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Secrets of a Sticky Weed

Spring is here and with it Weeeeeeds!

They are everywhere.

I hate them! I love them! I hate them I …..use their secrets holistically!

You guessed, I have again the Herbalist Hat on.

Today I choose one weed that used to bother me a lot in the past.

It turned out that it was the weed that my body needed the most in the process of recovering from some serious autoimmune illnesses I have been blessed with.

This plant, Cleavers (Galium aparine), is known under many different names including sticky weed, Velcro plant or goose grass. It grows everywhere in my garden and I cannot say it is my favourite. Every time I collect it, inevitably I also get a little skin irritation.

The plant is edible, leaves, stems as well as the fruits, mostly cooked. Due to its clinging nature (Auld B.A. and Medd, 1987) it is less palatable when attempting to eat it raw.

This sticky plant harbours many secrets. The ancient Greeks used the stems in the form of a coarse colander to strain milk. In Anatolia the plant is known these days as the Yogurt plant, because of an enzyme that curdles the milk. Similar uses of the plant are in practice in Sweden as well.

Benefits. Current research on Cleavers and its use for human consumption is sparse. However, the very many chemical constituents, including but not limited to monotropein, asperuloside, tannins, flavonoids or polyphenolic acids (Deliorman et al, 2001) demonstrate that the plant pharmacological properties are yet to be demonstrated by the modern science. Therefore the secrets this plant possess are about to be unveiled by modern science.

Given the lack of substantiated evidence I will mention only the very well-known applications of Galium aparine (Maud, 1971), as outlined below:

  • Slimming effect: possible due to the asperuloside component, known to increase metabolic rate in mammals;
  • Supports the lymphatic system
    • Promotes lymphatic drainage;
    • Breaks up lymphatic congestion (enlarged lymph nodes) especially in the pelvis,
    • Acts in general as a lymphatic tonic;
  • Diuretic;
  • Choleretic: it stimulates the flow of the bile;
  • Can be used as a coffee substitute: dried and roasted fruits of the cleavers;
  • Its medicinal effects are great if used in soups;
  • Cosmetic benefits
    • Hair tonic : rinsing the hair with cleavers tea infusion;
    • Facial rejuvenation and anti-wrinkles action.

The plant has no known toxicity and has no contraindications.

Best ways to use the plant is to drink a stronger infusion during the day.

Harvesting the plant: should be performed while the plant is in the growing stage with its bright green foliage.

How to use it: Teas and facial cleanser

#1 Diuretic Cleavers Infusion Tea

  • 3 table spoon of dried plant
  • 500 ml boiling water ;
  • Let it sit for a good 20 minute;
  • Strain and drink throughout the day.

This tea is useful to stimulate the lymphatic flow. It has a gentle purgative action due to a chemical in the plant called asperuloside. It also aids the bile. Drink small quantities during the day.

# 2 Natural Facial Cleanser

Cleavers makes an excellent facial cleanser and wash. The chemical components in the form of acids, polyphenolic, tannic and citric acids help tightening the skin. Excellent against those wrinkles and sags we all want to get rid of as the skins matures due to aging.

  • 1/3 cup of dried Galium aparine
  • 500 ml boiling water
  • Let the plant steep for a good hour
  • Wash the face as you would any other facial cleanser.
  • To be effective it has to be used several times a week.

So what are we all waiting for? Let’s gather Galium aparine before going to seeds and enjoy a detox cuppa!

What a great secret gift we have with this sticky weed.

Disclaimer: I am a qualified holistic wellness, herbalist aromatherapist and nutrition guide; I am not a medical doctor or nurse and do not play one on the internet. Always check with a doctor or medical professional if a medical need arises.

