Corinne Martin recommends taking another look at the weeds that are invading your yard and garden.
why?
Because they’re more than just weeds.
“Louisiana Herb Journal: Healing on Home Ground” was published by LSU Press in April.
Do you have sticky, rootless plants that stick to your clothes in early spring? These are called cleavers and are ideal for treating lymphatic diseases.
Is it a small daisy-like flower with bottle brush petals that starts blooming in late February? Suitable for treating diarrhea, indigestion and kidney stones.
The Louisiana Herb Journal has an article that states that drying the knife and making it into a tea has a lymphatic tonic effect.
And that’s just a few of the plants Martin features in his book, “Louisiana Herb Journal: Home Ground Healing.”
The book, released in April by LSU Press, is a collection of medicinal herbs combined with stories from Louisiana, many of which are her memories of growing up in Houma.
The Louisiana Herbal Journal includes a description of sycamore, which can be infused as a tea to treat diarrhea, indigestion, rheumatism, and gout.
That’s where her family still lives, but Martin now lives in Maine and recently retired from her job teaching holistic and integrative health at the University of Southern Maine School of Nursing in Portland. .
These days, Martin spends the winter and spring in his home state of Louisiana, where he spends a lot of time harvesting herbs and finding new ones.
Corinne Martin, author of Louisiana Herb Journal. She will be signing copies of her own books at the annual Louisiana Book Festival on Saturday, October 29th.
For Martin, who is also a certified clinical herbalist, Louisiana’s botanical treasure trove is a nonstop adventure, discovering new herbs with every visit.
These discoveries culminated in a list of 50 herbs in Martin’s new book. And although she’s already thinking about writing a second installment, Martin’s main focus is on getting the word out about the revelations in the first installment.
An article in the Louisiana Herb Journal states that a tea made from honeysuckle can be used to treat colds, sinus infections, bronchitis, and strep throat.
“Once I recognize a new plant, I think about how it might change the way I garden and the way I view the land around me,” Martin says. “And if this book can do something like that for others, if it just helps people see the land around them differently and make slightly different choices; Whether it’s for my health or just for the garden, I’ve done it. I wanted to do it.”
An article in the Louisiana Herb Journal states that greenbrier tea can be used to treat rheumatism, arthritis, gout, and menopausal symptoms.
It’s true that Martin is from Louisiana, but he was only 19 years old when he left the state. She just got married, after which she moved to Indiana, and then settled in Maine, where she has lived for 38 years.
She was, and still is, close to her family, but like most people, she was largely unaware of the familiar landscape of her youth. Louisiana had just been to her house.
“Louisiana Herb Journal” has an article stating that brewing pseudo-strawberries into tea is effective against acute tonsillitis, laryngitis, fever, and poor blood circulation.
Returning home changed that. Martin’s favorite aunt recently passed away. Her aunt was cremated and Martin delivered her ashes to Homa.
It was then that Martin began to see his homeland as a land rich in medicinal plants.
“I fell in love with it all over again,” she said. “For those 38 years, I became a clinical herbalist, taught at universities, and the fact that I was always close to nature has always guided me. When I returned to Louisiana, all of this There were plants and I recognized them since I was a child.”
The Louisiana Herb Journal has an article about how chickweed can be made into a tea to treat coughs, chest congestion, and asthma.
So she began writing in a diary about what she saw, discovered, and harvested, which led to extensive research.
That led to this book.
But then again, the Louisiana Herb Journal is more than just a record of medicinal herbs. This is also a memoir in which each herb is tied to a family memory.
“I didn’t have this grand plan in mind. I just kept coming up with one thing after another and rediscovering my family,” Martin said. “It was definitely home turf.”
Plants such as goldenrod were growing naturally on the home ground. When brewed and made into tea, it has natural diuretic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
The Louisiana Herb Journal includes an article about different types of magnolia, which can be infused into a tea and used to lose weight and treat indigestion, inflammation, stress, and depression.
Don’t forget about honeysuckle. Honeysuckle in tea form is a natural treatment for colds, bronchitis, sinusitis, and strep throat.
The appearance of Martin’s honeysuckle sparks a conversation with her cousin, a self-proclaimed witch, who tells Martin that honeysuckle has the power to attract friends, bring good luck, and maintain love within the family. .
“And fairies are said to love this plant,” Martin wrote of her cousin’s advice. “So, if you want to have fairies in your house, plant this herb.”
The “Louisiana Herb Journal” includes an article about goldenrod, which can be brewed into a tea that can be used as a diuretic.
Even if you don’t believe in fairies, it’s worth taking another look at honeysuckle’s natural healing potential.
Just as Louisiana is worth another look for Martin.
“Despite all its quirks, I’m really happy that I rediscovered and fell in love with this state,” she said. “But none of us are without our quirks and challenges. I think what impressed me most was a renewed appreciation for how great this state is.”
Corinne Martin will be joining the lineup when the Louisiana Book Festival returns for the second time in two years on October 29th. She will speak on a panel and sign books. For more information, visit louisianabookfestival.org.
