october 2016 newsletter

The Ethnobotanist Beat
This month I am featuring Chaparral as herb of the month. It has been a great year for this plant, as we received good rains in early spring and August to assist blooming. Chaparral typically flowers 3 times per year in New Mexico; I enjoy collecting it for the floral, soft flavor while in flower. The greatest resins and oils are available just before flowering.  

Although there were reports several years ago to avoid its use, Chaparral has been used by desert people for centuries. It is important to prepare it appropriately so the oils do not inhibit liver function.  The traditional method is to make a ‘clear tea’; that is, steep the herb for just a few minutes, do not let it sit for long and drink plenty of it for optimal benefits. Among the Tahono Odham tribe of Arizona it is reported to have been used for over 65 different ailments.

October Newsletter View this email in your browser 419 Orchard Drive, Santa Fe, NM 87501 505-820-6321 Medicine Circle Newsletter – October 2016 We are busy harvesting our herbal crops for the year and thankful again for our Earth’s great bounty and gifts. Despite the weather extremes and general uncertainty Mother Earth continues to provide for us, feed us, and heal us. We harvest and process medicinal plants at Milagro Herbs with great respect and reverence for the world we live in and hope that it gives our people the healing needed at the right time. Right now in our drying room we have Osha root, Oregon Grape leaves, Cayenne peppers, Hierba mansa root and leaves, and Anil del Muerto flowers and leaves.   We recently processed Chaparral leaves into oil, Hierba mansa root into tincture, Nettle leaves into vinegar, and Calendula flowers into oil.  We respect the life cycle of the plant world and treat all of our relations in the world as our brothers and sisters. SPECIALS FOR OCTOBER Mention this announcement for discounts at the Retail Store and Phone Orders… Osha Honey – $8.99 / 4 oz jar Osha Tincture – $9.99 / 1 ounce Fabulous Foot Cream – $15.99 / 2 oz jar Respiratory Health &  Herbal Cough Syrup Making Class A Fall Intensive Tuesday October 18 - 6pm-8pm Saturday October 22 - 10am-4pm Wednesday October 26 - 6pm-9pm Change of the season often presents challenges for our bodies, minds and spirits and can result in us getting worn down.  If it settles into the respiratory system, this can sometimes mean a condition called a chest cold, often accompanied by the dreaded ‘lingering cough’.  These infections are most effectively treated at the onset as well herbs can be utilized to keep our lungs strong and healthy.  This 11 hour three part class discusses respiratory health, local medicinal plants for the respiratory system, their delivery methods, as well, students will craft an herbal cough syrup to be taken home. Part one  (2 hours) is a class room session where we will examine the respiratory system, its afflictions, and treatment protocols.                                                         Part two  (6 hours) includes a field excursion where students will learn and collect several herbs in the local mountains and return to town to prepare and begin the cough syrup process. Part three  (3 hours) finish making and decant or bottle the syrup with a final discussion on respiratory health. Cost: $150.00 - includes all supplies. Class enrollment is limited to 12. Pre-registration required. All classes held at Milagro Herbs. To register or for more information contact 505-820-6321    Instructor and guide Stefan Link has over 25 years’ experience working with plants and herbal medicines.  He is a medicine plant wild crafter, has led herb walks and taught classes for Milagro Herbs, Ghost Ranch, Just For Health School and co-managed Bear Creek Herbs in Silver City.  His passion is being in the field with plants and to facilitate their wisdom sharing with people. Nuntriangle@gmail.com 575-956-8814 White Tent Herbal Talks at Milagro Herbs continue this month on Fridays from 12-12:30 pm. Coming up on Friday (10/14) Jane Hatch, MA, will present “The Basics of Salve-Making”. Jane is one of the primary persons responsible for the production of creams and salves at Milagro. Stacy Wise (who had a great turn out for her last talk on Kombucha-making) will discuss Osha, The Bear Medicine Herb (10/21). Unsurpassed as an anti-viral and anti-bacterial herb, it grows only in the Southwest and is the subject of an in-depth, state-funded study being conducted by Stacy. Dr. Tomas Enos will speak about Plant Mysteries and Magic for Day of the Dead (10/28)...All the talks are free and we serve hot, organic tea. See you in the tent! Herbal Garden Volunteer Opportunity A great opportunity for the right person to work in a beautiful farm setting near Santa Fe. Rancho de las Golondrinas is seeking a volunteer to rehab the traditional and native herb gardens. Contact Amanda at 505-379-3814 The Ethnobotanist Beat This month I am featuring Chaparral as herb of the month. It has been a great year for this plant, as we received good rains in early spring and August to assist blooming. Chaparral typically flowers 3 times per year in New Mexico; I enjoy collecting it for the floral, soft flavor while in flower. The greatest resins and oils are available just before flowering.   