Hooray for Bay Nuts!

from the SubRosa- a community space blog.

Today three friends and I harvested more bay nuts, each of us has already been out collecting, either together or with others (one of my friends is eight years old, and I am glad to have this special time with her in this context).  In Santa Cruz, the California Bay Laurel tree is very abundant in the wild spaces around this area.  From where I live, it is a ten minute walk to the river where redwood trees, sycamore trees and bay trees share the land.  In other seasons, nettles can be found, and soon mushrooms will be popping up.  

For me, harvesting these foods is a way for me to connect to the land, and to do that with friends creates a special kind of bond between us.  In a small way, we are meeting our needs for basic sustenance, and in a larger way we are also bypassing the capitalist alienation of how we get our food.  It is also important for me to mindfully do this gathering, as this also involves a kind of relationship, one with the trees and nuts and land from which they grow.  I also give back, gratitude and tend to these areas.  This attention to how I relate, to myself, to others, to the land is an important aspect of anarchism for me, where I embody my theory in the how-I-am in the world.  And the bay nuts are really tasty (and have a caffeine like effect).

Here are some links that give some directions on how to process bay nuts.  There are two primary methods, roasting in the shell and roasting outside of the shell.  I have tried both, and you can too.  Whatever the method you use, be sure to not over-roast the bay nuts.

-Baynutting: Tips for Harvesting, Storing and Using California Bay Nuts in the Shell
-Handout on Harvesting and Roasting Bay Nuts Out of the Shell

Also see the article posted on this blog about Ethical Harvesting.

Autumn Equinox

It has been awhile since I have written in this blog.  This entry is a bit different from the previous ones in that I discuss spirituality in the context of the community where I live.

For me a part of being healthy involves nurturing my connection to the land where I live, the people in my community and to a sense of spirituality.  We in Santa Cruz, where I live, are having an Autumn Equinox ritual celebration with the following intention...

As we transition with the Autumn Equinox we celebrate and honor the abundance we share:  of the land, of friendship and of spirit.
    

We have the desire to make magic together and explore ways we can deepen our affinities with each other, the land, and spirit...and for us carry that out into the world!  That last piece is very important to me, where I want to have an active engagement with the world, and the deep affinities I nurture can be fuel for that work.

 Wood, Stone, Feather, and Bone
(adapted from a song by Joules Graves)

-this is a song we will sing in the ritual
and has been changed by friends to be Santa Cruz related-

wood, stone, feather, and bone
roaring of the ocean guide us home
wood, stone, feather, and bone
roaring of the ocean guide us home

coyot and raven
coyot and raven
in my soul, in my soul
in my soul, in my soul

river, sea, redwood tree
howling of the wind gonna set us free
river, sea, redwood tree
howling of the wind gonna set us free

owl and salmon
owl and salmon
in my soul, in my soul
in my soul, in my soul

Medicinal Plants We Like: Nettles

Oh yes, it has been so long since I have posted.  I am more often in the forest and other wild places then updating this blog.  Now it is springtime and it is a wonderful season to be out and about, connecting with the land and plants at this very fertile time of year.

This is also a wonderful time to be harvesting stinging nettles, among other plants.  See previous entry about ethical harvesting, and it is important for me to be mindful of my relationship to the plants I harvest and land I harvest from.

Here is some information about stringing nettles from a website I found.  Below is just some of the information available.  Go to the links to find out more.  I have not personally made and used the herbal formulas so proceed as you will.

STINGING NETTLE
by Kassie Vance

From http://www.herballegacy.com/Vance_Medicinal.html

[Table of Contents] [History] [Location] [Chemical Constituents] [Medicinal Qualities] [Contra-Indications]
[Known Herbal Formulas] [Dosages & Applications] [Personal Experience] [Bibliography]

THE BENEFITS OF THE USE OF STINGING NETTLE
IN HERBAL PREPARATIONS

KNOWN HERBAL FORMULAS OF STINGING NETTLE

For medicinal purposes, stinging nettle is best harvested early in the spring when the plant is about six inches tall.  As they come into flower they can be picked and dried for later use. The use of gloves is recommended for gathering the fresh plant.

Young leaves are cooked as a potherb.  Steam them like spinach and add condiments to taste, or add it to soups, stews, or casseroles.  The volatile components in the hairs are neutralized by heat (cooking or drying).

