Tea Tasting!

Hey everyone! Come on down to the Blue Moon this Saturday, the 5th, from 2-4pm for a Roots Wise Tea Tasting!! Sip on various samples of my herbal tea blends, talk tea with me, learn about the many ways loose leaf tea can be brewed and have fun with me!! For anyone around Vermont next weekend, I will be doing tea tastings on Saturday the 12th at LACE (Local Community Agricultural Exchange) in Barre, VT from 10-1pm then from 2-4pm at Buffalo Mountain Coop in Hardwick, VT.

In fundere...

The word infusion comes from the latin "in fundere" meanning "to pour in". Pour in the water, seep the tea and strain. Simple, effective, enjoyable.

Last weekend I had the opportunity to sample out my herbal tea blends at the local market. We talked tea, drank tea and appreciated tea. This was a great chance to get with the employees and locals and hash over what makes an herbal tea, why herbal teas, why loose leaf tea vs tea bags and how they can be easy to enjoy. I feel as though, all too often, loose leaf tea blends are looked at as too time consuming, messy or inconvenient and this was a chance for me to demonstrate that that certainly doesn't have to be the case and often is not. There are so many infusion methods/materials out there these days that support the process of simple, effective, and enjoyable. We also discussed the benefits of loose leaf tea over tea bags, which are plenty, and how medicinal herbal teas are best served as loose leaf infusions to maintain integrity of the plant material and provide you with optimal nutrients and medicine.

I was totally stoked to see the interest, the "oh yeahs!", and frankly the conversion!!! Once provided with more information, people can then go and make better informed choices for their health and the health of those that surround them...if you are curious though skeptical...ask! You will not merely being drinking a cup of tea but rather preparing and administrating an easily assimilated medicine, food, and supplier of water! I will doing a tea tasting at the Blue Moon Market in Exeter, NH on Dec 5th (I think it will be around 2-4pm, but will keep you posted), so if you want to come sample, hash over, or do whatever else you can think of regarding tea...come on by!

Special props to Skye Nacel for the kick ass photo work!

It's been awhile!!

Hey everyone.... I am feeling back on track with Roots Wise these days as the transition to Vermont is no longer really in transition anymore!
So I figured it's about time to share some thoughts and an update or two...First off winter is imminent and that means FIRE CIDER! If you aren't familiar check out the post on my blog a few posts or two back and get the low down so you can be fiery warm and healthy throughout the winter months...esp with the threat of the flu being forced down our throats.
Personally I am not one to use the term the "cold and flu season" so readily anymore b/c what it really is about is keeping healthy throughout the year and winter just means you have to get outside more and breathe in some fresh air! There are so many ways to do this and to be comfortable doing so...grab the boots/snowshoes/x-country skies, whatever, and tromp around any which way you find enjoyable! With fire cider on board and your blood moving from MOVING, you'll be warm in no time. Then!....come on back inside and enjoy a warm cup of tea! Now that I'm nestled in Vermont, I have been working on getting Roots Wise Herbals' teas back out there in the stores. Being in Vermont I've realized that medicinal herbal teas blended by an herbalist are not that hard to come by...which is great on many levels but also has made me reflect upon what is it about my tea blends that are so special, why do I stand behind them and why should you??!! "From early on in herbal tradition, the infusion and the decoction have been the predominant form of extraction of medicinal plants and their properties." (James Green). My passion for herbs and teas stems from my growing of herbs...getting to know the herb through it's life cycle, from seed to seedling and from whole plant to infused herb. You learn about exceptional quality vs good quality herbs and about the true taste a plant should leave on your tongue. I have chosen the blends very thoughtfully, taking into consideration their "constitutional" qualities and how all the herbs in a particular blend will work synergistically. They are not blended with "filler" herbs just for flavor but rather with medicinal herbs for their therapeutic properties and they are loose leaf to ensure maximum extraction of those therapeutic properties. Whether you just want some tea to wind down or are looking for some deep immune support...Roots Wise Teas offer a variety. I also love putting together custom blends so feel free to hit me up with whatever ails you! Get to know your local herbalist and where your herbs come from!! This Saturday I am doing a tea tasting at the Green Top Market in Morrisville, VT...a great local market, chock full of goods (most of which are local), and good people! If you just happen to be in the area...swing on in!

Celebrate the Earth that supports us!

