Earthwise Herbal UK

30/08/2026

🌼 Tansy Balm | Traditional Eastern European Herbalism
Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare, known as wrotycz in Poland, is one of those golden plants with a surprisingly long history in European and Eastern European folk herbalism.
Traditionally, tansy preparations were used externally in many different ways. Herbal rubs, poultices, washes and infused preparations were applied for aching muscles and joints, rheumatic complaints, bruises, swelling and sprains.
🌿 Tansy also had a long-standing place in traditional skin remedies. External preparations were used for troublesome, itchy and eruptive skin complaints, including conditions historically described in ways that may correspond with what we now recognise as eczema, psoriasis and acne-prone skin.
It was also traditionally used for itchy insect bites, while its intensely aromatic leaves and flowers made tansy a popular household herb for discouraging insects. Historical preparations were even used externally against lice and scabies.
And my version couldn't be simpler.
🌼 Dried tansy flowers
🥥 Coconut oil
I slowly infused the dried flowers into coconut oil, which naturally becomes beautifully balm-like when cool. No complicated formulation, just plant, oil and time.
This is one of the things I love most about traditional herbalism. Our ancestors didn't always need cupboards full of ingredients. They learned the plants growing around them, harvested them at the right time and transformed them into simple preparations for the household apothecary.
Tansy also carried a deeper significance in Eastern European folklore. In parts of Poland and the Polish-Ukrainian borderlands, it was gathered amongst herbs blessed around the Feast of the Assumption, Matki Boskiej Zielnej, and these dried herbs could later take on a protective role within the home. 🌿✨
⚠️ A note on safety: Tansy is a potent herb containing thujone and can cause skin sensitivity. This preparation is for external use only. Patch test before use, don't apply to broken or irritated skin, keep away from children, and avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The uses described above are historical and traditional uses, not claims that tansy balm treats medical conditions.
A beautifully simple preparation inspired by generations of European herbal tradition. 🌼🌿

26/08/2026

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) is instantly recognisable by its clusters of little golden button flowers, but behind its cheerful appearance is a surprisingly powerful plant with centuries of traditional use.

Historically, tansy was used in European folk herbalism in many different ways.

🌼 Traditional external preparations
Tansy was incorporated into washes, infused oils and poultices and traditionally applied to areas of aching muscles and joints.

🪰 Natural insect repellent
Its strongly aromatic foliage was traditionally placed around homes, bedding and stored materials to discourage fleas, flies, moths and other insects.

🌿 Digestive traditions
Tansy also has a history of internal use as a bitter digestive herb and was once used in preparations for intestinal worms. However, this historical use is not something I recommend recreating at home due to the plant's potential toxicity.

🌙 Women's folk medicine
Historical herbal traditions also used tansy in connection with menstruation. Again, this is part of its medicinal history rather than a recommendation for modern self-treatment.

Tansy contains a fascinating mixture of constituents, including volatile oils, flavonoids and thujone. Thujone is particularly important because it can be toxic at sufficient doses.

And beyond medicine, tansy has a wonderful place in European folklore. It became associated with protection, purification and driving unwanted things away. In Polish and other Eastern European traditions, it also appears among herbs gathered and blessed in seasonal folk customs.

⚠️ A little herbalist's caution:
Tansy is a potent plant. I personally treat preparations made from it as external-use preparations and would not recommend casually taking tansy internally. Avoid during pregnancy and breastfeeding, keep away from children and always patch test topical preparations first.

Next I'll be sharing the rather strange folklore hiding behind these innocent-looking golden flowers, because Tansy has some stories to tell. 🌿

14/08/2026

🌿 Herb of the Week: Goldenrod

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) is one of those beautiful late-summer plants with a surprisingly long history in European herbal medicine.

Traditionally, goldenrod has been particularly associated with the urinary system. Herbalists have used preparations of the flowering aerial parts to support urinary tract health and encourage normal urine flow, as well as in traditional remedies for minor urinary discomfort.

It has also traditionally been used for:

• supporting healthy urinary function
• mild diuretic preparations
• soothing minor urinary tract complaints
• digestive and astringent herbal preparations
• traditional wound and skin preparations externally

The name Solidago is often linked to the Latin solidare, meaning “to make whole” or “to strengthen”, reflecting the plant's historical reputation as a healing herb.

And beyond the herbal apothecary, Goldenrod has an equally fascinating history in European folklore, where it became associated with divination, hidden water, treasure and good fortune. I'll be sharing that story next.

Traditional herbal information for educational purposes only and not intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions.

