Mitten Herbal, LLC

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Mitten Herbal, LLC

Welcome to Mitten Herbal! Please feel free to contact us for any questions regarding our handcrafted organic products, or for custom requests or concerns.

All of our products are made free of food allergens unless otherwise requested.

12/07/2024

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05/03/2024

Hello and welcome to Foraging Friday!
Last Saturday, we discovered a lot of amazing plants in the foraging class, and I would like to tell you about another one - Saponaria officinalis. Soapwort, as it is commonly known, is different from most plants I usually talk about because it is mainly used for external purposes. This is because it contains saponin, which can be toxic if ingested in large quantities, mostly concentrated in the roots. It grows in cool places such as under hedgerows and along the shoulders of roadways, and it usually blooms from May to September.

As the plant's name suggests, it can be used as a very gentle soap, usually in a diluted solution. Historically, it has been used to clean delicate or unique textiles, especially woolen fabrics. Some even say that it was used to treat the Shroud of Turin. You can create a lathery liquid that can dissolve fats and grease by boiling the leaves or roots in water. After boiling, the leaves are chopped and strained, and the resulting liquid can be used as soap.

In the Romanian village of Șieu Odorhei, locals call the plant "săpunele." They traditionally use it as a replacement for soap for dry skin. Despite its toxic potential for internal use, it is used in some culinary applications as an emulsifier in the commercial preparation of tahini and in brewing to create a beer with a good head. In the Middle East, the root is often used as an additive in the process of making halva. The plant is used to stabilize the oils in the mixture and create the distinctive halva texture.

Here at Mitten Herbal, we are excited to explore whether soapwort would be a good base for our soon-to-come shampoo. We are currently researching to determine if this will be a sustainable and healthy choice.

05/01/2024

Hello and welcome to "What Herb Wednesday".
We have talked about quite a few culinary herbs with health benefits and I am wondering what herb or spice you use regularly in your cooking? Is there one you would like to use but just haven't had the chance? Last Saturday our foraging class found Alliaria petiolate, Garlic mustard.
Aside from its fragrant and tasty properties, garlic mustard has a whole lot of medicinal benefits. Traditionally, the plant was used as an antiseptic for wounds and eaten as a diuretic. It’s also rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E, Beta-carotene, fiber, omega-3, calcium, iron, phosphorus, and manganese. Other beneficial properties include: good for controlling weight, improving heart health, lowering cholesterol, and strengthening the immune system.
It is a biannual, easy to find, and is one of the first herbs of spring. I would like to leave you with a recipe for garlic mustard pesto and hope you try it.

Garlic Mustard Pesto
1 cup of chopped garlic mustard leaves
1 tbsp of chopped onion
1/4 c parmesan cheese
1/4 c olive oil
Combine the above ingredients in a blender and mix well.
Add a dash of salt and you're done!

04/29/2024

WOW is it Mitten Monday already?!
Between hosting a foraging class, filling orders, and researching new products the weekend flew by. We had a great time teaching and learning about beneficial plants on Saturday, which spurred my research into making a more plant based soap than what I already make. I am hoping to announce it and a couple other products soon. Please stay tuned as we handcraft more healthy products for your body!

04/26/2024

TGIF and welcome to Foraging Friday!
We have been hard at work prepping a foraging class for a group on Saturday. Can't wait to get out and be in nature! I don't have much time, but I wanted to drop a line about Portulaca oleracea, or Purslane.
Purslane is a type of low-growing succulent plant that is packed with important vitamins and minerals, making it a highly beneficial addition to your diet. In fact, it contains the highest amount of vitamin A compared to any other green leafy vegetable, as well as significant amounts of vitamin C, B-complex vitamins, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and iron.
Additionally, purslane contains minerals that are believed to have antidepressant properties, and it can be used for a variety of health purposes such as a laxative, heart tonic, emollient, muscle relaxant, and diuretic. It has even been used to treat conditions such as osteoporosis and psoriasis, and is said to aid in treating insomnia.
People often consume purslane for its medicinal benefits, and it can be used as a garnish or added to salads to give a fresh, tangy flavor. However, it's important to mention that purslane also contains oxalic acid, so it's recommended to consume less than 23g per day (6.71-8.69mg/g based on 200-300mg/day) to maintain a healthy oxalate level.

04/24/2024

Hi everyone and welcome to "What Herb Wednesday"!
Today we are going to talk about Artemisia dracunculus.
Tarragon is a perennial herb that is in the sunflower family. It has a subtle flavor that goes well with a variety of foods, such as fish, beef, chicken, asparagus, eggs, and soups.
In traditional Asian medicine, Tarragon is used to treat digestive system diseases, as well as for pain relief, sleep, and to help with seizures. It can also be used as a remedy for helminthiasis, a type of parasitic infection. Today, researchers are studying the properties of Tarragon and have found that it has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects, as well as antioxidant, anti-tumor, and immunomodulating properties. It can also help protect the liver and lower blood sugar levels.
With all those health benefits I will be using a lot more Tarragon in my cooking, how about you?

