Maggie O'Keeffe, Herbalist

17/01/2024

A reminder that Dublin herb bike is running its free clinic outside the GPO this Thursday 18th January, 7.45pm, alongside Hope In The Darkness soup kitchen. Pass it on……

12/12/2023

Dublin herb bike’s free herbal clinic is outside the GPO beside Hope In The Darkness soup kitchen, this Thursday 14th December 7.45 - 8.45pm, and then back to our usual day of the third Thursday of every month in the new year. Pass it on…..

16/03/2020

There's a lot of fear and anxiety around Covid 19 right now and also a lot of misinformation. Here's a great article from Aviva Romm, President of the American Guild of Herbalists, dispelling some of the myths, and offering simple accessible measures to take to stay well. Thanks Nikki Darrell for sourcing and sharing this.
https://avivaromm.com/covid-19-natural-prevention/?fbclid=IwAR3T6xxXJh5x_PJCFOX6bZz9zicYfnaoX2Jg3LmZdh9a6FPNBhVkPdLyygw

Please note that this information is not a substitute for the continually updated official information from appropriate health authorities including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization, nor for your primary care provider. I know you’ve been waiting to h...

29/07/2019

Here's a lovely article by Brigit McNeill Wild about herbs on nettle seeds. I love nettle, it's restorative, nutritious, gentle and so versatile.....
https://brigitannamcneill.com/2016/09/02/nettle-seeds-for-adrenal-burnout/?fbclid=IwAR3Y5HRlC1MvPPjeLGD59_oBepXwt6HlGKpGIiDNtcuwEH-63amVPPxRwsk

Anyone who knows me knows of my obsession with Nettles. These plants to me are like gypsy grandmothers who are gloriously untamed, full of medicine, inner strength and who have a disregard for rules. Many people know about Nettles and their wonderful ability to rebuild and restore due to being inten...

28/02/2018

Calendula offincialis - making a brave stand against the snow! it's the only plant in the garden in flower right now - and has been in flower all year round - a testimony to its versatility and importance as a medicinal plant.

The keynote for Calendula is injury - but she has so many amazing actions - anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and immune stimulant, and is the first course of treatment following any surgical procedures.

Inflammation is the body's way of healing itself after injury, but when inflammation becomes chronic, spreading to healthy tissue, it becomes a precursor to disease, and Calendula's anti inflammatory action can help prevent this.

Its anti-bacterial action has an effect against staphylococcus and streptococcus, and its anti-fungal action makes it useful against candida. It can be used safely on damaged or broken skin, where it speeds up the healing process.

Calendula self seeds every year, so encourage this beautiful gentle healing plant where you see it growing

13/02/2018

Greetings all.
More and more people are turning to Herbal Medicine to treat illness.
In an effort to make Herbal Medicine affordable and accessible to the wider community, I am introducing a sliding scale clinic, so you pay what you can, based on your ability to pay.
Please follow the link below to check out my web page, or contact me directly for more information or if you want to discuss your circumstances.

Western Herbal Medicine is a holistic approach to healthcare, incorporating and acknowledging the connection between mind body and soul. The holistic approach promotes health, and aims to treat the...

13/01/2018

things have been quiet the last couple of months as I've been sorting out my therapy room. Stage one is finished now, with fabulous new apothecary and bookshelves. Thanks to Martina Walker for your patience, perseverance, problem solving skills, and hard work :)

03/07/2017

A few photos from Saturday's Pay it Forward Medicine Making Workshop @ the Fumbally Stables. The medicines we made will be given out via a free mobile herbal clinic, aka the Dublin Herb Bike.
Since we will not be using any remedies prepared with alcohol, we focused on making glycerine based extracts. If you are interested in joining us at an upcoming workshop, please send an email to us at dublinherbbike@gmail.com and we will make sure to put you on the email list!

Photos from our Pay-it-Forward Medicine Making Workshops!

The medicines we make are given out via the Dublin Herb Bike, a mobile herbal clinic providing free herbal care and comfort in Dublin, Ireland.

