End of an era/Seabuckthorne/Uva Ursi

Hi, Everyone

This month marks the end of an era. You know I love herbs and I use them every day. The work of keeping up a medicinal garden of 100 pots has become too much for us. So, we've had to let it go.

May has always been so exciting when I start to see the little shoots sprouting and new growth on the plants that wintered over. I am now needing to slow down and rest more so trips to the local plant store to see their little ones will have to suffice.

I've recently discovered Seabuckthorne and have learned it may be good for Rosacea. I'm starting it today and will keep you posted.

The other day, I had the feeling of a bladder infection and possible stones again. So, I began treatment with Uva Ursi and in two days, I feel just fine.

I love herbs, it's just that I'm not growing them anymore.

Love Lyn

please help me identify this plant

Do you know what this plant is?

Is it medicinal?

Thanks so much for your input.

The Gifts of Gaia for every day life

Though I don't post much, I use herbs all the time. My life is verrrry full of my work, as an energy healing facilitator, natural perfumer, herbalist, aromatherapist, bath & body product maker, writer, meditation recording person, grandma, wife, friend and so many other hats.

BTW, I just joined the Red Hat Society and look forward to making some new  friends.

It never ceases to amaze me how many times I reach out for the Gifts of Gaia during the day. These gifts include herbs, aromatherapy, and natural perfumery.

I take a Hawthorn berry capsule with breakfast and supper to ensure my circulation is good, support my cardio-vascular system, and give me a good boost of anti-oxidants first thing. The latter is also why I put a few tsp. of dried Cranberries on my cereal in the morning.

I make a lip balm that is so creamy and soothing that I use it all day long; it's got Peppermint and Lavender essential oils in it.

I make our own deodorant with help from Patchouli, Cypress, Lemongrass, and Geranium essential oils and in the creme carrier I use for this product, I've added Jasmine, Lemon Balm, and Lavender Hydrosol, Calendula/Olive infused oil, Shea and Cocoa butters, and Rosemary extract.  If you enjoy Aromatherapy, come visit me at

 http://www.lynayre.com/Aromatherapy.htm

If one of us gets a bash, burn, bruise, bug bite, I spray on a formula that contains Helichrysum hydrosol, Lavender hydrosol and a few other things so the 'injury' is not even an issue.

Throughout the day, I enjoy homegrown herbal teas such as Five-Mint Tea, Loopy Lemony Tea, Sage Tea, and many others.

I also use my collection of Medicinal Teas when the need arises ie: sinus headache and/or congestion; agitation; flu or cold symptoms; and I make teas for others for an endless number of reasons. It's warming to the spirit as well as full of nutrients, minerals, and all round support - like a cupful of healthiness.

I make salves by gathering the herb, drying it until it crumbles, then soaking it in an appropriate oil until the goodness of the herb is transfered into the oil. Then it can be hardened with a wax such as beeswax. I make Calendula, Arnica, and other types. I do the same thing when I make alcohol or glycerine tinctures. The glycerine ones are called Glycerites; these are non-alcoholic and great for kids and pets.

I wear the perfumes that I, and other Natural Perfumers, have created as there are no harmful synthetic chemicals in them. They smell amazing and I'm always getting great comments from those who smell and buy my perfumes. If this interests you, hop on over to http://www.scentofnature.net/ and have a boo. I also teach others how to make perfume

We love to eat our herbs in our salads and on our meat. At Superstore, we can purchase what is called 'Free From Meat', which is free from steroids, hormones, and anti-biotics. Perhaps there's such a place near you. It's the same price as other meats.

I hope this will give you a few ideas about how you can invite Mother Nature back into your daily life. Fresh good wholesome foods, herbs, teas, and other nutrients will make a huge difference to your health.

Love Lyn

Lemon Balm Hydrosol

It's been a while since I've posted. There have been a few health issues and other life experiences so posting to a Blog was very low priority.

That being said, we're are always busy with our lovely herbs...

Norm and I made several litres of Lemon Balm hydrosol recently and it is divine. The Lemon Balm, which is naturally grown and non-sprayed, was bought from a local woman in a beautiful area of British Columbia.

Lemon Balm Hydrosol has the following properties:

*great for children

*safe for pregnant women

*gentle for skin that is maturing

*good for rashes and irritation

*heals herpes lesions on the lips

*lovely as a mouth rinse

*soothes sunburned skin

*anti-inflammatory

*anti-viral

*helpful with eczema

*calms poison oak and  poison ivy

*eases PMS and menstrual discomfort

*useful as a natural 'after potty wipe' for 'kids' of all ages

In combination with our Lavender Hydrosol, which is also safe for kids, it is wonderful in calming the emotions, combating fatigue, and refreshing the senses.

