OFFICINALIS

When you see this word in the botanical name of a plant, sit up and pay attention. Not only does it mean that this plant has hundreds, if not thousands of years of  recorded use, it also generally means that it could be a dynamic accumulator.

Officinalis c. 1720 – kept in stock by a druggist; Medieval Latin – literally “of or belonging in an Officine” a storeroom for medicines and  necessaries.

And while I could go into great detail I really don’t want to bore you, so when you simplify how you look at it, these herbs have very deep root systems that bring nutrients up to the surface and to the plant, thereby bringing them up to surrounding areas as well. It also means that you do not want them in a bed that receives large quantities of irrigation. the more you water it,the more shallow the root system. Once you have it established,walk away and let it do its own foraging.

In a permaculture type environment, this is something to always keep in the back of your mind. One of the most important things you can do is keep nutrients close to the surface.

Plants like marshmallow(althea officinalis), asparagus(asparagus officinalis) lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), all are very good at bringing nutrients to the surrounding soil. Even the lowly dandelion(taraxacum officinale) is a dynamic accumulator!  And as a bonus they are all edible in one form or another!

So here are some of my favorite Officinales

Asparagus (Asparagus officinalis) Asparagus is either loved or hated by anyone who tastes it, and I am a lover of this fabulous plant. It’s nutty flavor combined with the char of a grill are simply fantastic. I am currently testing a theory that basil planted with it attracts ladybugs, always a plus in the garden.

Borage (Borago Officinalis) Borage is another officinalis that is an excellent dynamic accumulator. That is, its roots run deep into the soil to bring nutrients up to the plant. However, be careful with your placement as it has a tendency to spread quite rapidly, and must be maintained. On the plus side, those flowers that you need to trim to keep the seeds at bay are great in salads, and the leaves are used in salads in other areas of the world, though not so commonly here.

Comfrey ( symphytum officinale) What an accumulator! This plant has the most amazing use as a fertilizer! It roots can go up to ten feet below the surface, allowing it to get to nutrients that have not been to the surface in many years. Many people will grow comfrey just to cut the stem off and let it decompose around other vegetables where extra nutrients are needed. Others will make a comfrey tea from the decomposing leaves to pour over other garden plants. If you are into sustainable vegan fertilizing, this plant is a must have.

Dandelion (taraxicum Officinale) I am harvesting flower petals for tea this time of year, and I can tell you this poor plant has an awful reputation,  and a LONG history as a useful plant, from tea, to salad greens, to coffee, this plant can do it all!

Lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis) One of my favorite scents in the garden, and one I keep planted in areas around the patio, lemon balm needs to be controlled, as it spreads quite rapidly by rhizome. Melissa (in Greek means honey bee) attracts pollinators in great numbers, and is well worth putting in a controlled bed where it cannot spread.

Lovage (Levisticum officinale) While not technically listed as a dynamic accumulator, lovage has some great characteristics that make it valuable in the landscape. Keep in mind though, that at 4 to 8 feet, it needs to be at the back of the garden. It is a fabulous insect nectary, but needs to be cut down before it seeds out, which is an excellent time to dry some for seasoning broths during the winter months.

Marigold (Calendula Officinalis)Don’t confuse this with your common marigold that most people use as an insect repellant in the garden. The florets of this beautiful plant are used in salads and as a replacement for saffron in recipes. They are also used as a natural dye.

Rosemary (rosmarius officinalis) Ok, so this might be one of my favorite herbs (maybe because I am right on the edge of its northern range as a perennial, and it has been coming back every year.) I use it frequently in cooking, and it has a fabulous history for use as a food item. It is also one of those plants that requires very little care, put it in a bed with a good ground cover and harvest to your hearts content.

While there are plenty more I could choose from, these will get you started as I research a hefty list for more wonderful officinale’s for tidbits to help you out. My current research is learning about cynoglossum officinale or more commonly known as Houndstongue..I can’t wait to read about it!

