Black Toad Herbals Herbal Medicine CSA 2010
Introducing the Herbal Medicine CSA, based on the Community Supported Agriculature idea. This will be my first season as a CSA and I’m hoping it’ll be a grand one! I like to think of this CSA as an opportunity for both herbalist and subscriber - it enables me as an herbalist to produce herbal medicine and to educate people about using plants as medicine and for general good health. The share subscriber gets access to an herbalist and locally made herbal medicine and the opportunity to really get to know plants themselves and plants as medicine. I’m personally very excited to be able to offer this opportunity to people.
What is Herbal Medicine? How do Plants Work as Medicine?
Plants offer a unique form of healing. They may work on the physical plane or the energy/spiritual plane. On the physical plane, the chemical compounds or active constituents in the plants work in the physical body. One herb may have several different actions and hundreds of different compounds or active ingredients, making them much more complex than pharmaceutical drugs that have only one active ingredient. These compounds work synergystically within the body to produce an effect or gently nudge the body back to homeostatis and good health. Many herbs have a tonic effect, akin to exercise, to help the body work more efficiently. Herbs can be used as a tonic to keep good health or for acute situations, like the onset of a cold.
Why Choose Herbal Medicine?
There are several reasons to choose herbal medicines. Herbs are an enviromentally sound choice. Herbal medicines can be produced locally from local plants, cutting down on greehouse gas emissions. Many herbalists, myself included, feel that locally grown plants help to give our bodies a stronger immune system and prepare the body for whatever the local climate can dish out. Herbal medicines from a local source are safe, effective and you know where they come from and what conditions they are made under. Herbs support natural body functions and the immune system, not suppress symptoms as many synthetic drugs do.
Where the Herbs Will Come From
As much as I can I will use my own home-grown high quality organic herbs or herbs I’ve wild-gathered myself. Due to space constraints, climate, and other factors I will have to purchase some of the herbs. My main supplier is Mountain Rose Herbs, a company well known for the quality of their herbs and their commitment to organic growing and the environment. All of the infused oils and salves I produce are made with my own herbs.
How I Grow My Herbs
Due to the smallness of my enterprise my garden is not certified organic but I do follow organic growing methods and use no petroleum-based fertilizers or pesticides. I use organic suppliers, like FEDCO in Maine, if at all possible. I’ve been gardening in Mendon since 1996. Our yard and garden are organically managed. We also began keeping bees in 2009 and hope to add a new hive this year. If you have specific questions about growing methods or my suppliers, please let me know.
Quality of Ingredients
Tinctures or extracts will be made with either 100-proof vodka or organic grape alcohol. I am in the process of transitioning to using organic grape alcohol for tinctures. Any tincture that has to macerate for longer than 6 months may be made with 100-proof vodka. Infused oils and salves are made with organic extra virgin olive oil and, the case of salves, locally-sourced beeswax. Honey is sourced locally as well. Soaps are all-vegetable, super-fatted and retain the original glycerin to create a gentle, moisturizing bar of soap.
Other Opportunities
Throughout the growing season I hope to offer opportunities for you to see and experience the plants your medicine will be made from. It’s always good to get to know them as I work in partnership with them; your medicine does not come just from me! As a member of the Herbal Medicine CSA you’ll be entitled to discounts on classes throughout the year.
Pick-Ups
Pick-ups will be at my house (26 Wood Drive in Mendon, MA) and there will possibly be one in the early summer (possibly late June) with a few items and the bulk of the items available at the end of the growing season, once everything has been processed. Bulk nourishing herbs will also be available on a pre-ordered basis at the pick-up. Additional products will be available for purchase as well.
Share Size
There are two sizes of shares: a small and a large. The small is meant for 1 -2 people while the large would be good for a family. The listings below are the minimum for the share. Additional items included in the share may include herbal soaps, additional salves, teas, tinctures, handouts, booklets.
