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Posted by sarajane on May 1, 2012
Hawthorn – The May Tree. … ‘every shepherd tells his tale Under the hawthorn in the dale.’ Milton.
Hawthorn – Crataegus is one of the oldest medicinal herbs used in European medicine. It grows as a deciduous shrub or small tree and is found all over Sussex. It is found growing in some of the most wind swept area’s providing great food and shelter to many birds, insects and live stock all year round. But you do not need to look far! There are some wonderful trees up the path to Whitehawk hill.
Hawthorn is called the May Tree and has associations with May Day, the festival of vegetation signifying the bringing in of the summer. It has been associated as an omen of good (fertility) and often regarded as a lovers tree ‘Corinna’s Going A-Maying’ by Robert Herrick in 1648 speaks of no other plant, encouraging Corinna out of bed on that May morning!
As a medicinal herb In Western herbal tradition it has been regarded as the best cardiovascular tonics in the plant kingdom. History also shows us that it has played its role as an important food source. In Sussex it was known as the Bread and cheese bush , young hawthorn leaves were picked and added to sandwiches (ask your grandparent if they remember!). Wines have been made from the blossoms and jams from the red berries (haws). It is therefore of no surprise how this tree has become so fond to our hearts. I say go take a stroll through the blossoms of May and see for yourself where it takes you this day.
At the Coach House in Kemptown- 22 Walpole road Bn253NG- Supports local knowledge, local news and many courses promoting creative living.
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Posted by sarajane on January 14, 2012
–Brass!–Leather!- and Jinking -BLING !
the Urban gypsy speaks his truth— LUCK ??? “I don’t need luck ……
I am luck…Stars ?? .. they sit just fine ! where they are !……
This recipe is not only for the faint hearted but for them weak ones with the wolves at the door. Jink explains “We goin to make you ride again like you did before!! sonPut your mouth where your horse does!“Bolt up Belt up and get ready to ride.!”
” Oats and Barley” sing it loud!
Oats as I sang before is our stable and staple food. Horses eat it, we eat it! Simple!. Porridge is fuel for winter along side your wood fires, an aphrodisiac too! It’s been used to replenish the nervous system and reduce that cholesterol. So bite that bullet and get it in the pot.
Barley is nourishing, gives you full vigour and figure! Full of vitamin B, E, calcium and potassium, protein and starch. Given to our horses for strength and vitality it lasts them the winter months. Once the dominant crop in Europe before gluten spread into our gullets and guts. So let’s get it in the pot! With demulcent actions it will be cooling on your digestive system and soothing for sore bladders and cystitis. Often it’s added to stews and soups and has been used as poultices for drawing out poisons and soothing that weeping eczema.
Jink -Clang thinks hard before he says “ ……the sooner your blood and body meets nature the better. …..see this thorn here is quite competent in getting you back to that child hood feeling. . …. Caught up in bramble? Its a lucky and good thing. !¬ enough with table talk honour is out of date now, I have learnt some shame. Take the rough and don’t let on! True enough it comes too real…… Now polish your saddle get ready to ride! No shame in using spit, it’s as good as it gets when you got your own!
If you are ever in my area I live on a lonely hill near a river and trees, water and plenty of “Brass leather and jinking Bling ! … ……………….where’s my caravan gone !”
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Posted by sarajane on January 14, 2012
Pips and Pith !!!We do grow Marmalade trees in England! -
Originally marmalade was made with quince fruit ( known as golden apples) and honey from the bees – known to our Portuguese brothers as marmelo.
Today’s recipe using Seville oranges lemons and sugar is somewhat of a mystery how and when it arrived to our shores.
Mary Queen of Scots ate orange jam when she was ill to aid her digestion, known as Marie Malade (Mary’s ill). The herbalist would also contribute to this saying it ‘warme the stomack, digest, and breake the winde’!
Citrus aurantium ( bitter orange ) used for marmalade making has high pectin and the flowers, fruits, leaves and peels were traditionally used for treating insomnia and gastrointestinal problems including indigestion and diarrhea. The high vitamin C content provides an acidic environment which is necessary for iron absorption and has been said to be helpful for anemia.
But this is not all the bitter oranges essential oil is expressed from the fruit and the flowers distilled produce neroli oil and orange water!
