Lancaster Farmacy

Happenings on the farm

2011-07-07T20:08:00.000-07:00

One of our honey bee workers collecting the delicious sweet and sticky pollen of Blue Hyssop.

Blue Hyssop is an intensely aromatic herb and used for making great tea but also for curing colds and coughs. It is an expectorant and clears excess congestion and mucus related to wet coughs.

Wild Bergamont harvest with a hint of Bee Balm. The bees and butterflies love this plant and it grows in the wild. We love it so much we had to grow it at the farm. It tastes and smells like oregano, and helps with digestive problems. A poultice of it helps draw infection from things like bee stings too.

Hanging Milky Oats to dry. Oats are considered a nutritive herb help replenish the body. They are loaded with calcium. It is a nervine tonic which means it helps with stress and anxiety. This is the same plant your oatmeal comes from...just harvested at a different stage of maturity.

Just like the sun, Calendula opens up everyday. This flower does wonders for skin ailments including eczema, sunburns, rashes, you name it. Internally great for stomach problems and makes a mouthwash for helping canker sores. The flowers are edible and we make a colorful gazpacho with it.

Angela, one of our solid and amazing interns harvesting chamomile among the densely planted area of Blue Vervain, Tulsi and Sage

Casey and Eli are pumped like usual!

Casey harvesting Yarrow in flower

Externally coined "natures stitches" since it stops bleeding and promotes clotting, internally reduces fevers, helps ease menstrual cramps in women and reduce bleeding.

Mullein in flower. We collect the flowers for an ear oil we make to cure ear infections. Mixed with some infused garlic, it does the trick! The leaves are used for lung infections, asthma and other respiratory related issues.

Having a social party picking mullein flowers

Sightings in the Pine Barrens

2011-07-07T18:56:00.000-07:00

Pitcher Plant overlooking the lake, a habitat for so many amazing plants and wildlife...

Pitcher plant is a carnivorous plant and like most of their family, live in swamps or bogs where there isn’t a lot of nitrogen in the soil. They get their nitrogen from the insects and other live bugs that they eat. They have learned how to do this in order to live because a plant usually cannot survive without enough nitrogen.

A mama whip-poor-whil nesting on her eggs at night. These birds are incredibly camoflauge and Casey found this one by its eyes and bird call in the middle of the night. They normally sleep during the day and forage at night for insects and nest on the ground among dead leaves.

                           Sundew, another carnivorous plant of the wetlands. See the fly that
   just got caught in its sticky tentacles? It gets its name from its sticky
   dew like droplets that look like morning dew.

Yellow Swallowtail enjoying the pollen of newly opened Mountain Laurel blossoms

A new plant called turkey's beard we discovered along the roadside in this special dwelling tucked in the pines.

foraging in spring

2011-05-13T23:20:00.000-07:00

Natures treasures found beneath a dying elm tree.

It's always sad to be losing these amazing trees to the Dutch Elm Disease but out of death comes life....

Ramps (wild leeks), Poke shoots, Nettles, and Morels as our ingredients for an amazing wild lasagna!

Casey pulling the bark off a recently fallen tulip popular that is still fresh enough to work the bark off and turn it into a beautiful crafted basket.

We Be Buzz'n

2011-05-11T18:58:00.000-07:00

We've been talking a bees for awhile now and at the end of the fall we started piecing together the equipment needed. A few months later, we have 3 established hives and they all seem to be happily moving in and out finding a great source of dandelion, now buttercups and soon black locust flowers. We have been taking a monthly course in beekeeping from Dave Papke on the other side of the river who is an experienced beekeeper with lots of wisdom to share. We're discovering a huge network of people keeping bees and we're learning how to be helpful in the cycle of honey bees pollination. With more and more pesticides and mite infestations in our environment, the bees struggle to be able to survive so we hope by tending to them and keeping them happy to be "working toward a sustainable future one flower at a time"

If you look closely, you will see these worker bees loaded with pollen on their back legs like saddlebags carrying pollen colors of yellow, orange and white. These insects are mesmerising to watch in their daily routine and even have a dance called the waggle dance to notify others in the colony where the best nectar and honey sources are. All of there senses and direction are driven by the sun.

A look inside one of our hive frames. The queen has been laying her eggs and tiny larva are forming and the worker bees are collecting their honey and storing it for the new bees to come.

check out our new rap we wrote after our first beekeeping workshop...

"We Bee Buzzn"

by dream like a bear

(casey and eli's band)

We bee buzz'n

busting back bonkers over bees

bee dealn, free wheelin

bee buzz'n

we're gona get a nuc,

buzz'n with bees not no nuclear here

we got a super deluxe

deeps and shallows,

screens to keep the mites out

but we'll tell you bout that more another day

so spring is clear,

the nectars near, the brude is breeding

we bee buzz'n,

you may jiv'n but we be hiv'n

you maybe beat box'n

but we be bbbbbbbbbee buzzzzzzz'n

Coltsfoot in flower

2011-04-27T09:08:00.000-07:00

Coltsfoot
Tussilago farfara

I've never seen the flower until this spring when Casey took me to this spot. It's so sweet to see its brilliant yellow rising from the brown leafy carpet of fall and winter. I've been familiar with coltsfoot leaf for sometime now and its such a pleasure to see its flower this time. Coltsfoot flower and leaves are used for healing chest ailments like coughs and bronchitis, hence its folk name "coughwort." It has also been traditionally used to help asthma. On this particular day I felt like I was coming down with a cold and so we gathered some of the flowers with the intention to make a nice tea when we got back home. Casey added rosehips and some elder flowers along with the coltsfoot and I swear the tea cured my sore throat chills and coming cold!

