You will find the berries skipping along the trajectory of the year’s longest days. They begin in early June and finish with the first frost. In the Northeast we are blessed with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, bilberries, currents, blackberries, hawthorn berries, elderberries, and more. Picking a perfectly sun-ripened berry, and popping it directly into your mouth, must be one of humanity’s most timelessly shared pleasures. Berries aren’t just nature’s candy, they are also highly nutritious, causing us to develop all kinds of ways to preserve these gems of summer for the colder and longer days.

Berries are an incredibly therapeutic food, and because they fall low on the glycemic index, they are a good choice for maintaining balanced blood sugar levels. What’s more, many compounds in berries deeply support the cardiovascular tissues from the heart down to the smallest capillaries. Our tissues receive protection and renewal from these compounds through increased flexibility and reduced inflammation, important for all variety of wound healing and stressed tissue.

Berries help to build and improve the quality of blood, which can be important for individuals with low iron or fatigue. They help to quench the thirst, and bring a cooling quality (pointing to their demulcent and anti-inflammatory quality). These same qualities, combined with their soluble and insoluble fiber content, make berries an excellent source for improving bowel function and long-term health. Berries are a perfect example of how blurry the line between food and medicine can be. Enjoy them regularly to maintain health or with intentional therapeutic value in mind.

 1/2c of blueberries daily is considered a good medicinal dose, and it doesn’t matter if you’ve frozen the berries. Studies show that the anthocyanins (responsible for much of the antioxidant action) are not altered during the freezing or cooking process. This is good news for that next big harvest! Large-scale berry farming often has chemical and social implications, and because berries are often a high-spray crop consider choosing organically grown local or wild harvested berries whenever possible.

Berries make excellent jams, syrups, compotes, smoothies, and topping. Fresh berries need no frills at all, they carry a sense of joy, sunlight, and vibrancy. Berry picking allows you to spend time outside, nourish yourself, and tune to the seasonal abundance. 

By Susan Staley.  Susan is a clinical and community herbalist with Railyard Apothecary. You can schedule a consultation with her or our other herbalists at www.burlingtonherbclinic.com. Here’s to your health!

Sunlight has many benefits to health. The sun produces a broad spectrum of light, most of which is in the visible range to the human eye. This light is responsible for stimulating the production of vitamin D within our cells, which is necessary for the proper functioning of our immune and nervous systems.

While visible light from the sun imparts well-being and keeps our bodies in balance, ultraviolet radiation (which is outside the spectrum of visible light) can cause harm, especially when that exposure is direct, intense, and for too long.

There are a few different types of UV radiation. You will notice that most commercially available sunscreens are marketed as “broad spectrum” or UVA/UVB protective. This is because these two types of UV radiation are most likely to cause health problems. UVA radiation is responsible for skin aging, wrinkling, and skin cancer. UVB radiation is what causes sunburns. It also can cause skin cancers, mole development, and immunosuppression.

Sun Protection
The best way to prevent sun damage to the skin is to avoid too much exposure. The easiest way to do this is to pay attention to when the sun’s rays are the strongest, and stay indoors or in the shade during these times. The higher the sun is in the sky, the more risk there is for UV exposure.

 Here are some general guidelines:

• The sun is the highest from 10am-4pm.
• The sun is the strongest in spring and summer, especially in places farther from the equator.
• The sun is stronger year-round closer to the equator, and at higher elevations. Water, snow, and pavement can all reflect UV light, which can increase exposure.
•  Some clouds block UV rays, while others reflect them. If you don’t know for sure, cover up even when it’s cloudy.

Maybe you love to tend your garden every Saturday afternoon, you hit the slopes to ski each winter, or you work outdoors in the summer. When you find yourself outside on a bright, sunny day, be mindful of protecting yourself in others ways.

Cover up. In the winter this is easy, since most of us will want to stay warm. Just remember the sunglasses and face mask to cover your nose, which is still vulnerable to sunburn. In the summer when it is hot, it can be tempting to go out with less clothes, which exposes more skin to UV light. I’ve found that loose clothing made from natural fibers such as linen or silk protects skin while keeping cool (and stylish!). Tightly woven sun hats with a broad brim are great because they create shade for the face, neck, and shoulders. Even a baseball cap can be useful.

If covering up is not an option, sunscreens may be used. Be selective in your choice of sunscreens: many contain chemicals and micronized minerals that could be harmful to the health of the wearer and the environment.

Herbal Sunburn Care
Most people know about Aloe vera as a topical herbal remedy for sunburn. In my experience, Aloe feels nice for a few minutes (until it dries) but does very little to decrease the severity or duration of a burn.

