I have had a really relaxing day making our Ache Ease Ointment with Su and Ingrid -we started by having a look at all the individual ingredients that go into making up our anti inflammatory healing balm.
The horseradish infused almond oil made on NU moon Oct 2010 still smelling extremely pungent - this heating herb is a strong circulatory and brings the bloody flow to any areas the balm is applied, Horseradish is one of those ancient plants whose origin no one really knows. Some consider that it originated in Hungary or other parts of Eastern Europe, as far east as Russia and as far north as Finland. It is mentioned by the ancient herbalist Pliny as being good for medicine but not used as food.
Both the root and leaves were used as medicine during the Middle Ages, and the root was used as a condiment in Denmark and Germany during that time. Gerard (1597) mentions it as an accompaniment to fish and meat, and also says that it doesn't grow well with grapevines: “. . if the rootes heerof be planted neere to the vine, it bendeth backward from it as not willing to have fellowship with it.”
Horseradish was one of the five bitter herbs (along with coriander, horehound, lettuce, and nettle) eaten historically during the feast of the Passover; in present times, horseradish is still commonly used in the Passover Seder. Horseradish is a member of the same family as cabbages, broccoli, brussels sprouts, etc.: the Cruciferae family.
The heather infused almond oil has an action on the kidneys so promoting the elimination of toxins and debris, the comfrey aka knit bone is a connective tissue restorative so perfect to apply to damaged joints and achy muscles.
Comfrey has been used for centuries for its wound healing properties. Comfrey is mainly used externally to treat inflammation and to stimulate wound and fracture healing. The phytochemical allantoin is known for its stimulation of cell proliferation. The tannins and rosmarinic acid are responsible for the anti-inflammatory action of comfrey.
The bees wax from Michael Boki our local bee keeper is the hardening agent to make the oils into a more solid consistency and the cocoa butter is an emulsifying agent and makes it all creamy -
Cocoa butter, also called cacao butter, is the cream-coloured fat extracted from cacao seeds (cocoa beans) and used to add flavour, scent, and smoothness to chocolate, cosmetics, tanning oil, soap, and a multitude of topical lotions and creams. Cocoa butter has been called the ultimate moisturizer, and has been used to keep skin soft and supple for centuries. It is one of the most stable, highly concentrated natural fats known, and melts at body temperature so that it is readily absorbed into the skin. Cocoa butter is often recommended for treatment of skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis. When applied topically, it creates a barrier between sensitive skin and the environment and also helps retain moisture. In addition, cocoa butter contains cocoa mass polyphenol (CMP), a substance that inhibits the production of the immunoglobulin IgE. IgE is known to aggravate symptoms of both dermatitis and asthma.
Also essential oils of peppermint – known as an anodyne provides good pain relief when applied topically can really cool the area and rosemary I find very uplifting and also circulatory-
We combined all the ingredients together in a Bain Marie – 400ml of the combines oils, 200g of the cocoa butter and 100g beeswax.
As we poured the oil over the other ingredients which all looked good enough to eat we put our intentions into the mix –To heal and restore damaged muscular skeletal injuries and aches.
After about 15 mins all the while us in discussion about animal medicine –Su’s Sister works for the RSPCA – if the balm could be used on animals etc –I learnt that Cats wounds heal very fast –often too fast and the skin over the tops can heal before the inner tissue!
We then did a spoon / plate test to see how hard/soft our balm was –it was just right so we added 20 drops of essential oil per 100mls of liquid –this was guestimated much to my guests horror as they are more detailed than I!!
Poured in to Jars n Viola –Ache Ease mmmm
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
primroses
We came across a wonderful bank of pale yellow flowers whilst out walking near the Cerne Abbas Giant - it was a Beech copse with a truely magical feel to it. What a pleasure and delight it is to collect these delicate spring flowers and leaves. They tasted sweet with bitter, drying undertones and a hint of bitter at the end but overriding the taste for me was perfume -delicious delicate anti infectious perfume. As we ate the flowers and new leaves I feel extremely connected to the folks who had harvested these primroses through the ages past and how before the advent of supershops we would have eaten these as our salad leaves intermixed with dandelions, sorrel, rocket and a host of other -we still can -they grow plentifully, calling to us to eat them many spray free and it is healing experience in itself to harvest them.
Primula vulgaris is the primrose of the English countryside, the essence of spring for many people. It is a hardy perennial, preferring shady or sheltered conditions, but able to withstand dry soil, growing naturally as it does in woodland or hedgerows. These days, when so many of its natural habitats are gone, it is also found growing happily on motorway embankments, forming spreading colonies.
Plants form a dense rosette of large, crinkled, deep green leaves with prominent midribs, and in spring soft yellow flowers with deeper eyes are borne singly on pink stems. When you look closely at the individual flowers, you can see that there are two different arrangements: in some flowers, the round stigma is visible in the throat of the flower. These are called 'pin-eyed' flowers. Sometimes, the clusters of stamens are visible. These flowers are called 'thrum-eyed'.
