Backyard Diva

6th Annual Southeast Women's Herbal Conference

I received a brochure in the mail, from Red Moon Herbs, about their 6th Annual Southeast Women's Herbal Conference. The conference is a weekend dedicated to the wise women tradition, earth-based healing, local plants and deep nourishment.

Above: Southeast Women's Herbal Conference Opening Circle

Herbal Conference Details

• 6th Annual Southeast Women's Herbal Conference
• October 1st through 3rd
• Camp Rockmont at Lake Eden
• Black Mountain, North Carolina

Herbal Vendors

30 vendors will be selling their merchandise, and promoting their services, throughout the duration of the conference. Vendors include:

• Appalachian School of Holistic Herbalism
• Ceramic Song 
• Coyote Moon Herb Farm
• Goddess Ware
• Isis Trading
• Red Moon Herbs
• Useful Plants Nursery

Above: Southeast Women's Herbal Conference Organizers:
(left to right) Lee Warren, Programming
Corinna Wood, Director
Ema Carmona, Coordinator

Additional Information

Website: www.sewisewomen.com

The conference is presented by Red Moon Herbs.

PRESS RELEASE

Black Mountain, NC – Women from across the Southeast will gather at the 6^th annual Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference on October 1-3, at Lake Eden in scenic Black Mountain, NC. With over 60 classes by more than 30 teachers, the weekend focuses on herbal education, nourishing foods, wholistic sexuality, and ecology. The conference, which has grown to over 600 participants over the last five years, will host special guest author, and internationally renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar.

 

Workshops range from beginner to advanced and cover topics such as herb walks, storytelling, classic kitchen remedies, drumming, seasonal living, self-esteem.

The weekend is designed for women to learn, connect, and deepen into the Wise Woman Tradition, which organizers describe as simple living, earth-based healing, and local plants. “Women are hungry for this knowledge. The conference offers an opportunity for them to steep themselves in teachings which encourage them to take charge of their health and their lives,” says conference Director Corinna Wood.

 

Cost for the conference is $240 until August 20^th and $275 thereafter with additional costs for meals, lodging, and intensives. The conference has applied for continuing education credits for nurses. www.sewisewomen.com  877-SEWOMEN.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

Essential Oils; Sweet Bay, Basil, Benzoin

Above: basil plant

Sweet basil - Ocimum basilicum - this is an energizing and uplifting oil with a very refreshing, clean scent. I often use this oil in my essential oil diffuser to scent my home office. This oil blends well with lavender and thyme.

• Planet=sun
• Element=fire
• Magical uses=mood elevator, leadership, prosperity, protection

Bay - Laurus nobilis - this oil is calming and grounding and blends well with all citrus based oils, lavender and rosemary.

• Planet=sun
• Element=fire
• Magical uses=divination, meditation, purification

Benzoin - sweet, vanilla scent, can be used as a scent extender with other essential oils.

• Planet=Sun
• Element=fire
• Magical uses=leadership, love magic, magic ability

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

Essential Oils; Lavender, Lemon & Lemon Grass

Above: Lavender plant in bloom

Lavender - Lavandula angustifolia - this is a harmonizing and rejuvenating oil. It blends well with most citrus and floral scents in addition to clover, patchouli and rosemary.

• Planet=Mercury
• Element=air
• Magical uses=dream work, healing, love

Lemon - Citrus limonum - this is a energizing and refreshing oil which blends well with lavender, tea tree and ylang ylang. This essential oil can be used in moderation in your culinary creations to add a light and refreshing scent and citrus taste to your food.

• Planet=sun
• Element=fire
• Magical uses=healing, leadership, mood elevator, prosperity, purification

Lemon grass - Cymbopogon citratus - this essential oil blends well with lavender, tea tree and ylang ylang.

• Planet=Mercury
• Element=air
• Magical uses=mood elevator, prosperity, purification

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

How-to Make Homemade Tinctures

Tinctures

A powdered or finely chopped herb is added to either alcohol, cider vinegar or glycerin and left to soak or macerate for up to 4 weeks. The herb is then strained from the liquid and discarded. The resulting liquid is stored in dark glass bottles away from direct sunlight and sources of heat.

