An Herbal Diary: Culinary Herbalism | Medicine Recipes

What makes a tree medicinal? The answer to this question depends on the medicine we are searching for. Especially in spring, trees can be medicine for our eyes. After the grayness of winter, glorious flowering trees like dogwood and magnolia are sweet visions. Aside from landscaping decoration, both dogwood and magnolia along with many other trees,have long been used for strong medicines derived from their bark.Tree bark has phytochemicals that make it bitter, astringent, and highly antimicrobial. Bark is a tree’s protective layer, helping it to survive through winter cold and other dangers like bacteria, fungi and troublesome insects.  The same phytochemicals in tree bark offer much medicine to humans as well.  Join me in this episode for more on tree bark and the medicine of dogwood and magnolia trees. Sending you lovely spring thoughts and thank you for joining me! ---Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss.  Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.  Original music by Dylan Rice Please send me yo

Plant energetics is a way to understand how a plant can affect the body through our senses and how it feels in the body. Energetics is subtle, but so helpful when choosing herbs. The difference between warming and cooling plant energetics is like feeling the warmth of the sun versus a cool plunge into the ocean. In this episode, we delve deep into warming energetics and match these with a group of trees that provide great examples: evergreens. These trees have great potential for kitchen uses and herbal remedies. We talk all about  juniper, fir, hemlock and spruce trees.  Some examples of herbs with warming energetic qualities: ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cayenne pepper, turmeric, garlic, rosemary, cumin, black pepper. Sending you the warmest thoughts and thank you for joining me! ---Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss.  Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.  Original music by Dylan Rice Please send me your comments, requests, or feedback.  Send me a message, voice or write an email, my email

Pine trees are trees that are very familiar especially because of their long thin needles and pine cones. But they seem overlooked for their culinary and herbal remedy benefits. In this episode, I am back in my kitchen with elegant pine needles brewing a tea blended with warming spices and preparing a skin healing salve. I’ll talk you through all the steps.  Thank you for joining me! Pine Needle Chai: 1 cinnamon stick 1 teaspoon dried ginger 2 teaspoons dried orange peel or zest of 1 orange 1 allspice berry ¼ teaspoon nutmeg 2 tablespoons chopped fresh pine needles or 2 teaspoons dried 1½ cups (12 ounces) water Combine all spices (not pine needles)  and water in a small saucepan covered with a lid.. Bring water to a gentle boil on medium heat. Turn down to the lowest setting, simmer for 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat, add pine needles, continue to steep covered with lid for at least 30 minutes. Strain into a tea mug, add milk and honey to taste. Reheat as desired.  Pine Needle Infused Oil: 2 tablespoons drie

Herbal teas are a lovely way to be creative and experience herbs on a daily basis. Brewing herbal teas can take on different forms and tastes, including juice-like creations when dried berries are used as the main ingredients. These berry teas are a wonderful way to gain nutrient benefits from herbs. In this episode I am sharing my current favorite method for brewing herbal tea that feels more like a juice. Thank you for joining me. Tea “Juice” Decoction ¼ cup dried elderberries ¼ cup dried hawthorn berries ¼ cup dried sea buckthorn berries ⅛ cup dried goji berries ⅛ cup dried rose hips 1 tablespoon hibiscus 1 tablespoon dried ginger 1 cinnamon stick 2 pieces turkey tail mushrooms 6 peppercorns 8-9 cups water Combine herbs and water in 4 quart stock pot. Cover and bring to gentle boil on medium heat. Turn to lowest setting, simmer for 40 minutes. Remove from heat, continue to steep covered until cool. Strain into Mason jars and refrigerate.  Source for Dried Herbs and Berries: Mountain Rose Herbs Oshala Farm

The Little Herb Saver: Lemon balm is like a blanket of peace, calming a nervous stomach, reducing anxiety, elevating  a gloomy feeling, and providing relief for sleepless nights. That’s a lot, but that’s also not all.  Lemon balm is easy to grow, lovely to eat or drink as tea, powerful in its own right but not in a way that lends caution to using it. To get more lemon balm into our lives, can only be a good thing. And this is why I deem it a little herbal saver.  Thank you for joining me for this part 2 lemon balm monograph. (Episode 52 is part 1) Lemon Balm Vinaigrette: 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 teaspoon red wine vinegar 1 teaspoon dijon mustard 1 teaspoon chopped lemon balm Salt and pepper to taste Combine olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar and dijon mustard. Whisk together until blended well. Stir in chopped lemon balm and salt and pepper.  Store in the refrigerator. Serve with fennel and radish salads.   Photo of Lemon Balm from Henriette’s Herbal Homepage   Sources for Lem

