Today we
Springy and her friend had a great time doing skip rope jumps, playing jacks and talking through tin can telephones. They also had a great time with soapwort and a bucket of water. I'm hoping to grow some. I also found out that the ground elder that I haven't poisoned (my garden is organic) is edible. I just thought it was animal fodder but the Romans used to have it as salad. If only a Roman legion would march through I could get them to eat it all.
Showing posts with label Herbalism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Herbalism. Show all posts
Friday, 12 August 2011
Saturday, 13 November 2010
Baba Yaga's chicken legs
I often wish I had a house on chicken legs. I love where we are most of the time but sometimes I wish I could say to my home "Wake up, please go here..." As someone with a very strong Venus in Cancer in terms of my chart I love being at home. I like to have all my home comforts - tents are not for me. It would be so nice to be able to take everything along including the heating and go to different parts of the world (safe parts).
I'm also pulled in more learning directions again. I love learning - I'm a perpetual student as well as being a home educator. At the moment, I want to do a clinical massage diploma (2 years), take my ArtReflex training to completion, study with the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine for their correspondence course (just personal use on family) and also do an astrology course. I'd also like to learn more about needle felting and knitting and crochet. However, with a small home there isn't enough room to do any of it.
I love the facts that the plants you need always find their way to grow about you. I really believe that if someone has a health condition then all you need to do is look closely around where they live and the plants that choose to grow near them will give an indication of what they need to deal with.
I'm also pulled in more learning directions again. I love learning - I'm a perpetual student as well as being a home educator. At the moment, I want to do a clinical massage diploma (2 years), take my ArtReflex training to completion, study with the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine for their correspondence course (just personal use on family) and also do an astrology course. I'd also like to learn more about needle felting and knitting and crochet. However, with a small home there isn't enough room to do any of it.
I love the facts that the plants you need always find their way to grow about you. I really believe that if someone has a health condition then all you need to do is look closely around where they live and the plants that choose to grow near them will give an indication of what they need to deal with.
Thursday, 29 January 2009
Pukka Herbs
These are some of my favourite teas so I would love to do their distance learning course Introduction to Ayurveda. I'm very interested in Western Herbalism, Ayurvedic medicine and TCM but wouldn't want to be a practitioner of medicine as such. I'm quite happy to be a Reflexologist but do like extra skills so the Pukka course is something to consider for CPD.
Monday, 13 October 2008
It's October...
I realised this evening that the nights are really starting to draw in close. We had the bantams out just before 6 pm and I felt the rush to put them to bed because the sun was starting to descend and darkness was coming in, along with the feeling that predators were starting to be out and about.
We had a nice homemade soup for lunch today - chopped an onion, fried it in my soup pot with some olive oil, added a crushed clove of garlic, some celery, a bit of chopped up butternut squash and added some boiling hot water from the kettle. Then added a cup of red lentils and boiled and then simmered it all up for 20 minutes - about 3 minutes from the end I added some miso and also added a handful of fresh garden herbs earlier in. I also added a dash of canned tomatoes. It was very yummy.
Springy and I made some herbal honey for the winter. We stuffed a glass jar full of sage and a little bit of thyme and then poured honey onto it. This is sage honey and is excellent for coughs and sore throats.
I really love Samhain. I always feel the magic at this time of year and I think it is because of the darker nights. There's something very primal about eating dinner and then getting all snuggled up in blankets later on in the evening as the cold creeps in.
There's a pumpkin craft link here:
http://cjstitchingandblooms.blogspot.com/2008/08/wool-felted-pumpkin-tutorial.html
It looks the same as the one in Living Crafts magazine.
On to home education (not that the above isn't related) but Springy has been working hard on her main lesson book thing. She only likes to write either in her best Magic book or if there is a purpose. She will write shopping lists and also we sometimes play at restaurants and she writes down my order. Other things that seem to encourage her pen control are those mazes in puzzle books and she loves word searches. We have a small chalkboard too and she will write with chalk on that (because she can rub it out). She uses that to practice her pictures and writing before putting them onto something more formal (her idea, not mine since I'm not that fussy).
