Chelsea Physic Garden ~ The Herb Almanac: A seasonal guide to medicinal plants

 

Since the last cookery book was Healing With Plants ~  The Chelsea Physic Garden Herbal, I thought I would share what I believe to be its companion, The Herbal Almanac: A seasonal guide to medicinal plants. This is a much smaller book compared to the other book which was a bit more text book in size and volume. However do not let its size fool you. It gives a detailed guide to 50 herbs, including seasonal wild and garden herbs. You do not necessarily need the other book to comprehend or appreciate this book. Together they undoubtedly carry a wealth of information, creating such a compelling reading combination, but separately they are just as enlightening.

Briefly you can discover tips for growing healing herbs and how to forage for wild herb harvests. There are lovely hand drawn illustrations, some recipes, along with folklore, herbal symbolism, the meaning behind their names and a history of how some of these herbs or rather natural medicines were discovered and used. 

The book is divided into the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter and each herb is categorized into a season; which makes it more concise and handy to flip through and randomly engage any time you wish. It is all about reconnecting with the natural world. 

I will share the recipe for dandelion honey and a couple of home remedies from the book, as printed in the book.

Dandelion Honey

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"A syrup that looks and tastes similar to runny honey, and is suitable for vegans. If you want to make it set like a jelly, add pectin with the sugar (following the packet directions). "

Pick off the petals, weigh them and transfer to a saucepan. Add an equal weight of cold water - 100ml (3 1/2 fl oz) water for 100g (3 1/2 oz) of petals - and a slice or 3 of lemon. Cover and bring to a simmer. 

Simmer gently for 15 minutes, then take off the heat and set aside overnight. Strain and squeeze the liquid through a muslin - lined sieve or jelly bag, and measure the liquid. Return it to a clean pan with the same weight of golden caster (superfine) sugar - 100g (3 1/2 oz) of sugar for 100ml (3 1/2 fl oz) of liquid. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Simmer uncovered and stir frequently until it reaches a syrupy consistency (it will thicken further as it cools). Pour hot mixture into sterilized jars and leave to cool. 

In the kitchen and medicine cabinet

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Lavender: 

"The essential oil is widely available and can be added to moisturizing and/or calming skin balms and oils, dabbed undiluted onto insect stings or mixed into an evening bath. Dried flowers can be used in baking and cooking (try roasting lamb in lavender and hay)."

Nettles:

"Infused in water with a little vinegar and other herbs, nettles can be used as a final rinse for the hair, to add lustre and strength. The chlorophyll in nettle leaves produces a green dye also commercially used as a food colouring, and the roots make a yellow dye," 

Healing With Plants ~ The Chelsea Physic Garden Herbal

 

The Chelsea Physics Garden was founded in 1673 on a piece of land that was previously used as a market garden. Neighbouring the river Thames in a part of the then rural Chelsea, known as the Manor of Chelsea. It made for an ideal garden because the land was walled and it benefitted from the warm river air and with its south facing aspect and good light soil also made it an ideal location for a garden.

Then it was simply known as the Apothecaries Garden and run by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries, known for growing medicinal herbs and training it's apprentices how to identify and use them. One of those apprentices was Sir Hans Sloane. Who, as the book states, "when in Jamaica and with help from the indigenous peoples, was responsible for the discovery of quinine, a plant-based compound that can prevent and cure malaria and a drink using chocolate."  

During our visit to England, we stumbled upon and visited the Chelsea Physic Garden, and quickly became quite enamoured upon our guided tour, which I thoroughly recommend. The grounds are quaint however the plethora of plants and information is abundant. 

This book is packed with loads of information that is tactile, concise and significantly insightful and provides a brief history and maps of the grounds and a one page reference for each herb with lovely colourful illustrations throughout. Containing such information as herbs in history, what is a herbal, notable herbs, references to Elizabeth Blackwell's herbal, herbs in Chinese medicine, Ayurveda and herb medicine, herbs for healing, modern day herbalism and western medicine. Growing and foraging for herbs, making herbal remedies, herbs for healing and recipes are peppered throughout. It gives you a herbal guide, a cultivation, a history of healing and harvesting, how to use, Origins and Cautions, as well as myths and legends. Insightful of herbs common place and not so common place with natural herbal remedies depending on what your intention is. Of course this book does not replace medical information or practises. 

There is so much information that one can truly relish and dive into whole heartedly and appreciate the wealth of information that is on hand throughout this knowledgable guided book. Not only is it good to know where your food comes from but also the ingredients we add to our cooking and baking as well as the things we put on our face, hair and body.

I will share a recipe from the book and although it references the use of a children's mug I am sure any mug adult or otherwise will do. The recipe and description is typed exactly how it is from the book. 

Bedtime Cocoa

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"Hot chocolate plays a part in the Chelsea Physic Garden's history, and this recipe uses herbal - infused honeys to clam and relax children in the evening. Use oat milk rather than cow's milk for a diary-free alternative and one that adds to the sleep - induced effects - oats contain relaxing compounds such as melatonin."

Gently heat a small mugful of milk in a saucepan (add a cinnamon stick and/or vanilla pod, if liked and simmer over a low heat for 5 to 10 minutes). Put 1 tbsp (tablespoon) cocoa powder into the child's favourite mug, pour in a splash of the hot milk and stir to make a paste. Strain out the cinnamon and vanilla, then pour the rest of the milk into the mug, stirring or whisking constantly. Stir in linden flower - or - chamomile - infused honey to taste, then serve. 

Brew Dr. Kombucha ~ Superberry

When this was a weekly special at one of the local shops we just had to try it. Organic Oolong tea with organic currants, elderberries, hibiscus and rose hips. I thought it would be beneficial seeing how it was superberry and only 5% sugar. It was refreshing, in an iced tea sort of way however offered a hint of herbal berry goodness. Even though it was great on it's own; I could see mixing it with a bit of gin for a pleasant afternoon Flapper's iced tea.  

Sometimes only fancy glasses will do. I found it had such an interesting colour. A coral tan that cast a pinkish hue. 

Feeling a bit better and looking forward to the weekend. Have a great weekend everyone! - JD 

Dandelion Tea

Trying dandelion tea came as a suggestion to me and one that I thought I would regret. Contemplating tea in the aisle at my local organic shop had me a bit hesitant. The last time I switched brands because I thought almost all teas were created equal, I got a bit of a surprise to say the least and vowed never to stray again. Although in hindsight it probably would have cured whatever ailed you. My thoughts were that I did not need curing that bad. Reluctant as I was, I did purchase a box. That afternoon we brewed a pot. No strong odour and no yellow colour that is forever assoicated with the incessant backyard weed. The teacup went from table to nose with little avail. No fowl herbal decoction passed through my nostrils. The warm teacup then pressed against my lips. I paused, then inhaled one apprehensive sip. The nutty mallow flavour was pleasing to my preconceived palette. Relieved, we relaxed and enjoyed the herbal refuge to our afternoon.   

After some research there seems to be many benefits to drinking dandelion tea. 

- helps digestive disturbances

- reduces inflammation

- helps reduce cholesterol

- contain antioxidants

- packed with vitamins and minerals

- relieves bloating and water retention

- helps rheumatism and arthritis 

- boosts immunity 

And these are just a few. 

Have a good weekend everyone! - JD