January reflections

January is a time of reflection, as signified in this month’s header picture. Sunlight is low and when seen casts a golden glow across the land. The shortest day has passed along with the celebrations of light to ward off the darkness.

Now we face the beginning of a new year, the challenges of snow, frost and continuing cold. The need to stay indoors, to isolate ourselves from those we love and care for whilst worrying about our own health and wellbeing in the increasing web of concern for our wider communities.

How do we cope when the world is plagued by uncertainty and change? By concentrating on the shortest time, the simplest thing, each one building a jigsaw to take us forward into a more positive future.

What are we doing to help ourselves stay safe and well?

Every morning we take a shot glass of herbal tonic. We use tinctures/elixirs because it’s easy to administer.

Mine contains: Solomon seal, agrimony (joint pain) bugle (joint & digestive), St John’s wort and lemon balm (nervine plus SAD), hawthorn and motherwort (heart), dandelion bitter (liver) plus elderberry elixir. This may sound a lot, but when mixed together, it’s only a couple of tsps. topped up with water.

Chris has: dandelion (liver), hawthorn (heart) saw palmetto (prostate) plus elderberry elixir.

Chris spends most winters lurching from one cold to another. This year the elderberry has reduced most infections to one or two days of incessant sneezing and nose blowing with only the odd day feeling under the weather. Once he starts sneezing he takes fire cider vinegar and honey. If you have never made any, this is my version of the recipe.

Fire Cider Vinegar

Equal portions of horseradish and ginger root – grate or whizz in a coffee grinder. (It is your choice whether you peel the roots or not.)

1 head of garlic, peeled and coarsely chopped

1 good handful of rosehips (fresh or dried)

6 cloves

2 tsps paprika

2 tsps turmeric

2 tsps cayenne pepper

(If you have access to fresh chilli peppers, you can add these as well, leaving the seeds in to give extra “fire”!)

Mix all dry ingredients together in a large glass jar so it is filled about half full, then add cider vinegar stirring well to remove air bubbles until the jar is full. Place cling film over the top of the jar before sealing with screw top lid. Label and date. Place jar in warm, dark place for 3 weeks. Strain and use.

The drink we make with fire cider is 2tsps infused vinegar with 2tsps runny honey in a mugful of boiling water, stir and sip. Usual dose is 3 mugs a day. If you want to add potency, then you can use an infused honey, such as sage, elecampane or horseradish but the drink is less pleasant using the latter.

When I don’t drink enough, my kidney complains and I end up with back pain. This is dealt with using fresh nettle seed and cramp bark tinctures (1tsp each 3x day) and extra fluids. Yesterday I resorted to a nettle chai which is an easy warm, comforting drink.

Nettle Chai

2 handfuls of dried nettle leaves

1 inch of chopped root ginger

Spices (cinnamon/nutmeg/1 clove)

Orange or lemon peel

Place all the ingredients in a 2mug/4cup cafatiere (French coffee press) and cover with just boiled water. Infuse for ten minutes, strain and drink.

Another warming drink which helps the immune system is made from astralagus root.

Immune support tea

1tblsp chopped dried astralagus root

1inch root ginger

Small handful of dried rosehips and haws

Warming spices (cinnamon/nutmeg/clove/cardamom)

Citrus juice and peel (orange/lemon/lime/grapefruit)

You could make this as a decoction in a covered saucepan (Cover with 1pint water, bring to the boil and simmer for 15 mins, then strain and drink) but it works just as well as a tea made in a cafetière.

 We’re also spending a lot of time in front of computer screens which often means my eyes become either sore or puffy. Putting a square of material or kitchen towel soaked in an infusion of eyebright and goldenrod tea (1tsp of each of the dried herbs) over my eyes for ten minutes during my afternoon nap (yes I am that old!) works wonders.

 There is no escaping the fact that life is currently very stressful for most people.

 Here are some soothing teas to help

 IDGAS tea

1tsp each of dried chamomile, lemon balm and vervain in a single mug cafetière. Add just boiled water and steep for ten minutes strain and drink.