Speedwell

2011-04-12T20:24:00.001-07:00

Speedwell Veronica officinalis

Common names are Veronica, Bird's Eye, Ground-well and Common Speedwell

There is nothing “typical” about a green lawn when speedwell is around. These colorful (varying
shades of blue) vibrant thumbtack sized wildflowers are all over North America by at least a half dozen
common species. With three large petals and one smaller petal pointed down they gather in yards and
gardens. They are members of the figwort family that include mulleins, toadflaxes, snapdragons, and
beardtongues.

It was once used to treat skin diseases, hemorrhages, wounds, coughs, and as a diuretic and
expectorant. The leaves were used in England as a substitute for tea. The Cherokee took this plant
with sweetener to get rid of coughs. They also used the warm juice to soothe earaches and a decoction
of the roots were said to help with childbirth. Speedwell has a great medicinal value for nervousness
caused by mental over exertion. One cup drunk before going to bed, through its soothing effect, is highly
beneficial.

Speedwell is one of the reasons we tell our friends to just let their lawn grow (you should too). Create
habitat for natures pollinators! Do away with the chemical carpet that we call lawn. If you mow, poison,
or “weed” your lawn you are not taking care of it. The land wants you to embrace the bio diversity that
it puts forth. Taking care would be to let it renew, regrow and of course rewild.

Oh and eat some by the way…the blue flowers make a great addition placed on top of icing on cupcakes
and the leaves, flowers, and stalks can be added to salads.
.

Spring Time, a Time for Tonics

2011-04-12T08:07:00.000-07:00

Spring time is a great time for detoxing our body after winter hibernation when we can get sluggish. Tonics are a perfect way to "nurture and enliven" our system in the words of herbalist David Hoffman. They help wake the body from our winter rest and get important things like our bile moving to cleanse our liver which can hold many of our toxins. It only makes sense that the earliest herbs we see in spring are the ones that we should be injesting too. Dandelion, chickweed, violet, nettles, and more. Spring tonics with herbs high in nutrients and minerals and that stimulate and discharge our blood are good for our digestive system, lymphatic system, and urinary system. This batch of spring tonic we made consists of stinging nettles, chickweed, spice bush, sassafras root, dandelion, turkey tail and molasses as a preservative. We spent a sunny but cool spring day building up a fire at Susquehannock State Park, collecting water from the spring, harvesting herbs and making a decoction of the tonic.

Chickweed Stellaria media
Such a common and often overlooked plant that gets written off as "just a weed." "Little star" is a reference to the many sweet star like flowers that line its stems. It's an amazing all-purpose healing plant used internally and externally. It is considered a cooling herb and found in every continent and found even under the snow. Its a great source of food and contains saponins which have soap like action that works to emulsify and permeate membranes in our cells to absorb beneficial nutrients and minerals, making it great for the lymphatic system and glandular system. It neutralizes toxins, weakens bacteria cell walls to fight off sickness in the body, dissolves warts and growths and cysts. Susan Weed writes extensively about this plant and includes that it is great in helping with thyroid irregularities and weight problems.

Spice Bush
Lindera benzoin
Spice bush budding about to unfurl its oval lobed leaves.
Spicebush is a common shrub of swamps and woodlands throughout North America. Spicebush is one of the first plants to bloom in the spring and is named for the aromatic, spicy scent that arises from its leaves, flowers, bark and fruit.
Spicebush includes the brewing of teas from the crushed, dried leaves and the grinding of the dried berries for a seasoning spice. The teas are said to have a range of medicinal properties that include relief of fatigue, pain, arthritis, fever, cold symptoms, intestinal disorders and even breathing difficulties. Oils from the berries can be applied topically to treat bruises and rheumatic pain and as a general fist-aid ointment for cuts.

Stinging Nettles Urtica Dioica

I like to call nettles "natures pharmacy" because it is so beneficial to our bodies being pack with vitamins, minerals, protein and nutrition for the body. They are great to strengthen the kidneys, help heal damaged tissue areas, support the body and balance the adrenal system, immune, digestive, circulatory, endocrine and nervous system! It is incredibly beneficial for women in their menstrual/moon cycles. Great externally for promoting healthy strong hair and skin, making it great for eczema. Don't let the little sting deter you, just wear your gloves or not!

Dandelion Taraxacum Officinale

Everyone knows this herb and often writes it off as another weed. It is a powerfully medicinal plant, so learn a new appreciation for this one and its healing actions! Dandelion is bitter. Bitter herbs like Dandelion help to nourish the liver by stimulating flow and discharge of bile that help flush out the body. Dandelion is also a natural diuretic. It helps relive water and toxins without depleting the body like many over the counter prescriptions do because it contains tons of potassium. Like the other herbs mentioned already, it helps digestive weakness and strength the blood. Gather the leaves and flowers to eat in salads or stir fries, and the root is great for teas and tonics.

Turkey Tail
Trametes versicolor
Part of the polypore mushroom family, Turkey Tail is a highly medicinal and easily found in the woods growing on decaying logs with its colorful stripes and turkey fan tail. Its main effects are to strengthen the immune system. It helps to enhance the most important cells in our body, T helper cells. These are the ones that tell the rest of our cells what to do and when to stop. Many autoimmune diseases and cancers attack these important cells especially during chemotherapy and radiation because they inadvertently kills T helper cells so go Turkey Tail!

