Stinging Nettle and Arthritis

June 28, 2023 by Jurgen

Stinging Nettle has been treasured for a long time by Irish herbalists as an excellent ‘blood tonic’. Traditionally the young tips of nettles are gathered to make ‘nettle soup’.

Urtica urens

USES: Arthritis, Gout, Detoxification, and Allergic rashes (nettle rash).

HOW IT WORKS: Nettle has a cleansing action, attributed to flavonoids, which increase the excretion of a number of waste substances from the body, particularly the acid metabolites including uric acid. – It greatly benefits gout and arthritic conditions.

Nettles have a high nutritive value, containing Vitamin C, iron, calcium, potassium and silica, which explain its tonic action.

Insect repellent – Citronella

June 23, 2023 by Jurgen

Pure essential oils of Citronella and Lemongrass are insect repellents and can be used safely in the home, especially in the kitchen to eliminate odours or even outdoors. All 100% natural.

citronella

Simply clean a spray bottle thoroughly, add 10-12 drops of lemongrass and citronella to a pint of water, shake well and you have an eco-friendly insect repellent which smells pleasantly of lemons.
Alternatively use the mixture in an oil burner, diffuser or on a kerchief or necktie whilst gardening to keep those flies, bugs, midgets, and gnats away.

insect_repellant

Calendula – Skin Conditions

May 20, 2023 by Jurgen

Calendula officinalis – Pot Marigold

Marigold is a common garden plant with a long tradition in herbalism as a treatment for a variety of skin conditions. Calendula has been nicknamed ‘Russian penicillin’ because vast quantities are grown in Russia.

USES Acne, psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis, tonsilitis, wound healing, detoxification.

HOW IT WORKS The active constituents in Calendula officinalis have still to be identified, although studies have reported flavonoids, volatile oil, cartenoids and triterpenes. The triterpenes appear to be the main active group.

The flavonoids may contribute to the anti-inflammatory and lymphatic (cleansing) effect of the herb.

Calendula comes in creams and ointments or in tincture form for internal application.