Who knew Cumin, a STAPLE in Mexican food, isn't even from Mexico? Messy keeps us in our kitchen cabinet to discuss its history and benefits. Ya Boy drools over his favorite native fruit species, the wild plum!
We all know the dark side of Poison Ivy, but how many of us have ever tried to see the good in such a feared plant? Also, has nature provided us a relief? Ya Boy and Messy tag team this episode to highlight the good and bad of Toxicodendron and even chat about a plant known historically to be the most suitable opponent, Jewelweed!
It's not summer yet, but we can dream while we discuss two summer staples! Ice cream and......lemonade...but without the lemons. Messy boasts the wonders of the Flavor GOAT, Vanilla while Ya Boy talks about native species of Sumac and how it can be made into a refreshing lemonade-esque drink!
Dilly, Dilly! Messy talks about a flavorful (and beneficial) herb that we all know well; DILL! And Ya Boy raves about his latest find from the property, the Southern Bayberry.
We're seeing red this week as Messy covers what could be considered the GOAT of flowers; the Rose! And, Ya Boy chases that monkey and the weasel around the Mulberry.......tree?
What is the difference between Cilantro and Coriander? Messy fills us in! Ya Boy talks about one of his most beloved trees, the Bald Cypress (Taxodium distichum), and Alabama's ancient Underwater Forest.
Messy talks about the culinary herb that finally stumped Ya Boy in the guessing game; PARSLEY! Ya Boy discusses the wonder of the Ghost in the Garden, the Great Maple............ American Sycamore! This was a fun one full of lore, history, and of course, all the benefits these plants have to offer!
Messy and Ya Boy get SPICY as Messy covers the many benefits of Capsicum annuum--Cayenne Pepper. While Ya Boy sticks to the Magnolia family and discusses enamor of the ancient Tulip Tree, Liriodendron tulipifera!
Two classics! One, a dinner table staple. The other, an aroma of the South. Messy helps us understand the fascination with Peppercorn, how it became a household item, and what's shakin' inside those pungent little.....berries? Ya Boy, talks traditional medicinal uses of Magnolia and how this ancient tree became the epicenter of Southern culture.
Happy New Year! 2022 was full of life changes for Messy and Ya Boy, and we're hitting 2023 full of energy with plenty of goals regarding herbalism, conservation, business ideas, and the homestead. Sweet Basil is a standard kitchen herb loaded with benefits, and Messy goes in-depth about all it has to offer. We've learned about Longleaf Pine, but Ya Boy has found a new love for the underrated Short Leaf pine! Learn more in this week's episode.
Olipop: A New Kind of Soda
One more for the Christmas season! What does Loki, the Norse god of Mischief, have to do with the mistletoe tradition? And, is there hope for the Frasier Fir? Messy and Ya Boy fill you in and talk about Christmas history, Appalachian conservation, and Native American beer.
Can you get more Christmassy? Peppermint and its benefits are central to the holiday season, and Douglas Fir is the goat of Christmas Trees! This has been fun, from easing stomach pain to underground forest brainwaves!
It's....STILL CHRISTMAS TIME! And what is MORE Christmassy than Chestnuts and Cinnamon! Messy continues, and wraps up, her series on the Pumpkin Spices. Ya Boy dives into the devastating history of the American Chestnut tree and it's downfall due to the Chestnut blight.
Support American Chestnut restoration: Saving the American Chestnut Tree | The American Chestnut Foundation (acf.org)
Kicking off the Christmas season as Messy continues through her Pumpkin Pie Spices, this week tackling Nutmeg! Ya Boy finally discusses his daily tea, Ilex vomitoria.....we know the name sounds icky.....BUT Yaupon Holly is our only NATIVE caffeinated plant! Join us!
We're still gearing up for Thanksgiving with more Pumpkin Pie Spice! Messy talks about the wonders of clove. Ya Boy covers a fall staple, for its flavor and beauty, the Maple Tree (Acer family).