Homegrown – Page 2 – All Natural Mumma

In Plant Medicine

10 Medicinal Plants to Grow in Your Garden

March 30, 2022

Does the idea of growing your own medicine seem exciting to you?

Here are 10 plants that you can easily grow in your garden that have medicinal benefits.

COMFREY

Comfrey prefers moist soil in a sunny or partially shaded site. The leaves and flowering tops are gathered in Summer and the roots in Autumn. Wear gloves!

Due to comfrey’s rapid healing potential, use on clean wounds only.

useful in First Aid
known as ‘knitbone’
useful for sprains, strains, bruises, aches and pains, arthritis and ulcers
speeds up the healing of bones and tissues
useful expectorant
reduces gastrointestinal and bronchial inflammation
applied topically as a poultice, cream or macerated oil

Avoid during pregnancy. Not to be taken internally.

ECHINACEA (coneflowers)

Echinacea prefers fertile, moist, well-drained soil in full sun. The leaves can be gathered anytime during the growing season and the roots can be dug out in Autumn after flowering.

Echinacea is best taken as a tincture and combines well with elderberry for respiratory conditions.

Dilute and use as a lotion for wounds and bites.

natural antibiotic
immune booster
shortens the duration of colds and flu
useful for coughs, colds, earache, viral infections and sore throats
joint and cartilage healer
spider and snake bites
insect sting
may help prevent severe infection

Avoid high doses which may occasionally cause nausea and dizziness.

CHAMOMILE

Both German and Roman Chamomile prefer a sunny position in the garden with well-drained, slightly acidic soil. The flowers are gathered in Summer.

Chamomile is best known as a calming tea but when cooled can also act as a soothing lotion to relieve hot, irritated or inflamed skin.

helps to relieve eczema, skin rashes, sunburn and hives
calms digestive system and feelings of nausea
relieves indigestion and gastrointestinal spasms
helps with feelings of nervousness
reduces stress and insomnia
may relieve menstrual cramps due to antispasmodic nature
reduces itchiness
reduces fever
soothes the nerves

Chamomile may cause contact dermatitis. Avoid if allergic to the Compositae family.

CRAMP BARK

Cramp bark prefers to grow in moist, well drained soil in sun or in dappled shade. Collect the inner bark in Spring and Summer while the plant is in flower.

It’s no surprises how this amazing plant can help you. Just look at the name!

Best used as a tincture.

relaxes the muscles
antispasmodic
useful for menstrual cramps and excessive bleeding
reduces backache and muscular spasms

Avoid during pregnancy.

CAYENNE

Cayenne (or chile pepper) loves to grow in pots with loads of good quality compost. Gather in Summer when the fruit is ripe and dry in the shade.

Cayenne is most often used in cooking but has traditionally been used as a warming remedy. Use the powder or fresh fruit (including the seeds) to make a macerated oil or tincture.

Can be used in warm water too.

stimulates the circulatory system
regulates blood flow
helps to maintain healthy blood pressure
strengthens the heart, arteries, capillaries and nerves
may arrest internal and external bleeding
clears phlegm from the lungs
reduces sinus congestion

Excessive use of cayenne pepper can lead to gastric irritation. Avoid touching the eyes when handling.

YARROW

Yarrow prefers full sun and well drained soil. Flowers can be gathered as soon as they appear and the leaves and other aerial parts in Summer.

Yarrow was traditionally used to treat wounds however it is also beneficial to both the urinary and respiratory systems.

combine with lime blossoms and hawthorn for healthy blood pressure
may assist with arteriosclerosis
soaked cotton balls in tincture for nosebleed
assists with fever, promotes sweating
boosts immunity
tones blood vessels
stimulates digestion
urinary antiseptic
assists with cystitis
wound healing
reduces menstrual cramps
reduces colds and flu
yarrow root for dental pain

Avoid in pregnancy.

GRINDELIA (gumweed)

Grindelia prefers light to medium sandy soil and full sun. Collect the aerial parts as soon as the flower buds open and dry in the sun.

Traditionally Grindelia was used to treat dermatitis caused by poison ivy.

assists with asthmatic and bronchial conditions
relaxes smooth muscles and heart muscles
helps to reduce catarrh and upper respiratory congestion
useful in treating cystitis and bladder infections
may help to reduce blood pressure
may increase heart rate to assist with healing
useful expectorant
antispasmodic
antimicrobial

Grindelia is not recommended for those with heart or kidney conditions.

CALENDULA (marigold)

Calendula prefers to grow in well drained soil in full sun but will also tolerate some shade. Collect the flowers in Summer and take care when drying to prevent discolouration.

Calendula is a popular plant that is prized for its versatility. Best used as an infusion, tincture, cream or macerated oil.

stimulates healing and is soothing to the skin
useful for abrasions, rashes, eczema, ulcers and wounds
antiseptic, great for first aid
reduces inflammation on the skin
may be useful for wound healing and external bleeding
helpful when used on bruises and strains
useful cleansing agent and healing cream
apply to minor burns and scalds
use the macerated oil to prevent stretch marks
helps regulate healthy menstrual flow
helpful for digestive conditions like gastric and duodenal ulcers

Avoid if allergic to ragweed, daisies, marigold, or plants in the Asteraceae/Compositae family.

MALLOW (common mallow)

Mallow loves well drained soil and prefers full sun, however it will tolerate dappled shade as well. Collect the flowers and leaves in Summer.

