Folkways
by Maya Brown Zniewski
SPRING HERBS
A
fter a long winter spring comes,
with spring comes our renewal.
These wonderful tonic herbs
are perfect for recovery from winter.
Burdock: shamefully, burdock
burrs are thought of much the same
way as goathead burrs where they
grow wild. Burdock is only reminding
us of how much we need her. Burdock
is attaching to us the same way detri-
tus attaches to us over winter.
Burdock helps us reset all the winter
ick. You can wildcraft burdock and
dig the root. The root is a huge tap-
root that digs into the earth about 18
inches deep, some more, some less. It’s
a rough root to dig out, it might be
worth it to buy it for a few bucks at
your local health food store. I like dig-
ging it out so that’s what I do. Chop
about an inch of the root and make a
decoction, like a tea, but let it set for
longer, about half an hour.
Dandelion: yes, dandelion. That
wild yellow flower that grows every-
where. The roots are wonderful for a
spring tonic. Make a tea the same way
you do for Burdock. Dandelion is
high in potassium, sodium, vitamins
and minerals.
Try a mix of tonic spring herbs. I
like dandelion, burdock, nettles (you
can buy nettles in bulk at Blue Water)
and violets (the flower that grows in
grass. Yep. That loverly purple flower.)
Chop about an ounce of dandelion
roots, burdock roots, a handful of net-
tles and a small handful of violet flow-
ers. You can also add the dandelion
flowers if you want. Add all ingredi-
ents to about a quart of water and
simmer for about a half hour. You can
do this!
I have felt like I have a thickness
after winter. Sluggish and slow. I like a
chickweed tea or fresh chickweed in a
salad (great with violets that add a
peppery tang.)
Here are two muffin recipes. The
first one is a very traditional muffin
recipe, probably like any muffin
recipe you have already had. The sec-
ond one is more “hippie” food. I actu-
ally don’t eat almonds so I’ve never
tried the second recipe. Tell me what
you think of it.
Traditional muffin recipe:
Mix in bowl:
2 cups flour (I like 1 cup
whole wheat and 1 cup white.)
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup dandelion flowers
12 oz semi-sweet chocolate
Mix the dandelion flowers into
the flour with your hands, separating
the bigger clumps of petals.
Mix in another bowl:
1/4 cup oil
4 T honey
1 beaten egg
1 1/2 cups milk
Combine dry and
liquid ingredients. Stir
to moisten. It should
be lumpy. Spoon into
oiled muffin tins.
Bake at 400 degrees for
20-25 minutes until
toothpick
inserted
comes out clean (that
is the only way I know
to test if baked goods
are done, use whatever
way you wish). Let
cool in muffin pans.
This is more of an
earthy “hippy” recipe
and can be easily
adapted to your taste.
1 3/4 cups almond flour
1/4 cup flaxseed meal
1 cup grated coconut
3 eggs
1 cup melted coconut oil,
or any other kind of oil or
softened butter.
1 cup of grated zucchini or apple
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla, orange or
almond extract
As many dandelion tops as you
wish; about 15 is good. Mix the dan-
delion flowers into the flour with your
hands, separating the bigger clumps of
petals.
Mix all dry ingredients. Add eggs,
then grated zucchini or apple. Add
melted fat and vanilla, orange or
BEHIND EVERY PROJECT IS A
301 N. 5th ST
432-837-2061
MORRISON HARDWARE
SERVING ALPINE & THE BIG BEND SINCE 1928
ALPINE, TEXAS 79830
www.morrisonhardware.com
Photo courtesy wikimedia commons, 2009
almond extract. Mix all together and
add a little hot water if needed for
consistency.
Place muffin papers in tin and fill
muffin pans 3/4 full. Bake at 350ºF
for 25-30 minutes until toothpick
inserted comes out clean. Let cool in
muffin pans.
I drink nettle infusion daily.
Overnight I infuse nettles in a quart
mason jar. I add about two rounded
Tablespoons of nettles in a quart of
water, set over night and strain in the
morning, reserving the liquid and
composting the Nettles. The resulting
tea is green, fresh and wild tasting. A
pound of nettles should last a couple
of months, making this one very inex-
pensive way to build your strength
back up.
Escape
Massage & Bodywork
432-386-2284
Evenings and weekends only • Text for appointment
Gift certificates available
Elizabeth Malloy, Licensed Massage Therapist
906 E. Ave. B (Coggins Chiropractic) • Alpine
Cenizo
Second Quarter 2018
17