The ratio for making a traditional tincture is usually 4 ounces of powdered herb, 4 ounces of water and 12 ounces of alcohol. A layer of glycerin may be added to the top of the filtered and strained tincture to act as a preservative.

Basic tincture method:

1. Fill a quart size canning jar with coarsely chopped fresh herb
2. Fill the jar with 100 proof alcohol
3. Place the lid on the jar
4. Place the jar in a dark cupboard for 1 month
5. Shake the jar every few days
6. Strain out and discard the herb
7. Store the tincture in dark glass bottles
8. To administer the tincture add 20-30 drops to 1 cup water

Herbs to tincture:

• Arnica flowers for sprains and bruises
• Echinacea for cold and flu season
• Milk thistle seeds for liver problems
• Red clover flowers for coughs, due to colds, and bronchitis
• Saw palmetto berries for men's complaints
• St. John's wort flowers as an antidepressant
• Uva ursi root for bladder infections
• Valerian root as a sleep aid
• White willow as an anti-inflammatory and to relieve headaches

Please Note

The information contained in the Backyard Diva blog is for entertainment purposes only.  Please consult a physician before using any type of herbal medicine.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

How-to Make Basic Health Tonics

Tonics
A substance that stimulates or restores your system to a state of balance. Tonics are meant to be taken orally and are for internal use only. Tonics have the consistency of water.

Daily tonic:

• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon cider vinegar
• 12 ounces spring water

Add the cider vinegar to a large glass. Add the honey and stir until the honey is thoroughly dissolved. Then stir in the spring water. Drink one glass of this tonic everyday, preferably first thing in the morning before breakfast.

Bladder tonic:

• 1 tablespoon honey
• Juice from 1 lime
• 12 ounces cranberry juice

Add the lime juice to a large glass. Add the honey and stir until the honey is thoroughly dissolved. Then stir in the cranberry juice. Drink a glass or two of this tonic, as needed, to help get rid of a bladder infection.

Please Note

The information contained in the Backyard Diva blog is for entertainment purposes only.  Please consult a physician before using any type of herbal medicine.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

Book of Illuminations Blessing

Blessings Page

This charm was written by my good friend Michelle White Willow. She created the words contained in this blessing to be used as a dedication to her personal book of shadows, which she refers to as her book of light. Michelle has generously allowed me to share this blessing with you. Other terms may be used to describe your own personal book of spells and magical information such as Grimoire, book of shadows, or my personal favorite; book of illuminations.

Book Blessing

I dedicate my “Book Of Light” to the beauty of the old ways. May Earth Mother and Sky Father bless the contents herein and protect against any who would turn these pages with dark intent.

Should ever this book come to be in the hands of those who would do ill with it, Heed These Words:

Let Ink Fade and words disappear, Spells be lost so none may hear Pages crumble and turn to dust, So none may break the sacred trust Of the magic held within.

Earth Mother and Sky Father, direct my course so that I may learn the wisdom of the ancient ways. As I travel the Pagan path, guide my thought and deeds So that I may evolve into all that I can in this lifetime and thus prepare for my next life journey.

Keep me mindful of humility as I grow in power and understanding. Let love be the governing force that leads me forward. May I always work in harmony with the Earth and all her creatures.

With free will to all and harm to none, As I will, so shall it be done.

Snake Oil and Other Quackery

Folk Medicine

The herbal remedies dispensed at apothecary shops often had a dubious reputation. Many of them had merit, while others were nothing more than snake oil sold by quacks pretending to be educated men. These patent medicines were consumed in great quantity by eager patients wanting a quick cure to all their ills.

Snake Oil

Theriac, also known as treacle, was an universal cure-all which was widely available at most apothecary shops. Various recipes for this panacea existed, some of which contained up to 64 different ingredients. Many of the ingredients were of herbal origin but this miraculous elixir sometimes included noxious ingredients such as the skin of roasted vipers.

Garlic was also known as poor man’s treacle during the Renaissance. It was thought to cure a wide range of illnesses in addition to being capable of scaring away vampires and werewolves. Today’s herbalists have proven that this herb is indeed a panacea as it can help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and it has also been shown to have antibacterial properties.

