Plants as medicine

 
eucalyptus
 

Eucalyptus results.

I am so pleased I made a super strong bath using the wonderful silver dollar. The result on the left is scoured organic cotton and the right is the same organic cotton but with a soy milk mordant (see previous posts) what a difference in colour so much stronger. 
My studio has smelt divine all day and my research via @dr_holistic_health informed me of some lovely facts about eucalyptus.

• Eucalyptus trees are originally from Australia.

• Whenever there is moisture in the air or after a rain, the air smells like a spa where ever there are eucalyptus trees.

• Eucalyptus properties are anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, antiseptic, antibacterial, and stimulating.


• Eucalyptus tea is good for congestion, stuffed up nose or sinuses.


• bathe in eucalyptus leaves and Epsom salt and the combo relieves body aches and pains.

• Eucalyptus essential oil can be rubbed on painful joints caused by arthritis.

• The oil Is insect repellent. soak the leaves with rosemary leaves in olive or coconut oil

• Eucalyptus essential oil is used to kill lice and fleas.

• Eucalyptus is strongly antiseptic and is a natural antibiotic that combats colds, flu, coughs, and lung infections such as bronchitis and pneumonia.

• Diffusing drops of eucalyptus oil or crunching up eucalyptus leaves in a pot of simmering (not boiling) water and then breathing in the steam is effective against lung diseases.

Great when hanging around Dye pots!


What a magical species. I am researching the health benefits of health giving herbs worn close to the skin I am sure the medicinal properties imbued in cloth could transfer to skin. Have any of you tried this? Have any of you felt different from wearing medicinal textiles close to skin to treat different conditions? I would love to hear your thoughts….

Eucalyptus silver dollar

 
euclayptus
 

Eucalyptus into the pot for today’s dye job. The smell in the dye kitchen is divine as this pot bubbles away. Thanks @bloomsforrooms florist for supplying me with armfuls of silver coins. Tess gave me all of her discarded and dead flowers from the back of her van to do additional dye experiments.

Natural indigo cakes in the shop now

 
jofowlesindigocake
 

Beautiful indigo pigment cakes from India styled and photographed by the superb @megan_morton
The colour is so intense reminds me of rich velvet or an Anish Kapoor sculpture. 
Some beautiful dye workshops are in the pipeline and will be listed online soon
If you want your own high quality indigo cakes just to stare at or dye with they are available through my shop