Has anyone else tried using a magic butter type machine for herbs? I bought one (Infuzium 420… yeah different kind of herb.) and made a quart black walnut tincture in about 5 hours. It’s definitely faster than a typical maceration tincture method and came out nice and strong! My wife also used it to make a vanilla extract and I am now curious about making some sort of spiced cider in it. I used one at a class I attended this summer in New Mexico and was very impressed with how well the things we made turned out. I’m curious if anyone else has had a chance to try one out?

PictureThis is an app I use incredibly often. It has a yearly subscription for $29.99 and it helps me discover new plants all the time. All you do is take a picture and it goes to work. Recently I made a stupid mistake in the first hour of the first day on a 5 day hike. I saw a plant that looked like it would be a kind of young spruce or fir. I picked it and rubbed it between my fingers hoping for a blast of that fresh piney scent. Nothing… it smelled vaguely plantish. I was intrigued and pulled out the PictureThis app and took a picture. Introducing Cypress Spurge, a plant that could have rocked my world. As soon as I had read the description I set about washing the crap out of my hands with some of the water I had in a spare bottle followed by rinsing them in a stream I crossed a little while later. I waited for the irritation to ensue but apparently got enough of it off to not be an issue. The app isn’t very helpful with uses of the plant for food or medicine but for identification and safety it’s something I rely on pretty heavily.

If you’re new here, please take a moment to introduce yourself and help us get to know you a little bit! If you have some experience with herbal/natural remedies already, feel free to tell us your story! Also let us now what type of information you’re most interested in!

In the aftermath of a disaster, access to modern dental care can be severely limited. However, many cultures have historically relied on natural remedies to maintain oral health, particularly herbs, which can be highly effective in a post-disaster environment. This guide explores various herbs used in traditional dental care and their benefits. Herbs for Tooth Care and Oral Health 1. Clove Clove has long been known for its antiseptic and analgesic properties. The active compound, eugenol, is effective in numbing pain and fighting infection. - Uses: Clove oil can be applied directly to a painful tooth or gum using a cotton swab. Whole cloves can also be chewed gently to release their beneficial oils. - Benefits: Pain relief, reduction of inflammation, and antibacterial action. 2. Peppermint Peppermint leaves contain menthol, which has soothing and cooling effects. It is also known for its antimicrobial properties. - Uses: Fresh peppermint leaves can be chewed or brewed into a tea to use as a mouth rinse. - Benefits: Freshens breath, soothes irritated gums, and combats bacteria. 3. Sage Sage is renowned for its antibacterial and astringent properties, making it ideal for maintaining oral health. - Uses: Sage leaves can be rubbed directly onto the teeth and gums or used to make a mouthwash. - Benefits: Helps to clean teeth, reduce gum inflammation, and promote healing. 4. Thyme Thyme contains thymol, a powerful antiseptic that aids in preventing oral infections. - Uses: Thyme can be brewed into a tea for rinses or its essential oil can be diluted and applied to the gums. - Benefits: Antibacterial and antifungal properties help prevent tooth decay and gum disease. 5. Neem Neem twigs have been used for centuries as a natural toothbrush in various cultures. - Uses: Chewing on neem twigs helps clean teeth and eliminate bacteria. - Benefits: Reduces plaque, prevents cavities, and supports overall oral hygiene. 6. Calendula Calendula, or marigold, has anti-inflammatory and healing properties, making it useful for soothing sore gums.

I recently updated my recovery salve recipe for my Jiu Jitsu Formulas to include Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum Clara-herculis). I am considering adding a class/course on here to walk through how I make my salves. Prickly Ash has an analgesic effect that I wanted to add to my formula to help with chronic pain.