Primula vulgaris has been used in traditional medicine as a remedy for muscular cramps, headaches and as a sedative. It was mentioned by Pliny as a remedy for rheumatism. It is definitely a cooling remedy and fantastic for the lungs and any infection of the lungs or mucous membranes -we are gonna dry them all out next to the fire and use them in a mix in our Breath easy tea.......
Primula vulgaris is the primrose of the English countryside, the essence of spring for many people. It is a hardy perennial, preferring shady or sheltered conditions, but able to withstand dry soil, growing naturally as it does in woodland or hedgerows. These days, when so many of its natural habitats are gone, it is also found growing happily on motorway embankments, forming spreading colonies.
Plants form a dense rosette of large, crinkled, deep green leaves with prominent midribs, and in spring soft yellow flowers with deeper eyes are borne singly on pink stems. When you look closely at the individual flowers, you can see that there are two different arrangements: in some flowers, the round stigma is visible in the throat of the flower. These are called 'pin-eyed' flowers. Sometimes, the clusters of stamens are visible. These flowers are called 'thrum-eyed'.
This is clever natures way to ensure cross-fertilization through pollunation by visiting insects.
Primula vulgaris has been used in traditional medicine as a remedy for muscular cramps, headaches and as a sedative. It was mentioned by Pliny as a remedy for rheumatism. It is definitely a cooling remedy and fantastic for the lungs and any infection of the lungs or mucous membranes -we are gonna dry them all out next to the fire and use them in a mix in our Breath easy tea.......
Sunday, 13 March 2011
Wild n Wicked Workshops N Walks...
We’ve just had 2 wonderful weekends of workshops, one in Herts and one down in Dorset.
In a YHA building set in the lovely Lea Valley Park and in a little industrial estate tucked out of the way in the back end of Dorchester in a room with fantastic views out over the hills we met to learn about Sensory Herbcraft.
Sensory Herbcraft is our way of working with herbs whereby you use your senses and intuition to determine the actions of herbs emotionally, spiritually and physically. Each herb has a character and through connecting with the smells, tastes and observing how the plant grows we can get indications or notice signatures denoting to their actions.
The groups studied (using their senses) 4 plants, one loosely representing each of the elements earth, air, fire and water and wrote down their feelings and responses. What is always really amazing is the common experiences within the groups.
Yarrow left one group feeling heady and spaced, all found it bitter and therefore digestive and extremely aromatic. Nettle was earthy, grounding and ‘fishy’. We put this down to the high mineral content, like that that you find in the shells of shell-fish. Cleavers was watery and peppery, for movement around the throat. We use it a lot for swollen tonsils. Dandelion leaf was light green and bitter, the root more sweet and earthy.
We looked at yarrow, dandelion, cleavers and nettle in Saturdays workshop and saw them in their natural habitats the next day.
We decided to focus the walks on making herbal vinegars because they capture the essence of spring and all of the minerals from the spring greens so well. There was lots of delicious fresh greens to tickle our taste buds and fill our vinegar jars and best of all the sunshine came out.
Some of the herbs we saw apart from the magic 4 in Lea Valley, Herts were daisy, horseradish, burdock, coltsfoot, comfrey, willow, snowdrop, blackberry, hawthorn, plantain and rosehips amongst others.
And in Dorset in the lovely Weymouth Lorton Meadows we saw bittercress, pilewort, chickweed, horsetail, wild carrot, alexanders, rosehip, sloe, blackberry, ground ivy, brooklime, hawthorn, sheep sorrel, dock, horehound, daffodil, plantain. And we learnt not to taste lords and ladies because it burns your tongue. We ate Ian's druid bread in the sunshine and chatted vinegars and aching joints over a picnic.
These workshops offer us all a chance to learn more about connecting with the world that grows around us so that we can learn how valuable it is and therefore how much it is worth protecting. They are a forum to inform people and discuss the politics of herbalism in the current climate. How, more than ever it is important to take responsibility for your own health, to make simple home remedies and harvest from natures bounty in a sensitive way.
We have to protect ourselves and nature through learning about the plants and using our knowledge, passing it on to friends, family and children alike, enjoying and appreciating nature.
Monday, 7 March 2011
Digging up Dandelions
The weather has been glorious -and I have been out there making the most of it digging up dandelions roots on the nu moon -these extremely long resiliant tap roots came out easily from the damp soil, just breaking off and leaving tiny sections that will grow into more of this valuable herb in the future.
A perennial, the Dandelion is a member of the sunflower family, the name comes from the French, 'dents de lion' ("teeth of the lion") due to the shape of the leaves.
As a herb of Jupiter - it has to do with growth and expansion.
Elementally I have it as an Earth plant -because of the impressively long tap root...
Dandelions are popular with beekeepers as they are an early source of nectar.
