Herbs From The Hills

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Herbs From The Hills

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https://linktr.ee/herbsfromthehills Lara

28/12/2024

Swedish Star

This year's Swedish star. Made from dogwood and decorated with rosehips and a red velvet bow.

21/12/2024

Solstice

14/12/2024

Apple Pie...& Cinnamon

A repost from a year or two ago. (Current life has been a bit more clearing up the damage caused by storm Darragh & looking after poorly children!)

As a forager/herbalist you often get asked what your favourite herb/mushroom is. I can never answer. At a push I might be able to do a top ten list, but even then, I know that it would change from one week to the next.
Ask me what my most disliked herb is and I can give an answer easily! Cinnamon. I mean, there are others that taste really gross, but cinnamon is so common and I really really hate the smell of it. Other herbs are easier to avoid!

The husband was not in my good books when he made this beautiful apple pie as he insisted on putting cinnamon in it despite my protests, and, although he only added half the amount suggested in the recipe, it stank!

I do wish that I didn’t dislike it so much though as it is one of those kitchen herbs that has a whole host of potential health benefits.

Cinnamon is a warming, drying, pungent, sweet tasting herb.

Traditional uses are centered around it’s potential benefits for digestive and respiratory conditions.
More recently it’s potential uses in treating diabetes has come to light. Research has shown that cinnamon can help lower blood sugar levels and reduce insulin resistance.

Combatting oral health issues is another area that cinnamon has been shown to have potential uses, with reports suggesting that it is more highly effective than clove oil and some antibiotics in treating bacteria that cause plaque and cavities.
In addition, it is known for being used to lower blood pressure and cholesterol and for menstrual problems.

Actions:
Antibacterial, antiseptic, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, carminative, astringent, warming, antiemetic, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic

Do you love it or hate it?

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09/12/2024

Botanical Anthology Magazine Winter 2024 Edition

Full of plant based ideas ranging from recipes through to crafting, medicine making, growing your own herbs and vegetables, folklore and lots more it would make a perfect gift for anyone you know that is a plant lover.

It’s the last couple of days to get this gorgeous magazine at a discounted rate and with two additional free digital downloadable booklets. (Swipe through the photos for a peak at the contents of both the magazine and both booklets) The digital edition is only £12.60 ($16) and is available instantly upon purchase. Alternatively printed editions are available via Amazon.

Link to purchase up in my bio. Offers end on December 10th.

08/12/2024

Not quite the post I had planned!

Storm Darragh definitely hit harder than we expected here. I lost my lovely little caravan. Thrown about 80ft down the drive. So very thankful that it didn’t hit the motorhome though. Both sheds damaged, two trees down and electric has been off since 5am yesterday so I don’t think my freezer contents are going to make it either (lots of foraged stuff in one of them ☹️)

So many trees down in the surrounding villages too.

Whole rows of trees in a couple of sections.

Spent part of the day yesterday all in the lounge as we were concerned about the chimney stacks falling/a tree hitting the house.

Reading by candlelight and lack of internet was kind of pleasant for me. Sort of forced a slowdown, but also managed to get a fair bit of tidying up done. Wasn’t so good for child no.3 who has exams this week and lost a big chunk of revision time.

Escaped to Mum’s this afternoon. Warm house, electric, hot showers, running water and tea being cooked for us.

The flooding is worse over this way though.

Thankful that it wasn’t worse. Very much aware that others have gone through a whole lot more loss in other countries.

05/12/2024

The Perllan Apple – A Good Luck Charm

Meet my cheeky little perllan friend. A proper little disco queen. A cheeky spritely character that looks like he’d be the life and soul of the party. I very much fell in love with him during our recent photoshoot for my latest article for Botanical Anthology Magazine.

He was a little too bold though and didn’t make the final editors cut! (She actually fell for his charm too, she just needed to balance the photos, and his green apple friend won the place in the magazine.

Children would make perllan and recite rhymes such as the one below as part of a New Year tradition that takes place in some areas of Wales on January 13th.

A Callenig rhyme from 1950s Aberystwyth:

Dydd calan yw hi heddiw,
Rwy'n dyfod ar eich trawsI 'mofyn am y geiniog,
Neu grwst, a bara a chaws.
O dewch i'r drws yn siriol
Heb newid dim o'ch gwedd;
Cyn daw dydd calan eto
Bydd llawer yn y bedd.

Today is the start of the new year,
and I have come to you
to ask for coins,
or a crust, and bread and cheese.
O come to the door cheerfully
without changing your appearance;
Before the next arrival of the new year
many will be dead.

