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Elven
Field Trip for 10th Nov
By Lynn Kirkland
Spring growth is upon us, bringing the
joy of rebirth in the garden after a period
of winter dormancy.
The appearance of fresh green leaves and
fragrant flowers is accompanied by an
explosion of the plants that are often
called weeds.
To a herbalist weeds are “wild herbs’
and with a change of attitude to these
plants you may come to embrace them (or
at least some of them) for the very useful
plants they actually are. Instead of cursing
them and stressing out about how to get
rid of them, if you learn about their
uses you will look on them with different
eyes.
Our resident elven herbalist, from Herbitton,
the elven community at the herb farm,
conducts field trips at this time of the
year to teach the little elves how to
identify the useful plants and what to
use them for.
He sits among the plantain growing on
the roof garden of his home at Herbitton.
Plantain or ribwort, is regarded as nature’s
green band aid.
I have featured this weed on many occasions
when taking guided tours at the herb farm.
I explain to our visitors that this is
a perfect example of why we need to allow
some weeds a place in the garden.
For me, the main benefit of plantain is
it’s usefulness as a drawing herb.
Wrap a leaf, smooth side against the skin,
around a finger with a splinter.
Plantains drawing ability will painlessly
draw the splinter to the surface.
For infections and boils you can make
a leaf poultice by folding the leaf into
a pad (again remember to put the smooth
side to the skin) and tape in place. When
infection is present you will need to
change your leaf poultice every two or
three hours. Keep applying your plantain
poultice until the infection is drawn
out.
The same method works well with blind
spots.
So as you can see weeds really are a
must-have in the garden. And if anyone
raises their eyebrows at your change in
garden habits then you can tell them that
the weeds they are having an attitude
to are your valued wild herbs and educate
them on their usefulness.
Grove
Road, RD10
Ashhurst
Manawatu
New Zealand
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