Hello Nerve-Loving Herbs + Recipe

The world can feel crazy, and right now it feels very much so! Frazzled and frenzied, muddy and mushy, and drippy and dank are emerging from my corner of the world. Deep breaths and reassuring thoughts of peace, gratitude, and abundance are called in—along with this tea formula.
Hello nerve-nourishing, uplifting herbs to help with this tense, cold, dark moment!

Nerve-Tonic-Uplift Recipe

Oatstraw- 3 parts
Lemon Balm- 1 part
chamomile- 1part
rose- 1/2 part
licorice- pinch
cinnamon- pinch

This blend is made with dried herbs. The herbs are (ideally) weighed to get the parts right. I suggesting using ounces as the parts. And if so, this tea blend makes 5 1/2 ounces. Use about an ounce of the herb mixture per quart of infusion. To make the infusion, let steep for 4 hours, tightly covered. Then strain and drink.

Rosa rugosa is a wonderful species of rose to harvest (or grow). The flowers and hips provide us with food and medicine. Today we call upon the flower for its heart warming, and love-evoking gifts.  

Technique on making oatstraw infusion < click here to view the video. Use this same technique for making the Nerve-Tonic-Uplift recipe, just use the tea mix in place of the oatstraw. https://youtu.be/hE_CX3D6qIM

Rose illustrated page from our book Foraging & Feasting: A Field Guide and Wild Food Cookbook by Dina Falconi; illustrated by Wendy Hollender. More about our book on our site here: www.ForagingAndFeasting.com

This is another species of rose: Apothecary Rose (Rosa gallica) picked in mid June; perfect for eating and medicine-making. And for sure, grow some, if you can!

Lemon Balm illustrated page from our book Foraging & Feasting: A Field Guide and Wild Food Cookbook by Dina Falconi; illustrated by Wendy Hollender. More about our book on our site here: www.ForagingAndFeasting.com

Lemon Balm flowering tops at the perfect stage for medicine-making. I gathered these in mid July (Mid Hudson Valley, New York) Lovely to see you lemon balm who calms and lifts our spirits. 

Sending peace and love!
In gratitude,
Dina

Hello Aronia: one of the highest antioxidant fruits on the planet!

I've been foraging in the freezer, delighting in the harvest of warmer seasons. One gem that sparkles loudly is black chokeberry, aka, Aronia. After a fun, sweaty roller skating session (like last night), I crave it, blending it into an agua fresca, that I like to call Aronia Elixir.

Aronia Elixir: Tap This Superfruit In The Kitchen < Click here to view this video

Scientifically called Aronia melanocarpa, this fruit contains some of the highest antioxidants on the planet. Hosting a rich soup of polyphenols, anthocyanins, plus vitamin C and more, Aronia can boost our cardiovascular and immune health, while reducing inflammation and pain.

Flavor note: Aronias are sour, slightly sweet, astringent, mildly bitter.

Color note: the intense pigment of the fruit will color everything that it touches; and tells of its high antioxidant content.

Plant Aronia! If you don’t have any growing in your neighborhood, perhaps you’d like to plant some! It is very easy to grow. Then the whole neighborhood can benefit from this nutrient dense fruit.
For more about Aronia bushes in the garden < click here to the view this video