tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49603112408727462392024-03-14T04:30:09.831+00:00Moon Gazing HareThe journey of an ever learning herb simplerMoon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.comBlogger73125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-70665176333432270572013-01-19T17:01:00.001+00:002013-01-19T17:01:30.746+00:00Winter Solstice 2012I'm late posting this but I wanted to share this little find. On the winter solstice I went to Glastonbury with a friend and we visited a small Templar chapel and alms houses.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2j0wM63SxU53W7xed6p6B-xL6Ol-Bh5pPFXih5bAfVfwoT-5v71e9NMtNMCUXOtTnEws5OkqMZJJY4Ve_rhxa4Rv1bcrfzrLz2M2Cfto9pKzXfllFd8c8g376eNaZ6pV94ygel1xszMt/s1600/templar+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2j0wM63SxU53W7xed6p6B-xL6Ol-Bh5pPFXih5bAfVfwoT-5v71e9NMtNMCUXOtTnEws5OkqMZJJY4Ve_rhxa4Rv1bcrfzrLz2M2Cfto9pKzXfllFd8c8g376eNaZ6pV94ygel1xszMt/s320/templar+church.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Margaret's Chapel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
There is a lovely garden that has been restored and is sheltered with a wall around it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDfuny5yvaVqeorYg_N7N2P60u9DPAn8hN9Ae2MYFqpTpFrxfka8FdiB2iVz7yp-GA6HrixFAD-NX39W85Nls8Z3qSEI193jyyLPJeRaJFv06PVxj3BM8s77jQkc5_SpjForbnI_Ir-GE/s1600/alms+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpDfuny5yvaVqeorYg_N7N2P60u9DPAn8hN9Ae2MYFqpTpFrxfka8FdiB2iVz7yp-GA6HrixFAD-NX39W85Nls8Z3qSEI193jyyLPJeRaJFv06PVxj3BM8s77jQkc5_SpjForbnI_Ir-GE/s320/alms+garden.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We were so surprised on the 21st of December to find:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibSZiFqbxYwJ1SEd8f6s5WXM4IEUa6lzHW4JExk28mvx_FOGd6M2jG6WcP7dBCz4sYqu4CyPoIPg20mIv8sYjoBAgf_-6w0JJFK_fzSmqMbWJ81rBmOOKHdm7HoX7RoPYLZTk2oeGVznf/s1600/solstice+rosemary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhibSZiFqbxYwJ1SEd8f6s5WXM4IEUa6lzHW4JExk28mvx_FOGd6M2jG6WcP7dBCz4sYqu4CyPoIPg20mIv8sYjoBAgf_-6w0JJFK_fzSmqMbWJ81rBmOOKHdm7HoX7RoPYLZTk2oeGVznf/s320/solstice+rosemary.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosemary in flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuywxYZDwgzj4TGHQ29zXHv-7LW36fm07VaAUxFZ8W_eMEM9wt4RI1FcJpeQ03tDBnkjnfUR-eetoSys3Ww9SN0ryPeWyjZ78zNclGeN8kbj-Lj-zRVYw5naDH5Pb5yfJ0LN7P0SiRj6uo/s1600/solstice+rose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuywxYZDwgzj4TGHQ29zXHv-7LW36fm07VaAUxFZ8W_eMEM9wt4RI1FcJpeQ03tDBnkjnfUR-eetoSys3Ww9SN0ryPeWyjZ78zNclGeN8kbj-Lj-zRVYw5naDH5Pb5yfJ0LN7P0SiRj6uo/s320/solstice+rose.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A yellow rose in bloom</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhFLMgXBJwcuIE6xUIyMcVdd5EvmKnusaZjpvQbCGaMOFoMfTVpMrxibZBx4LgE5IsMQLZb20J3M7pTBL3S-UCGTsZ3ENa4Vd4dmCumb3UpXhFg5k_5G2e3T6n5CU2vdIbAmMjkvD1jJt/s1600/solstice+strawberry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbhFLMgXBJwcuIE6xUIyMcVdd5EvmKnusaZjpvQbCGaMOFoMfTVpMrxibZBx4LgE5IsMQLZb20J3M7pTBL3S-UCGTsZ3ENa4Vd4dmCumb3UpXhFg5k_5G2e3T6n5CU2vdIbAmMjkvD1jJt/s320/solstice+strawberry.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alpine strawberry in fruit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I have had late flowering roses before but the little strawberries really amazed me. I'm not sure how common it is to have rosemary in flower in December but I haven't seen it before.Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-59405925858739903912013-01-19T16:27:00.000+00:002013-01-19T16:27:26.341+00:00Herbs for Coughs and Colds - Lessons I've Learned!<br />
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Last weekend I attended Sarah’s first herb workshop of the
year, Herbs for Coughs and Colds. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I set off feeling like I had the onset of tonsillitis and I
arrived feeling rather frazzled as my car indicators had stopped working on the
way as I tried to work my way through Birmingham. My camera battery was flat
but Mr Moon Gazing Hare had kindly lent me his camera that morning and a cup of
antiviral sage vinegar tea soon settled me down when I got there. As it was
followed by other antiviral teas throughout the morning my feeling of impending
illness subsided and by the next day my throat was back to normal. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Sage Vinegar tea:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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2 teaspoons sage vinegar, 2 teaspoons honey, hot water<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Sage and Thyme tea
(antiviral):<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Sage and thyme steeped in hot water for 10 minutes, lemon
juice, honey<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Cooling Tea, specific
for colds:<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Yarrow, elderflower and mint steeped for 10 minutes in hot
water<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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We split into groups to make Fire Cider Vinegar, Elderberry
Cordial and a Cough Syrup.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUD3t0L0AcIWt1kcz_4ugkcoxUiyscCdmxyD3rwOxbrKRISFQuBvMWbsGRVGW2DNEn1BO1wy1Nt_g-E-62QydfrIhFj7gqs_DMPWpeGxLhOCz6-OCzQ9tSztHIpAIgFNZJrB49ZH3KPIB5/s1600/fire+cider+vinegar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUD3t0L0AcIWt1kcz_4ugkcoxUiyscCdmxyD3rwOxbrKRISFQuBvMWbsGRVGW2DNEn1BO1wy1Nt_g-E-62QydfrIhFj7gqs_DMPWpeGxLhOCz6-OCzQ9tSztHIpAIgFNZJrB49ZH3KPIB5/s320/fire+cider+vinegar.jpg" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fire cider vinegar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Our Fire Cider vinegar is based on a recipe by Rosemary
Gladstar with equal amounts of garlic, horseradish and ginger with the addition
of other hot herbs that are left in cider vinegar for 4 weeks and then
strained. Enough to scare away any bacteria or virus that gets near to you!
Actually, it isn't too awful to taste and does work well.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/JU8U0bDmXks?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<br /></div>
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Jo-Ann led the elderberry cordial. Elderberries are a
specific herb for the flu virus; they are used to reduce the length of illness
and to stop complications. It contained elderberries, ginger, rose-hips
cinnamon, orange peel, orange juice and nutmeg. It was all simmered in a large
pan of water for 20 minutes and sugar added in the quantity of 1 lb sugar to 1
pint water. It is taken diluted in hot water and is a lovely warming drink. As
I set off to work in the snow yesterday I went armed with a flask of our hot
elderberry cordial and a hot water bottle much to the amusement of my work
colleagues – be prepared I say!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hrSa96CniLlgrIZ890C8q5l9T_Kq_-KbBglgAjnPKEh3WissdBXfznI0y0-oU8mq8ZX6sxIr1KiKnFSjlSKPlCFi7CF7-BqwqKA8sBrb4bjmJJN1ZUGCo_p_F05lrQvZMgEVJifM-YU7/s1600/elderberry+cordial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3hrSa96CniLlgrIZ890C8q5l9T_Kq_-KbBglgAjnPKEh3WissdBXfznI0y0-oU8mq8ZX6sxIr1KiKnFSjlSKPlCFi7CF7-BqwqKA8sBrb4bjmJJN1ZUGCo_p_F05lrQvZMgEVJifM-YU7/s320/elderberry+cordial.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot elderberry cordial drink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was leading with the cough syrup, luckily Alison was with
me as my brain had gone blank on how to make syrup and this became a good refresher
lesson. Into the pot went a handful each of hyssop and marshmallow and a small
handful of white horehound which is very bitter. Hyssop relaxes the airways and
along with white horehound is a traditional cough remedy. Marshmallow is very soothing.
We also added crushed fennel seeds and some ginger that are both warming and a
little cherry bark that helps with dry, tickly coughs. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNADpnaVWIaXS0wEVGzham5v2GzwT3VomkMRY5cEb5W9borTqv2HWvmoCyMOcLDPPUnepT9srMPMaGbv1NqhDliRGpqYaw8bNYraQ-4lSqME3UGMkWymyqYD8YrW6acLALA_Hs0M2-nBG-/s1600/hyssop+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="259" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNADpnaVWIaXS0wEVGzham5v2GzwT3VomkMRY5cEb5W9borTqv2HWvmoCyMOcLDPPUnepT9srMPMaGbv1NqhDliRGpqYaw8bNYraQ-4lSqME3UGMkWymyqYD8YrW6acLALA_Hs0M2-nBG-/s320/hyssop+flowers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hyssop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvznItJTFKi-k5Zy1fhqqNL6-budoTD91NsesPh6IHpsJJVW1kUkKMS13oFW5eq9p3Yhh-y6NN1UIv9BR0OkwYfnfxcQINbXlBOrSzQGHcYRfEFxNzYbCINL6xESD8GfmGivQZKf1VOjkx/s1600/Marshmallow+in+flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvznItJTFKi-k5Zy1fhqqNL6-budoTD91NsesPh6IHpsJJVW1kUkKMS13oFW5eq9p3Yhh-y6NN1UIv9BR0OkwYfnfxcQINbXlBOrSzQGHcYRfEFxNzYbCINL6xESD8GfmGivQZKf1VOjkx/s320/Marshmallow+in+flower.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marshmallow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmYXcF4HEK2KVCLwvz63gJkazknNJyUY7J4CFjkul8jzMgfDnwNAzBYnguMlwh7UfE8DnNsNOIIX9csTPkQAclqcG4kBdGVX-MirXmBWGgM7pEgih5KMymeFJQ5CPGRjQR07uFUTrBbg3/s1600/White+horehound+flowers+x.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirmYXcF4HEK2KVCLwvz63gJkazknNJyUY7J4CFjkul8jzMgfDnwNAzBYnguMlwh7UfE8DnNsNOIIX9csTPkQAclqcG4kBdGVX-MirXmBWGgM7pEgih5KMymeFJQ5CPGRjQR07uFUTrBbg3/s320/White+horehound+flowers+x.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Horehound</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBmbqYxx4sOepz4Iq8IEMjr5Cl4wGKp9eTNPiFKAUpmBNMjDSDxJizY6EwBHgxyEdnZpISjc3mbHVDco0f-fa3kNfQaoXYQbV-H4XoEgkVWiTAZ_r8WKn5eIdHI_quMOIBYSQUo5xvzHb/s1600/SAM_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBmbqYxx4sOepz4Iq8IEMjr5Cl4wGKp9eTNPiFKAUpmBNMjDSDxJizY6EwBHgxyEdnZpISjc3mbHVDco0f-fa3kNfQaoXYQbV-H4XoEgkVWiTAZ_r8WKn5eIdHI_quMOIBYSQUo5xvzHb/s320/SAM_0062.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cough Syrup</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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Here is my syrup recap:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: 0px;">
<span style="text-indent: -18pt;"> Put herbs in pan</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Add water<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Boil with lid on for 20 minutes to make a
decoction<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Strain off botanicals and add to compost<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Wash pan and then put strained liquid back into
it<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Simmer until half has evaporated<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Add equivalent of 1 lb sugar to every 1 pint
fluid that is left<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Put into sterilised bottles/jars<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For medicinal syrup you need to reduce the amount of fluid
by 7/8ths on the lowest heat but that would have taken longer than the workshop
time. Our cough syrup is bit bitter but is palatable. My younger daughter came
back from a trip to Dublin on Tuesday with a cough so I offered her the cough
syrup which she accepted after tasting it first.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a really pleasant shared lunch I learnt my next
lesson:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Always check fire cider vinegar has tight
fitting lid<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Always make sure fire cider vinegar jar is
wedged into an upright position in your bag when travelling<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Always put husbands camera back into camera bag<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Do not put loose camera in bag with fire cider
vinegar<o:p></o:p></div>
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If you can think of a really good imaginative story that
might explain how spice infused vinegar could have ended up inside a digital
camera please let me know ASAP!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Oops, I’m in trouble!<o:p></o:p></div>
Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-69657879427775717572013-01-01T15:25:00.001+00:002013-01-01T15:25:51.827+00:00What Did Ancient Herbalists Use Mugwort For and How Did They Prepare It?<br />
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Happy New Year! With the new year comes a new herbal ally. Here's task 1 with ancient and some not so ancient past uses and modern day uses are to come in the future.</div>
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My chosen
ally for 2013 is Mugwort, Artemisia Vulgaris. I felt last year that I’d chosen
the wrong ally, mugwort seemed to be all around saying “look at me” so I’m
taking notice. Before I started my apprenticeship I didn’t know what mugwort
looked like and I was so surprised to find that it was growing along the drive
to my house, the road I live on and all along the road side up to our local
high street. As I’ve prepared for this task I’ve also found out it was an
ancient and sacred herb and has many more uses than I’d ever realised.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcA7l6TmyvaQXDIfQ3zy6ZGCu63OYpUv8V7lWycZH8G-jR01zl2K0yiSA-xitNCSzuBR5z2KAEC0TIa48w4GmpWxe72jgv2kNYqKjVXr6oSG8Yx7Tpo45hZc_sGegaCIOP4cYEkguaTARz/s1600/Mugwort.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcA7l6TmyvaQXDIfQ3zy6ZGCu63OYpUv8V7lWycZH8G-jR01zl2K0yiSA-xitNCSzuBR5z2KAEC0TIa48w4GmpWxe72jgv2kNYqKjVXr6oSG8Yx7Tpo45hZc_sGegaCIOP4cYEkguaTARz/s320/Mugwort.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mugwort showing the silvery undersides of the leaves</td></tr>
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<b><u>Names for Mugwort<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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Mugwort,
Artisima Vulgaris, On Foot, Felon herb, St. John’s herb, Moxa, Cingulum Sancti
Johannis, Motherwort, Cronewort, Artimisia, Witch herb, Old Man, Old Uncle
Harry, Muggons, Sailors’ Tobacco, Mugger, Smotherwort, Maiden wort, Muggins<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>History of Mugwort<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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The history
of the name mugwort gives clues to its old uses but there is not agreement on
where it is derived from.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Mug</b> = maybe a drink flavouring (as in
mug/cup) or from the French Moughte, meaning moth or maggot as it wards off
moths or Muggi from the Norse for a swampy habitat. Mucgwyrt (old English) is
suggested to mean Midge Wort which attracts midges (Stephen Pollington).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Wort</b>= plant<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Artemisia</b>= from the Greek goddess
Artemis, goddess of the moon. The moon association may come from the use of
mugwort with women for helping regulate menstruation and in childbirth or from
the silvery undersides of the leaves.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Vulgaris</b>= common<o:p></o:p></div>
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In Holland
and Germany one of its names is St. John’s Herb as it was gathered on St. John’s
Eve to protect against disease and misfortune.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It was known
as Sailor’s Tobacco as used by sailors at sea when they had run out of tobacco.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The name
Felon Plant comes from its use to draw out pus from a felon or purulent
infection at the end of a finger or toe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Matthew Wood
says tenth century Aemilius Macer said Motherwort was the original name and
mother refers to the uterus or womb.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Susun Weed
calls it cronewort, finding it useful for ladies after child-bearing age.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Mugwort Through History<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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Mugwort is
said in the Nine Herbs Charm to be the “oldest of plants”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In an old
English herbarium it is described how Diana discovered mugwort’s and 2 other
plants powers and gave them to Chiron the centaur who made the first remedy
from these plants and named them Artemis after Diana.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Since
antiquity the roots have been used for epilepsy, stimulating digestion, nausea
and halitosis. It is known to deter moths and used to protect clothes from
them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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From the early
Iron Age (500BCE) remains of beer making activity exist at Eberdingen-Hochdorf in
Germany including charred barley and henbane seeds. Archeobotanist Dr Stika
believes the early Celtic beer recipe contained Mugwort seeds and Mugwort was
added to beer in Medieval times. Hops were not used until 800CE.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve seen
suggestions that mugwort was used in smoke sacrifices for Isis in Egyptian
times.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Greek
Dioscorides stated that the Goddess Artemis was the inspiration for the genus
name. He used a decoction in the bath for bringing on women’s periods. Galen had
classed mugwort as a warming herb, having a heating effect to the second
degree.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Roman
soldiers are said to have put mugwort in their sandals to stop their feet
getting tired and there are numerous other references through the ages to
mugwort being a herb for travellers to prevent fatigue. The Roman Pliny the
Elder said of it “the wayfaring man that hath the herb tied about him feeleth
no weariness at all and he can never be hurt by any poisonous medicine, by any
wild beast, neither yet by the sun itself”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Chinese hung
sprigs in doorways to ward off disease and used it as a rheumatism medicine.
The pale down from the underside of leaves is used in moxibustion and in other
areas as tinder for starting fires.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Native
Americans are said to have used it for smudge, a spiritually cleansing herb. It
is said to have been used to keep away spirits, sometimes worn on a necklace.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5u-3F605KstTzkQR5oMpb_ZRW2zVKfil7CJApc01YOFJTFkwpEeTJgt7AHVz1BGNUnu6wyP1vDHMmmWkjD7VimoY2pxJEAAizE72cyIH1wGN7qxOmH6sEQNLrVNM1GKNiRLSpxX_2-jzh/s1600/Mugwort+smudge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5u-3F605KstTzkQR5oMpb_ZRW2zVKfil7CJApc01YOFJTFkwpEeTJgt7AHVz1BGNUnu6wyP1vDHMmmWkjD7VimoY2pxJEAAizE72cyIH1wGN7qxOmH6sEQNLrVNM1GKNiRLSpxX_2-jzh/s320/Mugwort+smudge.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A mugwort smudge stick made by me</td></tr>
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In the tenth
century we get the Anglo-Saxon 9 Herb Charm from the Lacnunga manuscript, a charm
using herbs and magic to treat poison and infection. The charm frequently uses
the magical numbers 3 and 9 and contains reference to the God Woden.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Mucgwyrt-mugwort<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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<b>Remember, <a href="http://www.witchipedia.com/mugwort"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Mugwort</span></a>, what you made
known,<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>What you arranged at the Great
proclamation.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>You were called Una, the oldest of herbs,<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>you have power against three and against
thirty,<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>you have power against poison and against
contagion,<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>you have power against the loathsome foe
roving through the land<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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To use the
remedy you had to recite the charm 3 times over each of the 9 herbs, 3 times
over the mouth of the recipient, 3 times over the patient’s ears and 3 times
over the injury or wound. The herbs were ground, mixed with soap and apple
juice. then a paste was made of water and ash that was boiled with fennel and
added to the mixture and then applied. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Cameron
(1993) suggests the chanting gave psychological support to the patient.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Other Anglo-Saxon
Medical manuscripts regarding mugwort suggest:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Pound mugwort root, blend it with honey when
cold and use against evil and great foot swellings<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Pick before sunrise with a magical invocation
and it should be hallowed with the sign of the cross as it’s picked<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Midges are attracted to its fragrance<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->It protects the house from harmful spirits<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->It was used as a stimulant to prevent weariness
in travellers<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Mugwort in “new beer” was good for stomach pain<o:p></o:p></div>
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St. Hildegard
of Bingen (1098-1179) cooked mugwort puree for ailing intestines and made a
paste of honey and mugwort for abscesses.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi88yoFXvvkflS4WYZPXOV8eI4W5g7U5xLn_PFTnU_2dgm5tIen7HtTmA9p_zLDksYO1m_FkHrrlorHnyDzuHVOw7NtLsZqtfX0cynT3FgnaHtKv0gW37jbyPbpdrLdIzAPQWZYNpS-jx/s1600/1019Hildegard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEi88yoFXvvkflS4WYZPXOV8eI4W5g7U5xLn_PFTnU_2dgm5tIen7HtTmA9p_zLDksYO1m_FkHrrlorHnyDzuHVOw7NtLsZqtfX0cynT3FgnaHtKv0gW37jbyPbpdrLdIzAPQWZYNpS-jx/s320/1019Hildegard.jpg" width="263" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hildegard of Bingen from Catholicworldreport.com</td></tr>
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In the
thirteenth century a Welsh herbal remedy collection, The Physicians of Myddfai,
instructed that when a woman had difficulty giving birth one should bind
mugwort to her left thigh but be sure to remove it straight after to prevent
haemorrhage. <o:p></o:p></div>
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In Medieval
witchcraft mugwort is thought to have been seen as lucky and used to be able to
recall dreams. Helium.com say mugwort juice was put onto scrying instruments to
aid clairvoyance in sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Seventeenth
century herbalist John Gerard gave mugwort uses as a cure for epilepsy and
palsy and as an insect and moth repellent.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Culpepper
said that mugwort is a herb of Venus and maintains the parts of the body she
rules and is a remedy to diseases of parts under her signs: Taurus and Libra. I
have found a couple of websites with some information on medical astrology; <a href="http://www.aquamoonlight.co.uk/signs-medical.html">Aquamoonlight</a> and <a href="http://www.homeoint.org/morrell/astrology/medical.htm">Homeoint</a><o:p></o:p><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBoHUs1wKlH39L0CBv-G85IZydPQ-vO5z5F1-81gvhfLFxY8jue078gzdsA4BFURglGe-kbeyIcS0GT_VzPnm1_NPGYvB_mFROW8A46mVVEZzsXJH_HDRA9Dw7NYICDApDz3_I9DIr0fZ/s1600/dygges+1555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBoHUs1wKlH39L0CBv-G85IZydPQ-vO5z5F1-81gvhfLFxY8jue078gzdsA4BFURglGe-kbeyIcS0GT_VzPnm1_NPGYvB_mFROW8A46mVVEZzsXJH_HDRA9Dw7NYICDApDz3_I9DIr0fZ/s320/dygges+1555.jpg" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dygges 1555 illustration from Homeoint.org</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Culpepper
used hot decoctions to bring on menstruation, help delivery and expel the
afterbirth. He also uses mugwort for kidney stones, in an ointment for neck
pain, powdered in wine for sciatica and as a fresh juice or herb for opium
overdoses.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eighteenth
century Spanish herbalist Diego de Torres placed a mugwort plaster below the
navel to induce labour.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In European
cookery mugwort was used to season fatty meat such as goose and oily fish such
as eel to make it more digestible. It is known to help digestion and bile
production.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mrs Grieve says
that mugwort tea used to be drunk as a tea substitute in Cornwall when tea was
too expensive. She also says that leaves should be collected in August and
roots dug up in Autumn. The roots can be air dried for 10 days, and then need
gentle artificial heat until they are dry to the core and brittle.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Motherearthliving.com
interestingly relate the shape of the leaves being “claw like” to their keeping
evil spirits away.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In Japan
mugwort is made into Gomogi Mochi, traditionally given to stop post-partum
bleeding and promote lactation. It now seems to be made as a sweet and there's an art to making it!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Recently
William LeSassier (1948-2003) considered mugwort to be suited to “weak sensitive
women who have been through abuse, poverty, obstetric injury, difficult
pregnancies, and abortions with scar tissue in the womb” (Matthew Wood).<o:p></o:p></div>
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The mermaid
of the Clyde is said to have exclaimed, when she beheld the funeral of a young
maiden who had died from consumption and decline:--<o:p></o:p></div>
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"If
they wad drink nettles in March, And eat muggins [Mugwort] in May, Sae mony
braw young maidens Wad na' be gang to clay."<o:p></o:p></div>
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This was taken from a free ebook by Fernie (1897) that's full of old uses and folklore but was modern in its day, I love free books!</div>
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I love the name Muggins, I think Muggins and I are going to have a good year, I hope you do too.</div>
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<u>Bibliography</u>
<br />
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Cameron,
Malcolm Laurence (1993). <u>Anglo-Saxon Medicine</u>. Cambridge University
Press.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fernie, W.T.
(1897) <u>Herb Simples Approved for Modern Uses of Cure</u>. Philadelphia.
Boericke and Tafel<o:p></o:p></div>
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Franklin, Anna
and Lavender, Susan (1996) <u>Herb Craft: A Guide to the Shamanic and Ritual
Use of Herbs.</u> Berkshire. Capall Bann<o:p></o:p></div>
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Pollington,
Stephen (2000) <u>Leechcraft: Early English Charms, Plant Lore, and Healing</u>.
Norfolk. Anglo-Saxon Books<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wood,
Matthew (2008). <u>The Earthwise Herbal</u>. Berkeley. North Atlantic Books<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-30986802069458779852012-11-21T17:45:00.000+00:002012-11-21T17:45:00.903+00:0010 Warming and Healing Uses for Ginger in Chilly November<br />
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It’s the time of the year when we get winter colds and the
cooler weather can make our aches and pains worse. Ginger is such a warming and
comforting herb, I associate it with this time of year and my Yorkshire gran’s ginger bread loaves, Christmas
time with dad's crystallised ginger and warming foot baths. I thought I’d
take a look at it’s different uses, in fact I thought it won’t take long to
come up with 10 bullet points and as usual I found myself getting further
involved…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAODKIrKRvi3hpiQ_PnMlZVuZdXPDeLnPL5r8_aME6aAYoEG2KYFRv5b1iR7SrIjZkq1wi_NCGqOdrL5z00-wpSI_-vFs7jFe0OFvNCr0mXOdKs4bH01oWQuZAAFcI-wOwyD-EqGugR1E/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAODKIrKRvi3hpiQ_PnMlZVuZdXPDeLnPL5r8_aME6aAYoEG2KYFRv5b1iR7SrIjZkq1wi_NCGqOdrL5z00-wpSI_-vFs7jFe0OFvNCr0mXOdKs4bH01oWQuZAAFcI-wOwyD-EqGugR1E/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger Root (from www.cancerbattlefield.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>Aids digestion</b>
– Ginger is a great herb for digestion. It aids in the digestion of fatty foods
so I’m not surprised that we eat it at times of festivity when we eat a rich
diet. <a href="http://www.amritaveda.com/learning/articles/ginger.asp">amritaveda.com</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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It is also carminative; helps with
flatulence: the volatile oils in ginger relax the stomach and stimulate
peristalsis (the wavelike motion of food through the gut) thereby supporting
digestion and reducing gas <a href="http://www.herbs-hands-healing.co.uk/singleherbs/ginger.html">herbs-hands-healing.co.uk</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>Helps to
reduce high blood pressure</b> – Ginger’s warming quality improves and
stimulates circulation and relaxes the muscles surrounding blood vessels,
facilitating the flow of blood throughout the body.<a href="http://www.amritaveda.com/learning/articles/ginger.asp">amritaveda</a>
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>Aids
nausea and morning sickness</b> – Ginger has been widely shown to prevent as
well as treat motion sickness, relax the stomach and relieve the feeling of
nausea <a href="http://www.amritaveda.com/learning/articles/ginger.asp">amritaveda</a>. Chew
on ginger, preferably tossed in a little honey <a href="http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/10-healing-benefits-of-ginger">Food Matters</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>Lowers LDL
cholesterol</b> – Studies show ginger can lower cholesterol absorption in the
blood and liver. Its extract can help reduce the levels of LDL (bad)
cholesterol in the body, reducing the risk of developing heart disease <a href="http://www.amritaveda.com/learning/articles/ginger.asp">amritaveda</a>. A study published in 2008 in the Saudi Medical Journal showed patients with
high cholesterol who took 3 grams of ginger a day had significantly lowered
cholesterol levels in just 45 days <a href="http://www.vegetariantimes.com/article/healing-foods-ginger/">Vegetarian Times</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>Relieves
sinus, nose and throat congestion</b> – try warming ginger tea <a href="http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/10-healing-benefits-of-ginger">Food Matters</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>In
Ayurvedic texts it’s an aphrodisiac</b> – can heat up your bedroom!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>Joint
pain</b> – Ginger is anti-inflammatory, add it to your bath tub <a href="http://foodmatters.tv/articles-1/10-healing-benefits-of-ginger">Food Matters</a>. Ginger in an
oil or balm can be rubbed on areas such as joints and muscles that ache.</div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->8.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>Prevents
blood clots</b> - Ginger interferes with the long sequence of events necessary
for blood clots to form. This helps to prevent clots that can lodge in narrowed
coronary arteries and set off a heart attack. Something called thromboxane
synthesis initiates clot formation and ginger inhibits this process. Ginger
also inhibits the clumping together of platelets in the blood <a href="http://nstarzone.com/GINGER.html">NStar</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->9.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>An immune
system booster</b> – ginger is considered to be a hot spice, meaning that it
has a warming effect on the human body. Consuming ginger causes the body to
sweat. The sweat glands produce a compound which, in turn, protects the skin
from infection and we get the term “to sweat out” a cold <a href="http://planetsave.com/2011/11/09/natural-healing-uses-for-ginger/">Planet Save</a>.You could also try a ginger foot bath,
warming on a cold wintry day and the soles of our feet can absorb so much.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]-->10.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><b>Contains
Gingerol</b> – the active ingredient that reduces pain with its
anti-inflammatory effect is also thought to be anti-microbial and anti-viral <a href="http://www.vegetariantimes.com/article/healing-foods-ginger/">Vegetarian Times</a>.Ginger is also a rubefacient and when applied to the skin, it stimulates and
dilates the blood capillaries, increasing circulation.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>How to take your ginger?<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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Surely the nicest way is to take it in our
food. Lots of Asian and Caribbean recipes contain good amounts of ginger.
