The Green n da Purple......

I love these 2 colours together the vibrant pale green-yellow hues of the Ladies mantle in flower and the deep purples of the Sage. I have been harvesting from my garden this morning - I caught a few rays of sun in amidst the clouds.

My mother-out-law is here staying from Austria, she has come to help my man whilst I run run away to Dorset to attend a workshop with The Sacred Trust -The Way of the Melissae -how excited I am. So I was getting in a harvest this morning because it will all be gone by the time I return.

The Sage (Salvia officinales) I love as a powerful pick me up real adrenal support in times of stress. Most folks know Sage as a fabulous throat remedy one of the aromatic plants with strong pungent scents great anti-septic actions so stops any bacteria quick smart! It is the thujone in the volatile oil that has an antiseptic and antibiotic action this compound is also found in wormwood, mugwort, oregano and tansy amongst others it is the thujone that has a vermifuge (a substance that expels or destroys intestinal worms (also called antihelmintic or anthelmintic) action.

Salvia also has an astringent action due to its relatively high tannin content so like tea or Oak galls it has this drying action very useful in diarrhoeas.

Because of an antispasmodic action that Sage also has which reduces tension in smooth muscle, it makes it a good remedy in combination for Asthma and it can be used in a steam inhalation for acute attacks, excellent for helping to remove mucous congestion in the airways and for checking or preventing secondary infection.

It may be taken as a carminative to reduce griping and other symptoms of indigestion, and is also of value in the treatment of dysmenorrhoea (pain-full periods). Its bitter component stimulates upper digestive secretions, intestinal mobility, bile flow, and pancreatic function, while the volatile oil has a carminative and stimulating effect on the digestion. There also seems to be a more general relaxant effect, so that the plant is suitable in the treatment of nervousness, excitability and dizziness helping to fortify a generally debilitated nervous system.

Salvia has a strong antihydrotic (reduces or suppresses perspiration) action, and was a traditional treatment for night sweats in tuberculosis sufferers. Its appreciable oestrogenic effect make it particularly beneficial for the night sweats of the menopause (it should never be used to suppress perspiration in fevers). Its oestrogenic effects may also be used to treat some cases of dysmenorrhoea and menstrual irregularity or amenorrhoea. It is effective in reducing milk production, and can be used during the process of weaning an infant off the breast.

 Ladies Mantle-Alchemilla vulgaris

The morning dew that sits so beautifully, held in the palm of the lady herself, gathers in spherical droplets, this dew has magical powers and has been revived for time immemorial, The Alchemists looking for the Elixir of Life held this plant is great esteem and that is why she is named after them. Her leaves were thought to be Mary’s cloak  her full name was –Our Ladies Mantle.

The potent astringent properties of the lady’s mantle herb have been used by many generations of wise women healers in Europe and has been used in stopping both externally as well as internally.

 Extremely useful in conditions like fibriods and endometriosis in women a strong herbal tea can also be used as a douche to wash off excess vaginal discharge and bring rapid healing. I made Pessaries after having Elektra simply by chewing up lots of the leaves and inserting them vaginally whilst I was having a warm bath. Off to make some purple n green tea now x x x x

Daisies

The Belle of the Ball really got into my heart yesterday - I was out preparing myself for an evenings Herbcraft Workshop on Daisy n Elder so I thought the best way to learn more was to go out into the fields and harvest. I found a delightful meadow covered in trillions of the little white pink n yellow, uplifted flower heads. Getting down on my knees I began to pick, first thing that hit me was the intense flora smell so distinct, drawing me in. As I heard the pop pop popping of the flower heads coming of the steams the sound brought a smile to my lips and I felt an exciting warmth in my core. She is pure JOY, innocences, childlike love. I began to sing and she spoke through my song - 

Put me in everything, 

right from the start, 

into the middle of it all, 

into the beatin heart

my message from her to put a drop into each n every potion I make for everyone.

She also spoke about finding the anger making it material and letting it go.

The daisy gets its name from ‘day’s eye’, opening when the sun rises and closing when the sun sets. Its common names reveal its association with innocence: baby’s pet, innocent, miss modesty, little star, open eye. Its Latin name is Bellis Perennis. Daisies have long been made into simple chains by children and used by young girls to play ‘he loves me- he loves me not’ pulling off the flower petals one by one.

In herbal medicine the daisy has been used for aches, pains, bruises, wounds, lumps, swellings, boils and eye baths. As it has a diuretic action, the daisy has been used to eliminate toxins, helping clear up boils, acne, eruptions and arthritic symptoms.

A signature of the daisy, noted in many texts, is that it is constantly being trodden down, but always bounces back, refusing to be defeated, indicating that it would be a good remedy for those who are tired by their labours, but who carry on in a good natured manner, just as the daisy springs back up from the lawn after a bicycle or heavy boot has crushed it down. Daisies grew in battle fields and were used internally and externally as a wound remedy for injured soldiers. Bellis-perennis is the British Arnica, and is used in homeopathy as a deep wound healer, especially wounds to the breast and abdomen.

The flower essence made from the daisy is given to clear and organise the mind and prevent mistakes being repeated by those who don't seem to be able to learn lessons from past experiences. This echoes the theme of repeated injuries which was seen in the signature and homeopathic use of the daisy.

She is femine and ruled by the Planet Venus  and has physical cooling and drying actions.

We use daisy syrup at the base of many of our potions -

the drops of courage -

These extremely supportive drops help to stay focused and upbeat through challenging times

Dandelion helps to ground and centre strengthening the emotional body, giving a clearer sense of self. It gives the ability to be strong in our convictions and through directly supporting the liver helps to dissolve confusing, often 'irrational' feelings that might arise from there.

Both Borage and Dandelion are ruled by Jupiter which has a creative, expansive energy. Borage is traditionally used for courage and supports the adrenal glands making all of life's challenges (those that happen inside as well) easier to face.

Daisy brings joy to those who take it and as a herb of the sun cleanses and lightens, they are constantly being trodden down, but always bounce back. It's diuretic action means the daisy is used to eliminate toxins helping to clear the skin and promote immunity.