After sleeping in and working with a new client, I ate a quick bite of salad before heading out to a friends farm for a farm tour. I drove out to Moon Valley Farm.
This is what you look for when you drive down the gravel road.
I remember when Grace and Alan moved to this property about five years ago. They have mended the house and barn, set up a greenhouse, and various aspects of a farm business to include cattle, guinea hogs, chickens select vegetables and specialty milk soaps featuring ingredients grown on the farm. One of the things I want to expand upon during this 30 Day Challenge is my knowledge of taking care of oneself, which includes herbal medicinals. Grace’s knowledge has been gained through personal study, formal training, and through personal experience. Her background of knowledge includes working on a bio-dynamic farm in New Hampshire, living at Earth Haven eco-village in North Carolina, instruction from Susun Weed, study at The Appalachia School of Holistic Herbalism, and most recently she has become a Registered Nurse, currently practicing at the Center for Holism.
Although with the couples gaining knowledge and wisdom, their nature of care for earth, care for others, and sharing in bounty is true living of the Permaculture Ethics of Earthcare, People-care and Fair-share. And they incredibly humble. Not to mention fabulous cooks using fresh produce, meats and herbs from the farm. I am fortunate to know them, and am delighted to be able to share a bit of my time on this tour at their home with you.
Before the tour and talk about herbal medicinals, myself and a few others gathered around this… an outdoor oven used to bake breads and pizzas! The base is constructed of limestone gathered from around the property, as well as the clay, for the main portion of the oven.
Grace is beginning the tour and walk-about to show us some of the herbs growing. On this day we had exceptionally warm temperatures for southern-Indiana. Definitely no coats nor snow on the ground at +50F degrees!
In front of the greenhouse are lots of greens ready to be harvested. Lettuces, kales and such. The location of the farm benefits from having a tall, and somewhat steep hillside to the west, creating a buffer from any negative weather impacts. (Think tornadoes!)
This is one of the herbs Grace pointed out. I think this is St. Johns Wort, used for uplifting the mood and as an antiviral. Of this plant, flowers are used to make medicinals.
In this photo Grace is pointing to comfrey, a plant that is a cut and come-again type with the leaves used for healing skin injuries. It is best used in salves and as a poultice, although should not be used for gaping wounds. It is fabulous when added to compost and makes a good living mulch. But be careful with this plant, as after it is established it is difficult to relocate because of the long-taproot! Over the past few years I have found that planting comfrey around my fruit trees is great as an indicator to when the trees are needing water as the comfrey leaves become droopy.
This image is of horehound. It is known to be used in candy that can ease sore throat pain. It has a bitter flavor, which you may prefer to ingest as a tincture. Grace uses alcohol (ever-clear), water and a good percentage of the mix is the chosen plant. I remember not liking horehound candy as a kid, although my mother said it worked for her when she had a sore throat!
What a wonderful plant this is! Echinacea. The use of echinacea is one which I enjoy regularly… whenever I am feeling a bit tired, like i am coming down with something. Grace explained why – this is a plant that stimulates the production of white blood cells. If you don’t remember, white blood cells are those which attack and get rid of the invaders – germs that make us sick. And one more thing… if you chew the seeds, they will make your mouth numb!
Grace is showing us how to harvest an herb plant, in this case marshmallow; she will use this in a tincture.
A little further up the hill is a juniper tree. These are the berries. Grace states that unlike in Appalachia, here in southern Indiana few people have retained the herbal medicinal wisdom of generations past. This is unfortunate as most modern drugs are derived from these same plants and plant properties.
The Grande Finale of the tour Grace showed us how to make “The Farmers Flu Shot” out of elderberry, another plant that increases white blood cells, and is the most powerful antiviral of anything known, including that from a typical doc or pharmacy. After Grace made this “Flu Shot” she passed it around the group for all to taste in wine glasses. It was delicious! After one of the glasses was set back down, I took another sip. Still delicious! Should you like the recipe, it is below.
The Farmers Flu Shot
1/2 cup honey
2 cups elderberry, simmered on the stove for 45 minutes then strained
1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
Mix together and drink!
No comments yet.