Posts By: Lucy Blunden

Rosehip syrup

Posted on September 17, 2020 by - Uncategorized

RECIPE

Now, I am known for rarely following a recipe and making it up as I go along. So, don’t worry too much about exact quantities, this does not need mL accuracy!

Collecting rosehips – TAKE GLOVES! Rosa rugosa is totally covered in thorns and fiendish as a result. I picked a half poly bag of supermarket size including the leaves and made over 1l of syrup. To trial it out, you’ll need far fewer. Be kind to wildlife and make sure you don’t overpick as they need these things too. See my post on mindful foraging here

EQUIPMENT

  • Scissors, Gloves & Bag for collecting
  • Steel pan, weighing scales
  • Sterilised bottles (wash well in hot, soapy water then dry in the oven at a low-ish heat eg 100oC) – preferably in amber glass

INGREDIENTS

  • A bag of rosehips
  • Sugar – I prefer molasses or other raw cane varieties but they do change the flavour – white sugar has least impact on flavour

METHOD

  • lay out the hips and ask the insects to ‘buzz off’
  • give your hips a brief rinse
  • snip off all the green bits straight into a steel pan
  • add enough water to cover
  • bring to a gentle simmer
  • once softer, begin to mash off the heat
  • add a little more water if too sticky
  • strain through a jelly bag or double muslin (IMPORTANT – the hairs inside the hips were used for itching powder and are not nice in your gut!) overnight. Squeeze gently but not enough to split the muslin
  • measure the volume of liquid
  • weigh out sugar to half weight of volume (eg 100ml liquid = 50g sugar)
  • return to a low heat, stir in sugar until dissolved
  • take off heat, allow to cool a little
  • bottle in sterile bottles – small is good
  • LABEL WELL!

Tips for making things

Always label.

Take notes of the process and where you found your bounty – you think you’ll remember but you won’t (heed my warning – I know this all too horribly well!)

Always label

If you wash bottles in dishwasher, labels may not then stick well – worth wiping down outside first – depends on label type

Did I say to label?

Store cool and dark, especially if your bottles aren’t amber glass. Refrigerate after opening.

Roses and rosehips

Posted on September 17, 2020 by - Uncategorized

Rosehips - plump and juicy

I love the abundance of nature’s fruits right now. The reds and oranges, greens, purples and browns of the fruits spilling forth from shrubs, bushes and trees. M-mmm

What have you kept sub rosa?

Did you know that due to the high regard of the rose, that anything spoken below a ceiling rose was considered ‘sub rosa‘ which means that it would not be spoken of outside the room. In my house, there are many ceiling roses and it would be hard to have a conversation with more than 2 people which isn’t at least partially sub rosa!

Venus, Cupid and Harpocrates

This comes from the interactions of Venus (goddess of love) and Harpocrates (god of silence). The rose is sacred to Venus and consecrated by Cupid to Harpocrates thus silenced in order not to tell of Venus’s amorous activities!

Medicine of the Rose

Both petals and rosehips are rich with medicine. There is a lot to say and best kept for another post. Read more

Rosehip medicine

Posted on September 17, 2020 by - Uncategorized

Collection of Rosehips from dog rose

Plump, juicy and full of nutrition

Those glorious colours and that plump juiciness. Rosehips have a surprising constituent which brings great relief to those who suffer with arthritis.

I have been aware of morning stiffness and a difficulty in fully bending my small finger joints on my right hand. I have also noticed that it seems to react badly to wheat and tomatoes and even more to a combination of the two. I generally avoid eating wheat as home-made Spelt products seem to be ok instead. But, I do love a tomato and have always loved tomato based sauces and all the dishes which depend on them such as chilli con carne and spaghetti.

But, food delights aside, I was concerned that I seemed to be starting a degenerative joint condition and have sought out an X-ray for confirmation (results pending) and am limiting the consumption of tomatoes outside of their season (for some reason, the impact on my finger joints is considerably less in summer)

What to do?

Well, one of the most effective and simple treatment combinations I have found when working with my patients and also in quick advisories to others, is to combine Rosehips and Fish oils. A colleague noted that within 1 month of treatment, severe knee pain was gone simply taking a combination of these two nutrients as supplements! And, my partner’s audible-on-the-stairs knees also improved and he has remarked that they feel better.

Panacea for all?

Now, of course, this may not work for everyone as nothing is a blanket panacea and these cases are knees not fingers. And, with such a small sample size, far from conclusive. So, I thought to myself, as I have already been taking fish oils for years (not a keen fish eater), could the rosehips really make a substantial difference? Worth a try. We had some in the house. And, lo, after a few weeks, it has been making a really notable difference.