Lemon balm is soothing, calming and uplifting, whether fresh or dried its a pleasure to have and use. Lemon balm is such a gem that it deserves a a two part herbal monograph. Here in part 1, Dina focuses on lemon balm's origin and the benefits it can offer for us now. Also offering favorite sources for dried lemon balm and some recipes for making teas and tinctures. Thank you for joining me. Recipes in Episode: Lemon Balm Tea: 1-2 tsp dried lemon balm with 8 ounces hot water, steep 15-20 minutes. Lemon Balm Tincture: 50g lemon balm + 250ml Vodka Lemon Balm Cordial: 1 cup chopped apples (Granny Smith or other tart variety) ¼ cup dried lemon balm 3 tablespoons lemon peel, cut into strips 1 tablespoon raisins 1 cinnamon stick 3 cloves 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg  2 cups of Brandy  1/2 cup maple syrup   Sources for Dried Lemon Balm Mountain Rose Herbs Avena Botanicals Herbalist & Alchemist   ---Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss.  Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.  Original music by Dylan Rice

Baking and herbs both calm my heart and mind. In today’s episode, I am back in my kitchen baking scones with lemon balm infused heavy cream blended into the batter. Lemon balm is a delight to grow and the fresh leaves offer a beautiful perfumey aroma that can uplift a heavy heart and offer a peaceful moment. In the kitchen, it’s medicine for the baker.  Lemon Balm Scones (if lemon balm balm is not something you have, give these a try using basil or thyme in its place) For lemon balm infused cream: approx ¾ cup (12g) fresh lemon balm leaves or ¼ cup dried lemon balm 1 cup plus ⅛ cup heavy cream In a medium saucepan, bring cream to scald over medium high heat, don’t boil, just heat until small bubbles form at edges of pan and cream begins to steam. Add chopped lemon balm leaves, stir to submerge. Remove from heat, cover with lid and steep for 25 minutes. Pour cream and lemon balm leaves into a blender and pulse to blend. Strain, reserving cream and measure 1 cup or 250g. Set aside for batter. Discard lemon balm

Rounding out my broth episodes with ginger provides the perfect example of how lovely tasting herbal tea can second as herbal broth which then infuses the food we eat with an extra layer of nourishment. Ginger is a great example, because it is such a foundational culinary herb with multitudes of methods and recipes incorporating ginger both fresh and dried.. As for soup, ginger itself may be added as an ingredient, it goes especially well with chicken soup or creamy carrot soup or a garlic lemongrass broth with noodles, But it can also be layered in as the actual broth or stock base to make a sublime and aromatic soup or stew creation. Listen in while I make a pungent ginger stock and then use it in mushroom soup. I hope you will simmer along with me. *Ginger Broth* makes 3-4 cups 4 cups (1 quart) water 4 inch piece fresh ginger root, chopped 1 teaspoon peppercorns 1 teaspoon coriander seeds 1 bay leaf 3 kafir lime leaf Salt to taste (optional, perhaps do not add if going to drink as tea) No need to peel the

Could chicken soup be medicinal because of the plant and herbal ingredients?. Chicken adds nourishment but I propose the healing qualities are due to onions, thyme, bay leaves and pepper. Chicken Stock (from my kitchen) ½ gallon water (2 quarts) 3 pounds chicken bones (joints - wings, backs) 2 cups chopped onion 1 cup chopped carrot 1 cup chopped celery 1 Tablespoon thyme ½ Tablespoon pepper 2 bay leaves Run bones under cold water for 5 minutes, drain. Add bones to stock pot with water, bring to gentle simmer. Skim off impurities and fat that rises to the surface. Add mirepoix and herbs. Gently simmer uncovered, replenishing water as needed for 3-4 hours. Strain and cool quickly. Store in refrigerator or freezer. Mentions: MFK Fisher How to Cook Like a Wolf ---Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss.  Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.  Original music by Dylan Rice --- Please send me your comments, requests, or feedback.  Send me a message, voice or write an email, my email is dina@theherbalbak

Another form of kitchen alchemy and extraction: Kvass. This fermented beverage is refreshing and tangy. Using Kvass as broth may be unconventional but it is also uncommonly good, especially beet kvass used in borscht, either cold or hot. Give it a try. Kvass Recipe 12 slices dark rye bread 2-3 quarts hot water ¼ cup sugar or honey 1 ¼ teaspoon dry active yeast 1 Tablespoon lemon juice 12 raisins For Beet Kvass 2-4 beets, peeled and cubed 2-3 quarts water Mentions: Beyond the North Wind by Darra Goldstein The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Borodinsky Rye Bread ---Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss.  Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.  Original music by Dylan Rice --- Please send me your comments, requests, or feedback.  Send me a message, voice or write an email, my email is dina@theherbalbakeshoppe.com. I look forward to hearing from you! To get herb inspired recipes, plant profiles and read more about herbal medicine, visit my website at: theherbalbakeshoppe.com Join me on Patre

