Flower Moon in May: Columbines & Calendula

There are so many blooming ornamental plants in May: Cornus, Epimedium, Gaultheria, Grevillia, Hydrangea, Magnolia, Maianthemum, Rhododendron, Rubus, Viburnum, Wisteria, and so forth. In this case the best medicine is to go outside, get out of your head, take long walks in your local neighborhood or parks, smell flowers, and pay attention to the plants. Better yet - take your yoga mat to the park on a sunny day and set yourself up near some nice smelling flowers. My favorite place to see what's in bloom is at the Washington Park Arboretum - 130 acres and the second largest woody plant collection in the Western United States. (Don't harvest anything from there unless you are a rule breaker).

However you aren't going to make medicines out of those flowers. What flowers might you harvest in May? When considering what is abundantly available, you might try the more weedy flowers: Aquilegia (columbine), Calendula, Taraxacum, or Viola.

Aquilegia formosa

[Many colors of columbine grow in the arboretum at South Seattle College, May 10, 2017]

Western Columbine is in the same family as buttercup (Ranunculaceae) and is indeed beautiful, because it's flowering colors can be so varied within a small population - this is because they hybridize willingly [1]. The flowers can be eaten raw and added to salads, which apparently taste sweet because they are rich with nectar [1]. If you are going to eat the greens, they should be cooked [1]. Note that all parts of the plant contain cyanogenic glycosides so don't eat too much [2]. Although the body rapidly detoxes cyanides, they do inhibit oxidative cell processes, and with acute toxicity, can cause headaches, tightness in the throat and chest, and muscle weakness [3]. By comparison, bitter almonds are a high source of cyanides, which are commonly eaten.

Columbine was traditionally used by Native Americans as antispasmodic, diaphoretic, parasiticide, and salve, but is not used today in Western Herbalism. A decoction of the root was used for stomachaches, or mashed, fresh roots were rubbed on aching joints. Seeds were also chewed for stomachaches. A poulstice of chewed roots and leaves were applied to bee stings or sores. A decoction of the leaves was taken for sore throats, colds and coughs [1].

In addition, Native Americans would steep the flowers in hot water to use as a hair rinse [5]. So today I harvested a batch of flowers for making my own hair rinse. Since I haven't worked with this plant before, I feel like creating a hair rinse is a fairly safe introduction. The full moon PDT is at 2:42 pm today so I am harvesting as close to that time as possible, and processing immediately. Essentially I am steeping them in a decoction, after which I strain, bottle, and add a bit of apple cider vinegar so it lasts a little longer. Thank you beautiful plants!!

[Beautiful flowers in a pot that will receive some filtered water, May 10, 2017]

Calendula officinalis

I was first introduced to Calendula as an active ingredient in skincare products at the local market, and for a long time assumed it was only used topically, such as in salves. It was only years later when I started researching plants that I learned it is in the sunflower family (Asteraceae) and can cause a reaction for some people allergic to that plant family. Thank goodness I am not one of those people! The flowers are monoecious, which means either male or female, however they can both be found on the same plant [4]. (I am still learning how to tell them apart- see if you can.) Read my previous post about calendula here.

Calendula has a lot to offer for edibility: the leaves are nutritionally similar to dandelion, and the petals can be used as a saffron substitute [4]. The petals, high in carotenoids, are a good source of Vitamin A and C, and when dried, concentrate the flavor more [4]. Medicinally, they are antiseptic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, aperiant (relieve constipation), astringent, cholagogue (stimulating bile production), diaphoretic, emmenagogue, and vulnerary (wound healing) [4]. Calendula is most popular as a skin remedy for bites, stings, sprains, wounds, varicose veins, sore eyes, etc. A tea of the petals may be taken as an antiseptic to treat chronic infections [4].

It is a great plant for the garden - although a self-seeding annual that can get out of hand - because it is cheery and abundant. As a growing plant it can function to deter insects [4]. It has also been developed into a compost activator (dried and powdered with other plants) to speed up bacterial activity in compost piles [4] so you might explore that for yourself! You can use them to guess at weather forecasting, since the flowers close when wet weather is likely to occur [4]!

