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[Bevanron <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

A friend gave me a few copies of Body+Soul magazine, and I am thoroughly
enjoying them!  In the December 2005 issue, there is a How To article
called "Making Your Own Winter Remedies".  Much is basic information,
but would be a great resource for anyone just starting out with
tinctures and the recipes include plants that are widespread throughout
the country(elderberry, echinacea, yarrow, cherry, etc.) or that are
easily cultivated (lemon balm) or readily available in stores (tumeric
and ginger).  I would be happy to scan in the article, with pictures,
and email the jpgs to anyone interested as I don't think I can post it
to the group on this list.
This morning, I have been out collecting bark from wild cherry trees.
I'm a bit nervous about it as I am not exactly sure what type of "wild
cherry" I'm supposed to have for the recipe.  I'm not sure it makes a
difference whether the cherry is a pin cherry, black cherry,
chokecherry, or whatever.  It would all seem to be pretty similar to me,
all in the rose family and prunus species, all containing bitter and
poisonous hydrocyanic acid.  I am taking a lunch break and pulling out
all of my books trying to determine which cherry bark would have the
most medicinal powers and the least chance of toxicity.  We have quite a
few different kinds of "wild" cherry trees on the property, as well as
some garden cultivars like Montmorency and bush cherries like Hansens....
If anyone can shed some light in my direction on this one, and save me
from all that researching, I'd appreciate it.
It's a cherry day. :)

Bev
--
erthnsky AT bellsouth.net  BevanRon of EarthNSky Farm      NW Georgia USDA Zone 7
34.498N 85.076W