Sharing the health benefits of plants 

Christmas is often synonymous with socialising, celebration and, of course, eating! We may occasionally overindulge in some of the delicious festive dishes. This can lead to a feeling of discomfort and tightness from the build-up of pressure in the stomach. Generally, this is short-lived, however, if bloating is a regular occurrence, you should consult your doctor. Fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare) In the case of temporary bloating, easing up on the intake of rich food, reduc

Following an illness or period of stress, a time of convalescence is crucial to allow the body and mind to recover. Once the symptoms of the illness have cleared up, we enter a period of post-convalescence which is transition from recovery to complete rehabilitation. Sleep , good quality nutrition, gentle exercise and emotional support continue to be important. This is also the time to focus on replenishing minerals, trace elements and vitamins which have been depleted durin

You may have tried cider but have you tried fire cider?! Fire cider is a spicy, homemade tonic. It uses unpasturized apple cider vinegar to extract minerals and alcaloids from immune-stimulating ingredients. This simple recipe has been made famous by Rosemary Gladstar, a well-known American herbalist, who wanted to show people how easy it was to make medecine in your own kitchen using accessible and affordable ingredients. Let’s take a look at some of those ingredients. Garli

Not so long ago I was asked, rather sarcastically, « So, how does aromatherapy work then? Healing by smell ?! ». In a way, this is a logical conclusion given the name «  aroma therapy ». Indeed, some scents, including Lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia), have been proven to reduce stress levels by stimulating the release of neurotransmitters, such as endorphins, with relaxing and sedative properties [1, 2] . These, in turn, immediately impact physiological functions in the bo

Known as the Misty Isle, the Isle of Skye in the north-west of Scotland experiences a mainly mild, wet climate. Due to westerly winds from the sea, this is one of the windiest places in the UK [1]. It has its fair share of storms and horizontal rain. This means that plants (and locals) here have to be fairly hardy to survive. It is also a place of immense beauty and walking in such magnificent scenery is, in itself, a remedy. Filipendula ulmaria For twenty four years, my mot

France has a number of well-known aperitif drinks including Pastis, Suze and Lillet. But, did you know that these three drinks are all...

You won’t find them listed on food nutrition labels yet bright red strawberries, deep purple blackberries and dark black olives all contain polyphenols. Polyphenols are a class of compounds found uniquely in plant food. You may have heard of some of them such as flavonoids or resveratrol. Those responsible for the colours red, orange, purple and blue are known as anthocyanins but, in fact, over 8,000 polyphenolic compounds have been identified [1] . Not only are polyphenols r

Citrus fruits are often associated with vitamin C but they are not the only source of this vital vitamin. Vitamin C, also known as...

Mulled wine and mince pies are firm favourites in my household at Christmas time. Northing beats a warming glass of mulled wine in front...

Following a shock, injury or disease, we are tired, demineralised and our immune system is weakened. Convalescence is a crucial period of physical and mental rest required to recover from illness, surgery or an emotional trauma. Depending on the condition, this can take from several weeks to several months. Like most people, I’m impatient to return to my normal activities, however, if this period is not respected, recovery takes longer and there is an increased risk of relaps

Falling asleep, staying asleep or returning to sleep if we awake during the night affect most of us occasionally. Personally, I tend to...

We may believe that plants rely on us to feed them, but in reality it’s the other way round. Plants are « autotroph » which means that...

What links Loddon Pink, Munstead, Nana Alba, Hidcote and Twickle Purple ? No, they’re not areas on the shipping forecast or horses at the...

Thorns aside, blackberry picking is a fun activity for all ages. As a child growing up in the UK, my nanna (grandmother) would take us...

An essential element of French stews and soups, the bouquet garni is a tied bundle of herbs used to flavour dishes. One of its advantages...

You are sitting out enjoying the sun when you feel a sharp sting or burning sensation on your skin. Before you know it, there is a small,...

Elderflower champagne is a wonderful summertime drink, yet for a long time I didn’t make it myself as I wasn't sure I could correctly identify the plant. This post will help you to be able to do that and also give a recipe for this delicious beverage. The Elder ( Sambucus nigra) is a shrub or a small tree so the flowers grow from the tree and not from the ground. This may sound fairly obvious but Cow Bane ( Oxypolis rigidior) is a toxic plant which has similar looking flowe

What do you put on your skin? The skin, the biggest organ in the human body, provides a defence barrier to protect internal organs and also plays an essential role in maintaining homeostasis [1] . Homeostasis is the interior state of balance allowing the body to function correctly. Natural and environmental factors change the structure of the skin from both the inside and outside on a daily basis. Here are three common flowers which assist in repairing damaged skin. To extrac

The ubiquitous dandelion is often considered a weed yet has an extraordinary number of uses. The latin name for the common dandelion is...

Regardless of the season, each walk is an opportunity to discover plants at various stages in their life cycles. On this drizzly Sunday...