We had a nice homemade soup for lunch today - chopped an onion, fried it in my soup pot with some olive oil, added a crushed clove of garlic, some celery, a bit of chopped up butternut squash and added some boiling hot water from the kettle. Then added a cup of red lentils and boiled and then simmered it all up for 20 minutes - about 3 minutes from the end I added some miso and also added a handful of fresh garden herbs earlier in. I also added a dash of canned tomatoes. It was very yummy.
Springy and I made some herbal honey for the winter. We stuffed a glass jar full of sage and a little bit of thyme and then poured honey onto it. This is sage honey and is excellent for coughs and sore throats.
I really love Samhain. I always feel the magic at this time of year and I think it is because of the darker nights. There's something very primal about eating dinner and then getting all snuggled up in blankets later on in the evening as the cold creeps in.
There's a pumpkin craft link here:
http://cjstitchingandblooms.blogspot.com/2008/08/wool-felted-pumpkin-tutorial.html
It looks the same as the one in Living Crafts magazine.
On to home education (not that the above isn't related) but Springy has been working hard on her main lesson book thing. She only likes to write either in her best Magic book or if there is a purpose. She will write shopping lists and also we sometimes play at restaurants and she writes down my order. Other things that seem to encourage her pen control are those mazes in puzzle books and she loves word searches. We have a small chalkboard too and she will write with chalk on that (because she can rub it out). She uses that to practice her pictures and writing before putting them onto something more formal (her idea, not mine since I'm not that fussy).
Tuesday, 6 May 2008
A horrid cold
My last cycle really depleted me and I feel anaemic and rundown with this cold which I have had for a week now. C has taken Springy out to the beach today which means I am having a day off. I really need it. I've been reading every day to her but my voice is on the verge of packing up and at night I seem to be coughing all the time (which has meant a general lack of sleep).
I have a new coughdrop mixture to take - ground up calendula petals. They seem to be quite soothing and I'm about to do another steam inhalation.
At the moment I am falling behind with the plans I had. Saying that we have been doing the quality of numbers for 1 through to 4 so far.
Springy heard a story about a little girl called Springy (based on Marsha Johnson's files) who followed a rabbit in her garden to a hole and then fell through it (Alice in Wonderland). At the bottom (soft landing) was an unknown land and a hill with a door set into it. An old lady was the guardian to the door and she has questions to ask. For example, she asks "What is there one of?" and then falls asleep again. We've been working with it orally so far rather than doing anything written but Springy has been reeling off that there is:
one of herself,
one of the sun,
one of me,
one of the moon,
one of the Earth and so on. One is circular and so a circle is for me the shape of one and the old lady let Springy know this. I also mentioned in brief that the Romans wrote their numbers in a different way and held up one finger and showed her on our mini chalkboard what that would look like written down: I
When the Springy in the story gave the old lady the answer she woke up and asked the next question, "What is there two of?". Again, the lady fell asleep and I left it to Springy. Springy came out with:
Mummy and daddy
Night and day
sun and moon
my arms, my legs, my hands, my eyes
and we added things in (via the old lady in the story) like a line goes from here to there so a line is the "shape" of two and also did the same with the Roman numeral of II.
For three, Springy came out with:
You, me and daddy
The old lady informed Springy of the triangle (and we were in the car at the time and went past some road triangle warning signs and a roof side so Springy was able to spot them) and then the old lady (as me) showed her three fingers and so the Roman numeral III.
Yesterday, I told Springy the next bit of the story and the old lady's question was "What is there four of?".
(I realise there is some deviation from the way this would be covered in a school but even Steiner knew the value of being economical with things that children already knew and Springy does know her numbers already, although the qualities for the numbers coming up until 12 will be more difficult for her).
I have a new coughdrop mixture to take - ground up calendula petals. They seem to be quite soothing and I'm about to do another steam inhalation.
At the moment I am falling behind with the plans I had. Saying that we have been doing the quality of numbers for 1 through to 4 so far.
