The chance of moment of tranquillity, a canoe trip to a wild camping spot, a chance to breathe and relax. Met-check promises of steady rain didn’t deter us as we set out with Ziggy-May to a beach not so far away.
The rain held off and after pitching up I wandered off to find the most exquisite moorland path of heather I think I’ve ever seen. At east 3 or 4 different kinds all at varying stages creating a patchwork of pinks, purples, oranges and brown, magically lit in the fading golden light of the day.
As I trimmed this years 1st heather harvest off the tops of the mounds they became chattering women in the hairdressers. Wisdom wrapped in humour they chatted as I trimmed their purple rinses, delighting at the scene.
Heather, Calluna vulgaris (one of Elektra’s lovely middle names) and the Ericas (including bell heather), are little used but powerful remedies. She is indeed connected to the later years of life…to wisdom and moving into the crone phase of the moon. She is loved by the bees and connected to all things related to community (even if its just a revealing chin wag down the hairdressers).
It is anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, diuretic and has traditional uses for coughs and colds. The tops are infused and used as a tonic to treat consumption, coughs, nerves, depression and heart complaints.
We use her dried in our Joint Juice and Piss Ease teas. We also make an oil from her and use as one of the main ingredients in our Ache Ease Balm. And the tincture we use in our Kidney Cleanse tonic and in our Clear Vision Drops which are for action not reaction. For really seeing clearly what is going on in any given situation.
She is so magestic and useful as a herb we should all use some heather magic from time to time.
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