Blazing Star Herbal School

I am so excited about this class that we are hosting in a few days

Anyone who has ever taken a class from me knows how deeply I respect and how much I have learnt from Amanda McQuade Crawford over the years. I am so excited that she has agreed to return to BSHS. She was last here in 2002 (6 years ago!!!) and taught an unforgettable workshop. I am still receiving letters from those lucky people who attended wondering when she'll be back.

Monday August 25 2008

The good news is that this class will be inspiring, educational and informative to the advanced student and beginners alike. So here is the scoop......The class still has a few openings.


What Herb Books Don't Tell You
A Day in the garden with Amanda Mcquade Crawford

Monday August 25
10 am to 4pm (lunch included)
$125

The power of plants to call our deep healing potential to the surface is a gift. Spend the day deepening your connection to the medicinal herbs you know. How the chemistry works with physiology is fun to learn, like learning the back story of your new friend's first home. But the mystery between any two friends, including our connection to our green allies is
rooted below the surface of matter and molecules. Join me for a happy mix of focused meditation and the newest research on healing herbs.

In the second part of our day, studying the people we serve brings case studies and your herb knowledge to life.


Amanda McQuade Crawford herbalist and author of of two popular books on women's health, "The Herbal Menopause Book" and "Herbal Remedies for Women."  She earned her degree in Phytotherapy from Britain's College of Phytotherapy   She is a regular on *What A Relief*,  a show on herbs for Veria, a holistic cable television network. Previously she was in private practice formany years in Beverly Hills, and Ojai, California, where she grew, gathered, and made most of her plant medicines surrounded by orange groves, oaks and avocados. She was appointed the Senior Clinical Tutor at Canterbury College in Christchurch, New Zealand, where she spent 2005 integrating their curriculum, new research and clinical practice.  Her most recent adventure has been caring for family elders while hunting urban weeds and growing an organic garden in the wilds of Los Angeles, California.



Please email me ASAP if you think you might like to attend this class blazingstarclinic (at) gmail (dot) com

A Tuesday apprenticeship in photos

I have not posted class photos fora few weeks so here I am playing catch up by expressing my gratitude

Much gratitude for our magnificent tuesday lunches:





For the Pollinators:





For Seeds and Roots

Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) (Special thanks Marcelle for giving us the heads up before bulldozing)

Blue Cohosh Berry (Caulophyllum thalictroides)

Early Spikenard flowerhead (Aralia racemosa)

Oats Milkyhead(Avena sativa )

Planting the Buddha: Garden Blessing and Peace Ritual

Oh, Great Spirit

Earth Sun Sky and Sea

You are inside

And all around me .....


A Tuesday Apprenticeship in Photos
Week 5 Sunny and stormy 80 degrees and humid


The little people joined us today for a Garden Blessing and Peace Ritual. Who are the little people you may be wondering? They are the fourteen friends at Zoe's homeschool collaborative. It had been hot and humid all day until a few moments before their arrival when the wind whooshed and the thunder roared and the rain came down. Quickly we moved the furniture created an alter of stones, and greeted them indoors.

First we cleared the space and ourselves with a white sage smudge, most of the little people are familiar with this ritual. Brief introductions followed using a dandelion. One friend hands it to a friend as they look into his/hers eyes, and says, “Blessings (name).” The child responds by looking into the face of the one who handed it to her/him and responds. The friend who handed the dandelion off, folds arms across her/his lap. Those friends who haven’t had the dandelion kept their hands outstretched.



Once introduced one of the apprentices Christina Gabriel taught the group The Spirit of the Plants (Lisa Thiel, ©1984). This is one of my favorite songs and was timely as the apprentice group has really been focussed on finding/picking their personal green ally and homework last week was to draw the plant spirit that comes to them.


