ELEGANT QUEEN ANN'S LACE GIFTS FOR A WEDDING

My friends Rémi and Rebecca got married this past weekend. They rallied the help of their friends to create a true community event. Some prepared food for 60 people. Some sang and played music instruments, recited poems, and our teacher lead the spiritual ceremony and hosted the event in her beautiful garden. The mother of the bride, a consummate potter, made candle holders. Children--young and old--were asked to blow soap bubbles. I was asked to take charge of making bouquets for the banquet tables while another friend used her ikebana skills to make arrangements for the buffet table.

Queen Ann's lace, the queen of wild flowers.

One of the most elegant wild flowers of summer is Queen Ann's lace, also known as wild carrot. It is found in abundance this summer and it was a pleasure to grace many vases with it. All bouquets were prepared the afternoon before the ceremony and wilting was a preoccupation, but Queen Ann's lace was sturdier than I thought. Some thanks go to Lady Weather who was cool that night and preserved all bouquets well.

Health wise, it contains vitamin A. An infusion of the whole herb can be used for  chronic kidney diseases and affections of the bladder (1 oz of the herb in a litre of simmering water; drink in doses of 2 oz). A strong decoction will help pass gravel and kidney stones and counter the production of the latter. It is also good against insomnia and flatulence. Not a bad idea to have this tea after a beautiful wedding dinner.

Wild carrot can be used as a diuretic, an aphrodisiac and as a tonic for the nervous system. and also to soothe the digestive tract, to stimulate the uterus, to reduce cholesterol, and to supports the liver. In older times, a warm water infusion of the flowers was used in the treatment of diabetes. 

Queen Ann's lace bouquet, bottom right.

Tea with the seed of wild or cultivated carrot, however is not recommended for pregnant women as it provides contractions of the uterus.

Wild carrot hydrosol also has many properties and can be taken orally and on the skin, pure (in small doses) or diluted. It is recommended for inflamed skin, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea. Energetically, it is used to help live in the present moment and to assist those who experience difficulty in sharing. One thing to know, most people find that this hydrosol does not have a pleasant smell.

Other medicinal plants used in the bouquets included parsley, yarrow of all colors, dill and lavender.

For tips and information on medicinal plants, visit www.facebook.com/facetograce or contact Samyukta for consultations and treatments.