CHAMOMILE / CAMOMILE

Chamomile, this golden yellow herb that pleases us through whole summer, it is the most used herb in almost every family. Chamomile flowers have a pleasant smell and taste. In ancient times, Chamomile was prescribed for various diseases. Home grown Chamomile is very different from those purchased in the filter. Therefore it is best to grow them in the home garden, if you have one.

In my youth, parents were always cooking Chamomile tea for us children, because it helps to calm stomach and intestines. Chamomile tea also prevents inflammation.

I also remember that our grandmothers were putting around five hundred millilitres of Chamomile infusion in our bath, so that we children fall asleep easier at night.

A lot of times I make for myself Chamomile water for inhalation in which I put three spoons of its flowers. This water really helps me when I have nasal congestion and other lung diseases. We can also clean blackheads on our face with it, because after that treatment our skin is perfect softened.

I also make Chamomile lotion for myself. I mix eight drops of Chamomile oil with one hundred of millilitres of distillate of hazel catkins.

Chamomile works very calmly, I cook it for myself when I’m restless or I can’t sleep or when I’m just very tired.

When I have problems with rheumatism, I put a good half pound of dried Chamomile in linen/flax bag and dip it into very hot vinegar (preferably apple). Then I compress soaked in this hot mixture and put it on affected area. Pain disappears very quickly. With such preparation you can also treat gout.

When there weren’t so many cosmetic preparations my aunt, was using Chamomile to colour her blond hair. I even today remember her recipe. In the canvas bag she put around one hundred and fifty grams of Chamomile and put it into a litre of cold water and boils it for half an hour. When all cooled down she washed her hair with it and dry it with a towel. Hairs were lighter and nicely glossy.

Chamomile must be harvested in a sunny day, because this is the only time when Chamomile contains the most of essential oils. It must be dried in shadow and must be careful that it won’t fell apart when they are dried enough. Chamomile must be storaged in dry space where it won’t get mould, because Chamomile likes to absorb moisture. Chamomile usually grows among grain, which it is unpleasant for farmers as weeds, but that Chamomile is the healthier one.

Chamomile isn’t a demanding plant because it even grows on very infertile soil.

THE APPLE

From the first civilizations on Earth everything revolves around Apples. Even today an Apple is a symbol for a healthy life. But on the other hand this fruit does not receive as much attention as it should.

We can buy Apples in every grocery shop, all year round. But these kinds of Apples must be handled with care. Because they are most likely sprayed with pesticides, we must give them a good wash before eating them. If we want to eat healthy apples it is best to get them from controlled plantations where they don`t use pesticides. Apples grown there might be smaller in size, but much healthier and natural.

 

I have been wondering, where do the most tasty and quality Apples grow. I`ve looked up some research done by experts and they determined, that the best Apples come from Slovenia. Even The Japanese and the Americans are fighting over them. The best pectin and extracts are produced from Slovenian Apples.

 

When I have stomach problems, I prepare myself Apple compote, because it moisturizes inflamed stomach and intestines.



When I get diarrhoea due to improper diet or maybe bowel inflammation, I grate some Apples and let them rest for ten minutes. Apples prepared that way regulate concentration of substances in the body. In the old days they even treated dysentery like that.

I eat Apples a lot when I have a weakened immune system, especially after a disease, because they contain several vitamins and minerals: pectin, iron, vitamin C and especially a lot of tannins, which eliminate the inflammation in the intestine, bind proteins and steal food from the bacteria, so that they are not feeding in our intestines.

A juice from two Apples and a lemon is a great persecutor of useless bacteria from the gut.

Each year, I also prepare dried Apples. Everyone in our family eats these Apples throughout the winter, when we exercise less. And they are a great substitute over potato chips or salted peanuts. You can also use finely chopped Apple wedges with teas such as rosehip with Apples and lemon, or lime tea with Apples and cinnamon.

Apples can be very useful in the kitchen. Just these days, I made a great Apple strudel. I made puff pastry, grated Apples, and added a little sugar, cinnamon and a little sour cream. Rolled it up in one big roll, greased with olive oil, and made some holes in the dough with a fork (so that it does not inflate), and bake in the oven until golden brown. Apple pie is also very good, which is made with short crust pastry.

