Sunday, July 27, 2014

Blueberry Pie Bars

Tons & tons of Blueberries.. I love it!! Time to squirrel up the freezer...
Today's Blueberry treat... 
~Citrine~

Blueberry Pie Bars
From Kirbie's Cravings

Ingredients:
Crust and Topping:
1-1/2 c. all purpose flour
3/4 c. sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
3/4 c. unsalted butter, chilled

Filling:
2 large eggs
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. sour cream
3/8 c. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. almond extract
16 oz. fresh blueberries

Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8x8-inch pan with non stick cooking spray; set aside.
For the crust, combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor. Cut the butter into 1/2-inch pieces and add to flour mixture. Process until the butter is evenly distributed but the mixture is still crumbly (about 30 to 60 seconds).
Reserve 1-1/2 cups of the mixture for the topping; set aside. Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
For the filling, whisk eggs in a large bowl, then add the sugar, sour cream, flour, and almond extract. Gently fold in blueberries. Spoon the filling over the crust and sprinkle the reserved topping mixture evenly over the filling.
Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until top turns golden brown. Cool 1 hour before cutting and serving or serve out of pan cobbler style.
Yield: 16 bars

Via http://lifessimplemeasures.blogspot.com/2012/07/blueberry-pie-bars.html


Photo: Today's Blueberry treat... 
~Citrine~

Blueberry Pie Bars
From Kirbie's Cravings

Ingredients:
Crust and Topping:
1-1/2 c. all purpose flour
3/4 c. sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
3/4 c. unsalted butter, chilled

Filling:
2 large eggs
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. sour cream
3/8 c. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. almond extract
16 oz. fresh blueberries

Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F.  Grease an 8x8-inch pan with non stick cooking spray; set aside.
For the crust, combine the flour, sugar, and salt in a food processor.  Cut the butter into 1/2-inch pieces and add to flour mixture.  Process until the butter is evenly distributed but the mixture is still crumbly (about 30 to 60 seconds).
Reserve 1-1/2 cups of the mixture for the topping; set aside.  Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan.
For the filling, whisk eggs in a large bowl, then add the sugar, sour cream, flour, and almond extract.  Gently fold in blueberries.  Spoon the filling over the crust and sprinkle the reserved topping mixture evenly over the filling.
Bake 45 to 55 minutes or until top turns golden brown.  Cool 1 hour before cutting and serving or serve out of pan cobbler style.
Yield: 16 bars

Via http://lifessimplemeasures.blogspot.com/2012/07/blueberry-pie-bars.html

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Tarot Spell to help you through change

~Citrine~
Tarot Spell to help you through change
This is a spell to help you through changes in your life.(I know it happens every day but some changes we need that little bit of help)

First..
The Wheel of Fortune represents the cycles in your life you are going through.

The Magician represents you adapting to the situation.

The World represents your new life with the change.

Again you can use candles and other stuff if so green would be the best color for this which represents healing and adaptation. Again meditate visualize your situation turning out the way you want.

And when you are done meditating recite the following:

The time has come for something newer,something better.
The forces of change are here.
With these cards and with this spell I ask the higher powers renewal.
I summon the powers within me and the powers around me to help me face the world as it is.
I ask the powers to help me make my own happiness.
I call for improvement...I call for my new cycle to be a better cycle.
I will have a new outlook a new and more positive me will be gained.
These transformations are made and will continue.

So it is and so shall it be.

Always remember to that the higher powers around us for giving you the energy's to make your spells happen.

Via http://thesecretmoongarden.ning.com/


Photo - Cards of the Piedmont Tarot. The Fool, Magician, Wheel of Fortune, Ace of Coins, Death, and World.

Photo: ~Citrine~
Tarot Spell to help you through change 
This is a spell to help you through changes in your life.(I know it happens every day but some changes we need that little bit of help)

First..
The Wheel of Fortune represents the cycles in your life you are going through.

The Magician represents you adapting to the situation.

The World represents your new life with the change.

Again you can use candles and other stuff if so green would be the best color for this which represents healing and adaptation. Again meditate visualize your situation turning out the way you want.

And when you are done meditating recite the following:

The time has come for something newer,something better.
The forces of change are here.
With these cards and with this spell I ask the higher powers renewal.
I summon the powers within me and the powers around me to help me face the world as it is.
I ask the powers to help me make my own happiness.
I call for improvement...I call for my new cycle to be a better cycle.
I will have a new outlook a new and more positive me will be gained.
These transformations are made and will continue.

So it is and so shall it be.

Always remember to that the higher powers around us for giving you the energy's to make your spells happen.

Via http://thesecretmoongarden.ning.com/

Photo - Cards of the Piedmont Tarot. The Fool, Magician, Wheel of Fortune, Ace of Coins, Death, and World.

llewellyn.com Tarot Spell for Success


I felt the need to keep this close so it is all from... llewellyn.com
at http://www.llewellyn.com/spell.php?spell_id=5646

Tarot Spell for Success

Spell Date:  Tuesday, July 22, 2014
Color of the day:  Maroon
Incense of the day:  Geranium
Gather cinnamon oil; red, orange, and yellow candles; and the tarot cards Strength and the Sun. Anoint the candles with cinnamon oil, and place the red candle on the left side of your altar, the orange candle in the middle, and the yellow candle on the right side. Place the Strength card in between the red and orange candles on the left, and place the Sun card between the orange and yellow candles on the right. This way, you will draw in strength and project successful energy. Next, visualize being successful at your chosen endeavor. Now, light the red candle and say:

"Power of fire, feed my spirit."

