Blog – The Herbal Bake Shoppe

Episode 064: Rosemary Monograph

Dina Ranade — Sun, 19 Apr 2026 19:31:40 +0000

This episode of An Herbal Diary is a return to materia medica in the form of a full rosemary monograph. Herbal monographs are an immersive way to study and get to know an herb. Rosemary certainly deserves a complete herbal monograph. In this episode we delve into the virtues of rosemary, this queen of a plant, from the perspective of the kitchen, the spirit and the medicine cabinet.

As always, thank you for joining me! Remember, I would love to hear from you.

Please consider joining my Herbal Bake Club!! I have also started a newsletter on Substack. Please subscribe for all the details, recipes and zoom link for the meeting. I hope that our herbal bake club will give us a chance to smile a bit together, immerse ourselves in kitchen herbalism and bake lovely creations.

If you are subscribed to my Substack, you are automatically invited to Herbal Bake Club meetings. Check your inbox for the recipes and Zoom link.

If you are not yet subscribed to my new Substack, please head to notesfrommykitchenapothecary.substack.com to join. I would love to have you join!

Episode 40 of An Herbal Diary: Infused OIl and Rosemary Biscotti

Episode Mentions:
Rosalee de la Foret
David Winston
Herbs with Rosalee Podcast
William Coles: Adam in Eden, Nature’s paradise, the history of plants, fruits, herbs and flowers
The Flavor Bible by Karen Page and Andrew Dornenburg

Sending you warming herbal thoughts and thank you for listening!!

https://notesfrommykitchenapothecary.substack.com/embed

Episode 063: Culinary Herbalism featuring Cinnamon

Dina Ranade — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 22:01:49 +0000

In this episode we delve into herbal medicine from a culinary perspective by baking with the queen of baking spices.. cinnamon. It’s no surprise that this spice has a pastry named for it. Cinnamon is prominent as a remedy in traditional Chinese medicine. Its warming quality stimulates circulation. We talk about the differences between ceylon and cassia cinnamon along with when to choose between the two.

This episode of An Herbal Diary continues the Herbal Bake Club segment of the podcast highlighting pumpkin pie cinnamon rolls. I have started a virtual herbal bake club and am including a companion podcast episode for each recipe.

If you are subscribed to my Substack, you are automatically invited to Herbal Bake Club meetings. Check your inbox for the recipes and Zoom link.

If you are not yet subscribed to my new Substack, please head to notesfrommykitchenapothecary.substack.com to join. I would love to have you join!

Spice Source Mentions:
Diaspora Co.
Burlap and Barrel
Mountain Rose Herbs
Herbalist & Alchemist (spiced bitters)

Sending you warm baking and gathering together thoughts and thank you for listening!!

Subscribe to Notes from A Kitchen Apothecary on Substack

Episode 062 Introducing the Herbal Bake Club with Panna Cotta infused with Ashwagandha

Dina Ranade — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 15:36:39 +0000

This is a special episode of An Herbal Diary. I am organizing a virtual herbal bake club and this is the first companion podcast episode. Please consider joining me! I have also started a newsletter on Substack. Please subscribe for all the details, recipes and zoom link for the meeting.

If you are not yet subscribed to my new Substack, please head to notesfrommykitchenapothecary.substack.com to join. I would love to have you join!

If you are subscribed to my Substack, you are automatically invited to Herbal Bake Club meetings. Check your inbox for the recipes and Zoom link.

Our first Herbal Bake Club Meeting: Saturday, October 25th at 2 pm EST.

We will be making two herb infused desserts, banana panna cotta and lemon butter cookies. We have two special herbal guests – ashwagandha and cardamom. We will meet on Zoom.

I’ve introduced ashwagandha in the last few episodes.

Link to Ashwagandha Monograph episode.

I hope that our herbal bake club will give us a chance to smile a bit together, immerse ourselves in kitchen herbalism and bake lovely creations.

Sending you warm baking and gathering together thoughts and thank you for listening!!

Episode 061 Ashwagandha Monograph

Dina Ranade — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 15:43:55 +0000

This episode highlights Ashwagandha, a medicinal herb that originates from the Indian Ayurvedic tradition. I’m spending time with this nourishing plant today with an herbal monograph episode. An herbal monograph is also called materia medica. It is a collection of knowledge about one plant that helps to describe the plant as a material of medicine. In the last episode of an herbal diary, I spoke about a general category of plants called adaptogens. If you’ve listened to that last episode, you will remember we talked about how there are only a few herbs that through research can be clearly defined as adaptogens. Ashwagandha is one of these herbs.

Ashwagandha’s botanical name: Withania Somnifera
Plant Family: Solanaceae

I’m excited to tell you about a new Herbal Diary spinoff. It’s a virtual baking club. We will highlight at least one herb each time we meet, you can bake along with me or just watch. I will send recipes ahead of time. More details to come very soon! If you have ideas or want to join, please email me dina@theherbalbakeshoppe.com

Sending you warm autumn thoughts and thank you for joining me!

