Category: Chateau Herb Walk

Black Current

Medicinal Properties:

Black currant seed oil contains a chemical called gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). GLA might improve immune function and help decrease swelling. Black currant berries are antiviral, anti bacterial and contain chemicals called anthocyanins, which have antioxidant effects. There is interest in these chemicals to prevent skin aging and wrinkles. Consumption of the berries has been indicated in treating eye diseases, herpes and reduce the growth of cancers.

Where to find it:

In a pot in the Gite courtyard.

Contra Indications:

Reduces blood clotting. Avoid in weeks before surgery. Contraindicated for those with blood clotting disorders.

monique Chateau Herb Walk

Bullrushes

Medicinal Properties

Leaves and roots can be used on sores, cuts, burns, boils and skin inflamation. Edible roots contain gluten and can be eaten like potato or dried and ground for use like wheat flour. Dried pollen can be used as an anti coagulant. Historical use includes treatment of period pains, haemorage, vaginitis and cystitis.

Where to find it on property

We have bullrushes in both ponds, the upper ‘Qwe Qwe’ pond and the lower ‘Ponyo’ pond, as well as in the marsh off the south side of the south lawn, where a spring drains to the south meadow.

chatebg0 Chateau Herb Walk

Buddleja

Medicinal Properties

The flower buds of Buddleja officinalis have been found to be anti inflammatory, anti oxident and anti microbial. The leaves of related Buddleja species have been shown to be antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral, and offer much potential as a topical antiseptic.

Use as a salve or tinclure. Not for use internally, it is from the same family as the foxglove.

Flower buds are harvested in spring and used fresh or dried, and the flowers can be dried or used fresh to distil as a fragrant hydrosol. This plant is ideal for an antiseptic poultice for insect bites and other skin complaints. The leaves can be pounded or shredded fresh for use as a poultice directly, or an oil or water infusion made to apply to the skin.

Other names:

Butterfly bush (Buddleja davidii)

Where to find it on the property:

West side of the upper pond.

monique Chateau Herb Walk

Burdock

Medicinal Properties

Burdock root’s diuretic properties may help cut fluid retention and support kidney and urinary function. It may stop issues like urinary tract infections and kidney stones. The root can be peeled and eaten like carrot, can be pickled or cooked. Can be consumed as a tea, tincuture, powder (in pills or smoothies) or homeopathically.

Other names for Burdock

Gobo (Japanese name), ngau pong (Chinese name), harlock, edible goberon, bourholm, eddick, flapper-bags, sticky buttons, beggar’s buttons, clot, clod, cockly, and hurr-burrs.

Where it is found on the Property:

monique Chateau Herb Walk

Bay

Medicinal Properties

Taken internally as a tea or tincture, sweet bay is used to treat cancer and gas; stimulate bile flow; and cause sweating.

Tincture can be applied to the scalp for dandruff. Salve of the leaves can be applied topically for muscle and joint pain (rheumatism).

Anti fungal properties of the bay nut / fruit can be harnessed as a salve to treat boils (furuncles) caused by infected hair follicles, or by vets as an udder ointment.

Where to find it on the property:

Wild along the side of the stars that run between the south lawn and the pool, and

Cultivated in topiaries in the main courtyard

topiary bay tree
Topiary bay bush
monique Chateau Herb Walk

Blackthorn

Medicinal properties

The astringent berries and bark have been used to treat diarrhoea, while the flowers have been used as a laxative. Sloes were also used as remedies for coughs and colds because of their astringency. The peeled bark boiled in water was a gypsy remedy for bronchitis

We combine with gin or armagnac and sugar, infuse for 3 months and strain to make Sloe Gin or our very own invention, Sloe Armagnac.

Where it is found on the property:

Wild in the South hedgerows, both sides of a 20′ deep hedge.

Along the east side of the orchard.

unripe sloe berries
Unripe May sloe berries
unripe sloe berries
Unripe June Sloe berries
chatebg0 Chateau Herb Walk, Uncategorized

Black Walnut

Medicinal Properties

Anti parasitic, treatment of neurodegenerative conditions and cancer, (tincture of bark, leaf and fresh juice from unripe black walnut hulls); treatment of fungal and viral skin and nail infections, including ringworm, (topical salve of the juice from unripe black walnut hulls; as with all walnuts it affords cardio vascular health support. The juice of unripe hulls (the part outside the shell) can be taken as a fresh plant liquid extract, one to 10 drops, one to three times per day in a little water.

Where to find it on the property:

In the front park beside the drive way, and on the north side of the lower pond.

Black walnut tree
Black walnut tree
Black walnut
Black Walnut
monique Chateau Herb Walk

Borage

Medicinal properties:

The leaves have been used to treat rheumatism, colds, and bronchitis, as well as to increase lactation in women. Infusions of the leaves have been used to induce sweating and urination. Borage has been used alone and in combination with fish oil for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, bone weakening. Its traditional use in the treatment of skin disorders has not been supported clinically, but is still in use. Borage seed oil and tea of the dried leaf used for improving the function of lungs, for support of premature infants and teatment of rhumateud arthritis.

Where to find it on the property:

In the gite courtyard

in the veggie garden outside the chapel.

  • Other names for Borage
  • burrage,
  • common bugloss,
  • bee-bread,
  • bee fodder,
  • star flower,
  • ox’s tongue,
  • cool tankard.
monique Chateau Herb Walk