Goji Berry

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by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP – Living in Natures Love Lifestyles @insideawareness.com

Nightshade Family

  • Black Goji Berries (Lycium ruthenicum)
  • Red Goji Berries  (Lycium barbarum)

Goji Berries

The Goji berry is the high altitude strain of the lycii berry found in the Himalayas, Nepal, and Tibet

Other names:  Wolfberry, Matrimonial Vine

  • Symbolizes:  Longevity, protection, holding one’s own energy strong 
  • Flowers meaning:  transforming grief and sadness 
  • Associated with:  Brow Chakra

Health & Wellness

Goji berries are believed to slow signs of aging, increase immunity, strength liver, kidneys, lungs, muscles and bone, and improve memory and vision.  Goji berries increase white blood cell counts and stimulate tissue development.  They have high levels of zeaxanthin, lutein, polysaccharides and polyphenolics, which have been shown to improve vision, including the prevention of age-related macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy.  

They are anti-inflammatory, an antioxidant, and a great source of calcium, fiber, flavonoids (quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, hesperidin and rutin), iron, and the  vitamins; A, B Complex (thiamin niacin, pantothenic acid, and riboflavin), and C. 

Dried Bulk Goji Berries – Canadian sourced

Dried Bulk Goji Berries – Canadian sourced

Goji Seeds – Canadian sourced

A well known herbalist quote about the Goji:

In Spring you take its leaves, which are known as the Essence of Heaven.

In Summer you take its flowers, which are known as the Longevity of Life.

In Autumn you take its fruits, which are known as the Chinese Goji.

In Winter you take the bark of its root, which is known as the skin and bone of the Earth, or the Staff of the Almighty Creator.

Taking these four parts in the four Seasons respectively will give your life as lofty as Heaven and Earth…

Ways to enjoy Goji berries

Dried Goji berries are readily available and can be eaten dried as a snack and are especially good in trail mixes. You can soak them for a few minutes to soften and add them to cereals, salads, soups, stews and desserts. A tea infusion is also a nice way to enjoy them. Goji berries are also available in powder form to add to green drinks and juices.

Picking fresh Goji Berries in September and October is my favorite way of eating them. Their texture and taste are completely different than when eaten in dried form. Fresh berries are slightly sour with an interesting taste. When dried they become sweet.

When growing Goji berries in the future I would be sure to create a long row of plants similar to growing raspberries or blueberries. The berries ripen in the fall and are easily dried.

Dried Bulk Goji Berries – Canadian sourced

Dried Bulk Goji Berries – Canadian sourced

Goji Seeds – Canadian sourced

Traditional uses and properties of herbs are for educational purposes only.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.  Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Any serious health concerns or if you are pregnant, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs.

Copyright 2014 – 2022  Living in Nature’s Love by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement  since 2000
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Chanting Chakra Mono Syllables while Sound Bathing with Singing Bowls

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by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP–Living in Natures Love Lifestyles insideawareness.com

It wasn’t long after getting comfortable playing the crystal singing bowls before there was an inner urge to chant along with the sound vibrations. I remembered listening to a movement pattern presentation by a renowned Feldenkrais® Trainer, Ruthy Alon, and her suggestions to make a sound vibration while doing a particular mythemic pattern of movement. The purpose was to increase the inner vibrations of the movement and combine the two. I acted on this inner urge and began learning the mono ​s​yllables of each Chakra.

Yes your voice creates a sound vibrations from the inside out.

Yes a micro-movement pattern creates a vibration through the bones of your skeleton.

chakras 06
mono ​s​yllables of the chakras

As suggested in an article written in 2018, Chanting sounds & symbols for each of the 7 Chakra Energy Centers, these mono syllables can be used to clear the blocked chakra energy centers.

When playing the bowls to clear physical, mental an emotional bodies, I synchronize the sound of each bowl separately with the corresponding chakra chant. I repeat this pattern 9 times for each bowl as suggested in 2018’s article, Chanting sounds for each of the 7 Chakra Energy Centers.

