Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Noble, Verdant Bay Leaf Tree

Herbal Remedies from the Judean Hills
עלי דפנה –Bay leaf – Bay laurel – Laurus Nobilis, Lauraceae

Printable Version

Noble, Verdant Bay Leaf Tree
Dafna or Daphna is a well-known Hebrew girl’s-name, although it is less popular in the USA and Europe. Several favorite people in my life carry this name. They are idealistic, pleasant and affectionate women who are quite extroverted, altruistic and extremely sensitive. The name stems from both the Hebrew and Greek name for the ‘laurel’ (bay leaf) tree. I hope that Daphna has a parallel Hebrew root, rather than deriving from the Greek, because according to Greek mythology, Daphna is a nymph – the daughter of a great river god, with whom Appolo, the sun god, fell madly in love. According to the myth, when Apollo chased her, Daphna called her father for help and he transformed her into the lovely laurel tree. Since then, the Greeks considered the bay leaf tree sacred and used it for various temple rituals. Therefore, I would think twice before choosing the name ‘Daphna.’ Bay leaf’s scientific name stems from the Latin ‘laurus’ meaning ‘verdant’ and ‘nobilis’ meaning ‘noble,’ or ‘of high rank.’ The bay leaf tree is indeed known as a symbol of esteem, glory, love and honor. Great men and women were crowned with it to signify their importance in both ancient Greece and Rome. Garlands of bay laurel were traditionally bestowed upon the winners of the Pythian games in Greece and later of the Olympic games. Today, grand prix winners are given wreathes of laurel, and ‘laureate’ as in poet laureate and baccalaureate (lit. ‘laurel berry’) is a title of honor. The expression, ‘to rest on one’s laurels’ which means ‘to rest after victory and success,’ further demonstrates the high status of the laurel tree.

Between Healing and Witchcraft
The bay leaf tree is an evergreen tree with green, smooth leaves, native to the southern Mediterranean region. It flourishes in most parts of Israel, including my garden. I have a huge bay leaf tree which provides enough leaves to spice our entire neighborhood. I also have found several self-planted baby bay leaf trees in nooks and corners of my garden. We used some of the bay leaf branches to decorate my home in honor of Shavuot. With bay leaf in abundance, I will try to burn them as incense since I just learned that bay leaf fumes have many health benefits. However, I certainly will not be swayed by the superstitious belief – stemming from the Greeks – to write wishes on bay leaves and then burn them to make them come true. We can determine which herbal practices are not forbidden as witchcraft in the Torah based on the following two criteria: 1. If the practice is mentioned in the Torah, or by respected Rabbis, such as planting a rue in front of your house for spiritual protection. (See my article about the protective rue.) 2. If there is biochemical evidence or probability that the particular herbal procedure has health benefits. Based on the last principle, I list a number of health benefits of burning bay leaves after having weeded out the superstitious, forbidden practices.

Burning Bay Leaves
Although ancient temples routinely burned bay leaves to clear the space and heighten intuitive powers, today there is reason for the resurfacing practice of burning bay leaves in our homes. The fumes from burned bay leaves release certain natural components that are a potent remedy for anxiety and stress, tension and fatigue, as well as for respiratory relief. With no toxic components, burning bay leaves is a safe and natural way to relieve all manner of conditions. Properly burned bay leaves will release their healing benefits quickly.
1. Place one dried bay leaf in an ashtray or appropriate holder.
2. Set the leaf on fire and leave the room while it burns.
3. Close the door to allow the aroma to fill the space.
4. When you return, gently blow on the embers and inhale deeply.

Burning Bay Leaves for Anxiety
Bay leaves also contain a significant amount of linalool, widely known for its stress-relieving qualities. Burning bay leaves releases their medicinal nerve-soothing effect into the air, which when inhaled has a relaxing affect. A recent study conducted through the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists found linalool to greatly reduce stress. The study showed that the desired effects could be felt in less than 10 minutes after inhaling fumes from the burning bay leaves. Due to its ability to lower stress hormones, bay leaf essential oils can be used in aromatherapy to treat mental health issues.

Burning Bay Leaf for an Energy Boost
Bay leaves contain powerful compounds such as pinene, cineol, and elemicin. These simultaneously alleviate fatigue and produce a pleasant energy boost. The best way to activate these energizing compounds is through burning bay leaves. Freshly dried bay leaves will produce more beneficial results.

Bay Leaf Steam for Respiratory Relief
Bay leaves help break up and remove mucus and phlegm. Soak fresh leaves in clean water or pick up a small vial of bay leaf oil and use it in a humidifier to create a steamy vapor that you then breathe in. You can also simply boil the treated water on the stovetop or rub the oil on your chest area to alleviate respiratory problems, allergies, and asthma.