Dandelion leaves also known as 'piss the bed', are of course diuretic but spare potassium unlike their chemical counterparts -often prescribed in hypertention. -these leaves are grown commercially for salad greens tasting a little bitter -go pick some n have a try- they are high in vits and iron and calcium.
Dandelion root is a fantastic liver tonic especially at this time of the year, when our livers need a bit of a cleanse from the winter riches of heavy fatty foods and sweets. Medicinally the root can be used for gallstones, constipation and other toxic conditions such as chronic joint and skin inflammations.
The white sap may be applied directly to warts.
All parts of the Dandelion plant give off ethylene gas which can have an allelopathic effect on surrounding plants. Some fruit producers grow them below the canopy of their trees to promote even ripening. The leaves and flowers can be placed in a bag with fruit to help it to ripen.
I was diggin em up thinking happily to myself that no law or legislation can ever stop me from doing this
-muddy fingered wide smiling witchi brew making hehe
I took em into the kitchen washed the roots well and then grated them into a jar and covered with Vodka -next nu moon I shall strain them out and have my wonderful dandelion root tincture..
This tincture is one of the ingrediant in our 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.
A perennial, the Dandelion is a member of the sunflower family, the name comes from the French, 'dents de lion' ("teeth of the lion") due to the shape of the leaves.
As a herb of Jupiter - it has to do with growth and expansion.
Elementally I have it as an Earth plant -because of the impressively long tap root...
Dandelions are popular with beekeepers as they are an early source of nectar.
Dandelion leaves also known as 'piss the bed', are of course diuretic but spare potassium unlike their chemical counterparts -often prescribed in hypertention. -these leaves are grown commercially for salad greens tasting a little bitter -go pick some n have a try- they are high in vits and iron and calcium.
Dandelion root is a fantastic liver tonic especially at this time of the year, when our livers need a bit of a cleanse from the winter riches of heavy fatty foods and sweets. Medicinally the root can be used for gallstones, constipation and other toxic conditions such as chronic joint and skin inflammations.
The white sap may be applied directly to warts.
All parts of the Dandelion plant give off ethylene gas which can have an allelopathic effect on surrounding plants. Some fruit producers grow them below the canopy of their trees to promote even ripening. The leaves and flowers can be placed in a bag with fruit to help it to ripen.
I was diggin em up thinking happily to myself that no law or legislation can ever stop me from doing this
-muddy fingered wide smiling witchi brew making hehe
I took em into the kitchen washed the roots well and then grated them into a jar and covered with Vodka -next nu moon I shall strain them out and have my wonderful dandelion root tincture..
This tincture is one of the ingrediant in our 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.
Sunday, 16 January 2011
March Course
Herbcraft Day
Saturday March the 5th 2011 2-4pm cost £15 payable in advance
Herbcraft workshop with us Wild n Wicked Witches @ Triple Moon Apothecary, Crews Hill- www.triple-moon-apothecary.co.uk
Would you like to connect more with your local Herbs?
In this 2 hour workshop we shall be introducing Sensory Herbcraft -
We will be using intuitive skills and all our senses to determine herbal medicinal actions, working in groups, you shall study 4 common plants in depth, focussing on their individual qualities and their corresponding elements.
Bring Paper and pens, open hearts and minds.
Plant Walk
Sunday March the 6th 11-1 cost £5
there will be a plant walk on the Lee Valley meeting @ the car park near chestnut YHA (Cheshunt Hertfordshire EN8 9AJ)
we shall be collecting to make herbal vinegars.
Saturday March the 5th 2011 2-4pm cost £15 payable in advance
Herbcraft workshop with us Wild n Wicked Witches @ Triple Moon Apothecary, Crews Hill- www.triple-moon-apothecary.co.uk
Would you like to connect more with your local Herbs?
In this 2 hour workshop we shall be introducing Sensory Herbcraft -
We will be using intuitive skills and all our senses to determine herbal medicinal actions, working in groups, you shall study 4 common plants in depth, focussing on their individual qualities and their corresponding elements.
Bring Paper and pens, open hearts and minds.
Plant Walk
Sunday March the 6th 11-1 cost £5
there will be a plant walk on the Lee Valley meeting @ the car park near chestnut YHA (Cheshunt Hertfordshire EN8 9AJ)
we shall be collecting to make herbal vinegars.
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Yule Yew Holly n Ivy
I met with Herb lovers for a walk in the woods at the weekend. Focussing on the Yew and Holly trees and the climbing Ivy.
It was beautifully clear and freezing as I stood beneath the Yew sunshine in my eyes so that the folks listening tro me were shadows in my vision, my hands shook as my adrenaline kicked in hehe I love talking about plants...
Yews are very special to me, one of the first ones that I connected with was near the Claremont rd Road Protest in a little park/ scrubland that was under attack, I remember crying my eyes out as she got chainsawed down.
Apparently in the Jurassic age the Yew was far more prolific across our lands and the main tree of our forests. She now protects and provides safe passage for our dead in numerous graveyards often predating the churches.
