Holly-Leaf Redberry Harvest

I was so lucky yesterday to have had the opportunity to wilde harvest with my two friends. We went to Descanso area where the heat of the summer day was taking hold. The plants were thriving in their favored environment and bearing fruit that instantly caught the eyes attention.

Holly-Leaf Redberry

Rhamnus ilicifolia

Rhamnaceae/Buckthorn Family

Native to CA, AZ, no.BC.

Chaparral, Woodlands

Traditionally, a decoction of Redberry root and bark was used by Native people as a tonic. This decoction was also used to treat colds, coughs and internal pains. A root decoction increased urination and acted as a laxative. Redberry cured boils and carbuncles, as well as stomach troubles and other internal disorders. The smoke of the burning Redberry was inhaled to relieve headaches and rheumatic pain. The bright red fruits of Redberry were eaten with meat by California Natives and the mashed ripe berries were used to poultice sores.

As for my harvest, I separated the berries and placed them in a zip lock bag, in the freezer, to keep until I have a chance to use them. I think they will be nice shared with some Elder Berry to garnish a meat dish. I will also perhaps try them as a fresh poultice when the need should arise. As for the woody stems, I will sort them, dry some for future decoctions, and use plenty of the fresh in a deep infusion for a very special soap. I'm thinking RedBerry Summer Silk.

Frosted Silk For Your Skin

Naturally soft, and as silky as the finest cloth slipping across your bare skin. This favorite soap is for everyone. With no essential oil's added it is pure soap at it's finest, fit for deeply sensitive skin. No fragrance, other than fresh, natural handmade soap ingredients. Olive Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba, Shea Butter, Aloe Vera and pure Silk fibers contribute their virtues to this lovely soap. If you haven't found the right soap that works for your skin, give this one a try.

I use the cold process method of soap making. Here is a fresh batch of Frosted Silk in the making. I measure the raw, natural oils and warm them at a very low heat, 105 degrees is typically the temperature I like to use. Once the oils are melted and at the right temperature I turn off the heat.

Carefully, and using appropriate safety gear, pour the lye mixture over the oils.

Using a wooden spoon, stir vigorously until the soap batch becomes thick.

Notice how the color and texture of the batch changes as trace begins to take shape.
Trace is similar to making pudding or chocolate, the ingredients leaves a trail when a spatula is run through it.

At trace it is ready to pour into the soap mold.

Enjoy fresh handmade soap on your skin. Once you try your first bar, there is no going back to detergent bars again. All of the ingredients used to make Following Seasons soap is FDA approved food products. Your skin will notice a huge differnce. Enjoy Your Soap!

Licorice Root Soap

Fresh out of the mold. One of my favorite soaps to use, as I just adore the flavor and aroma of Licorice, not to mention it's medicinal properties. This soap is made with a deep infusion of Licorice root and a generous helping of the fresh root. Licorice root is both healing and soothing internally and out. Licorice root makes an excellent ointment for eczema, psoriasis, and redness of skin. Native American tribes used Licorice root to help heal sore skin of a horses back. I indulge in Licorice root soap when my skin is feeling dry or chapped. The emollient quality is so soothing. Licorice root soap can be found at Following Seasons in our Ancient Ways soap line. Order your Licorice root soap at http://www.followingseasons.com/.

Nourishing Infusions

I love to drink refreshing, nourishing infusions for my health and delight on a daily basis. Nourishing infusions go far beyond a simple cup of tea. They are full of vitamins, minerals, calcium and plant proteins, as well as soothing and healing properties. Here is one of my favorites, Red Clover blossoms, Calendula flowers, and a bit of Licorice root. Red Clover helps clean the blood, Calendula helps soothe and heal the digestive tract, and Licorice root soothes, heals and protects the digestive tract in addition to adding a flavorful sweet taste to your infusion. I use one ounce of total herbs. For this infusion I used approximately 2/3 oz of Red Clover, 1/3 oz of Calendula and 1TBS of Licorice.

Place your herbs into a quart size jar.
Add boiling water over the herbs.

Fill to the top of the jar.
Use a wooden chop stick to stir. Just a bit is all that is needed. Your just looking to blend the herbs up a bit and release any air bubbles. Wood implements are suggested. Stay away from metal spoons ect., as they tend to change the flavor of the herbs.
Then cover with a lid. I like the lids that provide an underside plastic coating. If the lid is metal, simply use a wax paper to line the underside.

Let nourishing infusions steep for at least four hours before drinking. I like to make my infusions before bed time so I wake up to a wonderful drink in the morning. Delicious and nutritious! Have you had your nourishing infusion today?

Infusions in Olive Oil

Here are Calendula, Creosote, and Chamomile infusing in olive oil. This is a second infusion, as I like the final product to be extra strength for using in salves and soap recipes. Notice how some herbs will float and others will sink. I like to use virgin olive oil for its healing, moisturizing and skin soothing qualities and extra light oil, as it allows the herbal colors to really infuse and enhance the final product color.

Welcome

Soapmaker, herbalist, educator, proprietor, artisan, trail blazing, plant harvesting, barefootin, long hair, herb loven, nature huggin, plant coven, I'm a bloggin! Following Seasons blog is now up and running. I hope to make this spot a welcome site for visitors to come to and enjoy Eveything Herbal. Here I will share what's happening with Following Seasons Botanicals; herbal soap, herbal nourishment, herbal traditions, herbal medicine, herbal crafts, herbal folklore, herbal musings, herbal, herbal, and more herbal, and of course, earth's desired treasures. I hope you find many things to come back to time and again that will inspire you to become involved with herbs. Herbs will nourish every season of your life, if you only open your heart to their enchanting ways. Allow yourself to visit the plants each day and hear what they are saying. Come closer, take a closer look. No, no, you must get down close to the ground, snuggle your nose right up to the magnificent beauty of the vibrant fibers. That's right, stretch out on the earth's soil and absorb the richness of nature. It's all there, all the wisdom of our ancient ancestors. Buried deep within the roots, climbing up the stocks and reaching out to the very tips of the leaves. Essential oils escaping into the atmosphere. Pollen dancing in the wind. The flower tops literally yelling for you to come closer, closer. Indulge Your Senses In Nature. Welcome to Following Seasons!