The Ultimate Secrets of Wild Herbs

The ultimate secrets of wild Herbs were originally all wild plants; in fact many of the plants now grown in gardens are wild plants in their native countries, and are not the result of many years of plant breeding and hybridizing under cultivation. The blue morning glory for instance with its exquisitely shaded blue trumpet flowers is a rampant invader in its native south Africa as the British white funneled bindweed is an obstinate and recalcitrant colonizer of herbaceous borders shrubs and roses.

Beneficial Weeds!

Another name for wild plants which appear unwontedly in gardens is weed but many if not all of these so called weeds once had considerable value medicinally to say nothing of their household and domestic merits. Practically any plant seen during country rambles by the path side, in pastures and meadows growing in hedges and at the side of streams and ponds probably had some significance to the infirmarers and physicians of the past.

Mugwort Artemisia vulgaris is one once used to flavor all sorts of drinks particularly homemade juices to ward off moths and as a cold preventative it is a common weed of wasteland. Eyebright, Euphrasia officinal is another small unremarkable plant, easily trampled underfoot on paths and with tiny white and lilac tubular flowers. It is a member of the Scrophulariaceae,. It was thought by Arab physicians to cure all evils of the eye, and Gerard said that it preserves the sight and being feeble and lost it restores the same.

Cowslisp (Primula veris) were used to remedy restlessness insomnia and in general act as a sedative or corn poppy of Flanders (Papaver rhoeas) is still a remedy for many ailments including tonsillitis, anxiety and coughs. Various species of thistles have been employed for all sorts of needs for making paper, curdling milk as a tonic and diaphoretic and so on. Weed herbs in the descriptive list of herbs include dandelion, nettle, elder, horsetail, marshmallow, mullein and valerian.

Couch grass; that curse of the gardener and nightmare amongst shrubs and herbaceous perennials was formerly much used for a variety of ailments including cystitis and rheumatism, has a diuretic effect and is still a urinary antiseptic. Ground–elder is another invader bent on taking over the whole garden, but its other name of goutweed gives the game away. It is too was once a valued herb supposed to have great affects on gout and sciatic though even in Elizabethan times was often regarded as a nuisance. When it hath once taken root, it will hardly be gotten out again, to the annoyance of better herbs. It could not be better described its very commonness is indicated by the number of vernacular names it has at least sixteen amongst which is “bishop’s weed” because it was so often found near ruined places and similar building having been introduced by a mediaeval monks as a herb of healing.

Even the ubiquitous bramble or blackberry had its place; apart from its delicious jelly and fruits. The jelly was once used to good effect in cases of dropsy. The bark and roots were considered of much value in treating diarrhea and dysentery. The leaves are still recommended as a decoction for treating external ulcers and as a gargle; they are thought to have an anti-diabetic effect, though this is not yet proven.

A country walk then can easily turn into a voyage of discovery if you take a modern herbal with you. The alternatively make notes in advance from a herbal or wild plants which used to be herbs. And take a flora for identification. If you have no herbal take a notebook to enable you to put down details of the plants found, together with sketches or photographs. These will enable you to check with a library copy whether the plants discovered have a history of ancient use. It perhaps a modern one but you will find  the old dye plants those used for shampoos and hair coloring, for skin cleansing, healing poultices an endless number for human needs and remedies.

Bergamot, growing wild in a Michigan landscape, as it is native of North America and also known as “bee balm” because both bees and humming birds are much attracted by its blossoms. Hemlock one of the most common poisonous plants, is often found growing in roadside ditches and on waste ground and bears a dangerous resemblance to cow parsley. Socrates is said to have been killed with the juice of this herb. Cowslip is a common plant in fields, meadows and hedgerows it was once used medicinally for restlessness insomnia and in general as a sedative.

Poisonous Herbs:

But a word of warning, there are also some wild plants once used herbally asemetics, purgatives and laxatives, which are not known to be poisonous. Don’t experiment too far with flavors’ of berries or leaves if in doubt, don’t try it. The Following are poisonous wild plants commonly found growing in Britain and North America. Atropa belladonna, deadly nightshade; Bryonia dioica, white bryony; Colchicum autumnale, autumn crocus; Aconitum anglicum, monk;s hood; Conium maculatum, hemlock; Datura stramonium, thornapple; Helleborus niger, Mandragora officinalis, mandrake; Mercurialis perennis, dog mercury; Solanum dulcamara, woody nightshade; Solanum nigra, black nightshade.

