Tag Archives: herbs

Episode-1769- Making and Using Herbal Medicines

Posted on April 19, 2016 by Modern Survival| 23 Comments
Episode-1769- Making and Using Herbal Medicines [ 1:37:47 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Comfrey - A Proven Medicinal Herb, With a Undeserved Bad Reputation.

Comfrey is an Amazing Plant.

Today we are going to cover Making and Using Herbal Medicines.  Note the making and using are not 100% connected.  What I mean is not only will I cover how to make your own and use those but also some off the shelf stuff you can buy and use as well.

Sometimes you can’t get a certain herb, sometimes a more professional preparation of extraction is better, sometimes well you just need it and don’t have the time to make it.

Remember that today show was chosen in the new voting poll for the shows on Tuesday, they are always stand alone just Jack shows.  Next Tuesday we are doing Outdoor Cooking and that will end things for April.  But remember the poll for Mays shows has 10 choices and there will be 5 winners.  If you want a voice in those shows, remember to vote here for your top 5 choices.

In addition to this show you may want to go back and listen to my previous series on herbal actions.  Understanding the language of herbs is highly beneficial, that also shows you their capabilities and makes it easier for you to do your own research.

Join Me Today to Discuss…

  • Why I love herbs
  • What herbs can and can’t do
  • How to Make Herbal Preparations
    • Water and Oil Infusions
      • Hot
      • Cold
      • Eliminating the risk of botulism in oils
    • Decoctions
    • Herbal Syrups
    • Herbal Salves
    • Tinctures
  • Things I Prefer to Just Buy
    • Capsules
    • Essential Oils
  • My Favorite Book for Learning about all of this stuff
  • 10 Herbs I Love to Work With and What they Do
    • Plantain
    • Comfrey
    • Lemon Balm
    • Garlic
    • True Cinnamon
    • Turmeric
    • Rosemary
    • Ginger
    • Valerian
    • Dandelion
  • Final thoughts, this is all as safe as you make it

Resources for today’s show…

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Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-1588- Mint the Plant Anyone Could and Should Grow

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Modern Survival| 38 Comments
Episode-1588- Mint the Plant Anyone Could and Should Grow [ 1:33:48 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Purple Bee Balm From a Singe Cutting at One Year

Purple Bee Balm From a Singe Cutting at One Year

Dorothy and I are about to begin work on a massive mint garden.  This will have over 20 mint and mint species, such as peppermint, lemon balm, bee balm and spearmint in it.  This simple garden will produce huge yields and add a new product, tea, to our farmstead items for sale.

But the beauty of mint is if you have room for a few pots you can grow it, you can grow a lot of it and you can even propagate it for friends, family and even for sale to others.  You likely won’t pay your mortgage selling mint as it so easy to propagate but likely you can fill your gas tank once a month!

Mint is something largely misunderstood and even feared, it is going to take over!  Don’t get me wrong, you do not want this stuff in a vegetable garden because it will rule all, but it is easily kept in pots and on larger land, spreading is inhibited simply with mowing.

Join Me Today to Discuss…

  • Why mint, of all things, why talk about mint
  •  The 4 Mint Family (Labiatae) Members Most People Grow
    • Bee Balms – Monarda
    • Lemon Balms – Melissa
    • Peppermints and Spearmints – Mentha
    • Cat Mints – Nepeta
  • Uses for mints
    • Teas
    • Mouth Wash
    • Hair Rinse
    • Minted Soft Cheese – Seriously Try It!
    • Salad addition (fruit or veg)
    • Ground Cover
    • Beneficial Insect Attractant
    • Biomass
    • Ease upset stomach
    • Clear sinuses
    • Foot or body soak
    • Suppress appetite
    • As a cleaner with vinegar
    • Dog/Animal wash
    • Insect repellent (monarda)
  • Some basics
    • When and how to harvest (partial and full, EOY)
    • Drying mints for long term storage
    • Tea, rules of thumb on quantities
    • Making Essential Oils
    • Making Simple Oils
    • Making a tincture
    • Strong Oils (poor mans essential)
    • Creating “Mint Prisons” – likely to escape anyway
    • Mint Propagation
    • Intensifying quality
    • Developing tea blends
    • Propagating mint – paying yourself to make tea
    • Why your mint is marketable, it is yours, and has your story
  • Why not just do it, get on with it

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-1413- 12 More Herbs Every Survivalist Should Grow

Posted on August 26, 2014 by Modern Survival| 26 Comments
Episode-1413- 12 More Herbs Every Survivalist Should Grow [ 1:31:28 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Lemon Balm Growing in My Food Forest Edge

Lemon Balm Growing in My Food Forest Edge

Today we do part two of a series on herbs every survivalist should grow.  Herbs are great because even if have a tiny yard these are 12 plants you can easily find space for even on a postage stamp city lot.

