Walk In The Woods Aromatics, LLC

05/01/2024

Rascal helped me gather just a bit of this today before we got rained out! Drying the root for later use. The mighty Dandelion 😉

12/10/2022

Luckily I do not suffer from cold sores but I’m starting a tincture of licorice today in case there may be someone in need of it. TY Tieraona 🥰

If you’ve ever suffered from a cold sore, then you’re no stranger to the pain and embarrassment they tend to bring along. I’m here to assure you that you are not alone- in fact, roughly 85 percent of Americans are infected by the virus that causes cold sores- and to offer you an easy, natural way to treat those pesky outbreaks. You might be surprised to know that it’s the same herb many of our favorite candies are made from- licorice. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve used licorice tincture on patients or family members when they told me they were starting to feel that familiar tingle of an upcoming cold sore- works like magic! Licorice root has compounds that block the virus from creeping down the nerves and causing eruptions on the surface tissue, and has powerful anti-inflammatory effects that reduce redness and swelling. Licorice, in tea or tincture form (I personally prefer tincture as the alcohol disrupts the envelope of the virus, which speeds the healing), offers multiple defenses for attacking cold sore outbreaks. So the next time you feel that familiar, forewarning tingle of a cold sore you can help speed the healing process by trying my Licorice Tincture Recipe:

For topical treatment of cold sores and inflammation

Ingredients:
25 grams of licorice root, cut
125 milliliters vodka (80 proof)

Directions: Grind licorice to a coarse powder and put in a jar. Add vodka. Stir. The liquid should completely cover the herb, and your spoon should be able to move freely. If you need more liquid, add an additional 25 milliliters of vodka, put on a lid, and shake daily for 14 days. Strain. Pour the liquid into a dark tincture bottle and label.

How to Use: Insert a clean cotton swab into the tincture and apply to the cold sore outbreak. Reapply using a clean cotton swab every hour, while awake, during the first 24 to 48 hours. If applied frequently, it works like magic - there’s no other word for it. There are no safety concerns with this topical use of licorice.

12/09/2022

I love Rosehips. I bet this is delicious 😋

Winter is the perfect time to get out your stash of dried rosehips out and make delicious rosehip jelly. And if you’re in a holiday-prep mood, consider adding jelly to sugar cookies!

12/05/2022

Arnica is my go to herb when it comes to relieving the inflammation and pain of bumps, bruises, sprains, muscle strains, and painful bug bites here at the ranch. Wherever arnica grows, people have used the flowers topically as an analgesic. Arnica montana is the best known of the arnica species and is the one most commonly sold in commercial products. I harvest Arnica cordifolia flower (heart leaf arnica) as this species is indigenous to our mountains of northern New Mexico. Studies have clearly demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effects of arnica when applied topically and a 2017 review concluded that, “Based on data from clinical trials, Arnica extract or gel/cream containing Arnica extract shows promising effects for pain relief.”

While I use arnica topically, Arnica montana is also widely used as a homeopathic preparation for internal use, particularly for acute injury. Arnica contains potentially toxic compounds, which are not harmful when used topically on unbroken skin or when taken orally in homeopathic preparations.

How to Use:

ARNICA OIL: Mountain Rose Herbs sells a nice arnica herb oil, though you can make your own by filling a pint jar with dried arnica flowers and completely covering with a carrier oil (sunflower seed, olive oil, etc.). Put a lid on the jar and let sit in a warm place for 2-3 weeks and then strain. This is wonderful for using on sore joints and muscles, though, I would not put an herbal oil on a acute injury.

CREAMS AND GELS: I like the Italian Dulac Arnica Gel for aching joints and muscles. Primarily arnica flower with a little menthol and thyme. I also like Kneipp Cooling Arnica gel (25% arnica tincture). These are herbal creams/gels. If looking for homeopathic product, Boiron Arnicare, Arniflora, and Traumeel are all good products.

COMPRESS: Steep 2 tablespoons of arnica flowers in 2 cups water for 10 minutes. Strain. Cool (add ice cubes to the liquid if there is swelling). Dip washcloth into cool liquid and apply to injured area. Leave on for 15 minutes. Reapply 3-4 times per day. ONLY use on unbroken skin.

Precautions:
Arnica should not be taken internally. It can cause heart arrhythmias and possible respiratory collapse; this concern is avoided with homeopathic preparations because the arnica has been significantly diluted. Applied externally, arnica is usually well tolerated; if a rash appears, discontinue use. I do not recommend arnica to be used topically on children 3 years old and under.