References

Auld B.A. and Medd, R. W., Weeds – an illustrated botanical guide to weeds of Australia, 1987, (2nd Ed), Melbourne, Inkata Press. https://trove.nla.gov.au/work/9658129?selectedversion=NBD4476220

Deliorman D. et al, Pharmaceutical Biology, 2001:39(3):234-235, Iridoids from Galium aparine. https://doi.org/10.1076/phbi.39.3.234.5928

Grieve, Maud , 1971. “Clivers”. A Modern Herbal: The Medicinal, Culinary, Cosmetic and Economic Properties, Cultivation and Folklore of Herbs, Grasses, Fungi, Shrubs, & Trees with All Their Modern Scientific Uses, Volume 1. Dover Publications. p. 206. ISBN 9780486227986

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The Violets Season

Welcome back my dear reader! My love for nature and its wonders is growing to such a speed that I have forgot to post my monthly blog in July and August is almost gone.. He! He!

So coming back to plants, there are so many that I have progressively started to love and introduce in my daily use. Today, my focus is on one of my favourite weed from my garden: the sweet violet (Viola Odorata). It’s in season at the moment and delights the eye as well as the smell.

But little did we know that the sweet violets, flowers and leaves, are edible as well as have medicinal properties. Their extravagant perfume has been appreciated by many in the past history. It is said that Napoleon Bonaparte was attracted by the soothing sweet aroma that makes one smile. He was known to his supporters the Corporal Violet.

A snippet about Napoleon’s love for violets: Violets are native to the Mediterranean, including Napoleon’s home island of Corsica. Therefore he would have been very familiar with the adorable happy little hardy flowers. Perhaps he may as well have picked violet bouquets for his mother as a boy. What we know for sure from history books is that the sweet scent of violets was the favourite fragrance of his first wife, Josephine. Not only she wore violets on her wedding day but every year, on the anniversary of their marriage, Napoleon sent her a bouquet of violets. Napoleon would wear a perfume specially made for him with violet base. (Kane, 2015)

According to the “doctrine of Signatures” herbs will have the shape, color, texture of the organ/system are good to use as remedy. In the case of the Viola, it resembles the heart shape; therefore it would mend an emotionally broken heart. Since time immemorial this humble, yet powerful plant has been used for many ailments. Current research on Viola demonstrated that its chemical constituents, in the form of alkaloids, salicylate, saponin, mucilage, or vitamin C are responsible for the acclaimed therapeutic applications (Chandra 2015) including:

  • Heart tonic both emotional as well as for physical pain;
  • Respiratory conditions;
  • Purification of the blood;
  • Treatment of skin bruises, acne or rashes.

So how can we use the plant to gain such powerful benefits?

I will share two of my favs:

A word of caution: this is a VERY powerful plant: one must use it with care in very small quantities: the saponin component from the plant may cause some stomach for some people.

#1 Violet Tea

  • Infuse 1 teaspoon of dried violet flowers in a 250 grams of warm water;
  • Let it sit for a good 20 minute;

This tea is useful to stimulate the lymphatic flow and aid the liver in purifying the blood. Furthermore it helps expectorate mucus when respiratory problems are present. Additionally, if consumed before bed time, the aroma of the flowers calms the nervous system and helps the mind to quiet down for a restful sleep.

# 2 Violet Flower Fermented Cooling Drink

This one is a very old recipe I learned of from my grandmother.

Ingredients

  • One cup clean sweet violets (viola odorata);
  • 3 Litres of water preferably boiled and cooled;
  • 5 table spoon of honey;
  • The juice from one lemon or a table spook of Apple cider vinegar;

Method:

  • Place all ingredients in a 4 litre wide open jar and let it rest/ferment at room temperature for 7-10 days.
  • Decant and distribute the syrup in flip-top bottles and place the bottles in a safe place to ferment further for up to five days or drink immediately. CAUTION: fermentation will happen more quickly in warmer temperatures. Carefully ensure that all bottles are checked for the carbonation level and release the carbon dioxide during this time. Store the bottles in a cool place.

This drink is wonderful to clear heat and detoxify.

What a great gift we have with this little purple flower.

Disclaimer: I am a qualified holistic wellness, herbalist aromatherapist and nutrition guide; I am not a medical doctor or nurse and do not play one on the internet. Always check with a doctor or medical professional if a medical need arises.