Happy Earth Day everyone, today and everyday! It's inspiring to see so many movements towards, in supportive of and in praise of this incredible place we call Earth. While these movements, old and new, blossom and grow deeper, there still are many "movements" out there that are acting in direct opposition to the support of that which sustains them. Check out some of the great movements and organizations that are taking the time, energy, patience, dedication and respect that it takes to support that which supports them and spreading the good word along the way!

www.seacoastgrowers.org
www.mocean365.com
www.seacoasteatlocal.org
www.surfrider.org

Supporting local is one great way that individuals can both support the local economy while reducing your carbon footprint, start simple or go all out , whatever works for you in your life...it's about the consciousness. Check out what Seacoast Local is doing to educate individuals about what easy steps they can make in their lives: www.seacoastlocal.org. Another great site is www.cuesa.org, the Center for Urban Education Sustainable Agriculture. An organization based out of San Francisco but with applicable info to all running rampant on their site.

Roots Wise is about a way of life. Incorporated into this life, very integrally, is health to maintain this way of life. For me herbal medicine is a strong foundation for my health and thus the health of this planet. Herbs are medicines of the earth, the old ways of healing that have sustained cultures of the healthiest and strongest peoples in history. Medicinal plants can be found in every region of the world and the use of plants for healing has been prevalent in all cultures throughout history and continues to play an important role in medicine today. Ponder how your choices for health and healing effect this earth, this great planet that needs our support. A quote from the late, great herbalist Michael Moore:

"In this country, the herb business mostly revolves around recently marketed substances, with new research and it comes to us from them. Whereas, we're trying to establish, as much as possible (in this lower level, if you will) the fact that we need to create a practice and a model that is impervious to faddism. We're trying to practice in a way that derives from practice rather than marketing. Not from above to below but from below around. Bioregionalism uber allies. Keep it local. No centralization because centralization kills everything. The largest axe that I grind in my work is to make herb users aware that herbs don't mysteriously materialize into capsules. It is so important to view botanical medicine as they do their produce and dairy products, the closer to the source, the better the quality."

Get to know your local herbalist too!

Winter Farmer's Market Feb 7th!

Early February may not exactly be the time that you would think to find a farmer's market....but February still holds the promise of stored goods...onions and garlic, winter crops...turnips, greens, potatoes and carrots, as well as incredible meats, poultry and pork, milk, yougurt and cheeses, wine, fresh bread, shrimp and lobster, maple syrup and tea! All local, all from your community! Check out seacoasteatlocal.rg for more details!



"Health is more than simply the absence of illness. It is the active state of physical, emotional, mental and social well being" (as defined by the World Health Organization). I stand behind this defination with the belief that for a life of health, attention must also be given to our external relationships; including our community, and how we interact with our families, communities and environment. Go out and support what is around you, get involved, share and enjoy what is right in front of you!

Fire Cider...Winter Tonic

This time of year always begins with a batch of Fire Cider brewing and the brewing continues until the first sign of spring, though of course there's really no need to stop brewing no matter what time of year. Fire Cider... other names include Cyclone Cider, Dragon Water, etc., is a sweet, spicy, and sour blend of zesty herbs. Traditionally the recipe included ginger, horseradish, garlic, onion and cayenne in a base of apple cider vinegar. It has been attributed to many herbalists over the years and now you see it listed as a must in any kitchen or apothecary. I first fell in love with it living in California where I would devour it by the bottle and only until I noticed there was 1 or 2 gulps left, did I actually slow down and gingerly sip it, until I knew the next batch would be ready. Upon moving back to the east coast and true winters...I learned of it's true prowess.

The herbs I use today, mirror the traditonal herbs utilized, though occassionally I will add a variation. Ginger, for too many reasons to mention, is one of my favorite herbs and I will say I do go a bit heavy here. The beneficial properties of Fire Cider are well rounded and varied. Being that most of the herbs have some degree of antibacterial properties and circulatory stimulating effects...it is an excellent tonic to see you through the winter months, helping you to ward off colds and flus and also keeping your blood warm. I will only scratch the surface here of their benefits...Ginger helps to stimulate peripheral circulation, keeping your hands and feet warm and your brain active. It also provides added warmth to your second chakra center, which is always of benefit in these cool winter months! Ginger aids in stomach issues including nausea and vomiting and sluggish digestion.
Horseradish, yet another favorite, has excellent antibacterial properties and is of much benefit in respiratory tract and urinary tract infections. It is also effective for promoting stomach secretions and is often used as a digestive agent. Garlic, ahhhhh garlic, what more need I say! As David Hoffman reports..."it's daily usage aids and supports the body in ways that no other herb does." From being an excellent antimicrobial to having a wide spread reputation for lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and having an overall beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system... garlic is key! On to cayenne, which offers a more intense stimulating effect on the circulatiory system than say ginger and is very useful to promote the movement of mucous from the body as well as acting as an antiinflammatory, which often our whole body needs, both inside and out.