2 oz blue cobalt bottle for $18.00 Canadian plus shipping and handling direct to you. Please email me with your location so I can find out what shipping will be and send you a PayPal Invoice. Thank you. LynAyre@telus.net

Lavender Distillation Process

It was a bright, hot, dry July day when we went to visit Robyn Wyman at Full Bloom Farms. http://www.fullbloomfarm.ca/

Our purpose was to get the Lavender for our first foray into making hydrosols. We’d bought a still in April, three months before, and had waited in anticipation for the Lavender to be ready.

The day before, I’d purchased 3-four litre jugs of pure water and had sterilized two dozen canning jars.

We purchased five pounds of organic Hidecote and Munstead Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)

We were able to stuff about three pounds of it into the cylinder and the onion. The rest we dried; and I am tincturing some of it into alcohol.

We'd bought a 10 Litre Copper Alembic from the Essential Oil Company in Oregon, when we were heading to the coast in April. All hooked up, it is truly a work of art.

http://www.essentialoil.com/product_info.php?products_id=2642&osCsid=0d085b6cc225e6332f786f228ec858e1

The column goes on the boiler and the onion goes on top of that. The copper tube between the onion and the condenser, known as a 'bird's beak', conducts the condensate into the condenser. Cooling water is connected to the top of the condenser vessel through a tube from behind. This water runs around the outside of the coil and leaves via a drain at the bottom front; it is then drained into a collecting tub and is re-circulated back up to the condenser using an aquarium pump. This reservoir needs the water changed periodically to keep it cool.

Norm set it up in his shop. We'd purchased a hot plate to boil the water. We placed 10 Litres of pure water in the boiler, stuffed the column and onion, and connected those with a traditional rye flour paste. We had a sterile, covered, collecting pail in which to gather the hydrosol.

Our whole house and yard smelled like Lavender. We had the grandkids over for the weekend and they loved the smell and were fascinated by the process. They each went home with a gold organza bag stuffed with lavender. They slept better than usual that night.

The essential oil was completely inhabiting the hydrosol so we were not able to collect any on its own. The sterile flower water was collected into a sterile vessel and transferred into sterile jars so it is suitable for cooking and cosmetic use. I keep mine in the fridge. I had a half-jar that I've used as a control. It has been sitting on our bathroom countertop for two months, as I use it every day, and still smells fresh and bright.

Our Lavender hydrosol is wonderfully fragrant, clear, and very healing.

Properties include:

`balancing so ideal for combination skin

`use as a facial toner

`use in combination with helichrysum and other hydrosols for bangs, burns, bugs, and bashes

`calming to the heart and mind - use as a spray to walk through

`add to cosmetic cream as part of the water portion

`use as a linen spray

`spray the kids/babies beds

`spray in front of the kids and get them to walk through the mist

`add some essential oils and make a body spray - shake well before use

`spray on sunburn

`wound healing, promoting tissue regeneration

`antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-imflammatory

2 oz blue cobalt bottle for $18.00 Canadian plus shipping and handling direct to you. Please email me with your location so I can find out what shipping will be and send you a PayPal Invoice. Thank you. LynAyre@telus.net  

We're Back to the Garden

Feverfew

Betony

Tulips

The Whole Group

of Herbs

Just a few weeks ago, we had shades of purple and blue in the garden. Bulbs were blooming. The aroma in the yard was the perfume of spring.

Violet, Iris, Hyacinth

The herbs over-wintered and continued to grow and flourish under the work bench and back stairs, which were covered with poly. This has proven to be a great way to save the herbs for next year. It is wonderful to go out there in the morning and walk among them while sipping my morning coffee. I am grateful.

Sweet Violet

In November each year, we place our plants under the benches and stairs and protect them with a poly shield so they can over-winter safely. Most of them do survive to bring us joy and health in the Spring and for the rest of the growing season.

Last year, I planted some sweet violets. Though they didn't flower, they did produce a prolific crop of leaves. I did several fresh tinctures of the leaves and was rewarded by my efforts.

The tincture colour is the greenest of greens and the taste is sweet and green all at the same time. It gently develops on my tongue and immediately clears my head and uplifts me. I feel this clearing go all the way through my body.

The fresh leaves are edible in salads. Flowers have been known to be candied and placed on cakes and other confectionary items. Flowers can also be made into a jelly.

This plant's leaves are indicated for respiratory complaints such as coughing, congestion, and sore throat. A soothing syrup can be made that is also good for kids.

The dried root can be decocted for use as a laxative.

Today, Feb 18th, it is blooming. The smell of the Sweet Viola is also a sought-after aroma by Natural Perfumers. Descriptors include: fresh, sweet, gentle, alluring.

Alas, it will remain in our dreams as we relentlessly pursue of a doppleganger of this beloved scent though the creation of myriad scent similars.

This year, I'm going to try my hand at enfleurage of this tiny delicate flower. If I am successful, I will post my notes and photos here.