Elder ( Sambucus nigra )

As I bicycle my daily route along some fields and the edges of woods, the sweet scent of elder makes me want to stay there the whole day. It is inviting, intoxicating, playful and magical at the same time.

When I get back home in the sunny morning, I quickly pick up my flower clippers and a bag, and head  to the edges of the woods, where light and shadow meet, where the white flowers wink to me, the origins of the sweet scent.

I'm looking for elder-trees that stand in the sun in the afternoon. I'm looking at the vitality of each little tree (they are officially bushes, but here they grow as small trees) : are they happy, vital, healthy, or small (young), a bit reserved, so-so? I'm making contact with them, approaching the ones I think they might be so kind to share of their flowers to me. They are all so beautiful, wonderful and some are truly abundant, having clusters of flowers the size of a 7 year old child's palm, offering their flowers towards me saying "take, take!".

It's as if giving their sweet floral offer is the most joyful thing they can think of - and I take, in gratitude, telling her how fantastic she is!

 

elder flowers, spread out to dry

 dried elder flowers

But there are also trees that are "closed", not feeling like communicating, and one elder very clearly stated that all her flowers, which will later be berries, are reserved to the birds.

I never take much from one tree, but move on, meeting and greeting many trees, having contact with a whole elder family as I gather the flowers. I only take the ones that push themselves to my attention, ones that are fully open, not in a bud, and not wilted... I'm aware I'm not the only one appreciating the gifts of elder - the bees (for the flowers) and the birds (for the berries) do too. 

I only take what I need.

And I give thanks, to every tree, to the whole elder clan. Happy, and dusted in light yellow pollen I return home.

Uses: I dry the elder flowers for tea. It is a great help to me when there is 'that pollen' in the air that causes me hayfever, and later in the year I drink a herbal tea with elder flowers in it if I catch a cold or flu, in order to soothe off the threat of sinusitis, to strengthen my immune system and to regulate fever. One could also make wine or syrup from elder flowers, and here in the Netherlands there seems to be an old tradition of elderflower pancakes - so much to try out!

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

At first I regarded the intensely orange calendula as a garden flower. It self-seeds readily, flowers through the summer and is an easy plant to grow. But as the years passed, my Very First Garden Ever turned slowly from a test field ("learn by trial and error" seems to be my preferred method) to a decorative-and edible garden and now the healing aspect is taking over. And healing is precisely what calendula does.

Calendula has anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. It promotes the healing of your skin, so it is great for healing (sun)burns, cuts and scrapes and soothes rashes.

Taken internally, as a tea, it calms heart palpitations, soothes the guts and heals wounds and irritations. It is even mentioned as an anti-tumor herb*.

Just by looking at calendula I can see/sense it is bursting with vitality and joy.
If you have calendula in your garden, you're lucky! Harvest the open flowerheads in the morning, after the dew has dried up. At the end of the season let calendula flowers mature and go to seed. Save seed or let your plant self-seed itself. As with all plants, treat calendula with respect and gratitude. Give it water in dry seasons, and a sunny spot were it can spread out. It will grow a long stem that lies on the ground with side stems and plenty of flowers.

You can make calendula oil by putting the fresh or dried petals in a jar and covering them with jojoba-, olive- or almond oil. Cover the jar with a cheesecloth and put it in a sunny place for two to three weeks. Sieve through a cheesecloth and pour in a clear jar with a lid. Label and store in a cool, dry place.

This is a great base oil for any skin improving ointments you may wish to make, or use it as is.
If you are in a hurry, you can also warm the oil gently in a double boiler / au bain marie, sprinkle the petals in, let the water simmer (not boil!) on a gentle heat for a minimum of 20 minutes and allow to cool. Then sieve through a cheesecloth as above.

* V. Raipala-Cormier; Luontoäidin kotiapteekki (1997, Finland)

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis)

Meet my second plant-love, Lemon balm (the first would be the Oak, more about him later).

I was a very moody teenager. In a playfully written book 'for witches' I read that Lemon balm had an intriguing Swedish nickname: "hjärtans fröjd" ("hearts' delight") - and that sounded like a prescription to me! I talked about it with my mother and she got some fresh Lemon balm into the kitchen...of which I drank countless cups of tea*. And never had to suffer PMS again!

Much later I discovered this garden companion is an excellent remedy for herpes simplex as well. When you feel the tingling heat of a blister coming up, run to your plant - explain why you need its help - and very often she agrees you could use a leaf. Roll the leaf between your fingers to crush it and hold against your lip. Most often the tingling subsides, without an outbreak.

The flowers are a great source of nectar for many insects (including honeybees!), and with its bright green foliage it fills up a otherwise-sad corner in the garden very effectively.


* plain lemon balm tea can taste less pleasant. I'd recommend adding mint, honey or lemon to your remedy, or make a lovely brew with them all, adding some ginger root to the mix as well (adding the lemon juice as last).

lemon balm in my garden

Lemon balm is anti-viral (which explains its effectiveness with herpes simplex) and cleansing for the lymph. This makes it a great pick-me-up when you're feeling a flu or cold coming up.

 

It also helps to prevent cramps and windiness of stomach and guts. Lemon balm has a soothing effect on adults and children alike. Not everyone likes its taste though - a good alternative would be chamomile. 

I see the deva of lemon balm as a happy, content, generous woman, who is enjoying being an important part of the dance of life. Get in contact with her as soon as you can - she is always available for a meaningful chat.