An Herbal Diary
An Herbal Diary
Dina Ranade
Explore the art and science of kitchen herbalism. Each episode delves into the fascinating world of botanical medicine - how it can enhance our lives and support our well-being. Build your own personal kitchen apothecary, a medicine cabinet stocked with all that is good for your families, friends and yourself.
A Tea Decoction that Tastes like Juice
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 ---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 Instagram If you enjoyed this episode, please follow or subscribe where ever you like to listen to podcasts! And if you have time, kindly share with your friends and family.  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 humans - two daughters and one son all now living their young adult lives - and one sweet Pomeranian named Maci.    
Jan 17
22 min
53. Little Herb Saver: Part 2 Lemon Balm Monograph
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   Sources for Lemon Balm Starter Plants: Companion Plants Strictly Medicinal Seeds   ---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 follow or subscribe where ever you like to listen to podcasts! And if you have time, kindly share with your friends and family.  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 humans - two daughters and one son all now living their young adult lives - and one sweet Pomeranian named Maci.  
Apr 20, 2023
51 min
52. Lemon Balm Monograph Part 1
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, Dina focuses on lemon balm's origin and the benefits it can offer for us now. Also offering favorite sources for dried lemon balm and some recipes for making teas and tinctures. Thank you for joining me. Recipes in Episode: Lemon Balm Tea: 1-2 tsp dried lemon balm with 8 ounces hot water, steep 15-20 minutes. Lemon Balm Tincture: 50g lemon balm + 250ml Vodka Lemon Balm Cordial: 1 cup chopped apples (Granny Smith or other tart variety) ¼ cup dried lemon balm 3 tablespoons lemon peel, cut into strips 1 tablespoon raisins 1 cinnamon stick 3 cloves 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg  2 cups of Brandy  1/2 cup maple syrup   Sources for Dried Lemon Balm Mountain Rose Herbs Avena Botanicals Herbalist & Alchemist   ---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 follow or subscribe where ever you like to listen to podcasts! And if you have time, kindly share with your friends and family.  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 humans - two daughters and one son all now living their young adult lives - and one sweet Pomeranian named Maci.  
Feb 27, 2023
39 min
51. Lemon Balm Scones are Medicine for the Baker
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 ---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 follow or subscribe where ever you like to listen to podcasts! And if you have time, kindly share with your friends and family.  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 humans - two daughters and one son all now living their young adult lives - and one sweet Pomeranian named Maci.
Sep 4, 2022
38 min
050 Kitchen Medicine Broth Series:Ginger Stock
Rounding out my broth episodes 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 a great example, because it is such a foundational culinary herb with 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. Listen in while I make a pungent ginger stock and then use it in mushroom soup. I hope you will simmer along with me. *Ginger Broth* makes 3-4 cups 4 cups (1 quart) water 4 inch piece fresh ginger root, chopped 1 teaspoon peppercorns 1 teaspoon coriander seeds 1 bay leaf 3 kafir lime leaf Salt to taste (optional, perhaps do not add if going to drink as tea) 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, covered for 30-45 minutes. Strain.  To make mushroom soup - saute onions, leeks and garlic, combine 4 cups ginger stock with 3-4 cups water and simmer any mushrooms with potatoes, carrots and peas or any other vegetables you like. Season with salt and pepper. ---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 follow or subscribe where ever you like to listen to podcasts! And if you have time, kindly share with your friends and family.  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 humans - two daughters and one son all now living their young adult lives - and one sweet Pomeranian named Maci.  
May 17, 2022
33 min
Kitchen Medicine Broth Series: Chicken Stock
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 ---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 --- 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. 
May 14, 2021
30 min
48 Kitchen Medicine Broth Series II featuring Kvass
Another form of kitchen alchemy and extraction: Kvass. This fermented beverage is refreshing and tangy. Using Kvass as broth may be unconventional but it is also uncommonly good, especially beet kvass used in borscht, either cold or hot. Give it a try. Kvass Recipe 12 slices dark rye bread 2-3 quarts hot water ¼ cup sugar or honey 1 ¼ teaspoon dry active yeast 1 Tablespoon lemon juice 12 raisins For Beet Kvass 2-4 beets, peeled and cubed 2-3 quarts water Mentions: Beyond the North Wind by Darra Goldstein The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky Borodinsky Rye Bread ---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 FOLLOW OR 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.   
Apr 6, 2021
28 min
47 Kitchen Medicine Broth Series: Garlic Stock
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.  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 --- 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. 
Feb 23, 2021
17 min
Pop-Up Cocoa Tea Salon
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 Mentions: Jim McDonald: Herbcraft.org Jim’s Virtual Classes  Cocoa Tea Recipe 12 ounces herbal tea (chamomile, mint or any favorite) 1 teaspoon 100% dark cocoa powder ¼ teaspoon cinnamon ¼ cup coconut milk Simmer together 10 minutes. Stir in 1 tablespoon honey. Inulin-Rich Cocoa 3 cups water 1 teaspoon burdock root powder 1 teaspoon dandelion root powder 2 teaspoons 100% dark cocoa powder Simmer together 20 minutes Stir in 2 tablespoons honey.   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 --- 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. 
Dec 28, 2020
21 min
Materia Medica: Plantain
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 CONNECT WITH DINA Together we can transform our kitchens into a unique apothecary. ---With all of my heart I would love you to join me, click here to join on Patreon  ---Follow me on instagram: @theherbalbakeshoppe ---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 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 --- 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 that this creates. She passionately loves exploring culinary herbalism and has been working on stocking her home kitchen apothecary or medicine cabinet.   
Nov 16, 2020
35 min
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