Herbal medicine week 2022
This week I’ve been sharing some of my favourite medicinal plants on Instagram and Facebook, in celebration of Herbal Medicine Week.
A few of my favourite herbs
I love taking pictures of herbs I find in urban lanes, meadows and community gardens. Here are a few of my faves.
Elder
Have you noticed beautiful elder trees in flower? Nature know just what we need.
The flowers are a life-saver as a tea for hay fever, or any time you’re snotty. It’s an easy to drink tea, in fact for colds and allergies, it’s even better taken this way.
Echinacea
If you have heard of only one medicinal herb, it’s probably echinacea.
It’s one of the most widely used and researched herbs in the world. With echinacea, we can confidently say there’s a lot of safety data to draw on. But are you aware of when you should or shouldn’t take echinacea, the type and dose?
Echinacea is a powerful lymphatic herb, primarily used to treat acute infections.
If you find you’re constantly taking echinacea self-prescribed, there may be an underlying condition I can help you identify and treat.
Red clover
I’m a big fan of our gentle, multi-tasking ‘weeds’ like red clover. Gentle means we can use it with young or old.
While traditionally used as a ‘blood cleanser’, this herb is especially good as a tea taken for many months by people with chronic skin conditions who are prone to respiratory issues. Also handy in menopause due to its mild oestrogenic like action.
Dandelion
Dandelion is everywhere – in the cracks in the pavement, on urban verges.
The leaves are the archetypal spring tonic, helping the kidneys gently relieve excess fluid, while the roots give the liver some love after winter excesses.
Dandelion (dent de lion – lions teeth refers to the saw like serrations in the leaf) is a gateway herb. A medicinal weed that most people are familiar with. Try the roasted root as a tasty caffeine-free warm drink.
Chamomile
Don’t underestimate this quiet little herb! Chamomile is a potent remedy for a frazzled nervous system. It’s also soothing to the gut and a traditional remedy for teething. It’s generally safe to use with young, old and all ages in between.
When making chamomile tea, try to find loose, whole flowers that still have some vibrancy to the colour, and make in a teapot (or covered vessel). It’s like drinking a cup of calmness. The tea can also be added to a baby bath for an upset infant.
What are your favourite herbs? If you’d like to consult a herb-loving naturopath with over 30 years of experience, book an online consultation.
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