Medicine cabinet in your back garden: From curing insomnia to soothing sore hands, a delightful new book takes wellness back-to-basics

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Over the past year our world changed significantly; access to open countryside was repeatedly restricted; for those confined to towns, hedgerows and fields were off-limits. Many of us working from home were locked down in our own homes.

Like a lot of people, gardening proved hugely beneficial for my well-being, especially during the trickier, more stressful periods. This time certainly made me appreciate my little green patch.

When I moved to a Sussex Downland village in 2001, I began volunteering as an apothecarist at the Weald and Downland Living Museum.

Most of the ingredients I use today are found growing in my own modest cottage garden. English cottage gardens date back to medieval times.

Most of the ingredients Christine Iverson uses for apothecary are found growing in her own modest cottage garden (file image)

If flowers were grown, it was because they had a culinary or medicinal purpose. Herbs were dried for use during winter or powdered and added to fats and oils to create medicinal salves and ointments. Herbal sachets were carried to sweeten the air, stave off illness and repel witches and demons.

Creating your own simple remedies needn’t be daunting; it’s just like following a cake recipe — but be warned: it’s very addictive.

PREPARE TO CURE     

Herbs are at their best before they begin to flower. Harvest them mid-morning on a dry day before the sun has burned away the flowers’ essential oils.

They don’t have to be absolutely dry, but do need to be ‘wilted’ for a couple of hours to remove some of the moisture.

Lay petals and leaves onto kitchen paper overnight — whole flower heads will take a bit longer. Bunches of woody herbs can be hung up in cool airy places such as garden sheds.

All you need for the drying process is a flat surface that allows air to circulate freely; chicken wire is perfect.

Alternatively, hang up some muslin to create a flat hammock, or even use an old wire shelf from the oven.

There are a wide variety of plant-based carrier oils available, all with different beneficial properties. These are used in home-made infused oils, lotions, massage oils and balms; they also ‘carry’ essential oils that need to be diluted.

You can use many of the oils you already have in your kitchen including sunflower or olive oils, or there are a huge variety of sellers online.

Try to find one that is reputable — remember this product will be absorbed into your skin and into your bloodstream.

MY ELIXIR NO.9      

MY ELIXIR NO.9: Nine-ingredient twist on traditional Fire cider, an immune-boosting, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, antioxidant and antibacterial powerhouse of a remedy

This is my nine-ingredient twist on traditional Fire cider, an immune-boosting, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, antioxidant and antibacterial powerhouse of a remedy. It takes at least four weeks to mature so it’s a good idea to start a batch at the end of summer for those inevitable winter coughs and colds.

INGREDIENTS

800ml organic apple cider vinegar

50g peeled and grated root ginger

50g peeled and grated fresh horseradish

50g peeled and grated turmeric root

1 medium-sized onion, peeled and chopped

4 large garlic cloves, peeled and grated

2 chillies, seeds included, chopped

2 lemons, zest and juice

½ tsp black peppercorns

METHOD

Pack all of the ingredients, apart from the vinegar, into a clean jar. Slowly pour in the apple cider vinegar making sure it completely covers the fresh ingredients.

Shake well and store in a cool dark place. Shake weekly ensuring everything is under the vinegar. Strain the elixir through a fine sieve or muslin squeezing out every drop. Bottle and label your liquid gold. Keeps for well over a year in a cool dark place.

Take your elixir neat by the tablespoon as soon as you feel a cough or cold coming on.

Or dilute in warm water with a spoon of raw honey and it will be just as effective. Avoid large amounts of apple cider vinegar if you take insulin.

HEALING HAND BALM       

HEALING HAND BALM: I used calendula, which is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial. It is gentle enough for use on sensitive skin conditions such as eczema

With two nieces in the nursing profession, I wanted to make them something natural to calm their poor skin. Constant hand washing was taking its toll and they were really suffering with dry and inflamed hands, which no amount of chemical-laden hand cream would soothe.

I used calendula, which is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial. It is gentle enough for use on sensitive skin conditions such as eczema.

Lavender oil has anti-inflammatory and healing properties, while tea tree contains a natural antiseptic to calm inflammation.

INGREDIENTS

•  14g unrefined beeswax, or soy wax for a vegan alternative
• 28g organic shea butter 
• 28g organic coconut oil 
• 90ml calendula infused carrier oil 
• 5 drops lavender essential oil 
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil 

METHOD

Melt the beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil and calendula oil in a heatproof bowl placed over a pan of boiling water.

Once melted, take the mixture off the heat, combine and stir in the essential oils.

Pour into sterilised jars or tins, sprinkle a few dried calendula petals over the balm for decoration if you like. Allow to cool completely before putting on the lid. Keeps for about six months or longer if refrigerated.

BASIL STEAM        

BASIL STEAM: Basil is analgesic and a muscle relaxant so is especially effective on tension headaches and sinus pain

Basil is analgesic and a muscle relaxant so is especially effective on tension headaches and sinus pain.

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp fresh basil/1 tbsp dried
• 1 litre boiling water 

METHOD

Add the basil and the boiling water to the heatproof bowl and stir. Cover your head with a towel, carefully lean over the pot and breathe in the steam for five to ten minutes or until your headache starts to ease. Follow this with a cup of basil, lemon and honey tea to really reap the soothing benefits of the herb.

INSOMNIA BUSTER        

INSOMNIA BUSTER: Agrimony mixed with the soporific properties of all the other flowers in this remedy, makes a calming potpourri

In the Middle Ages, agrimony — a plant with scented yellow flowers — was placed underneath the pillow to cure insomnia. Mixed with the soporific properties of all the other flowers in this remedy, it makes a calming potpourri.

INGREDIENTS

25g dried agrimony flowers

25g dried rose petals

25g dried camomile flowers

25g dried meadowsweet

25g dried lavender

25g dried lemon balm

3 tbsp orris root

3 drops lavender essential oil

3 drops rose essential oil

METHOD

Mix the dried flowers and orris root in a bowl. Add oils and mix again. Place a handful of the potpourri in an open bowl by your bed, keeping the rest in a sealed container for later use. 

LAVENDER LOTION         

LAVENDER LOTION: This solid lotion will melt when rubbed over your arms and legs, and is especially useful on dry and cracked heels and elbows

This solid lotion will melt when rubbed over your arms and legs, and is especially useful on dry and cracked heels and elbows.

INGREDIENTS

• 35g organic shea butter
• 35ml lavender-infused carrier oil 
• 45g unrefined beeswax (from a local beekeeper) 
• 20 drops organic lavender essential oil 

METHOD

Melt the beeswax, shea butter and carrier oil in a heatproof bowl placed over a pan of boiling water. Take the mixture off the heat, combine and stir in the essential oil, trying not to create any bubbles. Pour into silicone moulds or cupcake cases. Cool before popping out of moulds. Will last for about a year if kept in the fridge.

• Please note: Many plants should not be used during pregnancy, on small children or people with specific medical problems. Always carry out a patch test in case of allergic reactions.

Adapted from The Garden Apothecary by Christine Iverson, published by Summersdale at £14.99. © Christine Iverson 2021

To order a copy for £12.74 (offer valid to July 19; free UK P&P on orders over £20), visit mailshop.co.uk/books or call 020 3308 9193.