CONNECT WITH DINA

Together we can transform our kitchens into a unique apothecary.

—Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss. Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.

Original music by Dylan Rice

—

Please send me your comments, requests, or feedback. Send me a message, voice or write an email, my email is dina@theherbalbakeshoppe.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

Join me on Patreon

Connect with me on Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode, please SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW where you like to listen to podcasts! And if you have time, kindly leave me a rating and review.

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ABOUT DINA

—

Dina Ranade is a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist. She is also a mom of three – two daughters and one son all now in college. Dina loves cooking for her family despite the challenges this creates. She passionately loves exploring culinary herbalism and has been working on stocking her home kitchen apothecary or medicine cabinet.

Episode 060 Stress Relief from Adaptogens and How Herbs Can Do This

Dina Ranade — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 19:33:16 +0000

Plants labeled as adaptogens take the word literally. These herbs lend us a way to adapt, a way to adjust to what life throws at us. You can’t go wrong taking adaptogens, but you can go wrong in how you take them. There are two paths to careful selection. Work with an herbalist who can guide you to adaptogens that fit you best or arm yourself with deep study. I hope this episode will help with the deep study path. I am beginning a series on adaptogens. In this first episode, I focus on the basic foundational principle that adaptogen is considered an herbal action. We also talk about how social media may be a way of community herbalism.

Resources to find Herbalists:
The American Herbalist Guild
HerbMentor
HerbRally

Book Mentions:Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief by David Winston, RH(AHG)
The Alchemy of Herbs : Transform Everyday Ingredients into Foods and Remedies that Heal by Rosalee de la Foret

Link to Ashwagandha Chai episode

Sending you warm summer thoughts and thank you for joining me!

CONNECT WITH DINA

Together we can transform our kitchens into a unique apothecary.

—Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss. Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.

Original music by Dylan Rice

—

Please send me your comments, requests, or feedback. Send me a message, voice or write an email, my email is dina@theherbalbakeshoppe.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

To get herb inspired recipes, plant profiles and read more about herbal medicine, visit my website at: theherbalbakeshoppe.com

Connect with me on Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode, please SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW where ever you like to listen to podcasts! And if you have time, kindly leave me a rating and review.

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ABOUT DINA

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Episode 059: Making Gumbo with Sassafras

Dina Ranade — Fri, 14 Feb 2025 22:31:47 +0000

Sassafras is a richly nuanced medicinal tree that also has a distinctive place in the culinary world. Sassafras root bark is responsible for the flavor of root beer, but it is no longer used due to a Food and Drug Administration ban. The reasons for this fortunately do not transfer to sassafras leaves which have a long history of being essential to classical Southern gumbo. I think sassafras falls into the category of underutilized herbs. Despite questions about safety and bad publicity, sassafras is distinctive and very much worth getting to know.

Links to Gumbo Mentions:
Toni Tipton Martin
Jubilee Recipes from Two Centuries of African American Cooking: A Cookbook by Toni Tipton Martin
Lena Richard
New Orlean”s Cookbook by Lena Richard

My favorite sources for gumbo file:
Red Stick Spice Co.
Mountain Rose Herbs: dried sassafras leaves

Join me in this episode for more on sassafras…the unique features of its leaves, its medicinal qualities and some safety concerns. Sending you warm winter wishes and thank you for joining me!

CONNECT WITH DINA

Together we can transform our kitchens into a unique apothecary.

—Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss. Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.

Original music by Dylan Rice

—

Please send me your comments, requests, or feedback. Send me a message, voice or write an email, my email is dina@theherbalbakeshoppe.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

To get herb inspired recipes, plant profiles and read more about herbal medicine, visit my website at: theherbalbakeshoppe.com

Connect with me on Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode, please SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW where ever you like to listen to podcasts! And if you have time, kindly leave me a rating and review.

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ABOUT DINA

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Episode 058 Getting to Know Sumac

Dina Ranade — Fri, 09 Aug 2024 19:38:51 +0000

What makes a fruit or vegetable easy to find in grocery stores? While there are many answers to this question, a lot of edible medicinal herbs are not, herbs like nettles, burdock root and elderberries. To this list, I am adding sumac berries. Sumac may not give us delicious fruit, but there is good reason to get to know it better and I am doing this in my kitchen. And in case you are wondering, this is a totally different plant than toxic poison sumac.

My favorite sources for dried sumac:

Mountain Rose Herbs

Burlap & Barrel

Join me in this episode for more on sumac…its uses as a culinary spice and as an underutilized medicinal herb and also the difference between sumac and poison sumac.
Sending you warm summer thoughts and thank you for joining me!

CONNECT WITH DINA

Together we can transform our kitchens into a unique apothecary.

—Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss. Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.

Original music by Dylan Rice

—

Please send me your comments, requests, or feedback. Send me a message, voice or write an email, my email is dina@theherbalbakeshoppe.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

To get herb inspired recipes, plant profiles and read more about herbal medicine, visit my website at: theherbalbakeshoppe.com

Connect with me on Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode, please SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW where ever you like to listen to podcasts! And if you have time, kindly leave me a rating and review.