Sound Bathing for self connection

Some of effects of playing and chanting that I am noticing is a deeper connection to the sound of my own voice tones. I have discovered that there is a surface voice tone that I can describe as reactive and reflective of the emotions of flight, fright and fear. Chanting and sound bathing is encouraging a sound from underneath of what I will call a fighty surface reactive voice to a deeper, grounded and connected inside my body. This deeper tone I experience vibrating from a different place in my body that has the effect of being more connected and confident from inside. Having these two separate responses to my own voice I can now recognize the vibration of my voice that reflects flight, fright and freeze. It’s vibration is a vibration on the surface of my body which stimulates a rush of feelings of doubt, fear and frustration. This recognition of the two experiences gives me a choice of where I want the tone to to come from. These choices are from the reactive and disconnected voice or a deeper connected voice. The other great thing is that I can change my voice when I become aware of it.

For more on spoken word sounds and the effects of these to levels of inner sound vibrations go to Sound Bathing & waking up to spoken word Influences

Renee Recommends

Recently on the news they headlined a little newsclip on what to do for health and wellness in these turbulent times. The guest being interviewed suggested three things to support staying connected to a feeling of inner harmony. These were; meditation, small movements and sound therapy. I smiled in agreement.

My suggestion for exploring activities that ignited inner awareness for balance starts with understanding where attention goes energy flows. For me, this means learning to pause to check in to become aware of the experience so there is a choice to change it. Something I learned from Dr. Marshall Rosenberg is that there is no unseen higher authority holding one hostage to their circumstances.

Some suggestions for exploring self-connection and balance are:

  • Awareness through Micro-movements
  • Awareness through Communication
  • Awareness through Eating
  • Awareness through Goals
  • Awareness through Meditation
    • Sound Bathing
  • Awareness through Nature
  • Awareness through Space

Learn more on these ways for increasing self-connection and balance

Learn more
Contact Renee

Integrate a Chakra Lifestyle:  

Copyright 2014 – 2021  Living in Nature’s Love by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement  since 2000

Sound Bathing

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by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP–Living in Natures Love Lifestyles insideawareness.com

Sound wave – Photo by Pixabay

In a previous article, Influencing healthy brain function with Crystal Singing Bowls, I share a few of the immediate benefits I noticed in my brain even with 15 to 20 minute sound sessions.

Choosing Crystal Bowls to align personal energy centers – the Chakras

I began Integrating sound using harmonic resonance of 7 crystal singing bowls to create a sound bath. These bowls are tuned to notes to align with the seven basic chakra energy centers. Starting with the largest bowl to smallest the notes are: C, D, E, F, G, A, B. Playing these crystal bowls has been life changing. The brain clarity mentioned in Influencing healthy brain function with Crystal Singing Bowls is a valuable experience. This includes increased clarity in my senses, intuition, meditative experience and physical function.

The notes and corresponding chakras of the bowls I am playing are:

  • C – Root Chakra
  • D – Sacral Chakra
  • E – Solar Plexus Chakra
  • F – Heart Chakra
  • G – Throat Chakra
  • A – Third Eye Chakra
  • B – Crown Chakra

Sound Bathing

I am discovering that sound bathing with the crystal singing bowls is an integrative experience with the practices that I already pursue. It marries well with the growing awareness techniques of the Feldenkrais® Method and the Language’s of Empathy, Nature and Space. Its deepening clarity of the practical aspects of function and seems to be waking up my brains cognitive function that is refining my connections to physical, mental and emotional function. This crystal bowl journey is a pleasant surprise. In the past I have only witnessed the bowls being played by those adopting a self image and presenting themselves in guru cultural costumes. As an empath I find those adopting personal attire and characteristics to reflect what they believe will influence their talent uncomfortable and distracting. Imagine my own surprise when I had a gravitational pull towards playing them myself, minus the attire. What I am discovering is they are not a showman’s tool but a valuable asset for understanding the connection between sound and clarity.

