Category Archives: historical herbs

Autumn Garden

A calm quiet resonates in the garden. Autumn is like an intending looming temporal loss. In Unani medicine, Autumn is associated with the Earth element, as all the vegetation and plants prepare to return back to earth. The sadness of autumn reflects its melancholic temperament. It is a contemplative state, as the season shifts from summer’s warmth to winter’s cool grasp. The gradient hues of the falling leaves; oranges, reds, browns and yellows mark an end, a reminder that life is transient. As the days grow shorter and the air turns brisk, the sound of leaves crunching underfoot feels like a quiet farewell.

This year everything is extremely overgrown. The Valerian has been invasive, it has creeped in to all the pots, and leached through the slabs and in every orifice. My three cats adore it though, they dig the pots and take out the root to roll around in pure delight. I have left it as is, for them, for now anyway. I may regret this.

The walnuts fruits are opening up, and I can hear the snapping of the shells as the squirrels are feasting and hiding the nuts in my pots and planters. The hydrangeas are drying out, I have dead headed most of them, but left a few to dry out on the stems, as they make stunning dried flower displays. There’s still a few evening primroses determined to play with the wind, and an abundance of blackberries to harvest still.

A new plant I grew from seed this year was the Lady’s Mantle (Alchemilla vulgaris), commonly known for its astringent and healing properties, especially for women’s issues

The name ‘Alchemilla’ translates as ‘little alchemist’, coming from the Arabic word Alkemiya and is linked to medieval alchemy. The dew that gathers on its leaves was understood to possess spiritual qualities. This highly prized liquid was known as Aqua Celestis (heavenly water), and thought to be the purest form of distilled water used in alchemical practices with the aim of achieving spiritual purity and transformation.

I am trying to get to know the ‘little alchemist’ a little bit better. She appears to me especially feminine, earthly and quite motherly. I have made it a ritual to go out in the garden, and to observe the dew that she exudes every morning. Her broad cloak like velvety leaves appear to be so inviting, and I eagerly accept her offerings, and sometimes make a cold tea infusion combining the dew filled leaves. I truly hope she makes it through the winter.

Autumn is strange, its sadness is both gentle and bittersweet. It can evoke nostalgia for what has passed or spark reflections on the fleeting nature of things. The sombre skies, bare trees, and cold air indicate solitude and loss, yet there’s a quiet appeal in the stillness. It’s a season for reflection, for releasing the past, and for embracing change, and even accepting the subtle melancholy it offers.

lady's mantle

Sacred Bath Rituals

For centuries Sacred Bath rituals have signified a sacred and spiritual act, rooted in the belief that water not only purifies and cleanses, but also, heal, and connects the mind body and spirit.
Bath and water rituals have been practiced in numerous cultures around the world.
Historically civilisations such as the ancient Egyptians used water for spiritual and physical purification. Ritual baths were part of preparations for religious ceremonies, involving the use of oils and herbs.
In Ancient Greeks baths were integral to daily life, serving not just hygienic but also social and spiritual purposes. Hippocrates prescribed baths as medicine of the body and the spirit. Unani medicine traditions also prescribe herbal baths as a regimental therapy.

Indian, Turkish, Japanese, African, Indigenous peoples of America and many more cultures practice the tradition of sacred baths, which can be a deeply relaxing and rejuvenating experience, combining elements of mindfulness, to purify and soothe the soul and increase health and vitality. Spiritual practices of ablution and cleansing are also found in Islam with its ritual cleansing before prayer known as wudhu. In Judaism there is the practice of Mikveh, the ritual immersion in water to achieve purity, and in Christianity the practice of Baptism.

The sacred bath ritual can be a personal journey to re connect with the subconscious aspects of yourself and your life, fostering greater clarity and a sense of completeness.

Reverence for water

Water is the essence of life as we know, it was the first home within the womb, and connected to every life form. With regards to the four classical elements of Water, Air, Fire and Earth, water is associated with emotions, fluidity, and the ability to listen and hold memory. As a shape shifter water can change  from liquid to gas to solid, it moulds and hold and accepts various shapes without permanency. Unani philosophers also describe the character of water as nurturing, calm, accepting, intuitive, and feminine.

Suggestions for creating a calming sacred bath ritual:

a) Cleanse the space by tidying up your bathroom to create a quiet and disorder-free environment.
b) Using aromatherapy candles, or dim lights can create a calming atmosphere, but is optional.

Prepare the Bath with any one, or all of these below, there are no hard and fast rules. I gathered what I had in the garden, rose petals, cedar leaves, rosemary and sage. Also Amethyst and clear crystals that I already had.
c) Salts such as Himalayan pink salt, or Epsom Salts to help to relax muscles, increase circulation, and reduce any inflammation.
d) Essential oils such as lavender, cedarwood, lemon balm, chamomile, and orange can be used, or use your intuition to choose an oil. Please note, essential oils should be diluted in a carrier before adding to the bath water.
e) Herbs, plants and flowers can be dried, such as lavender, rose petals or chamomile. Alternatively go to the garden or green area and intentionally gather a few sprigs or flower heads of the plants that speak to you.
f) Place crystals like amethyst or rose quartz in the bath to elevate the vibrations further.
While immersing yourself in the water, you can choose to make an intention. Invite within, the stillness, and the quiet to promote a sense of peace. Focus on the sensations of the essence and the character of the water element, as well as your chosen oils, and the plants or flowers. Trust your intuition and let yourself be centered and allow your thoughts to be open to messages or ideas that come to mind without judgement. Visualise the water as a conduit to absorb the energy from the plant and oils, to reflect, and to renew and nourish the soul, and wash away any negative thoughts that may arise.
You can also journal your experiences, write down any insights, or if you notice any shifts in the mind or body.