So, all of this in a base of apple cider vinegar (preferably organic) and how could you go wrong! What you are left with, after a few weeks of patience and tempered desires to just open the damn jar, is a antimicrobial, immune stimulating kick to the blood flow and thus to the amount of oxygen carried to all your needy tissues... to help remove wastes from the body and fight infection at the same time.

A basic recipe:

Chop: 1/2 cup fresh horseradish root, 1/2 cup fresh ginger root, 1/2 cup of onion, 1/8 -1/4 cup of garlic (depending on your likes), and 1/2 -1 fresh cayenne pepper. (if you can't find fresh cayenne pepper, feel free to use freshly dried cayenne pepper)

Place all of the above in a glass quart jar and cover with apple cider vinegar. To avoid the metal rusting on your metal mason jar lid separate the lid from the jar with a piece of unbleached parchment paper...or don't use a metal lid!

Allow this yummy concoction to seep for at least 2 weeks or up to 3 months. My favorite results come after 6-8 weeks of seeping when the layers of ginger and horseradish have been allowed to fully unfold. Of course dive in at any point if you must. Traditionally this concoction was buried outside at the onset of the new moon and not dug up until the full moon...a bit hard to do if there is 1 foot of snow over frozen ground... but I have done this in spring and summer and the taste is truely "deeper".

When you have decided it's time to dig in...strain the goods from the vinegar into another glass jar. May be kept out of the fridge as vinegar is a natural preservative. It is now time to enjoy...and please, do so!

If your blend is to spicy or you like it sweet...add some honey.

How to Use Fire Cider:

My favorite way is to gulp, though since I know that's not the best way...I advise you to sip! 1-2 tblsp/day is a great dose as a tonic. It can be taken up to 3x/day with the first signs of a cold or upper respiratory tract infection. Another way to get your daily dose in is to use it as a base for a salad dressing or to flavor steamed veggies. Fire Cider can be used externally as a compress for sore muscles or to aid peripheral circulation.

So, gather your roots together and spice up your life!

*Note: Please consult your doctor, herbalist or naturopath before taking fire cider, if you are taking any medication with blood thinning properties*

Herb of the Month...Sambucus spp... Elder!

So, for the first herb in the series I have decided to highlight Elder. Tis the season...Every year I make at least a gallon of elderberry syrup to see myself, my friends and my clients through the cold and flu season, where I feel elder can be of the most benefit. It is also the time of year that the smell of elder flower tea can be sniffed down the road...emanating from these parts!

As the months carry on, with each herb, I will break them down into a modified classic "Materia Medica", that will include: Botanical Name, Family Name, Common Name, Parts Used, Physiological Actions, Specific Indications, Contraindications and Drug Interactions and Preparation and Dosage. All of the following info stems from either my experience with the plant or trusted herbalists/teachers' experience with the specific plant. And then of course I will rant a bit!!

ELDER


Botanical Name: Sambucus nigra, Sambucus canadensis
Family Name: Caprifoliaceae
Common Names: Elder, Elderberry, Black Elder, American elder, Flor Sauco

Parts Used: flowers, berries (the leaves, bark, and root have a history of being used though can be toxic if not dosed properly and carry along side effects, so i will stick with what i know and use...the flowers and berries)

Physiological Actions: Flower: diaphoretic (promotes perspiration), anticatarrhal (help the body remove excess mucus, either in the sinus area or other parts of the body), antispasmodic, alterative, mild nervine relaxant, diuretic, gentle stimulant. Berries: diaphoretic, diuretic, laxative, antirheumatic.

Specific Indications: The elder tree encompasses many uses from berry to root...it was often considered a "medicine chest of the country people". As I mentioned earlier I will focus on the flowers and berries, my familiarity.

