Joseph’s Herbal Blog
Meadowsweet, Queen of the Meadow
The Queen of the Meadow, Meadowsweet, Filipedula ulmaria, is in full flower in Midlothian. It’s always a pleasure to see the fizzy white flowers appear along stream beds and the damp edges of meadows, like an exuberant foam. The almond smell and palpable happiness of the myriad insects buzzing about the flowers just makes a body feel good.
Rosmarinus
“There’s Rosemary, that’s for remembrance,” says Ophelia. And right she is. Rosemary does improve memory, increasing blood flow to the head, and helping to sharpen and focus the mind. Sniff too much, though, and it tends to overexcite and scatter your thoughts.
St John’s Wort
Famously typecast as a herbal antidepressant, this antiviral and pain-relieving nerve tonic has just come into flower. It’s an easy one to identify with it’s small stature, delicate leaves, and bright yellow, exuberant, slightly giddy-looking flowers.
Darling Herbs of May
The wheel of the years turn in my Children’s Clinic, away from coughs, colds and winter eczema; and towards allergies, hay fever, and hot summer rashes. Fortunately, antidotes to such seasonal maladies are blooming all around. These common native plants are easy to identify, safe and gentle, and easy to use.
American Herbs
July 4th is American Independence Day, the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which was subsequently delivered to King George III and rather poorly received. Anyway, in celebration of one of history’s great “Oh, no you won’t!” “Oh, yes we will!” “Oh, no you won’t!” etc. moments, here is a wee bit on some of the herbal remedies that have come from the old country.