To find out more about the perllan and the tradition known as Hen Galen why not treat yourself to a copy of the current edition of Botanical Anthology magazine where you can read the full article along with lots more features ranging from folklore through to apothecary recipes.

Link to purchase up in my bio.

04/12/2024

First Mince Pie

Did you know that you are supposed to make a wish when you eat your first mince pie of the season?

Tradition also states that if making them at home, each person should take a turn at stirring the mixture (make sure to do it clockwise for good luck) and just to make sure that you get your fill of them eating one mince pie a day over the twelve days of Christmas is necessary too if one wants to ensure good luck for the year to come!

#

03/12/2024

Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is up. Thanks to my gorgeous girls who worked some decorating magic on a slightly scraggly tree.

Note: Not one decoration rearranged by me this year!!

30/11/2024

Christmas Garland

Dried oranges, spices and foraged greenery.

29/11/2024

Turmeric Dog Biscuits

This one is getting on a bit these days, not that she acts like it! She also has a wheat intolerance (lots of intense itching and hair loss at its worst, a noticeable change in the shine on her coat in milder moments) and a penchant for biscuits and cakes. So, not to deny her I made some wheat free dog biscuits. I think Mol would probably say that they’re not as good as custard creams or homemade banana cake but they still seem to go down a treat and are a lot better for her! Ivy couldn't wait to get her teeth into some too... they both snuck in whilst I was taking photos for this post. Just about managed to get a pic of each of them sitting nicely before giving them one. The videos I tried to get were a whole other story!

As well as being wheat free they have herbs like parsley for fresh breath and turmeric for her joints.

The full recipe is available as part of a free digital booklet if you purchase the current edition of magazine between now and December 10th.

They’d make a perfect Christmas gift for anyone with dogs too.

Links to purchase up in my bio, or comment ‘TREAT’ if you would like me to send you the link directly.

25/11/2024

The Winter Edition of Botanical Anthology is here! ❄️

This beautifully crafted, seasonal publication is packed with herbal inspiration for the festive season and beyond. Ranging from warming remedies to seasonal crafts it’s a treasure trove for anyone who loves all things plant based.

For my contribution, I’ve shared an article on an extra New Year’s Eve celebration that takes place in some parts of Wales in mid-January. It also includes a simple but very cute craft project that is perfect for children to have a go at.

This edition is full of wonderful contributions from over 40 people. Some of the articles that have caught my eye so far include:

A Modern + Magical Mother’s Night by

Winter Blues Latte by
Sacred Cacao + Cardamom Love Truffles by

Foraging Wild Juniper Berries + Winter Gin by

Ginger Citrus Solstice Cake by

Swipe through the photos to see some highlights of what else is in each subsection.

Digital copies are available for just $16 (around £13 for if you’re in the UK) and, if you order before 10th December, you’ll also receive the bonus Turmeric and Cookie Booklets.

Available to purchase instantly via the link up in my bio. (Purchasing supports me plus the other forty or so contributors 🙂)

23/11/2024

Maidenhair Tree
(Ginkgo biloba)

One of the worlds oldest living tree species, often referred to as a ‘living fossil.’

The carpet of yellow leaves beneath a Ginkgo can often appear in the space of a day when temperatures drop.

21/11/2024

The Arch, Cwmystwyth

Ice heart & a bark heart (or two) on a snowy walk at The Arch.

18/11/2024

Guardian of the Ginkgos

After much debate and discussion over recent months on how to progress the community garden on The Hafod Estate it was decided to incorporate allotments into the space.

As well as continuing to be a member of the HWGG community garden I have taken on my own allotment space within the walled garden.

It’s probably a slightly crazy decision but I couldn’t resist. Lots of work ahead, but for now I am enjoying the ginkgos that front my patch.

What an honour to become guardian of these beautiful trees.

(Must give a huge thank you to all of the volunteers that helped remove a couple of other trees from the plot along with much clearing and tidying of the garden as a whole)

12/11/2024

Lavender & Rose Smoke Cleansing Stick

Garden grown lavender and rose, harvested in late summer. Bundled and tied to make a calming, cleansing and uplifting herbal smoulder stick.

Herb bundles can be created from a huge variety of herbs that can be used as an alternative to burning incense or shop bought 'smudge sticks'

Much of the white sage and salo panto sold in shops here in the UK and online comes from overharvested and questionable ethical sources. Using your own foraged or grown herbs ensures that you know where your herbs have come from.

Crafting them is also, for me, a calming, meditative process.

03/11/2024

Hydrangea 💙💜💙💜

Simply admiring the colours.

