The Little Herb Shop on Elm Street!

American Basketflower
Plectocephalus americanus

Good morning, All!  Well, this is my final week of preparations before "The Little Herb Shop on Elm Street" opens.  So, this weeks' post is going to be short and sweet!  Cousin Sandra and I are making a quick trip to Tyler tomorrow (Monday) for supplies, bottles and jars.  Then all week will be devoted to baking granola, making more herbal products, packaging, arranging and re-arranging products then getting ready for our big day!  What a fun and busy week we have ahead of us!

StarDragonfly Herb Company

American Basketflower
I have not been able to find any information
on whether this plant is edible or medicinal.  This flower is easy to
grow....find a patch of basketflowers, wait until seed heads
form, then in the Fall, scatter them in your garden.  You should
have this beautiful flower by June of next season!

Officially, opens.....

Friday, June 15, 2012

10:00 am until 8:00 pm

From 6 until 8, StarDragonfly Herb Company will be celebrating 3rd Friday Art Walk with the rest of Winnsboro, Texas.

Stop on by for a glass of good old Texas ice tea with herbs and fruit, a couple herbal snacks, some home-made ice cream (made by our very own Nancy of Falster Farms) and be prepared for a surprise visit from the "Prince" of thieves.

Kevin Costner as
Robin Hood in the movie
Robin Hood: The Prince of Thieves.
Photo courtesy of
www.reelist.com

Naaaaay! Unfortunately, Kevin Costner is not on the guest list, but Caleb with Thieves Essential Oils http://www.secretofthieves.com/, will be paying us a visit.

"Black Plague & Thieves Oil

Century after century, bubonic plague outbreaks decimate the population of Asian and Europe for the better part of a thousand years.  Out of this period emerged a legend of four thieves who were captured and charged with robbing the dead and dying victims.  When the thieves were tried, the magistrate offered leniency if they would reveal how they resisted contracting the infection as they performed their gruesome acts.  They told of a special concoction of aromatic herbs, including garlic, cloves and rosemary, that they rubbed on themselves before committing their crimes." This info is from the website www.secretof thieves.com.

Passionflower

StarDragonfly Herb Shop is a small shop featuring handmade folk remedies.  These remedies are made with care in small batches with quality ingredients.  A lot of the herbs used in these remedies are grown in this area.  


We will have the following products available:

• Herbal Extracts (tinctures), single herb and blends.
• Herbal tisanes (teas)...caffeine free, wholesome and delicious.
• "Infused" oils                                                                                              



Calendula
I harvested this flower to use in
my Calendula salve.  Great for
chapped skin.

•                                                                                        

Day Lily

• Herbal salves....tried and true blends...can be used for dry, cracked and chapped skin.  Gentle enough for children and animals.

Spice blends...hand blended with love....spice blends that I use in my own kitchen!

• 
  
• Sugar blends...love Chai tea?  Try our Spice Sugar blend for a easy but awesome cup of Chai tea

• Dried herbs from StarDragonfly herb garden, or wildcrafted in the woods around the farm.  Or ordered from responsible companies that believe in quality organic free-trade products.  Fresh herbs on request.
• Candied Ginger!  Hard to find, yes, yummy natural candy, yes, works great for stomachaches and motion sickness, yes!
• Herbal pet products.  I have developed a "hot spot" treatment for dogs!  Worked on my pups and has no harsh chemicals!  We will eventually carry a home made doggie shampoo.
• Fresh Granola, chocked full of wholesome ingredients.  Our specialty is a granola that is nut and seed free.  Wonderful cereal for those suffering from diverticulitis.
• Falster Farms local honey
• We will special order....I love to hunt for those hard to find herbs and spices.  Need fresh Vanilla beans?  Whole star anise?  Or an unusual type of curry powder?  Let me know and I will try to find it for you and/or carry it in the store.

See those yellow green buds?
Those are day lily buds and they are edible!
Delicious, rare or stir fried!

• We have lots of great products coming in the near future!  Soaps, bath salts, vitamins and minerals, jams, jellies and relishes, whole foods, packaged and in bulk, hand-made house hold products and crafts, sustainable farming products, books and magazines.  The sky is the limit on what this little herb shop will eventually carry.  Let us know what you would like to see in this store!

