garlic syrup

it is very pleasant and since the garlic is cooked it is less pungent and intrusive. There is no garlic breath either. Enjoy!

I just don't seem to remember to take pictures of my medicine making. BUMMER. It was quite fun preparing this remedy with my boyfriend, brewing it was nice too... I love the aroma of garlic and ginger stewing.

We took 5 large bulbs of garlic and chopped each clove very well (lots and lots of garlic), letting them set out for about 15 minutes, 1 quarter cup of freshly dried ginger root from Mountain Rose Herbs and brought cool distilled water, about 1 quart with garlic and ginger, to a slow boil in a large stainless steel pot.

Distilled water because it is "hungry", it has NOTHING in it which helps draw the constituents from the herbs, Stainless steel pot because it is better than using anything else except glass... I don't like using aluminum or coated pans for obvious reasons.

Once the pot came to a boil, I turn it to a SLOW, LOW simmer and let it "stew" for about 2-3 hours, the longer the better.The water level went down quite a bit and I had just over a half a quart of liquid left. When finished I strained the liquid gold into a sterile container and set aside.

I use raw local un pasteurized honey. I used 16 oz and in a sterile stainless steel pot on very low heat took the honey and the liquid gold and stirred, NEVER bring honey to a boil... it ruins all the good stuff in it. When done I bottled it.

one rule of medicine making for us is to NEVER have ill thoughts or words while making medicine. Keep good thoughts and intention to make good medicine.

It is good for all sorts of things, the Garlic is fruit of the Gods in my opinion! It is an immune booster to say the very least of it... you can take several table spoons of it through the day when you feel the onset of a cold or take it daily just to help boost your immune.

The honey will serve as a preserver, they say that you don't have to refrigerate it but I still keep mine in the refrigerator.

you can altar this recipe, i did by adding the ginger root. Some people use it as a marinade... however keep in mind that the healing properties would be quite less once used in cooking or baking at a temp higher than the slow cooking style used.

almost forgot, some people like clear medicine. They don't want any plant residue.. so they strain until all plant matter is gone (which in my opinion isn't necessary unless you are selling the product). I don't always do this because I don't mind plant matter in my medicine.

Some say that the shelf life of the medicine isn't as long as medicine that is clearer of particles. I am not worried about the particles because it is for home use, I will use it up before it goes bad and I am not planning on selling it... plus... it may even be more health beneficial having the particles in it. It depends on what herbalist is making the medicine.

I got this recipe from herbalist James Greens book "the herbal medicine makers handbook", he doesn't mind the particles either.

what is evil?

What is the distinction between recognizing something evil and judging it...



When you have an emotional reaction to what you see, you are judging. That is your signal that you have an issue inside yourself- with yourself-not with the other person. If you react self righteously to evil, look inside yourself for the very thing that so agitates you, and you will find it. If it were not there you would simply discern, act appropriately, and move on. -Gary Zukav

Weather for today

Current: Partly Cloudy
Wind: NW at 6 mph
Humidity: 12%
Sat
Clear
103°F | 65°F

Damn hot!
When it is summer and to hot to eat anything heavy or that requires stove top and time...
I create quick, easy, light and good for you dishes with what ever I can find in the house.

I live in Arizona, citrus is given to others by random people. They have plenty of it and share it often. I have tons of lemons and grapefruit today so I try and use as much as I can.

In the Morning upon waking I squeeze fresh lemon and honey into hot water as a beverage, or add it to iced water or tea.

I squeeze lemon on my cous cous with fresh parsley, onion, garlic and veggies.

Today I found black beans and kidney beans, added red bell pepper, cucumber, scallions, fresh garlic, light rosemary and sage, freshly cracked pepper and fresh ground Celtic sea salt... squeezed a little lemon and had a delicious light lunch with a hot cup of lemon and honey water.

delicious and good for me!

Rosemary

“Against weyknese of the brayne and coldness thereof, sethe rosemaria in wyne and lete the pacyent receye the smlke at his nose and keep his heed warme.”
— Crete Herbal


Rosmarinus officinale

I have always been drawn to the flaver and aroma of Rosemary but until becomeing an herbalism student I didn't realize how medicinal that Rosemary was. Rosemary is a great anti oxidant, anti fungal, anti bacterial and an anti inflammatory herb and until recently I have never tried it as a tea. I wasn't even sure if it would be enjoyable if drunk as a tea, but it was. It is on my top favorite beverages.


History:
• It was customary to burn Rosemary with Juniper Berries to purify sick rooms in French hospitals
• The Spaniards revere it as one of the bushes that gave shelter to the Virgin Mary in the flight into Egypt and call it Romero, 'the Pilgrim's Flower'.
• The ancients used the herb for strengthening the memory
Tradition:
• if drunk is said to do away with all body evil
• is considered a safeguard from witches and evil influences in both Spain and Italy
• is the Herb of Remembrance and Friendship
• leaves were placed under your pillow dispel evil spirits and bad dreams
• was the emblem of fidelity for lovers
• was grown to attract elves
• was hung on porches and doors keeps thieves out
• was used at both weddings and funerals
• was used as incense in magical spells
• was used as incense in religious ceremonies
• was used for protection and banishment

Rosemary Tea Recipe

I steep aprox. ¼ cup of tea in about 2-3 quarts of hot water, by first bringing the water to a boil and then pulling it off the burner, adding the ¼ cup of the dried tea, covering the pot and letting steep for at least 15 minutes. At the end of the steeping time I then add enough cool water to equal aprox. 1gallon. I like to drink my tea at about room temperature but this tea could be drunk either cold or hot if preferred. This tea will keep for at least 24 hours after brewing and up to 72 hours.
Yield aprox. 1 gallon of tea


Questions:

Is this strength of tea good for its medicinal properties?
In my opinion, yes and no. If you were to drink it regularly then yes, as a nutritive tea it would be helpful as a preventative. For more acute situations I would probably drink the tea stronger, 1-3 cups per day.

How long will this tea keep?
As I have learned in my herbalism class, you should make fresh tea daily. If kept refrigerated then it can last 1-3 days.

Can you drink too much of this tea?
You can overdose, or over “do” anything. I suppose anything can be toxic if done excessively including drinking rosemary tea but I haven’t heard of any deaths by over consumption of this herb; however, precaution is necessary for people who have allergic reaction or prone to epileptic seizures and rosemary essential oil may have epileptogenic properties. Rosemary essential oil is potentially toxic if ingested. Large quantities of rosemary leaves can cause adverse reactions, such as coma, spasm, vomiting, and pulmonary edema (fluid in the lungs) that can be fatal. Avoid consuming large quantities of rosemary if pregnant or breastfeeding.


Key Actions:
• Tonic & stimulant nerving
• Circulatory & heart tonic
• Antibacterial & antiseptic
• Antidepressant
• Carminative