The Ginkgo Tree
C690 Concession 13 Township of Brock L0E 1E0 Cannington, ON, Canada

" I don't like worms, I just like unicorns and lady bugs" - Mae Dorothy, 3 years old May we all bask in the glow of the light Creatures are stirring - Spring will soon be here. ... #theginkgotree #herbalist #herbalistslife #herb #herbs #herbalism #herbalmedicine #hetbalmedicinemaker #plantmedicine #plantlover #plantpeople #powertotheplants #naturelover #abundance #farmstead #farmhouse #penelopeoutandabout #piquedbypenelope #labouroflove #herbaltea #unitedplantsavers #plantingyourownmedicine

Renewing the tradition of ‘LOVE TREES’ Old folks can remember the tradition of ‘Husband and Wife Trees’ well, they recall a time when the vows had all been said, family and friends would all help plant two healthy young trees near the entrance of the farmhouse. One for the bride, and the other for the groom. Everyone participating in this happy day would help to dig the hole, plant the trees and water we can’t forget the secret ingredient when planting infusing with L...OVE. Side by side, they would grow, basking in the warm sunshine and quenching rains. Sometimes, storms would brew. Weathering these storms of life together, becoming stronger more rooted because of them. Sometimes they are close enough that eventually their branches touch, embrace even some never do just out of reach of one another. But beneath the surface there is a bond that is so entwined we do not know where one begins and the other ends. Their roots, plant roots and mycelium are all entangled with one another just like our families and friends are entangled with us. Helping one another, sharing water, nutrients and immunity, keeping one another strong and healthy. But times have changed, couples have changed, and with it many traditions have become outdated. This traditional planting is slowly fading from our minds, like the mist on a bright sunny morning. In this season of LOVE, consider gifting your lover the new tradition of ‘LOVE TREES’. Order a couple of trees and make a special date to plant this spring. A pair of trees that will represent your deep bond and commitment to one another. We have come along way from the traditional partnership of marriage lets embrace ALL LOVE! #theginkgotree #herbalist #herbalistslife #herb #herbs #herbalism #herbalmedicine #hetbalmedicinemaker #plantmedicine #plantlover #plantpeople #powertotheplants #naturelover #abundance #farmstead #farmhouse #penelopeoutandabout #piquedbypenelope #valentines #love

Sun shine is medicine too! Minis basking in the winters sun Can you see all three? #theginkgotree #herbalist #herbalistslife #herb #herbs #herbalism #herbalmedicine #hetbalmedicinemaker #plantmedicine #plantlover #plantpeople #powertotheplants #naturelover #abundance #farmstead #farmhouse #penelopeoutandabout #piquedbypenelope #labouroflove #miniaturehorse #minis #plantingyourownmedicine

Read the latest news on our beloved Fire Cider trademark issue. We would like to thank our herbal community and all the plant lovers out there for caring about our herbal traditions. You can continue to help by sharing this post - thank you all! https://www.change.org/p/fire-cider-canada-tradition-not-tr

The gangs all here! Who ever said "dogs are a man's best friend" didn't own chickens! #theginkgotree #herbalist #herbalistslife #herb #herbs #herbalism #herbalmedicine #hetbalmedicinemaker #plantmedicine #plantlover #plantpeople #powertotheplants #naturelover #abundance #farmstead #farmhouse #penelopeoutandabout #piquedbypenelope #chickens

Beautiful winter's day! Breakie out in the lake and then off to shop at a local farm -- Hutchings Farm Where do you shop locally?

Excited for you all to watch our short film on our endangered and native botanical sanctuary -- Kina Geggo Botanical Sanctuary. Enjoy and hope to inspire your work https://vimeo.com/480554460

