Hedgecraft

The term ‘Hedgecraft’ is fairly new but the knowledge of the wild and natural herbs, plants and trees goes back centuries as held by the wise-women and cunning-men who tended to live on the outskirts of town, beyond the hedges that separated the wild from the civilised.

The knowledge of the wise-women and cunning-men was inherited from our ancient hunter-gatherer ancestors; accumulating over the millennia.

Damiana (Turnera diffusa)

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Damiana (Turnera diffusa) has been used by both men and women as an herbal aphrodisiac since the ancient Mayan civilization (Balch and Bell, 2012).  Scientific evidence that supports damiana’s so-called aphrodisiac properties is lacking; these properties have not been demonstrated in humans. However, studies evaluating damiana’s efficacy in male rats has indicated an improved sexual … Read more

German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

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German Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) – is also known as ‘Wild Chamomile’. It is one of the nine sacred herbs of the ‘Lacnunga’ (a miscellaneous collection of almost 200 mainly herbal remedies, charms, and prayers found only in a mostly 10th-11th century manuscript in the British Library). Latin Name: Matricaria chamomilla syn. Chamomilla chamomilla, Chamomilla recutita, Matricaria recutita, Matricaria suaveolens. … Read more

Wildcrafting (Foraging) for the C21st

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While wildcrafted ingredients can’t be “certified organic” under current guidelines, the process basically ensures that ingredients are inherently organic. “Wildcrafted plants are indigenous, and organic in the sense of being pure and untouched by toxins or pollutants,” said Brandy Monique, founder of the small-batch FIG+YARROW beauty line http://www.youbeauty.com/beauty/beauty-dictionary-wildcrafting/ Country Lane and Ancient Hedgerow Lamium Purpureum – Purple Dead-Nettle … Read more

The Humble & Persistent Little Weed – Plantain

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Plantago Major

Plantain is generally considered to be a weed; one description even read ‘a short, fat, ugly weed!! But beauty is in the eye of the beholder. In actuality Plantain has a long history as one of the best healing herbs on the planet; and is probably the biggest masochist of the plant world – it loves to be trampled.

Wise Woman’s Power Plant – Mugwort

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Mugwort The Wise Woman’s Power Plant – Mugwort; or to give it it’s proper name Artemisia vulgaris LINN, is rightly justified in being called that. Said to be named after the Hellenic goddess of the hunt, wild animals, wilderness, childbirth, the moon, virginity and protector of young girls; Artemis.That Mugwort is steeped in so much folklore regarding its healing properties should be … Read more