The Fields Are Decked with Boughs of Hawthorn ... and Sloe Berries
 
Hawthorn
The embers of a warming fire... 
 
sloe berry branch
...create a sloe glow
The fruit releases more sugars after the first hard frost of the season, giving a sweeter flavour to our hedgerow tonics. Hawthorn nourishes the core of us, the heart - the red colour is a sign of life and rejuvenation in the gloom. The two berries combine beautifully to look after the circulation not only of the heart but the whole of us, down to the smallest vessels, giving us a thorough warming - like sitting near the embers of a fire - a 'sloe glow'.  Want to learn more about making the most of your hedgerows? Come to our Winter Herb Walk!
Something Special for Christmas ...
red ribbon with holly around white box
Madeleine's Cream & Ointments are available in lovely gift boxes on request - free gift wrap for single pots in 30g & 50g sizes on all orders over �22.00 !

Madeleine's Cream is a nourishing facial cleanser and is great as a winter hand cream - it soothes and heals as it moisturises. Madeleine's Ointments are excellent for chapped skin and wind-blown lips!
Cream pot in red tissue
To order Madeleine's Cream & Ointments, go to www.madeleines-cream.com

To request gift wrap on 30 & 50g pots, email Madeleine on: [email protected] 
Lovely Gentle Companion Seeks Pastures New
Shadow face
Shadow is a Welsh Cob/Hackney 14.2 hh - living out, unshod. Ideally the new home would look after her and feed, in exchange for full homeopathic care for the family.
As I work at Helios in Tunbridge Wells I have access to all the remedies under the sun and can also make up any special ones needed - I would offer the remedies as part of the deal.

Shadow is a calm, safe, very gentle horse who gets on well with other horses and likes to mind her own business. She has had good care of her feet over the last year by a natural hoof-care specialist. She was ridden regularly up until 18 months ago but in the last year has been living out as part of a herd that live as 'naturally' as possible.

Ring Madeleine for more details on 01342 826 965
Shadow side view
Shadow, September 2009
Warm the Body & Heart: Winter Herb Walk with Ben Fairlight-Edwards
rosemary
Rosemary
 

Thursday, 9th December 2010

 

As we head into Deep Winter, it's good to keep warm and cosy - and to keep things moving. Herbs are a great help now. Circulatory stimulants, like spices, resin-rich herbs and those with strong essential oils and high flavonoid content come into their own. So, in the morning we'll look at the circulatory system and herbs good for the heart. In the afternoon, we'll look at herby ideas for warming the hearts of our loved ones at Christmas.

 

As always, please do bring your own ideas and experiences to share. The aim is to have some time outside in the morning, and be mostly indoors in the afternoon. But we will be flexible according to the weather. Plant identification will be less interesting now - until the Spring!

 

Morning 9.30 - 12.30pm

Mini Lecture: The Circulatory System

 

Arteries, veins & capillaries all work with and for the Main Mover - the heart. But they don't work in isolation from the lungs - or the digestion. We'll remind ourselves of this, and then... think of Chilli, Ginger, Cinnamon and Rosemary - and you probably feel warm already! Preparations of these and other herbs (including Chestnuts) in alcohol, oil, vinegar, tea and cooking are justly famous for warming the cockles.

chestnut
Chestnuts on the tree

Some of these herbs raise, some lower, and others regulate the blood vessels as well as the blood pressure. The best ones do all this, whilst also feeding the heart muscle itself - we'll taste these various remedies.

 

Afternoon 1.30 - 5.30pm

Making a suitable remedy or meaningful present for Christmas

 

We'll revise how to make a basic cream, then modify it with tinctures or essential oils to suit friends or family members. We will use a traditional method of gauging what qualities our familiars might lack - and how to remedy that with herbs. Even a simple tailor-made skin cream can help a person, especially when applied to key points on the body.

 

We'll also look at different ideas for making herby Christmas presents.holly berries

 

I look forward to seeing you!

Ben, The Barefoot Herbalist

 

�20 for morning or afternoon

�35 for all day

Please bring your own lunch; drinks and bics provided

 

Please bring the usual Barefoot essentials:

1 jar (small)

1 plastic bag (freezer/sandwich bag)

1 pair small scissors / penknife

1 small thermos flask (optional - for making a Field Infusion)

Call Madeleine on 01342 826 965 to book

 

All herbal wisdom in our newsletters is provided by Ben

robin in hawthorn
Leave some berries for the birds!