A few years ago, after learning about tulsi or holy basil’s ability to reverse abnormal cell growth caused by radiation, I began experimenting with using tulsi extract topically on sunburn. The first time I tried it, I had been out too long on a particularly sunny day in May. I wasn’t yet thinking about sun hats and staying indoors from 10am-4pm, and my nose had paid the price after a day of cycling. I pulled my tulsi tincture off the apothecary shelf and rubbed a little bit into my burn. Sure enough, the next day the redness and pain were gone. I’ve since learned that applying tulsi extract once, followed by healing lotion (to keep the skin hydrated) is an excellent remedy for sunburn.

For very severe or widespread sunburn, a strong infusion of tulsi, green tea, and Calendula may be more appropriate, since the alcohol in most tinctures can be drying to the skin. I recommend green tea here because it has been shown to both prevent sunburn when used topically and to repair UVB-induced damage. This infusion can be applied directly to the skin, or added to a room temperature bath for soaking. As with the tincture, allow the skin to air-dry and apply healing lotion afterwards.
It is also important to stay hydrated and well rested. Sunburn, as with other types of burns, should be treated and cared for like a wound. Drinking adequate amounts of water and getting plenty of sleep allows the body to heal at an optimal rate.

Recipes
After-Sun Infusion
Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup tulsi
• 1/2 cup Calendula
• 1/2 cup green tea
• 1 quart water

Directions: Bring water to a boil, pour over herbs, and let steep, covered, until cool. Strain and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Apply directly to sunburnt skin or add to room temperature bath water.

Healing Lotion 
(adapted from Rosemary Gladstar’s lotion recipe)
Ingredients:

Water part:

• 1/2 cup rosewater
• 1/2 cup green tea infusion
• 15 drops tulsi tincture
• 5 drops lavender essential oil
• 1 teaspoon vitamin E

Oil part:

• 3/4 cup Calendula-infused oil
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons cocoa butter
• 1/4 teaspoon lanolin
• 2 tablespoons or 3/4 ounce beeswax

Directions:

• In a double boiler over medium heat, combine all oil ingredients and heat just enough to melt.
• Pour oil mixture into a heat-proof container and let cool to room temperature. The mixture should become thick, semi-solid and cream-colored.
• When oil is cooled, add it to the blender blender.
• Combine water ingredients in a glass measuring cup
• With lid on, turn blender to high speed. In a slow, thin drizzle, pour the water mixture into the center of the vortex.
• Stop the blender when most of the oil has been added and the blender “chokes.”
• Slowly add the rest of the water by hand, beating with a spoon.
• Pour into clean jars and store in a cool, dark place.

Thanks for reading!

By Emma Merritt, clinical herbalist at Railyard Apothecary

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To book a 1-on-1 herbal consultation with Emma, click here.

Emma will be teaching a class on sun protection online on Wed., July 15th, 6-7pm.  Register and info here.  If you're reading this after that date, you can take a look for the class recording here.

In times like these, it's good to remember that the plant world offers so much to us for mental and emotional well-being.  Here are the three main categories of herbs that can help, along with examples:

1. Nervine Relaxants
These herbs help to calm down the nervous system, easing both physical and mental tension. These herbs are often used at the end of the day to unwind, or to promote restful sleep, but also can be taken in smaller doses throughout the day to take the edge off of things.

Herbs in this category include skullcap, passionflower, valerian, lavender, chamomile and hops.

One of my personal favorites is Skullcap. It is best in tincture form (of the fresh plant) but also works as a dry herb for tea. I've used this herb to keep my mind from racing and to be able to focus on work during the day. I think of it like the mountain steams where it can grow wild here in Vermont - in promotes a sense of serenity and peace, which is always present if only we could notice.

2. Adaptogens
These herbs build up our resiliency so that when we do encounter stressors we can more easily adapt to them. From a physiological perspective, it seems as if they often help manage our stress hormones and keep them from spiking either too high or too low. They're most effective when taken regularly for an extended period of time.

These herbs include ginseng, ashwagandha, eleuthero, tulsi, schisandra and rhodiola.

Ashwagandha is one of my favorites in this category. It is a root that works well as a powder, tea or tincture. It is from India, but is grown here in Vermont. What sets it apart from other adaptogens is it is slightly relaxing and promotes deep, restful sleep. I like this herb for helping me feel like I have more stable energy throughout the day.

3. Mood uplifting plants
These plants specifically help to brighten the mood and promote feelings of lightness and happiness. They are, of course, especially helpful for when you're feeling down or emotionally upset.

These include St. John's Wort, lemon balm, linden and rose.

St. Joh'ns Wort is the most well known of these. Don't take it if you are taking pharmaceuticals because it could interact. I find that it really helps the figurative "light" shine through, just as the leaves themselves have an interesting feature where they are dotted with pores that literally let the sun through. It flowers at the peak of sunshine - late June, early July. The flowers and upper leaves are what's used. It's best in tincture form (of the fresh plant) but can be used as tea or other forms too. I find it slightly stimulating, and definitely uplifting.

