In my apprenticeship at Bluebird Hill this summer, one of the things I have been most looking forward to learning about is the harvesting and processing of herbs. There is something so magical about making our own medicine. With the new garden beds being built there is a lot of room here to grow these herbs. Some have already begun to bloom and I have been able to help harvest and dry them. Every day there is something else ready for us and it has been really beautiful to see them gathered up to dry. We will usually wait until early afternoon to harvest, once the sun has had time to dry the morning dew away.
Here are some of my favorites so far…
A beautiful yellow bowl of Arnica, Arnica montana, generally used topically to soothe muscle aches, reduce inflammation, and heal wounds. We harvest the blooms almost daily, and every day there are as many as there were the day before!
Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, we have growing all over the garden pathways and elsewhere on the property. The most common use of Yarrow is to apply topically to wounds to reduce bleeding, but also has traditionally been used internally to reduce inflammation, especially in digestion, and for soothing anxiety.
Calendula, Calendula officinalis, one of the brightest, most beautiful flowers at the homestead. We have calendula growing in several different garden beds and it is just starting to really get going! Calendula is generally used topically as a healing salve, for minor burns, cuts, bruises and infections.
Here is just the beginning of our medicine set up! On the back of the table are tinctures and liniments. On the screen drying we have arnica, chamomile, and plantain leaf. Hanging from the rafters we have mullein leaf and lemon balm. Much more to come!
-Hallie