Springy heard a story about a little girl called Springy (based on Marsha Johnson's files) who followed a rabbit in her garden to a hole and then fell through it (Alice in Wonderland). At the bottom (soft landing) was an unknown land and a hill with a door set into it. An old lady was the guardian to the door and she has questions to ask. For example, she asks "What is there one of?" and then falls asleep again. We've been working with it orally so far rather than doing anything written but Springy has been reeling off that there is:
one of herself,
one of the sun,
one of me,
one of the moon,
one of the Earth and so on. One is circular and so a circle is for me the shape of one and the old lady let Springy know this. I also mentioned in brief that the Romans wrote their numbers in a different way and held up one finger and showed her on our mini chalkboard what that would look like written down: I
When the Springy in the story gave the old lady the answer she woke up and asked the next question, "What is there two of?". Again, the lady fell asleep and I left it to Springy. Springy came out with:
Mummy and daddy
Night and day
sun and moon
my arms, my legs, my hands, my eyes
and we added things in (via the old lady in the story) like a line goes from here to there so a line is the "shape" of two and also did the same with the Roman numeral of II.
For three, Springy came out with:
You, me and daddy
The old lady informed Springy of the triangle (and we were in the car at the time and went past some road triangle warning signs and a roof side so Springy was able to spot them) and then the old lady (as me) showed her three fingers and so the Roman numeral III.
Yesterday, I told Springy the next bit of the story and the old lady's question was "What is there four of?".
(I realise there is some deviation from the way this would be covered in a school but even Steiner knew the value of being economical with things that children already knew and Springy does know her numbers already, although the qualities for the numbers coming up until 12 will be more difficult for her).
Friday, 2 May 2008
It's May
I was really ill last night. I have a cold and as the evening went on my ear got worse and worse. As a child I used to have lots of earache and would be dosed up on antibiotics (I'm now allergic to most antibiotics). It took me back. I used to scream and cry. Last night I cried and cried because the pain was so unbearable. My husband gave me some paracetamol and Ibuprofen to counteract it but neither worked (my limbs felt great though). In the end I went downstairs (dizzy as well) and crushed some garlic and stuck that in my ear. I felt it start to work - it burns but garlic has antimicrobial and anti-viral properties. My husband helped with some olive oil in my ear (took the edge off the garlic) and this morning I'm feeling loads better.
Anyway, the last few days we have been reading chapters from The Dolls House by Rumer Godden. We've been feeding the ducks who beg at our door for bread. Springy and C went on a bike ride yesterday afternoon whilst I did some work. We went shopping several times yesterday and this past week I knitted my daughter a guineapig.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25250744@N06/2438489679/
Anyway, the last few days we have been reading chapters from The Dolls House by Rumer Godden. We've been feeding the ducks who beg at our door for bread. Springy and C went on a bike ride yesterday afternoon whilst I did some work. We went shopping several times yesterday and this past week I knitted my daughter a guineapig.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25250744@N06/2438489679/
Saturday, 16 February 2008
Our medicine basket
In my medicine kit we have:
Easy access to the bathroom sink to wash off germs and wash wounds
Clean flannels
Tweezers
Thermoter
Aloe vera plant (good for burns)
Germolene (cream)
Savlon (antiseptic cream)
Lavender essential oil (Tisserand) - one of the few eos that I use (so many are unethically harvested and potentially too strong for the body system)
Sage plant
Rosemary (good mouth rinse)
Sea salt (mouth rinse, wound wash)
Star anise tincture (for flu-type viruses but still need to work on the research for this which is why I am the only one to take it since I don't wish to poison my family)
Rosewater - makes a nice scent and useful as "fairy magic" medicine
Echinacea (don't like using this flower because of the unethical harvesting situation)
Dried nettle (tisane, vinegar and so on)
Camomile tea - soothing drink, great for eyebaths
Nettle vinegar (full of nutrients - preventative)
Floradix (helps if I get heavy times of the month and tends to prevent it as if you have a heavy flow it suggests that you need to look at nutrients/lifestyle)
Eyebright - good for eyebaths but possibly because of hot water rather than active consituents
Calpol - infant paracetamol which is only used when temperatures are too high and the breaking point is not being reached without major duress to Springy
Calendula balm - great for soothing the skin
Ginger, lemon and honey drink (homemade, made as need arises)
I don't use anything homoeopathic since I do not believe in the way it is believed to work (since there is little in the pills or jars other than sugar or water and certainly no active constituent).
