Today's Herbal Goodness!

A peek at the herbal goodness we concocted today!

First, I made a cold infusion of marshmallow root (jar in front) to compare with an identical hot infusion of marshmallow root (small pot on back burner) for an assignment in my MS in Herbalism program.

In the other jar on back of stove are dandelion blossoms we picked and dried on a cookie sheet for 2 days. Stuff in jar, pour oil over (we used olive oil); this will infuse for 2 weeks, and then we'll use the oil in a salve for aches and pains.

On the front burner (and in close-up of pot) are a series of herbs being brewed into a strong infusion that I personally use for my Crohn's disease. I use plantain, calendula, chamomile, yarrow, marshmallow root and a pinch of licorice root - great herbs to aid in digestion, soothe mucous membranes, and historically used to heal sores and bleeding. They work great for me!

The lilacs are just picked and will be left on a cookie sheet in open air to dry for 24+ hours and then also infused in oil for two weeks. I'm hoping to make a heavenly, lilac-scented body butter! <3

Finally, we tried out some homemade marshmallows made the old fashioned way with marshmallow root! They were a first time experiment and we didn't love them (though our neighbor friend did!). We'd like to try again with less powdered marshmallow root and a bit more vanilla. They're dark colored because we used coconut sugar.

My nearly 10 year old daughter Helena and I have a blast making things! She did the marshmallows herself. Looks like yummy, useful, fun? Sign up for Herbal Summer Camp 2015 - perfect for adults and families alike - and make your own herbal first aid kit along with a whole lot more. For more info on the Herbal Summer Camp tab above!