Deborah J. Martin's Blog, page 21

Herbs & Minerals

When I went to the doctor about my frozen shoulder*, they naturally took an Xray to ensure there was nothing wrong with the skeletal structure. Just by looking at it, you could tell my bones weren’t quite as dense as they ought to be. It doesn’t really surprise me. I’m small-framed, Caucasian, I like sweets & the occasional alcoholic drink, and I smoke**. I knew about all these perils years ago and have tried to ensure I’m getting enough calcium through my diet: dairy; vegetables such as broc...

Do Herbs Work?

A rant by one of my favorite people, Harold over at Alchemy Works, got me to thinking about a question I’m frequently asked. The answer is a qualified YES.

My answer is qualified because a) there are some issues where herbs won’t help and more importantly, b) not all herbs work the same way on each person. Your physiology is unique and what works for me may not work for you and vice versa. For example, 95% of the population falls asleep when they take Valerian. Not me. I’m bouncing off the wal...

Dear Writer

//begin non-herb-related rant

I read … a lot. During the day if I’m not massaging numbers while wearing my accountant hat, I’m either researching or writing. That’s serious stuff so in the evenings, I prefer lighter reading. I enjoy many genres and love YA (young adult) fiction. It’s generally entertaining; usually a quick read; contains no erotica (which bores me); and doesn’t scare the crap out of me, influencing my dreams.

Technology has made getting a novel published as an e-book almost a n...

Weed Spotlight: Plantain

My neighbors already think I’m nuts but I’ve proved it to them once again: I’ve been crawling around the yard on my hands & knees, doing ‘selective weeding’. No, I don’t want a perfectly-kept suburban lawn of grass. I’m looking for and harvesting Plantain!

One easy way of finding it is to first look for Nettles. Then look closely nearby – you’ll generally find a Plantain or two … Nature provides! Should you accidentally run into a Nettle and feel its sting, look around for a Plantain. Crush on...

Aromatherapy and … Chiropractic?

I've been diagnosed with a "frozen" right shoulder. At first I thought it was the bursitis acting up but eventually, range-of-motion became an issue so I finally broke down last week and went to the doctor to find out just what the hell was going on. I'm hopelessly right-handed and it's really inconvenient – not to mention painful – not to be able to use my right arm much at all.

So, I got the diagnosis & she wants me to see a chiropractor and acupuncturist. Who'd a thunk it? A CAM*-oriented d...

Get A Job!

Although the pundits say the economy is getting better, I think we "little guys" would beg to differ. I know many, many people who are out of work, or at the very least, underemployed. Therefore, I thought I'd offer my suggestions as to some magical things to do to get a new or better job.

The following is an excerpt from my book, A Green Witch's Formulary (Balboa Press, 2011):

Carry a piece of Gravel Root (Joe Pye Weed) or a whole, unshelled Pecan in your pocket to interviews or while you're...

Weed Appreciation Day – Dandelion

It's Weed Appreciation Day! Unless you use chemicals on your yard, you've probably got a few useful ones. My yard includes Plantain, Nettle, Chickweed and … Dandelion.

I love Dandelions, and not just because I used to blow on them to make a wish as a kid. I cherish the ones growing in my yard and even help myself to the ones in my neighbors' yards. They don't like them, I do. Freebies are always good.

Depending on where you are, yours haven't come up, yet; they're just starting to flower; or...

Medieval Medicine – and Mystery!

If you've been reading this blog for any length of time, you'll know that I'm a history buff – especially if it has anything to do with herbs. This last week I rediscovered an old friend: Brother Cadfael.

My only interaction with the good Brother to this point was the PBS series based on the books. Sir Derek Jacobi starred in 13 episodes that aired over four years in the 1990′s. For some reason, I felt a distinct urge to reacquaint myself with him and bought the entire series of 20 books...

Essential Bookshelf: A Modern Herbal

If this two-volume set isn't in your herbal library, it should be. Originally published in 1931, reprinted by Dover in 1971 and updated with cross-referencing and an index in 1982, Mrs. M(aud) Grieve gives a wealth of information on hundreds of herbs. Not only does she describe the plant, in most instances she'll give you cultivation information; mythological and historical tidbits; chemical constituents; and, of course, medicinal usages – with recipes.

When reading the latter, one has to...

So You Wanna Be A Published Author?

I read a lot about the publishing industry. Just like any other career, it pays to keep up with what folks in your field are saying. The majority of people not affiliated with a Big Six publisher are talking about how print is going away, how e-books are the wave of the future, yadda yadda. (I still like bound paper books, thank you.) Friends and acquaintances are asking me how I got my two books published. For posterity's sake, if nothing else, I thought I'd share my two experiences thus...