by Mary Lane

No neighbors in sight. Although they are tucked away here and there so I have community. Medicine is growing everywhere you look outside, and drying everywhere inside. When I’m not playing with my herbs I am gardening, gathering wild mushrooms, or other seasonal bounty, cooking, writing, sitting around the fire, hanging with other witches. And, I sleep with my cat, who is a dainty, fierce, huntress that is shamelessly adored by me and everyone else who happens to come to my home.

Several years ago I was told that coffee trashes my kidneys. Knowing that they support the amount of sexual energy, (Qi) I have, I knew immediate action was required. That was one thing I wasn’t willing to compromise. I found a basic recipe for an herbal coffee substitute, played around with some roots from my yard, added a little local honey and dark chocolate, and just like magic came up with a decoction that is a powerful tonic for the liver, kidneys and heart while building the blood and Qi. Add a little cream and you have a delicious latte. How’s that for a little magic? I hope you enjoy it!

Herbal Espresso Blend
1 cup dried chicory root
¼ cup dried dandelion root
¼ cup barley
*1/8 cup ginseng, or spikenard root
Sometimes I will add a little nettle root, yellow dock root, and, or comfrey root for extra flavor and medicinal qualities

Directions:
To make the herb blend roast chicory, dandelion, barley and ginseng in a 200 degree preheated oven for 2 hours. Or roast in a large heavy skillet for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Grind in a coffee grinder until fine. Store in a glass container with a lid.

Espresso
1-2 cups water
3-5 tsp herbal espresso blend
1-2 tsp molasses, honey or maple syrup
pinch ground cinnamon
pinch organic dark chocolate powder

Directions:
To make the espresso, simmer the roots blend in water for about 10 minutes. Add the cinnamon and chocolate powder. Steep with the lid on for another few minutes. Sweeten with molasses, honey or maple syrup.

* Ginseng is not recommended for pregnant women or individuals with high blood pressure. It may also have estrogenic activity, which aggravates fibrocystic breast disease in women. If these conditions are present simply eliminate ginseng form mixture.