When I was younger, if someone cursed or swore in conversation in a pub, the landlord would call out “Language please!” prompting the person to be circumspect in what they were saying. Actually, anyone who was offended might say the same thing. I have always enjoyed language. I have been reading since I was four …. Read More
Category: BLOG
My 5 Favourite Herbal Remedies
Whenever I use a medicinal plant, it becomes my favourite…until I use another medicinal plant. Plants are like that – they really make friends with you and when you imbibe them in whatever form, they become your favourite. I recently posted a film to YouTube about Lemon Balm because I had just had my first …. Read More
Sacred Water, Sacred Wells
I recently visited a local Sacred Well. Unlike other Holy Wells in Connemara, this one is no longer visited for a ‘pattern’ or for a saint’s day. It is largely forgotten and ignored and as far as I know, I am the only person who visits it. I go to it for a number of …. Read More
An Ode to Autumn
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom friend of the maturing sun, I can still remember John Keat’s poem To Autumn even though I was in school when I last read it. It stayed with me, I think, because Autumn has always been one of my favourite seasons. I was born on …. Read More
Magical Mugwort – Artemesia!
Tonight there will be a Full Moon and I was thinking of the plants in my garden that are ruled by the moon or associated with the moon. Cucumber is one such plant as are Californian Poppy and Poppy; Chamomile, Willow, Chickweed, Cuckoo Flower, White Rose and Mugwort. These plants are cooling and moisturising, sedating …. Read More
A Brilliant Opportunity!
The world is reeling and in shock at the moment and it can be hard to imagine what the world will be like once this disease, the Corona Virus, has had its day. I am not worried about the virus because I am using herbs. The medical profession are feeling helpless because they are powerless …. Read More
Women and Power
Yesterday, 8th March, was International Women’s Day. We all know about it, we’ve all heard of it but what are its origins? How come there is such a day? A day that is officially celebrated in countries such as Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Cambodia, China, Cuba, Mongolia, Turkey, Uganda, Russia, Vietnam, Zambia and elsewhere. There are …. Read More
Danu’s Irish Herb Garden – A Radical New Beginning!
For twelve years I have been working with and learning about medicinal plants in my study of herbal medicine. For the last seven years I have been learning from and journeying to plants and trees. I am now fully out of the closet – I am a herbalist. In today’s corporate world, a world of …. Read More
An Bhean Feasa – Up and At It!
Suddenly, the garden is growing again. It is still pretty cold here and there has been a lot of grey cloud hanging over us but it is May and the garden has suddenly greened! We have had a slow start, with such a long, cold Spring and I have been taking my time about things …. Read More
Springtime Simplicity
Today is La Feile Brigid – Brigid’s Day, a day that always feel special and exciting to me as it is also Imbolc, the first day of Spring. There is a sense of anticipation in the air which is exciting because it feels like a renewal, a fresh start, a change. I was at my horticulture …. Read More