| 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.
| 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.
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
| Leave some berries for the birds! |
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