“Strong syrup made of the root, combined with suitable quantities of wild-cherry bark and blackberry root, forms an excellent remedy for all summer complaints of children and bowel affections of adults.”

The following are formulas or recipes involving stinging nettle:

To treat eczema, especially in infants:
1 part stinging nettle leaves
1 part figwort
1 part red clover
Take as a tea three times daily.

To treat an under-active thyroid:
1 part stinging nettle leaves
1 part oats
1 part wormwood
1 part damiana (or kola)
2 parts bladderwrack
Take as a tea three times daily.

Healthy Blood Herbal Tea
1 plantain leaf
2 nettle leaves
3 mint leaves
1 cup water

Boil the plants for 3 minutes, and then steep.  Drink warm before breakfast.  If using dried plants, double the dosage and use for 1 month.

Nettle for Arthritic Pain
To prepare the tea as it is given here a juicer is needed.
1 part stinging nettle juice
1 part cotton grass juice
Walnut tree leaves equaling the weight of the above juices combined
1 squirt vinegar
Honey
About 6 cups water

Bring all ingredients to a boil, except for the honey, and skim off the foam.  Strain out the plant debris and sweeten with honey, if desired.  Drink this in moderate amounts on an empty stomach.  A packaged tea is also available.  Take 2 cups of this tea a day for two weeks.

Nutritious Herbal Seasoning
Mix equal parts dried finely crumbled garlic, parsley, watercress, sweet basil, oregano, marjoram, thyme, nettles, and comfrey.  Add one part each, powdered: dulse, rosehips, and cayenne.  Add one quarter part each powdered: dandelion root, burdock root.  Blend ingredients together, adjust seasoning to taste.  Make a small amount at a time.  Keep in a tightly sealed container.

Basic Nettle Hair Rinse
Make an infusion, let cool, and use the tea as a final rinse after shampooing.

For healthier, shinier hair, bring to a boil 1 pint apple cider vinegar.  Pour over 2 ounces dried nettles.  Cover and place in a cool, dark place for seven days, shaking daily.  Strain and store in a dark glass jar.  To use, mix 2-3 tablespoons of herbal vinegar with 1 cup warm water.  Use as a rinse and rub into scalp. 

In applying nettle to the scalp to stimulate hair growth, the freshly expressed juice can also be applied, as well as a decoction of the root.

Wake Up Bath
For a stimulating bath that is beneficial for rheumatic aches and pains, mix equal parts of dried nettles, rosemary, lemon balm, comfrey, lavender, and mint.  Make a strong infusion of the herbs, strain, and pour into bath, or put herbs in a cloth bag and float in bath water.

To curdle milk:
Boil the fresh leaves in a slightly larger volume of well-salted water for ten minutes and use the tea to curdle milk when making cheese; the amount varies with the type of milk and the hardness of curd desired.

Medicinal Benefits of Habañero Peppers

It has been awhile since I have posted to this blog.  Yup.  The Meristem Distro continues even though this blog has not been updated for so long.

Recently, a friend gave me a handful of habañero peppers, because she told me that they are too spicy for her.  I gladly and gratefully accepted them.  I nibbled on the last of the peppers tonight with a soup I had made.  Yum!  I love spicy peppers!  I decided to look up information about the health benefits of habañero peppers, and here is a bit of what I found.

Habaneros belong to the same Capsicum family of chili peppers that includes jalapenos, poblanos and bell peppers. Native to Central America, South America and the Caribbean Islands, habanero peppers are the hottest of all commercially grown chili peppers, making them a favorite with aficionados of spicy dishes. Habaneros boast more benefits than intense heat, however. They contain a high concentration of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber and the compound capsaicin. Diets rich in the nutrients provided by habanero peppers may help prevent the development of a number of potentially serious medical conditions.

There are many myths against the consumption of habanero chili. People ignore the numerous benefits they could contribute to human beings' health. Here are some of them:

• All chilli peppers contain phytochemicals substances called capsaicinoids that produce capsicum. The capsicum is the ingredient that gives heat intensity when habanero chili peppers are ingested or applied topically.

• When habanero chile is consumed, it binds with the mouth and throat which are the pain receptors of the heat. Once it is transmitted to the brain, it responds to this burning sensation by increasing heart rate perspiration and releasing body's natural endorphin.

• Researches have shown that habanero chiles may have some beneficial properties as an anticoagulant. Small amounts of capsicum may help prevent heart attacks or strokes caused by blood clot.

