Farm Life in Maine and New Hampshire
Meet The Balsam Fir The Balsam Fir is native to North America. It's botanical name is Abies balsamea from the pinaceae family of trees and grows to 180 feet tall. This conical evergreen tree produces aromatic needle-like leaves and purple fir cones. In the eastern US, it is used mainly as a "Christmas tree". The balsam has long been commercially exploited for its timber. It … [Read more...]
A Bit Of History of Slippery Elm Slippery Elm is native to North America and has been used since the first century for natural healing. Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra) is one of 34 elm species growing throughout the United States, the herb is gathered from the inner rind of the trunk of the tree. The grayish brown herb is collected during the spring. Slippery elm is also known by … [Read more...]
A Bad Rap For A Great Healing Herb Goldenrod has gotten a bad reputation over the years for causing allergies, and hay fever, however, it has been shown that it's pollen does not go airborne. Rather, it is pollinated by bees and other pollinating insects. It seems that ragweed, which blooms at the same time of year is actually the culprit for those allergies. Ragweed has … [Read more...]
Who Is This Juliette de Bairacli Levy You Talk Of? I've always been attracted to nature, and even as a child took to the woods. My studies in herbalism started in 1994, and continue to this day. After becoming an herbalist in 2001, I was excited to share in all things herbal to anyone and everyone who would listen. I was already making products and selling them to family … [Read more...]
Plantain is a common weed found in many parts of the country. While most people try to eradicate it from their lawn, little do they know the healing power of this "weed". Plantain can be used both externally, as well as internally. Plantain has been used for hundreds of years both in folk medicine, as well as in herbal healing. Medicine In Your Own Backyard Native Americans … [Read more...]
It seems like yesterday, but it's been 15 years now.... Back in December of ’99, a little convenience store closed, and it was the best thing that could have happened. I needed a new place to get coffee and ended up with a dinner date. Michael’s a bit of a geek, while I’m a nature girl. I’d tell him to get off the computer, and he’d tell me to get my feet out of the … [Read more...]
Origins of Pumpkin Pumpkin is native to North America, and is a gourd-like squash. It is from the cucurbitaceae family of plants. The word itself comes from the Greek word pepon, which means large melon. In France the word was adapted into pompon, which then the British changed to pumpion. The early American colonists later changed it to pumpkin. Pumpkin seeds dating back … [Read more...]
Healing From Nature Did you know from weeds such as the common dandelion to easily grown flowers such as calendula or mint, you can have a natural medicine chest growing in your own backyard? Below you will find a list of 10 common weeds and garden herbs that you can plant and harvest right out of your garden. If not in your garden, then these healing herbs can be found on a … [Read more...]
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) has been used for centuries as both a healing herb. It has been nicknamed the wonder herb by many of the herbalists of history. It can be used both internally, as well as externally. It was once even used in magical rituals. It is also known in some areas as goatweed, Klamath weed, Tipton's weed, Rosin Rose and Chase Devil, or Devil … [Read more...]
What is Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)? Rheumatoid arthritis, which also goes by the name RA, is a long-term condition that leads to inflammation of the joints. It can also affect the surrounding tissues. It has been know to affect other organs as well, but it is not as common. RA, while it can occur at any age, it is more common during middle age. It affects woman much more … [Read more...]