27/10/2024

Mugwort, Lavender, Yarrow & Sage Smoke Cleansing Wand

Locally foraged and garden gathered herbs wilted, bundled, and dried to create space cleansing herb bundles.

Lavender for: calming, cleansing, wellbeing, positivity peace & harmony.

Yarrow for: cleansing negativity, protection, strength, healing, enhancing mental clarity, and reinforcing boundaries.

Garden Sage for: generating wisdom and clarity, cleansing.

Mugwort for: dream enhancement & ancestral connection.

24/10/2024

Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria)

A mushroom that conjures up childhood fairytales and images of fairy folk, mythical creatures, enchanted forests, and glittery Christmas decorations but one that you were also taught to fear for its poisonous reputation. Whilst this is true, it’s consumption has only rarely been reported as fatal. As a poisonous mushroom the side effects can of course still be pretty unpleasant though and include sickness, headaches, agitation & hallucinations.

However, a deeper delve into it’s history reveals that this mushroom has in fact been used medicinally for many years. It has been used as a cure for ailments ranging from skin conditions to fungal infections, to arthritis and depression and is said to have immune boosting, detoxifying, pain killing, inflammation reducing & energy increasing qualities.

From a folklore perspective there are references to it’s use in rituals and by shamans. Indeed, it is quite possible that tales of a man in a red suit accompanied by flying reindeer may well have originated from some of these shamanic rituals in colder, snowier lands.

It has and can be consumed as an edible too. if prepared properly.

🍄

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My two taste testers for the dog biscuits recipe included in the Turmeric booklet that comes free with any purchase of @botanical_anthology between now and December 10th! . . . . . . #botanicalanthologywinter #diydogtreats #homemadedogbiscuits #botanicalanthology #herbalrecipes #winterbotanicalanthology

My two tast testers for the dog biscuits recipe included in the Turmeric booklet that comes free with any purchase of @botanical_anthology between now and December 10th! . . . . . . #botanicalanthologywinter #diydogtreats #homemadedogbiscuits #botanicalanthology #herbalrecipes #winterbotanicalanthology

A moment of calm in the woods. . . . . . . #waterfallsofwales #engagewithnature #walksinwales #bafodestate #ceredigion #retreattonature #escapetonature #retreatandescape #forest bathing

My Top 9 Posts 2023 Foraging Life 💚 #top9 #foraging #foraged #foraginglife #foragersofinstagram #forager #foragedfood #foragingwales #foragingwalk #foragingwalks #learnforaging #wales #thingstodoinwales #top92023 #foragedflowers #parasolmushroom #foragedmedicine #hedgewitch

Botanica Studio, Bath Plant appreciation of a different kind today. Absolute heaven for plant lovers. . . . . . #bath #cityofbath #plantlover #houseplants #bathtrip #botanical #fortheloveofplants #botanicastudio #peoplewithplants #plantsformindfulliving #plantappreciation #plantheaven #bathbotanics #botanicalescape #plantcommunity #plantsmakepeoplehappy #plantlove #plantheaven #somerset

I think I should take a walk Think I should take a walk And if you wanna join me Come along and we can talk I think I’ll take a walk Always this is all the head game and I’m winnin Going up against myself I meant to trust And nothing’s quite as tough as the beginnin You’re good enough to one day Be the best Then I know it won’t be easy But I think it’s worth to try Tying up my sneakers and goin outside I think I should take a walk Think I should take a walk More often than not I escape to the woods to enjoy the solitude, to focus on foraging or to regroup mentally. Yesterday was a little different! This little cat explorer accompanied us on our walk for about 2 miles or so. Other than collecting some turkey tail very little foraging was done. His company was very much appreciated though. Walking with a companion, new or old, human, canine or feline is a great way of opening up new perspectives and connection. This cat was such a chilled out and self-confident little fellow. Perhaps crossing paths with him was a lesson for me to be more so. We left the woods feeling much cheerier after spending an hour or so with our new friend 😊 #walkwithme #ceredigion #catadventure #getoutside #igotothewoods #explorercat #catexplorer #adventurecat #exploringcat #catwalkies #catspiritanimal #walkforwellbeing #escapetothewoods #coedmaenarthur #ysbytyystwyth #walksinwales #walkandtalk

Grateful that I am able to escape the overwhelm.....the world....and hide amongst the trees. Thankful that I have the freedom to do so. #intothewoodsigotolosemymindandfindmysoul #cwmystwyth #peaceinthewoods #iheartautumn #cambrianmountains #peacefulplaces #walkinginwales #walesneverfails #peace #escapetonature