Herbs
Chickweed
(Stellaria media L.)
This common weed grows abundantly on our site. The parts used are the dried aerial parts.
The constituents: triterpenoids, saponins, coumarins, flavonoids, carboxylic acids, silica and other minerals, vitamins A, B and C, fatty acids.
Actions: Topically antipruitic, vulnerary, emollient.
Indications: Chickweed is used topically as an ointment to relieve itching, irritating skin eruptions such as eczema, varicose ulcers, nappy rash and nettle stings.
When thoroughly dry crumble it into a moisturising skin cream and apply externally.
Beating Hayfever Naturally
Elderflowers
Also known as rhinitis. Anyone who suffers this condition knows what misery it brings. It causes hypersensitivity of the eyes, nose and throat and sometimes the skin. The allergens stimulate the body into producing an excess of histamine. People who suffer from asthma or eczema are especially prone to hayfever.
Fortunately, there are lots of herbs available to provide relief from the unpleasant symptoms. It is never too early to prepare yourself for the hayfever season, and elderflowers (Sambucus nigra) are a particularly useful prophylactic or preventative remedy. You should drink an elderflower infusion daily, starting in February or March and continuing throughout the hayflower season. The fresh flowers are best and, as one of our most common hedgerow plants, are readily available in spring. Take care not to harvest blooms from roadsides or where agricultural chemicals may have been used. If you cannot harvest fresh elderflowers, or it is too late in the season, you can use dried flowers, tincture or a good quality and preferably organic elderflower cordial instead. The addition of plantain (Plantago spp.) to your infusion will tone the mucous membranes of the nasal passages, helping to desensitise them to allergens. A course of Echinacea will strengthen the immune system, again reducing your sensitivity to allergens. Garlic is another immune booster, so include it in your diet as much as possible
As soon as any symptome appear, reach for your herbal first aid kit. Elderflowers and eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) both contain substances called tannins whose astringent action will help both to dry up catarrh and runny eyes and to reduce any inflammation or irritation of the mucous membranes.
Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a natural anti-histamine, reducing the body’s production of inflammatory prostaglandins. Taken regularly it will make you less sensitive to the effects of pollen. Prepare a tea (or tisane) by pouring boiling water on the tender tips and leaves, leave to cool and strain.
Red, streaming eyes can be bathed regularly with a cooled and strained infusion of chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) or distilled witch hazel, and sunglasses may help to reduce eye irritation when the sun is particulary bright. Taken internally chamomile reduces the nervous excitability often associated with allergic conditions, particularly in children.
An infusion of sage (Salvia officinalis) makes an excellent gargle for a tickly throat and palate.
Diet can help too. Try to keep mucus forming dairy products to a minimum and increase your intake of fresh, organic fruit and vegetables. Reduce your alcohol and caffeine consumption as these are both know to aggravate symptoms.
Limit your exposure to pollen by drying your bedding indoors and keeping your windows closed in the morning and evening when atmospheric pollen concentrations are at their highest.
If your symptoms persist in spite of these measures, don’t despair. A consultation with an experienced herbalist will identify those remedies most suited to you as an individual. Qualified practitioners also have access to more potent remedies not generally available over-the-counter.
Elderflower cordial recipe
25 heads of elderflowers (rinse them well first)
2kg of sugar
2 litres water
2 large sliced lemons
Put the sugar, water and lemon in a pan and heat gently, stirring continuously, until the sugar has dissolved. Allow to cool then pour over the elderflowers. Leave to stand in a covered container for 2 days then strain and bottle (seal loosely in case of fermentation – bottles with corks are safest!). Store in a cool dark place. To drink, dilute with three parts chilled mineral water to one part cordial. Use sparkling water if you prefer for elderflower ‘champagne’.
Fortunately, there are lots of herbs available to provide relief from the unpleasant symptoms. It is never too early to prepare yourself for the hayfever season, and elderflowers (Sambucus nigra) are a particularly useful prophylactic or preventative remedy. You should drink an elderflower infusion daily, starting in February or March and continuing throughout the hayflower season. The fresh flowers are best and, as one of our most common hedgerow plants, are readily available in spring. Take care not to harvest blooms from roadsides or where agricultural chemicals may have been used. If you cannot harvest fresh elderflowers, or it is too late in the season, you can use dried flowers, tincture or a good quality and preferably organic elderflower cordial instead. The addition of plantain (Plantago spp.) to your infusion will tone the mucous membranes of the nasal passages, helping to desensitise them to allergens. A course of Echinacea will strengthen the immune system, again reducing your sensitivity to allergens. Garlic is another immune booster, so include it in your diet as much as possible
As soon as any symptome appear, reach for your herbal first aid kit. Elderflowers and eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) both contain substances called tannins whose astringent action will help both to dry up catarrh and runny eyes and to reduce any inflammation or irritation of the mucous membranes.
Nettle (Urtica dioica) is a natural anti-histamine, reducing the body’s production of inflammatory prostaglandins. Taken regularly it will make you less sensitive to the effects of pollen. Prepare a tea (or tisane) by pouring boiling water on the tender tips and leaves, leave to cool and strain.
Red, streaming eyes can be bathed regularly with a cooled and strained infusion of chamomile (Chamomilla recutita) or distilled witch hazel, and sunglasses may help to reduce eye irritation when the sun is particulary bright. Taken internally chamomile reduces the nervous excitability often associated with allergic conditions, particularly in children.
An infusion of sage (Salvia officinalis) makes an excellent gargle for a tickly throat and palate.
Diet can help too. Try to keep mucus forming dairy products to a minimum and increase your intake of fresh, organic fruit and vegetables. Reduce your alcohol and caffeine consumption as these are both know to aggravate symptoms.
Limit your exposure to pollen by drying your bedding indoors and keeping your windows closed in the morning and evening when atmospheric pollen concentrations are at their highest.
If your symptoms persist in spite of these measures, don’t despair. A consultation with an experienced herbalist will identify those remedies most suited to you as an individual. Qualified practitioners also have access to more potent remedies not generally available over-the-counter.
Elderflower cordial recipe
25 heads of elderflowers (rinse them well first)
2kg of sugar
2 litres water
2 large sliced lemons
Put the sugar, water and lemon in a pan and heat gently, stirring continuously, until the sugar has dissolved. Allow to cool then pour over the elderflowers. Leave to stand in a covered container for 2 days then strain and bottle (seal loosely in case of fermentation – bottles with corks are safest!). Store in a cool dark place. To drink, dilute with three parts chilled mineral water to one part cordial. Use sparkling water if you prefer for elderflower ‘champagne’.