One of the best ways to teach kids about herbs is to get out and visit the plants themselves. It is amazing how many medicinal plants grow right under our feet! One of our favorite activities is to pack up some art supplies (colored pencils and sketch pads) and head outdoors for some art journaling fun. We usually just head…
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Plant Identification Cards
One of the foundational elements of learning herbal medicine is knowing the plants. When we develop an intimate knowledge of the plants, we are better able to choose the best plant for the job. I created plant identification cards for my children to color and attach to a metal ring. They can easily flip through the flashcards and read the…
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Binomial Nomenclature: What is it and why is it important?
From before the time of Christ when Latin was the literary language in Europe, botanists have attempted to both classify and name plants in a way that both organizes the plants and describes the nature of the plant. It wasn’t until the mid-1700’s that a Swedish botanist by the name of Carl Linnaeus simplified and developed a universal system of…
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Herbal Terminology: Organoleptic Assessment
This week I received a package of herbs in the mail. From the moment I opened the box the smell of herbs filled the room. The minty freshness of peppermint was the most prevalent, but after looking through the bags I could also smell chamomile, elderberries, and sweet spices in the chai tea. This is how you know you have…
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