It’s early Spring, and while walking the other day, I found one of my favorite early-spring greens … Clivers!

This plant has lots of names – clivers, cleavers, goosegrass, sticky weed, sticky willy … as the name suggests, it’s sticky.  It’s so sticky, that I’m told kids in the UK like to throw it at each other, and laugh hysterically as it’s stuck to each others clothes?  Hmm.  Do kids today still do this?  Unknown.

Anyway, aside from the obvious amusement of sticking this plant to your friends, it’s one of my absolute favorites for an internal spring cleanse.

Clivers is easy to identify, is traditionally used as a lymphatic cleanser and diruetic, and is a super simple spring cleanse remedy.

How easy?  Just put some clivers in room temperature water and let it sit overnight.  Then drink it.  That’s it.  EASY.

But before you get weirded out by the whole idea, let me explain…

We’re talking about using plants for health in this article.  So first, check out my rules for foraging.  Second, remember, I’m not a doctor or an herbalist.  I’m just a regular person who likes trying traditional remedies.  Any questions or underlying health concerns?  Talk to your doctor or a qualified herbalist first!

What is clivers?

The official name of clivers is Galium aparine.  (It’s always a good idea to check the latin name of a plant before using it, because the common names often vary by region.)

Clivers has little hooks all over the stem which make it ‘stick’  like velcro to anything which brushes up against it.  You often find clivers growing with nettles (another favorite Spring detox plant!).

Clivers grows pretty much worldwide, so you can probably find it near you!

Do you know what this plant is? It's one of my favorites.

What are the traditional uses of clivers?

Apparently the Chinese eat Clivers as a cooked vegetable, but in Europe, it’s more often used in a tea as a lymphatic cleanser.  In traditional usage, clivers acts as a filter of the lymph and a diruetic, making it useful for a Spring detox, lumps, bumps and swellings, and skin conditions.  Because it’s a diruetic, it’s not recommended for people with diabetes.

Back in the 1600s, Nicholas Culpepper recommended clivers “to keep them lean and lank, that are apt to grow fat.” (The original weight loss tonic, perhaps?)  He also said “It is a good remedy in the Spring…to cleanse the blood, and strengthen the liver, thereby to keep the body in health, and fitting it for that change of season that is coming.”

Anyway, I like clivers because it tastes like Spring.  And it’s a refreshing, simple way to get my body ready for the new season!

How do I use clivers?

My favorite Spring remedy with clivers is a Clivers Cold Infusion.

Take a handful of clivers.  Rinse it off first, if you prefer (to be safe, always pick from “above dog height”!).

Put it in a glass jar.  Cover completely with filtered water (my jar holds about 1 pint of water).  Put the lid on.  Let it sit at room temperature overnight.

In the morning, strain out the clivers, and drink.

** Don’t drink it all at once, it’s a diruetic.  With herbs, small doses frequently are best.  I like having a 1/2 cup of this clivers cold infusion every few hours throughout the day.

Storage: You could probably keep it in the fridge, covered, for one additional day maximum – but I prefer to make it fresh each day.  We’re trying to capture the fresh essence of the plant … there’s no point in keeping it longer, plus, it might go off!  Fresh is best.

What does it taste like?

It tastes green and fresh.  (But not as green as wheatgrass juice!!! Yikes.)  It’s just a lightly green tasting water, slightly sweet.  It tastes like Spring in a glass to me.

I guess that’s why it’s one of my favorite Spring cleansing remedies!

Have you ever used Clivers as a spring cleanse?  What other kinds of spring cleansing and detoxing remedies do you do?  Would love to hear them in the comments!

This is part 1 of a 2 part project.  Find Step #2 here.

If you’re like me, you’re probably into the local food movement.  Eating produce that is in season, finding producers who are nearby rather than having your food shipped halfway around the world.  I’m not perfect, but I try to notice where my food comes from.

But what about beauty and health products? Do you have any idea where or how those are made? I certainly don’t.

I try to use ‘natural’ products.  But even that can mean having a natural product shipped to you from South America or some other far off location.

Today we’re going to do some beginner’s foraging … and start making a super useful product from it: healing salve for bruises and sprains.

In natural health shops, you’ll probably see Arnica creams and salves for healing bruises.  Arnica is brilliant.  But it doesn’t grow in England.

