Posted on Tuesday 6/15
Often when I cruise our vastness I try to imagine what our pioneer forefathers must have had to endure just to stay alive. It defies the logical of a modern day person as to how a family unit crossed and survived the arduous journey across the plains and mountains with their 2 ox powered covered wagon. I believe the key was, they possessed sharply honed survival skills and knowledge which became lost to our modern generation. In my previous article I pointed out some plants, Astragalus, Burdock, and Calendula, all that aided the individual in some way and in keeping this train of thought, I continue.

Almost all cats love this. You guessed it, catnip, whether grown fresh in the garden or dried and placed in a little animal toy will certainly attract cats. For cats catnip is a stimulant and yet for us mere humans it has the opposite effect, relaxing. Drinking this relaxing nervine before bed can aid in winding us down after a busy day, promoting rest and sleep. If one ingests catnip after a meal, it can relieve indigestion and flatulence, promoting better digestion.

It is best to harvest this plant just before it blooms. Cut the stem above 6 inches above ground to ensure next year's growth. Dry the leaves and store in an airtight container. Catnip makes a delicious brew of tea.

Talk about a herb with a impressive historical background, Chamomile. It is a cheery plant that looks and smells beautiful and makes a wonderful ground cover in gardens. Chamomile has been used by everyone from the ancient Egyptians to modern day man who takes chamomile tea before bed for a restful night. To harvest, one must gather the flowering tops just before they full open.

In addition, Chamomile can be used externally as a poultice or salve to heal burns, rashes or eczema.

The Inuit people used steams of chamomile to relieve lung congestion.

To make a Chamomile steam, place a couple of handfuls of dried chamomile flowers in a large bowl. Add one or two cups of boiling water in the bowl. Place your head over the bowl and cover with a large towel covering you and the bowl. This keeps the steam and warmth in. Inhale deeply, enjoying the warmth as it spreads through your respiratory system. Keep a supply of handkerchiefs nearby for removing mucous from the body as it becomes loosened.

Comfrey is an amazing plant. Its cell proliferating abilities can heal connective tissue surprisingly fast, resulting in a much quicker healing time for wounds, sprains and broken bones. This rapid healing property requires caution against applying comfrey to deep or infected wounds because it will heal the outer skin before the deeper wound. That is why comfrey is only applied externally to clean and superficial wounds.

Comfrey leaves are best harvested when the plant is in full flower. The roots also have healing properties. Minced and mixed with a little water, the root can be stored in the freezer for later use on burns.