happy solstice!

I would love to say that my solstice/Litha started with me getting up at dawn (4.45am GMT), greeting the new day with a calm yet joyful heart; but unfortunately it didn't happen. However as Isla is teething, I got up to see to her at about 3.30am, so I guess you could say I greeted the pre-dawn, albeit through half closed eyes!

It's been a pretty blustery day here, with the weather changing on a sixpence as it has a tendency to do, so we didn't see much sun but I guess its a good day to appreciate the changing seasons. A herbalist friend of mine has organised a herb walk round Regents Park in London but as I can't go on this occasion, I decided to have a walk around my local area to see what I could find. (She also has a wonderful blog, find her here http://paulagrainger.com/) We had such amazing weather in april/may this year many of the trees such as elder and hawthorn have long since flowered and are producing berries for the autumn. The bramble is also in flower ready to transform flowers to fruit. I'm so looking forward to making elderberry syrup, blackberry vodka and hawthorn brandy again this year.

                                          



I also found nettles in abundance, dripping with seeds, as well as plantain and yarrow. Plantain is a wonderful herb for this time of year as you can use the leaves to rub onto insect bites. Chew them up a little to release the mucilaginous juices and apply to the bite for a soothing, cooling poultice. As a child I used to love firing the seed heads off the end of the stalks like a canon! Yarrow can be used in a tea as a remedy for fever and the young leaves can be used in salads. Also called 'soldier's wound wort' it can be used to stop nosebleeds.Yarrow is also a well known witches garden herb, historically used in many wise folk's spells and charms. Carrying yarrow blossoms in your pocket is said to attract new love to you and the fragrance is said to alleviate fears and help you to see a situation more clearly.

Nettle is a fantastic remedy for hayfever as it contains anti-histamine and is also a very good source of iron. You can use the leaves in tea, soup and salads but I wouldn't recommend picking the leaves to eat after the beginning of june as they become course and bitter and much more laxative. The seeds can be harvested over the summer and they are used as an adrenal adaptogen; useful for raising energy levels. Check out whispering earth's blog for more in depth info on this http://whisperingearth.wordpress.com/2010/08/23/harvesting-nettle-seeds/

oh and I know it doesn't really count as a herb but I found it on my walk and it made me smile...



I like to spend time in the garden at midsummer, seeing what is in bloom. We've been on holiday recently so everything has gone a little mad, with all the rain we've had while we've been away. My nasturtiums have taken over my herb bed and will need moving, likewise the rocket. The grass was ankle deep and the roses need dead heading pruning so they'll flower for a second time. So mark & I spent a couple of happy hours mowing, weeding and clearing. I decided to tackle an overgrown flower bed that hasn't been touched since we moved in.

Its amazing the kind of things you find....

                                                               
quite appropriate really!

So now I'll sit back and enjoy a glass of last seasons blackberry vodka with lemonade and enjoy the last of the sun, then indoors for a fire and a meal. Happy solstice!