Fabulous Pomegranate flowers Mulberry one of my favorites. Remember harvesting so many when I was a child in Formentera. I would be covered in the juice. Below is a Japanese variety that has been fruiting for the last month or so!
Just before the formal lockdown was implemented, a very small healing group of us spent the afternoon with Quince. Cydonia oblonga- Quince, Marmelo Rosacea Family Therapeutic Health Benefits FLOWERS: The flowers cool any hot agitation both physically and emotionally. Great in insomnia and when feeling tense and stressed. Integrates harmoniously our Heart Guidance and Solar plexus Will. Balance of Compassion and Strength. If we are too dominant or resist being assertive, the flower will help us shift into balance. Connects both our feminine and masculine sides. Eases inner conflict, bringing about a calm balance between Nurture and Power. The essence of this flower helps us to feel complete, especially in times when we can feel lost. When there is a sense of longing for something known or unknown. Quince’s Soul lesson is that true power comes from love and that true love brings immense power. FRUITS: Drying, nutritive, cooling and sedative. Fully ripe fruits are a great tonic to the gut: soothes gas in the stomach, is a liver tonic, tones and restores the system after stomach bugs and when there has been vomiting, diarrhoea and dysentery. Ripe fruits have an harmoniously impact on the gut. Note underripe fruits are very acid forming! Can help in nausea including in pregnancy. Can make a juice from the fruits and this is a great gargle for sore throats and mouth ulcers and disease. Also for deep cleansing after any illness or toxicity. Gives a boost when feeling fatigue, debility and restores after illness. Cooling and drying in any hot inflamed or feverish condition. SEEDS: Good for any irritated mucus membranes. Rich in mucilage works as a laxative and as a soothing demulcent anti-inflammatory especially in digestive complaints such as in ulceration and thrush. Soothes irritation in the urinary tract including in cystitis. Also for dry irritable coughs. Externally for burns. In pregnancy can help prevent stretch marks. Also helps to heal the skin after scaring or damage, including from burns. Both fruits and seeds good for irritable bowel, good for alkalinising, constipation, inflammation and wind. Throat infections and mouth disease. The Quince helps to protect the skin and preserves elasticity. Quince helps to retain water and thus is good for dry and flaky skin. This links to the thick skin of a quince that retains its own moisture for long periods. See pharmacy for extra note on the ‘wax’ of the fruit. LEAVES: The leaves can be used for all the same conditions as the flowers, seeds and fruits. Also: The tea of the leaves can used for painful periods, bronchitis and inflamed vocal chords. Pharmacy: Early March to make essences and infusions with the flowers. Autumn time to work with the fruits and seeds. Throughout most of the year to work with leaves. Young leaves best. Is a decidous tree so no leaves in the Winter! Infusions and decoctions made from the leaves. Making the fruits into a chutney, the large variety can be eaten raw especially when grown in hotter climates, peeled and sliced. Also gently cooked with Rose water very delicious! Can also be stewed and baked. The juice of the ripe Quince fruits excellent way to take the fruit for therapeutic value see above. Dosage: small amounts diluted with water. If sugar is used in fruit preparations the medicine is still nutritive but less therapeutic for the liver. Dry slices of the fruit in dyhadrator. Optional can then later be soaked in water and eaten. Using the natural ‘wax’ which is found on the outside of the fruit, also known as a downy coat in creams and lotions. The residue press after juicing the fruits contains this wax and can be added to products. For internal therapeutics seeds can be soaked over night and liquid drank. Put the seeds in water overnight and the next day the swollen seeds need to be gently squeezed to extract the smooth slimy mucilage around the seed, this can then added to skin preparations. Also can decoct seeds or simply made into an infusion. Can be used as a mouth wash and made into a poultice or added to creams and lotions. Constituents\Compounds: Fruits: Especially high in Vitamin A and Vitamin C, Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Phosphorus (esp. needed for teeth and bone health). High amount of Pectin (even higher than apple). A thickening agent for preserving. Tannins giving it the toning and anti-inflammatory qualities. Seeds: mucilage soothing protective quality. All parts of the plants Rich in antioxidants that help to protect and heal cells both externally and internally. Ancient application:
First grew wild in Kashmir. Cultivated for over 4000 years. The Greeks first found the Quince in Cydonia in Crete. Romans called them Honey Apples, they preserved the fruits in honey and made them into wine. Confusions in literature and myth when Apple is mentioned actually it was the Quince, including in the Bilble.. The quince was taken on long expeditions on Portuguese ships in the past to prevent scury as they are very high in vitamin C and store well. The Portuguese name Marmelo comes from the Middle Ages where Portugal was known as having the best Quince and was made into a marmalade. Quince was the original fruit used, orange came later.. The Quince is sacred to Venus and she is often shown holding a quince in her hand. Quince is known as a Symbol of Love, Happiness and fertility since Ancient times. Often presented at wedding ceremonies throughout the ages to promote a happy life together. Quince in Roman times known to protect against the evil eye and often painted on the outside of peoples homes. Although Quince is sacred to Venus. Culpeper writes that Quince is goverened by Saturn. He also noted the herb be good for women with hot sore breasts. As well as the downy coat ‘wax’ for baldness.. Old Portuguese stories have also links with love and romance. It has been said that making Quince delights will make another fall in love with you. Quince has been cultivated for thousands of years but has changed very little. Today you find in the Algarve that many other trees such as the Nêspera are grafted onto the rootstock of a Quince. In these uncertain times: The most important thing is to look after our immune systems. With NUTRITION being key.