Apples are most healthy eaten unpeeled as most valuable natural substances, are in the peal.

BLACK ELDERBERRY

The Elderberry is a medicinal plant which deserves the highest recognition for its healing properties. We used to have a blackberry bush near every house, but today it is only found at the brink of a forest or in a glade. People do not always realize that the elderberry is very healthy.

Elderberry leaves and blossoms stimulate the sweat glands, and increase urine output and toxic substances from the body.

Each year I gather fresh Elderberry blossoms and dry them on fresh air, but not on the sun.

The colour of the blossoms must remain yellow golden in colour. When they are dry I keep them in a paper bag.

When I have a strong cold or a bronchial infection, i prepare myself some Elderberry tea.

Elderberry is very efficient at regulating blood sugar levels, therefore I recommend it to diabetics. Elderberry tea also purifies the blood.

When the Elderberries are ripe in the autumn, I prepare myself some juice. I put around 2 kilograms of berries in the juicer and squeeze them. I cook the juice for an hour and a half and then add 20 dekagrams of honey. When the juice is lukewarm, I pour it in a bottle and store it in a dry and dark space. I drink one spoonful three times a day. Elderberries contain a lot of vitamins, such as vitamin A, B, B1, B2, and C.

I prepare Elderberry tea at least three times a week. I pour boiling water over two tea spoons of dry flowers, strain it after ten minutes and add honey. The tea is very effective against bad body odor. I also use it for rinsing my eyes (without the honey).

Tea from the leaves and tree bark helps with constipation and urinary leakage.

As a child I have fond memories of fried Elderberry flowers, which my mother prepared for dinner, I prepare them even today. I make dough for pancakes and dip elderberry flowers in it (the best are fresh), then I quickly fry the batter, and sprinkle the pancakes with lemon juice, fold and sweeten them with powdered sugar. (Instead of lemon juice I also use honey).

Fresh elderberries should not be eaten raw, otherwise you could get sick or get diarrhoea.



THE WALNUT

Walnut grows everywhere around us, but we barely notice it. All that we know is that we can make a great Walnut cake and many other sweet goodies. Also it has many healing abilities but we don’t know a lot about it. Walnut was more appreciated by older generations.

In spring I gather young Walnut leaves and dry them in shade, but they must remain green as much as they could to maintain healing abilities. I gather green immature Walnuts from which I make drops for stomach. Leaves and Walnuts contain tannins, essential oils, citric acids, bitters, salts and many other healing substances.

Many times I make tea from Walnut leaves, this one is very appropriate for cleaning blood, immune system, skin diseases and hemorrhoids.

I recommend you to use Walnut tea together with camomile tea. Walnut tea contains many of tannins which are not recommended for people with sensitive stomach. That’s why you must mix it with other teas like camomile, linden, etc.

I remember that when I was a teenager, my aunt prepared me sliced immature Walnuts with raw butter. With it I lubricated my face, to reduce pimples. I also ate it when I had menstrual problems.

From sliced Walnut leaves and tree bark I make mouthwash, it works antibacterial.

From sliced Walnuts I prepare myself Walnut liquor. In liquor I put green Walnuts, sugar, lemon, cloves and cinnamon. Then I put it on window shelf for two months but not directly on sun. Then I pour it in other little bottles and put it in the basement. After a year I open it to drink it with the rest of my family.

I use Walnut oil for baking cakes, especially with the one that contain Walnuts, and sometimes at poultry and vegetables, there where the taste of Walnuts is matching with ingredients.

Walnuts are best to eat raw, I store them in dark airy space. I store Walnut kernels in a glass jar which must be closed very well.

After all that is obvious why chipmunks like Walnuts so much.

THE RED CLOVER

If people had as strong sense as animals have (deer, rabbits, etc.), we would eat Red Clover more regularly. At my young age I wondered why only deer like Red Clover so much. In past Red Clover was considered one of the best sorts of animal feed. I also remember that I spent most of the time on a meadow where I ate some Red Clover flowers, it tastes sweet and fresh. My mother had sown witloof chicory between Red Clover every year, which had really good taste.