Apparently in the Jurassic age the Yew was far more prolific across our lands and the main tree of our forests. She now protects and provides safe passage for our dead in numerous graveyards often predating the churches.
I love the squishy bright red berries they are super sweet n have a bit of a snotty texture but the only part of the Yew that isn't toxic so a special treat -just make sure you spit out the black pips... Tamoxifen the breast cancer drug is made from the Yew.
The Silver birch was our next stop on the walk -the Queen of the woods, delicate feminine beauty, I recounted my time at a yoga retreat where the whole class had drunk some birch bark tea before a class and then each and every one of us had run out to pee numerous times -strong volumetic diuretic that one. Dieter talked about how he tapped the tree on the beginning of March and over night it yielded over a gallon of sap for his wine.
The Holly laden with berries stood proud above us all as I spoke of His lightening conductive abilities and white wood - we all picked a leaf tore it and placed it in a jar and then covered with Vodka -this tincture will have anti pyretic (lower fevers) and expectorant (dissolves and brings up think mucous) activities but we also spoke of the Hollies magical qualities of protection and uplifting moods.
Nicholas Culpeper in his “The Complete Herbal” (1653) say’s that: “the bark and leaves are good used as fomentations for broken bones and such members as are out of joint”. He also considered the berries to be curative of colic.
For most of us the sight of holly leaves and berries is inextricably linked with Christmas, whether we celebrate this as a secular or a religious festivity. Christmas brings with it many traditions and it is probably the one time when many of us still practice at least a few old folklore customs today
Though holly doubtless was, and still is, brought into the house for its shiny green leaves and berries, which reflect the light and add colour to the dark days of Yule, it has another significance as well. Christian symbolism connected the prickly leaves with Jesus' crown of thorns and the berries with the drops of blood shed for humanity's salvation, as is related, for example, in the Christmas carol, 'The Holly and the Ivy'.
Yet even here the reference to these two plants refers to a pre-Christian celebration, where a boy would be dressed in a suit of holly leaves and a girl similarly in ivy, to parade around the village, bringing Nature through the darkest part of the year to re-emerge for another year's fertility.
Yet even here the reference to these two plants refers to a pre-Christian celebration, where a boy would be dressed in a suit of holly leaves and a girl similarly in ivy, to parade around the village, bringing Nature through the darkest part of the year to re-emerge for another year's fertility.
The Ivy with her porous branches and binding ways has been adopted in the past by various cults who believed in Liberation through intoxication - her connection to fidelity and wine made us all smile, whilst shivering slightly.....
A preparation of the leaves was once used externally to treat conditions affecting the peripheral nerves such as rheumatism and neuralgia, as well as skin conditions such as impetigo and scabies. Taken internally as a tincture it is purported to be effective against whooping cough.
A preparation of the leaves was once used externally to treat conditions affecting the peripheral nerves such as rheumatism and neuralgia, as well as skin conditions such as impetigo and scabies. Taken internally as a tincture it is purported to be effective against whooping cough.
Wednesday, 1 December 2010
Angry Witch
I am so bloody angry so here is my morning rant –
woke up to this grey n white clad day, added loads layers of clothing to my body n started my routine;
6am up to making breakfast for Elektra, tidy up last evenings mess, texted at 8 from Harry letting me know that he is planning to leave school if its cold –ring Harry have a few strong words, hung up. Deep breaths
Chopped up the home grown impenetrable, Squash n pumpkin for soup, added the Austrian Speck (cured bacon) that Dieter’s Ma brought over to flavour the soup –all the while feeling weird about the meat, I am a hypocrite the human condition, where is my cave in the mountains, chopping it large, I can simply take it off my plate.
I make a plan in my clustered mind to go do my yoga n follow it by a delicious nutritious juice.
Upstairs whilst making the beds n clearing space to Yogarise I hit play on the HIFI –Hattie Hatstar (www.hattie.biz) blares out at full volume
–singing about -there should be a law against lifestyles that perfume their bathrooms etc, singing about supermarkets, singing about GM, singing about big agri, singing about all the things that I am so bloody angry about –
I burst into tears in downward dog n snot cruised up my nose, the salutations to the sun weren’t working in this state, I started star jumping instead shouting about how angry I am. Shouting about what I can do. Living by example is what I have come up with but any other ideas are welcome please.
I realised that a lot of the articles I have been writing have been extremely fluffy, I have been cautious of being too political for certain publications and forums and even in our own newsletter, BOLLOX -
I am disguised at the Medics and the Pharmacueticals – of course I am aware that there are ‘good’ folks within these establishments, like there are 'nice' policemen, but how about the blind, deaf and dumb ones that prescribe and circulate SHIT drugs that do Harm; when Herbs, nutrition and yoga/tai chi/acupuncture etc are an option.
A place with free health care -proper health care is my dream -I am in a place to be able to organise and offer that the only thing missing is the money to build and create a Centre, the money to offer HOLISTIC HEALTH CARE. Come on money here we are ready n waiting to spend you on good stuff.