Okay, enough for now!  Cousin Sandra and I have been down with a summer cold or allergies, yuck!  Woke up last night with an unbelievable sore throat.  Took about 2 dropperful of StarDragonfly Herbals Sore throat/cough tincture with 1 tsp. honey and a dropper of SDH Elderberry tincture.  Amazing!  I love herbal medicine!  Hope to see you Friday evening!  Herbally, Susan

I'm a big fan of dreams.  Unfortunately, dreams are our first casualty in life - people seem to give them up, quicker than anything, for a 'reality.'

Kevin Costner

Border Collie and Sheep
Art Print
by
CharlottesWebArt

Mullein Flowers and a Folk Remedy

Welcome to the wild, and wonderful
world that is my "herb" garden!
Zinnias and Black-eyed Susan line the
garden path.
Sister Belle watches over farm
life from the shade of the Oak tree.

Morn'in, All!  Well, thank you to all that inquired about Ann and her dealings with the Copperhead.  Believe it or not, she went to work Monday morning! Ann owns Groomingdale's Pet Salon in Sulphur Springs.  She drank lots of water to flush the venom out of her system, took her prescription meds, used the Echinacea tincture for several days and has been putting Comfrey salve on her foot and wrapping it with a towel.  We are all so happy that her recovery has gone so well.  I feel this is a very good example of Modern and Folk medicine working together for the good of the patient.


This week we are actually going to spend some time foraging in the garden.  The mullein plants have been in full bloom for about 2 weeks.  So, let's learn a little about Mullein and make some Mullein infused oil.

Mullein
Genus Verbascum
also known as Velvet plant

Mullein

"The flowers and leaves are anodyne (relieves or soothes pain by lessening the sensitivity of the nervous system), antiseptic (agent used to remove pathogenic microorganisms and to remove pus, blood, etc.), astringent (agent that constricts and binds by coagulation of proteins a cell surface), demulcent (soothing action on inflammation, especially mucous membranes), emollient (softens and soothes the skin), expectorant (facilitates removal of secretions) and vulenary (used to heal wounds).  An infusion is used internally in the treatment of various respiratory complaints including coughs, bronchitis, asthma and throat irritations.  An infusion of the fresh or dried flowers in olive oil is used to treat earaches, sores, wounds, boils, etc.  The plant is harvested when in flower and should be dried quickly and with care or it will lose its medicinal qualities." http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net

If you make yourself a tea from the fresh mullein leaves, I would suggest straining it through a coffee filter (organic, of course) because the hairs on the leaves can be irritating.

Mullein Flowers

Historical uses.....Mullein has had an important and varied role throughout history.  The Greeks, Romans, British and Native Americans have all used mullein to treat a number of conditions, from a mild cough to bronchitis and asthma.  The dried stalks of mullein have also been used as torches.  The flowers can be used to create bright yellow or green dyes, which were used by the ancient Romans to color hair, according to "Healing Teas" by Marie Nadine Antol."  Livestrong.com article by Jonathon Thompson.  And if you are into Greek mythology...Ulysses was supposed to have carried mullein to protect himself from the evil Circe (Circe transformed her enemies, or those who offended her, into animals through the use of magical potions.  She was known for her vast knowledge of drugs and herbs.)  Hmmm.....  Okay, now......what could have happened was that Ulysses feet hurt because of those long marches, so he padded his sandals with mullein leaves for some cushioning.  And being a Hero and All, he was probably embarrassed to tell his buds so he made up the story about the evil Circe. (My apologies to all those experts in Greek Mythology!) If you would like to read more about Ulysses and Circe here is a link... http://www.pantheon.org/articles/u/ulysses.html.

Circe and Ulysses
The hogs are Ulysses' men that
she "reportedly" turned into hogs.

Mullein Flower Ear Oil      

"Mullein flower ear oil, made with fresh live mullein flowers and unopened floral buds, is very effective for painful symptom relief from earaches caused by inspissated (thick or dense) earwax, especially in young children whose cerumen (ear wax)production and secretion is still being perfected.  Very warm (105 degree F) mullein oil is droppered into the outer ear canal. (ummm, I would not put "droppersful" in a child's ear....start with 5-10 drops every hour and for a child, I would prefer the oil to be a little cooler, say 98 degrees F)  Garlic oil is sometimes added to the mullein 

Jar filled with Mullein
flowers and buds.

