Surrey Homes | SH18 | April 2016 | Garden supplement inside

A dose of nature
In a world over-run with pharmaceutical drugs, we’re on the hunt for a more
natural antidote. Read on to discover the potential of your own back garden...
The beekeepers
Alison and Robin Derrick keep their own bees...
We all know how great honey is, but what else do your bees give you?
Beeswax is one of the oldest ingredients used in skincare because it nourishes
and softens the skin. It’s anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-allergenic. Propolis is
resinous and very sticky. We’re trialling a propolis cream to treat psoriasis, acne
and burns, and have had great results so far. Bee pollen is packed with protein
and can help hay-fever sufferers. Royal jelly is fed only to bee larvae destined
to be queens, so we don’t extract this as it can disturb the natural equilibrium
in the hive. Even bee stings can be used to treat arthritis and rheumatism.
BeeInspired make some lovely products, which is your favourite and
why? I love making all the creams and balms, however, my absolute favourite
is the gardeners’ hand cream. I love the synergy between the essential oils;
jasmine tones the skin and increases elasticity, lavender calms and soothes,
and rosemary improves blood circulation and relieves muscular pain.
If someone wants to keep their own bees, what are your top tips? Anyone
interested in beekeeping should seek out their local beekeeping association first.
Each association will run both practical and theoretical training courses, conferences
and taster days. I would recommend starting with a friend so you can help each
other lift heavy boxes and keep an eye out for any queen cells. Plus, having two
opinions is useful. Also, always remember that bees are not at all harmful.
Alison has kept bees for over 20 years. BeeInspired combine honey and beeswax
with plant and essential oils to make the most divine smelling beauty products.
They’re luxurious and highly beneficial for both physical and psychological
wellbeing. Get yours here www.wealdenfairs.com/naturalbeeswaxcreams
The expert gardener
Claire works at Sissinghurst Castle & Gardens...
Are you a fan of natural remedies? Why? As a gardener, I love plants,
and they seem to find their way into all aspects of my life, the medicine
shelf included. I love that a potential cure is just at hand and there is no
packaging or added chemicals. Using natural remedies is very simple and
the more you do it, the more normal it feels. Before you know it, you’ll be
stepping into your garden, before reaching for the medicine cabinet.
What would be 3 easy-to-grow plants for the novice gardener or someone
with a small garden? Number one is lavender; it helps with stress, tension and
insomnia. Use a tablespoon of dried flowers and tie them in a square of muslin.
Run them under the tap for a relaxing bath. Thyme is a useful herb in the
kitchen, but is also great at relieving stuffy noses, coughs and colds when added
to a basin with hot water. Pop a towel over your head and breathe in the steamy
aroma for 5-10 minutes. My third choice would be garlic. Buy the garlic head
in winter, plant each clove in the ground or a pot and harvest in June. Make
it into a tea, syrup, juice or oil for poor circulation, joint pain or earache.
Are there any kitchen windowsill plants that you find handy? An Aloe
Vera plant is best kept on the kitchen windowsill where it’s close to hand
to deal with cuts and burns. The clear gel instantly soothes and dries to
form a natural bandage. I also have a pot of Moroccan mint, the best
for making tea. Tear up a palmful of leaves into a teapot and infuse for
a few minutes. It’s great for relieving congestion and headaches. Basil is
known to have anti-inflammatory properties and makes a great pesto.
Claire Abery has been a gardener since leaving school and has worked at the
botanic garden at Reading University and Levens Hall in the Lake District.
Image: Thomas Alexander
The hop growers
Caroline Alexander on a local
way to get a good night’s sleep...
What makes hops and lavender such a great
combination for promoting sleep? Sleeping
on a pillow of hop flowers has long been
considered a remedy for insomnia. Throughout
Europe countryfolk would fill their pillows
with hops and fragrant herbs as the aroma of
hops on their own is not to everyone taste.
By combining them with lavender it smells
lovely as well as increasing the soporific effect.
What evidence is there to support this?
Scientific research has proved that inhaling the
fragrance of lavender or applying the oil to the
skin has a direct effect on the brain and reduces
the symptoms of stress. This is in addition
to lavender’s other medicinal benefits as an
antiseptic, anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory.
Lavender’s relaxing properties are also effective
in combatting travel sickness. Hop flowers
are a natural sedative, but it’s the presence of
oestrogen that is a particular aid to sleep.
How can people use hops and lavender
to promote sleep? The simplest remedy is
Sleepy Scent – a subtle balance of essential
oils using hop extract with pure lavender oil.
A few drops on a pillow is all that’s needed.
It’s perfect for long-haul flights too. For
added benefit, try sipping Sleepy Tea which
blends hops (they’re too bitter to drink on
their own) with lavender, rose petals and
camomile flowers. Sleep pillows can be made
using a ratio of 40% dried hops to 60%
lavender. Loosely fill a fine-woven cotton bag
and place inside an old pillow case. Make sure
you use true lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
not lavandin (Lavandula intermedia)
which has mild stimulant properties.
The Hop Shop in Kent has been producing
Sleepy Scent and Sleepy Tea from its homegrown
Kentish lavender for many years.
For more information contact 01959
523219 or visit www.hopshop.co.uk
109 www.wealdentimes.co.uk