Recommendations

Society is in transitioning into an unknown future. As much as we hear comments of getting back to normal after this current pandemic, what most are not aware of is that there is a new normal. There isn’t any going back to what was as new habits and expectations have been created during the pandemic and climate change events. As a Feldenkrais® Practitioner I understand that new habits appear after only taking new action three or four times. The pandemic shut the world down for 18 or so months which means the shift has already begun. Now lets factor in the natural world phenomenons that began even before the pandemic like the massive fires , flooding, droughts and wind storms. Another influence to consider is the awakening consciousness in relationships involving sexual orientation, colour, status, age, etc. Cultural change is happening simply by experiencing these change events.

My recommendation is for each individual to find ways to practice mindfulness to increase clarity and inner calm to have a better experience through transitional changes. I am referring to actions to reduce the clutter of words, thoughts and storytelling that create an environment for calm and increased mindfulness. Why? This will increase one’s level of tolerance and ability to cope and reduce levels of stress, I believe it will enhance decision making abilities and increase mental, emotional and physical wellbeing even while in changing environments. Playing these bowls has brought me to a deeper connection of clarity, peace and deeper understanding. Other ways I have enjoyed this space of focus and calm is through meditation, the Feldenkrais® Method of Somatic Movement and the Language of Empathy, Nature and Space.

Read more on Sound Bathing and waking up to spoken word Influences,

Influencing healthy brain function with Crystal Singing Bowls

Learn more
Contact Renee

Renee recommends:

Crystal Singing Bowls

Integrate a Chakra Lifestyle:  

Copyright 2014 – 2021  Living in Nature’s Love by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement  since 2000
Chanting sounds & symbols for each of the 7 Chakra Energy Centers

Sound Bathing & waking up to spoken word Influences

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by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP–Living in Natures Love Lifestyles insideawareness.com

Influence of spoken words and thoughts

In earlier articles, Influencing healthy brain function with Crystal Singing Bowls and sound bathing, I share the influence of playing crystal singing bowls and how I experience it wake up inner sensations and responses to the harmonics in the sound. I compare the new sound responses to my old, familiar and dulled down responses to old sounds. These crystal singing bowl sound baths have heightened somatic clarity on how spoken word and silent trains of thought stimulate the brain in a similar way. The sound of these crystal bowls is heightening my somatic sense to reactive response closer to the root source or stimulus. Waking to the response has me notice how my body responses to the words we speak and to the silent voices inside our head.

A growing connection to how the body responds to hearing spoken words and listening to thoughts

I have made the personal discovery that whether I am listening to the high and clear harmonies of the bowls or to spoken words inside my head, they’re environmental influences stimulating my brain. This brain stimulation will correspond with reactions mentally, emotionally or physically. I have taught and mentored a language of empathy for two decades and one principal is demonstrating how words and voice tones can influence physical, mental and emotions reactions. This new connection to crystal bowl harmonics has given a new meaning to this old teaching point. The words don’t even have to be spoken out loud to have influence! There doesn’t even need to be any true facts in what is being said or thought about.

Have you ever noticed how you may be influenced by words and how they vibrate through you somatically?

Society is in transition into an unknown future. There are many comments of getting back to normal after this current pandemic and what the speakers are not aware of is that there is a new normal. There isn’t any going back to what was. Why? New habits and expectations have been created. New habits appear after doing something differently for three or four repetitions and the pandemic shut the world down for 18 months. New habits have already been created. The shift has already begun. Lets factor in the natural world phenomenons that began even before the pandemic. The massive fires , flooding, droughts and wind storms. Another influence to consider is the awakening consciousness in relationships involving sexual orientation, colour, status, age, etc.

Renee’s recommendation

Be

My recommendation is for each individual to find their connection to ways for increasing clarity and inner calm. By ways, I mean actions to reduce the clutter of words, thoughts and storytelling to provide oneself with a clearer mental environment for creating calm and inner quiet for increasing mindfulness. Why? This will increase one’s level of tolerance and ability to cope with the activity around them. The reduced level of stress will enhance decision making abilities and be healthier mentally, emotionally and physically.

