Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Windy fall days- collecting bark and lichen!

We have had some pretty strong winds the past week. Many branches have broken off the trees.
Why not collect some medicinal tree barks and lichen!
Henriette's site has a good article on collecting bark.
Slippery elm Ulmus rubra is considered an at risk plant by the UPS- but if you are lucky enough to have a slippery elm tree or find some downed branches, the bark is a great remedy to have around. Kiva writes a great post The many fine qualities of ulmus pulila an alternative to ulmus rubra.
I have had an itch in my throat at night (probably from hanging out in the wind all day!)- I would hate to wake up the baby with my coughing! Slippery elm in a raw honey base has worked wonders! You can also make slippery elm lozenges.
Oh and we can't forget jim's great article about slippery elm to prevent oil rancidity!

Search for other bark remedies on kiva's blog as well; Alder is another favorite- also read her great post on usnea !

3 comments:

Darcey Blue said...

i also wrote about ulmus pumila last spring, it is an amazing demulcent! No possibility questions here. it is soooo super slimy! Too bad the tree is so invasive and probably not a good idea to plant. If you have U pumila, you dont need U. rubra.

:)

Angie Goodloe LMT, Herbalist said...

Awesome thanks darcy! Sorry I missed your post- should have included your link as well:)
Congrats on your new sweet medicine center project BTW!

LGT said...

hey, I like your blog!

What's it like being an LMT and herbalist? I am thinking about going to massage therapy school and then being an herbalist too.