The Spirit of the plants has come to me
In the form of a beautiful dancing green woman
Her eyes filled me with peace
Her dance filled me with peace
The spirit of the plants has come to me
And has blessed me with great peace.
Her eyes filled me with peace
Her dance filled me with peace.
The spirit of the plants has come to me
In the form of a beautiful dancing green woman.

Next I read a story....my latest greatest book. Am I the last to discover this one? Our Big Home. You can't help to love this book, the simplicity of prose with detailed illustrations, typical of Elisa Kleven- a favorite illustrator of ours. Here is a PDF study guide from the illustrators website.

Next everyone drew / wrote / decorated "Blessings" onto a river stone....to be put around the Buddha......our wishes, hopes and dreams. The storm cleared and we were able to walk down to the river to collect some water to "Bless" our newly transplanted Hawthorne tree. While down by the river Christina taught the group another favorite song

My Roots Go Down
words and music by Sarah Pirtle, © 1979

Chorus:
My roots go down, down to the earth.
My roots go down, down to the earth.
My roots go down, down to the earth.
My roots go down.

Many new verses have been created:
* I am a pine tree on a mountainside.
* I am a willow swaying in a storm.
* I am a waterfall skipping home.
* I am a wildflower pushing through stones.
* I am a dolphin leaping high.
* I am white pond lily healing you.
* I am a mouth tasting life.

The wonderful Sarah Pirtle is local to us and many of our children have the opportunity to study with her at Red Gate Farm where she runs the Tree of Life School. Zoe regularly comes home with a new Sarah Pirtle song. If you are not local I recommend her children's CD's also.

It's flowering

Mayapple- (see post from May 6th for more information)

Tutorial: Making a DECONGESTIVE SYRUP

Please read yesterdays post on Coltsfoot prior to making this remedy



Respiratory Decongestant Syrup


1 part coltsfoot leaves
1/2 part marshmallow root
1/2 part ground ivy
1/2 mullein leaf
1/8 part licorice
1/8 part Orange Peel
1/2 cup of Black Cherry concentrate
4 cups (1 liter) water
1 Ib (1 kg) natural honey

Simmer the herbs in 4 cups water until reduced to 2 cups. Strain and add 1/4 lb natural raw honey. Gently melt, simmering at low heat for 20 minutes. Add 1/4 cup Black Cherry concentrate. You can add a splash of lemon juice as well if you have it. Cool before bottling. Store in refrigerator. Consume within 3 months. If you would like to extend the shelf life add 1/4 cup of good quality Brandy.

Dosage: Take 1 T , 2 to 3 times a day. Even children will enjoy it!

A Tuesday apprenticeship in photos

Week 4
Partly Sunny, Sixty something


The life of Tussilago

Family: Asteraceae
European native

"the son before the father" Very early in the spring, coltsfoot develops flat orange flower heads, but only after they eventually wither do the broad, hoof-shaped, sea-green leaves develop. Since the flowers and leaves appear at different times, they are collected separately. Coltsfoot is found along brooks and in wet places and moist clayey soil along roadsides

The flowers should be gathered before they have fully bloomed (end of February to April) and dried carefully in the shade. The leavesare best collected between May and June. They should be chopped up before theyare dried and stored. The fresh leaves can be used until autumn.









Constituents: Coltsfoot contains flavonoids, about 8% mucilage (consisting of polysaccharides), 10% tannins, pyrrolizidine alkaloids, vitamin C, and zinc. There are useful levels of zinc in the leaves. This mineral has been shown to have marked anti-inflammatory effects. The pyrrolizidine alkaloids may have a toxic effect on the liver, but are largely destroyed when the parts are boiled to make a decoction. The polysaccharides are anti-inflammatory and immunostimulant. The flavonoids are anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic.


Doctrine of SIgnatures: Coltsfoot, the dried leaves and/or flower heads of Tussilago farfara L., is one of those plants whose botanical name reflects its medicinal application. Tussilago derives from the Latin tussis, meaning cough, and coltsfoot has long been used to treat that affliction.

