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We are a group of micro farmers who welcome anyone who keeps animals or grows vegetables and fruit, or loves cooking! Who would like to come along to our meetings or events and share their experiences with others. You don't need to have lots of animals to be a "smallholder." Many people who grow vegetables, have some bees or maybe a couple of backyard chickens come along and enjoy the meetings and events as well.
Tuesday 28 January 2014
Growing Christmas Dinner – Nikki & Gordon
Wednesday 22 January 2014
Herbs For Skin
Herbs For Skin
The skin is not just the largest organ in your body but the most visible one as well. As it surrounds your entire physique, it makes perfect sense that one strives to maintain its health, youthfulness and clarity. With herbs like the above being gentle on the skin yet tough on skin conditions, they certainly have earned their rightful place as effective skin remedies and even in skin care and cosmetic products.
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Herbs background pic © Elena Moiseeva - Fotolia.com
Scrapes, cuts, burns, acne, eczema, psoriasis, skin cancer- just some of the most common skin conditions - which explains why several billion dollars are spent annually on cosmetic and skin care products. [1]Globally, sales exceed over $300 billion every year and in the U.S. alone, expenditures can reach $8 billion yearly. [2]
Not only is healthy skin beautiful on the outside, it is also an indication of good health inside. On the other hand, skin disorders may be symptoms of a deeper illness. [1]
However, you need not spend so much on commercial skin products when there are natural plant extracts and herbs available that trace their origin and use since ancient times. Many of these herbal remedies have potent ability to fight free radicals, inhibit enzymatic degradation, promote collagen synthesis [3] and possess antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Here are some that have been indicated by various studies to have a beneficial effect on skin:
10 Beneficial Herbs for the Skin
Calendula
Also known as pot marigold, calendula has been shown to heal and regenerate skin tissue. Research shows that calendula may be applied where cell regeneration is required like when experiencing sunburn or sore and irritated skin. [4] There is also some evidence that suggest calendula oil-based cream may be effective against Ultraviolet B radiation-induced alterations in the level of antioxidants in skin tissue. [5]
Aloe
The gel of aloe vera is well known for its ability to repair damaged skin and heal wounds, making it a common ingredient in skin care products. One study has found aloe vera cream to be slightly more effective than topical steroid in reducing inflammation and skin itching. Other studies indicate the value of aloe in relieving dermatitis, frostbite, burns and psoriasis. [1]
St. John's Wort
Externally applied as a cream, ointment or macerated oil, St. John's Wort is found to have calming effects to soothe skin irritation. [4] An investigative study has shown that oleum hyperici, an oil extract of St. John's Wort may be used for topical treatment of wounds, burns, bruises, nerve injury, cuts, hemorrhoids and may even serve as antiseptic. Because of its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial characteristics, St. John's Wort oil extracts exhibit antimicrobial activities against common microorganisms. [6]
Peppermint
In a 2011 experiment, scientists ascertained that when peppermint oil was liberally applied and penetrated into the skin, a sensation of freshness was experienced. [7] Its cooling and refreshing qualities allow peppermint to stimulate and revitalize the skin, restore skin elasticity, close pores, reduce swelling and unpleasant odour, and decrease redness and irritation. [4]
Green tea
Green tea is not just for drinking; its extracts can also be applied to the skin. One study has found that a 2% green lotion works as an acne solution. Aside from alleviating acne, green tea contains antioxidant flavonoids that protect against the dangers of ultraviolet light like sunburn, skin ageing and skin cancer. [1]
Chamomile
Undeniably, chamomile is one of the most common ingredients of many skin care products today. This herb is an excellent source of potent compound alpha bisabolol that is thought to be effective in accelerating the healing process of the skin as well as in reducing the occurrence of wrinkles and fine lines. [8]
More than its wonderful aroma, chamomile is also known for its anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that are beneficial to the skin. When applied into the skin, chamomile is useful in relieving allergies, eczema, minor burns, sunburn and skin rashes. [9]
Lavender
More than its relaxing and calming effects, lavender also makes a wonderful herb to the skin. The herb contains compound linalool that soothes the skin, prevent tissue degeneration, and keep the skin firm and taut. Lavender also acts as an excellent anti-aging agent because of its cytophylactic properties that promote regeneration of new cells. It promotes faster healing of wounds, cuts, scar tissues, inflammation, irritation, psoriasis, sunburn, eczema, acne and other skin disorders. Lavender also contains antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-toxic, anti-viral and anti-inflammatory properties. [10]
Comfrey
Just like chamomile, comfrey is also one of the most popular ingredients of many skin lotions today. What makes this herb effective and in-demand is its allantoin content that plays a vital role in protecting the skin as well as in promoting skin cell regeneration. When applied into the skin as poultice, comfrey is effective in relieving abrasion and laceration. [11]