Bay Leaves for Pest Control  
Bay leaves are a safe and effective way to get rid of annoying pests. You can scatter them in a pantry to repel meal moths, flies, cockroaches, mice, and silverfish. While the leaves discourage the growth of molds, they are not effective for killing large beetles and the like. The fumes of burning bay leaves are highly unpleasant to many insects, and routine practice will drive them out of infested spaces for good. The vapors they release kill insects slowly but effectively.

Spiritual Spice
In addition to its medicinal and culinary uses, bay leaves also remove unpleasant energy. In the Mishna, the word דָפְנָה/dafna means ‘an outer wall,’ which provides protection. This concurs with the tradition of using bay leaves to cleanse a space and provide spiritual protection. Bay leaves were worn as amulets to ward off negativity and kept in a sachet for protection. People also used to soak leaves for three days in water, then strain and sprinkle the water around the house for protection. Additional spiritual qualities attributed to bay leaves, such as bringing success, increasing strength and psychic awareness may be due to their stress releasing properties. Stress, anxiety and tension block our natural ability to be successful. When we use bay leaf to reduce stress and anxiety, we are empowered to tune into our innate spiritual intuition and activate our psychic sixth sense.

Medicinal Properties
Bay leaves have long been a common addition to various dishes due to their ability to aid in digestion and regulate metabolism. They can be used in cooking, taken in tea, or herbal baths, and infused in oil. Bay leaves are very detoxifying and relieve anti-inflammatory ailments by stimulating the body to release toxins through the skin by inducing perspiration. Bay leaves have antiseptic, antioxidant, digestive, diuretic and probable anti-cancer activity. They contain Vitamin A and are especially rich in Vitamin C, which has wound healing and antiviral properties that boost the immune system. Recent research found that bay leaves protect the heart because they contain both caffeic acid and rutin. Caffeic acid removes bad cholesterol from the cardiovascular system. Rutin is vital for strengthening capillaries in the walls of the heart and limbs. Bay leaves also regulate blood pressure, and contain folic acid, which aids in DNA synthesis. Bay leaf oil, used in cosmetics, soaps, and detergents, treats arthritic pains, lower back pain, earaches, sore muscles, and sprains. When used in ointment the antibacterial properties of bay leaves help keep wounds clean and encourage healing. They also stimulate healthy skin growth for clear, youthful skin. Some rub bay leaf oil into the scalp for dandruff, and apply it to the skin for pain, especially muscle and joint pain (rheumatism). Others steep bay leaves in water and then rub them on the scalp while washing the hair.

Culinary Uses
Fresh or dried bay leaves are great flavor enhancements in soup, cholent, and stew due to their distinctive flavor and fragrance. Remove the leaves from the cooked food before eating. The fresh leaves are very mild and do not develop their full flavor until several weeks after picking and drying. Therefore, when using fresh leaves add double or triple the amount. 

Hands On
Bay leaves can be so much more than mere garnish. They offer various health benefits, when we add them in dishes, use them in teas, or grind them into powder for salves and oils. Essential bay leaf oil is also very beneficial in aromatherapy. The easiest way for people like me – who want a no-fuss method – is to make bay leaf tea. All you have to do is steep some leaves in water for a little while and drink it just as you would any herbal tea. My husband noticed that bay leaf and mint tea is a good combination.

Hearty Barley Soup

A big pot of barley soup simmering on the stove warms the heart during stormy, rainy weather.

Half a diced onion
2 diced carrot
2 diced celery stalks
Additional vegetables of your choice such as leeks, kohlrabi, parsley and celery root
2 tablespoons olive oil
8 cups water or vegetable broth
½ cup hulled uncooked barley
½ cup presoaked beans of your choice
1⁄3 cup crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
2 large bay leaves
½ teaspoon of each basil, oregano and thyme
½ teaspoon sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon onion powder (optional)
¼ teaspoon celery-salt (optional)

1. In a large soup pot, sauté the onions for five minutes or more until translucent.
2. Add celery, carrots and any other vegetables and continue to sauté for three to five minutes.
3. Add the remaining ingredients including the liquids and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low.
4. Allow soup to simmer for at least one hour, stirring occasionally, until the barley is soft and somewhat fluffy.
5. Adjust the spices according to taste and enjoy!