Easy access to the bathroom sink to wash off germs and wash wounds
Clean flannels
Tweezers
Thermoter
Aloe vera plant (good for burns)
Germolene (cream)
Savlon (antiseptic cream)
Lavender essential oil (Tisserand) - one of the few eos that I use (so many are unethically harvested and potentially too strong for the body system)
Sage plant
Rosemary (good mouth rinse)
Sea salt (mouth rinse, wound wash)
Star anise tincture (for flu-type viruses but still need to work on the research for this which is why I am the only one to take it since I don't wish to poison my family)
Rosewater - makes a nice scent and useful as "fairy magic" medicine
Echinacea (don't like using this flower because of the unethical harvesting situation)
Dried nettle (tisane, vinegar and so on)
Camomile tea - soothing drink, great for eyebaths
Nettle vinegar (full of nutrients - preventative)
Floradix (helps if I get heavy times of the month and tends to prevent it as if you have a heavy flow it suggests that you need to look at nutrients/lifestyle)
Eyebright - good for eyebaths but possibly because of hot water rather than active consituents
Calpol - infant paracetamol which is only used when temperatures are too high and the breaking point is not being reached without major duress to Springy
Calendula balm - great for soothing the skin
Ginger, lemon and honey drink (homemade, made as need arises)
I don't use anything homoeopathic since I do not believe in the way it is believed to work (since there is little in the pills or jars other than sugar or water and certainly no active constituent).
Tuesday, 12 February 2008
Re: Spring has arrived... for now
We have had lovely weather so far. Our daffodils are already out and the crocuses are peaking like baby birds, with their yellow beaks wide open.
Springy was invested in the Beavers this week. She said her promise:
I promise to do my best
To be kind and helpful
and to do my duty to good.
Today (Wednesday, 6th) Springy and I did quite a few beanbag games, performed a puppet play together (using the sea puppets from Ikea) and then went out into the garden. We put the guineapigs in their run and whilst I cleaned out their home, Springy played with them. Then I mowed some of the dry parts of the lawn so it looks a lot neater. Springy watched as I gathered nettles and took them inside to make a nettle vinegar - we also got stung. Later on in the afternoon I waited here for the courier to arrive so Daddy took Springy out to the harbour to feed the ducks, then to get some shopping.
The last few days have been fabulous in terms of the weather. It's been so sunny and the guineapigs have been out again. Springy and I put down some turf today (recycled from where it has grown over flagstones - she watered it and I hope it will patch up some of the bare patches in the garden. We've been planting some more bulbs (gladioli) and have sorted some of the pots out ready for planting later in the season. We have a new lavender and I got some thyme too (it's a very handy medicinal and culinary herb). We made nettle vinegar (gather spring nettle tops, place in jar as full as you can and then add apple cider vinegar - seal for a month or two before using as a salad dressing).
I've been reading through issue 2 of the Living Crafts magazine (http://www.livingcrafts.com/). It's such a lovely read and also many of the crafts in it are simple enough to say "Yes, I'm going to have a go" to (and we have been). I've lost issue 1 and I can't find the Story of the Root Children either (which is not good because it is a perfect seasonal story).
I've been telling Springy the poem Princess Spring from the Enki kindergarten curriculum as well.
Springy was invested in the Beavers this week. She said her promise:
I promise to do my best
To be kind and helpful
and to do my duty to good.
Today (Wednesday, 6th) Springy and I did quite a few beanbag games, performed a puppet play together (using the sea puppets from Ikea) and then went out into the garden. We put the guineapigs in their run and whilst I cleaned out their home, Springy played with them. Then I mowed some of the dry parts of the lawn so it looks a lot neater. Springy watched as I gathered nettles and took them inside to make a nettle vinegar - we also got stung. Later on in the afternoon I waited here for the courier to arrive so Daddy took Springy out to the harbour to feed the ducks, then to get some shopping.