ROACCUTANE now commonly prescribed for acne –but I have seen it prescribed for simple spots – SUICIDES, BIRTH DEFECTS & PYSCOSIS They put children on the birth control pill for acne and some are left on it for years.
STATINS – I see people with severe shakes, tired all the time, headaches – and its been linked to cancers –but the bloody EVIL devils simply pay for research that is totally shite science to cover their backs n sell more –pay doctors commission to put everyone on them
I will not start on Immunisations here leave that for later. But this video is good –
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-6696666502913965744#
Cancer –
http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Cancer-Inside-Mike-Anderson/dp/B00132XZFQ
http://www.cancerucan.co.uk/
Deep breaths I am feeling slightly better now
Boycott the supermarkets buy from your local shops, farmers markets -give em all your money,
if not try Suma –
http://www.suma.coop/
and organic veg boxes……
In the midst of writing this I was phoned from 'BEAT THE BURGLAR' ???? Do I want a free alarm system??? Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh
Love n Darkness
K x
woke up to this grey n white clad day, added loads layers of clothing to my body n started my routine;
6am up to making breakfast for Elektra, tidy up last evenings mess, texted at 8 from Harry letting me know that he is planning to leave school if its cold –ring Harry have a few strong words, hung up. Deep breaths
Chopped up the home grown impenetrable, Squash n pumpkin for soup, added the Austrian Speck (cured bacon) that Dieter’s Ma brought over to flavour the soup –all the while feeling weird about the meat, I am a hypocrite the human condition, where is my cave in the mountains, chopping it large, I can simply take it off my plate.
I make a plan in my clustered mind to go do my yoga n follow it by a delicious nutritious juice.
Upstairs whilst making the beds n clearing space to Yogarise I hit play on the HIFI –Hattie Hatstar (www.hattie.biz) blares out at full volume
–singing about -there should be a law against lifestyles that perfume their bathrooms etc, singing about supermarkets, singing about GM, singing about big agri, singing about all the things that I am so bloody angry about –
I burst into tears in downward dog n snot cruised up my nose, the salutations to the sun weren’t working in this state, I started star jumping instead shouting about how angry I am. Shouting about what I can do. Living by example is what I have come up with but any other ideas are welcome please.
I realised that a lot of the articles I have been writing have been extremely fluffy, I have been cautious of being too political for certain publications and forums and even in our own newsletter, BOLLOX -
I am disguised at the Medics and the Pharmacueticals – of course I am aware that there are ‘good’ folks within these establishments, like there are 'nice' policemen, but how about the blind, deaf and dumb ones that prescribe and circulate SHIT drugs that do Harm; when Herbs, nutrition and yoga/tai chi/acupuncture etc are an option.
A place with free health care -proper health care is my dream -I am in a place to be able to organise and offer that the only thing missing is the money to build and create a Centre, the money to offer HOLISTIC HEALTH CARE. Come on money here we are ready n waiting to spend you on good stuff.
ROACCUTANE now commonly prescribed for acne –but I have seen it prescribed for simple spots – SUICIDES, BIRTH DEFECTS & PYSCOSIS They put children on the birth control pill for acne and some are left on it for years.
STATINS – I see people with severe shakes, tired all the time, headaches – and its been linked to cancers –but the bloody EVIL devils simply pay for research that is totally shite science to cover their backs n sell more –pay doctors commission to put everyone on them
I will not start on Immunisations here leave that for later. But this video is good –
http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?docid=-6696666502913965744#
Cancer –
http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Cancer-Inside-Mike-Anderson/dp/B00132XZFQ
http://www.cancerucan.co.uk/
Deep breaths I am feeling slightly better now
Boycott the supermarkets buy from your local shops, farmers markets -give em all your money,
if not try Suma –
http://www.suma.coop/
and organic veg boxes……
In the midst of writing this I was phoned from 'BEAT THE BURGLAR' ???? Do I want a free alarm system??? Arghhhhhhhhhhhhh
Love n Darkness
K x
Tuesday, 30 November 2010
The magic of essential oils...
Essential oils without distilling…
We did an experiment the other evening to gather essential oils from the glands on the outside of peppermint using some special gauzes of Dieter’s. Essential oils are usually acquired through distillation and are part of a plant protection system against disease and insects. It is for this reason that essential oils are usually often antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral or very good at deterring insects.
For the method we lined a bucket with canvass bags which have a fine mesh at the bottom. Each one was increasingly finer as they went deeper into the bucket.
Dieter placed a load of ice in the top bag, a big bunch of frozen peppermint from the garden followed by some more ice. We covered it with water and all took a turn at stirring it vigorously for half an hour. The fresh scent of the mint filled the kitchen.
We then left it all to sit, untouched for another half an hour before removing the sacks from the bucket of sludgy black (and not particularly tasty) iced peppermint tea.
When we looked, amazingly there was a fine minty scented black powder on each mesh. Dieter carefully scraped the powder into a small lump and transferred it to another mesh for drying.
