“Eyebright, coltsfoot, cowslips, creeping charlie, daisies, stinging nettles.” (March 10, 1814)

Fortunately, the second half of March 1814 was quite mild, so you might expect some herbs and wildflowers to emerge, although coltsfoot is usually a bit earlier, a true harbinger of spring! My granny used to give ten pence to whoever spotted its first flower. 

Coltsfoot and cowslips were traditionally used for coughs and sore throats, but coltsfoot actually contains dangerous alkaloids. Daisies, we have learned from Claire, make a good bruise tincture, but they're also pretty and tasty in herbal teas and salads.

Coltsfoot

Cowslips

Daisies

 

© all photographs Jürgen May