Gardener’s Friends:

It is also worth remembering that herbal weeds may well do well to one’s garden plants provided they can be kept under reasonable control. A light weed cover will keep the soil moist for longer, and provide shade for roots. Hoeing such a cover in before it flowers and seeds provide a kind of instant green manure which improves or maintains a good soil structure. Chamomile is said to be the plants doctor in some way the secretions given off by the roots help unhealthy young plants to recover.

Red clover, Trifolium pretense, will add to the nitrogen content of the soil, and pieces of the hollow stems of angelica will trap earwigs. Compost material can be encouraged to rot down by adding nettle tops to it, and valerian, dandelion leaves chamomile and yarrow leaves mixed together with nettles form a readymade accelerator used in thin layers as the heap is built.

Create your Own Nature Reserve !

So, if there is enough space to spare in the garden from growing ornamentals and fruit and vegetable crops. It is a good idea to turn it into a kind of controlled nature reserve, in which weeds or wild herbs can be left to grow naturally, without any particular plan of planning. Naturally, the more rampant varieties such as bramble bindweed, nettle, ground-elderand horsetail will need cheking but if these are likely to be a problem, don’t introduce them. Stick to the smaller herbaceous and annual plants, such as scarlet pimpernel, corn poppy, chickweed (Stellaria media), wild marjoram, alexanders, burdock, wild chicory, foxglove, meadowsweet soapwort, teasel, and dyer’s weld to name just a few.

You can have a pretty nature reserve without much difficulty paths in it could consists of clover, yarrow and chamomile, clipped occasionally or even mown and the flowering plants could be mixed with various grasses for a completely natural effect. Such a mixture is what has come to be called a flowering meadow, which is left untouched except for cutting immediately after the majority of plants have flowered, usually about the middle of midsummer. This ensures speeding for next year and encourages the greatest number of species. The cut material should be left to lie.

But you can alternatively just grow the flowering wild plants and be a little more formal, and at the same time more decorative, by planting them in beds, so that the contrast between this section and the rest of the garden is not so great. Some of the prettiest varieties are yellow archangel, Lamiastrum galeobdolon; bellflower, Campanula trachelium; bluebell, Endymion non-scriptus; broom, Cytisus scoparius; dyers greenwood, Genista tinctoria; bugle, Ajuga reptans; meadow buttercup, Ranunculus acris, red campion, Silene dioica; greater celandine, Chelidonium majus; lesser celandine, Ranunculus ficaria; wild chicory Cichorium nintybus cowslip, Primula veris. There are also dandelion, evening primrose, foxglove, harebell, heart’s ease, herb Robert, purple loosestrife, mullein, ox-eyes daisy, field scabious, devil’s bit, sea holly, tansy, teasel, thistles, thrift and yellow rattle, practically all of which have had or still have some herbal use.

Birds Bees and other Fauna !

You will also find that, by growing all these native plants you will attract a good many other living species, representatives of the insect, animal, bird and aquatic orders, particularly butterflies moths, pollinating insects generally such as bees, hoverflies and lacewings. So, species of birds perhaps may have never seen in the garden before, as they discover seeds or berries which are part of their essential diets. However the frogs and toads, newts if you sink a pond, water snails, beetles and other aquatics. A heap of mown hay and leaves will encourage hedgehogs to hibernate; voles field mince and perhaps even dormice will appear.

The average suburban garden is something of a nature reserve in its own right, and insects alone that can be seen in it may consist of over 200 species of moths, more than 80 sorts of bees and wasps, and nearly 2 dozen butterflies. Hoverflies also called flower flies, in particular may be abundant getting on for 100 different species, and these not only do no harm but do a great deal of good partly by pollinating and partly by the larvae feeding on greenfly. Moths mostly fly and feed after dark, in particular at dusk and dawn, and the  garden or nature reserve which contains an abundance of scented plants especially those whose  perfume comes out at night will attract moths in quantity and of course their larvae the caterpillars.

A patch of garden of meadow devoted to this kind of plant may cause visitors to wonder why you have allowed it to revert to a wilderness. However the good that it will do to the rest of the garden in restoring and maintaining a natural balance, and the fact that  native plants are being conserved and increased more than justify its presence. Indeed in the modern world, such areas are now essential if plant, animal and insects species are not to disappear forever. 

