The Simple Cottage

10/30/2018

Joe Pye W**d last september. This good herbal friend has kept me feeling protected from urinary tract problems for so many years. Not to mention the beauty it brings to the herbalist's life.

10/30/2018

Working kitchen in a time of bounty

10/30/2018

Just returned from the American Herbalist Guild Conference at Unicoi State Park. It was an odd experience for me - hearing my activities as an herbalist in the 70s and Herbal Apothecary Owner-Operator in the early 80s being placed as a movement in another era of history. I've never stopped practicing herbs, but havent been checking in on the overall movement for a long time. I'm feeling reconnected with Herbalism as an evolving movement and that is so nice.

Im jazzed. Off to dig Kudzu root in a minute. Gonna put together a formula for my fascial pain which is getting worse as I age. Will order some Solomon Seal root as well. Already have Mahonia and Wild Ginger.

02/27/2018

Vibrant watercress at one of the warm springs at Franklin D Roosevelt’s Warm Spring Ga Healing Pool. The waters flow through a magnolia forest. Healing Waters indeed!

Magnolia- From The Institute of Chinese Medicine: “According to an ancient Chinese medicine text, Magnolia Bark was first described in the Shennong Bencao Jing (1) around 100 A.D., as follows:
Houpu is bitter and warm, non-toxic, mainly treating wind-stroke, cold damage, headache, cold and heat, fright qi, blood impediment, and dead muscle. It removes the three kinds of worms. It grows in mountains and valleys.

This description differs markedly from that relied on in subsequent Chinese texts, in which the herb is mainly used for stagnation of qi and moisture circulation in the abdomen (associated with digestive disturbance) and tightness in the chest (associated with impaired breathing). However, the treatment of "fright qi" is one of the persisting indications for magnolia bark in the traditional prescriptions: it treats syndromes that are caused by emotional distress, such as plum pit qi, digestive disturbance associated with fear and anxiety, and shortness of breath due to emotional turmoil. Although magnolia bark is no longer used in the treatment of worms, its antibacterial properties are recognized and may be responsible for its ability to alleviate discomfort due to some intestinal bacterial infections. It may be prepared with ginger juice to enhance its digestive promoting effects.”
According to Sacredlotus.com, Magnolia Flower Disperses Wind-Cold and Opens the Nasal Passages
For stuffy nose, nasal obstruction, congestion, discharge, loss of smell, and related sinus headache. Can be used for any nasal or sinus problem, especially related to Wind-Cold invasion.

And watercress is loaded with calcium, manganese, and antioxidant flavonoids.

12/27/2017

Winter harvest including Pipsissewah and Usnea. One to tonify the urinary tract and the other to stimulate immunity. Thank you herbal healing friends.

12/27/2017

Workshop: Local Herbs for Colds and Flu
Saturday the 20th 10-3

We had such a good time at the last workshop, grounding ourselves with the plants and our love for the earth and sharing with one another. I'm looking forward to basking in that glow again. Please join us at The Simple Cottage, 2200 Shoal Creek Dr. (off Winterville Rd) Athens 30605.
Cost $35.
There is a limit of 10 for this workshop.

To register: please call 7062072159 or send check to Molly Swan, 2200 Shoal Creek Dr, Athens 30605 or Paypal [email protected] or click on Eventbrite Notice below.

Learn to employ local herbs to handle colds and flu, including timing and different combinations for different stages of symptoms. You will create a remedy to help with winter ailments. Non-congesting food and drink will be served.

12/12/2017

Camphorweed.(Heterotheca) Our local plant comparable to Arnica for trauma with bruising and swelling. It is a tissue sedative, lessening inflammation.
These lovely healers were still blooming in the Ga Piedmont this dec. after the first frost.

12/12/2017

Wow! The Art of Simpling Workshop focusing on Local Herbs for Winter Wellness was a marvelous success. Seven people attended and most stayed 3 hours longer than our scheduled time. We tasted tinctures made with vinegar, wine, vodka and grain alcohol, drank a winter tonic decoction, demonstrated tongue assessment as a guiding tool for remedy selection, discussed Chinese 5 Element Theory in relation to winter illnesses and remedies, designed remedies from available local herbs, used a pendulum to double check compatability of individual herbs going into formulas unique to each participant. Each person processed her own herbs in the grinder and took home here own tincture for her specific wellness concern. We shared food, took a walk to gather some plants and shared earth-based heart connection with one another. I feel over-flowing gratitude to the plants and people who came together for this event.

A date for another gathering is being worked out at this time. Please check back here for the update on that. Looks to be end of January.