Festive Mulled Wine Recipe (Great for Apple Juice or Cider too)

As the cold weather settles in and the festive season draw near, there's nothing better than to warm up in the evenings with a cheery mug or glass of mulled wine.

This recipe with fresh citrus and whole spices gives the mulled wine a delicious vibrancy. You can get creative using other bases like apple cider, or for an alcohol free version, spice up your warm apple juice!

Ingredients:
1 bottle red wine (alternatively, cider or apple juice for non alcohol drinkers and kids)
2 large oranges, juiced (add in both juice and rinds)
3 lemon slices
Fresh ginger slices
Whole spices: cinnamon pieces or stick, pinch of cloves (6-8), cardamom (use 5-7, crush slightly to release seeds), 2-3 star anis, nutmeg - grated
Sugar or honey to taste (I prefer mine without!)

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a saucepan.

Gently heat to gentle simmer for 20min.

Turn off heat & leave covered to infuse to intensify spiced flavour.

Taste and add seasoning or sweetness to your desire.

Warm up again and strain into a glass or mug to serve with citrus garnish if desired.

Drink and be merry!

Festive wishes,

Fiona Morris
The Natural Healing Guide

Herbalist, Massage Therapist,
Mystic & Holistic Business Mentor

www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk

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Rose - a fragrant remedy to soothe upset emotions

"The rose and the thorn, and sorrow and gladness are linked together." 

Saadi (Iranian Poet, 1184-1283)

Moroccan Roses growing in the Atlas Mountains Dades Gorge where we went 

on our honeymoon. There is an annual rose festival in this region every year. 

Lush green oases produce heavenly scents at the foot of dry red earthen slopes.

This iconic bloom is strewn throughout literature as a symbol of love, passion, romance. Given as a token of affection to lovers and mothers worldwide throughout the ages, the unmistakable soft sweet scent of rose evokes a heart-melting gentleness, compassion and sensual femininity. Rose is revered in herbal medicine where a patient might require a 'herbal hug'.

While training to become a herbalist, my dear grandmother, Oma suffered a stroke, lost her ability to speak and became paralysed down one side. My family experienced the loss of our cherished matriarch to this condition and the anticipation of her passing. This prompted me to do my herbal medicine dissertation on how herbal medicine can be supportive for the experience of grief and loss.

I surveyed all herbalists registered with the most popular professional bodies of herbal medicine in Britain. Out of the many herbs used in prescriptions for a broad range of actions to support patients experiencing the emotional and physiological effects of grief, rose was by far the most widely used. The aroma of this gentle plant can be a soothing balm even in the depths of sorrow.

Rose petals and hips have a wide range of applications in health and beauty products, cooking and crafting. The buds and petals are cooling and mildly astringent, helping to reduce inflammation. Rose water has been used traditionally as an eye wash, skin tonic, and refreshing for over-heated skin.

The rose hip seed are rich in vitamin C and healing as a cold-pressed oil to restore scar tissue and skin irritations, as a tincture or syrup to boost immunity when depleted or at the change of seasons.

I often recommend adding a few drops of rose essential oil to a base oil and using this regularly to massage into pulse points or onto the chest and throat, common areas of tension where there is emotional upset. Tincture of rose can be taken as a herbal rescue remedy, a few drops on the tongue or added to water, in times of overwhelm or distress.

Love and rose petals,

I encourage you to fall in love with yourself first for the ultimate relationship at my upcoming Nurturing Rose Remedies Workshop on Wed 22nd July 2015 6.30 - 8pm - £10. Learn to create a healing range of delicate rose concoctions with many applications, but especially to soothe emotions and gently uplift spirits. Make your own handmade remedies to take home. 

Places are limited so booking & payment in advance is vital to secure your place on 0131 226 3223 or edinburgh@nealsyardremedies.com.

Share this event with your friends on facebook

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Herbal Tarot Reading New Moon in Gemini - 16th June

Welcome to this moon's herbal tarot reading! 

This new moon is in social, adaptable gemini, a mutable air sign representing themes such as communication, connections and intellectual inspiration. Ruled by swift moving planet mercury and associated with the colour yellow, I felt drawn to set up for this reading looking out onto Edinburgh's Salisbury Crags amongst a swathe of buttercups gently shivering in the breeze. 

