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Herbfarmacy Newsletter: Summer 2010
Open Farm Weekend – 24 and 25 July 2010 – Free entry Come to our small herb farm, see the herbs growing and hear the about how they are transformed into our range of Organic Skincare products as well as the many herbal tinctures we sell. We are set in the beautiful countryside of West Herefordshire with views across to the Welsh Hills, and let’s hope for a weekend of beautiful weather so you can enjoy the herbs and the landscape. Echinacea, Calendula and Marshmallow should be in full flower and there will be several other herbs at various stages. There will be walks throughout both days - at 10.00 am, 12.00pm, 2.00pm and 4.00pm, and to avoid traffic problems (the herb farm is along a narrow lane), PLEASE BOOK a place on one of the walks by phoning 01544 327371 or 07980 543222, or by emailing enquiries@herbfarmacy.co.uk As well as walks, we will offer light refreshments, and there will be plants for sale and a small shop where you can sample our products. We look forward to seeing you! Directions....(opens in new window)
Herbs of the season Dandelions have been in full bloom over the last few months or so with their beautiful yellow flower heads so popular with home winemakers. The roots, as well as being used for Dandelion coffee, are a liver tonic and mild diuretic. Pair them with Burdock and you have the classic Dandelion & Burdock mixture, which stimulates digestion and promotes cleansing via the liver and kidneys. This great tonic for general wellbeing also has a powerful effect on skin condition and can help those suffering from eczema and acne. Another prominent hedgerow herb right now is Cleavers or Goose grass which we threw at each other as kids – their hooks make them stick to your clothes. Cleavers is a lymphatic tonic and powerful cleanser which again is useful for skin problems. Lastly, the humble nettle – so maligned, but possibly the most useful herb we have around us. Nettle is rich in vitamins and minerals and young shoots make an excellent spring vegetable a little like spinach. A tea made with freshly picked nettles (or a fresh herb tincture) calms reaction to allergens. It helps with skin conditions like eczema and also with hayfever – a curse for many at this time of year. For hayfever, ‘new’ barrier balms are now marketed to help, but classically, a little Comfrey ointment around the nostrils can offer relief.

	Farm News We dug the Dandelion roots for the Dandelion and Burdock tincture back in the spring. David who did much of the digging noticed this new Badger Beer when out shopping - described as a Fine and Dandy Ale! It doesn't state the part of the plant used, but you can taste the hint of bitterness which is subtly different from and complements the hoppiness. All in all a fine dandelion digger's beverage. Our Mullein is now flowering in great profusion and needs picking regularly. As mullein is a biennial, these are second year plants (although many flowered last autumn with the mild weather). We have trialled 2 species - Verbascum thapsus and Verbascum densiflorum (also known as Thapsiforme) - to see how they compare. One problem with growing mullein - as many gardeners know - is the dreaded mullein moth which can have devastating effect. A few of the culprits have appeared, and we hope the population won't expand too much over the years. It seems to prefer the one species (Thapsus) at present.
News from the shop in Hay - Hay Festival and Sculpture trail 28th May to 6th June
	Despite the fact that our Herbfarmacy shop is new and not in the main Hay-on-Wye shopping streets many of the festival visitors found us – helped along by the Hay sculpture trail which was dotted in and around Hay at selected venues – with exhibits in our front cobble-stone area and in our shop. Thanks to Will and Lottie O’Leary our guest sculptors for taking the trouble to dig deep and plant a Welsh standing slate - 7 foot high - outside the shop. We are still thinking of an inscription if it stays there – any ideas...? Sculptural pieces indoors included Lottie’s Kilpeck figure and Church Candlestick and Will’s ‘Slippery Slope’ Vase. To find out more about Will and Lottie’s work visit their website www.stonecarving.co.uk
	New Product – Totally Balmy Since our last newsletter some of you will l know we have brought out a new product called Totally Balmy. A great way to try three of our products in small containers and a brilliant resource for the active lives we lead – light and easy to carry with you. Whether you share this with the partner in your life or keep it especially for yourself it’s a great all-round skin and body care kit including: Mallow Beauty Balm, Skin Rescue Balm and Meadowsweet Muscle Balm. Whilst the Mallow Beauty Balm provides a nutritious facial moisturising treat (it can be used as a daily moisturiser or as an extra nutritious treatment in the evening for fine lines etc) the Skin Rescue Balm can be used for more intensive skin repair work - on cracked heels, hand and nail repair and any areas that have eczema–like skin rashes. It can also be used as a general healing balm wherever the skin needs extra TLC. Last but not least - use the Meadowsweet Muscle Balm post gym workout, after a long walk or after being on your feet all day – simply massage into tired aching muscles and joints....... All you need in one simple pack!