Playing Crystal Singing Bowls has brought me to a connection of clarity, peace and deeper understanding. Other ways I have engaged in this pursuit prior to playing these bowls where through the activities of:

  • Awareness through Micro-movements
  • Awareness through Spoken Word
  • Awareness through Eating
  • Awareness through Goals
  • Awareness through Meditation
    • Sound Bathing
  • Awareness through Nature
  • Awareness through Space
Learn more
Contact Renee

Influencing Health Brain Function with Crystal Singing Bowls

Integrate a Chakra Lifestyle:  

Copyright 2014 – 2021  Living in Nature’s Love by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement  since 2000

Influencing healthy brain function with Crystal Singing Bowl

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by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP–Living in Natures Love Lifestyles insideawareness.com

Pic by Renee Lindstrom
Pic by Renee Lindstrom
432 Hz tuned Singing Bowls

Getting familiar with these Crystal Singing Bowls has been from the experience of playing them. A few benefits I notice is a reduction in brain fatigue and fogginess even with 15 to 20 minutes sessions. These crystal bowls are tuned to 432 hz that I soft and calming. I have learned 432 hz is the tone of the universe and that it’s related to sacred geometry. Apparently it shares the same roots as musical theory, science and architecture.

Originally I began researching sounds and their effects on my plants. This led to more questions on how sound can influence ones brain and physical function bringing me to this point of playing crystal singing bowls. I discovered that the resonance of sound creates a vibration through one’s senses that is filtered through to the brain that then signals physical and emotional reactions. This reaction includes any common sound heard in the environment or sound purposely played for entertainment, healing or meditation. Whatever the sound, it has an illusive influence over one’s physical and emotional bodies that can stimulate mental states and often it is without one’s awareness or conscious choice. (Remember back to a time hearing a song that invoked tears or a strong desires to dance.)

A new sound increases conscious awareness of sounds connection and impact on mind, body and emotions

When I began playing bilateral beats for my plants I noticed an immediate somatic response to this new and novel sound and I realized then how little attention I was giving the common sounds in my environment. I was no longer identifying the feelings or sensations from these familiar and common sounds. My awareness of them was dulled in comparison to these new sounds. Now listening to the crystal bowl sounds I am reawakening this connection to sound and its influence over physical and emotional function that I wasn’t giving any thought to. Sound can bypass the thinking process and tap into somatic resonance eliminating conscious choice over reactions. A great example is hearing sirens. Remember hearing a siren and how your body may have gone into spontaneous panic of flight or freeze. This sound is designed to stimulate danger reactions of freeze (police) or to run (fire). Sirens are designed for immediate and quick reaction with no thought. It seems sound can create a physical reaction without mindful awareness and focus on it as the root source of action. We take our reactive nature for granted and act out our reaction without trying to break it down for understanding.

Power of Sound & the Brain responses

I am both in awe and fear specuatulating upon this vast power sound and how it influences our physical, mental and emotional function without our awareness or focus of attention. My reference is to reactions that are stimulated without connection to the possible root source creating the response. This means being stimulated into actions without having a choice. Remember back to being influenced by sound in your own life. One example might be how music can bring spontaneous tears or joy and happiness. Next time preparing to watch a program make a mental note to pay attention to the music before the program starts. It’s purpose is to set the tone for the experience about to come. One of my current favorites is the musical lead up to a UK program called, “Unforgotten.”

Since this discovery I have become intentionally focused upon sounds and their influences. This is not only for increasing health and wellbeing, but for increasing clarity and recognition to the influences of sounds in the moment. I no longer want to ignore sounds and feed the habit of shutting this connection out that keeps me ignorant of my responses. When I feel something I want to be able to identify the root cause of the feeling even with the sounds and tones of spoken words.

The sound bath of these crystal singing bowls has increased my mental clarity and the ability to hear sounds. As I age I am welcoming this way of stimulating my brain.

