September 2008 -
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Apple Cider Vinegar
Peel and cores of 20 apples
Water to cover
Place the cores and peels of the apples in a sterilised, wide mouthed jar.
Cover totally with warm (not hot) water and seal.
Leave in a warm place, but not in direct sunlight.
Every two days remove the froth from the top and stir well.
The vinegar will loose its cloudiness and become clear. This can take up to 8 weeks, depending on warmth and apple type.
Once it is clear strain into a clean bottle
Apple and Mint Jelly
1.5kg Granny Smith apples
1 lemon
900ml boiling water
White sugar
Green food colouring
A large handful of mint
Slice the apples and lemons (don’t peel) and place in a saucepan with the water. Simmer for 30 minutes or until the apples are very soft. Mash well and then strain through a fine mesh overnight.
Measure the strained juice and for each 600 ml add 450ml of sugar.
Place the juice and sugar in a pot. Tie the mint into a bunch and add to the pot. Boil quickly until setting point is reached (a small amount of the jelly dropped into a saucer of cold water will form a skin). Discard the mint and add a few drops of green food colouring.
Pour into sterilised glass jars and seal.
Apple Muffins
1 egg
2/3 cup milk
½ cup vegetable oil
2 cups flour
½ cup sugar
1 Tbsp baking powder
1 chopped apple
Lightly beat the egg, milk and oil together.
Add remaining ingredients and stir until just mixed.
Three quarter fill greased muffin pans.
Bake at 200 C for 20 minutes.
Apple Cream with Wasabi
Use as a dip, a sort of salad dressing or spread on bread
1 Granny Smith apple, grated
1 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp apple juice (add more if you want it runnier)
¾ cup sour cream
1 – 2 tsp wasabi paste
Pinch of sugar
Chopped coriander leaves
Toss the apple in the lemon juice and then add everything else. Mix well and serve cold.
From Sharon’s Garden
Looking at the weather It seems as if Spring is definitely here! An old wives tale says that if the willows are budding, there will be no more cold spells – so let’s see.
Apart from all of the things that can be done in the garden, spring is a wonderful
time to start something new. Whether it is learning a new skill, a new project, a
course (herbal or other!), starting a hobby etc, etc. now is the time to do it. We
are all very good at making excuses – I’m too busy; I have too much work to do; I
just don’t have time; My job, wife, husband, kids, dog, car, bike, pool, garden (take
your pick!) needs me too much. Remember that any fool can make an excuse -
One ‘new’ thing you could do is become an organ donor. Last month was organ donor
month. Did any of you register? Thousands of people are waiting for transplants
and so please go to the website and register -
Sharon
Uit Letitia se tuin:
Weereens ‘n ongelooflike maand! ‘n Uitstappie na die Johannesburg dieretuin in die
aand! Daar is geen woorde om die gebrul van ‘n leeu te beskryf nie! Die volgende
dag registreer ek vir die Traditional Healers Workshop by die Farm Inn. Daar het
hulle onder andere 2 leeuwelpies en vir die volgende 2 aande het ek met die gebrul
van groooot maanhaar leeus gaan slaap. So hierdie maand se ekstra bly by diere -
Please Note: Draft Policy on African Traditional Medicine for SA published in the Government Gazette Vol 517, 25 July 2008, NO 31271. Members of the public are invited to submit any substantiated comments on this within 3 months from the date of publication.
Letitia
016 362 0754
letitia@barefootherbs.co.za
Herb of the Month
Apple
Malus sp.
Fruits are not generally thought of as herbs, but it depends on your classification of ‘herb’. Healers say that any plant that has a use other than being pretty is a herb – so if you go into your garden you will find that you definitely have a herb garden whether you knew it not!
The first records of apples being used as a medicine go back to the Romans. Ripe apples were used for constipation and unripe ones for diarrhoea, both remedies still used today. Since then it has been found that unripe apples are also good for urinary infections and that they lower cholesterol levels. Grated apples can be used for skin inflammations and infections. Apples are detoxifying and eating them regularly can help with arthritic conditions, including gout
Apart from fructose and fruit acids, apples also contain Vit A, B1, C and various minerals.
