Wild Herb Spice Blend Recipe

The art of cooking used to be something that was passed down from generation to generation.  As convenience culture crept into the Western world around the 1950’s, we began to lose the stories, techniques, and the small special ways our elders ensured the family meal was not only flavorful but that nourished the family. Often it was the same person who cooked the meals that was the medicine person of the home.  

The family remedies that were used to prevent and treat the colds and flu, the wounds, and stomach aches also were lost as we moved into the convenience of over-the-counter medications at the local corner store. See my three remedies to fight colds and flu fast.

There is a movement toward those old ways right now as people feel disconnected from their ancestral wisdom. I think people also are seeking to feel more empowered around taking good care of themselves at home in the wake of health care and prescription costs rising along with everything else.

Weave Medicine Into Daily Meals

In my Medicine Woman program, I teach just this…how to connect back to the many simple ways our ancestors ensured the family was healthy and thriving.  One of the main tenets of this program is weaving medicine into our daily meals. I truly feel this is one of the secrets to a long life of quality health. Prevention through daily deep nutrition supports our bodies’ system through what is becoming an increasingly toxic environment.  As our soil becomes more void of nutrients, we cannot simply rely on the grocery store vegetables to provide all we need.  Our wild herbs and spices bring in the added minerals, nutrients, and medicine that keep our bodies thriving daily.  Waiting until we become sick before adding herbal medicine into our lives will ensure we are sick more often.

I called this spice blend “Medicine Dust,” which delights my two children as we sprinkle it over our dishes like forest fairies. That is, of course, not required! It’s also a well-loved recipe that I share with my students. When we have something easy like a medicine-rich spice blend on hand, we can easily infuse just about any dish with the healing powers of minerals and nutrients from our herb friends. 

Why Wild Herbs?

While our favorite veggies and fruits from the grocery store all have their own unique and very real healing abilities, our wild varieties of herbs and food bring, well, wildness.  What I mean by that is that herbs like Dandelion and Nettle are survivors.  They naturally grow without the help of humans.  They are not relying on regular watering and care.  We’ve all seen Dandelion grow even in the most dire circumstances, such as between sidewalk cracks or along busy roadsides.  These herbs carry with them the energy of strength and perseverance.  The roots of wild herbs tend to go much deeper into the Earth.  Dandelion specifically has a taproot that is capable of going 10-15 feet into the ground.  This means our wild herbs can access levels of minerals and nutrients that our cultivated vegetables do not, and they bring those nutrients into their roots and offer them to us.  

Where to Find Wild Herbs

If you feel like you could use more strength in your life, try adding in more wild plants and herbs. See my post on how to start a medicine garden with six healing herbs. If you’re not comfortable yet growing or foraging your own wild herbs, take baby steps and purchase them from someone who does. Also, I see grocery stores now carrying Dandelion leaves. Try your local health food store, a local herb grower, or for online shopping, I trust the organic options at Mountain Rose Herbs.

Herbal Medicine Spice Blend Recipe

One of my favorite ways to use wild herbs is to create a spice blend that is easily used in multiple ways.  A spice blend is a great gateway to adding wild medicine into your life.  This particular spice blend is often used in our home.  It combines herbs we all know and love together with just a few wild and medicinal herbs to bring in a deeper level of minerals and healing powers.  Having a culinary blend like this ready to go in your kitchen and actually using it regularly can really help you level up in terms of the plant power in your life.  Even our everyday favorite culinary spices bring true medicine to the table.

Let’s take a look at the medicine in this recipe.

- Dried stinging nettle leaves – one of the most nutrient-rich herbs on the planet, high in iron, calcium, magnesium, protein, and more 
- Dried dandelion leaves – supports the liver, kidneys, and urinary tract and help the body detox and high in minerals such as iron, potassium, and zinc
- Dried oregano leaves – high in calcium, magnesium, anti-bacterial, anti-viral
- Dried sage leaves – anti-aging, support respiratory system and cardiovascular system, antibacterial
- Smoked paprika – anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and supports healthy digestion
- Turmeric powder – offers major anti-inflammatory power, anti-oxidant rich

- Coriander powder – lowers cholesterol, balances blood pressure, soothes ulcers, protects the body against salmonella
- Cumin powder –supports healthy digestion, balances blood sugar, anti-bacterial, anti-viral
- Garlic powder – anti-bacterial, anti-viral, high in anti-oxidants
- Reishi powder – a true medicinal mushroom that supports an overall healthy body, a healthy spiritual body, supports the immune system and known to be anti-cancer

- Sea salt – mineral rich, supports healthy electrolyte balance

This herbal blend immerses wild herbs with fragrant culinary herbs and medicinal mushrooms to make it so easy for you to create a quick dish absolutely full of good medicine and flavor.

Let’s make our Herbal Medicine Spice Blend

Ingredients

• Dried stinging nettle leaves, loosely packed - 1/4 cup 
• Dried dandelion leaves, loosely packed - 1/4 cup 
• Dried oregano leaves, loosely packed - 1/2 cup
• Dried sage leaves, loosely packed - 1/2 cup
• Smoked paprika powder - 1 tablespoon
• Turmeric powder - 1 tablespoon
• Coriander powder - 1 teaspoon
• Cumin powder - 1 teaspoon
• Garlic powder - 1 teaspoon
• Reishi powder - 1 teaspoon
• Pinch of sea salt

Instructions

To make your Medicine blend, add the first four ingredients and blend until your herbs become a powder. Now add the rest of your ingredients to your blender (make sure your blender is super dry!) and blend on high, pulsing for a few seconds until everything becomes a powdery blend. 

You can also use a grinder for this process.  I have a separate coffee grinder just for times like this and it works great for grinding small amounts of herbs.  

I recommend making enough to keep in a small jar and use within a month or two. This will keep the vibrancy, flavor and medicine as fresh as possible. Keep in a spot in your kitchen where you will remember it’s there and use often.

A few of my favorite ways to use this blend

Spice up potato fries, add to the Instant Pot when making my rice blends and beans, sprinkle over popcorn, sprinkle on salads, add to olive oil in a shallow dish for bread dipping, sprinkle into any soup or sauteed dish, season meat, sprinkle over eggs, the list is endless!

No matter how you enjoy this spice blend, the goal is to use it.  Herbs only work when you use them!

Remember to pay attention to how you feel when consuming any new herb or food.  Listen to your body.  If you are on medications, talk to your health provider before taking any herbs that are new to you.

Cheers to your vibrant health!