Educational Resources

A guest blog by Arthur Haines from the Delta Institute at http://www.arthurhaines.com Rewilding Fundamentals Rewilding is a process for creating humans who can live in a healthful, truly sustainable manner, in close connection with their local landscape (i.e., as part of the wild ecology). It is a trajectory that anyone can follow, regardless of where they live. Experiencing greater health, heightened awareness, further self-reliance, and more real community does not require fully wild living (though it can mean that for some individuals). Each person has experienced some degree of domestication in modern societies. Whether or not people can observe it, […] See More

Chai tea has become quite common in the US in recent years. While it is still considered a bit of a newcomer here, it has been a staple in India for many generations. Like many traditions, the change from one culture to another is not always smooth. The current view of chai in the US, especially in coffee shops, seems to be a sweet and creamy drink with a few spices thrown in for a mild flavor. It can be served hot or cold. This is very different from its intended use in India. Another difference I have noticed is […] See More

Where can we find quality dried herbs by the ounce? By the pound? Almond oil? Salve containers? Droppers for tincture bottles? These are questions that often come up in our classes. Having a reliable source for the tools of the trade is important in any field. Fortunately for herbalists, there are good options available. Gardens & Nature The best way to get herbs is to either grow them in your garden or sustainably harvest them from nature. This way you control the quality, harvesting and processing from the ground to your herb cabinet. An herb garden need not be a […] See More

I am pleased to share a chapter from a new book written by my good friend and colleague, Tony Nester. For 20+ years, Tony has trained folks from all walks of life in outdoor survival and wilderness skills. I have had the good fortune of working with Tony for the past several years and have been continually impressed by his depth of knowledge and deep connection to nature. I hope you enjoy his latest writing on the many uses of yucca. --------------------------------------------------------- When Yucca Was King by Tony Nester Yucca, Spanish bayonet, datil, soapweed—all names for one of the most […] See More

Changing elevation in the Southwest changes temperature, precipitation levels, evaporation rates and results in dependable and predictable changes in both flora and fauna. I consider these to be 'normal' places that provide 'normal' flora. Keep in mind that even an undisturbed environment with average temperatures, water supply and sunlight for a given climate will provide many plants useful to humans. The tips in this article are for going beyond the norm by looking for those often overlooked micro-climates and micro-environments. Human Altered Environments ~By old homesteads - look for apple and other fruit trees, asparagus, comfrey, peppermint and catnip ~Pre-historic […] See More

Salve made from the resin of our native pinon pine tree (Pinus edulis) has an exquisite aroma and is useful as a topical anti-microbial. While the final product is popular these days, the processing of tree resin into a finished product is a bit different than the standard salve making process. It seems like each herbalist has their favorite method for preparing this gift. Here is my version. Collecting the Resin First, find the tree. In the Southwest, it usually grows in what is known as the “pinon-juniper zone” around 4500’ to 6500’. I have seen it growing next to […] See More

Plant medicines help us in many ways. Some plants have a strong medicinal effect due to alkaloids, polysaccharides or other constituents. Many other plants straddle the food-medicine border and are simply considered 'healthy' due to their high mineral content. A common, easy and effective way to get minerals from the herbs is to use a tea. More specifically, this is known as the hot infusion method. To make a mineral rich infusion, simply place one ounce of dried herb in a quart jar or French Press. Add one quart hot water, cover and let steep for several hours or overnight. […] See More

I think it is easy to make our herb work more complicated than it needs to be. Working with a woman recently who was feeling under the weather reminded me of this. Day 1: I was contacted in the evening by a woman who says she had many flu-like symptoms including body aches and a fever. These had started during the day, She was going to bed early to get extra rest. Day 2: We met in the morning, I gave her a bottle of Elderberry Elixir with the directions to take a teaspoon every hour, eat lightly and rest […] See More

Thoughts on a cold, wet, snowy evening while sitting by our wood stove... Thorough and complete digestion is a foundation to good health in many traditional systems of healthcare, both East and West. While the entire digestive process is quite complex, I want to focus on one key aspect in this article. One of the primary jobs of the digestive system is to take food from the outside world and transform it in a way that our bodies can absorb and benefit from the nutrients. The idea of transformation has long fascinated me. Anyone who has spent time around a […] See More