As far as simples and formulas I suggest you look at my recent post on just this subject: http://bearmedicineherbals.com/?p=568

And as to using herbs at different times of day for different things, you usually don’t need to worry about that too much if you’re choosing appropriate herbs for the person (as in, they’ll all go together to treat the whole you rather than contraindicating each other if you’re choosing carefully).

Hope that’s helpful.

I’ve been enjoying your herbal knowledge, and uplifting essays and photos! I think I’m starting to get the hang of your extensive website; have hopped around, sampling bits of this and that, hungry to learn. 1.) Where do I go to unravel the mystery of terms such as hot/cold/dry/wet constitutions and conditions? 2.) Also, I’ve been enjoying the Joyce Wardwell book you recommended. I’ve been experimenting with different simples, but am confused about figuring out what and how to combine (or not) different herbs when I want to address more than one condition in the course of a day. Is there a place on this website to help get me on the right track?

Yep, it’s true, some Peach trees definitely seem to be more powerful than others. The good thing is that it’s easy to tell who’s who. If the bark and leaves smell at least moderately, then they’ll probably be very good medicine. If they have almost no smell, then it’ll probably work but be really mild. Sounds like your tree is likely to be a good one, since most of the mild trees I’ve met are garden spoiled and overwatered while my favorite tree is rather abused and neglected by the landowners (who could care less about plants, even peach trees).

I’m so glad to hear that the rose vinegar helped your little one, it’s so awful when they’re in the pain that way! Rose is amazing, I don’t know what I’d do without that plant! You’re very welcome, I love it when my experience can help others.

Second, I wanted to share a rose story. After reading here last year your feelings on rose, and its usefulness in sunburn, I made a vinegar/rose solution and a tincture. (We have tons of wild rose right nearby, luckily). My little boy (who was 3 at the time) got into my hanging/ drying hot Basque peppers one day late last summer and started peeling them, taking them apart, etc, then went out to pee, and ended up totally burned on his hands AND his poor little private parts. He screamed for quite a while… until I got out the rose and put a washrag soaked in rose vinegar on him. He instantly quieted down and fell asleep! Literally, within 5 minutes , the burn crisis was over. (So, once again, thank you).

You can gather Peach twigs any time of year, but I especially like them in later winter or in early spring when they’re in blossom (and I tincture the flowers too). The leaves are wonderful for tea too and can be gathered any time after they mature

Corn silk is a lovely herb, and very soothing, but if you have a serious infection something like Beebalm is much more appropriate (and will often work better than a course of antibiotics in many cases), although the best herb depends on your symptoms and constitution. And stay hydrated! Even if you have to find a bush to pee behind

I would like to add on the UTI’s for traveling. This past summer my husband and I traveled to Sweden. I had gotten a very bad urinary tract infection and had to endure it for one and a half weeks. I never anticipated anything like that before but because we were traveling with a huge group of family, I didn’t hydrate myself enough for fear of having to frequently use the restroom, which seem to be always occupied. When we got home, I took some tincture of corn silk. It helped to alleviate a lot of the symptoms, but unfortunately by the time I finally took care of the problem, I ended up having to take antiobiotics. I’m glad that you wrote about the first aid kit for traveling. It’s very important to remember.

I agree jim, although there are times that Peach can perform miracles on its own that Plantain can’t replicate by itself. I do prefer both together though and since you first introduced me to Peach I”ve done the Peach tincture on Plantain poultice many a time.

Thanks for reading, Rose!

Peach is SUCH a lovely herb, I’m so glad the trees are fairly common yard plants in this area.

Wonderful post.
Love,
Ananda