The key is these 12 plants will provide you food, medicine, relaxation and beauty and require very little of you in return. I truly believe that ones quality of life can be improved just by growing and using fresh herbs.

This first show in this series was Episode-1410- 12 Herbs Every Modern Survivalist Should Grow, so if you don’t see your favorite herb here, it may have been covered in that episode.

The truth is I could go on an list 12 more off the top of my head but these 12 will do so much and ask so little of you that is why I chose them for today’s show.  We may in fact do one more show in this series.

Join me Today As I Discuss the Following 18 Herbs You Should be Growing

  1. Lemon Balm
  2. Peppermint
  3. Comfrey
  4. Dill
  5. Sage
  6. Thyme
  7. Calendula
  8. Rosemary
  9. Bee Balm
  10. Roses
  11. Lavender
  12. Marsh Mallow

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

Also remember we have an expert council you can address your calls to. If you do this you should email me right after your call at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell me that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. I will then give the call priority when I screen calls.

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New Video Series Dedicated to Comfrey – Episode One

Posted on June 30, 2014 by Modern Survival| 15 Comments

The sheer number of questions about comfrey since I did episode 1371 has been pretty amazing.  I haven’t had as much follow up questions on an episode in a LONG TIME so I decided to do a whole series on comfrey.  Here is episode one.  The Basics of Comfrey Propagation with Root Cuttings.

Here is a link to the seller I bought from on eBay but now the huge quantity makes sense, apparently I bought a quantity of 2 packs of 10, there was still a SHIT TON of comfrey there, far more than 20 crowns and cuttings.  This is one of the best deals I have found on Comfrey.

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Episode-1371- All About Comfrey the Miracle Plant

Posted on June 19, 2014 by Modern Survival| 51 Comments
Episode-1371- All About Comfrey the Miracle Plant [ 1:33:48 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Comfrey - A Proven Medicinal Herb, With a Undeserved Bad Reputation.

Comfrey – A Proven Medicinal Herb, With a Undeserved Bad Reputation.

Why do I call comfrey a miracle plant?  Well if I said their was one plant that could help heal broken bones, speed wound healing, heal skin ulcers that nothing else could close, provide fertilizer, provide mulch, feed livestock and be as easy to grow as breaking off a piece of a root and sticking it in the dirt, what would you call it?

Comfrey does all of these things and frankly more.  It also has a very undeserved bad reputation as being toxic if used internally.  In fact some over zealous nanny state types even caution against using it externally.  I am not really sure if the misinformation about comfrey is simply tea cup protectionism run a muck or an outright slander campaign.  And while I can’t advise you to use comfrey internally, because it is illegal for me to do so, what I will say is at times I do and I certainly am not dead or ill from doing so.

Even if you plan to never use comfrey internally it is still a plant every person should grow and be familiar with.  Its uses are too many to ignore and further it is so easy to grow and propagate there is no reason not to.

Join Me Today As I Discuss…

  • What exactly is comfrey
  • Why are we told comfrey is toxic
  • What is wrong with the research done to say it is toxic
  • What are the main comfrey types and what does Bocking mean?
  • How do you propagate comfrey
    • From seed (“wild comfrey” only)
    • From root cuttings, crowns, etc.
    • From tiny cuttings (make a lot fast)
    • Growing out cuttings in containers to multiply results fast
    • How I would propagate lots of roots fast if I wanted to
  • Uses for Comfrey
    • As fodder for cows, chickens, pigs, geese, etc. what you need to know
    • As fertilizer
      • Awesome NPK Ratio 1.8-0.5-5.3
      • A Dynamic Accumulator of Si, N, Mg, Ca, K & Fe
      • Making Liquid Fertilizer
      • Mulching
      • Leaf Boosting
    • For Medicinal Use
      • On wounds and ulcers
      • On bites and stings
      • On broken bones and sprains
      • On bruises
      • Internally (this is illegal)
      • Making oils and salves
  • Rules for successful comfrey patches
    • Keep it “clean, cut and fed”
    • Grass can and will choke out comfrey
    • You can graze it, best to do when you would have cut it
    • I prefer a distributed model but might do a propagation patch
  • Sources of Comfrey

