blackbirdsbackyard

Herbal Cough Drops (horehound)

I have made cough syrup with horehound in years past. This is the first year I attempted cough drops. This is a pretty standard recipe for making the traditional horehound candies that have been sold in American candy stores for decades. Horehound grows all around me as an invasive weed on land that has beenContinue reading “Herbal Cough Drops (horehound)”

Whipped Body Butter (calendula)

It is mid November. Shortly before Halloween autumn arrived suddenly and left. Winter is officially here, bringing snow, ice, and cold temperatures. My perennial chrysanthemums never managed to fully bloom. Many herbs did hang on through our brief fall. I still had small harvests of motherwort, oregano, mint, comfrey and plantain. The herbal year lengthenedContinue reading “Whipped Body Butter (calendula)”

Pasta with Shrimp and Yarrow

Internally yarrow is well known for treating a fever. Externally I like to use it in a styptic powder and in my favorite cold cream. It is probably not an herb that comes to mind when an herbalist goes to cook a meal. Yarrow is bitter, pungent and sweet. It is balanced by the sourContinue reading “Pasta with Shrimp and Yarrow”

Prebiotic Electuary (MARSHMALLOW)*

Prebiotics are special plant fibers that support healthy bacteria to grow in your gut by providing them with food. They are carbohydrates that your body can’t digest, so they make it all the way to the colon where they are needed most. Your body’s microorganisms metabolize and ferment the prebiotics. Upon metabolism, byproducts such asContinue reading “Prebiotic Electuary (MARSHMALLOW)*”

Honey and Herb Based Burn Ointment (Comfrey)

Every year I have theme that organizes what I am going to harvest and make from the backyard pharmacy. In 2020 I made a lot of tinctures. In 2021 I focused on infused oils and salves. For 2023 it was all about seeing how much I could truly harvest and use for large amounts ofContinue reading “Honey and Herb Based Burn Ointment (Comfrey)”