Wednesday, June 24th, 2009
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!!!
Friday, May 15th, 2009
I love dandelions, let me tell you why.
Dandelion leaves are the second plant we “mamas” harvest in spring. Early spring is the time to harvest these leaves (before the flowers appear). We will talk about harvesting the roots in the fall. The meaning of the latin name refers to Taraxos (Greek) means disorder, Achos (Greek) means remedy. The name dandelion was invented by a fifteenth century surgeon, who compared the shape of the leaves to a lion’s tooth, or “dens leonis”.
Dandelion has many beneficial properties and actions. The leaves contain bitter glycosides (active plant constituent containing one or more sugar groups), terpenoids (generally, highly aromatic plants), carotenoids (various yellow to red pigments that occur in plants), choline (part of the vitamin B complex essential to liver function), potassium salts, iron and other minerals, vitamins A,B,C and D. The leaves are an effective diuretic (encourages urine flow). Dandelion increases bile flow from the liver and aids in digestion.
The area we live in has FINALLY banned pesticide use on lawns. For years I would giggle on my way home, in the spring, as I passed our neighbours with their pristine, weed free lawns. Then you would come to our house which would be a sea of beautiful yellow flowers. Thank you for your beauty Mr. Dandelion and all your many herbal healing benefits. I salute you!!!!
Saturday, May 2nd, 2009
A blog about herbs
Margaret and I decided it was time to take the plunge into the world of blogging. There is so much information about herbs that we want to share with you. It’s a natural extension of our website – Two Herbal Mamas.
Even though we’ve been making natural herbal body and skin care products for years we keep learning. If you’re just beginning your journey into the fascinating world of herbs and herbal lore, welcome. And enjoy.