Join me in my kitchen apothecary as I make the easiest stock ever. Just garlic and water simmered together results in a versatile, flavorful and densely nourishing stock. It’s perfect for making vegetable soup, rice, marinara sauce or beans.  Garlic Stock makes 2 quarts 2 whole heads garlic 1 Tablespoon olive oil 2 quarts water Gently wash garlic head under running water, pat dry with a paper towel. Slice garlic head in half horizontally. In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add halved garlic cut side down, cooked stirring occasionally about 3 minutes until garlic begins to smell aromatic. Take care not to burn garlic. Add water, bring to boil, then lower heat to just maintain a simmer. Continue to simmer for 1 hour. Strain, discard garlic and peels. May season to taste.  Original music by Dylan Rice ---Please send me your comments, requests, or feedback.  Send me a message, voice or write an email, my email is dina@theherbalbakeshoppe.com. I look forward to hearing from you! To get herb insp

Chocolate begins as the seeds of Theobroma cacao, a tropical tree. After much processing, we are gifted cocoa powder which is in itself an herbal remedy, a delicious one at that. Come join me in this pop-up tea salon episode where we brew a warm comfort cup of cocoa.  **NEW TRIAL OFFERING: Herbal Kitchen Styling Sessions** To Schedule Click Here Mentions: Jim McDonald: Herbcraft.org Jim’s Virtual Classes  Cocoa Tea Recipe 12 ounces herbal tea (chamomile, mint or any favorite) 1 teaspoon 100% dark cocoa powder ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ cup coconut milk Simmer together 10 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon honey. Inulin-Rich Cocoa 3 cups water 1 teaspoon burdock root powder 1 teaspoon dandelion root powder 2 teaspoons 100% dark cocoa powder Simmer together 20 minutes Stir in 2 tablespoons honey.   CONNECT WITH DINA Together we can transform our kitchens into a unique apothecary. ---Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss.  Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.  Original music by Dylan Rice --- Please send me

The more I work with weedy plants from my yard and in my kitchen, the greater my confidence in them grows. Plantain is the perfect  bridge for embracing the idea that plants growing around us are remedies readily available. Plantain is a rockstar for healing the skin and mucous membranes where it can soothe pain, cleanse  and promote wound healing. What plantain heals externally it can also do internally.    Photo of Plantain major Photo of Plantain lanceolata   For more on plantain poultices listen to episode 44 of An Herbal Diary CONNECT WITH DINA Together we can transform our kitchens into a unique apothecary. ---With all of my heart I would love you to join me, click here to join on Patreon  ---Follow me on instagram: @theherbalbakeshoppe ---Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss.  Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.  Original music by Dylan Rice Please send me your comments, requests, or feedback.  Send me a message, voice or write an email, my email is dina@theherbalbakeshoppe.com. I

This is not the tropical fruit plantain, so yummy cooked in butter. This plantain is the leafy green weed growing in any grassy yard, field or meadow. This plantain tops the list for herbal first aid remedies, especially for rashes and insect bites. In this episode, we explore topical uses including the amazing plantain poultice.  Plantain Poultice Recipe: Big handful fresh plantain leaves OR ½ cup dried plantain leaf Hot water, just to moisten 1 Tablespoon calendula oil 2 drops lavender essential oil Blend either in mortar and pestle or blender Thicken as needed to form paste using 1 teaspoon to 1 Tablespoon flour, ground flaxseed or bentonite clay powder Image of Plantain (Plantago major) Image of Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)   Sources for Dried Plantain Aunty Peaches Apothecary Rosemary’s Garden CONNECT WITH DINA Together we can transform our kitchens into a unique apothecary ---Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss.  Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.  Original music by Dylan Rice --

Herbs offer all kinds of remedy. Tending a kitchen garden may provide culinary delights and stock for an herbal medicine cabinet, but with additional benefit of peace, solace and hope. Join me in this episode to tour through my 2020 kitchen garden for some delicious and medicinal discoveries.  Mentions: Donna J. Haraway: Staying with the Trouble, Making Kin in the Chthulucene Aaron Bertelson: Grow Fruit and Vegetables in Pots Companion Plants Strictly Medicinal Seeds Rootwork Herbals and the People’s Medicine Project Reclamation CONNECT WITH DINA ---** Please join me for my new monthly online group gathering, a kitchen medicine club, a place to grow confidence together!  Each month we will have a live discussion that will be hosted on Zoom. With all of my heart I would love you to join me, click here to join on Patreon  Together we can transform our kitchens into a unique apothecary.** ---Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss.  Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.  Original music by Dylan Ri