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ABOUT DINA

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Episode 057 The Medicine of Tree Bark and Flowering Spring Trees

Dina Ranade — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 21:11:18 +0000

What makes a tree medicinal? The answer to this question depends on the medicine we are searching for. Especially in spring, trees can be medicine for our eyes. After the grayness of winter, glorious flowering trees like dogwood and magnolia are sweet visions. Aside from landscaping decoration, both dogwood and magnolia along with many other trees,have long been used for strong medicines derived from their bark.Tree bark has phytochemicals that make it bitter, astringent, and highly antimicrobial. Bark is a tree’s protective layer, helping it to survive through winter cold and other dangers like bacteria, fungi and troublesome insects. The same phytochemicals in tree bark offer much medicine to humans as well.

Join me in this episode for more on tree bark and the medicine of dogwood and magnolia trees. Sending you lovely spring thoughts and thank you for joining me!

CONNECT WITH DINA
Together we can transform our kitchens into a unique apothecary.

—Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss. Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.

Original music by Dylan Rice
—

Please send me your comments, requests, or feedback. Send me a message, voice or write an email, my email is dina@theherbalbakeshoppe.com. I look forward to hearing from you!
To get herb inspired recipes, plant profiles and read more about herbal medicine, visit my website at: theherbalbakeshoppe.com

Join me on Patreon
Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode, please SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW where ever you like to listen to podcasts! And if you have time, kindly leave me a rating and review.
—
ABOUT DINA
—
Dina Ranade is a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist. She is also a mom of three – two daughters and one son all now in college. Dina loves cooking for her family despite the challenges this creates. She passionately loves exploring culinary herbalism and has been working on stocking her home kitchen apothecary or medicine cabinet.

Episode 056 Warming Energetics and Evergreen Trees

Dina Ranade — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 20:27:30 +0000

https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=30465518

Plant energetics is a way to understand how a plant can affect the body through our senses and how it feels in the body. Energetics is subtle, but so helpful when choosing herbs. The difference between warming and cooling plant energetics is like feeling the warmth of the sun versus a cool plunge into the ocean. In this episode, we delve deep into warming energetics and match these with a group of trees that provide great examples: evergreens. These trees have great potential for kitchen uses and herbal remedies. We talk all about juniper, fir, hemlock and spruce trees.

Some examples of herbs with warming energetic qualities:
ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, cayenne pepper, turmeric, garlic, rosemary, cumin, black pepper.

Sending you the warmest thoughts and thank you for joining me!

CONNECT WITH DINA
Together we can transform our kitchens into a unique apothecary.

—Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss. Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.

Original music by Dylan Rice
—

Join me on Patreon
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram

If you enjoyed this episode, please SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW where ever you like to listen to podcasts! And if you have time, kindly leave me a rating and review.

—
ABOUT DINA
—
Dina Ranade is a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalist Guild and a Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist. She is also a mom of three – two daughters and one son all now in college. Dina loves cooking for her family despite the challenges this creates. She passionately loves exploring culinary herbalism and has been working on stocking her home kitchen apothecary or medicine cabinet.

Episode 055 Pine Needle Salve

Dina Ranade — Tue, 20 Feb 2024 21:09:39 +0000

Pine trees are trees that are very familiar especially because of their long thin needles and pine cones. But they seem overlooked for their culinary and herbal remedy benefits. In this episode, I am back in my kitchen with elegant pine needles brewing a tea blended with warming spices and preparing a skin healing salve. I’ll talk you through all the steps.
Thank you for joining me!

Pine Needle Chai:
1 cinnamon stick
1 teaspoon dried ginger
2 teaspoons dried orange peel or zest of 1 orange
1 allspice berry
¼ teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons chopped fresh pine needles or 2 teaspoons dried
1½ cups (12 ounces) water
Combine all spices (not pine needles) and water in a small saucepan covered with a lid.. Bring water to a gentle boil on medium heat. Turn down to the lowest setting, simmer for 20-25 minutes. Remove from heat, add pine needles, continue to steep covered with lid for at least 30 minutes. Strain into a tea mug, add milk and honey to taste. Reheat as desired.

Pine Needle Infused Oil:
2 tablespoons dried, powdered pine needles
8 ounces olive oil
Heat 2 inches of water in the bottom of a double boiler to simmer. Combine dried pine needles and olive oil in the top of the double boiler and place on the bottom portion of simmering water. Place a paper towel on top of the pot and then cover with a lid. Heat oil and pine needles just to warm for 30 minutes, do not allow to simmer. Remove from heat and infuse for 30-60 minutes. Repeat the warming and infusing process three times. Strain through a double layer of cheesecloth and squeeze out as much oil as possible.