earache oil.  A subsequent puddle of yellow to dark orange cerumen on the morning pillow is diagnostic for the mechanical problem of wax-impacted ear canals and a great teaching opportunity for the attending parents.  Occasionally little or no ear wax is out flooded indicating more serious ear problems, even though the warm mullein or mullein/garlic oil has reduced the pain." Ryan Drum, Herbmentor.com

Triple-oleated Mullein Flower Oil

Recipe from Kahlee Keane -  Root Woman


This is an excellent oil....if you are going to make it the old-fashion solar power way, well, it is going to take several weeks.  If you need it, like, yesterday....put oil and flowers in top of a double boiler and cook for 45 minutes (gently simmer the water in boiler). Make sure you COOL the oil. If you have the mullein

Mullein Flowers and buds read for
chopping.  I waited a few minutes to let all the
bugs escape.  I chop the herbs to a fine consistency
then put in a clean jar.  And yes, that is a cheese
knife!

flowers and the time, go ahead and do the process 2 more times....if not the first time should work.  Also, feel free to add some garlic cloves to the oil. Garlic is antiseptic and a whole lot of other herbal medicinal properties, but we will talk about that another time.

I realize the instructions say
put a lid on the jar.  Well, when I
make "infused oils"  from fresh herbs instead
of dried herbs, I always use a paper
towel over the jar.  You don't want
any water to form in your jars and
I was taught to do it this way.
Honestly, I have never had any
trouble making oils using fresh or dried
herbs, lid or paper towel, as long as I
was extra careful to make sure no water
got anywhere near my oils.

• Collect a cupful of the fresh flowers, after the morning dew has evaporated and before the heat of the day.  (If you live in the South, that will be after the steam has evaporated and just before you faint from the heat!)
• Put in a clean glass jar and cover with olive oil.
• Place jar in a sunny window or outside in the sun for 10-14 days, shaking often. (or use the heat method described above, please note that I only use the heat method if I need my oil NOW, otherwise I use the old-fashioned solar method.)
• After this time period, press and strain the oil.
• Repeat the procedure 2 more times using the same oil to cover more freshly picked flowers (add a little more oil if needed).
• After your final infusion, strain, cork and store the medicine in a cool dark place ready for use.  (LABEL!  Always LABEL!)

If you take care of children, pets or the elderly, I highly recommend you make yourself some of this oil or keep it handy.  It is not something you can run down to Walmart and buy.  Let me know and I will make you some Triple-oleate Mullein Oil.  

Her cheeks look a little irritated!

I think she used mullein leaf

to get that rosy glow!

graphicsfairy.blogspot.com

Okay, enough for today.  There is a lot more information on Mullein than I can cover in the post today!  The Mullein is from Europe and Asia and has naturalized itself to the United States.  It is considered a Texas Wildflower but not a native.  "It is said the Romans dipped its dried flower stalks in animal tallow to use as torches. Victorian women rubbed the leaves on their cheeks, slightly irritating their skin, to add a dash of blush.  Early settlers and American Indians placed the soft woolly leaves in footwear for warmth and comfort"  Wildflowers of Texas Field Guide by Bowers and Tekiela

Okay, okay, I will stop now!

StarDragonfly Herb Company

"The little herb shop on Elm street"

StarDragonfly Herb Company will be opening June 15, 2012.  That is the 3rd Friday in Winnsboro, which means the stores will be open late and there will be music!  SHC will open at10 am until 8 pm that evening.  We will have speakers, herbal products, local products and local crafts for sale.  Stop by and have a glass of good old Texas ice tea with herbs added and some herbal snacks.  The snacks will be served from 6-8 pm.


The Winnsboro Farmer's Market will be having an Ice Cream Social and Homemade Ice Cream Making Contest....June 16th....for details please call.....903-629-3332.  I will have more info about this COOL event next week!  Dust off your granny's ice cream recipe and get out that old ice cream maker!  And make some ice cream!  Oh, and if you need a taste tester....pick me! pick me!


So, until later...have a lovely day, stop by the store and visit, I will put on the kettle and we will have a cup of herbal tea and a chat!  Herbally yours, Susan

Flowers have an expression of countenance as much as men and animals.  Some seem to smile; some have a sad expression; some are pensive and diffident; others again are plain, honest and upright, like the broad-faced sunflower and the holly hock.

Henry Ward Beecher

Copperhead! Oh, %@!+*

Copperhead Snake
photo by
www.fcps.edu

Good morning, All.  As I have told ya'll in the past.....we NEVER know what is going to happen around here from week to week.