Tuesday, June 19, 2018

Refreshing, Sweet, Uplifting Mint


Herbal Remedies from the Judean Hills
נענע – Peppermint – Mentha Piperita 

Printable Version


Refreshing, Sweet, Uplifting Mint
I was feeling a bit lethargic after my weekly six-am swim, when I sat myself down at the computer to write about peppermint. Learning how the essential oil of peppermint has a wonderful ability to refresh our minds and spirit, I put a few drops into my diffuser and placed it on my desk. As my mind became uplifted by the vapor, I was in a better spirit to share some peppermint insights. Known as ‘נענע/nana,’ steaming fresh mint sprigs are served as tea throughout the Middle East with or without a generous helping of sugar. Perhaps mint’s Hebrew name, from the word  נע/na – ‘moving,’ indicates mint’s ability to quickly spread and multiply by dividing its roots, as in, “You shall be a wanderer (נָע/na) and an exile in the land” (Bereishit 4:12). Out of hundreds of kinds throughout the world, Wikipedia lists four mints that grow wild in Israel:  נענת הכדורים (Mentha pulegium); נענת המים (M. aquatica); נענע ריחנית (M. suaveolens); נענע משובלת (M. longifolia). In English, they are pennyroyal, water mint, apple mint, and horse mint respectively. I have never come across apple mint, but for many years we have a persistent kind of mint in our garden which came back this spring – even after being completely uprooted from the rose bed. It has a spicier taste than regular peppermint and its leaves are a shade darker and more purple. I suspect it is either spearmint or water mint. Peppermint is actually a hybrid of these two kinds of mints. Spearmint and peppermint have similar medicinal qualities, but spearmint is supposed to be milder, so perhaps my spicy mint is water mint. Interestingly, the numerical value of נענע/nana – ‘mint’ is 240 which equals that of עמלק/Amalek the arch enemy of Israel. Also, the words מר/mar – ‘bitter’ and רם/ram – ‘elevated’ share the numerical value of 240. We could say that just as the sweet taste and scent of mint counteracts any bitterness, so too, does the spiritual attribute of mint work as an antidote to the spiritual bitterness of Amalek.

Peppermint Spirit
The numerical value of Amalek is also ספק/safek – ‘doubt.’ This negative energy is the cause of self-doubt, indecision and uncertainty. Energetically, peppermint essential oil with the identical numerology clears away this kind of doubt and mental chatter, while  clearing our perspective and clearing the way. It counteracts bad odors and tunes up how we see ourselves and how we see the world. It assists us in moving out that which no longer serves us and enhances our receptivity for all that is new and fresh on the mental, emotional and spiritual levels. Just as peppermint is widely known to strengthen our physical digestive system, energetically it also helps us to better ‘digest’ new ideas. Due to its cooling nature, a few drops of peppermint on a wet bandana placed around the neck or head can help alleviate feeling overheated while hiking in the heat. Mint’s cooling property can also help to relieve anger. Since ancient times, mint was thrown on dirt floors and hung in houses to create a clean, welcoming smell. Also today, we can use mint in similar ways to give a welcoming feeling to our guests. Peppermint is an essential oil that we would not be without. It is definitely one of the most vital essential oils because of its versatile uses.

Mint in Historical Israel and Rabbinic Literature
The mint growing in biblical time was probably spearmint, since it is an older mint than peppermint. Mint is believed to have derived from Egypt and then to have spread to Israel. Horsemint grows wild in Israel, but unfortunately does not have the pleasant aromatic smell of spearmint or peppermint. It does still have the beneficial medicinal qualities. I’m not sure how horsemint merited the nickname ‘biblical mint.’ Mint is not found in the Tanach (bible) but it is discussed in the Talmud, which even gives recipes that include mint. A mixture of cumin, soap, mint, wormwood, cedar-blossom, and hyssop is recommended to be used as an ointment. It can also be infused in wine, water, or beer. This was recommended for the heart, for flatulence, and uterine pains:

תלמוד בבלי מסכת עבודה זרה דף כט/א אָמַר רַבִּי יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן לֵוִי, מַעֲלִין אוּנְקְלִי בְשַׁבָּת. מַאי אוּנְקְלֵי? אָמַר רַבִּי אַבָּא, אִיסְטוֹמְכָּא דְּלִיבָּא. מַאי אָסוּתָא? מַיְיתִי כַּמּוֹנָא כַּרַוְיא, וְנִינַיָא, וְאַגַדָּנָא, וְצִיתְרִי, וַאֲבַדְתָּא. לְלִיבָּא - בְּחַמְרָא, וְסִימָנֵיךָ, (תהלים קד) "וְיַיִן יְשַּמַּח לְבַב אֶנוֹשׁ". לְרוּחָא - בְּמַיָא, וְסִימָנֵיךָ, (בראשית א) וְרוּחַ אֱלֹהִים מְרַחֶפֶת עַל פְּנֵי הַמָּיִם". לְכּוּדָא - בְּשִׁיכְרָא, וְסִימָנֵיךָ, (שם כּד) "וְכַדָּהּ עַל שִׁכְמָהּ"
Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said: It is allowed to lift the ‘onkly’ on Sabbath. What is ‘onkly?’ Rabbi Abba said: It is the sternum of the heart. And how is this disease cured? By an ointment prepared of cumin, soap, mint, wormwood, cedar-blossom and hyssop. For the benefit of the heart, dissolve these in wine. The sign [by which you remember it] is, “Wine gladdens the heart” (Tehillim 104:15). Against flatulence, dissolve in water. The sign is, “the wind of G-d hovers over the water” (Bereishit 1:3). Against pains in the uterus (kuda), dissolve in beer; the sign is, “She had her pitcher (kadah) on her shoulder…” (ibid. 24:15); (Babylonian Talmud, Avodah Zarah 29a). 

