not THAT kind of herb

So my favorite new interest is herbalism, or “traditional folk medicine practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts.” (via: wikipedia) I’ve always been intrigued by the idea of making something from nothing,  and herbalism is the art and the science of healing ourselves using medicines that are all around us; there is an undiscovered medicine cabinet in your backyard!! One of the best resources I have found on the web about is Rebecca Hartman’s blog, The Herbwife’s Kitchen. The blog gives one a good idea of the immense healing possibilities of herbs and is fun to read to boot. All her posts are organized in the sidebar, which is broken down into a series of categories detailing everything from which herbs help heal specific body systems, to food, to health problems. However, if you’re not into digging around in overgrown weeds,  and are just curious about herbs in general, Hartman also has a very comprehensive herb list, explaining uses for everything from the common herb (cardamom, chamomile, peppermint) to the strange and unfamiliar (aster, goldenrod…whorled loosestrife?) In some of her more recent posts, she extols the virtues of nettle salt, gives a recipe for homemade plum honey wine, and confides in us about her canning jar addiction.

Tommie Bass

I should note that it was through this blog that I found out about Tommie Bass, who was one of the most well-known and respected  herbalists in the US before his death at 88 in 1996. Bass was a unique  old-timer who used his extensive knowledge of the land to try to “give ease” to local residents and others who sought his help. There’s a sweet little movie on him over at FolkStreams, in which he talks about his life, his upbringing, and his ways with herbs. Check it out.

“america, i’m like some pervy japanese businessman and you, my well-paid exotic dancer. keep it coming.”

not only is she talented and beautiful, but she has a mouth fresher than a stick of doublemint. her words are at once entrancing and true.

read my friend nora’s blog, simple verses.

saturday eve roundup

What I’m reading right now:

• The Diner Journal, a food magazine written by the folks who run Marlow and Sons , Bonita, and Diner in Brooklyn
• The Art of Eating magazine, a quarterly food magazine devoted to “tradition”, “simplicity”, and a “sense of place”
• Bread and Butter Press, a refreshing, no-frills food blog