Pine Needle Salve:

1 ounce (28 grams or ⅛ cup) beeswax pastilles
4 ounces (120ml) pine needle infused oil
20-30 drops pine essential oil
Stainless steel tins with lids or other heat proof containers.
Heat 2 inches of water in the bottom of a double boiler to simmer. If using beeswax in the form a a block, grate or pound with a hammer to break into small pieces. Add beeswax pastilles or small pieces from a block into the top of the double boiler with hot water in the bottom portion. Continue to heat on lowest setting until beeswax is melted. Add infused pine needle oil, this will cause beeswax to slightly solidify again, stir with oil until melted again. Remove from heat, add essential oil. Ladle mixture into the tins and leave at room temperature until salve has hardened. Cover with lids and label.

Source for Dried Pine Needles and Beeswax:
Beeswax pastilles: Mountain Rose Herbs
Beeswax block: Mountain Rose Herbs
Pine needles: Foraged

CONNECT WITH DINA
Together we can transform our kitchens into a unique apothecary.

—Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss. Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.

Original music by Dylan Rice
—

Join me on Patreon
Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Episode 054: A Tea Decoction that Tastes like Juice

Dina Ranade — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 20:57:12 +0000

Herbal teas are a lovely way to be creative and experience herbs on a daily basis. Brewing herbal teas can take on different forms and tastes, including juice-like creations when dried berries are used as the main ingredients. These berry teas are a wonderful way to gain nutrient benefits from herbs. In this episode I am sharing my current favorite method for brewing herbal tea that feels more like a juice. Thank you for joining me.

Tea “Juice” Decoction
¼ cup dried elderberries
¼ cup dried hawthorn berries
¼ cup dried sea buckthorn berries
⅛ cup dried goji berries
⅛ cup dried rose hips
1 tablespoon hibiscus
1 tablespoon dried ginger
1 cinnamon stick
2 pieces turkey tail mushrooms
6 peppercorns
8-9 cups water
Combine herbs and water in 4 quart stock pot. Cover and bring to gentle boil on medium heat. Turn to lowest setting, simmer for 40 minutes. Remove from heat, continue to steep covered until cool. Strain into Mason jars and refrigerate.

Source for Dried Herbs and Berries:
Mountain Rose Herbs
Oshala Farm
Northwest Wild Foods

Favorite Herbal Podcasts:
HerbRally
Herbmentor Radio

CONNECT WITH DINA
Together we can transform our kitchens into a unique apothecary.

—Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss. Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.

Original music by Dylan Rice
—

Join me on Patreon
Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Episode 053: The Little Saver Herb: Lemon Balm Monograph Part 2

Dina Ranade — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 15:41:53 +0000

The Little Herb Saver:

Lemon balm is like a blanket of peace, calming a nervous stomach, reducing anxiety, elevating a gloomy feeling, and providing relief for sleepless nights. That’s a lot, but that’s also not all.

Lemon balm is easy to grow, lovely to eat or drink as tea, powerful in its own right but not in a way that lends caution to using it. To get more lemon balm into our lives, can only be a good thing. And this is why I deem it a little herbal saver.

Thank you for joining me for this part 2 lemon balm monograph. (Episode 52 is part 1)

Lemon Balm Vinaigrette:

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon dijon mustard

1 teaspoon chopped lemon balm

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine olive oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar and dijon mustard. Whisk together until blended well. Stir in chopped lemon balm and salt and pepper.

Store in the refrigerator. Serve with fennel and radish salads.

Photo of Lemon Balm from Henriette’s Herbal Homepage

Source for Lemon Balm Starter Plants:

Companion Plants

Strictly Medicinal Seeds

CONNECT WITH DINA

Together we can transform our kitchens into a unique apothecary.

—Deepest gratitude to Andrea Klunder, my podcast boss. Find her at thecreativeimposter.com.

Original music by Dylan Rice

—

Please send me your comments, requests, or feedback. Send me a message, voice or write an email, my email is dina@theherbalbakeshoppe.com. I look forward to hearing from you!

To get herb inspired recipes, plant profiles and read more about herbal medicine, visit my website at: theherbalbakeshoppe.com

Join me on Patreon

Connect with me on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

If you enjoyed this episode, please SUBSCRIBE TO THE SHOW where ever you like to listen to podcasts! And if you have time, kindly leave me a rating and review.

—

ABOUT DINA

—

Episode 052 Lemon Balm Monograph Part 1

Dina Ranade — Mon, 27 Feb 2023 20:30:38 +0000

Lemon balm is soothing, calming and uplifting, whether fresh or dried its a pleasure to have and use. Lemon balm is such a gem that it deserves a a two part herbal monograph. Here in part 1, I focus on lemon balm’s origin and the benefits it can offer for us now. I also offer favorite sources for dried lemon balm and some recipes for making teas and tinctures. Thank you for joining me.

Sources for Dried Lemon Balm
Mountain Rose Herbs
Avena Botanicals

Herbalist & Alchemist

Episode 051: Lemon Balm Infused Scones are Medicine for the Baker

Dina Ranade — Sun, 04 Sep 2022 19:56:51 +0000

Baking and herbs both calm my heart and mind. In today’s episode, I am back in my kitchen baking scones with lemon balm infused heavy cream blended into the batter. Lemon balm is a delight to grow and the fresh leaves offer a beautiful perfumey aroma that can uplift a heavy heart and offer a peaceful moment. In the kitchen, it’s medicine for the baker.

