When I was a very young girl,
I used to gather herbs for our local pharmacy.
Our Pharmacist would tell me what he needed. I would gather and then dry the herbs on newspapers in the attic.
I was paid by weight.
I was paid by weight.
Linden blossoms just picked from our trees.
They will be dried and stored.
They will be dried and stored.
Used for wounds that won't heal, reduces fever, counteracts poison, reduces cold symptoms, for stomach ailments, nerve calming and most importantly, it lightens freckles.
We have two Linden trees, the European Linden blooms a week earlier. The Little Leaf Linden (on the right) is blooming right now.
This is my little herb bible. Translated it is called
"Healing herbs for the Healthy and the Sick".
My dried herbs go into little cotton bags. This way they won't mildew and will stay fresh throughout the winter months.
Note about the Damsel in Distress in the last photo:
While we were visiting Sicily, we stopped into an Antiques shop. The interesting wooden plaque turned out to be part of a goat wagon.
The Gentleman assured us that it was over a hundred years old.
When I asked him if he could wrap it for me he politely declined because
The new paint was still wet.
Have a great weekend my dear friends.
Gina
Note about the Damsel in Distress in the last photo:
While we were visiting Sicily, we stopped into an Antiques shop. The interesting wooden plaque turned out to be part of a goat wagon.
The Gentleman assured us that it was over a hundred years old.
When I asked him if he could wrap it for me he politely declined because
The new paint was still wet.
Have a great weekend my dear friends.
Gina
Dear Gina,
ReplyDeleteI did not know you have a Linden tree in your collection of trees. I can just imagine the lovely scent from your bowl of freshly picked blossoms.The herb bible seems like a precious book from long ago still serving the gatherer of herbs with good advise.
Your cat, Pasha, from the Treasure of the week photo, is gorgeous.
Have a great weekend, Sieglinde
Dear Sieglinde, Because we have a large fountain (the horse trough fountain) in front of our house I had to also plant a Linden tree. You know," Am Brunnen for dem Torre, da steht ein Linden Baum". I love that beautiful old folk song.
DeleteOur Pasha is the most charming little fellow. He was not to spend so much time in our house but you know how it goes. First we had rules and now he has taken over.
Such a lovely post Gina.
ReplyDeleteWhat a gift, to be able to dry herbs and know what they are for. I do not know , if I have seen a Linden tree.!
How hilarious.. the Antique shop owner, had someone paint the plaque.. still looks a hundred years old.. very original.
wishing you a great weekend.
val xx
Dear Val, you probably have Linden trees in Portugal. They are a long lasting tree with few diseases. they also have a fine growth habit, shaped in a tidy candelabra fashion.
DeleteThe wooden plaque is a side panel from a goat cart. That part is very old and has beautiful carvings all around the frame. The subject matter of the painting is hilarious.
Dear Gina - it is lovely that you keep the old traditions alive and flourishing. In this instant digital age so many of the old ways of doing things are getting lost forever. I do hope that there may be some young people in your midst who can learn some of your special skills to take forward into the future.
ReplyDeleteDear Rosemary, Because we live in a small community and with lots of land all around us, it is easy to honor some of the old ways. We have the time to plant and harvest and preserve from our garden. We don't mind the work. There are only a few herbs that are safe for daily consumption. I try not to overdo with my advise.
DeleteGina, I am still smiling about your tale of the Damsel painting, but also want to tell you how much I enjoyed reading about your knowledge of herbs. I do agree with Rosemary's comment.
ReplyDeleteHappy weekend to you. I've had some days off, but will be at work this weekend. Well, perhaps every day of the week deserves to be enjoyed, no matter where we find ourselves.
xo
Dear Frances, I can't tell if the Damsel in distress is being rescued or have the soldiers forgotten about her? The plaque is hanging in my kitchen and every time I go past it it makes me smile. It also reminds me of the day we visited this particular area. and that is what it is all about isn't it.
DeleteWishing you a wonderful weekend. Maybe you will share a few more photos with us of your market visits.
Dear Gina,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the memories of Linden trees. They are wonderful shade trees. There was a very large, tall one in front of the house I grew up in and it provided beautiful shade and a lovely scent when the flowers bloomed. I only learned of the benefits of the dried blooms many years after we moved out. Your story of gathering, drying, and selling the dried blooms is so sweet. Using dried herbs must have been the intention of the doctor who built my old family home and planted the Linden tree. The kitchen had an unusually large pantry with an area for hanging dried herbs. It was a very German part of town and much of the old ways were practiced. So each plant and tree must have had a purpose that I only learned about much later. I really love reading how you do traditional things, like gathering herbs, painting, decorating, etc. It's an elegant reprieve from the commercialism of the modern world.
Dear Darlene, I am so pleased that you shared your story with me. No doubt your former owner of your house had a European background. Still, today, most Europeans gather herbs of one kind or another. Each family has their favorite herb.remedy. How wonderful it would have been had I been invited to see your doctors kitchen and the herbs he must have collected. Thank you Darlene for taking the time to tell us about your family home.
DeleteDear Gina,
ReplyDeleteI should have known that you are adept in the art of healing, and how good to know that there is such a recent history of pharmacists who are still herbalists. I do not have a green thumb (as I have expressed before) but I do always keep aloe plants close at hand and use them for cuts, scrapes and bruises. And thanks for the story of the freshly painted 100-year-old antique! It was my laugh of the day.
Dear Mark, Oh boy! You give me too much credit. I am not adept at the art of healing. I only gather a few herbs and spices to supplement my kitchen larder.
DeleteMark, you would enjoy Sicily. So much to admire. Art as a close to the earth experience. Now that you are so deeply involved in your Pompeian room, it might encourage you to head on over there.
Yes, I hope to make that trip. Something tells me I might have some deja vu experiences!
DeleteAnd on the way to Sicily there is a fine country hotel near the Etruscian coast...a fine place from which to explore. I will bring back lots of photos from our trip in September.
DeleteWe have small leaved linden trees lining some of the roads in our neighbourhood and I love the fragrance in the air when they're in bloom. I had no idea the flowers were used as an herbal remedy. The cotton bags for storage of the herbs you keep are pretty.
ReplyDeleteHello Judith, Is it too late for you to pick a few blossoms? My Little Leaf Linden blossoms have just opened here in Utah. The little cotton bags, which I use for everything, are available in my Etsy Shop. They can even be custom designed just for you.
DeleteHow interesting! I would love to know more about herbs and old time remedies. Love your beautiful photos today! Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteHello Diane, How nice of you to stop by for a visit. Thank you also for your lovely compliment. ox, Gina
DeleteWhat a great post, I have not heard of the linden trees and the healing powers.. I love the painting and the cute cotton bags for your herbs.. Enjoy your Sunday and the week ahead!
ReplyDeleteHello Eileen, As you know, one has to be careful with herbal remedies. I only use those which are benign and do not cause harm. When in doubt it is always best to ask your Doctor for advice. Many herbal books have been published. They make for very interesting reading and even provide a chuckle now and then.
DeleteYou can find my little cotton bags in my Etsy shop. They can even be customized for your special needs.