Witch hazel flowering in late February in the forest garden. The witch hazel ( Hamamelis spp.) is a late winter-flowering shrub, native to North America, Japan and China. Despite its name, it has nothing to do with the supernatural; the "witch" part of the name comes from Old English "wice" meaning pliant, supple or flexible due to its flexible branches, which were used as dowsing rods by early settlers to North America for finding water. Its beautiful spider-like yellow flowers which bloom straight from the bare branches in winter look like something out of a sci-fi movie; it is often planted as a decorative outdoor plant for this unique winter colour and fragrance. But most people probably know it best as an ingredient in skincare, due to its astringent (skin tightening) and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as antioxidant effects. In this post, we'll explore some of the traditional uses of witch hazel, what it means when people talk about inflammation and antioxidants and why witch hazel helps, and how to make a decoction of your very own, if you're lucky enough to have some in your garden. Contents Haemorrhoids and varicose veins Acne Rashes, sunburn, insect bites and stings Witch hazel decoction recipe Haemorrhoids and varicose veins Witch hazel is a traditional remedy for haemorrhoids (aka piles) which are dilated veins around the anus or rectum, which can cause irritation, discomfort and bleeding (NB always get bleeding from your anus checked out by your doctor in case its anything more serious than haemorrhoids). Whilst there is little scientific evidence to back up this usage, the anti-inflammatory compounds found in witch hazel, such as gallic acid and tannins, may provide some relief. Its astringent properties may also help to stop the bleeding by tightening the tissues and drawing them together, decreasing the blood supply and promoting clotting. So, it wouldn't hurt and may be relieving to add some witch hazel decoction to your bath. The astringent properties of witch hazel are also thought to help shrink the appearance of varicose veins when applied directly to the skin over the veins. Acne Witch hazel has been used for decades as an additive to acne treatments and skincare designed for oily/teenage skin. The anti-inflammatory properties help to reduce the redness of acne and the astringent properties of witch hazel, thanks to its high tannin content, tighten pores and reduce sebum production making the skin less oily. A big advantage of witch hazel over other common acne-prone skincare is that it is less harsh on sensitive skin. However, the astringent properties mean that people with very dry skin might find it too drying. Rashes, sunburn, insect bites and stings Rashes, sunburn, insect bites and stings are all skin conditions characterised by inflammation. Inflammation is your body's natural response to injury or infection, but it can also be activated by allergens. White blood cells rush to the injured or infected skin and cause redness, swelling and pain. Once again the anti-inflammatory properties of witch hazel work to reduce the redness and soreness of inflamed skin. As well as inflammation, another impact of prolonged or repeated exposure to the sun's UV rays on skin is that it can cause more permanent damage, and even cancer. The damage to the skin is through the action of free radicals which are unstable molecules with an unpaired electron, which means they are highly reactive, as a molecule or atom's stability relies upon it having a complete set of electrons. So, these free radicals bond with other molecules in cells including DNA molecules in order to complete their electron shells. Over time these free radicals build up in cells, affecting the way they work and replicate. There is no way to fully avoid this as it is a natural part of aging but some things such as diet, pollutants and sun exposure can speed up and exacerbate the process. However, certain foods and topical products contain antioxidants which can prevent and even reverse the effects of free radicals by donating an electron to them, thereby reducing their reactivity. Witch hazel bark contains approximately 8%-12% tannins which as well as being astringent and anti-inflammatory are powerful antioxidants. Obviously, this does not mean that witch hazel can cure skin cancer! But it's antioxidant effects may help to prevent damage caused by the natural aging process and exposure to harmful pollutants and UV rays. Witch hazel decoction recipe You will need: 100 g witch hazel bark or leaves and small twigs. (For the best results gather young twigs and leaves when the sap is rising in Spring.) 600 ml water A large saucepan with a lid Approx. 200 ml water Approx. 80 ml vodka (optional) Method: Chop the bark or leaves and twigs relatively small (a larger surface area means more of the tannins will be absorbed into the water). Place in the saucepan and cover with 600 ml water Place on a low heat and cook gently for 1 hour, stirring occasionally Strain the liquid through a muslin or sieve, squeeze out as much liquid as possible, and measure the amount of liquid you have Add an equal amount of water to the decoction liquid (so for example, if you have 200 ml of witch hazel liquid add another 200 ml of cold water Optional: Adding vodka extends the shelf life of the decoction at room temperature but you can keep your decoction in the fridge if you want to skip this step. If you wish to add vodka, it should be 18% of the volume of the decoction (so in our example 400 x 0.18 = 72 ml vodka) You can use your decoction directly on your skin as a toner or mix it with your favourite skin washes or creams.