Why?

Well, rosehips contain a constituent which has been found to be pain relieving in a few small studies. GOPO is a galactolipid and considered to be an active constituent in rosehips. Now, as a herbalist, I am a great believer in the Aristotolean principle that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. There are other aspects of rosehips which are also likely contributory factors. Vitamin C, if there is any left in the preparation, or it is added, plays a role in collagen formation. Collagen is a vital component of our connective tissues forming gelatine and helping make our joint spaces spongy and skin more elastic. This could explain why my fingers are less stiff in the mornings too.

Evidence

So, if you want to read an un-biased, scientific review of some of the evidence, there is one here on the NHS website https://www.nhs.uk/news/food-and-diet/rosehip-for-osteoarthritis-pain/

Personally, I find that this kind of writing is rather deadly and prone to making me feel that there is no hope. Mainly because I find it discouraging that studies of natural products tend to have rather small cohorts and be, to my mind, rather limited in their focus. I think that an isolated constituent is considerably less interesting than when it is in the symbiosis of its natural state. But, multi-constituents do not fit the paradigm and make for a less conclusive study as it is unclear exactly what it was which did the job. But, as we know from using single constituent medications, there tends to be unwanted side effects when we isolate and synthesise and ingest without the complement of the full spectrum. Back to Aristotle, please.

Rowan the medicine

Posted on September 9, 2020 by - Uncategorized

Those glorious clusters of richly orangey-red berries light up the gloomy skies and this year I am mightily drawn to them! This tree with its attractive berries carry folklore from many countries particularly as a protective plant. They are most effective against all forms of witchcraft. Carrying twigs in your pocket, using canes and making ships from the wood and many, many more notions will ward off the evil.

Sometimes, it is possible to find a root of the phantastical in something which science has uncovered to be surprisingly valid such as with elder and its potentially toxic constituents but with Rowan it is hard to see why it should be considered quite so auspicious. The hawthorn with a similar reputation is more obvious – it’s a heart drug of fine order and its protection of your house as well as your body? Well, that just makes sense.

The Rowan? For now, I cannot find the answer and the medicine appears not to be especially radical either. Peter Conway in his Tree Medicine book mentions sore throats and tonsillitis for the berries, leucorrhoea douches and sore throats for the bark. The fruits are reputedly nutritive as well as astringent and the bark simply astringent. Are we missing something here?

Culpeper makes no mention (unless I have failed to find the name by which he called it!) and Mrs Grieve suggests that the berries make great jellies for cold game or wild fowl but that their medicine is for haemorrhoids – the astringency – and as gargles for ailments of the throat.

A favourite resource, the PFAF website reminds us that the seeds of the rowan contain cyanogenic glycosides and that these become prussic acid (cyanide) when in contact with water. Hence Mrs Grieve’s suggestion of jelly not a jam. Strain out the seeds should you decide to make anything with them.

Perhaps the secret to these berries lies in the now-lost Welsh recipe for rowan-berry Ale?

To sate my curiosity, I shall dry a few berries and keep them for the fluey season and when the telltale warning of a prickly throat comes my way, as surely it will, I can brew them up and gargle away and find out whether that’s where their magic lies.

Hedgerow love

Posted on September 9, 2020 by - Uncategorized

Rowan berries in a decorative floral circle

It’s a wonder that I haven’t driven off the road as I pass by some glorious herbs craning my neck to have a good look!

This summer I have been particularly drawn to the forming rowan berries. Perhaps naming my daughter is what’s done it, or an inkling of their importance in Folklore…

Either way, I am saddened that this year our tree has 3 paltry bunches of berries. Not deterred, I find that the tree just down the road is LADEN! Absolutely heaving with luscious looking berries in huge clusters. So, I took my mini Rowan for a little forage… she might as well get used to it (in fact, a friend once told Rowan-the-pre-verbal-baby that she would need to get used to mummy popping into the bushes, camera in hand, for a closer look at some herb or other!)

We picked about 8 bunches and I have filled a bowl. We will be making some house decorations and a necklace for Rowan to wear. Rowan is reputed to be the very best of antidotes to witchcraft, fairies and other ill-doings. Carrying a twig will keep you safe from witches’ curses. Eating from the tree will sate you for nine meals and the wood used on the chimney breast will prevent witches from their favourite entry point – down the chimney.

I hope that the adornment of Rowan with a rowan-necklace won’t prevent mummy-witch from giving her daughter a kiss whilst she’s still young enough to accept them from me!

Our hearts beat into infinity

Posted on September 9, 2020 by - Emotional health, The body, The herbalist

Heart rocks

Listening to a podcast of Hay House Radio, with the late Dr Wayne Dyer in conversation with Dr Terry Gordon, Conscious Cardiologist I was blown away by this. Our heart beats into infinity.

