Just a quick note to let you know that the Berry Go Round plant blog carnival is up at Foothills Fancies
I've only got a little way in with reading through the posts, but have already found beautiful plant photography and a lovely little piece on the Scarlet Pimpernel. Enjoy!
Tuesday, 29 April 2008
Monday, 28 April 2008
Weeds and Wildflowers
I always intended Earth and Tree to be a repository of information and resources, a kind of 'bringing together of interesting stuff' relating to a more natural and earth-centred way of life. To this end, I spent some time (more than I anticipated!) yesterday organising all the blog links on the side column into categories so that we can find things more easily.. if your site has fallen off, please let me know as it won't be intentional! Some of the wonderful blogs could have been listed under several categories but I just went with what felt right at the time .. hope you will find it useful?
Speaking of bringing together interesting stuff...
Its a good time of year for Backyard Herbalism with all the weeds and wildflowers in abundance, including the dandelion .. if you're wondering what you can do with them, check out Greenwoman's post on making a Dandelion Salve and Yolanda's post on making a Soup with the buds.
And if you liked yesterday's post on the Cowslip, you should also see the Wiggly Wigglers post on Cowpats and Cowslips which has more interesting information for you.
Speaking of bringing together interesting stuff...
Its a good time of year for Backyard Herbalism with all the weeds and wildflowers in abundance, including the dandelion .. if you're wondering what you can do with them, check out Greenwoman's post on making a Dandelion Salve and Yolanda's post on making a Soup with the buds.
And if you liked yesterday's post on the Cowslip, you should also see the Wiggly Wigglers post on Cowpats and Cowslips which has more interesting information for you.
Sunday, 27 April 2008
Cowslip
The use of Cowslip (primula veris), known as ‘herba paralysis’ and ‘palsywort’, for spasm, cramps, paralysis and rheumatic pain was once widespread, and dates back to at least the medieval period. Also called ‘Key Flower’, an association with keys from a link with the pagan goddess Freya was later christianised, giving the names ‘Our Lady’s Keys’, and 'Herb Peter'.
The young leaves were formerly eaten in salad and mixed with other herbs to stuff meat, while its ‘somewhat narcotic juices’ were utilised in Cowslip wine.
A home-made infusion is useful for coughs and bronchitis and the flower tea soothes headaches (only the yellow part of the flower is used, all green parts are carefully discarded). Indeed, Cowslip is a rich source of salicylates (aspirin-like compounds) and has the reputation of being second only to Betony for relieving head pain. Cowslip is also used internally in modern herbalism for asthma, arthritis, restlessness and insomnia and applied externally to treat sunburn.
A sedative, expectorant herb which relaxes spasms and reduces inflammation.
Flowers April – May
NB: No longer collected from the wild as has now become rare.
CAUTION: Skin irritant and allergen; Do not use in pregnancy, if sensitive to aspirin or taking anti-coagulant medicine such as Warfarin
PLEASE NOTE: These notes on the history and use of herbs have been compiled for general interest and are not intended as medical advice, for which you should consult a professional herbalist.
BIBLIOGRAPY:
‘Herbs and Healing Plants of Britain and Europe’ Dieter Podlech (1987)
'A Modern Herbal' Mrs M. Grieve FRHS ed. Mrs C. F. Leyel (1973)
'The Herb Society's Complete Medicinal Herbal' Penelope Ody MNIMH (1993)
'RHS Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses' Deni Brown (2002)
The young leaves were formerly eaten in salad and mixed with other herbs to stuff meat, while its ‘somewhat narcotic juices’ were utilised in Cowslip wine.
A home-made infusion is useful for coughs and bronchitis and the flower tea soothes headaches (only the yellow part of the flower is used, all green parts are carefully discarded). Indeed, Cowslip is a rich source of salicylates (aspirin-like compounds) and has the reputation of being second only to Betony for relieving head pain. Cowslip is also used internally in modern herbalism for asthma, arthritis, restlessness and insomnia and applied externally to treat sunburn.
A sedative, expectorant herb which relaxes spasms and reduces inflammation.
Flowers April – May
NB: No longer collected from the wild as has now become rare.