More on sound bathing,

Sound Bathing & waking up to spoken word Influences,

Renee Recommends

Sacred Geometry: Deciphering the Code 
Sacred Geometry & Magical Symbols
Binaural Beats

Integrate a Chakra Lifestyle:  

Copyright 2014 – 2022  Living in Nature’s Love by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement  since 2000
Chanting sounds & symbols for each of the 7 Chakra Energy Centers

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Sea Buckthorn (Hippophaë rhamnoides)

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by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP – Living in Natures Love Lifestyles @reneelindstrom

Pic by Renee Lindstrom

Photo taken July, 2021

Pic by Renee Lindstrom

Photo taken June, 2020

Also known as:  Sea Buckhorn, Sha Ji

  • Symbolizes:  Beauty & Vitality
  • Associated with:  Venus & Mars, (Scorpio & Libra),
  • Element: Air
  • Chakra: Crown & Sacral Plexus
  • Uses:  Culinary, Dye, Flower Essences, Medicinal, Skin Products, Spells, Tea
  • Parts used:  Seeds, Berries, Flowers, Leaves, Shoots & Roots
  • Preparation: Jams, Jellies, Juices & Sauces, Cosmetics & Anti-Aging Topicals, Oils, Tea

Yellow Dye Plant

I picked up these two pots of Sea Buckthorn from a nursery at the end of the season a few years ago They were small, not well cared for and priced to sell. I thought that these were native shrubs that grew off the coastal shores of Vancouver Island and I wanted to bring them back to life. I soon learned that Sea Buckthorn is originally from the higher altitudes of the Himalayas that spread across Europe, Asia and North America. They reduce soil erosion and add nitrogen to the soil. They are a good as a nutritional food and medicinal crop. These two potted shrubs are each a male and a female. For every 3 female shrubs one needs a male for pollination. These are hardy plants that I have discovered grow in the Canadian Prairies which is hot in summer and cold in winter.

Health & Wellness

​Sea Buckthorn berries are becoming recognized as a modern superfood. The berries and leaves are high in quercetin making them popular in Tibetan, Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines which have traditionally used them to promote digestion, enhance one’s immune system, as an expectorant and demulcent in the treatment of colds and flu.  The Ancient Greeks recognised its anti-aging and beautifying properties, The berries are a source of potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron​, phosphorus​m ​folate, biotin and vitamins B1, B2, B6, C and E​.​ Oil from the leaves and seeds may be one of the only plant foods known to provide all four omega fatty acids — omega-3, omega-6, omega-7 and omega-9.

Alexander the Great is said to have witnessed his horses eating the berries and then noticed afterwards noticed their shinier coats, their increased vitality and quicker recovery times from injuries. He named these berries Hippophae, which comes from the Greek words hippos and phaos, meaning “shining horse.”

Pedanius Dioscorides, ancient Greek father of Pharmacology wrote about the healing qualities of sea buckthorn berries in his 5-volume pharmacological encyclopedia De Materia Medica, which was a text on herbal medicine used for over 1,500 years during the first century AD.

Personal cultivation of Sea Buckthorn & recommendations

After caring for a male and female shrub for the past two seasons I have recognized their hardiness even while in pots. Learning about them through this relationship, while researching their edible and medicinal uses, my intention is to begin drying the leaves and berries for remedies, teas and snacks while using them fresh from the shrub. I will try to propagate them from cutting and seeds and explore how to increase the number of plants while exploring them as a superfood and the medicinal attributes. My hope is to expand my relationship with these plants by integrating them more fully into my lifestyle. I believe they could become a beneficial food and medicinal staple. I would recommend them to those yearning to create a self sustaining food, healing, dye or crop garden.

Buy Canadian Sea Buckthorn Plants

Sea Buckthorn Oil
Sea Buckthorn Berries

Recommended Reading

Sea Buckthorn Berry Ideas

Traditional uses and properties of herbs are for educational purposes only.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.  Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Any serious health concerns you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs.  Do not use if you are pregnant!

