Hunting the Elder plant in SW Florida

I found this plant while biking on Pine Island Florida this week. It is called Kalanchoe delagoensis. Common names are Mother of Thousands or Chandelier Plant. Although not a native plant,I have seen it blooming this week in Pine Island Sound and along the Manasota Key area. I was told that it was brought here as a house plant years ago and has since gone invasive on Florida's coast. The bright colored coral tubular flowers hang together, hence the name chandelier plant. The two places where I found it were near old home sites, long since abandoned. I was also told that it takes 2-3 years before the plant flowers, but once it starts to grow it is very invasive.I was on a mission to find the Beach Elder or Marsh Elder, native to Florida when I found this beautiful plant. The Beach or Marsh Elder is not a true Elder (Sambucus), but nonetheless I was intrigued when I was told that elder grew amongst the ocean areas.I have a real affinity for elderberry and love to use it when I can in my blends. When I travel to SW Florida yearly I bring extract made from elderberry that grows in SE Ohio known as Sambucus nigra (black elderberry) for some local friends. The health benefits are far reaching with a focus on supporting one's immune system and helping to fight off the flu. At The Herbal Sage Tea Company we make a highly concentrated extract with the elderberry fruit, as well as adding these powerful antioxidants to our Family Health Tea with elderberry. Thanks for reading this blog and I will share new plants that I discover as I travel the way of the Herbal Gypsy.

2012

This is the first day of thenew year, generally I try and take it one day at a time, but this year,2012,seems to be on every one's radar as an upcoming epic year.
Last fall flew by me and I did not have a chance to post to this blog. My father had been diagnosed with cancer in late fall, intitally, we were told that it was operable and that we could expect treatment and some recovery. That's not how it played out and now and we find out that it is terminal.
My parents are extremely strong individuals and when working as a team, as they have done for over 61 years, they are awesome. They have taken this diagnosis head on and are truly living each day to its fullest.Taking great care of each other and following the treatments prescribed, with the added benefits of eating quite well and having herbal teas in their daily diet.The fact that they are snowbirds and are now in the warm of Florida helps too!

As an herbalist and someone who plays the role of caretaker often,I have found myself very frustrated at times since the diagnosis. Although dad is enjoying many of my teas,including Happy Belly Organic Herbal Tea,he is beginning to feel the ill effects of his treatments.Currently he is also taking elderberry extract and Family Health Tea. The tea blend is rich in anti-oxidants,vitamin C, is all organic and caffeine free. Elderberry has been used traditionally to help fight the flu for centuries, and the extract is very effective.We do NOT want him to get the flu or any illness at this point!

We have purchased an RV and plan on traveling down south to visit them and help in any way, leaving in the next few weeks.I will also continue to look for new revenues for Herbal Sage Brand Teas,as I travel, and will have opportunity's to share my herbal knowledge in a couple of scheduled classes in Florida.

For now I am working hard to get Herbal Sage's main offices in order, with my excellent blending staff ready to blend in my absence.I plan on blogging as I travel, sharing herbal information, Herbal Sage Tea news and of course tidbits about my dad's road, and how we all travel with him as he moves thru it.
The Sage suggestion for today is,,,, to remember to take your elderberry extracts and share your herbal teas. Drink organic healthy herbs often and enjoy!