So that was intense.  I just had a case of shingles.  I have never had shingles before.  Both my mom and my sister have had awful cases that lasted weeks.  Mine came on suddenly, and I thought at first I was allergic to the Evening Primrose I had been taking. It didn't take long to realize it was shingles

So now on to my apothecary.  Man am I glad my husband made this the year to let me have my edible forageables without mowing because I had the greatest crop of plantain you could imagine, and now my favorte forageable is elevated to even greater heights.

I made a poultice and started right away using it.  What a mess, but IT WORKED!

Instead of having large patches of scaling pussing skin, and lingering nerve pain, I knocked out the entire episode in less than a week!

Natures medicine cabinet wins again!

This year we have an insane amount of knot grass, or knot weed coming up.  This is probably due to the lack of rain, since knot weed thrives in dry compacted soil.  So whenever I get a boon of any type of plant, I have to check out its medicinal properties.  

Of course the mainstream app says it is toxic.  We know how that goes.  But online herbalist indicate its beneficial effects for the lymphatic system, as a diuretic and healthy support for the kidneys, as well as a great herb for urinary tract infections.  It is even indicated in cancer prevention.  It would make sense.  A lymph cleansing herb would ultimately help the entire immune system get rid of the unwanted toxins in the body.  With all that is in our air and water these days, we need all the cleanses we can get!

So check in your yard and see if instead of grass you have Knot Grass!!
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