21ST CENTURY NORTHUMBRIA HERBAL PROJECTNEWSLETTER No. 1 APRIL 2018

This is the first newsletter for the 21st Century Northumbria Herbal regional project. Subsequent newsletters will tell you about its progress and we will be asking members to contribute their views, stories, discoveries. Below you have a listing of the many and varied topics that the herbal might include. Which of these topics interests you? Which would you like to become involved in? On which topics would you like to attend a workshop?

If you would like to know more or be involved in any of the topics, contact CAROL BURNETT or ANNE LARVIN. Contact details are at the end of this newsletter.

IN THE GARDEN MEDICINAL USES- Growing & Cultivation ART - Current Medicinal Uses

- Harvesting, Preserving PHOTOGRAPHY - The Science of herbs

- Experimental growing of e.g. exotic herbs LITERATURE - Current Scientific research

- Storage POETRY & SONG - Combining with other herbs; Combining with modern drugs

- Companion planting CREATIVE WRITING - Safety and Risks of herbs (Understanding the science).

IN THE WILD- Botany MUSIC- Herb Walks

- Recognition and Identification (through the seasons)

COOKING and PRESERVING

USING HERBS

HISTORYINDIVIDUAL

HERBS

- Making different formats of herbal medicines

- Herbal medicine through the ages

- Over the counter herbs. How effective are they?

- What the Herbals say Botanical Name: - Therapeutic doses and effects of different doses

- Folklore Common Name(s): - Herbs in the Kitchen and Stillroom (food and drink)

- Archaeology Family: - Non medicinal use of herbs e.g. dyes, cloth, paper …

Plant identificationRon Burn (Newcastle & Prudhoe U3A) has been very busy producing a listing of medicinal plants that

a) Grow wild in the north east regionb) Can be grown in gardens and allotments

The list is being constructed in such a way that it can be ‘sorted’ in a variety of ways, including

- Habitat- Flowering time- Harvesting time- Part(s) of plant used medicinally- Whether a wild, garden or homeopathic plant

There is, inevitably some overlap in habitats; some plants are found in the wild and in cultivated gardens; some plants are used as herbal medicines and can be found as homeopathic remedies. The list will also identify poisonous plants, which have been used as medicinal plants but only by healthcare professionals. An example of this

is Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna) which was used in past centuries to enhance the eyes of ladies and is still used nowadays in the form of atropine by anaesthetists, in A+E, and reputedly most recently to counteract the effects of the nerve agent, novichok.

The list is in the final stages of preparation. It will be an ideal identifier of which plants you may come across on a walk (herbal or otherwise) and can be used in conjunction with our recommended book for plant identification – A Collins Nature Guide ‘Herbs and Healing Plants of Britain & Europe’, author Dieter Podlech. Ron’s plant list does include the page reference of each plant in Podlech’s book.

HERB WALKS

We would like to build up a database of herbal walks in the north east region as part of this project. Ideally, the database would include photographs or drawings of the plants found along the walk as well as information on the route and date.

Please email to tell us about any herb walks you have done.

Photographs are a valuable tool for plant identification, especially if the stems, leaves (and

their arrangement on the stems) are included alongside flowers, seeds, or berries/fruits.

A group of 4 members from Wear-Tees U3A have set out to survey a dismantled railway line on the Bishop Auckland Way between Coundon Station and Binchester. It is a one and a half miles stretch of the line which closed in 1939. The aims of the group are:

To identify and record plants through the seasons; To research plants for herbal and medicinal properties; To use Internet, books, local museums and local people for information;To enjoy walks through the seasons.

We are very fortunate in the north east to have such a huge and varied area to explore, plant-wise, but don’t forget that a walk around a village or along the hedgerows can include an impressive number of medicinal

plants. Ron Burn’s list can be used to help identify plants you are likely to come across on a riverside walk, or along the coast, or perhaps on a moorland walk or a woodland walk.

Gardens to Visit

Jarrow Hall (Bede’s World) www.jarrowhall.org.ukAn Anglo-Saxon farm and herb garden

Mount Grace Priory, nr. Northallerton – National Trust/English Heritage Re-created monk’s cells and herb gardens

William Turner Garden - Carlisle Park, Morpeth Open daily. William Turner was a physician and botanist who came from Morpeth, and wrote the first scientific herbal to be published, in 1551. Members of Morpeth U3A are exploring aspects of this garden and William Turner’s work and influence. More of this in later newsletters.

