This time of year, the ground is bursting with Violets. Our Violet yard is brilliant, a sea of purple with a scattering of yellow from the Dandelions. My oldest daughter’s favorite jelly is Violet jelly, so much so that she will spend the hour or two required to crawl...
Herbalist Susun Weed tells a wonderful story about the creation of Witch Hazel which describes how Witch Hazel blooms in the middle of winter. When all other plants are slumbering, Witch Hazel shows off her beauty with frilly yellow flowers, reminiscent of fireworks,...
Many people associate Eucalyptus with the taste of the commercial Halls Menthol-lyptus cough drops. If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that Eucalyptus can be very opening to the sinuses! However, we don’t need a cough drop full of questionable ingredients to get...
In support of Fire Cider Awareness Week, we here at Herbal Roots zine have decided to share just how easy it is to make fire cider. In fact, it’s so easy that even a kid can make it! But first, a bit of background on fire cider. The Past, Present and Future of...
The mighty oak! So much lore has been based on this magnificent tree, which can grow to be hundreds of years old, growing slowly and steadfastly. This wonderful tree offers food, shelter, medicine and so much more for both man and the creatures who live in the woods....
Often referred to as It-Brings-the-Fall by Native Americans, New England Aster has mostly disappeared from use by herbalists of this century though she is now making a comeback. Herbalists such as jim mcdonald, Sean Donahue, Kiva Rose, Lisa Rose and myself have used...