In Honor Of Eir: A Lesson in Herbs From My Mother

by Ember Cooke

Use Mallow Stem to soothe the skin

and Willow Bark for pain
Mustard Leaves for cuts and wounds
Sage is small biter's bane
 
Mints, like Sages, calm the soul
And cleanse the skin of ills
Aloe Vera's liquid flesh
A sunburnt surface chills
 
Dock Leaf winter's weakness ends
So Borage winter's moods
Rosemary speeds the beating heart
- be careful with your foods
 
Yet like Witch Hazel's cooling sting
Rosemary stems the flow
And brings to aching crown's relief
If smoothed upon the brow
 
For stomach-aches drink Chamomile
Put honey sweet on sores
Flowers of Calendula
Will end the Tiny Wars
 
A world of ills affect the gut
Which Dandelions cure
Use Leaves of Manzanita and
Cranberries to make sure