Herb of the Month- CLOVE

CLOVE   Eugenia caryophyllum

Clove is an evergreen tree native to Indonesia and the southern Philippines. It has been used for centuries as a valuable spice in cooking and medicine by many cultures. Cloves are sweet, spicy, heating, & stimulating. Their strong aromatic volatile oils have powerful immune enhancing properties. When we drink or eat cloves, as our body digests them, the oils exit through the liver, lungs, kidneys & skin. Through this process it stimulates circulation, raises body temp, increases digestion & assimilation, and boosts immunological actions in our body.

~As a Carminative (digestive stimulate)- nausea, gas, bloating, diarrhea, & poor digestion. Chinese Medicine recommends Clove used in a rice Congee for Hernias.

~Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory, and Antispasmodic- it can improve blood flow, lessen pain, lessen spasms and cramps in the GI tract and smooth muscles

            -Clove Oil- (Used in very small doses) is great for its numbing effect-commonly used in dentistry for alleviating tooth pain

~ Antibacterial/microbial- supports our immune system to deal with: athletes foot, colds, Candida, bad breath, commonly used with parasites

~Opens up the Nasal Pathways & clears the orifices of the head

~An Expectorant- to loosen and thin Lung congestion as well as combat any Respiratory infection

~An Aphrodisiac- low sex drive, impotence

Recipes:

            -2p Cardamom, 2p Ginger, & 1p Clove tea for digestion & nausea

            -5p Ashwagandha, 5p Shatavari, 1p nutmeg & 1p Clove- for low sex drive           

           

-Holiday Clove & Orange Pomander- A little history: Pomanders became popular during the Middle Ages when the black death and other ailments ran rampant. Sanitation during the era was lamentably lacking. The streets and even some homes were strewn with filth, bodily fluids and the discarded remnants of past meals. People thought that the cause of their problems lay in the resulting stench lingering about the city. The belief went that the pleasant scent of a pomander could repel the disease in the air. Directions: Poke small holes in your fresh orange in the design you would like. Press the smaller end of your clove into the hole. Tie up with a ribbon or place in a bowl and enjoy the wonderful aromatics. I found that here in the desert my pomanders will often dry out and preserve as a lovely decoration.

Cloves are Contra indicated in untreated Hypertension, and acute hot inflammatory conditions (chronic low grade inflammation is ok as clove has an ultimate effect of reducing inflammation)

Jack's Herb of the Month... Elderberry

Elderberry is an excellent source of vitamins C  – it also contains notable amounts of vitamin A and B6. It is one of the most important immune tonic and immune enhancing herbs. Elderberry is a fantastic cold and flu remedy for all ages and can be taken throughout the year to ward off illness. Taken as a preventive or during the outbreak of an influenza it is an essential addition to your herbal first aid kit. The following recipe was taste-tested-approved by many young, HIGHLY discerning fans - it's a fun project for the whole family! 


This syrup can be used as medicine and/or as a culinary treat! Experiment with putting it on ice cream and cobblers, or in your decadent cocktails! 

You will need:

1 cup dried elderberries (2 cups fresh)

½ cup rosehips

1 cinnamon stick

3 tbsp fresh grated ginger

2 Asian pears (chopped into small cubes)

½ cup honey or to preferred taste

½ cup brandy (optional)

water

cheesecloth

* Yields around 32 ounces

 I begin the process by making an infusion. In a half gallon jar combine the elderberries, rosehips, cinnamon stick, ginger, and pears. Cover with boiling water (filling the jar) and let sit for at least one hour (preferably 2-4 hours). Once your plant material has infused transfer it all to a stainless steel pot. Bring your infusion to a boil and then decoct on a low simmer until it has reduced to half the original amount. Once your decoction has cooled enough use the cheesecloth and a sieve to separate the extraction from the remaining plant material. This could take some time and you should totally play around with different ways of straining to allow for the largest yielding of medicine. Once you have made it through the straining process you can return your decoction to the stove and add your honey allowing it to dissolve but not cook. Lastly, add your brandy! If you have chosen not to add brandy just know that your syrup will have a shorter shelf life and should most definitely be refrigerated. With the brandy this syrup can last up to 3 months refrigerated but good luck keeping it around for that long – it truly is DELICIOUS!!!

* If pregnant or nursing please consult a knowledgeable and trained herbalist.