www.barefootherbs.co.za

Issue 57                                                                                                      August 2009

From Sharon’s Garden

This month’s herb is Lady’s Mantle – simply because when I went into the herb garden it was one of the few herbs that still looked lush and healthy!  I grow it in a pot as it does need lots of water, although I do know people who grow it quite successfully in the ground.

As it is winter we are re-arranging gardens again – this year a meditation garden is going in, plus some small herb gardens.  This is so you can see how easy it is to have a herb garden even in a tiny space, or, if you have no garden at all, have one in pots.  We will also be stocking herb plants for you to buy as this spring the nursery will be open!!

And while the herb gardens are fairly quiet at this time of the year, Barefoot Kitchen is getting busier by the day.  If you haven’t tried any of our meals yet contact me for a menu and, if you are in the delivery area, we would love to have you as a customer

Have a wonderful month,

Sharon
   

Herb of the Month

Lady’s Mantle

Alchemilla vulgaris

I have this very pretty herb growing in pots as it is not very happy in the ground.  It needs a rich, moist soil and prefers shade but if those conditions are met, it will grow profusely. The leaves are softly fan shaped and collect a perfect dew drop in the centre. The name alchemilla, from the Arab alkemely, meaning ‘little magic one’, is reported to refer to the magical appearance of the dew on the leaf each morning, although less romantic historians say it is because it is such a wonderful healing herb!

During the Middle Ages it became known as Lady’s Mantle as the scalloped shape of the leaves looked like the mantle of the Virgin Mary.

The herb is very astringent and is one of the few herbs that is best used when dry.  One of its best known uses is for menstrual irregularities and cramps.  For this purpose it combines well with yarrow and an infusion should be taken once a day for a week before menstruation.  The astringency of the leaves also make it good for healing cuts and abrasions, to stop diarrhoea, for reducing large pores and to heal acne.
   
Cultivation: Grows best in the shade, and needs a rich, moist soil. I find it is easiest in a pot. Propagate by root division in spring or autumn

Culinary: Young leaves can be used in salads

Beauty and Bath: The leaves are very astringent making it useful for acne, large pores.  It restores elasticity to the skin and reduces inflammation.  Use as an infusion, facial steam or as a face pack.  It is also reputed to lighten freckles

Medicinal: Regulates the menstrual cycle, relieves menstrual cramps and is also beneficial to women going through menopause.  It is taken after childbirth to help the womb contract.  Use for diarrhoea and as a mouth rinse for bleeding gums or after tooth extraction. Use as a compress to heal cuts and abrasions and to stop inflammation.  A compress is also effective for strained, tired eyes.

House and garden: The leaf gives a green dye.  Both flowers and leaves dry well and are used in pot pourri and flower arrangements

 

Indigenous Page

Uit Letitia se tuin :

Lente wink!

Die reën is ‘n seën!

Mag ons almal dankbaar deel in hierdie vreugdes.

 Baie liefde

 Letitia

letitia@barefootherbs.co.za

 082 451 9876

How to make a "Nourishing herbal infusion”:
Place 30 grams of herb in a litre jar.
Fill the jar to the top with boiling water. Screw on a tight lid
Let it steep for four hours, or overnight.
Strain and refrigerate the infusion, where it will be good for 24-36 hours.

Drink two to four cups – over ice, heated up with honey and milk, or mixed with other beverages.

Ziziphus mucronata

Also known as: Buffalo Thorn (English), Blinkblaar-wag-‘n-bietjie (Afrikaans), Umphafa (Xhosa), Umlahlankosi (Zulu), Mokgalo (Tswana)

Family:  Rhamnaceae

Bark infusions are used in cough and chest problems as an expectorant.

The Zulu used hot infusions of pounded bark as emetics for chronic coughs.  Infusions of leaves and bark also taken as emetics for respiratory ailments

Leaves, fruit and stems are reported to be used variously for colds, diarrhoea and as carminatives in West Africa.
   

Using Indigenous Herbs to fight Colds and Flu

The best way to prevent the flu is to build a powerful immune system by:

Eating more garlic

Taking tonic herbs

Drinking nourishing herbal infusions daily

Making immune-strengthening soups

A strong immune system produce antibodies and stimulate specialized cells to recognises and destroy foreign cells and to eliminate damaged cells.  Herbs help to built and maintain the immune system and improve the body’s recovery time.

 

Lippia javanica

Also known as: Fever Tea, Lemon Bush (English); Koorsbossie, Lemoenbossie (Afrikaans); Inzinziniba (Xhosa), Umsuzwane (Zulu), Mumara (shona), Musukudu (Tswana)

Family:  Verbenaceae

Strong infusions generally for colds, flu, fevers, bronchial problems, measles, malaria and as a prophylaxis for lung problems.

The smoke is inhaled for chronic coughs, asthma and pleurisy.

Fresh leaves are inserted into the nose to stop bleeding or as a decongestant.

Weak infusions are taken as a general health tea.

Mentha longifolia

Also known as: Wild mint, Horse Mint (English); kruisement, balderjan (Afrikaans); Koena-ya-thaba (Southern Sotho); inixina, inzinziniba (Xhosa); ufuthana lomhlanga (Zulu)

Family: Lamiaceae

It is mostly the leaves that are used, usually to make a tea that is drunk for coughs, colds, stomach cramps, asthma, flatulence, indigestion and headaches. Traditionally enemas may be used for the same purpose.

