The herb Plantago major (greater plantain) or weed to most people, is a familiar sight in gardens presently. The leaves may be quite large, and it is just ready to harvest. A versatile plant, it has been used as medicine and food since ancient times and has many benefits. It […]
Herbal Healing
Even though we are now entering a more positive time in our efforts to quell the storm Covid unleashed on our society and way of life; it is also time to look at those who may be more at risk from the virus and who need to be ultra-vigilant in […]
As the amazing spectacle of the blackthorn covered in white blossom fades, we are honoured with the pink and white blossom of hawthorn adorning the hedgerows during May. This bush is rich in folklore and a lone hawthorn tree is associated with the ‘sí’. These bushes are also to be […]
This morning I noticed the above plant growing on the wall of an old stone building. It is a familiar plant and its botanical name is ‘Umbilicus ruperstris’. It is more commonly known as wall pennywort or ‘Cornán chaisil’, ‘Cornán Leacáin’, and ‘Lus na Pingne’ in Irish. This is a […]
In the final article in her series on fertility Dr Rosari Kingston talks about implantation and how issues relating to this may be resolved. The final stage of the journey for the fertilised egg is to implant itself in the lining of the womb, the endometrium. This is the layer […]
I am interrupting my series on infertility this month, February, to write about one of the Irish quarter days. These four days are, Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine, and Lughnasa and are approximately twelve weeks apart. The cross-quarter days are Nollaig, St Patrick’s day, St John’s day and St Martin’s day. Taken together, […]