October Walnut Harvest

Dear Bonnie,

Shortening daylight, the hum of cicadas and the occasional sound of a falling walnut foretell the approaching season of ripening green walnuts. Looking back on previous years, there’s been some beautiful. moments at harvest time captured forever in my memory. Like the time I was coming down from a climb up a walnut tree and heard the song of a mockingbird start up. I just happened to be directly across from this chorusing bird perched on top of an utility post. Then there was the tree in the pasture of black angus cows. As I shook the walnuts to the ground from my position high in the tree, a growing number of cows ambled over to munch on the hulls of the green walnuts. I guess they knew what they needed!                 

Much joy is found in the climb, as I spiral upward in the limbs of these beautiful trees.

For the seventh year now, I will continue to harvest green black walnuts to send to those who wish to make their own tincture, as well as provide black walnut tincture made from fresh green walnuts at an affordable price. Due to my travel agenda, it is now necessary to receive orders and payment ahead for the walnuts and tincture, both of which will be shipped in the month of October. So please think ahead and plan for the supply you will need for the year. Orders need to be received by October 1^st. I hope this isn’t an inconvenience!

I now have the first edition of my book, Native and commonly found Plants as Food and Medicine. Included in the book is information on plants found in the eastern United States that have been used throughout history for cancer. Besides black walnut, these include: bloodroot, mayapple, poke and violet. Interesting to note is that besides historic use, I have found current medical use of black walnut, poke and mayapple. Parasites are all over the world, and so are parasite remedies. Tobacco, aloe, ginger, grapefruit seed extract, heal all, milk, pomegranate, papaya, pumpkin seeds and sour orange are some that are tried and true. Other plants useful as medicine or as highly nutritious food are also included. Amaranth, chickweed, ginkgo, horsetail, plantain, pine, purslane and witch hazel are some examples. As told by an African-American woman from Alabama, pine needle tea was used to cure her of malaria when she was a child — in copious amounts as a tea and in baths.                             

I’ve seen our fresh horsetail extract do such wonderful things as reversing osteoporosis, fungus nails and pain from injury. I have harvested or used these plants practically every day of the year, and so can you!                                                                                                                     

I have included drawings and descriptions of plants, harvesting details and recipes, as well as general information for use. The book is 120+ pages, and I am still adding to it.

Dr. Clark started something great when she inspired me to harvest black walnuts, make soap and use or make pure plant products. The liver cleanse is awesome and gets easier all the time. This “road to health” has not only been a great adventure, but food for the soul as I get healthier and connect with all the wonderful plants and people.

For a price list, detailed description of my book or questions — send an e-mail to me at:

wildwoodleslie@hotmail.com   or call and leave your name and address on my voice mail — I can retrieve messages from anywhere! (502) 893-7923.

Thanks!

Leslie Wood