Elecampane: Medicine Making with herbalist, EagleSong Gardener

In this 15 minute video, you'll learn how to make elecampane honey, tincture and prepare root for drying with herbalist EagleSong Gardener. Health From the Ground Up in the kitchen at RavenCroft Garden.

[@soulspaces]

“An herbalist can never have too many baskets”. That explains a lot. I will tell my husband. I am going to be an herbalist someday.

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

Congratulations! Good luck with that piece of land! Stay in touch...

[@dawnrobertson3123]

Hello! I hope your well! Happy to have come across your wonderful video ! I appreciate the way you speak & work ! An herbalist i need to know! Love you used that grinder instead of a food processor! Collected a few during my 'flea market' days & will be looking for one packed away. Wondered about fresh vs dry for the honey & found the answer in comments. (Always read thru the comments & find more info) Hope to get it growing but dang...3 yrs till harvest ! No matter, will enjoy this spirit for what it is! Liked & subscribed.... Thank you so much for this & what you teach!

[@Sandy_Loam-088]

That’s the most informative video on processing the elecampane root in the kitchen. I’ve been looking for these demonstrations. TYVM

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

Thanks, Greg O, glad you found the video informative.

[@ceciliafuentes3299]

I have been drinking tea of elecampane when I am sick. Now I can do so much more.

[@srfeliciacrandall7243]

Where can I buy elecampane seeds or roots to grow in my garden?

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

Fedco Seed, Strictly Medicinals and/or a local herb nursery

[@cherichristenson7980]

I have been growing elecampane for 3 years now not really sure what to do with it. Your video has made it much less intimidating to process for the medicine cabinet. Thank you

[@kristiehhh3727]

Thanks for your video! Very informative! I’ve been looking for videos like this. I am new to growing my own medicinal herbs. It’s always been my dream to be an herbalist.

[@tonyasinner751]

That grinder!!!❤❤❤❤ I need to find one of those!!❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

a useful tool...my grandson loves to grind with it!

[@dkadwoa4114]

It wouldn't allow me to like...so i subscribed😂

[@shelleyandrus6820]

So glad I found your channel. So informative. Thank you.

[@soulspaces]

So beautiful thank you. You’re my new favorite resource.

[@PlantRelated]

Thank you❤

[@shimkonise357]

Thanks. Great video!

[@VerdantSoul]

Hi, thank you

[@olgakuchukov6981]

Great series on elecampane, thank you! I’ve watched each video several times. I’ve been familiar with the herb in a tincture bottle but have never grown it. Finally with a garden in so Vermont, I got 4 starts on a whim 3 years ago. What a plant! Those tropical looking leaves and the height. After thinking it was time to dig up some roots, I kept missing my opportunity until after multiple winter freezes a weeklong warmup loosened the soil and I dug up a plant that was in a bad spot overshadowed by a bunch of rowdy echinacea that decided to grow there, yesterday! January 2, 2022 (ha!) in Vermont. A lot to say about that but we learn to grow with the changing seasons. I’ve had quite the adventure learning more as I process the roots. A bottle of tincture, 2 batches of honey lozenges and a bunch drying, plus I’m drinking the tea of fresh root infusion and my kitchen counter and cutting board smell divine. It dropped into the teens overnight and a foot of snow is coming at the end of the week. I used the large hole left behind to heel in a big pot of strawberries, I’ve got 3 crowns full of pink buds that I’ll pot up to transplant in the spring and I’m thoroughly delighted that my past self was wise enough to plant elecampane in 2019 to have root ready for the malaise of the day. Guided by elves perhaps. Plus the seedheads are enjoyed by goldfinches and juncos (right now!) Thank you for covering all aspects of this wonderful plant. Happy New Year. 😊

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

You are so welcome, Olga. I love to hear when people take the information and make it real in their lives!

