Brookfield Herbal

19/04/2026

16/04/2026

15/04/2026

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

Mugwort is an ancient herb that has been widely used for its many therapeutic properties in traditional medicine systems across the world. Known for its aromatic leaves and its association with dreamwork and spiritual rituals, mugwort is most commonly used for digestive support, menstrual health, and as a gentle nervine. This hardy perennial has a long history in both European and Chinese medicine.

Description
•A perennial herb with long, lance-shaped leaves that are dark green on top and silvery-white underneath
•Produces small, greenish-yellow flowers arranged in clusters, blooming in late summer
•Can grow up to 3-6 feet tall and has a strong, aromatic scent
•Often found in disturbed soils, roadsides, and meadows

Parts Commonly Used:
Leaves
•The most commonly used part of the plant
•Typically used in teas, tinctures, or as a topical poultice
•Known for its digestive and calming properties

Flowers
•Sometimes used in herbal preparations for their mild digestive and relaxing effects
•Less commonly used than the leaves, but still valued in certain formulations

Root
•Less commonly used but can be found in some traditional formulations for its tonic and digestive benefits

Traditional Benefits:
•Digestive support: Mugwort is often used to promote healthy digestion, alleviate bloating, and support liver function
•Menstrual health: Known for its ability to help regulate menstrual cycles and reduce symptoms of PMS
•Dream and sleep support: Traditionally used to enhance dreams and promote vivid dreaming, making it popular in spiritual and ritualistic practices
•Nervine: Used as a mild nervine to help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation
•Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory: Contains compounds that help reduce inflammation and protect against oxidative stress

Forms of Use:
•Teas (made from dried leaves)
•Tinctures
•Poultices (used topically for aches or skin irritations)
•Capsules and powders
•Smudge sticks or incense (used for spiritual purposes)

Native Range:
Native to Europe, Asia, and North America

Grows in disturbed soil, roadsides, meadows, and along the edges of forests

Fun Facts:
•Mugwort has been historically used in rituals and spiritual practices to enhance lucid dreaming and promote prophetic dreams
•The name “Artemisia” is derived from the Greek goddess Artemis, who was associated with women’s health and the moon
•Mugwort is one of the "nine sacred herbs" of Anglo-Saxon tradition
•The herb is sometimes used in cooking in some cultures, especially in traditional Chinese cuisine, to flavor dishes like rice dumplings
•Mugwort was also used as a protective herb, often carried or hung in homes to ward off evil spirits

Mugwort: https://amzn.to/3OaueTh

⚠️ Disclaimer
ALWAYS do your research before introducing into your diet, especially if you have any underlying or pre-existing conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking medications.

12/04/2026

Elderberry and Astragalus Syrup

Ingredients
100 g dried black elderberries
20 g dried astragalus root
15 g dried ginger root
8 g dried clove (whole)
1 quart distilled water
½ cup organic sugar
1 cup raw honey

Method:
~ In a large sauce pan, add elderberries, astragalus, ginger, clove, and water. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook down this mixture on medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture has reduced by half. This can take 20 to 30 minutes.

~ Remove from heat and strain your liquid into a bowl or container (glass). Measure your liquid, which will be about 1.5 to 2 cups, most likely.

~ Place your liquid back into a sauce pan with your sugar and honey. Bring your mixture back to a boil, stirring frequently to ensure proper mixing, and boil for 10 minutes, or until your desired consistency. We enjoy a thick honey like syrup, but you can make it as thin or as thick as you’d like. Consistency is not key.

~ Funnel your syrup into glass bottles once cooled.

05/04/2026

Similar to tinctures, liniments are herbal preparations made by infusing herbs in alcohol.

The difference is that liniments are applied externally to the skin, where the alcohol evaporates quickly, allowing the herbs to pe*****te the skin rapidly.

Liniments are commonly used for addressing sore muscles, inflammation, bruises, and tension, due to their quick absorption and targeted action on the skin and muscles.

Here is a potent and medicinal recipe:
www.learningherbs.com/blog/jethro-kloss .tab=0

03/04/2026

From our poster that you can colour in or have the laminated version. Designed by a world renown Herbalist and once Chair of this educational charity.
Nettles are iron + vitamin C rich, a spring tonic with cleansing and clearing action on the body. They are natural diuretics, at their best NOW before flowering, when they need to be left alone.
Rich in other chlorophil and more, kitchen Medicine, that is free + plentiful.
As soon as stinging nettles come into contact with heat, they loose the sting, but not their health properties.
They appear as sensitive types suffer with hay fever, etc, as these are a natural antihistamine.
3-4 mugs are needed a day if you want the therapeutic value.
However if you have a dry constitution, as in constipated, dry eyes, flaky skin etc. They may not be right for you, a Herbalist takes all this into consideration before prescribing anything. Balance is needed, in all things, we choose what is right for the individual, who is unique and special, we are NOT all the same, function is different in each person.
Herbalist diagnose and it's not all about expensive testing, pulse, tongue eyes etc may determine the herbalists assessment of you. Skills are taught and evidence in practice builds years of knowledge.