• In cases of cardiovascular diseases, some doctors recommend a bit of habanero chiles in dairy dishes because bad cholesterol could resist oxidation for a longer period of time and delay the development of a major risk.

• Habanero chili peppers can provide symptomatic relief from rhinitis and possibly bronchitis by clearing mucus from stuffed noses or congested lungs.

• Some studies in mice show that capsicum products in particular as could help people suffering from obesity to lose weight, even though this is not proved yet with human beings. (my added note:  i am opposed to experiments on animals!)

• Capsicum peppers or Capsaicin in general are also a good substance for diabetes control by creating new cells that start producing insulin again.

• In some countries, chilis are used in salves due to their slight anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effect. Some researches have proved in rats that capsicum products can block pain without causing temporary paralysis.

• Habanero chiles consumption does not cause stomach aches or cancer even though people usually used to associate them. It has been proved there is not any relationship between them unless capsicum peppers have been adulterated with Sudan I, II, III, IV, para-Red and other illegal carcinogenic substances as aflatoxins and N-nitroso.

• Several studies confirm that capsicum varieties could have an anti-ulcer protective effect on stomachs infected with H. pylori

• Jalapeño and habanero chili peppers are a good source of vitamins as well as they are very high in potassium, magnesium and iron, which in turn, may be effective in protecting against cancer. They contain 357% more vitamin C than an orange: green habanero has twice as much as citrus fruit and red ones have three times more, plus an important amount of provitamin A. Moreover, they are a good source of most B vitamins in particular vitamin B6.

• All kind of chili pepper powder and fresh habanero chiles may help control food contamination in countries where there is a minimal or even no refrigeration.

from http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/benefits-eating-habaneros-2505.html and http://www.spicesolution.com/habanero_chili_health_enefits.html

Medicinal Plants We Like: Blackberry

Here in Santa Cruz the blackberries are ripening and a stroll in the woods or in areas in town could mean that you find a roaming snack-feast.  But blackberries are more than just a tasty treat.  To learn more read the entry below from the website livestrong (link below and beware of popups that leap out from the site).

Medicinal Uses for Blackberries

Mar 22, 2010 | By Frank Whittemore 

 

Although the most recognizable use of blackberries is for jams and jellies, this most common of berry plants has other applications as well. At one time prized for their astringent properties, blackberries have since been replaced by other more synthetic treatment choices. With a resurgence of interest in natural remedies, blackberries are being reconsidered for their use as a healing herb. The root, leaves and fruit can all be used to make medicinal preparations.

Gastrointestinal Disorders

The root of the blackberry plant contains high quantities of tannins. Tannins produce an astringent effect, particularly on the mucous membranes of the digestive tract. Consequently, blackberry root tea or tincture can be used for treating dysentery, diarrhea, hemorrhoids and other intestinal disorders. Some gastrointestinal disorders are serious and may require medical attention. If you suffer from a serious gastrointestinal condition, consult with your physician prior to using any herbal remedy.

Oral Hygiene

A preparation made from blackberry root, leaves and ripe berries can be used as a gargle to treat sore throats, inflamed gums and mouth ulcers. It can also assist in controlling occurrences of thrush, a mild yeast infection that can occur in the mouth, particularly in young children.

Wound Care

The astringent properties of blackberries can also be applied to treating wounds. Tannins in blackberries can help constrict blood vessels. A poultice or dressing made from a preparation of blackberries can be applied to cuts and scrapes to help control minor bleeding.

Antioxidant

Blackberry fruit is high in antioxidants, primarily due to its anthocyanin content. Anthocyanins are the type of bioflavonoid that is also found in teas, wines, nuts, cocoa and other fruits. These can help control the activity of damaging free radical chemicals within the body. Anthocyanins may also help address a host of other conditions, including improving vision, reducing hypertension, enhancing liver function, increasing memory and mental acuity.

References

• Plants for a Future: Rubus Fruticosis - L. Blackberry
• "Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology": Anthocyanins and Human Health - An In Vitro Investigative Approach
• "The Healing Herbs"; Michael Castleman; 1991
• Mayo Clinic: Oral Thrush
• Wellness: Blackberry (Rubus Fructicosus)

from http://www.livestrong.com

Ethical Harvesting

I wanted to post to the blog about the ethical harvesting of wild plants and came across this entry that expressed all that I would (and more).  So I copied and adapted the entry (thank-you) and present it here (go to  link to see original version).  I very much appreciate Lisa’s perspective, and the importance of showing the plants respect and developing a relationship with the plants one harvests.  I also like to nurture the land where I harvest and/or have a special relationship by expressing my care and thanks in various ways (that can range from listening and talking to the land to picking up garbage and so on).

