Anne Shelly-Lacey

Elder (Sambucus nigra)

Elder has a long history in folklore and in herbal medicine. It was seen as a whole medicinal chest in one tree. Viewed in many cultures as ‘earth mother’, Elder was widely revered and in Ireland, cutting down the Elder was thought to be bad luck for your home and your cattle herd. Elderflower is […]

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Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Everyone is familiar with Stinging Nettle, which grows in hedgerows, fields and gardens and basically anywhere that is undisturbed. Many people overlook the fact that Nettle is a powerful food and medicine. Nettle leaves, seeds and roots are widely used by herbalists, to treat a wide range of ailments including arthritis, anaemia, asthma, kidney stones,

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Garlic and its Medicinal Properties

GARLIC (Allium sativum)Garlic is both healing and nutritious largely due to it’s volatile essential oil. It has many medicinalproperties e.g anti-septic, anti-bacterial, disinfectant, vermicide (a substance that is poisonous to worms),stimulant and tonic (tones and invigorates), to name but a few. It’s volatile oil is mainly excreted throughthe lungs, making it very useful in infections

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Cleavers (Galium aparine)

Cleavers is a common roadside plant climber. this one is growing along one of the outer paths in the beautiful Ballyfad/Coolgreany Woods. Also known as goose grass or sticky-willy, as it is sticky to touch. It grows from early spring through to the end of summer. It is a wonderful herb for the lymphatic system.

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Mullein (Verbascum)

Mullein is now in flower, beautiful yellow flowers. I collected some yesterday and they will be dried for herbal tea infusions. Mullein has along history of use in herbal medicine. Its leaves are large and really soft to touch. The plant has great demulcent properties and has a special affinity to the lungs. Both leaves

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