Thursday, March 24, 2011

Herbs for Something in the air


Hollyhock is one of those ubiquitous and quintessential flowering plants around New Mexico. 
Adobe walls, wagon wheels and Hollyhocks are Santa Fe photographed. 


But did you know that this is one of the most important local weed/herbs? Often the most plentiful herbaceous plants are overlooked when their very presence shows great historic use, like Yarrow. 


I have noticed lately that the air has been quite irritating... perhaps it is the juniper pollen.... though I have never been too very affected by it, the pollen seems to have been more irritating for folks this year. 
But, after reading this morning about a mysterious virulent outbreak of some unknown respiratory illness in dogs up around Durango, Colorado I feel even stranger about the air. 
Hollyhock is a great tea for soothing raw or congested lungs and throat. It is soothing to the stomach and is quite pleasant to drink. 


I'd better drink up and add a bit of Coltsfoot and Yerba Mansa and also Nettles to the mix in preparation for our return to El Dorado early next week.

2 comments:

  1. So, Could we get some of this Hollyhock Potion from Your Mamma on Saturday at the Farmers Market???
    ~~~Eliza

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  2. Mmmm, yes. Hollyhock is a useful, beautiful and tasty herb... We do have dried Hollyhock flowers at our Farmers Market booth in Santa Fe, and also the other herbs mentioned...

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