All of these herbs boost immune system and many help to strengthen the nervous system. Have plenty of Thyme, Rosemary, Oregano, Sage, Mint, Basil Any or all of these in strong infusions\teas. Ginger and Garlic two big players which I would suggest in large amounts in cooking. Also make decoctions with Ginger. You can also be working with spices and again make decoctions and teas with any of the following: cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamon, and most other spices in your cupboard have immune boosting actions. Mushrooms Shiitake, Maitake, Reishi, chaga. Medicinal mushrooms are good to boost immune system and protect. Often Aldi sells fresh shiitake. So plenty in cooking and can also make decoctions with ginger. Can buy mushrooms in powder form. Berries also have powerhouse immune support. So any berries that you can get. Obviously they are not in season.. But if you get organic juice no sugar added. Including Red Grape, Elderberry. You can also get berries in powders form. Even frozen is better than nothing and all van be added to smoothies. Don’t forget Apples!! Greens leafy veg. of course in your cooking. Also extra Chlorella or Spirillina is super good. Extra supplementation of High Vitamin C and Vitamin D. >2000mg Flaxseed oil. Extra herbs to have if possible: Calendula, Galium, Nettles. Melissa. Turmeric. Tarragon. Aloe Vera. Milk Thistle. Elderberry. VITALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP EMOTIONAL HEALTH CALM AND STRONG. Any extra advice or questions you may have. [email protected] Paronychia argentea known as Algerian tea an aphrodisiac and lung tonic and much more❣️ Scilla peruviana Portuguese Squill of the Asparagaceae family. I have found from personal experience and observations that the essence of this beauty supports the process of Grief. Allows the tears to fall and comforts the Heart. Giving strength and space to mourn. Beautiful memories of your loved one come flooding back 💜💜💜 Interestingly when researching the medicinal qualities of the plant, the bulb contains Cardio active glycocides, Bitter qualities and emetic from the scilliroside. The bulb seems to be the main part that is made into medicine and Folkloric medicine mentions for throat and antifungal actions. Strong medicine and I have not as yet made a medicine from the bulb... Nonea versicaria antibacterial and antioxidant. What a beauty Cistus albidus flowers for the heart. Where boundaries either need forming or have become too hard. Softens accumulation and gives space to dive deep within The bees are going wild for this beauty at the moment Anthyllis tetraphylla, known as bladder kidney vetch. A sweet healing tonic. Supports the body to eliminate toxins. Antimicrobial, settles upset tum, soothes a cough and great external for healing stubborn wounds. Stellaria media, delighted to have this cooling soothing healing herb. Eases inflamed itchy skin, clears congestion esp in the lungs and gut. This herb grows well in the Algarve and as far north as Scotland.
Silene colorata of the Caryophyllaceae family.
Many species of the Silene have been noted for medicinal properties throughout the world. Investigations have shown they contain phytoecdysteroids which have adaptogen, liver protective, hypoglycemic and Heart tonic actions. As well as antitumour, antibacterial and antioxidant activities 💚 Last weekend we had our first seasonal Herbal walk at Ceratonia. Getting immersed in Nature and experiencing the abundance of wild and planted Herbs. It is an inspiration to see so many wild herbs growing with so little rain. Fills me with hope and sustainability that Ceratonia will always have tons of Medicine to support us all 💚
Plectranthus barbatus previously known as Coleus forskohlii of the Lamiaceae family. This very strong bitter tasting herb that is high in essential oils is fabulous to cleanse the liver and gallbladder. Helps in skin complaints such as eczema and psoriasis. The vast amount of essential oils also link with the antibacterial and antiviral actions of the herb. Works as a heart tonic and reduces high blood pressure. The alkaloid forskolin mainly found in the roots works on the circulatory system as well as stimulates thyroid function. A big action of the herb is its ability to relax smooth muscles which help in many ailments including asthma and painful digestive and urinary complaints. This plant has an affinity to the endocrine system which also links to its essential oil content. These powerful actions not only work with the thyroid but also the pancreas, the prostate and is a great energy boost 💚 Plectranthus is a global medicine and its medicine is known across the world including in Ayurveda, China, South American and Africa. I have already found this herb to really support the process of shifting stuck states if that be physically or emotionally. |
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February 2024
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_The Herbarium
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