A Weekend of Plants as Medicine

Birch catkin, Nettle, Chamomile and Licorice Tea

I have been sneezing and blowing my nose lots this past week since the Pollen Count rose with the beautiful blue skies we have been having.

I'm allergic to Birch pollen amongst other things (yes, including cats). Every year at this time for the past few years I have made a tea from Birch catkins, young Nettle leaves, Chamomile flowers and Licorice root. I am sure that on the days I drink this, my allergy symptoms are much improved.

Compare to my daughter, who this week decided to take some conventional allergy pills for her pollen allergies - she slept for two days straight!

Book cover of "Doctors by Nature" by Jaap de Roode.

I read about this book in the Guardian last week, and of course I had to order it and have already gobbled it into my mind. The animals have been perfectly happily self medicating for generations - us humans are only just catching on. We need to learn how to interfere less with the wisdom of animals (especially the poor bees). This book introduces the reader to several experimental proofs that animals do indeed self-medicate effectively.

Last year I noticed several painful dogs visiting my consulting room for acupuncture, stopped by the Comfrey leaves in a bucket of water that was destined to fertilise my plants and veggies. Several of them took a deep sniff and some took a few licks.

This year, as I deepen my knowledge of plant medicine studying Applied Zoopharmacognosy with Caroline Ingraham, I now understand that Comfrey contains many pain relieving and healing compounds. It also contains some toxic compounds - these are concentrated in the root. So my observation of painful dogs tasting the Comfrey in water to self medicate is borne out as my knowledge deepens.

Selection of Catmints in pots

After reading the chapter in "Doctors by Nature" about cats and catmint, I was inspired to plant a patch of catmints in my garden. Many cats (not all cats have the gene) chew at and roll in catmint to enjoy the release of endogenous opioids, but there is also now evidence to show that compounds left on the coat after rolling has the effect of repelling mosquitoes.

I thought I bet cats that roll in catnip do so to repel fleas.

I wonder if I will see any of the visiting dogs nibbling at or rolling in the catnip patch?

If I attach a sprig of catmint to my dog's harness when visiting tick territory will the ticks be less likely to hitch a ride?

If you want to try this at home, why not plant some catnip in your garden for your cat to roll in instead of using toxic chemical flea spot-ons.