The oils are apparently encapsulated in a small waxy shell so that when warmed they are released.
Karen and me have been considering applications for the crystals…added mint to our smoking mix, mint oil in our next batch of Ache Ease.
It was great to see the results but we are yet to work out if the yield of oil was worth the sacrifice of so much mint. We felt like some of the oils contained in the leaves remained in the mint…still, in the absence of a distillery!!!
We did an experiment the other evening to gather essential oils from the glands on the outside of peppermint using some special gauzes of Dieter’s. Essential oils are usually acquired through distillation and are part of a plant protection system against disease and insects. It is for this reason that essential oils are usually often antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral or very good at deterring insects.
For the method we lined a bucket with canvass bags which have a fine mesh at the bottom. Each one was increasingly finer as they went deeper into the bucket.
Dieter placed a load of ice in the top bag, a big bunch of frozen peppermint from the garden followed by some more ice. We covered it with water and all took a turn at stirring it vigorously for half an hour. The fresh scent of the mint filled the kitchen.
We then left it all to sit, untouched for another half an hour before removing the sacks from the bucket of sludgy black (and not particularly tasty) iced peppermint tea.
When we looked, amazingly there was a fine minty scented black powder on each mesh. Dieter carefully scraped the powder into a small lump and transferred it to another mesh for drying.
The oils are apparently encapsulated in a small waxy shell so that when warmed they are released.
Karen and me have been considering applications for the crystals…added mint to our smoking mix, mint oil in our next batch of Ache Ease.
It was great to see the results but we are yet to work out if the yield of oil was worth the sacrifice of so much mint. We felt like some of the oils contained in the leaves remained in the mint…still, in the absence of a distillery!!!
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Sweet Chestnut Harvest
We were up Northaw Great Woods yesterday in glorious sunshine foraging for autumnal goodies! What joy this time of year always brings – having 4 kids with us was brilliant we all really enjoyed kicking about in the fallen leaves.
We found some spiky treats under the Sweet chestnut Trees (Castanea sativa)I love these majestic trees -their bark often seems to twist themselves around the tree like a spiral, they are in the Fig family or Fagaceae, and the delicious edible seeds are also sometimes called Marron, Maroni in Austria.
During the Christmas period one can see street vendors everywhere in Austria and in some British cities roasting the Chestnuts releasing very pleasant odours. The seed pods are super spiky and we found we had to stamp on them and then roll the whole thing underfoot for the 3 seeds per pod to be freed.
Some of these great trees seemed to be really ancient hard to age exactely but I remember that the oldest Tree at Kew Gardens is a Sweet Chestnut and it is well worth a visit with its amazing spiralling truck reaching up to the sky. Greenwich park in London is another site of ancient Sweet Chestnuts the oldest one planted in 1664.In the UK, the best known ancient sweet chestnut is the Tortworth Chestnut, in Gloucestershire. Written records of this remarkable tree go back to the 12th century. The oldest surviving tree is reckoned to be between 3-4,000 years old and Sicily.
Roasted or ground into flour, sweet chestnuts formed an important part of the Roman diet and it is reported that Alexander the Great and the Romans planted chestnut trees across Europe during their various campaigns. It is said that Roman soldiers were given a porridge made from sweet chestnuts before going into battle.
I like eating the seeds best by simply heated in the oven for 15 mins as a delicious snack but Dieter made chestnut jam -Sweet Chestnut Jam recipe
Ingredients:
2 kilos of fresh chestnuts
The zest of a large lemon
9oo grams dark muscavado sugar
I vanilla pod
200 ml water
200 ml brandy
Method:
Shell the chestnuts carefully with a small sharp knife avoid breaking the inner skin
Put them in a saucepan with the lemon zest.
Cover with water
Bring to the boil and simmer for an hour until soft.
Remove chestnuts in small batches from the hot water, with a slotted spoon, and peel the inner skin.
The nuts need to be warm to be peeled easily.
Press the soft husks through a sieve and set aside.
In a clean saucepan slowly dissolve the sugar and water over a low heat. Stirring constantly.
Add the vanilla pod and the sieved chestnuts.
Bring to simmering point and simmer for twenty minutes.
Stirring every now and then to stop the mixture burning on the base of the pan.
After twenty minutes add the brandy and simmer for a further ten minutes, string constantly.
Remove the vanilla pod.
Ladle into warm sterilised jars.
Label when cold and store in a cool dry place
Medicinal virtues of Castanea sativa are recorded in Mrs. Grieves –she states -
In some places Chestnut leaves are used as a popular remedy in fever and ague, for their tonic and astringent properties.
Their reputation rests, however, upon their efficacy in paroxysmal and convulsive coughs, such as whooping-cough, and in other irritable and excitable conditions of the respiratory organs. The infusion of 1 OZ. of the dried leaves in a pint of boiling water is administered in tablespoonful to wineglassful doses, three or four times daily.
