The growing season has come to an end. What fun season after season of searching for just the right plants for the pantry and medicine cupboard. To date, we have gathered a really good base for many remedies and beverage tea:
Spring
Burdock Rt, Chickweed, Cleavers, Coltsfoot, Comfrey Rt, Dandelion Rt, Echinacea Rt, Horsetail, Rhubarb Rt, Wild Ginger Rt, White Oak, Witch Hazel, Yellow Dock Rt.
Summer
Basil, Calendula, Chamomile, Chocolate Mint (any mint), Cilantro, Wild Ginger leaf, Rhodo flower, Dill, Mullein, Nettles, Peppermint, Raspberry, Red Clover, Sage, St. Johnswort, Spearmint
Late Summer
Arnica, Cayenne, Cobwebs, Coriander, Cornsilk, Elderberry, Elecampane, Juniperberry Marigold, Plantain, Rose Petals, Tansy, Thyme, Wild Lettuce, Yarrow – Late Summer
Autumn its time for the last harvest from the gardens and woods:
Black Cohash, Comfrey Rt, Dandelion Rt, Pumpkin Seeds, Rose Hips, Wintergreen
The spice rack and medicine chest are last to be filled for the year. Check for freshness. Some spices stay fresh for several years. These are the spices that I use all the time for many reasons. I use the same jars I bought when a young cook several decades ago. I refill the spices in bulk at the co-op, much cheaper and better quality.
Let’s begin with the Pumpkin Pie Spices. Most of the desserts I make all winter contain these spices. I grew up with them. It is THE smell of autumn and winter. One whiff and all of the traditions of the colder months roll through my head, in order.
Pumpkin Pie Spices are very tasty medicines cleverly disguised as dessert. Each one of them has its uses in the cold of winter.
Allspice – It’s called allspice because when the 16th century English arrived in Jamaica it reminded them of pepper, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg and juniper. Like cloves, it’s an anesthetic that eases pain when used as a poultice. Like cinnamon, it’s an anti’inflammatory that eases cramps and aids digestion. It relieves a lot of digestion issues on it’s own like relieving gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
Cinnamon – Cinnamon is a super drug herb. It’s an anti-oxidant more powerful than garlic. Lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol, anti-inflammatory, and is an anti-microbial that prevents tooth decay. It lowers blood sugar. Just half a teaspoon a day increases your body’s sensitivity to insulin. That makes it a must in a diabetic diet. All that, and it tastes great in my favorite desserts.
Cloves – Another super drug. Cloves are used as medicine inside your body and out. The essential oil found in cloves is a natural novacaine. It’s numbing properties make it a must have in your medicinal spice rack. Unmatched for easing toothache or sore throat pain. It also treats gum diseases and bad breath. Cloves are an anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant. Whew. There’s more. It also eases digestion and gas issues, stops coughing and breaks up a congested cough.
Ginger – The perfect spice for cold weather. It keeps you warm and healthy all by itself. It boosts your immune system by being a source for vitamins B6 and E, iron, magnesium, potassium, and manganese. A medicine for arthritis, bone chilling cold, migraines, colds and flu, nausea, vomiting, menstrual cramps, ear infections, heart disease, reduces gas and bloating, and aids digestion. A list of cold weather ailments all relieved by dried ginger.
Cinnamon – Cinnamon is a super drug herb. It’s an anti-oxidant more powerful than garlic. Lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol, anti-inflammatory, and is an anti-microbial that prevents tooth decay. It lowers blood sugar. Just half a teaspoon a day increases your body’s sensitivity to insulin. That makes it a must in a diabetic diet. All that, and it tastes great in my favorite desserts.
Cloves –
Ginger –
Nutmeg –
The rest of my storebought spices are a must for my primary herb shelf. Most of my winter cooking contains these difficult to grow ingredients. They are my essential imports. Keep track of how much you use of them a winter. Restock at least that amount every autumn.
Black Pepper, Caraway, Eucalyptus Oil, Fennel Seed, Licorice Rt., Sage, Salt, Star Anise, Tea Tree Oil, Thyme, Turmeric