It's a slightly overcast evening after recent sunny spells, but the flowers brighten up the cloudy midsummer evening light. It's a joy to sit outdoors with my flask of tea, feeling the earth beneath me, cozy on a rug, and finally getting to know my beautiful new Mucha Tarot cards, a gift from my sweet sister.

I scanned around me for nearby plant life and spot plantain seed heads, fluffy white cow parsley, vibrant purple pea flowers of common vetch vines peeking out at me invitingly. I gather a few for the tarot offering and settle down to marvel at their shapes and colours. 

My shuffling and plant arranging amongst a shimmering sea of golden petals attracts some curious dogs enjoying the evening air and their apologetic pet humans. I don't mind at all. I love dogs and reminds me of many great times leisurely lounging out in nature with my dear Whisky dog. 

It strikes me that dogs embody in many ways the qualities of gemini: curious, adaptable, playful, friendly. For many of us these fur-babies invite us to reconnect with a lightness of heart and unadulterated joy that can get lost with the cynicism of age... 

Now on to your reading...

Take a moment to 

breathe... 

into your heart... 

relax... 

body & mind... 

close your eyes 

& focus your intention 

for the upcoming cycle.

When you are ready, open your eyes and choose your card:

Card 1     Card 2     Card 3

Love and blessings,

Fiona Morris - Herbalist & AstroTarot Reader

www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk

Herbal Wellness Plans | Courses & Workshops | Wild Remedy Walks

Holistic Body Massage | Indian Head Massage | Tea & Tarot Readings

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PLEASE NOTE!

If you are reading this on the 

main home page of my blog, 

**Stop scrolling down now** 

to avoid spoilers of your card 

reading in the blogs posts below

Herbal Tarot New Moon in Gemini Card No 1

You chose card no. 1

~ 8 of Pentacles ~

A solitary man kneels under a tree a safe distance from the distractions of local life, focused, determined, hard at work, skillfully crafting golden discs with his own hands.

He is dedicated to his art, consistently honing his skill with single pointed dedication and commitment. He has gone far beyond his apprenticeship and training, taking pride in his work with greater sense of ease and flow. His skills have become second nature. Creative output flows in a rhythmic and more structured way.

The craftsman is driven and passionate about his art, willing to sacrifice time and energy to throw himself into his career and produce his offerings to the world. It is easy to concentrate and focus, pouring heart and soul in your efforts when mind, body and spirit is in alignment.

Any awkward phase of trial and errors has long passed and solid progress can be made which is sure to pay off on many levels, such as personal security, professional growth, attracting respect and admiration from your peers.

Where does your passion lie? What structures are needed to bring your gifts to the next level? How can you create time and space away from daily distractions to allow a prolific outpouring from your creative heart? What can you do to optimally nourish yourself for a focused and productive period of creative intensity?

A Herb for Endurance ~ Siberian Ginseng

When you have set yourself a challenge and make a decision to commit to it with blood, sweat and tears, there are times you may feel energy flagging or a tendency to overdo leads to burn out.

Herbs with adaptogenic actions support your body in coping with the physical and mental demands of temporary self imposed stresses. Siberian Ginseng is one such herb. It is the root of the plant that is used, the part that holds steadfast to endure harsh and extreme environmental hardships through stormy wild weather and helps it to thrive regardless.

Taking this herb as a tincture, capsule or elixir on its own or alongside other supportive herbs may greatly aid short term personal missions. This may allow for a greater sense of energy when it is needed most, to give our body a boost of energy, balancing our adrenal stress response and maintain alertness.

There are times in life when we feel called to test our limits and go beyond. This herb may help, but also ensure that you look after yourself well with quality rest and nourishment too.

Your determination and focus can reap great rewards. Commitment to your work and art is admirable and serves you well in moving forward powerfully in the cycle ahead.

********

I hope you have enjoyed your reading and find it supportive in moving forward into the next cycle. 

I'd love to hear how this resonates with you. If you have any insights, connections, recollections, I welcome you to share them with me in a comment below, a personal message, or on my Nourish and Flourish FB page.

If you have friends you think might appreciate it, please do share :)

For occasional updates of upcoming new moon readings, soulful self care tips, herbal wellness blog adventures, holistic clinics and events, I invite you to click here to sign up for your free Nourish and Flourish Love Letters delivered by email directly to your inbox. 

For personal tarot readings or herbal consultations, you are welcome to contact me for further info.