Let us know if you have any questions, we're always open to helping guide you in your choice and use of herbs!

- Nick Cavanaugh, clinical herbalist at the Burlington Herb Clinic.

P.S. Nick taught a class about this on June 17th, 2020.  If you'd like to see the recording you can e-mail emma@railyardapothecary.com.

In the depths of New England winter, it can seem like the green of the landscape has all been replaced by white and grey. The perennial herbs sleep below blankets of snow, the limbs of oaks, maples, birches, all bare. We’ve spent the past Autumn harvesting and making medicine to store for the winter and carry us through until the new growth of Spring.

Nevertheless, the sleepy winter forest holds gifts of strong medicine. Behold: cedar, juniper, hemlock, and pine, to name a few. The evergreens of northern New England hold potent remedies in their needles. 

If you have ever tasted a cedar tip or a hemlock needle, then you know the instant sensation of aroma and flavor that comes from crushing a tiny needle between your teeth: aromatic, warm, piney, and a little sour. 

The unique flavor of evergreens tells us much about their medicinal properties. Aromatic: they are rich in essential oils with antimicrobial and immune stimulating properties. Warm: they increase circulation and help break a fever. Sour: they are high in vitamin C and other phytochemicals. This comes as no surprise to anyone who has used thuja (cedar) to help ward off a cold. 

But it’s not just cedar-- many of the evergreen trees can be used as warming winter remedies. They can be made into tea, added to a bath, or used as a sinus steam. I’ve even been known to boil fir branches from my christmas tree to fill my house with their lovely aroma. 

Here I will share with you a recipe for White Pine Syrup. You can substitute pine for a variety of evergreens, just make sure you positively identify any tree before using. There are a few evergreens that are poisonous, such as the yew. Also, I prefer to use windfallen branches. If you harvest directly from a living tree, please be respectful and only take what you need. Never overharvest and always ask permission and thank the tree for it’s gifts. 

 White Pine Needle Syrup
 
Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh or dried (but still green) pine needles
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup honey or sugar

  Instructions:

1. Rinse pine needles with cold water and coarsely chop
2. In a pot, combine pine needles and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.
3. Let simmer for 1 hour.
4. If the water level becomes low, add a little more.
5. After 1 hour, check to see if the water level is approximately half the original volume. Reduce further or add more water accordingly.
6. Remove from heat and let cool.
7. Strain while water is still warm.
8. Combine 1 cup of tea with 1 cup of honey or sugar. Mix thoroughly.
9. Bottle, label, and store in the refrigerator.

 Take 1 tsp of syrup 2-3x/ day at the onset of a cold. You can also make herbal soda with the syrup by adding it to seltzer--about 2 oz per 16 oz of seltzer, or use it in cocktails. Get creative--the sky's the limit.  Evergreens remind us that even in winter, we are supported by the abundance of nature and the healing properties of the plants all around us. So get out those snowshoes or cross country skis and go explore the forests and woodlands in all their winter wonder.

Learn more about medicine making with plants at my "Medicine Making" class series that happens several times throughout the year.  You can find the latest info on our classes and events page here: https://www.railyardapothecary.com/classes--events.html

By Emma Merritt, staff herbalist here at Railyard Apothecary

How to make herbal tinctures ("folk method"):

1. Gather your herb.
2. Fill it loosely into a jar with a screw top (i.e. mason jar).
3. Pour alcohol over your herb until it covers the herb about 1/2'' or so. For dry herbs use 40-50% alcohol (80-100 proof), for fresh herbs use 60-95% alcohol (120-190 proof). Plants with a high water content (i.e. fresh roots) should use the higher alcohol percent (i.e. 95%). Vodka or grain alcohol are good choices because of their neutral flavor.
3.5. Optional step - blend the alcohol and herb together to increase surface area exposure for the herb.
4. Place the jar away from light (i.e. in a cupboard), in a cool, dry location for 4-6 weeks.
5. Shake or stir the tincture every day if possible.
6. If after a day or two the plant material expanded and is no longer submerged in the alcohol you may need to add more alcohol. Especially look for this with dry roots and fruits (may need to cover them with 1-2'' or more alcohol from the beginning).
7. After 4-6 weeks strain out the herbal material and store your tincture for use!

That's it!

It's possible to get much more detailed with your tincture-making, but the above method will work pretty well for most herbs. If you want to be more precise, you can measure the weight of the herbs and the volume of the "menstrum" (alcohol). You can also look up a recipe to find an "herb:menstrum" ratio for the plant you're working with. For example, an recipe might say to tincture a fresh plant at "1:2, 80%," which means for every 1 part of plant material by weight (grams or ounces), use 2 parts of menstrum by volume (milliliters or fluid ounces), using 80% alcohol.

