St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) is a medicinal herb with centuries of documented use. It is a perennial plant with simple leaves and golden yellow flowers which form rich inflorescences. St. John’s Wort is widespread in Europe, Asia and North Africa. In contemporary medicine, St. John’s Wort is mainly used in the treatment of depression … Continue reading “All About St. John’s Wort – How to Identify + Health Benefits”
Tag: Self Care
Ajuga Reptans (Bugle, or Bugleweed) – Edible and Medicinal but Underappreciated
In this video I talk about Ajuga Reptans, a plant commonly known as Buggle or Buggleweed. This plant is edible and has a long history of medicinal use, but despite all its potential, it remains vastly unappreciated by herbalists and the general public alike. Ajuga Reptans Much as the Ground Ivy which I introduced to … Continue reading “Ajuga Reptans (Bugle, or Bugleweed) – Edible and Medicinal but Underappreciated”
Ground Ivy (Glechoma Hederacea) – Medicinal and Edible Plant with Many Uses
Today I’m out harvesting Ground Ivy (Glechoma Hederacea) – it’s a useful plant that’s edible, medicinal and abundant. It grows an extensive root system which easily breaks and when broken, it encourages the plant to grow more shoots, so you can’t really overharvest the plant. For this reason it’s known as Creeping Charlie in the … Continue reading “Ground Ivy (Glechoma Hederacea) – Medicinal and Edible Plant with Many Uses”
Videos of Barn Swallows from Bird’s Eye Perspective Show Their Beautiful Plumage
The Barn Swallows ((Hirundo Rustica) are a familiar sight to many people. These amazing aerial acrobats are skilled in catching flying insects like a boss and over the centuries, have become habituated to living near humans. The birds migrate to warm climates for winter, but upon their return, they frequently fly above our heads with … Continue reading “Videos of Barn Swallows from Bird’s Eye Perspective Show Their Beautiful Plumage”
Blackthorn (Prunus Spinosa) – Hardy Bushes in Full Bloom
Even though I filmed this video very early in the season, when hardly anything else blooms, leastways not among the trees and bushes, Blackthorn (Prunus Spinosa), also known as “Sloe” in England is all out. Yet in my climate, even though it’s technically already Spring, we get at best +6 degrees Celsius during the day, … Continue reading “Blackthorn (Prunus Spinosa) – Hardy Bushes in Full Bloom”
Coltsfoot (Tussilago Farfara) – How I Harvest and Use the Medicinal Plant for Health
I want to tell you about the herb which has a documented medicinal use going as far back as Ancient Greece or the Roman Empire. The herb is Coltsfoot (Tussilago Farfara). Coltsfoot Identification Coltsfoot is an early season plant which usually blooms between March and April. It’s perennial, meaning it grows year after year from … Continue reading “Coltsfoot (Tussilago Farfara) – How I Harvest and Use the Medicinal Plant for Health”
Scarlet Elf Cup (Sarcoscypha Austriaca) – How to Identify and Use This Edible Mushroom
In this video you can learn how to identify and use the Scarlet Elf Cup (Sarcoscypha Austriaca) – an edible and tasty mushroom. As its name suggests, the Scarlet Elf Cup is a cup shaped fungus which features this rich, red, or scarlet color. The exterior is pale and dull, but the interior is bright … Continue reading “Scarlet Elf Cup (Sarcoscypha Austriaca) – How to Identify and Use This Edible Mushroom”
Shikimic Acid and Other Health Benefits of Pine Needle Tea
I have a bunch of pine trees growing all around me. Most of them, the ones growing within the woods, are too tall and their crowns are at least a dozen meters off the ground. But the ones growing on the fringes of the forest have their crowns within easy reach and I regularly visit … Continue reading “Shikimic Acid and Other Health Benefits of Pine Needle Tea”
Lungwort (Pulmonaria sp.) – Early Season Healing Plant with Medicinal Properties
Lungwort (Pulmonaria sp.) is a healing plant with medicinal properties. It’s one of the first plants of the season to grow, and flowers while it’s still cold outside. As the Latin name of the species – Pulmonaria – suggests, the plant’s medicinal properties are particularly known to benefit the upper respiratory tract. It’s traditionally used … Continue reading “Lungwort (Pulmonaria sp.) – Early Season Healing Plant with Medicinal Properties”
How to Identify Red-Belted Polypore (Fomitopsis Pinicola) – Shelf Fungus with Medicinal Properties
Fomitopsis Pinicola, otherwise known as the Red Belted Polypore, is a basiaiomycete fungus of the Fomitopsidaceae family. While its botanical (Latin) name refers to the conifers on which it predominantly grows, its vernacular name returns to the characteristic red band lining the outer edge of the upper side of the mushroom. Red Belted Polypore Identification … Continue reading “How to Identify Red-Belted Polypore (Fomitopsis Pinicola) – Shelf Fungus with Medicinal Properties”