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

Also remember we have an expert council you can address your calls to. If you do this you should email me right after your call at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell me that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. I will then give the call priority when I screen calls.

Our Expert Council is Made Up of…

Join the MSB Today

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Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

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Episode-1346- Demetria Clark on Herbs for Living and Healing

Posted on May 14, 2014 by Modern Survival| 23 Comments
Episode-1346- Demetria Clark on Herbs for Living and Healing [ 1:34:08 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Demetria, Teacher, Author, Herbalist

Demetria Clark, Teacher, Author, Herbalist

Demetria Clark is a North American herbalist specializing in herbals for pregnancy, birth, postpartum, nursing and children.

Demetria is a traditional family herbalist, and aromatherapist. She has worked with families for over 20 years as an herbalist, aromatherapist, midwife, doula and traditional medicine maker. She works extensively in the US and Europe, blending the two traditions. Demetria lectures extensively on herbal care for sexuality, pregnancy and woman’s health.

Demetria believes in families having options to self empower and have health and wellness options.  In addition, she is the Founder and Director of Heart of Herbs Herbal school. www.heartofherbs.com and the doula training program, Birth Arts International. www.birtharts.com

Demetria is the Author of Herbal Healing for Children and 475 Herbal and Aromatherapy Recipes. Her next two books are slated for release late 2014, and 2015.

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

Also remember we have an expert council you can address your calls to. If you do this you should email me right after your call at jack at thesurvivalpodcast.com with expert council call in the subject line. In the body of your email tell me that you just called in a question for the council and what number you called in from. I will then give the call priority when I screen calls.

Our Expert Council is Made Up of…

Join the MSB Today

Join the MSB Today

Want Every Episode of TSP Ever Produced?

Remember in addition to discounts to over 40 vendors who supply stuff you are likely buying anyway, tons of free ebooks and video content, MSB Members also get every edition of The Survival Podcast ever produced in convenient zip files in blocks of 24. More info on the MSB can be found here.

 

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Episode-1185- 15 Perennial Herbs with Medicinal Uses

Posted on August 13, 2013 by Modern Survival| 49 Comments
Episode-1185- 15 Perennial Herbs with Medicinal Uses [ 1:06:41 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
Soapwort is a Highly Useful but Little Known Herb

Soapwort is a Highly Useful but Little Known Herb

Today I thought we would do a bit of a different type of show.  For those new to herbal healing my 4 shows on “herbal actions” might be helpful.  I will use many words today like alterative and styptic.  When I do I will explain the basics of what they mean but if you really know the 40 primary herbal actions the world of herbal healing become a fascinating science and one we may really depend on some day.

Additionally I have provided a link to seed sources for all of these seeds.  All links go to a company called Sand Mountain Herbs.  They have many things no one else seems to have.  If you order please note when you do you hear about them at TSP from Jack Spirko, I would very much like to establish a relationship with these guys.  I have ordered many times from them and gotten great service.

They are however currently out of stock with comfrey seeds and comfrey is best done with root cuttings.  So I have a link there to Coe’s Comfrey.  I ordered a lot of plants, they were very back ordered and took over a month to ship.  However the owner called, left me a wonderful voice message to apologize, sent me extra plants and some free DVDs to apologize.  Stellar service and product.  If you order there know they may get really back ordered after today and be patient and again let them know who you learned about them from.

Join Me Today as we Discuss these 15 Herbs

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK (866-658-4465) and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-698- Cooking with the Five Horseman of the Herb Garden

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Modern Survival| 14 Comments
Episode-698- Cooking with the Five Horseman of the Herb Garden [ 1:25:07 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Photo Credit to cicill3d

Note – Today’s audio won’t be as high quality as it usually is, chalk it up to remote recording and the hotel rooms air conditioner.

