Herbal Wisdom

Ever have one of those moments that seem to change everything for the better?

One of those thoughts that make your jaw drop wide open?

When suddenly everything seems so clear you wonder how you could not have seen it before?

That is what happened to me on the day my garden stopped being a chore and became my own personal retreat.

It was an intensely hot and sticky day, and I had been digging, hoeing, and raking for what seemed to be hours. The conversation inside my head went something like this… "What's wrong with you Toria, you can't quit now! Tough it out, a little heat won't hurt you. You have to keep at it until the job is finished. Stop being lazy and complaining so much."

Suddenly, it hit me. These were my father's words. This is my garden, not his. I can quit if I want! The digging can wait until tomorrow or even the next week if I want! Heck! I never have to garden again. I dropped my shovel, sat right down and saw, really saw, the rich brown earth. I felt a light breeze move across my skin. I felt liberated. The sun no longer felt so hot and I was completely energized. I was ready to dig!

My garden is my retreat. A retreat whereby nourishing young plants, I nourish my own soul. I marvel at the way I can give the Earth one tiny seed and she returns to me a rich bounty. She teaches me that all things change in time. All things will pass. Everything has its season, and spring will come again.

In the garden I have learned to relax and let go. My garden has it's own kind of "wabi-sabi" beauty. No neat straight rows for me! The rows curve where the earth curves. A lesson in not being too attached to outcome; I learned to work with the land instead of struggling against it, trying to force my will upon her. If wild blackberries want to come up where I wanted to plant corn, I'll just plant the corn somewhere else.

I would love my children to see gardening the same way. I don't want them to feel as though it is a chore to avoid and hate.

Sometimes my daughter helps me in the garden. She is so full of curiosity and joy. She wonders at spider webs dripping with dew, and loves to feel a worm wriggling in her palm. I've only to look to her to remember to slow down, and ‘be here now'.

My son? Well … I have finally found the one crop that he loves to grow, Nasturtiums.

Nasturtiums are large showy annual flowers, which can be eaten. They are full of Vitamin C. They come in either bushy plants or vines. The colors are very bright and come in reds, oranges and yellows. Hummingbirds love these flowers as well.

I can think of no plant easier for a child to plant and nurture. The seeds are large, sturdy and easy to handle. These plants actually like poor soil. Forget to water? No problem! Just plant them directly where you want them, in a garden or a window box. They come up quickly too, in anywhere from a week to ten days.

If my son hasn't eaten them all, I like to throw them in a tossed salad. The colors make any salad look festive. The flowers and leaves taste similar to watercress. Use only the young leaves. They add a peppery element. The chopped flowers go beautifully on green beans. Sautéed in olive oil they can be tossed with pasta. Nasturtiums also make a beautiful garnish on cakes and pastries.

Even the seeds can be used. By pickling them in vinegar, they make a wonderful substitute for expensive capers. As with any plant, don't eat flowers or leaves which have been sprayed.

Nasturtiums are rich in vitamin C. Because they are also rich in Sulphur, they are natural antibiotics and anti-fungals. They have been used against bacterial infections of the skin, the urinary tract and the respiratory and digestive systems.

An excellent hair rinse may be easily made from the plant. Simmer a handful of Nasturtium flowers, leaves and stems for 15 minutes. Strain, cool and use. This rinse is very good for oily or thin, weak hair. It has been reputed to be an aid to restoring the hair when suffering from premature baldness, due to drug treatments or following serious illness.

There is an old legend that says, "by planting three red nasturtiums, you will protect your garden and keep unwanted visitors from your land." It hasn't seemed to work with deer for me, but they do have a reputation for keeping away cucumber beetles, squash bugs, and aphids.

Some believe that putting a nasturtium in your lapel will energize you when you are feeling sluggish. By stimulating the second chakra, and helping to promote grounding and centeredness, the Nasturtium is the perfect flower for a garden retreat.

In Feng Shui, nasturtiums can be planted to help harmonize the energies between the buildings and the land. It helps bring back a balance that is similar to what the land would have had before it was altered.

When I need to refresh and renew myself, I have only to step into my garden. Now, if I could just look at housekeeping the same way …

Disclaimer: Please consult with a qualified health care professional before using any herbs for medicinal use.

By Victoria Betson