Walking by the river I took pictures of some plants traditionally used in herbal medicine and aroma therapy. For you to know: 80% of the world’s population still relies on natural remedies, and 20% of pharmaceutical products are made from plants.
Summer solstice is the best time for gathering most of herbs: around that time they have the highest level of active chemicals. In July you can still find some herbs to supply your needs for cold remedies during upcoming autumn, and make a mix to simply enjoy a cup of aromatic tea with honey. Make sure you do your herb picking away from the roads with heavy traffic and that your herbs are not covered with dust: you are not supposed to wash them.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium). Its Latin name means “thousand leaves”, and all these leaves have been used for healing since the world began. Yarrow has anti-inflammatory properties and it is used for gastrointestinal problems and loss of appetite, varicose veins and hemorrhoids, common cold and painful periods. As a compound, Yarrow improves taste of any herbal tea mix.
Meadowsweet ( Filipendula ulmaria). It can be used in the way similar to Elderflower: for making cordials, jams and even fritters. As a remedy, Meadowsweet reduces acidity, decreases mucus and has anti-inflammatory effect. It contains some amounts of salicylates, so people who are allergic to aspirin have to better be careful using it. Meadowsweet tea is good for common cold, bronchitis, heartburn and reflux disease, peptic ulcers and bladder infections. In the next image there is a Nettle plant next to the Meadowsweet.
Nettle ( Urtica dioica). Nettle is used to treat rheumatism, arthritis, prostate problems, allergies and any other inflammation: it clears toxins out of the whole system. It grows in abundance, you can use it fresh or dried, and as much as you like. You can cook it and eat like spinach. Nettle’s roots are good as diuretics.
Red clover ( Trifolum pratense) . It contains isoflavones (phytoestrogens) and is a good remedy for PMS, menopause symptoms, preventing osteoporosis and any estrogen-related condition or disease. Men can use it for prostate related conditions, and also for slowing down benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) which comes with ageing. Red clover is also good for regulating cholesterol level.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare). It tastes great in your tea, and can be used for arthritis, cough, bladder problems, hemorrhoids, migraine, poor circulation and stress. One of my favorites for a regular use as a herbal tea mix compound, and to spice salads.
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis). Valerian root has sedative effect and could be used to treat insomnia and anxiety disorders. It has to be used very carefully, but you can put dried pieces of root into a fabric bag and keep it in your bedroom (aromatherapy). Cats love these roots even more than catnip, but don’t let your cat swallow the root, just in case.
I have pictures of another seven herbs, but I will keep them for Tuesday:)
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I have been nominated for another Very Inspiring blogger award by Vijay http://halfeatenmind.wordpress.com 🙂 Thank you Vijay, I really appreciate that you like my blog! Vijay is running a news blog, there is always something interesting.
I am glad that I have another chance to nominate some of my favorite bloggers.
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Best of luck with your blogging!
Photography tip of the day: Don’t be afraid to crop your images. Take any of your images and make as many nice crops as possible. It will boost your imagination:)
Have a great weekend!
Making memories 
Hi Inese. Just read this again and I must have missed the part about oregano, or else it didn’t stick because I hadn’t yet bought a little oregano plant for cooking. Now I’m going to put it in my tea! This post is as lovely as tea and little squares of crustless cucumber finger sandwiches!
Hattie – I am always really glad when my posts are useful 🙂 A little bit of oregano improves taste of any healthy but disgusting tea 🙂 It isn’t as strong as mint so it goes well with sandwiches. Yummy!
I love your sense of focus as it shows within these shots….
Thank you! 🙂
I better not chop off too many plant out of my garden then if 80% of the population relies on this to be alive. I may even be doing a disservice to humanity by chopping off plants 😉
Beautiful pictures as always, and my wordpress seems to be running pretty good now, yeeehaa!
Glad to hear your wordpress started to cooperate. 🙂
Don’t chop, pick the leaves:) Do you have some nettle plant in your backyard? It is one of the most energy boosting and cleansing herbs. Put a pair of glows on, do your backyard a favor and make a great remedy 🙂
I am sure that 80% of the world’s population still use the herbs. Asia, for sure. The herbs don’t have the side effects like the chemicals, they won’t kill your liver.
So I´m not killing anybody…phew, you got me a bit scared there for a second.
I´m not in charge of the garden I just follow instruction by my sergeant a.k.a mother. Go figure.
I have no sergeants 😦
I´ll be your sergeant, do a push up, get up, clap you hands two times, yell “I´m mean killing machine and also queen!!!”, and do two more push ups.
Do that! Do it! Just do it!
Sounds a bit nuts, but works well.
Haha I bet it works well. Your Mom rocks! 😉
She´s a scary human being and with a very strange sense of humour. Tell you something, before I was deployed you know what this woman told me? “Bring me some sand from over there.” You kidding me? I´m not joking, those where her words. And trust me, with that there was no crying or feeling sorry or nothing, just a laugh and confidence inside. That´s mommy, and now back with her at my age! 31.
You cannot be so sure about her feelings. Some people hide them deep.
Just checked out that Richard’s blog. That poem about the war, smoke and blood, did you read it?
nope, haven´t read it. Have read a lot of Richard so I´m sure I´ll get to it. But at the end of the day, no words as well written as they may be will ever tell a person that has never been in war what truly is to be in one. The physical emotions you go through can not be put into words. That, is the only thing I know for sure.
You are right. As always.
Thanks for liking my post! I’m so grateful you did, because now I have found your space in the world, and I absolutely love it. As I’m starting to live my life more naturally, I am thankful for the light that you’re sharing. And your pictures are breathtaking, the bee in flight in so peaceful of earth!
Many blessings to you!
Thank you! 🙂 Living naturally cleans body and soul:)
Very nice photos! 🙂
Thank you! Does anything like this grow in Colorado?
Not in my backyard lol.
I guess not 🙂 My best knowledge about Colorado is the Four Corners. Nothing grows there 🙂
I’ve always wanted to look into herbs, ever since Outlander’s character Claire started discussing how they can help. Thanks for sharing more info on the subject!
So glad you find the post useful. Start with one herb, make it a habit to drink a cup a day, and then add another herb and so on 🙂 Even a simple chamomile herb will make a difference ( yet I am not a fan of the teabags). The best way to use herbs is to put a teaspoon of your herb mix into a Thermos flask and pour over boiling water. Do it when you have time, and drink later. Have a great week!
Some gorgeous images with magical lighting.
Thank you Hattie! It was a late afternoon, and the river in background reflected the blue sky.
Just now I am enjoying some swiss drops prepared with herbs of the Alps, like plantain, marshmallow, mint, thyme, sage, yarrow, pimpernel, mallow, elderflowers, primrose, veronica and horehound. They taste very good and aleviate the harshness of the throat.
Keep picking those fine herbs, Inese, they are good for your body, for your heart and for your spirit.
Lino
Thank you for your kind comment, Lino! When you mention the herbs I picture the image of them in my mind:) I am certain they will sooth your throat in no time!:) One more blog post about herbs is on the way. Wish you a speedy recovery!
Inese
Beautiful. Just beautiful!
Thank you! Part 2 tomorrow.:)
Hope its alright to reblog this..its a lovely post
Thank you, really glad you like the post. Another herb-related post is coming tomorrow:) Didn’t fit in one:) Thanks again!
thankyou for letting me.. must be good walking by the river when its so hot
Oh it is wonderful near the river. Went again this afternoon:)