Dr Gordon talks about the sheer velocity of our heart’s beating strength and how we are connected to each other through our hearts.

Every heartbeat generates a unique reading which we can measure (with amazing technology) and know that it is travelling at the speed of light. 186,000 miles per second!

Dr Gordon asked himself what happens to the impulse of our hearts once it has got to the furthest reaches of our body. After all, as a cardiologist he has held beating hearts in his hands. So, what happens? Does it stop? Stop dead at the end of our legs, fingertips or tops of our heads? No, it carries on, out of our bodies and, at that speed, has the potential to reach 11,000,000 miles away in just 1 minute.

Stop and think about that for a moment. Notice the beats of your heart. Hone in on the idea that our every heartbeat joins the energy of the rest of the Universe. And every heartbeat of every other living being on the planet does too.

Next time you are feeling alone.

Next time you feel disconnected.

Next time you want to feel part of something bigger, something otherworldly, listen to your heart.

It’s right there, connecting you, right now.

Working with me is a way to connect your physical body with your emotional self and align your heart with your brain. I use herbs and EFT-tapping, food and more to enable you to re-join all your dots. To feel your heartbeats and all the love within you. Get in touch

#nationalheartmonth

Noticing your narratives

Posted on July 14, 2020 by - Uncategorized

Do you find yourself saying things as though they are fixed and absolute?

Things like ‘I’m always late’ or ‘I’m forever making the wrong choices’ or ‘I can’t stick to anything’? They sound pretty innocuous, don’t they? But what if these kinds of negative-affirming statements, spoken as facts, are a constant inner monologue? What does that actually do to you?

I have had some really triggering conversations recently where people, knowledgeable people, have stated something as fact because it was their experience and because it’s the experience of many others too. An online conversation about the experience of peri-menopause was one recently. It has made me feel really frustrated and upset because the person’s opinion matters to me and once it lodges, it’s really hard to shift it from my narrative. And, I don’t want others to pre-determine my life and experiences. I want to have my own experience. And, I don’t want to fear an inevitable part of my life because it has been described in a particular way by someone I respect.

Things get stuck and lodge there

The most obvious response I can hear forming in your mind is ‘oh, just ignore it’ but that isn’t the way my mind seems to works. Things get stuck in my psyche and lodge there.

There, that’s another one of those statements. ‘Things get stuck… and lodge…’ What’s that done? Have I just pre-determined an uncontested way for my brain and thinking to be?

What am I going to do?

My starting point for anything like this is begining by drawing awareness to it. And, with the awareness, attempting to bring kindness. That’s the hardest bit, actually. Well, it is for me. Being kind. Then I start to find smaller chunks and areas to tap on. And, whilst I work on that, I use Bach Flower Remedies to soothe the critical voice and the associated (usually negative) emotions it has invoked.

Are your internal narratives kind?

I think if we could bring the kindness we offer to our best friend and/or a small child, to ourselves, then the world would be a lot nicer place to be. I can’t help but think about all the politicians farmed out to boarding schools feeling rejected, neglected and unloved, fighting their way to the ‘top’ of the tree and determining the way things are run… it makes me shudder. The ignored subconscious darkness they likely all feel determining our collective futures????????? Let’s not get started on politics, eh?

What will you do?

What would you do about it? For me, this feels like a huge area of work which most likely needs some on-going chipping away at. A block of habit which, with patience, can be gradually whittled into something more attractive, more kindly and just all-out nicer to be around. It would be such a relief to be comfortable in and comforted by, my own company. 🙂

DIY help is ace

Tapping is an obvious place for me to start. If you want to work by yourself, there are a load of ways to do it but mostly, it’s about breaking it down into smaller, very specific areas. Then you can work on them in turn until you either reveal the ‘real’ root – the darkness behind the story, or consistently work away at all the layers until it has just gone. Believe me, once it has just gone, it’s amazing, you can hardly believe it’s possible or that it was even there in the first place! Tapping has the power to be that transformative.

Sometimes, we need a helping hand

It can feel a bit overwhleming to tackle a large emotional area by yourself. I work with another Tapping expert when I want to work on something bigger. So, if you find yourself becoming aware of areas of stuckness, habitual nastiness masquerading as tough-‘love’, and don’t know what do to, come and have a chat. I’d to work with you on your internal negative narratives.

Bach Flower Remedies

I find these gentle remedies to be so soothing and effective. I generally respond better to formulations from others as they have that outside perspective which enables true insight. But, Dr Bach created them as a self-healing modality, so you can do it for yourself. I suggest using the Healing Herbs website to do that.

Contact me to chat about you

Email me: HertsHerbalist@hotmail.com or call 07492 511366 to arrange a chat about how we might guide you to a place of gentle kindness towards yourself. You choose the modality/ies; herbs, tapping, Bach Flowers. <3

Catching the Tapping bug

If you’re new to the idea of Tapping – join my weekly session: ‘Catching the Tapping bug’ on Thursday evenings 8.30-9.10pm to find out what it feels like and how you might benefit. The first session is free to anyone who wants to give it a go. After that, I ask for donation payments with a suggested minimum of £8 or time swaps if you have £ difficulties due to Lockdown.

I look forward to welcoming you to my Tapping sessions, they are such an oasis of shared special energy and calm that they feel like the highlight of my week.

Fear in times of uncertainty

Posted on March 23, 2020 by - Uncategorized

It’s one of the hardest things to manage. Fear. When we don’t know what’s around the corner or even where the next corner is going to be.

We are living times of previously unthought of difficulty. You may have lost people you love, your business may look rocky or you’re on your own at home, you may be nursing the sick and be frightened for the welfare of your loved ones.

Human beings are resourceful and I truly believe we will find our way through this. Right now, though, it gives us time to reflect and be with ourselves – perhaps a little too much.

During times of challenge, the Bach Flower Remedies can be a source of great comfort and relief. I studied them in 2003 and have used them myself and for my patients for years. Most recently I have found that subtle action to be very powerful. Issues which have been affecting my daily relationships and general wellbeing are just melting away.

Some of the remedies I expect to turn to right now are:

  • Walnut – for change
  • Honeysuckle – for relinquishing our hold on the past
  • Mimulus – for fear of known things
  • Apsen – for fear of the unknown
  • Elm – for feeling overwhelmed
  • Star of Bethlehem – for shock
  • Mustard – for feelings of gloom
  • Gentian – for feelings of despondency

And others which might be around loneliness and feelings of isolation.

If you feel that any of these and/or other emotions are troubling you right now, I am offering short consultations and a remedy to be posted out to you.

Ordinarily, I charge £65 for an hour and the remedies are £5. To bring relief to my community, I am offering a consultation for 20mins online via Zoom and the charge (including the remedy and the postage) is £25.

Email me to sign up: HertsHerbalist@hotmail.com

If you are self-employed/unemployed and struggling then I will give you my time for a donation and charge £8 for the remedy and postage.

The remedy will last for around a month.

Dr Bach felt that combining up to 7 different remedies in one mix was optimum. This means we can address 7 different areas of concern. Have a think about your primary concerns right now. We will work it out together but you might also like to have a look for yourself. I suggest this resource: https://www.healingherbs.co.uk/choosing-and-using/essence-selector/

What is entirely unique about the way I work with the remedies is that I often make the remedies up in Rose water or Orange blossom water. I use these other flowers as they bring an extra comfort to the remedy. The aromatic waters are very high quality remedies from the Avicenna, the herbal supplier known to produce the best aromatics. The rose water is like being surrounded by pure, fragrant rose petals. It’s glorious!

Sign up for this great offer by sending an email to: HertsHerbalist@hotmail.com and include a phone number that I can contact you on.

I look foward to helping support you through this.

With love,

Lucy, your local herbalist

Eat yer greens

Posted on June 13, 2019 by - Self care, The body

Eat yer greens

We all know we need to eat our greens. But, why?

For me, both as herbalist and human, the most important aspect of eating up greens is that they stimulate your liver into action. Our livers are a fundamental organ which we cannot live without (and ’tis strange therefore that we have only the one!). It breaks down for elimination the ‘non-self’ chemicals in our bloodstreams. Greens contain nutrients which trigger the break down process. This is the normal and natural part of detoxification which our body undertakes every day.

Once broken down, we then need the colour chemicals in dark fruits and veg which then remove the things we no longer need.

This includes hormones (it’s not just about sex you know! but also the hormones triggered by stress and other bodily processes), microbes, things we breathed in as we walked down a busy street… the list is endless. But, can you see how important it is?

Don’t like greens?

Well, at this point, I’m tempted to say “TOUGH LUCK” as my parents would have!!! However, as that’s probably not very constructive, I’ll modify it to…

Find different ways of preparing them.

Perhaps you’ll like them better stir fried and crunchy with sesame oil and sesame seeds instead of steamed or boiled to death?

Chop spinach finely and liberally smother with a home-made olive oil vinaigrette – what’s not to like?

If all else fails, look for some green smoothie recipes (but keep the fruit content low).

Include them daily and watch your health improve. And, you’ll start to find you like them after all…