It's Snowing

This weekend we will be skiing!

Come and join us.

Autumn around Wengen

Just to get you folks excited, this is how it looked on Maennlichen last Sunday.
The trees are bursting with berries. The predictions therefore, are for a long, cold, snowy winter.

The "Start Hut" Bar on Lauberhorn has even organised a start of winter season party for
15th November!
The colour of the trees has developed tremendously since this was taken 5 days ago. However, locals have commented that because it has been so dry, the colours have moved through to brown very quickly.


From my balcony, about 9am.




And especially for my friends...

Me at the top of the Moench Tuesday 27th October 09.
An amazing, fabulous day.

Many thanks to my guide Oskar Gertsch for getting me there and back safely.

Herbs and Health on Holiday

The Herbs and Health on Holiday week was very successful. The weather was perfect, we were able to go out and collect some of the plants we were talking and learning about.
We produced some of the recipes spoken of in the course.


And visited a Botanical Garden found at 2000m, Schynige Platte.

Next years course will be at the same time of year, Monday 6th September til Friday 10th 2010. Traditional Remedies of the Swiss Alps.

Schynige Platte

In September I am holding a residential herbal course here in Wengen. This years theme, Alpine Traditional Remedies. My guest speaker is Tina Stapely MCPP, Herbal Historian and Author. She has also, incidentally, appeared as a herbal expert on several television programmes the next appearance will be on Autumn Watch.

A trip to Schynige Platte is part of the course programme. So Yesterday, I hiked 1200m from Wilderswil to the top, a reconnaissance day to find my bearings in the Botanical Garden up there. We will be allowing the train to take the strain on the day.


A few pictures to whet your appetite.

For further information on the course contact me by e-mail karenwengen@netscape.net

Migraine

On my last trip up to Maennlichen I got talking to the only other adventurer, a girl from Finland. As is quite common when people find out that you are a medical herbalist, I was asked " What herb can I take for.....?". Unfortunately its not as simple as that.

Medical science may say take Imigram. As herbalists we wish to get to the bottom of the problem, not just kill the symptom. A herbalist will look at the individual, no two people have the same migraine, the same history that led eventually to that symptom, the same causes, or the same cures.

The wonderful thing about herbs, apart from there being so many, is that they work synergistically. It is possible, and often advisable, to incorporate four or five herbs in one individual mix. For example, we could be supporting the liver, reducing inflammation, keeping the arteries nice and calm, and reducing muscle tension all at the same time.

An initial consultation with a herbalist lasts for usually one hour. In this time we can really get to know your medical, social and emotional history. We can advise on lifestyle changes to help you improve your condition and suggest suitable supplements. As a complimentary therapist, my position is to accompany you on your road to health, to identify and encourage you to make healthy decisions, you are in charge of your health.

What causes your migraines? Are they linked to your menstrual cycle? Is it stress? What is this symptom trying to tell you? Is there anything that makes them worse? What brings relief?

The first port of call is to make a daily note of foods eaten, menstrual cycle, length of bleed, PMT, amount and quality of sleep, activities, stress, emotions and symptoms. This can easily be done on an A4 sheet, landscape, monthly, days of the month at the top, symptoms etc. down the side. Use a scale of 0 - 3 for severity, 0 = nothing, 3 = the worst possible. Contact me for an example via e-mail.

After a few months it may well be possible to see some connections. There could even be a simple cure such as avoiding chocolate pre-menstrually.

Further suggestions for self-help are certain supplements that have been shown to be beneficial and are available in all health food shops. Advisable is to buy the best you can afford, the good quality supplements such as Solgar, Quest, Natures Own. A good Health Food Shop will also be able to offer advice.

General daily supplements are:
Magnesium 300mg,
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) 400mg,
Multi-vitamin and mineral containing 50mg B-complex,
Fish Oils with EPA
Co-enzyme Q10 90mg

Keeping a detailed account of your symptoms while introducing supplements and or making lifestyle changes, all noted on your Observation Chart, can encourage you to keep up the good practices as you begin to see improvement. This may be in the form of reduced duration of pain, or an increase length between attacks, or pain that is now relieved by simple pain killers.