Medicine from plants can’t replace pharmaceuticals, but botanical remedies can contribute to prevention and recovery from illness. In this episode, I explore building the kitchen herbal pantry to include cough remedies.  Categories and Examples of Herbs with therapeutic use for coughing Demulcents are herbs that soothe and protect mucous membranes from irritation and inflammation and thin mucus Examples are flax seed, chia seed, oats, okra, marshmallow, licorice, fenugreek, fennel, slippery elm, mullein, violet, butterfly weed Expectorants are herbs that help move excessive mucus out of the respiratory system Examples include wild cherry bark, plantain, hyssop, fenugreek, thyme, fennel, licorice, ginger, marshmallow, anise, onion, garlic, eucalyptus, pine, elecampane, lobelia, horehound Decongestants reduce and/or eliminate the formation of mucus or phlegm Examples are anise, black pepper, cayenne, ginger, fenugreek, mullein, marshmallow, licorice, horehound, sumac, wild cherry, elecampane, lobelia Astringent

Sharing three inspirations of courage from my kitchen apothecary. A calming chai, ideas for a little remedy kit that you probably have already at home and thoughts for future herbal kitchen planning.  Ashwaganda Chai Herb/Spice Blend ¼ cup ashwaganda root powder  2 teaspoons cinnamon powder ¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder ¼ teaspoon clove powder ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper To Prepare Chai 1 cup milk - cow, soy, coconut, nut, oat ¼ cup water 2 teaspoons herb/spice blend ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract  ½  teaspoon maple syrup or honey Blend and warm milk and water, add herb/spice powder, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.  Remove lid, add vanilla and maple syrup, simmer for 5 additional  minutes Mentions: Ashwaganda Root powder Herbalist & Alchemist Immune Support Tincture Herbalist & Alchemist Stress Support Tinctures Strictly Medicinal Seeds Plantrama Podcast -  make your own pots Original music by Dylan Rice --- Please send me your comments, requests, or feedback.  Send me a messag

Finally a kitchen medicine baking episode! This one starring herbal infused culinary oils. Not to be confused with essential oils, herb infused oils are easy to prepare at home and versatile. Always use dried herbs for infusing into an oil like olive oil. The creative options are endless. Perhaps begin by baking this biscotti with me!  Mentions: Culinary Infused Oil Safety Rosemary Gladstar Patience Gray’s Honey from a Weed To Make Herbal Infused Culinary Oil: Use sterilized Mason Jars Fill a jar approximately 1/3rd full with dried herbs  Pour in olive oil to cover herbs by one inch OR Weigh and measure dried herbs and oil using 1:5 ratio Cover with lid; label Infuse in cool, dark cabinet for 10-14 days Recipe for Rosemary Chocolate Chip Biscotti CONNECT WITH DINA ---** Please join me for my new monthly online group gathering, a kitchen medicine club, a place to grow confidence together!  Each month we will have a live discussion that will be hosted on Zoom. With all of my heart I would love you to join m

Herbal tinctures are welcome and sustainable additions to your kitchen medicine cabinet - whether homemade or purchased. And they are so easy to prepare. Join me to delve into the basics of  herbal extractions. Herbal Tincture Weight to Volume Ratios Fresh Herbs 1:2 (1 part herb to 2 parts menstruum) Dried Herbs 1:4 or 1:5 (1 part herb to 4 or 5 parts menstruum) Supplies: Organic High Proof Neutral Alcohol Spirits Tincture Storage Bottles Mentions: Michael Moore’s Herbal Tinctures in Clinical Practice Herbalist & Alchemist CONNECT WITH DINA ---** Please join me for my new monthly online group gathering, a kitchen medicine club, a place to grow confidence together!  Each month we will have a live discussion that will be hosted on Zoom. With all of my heart I would love you to join me, click here to join on Patreon  Together we can transform our kitchens into a unique apothecary.** ---Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss.  Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.  Original music by Dylan Rice --

Astragalus is one of the premier immune system nourishing and strengthening herbal medicines.  The best way to use an immune system tonifying herb like astragalus is to begin taking it when you are not sick, beginning about six weeks prior to the height of cold and flu season. It’s ideal for incorporating into cooking on a daily basis. In this episode, I share a recipe for creamy chocolate nut truffles with a big dose of astragalus powder as an ingredient. Ingredients for Creamy Chocolate Nut Astragalus Truffles ½ cup figs, chopped, 1 cup almonds, ½ cup cashews, 3 TBS cocoa powder (additional cocoa powder for coating), 3TBS honey, 2TBS astragalus powder, 1tsp vanilla extract, 1tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp ginger, pinch of salt Preparation Instructions: Soak figs in hot water for 30 minutes, then drain. Add both nuts to the food processor, process until forms a nut butter paste, about 2-3 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and process again until blended to a smooth consistency. Chill for 1-2 hours, then roll 1tsp batt