Ulex europaeus ‘Gorse’
[Prov. UK]
Fabaceae: spiny evergreen shrub to 2m, found on heaths and grassy places, manly on acid soils. The flowers are about 2cm long, are bright yellow and a pleasant coconut scent, flowering all year round, but in full bloom between February-May. Widespread and common across the UK. Native to Western Europe, including Britain, from Scandinavia to Spain.
Apparently the flower buds can be pickled in vinegar and then used like capers in salads, also a tea can be made from the shoot tips.
Gorse has never played much of a role in herbal medicine, though its flowers have been used in the treatment of jaundice and as a treatment for scarlet fever in children, also the seed is said to be astringent and has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea and stones.
Other Uses include: Dye, Fertilizer, and Fuel. Hedge, Insecticide, Pioneer, Soap making and Soil stabilization.
Pre-soak seeds for 24 hours in hot water and sow in individual pots in a greenhouse in late winter to early spring. Germination should take place within a few weeks.
Harvested August 2014
Approx. 30+ seeds £1.50
[Ex. Co. Durham]
Ulmaceae: A large, deciduous tree to 30 m (98ft) by 25 m (82ft). Spreading branches that may be pendulous at their tips. The large short stalked leaves are toothed and rough to the touch, turning yellow in autumn. The fruits crowd the branches in early spring. Native of much of Europe, including Britain and Ireland, occurring in woods and especially hedgerows, often near flowing water. An attractive feature of many riversides in the north of England.
The leaves can be used raw or cooked, but can be a little bit bitter, especially the older leaves, also they have a mucilaginous texture. The young fresh leaves can make a nice addition to a mixed salad. The immature fruits, used just after they are formed, can be eaten raw, and have an aromatic, unusual flavour, leaving the mouth feeling fresh and the breath smelling pleasant. They contain about 34.4% protein, 28.2% fat, 17% carbohydrate, 5% ash.
The inner bark has astringent, demulcent and mildly diuretic properties, used both internally and externally in the treatment of diarrhoea, rheumatism, wounds, piles etc., and is also used as a mouthwash in the treatment of ulcers. The inner bark is harvested from branches 3 - 4 years old and is dried for later use. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Occasional feelings of inadequacy', 'Despondency' and 'Exhaustion from over-striving for perfection'.
Seeds should be sown in early spring.
Approx. 20+ seeds £1.50
Ulmus minor 'Smooth-leaved Elm'
[Prov. Hungary]
Ulmaceae: a domed, spreading tree to 32m. Greyish brown, scaly and ridged bark. Superficially hornbeam-like leaves, oval, pointed at tip, with toothed margins, with unequalled leaf bases, narrowly tapering on short side, and a short petiole. Native to the South and Southeast of England, once widespread but its range and abundance has been badly affected by Dutch elm disease. Its natural range is predominantly south European, extending to Asia Minor; its northern outposts are the Baltic islands of Öland and Gotland.
The leaves can be used raw or cooked, but can be a little bit bitter, especially the older leaves, also they have a mucilaginous texture. The young fresh leaves can make a nice addition to a mixed salad. The immature fruits, used just after they are formed, can be eaten raw, and have an aromatic, unusual flavour, leaving the mouth feeling fresh and the breath smelling pleasant.
The inner bark has astringent, demulcent and mildly diuretic properties, used both internally and externally in the treatment of diarrhoea, rheumatism, wounds, piles etc., and is also used as a mouthwash in the treatment of ulcers. The inner bark is harvested from branches 3 - 4 years old and is dried for later use.
Seeds should be sown in early spring. No pre-germination treatment required, surface sow and keep moist, tamp the soil. Germination rates with this species is relatively low, these seeds have been tested and have been rated with a 42% germination rate.
Harvested 2014.
Approx. 20+ seeds £1.50.
[Ex. Co. Durham]
Urtica dioica 'Stinging Nettle'
Urticaceae: this is the familiar stinging nettle which grow to 1.5m. Found growing on waste ground, hedgerows, woods and gardens, preferring nitrogen-rich soils near human habitation. The pendulous catkins, borne on separate-sex plants, appearing from June-October. The fruits superficially resemble the flowers. The leaves are oval, pointed tips, toothed, in opposite pairs, these leaves have stinging hairs, causing irritation to the skin. Widespread and common. Native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America.
The young leaves can be cooked as a potherb and added to soups, they can also be dried for winter use. Nettles are a very valuable addition to the diet, they are a very nutritious food that is easily digested and is high in minerals (especially iron) and vitamins (especially A and C). Only use young leaves and wear stout gloves when harvesting them to prevent being stung. Cooking the leaves, or thoroughly drying them, neutralizes the sting, rendering the leaf safe to eat. The young shoots, harvested in the spring when 15 - 20cm long complete with the underground stem are very nice. Old leaves can be laxative. The plants are harvested commercially for extraction of the chlorophyll, which is used as a green colouring agent (E140) in foods and medicines. A tea is made from the dried leaves, it is warming on a winter’s day. A bland flavour, it can be added as a tonic to China tea. The juice of the leaves, or a decoction of the herb, can be used as a rennet substitute in curdling plant milks. Nettle beer is brewed from the young shoots.