Since we do not use any remedies prepared with alcohol, we focused on making glycerine and vinegar based extracts, capsules, tea blends, syrups and topical preparations!!

If you are interested in joining us at an upcoming workshop, please check out our workshop page www.herbbus.org/herbshare-dublin/

31/05/2017

It's that time of year again and the Elderflower is in full bloom. Sambucus nigra, commonly known as elderflower has many constituents with healing actions in many body systems. A hot tea made from the flowers will help at the onset of a cold, and is also calming and soothing mentally and emotionally. They protect the gut against irritation and inflammation, and are antimicrobial to the immune system. the flowers help the kidneys by relieving fluid retention and eliminating toxins and heat.
Here is a simple recipe for Elderflower cordial - a lovely refreshing drink on those hot summer days (if we're lucky). Remember to harvest sustainably, and take no more than a third of the blossoms on the tree.

Elderflower Cordial recipe
20 fresh elderflower heads, wash gently to remove insects
2 unwaxed lemons
1kg sugar (the original recipe calls for 2.5k sugar but I reduce this dramatically)
85g Citric Acid (available from any Eastern European shop)
1.5L cold water

1. Add the cold water and sugar to a big pot and simmer gently until all the sugar is dissolved
2. Grate the lemon rind into the pot
3. Bring to the boil for a minute then turn off heat
4. Wash the elderflower heads
5. Slice the two lemons and add the lemon slices, citric acid and elderflower heads to the pot
6. cover the pot and leave for 24 hours
7. Strain the mixture, until the liquid is clear, pour into bottles and keep in the fridge until read to use
8. to use - add cold water according to taste and enjoy
9. alternatively, make ice cubes from the cordial and drop one into a glass of water,

05/05/2017

Some fabulous calendula flowers from my garden being laid out to dry. I'll use them to make an infused oil. Calendula is a versatile herb and some of its actions when used topically include anti-inflammatory, astringent, anti-viral properties. It stops bleeding, prevents infection and helps speed up healing cuts and ulcers. It also is indicated internally for digestive problems, circulation, musculoskeletal system, immune system, urinary and reproductive system. A great all rounder for your medicine cabinet.

06/02/2017

Spring Herbs to watch out for -
Nettles - Urtica Dioica
February 2016

Spring is on its way, and soon we'll see fresh green shoots sprouting up form the ground. Look out for nettle! Much maligned as a w**d, but one of the most useful native herbs available to us.
The fresh green shoots can be harvested and used as a spring tonic, in a soup or a tea or juiced, and it is high in vitamin C.

All parts of the nettle plant can be used seasonally, so use the leaves in Spring, when they are tender and less fibrous, the seeds whenever they appear, and the roots in Spring and Autumn.

Nettle is a great blood tonic, its iron content make it useful for treating anaemia. It also reduces blood sugar levels and stimulates circulation, supporting the smaller blood vessels and helping lower blood pressure. It helps clear the blood of toxins and gently stimulates the kidneys. It is used to treat gout and arthritis, and also has an antihistamine effect, making it valuable in treating hayfever and allergies.

Some simple recipes using nettle leaves. The cooking and heat process will neutralise the sting. If in doubt, scald the leaves in boiling water for about 2 minutes.

To make nettle tea, pick some fresh nettle tops, and put in a teapot with boiling water. Allow to infuse for 15-20 mintes, then drink.

To make a simple nettle soup, soften 1-2 chopped onions in a frying pan with butter or olive oil, add a litre of vegetable stock, and several handfuls of fresh nettle tops. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, and then puree in a blender. You can add what you want to enhance the taste – spices, black pepper, potatoes, cream.....

Stuff a jar with fresh nettle tops and cover with apple cider vinegar. Seal the jar and keep in a cool shaded place for about 2-3 weeks, shaking the jar every couple of days. Strain the plant material from the apple cider vinegar and either drink a capful a day as a tonic, or use in salad dressings.

References : Hedgerow Medicine; Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal, 2014.

07/12/2016

Herbal Medicine, Holistic Health, including Massage therapy, Aromatherapy, Reflexology.