Europeans are good at ginger in biscuits and puddings, so perhaps to be taken
more in moderation this way.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4ymGpH5Y1YICg8CFpZuBTjoY0r-xJx5_V1MD7DrBWC-mQh0bgJ2kDvFxG6KXUo1NCsJGhe8hV6D7xAu1HdZPTh6j78TiM_ooubWLVON0ZH-ptlgk2zKjn-RGqVD6ZWwbZTzEzgqimfWL/s1600/ginger+man.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4ymGpH5Y1YICg8CFpZuBTjoY0r-xJx5_V1MD7DrBWC-mQh0bgJ2kDvFxG6KXUo1NCsJGhe8hV6D7xAu1HdZPTh6j78TiM_ooubWLVON0ZH-ptlgk2zKjn-RGqVD6ZWwbZTzEzgqimfWL/s1600/ginger+man.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remember to have gingerbread in moderation! (littleabout.com)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<u>More medicinal ways include:<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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<b>For
colds:</b> ginger tea and a hot ginger bath at the first sign of a cold.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ginger tea is made by simmering about an inch
(2.5cm) ginger in 2 cups of water for about 10 minutes, strain and drink.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The ginger bath is made by putting 4
tablespoons of ginger powder in a piece of cloth or old sock and running the
bath water over it. Have a 20 minute soak, and even better – drink your ginger
tea in your ginger bath! (Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal, 2010, Kitchen Medicine).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGA8BLJGA6MAdhMfd0DReZr3L6gSbEzHgfHRxETZla1ECZHH8MAWi4ZCKcVExruN2Smqe6cpNXlD6ivB8VxsmL6gOU6cR2Gn8mZewqgVXIjVLuUHVFItcrC1vSbe2MZin5pEnwu5bOUjb/s1600/ginger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGA8BLJGA6MAdhMfd0DReZr3L6gSbEzHgfHRxETZla1ECZHH8MAWi4ZCKcVExruN2Smqe6cpNXlD6ivB8VxsmL6gOU6cR2Gn8mZewqgVXIjVLuUHVFItcrC1vSbe2MZin5pEnwu5bOUjb/s320/ginger.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peeled ginger</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>For
boils<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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A poultice can be made from equal parts of ginger
powder and flour made into a paste with water and placed over the boil, cling
film can be put over to hold it in place and a hot water bottle over the top
will help thing come along more speedily (Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal,
2010).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Pneumonia<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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A chest poultice moves mucus from the
lungs, helping respiration and increasing circulation, it also increases
sweating (Matthew Wood, 2008, The Earthwise Herbal).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>In
labour<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Fresh ginger tea sweetened with honey or
maple syrup to help maintain strength and contractions and give immediate blood
sugar (Matthew Wood, 2008).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Cold
extremities<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Foot or hand bath using ginger tea.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Sore
or cramped muscles<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Ginger infused oil or salve rubbed onto the
area.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Double infused oil:<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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You will need a double boiler pan (Bain Marie),
vegetable oil such as sunflower oil, chopped up ginger roots, a sieve, and a
jar.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Your double boiler has water boiling in the
bottom pan and your ingredients go in the top pan. Put half of your ginger in
the top pan and cover it with your chosen vegetable oil.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Wait 2 hours<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Strain off the oil from the ginger, keep the
oil.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Put the other half of the ginger in the pan and
cover with the same oil. Your ginger has been used once, the oil twice.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Wait another 2 hours<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Strain off the oil from the ginger, put it into
a jar and label<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->You now have a double infused oil<o:p></o:p></div>
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Use this oil as a muscle rub or on aching, inflamed joints.
Massage onto cold hands and feet to help warmth and circulation. Try different
variations such as adding chillies to your ginger and make it chilli and ginger
oil. If you know how to use essential oils safely then perhaps you could add
some oils to your cooled ginger oil.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<u>Making a ginger salve:<o:p></o:p></u></div>
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You need your double infused ginger oil, beeswax and a
double boiler (or Pyrex bowl over pan of hot water).<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Put your oil in the double boiler or Pyrex bowl.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Add beeswax. Beeswax makes the mixture solidify;
the more beeswax used, the firmed your salve will be. Six parts oil to 1 part
wax makes a soft salve that you can easily poke your fingers into, four parts
oil to 1 part wax makes a very firm salve. More than six parts oil makes a very
squidgy salve that you can easily scoop out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Pour it into your jar and let it set.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->Label the jar, I have learnt that even if you
think you have the memory of the proverbial elephant you do not remember what
is in which jar!<o:p></o:p></div>
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A salve creates a less messy way to apply the oil with its
ginger properties.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Make your salve with any oil you have made, or even a plain
vegetable oil salve to make a lip salve, just put it in a little jar.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRONI5133O9HZEuGYW6-2bLvGgzQca3A1IRmLx-ugktThJ-FxUz_ipi-SFZOYs-n0OYJ1GxR2DTw-0XUy74VUPzQjiJ0wc4XN7vtuKMiMqih_-BR-h-v5oNDDQmYp3juUzc5a3n1dLwBn/s1600/salve.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRONI5133O9HZEuGYW6-2bLvGgzQca3A1IRmLx-ugktThJ-FxUz_ipi-SFZOYs-n0OYJ1GxR2DTw-0XUy74VUPzQjiJ0wc4XN7vtuKMiMqih_-BR-h-v5oNDDQmYp3juUzc5a3n1dLwBn/s320/salve.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pots of salve made at one of Sarah Head's workshops</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-41654804140906262032012-10-31T23:14:00.000+00:002012-10-31T23:14:25.599+00:00Herbal Life<br />
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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.<o:p></o:p></div>
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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.<o:p></o:p></div>
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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.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2os_VXiyoY7S1_Elaj3xkvaCaDFcghP_3FNayx9Yo5xeLtuGwul9Wbh803wb1F_uoyfihdJ8Ne2kp_HY2wj9QjG8Q0VlORZ5Ssbpg4G9kD2Q3hFVlLErWPEKlW07RlEZXsgD-EfPq_bkt/s1600/051.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2os_VXiyoY7S1_Elaj3xkvaCaDFcghP_3FNayx9Yo5xeLtuGwul9Wbh803wb1F_uoyfihdJ8Ne2kp_HY2wj9QjG8Q0VlORZ5Ssbpg4G9kD2Q3hFVlLErWPEKlW07RlEZXsgD-EfPq_bkt/s320/051.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosemary window</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbqInAKat2N59SslaG5SlFimPRGDV1JWpsdKC7cRSLL4Y64PUp2DjvqbD1uDK2c5mEpPEN-TQrTX66tShbgYX0bpz9U5dtdhqMGpMfht_bCu-6nUKYoiIB6zEIWdgiGgr_NJ800-nS8jl/s1600/052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHbqInAKat2N59SslaG5SlFimPRGDV1JWpsdKC7cRSLL4Y64PUp2DjvqbD1uDK2c5mEpPEN-TQrTX66tShbgYX0bpz9U5dtdhqMGpMfht_bCu-6nUKYoiIB6zEIWdgiGgr_NJ800-nS8jl/s320/052.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A sprig of rosemary was placed on the round table as a symbol of remembrance for members who had died</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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.<o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Y0hPi8qHluxi7nCGEk6EGDgrbGi8oLiiZnydaAs6wR6sHeywVYee13EC6XnQyB-SqmriMynsChrjTn_0eqNadBtc9bG5DKUl8MUAroPLFFSm9VX9gUNuUhYCmrHxXecQeVYFCF8Nc5Xz/s1600/P1030941a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Y0hPi8qHluxi7nCGEk6EGDgrbGi8oLiiZnydaAs6wR6sHeywVYee13EC6XnQyB-SqmriMynsChrjTn_0eqNadBtc9bG5DKUl8MUAroPLFFSm9VX9gUNuUhYCmrHxXecQeVYFCF8Nc5Xz/s320/P1030941a.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stromboli</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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.<o:p></o:p></div>
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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.<o:p></o:p></div>
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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.<o:p></o:p></div>
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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.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It won't be so long until I post again!</div>
Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-28962678410919351502012-03-05T15:06:00.000+00:002012-03-05T15:06:25.789+00:00Herbs For Men<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Review the structure and function of the male genitalia looking at prostate, penis, scrotum, and general plumbing. What herbs would you use to support prostate health in later life and general fertility?</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The main prostate problem encountered by men in later life is Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) where the prostate becomes enlarged so I have looked at herbs for this problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fertility problems can be due to many reasons, I have focused mainly on sperm production and quality and erectile dysfunction which can also have many causes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Structure and Function of Male Genitalia</span></u></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqANmGt9tN5ccaViSLnN2t6rNagIrvICYAcK3BwXoUWZoHV4O4pj3MtMVIv7rmBB8UssBpyjT363fjT4TPXpX7BX2LciI1WhfU2CjwaAM580JvoHg2X9NSEo_ykpP2-_zD-_7Z1lM66VXr/s1600/www.shropshireivf.nhs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqANmGt9tN5ccaViSLnN2t6rNagIrvICYAcK3BwXoUWZoHV4O4pj3MtMVIv7rmBB8UssBpyjT363fjT4TPXpX7BX2LciI1WhfU2CjwaAM580JvoHg2X9NSEo_ykpP2-_zD-_7Z1lM66VXr/s1600/www.shropshireivf.nhs.jpg" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The male reproductive organs and urinary tract are interlinked.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For reproduction sperm are produced in the testes inside the scrotum. The scrotum hangs down so as to be slightly cooler than body temperature as is required form sperm production. Sperm travel up a tube called the Vas Deferens to the urethra. Surrounding the urethra is the prostate gland that produces the fluid semen for the sperm to travel in; it is usually about the size of a walnut. The sperm are ejaculated through the penis via the urethra.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Urine is produced by the kidneys and is stored in the bladder until the urge to pass urine is felt. The urine is also passed through the penis via the urethra.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Later in life the prostate gland tends to enlarge, although it is part of the reproductive system causes problems with urination due to its location. After 40 testosterone declines and other hormones such as prolactin increase which leads to an increase in dihydrotesterone which is responsible for prostate overgrowth. Non-cancerous enlargement in older gentlemen is known as Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH). As it surrounds the urethra it can cause it to<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>narrow and can give the following symptoms:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Difficulty in starting to urinate</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not being able to urinate (that needs urgent medical attention)</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Weak flow of urine</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dribbling after urinating</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Incomplete emptying of the bladder – the man may not be aware that this is happening but bacteria can live in the urine so not emptying the bladder properly can cause a urinary tract infection, in bad cases it backs up to cause kidney infections.</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Incontinence</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Frequency of urination during the night</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pain on urination</span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Raised urea in the blood can lead to confusion if kidneys are affected.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Conventional medicine can offer medication to improve urine flow such as Tamsulosin or to shrink the prostate such as Finasteride; antibiotics for infections; surgery in severe cases so as to widen the urethra again and if someone is unable to pass urine, a urinary catheter could be required for a time.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ryan Drum says that before herbs are used, life style needs to be looked at such as posture, excessive sitting, constipation, abdominal fat, irritating cola drinks and spices in the diet. He finds that softer stools, increasing water intake and walking at least 2 miles a day often relieves symptoms.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Herbs to Support Prostate Health in Later Life<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Burdock (Arctium spp.)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Burdock is used to relieve an enlarged prostate. In Matthew Wood’s Book of Herbal Wisdom he says that burdock “acts strongly on the prostate”, it goes to the core and permanently cures. He finds it better than Saw Palmetto which palliates and he sees as a “fad herb for this complaint”.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOxcWW9kWQkRWOLGkMNgHwFWHdShXyy2aVcHZQlSP2zsZrVz4Li7ayH3ztXRjaE3nxBHrg7GejSisV_i26Tx38h1kSjkXdBhGtIjo9EK4kmR2349nxEw4oSpiomVbObqUbDABqSTd9CrE/s1600/P1020459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOxcWW9kWQkRWOLGkMNgHwFWHdShXyy2aVcHZQlSP2zsZrVz4Li7ayH3ztXRjaE3nxBHrg7GejSisV_i26Tx38h1kSjkXdBhGtIjo9EK4kmR2349nxEw4oSpiomVbObqUbDABqSTd9CrE/s320/P1020459.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burdock</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Couch Grass</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Julie Bruton Seal & Matthew Seal call couch grass a “urinary formula all in one herb” for cystitis, enlarged prostate, kidney stones, prostatitis and irritable bladder”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gravel Root</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The action of Gravel Root on the male sexual system is not well documented but Wood has used it with good effect.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Horsetail can be used to help with issues of prostate enlargement in a syrup or a tea.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Liquorice (Glycrrhiza glabra)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Liquorice prevents conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nettle (Urtica Dioica)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nettle root slows down the growth of the prostate, it is said to increase the volume of urine passed and reduce nocturia. The German Commission E endorses nettle root for BPH.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLA7yvtJHxIFlQwsQK7ErqdfVMGVoYw0YU8_Nc5khP__zLO5oCodXYY2hyphenhyphenFS2sqHzvbkTOVbS1-vq3tjW1IxF1HBZ3NAjQzE-7X3qmHytpuVnZrWmST4apRTRSgxIPJ4aKaGL-GS0HYLp/s1600/009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLA7yvtJHxIFlQwsQK7ErqdfVMGVoYw0YU8_Nc5khP__zLO5oCodXYY2hyphenhyphenFS2sqHzvbkTOVbS1-vq3tjW1IxF1HBZ3NAjQzE-7X3qmHytpuVnZrWmST4apRTRSgxIPJ4aKaGL-GS0HYLp/s320/009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nettle</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pellitory of the Wall (Parietaria Judacia syn. P. Diffusa, P. Officinalis)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A tea of Pellitory of the Wall is soothing to the urinary tract, reduces inflammation and increases urine flow.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pumpkin (Cucurbita Pepo)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pumpkin seeds contain zinc and a male hormone like component that both benefit the prostate gland, Matthew Wood recommends eating a handful each day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pygeum (Prunus Africana)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Studies show that Pygeum decreases nocturia (passing urine at night), improves flow and reduces the residual volume of urine that remains in the bladder. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rosebay willow herb (chamerion angustifolium)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rosebay leaf tea is recommended for prostate problems.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saw Palmetto (Serenoa Repens)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saw Palmetto is said to have been the “old man’s friend” to Native Americans as they found it decreased prostate size and increased urine flow. Studies show it relieves frequency of urine and pain on urination. Anne McIntyre says it is the best herb for long term shrinking of the prostate. Castleman says that in one study Saw Palmetto was as effective as the drug Finasteride. Other studies have seen it reduce symptoms and to have less side effects. It is said to inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, an enzyme that plays a key role in the overgrowth of prostate tissue.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wood is not so convinced and believes Saw Palmetto to be a fad herb for this complaint. Ryan Drum says it “seems to have a distinctly erosive feminising effect on the male body” and he does not use it unless he thinks it absolutely necessary.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For prostate shrinking I have also seen mentions of golden seal, red clover, dandelion, Siberian Ginseng, red grape seed extract, evening primrose oil, borage seed oil, Chinese angelica, Echinacea and golden rod.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pain</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To ease the pain from inflammation try Guelder rose (Cramp bark), Chamomile and Chinese Angelica.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are many herbs to support prostate health; holistically there are generally aspects of lifestyle to look at as well. A healthy, high protein diet can help to maintain testosterone levels. Lycopene in tomatoes has been shown to help the prostate; there is a higher level in cooked tomatoes.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Herbs for Male Fertility<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are many different reasons for reduced fertility in men including genetics; the immune system; medication such as steroids, antidepressants, antihypertensives and cancer drugs; chronic infection; hormone problems; surgery; diabetes; mumps; stress; smoking; toxic metals; nutritional deficiencies <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or physical problems such as a blocked sperm duct.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It takes 100 days for sperm to develop, so the benefit of any herbs or healthy regime could not be expected to be seen until then.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Conventional treatment for male infertility can consist of:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">•<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Drugs, e.g. antibiotics for an infection.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">•<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Hormones for low testosterone.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">•<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Surgery for problems such as a tumour or anything causing a blockage.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Herbs for Healthy Sperm<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Astralagus (Astralagus Membranaceus)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Astralagus enhances sperm motility so as they can get all the way to the female’s egg.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eleuthero (Elleutherococcus senticosus)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Siberian Ginseng for stress related infertility with extracts that help sperm motility.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ginseng (Panax Ginseng)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The University of Rome found that infertile men taking 4,000mg of ginseng extract every day for 3 months rose 93%. In men without a problem it increased by 9%.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gojiberry (Lyceum Barbarum, L. Chinenense)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gojiberry is used for impotence, sexual debility and improving sperm quality and quantity.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maritime Pine<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">An antioxidant, Pycnogenol, from the bark of the Maritime pine has been found to increase the quality and function of sperm after 90 days in a trial in the October 2002 Journal of Reproductive Medicine.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6zWgW7KEUYllzaQ5_bQEKPBAA1-MxFiozMr1f-MBRpXmPQrYHD6RPpJXvyUfxbSPraqokZlmYpN4QY3-HzrEJDaxI9A7z5Tk02aB-osF8GwQLM0vSn6ywi-7aStAPBaiVS591Z-Yxg3W/s1600/maritime+pines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn6zWgW7KEUYllzaQ5_bQEKPBAA1-MxFiozMr1f-MBRpXmPQrYHD6RPpJXvyUfxbSPraqokZlmYpN4QY3-HzrEJDaxI9A7z5Tk02aB-osF8GwQLM0vSn6ywi-7aStAPBaiVS591Z-Yxg3W/s320/maritime+pines.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maritime Pines</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Oats</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was just reading a review on the internet about which breakfast cereals are the healthiest & came across this mention. “Oats are also great for male fertility as they contain Argenine which helps raise male sperm count and make it swim faster!”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pumpkin (Cucurbita Pepo)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pumpkin seeds are rich in zinc which acts on the prostate but it is also a constituent of sperm and many diets are low in zinc these days. Chew the seeds well as zinc is absorbed through the mouth and gums.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Erectile Dysfunction<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Impotence or low sex drive can be caused by a hormone imbalance, stress, depression, pain, high blood pressure (hypertension), circulatory problems, side effects of drugs, smoking, environmental toxins, oestrogenic effects of plastics, pesticides and hormones in animal rearing.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) male sexual dysfunction is seen as a loss of yang or the primary life force stored in the kidneys and warming herbs are required to restore yang such as scisandra cinensis and epimedium sagittatum. Western herbalists would use warming cinnamon and clove to boost circulation.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Many plants contain phytoestrogens that are chemically similar to the oestrogen estradiol which is involved in sexual functioning in men.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are 3 types of phytoestrogen:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Isoflavones, most well-known is found in soy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Lignans found in flax seeds (linum usitatissimum).<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Coumestans found in red clover (trifolium pratense) & alfalfa (medicago sativa).<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Studies show that a diet with phytoestrogens is associated with lower prostate cancer although another study says that soy lowers the sperm count (Schindler Connors).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Herbs for Erectile Dysfunction (ED), Ejaculation Problems and Low Libido<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Burdock (Arctium Lappa)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Burdock is good to detox, it will help the liver to clear drugs and their side effects.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cinnamon (Cinnamomum Zeylanicum, C. Cassia, C. Saigonicum)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cinnamon is a warming spice for the circulation.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><strong>Damiana<o:p></o:p></strong></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Damiana supports male hormone production.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Warming ginger will boost the circulation.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gingko Biloba</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gingko improves the circulation; contains the amino acid arginine that can help relieve impotence and can reduce the sexual side effects of antidepressants.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ginseng (Panax Ginseng)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Studies show Ginseng improved ED. Korean and Siberian Ginseng are both adaptogens and will balance hormones and increase sexual energy.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gotu Kola (Centella Asiatica or Hydrocotyle Asiatica)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Supports the circulation and is used as a relaxant.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hawthorn (Crataegus)<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hawthorn is known to help the heart and circulation.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4RqkcxfYLmbhf6J65x91oJOpP0v7hOWQTuK_RQEP-dP5xKILktnLdrazcYglfw6JQ5umI8PJhk1gM4QaY8QHTS-I-MwHzaO7vz9Ld19oCEOrHzP2U_cKeQzyyXfHncFfhVHOhD2YTiiN/s1600/IMG_0176.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE4RqkcxfYLmbhf6J65x91oJOpP0v7hOWQTuK_RQEP-dP5xKILktnLdrazcYglfw6JQ5umI8PJhk1gM4QaY8QHTS-I-MwHzaO7vz9Ld19oCEOrHzP2U_cKeQzyyXfHncFfhVHOhD2YTiiN/s320/IMG_0176.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawthorn</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kava (Piper Methysticum)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Kava is used to increase sex drive. It affects the brain chemistry to help with anxiety about sexual dysfunction.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maca (Lepidium Mayenii)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maca from Peru has been shown to increase sex drive in men.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maritime Pine (Pinus Pinaster)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bark extracts of Maritime pine are used for ED.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Milk Thistle (Silybum Marianum)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Milk thistle is a friend of the liver; it will assist it to detox and to clear drugs and their side effects from the system.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nettle (Urtica Dioica)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nettle can be used to detox, it will help the liver to clear drugs and their side effects.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rose<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rose is used as a relaxant if stress is a problem.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6fxNppvQnbTIPut7yFJp3vV-72v4ofBmYHKhMaYHrLmeeW5ttJ6mesej7NeoJrzd4-VNcFvhbQF9EH1VEsy8deFQOcoZGLm7nj4-g0VLKuvFhHW3fuaHQE-kPRpx-Ccj9ksFFSFs08cv/s1600/P1020946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6fxNppvQnbTIPut7yFJp3vV-72v4ofBmYHKhMaYHrLmeeW5ttJ6mesej7NeoJrzd4-VNcFvhbQF9EH1VEsy8deFQOcoZGLm7nj4-g0VLKuvFhHW3fuaHQE-kPRpx-Ccj9ksFFSFs08cv/s320/P1020946.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sarsaparilla (Smilax Officinalis</b>)<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sarsaparilla supports male hormones.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saw Palmetto (Serenoa Repens)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saw Palmetto can be used to support male hormones.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Skullcap (Scutellaria Lateriflora)</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Skullcap is for relieving stress.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Vervain (Verbena Officinalis)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Vervain is used as a relaxant.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wild Oats</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wild oats are used as a relaxant if stressed.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yellow Dock</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yellow dock is another detox herb; it will help the liver to clear drugs and their side effects.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A combination of herbs can be useful to help with all of the causes or symptoms.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">References<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bruton-Seal, J. and Seal, M. (2008<u>) Hedgerow Medicine: Harvest and Make Your Own Herbal Remedies</u>, Merlin Unwin Books: Ludlow<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bruton-Seal, J. and Seal, M. (2010) <u>Kitchen Medicine: Household Remedies for Common Ailments and Domestic Emergencies</u>, Merlin Unwin Books: Ludlow<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Castleman, M. (2003) <u>The New Healing Herbs: The Classic Guide to Natures Best Medicine</u>, Hinkler <o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Books Pty Ltd: Dingley<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Drum, R. (13.1.11) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Herbs and Men’s Health: Some Notes and Thoughts</i> </span><a href="http://www.ryandrum.com/menshealth.html"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.ryandrum.com/menshealth.html</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>accessed 3.3.2012<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">McIntyre, A. (2010) <u>The complete Herbal Tutor</u>, Gaia: London<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Schindler Connors, M. with Altshuler, MD. (2009) <u>The Everything Guide To Herbal Remedies</u>, Adams Media: Avon MA<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wood, M. (1997) <u>The Book of Herbal Wisdom</u>, North Atlantic Books: Berkeley<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wood, M. (2008) <u>The Earthwise Herbal</u>, North Atlantic Books: Berkeley<o:p></o:p></span></div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-34006733160536703212012-02-20T17:54:00.000+00:002012-02-20T17:54:49.346+00:00How Becoming an Apprentice Herbalist Changed the Way I Relate To Trees in Winter<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">This post is part of the UK Herbarium February blog party hosted by Sarah at <a href="http://kitchenherbwife.blogspot.com/">Tales of a Kitchen Herb Wife</a> .<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We’ve been asked to describe how we relate to trees in winter, my first instinct here was my usual one – I don’t know anything, but actually I have been learning throughout my apprenticeship.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must confess that before my herb apprenticeship I just thought winter trees were asleep and looked stunning with a bit of frost on. I was panic struck when my first task came, in December 09/January 2010, to map all hawthorns and elders in my locality, take bark rubbings and make an elder bark salve. I had never imagined myself working with bark in my herb work, the only one I had heard of being used was willow bark and I thought only experts worked with it.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgI4_J6bp6de-n-ktlRxyggga2T2Vt2kRwDzIj2KBGM6zdDLelR55F1-VCzUt5eiEbCWuAhusY06xbH7mrGcjew3EuIQuTAmdt8dULCdVk7SXeYOehQknoFkjCC8CoYz9_ChM6MmmuzngA/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgI4_J6bp6de-n-ktlRxyggga2T2Vt2kRwDzIj2KBGM6zdDLelR55F1-VCzUt5eiEbCWuAhusY06xbH7mrGcjew3EuIQuTAmdt8dULCdVk7SXeYOehQknoFkjCC8CoYz9_ChM6MmmuzngA/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawthorn in November, Anglesey</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Hunting hawthorn and elder trees made me more familiar with my locality, I found paths and tracks that I never knew existed and could make out where there was once a hawthorn hedge spanning the hillside behind my home.