Cleavers - Galium aparine

The gardens are waking up from their winter's rest. I found this green beauty today, Cleavers-Galium aparine. Also known as; bedstraw, goosegrass, stickyweed, velcro plant, sticky grass. 

Part used:
fresh leaves, ripe seeds

Medicinal Properties:
diuretic, anti-inflammatory, lymphatic

Benefits:
urinary tract infections, kidney infections, stagnant lymphatic system, skin aliments, breast health, coffee substitute 

One of my favorite ways of using cleavers for lymphatic health is drinking a cleaver cold infusion. It's like spring cleaning for your insides. 

Once the tiny white flowers start blooming, I'll take a small handful of fresh plant material, add that to a pint jar, fill with warm water, cover and allow to steep for 2 hours at room temperature, strain then  refrigerate. I'll sip on that throughout 2 -3 days.   

If the plant does call to me before it starts blooming, I will definitely harvest and use at that time. Remember, a big part of medicine making is following your intuition and that call from the plants. 

The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help rid the body of toxins, waste and other unwanted materials. The primary function of the lymphatic system is to transport lymph, a fluid containing infection-fighting white blood cells, throughout the body. The lymphatic system primarily consists of lymphatic vessels, which are similar to the veins and capillaries of the circulatory system. The vessels are connected to lymph nodes, where the lymph is filtered. The tonsils, adenoids, spleen and thymus are all part of the lymphatic system. Reference

If you have ever experienced swollen lymph glands - neck, underarm and groin area, that is due to a stagnant lymphatic system. Cleavers gently flush and get the natural flow of fluid moving again.

As a diuretic, cleavers flush out toxins from the kidneys and urinary tract. Being a cooling herb, she also works at cooling and calming the burning and inflammation associated with urinary tract infections. I have found that drinking 2 cups a day of a cold infusion, until the infection has cleared, works well for many. I take one big handful of fresh plant, add that to a pint jar then fill with warm water and refrigerate over night.   
Reference. 

Being an herb that works on the lymphatic system, a cleaver infused oil is also used as a breast massage oil. When using in this manner, be sure to also massage the lymph nodes that are located in the underarm area.

Applied topically, a poultice or applying the liquid from simmering fresh plant in water, the cooling and moistening properties aides in soothing skin issues; sunburns, burns, eczema and psoriasis.  

For those looking for a coffee substitute, when those white flowers have gone to seed you can pick, roast, ground and brew.  👍

Oregano is not just for the rustic salad

There is no Greek and Italian - and not only - who does not recognize its characteristic smell and taste. After all, oregano as it is very common (as its name Origanum vulgare says - Oregano is common) has tasted and accompanied many of our dishes. But apart from the common, that is, it is very tasty, very fragrant and also has many beneficial properties, according to experts. Indeed, oregano as a spice and its beneficial medicinal properties have been known since antiquity and through tradition have reached even today. 

We may have seen grandmothers recommend oregano drinks when we are tired of diarrhea or remember the thin branches of the plant that were recruited - instead of earrings - to keep the holes in the little girls' eyes open and free of germs. So let's get to know this aromatic herb that is so common in our country.

Her identity

Oregano is a perennial plant, up to 80 cm high and has a characteristic, pleasant and pungent odor. He is a native of the Mediterranean and Central Asia. Very common in our country, oregano in Greece is considered one of the best in the world in terms of quality. In recent years, as its consumption has increased, both in countries where it is not native to the United States, such as the US, and because it is difficult to collect and requires a lot of labor, it is often an organized crop. The oregano shoot is upright, square and multicolored. Its leaves are dark green in color. Its flowers are pink in color and are found in dense inflorescences. We find oregano in clusters of shrubs, hills, limestone soils and generally in dry and stony areas. Its collection usually begins in July after the feast of St. John of Reagan or Clidonas (June 24) and is usually done early in the morning or late at night, but be careful not to uproot the perennial plant. It is then tied in bundles and dried, hanging upside down in a dry, dark place.

The oregano properties

The oregano, from which we use the flowers and leaves, is a plant both aromatic and medicinal. It is considered tonic, antioxidant, antiseptic, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, diuretic, laxative, antitussive, expectorant and antiseptic.

How it is used

Oregano can be used both internally and externally.

Indoor use

• Oregano inhalations help with respiratory diseases (thanks to its expectorant and antitussive action).

