This spring has been abundant with heavy rain and warm humid days, typical of the temperate rain forest environment of the Cumberland Plateau This means nature blesses us with plenty of fresh mushroom and fungi growth, especially deep within the forests, where rushing rivers and old growth eastern hemlock trees flourish. I'm so grateful to harvest and gather some of the forests most potent medicine: eastern hemlock reishi; the queen of mushrooms; scientifically named Ganoderma Tsugae. It's native to the eastern US, and is an increasingly rare fungi as eastern hemlock forests are dying off due to foreign insect infestation. This mushroom holds special and unique medicine, ancient, dense, and valued for it's healing and nourishing effects on the body and mind. Being intensely bitter, reishi supports digestion + liver health and function. Reishi also carries immune modulating effects, helping to stimulate or lower immune function based on the bodies unique needs at the given moment. It helps our body regulate/adapt to stress, balances blood sugar, supports quality sleep, and is now being studied for it's high antioxidant content- along with its polysaccharides and triterpenes - to be an effective anti-histamine, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor! I'm excited to see what else this gorgeous mushroom is being studied for. To learn about the conservation efforts by the TWA visit https://twrf.net/tennessee-hemlock-conservation-partnership/ To purchase my dual extracted medicinal mushroom extract called Shroom Boost (made with wild gathered reishi, turkey tail, and lions mane mushrooms), Visit the link below! Shroom Boost Dual Extraction Tincture
$15.00 - $50.00
This combo of lions mane, reishi, and turkey tail mushrooms makes for an incredible health tonic! Let's boost vitality, energy, mood, and help rejuvenate the body as a whole shall we? This tincture can be excellent for: -Autoimmune conditions like crohns disease, multiple sclerosis, etc. -Building strong immunity -Boosting brain & cognitive function. It literally encourages new brain cell growth! -Nourishes and repairs gut health -Supports the immune system through cancer treatment -Helps the body deal more easily deal with stress and anxiety -Lowers chronic inflammation -Chronic fatigue syndrome -Supports cardiovascular system -Helps treat a wide range of infections -Encourages blood flow and oxygenation ****How it's Made**** This medicine was made via a dual extraction method, consisting of an alcohol extraction followed by a decoction (hot water) extraction.This method ensures you are receiving maximum potency as medicinal mushrooms contain very complex compounds. *****Dosage***** It is recommended to consume 1-2 dropperfuls daily directly under the tongue. Alternatively, it can be diluted in water, juice, or tea. Ingredients: wild turkey tail mushroom, wild reishi mushroom, organic lions mane mushroom, vodka, water, and LOVE! https://www.myceliumsociety.com/2021/05/17/lions-mane-health-benefits-for-your-body-and-brain.html
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After multiple failed attempts (more like 4-5, haha!) I finally made the perfect creamy and thick mayo. It's seed oil free so no inflammatory toxic fats here! Follow these directions precisely and you'll have the perfect mayo too :) Ingredients: 1 cup room temperature avocado oil 1 teaspoon mustard 1 ROOM TEMPERATURE egg (this is important. Do not use a COLD egg!) A few pinches of salt 1 tablespoon lemon juice or 1 tsp vinegar Combine all ingredients in a 16 ounce wild mouth mason jar. Place your immersion blender at the bottom of the jar and slowly start pulsing the blender a few times until you start to see a mayo-like mixture forming at the bottom. SLOWLY and gradually, lift up the blender as the mixture emulsifies and thickens. Once it is all mixed and you don’t see any unthickened oil, you're done! Cap tightly and refrigerate for up to 5 days. My favorite ways to use this is on sandwiches and for tuna/sardine salad :)
This method of gardening intrigued me after seeing several documentaries about this approach, a few being Back To Eden and Kiss The Ground. Here is a great A great basic explanation of regenerative permaculture: "A holistic design system that goes beyond sustainability to actively restore degraded ecosystems, rebuild soil, and enhance biodiversity while producing food. It integrates ecological principles—like working with nature, diversity, and closing loops—to create self-sustaining systems. It is often applied through techniques like no-till and food forests I started with a basic layer of cardboard spread out across my garden rows, then I layered on manure, soil, mulch, compost, last years weeds and dried stalks crumbled up and spread throughout, chicken + duck waste, and hay. All this variety of decomposable materials help build the nutrient density of the soil! There are quite a few benefits to gardening like this so it's impossible to list them all, but here a few that convinced me to give it a try!
