Monday, September 14, 2015

On a Rainy Day






We had our first taste of autumn this weekend, and it was oh so good. We wore long sleeves and sweaters, we wrapped ourselves in quilts to read, and we snuggled under blankets to sleep at night. Outside the sky was dark, the rain came down, and the wind whispered through the trees. Inside I baked, apple crisp and cookies, we crafted, we read, we played, we got the autumn decorations out, and I spent a bit of time in the kitchen, making medicine.

Making medicine is important to me, it puts the responsibility of our health in my hands, and while some may not enjoy that, I very much do. That is not to say modern medicine doesn't have a place in our lives, if we needed it, I would be so very grateful that it was there, but I like knowing that I can keep my family healthy, and that we can take a bit of the strain off our system by taking care of ourselves. And so I do just that by growing herbs in our garden, wildcrafting herbs in the forest, and using wonderful herbal shops for those things I don't have access to, to make medicine for my family.

Saturday morning was to be dedicated to some garden work, but as the rain poured down, I traded time in the garden for time in the kitchen. There was calendula to be infused, and infused calendula to be strained. Calendula salve was made and body butter whipped up, while elderberry syrup simmered on the stove. Tinctures were strained and bottled, and herbal multivitamin tea was made. There are still oils infusing on my window sill, and many bottles of oils in the apothecary waiting to be turned into salves. In the cottage, a few herbs are still drying for tea, but for the most part all of the dried herbs have been stored away. I love peeking inside my apothecary this time of year, it is filled with the power and magic of Mother Nature, ready to keep us healthy, and heal us when we do get sick.

It is a powerful choice to take your health into your own hands, and knowing I have Mother Nature on my side, makes the choice the right one for us.

******

If you live locally, check out the new workshop added to our fall line up at Life at Nature's Pace. Perfect if you have a three or four year old. 

38 comments:

  1. "filled with power and magic" I love that..my family could do with a little bit of tlc this week,as we've all got sore throats and runny noses..any tips Kim? x

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    1. Thanks! Mother Nature's gifts truly are filled with power and magic. I always have coltsfoot honey on hand for sore throats and coughs. Slippery elm is good for sore throats too. And you can never go wrong with gargling with salt water, always a big help with sore throats. Runny noses, we do steams with eucalyptus to help clear the sinuses. Have you ever tried a netie pot? That works wonders too.

      Hope everyone is feeling better soon. xo

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  2. What a beautiful sight... I can't wait for my herbal shelves to look as full and bountiful as yours.
    Wish I lived closer, I would sign up in a moment!

    Have a wonderful week... the rain and wind are still in full effect here today. Looks like a nice snuggle with babes and drink warm tea sort of a day. :-)

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    1. Thank you my friend. I am not sure that we even opened this little apothecary while you were here. We have to be sure to do that when you are here for the New Year.

      Wished you lived closer too, would be great to have you in the workshop with your little man :)

      Oh no, we are back to summer today. But we did have two days of rain, wind and cool weather on the weekend, so I am sure the sunshine is heading your way soon.

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  3. Sounds like a very good and productive weekend!

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  4. I think it's wonderful that you make medicines and cures for your family. I can't even tell you how badly I feel having to rely on medical interventions for my son's health, as I was also forced to do for my pregnancies and births. It bothers my conscience a lot. I'm glad you had such a productive and cozy time at home this weekend. It really looks wonderful.

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    1. Thanks Jennifer, it feels good to be able to do it.

      You know, I can understand you feeling that way, but it is necessary, and as far as I am concerned, exactly what our medical system is for. I think people have come to rely on our medical system for smaller things like colds, and such, and that overloads the system for those that really need it, like your son. I hope you can find some peace with it, sometimes we do have to make use of things we might have preferred not to.

      Thank you.

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  5. I am in the camp of reactive rather than proactive and home remedies before the doctor if I can help it.
    It rained here Saturday too and then when it left it took the humidity and heat with it. We were 62 this morning and while that isn't cold to some here it's a big deal. My a/c is off and the kitchen door is open, it may not stay that way, but it's happening now and I'm thrilled.

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    1. I am so happy for you Tracey, I know how much you have been waiting for some cooler weather. Enjoy it!

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  6. Wow! That all sounds so amazing! I wish I lived closer so you could teach me all that you know about making your own medicine from mother nature! You are amazing Kim! :)

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    1. Thank you my friend. You are always welcome to come for a visit...we can make medicine and talk all things Waldorf :)

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  7. I use a lot of herbal salve such as calendula,tea tree, lavanda..and before pregnancy also a lot of balsamic oil,(I discover that they can be toxic during pregnancy)
    but making them at home most be so interesting!
    Hoorayyy to autum!!

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    1. It is wonderful to grow the herbs, and then make the medicine, yes. It is empowering on many levels, and makes my heart so very happy to be able to do it.

      Yes, a big high five for autumn.

