Hedgerow Medicine

Britain's hedgerows abound with forgotten remedies for countless health problems.

Julie Bruton-Seal, practising medical herbalist, together with her co-author, the editor and writer Matthew Seal, have responded to the growing interest in natural medicine by aiming this book at the amateur who wants to improve his or her health in the same way that mankind has done for centuries around the world: by using local wild plants and herbs.

There are clear instructions about which plants to harvest, when, and over 120 recipes showing how to make them into teas, vinegars, oils, creams, pillows, poultices or alcohol-based tinctures. Julie and Matthew explain which ailments can be treated, and what benefits can be expected.

As well as being packed with practical information on using 50 native plants, Hedgerow Medicine also gives a fascinating insight into the literary, historic and worldwide application of these herbal remedies



Preface   7

Introduction   9

Harvesting from the hedgerow   10

Using your hedgerow harvest   12

Agrimony   20

Bilberry   24

Birch   28

Blackberry, Bramble   32

Burdock   36

Cherry   40

Chickweed   42

Cleavers   46

Comfrey   50

Couch grass   54

Curled dock   58

Dandelion   62

Elder   68

Figwort   74

Guelder rose, Crampbark   78

Hawthorn   80

Honeysuckle, Woodbine   86

Hops   88

Horse chestnut   90

Horseradish   94

Horsetail   96

Lime, Linden   100

Lycium   103

Mallow   108

Meadowsweet   112

Mint   116

Mugwort   121

Mullein   126

Nettle   130

Oak   136

Pellitory of the wall   140

Plantain   142

Ramsons   148

Raspberry   152

Red clover   155

Red poppy   158

Rosebay willowherb   162

Self-heal   166

Shepherd's purse   171

Sorrel   174

St John's wort   176

Sweet cicely   182

Teasel   185

Vervain   188

White deadnettle  191

Wild lettuce   194

Wild rose   196

Willow   202

Willowherb   204

Wood betony   206

Yarrow   210

Notes to the text   216

Recommended reading   219

Resources   220

Index   221

The authors   224



A well-organised and easy-to-follow guide to common plants…. Simple suggestions for their uses for treating everyday ailments. Before you know it you'll be strolling book in hand along autumn hedgerows picking remedies that will see you through what the winter has to throw at you.



Contains enough information to save the NHS a fortune.



Reminds us just how important the hedgerow once was as a source of herbal remedies.



This book is one that I will turn to time and time again and I heartily recommend it for anyone interested in the history, use and creation of homemade herbal remedies. A fascinating read.