Also referred to as knitbone, comfrey is used to treat a wide range of skin ailments. Allantoin also works by promoting skin repair and shrinking skin inflammation. Despite its effectiveness, the US Food and Drug Administration banned the use of comfrey internally as it may incur adverse damages to the essential organs of the body such as the liver. [12]
Licorice
Known for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, licorice is a wonderful herb that promotes skin health. It is beneficial for people suffering from rosacea, eczema and psoriasis. [13] When applied into the skin as gel, licorice helps in relieving symptoms like itching, redness and swelling. [14]
Tea tree
Abundantly found in Australia, tea tree oil is known for its antiviral, antiseptic, antbacterial and antifungal properties. Results of recent studies revealed that tea tree oil is beneficial in treating various skin conditions and ailments which include skin blemishes, acne, and scabies. [15]
To people with acne, tea tree oil helps by acting as a natural exfoliant that destroys bacteria which cause flare-ups. Furthermore, it is useful in eliminating symptoms of skin ailments like irritation, itching and scaling. [16]
Herbs For Skin - References:
[3] Skin ageing: natural weapons and strategies. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23431351
[5] Effects of Calendula Essential Oil-Based Cream on Biochemical Parameters of Skin of Albino Rats against Ultraviolet B Radiation.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23008814
[6] Estimation of dermatological application of creams with St. John's Wort oil extracts.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22205093
[7] Freshness evaluation of refreshing creams: influence of two types of peppermint oil and emulsion formulation. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22682397
[16] http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/acne/features/tea-tree-oil-treats-skin-problems
Article researched and created by Cathy Ongking and Elfe Cabanas, © herbs-info.com 2013
Cheese Making Our Story – Warren & Belinda Allen
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Friday 17 January 2014
Salthaven Community Orchard
Salthaven Community Orchard
Salthaven Community Orchard is part of Marsh Farm Country Park and is situated near the junction of Creekview Road and Broughton Road in South Woodham Ferrers.
History of the site
The site of this community orchard was once part of a field called ‘Little Chalk Wharf’ on Champions Farm. During a severe agricultural depression in this country, the farm fell upon hard times and was sold to a land agent, Henry Brake, in 1893. Capitalising on the Great Eastern Railway that ran through the farm and which had opened in 1889, Mr Brake began selling building plots set out along new but unmade roads on what was called ‘Champions Hall Estate’. The other sizeable farm in the area, Eyotts Farm, underwent a similar process so that by the early years of the twentieth century much of the area of present day South Woodham Ferrers had been laid out in a rectilinear pattern of ‘roads’ and a process which became known as ‘plotland development’ was well under way.
In 1903 Henry Brake sold a one-acre plot of land where the orchard now stands – numbered 96 on his estate plan. The price was twenty pounds. The site was served by a track which became known as Top Barn Lane and which ran roughly on the alignment of the nearby embankment, skirting the southern edge of Collingwood School to reach Hullbridge Road near today’s Chamberlains Ride. It is thought that the original purchaser of the plot did not erect any building here and that it was only after the site had been re-sold to a Mr Cutler from Wandsworth in 1924 that a timber bungalow called ‘Salthaven’ was erected here.
There were about half a dozen subsequent owners until Essex County Council acquired the Salthaven property in 1975 as one of the 229 individual parcels of land assembled for the expansion of South Woodham Ferrers. Because of its creekside location the site was not considered suitable for housing development and became part of the open space area surrounding the new town.
Development of a Community Orchard
Sometime in the early 1990s a community orchard was set up on the site of Salthaven Bungalow incorporating the original fruit trees on the site and, led by the Lionesses, various local groups were asked to donate new fruit trees to the site. Sadly in recent years the orchard has been somewhat neglected and has suffered from a lack of regular maintenance. In 2013 the Town Council started to work with the Country Park Ranger to revitalise the site with the hope that much of the work will be carried out by volunteers. The site also gives lots of educational opportunities for local schools and children from Collingwood School sowed some wild flower seeds during the autumn of 2013 as a first step in this process.
Tree and Hedge Planting
A sunny and frosty morning in January 2014 saw nearly 30 volunteers turn out to make light work of planting a new "edible" hedge to eventually replace the fence which is on it's last legs. We also planted a number of new fruit trees including some greengages. Two of the trees were donated by East Essex Smallholders and the rest were paid for by the Town Council.
Additionally we were able to cut the grass around the smaller trees. All the volunteers had a brilliant morning and enjoyed the tea and home made cake provided by Rob the Country Park Ranger. Sometime soon we will be installing a new, more disabled friendly gate and a path across to the bench to make the site more attractive. Additionally some of the volunteers will be taking a pruning course in March so that we can maintain the fruit trees.
Thursday 16 January 2014
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