Tree o'clock

On Saturday morning i cycled up to the Allotments near to the old racecourse where the Neville housing estate meets the wonderful open space of the Downs. At the high corner of the allotments is a Community Organic allotment Project. I lived really near here ten years ago and so it was great to visit the area again and see how much healthier and well cared for the allotments look, particularly the condition of the soil. Its a continual challenge up here to replenish the soil as its so free draining, and chalky. The community allotment takes in about six individual sized plots, and looks in great shape.
I was because Common Cause who run the allotment were taking part in a BBC initiative 'Tree o'clock', attempting to break record for the most number of trees to be planted in one hour.
There were about ten of us, and we managed to plant 24 trees within the hour. We planted them close together in a double row in order to form a mixed hedge running along the border of the allotment. We planted Hawthorn, Dogwood, Blackthorn (Sloes), Cherry and Holly. The Cherry will be left to grow into a tree whilst the others will be cut into a hedge.
It was great to be gardening en-masse, sharing our particular interests, and knowledge.

If you want to know more the Lewes Community Allotment, look at
http://commoncause.org.uk

Rain Ducks and Teasels

Rooting time

Now as the nights are drawing in plants are also drawing in, into the ground in the case of perennials. There leaves are almost gone and they are putting all their efforts underground. In herbal medicine roots are excellent for tonic remedies which we might especially need during the winter months. As we approach the end of the season for rooting, it is only the rain that is keeping me getting subterranean, but don't think me fair weather, I am not one for shying from a little rain but at the moment it is bucketing down, so much so even our ducks are seeking shelter and the river has risen a good three inches.

When there is a break in the torrents I will be out in the meadows collecting Teasels. Dipsacus sylvestris as its known in latin is a statuesque thistle we often leave to self seed in our gardens as it looks so good. Its spiny seed heads were used as a sort of brush, to card or sort wool fibres, before they could be spun. There is little history of its medicinal use in Western Europe, though it is mentioned by Dioscorides who wrote the first western herbal in the 1st century AD. I'm interested in its medicinal potential after reading about the Chinese use of a similar species, whose name translates literally as 'restore what is broken'. It is used for physical trauma and resulting inflammation in the muscles and joints. A modern American herbalist Mathew Wood also inspires me writing about his success with the European varieties of Teasel.

The Chinese explain its medicinal action through their understanding of tonfiying kidney energy, which is responsible for the strength of the joints. The Ancient Chinese concept of kidney essence or "jing" relates to our understanding of genetically determined or inherited patterns. What we are given at birth. It is our levels of Jing that keep us supple and flowing in youth, and stiffer in old age. The tall, architectural stalks of Teasel that stand through the winter suggest a resilience and strength. As The thistle family has so many medicinal herbs in it , i'll make a tincture of teasel and try it out on myself first, and then wait for the right patient to come along who just fits the right picture of needing this remedy.

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Herbal Medicine - The Old and the New

Dear Friends
Welcome to my new blog about herbal remedies some of you will know me, but for those that don't I am a trained and for many years practicing medical herbalist. I work with people holistically to promote good health and wellbeing, through herbal medicine, an ancient form of medicine which has adapted through every stage of human civilisation and is as relevant today as ever before.

With our concerns for the future wellbeing of the planet paramount, herbal medicine connects us to the healing power of the earth and the elements. Herbal medicine as a holistic form of healing not only relieves illness, it powerfully ignites the potential for self healing that each of us has within us.

Making my own remedies brings me closer to understanding the insightful medicinal nature of the plants I use. This summer I vowed to explore the abundance available to me growing locally. I was completely surprised and excited by the variety and discovery of lost ingredients which has inspired me to continue to source my materia medica from as local a source as possible and to explore this notion of lost and found.

This sense of rediscovery has inspired and focused me on a new bold journey into the old and lost, a rediscovery of plants that are all around us growing locally but have been forgotten.

In the world of herbal medicine as in life, people seek the new, the novel and the exotic usually at the expense of sound out of date thinking. It is my focus to explore and to combine the contemporary use of herbs with the lost arts and local knowledge of Englands herbal treasury.

The rediscovery of the lost combined with the dynamic thinking of the new. - A fusion for infusion.

Please leave a comment so I now that there are not only like minded people out there, but more importantly that I am not just talking to myself. - Be well - Haskel

COMPOSURE - Aleviating menopausal symptoms

COMPOSURE
Has been specifically developed to help relieve the symptoms and inconvenience experienced by women during Menopause.

INGREDIENTS:
Black Cohosh - Cimicifuga racemosa
Sage - Salvia officinalis
Schizandra berry - Schizandra chinensis
Chaste berry - Vitex agnus-castus
St Johns wort - Hypericum perforatum

In this time of transition, in a woman’s life, oestrogen and progesterone levels drop and women can experience a wide array of uncomfortable and unwelcome symptoms. These include hot flushes, sweating, insomnia, irritability, depression, lack of concentration and joint pain. A healthy Diet, moderate exercise, a positive outlook and attitude to the change, have all been shown to reduce symptoms. The herbal formula above is carefully designed to help with a range of the most common peri-menopausal symptoms. This remedy needs to be taken for at least three months to gain the maximum benefits.

Black Cohosh Has been the subject of a number of double–blind studies showing favourable results for treating hot flushes and also vaginal dryness. It contains phyto–oestrogens which bond to oestrogen receptor sites in the body.
Sage Yes common sage is a specific remedy for sweating. Some of its essential oil constituents have oestrogenic actions.
Schizandra As my Chinese medicine teacher told me 'calms the mind and soothes the heart' and who can resist a herb with such a claim. This red berry is a Chinese tonic herb, and strengthens and tones throughout the body. It is also specific for alleviating sweating.
Chaste berry Originating in the Mediterranean, this shrub was written about by the ancient Greeks for its hormonal actions on both men and women. Vestal virgins in Rome wore sprigs of it in their hair. It has been identified as having a powerful effect on the luteal (after ovulation) phase of the menstrual cycle and can reduce many pre- menstrual complaints. In peri-menopausal women it can initiate regular ovulation thereby regulating the menstrual cycle.
St Johns wort A remedy for the nervous system with an affinity for the menopausal woman. Well known for treating depression St Johns herb is also an excellent remedy for anxiety, and general nerve tonic; helping one remain calm and composed.

THE TOP TEN HERBS
Here is a list of the most popular herbs that go into many Tinctures and solutions. Each has many benefits which I will elaborate on in coming entries.

1. Ginseng- Panax ginseng
2. Milk Thistle Carduus marianum
3. Echinacea purpurea
4. St. Johns Wort Hypericum
5. Valerian root
6. Black Cohosh
7. Ginkgo leaf
8. Saw Palmetto
9 Siberian Ginseng
10 Horse Chesnut