 Ashwagandha evening soother

2 tsps dried ashwagandha roots

1tsp dried rose petals

1/2 pint milk (dairy or nut)

Heat the roots and petals in the milk in a covered saucepan. Simmer for 15 minutes. Strain and drink. Add honey if required.

Keep a dropper bottle of rose elixir and skullcap tincture within easy reach throughout the day and night. Rose will lift your spirits when everything seems too much or when you’ve had bad news about something. Skullcap stops the mice running around in your head when you can’t sleep.

Skullcap is safe for older children and very young children can be sent to bed after a bath to which a strong tea of lavender, lemon balm and catnip has been added. (Bath, bed, story, sleep in strict order, no play fights or running around in between!).

We know these are difficult times. To experience difficult times in winter when energy levels are naturally low is even more challenging but the wheel of the year is always turning and things will change.

  

Herbal eye care

Our five senses are precious componants of who we are. Too often, we don’t think about them until something happens.

Eyesight is fragile. It can be lost in a moment and professional services via the GP or Accident & Emergency must be accessed if your sight suddenly fails. My mother lost the sight in one eye through a central retinal detachment and didn’t know she should act immediately, waiting until the next day to contact her GP when it was too late. Find out where your nearest specialist eye centre is and have plans in place to go there as fast as you can should the worst happen.

Similarly, if you or your child contract an eye infection which causes the eyelid to swell shut, if it doesn’t respond to treatment after three days seek further medical advice. I once had a client whose daughter had an eye infection but failed to return to the GP for more than a week. The infection was bacterial and the child lost the sight in that eye. The mother blamed the GP for failure to diagnose but there was nothing which could have been done because of the time lapse.

As we grow older, our organs begin to fade. It’s as well to understand what is happening so help can be sought sooner rather than later. The RNIB produce a wealth of information about many eye conditions which tell you what the condition is, how it can be recognised, what tests are used and how it is treated. They also have a helpline for anyone who wants to talk about their eyes and the impact a condition may be having on their life. NHS choices also provides online information about eye conditions which includes self-help advice.

For those of us who have access to herbs, there is much we can do to help ourselves. Most home herbal eye care advice is limited to tired or sore eyes with the author stating that anything further is beyond their scope. In my search amongst those published herbalists I turn to first, only three authors provide a wide-ranging description of eye function, health and herbal support – Anne McIntyre, Matthew Wood and Thomas Bartram. The latter, as befits a Herbal Encyclopaedia, provides so much information it’s difficult to know where to start and when to stop.

Protective nutrition and herbs for eye health

The food you eat will protect your eyes. Antioxidant carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin protect eyes from oxidative stress and high-energy light. A diet rich in dark green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, peas and broccoli along with calendula, squash, sweetcorn and eggs will help. Lutein is present in the macula. A lutein-rich diet can help prevent macular degeneration, both wet and dry and cataracts.

We also need high levels of vitamins A, C and E, fatty acids such as omega-3s found in oily fish, walnuts, soya beans and flax seeds. Copper is another essential trace element found in nuts, sunflower seeds, liver, beans and lentils. Maintaining good vision with a healthy macular also requires zinc from oysters, beans, nuts, red meat and poultry.

To help prevent cataracts by boosting the action of the antioxidant, gluthione in the aqueous humour, add elderberries or blueberries/bilberries to your diet. Herbs with a similar action to anthocyanidins, which protect blood vessels in the eye, preventing poor night vision and retinal disorders include astralagus root, milk thistle, turmeric and garlic.

Herbs which strengthen blood vessels within the eye and inhibit macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy include antioxidant herbs such as elderberry, hawthorn berries, rosemary, thyme, sage, marjoram, selfheal and ashwagandha.

Herbs which increase circulation to and from the eye include rosemary, gingko, eyebright, vervain and peppermint.

Practical eye care  

The key aspect to eye care is to make sure everything you use is clean and, in many cases, sterile. It is better to use a decoction of herbs rather than a herbal tea if you are aiming for a long-term treatment.

