Herb of The Month
Rhubarb
I am very interested in geneology and learning about my ancestors. I have an aunt that is almost 70 and she has lots of memories of my great grandmother and my great, great grandmother. I call her and interview her quite often so I can get my ancestor stories in my bones. When we talk about my great grandmother Sarah Trefren, the first thing my aunt says is “She made the best rhubarb pie, I loved her rhubarb pies, nobody makes good rhubarb pies anymore!”
Lots of old timers used to make rhubarb pie and its true you don’t go to many pot lucks where someone has made a rhubarb pie. Maybe one of the reasons they made that pie is because it is so easy to grow and when there weren’t any other fruits ripe you could still harvest rhubarb. Did you know that rhubarb has inspired a number of festivals around the world? In England they hold an annual rhubarb championship.
Rhubarb enhances gall bladder function and helps to heal gastrointestinal inflammation. It helps with constipation, liver function and heals malabsorption. Rhubarb is historically used as a blood builder and blood cleanser.
Any thing that tastes bitter helps to enhance digestion. The bitter taste in rhubarb, increases the flow of saliva, digestive enzymes, bile for emulsifying fats and all of the other juices throughout the digestive tract.
Rhubarb is a very gently laxative that also strengthens and tones the colon. It helps to eliminate hemorrhoid problems, encourages the healing of ulcers and improves gall bladder function. All of this means that you digest your food better and eliminate waste more efficiently. I talk about the value of digestion a lot because basically what it means is that you have to spend less of your daily energy on digestion therefore you have more vitality at the end of the day to do what you love. Your body can spend up to 50% of your daily energy on digestion. If you use herbs to support it, then you free up more of your daily energy to live your life with more passion!
Rhubarb ginger crisp
4 cups chopped rhubarb
1 cup honey
¾ cup flour
Topping
¾ cup flour
1 stick butter
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon ginger
¾ cup oatmeal
½ cup honey
Chop rhubarb into small pieces, cover with honey for one hour then add flour. Put into buttered dish and top with topping. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes
Orange rhubarb muffins
First mix together:
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup chopped walnuts
¼ cup dried cranberries
Mix separately and then add these ingredients to previous ones
½ cup honey
1 egg
¼ cup hemp or coconut oil
1 tablespoon grated orange peel
¾ cup orange juice
1 ¼ cup finely chopped rhubarb
Mix together, put into buttered muffin pan and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes
Rhubarb Mint Compote
¼ cup water
¼ cup red wine
½ cup sugar
2 cups finely chopped rhubarb
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup fresh raspberries or strawberries
5 sprigs fresh peppermint of spearmint
In a saucepan bring the first five ingredients to a boil. Turn down to a simmer and let simmer for fifteen minutes until rhubarb is tender. Turn off heat, stir in berries and mint.
Herb of the Month by Kami McBride
Kami is a sixth generation resident of the Putah Creek bio-region and a deep relationship with the Earth is at the heart of her herbal practice. Her love for the plants was inspired by her Grandfather John McBride who was Vacaville’s first Parks and Recreation Director. Before it was popular he worked to save open space and preserve the creeks and trees. Growing up in the passion of his life’s work Kami learned a deep love and respect for the earth.
Kami McBride has taught herbal medicine and women’s health since 1988. Through her classes and personal wellness consultations with clients, Kami helps people understand how whole food and herbal medicine is an important aspect of everyone’s preventive health care plan. Your food is your first medicine. With her extensive knowledge of whole foods and healing plants Kami has helped thousands of people learn to use food and herbs in their daily lives in ways that are healthy, safe and fun.
Kami teaches experiential earth awareness and herbal studies classes at her school and herb gardens in Vacaville, California.
For a schedule of classes and workshops, Kami can be reached at 707-446-1290 or
www.livingawareness.com
P.O. Box 5381
Vacaville, CA 95696
707 -446-1290