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Musings
and Updates
Recipe
Corner
Sumac Beverage
This is one of the easiest
and most refreshing beverages you could make this summer.
The first thing you need to do is locate the non
poinsous sumac in the genus Rhus. There are a wide
spectrum of edible species in this genus and you can make
this beverage from all of them. The sumac you are looking
for has red upright berries-all of this genus with red
berries are edible. To be sure they are ready to harvest,
taste a berry and it should be sour. If it is not, your
beverage will not be sour.
The poisonous group contains poison oak (Rhus
toxicodendron), Western poison oak (Rhus
diversiloba), poison ivy (Rhus radicans), and
poison sumac (Rhus vernix) -- all of which contain
a virulent but selective contact poison called urushiol
and produce poisonous white
berries. So just remember do not eat white
berries and you will be fine.
Once you have located the red berries place 10 bunches or
more bunches in a gallon container. I use a glass
jar, but you can use any container. Pour unheated
(cold or room temperature) water over the berries, put a lid
on your container and let this sit on your kitchen counter
for 2-4 hours. Then strain the liquid through a fine
strainer, a cheese cloth works well and chill. Once it
is chilled enjoy! I suspect you will agree that this is
probably one of the most refreshing summer beverages you
have tasted!
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Greetings.
Welcome
to Herbal Musings and Updates brought to you by
Moonwise Herbs. We offer this as an opportunity to
inspire you to connect with the green world and
whole as well as wild foods. Whether you simply read
this musing, try a recipe, contact us for a
consultation, participate in an event, visit our
website or purchase our handcrafted herbal wares
and/or handmade brooms we hope you will find
nourishment and a connection to the natural world.
If
you have an herbal musing and/or recipe that you
would like to contribute please feel free to send it
my way. If it is seasonal and/or in line with our
hopes of connecting with the green world, natural
foods, wise woman etc. we will gladly include it in
this monthly (or so publication). You will be fully
acknowledged for your contribution and we will be
happy to include your contact information. Send to rosemarygoddess@moonwiseherbs.com
For more information see
our website www.moonwiseherbs.com
.
Welcome to Herbal
Musings and Updates brought to you by Moonwise Herbs.
We offer this as an opportunity to inspire you to
connect with the green world and whole as well as wild
foods. Whether you simply read this musing, try a
recipe, contact us for a consultation, participate in
an event, visit our website or purchase our
handcrafted herbal wares and/or handmade brooms we
hope you will find nourishment and a connection to the
natural world.
If you have an herbal
musing and/or recipe that you would like to contribute
please feel free to send it my way. If it is seasonal
and/or in line with our hopes of connecting with the
green world, natural foods, wise woman etc. we will
gladly include it in this monthly (or so publication).
You will be fully acknowledged for your contribution
and we will be happy to include your contact
information. Sen
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| Herbal
Musings: Raspberries |
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I have been spending my early evenings harvesting
raspberries.They seem like they bear fruit forever.
Everyday I am greeted by red juicy ripe berries that
had not been there the day before. The variety is called
everbearing and rightly so! There are also a lot of new
canes, so I am confident that next year's harvest will
be abudant as well.
I am grateful for these berries and I cannot help
eating as I pick-you know that old addage one for the
bucket and one for me. The ones that do make it into the
bucket are beoming jam, soda and/or going into the
freezer. I am happy to see these put up for
the winter months, as I trust they will help my body
stay healthy and strong.
Raspberries contain a whole spectrum of nutrients
including vitamin C, folate, iron and potassium.
Raspberries also provide high amounts of insoluble fiber
(thanks to all those little seeds) as well as a fair
amount of the soluble fiber pectin, which helps control
cholesterol levels. They are a good source of
ellagic acid and other cancer-fighting antioxidants.
Since cooking does not destroy these compounds,
raspberry jam is a beneficial source of these nutrients!
In addition to the health benefits of the berries the
leaves of raspberries have long been used by herbalists
and midwives as an herbal infusion. The leaves are a
powerful uterine and pregnancy tonic. They contain an
alkaloid called fragrine which is tonifying
to the muscles of the pelvic region, including the
uterus itself.
Raspberry leaves also contain a fair amount of
nutirents. They are rich in vitamin C, contain
vitamin E and an easily assimilable calcium and iron.
They contain vitamins A and B complex and many minerals,
including phosphorous and potassium.
Raspberry Leaves are best known for their
ability to support the uterus throughout pregnancy. But
did you know that it can help increase fertility for
both men and women? The nutritive value of this plant,
both leaf and berry is impressive.
The leaf is easy to dry. Simply gather and either
hang or lay the leaves on a basket in a shady dry place.
The leaves will dry within a day or two and then place
them in a paper bag for storage. In the summer drink
infusions cold with a few berries added for a refreshing
nutritious beverage.
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| Happenings:
Upcoming Workshops and Programs |
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Weekly
Wise Woman Apprenticeship Program:New
session begins in October. For more information http://moonwiseherbs.com/apprenitce.htm
Fall
Herbal Series October 6, 13, 20 and
27, 2008 Join Linda for this seasonal program. We will
focus on berries, roots and seeds for the fall
harvest. This program is held at and sponsored by
the University of Wisconsin, Sheboygan For
more info/registration call 920-459-6617
Basic Broom
Making October 11, 2008
Functional art, make a beautiful hearth broom! This
class is held at and sponsored by Shonheit Gardens, Sun
Prairie, WI For more regisration/info see http://schonheitgardens.com/
Wild
Eats Fall Frenzy October
18, 2008 Join us as we celebrate in community the
Wild Foods that grow around us. Each meal
features wild sesonal and whole foods! (420-30
contribution appreciated). For more information see http://moonwiseherbs.com/wildediblemeals.htm For
reservations contact Linda rosemarygoddess@moonwiseherbs.com
or call 920-452-herb
Wisk
Broom Making October
19, 2008 In this class we will make a traditional
wisk broom as well as a fantail wisk. This class is held
at and sponsored by Outpost Natural Foods in Milwaukee,
WI For more registration/info 414-431-3377 ext 110
For
class more updates see our website www.moonwiseherbs.com
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| Happenings:
Upcoming Fairs and Festivals |
Can you guess what this plant is? To find out if you
are correct click on the picture.
Visit with us at the
following events where we will offering our handcrafted
wares
Earthfest
August 16, 2008 Foundation Park, Sheboygan, WI
Sustainability, music and fun! We will be offering our
wares and sitting on a panel about the Local Food
Movement For more information www.earthfestsheboygan.org/
Los Angelas County Fair We
will be part of the heritage center again this year,
offering broom, soap, salve, basketry and other herbal
art demonstrations. Our wares will be avaible for sale
as well. For more information see www.lacountyfair.com/2008/index.asp
27th
Annual Women in Spirituality ConferenceM
October 11th and 12th Mankato, MN For more information
see http://sbs.mnsu.edu/women/
From
The Land October 25th
and 26th, 2008 A Gathering of Traditional Crafts
For more information 920-294-3029 or shebaa@dotnet.com
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