The other nice thing about herbs and supplements is that they can be used in conjunction with your normal migraine medicines.

For the Finnish girl I met last week, I hope this reminds you of what I said on our hike. The nearest herbalist I have found is unfortunately in Sweden, Skane, Christina Harvidsson, her website is http://www.jeppagarden.se/

Til next time

Kx

Orchids and Lillies on Maennlichen in July

Nigritella nigra

Paradisea liliastum

Traunsteinera globosa



Orchis ustulata

Coeloglossum viride

Listera ovata

Arnica

Arnica montana

After two weeks away on holiday the change in the flowers on the mountain is amazing. Walking up the new Gemsweg to Maennlichen I encountered at least seven different orchids, plus the paradise lilly. At the top, 2300m, Arnica montana is nicely in bud and about to show her face.

In the 1950's Dr Alfred Vogel, a Swiss Naturopath said of Arnica that it was to be found everywhere in Switzerland. Now it is a protected plant due to its dwindling numbers. True that here in the Swiss alps it remains fairly prolific, hence it has a partial protection status. However, the rest of Europe it is illegal to pick.

Arnica likes a poor soil, as do all the meadow flowers. To such an extent that under the flight paths in France it has died out due to air pollution.

Arnica is for topical use only, and in very diluted amounts as it can produce allergic reactions. I think everyone knows that it is for bruises and swelling, only to be used on intact skin though.

Homeopathically it can also be used in cases of shock, both emotional and traumatic. Hence it is often suggested for use immediately following surgery, where it reputedly reduces bruising and swelling post operatively. Several cosmetic surgeons I know recommend their patients take it. Please tell the hospital staff, so that they are in the picture.

There has been some research comparing Arnica Gel to Ibuprofen Gel applied to arthritic fingers. Arnica came out equivalent to the Ibuprofen, reducing pain and improving movement, with the addition that it can be used concurrently with Warfarin, unlike Ibuprofen.

The English equivalent, for use on bruises etc, is the common daisy, its old name was bruisewort.

The Long Hot Summer!

I don't know when our promised long hot summer is going to start, but this wet and cool sort of weather is exactly what the Cypripedium calceolus likes. Just as a teaser though, above is a photo I took last year.

There is only one location in the UK where a surviving, true wild Lady's Slipper exists. However,Kew Gardens have a programme to repopulate the various sites that this orchid was known to live. Once germinated, it takes up to fifteen years before flowering. These plants are extremely long-lived, over 100 years.


Pseudorchis albida
A Small White Orchid seen up at Wengernalp last week.


Day Lillies and the Jungfrau.
A reminder of how it all looks when the sun is shining.

Yesterday, hiking up to Maennlichen, I walked into a snow storm, and looking out this morning all the tops are white washed.

Here's hoping for a turn in the weather.
Kxxx

The Lady's Slipper Orchid

It is often the case on grotty weather days that the interesting photos are taken.Despite the rain we went in search for, and found, the Lady's Slipper Orchid.
I was made to promise not to reveal their home.
It is a local secret.

Today also happened to be the day the cows walked up to the alp.

Alpenrose about to bloom

The meadows around the village are slowly being cut, here is one still in full bloom.
Chilchestein
A nice easy Sunday climb took me to the top of this rock, where I found a small bush of Alpenrose.

Time to start looking out up the mountain for the alpenrose display.

Day Lillies with the Jungfrau behind.

Tomorrow I go in search of the lady's slipper orchid. Lets hope the weather is nice to us.

Orchids in Brech Alp

This weeks hike was from Wengen up towards Mettlen and down through Brech Alp to Trummelbach in Lauterbrunnen. It was overcast and a pleasant temperature.

Following are various flowers seen on the way.

A spring meadow in Lauterbrunnen

A spring flower meadow in Wengen, featuring an early purple orchid.

Trumpet gentians near Mettlen.

Heading off for Brech Alp we discovered this wonderful display of common globularia, with a spring gentian just appearing at the bottom of the photo.

This could be a fragrant orchid, Gymnadenia conopsea.

A white helleborine.

