What Have I Got?
Whilst out for a walk with my toddler recently, a story I’d heard from another herbalist came to mind: “What have I got?”
A doctor’s daughter, living on the continent during the war, had been given the task of gathering wild herbs, the only available medicines at the time. It had, through early necessity, become her habit to scout out what plants were on hand wherever she was, and to see what she had got. She could never relax until she knew what she had on hand.
On the local cycle path with my little one we looked around and took stock of what we have. And it is really quite a lot.
There is Yarrow for bleeding, wounds, and small infections, menstrual problems, bad skin, allergies, and viral infections.
We have Elder for coughs, colds, fevers, hay fever and allergies, runny noses, ear nose and throat infections, and poor immunity; mottled skin, sprains, strains, bumps and bruises.
There are the Roses - wild, planted, and garden escapes - that we can use for digestive disturbances and diarrhoea, anxiety and insomnia, menopausal complaints, winter immunity and viral infections, bad skin, and high blood pressure.
Californian Poppies - quite a lot of different Poppies in fact - grow in peculiar profusion, and come in very handy for sleep and obsessive type-anxiety, combatting addictions, and calming over-stimulated children.
Birch is plentiful, and useful for aches and pains, arthritis, fevers, the morose mood that accompanies chronic pain, and as a spring tonic. Tapping the trees in early springtime is traditional in northern climates, with the syrup used to flavour drinks and dainties.
We have Nettles for allergies and hay fever, anaemia, kidney problems, prostate problems, as a diuretic and detoxifier, and as wonderful healthy and sustaining spring vegetable. And at the end of the summer, when the nettles have gotten tall, those long tough fibres can be used to make surprisingly soft, supple, and extremely durable, cloth.
There are Raspberries for eating, and their big soft leaves are perfect for pregnancy, and for strengthening the bladder and tissues of the pelvis in women and men.
Hiding in the hedgerow there are Hawthorns aplenty, which we can use for high blood pressure, arrhythmias, poor circulation, blood vessel problems, heart problems, insomnia, anxiety, and depression. And the berries taste great in brandy.
Sticky Willy, or Cleavers, clambers over much in the neighbourhood, and we can use it for all kinds of swelling, as a detoxifier, for infections, tonsillitis, swollen glands, and as a spring tonic with birch and nettle.
We’ve got Goutweed and Pilewort, Crampbark and Knitbone, Cherry for relentless coughs, Oak for strong teeth and gums, Couchgrass for bladder irritation and infections, Dandelion for constipation, and Apples for snacking. We have got quite a lot!