	Holiday tips Carol from Herbfarmacy recommends: As the holiday season is now in full throttle – and if you’re venturing off for a short break away and want to take some simple but effective skin and body-care products with you we suggest our Herbfarmacy ‘bare essentials kit’ containing: Wash off Cleansing mousse and face cloth, Starweed Face Cream, Whole body lotion, Herbfarmacy soap, Totally Balmy pack..... And don’t forget to take a decent organic sun cream with you (we recommend Green people factor 15 or 25 ) Option 2 –HF. Cleansing Mousse, Face- cloth, toner and Mini Gift/Travel pack – ideal for those short breaks away. Option 3 - if you are going away for longer and would like lots of pampering and nourishing treats - the ‘Full Works’ is the one for you: As well as your Cleansing mousse, face cloth and toner take a couple of our facial moisturisers to suit your skin type, Luxury foot cream to revitalise the feet. Totally Balmy pack for extra treats and intensive skin and muscle repair work. Whole body Lotion – (great for all-over moisturising in the morning and as an after- sun treatment). Echinacea spray – for those long-haul flights - helps boost the immune system after breathing in air conditioning, and soothes the throat. A good anti mosquito spray e.g. Bog Myrtle* spray and candle if you are outside after dark. Some decent organic makeup / mineral makeup. * these products are currently available at our shop.
Herbfarmacy Special Summer offer - Mini Whole Body lotion free! To help make it easier for you to travel light we are giving a mini Whole Body lotion away free (worth £5.95) with every purchase of our full sized luxurious Whole Body Lotion. As it’s in a recyclable plastic bottle, you can take it to the beach with you or on a weekend away – you can even decant more from the full sized bottle into the mini one to top up and use again. It’s a great little helper as a pre-sun treatment (well moisturised skin burns less quickly) – apply after your morning shower or prior to putting on your sun protection cream – it also serves as a soothing after sun lotion.... Have Fun!
New Friends great products....
TRUMPERS TEA Following over twenty years of tasting and blending teas for large, multinational companies around the world, Claire Trumper has decided to use her ‘bush to cup’ experience to set up her own Fairtrade tea business in Hereford! All the teas in the range are blended from the whole leaf, presenting your taste buds with a sensation that is guaranteed to cheer! Real tea is simple, quick and bursting with flavour and we guarantee that you will enjoy the Trumpers Tea experience too! A selection of teas is available to buy at Herbfarmacy in Hay or via the website at www.trumperstea.co.uk Claire takes a leaf out of South Africa’s book with her special recipe for those hot summer days using her exquisitely sweet and nutty Rooibos tea – a great way to top up on your daily dose of anti-oxidants: Here’s how .....Make your tea as normal in a teapot, strain it and transfer it to a jug and leave to cool in the fridge. Take a little mint from the garden and cut up some fresh strawberries and perhaps a few slices of orange and add to the jug with plenty of ice. A perfect replacement for Pimm’s! Try different fruit combinations and even top up with soda water if you want to make a longer drink… ......sounds a good one to make for our Echinacea harvest!
Happy Summer Days From all at Herbfarmacy