A decoction is made by bringing 2-5ozs/50-125g of dried or fresh herb in 1pt/0.56 litres of water to the boil in a lidded saucepan then simmer gently for 10-20 minutes before straining into a container which is kept in the fridge for up to 36 hours or so. Make sure there is no debris in the strained liquid. You may need a pass it through a second filter such as muslin or a coffee filter.

To extend the life of a decoction, you can put half in the fridge and freeze the other half either in ice cube trays or in a suitable container. These can then be brought out when the first half has been used up.

It is wise to invest in a set of eyebaths and learn how to use them properly, making sure the bath for each eye is kept separate by marking them on the base and don’t share the fluid inside them after a first use.

If you find an eyebath stinging your eyes, add a few grains of salt so the liquid is brought up to the same concentration as tears and won’t sting.

If you are dealing with an eye infection, wash your hands with hot water and soap before and after treatment and ensure the patient has a set of towels for their own use. Every parent knows how fast an eye infection can pass around a family!

If you don’t have a set of eye baths, the bottom part of a tea-strainer can be used but it is too wide to be really effective.

The most common way to deliver herbal eye care is through a compress. This can be made from a scrap of material (preferably cotton), a circle of cotton wool (those sold to remove eye makeup can be useful) or a folded piece of kitchen towel. The compress is dipped in the herbal solution, squeezed to remove excess moisture (otherwise it runs down your neck!) then placed over each eye while you either lie in a prone position, or sit with your head back (so the compress doesn’t fall off!) for fifteen minutes of more.

Herbal support for common eye conditions

Eyebright

The herb which everyone turns to for eye infections and inflammations, including conjunctivitis and blepharitis is eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis). It can be made into a tea by adding 1tsp of dried herb to 1 cup of boiling water then steep for ten to fifteen minutes before straining through several layers of muslin. When it has reached room temperature, pour it into an eyebath and use as a douche and drink the remainder as a cup of tea. It is not unpleasant.

If you don’t have access to dried eyebright, add 5-10 drops of eyebright tincture to an eyebath containing cooled, boiled water. If this stings your eye, reduce the amount of tincture. If using a drop dose it is always advisable to start with the least number and build up over time rather than going for the maximum dose first.

Do be aware that eyebright is astringent/drying, so if you are using it for any length of time you may need to introduce a mucilagenous herb such as marshmallow to counteract the effects.

 

Infections

Eyebright, chickweed and expressed breast milk applied externally can all be helpful in combatting eye infections. Support these remedies with antimicrobial herbs such as Echinacea, goldenseal, burdock, red clover and liquorice taken internally. These herbs will not only help combat infection but will also boost immunity and detoxify the system.

Itchy eyes

Bathe in a solution of chickweed tea, steeped for ten minutes and allowed to cool. If you suffer with hay fever or other allergic eye conditions then chamomile, nettle, lemon balm, yarrow, feverfew and Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) all have antihistamine actions can bring relief. Matthew Wood recommends goldenrod for hay fever and also for cat allergies.

Tired eyes

Cover a chamomile or fennel teabag with boiled water and allow to cool until just warm then apply to closed eyes as you would a compress.

Sore, inflamed eyes (especially from computer usage)

Make a tea from elderflower, chamomile, calendula, plantain and roses, steep for fifteen minutes, strain and apply as a compress for ten to fifteen minutes, several times a day. These herbs can be used individually as well as in combination. Tea made from small amounts of all the herbs is incredibly soothing.

Dry eyes

Dry eyes often come with aging for no apparent reason. The condition can be linked with blockages in the Meibomian glands which secrete oil to prevent tears evaporating. If there is any solidified oil, you can apply a very hot flannel to the eye for two minutes, then soak the warm cloth in a herbal solution and gently rub along the lash line of the upper and lower lids.

The best herbal combination I have found for dry eyes is an equal mixture of eyebright and goldenrod. Goldenrod is indicated where there is a underlying kidney issue and exhaustion.

Conjunctivitis

“itis” means inflammation of a particular tissue, so conjunctivitis describes an irritation of the lining of the eyes caused by infection, allergies, dust or pollution in the atmosphere. The eye becomes red and inflamed and weeps copious tears.