  Ethical Harvesting of Wild Plants

From http://www.hawthornehillherbs.com/content/ethical-harvesting-wild-plants

Submitted by Lisa on Tue, 07/21/2009

Plant based medicaments have been harvested from the wild for thousands of years. Herbal training now and throughout time has always maintained a focus on how, when, where and how much to harvest of any particular plant.  There is a considerable degree of discretion required in terms of not just identification, but also what parts to harvest and at what stage of maturity. Another important consideration is whether or not to harvest at all. This question is central to the issue of ethics in harvesting.

These long Summer days are filled with busyness for me as new flowers are budding, blooming and pollinating everyday. Although Spring and Fall are also busy with roots, barks and berries, Summer is always brimming with the urgency of weeding my cultivated gardens and hour upon hour spent in the woods and meadows foraging as each needed species comes into its peak. With the increasing popularity of herbal medicine in mainstream culture, many instances of over-harvesting have arisen especially in regards to native and endangered plant species. It is of utmost importance to the community herbalist and the lay person gathering for personal use to learn, know and remember the principles of ethical wildcrafting.  This not only ensures continued proliferation of our healing plants into the future, but also returns the kindness and respect to the plant world and nature as we take only our share leaving enough for other species to partake and for the plant to continue to grow and reproduce.

Below are a few guidelines that I have been a taught and follow:

• 1.    Make sure you know what you are picking. Some plants have a poisonous look alike. I usually cross-reference with at least one other book. If you have an herbalist nearby bring them a piece of the plant or a picture or bring them with you.
• 2.    Make sure you are harvesting the proper part of the plant in the proper season. Some parts of certain plants are edible in one season, but poisonous in another.
• 3.    Avoid foraging in the following areas

               -    close to main roads, parking lots
               -    In commercially sprayed areas (incl. agriculture, esp. corn fields)
               -    Under power lines
               -    Near old houses
               -    Unfamiliar lots/fields, near lawns that have been treated chemically
               -    Down stream from factories or agribusiness

• 4.    Gather with awareness, reverence and ask permission,*give thanks to the life your are about to harvest*, scatter seeds.
• 5.    Choose plants that appear healthy and in abundance, but leave the strongest out of respect and to encourage a future supply. Leave plants on the top of hillsides because they will seed down slope.
• 6.    Never gather endangered species. Many of these plants can be cultivated for medicinal use or you can research for other plants with similar properties that are not threatened. Check United Plant Savers for a list of endangered and at-risk medicinal plants.
• 7.    Harvest only 1/3 of naturalized plants or native flowers and leaves and only in abundant stands. If possible, harvest only the necessary part of the plant. Digging up the root kills the whole plant.
• 8.    Develop a relationship with the plants that you are gathering. Know the plants that grow around them, know the kind of soil they appear healthiest in, watch them mature through an entire season.
• 9. Harvest with gratefulness in your heart, a song on your lips and peace in your mind.

Medicinal Plants We Like: Lemon balm

Lemon balm  

Melissa officinalis

Lemon balm is a perennial herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is native to Southern Europe but now grows all over the world. The plant has a light lemony-minty scent and usually grows to around two feet tall. It develops many branches with leaves that are about two inches long, heart-shaped, and nice to touch. Its white flowers bloom in early summer and attract bees, hence the name Melissa, which is Greek for honey bee.

Lemon balm is one of my favorite plants to use medicinally! It is particularly abundant in coastal California right now, and I like to pick the fresh leaves from my garden and steep them in my morning tea. Historically, it has been used to treat stress and anxiety, insomnia, stomach ailments, and low appetite, among other things. The crushed leaves can be used as an insect repellant. I use the leaves for their mild calming effects, and have found that consuming the plant daily has improved my ability to cope with stress. Plus, it makes me feel good!

When harvesting, it is best to pick whole leaves along the stem, leaving the lower leaves to replace those you've taken. Frequent harvesting encourages new growth but must be done with care. Be sure to thank the plants you harvest from and take good care of them. Don't harvest near roadsides or in areas you suspect might be polluted. As always, be sure you have correctly identified the plant before using it internally. Happy gathering!