(*The full version. My apologies!)
Our annual evergreen tree has in recent years become one of my favorite ways to bring the forest into our everyday lives. Any of our local firs can be used in these recipes. My favorite in flavor is the noble fir; White fir has that classic Christmas scent. I usually pick mine up at Little Red Schoolhouse in Naches, so I’m sure they’re fresh and not sprayed with weird stuff.
Mint and fir increase circulation. So whenever I get even the trace of a headache, I reach for this pick-me-up. It’s delicious with or without honey and just about any mints can be substituted for these.
Cascade Lift Tea Blend
1 part apple mint
1 part catmint
1 part noble fir needles
1 part green tea leaves
Cover and steep 7-10 minutes.
If I don’t have time for tea or the headache’s in full swing, I’ll grab this stimulating lip/headache balm and apply it to temples and lips.
4 oz apple mint & fir infused coconut oil
.5 oz shea butter
.5 oz beeswax
To infuse coconut oil: Place coconut oil in a jar and warm it in an open crockpot on lowest setting. Crush and add a few handfuls of dried apple mint to and fir needles to the jar. Allow it to infuse for 24-ish hours, replacing water when necessary. Strain, label and store in a glass jar. To make it extra strong, repeat gentle warming and cooling process a few times.
To make the balm, combine infused coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax in a jar and melt in a pan on the stove. When melted and combined, pour into tins, jars or lip balm tubes . For a product with a slightly lighter texture, cool to room temperature (but not yet fully hardened) and mix with blender. Pour before it hardens.
Invigorating Herbal Soak Sore muscles and joints will benefit from a soak in this invigorating bath tea. Make a strong hot infusion of dried herbs in a quart jar. Strain and add to a hot bath or foot bath.
1 part calendula
1 part comfrey
1 mullein leaf
1 part fir needles
1 part apple mint
Cough Syrup
Fir and pine both are used to treat respiratory ailments. For a quick, shelf-stable remedy, fill a jar half full of dried fir needles, culinary sage and rosemary. Cover completely with raw, local honey and set on a shelf to infuse for 2-4 weeks, ideally at 80ish degrees. Or submerge jar halfway in water and leave it on the WARM setting of your crock pot, uncovered, for 24-48 hours, replacing water if necessary. Strain and use by the spoonful as needed.
Notes & Offers:
Holly Shea Barrick, you are our December Mind Body Awareness session winner. Congrats! Please contact instructor Lynn Cosmos to learn what to expect, where to go, and when to arrive. (Email: lynncosmos@gmail.com; Phone: 509.452.2961)
Cottonwood Foray: Patrons (plus one guest) are invited to join us as we gather the cottonwood buds we use to make a Balm of Gilead pain salve. Learn identification, properties and preparation. When: Sunday, February 10, 2:00-3:30pm. Where: 210 Ehler Rd in Naches Heights. Led by Maria Jett. RSVP to yakimabeach@gmail.com.