What do we have growing abundantly in England that works just as well?  Daisies.

Daisies are everywhere. And although they’ve fallen out of fashion in the herbal medicine world, daisies were used for centuries as bruise healers.

We’re going to make a daisy salve for bruises.  Salves are one of the easiest herbal remedy preparations to make because it’s just oil and beeswax – no fancy ingredients or equipment.  But this week we’re just going to collect the daisies and start infusing the oil.

If you have kids, this would be a great project to do together.  They’ll enjoy collecting the daisies, and once you have the finished salve, I’m guessing they’re the ones who would use the salve most often for bruises!

If you’re taking part in Vintage Summer Camp, making this oil will get you the foraging badge.

Note: As always, use common sense with this project.  If you or your kids are allergic to the daisy family, this isn’t the project for you!  Always test any of your homemade projects on a small patch of your inner arm and wait 24 hours to see if you have any reaction before proceeding, just in case!

You need:

Daisies (just the flower heads)

Oil (I used sweet almond oil, but olive oil or sunflower oil will work well too)

A jar with a lid,  a size that can hold the daisies

Method

Collect some daisies!   Ideally two big handfuls, but don’t stress out about it.

A very small handful of daisies

Back at home, get a clean jar that’s about the same size as your amount of daisies.  Ideally you want the daisies and oil to fill the jar, but again, don’t stress out about this.  Just use whatever jar you have.

A heaping handful of daisies

Don’t wash the daisies first!!  Any moisture in the jar might lead to mold growing (not good!), so they need to be really dry.  Put the daisies in the jar.  Push down the daisies.  Then pour on enough oil to cover them by about 1/2″ inch.  Cover the jar and leave it in a sunny window for 2 weeks.  It’s really important that the oil covers ALL of the daisies, because if some are exposed to air, they again might grow mold (still not good!).  In this picture below I need to add even more oil to cover the daisies.

Daisy oil infusing on the windowsill

That’s it!  After 2 weeks, strain out the daisies.  If you’re feeling ambitious and there are more daisies in bloom, you can go collect more daisies and put them into the same oil and infuse for another 2 weeks.  This makes a double-strong oil.  But don’t stress about it.  In an upcoming post I’ll show you how to do the express infusion version over a double boiler in case you don’t want to wait two weeks to finish the project!

**********************

Once you’ve made Daisy Infused Oil, check out the English Daisy Salve recipe here to finish the project!

This project will earn you the foraging badge at Vintage Summer Camp.  Summer camp runs until the end of August, come join us!

]]> http://www.vintagesavoirfaire.com/2011/07/hyper-local-herbalist-making-daisy-salve-step-1/feed/ 15 http://www.vintagesavoirfaire.com/2010/02/honey-lemon-and-ginger-tea-for-a-cold-or-anytime-you-need-a-lift/ http://www.vintagesavoirfaire.com/2010/02/honey-lemon-and-ginger-tea-for-a-cold-or-anytime-you-need-a-lift/#comments Wed, 24 Feb 2010 08:00:03 +0000 Amanda http://vintagesavoirfaire.com/?p=78 When you have a cold, do you pop a few pills and carry on with life?

There’s a simple, time-tested home remedy that you can make to feel better when you have a cold – or anytime during the winter months.

What is this home remedy?  Hot honey, lemon and ginger.

Hot honey, lemon and ginger is quick & easy, and uses ingredients you probably have in the kitchen.  Don’t have fresh ginger root on hand?  You can always use some powdered or dried crystal ginger too … but fresh is best!   In traditional usage, honey, lemon and ginger was used to help get over a cold. Personally I love the fresh citrusy/spicy taste from the lemon and ginger, and I enjoy it as an easy, warming drink all winter long.

[Of course, you can always add a shot of whisky for a nice hot toddy ... and extra cold-fighting power, depending on who you ask!]

Why Honey, Lemon and Ginger?

Honey:  Honey is a naturally antibacterial and antiseptic.  It also coats the throat, to soothe dry or sore throats.

Lemon: Lemon is antibacterial and has a high amount of vitamin C (and gives a nice fresh taste.)  In aromatherapy, lemon is used to detoxify the body, stimulate the lymph and liver, and for purifies the skin and respiratory tract.

