Herbal Life

It’s been eight months since my last post. I've had a busy year with trying to establish a new business, holding down a full time job and family commitments. After managing to accumulate quite a few partly completed herb assignments I've arranged with Sarah to repeat this year’s work in 2013.

It doesn't mean herbs have been out of my life or mind, I am still using my remedies and have made some of my own simples and have noticed herbs throughout the year wherever I've been.

In June we attended the annual dinner of the Knights of the Fellowship of the Round Table at the wonderful Halls of King Arthur in Tintagel. The main hall contains beautiful stained glass displaying the story of Arthur and the virtues of a knight. In the corridor I came across a window depicting rosemary for remembrance, especially apt at this time of year. The plant was used at the Halls to remember those that had passed.

Rosemary window

A sprig of rosemary was placed on the round table as a symbol of remembrance for members who had died

In the summer we enjoyed a F**k It week on the island of Stromboli with John Parkin and his wife Gaia. Nothing rude! We did meditation & qui gong and learned to relax on the side a live volcano with the sea lapping in front of us. It’s highly recommended. Wild fennel grows in abundance along the path to that climbs the volcano, I loved walking along and running my hands through it to smell the aroma. A lot of herbs smell stronger in the sun, but my fennel in my garden smells really strong when it is raining.

Stromboli

When we got home there was St John’s Wort growing rampant over the garden path, I quickly chopped it back. I usually just take the flowers to make oil but as I was in a hurry I put the flowering tops in and it has still turned a dark red colour. I usually use olive oil but I have heard Sarah say she uses sunflower oil and it is a sunny yellow midsummer plant so I have tried it.

Mr Moon Gazing Hare has had a problem shoulder so I have used Meadowsweet oil with essential oils including plai oil for natural pain relief along with gentle massage.

I went to a talk on Aromatology last weekend, where certain essential oils are used in large doses and internally by highly trained therapists. The speaker gave us some Roman Chamomile to rub on our cheeks and you could taste it very quickly. Eucalyptus Smithii applied in the crook of your arm can also be tasted soon after. I had previously heard of rubbing garlic on the sole of your foot and being able to taste that soon after. The speaker made a valid point about being careful what we put on our skin when it can be absorbed into the body that quickly.

Although life is hectic it is never boring, I have a book to review before it is released next week and I have been asked to write a magazine article that I am excited about.

It won't be so long until I post again!