Light the orange candle and say:

"Power of the Sun, shine good fortune upon me."

Light the yellow candle and say:

"Strength and fortune here combine; ensure success shall now be mine!"

Allow the candles to burn for at least one hour.
THIS POST WAS WRITTEN BY MICHAEL FURIE ON JULY 22, 2014

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Mullein flowers.. and the leaves too..

Mullein.. I need to know..
I read somewhere the flowers are good too.. they are blooming right now...

Yay! I found flower info here... http://www.herbcraft.org/mullein.html

An infused oil of Mullein flowers is perhaps one of the first remedies to think of in treating an ear infection, easing pain and speeding recovery time. The oil is simple to prepare: Find an abundance of flowering Mullein, pick the flowers and let them wilt for a few hours to reduce their moisture content, put them in a small mason jar and fill to the brim with oil... you may need to top it off again the next day. Set the jar, tightly capped, in the sun for a month or two, and then strain the oil into clean bottles. Because the flowers are quite tiny, about the size of a kernel of corn, you'll need to have access to plenty of them, and use a small jar so you're able to fill it. This oil can be applied with a Q-tip and allowed to work its magic. Mullein flower oil is often combined with infused Garlic oil (which is antibacterial and antiviral), and there are few remedies as effective for ear infections... I've also used it to treat infected piercings (not mine... so don't go trying to figure out where I'm pierced:)! The flower oil also has an old reputation for deafness, though this assertion refers to problems arising from the accumulation of wax, in which the oil helps to clear the obstruction. It can be used to treat ear mites in animals. Prepared as a tincture, Mullein flowers act to resolve swellings and ease the accompanying pain. I used a combination of Red Root and Mullein flowers once to treat an abscess in the ear canal, and the pain and swelling were quickly resolved (I was pretty impressed). I've used the same combination, along with ground ivy, to successfully resolve Meniere's Disease that was just beginning to manifest. The flower tincture used internally is also of aid in treating swellings, and acts as a local anesthetic. It can also be mildly or even strongly relaxant; I haven't quite figured out why it affects some people strongly.

Of course there was more details too... 
The leaves are the most commonly used part of the plant, and among the first remedies to be thought of in treating congestion and dry coughs, as they are an excellent expectorant. An expectorant aids the lungs in expelling mucous and phlegm by loosening it from the walls of the lungs and allowing it to be coughed up; thus, Mullein will stimulate coughing, even though that's the symptom being treated. What Mullein is really doing is assisting the body's natural response to congestion - coughing - to be more effective. A strong tea, the tincture, and even smoking the dried leaves can achieve this end. Mullein is especially good for treating dry coughs that shake the frame of the body, and should be thought of whenever there is "wheezing". I used a blend of Mullein and Plantain when I inhaled a bunch of plaster dust while cleaning it out of my house after the drywall was put in. It coated my lungs, and I got quite sick, with difficult wheezy breathing. The Mullein and Plantain started working immediately, and resolved the condition quickly. Mullein combines well with myriad other herbs; New England Aster for quivering, reactive lungs, a bit of Lobelia for asthma, Wild Lettuce if the uppermost reaches of the lungs feel dry and tight... I could go on and on.

Few people know, though, that Mullein is also an excellent remedy for the lymphatic system. Folk herbalist Tommie Bass says it can be applied as a compress to any instance of glandular swelling. The physiomedicalist Dr. William Cook called Mullein an "absorbent" of "peculiar and reliable power." He recommended Mullein leaves be made into a strong decoction, then that water used to wet more leaves that were then applied externally over the swelling. To further increase the efficacy of the preparation, Mullein root would be taken internally. The use of Mullein flower tincture to relieve swellings is also due to its lymphatic actions, and among the various parts that can be used, I think it offers the most pain relieving qualities.

If few people know about using Mullein leaves for swellings, even fewer know about using Mullein Root for anything. Yet, it is an incredibly useful remedy. In addition to its effects on the lymphatic system, it is an excellent remedy for treating urinary incontinence and loss of urinary control due to a swollen prostate because it tones and strengthens the trigone sphincter at the base of the bladder. Northern California herbalist Christa Sinadinos elaborates: "Mullein root is valuable as a bladder tonifying agent for the treatment of urinary incontinence (loss of urine with out warning.) It strengthens and improves the tone the trigone muscle (a triangular area at the base of the bladder) and significantly enhances bladder function. It has soothing diuretic properties; it increases the volume of urination, while decreasing the frequency of urination. Mullein root also has mild astringent properties which reduce inflammation in the mucosa of the bladder. It does not irritate or over stimulate bladder or kidney function. Mullein root can be used as a long term tonic for individuals with urinary incontinence, recurring bladder infections, interstitial cystitis, and benign prostatic hypertrophy." Christa offers flat out exceptional insights on this usage here (please note that pages 2 & 3 are mixed up). One of my students used an infusion of Mullein root to treat Bell's Palsy that occurred as a complication of Lyme's disease, and it resolved the problem completely. Years after that David Winston told me he'd been using it for Bell's Palsy for well over a decade, and considered it useful in other cases of facial nerve pain, along with other useful herbs for facial neuralgia like Saint John's Wort and Jamaican Dogwood.

I also use Mullein root quite frequently to facilitate "proper alignment". It may be that there are broken bones I need to be sure line up, or it could be a spinal misalignment. These are applications I picked up from Matthew Wood, though he uses Mullein leaves, saying, “It has a moistening, lubricating effect on the synovial membranes… so that it is hydrating to the spine and joints. It is often indicated in back injuries. People think they are untreatable and incurable, but an increase the synovial fluids will make the spine more pliable and comfortable. The vertebra will slip back into place more readily, pain and inflammation will decrease and the condition will get better."

I can personally attest to Mullein’s usefulness in treating spinal injuries, as I’ve used it for years. The first time I ever used it, I woke up with my back out. I couldn't stand up straight, and while my mouth was saying, "Ow, ow, ow..." within me I kept hearing "Mullein root, Mullein root, Mullein root...". I drove out to a field where I knew it grew, and searched for it under the snow (Mullein's fuzzy leaves insulate it and it usually overwinters). I found some, and as I was digging it up I "heard" Mullein root stores up energy the entire first year of its life to put forth its strong, straight yet flexible flower stalk; and using it gives us access to that stored energy. I chopped up a root, made tea, took a sip then a breath and was completely better.

A year or so after that (in which time I'd used the root a few more times, always to more or less immediate results), I suffered the rather dreadful "slipped disc" while, when changing a tire on the side of a dirt road my jack slipped and I jumped back away from the falling car with a heavy tire in my arms. Along with chiropractic, I used the rather agonizing experience to figure out how best to treat this condition. I ended up blending together a formula with Solomon’s Seal, Mullein Root, Horsetail and Goldenseal to excellent results (I daresay…). This was created not so much as a pain reliever, but to restore strength and integrity to the disc itself. To address the attendant muscle spasms (which were the worst part, in terms of outright agony), I used a combination of Black Cohosh and Arnica tinctures, taken in frequent small doses to help ease the sensitivity & reactivity of the muscles. The results were excellent. I could literally feel the disc growing stronger and the muscles relearning how to be relaxed. Even now, after a few years, if I overdo it and feel even a twinge of sensitivity in the disc, a few doses usually completely removes the discomfort. It's truly kick ass stuff.

Mullein root on its own, though, is also markedly effective. Prepared either as an infusion or taken in small doses as a tincture, it's been a lifesaver for me when working a bit too gung-ho has me wake up the next morning with my back "kinked" and not quite able to straighten up. I usually take about 7 drops of tincture, stretch out a bit, and the kink disappears and I feel perfectly aligned. While the occasions when this has worked are too numerous to recount, it doesn't always work... just most of the time. On the most recent occasion, the Mullein tincture didn't work immediately, but took about a week, (used concurrently with an antispasmodic blend of Black Cohosh and Arnica, a bit of Saint John's Wort, and a visit to my chiropractor). Among these, I know the Mullein was especially important because when I broke my bottle while away for the weekend, the stiffness and misalignment went from almost better to lousy. When I resumed, virtually all the redoubled sensitivity dissipated and I felt more or less better in a couple days.

Others have found it useful as well. On a recent visit to Michigan, Matthew Wood and I were talking about this little known use of Mullein, and comparing and contrasting his use of the leaves with my use of the root. One of the participants, who, though completely new to herbalism and a bit overwhelmed by the onslaught of information, went the following week to get some Mullein (leaves; the root is quite hard to find, commercially) and sent me an email another week later, saying, "I've suffered with a herniated disc (the one between the lumbar vertebrae and sacrum) since my son was 15 months old. I ended up being on bed rest on a cortisone "blast" for a week at that time. The disc is really thin and the area has been fragile since then. So, My back got really whacked out a couple of weeks ago and I didn't want to go the Motrin route. I purchased some Mullein tincture at my local health food haunt and by the time I was half way to Commerce (from Ferndale) to pick my son up my back was feeling so much better... The Mullein has been a life saver."

While I haven't yet used the leaves in lieu of the root, I had a remarkably lucid dream about how the leaves could be picked proportionally along the flowering stalk to the area along the spine that is kinked. So, I'll shortly be gathering mullein leaves and sorting them into "lower third", "middle third", "upper third" to see where that exploration leads. I could tell more stories. The point is, though, that this is an area in which Mullein excels, but is far too seldom used. Hopefully these elaborations will begin to change that.

