The Home Herbalist » Herb Woman

Take Time to Smell the Lavender

Belle — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:21:56 +0000

This blog has certainly been neglected of late, which makes me wonder where time goes. As the routine of each night begins I can hardly believe that another day has gone by so quickly. There must be a black hole somewhere out there in the universe that has the sole purpose of sucking in time.

Of course the more busy we are the more time flies and therein lies the secret to achieving a much more manageable and enjoyable pace of life. Slowing my life down is the process I’m in involved in at the moment and why I have time to write this blog.

Most of us, especially women, tend to take on more than can be realistically achieved. Take my life for example – as you know I’m a medical herbalist and tutor of the online Home Herbalist courses. As if this isn’t enough my husband and I live on almost six acres and we’re building a house. For the last two years he’s been working away and has only been home six days a month so apart from treating patients, teaching the home herbalism courses, and maintaining the website I’ve had to take over the responsibilities of owner builder while my husband has been away as well as maintain the property. This has been an overwhelming experience, which has left me little time to enjoy the other part of my life – art.

My biggest problem though is the ‘feeling’ I have to get every thing done as quickly as possible – hurrying and rushing! This has now been resolved in a most delightful way thanks to a very understanding husband and our daughters who have given me excellent advice.

What I’ve done to achieve this bliss is to prioritize what I have to do, stop rushing about, make time for those things I enjoy, and stop feeling guilty if I take time out to do a painting, sculpture, walk through the garden or sit quietly in the moonlight.

My first priorities are my herbalism clinic, teaching The Home Herbalist courses, writing this blog and maintaining the website (all things I love to do), the next is building the house and following these are property maintenance and cleaning the car etc. The most important thing though is that I’ve stopped rushing and hurrying to get jobs done and I’m making time for the other things that give me pleasure without feeling guilty. What I can’t get done in a calm and unhurried way today I will do tomorrow.

We can all do this and enjoy a more relaxed pace of life, a life that allows us time to smell the lavender.

Herbalism and Essential Oils

Belle — Mon, 24 May 2010 12:06:22 +0000

For most of my life I’ve been involved in herbalism both professionally and in my daily life. To me herbalism – whether practiced by a home herbalist, professional herbalist or someone who just enjoys herbs – embraces all uses of herbs from adding interest and colour to gardens to healing illness.

One very popular and beneficial way to use herbs is utilizing their essential oils for massage, healing, and to provide a pleasant and aromatic atmosphere in the home. Although the term ‘Aromatherapy’ was not adopted until the twentieth century, the use of essential oils for healing has been known for thousands of years. Around two thousand years ago Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, understood the benefits of aromatic baths and massages for restoring mental and physical health.

Essential oils used in aromatherapy are not only distilled from herbs but also from trees, flowers, and bushes. I frequently use these delightful oils when prescribing treatment for my patients and at times the treatment wouldn’t have been successful without their addition. Balancing mind, body, and spirit is so important for treating all conditions whether the primary concern is physical or mental. All cases must be treated holistically.

Following are some wonderful remedies made with essential oils.

To clean scrapes and cuts add 2 drops each of the essential oils of tea tree, bergamot, and lavender to 90mls of filtered or distilled water.

For minor burns add 10 drops of the essential oil of lavender to 90mls of almond carrier oil.

To ease aches and pains add 20 drops of of lavender, 15 drops of orange, and 10 drops of marjoram to 90mls of olive or sweet almond oil.

Bruises can be treated with 20 drops of lavender, 10 drops of sandalwood and 15 drops of juniper added to sweet almond oil.

To help induce a restful sleep add 2 drops each of lavender, sandalwood, and orange to a warm bath or to 90ml of sweet almond oil to use for a relaxing massage.

Some of my favourite blends include these for babies:

To help heal and prevent nappy rash add 20 drops of lavender to 90mls of olive oil and apply at each nappy change.

For cradle cap blend 20 drops of cedarwood to 90mls olive oil and apply after each bath or whenever baby’s hair is washed. Dry the scalp well before applying.

There are many ways essential oils can be used for treatment in the home so I will add remedies as time goes by.

Warrigal Greens – Wild Plant Food and Medicine

Belle — Sat, 17 Apr 2010 11:39:01 +0000

It’s amazing how things happen sometimes. For quite a while now I’ve been hoping to find Warrigal greens (Tetragonia tetragonioides) growing on our 6 acre property but it was nowhere to be seen. A few days ago I decided that it mustn’t grow in this area so gave up any thoughts of gathering this plant to use as vegetable. As I was walking back to the house I saw a plant that looked like it but only had the time to check it out today. To my sheer delight I found that it is Warrigal greens.

