March: Flux and Flow
When I lived next to the Rideau River I was fascinated by the ice breakers who came out every year in late water to begin the process of breaking up ice on the river in order to minimize the risk of ice dams and flooding. This seasonal maintenance protects buildings and other structures in the surrounding neighbourhoods from damage and destruction. Nature of course has its own way of managing the flow of water and all around the farm the mild weather has really gotten things moving in the last week. Green's Creek and its small tributaries have come alive, swollen and rushing.
The melting ice and snow reminds me to pay attention to the flow of my own inner waters. After a long winter of heavier, starchier foods and more sedentary, indoor time, I start thinking about ways to help move my blood and lymph, the two fluids of the circulatory system.
The circulatory system is comprised of the cardiovascular system and the lymphatic system. The cardiovascular system circulates blood and transports nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide and hormones to and from all the cells of the body. The lymphatic system picks up, filters and drains all the excess fluid not managed by the cardiovascular system. It plays a crucial role in the functioning of the immune system, as well as managing waste products.
When these two systems are healthy and functioning optimally, our cells receive the nourishment they need, invading pathogens are handily dispatched, and metabolic byproducts are efficiently removed through the continual flux and flow of our internal fluids. Imbalance results in stagnation, dysfunction and disease.
Along with encouraging a healthy diet and lifestyle, herbalists work with many plant allies to support and restore function to the circulatory system. Meet some of these plants in March's box.
The melting ice and snow reminds me to pay attention to the flow of my own inner waters. After a long winter of heavier, starchier foods and more sedentary, indoor time, I start thinking about ways to help move my blood and lymph, the two fluids of the circulatory system.
The circulatory system is comprised of the cardiovascular system and the lymphatic system. The cardiovascular system circulates blood and transports nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide and hormones to and from all the cells of the body. The lymphatic system picks up, filters and drains all the excess fluid not managed by the cardiovascular system. It plays a crucial role in the functioning of the immune system, as well as managing waste products.
When these two systems are healthy and functioning optimally, our cells receive the nourishment they need, invading pathogens are handily dispatched, and metabolic byproducts are efficiently removed through the continual flux and flow of our internal fluids. Imbalance results in stagnation, dysfunction and disease.
Along with encouraging a healthy diet and lifestyle, herbalists work with many plant allies to support and restore function to the circulatory system. Meet some of these plants in March's box.
Herbs you may find in this month's box include: hawthorn, goldenrod, crampbark, wild grape, yarrow, dandelion, violet and alder.* The newsletter will discuss the actions and properties associated with these herbs such as cardiotonic, cardiac trophorestorative, hypotensive, vasodilator, lymphagogue, lymphatic, deobstruent, diuretic and antioxidant.
Products will include a hawthorn flower and goldenrod tea, dried violet leaves, a heart healthy elixir, a tincture to support the blood vessels, an alder tincture and a dandelion tincture.
*If you are on heart medication some of the above products should not be taken without the supervision of a medical professional.
Products will include a hawthorn flower and goldenrod tea, dried violet leaves, a heart healthy elixir, a tincture to support the blood vessels, an alder tincture and a dandelion tincture.
*If you are on heart medication some of the above products should not be taken without the supervision of a medical professional.
Boxes are offered with sliding scale prices. To learn more about sliding scale pricing, please read this post. But basically, in a nut shell (pun intended!), I invite you to pay one of the reduced fees, if paying the full price would cause you to be less secure in your ability to meet your food, health, housing or essential transport needs. To determine where you fall on the scale when choosing which price to pay, please refer to this infographic created by Alexis J. Cunningfolk (Click image to enlarge).
Large boxes contain 6 products. Small boxes contain 4 products. Taxes and shipping are calculated at checkout. Shipping costs are waived if you are able to pick up your box at the Just Food Farm (You will receive an email when your box is ready.) Shipping in Canada only. You do not need a Paypal account to make your purchase.
Payments can also be made by etransfer to: leighdoris at gmail dot com or cheque made out to: The Wild Garden, 2389 Pepin Ct. Ottawa, ON, K1B 4Z3
This box is now SOLD OUT and will ship and be available for pick up on March 7.
Large boxes contain 6 products. Small boxes contain 4 products. Taxes and shipping are calculated at checkout. Shipping costs are waived if you are able to pick up your box at the Just Food Farm (You will receive an email when your box is ready.) Shipping in Canada only. You do not need a Paypal account to make your purchase.
Payments can also be made by etransfer to: leighdoris at gmail dot com or cheque made out to: The Wild Garden, 2389 Pepin Ct. Ottawa, ON, K1B 4Z3
This box is now SOLD OUT and will ship and be available for pick up on March 7.
About the Herbal Box
The Wild Garden Herbal Box is your opportunity to connect with and learn about the wild edible and healing plants of the Ottawa bioregion. Monthly boxes are delivered directly to your door. Each month’s box will explore a particular theme and comes with a detailed newsletter highlighting the products for the month and is full of information, historical lore, recipes and more! Herbal boxes make great gifts and can be shipped directly to the recipient.
Monthly subscribers also enjoy free access to any walks and select workshops offered by the Wild Garden, during the month(s) for which they are subscribed. (Material fees apply and pre-registration is required.)
With an herbal box you can:
The Wild Garden Herbal Box is your opportunity to connect with and learn about the wild edible and healing plants of the Ottawa bioregion. Monthly boxes are delivered directly to your door. Each month’s box will explore a particular theme and comes with a detailed newsletter highlighting the products for the month and is full of information, historical lore, recipes and more! Herbal boxes make great gifts and can be shipped directly to the recipient.
Monthly subscribers also enjoy free access to any walks and select workshops offered by the Wild Garden, during the month(s) for which they are subscribed. (Material fees apply and pre-registration is required.)
With an herbal box you can:
- build your own home apothecary of healing plants and discover traditional ways of supporting wellness
- support local, small-scale, organic permaculture
- incorporate more nutrient dense wild foods into your diet
- enjoy organically grown and ethically wild gathered foods and herbs delivered directly to your door (all products are made from herbs that I grow and gather myself on the Just Food Food Farm.)
- nourish yourself and your family with local, seasonal products handcrafted with love in small batches
- learn about the wild plants growing in the greater Ottawa bioregion
- loose-leaf tea blend
- herb infused honey or syrup
- herb infused vinegar
- wild herb seasoning blend, dried culinary herbs, herbal salts and sugars, herbal powders
- wild food preserve (jam, jelly, fruit leather, pickles…)
- tincture or elixir
- herbal salve
- body oil, body butter or lotion bar
- herbal scrub, bath salt or tub tea
- loose or compound incense