Columba's Wild Irish Healing Herb Garden
Donation protected
I have a dream: to transform the little plot of muddy land beside my village home on the northwest coast of Ireland into a thriving garden where not only can bees, birds and plants live in harmony but from which natural healing herbs can blossom.
No better time to give birth to such a project than on my own birthday, beginning of March. And I have natural potions as gifts for those who become Patrons (see bottom of page for details).
Now, midway along my journey to becoming a medical herbalist, my eyes have been opened to the magic of what I call ‘the natural world of healing.’ I have already counted no less than 30 different herbs growing wild around me, which I have fused into a range of potions including teas, tinctures, infused vinegars, creams, salves, syrups and pestos to relieve pain, keep skin young and boost immunity.
But I have yet to give Nature anything back except the heartfelt thank yous I offer it each time I pick something. Now’s the time to start – by creating a wild Irish herb healing garden.
They say if you want to change the world, start with yourself. That’s just what I intend to do.
I am a different to the person I was two years ago and the change is immensely uplifting. I dream my wild healing herb garden will uplift other people too. That one day it will be a place where local people and outside visitors will come to learn more about the diversity of wild herbs growing here, their magnificent healing properties and the intriguing Celtic legends associated with them.
Six years ago, I co-founded an international writing retreat, Ireland Writing Retreat and every year I welcome people from all over the world to this small corner of Donegal on Ireland’s famous ‘Wild Atlantic Way.’ While here, they write creative stories about the rich landscape and culture of a place known as ‘the Forgotten Land.’ Plants also deserve to tell their stories so my hope is that ‘Columba’s Wild Irish Healing Herb Garden’ will provide further inspiration to these writers, and indeed artists of all kinds.
Some of the plants whose home embraces my own, all well-known from ancient Druidic times for their important health-giving properties, include - Plantain, Dandelion, Meadowsweet, Comfrey, Peppermint, Daisy, St. John’s Wort, Yarrow, Clover, Nettles, Coltsfoot, Cleavers, Myrtle, Sea buckthorn, Brambles, Heather, Centaurium, Willow, Scots pine, Yellow archangel, Marsh orchid, Herb Robert, Cherry laurel, Rosemary, Red campion, Gorse, Horsetail, Sorel, Selfheal, Lovage, Fennel, Hawthorn, Fuchsia – the list is almost endless.
As a keen photographer, I would also like my images of local flora to give you a better idea of the magical world I would like to nurture into existence. My blog will feature a series of photos reflecting the work-in-progress.
‘Columba’s Wild Irish Healing Herb Garden’ is inspired by a mystical 6th century figure known as Columba (or Columcille), an intriguing character born in Donegal and known as the foremost historian of Celtic Ireland, and reputedly a lover of plants. I happen to share with this illustrious fellow a similar name, Columbia. I also happen to share his choice of favorite herb, St. John’s Wort.
I humbly ask you to consider becoming a patron of ‘Columba’s Wild Irish Healing Herb Garden’ to help cover the costs of renting machinery and buying proper soil and fencing. As a small thank you, I offer you the following gifts:
Rainbow Patron: 150 euro
A ‘SubtleTea’ blend including a selection of organic, hand-picked dried plants such as: Sea thrift, Gorse, Wild rose, Wood violet, Daisy, Marshmallow, Yarrow, Primrose, Hawthorne, Peppermint, Heather and Meadowsweet.
A jar of sea truffle (as flavorful as its famous land equivalent, but comprising a multitude of minerals)
A bottle of homemade mead, known as the ‘Liquor of the Gods,’ the first alcoholic drink known to Man, made from organic honey and local plants
A bottle of herbs-infused organic apple cider vinegar to support digestion
A ‘Love Your Bones’ salve to ease muscle pain and strengthen bone structure
A special natural herbal face oil to nourish your skin
Columbia’s ‘Heavenly Seven’ recipes made with Wild Irish herbs
Sunshine Patron: 70 euro
A ‘SubtleTea’ blend including a selection of organic, hand-picked dried plants such as: Sea thrift, Gorse, Wild rose, Wood violet, Daisy, Marshmallow, Yarrow, Primrose, Hawthorne, Peppermint, Heather and Meadowsweet.