Perhaps, as opposed to a physical complaint, the need for alignment is energetic... someone is scattered all over the place, and needs to focus and direct their energies. Mullein root will assist us in such a need. Try carrying some in a medicine bag, taking a few drops of tincture or rubbing a bit into your wrists or temples.
http://www.herbcraft.org/mullein.html


Mullein tea provides vitamins B-2, B-5, B-12, and D, choline, hesperidin, PABA, sulfur, magnesium, mucilage, saponins, and other active substances.

People use the tea as a beverage, but it's best known as one of the safest, most effective herbal cough remedies. Mullein is an expectorant, and a tonic for the lungs, mucus membranes, and glands. An infusion is good for colds, emphysema, asthma, hay fever, and whooping cough. Strain the infusion through a cloth, or the hairs may get stuck in your throat and make you cough even more. Laboratory tests have shown that itís anti-inflammatory, with antibiotic activity, and that it inhibits the tuberculosis bacillus. The Indians smoked dried mullein and coltsfoot cigarettes for asthma and bronchitis, and indications are that itís effective: I've observed it working for bronchitis.

The tea is also an astringent and demulcent. It's good for diarrhea, and it's been used in compresses for hemorrhoids since it was recommended by Dioscorides centuries ago. It's also supposed to help other herbs get absorbed through the skin. Pliny the Elder of ancient Rome, Gerard in sixteenth century England, the Delaware Indians, and country folk in the South, used the heated leaves in poultices for arthritis.

A tincture of the flowers is used for migraine headaches. An oil extract of the flowers, which contains a bactericide, is used for ear infections, although you should consult with a competent practitioner first, to avoid the possibility of permanent hearing loss if the herb doesnít work.

Roman ladies used them to die their hair blonde. Roman soldiers dipped the flowerstalks in tallow to make torches.

Women who were forbidden to use make-up for religious reasons rubbed the rough leaves of this rubrifacient on their cheeks, to create a beautiful red flush. People who spend time in the woods are attracted to mullein's large, velvety leaves when they run out of toilet paper, again creating a beautiful red flush on their cheeks.
From http://www.wildmanstevebrill.com/Plants.Folder/Mullein.html

Mullein (verbascum thapsis)
Excellent simple for asthma. Hot infuse 1/2 - 1oz dried leaves in a quart of water per day, infused for at least an hour. Drop dose for children. Drink in 2-3 portions daily. Simple, gentle, and very effective if used over time. Also a good support tea for those whose asthma is in remission, when they are challenged by allergies or particulate irritation. It will cool out mild wheezing short term and often its attendant snoring.
I learned of this use while hanging out in an herb market in the Mission district of San Francisco. This neighborhood is home to a large Latino population, and a lot of hipsters of many backgrounds (I pass for a hipster.) While pretending to work there, an older Latina woman, asked me where the Gordo Lobo was. Handing her the jar of Mullein, another name for Gordo Lobo, I asked her how she uses it. She replied that she gave it daily to all the people with asthma in her extended family. She said it kept them breathing well. I often learn more disguised as a clerk, than presenting myself as an herbalist. As ever, grandmothers' remedies rock.

From http://www.pshm.org/clinical_tidbits.shtml

Horsetail herb - collected info

I have recently learned of this herb and then found I actually have it growing in my field.. woohoo!

So now.. my mission..
How & when do I harvest it
What is it used for?
How do I use it?

I have a ton of website tabs open... so here I go...

http://recipesfromthewild.wordpress.com/wild-horse-tail/
Horsetail contains numerous mineral salts, especially silica, but also potassium, manganese, and magnesium, and many trace minerals.
Horsetail is judged to be particularly beneficial to people suffering from anemia or general debility. Its action is characterized as diuretic and astringent. It is prescribed in the treatment of kidney and bladder disorders, arthritis, gout, and skin afflictions. It is recommended for gastric complaints and inflammations of the respiratory tract. It is said to promote urination and stop bleeding, to reduce fevers, to calm an overactive liver, and to ease nervous tension. It has been used to clear heavy head colds and to sooth inflamed, swollen eyelids. And throughout history, it is been relied on to cleanse and heal wounds . . . . even modern studies indicate that fractured bones heal more quickly with the help of horsetail.
As a diuretic, it will increase urination, thus flushing the system of toxins. Its astringent property would make it good for wounds and to stop bleeding. It can be used both internally, as a weak tea, and externally, as a wash for wounds, or dip a towel in the tea and use as a poultice, a compress, or add to bath water.

A few European clinical studies have determined that fractured bones heal much more quickly when horsetail is taken. The incidence of osteoporosis is, likewise, more greatly reduced when some horsetail is added to the diet. A few folk healers I’m aware of have recommended this herb to athletes who’ve suffered sprains, dislocated joints, pulled hamstrings or torn ligaments.
Heinerman goes on to say that horsetail is an excellent internal cosmetic–drink the tea for improving your skin, hair, nails, teeth and bones. Other herbalists recommend it as a facial wash.


