or alone. The flavor can be effectively masked by the other ingredients. I always urge people to be creative about their methods of incorporating herbs. The goal is to eat them, and I am not too particular in how that is accomplished, but I try to create as many tasty options as possible for myself and others.
 
Super Green Smoothie
-1 cup full fat coconut milk
-1 cup pineapple juice
-1/2 cup frozen strawberries
-2 Tablespoons chia seeds
-1/2 cup alfalfa sprouts

Blend all the ingredients until smooth. If the smoothie seems too thick, add a little almond milk until you have a creamy consistency. You can garnish with a sprig of peppermint, and sip with a straw. This drink is perfect on a warm day. It cools the body and reenergizes at the same time. The alfalfa sprouts are very easy to digest and assimilate and will have a tonifying effect on the digestive system.

                As an herbalist, or plant enthusiast, it is important to well versed in the knowledge of plants that aid the body in correcting organ systems, and herbs that nourish the body. Dr. Christopher calls it “cleanse and nourishing.” Alfalfa is one of those herbs that nourishes the body, and works markedly well if the body is in good and healthy condition. The more you take care of your own vessel the more able a plant is to make small adjustments, corrections and improvements on the health of an individual. We must take the time to cultivate an ongoing relationship with plants and nature and to develop a harmonious attitude towards what nature has provided for our benefit.
               
 
 
 
1 Grieve, Mrs. M. “A Modern Herbal, Volume 2.” Dover Publications, (1982): 501-502.
2 “Edible: An Illustrated Guide to the World’s Food Plants.” National Geographic, (2008): 182.
3 Castleman, Michael. “The Healing Herbs: The Ultimate Guide to the Curative Power of Nature’s Medicines.” Rodale Press, (1991): 37.
4 Castleman, Michael. “The Healing Herbs: The Ultimate Guide to the Curative Power of Nature’s Medicines.” Rodale Press, (1991): 38.
5 Stephen, Foster and Rebecca L Johnson. “Desk Reference to Nature’s Medicine.” (2006): 12-13.
6 Gladstar, Rosemary. “Herbal Healing for Women.” Simon & Schuster, (1993): 186-187.
7 Balch, James F. and Phyllis A Balch. “Prescription for Nutritional Healing 2nd ed.” Avery Publishing Group, (1997): 73.
 
 
 
 
 
 

​I should preface this post by saying that I am a Licensed Art Educator. I have taught in public schools, private schools, public and private settings and allllll ages, from 2 or 3 up to probably 80 years of age. I love to teach, and feel called as a teacher and educator in the arts and herbal education. I put together a list of some simple things to consider if you are homeschooling or teaching in general. 

10 simple things to consider if you want to teach your own children, other other children in a formal or informal setting. 
​

 

       1. Teach something ( a subject) you know really well. It’s almost like sharing if you teach something that comes naturally or like second nature.

         2.   Have a plan, and a back up plan. Whatever you plan to teach for the day, always bring something extra in case you run out of material, or you need just have circumstances that cause you to change directions. I would say the most common occurrence I have had is children who work fast, and need something to do, while other children are still working. So have a back up plan.

         3.   That being said- do not try to cram too much information into a short period of time. I go for quality rather than quantity. Try to teach a concept really well, versus trying to teach many concepts quickly.

           4.     Ask questions. When I teach, I usually say a few things, then ask questions, and then continue teaching. Children kind of space out when you just talk and talk and talk. I think adults do as well, for that matter. If you stop, pause and ask questions, you engage your audience in what they are learning. You also find out if they are understanding what you are saying.

           5.     Always always have the children (even older children) write their names on papers immediately.

         6.   Try to get to know a little bit about what children like. For example if they like Pokemon, figure out a little. You win kids over by being able to talk their language.

        7.  Keep the peace. If you have a child who is causing some disturbance. Just go over and talk to them quietly. “Hey what’s going on today?” Sometimes they may tell you something, like they need to go to the bathroom, or they may be upset over something. Maybe offer them a short rest. Sometimes this is all you need to do to get them back on track.

      8. Children like music and songs. If you have some little fun songs or learning tricks to remember information, children love to repeat with song.

           9.  Encourage. Some kids need more encouragement than others. “Good Job- and say their names.” I am poor at remembering names. I have kids make name tags in the beginning of a class, that helps me. They love to hear their name.