[@olgakuchukov6981]

@@eaglesonggardener1893 yes, you’re welcome and thank you! I got the feeling that you are genuine and love what you do and enjoy sharing the knowledge. As someone who shares these attributes, I know that being in relationship with the natural world, including all beings, flora, fauna, human, energetic, is an accurate portrayal of reality. Also reading thank you letters boosts your positive neural pathways. I was surprised to see how much more I learned from watching all 3 videos in the elecampane series as I watched them first before harvesting, then again mid-process and after. Thank you! Your efforts are very appreciated. I hope many visit your school. 🙏🏾🌼🌻

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

@@olgakuchukov6981 I'm glad the videos helped you get to know the elecampanes you're growing and working with.

[@TSis76]

@@eaglesonggardener1893 thank you!

[@ksierra4444]

My 4 year old was just diagnosed with asthma. I'm researching some more herbal treatments for her vs the typical steroid/inhaler. Especially since the pulmonologist wasn't 100% but she ended up in the ICU. Could you recommend a book or do you have any knowledge on using elacampane in someone so young for ongoing treatment of asthma?

[@stacysmith9404]

Is that a meat grinder or grain grinder? I love it!

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

meat grinder

[@1985lonestar]

When you infuse the elecampane in honey, it doesn’t ferment? Is it better to dry it first then add it to honey? Or is it better to add in honey when it is fresh? Thanks

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

I infuse fresh root into the honey. Keep it in a cool, dark place. Use at least 2 parts honey to one part elecampane. Too much plant and warmth may kick off a ferment. I haven't had fermentation be a problem, though.

[@somaalchemy1154]

Wow those roots are huge! How many Elacampane do you have on your Croft?

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

Several elecampane call RavenCroft Garden home. The large storage roots are happy in the heavy clay soils of the croft.

[@conniebrannen5504]

I ground my elecampane into powder. Can I still use it for a honey decotion or tea. ?

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

Give it a try, connie. Let us know what happens. Powdered herbs mixed with honey is a very old herbal preparation called an electuary. May provide a soothing effect for the throat during a cough.

[@ericmccann21]

I bought some seed for this plant and put it with my hyssop. I didn't know that it was edible. How much can one eat in a soup? How about stir fry?

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

eric, you can use elecampane to taste when making soup. It has a strong flavor.

[@lynelledehlbom9542]

How old does the elecampane need to be to dig up the roots? Can I replant a piece of root for next year? When can I harvest? It’s winter now, can I harvest once the ground thaws? What about the leaves and flowers? I harvested a bunch of those from my first year plants. Thank you!!!

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

Three years to harvest. yes, you can dig up a root for next year.

[@424smiles]

Can you make the Elecampane honey with dried roots vs. fresh roots?

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

The honey is best made with fresh root.

[@dawnrobertson3123]

Wondered that myself, guess now we know.

[@katyrogers]

LOVE this video, thank you! Is there anything stopping a slightly more modern gardener from using a food processor instead of a hand grinder? Also, how important is it to use specific parts of the root for different preparations? Thank you!

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

Hi Katy, You can use any tools you have access to to chop or grind the root. Play with the elecampane and see how the root informs you. You will be surprised how much you already know when you let go and connect with the plant.

[@katyrogers]

@@eaglesonggardener1893 thank you so much 🙏🏻❤

[@ilana8898]

Anyone know where to buy a hand grinder in Ontario Canada?

[@tombowen8091]

hello , at 6.06 the starch , should you drink the starch or not , I'm a little confused , thanks , tom.

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

The herbal preparation is an alcohol tincture of elecampane root. When it is pressed, the inulin goes into the tincture. The tincture is used 15-30 drops in water or tea at a time. Tinctures are not used for drinking.

[@tombowen8091]

@@eaglesonggardener1893 hi ya , thanks for your fast reply , almost there ..... so the inulin is (non) digestible but its good to have some , is that right ? ..... sorry for sounding dumb , it just sounded odd , have subscribed , now checking your other videos , many thanks , tom.

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

@@tombowen8091 yes, that is right. Thanks for subscribing. Enjoy...

[@konstantinusstoyanov9749]

Would you let me know, why are you using Vodka?

[@eaglesonggardener1893]

Vodka is used to extract & preserve the constituents in the elecampane root. It is easily accessible at a reasonable cost keeping herbal medicine people's medicine.

[@RitaMcCartt]

I believe the Vodka also helps preserve the tincture, making it last longer.