Marvellous Margaret’s Mums Marmalade Recipe
Makes 6 lb { add 1 tablespoon of dark treacle or molasses optional}
2 lb of Seville oranges Juice of 1 lemon
3 pints of water 4 lb of sugar
Remove all discs and scrub the oranges. Put in a large pan with water , cover with lid and simmer gently. about 2 hours lift out cool , cut in half and scoop out pulp and pips. Return them to the water and boil for approx 5 mins. Strain and then measure the liquid. Reduce to 1 and a half pints.
Cut up peel fine or thick in to the pan with the liquid adding lemon juice and sugar . Stir over low heat till sugar is dissolved then bring to the fast boil ( about 10-15 mins ). Test for setting . Allow to cool about 20 mins and jar up in sterilized jars.
( can add ginger, crystallized ginger or even whiskey !)
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Posted by sarajane on January 10, 2011
Teasel at Cuckmere
Rosemary, “dew of the sea”. Revered as a governor of the heart alongside being a carminative, pain reliever, antidepressant, digestive, diuretic and tonic, treasured by travellers, herbalists and those in the know.
Rosemary is primarily a Mediterranean herb, an evergreen shrub, easy to grow in a sunny place in your garden. People often ask how can a herb do one thing and at the same time do another. Truly this is the wonders of herbs.
The following recipes are for those who open themselves to this journey. Whether it is you are making toast or teacakes or feeding a blackbird on the wall, it is all in the art of making that creates your own recipes. These are some that I have tried and can recommend.
Some simple Recipes
1.‘Simple’ & simply make a cup of rosemary tea .
Method – Pick one small sprig of rosemary, place in to a cup of hot water, cover and leave to steep for 3-4 minutes – sip the essence of the garden – the experience will be different for each one of you.
Sometimes I just chew one leaf which perks me up.
2. Bathing inside and outside: both day and night, watching stars and insects dart their ways, and blackbirds sing high in trees – - I have an old movable tin bath so can highly recommend this.
Method – add 4 to 5 large sprigs of rosemary to your bath and leave it to infuse to all senses.
3. For disturbed and wakeful nights: Method – go to a rosemary bush when you wake and pick a sprig take it back to your room, hold it or put it under your pillow ( I found this recipe in an early 16thCentuary herbal) amazingly it works.
“so- in the quiet of nothing ……nothing kept quiet …. where and how shall we begin” would be my first choice.
Practical emotions are very good and can contain energy that have led me to many places full of advice & honesty, but the governance of above, below and beyond however has set itself simply “ as it is so it shall be” . and therefore Rosemary grows and overflows outside my kitchen door. (you will find rosemary growing evergreen everywhere in many gardens.“A foot and light hearted I take to the open road , healthy free the world before me”- Walt Whitman
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Posted by sarajane on September 10, 2010
Elderberry & honey, what more do you want!
This year we gathered an astounding 50 pounds of honey from our Urban bee hive in Kemptown and still left 50 pounds of honey in the hive for the bees this winter.
As a traditional western herbalist what better way to use honey, wax and propalis than in medicines, creams and Mead!
Elderberry Rob -This simple recipe will aim to keep you strong and well this season. Elderberry Rob (syrup) is a delicious way of boosting your immune system along side giving you plenty of Vitamin C and antioxidants. Native Americans believed it to aid respiratory ailments as the berries resembled the lungs. Elderberries in traditional western verbalism are considered a blood cleanser and tonic therefore a perfect autumnal medicine don’t you think.
Elderberry Rob
Simmer 3 cups of stripped elderberries in water ( 3 cups of water) for 30 mins. Leave the lid off so water can reduce to half. Let it cool and strain . Add equal amounts of honey to the liquid and stir until disolved. Bottle and store in the fridge. this can be kept for up to a year ! for additions you can add ginger, cloves, cinnamon and herbs to the simmering water- the recipe is endless and all yours to experiment with -enjoy
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Posted by sarajane on August 11, 2010
Harvesting Seeds –
This means collecting seeds, making dyes, pot pouri, incense, herbs for medicinal bathing or internal use and of course for food th medicine!
Syrups, wines, pickles, vinegars, all can be in the making. A busy August for you and it is well worth it.
Harvesting encourages us to share with many.
The journey can be enjoyed at all stages from collection to making to tasting so enjoy it all.
Actions required in the garden this August :
Lavender can be cut back to last years growth. The flower heads can be made into lavender pillows along with a cup of lavender tea and if feeling adventurous try some making some lavender syrup just add sugar or honey.