The entire plant is edible and is commonly used as a compress, tincture or infusion.

useful for bladder infections
helps to recover from gastritis and stomach ulcers
helps to treat bronchial inflammation, laryngitis and pharyngitis
aids respiratory health and reduces catarrh
used topically against abscesses, boils and minor burns
soothing to the throat due to mucilage content
soothing to wounds, rashes and insect bites
may act as a gentle laxative
relieves anxiety and nervousness

Mallow is a safe, edible plant when harvested in proper locations and not contaminated. You might even find it in your own backyard!

PLANTAIN

Plaintain enjoys moist, poor to moderately fertile soil in full sun or partial shade and can often be found growing in hedges, pavement cracks and grassy areas. Gather the leaves in Summer from unpolluted areas.

Plantain is a common weed that is traditionally used in first aid. Use topically in the form of a poultice or ingest as a syrup, infusion, tincture or juice!

natural antihistamine action
useful for venomous bites and stings
soothes irritation from rashes
combine with calendula to treat cuts and abrasions
treats bladder infections
reduces excess fluid in the body
useful for coughs and mild bronchitis
naturally astringent and antiseptic
supports tissue regeneration
helps in cases of diarrhoea and haemorrhoids

All information provided on this website is for informational purposes only. Please seek professional advice before commencing any treatment.

In Nutrition

Nutritional Benefits of Strawberries

March 16, 2022

Strawberries are such a delightful fruit and homegrown, oh my goodness, there is nothing that beats that sweet, juicy taste. We love them in smoothies, as a topper for acai bowls, yoghurt and granola and even just on their own!

Remember to wash thoroughly if you are not buying organic or growing your own. Unfortunately, strawberries are one of the most heavily sprayed fruits in commercial growing.

See here for a list of the Dirty Dozen.

And here are some of the amazing health benefits of strawberries..

VITAMIN C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps protect your cells against free-radical damage and it helps form and maintain bones, skin, and blood vessels.

MANGANESE

Manganese helps the body form connective tissue, bones, blood clotting factors, and sex hormones. It also plays a role in fat and carbohydrate metabolism, calcium absorption and blood sugar regulation. Manganese is also necessary for normal brain and nerve function.

FOLATE

Folate is an essential B vitamin that is necessary for the production of red and white blood cells in bone marrow, producing DNA and RNA and transforming carbohydrates into energy.

POTASSIUM

Potassium helps the body maintain normal levels of intracellular fluid and it also helps muscles to contract, supporting normal blood pressure.

Do you love strawberries?

Have you tried growing them at home?

Let me know if they are your favourite fruit!

In Low Tox Life

2022 Dirty Dozen Food List

March 16, 2022

Once upon a time we didn’t call food organic or non-organic, it was just food.

Can we all just go back to that please?

It bothers me that organic farmers have to prove their organic-ness and pay for organic accreditation just so we, the consumers, know their food is just as nature intended. Shouldn’t it be the other way round?

I’m not an agricultural expert by any means but I have grown my own and know all too well the effort it takes to produce a crop without the use of synthetic pesticides.

And that’s just for my little backyard garden!

So, why do we want to avoid these nasty chemicals in the first place?

Pesticides are toxic chemicals designed to kill agricultural pests and unfortunately when consumed by humans have been linked to cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, ADHD and even birth defects.

THE DIRTY DOZEN AND CLEAN 15

The EWG’s Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ (aka Dirty Dozen and Clean 15) is updated each year and ranks pesticide contamination on 47 popular fruits and vegetables.

While this isn’t Aussie specific, it does give you a very good indication of the types of fruits and vegetables that are the most hard hit.

We don’t want to avoid any fruits and vegetables, so if you can’t buy local and organic, opt for an all natural fruit and veggie wash like the Thieves Fruit and Veggie Soak as a great alternative.

We actually use it even on our organic bought produce and it’s surprising to see what’s left in the water and the difference it makes to the longevity of our fresh food.

SUPPORTING LOCAL FARMERS

Many local farmers grow their crops using all or mostly organic practices but aren’t big enough, or simply choose not to, pay for accreditation. It makes sense to get to know them and ask them how they do things so that you can happily buy their produce and feel good knowing you are not only supporting them but also giving your family high quality and nutrient dense local foods.

Do you know where your local organic market is?

Or are you growing your own!

Let me know in the comments.

In Recipes

My Super Fresh Strawberry and Mint Sorbet Recipe

March 16, 2022

Summer is officially over but it’s not too cool to still enjoy a freshly made strawberry and mint sorbet.

This recipe ticks all the boxes if you are needing something sweet and tasty but you want to make it at home quickly and easily without any silly chemicals or unhealthy ingredients.

There is the option to add a little refined caster sugar or rapadura if you want to but the strawberries, mint and apple are quite sweet on their own.

I needed to supplement my homegrown strawberries at the market with this recipe as I’m not producing as much right now. I also grabbed some beautiful organic apples to juice up.

My mint is growing great guns however, so I was super excited to add that in to the recipe.

HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED

250 – 280g of strawberries (you can use frozen)
3/4 cup ice cubes
60 mL organic apple juice
1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh mint
1 tsp caster or rapadura sugar (optional)

METHOD

Blend all ingredients together until your desired consistency.
Add a little water or extra juice if you need it smoother.

Want to know the nutritional benefits of strawberries?

Check out this post here.

And if you’d like to know the latest Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 list for 2022, go here.