Here's how I fell in love with Alfalfa. One time, in crop class, I was taking notes from Dr. Cluff and he was going on and on about forbs and fodder and then he went off on a tangent about his beloved alfalfa; going into how this delicate little legume sends its roots down 30, 40, even 100 feet into the earth, drinking up those deep down impossible to reach minerals. I didn't believe him. I thought no way. How in the world does a two foot tall purpley bean pole have super plant strength? He explained it better than I could, but they do. And they do it well!

You see, because alfalfa has invisible super strength and an unusual extensive root system that can reach really far into even the hardest soil, it has the ability to absorb, pull up and extract more vitamins and minerals than the average plant, further giving credentials to its title as, "The king of all foods." And not only does alfalfa contain a full spectrum of important vitamins, but it is also loaded with extremely important minerals such as biotin, calcium, folic acid, iron, magnesium, potassium, and many others. Plus it's super high in chlorophyll and protein especially when dried.

And then once I met this stud in person, I was hooked. He's a charmer. He's energizing. He's detoxifying and balancing and oh so friendly. He's handsome in the garden and will come back every year. He's a keeper. I'll tell you, he is still and has been for over fifteen years, one of my closest herbal allies. And should be yours too.

Can't sleep? Bitters....get some bitters! Or eat the bitters. Remember: the liver likes it when we’re asleep from 1-3, so make it happy! According to TCM, the liver filters all our blood through the night, especially between 1-3 am (when we're asleep) and it's working hard. A weak or congested liver means that it has to struggle through the night often producing hot flashes during this time and effecting our sleep. Poor quality sleep, difficulty falling asleep, tossing and turning, waking up easily, can't sleep at all, waking unrested; these are often the result of a sluggish liver. You see, the body’s qi and blood pass through and nurtures each organ system throughout the day and night. During the day when the body is active, blood flows to the tendons and muscles and then returns to the organs at night. Different times of night have a greater impact on different organs, like the liver between 1-3 am, and blood and qi are strongest in the liver organ and its meridians at this time when a significant portion of detoxification, regulation and nourishment is happening. If a person wakes or has some unusual symptoms at the same time every day, it is probable that there is an imbalance in the organ system that is highlighted at that particular time of day. Like waking up every night between 1-3 am. We know that sleeping during this time is critical for the liver to be able to function normally. And a good functioning liver is a lover of the bitters. They really like the bitters. So make friends with those dandelions, chicory and mustard greens or any other bitter greens and the thistles and docks, because they will help you and your liver stop looking at the clocks!

Our thoughts, our emotions, intentions, choices, actions... they are all made up of energy, and that energy contributes to our vibrational state. To our health and to our well-being. To how we feel inside and outside. It is said that we humans are able to consciously control these vibrations within ourselves by cultivating habits that contribute to our emotional health and strength, and by doing so, our vibration is raised. You know, everything in the universe, from the teeniest molecules to the most complex living beings has an optimal rate of vibration to keep it healthy, and our modern lifestyles are really good at throwing us through the ringers and squeezing our vibrations right out of us. Like juice, our life force gets sucked dry. Leaving us in emotional conflict. But, we can change this with constructive, creative, and expansive thoughts and affirmative activities that leave us feeling joyous, appreciative, loving, and peaceful. These emotions help balance and raise these good vibrations. We know that we’ve reached a high vibrational state when we feel good and when we feel aligned with everything around us. And when we reach a high vibrational level, we are whole. We are brilliant. We are healthy, and we are able, then, to pass this vibration on. 

High Vibration is a mood enhancing and nerve restorative tonic to help balance us through life's emotional crazies with calm and peace of mind. And while challenge, conflict and crisis may be inevitable in our lives, what matters most are our attitudes and beliefs we adopt; the decision-making and communication skills we utilize; and the ability and willingness to make healthful, positive choices when these challenges arise. It’s the perfect tonic to help balance over stressed or overwhelmed emotions, help lift our vibration when sad or uninspired and bring balance where it’s needed. Just a little something to get our vibration moving in the right direction. 
Find these available here: http://www.morganbotanicals.com/j15/herbal-products.html?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=325&category_id=17

Handmade with bright energy, pure spring water, grain alcohol, homegrown St John’s Wort, Motherwort and Lemon Balm, and organic Linden, Lemon Verbena, Lemongrass, Lemon Peel and wildgathered Rosehip infused honey. Take 1 dropperful in a small amount of water to support a happy vibration.

You know, sometimes the hardest part about being a herbalist; a healer: is watching people poison themselves with food, swallow sickly emotion, feed off the negatives of life, complain without action, cling to ridiculous habits, be a prisoner of their own small thoughts and live in such fear of change. Change is hard. But it's only hard because we say it's hard. It's not hard. What's hard is to say it's their path not mine... and watch them live in their burdens. That's the hardest part. 

Waste areas, roadsides, and meadows...my gardens, that's where you'll see the Tansy Fairy. My common 'vulgare' friend and her petal-less humble yellow buttons with tattered leaves and pungent humor have adorned many of my gardens and roaming paths since I could remember. And she always will. Because she's immortal. She's tall, strong, feisty and youthful.....and sometimes very pushy.  She goes where she wants. She spreads out and leaves a trail.  She tells it like it is. She magical and likes to mingle....and her clean, camphorous scent has followed me to all of my gardens. And to my neighbors.

I must say, Ol' Bitter Buttons is one of my favorite plant fairies to have around, as she likes to live amongst the humorous Cucurbits, you know, the cucumbers the squash, those juicy melons and those gourds. Oh and the feisty bramble: those roses and the berries because of course she gets along well with the thorns and the prickles. They are best of friends. Companions really. She likes to play with the bees and the caterpillars and tell them all her stories, but if you watch, she's quite snotty to the ants and beetles and squash bugs, oh and the flies....oh well. We cant get along well with everybody now can we?