The Gifts of the Great Mullein

As the State of Colorado resumes its yearly poisoning campaign, the great mullein is quietly revered by those of us who know the plant for its wonderful medicine. The entire plant is useful. Closely associated with fire, it is one of the first to come back as a pioneer plant after a wildfire. Another seasonal event we often see in the high country.  

Why after a fire?

See how well it holds moisture on its large lower leaves which helps with flood that comes shortly afterward. Mullein grows in families as each seed pod creates a plethora of tiny seeds that are deposited through vents at the bottom of each one. 

Those of us who live with wildfire also live with smoke. The elderly in our high altitude community often require oxygen to breath well. Smoke from the fires greatly impacts those who are already compromised and mullein is most likely growing nearby.

Respiratory

Taken as a tea, mullein assists with breathing for those who experience tightness of the airways. Most asthma suffers notice a same day difference in their breathing ability after taking the tea made from dried leaves. 

I use mullein in my smoke blend to assist in quitting nicotine as it helps move congestion from the lungs. 

Move fluids

The fresh root taken as tincture helps move synovial and other fluids for those with dry joints or just need the fluids to move. People with out of alignment conditions will find this useful. It also helps to tone the sphincter that gets lax if you pee when you sneeze. A blessing indeed.

Anti-inflammatory

The entire plant is anti-inflammatory. Europeans prefer the flowers for it's anti-inflammatory effects. Traditionally, ear oil is made with the flowers to relieve ear infection and can often still be found in natural grocery stores. 

Mullein can be used to start a fire as the fine hairs on the leaves serve as kindling. The dried stalk of the plant can be dipped in tallow and used as a torch.

Mullein is revered in Germany for its medicinal uses and by herbalists and asthma sufferers throughout this country. The state of Colorado considers it a noxious weed, thus, it must be poisoned every year.  Although not noxious, it can be invasive. However, there is no need for poison. It is a biennial which means it is only here for two years. The first year it grows in a rosette of leaves, the second year, it puts up the flower stalk, and the root will die. If you cut the flower stalk before it seeds it will not spread.

Please take caution when gathering this plant. Never use herbs that have been sprayed by man or beast.

 

Looks like a mint, stings like a bee. Ah, the blessings of springtime in the Rockies. Stinging Nettle is popping up everywhere in my area and it's the perfect time to take advantage of those tender tops whether to stock your medicine cabinet or add a boost of super nutrition to your meal tonight.

However you choose to do your nettle, be sure you glove up for the harvest. The "prickles" of the nettle reside beneath the leaf and on the stem and they can pack a punch. Each prickle is armed with a drop of formic acid and this is why it leaves a lasting impression well after the original encounter. A simple brush of the arm on the plant can result a slew of cuss words with some not even knowing what happened.

Yes, nettle packs a punch with that acid. Simply wilting the plant overnight will greatly lessen the severity of the sting. Steaming the plant like spinach will take away the sting and provide you with more nutrition than grocery store-bought spinach. Steeping the fresh leaves in apple cider vinegar will neutralize the acid and help to unlock the nutrients, making them more bio-available. 

Used fresh, it can be juiced, which is the optimal way to access the nutrients. It can be added to pesto or even made into pasta. 

Fresh or dried nettle will out-do any multivitamin you may find over the counter. It provides calcium, magnesium, vitmain K, carotenoids and protein to name a few. 

Medicinally speaking nettle is a springtime blessing for those suffering from seasonal allergies. A simple tea of  will bring quick relief. It is a diuretic meaning it will take off excess water for those suffering water retention. Nettle has an affinity for the kidneys and regular use can increase kidney function dramatically. 

Historically nettle was used internally as well as externally for painful swollen joints. Flogging or brushing the area with the fresh plant is similar to bee sting therapy for the obvious reasons. This practice is called urtication and to the average person sounds horrifying, to the chronic pain sufferer, immediate relief.

Tips: Similar to hemp, nettle is rich in fiber and has historically been used to make clothing, cordage and paper. It can also be used as a fertilizer when rotted in water and diluted. 

If you do happen to be stung by the nettle, plantain is usually growing nearby and when used as a 'spit' poultice will put the fire right out and bring instant cooling relief!

Join us for the Grow Your Pharmacy workshop and discover more about growing, harvesting and using this amazing plant that grows wild and free.

Called the white man's footprint, as everywhere the wagons went, the plantain was soon to follow. Plantain prefers that sort of growing condition believe it or not. Pretty sure it belongs in the "unstoppable" category of plants, those specifically known as weeds.

In our area, we have both broad leaf and narrow leaf plantain. The identifier being the veins of the leaves which run in the same direction from top to bottom.

I can think of several uses for the plant starting with it's ability to soothe and cool hot inflammatory conditions from bug bites or stings to sprains. Plantain will also help draw the toxin to the surface.

Plantain is demulcent meaning it is soothing and healing to mucous membrane making it excellent for dry sore throat, heartburn, stomach ulcers, irritated bowel and hemmorhoids. 

But...How?!

One of the biggest hurdles to using herbs is how. My favorite way is to put it in your mouth and chew. This is exactly what I suggest for the person stung by a bee or who may have encountered a patch of stinging nettles. Make a spit poultice (the juicier the better) and slap it right on the affected area. No, I am not suggesting this for the hemmorhoid sufferer but the blender can be helpful with a bit of water and strained to make a rinse.

 

My musician friends frequently complain of strained vocal chords and quite honestly most of them are broke. Chewing on a leaf of plantain is basically free and oh so soothing on the throat.

 

From the top to the bottom , plantain can provide quick results.

 

Although plantain is best used fresh, it can also be dried and made into salve for its ability to promote tissue repair and drawing properties. 

 

* Juice the leaves and mix with equal parts honey. Refrigerate and take as needed to relieve heartburn, stomach ulcers, IBS or other digestive issues. (Can also be used externally for wounds or rashes)

 

 

 

Goji Berry Bounty

It's Goji Berry time!! They are springing up all over the property. The first flower of the season is open and the race is on. Soon my bushes will fill with hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.  Goji Berry plants, native to SE Europe and Asia, do grow wild in our area. Highly revered by the Chinese as a longevity/tonic herb and food, it is known for its blood-building and restorative effects on the liver, kidney and immune function. Goji is also highly revered for cosmetic use as a beautifying agent. The berries are beneficial to the complexion and moisturizing to the skin. 

I say the goji is good for all old people "stuff". From head to toe goji berries can be of benefit to all ages and children will eat them as a snack. 

Easy to grow, the goji bushes on my property are free from my attention, and they certainly don't suffer for lack of it. Late summer we will all enjoy fresh berries galore. The birds, my neighbors, friends and ourselves. We flash freeze pounds every year for our smoothies in the Winter. 

Needless to say, we have plenty of goji berry bushes for sale. From stick starts to full bush size, we have them. If you are looking to grow a high altitude, drought tolerant super food. We got you covered.  Give us a call at 719-439-7303 and ask for Mari. 

 

Dandelion, first responder