Sassafras Sassafras albidum
We love this under story tree for its sweet aroma, its mitten leaves and for the amazing teas it makes from the root. The root is typically harvested in the spring to made into a tonic for cleansing the blood. It is considered one of the best alterative herbs. Alteratives are "herbs that gradually restore proper functioning of the body, increasing health and vitality. Some support natural waste elimination via the kidneys, liver, lungs, or skin. Others stimulate digestion" -David Hoffman, Medical Herbalism. Sassafras also has value as a stimulant, pain reliever, astringent and treatment for rheumatism. Skin eruptions may be bathed in an infusion from the leaves.

I want to honor the Native Americans of our region, the Susquehannock and the Conestoga who practiced their healing traditions and shared things like using Sassafras for its medicine. I think about what the woods used to look like before the indigenous were pushed out and killed by the white settlers. I think about people living closely to the earth, foraging food from the forest that provided, living off and from the land, utilizing everything and being connected and a part of the earth that so many are estranged from today. On a daily basis, I witness the logging of our forests, the over killing of animals for fun, the spraying chemicals on our soil, the dumping trash into our water ways, the mass production of animals and food for consumption and none of it makes any sense. So wherever we are and how ever small we are, every time we harvest our plants, we make sure to replant one in return, and we find ways to protect all life from any more prolonged abuse in whatever ways we can.

All mixed together slowly boiling over our fire at Susquehannock on an early spring afternoon.

A Harbinger of Spring and a Wildflower of Mid Winter

2011-04-04T21:25:00.000-07:00

Skunk cabbage – Symplocarpus Foetidus

As the winter weather starts to wane, and the rays of the spring sun appear the magic of transformation
and growth is happening all around our rich moist woodlands. Tight green spikes appear through
snow and ice, creating melted shapes throughout the forest floor. In a few short weeks these Skunk
Cabbage buds will turn into beautiful solitary reddish green orbs. Often undiscovered the red spathe
sits silent especially when concealed among tangled grasses, with or without snow and ice. As mother
natures’ pollinators crawl through the opening in the spathe they use this natural sauna to stay warm
from the breezy chills of the early often unpredictable spring weather. Creating its own heat and often
maintaining a constant temperature of up to 72 degrees the inside of this plant cave holds a life-saving
supply of golden pollen for beetles, flys, and bees. This skunky odor attracts insects to the spherical
ball of tiny flowers hidden within. Actually the smell often resembles rotten meat and two of its scent-
producing substances are the same chemicals found in decaying animals. In fact the reddish color of the
spathe imitates that of meat and carrion to get the attention of flies and beetles.

A few creatures use the spathe for shelter. Spiders, slugs, frogs, and even warblers have been known to
hang out and even nest inside them during the summer months.

So much talk of the spathe and flowers but the skunk cabbage is usually in all its glory when the bright
green almost chartreuse leaves unfurl and overlap each other carpeting the moist soil. The leaves hinder
other plant growth by blocking out life sustaining sunlight that the skunk cabbage needs to live. These
natural umbrellas keep living beings cool and out of sight from potential predators.

This winter wildflower has been used medicinally for years. The leaves were used in poultices for burns,
root hairs treated toothaches, the scent of crushed leaves helped to alleviate headaches, the pulverized
root was used externally to make hair grow, a charcoal mixed with bear grease was said to cause “power
dreams” and crushed leaves as a poultice were used for the healing of sore knees. Grizzly and black
bears foraged for the roots after hibernation to strengthen and cleanse their stomach.

Once found throughout our region. The skunk cabbage is found less frequent due to encroachment on
the habitat it survives in. Often bogs and swamps get drained for highways, housing, and commercial
developments because of the common thought that these areas are considered “waste” areas
condemned because of no civilized value.

**** When out foraging and you need to make a quick sturdy container use skunk cabbage leaves.
Great for berry collecting and even used as a container for collecting water.

Spring Equinox and Seeds of Intention

2011-03-25T22:12:00.000-07:00

Blessed Thistle Seeds

Over the winter we have been planning and anticipating the day we would be sowing our seeds in our dear farmer friend's greenhouse at Riverview Organics. Casey and I spent many winter retreats paging through heirloom seed catalogs and making decisions for the things we are most excited to grow and offer through our CSM and the coop. It feels like so long ago that the snow surrounded us, insulating sound into quiet stillness. Even though it has been in the 30s this week, green has been poking itself through the browns of wet spring, chickweed is thicker than ever, the nettles beginning to spread its leaves, spring garlic forming its tufts in early pastures and woods, and the woodcocks are performing their spiral mating ritual which we love to watch. These are just a few signs of early spring and so much more is coming...

For our seeds this season, we chose many native plants that we feel a responsibility to grow on our land since we want to share them with others than ourselves which we typically forage. Every seed has its own needs, conditions and characteristics which makes this a wild array of diversity in our seed collection. With my love for art, I've always regarded nature as my favorite artist, opening each packet of seeds is like going to a show and appreciating unique textures, shapes, color, and energy. We have over 60 varieties of herbs, 50 of produce and 40 of flowers, making that 150 total varieties! Each seed we plant feels like our baby and we can't wait to see all of them grow healthy and strong and form new relationships to each one.

Winter: A time to be outdoors...

2011-03-06T22:43:00.000-08:00

We are animals

Who says winter is a time for seclusion, slumber, and consumption?