To treat this condition, infusions of astringent and antiseptic herbs are called for such as eyebright, calendula, chamomile, elderflower and rose. These can be used to bathe the eye and be taken internally.

Blepharitis

Blepharitis describes the condition when eyelids become red and inflamed. Sufferers are often told it is incurable but herbal remedies can be helpful. The condition often indicates depleted immunity, a toxic system or allergy, so if these conditions are addressed there will often be an improvement.

Chronic conjunctivitis and blepharitis may improve when dairy products, tea and coffee are removed from the diet and supplements of vitamins C and B are taken. It might also be helpful to experiment with Herb Robert to see if a depleted immune system can be reversed.

Styes

Styes occur when there is inflammation or infection in glands at the base of the eyelashes. They tend to occur when the sufferer is run-down or tired. Again, astringent and antiseptic herbs can be helpful in alleviating the often painful condition, whilst the individual must take responsibility for resting and improving their diet.

REFERENCES

Bartam, T Herbal Encyclopaedia of Herbal Medicine 1998 Constable and Robinson

McIntyre, A The Complete Herbal Tutor 2010 Octopus Books

Ody, P “Herbs for eye complaints” in Herbs Vol 41 No2

Wood, M The Book of Herbal Wisdom 1997 North Atlantic Books

2016: A Three Month Review

With a quarter of 2016 already behind us, it’s sometimes good to review what you’ve achieved. In an ideal world, every item sown, harvested and processed would be entered into a suitable journal as part of a continuing record of activity and evaluation along with visits, discussions and continuing professional development.

Once upon a time my life was a little more organised than it is now. My herbal diary is rarely completed so I rely on my monthly apprenticeship emails to jot down what has been happening in my herbal world. I also try to keep a pictorial record in the hope everything will come together and prove I haven’t been completely idle.

Here is a summary of what I’ve been up to so far this year.

What have I made?

 Teas

Spiced Nettle Latte

1 large handful of dried nettle leaf

4 cardamoms

½ tsp ground cinnamon

½ a freshly grated nutmeg

1 inch of peeled and diced root ginger

Hot milk (cow’s or nut milk)

Place nettle leaves and spiced in a large cafatiere/French coffee press, pour over just boiled water and infuse for ten minutes. Depress the plunger then pour equal portions of spiced nettle infusion and hot milk into a mug and sip. Further nutmeg can be grated over the top of the mug if desired.

Spiced Flaxseed tea

Place 2 tsps of flaxseed/linseed in a 2 pint saucepan and fill with cold water along with ½ a cinnamon stick and some fresh or dried orange peel and 3tblsp orange juice. Bring to the boil and simmer gently without the lid on until the water has evaporated by half (around half an hour but keep an eye on it!). Strain into a jug and then distribute. Consume immediately whilst still warm.

Chamomile tea

2 generous pinches of dried chamomile flowers, stems and leaves. Infuse for ten minutes then drink. (I dry and use all the aerial parts of my homegrown chamomile) Really good for making you sleepy if you suffer from insomnia.

Fresh nettle tea

Pick two handfuls of young nettle tops, rinse and place in a cafatiere or china teapot. Infuse for ten minutes then drink.

Soothing eye bath tea

Add equal amounts (1 pinch) of dried plantain, elderflower, chamomile, calendula, rose petals into a cafatiere. Cover with just boiled water and infuse for ten minutes. Allow to cool then use in eye bath or as compress for tired, sore or dry eyes.

Toothache tea

Infuse equal portions of fresh or dried sage leaf, St John’s wort flowers or leaves and meadowsweet leaf with just boiled water. Leave for ten minutes, add 1tsp salt per half pint of water if using for a mouth wash or omit the salt if intending to swallow the tea after swishing around affected area.

Tinctures

Quince Vodka

After decanting and tasting the first infusion of this heavenly quince liqueur, I decided to use the remains to infuse a second batch.