This lovely wild food and medicine plant is growing quite near our house – after living here for just over two years I find it incredible that I have been hoping so much to have it growing here and then after searching for it for such a long time it turns up almost on my doorstep!

Warrigal greens, also known as Warrigal cabbage and New Zealand Spinach, is a member of the pigface family and is native to New Zealand, Australia and Norfolk Island where it grows in arid woodlands and plains, and in salty coastal soils. It also grows in other regions of the Pacific from Japan to South America. It has escaped from cultivation in Asia, the United States, Africa and Europe.

During Captain Cook’s first voyage to New Zealand in 1769 the ship’s botanist, Joseph Banks, recognized its value. Cook tried to get his crew to eat the plant as a vegetable to protect them against scurvy but they refused until they realized his officers were eating it. It became so popular among them that the supply had to be rationed. Not only did this incredible green vegetable protect the crew from scurvy but it also cured those who already had it.

During this first voyage Cook also discovered Warrigal greens along the shores of Botany Bay, Australia. After European settlers arrived on the continent the plant was gathered and eaten as a popular and easily obtained source of green vegetable.

This wild plant that can also be cultivated contains properties with sedative effects and anti-inflammatory chemicals. It’s also anti-scorbutic and may be effective in preventing the formation of ulcers.

Warrigal greens is a perennial creeping plant with thick stems that grow to one or two metres long. Leaves are thick, bright green, alternate, and are two to eight centimetres long. Small yellow flowers appear in late spring to summer and the green seed capsules are hard and long with three to six small ‘horns’.

Because the leaves contain oxalates, which can be harmful when consumed in large quantities, they should be blanched for three or more minutes then rinsed with cold water before cooking them or using them in salads.

Essential Oils for the Emotions

Belle — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:27:06 +0000

Essential oils are not only very beneficial for physical problems but also for the mind, emotions, and spirit. To know true health is to have the mind, body, and spirit nicely balanced or in harmony.

There is much focus these days on physical health yet the mind, and especially the emotions or spiritual aspects of our being are generally neglected. If there is a problem it’s usually shut away to be dealt with at a later date or when there is more time. There are some lovely essential oils that work on the emotional and spiritual level, which means any problems can be helped in a pleasurable and time saving way. Following is a list of emotional problems and corresponding essential oils that will help to dispel them.

Releasing Anger: Chamomile, Rose, Ylang Ylang

Calming Anxiety: Bergamot, Geranium, Lavender, Neroli, Basil

Relieving Boredom: Basil, Frankincense, Peppermint

Enhancing Confidence: Frankincense, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Vetiver

Clarifying Confusion: Rose, Lemon, Cypress

Uplifting Depression: Bergamot, Clary Sage, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang

Calming Emotional Instability: Bergamot, Geranium, Neroli

Releasing Jealousy, Envy, and Resentment: Juniper, Thyme, Rose

Dispersing Fears: Frankincense, Lavender, Sandalwood

Releasing Frigidity: Chamomile, Clary Sage, Ylang Ylang

Soothing Grief: Marjoram, Rose

Relieving Insomnia: Bergamot, Lavender, Marjoram, Neroli, Orange

Settling Impatience, Irritability: Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Ylang Ylang

Releasing Mental Fatigue/Helping Poor Memory: Basil, Rosemary, Lemongrass, Pine

Calming Nightmares: Bergamot, Frankincense, Sage

Releasing Stress: Bergamot, Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Sandalwood, Myrrh

Healing Emotional Wounds: Chamomile, Rose

To use these essential oils for their corresponding emotional problems apply them as a single remedy or a blend in a vaporiser, added to pure water as a room spray, or in a carrier oil for massage. They can also be applied to a tissue or handkerchief and sniffed as often as desired.

For massage oils always use the ratio of 5 drops of essential oil to 10 ml carrier oil; don’t use them directly on the skin and follow directions on the labels.

Lavender Scones

Belle — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:12:16 +0000

Some time ago I was fortunate enough to be invited to a morning tea at a pretty lavender farm where there is a shop selling all types of products made from lavender including lavender wine. On the menu at the coffee shop were lavender scones…of course I couldn’t resist them.

They were served with vanilla flavoured cream and the combination was delicious. Lavender flowers provide a delightful delicate flavour in foods if they are used sparingly.

Not long after I tried these scones I tried to find a recipe for them but had no luck so I added lavender flowers to my favourite scone recipe and served the scones nice and hot with vanilla flavoured cream sweetened with a little icing sugar.