The foxes are on the side of the fields hugging the brush as they hurriedly scamper about looking for an unsuspecting meadow vole or some other source of energy. The snow geese happily honk in unison as they search for any sign of unfrozen water. The wind is painting with a paintbrush of tiny dried goldenrod flowers creating long arcing shapes in the white fluffy crystals. Reflecting on the growing season we share a warming dried tea blend of lavender, chamomile, and chaga. A biting numbing cold blows across the meadow. Coyote tracks crisscross through the frozen ponds and disappear into the cattail marsh. This is the coldest season of the year. A time for identifying the unique dried shapes of winter wildflowers, a time when wood frogs freeze solid, a time for hibernation, a time for trees to sleep, a time for harnessing our inner strength to destroy the confines of our domestication. We are animals. We are humans. We have unnatural laws, rules, sexual numbness, monetary struggles, addiction, hate, substance abuse, words that hurt, looks that kill. We have the luxury of consumption, this is one of our “luxuries” that keep us blind to the natural ways of the world. We are animals. We can harness our inner desires and create a world our grandchildren will be proud of. Our reclaimed wildness will comfort the earth and her beings. This is healing, for ourselves, others, and the planet. We are animals.

Seedbox: Ludwigia Alternifolia
I have been wanting to share this cool plant with eli since last winter. A perennial that shakes with the wind spilling its golden seeds out the one hole on the top of its box (hence its name). The little woody boxes looks like something that was crafted by gnomes. Grows 1-3 feet in wet meadows. In the primrose family and in the summer sports yellow petaled flowers. You will not have a hard time identifying this unique plant.

The last fruit on this long forgotten pear tree... We have been enjoying the fruit and juice of these feral pears for the past few years. Its funny how we often get soooo many stares from passerby as we gorge ourselves on this sweet fruit...

Eli with some dried Mountain Mint: Pycnanthemum Spp.... We found this growing under wild bee bergamont and surrounded by joe pye weed. When crushed the small gray flower heads smell strongly of mint.

More Mountain mint... we crushed this and rubbed it on our clothes...

Teasel:Dipsacus Sylvestris
A biennial that can grow over 7ft tall. With a very large egg shaped spiky flower head it looms above other dried plants and remains strong during harsh winds.The flower essence has been used to treat Lyme disease. Teasel root helps you with joint and tendon issues, muscle pain and inflammation. We look forward to making a teasel tincture this summer.

Yarrow:Achillea Millefolium
AKA Natures Stitches... We decided to forgo the flower head and focus on these wondrous dried lacy leaves that are clinging onto the stalk. We pulled one out of the ground to admire and found some small green leaves that were hiding under the snow. We ate every last green leaf at the base of the stalk that we could find, reminiscing its bitterness.

Mullein: Verbascum Thapsus
This spike that forms in its second year holds hundreds of seeds. Mullein a useful plant for healing burns, swelling, and ear problems can grow over 6 feet. The whole plant has a woolly like texture over the stalk and leaves. Hummingbirds have been known to use this "wool" to line their nests and native americans stuffed their moccasins with the felt textured leaves. Notice these majestic stalks along roadways, abandoned lots, and meadows...

Pitcher Plant, one of the few native carnivorous plants in Pennsylvania.

A photo taken after a full day of winter explorations

Looking for Interns!

2011-02-25T04:47:00.000-08:00

We are looking for the right people to join us in achieving our goals here at Lancaster Farmacy. Get in touch with us if you have an urge to get your hands dirty, be a part of the growing and harvesting, breathing and eating amazing medicine and food and more. Thanks eli and casey!

Get in on the Community Supported Medicine season!

2011-02-16T23:38:00.000-08:00

Processing hickory nut milk

2011-01-07T22:44:00.000-08:00

We had a large group of participants attend this workshop that we offered as part of our Fall Series. Casey talked about foraging for nuts and the many trips to the woods he would go to collect (making sure he was picking the right kind of Shagbark nuts not Pignut Hickory since they are very bitter). Since we like to put the "work" into our workshops we had everyone help us break up the basket of nuts we had. We naturally fell into a circle formation and everyone assumed a working role in pounding out the meat of each nut to later be boiled. It is a great collective project and the processing flies by when there are good people to share stories with. After bringing the nut meat to a boil over the hot fire coals, we enjoyed this creamy thick sweet nut flavored drink on this gorgeous fall day at Lancaster Farmacy! It is our favorite fall beverage since it is a delicious rich hot drink. We sweeten it with maple syrup. Hickory nuts contain great fiber, magnesium and thiamine. They a good source for carbohydrates, natural oils, unsaturated fats (the good kind) and protein.

Planting garlic

2011-01-07T21:51:00.000-08:00

Taking it one clove at a time we planted our over 17 different unique varieties on about a 1/4 acre. Just a few of the names included Chamiskuri, Georgian Fire, Spanish Roja, Flaming Lips, Slovenian and many more! We are excited to diversify our what most people know as table garlic and add more color and flavor to the palate and eyes...
The above picture shows the succession work of our farmer friend spreading his sheep manure, discing twice and then finally coordinating with our Amish neighbor to come with his mule and mound our beds for planting. We were lucky to accomplish all this between the erratic weather so we were ready to have a planting work party during the skill share weekend.

CSA Potluck at Autumn Blend Organics

2010-11-11T19:32:00.000-08:00

Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative, the coop we are a farmer member of hosts many CSA potlucks throughout the growing season. It is a time when the farmers and their families gather with all the CSA members and share dishes they cook from the abundance of amazing produce grown by the 75 farmers in the coop. At a LFFC potluck it is typical to be held on an Amish farm where there are fun activities going on like hay rides, corner ball games and walking tours. This particular gathering was really special to us since a bus load of folks came down from Harlem, NY who started a CSA site for creating access to organic farm fresh food. their blog is harlemcommunityfarmshare.wordpress.com. A number of their folks were part of our CSM and it was so great to meet everyone in person. We heard so much positive feedback about the herbs they have been learning about from us and told us stories about how they were integrating natural health into their lives.

