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Bear Roots Forest Apothecary
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bearrootsforest

🌸 A herbalist/holistic nutritionist and a chef homesteading using permaculture and biodynamics to regenerate this land we get to call home. 🌺

Bear Roots Forest
☀️Seen as an invasive and useless weed to many ☀️Seen as an invasive and useless weed to many, this little ray of sunshine is loved by those aware of its many nutritional and medicinal benefits. Every part – the root, leaves, blossoms and sap – can be used as food or medicine. ☀️An early source of food for pollinators, the flower opens in the morning to greet the sun and closes in the evening to go to sleep. Not needing to be pollinated to produce seeds, the dandelion will still produce seeds even if the flower head doesn’t open. ☀️A perennial, the dandelion produces sunny yellow flowers, graceful smooth stems that contain white latex, and dark green leaves that are deeply toothed. The leaves grow in a rosette fashion with jagged, irregular-lobed green leaves at the base of the plant, which reaches heights of up to twenty-four inches tall. ☀️Dandelion leaves can be harvested starting in spring through early fall. The leaves are most tender in the spring and the best for cooking because they are more tender and palatable. Leaves that are harvested in summer and fall, although more bitter, make very good medicine and can be tinctured fresh or dried. To harvest dandelion leaves in the spring and summer, cut the leaves with a knife to about an inch above the crown. It is best to rinse and soak the leaves to remove any soil as it is a low growing plant. Be cautious when collecting them near roadways or fields, as they may have been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides. ☀️The leaves are delicious fresh in salads, or steamed. They contain many minerals such as potassium, iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium and more. They have more beta carotene (vitamin A) than carrots and also contain vitamins C, D, B and E. An infused vinegar is a wonderful way to take advantage of the leaves’ rich mineral content. (continued in comments!) #weedywednesday #dandelion #taraxacumofficinale #dentdelion #plantfood #herbalism #shareherbalism #plantmedicine #herbnerd
The bees were lovin’ the haskap flowers today! 🐝 Can’t wait to nibble on a haskap berry! I love that they are ready to eat so early in the growing season. #bees #haskap #spring #herbs #medicinalherbs #growyourown
Feeling under the weather or burning up? 🌿 Our Feeling under the weather or burning up? 🌿 Our herb of the week, Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is an effective diaphoretic when drank as a hot tea! It opens the pores and encourages the body to sweat the fever out. It can be used for colds and the flu, especially when a dry fever is present. 🌿 #yarrow #achilleamillefolium #plantsthatheal #diaphoretic #herbalism #plantmedicine #foraging #plantmagic #herblover
The use of Yarrow as a powerful wound healer dates The use of Yarrow as a powerful wound healer dates back to the time of the Ancient Greeks, its genus name is derived from the warrior Achilles, who used the herb to treat battle wounds. The species name millefolium is Latin for “thousand-leaf” due to the featherlike appearance of the leaves. Some other names it is known by are Milfoil, Soldier’s Woundwort, Nosebleed plant and Bloodwort. 🌿 As an astringent, anti-hemorrhagic and anti-inflammatory, the leaves of Yarrow can be made into a poultice and applied to cuts and scrapes to stop bleeding. Putting the tincture onto a tissue and up your nostril will stop a bloody nose. It is commonly used for hemorrhoids, post partum care, bruises and sores in the mouth. 🌿 Look for Yarrow along roadsides, on lawns, throughout pastures, meadows and waste places. It grows pretty much anywhere! Pick the leaves before flowering for the most potent medicine. 🌿 Yarrow is also useful as a bug and tick repellant. While in the woods, the plant can simply be rubbed over exposed skin. Or if you plan ahead, Yarrow tincture can be used alone, or mixed with a Catnip (Nepeta cataria) infused vinegar and applied as a spray every thirty minutes or so to keep the bugs at bay. #weedywednesday #yarrow #achilleamillefolium #plantsthatheal #woundhealer #vulnerary #herbalism #plantmedicine #foraging #plantmagic #herblover
Here is an awkward video to remind you to make som Here is an awkward video to remind you to make some coltsfoot honey!! What happened after the video was even more awkward if you can believe it- if you know me you probably can- anyway honey everywhere and ants biting!! #herbs #herbmedicine #coltsfoot #tussilago #honey #herbinfusedhoney
