The winter period is slowly drawing to an end. I am looking forward to spring – true, gushing with colours, buzzing, warming. So far, we are still in the “transition period” when stocks are running out and each day we can’t wait for new, green, benign.
Catkin milk against the cold
Add 1 tabelspoon of catkin to 1 glass of coconut milk or any other that you like the most.
Slowly heat the whole mixture.If the milk is very hot, take it off the stove for 10 minutes.
Drink warm. The milk may be sweetened with honey to turn up the flavour and improve the anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties.
If runny nose, cough and cold can’t find their way out of our homes, you have to get your strength back. So I decided that we go for a walk!Of course, I was met with the usual reaction “I DON’T FEEL LIKE IT”, “I’M BORED”. Yet, I stood my ground. Fresh air is crucial and a short walk will do everyone good.
I love walking, both around the city and in the countryside. This time, we drove to the forest in search of the first signs of spring. It goes without saying that catkin is the obvious harbinger of it. The remind everyone that Easter is coming. I thought about making a catkin wreath which may be hanged on the door, wall or as a decorative centrepiece. Therefore, we were looking for a willow tree to clip some branches.
Willow, or more precisely willow bark, is a herbal ingredient. It contains, among others, salicin – the plant equivalent of aspirin. Willow bark broths and decoctions have anti-inflammatory properties and they also alleviate pain and fever, they disinfect and kill bacteria. It is, therefore, recommended in feverish diseases, such as the flu or a cold. Willow catkins have very similar properties. They are edible and, on top of that, quite tasty:-)
You should definitely try catkin milk! I just love it:-)
PS. Did you know that willow has two types of catkins? I also found it surprising. Those from the bouquets and wreaths (the “kittens”) are male.
Different trees have female blossoms (they are greener). You live, you learn:-)