Okay, some of this I grew up with. Some I had to look up..... Cause I'm a fact finder.

Mustard has been used since ancient times all over the world.

It was thought to relieve many pains. Muscle, cramps, toothache and stomachs pains. Also to regulate digestion and help to reduce weight, (fat).

Well guess what? Ancient people were......RIGHT! It actually helps with all those things. Studies have shown that mustard seed and mainly the OIL are great for many ailments once its ground to a powder.

Here's the recipe my Grandma used, from my dads memory on Poultices.

3 tablespoons of Flour.
3 tablespoons of Dry Mustard.
Enough warm water to make a wet paste for spreading. Not to runny. DO NOT PLACE. DIRECTLY ON THE SKIN. IT WILL BURN. Yes, you'll smell like a kosher hotdog, but..... Your muscle pains and cramps will feel better.

My dad said cheesecloth was good. I read its best to use flannel. You want it to heat the skin and the oils and fumes to penetrate the cloth to your body.

Arfie, I think its great that your thinking of and using the natural plants/weeds around you. Remember, dandelion IS a weed. Yet many weeds are Herbs also. And I read recently..... all herbs have antiinflammatory agents.

If you can identify your so called Weeds. I'll bet many are also good herbs.

In all my Herb reading. NOT ONE TIME have I read where ancient man used certain herbs for specific remedies. And now we find they don't work. All herbs and spices that ancient and not so ancient man has used for medicinal cures or reliefs. Have been proven to have at least some benefits for what ancient people used them for.

Of course, modern scientists have taken those herbs. Condensed them and and combined them to make medicines that are much more stronger.

Centuries back, often times. People that understood which herbs helped with certain ailments. Were actually called witches and witch doctors. They were praised, honored and feared. As modern times approached, some were burned at the stake.

Be proud of your herbs and any knowledge you learn about them. More and more Doctors, Colleges and Laboratories around the world are learning and studying the great effects of the common "weed"!

In many ways, I think I'm lucky to have had many family members that lived very long lives. My grandmother, who was old enough to be my dads grandmother. And old enough to be my great grandmother. Was born in 1892. I actually remember her Aunt. Who lived to be nearly 100. My great grandparents and great great aunts and uncles. Two uncles having lived to 103 and 108 years old. I lived their old stories of yesteryear. The farm life they hated.... yet loved. The fresh foods they ate. How they walked through meadows to find certain weeds, (Herbs) that their mom or grandma needed for flavoring foods or making medicines or to create dyes for clothing. I paid attention and learned a lot.

No matter what you do with the crop the health you gain from working the land is your highest payout.

My mom calls this "Green Pickin" or "goin out pickin greens." I guess growing up around it I just sorta took for granted that most people know they can eat wild greens and dry their own herbs. And eat wild nuts and fruit for that matter. And mushrooms and wild animals lol. I doubt I would have survived childhood if I didn't know how to eat that stuff lol. Interesting post.

By the way Arfie,
Your VERY lucky to have that 140 acres. I wish I could move back to the country. Of course not only would I have a great garden. But I would also have many animals like I used to have.

You sound happy, and that's a great thing!

Alas, it is not *MY* 140 acres. Still. . . My work is being encouraged to an increasing extent and, despite the trust issues of my mental health condition, I am beginning to trust the encouragement.