Close
Menu

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

Related Posts

Testimonials

Perimenopause
When the first signs of perimenopause arrived I knew that I should do something to help myself. My Mum had a really rough time with her transition to menopause and ended up taking HRT which has never been on my list of acceptable treatments for many reasons. My first port of call was always going to be Andrea, who is the gentlest, kindest and most generous of medical practitioners that I have ever come across. Within two weeks of starting to take my herbal medicine my symptoms were r… Read more
HelenGuernsey
Back to normal
Following almost 20 years of surgery, antibiotics and steroids for sinusitis, I became extremely run down, caught Pneumonia and almost died. I spent 10 days in hospital. Thank goodness for the NHS and their life saving care. Yet it was Andrea and her herbs (the girls!) that allowed me to live my life again. It has now been over a year since my first visit to her calm and quiet surgery. I always look forward to going. Since the first visit, my health and energy improved and continues to do so.… Read more
Mr W TraversGoring by Sea
Uplifted
I felt very uplifted after our appointment, and have remained so today. I am also hopeful that I may still be able to avoid surgery after all, thanks to your expert ministration of the beautiful healing herbs. I really appreciate all your support and caring attention. You are a true Light-Worker.
Uplifted
Help with ME/CFS
Went to see Andrea for a consultation again yesterday. I suffer from ME, and since she has helped me in the past to feel improvement, after going through a rough patch with it recently I turned to her for some help. She gave me a lot of helpful advice and also set me up with some herbal medicine and different vitamin supplements, specifically for my needs and to help support my health. Well, last night I took two of the Withania capsules before bed as she suggested and used some relaxation and… Read more
Help with ME/CFS
Everything seems to make sense and tie in perfectly
Everything seems to make sense and tie in perfectly.  You know I have only felt the anxious feelings a couple of days since starting the herbs and that was just before my period a week ago – and really mild This is the best month I have had for at least 6months – so something must be working! I am so grateful for all your help. The anxiety/moods really were taking over my life – affecting my relationship with my partner and the kids!
Everything seems to make sense and tie in perfectly
Andrea has changed my life!
I am 38 and have struggled with fatigue what feels like my whole life. Andrea has helped me and has changed my life, i am so grateful that i was introduced to Andrea from a friend. I have seen many doctors privately and through the NHS who have always come to a dead end. Andrea has prescribed me supplements and herbs which within 1 week I noticed a HUGE difference. I feel like a human again! I am continuing forward with Andrea and can’t wait to see more changes which i have full confidence wi… Read more
C Rainbow Crawley, W.Sussex
Complete sense of trust
I felt a complete sense of trust and safety after my visit to you.
Complete sense of trust
PMDD and Periods
Andrea was recommended to me as I have been struggling with PMDD since I was a teenager. I have been to my GP about my periods since I was 15, even speaking to a Gynecologist. There was absolutely no help and I felt so hopeless that I would experience PMDD forever. Andra recommended doing a DNA test for neurotransmitter pathways, as well as  vitamin tests and from the results, we could see what I needed and why I was experiencing the symptoms that were happening around my period. After a … Read more
MaisieWest Sussex
Mums Better
Andrea: my mum is so much better!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! my whole family is deeply thankful to you. She has made it off to Morroco this week, and would not have made it without your wonderful herbs and care.
Mums Better
Hashimoto's
I want to shout from the roof tops – I am SO MUCH BETTER I have worked with Andrea for  a few years on fibroids, adrenal weakness and for the past 3 years on an autoimmune thyroid  condition, from which point I embarked on both a huge change to my diet as well as taking herbs and supplements. I was VERY debilitated, unable to work at all, pacing myself through the day with a lot of rest alongside feeling utterly dreadful for days on end.
I have made slow progress and improvements as well as s… Read more
Hashimoto's
Andrea Hughes Western Medical Herbalist, Functional Medicine, Est 2003
Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.