Spring is the perfect time to incorporate fresh gr Spring is the perfect time to incorporate fresh greens into your baking! Here is a delicious, gluten free recipe: Nettle & Honey Cake! Instructions 🌿Preheat the oven to 160C/320F. 🌿Place nettles in a pan with a steaming basket on the stove and steam for 6-8 minutes. The sting will be removed with the heat. Drain and squeeze between your fingers to remove as much water as possible. Puree and set aside. 🌿In another pan, melt butter, honey and molasses over low heat until the mixture becomes bubbly. Set aside, let cool for 10 minutes. 🌿In a large bowl, combine the cooled honey mixture with the cornmeal, baking powder and salt. Stir well. 🌿Blitz the eggs in a food processor (or beat them with an electric mixer) until the liquid becomes frothy and pale yellow. Add to the cake batter and incorporate slowly with a wooden spoon. At this stage, the batter will be quite runny. Don't be afraid! 🌿Add the nettles and stir to combine. 🌿Pour into an oiled and lined loaf pan and bake 50 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. #foodiefriday #stingingnettle #urticadioica #plantmedicine #superfood #greens #spring #foraging #herbygoodness #nourishing #plantmagic #herbalism #shareherbalism #plantlover
Last week we shared the wonderful nutritional bene Last week we shared the wonderful nutritional benefits, liver supporting and allergy fighting properties of Stinging Nettle. But that isn’t all that it can do, and we’d like to talk about a few more of its valuable uses. 🌿 The genus name Urtica comes from the latin word ‘urere’ meaning “to burn.” You will not quickly forget an encounter with Stinging Nettle. As the hairs penetrate the outer layer of the skin, they inject antigenic proteins (which trigger an immune response) and formic acid. This will cause the area to be itchy, red and swollen. But if you have rheumatic joints, you may want to take advantage of this rubefacient action. By whipping the joints with the plant, the stinging action will cause vasodilation, therefore bringing more blood flow to the area which can ease pain and stimulate healing activity. A poultice of crushed Nettle leaves can also be applied. 🌿 Nettle has long been known as an excellent diuretic due to its high mineral content (namely, potassium) and is indicated for edema, arthritis with swollen joints, urinary tract infection and congestive heart disease. Diuretics help the kidneys flush excess water and salt from your system, which will lessen swelling and make it easier for the heart to pump. 🌿 The adrenals are small glands that sit atop the kidneys. They produce hormones that regulate processes like metabolism, blood pressure, the immune system and response to stress. If you’re feeling burnt out, run down and low in energy, it’s possible that your adrenals have been working overtime and have become fatigued. Nettle is a potent stress fighter and adaptogen. It can be used as a tonic to help support and strengthen the kidneys, adrenals and the endocrine system. #weedywednesday #stingingnettle #urticadioica #plantmedicine #rubefacient #diuretic #adrenalsupport #superfood #greens #spring #foraging #herbygoodness #nourishing #plantmagic #herbalism #shareherbalism #plantlover
Try out this nutritious and delicious Nettle Pesto Try out this nutritious and delicious Nettle Pesto! Stinging nettle is a nutritional powerhouse, containing many vitamins and minerals. It has numerous benefits including being good for the skin, liver and urinary tract as well as an anti-inflammatory. #foodiefriday #stingingnettle #urticadioica #pesto #superfood #greens #spring #foraging #herbygoodness #nourishing #plantmagic #herbalism #shareherbalism #plantlover
🌱 Nourishing Nettle 🌱 For for the next two 🌱 Nourishing Nettle 🌱 For for the next two weeks our #weedywednesday herb will be the nutrient dense Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) as there is much to be said about this superfood! It can be used for tea, in soups & stews and to make pasta and baked goods, just to name a few! Nettle contains high amounts of vitamins A and C, along with vitamin K and several B vitamins. It is plentiful in minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous and zinc. It is protein rich and has higher concentrations of the essential amino acids than other greens. Look for Stinging Nettle in the spring, soon after the ground thaws. It thrives in rich, moist areas and can be found streamside and along ditches. This love of moisture points to its affinities for the waterways of the body, the blood and the urinary tract. Nettle must be harvested with awareness as it has sharp hairs, or barbs on its leaves