Nettles can be cut right down now. Seeds can be collected and dried for consumption.
Only a very small amount is needed 5-7 seeds per portion. Heaped with protein these can be quite stimulating so probably not good taken close to bed time.
Surplus nettles can be made into a fantastic liquid compost.
Put nettles and stems in a container add water and cover and let it brew. In a few weeks the liquid will have turned a dark green and this can be diluted and used as liquid food on your garden.
Also try an infusion of thyme sprigs in your bath along with burning it as an incense.
A tea can be made from Thymus vulgaris having high antisceptic and antibacterial .
Recipe:
Nasturtium Vinegar
Fill a bottle of white wine vinegar or cider vinegar with nasturtium flowers.
Crush up a couple of leaves,and leave for 10 days before testing. If you require a stronger taste, strain and repeat with more flowers.
Green aprons will be starting homemaking and tasting soon above is a picture of Mullein flowering ![]( "coach house flowers. </p>
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Posted by sarajane on June 12, 2010
..beside the bee hives the elder tree boughs in bloom.
With its history steeped in folklore legends, Elder remains today one of natures impressive medicine chests .
Elderflowers have been used in herbal medicine for many ailments including hay fever even sniffing the flowers have been known to relieve symptoms. With its drying qualities it can reduce phlegm and therefore has an affinity for the nose, mouth and lungs. But this is not all !!! The flowers taken as a tea can be a sedative, placed on the skin can relieve sunburn and used as a toner can be added to beauty lotions. Along with all of this it is simply delicious and a must to try !
Some recipes for you:
Elder flower water: just place 4 flower heads in COLD water leave for half an hour and drink ! the same water can be used as a facial toner TRY IT ! Cold infusions are remarkable you will see.
Elder flower cordial: 20 heads of elderflower, 1.8kg granulated sugar, or caster sugar, 1.2 litres water, 2 unwaxed lemons, 75g citric acid. –
Add sugar in a pan and bring water to the boil until sugar is dissolved.
Place elderflowers in a large bowl add the zest of the lemons and skins of lemons in slices.
Pour the boiling syrup over flowers and lemons and add in the citric acid.
Leave and cover for 24 hours. Strain and bottle. Makes 1.5 litres
Elderflower champagne: 6 heads of elderflowers, 1 and a half pounds of sugar, 2tbs of white wine vinegar, 1 gallon of cold water and 2 lemons.
Put the elderflowers, sugar, and vinegar and lemons in a bowl, cut the lemon skins in quarters and add.
Leave for 24-48 hours, strain and bottle it will be ready in a week , leave it longer will be stronger !!!
Sara Jane
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Posted by sarajane on May 16, 2010
Poultices -Latin puls, pultes, meaning “porridge.”
In times past, poultices were a favourite household remedy, often involving the use of bread or mashed potatoes as a carrying mixture for herbal infusions or oil. Historically, poultices were made from bread and cereals, flaxseed, charcoal, even mashed pumpkin, potato, carrots and bran. All these have been used because of their absorbent qualities. Poultices are used to ease nerve or muscle pain, sprains, or broken bones, and to draw pus from infected wounds, ulcers, boils and splinters.
Poultices and compresses are commonly used on horses, for injured inflamed tendons and abscesses where drawing action is needed, or to bring circulation to the area. These can be made with fresh or dried material (When using dried herbs they must be moistened first. Make a paste by adding hot water or apple cider vinegar). Keep the poultice warm!
You may want to cover the skin with a thin layer of oil as this protects the skin and may make removing the poultice easier)
Methods of working.:
Simmer or sweat the herb for two minutes squeeze out excess liquid and apply to area.
Cover with a bandage ( or similar)
Some poultice examples are as follows:
Self heal relieves sprains and fractures.
St. John’s Wort relieves muscle or nerve pain.
Slippery elm powder, mixed with calendula, draws out boils and infected wounds
Wild Strawberries: The fruit of the wild strawberry creates a poultice when crushed berries are applied to sunburned skin.
Flax: The linseed that comes from the flax plant is known to make a poultice that treats boils, abscesses, and ulcers. This type of poultice is created when the seeds are crushed and directly applied .
Plantain ( not the banana!): The fresh leaves of the plantain make a suitable poultice that aids in treating bee stings and wounds that are slow to heal.