The leaves and flowering stems are anti-asthmatic, antispasmodic, carminative and stimulant

The leaves are harvested as the plant comes into flower and can be dried for later use.
The essential oil in the leaves is antiseptic, though it is toxic in large doses

Crushed leaves are inserted into the nose, either fresh or dried for headaches or congestion or placed under bedding to improve breathing problems.

Like other members of the genus, it is best not used by pregnant women because large doses can cause an abortion.

Tulbaghia violacea

Also known as: Wild garlic (English),  wilde knoffel (Afrikaans)

Family: Alliaceae

Garlic was highly esteemed by the ancient Egyptians, who ensured that the slaves building the Great Pyramids at Cheops were given a daily supply. The Romans also acknowledged garlic's strengthening powers and fed it to their soldiers before battle.

Wild garlic may prove to have the same or similar antibacterial and anti-fungal activities as has been scientifically verified for real garlic.

The fresh bulbs are boiled in water and the decoctions are taken orally to clear up coughs and colds.

The leaves are used to treat cancer of the oesophagus.

Leaves are rubbed on the head for sinus headaches and plant infusions are used for colic, wind and restlessness in young children.

 

RECIPE PAGE

Lady’s Mantle Face Pack

This is very good for large pores,

tired skin or acne.

Use once a week

Pour 1 cup boiling water over

2 Tbsp lady’s mantle.

When it has cooled to luke warm add fuller’s earth or

oatmeal to make a thick paste.

Apply to clean skin and relax

for 10-15 minutes.

Rinse off with warm water and then splash with cold water.

Refreshing Tea Blend

4 parts Lady’s Mantle leaves

4 parts raspberry leaves

1 part peppermint leaves

Combine the ingredients in a glass or tin container.

To make pour one cup of boiling water over

1 tsp dried herb,

leave for 10 minutes before drinking.

Honey or sugar can be added to sweeten

4 X 4 for Colds
4 tablespoons lemon juice
4 tablespoons brandy
4 tablespoons honey
4 tablespoons glycerine.

This drink can be served hot or cold. Drink up, bundle up and go to bed.

 
Winter Lip Protector

Protect your lips this winter – make some for the whole family to keep away cold sores and chapped lips.

 
2 Tbsp Vaseline

2 tsp sweet almond oil

½ tsp lavender essential oil

½ tsp tea tree oil

Melt the Vaseline and oil together in a double boiler

(or a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water)

Remove from heat and when cooled add the essential oils.

Pour into small pots

Use as often as required

Sage & Rosemary Gargle

15g Dried or 45 g fresh sage (Salvia officinalis)

10g Dried or 20g fresh Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

5g Dried or 10g fresh Lady's mantle leaves

(Alchemilla vulgaris)

500ml water

Mix herbs together and add the boiled water.

Infuse for 10 minutes and allow to cool

Dosage:  gargle 1 wineglass every 2-3 hours.  Swallow the tea after gargling

Old Cape Remedy for

Respiratory and Digestive Disorders

3 part wild mint

1 part buchu

1 part rosemary

Steep herbs for 10 minutes in 1 litre boiled water. Strain and add 50 ml brandy. Slowly drink ½ cup of the warm mixture every hour until the condition improves

Angelica Syrup

For coughs and sore throats – especially asthmatic cough

Pour 2 cups boiling water over

1 cup of dried, grated angelica root.

Add ½ cup of honey and a squeeze of lemon juice

Cover and allow to stand until cold.

Strain and bottle

Take 1-3 teaspoons for a sore throat  or cough.

Store in fridge and use within 3 days.

The Last Page

 

Courses and Workshops

July and August 2009

Venue :  Barefoot Herbs Muldersdrift

Contact – Sharon  082 415 3743

 
Venue:  Barefoot Herbs – Meyerton

Contact – Letitia  082 451 9876

8 Aug
   

10.00am Thai Cooking with locally available herbs – R200

15 Aug
   

9.00am  Warm Spicy Drinks & Cold Remedies – R200

29 Aug
   

9.30am Plant sales at Kliphouse Market, Henley-on-Klip

5 & 6 Sept
   

9.30am Plant sales at Wilke Circus Market, Daleside

13 Sept
   

10.00am Thai Cooking with locally available herbs – R200

The following workshops are available on request

for groups of 5 or more:

Liqueur making,

organic gardening,

bath and skin products,

herb and spice mixes for culinary use,

herbal first aid box,

herbal products for babies and toddlers,

herbal remedies for common ailments,

green cleaning for the home.

 

Courses and workshops cost R300,

which includes all materials,

a recipe booklet and refreshments.
   

Contact Us :

Sharon

sharon@barefootherbs.co.za

Tel 011 957 2413     Cell: 082 415 3743

Letitia

letitia@barefootherbs.co.za

Tel: 016 362 0754    Cell: 082 451 9876

Visit our Website

www.barefootherbs.co.za

and see photos, past newsletters, products and recipes

Essential Herb Products

For  all of your herbal requirements

Contact us for more details

Edward Proctor

082 463 1360

info@essentialherbs.co.za

Or go to our website www.essentialherbs.co.za