which release the neurotoxin formic acid which will irritate the skin, causing itching and a rash. Its trophorestorative effect will rebuild and replenish tissues and organs of the body. Nettle provides nutrients which support the liver, helping to build and recycle blood. It is therefore indicated for anemia, blood deficiency, low blood pressure as well as muscular wasting or weakness post surgery, due to injury or just simply aging. As a tonic astringent, it can help with seasonal allergies and hay fever. One of the best ways to get some nettle into you is by a Nourishing Herbal Infusion. Pour 1 litre of boiling water over 1 ounce of dried nettle and let steep 4-8 hours or overnight. Strain, chill if desired and enjoy! Keep an eye out for our #foodiefriday recipe, which will consist of – you guessed it – Stinging Nettle! 💚 #stingingnettle #urticadioica #superfood #greens #spring #foraging #herbygoodness #nourishing #plantmagic #herbalism #shareherbalism #plantlover
For many folks, the arrival of spring means…alle For many folks, the arrival of spring means…allergy season! And did you know that there are herbs that can act as natural anti-histamines? Our #weedywednesday herb of the week Coltsfoot is one of them! Try our simple vinaigrette recipe using a herbal vinegar and a Coltsfoot infused honey to help alleviate some of those pesky allergy symptoms. Adding this dressing to your salad will not only add extra nutrients, the vinegar will help break down the cell walls of the greens, making them easier to digest. A vinegar infused with Nettle, Goldenrod, Pine or Self-Heal will have even more allergy fighting power! And if you don't suffer from allergies, it's still a delicious dressing for your salads! 🌼One more tip: Coltsfoot flowers are edible and can be used to top your salad! #foodiefriday #vinaigrette #herbinfusedhoney #herbalvinegar #allergyrelief #naturalantihistamine #spring #shareherbalism #plantmagic
One of the first herbs to bloom in early spring, t One of the first herbs to bloom in early spring, this sunny yellow flower is often mistaken for dandelion. You’ll find it growing along paths and roadsides, on the banks of streams, near cliffs, in woodlands and waste grounds. Their blooms come before their leaves, a unique trait in the plant world. After the flowers and stalks die back, there will be hoof shaped leaves in their place. Its Latin name means ‘cough dispeller’ and has been commonly known as ‘coughwort’ in the past. This points to its affinity for the respiratory system. It can soothe inflammation in the lungs, helping to expel excess fluid while its anti-spasmodic action will act as a cough suppressant. It is therefore indicated for many bronchial conditions such as asthma, whooping cough and emphysema. Fresh bruised leaves can be applied to boils, abscesses & ulcers. Crushed leaves can be used on burns and other skin ailments. Both the flowers and leaves can be used in teas and infusions, or extracted in alcohol to make a tincture. The flowers make a lovely infused honey, to be taken as need or added to tea, hot water and even a vinaigrette. #coltsfoot #tussilagofarfara #coughdispeller #coughwort #spring #earlybloomer #shareherbalism #plantlover #herbnerd #plantmedicine
For #foodiefriday we're sharing a simple Willow ba For #foodiefriday we're sharing a simple Willow bark tea recipe. Its analgesic and anti-pyretic (fever-reducing) properties can provide relief from headaches, fever, joint pain and more. #willowbark #salix #salixalba #treemedicine #treemagic #herbalism #naturesaspirin
The sole survivor of my carrot overwinter project, The sole survivor of my carrot overwinter project, the rest turned to mush. But look at how cute those anise hyssop are just starting to pop up! 😊 #agastachefoeniculum #anisehyssop #spring #herbs #medicinalherbs #carrotfail
Have you ever sat under a Willow and pondered the Have you ever sat under a Willow and pondered the complexities of life, watching her branches sway gracefully in the wind? 🌿 Her pliable branches remind us to stay flexible, her stoic presence at the edges of ponds and lakes give us strength to weather the storms of life. The word Salix comes from the Celtic words sal, meaning “near” and lis for “water.” With over 400 species, the identification of specific Willows requires special training and dedication. The most commonly used are the White Willow (Salix alba), Black Willow (Salix nigra), and the purple osier (Salix purpurea). They are riparian, deciduous and can vary in growth from shrubs to trees. Known as “Nature’s Aspirin,” it can be said that Aspirin contains “a willow-like substance” and not the other way around. While the bark has long been chewed to relieve symptoms of fever and pain, salicylic acid was isolated by scientists about 200 years ago. Spring and fall are the times to collect her bark. It is best to look for the smoother bark of young branches. The bark can be made into a tea, a decoction, a tincture or used topically. The herbal actions of Salix spp. include: anti-inflammatory, analgesic, astringent, anti-rheumatic and febrifuge. Commonly used to relieve inflammation, it can aid with headaches, cramps, arthritis and can be used on the skin for insect bites and irritation. 