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Saturday, July 2, 2011

Weeds That Heal


Thank you, to those sweet friends who inquired—my eczema has quieted down, all except my hands, which still have an angry bright red rash.

I've cut out the usual food suspects, and am now concentrating on building up health through the usual food supplements: good fish oils and pro-biotics.

And herbal teas, which is my favourite way to take medicine.

Right now I am enjoying the weeds from the garden, especially melissa, or lemon balm, the "gladdening herb", which even smells happy, to me. 

Lemon balm, melissa officinalis
German camomile, matricaria chamomilla
bee balm, monarda didyma. Credit
Other favourites: monarda (bee balm), and chocolate mint. Sweet, happy, calming, rejuvenating herbs.

A full pot of these, along with the good, green, nasty medicinal herbs, like dandelion, nettle, dock, and plantain, is always on the simmer. 



These I forage from a clean meadow near a bike trail which, last year, was just a track of rubble made a by bulldozer. This year, it is full of dock and dandelion and red clover, the biggest I've ever seen. These are the weeds that heal the earth. They bring up minerals from below the disturbed, rocky surface and restore topsoil so that lusher plants can grow. It never fails to fill me with awe....the sheer elegance of God's eco-system


Little by little I'm seeing improvement in my own body. As organs and systems cleanse and renew themselves, my skin is clearing up. I have so much to be thankful for. 

Anyway, friends, my door is always open. Do stop by, any time, for a cup of weeds! It'll do you good! It might even taste OK.

3 comments:

  1. Mary, I would love to go wildcrafting with you some time for herbs! I planted lemon balm in my garden this year but the seeds didn't germinate. Do they prefer to be started indoors? I have so many gardening questions as I am such a beginner. But I do have lettuce to enjoy already, and the peas, beans, beets, carrots, basil, potatoes, onions, broccoli, tomatoes and peppers seem to be coming along fine so far. Some of my other herbs are happy, especially the oregano. We need to plan a get-together soon! I'happy to know that you are feeling better!

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  2. I've never started lemon balm from seed. Judging by the way it keeps popping up all over the garden, I think it's pretty hardy once it's established, and a good spreader. I think you could just dig up part of a plant and divide the roots. My mom has some beauties. I'm sure she'd be willing to share! Your garden sounds fantastic, Erin! But you'll have to direct the gardening questions to Will. I'm just the lackey.

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