EDIBLE PARTS OF FIELD HORSETAIL:

Harvesting: Pick it in a clean area. Best time to harvest is midsummer when plants are large but still somewhat succulent. Contrary to modern herbal pseudo-factoid, the plant is safe to use internally when picked midsummer. Picking when plant is large lets us get more medicine while disturbing fewer plants than if picking when the plants are small and young. It is considerate of the plant and habitat to pick this way.
MAKES AN EXCELLENT HEALING TEA AND COOKED HORSETAIL CAN BE ADDED TO SOUPS, STEWS OR COOKED IN A STIR-FRY.
BE CREATIVE AND ENJOY!

Strobil (the fertile shoots in spring) – cooked and used as an asparagus substitute. They should be used when young but even so it is probably best to change the water, perhaps 3 – 4 times, when cooking save the water to use as a spray on your roses if they have black spots, or as a liquid feed for your garden. The leaf sheaths can be peeled off and the stems eaten raw – they are said to be “nothing but juice”. Roots – Raw. The tuberous growths on the rhizomes are used in the spring. The black nodules attached to the roots are edible. It takes considerable effort to collect these nodules so it is normally only done in times of desperation.
OTHER USES OF THE HERB:

The stems contain 10% silica and are used for scouring metal and as fine sandpaper. They can also be used as a polish for brass, hardwood etc. The infused stem is an effective fungicide against mildew, mint rust and blackspot on roses.



To Make Tea:


Pour eight ounces of boiling water over 4 level tsp. of dried horsetail or fresh. Cover and steep for 3 minutes.” A delicate person should drink no more than 1-1/2 cups a day, after meals, in divided doses.

I will be making this one for Rick as he has had a badly torn Rotator Cuff for a while now and has been taking a silica supplement and it helps him, but hey if I can harvest the horsetail from our own yard that is even better :)

1 part young fresh Horsetail shoots (chopped) to 3 parts warm raw honey (100-110). Keep at this temperature for several days, strain, and take 1 Tablespoon 2x/day.

A horsetail bath: For this, use 7 ounces of dried horsetail or 6 quarts of fresh horsetail. Soak the horsetail overnight in enough cold water to cover the plants. “In the morning, heat and strain off the liquid. Enjoy a 20-minute soak.” For athletes foot soak in a foot bath for 20 mins.

“A decoction is used to extract primarily the mineral salts and bitter principles of plants from hard materials such as roots, bark, seeds and wood. These hard materials generally require boiling for at least 10 minutes and then are allowed to steep for a number of hours. The tea is boiled down and concentrated so that water needs to be added before drinking. The word “decoct” means to concentrate by boiling. Essiac tea and taheebo bark tea are examples of a decoction.”
HOW TO MAKE HORSETAIL:
SKIN AND NAILS COCKTAIL:

* You will need: horsetail, lemon juice, water and stevia.

* Throw the whole stalks into a blender with water, blend really well.

* Pour through a sieve to get rid of the hard fibres.

* Add lemon juice and stevia to taste.

* Drink up!

The taste of the raw horsetail cocktail is rather grassy, but not bitter. Actually most of the flavor comes from the stevia and lemon juice, and on the whole is quite refreshing.

OR:

Horsetail is also used to strengthen your finger and toenails. Use a strong infusion made by simmering the tea for at least 15 mins and letting it steep for at least 30 mins. Then use a paintbrush to paint your nails 3 times and let it absorb. Do this at least 3 times over the day before your manicure.

Creating a Tincture:

Once harvested, the vegetative stalks of horsetail can be dried and used to make a tea, but it is preferable to make a tincture from the fresh herb as it loses much of its potency when dried. Within one to two hours of harvesting, chop the herb very fine and fill some bottles to the top. Then fill them up with a mixture of 30-40% alcohol with water. This will make approximately a 1:5 fresh horsetail tincture. The bottles should be stored in the dark and shaken once or twice per day for about a month. Then they can be left to sit for at least another two months. This three month period is the minimum amount of time to produce a good quality tincture. However, as long as the bottles are well sealed and stored in the dark they will keep almost indefinitely.

When you are ready to use it, shake the bottles a few times a day for a couple of days then press and filter their contents and you have a fresh horsetail tincture. Once the tincture is pressed it begins to degrade and should be used within six months to a year. You can extend the shelf life by storing it in several smaller bottles filled to the top and only using one bottle at a time until finished.

The dosage is three to five milliliters, three to four times per day for chronic conditions, six to eight times per day for acute conditions. Always take it on an empty stomach. The best time is 10-15 min. before meals and 30-60 min. before bed.
Also horsetail’s silica/silicone is turned into natural calcium by the body when taken internally. Taken as a tea this is much better than calcium pills. The body accepts live and natural cells much more readily than artificial. That’s why the fresher the herb or plant or vegetable the better for the body and your health.
Horsetail tea can be used on other plants, spraying them with it to get rid of mildew and other fungus infections on roses, fruit trees, vegetables, etc.
If you’re camping, or in a survival situation, you can also scrub your pots and pans with horsetail plants–among horsetail’s common names are bottlebrush, scouring rush, shavegrass and pewterwort.