If you are really squeamish about snakes today's blog post is not for you.  Hopefully, barring snake bites or any other unforeseeable circumstances, I will blog about that delicious summer vegetable soup and the plant Mullein in next week's post.

The snake that bit Ann was the same color as
the dirt and dried grasses.  It was almost
completely camouflaged!
photo by
snakesandfrogs.com

Last night, our "down the road" friend and neighbor, Ann was bitten by a Copperhead.  Personally, I thought she handled the whole situation very calmly.  Yours truly would probably would have to be sedated upon arrival at the Emergency Room.

She followed the right procedure for snake bite.  She did not panic.  She killed the snake to take with her to the Emergency Room (now that is another story for a little later in the post!)  She called someone to assist her...we live 19 + miles from the nearest hospital.  She applied ice (controversial, I know).  Fortunately, my fella, L, was visiting and he drove US to the Emergency Room.  Well, we drove Ann to the ER....did I mention she handled this situation better than I would have!

Trans-Pecos Copperhead
Agkistrodon controtrix pictigasterphoto from
Wikipedia.com
The only notable difference from the other
2 species is that this guy has an
elaborately patterned underbelly.
That's okay, I don't plan on asking him
to roll over so I can find out who his
people are.  Oh, that's a southern
thing.  We like to find out where you
belong in our world by asking you,
"Who'se your people?"
meaning relatives.

There are 3 species of Copperheads residing in Texas.  They are the Trans-Pecos Copperhead, the Broad-banded Copperhead, and the Southern Copperhead.  The Copperhead is a venomous pit-viper.

Back at the Emergency Room, Ann was treated quickly.  She was watched for about 2 hours, the areas above, below and on the bite were measured frequently.  Oh, so fortunately, the snake only got her with one fang and did not inject a full load of venom into her!

Let me tell you, if you get a full load of venom, then you will have to be injected with 4-5 viles of anti-venom.  At a whooping $8,000.00 a vile.  We swear this is what the doctor said.  And I googled cost of anti-venom, and some Arizona hospitals charge over $12,000 per vile.  Yikes!

Copperheads have the mildest venom of the poisonous snakes but in most years they bite more people.  (For some reason, I am not reassured!)  This is because the copperhead does not run (???  how about slither!) away when threatened.  It is thought that because of it's excellent camouflage, it lies still,

Broad-banded Copperhead
aka Texas Copperhead
Agkistrodon controtrix laticinctus

hoping to be undisturbed.  Most people and pets are bitten because they step on the snake.  That is what happened to Ann.  And the other day, the dogs and I were walking by the woods...and walked all over a Copperhead before one of the dogs smelled it.  Fortunately, it never offered to strike and we quickly left the area.

"Copperheads often employ a "warning bite" when stepped on or agitated and inject a relatively small amount of venom, if at all.  "Dry bites" involving no venom are particularly common with the copperhead, though all pit vipers are capable of a dry bite."  wikipedia

Southern Copperhead
Agkistrodon controtrix
Photo by
houstonherp.com

We did take the snake with us to the Emergency Room.  Actually, the snake was put in a garbage bag, I did mention that Ann had killed it.  Because, I am not sure I trusted the deadness (????) of said snake and it was in the back seat with me (Ugh!), I tied a really tight knot in the bag.  A hospital orderly came and took the snake from me. The nurse on duty wanted nothing to do with said snake, and voiced her thoughts loudly, "No snakes, No snakes in my area!"  Anyway, the orderly looked tentatively at the bag and said "Is the snake in here?"  Well, yeah!  I am not going to carry it around in my purse! Geesh (I didn't say that, but I have one of those open book faces, so he knew what I was thinking!)  Anyway, he had to cut the bag open because the knot was so tight he couldn't get it untied.  I told him "They told me it was dead, but that snake cannot be dead enough for me!"  (My apologies to all the snake lovers out there.)

Comfrey
Symphytum officinale

Copperhead snake bite symptoms:
Pain
Inflammation and skin infection
Swelling of the bitten body part
Severe vomiting and nausea


If not treated in a timely manner the venom can severely affect the bone tissue and body muscles.  Especially, when the bite is on the hand or foot.  If you are bitten on the hand or foot, remove any rings immediately!  There will be swelling!


There is a lot of information and mis-information out there about snake bites.  The main one!  Don't be like John Wayne in True Grit, never cut or suck the bite site!  NO! NO! NO!