Harvest from Autumn Blend Organics

We had a the best time meeting some of our Community Supported Medicine
Share members who came all the way from Harlem to visit.
Carrie, Chandra, Sojourner, Casey and Eli

Foraging and Processing

2010-11-11T19:22:00.000-08:00

Praying Mantis living it up on fall nettles

Chicken of the Woods

Casey holding the Paw Paw bootie

Autumn Olives, better than Gogi berry juice any day!

Anise Hyssop, Lemon BeeBalm, White Sage

We can't get enough of this magical fluff!

Harvesting our Speckled Hounds

2010-11-11T19:14:00.000-08:00

Join us for our Fall Workshop Series 10/23 -10/24!

2010-10-11T19:13:00.000-07:00

Fall Workshop Series

by Lancaster Farmacy

part of the Lancaster Skill Share Collective Weekend

Saturday 10/23

Fall Natural Health Care

11am Come learn to prepare your medicine cabinet for the cold season. We will discuss fall medicinal plants and share how to make a root tonic.

The Art of Fire by Friction

12:30pm Rediscover a forgotten skill from our past and reclaim the ability to create a fire from natural materials.

Ways of a Gatherer

2pm Wild nut harvesting/processing. Taste the delicious and nutrient filled food of the forest, Hickory Nuts! We will share how to harvest and process foraged nuts into a nourishing nut milk over our fire from the previous workshop.

Sunday 10/24

Garlic Planting!!

12-3pm Join Lancaster Farmacy in a community workday of planting this medicinal food, garlic. Get hands on experience on a certified organic farm.

All free, donations welcomed

All workshops located at our farm at 1075 Gypsy Hill Road

From county park, head down Gypsy Hill Road, look on left for old stone wall. Left turn into hidden land in the wall. (Before the bridge and across from Esther's yellow house) Continue up land and look to left for Lancaster Farmacy.

Open to the public for workshops only

Lancaster Farmacy is a new organic herb farm part of Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative

www.lancasterfarmacy@gmail.com

www.lancasterfarmacy.blogspot.com

Elderberries and butterflies

2010-09-16T17:56:00.000-07:00

Elderberries! Fully ripe and ready to harvest. It is a true sign of late summer when it is elderberry time. We gathered these to store as well as make a special syrup for keeping away any winter colds. It is been used by many generations as a folk remedy and we both love it. Another great attribute of this plant/shrub is that it is native to us and grows wild in the right settings. Meadows, damp areas with lots of sun. In the early spring you can collect the the flowers which are great for fevers. Casey is in waist deep gathering the tiny little berries. The goldenrod was just starting to bloom, making it an especailly bright day to harvest. The funny part was that we were feeling like we needed to get back to the farm to get more work done and convinced ourselves we needed some more wild time in the woods. As we drove through this open area we discovered the elder ready to be harvested. It was quiet a productive afternoon!

We are honored to have these wonderful monarch catepillars munch their ways on our milkweed plants. A few weeks later we were watching them pollinate all the beautiful flowers blooming on the farm. There have been thousands of butterflies, bees, birds and more insects visit us and it is magical to be surrounded by them all and the powerful plants we have grown.

CSM share of Lemon Bee Balm, Calendula, and Catnip

2010-09-16T17:37:00.000-07:00

Week Two CSM Share
7/26/10

It was fall of last year when Eli and I first came up with this whole idea of CSM and Lancaster Farmacy. It was at that time we were foraging for wild foods such as hickory nuts, butternuts, mushrooms, burdock root, spicebush berries, pawpaws and many more wonderful edibles from natures garden. We would spend many nights under the moon planning this endeavor. Owls were commonly heard hooting off in the distance as we excitedly came up with new ideas. One of the many things we enjoy is discovering and identifying the flora and fauna Mother Nature has to offer. On a very chilly late afternoon in December, we decided that we were going to identify winter wildflowers. This means mostly dried flowers that had bloomed their wonderful blossoms earlier and shot up varied seed heads that were held tightly in their brown capsules. There were many dried plants we identified. Many asters, two types of goldenrod, milkweed and dogbane, joe pye weed, ironweed and then one we got really excited about. There was a very tall lone flower that floated with the gentle breeze. This dried brown creation was held in place by its tight root system and teetered back and fourth as we started to identify it. “Hmmm” I said as Eli looked it over. We both noticed its very prominent cube like stem. This is one of the key characteristics for plants in the mint family. So another identifying feature for plants in the mint family is that usually they are very fragrant. Now this plant has been brown and dry for quite some time. We broke off the thimble shaped seed head and crushed it in our cold gloveless hands and to our surprise we smelled a fragrant minty smell in the air. Looking in a few of our field guides we discovered that this tall majestic plant is Wild Bergamont. We knew right then that we wanted to grow many types of this mint. We have seen its close relative Bee Balm in the wild and also love Earl Grey Tea from which this is one of the main ingredients.

Lemon Bee Balm:
(Monarda Citriodora)
We are growing over 4 varieties of bee balm and bergamont. We have included in your share this week a variety known as Lemon Bee Balm. Most members of the mint family have tiny hidden flowers, not bee balm… these flowers are very large and colorful wanting to attract the attention of hummingbirds and humans. Like the various mints that they are related to bee balm is used as a flavoring in food. There are many uses for this showy plant. The leaves and young plants were added to cold drinks, salads and made into jellies. Native Americans drank a tea made from the plant for headaches, sore throats and to treat chills and fevers. The crushed leaves were used to help reduce the pain and irritation of insect bites. The small tender leaves were also used to treat acne. Make your own Earl Grey by making some black tea and adding some lemon bee balm leaves or flowers to it. As with other members of the mint family this plant will help relieve stomach aches and is also good as a toothache and headache remedy.