Lemon Balm Scones

(if lemon balm balm is not something you have, give these a try using basil or thyme in its place)

For lemon balm infused cream:

approx ¾ cup (12g) fresh lemon balm leaves or ¼ cup dried lemon balm

1 cup plus ⅛ cup heavy cream

In a medium saucepan, bring cream to scald over medium high heat, don’t boil, just heat until small bubbles form at edges of pan and cream begins to steam. Add chopped lemon balm leaves, stir to submerge. Remove from heat, cover with lid and steep for 25 minutes. Pour cream and lemon balm leaves into a blender and pulse to blend. Strain, reserving cream and measure 1 cup or 250g. Set aside for batter. Discard lemon balm leaves.

Ingredients

4 cups (500g) bread flour

2 tbsp (25g) baking powder

6 tbsp (80g) unsalted butter, cut to cubes, chilled

2 large eggs

⅓ cup (80g) granulated sugar

2 tsp lemon zest

1 cup (250g) lemon balm infused heavy cream

Egg wash: 1 large egg beat with a pinch of salt

Instructions:

Sift together flour and baking powder into a large mixing bowl.

Using a pastry blender or hands, blend in chilled butter until mixture resembles fine bread crumbs.

In a separate medium sized bowl, mix wet ingredients with sugar.

Whisk eggs, add sugar and lemon zest, whisk.

Add lemon balm infused heavy cream and whisk to blend

Pour wet ingredients into flour and butter mixture and gently stir together until begins to form a ball of dough. L

Let rest for 5 minutes.

Turn out onto a floured surface, knead gently until smooth. Press to flatten with a floured rolling pin and roll to a 1 inch high disc.

Cut scones with a 2 inch round biscuit or cookie cutter, press down and lift, do not twist.

Place on parchment lined baking sheet.

Refrigerate scones for at least 30 minutes before baking.

Preheat oven to 425F.

Brush tops and sides of scones liberally with egg wash. Sprinkle with a bit of granulated sugar.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.

Enjoy!

Mentions:

HerbRally Podcast

HealHaus Yoga Studio & Wellness Center

Episode 050: Broth Series: Ginger Stock

Dina Ranade — Tue, 17 May 2022 19:04:41 +0000

“Let my soul smile through my heart and my heart smile trough my eyes, that I may scatter rich smiles in sad hearts.”

Paramahansa Yogananda

Rounding out four episodes on broth with ginger provides the perfect example of how lovely tasting herbal tea can second as herbal broth which then infuses the food we eat with an extra layer of nourishment. Ginger is also a great example, because it is such a foundational culinary herb. There are multitudes of methods and recipes incorporating ginger both fresh and dried.. As for soup, ginger itself may be added as an ingredient, it goes especially well with chicken soup or creamy carrot soup or a garlic lemongrass broth with noodles, But it can also be layered in as the actual broth or stock base to make a sublime and aromatic soup or stew creation which is how I am using it today.

*Ginger Broth* makes 2 cups
3 cups water
3 inch piece fresh ginger root, chopped
1 teaspoon peppercorns
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 bay leaf
2 kafir lime leaf
Salt to taste
No need to peel the ginger because we will be staining it out.
Combine water, ginger, garlic, peppercorns, fennel seeds lemon juice and lemon zest in medium saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat, reduce to low and simmer 30 minutes. Strain. Reduces to 2 cups

Mushroom Soup
4 cups ginger stock
4 cups water
1 medium onion, chopped
Green tops from 2 leeks, sliced thin
1 1/2 pounds mushrooms – Shitake, portobello, oyster, white button, washed and sliced
4 carrots, cut to rounds
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
1 cup frozen peas
1 bunch parsley or cilantro, finely chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

Episode 049 Kitchen Medicine Broth Series: Chicken Stock

Dina Ranade — Fri, 14 May 2021 21:36:46 +0000

Could chicken soup be medicinal because of the plant and herbal ingredients?. Chicken adds nourishment but I propose the healing qualities are due to onions, thyme, bay leaves and pepper.

Chicken Stock (from my kitchen)
½ gallon water (2 quarts)
3 pounds chicken bones (joints – wings, backs)
2 cups chopped onion
1 cup chopped carrot
1 cup chopped celery
1 Tablespoon thyme
½ Tablespoon pepper
2 bay leaves
Run bones under cold water for 5 minutes, drain. Add bones to stock pot with water, bring to gentle simmer. Skim off impurities and fat that rises to the surface. Add mirepoix and herbs. Gently simmer uncovered, replenishing water as needed for 3-4 hours. Strain and cool quickly. Store in refrigerator or freezer.

