So much for weekly blogs! Apologies to all the throngs who've been waiting with bated breath for my next posting! - blogging is to me and I've only just been given the instructions on how to log-in and write one myself - very exciting!
Things are moving on apace with the herb garden - a very special thank you to you wonderful people who have been taking harvested herbs home to dry and bring back. I'm getting a proper 'harvesting diary' together so we can harvest and dry or make preparations from all the herbs at the right time next year so we will have stocks of them.
Did you SEE the amazing giant thistle flowers on the wild artichoke (sorry Stefan - the common name is Cardoon isn't it?) - WOW - I had a bit of a 'honey I shrunk the kids' moment standing under it! There is also a tamer version in the herb garden - though I think Stefan may have had the tops for tea a while back! Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is a wonderful liver tonic herb that also helps to reduce levels of unhealthy lipids in the blood. It is a gentle and effective herb for conditions ranging from poor digestion (as are all 'liver herbs') to more serious liver conditions. We would generally use a tincture from the dried aerial parts but you will get benefits from eating artichokes - and let me be honest, most of our medicines don't taste as good as that!
It's going off now but the lovely soft blue clouds of hairy borage (Borago officinalis) have been beautiful too haven't they. I hadn't realised what an important crop Borage is for bees - who apparently also love it. Borage is a gentle, supporting herb. We use a tincture or fresh juice of the leaves and flowers to treat conditions as diverse as coughs and cystitis but its most important properties are associated with its ability to support adrenal function. We use it professionally for conditions where someone has been stressed for a long time and is struggling with exhaustion - so the old saying "Borage for Courage" was right. One word of caution - although it is a wonderful gentle remedy, Borage is oestrogenic so should not be used be anyone with oestrogen-dependent tumours and only under professional supervision by women going through menopause.
We've been brainstorming to think up interesting ideas for future talks on the herbs - please do email me if you've got any subjects you'd like to see covered - remember that it should be on how you can use the herbs yourself at home so no complicated medical conditions that you would need a consultation please.
Hawthorn Haw (Berry) Syrup Making - Sunday, 21st September:
The next session is going to be making Hawthorn haw (berry) syrup on Sunday, 21st September at. Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycantha) is a legendary heart herb. Its very safe and should be taken over a long periods to get the full benefit. It strengthens and protects the whole heart function.
On 21st we're going to start by harvesting the berries which are bursting off the trees all over the garden at the moment and then retire to the office to make syrup. The berries don't have quite the same strength medicinally as the leaves and flowers but they do have the same action. If you'd like to take some syrup home with you please bring a small glass jar with a tight fitting lid with you. Clean the jar thoroughly with boiling water before you come - if any impurities get into the syrup it can go off. It should keep very happily for at least six months and often for years. If you know anyone with heart failure or have a family history of heart problems in your family this is one herb you definitely want to know about! (we've going to have a crazy May Day celebration next Spring to 'bring in the May' (Hawthorn blossom) and celebrate the beginning of Spring so you'll be able to cut some and dry it for teas all year round.
Of course the other big occasion coming up is the Halloween party on All Hallows 'Ene (Samnhein) - Friday, 31st October! We've hoping you'll all turn up in costume. Do bring the kids. It'll be starting early evening and we're trying to organise a pumpkin carving competition for kids and parents, apple bobbing, toasted marshmallows (sweets not herbs!) and other tradional games; juggling (Stefan!); ending with spooky stories around the fire pit! And if you know any spooky songs or poems, bring them along because we hope they'll be a few people coming who can play the guitar. Bring red and black food! (no articificial colours or flavours of course!). If you fancy rustling up some suitably decorations to go around the fire pit or can help with the planning please let Stefan or Gareth know.
'Star of the Herbal Bed'
I realise I've been falling down in my promise of a 'star of the week' herb so I'm going to award a special 'star of the month' to Nettles (Stefan's favourite!). Nettle (Urtica dioica) is amazing. It's incredibly rich in minerals and can be used internally and externally for everything from anaemia to skin inflammations and arthritis (I've got a very simple receipe for a nettle lotion for arthritis). We use the dried herb as teas or in tincture form to treat patients with complicated conditions like Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (tincture of the seed) and Gout. The dried aerial parts also make very good tea! And - Stefan can show you how to make a friendship bracelet from nettle stems!
Lastly, if anyone is interested in learning more about the medicinal herbs we've got in the Garden, I've done a comprehensive list with parts used, conditions used for, types of preparations and cautions. There is a copy of this in the office. Of course, you can also ask me when I'm around - usually one a week one Fridays or Sundays.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment