Tuesday, April 27, 2010

I Miss My Mom. She would love all this herbal stuff!

generation2001

This was our five generation picture taken when my mom and her mom were both still alive and my first born grandchild, Evan, was a wee one, about 8 years ago. We lost my mom to cancer 4 years ago today, and G.G., as my vain grandma liked to be called (lol), the very next spring. That is my beautiful, and only, daughter Michelle Elizabeth holding her son.

My mom would have just loved all the natural healing and herbal knowledge I have been learning these last few years. The family used to tease her as she read her wisdom garnered from sources such as Prevention magazine, and others. I always listened to her though, (in those matters;-) ) , and always had a bent toward our natural world. If she were here today I can see us truly finding our common ground, besides family, with herbal/plant medicine and also with the foraging for wild foods, that I doing more and more. Well, mom this post is for you, in honor of the strong, warm, loving, giving person you were. I miss you so much!

I read herbal and wild foraging books constantly and even my dreams have me walking through woods and fields searching for the knowledge I am sure other women in my family had at some time. Some how it was lost a few generations back and I crave to recapture it, to share with all those following in my footsteps. Life is busy with so many things, so finding the time to apply what I have been learning is sometimes hard. I am trying to make it a point to do a few things every week.

HPIM7591

Tonight, after getting home, I went out in the gardens and gathered some whole plants of violets. Roots, leaves and flowers for a tincture. I am going to use the tincture, at times, for fevers, to break up mucous and respiratory complaints. The pretty yellow jar is dandelion flowers in safflower oil. I have some infusing in olive oil and thought some in safflower oil would be pretty and useful also. These both will make nice moisturizers and massage oils, that help release tension and emotions in the muscles. I also started some plantain tincture. This tincture will be good for gastric complaints, ulcers, and also for diarrhea. It will also be soothing for any complaints throughout the urinary system. As plantain is a relaxing antispasmodic to the mucous membranes, coughs, asthma, and other bronchial problems, are another way this tincture will be used.

Last week I managed to sneak in a few medicine making moments also.

HPIM7592

I made angelica root tincture and honey. Licorice tincture, concolor fir oil, dandelion vinegar, and peppermint oil.

Mom would just love all this and I think of her often as I learn more and more about our natural world and her gifts to us. We just need open our eyes and our hearts to what she has to tell us!

gail

I have found this book by herbalist Gail Faith Edwards, to be most helpful in my herbal journeys. I love what Gail has to say in her forward

These words are the ripened seeds that spill from my wild heart to the dark moist soil within your own.”

I highly recommend this book to those of my readers who are on their own herbal journey. Gail writes with a warm, welcoming style that encourages me with its insightful, yet non complicated information and uses of many herbals and trees. I have found this book to be another that is right here in the kitchen while I make herbal medicine, on my bedside table at night, and in my backpack at all other times. Gail has shared with us what it took her many seasons of intimate contact with the plants, to learn.  And yes, I do especially recommend it to those of you, who like me are at the beginning of our herbal journeys, although it is certain to be of benefit to the experienced herbalist also.

big herbal and honey hugs to all of you who take the time to visit here at Comfrey Cottages

 

6 comments:

Captain's Wife - Jennifer said...

Awww...your post made me teary eyed. Very sweet and touching. :) I adore your passion...and I bet your Mom is smiling down on you. :)Hugs back at you!! :)

Lemon Verbena Lady said...

What a lovely photo and family memories! Your herbal passion is wonderful! A hug for you always, Leslie!

Anke said...

Leslie that was such a sweet tribute to your Mom. I'm sure you must miss her very much. Thank you for recommending that book. My daughter wants to go to the bookstore this weekend and I'll have to see if they carry it or can order it for me. Sounds like it is very interesting and helpful for a beginner like me.
Have a great day,
Anke

Comfrey Cottages said...

thank you jennifer, nancy and anke:) oh and anke, yes i highly recommend the book for you. it is so hard when you are first learning herbs to find books that are easy to read and fun, and this one is very, very good, especially for those reasons! i got my copy from amazon.

janet said...

That family photo is a real treasure, Leslie. Your mom sounds like she was a very special person.

I have never tinctured plantain, although we always crush it and use it for insect and mosquito bites. I always learn something new from you, thanks!

Comfrey Cottages said...

lol! i am a very busy bee janet:) glad you could stop by! big hugs to you