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qcNF7gGCAcRKg8K3l_Zbzarc5IeKj9u0FjL3qbLz3PRW5PlIHkDwkj1nBt0sKapsHhgIyLxOHJ5c3BIb2QTl_DMo82__Oe73V9zvfo2_1d87PEVJAl3y3Bpt28jGm-dzvOERH3DGjLIR/s1600/P1000117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6qcNF7gGCAcRKg8K3l_Zbzarc5IeKj9u0FjL3qbLz3PRW5PlIHkDwkj1nBt0sKapsHhgIyLxOHJ5c3BIb2QTl_DMo82__Oe73V9zvfo2_1d87PEVJAl3y3Bpt28jGm-dzvOERH3DGjLIR/s320/P1000117.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A path lined with hawthorn and elder</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6toFoNS31vMaKfwVvl8SYFmd9Gmie-03v4QA5SGeZwkrGfU4lHNFlNbSB2rcwgrCUfX1tlucWZQtsaM1PAk0Yc-9UZSE6o76R-8mgUF-fjusUbqq8saEzUuNSZYTJ1ZrYiM0rtY3v_B1/s1600/P1000110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil6toFoNS31vMaKfwVvl8SYFmd9Gmie-03v4QA5SGeZwkrGfU4lHNFlNbSB2rcwgrCUfX1tlucWZQtsaM1PAk0Yc-9UZSE6o76R-8mgUF-fjusUbqq8saEzUuNSZYTJ1ZrYiM0rtY3v_B1/s320/P1000110.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawthorn bark behind thorns and brambles</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Taking rubbings can involve getting very close up and personal with your tree; you share their space and learn new things about them. I had to meander through many thorny branches to get to my hawthorn bark and my elder was in a holly hedge with brambles in front of it.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbuv8XthHTDcNZxyMJwMsGxz-TpOksSHFD45bCpr6iocbpLy3InalPz_X51eX9ZbAQCVacwVLmTCqvpnumxBlLRrqZeV7OTJVD7tuOyp4S_81g_cWZey2NknxKrmRLFpTPzTm4vwMc7kW/s1600/P1000138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggbuv8XthHTDcNZxyMJwMsGxz-TpOksSHFD45bCpr6iocbpLy3InalPz_X51eX9ZbAQCVacwVLmTCqvpnumxBlLRrqZeV7OTJVD7tuOyp4S_81g_cWZey2NknxKrmRLFpTPzTm4vwMc7kW/s320/P1000138.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder amongst holly and brambles<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_1llFXCz3yaz9Ygw4dSHbmhcHmAz6lZa-vliKQ5MoHxToHoV4Vpp-wBR-JElmlOiNicq-S2hW36QoNuwsubV8qmLP5nU3R9FtjTJEEGC4NedMkuXX1Y_GFKLEVVvxowyYv-crv3uuIiG/s1600/elder+bark+rubbing+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg_1llFXCz3yaz9Ygw4dSHbmhcHmAz6lZa-vliKQ5MoHxToHoV4Vpp-wBR-JElmlOiNicq-S2hW36QoNuwsubV8qmLP5nU3R9FtjTJEEGC4NedMkuXX1Y_GFKLEVVvxowyYv-crv3uuIiG/s320/elder+bark+rubbing+1.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder bark rubbing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIivND3914VUW5QYSkykJx0bmqTbJPDueURHZMZVB3KYcDLP6cDKR5M3Bhn5R4WT_rKT7IMj0ONwqayznv6FIhQX7myDbW6W0-x2pSLYimhTBzD0o8cbZsra12yv9YNhGFcCYVhvEd6dUi/s1600/hawthorn+bark+rubbing+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIivND3914VUW5QYSkykJx0bmqTbJPDueURHZMZVB3KYcDLP6cDKR5M3Bhn5R4WT_rKT7IMj0ONwqayznv6FIhQX7myDbW6W0-x2pSLYimhTBzD0o8cbZsra12yv9YNhGFcCYVhvEd6dUi/s320/hawthorn+bark+rubbing+1.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawthorn bark rubbing</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Then there’s the social side of being with your trees! I tried to make myself look as if I were going about normal everyday tasks as dog walkers came past whilst my head was stuck in a shrub with paper & crayons in my hands, a camera dangling from my neck and elder branches sticking out from my shopping bag full of essentials. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">On snowy and icy days I can go up the hills and hardly see a soul enabling me to feel the spirit of the place that these trees inhabit.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I also drew pictures of twigs of my trees; it made me look with care at what was in front of me. I befriended one particular hawthorn and one elder and feel especially close to these; I go to these first for herb use as I like their energies.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBdps9JgPYPV5lm-PyPJgsoNsa_29PupSsLI_gDKakZjy8pImN4vEqzPzCIiA6kwTUIClIThYGWaTV9L-9DbyW3iTOZqXeZixZe9_asSBMcRi178w1TMj251H5n82Bw8HsAkujIbhnS2Z/s1600/elder+twig+sketch1+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcBdps9JgPYPV5lm-PyPJgsoNsa_29PupSsLI_gDKakZjy8pImN4vEqzPzCIiA6kwTUIClIThYGWaTV9L-9DbyW3iTOZqXeZixZe9_asSBMcRi178w1TMj251H5n82Bw8HsAkujIbhnS2Z/s320/elder+twig+sketch1+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder twig sketch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3aFI52StsWe0ZkCjus-6jbByrZT0IEXBcYsh0i4huaCmsdSykoDJZ6p0BBM4W5DIAelxonGW5tWSJI08UJr58gFpiryG3EvncEvYoy4oL-sGG9mr__udtFi9FLBtHyUgQuTinaIlPTiS/s1600/hawthorn+twig+picture+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3aFI52StsWe0ZkCjus-6jbByrZT0IEXBcYsh0i4huaCmsdSykoDJZ6p0BBM4W5DIAelxonGW5tWSJI08UJr58gFpiryG3EvncEvYoy4oL-sGG9mr__udtFi9FLBtHyUgQuTinaIlPTiS/s320/hawthorn+twig+picture+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawthorn twig sketch</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Throughout 2010 I kept up my observation, taking pictures every few weeks so as I was familiar with how they developed and at what time of the year. This has given me a useful reference tool.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">January 2011 saw my fellow apprentice Maria and I embark on our infamous wild cherry tree hunt, as we blindly searched through woodland we came across some tree surgeons. They led us to a large area of the trees, showed us how to identify them and shared other interesting information about managing woodland. They were practical men and didn’t see a spiritual side to the trees they work with and although polite and helpful they obviously thought we were a bit crazy. I have meant to return to that area in spring; to sit under the blossom must be amazing.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpI5vl7jYG5djS1kpoh5go4U_iAkPnLFn9s8HlxYsJUjINWHqCgAyDpKRJywtJVlffinY9yhXLkbCNXzQmn2wremRgqxzXk8jqmlyQ6BK_XongzlipwCmdLgyTHJY6XP5ZNwmn8LMErb1/s1600/Maria+and+Wild+cherry+wood.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNpI5vl7jYG5djS1kpoh5go4U_iAkPnLFn9s8HlxYsJUjINWHqCgAyDpKRJywtJVlffinY9yhXLkbCNXzQmn2wremRgqxzXk8jqmlyQ6BK_XongzlipwCmdLgyTHJY6XP5ZNwmn8LMErb1/s320/Maria+and+Wild+cherry+wood.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We found wild cherry!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Before I could find any wild cherry wood I had experimented with some of my friend’s Morello cherry in a tincture. When I compared the tinctures of both types of cherry wood I found a faint cherry odour to the wild cherry that was not in the Morello. I made a cherry cough medicine with the wild cherry but did not feel confident enough to try the Morello in a cough mixture, reflecting back now; I think I’m ready to give it a go.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Another friend used to have Horse Chestnut trees at the bottom of her garden and I remember how concerned she was one year that the sticky buds were late, it wasn’t right. Trees can tell us things. Sarah asked us to find some Horse Chestnut sticky buds and make a flower essence, as usual finding a tree was difficult but Sarah directed me to large proud tree near to her house. I learnt a new method of making a flower essence, the heat method. Chestnut bud essence is used to prevent us from repeating the same mistakes over again. I also made a salve from the bark to strengthen veins, there is much more to this tree than being a “conker” tree.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EVG0UbJyOodAARcPKIa9HJVL-c4rKPHm5wBN6W2AmsIVPXE4dwDPcdSHfs0VAqZPFtmhpYcHZCYnHlyt_O_nyjDJim84VT1R4LM-VfL3CKL7VboD5zpLMoizD1JYjo91sosTPzdc7uh7/s1600/P1010965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1EVG0UbJyOodAARcPKIa9HJVL-c4rKPHm5wBN6W2AmsIVPXE4dwDPcdSHfs0VAqZPFtmhpYcHZCYnHlyt_O_nyjDJim84VT1R4LM-VfL3CKL7VboD5zpLMoizD1JYjo91sosTPzdc7uh7/s320/P1010965.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horse Chestnut</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-zzg4w7jG8gGaiFgO3E73eftwKfYH06bhzD2je253pU9Q64U4S-kIMlPLPNf6L-Tu1oQcccboQQFfJnyaw9u2vNvX1BGTDRZljn7vPAlmzET3Bz49z6HmAbo-Da_CXHJXPPccdgcRzoL/s1600/P1020196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb-zzg4w7jG8gGaiFgO3E73eftwKfYH06bhzD2je253pU9Q64U4S-kIMlPLPNf6L-Tu1oQcccboQQFfJnyaw9u2vNvX1BGTDRZljn7vPAlmzET3Bz49z6HmAbo-Da_CXHJXPPccdgcRzoL/s320/P1020196.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sticky buds</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Books don’t tend to have pictures or descriptions of winter trees so having tasks that make me look at them has taught me a skill in tree identification. I have been able to spend time with the trees to get to know them on different levels. I have learnt about the medicinal uses of the trees and that harvesting of herbs takes place throughout the seasons, I feel I am working closer with the wheel of the year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have chosen Guelder rose or cramp bark as an apprenticeship herb this year and would love to learn which willow to use and how. I also have a little witch hazel which I would like to use when it’s grown.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAEMeUPdAaPseXJ2eChqwm427S6qVs9f4okkJQ66_XkCzjxJlJeoYRro4IfHY6GHniw1mhg-j54DiPWYVVehdArn4PbklSH20YicRijK5_xZVXOnvRhPSz9vMk4NWUAWV4sKHdGKjYZk_/s1600/Witch+hazel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjAEMeUPdAaPseXJ2eChqwm427S6qVs9f4okkJQ66_XkCzjxJlJeoYRro4IfHY6GHniw1mhg-j54DiPWYVVehdArn4PbklSH20YicRijK5_xZVXOnvRhPSz9vMk4NWUAWV4sKHdGKjYZk_/s320/Witch+hazel.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As an apprentice I have also been taught to look at the energetic properties of trees, for example Jim McDonald on Hawthorn says “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Hawthorne shows itself as a medicine that can bear a great abundance of healing, and yet be protected in this offering by its abundance of thorns. It allows us to live with an open heart and feel protected in doing so.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My first wood workshop was amazing; we were given an introduction to energetics and tree lore and found some wood to make what we wanted. I made a hawthorn wand; I sanded off the bark and rubbed in an infused herb oil that we had made on a previous workshop. At home I carried on with my wand making; hazel, elder, oak, birch and whatever I found, I sanded away all or some of the bark, spending time with the wood as I did it, noticing the differences in each wood. I used appropriate infused herb oils to rub into the wood. Some wands were left looking natural, some highly embellished. Children at the workshop were attracted to the elder as soon as they heard stories of faeries and made pan-pipes and beads after hollowing out the pithy stems; they were a joy to watch.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B_CE0OTGirAiIMnfDLpYd9hbtwun4TGORjH0sRB6804tkcsyt_h5xPLrl7fa-hbz2F4Dd2l66W5YA-yTWRQ1Vd1dFJ9s2bKvS3UQXKgexygDOrAEcv3GU5He348jjz0F8csDSF_Jq4tE/s1600/008+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8B_CE0OTGirAiIMnfDLpYd9hbtwun4TGORjH0sRB6804tkcsyt_h5xPLrl7fa-hbz2F4Dd2l66W5YA-yTWRQ1Vd1dFJ9s2bKvS3UQXKgexygDOrAEcv3GU5He348jjz0F8csDSF_Jq4tE/s320/008+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawthorn wand</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 16.5pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I now have the confidence to work with winter trees in so many ways, I take notice of their beauty and energies more than ever and I am happy to just spend time with them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-43186153370303676292012-01-21T14:32:00.000+00:002012-01-21T14:32:05.588+00:00A Lesson in Tonics and the Four Humours by a Muddy Apprentice!<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prior to Saturdays workshop Sarah e-mailed us Christopher Hedley’s research project which was devised to find a way of teaching about humeral medicine. The 4 humours are earth, air fire and water and date from Greek medicine. Hippocrates’ theory was that human moods were caused by an imbalance in bodily fluids; blood, phlegm, yellow bile and black bile. Galen later developed this into a personality theory.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The paper gives statements about each humour and you tick those which apply to yourself and count up the totals. The idea is that you can use the results to make changes that will make you more balanced.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here are my scores:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableLightShadingAccent4" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: currentColor; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #8064A2 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent4; mso-border-top-alt: solid #8064A2 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent4; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: -1;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="top" width="97"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 5;"><b><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">HUMOUR<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 131.35pt;" valign="top" width="175"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;"><b><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">TEMPERAMENT<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 201.85pt;" valign="top" width="269"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;"><b><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">PERSONALITY<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 56.4pt;" valign="top" width="75"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;"><b><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">SCORE<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td style="background: rgb(223, 216, 232); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent4; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="top" width="97"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;"><b><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">EARTH<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(223, 216, 232); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent4; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 131.35pt;" valign="top" width="175"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MELANCHOLY (black bile) <o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(223, 216, 232); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent4; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 201.85pt;" valign="top" width="269"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Moody, rigid, pessimistic, quiet<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(223, 216, 232); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent4; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 56.4pt;" valign="top" width="75"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">16<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="top" width="97"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;"><b><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">AIR<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 131.35pt;" valign="top" width="175"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;"><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">SANGUINE (blood)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 201.85pt;" valign="top" width="269"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;"><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sociable, talkative, carefree, easy-going<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 56.4pt;" valign="top" width="75"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;"><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td style="background: rgb(223, 216, 232); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent4; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="top" width="97"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;"><b><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">FIRE<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(223, 216, 232); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent4; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 131.35pt;" valign="top" width="175"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">CHOLERIC (yellow bile)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(223, 216, 232); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent4; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 201.85pt;" valign="top" width="269"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Active, excitable, aggressive, impulsive<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(223, 216, 232); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent4; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 56.4pt;" valign="top" width="75"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 72.5pt;" valign="top" width="97"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;"><b><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">WATER<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 131.35pt;" valign="top" width="175"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;"><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">PHLEGMATIC (phlegm)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 201.85pt;" valign="top" width="269"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;"><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Passive, even-tempered, controlled<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 56.4pt;" valign="top" width="75"> <div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;"><span style="color: #5f497a; mso-themecolor: accent4; mso-themeshade: 191;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">21<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I was surprised to come out as water as I thought of myself as more earthy, but my earth score was second highest, this I believe makes me a bit muddy! To become balanced I believe I need to be warmer and drier.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have looked at the regimes for phlegmatic and melancholy people.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Phlegmatic</b> people should avoid:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Too much sleep (wish I had the chance!)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eating too much (could do with sticking to this one)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fish except with warming herbs (I’m vegetarian so don’t eat fish)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Milk products (I have been considering this as I always feel congested lately)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sweet foods (I do crave these at times)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Salads except with spicy or garlic dressings (I always thought salads were good for you)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pears and summer fruits (that’s a blow, I love fruit)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Introspection <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Phlegmatic</b> people should:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eat warming food such as onions, garlic, root vegetables, warming wine and cooked food. (I do like all of these)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eat astringent or dry foods such as globe artichokes and cabbages.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fast at the change of seasons.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Get into the habit of adding gentle spices to foods.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take regular gentle exercise and join co-operative ventures.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Find creative ways of expressing deep emotions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Join an organisation<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Christopher Hedley says that the traditional food of a country tends to counteract the excesses that occur in that environment. Traditional English foods include spiced meats and astringent pickles and this tends to be a damp country.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For some traditional recipes may I shamelessly plug and recommend my friend Roly Rotherham’s book: <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Simmering-Through-Ages-Culinary-Journey/dp/0956414508/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1327142619&sr=1-1">Simmering Through The Ages</a>Simmering Through The Ages.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">USEFUL HERBS FOR PHLEGMATICS:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gentle spices especially; cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, fennel and dried ginger<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gentle astringents such as agrimony and elderflower<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Warm, dry herbs such as sage, thyme and rosemary<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nettles and cleavers in the spring and warming herbs in the autumn<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNwBGDBYWwt34kkNxpzQG99y2QcPp8YKIOnzm2FK7dHLJ-23sQmaF5vkOYup-QGZDag0lwlusnzciDja8Ufv598Q9NJ7oqpxIF0MoD88Go7LAhu3YYCHnDK_oAgLW2pqYV1k_qsr8GRnw/s1600/P1020694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVNwBGDBYWwt34kkNxpzQG99y2QcPp8YKIOnzm2FK7dHLJ-23sQmaF5vkOYup-QGZDag0lwlusnzciDja8Ufv598Q9NJ7oqpxIF0MoD88Go7LAhu3YYCHnDK_oAgLW2pqYV1k_qsr8GRnw/s320/P1020694.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elderflower</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Melancholic</b> people should avoid:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Excess food<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Heavy food such as beef<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Drying food such as lentils <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Astringent food such as apples and quinces<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eating late in the day (I often don’t get a chance to eat until late)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Narcotics<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thinking too much and introspection<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lack of physical activity<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Melancholic</b> people should:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take light but nourishing food<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have sweet foods in moderation<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have cleansing food such as asparagus, fennel and celery<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take prolonged, gentle exercise such as long walks or gardening (allotment!)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Do “earthy” activities such as pottery (I’d love to do this)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have regular long baths with relaxing oils such as lavender (wonderful)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cultivate the friendship of a sanguine person<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Always have a long term project on the go that requires deep thought but gets you “out of yourself” (a herb apprenticeship?)<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">USEFUL HERBS FOR MELANCHOLICS:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gently warming, moving and cleansing herbs such as fennel, angelic, coriander leaves, parsley and juniper berries<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Herbs for liver congestion such as barberry bark and dandelion<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Herbs to clear melancholy from the heart such as borage and motherwort<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Comfrey cream for dry skin<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Valerian combined with linden or lemon balm for anxiety<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjg5aeBqhVkj_Jj82MZ0lYZRW8pdwanJLR89TDrJ2nYORc-pOhfzPZcppa9O9_blU9g4ip5iXWc0G1OLpPfY47-azw80eDX-7JDsymD30rLx7T-j3mh7nU_nWHd2F_D8buN7Y5MmZVOrI/s1600/P1000022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtjg5aeBqhVkj_Jj82MZ0lYZRW8pdwanJLR89TDrJ2nYORc-pOhfzPZcppa9O9_blU9g4ip5iXWc0G1OLpPfY47-azw80eDX-7JDsymD30rLx7T-j3mh7nU_nWHd2F_D8buN7Y5MmZVOrI/s320/P1000022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Borage</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some of the suggestions for water and earth conflict which is not surprising considering the different natures of each. Drying and astringent foods are useful for watery phlegmatic people but to be avoided by earthy melancholic people. As I was mostly water I think I should have some drying foods. Melancholics can have some sweet food, tempting to go earthy here! I enjoy warming foods and working in groups so that is easy to follow but I can’t give up any fruit. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have decided that I can add the herbs to food, teas or tonics.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saturday’s workshop was about tonics, something that does you good and is used over the long term not as an instant cure.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tried many different tonics; tea, a milky drink made with almond milk, tinctures, elixirs, honeys and electuaries. The “uplifting tincture” was a great favourite and the atmosphere got a little merry with all the tinctures to taste!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We could make our own tonic and there were lots of ingredients to choose from. I decided to go for Christopher Hedley’s iron tonic with a twist – I decided to add some warming herbs to balance my present phlegmatic disposition.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Christopher Hedley's Iron Tonic</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Soak equal amounts of fresh nettle tops and organic apricots in good red wine with a little bitter orange peel added. Soak for 2 weeks, strain and store in a cool place. Dose 1 or 2 dessertspoons twice daily.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>My Tonic</u></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Into a jam jar went nettles (good for phlegmatics) and chopped apricots with nutmeg, cardamom and cinnamon. I saw some wormwood on the table, I haven’t used it before and really just fancied trying it out so I put some in; according to Matthew Wood it is a warming herb so I think it was a good choice. I also threw in some ashwagandha seeds as this was something new to try; the roots are astringent and an excellent adaptogen. I also added milk thistle seeds to help my gall stones. I topped up my jar of tonic herbs with warming red wine which will certainly help the medicine go down as well!</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYRMHB1Ooi9KcCzBK8OLfar8gT71fZCn2nAuRFZiM15_RwUv4vg7V2kHMFBtj0s-KJvVDvgmdw37L678jAXHEfWfF0w6tSwc1emr3-_o2wGQBvs3jk3opOhP7BX4zX5Gj4Km91E63F25N/s1600/002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKYRMHB1Ooi9KcCzBK8OLfar8gT71fZCn2nAuRFZiM15_RwUv4vg7V2kHMFBtj0s-KJvVDvgmdw37L678jAXHEfWfF0w6tSwc1emr3-_o2wGQBvs3jk3opOhP7BX4zX5Gj4Km91E63F25N/s320/002.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A choice of ingredients</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2wOCr6uYDXpue2YBd0wIQglDlUQrFB_RIucEJgb2A48FF3WM6qXHpnNs9K_7hJ7jajo0E_0Ak-uHzXL_JvrAe8ywFY4bSxbvvCo-sVoCf9tuufyZNuix3P-oxU9pJ7L7GDP8yT6ugMlF/s1600/001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2wOCr6uYDXpue2YBd0wIQglDlUQrFB_RIucEJgb2A48FF3WM6qXHpnNs9K_7hJ7jajo0E_0Ak-uHzXL_JvrAe8ywFY4bSxbvvCo-sVoCf9tuufyZNuix3P-oxU9pJ7L7GDP8yT6ugMlF/s320/001.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milk thistle</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg501OJ0BFpxuCcB5gkTGpvjmp55wfhlWtLy7ngTYPuVDyEU8zAdjFap_DIHeCuKqLLD2Eqnewqe7Zs6_4gnbbFO8okhBNQuoVNtCxwMu9_-o1Narn7BqclQlF8WdbYH9Yma97ZtVm6ClVa/s1600/003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg501OJ0BFpxuCcB5gkTGpvjmp55wfhlWtLy7ngTYPuVDyEU8zAdjFap_DIHeCuKqLLD2Eqnewqe7Zs6_4gnbbFO8okhBNQuoVNtCxwMu9_-o1Narn7BqclQlF8WdbYH9Yma97ZtVm6ClVa/s320/003.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorting out milk thistle seeds</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYs5GnfDa9jNFPKv05TYgT49Bu9o-fMTePxpjJE_jJ5xjmQyyq-jDqPNmoFM7DUck2ir-ev_FOvgO5e0It8lz5bCwyQhzN4pTvV0y9POuzU_g_FNC4frsj-VDnOEiK8DcOin1Ho8yrSaA/s1600/006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilYs5GnfDa9jNFPKv05TYgT49Bu9o-fMTePxpjJE_jJ5xjmQyyq-jDqPNmoFM7DUck2ir-ev_FOvgO5e0It8lz5bCwyQhzN4pTvV0y9POuzU_g_FNC4frsj-VDnOEiK8DcOin1Ho8yrSaA/s320/006.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completed tonic</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what did I learn from this workshop? Well, we are all different; I expect everyone present had different scores showing different temperaments. Our scoring with the four humours is not constant; it can change as we become more or less balanced. If you are working with this system it is easy to see that a tonic can be made to suit an individual. If someone presented with a condition to be treated a humeral assessment could help to make the herbs for that person more specific and give a more holistic treatment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><u> </u><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Quiz Time - Which of the Four Humours are You? (Just for Fun!)<o:p></o:p></u></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://quizilla.teennick.com/quizzes/1006214/which-of-the-humours-are-you">Quizzilla</a> - also has me as phlegmatic</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> <a href="http://vintage.gurl.com/play/quizzes/pages/0,,626052,00.html">Gurl</a>- phlegmatic again!</span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><a href="http://www.passionsandtempers.com/v1/page.php?l=en&p=test">Passions and Tempers</a> – gives percentages of all humours<o:p></o:p></span>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-77139774656248291002012-01-09T21:23:00.000+00:002012-01-09T21:23:46.916+00:00Herbs Ancient and Modern for Chronic Conditions of the Respiratory System<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Research chronic diseases of the chest – emphysema, tuberculosis, pneumonia, COPD. What did the ancient herbalists use for these conditions? What do herbalists use now and why?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I was a student nurse the first thing we had to learn was what is health? This was boring as it involved theory and looking at statistics and I wanted to be doing something but I now feel it was correct as how can you look at disease without knowing something of the anatomy and physiology in a healthy person? Of course feelings of wellness are subjective. So once again I’m starting with the A & P, a recap on biology lessons from school to refresh my memory.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We breathe because we need oxygen; we don’t have to think about it our bodies automatically do it. We breathe in (inspiration), the lungs expand, the diaphragm goes down and the ribs go up and out. When we breathe out the opposite happens (expiration), and we breathe out the gas we need to get rid of, carbon dioxide. Changes in the pressure in the lungs along with the concentration of carbon dioxide trigger our breathing. We can over-ride the lungs and consciously change our breathing if we want to, with meditation for example.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8Gd5cA76yOslupau2MZsYt6tLuV6Wq1DrguIGldLXMbewe-2VW2pzYIohxfwBhZmT7O_7H0ibspZhRZsR2LchSIEAtWQn9oAdpiJECeHAJ7-7rQagXF7clrKIeVq7gPEQYbDDS2IIVBc/s1600/images%255B9%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw8Gd5cA76yOslupau2MZsYt6tLuV6Wq1DrguIGldLXMbewe-2VW2pzYIohxfwBhZmT7O_7H0ibspZhRZsR2LchSIEAtWQn9oAdpiJECeHAJ7-7rQagXF7clrKIeVq7gPEQYbDDS2IIVBc/s1600/images%255B9%255D.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diagram of the Respiratory System</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Air enters the mouth and nose and goes down the trachea. Fine hairs and mucous in the nose filters out dust and particles we don’t want to breathe in and the air is warmed and moistened. The trachea splits into the bronchi and air is directed to each lung. The bronchi split into bronchioles which take air to little sacs in the lung structure called alveoli. The alveoli are small but are created to have a large surface area and the walls are very thin. The alveoli are surrounded by blood capillaries which also have thin walls and gases can easily transfer between the alveoli of the lungs and the blood stream because of this.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggf9G_cxyMBsl0gzwCSyiZGHsg7sd2oSWi5Bi2i23PT8nK08p2rFv478qDXyJKmi00B1RUEv4-4gbksXrW6BIzSZ_GnUY5BbuNm3Qqx19xZWaMsCCVS86F3UAgekCpoHDUGv7X7eoRxL8f/s1600/imagesCA0C0C0X.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggf9G_cxyMBsl0gzwCSyiZGHsg7sd2oSWi5Bi2i23PT8nK08p2rFv478qDXyJKmi00B1RUEv4-4gbksXrW6BIzSZ_GnUY5BbuNm3Qqx19xZWaMsCCVS86F3UAgekCpoHDUGv7X7eoRxL8f/s1600/imagesCA0C0C0X.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diagram of gaseous exchange between an alveolus and a blood capillary</td></tr>