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  8. Loved that first cold/rainy day of Fall too - being just a few hours east we probably had pretty much the same weather. We too spent the weekend inside; crafting, reading, making soup.
    I'm like most of the other commenters - I think it's so neat and interesting that you make, and know so much about natural medicine.
    You ever read Clan of the Cave Bear (Jean M. Auel)? This post reminded me of it. I loved all the references to plants and how the primitive people used them in the book. Found that aspect really interesting to read about.

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    1. It was awesome, wasn't it? Glad to hear you guys enjoyed it too.

      Thanks Matt. It has been a process over the years, and every year I gain a little more experience and knowledge and put it into practice. I have been lucky to have some wonderful people share their knowledge with me, and for that I am grateful.

      I have never heard of that book, but I will check it out, sounds interesting. Plant medicine is something that has been passed down over the years, and only recently has been lost, in favour of modern medicine. Plants can do so much to keep us healthy, and heal us, and keeping these skills and knowledge alive is so important. Can't wait to read that book, thanks for sharing it.

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  9. I love to think as you do: use what is in the nature to make remedy is very exciting and so logical! I love your pictures, and colors. do you use preservatives for the cream? A big hug!

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    1. I kinda figured you would think the same way my friend :) Thank you! Not usually for the body butter, I make it in small batches and it all sells pretty quickly. I do on occasion use some vitamin E in my salves, or a little tea tree oil.

      Hugs to you too! I just saw your post about the barn, looks like an amazing day you had up there.

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  10. I love this, it's all so beautiful. I'm so drawn towards it - but still at the try and see what happens stage. I can handle smelling a bit experimental. :) Or I'll just cover it with your salves. :) It's been cooler here too - such a nice change. xo

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    1. Thank you my friend. Try and see is good, it takes a little experimentation, it's how we learn :)

      Hehe, I will have to send you some more soon. Enjoy that cooler weather.

      Big hugs to you and the girls. xo

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  11. Looks wonderful! I'm envious of your medicine cabinet. ;) Would love to know what you put in your herbal multivitamin tea...
    And your body butter looks amazing--I've only successfully made a body cream once.

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    1. Thanks! All kinds of goodness...alfalfa, red raspberry leaf, nettles, horsetail, oatstraw, dandelion root, rosehips, hibiscus. I use it as a base for his smoothie, and serve it warmed up with honey...he loves it!

      Thanks. I love my body butter, so creamy, and it works like a charm.

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  12. the tins and potions look inviting and to know they are good for you, well that just makes them all the more better!!

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  13. Wonderful wonderful work Kim...your apothecary shelf is filling up beautifully !!! Have a wonderful week.xoxo

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  14. I've made elderberry syrup for the first time this year and I'm dosing myself with a spoon a day at the moment to give my immune system a nice boost before I go back to work - fingers crossed it works! Mine's not very syrupy though and as there's a bush at the top of the path to school I'm very tempted to take some scissors one morning and see if I can try another bath - would it keep in the freezer do you think?

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    1. Yay! It is so good, isn't it? We have been using it for years, and it is one of those things that I think is a must during cold and flu season.

      I am not sure about freezing it. I am sure it would freeze alright, and I don't see why freezing it would cause any issues to the benefits of the syrup, but I am not totally sure. The other thing you could do is dry the berries, and then store them away til you need them.

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  15. Your apothecary cabinet is amazing! I'm still looking for the mexican elderberry here. I have yet to find the trees but they say they are in the washes here.

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    1. Thank you KC! Good luck finding those trees :)

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  16. Your medicine making sounds so interesting. My oldest daughter has become interested in herbal salves and healing - she knows way more than me. Glad you had a cold, rainy day too. :). You were very productive!

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    1. Thanks Kristen. I bet your daughter and I would have a blast making plant medicine :)

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  17. Beautiful! It was raining here too, and the air of the house there was a good smell of applesauce with cinnamon ... and I also prepared ointments plants which make us so much good!

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    1. Thank you! Oh, what a delicious scent to have in your home. Hope the sun is shining on you now :)

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  18. I love your apothecary cabinet. (Ever notice how much of your life I use the word "love" for?). If you branch out to internet lessons in homeopathy remedies and such I will happily sign on board. Be well.

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    1. Aw, thank you my friend. I have a feeling you and I would have so much to chat about over tea. One day we will make it happen.

      It isn't in the plan right now, but you never know, anything is possible.

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  19. I can't believe how far behind I am with life over there with you. And ironically, after reading this post, it's partly down to catching pesky back to school bugs! The girls and I have had a horrible chesty cough for weeks and weeks, I think the girls have pretty much shaken it off now but it's still wearing me down and sending me scuttling off to bed each night at 8pm, which is not good for getting things done. I think some of your elderberry syrup would be just the thing! And also, whilst on the subject of your wonderful healing remedies - your little pot of healing salve is proving very popular, mainly with the girls but Theo dips in too. If they get a graze or cut or nasty bump it's become the first thing they reach for, and definitely seems to soothe their hurt, so thank you very much.

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    1. Oh no, I am so sorry you guys have not been feeling well, not fun. I do hope you shake it off soon my friend.

      So happy you are enjoying the salve, that makes me happy :)

      xo

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