Dilston Physic Garden, nr. Corbridge www.dilstonphysicgarden.com Carol Burnett volunteers at this extensive physic garden developed by Professor Elaine Perry. For anyone interested in herbal medicine, it is a splendid garden to visit for the range of herbs growing and explanations of the scientific basis of herbal medicines. Carol is working with the owners of the garden to arrange some dates when U3A members can visit for a guided tour. Of course, you can visit any time the garden is open. They also run some very interesting courses.

Do you know of other gardens (large or small) which have a medicinal herbal element? If so, please tell us so we can build up a list of places to visit.

Creating an Herb GardenWe have 2 U3As where members are creating their own herb garden, one on Wearside; one in north

Northumberland:

- A 7-strong group in Wearside have taken over a raised bed in a community garden and have spent the late

autumn and winter in preparing the bed for planting. The bed is now planted with 3 varieties of potatoes, and

3 herbs (Chamomile, Wild Rocket, Chocolate Mint) all sourced from a local nursery. The herbs are being

grown in buckets to allow for easy movement should that be necessary.

- Meanwhile, in Shilbottle in Northumberland, Carol Burnett is developing her garden as a physic garden

including growing a Liquorice shrub from seed.

We will have reports from these 2 gardens in subsequent newsletters – and maybe pictures!

Focus on …. 4 Spring herbs

In this newsletter, we’ll touch on 4 Spring herbs which are or have been used as Spring cleaners and nourishers after the winter. More detailed ‘monographs’ will be developed for these herbs.

NETTLE Latin Name: Urtica dioica Family: Urticaceae

Nettle leaf works as an anti-histamine, useful in the hayfever season but also when eczema worsens during the Spring or Summer. As nettles age, the leaf becomes more acrid and unpleasant to use. By that stage, seeds will have developed. They have a similar action to the leaves but are probably more powerful. The root is collected in the autumn and is used to help treat benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH) in men.From dyes to fibres for cloth and for paper-making, nettles are very versatile. Finally, nettles make a superb plant manure - http://www.nettles.org.uk/nettles/activities/nettlemanure.aspOther members of this Family include Pellitory-on-the-Wall.

CLIVERS/CLEAVERS Latin Name: Galium aparine Family: Rubiaceae

Parts used: the whole plant above ground, collected before flowering.The younger and fresher the plant, the better as it becomes too tough and stringy to use as it gets older. Clivers is usually taken as a tea or a tincture, although when very young and fresh it is often taken as a juice.The herb is a superb cleaner for the body: it stimulates the lymphatic system (especially useful if lymph nodes are swelling); it helps with cystitis and dry skin problems such as dry eczema.The roots of Clivers yield a red dye. Other members of this family include

Sweet Woodruff, Ladies Bedstraw, Coffee.

DANDELION Latin Name: Taraxacum officinalis Family: Asteraceae

Parts Used: Leaf, Root and FlowerheadThis is a most valuable herb. As one of its common names (‘wet-the-bed’) suggests, the leaf of this plant is a diuretic, increasing urination. The leaf has high quantities of potassium – a mineral important in maintaining a

healthy heart function.The leaf is a gentle remedy working through the kidneys and is particularly suitable where there is fluid retention.

Parts used: Leaf; seeds; roots; whole aerial plant.Nettle leaf is used in the Spring as a tonic because of its very high mineral and vitamin content. The high iron content in Nettle leaf can help in cases of iron deficiency anaemia. The leaf also increases urine flow.It has an anti-inflammatory action and has traditionally been used for joint pain such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The root focuses more on the digestive system and is used for detoxing including where there are skin problems such as eczema and acne. The root has a slight laxative effect and also acts as a mild appetite stimulant. Bees are particularly attracted to the flower which yields high quantities of pollen and nectar from early Spring to late Autumn. Other members of this family include Feverfew, and Chamomile.

