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The Thoughtful Spot

October 2020

10/31/2020

 
Usually I make my way to this thoughtful spot in the afternoon.  Late in the day, when the sun is high and warm, it's pleasant to break from the happenings of the day and sit here in the woods for a while.  But today it's morning, late morning, it's true, but still well before noon and quite marvelously different from my usual afternoon writing hour.  The pasture above me is bright and sunny, but here at my thoughtful spot there is a peaceful sense of morning quietude.

O hushed October morning mild,/Thy leaves have ripened to the fall;
Tomorrow’s wind, if it be wild,/Should waste them all.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  - Robert Frost, October

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The dew hasn't quite dried in this little valley, it rests still on the rocks in the creek bank, on the drooping ferns that were hardy enough to weather last night's frost, on a few spider's webs that drape between branches, and on the deep, crackling carpet of brown leaves.  The sunlight reaches this spot later in the morning than it did earlier in the year, yet with greater ease now that many of the trees are leafless, so at the moment every lingering dew drop, and the splashes from the waterfall, and the ripples in the creek sparkle in the late morning light.  Across the creek from me a steady chain of diamonds is dripping from a rock ledge. My thoughtful spot is all a-twinkle, as though it has been dusted in glitter and gemstones and tiny stars.

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Dew Drops photographed by W. A. Bentley


The wind was still and the stars were bright,
And the fairies danced all the night,
Then scattered in glee from their infinite store
The sparkling jewels and gems they wore  -
Sapphires and rubies that gleam in the sun,
Opals and pearls where their dancing was done


                                                   - W. J. Humphreys, Dew

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From where I'm sitting I can see a bramble bush covered in tiny red rose hips (Rosa canina).  These bright little herbs are one of the highest plant sources of vitamin C, and they are ready to be harvested on these cold October days and dried for use in teas and syrups throughout the winter. The wild persimmons (Diospyros virginiana) too, are ripe, and even sweeter now after a frost.  While walking this morning I came across a bewildered bunch of blooming violets (Viola papilionacea), who must have mistaken these chilly, sunny days for the beginning of spring.  A few of their little purple blossoms are pressing in my dictionary at the moment, waiting to be sent off in letters in the middle of winter as a cheery promise of warmer days.

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  - John Keats, To Autumn

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On the edge of a field this morning I saw a lingering tassel of goldenrod (Solidago gigantea) that survived the frost.  It stood out in beautifully bright yellow against the browns of the bare trees around it.  Goldenrod is often accused of causing seasonal allergies, but it is actually ragweed, an unassuming little wildflower that blooms around the same time and in similar areas as goldenrod, that is the true culprit.  In fact, goldenrod has been traditionally used to help reduce the symptoms of seasonal ragweed allergies.  It's golden flowers can be dried and steeped as an herbal infusion, or its sweet, herbaceous, and slightly bitter flowers can infused in honey.  This one last bloom however, will not be dried and turned into an herbal remedy.  It is now sitting on my desk in a bright blue vase of crackled glass that sparkles when the sun hits it, a reminder of a beautiful summer. 

O hushed October morning mild, / Begin the hours of this day slow.
Make the day seem to us less brief. /
Hearts not averse to being beguiled,
Beguile us in the way you know... / Retard the sun with gentle mist;
Enchant the land with amethyst. / Slow! Slow!

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  - Robert Frost, October

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Summer ends with Elderberry...

10/17/2020

 
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In recent years as herbalism has gained popularity, one remedy in particular has become very familiar, Elderberry Syrup.  But this wonderful remedy is far from new. The elder tree has a long and beautiful herbal history, every part of the plant has been used medicinally, and the flowers and berries have wonderful flavors and healthful benefits to match. But the history of this herb is not only medicinal,  the tree’s wood was once prized for making harps and flutes, and the juice of the berries was commonly used as ink and as a dye for fabric, or even hair.
Medicinally speaking, elderberries are very high in vitamin C, and also contain high amounts of antioxidants and minerals.  The berries are perhaps most famous as a cold and flu remedy, due to their high vitamin C content and support of healthy immune function.  They are known to work especially well in preventing or shortening the duration of upper respiratory infections. Modern medical studies continue to support this traditional use and elderberries have definitely earned their fame as an excellent immune boosting herb.  Historical uses and some recent research suggests that elderberries can strengthen eyesight, and the berries are also known to have strong anti-inflammatory properties, which is reflected in their common historical use as a remedy to relive arthritic pain and inflammation.  

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 Elderflowers contain slightly different medicinal properties than the berries, and are chiefly known for two benefits: lowering fevers, and promoting healthy skin. Warm elderflower tea is an excellent remedy for lowering fevers and helping cool the body, especially when combined with similarly cooling herbs such as peppermint and yarrow.  Taking elderflower tea regularly while sick has also been reported to shorten the duration of feverish cold or flu, much like elderberries. But the delicate lace flowers also promote beautiful skin. An elderflower tea wash or an elderflower-infused oil or lotion gently detoxifies the skin and soothes any skin inflammation, such as acne or sunburn. Some studies also show that elderflowers can help protect the skin against damage from UV light, making it the perfect herb to add to a summer lotion.

An old English rhyme says that summer begins with elder flowers, and ends with elder berries.  The season of elderberries is upon us, so it’s the perfect time of year to preserve the healthful benefits of this herb for the winter season.  And when summer begins again with elderflower, remember that legend claims if one waits patiently under an elder bush on midsummer’s eve, one might see fairies dancing at their midsummer’s feast.

Basic Elderberry Syrup Recipe

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  • 1 cup dried elderberries
  • 4 cups water
  • 1/2 cup raw honey
Combine water and elderberries in a saucepan and bring to a boil.  Simmer over low heat until reduced by half.  Strain into a glass jar and add honey.  Store in the refrigerator.  One tablespoon can be taken daily to support the immune system and help prevent illness, and one tablespoon can be taken every hour when sick.

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    Do You Have a
    Thoughtful Spot?

    Many current trends in natural health focus on ecotherapy and shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, reiterating with scientific studies and medical terminology something that Winnie the Pooh taught us many years ago:  we all need
    a "Thotful Spot". 
    We need a little corner surrounded by nature where we can sit and be still, ponder and pray, and observe closely the beauty around us. 

    These posts are musings and meanderings from my Thoughtful Spots, recorded once every month, and interspersed with occasional ramblings about my favorite medicinal herbs. 

    I hope you'll join me in finding a Thoughtful Spot, visit it often, record the things that make you marvel, and remember,

    "the world will never  starve for want of wonders..."
     - G.K. Chesterton

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