The flowers, delicate beings, are extremely useful for many things from flower water for the complexion or as tea to drive out most any fever and clear the nasal and respiratory passageways of mucus build up. (Yummy!)

Starting simple... Elder flower water can be made by filling a quart mason jar (or smaller) with fresh flowers, covering with near boiling water then cool slightly. When cooled slightly, add about 1-2 oz's of clear alcohol (vodka works well). Cover with a cloth and allow to cool completely and infuse for at least 4-6 hours, then strain, pour into your bottle of choice and voila...one of nature's best complexion remedies for anything from breakouts to sunburns or simply to keep the skin healthy and glowing! Don't get caught up in the millions of products laden with crap, "natural" or not, and just make some elder flower water to splash on daily!

Elder flower tea has a multitude of uses, it should essentially be a household staple for anyone interested in incorporating herbs into their life and health. Elder flowers (dried) are very useful as a decongestant, with a long history, for reducing and removing phlegm from the nasal and respiratory passages and helps promote expectoration from the respiratory tract. So... good for hay fever, sinusitis, and the "wet" cold or flu. I have found it to be very relieving for those who suffer from plugged ears/deafness from this "stuffiness". Elder flower is also ideal for the common cold and for influenza, or the flu. For colds and flu's, the hot tea of the dried flower is the preferred preparation. Elder makes an excellent remedy for these "cold/damp" climates and conditions. Best taken during the first signs of achiness, sore throat, chills and fever...elder will help shorten the duration and intensity of colds and flu's. Elder flower also has excellent diaphoretic properties. For fevers, I have not seen any herb work as well as elder will, whatever the cause of the fever. In these instances, drink a cup or two of the hot tea just before going to bed, or while in bed...and elder will stimulate the circulation and promote free perspiration while cleansing the system of infection, by eliminating heat and toxins through the pores of the skin. I often suggest folks take a shower upon waking to cleanse these toxins from the surface of their skin. Elder combined with peppermint (and yarrow flower if available) is a great tasting, relaxing tea blend for fevers and the initial stages of influenza.

Elder flowers also stimulate the action of the kidneys, our body's natural filter system, and help to remove edema especially when focused in the legs and ankles. Through the action of relieving fluid retention in the body, the flowers are also useful in reducing inflammation associated with arthritis, gout and rheumatism. (Use caution in large and excessive quanities...b/c of the diuretic effect, hypokalemia may result)

Cold elder flower tea is extremely useful as an eyewash to relieve inflammation and irritation associated with conjunctivitis and sore eyes. I have used the cool tea as an eyewash after long motorcycle rides when your eyes are tired, red, sore and dry. I would also imagine it to be useful for snowboarders, surfers and the like after a long day out in the elements.


Berries: The berries have similar actions as the flowers , though seem to possess a stronger quality as an antiviral. They act as an excellent general antiviral, possessing the ability to enhance cytokine production (cytokines are small proteins which mediate and regulate immunity and inflammation and are produced in response to an immune stimulus...such as an invading virus). Multiple studies suggest they may inactivate flu viruses by blocking them from replicating and by strengthening cell membranes so as prevent virus penetration of the cell. Not only are they useful as a tea, a syrup or an extract for colds and flu's but I have also seen them slow down herpes cycles and flare ups and spread apart acute episodes. Also of note, the berries are rich in organic iron and make an excellent tonic (great combined with blackberries for this purpose) to build up the blood and combat anemia. I like to add it to mineral rich teas or tea blends for osteoporosis.

Elder Berry Syrup...an excellent and tasty tonic for the cold and flu season or to take when you've picked up a bug that's been going around. If buying a syrup or liquid preparation, consider the sweetener used and try to avoid sugar or sorbitol sweeteners. Making your own is easy!... Contact me for my favorite recipe! Then of course their is elder berry wine, jam...

Contraindications/Side Effects: No drug interactions have been noted. As mentioned above, use caution in large quantities b/c of the potential for hypokalemia (decreased potassium levels in the blood) due to the diuretic action of the plant. Use caution with children with a history of high fevers and convulsions as elder may raise the body temperature to promote perspiration. Consult your local herbalist if you are pregnant or breast feeding.

And I have to say...to cover my ass...

*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and therefore are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any
disease*