Spring comes rolling round regardless of the dates we humans put on our calendars. For example, Spring on the mountain comes about 2 weeks after Spring opens in the valley just 14 road miles below.
The plants tell us when Spring has sprung. Yesterday, even though March 21st is 6 weeks away, Michael and I found henbit, purple deadnettle, and even a little dandelion, on my lawn here in the valley. I charged him with getting more familiar with this season’s treats…he’s headed back up the mountain to seek out their larger, easier to inspect kinsmen on the lawn around my cabin. I gave him all the details of his assignment and we will follow this with an online meeting in a few days to discuss what he discovers on his own, and add to it the knowledge I have. Then, even though our schedules and the miles between us aren’t allowing us to walk together right now, we will each create useful preparations and put them to the test. (I never have trouble finding volunteers for this, but I also find huge value in having an apprentice “taste test” their own creations.)
Be sure to check back for updates!
Meanwhile, I thought you might be interested in a how-to for the upcoming pollen season.
Making Plantain Herb Tea
Something nutritious for times of cough, sniffles, seasonal allergies and more.
- small strainer or cotton tea ball
- pair kitchen scissors
- fistful of freshly picked plantain leaves
- small glass, enamel, or stainless steel saucepan with lid
- clean water
- non-plastic, non-aluminum drinking cup
Rinse your fresh plantain leaves in clean water and chop small.
Pour two cups clean water into your sauce pan.
Bring to the boil, then carefully add the chopped leaves, cover, and turn down to simmer for 5-10 minutes.
Turn off heat source, remove from heat, leave covered for another 5-10 minutes.
Strain into your drinking cup, allow to cool to suitable drinking temperature, then sip until gone.
Plantain leaf tea is an old favorite for sinus pressure/pain, allergic sniffles and the coughs that result from these.
Plantain leaf tea can also be used in compresses for itchy rashes and non-infected insect bites and stings.
If you’re interested in learning to use plantain as a poultice, in a salve or even in tincture form, look into one of our courses.
If you prefer to purchase pre-made, high-quality products, check out our Shop.