Below are a few beginning photos + pics of this same garden space last year. I have herbs scattered throughout that are thriving now that they've had a few years to get established! I'm also making comfrey compost tea because it is super mineral dense and serves as an excellent fertilizer! Also I just love the comfrey blooms, they are just soooo pretty (pic below). I'll continue to document my garden progress the rest of the season. Keep up with me on social media if you're interested in following along :) I was extremely ill a few years ago and was unable to eat for several months due to gallstones. I almost had my gallbladder removed but I was determined to try to naturally dissolve and cleanse the gallstones, despite the doctors telling me it was not possible. I had two gallbladder ultrasounds, one before the cleanses then after. The gallstones (evident in the photos ) were gone in the 2nd ultrasound! :) Along with making diet changes, here are the 3 main things I did that cleansed gallstones and healed my gallbladder: 1. I did this cleanse twice! It is intense, but it works! https://www.ambersnaturalnutrition.com/the-amazing-liver-and-gallbladder-flush/ 3. I also took digestive enzyme capsules twice a day with meals This adds some extra enzymes while your gut is being repaired. I used the Mercola brand but there are many other brands that have excellent digestive enzymes 3. I created an herbal extract called Digest + Detox that I took 3 times/ day with meals This helps stimulate digestive enzymes, bile, and all the digestive juices that help break down food and break down + dissolve gallstones and sludge. These herbs help immensely especially if you've already had your gallbladder removed! (This extract is handmade by me, with a blend of 4 wild harvested roots) (additional benefits of this blend is liver detoxification, blood sugar balance, repairing gut health, anti-inflammatory, blood purifying, helps heal chronic skin conditions like eczema) (DISCLAIMER: always talk to your doctor about what's best for you. This is not a recommendation, just what worked for me!) Love, Marla Digest and Detox Herbal Tincture
$15.00
Only a few left! Digest and Detox Herbal Tincture This medicine is helpful if: -you lack the gut support to properly and comfortably digest food. You have bloating, abnormal poops, or other uncomfortable digestive issues -you have psoriasis, eczema, acne, or other chronic skin issues -You're dealing with liver and/or gallbladder stagnation, hormone imbalances (especially reproductive related like endometriosis), and auto immune conditions -You need to encourage lymphatic flow, detoxification, & bowel cleansing -You need to address an internal or external infection -You have an overgrowth of parasites that need detoxification -You are chronically fatigued, feeling under the weather, or have mood swings Ingredients: Ginger root*, dandelion root*, yellow dock root*, oregon grape root*, alcohol, and LOVE! *Indicates wild harvested, homegrown, or Certified Organic! 1 fluid ounce, packaged in amber glass dropper bottle HOW TO USE: Consume 1-2 dropperfuls on the tongue 1-2 times daily or before meals. If the taste is too strong, dilute in a bit of water or juice! **NOTE: I have a very limited stock available. Once they are out of stock, it will not be available again until fall.