Wow! that website had great info!! ... Here's that link again to check out other posts... http://recipesfromthewild.wordpress.com/wild-horse-tail/

Next I'm visiting... http://www.superfoods-for-superhealth.com/horsetail-plant.html

it is good to use scissors to cut the stems.
This makes it easier and also ensures that the plant will continue to grow after you have picked some. Make sure to only cut about the first 6 inches or so to allow further grow to occur.
The best time to harvest horsetail is when the feathery-like stems are pointing upward as opposed to downward. This is when the nutritive value is at its prime.

Horsetail Herb Benefits

Horsetail stems contain silicon crystals embedded in its plant fiber. This gritty texture, like sand, gives it a common name of “shavegrass” or "scouring rush".
horsetail-herb
The herb is therefore known for its high amounts of silica. Silica nourishes the skin, hair and bones and is absolutely essential for the body to create and maintain collagen.
Silica is also important for strengthening connective tissue for support in our ligaments, muscles, and joints.
An increase in silica helps us absorb greater amounts of calcium, which provides healthy bones.
The plant is also a nutritive herb as well as a cleansing herb that can remove toxins from inside the body.  It can be used with other herbs like nettle and dandelion root for increased benefits.
Silica helps to eliminate aluminum from the body and helps in the healing of wounds and skin damage or burns when taken internally.
Horsetail is relatively high in selenium as well as silica.
Horsetail also contains:
  • calcium
  • copper
  • vitamin C
  • silica
  • fatty acids
  • fluorine
  • PABA
  • selenium
  • sodium
  • vit B6
  • zinc
  • 5-7% silicic acid
  • nicotine
  • phytosterol
  • malic acid
  • palustrine
  • beta-sitosterol
  • equisitine
  • palustridine
  • volatile oil
  • potassium salts
  • aconitic acid
Interesting fact: Horsetail is known to absorb gold dissolved in water better than any other plant.
A cup of horsetail tea contains a relatively small amount of gold, but the Chinese use this homeopathic dose as treatment for joint issues like rheumatoid arthritis.
We gathered this horsetail from California "gold country" waters, which is still commonly high in very minute particles of gold.
Freshly wildcrafted horsetail plant does not take long to dry. At about 75-85 degrees it will essentially dry in one day.
I usually dry it one of two ways depending on how much I collect. For smaller amounts I lay it out flat on dehydrator sheets with the teflex underneath.
For larger quantities, I lay it out on a big sheet in a shaded area, out of direct sunlight.
This harvest I gathered enough to fit into a gallon glass jar plus another quart jar.
It is always good to preserve your herbs in airtight glass containers so they stay as fresh as possible before use.
***Really enjoyed this website -- they also had a LOT of really good pictures... the link again .. http://www.superfoods-for-superhealth.com/horsetail-plant.html

Coming next... http://www.pshm.org/clinical_tidbits.shtml

Now here was interesting because I found the exact wording of one of the sites above... but that's ok.. they went on to explain more technical reasons as to why it didn't matter if the herb was havested in midseason so that was good to know
Now quoting

Preparation and Uses:
Hot infusion and succus or fresh juice preserved with alcohol: a remedy for chronic and acute asthma respectively.
Tea:
infuse 1/3-1oz per day of dry herb in a quart of water for at least 1 hour.
Use: chronic asthma
Horsetail infusion is a safe, gentle anti-inflammatory for chronic low-grade to moderate asthma. Drunk daily alone or with mullein, this tea will calm most moderate asthma, reducing wheezing, chest tightness, and allergic hyper-responsiveness and attendant snoring. While best used over months, many people will find their wheezing backs off in an hour or two after drinking a pint of this tea. Acutely more effective when the wheezing is from mold and plant allergies, it will help some people, sometime a little and once in awhile a lot with cat induced wheezing.
Succus or Fresh Juice:
Preparation:
Dreadful and difficult, and worth the effort. I have tried to juice this plant with hand mills and manual wheat grass juicers to no avail. I have always broken the mills and gotten just a few teaspoons of juice. Some vigorous electric juicers work well, but juicing horsetail shortens their life. It would be worth buying a juicer with a good warranty, and returning it after each season or two of horsetail juicing. Preserve each four parts of horsetail juice with one part of 95% grain alcohol.
Dose:
1-3 tablespoons, practically, take a large mouth full.
Contraindications:
Unlike the dry tea, the fresh juice of horsetail can break down riboflavin, and should not be used long term, or short term by pregnant or nursing women.
Use: Acute asthma attacks
For the attack that would normally send you scrambling desperately for an inhaler. If you can wait 5 minutes before going to a hospital and don't need to consider a tracheotomy this is an excellent remedy. It rates up there with Datura smoke. It works well when the trigger is environmental, particulate exposure, or allergic, including molds dust and cats.
Significant relief usually takes 5 minutes with continued improvement over the next 15 to 20 minutes. Take a second dose a half hour after the first for good measure. The relief from bronchial spasms and inflammation is improved and speeded up by taking with an aromatic cough syrup. I prefer osha or California Spikenard syrup. Take these syrups by the mouthful.
History:
Horsetail has not been commonly used in modern American mainstream herbal medicine for asthma. Tea and juice are used for asthma in German herbal medicine. The tea is used as a remedy for pediatric asthma in Japan. I have seen tea used for asthma in Puerto Rican communities and in African American communities that are in proximity to Puerto Rican communities.