Poison Ivy, Poison oak, Poison Sumac…which ever one you get yourself into, if you are allergic to it, it is miserable! We have tons of the stuff here on the homestead. There is no possible way to keep up with it, unless I take all the trees down, and I am most definitely not doing that (if anything, I would plant more!), so we have to deal with getting ambushed by it on a regular basis.

As the old sayings go, “leaves of three, let them be” and “hairy rope, don’t be a dope”, are great little ditties to remember, but not a magic warding spell for sure! No matter how many times I chant them to myself and the heavens, somehow I always end up smack dab in the middle of poison “leaves” de jour.

Thankfully though, there are some wonderful natural remedies that can help take the itchy skitchy out of the encounter!

Virginia Creeper: It grows where the ivy’s grow, if you think you may have touched it grab some leaves from the vine and rub them on the area exposed. Just make sure it is leaves of FIVE first!

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Jewelweed: These leaves help neutralize as well. I have not tried this one but intend to next time I find it at the same time I get in a tussle with one of the poison vines.

 

SO HOW DO I GET RID OF IT?

Dish Soap: The most important step! Wash it off with a good grease cutting soap. This will remove most of the oil that has not penetrated the skin. This is one of things that you have to do as soon as humanly possible to minimize the effects of the poison oil.

Wash your clothes and any other item that may have come into contact with it.

Oatmeal: Grind some up and take a soothing oatmeal bath, or even a paste you can apply with a cotton ball. This is one of my favorites.

Baking Soda Paste: Dissolve a cup of baking soda in your bath or if a small enough area I like to put a  baking soda pack on it and leave it til dry. I will sometimes make a pack and just wrap it for a while.

Calamine lotion: A mixture of zinc oxide and ferric acid or iron, it makes a wonderful anti-itch lotion.

Cucumbers: make a paste from them and apply for a soothing effect.

Apple Cider vinegar: helps healing by breaking down the oils. It can also be cooling though it may sting at first.

Alcohol: It will help break up the oils, you can use either isopropyl or grain.

Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera is great once the spot has stopped oozing. It will speed up healing.

So as we prepare for our spring mushroom season,  prepare yourself with knowledge! I am!

TREE OF LIFE

Garden Of Eden, Arborvitae( Native American), Our Lymphatic System

Everyone by now knows that I Love Plants. I love reading about plants too. So when it comes to the Tree Of Life you just know I want to learn as much as possible about it. The Tree of Life is a common symbol in many religions, and a bunch of trees are also called trees of life, but in my current studies I am having fun with one of them. Did you know that the Lymphatic system is called the Tree Of Life of the body? I didn’t either, but ever since I read that, I have been intrigued. These are some of the names for the Lymphatic system.

Tree of Life

Our Immune System

Our Circulatory System

Our Purification system

The Sewer System of the Body

Now, as someone who is constantly moving around, whether I want to or not (anyone who has a labor intensive job can relate), one would think that I get a healthy amount of exercise, but as I found out, there is one thing I don’t do much on the farm, and it is the one thing that keeps the lymphatic system running at peak energy. I can throw 50 pound feed bags around with the best of them, so it isn’t weight lifting. Having to chase down a chicken that does not want to be caught helps, but I don’t have to run every day, nor do I necessarily want to burn the calories.  I recently found out that , unlike the cardiovascular system, which is pumped by the heart, the lymphatic system must have muscle movement to circulate through the body, drop off nutrients where needed, and pick up toxins to flush on the way back. How did I not know that? Maybe because I couldn’t stand to cut the poor frog up in biology while it’s little heart was still pumping. Either way, I missed that part in school.

So what is the one thing I can do to keep the lymphatic system pumping?

I can bounce. Specifically, Jumping Jacks are simply amazing at getting energy and everything else moving in the body. So simple, and yet a few jumping jacks an hour is enough to keep the flow moving, so if you are like me and just don’t have desire to drive (30) miles to an exercise gym, (the chickens will not approve, but hay! You might need to chase a cow down one day), and it will pay off. Bounce!

For those of you who have not managed to leave that desk job yet for life in the great outdoors, or just aren’t able, bouncing in your chair can help as well.

Who would have thought reading about a tree could give you a new view of an exercise routine resurrected from our youth? I sure didn’t!