It's early February in the forest garden and we're out scything brambles and planting willow whips. The colours at this time of year are muted; cold grey skies mingle with dead brown undergrowth and skeletal dormant trees. But dotted here and there as we scythe away last year's bramble stems, under all the greys and browns, are little bright pops of colour, the tiny brilliant red mushrooms of the scarlet elfcup fungus. Find out what they are, where to find them and what they have to do with elves here! Scarlet elfcup Contents What? Where? When? Uses Mythology What? The scarlet elfcup ( Sarcoscypha austriaca ) is a rounded...well, cup-shaped...mushroom with a bright red smooth centre, a paler pink hairy outer surface and a very short stem. Where? Found in the dark damp parts of the forest, this little mushroom grows on decaying fallen branches (especially elm, hazel or willow) or under the leaf litter. It is widespread throughout the UK but relatively uncommon. When? These mushrooms fruit in the winter months, between December and March. Uses Rather unusually for a bright red mushroom, it is generally thought that these mushrooms are safe to eat in small amounts, although there does seem to be some disagreement over eating them raw. Some say they should be cooked thoroughly, whilst others say they are often eaten raw in salads in Russia. Still other sources claim that whilst not poisonous, they are thought inedible. I'm unable to confirm or deny these claims, rather unusually for a vegetarian forager, I hate mushrooms. As always it is advisable to check your sources and their credentials carefully before you believe them. Gradually add small amounts of a new food to your diet in case of intolerances or allergies and always make sure you are 100% sure you know exactly what you are eating. Culinary uses aside, the Oneida people of North America were known to use this mushroom under bandages to stop bleeding and treat wounds. And also placed over the belly buttons of newborn babies to aid healing. Mythology I fear the name rather gives away the mythology of this particular fungus! Unsurprisingly, it was thought that wood elves would drink the morning dew which collected inside the scarlet elfcup. Other stories claim that fairies would bathe in them.

To quote my favourite poet: Snowdrops in January Mnemonic Thirty days hath September, April, June and November. Unless a leap year is its fate, February hath twenty-eight. All the rest hath three days more, excepting January, which hath six thousand, one hundred and eighty-four. Brian Bilston This year, more than most, January has seemed never ending. As is ever the way of things, the more you want the dreary dark days of winter to be over the longer they seem to last. But with endless bad news both at home and around the world, I think we could all do with a little more sunshine, a little more warmth and a little more hope. And now, finally, there feels to be a change in the air and February is just around the corner! This point, at the beginning of February marks the midway point between the darkest depths of the midwinter solstice and the equal days and nights of the spring equinox. It's a time when the first signs of spring emerge and there is renewed hope for new life after the harshness of winter. In the pagan calendar, it's known as Imbolc and is associated with the goddess Brigid. There are hundreds of ways to celebrate and honour Imbolc and the goddess Brigid, in this article I'll focus on the making of Brigid dolls. We'll look at what Imbolc is, how it's celebrated, who Brigid is, what Brigid dolls are and how to make them. Table of contents What is Imbolc? Who is Brigid? Brigid at Imbolc How to make a Brigid doll What is Imbolc? Imbolc is an ancient pagan festival which marks the midway point between Yule (midwinter solstice) and Ostara (the spring equinox). This point in the wheel of the year was obviously important to our ancestors. In the days before fridges, freezers, polytunnels and imported foods, winter was a difficult time. Fresh food was scarce and people were dependent on what they'd managed to preserve of the summer and autumn harvests. By February, these stocks would have been running low, but with February comes a renewed hope, it's the time of year that the first signs of spring emerge, the first spring flowers bloom, shoots appear, the first of the lambs and calves are born meaning dairy produce can soon be made again, the days become noticeably longer than at midwinter and the sun has a little warmth to it. The etymology of the name is somewhat obscure but it may mean something along the lines of "in the belly" (i.e. the earth is "pregnant" with the seeds which will soon spring forth) or "in the milk" (i.e. the sheep will soon give birth to the first lambs of the year and their milk will be quickening ready for more dairy produce to be made). Imbolc is also still celebrated by modern day Christians as Candlemas. Also known as "the fire festival", Imbolc is often celebrated through the lighting of fires and candles, feasting (especially dairy produce), being