9/17/17
Take the time you need
To recharge your mind, body
And spirit. Self care.
Drink more water and
Try some herbal tea. Eat some
Nourishing foods too.
When at wits end, take
That wit outside to breathe that
Fresh air and see trees.
Posts tagged ‘herbalist’
Goldenrod Materia Medica
I put this Materia Medica for Goldenrod together last year for a project for the first year apprenticeship at Owlcraft Healing Ways. Today I harvested a bit of goldenrod, and wanted to share this information. If anyone local is in need of some goldenrod, I have a good amount, in various stages of blooming. Please get in touch if you would like to come harvest some, or if you would like me to bring you some I harvest. Fresh for $9 a pound if I bring it to you, if you want to come get it, trade me some plant identification or something fun!
Goldenrod or Solidago Spp.
Aka blue mountain tea, liberty tea, wound wort, Aaron’s rod
Asteracea family
Very erect perennial, 2-3 feet tall according to some sources. I have seen a lot taller that here at the Heathen Homestead. Stems become Woody but do not often Branch out. Small yellow clusters of disklike flowers with 1/4 inch heads that bloom between July and October.
Black Walnut Hull Tincture
Made some tincture tonight from fresh black walnut hulls in their green stage. Already turning a neat green color. Going to be nice to have this on hand for parasites on or in people or critters. We harvested these walnuts from trees on our farm. In the future we would like to harvest the nuts from Juglans Nigra. Made sure to wear gloves while processing so as to not stain my hands.
Skin salve for sale
If you have dry, cracking, peeling skin – whether it be from callouses, washing dishes, outdoor work, carpentry or whatever I have to recommend you try a skin salve I have made. The fewer ingredients the fewer potential you will have for issues. I do not use petroleum based ingredients in any of my products. All ingredients are easily pronounced! Except perhaps the Latin names for the plants. Mine has: chickweed oil, calendula oil, yarrow oil, goldenrod oil, coconut oil and beeswax. All oils made with high quality extra virgin olive oil. $7.50 for a 1 ounce tin, $15 for a 2 ounce tin
Just another Farmer’s Market Day
Today we are out at the Mineral Farmer’s Market in Mineral, Louisa. We are selling a lavender calendula lip balm, a chickweed Calendula yarrow goldenrod skin salve, a chickweed plantain lavender butt balm, a coconut oil chickweed lavender peppermint sugar scrub, a motherwort passionflower oatstraw lemon balm blue vervain tea, a mullein chamomile lemon balm wood betony and cinnamon tea, an Epsom salt cinnamon ginger patchouli grapefruit bath salt, a witch hazel rose calendula yarrow red raspberry heal all facial toner, a mullein red raspberry mugwort uva ursi chamomile smoking blend, and more!
Southern Summer Herbal Sweet Tea Recipe
It’s hot yall. My fall/winter/spring nightly cup of hot tea just doesn’t seem appetizing. I still make herbal tea most days, but am happy to have developed a soothing, cooling, nourishing adaptation of southern sweet tea to quench my thirst on these hot days.
Southern Summer Herbal Sweet Tea
Chillout blend
10 bags of orange pekoe tea
3 tbsp nettles
3 tbsp milky oats or oatstraw (work with what you’ve got)
2 tbsp red raspberry leaf
2 tbsp motherwort
2 tbsp lemonbalm
1 tbsp blue vervain
Honey or sugar to taste
I put all my herb in tea bags or tea balls, or loose in a big pot of 1 gallon of water. I turn the stove on to boil. How you make your tea affects the medicine and taste. There is definitely room for your personal choice here. I tend to boil my tea with the plants in for 20 minutes. Then I turn the stove off and let the mixture cool with the herbs in. After a bit I remove the plant matter and mix in honey. Then I refrigerate the sweet tea in a tea dispenser with a spout.
Welcome
Hello! I am Mo Karnage.
My blog and other media platforms are a peek into my detritus lifestyle. Detritus being the material that sinks to the bottom of the ocean, feeding bottom feeders like crabs, and me!
I am an herbalist, parent, avid reader, author, carpenter, environmentalist, social justice advocate, vegan, queer, genderqueer, redneck, anarchist, witch, and more!
I am always happy for opportunities to be published or paid for my writing. I am also interested in opportunities to present at events or conferences on subjects relating to: radical history, anarchism, know your rights, sustainability and old windows, food not bombs, women in construction, herbalism and ptsd, how to write prisoners, grassroots organizing, plant walks, etc.
My construction business is Karnage Construction LLC, and I am a Class A Licensed Contractor! Let me build your house, or manage your project! I also run Butch for Hire, aimed towards oddjobs, moving, honey-do list items etc.
Emotional Trauma and Stress Self Care
As the Richmond community received more bad news yesterday regarding the pedophilia of a local comedian I wanted to take the time to remind folks of some important self care. I know when I am stressed out or traumatized I often forget to do the things I usually know to do.
Emotional stress and trauma are real. They take a physical toll on the body. When you are reeling you can do physical things to support yourself.
1. Drink water. Especially since we are having extemely hot weather anyways. Water is so important and you can hrlp your coping ability a ton by increasing your water consumption. Consider if you are sweating or crying a lot, and increase even more.
2. Eat deeply nourishing foods. We feel drained during and after extreme emotion and stress because we are. Give your body back the vitamins, minerals, and nutrition it needs. Broths, bone broth, nettle tea or food, oats or milky oats, and more can all help you get the nourishment you need. Include some probiotic sources like yogurt or fermented foods and beverages.
3. Baths or showers. Wash off the sweat. Refresh and soothe yourself. Use bath salts or sugar scrubs or something you find luxurious.
4. Smudge. Using a sacred plant like sage or palo santo smudge yourself and your space. Use incense or an essential oil burner or whatever you have that works.
5. Take a nap. Rest. Reset your body.
6. Take an internet break. The internet is the worst.
7. Meet up with friends to talk in person. Talk about what is stressing you out if that helps, or just talk about other stuff if you need a break.
8. Exercise and/or go outside. Sometimes the best way to cope is to spend time in nature and get some endorphins going. A walk in the woods, pumping iron at the gym, or running may help you cope.
9. Look to the plants. If you are into herbal medicine at all go to your herbal teas and tinctures. Chamomile tea and other relaxing blends are available at almost all grocery stores these days. Try a tea to soothe your nerves.
10. Express yourself. Sometimes writing or making or or music can help you deal with the emotions you struggle with. Give yourself an outlet.
We can’t stop people from their bad behavior or always protect them from their demons. We can not know what is in others’ hearts. The best we can do is nurture ourselves and those around us. My heart is with everyone reeling today.
With Love,
Mo
Mo Karnage 
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