I am unable to decipher this obscure Talmudic section and the proof-texts used to recommend these particular herbs for the abovementioned ailments. What piqued my interest is that this passage teaches us that mint was well-known in Talmudic times. The Talmudic word translated ­­to mint is נִינַיָא/ninaya, which Rashi explains as מינט"א/mentha –which clearly refers to a plant in the mint family. Additionally, Rambam lists mountain-mint and water-mint among the few foods and medicines that have cleansing properties (Maimonides, Medical Writings, vol 5. p 103, 158). He also recommends mountain-mint and plain mint together with thyme as a treatment for lethargy (Ibid. p 162).

Health Benefits of Peppermint
The peppermint herb and essential oil, with its pleasant taste and fragrance, have multiple uses and health benefits. The most outstanding is its value as a digestive aid, due to its carminative property. It is also an excellent respiratory aid because of mint’s menthol oils, known for their diaphoretic and antispasmodic properties. Its calmative and sedative properties enable mint to calm the nerves and soothe headaches.

Aids Digestion
Mint alleviates gastro-intestinal disorders; (e.g., upset stomach, cramps, irritable bowel syndrome-IBS). It strengthens the liver, calms indigestion and stomach ache. Peppermint’s menthol causes a mild anesthesia of the gastric mucosal membrane, which is beneficial for the digestive system. Mint can treat diarrhea, gastric fever and toxic infections. It stimulates biliary secretion and helps the digestion of fats. Peppermint essential oil is used not only topically, but also for various internal ailments- especially indigestion.

Respiratory Issues
Peppermint has a superior effect on the respiratory system. It is recommended for asthma, bronchitis and the flu because of its antispasmodic and sedative properties. Mint also treats sinusitis, because menthol is a vasodilator of the nasal mucous membranes. Mint essential oil can be used for inhalation as well as for chest massages. When massage clients lie with their face down and their head in a face cradle, there is a tendency for sinus congestion. Placing a tissue with a few drops of peppermint essential oil under the face cradle assists the client to breathe easier.

Calming the Nerves and Soothing Pains
Peppermint has calming effects and its essential oil is one of the best pain relieving herbal remedies. It is equally effective as any over the counter pain relieving medication (but without the side effects). Just apply a drop or two to each temple and the back of the neck for relief. Research has shown its effectiveness in treating migraine headaches. Mint’s cooling effects also alleviate rheumatic pain, toothaches and ear inflammation.

Oral Hygiene
Mint essential oil freshens the breath, aids in disinfection and maintaining the hygiene of the oral cavity. It adds to oral health by inhibiting harmful bacterial growth inside the mouth and by cleaning the tongue and teeth.

Culinary Uses
Mint leaves have always had many culinary uses such as seasoning meat, sauces, and salads. Mint is also used as a spice in Middle Eastern cuisine. For example, a Lebanese recipe – lebneh (mint yoghurt) – is prepared by adding 2 or 3 chopped mint leaves, 2 pieces of garlic and lemon juice in a cup of yoghurt. Mint leaves can also be used in summer drinks. Boiled vegetables will look better if they are decorated with mint leaves. I like to mix mint tea with apple juice for a refreshing cooling summer drink. 

Hands On
Besides its wide commercial use in ice-creams, chocolates, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, cosmetics, medicines, inhalers, and breath fresheners, mint is also used as a condiment and a decorative item in culinary preparation around the world. Mint may even be used as a food preservative because of its high antioxidant capabilities. In the past, it was placed in milk because it was thought to help preserve it. Drinks and foods containing mint cool you off in the summer and it is often included in summer cocktails for a refreshing burst of flavor. It is also a good relaxant. Add fresh mint to plain or sparkling water, or even freeze whole leaves in ice cubes to add beautiful color to your beverage.

Mint Tea
Use 5-10 big leaves or more depending on how strong you want the tea. Tear the leaves and place in a mug. Then bruise the leaves for a few seconds with the back of a wooden spoon. Pour boiling water over the leaves and let steep 5-10 minutes. You can strain out the leaves with a fine strainer or leave them in if they are bug free.

Mint Bath
Rheumatism can be treated with mint baths. Boil 200g of leaves in 3 liters of water and mix with the bath water at 37 degrees Celsius.
Mint essential oil mixed with hot water is used topically to treat the flu, laryngitis and hoarseness.