Mentions:
MFK Fisher How to Cook Like a Wolf

// Listen to An Herbal Diary podcast on iTunes or Google podcasts //

Episode 048: Broth Series 2 featuring Kvass

Dina Ranade — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 00:29:31 +0000

Episode 047: Broth Series : Garlic Stock

Dina Ranade — Tue, 23 Feb 2021 17:58:11 +0000

Join me in my kitchen apothecary as I make the easiest stock ever. Just garlic and water simmered together results in a versatile, flavorful and densely nourishing stock. It’s perfect for making vegetable soup, rice, marinara sauce or beans.

*Garlic Stock*

makes 2 quarts
2 whole heads garlic
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 quarts water
Gently wash garlic head under running water, pat dry with a paper towel.
Slice garlic head in half horizontally.
In a large stockpot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add halved garlic cut side down, cooked stirring occasionally about 3 minutes until garlic begins to smell aromatic. Take care not to burn garlic.
Add water, bring to boil, then lower heat to just maintain a simmer. Continue to simmer for 1 hour. Strain, discard garlic and peels. May season to taste.

Episode 046 Pop-Up Cocoa Salon

Dina Ranade — Mon, 28 Dec 2020 20:27:16 +0000

Chocolate begins as the seeds of Theobroma cacao, a tropical tree. After much processing, we are gifted cocoa powder which is in itself an herbal remedy, a delicious one at that. Come join me in this pop-up tea salon episode where we brew a warm comfort cup of cocoa.

**NEW TRIAL OFFERING: Herbal Kitchen Styling Sessions**
To Schedule Click Here

Episode 045 Materia Medica: Plantain

Dina Ranade — Mon, 16 Nov 2020 20:56:53 +0000

Big Huge Love to You!

The more I work with weedy plants from my yard and in my kitchen, the greater my confidence in them grows. Plantain is the perfect bridge for embracing the idea that plants growing around us are remedies readily available. Plantain is a rockstar for healing the skin and mucous membranes where it can soothe pain, cleanse and promote wound healing.
What plantain heals externally it can also do internally.

Photo of Plantain major
Photo of Plantain lanceolata

For more on plantain poultices listen to episode 44 of An Herbal Diary

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Episode 044 Plantain and Poultices

Dina Ranade — Sun, 30 Aug 2020 17:59:51 +0000

Hey There! Thank you for joining me!

This is not the tropical fruit plantain, so yummy sauteed in butter. This plantain is the leafy green weed growing in any grassy yard, field or meadow. This plantain tops the list for herbal first aid remedies, especially for rashes and insect bites. In this episode, we explore topical uses including the amazing plantain poultice.

Plantain Poultice Recipe:
Big handful fresh plantain leaves OR ½ cup dried plantain leaf
Hot water, just to moisten
1 Tablespoon calendula oil
2 drops lavender essential oil
Blend either in mortar and pestle or blender
Thicken as needed to form paste using
1 teaspoon to 1 Tablespoon flour, ground flaxseed or bentonite clay powder

Image of Plantain (Plantago major)
Image of Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

Sources for Dried Plantain
Aunty Peaches Apothecary
Rosemary’s Garden

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Original music composed by Dylan Rice — singer, songwriter, guitarist.

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Episode 043 Kitchen Garden Tour

Dina Ranade — Sun, 19 Jul 2020 16:21:33 +0000

How are you doing???
I’m sending love to you and thank you for being my companion on An Herbal Diary! ?

Herbs offer all kinds of remedy. Tending a kitchen garden may provide culinary delights and stock for an herbal medicine cabinet, but with additional benefit of peace, solace and hope. Join me in this episode to tour through my 2020 kitchen garden for some delicious and medicinal discoveries. ?

Mentions:
Donna J. Haraway: Staying with the Trouble, Making Kin in the Chthulucene
Aaron Bertelson: Grow Fruit and Vegetables in Pots
Companion Plants
Strictly Medicinal Seeds
Rootwork Herbals and the People’s Medicine Project Reclamation

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Original music composed by Dylan Rice — singer, songwriter, guitarist.

Please be in touch!

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Episode 042: Herbal Pantry: Demulcents and Expectorants

Dina Ranade — Tue, 05 May 2020 18:07:17 +0000

Sending you wishes for abundant health and healing for all that is happening in your life ??

Medicine from plants can’t replace pharmaceuticals, but botanical remedies can contribute to prevention and recovery from illness. In this episode, I explore building the kitchen herbal pantry to include cough remedies.