Culpepper says:
'if you dry the chestnut, both the barks being taken away, beat them into powder and make the powder up into an electuary with honey, it is a first-rate remedy for cough and spitting of blood.
Come the Spring I am going to pick some leaves n try them out!
We found some spiky treats under the Sweet chestnut Trees (Castanea sativa)I love these majestic trees -their bark often seems to twist themselves around the tree like a spiral, they are in the Fig family or Fagaceae, and the delicious edible seeds are also sometimes called Marron, Maroni in Austria.
During the Christmas period one can see street vendors everywhere in Austria and in some British cities roasting the Chestnuts releasing very pleasant odours. The seed pods are super spiky and we found we had to stamp on them and then roll the whole thing underfoot for the 3 seeds per pod to be freed.
Some of these great trees seemed to be really ancient hard to age exactely but I remember that the oldest Tree at Kew Gardens is a Sweet Chestnut and it is well worth a visit with its amazing spiralling truck reaching up to the sky. Greenwich park in London is another site of ancient Sweet Chestnuts the oldest one planted in 1664.In the UK, the best known ancient sweet chestnut is the Tortworth Chestnut, in Gloucestershire. Written records of this remarkable tree go back to the 12th century. The oldest surviving tree is reckoned to be between 3-4,000 years old and Sicily.
Roasted or ground into flour, sweet chestnuts formed an important part of the Roman diet and it is reported that Alexander the Great and the Romans planted chestnut trees across Europe during their various campaigns. It is said that Roman soldiers were given a porridge made from sweet chestnuts before going into battle.
I like eating the seeds best by simply heated in the oven for 15 mins as a delicious snack but Dieter made chestnut jam -Sweet Chestnut Jam recipe
Ingredients:
2 kilos of fresh chestnuts
The zest of a large lemon
9oo grams dark muscavado sugar
I vanilla pod
200 ml water
200 ml brandy
Method:
Shell the chestnuts carefully with a small sharp knife avoid breaking the inner skin
Put them in a saucepan with the lemon zest.
Cover with water
Bring to the boil and simmer for an hour until soft.
Remove chestnuts in small batches from the hot water, with a slotted spoon, and peel the inner skin.
The nuts need to be warm to be peeled easily.
Press the soft husks through a sieve and set aside.
In a clean saucepan slowly dissolve the sugar and water over a low heat. Stirring constantly.
Add the vanilla pod and the sieved chestnuts.
Bring to simmering point and simmer for twenty minutes.
Stirring every now and then to stop the mixture burning on the base of the pan.
After twenty minutes add the brandy and simmer for a further ten minutes, string constantly.
Remove the vanilla pod.
Ladle into warm sterilised jars.
Label when cold and store in a cool dry place
Medicinal virtues of Castanea sativa are recorded in Mrs. Grieves –she states -
In some places Chestnut leaves are used as a popular remedy in fever and ague, for their tonic and astringent properties.
Their reputation rests, however, upon their efficacy in paroxysmal and convulsive coughs, such as whooping-cough, and in other irritable and excitable conditions of the respiratory organs. The infusion of 1 OZ. of the dried leaves in a pint of boiling water is administered in tablespoonful to wineglassful doses, three or four times daily.
Culpepper says:
'if you dry the chestnut, both the barks being taken away, beat them into powder and make the powder up into an electuary with honey, it is a first-rate remedy for cough and spitting of blood.
Come the Spring I am going to pick some leaves n try them out!
Friday, 15 October 2010
Hips n Haws
Been out a harvesting today with some lovely folks all keen to learn more about da plants.
We picked lots of rosehips and hawthorns -I was after making some rosehip tincture and as today Friday is ruled by venus -roses planet, it make for good harvesting.
The moon is waxing crossing from practical structured capricorn -great for the creation of my tincture over to the social group loving aquarius, brilliant for our fun discussions after the harbesting and production.
The rose hips are full of nutrients, high in vit c -during the 2nd world war
-During the war it was not possible to import oranges for vitamin C so researchers looked for other sources from which to obtain the vitamin.
Researchers in Bristol and Newcastle-upon-Tyne discovered how to extract vitamin C from rose hips.
Children were then recruited to pick the rose hips and received payment. During the war some children were allowed time off school and were even bussed out to certain areas to undertake picking of the rose hips.
The rose hips were then used to make Rose Hip Syrup - one of the manufacturers being Delrosa. Although Delrosa rosehip syrup is no longer available in the UK it is still going strong in the US and Australia.
LitoZin is a popular new supplement derived from Rose-hip for Joint Care. The active ingredient GOPO (glycoside of mono and diglycerol) was discovered over 20 years ago in Denmark and significant levels can only be obtained if the rose-hips are dried . They have patented the method of drying the Hips but anyone can go and collect these plentiful hips for teas, tincture , syrups and jellys or jams.
We have used our tincture in various cases of artiritic joints with good results in combination with other herbs.