Minty Green Salad with Feta Cheese
Use fresh herbs for this delicious salad.
½ cup mint
¼ cup cilantro
¼ cup parsley
¼ cup chopped walnuts
A bunch of spinach
1 medium leak
2 sprigs of thyme
8 ounce Bulgarian goat cheese or feta like Pastures of Eden Israeli sheep feta

1. Chop the herbs very fine.
2. Slice the leak.
3. Add the nuts and crumbled cheese.
4. Mix with cut and washed spinach.
5. Add olive oil and lemon juice to taste or serve with your favorite homemade vinaigrette dressing.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Feminine, Balancing, Heart Opening Geranium

Herbal Remedies from the Judean Hills
אוטרה – Scented Geranium – Pelargonium Graveolens
Printable Version

Feminine, Balancing, Heart Opening Geranium
One of my students recently asked me when we would be learning about scented geranium in Herbal Workshop, so I chose to share some insight about this flower now, although it grows throughout the year. Scented geranium, best known as rose or lemon geranium, is a favorite of mine. I use its natural essential oil as my daily perfume, for I feel that it resonates beautifully with me. This may be why women always compliment my scent when I wear pure geranium oil. Geranium is a classic remedy for those who focus so heavily on work and the logical processes of life that they lose touch with their ability to just sit and enjoy the wonders of the world. Geranium helps switching gears so we can take a moment to appreciate and smell the flowers. Workaholics and driven people like myself benefit most from a little geranium in their lives. Geranium extends its warm hand of comfort to the ‘inner child’ and helps open our hearts and heal the pain of repressed memories. It strengthens our feminine or ‘yin’ aspects and promotes a creative, receptive lifestyle. Geranium helps restore the balance of our adrenal and female hormonal systems and balances the male and female energies. By nourishing the blood and yin, geranium helps to ease conditions that lead to PMS, peri-menopause and related symptoms, as well as fatigue and energy swings. Geranium is used in dream work and astral travel. It also helps overcome depression and apprehension. I can especially relate to geranium’s ability to help the mind focus at times when I feel overwhelmed with pressure and the sense of ‘too much on my mind.’ In the past, scented geranium was carried in small bouquets by fine ladies, used as table decorations and exchanged between lovers. They were extremely popular in Europe and North America throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. In England during the Victorian period, women with long dresses would purposely pass scented geraniums to allow their dresses to touch the plants and spread the good fragrance in the air to perfume their homes. In our time, geranium has merited a ‘comeback’ in popularity. 

Hardy Natural Protective Insect Repellant
I treasure my scented geranium because the species in my garden is of the hardy kind that can survive our harsh winters with occasional frost. It thrives in our front yard and is often added to the myrtle as good smelling herbs for Havdalah. ‘Pelargonium’ derives from the Greek ‘pelargos’ which means stork due to the shape of their fruit. The specific epithet ‘graveolens’ refers to the strong-smelling leaves. The name Geranium comes from the word Greek word ‘geronos’ – crane bird, because its fruit looks like its beak. Scented geranium is a natural insect repellent and is well known in the ancient world as a tick repellent for dogs and humans alike! While these geraniums won’t rid our gardens of mosquitoes, they can significantly reduce their numbers. Grow scented geraniums in full sun in large pots on your patio or in the earth around your porch to take full advantage of their mosquito-repelling attributes. Gently stroke their leaves to release the aromatic fragrance. The rose geranium with its highly scented leaves is used in protection sachets, and its fresh leaves are rubbed on doorknobs and windows to protect the home.

Medicinal Properties of Scented Geranium
Scented geranium is used in the treatment of fevers from influenza, inflammation of the lungs, pain and swellings of the limbs due to its analgesic; anti-inflammatory; and febrifuge properties. Steep the leaves in vinegar, when applied to scalp and forehead, they will ease headache symptoms. Geranium heals bruises, cuts and scrapes, eczema and wounds due to its vulnerary property. It’s main medicinal property is astringent, making a good choice for herbal facials and baths. Pure geranium oil diluted with water is good to add to baths and use topically for cleaning the face. Due to geranium’s astringent property, it alleviates hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Geranium water is wonderful to help refresh the skin of the face to prevent aging of the skin and to treat protruding blood vessels and stains on the skin. In addition to its astringent qualities, geranium also has antiseptic properties that heals skin infections, treats sunburn and sores while restoring the balance to dry or oily skin and hair. It is used as a hair rinse in order to prevent hair-loss. The soothing qualities of geranium are helpful in relieving symptoms of anxiety and insomnia, as well as PMS and menopausal symptoms. Drinking the plant as tea helps to produce milk for nursing mothers. It is said that teas can also be used for treatment of stomach ulcers.