CAUTION: Skin irritant and allergen; Do not use in pregnancy, if sensitive to aspirin or taking anti-coagulant medicine such as Warfarin
PLEASE NOTE: These notes on the history and use of herbs have been compiled for general interest and are not intended as medical advice, for which you should consult a professional herbalist.
BIBLIOGRAPY:
‘Herbs and Healing Plants of Britain and Europe’ Dieter Podlech (1987)
'A Modern Herbal' Mrs M. Grieve FRHS ed. Mrs C. F. Leyel (1973)
'The Herb Society's Complete Medicinal Herbal' Penelope Ody MNIMH (1993)
'RHS Encyclopedia of Herbs and Their Uses' Deni Brown (2002)
Saturday, 26 April 2008
Tree Tribute
There have been some wonderful tree posts lately on the blogs that I visit and I really wanted to pull them together for everyone to share .... and then I found out that it was just 'Arbor Day', what more fitting time to do so!
First up is my favourite ever tree post by Cheryl (aka wonderwoman) at My Wildlife Sanctuary. She is talking with great empathy, wisdom and reverence about a friend of hers, who happens to be a tree.. I found it a very moving experience.
Another tree tribute I love is by an etsy friend of mine who blogs at What Does the Golden Mean? She visited some very ancient trees, and her words and pictures convey their powerful presence and the feelings this invoked.
I was captivated by Mark's collage of buds at The Greenfingered Photographer .. an inspiring image, full of hope and promise. How satisfying to have planted these trees and then see them come to life like this!
There are so many more I could include, maybe I'll do a monthly tree tribute post? Show me your links, if you've written or read a good post lately.
First up is my favourite ever tree post by Cheryl (aka wonderwoman) at My Wildlife Sanctuary. She is talking with great empathy, wisdom and reverence about a friend of hers, who happens to be a tree.. I found it a very moving experience.
Another tree tribute I love is by an etsy friend of mine who blogs at What Does the Golden Mean? She visited some very ancient trees, and her words and pictures convey their powerful presence and the feelings this invoked.
I was captivated by Mark's collage of buds at The Greenfingered Photographer .. an inspiring image, full of hope and promise. How satisfying to have planted these trees and then see them come to life like this!
There are so many more I could include, maybe I'll do a monthly tree tribute post? Show me your links, if you've written or read a good post lately.
Friday, 25 April 2008
Chelsea Physic Garden
Many thanks to Dave for reminding me to look up the opening times for Chelsea Physic Garden, a fantastic secret walled garden tucked away in central London (a few stops on the bus from Victoria station). It was begun in the 17th century as an apothecary's garden in order to train apprentices in plant indentification and promote the study of botany in "physic" or the healing arts .
I can confidently assert that anyone who finds this blog interesting will love it!
As its open more often this year, I'm hoping to go once a month as there is so much to see and of course it all changes! If anyone is planning a trip to London, it would be well worth fitting it in.
2008 Season: 19 March - 31 October
Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 12-5pm
Sundays 12-6pm
Bank Holidays and Good Friday, 12-6pm
Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Extended Opening Information for 2008
The Garden is open from Monday to Friday 12-5pm during Chelsea Flower Show week 20-24 May inclusive (Please note that on Thursday 22 May the Garden will not open until 2pm.)
In July and August the Garden is open until 10pm on Wednesdays, last admission at 8:30pm. The cafe will be open until the Garden shuts.
I can confidently assert that anyone who finds this blog interesting will love it!
As its open more often this year, I'm hoping to go once a month as there is so much to see and of course it all changes! If anyone is planning a trip to London, it would be well worth fitting it in.
2008 Season: 19 March - 31 October
Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 12-5pm
Sundays 12-6pm
Bank Holidays and Good Friday, 12-6pm
Last admission 30 minutes before closing
Extended Opening Information for 2008
The Garden is open from Monday to Friday 12-5pm during Chelsea Flower Show week 20-24 May inclusive (Please note that on Thursday 22 May the Garden will not open until 2pm.)
In July and August the Garden is open until 10pm on Wednesdays, last admission at 8:30pm. The cafe will be open until the Garden shuts.
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