2 cups self raising flour

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons lavender flowers

60g butter

¾ cup milk (approx)

a little extra milk to glaze

Grease a scone tray and sift flour and salt into a mixing bowl. Add lavender flowers . Rub in butter with fingertips then add sufficient milk to form a light dough. Turn out on to a floured board and knead lightly . Roll out to 1cm thickness and cut into shapes or use a small cutter. Place on tray and glaze with milk. Bake in a very hot oven (450ºF/230ºC) for 10 minutes or until brown and well risen. Makes approx 21.

Fresh lavender flowers can be used to make lavender vinegar and flavour jams while small amounts of dried or fresh flowers can be combined with savoury herbs to add to stews and soups.

Because of their bitter taste lavender flowers aren’t a good choice for crystallised flowers.

Comfrey, a Great Healer

Belle — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:38:41 +0000

Many years ago when I first started studying to be a medical herbalist my husband badly injured his little finger at our shop; it was almost cut right through and only had a small amount of flesh still holding it together. He phoned me at home and told me he’d hurt his finger. Not realizing how bad it was I told him to go across the road to the ambulance and I’d drive straight to our shop, which was only a minute or so away.

Back then the ambulance used to dress wounds and attend to minor injuries but they haven’t done that for quite some time now. When I got there the ambulance officer on duty had told my husband it was too bad an injury for him to do anything with it and to go to the hospital. When I realized that it wasn’t just a deep cut but a severed finger I felt terrible; I should have told him to go to the hospital not the ambulance!

I had to mind the shop so my husband drove himself to the hospital where he was admitted straight away and taken into surgery as soon as the surgeon could get there. Refusing to follow my husband’s wishes and amputate the finger, the surgeon pinned the severed half back on to the remaining stump.

Two weeks later my husband had to go for a check-up and have the pin removed. When the surgeon pulled the pin out the finger came apart! So he pushed it back together and sent my husband away telling him to give it another two weeks to heal.

When I was told what happened I suggested we rub the comfrey ointment I had made in to the finger. We did this for the two weeks and when the surgeon pulled the pin out the finger remained intact. He was totally amazed so my husband told him that we had applied comfrey ointment to the finger. At that stage comfrey had been banned for internal and external use in Australia. There was such an uproar over this that the ‘powers-that-be’ eventually allowed us to use the herb externally. Anyway, getting back to the surgeon, he couldn’t get over how well the comfrey ointment had healed the finger and said to my husband, “How were you able to get it?” To which my husband laughingly replied, “Can’t tell you that.” “Well anyway,” said the surgeon,” just keep using it – it’s a great healer.”

One of comfrey’s common names is Knit Bone and this story certainly adds credence to such a name. If any of you have stories about using comfrey we’d love you to share them with us.

Medicinal Herbs at the Markets

Belle — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:46:16 +0000

Thyme, Dogbane, Aloe vera, Soapwort

Once a month when the popular Nanango Markets are held it’s very difficult to find a parking space. People come from a widespread area to purchase all manner of items but one of the most popular stalls is the one selling medicinal herbs and garden plants. This stall is usually my first port of call, I just cannot resist buying more herbs and they are usually of very good quality.

This morning I bought Pet Grass for my little elderly feline and eight year old cockatiel; I have written about it in a separate article. I also bought some beautiful quartz crystals to use for making orgonite, which is a project for next week.

Other items of discovery were a couple of books about gardening and herbs (of course), and a beautiful enameled dress ring I bought from an Asian lady who ran after me when I left the stall; she gave me a complimentary CD of Buddhism chants. To receive such an unexpected gift really made my day.

Below are some more photos of the herbs for sale at the markets. Market stalls selling herbs like these give those interested in herbalism the chance to have a very useful herb garden.

Various Varieties of Basil

Mexican and French Tarragon

Lovage

Lamb's Ears

Herbal Teas

Belle — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 07:10:44 +0000

Over the years I have tried many herbal teas, I call them teas because they are tea substitutes made the same way as tea. Herbal infusions are used to extract the medicinal properties from herbs so they can be used therapeutically while herbal teas are used for a ‘quick fix’ or just to have a refreshing drink.

Lemon balm tea is great when you’ve had a big day and need to relax and unwind. Add a little mint to it to help you rejuvenate if you still need to prepare dinner and so-on. Taken just before bed, lemon balm will give you a restful sleep.

Chamomile will help ease an upset tummy caused from stress or nervousness and it will help calm nerves as well as help you sleep. It’s also very good for children and you can add honey and milk to it if they prefer.

Sage tea made with hot milk and sweetened with honey is excellent for those sleepless nights and it’s also another good one for restless children.

Cinnamon tea is delicious and is very warming when feeling chilled or feel the need for comfort. It will also help warm the stomach and digest food after a heavy meal.