With more potent herbs it's best to be precise and follow a specific recipe in order to take a more precise dose of the final product. For most mild herbs, there is a great deal of room for experimentation and error - herbs like peppermint or chamomile have a wide therapeutic dose range, so it doesn't matter so much what the relative concentration of the tincture is.

The most important thing in terms of safety is to prevent fermentation, mold or harmful bacteria growth by using a high enough alcohol percent. To be on the safe side, the final alcohol percent should be above 30%. When you use fresh herbs that contain water, the final alcohol percent will be lower than the alcohol you add in, as the water in the herb will dilute the alcohol. That's why you need to start with a higher percent of alcohol with fresh herbs. If you want to be very precise, set aside some of the fresh herb, weigh it, let it dry, and then weigh it again to find out how much water was in the herb.

Thanks for reading!  Let us know if you have any questions.  You can reach us at 802-540-0595, railyardapothecarybtv@gmail.com, or on our Facebook page.  Want to learn more in person?  Join Emma for a tincture making class as part of the "medicine making series" on Tuesday, Nov. 5th, 6:30-8pm.

Linden is a common street tree with some remarkable healing properties.  Its flowers are relaxing and uplifting, like a warm glow of sunshine - and they taste quite pleasant! In this article we'll share with you more about this wonderful tree, in hopes that you may go out and find it yourself to pick some flowers or just to sit under and bask in its comforting fragrance.

Lindens
"Tilia" is a genus of about 30 trees in the Malvaceae plant family.  In Europe, trees in this genus often have "linden" in their common name, while in the northeast U.S. the common native species, Tilia americana, is often called basswood (though also called "American linden" at times).  The species most commonly used for its medicinal effects is "littleaf linden" (Tilia cordata), a tree native to Europe.

Trees in the Tilia genus are found throughout the eastern portion of North America, Europe and Asia at moderate altitudes; they are usually not quite as low as sea level but they are also not in the mountains.  The Champlain Valley provides a great ecosystem for these trees.

There are several species of linden which are common street trees in Burlington, including “littleleaf linden” (the most medicinal) along with “silver linden” (Tilia tomentosa).  All of the lindens in our area likely have similar medicinal effects but differing potencies.

Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata)
Identification: Distinctly heart shaped, serrated, deep green, asymmetrical leaves.  
Habitat: Another common street tree.  Found throughout Europe and North America.
Medicinal uses: This is the species used most commonly, and is typically what's found in commerce.  It likely contains the most concentrated medicinal properties of all linden species.

Harvest

When harvesting from this tree first make sure that you've identified it correctly by checking more than one credible source.  Secondly, only harvest away from polluted areas - it is a common street tree, but we would not suggest harvesting it from a busy road.  Quiet, low-traffic roads may be ok, but even better would be a yard or another area further removed from cars.

We harvest the flowers along with the bracts (the light-green leafy bit attached to the flower stalks).  Abiding by the honorable harvest, we harvest 10% of the flowers that we see, leaving the rest for our pollinator friends to continue the tree’s life cycle.  

Harvest before they've turned brown, as the older, brown flowers have been said to have more narcotic-like effects.

We stretch our arms up to clasp a flower, a handful of sun ray, reaching up into our full, expansive selves.

Preparations
You can dry the flowers at home by leaving them in on a screen or a brown paper bag in a dark, dry, well-ventilated location.  Once dried, linden is delightful in tea, as a hot infusion, and even as a cold infusion.  

A cold infusion can be made with both dry and fresh linden flowers by pouring cold water over the flowers and letting it steep for 12-24 hours.  

A sun tea can also be made this way, in a lot less time.  On a hot summers day, place a generous handful of flowers in a glass container, pour cold to lukewarm water over the flowers and place in a sunny spot to steep for the afternoon.  

Linden also makes a tasty homemade tincture.

Thanks for reading, and hope you can spend some time with this lovely tree!

References
n.d. “Species: Tilia americana.”  Accessed on 3 Jul, 2018. Fire Effects Information System (FEIS), 2018.  Retrieved from: <https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/tree/tilame/all.html>

Justis, Angela.  (1 Jun, 2016). “A Family Herb: Gentle Linden Flower and Leaf.”  The Herbal Academy, 2018.  Accessed on 3 Jul, 2018.  Retrieved from: <https://theherbalacademy.com/a-family-herb-linden-flower/>

Written by Jordan Kleiman, University of Vermont student and apprentice at Railyard Apothecary, and Nick Cavanaugh, staff member at Railyard Apothecary and clinical herbalist at the Burlington Herb Clinic.  ​