We picked lots of rosehips and hawthorns -I was after making some rosehip tincture and as today Friday is ruled by venus -roses planet, it make for good harvesting.
The moon is waxing crossing from practical structured capricorn -great for the creation of my tincture over to the social group loving aquarius, brilliant for our fun discussions after the harbesting and production.
The rose hips are full of nutrients, high in vit c -during the 2nd world war
-During the war it was not possible to import oranges for vitamin C so researchers looked for other sources from which to obtain the vitamin.
Researchers in Bristol and Newcastle-upon-Tyne discovered how to extract vitamin C from rose hips.
Children were then recruited to pick the rose hips and received payment. During the war some children were allowed time off school and were even bussed out to certain areas to undertake picking of the rose hips.
The rose hips were then used to make Rose Hip Syrup - one of the manufacturers being Delrosa. Although Delrosa rosehip syrup is no longer available in the UK it is still going strong in the US and Australia.
LitoZin is a popular new supplement derived from Rose-hip for Joint Care. The active ingredient GOPO (glycoside of mono and diglycerol) was discovered over 20 years ago in Denmark and significant levels can only be obtained if the rose-hips are dried . They have patented the method of drying the Hips but anyone can go and collect these plentiful hips for teas, tincture , syrups and jellys or jams.
We have used our tincture in various cases of artiritic joints with good results in combination with other herbs.
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Ache Ease
We had a busy evening preparing the new batch of Ache Ease. Baba in bed gave Oriole and me the perfect opportunity for uninterrupted potion making.
Our Ache Ease has become so popular we made as big a batch as we could manage, Pyrex bowl allowing.
We used last year’s horseradish oil, which me and Karen dug up, from Lea Valley. Its irritant mustard oils are so powerful that goggles were needed in order to chop it. But this is the compound that draws the blood to the area of the body being treated and makes it so affective. Since we added horseradish to the recipe the Ache Ease has become a wonder rub for sore, achy, joints and muscles.
The horseradish is mixed with comfrey oil, which we made a warm infused oil of in a bain-marie. Comfrey needs to be dried in a nice gentle heat to stop it going black and when dry can be made into and oil. This is truly healing and restorative for bone and ligaments alike.
Next was lavender oil, which Karen made from the lavender in the garden, anti-inflammatory and healing.
We mixed them with beeswax and cocoa butter melted in a bain marie added delicious peppermint and rosemary essential oils and poured into the waiting glass jars…mmm
I snapped a ligament in my knee a few years ago and have used the balm ever since, avoiding an operation. Its great!
Our Ache Ease has become so popular we made as big a batch as we could manage, Pyrex bowl allowing.
We used last year’s horseradish oil, which me and Karen dug up, from Lea Valley. Its irritant mustard oils are so powerful that goggles were needed in order to chop it. But this is the compound that draws the blood to the area of the body being treated and makes it so affective. Since we added horseradish to the recipe the Ache Ease has become a wonder rub for sore, achy, joints and muscles.
The horseradish is mixed with comfrey oil, which we made a warm infused oil of in a bain-marie. Comfrey needs to be dried in a nice gentle heat to stop it going black and when dry can be made into and oil. This is truly healing and restorative for bone and ligaments alike.
Next was lavender oil, which Karen made from the lavender in the garden, anti-inflammatory and healing.
We mixed them with beeswax and cocoa butter melted in a bain marie added delicious peppermint and rosemary essential oils and poured into the waiting glass jars…mmm
I snapped a ligament in my knee a few years ago and have used the balm ever since, avoiding an operation. Its great!
Fungi Foray
We had a lovely wander through the rapidly changing woods near Rhododendron mile last week. There are no rhododendrons there at the minute though because they’re so invasive they’re cutting them all back and burning them out. They sound like fireworks when they burn fresh, much to the delight of my friend’s kids.
The mushrooms were out in droves and many, already on the way out. Penny buns were the big surprise as well as the fantastically looking, edible bright orange fungi. The major crop, although we were unsure at the time of edibility is the common yellow brittlegill mushroom.
Hidden amongst the silver birch were the magical fly argaric, which I harvested a few of for our new batch of flying ointment. It has been used as an external preparation for nerve pain but can also make you fly if properly dried and administered. It should not be mistaken for the brown version, the Panther Cap, which can apparently make you pretty sick.
The sweet chestnuts and the conkers were well on their way, so they be the next harvest.
The mushrooms were out in droves and many, already on the way out. Penny buns were the big surprise as well as the fantastically looking, edible bright orange fungi. The major crop, although we were unsure at the time of edibility is the common yellow brittlegill mushroom.
Hidden amongst the silver birch were the magical fly argaric, which I harvested a few of for our new batch of flying ointment. It has been used as an external preparation for nerve pain but can also make you fly if properly dried and administered. It should not be mistaken for the brown version, the Panther Cap, which can apparently make you pretty sick.
The sweet chestnuts and the conkers were well on their way, so they be the next harvest.
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