The panacea garden awaits our next step. In early summer, we introduced seven traditionally healing wildflower plants and how to invite them into our garden. Now is the time to harvest and transform. 

Before starting to forage and formulate, the issue of good harvest ethics should be resolved, reminding people that reciprocity starts with mindfulness. Respectfully removing part of the plant community begins with the harvester providing the offerings. This can be prayers or songs, or it can be tidying up the space around the plants. Also, don't bring too much, to make it look like you've never been there. Keep a good idea and consider how you want people to experience your finished product. 

Building a conscious pharmacist is a powerful process and an incredible healing journey full of stories and memories. For more information on uses and precautions, you can check the websites of the American Botanical Society and the National Institutes of Health, or ask a naturopathic healthcare provider. 

Echinacea medicine: Echinacea is effective in treating infections, inflammations, sore throats, coughs and toothaches. Fresh roots can cause numbness in the tongue, gums and throat, which can relieve the discomfort of cold symptoms.  

Taste: earthy, subtle spice and rich floral fragrance 

Harvest: roots, leaves and flowers

Preparation: tea, honey and syrup

Echinacea honey: harvest the roots of echinacea after the temperature is low in autumn. At this time, the vitality of the plant begins to move toward its anchor point, making the roots fat to store food and energy for the winter. Carefully dig out the roots (remember to leave some, so that you won’t be able to come back next year). Rinse the roots by removing as much dirt as possible. Let them dry overnight or a day. Put about 2 tablespoons of echinacea root in a clean glass jar and completely cover 4 ounces of honey (preferably local and unprocessed). Let the echinacea root honey soak for one to two weeks. Squeeze the honey from the roots and discard them. Store honey in a cool, dark place. Take a spoonful as needed to relieve a sore throat and resolve an upcoming cold. 

Red raspberry medicine: Raspberry leaves are rich in important nutrients, including vitamin C, iron, magnesium and potassium, making it very effective as a vascular tonic. It is suitable for a variety of conditions that support women's fertility, from relieving childbirth pain to relieving contractions and relieving muscle spasms.

Taste: rich floral fragrance and sweet mineral tone 

Harvest: leaves, roots and berries

Raspberry leaf tea: After harvesting the raspberries, cut the flowering raspberry canes near the base of the plant and tie the stems together, each group does not exceed 6 pieces. Tie them up with rubber bands and hang them upside down in a cool, dry, and dark place. After about a week, the leaves and petals should be completely dry. Carefully remove the dried leaves from the stem and store them in a covered jar protected from direct sunlight. Add 1 tablespoon of crushed dried raspberry leaves to 8 ounces of hot water to prepare a cup of tea for your harvest. Soak for 15 minutes. 

German chamomile medicine: The delicate chamomile flower has the magic power to cure various diseases. Traditionally, they have been used to treat indigestion, diarrhea, flatulence, anxiety, depression, and insomnia; and as a topical treatment for chickenpox, diaper rash, and even eye infections. 

Taste: soft, golden and delicious apple flavor, with mellow floral honey flavor

Preparation: tea, honey and syrup

Calm Chamomile Cider: Harvest the flowers as they appear, then dry them in a flat, well-ventilated basket until they are completely dry. This should take about a week. Soak chamomile flowers in hot water for 10-15 minutes, using 1 tablespoon for every 8 ounces of hot water. Add an equal amount of fresh cider to get a drink rich in antioxidants and calming effects.

Yarrow Herbs: The fragrant flowers harvested during the peak flowering period can be dried and used as an emergency tonic to promote healing and stop bleeding. Locally, yarrow can reduce bacterial infections and can cool inflammation. Internally, yarrow stimulates the immune system, reduces fever and relieves pain caused by cold and flu symptoms. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid Yarrow. 

Taste: very bitter and strong aroma  

Preparation: tea, immersion oil, ointment

Herbal oil containing yarrow: Harvest the whole yarrow flowers and place them in shallow baskets to wither for one day. In an aseptic tank, add the withered flowers and then immerse them in cold-pressed oil, such as extra virgin olive oil, grapeseed oil, or almond oil. Cover the jar with a tight lid and place it in a sunny place. Let the sun's energy gently extract the medicine from the flowers for up to a week. Use cheesecloth or fine-mesh filters to filter out the flowers from the oil and store the oil in a clean jar. Topically apply oil to irritated, itchy skin or wounds that need help healing. 

Strawberry medicine: clover leaf and seed embossed berries are rich in vitamins and minerals, which can support the cardiovascular system, especially blood vessels related to women's health. Strawberry cools the body internally, relieves inflammation, and can relieve nausea, bloating and diarrhea. 

Taste: strong berry flavor, with astringency and astringency 

Harvest: leaves, flowers and berries

Preparation: tea, syrup, infusion 

Strawberry vinegar: Berries can easily add flavor to vinegar and can be paired with almost any vinegar variety-cider, white wine and balsamic vinegar are all good choices. Add sliced ​​fresh berries and strawberry leaves in a sterile jar, and then completely immerse them in the vinegar of your choice, making sure nothing sticks out of the top. Soak for a week, and then strain out the plant material. Store in a cool, dark place and use it for homemade balsamic vinegar, or wherever ordinary vinegar is used. You can add a little strawberry vinegar to the soda to promote digestion. If you feel inspired, you can add other spices and herbs to deepen the flavor. Here are some interesting combinations:

• Strawberries, strawberry leaves, vanilla beans and balsamic vinegar

• Strawberries, rosemary, a pinch of pepper and white wine vinegar

• Strawberry, lemon zest, basil and apple cider vinegar

Arnica: Arnica flowers have strong anti-inflammatory properties. Once their drugs are used topically, they will trigger the pain relief process. Arnica soothes tense muscles, clears bruises, and relieves pain from diseases such as osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel. 

Nature and flavor: bitter, not eating. 

Preparation: topical oil, tincture, ointment

Arnica repair salve: Harvest arnica flowers and follow Yarrow's instructions. After injecting the oil, use a cheesecloth or fine mesh filter to filter out the flowers from the oil. In a double boiler on the stove, add 1 ounce of beeswax to 5 ounces of arnica oil, and then gently heat until the beeswax melts. When the beeswax disappears completely and only hot oil is left in the pot, remove it from the fire and pour it into a glass storage container with a tight lid. The small jam jar works very well. At this point, you can add lavender or peppermint essential oil as needed. Let the hot oil cool to room temperature and solidify. Apply topically to relieve sore muscles, tired feet, and areas with bruises, cramps, soreness, or sprains. The ointment will last up to 12 months. 

Violet medicine: The small leaves and lovely flowers of violets can be eaten fresh and are rich in vitamins A and C. It is also an excellent natural source of salicylic acid, the basic ingredient of aspirin, so violet can soothe irritated tissues and relieve inflammation. Internally, Violet activates lymph fluid and relieves congested tissues. 

Taste: bittersweet, floral and complex aroma  

Harvest: flowers, leaves and roots

Preparation: tea, honey, immersion oil and syrup

Violet cough syrup: Put flowers and leaves evenly in a flat drying basket to dry. They should be completely dry within a week. Soak 3 tablespoons in 8 ounces of hot water for 20 minutes to make a strong tea. Strain the plants from the hot water and mix with 12 ounces of local raw honey. Store in a clean jar in the refrigerator. Take 1 tablespoon as needed to relieve symptoms of dry cough and respiratory infections.  

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