ARTICLES AND MEDIA

“In wildness is the preservation of the world” ~ Henry David Thoreau

We believe that Knowledge is never a burden and that the sharing of information and ideas is central to helping humans reclaim their part in the natural web. With this idea in mind we have written some articles that we hope you enjoy reading.
Some of the articles are about practical techniques and information to help you reconnect with nature and our herbal heritage. Others will hopefully be thought provoking, encouraging you to explore what you think about humans and their relationship with the rest of the species within the natural web.
Many of the websites listed in the links and resources section also have some fascinating articles.

Please note that we are very happy for you to use the information in these articles, to forward it to friends.
However, we would ask that you send or use articles in their entirety and would be grateful if you could acknowledge Veriditas Hibernica as the source. Also, if you wish to reuse any of the articles please contact us for permission – thanks!

Disclaimer: we would prefer not to have to include this but it is a sign of the times we live in that it is necessary. The information on this site is intended to be educational. If you have health problems it is recommended that you attend a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis. Basically, although all the references to food plants and medicinal plants are well researched and tested, it is important to realize that individuals react to herbs differently and people use them at their own risk. It is the individual’s responsibility to be aware of the power of herbal medicine. We are not able to accept responsibility for people’s use of herbs not for the content of any external links. Would that we lived in a world where such a disclaimer was unnecessary!

AN EXERCISE IN GETTING TO KNOW A PARTICULAR PLANT

When working with plant medicine there is a great value to getting to know and understand the plants you are working with.
An in depth knowledge of the plants you are working with will make them your allies.
Start slowly, work with plants you are drawn to, preferably local to where you live and native to the country you are living in.
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GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHING A SANCTUARY

Any area can become a sanctuary for plants and a thriving ecosystem supporting plant, insect, animal and other species – it does not matter if the area you are working with is tiny or vast. The main thing is to hold the vision of working within nature, and giving respect to the species you are working with; observing, listening, feeling into the ‘landscape’ and becoming part of the web. Here are some simple pointers to the process:
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WILD FOODS

Gathering wild foods encourages us to get out into the wilderness (or some slightly less wild places), to begin to appreciate their beauty, their immense diversity and to develop a respect for the rest of the natural web.
Wild foods have been shown to contain all sorts of micro-nutrients that are not present in our diets normally and which can protect against many Western diseases.
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HARVESTING AND DRYING HERBS

Collect healthy plant material that is free from disease and insect damage.
If gathering in the wild avoid plants growing near roads or other sources of pollution.
Do not mix plant material, keep different species separate.
Use scissors or a sharp knife to cut material and place into a cloth bag or open basket, making sure to minimize bruising or damage.
Use a field guide to aid identification of wild species. Always ensure that you are certain that you have correctly identified material.

PRESERVING HERBS FOR HOME USE

It's really easy to make your own herbal preserves and medicines. From just a few small every day ingredients you can take advantage of your herbal crop - no matter how small - and make some wonderful preserves and medcines from Herbal Vinegars, to Syrups, to Infused Oils etc.
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THE HOLLY AND THE IVY

Read about these two sacred plants: their Irish folklore, stories of their use in medicine, magic and ceremony. Included in this article are their traditional importance and their modern application.
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TREE CURRENCY PROPOSAL

Instead of money being created for every barrel of oil or kilo of gold extracted or for every loan taken out this will create money from every tree planted, every river bank cleaned up, every garden created, that can be spent into the local economy generating an upward spiral of good energy, enriching our lives and restoring the Earth.

Article written by: John Baker
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GROWING HERBS

There is great pleasure to be had from watching a plant emerging from the seed and bringing it to maturity. For annual species it is the most sensible way to raise plants - less cost and gives healthier plants. For many other species raising them yourself gives an intimate understanding of the plant and it’s nature. For non-native species, it is said that plants raised from seed are better adapted to the environment in which they find themselves.
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NATIVE TREES

The beauty of all our Irish trees, from the majestic Oaks, the beautiful & graceful Birch and the colourful Gorse are all vitally important to the health and vibrancy of our ecosystem that is Ireland. This article gives us an insight to their folklore, medicine and importance for plant and animal kind.
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REDUCING INFLAMMATION

What causes inflammation in ourselves is also what causes inflammation in the macrocosm - intensive farming, use of pesticides, pollution, stress, a loss of connectedness.
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“The intelligence of the rainforest (or any other wilderness) which gave rise to human beings (as well as the other myriad creatures) remains accessible to humans who choose to surrender to it. Unfortunately the thick insulation of social fictions that we call our "selves" may prevent us from recognising that we are just one leaf on the tree of life, just one strand in the vast biological fabric, incapable of independent existence” ~ John Seed