DANDELION, “Tooth of the Lion”

by Miriah Meiers

Spring time is dandelion time! Dandelions grow abundantly this time of year in North America. What a wonderful medicinal plant dandelion is and with endless opportunities. The entire plant is useful as both medicine and foods. Have fun experimenting with dandelion recipes to find your favorites.  A strong plant that comes back every year is a great indicator of a powerful healer.

Dandelions are very hardy and abundant. They are rich in vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin A, B, C, and D, Iron, Calcium, potassium, copper, and beta-carotene. The plant tastes the best when the leaves are young in spring or summer, but the roots can be harvested into late fall. The leaves usually have a mild bitter flavor, and are a great addition to salads and or can be lightly sautéed. Dandelion root and flowers are easily made into tea. It may be bitter still so combine with a sweeter herb or tea. The flowers can be sautéed as well with butter and garlic, until crunchy and then drizzle with balsamic.

The leaves are a powerful diuretic, treating urinary disorders and fluid retention without depleting body of potassium. The root is a good liver tonic, strong detoxify agent for the whole body. It has a stimulating and decongestant effect on the liver, a blood purifier. It also heals constipation, gallstones, indigestion, sluggishness, and fatigue.

 

Yarrow Yarrow Yarrow

by MiriahMeiers

 

Pink Yarrow! I always wanted to see Pink Yarrow! I took this picture near Telluride, Colorado this Summer. It grows in every color here………. Yarrow, “Achillea Millefolium,” is in the family Asteraceae of plants and blooms midsummer to fall in colors of white, red, pink, salmon, and yellow. Abundantly grown and widely used medicinal herb, yarrow is antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, diuretic, sedative, and used for digestion. Yarrow plants have been used for the treatment of external wounds since the ancient Greeks. It can be used against colds and flues, cramps, fevers, kidney disorders, toothaches, stomach ulcers, skin irritations, and hemorrhages. It can help stimulate flow of bile, reduce inflammation, assists with nutrient absorption, lower blood pressure, and to purify the blood. Yarrow, when used externally, treats wounds and helps stop the flow of blood. It is referred to as the “herb for women” as it can be used to treat vaginal infections, irregular discharge, spotting, and cystitis and urinary tract infections. Though it shouldn’t be used during pregnancy because it may stimulate the uterus, it is helpful post-labor to help tone uterus, reduce cramping and avoid hemorrhage. The Yarrow flower tops and leaves are used for medicinal purposes. It can be taken as an infusion (tea), tincture, or essential oil.

Mount Wilson….Telluride, Colorado

Photo by Miriah Meiers

view from my workplace in Mountain Village, Telluride, Colorado May 2016

Telluride, Colorado

photo by Miriah Meiers

View from Town Park, Telluride, Colorado taken June 2016

Prospecting Ouray, Colorado with Harvester

Photos by Miriah Meiers

taken June 2016

Summer Solstice ~ Midsummer

by Miriah Meiers

Summer Solstice, June 20th 2016, marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, and the shortest day for below the Equator. Derifed from the Latin word “Solstitium,” which translates “Sun Stands Still.” On the Solstice, the Earth is neither tilting away nor towards the Sun, but for awhile, being still. Also know as Midsummer, the day has held great significance throughout past and present civilizations. The ancient Chinese honored the earth, femininity, and the force known as “Yin” on the solstice. Bonfires are a common tradition throughout Ancient Northern and Central European Tribes, and still enjoyed today in several countries including Austria and Germany. Viking Summer Solstice celebrations are popular in Iceland today to honor the Ancient Nordic Seafarers traditions.

Craft your own Rose & Coconut Body Scrub

Rose and Coconut Body Scrub

This is an easy body scrub to craft at home from the abundance of blooming roses this season. It will gently exfoliate your skin and leave it silky smooth. The Rose aroma lifts the spirits by invoking positive thoughts, spiritual relaxation and feelings of joy, happiness, and hope.

½ cup coconut oil 1/3 cup sugar of your choice

½ cup dried rose petals 1 tablespoon rose-infused oil (optional)

1) Mix coconut oil, sugar, and rose petals in a bowl. You should be able to scoop mixture. If it’s too oily, add more sugar. If too grainy, add more oil

2) Scoop scrub into half-pint mason jar

Flowers for Pollinators

Butterfly and bee populations are declining worldwide due to loss of habitat. These precious pollinators play a large role in the web of life, especially among the plant world. They also provide food for birds, reptiles, etc. What would we do without honey and all the health benefits it provides? If we all do a little, the result could be remarkable. Invite pollinators to your home, garden, farm, park, block, etc by planting nectar and pollen rich flowers in any size garden. GO NATIVE! Native plants are the heart of a pollinator friendly garden. Native plants are found to be four times more attractive to pollinators than non-natives, so planting natives in your yard will supply pollinators with the nutrition they need to thrive. And because they are indigenous to a specific region, native plants usually require little maintenance and are welcomed by wildlife, serving an important role in the local ecosystem.

Springtime Healing Herbs!

It’s time to start looking for the Early Spring tonic herbs that

can help revive your body after winter’s sluggish effects. Here

is a list of easy to find and pick Healing Herbs:

 

1) Dandelion

2) Burdock Root

3) Chickweed

4) Curling Dock

5) Stinging Nettles