 You don't need super expensive skin care products for beautiful glowing skin! In fact, fresh simple ingredients are often more nutrient dense than those jars that sit on the shelf with a high price tag. This facial mask helps gently exfoliate, nourishes dryness, and can lighten pigmentation over time. This application leaves my skin feeling supple, soft, and silky! How To: 1 tablespoon plain yogurt 1 egg yolk 1/2 dropperful of my Flower Power Facial Serum (or other light oil like jojoba or almond) Combine all ingredients well in a small bowl. Apply with the pads of your fingers or a brush. Apply in as thick of a layer as possible. Allow to dry, then remove with a warm towel. Apply a thin layer of serum and you're done :) (PS you can grab my Flower Power Facial Serum below!) I hope you try this, and please tag me if you do! Love, Marla  Yellow dock root is loaded with minerals including iron, and is an excellent herbal creation for increasing our overall mineral content, stimulating liver and gallbladder function, and improving overall digestion! Yellow Dock Iron Syrup Ingredients -1/2 cup yellow dock root -Optional: 1/4 cup other herbs to add in for extra medicinal benefit (dandelion root, ginger root, and/or cinnamon) -3 cups filtered water -1 cup organic black strap molasses How To I prefer to allow my roots to dry out a bit for a day or so. Combine all herbs and 3 cups of water in a large pot. Bring to a boil then simmer until the liquid has reduced by half, about 1.5 cups. (This should take 1-2 hours. Add a bit more water if you end up with less than 1.5 cups). Thoroughly strain out your plant material through a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or other thin linen cloth. Combine 1.5 cups strained liquid with molasses. Mix well until combined. Store refrigerated in a tightly sealed glass jar and use within 1-2 months. (If it develops a bad smell or mold on the top, throw it out!) Dosage: I like taking a few tablespoons per day, just by the spoonful. It a nice nutritional boost and gets the digestive system moving! Enjoy! Love Marla
In an effort to reduce the overall toxin load of the products I use, I have set out to make more of them on my own, from scratch! This helps save soooo much money, and makes me feel confident that I know exactly what ingredients are being used. This soap is EXTRA cleansing, which is awesome for cleaning purposes. Because of this, it is not ideal for using on the face or body as it can be a bit drying to skin. You can find my mild and hydrating face and body soap here: http://www.marlasorganics.com/store/c2/Aromatherapy_Soaps.html A word about lye: Yes lye is a caustic chemical but this doesn't mean you should be afraid to use it. All true soap is made with lye, but there is no lye remaining in the finished soap. It is just used in the chemical process to convert the fatty acids in the oil into soap molecules! Use a lot of care and caution when measuring, weighing, and stirring your soap. Wear gloves and eye protection if it makes you feel more comfortable. If you do spill and get lye on your skin, rinse immediately and thoroughly with cold water! Ok, now let's make some soap!  2 Ingredient Non Toxic Cleaning Soap Ingredients: 20 ounces Coconut Oil 3.5 ounces Lye (sodium hydroxide) 7.5 ounces pure water (filtered or distilled) Directions: Slowly and carefully, add the lye flakes to your water. Mix slowly until the lye is dissolved and the water is clear. This mixture will become quite hot, so allow to sit for 10 minutes or so to cool down. While waiting for your lye solution to cool, melt your coconut oil. Next, combine the lye water with melted coconut oil. Using a stick immersion blender, submerge your blender into whatever container you're using so you don't splash it up out of the bowl. Pulse and blend for a few minutes until thickened into a trace. Trace is recognized when drizzled soap leaves a visible, lingering trail or "trace" on the surface, ranging from light (thin) to heavy (thick) consistency. Pour into desired molds (you can silicone molds for individual bars). Don't worry if you don't have dedicated molds. When I first started I used repurposed yogurt cups, milk jugs, and butter containers! Allow the soap to set up and harden for several hours. Once set and cooled, remove the soap from your molds and allow to air dry. This soap is ready to use immediately, but it is best left out to air dry for a few weeks to "cure" and harden fully. How to Use: Laundry Soap: Grate a bar and add it to powdered laundry detergent (you can find my recipe on my facebook) Liquid Soap (for washing dishes or other all purpose cleaning): dilute a bar into a container of water until the soap is fully dissolved. You now have liquid soap to use as you wish! A little goes a long way :) I hope you enjoy your all purpose non toxic soap! Don't hesitate to comment below with any questions you might have. Happy Soap Making! Love, Marla  This is my go to herb for supporting liver health. Our livers need some major help cleansing the toxin overload we are exposed to. (Many health issues stem from liver stagnation.... so by helping our livers out a bit, we are addressing part of the root (pun intended) cause! (I'm creating a new liver loving detox/cleanse tincture including dandelion)
HOW TO MAKE Start by digging up fresh dandelion roots or purchase dried organic/wild harvested dandelion roots. If starting with fresh roots, wash and chop them into small pieces, then lay them out in an even layer to wilt and dry out for a few days. They don't need to be completely dry, but it helps! Fill a jar halfway with the roots then cover with 100 proof vodka (or other 100 proof alcohol). Cover and shake this up daily for 4-6 weeks. After 4-6 weeks, use a nut milk bag or fine mesh strainer to separate the roots from the liquid. Transfer your root infused alcohol into a clean jar with a secure fitting lid for storage. To use, distribute into dropper bottles. Consume 1-2 dropperfuls daily, diluted in juice, tea, water, or a smoothie! NOTE: Harvest only from areas that haven't been sprayed with pesticides! Would you rather purchase dandelion medicine? Check out my very limited batch Digest & Detox Herbal Extract that includes dandelion roots! This simple creation is excellent for repairing gut health, repopulating gut flora, assisting digestion, and boosting the absorption of much needed minerals!