On this same page they had good details on other herbs as well... the link again... http://www.pshm.org/clinical_tidbits.shtml


This is good from... http://www.localharvest.org/horsetail-tea-medicinal-herb-C13173 sweet and to the point

Horsetail is used for kidney and bladder stones, urinary tract infections, wounds and burns. In folk medicine, Horsetail has also been used for tuberculosis, profuse menstrual bleeding, brittle finger nails, hair loss, water retention, rheumatic diseases, gout, swelling, fractures, frostbite, and nasal, pulmonary, and gastric bleeding. An all-purpose herb that is good for the whole body.
Heavy in silica; strengthens fingernails and hair, especially good for split ends. Helps body utilize and hold calcium; used in herbal calcium combinations. Helps kidney problems, especially kidney stones. Kills eggs of parasites and expels parasites. Helps to dissolve tumors. Good for eye, ear, nose, throat and glandular disorders. The silicon horsetail contains can benefit bone strength and could assist in preventing osteoporosis and speed healing of fractures. Selenium and silicon both help promote circulation to the scalp, and as a result, they may help prevent hair loss as an added benefit.
When taking horsetail powder for its diuretic effect, be sure to drink extra water for maximum benefit. Avoid if there are kidney stones. Not recommended while pregnant. Horsetail can be taken alone, but is often combined with nettle for bone health.
Place one tea bag in a cup and add no more than 6 oz. of boiling water. Let steep for 3 minutes. Press the bag before removing to enhance the flavor. Add honey to sweeten.

Found recipes here... http://wildfoodsandmedicines.com/horsetail/

Horsetail medicine

Horsetail is a tonic remedy that strengthens tissues of the body including the lungs, sinuses and kidneys.  The tea is high in quercetin, an anti-inflammatory compound that stabilizes mast cells that become easily inflamed during allergic reactions.  Horsetail is an excellent daily tea for people with asthma, especially when mixed with mullein leaf.  It strengthens lung tissue and prevents inflammation, while mullein helps to remove congestion and increase pliability of lung air sacks.  Horsetail has also been used for treating bronchitis and tuberculosis.
In Mexico the plant is highly regarded as a tonic to improve both the structure and function of the kidneys and the bladder.  Frequent consumption of horsetail tea during an acute urinary tract infection may decrease discomfort and burning sensations.  It is a safe tonic for chronic urinary conditions, and can help increase resistance to infection.
Horsetail contains more than 35% silica – a compound that helps to strengthen connective tissue including bones, cartilage, skin, hair, nails, mucus membranes and arteries.  Silica capsules derived directly from horsetail are available in health food stores.  I have known several menopausal women with hair loss that noticed an increase in hair growth from taking the capsules.  One friend sent horsetail to her uncle to help strengthen his kidneys.  Several months later he called her and asked what magic remedy she had been giving him… his receding hairline was filling in with new hair growth!  Homeopathic Silicea from horsetail is also used to rebuild strong connective tissue.

Horsetail Tea

Horsetail has a mild vegetable broth-like flavor.  Prepare a strong infusion with a large handful of herb per two to three cups of water. Steep 15 minutes to several hours.  Drink 2-3 cups a day on a regular basis.
horsetailtea2Horsetail combines well with other herbs.  A popular tea at the Northwest Indian Treatment Center is our Healthy Skin, Hair, Bones and Nails Tea.  It contains equal parts horsetail, red clover, stinging nettles and peppermint.  One heaping tablespoon of this mixture is steeped in a cup of boiled water for 15 minutes to several hours.  Delicious!
Horsetail is used cosmetically as a hair wash and a skin tonic.  Silica in the plant binds to hair or skin proteins and serves as a protector and strengthener.  The tea can be applied topically for recovering from sunburn or for poor quality skin with premature aging.

Hair rinse

Boil 6-8 cups of water in a pot.  Turn off heat, then add about a cup of dried horsetail to the hot water.   Let it cool to a warm temperature and then strain into a second pot or large bowl.  Compost the horsetail and bring the tea and the original pot to a sink or the bathtub.  Bend over and place the empty pot under your head.  Pour the tea over your hair.  If it is long, you can let it sit in the tea in the bowl beneath you.  Switch containers and pour the tea over your head several more times, then towel dry hair.  This rinse makes your hair feel silky and look shiny.