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So What Happens In Chronic Lung Problems?<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) or Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease (COAD)<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Diseases such as bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis and emphysema have in common some degree of obstruction of the air passages and the term COAD refers to these. Symptoms of airway obstruction include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. COAD is often a combination of chronic bronchitis and emphysema.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Emphysema<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The name emphysema means full of air and when a person with this condition breathes out the little alveoli sacs do not empty, they remain full of air. The first measurable symptom is that the person cannot breathe out so much air. Later, the alveoli get damaged; some of the alveoli sacs get joined together and enlarged which gives less surface area for the oxygen and carbon dioxide to cross. The lungs become permanently inflated because they have lost their elasticity. To adjust to the increase in lung size, the chest cage increases in size leading to the “barrel chest” appearance. As the disease progresses the damaged alveoli develop into areas of thick connective tissue which can’t let oxygen through.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Emphysema is generally caused by long term lung irritation to air pollution, industrial dust or cigarette smoke. It seems that cigarette smoke deactivates a protein that prevents emphysema and prevents repair of affected lung tissue.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bronchial Asthma<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bronchial asthma is a reversible obstructive airway disease with symptoms of coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. This is brought on by spasms of the smooth muscle that lies in the walls of the smaller bronchi and bronchioles causing the airways to partially close. Mucus membranes that line the respiratory tract become irritated and excrete excessive amounts of mucus that may clog the bronchi or bronchioles and worsen the attack. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About three quarters of asthma sufferers are allergic to edible or airborne substances such as wheat or dust.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bronchitis<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchi which typically gives a productive cough with thick greenish-yellow sputum signifying an underlying infection. Cigarette smoking is the most common cause of chronic bronchitis – that is bronchitis for 3 months of a year over 2 consecutive years. Other influencing factors are a family history, air pollution, respiratory infections and reduced antibodies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pneumonia<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pneumonia is an acute infection or inflammation of the alveoli. The alveoli get filled up with fluid which reduces the amount of air space in the lungs and oxygen has difficulty getting through the inflamed alveoli.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most common cause is the pneumococcus bacterium and the most susceptible are the elderly, infants, the immunosuppressed, smokers and people with obstructive lung disease. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tuberculosis TB<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The bacterium Mycobacterium Tuberculosis produces this infectious disease which most frequently affects the lungs. The bacteria destroys part of the lung tissue and the body replaces it with fibrous connective tissue (like scar tissue) that is inelastic and thick, it does not snap back after expiration and large amounts of air are retained. Gases cannot diffuse easily through fibrous tissue.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>TB bacteria die in sunlight so it is sometimes associated with crowded poorly lit housing. TB used to be known as consumption.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What Did Ancient Herbalists Use For These Conditions?<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Chinese<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An ancient herbal from 5000 years ago lists liquorice as a respiratory treatment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>The Egyptians<o:p></o:p></u></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hieroglyphs tell that the Egyptians used to inhale the fumes from herbs; it seems that frankincense was amongst those used.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Ebers papyrus gives instructions:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">"<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Thou shalt fetch seven stones and heat them by fire, thou shalt take one thereof and place a little of these remedies on it and cover it with a new vessel whose bottom is perforated, and place a stalk of reed in this hole; thou shalt put thy mouth to this stalk so that thou inhalest the smoke of it."</i><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hibiscus was used by either putting it in bath water or using it in a steam inhalation and liquorice seems to have been used all over the ancient world for chest complaints.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the whole, in the ancient world natural cures were used alongside religion and magic.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Greeks<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hyssop was used by the likes of Hippocrates and Galen for bronchitis. Hippocrates was one of the earliest physicians to link respiratory conditions and the environment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mullein was recorded as a treatment for breathing problems by Dioscorides and its medicinal and spiritual uses have been included in Greek and Roman stories.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuzAwwiF8k7TAewRztW_dPBo15CNBTd-EHJldy7cK0jjjfciN74NvDnc7RI2SMsR-rqjv3xXH-_SGrJNr_e0y-rhUp5r3lKZd_FxvKfhtCGN1YSIWb9y0RZtmze24X1krxGtVNH5gIHiW/s1600/P1030116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipuzAwwiF8k7TAewRztW_dPBo15CNBTd-EHJldy7cK0jjjfciN74NvDnc7RI2SMsR-rqjv3xXH-_SGrJNr_e0y-rhUp5r3lKZd_FxvKfhtCGN1YSIWb9y0RZtmze24X1krxGtVNH5gIHiW/s320/P1030116.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mullein</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Hebrews<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ancient Hebrews believed that God held the power to heal them so looked to the bible and sacred texts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A religious book called the Talmud advocated the use of asafoetida, an oriental gum resin which was used for asthma, whooping cough and bronchitis.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>The Romans<o:p></o:p></u></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Romans used white horehound; the medical writer Celsus described treatment for respiratory problems with horehound juice.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Doctrine of Signatures<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This theory stated that God had left us clues with plant medicine, whether it is by colour or actual physical representation. So, lungwort which has spots on its leaves and has resemblance to a lung was for pulmonary disorders.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpn3K6RtwFev0UxxTHzDnSkC2N1SNxR3kAWOJqvnYp3F66HRIzxBTULO5hxChFlPc5LuEpVLkngRyco2AT2ryAP680f4stRpCYL0bKg088fedSXELdOiMpuVZVgRvL42azqrl-R84VUEvx/s1600/Lungwort+flowers+18.4.10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpn3K6RtwFev0UxxTHzDnSkC2N1SNxR3kAWOJqvnYp3F66HRIzxBTULO5hxChFlPc5LuEpVLkngRyco2AT2ryAP680f4stRpCYL0bKg088fedSXELdOiMpuVZVgRvL42azqrl-R84VUEvx/s320/Lungwort+flowers+18.4.10.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lungwort</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Old English – Bald’s Leech Book<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I love this entry, I think this recipe must include every respiratory herb the writer could think of and the magical number 3 keeps occurring.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For a cough and for disease of the lung, take a bail of swail, and sulphur, and incense, equal amounts of each, mix with wax, lay it on a hot stone, inhale the smoke through a horn, and let him eat three pieces of old bacon or butter afterwards, and sip it with curds. For lung disease, take betony and horehound, agrimony, wormwood, felter, rue, oak bark, gale, boil in water, boil down to a third of the water, take from the plant-drink a warm cupful in the morning, let him eat three pieces of food with some of the brew which joins on hereafter: Make a brew for lung disease, take betony, horehound, wormwood, hindhealth, the lower part of wenwort, lupin, elecampane, radish, boarthroat, parsnip, pound them all very well and boil in butter and wring it out through a cloth, scatter barley meal on the juice, stir it in a dish without fire until it becomes as thick as porridge, let him eat three pieces with a warm drink. Again, boil in honey a single horehound, add a little barley meal thereto, let him eat it having fasted overnight, and when you give him porridge, give it to him hot and let the man rest after the hour of dawn on his right side, and have the arm stretched out.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">John Gerard (16C)<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the sixteenth century Gerard recommended horehound syrup for respiratory ailments. Gerard was a follower of the doctrine of signatures. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipX-iCGRbuuN6YfI-CM3lQNnPyte4MO7Kx08mcPIUD_6fXlx_80GFir10JoHqziGNHCA060jKeGlwpA6M_cX1uxBUNlKCU-31Hdhs7VALyNWNmS7B2UCdcLlAvfsnFncCJ2Z_V-eZx7cPd/s1600/White+horehound+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipX-iCGRbuuN6YfI-CM3lQNnPyte4MO7Kx08mcPIUD_6fXlx_80GFir10JoHqziGNHCA060jKeGlwpA6M_cX1uxBUNlKCU-31Hdhs7VALyNWNmS7B2UCdcLlAvfsnFncCJ2Z_V-eZx7cPd/s320/White+horehound+flowers.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White horehound</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nicholas Culpepper (17C)<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the seventeenth century Culpepper recommended white horehound “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">There is a syrup made of this plant which I would recommend as an excellent help to evacuate tough phlegm and cold rheum from the lungs of aged persons, especially those who are asthmatic and short winded</i>.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He said liquorice was good for a dry cough, hoarseness, wheezing, shortness of breath and TB and thyme was a good strengthener of the lungs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Culpepper used astrology rather than the doctrine of signatures. The respiratory system was governed by Mercury and Mercuric plants bore finely divided leaves such as fennel, dill and carrot.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Victorian Times<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dr Quinlan publicised an Irish TB treatment; a handful of fresh mullein leaves boiled with 2 pints of milk, strained and sweetened with honey, to be taken twice a day.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Looking at these examples of herbs used by ancient herbalists, most look familiar and are surprisingly still in use.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">What Do Herbalists Use Now For Respiratory Conditions and Why?<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Herbs for Chronic Bronchitis<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Richard Mabey combines expectorant herbs with soothing demulcent herbs and adds antibiotic herbs.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Commission E, the expert panel that judges the safety of herbal medicines for the German government has approved couch grass in the treatment of bronchitis, if anyone would like to try this out I have an allotment full of it!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Expectorant herbs:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">White horehound<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Coltsfoot<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Elecampane<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blood root<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Squills<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Senega<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l9 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Plantain <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Demulcent herbs:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mullein<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Comfrey<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Marshmallow<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Flax seeds<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Liquorice<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Violet leaves<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l7 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Irish moss<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Antibiotic herbs:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eucalyptus<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Herbs for Asthma<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Richard Mabey suggests herbs to relax the bronchi and expel mucus along with herbs to support the nervous system and a soothing expectorant which also supports the adrenal glands.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">To relax the bronchi & expel mucous:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Grindelia<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pill-bearing spurge<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sundew<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Coltsfoot<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Skunk cabbage<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l8 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Honeysuckle - antispasmodic<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Herbs to support the nervous system:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wild lettuce<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hops<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chamomile<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lime flowers<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Skullcap<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Holy basil<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l6 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wild oats<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Expectorants<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Elecampane<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thyme<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hyssop<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Garlic<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Coltsfoot<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ginger<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo9; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mullein<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Expectorants which support the adrenal glands:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Liquorice<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Borage<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Antihistamine<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo8; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nettle<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Herbs for Tuberculosis (TB)<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal say self-heal has been found to be effective against Mycobacterium tuberculi, the bacteria which causes TB.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Michael Castleman says garlic kills Mycobacterium tuberculosis but the garlic needs to be crushed so as a compound in garlic called alliin comes into contact with an enzyme in garlic called allinase and then allicin is formed. Allicin is a powerful antibiotic and is the compound that kills the TB bacteria.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hops may be effective against Mycobacterium tuberculosis.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In laboratory tests mullein inhibited the growth of the bacteria for TB.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1 laboratory test found red clover to be effective against the bacteria.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Herbs for Emphysema</u><o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal say mint is a traditional remedy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo7; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span>Israeli researchers <span style="font-family: inherit;">found</span> ginseng <span style="font-family: inherit;">increased</span> lung capacity in people with emphysema.<o:p></o:p></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It has been suggested that horsetail which contains silica can speed up the rate of tissue <span style="font-size: xx-small;">repair</span> and promote strength and elasticity in new tissues.</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>Herbs for Pneumonia </u></span></span></div><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Matthew Wood recommends a few drops of lavender oil in a bath.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mustard seed pack on chest (Wood).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Horseradish as a poultice to the chest to thin stuck phlegm, use a cloth between the horseradish and the skin or it will burn.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Expectorant herbs as listed for asthma and bronchitis.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo10; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Vitamin C in elderberries, bilberries and rose hips stimulates the mucociliary escalator to help clear phlegm.</span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u>References</u></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bruton-Seal, J. and Seal, M. (2008) <strong>Hedgerow Medicine: Harvest and Make Your Own Herbal Remedies</strong>, Merlin Unwin Books: Ludlow</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Castleman, M. (2003) <strong>The New Healing Herbs: The Classic Guide to Natures Best Medicine</strong>, Hinkler Books Pty Ltd: Dingley</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mabey, R. (1988) <strong>The New Age Herbalist</strong>, Gaia: London</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">McIntyre, A. (2010) <strong>The complete Herbal Tutor</strong>, Gaia: London</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pollington, S. (2000) <strong>Leechcraft: Early English Charms, Plantlore and Healing</strong>, Anglo-Saxon Books: Norfolk</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tortura, G. and Anagnostakos, N.P.(1990) <strong>Principles of Anatomy and Physiology</strong> (6<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> Edition), Harper Collins: New York</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wood, M. (2008) <strong>The Earthwise Herbal</strong>, North Atlantic Books: Berkeley</span></div></o:p></span></o:p></span></span><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></div></span><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"></div></span><div class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><br />
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</div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-89477262089555180472012-01-08T21:15:00.000+00:002012-01-08T21:26:48.794+00:00Wassail<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve been wassailing today, I’ve danced with my clog side, the local morris team danced and we wassailed the trees, finished off with a Mumming play.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDircm79HPHYpL1B30UZvHIVIT1BVdBN1F84NdyZx4xma9gi6Ki1RiPapb1dMwKwBVYq5Ms2CRHcNyeq27QBdt8EQczyicfA3NZ0aL0mAu_0GLvKsqt1AnvrF0p6RDRSeB45l6e-H-sEYr/s1600/P1030557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDircm79HPHYpL1B30UZvHIVIT1BVdBN1F84NdyZx4xma9gi6Ki1RiPapb1dMwKwBVYq5Ms2CRHcNyeq27QBdt8EQczyicfA3NZ0aL0mAu_0GLvKsqt1AnvrF0p6RDRSeB45l6e-H-sEYr/s320/P1030557.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sound the trumpet!</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We started off with dancing and singing Wassailing songs and then walked with lanterns to the orchard.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0FQ4QSxGUfkGtHDcgKp2O-VfpIzMUA0DF8mj8o37i_rd9arjgPv0L44nyQaR9aCL5InGNYsAlXycLkjUKe3SNIrhVKtZ6FXBwgTEP4QyhfRSD-2gXRdNEWgbk2VYt2ABiA3b0yynbZx-/s1600/P1030561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK0FQ4QSxGUfkGtHDcgKp2O-VfpIzMUA0DF8mj8o37i_rd9arjgPv0L44nyQaR9aCL5InGNYsAlXycLkjUKe3SNIrhVKtZ6FXBwgTEP4QyhfRSD-2gXRdNEWgbk2VYt2ABiA3b0yynbZx-/s320/P1030561.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the orchard we lit a fire, sang another song and then wassailed the trees. Everyone made as much noise as possible with rattles, shakers and party poppers and beat the trees (gently!) with sticks. Cider was poured over the trees and toast soaked in cider was stuck onto the branches. All evil spirits should have been scared out of the trees and a good crop of apples (and plums) ensured for this year – job done!</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8NqNbRagPvEihV5USk751yionOrgiPckRvSpZKcIXiy2mFmAXUu5MzE1XfK8uhkrhmGfc0SXeZ2F1Sx7MFwWiHoH-8A_r8rHBVPb-RFqXaF-SgNqA1n5VilagaR56vh__Uimh3BTahsx/s1600/P1030569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ8NqNbRagPvEihV5USk751yionOrgiPckRvSpZKcIXiy2mFmAXUu5MzE1XfK8uhkrhmGfc0SXeZ2F1Sx7MFwWiHoH-8A_r8rHBVPb-RFqXaF-SgNqA1n5VilagaR56vh__Uimh3BTahsx/s320/P1030569.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toast on a tree</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Mummers did a traditional play with St George and the Turkish knight having a battle. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-Opht3pRjvEcUNQuYh0jvwO39af_dcuDerMmlB60y2_ZVj6PuCY8PkayMIn-fn-SFo-DLl_PFtWWvmENY6XMeZKZ1gHsDaDm40Aa5JM7xPGOiQYeZksv71gQru_rG_o9SwrOZw2czNJV/s1600/P1030588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm-Opht3pRjvEcUNQuYh0jvwO39af_dcuDerMmlB60y2_ZVj6PuCY8PkayMIn-fn-SFo-DLl_PFtWWvmENY6XMeZKZ1gHsDaDm40Aa5JM7xPGOiQYeZksv71gQru_rG_o9SwrOZw2czNJV/s320/P1030588.JPG" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pharoe supervises the battle</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although I’ve done this before I’d never noticed some of the words in the wassailing songs, I suppose it’s only when something’s on your mind that you see it. Two of the three wassailing songs mention my herbal aly; elder, but I don't know the significance.</span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here We Come A Wassailing<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here we come a Wassailing among the leaves so green<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here we come a wassailing so as to be seen<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chorus:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Love and joy come to you, and to your wassail too<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And God bless you and send you a happy New Year<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And God send you a Happy New Year<o:p></o:p></span></i></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: center; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our wassail it is made from the elderberry tree<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our ale it is made from the best barley<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wassail<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wassail, wassail all over the town<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our cup it is white and our ale it is brown<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our cup is made from the elderberry tree<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And so my good neighbours we’ll drink to thee<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Drink to thee, drink to thee<o:p></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">And so good neighbours we’ll drink to thee<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wassail everyone!<o:p></o:p></span></div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-83090789425700240342012-01-06T22:39:00.000+00:002012-01-06T22:39:54.090+00:00Using Elder Bark To Make A Salve For BruisesFor the first year of my herb apprenticeship I never had a blog, I kept everything in diary format in a folder on my computer. I have tried to e-mail some pictures to my fellow apprentices today but not everyone can open them so I've decided to post my first thoughts on elder and my first practical task. I had to map the elder and hawthorn trees within a mile radius of my house, take bark rubbings and make a salve from the elder bark for bruises.<br />
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At first I was anxious about identifying trees without any foliage, flowers or berries but soon worked it out and now I can spot a hawthorn or elder a mile away!<br />
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As elder is my herbal aly this year it was good to visit this work again.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My thoughts on Elder Dec 09<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> Memories of the elder go back to my childhood, it was a tree I could recognise but I don’t remember being taught. Elder was found around the school playing field where we played in summer and in the woods at the back of our house.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have heard the tree has links to the fairy realm which makes it even more interesting and exciting.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This Autumn Sarah showed us the wood and explained how it was pithy inside, lending itself for use in flutes or beads, more uses than flowers and berries then.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I feel familiar with this tree, that it has been around me for most of my life, I don’t “know” it. I want to learn how to use it medicinally and to carefully enter its energetic realm.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">31 December 2009<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have been up on the hills as part of my task to locate elder in my locality. I found several small trees; they are difficult to access as they are in a hedge of holly with brambles in front of them. I took a few twigs for my salve. The branches had small red buds on them.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPqOOUzqxlVUQkiB6n1zTbdo6clx2vlzdUepIylGcOf78SYH_VN9x20kFt2iKVTsL12dsFfXhEKYvZt9LVo0Bt_X2Ks5WYxjULvLVz376wROC36AKsMBCoBccdkfgbM76fAR9I42F2lpQ/s1600/P1000138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjPqOOUzqxlVUQkiB6n1zTbdo6clx2vlzdUepIylGcOf78SYH_VN9x20kFt2iKVTsL12dsFfXhEKYvZt9LVo0Bt_X2Ks5WYxjULvLVz376wROC36AKsMBCoBccdkfgbM76fAR9I42F2lpQ/s320/P1000138.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder amongst holly</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the opposite side of the hill I found a larger tree that I could get to and harvested a few more twigs. I managed to get a bark rubbing of larger and smaller branches. The younger branches appear speckled; they branch off in pairs on each side of the stem. The pale elder branches contrasted with the dark holly around them.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7has1u_3_ge2IpPrEaCsyLNs6CqZ5F-J-VlzJajv5iUkksz7unxB2o79BazWGEc_-xuLdQmhyQk86tw7pjj9oQeJjKCU9uyLL0ZKjKgbQixRsK_jnePb4KrwqvAHXMCVzpRTktCoRXrqF/s1600/P1000167.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7has1u_3_ge2IpPrEaCsyLNs6CqZ5F-J-VlzJajv5iUkksz7unxB2o79BazWGEc_-xuLdQmhyQk86tw7pjj9oQeJjKCU9uyLL0ZKjKgbQixRsK_jnePb4KrwqvAHXMCVzpRTktCoRXrqF/s320/P1000167.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Younger, straight elder branches</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Circling the hills and approaching where I had started I found a large tree growing alone. This tree was easy to get to so I did another rubbing & took a few twigs, the shape of the tree was now apparent.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOio2uPzwLmAEw2zEpiDbtGMW6Kxy-3Nn899JqcteNQMz_3U9CwEQty0s72JtehmTrU-mIRajojxmQOCk3DSvZ54azrr1ybKigVDDeh4xMNA-UsPZlgRvR4PlsYAK8CHze-LbJ9vbkwzo/s1600/P1000178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxOio2uPzwLmAEw2zEpiDbtGMW6Kxy-3Nn899JqcteNQMz_3U9CwEQty0s72JtehmTrU-mIRajojxmQOCk3DSvZ54azrr1ybKigVDDeh4xMNA-UsPZlgRvR4PlsYAK8CHze-LbJ9vbkwzo/s320/P1000178.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder tree</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I took my twigs home and stripped off the bark. Most twigs were green under the bark; some were drier and had more tissue papery bark which peeled off. When stripping bark, especially the green bark, I could smell an elderberry aroma.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then made a double infused oil with sunflower oil which is also said to be good for bruises. I have pale green oil which I shall use to make my bruise salve.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsfOEFmaFKgABxLcbzS3bcwy4hV6qackRIXhdOPRnSgu-Tkw-q0XzPNavFuutB9uLRCuOaT6YNxqF-S8CbmOOFNRd2abV59OgKBU-cYq5daZ6LHG0qUccAj8LMqFSMpq9ItLAvvmMr885/s1600/P1000184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirsfOEFmaFKgABxLcbzS3bcwy4hV6qackRIXhdOPRnSgu-Tkw-q0XzPNavFuutB9uLRCuOaT6YNxqF-S8CbmOOFNRd2abV59OgKBU-cYq5daZ6LHG0qUccAj8LMqFSMpq9ItLAvvmMr885/s320/P1000184.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Branches gathered for bark</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUy0U2K1Bl0HDDOp9lOk3PpDdri3FTWhD6qMZ_B2W6FGbhYn_Q4ckLQV5_8n_JmqOpp_TutJpDhU1kw2rEf5nSZBMShRGnJyLaAu_dnli1d69Pvn_9omofWXQBen5dKSz_bsTwftXccIca/s1600/P1000192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUy0U2K1Bl0HDDOp9lOk3PpDdri3FTWhD6qMZ_B2W6FGbhYn_Q4ckLQV5_8n_JmqOpp_TutJpDhU1kw2rEf5nSZBMShRGnJyLaAu_dnli1d69Pvn_9omofWXQBen5dKSz_bsTwftXccIca/s320/P1000192.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bark was stripped off with a pen knife</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8cHnOheGcMEW9hMcbAveGzdNqegSTcsiYi7fipaUrHVvGJlTr6wVtzS11sxsJZfZpOFrkdKvdZmMKFcXVDT-89e6z9R6Q43PXipTHl0A3U22U7owb5P2pg6ucIkKh_9jcUsvYcPkpDTU/s1600/P1000193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8cHnOheGcMEW9hMcbAveGzdNqegSTcsiYi7fipaUrHVvGJlTr6wVtzS11sxsJZfZpOFrkdKvdZmMKFcXVDT-89e6z9R6Q43PXipTHl0A3U22U7owb5P2pg6ucIkKh_9jcUsvYcPkpDTU/s320/P1000193.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I made a double infused oil</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZM_Dv6PUirA0ALtfR0gfvdZvoYNFyBQFUXrDTIIC6XNhTwrdEo71FnM-g2ifC54qLdZBUuDIAfOVAa7jTEkYyfIvwVmU_ar0ZNlQwJKqyyalIkTQ8fCMTq6pENrysRce28agpfddSi0u/s1600/P1000197.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZM_Dv6PUirA0ALtfR0gfvdZvoYNFyBQFUXrDTIIC6XNhTwrdEo71FnM-g2ifC54qLdZBUuDIAfOVAa7jTEkYyfIvwVmU_ar0ZNlQwJKqyyalIkTQ8fCMTq6pENrysRce28agpfddSi0u/s320/P1000197.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Completed oil and salve</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><o:p>I don't know if there is a right or wrong way to collect your bark but this worked for me. A few weeks after I made this a friend's husband fell down some metal steps and badly bruised his legs; I gave him some salve and he thought it was great and was very thankful. I made some more salve with essential oils added to give an analgesic effect as well.</o:p></span></div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-47832076578222028482012-01-06T20:41:00.000+00:002012-01-06T20:41:05.685+00:00Different Types of Wild Rose Hips and My Garden Rose Hips<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Find and map all of the wild rose bushes in a one mile radius from where you live. Identify whether the rose bush is a dog rose, briar rose or Rosa Rugusa.