Love & healing blessings,

Fiona Morris 

Herbalist & AstroTarot Reader

www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk

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Herbal Tarot New Moon in Gemini Card No 2

Your chose card no. 2

~ 7 of Pentacles ~

A man gathers the fruits of his labour out in the fields. He looks a little weary, having put energy into preparing his land and tending his crops. However, now he is starting to experience abundance and the rewards of his previous efforts. There is still work to be done, but there is always time to stop and smell the roses.

Projects that have been set in motion need to be followed through. In our daily grind, the monotony of daily mundane, repetitive tasks can make it easy to lose sight of the bigger picture at times. We may get a little restless when stuck in the thick of things. Some despondency may creep in where life appears to have lost its sparkle.

When you find yourself in that state of mind, what can you do to brighten up and shake things up a bit? It's important to allow some space to regain some perspective at times. Remember to remind yourself of how blessed you are, be aware of the abundance around us that we can sometimes take for granted.

Although you may be committed to seeing something through to its end and it feels like a hard slog, take some time to appreciate how far you've come. Remind yourself where you have chosen to head to, remember your 'whys', bring your hopes, goals and dreams to mind. Then return back to the here and now.

Make an intention to be mindful of the blessings to be found in everyday life. Be grateful for your health, your home, your resources. Your loved ones, daily meals and rituals bless you daily. A practice of being thankful expands your sense of abundance. Focusing on this awareness may restore a sense of joy and celebration for what lies on your doorstep, which grows even stronger as your gratitude practice deepens.

A Herbal Tea Blend for Optimism and Cheer

When making herbal tea blend, consider not only the therapeutic action, but how the colour and taste make us feel. For a sense of joyfulness, Lemon Balm has a calming and uplifting effect, delicious in teas, especially fresh, with a touch of zing in its zesty flavour. With its antiviral effects it also has an immune strengthening benefit, to offer a pick me up when run down by the hum drum of life.

Adding a touch of colour may be visually therapeutic. The sunny flashes of yellow and orange of chamomile and marigold flowers bring an element of sunshine to herbal tea blends whether fresh or dried. Watching them swirl in a pot or cup transports you to another world, beaming light to your cuppa. These herbs are settling to the nervous system and soothing to digestion. 

Sometimes a little time out to refresh the senses and contemplating a lovingly made cup of tea with a thankful heart is all you need to get back on track.

********

I hope you have enjoyed your reading and find it supportive in moving forward into the next cycle. 

I'd love to hear how this resonates with you. If you have any insights, connections, recollections, I welcome you to share them with me in a comment below, a personal message, or on my Nourish and Flourish FB page.

If you have friends you think might appreciate it, please do share :)

For occasional updates of upcoming new moon readings, soulful self care tips, herbal wellness blog adventures, holistic clinics and events, I invite you to click here to sign up for your free Nourish and Flourish Love Letters delivered by email directly to your inbox. 

For personal tarot readings or herbal consultations, you are welcome to contact me for further info.

Love & healing blessings,

Fiona Morris 

Herbalist & AstroTarot Reader

www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk

Let's connect: Facebook l Twitter l Blog l Instagram l Pinterest

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Herbal Tarot New Moon in Gemini Card No 3

You chose card no. 3

~ XV The Devil ~

An attractive woman in opulent finery invites you to her fiery lair. She is alluring and mysterious, with feet of a goat, wings of a bat, a head dress of peacock feathers and ram's horns, a cheeky red tail.

Oooh, this one is a biggie! Are you ready for this? Summon up all your emotional resilience, the Devil card is one that holds a lot of push and pull, attraction and resistance, a yang to our yin. She evokes some strong emotions, passion, surrender, enjoyment, denial. 

Are you aware of your weaknesses? We all have them. They are so easy to observe in others, but not always so easy to observe in ourselves. However, true healing can only start from within. What areas of your life keep you feeling small and trapped? Where do you feel ready to strengthen and grow? What have you outgrown? What needs to be released and brought back into balance?

As challenging as this card may be, do we really want to keep brushing these issues back under the carpet or hidden away in a dark closet? Or is it time to clear out those cobwebs and give those dark corners of our mind a thorough spring clean?

The ram's horns symbolise a tendency to react without mindfulness or reflection of the consequences. In this card, a naked woman and man sit on the Devil's outstretched open hands. They are not in her clutches, as we might imagine. They are perfectly free to go whenever they choose. They are not imprisoned except for the self imposed shackles of their own minds.