• Oregano decoction (in a pot boil a cup of water with a teaspoon, strain it and drink it) has several properties and applications. It is used to soothe cough, it helps to treat diarrhea and is thought to reduce tooth pain.

• With oregano decoction we can also do mouthwashes to soothe irritated and red throat. Also, oregano blocks help with antiseptic and therefore oral and dental hygiene

External use

• With regard to external use we should be aware that oregano can help with the antisepsis of injured skin. Also, the oregano decoction in the bath soothes and tones the skin.

• However, in addition to the oregano use in our kitchen or as an alternative herb, oregano is also used by industry. Its essential oil is used both in perfumery and in the manufacture of soaps and toothpaste and in the treatment of plant diseases.

Benefits of rose tea, drinking this tea can nourish the body

Rose tea is a very common type of tea. Many women like it very much. It has a lot of effects. Appropriate drinking of rose tea can help us to care for the skin. There are many ways to brew rose tea in life. It should be known that drinking rose tea has some taboos, and interested friends must continue to watch it.

　　The benefits of rose tea

　　1. beauty skin care

　　Drinking a little more rose tea in peacetime can help us to care for the skin very well. The rose is sweet and bitter, and has a mild temperature. It has a very good effect of relieving qi, relieving blood stasis and regulating menstruation and relieving pain. Moreover, the medicinal properties of rose tea are very mild, which can help us nourish the heart and liver, and relieve the body's suffocation, which can help us reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

2. nurse the body

　　We should know that rose tea is a favorite drink of many women, and women like it because of its nutritional value and medical value. The rose contains a variety of vitamins, which can help us regulate the inside of the body, so as to relieve liver and relieve qi, qi and blood. During menstruation, women's proper consumption of rose tea can regulate endocrine to a certain extent and relieve irritability.

　　3. adjust mood

　　Office workers can drink a little more rose tea in peacetime. Now people's stress can be said to be very large. Drinking more rose tea can help us to calm and stabilize our mood. We should know that rose tea has an adjuvant treatment for depression and anxiety. And drinking rose tea also has the effect of beauty and breast enhancement, no side effects.

　　4. protect the stomach

　　Rose tea can help the food to digest quickly. Especially for fat, its effect is more prominent. Therefore, it can reduce the difficulty of digesting food in the stomach and protect the stomach.

　　5. warm the meridians

　　Rose tea is warm and can help warm the meridians. Moreover, in addition to warming the blood vessels in the body, it also has a pattern effect on internal organs such as the liver and stomach.

　　6. improve endocrine

　　Rose tea also regulates endocrine and soothes the body and mind. It is worth mentioning that its role is very mild and has no other side effects on the body.

Bentonite Clay

Bentonite clay is formed from volcanic ash that has weathered and aged for many years. When you purchase the clay it comes in a powdered form. After adding your liquid it forms into a soft clay. Bentonite has a negative electromagnetic charge, when applied to your skin works like a magnet pulling and absorbing the metals and toxins (which are a positive charge) from your body through your skin and into the clay. Also works as a gentle exfoliator, helping to unclog pores and speed up cell turnover for healthier skin.


There are several types of clay out there you can use for skin care. Each clay has it's own unique healing properties and is said to be suited for different skin types. With the bentonite clay, I've found some writings suggesting it works best for oily skin. Then again I've come across writings suggesting it works best for all skin types. From personal use, I find it a tad bit drying on my face, but not drying as a body mask. I suggest doing a small patch test first before applying to your entire face or body.

Uses for bentonite clay; applying a paste using water can be soothing for insect bites, minor cuts, insect bites, poison ivy, minor burns, eczema, psoriasis and itchy rashes. Leave on until paste dries then gently wash off.

As a face / body mask; I make a paste, you can use water, apple cider vinegar or rose water as your liquid. If you do use the vinegar be sure to dilute it with water before adding to your clay. Scoop out small amount of powder into a glass bowl. Add a SMALL amount of liquid at first, slowly mixing and adding more until desired consistency. The more you mix the creamer it will become. Scoop out small amount into palm of your hand with a wooden spoon. Apply to finger tips and gently massage into clean damp face. Leave on for 10-15 minutes or until clay dries. Use a warm damp cloth to gently remove mask from face. 

Be sure to drink plenty of water after you have rinsed the clay from your face/body and for the next couple of days, as this also helps rid your body of the toxins that are being released through the detox stage. Because Bentonite Clay has a negative electromagnetic charge, you should never use any metal bowls or utensils as the clay will absorb the metals and become less effective.