About two decades ago I started to research about this plant and then I found out that  Red Clover is one of the oldest herbs. It contains everything from calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamins and flavonoids.

Red Clover is often used by women as a help in premenopausal period, it greatly reduces sweating, tiredness, irritability, hot flushes and lack of concentration. I made myself tea from it and drink it one cup after a meal.

I use Red Clover when I have problems with constipations. From its flowers I make syrup which helps to facilitate expectoration. Much better than any other herb I use it for inflammation of gastric mucosa and also to relieve stress.

 

Manyl times my lymph glands get painful and swollen, in that case I prepare an ointment by using fresh Red Clover flowers, on which I pour water and cook it on low heat for five hours, then I drain it and mix with the same amount of fat (oil, etc.).

 

 

Red Clover flowers I use for decoration of salads and vegetable side dishes.

Just as with other herbs you have to use (eating) Red Clover with caution, especially during pregnancy, breast and female reproductive tract cancer.

In the old times people said that woman who don’t have children and want to get pregnant, drank Red Clover tea every day to get pregnant faster.

DANDELION

Thank the wind which blew the golden dust of the dandelion blossom from the far Asia to us. When I look at the yellow dandelion flowers I always thank the sun for its gift. The sun rays which warm the Earth also make the dandelion flower so beautifully yellow.

 

When the first dandelion flowers start to blossom, I know that spring is here. The people are happy to see it and bees as well. In my opinion honey made from the dandelion flowers is the best. It is thick, yellow and with many crystals.

 

In the spring and also during the year, I often prepare myself dandelion tea, because it helps with bad digestion, strengthens the stomach and the immune system. Fresh juice made from the grinded dandelion leaves with a little water is the most efficient. I store it in the fridge and drink it throughout the day.

When I feel bloated or when my body is acidified due to sugary and fatty foods, I make myself tea from the dandelion blossom. I pour boiling water over the blossoms, leave it a couple of minutes and then drink it.

When consuming dandelion regularly I find myself loosing quite some weight. Because dandelion is a diuretic it encourages the differentiation of urine, stool and bile acid. It contains a lot of potassium, so there is no danger of losing to much bodily fluids, like with the nettle, which is a huge advantage over other herbs.

I also remember that my mother used dandelion milk which she squeezed out of the stalk to wash my eyes.

I use dandelion in salads and for decoration throughout the year. Even in the late autumn days, when there is no more salad on the garden and you have to go to buy it. You can still go to the meadow, pick dandelion leaves and put them in the salad.

 

I also used the root from the dandelion a couple of times when preparing coffee. The aroma was most interesting and after a coffee with the root, the intestine quickly empties. I also dry the roots and add them to different types of tea.

For the colder days I prepare myself syrup out of the dandelion blossom.

I use dandelion leaves through the whole year.

RIBWORT PLANTAIN

If I even think, how many times a human foot steps on such a useful grass as Ribwort Plantain and crumples it, it breaks my heart. I know two different species of Ribwort Plantain, narrow leaf and broadleaf.

 

 

In past, I used Broadleaf Ribwort Plantain, when my husband had stomach problems. I gathered it, added a little of Dandelion leaves, Yarrow and Camomile flowers. Tea from those herbs helps with inflammation gastric mucosal. It is even more affective when you squeeze juice from leaves and consume it twice a day with spoon.

Now, when I and my husband are a little older, I started to use Ribwort Plantain seeds. In my opinion these are one of the best natural medicines for intestinal problems and hemorrhoids. I use dry seeds when I want to eradicate unnecessary substances from the intestines. I put Ribwort Plantain seeds in water, to swell and become slimy (It is known that Ribwort works anti-inflammatory), then I drink a lot of water and thus facilitate drainage.

Every year I make syrup for respiratory. I make it from leaves, which I ground in food processor, and then add some water, sugar and honey. I boil them all together on a stove, this makes a thick liquid, and then I add some warm water and pour it lukewarm into glasses and put it into fridge. Syrup helps against dry cough.