Spring

Spring marks the moment when the sun sits directly over the Earth’s equator as it heads northward. The Northern and Southern Hemispheres share the sun’s rays equally at the equinox, and night and day are roughly the same length, therefore there is a natural energetic balance in nature and in us.

Taking a life lesson from springtide, I have woken up to a whispery scented zephyr wind, and am mindful of the natural energetic shift that we can feel right now. Notably being a melancholic person, which is a cold and dry temperament, and the Spring season is the natural opposite, being a hot and moist temperament, this combination is an aligned one.

Spring is a good time to start something new, to declutter mental and physical spaces, to spend time outside, listen to bird song, read a new book, and generally make use of the energy that comes with the Spring equinox.

In the garden, I am embracing the blue Hyacinth with its hypnotic trance and taking pleasure in the violets against a backdrop of green foliage. St John’s wort has arose, from the soil scented earth, as has the Lemon balm with its sprightly charms, letting me know it is here once more. The flowering buds of the motherly Elder with it shape shifting leaves stands firm and succeeds in making me feel grounded. The fleeting petals of the magnolia tree reminds me of new beginnings, of hope, of change, and a promise of what is yet to come.

 

Winter Garden

The intending depth of winter infers us to look inwards, to reflect, and feels drawn to the warmth of indoors. Those of a melancholic constitution, may feel this need with more severity, with feelings of sadness and maybe even loss. Uplifting essential oils I like to use includes orange and bergamot, cinnamon to add cosiness, and black pepper to lift sluggish spirit.
However the garden right now is not lifeless, it is transiently quite, and looking inwards as nature intended. Peeled back, the energy within the roots of the plants gently brew for the preparation of spring. There is internal life and light still, and the moments spent outside in between the dappled light, and the colours of gold, browns and fawnlike beige are beneficial places for contemplation.
I do not weed – at all, merely sweep up the leaves from the slabs. Otherwise all is left to fall, grow and decay as it wishes. Images below are from my garden right now.

New! Dream Pillows

I have wanted to make these for a while, with the Lavender, Rose and Mugwort I have in the garden every year. These handcrafted dream pillows are made with herbs that are intuitively gathered, wild-crafted and selected for aiding and enhancing sleep. Choose from:
– simple lavender for it calming effects.
– a restful blend made with lavender, chamomile and hops to aid sleep.
– a mugwort and rosemary blend for enhancing and recalling dreams, and faciltating lucid dreams.
– a mugwort and herbs blend (rose, lavender, chamomile, mugwort and hops) for enhancing and facilitating lucid dreams and aiding sleep.

The mugwort and lavender have been infused with the full moon. According to Unani/Greek medicine, the moon has cooling and moistening qualities.

These Dream Pillows are so gentle and a natural method of using herbs in a traditional way to help with dream and sleep. 

mugwort and herbs lucid dream pillow
Lavender dream pillow
mugwort and rosemary
restful sleep dream pillow
mugwort and rosemary dream pillow
Lavender dream pillow

Herbal Pain Ointment Recipe

herbal salve

Pain Ointment

I usually make a version of this ointment once a year for general aches and pains, for a sore back or neck and shoulder pain . Also works well for arthritis and joint pains. The herbs are selected intuitively, what I have available, and also what is growing at the time when needed.

Ingredients
20g of your chosen wax
120ml herbal infused oil *
25 drops of essential oil (optional)

* The infused oil was made with things that I had on hand. From the garden – rosemary, lavender, pine needles, juniper leaves, and new comfrey shoots that were just emerging. From the kitchen – ginger and chilli, and some dried herbs I had from last year – arnica flowers and some plantain leaves.

To make the infused oil:
a) Place olive oil in a large glass jar or a glass bowl or jug (glass jugs are easier to pour later) and add the herbs: rosemary, ginger, comfrey leaves, dried plantain, dried arnica flowers, chilli, pine needles, juniper leaves and lavender flowers or the stems.
b) Place the glass container over a bain-marie (a saucepan of water) being careful not to let the water splash in to the oil. Turn the heat on low and slow cook for 3-4 hours or longer if you prefer. Leave the oil to one side.

To make the ointment:
a) Melt the wax in another glass container. This can also be done over a bain-marie.
b) Once the wax is melted add the herb infused oil you made earlier and stir.
c) Optional: If you would like to add therapeutic essential oil, then do so now.
I used wintergreen, peppermint, turmeric, rosemary and lavender.
Mix and pour in to containers and use went set.
Apply to the problem area and deeply massage in to the skin.

Please note: Wintergreen essential oil is not suitable for children, or those with bleeding disorders, during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.

Free Luna Calendar 2023

Free luna Calendar for 2023. Based on the moon phases of the Northern hemisphere. Perfect for tracking all the various phases, ideal for herbal medicine making, cupping/hijamah, moon gardening or anything else. This is an A4 size.

To download the free calendar, click on the link here!