The last few days have been fabulous in terms of the weather. It's been so sunny and the guineapigs have been out again. Springy and I put down some turf today (recycled from where it has grown over flagstones - she watered it and I hope it will patch up some of the bare patches in the garden. We've been planting some more bulbs (gladioli) and have sorted some of the pots out ready for planting later in the season. We have a new lavender and I got some thyme too (it's a very handy medicinal and culinary herb). We made nettle vinegar (gather spring nettle tops, place in jar as full as you can and then add apple cider vinegar - seal for a month or two before using as a salad dressing).
I've been reading through issue 2 of the Living Crafts magazine (http://www.livingcrafts.com/). It's such a lovely read and also many of the crafts in it are simple enough to say "Yes, I'm going to have a go" to (and we have been). I've lost issue 1 and I can't find the Story of the Root Children either (which is not good because it is a perfect seasonal story).
I've been telling Springy the poem Princess Spring from the Enki kindergarten curriculum as well.
Friday, 1 February 2008
Flu tincture and crocheted scarves
I've given up on knitting but got into crochet. I bought a children's crochet set and within a few hours had figured a lot out (unlike knitting which even though I've attended workshops and gone through it numerous times still gets me muddled). Anyway Springy is now the owner of one cream and lilac scarf made from a bamboo/wool mix. It's great because it is very soft, a natural fibre, doesn't itch and doesn't give her static problems and she keeps telling everyone that her mummy made it.
I've also made a flu tincture using vodka and star anise (the logic behind it is star anise is one of the components in tamiflu, although whether it does anything is another matter). Anyway a teaspoon taken at several points in the day seems to have thwarted off, so far, a cold that was beginning to take hold. It tastes very strong (since I'm not used to alcohol) and very like anise.
My next project is to make some nettle tincture, to ensure our herbal medicine cabinet is well stocked. I will dry some nettles and also use some in cooking because at this time of year they make a great spring tonic herb.
I've also made a flu tincture using vodka and star anise (the logic behind it is star anise is one of the components in tamiflu, although whether it does anything is another matter). Anyway a teaspoon taken at several points in the day seems to have thwarted off, so far, a cold that was beginning to take hold. It tastes very strong (since I'm not used to alcohol) and very like anise.
My next project is to make some nettle tincture, to ensure our herbal medicine cabinet is well stocked. I will dry some nettles and also use some in cooking because at this time of year they make a great spring tonic herb.
Wednesday, 2 January 2008
Milly Molly Mandy stories
We're still having our Milly Molly Mandy stories at bedtime. Springy loves them and so do I. They're very gentle stories about a little girl and not a great deal happens in them - no big adventures, just simple tales about life with her family and in her small village.
Today we added even more hay than usual to the guineapig home because it is supposed to be snowing tonight. It feels very cold outside and Springy noticed the clouds look "apricot coloured". We did our shopping today and are having a home-made pork casserole with a cider marinade and there's a cooking apple in with the meat too.
This month's cheese of the world was Gouda from Holland but Springy thought it was too chewy. She wasn't keen on the Norwegian Jarlsberg either but she still loves rollmop herrings.
Springy's N is still in hospital but is relaxed and feels safe there. She's eating well too. The medical team think it is her heart causing the problems.
I'm going to make some ginger cordial tomorrow - fresh ginger chopped up with water, bring to the boil and simmer and added to honey (to sweeten and for soothing properties and lemon juice. I also use a garlic crush to squeeze the ginger out after it's boiled as that adds a bit of extra "oomph!" to the taste (although if you overdo it you feel like your mouth is on fire).
Today we added even more hay than usual to the guineapig home because it is supposed to be snowing tonight. It feels very cold outside and Springy noticed the clouds look "apricot coloured". We did our shopping today and are having a home-made pork casserole with a cider marinade and there's a cooking apple in with the meat too.
This month's cheese of the world was Gouda from Holland but Springy thought it was too chewy. She wasn't keen on the Norwegian Jarlsberg either but she still loves rollmop herrings.
Springy's N is still in hospital but is relaxed and feels safe there. She's eating well too. The medical team think it is her heart causing the problems.