Categories and Examples of Herbs with therapeutic use for coughing
Demulcents are herbs that soothe and protect mucous membranes from irritation and inflammation and thin mucus
Examples are flax seed, chia seed, oats, okra, marshmallow, licorice, fenugreek, fennel, slippery elm, mullein, violet, butterfly weed

Expectorants are herbs that help move excessive mucus out of the respiratory system
Examples include wild cherry bark, plantain, hyssop, fenugreek, thyme, fennel, licorice, ginger, marshmallow, anise, onion, garlic, eucalyptus, pine, elecampane, lobelia, horehound

Decongestants reduce and/or eliminate the formation of mucus or phlegm
Examples are anise, black pepper, cayenne, ginger, fenugreek, mullein, marshmallow, licorice, horehound, sumac, wild cherry, elecampane, lobelia

Astringents dry up mucus, be careful with astringents, use only if copious mucus
Examples include peppermint, spearmint, bayberry, sumach, raspberry leaf, wild cherry, cleavers, lobelia

Antispasmodics relax muscles, decrease constriction and tightness, help coughing spasms
Examples are Fenugreek, fennel, lavender, peppermint, lemon balm, mullein, Angelica, bayberry, red clover, elecampane and lobelia

Mentions:
American Herbalist Guild COVID19 Resource page
Respiratory System and Respiratory Immunity: Course offered by the Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism

Recipe for Onion Poultice:
1-2 onions, steamed
½ cup flour or cornmeal
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar (or any vinegar except distilled white vinegar)
Mix together to form paste, spread onto a cheesecloth, wrap in plastic. Place on chest and cover with a towel to keep warm. Keep on chest for at least 30 minutes.

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Original music composed by Dylan Rice — singer, songwriter, guitarist.

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Episode 041 Pop-Up Tea Salon: Ashwaganda Chai

Dina Ranade — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 20:11:47 +0000

Sending Compassion and Concern ?

Sharing three inspirations of courage from my kitchen apothecary. A calming chai, ideas for a little remedy kit that you probably have already at home and thoughts for future herbal kitchen planning.

Ashwaganda Chai Herb/Spice Blend
¼ cup ashwagandha root powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon powder
¼ teaspoon nutmeg powder
¼ teaspoon clove powder
⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
To Prepare Chai
1 cup milk – cow, soy, coconut, nut, oat
¼ cup water
2 teaspoons herb/spice blend
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon maple syrup or honey
Blend and warm milk and water, add herb/spice powder, cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Remove lid, add vanilla and maple syrup, simmer for 5 additional minutes

Episode 40: Kitchen Medicine: Rosemary Chocolate Chip Biscotti

Dina Ranade — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 19:48:04 +0000

So happy you have joined me here!

Finally a kitchen medicine baking episode! This one starring herbal infused culinary oils. Not to be confused with essential oils, herb infused oils are easy to prepare at home and versatile. Always use dried herbs for infusing into an oil like olive oil. The creative options are endless. Perhaps begin by baking this biscotti with me! ? ? ?

Mentions:
Culinary Infused Oil Safety
Rosemary Gladstar
Patience Gray’s Honey from a Weed

To Make Herbal Infused Culinary Oil:
Use sterilized Mason Jars
Fill a jar approximately 1/3rd full with dried herbs
Pour in olive oil to cover herbs by one inch
OR
Weigh and measure dried herbs and oil using 1:5 ratio
Cover with lid; label
Infuse in cool, dark cabinet for 10-14 days
Strain and store refrigerated.

Recipe for Rosemary Chocolate Chip Biscotti

** Please join me for my new monthly online group gathering, a kitchen medicine club, a place to grow confidence together!
Each month we will have a live discussion that will be hosted on Zoom.
With all of my heart I would love you to join me, click here to join on Patreon
Together we can transform our kitchens into a unique apothecary.**

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Original music composed by Dylan Rice — singer, songwriter, guitarist.

Please be in touch!

Subscribe to my newsletter. Send me a question. Leave a comment on this episode. I would absolutely love to know you better and learn about your own experiences with herbal medicine!

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Episode 039: Herbal Pantry: Tinctures and Extractions

Dina Ranade — Tue, 04 Feb 2020 02:39:05 +0000

Big Love to You, My Friend!

Herbal tinctures are welcome and sustainable additions to your kitchen medicine cabinet – whether homemade or purchased. And they are so easy to prepare. Join me to delve into the basics of herbal extractions.

Herbal Tincture Weight to Volume Ratios
Fresh Herbs 1:2 (1 part herb to 2 parts menstruum)
Dried Herbs 1:4 or 1:5 (1 part herb to 4 or 5 parts menstruum)

Supplies:
Organic High Proof Neutral Alcohol Spirits
Tincture Storage Bottles

Mentions:
Michael Moore’s Herbal Tinctures in Clinical Practice
Herbalist & Alchemist

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Original music composed by Dylan Rice — singer, songwriter, guitarist.

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Subscribe to my newsletter. Send me a question. Leave a comment on this episode. I would absolutely love to know you better and learn about your own experiences with herbal medicine!

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Episode 038 Kitchen Medicine: Astragalus Truffles

Dina Ranade — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 21:35:15 +0000

Sending much love!

Astragalus is one of the premier immune system nourishing and strengthening herbal medicines. The best way to use an immune system tonifying herb like astragalus is to begin taking it when you are not sick, beginning about six weeks prior to the height of cold and flu season. It’s ideal for incorporating into cooking on a daily basis. In this episode, I share a recipe for creamy chocolate nut truffles with a big dose of astragalus powder as an ingredient.