To make tea:
Pour 6 cups of boiled water on about ½ bunch of fresh herbs, cover with lid, let stand for about 15 minutes, cool, strain, sweeten to your preference and drink. Adjust to your liking for strength by adding more water or more herbs.

……………………………………..

Comments from Lancaster Farmacy:
Many people tell us that they feel intimated by using herbs and don’t know where to begin. This is one of the many reasons why we wanted to start our CSM, to have a chance to experience herbs first hand and read the information provided about the many actions they have. Drinking several cups of tea will not affect you in an adverse way, but more give your taste buds and body a chance to become familiar to the herbs. If you want to treat symptoms you may have, we would advise you to use the herbs that apply to you more regularly by making a tea to drink 3 cups a day from or in a tincture form.

Calendula:
(Calendula Officinalis)
Calendula has many uses. Many studies have shown Calendula to have anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. Medicinally the flowers have been used to treat anything from scorpion bites to toothaches. It is used in many oral products like mouthwashes since it helps cure ulcers and gum issues. Tinctures of calendula flowers have been recommended in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments including cramps and stomachaches. Calendula increase urination, aids digestion and acts as a general tonic.
We are sending these fresh flowers to be enjoyed as an edible. Remember food is medicine. You can also dry them and use them for broths, tinctures or oils at a later time. We will be offering some of these items in later shares.
Here is a recipe that we came up with for a recent story about Lancaster Farmacy in the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Calendula Flower Gazpacho
Makes 4 to 6 servings
1 cucumber, peeled and roughly chopped
4 large heirloom tomatoes, preferably Cherokee purple, roughly chopped
1/2 bell pepper, roughly chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 small carrot, peeled and roughly chopped
1 celery rib, roughly chopped
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 sweet candy onion, roughly chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh calendula petals
3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
Sea salt to taste
Pinch of black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil
Combine all ingredients except parsley and basil in a food processor and process until smooth. Stir in herbs, refrigerate until cool, and serve
- Courtesy of Lancaster Farmacy
Per serving (based on 6): 47 calories, 2 grams protein, 9 grams carbohydrates, 5 grams sugar, trace fat, no cholesterol, 21 milligrams sodium, 2 grams dietary fiber.
……………………………………
Catnip: (Nepeta Cataria) Most people automatically assume that Catnip is just for cats. Cats do love this plant. Some cats will bite, play, chew, or even roll all over the plant “going crazy” for it.
Most often referred to as "catmint" in Europe, the hardy perennial herb grows wild in Europe and the northern Mediterranean area. It was introduced to North America by early settlers who brought this valuable medicinal herb along with them as a part of their natural pharmacy. Since it spreads and propagates so readily, it is now growing wild throughout much of the northern hemisphere. Catnip is considered one of the oldest household remedies.

Catnip makes a soothing tea which is mild enough to give to small children. In many cultures, it is thought to purify the blood, but it also has definite merit when used for its calming and sedative effects, both in adults and in small children. Taken alone in a tea or combined with other herbs such as chamomile, skullcap, and/or lavender a half hour to one hour before bedtime will result in a natural drowsiness to promote a restful sleep. During times of stress or anxiety, the calmative properties of a cup of catnip tea will reduce tension that can lead to headaches and other negative physical responses.
Catnip is used for toothache relief by chewing a few leaves. Herbal teas containing catnip can be helpful in treating or preventing muscle cramps due to its antispasmodic properties. For women it is helpful with menstrual cramps. For any type of cramping, it is most effective when combined with other herbs such as chamomile, red raspberry leaf, ginger root, or cinnamon. It has mild diuretic properties that help to reduce fluid retention.
The oils in Catnip are very volatile, so when you steep it make sure to cover the tea with some sort of lid to keep the medicinal effects intact longer.
Catnip is also used for enemas and is a quick way to get the herb in your system to reduce fevers and headaches.
To make Catnip tea:
(See directions above for making tea under Lemon Bee Balm)
Note: Your herbs are fresh like produce so they want to be refrigerated. If you do not see yourself trying them within a few days, you can dry them for later use by hanging them in a dark, warm, dry place. A brown paper bag or glass container is a great way to store your herbs once dried.
*Products in your CSM have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease

If you want to access more of these herbs, you can buy them on the Four Season Harvest Buying Club Program on the Lancaster Farm Fresh Coop’s website:
www.lancasterfarmfresh.com

check out our site:
www.lancasterfarmacy.blogspot.com

Medicinal Plant Skill Share Workshop

2010-07-27T23:12:00.000-07:00

Walking through the beds at Lancaster Farmacy. Plants in picture foreground are Bonset, a powerful cure all herb that people have used for centuries. It was typically found hanging in the rafters of most homes. It is used to delay the onset of flu or fever, taking the ache out of the bones, hence the name. It is also used for healing broken bones, making them stronger. It has a very bitter taste but that means it is a strong and powerful healer. We recently found some while swimming by a lake in the wild and have been since seeing it in many meadows and marsh like areas. It is ready to be harvested in this picture, right before the flowers fully open.

This was the second workshop we did as part of the Lancaster Skill Share Collective but was the first time we held a workshop on the farm and we really enjoyed sharing the abundance of plants and pollinators that surround us. We shared the knowledge we each had about the plants, how they grow and their uses. After walking through our herb beds, we gathered under the canopy tent (it was 100+ degrees!) and shared iced moon tea we made of Blue Hyssop, Lemon Bee Balm and Lemon Balm. Everyone shared their stories of healing in their lives and we all walked away with more understanding of ways to take care of the land and our communities.