          10. Rotate around the room. This works especially if you have a larger group. But even with a small group, try to get to each student. Make your presence known to all.

 
I am an herbalist, and there are many ways to find refreshment, wellness and even wholeness with plants, besides drinking them in herbal infusions, or applying on the skin as oils and ointments. The plant world is abundant and full of life and energy and provide enormous benefits as a way to balance and refresh your home. I have always felt that I could not put plants in my home because A. I do not have deep window sills.

Growing up, we had an old stone home with very deep window sills and for some reason I have it programmed in my mind that you can’t have plants without deep sills. The other reason I have stopped myself from decorating and balancing my home with plants is that I do not have a lot of good direct sunlight. This can easily be remedied by using plants that thrive even in the shade.


As a healer, I often challenge mindsets and thought patterns that people hold on to and are not serving them in a beneficial way. I do not always see my own negative thought patterns, but a recent vacation gave me the opportunity to really challenge my way of seeing and viewing the world. We recently spent some time in Maine, and stayed at an old farmhouse owned by a Master Gardner. Her occupational experience was more than evident in every little detail of the house. I had a chance to talk with her, as we both possess a love of plants. I had the knowledge and know-how in regards to the use of plants as medicine, but she “used” plants in a healing way by planting and placing and enhancing the home environment.


In Feng Shui- which is defined as “the study of how to arrange your environment to enhance the quality of your life,” in Terah Collins book The Western Guide to Feng Shui: Room by Room. Plants serve to provide happiness, and even health to your home environment. They can deliver more oxygen to the air, soften sharp angles and transform the entire feel of a room by its presence. There are some things you want to keep in mind when selecting plants for your home. I will give you five steps for plant selection and placement that can get you started on a whole new home and a whole new you.

​
The first thing you want to do is choose a room to start with. I like to begin by going through my house room by room and making necessary changes to freshen and liven up a room. Remove any objects that are no longer serving you, and you may want to read the book I have listed above, or another book on Feng Shui to help with design, but it is not a requirement before plant placement. The next thing you will need to consider is the light source for the room you are energizing. Take a day or two to notice how the sun comes through the window and the length of time, and angle of the light. Make some notes so that when you go shopping for plants you can choose plants that have light requirements that will suit your light source.


The third step is of course plant selection. Choose plants that are soft and make you feel peaceful. I would stay away from prickly plants, unless you have a designed cactus garden, but in that instance, I recommend placing other soften plants in coordination with the prickly and spiky. You may also want to consider fragrance and if you have great light sources, definitely look to purchase plants that bloom.

After plant selection, comes container selection. You will definitely want to buy some containers to place your plants into. Usually plants are set in black plastic sleeves at the greenhouse, but to really bring cheer and life and to follow the Feng Shui suggestions, the container your plants live in are equally important. Ceramic bowls, crocks or pots are perfect. If you do not have the funds for pottery, there are some beautifully colored plastic containers that can be used as well. Keep your eyes open, because you never know when you are out and about, when you will see something that would be perfect for your plants. You can always change the crocks too, if the plants outgrow them.


Lastly, do not forget that your plants can be cut flowers. In the blooming months I regularly cut plants, and flowers, even herbs from my garden and display on my kitchen counter, window sill, and even in the bathroom. Flowers are not just reserved for kitchen areas, you can place them in bedrooms as well. For instance, 2 pink roses are meant to enhance Love and Marriage in the bedroom area, and purple irises are supposed to help enhance career goals. Just remember that fresh flowers can deplete the energy of a room once they are past their prime and begin wilting. I try to remove old bouquets to the compost bin once they begin wilting. Or I may just remove a few blooms that look weak and keep the lively ones a few extra days.


You do not need to be a gardener, an herbalist, or an expert to begin experimenting with plants. I also want to stress that you do not need to have a green thumb either. I use to say that I didn’t have a green thumb, and that was another one of my limiting beliefs that kept me from working with live plants. They just take some practice, experience, and time to learn how to care for. It can be discouraging when a plant dies. It is a living thing. If you are really nervous about that outcome, ask someone at a greenhouse for very hearty plants so you can get comfortable with their various temperaments. Herbs are great beginner plants, because they thrive wonderfully and are hard to damage. Whatever your level of skill, I encourage you to add more green to your home. You will find immediate revitalization and clarity in the simple act of bringing life to the interior living space.