in nature to notice the first shoots and signs of the coming spring and starting the spring cleaning, decluttering after Christmas and physically and energetically cleansing your space (I have some brooms to help with that ;) Check the shop products page!) Who is Brigid? Brigid is an Irish Celtic goddess; she was so important to the people of Ireland and had so many myths and stories and holy sites dedicated to her that they took her with them when they converted to Catholicism and she became St. Brigid. The goddess Brigid is a truly ancient goddess who was probably one and the same as the older Celtic goddess, Brigantia, who gave her name to the Brigantes tribe of my part of northern England and numerous places and cities around Celtic Europe. The name of Brigantia/Brigid means "exalted one" and as such Brigid is the goddess of a lot and a I mean A LOT of stuff. In Irish mythology she is the daughter of the Dagda, the "great god" and father figure of Irish mythology, and the Morrigan, the shape-shifting warrior goddess of birth, transformation, death, war and fate. It is said that Brigid was born at first daybreak with rays of light coming from her head or sometimes with a flame in her hand. From the dark transformative winter of the Morrigan came the first fragile rays of fire and light of Brigid. This association with first light and fire is how she came to be associated not only with the first signs of spring but also with the hearth and the home. From her associations with fire she also became the goddess of blacksmiths. Through that association and the idea of a "spark" of inspiration she became the goddess of craft more generally and also the arts, mostly poetry. Through her associations with spring and fertility she is also the goddess of childbirth, dairy produce and healing. At Imbolc, she is most associated with the maiden aspect of the Celtic maiden/mother/crone triple goddess. Brigid at Imbolc Brigid's cross shown on one of my brooms The symbology of Imbolc and Brigid are pretty self explanatory really. Think early spring flowers, such as snowdrops, crocuses and primroses alongside flames, fires, candles and lambs. But there are a couple of other symbols which mark Imbolc and honour Brigid. One is Brigid's cross, which is an equal-limbed cross with a diamond-shaped pattern in the middle, traditionally made of reeds and hung from the rafters of the house at Imbolc for protection from fire and misfortune. According to the Christian tradition, St. Brigid made this cross to convert a pagan king to Christianity but the origins of the cross are likely pagan. It is thought that the Brigid's cross owes its roots less to the Christian cross and more to the the similarly equal-armed sun cross from northern European bronze age art (especially Britain, Ireland and Scandinavia) which is thought to be a depiction of the sun. Brigid doll made from broomcorn and lavender The other symbol associated with Imbolc is the Brigid doll, or Bridey doll. This is a little depiction of the goddess herself often made from reeds, leaves, straw or fabric. In some villages of Ireland the Brigid doll is still paraded through the streets of the village at Imbolc bringing health, prosperity and protection to the houses she visits. Modern day pagans from other countries also sometimes make a Brigid doll; traditionally she should be made a part of the Imbolc celebrations, so included in any singing or poetry, placed in the centre of the dining table etc. before then being "put to bed" by the fireplace (or by a candle for those who have no fireplace in modern houses) to ensure the goddess will visit and bestow the house and its occupants with good fortune for the year ahead. How to make a Brigid doll Materials: Straw, reeds, leaves or similar (I used broomcorn because it's what I have) Thread (traditional colours for Imbolc are white and green but I used a pale purple to go with the lavender) Optional: herbs or flowers (I had some dried lavender I harvested from my garden last year so I used that but it can be anything you associate with the coming spring and summer or flowers to represent Imbolc) Scissors Method: If you are using fresh plant matter you can skip this step. If using dried like me, soak your material until it's pliable. Set aside a few pieces to make the arms of the doll. Soak dried material until pliable Bend the material roughly in half. The part with the bend will become the head and the other end will become the skirt. Make sure you still have a few pieces set aside to be the arms. Bend in half. The top will become the head, the bottom will become the skirt. Add any flowers or herbs you are using to the front and tie the thread tightly around where the neck will be. The thread forms the neck of the doll and holds all the plant material together. Measure and cut the pieces you set aside to be the arms and insert them into the middle of the doll. Tie thread tightly underneath the arms to hold them in place. Tie the arms at the wrists. Trim the ends of the arms and the skirt and enjoy your Brigid doll! The finished article!