Coltsfoot combines a soothing expectorant effect with an anti-spasmodic action. Coltsfoot may be used in chronic or acute bronchitis, irritating coughs, whooping coughs and asthma. Its soothing expectorant action gives Coltsfoot a role in most respiratory conditions, including the chronic states of emphysema. As a mild diuretic it has been used in cystitis. The fresh bruised leaves can be applied to boils, abscesses and suppurating ulcers.

A note regarding smoking of this plant: Since the principal active ingredient in the plant is a throat-soothing mucilage, smoking coltsfoot is not rational therapy. The mucilage would be destroyed by burning, and the effect of smoke on already irritated mucous membranes would be increased irritation. Inhaling the vapors from coltsfoot leaves placed in a pan of simmering water s again without value. The useful mucilage is not volatile and would not reach the affected tissues.

It combines well with licorice, thyme, and black cherry. In China, coltsfoot is classified as a "warming" herb that helps relieve coughing and wheezing.

Safety
Over the years, coltsfoot has been a very popular folk remedy for coughs and bronchial congestion. As early as the first century, coltsfoot was recommneded for dry coughs and for breathing problems by the Greek doctor Dioscorides. However a study carried out in Japan revealed that the hepatotoxic (poisonous to the liver) pyrrolizidine alkaloid senkirkine to be present in relatively small amounts (0.015 percent). Continued or prolonged exposure to these pyrrolizidine alkaloids may have a cumulative effect. For some time it was hoped that the rest of the plant might be devoid of pyrrolizidine alkaloids. However, a subsequent investigation of coltsfoot leaves showed senkirkine to be present in them as well.

Here are some safety considerations:

-Coltsfoot flowers should not be used.
-The herb should not be taken by pregnant or breast-feeding women.
-It should not be given to children under age 6.
-Some countries have legal restrictions regarding coltsfoot availablity and usage. The USDA classifies coltsfoot as an herb of "unknown safety" due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids. The amount of these alkaloids is extremely small, though, and the beneficial effects are generally believed to outweigh the risk.
-It is recommended that coltsfoot tea or syrup not be used for more than 4-6 weeks at a time.

If readers prefer to try alternative very safe herbal demulcent (soothing agent), try slippery elm bark or marshmallow root

Dandelion Wine

Ingredients:

1 gallon dandelion blossoms (no stems)
1 gallon boiled water
1 pound local honey
1 piece of ginger root
Rind of 1 -2 oranges
4 whole cloves
1 tablespoon yeast (softened in 1/2 cup warm water)

Directions:

Put flowers into a large crock. Pour boiling water over them. Let stand for 1 week. Strain the juice discard the flowers. Add honey and strain well. Add cloves, ginger and orange and stir. Add yeast. Cover and let stand for 2 more weeks. Pour wine into a clean bottles and let stand uncapped another 5 days. Cap bottles and let sit another 2 months minimum.

A Tuesday apprenticeship in photos

Tuesday May 13th
Sunny 70 Degrees

Ladys Mantle Unfurling
Alchemilla vulgaris (Rosacea family)

In mediaeval Latin it was called Leontopodium (lion's foot), probably from its spreading root-leaves, and this has become in modern French, Pied-de-lion. Two common English local names, 'Lion's foot' and 'Bear's foot.

Alchemilla has lime green leaves and dainty star shaped flowers, and has been in gardens since before the 16th century and I'm sure in the wild much before then. The entire plant is covered in very fine hairs that cause dew or soft rain to gather in it's leaves. This liquid was known as "celestial water" and used in alchemy. These tiny jeweled drops inspired poetry and magic over the years.



The herb became known as Our Lady's Mantle because the scalloped shape of the leaves, were thought to resemble the mantle (cloak) of the Virgin Mary. Later, politics intervened, and the "Our" was taken from the name.




Some medicinal uses.....of the herb and roots.......