So have a go you have your medicine chest at your feet !
The coach house works to support homeskills back to community for more info on courses and walks
Tel. 07796054442
Sara Jane
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Posted by sarajane on March 16, 2010
The following are some of the many herbs appearing this Spring that have a long history of use in herbal medicine.
Lesser celandine: Ranunculus ficaria- Also known as pilewort and is one of the earliest Spring wild flowers emerging in March. It has been a popular treatment for piles and Haemmoroids. The flowers are similar to buttercups being bright yellow and have an appearance of little stars.
This plant is known to herbalists as a perfect example of doctrine of signatures from its roots when lifted resemble the disease , in this case piles.
Gorse- Ulex europaeus – Gorse in old English means prickly and was often used for lighting bread ovens as the wood burns easily. On the Firehills near Hastings the coast line is covered in gorse and was known for being alight with Gorse fires hence the name fire hills.
Luckily now we are blessed with rescue operations and today you will see fabulous arrays of yellow flowers lighting the hills.
There are many recipes for gorse wine and a tea is made from the shoot tips.
The flower buds can be pickled in vinegar and then used like capers in salads.
Sweet violet- Viola oderata -named after its colour and smell also the name could have arised from Cuckoos heel or Stocking a likeness to a miniature bird. Blooming between February and March. It has a cooling action on the system and has been used in medicine for skin disorders, cancers, throat and mouth infections. The scent has been the fragrance of Love throughout the ages and was dedicated to Aphrodite.
Cleavers, – Galium aparine-Also known as goose grass is one of the herbalists favourite blood purifiers as it works cleansing the lymphatic system. You will find it often growing close to nettles and appearing in Spring up until summer. A simple recipe would be to soak the Cleavers in cold water over night and drink the water in the morning. Be sure to sieve well there are little hooks on the stems.
Coltsfoot- Tussilago farfara- The leaves known to look like a horses foot. Flowering from February to April The flower comes before the leaves and are similar to a dandelion but its stem is thicker and has woolly scales. When the flower dies then appears the leaves. In France it was a valued herb and the leaf was the symbol used over herbalists shops. It has long been used for treating coughs and for ridding bronchial system of excess.
Recipe of the Month – A Spring Tonic – and a Spring clean !
Nettle and Cleavers – a blood purifier and lymphatic cleanser. Nettles being so cleansing and nutritious will cleanse your blood. Pick young leaves ( away from the dogs leg !) make a tea or steam them they are delicious! Cleavers will help to drain impurities and therefore aid the action of nettles. For Cleavers follow the recipe above.
If in any doubt what to look for ask someone who knows!
Herbal courses and green aprons are now running from the Coach house in Kemptown
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Posted by sarajane on February 15, 2010
Medicinally honey has been used for its healing properties for many thousands of years.
The Egyptians had over 500 medical formulas for it and the Greeks used it to cure skin disorders. It has also been used in folk remedies since kingdom come!
Honey is made up of glucose, fructose, water and other sugar along side many enzymes vitamins and minerals. It is easily digestible having already been pre-digested by the bee. It has been used for irritated digestions as a sedative and mild laxative.
It is also known as a builder food for athletes helping with endurance, fatigue recovery, and lack of energy.
People may have heard of the antibacterial qualities of Manuka honey not realising that all honey is antibacterial and antimicrobial and depending on the plant the bees have gathered from will depend on its strengths.
When honey is used on the skin it releases hydrogen peroxide. Bacteria cannot live in the presence of honey therefore it has been successful in the treatment of ulcers externally and internally.
Honey draws moisture from the air and for this reason has been used in folk remedies as a cure for children bed-wetting. It is therefore also good for burns and scars keeping them moist which would encourage the growth of new tissue.
It is a perfect preservative; when they found Honey in the Egyptian tombs it was still edible! Chewing the honey comb has been used for treating disturbed breathing tracts.
Some recipes for you to try:
You can make syrups to your delight using honey instead of sugar. We use syrups in herbal medicine as they have soothing properties on throat and digestive tract, for instance honey and thyme, honey and lemon, honey and liquorice, honey and sage syrups!
Infuse or decoct the herb in water, add equal amount of honey to water and simmer on a very low heat until thickened stirring to prevent caramelizing. Bottle and store.
If interested learning more about the bees or wanting to keep a hive we are running Urban beekeeping workshops at the coach house.
Sara Jane
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