Herbal Medicine – Blackbird's Backyard Pharmacy

Using the 5 Elements with Herbal Medicine

You will notice near the bottom of my posts, where I feature a specific plant, the category Element. This refers to the 5 element system of space, air, fire, water, and earth. I consider Element to be the most important section in my personal Materia Medica. It is the lens through which I view andContinue reading “Using the 5 Elements with Herbal Medicine”

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)”

Plantain Succus

A succus is a concentrated, nutrient dense tonic full of vitamins, minerals, and medicinal properties. It cleanses/flushes the blood, liver, and lymphatic system. Once very popular with folk herbalists of the past this preparation is making a comeback on-line and in the home. Succi are very easy to make. If you have a juicer youContinue reading “Plantain Succus”

Fever Tea (ELECAMPANE)

I make a lot of tinctures and infused oils. They store a long time and don’t require a lot of fresh plant material. I am lazy and often forget the aesthetic and medicinal values of teas, tisanes, decoctions and water infusions. Some chemical constituents are better released by heating/simmering them in water. Many tea formulasContinue reading “Fever Tea (ELECAMPANE)”

Healing Band (Feverfew)

I have two girls in puberty at the moment. My youngest has started to have migraines. They are terrible, starting out of the blue with blurred vision, light sensitivity, a pounding headache, tears, and the need to lie down in a dark bed room for hours. In the late morning, as a preventative, I haveContinue reading “Healing Band (Feverfew)”