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I went walking on the 4<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> as I knew there were wild roses on the other side of the hills. I never got as far as I would have liked as the weather turned stormy. I found plenty of stems that look like rose but there was no fruit and I found a bush with blackened and damaged hips.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I got home, there on my front garden I came face to face with a miniature rose which was a gift that I planted outside and it had rose hips, could I use these?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have had to research the difference with the varieties Sarah asked us to identify as I wasn’t sure what the differences were.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Dog Rose (Rosa Canina)<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This rose has small backward facing thorns help it to climb through hedgerows. Hips are described as "flask shaped", they are oval and longer than they are wide. The hips are rich in vitamin C and can be made into a pleasant tasting syrup or honey. The hips are orange to bright red in colour. The flowers bloom in June and July are usually white or pale pink and have 5 petals. The leaves are compound with 5-7 alternate leaflets which are hairless and lighter underneath.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3bDr3xLApA6fDVelj8I_1MOBe5uA82ESsEqzDN9FQLGfr_gH8jZVstbjMZXS1f-C2UHGzq7vEl1cb4X9f53XCFNakgf0A56aHFkdGUHIvlV2-tyLTJ89XeY7VQ_er60X-zu0PKzxXjMC/s1600/Wild+rose.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw3bDr3xLApA6fDVelj8I_1MOBe5uA82ESsEqzDN9FQLGfr_gH8jZVstbjMZXS1f-C2UHGzq7vEl1cb4X9f53XCFNakgf0A56aHFkdGUHIvlV2-tyLTJ89XeY7VQ_er60X-zu0PKzxXjMC/s320/Wild+rose.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wild Rose</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">Briar Rose or Sweet Briar or Eglantine (Rosa Rubiginosa)<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This rose also has flat backward facing thorns. Its smooth, leathery red hips are egg shaped and about 2cm long. Briar Rose’s flowers and foliage are fragrant; the blooms are up to 5cm across, a bit smaller than the dog rose’s and soft pink. The leaves are compound with 5-7 leaflets in opposite pairs. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rubiginosa </i>means rusty in Latin and refers to the brownish-red tint often seen on the leaves and stems.</span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Japanese Rose (Rosa Rugosa)<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thorns of the Japanese rose are different to the dog rose and the briar rose in that they are finer and more numerous making it good for protective hedging. The hips are noticeably different as they are large, about 2-4cm across and wider than they are long. This makes the rose hips less fiddly to prepare and remove the seeds. The flowers can be pink, purple or white and 6-7cm wide. Rosa Rugosa’s leaves are dark green and wrinkled looking on top and downy underneath.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Being winter the only identification aids I could use were the stems, thorns and any remaining fruit or hips.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first lot of stems I think are dog roses as they have the backward facing thorns but no rusty coloured tinge. The second type of bush I found had numerous fine thorns so I presume this was a Japanese rose, there were remains of hips; only one was red but it was damaged, it looked as if it had been quite wide.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiM6EadWUYZhlwSOg4r-u4xnjJ2ecWecJ68Ti2kYQs4wRE8tFli96LuMzNvLCv3VZiOK14_DQq-bBbw5JaKd46YXShIaVylBR_9DHpM_bcmy6u_tsSAvyIdrb9y7-1b139pheM2kBYxjOv/s1600/P1030491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiM6EadWUYZhlwSOg4r-u4xnjJ2ecWecJ68Ti2kYQs4wRE8tFli96LuMzNvLCv3VZiOK14_DQq-bBbw5JaKd46YXShIaVylBR_9DHpM_bcmy6u_tsSAvyIdrb9y7-1b139pheM2kBYxjOv/s320/P1030491.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Found on my rose hunt</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyUWqZ0rtTI3fJGtJWYd2tNAtzIE2XqGCA1YnLXKzn90YRkIOnCal19JhvlWWNr4sJZ3rv42UPDoTTng8WonYgCWzwz02WDm3zE4BuQ2fLic8AVskKJcXrsfngoBkjywgODI87vQHpunK/s1600/P1030501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuyUWqZ0rtTI3fJGtJWYd2tNAtzIE2XqGCA1YnLXKzn90YRkIOnCal19JhvlWWNr4sJZ3rv42UPDoTTng8WonYgCWzwz02WDm3zE4BuQ2fLic8AVskKJcXrsfngoBkjywgODI87vQHpunK/s320/P1030501.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Remains of a rose hip on a bush with finer thorns</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadNFS4cnuQdu0nt5Dba9lkMo2bXLjH5XY79co46srW2N8ajeBs2lza7DiCkUngf9cnZfrnyFuyen1sqg8P6joOwuaqj5gykmUVV7hdXdIus6_HGtFJq2IHf2j34j4-p2Wdb7wAQQbSRyZ/s1600/P1030492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhadNFS4cnuQdu0nt5Dba9lkMo2bXLjH5XY79co46srW2N8ajeBs2lza7DiCkUngf9cnZfrnyFuyen1sqg8P6joOwuaqj5gykmUVV7hdXdIus6_HGtFJq2IHf2j34j4-p2Wdb7wAQQbSRyZ/s320/P1030492.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Most rose hips had gone black</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have asked my fellow apprentices about using domestic garden hips instead of wild hips and it seems that some of the nourishment may have been given up in the name of beauty and they don’t contain much flesh. Sarah of course says to try using them and see for myself. I have had a quick search on the internet and it seems that a lot of garden roses don’t have any significant hips and those that do don’t taste as good as the wild ones. Of course I decided to follow Sarah’s advice and try my garden rose hips.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-A7K9UW09X1NCk5f55Opuv1PeoUQr6RX7Yx-iev0ZzRH2IJ2cXDoRiHxZF2_nX6bc9qRIjLY01tqt1YgakJnoXoUGOweU31p3sGjfbIlvVmchE7_3p1UAtCA4hqwuHEK5xrrCzOmh-Tl/s1600/P1030517.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-A7K9UW09X1NCk5f55Opuv1PeoUQr6RX7Yx-iev0ZzRH2IJ2cXDoRiHxZF2_nX6bc9qRIjLY01tqt1YgakJnoXoUGOweU31p3sGjfbIlvVmchE7_3p1UAtCA4hqwuHEK5xrrCzOmh-Tl/s320/P1030517.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Garden rose hips</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I gathered the hips this morning, some were very soft. When I cut them in half there was not much flesh, mainly seeds. I tried to deseed one and was left with hardly anything so the whole lot went into the jar. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WutfUH46BlAlONyd-xybbdj_ICyJyGu-WhQcex_dMOHBD3JZc1dRtj1a4I0I4N9LLtpuyTh8vwhTe76DTz9_FItoqlmqD-qVlNh71AyyiLpOY9OOELK69Tg8fXpd1PODZk4GzviLtS57/s1600/P1030534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3WutfUH46BlAlONyd-xybbdj_ICyJyGu-WhQcex_dMOHBD3JZc1dRtj1a4I0I4N9LLtpuyTh8vwhTe76DTz9_FItoqlmqD-qVlNh71AyyiLpOY9OOELK69Tg8fXpd1PODZk4GzviLtS57/s320/P1030534.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chopped rose hips</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then I do confess Sarah I went a little wrong and made an elixir with honey and brandy. When I read the instructions afterwards it said to make a tincture and to put some sloes and sugar in with them. I must start reading instructions before I start! Unfortunately sloes are less common than rose hips around here at the moment but I do have some sloe gin on the go. Perhaps if I can find some more rosehips I could put them in some sloe gin?</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZ_aXxxGBfQLPQhi_koEoeUG17dYqLnXCr-1bfZMkaGXmuRglPT4Po8-l1s-JUAKYzKQdLr5c7y9gCRvDzY6fjKger5mMhb8ULUJSk82CicaFcS2z49Sx-9nKNnajLb4556mtHe6p5piv/s1600/P1030538.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZ_aXxxGBfQLPQhi_koEoeUG17dYqLnXCr-1bfZMkaGXmuRglPT4Po8-l1s-JUAKYzKQdLr5c7y9gCRvDzY6fjKger5mMhb8ULUJSk82CicaFcS2z49Sx-9nKNnajLb4556mtHe6p5piv/s320/P1030538.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oops an elixir not a tincture!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-69329321656417226532012-01-02T10:16:00.000+00:002012-01-02T10:18:57.117+00:00Latin Names for this Years Herbs<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">An extra task from Sarah:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I'd like you all to go through your lists and double them so you have the common name on the <br />
left hand side and the Latin name on the right.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableLightShadingAccent3" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: currentColor; mso-border-bottom-alt: solid #9BBB59 1.0pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-top-alt: solid #9BBB59 1.0pt; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent3; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: -1;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid none; border-width: 1pt 0px; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent3; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 5;"><b><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Family<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid none; border-width: 1pt 0px; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent3; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;"><b><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Common Name<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid none; border-width: 1pt 0px; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent3; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;"><b><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Latin Name<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ADOXACEAE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Elderberry<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sambuscus Nigra<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;"><br />
</div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Guelder Rose<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Viburnum Opulus<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ASPERAGACEAE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Solomon’s Seal<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Polygonatum Multiflorum<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ASTERACEAE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Calendula<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Calendula Officinalis<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;"> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;"><br />
</div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Roman Chamomile<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Anthemis Nobilis<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;"><br />
</div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dandelion<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Taraxacum Officinale<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;"> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;"><br />
</div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mugwort<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Artemisia Vulgaris<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;"><br />
</div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yarrow<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Achillea Millefolium<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;"> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">BORAGINACEAE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Comfrey<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Symphytum Officinale<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ERICACEAE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bilberry<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Vaccinium Myrtillus<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10;"> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">HYPERACEA<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">St John’s Wort<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hypericum Perforatum<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 11;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">LAMIACEAE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lemon Balm<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Melissa Officinalis<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 12;"> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;"><br />
</div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Motherwort<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Leonurus Cardica<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 13;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;"><br />
</div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scullcap<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Scutellaria Barbata<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 14;"> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">MALVACEAE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Marsh Mallow<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Malvaceae<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 15;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">PLANTAGINACEAE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Plantain<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Plantago Major<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 16;"> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">ROSACEAE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Blackberry<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rubus Fruticasus<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 17;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;"><br />
</div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hawthorn<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cratag Monogyna<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 18;"> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;"><br />
</div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Meadowsweet<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Filipendula Ulmaria<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 19;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">SCROPHULARIACEAE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Mullein<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Verbascum Thapsus<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 20;"> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">URTICACEAE<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nettle<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(230, 238, 213); border: 0px rgb(0, 0, 0); mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-background-themetint: 63; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Urtica Diaca<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 21; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(155, 187, 89); border-style: none none solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent3; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">VALERIA <o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(155, 187, 89); border-style: none none solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent3; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Valerian<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(155, 187, 89); border-style: none none solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent3; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 154.05pt;" valign="top" width="205"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Valeriana Officinalis<o:p></o:p></span></span></div></td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a;"><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are a couple I’m not sure about:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I will be using local bilberries which grow on the hills at the end of my back garden, the name of the common bilberry in Latin is Vaccinium Myrtillus but I have read that Cannock Chase is one of the few places in the world where a cross breed grows Vaccinium intermedium Rultie which is sometimes known as the <a href="http://www.cannockchasehistory.org.uk/_Bilberry.htm">Cannock Chase Berry</a> so I need to investigate further to see which one I have.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MGGNUpJYJvY/TwF5C7iAfYI/AAAAAAAAAa8/XlV8P_Zm1Xk/s1600/P1020452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MGGNUpJYJvY/TwF5C7iAfYI/AAAAAAAAAa8/XlV8P_Zm1Xk/s320/P1020452.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bilberry in flower</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hawthorn, there I the Common hawthorn, Crataegus Monogyna, and a Midlands hawthorn, Crataegus Laevigata, I don’t know which I am using so will have to check this as well. The hawthorn berries by my allotment are larger and brighter red than those on the hills at home so maybe I have been using <a href="http://www.rfs.org.uk/learning/Hawthorns">both</a>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have listed the family names as I thought it was interesting to see which plants were from the same families. Some of the Latin names give you a big clue as to the uses, Leonurus Cardica most obviously sticking out like a sore thumb as a cardiac herb when I have only really considered it as a ladies herb.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-55022798152744049412011-12-20T10:31:00.000+00:002011-12-20T10:31:51.240+00:00Blackberries for Viruses<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A week after looking at herbs for viruses it seems that I have the chance to test my remedies, I have a sore throat, runny<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>stuffy nose and lots of aches and pains. I’ve got one dose of elderberry cordial left and I’m making my way through my elderberry elixir as elderberries are antiviral.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwqF0PR9gdEtlivNSWStArU6tFTi0h_tahPhxtLnSDr5fltvNWzkX63BULiitV488PKBbO5ZTxnqFQPSBbmSbjASORW_GQ10_PvSleDevKtOqtpi4LyKXAbtuwMlFSsQeOYCkcq5o_t0L/s1600/elderberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzwqF0PR9gdEtlivNSWStArU6tFTi0h_tahPhxtLnSDr5fltvNWzkX63BULiitV488PKBbO5ZTxnqFQPSBbmSbjASORW_GQ10_PvSleDevKtOqtpi4LyKXAbtuwMlFSsQeOYCkcq5o_t0L/s320/elderberries.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elderberries</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we are approaching the solstice I joined a celebration of Alban Arthan and ended up sitting on a damp log in an open wooden yurt on Cannock Chase and although I was with lovely people I got cold and longed for my cosy bed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My friends were lovely and suggested cures. I was given a ginger chew (available in Holland & Barrett) which was very warming and helped me to get my voice back. One gentleman recommended blackberries; he said to crush them, put them in the microwave to get the juices to come out and add vodka to the juice. He wasn’t sure how it worked but surmised that if you drank enough you’d forget about your cold anyway! Friendship and good company definately helps you feel better as well.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrt1DVB64dHHxayvrWwU3Xeq7peppVKFLz9OPXVLcgpMK8oiM6ZtBWtDNsSdyaNb_5W0MRVRJ0M3M3DP89h7AnC9sMDCELFKWWAtYbNUuOv9iZFYE6FPffCIMt7dULEOk7oH0bmmzP8nQ/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWrt1DVB64dHHxayvrWwU3Xeq7peppVKFLz9OPXVLcgpMK8oiM6ZtBWtDNsSdyaNb_5W0MRVRJ0M3M3DP89h7AnC9sMDCELFKWWAtYbNUuOv9iZFYE6FPffCIMt7dULEOk7oH0bmmzP8nQ/s320/IMG_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackberries</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blackberries are one of my herbs to study but I haven’t done anything with berries yet and I decided to look up whether or not they would help a cold and it seems they would. First of all they contain vitamin C which is supposed to help prevent colds and aid us to get over them quicker. <a href="http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.aspx?Id=1375">Susan Lark</a> points out that blackberries contain bioflavonoids which are powerful antioxidants that help to protect cells against damage by free radicals. Bioflavonoids such as quercetin have antiviral properties that protect us from infections.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_OJJb7tqG250_WHTDorymZ46_7BHIvCAMHFcbW0fJai1qAiTZAIMAfVQ8e78ZEn86vvT8zV0Dkb93wm1ajBrBftQos6cFl7OYP0ujhyewlf3H9gr-tRSgQbmnaZCzskhRIEaRigbmXh5/s1600/2+dears_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_OJJb7tqG250_WHTDorymZ46_7BHIvCAMHFcbW0fJai1qAiTZAIMAfVQ8e78ZEn86vvT8zV0Dkb93wm1ajBrBftQos6cFl7OYP0ujhyewlf3H9gr-tRSgQbmnaZCzskhRIEaRigbmXh5/s320/2+dears_edited-1.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These little dears will make good blackberry pickers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s too late to collect blackberries this year but next year I will include them in my cold remedies. I have come across some free recipes and if anyone has any little helpers to take blackberry picking there are activity sheets to make it more exciting and a certificate to reward their efforts. They are <a href="http://www.naturedetectives.org.uk/blackberries">here</a> from the Woodland Trust.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioayBeTo8PiokVB6-aKYcdHjfk9vj7j1LvqsKCOsmkXSIJUc1lYI1kdp82Kuj9fxuzUHpgsWvf8dmkDeGj26oimH0nSiJ9arR3ycvyBWp8FBdwngDzjURhXLcgrok8QNutLk-zWI0l6yzC/s1600/Deer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioayBeTo8PiokVB6-aKYcdHjfk9vj7j1LvqsKCOsmkXSIJUc1lYI1kdp82Kuj9fxuzUHpgsWvf8dmkDeGj26oimH0nSiJ9arR3ycvyBWp8FBdwngDzjURhXLcgrok8QNutLk-zWI0l6yzC/s320/Deer.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deer on Cannock Chase<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-56982483268972637832011-12-18T11:36:00.000+00:002011-12-18T11:36:43.787+00:00Nutmeg, How Much Is Safe To Use?<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt;">At Sarah’s herb workshop last week we made remedies for coughs and colds and used some warming spices in our mixtures including nutmeg. My first ever memory of nutmeg is in this nursery rhyme:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div align="center" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">I had a little nut tree, <br />
Nothing would it bear, <br />
But a silver nutmeg, <br />
And a golden pear.<br />
<br />
The King of Spain's daughter <br />
Came to visit me,<br />
And all for the sake<br />
Of my little nut tree.<br />
<br />
I skipped over water, <br />
I danced over sea,<br />
And all the birds in the air,<br />
Couldn't catch me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">I had eaten it without any concerns until one day a friend told me that too much nutmeg was hallucinogenic, he could not say what amount induced this state. I’ve since heard lots of tales about nutmeg since; ranging from being an aphrodisiac to deadly, and being a mixture of prize coward and ignorant I’ve limited my intake since. So, when Sarah asked Maria & I to grate a whole nutmeg into our pan of elderberry cordial my yellow streak reared up. Add a whole one? How much is hallucinogenic? How much is deadly?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>According to everything I’ve read on the subject, the dose of nutmeg in usual or generous culinary use is perfectly safe.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uvYAtMrg1NPcunBTThcVzfE_xQl1jJF8w50zHi-JjXZTbmR5yIeOTH3o2nCjK1NT7pj_QNt504UtlO4s7olqsKackqKrbbcxq9t0othDPiGEZg7lscmiXCir4zmY7OPCn5WVckGZyCUV/s1600/220px-Koeh-097%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8uvYAtMrg1NPcunBTThcVzfE_xQl1jJF8w50zHi-JjXZTbmR5yIeOTH3o2nCjK1NT7pj_QNt504UtlO4s7olqsKackqKrbbcxq9t0othDPiGEZg7lscmiXCir4zmY7OPCn5WVckGZyCUV/s1600/220px-Koeh-097%255B1%255D.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nutmeg (picture from Wikipedia)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Medicinal Uses of Nutmeg<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The nutmeg tree is of the species Myristica fragrans, an evergreen tree indigenous to the Banda Islands in the Spice Islands of Indonesia. Nutmeg is the seed of the fruit and has a red, webbed covering which is the spice mace. Nutmeg was a prized spice in Medieval times and was believed to ward off the plague in Elizabethan times which escalated the price although there is no evidence that it was effective.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nutmeg has been used in medicine since at least the seventh century. In the 19th century it was used as an abortifacient, which led to numerous recorded cases of nutmeg poisoning. One study has shown that the compound macelignan isolated from Myristica fragrans (Myristicaceae) may exert antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus mutans which is found in the mouth and contributes to tooth decay. Medicinal properties of nutmeg are found <a href="http://len7288.hubpages.com/hub/Medicinal-Benefits-of-Nutmeg">here</a> and include:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">A brain booster by improving circulation and therefore the blood supply to the brain.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Bringing benefits to the cardiovascular system (oil), thus, protecting you from cardiovascular diseases and improving the function of the heart.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Detoxifying the liver and kidneys, a regular dose of nutmeg can help in the cleansing process. Nutmeg oil is particularly effective as a liver tonic. Nutmeg also prevents stones from forming in your kidneys.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Aiding insomnia, which in turn promotes relaxation. Julie Bruton Seal (2010) has found it effective for the type of insomnia where you wake in the night but are unable to get back to sleep. It takes about 4 hours to start working but will then last another 8 hours. So if you plan to go to bed at 10pm you need to take the remedy at 6pm. A lower dose can be used during the day for anxiety. Myristicin, a constituent of nutmeg, has been shown to increase the levels of serotonin in rats brains (Battaglia, 2003).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Because of its antibacterial properties, nutmeg is also beneficial if you are suffering from halitosis or bad breath and can help prevent tooth decay.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Helping problems in the digestive system, such as bloating, indigestion, constipation, diarrhoea, problems from nervous indigestion, hiccups and wind. Traditionally it is used in India with coconut water for dehydration caused by vomiting and diarrhoea. It is anti-inflammatory and antiseptic for Chron’s disease, colitis, infections, dysentery, gastroenteritis and vomiting (McIntyre, 2010). Ancient Wisdom say that recent research shows that nutmeg may inhibit the growth of the rota-viruses associated with diarrhoea in children.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, nutmeg is also known as an effective pain reliever. To help conditions such as chronic pain, rheumatic fever or muscle sprain, then incorporating nutmeg into your diet can help. Nutmeg oil is usually applied to the body to sooth aching joints and muscles, it can be infused into an oil or essential oil can be used. Nutmeg’s anti-inflammatory action is attributed to eugenol, the greatest effect was observed in tests after 4 hours and was comparable to phenylbutazone and indomethacin (Buckle, 2006).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Treating male sexual dysfunction. Nutmeg has been highly prized by Chinese women to help seduce their male lovers. In <a href="http://happyher.hubpages.com/hub/Mace-and-Nutmeg-for-Magical-Lovemaking">Mace and Nutmeg for Magical Lovemaking</a> it says “The main component that makes this wonder spice, well, such a wonder, is myristicin, the base of the "love drug" MDA, otherwise known as "Ecstasy". It's no wonder why this spice has been used in so many love potions and magic spells! It's one of the ingredients of a magical perfume described in the most famous of all the grimoires, or black books of the sorcerers, The Key of Solomon the King”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Helping to prevent coughs and colds and relieve congestion.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Nutmeg Magic<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">A couple of years ago I was sold a nutmeg as a cure for my husband’s bad back, I can’t say how it worked as Mr Moon Gazing Hare could not be persuaded to carry it around in his pocket. According to Anna Franklin and Susan Lavender carrying the nut wards off rheumatism and increases clairvoyant powers. They also say its planetary ruler is Jupiter and it can be added to Jupiter planetary incense and burned during rituals where divination plays a part.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Psychoactive and Toxic Effects of Nutmeg<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Taking large amounts of nutmeg has unwanted side effects including disorientation, double vision, hallucination and convulsions (Mabey,1988). The first recorded hallucinogenic effect was by Lobelius in 1576. In 1829 the physiologist JE Purkinje ate 3 nutmegs and described the effects as similar to cannabis intoxication (Battaglia, 2003). From searching the internet it seems that some people have taken high doses for the psychoactive effects, there was a fad in the 1960s and it has been known more recently by the curious and people who have had their drug supply limited by being imprisoned. One grated nutmeg gives 2-3 teaspoons of ground spice, it seems that at least a tablespoon is required to be ingested to achieve any sort of high or altered consciousness. Freshly grated nutmeg seems to produce the most profound intoxication. Nutmeg contains myristicin, a monoamine oxidase inhibitor and psychoactive substance. Myristicin poisoning can induce convulsions, palpitations, nausea, eventual dehydration, and generalized body pain. Another constituent, elimicin, is also believed to lead to psychotropic effects. Myristicin and elimicin are metabolised to TMA and MMDA which are both hallucinogenic substances. Battaglia shows that only taking the whole nutmeg gives psychotropic effects so other constituents in nutmeg must be involved.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableLightListAccent3" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: currentColor; mso-border-alt: solid #9BBB59 1.0pt; mso-border-themecolor: accent3; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: -1;"> <td style="background: rgb(155, 187, 89); border-color: rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(155, 187, 89); border-style: solid none none solid; border-width: 1pt 0px 0px 1pt; mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent3; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"> <div style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 5;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Component<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="background: rgb(155, 187, 89); border-color: rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid solid none none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 0px 0px; mso-background-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-top-themecolor: accent3; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"> <div style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 1;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Psychotropic Effect<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(155, 187, 89); border-style: solid none solid solid; border-width: 1pt 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-themecolor: accent3; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"> <div style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Whole nutmeg<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-themecolor: accent3; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"> <div style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Highly active<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(155, 187, 89); border-style: none none none solid; border-width: 0px 0px 0px 1pt; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent3; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"> <div style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Whole nutmeg less the essential oil<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid none none; border-width: 0px 1pt 0px 0px; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent3; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"> <span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">No activity<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(155, 187, 89); border-style: solid none solid solid; border-width: 1pt 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-themecolor: accent3; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"> <div style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 68;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Nutmeg oil<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-themecolor: accent3; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"> <div style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 64;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Weakly active<o:p></o:p></span></div></td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(155, 187, 89); border-style: none none solid solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1pt 1pt; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-left-themecolor: accent3; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"> <div style="mso-yfti-cnfc: 4;"><b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Myristicin on its own<o:p></o:p></span></b></div></td> <td style="background-color: transparent; border-color: rgb(0, 0, 0) rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(155, 187, 89) rgb(0, 0, 0); border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: 0px 1pt 1pt 0px; mso-border-bottom-themecolor: accent3; mso-border-right-themecolor: accent3; padding: 0cm 5.4pt; width: 231.05pt;" valign="top" width="308"> <span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">No activity<o:p></o:p></span><br />