Apple cider vinegar is well known as a remedy for various ailments, but should be
diluted with water before taking. Usually 2-
Apply externally for acne, arthritis, athlete’s foot and foot odour (use a foot bath), dandruff, fungal infections, skin rashes, sunburn, varicose veins, vaginal thrush (add 3 cups to a bath of water and soak for 15 minutes)
Take internally for arthritis, hay-
Wild Olive
Olea europaea subsp africana
Family: Oleaceae
An attractive evergreen shrub or small to medium sized tree (3m – 18m). At a distance,
the leaves glitter in the sunlight and trees can often be distinguished in this way.
The wild olive makes a good shade tree in the home garden and is frost, drought
and wind-
Medicinal uses: Infusions or decoctions of the leaves are taken orally to lower
blood pressure and as a tonic. Applied externally as an eye lotion or gargled to
treat sore throats. A snuff made from the dried leaves is used to stop nose bleeds.
Decoctions also used to enhance renal function and taken as an anti-
Traditionally taken for kidney problems and back ache.
House & Home: The wood is fine-
An ink is made from the juice of the fruit. It has been used to stabilize erosion.
As the wood is hard and heavy, weighing approximately 1,140 kg/cubic m, and also resistant to termites and wood boring insects it is used for fencing.
It is ideal for topiary and bonsai
Traditional use: The Kipsigis and Wanderobo of Kenya use a root or bark decoction for malaria. In Mbeere and Embu districts of the Eastern province of Kenya, the aqueous extracts from the wild olive is commonly used by herbalists. In Eritrea the villagers use wild olive extensively to provide fuelwood. The Tswanas believe that impurities will be released from their bodies if they wash with a bunch of leaves.
Veterinary: Used as traditional veterinary medicine in the Alice district of the
Eastern Cape Province. A bark infusion is used to treat diarrhoea in goats and leaves
of the wild olive, together with Cussonia spicata root, are used in a treatment for
cows with bloody urine after calving (endomitritis and vaginitis).
Leaves are also
mixed with Zanthoxylon capense leaves, Grewia occidentalis leaves and Aloe ferox
sap as a treatment for gallsickness in cattle. All ingredients are soaked overnight
in cold water.
Also known as: African wild olive, brown olive (English); olienhout, olyfboom, swartolienhout (Afrikaans); weira (Amharic); zeitun bari (Arabic); Ölbaum (German); umnquma (Ndebele); mupfungo (Shona); wera (Somali); awliie (Tigrigna); umNqumo (Zulu)
Recipe Page
(gargle) , tendonitis, varicose veins
Apple cider vinegar can also be used in tinctures instead of alcohol, but the tincture must then be used within 6 months.
Cultivation: Apple trees are relatively easy to grow, but do need pruning once a year. Medicinal: Constipation, diarrhoea, skin infections, rashes, to lower cholesterol, arthritis, rheumatism, gout, urinary infections.
Culinary: Used extensively in sweet and savour dishes, juices, jams and liqueurs.
Household: A cut apple placed in the fridge will remove odours.
Cosmetic: Apple cider vinegar applied to the skin will help to treat acne. Dilute it with an equal quantity of water, or it will sting. Apples help to strengthen gums and clean teeth.
Caution: Excessive amounts of apple pips are toxic
Folk Beliefs
If an apple bursts whilst it is baking, good news can be expected.
A bough of an apple tree which holds buds, flowers and fully-
An apple cut in half and shared with your loved one will ensure long lasting happiness
Herbs for Cats
Cat Grass (Dactylitis glomerata)
Chewing cat grass can help to eliminate fur balls
by making the cat vomit
Cat Mint (Nepeta mussini)
Cats like to rub against the leaves,
purr contentedly and they might even lick and chew at the leaves too.