Lady’s Mantle was once a widely prescribed treatment for gynecological problems. This herb is commonly used as a cure for excessive menstruation and is taken internally as an infusion ( 1 OZ. of the dried herb to 1 pint of boiling water) in teacupful doses as required. It is thought to help the uterus return to its natural size after childbirth. Decoctions made from the lady's mantle can be used as vaginal douches or as a lotion - it can be mixed with rose water as well. These decoctions can help reduce vaginal discharges, minimize irritation and infection in the vaginal cavity. A strong decoction of the fresh root, by some considered the most valuable part of the plant, has also been recommended as excellent to stop all bleedings. It has also been used externally for wounds and skin irritations, as well as a compress for treating puffy eyes. In Sweden, a tincture of the leaves has been used in cases of spasmodic /convulsive diseases.

Lady's Mantle has astringent and styptic properties, on account of the tannin it contains. It is 'of a very drying and binding, and has been considered one of the best vulneraries or wound herbs. Disorders such as diarrhea and gastroenteritis are easily dealt with by the strong astringent action of the herb, the herb is also rich in salicylic acid and this induces a rapid reduction in the inflammation affecting the digestive system as well as the reproductive system of patients.

In folklore it is thought that if placed under the pillow at night, the herb will promote quiet sleep.

The herbal lady’s mantle decoction can also function as an excellent skin lotion for the treatment of rashes in diseases such as eczema, it can be used to heal cuts and wounds, as well as external sores and insect bites of all kinds. The herbal decoction can also be used as a mouthwash and gargle in cases of bleeding gums, to treat mouth ulcers and to minimize the symptoms of sore throats in patients.

A Tuesday apprenticeship in photos

Tuesday May 6th
Sunny and Breezy 66 degrees







Podophyllum peltatum is most commonly known as the mayapple,other common names include Devil's apple, hog apple, Indian apple, umbrella plant, wild lemon, and American mandrake ( not be confused with true mandrake, Mandragora officinarum, an unrelated Old World plant whose roots have been used throughout history for medicines and potions). The mayapple northeastern woodland perennial plant in the barberry family (Berberidaceae).Each plant has a single stalk topped with one or two broad, deeply divided leaves that vaguely resemble umbrellas. The two-leaved plants normally produce a single, small white flower (usually in May, thus the name) from the fork in the stem. The flower develops into a pulpy, lemon-yellow berry which ripens in late summer and is the only part of the plant that isn't poisonous (however, the berries should only be eaten in moderation, if at all).

The plant's long, thin rhizome (a horizontal underground stem from which the roots grow) is the most poisonous part, also the most useful because it contains high concentrations of the compounds podophyllotoxin and alpha and beta peltatin, all of which have anticancer properties. The rhizomes have a long history as a medicine among Native North American tribes.

The compounds/alkaloids in it are much too toxic to attempt self-medication with this plant. The FDA rates the use of this plant as "unsafe."

A Tuesday apprenticeship in photos

Week 2
April 29 2008
45 degrees pouring
(a 30 degree drop in temperature from last week!)

A tuesday apprenticeship in photos

Happy Earthday everyone!

Week 1
April 22 2008
75 degrees Sunny







Bloodroot

Today marks the 25th anniversary of Blazing Star Herbal School beginner herbal apprenticeship founded by Gail Ulrich in 1983. To celebrate I will be posting photos from every class this year.

Alte furst-erzbischofliche Hofapotheke

Here's an Apothecary in Salzburg- I fell in love with this it and can just picture working there mixing herbal potions and homeopathic remedies. Just look at it.

Alte furst-erzbischofliche Hofapotheke

An Apothecary in Salzburg- I fell in love with this apothecary and would love to work there mixing herbal remedies and dispensing homeopathic remedies.





I went in asking if they had Symphytum (comfrey) 30x. The kind lady apologetically said that they do not have any in stock but could get me some by 3pm. If just obtaining good homeopathics were so easy back home!