Now from ... http://vitalitymagazine.com/article/heavenly-horsetail/

CREATING A TINCTURE

Once harvested, the vegetative stalks of horsetail can be dried and used to make a tea, but it is preferable to make a tincture from the fresh herb as it loses much of its potency when dried. Within one to two hours of harvesting, chop the herb very fine and fill some bottles to the top. Then fill them up with a mixture of 30-40% alcohol with water. This will make approximately a 1:5 fresh horsetail tincture. The bottles should be stored in the dark and shaken once or twice per day for about a month. Then they can be left to sit for at least another two months. This three month period is the minimum amount of time to produce a good quality tincture. However, as long as the bottles are well sealed and stored in the dark they will keep almost indefinitely.
When you are ready to use it, shake the bottles a few times a day for a couple of days then press and filter their contents and you have a fresh horsetail tincture. Once the tincture is pressed it begins to degrade and should be used within six months to a year. You can extend the shelf life by storing it in several smaller bottles filled to the top and only using one bottle at a time until finished.
The dosage is three to five millilitres, three to four times per day for chronic conditions, six to eight times per day for acute conditions. Always take it on an empty stomach. The best time is 10-15 min. before meals and 30-60 min. before bed.

MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF HORSETAIL

Horsetail is an incredibly diverse herb. Applied externally as a poultice or compress it helps to stop bleeding or oozing, reduce inflammation and promote healing of wounds, rashes, bites and stings, and other inflammatory conditions of the skin. It has a similar effect on the mucous membranes of our body. Taken internally it helps heal inflammatory conditions of the digestive tract such as ulcers, gastritis, colitis and diverticulitis.
Being both a healing herb and an excellent source of the mineral silicon (in the form of silica which is silicon dioxide), horsetail helps to strengthen all of the tissues of our body in which silicon has an important structural role. This includes  skin, hair, nails, bones, cartilage, ligaments and tendons, lungs, blood and lymphatic vessels, and connective tissues. This is one application for which the tincture is not the most effective way to take the herb. For strengthening the silicon-rich tissues of the body it is more efficient to use the aqueous horsetail extract, available in capsules and tablets from several companies in health food stores, marketed as organic silica. Make sure you don’t buy capsules of ground up horsetail as these are practically useless. When using horsetail for this purpose its effectiveness can be enhanced by also supplementing a good quality vitamin C, preferably one combined with flavonoids (bioflavonoids, quercetin, rutin, etc.) and anthocyanins (extracts of grape seed, pine bark, bilberry or other berries).
Horsetail is an amazing herb for treating conditions of the cardiovascular system. It helps to improve circulation throughout the body and tone, heal, and reduce inflammation of our blood vessels. It can be used topically or internally to treat varicose veins and hemorrhoids. It can even be used to help treat more serious conditions of the blood vessels such as arteriosclerosis. This herb is also helpful for hemorrhaging, however, for any serious bleeding it should only be used as a temporary measure on the way to seek appropriate medical attention.
Horsetail is also one of our best herbs for treating conditions of the lymphatic system, such as lymphatic congestion, swollen lymph nodes and edema. Its strong lymphatic action and mild immune stimulating properties make it an excellent herb to combine with broad-spectrum immune stimulants such as purple coneflower root (Echinacea spp.), elecampane root (Inula helenium), plantain herb (Plantago spp.), boneset herb (Eupatorium perfoliatum) and elder flowers (Sambucus nigra) to boost our immune response and help treat infections.
Another area where horsetail really shines is in treatment of inflammatory conditions of the urinary tract and prostate, such as cystitis, nephritis, urethritis and prostatitis. It is also of some benefit for treatment of urinary stones. This herb, however, is not a strong antimicrobial. When these conditions are due to infection it is best to combine horsetail with other herbs that will specifically address the infection. Excellent examples include plantain herb, goldenseal rhizome (Hydrastis canadensis), pot marigold flowers (Calendula officinalis) and thyme herb (Thymus vulgaris). If you use goldenseal, make sure that the source is organically grown and not wild harvested, as this plant has been practically wiped out in the wild due to over harvesting.
Horsetail is a very detoxifying herb. It aids elimination of waste products and toxins from our tissues through its action on blood and lymph circulation, and aids their elimination from our body primarily through the kidneys and to a lesser extent through its influence on the skin and liver. It is an excellent herb for treatment of all manner of chronic inflammatory conditions such as gout, arthritis and other rheumatic conditions, fibromyalgia, acne, eczema and psoriasis.
The influence of horsetail on our nervous system is not often indicated in the herbal literature. It is mildly tranquilizing and can help to reduce minor stress and anxiety. It is also of some benefit for depression. However, the most significant influence of horsetail is on blood flow to the brain. As a result, it can help to improve memory and concentration and is beneficial for treatment of various kinds of dementia. In this context it’s synergistic with maidenhair tree leaf (Ginkgo biloba) and rosemary leaf (Rosmarinus officinalis).
When used correctly, common horsetail is a very safe herb. There is some evidence from animal research that one of its constituents can destroy thiamin (vitamin B1). This constituent seems to increase as horsetail matures, which is one of the reasons that we harvest the herb when it is relatively young. Although this effect has never been demonstrated when the herb is ingested by humans, it is prudent to observe some cautions when using horsetail just in case. In addition, consumption of large amounts of this herb can be a bit irritating to the kidneys. As a result, I don’t recommend use of horsetail by pregnant or nursing women, or for infants. It can be used on its own at full dose for a few weeks at a time, but for long-term use it is best that it not exceed 25% of a formulation.
- See more at: http://vitalitymagazine.com/article/heavenly-horsetail/#sthash.d5wEp10z.dpuf