Rose Geranium in Oriental Medicine
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, geranium is considered neutral and sweet. Its affinity is for ‘wood’ and ‘earth’ with a particular focus on the ‘liver,’ ‘heart,’ and ‘spleen’ meridians. This makes geranium excellent for promoting circulation, strengthening weak, thin and stagnant or slow moving blood. It also treats weakness of the spleen and restless or agitated ‘shen.’ The outward symptoms of those conditions are anxiety, poor concentration, pessimism, depression, insomnia, fatigue, and even chronic anger coupled with depression. From the Ayruvedic perspective, geranium essential oil helps to balance the heart energy center. It decreases kapha conditions (the binding nature of water energy) by moving energy, which in turn strengthens and balances both pitta (the transformative nature of fire energy) and vata (the mobile nature of wind/air energy). Most often, geranium is considered a pitta essential oil, meaning it has greatest affinity for cooling and calming the fires of the mind and body. Overheated conditions, especially those centered on the heart area such as in the lungs or heart, respond well to geranium’s cooling nature. As a vata balancer, it treats energetic inflammation of the mind or air element, such as anxiety and mood swings, overthinking, and over-stimulation of the adrenal system. In Tibetan medicine, geranium root is considered acrid and sweet with a cooling potency. It was dried and powdered and put in mouth to relieve a sore mouth, especially for children.

Culinary Uses
The best thing about scented geraniums is that the leaves and flowers are edible. They can be used to flavor jellies, cakes, butters, ice creams, iced tea, sugar and more. Pound cake made with scented geranium leaves is a classic. You can try placing the leaves in the bottom of your prepared cake pan and pour the batter over the leaves, then bake as usual.  For a more earthy appearance and stronger flavor grind six leaves with each cup of sugar in your pound cake recipe and then prepare as usual, without placing leaves in the bottom of the pan. Some herbal cooks keep a container of rose geranium sugar on the counter to use in desserts. You can simply layer fresh leaves with your sugar, remove the leaves after two weeks and enjoy. Whirling a leaf with sugar or honey in a blender will give you instant flavor. Scented pelargonium jelly makes a special gift.  Make an apple jelly and place a rose geranium leaf in the jelly before sealing.

Hands On
Scented geraniums are more than delightful ornamentals. Their aromatic foliage, which gives scented geraniums their name, is used as stewing herbs, potpourris, in sachets, baking and teas. Scented geranium is a great addition to many herb teas. For example, a ginger scented leaf will put zing in lemon balm tea. The essential oils of the scented geraniums are used in toiletries, cosmetics and other flavor and fragrance products.  Scented geranium oil is often used to supplement (or adulterate) expensive essential rose oil. It can be used internally as in gel caps, topically as a massage oil or liniment, or inhaled in an aromatherapy burner.

Rose Geranium Water
1 Handful of rose geranium
2 Cups water (clear rain-water if possible)
Simmer together for 15 minutes, steep for 2 hours, then strain.
Larger quantities, perhaps at a time when the plants are being pruned or cut back, may be made and frozen until required in freezer bags.

Use as an after-shampoo-rinse by running the water three or four times through the hair to give a pleasant fragrance and shine. Rose geranium water can also be used as a cleansing astringent for the face and neck.

Scented Geranium Tea
2 teaspoons dried or ¼ cup fresh geranium leaves.
1 cup boiling water

1. Pour boiling water over the leaves and let sit for 5 minutes.
2. Strain the leaves out and drink.

You may drink this tea or use it as a facial wash.  Use with caution if you have sensitive skin, as in some people the essential oil causes mild rash. 

Geranium Oil Infusion
A large amount of geranium leaves
Olive oil to fill a jar

1. Fill a jar with dried geranium leaves almost to the top.
2. Pour in extra virgin olive oil – make sure the oil covers the herbs and goes a bit above the volume of the herbs.
3. Place in the sun for two weeks shaking it daily.
4. Strain out the flowers.
5. You can store this infusion in the fridge for up to three months.
Geraniums can be harvested for oil when the plant starts flowering.

Rose Geranium Cookies
¼ Cup olive oil
1 Cup brown sugar
1 Organic egg
½ Cup scented geranium tea
2 ½ Cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
About two dozen small rose geranium leaves

1. Soak rose geranium leaves 3 minutes in veggie wash.
2. Rinse out and check each leaf carefully for bugs.
3. Whisk oil and sugar together until smooth.
4. Add egg and continue whisking.
5. Mix in the flour
7. With a spoon place cookie size balls on trays covered with baking paper.
Leave enough space (2 inches) between cookies.
8. Press a rose geranium leaf or flower well into the cookie.
9. Bake until lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes.
10. Remove and cool on wire racks. Store in an airtight container.
Makes about two dozen cookies.