</td> </tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The amount of nutmeg required to get a high will also induce nausea and appears to take about 4 days for all the effects to disappear. Nutmeg can also be toxic to your pets, one internet site warns “do not share your egg nog with your dog”! Taking high doses of nutmeg can be fatal to both humans and pets.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Nutmeg Essential Oil<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">The essential oil is produced by steam distillation of dried nutmegs. It can be applied topically (diluted) in a massage, compress, bath or ointment or inhaled. The oil is non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitising. Indications are:<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Digestion – stimulates appetite, can help flatulence, nausea, chronic vomiting and diarrhoea.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Musculoskeletal system – warming for aches and pains and rheumatism, suitable for the elderly (Price & Price, 2007).<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div style="margin-left: 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-themecolor: text1;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Nervous system – a tonic and stimulant and an aid to general fatigue.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Well it would seem that I am safe to continue with nutmeg on my rice pudding and that sharing a whole nutmeg between a room full of people to take in divided doses will not hurt at all and of course, I do trust my mentor, Sarah, not to send us on an unexpected trip! It seems that the benefits of nutmeg take about four hours to take effect so one needs to plan ahead sometimes, such as in the case of using it for insomnia.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">References<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Battaglia, S. (2003) <u>The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy (2<sup>nd</sup> Edition),</u> The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, Brisbane<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Bruton-Seal, J. and Seal, M. (2010) <u>Kitchen Medicine</u>, Merlin Unwin Books, Ludlow<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Buckle,J. (2003) <u>Clinical Aromatherapy: Essential Oils in Practice (2<sup>nd</sup> Edition),</u> Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Mabey,R. (1988) <u>The New Age Herbalist</u>, Gaia, London<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">McIntyre, Anne (2010) <u>The Complete Herbal Tutor</u>, Gaia, London<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Price,S. and Price,L. (2007) <u>Aromatherapy For Health Professionals (3<sup>rd</sup> Edition), </u>Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh<o:p></o:p></span>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-46255414272386393152011-12-10T23:10:00.000+00:002011-12-10T23:14:19.329+00:00White Horehound and BittersThis is an article I wrote before I started my apprenticeship, it was for a blog party and as I never had a blog at the time Sarah put it on hers, now I have taken white horehound off my list of herbs for 2012 it was useful to look back and read it again.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQkjRV7w3F3qwaLnwavdJU-A2y3XBKx2JG5KjFLhz9LZ9qfyI67ErD9e4Q-eGfnsXCYdPMRxC8IxuBNZ14E7WTAKtfDPCW9vbfIopqucCyHjdGEU7tHS0rTvOYGGPLgTaaDnjBUYj30TS/s1600/White+horehound+plant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinQkjRV7w3F3qwaLnwavdJU-A2y3XBKx2JG5KjFLhz9LZ9qfyI67ErD9e4Q-eGfnsXCYdPMRxC8IxuBNZ14E7WTAKtfDPCW9vbfIopqucCyHjdGEU7tHS0rTvOYGGPLgTaaDnjBUYj30TS/s320/White+horehound+plant.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Horehound</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoBodyText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">Prior to attending Sarah Head’s workshops last year I had never thought there might be any reason why I should need to eat anything bitter, and as lots of other foods tasted better I didn’t bother to very often, grapefruits and rocket were probably it. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the first workshop I attended at The Sanctuary, Sarah gave us dandelion root to try which I didn’t find a pleasant experience. A month later when we strained our dandelion vinegar we discovered that dandelion roots taste better pickled and had some in a forager’s salad, which was quite enjoyable. Since then I’ve learnt bitters are important for our digestive systems and have started to enjoy them more knowing they will do me good.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have now started an apprenticeship with Sarah and our next task is about bitters. I was looking at my herb list for something bitter to research and remembered what our white hoarhound cough syrup tasted like. I found Richard Mabey’s bitter definition, which made me realise there might be more to bitters than digestion and I started to understand white hoarhound’s actions.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“<b>Bitters </b>Herbs containing a range of chemicals that have a bitter taste. Some are useful as appetite stimulants, others as anti-inflammatories, still others as relaxants.”<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">Mabey identifies hoarhound is one of the 5 bitter herbs to be eaten by Jews at the Passover supper. He says “The plant’s bitter principle, along with its expectorant properties, is responsible in part for the major medical use of white horehound for respiratory disorders.” This surprised me as I had only related bitters to digestion but he does go on to say a cold infusion is a bitter tonic for the digestive system. There is evidence to show that as marrubiin, the plant’s bitter principle, breaks down in the body it strongly stimulates bile production. The plant has been traditionally used as a reliable liver and digestive remedy. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">Matthew Wood says that as a bitter, hoarhound promotes expulsion of thick secretions, allowing new mucous and new immune cells to be secreted. This allows the herb to work not by killing germs but by changing the environment so as to enable the body to kill the germs. This theory makes sense to me and has made me think differently about how herbs work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>The CU (Champaign-Urbana) herb society says that the bitter principle, marrubiim, does not exist in the living plant, but is formed during the extraction process. They also say that the bitter action of hoarhound stimulates the secretion of bile from the gall bladder, aiding digestion. In large quantities it could act as a laxative and cause an irregular heartbeat. Matthew Wood cautions that large doses of hoarhound are emetic and laxative and can cause arrhythmias.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I came to the conclusion that white hoarhound stimulates the gall bladder and aids digestion and also relaxes the smooth muscles of the bronchus while stimulating mucous production; this tallies with Richard Mabey’s definition of bitters including relaxants. I then started to worry I had put two and two together and made five but was directed by my mentor, Sarah, to Jim MacDonald’s web site where there is a lot of information explaining how bitters work to aid digestion but he also sees bitters as grounding and says they can release emotional energy from organs particularly anger and frustration linked to stagnant liver energy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small;">Jim MacDonald refers to a past blog entry of Sarah Head in 2008 where she suggests that bitters promote release. Sarah says different herbs have affinities with different parts of the body so will promote the release of different secretions or emotions from those areas. I now realise there are energetic as well as physical attributes to bitters, the major benefit is to the digestive system but there could be others as well.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEwAIXP8sq_vwiAbcPuC0Xy4LXe7bFiKnOAJY364LMTUuASUA2ErHdG62IYNjz2dEhriBnAWeOlWT8UA1ltr_GsLKMY5FtCg8bDB1zktKSwkEIpAWBri-7G7XVKANOxmw-FN7FxtfsjmP/s1600/White+horehound+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBEwAIXP8sq_vwiAbcPuC0Xy4LXe7bFiKnOAJY364LMTUuASUA2ErHdG62IYNjz2dEhriBnAWeOlWT8UA1ltr_GsLKMY5FtCg8bDB1zktKSwkEIpAWBri-7G7XVKANOxmw-FN7FxtfsjmP/s320/White+horehound+flowers.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Horehound flowers</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p><u><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></u></o:p></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: left;"><u><span style="font-size: x-small;">References<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: left;"><u><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Campaign-Urbana Herb Society (2004) </span>Herb of the Month: Horehound (marrubium vulgare) </span></u><a href="http://www.cuherbsociety.org/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">www.cuherbsociety.org</span></a><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><u><span style="font-size: x-small;"> <o:p></o:p></span></u></span></div><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: left;"><u><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Head, Sarah (2008) </span>Bitters: Herbs which promote release?<span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> </span></span></u><a href="http://kitchenherbwifeblogspot.com/"><span style="color: blue; font-size: x-small;">http://kitchenherbwifeblogspot.com</span></a><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><u><span style="font-size: x-small;"> accessed 27.1.2010<o:p></o:p></span></u></span></div><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoTitle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: left;"><u><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Mabey, R. (1988) </span>The New Age Herbalist<span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> Simon & Schuster: New York<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">MacDonald, J. (2009) <u>Blessed Bitters</u> <a href="http://www.herbcraft.org/bitters.pdf"><span style="color: blue;">http://www.herbcraft.org/bitters.pdf</span></a> accessed 27.1.2010<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Wood, M. (2008) <u>The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants</u> North Atlantic Books: Berkeley<o:p></o:p></span></div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-59915767087289315482011-12-10T22:51:00.000+00:002011-12-10T22:51:15.697+00:00Anti-Viral Herbal Remedies<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today I attended Sarah’s workshop looking at herbs for viruses and winter coughs and colds. We made violet syrup, elderberry syrup, elderberry elixir and fire cider vinegar. Although antibiotics can't help viruses there are some herbal helpers and elderberry is quite specific for flu viruses.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNllH88jdx7Gzx9xxH_zLHVwar-7eNSBMjQAv4wfDMLRY8x69aChax7Wc5vhZnA3mnyxeD0fNWnK5xGTXSW0ZHE00DU31J6GAEEZ0z7foFP6rNa20lKZRmfQXTEn75VeBcURZDeiP-2U-/s1600/SAM_0093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNllH88jdx7Gzx9xxH_zLHVwar-7eNSBMjQAv4wfDMLRY8x69aChax7Wc5vhZnA3mnyxeD0fNWnK5xGTXSW0ZHE00DU31J6GAEEZ0z7foFP6rNa20lKZRmfQXTEn75VeBcURZDeiP-2U-/s320/SAM_0093.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kitchen table</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Violet syrup is good for coughs and constipation in children. If a child saw it being made I’m sure they would believe it was magic medicine. Sarah had covered the violets with boiled water the night before and they had steeped overnight; the mixture did not smell too appealing and was green in colour. We drained the liquid off; we had 200ml, and added the juice of ½ lemon and the green liquid instantly turned Barbie pink – magic! We added sugar (5oz) and simmered for a few minutes and we’re left with our syrup which any child or adult would take, it tasted delicious.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFzhIrBfk4at15hMUbxmEgLozswaFIRfJsQYhTfl2HHsDXfR_shzx_bh-n_8FcXGAUIoCFdndYFb1EgJyv0fyKhK1Sq9DmR7jlzae8h56vxPeArk_Cdz3xVR8ZCS4jJuGoYfVizK4fsMI/s1600/SAM_0091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQFzhIrBfk4at15hMUbxmEgLozswaFIRfJsQYhTfl2HHsDXfR_shzx_bh-n_8FcXGAUIoCFdndYFb1EgJyv0fyKhK1Sq9DmR7jlzae8h56vxPeArk_Cdz3xVR8ZCS4jJuGoYfVizK4fsMI/s320/SAM_0091.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Violet syrup</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We made a warming elderberry syrup. Along with elderberries (anti-viral, especially for flu) we added hyssop (relaxing for coughs), rose hips (vitamin C), cinnamon bark, nutmeg (warming), marshmallow (soothing for coughs). This was boiled together in water for 15 minutes, strained, and then 1lb of sugar added to each pint of water.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQYP3njyQg5g9byz0MfPlwVkrXLwnHLMgKgebTfWb9DyIrDWE3sBJNbS8SY2x2s5j80JX9aocncCFjSJHROa_KXpMTXnOzQkPKxUH4T3Pv2GxZ3agIfys7JM6IAIcjOedsxSjLtcSsKqN/s1600/SAM_0087.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQYP3njyQg5g9byz0MfPlwVkrXLwnHLMgKgebTfWb9DyIrDWE3sBJNbS8SY2x2s5j80JX9aocncCFjSJHROa_KXpMTXnOzQkPKxUH4T3Pv2GxZ3agIfys7JM6IAIcjOedsxSjLtcSsKqN/s320/SAM_0087.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add ingredients to pan<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6wk_eQthhalkmyNLelxmIrcz9ssyM7_0P2QnhUt1y4iB260pNuo6Cu5u3gar_w-GkIZWS3pegGqvjBnAxxWbf_plBhlcjkrd8jNDBaJn9Rr8rGxEA4VtY2kHjSvIHJir1lZJhkCaRzns/s1600/SAM_0090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy6wk_eQthhalkmyNLelxmIrcz9ssyM7_0P2QnhUt1y4iB260pNuo6Cu5u3gar_w-GkIZWS3pegGqvjBnAxxWbf_plBhlcjkrd8jNDBaJn9Rr8rGxEA4VtY2kHjSvIHJir1lZJhkCaRzns/s320/SAM_0090.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grating nutmeg</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_0g4GVxLYwP5V3yAL_Mo-_FF-66blTYiSauBhgYi5XJOJ_98wo__07uYGVxb1yji0YKc3M7qH1xoqN4ZLzAjutP4bg5zcB3LlPpXkENNKNiGR4y-HRRNCFKvMVAVYHl9QPflFN57ALnd/s1600/SAM_0095.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb_0g4GVxLYwP5V3yAL_Mo-_FF-66blTYiSauBhgYi5XJOJ_98wo__07uYGVxb1yji0YKc3M7qH1xoqN4ZLzAjutP4bg5zcB3LlPpXkENNKNiGR4y-HRRNCFKvMVAVYHl9QPflFN57ALnd/s320/SAM_0095.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The elderberry elixir had other ingredients added, orange peel (bitter to help the liver & digestion), cinnamon bark, nutmeg, ginger (warming), rosehips (vitamin C). We covered the ingredients with honey and topped up the jar with brandy. I will strain in about 3 weeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also went home with Fire Cider Vinegar, an anti-viral mixture. Crushed garlic, grated horse radish, rose hips, grated ginger and turmeric powder topped up in the jar with apple cider vinegar with will stand for about a month. After a month, strain and use 2 teaspoons in a cup of hot water with 2 teaspoons of honey.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3bZ6F5ByEGI8JTw28bme-i0gW5fa43KFARvs1TORf-0ZmOTVjYviSnVf3AkyJlleQLf6oeawtkSK14e-0LsqGhN3EclwqmGcI-9AHhVmv_Rr4IVF3Pu8zvGkXG-boaf6WkuPsutFKdHj/s1600/SAM_0092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3bZ6F5ByEGI8JTw28bme-i0gW5fa43KFARvs1TORf-0ZmOTVjYviSnVf3AkyJlleQLf6oeawtkSK14e-0LsqGhN3EclwqmGcI-9AHhVmv_Rr4IVF3Pu8zvGkXG-boaf6WkuPsutFKdHj/s320/SAM_0092.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ingredients going into Fire Cider Vinegar</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On arrival we made some anti-viral teas. The first contained dried sage and thyme with grated ginger, the second had sage vinegar with elecampane honey, they both tasted good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-17078179862291335772011-12-07T22:57:00.000+00:002011-12-07T22:57:46.017+00:00The End of Year 2 of my Herb Apprenticeship<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Our last herb task of the year involves reflecting back over this year and forwards to next year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I want you to look out your original list of herbs and go through each one answering the following questions.<br />
<br />
Did I plant this herb? If yes, what happened - do you have photos, did you make notes or drawing? What did you discover about this herb? Do you feel you know enough now or what else do you need to find out?<br />
<br />
Did I wild craft this herb? If so, where from, when, what did you do with what you gathered? Will you return to this colony in the future?<br />
<br />
Go through all your activities with your herbal ally. Is there anything left you haven't made or a particular part you don't know about? Is there time to complete your task or is this something to carry forward to next year?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Bergamot</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: not a good start, I haven’t really thought about this herb this year and have decided to drop it from next year’s studies.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzfiKT3k3PesuOi00HvJGL5nRhBjvSrHU9nfdcj7OO9K-X5HJFv0jZ4n38yKJZCTrcIWKGSdZVjKw2rp58w3SYwtCz79c0uXQAxze5SBt-lg2A9qVqHozFjk1u-OOv8SrzS_ZulBVO2RC/s1600/Bergamot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzfiKT3k3PesuOi00HvJGL5nRhBjvSrHU9nfdcj7OO9K-X5HJFv0jZ4n38yKJZCTrcIWKGSdZVjKw2rp58w3SYwtCz79c0uXQAxze5SBt-lg2A9qVqHozFjk1u-OOv8SrzS_ZulBVO2RC/s320/Bergamot.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bergamot</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Bilberry</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: the idea here was that I believe I ought to have knowledge of what grows in my own locality; this grows in abundance on the hills behind my house so I am walking past it all the time. I have photographed it and tried bilberry leaf tea but got so busy I never made the time to harvest berries, this is where I miss my kids being little, we would pick together from moorland and hedgerows and I’d make a pie with the fruity hoard.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVf72kkFrlZx8sm_TJolX0sr6fhGOeVCrU5_qm4M9C-923qp-WePXBMozPxmVGd3Au9yQlgO0oMTPLNouRlyB7BSkGtplx5xuGn6WmYSP-S4iJmi7IPafEAhg6vfvZql8aRPresiWxBzxC/s1600/IMG_0022.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVf72kkFrlZx8sm_TJolX0sr6fhGOeVCrU5_qm4M9C-923qp-WePXBMozPxmVGd3Au9yQlgO0oMTPLNouRlyB7BSkGtplx5xuGn6WmYSP-S4iJmi7IPafEAhg6vfvZql8aRPresiWxBzxC/s320/IMG_0022.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bilberry</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY4IGDSgIdGTyOW7S4TYOfa9dqwLWZENM1sZ2SvQ5X5lusIWohXT9gllLG7utj78pIZCQCRImUw6bTsdr2l7eEPHqwWfIvwyXdm6C-wK9JeXW7Lif0Qpotc7jviR32s9vvyiy9TG7BvUj/s1600/IMG_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSY4IGDSgIdGTyOW7S4TYOfa9dqwLWZENM1sZ2SvQ5X5lusIWohXT9gllLG7utj78pIZCQCRImUw6bTsdr2l7eEPHqwWfIvwyXdm6C-wK9JeXW7Lif0Qpotc7jviR32s9vvyiy9TG7BvUj/s320/IMG_0010.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackberry or Bramble</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Blackberry</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: exactly as above, leaves wild gathered from bushes on the hills.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Calendula</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: I never got my own seeds sown but helped to sow and harvest at the Sanctuary, I have photographs. I have used calendula in my skin care products as it’s so healing and gentle on the skin.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgad1Vve4OZ1Reac77TbvYOeohpZICB66QfJPs0EiMXv_-64e-4lNqDSmzGdlx-S9gJtT550niUpedQd1Y5XRtbQq3CoEG4LgZR4osXF4NRL6CaRlXMl-R3_XP14zfJGrCLr0JUqmXSMfLE/s1600/Calendula+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgad1Vve4OZ1Reac77TbvYOeohpZICB66QfJPs0EiMXv_-64e-4lNqDSmzGdlx-S9gJtT550niUpedQd1Y5XRtbQq3CoEG4LgZR4osXF4NRL6CaRlXMl-R3_XP14zfJGrCLr0JUqmXSMfLE/s320/Calendula+flowers.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Calendula</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Comfrey</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: I had a bit of root from the Sanctuary a few years ago and it has grown vigorously. I made leaf oil which is pictured on the blog but I still need to make root oil which I think is more effective although I am aware of PSAs.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisv6lHWiYPp1CDQvxz0slR9kG4JYALknXfqvhiF2Vhved2k6DvQIXBAvIPP0yXB0oERqyYZQSfjpHn86QSFmzBKgSKsEW7jjepwpooDdUudu8JJO2u6gs0nKWXhURvDSwxsvsJDsQzZ3sR/s1600/Comfrey+and+bee.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisv6lHWiYPp1CDQvxz0slR9kG4JYALknXfqvhiF2Vhved2k6DvQIXBAvIPP0yXB0oERqyYZQSfjpHn86QSFmzBKgSKsEW7jjepwpooDdUudu8JJO2u6gs0nKWXhURvDSwxsvsJDsQzZ3sR/s320/Comfrey+and+bee.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Comfrey</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Dandelion</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: my herbal ally this year; I have been more aware of dandelion, spent time with it, talked to it (don’t lock me up!), lived with it and experimented with it. I have also photographed, photo-shopped pictures, drawn pictures and been inspired by it. I have made infusions, bitter tincture and vinegar. I wanted to make more things and write about more of its uses so I shall have to carry on a while.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KptLrsiFCymNik5ehEbBKFAEiFmCn8S7-Ycy8aEeCeMXLTzSHqHOYw4tKoLBO0BAcGwcxlyuPl3MzXaMRDd2Kwg4hfBjGeqkz_0NUz-wDEiZu2OPcXjAz1ew7tQqpYxd3-1Ix2iaRbs5/s1600/Dandelion+flower+18.4.10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9KptLrsiFCymNik5ehEbBKFAEiFmCn8S7-Ycy8aEeCeMXLTzSHqHOYw4tKoLBO0BAcGwcxlyuPl3MzXaMRDd2Kwg4hfBjGeqkz_0NUz-wDEiZu2OPcXjAz1ew7tQqpYxd3-1Ix2iaRbs5/s320/Dandelion+flower+18.4.10.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWXcgiu4hPS5JbuLrdWOGq72mnbYvRb8gInRzqlOoGFNVjczDYJGdNWID1uZ5By8pUcyXdN5rSvHSulxZKSqCzMQwfLdea6GJT9ptdNqftAFnDUlEj_IrU53A8GJIUUv01psmwkasyr93/s1600/Dandelion+clock+half+blown+away+b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieWXcgiu4hPS5JbuLrdWOGq72mnbYvRb8gInRzqlOoGFNVjczDYJGdNWID1uZ5By8pUcyXdN5rSvHSulxZKSqCzMQwfLdea6GJT9ptdNqftAFnDUlEj_IrU53A8GJIUUv01psmwkasyr93/s320/Dandelion+clock+half+blown+away+b.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dandelion pictures</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Elder</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: This also grows on the hills behind my house; I have made an elixir and made my first glycerite earlier in the year from dried berries. Photos were taken. This tree is so versatile with so many uses, I want to look at it in a more energetic way and I think it will be fun to look at the stories from times gone by.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXPQ4GJHUwbh0-yCpyy6Rs1a-yC8wsmpnYFyK8SIhpMZJ3OQaTatl37jNidf1zhQSLn7LONUvscKT5Yb3HR6mmHpzyTZVM8Vfw0c_PBNT0sBotGqu0q3gYB5BVQkGOT5zU2wnNtesxc5M/s1600/IMG_0017.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSXPQ4GJHUwbh0-yCpyy6Rs1a-yC8wsmpnYFyK8SIhpMZJ3OQaTatl37jNidf1zhQSLn7LONUvscKT5Yb3HR6mmHpzyTZVM8Vfw0c_PBNT0sBotGqu0q3gYB5BVQkGOT5zU2wnNtesxc5M/s320/IMG_0017.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elder berries</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wPRLCKdodp0DpUbUqLW1l2pyArGoqvj8tz-K1kO37dlPGZD5Alb9U27YmB1v3N4JOKEmZ0TYfS5WD_poNcnLsqdXFNmF73igyPfAG8BnE4pX5cRoGuDSrbR9ImGGX7lRIjVqQa8XsUDe/s1600/Elecampane+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1wPRLCKdodp0DpUbUqLW1l2pyArGoqvj8tz-K1kO37dlPGZD5Alb9U27YmB1v3N4JOKEmZ0TYfS5WD_poNcnLsqdXFNmF73igyPfAG8BnE4pX5cRoGuDSrbR9ImGGX7lRIjVqQa8XsUDe/s320/Elecampane+flowers.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHp5HAP_Sq0b4RiBjl9IvjXk2c-RajzlxyJ4OeF7xrB6diquA9IBgMfNcRRLnlxJJuMT0JEWU3F5N-O69h6HYuysOEFTT2HgeHDOZ-2Z7MwjV-hz1KZ66A7My1OuvYN1Yrd0FWq6DrCu7/s1600/042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaHp5HAP_Sq0b4RiBjl9IvjXk2c-RajzlxyJ4OeF7xrB6diquA9IBgMfNcRRLnlxJJuMT0JEWU3F5N-O69h6HYuysOEFTT2HgeHDOZ-2Z7MwjV-hz1KZ66A7My1OuvYN1Yrd0FWq6DrCu7/s320/042.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elecampane flowers & dried root</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Elecampane</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: Sarah gave me a bit of root and it grew, not as big as hers and it didn’t flower but I expect great things next year! Even though I will still observe it and use it I’m going to take it off my study list now.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Feverfew</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: I can’t really say I grew it this year as it has self-seeded all over the garden. It’s such a cheerful looking flower that I have let it go where it wants. Tried it in a sandwich as I read somewhere that this was a good way of damping down the strong taste, it still tastes bitter, I feel I’ve completed my time with it now, I’ve decided to let this one go from my list after 2 years.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRXGZUbJSuEs1wyMj3y5BHbtmsUGdAEG4QKsCnvik91y8_YEtugsOITR7YnQ_FgdPPU1UecGb1k6DGH_PeQTAv6bFMj7eT0G4JAwajaxe9AhRpKLz9dOX1IkN1lo-by1r-4_vPe5FpA3h/s1600/P1020957.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVRXGZUbJSuEs1wyMj3y5BHbtmsUGdAEG4QKsCnvik91y8_YEtugsOITR7YnQ_FgdPPU1UecGb1k6DGH_PeQTAv6bFMj7eT0G4JAwajaxe9AhRpKLz9dOX1IkN1lo-by1r-4_vPe5FpA3h/s320/P1020957.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Feverfew</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Hawthorn</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: I have it growing on the hills but by my allotment were the biggest and brightest red berries I’d ever seen so I picked these and put them in a tincture. I took pictures, I just feel drawn to it so it’s staying on the list.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMd7xblhyCZ5tglqUecswMI8JqeeviMiE46n23rD2Dup4k0mKQ6Y5iwFqVqS06J4AncHuS-3GOO1JGv91ZiwqWW7XwwPeAOkK6iSc2aj0QF6RY-RtDm7I82K-MGOwn6KgCeGDEdv7spPOe/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMd7xblhyCZ5tglqUecswMI8JqeeviMiE46n23rD2Dup4k0mKQ6Y5iwFqVqS06J4AncHuS-3GOO1JGv91ZiwqWW7XwwPeAOkK6iSc2aj0QF6RY-RtDm7I82K-MGOwn6KgCeGDEdv7spPOe/s320/IMG_0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawthorn berries</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Lady’s Mantle</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: I’ve used it from the Sanctuary and my garden and put it in my Lady’s blend. This one’s going from my list now.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-ruGhUiR_w7IJwuCYov7UmVg5VU55xIsa1yMzE5GMWX_Vc79PU03ljTx2bGaApxh4SQfL7c0P7yvbAQaQRzG9nLDeOQ2gJv3CbGYo0U3BFFXT8EzAK-BdrCv2B_y5t50SRLJ5emybAqH/s1600/Lady%2527s+mantle+leaves+%2526+rain+drops.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil-ruGhUiR_w7IJwuCYov7UmVg5VU55xIsa1yMzE5GMWX_Vc79PU03ljTx2bGaApxh4SQfL7c0P7yvbAQaQRzG9nLDeOQ2gJv3CbGYo0U3BFFXT8EzAK-BdrCv2B_y5t50SRLJ5emybAqH/s320/Lady%2527s+mantle+leaves+%2526+rain+drops.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady's Mantle</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Lemon Balm</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: I’ve used it in a tincture with St John’s Wort and I’ve found that the tea is such a soother after I’ve worked in the garden during hay fever season. I feel Lemon Balm and I have a bit more potential.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8cXlQ0Kpu7HAyJBbpgc9NifCZz2VkZiAzwJ4fuEj5ry8WcteijaNgikrfmDAJtEsVPHQUvw4Lc2htRnO-0-yYQG8M8Eseh36wCBUZ9B24KfVELZnFvV-Gv-7l31PWL_6jA9R2HUa_P9s/s1600/P1020959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH8cXlQ0Kpu7HAyJBbpgc9NifCZz2VkZiAzwJ4fuEj5ry8WcteijaNgikrfmDAJtEsVPHQUvw4Lc2htRnO-0-yYQG8M8Eseh36wCBUZ9B24KfVELZnFvV-Gv-7l31PWL_6jA9R2HUa_P9s/s320/P1020959.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon Balm</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Meadowsweet</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: I’ve grown it in the garden but didn’t get to harvest it; I’m disappointed with myself about this and will do better next year.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjY9g7rpF_clTYHZnrIg0aSgX4ISu0vV-dsFfAY5OXFXmRvyUhCE5egZWH-VkXt-i-juFtA7Bg1Brt60sgcrrQox9b21d5niJNqHwbfpwJRO3orTSwZG7WQXYcT81lSWwGPDP6uYzurL5/s1600/Meadowsweet+blossom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjY9g7rpF_clTYHZnrIg0aSgX4ISu0vV-dsFfAY5OXFXmRvyUhCE5egZWH-VkXt-i-juFtA7Bg1Brt60sgcrrQox9b21d5niJNqHwbfpwJRO3orTSwZG7WQXYcT81lSWwGPDP6uYzurL5/s320/Meadowsweet+blossom.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meadowsweet</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Motherwort</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: I’ve taken some pictures and have made a tincture, I need to look at it closer.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFo8et8QOqd-SUR9T33DXmiKc3TvWNsF0Nhtrh8PfYH_w6MDhyphenhyphenwaxir59o4lGht7oc4PAcS7V3ysV-_ja9pCTZ7m7w_2LPfzRRhGYksyGvlgyrAtzA-H0titXra7MbUD9ju6Hzb2QUQCe/s1600/Motherwort+for+tincture.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHFo8et8QOqd-SUR9T33DXmiKc3TvWNsF0Nhtrh8PfYH_w6MDhyphenhyphenwaxir59o4lGht7oc4PAcS7V3ysV-_ja9pCTZ7m7w_2LPfzRRhGYksyGvlgyrAtzA-H0titXra7MbUD9ju6Hzb2QUQCe/s320/Motherwort+for+tincture.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motherwort</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Mugwort</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: a magical herb I think, I enjoy working with mugwort, I have dried some for a dream pillow, harvested at samhain for extra potency.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYY2HAo1G4sagaaZWLh6QyiqJvtzfss6Eq4yjjsdKt5moR6o00-4ihZPs3oSCoaZ2rZj-vzwW7Cto1Y-yx3xplJ7kXMJDRYK7kr-lHihDNtGsnr2FajE77Pvtf3xP0fUVRJFkr0MFFDSCr/s1600/Mugwort+in+bud.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYY2HAo1G4sagaaZWLh6QyiqJvtzfss6Eq4yjjsdKt5moR6o00-4ihZPs3oSCoaZ2rZj-vzwW7Cto1Y-yx3xplJ7kXMJDRYK7kr-lHihDNtGsnr2FajE77Pvtf3xP0fUVRJFkr0MFFDSCr/s320/Mugwort+in+bud.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mugwort</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Nettle</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: growing well around the compost bin! I’ve had macerated water and lots of nutritious soup, there’s still some in the freezer.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcdHpWsq7Nuq_2hoNm47KRmjBn1k_In8RMByv5ITpwSM0CPXlseRTUpm_TBFEkeWvQOOHVPKsIREtS0n51qE0WiC0naeTY9CxjVCy9cgfSmgJCxOTjhnSQPDgdIfNWK-tNxaUEQwyTsWc/s1600/Nettle+in+seed.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcdHpWsq7Nuq_2hoNm47KRmjBn1k_In8RMByv5ITpwSM0CPXlseRTUpm_TBFEkeWvQOOHVPKsIREtS0n51qE0WiC0naeTY9CxjVCy9cgfSmgJCxOTjhnSQPDgdIfNWK-tNxaUEQwyTsWc/s320/Nettle+in+seed.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nettle</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Plantain</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: I didn’t do anything with plantain this year but want to carry on another year with it.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAGSJ7WnJjg0Do4JF9PnmlhuRIwGt-ik6hFOrqPsvLyioAQ9-pcgHVGkoaBXSJK_XrdHW-UMve7xgBcKtw_cFFtfHQRHHP2wWx_0v-Zct_pV8cLBJS2tC4kSV-DUiL3MOh6-14_Mw2P2G/s1600/Plantain+18.4.10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizAGSJ7WnJjg0Do4JF9PnmlhuRIwGt-ik6hFOrqPsvLyioAQ9-pcgHVGkoaBXSJK_XrdHW-UMve7xgBcKtw_cFFtfHQRHHP2wWx_0v-Zct_pV8cLBJS2tC4kSV-DUiL3MOh6-14_Mw2P2G/s320/Plantain+18.4.10.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plantain</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Skullcap</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: this got me through a rough patch last year so I wanted to study it more but haven’t yet.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">St John’s Wort</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: this still fascinates me; it’s growing really well in the garden and keeps me going in oils and tinctures. I have experimented and tried to research its sun protection properties and got some great feedback about other people’s experiences.