You will hear to apply ice or not to apply ice.  There is recent information that applying ice could possible cause more damage.


The best way to handle this situation.....just like Ann did....get to the hospital immediately!  Now, I know there are a lot of experienced snake handlers and herbalists out there that self treat.  Well, most of us do not fall into that category.  Don't panic, but do seek help!  Copperhead bites are rarely fatal.

Every country girl needs a good pair of
heavy duty work boots and a FEARLESS protector.
Look FEARLESS, Chi!

After doing some late night research, these are the herbal treatments that seemed most popular for the care of the snake bite after the trip to the Emergency room:
1 dropperful of Echinacea tincture in a 4 oz. cup of water every 15 minutes,
plantain poultices
and comfrey or plantain salve.

I have the Echinacea tincture and am making a Comfrey salve.  The fresh Comfrey is in the oil brewing on the stove as I work on this post.  And you had better believe I wore my big green boots and took my walking stick to poke around every plant!

Well, enough for today.  Sure hope you are enjoying your Memorial Day weekend.  Be careful where you step and don't stick your hand in places where you cannot see!  There just might be a creepy crawler in there, that is as scared of you as you are of it.  Until next time, stay safe!  Herbally, Susan

The great pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with her and not only will she not scold you, but she will make a fool of herself, too!

Samuel Butler, Higgledy-Piggledy 

Memorial Day (originally called Decoration Day)
is observed on the last Monday in May.
Remembrance is symbolized by the
Red Poppy, an American wildflower.
painting from
picasaweb.google.com

I'm Doin' the Happy Dog Dance!

Morning Glory growing on dried brush.

Good afternoon, All.  I do not like to keep secrets.  No, no, no!  Now all of ya'll that have told me secrets and said "Please, don't repeat this!", fear not!  I will not repeat what you have confided in me.   You know what I mean, something in the planning stage that you are so excited about that you tend to have a goofy smile on your face all the time and your friends and loved ones are beginning to wonder why you are so distracted.  You must be in love, well, yes, with an idea or dream, or I suppose, a person.  Anyway, I have been like that for the last couple weeks.  I have not been able to sleep at night (except with the help of herbs) because I plan my secret all day, then I plan my secret all night.  Or at least that is how it seems!  So, let me fill you in on my big secret and maybe, just maybe, I will be able to sleep tonight!

Mullein
We will talk about this herb
next week!

I will be opening an herb company in Winnsboro, Texas in the next couple weeks.  Yee Haw!  I finally got to tell the world! I feel so much better!

This could be Chi and me
doing the Happy Dog Dance!

Okay, now for explantations.....if you have ever been to the Winnsboro Farmers Market  






and stopped by my table, you know that I always have fresh eggs, granola, dried herbs, tea blends, tinctures, salves and herbal skin care products.  Besides all the Texas native edible plants that I bring along each week.  So, StarDragonfly Herb Company will be an extension of my Farmers Market table.  It will be my workshop where I create my products, a retail store for StarDragonfly and Sister Susan's products, and other natural or healthy stuff.  Things such as soaps, candles, honey, pet stuff (well, for now, a doggie herbal shampoo and kitty catnip toys).  Eventually, we will add more health products, such as vitamins and minerals, essential oils, bulk foods, natural farming stuff........but, that part of the store is still in the dream phase.

Star Dragonfly Herb Company is located on Elm Street between the State Farm office and Hornbuckle's Flower shop.
The store hours will be...........

Moonflower
Datura wrightii
Scared thorn-apple, Jimsonweed, Thorn apple
Datura, Angel Trumpet, Sacred datura
Texas native wildflower
All parts of this plant are poisonous!

Wednesday-Friday................10:00 am- 6:00 pm
Saturday............................... 10:00 am - 2:00 pm        
Every 3rd Friday....................10:00 am - 8:00 pm

You can contact me at 903-588-4313.

And please, let us know what you would like to see in StarDragonfly Herb Company.   Especially, for my readers in the Winnsboro and surrounding areas.......are you interested in a certain essential oil, health food product, crystal deodorants (yes, there is such a thing), what do you have to travel clear to Dallas or Tyler to buy or have shipped mail order?  We will be happy to try and stock these items, so our customers can save gas money and travel time.

Just a little more about my "dream come true" herb shop!

