by Aryn Mahood | Oct 5, 2020 | Medicine Making
Cedar is one of my favourite trees. I love to chew on the tips when I am out walking, I love making cedar tea and cedar foot-baths, and I love infusing it into oil for external applications. To gather your own cedar for medicine making, you first have to be absolutely...
by Aryn Mahood | Aug 25, 2020 | Medicine Making
Late summer is upon us and the road sides are a blaze with this glorious wild flower. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) blooms from July all the way through to October here in Ontario. This beautiful wildflower grows abundantly all across Canada and can be found along...
by Aryn Mahood | Nov 21, 2019 | In The Garden
Sweet Song Elderberry Syrup is made with the berries and flowers of Sambucus canadensis, along with other herbs and flowers grown in our gardens in Lakefield, Ontario. Elderberry is a small shrub, native to the Eastern Woodlands of Ontario, Canada. It grows...
by Aryn Mahood | Aug 3, 2017 | In The Garden
I’m in the midst of learning a new plant. Water Lily is a native plant which blooms in the daytime, releasing its strong fragrance as it beautifies the marshy areas of our lakes and rivers. Sparked by a conversation with herbalist Carol Little, I...
by Aryn Mahood | Jul 9, 2017 | Medicine Making
The Elders are in full bloom here in Lakefield and it is time to make some “Fizz”. Also called Elder Flower Champagne, this delightful drink is simple to make, takes very little time and is one of the prettiest things you’ll ever see. The fireflies have made...
by Aryn Mahood | Jun 19, 2017 | Plant Monographs
Sweet Fern has been long forgotten by modern medicine and over looked by many western herbalists. I find Sweet fern to be one of my most important aromatic, astringent herbs with incredible medicinal benefits. I use Sweet fern in my medicine making for conditions of...
by Aryn Mahood | Jun 18, 2017 | In The Garden |
One beautiful early morning I found myself down by the river. The river calls to me when mornings break, leading me down to its banks where I find solace, a listening ear and more often than not, something extraordinary and new. As I was coming up toward the highbush...
by Aryn Mahood | Mar 25, 2017 | Medicine Making
Making practical and reliable medicinal preparations with local wild plants is an excellent way to learn about Herbalism. Make sure your harvesting is done ethically and sustainably. You can make ice cubes with Jewelweed’s plant medicine so that you will have an...
by Aryn Mahood | Mar 22, 2017 | Medicine Making
What is a Mineral Infusion? Mineral infusions are basically a very strong tea. They steep longer than tea and they are rich sources of minerals and trace elements that your body can easily absorb. Mineral infusions use a large amount of plant material and a long...
by Aryn Mahood | Sep 25, 2016 | Medicine Making
A medicinal oil is an infusion of plant material in oil. Oil infusions are a method used by Herbalists to extract the medicinal properties of plants. This method is used with all types of plant materials, but most often with flowers, leaves and stems. Herbal Infused...
by Aryn Mahood | Sep 12, 2016 | Plant Monographs
The benefits of Jewelweed are quite specific. Today it is most widely used as a topical treatment for extreme itchiness and rash caused by contact with plants and insects, most notably: poison ivy, oak and sumac. This plant is wonderful to know and easy to recognize....
by Aryn Mahood | Sep 8, 2016 | In The Garden |
Yesterday I was out walking the river trail with an old friend who has recently moved to our village. As we walked and talked and caught up with each other, we passed by the aspens and birch I so often stop and smell, taste and even talk to. I felt myself wanting to...
by Aryn Mahood | Aug 5, 2016 | Plant Monographs
Poison Ivy is a plant with quite a reputation. Knowing how to identify it and being respectful of its presence are the first keys to avoiding the rash. The other is getting to know the plants that relieve the reaction. Nature is inherently balanced such that if a...
