Apr
11
Apr
03
Chanchal was delighted to participate in this written interview about her journey as an herbalist, plants as teachers, the role of plants in oncology, and the future of herbal medicine. Thanks to Sarah Kirton at Mystic Mag for the opportunity and insightful questions!
Mar
18
Oh, nettles! Despised by the heedless, bare-ankled hiker, prized by the enthusiastic forager, and beloved by the herbalist, this plant is so much more than meets the eye, or the sting! The Ultimate Spring tonic The appearance of nettles on the forest floor is a sure sign that spring has... read more →
Mar
07
Join Chanchal in this 20-minute introduction to the art of infusions and decoctions for pleasure and healing. Optional: Download the notes and instructions below in PDF Format. "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." Hippocrates (460 - 370 BCE) Herbal teas are a perfect example of food/medicine... read more →
Sep
08
By BARB MARTOWSKI, guest writer and editor This past spring, I helped out in a garden centre for a few months and what an enjoyable time it was. One of the best things about the job was answering customer questions. Whether it was helping them select plants for certain zones... read more →
Aug
14
As a registered Botanical Garden, Innisfree is bound to a code of conduct that includes an agreement not to allow or encourage invasive plants. This entails a great deal of work for our garden crew who are regularly sweating hard to pull out thistles, brambles, and Scotch broom, the main... read more →
Aug
14
By Jules Burk, Guest Writer “A couple weeks ago, I had a head massage from Jules at Innisfree Farm and what a great surprise!!! The experience was super relaxing. I loved all the different movements that went along with the massage and the atmosphere was more than perfect. Jules is... read more →
Jul
23
By ALINA BAKER RHT, Guest Writer Plants have been cultivated for their medicinal value for thousands of years. In addition to their healing properties in humans, many make fantastic additions to the home or vegetable garden. In fact, you may already be growing some for other purposes - e.g. purple... read more →
Apr
14
When you think of foraging in the woods, most people look to the forest floor and low growing shrubs and bushes for food and medicinal plants. But there is so much more to be had! The next time you are out in the woods, why not look up? Look to... read more →
Jan
24
A new year, a new start. Like most people, I have been completely stay-at-home for two years now, although I will admit to feeling lucky that my home includes seven acres of gardens and backs onto a quarter million acres of forest and mountains, so nature has been my salvation... read more →
Dec
06
In the early 1980s I had the great good fortune to live and work in India for two years. During that time, I became enamoured with the sweet and spicy Chai tea, which was served in every roadside cafe and drunk by everybody throughout the day. How well I remember... read more →
Nov
16
Around this time last year, I posted a blog about some self care products to make at home for managing infections. A sore throat spray, a sinus inhalation and so on. Now we are one year deeper into this pandemic and beginning to understand it quite a bit better. Those... read more →