Though he’s still a bit stuffy, I believe the worst is definitely over, and we averted a doctor’s visit and (most likely) antibiotics.  Elderberry truly is amazing!  I was a bit nervous about dosing something made with 80 proof vodka, but it all turned out fine.  The consensus was 2 tbs every 3 – 6 hours, but we opted for 1 tbs instead.  When symptomatic, the recommendation is to give the tincture at closer intervals, so it can stay in the system consistently.

Making tinctures is really easy.  While resting this week, I’ve spent some time planning for more oil infusions and tinctures.  I purchased some bulk herbs a couple months ago, and want to make use of what I have.  Dried herbs do have a limited shelf life as far as making the most of their active properties.  There are lots of sites with information on how to make herbal tinctures.  One of my favorites is the tutorial on Lisa’s blog.  There are different opinions regarding dosage and the shelf life of tinctures.  Shelf life is partly dependent on whether you use vodka, glycerin, vinegar, or some other liquid to soak the herbs.  You’ll also want to store them in a cool, dark place.

Herbal medicine has been practiced for thousands of years.  There is a lot of information on line, but I recommend finding one or two reference books to have on hand incase you can’t get online.  So far, my favorite resources are “The New Age Herbalist” by Richard Mabey and “Common Herbs for Natural Health” by Juliette de Bairacli Levy.  While I don’t agree with most of the spirituality of these authors, I have found their books to be well-written and quite informative.

I’d love to hear your experience with using herbs for health and healing.  We can all learn from each other, so please take a moment to share!

I’ve been wanting to make infused herbal oils for awhile, and today seemed like a perfect day to give it a try.  Though I’d love to say I grew the herbs I was working with today, that’s not the case.  Some friends and I put in an order together for bulk herbs from More Than Alive.  I’ve had them for a couple months, and definitely don’t want them to lose their potency before I have a chance to give them a try.

Since I have two sons playing basketball, Arnica is always useful to have around.  I’ve purchased commercial salves, but really wanted to make my own so I have more control over potency and ingredients.  I used my solar oven to infuse Arnica and Chamomile.  Yes, I could be more patient and let the herbs infuse in the oil on a sunny windowsill for a few weeks, but I really want to use the oil, so heating with the sun in the solar oven was the next best thing.

The weather we’ve had lately has been perfect!  THIS is why I live in Florida — these days don’t last long before the heat and humidity come back, but I enjoy them while they are here.  My garden is doing well, and I’ve enjoyed a couple salads from my productive lettuce bed.

The tomatoes that survived our hard freeze a couple weeks ago are starting to get some blooms, so all is not lost there.  So, far my winter garden raised beds consist of tomatoes, kale, basil, radish, onions, spinach, lettuce, and broccoli.

This morning I picked some fresh lemon balm and added it to some dried homegrown mint for delicious tea.  I also had time to work on some hot pads and dishcloths while sitting on the lanai watching the hens scurry around the yard searching for bugs.

I recently learned how to felt soap and did some felting this morning.  They turned out pretty well.  My friend and I have started a company, Soapsy Daisy, and are doing a few local craft shows this winter.  I’ve also been working on getting an Etsy store up and going for selling our soaps and salves.  I think the chamomile oil I infused today, along with the  dried flowers, will be great in a bar of skin-soothing soap!

Lately I’ve been pondering how I can be more home-centered and what other steps we can take to live a simpler more sustainable lifestyle.  Things like making our own teas from homegrown herbs, and growing our own food is definitely a start.  Slowing down and taking the time to figure out how we can make do with something we already have rather than buying new is also a habit we are cultivating.

I’ve been reading some books about the great depression and thinking back on conversations I used to have with my grandmother.  We have so much available to us these days!  Things are often cheaper to buy, than to make.  However, part of simplifying is being creative and taking the time to make things ourselves.  Those “cheaper” items come with a price — whether it is fuel to travel thousands of miles, or being the result of underpaid workers, or simply that it wears out or breaks because of poor quality, causing us to have to purchase the item again.