Ginger tea is great for a bloated and/or a nauseous tummy and for warming the body. It’s also a good pick-me-up and helps with morning sickness.

Lemon grass tea tastes delicious and is very refreshing. I like it on its own or added to tea leaves in a pot. It’s also very refreshing on a hot day and is useful when feeling a little tired.

Mints make lovely refreshing and cooling teas. They are particularly good in summer for refreshing and rejuvenating a tired, hot body.

Rosemary tea gives a clearer head when doing bookwork, studying, or anything that needs a great deal of concentration. It’s also warming and calming.

Parsley tea is great if you feel that you’ve eaten or drunk too much of the wrong thing as it helps to flush out toxic material from the body system. It’s also very refreshing and nutritious.

Sometimes I like to blend my teas, for instance, I will add mint to parsley tea if I feel my digestion is sluggish and need a general pick-me-up. I also like to combine ginger and cinnamon when I feel chilled – I wouldn’t have them on a hot day as they are very warming.

Milky tea with a good sprinkle of cinnamon is a delicious night-cap that helps give a relaxing sleep; it’s also very good throughout the day to help calm the nerves.

Dill is another herb that can be taken as a tea to help expel gas and relieve a bloated stomach.

Parsley leaves combined with chopped shallots and made as a tea will help flush out and cleanse the urinary tract when suffering from cystitis.

Pregnant women should be careful of how much herb tea they drink; always check to see if any particular herb is safe during pregnancy before having too much of it.

I’ll add more herbal teas here as time goes by.

Until my next post stay healthy, happy and wise!

Wild Plants for Food

Belle — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 05:43:15 +0000

Even before I became a medical herbalist I was interested in wild plants not only for their medicinal properties but also for food. Throughout the years I’ve searched for wild plants wherever I’ve lived or been in my travels.

When my husband and I moved on to our 6 acre property it was very overgrown and the only cleared area had been constantly slashed by the previous owner so there wasn’t much in the way of wild medicinal and culinary plants to be discovered. The area that was overgrown was so thick with dried vegetation and cleared timber embedded in dirt that had been pushed up against the trunks of trees that it wasn’t safe to pick my through it.

It would have been a mammoth task to clean it up and the wildlife such as goannas, lizards, skinks, snakes and birds nests would have all been disturbed if not destroyed in the process so we just left it as it was. However, in January last year a careless neighbour lit a fire on a day of extreme fire weather conditions and needless to say a fire tore through our property only just avoiding our buildings thanks to the prompt response of the wonderful and very efficient rural fire brigade.

The clearing of this area on our property was taken out of our hands and the only wildlife that we could see was affected was a small skink under a piece of partly charred wood; the skink hadn’t been burnt so must have died from the smoke and fierce heat. It was a sad sight indeed.

After the Rain

When what remained stopped smouldering and we had the first shower of rain after the fire we had a machine come in to clean the place up. Now, after an incredible downpour of rain for our area we have lush green fields and plants I haven’t seen growing here before are springing up.

To date I have found green amaranth, pigweed (purslane), dandelion, sida retusa, wild tobacco, and another plant that looks very interesting but is yet to be identified. Edible plants from this list are amaranth, pigweed, and dandelion.

Herbalism isn’t all about healing with herbs, it also involves using herbs in everyday life – for cooking, eating, drinking, cleaning, decorating, and so on. There isn’t a day go by that I don’t use herbs for some reason or another and I get great pleasure from gathering wild herbs.

While they are plentiful I’ve been gathering amaranth leaves, pigweed, and dandelion leaves to make a delicious salad. Wash, rinse and chop them then add chopped tomatoes and red onion. Add sea or celtic salt and allow to sit for a little while to let the juice from the tomatoes and onions soak through the salad. It’s so delicious that it doesn’t need any salad dressing.

Now I must get on and mark more assignments but I will post more wild plants as I find them.

Christmas Pavlova – a Family Tradition

Belle — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 00:52:47 +0000

This is a little late, however, I would like to share this lovely and easy Pavlova recipe that I make every year for my family’s Christmas dinner.

4 egg whites

1 cup caster sugar

1 teaspoon cornflour

1 teaspoon vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla essence

Preheat oven (140°C/275ºF). Grease a Pavlova tray ( I use a pizza tray) and line with foil or baking paper. Beat egg whites until stiff . Gradually add sugar, beating constantly, then continue beating at medium speed until very glossy. Gently fold in remaining ingredients and spoon or pipe the mixture on to the prepared tray. Bake for 1½ hours or until cooked. Turn off the heat and allow to cool in oven. Carefully remove foil or baking paper and fill as desired. My family’s favourite topping is lots of whipped cream topped with tropical fruit salad.