The Incredible Hydrothermal Fields of Ethiopia

The hydrothermal fields of Ethiopia look like landscape of an alien plant. The amazing photographs of Dallol Volcano in Ethiopia look out of world. Dallol is actually hydrothermal field, is an endless yellow-orange landscape, craters stretching for several miles around. The volcano fields are located in the northern Danakil depression. This part of world has too many hot springs which discharge brine and acidic liquid. However almost 150 feet below sea level, Dallol’s craters lowest known subaerial vents in the world, the explosion crater are was formed by the intrusion of basaltic magma in Miocene salt deposits and subsequent hydrothermal activity. Source: CP

The Blue Grotto in Malta

The Blue Grotto is a number of sea caverns on the South Coast of Malta, located within the Qrendi village, near “Wied iz-Zurrieq” and right side is alsoacross from the small uninhabited islet of Filfla except for a distinctive species of lizards that live there. There is a unique site every day from sunrise until about 1pm when cave combined with the sunlight lead to the water mirroring showing various shades of blue. There are so many caverns mirror the brilliant phosphorescent colors of the underwater flora; other caverns show a deep dark shade of blue.

Source: Charismatic Planet

The Great Banyan Tree of India

The Great Banyan is a banyan tree; also called Ficus Benghalensis belonging to the family Moraceae, is more than 250 years old tree, which date of birth is yet not confirmed. The Banyan tree is located in Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Indian Botanic Garden Howrah near Kolkata India. The tree has mentioned in several travel books of 19^th century, but no clear history of tree, when was it planted. The Great Banyan tree has survived many difficult situations, like two severe cyclones of 1864, and 1867.Source: CP

Pearl Continental Lahore Pakistan

Clathrus Archeri or Devil's Finger Fungus

Clathrus archeri is commonly known as octopus stinkhorn, or devil’s fingers, is a fungus indigenous to Australia and New Zealand, and an introduced species in Europe, North America and Asia. In Britain this amazing fungus is usually known as Devil’s Fingers, and in parts of the USA it is referred to as the Octopus Fungus. Source: CP

Birds are Gems of Mother Nature

No doubt Birds are Gems of Mother Nature. Almost every human like Birds and had a desire to see colorful birds in their courtyar or outside. In this video you can see some of best Birds recorded in the camera.

The Astonishing Strokkur Geyser, Iceland

In the land that gifted English the word Photo Volcanica “geyser,” Strokkur is one of the most impressive. Strokkur is a fountain geyser located in a geothermal area beside the Hvítá River in Iceland in the southwest part of the country, east of Reykjavík and erupt every five to ten minutes or so. It is one of Iceland’s most famous geysers and its usual height is 15 to 20 m, sometimes erupt up to 40 m high. Strokkur is belongs to Haukadalur valley where various geothermal features such as mud pools, fumaroles and other geysers are located around it, such as the famous Geysir geyser. Source: CP

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Sea Lion Caves in the Oregon Coast of U.S.

Sea Lion Caves are a connected system of sea caves and caverns open to the Pacific Ocean in the U.S. state of Oregon. They’re are located 11 miles north of Florence and 400 miles Oregon Coast. In this region area Highway 101 follows a steep and undeveloped seascape 300 feet above sea level. Lichens, algae, and mineral stains cover the cavern walls with greens, pinks, purples, buffs, and reds on the rough surfaces, few of which are named Lincoln’s Head, the Indian Maiden, and The Goddess of Liberty.

Original Article Source: Charismatic Planet

Greater Blue Eared Starling, The Gorgeous Mystery Bird

The greater blue-eared starling or “greater blue-eared glossy-starling” (Lamprotornis chalybaeus) are so spectacular to look at that the birder totally forgets about all identification clues as soon as he or she gets her bino’s onto the bird. The bird adopts seasonal migration and common species of open woodland bird. When you see this bird, first you’ll look at his eyes, a vivid and psycho looking orange eye captivate your notions for a while.