I would like to start a Mystery Book Club that meets at StarDragonfly Herb Company one Thursday night of each month.  Either the 1st or the last Thursday.  I would like to see this book club have a great time with the cozy mystery book genre that deals with herbs or tea.  Examples:

Susan Wittig Albert's China Bayle's series.  China is an Herbalist in the fictional Central Texas town of Pecan Springs.  China owns an herb shop and gets herself into all kinds of interesting situations in her pursuit of bad guys and gals.  The books contain recipes and information on herbs.  She has a new series that is about southern women gardeners called the Darling Dahlias.  A fun series!

Laura Child's Tea Shop Mystery series.  Her main character is Theodosia Browning, a lovely tea shop owner in Charleston, South Carolina and her super dog, Earl Grey.  Theo is friends with an unusual cast of characters Drayton, the tea master and Haley, her in house chef extraordinaire.


I spent a delightful afternoon last Sunday researching other herb or plant "cozy" mysteries that would be fun to read........

Bois d'arc tree fruit
Osage Orange
Maclura pomifera

Ann Ripley......gardening
Joyce and Jim Laverne.......gardening
Mary Freeman..........landscaping company
Kate Collins..........flower shop
Kathy Lynn Emerson.........Lady Susanna Appleton, herbalist when Queen Elizabeth I was on the throne
Vicky Lane..........Elizabeth Goodweather, owner of a flower/herb farm in North Carolina
Ann McMillan.....Civil War Mystery series with a Virginia herbalist
Suzanne Young...Edna Davies amateur herbalist in Rhode Island
Sheila Pim.....Irish Village gardening mysteries
Ellis Peters...The Cadfael Chronicles, 12th century Welsh Benedictine monk who is an herbalist.

Wow!  I have only read Laura Childs and Susan Wittig Albert.  I am so looking forward to finding these other authors!

Okay, enough for today!  Stop by and see me when you are in Winnsboro.  I will try to always have a pot of herbal tea brewed and ready for sippin'!  And hey, as much as I love cookies....well, you never know what yummy baked good may be hidden among the herbs. Next week, I have a really good summer vegetable soup recipe for you and we will talk about Mullein, a very versatile plant.  But, if you have been reading the posts this year, you know that we never know what is going to happen around here and I just love to share our life on the farm with you!  Herbally, Susan

Dog with an Attitude, Poke Weed and Elvis?

Head of Ranch Security Summer Buzz Cut.
I just love the tail.

Good morning, All.  The weather has been beautiful lately.  We have actually gotten some rain and the last 2 days the temperature has been tolerable.


As you might imagine from looking at the photo, Chi was not too thrilled with me for about a week after the haircut.  I have never had a dog that could give me the "cold shoulder" quite as effectively as she can.  She will sit as close to Cousin Sandra as she can, cast those lovely brown eyes over me disdainfully, then slowly close her eyes, and lift and turn that pointy nose in the opposite direction until she isn't looking at me.  I guess in doggiedom, if you cannot be seen you just may not exist.  Sorry, Chi Chi girl.


There are still some wildflowers blooming.  So let's go for a walk and let us see what we can see.......

Wild Foxglove Penstemon cobaea
Photo taken at Spring Creek Preserve

 Wild Foxglove Penstemon cobaea

Other common names....Prairie penstemon, Foxglove penstemon, False foxglove, Large-flowered beardtongue, Large-flowered penstemon, Prairie beardtongue, Cobaea penstemon


Wild foxglove is not related to the true European foxglove.  The European foxglove is from the genus, Digitalis which is in no way related to the genus Penstemon.  Our wildflower is in the genus Penstemon.  Info from Ask Mr. Smarty Plants at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center.


Wild Foxglove is easily grown from seed.  Just snap off a flower that is done flowering, let the seeds dry then scatter the seeds.

Poke Weed
The photo on the left is NOT Elderberry flowers!  It is poke weed!  An interesting plant.  It is edible.  Oh, just for the record.  We do not eat Poke, and I won't recommend or not recommend eating it because in the South, well, let me put it this way.  If someone's memaw, mama, aunt or neighbor cooked and ate this plant, you might just be treading on sensitive territory.  So, when dealing with any herb, please do your research!) It does contain poison (phytolaccatoxin, triterpene, saponis, phytolaccin and histamines).  Poke is a very, very powerful medicine plant but you really have to know what you are doing!  Poke is one of those old fashion folk plants.  Did you know that there is a Tennessee Polk (Poke) Salad Association?  Yeah, check this out!  http://rockytopgen.com/polksalad.index.html  "The purpose of our association is to inform the public as to the different way to safely and properly prepare "Polk Salad" for consumption as a healthy and nutritious food source."  The Tennessee Assoc. spells the weed's name P.o.l.k because of the spelling in the following song.

