Backroads mom

I don’t know about you, but dreaming of spring and all the wonderful gifts of the season is what gets me through the winter months. After all the holidays it’s a great time to reflect on the past and plan for the new year. Gardening is my favorite thing to plan ahead for. Giving back to the earth, the environment and all that inhabits the planet is a significant reason to plant a garden.

The garden gives, just as much as it takes. It gives us hope, it gives us faith and it helps us feel connected. Gardening helps feed the wildlife, the birds, the bees and a host of other creatures. While helping us to nourish our bodies it also feeds our soul! Plants and flowers can also help us in many other ways that we may not have considered.

Herbalist for years have used flowers and herbs to make salves, lotions, teas and tinctures. Not to mention using dried herbs for sachets and pillows. The options are endless.

So while your sitting in the house attempting to fight the winter blues consider planning your garden and all the ways you can enjoy it!

The wonderful world of Dandelions

https://turkeyhollermanor.com/2023/04/22/herbalism/

• Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
  Properties: volatile oil, flavonoids, Valerianic acid, coumarins, tannins, glycosides, salicylate Values: antispasmodic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, bitters, anti-septic, anti-bacterial, prevents vomiting. There are many varieties of chamomile, but only two are used medicinally. — Roman chamomile, a perennial and German chamomile an annual. Chamomile tea helps with muscle aches, strains, arthritic pain, and menstrual cramps. Chamomile reduces… Read more: Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
• Lemon balm
  Lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis) A delicious lemony mint family plant. It has an uplifting and relaxing effect on the mood and body. It can aid and improve memory and attention span. It is aromatic cooling and mildly astringent. It can be useful in colds, flu and digestive upset. It is antiviral, used topically on… Read more: Lemon balm
• Lavender ( lavandula officinalis)
  This is perhaps one of my all time favorite herbs to grow, harvest, smell, and make products with. It’s a hardy perennial with a heady smell and the pollinators love it as well. Lavender is quite easy to grow in zones 5-8, however it does need a sunny , warm location with well drained soil.… Read more: Lavender ( lavandula officinalis)
• Herbal favorites!
  As the weather warms up and spring is headed this way I started thinking about the garden. I’m sure I’m not the only one excited to get out there and get my hands dirty! I have decided to do an herbal series in my blog. It’s what I’m most passionate about. Gardening, holistic health and… Read more: Herbal favorites!
• Crockpot apple cider
  It’s the season for all things spicy and warm. Apple cider is one of those things that elicits warm and fuzzy fall vibes. Store bought apple cider isn’t healthy with all the additives! So I decided to compile a delicious homemade alternative! This recipe is quick and simple. It’s a great way to use up… Read more: Crockpot apple cider

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