Joanne Bauman

Sweet spicy Monarda (Monarda fistulosa and sp.)  also known as Bee Balm, Sweet Leaf, Red Oswego (red monarda didyma) blooms late June through August, depending upon where you live. In my state, Kansas, early July is the perfect time of year for monarda to be in bloom, because I think the tubular flower appearance resembles […]

Apothecary museums  featuring herbal remedies, such as the Stabler-Leadbeater in Alexandria,VA ,  are near and dear to my herbal heart. I hope you enjoy their apothecary video tour and find it as fascinating as I do. My father was a pharmacist of 50 years (from 1930’s to 1970’s). Before the advent of over-the-counter commercial products, […]

Image of Black cohosh flowering.  https://www.unitedplantsavers.org/species-at-risk For the benefit of the plant communities, wild animals, harvesters, farmers, consumers, manufacturers, retailers and practitioners, we offer this list of wild medicinal plants which we feel are currently most sensitive to the impact of human activities. Our intent is to assure the increasing abundance of the medicinal plants […]

With my abundance of elder in flower in June, I always devote some harvest for this delicious summer drink. Like lemonade, fizzy, with elderflower taste obviously. Once friends taste it, they want gallons the next year. Pick your elderflowers at peak when they bloom out and smell so fragrant. Remember not to cut all the […]

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca) All mints (Lamiaceae or Labiatae, as they were formerly called) have three features in common: square stems, rolling the stem between the fingers to feel the four sides opposite leaves—each pair of leaves emerges from the same level, on opposite sides of the stem “lipped” flowers—blossoms shaped like open mouths, the upper […]

Driving through the Flint Hills, the smoke from Spring prairie burns is thick and lingering. The foggy haze engulfs Kansas this time of year, coupled with dry condition wildfires and wind. Our respiratory systems become under assault with this noxious stimulant and can trigger allergic type reactions, irritation and damage to sensitive mucosa. Coughing, bronchial […]

Ground ivy (Glechoma) is a balsamic mint (Lamiaceae) springing up to carpet yards this time of year.  It’s a creeping plant with tiny, roundish leaves and  purple lipped flowers . Gather leaves, flowers and stems, which can be dried for later herb use or alcohol extracted (tinctured).  Reportedly, it is said to be one of […]