Photos of Herbs From the End of February.

Branch with a lot of Usnea on it.

I took these photos last week. We had many trees and branches down from the storm. Most of the branches are covered with Usnea (Old Man's Beard). This is a great time to harvest it.

Close-Up of Usnea

I also took a close up photo of one of the Usnea lichens. 

These lichens are in abundance in the Pacific NW where I live. They contain usnic acid and are called "Natures Antibiotic" by some people. 

Populus trichocarpa buds

There were many plants poking their heads out last week. The poplars (Cottonwoods) were in bud. I may have missed my window of opportunity in getting any buds this year. Some trees will bud out earlier than others and I may find a tree that still has buds on it, but I doubt it. These buds in the photo are perfect for picking to make poplar oil or tincture. They are super resinous and taste good in a cough elixir where their expectorant properties are much appreciated.

Willow flowers in full bloom.

Additionally, the pussy willows are in full flower. Remember a couple weeks ago they were just starting to put their buds out. Here they are with tons of pollen on them for the bees. 

Bellis perrenis

Then we have the lovely little Bellis perennis. A small daisy-like flower that covers our lawns. This flower is used in a similar manner as Arnica for bruises. It is specific to deep internal organ bruising and is often used with deep tissue injury to speed up the healing.

Leaves of 

Berberis aquifolium

Buds of Berberis aquifolium

I went a bit crazy taking the Oregon grape photos. There were so many good shots. They were gorgeous. Most parts of this plant can be used in one way or another. The berries make good wine, they are used by some in jams and pies. The flowers can be eaten also and the root and stem bark is used as a medicine. This is a bitter herb and as such is of course a wonderful cholagogue and cholaretic. It is also used to stimulate digestion, as an antimicrobial, antiparasitic, for diabetes, and many other uses. There is a lot of research surrounding its use decreasing biofilm formation of microbes recently. It shares the constituent berberine with some other plants such as Goldenseal and Gold thread.

Berberis aquifolium

Buds of Berberis aquifolium

Indian Plum - Oemleria cerasiformis

Indian Plum has small fruits on them. Not super tasty but edible. They are one of the first fruits of the year and the birds usually grab them before I do.

Lemon Balm - Melissa officinalis

Lemon balm is just sticking it's head up. It has a slight lemonish/minty taste to it. Makes a nice cold drink in the summer and has many medicinal effects that include being a digestive aid, use in hyperthyroidism, a calming effect and antispasmodic effect.

Mother wort - Leonurus cardiaca

Another mint family plant was also poking its head out next to Lemon Balm. This is Motherwort. Like Lemon Balm it is an antispasmodic, and nervine. They are also both used to lower a hyperactive thyroid. Motherwort is used often in menopause.

Hopefully, I will get some time to take more photos of one or two of these lovely herbs and give you  some detailed data on them.

Sorry if this is a bit choppy. I am not exactly a computer wiz. I have trouble with the photos and type working together. I just don't have the time to figure out how to get it perfect currently. It is what it is.

Honey Bee Varroa Mite Solution

Will Hypoaspis miles mites eat the bee mites? The mite is used in nurseries and greenhouses to protect plants from predatory insects. They have been used to control the fungus gnat and thrip pupae and for black vine weevil control. They have also been used by pet suppliers to control crab mites, snake mites and rat mites. Now they are being investigated for control of varroa mite in honey bees. So far, the news is very promising.  Where the Hypoaspis miles mites are introduced the bee behavior changes. They go towards these mites. They want the H. Mite on them.  Parts of varroa mites are found littering the sticky board after the H. mite is introduced. No whole varroa mites, just bits and pieces of varroa mites are found after introducing the Hypoaspis miles mites. Also when comparing the chemical controlled hives with the Hypoaspis hives, the Hypoaspis hives were more hygenic, more vigorous and produced more honey than the chemical controlled hives. The varroa mite was not obliterated in the bio controlled hive but was no longer a problem for the bees. (This H. mite may also control the small hive beetle.) Watch this video to learn more!

Meditation Heals Us All

Recently, I had to remind myself of the need to connect with spirit on a more intimate level as I had gotten out of the habit of daily meditation. 

Meditation/prayer is the most powerful healing tool we have.  It is always available. It is affordable. (Unlike some other healing modalities.) It improves all aspects of our lives.

Additionally, improvement of ourself, and expanding our awareness of the spiritual world is an activity that improves humanity as a whole, due to the spiritual fact that we are all interconnected.

We must not get so busy in day to day external life that we forget to spend time in mediation or prayer. All of us depend on the spiritual growth of each other.  

Rudolph Steiner said, "The welfare and misfortune of the individual is intimately bound up with the welfare or misfortune of the whole world."   (Rudolph Steiner was the creator of Waldorf schools, Anthroposophical medicine and Biodynamic agriculture.)

How can  your meditation/prayer help?

There is a general feeling of despair amongst folks regarding the state of affairs on this planet. Some people feel hopeless and do not think they have the ability to effect the world.  If you are one of these people, please consider meditation/prayer as a method to help. Work on improving yourself. Set aside time each day to meditate/pray. Even 5 minutes will help. Be quiet and contemplative. Take time each day to contemplate your own actions, behaviors, thoughts and feelings. Watch yourself as if you were watching a stranger.  Watch how you interact with the rest of the world. Do not criticize yourself, but simply note what needs to be improved upon and become the best person you can be. The more of us that do this , the better things become. Do not despair. You have a powerful tool that you can use right now.

Please share some of your favorite books or websites for spiritual growth. I mentioned the Christian Mystic, Rudolph Steiner above. He has many wonderful books for the dedicated spiritual investigator. One of my favorite books of his is "How to Know Higher Worlds".