09/08/2026

A simple herbal foot powder, made in my home apothecary.
One of the things I love about herbalism is turning everyday ingredients into practical remedies for around the home.
This foot powder is made with cornstarch, bentonite clay, baking soda, sage leaf powder and a few drops of tea tree essential oil.
The cornstarch and clay help absorb excess moisture, while baking soda helps neutralise odours. Traditionally, sage has been valued for its aromatic properties, and tea tree essential oil has long been used in skincare and foot care products.
It's a simple recipe that's perfect after a long walk, a day in the garden, or after dance classes when your feet deserve a little extra care.
Sometimes the simplest herbal preparations are the ones we use the most. 🌿
Have you ever made your own herbal body care products?

03/08/2026

If you've ever walked through an old monastery garden or wandered along a sunlit country path, you may have noticed a silvery herb shimmering quietly amongst the green. That was probably wormwood.

For thousands of years, wormwood has grown beside people. Ancient Egyptians recorded it in their herbal writings, Greek and Roman physicians valued its remarkable bitterness, and medieval monks carefully tended it in their physic gardens. Long before it became famous as the herb behind absinthe and vermouth, wormwood had already earned its place in the European apothecary.

Traditionally, herbalists reached for wormwood as one of the classic bitter herbs, often using it in digestive bitters and botanical preparations. It was also included in traditional herbal formulas alongside black walnut and clove. Beyond the apothecary, people carried sprigs of wormwood while travelling, hung it in their homes and wove it into midsummer bundles, believing it offered protection and marked the changing of the seasons.

Today, I simply love growing it in the garden. Its soft silver leaves catch the evening light beautifully, and every time I brush past it, I'm reminded that every herb carries centuries of stories waiting to be discovered.

I've shared much more about its history, traditional uses, phytochemistry, folklore, growing tips and important safety considerations in my latest blog over on the website. Please remember that wormwood like other herbs deserves much respect and its toxic in large does and shouldn't be taken during pregnancy, breastfeeding or by people who suffers seizures.

Have you ever grown wormwood, or is this a herb you've only heard about? 🌿

02/08/2026

30/07/2026

🌿 What herbalism really looks like...
It's stepping into the garden with a basket and coming back with ideas.
It's experimenting with recipes, learning from each season, and discovering new ways to enjoy the herbs you've grown.
This week, my mint harvest became: Mint & lemon balm syrup,
Chocolate mint sugar,
Fresh mint lemonade,
A natural mint & lemon cleaning vinegar.
Working with plants teaches you to slow down, waste less, and appreciate the abundance each season brings. Every harvest is an opportunity to learn something new.
What would you make with a handful of fresh mint?

27/07/2026

As summer slowly begins to turn towards autumn, Lammas (or Lughnasadh) marks the first harvest of the year. It is a time to pause, reflect, and give thanks for everything that has grown, both in our gardens and within ourselves.
Traditionally, people celebrated with fresh bread, herbs, flowers, and gatherings to honour the abundance of the land and the changing of the seasons.
To celebrate this beautiful festival, I've added my Sun Spell Beeswax Candles to the website.
Hand-rolled from natural beeswax and decorated with calendula and lavender, they were inspired by the warmth of the summer sun and the golden fields of the harvest season. They make a lovely addition to a Lammas altar, a gratitude ritual, or simply a quiet evening spent reflecting on the blessings of the year so far.
May this season remind you to celebrate every seed you've planted, every lesson you've learned, and every small victory along the way.
Happy Lammas. 🌾✨

20/07/2026

🌿 Mugwort: The Herb of Dreams and Travellers
For centuries, mugwort has been one of Europe's most treasured folklore herbs. It was traditionally hung above doorways, carried by travellers for protection, and placed beneath pillows in the hope of encouraging vivid dreams and meaningful insights.
In Midsummer celebrations, mugwort wreaths were woven and worn before being cast into the fire, symbolising the release of old burdens and welcoming the season ahead. Many herbal traditions also valued mugwort as a cleansing herb, burning it as part of rituals to refresh a space and mark new beginnings.
Each of my mugwort smudge sticks is hand-harvested and carefully bundled, honouring these beautiful traditions and the changing seasons.
What is your favourite piece of herbal folklore? 🌿

18/07/2026

Don't throw your lemon peels away...

After making my herbal syrup, I used the leftover lemon peels and fresh mint to create a simple homemade cleaning vinegar with white vinegar.

It's a wonderful way to reduce waste while filling your home with a fresh, natural scent.

From a folk tradition perspective, lemon has long been associated with purification and clarity, while mint symbolises freshness, protection, and renewed energy. As you clean your home, it can also become a small ritual, clearing away stagnant energy and making space for a fresh start.

Sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones that care for both our homes and our spirits. 🌿