Homesteaders

[lazy gardener]

I made a skin salve with plantain, jewel weed, olive oil, coconut oil, and bees wax. It's supposed to be really good for treating poison ivy. It is an incredible skin softener. Harvested some Jewel Weed seeds to plant on my property.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

Eczema?

I know how it feels to tell folks about using herbs and other natural remedies. I've used herbs, tinctures, etc. for years. I get the same reaction about chiropractors. But I've always been "different," and I'm healthier for it. I still haven't been able to control my high blood pressure with herbs though, but I continue trying. Until then I rely on prescriptions, which I hate.

I'd enjoy reading about other folks' herbal and natural health practices. My mother taught me that fresh air and sunshine are the best tonics!

Yes that one. Sorry it's been a long 2 weeks. Drove 6 hours round trip last Thursday for a doctor apt in Rochester then yesterday I made a 3 hours trip for my son's Dr. My brain is fried from all the driving and the lack dirt.

 

[GardenNut]

I made a skin salve with plantain, jewel weed, olive oil, coconut oil, and bees wax.  It's supposed to be really good for treating poison ivy.  It is an incredible skin softener.  Harvested some Jewel Weed seeds to plant on my property.  

Nice! I think I read that earlier, but of course forgot! Jewel weed...I don't know if I'm familiar with that one. It's not the same as chickweed, right? I can google it....

I did think of you, LG, today when I went to Lowes. I went looking for the plants on clearance. I found a nepeta for $1! Needs water and a trim but should be fine, once planted. So that purchase was in honor of you!

They had a bunch of perennial salvia too, but that has never done well for me.

Bought the stuff to make "fire cider." It's supposed to be good for colds, sinus issues, etc.

As I went through the grocery store meat dept looking for beef, a turkey, chicken, etc., I kept thinking that hopefully I won't have to do that this time next year.

 

[Chicken girl 15]

@lazy gardener I have tons of the jewel weed that grows all over my property. I leave it alone because I think it's pretty. I had no clue it was medicinal. My youngest has eczama and if I knew that weed could help I would have started a long time ago.

 

[lazy gardener]

This is the recipe I used.

http://thefreerangelife.com/make-poison-ivy-salve/

Super easy. First time I've ever made something like this. I ended up with 8 containers of it, gave one to a friend, used one, and put the rest in the freezer b/c I wasn't sure how long the shelf life of it is. Time to break out an other one.

 

[GardenNut]

I'm going to look for jewel weed around the property next year! I thought I'd found some wild rose hips, but then I found a bush with leaves: barberry. Duh!

 

[Beekissed]

Another five chickens butchered this morning, this time all 6 mo. old cockerels raised here from chicks. All meaty, heavy birds and beautiful of form and feather, docile to handle. They won't have as much lovely fat stored as the old hens though way more than any other cockerels I've butchered before getting WRs, but their meat is incredibly fine textured and dense.

They are MUCH easier to butcher than the tough old hens, for sure. Slowly but surely the meat harvest is done in this manner, sorting out what one will keep and what one will eat. It's an age old ritual passed down since the beginning of time and I love being a link in that chain. The work goes faster if you have help, but there's something to be said about the silence and serenity of doing this kind of work alone that I love too. It's a beautiful day and a slight breeze every now and again....quiet except the sounds of crows in the distance and the crunching of bones as the dogs eat heads and feet, the sounds, while the rest of the flock scratch through the fall leaves. God gave me a beautiful day for such work and I thank Him for the good, clean meat grown on this peaceful land.

More meat in the jars by this evening! Hopefully. If I don't wear out too soon. LOL Gotta let that chill in the fridge a bit while I go unload a truckload of leaves and 200# of feed.

 

[GardenNut]

Congrats Bee! I know you feel happy and blessed going into winter with a well-stocked larder/pantry!

I made my first batch of fire cider today. Now it sits and infuses in a sunny window for 3-4 weeks before adding honey to taste. I'm going to check my herb books to see what else I can make for winter colds, flu, etc.

 

[lazy gardener]

What is fire cider?

 

[Molpet]

What is fire cider?

usually horseradish, garlic, onion, ginger, and hot peppers infused in vinegar
ETA well this one has a lot more ingrediants http://modernfarmer.com/2015/12/cold-remedies-fire-cider/