Syrups, elixirs, and tonics are my favorite herbal preparations to make and gift. I also keep a few on hand for myself. This is how I define these three concoctions. Syrup – Made with herbs, water, and sugar (or honey) Elixir – Made with herbs, honey (or maple syrup), and alcohol Tonic – Made with herbs, honey, and vinegar. Making a Syrup There are endless … Continue reading Syrups & Elixirs & Tonics, part 1
I don’t know enough about mushrooms to be very fond of them – especially after watching that apocalyptic HBO series. But these fungi found in a Petersham forest are all quite beautiful. Hopefully, none will mutate and destroy mankind over a weekend. Aquene, Cher Continue reading The Mushrooms of Petersham
Motherwort, cedar, amaranth, black walnut, Joe Pye weed, and others. The Farm at Pequoig is always full of life and medicine. Aquene, Cher Continue reading Herbal Beauties at the Nipmuc Farm
I visited the Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary a few times this past fall. Norcross exists on traditional Nipmuc homelands and, as a Nipmuc woman, I possess the ancient right to forage there. Our women’s group also visited one day to gather cranberries and cedar. During my visits, I gathered medicinal plants to be added to teas and salves. I also gathered cedar for ceremonial use. I … Continue reading Fall Foraging
I have been working on an field guide to herbal/plant medicine in Nipmuc Country (central MA, northwest RI, northeast CT). I put the book aside for a couple of years during covid since working at a hospital didn’t leave much free time or relaxed time to write. Why this Guide? Our Nipmuc ancestors used plants to maintain their health and bring balance into their lives. … Continue reading Moskehtu (medicine)
Botanical Name Urtica dioica Common Name(s) Nettle, Common Nettle, Stinging Nettle Family Urticaceae (50 species) Native to Europe, Asia, Northern Africa, Western North America Geographical Distribution Everywhere Botanical Description Nettle is a flowering perennial that is both dioceious (separate male and female plants) and monoecious (both male and female flowers on the same plant) (Shannon 2006) (Ohio Perennial and Biennial Weed Guide). It grows nearly … Continue reading All About Nettle
Most folks that know me know that I’ve been mourning the loss of trees in the woods around my neighborhood for quite awhile. Lately, though I’ve seen evidence that when something is taken away, something else is given. Where trees once stood, fields of plants abound. Seeds that lay dormant in the soil for who knows how many decades have given birth to a huge … Continue reading The Used-to-Be Woods Across the Street.
Cheryll Toney Holley 