Ginger: Ginger is the essential ingredient in this drink.  Ginger is hot and spicy, and is traditionally used to warm the body, for colds & to stimulate the immune system.  Ginger also may reduce inflammation.

How to make Hot Honey, Lemon and Ginger tea

1. Cut a 1/2″ piece of fresh ginger root. Peel.  You might want to cut in a few smaller slices to put in the mug (more exposed surfaces means more ginger juice gets in the tea!).   Place ginger in mug.
2. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon in the mug.
3. Add 1 big spoonful of honey (or to taste).
4. Fill with recently boiled water.
5. Optional:  Add a healthy shot of whisky, if you’re feeling like you need an extra kick.
6. Enjoy!

What’s your favorite winter warmer or pick-me-up for the February slump??

Everyone seems to be talking about the flu this year.  With my growing interest in herbal kitchen remedies, I wanted to find some herbs that could be used to help with flu symptoms.   You might want to consider some of these herbs to stock your kitchen apothecary (in addition to your favorite over-the-counter meds, of course!):

1. Echinacea - start taking this as soon as you feel under-the-weather.  Echinacea stimulates the immune system to help your body fight off the flu.  Take small amounts frequently throughout the day (I take 1ml of tincture in water every 2 hours during the first few days of a cold/flu, then reduce the amount).
2. Thyme - Thyme is a great remedy for respiratory problems.  I like making a thyme tea (infusion) with fresh or dried thyme leaves, and a little honey and lemon.  Thyme is antiviral and an expectorant.
3. Licorice / Liquorice – This sweet, soothing root is an expectorant, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral.  Great for respiratory infections.  May raise blood pressure, so do not use if you have high blood pressure!  Nice to add to teas for a sweet flavor.
4. Garlic - The kitchen-remedy wonder food!  Garlic is antibiotic and antiviral.  Best to eat raw (I know it’s hard, but you can do it!).  Try chopping it up in food, or take with a spoonful of honey or oil.  Also use freely in cooking. Or make some garlic tea by putting garlic, honey and lemon in hot water.
5. Elderflower & Peppermint tea – Both elderberries and elderflowers are helpful in fighting the flu.  The berries help inhibit the flu virus, while the flowers induce sweating during fevers.  Peppermint is soothing and relaxing, and helps clear congestion.  Can also add Yarrow to this tea blend.
6. Skullcap - A fantastic, stress-relieving herb that is nourishing to the body after an illness like flu.
7. Yarrow – Yarrow is anti-inflammatory and sweat inducing, which can help reduce fevers.
8. Boneset – Traditional use for treating flu.  Induces sweating, reduces fever, and eases body aches.  Apparently also stimulates the immune system.
9. Astragalus - This Chinese herb can be used long-term to support the immune system. You may want to consider taking it daily during cold/flu season.
10. Eucalyptus & Pine or lavender & tea tree inhalation – Just put a few drops of the essential oils in a bowl of just-boiled water, lean over it, and cover your head with a towel to contain the steam.  Breath for 5-10 minutes.

You can take most of these herbs in your favorite preparation – infusion/tea, tincture, or pill.  Remember, I’m not a doctor, just someone interested in traditional remedies for common ailments, so check with a doctor or herbalist before trying these.

What other herbal and kitchen remedies do you use for the flu?

Are you tired of hearing about the flu yet?  I am!  This season we got a double-dose of flu media attention between the seasonal flu and the dreaded H1N1 swine flu.

Unfortunately, given the pervasiveness of the flu this year, there’s a good chance that you or someone you know will catch it at some point.   And it can’t hurt to be prepared! I like to keep some items on hand at all times, just in case I get sick (because I hate running out to do shopping when I’m feeling run-down.)  I always keep some ‘comfort foods’ in the pantry, things that mom gave me when I was sick as a kid (like jello, ramen noodles, boullion cubes and saltine crackers.  OK I know those aren’t organic, sustainable, chemical-free foods,  but they work for me on a psychological level!!).

I also try to keep a supply of homemade chicken soup and chicken broth frozen in individual serving containers in the freezer.  And of course I have a typical medicine cabinet filled with things from the drugstore, but which I try to use as a last resort after my natural remedies.

We can’t cure the flu, only alleviate the symptoms.  So the best medicine is prevention – wash your hands a lot!  (And get some yummy scented hand-lotion to keep them soft and make all this hand-washing less of a chore.)

