Herbal Remedies
 

 

Tonic Wine

This wine will help settle the stomach and give you energy.

500ml/1pt Madeira
1 sprig of Wormwood
1 sprig of Rosemary
1 small bruised Nutmeg
2.5cm/1" bruised Ginger
2.5cm/1" bruised Cinnamon Bark
12 large organic Raisins

Pour off about an ounce of the wine, place herbs in the wine.
Cork bottle tightly and place in a cool dark place for a week or two.
Strain off herbs and combine the medicated wine with a fresh bottle of Madeira.



Marigold Balm

This simple ointment is essential for a first-aid box - it heals cuts, sores and minor burns

60g/2oz of freshly picked Marigold flowers
200g/7oz Petroleum Jelly

Bring the mixture to the boil in a pan and simmer for ten minutes, stirring well.
Wearing gloves, sift the mixture through a fine gauze, pressing the liquid out of the flowers.
Pour the liquid into a container and seal it after it has cooled.



Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is renowed for its medical uses as a sedative. It is excellent as a tea - internally for anxiety, insomnia, and drunk after meals for indigestion and flatulence, and externally for sunburn and as an eye bath for sore eyes. Use a stronger infusion as a mouthwash/gargle for sore throats, gingivitis and inflammations, and use a steam inhalation to speed recovery from nasal catarrh.

Tea
2 teaspoons of dried leaves per cup of boiling water, infused for 5-10 mins

Mouthwash/Gargle
3 teaspoons of dried leaves per cup of boiling water, infused for 5-10 mins

Steam Inhalation
1/2 a cup of flowers in 2L/4pts of boiling water. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the steam.



Elder Ointment

The Elder tree is a relative medical chest in itself, and it flourishes along hedgerows all over the UK. This ointment made from the leaves is used for bruises, sprains, wounds and chilblains.

85g/3oz Elder leaves
200g/7oz Petroleum Jelly

Simmer the mixture until the leaves go crisp, then sift though a gauze. Pour into a container and seal it after it has cooled.



Elderflower Cordial

Diluted with plenty of iced water, this makes an excellent refreshing summer drink to relieve inflammation of the mucous membranes. Dilute it with hot water and you have a wonderful cure for heavy catarrh, flus and fevers as it will induce a healthy sweat.

Makes about 600 ml (1 pint)

Caster sugar - 900g (2 lb)
Boiling water - 600 ml (1 pint)
Citric acid - 30g (1 1/4 oz)
Lemon - 1
Elderflower heads - 10, washed and drained

Put the sugar in a large heatproof bowl. Add the boiling water and stir until all the sugar has dissolved. Stir in the citric acid.
Grate the lemon and add the zest to the bowl, then slice the fruit. Add the lemon slices to the bowl with the elderflower heads. Cover and allow to stand for 12 hours or overnight.
Strain through muslin, bottle and store for 1 month before serving.

These first 5 recipes were donated by Silverleaf and added 4 Sept 2002 to these pages.