04/22/2024

Welcome to Mitten Monday! We are excited to announce our upcoming recycling program in honor of Earth Day. Our program aims to recycle the glass containers in which most of our product is packaged. Customers can return their empty containers to us and they will be sanitized and reused for their next purchase with a discount. We are currently working to make the program more effective and efficient, so If you are interested in when the program is launched, please sign up for our email list at mittenherbal.com. Let's work together to make our planet a better place!

04/19/2024

Hello and welcome to Foraging Friday!
I had the opportunity to do some foraging this week and found some great plants at a local park. One of them was Impatiens capensis.
Jewelweed is an annual. Its seeds grow in pods that increase in size and build up pressure until they burst open when touched. This is why they are also known as touch-me-not.
Jewelweed is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine, and anti-fungal properties and has been used for centuries by Native Americans to treat poison ivy, nettle stings, and bug bites. It is often found growing in close proximity to poison ivy and stinging nettles. It has also been used effectively to treat other skin conditions such as eczema, rashes, and fungal infections.
Jewelweed is safe to use either by mouth or by applying it directly to the skin. If you ever come across it while foraging, it's a good idea to harvest a little just in case you get poison ivy or other skin irritations while exploring our wonderful outdoors.

04/18/2024

Good morning! I know it's not "What Herb Wednesday" but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to tell you about this wonderful herb, Origanum vulgare.
Oregano belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae. It has been used for centuries to add flavor to food and for medicinal purposes. Oregano is a rich source of antioxidants, which help to fight off free radicals, it has antibacterial properties, is also believed to have cancer-fighting properties, and can help alleviate inflammation. The essential oil of oregano contains two major phenol components, Thymol and Carvacrol. These components give oregano its unique antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antibiotic properties. Thymol acts as a potent antiseptic and antifungal that stimulates the immune system. Scientific research has found it to fight bacteria, relieve inflammation,
regulate blood sugar and lipids, and fight cancer. With all of these great benefits, I think Oregano is a must-have-herb in the kitchen!

04/15/2024

Good morning and welcome to Mitten Monday!
We've made some updates to our website's labels and photos over the past week. As usual, we always create products on demand so that you receive the freshest herbal items possible. However, this week we are making products in advance so that we can showcase them on the website. We have a new summer line coming out with sunscreen lotion, after-sun cream and other summer must haves. Additionally, we're working on shampoo/bar, conditioner, and a few other items that we hope to offer soon.
We would really appreciate your feedback and encourage everyone to check out our website and let us know what you think.
How can we improve?
Are there any items you'd like to see us offer?
Lastly, we would like to thank everyone for their continued support and encouragement. We couldn't do this without you!💖

04/12/2024

Welcome to Foraging Friday!

I hope everyone had a good week and is looking forward to spending some time in nature this weekend. For me, being outdoors is therapeutic and feels like a treasure hunt.
In case you're planning to forage this weekend, keep an eye out for Plantago Major. This plant has been known for its medicinal benefits for centuries and contains several chemical compounds that make it effective in treating various health conditions. These compounds include flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenoids, phenolic acid derivatives, iridoid glycosides, fatty acids, polysaccharides, and vitamins.
Studies have found that Plantago major is useful as a wound healer, antiulcerative, antidiabetic, antidiarrhoeal, anti-inflammatory, antinociceptive, antibacterial, and antiviral agent. It's also effective against fatigue and cancer and acts as an antioxidant and free radical scavenger.
With all of those health benefits greater plantain is a great plant to have around!

04/10/2024

Hello and welcome to What Herb Wednesday!
Today we are going to talk about Cinnamon it is a spice that is made from the inner bark of trees scientifically known as Cinnamomum.
It has been used as an ingredient throughout history, dating back as far as Ancient Egypt. It used to be rare and valuable and was regarded as a gift fit for kings.
These days, cinnamon is affordable and widely available in most supermarkets. It’s also found as an ingredient in various foods and recipes.
There are two main types of cinnamon:
Ceylon cinnamon: This type is also known as “true” cinnamon.
Cassia cinnamon: This is the most common variety today and what people generally refer to as “cinnamon.”
It is made by cutting the stems of the tree and the inner bark is then extracted and the woody parts removed.
When it dries, it forms strips that curl into rolls, called cinnamon sticks. These sticks can be ground to form cinnamon powder.
The distinct smell and flavor of cinnamon are due to the oily part, which is very high in the compound cinnamaldehyde.
Scientists believe that this compound is responsible for most of cinnamon’s powerful effects on health and metabolism.
Cinnamon has many health benefits such as; antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, anticancer, lipid-lowering, and cardiovascular-disease-lowering compounds, cinnamon has also been reported to have activities against neurological disorders, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.
So the next time you use cinnamon in your cooking know you are doing your body good.

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Norton Shores, MI
49441

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http://www.mittenherbal.com/

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