References

Chandra, et al. Curent research in Chemistry,2015, 7:44-52, Phytochemical and Ethnomedicinal Uses of Family Violaceae, https://scialert.net/fulltext/?doi=crc.2015.44.52

Kane, 2015, The Return of Corporal Violet https://regencyredingote.wordpress.com/2015/03/06/the-return-of-corporal-violet/

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The Orange Season

Time Tested Solutions for a Healthier Living

I am not a big fan of cold, but I am a big fan of citrus fruits. And now, when the temperatures are dropping into teens the citruses in all their splendour abundance are my go to fruits for many reasons. A not too distant research (Morand et al., 2011), advocated that a component found in oranges, (called hesperidin) may increase the blood flow throughout the body. Interestingly, a little later, another study (Takumi et al., 2012) demonstrated that just eating a few oranges before going out into the cold can make our fingers and toes a little warmer. It makes me wonder, how come the nature knows when to provide these blessed fruits for our benefits?

But did you know that while we all enjoy the juice and the fruit itself, it is the skin peel that brings more health benefits? More often than not it gets thrown out so that the worms in the worm farm benefit.

Soo… you guessed, this blog is more about that orange peel fresh or dry. I’m going to share few ways to use it outlining their beneficial aspects.

#1 Orange Peels Non-toxic Cleaner – Concentrate

There are some specific chemical components, (terpenes, saponins, phenols) in orange peels that make them appealing as natural, non-toxic cleaner. They can be easily extracted using vinegar. Here is how:

  • Take 2 cups orange peels (lemon or lime works too);
  • Fill a jar with 2-3 cups white vinegar;
  • Seal tightly and let it set in a cool dark places for about three weeks;
  • Decant using a sieve into another bottle;

This is the CONCENTRATE cleaner. Therefore it must be diluted before use (50/50 is my preferred. You can dilute more if u want).

Surfaces that this cleaner works as tested by BIBI:

  • Porcelain, fiberglass;
  • Bathroom tiles;
  • Shower glass door – excellent soap scum remover;
  • Toilet cleaner.

Note: I did not use it on other surfaces.

# 2 Orange Flavoured Salt with Awesome Health Benefits

If the oranges are grown organically, their peels are very useful in cooking with exceptional health benefits (Rafiq et al, 2018).

The chemical components that make the peels clean the surfaces in the house, are also responsible for cleaning the body inside out. So hold your horses and do not be surprised because consuming the peels can benefit the body in the following ways:

  • 2a) Weight loss management
    • Orange flavoured tea: Make a tea from fresh or dried orange peels (1 teaspoon + 300 ml boiled water, let infuse for 10 minutes, decant and do not let the peels into the tea as it makes it too bitter. It will add a nice twist of flavour to the green or black tea.
    • Orange flavoured salt: Grind dried orange peel and mix with herbs (thyme, rosemary are my best friends) and your choice of salt.
    • Immunity booster ,Prevention of heart health disorders
      • Use 5 to 9 grams of ground orange peels in serve of yogurt, smoothie or home-made protein bar.

# 3 Orange Infused Oil

In an air-tight jar (0.5 L) add strips of dried orange peel. Cover with olive oil and let it infuse for at least a week in a dark place away from the sunlight. Not only this will make an awesome salad dressing but it will also add a blissful glowing if used on your skin. So what are you waiting for? Start the winter season with some great ways to keep your house, yourself and your skin healthy and glowing.

This oil is perfect for a self-massage: one you can do every day to sooth stress but more importantly to re-energise your body by stimulating the lymph thus helping the body do its own healing. Best time to do it is just before having the bath in the evening.

For more recipes or information on how to aromatically keep your house, yourself and your skin healthy and glowing click contact us.

Disclaimer: I am a qualified holistic wellness and nutrition guide; I am not a medical doctor or nurse and do not play one on the internet. Always check with a doctor or medical professional if a medical need arises.]

References

Morand et al, Am J Clin Nutr, 2011, 93(1):73-80.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21068346

Takumi, et al, Food Funct. 2012;3(4):389-98.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22307524

Rafiq et al, 2018, J Saudi Soc. Agric Sci 17(4) 351-358.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1658077X16300960