By choosing this card, you are presented with an opportunity to honestly review your choices for what they truly are in the plain light of day. There is no fault. No one is to blame, but simply seemingly irresistible life choices that throw you into a dramatic dilemma of 'bad' and 'good'. In the clear light of wisdom, it is neither bad nor good, only what your mind chooses or has been conditioned to believe.

It may feel challenging to work with areas we feel seduced by and where we seem to have no power. We can become fiercely defensive of them as they remind us of our vulnerabilities, but this is precisely where conscious transformation has potential to grow.

The peacock's feathers may represent vanity and pride. On the other side of the coin, they are also symbolic of spiritual wisdom, in this case one that comes from an awakening and desire to liberate yourself from habits that keep you playing small. What is causing inflammation and irritation? What are you in denial of? If you're not sure, tune into your higher self for the answer. 

So what are your vices? Is it time for a fresh look at them? Perhaps their grip is not as tight as once imagined. In the shadow of night they may appear attractive, but on closer inspection things are rarely what they seem. Perhaps this devil is not the demoness she is made out to be, to be feared and reviled as much as our own ignorance? Is it even possible to grow without going through trials like these? Bring them on!   

A Herb to Help Release Addictions ~ Wood Betony 

Allowing for positive change physically, mentally, emotionally may call for humility. Thoughts and feelings of shame and regret may arise initiating another self-defeating cycle of negativity. Take the passion you currently hold for your addictions and self-limiting objects of desire and channel that resolve into training your mind in the areas of your life that you are ready to give strength to.

In the mean time, nervous system tonics, such as Wood Betony, in your tea blends or tinctures may ease the effect of these thought processes through the transitional period towards inner strength and freedom. This herb promotes a grounding effect in the body. It nourishes the nervous system and helps us get out of over thinking and headiness.

Your strength is forged through the temptress' tests. It's time wake up to your weakness and reclaim your power.

********

I hope you have enjoyed your reading and find it supportive in moving forward into the next cycle. 

I'd love to hear how this resonates with you. If you have any insights, connections, recollections, I welcome you to share them with me in a comment below, a personal message, or on my Nourish and Flourish FB page.

If you have friends you think might appreciate it, please do share :)

For occasional updates of upcoming new moon readings, soulful self care tips, herbal wellness blog adventures, holistic clinics and events, I invite you to click here to sign up for your free Nourish and Flourish Love Letters delivered by email directly to your inbox. 

For personal tarot readings or herbal consultations, you are welcome to contact me for further info.

Love & healing blessings,

Fiona Morris 

Herbalist & AstroTarot Reader

www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk

Let's connect: Facebook l Twitter l Blog l Instagram l Pinterest

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Love Letter ~ Join me for a cuppa...

How's your day been? Do join me for a cup of tea, make yourself comfy and let's catch up...

A reviving cuppa and restorative time out

I love trying out new tea infusions. Lately I have been enjoying freshly picked sweet cicely and hawthorn tops tea with my Tuesday evening foraging group, and treated myself to some me time and a pot of orange blossom oolong at a local cafe. What are your favourite brews just now?

It's felt extra important for me lately to get good quality time out as there's lots going on in my world just now. Alongside my wonderful clinic space at Neal's Yard Remedies in Edinburgh's city centre, I've recently started a new Friday clinic and have upcoming herbal workshops at The Salisbury Centre, a meditation and holistic centre in Edinburgh's south side, looking out to a beautiful garden.

I'm very much looking forward to the Sacred Self Care Day Retreat that I will be hosting there this weekend on Sat 23rd May. We will be connecting with and contemplating nature, exploring healing rituals for self care from around the world, making nature art and natural remedies. There are still spaces so do get in touch if you'd like to join us. I'd love to see you there.

Foraging for Herbs and Nature Art Medicine

It's very well timed for another lovely event that I'm looking forward to attending myself, a Nepal Benefit Cacao Prayer Ceremony and fundraiser for the recent catastrophes in Nepal that will take place in the evening also at The Salisbury Centre after the herbal retreat day.

There are a couple more herbal events also happening this weekend that I am offering for free on Sunday at Spa in The City on 'Herbal Travel Self Care' and a 'DIY Natural Beauty Retreat', with more events in the planning for the summer. Visit my events page and upcoming love letters for more info on these. I am working on a couple of other exciting new offerings too which I will be revealing more about in a few weeks...