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

The Hardy, Humble Honeysuckle

Herbal Remedies from the Judean Hills 
יַעֲרָה –Honeysuckle – Lonicera Japonica
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The Hardy, Humble Honeysuckle
The sweet fragrance of honeysuckle is a clear sign of the beginning of summer. It represents rebirth and the survival of life after the long winter’s death. As I went out to feed the chickens this morning, the tantalizing scent of honeysuckle that grows near our chicken coop welcomed me. The flowers gathered at the end of their stems trumpeted the sweet, gentle scent of purification and renewal. I delight in the Divine providence that brought us to plant honeysuckle on both sides of our chicken coop. What could be a more suitable plant for dispelling the less than pleasant odor of molding kitchen scraps mixed with chicken droppings? Although, there are approximately 200 honeysuckle species from the Lonicera genus of the Caprifoliaceae family growing worldwide, I don’t recall ever meeting honeysuckle in my native country, Denmark. Honeysuckle is usually found in more temperate climates, as well as in the Himalayas and southern Asia. Its floral aroma is a popular scent in perfumes. Honeysuckle is a hardy, twining climber. I love its strength and resilience. It easily survives the harsh winters of the Judean hills and in a short time, it covered our unsightly retaining cement wall with its profuse tubular summer flowers exuding their intense fragrance. Honeysuckle is known as ‘love bind’ due to its clinging growing habits that symbolize a lover’s embrace. Thus, honeysuckle’s ‘bonds of love’ are believed to strengthen fidelity in marriage. It certainly is a faithful plant returning in full bloom each summer. This explains the superstitious belief that if you bring honeysuckle bloom into the house, a wedding will follow within the year. Perhaps because of the potent fragrance of its flowers, it was believed to induce dreams of love and passion. Honeysuckle has also been used as incense since ancient times to attract financial blessings and promote prosperity. The sweet scent of honeysuckle may trigger generosity by sweetening the thoughts of those who smell it. The name יַעְרָה/Ya’ara – honeysuckle was the name of King Achaz’s daughter (I Chronicles 9:42). It is one of the lesser-known Hebrew girl’s names. 

Increasing Psychic Abilities
The sweet scent of honeysuckle clears the mind and strengthens psychic powers. It can sharpen intuition when used as a plant, when burned as incense or when dried and placed around the room in sachets. Some believe that crushing and placing honeysuckle flowers next to the forehead or lightly bruising the flowers and then rubbing them on the forehead boosts the psychic powers within the mind. You can also gather a few honeysuckle blossoms with their green leaves to carry with you or place into a tiny vase at your home or at your desk at work.

According to the Zohar, fragrance has the power to strengthen the soul – the source of our psychic abilities:  “Through this fragrance, the soul is restored from its weakness. It is restored through this emunah (faith) and draws down blessings from above to below” (Zohar 3:35a). Fragrance connects the soul to the Divine. Through scent, we can learn to recognize and smell G-d’s imprint within the world. The sages smell the wisdom of G-d’s scent that imbues all existence (Malbim, Song of Songs 1:3). The Hebrew word יֵעָרֶה/ye’ara with the same letters of the Hebrew word for honeysuckle יַעְרָה/ya’ara means to ‘pour out.’ Incidentally, this word is used to describe how Hashem pours out His Divine Spirit upon us. Just as when the fragrance of honeysuckle is poured over us, it strengthens our psychic abilities, likewise Hashem will pour His Spirit upon us to open our spiritual intuition:

ספר ישעיה פרק לב פסוק טו עַד יֵעָרֶה עָלֵינוּ רוּחַ מִמָּרוֹם וְהָיָה מִדְבָּר לַכַּרְמֶל וֲכַּרְמֶל \{וְהַכַּרְמֶל\} לַיַּעַר יֵחָשֵׁב:
“Until a spirit be poured (יֵעָרֶה/ye’ara) upon us from on high, and the desert shall become a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be regarded as a forest” (Yesha’yahu 32:15).

This verse paints a prophetic picture of the redemption, when the world will evolve to become Paradise. Our hearts will be opened and in tune with Hashem. As we move forward in the redemption process, we experience how increasingly more of us are strengthening our spiritual intuition while simultaneously becoming aware of the fragrances Hashem has poured into reality. The scent of honeysuckle is one of these strong aromatic hints of our future redemption.

Medicinal Properties of Honeysuckle
Honeysuckle is high in calcium, magnesium, zinc and potassium. The whole plant is anti-inflammatory, astringent, anti-bacterial, diuretic, calming, expectorant and antispasmodic. 
It is mainly used to reduce inflammation and infection. It treats upper respiratory tract infections including the common cold; sore throats; influenza; flu and pneumonia; whether viral or bacterial infections. It also treats swelling of the brain (encephalitis); boils; and sores. Honeysuckle is moreover beneficial for digestive disorders including pain and inflammation of the small intestine (enteritis). It also treats urinary disorders, headache, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, ulcers, and cancer. The stems can be boiled into soup for treating acute arthritis, hepatitis and mumps. Honeysuckle is sometimes applied to the skin for inflammation and itching, and to kill germs. In folk medicine, honeysuckle is a remedy against kidney stones and liver diseases. The Roman naturalist writer Pliny recommended it mixed with wine for the treatment of disorders of the spleen. In ancient Greek humoral medicine, the spleen is associated with the black bile humor, which in turn is associated with melancholy, or depression. Today, honeysuckle is not used to treat depression except the Italian honeysuckle, which is used as a Bach flower remedy, where it treats the kind of depression associated with nostalgia. The Italian honeysuckle (Lonicera caprifolium) fruit is emetic, diuretic and cathartic. The pressed juice makes a mild purgative. The leaves and flowers are antispasmodic, emollient and expectorant. They are used as a skin and mucous tonic and as a vulnerary. Recent research has shown that the plant has an outstanding curative action in cases of colitis. 