Shaker-style brooms are the first products we at Hearth & Soul started selling. It wasn’t really a conscious decision as such, just something that kind of took on a life of its own. The idea always was to grow and make things from the forest garden. I’d tried a number of different crafts, pine needle basketry, beeswax and honey products etc. It was whilst I was researching willow basketry that I happened upon various tutorials on traditional American shaker-style brooms. These aren’t widely known in the UK and I was instantly captured by their beauty and thought I had to have a go at making my own! I shared a few photos of brooms I’d made on social media when soon enough people started asking me if I sold them and Hearth & Soul was born. But what is a Shaker broom? What is it made of? What makes it different? And how is it made? Read on to find out! Table of contents What are Shaker brooms? What are Shaker brooms made of? Shaker brooms come in different shapes and sizes How are brooms made? What are Shaker brooms? People have tied bunches of leaves and twigs together to sweep away dust and dirt for millennia. The traditional broom that would come to mind for most in the UK is the round headed “besom” made with coppiced birch twigs (or sometimes heather or the broom plant the name of which later replaced the term “besom”). This was the style used for hundreds of years until a revolution in broom making took place in the USA. Shaker-style brooms are named after the Shakers, a Christian sect who valued quality craftsmanship and beautiful yet simple and functional design. In 1798, a Shaker named Theodore Bates invented the “broom vice”. Using the vice, Bates discovered he could flatten the bristles of brooms and sew them to maintain that flattened shape for more efficient sweeping, covering a larger surface area than a traditional round broom. Whilst I'm not cool enough to own a proper broom vice, this sewing clamp I made does the job! Stitching the broom wide and flat makes a larger surface area for more efficient sweeping. What are Shaker brooms made of? The reason that this revolution in broom making was possible at all was thanks to a man by the name of Levi Dickinson of Masachusetts who discovered in 1797 that the Sorghum vulgare  plant (broomcorn), traditionally grown as animal fodder, produces tassels which make stiff yet flexible bristles with hair-like follicles to trap dust and dirt particles. It’s like the microfibre cloth of the pre-industrial age! Planting broomcorn seedlings out in the forest garden You can see why it's called broomCORN, it looks just like sweetcorn! Tassels starting to develop. The bristles are also fairly straight, thin, pliable and uniform, meaning they can be packed more tightly together than previously used materials such as birch, heather and broom, thereby reducing gaps in the broom head. So, this new material combined with the new technology of the broom vice allowed much more efficient brooms to be made. Broomcorn tassels, which will be used to make the broom bristles. Shaker brooms come in different shapes and sizes   You’ll notice from our products page that not all of our Shaker-style brooms look the same. This is because, various binding techniques were developed to provide the same efficient sweeping shape in smaller “handbrooms”. Popular examples are turkey wing (or hen’s wing brooms) and hawk’s tail brooms, so named for their shape. A traditional flatbroom A cobwebber, for dusting high and hard to reach places A turkey wing handbroom. These brooms are flexible and have a handy pointed end for getting into corners and tight spaces. A hawk tail handbroom. These are studier and stiffer than the turkey wings which makes them perfect for sweeping tables and other surfaces, like a miniature version of a flatbroom. How are brooms made?   Flatbrooms and cobwebbers Waxed thread is wound around a wooden dowel or foot brake which is controlled by the feet to provide tension as sections of broomcorn are woven onto a wooden handle. The head of the broom is then clamped and stitched to hold the bristles in the correct shape. Stitching a flatbroom Handbrooms As with the larger brooms a wooden dowel is used to control the tension of the thread as sections of broomcorn are added. Handles can be embellished buy weaving patterns into the broomcorn stalks. Making a turkey wing handbroom