References:
Smith AG, et al. Clinical Trials, Potential Mechanisms, and Adverse Effects of Arnica as an Adjunct Medication for Pain Management. Medicines 2021 Oct 9;8(10):58.
Arnica. Herbalgram 107; 1-6 https://www.herbalgram.org/resources/herbalgram/issues/107/table-of-contents/hg107-herbpro-arnica/

12/05/2022

Oatstraw (Avena sativa) is a wonderful nerve tonic for when you are stressed out, anxious, over-scheduled and just too busy doing life.

Oatstraw is not a sedative, so you don’t feel relaxation right away. It works over time.

It is full of minerals that nourish and regenerate your nervous system.

11/26/2022

Contentment is the beginning of real transformation. It springs from a place deep inside of us, from a sense of spiritual fullness. The paradox is that you can’t pursue contentment. There aren’t ten easy steps to a contented life. Meditation, relationships, forgiveness, grace, nature, movements, love, and compassion will nourish the garden of your contentment, and one day, ever so softly, you will awaken to its glorious fruit.

08/11/2022

Busy day feeding, watering, harvesting, and drying some plants. And of course weeding 🥵

12/21/2021

Straining my cottonwood buds tonight👏🏻 Hope to make some me salve😉

11/11/2021

All clean and this is what I got 👏🏻 I probably harvested a year (?) too soon but I was too eager to wait. Only way to learn is to engage 😉 I’m happy with my bounty🥰 Thank you all mighty Turmeric!!♥️

11/11/2021

My first time growing Turmeric. Was grown in a pot since I broke my wrist and couldn’t til my garden. I harvested it tonight and this is what I got. Pretty cool 😎

07/30/2021

Cut my Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) yesterday and now hanging for drying. I’ll post all about Comfrey over on my Alternative Health page in the next few days.

07/18/2021

GOOD MORNING! Oh gosh, trying to multi-task is a hard thing to do. I've got the Open Championship (golf) on, reading about all kinds of medicinal plants and their uses, wanting to start several infusions, checking on all my potted plants, cleaning and refilling the hummingbird feeder, and deciding on what remedies I want to try next. I, unfortunately, was unable to get my medicinal garden planted due to breaking my left wrist trying to start a tiller Gave a horrific kickback :( So, I got a lot of my planting done in pots thanks to one of my students and friend, Karen Casto McBride 🥰 Couldn't have done it without her....and she taught me a few things to boot🤓 Just wanting you to know, you can enjoy having medicinal plants/flowers without having to have a garden and you don't have to have anything gibundis! Just get a few and start growing and learning about them. I would only start with a couple and learn everthing there is about each one. What plant(s) is calling you?? Make some tea, tinctures, herbal oils, and salves with each one. Have fun experimenting. But most of all, notice some of the plants growing all around you. They will communicate and WANT to communicate with you. Just listen. A lot of you who grow flowers and herbs already know what I'm talking about. It is so soothing and rewarding to be among them 😉

Anyway, I came across this excerpt by Rosemary Gladstar's book Planting the Future that I wanted to share with you. I thought it appropiate.

"The plants are calling you. They have a rich and diverse vocabulary and speak in many tongues. For the scientist the plant may speak in the complex language of chemicals and isolates; to the medicine person they speak in the multiversed language of healing; to the poet, they speak of beauty. No matter what language you speak or comprehend, the plants will converse in a manner that you can understand though it may take a listening ear and an open heart to hear them. Through their color, scent, medicine power, and beauty they seduce and entice us into the realm of our senses where we hear best their subtle language. Many people, when they first begin working with plants, don't recognize the language that plants use. They are listening for familiar words. But words are only one method of communication and, as most people discover, they are not always the best way to convey feelings or thoughts. Ask anyone who has dug their hands deep in the dirt, planted seeds, harvested medicine, and taken time simply to get to know plants on their own turf, and they will tell you that plants communicate clearly if we but choose to listen. And the plants are calling us now, asking us for help. The wild gardens are in trouble, and the precious medicines of the earth are being lost."

With our climate change, deforestation, and spraying of so many chemicals, our native plants ARE indeed in trouble. We can certainly help by planting, educating our youth, and just becoming aware of all the benefits of what nature in its raw has to offer us. It's never too late to learn and a lot of you will say, "I wish I had started this a long time ago." Well, here I am starting a new career in my 70s. It has become my passion to share with my friends and all who come across my path, what our beautiful Earth has to offer. We need to change and start taking care of her and offering our thanks and get our kids on board before we loose any more of our precious plants that are here to help us. Start Listening!! I promise the kids will thank you for it and they will enjoy being outside learning. Let's get busy!!!!

As always,
Much love going out to you all ❤️💚💜🤎💛🧡