[Marigold in my garden, May 10, 2017]

I decided to add some petals of calendula to the Columbine Hair Rinse. The flowers are just starting to bloom now. As the summer progresses, and as they become more abundant, I am likely to experiment with food and salve making. As a gardener, my hands need all the help they can get.

Yoga for Inner Blooming

Practice chest and arm flowing exercises for a nice, gentle way to open your heart flower. Check out all the heart opening sequences on Yoga Journal. One way to discern if the movement or pose is safe is whether or not you can successfully achieve it without having to warm up. Warming up the body, such as with sun salutations, is great for getting deeper into poses - however your fascial framework is always functioning, no matter how cold your body is. To nurture more mindful opening, try working when you're feeling tight. Don't ever push. Just pay attention to where the tightness is and utilize easy, flowing movements to untangle stuck tissues. Borrowing from Traditional Chinese Medicine, the heart and pericardium meridians run through the core body and into the arms and fingertips, so you might focus on opening those channels. Or you might focus on the Anahata heart chakra, in the center of your chest, while you are moving, to give yourself something to stay present with. Most importantly, have fun!

[Really cool chart I found on the internet, May 11, 2017]

Works Cited

[1] Fisch. "Aquilegia formosa." Plants for a Future. May 10, 2017. http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Aquilegia+formosa
[2] Vizgirdas, Ray & Edna. Wild Plants of the Sierra Nevada. University of Nevada Press, 2009: p 62.
[3] Magnuson, Bernadene. "Cyanogenic glycosides." University of Idaho EXTOXNET. Summer 1999. May 20, 2017. http://extoxnet.orst.edu/faqs/natural/cya.htm
[4] L. "Calendula officinalis."Plants for a Future. May 10, 2017. http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Calendula+officinalis 
[5] Griffin, Judy. Mother Nature's Herbal. Llewellyn Publications, 1997: p 25.

Thyme for Clear Skin

The Thyme plant in the garden has really spread in the last two weeks. I'm curious to see if this will continue. At the same time I think it's asking for some attention, so I'm harvesting quite a bit to dry, for fresh sprigs for cooking, and for medicinal use. Another thing I'm researching right now is natural, organic skin care. Since skin is the largest organ of the body, and is most important for releasing toxins, if I am dealing with inflammations then I must turn my attention to what is getting in the way of thorough, constant detox. As I write this post I am wearing a French green clay mask! LOL.

Do you drink water, regularly clean yourself, eat fresh food, avoid drugs and processed foods, exercise? You're probably good. Me personally, I like to drink coffee. And although I bike most everywhere, I could sweat more (as the Bastyr doctor put it, "you have to actually sweat"). Internally, the right foods and herbs will aid your liver and kidneys - key for processing toxins. Externally, the right cleaning and herbs will aid your skin. I like all the information about various home remedies.

*Astringent and antispetic plant medicines.* Astringents cause tissue to constrict, so will close skin pores off from external irritants, and internally, will tone organ tissues. Cold water is the most classic astingent! Also oatmeal, yarrow and witch hazel. Antiseptics are antimicrobial and antibacterial, so fight against germs hanging out on the skin or in the body. Although the body produces it's own antiseptics (like gastic acids in the stomach) it's worthwhile to get help from plants. Dill, lavender, oregano, eucalyptus and thyme are all known for their antiseptic properties. If you pay attention to herbal skin products in stores you have seen these plant ingredients at the forefront. I am making a salve of oatmeal, witch hazel and lavender today.

In Medieval Europe Thyme was used to treat epilepsy and depression. Not only is thyme a strong antiseptic, but also an antispasmodic - so good for coughs and releasing phlegm. It's essential oil "Thymol" is antifungal. I wonder how to produce essential oils? I do not have the capacity right now but that would be so interesting to learn. http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Essential-Oils Here is a resource about other things to do with thyme: http://homecooking.about.com/od/foodhealthinformation/a/thymehealth.htm Lotions, mouthwash, toothpaste, insect repellant. Now I just have to find the time...