Week One CSM Shares

2010-07-27T22:40:00.000-07:00

Week One of our Community Supported Medicine share consisted of fresh bunches of Lemon Balm, Holy Basil (Tulsi) and Chickweed Salve we made. We have been working up to our CSM program since we started planning Lancaster Farmacy last fall. From seed, to planting, to tending and now to harvesting and preparing products. We typically harvest at dawn, dusk and even at night with headlamps to make sure these herbs are at their peak of freshness and medicinal potency. Shares include 2-3 items of fresh or dried plants and at times a prepared product made from our harvests. Being part of Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative has helped us reach people within 150 mile radius to us and we enjoy sharing what we grow.

Fire by friction

2010-07-27T22:34:00.000-07:00

The first hiking trip Casey and I ever took was in Northern Pennsylvania. He brought along a bow drill kit and encouraged me to attempt to make fire by friction. I had tried once many years ago but quickly gave up at the time. Each time we set up camp I made many more attempts to get it but never did. I began to feel discouraged about the possibility of being able to ever get it. My goal was to get it for my 30th birthday gathering and it only took the weekend after at the same spot we had the fire where many good people from different eras of my life came together.

Maintaining concentration and patience to blow softly but not too hard to keep the ember alive...

and then eli finally got her fire!

Harvesting Lemon Balm and Catnip for the Co-op

2010-07-13T18:09:00.000-07:00

Borage

2010-07-13T18:04:00.001-07:00

Holy Basil / Tulsi

2010-07-13T18:03:00.000-07:00

Calendula

2010-07-07T19:52:00.000-07:00

Calendula:

Where to begin? Our plan from the beginning was to have TONS of calendula. We wanted to plant a huge strip of calendula 4 feet wide by 300 feet long. Our hopes were to have this beautiful orange marigold exploding its beautiful bright orange rays of petals across our farm. We planted sooo many at first because we were a little unsure about the germination rate and this being our first time at a larger scale than what we were used to we wanted to make sure we had enough of this “orange sunlight”. We ended up having plenty. We decided to do some companion planting and added them in between the rows of ground cherries and the few heirloom tomatoes we are growing. They seem to be doing great.

Calendula has many uses. Medicinally the flowers have been used to treat anything from scorpion bites to toothaches. Tinctures of calendula flowers have been recommended in the treatment of a wide variety of ailments including cramps, toothaches, fever, flu, and stomachaches. The flowers are supposed to induce sweating in a fever, increase urination, aid digestion and act as a general tonic. Many Studies have shown Calendula to have anti – viral and anti-inflammatory properties.

To make an infusion pour 1 cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoons of flowers and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes.

To make a calendula oil. Fill up a 1 quart container with fresh or dried calendula flowers. Slowly add olive oil until all flowers are covered under the oil. Leave this in a cool dark place for a few days shaking and opening up and smelling (to make sure oil didn’t go rancid) everyday. When ready use to sooth skin rashes and other skin ailments.

Heating up the oil and adding beeswax can be a wonderful way to create a healing skin salve that you can use for the whole family.

April spring encounters

2010-04-26T20:54:00.000-07:00

The first foraging trip we took together was in the fall. Casey knew of a spot by the Susquehanna that I had never been to. We entered into the autumn beauty and walked along the path surrounded by paw paw trees. These native trees to our area are special for many reasons, the most selfish reason is eating their fruit! Paw paws taste in between a mango and a banana so all you regional local minded people, transition with these great native fruit. Since they are only out for a few weeks it was a lot of fun to go harvest together. Another great use of paw paw is their soft wood for making bow drill spindles. We also found hickory nuts, spicebush berries, and the first spotting of pine sap for both casey and me. This spring I was so excited to observe the early stages of the paw paw in these amazing flowers that remind me of orchids, tough yet so precise and unique, and they even have a sweet smell. ahhh paw paw.

Since Casey is now famed for his morel foraging I've been lucky enough to spend a lot of time with him hunting for these great wild fungi. This was one of my first sightings under the may apples. I was super excited, especially for eating them later that night.

eli finds her first ever and is pumped!

Casey's harvest of poke and morels in his hand crafted

tulip poplar bag

Wild Garlic, Milkweed shoots, and Evening Primrose Roots

This was the day we planted 250 native trees in the meadow by the Little Beaver Creek in Strasburg, part of the Chesapeake Bay Water Restoration project for my dad's land.

Plant Identification Workshop

2010-04-26T20:31:00.000-07:00

Lancaster Farmacy taught workshops at the Lancaster Skill Share weekend 4/21. One workshop was on making plant medicine and the other a plant identification walk at the county park. We were happy to see so many people come out for these. Families, young folks, old folks and all of us sharing knowledge we have learned about medicinal uses of plants.

Holding up a dug up Spring Beauty Corm. Sweet smelling and tasty.

eli talks about the history of Spicebush Tree. A native plant used for strong tea by native americans to our area. colonists used the spicebush treed in place of imported tea during the tea boycotts from England.

Wild Ginger

Casey harvesting the root of Wild Ginger

Early April

2010-04-26T20:00:00.000-07:00

Seedlings making their way strong at Riverview Organics Greenhouse in this pic are Mullein, Boneset, Pennyroyal, Holy Basil, Lavender, Bee Balm and so many 1,000's more!

A lot of our mature seedlings went off to customers all over the region

Special heirloom pea variety that Rayne is helping us to plant.

The sleeping giants of the newly tilled pea patch that Cedes did all on her own!