Seville Orange Bitter

Juice as many Seville oranges as you have and remove the pips. Chop the remaining peel and place in a glass jar until almost full. Add 1 tblsp runny honey, 6 cardomoms and a tsp of fennel seeds. Pour over the orange juice then fill up the jars with vodka, remembering to stir the mixture with a chopstick to remove the air bubbles and refill the jar so all the orange peel is covered. Seal, label and date. Store in a dark, cold place for a month or so.

Crampbark Tincture

Harvest your crampbark by pruning thin stems from the bush or tree. Ideally you want a stem which is approximately half an inch thick so the bark is easily removed. Peel off the bark with a sharp kitchen knife, penknife or vegetable peeler. Remember to cut away from you. Place the bark shavings into a glass jar and cover with vodka, remembering to stir with a chopstick to remove any air bubbles. Refill the jar, ensuring the shavings are all submerged. Seal the jar, label and date. Keep in a cold, dark place, shaking when you remember for three weeks. Strain into a dark glass bottle, label and date.

Eyebright Tincture

A friend gifted me with some commercially dried cut and sifted eyebright. I’m using half of it for tea and tinctured the other half.

Cayenne Tincture

Inspired by Lynne Tynan-Cashmore's tales of the therapeutic use of cayenne tincture, I put up my first infusion using home-grown fresh chillies at the end of last year. In February, I strained this batch and added a new selection of dried and fresh chillies which is now macerating in the larder.

Vinegars

I made a calcium-rich vinegar by infusing dried nettles and washed, crushed eggshells in cider vinegar for three weeks.

Flower Essences

Primrose Flower Essence

The beautiful sunshine on Good Friday allowed me to harvest primrose flowers and make my first flower essence. I shall be meditating with the essence over the coming week.

Dried Herbs

I harvested primrose flowers and dried them in the warming drawer of the farm Rayburn. They retained their beautiful yellow colour.

Therapeutic Mixes

I’ve made up several bereavement and stress mixes using lemon balm, motherwort, St John’s wort, skullcap and vervain. I’ve also offered my uplifting elixir (created from a selection of nervine flowers and leaves) and cough elixir (fresh thyme, sage and white horehound) and cough syrup (hyssop, white horehound and marshmallow leaf). I also made up a high blood pressure tincture based on hawthorn leaf, flower and seed with a few drops of rue. I’m going to be making a prostate tincture this week from nettle root and saw palmetto.

Salves

We’ve created two horse chestnut based salves using the infused oil plus (i) calendula, marshmallow and rose and (ii) comfrey, ginger, and St John’s wort. These are arterial strengthening salves.

I’m also going to make a sciatica salve with St John’s wort, meadowsweet and ginger this week.

Growing herbs

I’ve started to weed around emerging herbs and have potted up about sixteen St John’s wort seedlings. I have yet to plant any herb seeds but hopefully that will happen soon. 

Herb Talks

At the beginning of February, I gave a talk to a local WI. They were able to try teas, oxymels, honeys and elixirs and seemed to enjoy learning more about the weeds in their gardens and hedgerows.

Workshops

I’m held four workshops this year, one on tonics, one on barks and two on recognising herbs. We’ve made herbal teas from fresh and dried herbs, a wine-infused tonic, a bramble root vinegar plus crampbark and nettle root tinctures. We’ve also propagated herbs by taking heel cuttings of woody herbs (sage, rosemary, southernwood), splitting pots of mint into quarters and digging roots of elecampane and hops.

Blog posts

After a four-month hiatus last year, I’ve managed six blog posts in the past three months. It’s not quite one a week but I’m getting there!

Personal development

I’ve been suffering with dry eyes since the beginning of the year so have been researching herbal remedies which help. I’ll be sharing my experiences in a blog post soon.

I’ve attended a session on spices hosted by Lynne Tynan-Cashmore and came home with two Morrocan spice mixes – Harissa and Merguez and Garam masala. I still have to make up Lynne’s wonderful spice mix for lentils now I’ve replenished all my spice supplies.

I’ve been dipping into seven of Juliette de Bairacli Levy’s herb books and researching her family, friends and the people who influenced her. It’s a fascinating journey.