A birdsnest orchid, Neottia nidus-avis.

On the Hoof Blister Remedy

On a short hike last week, one of the first of the season, a blister started to rear it's ugly head. It was only a stroll of a couple of hours, I had not one plaster with me. then I spotted this leaf:

Tussilago farfara Tuss - cough, lago - away, farfara - with the fairies.

Coltsfoot. The German name is Huflattich. And the Swiss call it Zytroesli

So this plant is a cough remedy, but only recommended for use over a period of no longer than 6 weeks in a year. This is due to certain alkaloids in its constituents that have been known to cause liver damage.

However, it is also a wound herb. These leaves are quite thick, the underside being very soft and furry.

These two leaves are no longer. They were picked and placed furry side next to the offending article, enabling me to continue on my way in comfort.

The placement of a leaf over the area of a headache will apparently relieve the pain. Still to be tested by me on this one.

I'm off now up the mountain to see what I can find.

Til later
Kxxx

The Stinging Nettle's Time Is Up

Tender-handed stroke a nettle,

And it stings you for your pains;

Grasp it like a man with mettle,

And as soft as silk it remains.

Aaron Hill 1685-1750

We are coming to the end of the nettle season. June is the latest month for fresh nettle consumption. They have traditionally been eaten as a spring cleanse, especially by those with chronic skin and joint problems. It is amongst the first greenery to appear in the garden after the winter hardship, and must have been a welcome sight for the dinner table with its abundance of vitamins and minerals, replenishing the body with much needed nutrients.

Only take the top four to six fresh new green leaves. In my laziness I will just throw a handful in with the rice or pasta to cook. Add it to spinach, or make a soup. Nettle can be eaten raw. By rinsing under running cold water the sting is removed. Do make sure every leaf is rinsed. I once missed the middle of the bunch and got quite a shock biting into my lunch. Otherwise, cooking, steeping and drying also renders the sting painless.

The nettle is an important larval food plant for several butterflies, including the Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta), the Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) and the Peacock (Inachis io), so please keep a little plot going. Cut a third back in June, then another third in July and again in August to encourage the butterflies further. Small tortoiseshell and peacock eggs are found on the underside of the leaf. A rolled up leaf may contain the red admiral's eggs. Those in webs are from the Comma Butterfly (Polygonia C-Album).

The stinging nettle has its uses in the garden. Make a natural fertiliser by leaving the cut plant in a tub of water for a few weeks until it degrades. Then use this mix to water your garden. A spray of the same will also help to keep common plant pests at bay.

Altogether a very versatile plant and that is without mentioning its many medical uses. That's for another time.

Kxxx

More Aquilegia

These plants multiply by the continuous production of seed, therefore any picking of this flower can reduce the amount appearing next year.

White and pink flowers are quite seldom, so I'm very lucky to have this display just up the road.

The alpine variety is quite rare, and somewhat smaller. The spur is straighter, and the stem has only 1-3 flowers. Am now on the look-out!

From My Front Door

The columbine, Aquilegia vulgaris, is blooming beautifully. POISONOUS. The flower spurs are shaped like an eagle's (aquila) talons, hence the Latin name. It has been used as an astringent, Culpepper used the leaves in lotions for sore mouths, a bit hit and miss as to whether the patient survived though. A fabulous garden flower, that grows wild up here. (Information from Mrs Grieve, A Modern Herbal).

It's roasting!

Today in Wengen Dorf Strasse at three o'clock, the temperature was 31C! In the picture above, from yesterday, you can see it was also a beautiful day, but brewing for a down pour. Big drops of rain sparkling in the sunshine fell about an hour later.

Following are several pictures from my hikes this weekend.

Murren Bach with 430m drop.

Looking back to Wengen from Stechelberg.

Sweet violets, bury your nose in them for a heavenly scent.

I think this is a Dactylorhiza majalis.

This orchid doesn't appear have an English common name. Translated from the German it would be "broad leafed orchid"

Ibex. Seen just off the path after Mettlen Alp.

I'm off home to UK again on Wednesday to celebrate mum's 70th birthday. I promise to be more prolific with my postings on my return.

Byeee