Springtime brings warmer weather, more sunshine, blossoms on the trees and the beginning of a parade of flowers. One of my favorite activities is planting seeds and watching them germinate. Only God can package life in a tiny seed!
A couple years ago I planted nettle seeds—a herb that I was familiar with as a tea. To my delight, little nettle plants sprouted and the plants have come back each year. (I keep them in a pot in a secluded location. The leaves and stems have little hairs that sting when touched; I wear gloves harvesting.)
Susun Weed writes in her book, Herbal for the Childbearing Year*:
The common stinging nettle is a uterine tonic and general nourisher with a special ability to strengthen the kidneys and adrenals. Its high mineral and chlorophyll content make it an excellent food and tonic for the hormonal system.
I have enjoyed nettle tea and have added nettle to soups. When the leaves are cooked the sting is gone. In an old Swedish cook book, I found a recipe for nettle soup.
I have planted seeds for calendula flowers outside and they have begun to sprout. Calendula is a favorite herb in my garden.
The book, Essential Herbs: Treat Yourself Naturally with Herbs and Homemade Remedies** has this note about calendula flowers:
Traditionally said to lift the spirits and encourage cheerful ness, calendula is one of the most popular and versatile medicinal herbs in current use. It is widely available in commercial calendula ointments and creams and is also used internally . . .
I have made myself calendula tea. I have used the tea as a mouthwash for gum irritations and it has brought healing. I have also made calendula salve for skin irritations.
This post is shared with the Five Minute Friday Writing Community . Also sharing with the Hearth and Soul link-up and Sue’s image-in-ing and Tuesday with a Twist and Inspire Me Monday .
*Susun Weed, Herbal for the Childbearing Year, Woodstock, New York: Ash Tree Publishing, 1986, p.2
**J. Behrens, S. Curtis, L. Green, P. Ody, D. Vilinac, Essential Herbs, New York : DK Publishing, 2020 p. 60
How wonderful that you are able to grow your own medicinal plants!
Happy Tuesday!
I love that you are able to grow your own medicinal plants. I am amazed that there is something from nature to cure or heal almost everything! I am learning more and more that God gives us everything we need for good health!
Love to plant a garden,
love to see green grass,
but (I beg your pardon),
it’s a pain, here, in the a**.
I live upon desert plateau
half-foot sand, and then hardpan,
and to get a garden through
you have to have a plan
to first dig out the native ‘soil’,
replace it, then with loam,
and benefits of heavy toil
will go to cows who roam
around this free range world at night
to eat your plantings, every bite.
Interesting!
there are some excellent plants around to help us medicinally. I have nettle on my property… and people who come and harvest it for me. 🙂