Page 102 - Guerin Media Ltd | Active Retirement Ireland Members Annual 2016
P. 102
NATURE’S KNOWLEDGE HEALTH AND WELLNESS
itching and inflamed skin conditions. Making a strong three cups daily) a rule of thumb is to take a break for a
infusion with this herb and adding this infusion once few weeks every six weeks or so. Infusions work best for
strained to your bath water will help to relieve leaves or the aerial parts of the herb. Roots on the other
uncomfortable itching and inflammation. hand need to be decocted.
NETTLE
Nettle is a great blood tonic helping to relieve many DECOCTIONS
skin conditions, such as, eczema and psoriasis and can To make a decoction clean the root, bring to the boil and
also be of benefit in relieving arthritic and rheumatic leave to simmer for 10 minutes then strain and drink.
conditions. Five grams of dried root or ten to fifteen grams of fresh
DANDELION root is sufficient for one cup. Decoctions can also be
Dandelion is a wonderful diuretic helping us to taken three times a day for therapeutic use.
eliminate uric acid from the body which causes gout
and joint pain. Dandelion leaf also contains potassium The above is only a snapshot of the many herbs we have
and is a more balanced remedy for water retention as available to us and I hope this article will encourage
conventional diuretic medicines tend to strip this people to do some more research and be that little bit
mineral from the body. The root is an excellent tonic braver about going out to pick your own medicines.
for the liver, the blood and for skin conditions. The root Always be 100 per cent sure of the herbs you are
is also a mild laxative similar to the yellow dock root. picking in terms of identification and quality so be sure
Yellow dock root works in a similar fashion to dandelion the herb is clean and undamaged and free from disease,
and is good for the liver, constipation and skin condi- pollution and fertilisers.
tions.
These are only a few of the many herbs we have One book, I find particularly useful as a reference is;
growing abundantly in this wet temperate climate of ‘Backyard Medicine’ by Matthew and Julie Seal, who
ours. We are very fortunate in the richness and diversity gives detailed recipes and herbal information for a large
of our flora and though we all complain about the rain selection of common herbs.
it is our mild wet climate that gives us this diversity and
abundance. Taking ownership of our own health is an exciting and
empowering concept and a little knowledge goes a long
way when treating common ailments. The above is an
introduction to the power of herbs, which are potent
medicines, so start slowly and build your confidence as
you go.
CAUTION: Do not self-diagnose or self-treat for serious
or long-term conditions without first consulting a qualified
herbal or medical practitioner.
Deirdre is a qualified herbalist and can be contacted by
email: daly.deirdre9@gmail.com, by phone 0872562109
or visit her at Natures’ Knowledge, Main Street in Dingle,
Co. Kerry.
Making Tea Infusions and Decoctions www.activeirl.ie
INFUSIONS
Tea infusions are made by bringing water to the boil
pouring and over one to two teaspoons of the dried
herb or three teaspoons of the fresh herb. Leave too
steep for ten to fifteen minutes then strain off the herb
and drink. If you are treating a particular condition you
can take this drink up to three times a day for up to six
weeks.
All herbs mentioned above can be taken as tea infusions
long-term though when taking herbs medicinally (ie.
102 Active Retirement Ireland
itching and inflamed skin conditions. Making a strong three cups daily) a rule of thumb is to take a break for a
infusion with this herb and adding this infusion once few weeks every six weeks or so. Infusions work best for
strained to your bath water will help to relieve leaves or the aerial parts of the herb. Roots on the other
uncomfortable itching and inflammation. hand need to be decocted.
NETTLE
Nettle is a great blood tonic helping to relieve many DECOCTIONS
skin conditions, such as, eczema and psoriasis and can To make a decoction clean the root, bring to the boil and
also be of benefit in relieving arthritic and rheumatic leave to simmer for 10 minutes then strain and drink.
conditions. Five grams of dried root or ten to fifteen grams of fresh
DANDELION root is sufficient for one cup. Decoctions can also be
Dandelion is a wonderful diuretic helping us to taken three times a day for therapeutic use.
eliminate uric acid from the body which causes gout
and joint pain. Dandelion leaf also contains potassium The above is only a snapshot of the many herbs we have
and is a more balanced remedy for water retention as available to us and I hope this article will encourage
conventional diuretic medicines tend to strip this people to do some more research and be that little bit
mineral from the body. The root is an excellent tonic braver about going out to pick your own medicines.
for the liver, the blood and for skin conditions. The root Always be 100 per cent sure of the herbs you are
is also a mild laxative similar to the yellow dock root. picking in terms of identification and quality so be sure
Yellow dock root works in a similar fashion to dandelion the herb is clean and undamaged and free from disease,
and is good for the liver, constipation and skin condi- pollution and fertilisers.
tions.
These are only a few of the many herbs we have One book, I find particularly useful as a reference is;
growing abundantly in this wet temperate climate of ‘Backyard Medicine’ by Matthew and Julie Seal, who
ours. We are very fortunate in the richness and diversity gives detailed recipes and herbal information for a large
of our flora and though we all complain about the rain selection of common herbs.
it is our mild wet climate that gives us this diversity and
abundance. Taking ownership of our own health is an exciting and
empowering concept and a little knowledge goes a long
way when treating common ailments. The above is an
introduction to the power of herbs, which are potent
medicines, so start slowly and build your confidence as
you go.
CAUTION: Do not self-diagnose or self-treat for serious
or long-term conditions without first consulting a qualified
herbal or medical practitioner.
Deirdre is a qualified herbalist and can be contacted by
email: daly.deirdre9@gmail.com, by phone 0872562109
or visit her at Natures’ Knowledge, Main Street in Dingle,
Co. Kerry.
Making Tea Infusions and Decoctions www.activeirl.ie
INFUSIONS
Tea infusions are made by bringing water to the boil
pouring and over one to two teaspoons of the dried
herb or three teaspoons of the fresh herb. Leave too
steep for ten to fifteen minutes then strain off the herb
and drink. If you are treating a particular condition you
can take this drink up to three times a day for up to six
weeks.
All herbs mentioned above can be taken as tea infusions
long-term though when taking herbs medicinally (ie.
102 Active Retirement Ireland