There are five herbs that I feel should be in every garden.  Weather you have a massive homestead garden that feeds the whole family or just a few pots on the back yard, everyone should be growing these five herbs.

All of them are well know, dried out old versions fill most spice racks, recipes call for a pinch here, a teaspoon there or sprinkle in a marinade.

Yet most modern Americans have no idea what real food cooked with healthy amounts of them tastes like

These Five Herbs are…

  • Parsley
  • Oregano
  • Dill
  • Basil
  • Rosemary

Additionally Garlic is a plant that everyone should grow but I feel most people are familiar with using it, it will however, come into play a lot in today’s episode.

Today will not just be a list of recipes using these herbs though, we will cover a ton of information on 5 herbs you thought were nothing but some dried up leaves in your spice drawer.

Today we will discuss…

  • The 10 medicinal actions all the “Five Horseman” share
    • Antioxidant
    • Antibiotic
    • Anti-microbial
    • Antiviral
    • Hepatic
    • Tonic
    • Anti-inflammatory
    • Carminative
    • Vasolidator
    • Stomachic
  • Cooking with and using Basil
    • Simply in salad
    • Bruschetta
    • Pesto
  • Cooking with dill
    • Anything and everything fish
    • Clam dip
    • Yogurt Dill Dressing
  • Cooking with oregano
    • Oregano, Basil, Garlic Grilling Oil
    • Making bland spaghetti sauce awesome
    • All soups try Zucchini-Sausage Soup
  • Cooking with Rosemary
    • Awesome breads
    • Amazing Roasted Potatoes
    • Rosemary Pepper Lamb
  • Cooking with Parsley
    • Soups and Stews – Use the stems
    • Pancetta and Ricotta Stuffed Chicken
    • The famous “Spirko Chicken”
  • Some other herbs you should grow/cook with
    • Cilantro
    • Mint
    • Sage
    • Chives
  • Keeping it simple, fun and without rules

 

Additional Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-511- Ten Wild Edibles to Consider Planting on or Around Your Property

Posted on September 15, 2010 by Modern Survival| 9 Comments
Episode-511- Ten Wild Edibles to Consider Planting on or Around Your Property [ 1:04:37 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Today it is time for a bit of a change up, we haven’t discussed either foraging or gardening/permaculture in depth for quite a wile, so why not today.  Looking to make things interesting though I decided that today was a good day to come up with 10 edibles that you can find in the wild through out much of the country, in fact I bet you can find a few in any of the lower 48 easily enough if you get out and look for them.

These ten plants have more than availability and edibility going for them though.  They all also offer nutrition, ease of growing, ease of cultivation and can be grown mostly unseen in either a back yard or on a back 40.  These crops are crops your can largely get going and forget, once established most will always be there if you need them.  They are all either native to the US or highly adapted aliens that are now so common in the US we need to start calling them naturalized vs. alien.

Join me today as we discuss

Resources for today’s show…

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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Episode-407- Ten Permaculture Projects for Modern Survival

Posted on March 26, 2010 by Modern Survival| 15 Comments
Episode-407- Ten Permaculture Projects for Modern Survival [ 1:02:01 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

We have talked a lot about permaculture principles, design strategy and even problem solving in the past.  Today though I want to get down to decisive action with ten simple projects you can get started on right away.  These projects will improve your sustainability, self reliance and ability to feed yourself if times get tough, or even if they don’t.

Tune in Today as we Discuss…

  • Drawing a “zone map” and “energy map” of your property
  • Building a herb spiral
  • Building a rain garden
  • Installing a rain harvesting system
  • Create bird habitat
  • Build a worm bin
  • Keep a wildlife journal of back yard activity (with photos)
  • Build a mason bee habitat
  • Build a trellis or arbor and plant edible vines
  • Barter for seeds

Additional Resources for Today’s Show

Remember to comment, chime in and tell us your thoughts, this podcast is one man’s opinion, not a lecture or sermon. Also please enter our listener appreciation contest and help spread the word about our show. Also remember you can call in your questions and comments to 866-65-THINK and you might hear yourself on the air.

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