Coyotes -- are such a beautiful creature, however I have to admit I have this love/hate relationship with them. They do not distinguish between our family pets, farm animals, or other wild life -- all are fair game in their world. Just trying to survive, which I totally appreciate. Winter is a tough time of year on our wildlife, and coyotes are not an exception to this rule. It is the perfect season to get out of doors to see what they are up to, where they travel and what ...they eat. As seen in the photo, today's hike lead us to this scene in the snow -- a turtle. Never have I seen a turtle, dead or alive in the winter, as you are aware they hibernate. Did the coyote dig it up from the shore of our bog? It appears by the tracks that is was one coyote, trying to survive a cold long winter. #theginkgotree #herbalist #herbalistslife #herb #herbs #herbalism #herbalmedicine #hetbalmedicinemaker #plantmedicine #plantlover #plantpeople #powertotheplants #naturelover #abundance #farmstead #farmhouse #penelopeoutandabout #piquedbypenelope #turtle #coyote

The original Peanut butter cup! The birds love this treat I make them in the dead of winter. I place these filled shells in our arbour or directly in the feeder. Simply scoop peanut butter into a empty egg shell. Not only do they love the peanut butter, they also get some much needed nutrients from the shells. #theginkgotree #herbalist #herbalistslife #herb #herbs #herbalism #herbalmedicine #hetbalmedicinemaker #plantmedicine #plantlover #plantpeople #powertotheplants #naturelover #abundance #farmstead #farmhouse #penelopeoutandabout #piquedbypenelope #labouroflove #birds

It amazes me the gifts Cedar provides all creatures -- while out snowshoeing we came upon these tracks. A rabbit has been enjoying Cedar's bark and leaves as much as I do! Tea anyone? #theginkgotree #herbalist #herbalistslife #herb #herbs #herbalism #herbalmedicine #hetbalmedicinemaker #plantmedicine #plantlover #plantpeople #powertotheplants #naturelover #abundance #farmstead #farmhouse #penelopeoutandabout #piquedbypenelope #winterwonderland #herbaltea

Greetings friends Hope you are enjoying this magical time of year A bird left this beautiful snow angel ... Too amazing not to share:) Speaking of magical, hope you are all enjoying the many holidays being celebrated throughout the lands -- Saint Nicholas Day, Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Lucia's Day, Hanukkah, Yule, Christmas Day, Kwanzaa and Omisoka all celebrated December and January. Here’s to your health during this crisp, cold season of winter.... During the winter months we invite you to go inward, slow down, reconnect and give back. We invite you to connect with yourself, your loved ones as well as our plant allies, resting under a cover of white snow. We invite you to put on your warmest clothes and go outside on your favorite trail or spot in the yard- a place you are so familiar with from the times you have come to wildcraft or harvest herbs. Visit our plant teachers while they are resting, recharging, and their seeds preparing for the new cycle. Use all your senses to see this familiar spot in the season of winter. Take a deep breath. How does the air feel compared to summer? Look at some of the plants and what’s left of them. Do they still look familiar? Let them teach you. Maybe you come across a tall, erect stem of mullein, so resilient to wind damage, teaching us about its ability to strengthen and support connective tissue Just as the seeds under the blanket of snow are preparing for spring to arrive, maybe you too can gather up your thoughts and see if you find some room in your garden to put down some seeds this spring. Warm blessings and much love, Penelope #theginkgotree #herbalist #herbalistslife #herb #herbs #herbalism #herbalmedicine #hetbalmedicinemaker #plantmedicine #plantlover #plantpeople #powertotheplants #naturelover #abundance #farmstead #farmhouse #penelopeoutandabout #piquedbypenelope #winter #snowangel

We are really excited about this talk, see you Wednesday!

Let's all like and share this post! Exciting times ahead my friends

I think this little beauty has the wrong date, it's Nov 29th in Canada! See you in the spring #theginkgotree #herbalist #herbalistslife #herb #herbs #herbalism #herbalmedicine #hetbalmedicinemaker #plantmedicine #plantlover #plantpeople #powertotheplants #naturelover #abundance #farmstead #farmhouse #penelopeoutandabout

Yummy, the perfect hot winter drink Ashwaghanda Milk 2 cups milk heated (or soy, almond,oatmeal milk)... 1-2 teaspoons Ashwaghanda 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup 1/8 teaspoon cardamon Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and vanilla to taste. You will find this drink to be stress relieving, protective and calming. A great natural anti anxiety and sleep aid beverage, relaxes without sedating. #theginkgotree #herbalist #herbalistslife #herb #herbs #herbalism #herbalmedicine #hetbalmedicinemaker #plantmedicine #plantlover #plantpeople #powertotheplants #naturelover #abundance #farmstead #farmhouse #hotbeverages #ashwaghanda #piquedbypenelope

