Walk With Us: Memoirs & Meanderings

Nancy Parsons found a recipe for apple pie when reading her morning newspaper in 1973. She often cut recipes from the local paper and popped them in a shoebox to try later, but this recipe was different. In her kitchen Nancy carefully followed the recipe instructions, completely unaware of the family treasure she was creating for the first time. She served a slice of her pie after dinner with a hot cup of coffee and her devoted husband, Bob, loved it...

My feet were placed on the green path before I was able to walk. I come from a long family line of healers, eclectics, homeopaths, apothecaries, snake oil makers, and herbalists. A single branch from this wide family tree shows a rich history of herbalism and medicine in America.

Yesterday, something extraordinary happened at our school, the Green Path Academy: School of Herbalism, where 11 radiant souls who chose to walk the year-long path of herbalism with us just graduated! This moment is everything.

To our graduates: your warmth, curiosity, compassion, and dedication have woven into our lives in ways words can hardly capture.

You may have noticed, there are a few common herbal products you will not find for sale at Woodland Herbal. Our family is devoted to making wholesome and natural wellness products. As much as we would love to offer shampoo, conditioner, rinses, lotions, and hand cream, there is no shelf stable recipe that doesn't contain harmful chemicals. We are quite capable of creating an array of these recipes and would love to share them.

Our family has been walking the green path for many generations, following in the footsteps of our elders who came before, who always reached a hand behind them to lead the next in line. We feel it is our turn to reach out a hand, not only to the next generation, but to members of our community who are ready to place their own feet on the green path. Walk with us.

The Green Path Academy: School of Herbalism started with the earnest desire...

As the wheel of the year turns once again to spring, it is time to appreciate the bounty waiting for us in our backyards! April brings new, fresh, and tasty plants patiently waiting to share their wonders with us.

My family and I had the great honor of participating in the Coshocton, Ohio Herb Society's biannual herb fair this week. Along with my "lovely assistant," Brandon, I shared a little about a few of our local plant allies...

Herbalism is a subject so vast; I know I will spend my entire life learning and still only understand very little. While I find this idea incredible and exciting, it can be very overwhelming for a person who is just starting on their herbal journey. Where do you begin?

One of the best ways to learn is by teaching. Yes, I know that sounds crazy, but hear me out:

Go to your local library and borrow plant...

Have you ever wondered what Woodland Herbal product is perfect for you based on your Zodiac sign?

Are you a firey Aries? A creative Pieces? A fierce scorpio? Find your zodiac sign and see what Woodland Herbal product is perfect for your personality. Need a birthday gift for a friend? Use our chart to find a gift best suited to them. Let's have some fun today!

In our family, we are very fortunate to have several generations to learn from, spend time with, and love. My Grandma, Patricia, is the most wonderful woman. The feisty octogenarian has spent her life working hard at her career, tending a farm, raising children, gardening, and volunteering for local organizations. Now retired, grandma is a self proclaimed "Lady of Leisure." When I first heard her say that, I pictured a Jane Austin heroine sprawled on an overstuffed sofa with a book in hand and surrounded by chocolates and steaming mugs of tea. Turns out, that was exactly what she meant. Just when...

Hint- In cooking, herbs are meant to be used to enhance your dish, not dominate it.

Tip- As guests arrive for a visit, the first thing you will hear as they enter your home is what a wonderful aroma. Cooking with herbs enhances the aroma, but if you’re not cooking that day, try heating up a small saucepan. Add two cups water, two cinnamon sticks, a teaspoon of whole clove, a piece of orange peel, a pinch of lemon balm or verbena, or any other herb that makes you happy. Heat to a boil, reduce heat to a low simmer and simmer for 20 minutes. Turn off heat and allow to cool on the stove. Your house will smell fabulous, and welcoming to others.

My herbal journey began early, as I am the daughter of Barb Keith, a wonderful culinary herbalist. You can learn more about Barb in Cooking with Mama, an earlier article. My family is the result of hundreds of years of tonic inventing, hospital building, apothecary owning, plant loving, healer ancestors.

While my mama's passion is cooking and creating amazing herbal dishes, I am drawn to the healing properties of plants. When in school, I remember classmates asking if I knew a plant that could help a sick belly, a headache, a bruise. I would rush home and pull mama's herbals from the shelf, and before long I knew the answers to their inquiries.