Herbs get an Upgrade

I've  been slowly building up my herbals..... As you can see from this picture and my previous post, they have grown quite a bit and have gotten a storage upgrade.  I feel a lot more prepared for the unknown as I expand my herbal knowledge.

Sharing the Knowledge

"Ruby checking it out!"

A few weeks ago Fable Haven happily made a donation to a Abigail Greer. They finally got it! We donated Katherine A Drovdahl's book, 'The Accessible Pet, Equine and Livestock Herbal: Choosing abundant wellness for your creatures' in the hopes that the shared wisdom will aid them in their good works.

'Rubia'

Let me tell you a little bit about Abigail. She is a lovely person that I have met through a Facebook group called 'Totally Natural Goats' when she was in an emergency situation with one of her sheep, Rubia.  She gave the good fight, with many long nights and days trying to help Rubia recover and she is highly respected by me. I am very proud to be able to name her an online friend.

She co-runs Mino Valley Farm Sanctuary with her husband, Mike.  Now 'farm and sanctuary' are not usually two words that go together, however, this is such a lovely sanctuary full of farm animals who are getting a second chance at a better life. Most of the animals they take in have not been on a nurturing farm but were raised in abuse, neglect and simply looked upon as a piece of farm equipment. 

At Mino Valley Farm Fanctury, they create a loving and nurturing environment for farm animals to live out the rest of their lives in freedom, free from pain, suffering and the burden of expectation. Shey make a difference by showing them love and compassion, something that so many animals never get the opportunity to experience. How  could I not fall in love with such a place! Some day I truly hope to make a visit and meet Abigail and her husband in person!

Our Special Revitalization Tea

Ingredients: 
8 cups more or less HOT water
1/4 cup more or less Molasses 
2 teaspoon powdered Vitalerbs 
1/2 teaspoon 40K IU Cayenne

Directions:
Mix each ingredient together and then pour into a 8x13 deep baking pain. Take immediately to the critters while the water is still hot and watch them guzzle it down!

Dosage: All of it!  On a day like today with this horrid winter storm, I will  take it out to them about every 4 hours.

Homeschooling Parent

But it's not what you think. It's actually for me, the parent!

Today I am teetering on a decision.... I am just a click away from enrolling in a Master Herbalist program. Something keeps me from clicking. Questions going through my head... Is this the best school for the money? Or does it feel that way because it's the only one I have had experience with through other's who have taken it? Is this the right program from me? 

None of the ones I have found let you see even an example of the lessons. They all want their money first. I do not like giving my word that I am going to comment to 5K in payments for a certification.... and then have to go back on on my world because I do not like the course material / it's not what I expected.

Off to do more research!

Natural Healing: Wattle Cyst

I have a Confession and a Testimonial at the same time:

I discovered that Khloe had a Wattle Cyst... I posted about it on  a Totally Natural Goat Facebook group that I am a member of and got some great advise on taking care of it using Infection both internally and externally as a Salve and Drench.

However, I had to order herbs and then my father passed away. With that and my being gone more then 6 weeks, taking care of arrangements, helping my mom, moving her in with us and them moving her back to Texas... 

Well, I have to confess, I never actually started treating her Wattle Cyst.  I kept remembering and going I'll do it after this trip, or after this 5 day of rains...etc. However, I have been keeping an eye on it and it was slowly shrinking.

Here is the testimonial part... I think the Vitalerbs and the herbs in the deWormer  we use with added extra raw garlic can be attributed to healing her/making her healthy -- including allowing her body to take care of that cyst.

Our Natural Healing Log

A log sheet I created and maintain

to keep track of the the Natural Healing Remedies

and Supplements I give our goatlings.

Khloe: Chronic Cough

Khloe, our 4 month old doeling,  has had a dry cough… nothing from her nose/no drainage. She seemed to cough the most when sticking her face in her feed, herbs and hay... but of course we are out there the most when she's getting fed so it is difficult to tell if she's coughing all the time or not.

I called the vet she wanted us to do a full on treatment of antibiotics as a precaution to protect her and the tribe. Does not need to see her though to listen to her lungs or the like...  I do not like that idea so much. There had to be a natural way to do this.