Catnip (Nepeta
cataria)
A gentle carminative and antispasmodic for easing flatulence and stomach
upsets. It will also act as a mild sedative to help calm the nerves and promote restful
sleep in most cats. Due to a constituent called nepeta lactone, cats become intoxicated
when they sniff this plant
Nettle (Urtica species)
An excellent addition to food for cats which need extra trace
minerals and vitamins in their diet, but not necessarily in huge, multi-
Valerian Root (Valeriana officinalis)
Dried Valerian Root has a similar effect on cats as catnip. Cats roll in it and eat it.
Catnip Cookies
1 cup whole-
1⁄4 cup soy flour
1 teaspoon catnip
2 tablespoons wheat germ
1⁄3
cup powdered milk
1 tablespoon molasses
1 egg
2 tablespoons
vegetable oil
1⁄3 cup milk
Preheat oven to 180 C.
Combine dry ingredients together, add molasses, egg, oil and milk
Mix well until dough sticks together. Roll dough out on a floured board to 5 mm thickness.
Cut into small pieces and place on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Cool and store in tightly sealed container.
Bees
Do you have a large property with space to keep bees?
Grant is looking for places in any area for his bee-
Rent is paid in honey.
They are problem free tenants!
Contact Grant
083 652 0760
Essential Herb Products
We can supply all of your herbal requirements
Dried Medicinal Herbs & Spices, Aromatherapy Oils, Base Creams & Gels, Containers. Vitamins & Minerals,
Tissue Salts.
All goods are posted
Contact us for more details
Edward Proctor
082 463 1360
sales@essentialherbs.co.za info@essentialherbs.co.za
Or go to our website www.essentialherbs.co.za
P O Box 476
Westville
3630
Herb Courses September – November 2008
Herb workshops can be arranged for private groups at times or venues to suit you. Contact us for details.
Muldersdrift
Saturday, 6 Sept, 10.00am Herbal remedies for common ailments
Saturday 13 Sept, 9.00am Module 9, Urinary system, gifts
Saturday, 27 Sept, 9.00am Module 1, growing, planting, and
harvesting herbs
Saturday 4 Oct, 10.00am Organic gardening
Saturday 11 Oct, 9.00am Module 10, herbs for pets and home
Saturday 18 Oct, 10.00am Green cleaning – cleaning your home
with natural products
Saturday 26 Oct 9.00am Module 2, Immune system, culinary
Herbs
Saturday 1 Nov 10.00am Liqueur making (make now for
Christmas)
Saturday 8 Nov 10.00am Wreaths and swags (incl Christmas
wreaths)
Saturday 15 Nov 10.00am Herbal gifts (in time for Christmas!)
Saturday 22 Nov 10.00am Bath & skin products
Saturday 29 Nov 9.00am Module 3, Pregnancy, babies, soaps
and creams
Meyerton
6 Sept – Teenagers Herbal skin preparations (09h00-
13 Sept – Module 5, herbs for teenagers, skin treatments incl creams, (09h00-
20 Sept – Herbal preparations for Mature skin (09h00-
24 Sept – Module 5, herbs for teenagers, skin treatments incl creams, (09h00-
27 Sept – Detox with the help of herbs – Getting ready for Summer (09h00 – 13h00) R250
4 Oct -
11 Oct – Module 6, Nervous & Reproductive System, Herbal wines (09h00-
18 Oct – Cooking with Herbs & Spices R250 (Great fun with new recipes)
22 Oct – Detox with the help of herbs – Getting ready for Summer (09h00 – 13h00) R250
Kiddies workshops available on request
Pre-
Workshops cost R250, which includes all materials, a recipe booklet and refreshments. The Practical Herbal Course costs R300 for each module.
Barefoot Herbs
J[8
Capsella bursa-
Disclaimer
Herbal remedies should be treated with the same care and precautions as all other
forms of medication. An illness should be taken seriously and self-