If you do catch the flu, there are a number of kitchen remedies that can help your body recover.  Many of these remedies are made from common ingredients that you can keep in your pantry year-round.

8 home remedies for the flu

1. Rest - Ok, this is not technically a kitchen remedy, but warrants being repeated.  If you feel yourself coming down with something, take a day or two to rest and recover.   Give your body the chance to devote all of its energy to your immune system.  Rest seriously works wonders for fending off ailments, especially if done for the first few days of the illness.
2. Honey, Lemon and Ginger tea. Add a dash of cayenne pepper if you really want to warm your body and sweat it out.
3. If you have respiratory symptoms with the flu, drink sage or thyme tea.  Make it yourself by putting either a small handful of fresh herb, or 1 tsp of dried leaves (from your spice rack!) to steep in boiling water.  Strain, sweeten with honey, add a squeeze of lemon, and drink frequently.  Sage and thyme are great for respiratory congestion, sage also helps a sore throat.
4. Herbal Steams – Pour boiling water in a big mixing bowl.  Add a handful of fresh or dried herbs, or some essential oils.  Try sage, thyme, eucalyptus, pine or even tea tree oil.  Lean over the bowl, cover your head with a towel to trap the steam, and breathe for 5-10 minutes.  You shouldn’t steam if you have asthma.
5. Make Yarrow, Peppermint and Elder tea.
6. Make Sage Honey.  This is best if done in advance, since the honey gets stronger with time.  Put some chopped fresh sage leaves in a jar and cover with honey.  Take a spoonful every couple of hours to soothe a sore throat.
7. Drink lots of homemade broths and other nourishing foods.  Broths are excellent during a cold or flu because they are full of nutrients, are warm and soothing, and also provide fluids.  You can also incorporate some astragalus root into the broth, which boosts the immune system.
8. Eat more garlic and onions.  You might want to add a few cloves of garlic to the broth (above).  Garlic and onions are nature’s antibiotic, and give a big boost to your immune system.  Incorporate them into as much of your food as possible during the flu season.  You can add garlic to your broth or tea, or make a garlic honey (same process as sage honey above).  Just eat as much as you can, as soon as you start feeling run-down.

Remember, I’m not a doctor, just someone who is interested in traditional remedies for better health! Check with your doctor or a qualified herbalist before trying any new remedies on yourself, family or friends.

What other kitchen remedies do you use when you have the flu??

I am a beauty product junkie. I admit it.

Recently, I’ve tried to combine my love of cooking and interest in herbal medicine to create my own beauty products.  Sometimes with more success than others.

When I stumbled across this common kitchen ingredient that can improve your skin, I couldn’t believe it.  Then I tried it, and I was hooked.  Smooth, soft, moisturised skin, fewer spots/breakouts, and really inexpensive!  What is this wonder ingredient?

Honey!

Why is honey effective? Honey is traditionally known as a natural antibacterial.  It is used (even in some allopathic medicine) as a skin healer (for example, helping to heal ulcers).   Because of this skin healing action, it may be helpful for people with acne.  It is also softening and moisturizing.  And smells and tastes delicious!

How to use honey for skincare?

You can use honey as a facial cleanser or as a face mask.  I suggest using pure, organic honey.  Also, if you have very sensitive skin, you should try a test first on your inner arm, or a small part of your jawline, before attempting your entire face!

Face Cleanser: To use honey to cleanse your face, first, tie back your hair.  (Getting honey in your hair is sticky and unpleasant!).  I prefer to spread some honey on my dry face, as it spreads easier.  Put a spoonful of honey on your fingers, and spread over your entire face.  I put some on my lips as well, for mild ex foliation and moisturizing.  Let sit for 2 minutes.  Either rinse off with warm water, or use a washcloth in warm water to slightly exfoliate.  If you wear makeup, you may want to remove your makeup first, as the honey doesn’t remove makeup.

Face Mask: Tie back hair.  Apply to dry, cleansed skin.  Apply layer of honey all over face.  Let sit 10 minutes.  Rinse off with warm water or a warm washcloth.  (If you want to make a mini-spa experience out of it, try an herbal face steam first, then a honey mask.)

Have you ever tried using honey as a face mask? How did it work for you?  Give it a try for a few days, and let me know how it works for you!