Herbal remedies are still used with great frequency in today’s society. A look at your local health food, grocery and drug stores will reveal a vast amount of herb based pills, tinctures, lotions and essential oils available for sale.

Modern Day Apothecary

Apothecaries have evolved into our modern-day pharmacists. Although today’s pharmacists are not allowed to prescribe drugs or diagnose patients, your local pharmacist may be able to offer generic medical advice on a limited basis.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

Herbal Alchemist

[John Fenney]/Saudi Aramco World/PADIA

“…the whole point of alchemy is to not be a slave to any book or formula, but to meditate, experiment and analyze, and come to one’s own conclusion.”
-Phillip Hurley, Herbal Alchemy

Alchemy

Alchemy was an ancient chemical philosophy primarily concerned with the transmutation of base metals into gold. Alchemy included elements of philosophy, religious mysticism, mythology, astrology, botany, zoology, mineralogy and primitive chemistry.

Herbal Alchemy

Herbal alchemy is used for healing purposes. The herbal alchemist mixes together a variety of herb based tinctures, salves and ointments in their pursuit of creating the elixir of immortality which was also known as the philosophers stone. Herbal alchemists make a variety of both simples, which are medicines made from a single herb, and compounds which are medicines made from two or more herbs.

Homemade Herbal Treatments

When creating your own herbal formulas try to find a location in your home where you can focus on creating your preparation without too many disturbances. A pantry or table top next to a kitchen is ideal. Historically the stillroom was where the woman of the household prepared and stored the herbal remedies dispensed to the members of her family. The stillroom was situated as near to the kitchen as possible. This enabled her ready access to all the equipment and supplies needed to make a variety of lotions, unguents and other herbal treatments.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

Monk Herbalists

Image:  [Brynn Bruijn]/Saudi Aramco World/PADIA

Monk Herbalists

At larger monasteries one monk may have been assigned the duty of herbalist. It was the herbalist's duty to study the many medicinal herbs grown in the monastery. The herbalist would also be responsible for the preparation of the various ointments and lotions that the monastery's physician would have used while tending the sick. The monk-herbalist probably had a stillroom or workshop where he could dry and store the herbs and create the various tinctures and salves that were a necessary part of daily medieval monastery life.

"No joy is so great in a life of seclusion as that of gardening. No matter what the soil may be, sandy or heavy clay, on a hill or a slope, it will serve well."
-Walafrid Strabo, Hortulus, c. 840 AD

Hortulus

Hortulus was a poem written by the German monk Walafrid Strabo in the 9th century. Strabo, who lived from 808-849 AD, was the Abbot of Reichenau, an island monastery located on Lake Constance in Switzerland. Hortulus, which translates to "The Little Garden", describes Strabo's personal monastery garden. The poem contains descriptions of the many herbs that were grown in his garden along with their medicinal uses.

"Amongst my herbs, sage holds the place of honour; of good scent it is and full of virtue for many ills."
-Walafrid Strabo, Hortulus, c. 840 AD

The Plants

Some of the plants that are mentioned in the poem include the following:

Betony - Stachys officinalis - betony was thought to be a sort of panacea in the Middle Ages and a wide range of symptoms and problems were thought to be alleviated by this wonder herb. An infusion made of the leaves helped to relieve headaches.

Catmint - Nepeta cataria - an infusion of the leaves was used to relieve cold symptoms and to help calm a nervous disposition.

Chervil - Anthriscus cerefolium - this herb was used as a blood purifier and to warm and sooth a weak stomach.

Horehound - Marrubium vulgare - the juice expressed from the leaves was mixed with honey and used to relieve coughs and colds.

Poppies - Papaver somniferous - a syrup was made of the seed heads and used as a sleep potion, pain reliever and cough medicine. This is the opium poppy from which morphine, heroine and codeine are derived and is currently subject to legal restrictions.

Southernwood - Artemisia abrotanum - this plant was used to rid the body of worms and as an insect repellent. The ashes were mixed with oil and rubbed into the scalp to help restore lost hair.

