Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail. 16th June 2018 
Swerve Sugar
It is the time of year that I used to make copious amounts of Elderflower cordial but becoming more and more health conscious, and swerving sugar, I am opting for flavoured waters instead.
They may not sound as exciting as cordial but can be just as flavoursome, are actually easier to make and are much better for you. All you do is add water to fruit! Get a good sized jug, put your chosen fruit (mashing it up a bit normally helps releases the flavours) fill up with water and chill in the fridge. Fruits which work best include strawberries, raspberries, lemons, oranges, limes, watermelon and pineapple; adding herbs like mint and even basil add additional flavour; grated ginger adds a ‘zing’ and cucumber will add a refreshing twist.
With the elderflower you may want to strain the water after it has infused; one lot I made last week had quite a bit of black fly on the blossoms so if you don’t want the extra protein, pour it through a sieve before serving.
And don’t forget to ask the elder tree permission before picking the blossom as folklore has it that the Elder Tree Mother, lives in the elder tree and watches over it and gets cross if you don’t respect the tree and it’s ‘fruits’. Similarly, it is also called the “witch’s tree” as the village hedge-witch would have used the elder extensively. Herbally it is wonderfully rich and potent in all its parts – leaves, flowers, berries and bark.
I use a lot of Melissa, or bee balm, too, which is also great with hot water as a tea. I am also lucky to have copious amounts of wild strawberries – normally considered a bit of a pain, as they are so invasive. I have let them go mad this year and am reaping the benefits of the heavenly scented little fruits. Not surprisingly, they are a great flavouring for water.
And try creating different ‘blends’ – strawberry and basil work well together as does orange, pineapple and ginger or just lemon, lime and mint. Slightly more exotic blends I have tried and which work, include Jalapeno pepper and watermelon, apple and cinnamon and peach and mint.
And they are all even nicer if made with sparkling water too.
Sex Bomb? No, Pollen Bomb!
It is a tough year for hay fever suffers with the experts warning of ‘very high’ levels of pollen over the next few weeks in what they are describing as a ‘pollen bomb’.
Last winter ran on for so long that the early spring flowering plants blossomed at the same time as late spring flowers, which is known as a ‘condensed spring’. Tree pollen was also late this year and so this month sees an accumulation of tree pollen plant pollen and grass pollen (which is responsible for 95% of hay fever symptoms), resulting in an increase in hay fever and in worst cases, asthma attacks.
Dad used to explain it more simply, ‘Plants want to go to seed as quickly as possible, a cold winter means that they have less time to do that and as most gardener will have experienced the last month, results in plants and grass growing as though they are on steroids!’
He taught us that Nature always catches up, and if you don’t believe me try sowing a succession of pea seeds and watch them all come to harvest at the same time!
The recent sunny spells and heavy rain showers have added to the urgent plant growth, exacerbating the pollen further and the pollen count or pollen bomb is predicted to last for several weeks, with Wales being one of the worst hit areas.
I am incredibly lucky not to suffer from hay fever but did have a tricky couple of days after backing into a pollen laden pine whilst mowing last week – I was literally enveloped in a cloud of pollen and can see where the pollen bomb analogy came from.
Honey Helps
Friends who do suffer with hay fever, and asthma as a result of high pollen count, swear by a teaspoonful of local honey every day as the honey contains local pollen, which desensitises you when digested.
And don’t forget that your four legged friend could be suffering too – sneezing, scratching and runny eyes are all signs that they are being affected by pollen.
Boston terriers, Cairn terriers, Scottish terriers, West Highland terriers, wire-haired terriers, Dalmatians, Irish setters, poodles and schnauzer are actually more prone to hay fever than others.
You can help your dog, by wiping them over with a damp towel to help remove any pollen clinging to the coat after a walk. Washing their bedding regularly and hoovering – the house not your pet – can help too. Thankfully Yogi doesn’t suffer from hay fever, so I don’t have to suffer the hoovering.
Mary Quant
They say fact is stranger than fiction – and it doesn’t get much stranger than this – my Mary Quant dress is going to be included in the Mary Quant Exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum next year. (see pic)
Having spent the last couple of years in the wardrobe, it will be lovely for it to get the attention it deserves – and it was even more lovely to realise it still fits!
The exhibition will run from the 6th of April 2019 to the 8th March 2020 and tickets will be available this autumn.
Very helpful, useful and interesting article! Thanks.
Thank you Laura. Great to see you are keeping well (good old FB keeping us connected!) . Lots of love x