Cost & Payments
You may pay 100% at the time of sign-up or you may pay 50% at time of sign up with the balance due at the first pick-up. If you pay in full at time of sign-up you will receive a gift at the first pick-up. Sign-up is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Sign-up runs through Jan 2010 until April 1, 2010. Shares are limited so be sure to sign up early!
Small Share consists of
1. 1-12 oz herbal culinary vinegar
2. 2-4 oz herbal honeys (1 each: hyssop, sage)
3. 3-2 oz tinctures (diarrhea remedy, Echinacea combo, sore throat)
4. 2 oz tin of Heal-All Salve
5. 2 oz tin of Calendula Salve
6. 2 oz Itch Relief salve
7. 2 oz St. John’s Wort infused oil
8. 4 bulk teas (approx. 2 oz – 4 oz each)
9. 8 oz elderberry syrup
10. 4 oz cough & chest congestion relief syrup
11. 2 oz bulk astragalus root slices
12. 3 syrup mixes: 1 immunity syrup, 1 elderberry, 1 sore throat relief
Price for the small share is $130.
Large Share consists of
1. 1-12 oz herbal culinary vinegar
2. 2- 8-oz herbal honeys (1 each: hyssop, sage)
3. 3-4 oz tinctures (diarrhea remedy, Echinacea combo, sore throat spray)
4. 2 oz tin Heal-All Salve
5. 4 oz tin Calendula Salve
6. 4 oz Itch Relief salve
7. 2 oz St. John’s Wort infused oil
8. 4 bulk teas (approx. 2 - 4 oz each)
9. 8 oz elderberry syrup
10. 8 oz cough & chest congestion relief syrup
11. 4 oz bulk astragalus root slices
12. 4 syrup mixes: 2 immunity syrup, 1 elderberry, 1 sore throat relief
Price for large share is $175.
Bulk herbs (astragalus, elderberries), syrup mixes and teas come with instructions. Dosage chart will be included in your share. You will get a tea strainer as well.
Additional Items
Additional items may be ordered at time of sign up. Contact me for a list of available items. If you’d like any of the additional items listed below, especially Echinacea tincture, I do need to know at time of sign up so I can have the herbs macerating for the proper time and ensure that I have some available for you.
· Tinctures: 2 oz for $12; 4 oz for $18
· Teas: 2 oz for $5; 4 oz for $8
· Salves: 2 oz for $7; 4 oz for $12
· Infused oils: 2 oz for $10; 4 oz for $18
· Syrups: 4 oz for $10; 8 oz for $15
· Syrup mixes: $12
· Herbal Honeys: 4 oz for $7.50; 8 oz for $10
· Culinary Vinegars: $5
Additional bulk herbs available for nourishing herbal infusions.
These are priced at my cost + 15% (to cover shipping & handling) as of 1/10/2010. From Mountain Rose Herbs in 1# bags. As herbs are commodities prices are subject to change!! I’ll email out prices about a month before the estimated pick-up date, so don’t feel like you have to commit to buying any of the below herbs if the prices go up. Additional herbs are available on request.
· Nettle $10 per pound
· Red clover, if available - about $20 per pound
· Linden flower $11 per pound
· Medicinal mushrooms (reishi, maitake, shiitake): $21 per pound
· Oatstraw $8 per pound
A Little About Me
I’ve been making herbal medicine since 2006 but my interest in using herbs for medicine goes back to my childhood. My main focus has been on the European Wise Woman Tradition with a bit of the American Vitalist tradition mixed in. I’ve studied with Susun Weed in the past and am currently studying with Gail Faith Edwards and Paul Bergner. I’ve always spent a lot of time outdoors and have the greatest respect for nature, for our Earth Mother Gaia, and the green beings that make our life on earth possible.
I strive to produce high quality hand-crafted herbal medicine. I hope to provide you and your family with herbal products to keep you healthy as well as medicinal herbs to use in the event of a cold, flu or other mild illness.
