How many of you remember when the Herb Society website covered a series of articles by Christopher Hedley and Non Shaw called 'The Herbmonger'? For those that don't it was a series of 12 articles covering making homemade herbal remedies from herb vinegars to making infused oils with lots of useful herbal home remedies and interesting facts. For some reason these articles were removed from the site before I found the Herb Society in 2003.
I found out about the articles when I was chatting with Sarah and by some small miracle she had saved them all on to her PC! I'm happy to say that I've contacted Christopher Hedley & Non Shaw and they've given permission for me to once again add them to the Herb Society website, so they'll go on the new look site in the medicinal section. Unfortunately Sarah didn't save the photos to the articles, so we'll just have to make do with some of mine, which I'm sure will be fine.
I think the articles go hand in hand with the Herb Society's "aims to increase the understanding, use and appreciation of herbs and their benefits to health". I may add the first Herbmonger article to the existing site as a taster, all those in favour, say 'I'!
I would be glad to see these articles again. I have a copy of their Herbal Remedies, a practical beginner's guide to making effective remedies in the kitchen. I have made many of the recipes which I find so good for me and my family. So any new remedies would be welcomed by me, and I am sure by other readers..
82.24.131.216
Re: The Herbmonger
January 21 2008, 8:26 AM
Hi Angela
Thank you for your post, I to have Chris & Non's books and was delighted when they agreed to let us put The Herbmonger back on the site. You'll be pleased to know that the first one is now up on the site you can access it via the main page link http://www.herbsociety.org.uk/index.html there's also a link on the menu bar. The first Herbmonger to go back on the site is 'Winter Cold & Flu Remedies' which I thought was apt for this time of year. I haven't tried the cough syrup recipe yet, but I swear by the cold and flu tea.
I realise that the information will be 'old hat' to some members of the forum and the HS but its nice to share the rememdies with new people and those who like me (until recently) only grew herbs to use in the kitchen in culinary recipes or for making bath soaks etc. They may also be a refresher course for some? I'd be interested to hear what members think of the recent additions and for any suggestions?
As an aside Jenny Jones' "The Herbalist" January detox article has been updated with a lovely homemade herbal iron tonic. I have some 'brewing' at the moment, I could do with a little pick me up every now and again and this tonic sounds like just the job
Debs
Sarah Head
194.221.40.3
Re: The Herbmonger
January 21 2008, 11:20 AM
Nice to see Jenny including Christopher Hedley's original iron tonic recipe to the detox article. I found it in one of the old Herbs magazines when I was putting together all the recipes that people had posted to the Forum a couple of years ago. I then went through my old copies of Herbs and added in extra Elderberry and nettle recipes.
I don't have my recipes in front of me as it's on my home computer, but I think it said fresh nettles, which is why I've been waiting for the spring to make my tonic. At least two of my workshop participants have made it to my knowledge over the past two years. Jo made it for herself and thought it tasted dreadful. Maddie made it for her sister and said it really helped with her anaemia and she didn't mind the taste. I shall be offering it to my neice and my son's fiancee, both of whom suffer with anaemia quite badly.
I know the tonic must be good because Chris' comment in the original article was "watch the colour come back into their face!"
Looking at the rain outside the window, I'd really like to be nettle hunting rather than sitting here!
Sarah
86.142.150.228
Re: The Herbmonger
January 21 2008, 10:30 PM
Just like to say that I too,was pleased to see the recipes from Chris and Non.Although as a working medical herbalist I work with tinctures virtually all the time for practical reasons,it is lovely to be reminded of some of the country recipes,which are so very effective.I also believe very strongly that the energy you put into making a remedy for yourself ,increases it`s potency.
So Debs,please don`t worry that those of us who work professionally in the herbal world may be uninterested or bored with this information.The most important advice I was given when I was a student was "when you think you have learnt all there is to be learnt about herbs,then that is the day you should retire,because you have become a danger to your patients"
Linda
82.24.131.216
Re: The Herbmonger
January 23 2008, 10:02 PM
Thanks for that Linda, I'm glad that the new articles are being so warmly received it makes the job worthwhile
I am hoping that eventually we'll carry articles and information on the website that will be useful to everyone no matter how experienced or inexperienced they are, or where their herbal interest lies.
You've got me all excited now, Debs! I can't wait to try out the recipes!
When I first read the articles, I was really only on the start of my herb journey and although I read it and thought it really interesting, I didn't "grok" it. Now I do. Herb Robert grows unobtrusively in both my gardens and I've never really paid any attention to it. Now I shall!
I'd like to share a word of caution . Never ask anyone to wash in pure infused cider vinegar - it really stings! My daughter used to be prone to thrush under her arms and behind her ears, so I suggested she wash with the vinegar thinking "stronger is better". I was not sufficiently sympathetic to the howls of pain which then eminated from the bathroom. I will not repeat the same mistake - 3 tsp to a cup of water in future!
Another point - when Chris referred to an emulsifying cream or lotion, it always had me really confused about what they might be. He recommended the base creams and lotions produced by The Herbal Apothecary which is based in Sysop near Leicester. They do mail order by telephone, but I have yet to find their website. I have used them and they are very nice.
As I don't tend to make things with a base cream very often, I now use a simple Aqueous cream from the local chemist. This doesn't have lanolin in it and is easily absorbed.
Thanks again for giving us access to these articles in such a delightfully visually stunning way!
Sarah
203.147.0.48
The Herbmonger Feb. 2008
February 3 2008, 2:34 AM
Hi Sarah,
I must agree these are really good articles.
I have also tried to find the website of The Herbal Apothecary.If you are again in contact with them by telephone,perhaps you could ask and pass it on through the Forum.
Thanks a lot.
Kevin
Henriette
88.112.191.239
Re: The Herbmonger - Chris Hedley & Non Shaw
April 24 2008, 2:51 PM
The Herbmonger (recipes from Chris and Non) ran from May 1996 through 2000, and in addition to the dozen that were called "herbmonger.htm" there were some 22 which were posted as "recipe.html".
In 1997, Rene Burrough, who ran the UK Herb Society site, did a new set of pages every month; ditto for 1998, but 1999 and 2000 were slower.
Way back then, I hosted the site, under my /herbmed/ collection on ibiblio ...
Do you know which willow flowers to use? or how to to make a flower remedy? If not then this month 'The Herbmonger' article is worth taking a look at. Making Willow Flower Remedies, contains a recipe for making a willow flower remedy and one for a willow bark and ginger decotion, as well as information on which flowers to use. There are also some book recommendations to find out more about flower remedies, a good book for the beginner is 'Bach Flower Remedies - A Step By Step Guide' by Non Shaw.
Debs
82.24.131.216
St Johns Wort
May 31 2008, 3:41 AM
As June the 24th is St John's Day it's apt that this months 'The Herbmonger' article focuses on St John's Wort and shows you how to make infused Hypericum oil. There are also some book recommendations to discover more about this fascinating and useful herb.
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