Wormwood - Artemisia absinthium - wormwood was used as a strewing herb to help repel fleas. It was also used to flavor alcoholic beverages such as beer before hops became readily available. An infusion made of the leaves was supposed to help with stomach disorders along with being able to expel worms from the intestines.

Shrewsbury Quest

The Shrewsbury Quest is located in Great Britain and is a renovated medieval Benedictine monastery which opened to the public in 1994. The gardens are based on a plan of the monastic gardens of Christ Church, Canterbury c. 1165.

Brother Cadfael is a fictional character created by the late novelist Ellis Peter. Brother Cadfael was a monk, gardener and herbalist featured in the 20 books of Peter's Cadfael Chronicles. Some of the herbs that were grown by Brother Cadfael included gilvers (clove-pinks), gromwell, ginger, columbine, herb of grace and mustard. As a tribute to Brother Cadfael the Shrewsbury Quest includes Cadfael's Herb Garden, Cadfael's Private Gardens and Cadfael's Workshop.

Resources

Bayard, Tania. Sweet Herbs and Sundry Flowers; Medieval Gardens and the Gardens of the Cloisters. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, David R. Godine Publisher, 1985.

Hales, Mick. Monastic Gardens. Stewart, Tabori and Chang, 2000.

MacDougall, Elisabeth B. (ed.). Dumbarton Oaks Colloquium on the History of Landscape Architecture IX. Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, 1986. "The Medieval Monastic Garden." Paul Meyvaret, pages 23-54.

Peplow, Elizabeth & Reginald Peplow. In a Monastery Garden. David & Charles, 1988.

Whiteman, Robin. Brother Cadfael's Herb Garden; An Illustrated Companion to Medieval Plants and Their Uses. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1997.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva

Ancient Apothecary

[John Feeney]/Saudi Aramco World/PADIA

"The word apothecary, in the Norman period of English history, designated anyone who kept a shop or store of such nonperishable commodities as spices, drugs, comfits and preserves. During the later Middle Ages the term was restricted to those who prepared and sold drugs. Not until the end of the 18th century were the professions of apothecary and physician clearly distinguished."

Harold B. Gill, Jr., The Apothecary in Colonial Virginia

Ancient Apothecary

Imagine, for a moment, that you stand in front of your local pharmacy, ready to fill the prescription your doctor has advised. As you walk through the doors, expecting to be confronted with stark, fluorescent lights and endless aisles, you are instead facing a small, dimly-lit room. Behind the work counter a man employs a mortar and pestle, grinding the seeds and herbs that he has laid out before him. You hand him the prescription your doctor gave you and he quickly gets to work.

Prevalent throughout Europe during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, apothecaries were the pharmacists of the past. They originally dispensed herbal remedies that were prescribed by formally trained physicians. In later times, or in remote areas without ready access to doctors, they also diagnosed illnesses and prescribed a treatment plan for their patients.

Physician vs Apothecary

Physicians would prescribe medication to their patients and the prescriptions would then be taken to the apothecary shops to be filled. In her book Medicine and Society in Later Medieval England author Carole Rawcliffe mentions the possible need for keeping the professions of Physician separated from the dispensing and sale of medicines: "Whether or not physicians themselves were reluctant to prepare and sell the remedies which they prescribed because commercial activities would have undermined their professional status, or simply because it made sense for some tradesmen to specialize as pharmacists in large urban communities, the business of supplying medical and restorative preparations was from quite early on undertaken by spicer-apothecaries."

Apothecary Shops

Apothecary shops were often comprised of more than one room. The main display area of the shop contained shelves which were filled with jars of prepared medicines and herbs. Another room could be used for the actual preparation of specific formulas as prescribed by the doctors. There may also have been a patient consultation room in the larger apothecary shops where the apothecary or his apprentice would assist customers with the selection and purchase of their supplies. Many apothecaries would also have a large garden located on the premises for the growing of the more common medicinal herbs that were used in their practice.

While certain medicinal herbs could be grown by the average home owner in their household gardens for purposes of self-medication, many of the more exotic herbal wares could only be purchased through the local apothecary's shop. These herbs and spices which came from far away lands included ginger, galingal, saffron, cubebs, pepper, cloves, cinnamon and nutmeg.

Take care,
Lynn Smythe AKA the Backyard Diva