| Original Message |
Sarah Head
Posted Feb 22, 2008 11:25 AM
As I was walking to the station this morning, I passed a tree in full bloom - beautiful white, tiny flowers. It didn't look like a flowering almond, which were out in Cheltenham, so I may have to enquire what it is!
As I was walking up Belsize Park road in Hamstead on Wednesday evening, I came across a small nature reserve next to St Stephen's church, which is being renovated into a community centre. I was amazed to see how many daffodils and primroses were waving in the breeze alongside patches of snowdrops. There was also a deep purple patch of something, but I couldn't get close enough to see what the colour was coming from.
I'm hoping to go to the Cotswolds this weekend to see my herb garden. I've not been able to visit it since last October, so I know there will be lots to do and I won't have the energy to do it!
What I am thinking of doing, besides gathering nettles and dandelion leaves, is to make some horse chestnut bark salve for my ankles. I was discussing this on another forum and Henriette said it would be better to wait for the leaves, since they can also be used for a salve and are much easier to get at. I may compromise and take some sticky buds to add into the bark/oil mixture. It will be interesting to see what happens.
If anyone has horse chestnut trees near them and fancies making their first flower remedy of the year, here is the recipe.
Pick small twigs with sticky buds or young leaves. You will need enough twigs to 3/4s fill a large saucepan. Place them in the saucepan and add 1 litre of spring or mineral water. Bring to the boil, cover and simmer for half an hour. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Remove flowers, allow sediment to fall to the bottom, then filter 50ml fluid into the dark glass jar. Add 50 ml brandy. Label bottle and date.
This makes 100ml of flower remedy. Dose is 4 drops on or under the tongue four times a day or as often as necessary. The drops can also be added to water or fruit juice to be sipped throughout the day.
This recipe comes originally from Non Shaw's "Bach Flower Remedies : A Step-by-Step Guide" 1998 Element Books ISBN 1 86204 106 7
If you do make this, your saucepan will get very sticky sides.
Sarah
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