I read up on cough’s in Kat's book and she says that coughs are not always bad… they are healing and helping the body right itself. So, I asked the Totally Natural Goat's Group on Facebook that I am  a member of... just what could I do to support/heal her without going the Vet’s route of drugs by needles.

Well, I  have been treating Khloe for the chronic cough with a herbal mixture... 3 times a day, 6 days straight. Yesterday was day seven, her day of rest.... which is recommended to be taken when doing natural healing by the many Herbal Masters. This morning, there was noticeable improvement in her.... only a little hack or two and she seemed a little more vibrant.

So, now I am going to follow up with 6 more days, 3 times a day treatment or three days in a row of no signs/symptoms what so ever... whichever comes first.

Chronic Cough Drench

Dried Comfrey Root

Dried Mullein

Dried Marshmallow Root

Dried Lobelia

Cayenne (Added in 2nd week)

Drops of Lobelia Tincture

Drops of Olive Leaf Tincture

Drops of Garlic/Mulin Tincture

Fresh Raw Garlic

Raw honey

Apple Cider Vinegar

Our New Medicine Cabinet

 

As I have mentioned before, Herbs are widely used by us in our natural healing.  They are vulnerable to the elements including air, light, humidity, and temperature.  Whether my herbs are purchased dried or wild-crafted, it is important to store them properly aid in the prevention of deterioration of color, scent, and flavor.

Once herbs have been purchased or wild-crafted, here are some important points to remember about storing them:

• They are very sensitive to fluctuations in temperature, moisture, and light. Store in a temperature controlled environment with limited light, heat, and moisture. Ideal storage temperatures are 65-73 degrees and relative humidity should not exceed 55. Light (including incandescent and fluorescence) will strip your botanicals of their natural color and remove many key elements. An ideal location is a dry pantry, cupboard or closet. As you can see, I store mine on a bookshelf, but I have a curtain that I put up and keep on the front for protection.
• They have a relatively fixed shelf life. Purchase what you will use within a short period of time. While many of the herbs I have bought have a two year expiration date on them, it's best to use them up as quickly as possible.
• Some herbs and spices keep longer than others.  The best guideline to follow is: no longer then 8-12 months for spices and leafy herbs, and no longer then 14-16 months for roots, barks and berries.  Powdered herbs have a shorter life span, usually around 6 months.
• The best container for storing your herbs is colored glass.  Clear glass is also acceptable, as long as the herbs are stored away from direct light exposure.  I have chosen to use plastic containers, which is acceptable, but they do not allow for the herbs to breathe.  However, I will be using my herbs often and quickly, which makes plastic more convenient and it is very inexpensive compared to colored glass. Mylar are also good choices for storing herbs, but they must be sealed well to keep out light, air, and insects... and we have not added a sealer unit to our list of must haves just yet. I am certain it will be an addition at some point.
• I try to purchase my herbs in a cut and sifted or whole form first and foremost... since the powdered herbs have a shorter shelf life.  I grind my own herbs and spices just before using them. 
•  Purchase your herbs from a reliable source. I have listed many of these in our Library & Webpicks tab.

Research Credit: www.mountainroseherbs.com

Making the Leap: Holistic Natural Healing

It's a giant slightly nervous leap to go from Indoctrinated Conventional Medicine to Totally Natural  for yourself, your family and your critters... (I am a combat medic / medical professional) But we just did it.

Ordered everything I need to make a  herbal de-wormer for the Dogs, Goats and Chickens. Also got everything to make Thieves Oil Anti-Pest potion and our own Emergency Herbal Medicine Kit.

Goats: Ear Mights or/and Infections

Shiva has been shaking her ears almost violently since yesterday. I figure ear mites or an infection. I made a Vet appointment for tomorrow.... And then, well, I am second guessing myself. Going to cancel the appointment and try this naturally. Went and got some pure Witch Hazel and some Mullen Garlic Oil. So, here's our first adventure in natural homesteading!

I cleaned each of the 3 kids ears with a cotton ball dabbed in a Witch Hazel, Tea Tree Oil and Lavender Oil mixture. I then dropped a few drops of Mullein Garlic Oil into each ear and massaged at the base of the ear. 

Immediately afterwards they began shaking their heads like crazy again. Guess we'll see how it is in a few days. It's suggested you do this once a week as preventive care too.