Honeysuckle in Traditional Chinese Medicine
Among species of honeysuckle, the most common, in Israel, is Italian (Lonicera caprifolium) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica). The former has reddish flowers, whereas the Japanese honeysuckle, which is used in traditional Chinese medicine, has yellow flowers. It is considered a powerful herbal antibiotic, effective against a broad spectrum of bacteria and viruses. It has sweet and cold properties, and is associated with the lung, stomach and large intestine meridians. With its powerful antibiotic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties, it is used to clear heat and remove toxins. According to Chen and Chen (Chinese Medical Herbology and Pharmacology, 2004, Art of Medicine Press Inc.), the fresh herb soaked in water has a stronger antibiotic effect than an herbal decoction, and the leaves have even stronger antibiotic properties than the flowers. Honeysuckle flowers may be applied internally or externally. For upper respiratory tract and skin problems, mix the leaves, stems and flower buds. Cook as medicinal herb tea. The flower is edible and can be infused as herbal tea or made into a natural cough syrup as an expectorant for bad coughs and asthma.

Bach Flower Remedy
Italian Honeysuckle is used as a Bach flower remedy to treat nostalgia, homesickness and for people who live in the past instead of the present. They feel that their best days are behind them and that there is little to look forward to. As a consequence, they prefer to dwell on past happiness. Dr. Bach’ described them thus “Those who live much in the past, perhaps a time of great happiness, or memories of a lost friend, or ambitions which have not come true. They do not expect further happiness such as they have had” - The Twelve Healers and Other Remedies. The negative honeysuckle state keeps a person ‘stuck’ in the past – unable and unwilling to accept the changes of his or her present life, and expecting nothing good to come from the future. These are the people for whom the past was better than the present, and they want desperately to hang on to it. They cannot learn from the experiences of the past nor can they integrate those experiences into the present. In a positive honeysuckle state, they learn to connect to the past and learn from it. Writers who bring back the past for our enjoyment are living in a positive honeysuckle state.

Hands On
Honeysuckle has been used medicinally by the Chinese for thousands of years. Although, I hate picking off the fragile flowers since I adore their delicate scent in my garden their nectar is sweeter than honey and their flavor in tea is surprisingly potent. 

Honeysuckle Iced Tea
2 cups honeysuckle blossoms
A few fresh mint sprigs for garnish

1. Pluck the blossoms from the honeysuckle vine. Discard any leaves or green parts. Try to take the freshly opened flowers, and even the buds that are about to open.
2. Place the flowers in a pitcher or Mason jar.
3. Cover with about 2½ cups water that has been heated to just boiling.
4. Give it a good stir and let steep at room temperature for several hours. Then refrigerate overnight.
5. Strain the tea through a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or a coffee filter. It will yield a crystal-clear tea.
6. Serve cold over ice with a mint sprig and a few blossoms for garnish.

The finished tea has a lovely pale celadon color, a light floral scent, and a surprisingly sweet flavor. Don’t add honey before tasting your tea – it’s incredibly sweet all by itself.  You might want a squeeze of lemon if you don’t like sweet tea.

Honeysuckle Ice Cream
1½ cups heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
½ cup brown sugar
2 cups honeysuckle blossoms (approximately)
Seeds from 1 vanilla bean or a few drops of natural vanilla essence

1. Put the cream, milk and sugar into a medium saucepan and stir to dissolve the sugar.
2. Add the honeysuckle blossoms into the pan and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally.
3. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool to room temperature. Then cover and refrigerate overnight.
4. In the morning, strain the blossoms out and add the vanilla bean seeds. Mix well to break apart any clumped seeds.
5. Process the cold mixture in your ice cream machine according to its directions.
6. Put the soft ice cream in the freezer to firm up before serving.

Chana Bracha’s Honeysuckle Sorbet (Vegan Option)
2 handfuls honeysuckle blossoms
3 cups coconut cream
¼ Cup water – just enough to cover the blossoms
¼ cup honey
A few drops of natural vanilla essence

1. Boil the water and pour over the honeysuckle blossoms
2. Let the blossoms steep until cool, then refrigerate overnight
3. Strain the honeysuckle blossoms and pour the tea into your blender
4. Add the remaining ingredients into your blender
5. Process on high speed until completely smooth and place in freezer
6. Remove from freezer about 30 minutes before serving