Bloomin Earth Festival, Kitchener
Come visit us at our booth at the Bloomin Earth Festival, this Saturday April 20, 2012 9am-5pm in Kitchener.
How to Make a Wild Violet Leaf Oil Infusion
Spring is the time to harvest Wild Violets
Watch our video to learn how!
Wild Violet Workshop In Thornbury
Please join TWO HERBAL MAMAS Tuesday, April 17th at The L.E. Shore Memorial Library in Thornbury Ontario for an informative talk on Wild Violets (Viola Odorata). We will discuss the healing benefits and applications of this precious spring flower. Learn how to make a salve from the aerial parts of the plant and take it home with you. The FREE workshop commences at 7:00pm. To register please call 519-599-3681 or email libraryinfo@thebluemountains.ca. See you there!
4 Things You Can Make With St. John’s Wort
1. Make An Infusion. Take 30 grams of dried herb or 75 grams of fresh herb and add to 500 ml of boiled water. This is just like making a cup of tea. Let the infusion steep for fifteen minutes. Strain and drink. Drink this tea to calm your nervous system and anxiety. CAUTION: Some people become sensitive to sunlight after drinking the tea for extended periods of time.
St. John’s Wort – Hypericum perforatum
Happy St. Jean Baptiste Day!
St. John’s Wort/ Hypericum perforatum The flower of Light.
The name Hypericum comes from the Greek word “huper eikon” meaning “over an apparition”. It was believed at one time to protect against evil spirits. With the onset of Christianity, St. John’s Wort was dedicated to St. John the Baptist and Midsummer’s Day became St. John’s Day. The red pigment that comes from the flowers represented the blood of St. John the Baptist.
It is the flowers of this plant that are used in preparations. Pick at high summer in flower. I wear gloves when harvesting this plant.
St. John’s Wort has many actions, including expectorant (loosening and removal of phlegm from the respitory tract), analgesic (relieves pain), anti-inflammatory (reduces inflamation), sedative (soothing and calming) and a restorative tonic for the nervous system.
St. John’s Wort is one of the ingredients in Two Herbal Mamas Healing Salve. I carry this with me everywhere I go. I use this for anything that hurts, an irritation, bites, burns, sore bellies, hang nails, the list could go on and on….
Thank you Sir John for all your help!!!
How to Make Your Own Rose Water
You will need a clean jar (we use mason jars), distilled water, witch hazel and rose petals. We use petals from the wild Rugosa Rosa or Apothecary rose petals. It’s the old fashioned rose petals you must use, not hybrid roses.
This is the rose water we make that is used in our Rosemary Face Cream and Rosemary Body Lotion.
Be sure to refer to our Herbalist’s Golden Rules to know when is the correct time of day to do your picking.
Fill your glass jar two thirds full with witch hazel (available at your pharmacy).
Fill the last third with distilled water.
Pick your rose petals daily and continue to add them to your solution until it is full. Keep this jar away from bright light. After the jar is full, store in a cool dark place for six weeks. Strain the solution into a clean spritz bottle and voila!!!
Stinging Nettle – Urtica dioica
Harvest nettle stalk and leaves in the spring, just before it flowers. These aerial parts of the plant are gentle enough for a daily nourishing tonic. Stinging nettle actions are astringent (contracts organic tissue, reduces body secretions), diuretic (increases flow of urine, great for people with kidney problems and those who suffer from chronic urinary infections), tonic (restoring, nourishing and supportive for the entire body) styptic (stops bleeding) circulatory stimulant, promotes mils flow in new mothers, lowers blood sugar levels and prevents scurvy.
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6 things you can make with Wild Violets
Wild violet recipes – viola odorata
- Include violet leaves and flowers in your spring salads to aid digestion.
- Steep 2 cups of leaves and flowers in one litre of boiling water overnight and drink the next day. This infusion will ease a nagging cough and soothe internal mucous surfaces.
- Apply chopped leaves mixed with honey to boils and acne.
- Drink two or more cups of leaf infusion to ease monthly breast swelling and fibrocystic complaints.
- Use violet poultices in addition if there is pain or swelling in breast tissue.
- Violet is a really COOL plant. Drink it to cool you down and reduce fevers.
As you harvest, be sure to thank Miss Violet for all her help.
Happy Spring!
Wild Violet – Viola Odorata
Early Spring is the time to harvest wild violets
Wild Violet is the first herb “two herbal mamas” harvest in the spring. Although there are many varieties of violets such as pansy, heart’s ease, three colour violet, jump up and wild pansy, it is the wild violet found in cool areas on the forest floor that we are referring to. The arial parts of the plants are harvested-leaves and flowers. Be sure to read our Herbalist Golden Rules before you begin to harvest these precious plants.
Violet has many beneficial properties and actions. This herb contains saponins, salicylates, alkaloids, flavonoides and volatile oils. The actions of this shy plant are anti-inflammatory, expectorant, diuretic, anti-rheumatic, laxative and stabilizes capillary membranes. Violet contains an enormous amount of Vitamin A. Chew on a violet leaf and spit it out on to your hand. Give the leaf a good rub. You will feel the slippery mucilage contained in this powerful plant. Mucilaginous herbs are moist, and soothe skin ailments and internal mucous surfaces.
5 Things You Can Do with Rose Water
Now that you have home made rose water …
1. Rose water makes a great facial toner. After cleansing your face, spray and wipe clean with a cosmetic pad.
2. For those of you who like to iron, spritz pillow cases and sheets with rose water before pressing.
3. The rose is known as the flower of love. Wrap this up as a gift and give to someone you care about.
4. Roses are cooling. Keep a small bottle of rose water in your car or purse for hot days to cool you off.
5. Add some rose water to a tepid, cool bath to cool you down.
Enjoy and thank you sweet rose for all your help!!!