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6N8NmCz5MBsF3_Mz3cLDHz2Rz0d1EMlVy1q6Ffwa7VmvCocEFcaPNdFs5h9h3DLkGMg_n33UpdJ08Irz_zZWK9a_HE51jmFx9l-AgwVpgte7k1c_0JeqojN_TPGi14VD8tNg4BDQrCWKo/s1600/P1020966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6N8NmCz5MBsF3_Mz3cLDHz2Rz0d1EMlVy1q6Ffwa7VmvCocEFcaPNdFs5h9h3DLkGMg_n33UpdJ08Irz_zZWK9a_HE51jmFx9l-AgwVpgte7k1c_0JeqojN_TPGi14VD8tNg4BDQrCWKo/s320/P1020966.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Johns wort</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Valerian</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: I have this growing in the garden and this must be why it’s on my list but I must confess I’d forgotten it was on my list until I came to do this list, woops! What does that say about valerian and me? <o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f6Z4uK1qKwUX-AEvcKDS72OGZcWtFKv8_fNEhrT_UsokXLN3aWyPuRd8gSDBn_pjo6a88cy4iV0N8LwfQMOR9vKUwIWXgk5ycPFnnf38e3Pdcnr7qn9IVhbX8meZm3HJqvDDjnKitB_J/s1600/Valerian.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1f6Z4uK1qKwUX-AEvcKDS72OGZcWtFKv8_fNEhrT_UsokXLN3aWyPuRd8gSDBn_pjo6a88cy4iV0N8LwfQMOR9vKUwIWXgk5ycPFnnf38e3Pdcnr7qn9IVhbX8meZm3HJqvDDjnKitB_J/s320/Valerian.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Valerian</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">White Horehound</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: I haven’t done a lot with it this year except to put it in the most bitter tasting cough mixture in the world! I looked into its properties in more depth last year; I shall publish my article on here. I feel I’ve finished with it for now.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJkJT3GobAb6tXzxEByGD7dLaTPFcdhhC10zddPlLCO269fIu7z9eXGgda1w9COLG9hGKnz5QxB1X8XUk5AJohQqGLQfIbeai8r_X0ltxar2hzoh9y5ioBogpxTJbpMdRrG01vB5gSHmG/s1600/White+horehound+flowers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIJkJT3GobAb6tXzxEByGD7dLaTPFcdhhC10zddPlLCO269fIu7z9eXGgda1w9COLG9hGKnz5QxB1X8XUk5AJohQqGLQfIbeai8r_X0ltxar2hzoh9y5ioBogpxTJbpMdRrG01vB5gSHmG/s320/White+horehound+flowers.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White horehound</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Yarrow</span></u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">: keeps escaping me, it grows scantily on the hills. There’s a lot in town at the roadside but this is too polluted to use so I shall plod on with yarrow, it’s an interesting herb.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Which tinctures/vinegars/honeys/flower essences/elixirs have you made throughout the year? Have you kept notes of the recipes? If not, can you still remember what you did so you can make a note now?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve kept this blog since the first of January and it’s been great for keeping a record of what I’ve done along with my photographs. How great to find I something kept in an organised way! I can recommend it for other apprentices. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">You will need to choose a new herbal ally for next year and a further 5-10 herbs to study. You are allowed to drop any from this year's list which you've either finished with or not felt drawn to. (If there is one you are studiously ignoring but which refuses to go away, I would suggest you take a deep breath and embrace it!)<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Chamomile, mullein, guelder rose, solomons seal, marsh mallow to add and elder for my ally.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Do a herbal stocktake this month - what do you have in your cupboard/larder/herb drawer?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I needed this task to prompt me to tidy my potion cupboard! This is what I found:<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Tinctures<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">St John’s wort, St John’s wort and lemon balm, hawthorn berry, motherwort, mugwort, bitters, hawthorn blossom, horsetail, wild cherry bark, meadowsweet, dandelion.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Vinegars<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Four thieves, lady’s blend, dandelion leaves, rosemary, thyme, fire cider, bramble root.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Wine<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Iron tonic<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Syrup<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Wild cherry bark and elderberry, grapefruit bitter, ginger, elderberry, colt’s foot.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Jelly<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Quince, crab apple and guelder rose.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Oils<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">St John’s wort, meadowsweet, calendula, plantain, elder bark, mugwort, thyme, yarrow, dandelion flower, comfrey leaf.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Salves<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Elder bark, ginger, chilli<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Flower essences<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Hawthorn, chick weed, dandelion, feverfew, crab apple blossom<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Other<o:p></o:p></span></u></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Wands of various types of wood, crab apple being my most recent addition, some cramp bark to save the bark from, mugwort and ashwaghanda seeds drying in the airing cupboard and all those things that will turn up in drawers, cupboards and handbags that I had forgotten about.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b><u><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Evaluation<br />
</span></u></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Now is the time to think about what we've done over the past year - what was helpful? What would you have liked more of? What did you hate but found useful? Would you have preferred to have done something differently? Could I have done more to help? <br />
<br />
I would also like you to think about how you have changed and what you have achieved and what you would like to achieve next year.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">I can’t believe how much I’ve achieved this year, looking back through my blog of the year brings back memories of not just what I have done but who I have shared these moments with; such lovely people. Working with other people, even if I don’t know them at the start is so helpful as everyone shares their own knowledge and experience and has alternative ways of doing things. This and having a mentor who is knowledgeable and gets me to try things I never would usually is the difference between learning with others and learning from books, so keep making me taste things I wouldn’t usually dare to! My style of learning seems to be to try the tastes, smells and experiences that can only be learnt by having a go and then reading what the experts say and seeing if these merge.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life happens to us all and we have to prioritise so sometimes it’s hard to keep up. I find a monthly task gives me a nudge to get on with my work!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="color: #2a2a2a; font-family: "Tahoma","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Setting up this blog was my first scary moment of the year, not being very techno-minded; but it’s helped me to keep a record of my work that you can read and has been enjoyable. I have felt brave enough to join a blog party as well! I find I have more confidence with my knowledge and with giving advice but still feel I have so much to learn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-41032085963119943082011-12-04T21:27:00.000+00:002011-12-04T21:27:26.053+00:00December at the Allotment<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s been the mildest autumn I can ever remember and as I haven’t had much time to give it lately the weeds have been growing. I’ve had a busy time checking on and cuddling my new granddaughter Phoebe (7lb 2oz on 8<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> November), finally managing to launch my own range of skin care products, and having an adventurous & busy weekend in London.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sprouts are soon to be harvested for Christmas dinner, leeks and parsnips are doing well. I harvested a few late raspberries today and a good handful of chillies.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had our last gardening lesson of the year today, we looked at each other’s plots to what was still growing, and people are still putting in garlic so I am going to get some. We have had some fan trained trees to grow against the wall, an apricot and a cherry and a fellow allotment holder has kindly helped me to plant them today.<o:p></o:p></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jBP22TzwOqsppIrCelJkiIxKnbH5Z1VpATPQCfC4Q8ser6D6HWvkczI4OdDkFwvXrKYG47p6UWKuGQQ192TA9R2f34FP2jLV0mM9cdjQGXuON8Es7_J16fGElk2HCyPg30ZKXzOUFAfS/s1600/P1030490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5jBP22TzwOqsppIrCelJkiIxKnbH5Z1VpATPQCfC4Q8ser6D6HWvkczI4OdDkFwvXrKYG47p6UWKuGQQ192TA9R2f34FP2jLV0mM9cdjQGXuON8Es7_J16fGElk2HCyPg30ZKXzOUFAfS/s320/P1030490.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apricot Tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXS8Hw_X-zqXukMXyvSQFEUyeBajZunt9So5Auu-NyRhQpLfXbbBWeTTmkOFKXBeH-QvAzRTaqwt7BnX2Z4qW82tE3Is58dVHyd9eZ7ObmliSWDjym5TgBYvMK9GTuakpWTMAhAG0a_JX/s1600/P1030489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtXS8Hw_X-zqXukMXyvSQFEUyeBajZunt9So5Auu-NyRhQpLfXbbBWeTTmkOFKXBeH-QvAzRTaqwt7BnX2Z4qW82tE3Is58dVHyd9eZ7ObmliSWDjym5TgBYvMK9GTuakpWTMAhAG0a_JX/s320/P1030489.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry tree</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Shark Fin Melons were harvested today which were grown from seeds donated by garden organic. Some people are going to dry the seeds so as we can plant more next year and spread the seed to others. To be honest they taste a bit bland and it was decided that we need some good recipes if we are to continue with the cause or we are growing them for nothing.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnF1ZZ5AvRaIGuGC9Wl-4Q23MkfIBEFweWksqBTPAdtugZXJyLkDzTqPpdRLmaPbJKEWyivrfCvZC3KT-1Es03q9xtBxlDdkjXUcKLxiOSgdMU-r4acKpMEnQCUWJN_LEiPRGoRbQC-wY/s1600/P1030488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnF1ZZ5AvRaIGuGC9Wl-4Q23MkfIBEFweWksqBTPAdtugZXJyLkDzTqPpdRLmaPbJKEWyivrfCvZC3KT-1Es03q9xtBxlDdkjXUcKLxiOSgdMU-r4acKpMEnQCUWJN_LEiPRGoRbQC-wY/s320/P1030488.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shark Fin Melons</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The gardens where the allotments are have been in touch with an old fashioned brewery that uses Costmary in their brewing instead of hops and will supply a barrel of ale in return for an amount of the herb. I’d heard of Costmary but didn’t know anything about it, Mrs Grieves says it gave a spicy flavour to ale and one of its other names was Alecost. Costmary is similar to tansy in appearance with small yellow flowers, but has a more balsamic aroma.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__Z83Yul5qM7pNBLduS5Qxg5NEL3jaZFCrL-qMe0zAjE412j2Jlvnw4FsZuZONV4nr9GbyO03-3Eck0edg_5YmJ9O9eXWl-ZAQPAEil2nkrdmtyhjA_NVUbwMyfC7-uSgssgkc_TV5Jg3/s1600/costmary+in+flower%255B1%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh__Z83Yul5qM7pNBLduS5Qxg5NEL3jaZFCrL-qMe0zAjE412j2Jlvnw4FsZuZONV4nr9GbyO03-3Eck0edg_5YmJ9O9eXWl-ZAQPAEil2nkrdmtyhjA_NVUbwMyfC7-uSgssgkc_TV5Jg3/s1600/costmary+in+flower%255B1%255D.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Costmary</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also discussed beetroot gluts, beetroot juice is supposed to be very good for you. Just juice raw beetroots and add a bit of carrot or apple, a tale was that neat beetroot juice can freeze your vocal chords; this did not seem to have affected the story teller though!<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jo-Ann, thank you for your comments, I can’t comment back on this blog any more but I hope you have used your quinces, my slow cooker is smaller than most and I manage well. I’m very interested in your quince brandy, is this made in the same manner as sloe gin?<o:p></o:p></span></div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-29105309858251060972011-11-05T12:56:00.000+00:002011-11-05T12:56:38.413+00:00How I Got Addicted To Quince and Crab Apple Jelly With Guelder Rose Berries<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3BYj7E468ae61LsMHt4iknEMUjst1KTMGVFMv91aWJSp8VTpqHbyUMyLXuVltTH-ttDOkMeVQ4QNVTRshEd3Q9UNFZ5ORVTdqcdXLyfT9hB9OSy0U77UVlyfDOIzPS9SCM5ojC-s_zBJ/s1600/P1030139.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh3BYj7E468ae61LsMHt4iknEMUjst1KTMGVFMv91aWJSp8VTpqHbyUMyLXuVltTH-ttDOkMeVQ4QNVTRshEd3Q9UNFZ5ORVTdqcdXLyfT9hB9OSy0U77UVlyfDOIzPS9SCM5ojC-s_zBJ/s320/P1030139.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quince</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The quince is an ancient fruit, a cross between an apple and a pear and not seen much in modern times but it does seem to be having a mini revival. Sarah, my herb mentor, gave me some quinces last weekend, I hadn’t tried them before.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BrR7nPef7OLmBig_Vu6n-NlE4Q6G83im0Bvruu6IoWK2EwKEkq9jaYAxM3AZRwQALeccJ4BQnLUwYmiy5sfURYUhiinInFHQBzLvVc3vWM49HoyUuQMMwSKnUHonMx238y3PRP2w3Hup/s1600/P1030272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7BrR7nPef7OLmBig_Vu6n-NlE4Q6G83im0Bvruu6IoWK2EwKEkq9jaYAxM3AZRwQALeccJ4BQnLUwYmiy5sfURYUhiinInFHQBzLvVc3vWM49HoyUuQMMwSKnUHonMx238y3PRP2w3Hup/s320/P1030272.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quinces in a row on the bench</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The quinces were to make jelly and cheese and have been sitting in a bowl on the dining table all week. Sarah told me that they need to cook for about 3 hours as they are hard, so every time someone’s gone to pick one up and bite it I’ve said “you can’t eat it raw because… it’s hard”. I decided to make my jelly yesterday and thought I’d have a taste of raw quince to see why it’s cooked; it was very sour and astringent, giving an instant feeling of having a furry tongue; some were harder to cut than others.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqNA_TwZKhe_FlggzoDMFoTzUrC4dZEQOKa9wuXp_yOAql5TO9p8uAgUVcwEIZUaTzbZ3Jw0CPycocz4wcSeYhflUA8pc3p7ZS5hZkx0aJJ5eqWbRnybTmDmNMgW7zgp8XeoFpc7WngFi/s1600/P1030290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqNA_TwZKhe_FlggzoDMFoTzUrC4dZEQOKa9wuXp_yOAql5TO9p8uAgUVcwEIZUaTzbZ3Jw0CPycocz4wcSeYhflUA8pc3p7ZS5hZkx0aJJ5eqWbRnybTmDmNMgW7zgp8XeoFpc7WngFi/s320/P1030290.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chopped quince</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make the jelly I cored the quinces but left the skin on, filled the slow cooker with quince and about half full with water and then thought “was I was supposed to do something with a lemon?” I read the instructions on <a href="http://kitchenherbwife.blogspot.com/2008/11/quince-tale-of-abundance.html">Sarah's blog</a>, I should have put the peel and juice of 2 lemons in, I only had one so I put that in. In future I must read instructions when I’m making things instead of trying to remember what I’ve read days before! The quinces had started to oxidise quickly, I thought maybe if I’d put them straight into water and lemon they wouldn’t have gone brown so quickly. I was reading my Preserves book this morning by Pam The Jam (Pam Corbin) and she has a table of how much pectin is in fruit and how much acid. She says the 4 things needed for jams or jellies are fruit, pectin sugar and acid. The acid draws the pectin out of the fruit and as quinces have high pectin and low acid a couple of lemons balance that out. If I had read the instructions at the time I would also have covered my quince with water and had more liquid.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPkNgTRrhdPaOG_ZsDWlW0XxpN7Qjnv8wFZItCj7KfVAtv9IiH9wQiIU0KdETZdKj1jdkAPvPtLldzyd4rRMIFk8xQnCNox1vtedC3qnrAJVpAQTvlr3KY1ZsHLwWw7SWni4LeAGsGN6A/s1600/P1030292.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidPkNgTRrhdPaOG_ZsDWlW0XxpN7Qjnv8wFZItCj7KfVAtv9IiH9wQiIU0KdETZdKj1jdkAPvPtLldzyd4rRMIFk8xQnCNox1vtedC3qnrAJVpAQTvlr3KY1ZsHLwWw7SWni4LeAGsGN6A/s320/P1030292.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straining the cooked quince</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did a bit of shopping and visited some friends and came home to find pink quince in the pot with pink fluid, I was quite amazed. I tasted the boiled quince and yes, it was still sour. I strained the cooked quince through a jelly bag, I had 1 pint of fluid to which I added 1pound of granulated sugar. I let this boil for 10 minutes but it had not quite reached setting point, after 5 more minutes I was there. I poured the pink liquid into sterilised jars. I tasted it, and loved it, it’s hard to describe – perfumed pear with a hint of rose along with sweet and sour, it was really worth making. My eldest daughter walked in as I was finishing off, “mm… that would taste lovely with toast” she said, so that’s what I had for breakfast today, any excuse, and yes it was lovely. Quince is my new favourite fruit!</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslOmPQdn-O8hZu1wtyF_GdoPE_2U_HJpij2ynvGohY62yZES4OvQkUlF1fgeDiOU8JEuFLpRst3IeFxtafa9waWJukeFhq25UhewJYsfxvEGfyaRqQJenHJ13bX46kXsRJxr9EteHYv3Z/s1600/P1030298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhslOmPQdn-O8hZu1wtyF_GdoPE_2U_HJpij2ynvGohY62yZES4OvQkUlF1fgeDiOU8JEuFLpRst3IeFxtafa9waWJukeFhq25UhewJYsfxvEGfyaRqQJenHJ13bX46kXsRJxr9EteHYv3Z/s320/P1030298.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quince Jelly</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A good thing about making quince jelly is that the fruit that was strained off need not be wasted; Sarah had recommended quince cheese, which isn’t cheese at all. I pureed the fruit with a little fluid from the cooking of the quinces and had a bowl of sloppy red-brown pulp. To 2 pounds of quince I added 2 pounds of sugar and heated it on a very low heat until it was thick enough to drag a spoon through to show the bottom of the pan and it took a few seconds for it to cover over the pan bottom again. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBY7EICmqSXR1CBeYhARuOISG9NVQn_jB6TY_RpwOZ7qK7U3-_DGjWuJ0XaNQfubdIR0LgSbw0qDskgt1gHvlMWqnjL7aqgYq5PTLdOZtm8e9Quq2VeMYK8ZScfn_fkVSFD-S77yGuORa/s1600/P1030304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOBY7EICmqSXR1CBeYhARuOISG9NVQn_jB6TY_RpwOZ7qK7U3-_DGjWuJ0XaNQfubdIR0LgSbw0qDskgt1gHvlMWqnjL7aqgYq5PTLdOZtm8e9Quq2VeMYK8ZScfn_fkVSFD-S77yGuORa/s320/P1030304.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quince cheese</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even when cooked on a very low heat my quince cheese kept bubbling and shooting blobs up the kitchen walls, cupboards, cooker, floor, into the dinner I was trying to cook and splashed onto my arms burning me. Even half off the gas ring it resembled a geyser from Yellowstone park, I thought I’d cleaned up everything, went to put the kettle on and got a sticky hand. I won’t bother with the cheese again I told myself, until I tasted it; again it was well worth it. <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hadn’t bothered checking how many jars I had before I started, I thought I had plenty and discovered that this was not the case so the next thing I had to start doing was straining off tinctures and elixirs which were sitting on my windowsill so as I could use the jars! Quince cheese has the grainy texture of pears and can be eaten with cheese which I look forward to trying.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wasn’t sure I’d like quince but I love it, I think I'm getting addicted I have to keep tasting it! I can’t believe it’s not more popular, thank you Sarah.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Make a bitter jelly using rowan or cramp bark with apple. What would you use this for medicinally?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whilst I was in jelly-making mode I decided to do my practical task for autumn. At the herb Sanctuary last weekend I collected crab apples and berries from the guilder rose or cramp bark tree. Cramp bark as the name suggests helps with pain, it is very good for menstrual pain, and I don’t know whether or not the berries contain any pain-relieving compounds. The berries are bitter and bitters are used to help the digestive system, tasting bitter food starts off the production of digestive enzymes and bile ready to digest food. Eating some bitter jelly with your dinner could help you to digest your food better.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVESejKyLLr-xQO5VAdV6GQmAC01UaOTjtqpluOmPyXaxTDdRVZ9W7o3JaLJ140E_2ffd_kGp-frQpoiTADaxPeZT685jVc5CjBxTTfh9j61LWFxqomzGrVnSZanfPsuKHC3okE2D1E7B/s1600/P1030232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVESejKyLLr-xQO5VAdV6GQmAC01UaOTjtqpluOmPyXaxTDdRVZ9W7o3JaLJ140E_2ffd_kGp-frQpoiTADaxPeZT685jVc5CjBxTTfh9j61LWFxqomzGrVnSZanfPsuKHC3okE2D1E7B/s320/P1030232.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Berries of the Guelder Rose or Cramp Bark tree</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The berries look beautiful, red and glossy but don’t smell so good I’m afraid, and after cooking them I had a lingering aroma around the house. Everyone entering the house was asking what the smell was so I ended up lighting incense to mask it. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPxjt_4ZHFt9heAJKhVKlSwtk6NblrxSsnaM2naP-5Ka4XexZcIP4ykxAhrBw4dg4_H8rSa846WyZryAGhPGEnNWAoU11YLwqx7GC4vltGROTcT3AZtS31lGcrkObfNksny2A-pxt714i/s1600/P1030270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPxjt_4ZHFt9heAJKhVKlSwtk6NblrxSsnaM2naP-5Ka4XexZcIP4ykxAhrBw4dg4_H8rSa846WyZryAGhPGEnNWAoU11YLwqx7GC4vltGROTcT3AZtS31lGcrkObfNksny2A-pxt714i/s320/P1030270.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab Apples</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I had to cook dinner, mind the exploding quince cheese and clear up after everything , the easiest thing was to put the crab apples and the guilder rose berries into the slow cooker for a couple of hours until everything calmed down. </span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3uIs9wBMomBJ0PWcyKEYjQZTqo3koerKXAPGsapfP93BzoWI-d94wg1m8YqkAr-Wfd-TA3QE9mTX5OzSI2gOxKfyg4xFb2WfNbRXvSGNC9Os0o_k1R5e-_AdYvwHwCBr0lEnLcCrpGOV/s1600/P1030301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP3uIs9wBMomBJ0PWcyKEYjQZTqo3koerKXAPGsapfP93BzoWI-d94wg1m8YqkAr-Wfd-TA3QE9mTX5OzSI2gOxKfyg4xFb2WfNbRXvSGNC9Os0o_k1R5e-_AdYvwHwCBr0lEnLcCrpGOV/s320/P1030301.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab apples & guelder rose berries before cooking</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I then strained the fruit through the jelly bag as before.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH__jm5HbbJYE8L7FtI5hFzU4Qz0vd4X06genU56UzK6OLUm_p-iUlaL0tya67f-1_XFkdHnglamY1sYyWqYHRu3G32820CAF6PoUL105gKI8Tn0AG3_bvG-EuI0UYBzUSsRiiUtN031d_/s1600/P1030307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH__jm5HbbJYE8L7FtI5hFzU4Qz0vd4X06genU56UzK6OLUm_p-iUlaL0tya67f-1_XFkdHnglamY1sYyWqYHRu3G32820CAF6PoUL105gKI8Tn0AG3_bvG-EuI0UYBzUSsRiiUtN031d_/s320/P1030307.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Straining stewed crab apples and cramp bark/guelder rose berries</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To one pint of liquid I added a pound of sugar, I had more fluid but the smell was putting me off being left with too much of this stuff. The liquid tasted very bitter, I didn’t think anything edible would come of this. Again it took me 15 minutes to reach setting point; in Pam the Jam’s book crab apples are high in both pectin and acid so no lemons are required, good job as I never considered it at the time.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzcs18dRrbbW-0PuXjZOW4eZ2BjacVM0kZFuKOxijNmZqcfCwFPLuLcej_gVbIGZekaRuIhlmWd1ywVpaIGITlT-Dx_9s5NOW6Kvzm1gEb0Yktl9WAlVsE3j0PNXhWoG6tGD1WmkS5GR7/s1600/P1030311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWzcs18dRrbbW-0PuXjZOW4eZ2BjacVM0kZFuKOxijNmZqcfCwFPLuLcej_gVbIGZekaRuIhlmWd1ywVpaIGITlT-Dx_9s5NOW6Kvzm1gEb0Yktl9WAlVsE3j0PNXhWoG6tGD1WmkS5GR7/s320/P1030311.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab Apple & Guelder Rose Berry Jelly</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I must admit I was pleasantly surprised when I tried the finished product, it has some bitterness to it but the addition of the sugar has made it very palatable and there is no sign of the unpleasant aroma that was left lurking everywhere else around the house. I think it will be just the thing to have with a greasy meal to help digestion and I would make it again.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-24264041047811693902011-11-03T15:42:00.000+00:002011-11-03T15:42:21.738+00:00The Skull Structure, Nasal Passages, Eyes, Ears and Helping Herbs<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><strong>Research the construction and mechanism of the skull looking particularly at eyes, nose, ears and sinuses. How do they work? What common conditions are they prone to? What herbs would you use for sinus congestion, blocked tear ducts, sore/dry eyes, ear ache, Eustachian tube blockages, ear wax build up?</strong> <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The skull contains 22 bones which are divided into two categories; cranial bones and facial bones.</span></cite></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The cranial bones surround and protect the brain; the </span></cite><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">frontal</span></cite><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> bone, 2 parietal bones, 2 temporal bones, occipital bone, </span></cite><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">sphenoid</span></cite><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> bone and </span></cite><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">ethmoid</span></cite><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> bone.</span></cite></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are 14 facial bones; 2 nasal bones, 2 </span></cite><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">maxillae</span></cite><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">, 2 zygomatic bones, mandible, 2 lacrimal bones, 2 palatine bones, 2 inferior nasal cochae, and vomer.</span></cite></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnjvMojfzC5zgFVXM03J9tQ36vZcdzXD_Rv-cz0iHwmQ9sHUlTQ4oaT3Numd5q8jMTi_dp6MzKPJrJomLSNTeu0wCYZvRFpILc76vI2GPwVdBEtb-YVYbDtAo_FR1J9o3OAJ2IkHheV5X/s1600/imagesCAMMLNE9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSnjvMojfzC5zgFVXM03J9tQ36vZcdzXD_Rv-cz0iHwmQ9sHUlTQ4oaT3Numd5q8jMTi_dp6MzKPJrJomLSNTeu0wCYZvRFpILc76vI2GPwVdBEtb-YVYbDtAo_FR1J9o3OAJ2IkHheV5X/s320/imagesCAMMLNE9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diagram showing the bones and structure of the skull<br />
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Video of the skull bones from You Tube</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The paranasal sinuses are paired cavities in certain cranial and facial bones near the nasal cavities. The sinuses are lined with mucous membranes as on the inside of our noses. The sinuses are in the bones I’ve put into </span></cite><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">italics. </span></cite><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Besides producing mucous the sinuses make the skull lighter and help to resonate sound when we speak or sing.<o:p></o:p></span></cite></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></cite><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The maxillary sinuses are in each cheekbone.<o:p></o:p></span></cite></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></cite><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The frontal sinuses are on either side of your forehead, above your eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></cite></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></cite><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The smaller ethmoid sinuses are behind the bridge of your nose, between your eyes.<o:p></o:p></span></cite></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Symbol; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span></cite><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">The sphenoid sinuses are between the upper part of your nose and behind your eyes<o:p></o:p></span></cite></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Secretions from the sinuses drain into the nasal cavity. An allergic reaction can cause inflammation of the membranes, this is called sinusitis. If the membranes swell enough to prevent drainage then pressure builds up in the sinuses causing headaches, the area around the sinuses can feel tender. Sinusitis can also be caused by infection.<o:p></o:p></span></cite></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal mention horseradish for sinus congestion. Last winter we grated horseradish at one of the winter workshops at Sarah’s house and I think the whole houseful had their sinuses flushed out, it was very strong! They also say mint has been traditionally used for sinusitis and wood betony for sinus congestion.</span></cite></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8x3GLYYp7BLxye9PffdWOQwuFO9xoIBs-2lhuMrZm-jBuCiQE_H73RcSGzlyfFLcVYhGpG-HbgHCuHtBI7QdPDm6RUB3i2ATw7GI3XvIIT1-krsxhx2mrNTa2eVQSfmlzfk5GKf3Y90nH/s1600/horse+radish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8x3GLYYp7BLxye9PffdWOQwuFO9xoIBs-2lhuMrZm-jBuCiQE_H73RcSGzlyfFLcVYhGpG-HbgHCuHtBI7QdPDm6RUB3i2ATw7GI3XvIIT1-krsxhx2mrNTa2eVQSfmlzfk5GKf3Y90nH/s320/horse+radish.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horseradish</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Matthew Wood uses cinnamon for sinus congestion and star anise specifically for the maxillary sinuses.</span></cite></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENy3PrsMIvCcdexkWqv-i3eWc02XGYIXrXtUGqaTSB6KszEOvH9IGF6WjLSOgOsWjtrr39XfyKPe_iyop0urS60eDrpGkzR08NJbKesp62Kex0S64-3X-sRS2NdCv5DvwOpmFMdYOqf6A/s1600/imagesCAT2VKE8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENy3PrsMIvCcdexkWqv-i3eWc02XGYIXrXtUGqaTSB6KszEOvH9IGF6WjLSOgOsWjtrr39XfyKPe_iyop0urS60eDrpGkzR08NJbKesp62Kex0S64-3X-sRS2NdCv5DvwOpmFMdYOqf6A/s1600/imagesCAT2VKE8.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon and star anise<br />
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<div align="left"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: small;">Nasal congestion accompanying colds and flu could be eased by hyssop which loosens phlegm and the strong aroma of rosemary, spearmint, penny royal and peppermint act as decongestives.<cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></cite></span></span></div><span style="font-size: small;"></span><br />