Although there were reports several years ago to avoid its use, Chaparral has been used by desert people for centuries. It is important to prepare it appropriately so the oils do not inhibit liver function.  The traditional method is to make a ‘clear tea’; that is, steep the herb for just a few minutes, do not let it sit for long and drink plenty of it for optimal benefits. Among the Tahono Odham tribe of Arizona it is reported to have been used for over 65 different ailments. I like to use it for systemic infections that are stubborn to heal both internally and topically. It makes a great antifungal remedy as well as for candida imbalances.  Ideally a person will “wash” the body of the infection with regular ingestion of tea. It is not appropriate for people with any liver weakness but does assist with detoxification and immune system protection.   Some of my favorite uses include as a bath herb or for herbal foot soaks (athlete’s foot and nail fungus).  Chaparral Botanical name: Larrea tridentata, L. divaricata, L. glutinosa, L. mexicana Family: Zygophyllacaceae - Caltrop Family Family Key Words: "Desert plants with parts in fives, and opposite, usually pinnately divided leaves" Common Name: Chaparral, Creosote bush, greasewood Habitat and Range: Hot low desert environment. It i most common in well drained soil of alluvial fans and flats. Often grows in very large stands and is so efficient at absorbing water that no other plant can live near it which can sometimes create a monoculture of chaparral. It is the most drought tolerant perennial plant in North America and can live for 2 years with no water. It is most common below 4,000 feet but can grow up to 5,500 ft in certain areas. Its range extends across the Mojave, Sonoran, and Chihuahuan deserts and into parts of Utah and Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Botanical Description: Chaparral is an evergreen shrub that can grow from 3 to 10 feet tall. Its opposite leaves are resinous and a dark yellowish green. The shrub has many branches that grow in a crwn at the base of the plant. As the bush grows older the central and older branches die off and the crown extends outward and eventually splits off to create new crowns. The "King Clone" creosote ring is one of the oldest living organisms on Earth. It has been alive 11,700 years, in the central Mojave Desert and is 67 feet in diameter. The seeds are covered in an oil that prevents germination until the rain has washed it away. A seed can stay on the mother for months to years depending on the rain. The yellow flower has five petals and the seeds are covered in a white fuzz that protects it until germination. You will often see a plant with seeds and flowers at the same time. The whole plant is covered in volatile oils that are released when it rains. Parts used: Leaves, small twigs, flower and seed Harvesting and Processing: Harvest any time of year when the leaves look vibrant and full of color. Dry branches out of the sun on a screen, towel, sheet, or in a paper bag. Once dry remove the thick woody stems. The brittle leaves and twigs will come off easily. Store in an air tight jar for up to two years. Therapeutic Preparation: Fresh or dry tincture, oil, salve, tea, wash, poultice Traditional "21 day cleanse: Put 1 tsp of dry chaparral in 8oz of very warm water (not hot or boiling) cover and steep overnight. Strain and drink on an empty stomach in the morning. Take the same chaparral and repeat the process 2 more times. At the end of the third day place the spent chaparral under a tree. Begin the process again with a fresh tsp f chaparral. Repeat 7 times for a total of 21 days. Engergetic's: Cold, dry, bitter, spicy, slightly salty UPCOMING EVENTS October 14 - 12pm-12:30pm The Basics of Salve Making, with Jane Hatch, MA  October 18 - 6pm-8pm Respiratory Health and Herbal Cough Syrup Making, with Stefan Link (Class 1 of 3)  October 21 - 12pm-12:30pm Osha, The Bear Medicine Herb, with Stacy Wise October 22 - 10am-4pm Respiratory Health and Herbal Cough Syrup Making, with Stefan Link (Class 2 of 3) October 26 - 6pm-9pm Respiratory Health and Herbal Cough Syrup Making, with Stefan Link (Class 3 of 3)    October 28 - 12pm-12:30pm Plant Mysteries and the Magic of the Day of the Dead, with Dr. Tomas Enos To sign-up please call the store @505-820-6321 or facebook me with your name and email. Stay tuned for our November schedule which will be available on Facebook, in our newsletter, and at the store on November 1. Seating is available for thirteen, although you are welcome to stand or bring a cushion to sit on if we are full. First come, first serve for the seats. Let the herbal show begin! Let us hear from you; we love visitors in the store and we love to receive your orders on the phone. Don’t care for the Internet hassle of shopping? Call us, we can help! Copyright © *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*