Ingredients for Creamy Chocolate Nut Astragalus Truffles
½ cup figs, chopped
1 cup almonds
½ cup cashews
3 TBS cocoa powder (Dagoba)/Hershey’s is also fine/
additional cocoa powder for coating
3TBS honey
2TBS astragalus powder
1tsp vanilla extract
1tsp cinnamon
½ tsp ginger
pinch of salt

Preparation Instructions
Soak figs in hot water for 30 minutes, then drain. Add both nuts to the food processor, process until forms a nut butter paste, about 2-3 minutes. Add remaining ingredients and process again until blended to a smooth consistency.Chill for 1-2 hours, then roll 1 tsp batter into truffle balls, then coat with additional cocoa powder, coconut or chopped nuts.

Mentions:
Astragalus Root and Powder, Mountain Rose Herbs
Aphrodite Aroma Spray, Mountain Rose Herbs
Astragalus Tincture, Herbalist & Alchemist

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Original music composed by Dylan Rice — singer, songwriter, guitarist.

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Subscribe to my newsletter. Send me a question. Leave a comment on this episode. I would absolutely love to know you better and learn about your own experiences with herbal medicine!

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037 Red Clover Monograph

Dina Ranade — Wed, 01 Jan 2020 21:32:33 +0000

Sending much love to you!

Lovely red clover may be a weedy and grow wild, but it is not to be overlooked as a medicinal herb. This full monograph delves into all of its nuances from garden friend to delicious tea to profound remedy.

Note on Photo: On a recent travel adventure to Romania, I realized that with plants as your friends you are never far from home or alone. Many times, I would look down and see a familiar face in the form of herbs I love most. Here in front of Bran Castle, also known as Dracula’s Castle, deep in the heart of Translvania – I found the beautiful Trifolium pratense, red clover!

Mentions:
Mypronouns.org
Strictly Medicinal Seeds
David Winston’s Alterative Formula from Herbalist & Alchemist

Celebrated Herbalists:
David Winston
Michael Moore
David Hoffmann
Matthew Wood

Red Clover Fritter Batter Recipe:
– 1 Cup Flour
– 1 Tsp baking powder
– 2 Tbsp vanilla extract
– 1 Egg
– ¼ Cup melted butter
– ¾ Cup milk

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Original music composed by Dylan Rice — singer, songwriter, guitarist.

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Episode 036: Herbal Pantry: Controversies, Phytoestrogens and Red Clover

Dina Ranade — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 17:15:52 +0000

Sending you a huge hello, a song and an exciting invitation!

We are forever learning about the role of plant compounds in our bodies, especially those with complexity like isoflavones and phytoestrogens. Red clover and traditional whole soy foods are example sources of these phytochemicals. In this episode, my goal is to reframe some of the controversies.

Sources for Red Clover Dried or Tincture:
Avena Botanicals
Mountain Rose Herbs
Herbalist & Alchemist

Mentions:
Aviva Romm MD: Botanical Medicine for Women’s Health
Ellen Evert Hopman

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Original music composed by Dylan Rice — singer, songwriter, guitarist.

Please be in touch!

Subscribe to my newsletter. Send me a question. Leave a comment on this episode. I would absolutely love to know you better and learn about your own experiences with herbal medicine!

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Episode 035: Pop-Up Tea Salon: Dandelion Root Vanilla Latte

Dina Ranade — Wed, 10 Jul 2019 20:07:27 +0000

Sending you a warm welcome to my imaginary pop-up tea salon!

I can not yet serve you a latte through your podcast app even though I wish that I could. Maybe someday that will happen. For now, here is a pop-up recipe offering, to make dandelion root vanilla latte homemade. I hope you enjoy!

Dandelion Root Latte with Vanilla Syrup
8 ounces roasted dandelion root tea
2 teaspoons vanilla syrup
¼ cup milk (whole, any nut milk, coconut or organic unsweetened soy)
Combine all ingredients in a small saucepan, heat on low setting to warm.
Pour warm mixture into a blender and blend for 30-45 seconds until frothy.
Pour into mug or over ice. Enjoy!

To decoct dandelion root for tea:
Combine 2 teaspoons dandelion root powder & 12 ounces water in small saucepan
Heat to simmer, cover, simmer for 10 minutes, remove from heat, steep 40 minutes
Strain
To prepare vanilla syrup:
Heat ¾ cup water in small saucepan, add ½ cup sugar, stir until dissolved.
Add ½ whole, split vanilla bean, cover, steep for 20 minutes.
Store in refrigerator

Mentions:
Dandy Blend Instant Herbal Beverage
Dandelion Root cut or powdered
Heilala Vanilla Syrup
Vanilla monograph from King’s American Dispensatory 1898
The Trees on the Mountain from Susannah, Carlyle Floyd composer

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Original music composed by Dylan Rice — singer, songwriter, guitarist.

Please be in touch!

Subscribe to my newsletter. Send me a question. Leave a comment on this episode. I would absolutely love to know you better and learn about your own experiences with herbal medicine!

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