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas We've got Will all suited up! Fun days ahead! Be sure to leave cookies and a cup of herbal tea #theginkgotree #herbalist #herbalistslife #herb #herbs #herbalism #herbalmedicine #hetbalmedicinemaker #plantmedicine #plantlover #plantpeople #powertotheplants #naturelover #abundance #farmstead #farmhouse #penelopeoutandabout #piquedbypenelope #makingmemories #christmasfun #christmas

A garden is only as good as it's soil Creating a new teaching garden this spring; our Garden for the Body Systems (herb need alert lol). So, we rototilled virgin earth last spring, added compost and wood chips which also were tilled into soil and allowed nature to work her magic in the soil. Today we have just added four tractor buckets of our compost (horse and chicken manure, and all green compost) and two tractor buckets of triple mix. Now we allow nature to work her ...magic Come spring we will till again, layout our garden plan and then plant! Can't wait for spring lol! Is it too soon to say this? theginkgotree #herbalist #herbalistslife #herb #herbs #herbalism #herbalmedicine #hetbalmedicinemaker #plantmedicine #plantlover #plantpeople #powertotheplants #naturelover #abundance #farmstead #farmhouse #penelopeoutandabout #piquedbypenelope #labouroflove #herbaltea #unitedplantsavers #plantingyourownmedicine

Have you all made your Elderberry Syrup yet? Its not too late, you can still make a lovely syrup using dried berries. Also many of our herbalists out there make and sell their syrups (medicinal) and elixers (herbal drink). ELDERBERRY What it is, How to use it and Seasonal recipes Elderberry refers to a variety of flowering plants of the Sambucus tree belonging to the Adoxaceae family. The most common of this species- and from which I’m sure you’ve found this plant befor...e- is the Sambuca nigra. This variety of Sambuca grows up to be about 30 feet tall; producing soft cream coloured flowers and dark blue-black berries that grow in clusters. The berries themselves must be cooked to be eaten and are rather tart; whereas the flowers, can be eaten raw or cooked, and is found most commonly in tea blends. The reason it must be cooked is due to the high astringency level of the plant, which contains a kind of anti-nutrient that under certain conditions can be toxic. By cooking the berries, it neutralizes the acidity level, and benefits by enhancing Elderberries unique flavour. SO WHY DO WE USE IT Throughout history, Elderberry has been prized as a remedy for influenza. Native Americans typically used this plant for infections; while Egyptians saw it useful for treating burns and improving their complexion. With its high concentration of Vitamin C, dietary fibre, and antioxidants in the form of phenolic acids, flavanols and anthocyanins, it remains no wonder it is still used so widely today. The flowers are particularly rich in flavanols, noted for their circulatory health benefits. There have been many studies today proving the positive affects on cold and flu’s, with relief in symptoms as soon as 24hours with regular use. Most commonly found as a syrup, it can also be used as a tincture, lozenges and is a frequently added ingredient in herbal supplements for immunity. With that, it is best to take just before you feel an illness coming on, or when your immune system is being compromised under stress. Hope you enjoy and have a healthy winter! Classic Elderberry Syrup Recipe Recommended use: 1tbsp, 4x daily Organic Ingredients: * 4 cups cold water * 2 cups dried Elder berries (or 1 cups Elder berries and cup Elder flowers) * 1 cinnamon stick * 1 tsp ginger root * tsp cloves * 1 cup raw, local honey (or organic agave syrup for a vegan recipe) * 1 cup vodka or brandy (optional) Directions: 1. Combine the berries and herbs with cold water in a pot and bring to a boil. 2. Reduce heat and allow herbs to simmer for 30 to 40 minutes. 3. Remove from heat and mash the berries in the pot. 4. Strain the berries and herbs through cheesecloth and squeeze out liquid. 5. Add honey and gently heat mixture for a few minutes. Do not boil! 6. Turn off heat and let cool slightly. 7. If using, add alcohol and stir until well combined. 8. Bottle in sterilized glass.