-Welcome to The Hoosier Herb Chronicles-
Where herbal wisdom meets whimsy! Follow the adventures of Hoosier Herb, our dancing green mascot with a heart full of healing. From garden discoveries to herbal how-tos, Hoosier Herb brings joy, laughter, and a fresh perspective to plant medicine. Rooted in Indiana soil and powered by community love, this series invites you to grow, learn, and giggle alongside us.
Meet Hoosier Herb: Our Dancing Green Mascot with a Mission
At Dancing Gardens, we believe healing starts with a smile—and that’s exactly why Hoosier Herb exists. He’s not just a dancing green herb with fabulous moves; he’s a joyful reminder that healing can be lighthearted, rooted in fun, and deeply personal.
Hoosier Herb represents our mission: to reconnect people with the Earth, with themselves, and with plant medicine. Born from the Indiana soil and raised on sunshine and intention, Hoosier Herb is here to help children and adults alike learn about herbs, gardening, and wellness in a way that sticks.
He’s goofy, he’s green, and he LOVES to make people laugh. Whether he’s leading a gardening song, sneaking into your CSA box, or teaching little ones about the magic of dandelions, Hoosier Herb is our ambassador for herbal joy.
He doesn’t have a favorite herb, remedy, or tea—yet. That’s because he’s still on his own healing journey, just like the rest of us. Every season, Hoosier Herb learns about new plants and shares his discoveries through stories, coloring pages, and surprise appearances.
Want to meet him? He pops up at events, dances across our socials, and might even deliver your CSA box in style.
Stay tuned—we have sticker giveaways, garden games, and Hoosier Herb’s very own product coming soon!
From Soil to Soul: Why We Built Dancing Gardens
Dancing Gardens is more than a medicinal herb farm. It’s a growing, living reminder that healing starts with intention—and a little dirt under your fingernails.
At Dancing Gardens, every leaf, root, and blossom tells a story of resilience and renewal. Our journey didn’t begin in a boardroom—it started in the soil, with a family seeking wellness, peace, and reconnection.
As a veteran-led family, we understand what it’s like to navigate life with invisible wounds. The fast pace of the world, the overload of medications, and the disconnection from nature made us crave something more. Dancing Gardens became our answer.
We envisioned a place where herbs are more than just remedies—they’re teachers. A space where people of all ages can learn to trust their intuition, embrace natural healing, and remember their connection to the land.
Our mission? To make herbal wellness feel like coming home.
Veterans find purpose and calm in our growing spaces.
Families discover joy in learning together.
Hoosier Herb, our dancing green mascot, helps kids (and kids at heart) get excited about plants.
Dancing Gardens is more than a medicinal herb farm. It’s a growing, living reminder that healing starts with intention—and a little dirt under your fingernails.
Cleavers: The Clingy Herb That Helps You Let Go
Our latest entry in the Hoosier Herb Chronicles shines a spotlight on the wonderfully sticky Cleavers (Galium aparine). This common Indiana herb, also known as Catchweed, boasts a rich history of traditional uses that we’ll be exploring, but beyond its sticky reputation lies a fascinating history of traditional uses…
If you've ever walked through the garden and come out with a leafy hitchhiker on your clothes, you’ve already met Cleavers. Known affectionately as “nature’s Velcro,” this humble herb may stick to you, but its true magic lies in helping you let go—physically, emotionally, and energetically.
At Dancing Gardens, Cleavers (Galium aparine) is one of our most cherished spring allies. It shows up when the earth is waking up and we’re ready to shake off winter sluggishness. Hoosier Herb, our big green mascot, loves to call Cleavers “the spring cleaner,” and you’ll often catch him doing his best detox dance whenever this wild herb shows up on the farm.
What Makes Cleavers Special?
Cleavers is a gentle yet effective lymphatic cleanser—that means it supports your body’s internal drainage system. Think of the lymphatic system like your body's natural garbage disposal, moving waste out and supporting your immune function. Cleavers helps give that system a boost, especially when we’re feeling stagnant or bogged down.
Traditionally used in folk medicine across Europe and North America, Cleavers has been a go-to remedy for:
Swollen lymph nodes
Puffy or congested skin
Post-illness recovery
Kidney and liver support
Inflammatory skin issues like eczema or rashes
It’s cooling, soothing, and oh-so-refreshing—just what we need after a long, dry winter.
How to Use Cleavers at Home
You don’t need to be an herbalist to bring Cleavers into your wellness routine. Here are a few easy ways Hoosier Herb recommends (well, he dances while we make them!):
Cold Infusion:
Pick a handful of fresh cleavers, rinse well, and steep in cool water overnight. Strain in the morning and sip throughout the day as a gentle detoxifying tonic.Tincture:
If you want a stronger or more shelf-stable option, cleavers can be extracted in alcohol or vegetable glycerin. A few drops daily can support long-term lymph health.Topical Rinse:
Brew cleavers like a tea and use the cooled liquid as a rinse for irritated or inflamed skin. You can also mash the fresh herb into a poultice and apply directly to the skin.
A Springtime Ritual at Dancing Gardens
Each year, when the ground softens and the trees begin to bud, we head out to harvest cleavers with care and gratitude. Hoosier Herb is always first out the gate—twirling, tumbling, and sticking cleavers to his arms like leafy armbands. He reminds us that even the clingiest things in life might be trying to teach us how to let go.
We include fresh cleavers in seasonal CSA shares, offer it in custom tinctures, and use it in spring garden workshops focused on herbal detox. It's one of those plants that quietly supports the body—while inviting us to reconnect with the land and our rhythms.
So next time you feel like life is piling up and you’re ready for a reset, look to the clingy little herb that’s all about release. Cleavers might just be your new springtime friend—with Hoosier Herb leading the way.
Cleavers Cold Infusion Recipe
A gentle spring tonic to support lymphatic health and help your body let go.
Ingredients:
1 large handful of fresh cleavers (approx. 1 cup loosely packed)
1 quart of cool, filtered water
Mason jar or glass container with lid
Instructions:
Rinse cleavers gently under cool water to remove any dirt or bugs.
Roughly chop (or leave whole) and place into a clean quart jar.
Fill the jar with cool water, covering the herbs completely.
Cap tightly and place in the fridge or a cool space overnight (8–12 hours).
In the morning, strain out the herbs and enjoy your herbal infusion!
Serving Suggestions:
Drink 1–2 cups throughout the day.
Add lemon, cucumber, or mint for extra flavor.
Storage: Keep refrigerated and use within 24–36 hours.
💚 Crafted with care by Dancing Gardens & Hoosier Herb
