Indian Trail

Have you seen any of these? I come across them occasionally in my woodland wanderings.
Click link to know more...

Indian Trail Trees

1994 in George Washington National Forest

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Open Source Herbalism - All Natural Toothpaste

This is a toothpaste blend I have used for some time that I really like and feel does a great job keeping my teeth clean and healthy.  This is important since I rarely go to the dentist; this paste keeps tartar and plaque from building up on my teeth and my gums healthy.

Want to try it yourself?  Recipe follows or you can purchase from me already made.


Lots of natural goodness for your mouth:
1/2 c. organic, extra virgin coconut oil
1/4 c. baking soda
1/4 c. bentonite clay
2 Tbspn. dried and powdered Garden Sage (about 1/2c. before powdering)
15 Clovebuds, finely ground
Optional:  8 drops peppermint essential oil

Heat coconut oil enough to be liquid, then blend in other ingredients adding the essential oil last if using it, then pour into your container while still warm.

Makes about a half pint.






4 oz. re-usable glass canning jar $7.95 plus shipping*

*If you are buying several Ravenwind Botanica products at one time, whether the same item or not, you can save substantially on shipping as I will ship it all together, please inquire and we'll get the payment set up right for you.  :)  You can click on 'Ravenwind Botanica' in the list to the right to see all products available.  Thanks for supporting my work.

Organic Seeds Available List

Foreground:  Echinacea, then next toward background:  Black Eyed Susan, then:  Candy Lily.

I grow lots of plants that are edible (E), medicinal(M) [either Western or TCM], attract butterflies(Bu) or hummingbirds(Hu), and/or support honeybees(Ho) or beneficial insects(BI).  This means I often have lots of seeds.  Support my gardens by buying some for yours!  They are grown organically and the list will change, so check back for more.

Balloonflower, note some in middle are starting to open.

Each packet contains a minimum of 50 seeds unless specified otherwise and sometimes
double that amount.  All are ready and easy to germinate varieties (no freezing, scarification, or other special care needed for these varieties).  Please research additional germination and growing details of
each variety if desired...

Castor Bean

Liatris

Seeds Available: 

Candy Lily -Belamcanda chinensis    M  Hu
Grecian Foxglove - Digitalis lanata    Bu  Hu 
Purple Coneflower - Echinacea purpurea    M  Bu
Gayfeather - Liatris spicata    Bu  Hu
Balloonflower - Platycodon grandiflora    M - SOLD OUT
Castor Bean - Ricinus communis    M (toxic) - 10 seeds
Black Eyed Susan - Rudbeckia fulgida    Bu
Marigold - Tagetes sp. (a mix of short and tall)    Bu  Ho
Zinnia sp. (a mix of colors)    Bu  Hu  Ho

Zinnia, my seed packets include a mix of flower colors.

$2.95 each packet - or am open to barter, inquire...plus .95 shipping/handling each.
Please note which seeds you want when ordering.*

Create a Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden!
Order all 9 varieties only $21.95 plus $5.95 shipping - save over $8!*

*If you are buying several Ravenwind Botanica products at one time, whether the same item or not, you can save substantially on shipping as I will ship it all together, please inquire and we'll get the payment set up right for you.  :)  You can click on 'Ravenwind Botanica' in the list to the right to see all products available.  Thanks for supporting my work.

Wild Herbs in Winter

An important aspect of wild-harvesting is to follow the plant throughout the year.  This way you can get to know it not just in its full glory during peak bloom or initial spring flush, but also in seed, in winter, and eventually at seedling stage.  This helps in locating plants for harvest - if no matter when you are out and about exploring you can identify them, and know where to return later.*

Goldenrod - Solidago spp.

Goldenrod - Solidago spp.  (Hubbie in red ;) )

It's also important to know what part of the plant to harvest and when to harvest for optimum strength.    Spending regular time in outdoor locations throughout the year will enable you to be there when the time is right.  Every season has it's beauties.

Heal All - Prunella

These photos were taken mid-February in the mountains of Virginia.  My apprentices couldn't make it out because of the weather, so I did an herb walk and photo essay for them and am sharing it here.

Mullein - Verbascum

Mullein - Verbascum

All of these plants were photographed on one walk beginning on higher ground and leading to a stream.
A plant's location can also help you with identification.  Do you know which of these were found near the stream?  and which would not want their feet wet?

Wild Basil - Satureja, Clinopodium, Calamintha

Wild Basil - Satureja, Clinopodium, Calamintha

Winter is a nice time to get to know a plant because you can see its bare bones, its skeleton, it's basic structure, and often its seed pods.  Pay attention to how it grows on the whole - its habit - and get down close with it and inspect the details.  Fascination awaits!

Alder - Alnus

Alder - Alnus

What new plants will you learn this year?  What plant allies are you working with this winter?

Shiso - Perilla

Shiso - Perilla

*Please get to know your plants well enough to know which ones should be harvested and use ethical harvesting practices if you do, never taking more than 10% unless it is a known common, plentiful, invasive and never harvesting at all if rare or endangered.  Also, know how to harvest so that you allow the plants to continue.  Spread their seed, refrain from using the roots if possible, and prune for good regrowth.

There will be more of these posts to come to help you with identification....

Tinctures Available List

Owl be seeing you in the morning!  Nighty Night!  Sleep Tincture Blend. - order below...

Single Herbs extracted in Alcohol - Folk Method:
Please consult a qualified health practitioner as to use.  May be contraindicated.

Ambrosia - fresh
Ashwaganda
Astragalus

Bibhitaki
Bupleurum
Burdock Root
Calamus Root
California Poppy
Cat's Claw
Chapparal Leaf
Cleavers - fresh
Codonopsis Root
Coltsfoot - fresh
Damiana
Ginger
Gokshura Seed
Goldenrod - fresh
Gotu Kola
HealAll-Prunella-fresh
Houttuynia - fresh
Lemon Balm - fresh
Lemon rind - fresh
Lobelia -Ban Bian Lian
Lobelia inflata - fresh
Mimosa Bark
Mugwort - fresh
Passionflower
Pipalli
Plantain ROOT - fresh
Poria root decotion
Privet Fruit
Raspberry Leaf
Red Root
Scullcap
Shatavari
Siberian Ginseng
Tansy - fresh
Teasel Root - fresh
Usnea - fresh
Valerian Root
Wild Lettuce - fresh
Yerba Santa



Choose your varieties and quantities, then add the appropriate shipping cost, below.*
***Please note which tinctures you want when you order.***
1 oz. - $8.95 ea.

2 oz. - $14.95 ea.

Shipping (expensive for liquids)*

$8.95 flat rate for up to 5 bottles

$12.95 flat rate for 6-15 bottles, inquire for larger quantities.

SPECIAL! - Buy 10 bottles, get a 1 oz. bottle free!
Specify upon ordering which one you'd like free.



The information provided is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any medical condition. 
Please seek a competent health care provider for your specific needs.


 *If you are buying several Ravenwind Botanica products at one time, whether the same item or not, you can save substantially on shipping as I will ship it all together, please inquire and we'll get the payment set up right for you.  :)  You can click on 'Ravenwind Botanica' in the list to the right to see all products available.  Thanks for supporting my work.