Za’atar
Add a bit of Middle Eastern flare to your culinary creations with za’atar, a distinctive and complex spice blend that is both aromatic and savory, with yummy hints of tanginess and nuttiness.
Library of Herbal Monographs
While the science behind herbal medicine continues to evolve, the ancient art of healing with plants remains a testament to the enduring connection between humans and the natural world. By deepening our understanding of these powerful botanical allies, we empower ourselves to take charge of our own health. Materia Medica is a Latin term for the body of collected knowledge about the therapeutic properties of any substance used for healing — in this case herbs. This list is a living document of herbal monographs that I update regularly. ♥
Bella Limone Homemade Italian Dressing Mix
Anyone who’s been following Redheaded Herbalist for a minute, knows I’m a big fan of creating my own spice blends and dry mixes. All too often, commercial mixes come with a hefty price tag for what you get (not to mention a list of unpronounceable ingredients and additives). This Italian dressing mix is another kitchen staple that I’ve been making for a long time. It’s a lovely blend of traditional Italian herbs with just a touch of heat and a twist of dried lemon peel. Obviously, we use it to make a quick vinaigrette for leafy or pasta salads, but it also has tons of uses outside the salad bowl.
Better than “Jiffy” Cornbread Mix
This cleaned-up copycat cornbread mix is so easy to whip up in advance and store in a jar in the refrigerator until needed. Toss some vegetables in it for a quick breading (my Texas-born husband is crazy about pan fried okra!) or combine the mix with an egg and buttermilk, and you’ve got yourself a fast and easy cornbread, corn muffins, corn casserole or cornmeal fritters. The sky’s the limit!
Dabbling with Dragon’s Blood
Dragon’s blood is a plant resin that’s been used for various purposes — including skincare — for centuries. From Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) as far back as the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) to Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder to modern day, dragon’s blood has been employed for its medicinal properties.
When Life Gives You Sumac… Make Sumac Pink Lemonade
Let’s make some super-easy sumac pink lemonade! A cold-water infusion of the ripe berries produces a nutritious and refreshing lemon-like beverage known as “sumac-ade” or “poor man’s lemonade.”
Mint-Infused Honey (Plus a Mocktail Recipe!)
There’s nothing quite like fresh mint. It’s chock full of benefits all by itself, but paired with raw honey it becomes a therapeutic (and delicious) powerhouse!
Spicy Szechuan Chili Crisp
Calling all spicy food lovers! I adore spicy foods. There’s something about it that makes me feel vital and alive. Besides being positively addicting, capsaicin — the constituent in chili peppers that makes them spicy — confers a number of health benefits.
Allow me to introduce you to your new culinary best friend: Spicy Chili Crisp.
Honey-Mint Lip Butter
I’m one of those weird people who insists on having about 47 chapsticks or lip balms in strategic places around the house. And in the car, in my desk, in multiple purses, my gym bag, my pocket, melted in the dryer (oops)…
Mineral Enriched Tallow Deodorant (That Works)
Over the years, I’ve also tried many (so, so many) recipes for homemade deodorants, including Milk of Magnesia, magnesium oil sprays and even Desitin with varying degrees of mediocre success. They just didn’t work for me, and I always gave up and reluctantly went crawling back to my commercial antiperspirant… until the injustice of being forced to use a toxic product made me angry enough to try again. Rinse and repeat.
So why worry so much about finding a quote-unquote “natural” hippy-dippy deodorant?