HAWTHORN Latin name: Crataegus spp. Family: Rosaceae

Parts Used: Leaf + flower/bud; BerriesA local name for the flower buds was ‘bread and cheese’, and would be eaten by children on their way to

school. The Latin name for this hardy hedgerow tree or bush is from the word ‘kratos’ meaning hard or strong. Traditionally, maypoles and May Day celebrations used Hawthorn as it flowered on 1st May. But in 1752, the calendar changed from Julian to Gregorian and 11 days were lost from the calendar. This meant that on 2nd September 1752 you went to bed and woke the next day on 14th September!The leaf and flower are known as the ‘valerian’ of the heart and are a

wonderful balancing tonic for it. Hawthorn is a very safe herb to use in the long term for heart and lung conditions where there is a sense of tightness or constriction.The berries make an excellent medicine in the autumn and winter – for the heart but also for the peripheral circulation to strengthen blood vessels and improve supply of blood to the brain. Other members of the family include Meadowsweet, Raspberry, Blackthorn.

Herbs in Literature, Poetry and Folklore

We have had members from 2 U3As sending poems and extracts from plays and a big thank you to Felicetta and Joan for their contribution. We cannot include all the poetry and literature in a newsletter but will be compiling them into a digital library and reading list as part of the project.So far, we have poems or extracts from plays about or which mention Nettles, Mugwort, Dock, Fumitory, Hemlock, Burdock, Hawthorn, Plantain, Dandelion, Coltsfoot and Primrose.

Anglo-Saxon HerbalsThe Lacnunga (Remedies) is a 10th-century herbal. This is a collection of nearly two hundred herbs used by the Anglo-Saxons and kept now at the British Library. One of its contents is the Nine Herb Charm. Anglo-Saxons believed disease was spread by toxins blowing in the winds. Songs, salt, water, and herbs were trusted means of protection from the flying venom. The Lacnunga names nine sacred plants and a chant in their praise. The nine herbs are Mucgwyrt (Mugwort), Attorlaoe (Betony) Stune (Lamb’s cress), Wegbrade (Plantain), Maegoe (Chamomile), Stioe (Nettle), Wergula (Crab-apple), Fille (Thyme) and Finule (Fennel). At the end of the charm, prose instructions are given to take the above mentioned herbs, crush them to dust, and to mix with old soap and apple juice. Further instructions are given to make a paste from water and ashes, boil fennel into the paste, bathe it with beaten egg – both before and after the prepared salve is applied. Further, the charm directs the reader to sing the charm three times over each of the herbs as well as the apple before they are prepared, into the mouth of the wounded, both the ears, and over the wound itself prior to the application of the salve. It is supposed that stylized physical gestures would have accompanied the chanting of the charm and preparation of the portion.

These nine attack against nine venoms.

A worm came creeping and tore asunder a man. Then took Woden nine magick twigs and smote the serpent

That he in in nine pieces dispersed. Now these nine herbs have power

Against nine magick outcasts, Against nine venoms, against nine flying things,Against the loathed things that over land rove

The poem goes on to talk about each herb:This is the herb that is called 'Wergulu’.

A seal sent it across the sea-rightA vexation to poison, a help to others,

It stands against pain, it dashes against poison,It has power against three and against thirty,

Against the hand of a fiend and against mighty devices,Against the spell of mean creatures.

This is an Anglo-Saxon poem which may also have connection to Beowulf. The herb is given by Woden as a medicine against poison and snake bite and in later versions Christ has replaced Woden.

Noticeboard, Connections, Ideas and Suggestions, Next workshops

We have some ideas for workshops and/or group working:

-Herbs for First Aid -Making Herbal Remedies -Practical Plant Dyeing

-Making an Herbal Heritage Quilt or Embroidery

-History of Herbals and What they tell us

-Over-the-counter and On-line herbs: How to cut through the marketing

-Complementary or Alternative or both?

-Physic Gardens -Medicinal Weeds; Plant Poisons

Please tell us if any of these ideas are of interest. Do you have any ideas for other workshops?

Contacts: Carol Burnett carol.burnett@hotmail.co.uk

Anne Larvin annelarvin@gmail.com

Next Workshop: MONDAY 21st MAY 2018 at

COMMERCIAL UNION HOUSE, NEWCASTLE

Morning session 10-12.30 History – A Brief History of Herbal Medicine

Afternoon session 1.30-4p.m. Early Summer herbs – A Look at 6 Herbs

Everyone welcome to attend both sessions or just one session.