The months of April and May have seen the growing season take off and the bees get busy, even with an unusually dry April and now at last rain in May. All of this I am thankful for as I continue to create my new medical herb garden in Lewes.
In the Herbalist’s garden many of the plants others consider a nuisance are known to be invaluable to the dispensing shelves for making up remedies for my patients. Two herbs that I use in large quantities Nettle and Dandelion Leaf have both begun to be harvested. Nettle leave being used in a myriad of prescriptions such as Hay-fever, Eczema, Menstrual & Menopausal symptoms and much more. While Dandelion leaf is potassium rich and is used alongside other herbs in conditions such as hypertension and fluid retention.
As for the structurally magnificent Angelica, it is now at it’s flowering height attracting many honey bees to the garden, which is a relief as I didn’t see many at all last year. I will wait until later in the season to harvest the root for it’s medicinal properties, which range from being a digestive stimulant beneficial to the elderly as well being used in respiratory, arthritic and menopausal conditions.