Milk Weed

"Polk Salad" Annie

Sung by Elvis Presley

Lyrics by Tony Joe White

If some of ya'll never been down South too much...

I'm gonna tell you a little bit about this, so that you'll understand

What I'm talking about

Down there we have a plant that grows out in the woods and the fields,

looks somethin' like a turnip green,

Everybody calls it "Polk Salad",

Indian Blanket
Gaillardia also, called Firewheel

Used to know a girl that lived down there and 

she'd go out in the evenings and pick a mess of it...

Carry it home and cook it for supper, 'cause that was about all they had to eat,

But they did all right.

Down in Louisiana where the alligators grow so mean

There lived a girl that I swear to the world made the alligators look tame

"Polk Salad" Annie "Polk Salad" Annie

Everybody said it was a shame

Cause her mama was working on the chain-gang

(a mean, vicious woman)                                             

Barbara's Buttons
Marshallia caepitosa

Everyday 'fore supper time she'd go down by the truck patch

And pick her a mess o' "Polk Salad" and carry it home in a tote sack

"Polk Salad" Annie 'Gators got your granny 

Everybody said it was a shame

"Cause her mama was aworkin' on the chain gang

(a wretched, spiteful, straight-razor totin' woman)

Lord have mercy, Pick a mess of it.

Her daddy was lazy and no count

Claimed he had a bad back

All her brothers were fit for was stealin' watermelons out of my truck patch

"Polk Salad"Annie, the gators got your granny

Everybody said it was a shame

Cause her mama was a working' on the chain gang

(Sock a little "Polk Salad" To me, you know I need a mess of it)

Black-eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta

Well, that was fun!  Hope you have a great week!  Remember...

Native Plant Society of Texas 

Winnsboro Chapter

will meet at StarDragonfly Herbals

Thursday, May 17 at 6:00 pm 

We will be having a potluck supper....so if your plannin' on makin' the meetin', please bring your favorite dish or dessert!  We will provide ice tea and homemade sourdough bread + herb butter.  

Oh, and if your goin' to be a little late, let me know and we will eat supper then look at the plants around the house, before venturing off onto Mr. C's land.

Please RSVP at stdragonfly@yahoo.com and I will email you directions to the farm. 

Ambition is a dream with a V8 engine.

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley
photo from Rolling Stones

Heart Strings

Laika

Good morning, All.  I am sitting here trying to decide how to write the blog this morning.  I try to keep the blog upbeat.  There is already so much sadness and violence in the world, you don't need another dose of that while reading this blog.  But, the reality is that a friend of mine and the city of Winnsboro passed away Friday night.  So I am sad.....that is reality.  I don't have words to tell those who also loved her that all will be well without sounding insincere.  No one can measure or judge another's grief.  Grief is tricky.  I know there are stages of grief.....but they never hit us in any particular order.  There is the anger, the  sadness, the guilt.  Some feel betrayed, some are just stunned and so live in denial.  For some of us life goes on.....we get to care for a beloved pet of the person who passed on......whether permanently or temporarily, Cousin Sandra and I feel that because Laika has come to live with us, we are sharing a very special part of Marlena.  Marlena had rescued Laika, I am not sure the whole story, but they were bonded by heart strings.  One thing I have learned from living on the farm.  Life goes on...sadly sometimes...and joyfully most of the time.  Right now me and mine at StarDragonfly Herbals are sad.

If you knew Marlena, I share your sadness, if you didn't know her, well, you might just be experiencing your own version of loss and sadness.  Come take a walk with me....we will take the dogs.  Then we will sit in the shade of the Oak tree and drink a cup a tea.  Hopefully, well, I know in time...All will be well, once again.


Herbally, Susan

Come Tiptoe Through the Wine-cups with Me!

Caterpillar on Indian Paint Brush,
Spring Creek,
Thank you, Mr. C for holding that flower up for
the photo!