Nettle harvest in the foreground of marsh marigold in flower.

Virginia Bluebells fill the hillside overlooking the Susquehanna River at Shenks Ferry. Magical!

Blue Cohosh finally unfurled. This plant is a powerful womens healing herb used as a uterine tonic, an emmenagoge. Great for premenstrual syndrome.

Below Casey digs for some fresh spring beauty or cutleaf toothwort corms or maybe some fresh poke.

Cut Leaf ToothWort - The corms kind of look like teeth. It is an edible that tastes like horseradish so you can make your own wild garnish!

Early Poke (above) - This tender green is delicious if cooked the right way. Boil in water 3x before sauteing and it is a wonderful alternative to asparagus from the woods.

Wild Leeks/Ramps - Just like an onion/leek soooooo good!

Japanese Knotweed (below)- A highly invasive plant and delicious to eat. You can do two good things at once, harvest and cook and help keep native plants from being taken over.

This fresh from the woods wild harvest dinner has a little bit all of all these things

(accept the Slow Rise bread)

Tulip Poplar emerging... a sign of morels

The Red Buds blossoming....!

Sightings in the woods 3/25

2010-03-30T21:31:00.000-07:00

On the level with the May Apples!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spice Bush just beginning to flower at Susquehannock State Forest, beautiful!

Trout Lilly bulbs sweet and tasty for eating

The first sign of Jewel Weed coming up

Blood Root in bloom

Day Lilys harvested for a wild meal...

The shoots, flowers and tubers are all edible and delicious!

Nothing better than eating a fine saute of day lily over a fire off the Appalachian Trail (take notice that most lilies are poisonous so make sure you know your day lilies!)

Starting the growing season

2010-03-30T21:15:00.000-07:00

Plotting out the beds for the acre ahead...

We began to till...

Check out that awesome roto tiller of Lancaster Farm Fresh Co-op! We love being a member

Nothing like working mother and daughter in the dirt in Lancaster county...restoring roots back home!

Transporting the donated straw...again. The life of transient farmers..moving from one barn, to another warehouse, to another barn...

Starting seeds in the at one of the farmer's greenhouse part of the co-op. Little seeds take lots of patience.

Wild

2010-03-30T20:53:00.000-07:00

These are just some of the things we have been stumbling across while in the woods.

A spring peeper peepin away at Middle Creek to find a mate! peep peep peep

A rare find, a Spotted Salamander. Shortly after we spotted this spotted creature, we found it had given birth to several large milky white egg sacs. So exciting....

A spring favorite, nettle! Early nettles are delicious to eat and provide tons of calcium and beneficial properties. Those of you who have allergies should start harvesting this to make tea (don't forget it does sting so maybe gloves if you like!) We drink this all season long because its great for everything!

Scarlet Cups growing through the leaves, first of the year!

Making Chickweed Salve

2010-03-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago the chickweed started growing in abundance. We went out to one of the farmers hoop houses where it needed to be weeded and harvested this special medicinal plant used externally for skin irritations and bites. Great to eat as a salad green too full of nutrients.

Making sure to rise the plant material off in cool water. After washing, it is important to let everything wilt and slightly dry before infusing in oil or else it is prone to mold

There are two approaches to infusing olive oil with your medicinal plants. One is the slow method using the sun filling a mason jar with equal parts plant material to oil. The other is by slow cooking on low heat in a double stainless steel pot for 3 hours.

After the oil has been well infused, it is time to strain with cheese cloth.

Once the oil is strained, reheat on low and begin to add 1/4 part beeswax shavings

Pour into jars and add a preservative like vitamin e oil to keep the shelf life longer.

Community Supported Medicinal Herb Shares (CSM)

2010-03-12T13:40:00.000-08:00

Spring is so close and we are getting excited to be preparing our new acre of land for planting the seeds of our vision! We are currently signing people up for our Community Supported Medicine Shares (CSM) and happy to be a new member of Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative to distribute our harvest and products. Check us out at www.lancasterfarmfresh.com/csm.asp

What is CSM?
CSM stands for Community Supported Medicine. The CSM model has been created by Lancaster Farmacy. Our goal is to work with Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative to distribute local organic herbs and herbal products for home health care. By purchasing a share, you receive harvested fresh and dried herbs and prepared herbal products from the farm. You will also receive information about medicinal usages and remedies for keeping you and your family healthy throughout the seasons.

How much will I get?
In 2010 Lancaster Farm Fresh Cooperative will deliver 20 weeks of local organic herbal medicinal products to CSM members. All shareholders will receive a delivery every week and a delivery every other week for half shares. Items in shares will vary throughout the season. In mid July shares will include several bunches of fresh herbs with recipes for making beneficial teas with herbs like chamomile for calming, lemon balm for energy, and hyssop for colds. Later in the fall when our harvest is slowing down you will receive prepared medicine products to expand your herbal medicine cabinet with things like tinctures for boosting immunity, tonics for aiding digestion, salves and oils for all purpose skin healing and herb infused bath salts for relaxing aching muscles.

Calendula

2010-03-12T08:36:00.000-08:00

Calendula flowers are a great healer! Medicinal uses: Internally the petals or leaves can be used in a tea to induce sweating, promote menstruation, increase urination, relieve stomach cramps, indigestion and stomachaches, and for relief from flu and fevers. Externally, Calendula flowers and leaves can be made into an ointment or powder for a variety of common skin ailments, including cuts, scrapes, abrasions, scalds, blisters, acne, rashes (including diaper rash), chicken pox outbreaks, and athlete's foot. For bee stings, rub the fresh flowers directly on the sting to relieve the pain.