In this 15 minute video, you'll learn how to make elecampane honey, tincture and prepare root for drying with herbalist EagleSong Gardener. Health From the Ground Up in the kitchen at RavenCroft Garden.
Thanks for your video! Very informative! I’ve been looking for videos like this. I am new to growing my own medicinal herbs. It’s always been my dream to be an herbalist.
Great series on elecampane, thank you! I’ve watched each video several times. I’ve been familiar with the herb in a tincture bottle but have never grown it. Finally with a garden in so Vermont, I got 4 starts on a whim 3 years ago. What a plant! Those tropical looking leaves and the height. After thinking it was time to dig up some roots, I kept missing my opportunity until after multiple winter freezes a weeklong warmup loosened the soil and I dug up a plant that was in a bad spot overshadowed by a bunch of rowdy echinacea that decided to grow there, yesterday! January 2, 2022 (ha!) in Vermont. A lot to say about that but we learn to grow with the changing seasons. I’ve had quite the adventure learning more as I process the roots. A bottle of tincture, 2 batches of honey lozenges and a bunch drying, plus I’m drinking the tea of fresh root infusion and my kitchen counter and cutting board smell divine. It dropped into the teens overnight and a foot of snow is coming at the end of the week. I used the large hole left behind to heel in a big pot of strawberries, I’ve got 3 crowns full of pink buds that I’ll pot up to transplant in the spring and I’m thoroughly delighted that my past self was wise enough to plant elecampane in 2019 to have root ready for the malaise of the day. Guided by elves perhaps. Plus the seedheads are enjoyed by goldfinches and juncos (right now!) Thank you for covering all aspects of this wonderful plant. Happy New Year. 😊
@@eaglesonggardener1893 yes, you’re welcome and thank you! I got the feeling that you are genuine and love what you do and enjoy sharing the knowledge. As someone who shares these attributes, I know that being in relationship with the natural world, including all beings, flora, fauna, human, energetic, is an accurate portrayal of reality. Also reading thank you letters boosts your positive neural pathways. I was surprised to see how much more I learned from watching all 3 videos in the elecampane series as I watched them first before harvesting, then again mid-process and after. Thank you! Your efforts are very appreciated. I hope many visit your school. 🙏🏾🌼🌻
LOVE this video, thank you! Is there anything stopping a slightly more modern gardener from using a food processor instead of a hand grinder? Also, how important is it to use specific parts of the root for different preparations? Thank you!
Hi Katy, You can use any tools you have access to to chop or grind the root. Play with the elecampane and see how the root informs you. You will be surprised how much you already know when you let go and connect with the plant.
My 4 year old was just diagnosed with asthma. I'm researching some more herbal treatments for her vs the typical steroid/inhaler. Especially since the pulmonologist wasn't 100% but she ended up in the ICU. Could you recommend a book or do you have any knowledge on using elacampane in someone so young for ongoing treatment of asthma?
How old does the elecampane need to be to dig up the roots? Can I replant a piece of root for next year? When can I harvest? It’s winter now, can I harvest once the ground thaws? What about the leaves and flowers? I harvested a bunch of those from my first year plants. Thank you!!!
The herbal preparation is an alcohol tincture of elecampane root. When it is pressed, the inulin goes into the tincture. The tincture is used 15-30 drops in water or tea at a time. Tinctures are not used for drinking.
@@eaglesonggardener1893 hi ya , thanks for your fast reply , almost there ..... so the inulin is (non) digestible but its good to have some , is that right ? ..... sorry for sounding dumb , it just sounded odd , have subscribed , now checking your other videos , many thanks , tom.
Vodka is used to extract & preserve the constituents in the elecampane root. It is easily accessible at a reasonable cost keeping herbal medicine people's medicine.