Copyright 2014 – 2021  Living in Nature’s Love by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement  since 2000

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

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by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP – Living in Natures Love Lifestyles @insideawareness.com

  • Medicinal
  • Infusions
  • Edible
  • Dye

pic by Renee Lindstrom

Also known as: Liquorice

  • Symbolizes:  Sweetness
  • Associated with:  Venus & Mars, (Scorpio & Leo),
  • Element: Water
  • Chakra: Root
  • Uses:  Culinary, Dye, Flavouring, Incense, Medicinal, Skin Products, Spellwork, Sweetener, Tea
  • Parts used:  Root
  • Preparation: Alcohol Distilling, Flower Essence, Incense, Lotions, Mouthwash, Ointments, Oils, , Potpourri, Soap-making, Shampoo, Tobacco, Tea, Tinctures, Toothpaste, , Infused Water

Black Dye Plant

This potted Licorice Plant has been overwintered in an unheated #yyj garden greenhouse. I was excited to view it reemerge in early spring. It’s hardier than it appears. This week #yyj has just experienced two highest on record heat temperatures ever, one day after another. This Licorice plant has not only survived, it’s thrived! If it hadn’t been kept wet, it wouldn’t have though as it likes to have moist soil. Originally from the Mediterranean and Central Asia it is experiencing Victoria’s mild winters and interestly hot summers. I have read it will grow from 3 to 5 feet tall and spread at least 3 feet. Easy spreader.

This post may contain Affiliate Links for your convenience, thank you in advance for your support!  Renee

Health & Wellness

The Licorice ​plant fruit​s, ​leaves and ​roots are considered to have medicinal qualities​ although the most common part used are the roots. (The fruits are formed from the flowers similar to the legume family of plants.) The roots are harvested from your garden after three years, five for commercially grown operations. Licorice has a flavour that one either loves or hates. antiviral and antimicrobial properties.

Buy Canadian Licorice Seeds

Recommended Reading

Traditional uses and properties of herbs are for educational purposes only.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.  Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Any serious health concerns you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs.  Do not use if you are pregnant!

Copyright 2014 – 2021  Living in Nature’s Love by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement  since 2000

Clary (Salvia sclarea)

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by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP – Living in Natures Love Lifestyles @insideawareness.com

Edible, Medicinal, Dye

Clary is a Herb grown for its oil

Clary

Also known as: Clary Sage, Clear Eye, Eyebright, Clarywort

Enhances the connection between conscious & unconscious mind, & encourages release of stagnant emptions

  • Symbolizes:  Lifting one’s spirit
  • Associated with:  Power of the Moon &  Mercury, Cancer, Pisces & Capricorn
  • Element:  Water
  • Chakras:  Sacral & 3rd Eye
  • Energetic Properties:  Warming, euphoric, dreamy
  • Uses:  Culinary, Dream Work, Dye, Eye Wash, Flavouring, Incense, Love Spells Medicinal, Meditation, Skin Products, Spellwork, Sweetener, Tonic
  • Parts used:  Flowers, Stems, Leaves & Roots
  • Preparation: Alcohol Distilling, Flower Essence, Essential Oil, Fragrance, Incense, Lotions, Mouthwash, Ointments, Oils, Perfume, Potpourri, Soap-making, Shampoo, Tobacco, Tea, Tinctures, Toothpaste, , Infused Water

Dark Brown Dye Plant

This Clary plant pictured is in its second year of growth in #yyj garden.  A biennial started from seed in 2020, has a  flower stalk that has grown to 6 feet or more.  After exploring the two year cycle and benefits of this flowering plant a decision to include it permanently in the garden has been made and it will be put beside another 6 foot tall biennial, the Mullein plant.

The Clary plant has a hint of fur on it’s leaves similar to Mullein, however it flowers are lavender and white with a deep fragrance, while Mulleins flowers are bright yellow with a light sweet smell.  The shape of the leaves and stalks are not alike at all.  Clary stalks are square and narrow with bud bursts along the stalk.  Mullein has a large thick stalk with flowers buds overcrowding the space.  Side by stid they will make attractive companions in the garden.

Not only attractive both Clary and Mullein add benefits to one’s lifestyle through their available uses and qualities.