HOW TO MAKE Fill a jar by lightly packing it with fresh dandelion leaves and/or flowers (you can also use other common growing plants like violet leaves, cleavers, or chickweed). Fill to the top with organic raw apple cider vinegar. Optional addition: fill 3/4 of the way with vinegar, then top off with raw honey! This makes it extra tasty with added immune + gut healing benefits. Store in a cool dark place. Shake your jar daily for 4 weeks then strain out plant material. Store the remaining vinegar in an air tight jar or bottle. To consume, this can be taken by the spoonful, infused in salads, cooking, or any other way you would consume vinegar :) Store for up to 1 year.
Dandelion Health & Medicinal Benefits 1. They help repair gut health Many chronic illnesses are linked to poor gut health. The roots of the dandelion contain gut healing compounds that improve poor gut bacteria. A balanced digestive system can properly function and detoxify waste! (More on cleansing toxicity below) Dandelions (roots especially) have a bitter quality that helps to stimulate the creation of digestive enzymes and bile. With proper production of enzymes and bile, our body can adequately break down nutrients and boost absorption of the foods we consume, This in turn helps improve gallbladder issues, liver stagnation, and other digestive imbalances like bloating or other discomforts. 2.They support liver and gallbladder function and detoxification To expand a bit on the above, we live in a time where we are exposed to so many different stressors and toxins from every different angle. Here are some of the most common: -Physical/chemical level: polluted air, water, food, and cosmetic/cleaning products. -Excessive exposure to artificial light via screens and indoor lighting -Living out of alignment, which can be different for everyone! Consider things like being busy 24/7, working a miserable job, or surrounding yourself with toxic people -Unresolved emotional trauma stored in tissues After being exposed to so much toxicity, our liver, gallbladder, and kidneys all need support to detoxify and function at their best capacity. 3. Combining the two actions above (improved digestion & liver/gallbladder health). this can lead to the improvement of many other chronic issues. Some of the benefits include: -More balanced hormones; this in turn leads to improved symptoms of PMS, endometriosis, PCOS, other reproductive imbalances -More balanced blood sugar, cholesterol, and overall digestion -Improved overall immune system and full body functioning -Clearer skin and healing of eczema, acne, etc -Auto immune or poor functioning immune system related conditions -Arthritis -Chronic pain and inflammation -Urinary infections, fluid retention, etc
HOW TO CONSUME DANDELIONS Thankfully, dandelions are easily accessible (as long as they are harvested from areas that aren't sprayed with pesticide). Dig your own roots or purchase them organically. Make a Dandelion Infused Vinegar: The leaves and flowers can be infused in apple cider vinegar for a mineral rich digestion, Check out this post for how to directions! Make a Dandelion Root Extract: The roots infused in alcohol makes a wonderful liver and gallbladder healing medicine. Check out this post for how to directions! and the roots make a nice herbal tea OR a tincture (alcohol extract) Want to purchase dandelion instead? I have a new VERY LIMITED batch of my Digest and Detox Herbal Tincture. Click the button below to grab your own bottle before they're gone! :) |
