Updated: Grounded Gardener: Peppermint

Posted on April 2, 2024 by Janelle

Upadate was made to safety concerns 4/2/2024

Peppermint
Botanical name: Mentha x piperita
Family: Lacmiaceae (mint family)
Parts Used: Aerial parts, leaves.
Constituents: Volatile oils, flavorioids, tannins, Magnesium, phosphorus, calcium, iron, niacin, potassium, sodium, selenium, thiamine, niacin, Vitamin A and C and protein.
Taste: Sweet, Pungent
Action:

Carminative
Anti-spasmatic
Analgesic
Diaphoretic
Hypertensive
Stimulant
Anti-emetic
Aromatic
Nervine
Stomachic
Bug repellent
Sedative
Antioxidant
Anti-microbial

Affinities: stomach, nervous system
Energetics: cooling, drying, relaxing and warming
Prabhava/specific indications: Upset stomach
Uses:
Keeps lice away
Magical/Spiritual uses: Purification, refreshing, psychic powers, love, sleep, clarity, concentration, increase memory, healing, fire, travel,
Pairs well with: Eucalyptus, rosemary, lemon, marjoram, thyme.
Preparations: Best used as tea; fresh or dry infusion, tincture, topical, juice, EO, Glycerite

Safety/interactions:
May decrease milk flow; Pregnancy, babies and young children.
GERD clients-may aggravate their condition.

Keep away from eyes.

Dosages:
Tincture 1-2 ml (1:5 in 40%) 3xday
1 TSP of dried herb in 1cup boiling water; steep for 10-15. 3xday

Herbal Buzzwords: Relaxation

Posted on June 28, 2023 by Janelle

This is when tissues are lacking tone and giving off excessive fluids.

Symptoms: pale moist skin, swollen glands, prolapsed organs and cysts.

Astringent herbs are good for this condition.

Lady’s mantle, raspberry leaf, and witch hazel

Herbal Buzzwords: Constriction

Posted on June 21, 2023 by Janelle

Constriction is when the tissues are tense and unable to relax. The area might experience spasming and twitching. Like diarrhea follow by constipation.

Constriction can also be seen as nervousness or indigestion caused by tension in the nervous system.

Use herbs to relax: nervines, diaphoretics, sedatives

Lavender, skullcap

Herbal Buzzwords: Introduction

Posted on June 14, 2023 by Janelle

Introduction: increasing the activity of metabolizing enzymes or active transporters.

Grounded Gardener: Lily of the Valley

Posted on June 8, 2023 by Janelle

Botanical name: Convallaria majalis var. montana

Other names: Maybells, Mary’s tears, our lady’s tears, lily-of-the-valley

Native to north America, northern Europe. Once upon a time ago, lily of the valley’s were harvest and sold tax free. It was a land and government/kingdom issue.

Although they are thought to be poisonous, they are a symbol of peace, tranquility and pure love. Many brides dorn their arrangements with these delicate pal colored flowers. White bell shaped flowers are most commonly found in this species but varieties of pastel pinks and puples can be spotted or ordered for your own cultivated garden.

Lily’s of the valley enjoy shaded areas. They thrive in a forest bed, and will spread under shrubs and taller plants. They have bulbs and run or jump around their habitat.

They are said to be poisonous but can be use for perfuming. They have a light sweet scent.

Like snow drops they tiny spring flowers appear quickly when the weather is unsure of its wintery and spring switch. There is a two to six week blooming period in April to May to enjoy this plant’s shine.

There is rumors these peace displays of affection for utilized for offerings to those whose loved ones have passed. Helping to ease grief and anguish. Planting these near graves is a yearly blessing for those who have journeyed onward. Some suggest they are invasive and hard to remove, they can lay dormant when the garden is being moved around and reappear later.

Grounded Gardener: Basil

Grounded Gardener: Wild Lettuce

JEMs Plant Soil Mix Recipe

JEM’s Plant Stand: Into The Fairy Grove

Herbal Buzzwords: Stagnation

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Janelle

This is when fluid collects within tissues throughout the body rather than leaking from the body.

Slowly moving

Symptoms: dull achey pain, excess mucus, low metabolism, swollen tissues

Use herbs that are astringent and moving.

Yarrow and mugwort

Herbal Buzzwords: Probe Cocktail

Posted on June 7, 2023 by Janelle

A probe cocktail is a mixture of (probe substrates) controls administered simultaneously.

Go Ask Mom: Dice

Posted on June 5, 2023 by Janelle

Games have been played for 1000s of years. Whether it be card or dice games they all lead back to predicting and gambling in all classes of society. They do lottos for cash, land and other properties in most cultures. The materials first used to make the divination tools are always the same, bone, stone and metals and continue to show signs of growth as humans knowledge of product production matures.

Games of chance are always fun when you’re winning.Gambling in the modern era has become highly popular online and within offices with sites like FanDuel and fantasy football leagues. This allows it to be normalized for all ages, this allows addicts to lose fight from the privacy of their own toilet. Are you prepared to lose it all? If so, why not take a chance?

Journaling Prompt: what’s your favorite non-gambling dice or card game? Does it come with house rules? Are you sure its roots aren’t historically linked to the gambling arts?

Go Ask Mom: Check Mate

JEM’s Diary Cards: Ace of Wands

Go Ask Mom: Circus Carnival

Grounded Gardener: Hyacinth

Posted on June 1, 2023 by Janelle

I found these in the wildish. It’s a common dumping group for left over pots that haven’t survived. Summer camps play there also.

Hyacinth

Hyacinthus orientalis

Family: Asparagaceae

These are toxic for internal use. They do not arrange well with other cut plants. The best way to enjoy Hyacinths are in dirt or a bulb vase. They bloom in spring color variants and have a very strong scent that can be noticed with just a breeze. The bell shaped flowers can be used to create colognes or perfumes whichever you prefer to call it.

They cause many of the seasonal allergies people suffer from and draw pollinators from their wintery hibernation. They make beautiful smelling gifts. This is why hyacinths are so easily found for sale during the spring holidays. They must be planted right away or before they out grow their container. Bulbs can be planted in the fall for next years spring blooms and more to come.

They pair well with tulips and daffodils due to their coloring, shap,e and scent. Their blooming time goes hand and hand as they paint a landscape with life.

Missouri botanical garden suggested they are rabbit intolerant.

In 2022 they launched an emoji of this flower.

They make me sneeze but they are so beautiful. I found the specimen labeled wild at a plant stand adventure. Follow this link to JEM’s Plant Stands for more adventures of an Herbalist or the ones posted below.