<div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Eyebright can be used to ease the nose as well as the eyes; it helps with rhinitis, sinusitis, free secretion of watery mucous and irritable sneezing (Matthew Wood); it seems to help with allergic reactions.</span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p>A country name for yarrow is nosebleed as it was commonly used to treat them. The flavonoids in yarrow help to clear blood clots, the tannins help with wound healing. It also contains anti-inflammatory chemicals.</o:p></span></span></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJc2bk5xDl4DCHWYH9vZlmJMaWRpjhx30k2VoItWycKrxN62mwIc-cYplNWKSvwhSe2WYks1Gjseqmu3MN7Jl-zd5WuVZsqXU5OnIIfGgMaNSTjZi6hMxfnv3X2Kh2Qg0aXVsPfD7eGnE/s1600/images%255B3%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqJc2bk5xDl4DCHWYH9vZlmJMaWRpjhx30k2VoItWycKrxN62mwIc-cYplNWKSvwhSe2WYks1Gjseqmu3MN7Jl-zd5WuVZsqXU5OnIIfGgMaNSTjZi6hMxfnv3X2Kh2Qg0aXVsPfD7eGnE/s1600/images%255B3%255D.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diagram of the human eye</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Looking at the eye we can see the white sclera which has muscles attached to it. The iris, the coloured area, is made of muscle which contracts and dilates, controlling the amount of light entering the eye. The pupil is the hole in the centre of the iris, which appears black. Light shines through the eye onto the retina which sends messages to the brain through the optic nerve to enable us to see. There is a cornea at the front of the eye; the lens behind the pupil and fluid inside the eye, called the aqueous humour at the front and the vitreous humour behind the pupil. At the inner corner of the eye there is a tear duct through which tears are shed, debris is washed away and the eyes and delicate conjunctiva that cover them are kept moist.</span></cite></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Richard Mabey says herbs are most successfully used on the superficial areas of the eyes, such as the eyelids and conjunctiva. More serious problems can be assisted by using herbs to help improve the general well-being of a person. Ann McIntyre says antioxidant herbs can strengthen the eyes’ blood supply and inhibit macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy; bilberry, elderberry, hawthorn berries, rosemary, thyme, sage, sweet marjoram, selfheal, ashwagandha and ginko are some.<o:p></o:p></span></cite></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva, acute conjunctivitis is a sudden onset caused by infection or allergy. Chronic conjunctivitis is long-term; it can be from infection, living in polluted environments or from a drying up of eye secretions. Mabey suggests eye baths of eyebright, marigold or a weak decoction of golden seal.</span></cite></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX03kvedGMTuYvgL3nThQUWE06uO85vgS56Kf9d6aB3PIfH7Bujj2ZL9v2mqDwzXULG4-oBTKg4UbxbejJ51BuFEAZSq1Sge3gZRVKzyLIDZ8jEyYQVwtfXhZdkpzJikfPCUe2SCQv6kav/s1600/imagesCAQQIVGM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX03kvedGMTuYvgL3nThQUWE06uO85vgS56Kf9d6aB3PIfH7Bujj2ZL9v2mqDwzXULG4-oBTKg4UbxbejJ51BuFEAZSq1Sge3gZRVKzyLIDZ8jEyYQVwtfXhZdkpzJikfPCUe2SCQv6kav/s1600/imagesCAQQIVGM.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eyebright</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For blepharitis, inflammation of the eyelids, in children Mabey suggests a cold poultice of stewed apple or tea in an eyebath.<o:p></o:p></span></cite></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ann McIntyre recommends taking borage seed oil and evening primrose oil for chronic conjunctivitis and blepharitis.<o:p></o:p></span></cite></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Styes are inflamed areas at the base of eyelashes that secrete lubricating fluid, a compress of warmed parsley or marigold flowers can help.<o:p></o:p></span></cite></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Tired eyes can be treated to an eye bath of infused eyebright, elderflower, marigold petals, plantain leaves, raspberry leaves, cornflowers or fennel seeds.<o:p></o:p></span></cite></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A blocked tear duct could be caused by a number of problems; infection, rhinitis or trauma, a soothing anti-inflammatory treatment could be a cool chamomile compress, a cold chamomile tea bag would do.<o:p></o:p></span></cite></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sore, dry eyes can be treated with a compress of cool tea made from marigold, eyebright, coriander or chamomile for 10-20 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></cite></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><cite><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Problems with the functioning of the thyroid gland can lead to changes in the eye and the eye socket. This is thought to be an autoimmune disease leading to the immune system response of inflammation. This is known as Graves’ disease and the tissue around the eye, including the orbital fat and eye muscles becomes swollen. David Hoffman says the specific herbal remedy is Bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus or L. eouropaeus)</span></cite><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"> which can reduce the activity of iodine that causes hyperthyroidism. For accompanying insomnia he suggests passion flower and valerian.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8d9TDQRvH8dqqcxoxUYfwxvax7I6xg-ZYTOBZKXxud41F-HiUHZG03j02eqXkjvWwUe1_a8Qc0N9cvZYczQ90mc5X0Vx3UjntxiqWdBqZcguDrn6xJoQSOxjm-LeHy-HEe7Ffyhlv6Yp/s1600/imagesCA2KS007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis8d9TDQRvH8dqqcxoxUYfwxvax7I6xg-ZYTOBZKXxud41F-HiUHZG03j02eqXkjvWwUe1_a8Qc0N9cvZYczQ90mc5X0Vx3UjntxiqWdBqZcguDrn6xJoQSOxjm-LeHy-HEe7Ffyhlv6Yp/s1600/imagesCA2KS007.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passion Flower</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Eye sockets, the frontal bone forms the roof of the orbits or eye sockets. There is a thickening of the frontal bone called the supra-orbital margin, a blow to this area results in bleeding. Bruising in this area causes fluid and blood to accumulate which gravitates into the upper eyelid giving a black eye. Chamomile or calendula compresses would be soothing herbs. <a href="http://www.herbs2000.com/disorders/black_eye.htm">Herbs2000</a> suggest clay packs containing horsetail tincture alternating with cabbage leaf poultices.</span></div><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ears, nose and throat are connected in our bodies by the Eustachian tubes. The ear is our organ of hearing and has an inner, middle and outer part. The outer ear has our visible ears, the ear canal and the surface of the ear drum. The middle ear contains the three bones or ossicles of the ear, the hammer, anvil and stirrup. The Eustachian tube opens into this area. Problems can arise with ear wax blocking the external ear canal or a hole in the ear drum causing hearing loss. In the middle ear loss of hearing can arise from infection causing inflammation leading to fluid in the middle ear instead.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The inner ear is protected by skull bone. It contains the organ of hearing, the cochlea and the labyrinth or vestibular apparatus that is the organ of balance and motion. The eighth cranial nerve links between the inner ear and the brain stem. The inner ear can sense motion and vibration of sound by the movement of liquid and hairs in fluid filled ducts.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ear ache is most common in children; the Eustachian tubes are shorter and narrower than in adults and blockage can be caused by a middle ear infection, otitis media. Ear drops can be used if the ear drum is intact. Mullein or garlic oil are commonly used drops. For middle ear infections, goldenseal contains berberine which is antibacterial, it seems to stop germs attaching themselves to cell membranes and it can be used internally as well as externally. Saint John’s wort and calendula are antibacterial and anti-inflammatory and in a study performed well together to relieve ear ache with garlic and mullein. Lavender essential oil on a compress can also be used on the area to give pain relief.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mullein oil and/or garlic oil can also be used to disperse a build-up of ear wax, again the ear drum or tympanic membrane needs to be intact. These oils are warmed before being added as drops.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnMuD_Ktl-gZ81xgNTWXyTBdcJYlinh0gqkO8f_Aj-q6vrCVwo1HJPi45Hw_YoZ0NQefuHKOX89z6rqurzg9V-BwK5K8a5tT7Ih45LyRwdyOhCulwn_wV0Q0qlc9f-lef_AJ1USh8axMq/s1600/P1030253.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsnMuD_Ktl-gZ81xgNTWXyTBdcJYlinh0gqkO8f_Aj-q6vrCVwo1HJPi45Hw_YoZ0NQefuHKOX89z6rqurzg9V-BwK5K8a5tT7Ih45LyRwdyOhCulwn_wV0Q0qlc9f-lef_AJ1USh8axMq/s320/P1030253.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mullein</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Outer ear infections are commonly picked up when swimming; goldenseal, St. John’s wort and witch hazel can help.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteVFJJQc21rz6BZ7ouFqK9k-u-OBOS7pM1QIRESpNeuPeVPZmu7hBqaI8YXvQrq0TuJ9EzKDLaYkQqUS7tKHoTFczs6qr-benO6-7ET-lQQcQIlv2mKP89g8W8XjObr1tOD_hrs6utySW/s1600/dancing_skeletons.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteVFJJQc21rz6BZ7ouFqK9k-u-OBOS7pM1QIRESpNeuPeVPZmu7hBqaI8YXvQrq0TuJ9EzKDLaYkQqUS7tKHoTFczs6qr-benO6-7ET-lQQcQIlv2mKP89g8W8XjObr1tOD_hrs6utySW/s1600/dancing_skeletons.gif" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-29372728632834700392011-11-01T11:22:00.000+00:002011-11-01T11:22:55.625+00:00October's Herb Workshop<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I went to Sarah’s Sanctuary at the weekend and had a look at what was happening with the plants at the moment.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The first plant to catch my eye was Guelder rose or Cramp bark tree with splendid autumn red maple-like leaves and glossy red berries. I did not realise it was a native British tree and haven’t noticed it in hedgerows before. The berries of this plant are part of our autumn task, to make a jelly so I harvested some, they don’t smell that sweet, I’ll see how it turns out.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi21YsGd-ZExaRlZ6sDWrwRYo6zIoyLR2srEHZOxpvA456FVyfnZe8iEaUEzT3Du6sXAeFicAiOUSkCzWVarVUh_TfxV3why6EdDPWhqPUv6OoDfJzb9dRhoyjd8YyoyRjZ-x7pThZSoEc/s1600/P1030231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi21YsGd-ZExaRlZ6sDWrwRYo6zIoyLR2srEHZOxpvA456FVyfnZe8iEaUEzT3Du6sXAeFicAiOUSkCzWVarVUh_TfxV3why6EdDPWhqPUv6OoDfJzb9dRhoyjd8YyoyRjZ-x7pThZSoEc/s320/P1030231.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gueder Rose known as Cramp Bark</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mugwort also caught my eye, Sarah has told me before that it is at its most potent at Halloween, last year I was disappointed and all the mugwort around my neighbourhood had died off and gone black. This year I have collected some to dry; I don’t know whether it is because it is a bit milder in the Cotswolds or because we have not had a good frost yet. My friend wants to make a pillow with her mugwort, she is used to having precognitive dreams and they have stopped recently, mugwort can help you to recall dreams.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uy8HAvV1TXoVTmkzKpzm8pLkZlMf80dHn_4wNKZunnmi_blLxbsxjdW4Hcls0bayuF7iuxBdKr509AczBBGjBOjLcBvBkR0w-vVM-QyuY-iNg_pZSs2a3tUsyAcgtzEa7CH3_fs6v4v0/s1600/P1030236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6uy8HAvV1TXoVTmkzKpzm8pLkZlMf80dHn_4wNKZunnmi_blLxbsxjdW4Hcls0bayuF7iuxBdKr509AczBBGjBOjLcBvBkR0w-vVM-QyuY-iNg_pZSs2a3tUsyAcgtzEa7CH3_fs6v4v0/s320/P1030236.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mugwort leaves turning yellow</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wormwood, Artemisia absinthium, was still looking intact and its usual pale green colour. It is anti-parasitic, can be used for worms as the name suggests and was used as a strewing herb. Wormwood is a bitter digestive and was an ingredient in a green alcoholic digestive called Absinthe. Absinthe was popular amongst bohemian artists of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries as it had mind altering effects, they called it “the green fairy”. The effects led to “absinthe madness” – dementia type symptoms and other toxic effects and Absinthe was banned. It is thought that thujone, a chemical in wormwood removes the blocks in our mind that prevent it from working at full capacity, allowing thoughts at a higher level than usual. Thujone was also thought to be responsible for Absinthe Madness but now it is thought the symptoms could possibly have been simply from alcoholism.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxov4ysS0GgfeK1qgc_GYXleCkANho55SBSt4K6vFn8i3pGA0YFSAlP2JIUz7bzBGiX2FkDhsS8v9Pi8ziU-AT_0dmwsdlbII7eL9y-IlXi3ITBhwfwm02wakkFXf3A5Gv6dxOEBOwnNoN/s1600/P1030243.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxov4ysS0GgfeK1qgc_GYXleCkANho55SBSt4K6vFn8i3pGA0YFSAlP2JIUz7bzBGiX2FkDhsS8v9Pi8ziU-AT_0dmwsdlbII7eL9y-IlXi3ITBhwfwm02wakkFXf3A5Gv6dxOEBOwnNoN/s320/P1030243.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wormwood</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sarah has kindly given me some quinces from the tree at the Sanctuary. She has suggested I make a jelly and a cheese, her recipes are <a href="http://kitchenherbwife.blogspot.com/2008/11/quince-tale-of-abundance.html">here</a> . The quince is an ancient fruit, a cross between an apple and a pear. Whilst waiting to be jellied they are sitting in a fruit bowl in the dining room and scenting the room with a sweet perfumed aroma.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNKp-hjX3thcanhO351xV2YOYP4rE1CaJY-bpC571OcZgGPzRMjBVuodHwmXEZHVLiK1hiOQSIvmgu5So7iNaA0Y7NgQhBjExR6RzodlyS7fIawQn4LfcexTOWh-SCiqJVfwvvWKR-h5A/s1600/P1030272.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNKp-hjX3thcanhO351xV2YOYP4rE1CaJY-bpC571OcZgGPzRMjBVuodHwmXEZHVLiK1hiOQSIvmgu5So7iNaA0Y7NgQhBjExR6RzodlyS7fIawQn4LfcexTOWh-SCiqJVfwvvWKR-h5A/s320/P1030272.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quinces lined up on a bench</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There are also medlars at the Sanctuary, these are an ancient type of pear that needs bletting before use, these can be used in a jelly as well.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FnRHjm8SNB5J0FDyeRlPve3jwDcVTLXV6oiO8bQRrm8o-Z-4wVrGaNcaoY2WABSVStyyLxQHxzciKz2YGzBpyLwx3in-MGFuyrfAzW1XDMNkFTBvNAHJtLcg9JfMr6zmnVoWM9xysUIJ/s1600/P1030247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3FnRHjm8SNB5J0FDyeRlPve3jwDcVTLXV6oiO8bQRrm8o-Z-4wVrGaNcaoY2WABSVStyyLxQHxzciKz2YGzBpyLwx3in-MGFuyrfAzW1XDMNkFTBvNAHJtLcg9JfMr6zmnVoWM9xysUIJ/s320/P1030247.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Medlars</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sarah was harvesting Ashwaganda plants, if it was left to me I’d have been making a tea with the leaves, but that’s not right, the roots and seeds are used. The seeds did not seem too ripe so we have taken some home to see if they come on. I’ve got some between sheets of newspaper in the airing cupboard with my mugwort. Sarah’s Ashwaganda roots are the best bet, she has taken them to dry and will then powder them.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDe_juqdYZxkafEFTxBqi1LsfbBmQl-t-hlmEsxJJkvUc8aYaAuf8N0_PJ9E6gmjrS2_h8310UOOnTsIZpAuXd7IMVglrmmRbi56ttJj7qWVeFKgWKf2XEexQCPQwFPVYxfGYqZTG2NQC/s1600/P1030280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnDe_juqdYZxkafEFTxBqi1LsfbBmQl-t-hlmEsxJJkvUc8aYaAuf8N0_PJ9E6gmjrS2_h8310UOOnTsIZpAuXd7IMVglrmmRbi56ttJj7qWVeFKgWKf2XEexQCPQwFPVYxfGYqZTG2NQC/s320/P1030280.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ashwaganda roots</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Liz harvested the remaining calendula flowers and their seed heads and the seed heads of the milk thistle plants.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvLC3I4yyKCz8Jg2eVe62MOFNdh7fkucUJ3tTYYelexiCjXalw45bbxml1H_1qVrvygmLetIAENaczveqCdWQbNFTC1ER1MgxX5AdpAR0EdaTZlrjnDve4oSRmF-dS1u42_G0JPxfiEhR/s1600/P1030277.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCvLC3I4yyKCz8Jg2eVe62MOFNdh7fkucUJ3tTYYelexiCjXalw45bbxml1H_1qVrvygmLetIAENaczveqCdWQbNFTC1ER1MgxX5AdpAR0EdaTZlrjnDve4oSRmF-dS1u42_G0JPxfiEhR/s320/P1030277.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Milk thistle seed heads</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I wondered around the trees looking for a wood that I felt called to and found the crab apple, I have a twig to make a wand and gathered some crab apples for a jelly.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcuXX60C4GE26mkjcJ0t0uUf_uL6h937_Xzr2w-hgk_rxv4_V1B9dMMbHwTPqvq8EcaYy1kzQjakPTwl9jIF3JjtKJxbneT1h_XFFMTVPbGnOMlrwoPfHQ8VFkqZ6jCJZfPzWp8lK-GuG/s1600/P1030270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfcuXX60C4GE26mkjcJ0t0uUf_uL6h937_Xzr2w-hgk_rxv4_V1B9dMMbHwTPqvq8EcaYy1kzQjakPTwl9jIF3JjtKJxbneT1h_XFFMTVPbGnOMlrwoPfHQ8VFkqZ6jCJZfPzWp8lK-GuG/s320/P1030270.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab Apples<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHJMGx1klTdpPA7DCYvkNRGwiDWiPXP90goW-BVJqzAmQbtT-JvrgPbaJoSm1P85WLonR2x4PAN89K_yNOZhopj2-BEoUY6W8OdxWvwo_-8FgI7ONKCMJ0rdbvI7RA37fQiRMvakdb_uY/s1600/P1030262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibHJMGx1klTdpPA7DCYvkNRGwiDWiPXP90goW-BVJqzAmQbtT-JvrgPbaJoSm1P85WLonR2x4PAN89K_yNOZhopj2-BEoUY6W8OdxWvwo_-8FgI7ONKCMJ0rdbvI7RA37fQiRMvakdb_uY/s320/P1030262.JPG" width="320" /></a></div></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Joe Pye weed or Gravel Root was still standing proud but its leaves are fading, its roots are used for eliminating bladder stones, Sarah told us.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAGui4G9sGJiuCChnyfhuE5qMl6Tc2vh1fRQmQgxTKDXipQbSY6aLMbjr4okzzPe9qt6_TxN8r6lWOYvDjQuvArqVOVjj2BuxcRRAzQPnedjxsDG3qoabUS1cWWt8Ep9Srj5a_pUvpmqZ/s1600/P1030256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitAGui4G9sGJiuCChnyfhuE5qMl6Tc2vh1fRQmQgxTKDXipQbSY6aLMbjr4okzzPe9qt6_TxN8r6lWOYvDjQuvArqVOVjj2BuxcRRAzQPnedjxsDG3qoabUS1cWWt8Ep9Srj5a_pUvpmqZ/s320/P1030256.JPG" width="179" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maria made her own type of herbarium as we went round the garden. She wrote the name and uses of the plant and then threaded a piece of each plant through the paper. I tend to go home with lots of pictures and have trouble remembering what some of them are of.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8C7CjF0eDHJQAdTMrIMKvN_bd5RI-b_NHnKbnLv8Fbe7txUZo_BAxpCdgUSMDSqtMxkR9bQ5COkIrYH6KZdIdDeR0pblhqhXAArSrFDKDqxqXQQ-xWBQimwFCCsiIxGQ9CoqaOmt7gHQ/s1600/P1030274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8C7CjF0eDHJQAdTMrIMKvN_bd5RI-b_NHnKbnLv8Fbe7txUZo_BAxpCdgUSMDSqtMxkR9bQ5COkIrYH6KZdIdDeR0pblhqhXAArSrFDKDqxqXQQ-xWBQimwFCCsiIxGQ9CoqaOmt7gHQ/s320/P1030274.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The bargain of the day was found in the local supermarket when Maria and I popped in to grab something for lunch we found olive trees for £5, only thin stemmed but with a little crop of olives on.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> I now have to create something with my crab apple twig, make a quince jelly, make a guelder rose berry and crab apple jelly and start my new apprenticeship tasks, busy times ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-6747839828843892352011-10-25T21:04:00.000+01:002011-10-25T21:04:59.895+01:00Red Raspberry Leaf Tea in Pregnancy<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">At 32 weeks of pregnancy my eldest daughter was involved in a car accident, she escaped with just little scratches from broken glass but was taken to hospital where it was found that her blood pressure had gone up for the first time ever and she was admitted. She’s been in and out of hospital like a yoyo since then and is now just over 38 weeks,she was started on anti-hypertensive medication last week. Naturally, I would have loved to have been able to suggest a herbal remedy but was too scared to suggest anything during pregnancy.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took my daughter to her hospital appointment today, her blood pressure is now OK with the medication but the registrar does not want her to go over her due date with this history so it looks like she will be induced if baby hasn’t appeared by November 5<sup>th</sup>. In the meantime, the registrar said, drink raspberry leaf tea. I was of course really interested by this and wanted to know why. The registrar said there was no research, a bit of an old wives tale that it brings on labour and it was worth a try. As it’s not the time of year to go leaf picking we went straight to the nearest health food store to get some raspberry leaf tea bags. The box told us what was in it and who had made the tea bags and nothing more and the shop assistant was unable to tell us how many cups of tea a day she should be drinking. They also stocked tablets, standardised extract with a dose written on the box so my daughter chose those.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My interest in raspberry leaf tea was aroused, does it really bring on labour and how much should a pregnant woman be drinking?<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Red raspberry leaf comes from the fruiting raspberry plant which is a member of the rose family. It's best known use is preparing mothers for childbirth. The leaves are best harvested in spring and summer. I have read an article by <a href="http://www.susunweed.com/Article_Pregnancy_Problems.htm">Susun Weed</a>,Herbal Allies For Pregnancy Problems, which beautifully describes how the mother to be can harvest her own herb if able; “stretching, bending, breathing, moving, touching the earth, taking time to talk with the plants and to open herself to their spiritual world”. How wonderful to see how beneficial the act of harvesting and preparing the herbs can be, it’s something I always love to do.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Raspberry leaf tea seems to tone the uterus which helps in labour and may shorten the second stage of labour. From reading it seems that raspberry leaf does not actually bring on labour and it takes a few weeks to build up in your system.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The <a href="http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/labourandbirth/planningyourbabysbirth/raspberryteaeaselabourexpert/">Baby Centre</a> say that some doctors and midwives think our bodies are designed adequately for birth and that nothing should be taken that could interfere with labour. <a href="http://www.yogabirth.org/raspberry-leaf-tea.php">Yoga Birth</a> says that herbs have been used throughout history to help with childbirth and that “these ancient healing plants are a powerful part of our heritage from the earth”.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An alkaloid called fragrine is the chemical in red raspberry leaf which tones the smooth muscle of the uterus to help it perform well during childbirth. The leaf also contains vitamins and minerals which are a tonic to us all, including pregnant moms to be. It contains vitamins A, B, C and E with minerals including calcium, iron, phosphorus and potassium.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Susun Weed gives the benefits of red raspberry leaf before and during pregnancy as: <o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Improving fertility in men and women, take with red clover.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Preventing miscarriage and haemorrhage by toning the uterus.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Eases morning sickness<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Reduces pain during labour as the muscles are more toned.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Assists in the production of, and enriches breast milk.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt 36pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; font: 7pt/normal "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Allows the uterus to function better to give an easier and speedier birth.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Yoga Birth has an answer to my question about the dose of raspberry leaf tea; early in pregnancy have one cup a day; two cups a day in the second trimester and three cups a day if you start in the last trimester as my daughter has. Richard Mabey in The New Age Herbalist says raspberry leaf tea can be taken in the last three months of pregnancy.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;"> A reported problem with raspberry leaf tea is that it inceases the frequency or intensity of Brackston Hicks contractions, if this is suspected stop taking the tea.</span></div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-67946386785803384012011-09-28T09:45:00.000+01:002011-09-28T09:45:20.944+01:00Elderberries and Hawthorn Berries<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Gathering elderberries and Hawthorn berries was the perfect excuse to get out into the wonderful sunshine yesterday. I was gifted with some elderberry cordial a couple of weeks ago, made by my friend Kerry and a handmade gift is always special. So, as I’m stocked up with cordial I decided to make some elixir, one of my favourite ways to take natural medicines, in honey and brandy. Reading one of Kiva Rose’s <a href="http://bearmedicineherbals.com/another-gratuitous-elderberry-post.html">elderberry</a> posts I realised it could have another benefit to the elixir; Kiva suggests the fruit is more effective when it has not been heated.</span></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJzE4632yxULqasUg62Ei8SmoXqJnBvMFxb_DmBi1O9goHk8ytnifHZ8-bPGXOBVyDjMqqq3TZS8Q2hZY4qRpzMFrAGO_QBeApC468-2V3wEpECGg-yglCSjac0L-KHzYbHRBOLAkwdgr/s1600/P1030171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgJzE4632yxULqasUg62Ei8SmoXqJnBvMFxb_DmBi1O9goHk8ytnifHZ8-bPGXOBVyDjMqqq3TZS8Q2hZY4qRpzMFrAGO_QBeApC468-2V3wEpECGg-yglCSjac0L-KHzYbHRBOLAkwdgr/s320/P1030171.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Elderberries</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Documented evidence of medicinal usage of elder goes back to the Romans and there have been a couple of studies looking at the effects of elderberry syrup on the flu virus which shows it is indeed effective. The duration of illness in people with flu was shorter and the immune system was boosted, some writers say this was by increased antibody production. Kiva Rose says it “modulates” the immune system rather than stimulates it so people with auto-immune conditions don’t need to worry about increased activity. It seems to be common practice to take elderberry as a preventative medicine in small daily doses. Be careful, too much elderberry can cause nausea.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWb6NZqACfwi3OR23qkZwLB3CMl9pTxD-62L23YZG9M9vFHo31hpVF1KjwNiFix83BgoRj2LcFTmb5a3WqmgbUaxdwoi4oB_7kQV7ABROiFtvBNvgDV9lkRVdJ8ivjfm9rtx-tEz80H7j-/s1600/P1030224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWb6NZqACfwi3OR23qkZwLB3CMl9pTxD-62L23YZG9M9vFHo31hpVF1KjwNiFix83BgoRj2LcFTmb5a3WqmgbUaxdwoi4oB_7kQV7ABROiFtvBNvgDV9lkRVdJ8ivjfm9rtx-tEz80H7j-/s320/P1030224.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To make my elixir was simple, I put the collected berries into a jar and half filled it with honey, gave it a stir, topped it up with brandy and then gave it a good podge with a chop stick to remove any air bubbles. I will leave them about 6 weeks and then strain off the fruit to leave my elixir.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxz5f4o-awm5oHUydagM3gApC5FuCnjvCLy6ERaLPa_1dchemgC-UDcMrltJMptctveeeB5LPT7FnCIqh8H5wzWKXutAYhxfUpfaFWvhUEdoziykxKhm5v0Z67nQ65jIZCArrVPLjif8nu/s1600/P1030225.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxz5f4o-awm5oHUydagM3gApC5FuCnjvCLy6ERaLPa_1dchemgC-UDcMrltJMptctveeeB5LPT7FnCIqh8H5wzWKXutAYhxfUpfaFWvhUEdoziykxKhm5v0Z67nQ65jIZCArrVPLjif8nu/s320/P1030225.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Hedgerow Medicine by Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal there is a recipe for elderberry syrup:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take your ripe elderberries, add half their volume of water and simmer for 20 minutes, then squeeze out the juice. For each 500ml of fluid add 250mg muscovado sugar, a stick of cinnamon, a few cloves and a few slices of lemon. Simmer for 20 minutes and then use for colds, coughs and flu.</span></i></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSr37cfzJi8DStyuXaYMR3QgB3AfNfqcC3but9pk7gIULkG-_zxSOX8NXZxMPV1rWGIcHtVYEaR9oZG5cv5KXFF7xADL0wpFjc2Od6kemYTYiHrKstrvuaQyPQWIGpUWU3YphjJEQ_6X0X/s1600/IMG_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSr37cfzJi8DStyuXaYMR3QgB3AfNfqcC3but9pk7gIULkG-_zxSOX8NXZxMPV1rWGIcHtVYEaR9oZG5cv5KXFF7xADL0wpFjc2Od6kemYTYiHrKstrvuaQyPQWIGpUWU3YphjJEQ_6X0X/s320/IMG_0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hawthorn Berries</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hawthorn’s use as a cardiac medicine dates back to the ancient Greeks and the Native Americans and more recently to an Irish physician, Dr Greene of Ennis who treated heart disease with hawthorn berry tincture.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cardiac benefits are believed to be allowing blood vessels to dilate so as the heart pumps more effectively, mild angina relief and stabilisation of an irregular heartbeat. It may also soften fatty deposits in blood vessels that can lead to hardening of the arteries or atherosclerosis.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hawthorn is also calming and some use it for insomnia. Several studies report that hawthorn helps to preserve collagen (the protein that makes up connective tissue), which can become damaged in conditions such as arthritis.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cardiac effects are thought to be due to the high content flavonoids in the plant, in particular oligomeric procyanidins (OPCs), which strengthen and dilate capillaries, resulting in increased blood flow and oxygen to the heart area, relieving hypertension and pressure.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On the emotional side hawthorn is still a heart healer, helping with emotional pain and being able to open up one’s heart</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made a tincture with brandy; I simply popped the berries into a jam jar and covered them with alcohol where they will infuse for about a month.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5L0LoKWb2rKllOlLGa4GHeNQNnXiAwyfHmuhgHiDazZbTo2ltI-xMuQzQQuygMLa9Z2WWwv23GHZOr_JO5thx_cvv3dK-rQ0ZUQ5Qt0R_hNnVtuPTS9SguWaKyEAMEPzMcVT9GVKVfb-/s1600/P1030229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-5L0LoKWb2rKllOlLGa4GHeNQNnXiAwyfHmuhgHiDazZbTo2ltI-xMuQzQQuygMLa9Z2WWwv23GHZOr_JO5thx_cvv3dK-rQ0ZUQ5Qt0R_hNnVtuPTS9SguWaKyEAMEPzMcVT9GVKVfb-/s320/P1030229.JPG" width="179" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4960311240872746239.post-44863830076131847652011-09-22T16:22:00.000+01:002011-09-22T16:22:26.342+01:00Shark Fin Soup and Shark Fin Melons<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My hubby was watching the news earlier and something really grabbed my attention; Richard Branson was in China starting a <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/environment/conservation/8781008/Richard-Branson-makes-shark-fin-soup-plea-in-China.html">campaign</a> to dissuade the Chinese from eating Shark Fin Soup, a dish prized as one that Emperors used to dine on. Then we saw fishermen on their boats cutting all the fins off sharks while they were still alive and then throwing them back into the sea where they presumably drowned, a very sickening sight.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the second time in the last few months that I had heard about this practice but I hadn’t realised the sharks were mutilated whilst still alive. At our monthly gardening lesson in August our teacher, Joyce had four Shark Fin Melon plants up for grabs and as I was one of the first to arrive I was honoured with receiving one to put in our allotment. I must admit I said thank you very much but wondered what I’d accepted, I’m not that keen on melon.</span></div> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdgpjghlZYbUCStnGt1JplRO89621mUst9tICtlUNulFevc7QEtY4FYhscYtAxa8UIcdpwZtyUPXglC7_Huouolw2Nr73IlWnY1emTCibQOBBCvwGmVoha56qL0UnSSxoSBCBZf5Xb5wM/s1600/shark+fin+melon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hca="true" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIdgpjghlZYbUCStnGt1JplRO89621mUst9tICtlUNulFevc7QEtY4FYhscYtAxa8UIcdpwZtyUPXglC7_Huouolw2Nr73IlWnY1emTCibQOBBCvwGmVoha56qL0UnSSxoSBCBZf5Xb5wM/s320/shark+fin+melon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Shark Fin Melon Plant</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found out that Shark Fin Melon (Cucurbita ficifolia) is not used as a fruit but as a vegetable, grown in a similar manner to squashes. The name has been given because the strands inside are scraped out and made into a broth that resembles the texture of Shark Fin Soup. The flavour, I’m told, is mild and of melon and cucumber. Joyce said that Shark Fin Melon was being promoted as an alternative to using actual shark fins in soup; I suddenly wanted to grow lots of these melons and donate them to any Chinese restaurant with Shark Fin Soup on the menu!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Joyce had received the seeds for these plants from Garden Organic who are trying to promote growing plants that are not usually grown in this area with their <a href="http://www.sowingnewseeds.org.uk/">Sowing New Seeds</a> project. The seeds for our plants originate from the allotment of a Vietnamese couple and if we get any fruit we have decided to save seeds to carry this on as there seem to be few suppliers offering them. Our plant has no flowers yet and is a tender perennial so I fear it may have been transplanted out too late but it has been a learning experience and I have not given up hope yet either.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure Richard Branson will have far more success saving sharks than I will with my allotment, I wonder if he knows about Shark Fin Melon? But I can help by spreading the word: eat melons not sharks!</span></div>Moon Gazing Harehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06735064085639620175noreply@blogger.com1