In other news, I was honoured to be asked to feature alongside an amazing and inspiring line up for a free online series of interviews by Faith Canter, celebrating the release of her upcoming book. My interview is this Friday 22nd May, so I hope you get a chance to watch it! Here's the link if you would like to sign up.

Merry Marigolds Celebrating 

The Secret Herb Garden's 1st Year Anniversary

I am so grateful to be working with nature. It really grounds me, especially when I have many projects and events happening in a short space of time. With the flurry of goings on, I have to create opportunities to unwind and keep in balance. For me, going on relaxing non-work related outings outdoors and planning trips away from home is essential to keep my spirits high, keep my perspectives in check, and to have things to look forward to.

I recently enjoyed a visit to The Secret Herb Garden with my hubby for their 1st birthday bash. They served fabulous food and drinks infused with and inspired by herbs. I caught up with one of my herbal tutors from university, David Pirie, and joined the herb walk he was leading around their wonderful plant nursery, green houses and fields of vibrant herbs.

So what do you do to get grounded and back in balance when you have lots going on? Do you make the time for your body and mind to unwind when life gets hectic? Let me know about your self care rituals. I'd love to hear from you.

I look forward to connecting with you further on my latest blogs, upcoming events and clinics that you can find further information about in the links below. Any feedback and suggestions for future blog posts and love letter features are warmly welcomed.

Take great care of yourself,

Fiona Morris

MA BSc (Hons) Dip SBM MNIMH

Medical Herbalist, Massage Therapist 

& AstroTarot Reader

www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk

Herbal Wellness Plans | Courses & Workshops | Wild Remedy Walks 

Holistic Body Massage | Indian Head Massage | Tea & Tarot Readings

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Love Letter ~ Cherry Blossoms & Healing Journeys

 

Dear Flourishing Friend,

Here in Edinburgh we have had the most amazing spell of springtime sunshine. The dandelions have been loving it, shining their vibrant yellow blooms for all to see and luring me outside to play with them on a daily basis. I have been hanging out with these dandy dudes, picking their flower heads to make nourishing nature mandalas, solar infused oil, and liver detox teas.

The evenings are getting longer here in Edinburgh which is such a luxury when the weather is so fine. I have been outside feeling my bare feet on the grass, reading my book on a cosy rug with a flask of tea under the trees in the park nearby.

I am surprised at times to see so few people enjoying their evenings outdoors, especially when the sun is still shining. The only folk who seem to be out and about are those being walked by their dogs. I am reminded of my daily outings with my dear companion Whisky dog, who I lost to cancer a year and a half ago.

As much as I love the outdoors, I venture out a lot less than when she was with me. In caring for her needs, I was inadvertently nurturing my own, being nourished by spending healing time in nature. Now that she is gone, I have become aware how important that time spent outside is for my body and soul.

I started to resist going out daily. In a way, walking those familiar paths would remind me of her. It still gave me an ache in my heart to know she wasn't going to pop out from behind the bushes where she might be sniffing around.

I am grateful for my knowledge of healing herbs and plants to be leading walks outdoors as part of my work, but in between these times I noticed that my 'to dos' would usually get the better of me and apart from occasionally cycling to and from clinics, getting outside seemed to be pushed further and further down my priority list.

My hips and back started noticing my reduction in hill walking. My bicycle seat was at slightly awkward angle and I kept forgetting to ask my hubby to help fix it for me. I started to feel tingles and mild sciatica on one side, a general gradual stiffening in the lower back over many months which became acute after being struck down with a particularly nasty virus last November. After a week in bed and constant coughing, my back went into a spasm for about 3 weeks.

My usually flexible and agile body was transformed into that of a 90 year old, bent double, leaning on radiators and drawers to hobble around. I was in tears on a couple of nights and in a panic as I couldn't get out of bed to go to the toilet without excruciating pain.

People often say to me, "You must never get sick as a herbalist!" Well, I assure you I am subject to illness, accidents, stress and misfortune as all human beings are even with the vast array of healing herbal remedies at my fingertips!
 

I was doing a lot of emotional healing work and shifting last year which I am aware was also tied in with my physical aches and pains. I had been ignoring the subtle whispers of my body to take better care of myself, until it started to shout and finally scream in agony.