💚 A reminder to practice Forest Stewardship – please be conscious while stripping bark from trees. Removing a ring of bark will kill the tree, while taking a vertical strip will not. #willow #willowbark #naturesaspirin #salicin #salix #salixalba #salixnigra #treemedicine #treemagic #herbalism #ethicalforaging
As the Sun, Moon and planets make their journeys d As the Sun, Moon and planets make their journeys during the month of April their energies will create beneficial and detrimental times for medicine making, herb consumption and certain health concerns. Learn more about herbs + health + astrology by heading over to the blog on https://www.bearrootsschool.ca. #herbs #astroherbalism #astrology
💚 It's #foodiefriday again! 💚 We're sharing 💚 It's #foodiefriday again! 💚 We're sharing our Herbal Granola recipe using BIRCH sap! Replacing some of the sweeter honey or maple syrup with birch sap will give you a more savoury flavour. Did you know that it takes around 100 litres of birch sap to make 1 litre of syrup? For maple, it takes about 40 litres of sap to make 1 litre of syrup! Birch sap has a much lower sugar content than maple sap and takes a very long time to boil down to syrup. 🌳 #birch #birchsap #betula #treewater #herbalgranola
BIRCH – Betula spp. The full moon in March is c BIRCH – Betula spp. The full moon in March is commonly called the Full Worm Moon, as it marks the stirring of earthworms and beetle larvae, inviting the emerging birds of spring to nourish themselves after a long, cold winter. But you will also find it known as the Sugar Moon, or Sap Moon. It is the time of year when the sap begins its upward journey through the trunks of the trees, to the tips of their branches. Fresh birch sap has a similar chemical profile as coconut water. It contains a number of micronutrients, such as: • Saponins (a powerful phytochemical - can reduce cholesterol levels, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, immunity booster, reduce bone loss) • Phytohormones • Sugars (xylitol) • Vitamin C • Amino acids • Phytoncides • Proteins • Enzymes • Minerals: calcium, potassium, iron, riboflavin, zinc, manganese, thiamine, magnesium Birch sap has traditionally been used for its purifying and diuretic properties. The sap promotes the elimination of wastes from the body such as food additives, colouring, uric acid, phosphate and many other substances. Therefore, birch sap has been used for kidney stones but is also successfully used to treat arthritis or inflammatory conditions and to get clear, supple skin. *Caution to dog lovers: Birch trees contain a sweetener called xylitol. It is used as the sweetener in many natural gums and toothpastes. It can be fatally poisonous to dogs. #betula #birch #treesap #birchwater #sap #spring
It's Foodie Friday! 🧡💛 We're sharing some t It's Foodie Friday! 🧡💛 We're sharing some turmeric recipes to help nourish your liver and digestive system. You can also learn how to make a Turmeric + Ginger Oxymel over at bearrootsforest.ca ===> https://apothecary.bearrootsforest.ca/turmeric-ginger-oxymel #foodiefriday #turmeric #curcumalonga
There are two Spring Herb Boxes left! Each box w There are two Spring Herb Boxes left! Each box will contain a Forager Soap from @skogen_apothica and a Nettle + Chive + Milk Thistle Salt blend. In addition to these products you can choose a tea blend, salve and a spring product. Tea Blends– Spring Fling, Nourishing Chai, Enlighten the Soul, Heart Warming Chai Salves– Gardeners, Pain Relief & Soothe Spring Products– Fire Cider, Lavender Honey, Peppermint Honey, Digestive Bitters, Immune Extract, DIY Elderberry Syrup, Lavender Hydrosol Check out some of the boxes that have already gone out! To order head over to bearrootsforest.ca. #herbbox #seasonalherbs #spring #liverhealth #medicinalherbs
Be on the lookout for these plump, resinous buds a Be on the lookout for these plump, resinous buds anytime between now and early April! Check out this video for more in depth information ---> https://youtu.be/uTO3PGr13Rg #treemedicine #balsampoplar #balmofgilead #treebuds #springiscoming #plumpbuds #resinous #fragrant #herbalism
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