A jar of sea truffle (as flavorful as its famous land equivalent, but comprising a multitude of minerals)
Columbia’s secret recipe for ‘Wild Irish Herb Pesto’
No better time to give birth to such a project than on my own birthday, beginning of March. And I have natural potions as gifts for those who become Patrons (see bottom of page for details).
Now, midway along my journey to becoming a medical herbalist, my eyes have been opened to the magic of what I call ‘the natural world of healing.’ I have already counted no less than 30 different herbs growing wild around me, which I have fused into a range of potions including teas, tinctures, infused vinegars, creams, salves, syrups and pestos to relieve pain, keep skin young and boost immunity.
But I have yet to give Nature anything back except the heartfelt thank yous I offer it each time I pick something. Now’s the time to start – by creating a wild Irish herb healing garden.
They say if you want to change the world, start with yourself. That’s just what I intend to do.
I am a different to the person I was two years ago and the change is immensely uplifting. I dream my wild healing herb garden will uplift other people too. That one day it will be a place where local people and outside visitors will come to learn more about the diversity of wild herbs growing here, their magnificent healing properties and the intriguing Celtic legends associated with them.Six years ago, I co-founded an international writing retreat, Ireland Writing Retreat and every year I welcome people from all over the world to this small corner of Donegal on Ireland’s famous ‘Wild Atlantic Way.’ While here, they write creative stories about the rich landscape and culture of a place known as ‘the Forgotten Land.’ Plants also deserve to tell their stories so my hope is that ‘Columba’s Wild Irish Healing Herb Garden’ will provide further inspiration to these writers, and indeed artists of all kinds.
Some of the plants whose home embraces my own, all well-known from ancient Druidic times for their important health-giving properties, include - Plantain, Dandelion, Meadowsweet, Comfrey, Peppermint, Daisy, St. John’s Wort, Yarrow, Clover, Nettles, Coltsfoot, Cleavers, Myrtle, Sea buckthorn, Brambles, Heather, Centaurium, Willow, Scots pine, Yellow archangel, Marsh orchid, Herb Robert, Cherry laurel, Rosemary, Red campion, Gorse, Horsetail, Sorel, Selfheal, Lovage, Fennel, Hawthorn, Fuchsia – the list is almost endless. As a keen photographer, I would also like my images of local flora to give you a better idea of the magical world I would like to nurture into existence. My blog will feature a series of photos reflecting the work-in-progress.
‘Columba’s Wild Irish Healing Herb Garden’ is inspired by a mystical 6th century figure known as Columba (or Columcille), an intriguing character born in Donegal and known as the foremost historian of Celtic Ireland, and reputedly a lover of plants. I happen to share with this illustrious fellow a similar name, Columbia. I also happen to share his choice of favorite herb, St. John’s Wort.
I humbly ask you to consider becoming a patron of ‘Columba’s Wild Irish Healing Herb Garden’ to help cover the costs of renting machinery and buying proper soil and fencing. As a small thank you, I offer you the following gifts:
Rainbow Patron: 150 euro
A ‘SubtleTea’ blend including a selection of organic, hand-picked dried plants such as: Sea thrift, Gorse, Wild rose, Wood violet, Daisy, Marshmallow, Yarrow, Primrose, Hawthorne, Peppermint, Heather and Meadowsweet.
A jar of sea truffle (as flavorful as its famous land equivalent, but comprising a multitude of minerals)
A bottle of homemade mead, known as the ‘Liquor of the Gods,’ the first alcoholic drink known to Man, made from organic honey and local plants
A bottle of herbs-infused organic apple cider vinegar to support digestion
A ‘Love Your Bones’ salve to ease muscle pain and strengthen bone structure
A special natural herbal face oil to nourish your skin
Columbia’s ‘Heavenly Seven’ recipes made with Wild Irish herbs
Sunshine Patron: 70 euro
A ‘SubtleTea’ blend including a selection of organic, hand-picked dried plants such as: Sea thrift, Gorse, Wild rose, Wood violet, Daisy, Marshmallow, Yarrow, Primrose, Hawthorne, Peppermint, Heather and Meadowsweet.
A jar of sea truffle (as flavorful as its famous land equivalent, but comprising a multitude of minerals)
Columbia’s secret recipe for ‘Wild Irish Herb Pesto’
Organizer
Columbia Hillen
Organizer