Nettles have a long history of use in the home as an herbal remedy and nutritious addition to the diet. A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used as a cleansing tonic and blood purifier so the plant is often used in the treatment of hay fever, arthritis, anaemia. The whole plant is antiasthmatic, antidandruff, astringent, depurative, diuretic, galactogogue, haemostatic, hypoglycaemic and a stimulating tonic. An infusion of the plant is very valuable in stemming internal bleeding, it is also used to treat anaemia, excessive menstruation, haemorrhoids, and arthritis, rheumatism and skin complaints, especially eczema. Externally, the plant is used to treat skin complaints, arthritic pain, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, haemorrhoids, and hair problems. The fresh leaves of nettles have been rubbed or beaten onto the skin in the treatment of rheumatism.
Harvested: August 2014.
Approx. 1000+ seeds £1.50.
Urtica dioica
Urtica urens 'Small Nettle'
Urticaceae: annual growing to 0.6 m (2ft). Its small flowers are wind-pollinated. Leaves: Opposite, stalked, stipulate. Blade elliptic–quite round, with wedge-shaped–blunt base, short-tipped, deeply serrated, both sides with few stinging hairs. Stem ascending–erect, often branching, 4-edged, with stinging hairs. A weed of cultivated land and waste places, preferring light soils, but a lot less common than its bigger brother. Native to Northern temperate regions, including Britain.
Young leaves - cooked and used as a potherb. A very nutritious food, high in vitamins and minerals, it makes an excellent spinach substitute and can also be added to soups and stews. Only use the young leaves and wear stout gloves when harvesting them to prevent getting stung. Although the fresh leaves have stinging hairs, thoroughly drying or cooking them destroys these hairs. Nettle beer is brewed from the young shoots.
Nettles have a long history of use in the home as an herbal remedy. A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used as a tonic and blood purifier. The whole plant has antiasthmatic, antidandruff, astringent, depurative, diuretic, galactogogue, haemostatic, hypoglycaemic and a stimulating tonic properties. An infusion of the plant is very valuable in stemming internal bleeding, it is also used to treat anaemia, excessive menstruation, haemorrhoids, and arthritis, rheumatism and skin complaints, especially eczema. Externally, the plant is used to treat arthritic pain, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, haemorrhoids, and hair problems. For medicinal purposes, the plant is best harvested in May or June as it is coming into flower and dried for later use. This species merits further study for possible uses against kidney and urinary system ailments. The juice of the nettle can be used as an antidote to stings from the leaves and an infusion of the fresh leaves is healing and soothing as a lotion for burns. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh plant, gathered when in flower. A useful first-aid remedy, it is used in the treatment of ailments such as bites and stings, burns, hives and breast feeding problems.
Sow seeds spring in a cold frame. Prefers a nitrogen-rich soil, the best fibre is produced when plants are grown on deep fertile soils, dislikes shade.
Warning: this nettle stings worse than its bigger bother.
Harvested 2014.
Approx. 1000+ seeds £1.35.
Urticaceae: annual growing to 0.6 m (2ft). Its small flowers are wind-pollinated. Leaves: Opposite, stalked, stipulate. Blade elliptic–quite round, with wedge-shaped–blunt base, short-tipped, deeply serrated, both sides with few stinging hairs. Stem ascending–erect, often branching, 4-edged, with stinging hairs. A weed of cultivated land and waste places, preferring light soils, but a lot less common than its bigger brother. Native to Northern temperate regions, including Britain.
Young leaves - cooked and used as a potherb. A very nutritious food, high in vitamins and minerals, it makes an excellent spinach substitute and can also be added to soups and stews. Only use the young leaves and wear stout gloves when harvesting them to prevent getting stung. Although the fresh leaves have stinging hairs, thoroughly drying or cooking them destroys these hairs. Nettle beer is brewed from the young shoots.
Nettles have a long history of use in the home as an herbal remedy. A tea made from the leaves has traditionally been used as a tonic and blood purifier. The whole plant has antiasthmatic, antidandruff, astringent, depurative, diuretic, galactogogue, haemostatic, hypoglycaemic and a stimulating tonic properties. An infusion of the plant is very valuable in stemming internal bleeding, it is also used to treat anaemia, excessive menstruation, haemorrhoids, and arthritis, rheumatism and skin complaints, especially eczema. Externally, the plant is used to treat arthritic pain, gout, sciatica, neuralgia, haemorrhoids, and hair problems. For medicinal purposes, the plant is best harvested in May or June as it is coming into flower and dried for later use. This species merits further study for possible uses against kidney and urinary system ailments. The juice of the nettle can be used as an antidote to stings from the leaves and an infusion of the fresh leaves is healing and soothing as a lotion for burns. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh plant, gathered when in flower. A useful first-aid remedy, it is used in the treatment of ailments such as bites and stings, burns, hives and breast feeding problems.
Sow seeds spring in a cold frame. Prefers a nitrogen-rich soil, the best fibre is produced when plants are grown on deep fertile soils, dislikes shade.
Warning: this nettle stings worse than its bigger bother.
Harvested 2014.
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