Excited, Excited!

Hello Everyone,

     I am getting excited now about my second book on natural remedies and herbal healing.

     The first chapter is called Gypsy's Kitchen Pharmacy, which is an alphabetical list of regular foods, spices and herbs you find in most kitchens and their medicinal properties.

    I have spoken with a publisher who is interested in this second book. She feels that public interest is turning more and more towards natural remedies and herbs.

    I am currently working on the 5th chapter. I can't wait to tell you all that it is finished and on the way to the printers.

   I will also make an EBook available as well.

Peace & Onward,

  Gypsy

Spring Is Here!

Hurray spring is here! 

     I was so glad that astrological has arrived with the first day of March. They are calling for more snow in the mountains over the weekend and even flurries here in the foothills.

     It has been one of the wettest winters we have had on record. Sometimes, I think I brought all that wet and cold home with me from Oregon last year. Brrrrrrrr

   But now the daffodils are peeking out on the sunny spots and the trees are showing some new growth in places.

   In a couple of weeks we will see the first tender green shoots appear on the weeping willows and we will know that spring is here to stay!

       This spring is a very special spring. The year is now 2013 and the New Awakening has begun. The feminine energy rises as we turn back to a humanity based on nurturing, educating, healing and loving. 

Yuletide Blessings!

Hello everyone,
   It is the season of Yule. Time when we celebrate the return of the sun on 12/21/2012. The Winter Solstice ushers in the winter season and the moons of the cold and harsh times in the land.
   What better way to prepare your home and space for the season that with filling your home with the scents of the season.
   Gather up some cedar and spruce limbs, peel an orange or two, gather a couple of stick of cinnamon and put in all in a pot.
  I find that using a crockpot allows the brew to bubble along in a slow brew that scents the house for days.
  If there is a special scent you particularly enjoy during this season, throw in a little to add a bit to the air, maybe a couple of peppermint sticks?
  And remember, Santa, that jolliest of ole elves, loves the scent of vanilla too, it reminds him of cookies, so put in a couple of sticks of vanilla bean for the old elf.
And as this is Yuletide,
   May blessings fill your life, prosperity be your partner and peace be your journey!
   Gypsy

Principles of Herbs

The "signature" of an herb is its physical characteristics and the functions on which its identity is based.

 There is a relationship between the plant's color, habitat, or characteristics and the ailments of a body system for which it has been found effective. 

This relationship reflects my belief in the spiritual connection of all living things.

There are 12 rules of "signature". Learn to recognize them.

1. The color of the herb's flowers is an important indicator; yellow flowers are used for liver, gallbladder and urinary problems, red flowers are blood purifiers, blue or purple flowers are sedative or relaxants.

2. The growing conditions of the herbs help ascertain the signature. For example, diuretic plants are often found growing near moving water.

3. Different textures indicate different uses. Soft herbs are used for inflammation.

4. Thorny or prickly herbs are used in disorders where there is sharp pain.

5. An herb that clings will help remove any hardened mucous of the inner systems.

6. Herbs that are also vines are considered ailments for the blood and the nervous system.

7. Skin-healing herbs often have thin, threadlike roots and stems.

8. Fissures in the bark of certain trees indicate their use in skin disorders.

9. The common name of an herb can indicate its use.

10. Root structures that resemble the human torso are considered aphrodisiacs.

11. Strong-smelling herbs are often used an antiseptics.

12. Herbs that attract bees make excellent insect-bite salves.

* Astringent herbs are natural cleansers and antibiotic in nature.
* Diuretic herbs increase the output of urine, taking harmful substances from the system.
* Expectorant herbs cause the expulsion of mucus and break up congestion.
* Nervine herbs relieve nervous irritation caused by strain and tension.
* Stimulant herbs increase stimuli to the system and increase blood circulation.
* Tonic herbs benefit the whole body by strengthening organs affected by the action of the digestive system.

Get to Know your Plants!

Herbal healing begins when you make the decision to gather your own medicine. The decision empowers us and initiates the healing process. Herbal gathering provides an intimate connection with nature and it's cycles, that you can never get from merely buying an herb. Once we step out into the world of nature, our senses open and we can listen to nature and find our plant.

Many herbs have what is called "signatures", a system of characteristics that help identify the herb and its functions. The color of the herb's flowers is an important part of the signature. 
Yellow Plants- are generally used for liver, gallbladder, and all urinary problems and tonics that rid the body of toxins and infections.
Reddish Plants- are all good blood purifiers and/or alternatives. The color red indicates the astringency or the healing effect of the herbs. Herbs with this color can be used to treat skin disorders that are caused by blood impurities. 
Purple or Blue Flowers - are without exception used as a sedative or relaxant. You can add these herbs to recipes when the patient needs to stay calm during an illness or in treatment of muscle spasms. 

The growing conditions are the second thing you look for to determine the signature of a plant. Herbs that grow in an area with a lot of gravel indicates the plant can be used in treating illness that have to do with stone or gravel in the body. These herbs help cleanse and remove harmful accumulation from the alimentary and bronchial system. These are used to treat kidney stones or gall stones. So-called stone breakers are parsley, peppergrass, shepherd's purse, sassafras, and mullein. Herbs growing in different conditions are used for different ailments. For instance, milkweed that is growing in sandy soil will have twice as many active ingredients as the same plant growing in good rich dirt. 

Herbs found growing in mucky, swampy, or wet ground are good to use in recipes designed to treat excessive mucous excretions, such as respiratory problems dealing with asthma, colds, coughs, and rheumatic disorders. Willow, verbena, boneset, and elder are examples of this.. Herbs growing near fast-moving water are good to use as diuretics. Always be aware of the growing conditions when gathering herbs for a specific treatment. 

Different textures indicate different uses. No herbal remedy for internal use is considered complete unless one of these emollient herbs is included in the recipe. Horehound, mullein, and hollyhocks are good examples of emollient herbs. Any of the herbs that have thorns or are prickly are used in disorders where there is sharp pain. Thistle is used as a tonic for the heart because it has sharp thorns and is indicative of sharp pain in the heart. Hawthorn is also considered a diuretic and that is helpful in any heart treatment. 

Herbs that clings to itself is believed to cling to and help remove any hardened mucus of the inner systems. These herbs are good to use in ridding the body of toxins and virus germs. Ground-covering herbs are also considered good to use in ridding the body of hardened mucus. Examples are coltsfoot, sage, thyme, horehound, and mallow.

Herbs and The Wild Places

The wild places are a sensual feast for those of us who truly love nature. You smell the different smells of the wildflowers, trees and herbs. You feel the warm sun on your skin and the breeze blow through your hair. You can hear the sounds of thousands of leaves rustling in the breeze and the drone of insects and the call of birds. You can see the myriad shades of green and brown in the forests around you.


Actively involving the senses in getting to know plants connects our modern consciousness with an ancient, time-honored way of learning. Experiencing a plant's texture, color, taste and aroma creates a lasting impression of its many characteristics. 


I "see" medicinal plants by touching the surface of a leaf, digging my fingers deep into the damp earth where the plant grows, taking a leaf and chewing on it and stretching out on the ground and "see" what the plants sees in its world.


We are the modern-day translators of the historical and botanical information and we are obligated to use herbs in new ways.


It is my small way of contributing to the living heritage of our Mother Earth.