 

 

From Ribwort Plantain I also make juice, which I ground it, drain it and add some honey, then drink it. This juice helps to drift away toxins from our body, and also works for diabetics and those with gout.

In gastronomy Ribwort Plantain is very popular, I always add it in green salad (especially if I buy a salad from a store), to consume more healthy ingredients. Many times I am using it instead of Swiss chard and spinach.

 

 

 

In my opinion, everybody should know Ribwort Plantain, because it can be found on every meadow. 





 

THE LEMON BALM HERB (MELISSA)

Melissa reminds me of my early childhood. Before I went to sleep, my mother always put three or four leaves of Melissa into my milk, which helped me to fell asleep easier. Still today I watch this herb with such admiration, while bees graze upon it. Even our ancestors were saying that, where the bees are, there is healthy life.

I often cook Melissa’s tea for myself and my children, because it cools and calms our body, I even use it for my digestive problems. You wouldn’t believe, but even my dog likes it, because it calms his wild energy.  I usually cook it for my menstrual cramps, now that I am in premenopausal period I use Melissa’s tea even more. I usually cook Melissa in the morning, so that I am calm most of the day and in the evening before I go to sleep. The herb helps my children, so that they can be more effective with their school obligations.

For my stomach problems I use Melissa’s syrup, it relaxes my spasms and bloats.

I recommended Melissa’s tea poultices to my long-time acquaintance, who is suffering from gout. He confirmed that this treatment helps him ease the swelling.

I also like to use Melissa in the winter and summer time, especially when I cook mulled wine, I put a leaf of herb in it or I put it in lemonade to really cool off.

I cook Melissa’s tea when I have the fever, for it is known that it cools your body. My grandmother taught me how to prepare massage oil from the herb. While I was a kid I often suffered from bronchitis, so my granny used to spread warm oil (almost boiled) on my chest. 

I use Melissa’s leaves for baking honey cookies, which makes the cookies even more delicious and healthier. Cottage cheese cake or cottage cheese strudel are even tastier, after I add some cut leaf of Melissa.

Melissa is more effective fresh than dried. Melissa gives better taste to egg omelettes, vegetable dishes, venison, diary drinks and white wine. 

Melissa must be used in moderation.

THE ROSEMARY HERB

Rosemary has been one of my favourite herbs of my youth. It reminds me of fresh sea air. Everyone should have it at home.

I often use Rosemary, when I feel tired and without energy. It helps me a lot, when I have headache. To remedy it I cook camomile tea. Inside I put some Rosemary needles, leave it to rest from ten to fifteen minutes and then filter the tea to get rid of the needles and drink it.
 
When my muscles or joints hurt, I prepare Rosemary oil for myself. I put a branch or two into sunflower oil and leave it on the sun for a week or little more, which provides a mixture between oil and aroma. I use this final product for massaging of tired joints and muscles.

I use the the same Rosemary oil for scalp massage, to reduce and eliminate dandruff and to speed up growth of my hair. For final rinsing of my hair, I sometimes use just a simple brew of Rosemary herb which also helps with the dandruff problem.

 

If I want to calm my stomach or if my nose is stuffy, I prepare myself a two or three cups of tea (in one day), like this: in cup of boiling water, I dunk my spoon of crushed leaves for fifteen minutes. With this tea I calm my stomach and clean my stuffy nose when I have cold.

 

Even when a virus gets the worst of me I cook myself a tea from Rosemary branches, which helps me a lot and puts up my slouching body in order.

 

In the middle of the night I have problems with cold legs with severe cramps, that’s why I massage my leg muscles with Rosemary oil in the morning.

I have Rosemary branches in a vase on the kitchen and on the dining table, and now these rooms have a nice scent of the woods.

For cooking I use Rosemary for pork, poultry, lamb, pizza, sauces and jelly, etc.

As for other herbs even with this one we have to know that we must use it reasonably. Less is better.

And if you have time you can make a nice bouquet of mixture of (fresh or dry) Rosemary branches together with Thyme, Chives, Lavender, etc. and give it as a gift.