Unalaska, The Town of Violent Bald Eagles

The magnificent bald eagle is the national bird of America, but most Americans are lucky to see one first-hand during their lifetimes. The Unalaska town offers classic examples of the striking nature you’ll find throughout Alaska, but seems otherwise unremarkable. Then there’s the unnatural amount of eagles here is due to Unalaska simply being a great place for the birds to score food. The Town Unalaska is located on Unalaska Island and neighboring Amaknak Island in the Aleutian Islands off mainland Alaska. Source: CP

Coin Whising Trees of England

Few centuries ago, around UK people would put coins into trees in order to make wish. The odd marvel of gnarled old trees with coins embedded all over their bark has been spotted on trails from the Peak District to the Scottish Highlands. Hence, the legends around it and the imageries that follow are quite awe remarkable! Many people thought that by striking a coin into a tree with a hammer, they could make a wish, such as having some sick get better or removing the suffering from their close ones.

Pando The World’s Oldest Living Organisms

The Pando or “The Trembling Giant” is a massive grove of quaking aspens that takes the “forest as a single organism” metaphor and literalizes it. Although, the grove is a single organism, roughly 47,000 trees are genetically similar having single root system. However, various trees spread through flowering and sexual reproduction; quaking aspens normally reproduce asexually, by sprouting new trees from the expansive lateral root of the parent. So, with their smooth white bark, intense black markings, and tall, thin trunks, aspens are some of the most striking and graceful trees, special varieties possess a very surprising quality. Source: CP

Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur Rajasthan

Mehrangarh Fort is also known as “Mehran Fort” located in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. The foundation of the Mehran fort was decided on 12 May 1459 by Rao Jodha on a rocky hill 9KM to the south of Mandore. Rao Jodha, previously known as “Marwar” founded Jodhpur in 1459. He was one of Ranmal’s 24 sons and became the 15th Rathore ruler. The fort rising perpendicular and impregnable from a rocky hill that itself one of the most magnificent forts in India. Still run by the Jodhpur royal family, Mehrangarh is packed with rich history and legends.

Bridegroom’s Oak The World’s Most Romantic Postbox

In Germany a 500 year old tree called “The Bridegroom’s Oak” in the Dodauer Forst forest near of Eutin, has its own postal address and actually receives about 5 to 6 letters every day. The letters are sent by love seekers from all over the world, in the hope of someone will read them and write back. In the modern age of dating apps, social media available today, but love seekers still sending letters to this amazing tree, in the hope of finding their love. To sending the letter to charming tree and expecting good fortunate to work would be a really magic. The tree trunk has a circumference of 16 ft, a spread of 98 ft, and a height of 82 ft.

El Tatio, The Third Largest Geyser Field in the World

Head into the Andes Mountains of northern Chile and you’ll find “El Tatio” a geyser field at 4,320 meters above mean sea level. El Tatio is among the highest-elevation geyser fields in the world, and has more than 80 active geysers, making it the largest geyser field in the southern hemisphere and the third largest in the world.

Jigokudani Monkey Park, Where Monkeys Bath in Hot Springs

Jigokudani is a valley surrounded by steep rock walls where steam can be seen rising from natural hot springs. Jigokudani Monkey Park, is famous due to massive population of wild Japanese snow monkeys, using natural spa exclusively by themselves. These are also referred to Japanese macaques “Macaca fuscata”, in Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture, part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, located in the valley of the Yokoyu-River, in the northern part of the prefecture.

Kerið Crater, A Volcanic Crater Lake in Iceland,

Kerið, is a volcanic crater lake located in the Grimsnes area in South Iceland. It is also known as Kerith or Kerid, a popular tourist attraction due to scenic route Golden Circle. There’re number of crater lakes in the Iceland’s Western Volcanic Zone, which includes Reykjanes Peninsula and The Langjökull Glacier. It is one of several crater lakes in the area, known as Iceland’s Western Volcanic Zone, which includes the Reykjanes peninsula and the created as the land moved over a localized hotspot, but it is the one that has the most visually recognizable caldera still intact.

This is a 55 m deep explosion crater that harbours a small green lake in the Grímsnes region, filled with water; steep circular slopes resemble an ancient Amphitheatre. The crater is nearly 3000 years old, often displaying intense colors. The caldera is well composed of a red and black volcanic rock. The caldera is approximately 180 feet deep, 560 feet wide, and 890 feet across. Kerið’s caldera is one of the three most recognizable volcanic craters. However, the other two surrounding volcanic are Seyðishólar and Kerhóll half the age of this.