Herb Group Meeting Jan ’11
Sussex Herb Group met for the third time on a rather grey cold Saturday afternoon.
The woodburner in the potting shed was very welcome – thank you Martin!
The main focus of our meeting this time was to continue the design for our new Community Herb Garden, this is a very exciting project for us and I know we can’t wait to get planting ( only a few more months.. :0) however, seeds were planted today; Milkthistle and Foxglove to name a couple!
We also marked out the path on our plot and spoke about the general design and layout of the garden.
This garden is intended to be a working herb garden where members of the community can reap rewards of their labours by harvesting some herbs for home remedies. It is also to be a place of teaching and learning about herbs, both in terms of growing and medicinal application.
I think a photo diary would be an idea.. watch this space!
Our herb of the meeting was Cinnamon. We sampled the Aromatic water of Cinnamon and compared this with the tincture and the Essential oil.
Cinnamomum verum from Sri Lanka, an evergreen tree of the laurel family.
The inner bark is used medicinally, although an essential oil from the leaf may be obtained.
Cinnamon contains polyphenolic polymers which are water soluble and cinnamaldehyde, the more oily constituent responsible for the aroma of Cinnamon.
Medicinally we can use Cinnamon at home as a powder or a decoction if suffering from a cold or flu, it is a whole body tonic, warming and comforting, stimulating circulation and promoting sweating. Traditionally used for coughs and sore throats by Galen and Dioscorides, Cinnamon can also assist in resolving sinus problems and congestion in the upper respiratory tract both as a decoction and as a steam inhalation.
Cinnamon is also anti-microbial/anti bacterial and as well as being effective against Candida albicans and H.Pylori,
it can be used as a mouth wash for oral thrush or any infections in the mouth. I add a few drops of Cinnamon essential oil to some Myrrh tincture as a very effective anti bacterial/ anti fungal mouthwash.
It’s antispasmodic action relieves stomach cramps and unsettled digestion; flatulence & nausea and it’s astringent action from the tannins can help resolve diahorrea.
Studies have shown Cinnamon to have a marked effect on blood sugar levels, (something I have witnessed in practice)
and it is worth reading some of the studies, here is a useful link to some ( copy and paste into browser)
http://www.greenmedinfo.com/search/node/cinnamon
phew! no wonder Cinnamon was once considered more valuable than gold!!
ps: Cinnamon is contraindicated in pregnancy due to the action of cinnamaldehyde.
Our next herb group meeting is March 26th 2pm – all welcome