The second edition of Botanical Anthology is here! I have spent three months working with 29 other contributors to bring it to life and I've loved every minute of it. Whether you are a budding herbalist or medicinal plant newbie, this plant magazine acts as your herbalism guide for the season ahead.
Learn how to build + use a home apothecary
Forage autumn olives, burdock root + mushrooms
Create your own seasonal body oil, bone broth + coffee
Test your knowledge on fall berries + kitchen spices
Develop rituals + routines for the season ahead
Dye with seeds, draw echinacea + felt acorns
Celebrate Mabon + Samhain with simple observances
This publication is comprised of 6 subsections:
Apothecary
Kitchen
Harvest
Craft
Folklore
Celebrate
We also have many fun magazine-y features throughout the publication. Check out the product listing to see the full table of contents!
And as a thank you for supporting me and visiting my blog, here is a special discount code: BAAutumnTake$2
Now for a sneak peek. Anna began exploring herbalism after receiving her great-grandmother’s herbalism books and hearing stories of her remedies, including herbal coffee.
Roasted Roots: An Herbal Coffee Tradition
Herbal coffee is a tradition that can be found, with a little digging, in many family histories. It was once common practice to replace or mix ground coffee with the roasted roots of plants like dandelion, chicory, and burdock. Not only did these easily-foraged plants make coffee go further, but they also cut some of the bitterness in the flavor. These roots also provided a nutritious and grounding alternative ingredient or replacement for coffee without the unwanted side effects of caffeine. Additional spices can be added to the mix for flavor and further health benefits, as well.
Here is a closer look at some of the ingredients you might add to your own roasted root blend.
Dandelion root
Strong liver, gallbladder, + kidney support
Vitamin + mineral rich
Supports heart + balances blood pressure
Chicory root
Vitamin + mineral rich
Digestion support
Antioxidant rich
Supports liver + stomach
Burdock root
Kidney + liver support
Anti-inflammatory • Antioxidant • Detoxifying
Antibacterial + antifungal • Skin clearing
Blood sugar regulating
Cacao
Mildly stimulating
Synergizes other herbs
Heart + blood pressure support
Blood sugar regulating
Cinnamon
Digestive support • Circulation stimulating
Blood sugar regulating • Analgesic
Antimicrobial + antifungal
Antioxidants • Supports brain health
Warming + drying
Allspice, cardamom, cloves, fennel
Digestive support
Promotes circulation • Immune support
Soothing • warming • uplifting
When cooler autumn days make you long for more cups of cozy hot coffee, consider instead roasting and brewing up this alternative herbal blend. Get creative and formulate your own flavorful blend! Or to get started, here is a simple and tasty recipe to try.
Materials
1 part dandelion root
1 part chicory root
1 part burdock root
½ part cinnamon chips
¼ part cacao nibs
¼ part allspice
Method
Preheat oven to 375°.
Spread dandelion, chicory, and burdock roots in a thin layer on a baking sheet. Roast for 10-15 minutes, stirring once or twice to prevent burning. Roast for a shorter time if using a dark or nonstick pan.
Allow to cool.
Mix in cacao nibs, cinnamon chips, and allspice.
Grind in a coffee grinder and brew as you normally brew coffee. Approximately 1 heaping tablespoon of the mixture makes 1 strong cup of herbal coffee.
Notes
Opt for a coarser grind if brewing with a French press.
If using pre-roasted chicory root, add it when mixing in cacao, cinnamon, and allspice.
This blend may also be mixed with coffee, using your desired ratio (50/50 is recommended), to reduce bitterness and caffeine.
Anna Reisz is the herbalist behind The Herbology Faerie, where she shares recipes, lore, and wisdom with a simple, hygge, folk approach. She promotes accessible herbalism for health, hobby, and personal fulfillment. When she’s not busy formulating herbal recipes in her home apothecary, Anna can usually be found outdoors with her three wildlings. Follow Anna on Instagram and Facebook at @theherbologyfaerie and www.theherbologyfaerie.com
For educational purposes only.
Not intended for medical advice.
Always consult your physician.
Purchase herbs by visiting Mountain Rose Herbs!