22 February 2013
A Jar of the Good Stuff
One of the (few) things I missed while in Scotland was my herbal medicine making. I haven't spoken about it much on here, but it is a huge part of my life...
I didn't really have the proper place for it all, nor the equipment. While in New York I had accrued quite the collection of herbs, medicines and jars to brew it all up in. The first time I felt anything akin to homesickness was when I had a bad cold and no herbs to treat it with.
Later in the season I took the opportunity to organize and facilitate an herbal discussion with the staff. Preparing for it really made me see how much knowledge I have, and how much I enjoy sharing it!
Coincidentally, I was working in the Programme team at the time and I was able to use the staff session material to run a session with the guests a few days later. I was nervous leading up to it, but once I sat down in the circle it felt completely natural! It ended up being a really relaxed herbal discussion and the guests seemed really interested. Some of them even shared their own, personal, experiences with natural healing. I learned a few things too!
I hope to do more sessions like that in the future. This was another moment that showed me my path very clearly.
One of the things I shared in the circle was a jar of garlic honey. It's such a quick and easy medicine to make...and we had everything I needed right in the kitchen...empty jar included. The above jar came in handy more than once before I had to leave the island and not a drop was left!
It's so easy to make. All you have to do is chop up a bunch of garlic (the smaller the pieces, the stronger the medicine...and garlic taste) and then cover it with honey. Let it steep for at least 30 minutes before using. Obviously, the longer it sits the better...but if you're unwell, you won't want to wait too long! I usually fill the jar about a quarter full with the garlic.
Garlic honey is wonderful when you feel a cold coming on, or when you are already sick. Sometimes I use it to sweeten some sage or thyme tea!
Some fun facts about garlic and honey and why they are good for you:
Garlic - It's a diaphoretic (makes you sweat), diuretic, expectorant, stimulant, antiseptic, antiviral and antispasmodic. Heals wounds, aides digestion. Great for colds! It keeps the respiratory system nice and warm...(I eat it raw when I'm sick...much to my Iona roommates dismay! Sorry, guys!)
Honey - It's hydrating and anti-bacterial. Immune boosting. Great for coughs (anti-inflammatory), allergies (if raw and local), skin (masks and cuts and scrapes). A drink of apple cir vinegar and honey is good for digestion and joints…flushes out the system.
It's one of the first herbal medicines I learned to make. I remember how excited I was when I learned how simple it was to put together. It's become a staple in my kitchen! I also love the way it tastes. ;)
XO