Of course, another advantage of making things myself is the satisfaction of producing something with my hands.   Lately, even my teen sons have begun to use their creative juices!  I love sitting down to sew or crochet, and having them working beside me on art, drawing, music, and even sewing and crocheting!  Even though I was in consumer mode when they were young, and lamented about what they and I missed by not slowing down all those years ago, I can see that it really isn’t too late!  Partly from necessity, partly from their parent’s example as we embark on this journey, we’re all changing and growing…together.

Orange Mint

This winter I picked up several different kinds of mint from my friend at the market.  In fact, I never knew there were so many varieties.  I am definitely hooked on this herb!  So far I have mint, peppermint, spearmint, lemon, chocolate, lavender, and orange mints.

Refreshing Spearmint

Mint doesn’t always do well in the Florida heat, so I decided to try my hand at preserving this wonderful herb because I really have come to enjoy my daily cup of mint tea.  Yes, I know, the technical term for my “tea” is really – tisane, because there is no “tea” in my beverage.

First, it’s out my front door to snip some mint.  The best time of day is in the morning, just after the dew has dried.  I usually snip off longer sections just above the two lowest leaves.  Bring them inside and check for critters.  I use embroidery string to tie the herbs in small bunches and hang them in my kitchen.   Some people hand them in brown bags with air holes.  Basically the herbs need to be in a dry place.  I enjoy seeing the herbs drying as I go about my kitchen duties.

Drying Mint

A few days later the leaves are shriveled and should crunch between your fingers.  When you’re sure they’re dry, remove the leaves (keeping them whole as possible) and place in a jar.

Light affects the potency of the herbs, so you’ll want to keep them out of direct sunlight, or even in a dark cabinet.  When you bruise or cut up your herbs, you release the potent oils, so don’t crush the leaves until you are ready to use them.

Jar of dried mint

Now you have dried herbs at the ready for your own, homegrown cup of herbal tea!  You can mix and match herbs, to store ready to use concoctions of your liking.  I love lemon balm with my mint, or on it’s own.  In fact, lemon balm is very relaxing – a great drink before bed.

Mint and other herbs can always be used fresh for teas, making herbal remedies, and for culinary use.  Drying herbs for use when the weather prevents plants from thriving is a great way to save money, and take another step on your journey to a simpler, more self-sustaining lifestyle.  Remember -  if you’re growing it, use it!

Dried Sage and Mint

Of course, much of the lifestyle changes we have been making are in preparation for harder times, and to allow us to live more independently of the many systems on which we are currently too dependent.  Still, I am stepping up some of my efforts, including snipping and drying more of my herbs, getting other ones going, buying dried herbs so I can make my own tinctures, etc.  One of my favorite herbs is mint.  Thankfully, it is not only yummy, mint has great immune building properties as well.  I plan to blog here about growing, harvesting and drying mint in the next day or so.

Yesterday I decluttered a bit to make room for some of the homestead items I need or have, but didn’t have a place for.  I love the feeling of walking into a room that has just been thoroughly decluttered – I could just sit on the floor and sigh contentedly.  It makes me wonder why I waited so long to start getting rid of stuff!  One shelf I cleared will be for some grocery items I’m planning on purchasing to stock up a bit.  Folks in Mexico City are basically hunkering down in their homes to avoid exposure to the swine flu.  I hope it doesn’t come to that here, but I figured I should be prepared just in case.  Down here in Florida we prepare for hurricane season by keeping 3 days supply of food, water, etc., so these preps are what I need for the coming season anyway (plus a bit extra, since we could need to stay inside for weeks rather than days if the swine flu outbreak grows substantially).

I’m also stepping up my gardening efforts.  I have had the seeds for a while, but don’t have much in the way of seedlings started.  That’s something I’m learning…I should have new things growing all the time.  I know that our summers here are not great for growing many things, but I did purchase seeds for veggies that are grown in more tropical parts of the world, hoping they might grow here.  I plan to use as many containers as possible, so I can move them if they are too hot or too wet.  For me, it’s all a big experiment.  If the plants make it, great!  If they don’t, oh well, a lesson learned.

It’s nice to know I’m not alone on this journey – there are many others who are learning and sharing as they grow.  Here are a couple recent posts that provide both encouragement and practical tips:

Garden Like You Can’t Go to the Store

Panic Gardening