Good morning, All!  My, my, my, we have been busier than long-tailed cats in a rocking chair factory!  Now that Farmer's Market has started, there are products to be made, herbs to be gathered, we are still planting stuff,  and all the critters are always needing some kind of attention.  Here lately, we have been living on Nachos and Wild Greens Salad, there just has not been time to cook!  And to top it all off, I have started teaching herb classes on the farm.  Yikes!  But, honestly, I love every busy minute!


We did take off a day last week to go to the Spring Creek Park Preserve at Garland.  Wow!  The wildflowers were pretty much in full glory!  Blooms and Butterflies everywhere!  If you have never been, I would suggest  finding some time to make the trip.  It was really easy to find.  If you live east of Garland, you will take I-30 West to the President George Bush Turnpike (toll road), then you will exit toward N Garland/Holford Rd., then turn left on Holford Rd...turn left....then turn right.....you have arrived at the Preserve!




These are some of the beauties that Mr. C, Cousin Sandra, her daughter-in-law, Jackie and I saw!

Wine-cup

Wine-Cup Callirhoe involucrata


Wine-Cup, which is also known as Poppy Mallow, is pollinated mainly by bees seeking nectar and pollen.  To the Lakota this plant is known as pezhuta nantiaziliz, meaning "smoke treatment medicine"-the smoke from a dried, smoldering root was inhaled for relief from a head cold.  The Osage and other tribes prepared the sweet, starchy root in various ways as a food source.  Wildflowers of Texas by G. Ajilvsgi

Primrose
There were 2 types of Primrose blooming.
This is Missouri Primrose, I believe.

Missouri Primrose Oenothera macrocarpa


The Evening Primrose is prized by herbalists for it's medicinal qualities, but I could not find any information about the Missouri Primrose being either medicinal or edible.  If anyone has a reliable source that states that Missouri Primrose is medicinal or edible, I would love to check it out!  The sphinx moth relies on the Missouri primrose as an important food source.  The moth, in turn pollinates the flowers on the one night they bloom.  The flowers also attract hummingbirds who use the early morning  or late afternoon blossoms as a source of nectar.  Butterflies and bees also flock to the blooms.  Does not appeal to deer. (this info is from gardenguides.com)

I believe the purple flower is
Mealy Sage Salvia farinacea

Mealy Sage Salvia farinacea


This is another plant that I have not been able to find any information on whether it is edible or the medicinal qualities.  If you know something I don't let me know!  But, for now use this plant as a beautiful ornamental.  We have this growing in one of our gardens.  Looks especially beautiful in an arrangement with Artemisia.





Skullcap Scutellaria

From L to R....
Skullcap, Sensitive Brier and not sure what
the little yellow flowers are......

Beautiful and quite prolific.  Skullcap was traditionally used in the treatment of a wide range of nervous conditions including epilepsy, insomnia, anxiety, delirium tremens, withdrawal from barbiturates and tranquilizers and neuralgia.  And infusion of the plant has been used to promote suppressed menstruation, it should not be given to pregnant women since it can induce miscarriage.  This plant should be used with caution since in excess it causes giddiness, stupor, confusion and twitching.

Okay, this is where we get into some iffy territory with the medicinal herbs.  There are over 350 species of Skullcap and they all are used in different ways.  So, remember to research your plants thoroughly before using them and/or buy them from a reputable source!

Sensitive Brier......Other common names for this plant include CATCLAW, in reference to the prickly characteristic of the plant, and SHAME-BOY, referring to the sensitive foliage that closes when touched.  The fruit of the sensitive brier is a long, slender, rounded pod densely covered with prickles; it is attractive when used in dried arrangements. Wildflowers of Texas by G. Ajilvsgi

We have a fun herb class coming up in May!  Learn how to make your own herbal insect repellents!  You can call....903-866-3606 or email me for more information....stdragonfly@yahoo.com.  Or see the post titled Lady Lavender and A Beastie Be Gone Class.


My friend, Ann, is a Master Naturalist that lives out at Holly Lake, Texas...you might want to check out her blog.  http://thejardinencantado.blogspot.com/    

Well, a lovely garden club is coming for a visit tomorrow morning!  Need to get busy and get them some herbal tea made so it can be chilling and make a few snacks.  Until next week, herbally yours, Susan

"Women are vain.  They think they look better in hats--if they have any sense."

94 year old Louisa Hagood

What a lovely hat pin!
And I do agree with Ms. Hagood!
I tend to be vain and I love
wearing my hat!