Finally I listened. I had no choice, I could hardly move. I was emotionally and physically exhausted after a personally challenging few years. I had been made redundant, changed work places several times, lost my beloved canine companion, endured a vicious personal attack over several months, keptafloat to support friends, family and clients going through their own personal challenges, organised a wedding, experienced a lot of upheavals, ups and downs...

Eventually, it all got too much. I needed to STOP... Slow... Right... Down...

So this racing hare transformed into a stiff old tortoise. Through my body being thrown out of balance, I found myself exactly where I needed to be. In a still, quiet, space, to heal my body, mind and spirit. I have been on a journey of self-love and empowerment, working through frustrations and pain to listen to my wise higher self, tune in to my creative flow and intuition, growing stronger roots to serve my community from a more grounded place, regaining my strength with the help of loving support networks and easing myself into a greater sense of flow, fun and playfulness.

I have rekindled my relationship with nature by discovering a passion for creating nature art and flower mandalas. It helps me get into a meditative healing space and deepens my connection with the plants that cross my path. I now cannot wait to get outside and see which plants will present themselves to play with me. I am fascinated by the shapes and colours that form out of the foliage I forage for art, contemplation, eating, drinking and remedy making.
 

So how about you? Do you find the space and time to tune into your body's whispers? How are you nurturing your body, mind and spirit? How is nature speaking to you? What could you do to nurture that relationship more?

I'd love to hear your thoughts and welcome you to explore in your own journal, or share with me in the comments, or via your favourite form of social media. If you wish, you can join me at my online playgrounds on any of the links below.

I look forward to connecting with you further on my latest blogs, some exciting upcoming herbal events, my clinics, especially my new clinic space on Fridays in the Garden Room at The Salisbury Centre, and my latest complimentary new moon readings here on my blog.

Spring blossom bliss and blessings,

Fiona Morris 

Herbalist & Holistic Therapist

PS This blog is one of my love letters sent out to my subscribers along with my latest upcoming creative holistic herbal healing events, walks and clinic offers. 

If you would like my love letters sent directly to your email inbox, I invite you to sign up for my Nourish and Flourish Love Letters and look forward to receiving these loving updates from me to you.

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Natural Healing with Dandelion Wild Edible & Herbal Remedy

I love this humble, hardy little plant. The dandelion is the bane of many gardeners with its tenacious roots and resolve to bounce back despite any efforts to destroy it. That's part of its character that I love so much, its strength and resilience.

I also love its vibrant yellow colour blooming even brighter in the sunshine, but also cheery on more overcast days. It tends to close up however as evening approaches and when it senses wet weather is on the way. To gaze on its bright blossoms is uplifting for stress and moods, extracts of the flowers also add this warming colour to healing skin applications.

The whole plant is nutrient and cleansing so great for supporting our organs of detoxification, kidneys, liver and gall bladder. It's rich in potassium, calcium, iron, manganese and magnesium, vitamins A, B, C, K and more.

The bitter root has a stronger action on the liver and gall bladder, as a cholegogue, increases flow of bile, which improves a sluggish digestion, a great and gentle remedy for constipation, even suitable in pregnancy, compared to some of the stronger and more laxative herbal remedies.

The leaf is also bitter, but a bit gentler so more suitable for kidney cleansing, an effective diuretic, which is rich in potassium unlike pharmaceutical diuretics which depletes this mineral. It's a great aid for water retention and swelling. A herbalist who I used to work with when I was at Napier's Clinics, Dee Atkinson says she uses it as part of a blend to support swollen feet and ankles on long haul flights.

Its name in French 'Pissenlit', literally means to piss in the bed, so be aware that it does flush the system and increase urinary output. Perhaps don't take it just before bedtime!

The latex from the stem has been used as a traditional remedy to apply to warts, and also used to help heal burns and stings. Natural and wild first aid at its best!

The flower pollen also has anti infective benefits. Its flower is also rich in vitamins and minerals, so good to help heal skin irritations, strengthen skin quality and detox tissues to aid muscle and joint aches and pain. You can apply the oil directly on, or make into creams or balms for external use, use internally blended with salad dressings for a nutritious cleansing edible.

Someone on my facebook page said she thought she remembered someone making a wash for the skin and the eyes with the flowers too, and wondered if people thought its properties similar to calendula. I haven't come across any specific comparisons between dandelion and calendula as yet, but certainly with their yellow-orange colour they are rich in carotenes, particularly lutein and zeaxanthin, which convert to Vitamin A in the body, beneficial to eye and skin health.