05/03/2026

You can switch Greek yogurt with a good coconut yogurt 👍

03/03/2026

02/03/2026

March Medicine | Ground Ivy (Glechoma hederacea)

Each and every March is when we go looking for her.
Low to the ground. Easy to miss.
And yet—one of the first to flower.

Ground ivy arrives early, offering her vibrant purple flowers and fresh green leaves just as the land begins to wake. She creeps through hedgerows and lawns, quietly signalling that winter is loosening its grip.

Her energy is fresh, aromatic, and rising.
We harvest the aerial tops:
the leaves, stems, and flowers,
gathered as we sing to her,
then popped fresh into a tincture, vitality is peak.

Traditionally, ground ivy is a marvellous spring medicine—a plant for clearing and opening. Our fresh herb tincture is applied to support:

🌿 respiratory congestion & sinus heaviness
🌿 sluggish digestion and post-winter dullness
🌿 lymphatic movement & gentle detox pathways
🌿 inflamed or irritated tissues (internally & externally)

She’s aromatic, slightly bitter, and deeply grounding.
One of the first flowering medicines of the year.
Purple-flowered. Powerful.

💜🌿

27/02/2026

NETTLE FRITTERS RECIPE

At this time of year nettles really start to shine as they pop up everywhere, vibrantly green and packed full of helpful minerals and goodness to kick start us into spring.

Nettle soup is a classic, but have you tried making nettle fritters?

The great thing about this delicious wild food is that they are easy to make and you can adapt them to exactly how you like them. Take the bones of this recipe we’re providing and make it your own!

One basic way to make them is to mix up gram flour with salt, spices, some baking powder and a little self-raising flour (you could use gluten free if you prefer). Mix this with an egg (leave this out if you avoid them) and either water or milk until you’ve got a smooth batter. Mix in nettles (that you’ve washed and patted dry), and then drop dollops of the mixture into a pan and fry until golden. Feel free to add any other vegetables, herbs &/or wild greens that you find and fancy!

Helen Kearney runs our in-person Home Herbalist course, makes these fritters a lot at this time of year, and is always coming up with tasty ways to build in more herbs and plants into her cooking.

🌿Come and learn with Helen on our Home Herbalist courses - the Advanced course starts soon in March, Summer School is in June and our introductory course is in the autumn.

➡️ Head to the link in our bio or go to www.betonica.co.uk/learn-more for links to all our Home Herbalist courses - both in person and online.

21/02/2026

Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

Mugwort is an ancient herb that has been widely used for its many therapeutic properties in traditional medicine systems across the world. Known for its aromatic leaves and its association with dreamwork and spiritual rituals, mugwort is most commonly used for digestive support, menstrual health, and as a gentle nervine. This hardy perennial has a long history in both European and Chinese medicine.

Description
•A perennial herb with long, lance-shaped leaves that are dark green on top and silvery-white underneath
•Produces small, greenish-yellow flowers arranged in clusters, blooming in late summer
•Can grow up to 3-6 feet tall and has a strong, aromatic scent
•Often found in disturbed soils, roadsides, and meadows

Parts Commonly Used:
Leaves
•The most commonly used part of the plant
•Typically used in teas, tinctures, or as a topical poultice
•Known for its digestive and calming properties

Flowers
•Sometimes used in herbal preparations for their mild digestive and relaxing effects
•Less commonly used than the leaves, but still valued in certain formulations

Root
•Less commonly used but can be found in some traditional formulations for its tonic and digestive benefits

Traditional Benefits:
•Digestive support: Mugwort is often used to promote healthy digestion, alleviate bloating, and support liver function
•Menstrual health: Known for its ability to help regulate menstrual cycles and reduce symptoms of PMS
•Dream and sleep support: Traditionally used to enhance dreams and promote vivid dreaming, making it popular in spiritual and ritualistic practices
•Nervine: Used as a mild nervine to help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation
•Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory: Contains compounds that help reduce inflammation and protect against oxidative stress

Forms of Use:
•Teas (made from dried leaves)
•Tinctures
•Poultices (used topically for aches or skin irritations)
•Capsules and powders
•Smudge sticks or incense (used for spiritual purposes)

Native Range:
Native to Europe, Asia, and North America

Grows in disturbed soil, roadsides, meadows, and along the edges of forests

Fun Facts:
•Mugwort has been historically used in rituals and spiritual practices to enhance lucid dreaming and promote prophetic dreams
•The name “Artemisia” is derived from the Greek goddess Artemis, who was associated with women’s health and the moon
•Mugwort is one of the "nine sacred herbs" of Anglo-Saxon tradition
•The herb is sometimes used in cooking in some cultures, especially in traditional Chinese cuisine, to flavor dishes like rice dumplings
•Mugwort was also used as a protective herb, often carried or hung in homes to ward off evil spirits

Disclaimer
Always do your research before introducing into your diet, especially if you have any underlying or pre-existing conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking medications.