I'm going to make some ginger cordial tomorrow - fresh ginger chopped up with water, bring to the boil and simmer and added to honey (to sweeten and for soothing properties and lemon juice. I also use a garlic crush to squeeze the ginger out after it's boiled as that adds a bit of extra "oomph!" to the taste (although if you overdo it you feel like your mouth is on fire).
Sunday, 9 September 2007
Hedgerow Crumble
Today was Hedgerow Crumble today. Yesterday morning we went for a walk along the hedgerows, picking out blackberries, elderberries (Sambucus Nigra), and wild damsons. With a cooking apple and some flour, plain butter and honey (and a little bit of unrefined sugar) Springy and I made a crumble (destone the damsons, pull the elder berries of the twiggy bits, chop apple rough and throw in the blackberries; crumble mix is 5oz plain flour and about 3.5oz butter - rub together to make a crumble and add sugar and honey to fruit to suit your own taste). We had it with double cream and it was delicious. Elderberries are great at this time of year and I intend to make some elderberry syrup for the winter months (but I need to get going as they are almost at the end of their best before on the umbrels).
Yesterday, apart from hedgerow foraging, involved going off in a rowing boat with a picnic for our lunch. It was beautiful weather and we fed ducks and swans (and a few fish) along the way.
Yesterday, apart from hedgerow foraging, involved going off in a rowing boat with a picnic for our lunch. It was beautiful weather and we fed ducks and swans (and a few fish) along the way.
Friday, 30 March 2007
Sick with a bug
Ill - yes we've been ill which is why my idea to blog has fallen by the wayside until now. We were supposed to have had a home ed meet up with another family yesterday but just before 2 pm my daughter vomited as we were about to set off.
We have had a weird bug that is going around; it's a cold with either a) diarrhoea (I love spelling that word) or b) vomiting or both. I had the former at the beginning of the week (herbal info for diarrhoea: bistort root with cinnamon bark - place 1 dstspn bistort and 1 cinnamon stick in pan with 1 cup cold water, bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes - caution in pregnancy etc) and now my little girl is in bed with a temperature (currently asleep which is why I am writing but I keep checking her) having both.
I stayed up all last night with her to check she was all right and to help her hold the bucket, sit on the toilet and then carry her back to bed. At about 6 am she stopped vomiting after drinking and has now been keeping fluids down - cold camomile tea and water, alternating, with little sips of each. Husband is wonderful because he took the night off, got his sleep and then took over late morning when I was too tired (managed to get a much needed nap).
I'm hoping that the fever will break and then she should be fine. It's always a worry when you love someone that much and I hate to see her look so sad and weak.
I read her three stories today. She wanted to remain quiet and was asleep for most of the day but I asked if she wanted some stories and I read her three from the Oak Meadow Kindergarten collection. She really enjoyed the one about Princess Eliza and the one about The Golden Spider (who weaves blankets for baby fairies); the third story was The White Snake but it wasn't a good story for reading to a sick patient, at least not my sick little girl.
We have had a weird bug that is going around; it's a cold with either a) diarrhoea (I love spelling that word) or b) vomiting or both. I had the former at the beginning of the week (herbal info for diarrhoea: bistort root with cinnamon bark - place 1 dstspn bistort and 1 cinnamon stick in pan with 1 cup cold water, bring to boil and simmer for 10 minutes - caution in pregnancy etc) and now my little girl is in bed with a temperature (currently asleep which is why I am writing but I keep checking her) having both.
I stayed up all last night with her to check she was all right and to help her hold the bucket, sit on the toilet and then carry her back to bed. At about 6 am she stopped vomiting after drinking and has now been keeping fluids down - cold camomile tea and water, alternating, with little sips of each. Husband is wonderful because he took the night off, got his sleep and then took over late morning when I was too tired (managed to get a much needed nap).
I'm hoping that the fever will break and then she should be fine. It's always a worry when you love someone that much and I hate to see her look so sad and weak.
I read her three stories today. She wanted to remain quiet and was asleep for most of the day but I asked if she wanted some stories and I read her three from the Oak Meadow Kindergarten collection. She really enjoyed the one about Princess Eliza and the one about The Golden Spider (who weaves blankets for baby fairies); the third story was The White Snake but it wasn't a good story for reading to a sick patient, at least not my sick little girl.
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