The flowers are both rich in nutrients soothing to skin irritations applied as an infused oil. I would think of calendula as having more anti fungal benefits and better for skin granulation and healing, so better for cuts & grazes though dandelion flowers also would be beneficial. Certainly a lot more freely available growing everywhere, such a generous plant! Why not give it a go? Click here for the recipe.

For edible use the flower have a delicate, light floral taste, lovely to sprinkle the petals as a salad or meal garnish. The green bases add a little bitterness when infusing into an oil which promote detoxification but can be removed if for edible use and a less bitter flavour is preferred. I like to leave a bit of green myself for the cleansing effects.

You could also add in leaves to the mix to increase bitterness for a stronger detox effect, as it's good for generalised water retention and excess swelling, promoting anti inflammatory action. Be cautious of this if you have diagnosed health conditions, on medicines. Consult your GP and herbalist for guidance.

In Western countries, the leaves are gathered for spring salads or to use as a wilted bitter green in side dishes. The roots are more popularly eaten as a vegetable in Eastern countries like Japan.

The roots are well known roasted as a coffee substitute, although coffee lovers should be warned it doesn't really taste like coffee. It is however an extremely nutritious hot drink, which is more supportive to the bowels and less irritant to the kidneys compared to coffee, so certainly helpful if you are considering reducing coffee consumption. I like to mix roasted dandelion root with chai spices for an invigorating digestive drink, that blends well with nut and seed milks for a healthy milky hot drink alternative.

As a tea the flowers and leaves can be infused fresh or dried, and the dried roots boiled (decocted) for a detoxifying drink. Quite helpful for headaches linked with liver congestion and poor diet, or taken regularly when embarking on a period of cleansing and detoxification.

The seed heads are also fun for making wishes and therapeutic to play with. I spotted this video on Youtube recently which highlights one of the many fun things you can do with dandelion with kids and adults alike. Brought a big smile to my face :)

I have recently connected with Christine Argo, a naturopathic herbalist and high priestess of the Church of Nature, a non-denomination spiritual centre inspired by the healing power of nature. It's a beautiful concept, and right up my alley with my own passion for creative healing, nature and more spiritual approach to healthcare.

If that sounds like your kind of thing too, I'd invite you to check out her soulful natural healing work, particularly her recent radio show exploring the many uses and energy of our beloved Dandelion plant. You can listen in on this link to access the recording in the Nature's Channel FM archives, at her Power of Flowers to Heal show.

While listening in myself, I discovered that dandelion as a flower essence is absolutely perfect for me just now. These sunny, vibrant, social, generous little plants can be personified as folk who love life so much to the point of getting overwhelmed through wanting to do too much! Definitely a tendency I have. No wonder these lovely lion flowers are speaking to me so strongly at the moment!

I will make the flower remedy and try it out on myself, it's exactly what I feel I need. I also made a detoxing tea from the fresh flowers, which is an ideal complement to the reflexology and acupuncture treatments to support my flow and mobility which I am receiving from my wonderful friends and experienced colleagues Sue and Paul of The Natural Health Clinic, based at Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh not far from me. 

I intend to use the root more to feel grounded and improve my core and digestive processes which can get out of balance when I get all over-excited mentally and my head becomes top heavy just like dandelion's big round head on its thin little stem body! I had a lot of trouble with this especially when I was studying at university for my MA Philosophy and BSc Herbal Medicine honours degrees.

Eight years collectively of heavy duty mental focus, I'm still getting back into balance after all that! That's why I love hanging out with nature so much. I find it truly healing on every level.

I could go on waxing lyrical about my dandelion buddies, but I shall leave you with that for now. No doubt they will make a reappearance on my blog again in the future. If you want to try making your own remedy, here's the link for a simple dandelion remedy recipe.

I was also interviewed by the lovely Natasha of Forage Botanicals on the medicinal uses of dandelion, check out her podcast to hear more about our sunny leonine friends: http://www.foragebotanicals.co.uk/listen-podcast//e05-dandelion

I'd love to hear about your experiences and uses of dandelion, or reflections on what I've mentioned here in the blog. If you fancy it, I'd love to hear from you in the comments or on any of the social media links below.

Have a doodle dandy day!

Fiona Morris 

Herbalist & Holistic Therapist

www.fionamorrisherbalist.co.uk

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