Health & Wellness uses of Clary,  

  • Antibacterial Properties
  • Anti-inflammatory properties
  • Antidepressant
  • Antispasmodic
  • ​Aphrodisiac
  • Appetite Stimulant
  • A​stringent properties
  • Eyewash
  • Menopause
  • PMS
  • Stress Reduction

Meditation, Chakras, Dreaming, Emotional & Visionary States

  • Enhances state of consciousness
  • Enhances dream & visionary states
  • Aids in opening the Third Eye
  • Improves mediumship​, clairvoyance​, confidence
  • Induces trance states
  • Promotes emotional understanding

Buy Canadian Clary Seeds & Plants

Recommended Reading

Traditional uses and properties of herbs are for educational purposes only.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.  Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Any serious health concerns you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs.  Do not use if you are pregnant!

Copyright 2014 – 2021  Living in Nature’s Love by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement  since 2000

Wild Tobaco (Nicotiana rustica)

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Not Edible Not edible

Other names:  Aztec Tobacco

Uses:  Ceremonial, Insecticide  & Seed Saving

#yyj Harvest:  Seed Pods & Leaves – first week of September

 

 

 

 

 

Drying Leaves

Wild tobacco is considered poisonous though was traditionally used by North American Indians for skin wounds and rashes.  It is still in use  during ceremonies. Nine times more potent than cultivated tobaccos, with more nicotine, it is a source of nicotine sulfate, an insecticide for the control of aphids, thrips, whiteflies and mites.

I grow it specifically for ceremonial uses and suggest keeping it away from small pets and children.

Traditional uses and properties of herbs are for educational purposes only.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.  Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Any serious health concerns or if you are pregnant, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs.

Copyright 2014 – 2020  Living in Nature’s Love by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement  since 2000

Dandelion Wine

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Bottled Dandelion Wine
Bottled Dandelion Wine
Fermented Dandelion Wine
Fermented Dandelion Wine
Enjoying a glass
Enjoying a glass

This year the exploration with Dandelions went beyond jelly and dried leaves and roots into fermenting a wine.  What a wonderful experiment it turned out to be.  I explored two ways of processing these flowers.  One with yeast added and one left to ferment naturally.  Pictured is the natural ferment which pulls in yeast from the environment.  This batch was put to ferment on April 18th, 2020 and it was left to sit until June 10th, 2020.  Almost a full two months.

Upon straining the liquid from the brew the smell of wine alcohol was evident.  I was surprised by the inner excitement and amazement I felt.  Since leaving the food and beverage industry wine hadn’t been a big part of life once having kids that was followed by pursuing focused awareness on somatic learning and connections.  Now in this adventure I couldn’t wait to try a glass.  It turned out to be a very good glass of wine.  A week before filtering it I had a sample and it was still too sweet for my liking.  Someone who likes sweet wine could decant it sooner than I did.

After filtering it and putting it into bottles for another few days before pouring a glass I was met with a pop upon opening the bottle.  It was as strong as opening a corked champagne bottle.  This means it was still in a fermenting process. I wouldn’t want to leave these bottles capped much longer without letting some air in!

After working late in the garden and sitting down at my desk with this glass was a treat.  Adding to the experience was the connection to picking the dandelion flowers myself, processing them, and then adding them into a mixture for a  fermenting process.  Very satisfying.

The second experiment with added yeast is not ready to be filtered and bottled yet.  I will compare the two once it is.  Until then I will continue to find pleasure at the memory of pleasure from success with a new recipe adventure.

For me a difference between this wine and commercial wine is the aliveness of it.  It seems to activate my mouth in away that enlivens it as the liquid first makes contact.  I am curious if the added yeast dandelion wine will give the same reaction.

For more on the recipe for Dandelion Wine……….

Read more:

Wild Winemaking: Easy & Adventurous Recipes Going Beyond Grapes, Including Apple Champagne, Ginger–Green Tea Sake, Key Lime–Cayenne Wine, and 142 More by Richard W. Bender 

Traditional uses and properties of herbs are for educational purposes only.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.  Every attempt has been made for accuracy, but none is guaranteed. Any serious health concerns or if you are pregnant, you should always check with your health care practitioner before self-administering herbs.

Copyright 2014 – 2020  Living in Nature’s Love by Renee Lindstrom, GCFP,
Feldenkrais® Practitioner since 2007, Communication & Empathy Coach since 2004, Art of Placement  since 2000